Baby in the Big City

Where You can Find Me Now

2011-07-21T07:40:00.000-05:00

I'll be the first to admit, blogging can get overwhelming at times. It can start to feel like an obligation and you forget that you used to enjoy it. The main reason I haven't been blogging much is because I actually have two blogs. I have a "personal" blog in which I mainly blog about my son, my pregnancy and the goings-on of our every day life. I created baby in the big city to share more about parenting issues, do occasional reviews etc. But lately I have been struggling to keep up with two blogs, so I have decided that for at least the present time, I will only be blogging on my "other" blog.
If you would like to still follow along with our story/journey/lives feel free to visit me at my other (more regularly updated) blog: mlbecker.blogspot.com.

I hope you are all staying cool in this heat! This pregnant mama is staying indoors (thank goodness for central air!).

Belly Buds Review

2011-07-20T11:07:00.001-05:00

I recently received a pregnancy product for review that I had never heard of until now. Bellybuds.

They are exactly what they sound like. "Buds" for your belly. Kinda like ear buds, but not. More like little, round, adhesive, speakers. They stick onto your belly so you can play music to your sweet unborn peanut. Bellybuds has done their research, you can read more here about the benefits of in-utero music listening.

It works like this: You provide the musical apparatus (i.e. ipod, cd player, walkman - anyone still use those?), and the bellybuds plug right into to any headphone hook-up. There is sticky stuff (medical grade, skin-safe, replaceable hydrogel) on the back so the buds stay in place. You can even wear bellybuds under your clothing while walking, shopping, at work etc.

Mostly I used the buds in the evenings, after my toddler went to bed. Otherwise he wanted to listen to them, he enjoyed having his own mini-speakers to hold. After he was in bed, I would get the bellybuds out, and lay in bed while reading a book, doing my daily Sudoku, or talking to my hubby. I would try to place one bud near baby's head, and the other a little farther away, and would play music for half an hour or so (at a medium volume). Everything from Michael Jackson to Alexadre Desplat (composer), to Muse (the lighter stuff). A lot of times, the baby would move around, and sometimes not.

(this is a photo from their website, my belly has a few more stretch marks than hers. :) )

I have enjoyed using the bellybuds. I like that I can stimulate my baby's brain before he is even outside the womb. I had previously tried to play music for him with regular headphones, but was never sure if he could actually hear it or not. With bellybuds, I know he can hear the music I am playing, plus it's nice that they are hands-free. With regular headphones, I always had to hold them in place and definitely couldn't have worn them out of the house. The buds always stuck in place, and the gel on the back of my buds is still sticky.

To read more about bellybuds, or to purchase them for yourself and your unborn child, you can visit their website.

*I was provided this product free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not monetarily compensated for this post. All opinions are my own, your opinions or experience with this product may differ from mine.*

Kicky Pants Review and an Apology

2011-07-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with blogging lately! I have had my hands full this summer with a busy 18 month old, and being 8 months pregnant doesn't make it any easier! But I have lots of stuff to share in the next few weeks before this little one makes his grand entrance, I haven' updated you for awhile!

First up is a review of one of my fave clothing companies for kiddos.

I recently received a sweet new top for my little man from Kicky Pants and I just wanted to take a little time to tell you about them. Kicky Pants is, after all, in my top three for places to get cute stuff for my toddler.

The uniqueness of Kicky Pants comes from the make-up of their clothing. Kicky Pants clothing is made of Bamboo. Yes, you heard me right, Bamboo. Which is awesome because Bamboo is totally sustainable, eco-friendly, and grown without icky pesticides or fertilizers. Plus, it's naturally antibacterial and antifungal. On top of all of that, it is just so soft and cuddly! You can read even more about the wonderful benefits of Bamboo on the Kicky Pants website.

The adorable little top that I received was this striped polo:

I think he looks quite dashing in green and blue stripes, but I may be biased.

And how adorable are these layettes? I might have to snag one for the new little guy (due in early-mid August, in case you forgot).

Kicky Pants is a great company to buy from, started by a husband and wife team out to design something they could use with their own children. Everything we have from Kicky Pants is well made, charmingly sweet and sophisticated, and, most importantly, affordable. It is very evident that Kicky Pants values the quality of their product. But you don't have to take my word for it, even celebrities love Kicky Pants!

If you are intrigued by the idea of Bamboo-made, one of a kind, so-soft-you'll-want-to-buy-something-for-yourself clothing, check them out. They occasionally have online outlet sales, which is a great way to snag something at a huge discount. But, I have to warn you, if you buy something for your kiddo, you will be back for more!

*I received a top in exchange for this review. My opinions are my own. Your experience with this company may differ from mine. I was not monetarily paid for writing about Kicky Pants.*

It's Official: the Answer to the Riddle

2011-05-05T10:00:00.003-05:00

We are so excited that we finally picked a name for our second-born son. It has been on my mind for weeks and weeks now, and I am so glad it is finally official. It really makes the little monkey wiggling around in my tummy seem more like a person, and more like our child.

This new little boy, who is very active, very strong, and I think just a little bigger than our first son was, will forever be known as:

It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

We weren't intentionally going for another "M" name. It was just the one that best fit our criteria. We wanted something that sounded nice with "Ray" (my dad's name), so I was initially drawn to long "A" sounds (as in Cade and Brady . . . both discussed at some point). We also tend to like names that are traditionally surnames (Hudson, Landon, Cullen . . . also discussed). And thirdly, we wanted a name that fit with Maddox in sound (does it sound like it could be a sibling to a Maddox?), style (trendy/edgier names like Jett, Stellan, Cruz, and Luka were discussed), or lettering (all x's: Axel, Phoenix, Dexter or all M's: Micah and Maverick . . .which we also discussed).

We talked about Mason lots of times, but couldn't really settle on it. Mostly because of it's rising popularity (currently #35 in the U.S., whereas Maddox was somewhere around #465). That, and hubby just didn't love it. But I kept coming back to it, since it really fit our criteria well. And hubby, after polling his co-workers, realized Mason was a good choice too.

So there you have it. Our little process of choosing a name for baby #2. This naming business is trickier than you would think!

He Has a Name!

2011-05-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Finally, at 27 weeks, we have decided on a name for Bubba's little brother. Bubba's name is Maddox, and it took us a long time to find something we thought would sound okay as a sibling to a Maddox. This time around was much harder than the first! But without further ado . . . . baby boy #2 will be named . . . .

No, it's not Namya Ors. You didn't think I was actually going to tell you so easily, did you? Where's the fun in that?

If you aren't the game playing type, check back in a few days and I will officially share his name with you.

My New Hobby

2011-05-01T13:17:00.000-05:00

I have finally been taking a photography class! It is a hobby I have always enjoyed, but I am finally getting some technical training, and I am in love.
Here is what I have been shooting lately. (Feel free to nicely criticize. I am a work in progress!)
If you want to see the pictures in a better quality, just click on them.

I know these are all black and white. But it was a rainy a day, and the b&w felt more fitting to me. If you have any tips for great black and white photos, I would love to hear em!

Remembering the Sunshine

2011-04-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago it was absolutely GORGEOUS here in Chicago. Eighty degrees and sunny. Of course we had to take advantage of the beautiful weather. We visited a nearby park in our new neighborhood called Indian Boundary Park. They have a huge wooden playground, a small display of animals, and lots and lots of room to run around.

Walking through the tunnels on the wooden playground.

Going down the slide with help from Daddy.

Too cute not to share.

Big Little Man

Hanging from the rings by his own strength! (With help from Daddy too)

The weather this week is cold and yucky. I can't wait for it to be sunny every day. We are definitely going to take advantage of nice weather this summer and get outdoors as much as we can before August rolls around. Who knows if we will ever get out of the house again once I have twice as many children to wrangle. But I think I am up for the challenge!

His Obsession

2011-04-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Bubba's favorite "toy" the past month has been mommy's cell phone. He loves to "talk", dial, and randomly text message the most awkward person possible in my contact list.

I figure so many things are off limits these days (No honey, you may not unplug the vacuum cleaner/play in the fridge/eat the dog food/climb on the table) that a little innocent tinkering with my phone is okay. I usually take it away when he starts chucking it across the room and try to explain that he must be gentle with it. Although that lesson has yet to sink in.

Do your kiddos love modern day technology as much as mine?

The Ergo Saved My Life (And YOU could WIN one!) CLOSED

2011-03-31T23:32:00.007-05:00

And the winner is . . . .

Tara! Congrats! Check your email and respond within 48 hours to claim your prize!

The Ergobaby baby carrier has saved my life. Maybe that's a little over-dramatic. But it has saved my sanity. Can you imagine holding a crazy toddler on a crowded bus? Or trying to carry him a mile to the park/grocery store/post office? My arms and head ache just thinking about it.

Life in the city ~~can be~~ is hectic. There isn't much room for a stroller on public transportation, and a crowd of (hundreds of) thousands gathered for a parade or fireworks doesn't leave much room on the sidewalks for one either. Don't even think about pushing a stroller through a grocery store, where would you put the groceries? Unless you are one of those brave women who can simultaneously push a stroller and pull a cart, I have an easier solution for city-living mamas (and daddies!) with young kiddos. It's called the Ergobaby.

We purchased our Ergo when my son was around 11 weeks old, and we haven't stopped using it since. It is my number one most recommended product for new parents.

Visiting the green Chicago River in the Ergo in 2010!

I would be surprised if you are a parent of young children and you haven't at least heard of the Ergo. But you may wonder, what makes it superior to other soft-structured carriers on the market? I'm so glad you asked! First and foremost is the ergonomic design of the carrier. Children are supported from knee to knee in a natural, sitting position that is both comfortable and correct. But an even bigger bonus: It's also comfortable for the adult as well. The wide waist belt sits just above your hips, which bare the brunt of the weight. I can wear my son for hours before I start to get tired. Although, being 21 weeks pregnant, I am starting to tire more quickly!

