... That I would cry when my babies stopped nursing.
... That it hurts when you put their baby clothes away.
... That you can take an absurd number of baby photos and video and it will still never be enough.
... That every day they're going to look older—and cuter!
... That you can celebrate poop in the potty with more enthusiasm than any award you'll ever receive.
Showing posts with label baby care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby care. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Idle little hands
My baby's reached the age when she considers a pause for a diaper change a huge affront. She rolls, complains, and tries to scamper away, bare bottomed. It's almost cute ... almost.
My latest trick: books. I used to hand her a small stuffed cat to hold while I changed her business end. But her busy little fingers weren't satisfied. A book gives her pages to turn and something to look at.
My son, who is three years older, also lacks a full stack of patience. He's a little harder to entertain, but during car rides or waits in the grocery store line, a book or even a game—I use a preschool adventure match game on my iPod—usually does the trick. Best part: Fewer battles over the little stuff.
My latest trick: books. I used to hand her a small stuffed cat to hold while I changed her business end. But her busy little fingers weren't satisfied. A book gives her pages to turn and something to look at.
My son, who is three years older, also lacks a full stack of patience. He's a little harder to entertain, but during car rides or waits in the grocery store line, a book or even a game—I use a preschool adventure match game on my iPod—usually does the trick. Best part: Fewer battles over the little stuff.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Work and kids; the new oil and water
It's really hard to get any freelance work done when you're watching a couple of little ones. And, in theory, I'd really rather not. What I mean is, I want it all. Great playtime with the kids, a compartmentalized work time, and adult time with my husband.
Life's a little bit messier than that.
So here are a few tips to get stuff done when you can't keep all of the elements of your life so separate.
1. Play Doh. My almost four year old loves to create while he sits next to me at the dining room table. My infant cruises around us and plays with various toys in her orbit while my computer stays safely out of reach.
2. Indoor play areas. My favorite is the one at McDonald's, because I can get a coffee while he's running. My baby sits in the high chair and nibbles on munchies or in my baby sling, and I can edit on paper.
3. Tall furniture. In a pinch, I'll place my computer on the DVD shelf in the family room and compute while my kids play toys around me.
The nice part of all of this is that it avoids extra TV time or computer time, and the kids still feel like I'm present, even when they don't have my full attention.
Life's a little bit messier than that.
So here are a few tips to get stuff done when you can't keep all of the elements of your life so separate.
1. Play Doh. My almost four year old loves to create while he sits next to me at the dining room table. My infant cruises around us and plays with various toys in her orbit while my computer stays safely out of reach.
2. Indoor play areas. My favorite is the one at McDonald's, because I can get a coffee while he's running. My baby sits in the high chair and nibbles on munchies or in my baby sling, and I can edit on paper.
3. Tall furniture. In a pinch, I'll place my computer on the DVD shelf in the family room and compute while my kids play toys around me.
The nice part of all of this is that it avoids extra TV time or computer time, and the kids still feel like I'm present, even when they don't have my full attention.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Fewer toxins in my cosmetics, please
This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Why, oh why, is there lead in lipstick? Formaldehyde in baby shampoo? Petrolatum (a petroleum derivative) in my moisturizer?
As the body's largest organ and first defense against the atmospheric gunk, the skin has a pretty touch job. I don't think we're helping it much to literally pour, slather and soak in chemicals. Yes, they can and do permeate the skin. That, my friends, is not a good thing.
I want you to do something. Take action. Stand up and fight against unnecessary chemicals and toxins. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a watchdog group made up of environmental groups (including the Clean Water Fund and Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition) that have said "no more" to toxic cosmetics. The site offers a nifty Skin Deep Database that will give you a "hazard score" for your makeup, skin care, hair care, baby products, nail polish, fragrance and toothpaste. I was disappointed to find my all-mineral makeup still scored a 3, which is borderline bad. I'll be surfing the site for a better option.
Be beautiful, be natural and be safe.
As the body's largest organ and first defense against the atmospheric gunk, the skin has a pretty touch job. I don't think we're helping it much to literally pour, slather and soak in chemicals. Yes, they can and do permeate the skin. That, my friends, is not a good thing.
I want you to do something. Take action. Stand up and fight against unnecessary chemicals and toxins. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is a watchdog group made up of environmental groups (including the Clean Water Fund and Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition) that have said "no more" to toxic cosmetics. The site offers a nifty Skin Deep Database that will give you a "hazard score" for your makeup, skin care, hair care, baby products, nail polish, fragrance and toothpaste. I was disappointed to find my all-mineral makeup still scored a 3, which is borderline bad. I'll be surfing the site for a better option.
Be beautiful, be natural and be safe.
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