Advice to my dear pregnant friend....

(let's call her Julie)
for whom I am VERY VERY excited!
I'm compiling some advice for you and whoever else is interested:
Obviously, every family is different and to a certain extent you’ve really got to make choices based on your own situation. But, I have really gotten a lot of useful info from other parents and reading reviews has helped me a lot (although eaten up a lot of otherwise valuable time).
A huge piece of advice that I have found helpful is buy used when possible. For instance, my dad bought a swing for us for $15. It was absolutely invaluable for a very short time. I would have been frustrated to shell out $60 on it, but for the price it was great. We were able to re-sell it for the same. It’s a good idea to decide what you want new and what you are open to buying used. The consignment sales will be coming up in the next few months and they will have tons of great stuff, some barely used, but it is mind-boggling if you don't decide ahead of time what you are looking for.

Here are a few “biggish” things that I think you will need one way or the other:

1) Crib---several options: convertible, or not; there are even these awesome round cribs, some sides raise and lower, others don’t. You may not need this right away, and could use a pack ‘n play or bassinet for a couple months before investing in the crib. Obviously, you know all this, but anyway…

2) Carseat---several options on this front too. Most people get infant car seats with the handles, and then a bigger one down the road. Other people get convertible car seats that can go from infant way up through toddler. It may depend on the size of your baby…mine were too little for those at first. Personally, I think having a handle so you can carry the whole seat while baby is asleep is invaluable. Many different price points and safety features. You’ll probably need to research this.

3) Breast pump---you will probably want to get one of these ahead of time. They can be rather expensive and if you are going to pump while at work you want a pretty good one. Double electric is the way to go. Manuals are stupid and singles are stupid. Single manuals are just idiotic (in my humble opinion ;-) Mine wasn’t that great but you are welcome to borrow it; you buy all the fresh tubing and pump parts so it isn’t gross to share!

4) Pack ‘n Play----most everyone needs one of those these days. Depends on how much you may use it on the features you will want. If it’s just for traveling, a simple cheap one will work fine. If you want to use it a lot at home too, then they have nifty ones with changing tables, mobiles, diaper stations, bassinets and tons of cool stuff.

5) High chair----of course you won’t be using this until baby is 6 months old, so you can hold out and look around. I really really wish we had bought nicer convertible chairs that could be used for a long time: http://mamaslittlemonkeys.blogspot.com/2008/04/searching-for-high-chair-i-could-go-on.html

6) Stroller---another thing you will want to research. So many options are available, especially for singles. Some important functions for me are lightweight, basket underneath, cup holders, and maneuverability. Also, consider air-filled tires (like bike tires), v. plastic tires. It’s important to have a good canopy that actually covers the baby. You may want two, a cheap-o umbrella stroller, and a more heavy-duty jogger for outdoor use. Travel systems allow the infant seat to snap in to the stroller, which is pretty awesome. Some jogger’s have this option as well. Here is one that intrigues me: http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Jogger-City-Single-Stroller/dp/B000WG5M1E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1218115818&sr=8-2

7) Diapers: Cloth vs. Disposable. A lot to consider here too. A big issue is who/where you will be getting childcare. Some people are NOT into doing CD, and may insist on “’sposies’”. A neat place to learn about CD and other natural baby options is: http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/index.php You will have to register to ask questions and make comments but it is quick and free. I’ve gotten a lot of useful info here. Two other ones I frequent are: http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/index.php and http://www.mothering.com/discussions/index.php My user name is Melaine if you want to look for me there.

8) Bathtub---here is the one that we have and LOVE: http://www.amazon.com/Primo-340B-PRIMO-EuroBath-Transparent/dp/B000LCDUUY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1218116415&sr=1-2 We still use it today.

9) Changing table----we just put a changing pad on top of a dresser. Works great. Most of the time we changed them on the floor, anyways, and at least this is a piece of furniture that will be functional for a long time.

10) Nursing pillow---we had boppys, they are great. You are welcome to borrow “my breast friend” which is great for BFing but isn’t useful for tummy time, etc. like the Boppy.

