What are you reading?

I really want to know because I am probably jealous and I want to live vicariously through you. I had a summer reading list, like always, but haven't even gotten to it because the I have my nose stuck in a parenting/baby/sleeping related book every chance I get to read-which isn't very often anyway. I purchased yet another book at Barnes & Noble today on the topic of sleep.  When I added it to my collection, I realized just how many of these books I have read, and reread. Because good readers reread you know! 

So let's run through them quickly..... top to bottom

{Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber}  Purchased to troubleshoot and try a new approach to our sleeping issues. Just started reading and we plan to start this weekend when we get all settled in our new house. I will have much to say I am sure in a few weeks.
{The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabet Pantley}  I enjoyed reading this, but it definitely didn't solve our sleeping troubles. The author is a mom and she has some really good points about sleep in general.
{The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp} A must read for moms to be! Mr. Karp is the swaddling, swaying, and shushing king.  We swaddled until 6 months and used all his techniques to calm our newborn during those witching hours. The DVD is really good too, definitely from the 80's, but if you want to become the swaddling master like my husband-watch it. There is a lot of info that I never got to in this book, it's filled with tips & tricks.
{On Becoming Babywise Book 2} I thought I had to have this because I was so faithful to Book 1 (see below), but I probably could have done without. Talks a lot about the transitions babies make as they near the one year mark; like solid food, sippy cups, walking, sleep changes. I do refer to it every now and then.
{On Becoming Babywise I by Ezzo & Buchnam} This was my bible for the first couple months as a brand new breastfeeding mom. Taking on the sole responsibility of feeding you child is huge and this book really helped me gain knowledge on nursing. I read and tabbed this baby up a few months before Presley arrived. I also read & explained it to my mom and Spencer so they were also on the same page. It is a lifesaver for a new nursing mom who needs to see the big picture of how a day with a newborn should look when it comes to sleeping and feeding. Presley slept through the night at 8 weeks (until 6 months) and I have this book to thank for that. Staying on their schedule is tough sometimes, but it gives you predictability and a fairly stable schedule, which I can appreciate. As you can see from the work binding, I referred to this book for months and I plan to use it with any future Baby Daigs.

{What to Expect the First Year} Duh! Don't all moms have this? I was real good at first keeping up with reading the month before it was here so I would be prepared, but that quickly tapered off. Now I read it when I have a question and don't want to google for fear of over diagnosis. 


Note:
There is a book missing from this stack, because it is on loan to another pregnant friend {Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy}. If you are pregnant, read it!! Most hilarious book ever. If your belly button is popped out, your fingers like sausages, and you're having really odd dreams, you will totally relate & feel better about your swelling body!

Here is what is on my "Waiting List." I will get to them one day!

Sippy Review

I realized the last time I unloaded the dishwasher that I have a new shopping addiction. Sippy cups! It's sad, really.....we have so many sippy cups you would think we had triplets. We went through quite a few to find just the right one for P.  Handles or no handles, short or tall, sort or hard spout? Lots of choices people when it comes to sippy cups.


The sippy cup isle can be a little overwhelming, so I am going to give you a little review on each sippy in the picture, left to right. Hopefully it will give you a little insight to the world of sippy cups for your baby/toddler and help you pick the right one! 

A great variety!!

Playtex First Sippster has been our favorite cup from about 6 months until now. The handles make it easier for new sippy cup users to tilt it up. It doesn't leak either, which is a great feature.  The spout isn't silicone, but it is soft and easy on their gums. They come in a variety of colors too. 


Playtex Lil Gripper is a cup I bought because I thought she would drink formula our of it. It is shaped more like her bottle that she drinks out of. It is 100% spill proof and holds 9 oz. The lid is plastic and I don't think my 11 month is ready for that yet, probably better for toddlers. This is the step up from the first sippster so that's why I purchased it. I am keeping these stored away for later use.


Tommee Tippee Lil Sippee First Cup is a silicone soft spout which is great for babies just starting out with a cup because it almost feels like a bottle nipple. I used this once and then never again because it leaked and the entire spout part comes out to be cleaned, which is great, but to get it back in is a pain & I think that is why it leaked. P could never suck out of this one without being covered in water. I've heard others who like it, so might be worth a try for you.


