Devine Dining

Today was take two of going out with Baby #1. The difference this time was that we were going to have dinner at a friend's house. It went much better. She didn't sleep at her normal bedtime and when we tried to put her down, she cried and we had to hold her, but at least this time we could put her down on the floor. I think it was 10pm when I tried to put her back in the car seat and although she protested, a little rocking made her fall asleep and then, I just draped a blanket over the entire car seat and left her to sleep in a quiet dark room. Not a peep out of her this time :)

When we got home, she was so tired she didn't even wake up when we moved her from the car seat to her crib.

I can honestly say I enjoyed myself tonight.

Disasterous Dinner

Yesterday, I had probably the worst night out with Baby #1. Well, it was our fault for taking her out at the time when she is usually winding down for the night and we were just heading out. It was our friend's baby's 30th day celebration. The minute we got there she started up crying and screaming to be taken out of her car seat. We had to walk her in our arms the entire night! She didn't even want to sit on my lap. The night went on and she wouldn't go to sleep either. To top things off, she was drooling so much that her entire bib was soaked by the end of the night! It just got worse and worse. I barely had anything to eat or drink and my husband and I had to take turns holding her.

The table we were sitting at had a young couple and people who didn't really speak english. I felt bad for not socializing with them, but Baby #1's screaming and crying was the only thing on my mind. My husband on the other hand had NO problem eating and talking with everyone.

I finally took her out of the restaurant and forced her in the stroller and walked up and down the halls of the shopping plaza for 40 min. before she finally fell asleep. It was 10:30pm at that time and it was 11:30 by the time we got home. Never, EVER again will I take her out to a restaurant past her bed time. Lesson learned.

Baby #1 Constipation Issues

Okay, so Baby #1 didn't go poo for a day and yesterday morning at 5AM the poor child woke up wailing! She normally sleeps until 8:30am or so and never cries like that. I woke up to find a jaw breaker size poo in her diaper. Sorry for the graphic analogy, but it really was firm and round. It wasn't her usual bowel movement. Usually, she goes later in the morning and it's greeny, yellow or browish green and a lot runnier in texture. After this poo, she was able to settle herself down only to wake up after a half an hour to poo again. This time, a little softer. Then after her usual cereal and bottle she pooed again! A normal poo this time and she was all smiles there after.

I called my mom out of concern and she told me that it's probably constipation due to her new diet. She is eating 2 tbs. of cereal now. So, yesterday I steamed and pureed some carrots and tried to give her a little water before she went to sleep.

This morning, things are back to normal. No constipation and she seems to like eating carrots for the first time. She likes it mixed in with her cereal :) I am so excited to introduce Baby #1 to new foods. I can't wait to steam and puree some more yummy veggies.

When You're Shopping At Lululemon...

I went to another Lululemon location today to attempt to exchange my running gloves. I was pleased to find that the location (although very far from my home) had the S/M size in coal gray! I asked them to hold them for me and they did.

On the phone, the lady said they could not guarantee an exchange without looking at my gloves first. I was worried that they would find something wrong with them, but all was okay. I hadn't worn them at all-except to try them on.

So...Here's a little blurb on how to shop at Lululemon with 100% satisfaction:

1. Do your research online. Find out colour, design, and size. Read the reviews too.
2. When you purchase something from the store, try them on. Walk around in them. Try one size smaller and one size bigger to really get a feel of your size.
3. Get the complimentary hem only if you are 100% satisfied with the product, as you can't do exchanges or returns after they are hemmed.
4. KEEP the receipts and tags in case you need to return or exchange.

I'm looking forward to my next purchase from this store...Once I save up enough money that is! Overall, I'd say it was a good experience.

A Word On Lululemon

Okay, I love the products at Lululemon so much so that I have purchased a pair of groove pants and running gloves....$150.oo later! But I have to say, I am a little disappointed with the people who work there and the way they should be teaching their customers about their products.

I didn't know that there were other designs and colours available in my size for the groove pants. I only found out after I checked their website! I love my pants, but I would have loved to have the pink or blue coloured waistband. I also got them hemmed which means, no more exchanges or returns.

When I went to buy the running gloves, they had the colour I wanted but not the size! On the web, it says O/S (one size). So, I thought it was okay, but when I checked online there was also a S/M (small-medium) size! My gloves are M/L (medium-large). What sucks is, I lost the receipt! I called the store today and they do offer exchanges, but they don't have the size I am looking for. I have two more stores to call and I will have to drive out of town, but I really want to get them in the proper size.

Oooh, I know it's a small thing, but it feels like it's taking me a while to get my hands on my Lululemon stash!

Getting Back To Shape

Feeling a little more fabulous than last week because I started to workout. Not running, but just doing little exercises to tone my tummy and thighs. I will be looking for a treadmill or eliptical machine in the near future and looking forward to getting my cardio back to where it was before having a baby.

I heard someone say this somewhere, it really doesn't matter how much you exercise, so long as you move more than you did yesterday! It's so true.

Exercise does make you feel better (emotionally). I think it's time for me to get back to shape and feel good about myself!

