Best Baby Buys

It's very easy to go overboard when shopping for a baby. (Guilty) Especially your first. There's something for everything. The baby and wedding industries have it sorted... purely targeting your emotions and bank accounts! Here is a list of 10 of my best purchases so far... followed by some hilarious not so practical products I've come across.

1. The swing chair.

Dad walked though my front door after I had Boston with a huge box and said "We wouldn't have had 4 kids if it weren't for one of these" I couldn't imagine life without my little siblings!! Boston loves the swing chair.. It sings songs and vibrates. I bought another one in America that doubles as a rocker which is handy so Boston can listen to my singing in the shower. You can buy monstrous swings.. but you don't want it to take up your whole living room! The swing is a winner.

2. Skip Hop play mat

This thing is GOLD. Affectionately known as "Owly" This play mat has served us very well. He LOVES it. I think babies like big eyes. The best thing is that you can detach all the toys, string them together and take them with you on adventures. The little pillow it comes with is really handy. Tummy time has been a necessary evil because baby has a flat head on one side. Putting the pillow under his arms makes tummy time more bearable!

http://www.skiphop.com/product/treetopactivitygym.html

3. Dickies Towels

Sadly for Mother Earth I'm not an eco warrior when it comes to nappies. I do recycle bottles and the like but I'm not willing or able to commit to the "mother load" of washing using cloth nappies would entail. My friend Annita got me my first batch of these towels. They are outrageously multi purpose ...I always have 3 or so with me. I actually made a couple burp cloths... Mum mentioned they might be too small. She was very right. These towels will catch everything!

4. Medela Swing Pump

This one's a winner. Not that I have experience with any others but I did my research and read a lot of reviews and the Swing came out on top. It's great because it's battery operated....  you can plug it into the wall as well. Expressing can be a terrifying sight  which is why you need something speedy and efficient!  I'm happy with all the Medela products. I recently bought the Quick Clean Micro steam bags and the bags that you can express into a very handy too.

5.Rockabye Baby

Boston has always loved loud music... He's probably heard Random Access Memories about 80 times. So when I saw this at Kitson Kids I thought it would be great idea! This CD is magic. Boston is always silenced/put to sleep by it. The tunes don't drive me crazy either which is a bonus. I think I'll buy the whole collection! They have lullaby renditions of Aerosmith, Prince, The Beach Boy's, The Beatles, Blur, Bob Marley, Metallica and list goes on! 

http://www.rockabyebabymusic.com/jay-z.html/

6. Bonds Wondersuits

I think it's a tradition for Australian children to wear a bonds. The Bonds wonder suits are truly wonderful. I had a hard time finding good onesies here in the States so I ordered some online and my sister brought them over. I love the two way zip.. especially now that baby is wriggling around while I dress and change him! Another feature is the built in hand mittens which are essential to avoid your baby gauging his/her face. They are suitable for all seasons as they come in warm and cool fabrics. You can't buy enough of them!

7. My Bugaboo Cameleon

I could not be happier with this purchase. It was a bit of an investment BUT well worth it. Soo light and simple to put together. Boston is already in the seat attachment because he was getting a bit bored lying flat in the bassinet. It's smooth to push and has great suspension on the jagged LA sidewalks. Easy to manoeuvre around tight corners and overall I trust it's quality and know I won't need another pram... until I have another baby and need the Donkey (double) pram. Or maybe I can just attach the skateboard to this one!

8. IKEA Dimma

This is an odd one, yet I've found it very useful. I plugged it into my bedside lamp so that when I wake up to feed Boston neither of us get blinded by the bright light.. Dimma allows you to dim all your lamps to your desired brightness! 

9. Munchkin Bin

There's no doubt with the number of nappies we go though that having a nappy disposal system is essential. It's a convenient odourless time saver. Time accrued from taking the nappies out the big bin would equate to hours! I bought one for home and one here in America. Target sell them and the refill bags .. you can order them online too. At first I was concerned about having up to 25 nappies just sitting in the bin, but it doesn't take long to fill it up and the bi-carb soda illuminates the smell! This was another one of Annita's wonderful recommendation.  

http://www.munchkinnappybin.com.au/

Baby Body Booty Belly

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia Woolf

 Where do I begin. I thought I was doing pretty well weight wise during my pregnancy. It wasn't until after I had Boston that I realised the full extent of change. I've decided that a number on the scales means nothing. After 6 weeks I was 5kg off my pre-pregnancy weight which I was shocked about considering a didn't feel remotely like my pre pregnant self! Even now after 3 months the scales tell me one thing but I feel another! 

