happy birthday, baby - and other things to remember

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday,

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

from The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran

Top 10 Baby Stuff - Part 2: The Toys

Here's Part 2 of 3 in my series on All Things Baby...

So last time I wrote about (mainly) all the big stuff, The Gear.

Here's my list of Top 10 Toys my baby has taken to during his first 6 months of life.  Some are already on their way out as he discovers new things.  It is really incredible how quickly babies grow and develop and change.  One week, they're obsessed with their hands but can't pick something up from the floor to save their life.  The next week, they're obsessed with their feet and passing blocks between their hands like it ain't no thang.  As much as I didn't want to be one of those parents who filled their home with toys upon toys - something has to be said for keeping a baby stimulated.  Something also has to be said about keeping a baby occupied long enough for Mommy to get some stinkin' (literally!) dishes or laundry done!

Top 10 Baby Toys

(prices are MSRP)

Wimmer Ferguson Infant Stim Mobile, by Manhattan Toy, $28.

When Baby Loves It:  Months 2 to 5
Why Baby Loves It:  Once H really began to "see", he was MESMERIZED by the high-contrast, eye-catching, & colorful graphics. And if he kicked his feet just enough to make his crib shake a little, the objects lightly danced - which helped develop his tracking abilities.  H especially took to the face graphic.  I named it "Bobby" and some of the first coos I heard from my baby were directed at Bobby.
Why Mama Loves It:  This was probably the first thing I was able to "park" my kid in front of (actually, under) for a prolonged period of time.  I loved that the cards were interchangeable so I could switch them out as H got used to them (except, of course, Bobby who was always in the center spot).  I also liked that you could adjust how low it hangs, so as your baby's eyesight develops and his range increases, you can move it farther and farther away from him.

Ring O' Links, by Sassy, $4

When Baby Loves It: Months 2 and up
Why Baby Loves It: I can't remember whether H was just learning to mouth things or was full-on teething when I bought this toy for him - regardless, he loved it from the get-go! At first, since he hadn't fully developed fine motor hand skills yet, I took all the links off the ring and strung them together.  He would play with them when in his car seat or infant chair, just grabbing onto one of the links and trying to bring it up to his mouth. He also liked just shaking the bejeezus out of them, especially if I strung them across the crossbar on his infant seat. Now that his dexterity is better, I've put all the links back on the ring (as pictured) and he enjoys going through & mouthing/gumming each one individually. It does also function as a rattle (apparently one of its main intents).
Why Mama Loves It:  It seemed to stimulate Baby's sight, touch, dexterity, and curiosity as he grasped, shook, mouthed, flung, and gummed the different textured & colored links.  The black & white ring, which is a slightly softer, more rubbery texture than the hard plastic links, made for a good first teething toy for him too because it was so easy to grasp.

Sophie the Giraffe Teether, by Vulli, $25

When Baby Loves It:  Months 5 and up
Why Baby Loves It: Who knew a giraffe was the ideal shaped teether? The French, apparently.  H, and I believe most babies who take to it, love that there are so many different shapes, nooks, crannies, and body parts to mouth, gum, drool on, and eventually gnaw.  The fact that it squeaks (although a little too akin to a dog squeeze toy for me) helps distract a crying baby, alerting him that Sophie has arrived to assuage his frustrations and/or discomfort.  Although, the manufacturer says Sophie is fine for babies from birth on, it really becomes invaluable once your little one has the manual dexterity to properly hold and manipulate Sophie - oh, and once he/she is teething, of course.
Why Mama Loves It:  Sophie is apparently a status symbol now. If you're baby doesn't have a Sophie (or two or three...) you and your (unborn) baby should just crawl back under the rock you've obviously been under for the past 1-2 years.  If you don't have a Sophie, it also means all the people who know you and knew you were having a baby, and STILL didn't buy you a Sophie probably don't like you and want you to be the pariah who asks at Mommy Group, "What's that giraffe thing?" Other than all that, it's a pretty darn good teething toy. Enough said.