11) Bedding, etc. you will need crib sheets. They have nifty ones that zip on and off but they seem pretty expensive. We got most of ours used so we would have plenty all the time without shelling out the cash. We used the same sheets for the pack ‘n play; most worked just fine. Receiving blankets seem like a popular gift, it’s nice to have about 8. Whether or not you’ll need thicker ones, I don’t know, since your baby will be a spring baby. SwaddleMes and Halo Sleep sacks are also great. We loved them and still use Halos ALL the time. You will need burp clothes, the cheap-o cloth diapers work great for this. Also bibs, you can start out with just a few and see if your child needs 1000000 like mine did. Maybe you’ll be lucky and 5 will be enough.

to be continued....

Love, Your Baby Consultant Extraordinaire

Another fun contest....

http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/2008/07/oopsy-daisy-cutie-pie-curlz-review-and.html

Check it out, you can win one of the Oopsy Daisy baby products; it's very easy to enter!

Win A Klean Kanteen!!

You guys should totally enter this contest...you know how great Klean Kanteens are, right?

http://mamaslittlemonkeys.blogspot.com/2008/05/klean-kanteens-with-their-annoying.html

Magic Amber Beads

As I was browsing one of my mommy forums this morning, I came across a product, new to me, that I found totally fascinating, amber teething necklaces for babies and toddlers. I first saw the cute little ones wearing these beautiful natural necklaces and thought, "what in the world...is that safe?" I began reading up on it, and found this info:

"Among other things, Baltic amber is a natural pain reliever, an anti-inflammatory, and an anti-oxidant. It is beneficial to the immune system, and helps combat infection and skin conditions. Amber has been used in Europe as a natural and traditional remedy and curative formany ailments for centuries. Long ago it was considered one of the leading ‘medicines’ of its time. "

Since I am totally interested in natural remedies of all kinds, I continued to read and found that the necklaces can also help adults with arthritis and other chronic pain conditions. Even migraines. And they are so pretty and nickel-free which is fabulous to me now that I can't wear most of my jewelry due to the allergy.

The necklaces for the little ones are made with knots in between each bead, so that if it were to break the necklace would still stay intact. Obviously you wouldn't put the child to bed wearing this or leave them unattended, but apparantly most children quickly get used to them and forget they are there. The "best" place to buy, according to my mommy sources is here:

http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/

I see that they offer a 20% disount on co-ops and we could each order individually, so I am wondering who else is interested? The necklaces seem to run $10-$15 and they also have bracelets and anklets. I want to get a necklace or two for myself, one for each of the girls and may get a few more for gifts. If we can come up with 25 items total we'll get the discount (and I will get a free piece of jewelry, :-D).

By the way, it may seem weird to put a necklace on a boy, but I saw pictures and they were totally adorable. Some of them look kind of like those chunky beach-y looking necklaces that guys wear. Apparently, even adult men wear them too. (Of course, my husband would have to be in more than just pain to put one on himself....)

Any interest? Or do you think it's totally crazy? Let me know!