The Ergo can be worn on the front, back or hip, while still maintaining the same excellent support. It can be used from newborn (with the infant insert) to children weighing up to 40 pounds. My son is 23 pounds and carrying him in the Ergo is just as comfortable as it was when he was 12 pounds. My growing belly is proving to be a bit of a challenge, but so far I am still comfortable using the Ergo. Ask me again in 10 weeks though, and you may get a different answer. :)

It's totally adjustable, once you get the right fit you should be able to do a lot of "wearing" without getting sore. And the best part? Hubby loves it too!

Exactly one year later, and still loving it!

Our Ergo still looks brand new. It isn't showing any signs of wear, even after a year of pretty heavy use. I love this thing. I don't have one bad thing to say about it. They are on the pricier side, but with all the use you can get out of it, the cost is really very minimal. I can't wait to use it with our newest little sweet pea this summer!

And now for the good news!

You can win an Ergobaby of your very own! In fact, the wonderfully generous people at Ergobaby are so wonderfully generous, they will even let you choose the one that you love the most! They just came out with some sweet new designs too.

Check these babies out!

To enter you MUST be a follower of Baby in the Big City! Giveaways are like little treats for my lovely readers, so you have to be among them!

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit Ergobaby's website and tell me which carrier you will choose if you are the lucky one!

BONUS ENTRIES:

*Like Ergobaby on Facebook and tell them I sent you! (1 extra entry)

*Grab my Baby in the Big City button! (3 extra entries)

Fine Print
*Open to U.S. residents only.

*Leave your email address in your comments so that I may contact you if you are selected.

*Contest will end Saturday, April 9th.

*I will select a winner using random.org.

*I will email the winner, and announce the winner on this post.

*The selected winner will have 48 hours to respond, or I will select a new winner.

I was not compensated in any way for this review, nor was I given a free product. I just really really love the Ergo! My opinions are my own, and may differ from yours and your experience with this product.

20 Weeks!

2011-03-25T13:54:00.000-05:00

I am actually 20 weeks and 3 days, but who's counting? (Me. I am.)

How far along: 20 weeks
Total Weight Gain: I have gained 5 pounds.
Stretchmarks: No new ones!
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best Moment This Week: We found out we are having another boy!
Movement: Great! I usually feel him rolling around 2 - 3 times a day, you can finally feel the little nudges from outside my tummy. He is a strong little boy!
Gender: Boy! I knew it all along. Mother's intuition I guess. Still working on a name for the little guy.
Labor Signs: Nada
Belly Button: Still in, but getting flatter.
What I Miss: Nothing really, I am enjoying every minute now that I am comfortably in the second trimester.
What I am Looking Forward to: Deciding on a name!

We had our 20 week checkup last week. Everything is looking good! The baby is measuring just a little bit above average, guessing that means he's going to be a big little guy! His heart rate was in the high 140's, low 150's.
There was a small concern about the location of the placenta. During the ultrasound the tech noticed that the placenta is close to the cervix. It was 1.8 cm away. In order to continue with a routine vaginal delivery, the placenta has to be at least 2.5 cm away. The technician said that she is sure that it will move away, but it does worry me a little bit.
Overall, everything is as it should be. Baby looks healthy, I am healthy and feeling very well. (I really don't even feel pregnant most days!) Now we just need to decide on a name and we will be all set.

It's A . . . .

2011-03-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

We are having a . . . .

healthy

sweet

adorable

Little

BOY!

We are so excited to be having a second little boy. I have always wanted a whole houseful of boys, and I know that Bubba will be a wonderful big brother to a little brother. I feel so blessed!

Should your front facing toddler be turned around?

2011-03-21T14:16:00.000-05:00

When moving my son from his infant seat to his "big boy" carseat, I discovered that the safest position for him was rear-facing. Not only to age 1 as most people believe, but until age 2 at the earliest. He is now 15 months old, and has always been rear-facing.
I have gotten questions and comments "About time to turn him around!", but have always been eager to share the information I read. Which is that the most common type of vehicle collision, and most dangerous, occurs at the front of the vehicle. In which case, a child who is forward facing would suffer more severe injuries than a child who is rear-facing. I could go on, but there isn't a need. The AAP has finally changed their carseat regulations. You can find the report HERE.

From the report: "A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention found that children under age two are 75 percent less likely to die or to be severely injured in a crash if they are rear-facing. Another study found riding rear-facing to be five times safer than forward-facing."

75% less likely to be injured or killed!! That statistic is staggering. If you have a child under the age of two, please keep them rear-facing as long as their seat will allow.

His Favorite Time of Day

2011-03-17T00:41:00.000-05:00

Bubba loves his bath-time. It has been a part if his nightly routine since he was a few weeks old, and he has always enjoyed it. We recently got bubble bath for him, and broke out the bath-time alphabet that he received for Christmas (thanks Aunt Mandy and Uncle Lucas!), so bath-time has been extra special lately.

Don't you just want to squeeze this little boy?

We have begun brushing his teeth, sans toothpaste, each night during bath-time since he has a whole mouthful of teeth to brush. The toothbrush has become one of his favorite bath toys.

These next pictures are enlarged for your enjoyment. I know you're gonna love 'em.

Cracks me up every time.

CSN Stores

2011-02-25T10:36:00.000-06:00

I am sure you have heard of CSN Stores by now, if not you need to head over and check them out! If you are a blogger, they have a great review program. They are willing to work with blogs of most sizes, and do frequent product reviews. Which is great for me, cause I usually pick something for my son.

Even if you aren't a blogger, you should definitely seek them out for your next purchase. Whether its for kitchen ware, lamps, or bedding. They even have these awesome chairs and computer desks for home or the office.

Pregnancy Survey

2011-02-24T12:45:00.002-06:00

How far along: 16 weeks
Total Weight Gain: About 10 pounds lost. But gaining it back finally!
Stretchmarks: None yet! (except of course the barely visible few from my first little one)
Sleep: Good!
Best Moment This Week: Feeling more movement.
Movement: Getting stronger! I started feeling movement around 13 weeks this time. It started as flutters, but has finally turned into little kicks and nudges. Still unable to feel them from the outside though.
Gender: Unknown. But we will find out in 3 short weeks! Matt and I both believe 99% that it is a boy. But we would be happy with either!
Labor Signs: Too early for that!
Belly Button: Still in.
What I Miss: Being able to eat any thing I want.
What I am Looking Forward to: Actually looking pregnant, and Matt being able to feel the baby move. Hopefully within the next couple weeks!
Milestones: Baby should be around 5 ounces and 5 inches, and the ears and eyes are fully functioning!

picture taken from http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/Pregnancy/calendar/week/16

Generally, I feel pretty good. It is still hard to eat any strongly flavored foods, but that is to be expected. For now, I sleep well, have energy, can eat pretty well, and don't really feel pregnant. I am looking forward to the next few weeks as my belly grows, the baby becomes more active, and we find out the gender!

See you next year!

2010-12-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

What a lame joke, I know. I hear it every year. But I just wanted to say Happy New Years! I hope 2011 year is filled with health and happiness, and everything else you want.

OUR BIG NEWS!

2010-12-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

I am very happy to share with you, that we are expecting another addition to our household!
Yes, I am pregnant. Only 8 weeks, but I already can't wait to meet this new little person.
Baby #2 should be making his/her entrance is early August. Ugh, that seems so far away!

Just Dance.

2010-12-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Current state of mind.

2010-12-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Not too much is going on in these parts, just getting ready for our big trip to Iowa for the holidays. We will be gone a week and a half, but I have a few posts up my sleeve while I am gone. Not that you would miss me or anything.
Chicago is just beautiful this time of year. The holiday lights are gorgeous, the storefronts are festively decorated, and people are full of the holiday spirit.
Yesterday I took a 3 hour photography "safari". The guide teaches a little lesson, gives pointers, and takes us out around the city for photo ops and practice. It was fun, but FUH-REE-ZING. My fingers and toes were numb. I guess that's why these winter-time lessons are cheaper. But, it was still a good learning experience.
We decided that we will be moving to a bigger place this spring. Which I am thrilled about. Our current place has "character", which means it's old. And not quite enough space for us. I can't wait. If i could move right now, in the dead of winter, I would. But, I don't think our landlord would be pleased if we skipped out on our lease 5 months early.
I have some exciting news to share next week, so make sure you check back!

Happy 1 Year Baby Boy!

2010-12-22T08:00:00.001-06:00

My precious little man is one year old today.

In the past year he has grown from a tiny little newborn . . .

To a cute, cuddly, rambunctious little boy.

Happy birth day little man. My world was forever changed the day you became a part of it.

Breastfeeding Article

2010-12-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

Check out this awesome article about recent findings from a breastfeeding study.

CSN Stores

2010-12-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

I know I have talked about CSN stores before, but its only because they have everything you could ever need for your self, kids, and home. They are a one-stop shop!
You can find, lamps, toys, rugs, furniture, exercise equipment, flat screen TV stands, you name it.
I will be doing another review in a few weeks, so keep your eyes open!

Holiday Card Debacle.

2010-12-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

Trying to get an 11 month old boy to sit still, while smiling, while looking at the camera, while wearing a Santa hat for an oh-so-adorable holiday card picture is, apparently, too much to ask.

Exhibit A.

And B.

Exhibit C.

And D.

Need I go on?

I was able to capture a somewhat acceptable moment. But he is neither smiling, nor wearing a shirt.
Without further ado, I give you our holiday card picture.

For the card, I zoomed in a bit and cropped the toys out of the background. I have to say, apart from not smiling, I think it turned out pretty cute. At what age does it get easier to get a good picture? 3? 4? 16? I guess kids will be kids. Often times, real moments are better than poses anyways.

Bubba's New(ish) Trick

2010-12-08T08:00:00.002-06:00

A couple weeks ago Bubba figured out a new way to get around. He's pretty good by now, and will be walking before I know it. Which is exciting, but also a little sad. Before I know it, my little baby will be a little boy.

Still haven't ordered holiday cards?

2010-12-07T08:00:00.005-06:00

I know just the place. Tinyprints is the place to go this season. They have the cutest cards and a TON of selection. I had the hardest time deciding what to choose! Whether your style is . . .

Traditional . . .

Whimsical . . .

Simple and sweet . . .

Fun . . .

Or contemporary.

There really is something for everyone.

