Bowman West

Sometimes It's Weird

Having a baby is really weird sometimes. I'm amazed at my daily life. Besides the fact that this little person regularly pukes all over me, random things that happen make me think, "Hmmm...that never even crossed my mind." For instance, earlier today I was changing Charlie's diaper and was relieved to find that the bad smell was coming from just a little pellet instead of a big mess. However, that relief was short lived when I went to throw the diaper away and that little pellet rolled out and onto the bed. Disgusting!! That's why I should use the changing table! One of the funnest things to do with your baby is to take a bath together. I expected that I would have to bathe in his pee, which I have, and occasionaly have to jump out due to poop, which I haven't yet, but what happened today never even occurred to me. WARNING: TMI DIRECTLY FOLLOWS. FYI, I am still nursing Charlie...you can see where this is going, right? There we were, splashing and laughing when all of the sudden Charlie got this serious look on his face, looked straight at my chest and dove mouth first onto one of my girls. WHAT IN THE WORLD!!?? I mean, it's one thing when it's a nice moment in the rocking chair, but it's a totally different ballgame when I'm unsuspecting and vulnerable. I explained to him that the bathtub is not the dinner table and that we were now done with bathtime for the day. He also has started to do this weird thing where he'll nurse, turn and watch tv, then go back to nursing, and repeat this 50 times. Good grief! It's not like I'm a bag of popcorn at the movie theater! This stuff is weird!

Ok, enough of the personal stuff. I've been realizing lately that I'm SO dependent on baby gear. I really don't need any of it (except the carseat and maybe the crib) but it sure does make life easier. Since I have so many friends trying, pregnant, or new moms, I thought I'd post a list of my favorite gear in no particular order:

• Delta "Jenny Lind" style crib; $110 dollars at Babies 'R Us and cute as can be; it's sturdy too
• "Little Tummies" brand gas relief drops
• Platex Nurser "Natural Latch" bottles with Drop In liners
• Soothie pacifiers (the ONLY one he'll use)
• Graco Snugride infant carseat and Graco "snap-in" stroller frame; This thing is awesome!! It's so lite and you just snap the carseat onto the frame and you've got a stroller!
• Swaddle Me (by Kiddopotomaus); It's a swaddler for babies like Charlie who still have to be swaddled when they sleep. It's awesome, especially since he's too big now to swaddle with his blankets. You can get it in small for newborns through large (up to 22 pounds). He's been sleeping through the night since we started using it!!
• Anything by Baby Einstein--we love the saucer, the DVDs and the books
• The BebePOD chair by Prince Lionheart; same idea as the Bumbo seat but the BebePOD has a center "knob" which makes it impossible for Charlie to climb out. He can already arch his back and flip himself out of the Bumbo. He started using his chair at 3 months and we take it everywhere now. We even take it restaurants so he can sit and eat with us since the restaurant highchairs are a little too big still and he won't stay in his carrier.
• Fisher Price "Sounds 'n Lights" baby monitor; allows you to "see" if you baby is crying even when you're blow drying your hair.
• Leachco's bath cushion; baby can start out in the big bathtub and can roll over and play and won't get cold
• Johnson & Johnson's bedtime bath products in the purple bottles--they smell SO good!
• Boudreaux's Butt Paste--the only thing that works for Charlie's red little bum!
• Baby Papasan vibrating chair; got us through the first few months!
• Graco's travel pack 'n play; it's half the size of the regular ones and great for trips. They'll outgrow it by 6-9 months though
• Baby swing that goes side-to-side and front-to-back; Charlie wouldn't tolerate the front-to-back until 4 months
• Pampers diapers; I know they're more expensive but they're my favorites. We get free formula so I can spend a little more in the diapers. They are softer, more flexible, and don't get stiff and bulky when they're wet. The fasteners are also excellent. I never have leaks unless I don't put them on right!
• Car mirror that mounts on the headrest so you can see baby while you're driving
• Disposable changing pads
• Travel changing station by "For Your Baby"
• Medela microwave sterilization bags
• Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags
• Medela Pump In Style Advance Breastpump; Medela is the most recommended by doctors and lactation consultants!

Ok, I think that's all for now. Oh, and FYI, we borrowed most of this gear--there's no way we could have afforded to buy it!! You should borrow too!

Charlie finally got pictures taken--he was laughing so hard it was hilarious! He's such a silly little boy and he's at such a fun age right now!