Vanilla-flavored Teething Rings, by Vulli, $9 for 2

When Baby Loves It: Months 4 and up
Why Baby Loves It: These are great because they're a lot easier to grasp and manipulate than Sophie, so Baby can play with them much earlier.  My baby loved the vanilla scent/flavor and the harder material (they're not as bendy soft as Sophie).  The lamb one is especially fun for them to mouth, I think, because of their extra bumpy texture!
Why Mama Loves It: Gives Baby something to chew on! They are especially good if you have an early teether who may not be able to hold/manipulate more complicated teething toys.

Jacques the Peacock, by Lamaze, $17

When Baby Loves It: Months 4 and up
Why Baby Loves It:  It crinkles, it's brightly colored, it's got taggies and a menacing stare.  My friend (who actually gave us Jacques as a gift) and I laugh at how our babies tend to beat up on Jacques. Oh, how we Americans like to beat on the French - eh?
Why Mama Loves It: Jacques is a great Distraction Toy.  I call something a Distraction Toy, when its primary purpose is to calm or distract a fussy child.  You pull out a DT in an emergency or as a last resort.  You don't want to have your baby play with a DT for too long lest they grow tired of it. You have to maintain its novelty for as long as you can, thus DTs must be used sparingly and at strategic times and under very specific circumstances. DTs are great for long car rides and in any other situation where you know ahead of time that it will be difficult for your child to stay occupied, calm, and/or content.

Baby Banana Bendable Training Toothbrush, by Baby Banana, $8

When Baby Loves It: When s/he starts teething.
Why Baby Loves It: It's made of that bendy, soft rubber that teething babies CRAVE.  Like Sophie, it's got lots of different angles/ends to gnaw on - the brush end, the nubby end, and even the handles!
Why Mama Loves It: It keeps fussy teething babies content (at least for a while), and it supposedly gets your baby used to the feeling of a brush on their teeth & gums, which theoretically will aid in better dental hygiene down the line.  Only drawback: It attracts lint like a belly button. So be prepared to wash it off regularly. I usually rinse it in hot water and immediately wrap it in a paper towel or napkin if we're going somewhere and I need to put it in the diaper bag.  You think dropping a toy on the ground is how it gets dirtiest? Try just putting it in one of the diaper bag pockets. I guarantee it will pick up just as much dust & dirt in there as on the restaurant floor.

Musical Motion Activity Jumper, by Baby Einstein, $90

When Baby Loves It: Month 5 (or whenever they have the neck/back strength) until walking
Why Baby Loves It:  "Exersaucers" and "Jumperoos" give babies much needed (I think) & much appreciated freedom and the feeling of mobility they just can't get on their tummies, backs, or behinds before they've learned to stand/walk.  Even babies who crawl still get a kick out of these types of toys because they have the vantage point of being upright.  Of course, all things in moderation.  Many doctors/parents/specialists don't like jumpers and the like because they can disrupt the natural development of a baby's muscles and posture that lead to proper standing and walking.  Of course for every guy who poo-poo's it, there's another one who says these toys give your child a sense of independence and builds confidence.  Plus, it just plumb makes 'em smile!
Why Mama Loves It: It keeps Baby occupied for minutes!!  And minutes are a long time when you're at home with a baby all day. Anything that allows you to go to the bathroom, check your email, answer the phone, etc., is pretty much a god send.  And like I said before, the babies LOVE it.  HHP ADORES this thing. I try to limit his time in it, in favor of tummy time and (now) playing on the floor sitting up - but I see his gaze drifting over to it now and again...

Take-Along Mobile, by Tiny Love, $25

When Baby Loves It:  Months 3 to 6
Why Baby Loves It:  It does a lot more than his other mobile!  I got this after seeing it attached to another baby's car seat handle at Gymboree.  H absolutely loathed being in his car seat, especially during Months 3 and 4, so this was a god-send.
Why Mama Loves It:  It's so versatile! It can clip to his crib, his car seat, even his stroller! It can rotate with or without music.  I definitely used it as a "last resort" distraction in the car... I'd only turn it on as a last resort.  These kinds of toys you don't want to over-utilize from the get-go because then Baby gets used to it too soon, and it's just a waste.  You have to use it sparingly - in only the direst of circumstances - for best results and longer lifetime of efficacy.  There's even one in a pink palette for those who prefer pink!

