Toddlers and Television

When you have children, there's a long list of things you "shouldn't" do. Don't give them a pacifier in the first week. Don't react every time they cry. Don't put them in their crib when they're newborns. Don't give them a bath every night. Don't let them watch TV.

Guess what? I've done every single one of them. And you know what? My kid isn't damaged in the least. In fact, I have to say, she's pretty damn smart.

The point of today's post isn't to demean or put down any other person's parenting style. In fact it's quite the opposite. As I talk about how we use television in our house, I encourage parents who struggle with the "do's" and "do not's" of parenting to do what works for them, in their house, with their individual children.

I'm warning you, this will be a brutally honest post, so if you are squeamish towards moms and dads that do things in their own way, I urge you to stop reading here.

My child watches television. She watches it almost every day. While we try to limit it to 30 minutes, max, occasionally she'll watch up to an hour of tv. Recently a report came out that said that children under two should not get any screen time at all. Of course this created an internet flurry of worried parents wondering how in this day in age they could re-arrange their lives so that their kids avoid the screen completely. While I'm not trying to de-bunk the research done by any organization regarding children and television, I am advocating for parents to know their children and know if television is right for them.

Warning - this is about to get a tad braggy.

Molly is 17.5 months old. Her vocabulary is above average for her age. She is incredibly social. She understands and follows directions regularly. As parents, we do not feel that a little television is going to hinder her development.

Here are the four ways we use TV in our house:


1. As an Educational Tool
One of my favorite things to do is watch TV with Molly on my lap. We sing, we clap, we dance - television gets her EXCITED! There is a segment on Yo Gabba Gabba (her favorite show) called the "Dancy Dance." Famous people, like Tony Hawk, Elija Wood, and the band Sugarland join the characters and come up with their own simple dance moves which they teach the characters and all do together. My jaw dropped to the floor a few months ago when Molly began to correctly do the "Chippy Chippy Chomp" along with her tv friends. Over the past few weeks she's began playing along with DJ Lance as he jumps, claps, "raises the roof" and spins around. She points to doggies, kitties, and babies, and she sings along to the Elmo theme song. She's learning to be a mover and incorporate dance and music into her life. Are there other ways to have this happen? Sure - we sing and dance without the tv all the time, but this is another means that truly speaks to her.

2. As a Babysitter

Gasp!! I said it! Any parent who allows their child to watch tv and swears up and down that it has never ever been used as a babysitter, even for a few minutes, is lying to your face. Sometimes it just makes life easier. Our mornings are very hectic (as they are for most families). One of us showers while the other has breakfast with Molly. Then we switch, and the non-showering parent gets her dressed. Then she grabs her blanket, her doggie, her milk, and her rocking chair, and settles in for an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba while we run around pulling together lunches, walking the dog, getting ourselves dressed, pounding a cup of coffee, and eventually sprinting out the door. For us, it's necessary, and for her, it literally is the highlight of her morning. (Really - you should hear her squeal as her Gabba friends come on the screen!)

3. As Quiet Time

Have you ever just wanted to crawl under a blanket, lay on the couch, and watch TV? Well, so does my kid. Kids are BUSY. They're loud, they run around, their brains are working overtime trying to just take in every little thing in this new world around them. And sometimes that makes them tired or cranky - just like you, and just like me. When Molly needs quiet time, she reads books, or she watches TV. It helps her to re-charge, and it makes her a happier person.

4. As Bonding Time
How many times have you taken your kids to their favorite playground, or made them their favorite meal? As parents, the greatest feeling we have is doing something we know our kids love. I absolutely love sitting down for a segment of Elmo's World with Molly, and on my sleep-in mornings, she and Daddy hang out in the basement in front of the big screen and watch Gabba or Fraggle Rock. All we need is that one look or big hug that says "Wow Mom, wow Dad, thanks for doing this with me." We snuggle and sing, and sometimes, that 30 minutes in front of the tv together is really, really special.

