:: Fish Tales ::

 

 He watched those tiny little waves come in, listened to the noisy boats and got quite a kick out of the wind.

As tired as I get trying to think of creative ways to entertain a 9 month old, sometimes it's the simple things that work best.  After throwing him in the car for yet another I-don't-know-where-I'm-driving-I'm-just-driving episode, I called my parents, and they said they were at the river trying their luck with the fish.  Perfect - I crashed that party. 

















As soon as we arrived at the water, Simon's mood changed.

It wasn't long before dad put him to work, figuring he may have beginners luck.

So, all those times your mother said, "go outside and get some fresh air," ... it really does do wonders for kids.  (And mums).  Who knew?

Amy

:: From sunset to sunrise ::

I had the good fortune of spending an evening with one of my favourite friends, catching up and watching the sunset.

Later that night, at home, the little Mister had no interest in sleeping, so after trying everything logical, humane and legal, I put him in the car and we cruised around deserted suburbia.  He fell asleep just as the sun was rising. 

Was it my favourite thing to be doing at 4:30am?  No.  But something about having the roads to yourself, a heavily breathing baby in the back, and the sky changing colours made it okay. 

:: MEAL TIME ::

Once your baby is eating puréed food, these are my go-to products:

Glass Lock Containers

Glass Lock 16 piece set - the set pictured includes a spoon (mine did not), but these are AMAZING.  They don't leak, they don't retain smell (hello, we're introducing eggplant this week, that is not a smell I wish to remain inside my containers), and they can be used in the microwave as long as you remove the lid. The set was about $18

Vital Baby spoons

When I tried these spoons by Vital Baby (purchased from Winners), I was immediately in love with them.  It sounds silly, but trying to dig out runny baby food from the bottom of a jar becomes unnerving when you have a hungry baby hollering away inches from your face.  These spoons are actually little mini flexible spatulas.  They will reach every last drop of food.  My husband even noticed and was like, "these spoons are cool"... and for him to notice something such as infant tableware... that's saying a lot.  This 5 pack was under $5. 


Amy

Rub a Dub Dub... Baby Bath Time !

I love bath time!  It's part of our nightly routine and one of my favourite times of the day. 

Here are some of our bath time favourites:

Simon in his Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub

This is so adorable !  I received it as a gift and Simon loves it.  It offers a bit more peace of mind when bathing babies that are still a little wobbly in sit up position, because they can't really slip around or tip over.  Obviously, this goes without saying, but you would never leave them unattended, it just prevents you from breaking your ribs while bending over a tub and supporting the weight of a 20 pounder.  Features:  Non slip bottom, a "quacking" beak, a temperature guide, bottom plug to release the water and suction cup to hang it to dry inside the shower/tub.

Features 13 water toys and everything fits inside the boat for easy storage.  I received it as a gift, but I believe it's sold at Target and "specialty" children's stores/ boutiques.  LOVE this. 

B. Curious "Fish and Splish"

Johnson's Baby Products have been around for over 100 years.  Here are my favourites:

Lavender Shampoo - smells so good and of course Lavender is supposed to help babies (and adults) wind down and relax before bed.

Honey Apple Body Wash - smells so yummy and doesn't dry out baby's skin.  I always squirt a little in the bath water.  

Bedtime Lotion - supposed to contain a blend of soothing aromas - try giving your baby a message using this before bed 

 

Hooded Baby Towels

Hooded Baby Towels.  There's nothing cuter, and for an added je ne sais pas, you can throw it in the dryer for a minute or two to make it nice and toasty.

MY BATH TIME TIPS:

• Get your baby used to the water at an early age so that bath time doesn't become contentious. 
• If they know that they will get a bath every night, (and hair wash every second night) then there will be no arguments because you've made it part of their routine.
• Teach them not to fear water.  Don't worry about a little bit of water in the eyes or playtime splashing.  
• Most importantly, make it fun!  If bath time is a chore for you, babies can sense that.  So, sing, tickle, play and smile at them, and if all else fails, hop right in there with them !

Amy

::LEAST ANNOYING BABY TOYS::

I had this vision that my baby wasn't going to be one of those babies that had a ba-zillion toys that take over my entire house.  I didn't want anything that binged, dinged, sang or banged.  I didn't have noisy toys when I was little, I had dolls and Lego. I was going to have the kind of kid who played with his imagination.  Well, I was clearly delusional.  Maybe when Simon is a little older, and develops an imagination, but for now, to get me through a day, I rotate him from toy to toy, and these are the ones I can tolerate without wanting to murder myself. 

Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun

The Evenflo Exersaucer Triple fun.  This thing is great, and it's like a transformer.  There are 3 stages: tummy time, bouncing time (pictured) and it then it all unfolds into an "S" shape when your baby is learning how to walk.  The actual play table offers different textures, movement, lights and effects and the sound effects are kind of, dare I say "catchy"?

