Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween From Mommy's Little Monkey

This is me trying to scare Nash. He thinks it is funny.

Baby items that Nash and I love

It is amazing all the things they have for babies now to try to make parents and babies lives easier. So I thought I would write about the ones we use and like the most. I don't know how to do the fancy link to the actual item but if you want more details let me know.
The infant soothing swing was/is one of my favorite things. I often say it is where fussy boys go because when Nash would get tired and cranky, I could just put him in there and he would be out. The swing has different positions, settings, and all kinds of music. It also plugs in so you don't have to use a million batteries. There were times when he was a month or two old that he would sleep in there at night because it was so soothing for him.
Speaking of sleeping, I really liked the swaddle blankets with the velcro. I could not ever do it tight enough with blanket and Nash slept better swaddled.
Also, we have the monitor that you can touch the button on top and see him. This was recommeded by a friend and I am glad I have it. Nash's bedroom is at bascially the other end of the house. With the monitor, I have been able to have him in his bed at night from very early on. All I have to do is look at my monitor and I can see him. If I did not have it I don't think I would have been able to put him in his bed so early and keep him there.
The Rainforrest Bouncy Seat is another good item to have. It makes the rainforrest sounds when the baby moves. The waterfall lights up and the animals move up and down. Nash likes to watch them and he sits up to grab the monkey and parrot to try to put it in his mouth. Also, it is where he eats his cereal and fruits and vegies.
The play gym is also neat. It has animals hanging down from the top that Nash likes to hit and at try to put them in his mouth. It also has music that plays when kicks his legs and he is able to do this purposfully. It has a mirror on it that Nash rolls over to see himself. It is also very protable and light weight.
The Bumbo Chair. Nash likes to sit up now and he can do it by himself but then he falls over. This chair lets him sit up without falling over and has been good for pictures.
We have the Chicco car set travel system. I like the looks of it and it is very convenient to get him from the car seat to the stroller becuase it attaches easy. The stroller is very easy to open and close. Also I like that the base has level in it so you can make sure he is in there right. My only complaint is how heavy the car seat is on it's own not to mention with my 16 pounder in it and the stroller does not have much room underneath to put things in. Also the car seat does not fit in the top of shoping carts easily which is kind dangerous anyways.
The Acquarium Bathtub is nice. I like the hammock that it has in it. Nash fit in there great when he was smaller and still does but I feel much safer with him in the hammock then not having that support. I have given him a bath in the sink and hated it. It felt very unsafe and he easily slid around. The bathtub has different stages you can use it with.
The Rainforrest Jumperoo is our new thing. He has just gotten to where he really enjoys it. He hits a all the different toys to make them move. We recently put a blanket under his feet because he was just touching his tippy toes. Now he is able to move and jump a lot better. He gets so worked up in it. It's fun to watch and keeps him occupied.
The bottle warmer is nice too. I bought the cheap brand at Wal-Mart and it works wonderfully. Before the bottle warmer, it was difficult running warm water over his frozen breast milk and getting it to the right tempature. This thing does it quik and is so much easier.
Lansinoh Breast Pump. I wanted the fancy Medela one but did not get it and then did not want to spend that amount of money on it without knowing how breast feeding was going to go. So, I bought this one. It is a double pump and is electric and is over $100 less than the Medela. I have not used the other one but I think mine is just fine. It does the job fine and I just put it in it's own bag. So I am happy with it.

