...sippy cups!
Oh, for the love, I hate sippy cups. I will be beyond happy when I can toss all sippy cups, forever. Because sippy cups?
Well, they suck.
For starters, they all leak. All of them. But the ones that leak the least amount? Those are the ones that require 25 pieces that have to be taken apart every time you wash the cup. And of course, since you have to take the cup apart to wash it, you have to put it back together again before you use the darn thing.
And when you're getting ready to spend the weekend away from home, and you don't want to just throw a bunch of pieces into a bag and hope for the best, because your husband still won't let you forget the time you forgot to bring the bottle rings with you when you went on that one weekend away from home? And even if he would let you forget it, the fact that your bottle rings now outnumber your actual bottles 2 to 1 because you had to run out and buy a whole new pack of them to feed your poor kid reminds you as you pack all of that stuff away?
Well, you have to put a ton of cups together, and that's just no fun at all. In fact, I think my thumb is still sore from snapping all of the pieces together, over and over again, and that happened three days ago.
So, short story long (as is my wordy, wordy way), I am on the hunt for a less complicated sippy cup, preferably one that includes a straw. Any thoughts?
Showing posts with label baby products. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby products. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Don't mess with the schedule. Or Texas. But mostly, just the schedule.
Steve is out of town for the next couple of days, so you know what that means…
Party at my house! Woo!
If you’re looking to party with a grouchy baby, two not so well-behaved dogs, a couple of possibly passive-aggressive cats, and my charming self, that is. If not, then you might want to find somewhere else to spend your time. And we didn’t really want you at our party, anyway.
So there.
Anywho, what Brigid and I did do with our first Steve-less evening of the week was go to dinner with the family. There is a pizza place in the neighborhood that my in-laws eat at almost once a week, and last night was the night this time around. My schedule at work is a little lighter this week because of the Easter holiday coming up, and since I’m actually getting home a couple of hours before Brigid needs to start getting ready for bed (as opposed to right at the start of bedtime), we decided to tag along. Well, I decided for the two of us…I think if Brigid could talk, she would have refused to go unless we promised her a piece of pizza. She’s starting to get a hint of crazy around the eyes when real food is in the vicinity, and it’s a little scary. I keep telling her to start popping out the teeth so she can join in the fun, but she’s ignored me so far. Whatever. Someday she’ll learn that mommy knows best. Like when she’s thirty…
At any rate, this baby, she is pretty inflexible when it comes to bedtime, and she definitely has a specific hour when the grouch sets in, usually around 6:30pm. To try to make the whole dinner thing a little smoother (read: less screechy), we tried to push her afternoon schedule back a little bit, with a later naptime, a later wake-up time, and a later mid-afternoon bottle.
Guess what?
Totally didn’t work.
Things started to get a little dicey in our booth right around 6:30, right on schedule.
Luckily, the place is pretty open and relatively noisy, so Brigid’s squeals weren’t really bothering anyone else. But I tried to eat as quickly as possible so we could get the hell out of there before things got worse, and I think I more or less inhaled my salad whole because I walked out of the restaurant feeling like there was lead in my stomach (but that could have just been all of the cheese in the salad…). Also, I’m pretty sure the waitress was standing right behind me ready to throw my check at me the minute I asked for it because it definitely seemed to come quicker than it usually does (Although whether she wanted to get the crying baby out of her section immediately, or if she was just exceptionally helpful, I can’t say. I’m going to lean towards exceptionally helpful, I think. It’s spring…I like to be optimistic this time of year…and she really didn’t seem pissy at all…so helpful it is.).
Moral of the story? Eating out with a baby leads to heartburn. So don’t do it.
You’re welcome.
Side note...our bedtime ritual always includes a liberal smear of Aquaphor on Brigid’s face after her bath, just to keep up her healthy baby glow (Seriously, the stuff is magic…we put it on any kind of skin irritation she gets, and it clears it up pretty much on contact. Scratches, dry skin, pimples. It’s crazy effective. My mother-in-law refers to it as ‘Sean Connery juice’ because she says it’s like the stuff that saves his life in that Indiana Jones movie, or something like that. Not totally up-to-date on my Indiana Jones trivia. Sorry. But Aquaphor is awesome. Moving on…). While I was trying to put the stuff on her last night, she was not having it, at all. Screaming, crying, kicking, it was a mess. So, yeah, I may or may not have started paraphrasing Silence of the Lambs to a six-month old, giggling to myself because, obviously, I thought I was ridiculously clever…
‘It puts the lotion on its face.’ *giggle* *giggle* ‘It puts the lotion on its face or it gets the hose.’
(See, Steve? This is what happens when you leave me alone with the baby!)
