#2 - Phil & Teds

Ember was born on December 2nd, right in the middle of an Alberta winter. From the moment I learned that I was going to be having a winter baby, I knew I had to prepare myself to battle feeling cooped up once baby arrived. Minus 40 wasn't going to allow for a daily walk to get me out of the house.

Of course none of this detoured us from buying a stroller that could handle half a foot of snow and outdoor terrain. Enter the Phil&Teds Dash stroller! On the infrequent (really, very infrequent) mild days, Ember was quickly bundled up and we headed out regardless of how much snow was on the ground. It was liberating to know that I had a stroller to allow me this. More often than I would have guessed, Ember and I went for walks during the winter. With the seat fully reclined, Ember rode along, bundled right up in a bunting bag, winter coat and pants, along with a few blankets piled on top.

More than just allowing us outside, it made trips to the mall (where we had to go when it was 40 below) super easy with the car seat adaptor. All I had to was pop on the car seat roll on! That's also how we handled our trip to Vancouver since Ember was in the midst of the 3 month growth spurt and slept away much of our outings.


Ember posing with a statue in Stanley Park.

Being perfectly honest about it, I grump sometimes about the size of this small rig but I really do love it! It's so nice to push this stroller around on our daily walks now. And I love how versatile the Phil&Teds products are. We purchased the Dash in the midst of a promotion which got us a the second seat (or doubles kit) for free basically. Of course we didn't need a second seat on the stroller, but we were going to need a bouncy chair. Phil and Ted turn out to be pretty clever gents; they created a way to convert the second seat into a bouncer. Meet Lazyted. It's a snap together frame that the seat slides onto; it is so easy to travel with! Ember has had daily romps in the Lazyted since she was three days old. Even today, as I type this, that is where she is having her morning nap. She bounced herself to sleep. The five point harness keeps babe strapped in no matter how much they struggle to get themselves out. (Ember can now pop herself out of a Bumbo seat.)


While visiting friends in Vancouver, Ember hung out in the Lazyted, allowing us to enjoy our meal.

It may seem obvious to include a stroller and bouncer on a list of baby essentials. But friends, you need one that accommodates your life and allows you to maintain the one you had pre-baby. Shop around. Splurge if necessary. You won't regret it.

*I really love this stroller - no one paid me for praising P&T.
*I'm not saying you need a Phil&Teds stroller. I just want you to have one that you love and makes life better for you.

#1 - Good Night Moon & the bedtime gang

I wouldn't say that I've adhered too strictly to what books or parenting manuals have proffered as Parenting 101. Mostly because Ember has had plans of her of own. When those books suggested that my baby should be finding a rhythm in her nap schedule at 3 months and Ember was still all over the place, I waited with baited breath for something that has just now begun to happen. It was books that lead me to believe that babies begin sleeping through the night at 6 months of age. Hmm well, I'm still waiting. The key to maintaining sanity on this journey has been to throw out the books that preach the generalized rules and go it our way, with a rhythm that Ember dictated.

That being said, I did subscribe to two things early on - keeping the room dark and not talking during nighttime feedings AND a bedtime routine. I've not tried to dissuade Ember's midnight snacks (or the ones at 3 am, 4:30 am, 5 am etc) but I was adamant that she learn the difference between night and day. And for us, it worked! She stirs and grumps to indicate that she's hungry but she's always half asleep - eyes closed, no babbling - she goes about her business and quickly falls back asleep.

The bedtime routine always seemed harmless to me. Ember quickly learned that the nursing pillow meant snack time so I figured that if we implemented a bedtime routine, she would learn the cues to settle down for the night. Andrew and I discussed what would be feasible for us to achieve every night and agreed that it needed to be portable for us to maintain the routine while travelling. Without too much discussion we settled on reading 'Goodnight Moon' by Margaret Wise Brown after she'd been diapered and dressed in fresh pyjamas for bed. The book, a gift from Ember's Grandma Michelle, makes a great nighttime read since the words have calming sounds and the pages get darker as the story goes on. And I think it's just lovely to say goodnight to everything in your bedroom, it's almost like a blessing. This book has magical powers. If we've pushed the limits of bedtime a little (not getting home quickly enough from a dinner out with friends or family), Goodnight Moon brings Ember down and calms her. She most definitely associates this with bedtime now.



At six weeks of age, we started reading to her and playing by the same rules when Ember signalled bedtime. Nothing has changed since the, we've just added two things.

