Author Archives: Chantel

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Visually stimulating wall art

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These stick-on wall decals from WallCandy are supposed to stimulate visual and cognitive development:

Appropriate visual stimulation is an important component of a child’s visual and cognitive development.

Images similar to those found in WallCandy Smarts have been scientifically demonstrated to capture a child’s attention and promote visual growth.

– Ophthalmologist Dr. Charles Barsam

From the website: Enhance your newborn & infants’ gross motor skill & eye sight development with our pediatrician and ophthalmologist approved 3 step nursery decoration program. Personalize with your own photos in our frames.

Apparently you start off with just the black and white checkers, trees, and bees. Then comes the red, blue, and yellow-colored variations. Lastly you add family photos. The whole set includes 50 movable and reusable decals, $24.99.

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Fun delivery gowns

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Fun for the delivery of a baby boy...

In perusing through all the preggo mags, I saw an ad for these delivery gowns with fun patterns on them.

At first I was like, who gives a crap? You get a “free” one from the hospital.

Then as I marinated on it in my mental database, I starting thinking that it is actually a fun idea because I’ll be photographed after the delivery and I look horrible in white. Plus, in all that agony of childbirth, I read that it’s soothing to personalize your hospital room and whole experience.

I dunno… weird? Fun?

Gownies

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18 Weeks

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From BabyCenter.com:

How your baby’s growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He’s busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you’ll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they’re still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he’s born. If you’re having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound. {Not according to the ultrasound tech a few weeks ago!}

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Cute t-shirt

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I was taking a photo using the timer on the camera and Blake jumped in the photo at the last second. Actually came out really cool.

I got this t-shirt at Motherhood Maternity somewhere in Tampa (that day I went on a tour of the city’s 5ish malls). It says:

Baby:

ba-by \noun\verb

1. An extremely young child still in the womb. “Did you hear I am having a baby.”

2. A new bundle of joy. “I love my baby.”

3. To use or treat with care. “I can’t wait to baby my baby.”

Thought it was cute. It’s a fun way of saying “I’m pregnant, not fat.” After the baby’s born, I can add it to the box of t-shirts with which I plan to make a “memory quilt.”

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Bottles that are good for baby and the planet

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In searching for the right type of baby bottle, there are many things to consider.

First of all, the bottle must be BPA-free. What’s the problem with BPA?

Bisphenol-a is a chemical used to make polycarbonate, a clear and rigid plastic found in many household containers. The problem with baby bottles made of polycarbonate is the potential for BPA to leach from the plastic to the milk. BPA has the ability to mimic the hormone estrogen and create an “endocrine disruption” that can interfere with a child’s normal development. Many studies published over the past decade have linked exposure to BPA to increased rates of breast and prostate cancer, reproductive abnormalities, ADHD, obesity, and diabetes. In spite of this, the FDA stands by its decades-old approval of polycarbonate based on two studies – both of which were funded by the plastics industry. {thecradle.com}

Second of all, colic control is very important. Bottles that help vent out excess air will help reduce colic and in some cases middle ear infections.

Third, glass is the most sustainable so I’d prefer to go that route. Also acceptable is recyclable plastics, although not my first choice.

And the winner is:

Born Free

Available at Babies ‘R Us, Whole Foods, Target, CVS, and other retailers, this brand is very accessible. What I like about them is that they have glass bottles in two different sizes. Even their plastic bottles are BPA-free and PVC-free, which is good for baby and the planet. You can get rubber sleeves to make the glass bottles easier to hang on to. Pretty much any bottle or pacifier from them would be good.

Also up for consideration:

ThinkBaby

While these bottles are plastic, they are free of the dangerous chemicals you’d worry about. They are dishwasher safe, which is great. And most of the bottle is recyclable. These would be ok too.

This comparison chart from TheCradle.com was very helpful!

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Eco-friendly breast pump

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I plan to breastfeed, assuming the girls cooperate. Still, I’ll need a breast pump and baby bottles. Let’s start with breast pumps.

First, electric or manual? A manual or basic electric pump is really for moms who will be nursing for most feedings. They’re for occasional use only. A heavy-duty electric pump is probably best for our situation since I will be away from baby a minimum of 11 hours a day, missing most of the day’s feedings.

Hygeia EnJoye EPS

Hygeia EnJoye EPS ($219) – double electric

A review in Pregnancy & Newborn magazine said it’s of similar quality to a hospital breast breast pump, meaning it’s fast. It’s also supposed to be comfortable and very quiet. The selling feature for me though is that it’s recyclable.

I also found this article about this breast pump:

Milking the Green Movement: Eco Friendly Breast Pumps

Milking the Green Movement: Eco Friendly Breast PumpsSometimes, the most important part of being eco friendly is finding new and innovative ways to be greener. These new methods aren’t always things that you would think of – case in point the new Hygeia EnJoye Professional Grade Breastpump.

Consider this number: over two million breast pumps are purchased every year by new parents. Most of these two million breast pumps are recommended by the FDA to be used by only one user. This means that even if a breast pump has only been used for a few days or weeks, it will eventually wind up in a landfill. That statistic equates to a lot of barely used breast pumps rotting in landfills!