Tinyprints has flat cards, bi-fold, tri-fold, flip (don't believe me?), pop-out, and even ornament cards.

Here is the one that I picked out:

I like the simple, yet elegant look.

After customizing my card of choice, they sent me an electronic proof to approve, which I appreciated! Luckily, I hadn't made any mistakes, but if I had there was a chance for me to correct them. After placing my order, the cards arrived very quickly, and I was very impressed with the quality. They are big, bright, and exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely be ordering all of my future holiday cards from Tinyprints.

*I received this product at no cost for the purposes of this review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are my own, your opinion and experience with this company may differ from mine.

Where the heck have you been?

2010-12-05T21:58:00.000-06:00

You may be asking yourself that very question.

Unfortunately, my answer is neither mysterious or interesting.

I have been busy visiting family, holiday shopping, and entertaining one festive little boy.

I apologize for not updating you for a few weeks now, (has it really been over three weeks since my last post??) I hope you aren't too upset.

But rest assured, I am back from my blogging vacation, and I have lots to share over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

Home, Dexter, and other Nonsense.

2010-11-10T13:58:00.000-06:00

My little boy has 6 teeth now, and is well on his way to having a few more. He hasn't been sleeping well at night lately. I blame it on the teething. But he is a great napper! He naps really well during the day, and I get a nice break. Which, as all moms know, is a crucial part of being a happy, patient mama. Today for the first time, we cut out his first nap. He wasn't really needing it much any more, he wouldn't want to go down and wouldn't stay asleep very long. He did really well today, I think we can say goodbye to morning naps. Hopefully he will take a nice loooong afternoon nap now. We'll see.
I am so excited to go home and see our families for Thanksgiving. Side note: Why do I still refer to my parents' house as 'home'? I have a magnet on my fridge that my mom got me when I went off to college that says "Home is where your mom is", I guess it's the truth. Maybe it's also because we still live in an apartment, and it's hard to make it feel like home. Although, for the holidays this year, I am going to try my darnedest to make it feel warm and cozy.

Our dog doesn't get much attention these days. I feel bad. Jasper was our first baby. Literally.

And now he is lucky if we spend a half an hour with him a day. I suppose that's what happens when you have a child.
Has anyone seen the tv show 'Dexter'? We have been watching it, per Hubby's request. And since he has watched hours of 'The Bachelor', 'Glee', 'Dancing with the Stars', 'Teen Mom' and "FRIENDS', I figured I owe him. Violence and murder aside, it's pretty good. The character development is pretty great.
Right now I am eating cookie dough. I made cookies last night, but I didn't use all the dough. It's quite a delicious snack. Sometimes, I think the dough is better than the actual cookies. Hubby refuses to eat the dough. He's worried about Salmonella. Fair enough. More for me.

If you are still reading the ridiculous post, I am impressed. This is what you get when nothing too exciting is happening in my life. But sometimes, mundane is nice.

Where oh where did you get that?

2010-11-05T20:34:00.001-05:00

CSN is an online retailer that sells everything you can imagine. Anything you think that you might need for your home, you can find at CSN. You need a toy box? CSN has it. You need a lamp? CSN has it. You need bar tables and stools? CSN has them too.
I have reviewed a couple items from CSN in the past, usually items for Bubba. But if you check back in a few weeks, I will share a review of something different!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

He's a biter.

2010-11-03T16:08:00.000-05:00

Bubba has been learning so much these days, and he can be quite mischievous. His recent fascination has been with reactions. He looks for reactions in lots of ways. It could be as simple as knocking over a stack of blocks, feeding the dog a cracker, or throwing a ball (after all of which he looks to me for recognition, be it praise or otherwise). Or, it could be something more troublesome, such as pulling the dog's tail or biting whomever is nearest to him.
Today for example, he bit A (a little boy I watch 5 days a week) on the foot when I wasn't looking. Obviously, I don't praise him for that. Typically, I remove him from the person whom he has bitten and say something like "No thank you Maddox, that hurts A " But lately he has been getting fiestier. No sooner than I had moved him away from A, and he was right back over there, picking up A's bare foot (that child refuses to leave his socks on) and sticking it in his mouth. I quickly rushed over, but, unfortunately for A, not quick enough. Bubba bit his foot, looked right at A, who let out a wail, and continued to watch him while he cried and I comforted him.

I am hoping it's just a phase.

I love that he is interested in seeing appropriate responses to different situations. It seems to be quite intelligent for a ten month old. But hopefully, he will learn that biting doesn't elicit a favorable reaction.

Regardless, I have a feeling that I will have my hands full for the next couple of years. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-01T00:15:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween, sorry this is boring.

2010-10-31T13:01:00.003-05:00

I will be posting some pictures of my sweet little man in his costume later today (or maybe tomorrow . . .) so stay tuned!

Bah humbug.

2010-10-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again. Halloween is just around the corner. Shopping guides are starting to pop up. Soon, storefront windows will fill with garland and fake snow. Soon, the radio will fill with the sweet melodies of Winter Wonderland and Baby, It's Cold Outside. It's a Wonderful Life will play on repeat on old movie channels. Egg Nog will become available at your local grocer and lots of travel arrangements will be made.

Yes, the holiday season is upon us.

To some, this time of year rings of commercialized, costly, campy consumerism (alliteration intentional). Still others dread seeing distant relatives (too many people), or being single (not enough people) this time of year. Like Chandler in ~~my all time favorite tv show ever~~ FRIENDS, some people don't like Thanksgiving food. Some people loathe shopping for gifts. Some people enjoy searching for the perfect gift but, despite spending hours trying to find it, fail miserably. Some people hate Christmas carols, some people hate family traditions, some people hate traveling, some people hate snow, some people hate the holidays.

I am not some people.

This time of year is my favorite time of year. I adore carols. (If you have never heard "Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant or "Believe" by Josh Groban, you must listen to them immediately). I adore Egg Nog. I adore hot chocolate, snow days and cuddling up in front of the fireplace. I can't wait to pick out a beautiful tree, shop for and subsequently wrap gifts, and then see the joy on someone's face when they open it to find exactly what they wanted. I love reading Luke 2, and being reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. I love spending time with family, baking cookies, and eating lots of yummy food.

Our son was born last year on the 22nd of December, and we came home from the hospital on Christmas day (he was the best present we could have ever gotten!). We were too excited about his birth to really pay attention to the holidays. He was too young to enjoy his first Christmas and there was a major snowstorm, so our family wasn't able to visit either. This year, in spite of our missed Christmas last year and being Bubba's first real Christmas, I am going all out. We will have a tree this year, it will be beautifully (albeit sparsely, I can already see the little man tearing it apart) decorated, our stockings will be hung, our home will smell of baked goods and cheery holiday tunes will fill the air. We will spend time with our family, we will build a snowman in the front yard and we will send out an annual family update.

You may say "Bah humbug" to the holidays. I say, bring it on!

A Pumpkin Kind of Day

2010-10-27T14:58:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to a local pumpkin patch, Bubba had a great time looking at the farm animals, going for a hay-rack ride, and picking out a pumpkin.

There were so many to choose from!

And of course, he had to sample a few . . .

Before he chose the perfect one!

Which we put in a wagon to bring home.

Happy Fall!

Free Stuff? Okay!

2010-10-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you guys ever heard of Freecycle? I hadn't. Until my good friend, Jamie, blogged about it.

It's a website where people give away all the ~~crap~~ useful stuff that they don't want any more. One man's trash is another man's treasure, right? Instead of throwing out that old microwave, or Cd's you don't listen to anymore, or magazines, or a broken computer, you can pass them on to someone who may have a good use for them!

It isn't just junk. Sometimes there are really great things listed, diapers (when someone's child moves up a size, people give away the extra smaller diapers. We scored 100 free diapers in Madman's size this week!), baby clothes, toys, lamps, dishes. Basically, it's a free garage sale.

It's a great way to find something you might be looking for and it's a really great way to keep extra stuff out of landfills. Check them out!

Now I am going to talk about Poop.

2010-10-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

You know you are a mom when you discuss the contents (or lack thereof) in your child's diaper.

Madman has been eating finger foods for almost a month now. Usually once a day, around dinner time. Lately I have been offering him finger foods more often, in the hopes that he will figure out that breastmilk isn't the only source of sustenance in this world. So far, it's a losing battle. But I will save that discussion for another day.

My most recent concern is his ~~poop~~ bowl movement. As in, there isn't any. At least for six days out of seven. That's right, ever since we started solid food on a regular basis, Madman has been consistently poo-ing only once a week. We have been to the doctor (twice) in this time and he is doing fine, never a fever or vomiting. He doesn't seem to be in pain or discontented. By all accounts, he is a healthy little brute of a boy. But I can't help wondering where all that breastmilk (he is still consuming the same amount of breastmilk as he did when he was poo-ing every two days), cantaloupe, peas, crackers, avocado (you get the idea) is going?

*Come to think of it, he has been passing gas more often than he used to and those innocent little toots are much more potent. Perhaps my baby has some kind of a super power in which he can vaporize food?*

Has this happened to any of your kiddos when they began solids? How long did it continue?

Ah, the selflessness of motherhood. When one cares more about her baby's regularity than rejoicing in her good fortune of not having to change poopy diapers.

Wordless Wednesday: The Love of my Life

2010-10-12T22:00:00.001-05:00

From one mom to another.

2010-10-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Raising babies is hard work. I am just getting started and still have (God willing) a few more babies in my future. But even with one, it's hard.

I'm not talking about long days, even longer nights, stinky diapers, teething, crying or snotty noses. I am talking about something a little deeper. Philosophically.

Raising rascally rug-rats (like my alliteration?) into upstanding, respectable, healthy adults is a heavy responsibility. The first few years are the most formative, and I sometimes wonder, am I doing this right? Will this translate into adulthood? Will he be the only 30 year old who bites his colleagues? Just kidding about that last one. Hopefully.

I claim to be an "attached parent", but do I follow attachment parenting to a t? No. In fact, I do not follow any one methodology in it's entirety. I have always been what I call a "natural" parent. I follow my child's cues and my own instincts. For the most part, my parenting type tends to fall into the attached category, as I find it to come the most naturally to me. I tend to take a more "hands-on" approach, but I also step back. I implement my parenting style, and then respond to Bubba's needs and temperament. In this way, I will hopefully be able to parent each of my children according to their individual needs and personality.

