Babies In The Wilde

App for Newborn

2011-05-27T15:58:00.001-05:00

I tried 4 baby apps and all were good, but my favorite is Baby Connect($5). It allows you to track (nursing, bottle, pumping and solids), sleep, diapers, medicine (incl. Vitamins), even drop off/pick up. It can be synced with other iPhone, iPads, etc. And it consolidates the info into graphs, which can be emailed.

The other 3 apps are ibaby feed(.99), baby activity($5) and baby tracker: nursing($5). Baby activity is more comprehensive than the baby tracker: nursing and ibaby feed. The latter 2 only track feeding, but if that's why you are looking for ibaby feed is great. It has a great graph and stat feature.

Baby activity us good - you can track sleep, diapers, feedings and mood. But doesn't have the added features that baby connect has and they are the same price.

Now I can track everything as I did the first time - obsessively. But it's much more convenient! The downside is that my phone is always around. I sometimes feel reliant on it even though I don't need it. Aaah, technology.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Welcome James: But How is Henry Dealing?

2011-05-10T11:32:00.000-05:00

Our second son was born a few weeks ago and as you can see from the photo, Henry couldn't be more thrilled. He genuinely adores his baby brother and can't give him enough kisses and hugs. When James cries, Henry gently pats him on the back and head and says, "Are you OK? It's OK." It is a true relief for us to see how well Henry is doing with our newest family member.   Hopefully things will continue to go smoothly. I'm still waiting for pangs of jealousy to surface, but Henry doesn't seem jealous when I'm nursing. The only clingy moments were at the beginning of my mom's visit (before James was born) - Henry would cry when it was time for her to take him to his classes. But after a few weeks and lots of bribes - he now happily goes with her to class. I'll be sad when she leaves. She has been a great help during this time of transition.

We were so concerned about how Henry would handle the transition: Mommy and Daddy disappear for a few days; his world as he knows it is over; etc. While we were at the hospital, my mom stayed with Henry at our home. One night he asked to "call Mommy and Daddy." He was happy to talk to us - not sad or depressed. My mom put him to bed and left the phone on the dresser. She found Henry in the morning sleeping with the phone. We later realized he had dialed my sister at 3am via the programmed phone book.   Luckily, Henry had lots of cousins to distract him while we were gone. And although my mom said he was a little quiet and sad while we were away, he was generally happy.

My sister-in-law gave us the most comforting advice. She said, "Things will be different. But just remember you are giving Henry the best gift in the entire world: a sibling." And now that we see how precious they are together - even while James is just a little sausage - we know it's true.

I'm outnumbered 3:1 and loving it.

How and When Babies Learn Language

2011-04-11T14:01:00.001-05:00

Patricia Kuhl's study on how and when babies learn language is fascinating. Children are like sponges when it comes to language until they are 7 years old, and after that age our ability to acquire new languages plummets lower and lower. This 10 minute video is worth the watch - it says 13 minutes, but the last 3 minutes are ads. In my opinion, the most interesting part of the study showed that American babies exposed to Mandarin for 12 sessions were just as good at recognizing Mandarin as Taiwanese babies - BUT the Mandarin exposure had to be through a human being. American babies exposed to Mandarin via television or audio learned nothing. I believe that Henry has learned words via a Chinese DVD, but I suppose he's benefited from me speaking Mandarin to him and a Mandarin class we go to once a week. His pronunciation is very natural compared to his classmates who don't hear Mandarin at home.

A few weeks ago, Henry and I started a mom and tot class at Language Stars for Mandarin and he loves it. He thrives in the small class setting, plus I get to practice my Mandarin too! The class is conducted entirely in Mandarin. We sing songs, use props, walk around, and even have snack time (Henry's favorite part of class). I highly recommend Language Stars if it's in your budget and if you're willing and able to reinforce the language at home. Henry has picked up Mandarin amazingly quickly. Language Stars is a Chicago based company that has expanded to the Washington D.C. and New York City areas. In the Chicago area, they offer multiple languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, German, French and Italian.

Books of the Week: "See How They Go!"

2011-04-07T13:46:00.000-05:00

These are great paperback books that have a lot of bang for their buck. There is a sheet of stickers included, and the pictures really catch Henry's attention. Unfortunately, like many series books these days, they advertise the other books in the series on the back. This tactic is extremely effective on toddlers who want everything they see! So beware, if your toddler likes one of these books, he will likely want to see the other ones, and libraries don't usually carry these. Luckily they are pretty affordable!

See How They Go: Train
See How They Go: Diggers
See How They Go: Fire Truck
See How They Go: Cars
See How They Go: Airplane
See How They Go: Emergency Vehicles
See How They Go: Trucks
See How They Go: Tractor
See How They Go: Motorcycle
See How They Go: Bus
See How They Go: Bus
See How They Go: Motorcycle

Art Projects

2011-03-22T21:46:00.000-05:00

A great activity we do almost every day is an art project. The stamps Henry uses in the video are from the dollar bin at Target, and we've collected stickers as gifts, hand-me-downs and spontaneous purchases. He also loves finger paints, using paint brushes, markers, etc. I preserve the good ones in contact paper so that Henry can admire them later. He loves to say, "I made this." We also use contact paper with magazine cut outs, which avoids the need for glue and/or tape. I tape the sticky side up on the table so he can place magazine and catalogue cutouts wherever he chooses, and when he's done, I put another piece of contact paper on top. Then I cut around the edges. You can tell from the video that he takes his art very seriously.

All Purpose Mat

2011-03-18T11:21:00.000-05:00

I love this particular splat mat from Land of Nod. It's cushioned, super durable and easy to clean. We use it for arts and crafts and I put it on the table when I know Henry is going to have a particularly messy meal. My sister uses hers (a larger size that they don't currently sell) to protect her table on an every day basis. Most splat mats are fine, but I think the cushion sets this one apart - I don't have to worry about Henry randomly sticking his fork into the wood table or the sharp side of a paint brush.

I'm also a fan of the sugar booger splat mats, although they are not cushioned and aren't as durable - our first one cracked after heavy use. They do come in many different fun patterns.
SugarBooger ABC Jumbo Splat Mat

Airplane/Travel Entertainment Tools

2011-03-14T18:16:00.000-05:00

Kidz Gear Wired Headphones For Kids
These headphones fit Henry's head perfectly and adjust as his noggin grows. Chris' sound eliminators were too heavy for him.
Kidz Gear Stereo Headphone Splitter Adapter Cable
Great when you have 2 kids watching 1 portable device.

EZY Dose Jumbo Weekly Pill Reminder, 2XL - 1 ea
I bought one of these at our local drugstore - you can get them for 99c, and I put goldfish, raisins, and other small snacks in each compartment. Henry spent lots of time opening and closing the tops and eating the snacks. Now that we're home, I'm using them for his and my vitamins. Now I never forget to take my prenatals!

Video: Let me poo in peace!

2011-03-07T14:56:00.001-06:00

A few months ago Henry started disappearing unannounced into dark corners and behind closed doors. I soon discovered that he wanted to poo in peace. Of course, he doesn't afford ME the same courtesy! I can probably count how many times a week I get to sit on the toilet without my toddler barging in.

I caught him on video doing his "business" - and his immediate response was: "Go Away. Go Away. Leave me alone." I'm sad that he's already starting to want distance from me - but I know, it's part of growing up!

Books of the Week: Favorite Chinese Themed Children's Books

2011-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

I love reading Chinese and Asian themed books to Henry. I feel like I'm instilling in a tiny way Chinese culture into his psyche, and hopefully giving him a strong sense of identity. I recently heard a 6 year old boy, who is half Japanese/half Caucasian, say that he thinks he looks weird, because his eyes are funny. A high school girl I met a few months ago was offended when I couldn't tell she was half white. She openly told me that she is slightly ashamed of her Asian half. I told her she'll figure it all out eventually and will be very proud of who she is. Most of us just want to fit in. Argh! I hope Henry never feels that his Taiwanese half makes him look or feel odd - although I'm sure he will inevitably feel some version of this at some point in his life.

Hopefully, reading some books about Asians doing Asian cultured things will help him be proud of his Asian identity, rather than it being something that embarrasses him. Aside - I find it interesting that even now, most of these Chinese children's books are written by non-Chinese authors.

Below are some of our favorites:
Zen Shorts (Collector's Edition) (Zen)
This book has beautiful watercolor illustrations and best of all tells short didactic zen tales. Currently, Henry loves the fat panda pictures, but he sits through the stories. I'm hoping as he gets older he will learn the meaning of the stories too!
The Empty Pot
A sweet story teaching us that honesty rules all.
Tikki Tikki Tembo
Great rhythm, although I wonder if I'll read it to my second son, who might feel inadequate like Chang, the second son in this book whose name meant "little or nothing at all."
Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes
Learn some shapes that relate to Chinese culture!
The Story about Ping (Reading Railroad Books)
Little Ping the duck learns that he'd rather get spanked and be with his family than be alone on the Yangtze river and almost eaten. Niiiiice moral to the story.

Also popular, but not my favorite:
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China
Creepy illustrations with a creepy story about killing a wolf ... but it's a classic, right?
The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)
There's no moral to this story, but I suppose their super powers are somewhat interesting.

RoomMates for Kids: Peel & Stick Wall Decals

2011-02-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

When Henry was a baby we put a tree decal on his wall from Etsy.com. It was slightly tedious to apply and although advertised as reusable, we tossed it when we moved.

Recently, Henry and I decorated his new room with individual decals - cars, trucks, trains, etc. I let him choose which ones should go where - sort of - and he had a ball. He loves to show off his stickers to visitors. These decals - RoomMates RMK1132SCS Transportation Peel & Stick Wall Decals - are actually reusable too, which can be seen as a positive and/or a negative. This morning Henry told me his train was on the floor, and I found the train decal next to his bed balled up on the floor. I carefully unstuck it and got it back on the wall, but it isn't as good as new.

RoomMates RMK1132SCS Transportation Peel & Stick Wall Decals

Breastmilk Ice Cream Anyone?

2011-02-25T19:30:00.002-06:00

Shocking that cheese made from breast milk didn't make it to the mainstream here in the U.S. Why is it that "Baby Gaga" ice cream flavor is selling out in London?

Personally, it sounds nasty to me, but maybe I'm just an uptight American?

See article below for story:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=83829&tsp=1

Moving from Crib to Toddler Bed!

2011-02-23T13:50:00.001-06:00

A couple weeks ago our friend offered to lend us her son's car toddler bed. Chris said, "it's always been a dream of mine to have one of those car beds," so we jumped on her offer. Before we picked up the bed, we talked to Henry about him moving upstairs to a new bedroom with a big boy bed. I was really nervous about the transition - how would he deal with it? Would he miss his crib? Most of all, it would mean he's not a baby any longer. Henry didn't show any anxiety. Instead he immediately jumped on board and pleaded to sleep in a "big boy bed." But we didn't have the bed yet!

Once we got the car bed, he was smitten. He wanted to stay up in his new bed all day long and didn't want to leave the house. He said to every visitor old and new, "show big boy bed." The first 3 days and nights he napped and slept per usual. On day 4, I could hear him walking around in his room, playing with cars and reading books. On day 5, I heard him shut the door and come down the stairs. He had a devilish grin as he stood on the landing. Each time, I brought him back to bed without much discussion and told him he has to stay in bed until Mommy comes to get him. We went through this routine for 2 days - putting him back into bed.

