Calling all babies' Mamas

Cloth vs Disposable, 4 wheels vs 3 wheels, boppy vs breast friend, so many choices so much junk!  Researching all the baby gizmos out there has been interesting to say the least and after reading hundreds of reviews, articles and posts I've come to the conclusion that its all BULLOCKS!



In the end you could pick the most phenominal, quadruple tested, mother-approved __________ (fill in baby item) and the first time your baby uses it, she will spit it out, kick at it, cry till her face turns purple and basically let you know "The experts don't know squat, this is the worst _________, EVER". ** Full disclosure after pouring over pics this is the only one i could find of my nephew, Keval, crying - he's a happy baby.


I don't say this to discourage myself or any moms or dads-to-be out there but instead offer you salvation.  Take refuge in the fact that if you start getting tired of researching and pick the cheaper nursing pillow that has the cooler looking cover rather than the one that's filled with organic braided mohair from only grass grazing black rabbits, you've still got a 50-50% chance that YOUR baby will like it.

I've also come to realize and appreciate the value of hand-me-downs.  Cribs, car seats, slings, carriers, high chairs, rockers, sleepers, bouncers, play gyms, pack-n-plays, strollers, are just some of the items that you really don't have to buy brand new.  If you're lucky enough to have a few friends, sisters, cousin-in-laws who've kept some of these things, go and atleast check it out.  If only to use as a tester to see if your baby likes it, if he does, great! buy it brand new, if not then all you have to do is give it back or pass it along.

Saving some money there will allow you to spend some money on the types of things that I've often read you really should by brand new - like breast pumps (or atleast if you're borrowing a pump, buy brand new tubings and such), crib mattresses, pacifiers, rectal thermometers, etc. Not to mention those splurges (how can one more onesie that says i ♥ mommy hurt?) you can't resist.

So I'm calling on all those babies' mamas out there who were so kind enough to hold on to some infant-related items out there.  If you're willing to pass along or share for a while - I'm your girl. 

If you want to check out some of the stuff i have researched and decided upon acquiring (be warned its a constantly evolving list) check them out at ducky's gift registry

MY CRITERIA for selecting most items is as follows:

RECENT REVIEWS - (some items are worse than Apple with a new generation out every 6 months, so make sure the review you're reading is for the version you're looking to buy)

INGREDIENTS/MATERIAL- I'm not super Green but atleast a shade of Mint.  organic, 100%, breathable, BPA-Free, all natural, no chemicals, etc. are all phrases i LIKE to see

SAFTEY/RELIABILITY - U.S. Product Safety Commission Recall, tipped over, fell apart, shredded in washing machine, poisoned my cat, are all phrases i DO NOT LIKE to see

PRICE - (DUH.)

STYLE - Hey, your baby's ride and swag is a reflection of your style so if you wouldn't be caught dead in that bulky pink and white stroller then why make your baby.  This is, of course, totally a matter of personal choice, my personal taste leans towards a skandinavian vibe, wanna be marimekko fabrics, not a lot of bulk or frills, a former urbanite living in suburbia not ready to let go ;)


Another good piece of advice i've read is to buy one of a couple of brands you think are good - for instance baby bottles, because you don't know which your baby will take too.  In some cases the item will be something you can return and in other cases worse case you only bought 1 of the brand the baby doesn't like and can then purchase more of the one he does.

Thanks for listening
xoxo
BG

a shopping trip i'm not looking forward to

So for the past 2 weeks i've been having this pain/soreness in my upper abs.  At first I thought it was what's known as diastasis recti, which turns out has nothing to do with the part of the body it sounds like but is the splitting of your right and left abdominal muscles known as rectus.

It's more frequent in women who have had multiple pregnancies as the ab muscles have stretched.  There's no treatment and usually it doesn't cause any problems.

Anyway turns out that is not what's happening to me.  I have another issue altogether.  I have offically grown out of my bras and sports bras.  Turns out the damn things are too tight around.  Those fears of having to give up my underwire and start wearing those not so attractive wireless 'bras' are slowly becoming a reality. This will have to be followed by the inevitable trip to the maternity store to get fitted for nursing bras

Boo(b)Hoo :(

The Halfway Mark

So this Friday little ducky* will be 20 weeks old and mark our halfway point!  Around 18-20 weeks is when you have your main ultrasound.  This is the one where you can find out the sex, take anatomical measurements of limbs, spine, brain, etc.  We had ours last week and are happy to report that this little one is right on schedule with what looked like the right # of toes and fingers, eyes, lips, hands and such.  S(he) was head down feet up facing out with dukes up like s(he) was using my placenta as a punching bag - very active and obviously taking after the Ali family (just not sure whether Muhammad or Laila).