I was in the family change rooms with my sister the other day trying on jeans. The time had come to break out of the comfort of my maternity jeans. I was bragging about how proud I am to be trying jeans that fit her (she's 16)... I spoke too soon. The next pair I tried I SPLIT. Yes I tore them... it wasn't even bad seam construction I split the actual fabric. We laughed hysterically and silently for about 5 minutes... before making a quick get away. I felt terrible but it was too embarrassing to admit my crime. So I split and ran! 

Anyway if you've had a baby I think you have to go easy on yourself... Undoubtedly bringing a baby into the world the way we do is bound to create a few changes. I was lucky to only get a couple stretch marks.. but that doesn't mean my stomach looks any less weird...at least I can say I earned my stripes! Ultimately whatever state you're left in post pregnancy, you have to embrace it! Dieting isn't the answer in my opinion.. the last thing you need is to make yourself miserable.. depriving yourself of essential delicious treats is a terrible idea. They offer much more goodness than you think. A little bit of sugar makes everyone nicer... especially me! I'm sure it makes your milk taste better too.. which might make your baby drink more which means you'll lose weight faster! It's a win win. 

I'm clearly no guru on the subject but my message to myself and you (if you're a pregnant girl) is that it's ok not to look like you did before! Celebrate your new figure! You're body did something amazing so reward it with POSITIVITY! (and a cupcake) Jokes... but seriously.. you deserve it!

Here's a cartoon I made.

Across the Pacific with papoose.

 A papoose (from the Algonquian papoos, meaning "child") is an American English loanword whose present meaning is "a Native American Indian child" (regardless of tribe) or, even more generally, any child, usually used as a term of endearment, often in the context of the child's mother.

A few weeks ago my 7 week old little boy, my Mum and I boarded a 13 hr from Brisbane to Los Angeles. Before leaving I asked Boston's paediatrician if he had any tips for traveling long haul with babes. He advised me that I should book a first class ticket and an economy ticket for the baby.  LOL. But seriously, he didn't follow it up with any real advice. So.. I thought it can't be too big a drama. Thankfully my Mum came with us for reinforcement and also just because we love her.

 I knew I had to feed him on the way up and also on descent to save his little ears from hurting. Timing is everything. For any future newby Mum and babe travellers. I'd say start feeding during take-off. I started  prematurely and he was a bit over it by the time we made it to altitude. The way down is a lot trickier... especially in my case... the plane was diving down then suddenly starting shooting back up again! Needless to say my poor little boy had to over indugle and did an epic vomit. I barely survived it. I couldn't run away because I was belted in and he was strapped to me! Another tip. Take plastic bags and spare clothes for yourself! (Which thankfully I did) He takes a dummy now so hopefully we won't have a repeat incident.

A fellow passenger gave Boston an A+ for his travelling skills. (I'd like to think it was my mothering prowess) He was a little champion on his first flight. Didn't sleep though, apart from a few cat naps.. but overall was a happy camper..  Hooray!  Although he did create about 10 dirty nappies. A new personal best in 13 hours. Mum and I took two on, two off. It's best to use the disabled bathroom at the back of the plane so you don't go dropping everything into the loo like I almost did. I'm soooo lucky my Mumma was with me for my maiden voyage as a Mum! I would not give Boston an A+ for the days/nights following his first flight however. Never expect to hit the ground running with a jet setting babe!  It took about a week (felt like two) for us to figure out day from night! I had a taste of what sleep deprivation is and understand why it's used as an army torture technique.

Hello world

BNE TO LAX

Murphy's Law

Murphy's law is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong".

It's always the one time you don't throw the burp cloth over your shoulder that the bi-weekly massive vomit starts to trickle down your butt crack. It's the odd occasion when you don't place the wee wee tee pee on (a tiny cone shaped cloth that prevents little boys from weeing on you and themselves) that you receive a spray. Recently the first major poonami arrived when I was home alone and required serious back up. I used to think Murphy's Law came into play when you are running late somewhere (which is always) and get caught at every red light. Now it's taken on a whole new meaning. 

