Babies: The Movie

Warning: This trailer is guaranteed to jump start your biological clock.


I cannot wait for this movie to come out! It's perfect timing, as I see my little Henry in these same babies. I love that parents around the world go through the exact same experiences. Whether rural or urban, rich or poor, traditional or modern, babies have the same demands and give us the same surprises, laughs and tears. Being a parent automatically enters you into a special club, whether you like it or not. I find myself smiling empathetically at parents in the grocery, airport, etc. I hope this movie is as uplifting as the trailer portrays. Babies are the perfect subject matter for back to the basics, good-feeling entertainment.

Bare Necessities: Everything You'll Need Before Baby Arrives Abbreviated

See Original List

I've received a lot of comments that my initial "Everything you'll need" list is overwhelming.  Please see below for an abbreviated bare necessities version.  I hope it's helpful!

Baby’s Room

1. Crib:  allow 5 months for delivery.  Note:  there are some beautiful cribs that you will find “special,” as we did, but you will also find that “special” cribs are not always compatible with crib toys, bumpers, etc.
2. Graco Pack n’ Play:  For the first 3 weeks Henry slept in the bassinet of the Pack ‘n Play in our room.  Now we bring it on trips and visits to friends and relatives’ houses – he gets his naps and we get to leave the house.
3. Quilted Pack ‘n Play sheet:  it softens the bedding.
4. Ultimate Crib Sheet (2):  attaches to the crib slats, is waterproof, and lays on top of the fancy fitted      sheet.  Easier to wash and replace than the fitted crib sheet.
5. Crib sheet
6. Sleep sack (2):  Halo is the go-to brand.  I like the sleeveless sacks, because baby’s long sleeved pj’s will be bulky underneath a sleeved sack.  You’ll need a spare for when you do laundry.  If you have a winter baby get the fleece.  As baby grows you can determine which size he’ll need next and what material depending on the season.
7. Dresser:  Ikea has a great dresser that can double as a changing table.
8. Changing pad:  Get a few changing pad covers.
9. Night light or dim lamp:  keeps it dim for baby when you nurse in the middle of the night or need to comfort him back to sleep.
10. Clock:  You will need a clock in view of the rocker or wherever you are nursing to keep track of the start time and length of each feeding.

Diapers/Hygiene/Meds

1. Diaper Can:  Dekor: convenient because you don’t have to change the bag every time you take out the diapers, but you have to purchase specialty bags.  I purchased them at www.diapers.com.  The Diaper Champ is a favorite, because you don’t have to purchase special bags. 
2. Baby wipes
3. Diapers: Size N or 1.  N is the same size as 1, but leaves a dip for the umbilical cord.  The hospital uses size 1, and folds the front down.
4. Diaper rash cream:  Boudreaux’s Butt Paste or Aveeno.  Desitin has a medicinal smell.
5. Moisturizer (tub):  Cetaphil and Aquaphor
6. Saline drops for congestion.  Although you can make your own, store bought saline comes in an easy to administer bottle.
7. Bulb syringe: for use after saline.
8. Instant Read Thermometer – practice practice practice
9. Baby file and nail clippers:  I have to clip his nails every other day, otherwise Henry scratches himself.
10. Baby bath tub
11. Washcloths (2-4)
12. Baby soap/shampoo in one.  Mustela foaming baby shampoo seemed to do a good job warding off cradle cap
13. Soothee pacifier (2) for newborns.  Henry was off the pacifier after 3 months, but it was a lifesaver      while it lasted.
14. Q-tips: to clean around outside of ear

Nursing/Feeding

1. Boppy vs Brestfriend?  I liked the Brestfriend for feeding.  It has better support.  The Boppy is great for tummy time, lying down at an angle, etc. 
2. Bibs:  Soft bibs for newborns (5-10).  You will use a new one for each feeding, and using dirty bibs can cause a rash.  Bumkins bibs for solid feeding – easy to wash and dry fast.
3. Burp cloths: disposable diapers take up little room in your bag and dry quickly
4. Baby bottles:  2-3 4 oz bottles to start.  You may want to get 1 of each kind before you commit – some babies are particular about bottles.
5. Bottle cleaner – has a special nipple cleaning attachment on the handle – you can find these at your grocery or convenient store.
6. Lansinoh Breast Pads: very absorbent
7. Lansinoh nipple ointment:  supposedly if you apply the cream before baby arrives, you can avoid cracking
8. Nursing bras:  Mimi Maternity without underwire.  Get 2 and get measured!  You’ll need more after baby arrives, but your size will change once the milk comes in.  The bras I purchased were too small and I got clogged milk ducts – very painful.  Underwire can also cause clogged ducts.  Loose fitting clothes can help prevent clogged ducts.