Honestly, does this make me the worst mother ever, or just bottom 10?
Side note #2…I know, I know. I can’t hang with Indiana Jones trivia, but I am apparently all over Silence of the Lambs. I can't explain it, either.
Party at my house! Woo!
If you’re looking to party with a grouchy baby, two not so well-behaved dogs, a couple of possibly passive-aggressive cats, and my charming self, that is. If not, then you might want to find somewhere else to spend your time. And we didn’t really want you at our party, anyway.
So there.
Anywho, what Brigid and I did do with our first Steve-less evening of the week was go to dinner with the family. There is a pizza place in the neighborhood that my in-laws eat at almost once a week, and last night was the night this time around. My schedule at work is a little lighter this week because of the Easter holiday coming up, and since I’m actually getting home a couple of hours before Brigid needs to start getting ready for bed (as opposed to right at the start of bedtime), we decided to tag along. Well, I decided for the two of us…I think if Brigid could talk, she would have refused to go unless we promised her a piece of pizza. She’s starting to get a hint of crazy around the eyes when real food is in the vicinity, and it’s a little scary. I keep telling her to start popping out the teeth so she can join in the fun, but she’s ignored me so far. Whatever. Someday she’ll learn that mommy knows best. Like when she’s thirty…
At any rate, this baby, she is pretty inflexible when it comes to bedtime, and she definitely has a specific hour when the grouch sets in, usually around 6:30pm. To try to make the whole dinner thing a little smoother (read: less screechy), we tried to push her afternoon schedule back a little bit, with a later naptime, a later wake-up time, and a later mid-afternoon bottle.
Guess what?
Totally didn’t work.
Things started to get a little dicey in our booth right around 6:30, right on schedule.
Luckily, the place is pretty open and relatively noisy, so Brigid’s squeals weren’t really bothering anyone else. But I tried to eat as quickly as possible so we could get the hell out of there before things got worse, and I think I more or less inhaled my salad whole because I walked out of the restaurant feeling like there was lead in my stomach (but that could have just been all of the cheese in the salad…). Also, I’m pretty sure the waitress was standing right behind me ready to throw my check at me the minute I asked for it because it definitely seemed to come quicker than it usually does (Although whether she wanted to get the crying baby out of her section immediately, or if she was just exceptionally helpful, I can’t say. I’m going to lean towards exceptionally helpful, I think. It’s spring…I like to be optimistic this time of year…and she really didn’t seem pissy at all…so helpful it is.).
Moral of the story? Eating out with a baby leads to heartburn. So don’t do it.
You’re welcome.
Side note...our bedtime ritual always includes a liberal smear of Aquaphor on Brigid’s face after her bath, just to keep up her healthy baby glow (Seriously, the stuff is magic…we put it on any kind of skin irritation she gets, and it clears it up pretty much on contact. Scratches, dry skin, pimples. It’s crazy effective. My mother-in-law refers to it as ‘Sean Connery juice’ because she says it’s like the stuff that saves his life in that Indiana Jones movie, or something like that. Not totally up-to-date on my Indiana Jones trivia. Sorry. But Aquaphor is awesome. Moving on…). While I was trying to put the stuff on her last night, she was not having it, at all. Screaming, crying, kicking, it was a mess. So, yeah, I may or may not have started paraphrasing Silence of the Lambs to a six-month old, giggling to myself because, obviously, I thought I was ridiculously clever…
‘It puts the lotion on its face.’ *giggle* *giggle* ‘It puts the lotion on its face or it gets the hose.’
(See, Steve? This is what happens when you leave me alone with the baby!)
Honestly, does this make me the worst mother ever, or just bottom 10?
Side note #2…I know, I know. I can’t hang with Indiana Jones trivia, but I am apparently all over Silence of the Lambs. I can't explain it, either.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Bouncy Swing
We have a new winner in the category of BEST! TOY! EVER!!! Brigid absolutely loves this thing, if you can't tell by the delighted giggles and squeals coming out of that tiny body. Not to mention the general thrashing around that she seems to do every time she realizes her feet touch the ground.
She's a trip, this kid...
Honestly, when I was making my way through the long, drawn-out, and extremely confusing process that is the baby registry,* this item wasn't really on my list of things I thought I needed. I was so very, very, very wrong. WRONG! It is obviously something that we can't live without.