Oball, by Rhino Toys, $10

When Baby Loves It: Months 3 and on
Why Baby Loves It: He can mouth it, grasp it, shake it, throw it, squeeze it, gnaw on it... pretty much abuse the thing and it always just springs back to its original Buckyball-esque shape!
Why Mama Loves It:  Lightweight = Great for on-the-go.  Inexpensive = Easy on the pocket book.  Versatile = Keeps Baby occupied longer.  Colorful = Stimulating for Baby & easy to find for Mommy.  They even come shaped like footballs!

Wee Sing series, by Wee Sing, $10

When Baby Loves It:  From birth on!
Why Baby Loves It:  It helps Mama remember fun songs, finger plays, nursery rhymes, etc!  I've never come across a baby who didn't LOVE being sung to.  The Wee Sing series helps grown-ups remember or learn age-appropriate songs to sing to their little ones. It's never too early to surround babies with music!
Why Mama Loves It:  Well, this Mama grew up with Wee Sing - so she was soooo happy when she discovered they still existed! Of course, when I was young, you got the booklet and a cassette tape.  They're so modern and hip, they've gone ahead and updated to CDs.  My favorites were Wee Sing Around the Campfire (which is now Wee Sing Sing-Alongs), Wee Sing Bible Songs, and Wee Sing and Play.  I think I also had the Wee Sing Around the World... I started out with Wee Sing for Baby since, well, my baby's still just a baby!  I imagine as my baby grows, and I get some of the other CDs, it'll be fun to listen to in the car.


So I (finally) got this posted!  I'm back working full-time now, so I figured if I didn't stay up late and just finish it, I never would.  Part 3 will be the "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda" portion of my series on All Things Baby.

"Stay tuned!"

Top 10 Baby Stuff - Part 1: The Gear

This is the first in a 3-part series on All Things Baby.  

A friend of mine, who is expecting her first baby in the early part of next year, has been asking me about all the Baby Stuff (and there's a LOT of stuff when it comes to babies) that's out there. I remember when I was pregnant and trolling through Amazon.com, Target.com, & Giggle.com (who actually goes to stores these days??) trying to figure out what to buy, register for, and add to wishlists.  It was definitely overwhelming.  To start, I'd like to present the Top 10 baby-related furniture, gear, and accessories I have found indispensable during these first 6 months of Baby's life. I've tried to break it down, explaining what I was looking for in each item and how they met or exceeded my expectations.

Top 10 Baby Gear

(in no particular order; prices are MSRP)

 

"Robin" crib, by Oeuf, in white, $590.

What I Was Looking For: Solid construction, can convert to toddler bed, built to last (if you plan on having more than one kid), attractiveness
What I Was Avoiding: Drop-side, parts made of particle board (off-gasses)
Why I Chose This One:  Yes, this is an extremely expensive crib. But I fell in LOVE with it the instant I saw it on Giggle's website.  I had seen Oeuf cribs on AllModernBaby.com and knew they were way out of my price range.  But after a hand-me-down crib fell through, I ended up having to look for one.  And since my mom said she'd pay for it and to "buy a good one" (very dangerous words to say to me, by the way) - I decided to take advantage and ordered this one right away.
Why I LOVE it:  Let's face it, once you get to a certain price point or level of quality in an item, you just go with what looks good to you. I love the minimal design (of all Oeuf cribs really). I love the white. I love that Oeuf is a European brand that uses all solid wood parts.  I also love how unisex it is.  Even the toddler conversion kit looks good!

 "Modo" changing table, by Babyletto, in espresso/white, $379.

