Macy’s Mom

After signing up for Headsprout Early Reading, I received a packet in the mail. Inside was colorful progress map with stickers, and 6 books. We hung the map where Macy could reach..and put stickers on the episodes that she had completed. I pointed to episode 5 and told her that she would read a book after finishing episode 5. I later overheard her telling dad that after 5 she would be able to read! She was very excited when we started episode 5. After we finished it..I took out the first book. (I was so afraid she would be disappointed by the 2 page book) We sat down..and Macy started to read it. 2 pages..7 words. When she finished..”was that the whole book?” uummm..yes…you read the whole book. “HURRAY! I READ A BOOK!” Then she proceeded to dance around and sing “I read a book..I read a book!” She was thrilled and couldn’t wait to read the book for dad and her baby brother.

I heard about PEPS at my pre-natal swim class from Michelle. New moms in the same area/income/baby age meet once a week..and talk.  Sounds good. We signed up and started meeting when the babies were about 6 weeks old. There were two leaders (moms) who got us started on a topic..breastfeeding..sleep..child developments..that sort of thing. We go around the group and share. It was fabulous! Sometimes it was the only day we got out that week. About 6 weeks after we started, one of the lead moms told us about “mom’s night out”…her old peps group would go out about once every few months without the babies. hhhmmm..What a great idea..how about tonight? The five of us that showed up really bonded and still continue to meet for play-dates..(sometimes we even include the kids.. tee-hee) It’s fun..and Macy considers those kids her best friends!

When I was pregnant with Macy..I read all the books. . napped..ate healthy..took pre-natal swim. I knew I was going to breastfeed. I thought breastfeeding was natural and instinctive. Put a baby up to your breast..they nurse. How difficult could it be…boy was I WRONG! I didn’t really pay attention when the nurse was shoving my new baby on my breast. I didn’t think I needed to go to the class on breastfeeding. And when they come in and ask how the baby has been feeding..I’d just say “fine.” I even left the hospital a day earlier than I had too. I knew that I might have sore nipples..but when they started bleeding..you could say I panicked. I called the hospital and asked if I could come back! Surprise..the breastfeeding class is only offered while you are still there..not after you’ve checked out! They suggested I rent a hospital grade breast pump and gave me the number to a lactation consultant. $120 an hour! We drive clear across the city…she hooks me up to all this supplemental tubing..I’m even more confused! She latches the baby on to me and asks if I can feel the difference? Um..yeah? (not at all..I was so sore..pain..pain) We went home..I cried..they baby cried… I started pumping. The baby stopped crying. hhhmmm…much easier…stress free. I continued pumping for about 6 months.

I’m really missing my Graco SnugRide infant car seat. After Macy out grew her Graco snugride…I sold it to a friend who was leaving the country. We weren’t planning on having any more kids…SURPRISE..hey..we don’t have the infant car seat anymore! Another girlfriend let us use hers. Great! We’ll save some money…and my giant babies out grow the infant carrier by 5 months anyway! (2o pounds or 26 inches..which ever comes first..usually the 26 inches!) Let’s just say it’s not a Graco. And pushing on the handle to get it down is really hurting my wrist! It doesn’t seem to be particularly comfortable..and the hood doesn’t block the sun like my Graco did. I keep telling Gavin to drink up and grow…he’s 3 months old and 25 inches…one more inch and he’s out of there!

OK…it’s not really a bra..it’s a nursing cami/tank. One hand quick release. Your stomach stays covered. You don’t need special nursing attire…just a button-down shirt. Comfortable to sleep in. Comes in white, gray, & black. Toss it in the washing machine and the dryer. Worth mentioning again..THE STOMACH STAYS COVERED! $16.99 at Target. (no, you have to actually go to the store..it’s not on the website!) They were out of what I thought was my size (medium)..so I bought a large. That was a mistake..not the large..the only buying one part. I could hardly wait for it to come out of the wash…I have since made several trips..bought a few more..love them!

If you are the type of mom that likes to carry your baby in a sling..check out the Walking Rock Farms Baby sling. The cost is higher than the more traditional slings..but well worth it! I bought mine over 4 years ago..and they still sell for the same price. $69…. for a snuggly soft fleece sling that looks like a pea pod. It streches with the baby..and you can transfer the baby..sling and all to dad when it’s his turn to hold the little darling! new born to 22 lbs.