For the past 2 weeks, he has stayed in bed until I've come to get him. He sits in bed calling "Mom, Mommy, Momma, Mom." There was one hiccup, where I found him IN the bathtub playing with cars. I immediately put a safety knob apparatus on the door, and nipped that in the bud. Generally, his sleep habits have changed little regarding crib vs. toddler bed, however, I have noticed it takes him longer to fall asleep - but that might be an age thing.

It's been an amazingly easy transition. The baby's room is all ready to go, and Henry hasn't asked once to go back to his crib. HOORAY!!

Book of the Week: "the sleepy little alphabet"

2011-02-20T19:01:00.000-06:00

I'm hoping to post a new favorite book every week. Henry and I spend HOURS every day sitting around reading - it's no wonder my butt and thighs are ballooning - hence my repeated attempts to take Henry to the gym daycare.

Our first "book of the week" came from a book exchange we recently joined. We sent 1 book and have so far received 4! It's been so much fun getting new books in the mail - especially when they are books we've never before seen.

The Sleepy Little Alphabet: A Bedtime Story from Alphabet Town

Henry is attempting to learn letters, and he finds this book hilarious. The lower case (baby) letters are all getting ready for bed. The illustrations are very cute and makes learning letters funny!

See Our Other Book Recommendations

All Our Book Posts

2011-02-15T20:48:00.002-06:00

See below for ALL our book recommendations!

Funny Books
Favorite Books: The Ones We Wished We Had
Airplane Books
Favorite Books: 18 Months Old
Favorite Books: 18 Months - 2 Years

Book of the Week Selections:
The Sleepy Little Alphabet: A Bedtime Story from Alphabet Town
See 2/20 Post

A GREAT Nasal Aspirator for Large and/or Rounded Nostrils

2011-02-13T20:13:00.000-06:00

Baby Nasal Aspirator Vacuum Suction Pigeon (Made in Japan)

The regular bulb syringe failed us BULB SYRINGE 2 OZ - it is straight and narrow at the tip and wasn't effective on Henry's rounded nostrils. I started looking for other options. Although Henry seems to have inherited many of Chris' genes (blonde highlights and green eyes), it's starting to look like he's inherited some of my characteristics too - crooked teeth and rounded nostrils.

We found the above Baby Nasal Aspirator at our Japanese supermarket, and now you can get it on Amazon! The head of the apparatus has a bulb on the end, which creates an airtight seal against the nasal passage allowing for maximum suction. Although it doesn't work as well as putting your actual mouth over the baby's entire nose, it is the next best thing - and a lot less revolting.

Here's to happy suctioning!

Leaving Henry at Daycare for the First Time

2011-02-07T18:53:00.000-06:00

This morning I finally bit the bullet and left Henry at the complimentary gym daycare center. I've been saying I would do it for months, but kept putting it off out of fear - fear that he would get terrorized by other kids or just feel abandoned. I nervously prepped him all morning saying he would go play with new toys and make new friends while I went to exercise. And I promised I would come back to get him.

As we drove to the gym I found myself driving unusually slowly. Cars passed me left and right. I was dreading the trauma he might experience being abandoned at an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. Upon arriving at the gym, Henry obediently walked holding my hand toward the daycare. His initial reaction was: "Go in there!" he urged. He smashed his face against the glass gate ogling the toys. He shouted, "lawnmower!" The check-in lady swiped my gym card, and smacked a sticker on his back with his name and a barcode. She instructed me that they would page me only if he needed a new diaper or if he cried for 15 minutes. He walked in through the gate and never looked back. I called out, "Bye bye Henry." He didn't turn around.

I tearfully fled to the elliptical hoping he wouldn't see my stress. He didn't. I'm not even sure he knew I was gone. For the first 5 minutes on the machine I perked up my ears waiting to hear my name paged. During my 40 minute workout, 3 names were paged, none of them mine. I thought, "Wow! We did it." As I collected my things from the locker room feeling a sense of accomplishment (for working out and for strapping on a pair re: the daycare), I heard another page. This time, it was for me. I walked briskly to the daycare. Henry was in the arms of a sweet looking girl, who said he was playing fine and started crying for an unknown reason.

Henry immediately stopped crying upon seeing me, and said, "go home. go home." I asked him if he had fun at the daycare and he said, "uh huh." But then when I asked if he wanted to go back he so, "No. No. Go home!" I suspect he was hungry, congested, or after 30 minutes realized I was gone and got nervous. I hope it was the first or second suspicions. Later today I asked him what he did this morning and he responded, "Crying." Ugh. Regardless, I won't give up on the daycare just yet!

Iplay Peek-A-Boo

2011-01-25T13:38:00.000-06:00

Iplay Peek-A-Boo Bag ?Everything A To Z

Henry's friend got one of these for Christmas and he loves smushing it around looking for different items. The only problem is he really wants to open it! We killed 15 minutes on the plane looking at this bag.

Airplane Books

2011-01-22T17:56:00.000-06:00

We just returned from a long visit with my mom in San Diego, and the trip was fantastic. The weather was phenomenal and Henry loved visiting Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, meeting Joanna and Nelson's baby Claire, seeing his Ahma, waking up every morning with his cousins, and of course playing at the beach and swimming in the pool. Sigh ... back to cold dreary Chicago. At least we have the Packers game to look forward to!

Henry loved reading these two airport/airplane themed books before, during and after our flights. Paperbacks are the best for travel!
Airport
The Noisy Airplane Ride
Noisy Airplane Ride has great sound works and Airport has fun illustrations.

I am NOT a fan of the Amazon recommended book called Going On a Plane .

The "Superior" Chinese Mother?

2011-01-14T23:00:00.000-06:00

Everyone has been asking me about the WSJ article by Amy Chua, "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior." Below is my personal ABC ("American Born Chinese" - or rather ABT "American Born Taiwanese") reaction to the article. Note, I haven't yet read the book.

Overall I have mixed feelings about Chua's "Chinese" mothering philosophies.

I love the article for evoking so much fire on both sides of the aisle. The 5,8733 comments and counting on WSJ's site show how it has really struck a chord with parents and aspiring parents - who ,let's face it, have no idea what they are talking about. Unfortunately, many of the comments focus on the use of the word "superior" in the title over the actual philosophy. The pissing matches over who is better, communist China or America are embarrassing. These readers might as well just write in caps, "USA, USA, USA." The outrage is particularly surprising. Are these people seriously in disbelief that parents use these practices? For me, the article isn't relevant regarding what style of parenting is better. I think most of us know that different parenting styles are equally effective in shaping "successful" and productive members of society. For me, it's about the conversation the article sparks and the memories it incites.

Chua's stories immediately brought me back to the sting of past piano practices and the tears I shed after losing tennis matches. Up until the age of 10, piano practices regularly involved me protesting the second I sat down at the bench, my mother slapping me across the hands and face for embarrassing mistakes and tears shed by both mother and daughter. Raising three kids alone must have taken a lot of the "Chinese" out of my mother, as she allowed us all to quit piano at a very young age. I don't regret quitting piano.

When it came to tennis, however, my mother's same tactics proved to be quite effective. I practiced 3-5 hours per day, 7 days a week. My weekends were consumed by tennis tournaments. My mother did not permit us to watch TV during the week, although we didn't have time, considering once we got home there was only time for dinner and homework. Maybe she knew that I wanted "it" so bad, and that inspired her to push me to my limits. A tough tennis loss meant I would endure 3-4 hours of confinement in the car ride home listening to my mother scream at the top of her lungs that I was a "loser. Second place is nothing. Winning is everything." I resented her for trying to live vicariously through my successes. Once I was accepted by an Ivy League university, I think she realized ripping me a new one was no longer necessary. I had achieved the holy grail. Ultimately, I appreciate most of her approach to my tennis career, as her commitment, both financial and emotional, contributed to my acceptance to the college of my choice, and so on and so forth. I know she was just trying to give me what she didn't have as a child. I wonder if I could ever commit myself in such a way to my own child's success. Would I want to? I'm sure my children wouldn't want that.

As a college athlete, I don't agree that piano and violin are the only acceptable extracurricular activities. Kids have a ton of excess energy to expend - why not let them unleash it in sports? More importantly, sports, in the correct environment, have the potential to teach children discipline, team work, social skills, commitment, perseverance, pushing themselves to their physical, mental and emotional limits and can also teach children how to lose. It's not just about winning. It's about learning life skills.

I'm still unsure about my feelings on using debasement as a parenting tool. My mother used to call us losers, fat, dumb, ugly, etc. "Why can't you be skinny like your sister and your cousins," she would say. The thought of debasing my little Henry gives me a visceral reaction. I don't think I could ever do it. I was born a very confident person, and openly told my mother at a young age that she was "lucky I didn't have an eating disorder." I often wonder how her tactics formed me as a person. Was I confident despite her critical tactics? Or would I be a ridiculous egomaniac if she hadn't taken me down a few pegs? I'm already pretty arrogant, so maybe it's the latter? Regardless, I know myself and I know that when it comes to my own children, I will definitely be embracing the Western approach to positive reinforcement when appropriate - I won't be one of those parents who praises every little thing.

I agree with Chua that hard work will result in some success, no matter how limited the talent. There is really no excuse for failing at something. You probably just didn't work hard enough. I know that I will have no regrets if I commit myself 100% to whatever I take on. If I fail, I'm OK with it, so long as I tried my darndest. I also agree that things are much more fun when you are great at something, that being great at something requires discipline, and that ultimately being great at something builds valuable self-confidence in children, which will follow them throughout their lives. In my opinion, the magic equation is finding something the child will simultaneously enjoy and excel at, and once you find that balance, you push them further than they think they can go. Of course, when it comes to academics, I believe kids must learn that not everything is fun and I have no qualms about forcing Henry and his soon-to-arrive-brother to sit at a desk for hours perfecting homework, etc. Maybe this hybrid philosophy is an obvious result of my background - raised by an immigrant, but influenced by American peers and an American education.

I put this philosophy to the test last fall while coaching freshman tennis players. I initially scoffed at my players' parents when they beamed with pride as their children lost 6-0, 6-0. I thought, "Ha. This is why our team is so bad. Because the parents don't push their kids hard enough." During practice, I pushed the kids physically and mentally despite their protest that they "couldn't do it." One of the girls told me that during a PE physical, she could hear my voice in her head pushing her to keep going. She was the last girl standing in the endurance run. When my players lost, and they lost a lot, I encouraged them to work harder and reinforced their strengths. Additionally, their parents gave them tons of positive reinforcement and support. They enjoyed tennis and loved me for pushing them to their limits. This all resulted in tremendous improvement in their confidence and actual tennis ability. Now that the season is over and I've had time to reflect on how to coach beginners, I don't think the mushy smushy supportive approach is all bad. There are definitely benefits to positive reinforcement, especially when a child is learning a new skill. I want them to feel good about what they are doing so they will want to get better. But, I also believe, if you push them and show them you believe they can do better, they will eventually believe in themselves and ultimately work harder and do better.

Hopefully, taking the "best" from Western and Chinese parenting philosophies will result in the ultimate POWER parenting philosophy and in 20 years, publishers will be begging me to write a book on why hybrid parenting is "Superior." ;)

Turning 2 = Refusal to Sleep?

2011-01-09T21:19:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! Henry looks peaceful, right? WRONG.