 

What I Was Looking For:  Solid construction, good-quality drawer extension hardware, had to match the rest of the furniture in our office-turned-nursery

What I Was Avoiding: Too big (I had a very specific spot for it)
Why I Chose This One: I had been pining for this online, but thought it was out of my price range. Imagine my pleasure when I saw it at a Million Dollar Baby warehouse sale in Montebello - for, get this, only $80! What a steal!!  My mother-in-law was with me on this trip and wanted to buy something for the baby, so it worked out perfectly! It also matches the rest of our furniture in the room since half the stuff is this dark brown and the other half white. Although a lot of the parts in this piece are probably particle board or MDF, at least it's not something my baby sleeps on/in and none of those surfaces are exposed (all the pieces are painted on all sides, even the ones you don't see).
Why I Like It: Other than loving the fact that I got it for such a bargain, my favorite features on the dresser is the top-quality drawer hardware and soft close.

KeyFit 30 infant car seat, by Chicco, in "Adventure", $190.

What I Was Looking For:  Reliable, easy to install/use, lightweight but sturdy, LATCH system

What I Was Avoiding: History of recalls, unnecessary bulk/weight, lesser known brand that may be hard to find compatible strollers/frames for

Why I Chose This One: Since my first choice for an infant car seat (based more on aesthetics than anything else) turned out to have a history of recalls (thanks M!), I started anew.  Two names kept coming up in all my online research: the Graco Snugride and the Chicco KeyFit.  I saw & "tested" out both car seats at my local Target store and just felt like the KeyFit was a bit sturdier and the padding a bit more comfy.  Plus, it had the LATCH system and levels in the base to help with installation.
Why I Like It: Although I've gotten to the point where I curse under my breath whenever I have to pick it up (with my baby in it) these days - this is more due to the fact that my baby is so heavy than any fault of the car seat itself. I have been VERY satisfied with the ease of use and I feel very confident in its ability to keep my baby safe in case the unimaginable occurs (knock on wood!).  Looking back, though, the Snugride did have something else going for it - the fact that Graco makes their own snap-in frame compatible with all its infant car seats.  But more about that later...

"Swing" single electric breast pump, by Medela, $150.

What I Was Looking For: Dependable brand name, electric, portability

What I Was Avoiding: Too high a price point, bulky, noisy, too many parts (to wash)

Why I Chose This One: I debated for months whether to go with Medela (which has the most brand visibility out there) or another brand (Ameda, Playtex, Phillips, Lansinoh, et al.), but after reading countless online reviews I decided to just go with the flow (no pun intended).  I decided I only needed a single electric (rather than a double) because I probably wasn't going back to work right away therefore my pumping needs didn't warrant the extra $50-$100 a double pump would cost.  The icing on the cake was that the Swing can run on AA batteries when on the go!
Why I Like It: It's small, it's portable, it gets the job done. I have had a couple issues - a little nonessential piece of the pump broke off and I've already had to toss one tubing & valve because of milk getting to where it shouldn't.  I heard that if I had called Medela I probably could have gotten new ones (maybe even a new pump) for free, but I'm too lazy.

 "Sport" baby carrier, by ERGObaby, in black, $115.
  

What I Was Looking For: Ease of use, versatility, good weight distribution, quality construction

What I Was Avoiding: Complicated wraps

Why I Chose This One:  I had already heard great things about the Ergo and decided to register for it since it had more positions to hold the baby (front carry, back carry, & side/hip carry - always facing the adult) than the Baby Bjorn, which really only has one (front carry). Then, at my baby shower, a friend of the family RAVED about the Ergo and it's weight distribution versus the Baby Bjorn, which she claimed made her back hurt once the baby got bigger. That cemented it for me.

Why I Like It:  The weight distribution IS awesome. I've used it in the front & back carry positions so far, and both me and my baby have been satisfied with either. Added bonus: It's my last resort when I can't get the baby to fall asleep. Without fail, after 5-10 minutes in it (especially with the aptly named "sleeping hood" on and some walking, or bouncing, about) he is out like a light! At times, I will admit, I've wished I had the Bjorn so that H could face out, especially on walks or at the store when I want him to stay awake. If I had to do it all over again, I would get both - even though I'd probably only use the $80 Bjorn for 3-4 months.