I bought the Tiny Love Symphony in Motion Mobile 4 1/2 years ago for baby Macy. My husband Craig’s reaction..”$40 bucks for a MOBILE??!!” I was less concerned about the price, and more concerned about it not really matching her room decor…It turns out, Macy was a baby that liked to be held almost constantly! The only time I had to take a quick shower or a moment to brush my teeth was when I put her under the mobile! She was mesmerized..hypnotised…a baby addict that couldn’t look away! Now, Craig tells people..”the best $40 bucks we ever spent!”

I’m a flight attendant and I am always looking for ways to make traveling with my kids easier. When Macy outgrew her infant carrier at 4 months..I thought the Sit-n-Stroll was the answer to my dreams! It’s a car seat..it’s a stroller! It rolls like a dream! Macy was strapped in and wheeled through the airport..down the jetbridge..onto the plane. This is where my happy dream ended. Yes, it fits down the aisle of an aircraft. Just not the one we were on. It turns out that it didn’t fit on any of the narrow body aircrafts we travelled on! (It would fit down wide body aisles..but unless you are travelling internationally..the majority of aircraft flown domestically are narrow body planes!) Bummer! We still travelled with it..but I soon realized that it was kind of hassel when we got to our destination too. We’d spend about a week at our destination..there is no way to secure the sit-n-stroll into the car for a week. Each time we got into the car..Macy went into the 5 pt harness system. (this was fine) Then I had to secure the sit-n-stroll to the car. Anybody who has installed a car seat knows that this involves a lot of tugging and strength as you put your whole weight into the carseat to get it in snug. Imagine making 2 trips a day over a five day period. I was exhausted! The next time I travelled..I decided I would rather haul her Britax Roundabout car seat through the airport and push her in her stroller..than deal with the sit-n-stroll at our destination. As I was lugging the car seat..pushing the stroller full of kid stuff..and keeping an eye on Macy walking…I saw a woman go cruising by with her kid riding in their car seat on what looked like luggage wheels. WHOA! STOP! What is that..and where can I get one??? Go Go Kidz car seat wheels! Needless to say..when I got home..I looked them up! The cost seems a little expensive approx. $90..but well worth it! (I sold my sit-n-stroll on Craigslist..and used the money to by my wheels) FABULOUS!!! I love my wheels!!! Macy gets to cruise through the airport in her car seat..down the jet bridge..and down the aisle of some narrow body aircraft (not all)..and better yet..mom only has to install the car seat one time when we get to Mimi’s house.

I was reading the October issue of Pregnancy magazine..when an ad in the back caught my eye. Slim Lines freezer trays for breast milk..made from PETG plastic/medical grade & FDA approved. The trays freeze the milk into one-ounce servings..and they fit into any bottle opening. I had to order it! $15.95 for two trays with lids. (plus shipping and tax..about $22) I love them! I have a freezer bag full of breast milk popsicles! Pop about 2 or 3 at a time into a bottle..put in fridge to melt..you’re ready to go! It’s quick..clean..and no wasted milk! Gold star!

I first heard about the Bumbo seat from my sister-in-law Erin. A relative sent her one when her son Cole was born. Bumbo seats weren’t around when I had Macy over 4 years ago..or maybe I just hadn’t heard of it. She told me how great it was..she just took it with her when she went visiting..it’s somewhere to put a baby without leaving him in a car seat the whole time…also a great place to feed Cole. As my son approached 3 months..I looked into the seat. It’s for babies approx. 3 or so months in age..and you can use it until the baby tries to get out! (Depends on the baby) The price runs about $40 dollars. I went to the baby and kids section of Craigslist to see what was available. Quite a few people were looking for specific colors, and the ones listed for sale were all priced about $25 or so. During my search, I came across a great mom business…Crybaby Comforts. Lisa (owner) sells Bumbo seats..but she also rents them and a wide varitety of other useful baby items! I rented a teal Bumbo for 3 months..$4.25 per month. (if Gavin is anything like his sister..he’ll be bust’n out of the Bumbo before I’m ready..) So far..we love it! I had Gavin sitting in it while we were making dinner..eating..and in front of his toys. After using it..I can now see the appeal! Gavin isn’t quite ready for an exersaucer or doorway jumper..he’s alway reclining (bouncy seat..swing..crib). The Bumbo lets him sit up with support and he feels like he’s right in the middle of everything..because he is!