Monday, March 29, 2010

Spring Cleaning

It is that time once again.  My husband and I were in the basement this weekend looking at all of the stuff that we have accumulated.  How do two people accumulate so much crap?  Then you throw a child into the mix and you may as well multiply by two.

I am afraid that I have passed my love for clothing onto my daughter.  I have two totes and about three bags of clothes just for her.  Luckily, she is only one and her clothes are little.  I am thinking of a mom to mom sale, but I would like to attend one first to see how they operate.

But, I digress.  Back to the big picture.  What to do with all of our extra stuff.  I guess we can have a garage sale or two or three or four this summer! Then donate some stuff. 

I think that the hardest thing for me is separation anxiety.  I kept this because it was sentimental.  I kept that because someone gave it to me.  Oh, and I can't get rid of that because I bought that when I was 16.  I wish that I was like so many other people and did not grow attached to my stuff.  Somehow, it seems easier to sell it in a garage sale because then I know it is going to a happy home!! 

All I know is that we need more room and some stuff needs to go.  Perhaps, I will just close my eyes and start pitching.  This could be theraputic!!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Food Revolution

I just finished watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.  I can not believe that the children on the show new so little about the basics.  I am hoping that it was all staged for television and that the kids were told not to answer the questions.  How could these kids not know what a tomato or potato are?

I do think that the show has a lot of good points.  The schools should be concentrating on the health of the children and less about feeding them the cheapest food.  In my state we pay taxes which fund the schools.  I think as a parent we should have the right to veto or approve what goes on the menu of our children.

Another good aspect of the show is to educate people on what to eat.  I am sure that we all know the things that we should eat:  veggies, lean meat, chicken, fish, fruits, etc.  But not everyone knows how to prepare them.  Myself, I am often stumped at what to put together.  I feel like I make the same 5 dishes over and over again.

I am open to any suggestions that will educate society on what to eat and how to prepare it.  I wish Jamie Oliver would come to my kitchen and show me a few recipes!!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Bumkins Junior Bib

Product Reviewed: Bumkins Junior Bib

Product Price: Retails for $13.95

Product Features:

# Made of Bumkins' proprietary waterproof fabric
# Stain and odor resistant
# Adjustable Velcro closure
# Features catch-all pocket
# Machine washable, hang dry
# Measures 14.5" across, 14" from neck down, 17" sleeve to sleeve
# Sized to fit 1 year - 3+ years
# PVC, BPA, Phthalate & Vinyl Free
# Made in the USA
# Available in 25 fabric prints

We bought a new bib this week for our 1 year old daughter. In the past we have used the Bumkins bibs. Our daughter has figured out if she tugs on the bib enough, she can take it off and throw it on the floor. This triggered us to try something new.

I saw a friend using the junior bib and thought that I might give it a try.

Pros: freely flowing material, easy to get on and off (by the adult), harder for my child to get off, has a pocket at the bottom to catch dropped food and it is easy to clean.

Cons: hard to find them and they are a little bit on the pricey side.

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Baby Sling Recall

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 1 million baby slings made by Infantino were recalled Wednesday after claims linking them to three infant deaths.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said babies could suffocate in the soft fabric slings. The agency urged parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under 4 months.
The recall involves 1 million Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings in the United States and 15,000 in Canada.

Infantino President Jack Vresics said the company has been working closely with the commission on its sling concerns. "Our top priority is the safety of infants whose parents and caregivers use our products," Vresics said in a statement. He said the company would offer a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping cart cover to any affected consumer.
The slings wrap around the chest so on-the-go parents can carry their babies or just stay close as they bond with their infants.

Earlier this month, CPSC issued a broad warning about sling-style baby carriers, saying they pose a potential suffocation risk to infants, especially babies under 4 months. Babies who had a low birth weight, were born prematurely or had breathing problems such as colds were also at risk. At the time, the commission did not single out a specific type of sling or manufacturer. It said it had identified or was investigating at least 14 deaths in the last 20 years associated with baby slings.

In Wednesday's announcement, CPSC said three of the deaths occurred last year and were linked to Infantino slings. It did not say exactly how the babies died. In its general sling warning earlier this month, CPSC said infants can suffocate in two different ways: --A sling's fabric can press against a baby's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and suffocating a baby within a minute or two. --The other scenario involves slings where the baby is cradled in a curved or "C-like" position, nestling the baby below the mother's chest or near her belly. That curved position can cause a baby who doesn't have strong neck control to flop its head forward, chin-to-chest, restricting the infant's ability to breathe. "The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate," warned the commission.

