Don’t Forget the Baby Book! February 28, 2009

Last week I was unpacking my books in my newly finished office/playroom when I came across Aria’s baby book.  This little volume, which purports to record her first five years, was in need of attention!   I resolved to fill in the portions for her 3rd and 4th birthdays, when I realized… “Liam does not have a baby book!”

Oops!  Big oops.  It’s all fine and well for me to keep up with my eldest child’s baby book, but to only just realize when my youngest is now TWO that I didn’t even start one for him!?!  My goodness!  I blush.  Technically, I kept a sort of digital baby book for him the first 6 or so months, but that was a joke.  I mean, if a mom can forget to keep up with a physical baby book sitting there on the shelf, how much more likely that she’ll forget and worse yet – lose – a digital version. 

So, take heed.  Don’t forget the baby book!  If you intend to keep one (and this is easier than scrapbooking, trust me), put it out on your desk.  Display it in baby’s room.  Do anything but slide it in amongst your parenting books on the shelf.  Because, how often do you read those parenting books, really?  

One last tip.  If you really like the format of your baby book and you plan on having more children, buy more books now!  I searched high and low to find another copy of Aria’s baby book last night.  But it’s out of print and completely GONE.  It would have been nice (and felt fair…) to use the same book.  Instead I’ve settled for an Eric Carle version, which at least reminds me of my son’s favorite stories.  I figure I’ve got to start jogging my memory somehow…

Time for Two February 26, 2009

I’m back!  On Sunday my husband and I got away for our first trip alone together in 7 years.  Yes, it’s been that long!  Between having babies and not having too much extra cash, we’ve skimped on too many anniversaries.  Times have been hard for us lately, so my husband really had to convince me that now was the time for a romantic getaway.  I insisted we kept it relatively cheap, so we found a modest Bed and Breakfast in nearby Charleston. 

It was wonderful!  Three days of no schedule, kid-free shopping, culture and food – perfect.  I love my kids.  So much.  But, it was just amazing to be spontaneous, spend all-day doing “grown-up” things and go out for a late movie without a care.  In fact, the highlight of our trip was an afternoon nap in the bed and breakfast!  Oh the pure luxury of adult napping!

If you have relegated time alone with your spouse to the back-burner, take some action.  I know that the kids are pure joy and that outings with other families are great for all… but there’s something magical about rediscovering your spouse and your love unencumbered by the realities of life.  Especially if you’re pregnant, take time for two while you have the chance! 

Here are some ideas for keeping down costs:

• Plan your trip during the week to take advantage of mid-week prices
• Limit your destination to a two-hour driving radius
• Schedule 1-2 activities and leave the rest of your time open.  Spontaneity is wonderful!  Naps and long walks in nature are more restful and rejuvenating than touristy activities.
• To limit food expenses, pack a lunch for the first day, choose a lodging that provides breakfast and save dinner leftovers for lunch or snacks!

Enter to win a FREE Organic Baby Tee! February 19, 2009

So often organic baby layette is available only in simple, solid colors.  When we came across Kiwi Industries’ new organic layette, which features modern earthy prints, we had to have it!  The collection includes long and short sleeve styles, a lightweight layering jacket, warm pullover sweater, onepiece romper, kimono dress, coordinating blankets and hats too!  To celebrate our newest addition, we’re giving away one free long sleeve baby tee in the Green Vine print, size 6-12 months. 

Kiwi’s layette is complete, 100% organic cotton.  We especially love that the sweaters are knit in a fair-trade women’s cooperative in South America, where women knit from their homes, often caring for their children and providing the sole source of income.  How wonderful! 

I have to say, it reminds me a little bit of, well… me.  I work out of my parent’s home part-time (my mother works the other half).  And, when I’m not working, I’m home with the kids!  I’m hoping to be home more in the future, so that I can enjoy homeschooling my little ones.

Enter to Win!:  Here’s your chance to give us some feedback.  Please take a look at our selection of organic and/or eco-friendly baby clothes:  http://www.euphoriababy.com/store/pc/Clothe-c21.htm.  Which collection or brand do you like the best, and why?  Your ideas can really help our family business improve our selection.  Just post your comments here on this blog and you’ll be entered to win.   Enter now through March 22nd.  We’ll choose one random winner!

