Bows and Headbands for Girls

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

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

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 ...

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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!

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

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)