An example.
When Bubba was first born, we co-slept. (I should mention that it's important that you have learned about the benefits and risks associated with co-sleeping before deciding what works best for you). I wanted to have him near me at night. I wanted to cuddle him and offer security. I knew I couldn't put my tiny, precious little newborn in a big, dark room all alone. It just wasn't my style.
I never made a time frame for when he would move to his own room. Around 4 months, he became more alert. He would wake up when my hubby rolled over too much, or if I had to readjust. He wasn't sleeping as well in our bed any more, but I still wasn't ready to move him to his own room. So, he slept in the pack 'n' play next to our bed. Around 6-7 months, he started stirring with the slightest noises. Daddy getting dressed for work (at 5:30 in the a.m.) our dog moving around on the floor, me getting up to go to the bathroom or get a drink. So, I took it as a cue that he needed to be in his own room in order to sleep well. It wasn't about me or my desires, it was about what worked the best for him. He has been in his own room ever since (and sleeps great!), but I still bring him into our bed on those nights when he won't calm down or is having trouble sleeping. I enjoy the occasional cuddle, and so does he.
I could give you several more examples of how my so-called "natural" style has worked. (starting solids, no-cry self soothing, babywearing, breastfeeding) But I won't bore you with more mundane details.

"Follow your child's cues. . . Be hands on, but not too hands-on . . . Parent each child differently" It sounds very idealistic. And it is. In a perfect world, it would work exactly like that all the time. But I make a lot of mistakes, to be sure.

I am consoled by the idea that parenting isn't really a goal, so much as a journey.

There isn't one right way to do everything. Each child, each family does what works the best for them and their circumstances. That's the beauty in raising people, isn't it? Our experiences make us who we are. Because we are all raised differently, we have our own uniqueness.

As parents, all we can really do is love our children and teach them the best we know how. Then sit back and watch as these little people we created, blossom into something more. And cross our fingers that they don't turn out to be that thirty year old businessman who bites his colleagues.

One Treasure at a Time Review

2010-10-11T16:08:00.000-05:00

After having Bubba, I started accumulating little keepsakes that I didn't know what to do with. Hospital bracelets (actually, I wanted to throw those out, but Hubby insisted that we needed to keep them. Maybe I need to be more sentimental?), ultrasound photos, a "My First Christmas" ornament, greeting cards to welcome the new baby, his birth announcement, you get the idea. Stuff that couldn't go in his photo albums.

For a few months, those things sat on his dresser. Then they moved to a little cardboard box in his closet. The dresser looked to cluttered, and the cardboard didn't scream "sentimental baby things". My solution? To find a cute little keepsake box. Something that I could display on the bookshelf in Bubba's room. Something that was small, but big enough for a few momentos from his childhood. Something for the little things that didn't have a place.

The result?

(yes, that's Bubba's name)

A personalized keepsake box. Where did I acquire such a box? From this crafty little shop on etsy, OneTreasureataTime.

Amanda, the sweet girl behind the creations, took the time to consult me on color choices, animal choices, paper choices (for the inside lining) and size choices. She really went above and beyond to make something that I would be happy with. She is so friendly and loves to create! If you are wanting something for your child's knicknacks, go to Amanda. You will not regret it!

Here's a similar box for a girl:

You can literally get almost anything you can imagine. Something for the fashionista (shoes, anyone?), luau princess, animal lover, or pirate (I am thinking a treasure chest themed box would be pretty cute) in your life.

She also personalizes these adorable little piggy banks (which I see in Bubba's near future).

If you are looking for a unique gift for a child-age family member or friend, check her out! You can also find her on facebook.

*I received this product at no cost for the purposes of this review, however, I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Your opinions and experiences with this product may differ from my own.

Gone are the days . . .

2010-10-10T14:40:00.000-05:00

When my little boy needed me to hold him up.

When he couldn't climb stairs

When he couldn't get around on his own.

Gone are the days . . .

when his hands were all he could put in his mouth

and milk was the only thing he ate.

Gone are the days . . .

when he didn't care what clothes he wore

when he hadn't formed his own opinions

when he loved the sound of mommy's voice.

These are the days . . .

of curiosity

of wonder

and delight.

These are the days . . .

That I will cherish.

I'm Baaaack!

2010-10-04T15:12:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long week without posts! We had a very busy weekend wedding, followed by a week of family visiting. It was lots of fun, but quite a whirlwind! I should be getting back to my regularly scheduled programming this week.

So, without further delay I wanted to share a picture of my little man all dolled up for his Aunty's wedding.
(he is going through a total refuse-to-look-at-the-camera stage)

And did I mention that my precious little 9 month old can now stand up?? He can pull himself up on things, and has even began to cruise around the furniture! What a big boy. They grow up too fast, don't they?

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2010-09-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite "go-to" recipes. It's super super easy, and it's something I can throw together really quick if I don't have anything else planned for dinner and I usually already have the ingredients on hand. Kids love it and it's a big step up from mac and cheese out of a box, but just as easy!

Baked Mac and Cheese
5 cups of elbow macaroni - I use whole wheat to make it a little more nutritious.
1-2 tbsp of butter (optional)
1 cup of shredded cheese - I typically use whatever I have already, whether it's cheddar, colby jack etc
2 cups of milk
Salt and Pepper to taste

Pour the macaroni into a casserole dish ( I have used lots of different sizes, something fairly big). Add butter, and top with cheese. I typically use more cheese than the recipe calls for. After you have topped it with the cheese, pour the milk in and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover it with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes or so, then take the foil off and bake it an additional 15-20 minutes.

It goes great with a nice salad and some fresh fruit!

He's How Old?!

2010-09-23T08:00:00.007-05:00

Bubba turned 9 months old yesterday. NINE months. I can't believe it. I have had him in my arms just about as long as he was in my belly. He has become his own little person with his own little personality, and he is so much fun. It seems that he gets more fun with each new stage of his life. I adored having a little newborn to snuggle and hold, but this squirrely, flirty, funny, happy nine month old little boy is even better!

*He can officially crawl! He would occasionally crawl in the past, but preferred to army crawl on his belly, but during this last week, he picked up crawling full time!
*If I leave the room, he will come and find me.
*His vocalizing is starting to pick up just this past week. He isn't saying anything close to real words, and even the babbling is limited, but lately he has enjoyed a sustained "o" sound. As in "oooooooooooooooooooh". He hasn't been very interested in vocalizing until now. He would mostly make throat sounds (his sounds would be the same whether his mouth was open or closed, like a hum) but has really began to "say" his noises more often, if that makes sense.
*He can (and does) pull himself up on anything. He loves to stand. He has even figured out how to get back down into a sit from standing. Although he still occasionally cries for help.
*Sleeps through the night occasionally, but usually wakes up once to eat.
*Gets in to everything! Anything he can reach ends up on the floor.
*Still nursing around the clock and eating some finger foods here and there.

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween Sneak Peek

2010-09-21T22:00:00.001-05:00

What do you think my little man is going to be for his first Halloween?

I'll Swing Until . . .

2010-09-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

. . . I reach the moon.

I'll glide up to the stars.

I'll pump my legs to venus

and push myself to mars.

My swing will be my spaceship.

The wind will be my guide.

And I will be the pilot

and wave to passersby!

A poem by Peggy Robbins Janousky.

Cristina Ashley Designs Review

2010-09-20T18:45:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting a mother's necklace ever since my son was born. Something that represented him, that I could have with me even in those (rare) moments that I am away from him. My mother's generation did it with birthstones, our generation will do it with names.
Something like this:

Hand-stamped discs are the latest trend in mommy jewelry. I recently discovered a wonderful mama who has her own jewelry making business and whom makes just such a necklace. Cristina Ashley Designs. All of her jewelry is custom made from sterling silver. Each piece is hand-stamped, antiqued, and polished.
I received this sweet necklace stamped with my son's name and a freshwater pearl.

Isn't it cute?! I love the little pearl, it really adds a classy touch to modern-looking design. The disc is thin and light-weight, not bulky at all, but nice and sturdy. I am not worried about it getting bent or easily scratched.

I love that I can just add another disc for each of my future children, or add a bigger disc with my name or our family name. You could do a disc in almost any shape or size, you can have them personalized with names or initials, even birthdates. You could even pick something different for each child. The possibilities are endless.
Here is another shape I love:

She even does dog tags!

Her jewelry is outstanding in both quality and affordability. If you are in the market for a mother's necklace, grandmother's necklace, even a personalized necklace for a daughter or friend, I would highly recommended Cristina Ashley Designs. You can shop her online store, find her on etsy, or even follow her blog.

*I received this necklace at no cost for the purpose of this review. I was not monetarily compensated. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. Your experience with this company may differ from my own.

Monday City Sweeps

2010-09-20T07:19:00.002-05:00

A post about nothing in particular

2010-09-17T16:39:00.000-05:00

The weather has been beautiful in Chicago lately. Sunny and cool. Perfect for strolling around the neighborhood.

Bubba is changing so much these days. He has so much personality, he is such a hoot! It is becoming more apparent that he won't be my little baby much longer. As soon as he is able to walk, I know he will be off and running! He will be nine months old next week. The past nine months have gone by ten times faster than the nine months that I was pregnant. But I suppose that's the way it works. It seems like only yesterday that I had a giant belly and spent my days dreaming of the new man that would soon be coming into my life. What would he look like? Who would he be? How was I going to manage the pains of child birth?

When I look at this little person that is my son, he is nothing I could have ever imagined. He is so much more. He fills my life with more joy and my heart with more love than I could have known. And now he becoming his own little person, becoming more independent with each passing day, exerting his will, his likes, his dislikes. It's incredible to watch his life unfold.

I really did not intend for this to get sentimental. Maybe it's this baby fever that has washed over me the past couple of weeks. . . the bigger he gets, the more I long for another little bundle to love. I tell my hubby that Bubba is so much fun and so easy that he makes me want a dozen more little rugrats (I say that in the most endearing way) running around the house. Although I don't see us becoming the Duggars (anyone else watch that show occasionally?) or even the VonTraps, I look forward to filling our home with as much love and chaos as we can handle (and afford!).