Baby’s First Pair of Shoes February 17, 2009

When baby is about 3 or 4 months old, it can suddenly seem odd to bring him or her out in just socks.  Has this happened to you?  Maybe you put off buying shoes (the ones at Babies R’ Us look soooo uncomfortable!), until your baby begins to scoot and stamp around, while holding your hands.  All at once, you can’t stand the thought of your baby’s tender little feet tromping and scooting around in just socks on all sorts of floors.  Time for shoes!

Buying that first pair of shoes is such fun, but perhaps a little difficult – especially if you’re a first time mom.  Definitely steer clear of anything that’s not super-soft and flexible.  You’re just trying to protect those little feet, not offer support!  Sure, there’s Robeez and similar knock-offs.  They’re easy to find, which is nice, but they do have their down-sides.  Those soft soles don’t have a non-slip surface.  For 0-3 months, that’s fine.  But, once baby starts to crawl and stomp, baby will appreciate a tiny bit of traction.  Plus, my husband detested the designs.  I thought they were fine… until I looked online at other options.

After doing some shopping, I love See Kai Run’s line of baby shoes for little ones.  It’s called “Smaller” and all the shoes are made with luxurious lambskin leather, finished with non-slip circles on the soft soles and close with velcro for fast on and off.  They’re approved by the American Podiatric Medical Society for little feet.  What’s more, the designs are so cool!  They’re sweet and/or handsome, but most of all unique.  If you want something that doesn’t look like every other baby shoe, check out our collection of Smaller by See Kai Run at EuphoriaBaby.com.  It’s just what I would look for in the way of baby’s first shoe, so I had to add it to our store!

After adding the baby shoes to our store this morning, I stopped to look at the rows of boy and girl shoes.  Gosh, it’s just not fair – girls have all the fun!  I mean, sure, the boys shoes are cool (my son’s first pair looked like the Chase shoe), but the girls shoes are so sweet and adorable that I want to eat them.  How can a mama resist?

Hormone Disruptors and Your Health February 12, 2009

Girl, Disrupted: Hormone Disruptors and Women’s Reproductive Health is a new 35 page report designed to explain what we know today about hormone disrupting chemicals to regular people like you and I.  It was published by the Collaborative on Health and the Environment and focuses, specifically, on how several synthetic, hormone-disrupting chemicals are destroying women’s health.  The report details studies that link hormone disruptors to early puberty, infertility, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer and others. 

I know I’ve written time and agan about dangerous chemicals Americans are commonly exposed to, such as BPA, pthalates and more.  I tend to focus on what we should do to protect our health.  Rather than giving a list of to-do’s, this report gives you clear, concise reasons why you should be concerned about hormone disruptors. 

I’ll be honest, I didn’t read the 35-page report.  Who has time for that?  Fortunately, they also published a concise summary brochure that gets right down to it:  Hormone Disruptors and Women’s Health: Reasons for Concern.  Go here, download the PDF and share it with your friends.  If you’re pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive you’re at a particular vulnerable point.  You should take steps now to protect the health of your baby.

Waldorf at Home – A Routine that Works for Us February 10, 2009

It’s been five months now since we “discovered” Waldorf.  We’re in our own home now and have settled into some helpful routines.  I have several friends who are likewise inspired by Waldorf ideas.  I’m often asked, “What is your routine?” You see, we all agree that the children thrive on having some sort of routine or pattern to their days, and we know that WE do better with a routine too.  Predictability is soothing.  It “holds” the child and “carries” us through the day, promoting cooperation, making transitions easier and simplifying the “what next” for mom. 

But, how do you get there?  No one wants a rigid set of rules.  And, no one can just adopt another’s routine, since everyone’s life and priorities are different.  Here I’ll share my routine and then some thoughts that helped me along the way.  The timeline listed works as a guideline for me.  It’s not a schedule that I must stick too, but a reminder of sorts that helps me keep up with my day. 

As a part-time working mom, I have Wednesdays and Fridays home with the children, plus weekends when dad is home too.  I’ve color-coded some routines that are unique to Wednesday or Friday.  Our weekends are less formed and more open-ended, leaving opportunities for spontaneity.  But, generally, we try to have one weekend day be a “work day” for gardening, home improvement, etc and one be a “play day” for friends, kid projects, or rest.

