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Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tigard,OR...
I had yet to visit towns to our west like Beaverton & Tigard, but I did it! Just so happens there's a huge mall in Tigard, the Washington Square Mall. Wowza! Such a beautiful, big mall. I had to change a size on a gift for baby (her first birthday gift from her titi's & cousin) and that was the only Baby Gap that had it in stock! Lucky for me, because now I know about this great mall! Loads of shops, even a Striderite! Plus a cute little play area for super little ones (under 36 inches I think) Brianlily had a blast! I do know that the next time we're there I'll most likely get into with someone at the play area...there were wayyyy too many kids over the height restriction that were playing much to rough to be around our little ones! I wanted to kick some kid ASS! We'll see what happens next time, for now I love the place and can't wait to go back for some Striderites for honey!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
SHE'S ONE!
at 3:46am on january 15, 2009 the universe sent me an angel...her name is brianlily...strong, beautiful, and pure...perfect in every way. how blessed am i!
thank you bebe
♥ happy birthday my angel ♥
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Baby Bottle Tips & Reviews
When my daughter was born, I started out with Born Free and really loved them. Born Free has 6 parts; bottle, nipple, collar, 2-piece vent, and cap. My partner thought we should try something with more nipple options and came home with Avent bottles. My God did I hate them! The venting system is built into the nipple and it was impossible to get the damn thing back onto the bottle. Then when I thought I had it on and went to shake up the bottle, I had a mess of milk all over. I couldn't get the collar/nipple back on the right way and it just leaked all the time. Avent only has 4 parts; bottle, nipple, collar, cap. Needless to say...I still LOVE LOVE LOVE my Born Free! They're comfortable to hold (love the wide mouth design), relatively easy to clean (considering more bottles have a bunch of parts to clean) and my daughter never had a problem using them. I started out with glass bottles because they seemed easier to keep sterilized, then switched to plastic once she was old enough to make it dangerous to use glass. She will be one this week and she we still love them.
My sister, who gave birth to her son 5 days after me, started out with Playtex Ventair bottles and didn't really have a problem with them. They are great for the cost. She decided to try something different because my nephew was having a reflux problem, and went with Dr. Brown's . What a pain those bottles were! They came with a special brush to clean out the tube inside! She chose the skinny bottle, so not sure what they're wide mouth bottle is like. I think she only used them for a week and went back to her original bottles.
All in all I would have to say it's really up to you. What is most comfortable? What is better in cost...don't forget to look at all replacement parts like nipples, collars, and vent? My sister and I had about 12 bottles each in rotation. Sounds like a lot, but when you're whole life revolves around bottles...you better make sure they're ready to go! That way you really only have to wash once a day. You're not going to know how well your baby does until you try them, so start out with something you like and go from there. If they're plastic, make sure they're BPA free .
Now on to bottle accessories.
I've tried at least 4 different bottle brushes including Nuby and Dr. Brown's but have found my all time FAV with First Year's. My pick was the strongest. It has a hard plastic reinforced arm that really held up well. The Dr. Brown's and others just bend easily. Plus the built in nipple brush was easy to use and get to, unlike Dr. Brown's that wasn't a brush at all but a rubber tip or Nuby which you have to use separately (the tiny thing is impossible to hold on to!). They both have a sponge at the tip which is great, but the First Year's sponge it softer making it easy to get in and out of the bottle.
Next is a bottle warmer . I really thought this would come in handy for my daughter who was born in January...just think of a hungry newborn in the middle of winter! When I opened the box I thought I was looking at a NASA machine. I didn't even know where to begin. I chose this warmer because I thought I could warm 3 bottles at once, or heat one and keep the other two warm. That's not what this warmer does at all. It warms ONE bottle and chills TWO! What the hell! I thought I was buying a bottle WARMER. Ugh! After thinking it over and realizing the last thing I want it another gadget on the counter, I decided that I really didn't need this thing as all. I was using glass bottles at that point and warming the bottle under hot water worked great (plastic bottles take longer that way). I wonder who uses warmers and how it works out.
Once we started going out more with Brianlily, I knew I needed something to keep formula in. The selection is pretty big for these little containers, but my goal was not to spend too much and came up with these . I love them! We still use them for snacks! They're not bulky like Sassy brand (there are 4 compartments so the container is taller) and the least in cost. Honestly I really like the Munchkin brand products. The colors are fun too and you can mix them up.
As for a bottle drying rack I tried two. This super cheap Especially for Baby rack, and my pick . The first one was terrible! The pegs didn't stay in place and the rack just didn't hold enough bottles and parts. The First Year's rack was and still is my favorite. It's roomy, gets the water down into the catch tray great, and I love that it spins! If you check out some others like this one from Skip Hop (personally I think this brand is SO expensive for rather crappy quality) you can see that there is no way a bunch of wide neck bottles are going to fit on that thing (check out the old school skinny bottles in the additional photos). It's a great idea to have the brush nice and handy there, but it takes away from the much needed bottle space. My pick is also pretty compact...it's on my counter and I don't feel like I have a nuisance on the counter.
The last thing that I used/use is a delicate laundry bag for my bottles and accessories in the dishwasher. When we moved from NYC to Portland, OR I was most excited about having a dishwasher (never had one). "You mean I don't have to wash bottles anymore!? The best feeling ever, until I realized I needed to keep them in place. There is something at Babiesrus just for this purpose, but they're just too small and pricey. So I thought "why can't I use a delicate laundry bag?" I picked one up at Walmart for less than the above product and it works perfectly! Lots of room for lots of parts and accessories. Here is one at The Container Store (super pricey place- Bed Bath & Beyond is better) but you get the idea.