So, as the video says (several times, as a matter of fact) thanks Uncle Greggy...great call :)
*Seriously, the whole not drinking when you're pregnant thing is just a cruel joke on pregnant women. Between registering and picking out baby furniture, nobody needs a glass of wine more than the mother-to-be. Because trying to navigate your way through the thousands of items available for baby while trying to cling to some shred of sanity is absolutely impossible. Some things are in this store, some things are in that store, some things are only online, and for some things, you just have to use your imagination. And the reviews! Helpful, but not really helpful. This person couldn't live without it, but that person thinks it's absolute junk that only crazy people would spend money on, while this person thinks that the people that don't like it just aren't doing it right. I had a nervous breakdown about swings. Or pack n' plays. I don't remember. I do remember feeling remarkably certain that all of Brigid's health and happiness hinged on making the right decision, and after hearing Steve say (for the 500th time that day) 'It's up to you,' a mild panic attack (and some yelling) may have ensued. Steve even asked my friend Lynsey to call me to talk me off of the ledge, and she thought something was seriously wrong. I think she even laughed at me when she found out what I was actually freaking out about. Not helpful, Lynsey. Not helpful at all. (Kidding, of course! It was amazingly helpful because I realized what an idiot I was being. A swing or pack n' play does not make or break a kid. I think. Or hope. Whatever. Hugs and kisses, Lyns!)
Anyway, thank goodness all of that is over, and I'm back to my calm, collected self.
Right, Steve-o?
She's a trip, this kid...
Honestly, when I was making my way through the long, drawn-out, and extremely confusing process that is the baby registry,* this item wasn't really on my list of things I thought I needed. I was so very, very, very wrong. WRONG! It is obviously something that we can't live without.
So, as the video says (several times, as a matter of fact) thanks Uncle Greggy...great call :)
*Seriously, the whole not drinking when you're pregnant thing is just a cruel joke on pregnant women. Between registering and picking out baby furniture, nobody needs a glass of wine more than the mother-to-be. Because trying to navigate your way through the thousands of items available for baby while trying to cling to some shred of sanity is absolutely impossible. Some things are in this store, some things are in that store, some things are only online, and for some things, you just have to use your imagination. And the reviews! Helpful, but not really helpful. This person couldn't live without it, but that person thinks it's absolute junk that only crazy people would spend money on, while this person thinks that the people that don't like it just aren't doing it right. I had a nervous breakdown about swings. Or pack n' plays. I don't remember. I do remember feeling remarkably certain that all of Brigid's health and happiness hinged on making the right decision, and after hearing Steve say (for the 500th time that day) 'It's up to you,' a mild panic attack (and some yelling) may have ensued. Steve even asked my friend Lynsey to call me to talk me off of the ledge, and she thought something was seriously wrong. I think she even laughed at me when she found out what I was actually freaking out about. Not helpful, Lynsey. Not helpful at all. (Kidding, of course! It was amazingly helpful because I realized what an idiot I was being. A swing or pack n' play does not make or break a kid. I think. Or hope. Whatever. Hugs and kisses, Lyns!)
Anyway, thank goodness all of that is over, and I'm back to my calm, collected self.
Right, Steve-o?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Red, yellow, and bluuuue
I have been replaced as a parent.
I knew eventually my child would have no need for me anymore, but I didn’t expect it to happen at four months. Seriously, she’s too busy entertaining herself to even bother with me now.
I’d probably be sad if it wasn’t so cute.
(The first video goes on for five minutes (and includes a very creepy laugh from me…I have no idea where it came from…I sincerely hope that’s not always what I sound like), and I assume the only people who are going to want to watch something that long are the grandparents. The second video is much shorter, and it includes a smile/giggle (from the baby, not me…she’s not so creepy), so I’d highly recommend that one. Also, keep an ear out for the song about colors in the background of both videos. This song plays at the slightest vibration of the exersaucer. And I mean, the absolute smallest movement. You could blow on the toy, and that song would play. I can’t be held responsible for the possible violence against the singing lizard that may be caused by hearing this every 30 seconds.)
I knew eventually my child would have no need for me anymore, but I didn’t expect it to happen at four months. Seriously, she’s too busy entertaining herself to even bother with me now.
I’d probably be sad if it wasn’t so cute.
(The first video goes on for five minutes (and includes a very creepy laugh from me…I have no idea where it came from…I sincerely hope that’s not always what I sound like), and I assume the only people who are going to want to watch something that long are the grandparents. The second video is much shorter, and it includes a smile/giggle (from the baby, not me…she’s not so creepy), so I’d highly recommend that one. Also, keep an ear out for the song about colors in the background of both videos. This song plays at the slightest vibration of the exersaucer. And I mean, the absolute smallest movement. You could blow on the toy, and that song would play. I can’t be held responsible for the possible violence against the singing lizard that may be caused by hearing this every 30 seconds.)
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Godzilla of Diaper Bags...
