Muddling Momma

29
Nov
2013

Small Business Saturday Deal

Quite a few of my friends have been asking about my super cute teething necklaces for Mommas. WELL … I just noticed the small business I order them from is having a sale tomorrow on Small Business Saturday! Chunky Potatoes gets 4 thumbs up – 2 big ones and 2 little ones.

They have been a huge lifesaver for Mike and me. He loves to snuggle up and chew it and I get to keep him from chewing on my hand and know everything was lovingly, safely handmade. Plus, they are so pretty, I don’t mind wearing them out in public! I highly recommend them. You can find them on Etsy.

** I was not compensated for this post, just a fan who wants to share the love

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True Story

categories: Pop Culture

“People often ask me, “What’s the difference between couplehood and babyhood?” In a word? Moisture. Everything in my life is now more moist. Between your spittle, your diapers, your spit-up and drool, you got your baby food, your wipes, your formula, your leaky bottles, sweaty baby backs, and numerous other untraceable sources–all creating an ever-present moistness in my life, which heretofore was mainly dry.”

Paul Reiser

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What’s In My Bag?

categories: Baby, Product Reviews

The number of times I get asked daily what I carry in Mike’s diaper bag is astounding. Just kidding. No one asks. But I’m a huge US Weekly fan (judge not lest ye be judged folks) and have always enjoyed their ‘What’s In My Bag‘ series. I thought it would be fun to give you some insight into what I carry in Mike’s diaper bag. I promise, there is not one product in there that will break the bank.

If you know me at all, I am not a huge fan of ‘baby’ stuff, like diaper bags that look like diaper bags. My Aunt hooked me up at my shower with The Cindy Tote from Thirty One. I love it because it is soft sided and I can use it again (you know – like when I don’t need a diaper bag. That time’s coming right?).

I also have a Thirty One wristlet that I think is discontinued. But it’s the right idea! A bigger wallet I can just grab out of the bag and put into a purse when I am baby free.

You always have to have a blanket/burp cloth/swaddle/rag. Always. I am a huge fan of the aden + anais line. The are huge swaddles, so perfect to cover a carseat, wrap a baby or wipe up a dribble. Plus they are pretty and Kate Middleton loves them.

My Baby K’Tan goes everywhere with me. Mike is getting heavy and lugging his car seat into the grocery store is just a pain in the neck. Plus I am never sure where a meltdown will occur, and the wrap keeps him calm. Where have I worn my baby? Walmart, Harris Teeter, home, office, winery (uh, huh), street festivals … it goes on and on.

Enfamil checks/coupons never leave my bag or purse. I have found Mike’s formula on deep discount at a few places and paired the store discount with a check and pay like $2 for a thing of formula. Score.

Thankfully Mike is still at the age where a crumpled napkin provides half an hour of entertainment. But I still like to carry a Wubba Nubba and a little toy. Even a book is good. Each page is 10 minutes of excitement!

There you have it! What’s your non-traditional must have for your diaper bag?

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A Little Help From Our Friends

categories: Blogging, Product Reviews

How are you liking my new WordPress site? Well, I am loving it and I have to give credit where credit is due. My friend and old coworker, Ashley, helped me find a solid solution to my frustration, migrated my content over AND did it with a smile.

She recently ventured out on her own and if you ever need any sort of WordPress assistance, I highly recommend he company Radiant IT Consulting. Here’s what they do:

Website Design

Logos
Navigation/Look & Feel
WordPress themes design
Graphics (buttons, images, slideshows)

Custom Website Development

WordPress Plugins & Themes Development
HTML & CSS coding
Technical Support & Maintenance
Quality Assurance Testing

Strategic Services

Search Engine Optimization
Social Media & Web Presence
Content Management & Development
Comparative and/or Competitive Analysis
Usability and 508 Compliance testing

Training

“Train the Trainer” Training
Development of training materials
Software/Website/Application Administration Training
Business Development Training

Content Creation

Blog/Article Writing
Government Proposal Writing/Editing/Organizing
Content Editing/Proofreading

Tell her Jackie sent you!