As I said before, you need to do what works for you and your family.  This works for us, and tv time can be a really beneficial and special time in our house, along with story time, meal time, and play time.

How do you use television with your kids? Share your ideas. It's a judgement free space. 

Our Dinner Scare

Last night I had quite a scare at home. Jim was at class, so it was just me and Molly hanging out together for dinner. We had pulled chicken and cucumbers, both of which Molly has eaten before without any problem.

At one point, late in the meal, she put a whole cucumber slice in her mouth. She's a good eater, and chews well, so I told her to be careful and watched her closely. Because I watched her closely I noticed her eyes get large, her mouth open up, no sound come from her throat, and her skin start to turn purple. Because I let her have an entire cucumber slice, my baby was choking.

I panicked hard. I remember screaming "No, no, no Molly, NO, NO, NO" and I swiped my finger down the back of her throat. The piece was down there quite a ways, and was most definitely blocking her airway. Luckily it was easily removed, and I crumbled in a heap on the floor crying and rocking my baby girl. I have never in my life been so terrified, and even as I write this hours later, I'm tearing up.

I'm not writing this to be scolded for giving my child a piece of food that was obviously too large for her. I'm writing it because I think that as our kids get older, we start to get more comfortable, and begin to forget some of those safety measures we were so anal about in the first year or two of their lives. Once they get the hang of it, things like eating, or climbing, or running become such a normal part of our days, and we forget that our kids are still little, and not fully capable of taking care of themselves. And while cuts and bruises are bound to happen, it doesn't take much for something routine to become quite serious quite quickly.

My husband associated it with riding a motorcycle. He says the motorcycle becomes deadly when you stop riding it like a motorcycle, when you take it for granted and forget the dangers that come with riding. Don't take your kiddos independence for granted, and don't forget they are still kiddos. I'll be watching with a much closer eye after last night.

Learning to Discipline

I remember when Molly was a newborn. People would always tell me "don't worry, it'll get easier." Today I'm looking at those people like they are freaking crazy. Sorry new moms, I hate to break it to you, but it does NOT get easier. Does it get more fun? YES! But easier? No way. Yes, you have a lot of sleepless nights with newborns, and the dreaded "witching hour" every evening. But then they become mobile. At first it's just a roll-over and you need to make sure they aren't on anything high or near something dangerous. Then it's the crawl, and you need to keep your not-so-babyproofed-because-this-snuck-up-on-us house in order and your eyes on them all the time. Then the walking starts and they no longer want to sit or be held in public because, hey mom! I can walk! When they are newborns, man it is EASY. I watched more Grey's Anatomy than I care to admit. Now I've lost 20lbs, run around all day, and hope my kid doesn't stick her finger in a light socket, because I'm sure that like, next week, she'll be tall enough to do it.

My battle right now is with discipline. From day one, I have been very blessed to have a happy child, and she still is one. But she's starting to push it. With her grandparents and at school, she's an angel. Dad gets a bit of attitude, but mom, mom's the clear winner. I get hit. I get my hair pulled. I get my sweet lovable laughing child turned she-devil as she thrashes in my arms and her high chair. Where, I ask you, WHERE did this child come from?

It's not all the time, but often enough that I'm starting to realize a hard, cold fact - my kid is becoming a bit spoiled. Whine a little - do you want a snack? Cry really hard - oh I'll hold you and we'll sing. She's on to me.

Fundamentally, I get discipline. I was a high school teacher and you can't be a high school teacher without understanding the very fine balance between friendship and authoritarianism. I know when it is obvious she's just wailing for attention that I need to ignore her and she will stop. But it is HARD. Today, while she played me a fool while laying her head on my shoulder and patting my back just so I wouldn't put her in the exersaucer, I stood there bawling my eyes out because I am so scared of disappointing her or making her hate me. And yes, I know, this is how kids become spoiled and parents become walked on like a New York City sidewalk.

I try to remind myself that it actually is a good thing when she acts out. She has feelings. She has emotions. She's smart enough to know what's going to force a response for me. She's developing which is exactly what we want her to do. But doing what I need to do is so very hard for me.

