Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers!
Hope you have a marvelous time enjoying the extra day off, some BBQ, sunshine, and trying to get your babies to sleep amidst all the fireworks!!
I'll be enjoying the firework show but simultaneously cursing each bang!
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Baby Mathematics...
The time you have to keep your 11 month old lying down so you can change her diaper is directly proportional to the level of interestingness of the object you give her to hold.
face cloth = 1 second
old toy = 3.2 seconds
empty box = 6.3 seconds
new toy = 8.75 seconds
anything dangerous = 15 seconds
face cloth = 1 second
old toy = 3.2 seconds
empty box = 6.3 seconds
new toy = 8.75 seconds
anything dangerous = 15 seconds
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Manners at meal time
Monkey LOVES her finger foods. So much so, she has decided that EVERYTHING is a finger food.
Rice.
Mashed potato.
Rice cereal.
Soup.
Dust bunnies.
The rice, sure, no problem. Same with the mashed potato. But I think you can understand that when she takes a glob of liquidy rice cereal or soup out of the bowl and kind of throws it at her own face to try to catch some in her mouth, I start to worry about her table manners.
The dust bunnies...well, that just makes sweeping easier for me.
Rice.
Mashed potato.
Rice cereal.
Soup.
Dust bunnies.
The rice, sure, no problem. Same with the mashed potato. But I think you can understand that when she takes a glob of liquidy rice cereal or soup out of the bowl and kind of throws it at her own face to try to catch some in her mouth, I start to worry about her table manners.
The dust bunnies...well, that just makes sweeping easier for me.
 |
| Mama, I have a question. Is yogurt a finger food? |
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
There are laws...
Which seem to govern the universe. Laws of gravity, Murphy's Law, the law of Alanis Morisette (10 000 spoons when all you need is a knife). There are also laws which govern my home, specifically, the law of Supermama sleep deprivation.
I've been on Monkey night-time duty since she was born. Husband sleeps like he's in a coma so he never hears anything. If I wanted him to get up with the baby, by the time I pulled out the hammer, drum kit and air horn I would need to wake him up, I might as well just look after her myself.
The past week and a half Monkey has been getting up to scream between the hours of 330am-500am. I think she's getting a whole pile of teeth at once to accompany the almost 4 she has now at 11 months. I sit up with her, rock her, give her Tylenol, give her wet wash cloths, do a diaper check, and sing (which usually brings on more frantic screaming). Little works.
In any case, a couple of nights ago I reached my limit and declared that husband WILL be getting up with baby so I could finally get some rest. I put the baby monitor on his side of the bed, on full volume with the noise indicator lights facing his eyes. I also had the air horn, just in case.
So what happened? Monkey slept. Like a log. From 7pm to 7am without a peep.
I did a little tap dance that morning and prayed things were back to normal and I resumed night-time duty the next day.
So what happened? Monkey screamed from 330am-615am. I think she was making up a bit for lost time and added a 'mama-tried-to-catch-up-on-sleep' penalty.
I've been on Monkey night-time duty since she was born. Husband sleeps like he's in a coma so he never hears anything. If I wanted him to get up with the baby, by the time I pulled out the hammer, drum kit and air horn I would need to wake him up, I might as well just look after her myself.
The past week and a half Monkey has been getting up to scream between the hours of 330am-500am. I think she's getting a whole pile of teeth at once to accompany the almost 4 she has now at 11 months. I sit up with her, rock her, give her Tylenol, give her wet wash cloths, do a diaper check, and sing (which usually brings on more frantic screaming). Little works.
In any case, a couple of nights ago I reached my limit and declared that husband WILL be getting up with baby so I could finally get some rest. I put the baby monitor on his side of the bed, on full volume with the noise indicator lights facing his eyes. I also had the air horn, just in case.
So what happened? Monkey slept. Like a log. From 7pm to 7am without a peep.
I did a little tap dance that morning and prayed things were back to normal and I resumed night-time duty the next day.
So what happened? Monkey screamed from 330am-615am. I think she was making up a bit for lost time and added a 'mama-tried-to-catch-up-on-sleep' penalty.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Review: Munchkin suction cup bowls!
