Life is Good.

Aidan's Letter to Ellie

Dear Ellie and mom,

You are the best sister ever. I love you. I hope you have curly hair. but I bet you will. I bet your first food will be dad hole made bread. you probably will. i love you. you are really small. you were born at 8:57. And you weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces. you were so cute when you came out. it was cool when I first walked in to see you. I did not like what you burped or pooped or puked out. your hair is soft. and I told you to chop chop! and I think Ellie will like her first car ride. your feet and hands are so so so soft. you are really small.

I hope you don't have glasses. or I don't want you to have surgery. And I don't want you to have problems whith your leg or ear. I bet you like moms ninny because I don't like hot milk or white milk. I only like chocolate milk. you smiled when you were 2 days old. And that was cute. I bet you will or will not like chocolate milk. But now you like moms ninny. your first shirt you wore to our house is so cute. I hope you like dogs because we have one. I just hope you are not allergic to dogs. But I think you won't be. you are so cute. I now I said that a couple of times.

Plus mom I like the limn pie and the things that you eat at the doctor. Your little boots and clothes and shirts and shoes are cute. Hey Ellie I did not like when you were choking.

Love,
Aidan

Miss Ellie

We would like to introduce you to Lil' Miss Ellie Minette, born 7.9 pounds, 20 inches. She is 8 days old, happy and healthy! Big brother is proud. Dad is simply in baby love. And Mama is doing very well!

Book of Firsts

This makes me grin from ear to ear! Here is Aidan's latest project for his baby sister. The idea was his own and costs all of $10. He created a "blank" scrapbook of firsts for Ellie, including her first Lego play, first mess and even her first cooking experience (obviously all the things he likes to do!) Of course the traditional firsts are part of the book: smile, bath, tooth, step ... He designed each page with love leaving a big open space for a single photo. No doubt we'll have fun documenting her first year!

How Blooming Lucky?

I am VERY blooming lucky to receive an eco-friendly baby cake! A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to Sarah McIntyre, owner, founder and "baker"of BloomingBabyCakes.com, for listening to our show and celebrating the soon-to-be birth of my little Ellie. Imagine our surprise when we opened this gift! Yes, it is delicious enough to want to eat but you can't. It "does" everything else under the sun though .... get this:

• It contains tons of chlorine-free diapers from Seventh Generation Diapers (also recommended by our friend and show guest, Dr. Alan Greene).

• 15 feet of seed ribbon from Bloembox™ to plant in honor of the new baby. Since it lasts for 2 years, we can plant it for any special milestone. Mine are Shirley Poppy seeds.

• The seed ribbon comes in a cute little trinket box to hold keepsakes like her hospital band, first tooth or first curl.

• This cake is assembled on a platter that doubles as a non-breakable mirror for baby. Although cardboard, it shows a great reflection of baby and invites a traditional game of peek-a-boo!

• Sweet ribbon, silk flowers and toil adorn the cake which can be used to decorate this baby girl's nursery. My ribbon says "Oh Baby!", specially picked out for me in honor of our Big O: Organization Series in which we share a new organizational product with a big "Oh Baby!" shout out! (Funny Sarah!) Knowing Ellie's room is pink and green, Sarah kept that in mind when designing my cake.

• The packing paper is more than cushion, it is ideal art project material for big brother Aidan!

• And my personal favorite ... a fluffy pink tutu for Ellie to prance around in one day! Oh, how I can't wait to see that.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this diaper cake is so eco-friendly and thoughtfully assembled. There isn't a part of it that doesn't treat the Earth well or have special meaning. Being pregnant and all, I do wish part of it was edible. But hey, the genius trade-offs are well, so eco-smart and practical. I will for sure keep Sarah's incredible cakes in mind for the next baby celebration in our family!

And it was clearly the ultimate centerpiece for the "poo-poo" party (a.k.a. diaper stocking party) Jen threw for me!

Be sure to check out BloomingBabyCakes.com for a look at these beautiful cakes and to read Sarah's sweet story about her grandpa, her take on parenting, and how she got started in her business!

The Countdown

Aidan is ready! Look at this sweet shirt he made for delivery day. Granny bought him a set of fabric markers and a plain t-shirt and he went to town. He can't wait to meet baby Ellie!

Translation: I my baby sister. She is awesome! I love Ellie! Note there is a picture of an elephant that is labeled "Ellie-phant".

Parent Podcast Tip!

Podcast of the Day ....

Listen to Easy Pediatrics: Immunizations with Dr. Bob Sears and get a good dose of info regarding vaccines - the risks, the benefits, the myths and much more.

Just Special

Fabric markers + white onesies = my favorite gift ... from Aidan.

Always Remember ....

The days may seem long, but the years go by quickly.

Details, Details

It seems there are a lot of "lists" when it comes to babies ... shower registry, baby names, thank you notes, hospital packing list, to-do lists, and to-do lists, and even more to-do lists.

LBT will be here in 4 weeks and my lists are getting shorter. Today I started to think about my "recovery list" since I'm having a c-section ... not necessarily the things that HAVE to be done before she gets here, but the things that NEED to be done while I recover and my family is getting used to having a little one around. Here are some things on my list ...