So, fellow moms, what tips do you have? Not tips on how to handle the discipline with your child, but how to handle YOURSElF when disciplining. Do you walk into the other room and cry like I do? Do you stare into their eyes as they look at you with hatred and sing your favorite song about the Caribbean and think of margaritas? How do you handle yourself when you know you have to do what's best for your child and hardest for you?

And please, don't tell me it'll get easier. :)

Being Molly's Mom - Her Fall Photoshoot!

They say that when you become a parent, time suddenly moves at warp speed. I'm starting to understand the truth behind this statement. It feels like yesterday when we were at the hospital holding our brand new baby girl. She was so tiny, and perfect, and I will never, ever forget the feeling of having her sleep on my chest those first few nights, or watching my husband be so very comfortable having her in his arms.

A few weeks ago I decided to take Molly out for a little photo shoot..just she and I. I knew it would be my last chance before the snow hit to get her in her adorable fall outfits, so we headed up to the park one chilly afternoon. She was a bit on the serious side, but I was thrilled at how well she did without anyone there to help me rein her in, and it also hit me how quickly the time has flown. My brand new baby girl now walks, talks, plays, laughs, and gives loves. Just when you think your heart can't get any more full, you have a child, and you watch your child grow, and your heart just grows and grows with it. There is nothing in the world like parenthood.

Here's my Molly last fall, on the same weekend, in her monkey Halloween costume:

And here she is, one year later...dare I say, all grown up and ready to conquer the world.

There is nothing better in the world than being a mom.

See more photos from our shoot on my photography blog.

But I Don't Wanna Be a Frump!

We've all seen them. Those generic Facebook posts that are constantly circling around. "Post this for 10 minutes if you think there should be a cure for cancer." "Re-post if you love your husband." Man, don't I feel like a jerk when I ignore them. For the record, I DO think there should be a cure for cancer, and I really DO love my husband. I don't think a Facebook status update is required for this to be known.

A few times, I've seen one circling around for moms. It goes something like "if you've traded your mascara in for burp cloths, and your heels for pacifier clips..you are a real mom."

Um, what?! That's crap. You might as well say to a pregnant lady, "Congratulations! You are about to enter a phase of your life where you will enjoy bedhead and frump every day for the next 18 years."  I don't think so. So, I came up with my own status update.

You can be an awesome and real mom when you:

1. Have girls nights. Because you really appreciate them.
2. Wear heels to the grocery store. Because they make you feel pretty.
3. Put mascara on every day. Because you know that the 30 seconds it takes to put it on does not impact you child's ability to read or become the President.
4. Watch television. And by television I mean shows like Grey's Anataomy, House, Law and Order, and Glee. Not just Sesame Street, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Dora the Explorer.
5. Go on dates with your significant other.
6. Drink wine. Because if moms had to give up wine we'd never make it.
7. Carry a designer handbag.
8. Get manicures and pedicures.
9. Have a career.
10. Study, craft, play music, create, or do whatever it is that you did before you had kids that made you who you are.

Frump is so out, moms. Show your kids it's ok to be who you are and who you want to be in any phase of your life.

Breaking the Rules - Survival Mode

Before you become a parent, you have a long list of things you'll never do to YOUR kid. You'll never pick them up just because they want you to, or let them watch tv, or give them something they want just because they are whining for it.

Let me tell you, you're in for a wake up call.

About three seconds into parenthood you realize you're a big sucker. Those big eyes, those little lips. You already know you'll do anything just to make them happy. But you tell yourself, you'll stick to your standards, because it's what's best for this little miracle in your arms.

But the reality of parenthood sets in quickly and although it drove me bonkers to hear it when I was pregnant, there really was so much I didn't know until Molly was actually here. And while I still have standards, a parenting style, and parenting beliefs about what will be best for my daughter, I'm learning that nothing is set in stone, and you are literally learning and changing your opinions every single step of the way.

