One of the stores we went to yesterday is called Simply For Giggles. More or less my dream store. Had all the beautiful baby products you want to find in a store but don't see in big box stores like Babies R Us and the likes. Everything was set up for you to see it in action. There was a portion of the store that was sectioned off for community events, they host sing-alongs and other similar events. The owner was super sweet, her two kids were there and Benny instantly ran off to play with her little boy. If you're a local reader, go check the place out! All the beautiful murals on the wall were painted by the owner!! Basically, when I finally get to start my own place, I want it to be like that one. :)
Anyway, while we were there, I found the crib I should have linked to in my baby wishlist - it's called the Argington Organic Bam Crib/Bassinet Set . The bassinet expands into a crib after the first few months. Beautiful piece with great functionality. Price tag out of my range but definitely getting filed away in the back of my head for if extra money appears in our baby budget!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Let The Party Begin!
So, we spoke about what we were thinking of doing for spring break in my last post. Chances are, a possible emergency root canal was not very high on Shuky's to-do list but it does look like that will be the case! We'll find out for sure tomorrow but it seems like we will be spending a few days in Iowa City. I guess a quasi vacation is better than no vacation. Not that it is promising to be a very relaxing one at this point. I found a decent hotel with a nice water slide, right next to the Coral Ridge Mall, which I happen to love! A great indoor ice skating rink, a beautiful carousel, the Childrens Museum - all in the mall! How amazing is that! So, we shall see how enjoyable the trip turns out to be!
On a totally seperate note, I am making a change to my baby wish list. I am switching my desire for the UppaBaby Vista
to the Britax B-Ready
. I dragged Benny and Shuky to some baby boutiques this afternoon, in Des Moines, and played around with both strollers, had Benny sit in both seats, see what it felt like for him and me! Aside from the huge price difference, especially with the great promotion Britax has going on right now, it's a big plus that the stroller can be folded with both seats attached! And the second seat reclines. And Benny seemed more comfortable in both seats. There were quite a few things that drew me to it but, in all honestly, the price and fold won me over!
PS - Amazon is $100 less than in stores! Score!
On a totally seperate note, I am making a change to my baby wish list. I am switching my desire for the UppaBaby Vista
to the Britax B-Ready. I dragged Benny and Shuky to some baby boutiques this afternoon, in Des Moines, and played around with both strollers, had Benny sit in both seats, see what it felt like for him and me! Aside from the huge price difference, especially with the great promotion Britax has going on right now, it's a big plus that the stroller can be folded with both seats attached! And the second seat reclines. And Benny seemed more comfortable in both seats. There were quite a few things that drew me to it but, in all honestly, the price and fold won me over!PS - Amazon is $100 less than in stores! Score!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sleep Again
Spring break approaches and yet today we are getting snow mixed in with our rain. Oh the horror!
So, we've decided it's not a good time for a vacation next week. It's going to be too much work and discomfort for the amount we'd be spending, I'm not really the biggest load of fun these days! We'll just do some fun things locally, maybe finally check out the pottery place I've been dying to visit! Pump It Up will definitely make it onto our to-do list as well! Benny loves the place!! Maybe finish up some last minute organizing and projects around the house while we can.
On to another topic, I wanted to talk about Benny's sleep schedule a bit. I mentioned previously how we've changed his schedule, no more naps and bedtime starts much earlier. Well, at first he wasn't really being affected by it in the mornings, but now that his body is getting used to the different hours, he is started to get up earlier and earlier. It's usually right after 6 when he comes to my bed in the morning, fully awake. I'm not a morning person. Especially when I'm in pregnant! He has learned to find the remote and bring it to my face for me to put something on for him once he gets in my bed. That usually gets us a bit closer to 7. I'm not crazy about how much screen time he ends up with in the mornings but right now, I don't have the strength to change that! Once he's had enough, he makes his way to the living room, turns the light on, and starts yelling for me to come play with him or feed him.