Nuby Grip N Sip Cup is another soft spout that I tried early on. I actually bought this after the Tommee Tippee was a fail, so I went with something with handles. Again, it leaked and the top is very tricky to screw on.  It might be a good one to start with though because it has a soft spout and handles. Maybe it won't leak for you. I was not a big fan of this Nuby cup, although I love many of their other products.


Nuby No Spill Super Spout Easy Grip is a new addition to my collection. Just bought it this weekend to try to start giving P formula in a sippy. It doesn't seem to leak and it is a good shape, very similar size to the bottle. Also it has a soft silicone spout which I wanted to transition from bottle to cup for formula and then milk after 1 year. One thing I don't like is the ounces are not marked and so you don't really know how much they are getting.  Not a big deal as they get older, but for P right now, I like to keep track.


Nuby Easy Grip Flip N Sip is our new favorite. P loves drinking water from a straw when at a restaurant so I thought we should try it out. Also, while chatting it up with a nice lady at Right Start she mentioned that her son loves these cups. I bought one and it has many features that I like for P. It doesn't have to be tilted to drink and the soft straw flips down and is covered when baby isn't using it. Goodbye germs! It also has handles, which makes it easier to hold and does not leak one drip.



It's always good to try several different options to find the right one for your baby, especially if he/she is particular about what they will drink from. My baby is not very picky, she will drink out of anything. It's really me that's picky!  I like to offer a variety because that way they don't get attached to one cup.


Hmmmmm what other baby products can I review??

"I love you"

I think I tell Presley, "I love you" at least 50 times a day, who knows maybe more. I know I say it a lot, but that's how I am.   Well, apparently Presley has been listening closely because she seems to know what that means. She started giving us those drooly kisses a month ago but now she is showing love to her babies. Lately, she has been really into this cabbage patch doll from 1990. We found it, washed him up and it has been a hit. It just melts my heart to see her turning into such a sweet, affectionate, loving little person.


I was watching her yesterday while she played with her babies, I set the IPad up to record for a little just because I though it was so cute how she was hugging on her babies. Then I realized I had caught her really talking to them.


Turn up the volume, listen really close to what she says, then what she does. 

She amazes me everyday!!

You heard it right?? She says, "I love you," then kisses her baby. She went on for about 5 minutes trying so hard to get that baby up in her chair with her.

Watch your babies play, really watch......you never know what you might catch.

Serious Business

Home Building can be very difficult if you are any of the following: indecisive, impatient, control freak, perfectionist. Unfortunately, I am most all of these. My husband is not any of these, that is why he is casually putting together his new Kobalt toolbox complete with 100 parts while I am venting on my blog.


There are so many things that are completely out of your control. Like that fact that it has rained torrential down poured for 9 days straight or that fact that the city inspector is taking his sweet time to come check the gas lines or that a trench had to be dug through our front yard for plumbing for our neighbors house or that they accidentally put brushed nickel fixtures instead of oil rubbed bronze in our bathrooms. If I was there to tell them what to do, this house would be decorated and on HGTV already. But, I am not. {And that's probably a good thing}


The last two times I have gone in our sweet little house, it has been a mess and I have left with a bit of an accelerated pulse. Mud tracked on the floors, dust on my granite, tools, stuff and trash everywhere. I feel like I need to clean it up. Spencer says, "Dear, it's a construction site."{He's usually right, if you haven't noticed}


Anyway, I am focusing on the things I love because if I don't I will second guess our choices and try to change my mind. And frankly, it's too late to change my mind.


Meet my sparkly new LG double oven {I've always wanted one, I don't care how suburbia it is and I will use it on a weekly basis, just to prove my husband wrong}. Searched for this baby and was so glad to find it. And our builder was able to make it fit our appliance 'budget.' Microwave and dishwasher match and they all look lovely.