Before we had Molly, my husband and I adamently agreed: No baby in the bed. It would not happen. I'd heard too many stories of couples who had grown apart because they had a kid in their bed many nights. At first we did well. Molly slept in her pack and play and eventually her crib. But then we hit the growth spurts, and we went into what I call "survival mode." When your child has been up literally screaming her head off from 6pm the previous evening until 5:00 the next morning, and the only way she will calm down is when you lay her down between you and your husband in your bed, you do it. You do it because you love your child and don't want her to cry any more, but you also do it because you love your sanity. You're in survival mode.

Sleeping in the bed isn't the only rule I've broken in order to survive parenthood. I swore up and down I would never EVER place my child in front of the tv in order to get some things done. But one day, she was crying, ohhh was she crying, and my husband was running last minute errands, and I had to pack us all up to go away on a trip in just a few hours. So I bit my lip, felt guiltyguiltyguilty, and put Molly in her exersaucer with "Yo Gabba Gabba" on the television. She stopped crying. She started laughing. I packed up three people and a dog for a lengthy trip, and loaded the car in 25 minutes. Survival mode.

Last week Molly discovered the art of a temper tantrum. It was cute at first. She'd sit down, throw her arms and forward on the floor like a hopeless mess, and get over it in about 30 seconds. Tonight, she was in rare form. She needed to eat dinner, I needed to unload groceries, and her face was the color of the very ripe plum in our fridge. So I did what no well-respecting non-mom would do: I whipped out my phone, activated my YouTube app, turned on the beloved Yo Gabba Gabba, and watched my child stare at a screen while she silently ate her cucumbers and spaghetti and I put the groceries away, fed the dog, and made our dinner. It was indeed, survival mode.

So the next time you are at the mall, and you see a mom cave in to her screaming toddler with a treat, or your co-worker or good friend tells you about how their little one watched "Tangled" twice in a row that afternoon, don't judge them. Give them a break. I guarantee they are great parents, who have just found themselves in a moment of truth and chose pick their battles just to survive.

You Are Not a Bad Mom

If you are a mom, my hope is that this post will make you nod your head, smile, and laugh a bit. If you're a mom-to-be, my hope is that you will read this, file it away, and refer to it a few months from now. If you're not a mom, and never plan to be one, file this in your "new parents are nuts" folder and move on.

Mom guilt. It's a phrase I'd heard many times before I had a baby, but I never really understood it until I became a mom (one of the many, many things in this category). It pretty much comes with anything you do for yourself. It's starting to get better at 10.5 months postpartum, but I don't think it ever truly goes away, as becoming a parent instantly means that your life is no longer about you.

I've been thinking of the things that activate my mom guilt, and I thought it might be good to put together a list, not to remind myself of all the things I shouldn't be doing, but rather to remind myself that it is ok to do the things I need to do. We've all heard it a million times - you are a better mom if you take care of yourself. (I personally repeat this mantra in my head as I enjoy a well-deserved glass of pinot grigio after Molly goes to bed. That and "Wine makes it all better." Chant it with me - "I'm a better mom with wine." Wait...)

At any rate, here is my list. Feel free to add along. Heck, feel free to print it out, put it on your fridge, your bedroom mirror, your car dashboard, or your office desk. Whatever you do, remember that it is ok to be who you've always been and be a mom.

I AM NOT A BAD MOM WHEN I...

• go to the bathroom, and sit for more than 30 seconds.
• take a shower, and enjoy the peace and quiet.
• go to work and make money for my family.
• send my child to daycare.
• order take-out instead of cooking.
• sleep in and let someone else get up with the baby.
• enjoy a date night.
• enjoy a girls night...or weekend.
• make the decision to stop breastfeeding.
• take a nap.
• don't cry when I leave my baby's side.
• give my child some alone time.
• follow my head instead of my heart when it comes to important decisions.
• follow my heart instead of my head when it comes to important decisions.
• put a screaming baby down and take a minute to re-focus.
• sit and watch tv, read a book, craft, or zone out instead of cleaning the house while the baby naps.
• continue to do and appreciate the things that made me who I am before I had children.
• just need a break.

