Mommy FTW

We just got back from a trip to Washington DC to visit Cameron’s grandparents. We of course went back to the fabulous Wilson Aquatic Center for some swimming.  There were so many families there with young kids and babies which was so nice to see.  Anyways, while there, I got Cameron some stacking cups, since he has been really into the ones he has at home.  I got him these cute Fisher Price ones that come in rainbow colors.

Fisher Price Stack & Roll Cups

They are cups that are easy to stack, but also can be turned into balls when the two sides are put together.  There is also a ball that jingles (which seems suspiciously like cat toy to me!) Cameron really enjoyed the set, both in the bath, and out.  I like them much more than the set of stacking cups we have at home in Brooklyn (Click here if you want to check those out as well).

On Tuesday Cameron and I headed out to Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) for Reading with Babies, and a break from the rain. When I got to the library I saw a sign posted that there wouldn’t be any story time until March 2nd, and that they were showing a Sesame Street movie instead. I was a little disappointed, but I wanted to check out the Children’s section of the library anyways because I had heard it was a nice place for kids to play – story time, or no. Indeed, I was not let down.

Cameron plays with the bead maze

There was plenty of space for Cameron to roam around, and a few other babies there. So many books were at his level, and I didn’t feel bad about him taking them off the shelves himself and taking a peek at them (I just followed him around and put them back). There were also a few toys for the kids.

So many books to choose from

Overall, it was a nice place to take Cameron when the weather is bad, so we will certainly be back!

Back in November when Cameron was just turning a year old we went out to Chicago to visit my husband’s family, and I was NOT going to pack a bath seat for the trip.  So, we started getting Cameron used to taking a bath in the tub without his Dream Baby Bath Seat.  At first, someone sat in the tub with him, and then after a few days he was sitting alone in the tub.  He seemed a little insecure at the beginning, but now he loves being in the tub by himself.

Cameron playin' in the tub! (Also pictured - Bath Letters)

I still use his infant bath seat in the beginning of bath time because it makes it easier for me to wash him, but when we move to play time, I release him into the tub.  We have a rule, which another mom suggested to me, that once he stands up, bath time is over.  He quickly learned that this is how he should signal that he is ready for bed.

I’m aware having a baby in the bath tub isn’t revolutionary, but I know a lot of moms who are nervous about taking their little ones out of their seats and letting them be in the tub without bumpers or restraints.  So, I wanted to write this little post to give you the confidence to try it out!  Your baby just might love it.

I’ve been putting Cameron in Pampers since the very beginning (with the exception of night times, where we use Huggies Overnites).  If you also use Pampers religiously, they you may have noticed at the end of last year Pampers made a change to their product – for the worse.  There was a forum discussion on Parents Around the Hill (PATH) about it, which linked to a blog post containing pictures of the downgrade.  The newer diapers are less absorbent and thick, and I found the velcro tabs to be flimsy.  Cameron’s came undone all the time, and the tabs kept rubbing his legs and irritating them.

Well, given my annoyance with Pampers, and my love of Huggies Overnites, I decided it was finally time to jump ship and go Huggies 100% – and I am SO GLAD I did!  Cameron’s new Huggies are plush and absorbent.  The velcro is strong, and grip well even when he is wiggling and crawling around like a maniac.  Now that I’ve switched, I have no idea why I waited so long!

Move over Pampers, here come the Huggies!

If you are fed up with the change Pampers made, but weren’t sure what to try, I say go with Huggies!  I realized at the last minute that I was low on diapers, so I went with Diapers.com because of the overnight shipping.  Then the snow storm foiled me, and we had to run out to Walgreens!  But, for the long haul I’m going with Huggies Supreme Little Movers from Amazon because they are cheaper than Diapers.com when you use Amazon Subscribe and Save (15% off).  FYI – Amazon Subscribe and Save also has Huggies Overnites!

It's all Huggies all the time in this house

I know mommy always thinks she knows best, but sometimes the gifts you get from other people that you wouldn’t have bought yourself turn out to be the best ones.  These toys have consistently Cameron’s favorites, and are also extremely popular at playgroup.

Playskool Busy Ball-Tivity Center

Cameron got this “Activity Center” from one of Matt’s Co-workers when he was about 1 month old.  We kept it in the closet until he was about 6 months old.  When we finally broke it out, I was very unimpressed with it.  It didn’t seem to do much at all, and I found the music it played to be annoying.  Well, shows what I know – this has been, and still is, one of Cameron’s favorite toys.  He loves the music, loves the spinning balls, loves everything about this toy!  And so do the other kids at playgroup.  There is generally a crowd around it.