A Treatment For Baby's Dry/Scaly/Red Skin

Okay, so finally I think I have found some medication that works to treat my baby's dry skin. After Baby #1 was born, within a few days I noticed that her skin was breaking out in a rash that quickly spread from her forehead, face, tummy and knees. Up until now, I have tried everything. Baths every other day. Losing the scented soaps and lotions. Fish oil. Double rinsing laundry.

I think it has to do with the fact that Baby #1 is not breastfed, but bottle fed. I think it's some sort of allergic reaction to the formula. I have friends who are exclusively breastfeeding and their babies have the most soft, beautiful skin!

Anyways, after visiting the doctor for her 2 mo. shots, I was given a hydrocortisone cream 0.1% which was to be applied 3 times a day. There's a lot written about the use of this medication, but I was told it is completely safe for babies. Excited to try it, I did. Unfortunately, there was no change to my baby's skin condition.

At her 4 mo. shots, I told the doctor that there was no improvement and he prescribed another cream called Hydroval 0.2% What a change! After one application of this cream, Baby #1's skin cleared up. The redness was gone the next day and there were no bumps. So, for all of you with the same problem, please ask your doctor about Hydroval. I only use it when I see a flare up starting.

As for the dry skin on her head...Believe it or not, a little Head and Shoulders works wonders. She barely has big patches of dry skin on her head now.

Now, you too can enjoy baby soft skin.

Major Spit Ups

Ugh...Today isn't a good day...I must have cleaned up half a dozen major spit ups. It's been nothing but a big mess all day long! Baby #1 seems to be hungry enough before I give her a bottle, but after she's done, a huge amount seems to come up and out! I haven't increased the amount of formula I give her and I haven't started to feed her cereal in the evening either. I guess she's just having an odd day.

I hope I don't have to run the laundry again tonight.

A Message To You, My Reader

If you have been reading my blogs from the start you will know that I am fairly new with blogging and Twitter. Here's what I don't understand:

On Twitter-How come when I tweet, nobody tweets me back? Are they seeing/reading my tweets?

On Blog-How come I have followers, but they never comment back to any of my blogs? Am I not making the blogs public?

So...Here's my attempt at seeing if you (my readers/followers) are really there :) If you are following my blog please let me know by posting a comment after this blog. I would love to know if my blogs are being read by people out there. And...I would love to get some assistance on how to use Twitter and/or improve my blog.

Success!

Okay, another attempt at clothes shopping for pants and...I got two great pairs of dressy pants from Reitmans (one black, one ash grey), and a nice pair of Roots capri mantra pants (black). They were also bought on sale or via gift card :) I have to say that my clothing size went from S to M and two pant sizes up from my pre-pregnancy size. All done in 2.5 hours and one very poopy diaper. I have to say, it's wonderful to be able to try out clothes in a spacious fitting room. Reitmans, Roots and Old Navy has great change rooms for moms with strollers and/or walking children. Thanks to these stores and many more that have us moms in mind!

Still looking for a pair of cords and Lululemon long yoga pants, maybe tomorrow when I go out with my mom...My mom...I talked to her today after yesterday's horrible phone conversation and we didn't even talk about it. Which is fine, I don't want to bring it up, but I felt some anger/embarrassment in her voice. I just hope it wasn't directed towards me. It occurred to me that her way of dealing with conflict is too simply stop or disconnect. For example, if a gift exchange between two people didn't go well (ex. Christmas, birthdays) than, don't give any gifts to that person anymore. If a trip wasn't fun with someone, don't go with them again. If a stay at someone's house didn't seem welcome, don't go there anymore. For her, it's all or nothing. I hate that. I wish she could be more flexible and not take things so seriously. Really. I don't know why I feel I have to report on her today, perhaps I don't want to become like her.

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

I hate to admit it, but I have parents who have been married for over 3o years and they absolutely hate each other. I grew up thinking divorce was the worst thing in the world and looked sadly upon friends who came from broken families. Seeing how miserable my parents are around each other now, I wonder if they should have gotten a divorce.

Being married with children now, I don't think it would be the end of my world if they decided to split. Maybe they would live happier lives and I wouldn't have to be in the middle of all their problems. For instance, today I called my mom and spoke to her for a bit when my dad picked up the other line and started to talk to me. My dad had just a little something to say, but my mom got mad because he interrupted her conversation and she ended up hanging up the phone! Dad didn't have anything to say except that mom was overreacting. I agree...It's such a little thing to fight over and I didn't care that dad picked up the other line. Unfortunately, this really bothered my mom. I called back and told her this, but she just wouldn't hear it. She was pissed. Well...Maybe she should tell dad how she feels and how it makes her feel when he jumps into her conversations.

Really, I have no time to resolve fights that my 60+ year old parents are having...I have a baby, husband, home and myself that needs tending to.

Oh, I do feel for my mom and wish she could see just how silly she is sometimes...Don't sweat the small stuff...Life is too short.

Gotta go! Baby is crying.

Drop In At A Drop In

Today, I went to a community drop in for the first time with Baby #1. It's a free drop in and I went with a friend of mine who has two children of her own. Baby #1 must have known that she was going somewhere different because she was up at 7:00am for her bottle and slept an hour before we took off at 8:45am.

