3/1/11 – La Ti Da

Another bad night. What’s new at this point. I honestly can’t believe how little sleep a person can truly function on! Seriously.

Today we had our big annual conference at work. So, Christian had to drop the girls off so I could get on the road (double the commute to get to the conference) on time. I was lucky enough to need gas today...and it cost me $50.00 to full my car!!! What?! Christian also got gas for the truck…the pump stopped him at $75.00…seeing that his tank holds nearly twice what mine does (yet empties in half the time), it would have cost him nearly $100.00 to fill up. OMG…

The conference went well. I man the registration table all day with a couple co-workers, and I really enjoy doing it. Luckily the conference site had a location where I could pump! How awesome was that?! I ended up getting off work a little earlier than normal, headed home, cleaned up a tad and packed up some toys (you know, from our personal toy store) to bring over to my in-laws house. Olivia needs more distraction over there! Christian was working OT tonight, so I dropped off the toys and picked up the girls. We hung out and played for a while, had some leftovers for dinner, watched some TV and that was about it. It again took me forever to get Amelia to sleep, and I’m not holding my breath for sleep tonight. Oh sleep, where art thou?

Here is a picture of Olivia, concentrating very hard on her puzzles.

2/28/11 – Pictures!

It’s Monday, and after string of sleepless nights, it’s the worst Monday ever!

Work was very crazy. 3-day week last week, I’m gone at a conference tomorrow, this means PILE UP at my inbox. After work, we met up at home, had some tacos for dinner and enjoyed some family time. The girls have been doing really well together. Olivia actually SHARES things with Amelia once in a while now. Usually when she “shares”, it’s only so she can immediately take it away from Amelia, like some cruel game, but lately she is legitimately sharing things!

We currently have Amelia entered in a cutest baby contest right now. They ended up including EVERY entry they received, so there are A LOT of babies in this contest (over 1,700!). We need all the votes we can get, so if any readers are willing to vote, PLEASE DO! You may vote once a day, from each e-mail address you have. When you vote for the first time, you have to register and verify your e-mail address…tedious, but great for keeping away the cheating. So, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE throw a vote (or two or three) our way. And, pass the link on to your own friends and family if you would!

Here is the direct link to Amelia’s picture: http://tinyurl.com/65dxe86

I also received the CD from our photo session a few weeks ago! Here are a few of my favorites!

2/27/11 – Family Sunday!

Well, today was a pretty good end to the weekend. Amelia actually slept halfway decent last night, and both girls let us sleep in a little bit. Awesome! Once we were all up, we hung out for a while, ate, and were on our way to Target for a little family shopping trip. I love the IDEA of family shopping trips, but it’s overwhelming at the same time. On one hand, I like to just go on my own, do what I need to do, and be done with it. But, when we go together, I like the extra time I get with Christian, and who doesn’t love showing off their little bundles of joy?! Olivia did great throughout the store, like usual. Amelia actually lasted half the trip in her car seat! Then, spent the other half in the sling, which was fine with me…extra cuddles!

Amelia passed out on the way home, and proceeded to nap for a few hours! Olivia also passed out on other way home, but woke up during transport from car to crib…then decided the 3 minute nap in the car was good enough. We were not having it, so she proceeded to yell and scream in her crib for about an hour before finally giving in and napping. Such a brat.

I randomly did loads of laundry throughout the day, Christian got his hair cut and made a special trip to the Mexican Market during nap time. He grilled (yes, grilled, in the cold) some carne asada and we had yummy tacos for dinner!

After dinner, I did some cleaning up…scrubbed the kitchen, washed some dishes…the usual. After the bath and bed routine, it was time for us to pass out as well. Of course Amelia woke up as soon as we were about to go down…Christian did step in and attempt putting her back down, but she wasn’t having any of it. She’s been nursing for comfort lately, in an extreme manner, and I’m at a loss of what to do. I’m glad she’s off the pacifier, but some days it would make life SO much easier. Oh well, we’ll just keep trying!

Tell me this picture doesn’t make you smile!