• Pay the bills early. I pay all my bills online so I can go ahead and get them scheduled for their due dates. Is Aidan's lunch money covered for the next couple weeks?

• Stock up on frequently needed household items. My boys will be doing some shopping for me, and do I want them to pick out my hair products, personal items and other favorite toiletries? Uh, no! This will save me from explaining what kinds of pads or shampoo I need if I am to run out.

• Prepare in advance for any special events: Buy Nick's birthday card and gift certificate, then get it ready to mail. Help Aidan with his Halloween costume. Donate items to school fall festival early. Plan a 16th wedding anniversary surprise for Doug since I will be in the hospital.

• Call insurance about adding baby to our plan.

• Have birth announcements ready to roll ... minus baby's first picture. Also, prepare the "who to call" list for Dad for baby's "birth day".

• Have hair cut and colored BEFORE the big day. I'll need all the help I can get to look my best during those non-make-up, non-hair days! Oh, and do my nails and feet too! And I guess shave.

• Pick out comfy recovery clothes, including stretchy pants and nursing bra.

• Two words: Freezer Meals.

• Put movies I WANT TO WATCH on our Netflix Queue.

I'm sure there's a few more details to consider, but this list alone will help make for a smoother transition into our new baby world! The way I look at it: the more I can take care of now, the less I worry about later.

Shiny Sink

Remember my recent post "Nice Empty Space" in which I started nesting, cleaning out all of Aidan's baby stuff from the basement? You may recall that Step 4 was to sanitize the baby toys in my kitchen sink.

Well, recently I read a tip in Real Simple Magazine from The Fly Lady about Shiny Sinks 101 and discovered I created a shiny sink without even trying! Here's what you do .... Fill the sink to the rim with very hot water, add one cup of regular bleach and soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse thoroughly.

That day as I soaked baby toys, I cleaned my sink and it worked great! In the past I've scrubbed ... and scrubbed ... and scrubbed since I tend to acquire a lot of tea and coffee stains in my sink.

If you feel so obliged, you may continue this with a few extra cleaning steps ... but I was pleased by just 1. Filling the sink with bleach water and 2. Draining it!

Optional extra steps ... 3. Scrub with Ajax, Bon Ami or baking soda. 4. Rinse again. 5. Shine with Windex or another glass cleaning spray. 6. Dry thoroughly.

You know what they say, if company's coming, clean your bathroom AND your kitchen sink first. Here's what I say, disinfect some icky bathtub or kid toys and kill two birds with one stone! You can also double-duty using your dishwasher ... throw in odds and ends such as burner knobs, utensil organizers, the drain catch, sponges, pet bowls, and even your dish drying rack! I do this all the time as a time-saver!

Nice Empty Space

A few weeks ago I did a brave thing. I ventured into our basement and pulled out ALL of Aidan's baby, toddler and preschool stuff. Mind you, this stuff has been stored for nearly 8 years - so what a task this was. Of course I enlisted the help of my mom as no one else would work as hard and do as thorough of a job as her, let alone WANT to help me!

Step 1 was to sort through all the boy clothes and pick out gender-neutral goods for the baby girl on the way. We found a few things that will help...

Step 2 was to bag up the boy stuff and pass them on to younger cousins. (Note how many bags of clothes I saved from Aidan! There were 20!)

Step 3 was to wash all the zero to six month clothes, blankets, bibs and other baby wear and store them in baby's room. Future sizes will be stored in a plastic bin in our closets as NO MORE kid stuff will be kept in the basement again.

Step 4 was to sanitize the small toys in either a sink of bleach water or the dishwasher. For all the fabric toys, diaper bags and cloth stuff, I even ran them through the washer and dryer! I spread out a large blanket in my drive-way and let the items "bake" in the sun to ensure they were thoroughly dry and clean. Surprisingly, everything turned out perfect, just like new!

Step 5 was to clean all the big stuff (large toys, play pen, stroller, high chair, etc.) outside using a hose and a big bucket of sudsy water. We picked a hot day so Aidan could have some water fun too!

What's next .... my sweet cousins and friends have shared their girly clothes with us! I had no idea this PINK stuff would evoke so many "Aaaaahs"! It's been fun to sort through. Now I am repeating Step 3 and will start to organize all of baby's stuff into her new room.

All said and done, I feel more ready for baby and really love a nice, empty space in our basement!

A New Sibling

Simple Ideas: how will I prepare my son (or daughter) for life with a new sibling?

• When the new baby is settled or sleeping, let the oldest overhear you tell the baby that she needs to be patient and wait while you play with or help big brother with something. Obviously the baby won't have a clue, but the big boy will be pleased that you are putting him first for a change.

• Browse through photos of when big brother was a baby. Point out how much care he needed too (feeding, diaper changing, playing, sleeping, etc.). This way, he realizes that his younger sibling needs some extra attention because of age and nothing else such as "mom must love her more!"

