When mommies shop
About a month ago, I was out running errands with Darling Husband. I insisted I wanted to go to Old Navy, because I’d gotten an e-mail about a big Kids/Baby sale.
About 95% of Baby Boy’s clothes are hand-me-downs and items bought at the used clothing store, but he needed a new pair of winter boots, and I knew we’d get a great deal.
Seemed simple enough.
When we walked through the doors, I was overcome with that feeling of I-want-to-buy-everything. I used to get that feeling all the time, because I was always going into stores — on my lunch break, evenings after work, on the weekends. I loved looking at stuff, I loved buying stuff, I loved taking stuff home and hanging it in my closet.
The store was intoxicating. I know it was just Old Navy, but to a mom on maternity leave who rarely gets to leave the house, it was like walking into Saks. It’s a fantastic feeling, where you’re looking at brand-new clothes that are so crisp and fresh. It all looks so good! Sweaters in different colours than the ones you already own! Dresses in pretty prints! Scarrrrrves — I need them!
These feelings slammed me, but I managed to walk past the womens’ section entirely. I wanted so badly to look at the clothes, but didn’t for three reasons.
- Being on maternity leave means money is tighter than Justin Bieber’s pants
- I couldn’t think of an item for myself that I really needed
- We couldn’t spare a minute — naptime was approaching
- Just because a store is having a big sale doesn’t mean you NEED to go there and buy things — there will always be another sale!
- Just because something is marked down doesn’t mean you NEED to buy it (even if it’s half-price)
- When you need something, write it down on a list (I keep an ongoing one on my BlackBerry).
- When you’re out and you see store is having a sale, you can see if there’s anything on the list that might be in that store.
- If you want to go shopping, refer to your list so you have a good “mission,” and buy one of the items you actually need, so you’re not just buying stuff you spot unexpectedly
- If you see something that is so absolutely freaking perfect or rare that you know you will kick yourself if you don’t buy it, then it’s OK to take a chance sometimes (even if it’s not on sale)
- If you get that nagging, guilty feeling when you’re considering buying an item, don’t buy it
The point of a bath is not to bathe
Growing up, my mom was all about the bubble bath. She still is, actually. Next to a beach or a spa, it is probably her favourite place in the world.
Me? Not so much. I’m a shower girl. It’s quick, efficient, and easier to wash my (lonnnnng) hair. I grew up in a house with a really shitty not-so-great well, so I’m an extremely fast showerer — although sometimes I linger under the hot water to let it relax my shoulders (if I’ve been toting around Baby Boy all day).
In the almost-four years we’ve lived in our condo, I have not really taken advantage of our super-deep jacuzzi tub. Before I got pregnant, I used it maybe once a week. Then I got all knocked-up, and found it too hard to climb in and out. Since having Baby Boy, I’ve barely gone near it.
Until last week.
And I finally, finally, finally understand why my mom loves baths.
At least I think I do.
It’s all about the escape! It all makes sense now! You see, last week I’d had a couple of extremely long, trying days at home alone with Baby Boy. By the time Darling Husband came home from work around 6 p.m., I was “just done,” in the words of Kate Gosselin. I was exhausted, grubby with baby food, and thoroughly exasperated from dealing with our angelic little eight-month-old.
Darling Husband suggested I take the car and go somewhere by myself, but I wasn’t up to it. It was only an hour until we’d need to begin the All Powerful Bedtime Routine, and plus, I was just in no shape to go anywhere. But at the same time, I was desperate to go somewhere (a.k.a. away from the baby).
Suddenly, I had the best idea. I dumped the baby on his lap and said, “I’m getting in the bath. Have fun.”
I grabbed my robe, a book and a bottle of water. As soon as I turned on the taps, I knew it was the right decision. The roaring of the tub filling drowned out the din from the living room. I couldn’t hear him. I couldn’t hear Darling Husband. I couldn’t hear the TV. I was blissfully ALONE.
Of course, being in the tub, with the jets blasting, was also nice. But that’s besides the point of a bath, I have learned.
The chance to be ALONE, in a QUIET ROOM, read MY book with interruption? Now that was priceless.
I may be a shower girl, but I’m going to start trying this “bath” thing a lot more often.
The ultimate guide to finger foods
We’ve been giving finger foods to Baby Boy since he was about six months old.
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| Eight-month-old Baby Boy eats his new favourite, pancakes |
- Give the new food, then wait three days before introducing another food. Then if your baby shows an allergic reaction, you can pinpoint the allergenic food (without having to rule out several foods for no reason).