2/26/11 – Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom’s birthday! YAY. Christian and I were really dragging this morning…just overly exhausted and not prepared to get up and going at all. But, we finally managed to get in some showers, get ourselves dressed, get the girls ready, and were off to meet my mom for lunch. Of course, a new round of snow and ice started up bright and early this morning…made for an interesting commute. Olivia is VERY dramatic about the cold…brrrrrr, cold she exclaims over and over again when we go outside. Yet, she’s perfectly content out in the cold and couldn’t care less. It cracks me up.

After a nice lunch and hanging out for a while, we headed home for nap time. Olivia went right down, and took a REALLY long nap again. Amelia would not go down, and I just felt dead to the world. It must have been terribly obvious, because Christian actually took Amelia and told me to go ahead and take a nap and relax for a while. I just about passed out from shock! Sorry honey, but it’s true! I did not hesitate on taking up this offer, and headed right to bed. This did mean Amelia got a bottle (and I despise dipping into the freezer stash), but it was worth it. Once I woke up, Christian fed Olivia, and then was off to meet a friend for dinner.

Amelia was VERY upset all night. A different kind of upset…she seemed like she was in pain. Nothing made her happy, and it was very stressful. I decided to skip baths, and luckily, even after a long nap, Olivia went down pretty well, and not too late. I gave Amelia some Tylenol and got her down to sleep. Hopefully she can sleep off whatever is going on with her!

Christian arrived home while I was cuddled up watching some Saturday Night Live. We watched a little TV and spent a little time together before I finally went to bed. Can’t stay up TOO late knowing that Amelia would be up sooner or later (probably sooner).

Here are some pictures from our lunch celebration!

2/25/11 – Weight Check Day, and Nearly 7 Months!

Today is my Friday home with the girls. It was another busy day home because Amelia’s monthly weight check appointment was today! So, we were all up, rushing to shower, get dressed, eat some breakfast, pack up and get out the door. We arrived to her appointment on time, only to learn the doctor was 30 minutes behind (typical)…but, he ended up being an HOUR behind! AHHHH. Thankfully the girls handled the wait pretty well. Olivia was getting pretty antsy, but we made it. Amelia was supposed to get her flu booster and another vaccine today, but it hasn’t been a full 30 days since her first flu shot, so we’ll have to reschedule her shots. GOOD NEWS is she weighed in at 14lbs..up a WHOLE pound since her 6 month check up. YAY for fattening up the baby. He was happy with that. She’s still only in the 5% for weight, but as long as she stays in the 3-5%, and doesn’t drop off, he’s happy. We’ll be back (other than her shots) for a weight check in 6 weeks. I was so relieved to learn she had gained. I know I shouldn’t worry about it so much, as I’ve told countless other women with smaller babies, but of course, when it’s your own, it’s a whole different story!

The girls slept on the way home. Amelia ended up going right down for her nap and sleeping for a couple of hours! A good nap is a rarity these days from her! Olivia ate some lunch, went down and ALSO took an awesome nap! Good day!

Amelia will be 7 months old tomorrow. I can’t hardly believe it! I remember thinking that Olivia grew so quickly, but not THIS quick. I wonder if it’s like that with each child…it just goes faster and faster. In some ways, like I’ve always said, I’m happy about it. I’m really excited to see the girls actually interact and play together, and HOPEFULLY build a strong bond with one another. On the other hand, it of course is very sad to see these newborn and infant months go by so quickly. I think knowing how wonderful and fun the toddler years are gets me through the sadness.

Amelia is full on army crawling now. She can go from sitting to the crawling position no problem. She is actually now able to sit herself up from laying! Of course, the rolling machine is still all over the place…she is actually following us around now by rolling after us! She tries with all her might to pull herself up to standing, but just can’t do it yet (c’mon, you can’t pull up that scrawny behind?!). She has mumbled “mama” here and there, but I know she has no idea what she’s saying. She is a babbler though. She is still in 3-6 month clothing, but the pants are getting a bit short on her. Size 2 diapers, and kind of swims in them. She still has THE best smile I’ve ever seen on a baby and is still VERY attached to me. As far as “milk”, she is still exclusively breastfed…not a drop of formula to date (patting myself on the back). She gets 3 “meals” a day now…fruit for breakfast, veggie for lunch and either or for dinner. Other than refusing to sleep, she is very happy and cute as a button!