• Get new books from the library about siblings. Reading about other family experiences just might resonate with your own!

• Before baby is born, practice basic care with a doll. The big brother will be an expert when it comes to taking care of his little sister and may show no jealousy at all. Find ways all day long to allow your child to assist so he feels important and responsible.

• Alert family and friends to help ease your oldest child's transition by focusing their attention on "big brother" first, during the first few minutes of a visit before going goo-goo over the new baby.

• Give your child a special present when baby comes home but sign it from "baby sister". See the new baby comes bearing gifts ... can't be all that bad!

• Listen to Sibling Rivalry with Amy McCready. It's never too early to be prepared!

Nine Manageable Months

There are trade-offs. Heartburn and swollen feet for precious belly kicks. A lack of lung and bladder space in exchange for listening to that amazing heartbeat each month. And morning sickness for the pure excitement of welcoming a new baby into your family.

There are many more and the trade-offs vary from person to person and from month to month. Some people embrace it all, while others struggle to enjoy the vast changes in your body that occur; but, no matter what, here are some simple tips that might help make your nine pregnancy months more manageable.

• Treat yourself to a footstool - or two. They can make you more comfortable at work, at home and even come in handy when you are breastfeeding.

• Take small snooze sessions. Purchase a travel alarm clock or figure out how to use the one on your cell phone. Take a 15-minuter during your lunch break if needed. You'll be amazed at how refreshed you'll feel.

• I don't spend money on myself. But if ever there was a time, now is the time to pamper yourself with a manicure or pedicure. Sweeten the pot by inviting a friend to join you. It'll be worth every penny, especially when you can't quite reach your toes any more!

• If you're like me, the last thing you want to think about is exercise. However, a daily stroll (no matter how long) can boost your energy and help you to unwind at the end of the day.

• Take photos! Capture your growing belly, gifts you receive, the nursery, the crazy food you crave, and the fun you have with family and friends. What a great way to document your pregnancy and cherish it later with your kids!

• Make a "mama-to-be toolbox". Stock it with things you use often - lip balm, tissues, phone, book, eye glasses, pen and paper, etc. It might help eliminate extra trips up and down the stairs. Don't forget the snacks!

• You've heard it time and time again ... drink water. Keep a bottle of H2O by you at all times for less contractions, leg cramps, nausea and more.

• Carry a journal. Write down questions for your doctor as you think of them; keep track of weight gain; jot down ideas for names; etc. What a great reference this will be for your next pregnancy or to simple remember your special experience.

I Love Journals!

I had a journal of "firsts" for Aidan and I'll keep one for this baby girl too. I just discovered this adorable book My Baby Book, written from the point of view of baby. Funny prompts like "I'd have to say the cutest thing I've done so far is ____." will guide you through your journaling, as well as questions about mom and dad's pre-baby life too!

Amy Krouse Rosenthal also wrote Your Birthday Book: A Keepsake Journal and The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal for You and Your Growing Belly. The whole collection would make for a unique gift for the parents-to-be!

Make Lemonade

Shhh… don't tell your kids, but making lemonade is one of those "you're learning a bunch of stuff and you don't know it" opportunities!

• Squeezing lemons is a fine motor experience. It works the same muscles used for writing.

• Measuring the ingredients requires math skills like counting and following steps in order.

• For a bonus lesson, line up the ingredients from left to right so it encourages left-right visual progression as your child works their way through the steps (an important pre-reading skill).

• Pouring is great for hand-eye coordination.

• Think about Science - from the sense of taste (sour & sweet) for little ones, to the concepts of osmosis and molecular structure that cause sugar to dissolve in water for the bigger kids.

• Turn it into a lemonade stand and encourage social skills as well as money math skills.

Fresh Lemonade Recipe

To make an ice-cold glass of old-fashioned, fresh-squeezed lemonade, all you need is:

6-8 lemons

1 cup of sugar

6 cups of water

Directions: Squeeze the juice from the lemons until you have one cup of juice, then mix everything together in a pitcher, until the sugar dissolves.

Note to Self

Take more family photos.

Sentimental Baby Gift

Remember when we gave away a precious VoiceQuilt™ Keepsake Box on VickyandJen.com? I never considered one as a sentimental baby shower gift until now, being pregnant and all. How beautiful would that be to welcome a little one into the world with sweet messages record by parents, siblings and other family members?

Using VoiceQuilt™, family and friends can easily capture their voice-based memories by calling in to a designated toll-free number and record a special message, song, story, tribute or dream for baby's future. Priceless! VoiceQuilt™ handcrafted keepsake boxes, CD's and other details can be seen at www.voicequilt.com.

Babymoon

Have you heard of a Babymoon? I sure hadn't ... until today.

A babymoon is a period of time that parents spend bonding with a recently-born baby. BUT ... more recently the term is used to describe a vacation taken by the couple that is expecting, to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby. Babymoons usually take place at a resort that offers spa-like services like prenatal massage.

