Canaan Valley, WV (Part 1)

I realize it has been forever since I posted a photo update of Lily. So Warning: Lily spam ahead!

Every year we take a family trip to Canaan Valley, WV.  Last year we announced our pregnancy to my family, this year was Lily's first trip.

Pin It Now!

The importance of Extended Rear Facing

Many parents want to turn baby's carseat around as soon as possible, but this isn't a very safe practice. Within the last couple of years they have passed a law to keep baby rear facing in the backseat until 2 years of age.

Some see this as an inconvenience or an unsafe practice so they are tempted to turn them around earlier. These are common myths:
1. My baby's legs are too long for rear facing and they could break in a car crash.

• Studies show that forward facing kids break their legs far more often than rear facing babies.
• Would you rather sit reclined with your feet up or sitting straight up with your legs hanging mid-air?
• A broken leg vs a spinal cord injury, what would you rather?

2. My baby hates being rear facing.

• Your baby more than likely hates being strapped down and doesn't care which way they are facing.
• If your baby has always been rear facing, they don't know if they'd like forward or not.

3. My baby gets motion sickness while rear facing.

• Motion sickness occurs when your brain is getting mixed messages about whether or not you are stationary, this occurs whether you are forward or rear facing. 

4. My baby is too big to be rear facing.

• Car seats such as Britax Convertible seats are made for extended rear facing. Many will go up to 40 lbs.

5. My pediatrician said it was ok to turn (baby) around!

• Pediatricians don't always recommend the safest way but sometimes the most convenient way. This is because it is just about impossible for them to stay current on everything they are required to know.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that ALL kids stay rear-facing until at least age 2 and ideally longer, until reaching the maximum height or weight for rear-facing in their convertible seat

Truth is, rear facing is so much safer than forward facing. Frontal crashes account for about 72% of car crashes. Side impacts are 24% and rear crashes are only about 4%.

THIS is an account about how even in a rear crash a baby's life was saved from being rear facing.

If you are looking for a carseat that will work as extended rear facing here are just a few on the market:

Sunshine Kids Radian (45 lbs)
Britax Marathon 70/Advocate 70/Boulevard 70 (40 lbs)
Safety 1st Complete Air (40 lbs)
The First Years True Fit (35 lbs)
Graco MyRide 65 (40 lbs)
Evenflo Triumph 65(40 lbs)
Evenflo Momentum 65 (40 lbs)
Cosco Scenera (35 lbs)
Maxi Cosi Pria 70 (40 lbs)
Maxi Cosi Priori (DISCONTINUED) This is our current seat (35 lbs)

**The numbers in parenthesis afterwards are the highest weight possible rear facing.

One families experience...

A few other safety concerns with carseats:

• This is a good link to look over when choosing a carseat. It lists how much Bromine, chlorine, lead and other harmful substances are in each color of the selected carseat!
• Contact a local highway patrol office for them to check if your seat is installed correctly!

If you have any questions let me know! Pin It Now!

Sidecar'd bed and bed sharing

Up until now Lily would start her nights in her pack n play next to our bed. In the middle of the night she would want to nurse and I'd pull her into our bed then leave her there the rest of the night. Both of us were missing out on some valuable sleep. She took up too much room and I was constantly worried she would roll off the bed. Enter the idea to sidecar her crib.

We attached the crib/bed with three bungee cords underneath the frame. We used hard pool noodles in the space behind the mattress so there would be no space between each mattress. We lowered her mattress about one inch below ours so she wouldn't wiggle her way into our bed, but I can still nurse. I use our blanket to about my waist then use a separate, light blanket over my shoulder. That way we are safely bed sharing! It is an amazing set up and I am very happy with the results! We are all sleeping much better!

Pin It Now!

Elimination Communication

We started using Elimination Communication recently. Elimination communication is all about learning to communicate with your infant by reading her cues when going to the bathroom. Many parents start EC at birth while others (like us) start a little later into infancy. We started when Lily was 6 months 3 weeks old.Elimination Communication is NOT potty training. It is mama and daddy training. It is learning to communicate with one another; potty learning.

How we do it: We are only EC part time. This means we put Lily on her potty after naps, when she wakes up, after she nurses and anytime in between when it appears she 'needs to go'. We watch for cues from her to tell us that she needs to pee or poo. Many times her belly will tighten and then blow up as if she is attempting to push. Lily also focus' ahead when she is going. Once we put her on the potty we watch, listen for her cues and say "Potty" with the sign for toilet. We also have a little bit of diaper free time each day to give us the opportunity to let it all 'air out' ;)

Lily gets excited when she gets to go potty!