Now, yesterday we drove to Waterloo (about an hour and 45 minutes away) to meet my father and brother. They brought me some things I needed from Postville and I brought them some things I needed to put back in storage and some more Pesach things I bought. It's about the halfway point for both of us so this is usually our spot to rendezvous and do our 'exchanges'. We probably spent a total of an hour in Waterloo and came right back to Ames, we weren't going anything in Waterloo, we were going to do our switcheroo! So, with all that car time, Benny obviously got a nap in. Unfortunately for me. Shuky went to school to meet with one of the groups he's working with and I had to do night-time on my own with Benny. I figured, with the nap, it's not worth it for me to start at the regular time, so I pushed everything off by about a half an hour. I'm pretty sure the clock read 10:12 when he finally fell asleep. We won't discuss how much screaming (his and mine) and book reading occurred in the time between. Let's just say, I wasn't in the best of moods when Shuky got home at 12ish(!!!). But then, this morning, it was 7:15 when he climbed into my bed. Again, totally not worth the battle at night but yay for a later morning!
On a side note, on Shabbos afternoon, we all took naps. We've decided that if there's a day we can try to enforce naps to sort of catch up on the lack of it during the week, Shabbos is perfect. If he goes to sleep later on a Saturday night, it won't kill a school day for Shuky and it's just all-around easier to deal with! Anyway, he took a nap with Shuky for about an hour and a half. In underwear. Woke up dry. Very happy mother and father over here!!
So, we've decided it's not a good time for a vacation next week. It's going to be too much work and discomfort for the amount we'd be spending, I'm not really the biggest load of fun these days! We'll just do some fun things locally, maybe finally check out the pottery place I've been dying to visit! Pump It Up will definitely make it onto our to-do list as well! Benny loves the place!! Maybe finish up some last minute organizing and projects around the house while we can.
On to another topic, I wanted to talk about Benny's sleep schedule a bit. I mentioned previously how we've changed his schedule, no more naps and bedtime starts much earlier. Well, at first he wasn't really being affected by it in the mornings, but now that his body is getting used to the different hours, he is started to get up earlier and earlier. It's usually right after 6 when he comes to my bed in the morning, fully awake. I'm not a morning person. Especially when I'm in pregnant! He has learned to find the remote and bring it to my face for me to put something on for him once he gets in my bed. That usually gets us a bit closer to 7. I'm not crazy about how much screen time he ends up with in the mornings but right now, I don't have the strength to change that! Once he's had enough, he makes his way to the living room, turns the light on, and starts yelling for me to come play with him or feed him.
Now, yesterday we drove to Waterloo (about an hour and 45 minutes away) to meet my father and brother. They brought me some things I needed from Postville and I brought them some things I needed to put back in storage and some more Pesach things I bought. It's about the halfway point for both of us so this is usually our spot to rendezvous and do our 'exchanges'. We probably spent a total of an hour in Waterloo and came right back to Ames, we weren't going anything in Waterloo, we were going to do our switcheroo! So, with all that car time, Benny obviously got a nap in. Unfortunately for me. Shuky went to school to meet with one of the groups he's working with and I had to do night-time on my own with Benny. I figured, with the nap, it's not worth it for me to start at the regular time, so I pushed everything off by about a half an hour. I'm pretty sure the clock read 10:12 when he finally fell asleep. We won't discuss how much screaming (his and mine) and book reading occurred in the time between. Let's just say, I wasn't in the best of moods when Shuky got home at 12ish(!!!). But then, this morning, it was 7:15 when he climbed into my bed. Again, totally not worth the battle at night but yay for a later morning!
On a side note, on Shabbos afternoon, we all took naps. We've decided that if there's a day we can try to enforce naps to sort of catch up on the lack of it during the week, Shabbos is perfect. If he goes to sleep later on a Saturday night, it won't kill a school day for Shuky and it's just all-around easier to deal with! Anyway, he took a nap with Shuky for about an hour and a half. In underwear. Woke up dry. Very happy mother and father over here!!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Decisions Decisions
We just realized that Shuky has next week off for Spring Break. He's been so busy with school these past few weeks that he didn't even think to mention it! So, now I'm sitting here, trying to find a nice place within a three hour distance that we could possibly escape to for two or three days. We thought about Kansas City but decided to switch our search to Minneapolis for now. Maybe with friends. Working on plans! We'll have to see if I'll be up for the drive and if it will be a vacation or just a more difficult situation, dealing with Benny in a new place with little to no energy. Vacation or horror film? So many things to factor in! We shall see.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We've Popped!
Just a quickie today. Over the past week or so, my stomach really popped out! I had a checkup today and apparently I had a little growth spurt in my belly area :) Weightwise I actually lost half a pound but my stomach measurement that they take each time was a nice jump from last time!
I am a few days past 34 weeks but this picture was taken a few days ago. Enjoy!