I think it's a great idea! In a sense, we just took a "familymoon". It was our last big vacation, just Doug, Aidan and I, to California before the baby girl arrives. Since I will most like have a c-section, a scheduled birth date, I think we'll do a "home babymoon" the week before the big day clearing our calendar and enjoying some down time at home just the three of us. Even Aidan can call the shots, choosing his favorite activities, meals and movies that week. Maybe he can miss a day of school or so ...

Icky Mold!

It's no surprise that bathtub toys are prone to super amounts of icky mold that is harmful to children if digested. Here's an excellent way to clean tub toys, in a safe and environmentally-friendly way.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups apple cider vinegar (can substitute white vinegar if needed)
• .5L warm water (filtered is best)
• 2 foaming denture cleansing tablets

1

Mix vinegar and water in a plastic bucket.

2

Add toys. If they are not covered, add more vinegar and warm water.

3

Weight down floating toys if possible.

4

Soak toys overnight.

5

After toys have soaked, scrub with a bristle cleaning brush.

6

Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

7

If the vinegar soak does not remove all the mold, use another step.

8

Put the toys in another bucket, and cover with warm water.

9

Add denture tablets. Allow to soak overnight.

Source: wikihow.com

First Year Baby Food

I don't remember the timeline for introducing baby to food her first year. Thank goodness for a brochure I received at my last doctor visit!

Birth to 6 mos: breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula

6-7 mos: breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula, rice cereal, applesauce, strained and pureed bananas and pears

7-9 mos: breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula, teething biscuits, mashed potatoes and avocados, strained and pureed peaches, carrots and squash

9-12 mos: breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula, rice cakes, bite-size cheese cubes, soft tortillas, egg yolks, oatmeal, yogurt, tofu, noodles, peas, strained and pureed chicken

Ahhhh, it's all coming back to me!

Safe Sleep for Baby

One thing hasn't changed from my "baby days" eight years ago ... the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It never hurts to be reminded ...

1. Always place baby on his back to sleep, for naps and at night.

2. Place baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet.

3. Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. This includes: pillows, blankets, quilts, pillow-like crib bumpers and sheepskins.

4. Do not allow smoking around your baby.

5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep.

6. Think about using a clean, dry, pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep, but don't force baby to take it.

7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress him in light clothing and keep the room at a comfortable temperature.

8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.

9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS.

10. Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head by providing a lot of "tummy time" when baby is awake and someone is supervising. Also avoid too much time in car seats, carriers and bouncers.

DO NOT's of Baby Food

I'm tellin' ya ... this old mom is very appreciative of these good reminders:

• Do not give sweeteners, such as honey and corn syrup to baby.

• Do not give foods that contain honey and corn syrup, including cereals and graham crackers. (They make contain spores that can cause infant botulism, a food poisoning that can lead to death.)

• Do not give baby sweetened drinks, soda, gelatin, sugar water or juice. The sugar in these drinks can cause serious tooth decay.

• Never force your baby to finish a bottle. Throw away any formula left in the bottle. Offer small portions of food.

• Never allow baby to fall asleep with a bottle in her mouth. This can cause "baby bottle tooth decay".

• Baby does not need dessert: pudding, custard, and cobbler. Offer fruit instead.

• Never prop a bottle. Be patient and attentive to your baby's needs, holding her close.

• Start one new food at a time. Wait about five days before giving the next new food to baby to detect possible allergic reactions.

• You may need to introduce the same food may different times before baby accepts it.

Happy Father's Day Expectant Dads

Dr. Hakakha and Dr. Brown are authors of the new book Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, which is written with both expectant moms and dads in mind.

They say fathers-to-be go through changes that rarely get discussed, and offer these 7 tips especially for them:

• Mind your own baby bump. Are you eating for two right along with your wife? Newsflash: Your wife will lose a lot of her weight automatically when she has the baby--you won't! Studies show expectant fathers often gain extra pounds of "sympathy weight" during their wife's pregnancy.

• Take one for the team. Get your TdaP shot as well as seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines to protect your precious cargo, who will soon be joining the family. Seventy percent of babies who get whooping cough are infected by immediate family members like you.

• Baby yourself. Have you even been to the doc lately? Studies show many men ages 25-45 don't even have a primary care physician. Go get a checkup. Find out how you're doing, healthwise. Your baby needs a healthy dad who will grow old and wise.

• Mind your moods. Research shows that partners are not only at risk for gaining sympathy weight, but may also suffer postpartum depression. Seek help if you feel overwhelming feelings of sadness, lack of desire to be around family and friends, severe fatigue, or trouble eating or sleeping after delivery.

• Prepare for a dry spell. Hate to say it, but there can't be intercourse 6 weeks after the baby is born. The good news? Barring any health issues, you and your wife can have sex up until the last day before she delivers. And, no, sex does not trigger labor--that's an old wives' tale.

• Engage in baby talk. We now know that babies recognize their parents' voices inside the womb. So go ahead--sing Hank Williams songs, recite your favorite poem, or just shoot the breeze with your unborn baby. When your baby is born, she or he will already know you.