Luckily, the new Hygeia breast pump is different. The FDA has registered this product as being safe for multiple users, which means that these new pumps are not only better for the environment, they are also more cost effective because after a user is done with the pump they can pass it on to another mother.

These breast pumps have other great features as well. Not only are they safe to use for more than one user, they are made from recyclable materials. In addition, if you ever want to dispose of your breast pump you can send it back to Hygeia and they will dispose of it in an eco friendly manner. The pumps also come equipped with a virus and bacteria filter that is designed to keep unwanted viruses and bacteria from entering the pump. All of these pumps are also guaranteed to be BPA-free, lead-free, phthalate-free and latex-free. If you end up not liking the pump for whatever reason, you can send it back to Hygeia and get a return credit or exchange during the first twenty one days that you own the pump.

For all these reasons, the Hygeia EnJoye Professional Grade Breastpump definitely appears to be a great choice for families who want to not only own a very quality breast pump, but also to be a little more eco conscious.

From what I can tell, it’s not available anywhere we plan to register. It’s only available on their website.

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Supplement “doctor’s charm” with a doula?

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I recently read in FitPregnancy magazine that one way to lessen fears of childbirth – c’mon, how could I not fear squeezing a watermelon out of my lady parts, really? – is to have a midwife or doula because they spend more time with you than the regular doctor before, during, and after the delivery.

Now, I wrote in a previous post my resistance to doctors and a hospital delivery. Doctors are generally incompetent and lacking in the personality department and hospitals suck. Of course, my insurance (which I’m very greatful to have), combined with my rural location, makes going to a birthing center or having a home birth not an option.

But perhaps hiring a doula is an option. According to Doula.org:

The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A Birth Doula

  • Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
  • Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
  • Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
  • Stays with the woman throughout the labor
  • Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
  • Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
  • Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
  • Allows the woman’s partner to participate at his/her comfort level

A doula isn’t covered by insurance. According to Doula.com, one can cost $300 to $1,000 for the whole experience.

My doctor is nice enough but I leave nearly every appointment disappointed because I’m not getting any information and she’s always inching toward the door as I ask questions. I don’t want to have to teach myself everything and guide myself through this experience. I know Blake can’t possibly want the mounting pressure either. Is it normal to feel overwhelmed by all I’m supposed to know? Could a doula fill the gap?

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Publix Baby Club

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I signed up recently for the Publix Baby Club, from the grocery store we frequent, because it offered lots of coupons on baby stuff. Last week, I got a package in the mail that included the book Caring for Your Baby and Yound Child: Birth to Age 5, which is very exciting since Blake and I willingly admit that we know nothing about kids. The book is literally 752 pages and includes anything and everything.

I also did get a bunch of coupons for free stuff like cocoa butter, rubbing alcohol, baby food, formula, etc. I’ll be getting a newsletter two up until Ben’s 2nd birthday. Much coolness.

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17 Weeks

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Here’s an update from BabyCenter.com (“her” changed to “his”):

Your baby’s skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he’s around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He can move her joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop.

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“Pregnancy stupid”

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Lately I’ve been experiencing what I like to call “pregnancy stupid” (also referred to as “pregnancy brain” and “pregnancy haze”).

I’ve been wicked forgetful, more common-senseless than usual, and just an all around wackadoodle.

Here are some examples:

  • I was telling Blake that I should be able to start feeling the baby move around 16 weeks. Of course, it came out of my mouth as “I’ll start to hear the baby kick around 16 weeks.” Now, if we can hear the baby kick, that kid is no longer inside me and we have some major issues.
  • I was talking to a co-worker about a project we could do involving one of those science project 3-flap boards. She went to the office supply store to get some stuff and came back with one of those boards. I was thoroughly puzzled because not only had I said we should do the project, but I said I’d do the project and that she should get the board. I didn’t remember any of that. Wow.

And then there’s the small stuff like forgetting what I’m saying as I’m… wait, what was I saying??

You get the idea. 🙂

Apparently it’s very common:

Forgetfulness (Pregnancy Brain)

Didn’t realize that feeling like a ditz was part of being pregnant? Here’s why you’ve suddenly become an airhead, and what you can do about “pregnancy brain”.

What it is: Pregnancy-induced brain fog, a true (and truly frustrating) hallmark of pregnancy. You may forget appointments, what you just walked into the store for, where you left your purse, whether you turned off the stove — and maybe, your phone number.

What causes forgetfulness during pregnancy: As usual in pregnancy, it’s just your hormones having some fun, this time at the expense of your memory. And believe it or not, your brain-cell volume actually decreases during the third trimester of pregnancy (which could explain why you can’t remember what you just read about in that last paragraph). Not to worry, your brain will plump back up a few months after delivery.

What you need to know about forgetfulness during pregnancy: First of all, pregnancy forgetfulness is completely normal — and extremely common. It’s also temporary — you’ll have total recall again long before you start to have your “senior moments.” And try not to be too hard on yourself, as stress will only cloud your pregnancy brain even more. {Whattoexpect.com}

Aha! Vindication! It’s not my fault! Some folks have tried to reassure me that I’m getting dumber because I’m making a super-genius spawn, while others take a more honest approach: those brain cells are gone and never coming back (thanks Terry!).