- Watch your baby after trying a new food, to see if they’re showing any signs of an allergy. A rash or red bumps around the mouth seems to be the most common symptom.
- Don’t mix foods together until your baby likes both foods separately (and they have passed the allergy “test” of three days without any reactions).
- NumNum cookies (they get soggy really quickly, which is a good thing)
- Banana (each slice of banana was cut into SIX pieces!)
- Mangoes (steamed frozen chunks, cut chunks into pea-sized pieces)
- Cheerios (original Cheerios, 10-15 at a sitting)
Finger foods started during his eighth month (seven months old):
- Watermelon rind (with maybe 1 cm of watermelon left on it)
- Watermelon pieces (watermelon cut into pea-sized cubes)
- Scrambled eggs (yolks scrambled with breastmilk, well-cooked, crumbled)
- Sweet potatoes (baked, cut into pea-sized cubes)
- Apple (steamed-until-mushy slices, without skin, cut into pea-sized cubes)
- Chicken (shredded into tiny crumbles, usually mixed with a veggie puree to make it easier to swallow)
Finger foods started so far, during his ninth month (eight months old):
- Mashed potatoes (baked, skinned, cut into tiny pieces, and mashed with a fork and a little butter)
- Cheese (cheddar cheese, grated)
- Pancakes (cut into pea-sized squares, full recipe here)
- Noodles (well-cooked rotini, cut into pea-sized pieces, buttered for easy swallowing)
- Chicken with gravy (tiny crumbles of chicken mixed with chicken gravy)
- Rice Krispies (perfect for melting in his mouth, but messy to clean up!)
- Ground beef & rice (it was actually the filling of a Cabbage Roll)
- Arrowroot cookies (These don’t dissolve like the NumNum cookies, and they made me nervous whenever I gave Baby Boy one, so I’ve stopped for now)
- Puffs (These are the commercial flavoured things found in baby food aisles. Baby Boy liked them, but sometimes stuffed too many in his mouth and gagged. The pieces are larger than I’d like).
- Apple slices (I thought he would just suck on it, but he was able to bite off little chunks with his gums. Um, scary!)
- Celery (in my defense, it was a BIG, THICK stick of celery, but he was somehow able to bite off a little hunk — with his zero teeth. Sigh)
Although it’s not quite as adorable to scoop up mushed-up chunks from the floor, the counter, the high-chair seat, the tray, and your baby’s face/hands/chest/legs/butt.
DIY airplane nursery
Oh, and that’s a doll tucked into the crib — I was a very crazy pregnant lady when I took these photos, and wanted to see “the full effect.”
I’m so happy with how our DIY airplane nursery turned out. It’s bright, cheerful and unique. Although I must say, I can’t wait to move into a new place and re-decorate — it’s too much fun!
Updated in 2019 to add: Crazy to think this was BEFORE Pinterest a.k.a. The Stone Ages. Here’s a Pinterest graphic to share, since we’re no longer back in 2011.
The airplane nursery
 I bought three big canvases and painted a plane across them — leaving a little gap between each one makes it more interesting. Darling Husband painted the walls a bright sky blue, and I painted white clouds and yellow airplanes on the walls. I made the quilt from different fabrics (yellow, red, and blue) that had subtle patterns. Oh, and that’s a doll tucked into the crib — I was a very crazy pregnant lady when I took these photos, and wanted to see “the full effect.” |
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| A closer look at my painting amazingness. It seems like yesterday that I was hunched over those canvases with my giant preggo belly! |
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| I bought this set of nine mini-canvases, and painted the codes (names?) of nine different airplanes. “A” stands for Airbus, “B” stands for Boeing, and … I don’t remember the rest. Ask Darling Husband. |
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| I sewed the curtains using more of that yellow-and-white polkadot fabric that I used in the crib quilt. I sewed little tie-backs, and made tiny airplanes (out of Sculpey polymer clay) to glue onto the hooks. |
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| I originally wanted airplane artwork to hang over the changing table, but couldn’t find anything I liked. I came across his poster in a teacher’s supply store when I was pregnant, and loved it — the colours were perfect, and the message is great. So I bought a $8 white frame at Michaels, and it was done.
You can also see two sets of hooks off to the right. I found them in my mom’s basement and painted them red and white — they’re really cute, and perfect for hanging up some outfits and his laundry bag. |
I’m so happy with how our airplane nursery turned out. It’s bright, cheerful and unique. Although I must say, I can’t wait to move into a new place and re-decorate — it’s too much fun!
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