• Dads can nest too. Expectant dads are allowed to nest too--and often feel an overwhelming need during their wife's pregnancy to rev up the power tools. Feel free to paint, spackle, drill, and build to your heart's content--but avoid toxic materials and fumes in the baby's room.

Baby's Mouth

Each month I go to my regular baby check-up, I am presented with more stuff to read - brochures, tip sheets and other educational materials. I read it. Although I've been there, done that, I'm certainly not a know-it-all and I'm open to learning new things. And I am.

When Aidan was little and he got his first few "toofers", we bought him "baby's first" toothbrush and toothpaste and we brushed. A recent pamphlet told me that I should have gotten to that a bit sooner, before he had teeth. Here's the scoop:

Cavities are caused by food and germs that are not cleaned off your baby's gums and teeth. Even your formula or breast milk, if not wiped off, can cause cavities to form.

Remove the Germs

Infants: Wipe your infant's gums (and any teeth) after feedings with a clean damp washcoth, gauze pad, or finger cot made just for infant gums.

12 Months and Older: Brush your baby's teeth and gums twice a day with a soft child-sized tooth brush using a "rice" size amount of paste. Make one of those brushing times before bedtime.

Stop the Spread of Germs to Baby

Don't: • clean a child's pacifier in your mouth • share spoons, forks, cups and toothbrushes • pre-chew your child's foods • taste your child's food or drink • clean your child's face with your salavia

Do: • rinse pacifiers and toothbrushes with clean water • replace toothbrushes after each illness or every three months • have your child see a dentist by their 1st birthday • visit the dentist twice a year

Smoke-Free Babes

At the dog park the other day, I was forced to find a new bench to sit on away from a smoker. Sure it was outside, at a very large park, but I wasn't going to put myself or my unborn baby anywhere near it. Moving away from smoke is obvious, but did you know you could protect your little ones further by implementing the following steps? Two of these surprised me so I'll list those first:

• Ask smokers to wash their hands and brush their teeth before holding baby.

• Also, ask smokers to change into a clean shirt before holding baby.

• Don't allow anyone to smoke in your car or home, even at a party.

• Teach your children how to avoid secondhand smoke all by themselves and talk to them about the dangers.

• Support local restaurants and other businesses that have a smoke-free policy.

Secondhand smoke contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals and kills approximately 3,400 nonsmokers in the U.S. each year from lung cancer? Because their young bodies are always developing, young children are especially vulnerable to these poisons. For more information on keeping your family healthy, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco.

Diaper Winners!

Congratulations to these 5 mamas for winning free Pampers Diapers - the new ones with innovative Dry Max - PLUS a trendy black "diaper clutch" to tote them around in! We asked participants of the give-a-way to share their favorite new product that has made baby life easier and thought it would be fun to share the ideas of the winners! I hope you find them as helpful as I did!

The thing that I am using A LOT with my almost-2 year old cutie is the Graco Mosaic Stroller . I searched the web high and low for this bad boy because it came highly recommended by 2 sister-in-laws. It did NOT disappoint! It fits with the Graco snug-ride infant seats and the BEST thing about it is that it collapses like an umbrella stroller but is padded and comfy and reclines and has a basket like the "cruiser" type strollers. Mine is a sassy red and black. Congrats to Vicky and I LOVE your podcasts! - Hillary H., Eagle Mountain UT

The greatest thing I’ve seen, since there was 10 yrs. between my kids too, is the fact that there are so many more choices and things have gone more natural. Cloth diapers are so much more compact and absorbent, and diaper bags are like purses now. You don’t have to carry both, you can just use the diaper bag for both! - Vickie C., Etowah,TN

Congratulations!! We love Nuby sippy cups. They are affordable, don’t spill, have covers (to keep spout clean – not for spillage) and are dishwasher safe! This was truly one of the few things we bought new and they were at our local Family Dollar store for less than $4 each. What a great bargain!! Honestly, the biggest lifesavers for us are hand-me-downs, freecycle.org, good-will, garage sales, and the free section on Craig’s List. Baby stuff is so expensive and we use it for such a short time. It’s great to be able to get some more use out of a gently used item like a bassinet or a snowsuit than to have to pay full price and then barely get any use out of it. Not to mention how much gentler on the environment it is to reuse and recycle!! Much happiness and good health - Debbie W., Chicago, IL

I just had another baby, so here are the new things that I like... JJ Cole Diaper Caddy (to hold diapers/wipes on another floor of the house); New Breastflow bottles from The First Years (also - a good pump is a must); I also use my nursing cover often -- so get one you love! :); Super cute crocheted beanies on Esty.com -- got one for our little girl's 6 wk. pictures (but they have boy stuff, too if you have a boy)! - Becky K., Robbinsdale, MN

You can make your own Moby Wrap (baby carrier) by buying 5 yards of t-shirt fabric from your local craft store and cutting it down the middle to make two 5-yd wraps (one to wear, one to wash!). Not only do you have more variety of fabric choices, but you get two wraps for about $15 rather than spending $40 a pop. Use the Moby Wrap instructions from their website to learn how to do all the different baby holds using your fabric. - Kelsey J., Bryan, TX

DIY Baby Wipes

There could be advantages to creating your own baby wipes at home ... you'd avoid using harsh, over-drying chemicals on your baby's soft skin; it would save you a lot of money each month; maybe you'd use less if you have to "make them" yourself. Here's how you do it: Cut a roll of paper towels in half (I'd imagine you'd use a plush, quality brand!) and toss the cardboard insert.