Infant to Toddler Rocker, by Fisher-Price, $43.

What I Was Looking For: Affordability, dependable name brand
What I Was Avoiding: Not much...
Why I Chose This One:  Extended usability (Baby can use it from birth to 40 pounds), Fisher-Price is a known & trusted name brand, good online reviews.
Why I Like It: Removable activity bar, can be a rocker or a stationary seat (with a nifty kickstand).

Candela "Tooli", by OXO, in yellow, $25.

What I Was Looking For: A nightlight that wasn't just a tiny bulb in a socket.
What I Was Avoiding: A tiny bulb in a socket.
Why I Chose This One: It's fun! It's cute! It has easy on/off function! The baby can use it when he's older! And OXO is a long-trusted name brand in this household...
Why I Love It: It's so small, compact, and useful - I even travel with it.  I love how it just sits in it's cradle (off), then when you need it you simply pick it up and it's on - and you can take it anywhere.  It's just the perfect amount of light for diaper changes, to make sure your baby's breathing, to tiptoe through the room to turn off the computer, etc.

The Miracle Blanket, by Miracle Blanket, in green (pictured in beige), $30.

What I Was Looking For: Something my baby couldn't break out of as easily as he was breaking out of his swaddle blankets and the Kiddopatamus SwaddleMe
What I Was Avoiding: An actual straightjacket
Why I Chose This One: It was a gift! (Thanks again, M!)
Why I Love It: Even though H technically outgrew it about a week after we got it (supposedly its only for babies up to 14 weeks old. Pshaw.), I still swaddle him in for every nap and bedtime. He manages to get his right arm out almost instantly, but he needs it to self soothe anyway (big thumb-sucker). This may not be the wisest option, but it keeps my baby asleep. End of story.

Itzbeen baby care timer, by Coast Innovations, in blue, $25.

What I Was Looking For: Something to keep track of diaper changes, feedings, naps - without the use of graph paper, pencil, and a protractor (remember those??).
What I Was Avoiding: Carving notches on a stick, tying strings around my finger, or writing on my hand.
Why I Chose This One: It was exactly what I was looking for!
Why I Love It: The Itzbeen has, at times, been a godsend. In those first 6-8 weeks when day blurs into night and you have no idea what day of the week it is, let alone which way is up or down - the itzbeen is here to bring rhyme and reason to taking care of your baby. Just push the appropriate button when you perform the action and rest assured.  TRUST THE ITZBEEN. It even has a little switch so you know which boob you last fed the baby with (that is, if you're awake enough at the time to remember to use it!).  It's especially fun to take pictures of it as your baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night.  I still have photos from our first 8 hour, then 10 hour, and - more recently - 12.5 hour stretches. Yeah, baby!

 Assorted bibs 10-pack, by Koala Baby & Babies R Us, in "Safari" and "Boy Brights", $12.99

What I Was Looking For: A good-quality absorbent bib, affordability, quantity

What I Was Avoiding: Clever quips written on the bibs, cheap materials

Why I Chose These Ones: Bang for your buck, thick absorbent terry

Why I Like Them: They've stood up after many many washes & dries, they do shrink a bit but not too much, perfect for drool, spit-up, snot, and rice cereal... if one gets stained beyond repair I won't mind tossing it (but that hasn't happened yet!).  You may think it odd that I have bibs on this list, considering most of the other stuff have been big-ticket items.  But you will also find it odd that it's virtually impossible to find a good freaking bib out there. Oh, there are pretty bibs, big bibs, small bibs, lacy bibs, bibs with all sorts of stuff embroidered on them, snarky bibs, bibs for when they start solid foods (the plastic-y ones with pouches in the front), etc... But I looked far and wide before finally finding these bargain multi-packs at Babies R Us one day, and I haven't looked back since.

There's a ton of other stuff that I couldn't have done without and am so glad I bought or received.  All said and done, my husband and I have very generous friends and family, who showered us with an enormous amount of gifts - for ALL of which we are VERY thankful.  But lists work best in groups of 10! 

Stay tuned for my next post on the Top 10 Baby Toys!