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%