Mix together, but don't shake, 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons baby oil, and 2 tablespoons baby wash in an airtight container or gallon zipper bag. Pour the mixture over the paper towels and let sit for an hour so the liquid absorbs.

Week by Week

This week LBT is the size of a big bell pepper at 5 inches long. A growth spurt is right around the corner and in the next few weeks, he or she will double his or her weight. Some mamas can even feel fluttering and other baby movements beginning this week. If not, then very soon! This is the sort of fun information I look forward to week by week! I always read my updates to Aidan and Doug.

I mentioned BabyCenter.com before but today I discovered PlanningFamily.com. Not only can you follow your pregnancy week by week (how the baby is growing and how you might be feeling), but you can follow your child's weekly development once baby is born! There's more ... expert advice and articles, baby names, interactive tools, parent blogs, and FREE baby stuff to name a few. Of course I signed up for coupons for formula, diapers and baby food! Who wouldn't?

No Backseat Spills

Do your kids drink bottles of milk or juice in the car? Try this to minimize spills: First, keep the lid on screwed on. Using a 1/4-inch metal punch (available at hardware stores), make a hole in the center of the lid. This metal punch looks like a pencil. A straw will fit perfectly through the hole in the lid! No messes!

Cravings

My friends have craved processed cheese (Cheez Whiz anyone?!?!), kimchee, and Pine Sol. Yes, the cleaner. Really. I'm not kidding about that one. Fortunately for me, a turtle sundae works just fine. (Note, the photo Doug took of me the other day!) Mom gave me a gift card for United Dairy Farmers and the way I calculate it, I can have 7 turtle sundaes with it. Here's a good article on food cravings, what they mean, and what to do about them!

Chinese Gender Predictor

According to this fun predictor tool on PlanningFamily.com, we'll be having a baby ____! I entered my birthday and the estimated date of conception and ... it's a girl! This Chinese Gender Chart is rumored to be over 90% accurate. We'll see tomorrow, on May 11th. I'll let you know ...

Win Diapers (and a Diaper Clutch)!

Think thin. Think sleek. Think soft and dry. Think better for the environment. More than likely, you are NOT thinking about diapers. But you should be!

Thanks to a new product, Pampers Swaddlers & Cruisers with Dry Max, gone are the days of big, bulky and soggy diapers that weigh down baby and fill up all the diaper bag space!

Why am I excited about diapers? Well, come October I have no choice! Not only have diapers come a long way since I had Aidan 8 years ago, this is the biggest innovation in 25 years for Pampers. They're 20% thinner than competitive brands; they're created for moms by moms; and they're thinner, sleeker and two times drier than ever before. (Yay!) Most importantly, they help you reduce your impact on the environment. If every Pampers mom switches to Swaddlers or Cruisers with Dry Max, together they could save approximately 20 million pounds of trash every year. That's as heavy as 600 conventional school buses. (Double Yay!)

In celebration of LBT on his (or her) way, and What Really Matters on VickyandJen.com, Pampers is giving away 5 JUMBO packs of diapers with Dry Max AND 5 Liz Lange diaper clutches to tote them around in. A clutch? Yes, so thin and sleek it looks like a purse. (I would have loved a fashionable "diaper bag" like this years ago!)

Want to win some for yourself? All you have to do is:

1. Email us at pampers@vickyandjen.com.

2. Include your full name and email address.

3. Tell us what recent product (or innovation) has made parenting easier for you. (Vicky needs a "refresher" - all the help she can get with a new baby!)

That's it! Then you'll be entered in our Pampers Give-a-Way! Hurry, our contest ends on May 26th at midnight EST. We can't wait to hear your ideas! Tell a friend too ...

Baby Wearing

I am finding PregTASTIC to be a fanTASTIC resource! This online radio show, and their pregnant hosts, celebrate all things pregnancy. Through their fun and casual chats and interviews, they provide the most helpful information about the pregnancy journey, even if you're going through it a second time like me!

Recently, I listened to: Baby Carriers on finding the perfect baby carrier. With all the craziness on the market today I needed a refresher. Is my sling still "safe" from 8 years ago? Will I use the same baby sling, a wrap, or a pouch? Will I consider the Maya, Moby, Baby Bjorn, Ergo or Peanut Shell? Should I wear LBT on my hip, front or back? Will Doug use the carrier too? Yikes! Thank goodness for PregTASTIC, and especially for their new video version so I could actually see the carriers and watch the moms put them on, then take them off.