Here is my 1-day –shy-of-7-months little girl! Love her! Had to include a cute one of her, patiently waiting for the doctor as well.

2/24/11 – Adventures in Baby Food – Pears

Well, last night was much better. We had one of those rare only-up-once nights, thank goodness. That, I can deal with! Today was just an ordinary kind of day. Nothing too exciting going on. So, I won’t bore anybody with the daily details today!

Tonight I made a batch of pears! Pears are high in fiber, potassium and Vitamin C. High in fiber, Pears like other fruits, are great aids in reducing the risks of cancer and heart attack and sustaining healthy cholesterol levels. They are also a great fruit to offer as a remedy to help alleviate baby's constipation. Pears are gentle on the tummy and thus are wonderful for babies who may be suffering from reflux. Pears contain no sodium, saturated fats or cholesterol. They contain two types of sugars, glucose and fructose. A pear is very nutrient dense meaning that there are more nutrients per calorie than calories per nutrient. There is no need to peel a pear unless feeding one to a small infant. A pear's skin is easily digestible. Pears make a good choice for one of Baby's first fruits.

Pears do not need to be cooked as when they are ripe as they are very soft and easily made into a smooth puree. Steaming fruits is typically recommended for babies under 8 months old to help breakdown sugars and fibers in fruits. However, as pears are gentle on the digestive system and very watery to begin with, use your own discretion based on your baby's digestive system. If you will be offering pears as a baby food to an infant who starts solid foods prior to the age of 6 months old, give them a gentle steaming.

Take your desired number of pears (I did 3 for my first batch). Peel and de-seed the pears, and proceed with mashing or pureeing, as needed for your baby's preference.

Cost Savings:
- 3 Pears = $1.89 – Makes Roughly 11 Jars
- 11 Jars of Gerber Stage 2 Pears = $6.55
- Cost Savings of $4.66

AND, with that, I have officially paid for my Baby Bullet with the money I have saved by doing my own food (and, I have completed the foods she should have at this point). More to come closer to 8 months. I have currently spent $25.02 on fresh and frozen fruits and veggies for baby food (and have a good stock in the freezer still), whereas I would have spent $87.61 to buy the same amount of food from sir Gerber. WOW! That is a savings of $62.59. Pretty nice, right?!

Here are some before and after pics of the pears. And, one of our little lady cat, Chloe. She’s cute.

2/23/11 – Tiirreed!

Now, I know I’ve said it before. I’m sure I’ll say it again. Last night was THE WORST night, sleepwise, ever! I am not exaggerating when I say that I maybe got an hour combined of sleep last night. Amelia would not go down last night. She would not stay down all night long. I’d feed her, she’d doze off, the by the time I would start falling asleep, she was up again. Olivia also woke up twice. I swear, our house is falling apart! I was a wreck at work. Oh, the joys of parenthood!

Thankfully, due to the super short week, I’m very busy at work, which made the day go pretty fast. I caught a second wind of energy once I got home and managed to do a little cleaning and cook dinner. We all just took it easy most of the night. Amelia was VERY crabby…thanks to her lack of sleep I’m sure, and I think her crabbiness makes Olivia crabby, so we ended up starting the whole bedtime routine a little early tonight. Crabby kids to go bed!

Hopefully tonight will be a better night in the world of sleep. I’m not holding my breath though! I still have no idea when we’re EVER going to be able to move Amelia into her crib and have them share a room. Still does not seem at all possible to me.

Tonight we tried some teething biscuits. As you can see, they are quite delicious!

2/22/11 – Topic #5 – Car Seat Safety

Work was a little hectic after the holiday…plus this Friday is my Friday off, so it’s a very short week for me! It feels like a Monday...but it’s Tuesday…well, work wise, it’s actually Wednesday. Man, I’m going to be all out of sorts this week, that’s for sure!

After work, I washed some dishes and bottles, cleaned up the kitchen and made dinner…you know, the usual. Christian had to return the SUPER loud humidifier we bought for Olivia’s room…there is definitely a reason it was only $17.00! Ha. He then picked up the girls and came home. He did have to shovel out the end of our drive-way quickly…thanks snow plow!