Wordless Wednesday: A Vision in Orange

2010-09-14T22:19:00.001-05:00

Avacados, Bananas and Constipation: The Real ABC's of Solid Food

2010-09-13T12:22:00.000-05:00

Bubba has graduated to "real" food! We basically skipped purees (he would occassionaly eat a bite or two, but wasn't really liking it), and we have been giving him whole finger foods this week. He is just loving feeding himself! He has eaten: bananas (his favorite), avacado, corn, cooked carrots, pasta. He isn't a pro yet, but he is getting better each time. I was suprised how well he did the first night, like he had been waiting for real food all along.
This solid food hasn't come without it's share of complications, however. Bubba didn't poop for one whole week. One week of consuming 5 ounces of breastmilk every 3-4 hours plus some solid food here and there. It was the bananas. He was scarfing them down, and I wasn't thinking. We ended up going to the doctor after 5 days, they said that so far he was doing fine (no fever, no vomitting) and they could hear bowel sounds in his tummy. So we took him home.
I am happy to announce that today he has pooped three times so far, and that was all before noon. We will see what the afternoon has in store for us, but it's bound to be unpleasant, at least for yours truly. Bubba, I am sure, is enjoying the relief.

Monday City Sweeps

2010-09-13T07:22:00.000-05:00

Labor (of the baby variety)

2010-09-06T11:00:00.003-05:00

Labor day has me thinking. About Labor. Not labor of the farming/manufacturing/goods and services variety. The other kind. The more, ahem, girly kind. Not that I am not appreciative of laborers. Because I am. But I can't help thinking about the other kind of labor. The baby birthing kind. It too is hard work. It too requires long, hard hours. It too is a struggle. It too is, shall we say, "grunt" work. (Too much? I don't think so either.)

I suppose that's why it's called "labor".

No work is more intense, more tiresome, more of a struggle than bringing a child into this world. But I suppose it's a trade-off. Because no other work will bring you so much joy, or fill your heart with more love than you ever imagined.

Happy labor day.

Monday City Sweeps: Giveaway Linky!

2010-09-05T23:00:00.003-05:00

Don't forget to enter my GUIDECRAFT giveaway!

Organic Milkmaid Tea from Earth Mama Angel Baby

2010-09-05T15:42:00.001-05:00

My son has been going through a growth spurt lately, and he still isn't eating much solid food. I have been trying to increase my milk supply in order to keep up with his demands. On top of nursing, I was expressing every three hours or so, and still not really producing any more than I already had been. One thing I hadn't tried was Fenugreek - an herb that is supposed to increase lactation. So when Earth Mama Angel Baby contacted me to review their organic Milkmaid Tea, I was eager to try it out!

First of all, I have to admit that I am not a tea drinker. I have had a Chai tea latte once or twice and sampled other varieties on occasion. I have never really loved the stuff (except this one time, a friend of mine brought some tea back from Kenya, and he brewed it with milk and sugar and it was the most delicious hot beverage I have ever had in my life).
Upon receiving the box of tea, I read the ingredients: organic fennel seed, organic fenugreek seed, organic red raspberry leaf, organic stinging nettle leaf, organic spearmint leaf, organic orange peel, organic anise seed*, organic caraway seed, organic alfalfa leaf. Quite the concoction.
*I should mention, I despise anise. To the core of my being. Black licorice disgusts me. So I was a little apprehensive.

I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was it good, it was yummy. In fact, just talking about it makes me want a cup right now (excuse me while I brew some water). I don't even really notice the anise, it blends in with the other flavors quite nicely. I just add a little milk and sugar, and even my hubby loves it. He likes it more than I do, if you want to know the truth. And no, he hasn't began lactating . . . yet.
You can drink it hot or iced, add a little honey, cinnamon, vanilla creamer, etc.

And the lactation? In conjunction with pumping, after drinking Milkmaid Tea a few days in a row, I did notice an increase in milk production. Maybe only a few mLs, but that was after only a couple of days.

If you are a breastfeeding mama who is trying to increase her supply, I would definitely recommend Milkmaid Tea from Earth Mama Angel Baby. And the good news? It's only $6.19.

Guidecraft Review and Giveaway

2010-09-01T15:50:00.001-05:00

AND THE WINNER IS . . .
Comment #22 - Marina!
Please check your email and respond within 48 hours to claim your prize.

I am sure by now you have heard of a wonderful company called Guidecraft. They are makers of truly exceptional, educational products for children. They have been around a long long time (so they must be good, right?) and their products are built to last. Among their hundreds of products, you will find furniture, storage and toys. Seriously, if you have children, check them out right this minute. You will find not one, not two, not even three, but dozens of items that you will want to take home.

Look at this sweet table and chairs set:

Or this adorable train toy box:

We received this Hide 'n Seek Shape Sorter from Guidecraft's toys and manipulatives line.

It arrived very quickly, and was packaged very nicely.

There was no assembly required, it was ready to played with!

My son loves the shapes, they are each a different color and are the perfect size for his little hands.

He is only 8 months old, and can't get the shapes in the holes without a little help, but I know he will figure it out soon enough.

The thing that I love about this classic toy, is it's quality. I know it will last through (at least) all of my children, and maybe longer. The shape sorter is solid and sturdy, it will definitely withstand a lot of wear and tear, and dropping, banging and throwing, and whatever else my son may do. The paint is bright, there were no scratches or chips. Plus, I was surprised by how big the sorter is. It really is a substantial size!
The shape sorter is perfect for young children. Not only does it encourage critical thinking (what hole does this piece fit in?), but it offers parents the opportunity to teach toddlers about colors and shapes. What's not to love?!

BUY IT: You can buy the Hide 'n Seek Shape Sorter online for $26.50.

WIN IT: One luck reader will win their very own shape sorter from Guidecraft!

To Enter

You must be a follower of Baby in the Big City.

Mandatory Entry

Visit Guidecraft and tell me another product (not mentioned in this review) that you would absolutely love!

Extra Entries

(leave a separate comment for each)

*Follow Guidecraft on Facebook.

*Follow Guidecraft on Twitter.

*Follow Guidecraft's blog.

*Vote for Baby in the Big City on Top Baby Blogs.

*Follow Baby in the Big City on twitter.
*Grab my new button! (worth 3 entries)

Fine Print
*Open to U.S. residents only.

*Leave your email address in your comments so that I may contact you if you are selected.

*Contest will end Saturday, September 18th.

*I will select a winner using random.org.

*I will email the winner, and announce the winner on this post.

*The selected winner will have 48 hours to respond, or I will select a new winner.

*This product was provided for my review at no cost. I did not receive any sort of monetary compensation. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own. Your opinions or experience with this product may differ from mine.

Wordless Wednesday: Bubba at the Bean

2010-08-31T23:04:00.000-05:00

Big Boy Bath

2010-08-30T18:35:00.001-05:00

Lately I have been giving Bubba a bath without his tubby. He likes to move around so much, I kept worrying he was going to fall out of the infant tub or tip it over. I think he likes being able to move around more. I just have to keep a close eye on him so he doesn't slip! (or maybe get some grippy, non-slip stickers for the bottom . . ) I also keep the water pretty shallow so he has less bouyancy and can move around more easily.

The Back-up Plan

2010-08-28T18:18:00.001-05:00

Hubby and I watched The Back-up Plan last night. There wasn't much else at the RedBox, so I figured if the movie was awful, it was at least about a topic that intersted me (pregnancy and babies).

I certainly don't claim to be a movie critic, and romantic comedies are typically shallow and campy (and one of my many guilty pleasures), but I have to say, The Back-up Plan was suprisingly. . . cute. Still shallow and campy, but funny (there was actually one scene that was fall-off-the-couch hysterical, illumintaing the pains of labor in a realistic yet slightly demonic light) and relatably honest. If you have given birth, you will enjoy parts of this movie.
Perhaps Romantic Comedies aren't your style. Do not fret, this isn't your typical RomCom. The Back-up Plan brings to light some intersting topics that aren't typically broached in mainstream films. In the midst of a stereotypical pregnancy protrayal, you will find, if only briefly, mentions of breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, artificial insemination, bearing a child through sperm donation, natural child birth, home births, water birth, single parenthood and same-sex couples raising a child.
If you are familiar with/intersted in/have experience with any of those topics and you are willing to see them from the outside looking in, you will enjoy this endearing little flick. It was defintely worth a $1.09.

8 Months!

2010-08-25T10:25:00.000-05:00

Bubba turned 8 months on Sunday!

To celebrate, we went to the new Nature Boardwalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo. They have a big pond with ducks and geese. We took some old bread to feed the ducks with. It was lots of fun! He loved watching the ducks.

*He now weighs 21 pounds, although his weight gain has slowed down considerably.
*He has 4 teeth! The top two have both come in over the past couple weeks.
*He is still sleeping through the night on a consistent basis.
*He is still nursing about every 3 hours during the day, but has been eating bananas and rice cereal lately. Still not a whole lot of solid food.
*His hair is in his eyes now, but I try to keep it brushed to the side. I am still trying to hold out until his first birthday before cutting it, I don't know if we will make it though!
*He is pulling himself up on everything!
*He is always getting into mischief!

Wordless Wenesday: Precious or Mischievous?

2010-08-24T22:50:00.000-05:00

Bubba's First Bump

2010-08-19T19:02:00.001-05:00

Lat night Bubba slept from 9pm until 6am in his crib! I was so proud of my little man. But part of me missed cuddling with him during his night time feedings. So when he woke up hungry at 6 this morning, I brought him in bed with me, knowing he would eat and then sleep another hour or two. We cuddled for a little while and then we both dozed off. I awoke around 8:00 to the sound of a loud thud, and I knew instantly what it was. Bubba had rolled off the bed.
I am sure it was very scary for the poor little guy. It was scary for me. But he didn't cry too long.
Of course I had the first-time-mom thoughts like "what if he has a concussion?" "what if he has brain damage?". But I am happy to report that, apart from my bruised confidence in my parenting abilities and a small bump on his head, everything is fine.