I'm going on a European adventure in a few weeks! I absolutely can't wait for a change of scenery after being essentially trapped at home with Monkey for months on end.
Of course, I'll be perfectly honest with you and let you know that thinking about traveling with a young baby sometimes leaves me in a cold sweat. I need things that will make the journey less daunting.
In thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong or be more difficult than they normally would be, my thoughts turned to eating. I came to realize that traveling with a monkey will require FEEDING that monkey. On a plane. And a train. And at people's houses. This requires dishes that are made for traveling and will minimize the number of times I have to apologize to people.
After a long search for suction cup bowls WITH LIDS, I finally found what I was looking for in the Munchkin brand. The Stay-Put Suction bowls come in packs of 3 (~$10 at Walmart) with each bowl being a different size and having a lid. The bowls are aimed at children 6 months and up and are BPA free.
The suction cup bottoms are a MUST since Monkey loves to chuck the bowl of food I slaved over all over the floor. I have not yet been able to separate the bowl from the suction cup (as I have in some other brands) which is great. These bowls also have really good suction on the glass and highchair tray surfaces I've tried so far.
The lids are a must for a) storing food for consumption during some part of the trip and b) for containing the mess if you can't wash it straight away.
I also like that they nest in one another for both storage and, when in a pinch, play purposes (multi-functional! Hurray!).
They look durable, adorable and functional so they're definitely getting packed in the carry-on.
Now that I suspect feeding Monkey won't be too bad, I wonder if I can find a product that will stop her from screaming during the entire flight and driving the other passengers insane...
I'll let you know how it goes with this product when I get back but so far, I have high hopes!
Of course, I'll be perfectly honest with you and let you know that thinking about traveling with a young baby sometimes leaves me in a cold sweat. I need things that will make the journey less daunting.
In thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong or be more difficult than they normally would be, my thoughts turned to eating. I came to realize that traveling with a monkey will require FEEDING that monkey. On a plane. And a train. And at people's houses. This requires dishes that are made for traveling and will minimize the number of times I have to apologize to people.
After a long search for suction cup bowls WITH LIDS, I finally found what I was looking for in the Munchkin brand. The Stay-Put Suction bowls come in packs of 3 (~$10 at Walmart) with each bowl being a different size and having a lid. The bowls are aimed at children 6 months and up and are BPA free.
The lids are a must for a) storing food for consumption during some part of the trip and b) for containing the mess if you can't wash it straight away.
I also like that they nest in one another for both storage and, when in a pinch, play purposes (multi-functional! Hurray!).
They look durable, adorable and functional so they're definitely getting packed in the carry-on.
Now that I suspect feeding Monkey won't be too bad, I wonder if I can find a product that will stop her from screaming during the entire flight and driving the other passengers insane...
I'll let you know how it goes with this product when I get back but so far, I have high hopes!
Sunday, 26 June 2011
When husband is on duty...
Today husband is 'babysitting.'
That seems to mean that daughter is not on her nap schedule (pretty sure he doesn't know what that schedule IS), roaming around the city in a sleeper (so he doesn't have to put sunscreen on most of her), eating Gerber junkfood for babies and having a marvelous time.
No wonder her favorite word is DADADADADADA!!! >:|
That seems to mean that daughter is not on her nap schedule (pretty sure he doesn't know what that schedule IS), roaming around the city in a sleeper (so he doesn't have to put sunscreen on most of her), eating Gerber junkfood for babies and having a marvelous time.
No wonder her favorite word is DADADADADADA!!! >:|
 |
| Yes, this is monkey eating a Gerber Wagon Wheel. Yes, she is sitting in the front seat of the car and yes, she is not in a car seat. But before you call the authorities on me, my husband sent me this photo as they were not actually moving. Monkey was having a snack in the car before they went to the park as they were banished from our home so I could finally get a few minutes of peace and quiet! |
Thursday, 23 June 2011
The evolution of baby to cannibal...
Monkey has taken a shine to biting me.
All day long.
Fantastic.
Am I supposed to ignore it? Or scowl at her angrily and say "nooooo Monkey, no biting?" This feels like my first foray into child discipline and I'm already confused!
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Friday, 17 June 2011
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Friday, 10 June 2011
Review: Alex Jr - Baby's First Pops!