I know there are a zillion more things I could add to this list, but I'm feeling guilty for sitting for so long. Just kidding! (Kind of).  So I ask my mom readers - what would you add?

Mom to Be? Some Non-Advice, Advice For You

Anyone who is pregnant or has been pregnant recently understands when I say that the words of advice during pregnancy can be helpful, but mostly are repetitive, annoying, and even sometimes disrespectful. Sentiments like "sleep now while you can!", "you think you're tired now?", and "rest while you can!" would seriously make my skin crawl throughout my pregnancy. (Obviously people discussing my sleep was a sore point for me).

I was thinking this morning about the things I would love to tell new moms and moms-to-be. But my mind quickly rushed back to those never-ending, unsolicited words of advice, and I thought maybe I should keep my own trap shut. But then, I thought, maybe, instead of saying "you should do this," I'd say "here's what I'm glad I did," and "here's what I wish I'd done differently." Everyone has a system that works for them. My system may not work for you, but I thought I'd share what did work for me, and hopefully some of it will help you to build your own experience in a way that works for you.

So, here we go.

I'm so glad I...

1.  Didn't buy a travel system. I read so many reviews about how bulky and heavy they were, and in my opinion they just looked like a pain in the butt. My solution was to register for two strollers. The first was these awesome snap-and-go strollers that fit my carseat right into it. It's super lightweight, and is easy to open and close. It was perfect for the mall and other shopping trips.

The second was a jogging stroller, for walks around the neighborhood, at the park, and on rougher terrain. It's heavier, so not as good for shopping trips, but also allows for the carseat to snap into it, and now Molly can ride in it like a big girl.

It may seem like overkill, but it cost less than the travel system, and I didn't have to deal with the bulk which was great, especially after having a c-section.

2. Used Craiglist and Freecycle! Baby stuff is so expensive, and while I really wanted Molly to only have sparkling new items, it just wasn't realistic. The swing we registered for was $170. I found one in awesome condition, only used for 4 months on Craigslist for $40. With a good cleaning, it was ready to go.

3. Speaking of swings....I'm SO happy we got a swing. When we didn't receive one at the shower, I asked my girlfriends if it was really necessary, and the answer was a unanimous "YES!" And it really was. From the start, the swing was a great place to set Molly down, and it ended up being her napping spot and where she went to sleep at night before putting her to bed. For us, the swing was so necessary that I insisted on having one when we traveled to our parents' houses for Christmas as well.

4. Transitioned Molly into her crib early. This is 110% a "do what feels right to you" thing. We moved her into her crib at 3 weeks. She was a heck of a noisy sleeper. The pack and play was wonderful, but we needed to get our sleep too, so at 3 weeks we made the transition. I truly feel that the transition went as smoothly as it did because we did it early. She wasn't old enough to know any different, and I think we all started sleeping better. But again, this is an incredibly personal decision.

5. Asked family and friends to wait a few days before staying overnight with us when we came home from the hospital. We had lots of visitors at the hospital, and I knew we'd have guests in and out when we got home. We asked for a few days without overnight guests, so we could get our feet on the ground as our new little family. And, let's be honest, your body goes through a lot of, mostly disgusting, changes after childbirth and as a private person, I was happy to not have to worry about living behind a lot of closed doors those first few days.

I wish I had...

1. Had professional pictures taken. Yes, a nice photographer will come to your hospital room and take pictures for you and then offer to give you a DVD of said pictures for a whopping $125 dollars (for 25-ish pictures). As much as we loved the pictures we were not about to spend that much money for 25 pictures of us set up on a hospital bed, and being a photographer, I figured I could just take some pictures myself. But, I had a C-section. I was up all night with feedings. I was trying to balance my new life. I was just plain tired. I think I finally took pictures around 4 or 5 weeks, just as Molly's baby acne kicked into high gear. And I don't have any of the two of us. I very much regret not having someone who is familiar with newborn photography come to our home and take some pictures of those incredibly new and precious first few weeks.