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Mike: Month 5

categories: Dear Mike

Dear Michael A –

I know I say this every month, but wow! You had quite a busy month! You are growing at the speed of light, your last appointment clocked you at 17lbs, 6oz. You have rolled over a handful of times, but aren’t very interested in doing it regularly. I think it’s because you are more interested in getting some place quickly and rolling isn’t cutting it. You are doing well with trying to sit up – you ‘tripod’ and love it.

I call you my ‘Whatever Baby’, which describes you perfectly right now. Oh, we are going for a walk? Whatever. Oh, we are going to sit here and work? Whatever. Time for a bath? Whatever. I love your go-with-the-flow attitude and how adaptive you are. I hope it stays that way!

You started daycare this month 2 days a week with Miss Gita, who lives down the street. Momma and Daddy were a little nervous leaving you, but you seem to LOVE it! And it is obvious you love her and the 5 other kids there. She has confirmed what we already know – you are smiley, happy and deeply interested in the world around you. Something else I hope that stays with you!

Food, glorious food! You have started semi-solid foods and are just now, 3 weeks in, getting the hang out of it. Before you were pushing it out and not very happy with the delayed gratification. Now you are devouring everything from peas to peaches to butternut squash. You seem very happy to be sitting in your highchair at the table when Momma and Daddy are eating and discussing our days. We want to make that the norm for you – a sit down dinner.

You were pretty sick this month kiddo. You were coughing, sneezing and generally pissed off at the world. After a trip to the doctor, we found out you had Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which was not the end of the world, but still made us feel terrible for you. You spent a lot of time reading books with Momma in a steamy shower and finding snuggles. You still have a bit of a cough, but nothing as mean as what you had before. It was no surprise you smiled through the sniffles.

Remember how you hated the bath? Well we turned a corner! Now you and Daddy get in the bubble bath together and have the best time. Momma sometimes sits on the edge and plays with squirt toys that you find to be the funniest thing EVER.

You had your first playdate with 2 little girls from church. Vin who is about 3 months and Sarah who is 10 weeks. You were the oldest for the first time! You were very interested in watching them. I am sure you will be seeing more of them since they go to our church.

You are still very interested in music, much to our excitement! You have also discovered the iPad and enjoy the books Daddy reads to you at night. Momma’s favorites are the Llama Llama books and you laugh when I laugh.

For your first Halloween, you were a cow, and Charlie was a rodeo bull (or something). You didn’t have much interest in the holiday, but it was fun dressing you up and knocking on our neighbor’s door. We saved your Snickers for when you get older. Ha!

Well my love, you are in your crib stirring since it’s almost time to get up. This has been an amazing month and you make each day a true adventure. I am stealing snuggles and kisses when I can. Next month is going to be a little more crazy, but I know my Whatever Baby can handle it.

If I loved you anymore, my heart would explode in a glittery mess,

Momma xo

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Hi!

categories: Blogging

Hi Friends!

Are you looking for Impatiently Waiting? You’ve found me! Welcome to my new blog, with all the old posts. Stay tuned for changes while I get acclimated with WordPress.

Don’t forget to add your email address so you can get new blog posts by email!

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Abandoning Mike at Daycare

categories: Being Mom, Working Mom

We survived our first week at daycare! Well, it was only 2 days, but regardless, we survived, and dare I say – thrive?

I was spending all day Tuesday obsessing over leaving him the next day with G. Would he wonder where I went? Will he feel abandoned? What if he cries the whole time? I secretly wanted to just coast by and toss him out of the car to avoid dealing with it, but alas – that is frowned upon.

So I took him, showed G. all his stuff, kissed him 3 times and walked out the door tear free. I got in the car and had this feeling in the pit of my stomach. I just left my child with someone who I would consider a stranger who the state says doesn’t keep sharp objects out, knows CPR and doesn’t have any complaints from parents. I knew after that day it would get easier … I just had to get through the day.

It was a beautiful day, with terrible traffic. I rolled down my window and turned the radio up a bit. Then a bit more. Then even more. No baby, I can blare the radio like the old days! I pulled into the Walgreen’s parking lot and realized I didn’t have to schlep a 17lb baby in with me for a Diet Coke.

I got to the office and spent the majority of the day focused on work and meetings. Yes, I felt like I was missing a body part, and yes, I wondered what he was doing at that moment, but I resisted the urge to call. I didn’t want to interrupt his day, or G.’s day. I trust her, I really do.