 After all the feeding, nappy changes, baths, outfit selecting and general entertainment I provided for the first 8 weeks... I was beginning to feel under appreciated as Boston was quite unresponsive. Luckily right on cue at 8 weeks he gave us a big gummy shark smile.. Yes he was awake and no it wasn't gas (for once) Now at 11 weeks I've had a few giggles.. All my songs and silly sounds are not in vain! As far as Murphy's Law goes the stakes will only rise from here. The adventure continues.

P.S - Boston just fell off the bed. I left him to go get his nose puffer in the kitchen. I cut my finger on the blender blade while retrieving the puffer from the dish rack and as I walked back into the bedroom he was crying on the floor. Lesson learnt. I feel TERRIBLE but he seems ok. Will continue to observe. Thanks again Murphy..u suck.

Amber Cherry Photography

Amber Cherry Photography

My dear friend Amber is an amazing photographer. She's captured some precious moments for me during my pregnancy and beyond! 

Babe at 2 weeks. Amber and Clint were patient beyond measure and have the midas touch when it comes to keeping babies calm and sleepy. Baby whisperers! I want them to be around at bedtime every night!

Check out her Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Cherry-Photography/114917662033204

My first month of Motherhood

Life has changed forever and for the better! Little Boston Scott Walker was born June 24th at 10:38pm.. conveniently on the day Wimbeldon started. Late night feeds in hospital were a breeze! The second State of Origin clash fell on the Wednesday with a glorious Queensland victory... and of course Krudd is back. So when I could prise my eyes off our little creation there was some good viewing on the tele.

Back to baby. He weighed 7lbs 15oz/ 3.6kg which was a lot bigger than expected! All my trips to the bakery paid off ;)  He has tons of hair.. My heartburn was well worth suffering through. I can't stop brushing it so it gets really greasy everyday. I was in complete shock for the first 24 hours of his life. I couldn't believe he was ours and that everything went smoothly. I secretly feared that because I had an easy pregnancy that my labour would be a nightmare. Thanks to a delightful dose of Pethadine and a timely epidural I had a mostly pain free 6hr labour. Although I did have to get my waters broken which sounds awful and IS awful. WORST thing EVER. Things started looking up when the anaesthetist wandered in and asked me what my plans for pain management were... "You're my plan!"  The whole experience felt surreal, it was like a dream I was waiting to wake up from. Four weeks on and I still haven't woken up, I have a sweet little boy who I love more than ANYTHING! He looked like Simba from The Lion King when they passed him up to me.. eyes wide open.. big blinks.. It was awesome. . 

I spent Sunday to Friday in hospital which was great because there was soooo much to learn. We did go to antenatal classes but I'd pretty much forgotten everything. The nurses at the Mater Mothers were incredible. Their motto "Exceptional people, Exceptional care" is an understatement. Props to the cooks too... every dessert was swimming in custard and cream. Stunning afternoon tea cakes as well. They even served scones with jam and cream for Wimbeldon! I'm glad I still brought my own snacks because there were several occasions where I became ravenous in the middle of the night.

About to have a bebe

Hair Do's courtesy of A.Slade and P.Harman

So Motherhood... If you don't get your hair and make up done in the morning it most likely won't get done at all. I have never been so excited about someone burping. My burping technique must suck because I very rarely get a burp so when I do it's cause for celebration! There's a lot of room for improvement when it comes to nappy changes too. I either seem to change him during his business of just BEFORE big business. It's as though he's waiting for a clean nappy to soil. Makes sense though.. I wouldn't willingly walk into a dirty toilet cubicle..I'd hold on at all costs. I'm over whelmed at the thought of nappy changing for up to 3 years. I thought his poo smelt bad until I was changing him at the mall when another, much larger baby was being changed next to us. WOW. Not looking forward to introducing solids. I need an L plate for my pram. I've had several collisions into people and pot plants at the mall. One lady even rolled her eyes and said "That's the second time today" Let's just say.. she was a rather wide target. I made the depressing mistake of trying on one of my pre-pregnancy dresses. Too soon ..way too soon.. On a positive note my belly button has gone back to normal. I survived the first big vomit. Sure I shed a tear or two but managed well.. I caught the second big vomit with my bare hands so that was quite an achievement. I love being a new Mum! It's been the best 4 weeks of my life. I love this little kid like crazy. 

Coming home from hospital! 

xoxo

Babe Beats

I just spent about an hour making a playlist in the event I want to listen to music during labour. 19 songs, duration 1.2hours. Wishful thinking. This babe better not make me repeat it. I guess it's a work in progress....