On The Go

1. Stroller:  Will you have 2 strollers?  1 for travel and 1 for home?  Do you have a place you can store your stroller at home so you don’t have to fold it up everyday?  If so, perhaps the convenience of the folding mechanism isn’t an important feature.  If you are small and/or weak consider size and weight.
2. Infant car seat:  some babies use their infant seats until 7-8 months.  Baby will sleep a lot, and you will often be on the go with a sleeping cherub.  The seat makes it easy to transport your sleeping baby.  Seats with a base can also be strapped in with a seatbelt when you are riding in someone else’s car.
3. Bundle Me Bag:  Attaches to the infant car seat, keeps baby warm.  There is also a lightweight version for summer.
4. Baby Carrier:  The ERGO has much better support for you back than the Baby Bjorn, but the Bjorn has better neck support for newborns.  It’s nice to wear baby while you do laundry, etc. 

Baby Clothes – the bare necessities – the extra is just fun!

Remember the first few months, baby will grow out of things really quickly.  Once baby’s growth plateaus (around 9 months) clothes will last a bit longer.

1. Pajamas:  Children’s Place and Just One Year (by Carters) have great zipper pj’s with feet.  Baby will wear them exclusively for the first few weeks – that and the hospital issue kimono shirts.
2. Baby mittens:  to prevent scratching
3. Many Onesies – short sleeve and long sleeve.  Layering is key in cold winter months.
4. 2-4 pairs of pants/skirts/shorts
5. 5-10 shirts (choose easy fit over delicate head and neck) – you will get a few hospital issue kimono shirts
6. Socks – no need for shoes unless it’s cold (although even in the cold baby will be bundled up) or baby is crawling/walking.

Miscellaneous

1. Baby blankets:  we use them all the time to lay Henry down so we can read books, do tummy time, etc.  I have a blanket in every room in the apartment.
2. Books:  Baby 411 and What to Expect From the First Year were my go-to books.  After reading these books, you should decide if sleep training is for you, and if so, which method you want to use.  We used Dr. Ferber’s method, and although it is a constant battle, Henry sleeps really well.
3. Dreft baby detergent or fragrance free/etc. detergent – wash all your baby clothes before baby arrives.  Don’t use dryer sheets. 

Mom’s Recovery

1. Postpartum diapers for mom:  Soothae brand is great.  You can find them at your drugstore or grocery.
2. Thin maxi pads for when the bleeding lightens.

See Original Comprehensive "Everything You'll Need for Baby" List

Little Emperor Syndrome

Apparently due to the One Child Policy and twenty years of economic growth, only children all over China are growing up to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them.  This sense of entitlement and “helicopter parenting” has hit Americans too.  What’s our excuse? 

http://www.uncorneredmarket.com/2008/09/china-so-many-little-emperors/

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/culture-clash.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/business/yourmoney/11wcol.html?_r=1

First Birthday Party

Although HGA’s first birthday party was a week after his actual birthday, it didn’t feel belated.  It was an hour and a half filled with food, fun and more food.  Close friends and family came bearing gifts, smiles and hugs for him.  We celebrated with homemade sesame chicken salad sandwiches, pork tenderloin sandwiches, hummus and pita and cupcakes.  We provided coloring projects for the older cousins, and bubbles for the little babies (although I forgot to break out the bubbles).  The party favor was a bathtub ducky, which I also forgot to break out before the little babies rushed home for their naps.  In line with Chinese tradition, I attempted to dye 12 eggs red, which turned out pink.  We also performed the Chinese tradition where baby is placed with a number of items and the one he chooses foretells his future.  Henry chose the book, which signifies teacher or scholar.  His second choice was the stethoscope representing medicine, however, he quickly dropped it to reclaim the book.  The other items were an orange representing fortune, a string representing long-life, a pen representing writer/journalist, and a ball representing athlete.  We had a small betting pool on which item he would choose, and the winners were Brewer (3), Sam (5), Jeff (28) and Megan (25) (our friends who happen to be siblings) and yours truly. 

Henry enjoyed ripping the wrapping paper, although not as much as I expected.  He is a delicate present opener; he picks at small shreds with his thumb and index finger.  He loved the giant balloons his Aunt Heather brought, and he continues to enjoy batting at them like a punching bag.  I’ve learned that babies love cards; the rough glitter, the pop ups, the poems, the colors and the music are all entertainment for them.  One year has come and gone … on to the next!

Bad Flavor Combinations

I've tried feeding Henry some pretty bad flavor combinations.  My intent is always to feed him a balanced diet, but sometimes flavor takes a backseat to his veggie and fruit intake.  Lately, I’ve tasted lots of his meals, as his new favorite thing to do is to feed me. Perhaps, he’s trying to tell me, “Are you seriously trying to feed me this garbage?  You try it.”  Now if I try to feed him something he finds revolting, he will simply spit it out.