2. Registered for or cared more about the things Molly would need as she got older. You get SO many newborn clothes, towels, washcloths, and blankets. But you don't realize really how quickly you'll be needing the sippy cups, spoons, light up toys, and the all-mighty exersaucer. Having a baby that plays may seem like light years away but believe me, it literally happens in the blink of an eye.

3. Prepped more freezer meals. We had INCREDIBLY generous friends and family. We had more food than we could have dreamed of for a good 4 weeks. It was awesome. But then it ran out. And I know that eventually it had to run out, but had I just taken one Sunday afternoon and prepared a few meals myself, we would have been set for a few more days, and as any new mom knows, extra time in those first few weeks (ok, extra time at anytime) is a heck of a blessing.

4. Started pumping earlier. When you take three months off of work for maternity leave it seems like such a long time. You figure you have plenty of time to build a nice stash of frozen breastmilk before returning to work. But the weeks literally fly by, and before you know it, you're packing up the first daycare bag, and if you haven't planned well, you only have enough milk ready to go for a day or two. I think I started pumping around 8 or 9 weeks. While I don't think I would have given her a bottle any earlier than that, I didn't realize that it really takes a few weeks to get into the habit of pumping, and for your supply to build. Had I started pumping 2-3 weeks earlier, I think I would have had a bit less stress about my supply after I returned to work.

5. Brought the right clothes to the hospital (for Molly, not me). I'm laughing, but I'm also serious! Molly was born in September. I packed her pants, and a t-shirt. No onesie, no long sleeves, no socks, no hat, no blanket. Wow, I felt dumb. Of course it was like 50 degrees that day too..a chilly fall day. I have to laugh because it is a classic first-time mom error, but next time, my newborn will have warm tootsies on the ride home. :)

So, take it or leave it, these are my thoughts. Of course, I have about 1000 more, but I'll spare your eyes. I know I said I wouldn't give advice, but I do have one piece - go with your gut and enjoy every second. Everyone tells you what you need to do, and in the end, you know your baby better than anyone else on the planet. Mommy/Daddy instinct is usually right on, so do what works for you. And have fun doing it, because, for me anyway, this is the single best thing I've ever done.

How to Make Baby Food - Apples

I've been nervous to give Molly apples because my husband has an oral allergy to them. However, I was surprised when the doctor said that because of this, it is extra important for her to try them now. It turns out the longer we wait to introduce them to her, the greater her chance of developing the same allergy.

Making apples into baby food was honestly quite a pain in the butt. I think this is almost 100% due to user error however. I attempted to do this in a very short window of time after work. My light was limited, my kiddo got hungry, and I learned very quickly to always peel the apples BEFORE you chop them. This added about 15 minutes to my overall cooking time.

One thing to know is that apples are considered one of the "dirty dozen" foods for babies. (See the full list here). This means that apples are one of the fruits most likely to be contaminated by pesticides, so if you are able, buying organic is a smart choice.

So, to make apples into baby food, start with as many apples as you choose.

Core your apples. (Again, peeling BEFORE doing this step would be wise), and chop into chunks.

Place the apples in a large pot, and just cover with water. Bring to a boil, and steam until tender.

The next step is subjective, depending on how thin you want the final product. Molly is working her way into thicker purees, so I mashed the apples, but you can also puree them.

You can also add spices to give them a bit more flavor. I did not do this this time around, but will next time to help as I thought they were just a bit bland.

Have any other apple tips? Feel free to share them below!

Friday Favorite: OxiClean

This week's Friday Favorite is brought to you by my adorable daughter, Molly.

See this face?

Pretty darn cute huh? Well, believe me when I say, the "gifts" this cute face offers up 2-3 times a day, are not so cute. And when those "gifts" are spread to her adorable little outfits, it's not fun for anyone involved.