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn fun with friends musical table

Fisher Price Laugh & Learn "fun with friends musical table"  Simon LOVES this toy!  You can remove the legs and they can sit and play with it on the floor, so it's something that can be integrated into playtime in the early months.  There's lots of songs (not baby songs, Beethoven-type songs and other instrumentals, again, less of an irritant), and they can also pick up the phone, open and close the "laptop" and turn a book page.  

 

Fisher Price Go Baby Go Stride-to-Ride

Fisher Price Go Baby Go Stride-to-Ride.  It "roars." 'Nuff said.  Plus, it's like a road hog/ chopper for babies. 

Jolly Jumper

The original "Jolly Jumper" - It's not the easiest to get the baby all set up, but once they're in... it should buy you at least 15 minutes of entertainment.  I mean them.  It should buy them at least 15 minutes of entertainment.  Just not after they eat.  Made that mistake once.  No, seriously, this thing is hilarious.  I always lay a blanket down because of occasional spit up, and then I blare songs from "Lord of the Dance" on my iPad, and it makes me crack up every time.  








Amy

50 Shades of Purée

HOMEMADE BABY FOOD:

Veggies that work well:

• Sweet Potatoes
• Butternut Squash
• Carrots
• Eggplant 
• Green/ Yellow beans
• Peas
• Corn I started at 8 months, it's harder to digest (you know what I'm talking about)
• Beets are more trouble than they're worth, but I have made them
• Zucchini is kinda so-so.  I find it watery and potentially not as filling as starchier veggies

Fruits that work well:

• Gala apples
• Pears 
• Bananas (no need to steam)
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Plums 

1. Wash, peel (if applicable), dice and steam until tender.  I don't have anything fancy.  I just use a pot of boiling water, a lid to contain as much steam as possible and a stainless steel steamer  
2. Dump the steamed fruits/ veggies into a 4 cup Pyrex glass bowl and wait until cool.  This is SUPER important.  You can not blend things when they are hot or you will literally have a hot mess and pa-tench 3rd degree burns.  After a baby, the last thing I need is more marks on my body.  Lord have mercy.  
3. Save the precious water from the pot, you'll use that to blend and smooth your mixtures, I use the magic bullet or a braun hand mixer.  Works perfectly.  
4. Spoon into ice cube trays (buy a couple extra, it'll save time) and freeze.  



Fruit/ Veggie Steamer

 

5. Toss the frozen cubes into Ziploc bags or big containers and label and date !  
6. Get creative!  Banana-strawberry blends are a favourite, as well as 1/2 peas 1/2 carrot cubes

*Each "ice cube" measures approximately 1Tbsp.

Simons meal plan right now (at 8M) for example is this:

Breakfast:  3 tbsp of cereal, 1 cube of fruit (melted and mixed into cereal)

Lunch:  3 cubes of veggies, and 1 cube of fruit

Dinner:  3 cubes of veggies, 1 cube of fruit, 3 tbsp of cereal 

I'm not suggesting everyone follow his meal plan, I'm just letting you know what's working so far for us!  

Amy

Shoo fly, don't bother me

My sister, Simon and I braved the elements and went on a little nature walk today in search of the "rare red trillium" in the Mer Bleue bog.  You find things to do, that normally, you would have no interest in doing, when you're at home all day.  Anyone about to go on mat leave doesn't understand it.  Anyone on mat leave, totally gets it.  Ya feel me, girlfriend?  You know what's up.

So, off we go in the pouring rain, trying to avoid serial killers and dangerous wildlife, in search of a potentially fictitious flower, and, nothing.  All we had to show for our troubles was mosquito bites, mascara meltdown and a soaker.  Ah well... better than staying at home, I suppose!

Simon at Mer Bleue, removed from his stroller for a photo op

Simon was spared from bug bites because of this nifty little thing that snapped over his stroller by Jolly Jumper:  http://www.amazon.ca/Jolly-Jumper-Insect-Strollers-Bassinets/dp/B002FIQ7I4

Easy to use, compact, and runs about $8.  Worthwhile investment.

Amy

I have an 8 month old... when did that happen?!?

It's 7:05pm.  I've just put Simon down to bed for the night and I can't believe that 8 months has already passed.  I'm really a mum !  I'm totally doing it!  Sometimes I forget that I'm a mum.  When my husband and I are in front of the tv, watching "our shows", everything feels normal, and as it has felt for the last 5 years.  Then I catch a glimpse of the baby monitor light, the toy box, or my "jiggly bits" and I remember that I'm an actual mum.

There is a little tiny person upstairs who is depending on me for everything.  Sometimes I have a little laugh to myself, like, "I'm totally a grown-up", other times, a little cry, because it's completely scary!

Simon, 18 days old

Everyone told me that the first year flies by so quickly.  It sounded too cliché to be true, but I truly can't believe that this time last year, I had the biggest cankles known to man, and I was converting my spare room into a nursery.

I hope my experiences encourage, assure and humour you !

Amy