Adiri Ultimate Nurser Review

2010-08-19T11:08:00.000-05:00

The Adiri Ultimate Nurser is a revolutionary new design for bottles. I'm a breastfeeding mama, but sometimes it's nice to have little break and give Bubba a bottle of expressed milk. For those moments, I look for a bottle that is going to provide Bubba an easy transition and will minimize confusion. The Adiri Ultimate Nurser is another bottle that "mimicks" the breast. It's soft, supple, nipple is designed to look and feel more like a breast, so I was very eager to try it out.

There are several things I like about this bottle. I like the design concept. I am always thrilled to find a company in support of breastfeeding, especially a bottle company. I like that the nipple doesn't detach from the bottle, and there is no ring to hold the nipple on, which means fewer pieces to clean! I like that there is a vent in the bottom of the bottle and that it doesn't leak when held upright. (It really doesn't!) To use it, you set the bottle in the lid, upside down, take off the bottom piece and fill from the bottom.

The liquid measurements measure from the nipple up, which is awesome! That way, when you are feeding your child, you can see how much is left, and the numbers are right side up.
I also like the way the bottle looks and feels. It is very soft and flexible, and let's face it, the design is kinda neat. Plus, It's s 100% polycarbonate-free, phthalate free, and bisphenol-A free.

There are a couple things I dislike about the bottle as well. The main one being the nipple size. In our use, we found the nipple to be just a little too small for my son's mouth. He wasn't able to get the proper latch and could not use the bottle very well. Another small thing to note, since you cannot detach the nipple, when you need to move to a faster flow, you will have to buy another bottle. Not that big of a deal, it is just going to cost you a little bit more money.

If you want to try this bottle out yourself, you can buy the Adiri Ultimate Nurser online at The Watergeeks.

*I was provided this product free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was given no monetary compensation. Your experience with this product may differ from mine.

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Cheeks

2010-08-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

I know he is going to kill me for this someday, but what mother can resist those cute cheeks?

Self Feeding at it's Finest

2010-08-17T13:29:00.000-05:00

So, Bubba still isn't really eating much solid food. He will eat a couple bites here and there, but that's it. The other day I had a brilliant idea (or so I thought). Maybe he just wants to feed himself!
I put some (pureed) food on his tray, thinking he would stick his fingers in it, then put them in his mouth. I was sure that we were going to have a breakthrough. I was making dinner, and when I turned back around just a minute later, I was startled by what I saw.

So innocent.

*As I am writing this post, he is eating some bananas. Maybe there is hope that I won't be breastfeeding him his whole life after all!

Monday City Sweeps

2010-08-16T10:37:00.000-05:00

Come link up your giveaways and browse!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for an Expressiva nursing top!

It's a Social Parade/Blog Hop/New Friend Friday!

2010-08-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! If you are a new follower, welcome! I am glad you are here. :) Take off your shoes, make yourself comfortable, I hope you feel at home in my little corner of bloggy land.

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Blues

2010-08-10T23:00:00.002-05:00

Old Barn Rescue Company Review

2010-08-10T12:08:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned before that I think vinyl wall decals can be a great way to dress up a wall, without spending a fortune or taking the time to paint. Especially if you live in an apartment where you aren't allowed to paint!

Old barn Rescue Company is another great etsy company that makes wall decals. They were kind enough to send us this Cherry Branch for our dining room.

I chose a brown branch with gold birds. The colors are perfect! It is just what I wanted. It looks like it was stenciled and painted on the wall. It was super easy to place, you just have to be careful with the intricate details. But it didn't take longer than 15 minutes or so, and it fills up the wall quite nicely.

They also have lots of other cute designs and some wonderful words you can put up too.
Love these owls!

This would be so cute in little girls room. Maybe even a teenage girl!

The decals are very sturdy, as long as you are semi-careful when peeling them off, you shouldn't have any problems with tearing. They stick nicely to most walls (ours have a little texture), and the colors are nice and rich.
If you are interested in sprucing up a wall, Old Barn Rescue Company has lots of great decals to choose from for any room in the house!

*I was provided this product at no cost, for the purposes of this review. I was not monetarily compensated. The opinions provided are solely my own and were not influenced in any way. Your experience with this product may differ from mine.

Expressiva Review and Giveaway!

2010-08-09T12:00:00.001-05:00

AND THE WINNER IS . . .

#12 - Gaitha

Please chek your email and respond within 24 hours!

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing this nursing top from Expressiva.

Cute, right? It's made from cotton and spandex, so it's very soft and stretchy. I love the design, it hides any leftover baby weight you might have, while still giving you a figure. The tie is great because it can be tied however snugly or loosely you prefer. It has a nice length to it and could easily be worn with jeans or a skirt, or even stretchy pants or leggings. Plus I think it would be great as a maternity top too.
This was actually the first real nursing top I have worn. I usually just wear regular, non-nursing shirts. But let me tell you, it's so much easier to wear a nursing top! It's much more convenient and discreet.
If you are in between sizes, I would order a smaller size. I'm somewhere between medium and large, so I went with large, but it's just a little too loose.
I know this shirt is adorable, but they have lots of other cute tops to choose from as well.
How fun and flirty is this one? It doesn't even look like a nursing shirt.

Expressiva doesn't just make nursing tops, they also have bras, sleepwear, swimwear, dresses and lots of other accessories for motherhood.

BUY IT
You can buy the Ruffled Babydoll Tunic that I received for $45 on their website.

WIN IT
One lucky reader will win their choice of nursing top from Expressiva!

To Enter

YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER OF BABY IN THE BIG CITY

Mandatory Entry:

All you have to do is sign up for Expressiva's email list (they do not share emails with ANYONE).

Leave your email address in a comment and they will get you signed up.

Extra Entries:

Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (via the button on the right)

Follow me on twitter (via the button on the right)

Grab my new button! (worth 2 entries!)

Read (and comment on) any of my breastfeeding entries from this past week. (1 entry for each)

Fine Print

*Leave your email address in each comment so that I may contact the winner.

*Contest will end Monday, August 23rd.

*I will select a winner using random.org.

*I will email the winner and announce them on this post.

*The selected winner will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen.

I was provided this product at no cost for the purposes of this review. I was given no monetary compensation. All opinions provided are my own. Your experience with or opinion of this product may differ from mine.

Breastfeeding Woes: Undersupply

2010-08-06T13:07:00.001-05:00

Having an undersupply of breastmilk can be a very stressful thing! And it doesn't just happen to new mothers. It happened to us at 7 months old.You worry constantly that your child isn't getting enough to eat, you question your motherly abilities (why isn't my body making enough?) and you may even consider supplementing or switching to formula altogether. But don't worry! There is hope!

I had been feeding Bubba on one side per feeding for months, which, unbeknownst to me, was slowly decreasing my supply. Then Bubba skipped a couple feedings when he had bad cold.I started noticing that he wasn't having as many wet diapers, and he wasn't sleeping through the night, and he would only nurse for a few minutes at a time. So I pumped, just to see what was going on. All I got was 3 measly ounces. And he had been nursing on only one side at a feeding! My poor baby was only getting 1-2 ounces at a feeding! No wonder he was hungry. Plus, *TMI warning* my nipples were sore and cracked from his vigorous nursing. It didn't take long to resolve, but it was a very stressful week. Here is what I learned:

Issue: Undersupply
Cause: Infrequent nursing, supplementing, not emptying your breast completely during nursing/pumping, not eating enough calories or drinking enough water.
Symptoms: Baby is having less bowel movements than normal, his bowel movements may look darker or less liquidy, he will have fewer wet diapers, he still seems hungry after eating, a baby that may have been sleeping through the night may start waking up for nighttime feeds, mama may have sore or cracked nipples, in serious cases baby may actually lose weight.
Whats Happening: Your body works on a supply and demand basis. If it isn't making enough, there is usually a cause. Don't be discouraged, only a very small percentage of women are actually unable to make enough milk. It can usually be resolved with a simply solution.
How to Resolve it: Nurse, nurse, nurse. Increase the number of feedings to every couple hours. Make sure you are eating enough and drinking enough water. If you want, you can even pump between feedings to move things along a little faster. Make sure you are completely emptying your breasts each time you feed or pump.
You do not need to supplement, supplementing can make it worse. As long as baby is getting close to 20 ounces a day (in order to stay hydrated) he will be fine. Your supply will increase each day, and within a week you should be back to where you need to be (making 5-6 ounces per feeding or so).

*this information is based solely on my own experience. I am not a doctor or lactation consultant. Just a mama. If you are having a problem breastfeeding, you should call your health care provider or your local La Leche League.

Breastfeeding is Cool

2010-08-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

Even celebrities breastfeed:
Christina Aguilera
Jennifer Garner
Gisele Bundchen
and a bunch of others

Wordless Wednesday: Breastfeeding Antics

2010-08-03T22:00:00.002-05:00

Breastfeeding Woes: Oversupply

2010-08-03T16:26:00.000-05:00

This isn't really much of an issue, making lots of milk isn't a bad thing. You can always donate to a bank, or stock up for future use. But there can be minor problems. I wanted to share my experience in case there are other mamas out there who having a similar issue and don't know what the cause is.

When Bubba was first born, he had jaundice (on a very very small scale). The nurses were insistent that I give him formula. They said he needs lots of fluids to get rid of the jaundice faster. Which is true. But he had a very mild case and I did not want to supplement. So they made me pump between each feeding session. I was basically nursing him, pumping, sleeping 20 minutes, pumping, nursing him. Needless to say, when my milk came in, it really came in. At home, I kept pumping and stored the milk. I thought it would be great to have a stockpile for future use. I could pump 11 ounces or so in one session.
All of this led to an oversupply issue, which took me awhile to figure out! But here's what I learned:

Issue: Oversupply
Cause: Overpumping. It's okay to pump, but completely emptying the breast each time will cause your body to make more the next time. If you are making more milk than your baby consumes at a feeding, he won't get the right balance of foremilk and hindmilk.
Symptoms: Baby's poo may be green and watery, baby can be gassy, fussy, may gag or choke when nursing (due to rapid let-down) and baby may gain weight rapidly. Mom may have regular engorgement, which can lead to blocked ducts and mastitis.
What's Happening: Foremilk (the milk baby gets at the start of nursing) is sweeter and higher in lactose. The hind milk (at the end of the feeding) is higher in fat and calories. If you are making more milk than your baby takes each feeding, he is consuming more foremilk than he should. It's the lactose that causes him to have gas, green poo, and quicker weight gain.
How to Resolve it: Don't fret! It's no big deal! Just offer baby the same breast for 2 or 3 feedings in a row. Then switch to the other side for the next few feedings. Only pump small amounts if you need to relieve engorgement. It may take a couple of days, it may take a couple of weeks, but eventually you will be making just the right amount. You can still pump if you want to store milk, just be careful not to empty your breast entirely each time.