Pic 1:  aerial view of the face - two eyes, bridge of nose, chin, forehead and right elbow visible
Pic 2:  Defensive position ready to make a jab or uppercut -forearms and fists visible
Pic 3:  No pictures please! Crossing hands over her face
Pic 4: Side profile from top half of chest up - little black mass in body is his heart beating around 148 hbm :) white mass above baby is the placenta, aka punching bag




Not feeling any real movement yet but slight swirly feeling which could just be gas.  But I am starting to show, more baby bump and less muffin top - FINALLY! Of course this means my clothes are feeling a lot more snug and the NO PANTS rule has been put into affect.



Not much else going on since we got back in town, been spending a lot of time doing research so i'll put up a separate post on some of my findings and thoughts on the whole process.  We did get a chance to catch up with some friends this past week.  First Neelesh's best friends Ameet & Leena were in town visiting from California with their yummy little 14 month old, Amani.  A big toothy ear to ear grin with gorgeous jet black hair and the best little pudgy thighs, yummy really is the only way to describe her.


Then this weekend we got to meet for the first time a beautiful little man named Jayden Dhilan Yennior, son of our friends Mona & Todd, this weekend!  He was born on Wed May 18 and is absolutely divine.  Holding him at day 3 and seeing his little tiny perfect body was amazing but frankly a little overwhelming... the reality of having our own little one in 20 or so weeks really sinking in.




* Both my husband and I have small ears and small eyes and big lips (well atleast mine are) so he's been telling folks we're giving birth to a duck.  Hence the new nickname Li'l Ducky.

Packing on the Pounds

Well more like the ounces.  At 17 weeks and 5 days doughboy weighs in at about 4 - 5oz, is the size of a baked potato (nom nom nom) and is beginning to store fat and hopefully plump up.  Because honestly what fun is a skinny mini - michelan man all the way!

Also those finger nails and toe nails are coming in which makes me fast forward to visits to certain aunties in NYC who will be introducing colors such as ballet slippers, poor li'l rich girl, or wicked, and when its okay to wear them.  If it's a boy, heck he can wear licorice.

After my doc's appt yesterday, i went to a nearby shopping center to check a few things out.  They happened to have a store called BuyBuyBaby, a place i'd heard of but never been into.  It is set up exactly as Bed Bath and Beyond, with the one exception that EVERYTHING is about babies. I started meandering up and down the aisles, mouth slightly agape by all the gadgets and gizmos.  A whole section devoted to baby-proofing your home.  In the next section a whole wall of pacifiers. YES pacifiers.  I continued to roam through their open displays of cribs and changing tables, bassinets, high chairs and car seats.  By the time i arrived to strollers my head was spinning and my bladder was ready to burst. 
As I calmly but quickly made my way to the restrooms, I came to two conclusions:
1. I didn't like anything in there AND
2. I would need a game plan if I was going to survive this.

So I went next door to the Five Below shop, picked up a bag of salt & vinegar potato chips (brain food, duh) and made my way home where I have proceeded to start my RESEARCH.

wish me luck.

HAPPY MAMA JAMA DAY

With my new found appreciation for moms and moms-to-be, I wish you a year where every day is your day - where you are appreciated for what you do day in and day out.

AND that goes to all those wonderful women in our lives that may not be mothers by definition (technicality) but are just as important if not more so to helping us become the people we are today.

loves you.
xoxo
 BG

Bloody? More like Medium-Well

If you know me, you know that I enjoy my beverages, especially of the alcholic variety.  A chewy red, a nose-tickling prosecco, a dirty martini with hendrick's gin, or a cold glass of a sweet dunkel-weiss - whatever it is, i've most likely tasted it or am willing to form an opinion on it.

So of course one of my first questions when I confirmed that I was preggers was 'What am I going to do for 9 months!?'  Aside from maybe a sip of bubbly or cold beer here or there (spirits are a no-no and just thinking about wine gives me heart burn) I needed something to satiate my thirst.

So I've started tinkering in my bar and fridge with all things non-alcoholic and have come up with a few recipes.  Today I wanted to share with you my not-so-bloody Bloody Mary or the Bloody Mama.

Ingredients:
8-10 oz Low Sodium Spicy V8
Olives stuffed with garlic or jalepeno or cheese
Pepperoncini peppers
Dill pickle spear and/or pickled okra and/or pickle green beans
1-2 oz Club Soda or lemon sparkling water
stalk of celery

To taste:
3 Dashes worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon horseradish or horseradish mustard
2 dashes hot sauce (i've been using frank's red hot)
a sprinkle cajun seasoning
juice of 1/4 to 1/2 lemon
Splash of juice from the pepperoncini peppers

Start off with a very large glass - a beer stein works perfectly.
Add the worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, cajun seasoning, lemon juice and pepperoncini juice to glass. Blend.  Pour in V-8.  Stir and taste - check for salt, heat and proper sourness. Adjust to Taste.  Add the meal portion of this drink aka olives, celery, pickles.  Then top with soda water and give a quick final stir.

Perfect anytime of day but especially on weekends, late morning into afternoon when I'm dreaming of my favorite brunch spots. 

Enjoy.