I busted out of the office at 3PM like my ass was on fire. I missed my baby and wanted some snuggles. I may have ran a few red lights and hit a squirrel. I got to G’s house and he was having a fine time fiddling with G’s assistant’s hajab. I got a few smiles and learned he had a fabulous day watching the kids interacting and eating. He got what he needed and I got what I needed. I happily (okay, KIND of happily) dropped him off on Friday and so far, so good.

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Mikey – 2 Months

categories: Dear Mike

Dear Mikey Bug –

We are laying in bed together and I am listening to your sweet coos and giggles, not really sure who, or what, you are ‘talking to’, but I am pretty sure it’s the wall sconce above our bed. I can’t believe a few minutes ago you were screaming bloody murder about nothing, or perhaps everything. We walked, we ate, we burped, we sang, we danced, we walked some more. Then suddenly, it was over. Your ‘witching hour’ episodes seem to be far and few between thankfully, but it leaves us all exhausted. And through it all, you are 2 months today!

We went to visit Miss. Vivienne, who was born a few weeks ago to some friends from church. We took them some dinner and had a quick visit. I marveled over how tiny she was and remembered you were once that small! Granted it wasn’t for long – you now seem HUGE. We had you 2 month check up today and you are a whooping 13lbs 2oz and almost 24 inches long. I don’t remember the size of your head, but you are in the 98th percentile for that. Such a big boy already!

You’ve had a busy month little guy:

You smiled for the first time! It is up for debate as to when it actually was, but your Daddy and I act a fool trying to get that smile from you and as the month’s gone on, you are giving them up more freely. When you get REALLY excites, who whole body smiles. Your eyes disappear (like Momma and Grandma), your arms bounce around and your knees go to your chest. It’s like every single thing you laugh at is the funniest thing EVER. Especially when we sing in different voices or tap your nose. It’s beyond satisfying to know you are showing us you’re happy. I can tell you are going to have an amazing sense of humor.

You met your Pop-Pop! And man, was he smitten with you. He cuddled you and talked to you and offered you sage advice, as a Pop-Pop should. Now we Skype with him once a week and he is 100% focused on you and how your week is going. Most the time your week is going well

You had a few overnight trips already and are proving to be a stellar traveler. You visited Grandma and Grandpa a few times, then stayed at Bubbe and Aunt Phyllis’ house for Bubbe’s 60th birthday. You were the star of the show, and I think the birthday girl seemed just fine with that.

We’ve been dipping you in a fish shaped baby pool on the balcony and you’ve seemed to enjoy it, probably because we fill it with warm bath water. We are desperately trying to make you a water baby! One weekend we decided to put you in Grandma and Grandpa’s pool expecting you to scream, like most babies do, and you made a funny face, but warmed up to it pretty quickly. We even put you in a baby float and you liked kicking your feet! You were beyond adorable in your little swim suit and navy blue Gilligan hat.

I think the biggest change has been more for our family – Momma went back to work last week! You probably don’t remember, since you were still growing in my belly, but I was laid off from a great job in March. It was very sad and worrisome, but it ended up being a good time for me to rest and prepare for you! The good news is I was offered a different position at the same company part time AND you can come with me as long as your needs are still pretty simple. We go to the office 2 days a week, and we work from home the rest of the week. You are so content to explore a new place and snuggle into your sling and sleep while Momma works. Sometimes it’s frustrating for me trying to meet the needs of the company and you are the same time, but I have to admit, I like being 110% focused on something, then glance down and see you peering up at me and smiling. You are such an easy going baby Mikey Bug. All my coworkers like having a cooing baby to snuggle with during the day. It’s been a tough adjustment for Momma, but we are figuring it out.

You also met a bunch of new friends, one such friend was Aunt Sara, who is not really your Aunt, but she has known Momma for the longest time. You were SO flirty, it was hilarious. You looked at her curiously and broke into a huge smile, cooed and made lovey dovey eyes. I think we are going to have a hard time when your hormones start moving!

My sweet baby, this has been a wonderful month. I can’t wait for the next month and milestones.