Amelia was OUT OF CONTROL tonight. I was seriously going to lose it. She cried and cried and cried, nothing helped. Held her, fed her, nursed her, burped her, changed her…she cried. We could not figure out what in the world was wrong with her. We finally put the girls to bed, and neither of them were having it. It took forever to get Amelia down…then Olivia woke up and woke her up…I think it’s going to be a loooooong night!

Car Seat Safety
It amazes me how little people seem to know about something as important as a car seat. Your car is literally a deadly weapon, and you drive your most precious cargo around in it…you should definitely know the ins and outs of car seat safety!

First and foremost, in virtually every state in the county (definitely in Minnesota), children must be in a REAR FACING car seat until they are BOTH 1 year of age AND 20 pounds. No ifs ands or buts about it. Weather your child cries or “hates it” or “looks uncomfortable”…it’s the law.

Furthermore, that is really the minimum your child should rear face. Rear facing a child is the safest way for them to ride in a car. The latest recommendations are to the age of 5! Unfortunately, the convertible car seats we bought (while good quality seats), do not have the height allowance to accommodate that much time (at least with Olivia). But, ever child should be rear faced until at least 2 years of age. Think of it like this…when you get into an accident (whether hit via the front or back end), the initial, strongest, impact of the accident will pull every passenger in the car towards the front of the vehicle. Your child’s spine is still relatively small in comparison to their head size, and when they are pulled forward, that impact has a high potential of snapping their tiny little necks. Where, then they are rear facing, the force pulls them into the back of their seat. Yes, rear facing CAN increase the risk of a broken leg/ankle, depending on the kind of accident and the child, but morbid as it is “would you rather cast or have a casket”…

I had never heard of “Extended Rear Facing” until I had Olivia, and became active in an online community. I’m ashamed to admit that we didn’t even know the 1 and 20lbs law until we moved Olivia into her convertible car seat at around 7 months old and I read it in the manual. I REALLY wish the law would change to a 2 years requirement, I really, really wish pediatricians would be more informative about both the law and the benefits of extended rear facing with parents. I can’t tell you how many strange looks and questions we got when people would see Olivia rear facing as such an “old” age. It’s sad really.

In addition to my main focus of Extended Rear Facing, there are other key points everybody should be aware of when it comes to car seat safety:

1. Kids 12 and under should ALWAYS ride in the back seat. This cuts their risk of death by 36%.
2. Kids should/must (depending on your state…MUST in Minnesota) be in a car seat or booster until they can be seated property in a seatbelt. For most kids, this is around 8 years old or 4' 9" tall, but proper seatbelt fit is the most important factor.
3. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat when there is an active frontal airbag.
4. Keep your baby rear facing as long as possible. That can mean up to 35 or 40 pounds in most current convertible seats, unless they outgrow it by height first. Invest in a QUALITY convertible car seat, with this minimum.
5. All current car seats pass government safety standards. Select the one that best fits your child, your vehicle and your budget. Some models do have different features; select one that has the features that will allow you to use it correctly EVERY trip.
6. Always read the owners manuals for your vehicle and car seat thoroughly. They often contain specific information about car seat installation that may not be obvious. Some models may vary from what you would expect.
7. Make sure that the harness fits snugly on your child, the car seat fits snugly in your vehicle and that your vehicle seatbelts are locked properly.
8. When you buy a car seat, make sure you have a good return policy in case it doesn't fit or in case you find you don't like it. Have your seat inspected by a certified technician for free.
9. Please be wary of used car seats, especially those over six years old, those with an unknown history that may have been in a crash, those that show any form of cracks or damage, and those with missing labels, model number, manufacturing date, instructions or parts. Car seats DO have expiration dates on them, and for a reason. Car seats that have been in an accident, small or large, should no longer be used.
10. You should never have your child wear a bulky coat in their car seat. Bulkiness interferes with the restraint system of the car seat. Infants should never need a coat…clothes, maybe a sweater, and a blanket wrapped around them (after they are strapped in) should be more than enough to keep them warm. You can then drape a blanket over the seat when outdoors, or buy something like we have, to go over the seat (but does not interfere with the safety straps)…we have something like this: http://www.infantcarseatreview.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/pink-kiddopotamus-infant-car-seat-cover.jpg. BundleMe’s and “snow suits” that clip into the harness are NOT safe, and DO revoke the warranty of your car seat. They also sell poncho-style blankets you can drape over your older child in their car seats, or you can simply put a blanket over them once buckled in. To test the safety of what your child is wearing in their seat…put them in the seat, clothed and ready to go, make sure the straps are tight and in place. Then, remove your child, remove their outerwear, put them back in the seat, and check the straps. If they are still tight and do not need adjusting, your child’s clothing is acceptable. If you need to adjust the straps, your child is not safe.