Our results so far: We do not expect any quick fixes, we don't expect our 7 month old to be potty trained. EC is all about that, communication. By reading babies cues we can better understand one another and have a happier baby and parents. So far we only get wet diapers on long trips out, naps and night time. We have not had any accidents at diaper free time nor have we had any poos in her diaper! It has greatly cut down on diaper laundry. EC has been so rewarding and exciting for us. I feel like I better understand what my daughter is telling me through her body language. Pin It Now!

Nose job on a newborn?

I just found this blog post and thought it was awesome so I wanted to share.

Do you think new borns should get 'nose jobs'? Pin It Now!

Lily's First Memorial

...and her first princess dress.

Pin It Now!

Baby Wearing Anonymous

I have a confession to make: I am a baby wearing addict. I'm sure many of you can relate ;)

I currently have two ring slings, two no sew ring slings, an ergo performance, moby wrap, mei tai and a gauze shorty wrap. And I love them all! Some more than others.

She was so little!

My first carrier was the moby wrap. I used this primarily when Lily was a newborn. Now that she is a little chunk I reach for this less often. I am not a fan of the stretchy-ness as I feel that I have to constantly adjust it as it loosens. For newborns, this (was) my favorite carrier though!

EDIT: Now That I have a gauze shorty wrap, my favorite newborn carrier is the gauze wrap.

Hiking on mama's back.

My second was the Ergo Performance. Me and Mr.Ergo have our moments. It is my favorite carrier for hiking, yard work, washing the car, etc. It is my favorite for back carry. The straps are for very broad people and they tend to be uncomfortable in the arm pit area. SSC (soft structured carriers) are the easiest and fastest carriers to get on and off in my opinion, but they do not 'form' to your body so they aren't always the most comfortable. Even with these qualms, I still find a place in my heart for the little guy.

Not the best picture (better example below)

My next love was the mei tai. I bought a mei tai on Etsy awhile ago and LOVE it. It is by far the most comfortable and pretty carrier I own! With padding on the shoulders and some throughout the body, the carrier is just structured enough to support but just lightweight enough to fold up and squeeze in a bag. Recently I came across another WAHM made Mei Tai store, Honey Do Baby. Her prices are amazing and her prints are adorable! If your looking for an affordable carrier, make sure you check this sweet mama's store out!!

EDIT: As Lily gets older this carrier gets less supportive. It may be because I have a very active little girl or because they shoulder straps aren't very wide, but she wiggles so much I feel like I need a hand on her back most of the times. She is now 20 lbs.

(I don't currently have a picture of us using our ring slings!)

Then came Ring Slings. Ring slings are nice for quick trips, easy on and off, etc. This one has the biggest learning curve imo. For newborns it can be hard to adjust and make sure it is perfectly supportive. Now, with a deep seat and an even shoulder this is a very easy carrier. It took me a month or so to get the hang of it but in the end it one of the faster on/off carriers, easiest to nurse in and most feminine.

(Sorry I don't have a picture yet)

Lastly came the Gauze Wrap. I remember loving my Moby Wrap, but it stopped working for us, once she got heavier (around 14 lbs). So I decided to make a small investment into a gauze wrap. I found a little store on Etsy who sells 5m Gauze Wraps. I contacted her and asked if she would be able to make one for me at 3.6m. She very quickly responded and said yes!! I (mostly) love it. The only qualm I have... I wish it was a bit wider so I could get that really deep seat I get with my ring sling. Other than that, this carrier is amazing. It is very supportive but light weight, it is bright and vibrant and I can throw Lily up in a ruck and be on my way!!

There you have it, Mei Tai's win for smaller babies, Ring Slings win for nursing, and Gauze wraps win overall!

And to close I will leave you with a beautiful picture from Honey Do Baby :)

What is your favorite carrier? Pin It Now!

Our Week In A Nutshell

Barry keeps Lily entertained with a yo yo in her carseat.

Pin It Now!

Post Workout Snack

The best post workout snack: Banana/Peanut Butter sandwich

Pin It Now!

It's Spring!

Today was a good day. It got up to 78 degrees so we decided to have a full day outside!

I sunned the diapers.

We went for a long walk.

We played on the deck.

I grilled for the first time, by myself. (Teriyaki chicken and hot dogs, turned out amazing might I add.)

By that time Lily was pooped and fell asleep.

When I say pooped I mean literally. On diaper sunning days we use 'sposies. Well 'sposies never contain our dear daughter's poo. Sigh! Time for an outfit change!

First 'official' day of spring for us, and it was a good one.

We played a ton, Lily conquered her sippy cup and she sits like a champ now! (Until she falls)... as follows.

Pin It Now!

5 Month Growth Progression

My little girl used to be so tiny. She was born at 7 lbs 4 oz and 20.5 inches. Now she is 14 lbs 8 oz and 27.75 inches! A couple growth comparisons through the months...

Pin It Now!