*this information is based solely on my own experience. I am not a doctor or lactation consultant. Just a mama. If you are having a problem breastfeeding, you should call your health care provider or your local La Leche League.

Breastfeeding isn't just for Babies . . .

2010-08-02T17:50:00.000-05:00

We all know that breastfeeding benefits babies, but there are lots of reasons why breastfeeding is good for mommies too. Some of these I am sure you know, but maybe not all of them! If you are on the fence about whether to breast feed or bottle feed, consider these points:

Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract and control post partum bleeding
Breastfeeding releases hormones that tell your uterus to contract, which speeds recovery after delivery and helps to control bleeding.

Breastfeeding helps you lose the "baby weight"
Breastfeeding mothers tend to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly, and it's no wonder why! Breastfeeding burns around 500 calories a day. It depends on how much milk your baby is consuming. It takes calories to make calories! Some experts have estimated that it requires 20 calories to make an ounce of breastmilk.

Breastfeeding saves money
The average cost of formula for one baby for one year is between $700 - $3000. That doesn't include the cost of bottles or the cost of health care for infections and illnesses which are more common in formula fed infants. Not to mention the cost of taking time off work to take care of your sick child.
Here is an awesome article about health and health care costs.

Breastfeeding reduces your risk of cancer
There have been some recent studies that have proven breastfeeding can lessen your chances of developing breast cancer. According to this study, women with a family history of breast cancer are 59% less likely to develop breast cancer, even if they only breastfeed for a few months! Here is another study done in the UK, that had similar results, although they concluded that you should breastfeed for a longer duration.
Breastfeeding can also reduce your chance of developing other cancers, such as ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. You can read a great article about several studies done here.

Breastfeeding helps combat (and in some cases prevent!) post partum depression
There are lots of plausible explanations for why breastfeeding can help reduce the effects of depression after pregnancy. One study indicates that breastfeeding reduces the stressors that can lead to PPD.
There is also evidence that breastfeeding may prevent PPD. When mothers choose not to breastfeed their body goes through a natural mourning cycle, as if they had lost their child. This natural process produces hormones that trigger an emotionally saddened response. While there is some evidence, it is nearly impossible to study this connection. There is no way to know which nursing mothers may have developed PPD had they chose not to breastfeed or conversely which bottle-feeding mothers may not have developed PPD had they nursed.

Breastfeeding promotes natural child spacing
Breastfeeding delays the return of your menstrual cycle. Sometimes for just a few months, sometimes until you wean. Typically, your body needs about 6 months to recuperate and replace vital nutrients that were taken for baby during pregnancy. While it is possible to get pregnant when you are nursing, this repression of your monthly "gift" is nature's way of ensuring that you have adequate time to nurture and bond with your child as well as replenish yourself before the next baby comes along.

Breastfeeding lessens osteoporosis
Breastfeeding can reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis. Here is an article which talks a little bit more about it.

Breastfeeding promotes bonding with your child
Often times when a child is breastfed, mom is the only one who feeds him. Occasionally others may feed a bottle of expressed breastmilk, but for the most part, nutrition comes from mom. It's a special relationship that exists when your child is 100% dependent on you for their nutritional needs. They look to you for food and comfort. Obviously, parents bond with their children no matter how they are fed, but I look forward to those few times each day that I spend nursing my son while he gazes up at me. It's in those fleetingly calm moments that I can feel his love and adoration.

I am sure I didn't cover everything, feel free to add your own benefits to the list!

*Note: My comments are not in any way meant to offend parents who choose to formula feed. I am only sharing facts and my opinions about breastfeeding. Every parent has the right to decide what is best for their child.

World Breastfeeding Week

2010-08-02T11:52:00.000-05:00

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness month and this week is World Breastfeeding week. Since I am a big believer in breastfeeding, I will be blogging exclusively about breastfeeding, posting articles, and sharing information all week. I will also have a giveaway at the end of the week that's perfect for any breastfeeding mama. If you are considering breastfeeding, or are currently breastfeeding, this week is for you!

I will also continue posting on the topic throughout the month of August, but not exclusively. :)

Monday City Sweeps

2010-08-02T09:16:00.000-05:00

Breastfeeding Sucks

2010-07-30T12:18:00.000-05:00

When I was pregnant with Bubba, I realized just how many decisions there are when it comes to parenting. To co-sleep or not, to vaccinate or not, what college he should go to, etc etc. One thing I never questioned was how I would feed my son. I knew from the get-go that I would breastfeed, come what may.
People warn you about the pain in the beginning "it hurts the first week, but goes away" yada yada. What people don't tell you, is how much of a challenge it can be, even for a very well-prepared mama! You expect that everything will be peachy keen. And for lots of women, it is. But for some, it is filled with bumps (and lumps, no pun intended. Well, maybe a small one.) in the road. Engorgement, cracked nipples, oversupply, undersupply, leaking, clogged ducts, mastitis, thrush, blisters. I would bet that any nursing mama has experienced at least one woe on that short list, and probably several.

Bubba and I are at the 7 month mark of this ~~wonderful~~ breastfeeding journey. I have had a few minor bumps, but nothing major. Until this week. It started off with a little pain, and has turned into gut-wrenching, mind-numbing, vision-blurring pain. My midwife thinks its just a blocked duct. "Massage it. Use a heat pad. Nurse often." I have massaged to the point of numbness. I have used heat compresses for hours. I agonizingly nurse, always on that side first. To no avail. I am going to a lactation consultant today. And definitely hoping for some relief, or at least knowing that there is an end it sight.

But you know, nothing would ever make me regret the decision to breastfeed. Not awkward social situations, not the inconvenience it causes (I haven't been away from Bubba for more than 3 hours since he was born), and definitely not this pain. When I see his chubby little cheeks, round little tummy, and thunder thighs, I know it's all been worth it. Nothing compares to the adoring looks that only a mother can get from her little man. Breastfeeding can sometimes suck, but it will also be one of the most rewarding, most joyful things you will ever do for your child. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Wordless Wednesday: Sick Bubba

2010-07-28T10:49:00.000-05:00

Bubba has his first cold. Cough, runny nose, low fever. Poor guy. He is also teething, so that might have something to do with it. . .

Monday City Sweeps

2010-07-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

Starting Solids = Skipping Purees?

2010-07-19T16:04:00.002-05:00

I started rice cereal with Bubba at 4 months (our pediatrician said we should), and he took to it really well. But twice he threw up everything he ate. I wasn't sure if it was his inability to communicate when he was full and we were overfeeding him or else his gag reflex was still too strong. Not too sure, but after that, I decided to wait until the 6 month mark.

At 6 months, we tried again. Only this time, he had no interest. The first couple weeks he wouldn't even open his mouth. The last week or so I can get him to eat a bite or two of a fruit puree, but the few times we have tried a veggie he has gagged and thrown up (small amounts).
Note: He doesn't have any sort of reflux or digestion problem.
I lovingly (home)made all kinds of purees for my little baby, assuming he would love mashed peas, squash and sweet potatoes. I did not assume that my sweet little monster would give me that my-lips-are-sealed look and gag any time I snuck in a taste.

We aren't really extremists. I have always done things the way that felt "right" for Bubba, kind of a middle-of-the-road approach to parenting: partial co-sleeping, partial baby-wearing etc. Now I am thinking of adding partial-baby led solids to the list. I'm considering just skipping purees altogether and giving him table food in another couple months. He isn't really ready for table foods just yet, but seems to have no interest in the mush I have been trying to give him. He is breastfed and gaining weight just fine, so I know he won't suffer nutrition-wise. I mean, look at that belly.

Has anyone else tried BLS (baby led solids) or had a problem with their child not liking the texture of purees? I would love any advice you have to offer!

Monday City Sweeps

2010-07-19T09:36:00.002-05:00

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Hubby's Job

2010-07-13T23:31:00.000-05:00

I don't talk about my darling husband very often, but he is such a wonderful man! He spends his days designing these:

He works super duper hard each and every day so that I can stay home with our sweet baby. Thanks Honey!

Monday City Sweeps

2010-07-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Come link up your giveaways and browse!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for Chuck E Byrd's wall art!

If I hear one more girl scream at the sight of Edward Cullen . . .

2010-07-09T10:34:00.001-05:00

Have I ever mentioned before that I am a closeted Twilight fan? Maybe not even closeted. I may or may not have a Twilight calendar hanging in my kitchen. I may or may not save my place in every book I read with an Edward bookmark. And I may or may not have cried when Edward left Bella in New Moon.

I am 24. I am a mother. And I love Twilight. I'm ~~embarrassed~~ proud to admit that I loved the books back in 2007, before the first movie came out and all the hysteria began. I'm proud to admit that I bought my tickets well in advance and went to the midnight showing of both Twilight and New Moon. But now that I have a child, it isn't so easy to get away for an evening, let alone leave in the middle of the night when poor Bubba would likely wake up hungry.

So I hadn't seen Eclipse. Until last night.

O.M.G.

Loved it. I knew I would. There was no question. The special effects were great, the soundtrack is awesome, and the ever-intensifying drama of the Jacob-Bella-Edward love triangle was oh-so-juicy. It is definitely the best movie yet. If you haven't seen it (which is doubtful) then I think you should.

And if you hear some girl screaming at the sight of Edward Cullen, well, it may or may not be me.