Ugh. Our good little sleeper has disappeared and what remains is a screaming, stomping in place, throwing things, refusing to go to bed, shouting "Momma" at the top of his lungs, toddler. Once upon a time (from age 5 months through 2 years), Henry was the easiest child to put to bed - not counting illness and travel. We had a great routine: diaper, pj's, hold baggie (his old sleepsack that he now holds to his nose and smells like it's crack cocaine - while sucking his thumb), sit in lap, read 3-5 books, get in the crib, lie down by himself, suck thumb, close eyes, sing a song, lights out and he would roll over. He never made a peep. And he would be quiet until a reasonable hour in the morning. Bedtime was one of my favorite times of day. Oh I really miss those days. I really miss them. And I know that a lot of people have NEVER had a good night's sleep since their children were born, but I've had a taste of the good life, and I WANT IT BACK!

Suddenly, just before his 2nd birthday (just after Christmas), he started to protest nap time and bedtime. For the past week, the second I turn to leave the room he frantically stomps his feet and lets out blood curdling screams. He shouts "Momma, Mommy, Momma" over and over again. I can hear him gasping for air. He's started having night wakings at 2, 3, and 4 am and will scream for hours on end. Henry is currently screaming and has been screaming for the past hour and a half. We concocted theories about nightmares (put in a night light), being over-tired and off-schedule from the holidays (put him down early), too many lights (turned off the lights), etc. Nothing has worked. Our pediatrician says change in sleep patterns is common at this age, and that Henry is now more willful than ever. We have to stand firm and be even more consistent with sleep training. ARGH.

I'm the first to admit that it's SO much easier to hold him and rock him back to sleep. He immediately quiets when I re-enter the room. He snuggles up into my neck and I can feel his body instantly unclench. Picking him up during a screaming fit seemed to work a few times to get him back to sleep at 4am. But I also suspect that the nights we gave in to the screaming, reinforced his resolve to scream longer and harder. And I know it's going to be 10 times harder to get him back on track.

What am I going to do now? I'm going to start from the beginning. Chart the time he starts crying, and chart when I go in to comfort him (without holding him). Chart the time he quiets. The chart keeps me disciplined. And I can only HOPE that sleep training works as well now as it did when he was 4 months old. It is MUCH more difficult to sleep train at 2 than it was at 4 months, but I know it worked in the past with him, so if I want to sleep ever again ... I have to stick to my guns. I suppose if anything, this is preparing us for baby boy #2, and reminds us that we have to stand firm with sleep training in order for it to be effective.

Brutal. And 2 hours later - he's quiet. PHEW.

Note: I wrote this post 2 days ago, and Henry has slept through both nights - with the exception of a brief 1 minute cry at 3am each night. Sleep training is working!

2010 Year in Review

2011-01-04T13:24:00.000-06:00

It's difficult to believe Henry turned 2 last week. He's so old, he even knew how to blow out the candles on his cake without spitting!

He's such a little man with opinions and interests. He loves to watch football with his Dad and cheer on the Packers. He pumps his fist and cheers "Go Pack Go!" He continues to obsess about cars, trucks, trains and all other types of automobiles. He loves music, and when a song comes on that he likes, he nods his head and says, "good son." He means "good song." He has an eclectic taste in music, which includes Coldplay, Guster, Corduroy Road (our friend's now defunct band), OK-Go, Miley Cyrus, and Jay Z. He sings along to many songs now, making up words he doesn't know that sound like the lyrics. His personality since birth has been consistently easy-going.

In the past year, Henry stopped being a good eater, and then 2 months later started eating like a horse again. He took his first poo (12/19/10) and pee (12/20/10) on the potty, but then refused to go near the potty ever since. He learned that he loves riding tricycles and made new friends, including his babysitter's daughter, Kasia. He got to see his cousins on both sides every week either at their homes or at our home. We took him trick-or-treating for the first time, which went great, and to see Santa for the first time, which didn't go so great. He had his first breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes (11/14/10) and threw it all up 3 hours later - maybe too much sugar or caffeine for his little system? Henry also learned that he loves to "race" with other people around the kitchen, and he learned to blow bubbles in the pool at 22 months. We discovered he has great fashion sense and will wear anything we put on his little body, including real neck ties (no more clip ons for him) - Note: in both pictures here, he is wearing a tie. He's become a snacker just like his parents, which we try to curb, but it doesn't help when we are constantly munching.

On the morning of his birthday, we greeted Henry with a Happy Birthday song and he opened presents from relatives. Then we went to his favorite diner, Joe's on Prairie, for breakfast. We took him to the same restaurant we took him to for his first birthday, Chicago Kalbi. We hope to make this an annual birthday tradition for him.

See last year's year in review entry.

Funny Book Recommendations

2010-12-29T13:11:00.000-06:00

Chickens to the Rescue

This books cracks Henry up - and me too. Whenever trouble strikes, the chickens, wearing funny outfits, frantically save the day.

The Spiffiest Giant in Town
I adore the illustrations and the premise of this book. A scruffy giant buys new clothes, and then gives them all away to strangers in need. Adorable. The more popular book by this author and illustrator is called The Gruffalo [GRUFFALO], where a clever mouse tricks all his predators into fearing him - also a favorite.

The Napping House (Board book)
Great repetition, and hilarious colorful illustrations.

A Giraffe and a Half
Although Shel Silverstein doesn't use a lot of color (black and white) in most of his work, the words themselves are enough.

Using a Spoon?

2010-11-24T07:02:00.000-06:00

No more buggy hook! My deepest apologies for failing to post for over a month. If you haven't guessed already, my delinquency is/was due to my second munchkin who is due April 19. That, and my new hobby, needlepointing Henry a stocking ... more on both another time.

Pictured above is Henry attempting to use a spoon. He hasn't quite got the hang of it yet, despite the fact that most of his peers are already pros at shoveling yogurt into their little mouths. We've tried all different sizes, shapes and materials of utensils. He's pretty capable with a fork, but the spoon continues to befuddle him. Henry's mouth is pretty small, but I'm pretty sure it's a combo of watching Chris awkwardly use a spoon and his (Henry's - if you were wondering whom I meant by 'his') lack of coordination.

Thanksgiving is almost here. YAHOO!!!

Gift Ideas for 2 Year Olds

2010-11-23T06:00:00.005-06:00

Below you will find an exorbitant amount of gift ideas for a 2 year old boy. Some gift suggestions are obviously unisex.

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS! See Favorite Books for 18 months to 2 Years posted on 11/22/10.

Step2 LifeStyle Custom Kitchen
Henry loves opening the cupboards, clanging pots and pans and turning the knobs on his friend's kitchen.
25" Take Along Truck Carry Case
Henry loves matchbox cars and I KNOW he would love having a place to meticulously store them. A giant Mack truck is an additional plus.

Matchbox 20 Car Set

Hot Wheels Mega Garage Playset Search Amazon.com for car garage Fisher-Price Stand 'n Play Rampway Play Set
Henry could spend hours playing with his cousin's ramp.
Park & Play Service Garage
mini kick Scooter - BLUE, for kids age 3-5. Winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold and Platinum Award Seals - ALSO available in Green, Yellow, Aqua, Orange and Pink
It says ages 3-5, but Henry is always trying to ride his cousin's mini kick board. Don't forget a helmet!

Melissa & Doug Vehicle Sound Puzzle
Melissa & Doug Farm Sound Puzzle
Henry can finally do puzzles, and he loves the extra gratification of sound puzzles.

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Standing Easel & Companion Supply Set Bundle
Now that we do arts and crafts every day, I think Henry is ready for an easel. The chalkboard side is equally enthralling.

Melissa & Doug Vehicles Stamp Set

Soft Plush Reptiles Glove Puppets (4 Pack)
Glove puppets get a hilarious reaction, plus they are easier for small hands to puppeteer.

Cars (Ultimate Sticker Books)
Henry loves sticker books. He's not quite to the point that he can accurately do every page, but he loves them nonetheless.

Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart

Schleich Set of 6 Wild Animals
Time to play pretend!

KidKraft Ride Around Train Set and Table
A very reliable brand and a great deal. It includes trains and tracks, too! Costco is currently selling a version of this table by Kid Kraft for under $120.

My Pillow Pets Dog 18"
"My Pillow Pets" are the original brand - there are many knock offs.

BeBoP Soprano Ukulele & Bag - Natural
Henry loves to strum the guitar in his music class.

Little Tikes Gas 'n Go Mower

Fisher-Price Rock, Roll 'n Ride Trike
We take Henry and his trike for rides around the neighborhood regularly. He can't reach the pedals yet, but has mastered scooting with his feet.

Favorite Books for 18 months to 2 Years

2010-11-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

Henry is 22 months and loves to actively read books. He joins in by wagging his finger and saying "No, No" and shakes my hand when Thing 1 and Thing 2 shake hands in the Cat in the Hat. He finishes sentences if I pause. Reading REALLY is fun ;)! He loves reading with rhythm and books that include noise words. It's also no surprise that he loves most any book pertaining to planes, trains, cars, trucks, etc. I've found that Henry has benefited greatly from reading with his babysitter, who is a high school french teacher. She and her daughter (6 weeks younger than Henry) come every week and they read books with different tricks, etc. I usually pick a bunch from the library and later purchase the books that become true favorites. Here are some of Henry's favorites.

Great Rhythm Books - read them with a enthusiasm, act out the actions and encourage kids to finish sentences!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Anniversary Edition
Great rhythm and teaches letters.
Tikki Tikki Tembo
A didactic tale with great rhythm and a cultural sense of humor.
Clip-Clop
Great for parents who don't want to read a lot of words.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (If You Give...)
Cute story about a busy demanding mouse. Henry relates to the milk!
It's Quacking Time!
Great book when expecting a 2nd child.
The Cat in the Hat (Beginner Books(R))
Dr. Seuss books are great at this age. The rhyming helps Henry anticipate what word comes next.

Each Peach Pear Plum (Picture Puffins)
I love this book for the clever illustrations and rhythm wording. Henry loves picking out the hidden characters.

Automobile Books

Truck Driver Tom
LOTS of pictures of cars, trucks, etc.
Down by the Station
A very cute expansion of the song with cute illustrations. Although, I find it a little weird that the chicken is best friends with the worm.
Honk Honk! Beep Beep!
Cute illustrations with repetitive "Honk Honk Beep Beep"
Tugga-Tugga Tugboat
Imagine the tugboat hard at work - but it's really the bath.
Trainstop
Cute subway story about a girl who imagines she's in the country.

Truck
School Bus
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (Giant Little Golden Book)

Buggy Hook

2010-10-12T08:12:00.001-05:00

The buggy hook is ideal for one handle across strollers. It's easy to drape things when there are 2 handles, but 1 bar across handles make it difficult. I used to drape my bag over the handle (my stroller is 1 bar across), except depending on the bag it wouldn't fit or it would slip off. These hooks are really sturdy and in addition to holding a diaper bag can hold a Nalgene water bottle or a jacket. Just be careful when the kid gets out of the stroller, as lots of strollers will topple backwards.

Think King Mighty Buggy Hook for Stroller, Wheelchair, Rollator, Walker, 2 Pack

Bay Area Photographer Recommendation

2010-10-11T07:37:00.002-05:00

Although we don't live in San Francisco, we love Rebecca Hutchins. She has incredible energy and has a fantastic way with kids. We met Rebeccca a few years ago at my brother-in-law's wedding. She was fun, natural and the wedding photos came out beautiful. http://www.rahphoto.com/

About a month ago, Rebecca traveled to the midwest to do a shoot of trailer parks in Indiana, and to help fund her trip my sister-in-law (not the one whose wedding Rebecca photographed) graciously arranged for two days of photographing families in the Chicago area. Despite Henry's foul mood that day, the pictures came out perfect! She somehow captured the 3 smiles he gave the entire day. Plus, despite her crazy work and travel schedule, Rebecca got the photos up on her blog in a couple weeks, and sent us the DVD within a month! She's the best! Thanks Rebecca! We hope you come back to see us again soon!