Aidan says, "5 Glasses a Day"

Aidan left me this note today. I miss my coffee. I miss my iced tea. But it feels good. The reports on exactly how much we should be drinking have been wishy-washy. I found a recent article from the Mayo Clinic, and the findings still are. But nonetheless, here are some good guidelines: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/nu00283 we should all abide by, pregnant or not.

Upset Tummy

This pregnancy sure seems to be "by the books". And that's a good thing! At exactly 12 weeks, I found a bit of relief to the nausea I had day in and day out for 3 l-o-n-g months. I'm at the beginning of 15 weeks now, so the past 3 weeks have been more fun ... more energetic and less cranky for me. Food has never taste so good! (Helloooo turtle sundaes!)

I tried everything under the sun to ease the tummy troubles during my first trimester, all recommendations from family and friends. The bottom line is ... there is no right answer. Different things work for different moms-to-be. I did find some of them quite humorous though.

• saltine crackers

• ginger ale

• peanuts

• peanut butter

• hamburger for breakfast (anything protein)

• ginger cookies

• peppermint

• pregnancy tea

• lemon drops

• graham crackers

• dry toast

and my personal favorite, from Janice of The Mealmakeover Moms nonetheless:

• potato chips and lemonade!

What worked for me the most? I'd have to say my tummy always felt a little more settled after drinking Vernors: The Original Ginger Soda!

Parent Podcast Tip!

Podcast of the day ... Mommy Calls.

Dr. Tanya Altmann answers some of parents' most frequently asked questions about babies and toddlers. Her practical, no-nonsense advice guides us through those stressful parenting moments when we want to know "Should I call my doctor?" We chat about tantrums, tummy aches, fevers, head bonks, poop, breast feeding and other snotty (and serious) stuff!

How Cute is This

How cute is this? Let the "siblings-to-be" use fabric markers to decorate baby's Onesie! Could be a fun shower activity too - the guests can design a special t-shirt or Onesie during the party.

A Body Well Loved

"I believe a body is meant to be used. I believe our spirits, our minds, our beauty is meant to be used. And like the Velveteen Rabbit, when we use our bodies, when we offer our wombs as a vessel for new life, when we offer our breasts to our babies, when we run and play and jump and dance, when we love our bodies by using them, they get worn out. They get shabby and wrinkled and dirty. Gravity takes its toll, as do the hours basking in the sun. This is all well and good. This makes for a full life. This is a life well lived. This is a body well lived; a body well loved." - Karly Randolph Pitman, FirstOurselves.com and our interview, Simple Self Love.

Eco-Friendly Baby Shower

Our friend Jennifer Berry of Earth911 turned us onto CelebrateGreen.net written by a a mother and daughter duo who have a passion for family celebrations and being good to the Earth. In this video, Corey and Lynn show us how to throw an eco-friendly (and very creative) baby shower. Check it out here for unique gifts, easy party decorations and special family traditions.

A few of my favorite ideas:

1. Each guest brings a bead for the mama-to-be. During the shower, the beads will come together to create a necklace, each piece representing a friend or family member.

2. Give each guest a bees wax candle to take home as a "door prize". When mama is in labor, or when the baby is born, everyone lights their candle and sends positive thoughts and warm wishes to the new baby all at the same time!

3. Wrap your gift in a receiving blanket instead of wrapping paper.

Read more here.

Positive Body Image During (and after) Pregnancy

Our friend Karly Randolph Pitman has joined us for Simple Self Care and Simple Self Love. Listen in to the shows and enjoy this article written by Karly. Perfect timing for me!

9 Ways to Create a Positive Body Image During (and After) Pregnancy

Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding change more than just your daily life: they also change your body, and your body image. How can you love and embrace your pregnant and postpartum body? Here are 9 tips:

1. Don’t compare your pregnancy to another woman’s. Every pregnancy is different; every baby is different. Here are just some of the factors that will effect how much weight you gain during pregnancy, as well as how easily you’ll lose it after giving birth: The size of your baby. Your physical fitness. How much you exercise. Whether or not you have bedrest. Your age. Whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section. The difficulty of your birth. Your baby’s temperament. Having a multiple birth. The time of year your baby is born. Your support system. How many other children you have. Whether or not you work outside the home. I can go on and on. My point? Have compassion for the unique circumstances that affect you and your body. Release the expectation that your experience – and body – should be like everyone else’s.

2. Don’t compare your current pregnancy with previous pregnancies. For the same reason, don’t think that every one of your pregnancies will be the same. In my last two pregnancies, I gained nearly the same amount of weight. And yet, while it took 8 months to lose the weight with my 1st son’s birth, it took me nearly 16 months to lose the weight with my 2nd son’s birth. Why? Because of a confluence of circumstances that were, for the most part, out of my control. Instead of criticizing myself for my lack of progress, I gave myself understanding: compassion that I was doing the best that I could, given my situation. This enabled me to relax about my slow weight loss, and accept that, while I may not like it, I didn’t have to fight it.