It's A Social Parade/Blog Hop/New Friend Friday

2010-07-08T23:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I am so glad it's the weekend, aren't you? I plan on spending my weekend doing a little ~~spring~~ summer cleaning and organizing. That should be a treat. Yeah right. If you are a new follower, welcome! I am glad you are here. :) Take off your shoes, make yourself comfortable, I hope you feel at home in my little corner of bloggy land.

Chuck E Byrd Review and Giveaway

2010-07-08T13:04:00.003-05:00

And the Winner is . . .
#30 April
Congrats! Please check your email to claim your prize!

I recently wrote about my son's nursery, in which I mentioned a vinyl wall decal that we just recently added. The decal came from Chuck E Byrd, a wall art designer on Etsy. I was looking for something more for Bubba's room, so when they sent me this Blossom Tree in the Wind decal to review, I was thrilled!

What I love about decals is that they are easier to put on than hand painting the same design. Plus, if you live in an apartment, like me, your landlord may not allow you to paint. Decals are a great way to spruce up a white wall! I also love that they are removable. When I am inevitably turning my sweet baby's nursery into a little boy's room, I can easily peel it off.

The Blossom Tree in the Wind decal appealed to me for a few reasons. I liked the whimsical, yet slightly modern feel of it. I liked that it had several different colors, which would give it a "deeper" look on the wall. And I liked that I would get to use some of my own creativity in blossom/bird placement.

It took me forever to decide what colors to choose! You get to pick the color of the tree, the birds and two blossom colors. That's a lot of choices to make. Plus, Chuck E Byrd has a ton of colors to choose from.

Bubba's room is brown and blue, so I tried to pick accordingly.

I was very pleased when I received the decal. They really include a ton of blossoms! And, if you have never used a decal before that's ok! They include a small test decal for you to practice with, and they send detailed instructions for placement. But honestly, I didn't even read the instructions, I just went to town. The decals are strong. As long as you are careful when peeling them off the paper, they won't tear. But you do need a certain amount of delicacy, since the design is so detailed.

I tend to rush through things, so I did tear a couple of blossoms. But I was still able to use them. I bet you can't even tell which ones I tore!
This design has a lot of pieces, so it did take me a good two hours to get them all up on the wall. But I am happy with how it turned out.

Chuck E Byrd has lots of fun designs for every room in your home. I also really loved this giraffe, if Bubba's room were animal themed, I would have loved to get it!

BUY IT
You can buy the Blossom Tree in the Wind decal online for $72.

WIN IT
Thanks to Chuck! Chuck E Byrd has generously offered one lucky reader a decal of their choice, up to $50 in value!

TO ENTER

(mandatory entry)

Visit Chuck's etsy shop and tell me which decal you would choose and which room it would go in!

Extra Entries

*Follow Baby in the Big City.

*Vote for me on top baby blogs via the button on the right.

*Follow me on twitter.

*Grab my NEW button! (worth 2 entries)

Fine Print

*Leave your email address in each comment so that I may contact the winner.

*Contest will end Sunday, July 25th.

*I will select a winner using random.org.

*I will email the winner and announce them on this post.

*The selected winner will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen.

My New 'Do

2010-07-08T12:15:00.001-05:00

If you didn't notice, Baby in the Big City got a makeover! Much thanks to Mama Dubs at eb Design! She did a wonderful job, and it was so easy! If you want to see some of the other awesome bloggy designs she has done, you can find them here.
If you are in the market for a new look, you should definitely check her out! LOVE her!

Wordless Wednesday: Portrait of a 6 month old

2010-07-06T21:40:00.001-05:00

Bathroom Redo!

2010-07-06T12:33:00.001-05:00

We currently are renting an apartment in the city, so we are limited to the work we can do to it. Luckily, our landlord is very laid back, and allows us to make minor improvements (what landlord wouldn't?) like replacing little things here and there and painting. One room of our home that was driving me nutso was our teeny tiny bathroom.
We did not have ANY storage. I even had some bathroom stuff still in a suitcase from when we moved in a year ago! We didn't have a toilet paper holder, hand towel holder or trash can and the walls were too dark of a red. So we added some storage (finally) and repainted. As well as hung hand towel holder, toilet paper holder, towels hooks, new shower curtain etc. Just wish we could replace the old bathtub and get a new bathroom sink!

Needless to say, I love my new bathroom.

Baby Preparation: Nursery

2010-07-02T15:46:00.000-05:00

When I was pregnant, the one thing I enjoyed the most about getting ready for my baby's arrival was getting his room ready.
We live in a small~~ish~~ apartment, and I had to make the best of the small space we have. Bubba's room also doubles as our guest room (we have a full size bed in there for visitors), so I wanted it to be sweet, but not too childish. I chose to go with a color theme instead of an animal/barnyard/cars and trucks type of theme.
In order to save a little money, I did a few things myself.

I hand-decorated a couple things with some ribbon I had. A lampshade and a matching picture frame (with his 3D ultrasound):

For his name, I bought letters and attached the ribbon myself:

My mom bought an old dresser and painted it white and the same shade of blue:

I also bought tan curtains to match the blue and brown bedding:

We found a cute antique-y looking hook at a thrift store to hang for his towel hook:

Our one splurge was his crib. I wanted something extra special that could maybe even become a family heirloom. So he has the crib of a king!

We also recently added this:

It's a mural made of vinyl wall decals! I think it really adds to the room, plus it was so easy, all I had to do was peel and stick. Ne stenciling or painting!
I loved decorating the nursery. It was so much fun to get the crib put together and gaze at it adoringly, and to lovingly look at paint samples, and carefully hang his letters on the wall. It passed the days and made the pregnancy more real.
Let me know if you shared pictures of your nursery, I would love to see them!

Professional Pictures

2010-07-02T14:53:00.001-05:00

I took Bubba to get professional pictures taken for his 6 month milestone. We went to a cheap portrait studio for his newborn pictures, and I hated it. The pictures were not good, she didn't "capture" his newborn sweetness. So, I decided I wasn't doing that again. Instead, I took him to a photographer in my home town. Here is just a taste of what we did:

My personal fave

This one makes me chuckle.

Hubby's fave.

What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday: 6 Months Old

2010-06-29T22:29:00.001-05:00

Vote for Bubba!

2010-06-28T16:31:00.002-05:00

The Chicago Tribune is having a beautiful baby contest, and we entered a picture of Bubba! The only way to win is through votes, please help us out and vote for our little man! Voting ends July 14th, and you can vote once a day until then!

http://chicagotribune.tribunepromotions.com/babies/tip_bb_chicagotribune,0,3023951.ugcphotogallery?index=89773

Wordless Wednesday: Bubba at the Beach

2010-06-22T22:08:00.000-05:00

Half of a year gone already . . . and my 100th post!

2010-06-22T21:18:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe I am about to say this, but my little baby is 6 months old! Holy cow! If that six months went by so quickly, I can imagine the next six will go by even faster, and soon he will be starting kindergarten, graduating from college, and having babies of his own. Where did his childhood go?? Maybe I am getting a little bit ahead of myself, as this so-called family man I am speaking of is currently bouncing in his rainforest jumperoo.

Let's not get carried away.

Another milestone occurred today, Bubba got his first tooth! It's a bottom one, and his other bottom one is right behind it. It's just barely poking through, so I will have to get a picture when it's more visible. I am so excited for him, but I have to admit, I am going to miss that toothless grin. I have never seen such a cute pair of gums in my life.

Happy 6 months to my baby boy! And happy 100 posts to me!

Monday Giveaway Linky

2010-06-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Come link up and browse!

It's a Social Parade/Blog Hop/New Friend Friday!

2010-06-17T21:09:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! I am so glad it's the weekend. We finally have some time to ourselves between weddings/visiting family/road trips. Plus, the weather has been so nice, we can actually get out and enjoy the city a little bit! If you are new, thanks for stopping by!

Fave Giveaway this week

2010-06-16T10:10:00.000-05:00

The Shopping Mama is giving away a Spray and Rescue Fire Truck from Little Tikes. It is the cutest ride on toy I have seen in awhile, and I know any little one would love it. Head on over and enter for a chance to win!

Welcome Home Hawks!

2010-06-15T22:21:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to share a little video I took of the parade. Make sure you look for the ticker tape and you can see the Stanley cup at the end! (Sorry for the below-average quality, I took it on a handheld digital camera!)

Wordless Wednesday 6/16: GO BLACKHAWKS!

2010-06-15T21:40:00.008-05:00

We went down town for the parade to welcome the Blackhawks back home after winning the Stanley cup on the road. It was ticker tape chaos!

Eco Store Review

2010-06-14T12:10:00.001-05:00

We recently received a couple of products from Eco Store, a manufacturer/retailer of all eco-friendly household products. Eco Store does not test on animals and they are a totally green and sustainable company.
Here are a couple scary statistics from their website:

A report by the EPA to Congress determined household cleaners three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air pollution.
Women who work from home and are more frequently exposed to household toxins and poor air quality are 50% more likely to develop cancer.

With those statistics (and others you can find here) in mind, they strive to use all nature-based products and sincerely value the health and safety of their customers.

Eco Store has everything from laundry detergent to toilet cleaner to leave-in conditioner for your dog. We received a bottle of baby shampoo and baby body wash.

I always love trying out bath products. I look for products that will 1.) Get Bubba clean 2.) Is sensitive on his skin and 3.) Smells nice. Because, let's face it, a clean-smelling baby is one of the best smells to any mother's discriminating olfactory receptors.

Before trying out the products, I wanted to find out what was in them. Eco Store's slogan (of sorts) is "No Nasty Chemicals", so I already knew I wouldn't find anything harsh or icky. Both the shampoo and body wash are composed of plant-based materials and essential oils. They scent is a mild herbal-y, almost floral smell. It isn't overpowering, and if you like herbal shampoos for yourself then you will probably love the smell of these.

Bubba was squeaky clean after his bath and there wasn't any soap residue. He skin was still soft, and didn't have any sort of reaction. The scent is not your typical baby powder smell like some of the leading brands of baby wash, but it is nice and simple. I would say it's a winner!

You can purchase the baby shampoo online for $11 and the baby body wash for $10. You can also find Eco Store on Twitter and Facebook.