Oh Weally? Go Pack Go!

2010-10-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Our little copy cat gives us highlights all in one reel.

What to do with Baby/Toddler in Chicago: The Apple Holler - Kenosha, WI

2010-10-06T06:30:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago we visited the Apple Holler in Kenosha, WI. It's about an hour north of Chicago and provides loads of fall fun including apple picking, goat petting/feeding, jungle gyms, a tractor ride through the enchanted forest (beautiful old trees with cut out characters tucked away in the branches), a train ride, make your own candied apples, etc. Of course there are downsides. The place is right off the highway and unbelievably expensive - taking full advantage of the city people looking for a quick fall getaway. It was $40 for a bag to pick apples, which also included a ride through the enchanted forest and the Kids' Corral.

Henry had loads of fun running through the corn maze.

Bed Head

2010-10-05T06:30:00.000-05:00

Henry gets the BEST bed head. Unfortunately his blonde hair makes it difficult to photograph, but I think you get the gist from these few. Every morning and afternoon after his nap I get a new hairstyle. Flock of Seagulls, Faux Hawk, Stick up hair ... I've seen it all. The hair doesn't seem to bother him, so I let it stick up whichever way it chooses. He'll walk around an entire day with bed head unless he wipes food in his hair. Yogurt seems to be the best natural hair gel.

What to do with a Toddler in Chicago: Kohl's Children's Museum

2010-10-03T20:22:00.000-05:00

The Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview is AWESOME. There is an indoor and an outdoor component to the facility, and there is something for every kid. Henry's favorite room is the car room with tall and curving car tracks. There is a baby nursery complete with dolls, cribs, bottles, rockers, and a lullaby player. The museum also allows for pretend grocery shopping, pretend Potbelly sandwich making, a water room, a music room, and seasonal exhibits including camping and coming soon Curious George. Although, it's best for kids over 1 year old, they have set side areas just for crawlers.

I love the outdoor habitat, which has a tall grass maze, jungle gyms, and tunnels (see above). The museum employees are extremely helpful, and thankfully have little tolerance for delinquent caregivers.

The downsides: it can get extremely crowded on days when schools and camps visit. Things calm down when the older kids are in school; and caregivers think once they enter they can let the children run wild. If you can tolerate a few selfish parents who spoil their kids (e.g. don't teach sharing) and a few delinquent caregivers who fail to watch the children, it is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.

NOTE: Beware of the spinning chairs in the outdoor habitat. Genius that I am jumped in a chair with Henry in my lap, and I couldn't figure out how to stop it! The centripetal force trapped us in a constant spinning up and down motion. To avoid barfing, I had to take a deep breath and jump out mid turn with Henry still in my lap! He loved it of course.

Copycat en Espanol

2010-09-20T22:01:00.002-05:00

Henry is such a copycat these days. I can get him to say just about anything. Apologies for the terrible video - he doesn't perform if he sees the camera. This one is more for sound than sight. Although from the looks of things, the video is focused on my bald spot. Why do I have a bald spot? Don't let these questions distract you from Henry's perfect recitation of "1-2-3-4" en espanol. ;)

Who Has a Bigger Head? Me or My 20 Month Old?

2010-09-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

Henry's Jersey style poof gives his head another inch on top, but seriously, I think his head is still bigger than mine.

Video: Pure Joy from a Cardboard Box

2010-09-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

Kids: they really don't need much to make them happy, do they? And then there are the other moments when nothing makes them happy. I try to focus on great moments like this one. Henry is in his mismatched pj's (Chris' doing of course). He's playing in the basement where he has strewn all his toys about. And despite all the toys at his disposal, he is thrilled with his matchbox car and the old printer box. The latter remained in our basement for about a month before I dragged it out for recycling.

Video: Independent Climbing at the Playground

2010-08-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

I love this video, because it shows how a 19 month can do things unassisted. One day I showed Henry how to climb the rungs by putting his feet up one at a time, and a week later he was climbing like a banshee. It takes a lot of will power to stand there and let him figure it out on his own (you can see Chris' hand almost give him a boost at the top of the ladder), but in the end Henry got up on his own.

I LOVE that he can finally play on the jungle gym all by himself. So proud. *tear* *sigh*

Stumpy Farmer = Ahcong (Grandpa)?

2010-08-23T06:40:00.001-05:00

Henry thinks this John Deer farmer is a mini-Ahcong (my dad). One day he started asking for Ahcong over and over again until he found JD the farmer. I continue to find this hilarious as he seems to have made this connection on his own without any direction from an adult.

Keeping Him Awake in the Car!

2010-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

I know I already used his photo, but I love it so much and it's perfect for the subject of today's post. He's still holding his cars, bottom lip pouting, sweaty hair touseled, etc.

Sometimes we're en route home for a nap and Henry will fall asleep in the car. The car nap (even if for just 5 minutes) translates into: get home; I put him in the crib; he sleeps for an hour; he wakes up and screams for 30 min to an hour; and then sleeps for 2 hours. It's challenging. Of course, ideally we would be home before he's tired, but life is too short to be completely and totally wed to an exact time table. The trick is preventing him from falling asleep in the car. Unfortunately, singing, yelling, reaching back every 5 minutes, etc. doesn't work - AND it translates into reckless driving.

Last week, I found something that did work! I handed him my iPhone, which is something he never gets to touch otherwise. He randomly turned on the ipod app, and we listened to an assortment of Jay Z, Eminem and kids songs. He held the iPhone as if he was watching a show on it and he stayed up the entire 15 minute ride home. Eureka! Now I open up the Cars Memory game (free app), and he'll play with it for 10-15 minutes, which is usually all I need to get him home for his nap. If I need more than that, I try using a combination of cars, books, iPhone, singing, shouting, etc. After the "safe driving" class I had to take for my new job, I've resolved to be a less distracted driver. No more iPhone checking while driving...I hope you'll all join me in my crusade to stop cell phone talking and texting while driving. ARGH!

The Goofy Face

2010-08-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

When Henry wants to crack someone up he makes this face.

Babble's 30 Sweetest Parenting Moments on YouTube

2010-08-12T08:41:00.000-05:00

Babble compiled 30 of their favorite parenting YouTube videos. Some of these videos made me cry, and most of them made me laugh. They're all great, but here are my favorites:

Majorly talented kid singing "Hey Jude" with a guitar.

Little girl BELTING out "Bleeding Love" with her mom. The mom singing is a little strange, but watching the little girl belt it out is worth it.

Dad getting into baby's crib. I can only assume that they are sleep training her, but trying to get around the rule of not taking her out of the crib. LOL. Nice try Daddy!

Baby with cochlear transplant hears his mom's voice for the first time. *tear*

Dad, who was in Iraq for 6 months, surprises his son at school. This made me cry - a lot.

What to do with a Baby/Toddler in Chicago: Wagner Farm

2010-08-11T07:12:00.001-05:00

............

Here's more for my series of posts on baby/toddler activities in Chicago and the northern suburbs.

1) Chicago Botanic Gardens (Glencoe) posted on 7/26/10

2) Lincoln Park Zoo (Lincoln Park) coming soon

3) Peggy Nortebert Nature Museum (Lincoln Park) coming soon

4) Kohl's Children's Museum (Glenview) coming soon

5) Chuckee Cheese (Skokie) coming soon

6) Shedd Aquarium (Downtown) coming soon

7) Wagner Farm (Glenview) (see below)

8) The Beach! Greenwood Beach (Evanston)

9) Millenium Park (Loop)
10) Yet to be discovered ... please let me know if you have any tips!

Wagner Farm is our favorite place to visit on a breezy morning. It is a working farm that also serves as a park. There are no entry fees. Henry loves to visit the horses, dairy cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, tractors, farm cats and vegetable gardens. The interactive barn has a general store, a plastic cow for milking, etc. There is also a little museum in the old farm house complete with the original 19th century furniture and an old lady dressed in a 19th century farm costume. Last week we saw a calf being born! Wagner has a farmer's market and family events all summer long. You can also have birthday parties there. It's a terrific place.

Gotta Love the suburbs

2010-08-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Last week an acquaintance discovered this bunny nest under the slide at the playground. Unfortunately, she discovered it by accidentally stepping on one of these precious bunny babies. We heard a "squeak squeak squeak," she looked down and screamed. I won't say anymore about the bunny stomping other than that the poor thing was crawling around dragging its lifeless limbs. Ugh, thinking about it makes me sick. I agonized over the bunny nest for days, worrying that another unwitting mother would crush another pair of fragile bunny legs.

For the next few days, Henry and I returned to the park to check on the bunnies. On the day pictured above, they were peacefully nestled into the nest that had grown into a 6 inch high mound. A few minutes a family of four children and mom arrived at the park. They had been monitoring the nest for a week, and the mom had also been agonizing about the bunny nest. She later had her kids draw up signs to alert park visitors to take care when near the bunny nest.

This is one of the great things about the suburbs. We're not worrying about the homeless glue huffer in the back alley (we had one) or the prostitutes outside our door at 3am (we had those too), but instead we are ALL worrying about the 5 baby bunnies at our kids' park. I LOVE IT!

Video: He Loves the Stage

2010-08-09T08:57:00.001-05:00

On this day like most days, Henry copied his cousin. Mia was up on the "stage" (aka. toy boxes) dancing. Henry later climbed up, pointed at the casio keyboard, and started shimmying to the terrible accordion music. In the background, you can hear his other cousin, Sam, banging with a hammer and my mom giggling. I love being close to family.

Playing Pretend Emergency C-Section

2010-08-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

This tiny 6 pound baby slid out of my sister on Wed in 10 minutes. She was 3 days early. Number 3 was a piece of cake. I couldn't believe it. 12 hours later E was up and about, pooing, eating fruit, nursing like a champ and toting a mushy 6 month pregnancy belly. Her 3 year old, Mia, said, "Is there another baby in there?"

My mom and I watched Sam and Mia on labor and delivery day. I found them playing pretend emergency C-section. Sam screamed, "We have to cut your belly open, Mia, because the baby is sick!" I said, "What are you doing? You know your Mommy didn't have to have her belly cut open, because your baby sister was perfectly healthy?" And Sam said, "So the baby came out of the vagina?" Mia said, "hahahaha. Vaginas are funny."

AWESOME.

Video: Putting Cars in Pockets

2010-08-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Henry loves putting things in pockets. The instance in the above video was initially done unprompted. The video depicts a reenactment.

New Polls Gadget!

2010-08-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

I added a new Polls gadget to the right column of BITW. I'd love to see what your opinions are on things like sleep training, diet, etc.!

Best Dish Towels

2010-08-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Scotchbrite Kitchen Cloths are AMAZING.
Scotch Brite 3M Microfiber Kitchen Cloth (6-Pack)

These are the most absorbent and efficient kitchen towels I've found. I'm somewhat of a dish towel slut - that and sippy cups - and Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Sham Wow, etc. can't compare to these Scotch Brite towels. I've been using them to soak up spills, wipe down toys, and dry dishes. The ridges in the cloth are also great for scrubbing without damaging the surface of counter tops, high chairs and toys. Plus, there are no special cleaning instructions. I'm obsessed.