So if you've been reading my blog, you've probably figured out that I'm VERY particular about what Monkey eats, plays with and uses. I want things that are safe, durable, cute and functional.
The latest toy I bought has just blown me (and Monkey!) away. It's definitely her new favorite by far.
These pops ($18.95 at Chapters/Indigo) are part of the junior line of Alex Toys (www.alextoys.com).
Fourteen brightly coloured and contoured 'pops' come in this set and are the perfect size for little hands. The colours are bright and eye-catching and my 11 month old loves to give the pops a good chew. She can't quite put them together yet, but she can pull them apart and carry them around which she loves to do.
There are less expensive 'pops' or links on the market but I chose these for a couple of reasons:
1) the less expensive pops are not as nicely coloured, shaped or textured as these
2) other pops come packaged in a cheap box not this fantastic bucket with a handle that my daughter loves to carry around
Speaking of the bucket. That's one of the biggest selling features. Not only is this toy great for visual stimulation and manual dexterity, but it is also wonderful for 'fill and spill' with that awesome bucket (not to mention a great storage option for when it's not in use -- though it'll probably always be in use!).
This toy really will grow with my child and my only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.
My daughter is fully neglecting her other toys to play with this, so to me, that's money well spent!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Sunday, 5 June 2011
10 months in...
It’s been about 10 months since Monkey joined our family. It’s been a time of immense joy, steep learning curves, and mind-numbing exhaustion. In spite of all that, I find it hard to remember life before Monkey.
Some examples of how life has changed:
1. I now shoot lasers out of my eyes at husband who isn’t walking on his tippy toes around the house after I just spent 1.5 hours putting the baby to sleep.
2. At the check-out in the store I have to pull a rubber squeaky giraffe, a diaper, and a leaking sippy cup out of my purse before I can finally locate my wallet.
3. I used to sleep in on the weekend and not hear, ‘meh... Meh?...Meh??! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHARRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!” at 7am on the nose.
4. There was a time when I never thought I would have to make up voices and sing songs about traffic to entertain daughter who has decided that this 10 minute car ride is over. NOW.
5. I now break into a sweat when lovey goes missing. I’m talking a cold, cold, clammy, panicky, sheer terror sweat. The kind you would get if you were being chased around by a serial killer. Or when your Mastercard bill arrives.
6. I never realized how many times I would say ‘good enough’ in a day. That diaper is hanging on by a thread but Monkey will escape the second I come towards it so it’s, ‘good enough.’ Monkey’s outfit doesn’t match, in fact, she’s wearing two different socks and I can’t button up her onesie because she’s too long, but everything is already on her so for now, it’s, ‘good enough.’
7. I believe there once was a time when I could get fitted for new glasses and not have to worry that my daughter was eating half of the optometrist’s business card.
8. I never thought I’d see the day when I said things like, “Monkey, we do NOT eat [insert inedible and potentially dangerous household object here] or claw at people’s [insert various facial features]...”
9. When I would visit friends or relatives in the past they’d actually acknowledge my presence in the room. These days it plays out like this: *Meg rings doorbell excited to see another adult for once* *friend/relative opens door* *friend/relative immediately coos “Monkey! You came to visit me! You’re such a sweetheart...” as they confiscate baby, turn away from the door and walk into the house. *Meg is left forgotten in the doorway*... Yes, MOM, I’m talking to YOU!
10. Batteries are now at a premium. Yesterday, when desperately searching the house for working batteries for the baby’s activity table, I actually briefly considered the batteries in the smoke detector before opting for another essential electronic (the remote control). The baby continued to be entertained/distracted by the obviously-straight-from-hell singing activity table, and I got 5 minutes to scavenge for something to eat. Win, win.
11. Children’s toys. The vast majority will sing several songs, each more irritating than the last. The person who invented those singing children’s toys CLEARLY never had children. Or was hard of hearing. Or hated parents...
12. Before leaving the house, I now make a mental list of all the essential things I need and pep talk myself: “sippy cup? Check. Dipes and wipes? Check. Lovey? Check... Fantastic, I’m all set! I’m super organized and in control.” Just as my ego swells and I pull out of the driveway, I look down and notice I’m still wearing my slippers. The furry ones. Damn. True story.