At 5 months he used to eat avocado and prune puree without protest. Now he'll simultaneously eat clementines, meatballs, squash soup, cantaloupe puree, eggs, cheese and yogurt - his lunch today.  He basically eats as much as I do if not more.  He will, however, refuse to eat squash soup mixed with cantaloupe puree.  He has to draw the line somewhere!

The Cuisinart Smartstick Chris gave me for Christmas is great for making squash soup and tomato sauce!  I also pureed cantaloupe after Henry refused to eat the cubes.  He slurped up the puree like a smoothie.

Easy Squash Soup Recipe - Henry Loves It!

Squash

Carrots

Celery

Onions

Garlic

Herbs

Chicken stock

Milk (optional)

Boil or roast quartered or halved squash in 1-2 inches of water.   Spoon out soft flesh and set aside.  In the same pot used to boil the squash, sauté chopped carrots, onions, garlic and celery.  Simmer in chicken stock – add for desired consistency.  Add herbs such as oregano and thyme.  Once veggies are tender add squash.  Blend with Smartstick.

Weaning Off the Boob: Week 3 -- Depression

Weaning week 3: I was down to 1 nursing a day and was completely out of whack emotionally.  It felt as if everyone was out to get Henry or me and I scrambled to protect us.  It didn’t occur to me that the problem was my hormones, and not my relatives (including my 3 year old niece and nephew).  It took a knock down drag out shouting tear fest with my sister at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods (the 3^rd largest WF in the world) to realize there was something wrong with me. 

It all started about a month ago over Thanksgiving.  I was feeling particularly unstable.  I couldn’t hold back the tears.  It got so bad that I was actually convulsing and weeping at Thanksgiving dinner.  I chalked it up to PMS.  Then Christmas came and I was still particularly testy.  I scolded my 3 year old nephew for grabbing Henry’s present out of his hands and immediately felt horrible.  Two days later, I scolded my 3-year-old niece for breaking Henry’s new toy phone, and got in a huge spat with my sister at the Whole Foods checkout.  I wanted her kid to “fess up” to the crime.  My blood was boiling. 

After some internet research, I self-diagnosed my emotional roller coaster ride as weaning depression.  My hormones were adjusting because I cut nursing back to once a day.  And my PMS was exacerbated by the hormonal changes.  Plus the emotional stress of weaning, and losing that connection with Henry was definitely wearing on me. 

To everyone I’ve snapped at or scolded or offended, I’M SORRY!!! 

Below are two links I found helpful and interesting.

http://breastfeeding.about.com/od/weaning/f/weandepress.htm

http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVDec00Jan01p112.html

Leaving Baby Overnight for the First Time

Happy New Year!  2010 is a new beginning for us as parents and for Henry as a baby.  He is now 1 year old.  His birthday coincided with weaning.  He’s also no longer allergic to dairy or eggs, on the verge of walking (maybe), drinking cow’s milk (sort of), smiling constantly, pointing at everything he finds interesting, waving bye-bye consistently, developing bad habits, climbing everything with a step, sprouting more hair, and cutting more teeth (4 on top and 3 on bottom).

We also left Henry overnight (2 nights) for the first time.  It was the day after his birthday.  A wedding in the frozen tundra of St Paul, Minnesota dragged us away.  Initially, we had planned to take Henry with us, as the wedding fell on the weekend of his birthday.  But after thinking through the strategy of getting a babysitter at the hotel for three nights, and an offer from his grandparents to keep him, we decided to leave him in Milwaukee.  I was understandably apprehensive about leaving him, but knew that his grandparents (who have 6 grandchildren) were the perfect caregivers for our first time away.  I laid out Henry’s meticulous sleeping and eating schedule, which I’m sure was obsessive and controlling.  I wept some tears and gave him a million hugs and kisses.

Over the weekend we called once a day to check in.  Everything was fine.  He never cried for us, ate relatively well and slept like a rock.  We returned to find our baby boy in perfect condition.  He didn’t have any scratches or new bruises, which was amazing considering he loves climbing the stairs at Aggy (grandma) and Grandpa’s house.  He had even learned a few things!  He may have picked up a bad habit of whining to get out of his high chair, as Aggy took that as a sign that he was done, but it was all worth it!  I had 2 whole nights without my baby, and although I missed him terribly, it felt amazingly liberating.  Flying without a baby is definitely something most people take for granted.  I napped, read my book, “Open” by Andre Agassi, and reveled in the fantastic people watching.  We started off 2010 with new independence and reassurance that this new year will be filled with milestones, love, hugs, kisses, learning, smiles, laughs, sleep, and fun.