The Tapestry

As the cock crowed, sunlight leaked through the wooden chinks of the log cabin and a gnarled old woman lifted herself from the quilted bed. She slowly made her way to the corner where stood her loom. Painstakingly polished and oiled, the loom was in perfect order, ready to build, to create; ready to perform a miracle. Around the loom, in meticulously twisted loops and balls, was the thread, a myriad of colors piled high in deep rainbow mounds. All the colors of sunlight shone there; there sparkled every shade of the sea. And there, the woman sat down to start working. Deliberately, she began her magic, weaving together the separate threads to build what would be a glorious whole. As she worked, the front door creaked slowly open. Two wide, curious blue eyes peered around the threshold, followed by a shock of unkempt, rough blond hair. Slowly, the boy crept into the room and crouched quietly beside the old woman. Nevertheless, she continued her work, unbothered by his steady gaze. For hours he watched her, staring at the jumble of threads and the rough confusion that began to develop from the rainbow fibers. The boy watched, fascinated, until the sun was sucked down over the horizon and darkness consumed the daylight. The very next morning, the boy returned to watch the woman take her place at the loom. The next day was the same, and the next, and the next. Always silent and attentive, he studied her every move as her hands slid among the fabric with strength and grace. Her project seemed a mystery to his young eyes. How would her swiftly moving fingers along with the steady rhythm of the loom ever transform single threads into a whole fabric? Again and again he visited the little cabin and slowly, but surely, her creation began to take shape. The work went on for days, it continued for weeks, and finally it stretched into months. At last, for the first time, the old woman spoke. Firmly, quietly, and with full confidence she uttered, “It is finished.” Tenderly, lovingly, she laid the cloth over a chair and leaned back with a sigh of pride. Somehow, however, it wasn’t what the boy expected it to be. In fact, he somehow felt frustration welling up inside him at the sight of the finished product. He could only stare at it. The woman turned to him, “What is wrong, child?” she asked. With disappointment so strong, he could almost taste it, the boy shook his head. “It’s done?” he demanded, incredulous, “That’s all?” The woman only nodded. The boy was obviously disturbed, even upset. “But......it’s a mess!” he ran his fingers over the tangled web of knots and snarls. “You spent so many hours....and this is all?” He rushed to the piles of thread. “Why did you use these ugly colors?” he demanded “Maybe that’s why it’s so, so....ugly.” he held pieces of thread in his hand: a rough brownish orange piece and a dirty olive green strand. “Some of these pieces have even been knotted together where the thread broke.” For some reason the boy felt deep concern for creation that wasn’t even his own. “But Child, I also used lovely, whole pieces.” the woman reminded him softly, patiently.“Look” she held up to the light an iridescent silvery strand that caught the sun and threw it back, a beautiful, shining piece of moonlight, dangling from her fingertips. “It is the many different pieces together that make the masterpiece. Until now, you have never seen my work from my side of it. Of course it is a mess to you, but I will show you how things really are.” Carefully, she lifted the cloth and turned it around. There lay the most magnificent tapestry he had ever laid his eyes upon. Words could never describe the brilliant colors blended together in perfect harmony....a masterpiece such as few have ever seen. All the boy could think was that this, this was undoubtedly a precious treasure fit for a King.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”-Romans 8:28 God uses the good, the bad and the ugly in our lives to make us into the beautiful creations He has planned us to be. While all we may see is the tangles and knots of our confused existence, God sees the whole. And it is good. For He has dreamed glorious things for you and He will make it happen in your life. So do not despair in the heartbreak and do not grow faint in the fire; He is melting your heart to reshape it into the very heart of God. For He has began a good work in you and He will carry it on into completion. Praise be to His glorious grace!

More crocheting

I crocheted covers for the girls' little Klean Kanteen sippies and for the big one I got for my birthday. They were really easy to do, and I think they turned out very nice. I still claim that I am more likely to drink water if the container is pretty.

Twin-speak

Is an interesting phenomena. As with any child, twins learn to speak by listening to those around them, and imitating the sounds as best they can, substituting sounds they can handle for ones they can't yet articulate. Since they are so closely bonded together as twin siblings, however, they more quickly pick up sounds and words from one another than from any of the adults in their lives. In other words, Curly makes a sound like "awwsigh" when trying to say "outside" and Red mangles and shortens it even farther :"sigh". So, their language can drifter even farther from the traditional English most adults may be familiar with! They may understand one another perfectly but good luck to the rest of us.
Here are some words that the girls say relatively coherently. There are probably more that I have yet to decipher:
mama, daddy, sissy, dessy, doggy, baby, uh-oh, bye-bye, no, yeah, hi, hey, pray, gone-gone, go, car, cookie, cracker, coffee, banana, bread, ok, bear, frog, bunny, puppy, kitty, bird, turtle, duck, quack, cow, moo, go away, ball, yo-yo, bug, yummy. We have really been working on "I love you", and sometimes it sounds almost recognizable. A few other words have come and gone and I'm probably forgetting some, but you get the idea. They are 20 months old as of yesterday...it's hard to believe!