At first, I just tried washing the clothes. But poop does stain, and after one wash, her onesies and pants were inevitably destroyed. Obviously, throwing out every soiled outfit is ridiculous, so on a whim one day I decided to pick up this stick of OxiClean pre-treating gel.

If Billy Mays were still alive, I'd be shouting right along with him. This stuff is A-MAZ-ING. If you've ever had an infant for more than a day, you know what I'm talking about when I say the word blowout. We're talking poo everywhere. Up the back. Down the legs. In the hair. I've had entire backs of onesies covered in poo, and after treating it with this stuff and washing it, the shirt looks like new. I've even (and I'm ashamed to admit this), let clothes sit for 4-5 days without pre-treating them, added the OxiClean gel, and again, they end up like new. You just need to be sure to wash your treated clothes in HOT water, or else the stain will set, and you'll have yourself a new dust rag.

If you're a mom, heck if you're not a mom (I tend to have a hole in my lower lip), this stuff is a necessary staple in your laundry room. With a quick registration you can even get a coupon here!

And that my friends, is the power of OxiClean. (Sorry, had to do it).

And the Winner Is...

Thank you so much to everyone who voted on Molly's picture to enter in the Q97.9 Q Baby Idol contest. Between the blog and my Facebook page, 36 people voted..you guys are amazing!

Sooooo..the winner...by a long shot is....

Number 3!!

 Thanks sooo much for your help. Voting starts on Monday, and the baby with the most votes wins! I'll be posting a link so check back soon!

Help Me Pick!

So every year, Q97.9, a local radio station, puts on a competition called Q Baby Idol. People submit photos of their children and the public votes on who they think has the cutest baby. The winner receives $1,000 cash and $1,000 worth of parts and service on their vehicle.

Of, course, I think my kid is the cutest kid on the planet and will obviously win this competition :) HOWEVER, in order to ensure this victory, I need your help. I have taken so many photos and looked at them so many times, that I simply cannot pick the one that will help us to win this competition.

That's where you come in. Take a look at the photos below. At the end, leave a comment with your favorite photo. PLEASE ONLY VOTE FOR ONE! You can comment anonymously if you'd prefer. I'll pick the one with the most votes and submit. Voting ends at 11:59pm on Monday, April 11. Thank you so much for your help!

Which photo is your favorite?

How to Make Baby Food - Plums

Plums are a great fruit to introduce early on to your little one. They're extremely nutritious, and I like them because of the thin consistancy they make when pureed - making it easy for babies to eat without choking.

There are a few ways you can make plums for your baby. You can bake them in the oven, or you can boil them in water. I chose the boiling method.

To start, scrub the fruit clean. You should do this with any fruit or vegetable you serve to your baby..or yourself!

Next, carve an "X" in the bottom of the fruit. This will help it to "stand" while in the pot of boiling water.

Add the plums to a small pot. (I apologize for having two very different colored ones. I told my husband to pick up at least one ripe one, but then forgot how little puree one plum makes, so I had to cook both of them!). You want the water to go almost to the top, but not cover them completely, otherwise they will float.

Bring the water to a boil, and boil the plums until you can easily stick a fork in them. You will need to turn them over at some point so that the tops cook as well. Don't worry if they start to peel..this will be helpful after you're done boiling!

When the plums are soft, drop them into cold water. This helps with the peeling process, and I usually peel them in the water, or under the faucet in cold water.

Once they are peeled, cut them into chunks, and throw away the seed in the middle.

Add them to the blender of your choice and blend until smooth. The fruit already has enough water in it, so you do not need to add any.

Be careful because the few times I've done this, I have noticed some chunks left in the mix, no matter how much I blend them. I usually just take those out, and there's enough smooth liquid left over.

Poor into the container of your choice and refrigerate or freeze!

Do note, that one plum does not make very much..maybe just a tablespoon or two, so making a few at a time is a good idea.

Enjoy!