Bows and Headbands for Girls

2010-07-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

My friend, Amanda, has a store on Etsy called A&J accessories. She makes really cute hair bows and headbands for girls. If Henry were a girl, I know I'd be buying these up by the crate. Too bad I can't pull off this headband. Fortunately, Amanda has plans to add boy's and women's items this fall!

Backpack Diaper Bags

2010-07-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

DadGear Diaper Bag Solid Color Backpack
This backpack looks so awesome. The size is 18", so it might be too long for a woman's torso. But, I really like that the bottom compartment provides easy access to wipes, and it comes in 19 different colors/styles.
Features include:

Quick access wipes window and refillable wipes case make grabbing wipes a breeze

Diaper hammock keeps diapers at the top of the pack

Spacious main compartment has a clamshell opening for easy access to contents

Two large pockets with numerous compartments make it simple to organize and find everything

Two bottle pockets accessible from the exterior hold up to 2 bottles each

Light-colored interior helps you see everything inside

Stroller straps attach to any style stroller and store neatly when not in use

Changing pad included

Durable materials and classic styling ensure this bag will last long after the diapering years

Baby Sherpa ALPHA Diaper 4-in-1 Bag Backpack (Black)
This one has a cooler built into the bottom, which is great for keeping on-the-go lunches cold and snacks (not to mention bottles), and it's big enough to put everything else you'll need in the same bag. I also like the hiking inspired water bottle mesh holders on the sides. Easy access to water on a hot summer day makes life easier.

Lately, I've been using my old Patagonia backpack as a diaper bag. It's so much easier to have my hands free now that Henry weighs a million pounds and is constantly on the go. It may not be as cute as fancy diaper bag, but when Henry is around, fashion takes a backseat to efficiency!

Sleep ... zzzzzzzzzzzz

2010-07-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

Every mom has her "thing" that makes her insanely controlling. My thing is sleep. I'm not sure if it was the books I read, or just my determination to control SOMETHING. I concede that B.H. (before-Henry), I was a control freak. I've since learned that I can't control everything, but I have been able to control Henry's schedule. It seems Henry and many other children thrive on consistency: consistency in sleep; consistency in discipline; consistency in feedings, etc. Routine is comforting! Henry's babysitter says that he's so easy at naptime and bedtime that he "puts himself to sleep." I credit his temperament (he takes direction well), and the routine we've had since he was 3 months old.

Of course, in the picture above, I committed my own cardinal sin - driving home during nap time! We're almost always home for nap time (around 12:30), but on occasion I make an exception and hope he'll stay awake until we arrive home. On this day, we had an action packed morning at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and Henry fell asleep in the car on the way home (around 12:30). He had a lot of trouble getting back to sleep once we arrived home. I know he had fun at the zoo though, so it was worth it!

I've consolidated all my sleep posts below for convenience. Good luck!

Uppababy Bubble Aids Car Seat Naps - posted 7/14/10
Dropping the Morning Nap = Success! - posted 5/1/10
Black Out Blinds = Better Sleep - posted 4/14/10
Dropping the Morning Nap (Failed Attempt #1) - posted 3/15/10
Thumb Sucking - posted 2/3/10
Is Co-sleeping Dangerous? - posted 1/14/10
Sample Baby Schedules 0-12 Months - posted 11/17/09
Sleep Training (cry it out (CIO) method) - posted 10/27/09

Designer Cynthia Rowley Diapers ...

2010-07-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

You can now dress your baby in Cynthia Rowley designer Pampers. I'm not paying extra money for designer diapers, but who am I to judge if that's your thing. Here's a stroller to match.
Pampers Cruisers Designer Diapers by Cynthia

Rowley Girl Size 4 (23 count)
Cynthia Rowley Umbrella Stroller

What to do with a Baby/Toddler in Chicago: Chicago Botanic Gardens

2010-07-26T06:00:00.005-05:00

I'll be doing a series of posts of what to do in Chicago and the northern suburbs with a baby/toddler.

1) Chicago Botanic Gardens (Glencoe) (see below)

2) Lincoln Park Zoo (Lincoln Park) coming soon

3) Peggy Nortebert Nature Museum (Lincoln Park) coming soon

4) Kohl's Children's Museum (Glenview) coming soon

5) Chuckee Cheese (Skokie) coming soon

6) Shedd Aquarium (Downtown) coming soon

7) Wagner Farm (Glenview) coming soon

8) The Beach! Greenwood Beach (Evanston)
9) Millenium Park (Loop)

10) Yet to be discovered ... please let me know if you have any tips!

Henry and his new friend, William, love the Chicago Botanic Gardens. The grounds are expansive, gorgeous and quiet. They both got soaking wet playing with the water in the above photo - so bring a change of clothes. Although we haven't become members yet, I think we'll probably take the plunge at some point this year. The entrance fee is $20 per car, so we've been leaching off of friends and family up until now. Going just 4 times a year would make the annual $70 membership fee worth it. I hope to also visit in the winter for snow shoeing!

There is also an outdoor electric train exhibit that is amazing - although there is an additional fee. All the buildings and trees are made of organic materials and the trains pass over bridges, through tunnels, etc. The exhibit shows famous American landmarks and the trains have historic significance as well. It's fun for all (parents included) on a beautiful day.

New Words from 11 Months to 18 Months

2010-07-22T08:19:00.006-05:00

Our little baby has turned into a big baby - or a big boy depending on how you look at it. It's amazing how quickly he's learning. Every day he comes up with a new word or a new demand. I've kept track of his words since he started speaking. He babbled Dadda starting around 8 or 9 months, but I don't think he really meant it until he was around 11 months old.

11 Months
Dadda

12 Months
Dut (Duck)
Dut (Dog)

14 Months
Momma
Truck
Uh Oh

15 Months

Hi
Bye Bye
Please

16 Months

Bubbles

Agua (for all liquids)

Baby

Ball

Nana (banana)

Cuckoo

Eeee (eat - while pointing his finger to his mouth)
Squirrel
Book
No
Hot
Bopple (apple)
Pappa (Pasta)
Pee Pa (Pizza)

17 Months

Bobby/Boppy/Baggy (Baggy - his snugly fleece halo sleepsack that doubles as his comfort object)
Bee bee (TV)
Buh (bird)
Buh (bear)
Are nyo (love you)
Boat
Jat (Jack - his cousin)
Mia (his cousin)
Aee (means auntie in Taiwanese)
Agoo (means uncle in Taiwanese)
Ahma (means grandma in Taiwanese)
Cwacka (cracker)
Pool
Poo Poo
Mee Ma (Also means Mommy)
Park
Head
Ear
Eyes
Teeth
Nose

18 Months
Watch
Outside
Peach
Cock cock cock (for cockle doodle doo/rooster)
Outside
Shoes
RV
Downstairs
Beach
Bus
Boat
Patrick (his cousin)
Ahcong (means grandpa in Taiwanese)
Apple
Beach
Gwace (another cousin)
Brew Brew (another cousin) - he's so lucky to have all his cousins close by!
Bapis (Thomas and Friends)
Bob (Bob the Builder) - I know he's not supposed to watch TV yet, but I let him watch 15 minutes every day.
Leedo Leedo (sound of a siren)
Hat
Muk (Milk) -- he finally got it
Coppuh (Helicopter)
Xie Xie (thank you in Chinese)
Cold
Inside

Squeezable Snacks: Nutritional Comparison

2010-07-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

After doing my post the other day on squeezable snacks I realized I covered cost, but I didn't cover nutritional value, which is also a very important factor! My breakdown revealed that Ella's Kitchen and Plum Organics are the most nutritious of the brands I reviewed (note I chose those with vegetables when available). Although GoGo Squeez is by far the most economical option, it is also the only brand that is not organic and has the least beneficial nutrients. Surprisingly, Peter Rabbit, the most expensive option has the most sugar. Obviously, the nutritional values depend on the ingredients, but I think these are good representations of the brands. Note some brands include juice from concentrate, which I initially found bothersome. But the concentrated juice doesn't seem to add much sugar to the content.

*Cost per oz is based on Amazon bulk prices.

	Revolution Foods	Peter Rabbit	*Ella’s Kitchen*	*Plum Organics*	Plum Tots	GoGo Squeez
*Cost per oz	.35	1.65	*.59*	*.29*	.40	.19
Ingredients	Apple, Banana, Pear, Mango	Mango, Banana, Orange	*Broccoli, Pears, Peas, Lemon Juice Concentrate*	*Pears, Spinach,* *Peas,* *Lemon Juice Concentrate*	Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, acerola fruit	Apple, strawberry, banana, apple juice concentrate, black currant
Ounces	3.17	3.5	*3.5*	*4.22*	3.17	3.2
Organic	Yes	Yes	*Yes*	*Yes*	Yes	No
Calories	60	85	35	70	50	60
Sodium	4mg	2mg	*10mg*	*30mg*	4mg	3mg
Carbs	13g	20g	8g	*17g*	12g	13g
Dietary Fiber	1g	2	2g	3g	1g	1g
Sugars	11g	19	7g	*11g*	10g	12g
Protein	1g	1g	1g	1g	1g	0g
Vit A	0%	0%	4%	*170%*	0%	0%
Calcium	0%	33%	4%	4%	0%	0%
Vit C	5%	0%	*50%*	*120%*	50%	0%
Protein	0%		8%	6%	0%	0%
Iron	0%	0%	6%	6%	0%	2%

Uppababy Bubble

2010-07-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

UPPAbaby Bubble Infant Car Seat Shade
Currently $19.99 at http://uppastroller.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ZM20579

This awesome piece of gear protects chubba wubba from wind, rain, sun and whatever else may come flying at his defenseless rolls. It's exactly what I used to wish for when Henry refused to nap in his car seat due to excess stimulation. Next kid will have his own little bubble for naps, windy, rainy and sunny days!

When is the Right Time to Potty Train?

2010-07-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

Toddler 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Toddler, 2nd Edition

According to my Toddler Cliff's Notes, Toddler 411, most kids aren't ready for potty training until around 3. Apparently training too early prolongs the process and could involve a lot of accidents, which could affect a child's self-esteem. Hmmmm. I just read in Parents magazine that the ideal time to toilet train is between 27 and 32 months. If you wait too long, it could lead to more resistance. I guess I'll hold off on potty training for now. But I'm still throwing the poo in the toilet - just makes the house smell better!

Squeezable Snacks

2010-07-12T06:00:00.005-05:00

Baby food in a pouch has graduated to toddler snacks. Henry loves sucking these packages dry, and it's an easy and clean way to supplement his fruit and veggie intake. We experience ease and cleanliness less and less these days as he insists on self-feeding.

I love these pouches on trips, especially plane trips. I give them to him at take off and landing to pop his ears. Plus, there is barely any spillage, so there are fewer wardrobe changes.

Of course, there are some dangers to introducing this gimmicky snack.

First, they are addictive. Henry constantly asks for them.
Second, the larger packages are geared towards younger babies, and can interfere with mealtime. If Henry has one too close to mealtime, he won't eat his meal.
Third, the smooth texture might lead your child to regress and refuse texture.

I try to limit Henry to one a day, if that, and I keep them out of his reach. I also choose ingredients that he rarely eats, such as peas. He eats bananas all the time, so I don't load up on the banana mash-ups.