Voting

I know this is a hot topic and I am really not trying to stir up a discussion, just getting my thoughts down. As of yet, I have not voted. I really want to because I think this is an important election and I totally understand that women long before me fought hard for the right to vote and I should not take this right for granted. This was drilled into me in graduate school and it does make perfect sense. I am also not one of those people that think my vote does not matter. However, I am always on the fence when it comes to who I am going to vote for. I think the reason is because I am not 100% crazy about either one. There are things I like and dislike about both. I have my moral convictions and my social convictions. In my field, I see the social problems a lot more than the average Joe does. I get tired of people talking about the lower or middle class being somehow undeserving of "breaks" or seen as not working hard enough to put themselves in the next income bracket. In this country, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Which is just fine for the rich. Me and my husband are both college educated people who by the world's standards are by no means rich. We chose professions to help others and are not the most glorified professions so we choose to do what we feel like we are meant to do rather than what makes us the most money. I don't expect a pat on the back or nothing but I don't see how just because someone makes a lot of money in their business or other highly paid profession, that they deserve the break. To me something is wrong with that. Not mention people who are way less fortunate than most of us are and did not get brought up with the same values or opportunities that other people have. I believe that not all people can just "pull themselves up by their boot straps." The moral convictions are also strong. I think there are things that are proposed that are 100% against the will of God. Conservatives usually stand up for these moral values but if you think about it even though a canadate says they are against one of theses issues they rarely do anything about it. I don't want to get into specifics and stir up anything but this is just what I see and what I think. So, I hope that by November 4th I am able to get my thoughts together and just make a decision and then pray for the person that wins to make good decisions.

Finding a Balance

For me, one of the key things in life is to find a balance. What I mean by that is if you look at all your roles you play in life you can easily put way too much time in one and neglect some of the others. For me, being a mom is a big part of my life right now. I love it but it is also my responsibility right now. If you think about it a 4 month old can't do much for himself (not that I am complaining). I think the balance comes in with my other roles. I am also a wife, I have a career, I have family members, I have other important friendships, and a spiritual life. It is sometimes easy to neglect some of those other roles while I am focused on the main ones. I think it is important to list your priorities. For me, it is being a wife and mother first. I think my spiritual life is also a part of that and is always the bigger picture. I know any of the roles in my life I could get way to obessed with, we all could. Like people who spend all their time working on their career or making money and neglect their family. Or people that spend all their time on being a parent and neglect their spouse. Or even the more controversial topic, people who spend all their time at church activities or "doing good things for others" and neglect their own family and their own spiritual lives. I am not saying that I do this well. For me, it is a struggle. I try to remind myself of what is important and to make sure I am not neglecting anyone of my roles but also putting them in the right order. For me personally, it's like I do less rather than more (if that makes sense). I am so afraid of not being a good wife or mom that I may neglect friendships or other activities. I'd rather focus on the most important things to me. This is not always great either. So, I am trying to look at myself and making sure I am finding a balance in my own life. I think there are times that one area or role needs more attention than others. I think as long as we are aware of it and making an effort that is what matters.

Solid Food

First experience with squash (or any vegetable for that matter).

Nash has had cereal for a few weeks now and this week we started veggies (fruit will be next). I got his first time with the squash on video. It's quite funny. He has had it a second time and did not make as many faces. I think he is going to like it. So, far he has been a good baby as far as eating goes.

milk supply decreasing

This week I have notice my milk supply decreasing. At work I usually pump every two to three hours. Before this week I could pump from 5 to 10 minutes and get 4ozs sometimes more. Which I thought was really good. This week it's like I get 2 to 2 1/2 ozs and then nothing. So, I called the lacatation lady who gave me some advice and some reasons why it may be decreasing. She stated that if I have been stressed that could cause it. I have had some stress this past week more than ususal but I thought it had gotten better. She stated that being on birth control could cause it. I have been on the real birth control pill not the mini pill since he was one month old out of fear of getting pregnant so soon after having him. She said it could be that it is just now in my system enough to cause my milk supply to decrease. She suggested that I should pump or nurse more frequently and for longer giving my brain the message that it needed to make more milk. She told me if that did not work to try to eat more oatmeal or things that contained oatmeal. There is also some kind of tea that you can buy from health food stores to help.
I find this all to be very interesting. I am going to try the pumping thing. I have Friday's off now so I will be home with him to nurse him more. Then I will try the other suggestions. To me this would not be such a big deal. I kind of feel like if I stop making enough milk I could just supplement and then stop when it is time to stop BUT Nash still really perfers to nurse so I don't want to have to stop if he is not ready to yet. I secretly still enjoy it too and am not ready to stop just yet. So we will see.

Nash says....

"I like to stand up and my daddy does not like his picture made!"

"I can sit up for a minute but then I fall over"

"I know, I am chubby but I love my feet"

"This is a sneak peak at me in my Halloween costume. Mommy says I am a monkey all the time"