The circle of life-

So after this semester I think I might keep going with this blog. I really feel like I got some really great advice on things and I have gotten feedback that this site is fun to read and a good way for mom's to keep in contact with each other. Being a mom is pretty hard, as I've realized, and I will take all the advice I can get when it comes to ensuring I take the best care of the Bahboo that I can. Thanks so much for everyone who has participated and helped me along the way.

Feed Me Seymore, I'm hungry!

So whilst I was away this weekend and a Wilderness Adventure Race, my son stayed with my family. Upon my return they informed me that I should no longer feed him baby food because he eats "people" food now. I'm cool with feeding him grown up food (hot dogs, hardboiled eggs, mashed up bananas, etc.) and what not but I'm reluctant to quit with the baby foods because I can guarantee he's getting all his nutrients when he eats those. It's just so hard to be sure about "grown up foods". Does anyone think I'm wrong? I feed him foods that require teeth, I'm just reluctant to make that his only diet since they aren't as nutrient rich as baby food. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

The Girlfriend's Guide...

Hello Mom's and Mommy's to be...

I read The Girlfriend's Guide To Pregnancy again last night just to remind me of the "good ol' prego" days and also to refresh my memory on why I'm not quite ready to retain water again. :0) Never the less, I want to spread the wealth if you're not already rich with Vicki Iovine Girlfriend splendor. Her "Girlfriends Series" has been a wonderful hand-holder through pregnancy, the First Year and I just found out that there is a Toddler volume that I will MOST DEFINITELY be checking out.
If any of you have found yourselves in a particularly unpleasant point during any of this "mommy-stuff" I highly encourage you to pick up a copy, crack it open and laugh yourself to tears. It was a wonderful stress reliever and I think we can all agree that it pretty much doesn't matter at which point of motherhood you're in, it's all stressful in it's own wonderful way. What better way to relax than by laughing it out?

Happy Readings Moms!

Baby Mine Store

Hello Bahbooland!

I found this great website and I thought I'd share it with the rest of you mom's, especially those with Toddlers. As most of you have already figured out, Toddlers seem to be a big ball of energy and excitement and it's hard to keep up with them sometimes. So I did some searching and I found this WONDERFUL site called Baby Mine Store. It is fantastic! They not only link you to toys and movies and gadgets, they also have wonderful links on nutrition and even how to monitor physical and mental growth.
I didn't buy "What to Expect...- The Toddler Years" so I've been playing it by ear. My most favorite article right now is: 13th to 16th Month Guide. I found it really insightful as it gave me good details on the many aspects of the baby's development.

You think my crib is funny, fool?

So, the bahboo has torn apart his crib. Unfortunately, it was my crib and then all my siblings used it and now my son uses it. But he likes to hold onto the railing and shake it back and forth and the sides have come apart from the end supports. I need some REALLY good glue to put it back together. Does anyone have any input? Anybody know anything that bonds two pieces permanently? I tried "Mighty Putty" and thus far I haven't been impressed. Ideas?

Too much of a good thing?

The bahboo has been throwing up the past 2 weekends and it seems to happen after he drinks 2 bottles of milk back to back. He's also been a little over-heated at the same time. Is there a relation between too warm physically and milk? It gets all in the carpet....I'm tired of the room smelling like spoiled milk.

Sippy Cup Slip Up

So, there is no hope for my son... he will be on a bottle until he's 25. I have tried to switch him to a bunch of different types of sippy cups and he's just not having it. He'll try it once and then chuck it on the floor, by which case it ends up cracking the seal or damaging the sippy cup and then it leaks like a siv. I need help, moms!
First: Which sippy cup have y'all found that works best?
Secondly: Should I be worried that he doesn't want a sippy cup?

Luckily he's not "attached" to the bottle like he carries it around with and cries if he doesn't have one, I only give it to him at night and nap time. But he is just not doing the sippy cup thing. I've had better luck with him wanting to drink straight out of my own cup with no mouth piece at all, which I don't mind- it's just really messy.

What say you?

No, it's not jaundice- he's just a sweet potatoe.

So my kid is the only one in daycare with color. Granted the color is yellow-orange and people are constantly checking with me to make sure his liver is functioning but at least he isn't ghostly looking like my husband and I.
Two things about this aspect of mommyhood concern me....
The first is: Who elects members onto the Mommy Police Squad and how do we impeach them? Does anyone else find it extremely obnoxious when people are constantly walking behind you, hunched over with their arms out stretched because they are worried you might drop your child? I'm like- "Thank you, I've got this." Like I don't know my son is bordering on membership to Loompa Land. Leave me alone! At the end of the day if my kid is being picky about what I'm feeding him and I know that sweet potatoes are a sure thing... I'm feeding him the sweet potatoes!
Which leads me to my second issue:
Does anyone know of a danger in over-dosing in beta-carotene? Am I actually harming him by letting him eat them all the time? I remember something from "The Magic School Bus" days about a kid O.D.'ing on goldfish crackers but they never said that it was bad for him.
Am I in the clear?

Locked Up!

So we've reached the era of "cabinet locks". I personally put this off for as long as possible because they are a pain to install- however, after my lovely 15month old son pulled out a glass mixing bowl and threw it down, only to shatter it, on the kitchen floor- I've realized my dishes are no longer safe from him.
I am beginning the process of installing the KidSafe Swivel Cabinet & Drawer Lock. They are the ones my parents used when we were children but upon further studying I think I would have preferred the KidSafe Cabinet Locks: Magnetic Tot Lok Deluxe Starter Set. Can anyone convince me otherwise? I suppose the proposition of losing the only magnet key could be problematic but is it less of a pain to use the key then to have to pry down the latch each time I try to get into the cabinet? Feedback is appreciate!

15months already and I can't believe how fast time has flown. It's such a fascinating age watching him learn new things and gain new experiences. I am a working mother and so I don't get to see him as often as I would like and when I am able to be with him I'm usually exhausted from everything else I do. Is anyone else in a similar situation and can you give me some suggestions on how I might cope with this? I don't work because I want to, I work because I have to. I happen to really enjoy where I work which makes the separation easier but I feel guilty, like I should be miserable that I have to work and can't stay home and take care of my son. Believe me, if I could- I'd give it all up and spend all day long with him- but since I have to work- shouldn't I consider myself lucky and appreciate the fact that I'm one of the rare people that actually likes what she does and stop beating myself up?

Something New for You!

So I received positive feedback on my other blog so I thought I'd start up a new one that features product review and witty commentary on the thoughts, happenings and occurances of general mommyhood.

Recently- I've realized the virtue of baby gates. My 13 month old is definitely into the "crawling-where-you're-not-supposed-to-which-is-pretty-much-everywhere" phase. The only saving grace in my possession is our North States 8615 26" Supergate Iii Child Gate - www.onestopshopcatalog.com/nsi8615.html I love this thing. It works for everything and it so many great places. I can put him in his room and he'll stay and play with all his toys or watch The Road to El Dorado for the 456,241 time. I can put it at the top of the stairs so that he can peek down below but not fall to his tumbling demise. I recommend this gate for everyone.

I am next in the market for "cabinet" locks but I don't know which ones are the best. I'm looking for feedback. Bahboo's daycare uses something with a magnetic nob that unlocks the drawers and doors... has anyone seen or does anyone use this? Please! Let me know!