Baby #1 was very good. She didn't cry, but then again she didn't leave my sight. The teacher in charge was very nice and quickly showed me around. The other "mothers" mostly kept to themselves and their kid(s). When my friend arrived, we just found a spot on the floor and spread out a blanket for our babies to play on and just watched the other children play. They offer snacks for toddlers and there was tea/coffee available for the grown ups.

I don't know if I'd go there everyday, but certainly once in a while with a mom friend. Especially during the winter when the weather is too cold to do much outside.

I like the "program" that I have with my baby. Here's what a typical day looks like for us.

8:30am-Wake up for diaper change and bottle.
10:30-Wake up for some Family Channel while Mommy has her breakfast.
11:00-Breakfast for Baby #1 (rice cereal) and bottle, carpet time/play place, Mommy cleans house.
12:30pm-Baby stretches and tummy time, diaper change, carpet time, nap, Mommy makes lunch.
2:30-Wake up for lunch bottle, play place, Family Channel, Mommy has lunch.
3:00-Diaper change, Story time, carpet time/play place, Family Channel.
4:00-Stroller walk, carpet time/play place, bath, snack bottle.
5:30-Diaper change, Family Channel.
6:30-Dinner bottle, carpet time/play place.
7:30-Diaper change and bed time.

I do admit there's a lot of time spent with Baby#1 on the carpet with the TV on (more for me than for her). She doesn't stare at the TV all the time though. She is rolling around and playing with her blanket or toys. Are there other moms out there who have a suggestion as to what I can do instead of having the TV on?

Disappointment

I never thought going shopping could be such a disappointment. Today, my husband gave me a couple of hours to myself to go out shopping for new pants. A couple of hours was NOT enough time for me to find pants that fit me.

I know pregnancy changes one's body and it's almost impossible for an average woman to get back to the size, shape and appearance she was pre pregnancy, but I have to admit I was not prepared to feel the way I did today.

I'm an average, healthy 31 year old woman and I do like to exercise from time to time. Jogging, walking, crunches, lunges and sports. I am looking for a nice pair of black dress pants and a pair of yoga pants (capri and long). I just wasn't happy with anything I tried on today. I was so sad to find that I am fitting into clothes that are 1-2 sizes bigger than my pre pregnancy size.

I don't want to buy something that just doesn't look or feel right, so I didn't purchase anything. I think I will be scoping out Lululemon and Roots for yoga wear (I got some great gift cards this Christmas) and I will try another Reitmans for black slacks. Wish me luck!

I started my crunches and lunges today...With the hope that I will be able to fit into my pre pregnancy pants

The Best Sound In The World!

For all of you who have a newborn or who have had a baby, would you agree that the best sound in the world is a baby babbling and cooing? Baby #1 is just playing by herself and making the cutest sounds. It's the sweetest thing in the world. I can't help but smile and talk back to her in baby talk.

You have to understand that Baby #1 was not always a "happy" baby. She constantly cried until she was 2 months old. She never napped until she hit 3 months. Now, she seems to be in a happier place. Until she gets hungry, tired or dirty that is.

I am enjoying motherhood now that I am 5 months postpartum...It took me a long time to get to where I am today and I can honestly say, I feel more like myself again.

It's the new year now and I'm looking forward to seeing Baby #1 grow and reach her milestones. I'm looking forward to getting myself back into shape and growing my hair out longer (no more new mommy hair style).

Baby #1 Starts The New Year With Soilds!

Baby #1 started cereal yesterday, but she really ATE it this morning. A whole tsp! It was the cutest thing. She had a little difficulty keeping it all in her mouth the first few spoonfuls, but I found that if you angle the spoon up and almost let it drip into her mouth while she is facing up (with her mouth open), it goes down easier than feeding her face to face.

I'm so happy that she is eating more than just formula...The formula smells awful and it tastes worse. The cereal looks, smells and tastes good :) Hehehe...I'm one of those mothers who must taste everything for herself before it is given to baby. I can't wait to feed her again! I never knew just how much fun it is to feed her. She also drank her entire bottle after wards (as she should) so I was very happy. I am going to be careful to teach her good eating habits and manners. So, I make it a point to feed her at the table. Giving her the bottle is different. I like to hold her for that because it's comforting and it's the only time I can pick her nose! Once she starts drinking from a cup, it will be different. I would like to see her eating more and more at the table with us.

She's just chilling in her play place now, biting on Sofie's ears and occasionally smiling and kicking as I type this. She is so precious.

The debate over whether or not to get a highchair was solved. No highchair necessary as she has this three in one space saver chair that just straps onto a kitchen chair and it works just fine. It's wonderful as it doesn't take up anymore space than a chair at the table and it converts to a booster chair when she gets older. You can easily take it off the chair and she can sit in it on the floor (a better alternative to the costly Bumbo chair). Another plus with this highchair/seat is that it is easy to transport and set up. If anyone is further interested in the product, please let me know. I can write a little more about it in another post, or send you the details via e-mail.