Slings have been promoted by baby experts as a way to calm fussy babies or for nursing moms who can breast-feed their little ones in the sling. Consumer Reports raised concerns about slings back in 2008, and had called on CPSC to issue a recall of the Infantino SlingRider. Safety advocates criticized the curved position that the baby can fall into while inside the sling. Baby experts and breast-feeding advocates insist that not all slings are dangerous. They say carriers that keep a newborn baby solidly against the mother's body, in an upright position, are safe.

The Infantino slings being recalled were sold from 2003 through 2010 at several retailers, including Target, Babies R Us and Burlington Coat Factory.

Consumers can call Infantino at 866-860-1361 to receive a free replacement product. There are no federal safety rules for baby slings. Infantino says it's working with CPSC and ASTM International, an organization that sets voluntary safety standards, to develop a standard for slings.

The CPSC specializes in product safety, and often negotiates agreements with manufacturers for recalls, when necessary.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Fever


My darling daughter is running a fever today.  She has a runny nose and a poopy butt.  All of these factors indicate teething.  She has 4 and numbers 5 and 6 are on deck.  My little one is not a drooler at all.  When she is teething, she gets a serious diaper rash, poops like mad and has a runny nose.  I am told that I am fortunate not to have a drooler.  I guess the jury is still out on that one.

Sometime watching her teething process reminds me of when I had a puppy.  That puppy chewed on everything, so does my daughter.  She chews on her toys, the coffee table, her crib and my chin.  Basically, she chews on everything except her teething toys.  I have run out of options on how to get her interested in them. 

Well, we will ride out this storm as we have done with the last 4 teeth.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

More than One Child?

After having my nieces over for the day and night I wonder how people do it.  How do people successfully raise more than one child?  I have one and she is a handful on a daily basis.  Having 3 kids for one day presented its own challenges.  There are days when I think that I am ready for more than one child and even more days when I am happy to have one.

My parents raised 4 boys and 1 girl.  I have no idea how my mother survived that.  We are are all approximately a year and a half apart.  I am sure that my mother faced the same challenges that I do daily only hers was multiplied.  Everyone keeps saying that the more  children you have, the easier it gets.  I keep looking at my little girl and thinking, how is that possible?  I suppose at some point the kids will play with each other and take care of each other.

Although challenging, it was fun to have a houseful of kids.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The First Year

Well, the first year has come and gone.  It seems like I was just preparing for the big 1 year birthday.  Everyone tells you that the first year goes by so fast.  But, when you are in the fog of sleepless nights and endless feedings you think that surely everyone must be playing a cruel joke.  It felt like forever before I got a good night sleep. 

I didn't realize that it would be difficult to watch my baby become a toddler.  I already miss the days of holding her and wondering if her first smile was just gas!  I remember wondering if she was ever going to move, then roll over and then crawl. 

It has been an exciting year.  I would not have traded it for anything.  I feel fortunate to have been able to spend the whole year with my little girl especially when I hear my friends talk about all of the things that they have missed.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Bathing

Up until today, I thought that giving my baby a bath was a good thing.  I take every precaution to make sure she is safe, the water temp is just right and that she is clean.  I thought.  I watched the Today Show's episode this morning pertaining to bacteria and bath toys.  To say that it grossed me out was an understatement.  They explained how toys with a hole in them build up bacteria on the inside because you can never fully clean them.  In some cases, the toys built up black sludge.  These are the toys that children put into their mouth, squirt into their eyes as well as all over their bodies.  So we think that when we clean them with soap, they are getting a nice clean bath.  They also said to store the toys outside of the bathroom because flushing the toilet from up to 20 feet away can contaminate the toys.  I will be sticking to the solid bottom duckies and cleaning them with rubbing alcohol.

For more on the story:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/35685464#35685464

Monday, March 1, 2010

Customer Service

Why is customer service these days so terrible?  One would think that with the state that our economy is in, businesses would be bending over backwards to help you out.  Not so, I have found out.  Out of 4 companies that I have written in the last month, only one has responded.  I am really annoyed considering the businesses are child related.  I emailed Gerber's customer service to tell them about some baby carrots that I purchased.  The carrots were dried out all around the seal.  I kept the container for a week just in case they needed the numbers on the container.  They never responded.  I emailed the customer service department of the American Red Cross concerning a pacifier thermometer that they sell.  The one that I received does not work.  I am still waiting to hear back from them,  I also made a purchase from Little Maven.com.  On 2/25 they had a sale from 12-5 EST of 25% a purchase and free shipping.  I emailed their customer service department and called the customer service department.  The customer service phone number gave me a voice mail.  Four days later I did hear back from Little Maven and they did make the correction. The company that responded the quickest was Safety 1st.  We purchased a wall mounting kit that had a bent screw and one that broke when we tried to use it.  They responded and sent me a new product immediately.  I wish more companies took their customers seriously and responded quicker.