3. Don’t compare yourself to celebrities. The modern celebrity gives birth and slinks back into her skinny jeans a mere weeks later. Achieving this goal involves lots and lots and lots of work, a helping of good genes, and loads of support, everything from a nanny to a personal trainer to, perhaps, a tummy tuck. Celebrities make their living by their appearance, and live according to a different set of rules than the average woman. Where women get into trouble is when they think that these rules apply to them, and to their bodies. Give all women a break. Accept that a celebrity’s choices is her business, and that your choices are your business.

4. Give yourself time. I know you want to lose the weight as quickly as possible, but our bodies may be operating at a different time table. A reasonable expectation is 12 months to lose your baby weight: enough time so that you can lose the weight healthfully, without resorting to drastic measures, and yet meet your need for a trim, fit body that slips back into your clothes.

5. Take breastfeeding into account. I’ve nursed 4 babies, and have heard all the stories about how breastfeeding supposedly takes off baby weight. In my experience, this is a lie. Instead, your body tends to hoard fat as a new nursing mom, to ensure that your baby is getting proper nourishment. Over time, yes, nursing will shed pounds: but not in the first 3 months. So if you’re nursing, accept that you may hold onto an extra 5 or 10 pounds for a while.

6. Buy yourself an interim wardrobe. Wearing clothes that are too small will always make you feel fat. And yet, your size vacillates tremendously during pregnancy and after birth. Be kind to yourself, and buy yourself an interim wardrobe for those times when you’re too big for your normal clothes and too small for maternity clothes. This will boost your confidence and lessen the fat, frumpy feelings that accompany tight and schleppy clothes. A huge part of the reason why we want to get back into our normal size is to get out of our maternity clothes and into something pretty. Honor that need for beauty now, not in 6 months when the extra pounds are finally gone. You’ll have an easier time accepting the transition, and the time it takes to achieve your goal weight.

7. Groom yourself impeccably. While the demands of a new baby can be overwhelming, taking the time to get dressed, style your hair, and groom yourself can ease your anxiety about the extra weight. It may not be realistic to make time for this everyday, but if you have older children, friends, or a spouse who want to help, let them watch the baby while you indulge in your favorite beauty rituals. Make self-care a priority: the dishes and laundry can wait. Put yourself first, so you can willingly – rather than resentfully – tackle household chores.

8. Celebrate and enjoy each stage of your body. How sad that the greatest compliment you can give a pregnant woman is, “You don’t even look pregnant.” But pregnancy and the first months of new motherhood are a unique time in a woman’s life: cherish it. Enjoy it. In the grand scope of your life, 9 months of pregnancy and your baby’s infancy are a mere blip on the radar screen. Do you want to look back on your child’s infancy or your pregnancy and regret that you never enjoyed it, because you were obsessed with your body? Balance your need for a fit body with your need to live in the moment, and enjoy a fleeting time.

9. Reconnect with the woman underneath the mom. When you become a mom, everything changes, including your body. This can cause upheaval and transition, where you wonder, “Who am I?” as your life changes course. It’s easy to make our bodies the scapegoat of this discomfort. But do you miss your old body, or do you miss you? Find ways to connect with your prepregnant self, so that your body isn’t the only outlet for connection. What did you love before you became a mom? Painting? Discussing politics? Running? Make room for these activities so you don’t feel so lost. Indulging in something that
brings you joy creates continuity, a feeling of rootedness, so that you can integrate your old self in with your new self as a mother.

At The Shape of a Mother, you can read stories about real women’s bodies during pregnancy and after birth. I love this inspired site and recommend it to every mom.

Chewable: Keep Extras on Hand

Save time by stashing extras nearby so you are always prepared:

• tuck an extra cloth diaper or burp cloth around your sofa so you can clean up spit-ups or spills without running the kitchen

• stash a small pair of scissors high in your child's closet; they'll be out of reach but you can grab them quickly to snip tags from new clothes or get rid of hanging threads

• other items I stash in multiple rooms: fingernail clippers, lip balm, tissues, reading glasses and notepad and pen

Trees Make the Best Mobiles

I received this book when Aidan was born and it continues to be one of my favorites. Trees Make the Best Mobiles: Simple Ways to Raise Your Child in a Complex World.

What's it about?

Jessica Teich and Brandel France de Bravo help new parents - who barely have time to return a phone call or wash a sock- learn to do less, listen more, and spend focused, fruitful time with their children.

Practical and fun to read, Trees Make the Best Mobiles urges parents to treat every task-even diapering and feeding-as a chance to connect with their child, and gives calming advice about hot-button issues from pacifier use to temper tantrums.

Parents will be relieved to discover that they don't have to buy lots of stuff-a tree outside a baby's window can serve as a mobile-or shuttle kids from one activity to another. In fact, in today's hectic, high-speed world, children need less "stimulation" and more unhurried interaction with the people who matter most.

The authors call their approach "present parenting," because they believe being "present in the moment," without resentment or distraction, is the greatest present any parent can give.

Chewable: Easy Snack Cups

Keep a supply of biodegradable, cone-shaped coffee filters on hand - even if you don't have a coffee maker! These handy paper cups save you the need for washing snack plates and are perfect for carrying popcorn, pretzels, ice cream cones, popsicles and more.