I really hope something here can help new parents or someone just having trouble with a product. I'm very happy to say Brianlily has been a very happy baby and I hope mommy's neurotic perfectionism had something to do with it!
My sister, who gave birth to her son 5 days after me, started out with Playtex Ventair bottles and didn't really have a problem with them. They are great for the cost. She decided to try something different because my nephew was having a reflux problem, and went with Dr. Brown's . What a pain those bottles were! They came with a special brush to clean out the tube inside! She chose the skinny bottle, so not sure what they're wide mouth bottle is like. I think she only used them for a week and went back to her original bottles.
All in all I would have to say it's really up to you. What is most comfortable? What is better in cost...don't forget to look at all replacement parts like nipples, collars, and vent? My sister and I had about 12 bottles each in rotation. Sounds like a lot, but when you're whole life revolves around bottles...you better make sure they're ready to go! That way you really only have to wash once a day. You're not going to know how well your baby does until you try them, so start out with something you like and go from there. If they're plastic, make sure they're BPA free .
Now on to bottle accessories.
I've tried at least 4 different bottle brushes including Nuby and Dr. Brown's but have found my all time FAV with First Year's. My pick was the strongest. It has a hard plastic reinforced arm that really held up well. The Dr. Brown's and others just bend easily. Plus the built in nipple brush was easy to use and get to, unlike Dr. Brown's that wasn't a brush at all but a rubber tip or Nuby which you have to use separately (the tiny thing is impossible to hold on to!). They both have a sponge at the tip which is great, but the First Year's sponge it softer making it easy to get in and out of the bottle.
Next is a bottle warmer . I really thought this would come in handy for my daughter who was born in January...just think of a hungry newborn in the middle of winter! When I opened the box I thought I was looking at a NASA machine. I didn't even know where to begin. I chose this warmer because I thought I could warm 3 bottles at once, or heat one and keep the other two warm. That's not what this warmer does at all. It warms ONE bottle and chills TWO! What the hell! I thought I was buying a bottle WARMER. Ugh! After thinking it over and realizing the last thing I want it another gadget on the counter, I decided that I really didn't need this thing as all. I was using glass bottles at that point and warming the bottle under hot water worked great (plastic bottles take longer that way). I wonder who uses warmers and how it works out.
Once we started going out more with Brianlily, I knew I needed something to keep formula in. The selection is pretty big for these little containers, but my goal was not to spend too much and came up with these . I love them! We still use them for snacks! They're not bulky like Sassy brand (there are 4 compartments so the container is taller) and the least in cost. Honestly I really like the Munchkin brand products. The colors are fun too and you can mix them up.
As for a bottle drying rack I tried two. This super cheap Especially for Baby rack, and my pick . The first one was terrible! The pegs didn't stay in place and the rack just didn't hold enough bottles and parts. The First Year's rack was and still is my favorite. It's roomy, gets the water down into the catch tray great, and I love that it spins! If you check out some others like this one from Skip Hop (personally I think this brand is SO expensive for rather crappy quality) you can see that there is no way a bunch of wide neck bottles are going to fit on that thing (check out the old school skinny bottles in the additional photos). It's a great idea to have the brush nice and handy there, but it takes away from the much needed bottle space. My pick is also pretty compact...it's on my counter and I don't feel like I have a nuisance on the counter.
The last thing that I used/use is a delicate laundry bag for my bottles and accessories in the dishwasher. When we moved from NYC to Portland, OR I was most excited about having a dishwasher (never had one). "You mean I don't have to wash bottles anymore!? The best feeling ever, until I realized I needed to keep them in place. There is something at Babiesrus just for this purpose, but they're just too small and pricey. So I thought "why can't I use a delicate laundry bag?" I picked one up at Walmart for less than the above product and it works perfectly! Lots of room for lots of parts and accessories. Here is one at The Container Store (super pricey place- Bed Bath & Beyond is better) but you get the idea.
I really hope something here can help new parents or someone just having trouble with a product. I'm very happy to say Brianlily has been a very happy baby and I hope mommy's neurotic perfectionism had something to do with it!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Walking!
My little honey started offically walking a few weeks ago and now she's a pro! Here she is with her Christmas gift from Gamma!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I like this...
An email sent to me read...
HANDBOOK 2010
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
HANDBOOK 2010
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Compiling...
I'm getting a list together of things I've tried since becoming pregnant and a new mom. I always read reviews and like to see how they stack up with my own experience. It'll be anything and everything from the moment I found out I was pg to today...and I'll keep it going! I would love to help a new parent! It's taking some time but it will be here soon!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Chewy...
Thank you Alton Brown! God I love that man!
[EDIT]
The Chewy
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Hardware:
Ice cream scooper (#20 disher, to be exact)
Parchment paper
Baking sheets
Mixer
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom medium saucepan over low heat. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
Pour the melted butter in the mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar. Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed. Add the egg, yolk, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough, then scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown, checking the cookies after 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet for even browning. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Our little ones...
Why do we get excited when our little ones advance fast, go through their milestones quickly, or just surpass other kids? It doesn't make sense only because we're the same parents that don't want to rush them, want them to stay our babies forever, and want to protect them from the hard lives we go through and see around us. We're so contradictory! I show off my daughters intelligence and cry because she's such a big girl...so tough. Parenthood and even more so Motherhood is bitter sweet!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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