Monkey now has 2.5 teeth, uses a spoon to catapult food at me, stands for 1.035 seconds all by herself, decides all our books require re-organizing on a regular basis and throws them all on the floor, and no longer falls for the ol’ ‘bait and switch’ routine anymore (remove non-baby friendly item from her hand and replace it with baby chew toy. No go.).
I'll be returning to work in a few weeks and Monkey will undoubtedly unleash her reign of terror on the daycare and all those who dare stand in the way of her and her BPA-filled toy of the day. I nearly lost an arm the last time I did that.
So there have been a number of changes, but the (mostly) gummy grins and shrieks of delight when I make ridiculous faces make it all worthwhile. She's a an absolute sweetheart (73% of the time).
Some examples of how life has changed:
1. I now shoot lasers out of my eyes at husband who isn’t walking on his tippy toes around the house after I just spent 1.5 hours putting the baby to sleep.
2. At the check-out in the store I have to pull a rubber squeaky giraffe, a diaper, and a leaking sippy cup out of my purse before I can finally locate my wallet.
3. I used to sleep in on the weekend and not hear, ‘meh... Meh?...Meh??! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHARRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!” at 7am on the nose.
4. There was a time when I never thought I would have to make up voices and sing songs about traffic to entertain daughter who has decided that this 10 minute car ride is over. NOW.
5. I now break into a sweat when lovey goes missing. I’m talking a cold, cold, clammy, panicky, sheer terror sweat. The kind you would get if you were being chased around by a serial killer. Or when your Mastercard bill arrives.
6. I never realized how many times I would say ‘good enough’ in a day. That diaper is hanging on by a thread but Monkey will escape the second I come towards it so it’s, ‘good enough.’ Monkey’s outfit doesn’t match, in fact, she’s wearing two different socks and I can’t button up her onesie because she’s too long, but everything is already on her so for now, it’s, ‘good enough.’
7. I believe there once was a time when I could get fitted for new glasses and not have to worry that my daughter was eating half of the optometrist’s business card.
8. I never thought I’d see the day when I said things like, “Monkey, we do NOT eat [insert inedible and potentially dangerous household object here] or claw at people’s [insert various facial features]...”
9. When I would visit friends or relatives in the past they’d actually acknowledge my presence in the room. These days it plays out like this: *Meg rings doorbell excited to see another adult for once* *friend/relative opens door* *friend/relative immediately coos “Monkey! You came to visit me! You’re such a sweetheart...” as they confiscate baby, turn away from the door and walk into the house. *Meg is left forgotten in the doorway*... Yes, MOM, I’m talking to YOU!
10. Batteries are now at a premium. Yesterday, when desperately searching the house for working batteries for the baby’s activity table, I actually briefly considered the batteries in the smoke detector before opting for another essential electronic (the remote control). The baby continued to be entertained/distracted by the obviously-straight-from-hell singing activity table, and I got 5 minutes to scavenge for something to eat. Win, win.
11. Children’s toys. The vast majority will sing several songs, each more irritating than the last. The person who invented those singing children’s toys CLEARLY never had children. Or was hard of hearing. Or hated parents...
12. Before leaving the house, I now make a mental list of all the essential things I need and pep talk myself: “sippy cup? Check. Dipes and wipes? Check. Lovey? Check... Fantastic, I’m all set! I’m super organized and in control.” Just as my ego swells and I pull out of the driveway, I look down and notice I’m still wearing my slippers. The furry ones. Damn. True story.
Monkey now has 2.5 teeth, uses a spoon to catapult food at me, stands for 1.035 seconds all by herself, decides all our books require re-organizing on a regular basis and throws them all on the floor, and no longer falls for the ol’ ‘bait and switch’ routine anymore (remove non-baby friendly item from her hand and replace it with baby chew toy. No go.).
I'll be returning to work in a few weeks and Monkey will undoubtedly unleash her reign of terror on the daycare and all those who dare stand in the way of her and her BPA-filled toy of the day. I nearly lost an arm the last time I did that.
So there have been a number of changes, but the (mostly) gummy grins and shrieks of delight when I make ridiculous faces make it all worthwhile. She's a an absolute sweetheart (73% of the time).
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