Friday Favorite: The Angelcare Monitor

I've decided that on Fridays (well, let's be honest, my life is busy..on the Fridays that I remember to...) I'm going to highlight a favorite product. Kind of like Oprah's Favorite Things, only I'm not Oprah, and I highly doubt these products will put a flashy label on their product saying "Recommended by Kristina!" But still, I like to share what I like, so here you go.

I thought I'd start with what is hands down the most important and best purchase we made in preparation for Molly's arrival. There are a lot of baby monitors out there. We registered for a video monitor, but when we didn't get it, we considered the Angelcare Deluxe. There are three words to tell you why, as a new parent, you need this monitor: peace of mind.

The thing that makes this monitor different is the movement sensor pad - the large square thing in the photo above. This pad goes under the baby's mattress and detects any motion the baby gives while in the crib. If the pad does not feel motion for 20 seconds, an alarm goes off. It will wake you out of a dead sleep. Trust me, I know.

We've had a few scares. Luckily they were false alarms. I know parents who have not had false alarms, and this monitor literally saved their baby's life. I don't know about you, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Molly moved into her crib at 3 weeks old. Don't judge us - she was one heck of a grunter and we needed to get what little rest we could. But we felt comfortable making the transition because of this monitor.

Another great feature of this monitor is the temperature display. I have loved being able to wake up at night, and look at the monitor and know that her room is at a comfortable temperature.

We found this monitor at Babies R Us for $149.99. Find yourself one of their awesome 20% off coupons, and you have yourself a great deal. Even without a discount though, it's a heck of a small price to pay to know your baby is safe.

Under the Weather

My munchkin is sick. 

(Taken with my cell phone, hence the poor quality...I was a bit glued to the couch today!)

Every parent will tell you how heartbreaking it is when your baby is sick. Molly's had colds off and on throughout the winter months, and while yes, its been tough to see her not be 100% I haven't been wracked with anguish. It's winter and colds are to be expected. We've had our fair share of calls and visits to see the doctor, but overall her issues have been minor.

The drippy eyes however, started on Saturday. On Sunday she woke up with a cough. I didn't figure it was much more than what we've already been through this winter, until 1:30 this morning when she woke up and didn't go back to sleep. Her cry wasn't the normal, "hey I'm hungry" or "hey guys I'm just in a bad mood" cry, it was a "momma help me, I don't feel good" cry - the one that tugs so hard at your heartstrings that you yourself sit in the rocking chair with tears streaming down your own face because you know you can't make it better.

It was a long night. Finally the two of us ended up on the couch with her comfortable enough on my chest to sleep for an hour or so. A trip to the doctor this morning told us that we were experiencing our first ear infection.

For those of you with new little ones, here's what we learned from the doctor today:

• Ear infections often start with a common cold which gets worse quickly and clogs up everything, causing the bacteria to grow in the ear. 
• A sudden change in behavior such as a long fussy night, accompanied by a fever is often a sure sign of an ear infection.
• Babies over 6 months of age can have infant Motrin or Advil which is more effective than Tylenol in bringing down a fever.
• Since babies Molly's age still have yet to have several of their vaccinations, amoxicillian is often prescribed to help fight the bacteria. Older babies and kiddos (ages 3+ don't necessarily need the antibiotic as the ear infection will go away on it's own.
• Antibiotics can often wreak havoc on a child's digestive system. Using a powdered probiotic such as this can help prevent serious diarrhea, yeast infections, and thrust.

So, there's my Kristina M.D. lesson of the day. I'm quickly learning that Dr. Mom may be a very real term after all. Here's hoping my kiddo is back to her giggly, goofy self in just a few days.

The Red Sweater

My brother Peter asked me to send a few pictures to him of Molly so he can print and frame them. A few weeks ago he bought her this super cute red sweater, and asked if I had any pictures of Molly in it. I didn't, but couldn't resist the photo opp, so of course, I whipped out the camera. Here's my favorite shot from our mini-session. I can't get over how big she is getting!

Thanks for the new sweater Uncle Pete!