I am a few days past 34 weeks but this picture was taken a few days ago. Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
An Ode To My Firstborn
As I'm nearing my due date I got to thinking. Not usually a good thing, but bare with me here! The last time I found myself in this situation (about two and a half years ago) my life was extremely different. I was working full time, as was Shuky. We had a nice spacious house. We had no kids yet. Now, I have been home with our two and a half year old, in our tiny little apartment, while Shuky spends his entire day (and sometimes evenings) in school and most of his nights are spent studying and doing homework.
Obviously, those dynamics have changed the way this pregnancy has gone for me. Some days are good, some are bad. Nothing I can't handle, but it most definitely affects the way I am to the people around me!
And yet, I watch Benny playing and realize this is how it should be. The amount of joy this little boy has brought to my life is indescribable. The things he says and does constantly keep me on my toes. He remembers more than I do, and tends to use it to his benefit! He is a spitball of energy and I may not have enough to keep up with him sometimes, but I try! He is friendlier than the average adult, saying hi to every person and animal he sees! And I mean every. He loves music and has a talent that I would love to expound on when he is a little older and can appreciate it! He is extremely helpful, when he wants to be! There is a sense of adventure about him, we never have a dull moment!
So, though this all may have provided extra challenges, I would not change my life in any way, shape or form. Just wanted to let everyone know that!
Obviously, those dynamics have changed the way this pregnancy has gone for me. Some days are good, some are bad. Nothing I can't handle, but it most definitely affects the way I am to the people around me!
And yet, I watch Benny playing and realize this is how it should be. The amount of joy this little boy has brought to my life is indescribable. The things he says and does constantly keep me on my toes. He remembers more than I do, and tends to use it to his benefit! He is a spitball of energy and I may not have enough to keep up with him sometimes, but I try! He is friendlier than the average adult, saying hi to every person and animal he sees! And I mean every. He loves music and has a talent that I would love to expound on when he is a little older and can appreciate it! He is extremely helpful, when he wants to be! There is a sense of adventure about him, we never have a dull moment!
So, though this all may have provided extra challenges, I would not change my life in any way, shape or form. Just wanted to let everyone know that!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Done Deal
Last I wrote, I was going to attempt to make Benny a super hero cape. Guess what folks, this waddling mama pulled it off! Last night, Shuky was oh so kind and did Benny's bedtime routine with him so I could go out and get what we needed for Shalach Manos (Purim is creeping up on us!) and I took advantage of that and bought the stuff for the cape.
I decided to be as frugal as possible, more out of necessity than desire, but shh. I found an old, red pillowcase (I have absolutely no idea where it came from). I searched through Shuky's shirts and found a black polo that I know he doesn't wear. Both were perfect measurements. All I had to buy were a few small things; needle, thread, pins, velcro. I already had felt for the applique in my craft box, along with tacky glue and a good pair of scissors. So, today, while Benny played and tested my patience, I sat and made his cape.
And I love it!
I almost want to call my sister in law to get dimensions for her kids so they can all be super together on Pesach. Keyword being almost. My back is KILLING after doing this today! We don't have a dining room table in this apartment so I sat at our kitchen counter most of the day. While Benny was in the bath, I sat on the floor in the bathroom sewing. Once he was in bed, I moved to the couch, but at that point the damage was done. But I don't care. He is going to be ECSTATIC when he sees the finished product tomorrow! If I get a chance to, I will try to make a little mask to go along with it.
After all, a super's most prized possession is his identity!
I decided to be as frugal as possible, more out of necessity than desire, but shh. I found an old, red pillowcase (I have absolutely no idea where it came from). I searched through Shuky's shirts and found a black polo that I know he doesn't wear. Both were perfect measurements. All I had to buy were a few small things; needle, thread, pins, velcro. I already had felt for the applique in my craft box, along with tacky glue and a good pair of scissors. So, today, while Benny played and tested my patience, I sat and made his cape.
And I love it!
I almost want to call my sister in law to get dimensions for her kids so they can all be super together on Pesach. Keyword being almost. My back is KILLING after doing this today! We don't have a dining room table in this apartment so I sat at our kitchen counter most of the day. While Benny was in the bath, I sat on the floor in the bathroom sewing. Once he was in bed, I moved to the couch, but at that point the damage was done. But I don't care. He is going to be ECSTATIC when he sees the finished product tomorrow! If I get a chance to, I will try to make a little mask to go along with it.
After all, a super's most prized possession is his identity!
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