Our Routine

• Rising-7:30am: Breakfast, Getting Dressed and Ready for the Day
• 8am: Laundry/House Cleaning, making an effort to welcome and include the children as helpers
• 9am: Coloring/Painting, stopping my work to do artwork as a family 
• 10am: Snack followed by free play inside, while Mom does more of the day’s chores
• 11am: Play Outside, when I might play with them or do some gardening (which they may do too!)
• 12am: Lunch
• 12:30-1:30pm: Rest Time for all, when I may catch up on my computer or read
• 1:30pm: Read Aloud a few books, followed by free play
• 2:30 Snack
• 3pm: Free Play/Friends arrive for Play Group with Circle Time and a Craft or Game
• 5pm: Dinner prep
• 5:30-6pm:  Dinner
• 6pm:  many nights Daddy plays guitar while the children dance or make music
• 6:45pm:  Get ready for bed, read a bedtime story (or two) as a family
• 7pm: Children in bed

In making my routine, I first identified things I’d like us to be doing everyday, such as playing outside, regular snacks, rest time and free play.  These are a MUST for us.  If the kids don’t get these things, they don’t behave well.  Next, I identified things I must do as a parent, such as laundry, cleaning and having some “me” time.  If I don’t get some “work” done, I don’t feel good about my day.  And, I don’t behave well without a break in the middle of my day! 

Lastly I chose a few things that would enrich our lifestyle, such as coloring (on blank paper), painting, and playgroups.  I had to be pretty selective here.  There are SO many fun things I could be doing with my kids, but time is limited.  Also, I realized that I’d have to say “no” to some things to make time for this lifestyle.  It means staying home.  NOT running errands.  NOT exercising with my mommy friends.  How is this possible?  I run errands maybe once a month (and it makes for a downer Wednesday) or on weekends, when we do our grocery shopping.  I exercise at night, after the kids are asleep.  And, most importantly, I realize that less truly is more.  Staying home is wonderful, meaningful, and restful for this part-time working mom. 

I wish you the best as you work towards discovering your routine.  Living more intentionally is so fulfilling for both parent and child.  For some more inspiration, see “Heaven on Earth” by Sharifa Oppenheimer.  It’s the very best book I’ve come by for practical Waldorf-inspired parenting advice. 

An Outing fit for Winter Days February 5, 2009

It’s FREEZING outside.  If you’re a parent of young ones, you know that when cold weather forces us to stay indoors things can get a bit ugly.  In the past week I rediscovered an outing that’s perfect for winter days – the trip to Barnes & Noble’s train table.  My children just love to play with those trains, and I am perfectly content to browse the children’s books near bye for quite some time while keeping a watchful eye on their play.  Children of all ages, from one to eight will come and go, sometimes playing quite awhile.  It gives my kids the opportunity to practice meeting strangers, sharing toys and conversing with a diverse group. 

This week I was looking for a book to suit my son, Liam, who’s just turned two years old today.  I found a large board book titled “Freight Train” by Donald Crews that’s just right for him.  He adores trains.  This book names different types of train cars (half of which I didn’t know), while identifying their colors.  Since he still tends to call everything “orange” that’s a definite plus.  At the end, the colorful rainbow train is off in a whirl of color through tunnels, cities and more.

The nice thing about browsing with kids, is that you can read them a book before buying to see how it goes over.  You know that if they like it enough to hear the whole story instead of going back to the trains that it’s got their attention!  While I generally like to stay home with the kids, this was a nice, mellow outing that kept us warm, calm and engaged.  How about you?  What do you do on winter days?

Hot Topic: What they Don’t Tell you about Vaccination Dangers February 3, 2009

Have you done your research on vaccines?  It’s a complex, sometimes intimidating topic, but as parents there’s no escaping it.  Either you trust the American Pediatrics Society and do them all on schedule (or mostly on schedule…), or you have to dive in to the research to draw your own conclusions. 

An excellent, non-alarmist vaccine book is Dr. Sear’s “The Vaccine Book”.  If you want all the info and several options for how to/if to vaccinate, that’s the book for you.  I read this book spring of 2008 with a local book club.  All of the mothers found it helpful, although we did settle on differing plans for our families.

BUT, if you don’t have the time to read a book and you’re wondering if there really is anything to worry about anyways, I just came across an excellent article.  It’ll give you a snapshot of some of the issues: how vaccines are made, what happens to the brain when vaccinations are injected, and some ideas for safer vaccinating practices.  Please read what Russell L. Blaylock, MD, world-renowned board-certified surgeon and author, has to share about vaccines in his article What They Don’t Tell You About Vaccination Dangers. 

You owe it to your children to be informed about this issue.  Once you vaccinate, there is no taking it back.  If you’re pregnant, do the research now.  Your baby would normally receive a first shot in the hospital and several more at the 2 month appointment.  Now is the time to become informed!