Here are a few different brands, some of which incorporate veggies! You can find these online (probably your cheapest option), Toys 'R Us, Babies 'R Us, Starbucks, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I've also seen the last brand below, GoGo SqueeZ, at Costco. My favorite brand is Plum Tots, but the most economical is GoGo Squeez. A pack of 48 costs 19 cents per ounce! Note: prices are based on bulk purchasing.

Ella's Kitchen Organic Baby Food Broccoli, Pears + Peas (4+months), 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 7) - 59 cents per oz.

Revolution Foods Organic Mashups Squeezable Fruit, Tropical, 3.17-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 24) - 35 cents per oz.
Plum Organics Baby Food, Spinach, Peas & Pear, 4.22-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 24)  29 cents per oz.
Peter Rabbit Organics, Organic Strawberry and Banana 100% Pure Fruit Snack, 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10)  47 cents per oz.
GoGo SqueeZ applestrawberry, Applesauce on the Go, 3.2-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 48)  19 cents per oz.

Hot Weather Activity: Buckets of Water!

2010-07-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

A great way to spend a boiling hot summer afternoon is to fill up a few buckets with hose water. No need to waste time and resources filling up an entire baby pool. Henry had a blast pouring water from one bucket to another. He doused himself multiple times (see above) and even drank some of it. He knows he has to stay hydrated in this heat!

International Playthings Castle Bucket Set

Favorite Books: 18 Months Old

2010-07-06T07:09:00.000-05:00

Henry continues to love books. Some of his favorites remain the same, but he has a few new ones that keep his attention. You might sense a theme - trucks and cars. He's much more interactive now with books. He points to things, sometimes calls out their names and turns to his favorite page. Reading a book or two is still part of our naptime/bedtime routine. Although he can be squirmy at times (in those instances we skip the book), generally speaking he is content reading in my lap. My favorite times are when he takes a book to me and backs his butt up into my lap.
Where the Wild Things Are
Trucks. Lap Edition
Bright Baby Slide and Find Trucks

Trucks (Bright Baby)
Richard Scarry's Best First Book Ever!

Tootle
Scuffy the Tugboat and His Adventures Down the River

Go, Dog. Go! (Beginner Books(R))

Fisher Price My Little People Farm (Lift the Flap Playbooks)
Welcome to Merriweather Farm (John Deere Lift-the-Flap Books)

Flying with an 18 Month Old

2010-06-29T21:27:00.000-05:00

Our trip to NJ last weekend was worth the hassle and lots of fun. We saw Henry's great grandmother, grandmother (celebrating her 60th), uncle, aunt and a slew of great aunts/uncles and first cousins once removed. It was not, however, the smoothest of trips.

Henry and I flew direct from Chicago to Newark. I checked the car seat (free) and pack 'n play ($25). I packed all our clothes, etc. in my carryon - a lightweight multi-day backpack (camping style). We got lucky on our flight out: no one in our row and zero delays. Yahoo! Our return flight had a different tune. The following occurred simultaneously at the gate: they announced that the flight was officially canceled, Henry started inconsolably screaming and he took a dump. I cracked. I was crying, he was crying and everyone else was staring. Nice. Chris called the airline while I waited in line and got us on the 7pm flight. Note our canceled flight was at 10am. Don't worry, my brother was able to pick us up (after dropping us off earlier). What potentially could've been a horrible day turned out to be another nice day of visiting with Henry's aunt and uncle. Our return flight was delayed an hour, but we did have the pleasure of meeting some of the morning spectators who drunkenly recanted the morning events. They were stuck at the airport all day - what else is there to do, but drink? The actual flight was fine. We got the bulkhead and again no one sat next to us. I think airline employees know to give a break to single parents flying with lap toddlers. LUCKY LUCKY ME. Although, Henry didn't sleep a wink on the plane, he was an angel. He conked out in the car ride home from the airport.

Flying with an 18 month old is not easy. I'd say it is the hardest time to fly. They are mobile and determined, but not yet interested in watching movies for long periods of time. To avoid disaster - remember that something always goes wrong, but you can mitigate the damage by being prepared.

My tips for flying with a toddler:

Before you buy your ticket consider your child's sleeping habits. Will he sleep on the plane? If not, try to plan your trip during waking hours. Per my story above, things rarely go as planned.
Purchase a direct flight. Changeovers involve more delays and more logistics.
Be extra nice to your ticketing agent. Sometimes they will block out the seat next to you, or get you the bulkhead row.
If you can afford it (most of us can't), buy him a seat and bring your FAA approved car seat - I've heard good things about the GoGo Kidz Travelmate
Bring a backpack (hiking style is best) with lots of pockets (Gregory Muir 24 Daypack) in lieu of diaper bag - keeps hands free
Lightweight stroller that can be pushed with 1 hand - I love our Bugaboo Bee for this.
Pack favorite clean snacks and save them for take off and landing - when you feel your ears pop, pop a snack in his mouth (as you know swallowing helps alleviate pressure)

Dried cherries
Squeezable fruit: Plum Organics Baby Food, Sweet Potato, Corn & Apple, 4.22-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 24) - See squeezable fruit and veggie post coming soon.
Animal Crackers

Favorite clean cup for take off and landing

Straw cups are helpful so he doesn't have to tip back: NUBY BPA FREE 2 Handle 8oz. Cup / Flip-It Straw Top, Boy Colors

Sing songs and play lap games before breaking out the toys.
Assortment of new and favorite toys/book/crayons - try www.mybusykit.com if you don't have time to put a bag together
Try a video iPod, DVD player, laptop or iPad for a few minutes of peace. Henry lost interest after 15 minutes.
Keep things compartmentalized for easy access - reuse clear plastic bath toy totes or ziploc bags.
Opt for clean pre-flight airport meals
Have wipes readily accessible

Stop Judging Me!

2010-06-23T07:22:00.001-05:00

Stop judging me! One blogger calls it "competitive parenting." I call it, BACK OFF B*TCH! The last two days Henry has been a whiny screechy mess. I assume it is because Sunday night he didn't go to bed until 930pm - we drove back from Milwaukee around 8 and he didn't fall asleep in the car. I took him swimming yesterday and he loved it, but in the post-swim shower he started screeching and screaming. When he tantrums he clenches his fists, turns red in the face, closes his eyes (sometimes he throws his head and arches his back) and lets out a blood curdling raspy screech. At this point I'm still not sure how I want to approach tantrums: ignore or distract. Yesterday I ignored - as there was nothing to distract. I came out of the shower to another mother's ice cold glare. I'm not sure why she felt the need to glare. Maybe she thought I should've given him what he wanted to pacify him. Who knows, but get off my back lady! Let's do our best to avoid judging each other. I know it's hard, but we're all doing the best we can. The next woman who glares at me better watch out!

Although this USA Today article doesn't tell us anything we don't already know, I thought it was interesting. And maybe for some moms it will help them realize how their judgy ways affect other moms.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-05-25-mommywars25_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Do You Yard Sale?

2010-06-20T22:17:00.000-05:00

I've heard from friends that yard sales are a great place to purchase gently used toys, but I had no idea how great until last week. As per usual, Henry and I walked Chris to the train station in the morning and on our return trip we walked by a yard sale. Some items, two framed mirrors in particular, looked promising and I quickly walked home thinking to myself "go home and get the car and if the mirrors are still there great. If you can get them for $20 each great. If not, no biggie." I restrained myself from sprinting home, and held back even further when I realized Henry needed a new diaper before we could head back out to the unknown world of yard sales.

Upon further inspection, the mirrors were hideous (dark gold, over-priced ($50 each) and terribly ornate). But Henry adored all the toys. We got the three toys pictured above for $12. The automobile puzzle is missing 1 piece, but otherwise all toys are like new! I'm sure my yard sale experts are thinking, "what a rip off." But for me, it was a great deal, and my excuse is that I'm still learning the ropes.

In other news, I may have broken my pinky toe this weekend. You are probably thinking both pictures look pretty nasty - that's a bad break. But actually, my toes are just abnormally formed. My brother always said I had a sixth toe growing out the side causing my pinky toe to curve over my ring toe. But if you can look closer without yakking (why are my toenails so nasty?), you will see that the below left photo depicts a bruised and swollen pinky toe while the other does not. Let's play the game let's find 6 different things about these two pictures.

Happy Father's Day!

Finding a Hat that Stays ON!

2010-06-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

Henry has hated hats since birth. He refused to wear little baby hats, and continued to hate sunhats as he got older. I assumed he would never ever wear a hat - that is until I met a woman at the park who said her son would only wear ONE particular hat. I took Henry to Old Navy that week and tried every hat they sold. Henry picked out the hat pictured above himself, and he actually wears it. Of course, he takes it off regularly, but he will also wear it for prolonged periods of time. Hooray for persistence! And Hooray for Henry's precocious sense of style.

White Population in Kids Under 15 No Longer the Majority in 9 States and D.C.

2010-06-15T12:58:00.001-05:00

I thought this article was very interesting. (See link below) I suppose when people like Chris have babies with people like me, it muddies the waters. By the time Henry reaches adulthood, who knows what this country will look like! Hooray for racial mixing!

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/06/11/some-states-already-have-majority-minority-of-kids/?blog_id=8&post_id=10495

More Competitive Eating Tendencies

2010-06-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Please note that I did not teach him to eat this way and he rebuffed my attempts to curb his food shoveling ways.

WARNING: Lead in Canned Fruits and Juice Boxes

2010-06-12T07:45:00.001-05:00

Photo from inhabitots.com
The newest food warning study came out this week - beware of juice boxes and canned fruit. The Environmental Law Foundation tested products marketed towards children for lead. The results showed that 85% of products tested contained enough lead in one serving to require a warning label under California law. What's even more concerning is that brands like Earth's Best, 365 Organic and Trader Joe's were equally guilty. Henry has never had juice boxes or canned fruit, but I'm still currently resisting paranoia-city.

See article: http://www.inhabitots.com/2010/06/11/85-of-kids-drinks-snacks-could-contain-high-levels-of-lead/

Kid Friendly-ish Fireplace Screen

2010-06-10T07:50:00.000-05:00

Although fire and baby tend to imply DANGER DANGER DANGER, many of us have children and fireplaces living harmoniously in our homes. One way to decrease the risk of mishap is to have a practical fireplace screen. A great affordable option is a single panel curved wrought iron screen. These are lightweight, and when Henry pushes on it, it simply hits the fireplace facade. If he pulls it down on top of himself, which he hasn't done ... yet, it is lightweight and won't harm him.

I think we're currently at a threat level Yellow in the house.

According to Wikipedia, the Homeland Security colors correspond with the following risk levels:

Severe (red): severe risk
High (orange): high risk
Elevated (yellow): significant risk
Guarded (blue): general risk
Low (green): low risk

BEST TOY for a Boy (ages 18 months and beyond)

2010-06-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

At only $22.49 the Bosch Workbench provides hours of focused play. Henry is obsessed with putting the screws in the holes. It comes with a build-it car, and a drill that actually works - and don't forget the hammer, wrench, pliers, vice, saw and screw driver. Even our 5 year old nephew loved playing with it.

I also like the Melissa and Doug Take Along Tool Set ($10.90), but it doesn't have the same pizzazz as the Bosch Workbench.

Henry is Officially Allergic to ...