People have asked me (ok, one person has asked me…) what I bought or received for the baby that I’ve found I didn’t really need. The honest truth is that I didn’t really need most of what I have, but it’s still been fantastic to have around…
-The bottle warmer with the cooler on it that I keep in the nursery was great when feeding occurred every two hours because it saved me countless trips up and down the stairs at 2am to get bottles from the fridge. And believe me, walking up and down the stairs when you haven’t slept for more than two hours at a time for several days is something you want to avoid. That’s simply self-preservation.
-Having a second, smaller bottle warmer downstairs that also disinfects pacifiers? Now that’s just convenient.
-Sure, the bedding I got for the crib didn’t get much use, but it made things cute.
-Since the swing is sometimes the only way we can get the kid to nap, the travel swing is great because it can be moved through the house easily, especially when I need to shower. I set that swing on the bathroom floor, and she dozes where I can still see her. I don’t smell, she’s well-rested, it’s a win for everyone.
-The boppy is just so much easier to use for arm support during feedings than a regular pillow. Ok, that does sound really lazy. But the boppy also doubles as support for a baby who’s learning to sit up on her own. So it’s not just all about me.
-The bottle drying rack/organizer keeps all of the bottle parts up and out of the way. And if you use the Doctor Brown bottles that we have, there are a lot of little parts.
-The pack n’ play that vibrates and has a changing table? Priceless.
I could go on and on because when it comes to items for the baby, the options are endless. But in the end, the most useful of all items I received for the baby turned out to be this amazingly wonderful Pottery Barn tote:
See that huge bag in the back? The one that could fit me, the baby, and all of our stuff in it? The one that’s billed as a toy box? I have to say, it is the absolute best way to travel. It was perfect when we went to Indiana over Christmas, and, because you pack almost as much for two days away with a baby as you do for ten, it’s great for weekend trips, too. I throw absolutely everything into this bag, including the bottle warmer, the boppy, the formula, the bottles, the jug of special baby water (I know, I had no idea such a thing existed…), the white noise machine, the baby monitor, clothes, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, extra blankets, sheets for the pack n’ play, etc. Everything I own that has to do with the baby? It all goes into this bag. I love it.
And I get the chance to use it again this weekend, when Brigid and I get the hell out of dodge before a pack of Steve’s college friends descend on my home. So convenient.
Besides, I figure if my house isn’t still standing at the end of the weekend, the tote can always double as a tent for the family. Now that is a useful product, right there.
-The bottle warmer with the cooler on it that I keep in the nursery was great when feeding occurred every two hours because it saved me countless trips up and down the stairs at 2am to get bottles from the fridge. And believe me, walking up and down the stairs when you haven’t slept for more than two hours at a time for several days is something you want to avoid. That’s simply self-preservation.
-Having a second, smaller bottle warmer downstairs that also disinfects pacifiers? Now that’s just convenient.
-Sure, the bedding I got for the crib didn’t get much use, but it made things cute.
-Since the swing is sometimes the only way we can get the kid to nap, the travel swing is great because it can be moved through the house easily, especially when I need to shower. I set that swing on the bathroom floor, and she dozes where I can still see her. I don’t smell, she’s well-rested, it’s a win for everyone.
-The boppy is just so much easier to use for arm support during feedings than a regular pillow. Ok, that does sound really lazy. But the boppy also doubles as support for a baby who’s learning to sit up on her own. So it’s not just all about me.
-The bottle drying rack/organizer keeps all of the bottle parts up and out of the way. And if you use the Doctor Brown bottles that we have, there are a lot of little parts.
-The pack n’ play that vibrates and has a changing table? Priceless.
I could go on and on because when it comes to items for the baby, the options are endless. But in the end, the most useful of all items I received for the baby turned out to be this amazingly wonderful Pottery Barn tote:
See that huge bag in the back? The one that could fit me, the baby, and all of our stuff in it? The one that’s billed as a toy box? I have to say, it is the absolute best way to travel. It was perfect when we went to Indiana over Christmas, and, because you pack almost as much for two days away with a baby as you do for ten, it’s great for weekend trips, too. I throw absolutely everything into this bag, including the bottle warmer, the boppy, the formula, the bottles, the jug of special baby water (I know, I had no idea such a thing existed…), the white noise machine, the baby monitor, clothes, diapers, wipes, burp cloths, extra blankets, sheets for the pack n’ play, etc. Everything I own that has to do with the baby? It all goes into this bag. I love it.
And I get the chance to use it again this weekend, when Brigid and I get the hell out of dodge before a pack of Steve’s college friends descend on my home. So convenient.
Besides, I figure if my house isn’t still standing at the end of the weekend, the tote can always double as a tent for the family. Now that is a useful product, right there.
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