And this addition to our kitchen I take full credit for. Bought it over Memorial Day (shop on holidays people) while it was on sale and I got an extra 10% off because it is an energy star and 10% off because I had a coupon. SCORE!!! The craziest thing is that they are still holding it for delivery. I love Lowes! French door refrige's are my fave (I have had all types) I am super excited 
about the 2nd drawer to keep produce in.




It may seem a little ridiculous that I am so excited about my new appliances, but that is pretty much keeping me from growing gray hair over brushed nickel fixtures, city inspectors, and light switches that are in the wrong place.

10 Months

Just a week late, but what else can you expect? Our girl is 10 months old. That is 2 months away from 1 year! Invitations have been ordered, banners are being made, menu is decided, and the cake is being sketched. A very PINK first birthday party is in the works!

Stats.....

Weight/Height: Around 21 pounds

Eating Habits: Eats what we eat and oh my gosh, it is SO easy! She loves everything she tries. Favorites include: watermelon, turkey sandwich with avocado, waffles, blueberries, peaches, pasta, peas. I could go on and on.

Sleeping Habits: What's sleep? I admit, she is not the best sleeper, but it could be worse. Poor baby is in a pack n play right now b/c we are painting her crib. I am over stressing about it until we move into the new house and are more stable.

Personality: She's hilarious. She will point and giggle all day if you let her! She throws her head back and laughs a belly laugh....it's great. Squeals and 'talks' constantly, says mama, dada, 'dog', baba, yaya and a whole bunch of other sounds.

New Tricks: Walking! She is seriously walking. Started around July 4th and everyday she takes more steps. Today she walked from the couch into the middle of the kitchen to get to Spencer. It's really hilarious when she tries to get away from us, she is getting quick! She also climbs....in her chair, in cabinets, under the coffee table, on top of her toys. It seems crawling is a thing of the past because she prefers to be on two feet. We call her 'bruiser' because nothing gets in her way. The kid falls and will look at you and laugh. I might be buying stock in baby gates.

Here are some pictures of our
 {not so baby, but always our baby girl}

Oh wow, a stick.

Is it done yet?

NOPE, but so close!!! You all know how hard it is for me to wait for exciting things. But, after many months of watching it be built, we are in the final week before closing on our first home. I couldn't be more  nervous, worried, anxious, and beyond excited....and just a little stressed with my 'to do' and 'to buy' list. We have bought tons of new furniture and decor, which is currently all in storage, and I am ready to start playing interior decorator already before I go back to my real job as a third grade teacher.

We walked through the house last Saturday for the first time in over a week and there were some pleasant surprises....like cabinets, light fixtures, travertine, paint and granite! It's hard to get a good picture on an iphone, but here are some quick pics to get an idea of the gorgeousness that is our future home.

Nomadic Desert + White Crown Molding = Delicious

Wood Stairs-there will be rod iron posts soon.

Sink area with bar looking into dining room

Master Bath with travertine

Verbena pink for Presley. That fan will be replaced with a chandelier!

Living room all ready for a TV, of course.

I can hardly wait to go over there this weekend to see the progress from this week. This family is ready to be back in the city!!

Let Freedom Ring.....

Our little firecracker took this famous phrase literally this 4th of July! She has been getting stronger and more steady the past week or so on her feet. Several people have said, "Oh she will be walking soon." I brushed it off, because I for one was not so much encouraging it. I mean, I am exhausted chasing her around and telling her "no ma'am," when she tries to pull all the books off a shelf,  "over here Presley," when she crawls out of the room, and "dangerous" while pulling a cord out of her hand and she's only on all fours.  But, my determined little girl is done with crawling and ready to move on. She took her first 2 solid steps on Sunday on the 9th hole green after we finished playing golf. Needless to say, Spencer thinks she is destined to be a golfer. 

She took several steps today....in a row...over and over again! She gets SO excited and squeals which causes her to plop down. It's hilarious!

Hope everyone had a yummy bar-b-que meal, an ice cold beer, and watched some fireworks in America's honor. So thankful to live in this great country and forever grateful to the men and women who have fought for our freedoms! 

Count.your.blessings.