2010-06-08T07:21:00.000-05:00

As you can see from the nose drippage, something was not right with Henry since we moved. His eyes were constantly gunky and his nose was constantly oozing clear (sometimes green) mucous. At first I thought he had a cold, as people kept telling me that green mucous is a cold symptom. But upon further review, I was convinced that the more time he spent outside the worse his symptoms became. Keeping him indoors before 10am, and bathing him before bed (despite his eczema) seemed to improve his symptoms. I signed up for daily email alerts on the pollen count.

We finally decided to see an allergist who performed a scratch test. On a baby, the allergist does the test on his back. Henry squirmed and squealed, although it was better than the blood draw. She did the standard baby tests: dust mites, mold, pollen, dogs, cats, dairy, nuts, seafood, etc. The results revealed that Henry is allergic to ... DOGS. I was shocked. He had zero reactions to anything else. ARGH! She checked his ears for an ear infection, but couldn't see past the gobs of ear wax. Her recommendation was to give Henry Zyrtec before going to a dog-infested - ;) - house, and after leaving the doghouse, we should strip him of his clothes and bathe him. She also said to take him to the pediatrician to check for an ear infection if the symptoms didn't subside. Two days later, I took Henry to see the doctor, and lo and behold - he had a mild ear infection, which was likely caused by the latent congestion from dog exposure. It was a sneaky ear infection, one that did not include fever or ear tugging. Phew!

It is nice to know why he's been goobery, and the ear infection was a bonus discovery. Now that he's done with his antibiotics, the boogies and cough are gone. He's been in contact with 2 dogs since - the first time I gave him cetirizine (the generic Zyrtec) and he was fine. The second time a cockapoo licked him and Henry immediately started itching his eyes. Why was he playing with a cockapoo? Chris is in denial of the allergy. Let's hope he outgrows this allergy!

Henry Busy Building

2010-06-01T08:02:00.000-05:00

Here is Henry hard at work. He loved helping to build furniture last week. He placed screws very deliberately in random holes and loved using the Allen wrench. I love how serious he is about the project. Since then, he'll happily spend an entire afternoon "helping." He is in love with the Philips screwdriver.

Smoking at 2 years old???!?!?!?! @#$%@#$^

2010-05-27T08:46:00.000-05:00

This makes me absolutely sick to my stomach.

Ants Bite!

2010-05-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

Despite my love for the outdoors, I despise insects. Seriously, the definition of an insects is a "class within arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax, and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae." What's not to love about creepy crawly exoskeletons and three part bulbous bodies? Blech!

Now I have even more ammunition against my joint-legged friends. Yesterday, Henry was happily playing on the ground by the garage when he started screaming bloody murder. In the webbed skin between forefinger and thumb I found a giant ant. I immediately flicked at it's butt, but it didn't budge. It had burrowed its pincers into Henry's delicate skin. I flicked and flicked and flicked. The whole fiasco was a blur of frantic screaming on Henry's part and flicking on my part. Finally, the battered exoskeleton fell limply to the ground. Henry continued to scream. I ran his hand under cold water, and he slowly calmed down. I placed a wet tea bag on the wound. According to the internet, which we know only tells the truth, black tea counteracts the ant bite and can alleviate pain. One day later, a vampire bite remains, reminding me of why I despise insects.

Lee DeWyze!

2010-05-26T21:23:00.004-05:00

Thanks to AT&T Uverse, I missed half the season finale and Simon's last show. Thanks to the internet, I easily found the winner. Congrats Lee DeWyze from Mount Prospect, IL!

The parts I did see were lame attempts at bringing back AI contestants to perform famous songs with undeserved stature alongside the original fringe performers, who clearly would've preferred to perform the song solo, but accepted a duet out of desperation. Song after song after song they paraded wrinkly counterparts. Of course, I had to ask Chris "who is Alice Cooper? Is he from Alice in Chains?" And Chris responded eyes bugging, "I'm so embarrassed for you." Next song, I said, "Is that Michael McDonald? The only reason I recognize his voice is because I just saw 40 Year Old Virgin." Then Chris said, "Is this the - bring back elevator music hits - show?"

Despite my waning interest in AI - I usually fast forward through most of the show - I was still impressed with Carrie Underwood and sad about Simon's last episode. Ricky Gervais was his usual hilarious-self. Dane Cook was his usual lame-self. The best part of his routine was Ellen's flat and expressionless face. At one point she looked at Randy as if to say, "are you actually laughing at this bigoted dude loser?" Best thing Ellen has done all season.

Farewell to Simon and to AI. *tear* I won't be watching next season - or will I?

What's a Stay-At-Home Parent Worth?

2010-05-26T06:00:00.003-05:00

According to Salary.com, a year of stay-at-home-parenting is worth $117,856. If nothing else, it's interesting. Personally, I think caring for Henry is priceless, but I still think it's comforting for both Chris and me to see studies such as this one. I'm NOT wasting my degree, damn it!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?blogid=46&entry_id=63196

Trucks Trucks Trucks

2010-05-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

The most common word that Henry utters each day is "please." Aren't we lucky? "Truck" is definitely the second most common word that passes through his lips. He is obsessed, especially with the Hess trucks that Chris has been collecting for the past three years. Henry spotted them on the top shelf of the closet the other day. He desperately called out "pease, pease pease," as he signed "please." I couldn't resist.

Making a Mess and Cleaning it Up

2010-05-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

H-bomb loves to empty boxes, bins, drawers, etc. Despite his love for chaos, he also appreciates putting things back where they belong. I love it! He might be neater than his parents.

Granite Dining Table

2010-05-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Note Correction: Regarding my post yesterday, CSA stands for "community supported agriculture." Apologies for the mistake!

Room and Board has a customizable dining table where you can choose the top and legs. Quartz, granite and even a butcher's block are possible choices for the table top. This is a genius idea. Just like our kitchen counters, a granite dining table would be easy to clean, easy to maintain, and there's no need to worry about spills, etc. This table seems baby proof to me - of course it's not the cheapest option for a dining table ... but we can always dream.

Chicagoans: Sign up for your CSA!

2010-05-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

Simply Wisconsin is closing registration for 2010 summer shares this Friday, May 21. So sign-up before it's too late! We are doing a half-share. I'm very excited for the local fresh fruits and veggies!

CSA stands for community share agriculture. In practice, you pick up a box of produce (eggs, meat and cheese are also options you can choose) every week or every other week. All of the items come from local Wisconsin farms and all are organically grown. It's a great adventure for active home cooks (you don't get to choose the items), and wonderful support for local farmers.

http://www.simplywi.com/store/233

Mom the Builder! Yes We Can!

2010-05-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Henry and I built this bench all by ourselves! It's funny how being a housewife has made me feel more masculine than ever! I take out the garbage, build furniture, move heavy boxes, etc. Who knew!?

Chicken Thigh As Easy As Pie!

2010-05-17T06:00:00.003-05:00

Henry has been refusing to eat meat lately. He used to love fish, chicken, beef, etc. Now he picks out all the unwanted proteins and gobbles up the carbs. Last week I gave him cut up pieces of karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and he inhaled them and then asked for more ("pease pease pease"). It was so satisfying to see him eat chicken! Although it is fried chicken, I do think that the fatty chicken thigh contributed to his affinity for the karaage. Thigh meat is always juicy and tender due to the extra fat.

Now all the people who read my judgmental post last week about chocolate formula can turn the tables and judge me for feeding my son fried food just to get him some protein. Perhaps my justification is that instead of feeding him fried chicken multiple times a day, I've given it to him once. Just trying to defend myself.

Since the karaage feeding frenzy he's happily eaten grilled chicken and watermelon!

Chocolate Formula: Say Wha?

2010-05-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

Whoever thought up the idea of Chocolate Formula is hanging his toes wildly close to the flames of hell. Enfagrow argues that formula containing essential vitamins - chocolate or not - is better than nothing at all, but the fact is that babies are fickle and their food preferences change day to day. It doesn't take a genius to know that it's a terrible idea to actively feed sugar and chocolate as a daily staple to a 1 year old. Furthermore, Enfagrow's chocolate formula is a "premium" product. The company has pushed the limits on taking advantage of desperate parents. The thought of bleary eyed chocolate formula drunk toddlers stumbling around makes me sad.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-05-05/business/ct-biz-0506-chocolate-formula-20100505_1_infant-formula-abbott-nutrition-flavored-milk

1 Nap Transition = A Success!

2010-05-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

We've finally transitioned to one nap per day! It only took 15 1/2 months to get there. Most children transition to one nap between 12-15 months. Just like walking, Henry decided to catch the later train. Although, that was A-OK with me. I kept waiting for the "signs" that he was ready to drop his nap: inconsistent napping; playing during nap time; crying during naptime; avoidance of the crib at nap time; etc. But every time he exhibited those behaviors he wasn't able to last two consecutive days on one nap. I kept asking other moms how they transitioned to one nap. They would either say "she just did it on her own," or "the nap transition was really hard and took a month." I decided to wait and hope he would "do it on his own." I think my patience paid off.

Once we moved, I started putting him down for a 10:30 nap. He would sleep until 12:30, and then stay up for the rest of the day. This schedule worked just fine for him, although I had to move his bedtime earlier (7 instead of 7:30). Then I started gradually moving his nap time later over the next month. For a while I thought he would permanently go down for his nap around 11 and sleep for about 2 hours, but now he goes down for his nap around 12 and sleeps for about 3 hours.

Life these days is definitely less consistent, but he's learning so much so quickly. He learned to say "pls" this weekend - thanks to his Aunt, Uncle and 3 cousins! Sounds like "pease."

Bye Bye Poo Poo

2010-05-10T06:00:00.005-05:00

Pictured: Graco Soft Seat Potty Trainer

I've started taking Henry and his poo diaper to the toilet and dumping the terd in the pot. Henry waves bye bye and I flush. I then wrap up the wipes and diaper and toss them in the diaper pail. This tactic is our first step towards potty training! It also happens to drastically dissipate the stench of the diaper pail.

Next, I'm going to place him on a fake baby potty when he shows poo signs, which include red face, obvious pushing noises and even gas. Even if he's already gone a little in his diaper, there is a chance there will be more. We're going to start with poo and wait on the pee until he's better at communicating. I'm not looking forward to cleaning the baby potty. Unfortunately, Target doesn't sell the potty pictured above, and I was too lazy to drive to Babies R 'Us, so we go a Fischer Price model that plays music. Hmmmmm.

Speaking of potty, congrats to our friends LP and JA on their wedding. It was a doozy. Unfortunately, Chris spent a majority of the weekend on the adult potty. Pobrecito.

Redfin is Da Bomb

2010-05-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

For our condo sale, we used Ed Jelinek, who was awesome and amazing. But for the buy side (seller pays realtor costs for both sides), which is much simpler, we used REDFIN. You've probably used Redfin to search real estate if you're at all into that sort of thing. Redfin is similar to realtor.com, but it also tells you when and for how much the property sold for previously. My favorite redfin feature allows you to view houses SOLD in the past 3 years (and some even farther back), at what price, the pictures, etc. To do so, type in your search criteria, and then click "more options." The far left column has check boxes, check the blue house for "Sale Records." This is a great way to understand what the market is doing in the neighborhoods you are perusing. In the past 3 years, there has only been 1 house sold on our entire block - OURS.

And of course, the BEST thing about redfin.com, is that redfin pays the client half of the commission. For example, currently in the Chicago area, the buyer's and seller's agents each receive 2.5% commission. Redfin will pay 1.25% of the sale price to YOU. This rebate practice is actually illegal in some states - those realtor lobbies are powerful - but we think it's a great way to keep realtors competing.