Love you,

Momma

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Momma’s Must Haves

categories: Being Mom, Product Reviews

Since I’ve been a Momma for just over 8 weeks, I’m considering myself an expert. Just kidding. I am flying by the seat of my pants just like everyone else. I’ve had a few friends recently get pregnant (congrats!!) and ask me what I would recommend goes on their registry. Here are my top 5:

1. WubbaNub: I am a big pacifier fan, and thankfully so is Mikey. I read about these on another blog and decided to use some of our gift card funds to pick up a few. Mikey loves them! It’s a soft animal literally attached to a Soothie pacifier. I’ve caught Mike holding the animal in his sleep and we have yet to lose one – which makes the price tag a little easier to swallow. The only other complaint is how to wash them, which I am still working out. FYI – Babies R Us has them for cheaper.

2. Summer Infant SwaddleMe: S. took the Dad’s class and was a swaddling expert. Me on the other hand … not so much. Especially when we were in the hospital for 5 days and exhausted. Welcome the SwaddleMe. They are soft cotton pre’made’ swaddles with velcro. So you put the baby in the ‘pouch’, fold one side over, then fold the other side over and velcro closed – ta da! Instant baby burrito. Mikey was a HUGE fan of these and it helped him relax and stop crying. He looked like a glow worm.

3. adan + anais Muslin Burpy Bib: I am obsessed with adan + anais products. I got one of these burpy bibs as a hand me down and was really impressed with it’s size. Mikey has some impressive spit ups and somehow this burp cloth catches it every time. Plus, it has small hidden snaps so it can snap around his neck covering a large area – critical if you kid spits up like mine. The muslin washes great too.

4. adan + anais Muslin Swaddle Blankets: Guess what! Prince George was photographed with one of these blankets! First of all, finding lightweight blankets for summer babies is damn near impossible. We got a few as gifts and they were heavy or fleecy. I passed these a few times at Buy Buy Baby, but couldn’t justify to price – until I couldn’t find anything else. Best. Purchase. Ever. I’m not sure why they are marketed as swaddle blankets. I use them as blankets, car seat cover, nursing cover (when I was nursing) and a changing pad. It’s HUGE and they wash great. Plus I love their prints.

5. Baby K’Tan: I will be the first to sing the praises of the ErgoBaby carrier, but it is hard to wear and work on a computer. I liked the concept of a sling, but slings seem be confusing to put on and time consuming. I did some research before I went back to work and found a lot of positive reviews of the Baby K’Tan. It’s really easy to put on after the third try and it has a variety of positions. Mikey’s favorite is the hug position, facing me. I can quickly put the sling on and slide him in and within 5 minutes he is snoring and I am working uninterrupted. What else do I love? It is 2 pieces and the big one fits in the pocket of the other piece. AND when I am wearing it, that same pocket is available for his WubbaNub or house keys. Or cookies.

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VP of Snuggles

categories: Product Reviews, Working Mom

The weeks have been flying and I haven’t had a minute to get my thoughts in order – Momma brain perhaps?

Guess what? I’m officially a working momma! Sometimes the stars just align and God’s ears hear the words from my mouth. Remember in March when I was laid off? Well, my boss and run in the same social circle so we’ve stayed in touch naturally. I told her I was holding out as long as possible for a position when they could afford to bring me back, and it happened just in time! She needed and Executive Assistant/Business Development person part time to start, then full time in a few months. Which is the perfect scenario for me. But wait, it gets better. Sonjara is a virtual company, so we all work from home and go into the office as needed and while I am home and in the office, Mike can come too! I am hoping that lasts a few weeks while he is still not mobile and his needs are pretty simple. I am beyond blessed for this opportunity and thankful I waited for a company that shares my values and is family friendly.

Today was my first day back, and Mike – my VP of Snuggles – was a trooper. He slept, ate, and played in his LulyBoo happily. The funny thing is my Sister in Law has her last day of work tomorrow so she can be a stay at home mom – her dream. When I heard that she was able to do that, I felt a twinge of jealousy and it took me awhile to figure out why. Then I realized, I wish that was my dream. I wish I had the desire to stay home and spend my day with Mike, but I just don’t.

Living in the DC Metro area, 2 incomes is very necessary, so it’s not an option for us. I admire mommas and dads who stay home with their babies and I also admire mommas and dads who go to the office everyday. I am not envious of how the ‘other half live’, maybe because I am with a company that understands work-life balance (suck it Yahoo!).

Mike’s 2 month appointment is next week – can you believe it?

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