(Un)Solicited Advice

So you know when you become a Mom for the 1st time. EVERY.ONE. wants to tell you everything about being a Mom. Which is cool until you start hearing 1000's of different things and then you are all "uhhhhhh what? my brain is fried you said that a wagon is the best method of transporation for my 2 week old?"

Well I was talking to a friend this weekend who is going to be a Mom for the 1st time. She is totally adorable and has no idea what she likes/needs, etc.

I'm more than happy to give advice, usually only when asked, unless it's about pain relief (AND PITOCIN) during labor and then I'll go all crazy on you. I don't want to hear how natural is SOOOOO much better and how pitocin is of the devil. I have 2 healthy kids courtesy of both. Thanks.

Oh and sleep training.

I don't do Dr. Sears. I'm not into attachment parenting. I'm about teaching kids to sleep from the get go. It is after all one of the MOST important things you'll ever teach a child. Do some research about children who have sleep issues and you will see that it can affect them their whole lives. *steps off sleep training soap box*

So cute friend says to me "Please tell me what I really need for this bebe of mine".

I laugh and say "a carseat, stroller, diaper bag, crib and a boob."

So I promised that I would come up with my ULTIMATE list of baby MUST HAVES.

Here it goes.

1. Carseat- You can go with a Maxi-Cosi seat or the Graco Infant SnugRide. They both have great safety reviews. I'm all about safety reviews/consumer reports. I would do the Graco and take the money you save and get a nicer stroller.

2. A good stroller. I have an obsession with strollers. I'm a connoisseur of strollers if you will. I own more strollers than I care to admit. But they all have their own purpose.

So here's my opinion. If this is your 1st baby and you know you are going to have more babies why not buy an excellent quality stroller (nice wheels, storage, swivel wheel, light, easy fold, etc.) that has the ability to add on a seat? Genius, I know.

Phil & Ted Sport

This is the 1st "double" stroller that I owned. I wish that I would have owned this when I just had one kid. It is the perfect stroller for 1 or 2 kids. Buy the single, when you have #2 on the way buy the add on seat. Fin. It still has a home in the trunk of my Mom-tank.

or...

Valco TriMode Single
This stroller is like the Cadillac of single strollers and guess what, you can add a toddler seat to the front. Voila. A double stroller.

Then when you have 2+ kids who need to sit side-by-side you buy this guy.

Valco Trimode Twin

This is my current mode of transportation. And *YES* that is a 3rd seat on the front. AHHH-mazing. In our house everyone rides. Walking children = frazzled nerves.

3. Breastpump- Medela Pump In Style. Best invention ever.

Take the night off and let Dad do the work. Why take 45mins to use the hand pump when you can do the same work in 7mins with much greater output.

4. Bjorn or the Ergo. I had the original Bjorn with Abbey and it just about killed me. So I bought the Bjorn Active with the back support. Totally rocks.

The Ergo carrier is good too but honestly they are kinda ugly.

But it's super comfy and works for a looooooong time.

5. Diaper Bag- Get a bag that you like because you are going to be carrying that sucker for a long long long time.

6. A few really nice quality blankets. Receiving blankets are worthless. seriously. You can't swaddle with them unless you have bitty babies and they just tear and shred in the wash.

A few other "good" things:

1. good quality nursing bras (medela, bravado work for me)
2. nursing cover
3. carseat tent (so people get the hint to leave your baby alone),
4. the book Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child,
5. Eucerin/Aquaphor
6. white noise machine
7. oxyclean
8. good friends who can talk you off the ledge :)
9. video monitor

Stuff you don't need:

1. wipes warmer
2. J&J babysoap
3. bottle drying rack
4. lots of newborn diapers (my kids never even wore newborn)
5. Diaper Genie

So that's my (un)solicited advice.

Anyone want to add theirs?

Happy Annivizaversaryshizo!

Happy Anniversary to us.

5 years.

Sometimes it's so funny to me that I married that boy I fell in love with 9 years ago.

I am the luckiest gal I know.

Not everyone can marry a guy who can fix EVERYTHING, is a genius, uber funny, uber handsome, loving, great cook, best Dad ever, patient, thoughtful and the list goes on and on.

I am one lucky gal.

Happy Anniversary honey.

Fro-YO!

Pinkberry, Red Mango, Iceberry?

Sound familiar to anyone?

Well it's all the rage here. and well everywhere.

My darling friend Dana is obsessed with Pinkberry.

I'll tell you more about Dana some other time. I *heart* her.

(You can find her at tightenyourbelt.blogspot.com)

Back to yogurt talk.

It's like real plain yogurt in a soft serve form. It is seriously delicious and addictive.

Best of all you get all of the benefits of regular yogurt (you know the acidophilus, etc).

YUM.

So I received this recipe from a friend and tweaked it just a bit to my liking.

My kids are in heaven. I slice strawberries, sprinkle blueberries, pineapple, etc.

They devour it.

I eat it with chocolate chips.

I'm pregnant. That's my excuse.

I like mine creamy and dense.

Dana likes hers airy and sort of icy.

Homemade Fro-YO

*I used 2% yogurt and whole milk*

2 C plain yogurt (Fage, greek style yogurt is best)

1/2 C sugar (just a smidge less than 1/2 cup)

1/2 C milk

1/8 tsp xanthan gum (buy at Whole Foods in the baking section)

Whisk ingredients together

Pour in icecream maker (approx 25mins)

heaven.

Dos

Jack is 2!

I can hardly believe it. Seems like just yesterday I was off to the hospital to welcome my big guy into the world. I remember so clearly the nurses and my Dr. laughing because he was so chubby and his cheeks were resting on his chest upon his arrival. Jack has always been our mellow and happy little guy. Everywhere we go people comment on how happy and sweet he is. He truly is the most darling little boy.

i love his chubby gloriousness.

So on the 27th we were supposed to have a fun little party for him but mother nature had other plans. Snow and ice don't mix well with birthday parties. So we threw a party at our house. Uncle James came over and we ate pizza, cake and opened presents. It was so fun. Jack thinks he is Super Man. So when the pj's Nana sent arrived with a detachable cape Jack was in heaven. He runs around all day screaming "I Super Man! I a cool dude!" He is hysterical.

Happy Birthday Jack.

We love you so much.