CAT 3-in-1 Ride-On Dump Truck

When this gigantic ride on truck showed up in the mail, I thought, “What am I going to do with this huge thing?!”  It also arrived when Cameron was very young, like the activity center.  Once he was crawling we took it out of the box, and he immediately began pushing it around the apartment.  It also honks and makes noises when you press the buttons – exciting stuff!  Now, Cameron is using it as a walker.  It is also a ride on if you lift up the back part.  All of the kids at playgroup are immediately drawn to this toy.  So if you’ve got room for a big, ugly, dump truck in your living room… go for it!  Your baby will love you for it.

Recently a mom told me that her daughter loved to snack on fig newtons and that that her pediatrician had recommended them as a healthy snack.  I went on Fresh Direct looking for them, and I was happy to find that they had 100% whole grain Fig Newton Minis.  They come in little packages, which I keep in my diaper bag.  Cameron really loves them!  I did a little research on figs, and I learned that they are indeed good for you.

A tasty treat mom approves of

Here’s some of what I found out:
The mineral content of figs closely resembles that of human milk

Figs are rich in both vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium potassium and chlorine

Figs are high in vitamin B, that is essential in the intestine regulation, the fig has a similar function in our bodies as cereals do;

Dried figs are rich in fibre, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron

The fig is oxidant, laxative, diuretic, digestible and a blood cleanser

Figs excellent for the liver

Sounds good to me!  Snack on, Cameron – snack on!

While we were in Washington, DC recently Cameron and I (and Grandma) went back to the Wilson Aquatic Center for some winter time swimming. This time the water was much warmer and it was almost empty!  Here’s a few more tips that I picked up on my recent visit, as well as a few pictures of the family locker room (hey, it’s no spa, but it’s clean with plenty of space).

Let's go swimming already!

1) All the times I’ve gone the water for the shower in the family locker rooms was cold. You are required to shower before going into the pool, so Cameron and I braved the cold for a few seconds out of necessity.  This time my mom was with me in the family locker room and she said that the showers in the women’s locker rooms was much warmer. So if you go to the family locker room and the shower is freezing, duck into the other locker room with your baby. It’s much more comfortable!

If this shower is cold, try the other locker rooms.

2)The men’s and women’s locker rooms also have swim suit dryers.  The family locker room doesn’t have one.  But, there are diaper changing tables in the family room, which is really helpful.

I've got my swim diaper on and I am ready to go!

3)The lockers in the locker rooms don’t have locks on them. If you are really worried about this you can bring your own lock to use.

Plenty of lockers, but bring your own lock.

4)If you a not a resident of Washington DC you have to pay a small fee to get in. They don’t take Cash – so bring some plastic! Also, bring your ID. They will check it!

5)I’ve never had a problem parking on the street, even though the Wilson Aquatic Center is right by the Tenlytown metro station.  Just be sure you bring lots of quarters for the parking meters!  There is a clock prominently displayed on the wall in the pool area, so it’s easy to tell how long you’ve been there so you don’t run out of meter time.

Need more info on the Wilson Aquatic Center?  Check out their official website.  Here you can find info about hours or operation, admission requirements, amenities, and costs.

Have fun swimming!  You can bet Cameron and I will be back next time we are in DC!

Cameron loves to swing.  So yesterday while we were out and about in the afternoon we stopped at Camel Park (at the corner of Carlton and Dekalb in Fort Greene) for an impromptu ride on the swings – but they were all wet from the morning’s rain storms.  Usually I have a cloth with me for dealing with such occasions, but I hadn’t planned ahead this time.  I thought to myself… what do I have with me that is absorbent?  Duh, a diaper!

Mom Genius At Work!

Swinging Happily

So next time you are out and you need something to dry off a wet swing, try using a diaper.  It worked like a charm!

Over the winter months I do a lot of cooking in the oven.  It’s so much easier and less messy than on the stove, and I don’t mind that it makes my apartment nice and toasty either!  I recently discovered that Cameron enjoyed the roast chicken breast I was making.  It’s so easy I thought I would share the method.  For those less inclined cooks out there – don’t worry, it’s super easy!  This uses chicken breast on the bone, with the skin on.  I don’t give Cameron the skin, but it helps keep the chicken moist during cooking.

Set your oven to 400

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray (or you can use a dutch oven or casserole type dish)

Place the chicken bone side down / skin side up on the baking sheet

When the oven is up to temperature, bake for 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 165.

That’s it!  If you want to make this for yourself – I would add some salt and pepper to the chicken before baking it.

Of course Cameron can’t eat all this at once, so I take off a few bits at meal time and leave the rest wrapped up in the fridge.

Cameron has both the Baby Capilene as well as the Baby Puff Rider Jacket from Patagonia as part of his winter gear.  They keep him super warm, and although they were a bit pricey, I think they were worth it.  Well, now these items are 30% off (in store, or at Patagonia.com.)

I love my baby long underwear

So check out the Patagonia Winter Sale going on now through January 19th for some gear for your little one.  Oh, and plenty of Adult styles are on sale too if mom or dad need help keeping warm as well!