We thought our Redfin realtor would be totally clueless. After all, as a Redfin user, it is your job to select the houses to view, and they set up the appointments and send an agent along with you. We had a great agent, who knew what to look for, was very responsive on email, and we were lucky to get the same guy, David Yochum, everytime. Redfin worked out really well for us.

Note: if you're going to use Redfin, you might want to avoid talking about it with your realtor friends. Apologies to my realtor friends.

Learning About Our New Home

2010-05-06T11:13:00.000-05:00

We're getting settled. Henry was very helpful in the unpacking process: taking things out of boxes; walking glasses from one end of the kitchen to the cabinet; etc. Since moving in a week ago, our fence fell down and we fixed it, our power went out twice, our AT&T Uverse internet refused to work properly, we've gone to bed with the garage door open and car trunk open, returned home to find the back french door open, and yesterday we discovered that the previous owners of our house were burglarized last fall. Yahoo!! I had ADT reactivated yesterday and plan to be vigilant in using it. Let's hope I can keep it up. Otherwise, we love our new home and neighborhood. Henry gets to see his cousins almost every day! No regrets on the move.

Henry is starting to respond to questions, which is freaky.
Q: Henry do you want to go to sleep?
A: He shakes his head, "no"
Q: Henry do you want to have a snack?
A: No response.
Q: Say please.
A: He signs "please," and smiles.

His new words include ball, cuckoo, and bye. *tear* *sigh* *gulp*

Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl Recall

2010-05-04T07:23:00.001-05:00

As I'm sure everyone already knows, on April 30, 2010, McNeil Consumer Healthcare initiated a voluntary recall for Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, etc. because some of the products may not meet required quality standards. I kept hearing there was a recall, but no one knew why or what to do.

As a precautionary measure, McNeil cautioned parents and caregivers not to administer Infant's or Children's Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec or Benadryl to their children, because "some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles." While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use.

Click the following link to receive a coupon/refund for your recalled products. https://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/replacement_coupon.inc

For more information see:
http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/
McNeil Press Release

Joys of Homeownership

2010-04-30T08:30:00.001-05:00

Our fence snapped all along the mulch line and fell on the sidewalk yesterday. The inspector warned us that the mulch would rot the fence, but we didn't know it would happen within 3 days of living here! We are now exposed to the entire neighborhood, which is not terrible as one neighbor brought us a delicious chocolate cake and the other invited us for a playdate.

Add new fence ASAP to our to do list.

We Own Grass and Trees

2010-04-28T11:15:00.001-05:00

Although we still have a ton of "moving in" to do, we are taking lots of time to play in the grass and walk around the neighborhood. Both our next door neighbors have stopped by to say hello, and we've met the crossing guard on the corner. We live across the street from my niece and nephew's elementary school. Every day at 930 and 330, the crossing guard parks in front of our house and waits for millions of kids to cross the street.

Yes, we moved to the burbs, but it really doesn't feel that way. Yesterday I walked to the supermarket and town. I also walked to Henry's Wiggleworms class. It's amazing! There is grass everywhere we go and there are parks every few blocks. I feel like Henry is thriving in this environment. He seems so much older. If I ask him a yes or no question he often shakes his head no appropriately. He's walking like a champ.

It is also amazing living so close to my sister's and Chris' brother's families. There is so much that can be said about living close to family when you have kids.

Right now, I'm loving E-town.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

We've Moved!

2010-04-27T06:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was closing day for both the condo and the new house PLUS moving out and moving in day. Eeek! Things actually went fine with the help of an army. Henry stayed overnight with his grandparents - I don't know how we could've done it without their help. We had a 5 man moving crew from Golan's. They were amazing - very professional. I stayed back with the moving crew, and Chris spent the day at the closings and at work.

The movers were done by 3:45, and I immediately got to work on Henry's room, while Chris' dad unpacked the kitchen. Henry and his Evanston cousins/Aunts arrived home :) around 6. It was obvious he knew something was up. He barreled through our new house shouting with joy. He climbed up and down the stairs exploring every room. It was really exciting to see his reaction to the house. Of course, his delirium was more likely due to the presence of his cousins, who he adores, and lack of sleep.

We are so excited about our new home. Although it's bittersweet - we will miss the city - we know this will be a great change for everyone involved.

p.s. No Internet or TV for 2 weeks - ATT Uverse can't get here until then - so please bear with my blogging via iPhone!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Walk Walk Walk ... Fall ... Walk Walk Walk ... Walk?

2010-04-22T06:00:00.004-05:00

See it. Believe it. Henry is walking! I'm convinced his late walking translated into fewer falls - of course now that I've written that ...

Dirty Tub

2010-04-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Henry takes a bath every other day, and up until recently we always got in the tub with him; we have a deep jacuzzi tub. After baths, the tub was always lined with a film of lint and dirt. Who knew a kid could get so dirty? Now that he's more coordinated, I no longer have to get in with him. The tub is no longer filthy. The dirt was my dirt! Blech.

Learning to pick his nose

2010-04-20T06:00:00.004-05:00

On Thursday, April 8, 2010, my son, Henry, picked his nose for the first time. It wasn't a casual pick. It was a sudden, aggressive and frantic nose picking incident. I abruptly pulled his hand away and said a firm, "No."

He has continued to absent-mindedly pick his nose in the stroller, in the car seat and generally as he saunters around the apartment or the park. I've been vigilantly policing his nose-picking in hopes that he will get bored of it.

Want a good laugh? Google "nose picking" images.

Happy HAPPY Birthday CHA!

Is it Competitive Eating or Dancing?

2010-04-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Do you see a resemblance in their dancing styles? My dad called it first, and I agree. Henry dances with his belly. He's either dancing Caddyshack gopher style or competitive eating. I can't decide.

Buying Baby Walker Shoes

2010-04-15T13:25:00.001-05:00

Shoe store managers and websites all say that new walkers need a good-fitting shoe that has a flexible sole.

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/clothing/bb/firstshoes.htm

http://www.babycenter.com/0_your-babys-first-shoes_60.bc

Henry is finally walking! This means I actually have to put shoes on him when we go out. Rats! He has a bunch of hand-me-down shoes, but he's either outgrown all the soft/flexible types - Robeez, etc. OR I've lost them.

I went to Piggy Toes in Lincoln Park in search of new walking shoes, but of course they don't carry any shoes under $35/$40. We did, however, have a very successful shoe-shopping trip at Target. No surprise. I bought 3 pairs of shoes, all flexible and well fitting, for the price of one high-end pair of shoes. And considering I'm averaging 1 shoe lost per month, this was probably a smart way to go. I got a pair of Skidders, which I would've loved 6 months ago, because they are sock shoes, which stay on very well. Warning, our Skidders have a strange gardenia scent, which is oddly pleasing and off-putting at the same time. Why do my baby's shoes smell like Marc Jacobs fragrance? Of course, the Target website calls all the shoes I bought "Pre Walk," so maybe I got it wrong. All I know is that Henry is happily walking in all his new shoes, and he doesn't seem uncomfortable. We shall see. I will feel terrible if he develops some debilitating injury from my attempts to avoid expensive baby shoes.

Black Out Blinds = Better Sleep

2010-04-14T07:53:00.000-05:00

Most pediatricians will say that the darker the room the better baby will sleep. We've found this to be very very true for both Henry and other visiting babies who have slept in Henry's room. Henry's room is as dark as a cave, and visiting babies always sleep beautifully in Henry's room. Parents will repeatedly say, "I can't believe he/she is still sleeping."

I'm convinced it's a combination of the fact that first, his room only has 1 shaft window, and secondly that shaft window is dressed with honeycomb or cellular blinds. These babies block out tons of light, and they also insulate the windows. I was thrilled to see that the bedroom windows in our new house are already fitted with cellular blinds. Yahoo!!

DwellStudio for Target

2010-04-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Dwell Studio has modern and adorabe patterns and styles for baby bedding and furniture. Of course, it tends to be pretty pricey. My friend, who is having twins, just told me about DwellStudio by Target! These cribs and matching furniture are adorable. There's no drop side, so no worries about injuries, and it has very useful drawers at the bottom. Plus the price is NICE - $299!

Target also carries tons of DwellStudio crib and toddler bedding, blankets, etc. You can actually buy a cute separate crib sheet for $10. Yahoo! No more wasting money on crib sets just to get a nice crib sheet. Am I the only dope who did that?

Allergies Are Still Haunting Us - Sort Of

2010-04-12T06:00:00.003-05:00

Since he was around 8 months, we determined that Henry's allergies were either gone or extremely mild. He drinks milk twice a day, eats yogurt, cheese, eggs, etc. without a problem. That is until we traveled to Mexico where he regularly ate food cooked by others, and those others used a lot of butter. He loved the pancakes and would gleefully wipe his butter-smeared hands all over his face and hair.

On day 3, he broke out in a terrible red rash on his face (only). Now that I think of it, the rash was reminiscent of a rash he had when he was 2-3 weeks old. I never cook with butter at home, and am convinced that the mantequilla touching his face was the culprit. Since we’ve been home, he has not had any rashes. (See above photo - he's eating a cheddar omelet, notice no rash)

Upon our return home, I took Henry for his 15 month well visit, and our pediatrician recommended we either go to an allergist or do a blood draw at the office. The blood draw would test for 12 different possible allergies. It was torture. Poor Henry screamed the entire time, and the blood came out so slowly. He survived the blood draw, despite a small bruise.

A week later, the pediatrician’s office called to tell me that there was not enough blood to do a full test, and the only thing they determined was that Henry has a very mild allergy to something, but they don’t know what it is. I was livid. I would recommend avoiding a blood draw for allergies if at all possible. We will be visiting an allergist once we’re settled in our new home.

My uneducated diagnosis is that Henry is allergic to dairy when it touches his face. When he was a newborn I let him nurse resting on the nursing pillow, which would often be wet with breast milk (I was eating dairy). He broke out in a rash, and I thought it was because the milk was dirty. Once I started putting a towel under his face, and changing it for each feeding, the rash subsided. Perhaps this allergy should’ve been discovered a year ago. Or, maybe the reason so many children have allergies today, is not because more children have allergies, but because in previous generations, children just had rashes and parents assumed it was nothing. Hmmmmmm.

Taiwanese Susan Boyle

2010-04-09T10:42:00.002-05:00

This is so amazingly awesome. I love it.

Puj Baby Bathtub

2010-04-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

This new infant tub by Puj is super cool. It's a foam tub that folds totally flat when not in use and fits in virtually any bathroom sink. It saves you from the big plastic infant tub. Henry flailed and splashed water everywhere, which did not do good things for the cabinets below. Plus the big plastic tubs are annoying to store. The flexible foam will hug baby and make him comfy in the warm water. It's a no brainer!

Great Toddler Spoons and Forks for Self-Feeding

2010-04-07T10:21:00.000-05:00

I just got this Beaba fork (4) and spoon (6) set at Giggle while I was shopping for a friend's baby gift. It's virtually impossible to buy a baby gift without getting suckered into buying something for Henry. These spoons were worth the shopping guilt/$20. Henry can actually spear food with the forks (they are sharper than other plastic toddler forks) and the spoon is deep enough to cradle food. Both features are really useful considering his lack of coordination. I also plan to wrap a few of them up (we don't need that many) as baby gifts for Henry's pals. So, don't be surprised if your kid is turning 1 soon and you receive a pink fork and spoon set -- yea, Sara, I'm talking to you. ;)