Cheap is NOT the way to go when it comes to car seats. We have the Evenflow Symphony for our girls, and we really like them (other than the height issue…I am comfortable turning them at 2 though). The Britax series is great, and the MyRide 65 is another wonderful choice. Really do your research when picking out this very important item.

Things to look for in an infant car seat:

1. Able to use rear-facing up to 22-35 pounds, depending on the model.
2. A 5-point harness, keep chest clip at armpit level and not on the neck or tummy.
3. Harness strap slots should be at or below the shoulders
4. A front adjuster to tighten the harness makes it easy to use.
5. Newborns and infants should have a 45 degree maximum recline.
6. Built-in angle indicators and adjusters may help get the correct recline.
7. Manufacturers have differing instructions on where handle should be while traveling. Read the instruction manual to learn if it should be up or down in the vehicle.
8. A rear facing tether or impact foam found on some models may improve safety.
9. Infant seats may fit newborns better than convertible models.
10. Some models include a complete stroller and base system, while others may include just the convenient base that installs in the car.

Things to look for in a convertaible car seat:

1. Select a model with a minimum of 35 or 40 pound rear-facing weight limit and keep your child rear facing as long as possible.
2. Your child should be turned front facing at the car seats rear-facing limit, or if the top of their head is within an inch of the top of the shell.
3. Select a model with a 5-point harness and front harness adjuster.
4. Keep the harness straps at or below the shoulders while rear facing and front facing.
5. Some older models require the use of TOP slots while front-facing (Check your manual).
6. Keep chest clip at armpit level, not on the neck or tummy
7. Make sure you use the correct seat belt path or LATCH hooks intended for front-facing or rear-facing.
8. A 45 degree maximum recline is needed for newborns and young infants while rear facing. Older babies with good head support can have less recline while rear-facing.
9. Upright with no recline is best for front-facing
10. Some models feature tethers that can also be used rear-facing and impact foam for added safety. Some also have built-in locking clips for convenience.

Things to look for in a booster seat:

1. Best used at a minimum of 40 pounds with a lap AND shoulder belt. Your child should remain in a 5-point harness as long as possible. Most high quality car seats allow 5-point harness for front facing up to 65-80 lbs.
2. Use until the manufacturer's weight limit, or until your child can wear a seatbelt properly (check your states requirements as well), usually around 8 years old or 4' 9" tall.
3. Shoulder belt should cross the center of the shoulder and chest, not on the neck.
4. Lap belt should be high on the thighs or low on the hips, not on the tummy.
5. Use a high back model if your vehicle has low seat backs with no head rests. Some models may offer increased side impact protection.
6. A backless model is fine if your vehicle has headrests, or if there is plenty of growing room from the tops of your child's ears up to the top of the seat back.
7. Many models have open loop shoulder belt guides that don't catch like some guides on combination seats.
8. Many have adjustable head supports and extra padding for added comfort, compared to combination seats.

So, that's my tutorial. There is a lot of research and information available out there...just look for it. Remember, when talking car seats, you truly are talking about one of the most valuable items you'll ever purchase and use.

Now, here is a video of my cutie pie. Don't be jealous of my amazing singing voice!

2/21/11 – Adventures in Baby Food – Peaches

Today is Presidents Day. As a beloved State Employee, I get the day off. YAY. Christian did not, so it was just me and the girls, hanging out all day. Last night was one of the glorious nights Amelia decides to sleep through the night, so I was able to sleep straight through to around 7:00 (except for waking Christian up). It was wonderful.

After feeding her, Olivia was up, and the hecticness began. Olivia has actually been doing better with Amelia…well, I guess that really depends on how you look at it. She doesn’t seem to hate Amelia anymore, and is actually interested in her and helping with her, but she is now a little TOO into hugging Amelia (meaning, squeezing the life out of her) and “helping her”…for instance, when Amelia is trying to pull herself forward into a crawling position, Olivia decides to “help” her sit back up by pulling her arms back. This happens ALL.DAY.LONG. It’s so frustrating. She still rolls all over her and sits on her too. We’ve been trying the whole time out thing, and it’s still not going well. She will NOT stay…she’d play the up and down game all day and night if we let her. We just don’t know how to get through to her. FRUSTRATING!

Amelia spent some time in her jumperoo, Olivia danced around the kitchen and I was able to get the dishes done and the kitchen cleaned up. While they were down for their naps, I was able to clean up the living room and some other odds and ends, and just sit down and relax for a while. It continued to snow ALL DAY. Our local and HD channels on the TV were still out all day, then in the early afternoon we lost all channels. That was no fun.

Christian stopped at the grocery store for me on his way home. Once home, he took over kid duty while I made dinner and a new batch of baby food. We watched a couple of movies with the girls and played for a while. Christian quickly plowed the driveway once the snow looked like it was done for the day. When the girls finished their baths and Olivia was in bed, Christian pulled out the ladder and removed the snow from the satellite and the roof. Definitely NOT something I would be caught dead doing!

Tonight I made peaches. Peaches are high in Vitamin C and Vitamin A and they contain a great amount of fiber. Peaches are known to have a diuretic affect and also are a natural laxative. Along with Prunes, the Peach is a great fruit to give to your baby if constipation has become a problem. Peaches are yummy, sweet and juicy. Babies may begin to eat Peaches anywhere from 4 to 6 months old. Peaches are definitely not in season right now, so I opted to use a bag of frozen peaches. I let them thaw in a bowl, at room temperature, like the bag suggested I do. Once they were just about completely thawed, I pureed them, and that was it! Easy as it gets!

Cost Savings:
- 1 16oz Bag of Frozen Peaches = $2.14 – Makes Roughly 10 Jars
- 10 Jars of Gerber Stage 2 Peaches = $5.95
- Cost Savings of $3.81

Here are some before and after pics of the peaches. And, a couple pictures of Amelia from today…Amelia is the amazingly convenient sling, and another of her getting into the crawling position! She’s growing so fast.

2/20/11 – Mother Nature Has an Evil Bone

Well, after a run of warmer weather, sunshine and *thoughts* of spring approaching, Mother Nature had decided to abruptly remind us that Spring does not arrive for a few more weeks, and that she is not done with us yet. We woke up this morning (by alarm…on a Sunday, not cool). Quickly showered and got everybody fed and out the door…we had plans today…family double date plans with my BFF!

We decided to take Olivia bowling for the first time. And the lanes we were going to had some specials in the morning, so we decided to meet up nice and early. As we arrived to the lanes, Kari was calling, and informed me that she was currently sitting in a ditch. The snow started coming down just as we were leaving the house, and starting sticking, and making everything nice and slippery, instantly. She was an unfortunate casualty of the winter reminder. Christian and I set off to find her and pick her up. Meanwhile, a good Samaritan stopped to help her. He and Christian were able to push her car out, thank goodness. So, we all headed to meet the rest of the crew at the bowling alley.

Olivia used the ramp to bowl and thought it was all pretty cool…for about half a game. Then she was completely over the whole thing. She was distracted by everything, especially the arcade across the building. She did well though. Amelia survived the outing very well herself.

After bowling, we picked up some lunch, the girls took their naps, and we settled in for the afternoon/evening and just watched the snow pile up. Right as the season premiere of The Amazing Race (aka, best show ever) started , we lost the local channels on our satellite. Thanks snow! After an evening of hanging out, playing and the usual kid chaos, we called it a pretty early night. I don’t work tomorrow, but I’ll still be just as busy, so no sense in staying up late!

Here are some of our bowling pics. And, a bonus “this is our life” photo.