While visiting her great-grandparents on Galiano Island, Ember was given a Warm Buddy Cozy Kitten. Cozy Kitten has an inner removable heat pack that you can microwave for 30 seconds to make super cozy. We warm up Kitty Cat and hand it to Ember just before reading, and she gets to hang on to it while nursing to sleep. More recently I learned about Badger's Night Night Balm and thought it was worth a shot. If it didn't work for Ember, I decided that I could reap the benefits of it. Each night before she gets to snuggle Kitten, I dot a little on the end of her nose. (I've also been known to smear a little on my chest for extra strength sleeping aid ... for both of us). Since we've been using it, Ember dozes off quicker and sleeps a little more soundly.



Since its inception at 6 weeks of age, Ember hasn't missed a night of Goodnight Moon. She happily hugs her Cozy Kitten while listening to her story. The routine calms her down nicely at the end of her busy days. Plus, Andrew and I love it. It affords us quiet time alone with our girl and allows us to bond before she happily dozes off for the night.


* If the success of these items is all coincidence, I don't care to acknowledge it.
* None of these items is enjoyed outside of bedtime as we don't want to confuse her.
* Cozy Kitten doesn't sleep with Ember; it is only enjoyed by Ember under our supervision.

Essentials

I certainly don't think myself an expert on parenting. Not even close. HA!, Imagine.

However, I have survived six months. Ember has honestly been a fairly easy introduction to this gig of motherhood. There have been trying moments and during those moments, I've had "tools" to get me through.

Everyday this week, I will be featuring something I would now deem essential to parenting. Something that I would sacrifice something special for ... like my daily latte. Yeah, this list means business.

Is it just me?

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one feeling this way.


Is it just me or ... are there days when you catch yourself in the mirror and you look exactly as you feel - tired and dishevelled.

Is it just me or ... are you annoyed when restaurants don't have change tables in the bathroom? Argh! Would it preferable for me to use a booth to change my daughter's bottom?! Oh, that's right, you don't want us here at all.

Is it just me or ... is baby brain a far more serious condition than you ever anticipated?

Is it just me or ... do you miss nice bras? I'm talking underwire. Maybe a little lace. Something you would never dream of lining with a nursing pad. Oh to wear a bra without a paper liner again.

Is it just me or ... now that you're a mother, you feel as if you're a mother to all children everywhere? If there is a child in plight anywhere, of any magnitude, I am ready to weep.

Is it just me or ... do romantic comedies that feature child birth and call it comedy just piss you off?

Is it just me or ... does your child have a bigger, nicer wardrobe for 6 months of their life than you do, period?

Is it just me or ... are there some days where all that stands between you and insanity is a large vanilla bean latte? With caffeine of course.

Is it just me or ... are children's television programs now open to scrutiny and you've learned that not all are created equally? Where are Dora's parents for crying out loud?

Is it just me or ... have meals taken on new forms? Sadly, a glass of milk and cookies count sometimes.

Is it just me or ... just when you are on the brink of snapping, a little smile or giggle is the only thing that reigns you back in? A glass of wine doesn't hurt either.

Is it just me or ... is it far trickier to keep in touch with friends - especially those without kids? Gone are the days of just picking up the phone.

Is it just me or ... do you think your arms should resemble Madonna's considering all the heavy lifting you do? Car seats, strollers, Ember ... I should be ripped!

What do you think? Did I miss anything?

(I'm so) Happy Friday!

Yup, here it is, another entry featuring photos of Ember. Indulge me, please. It seems I can't help myself.

Ember's Half Birthday

Yesterday marked Ember's six month birthday. It's hard to believe that half a year has gone by already; time flies when you're having fun. And yet, I can't believe it's only been six months; it's hard to imagine life without our chubby cheeked strawberry.



Much has happened over the course of the past month: Ember has mastered sitting up on her own, said her first words, tasted pureed food and despised it, while enjoying two more travelling adventures. She weighs in at 14 lbs, 10 oz making her a lightweight, but that bubbly personality of hers has her fighting in a different class.



I continue to be impressed by her. She is confident, trusting, curious and brave. Oh and let's not forget determined. Or out going. The nature versus nurture debate rages on, as I wonder where she gets it all from.



Likes:

- babbling, dancing and singing - la la la la

- rocking back and forth on her hands and knees

- all things Eric Carle and Margaret Wise Brown

- sitting in her high chair - the world is so exciting from that vantage point

- sippy cups

- the way her feet taste



Dislikes:

- rice cereal and other pureed foods - yuck!

Ember Road Trippin'

This past weekend we drove north to Dawson Creek, BC to visit Andrew's mom and step dad. It was Ember's first road trip! She proved yet again that she is one happy traveller and up for all kinds of adventures.


Leaving Grande Prairie, Ember volunteered to drive. Maybe next time big girl.


Getting properly introduced to Sam. Hmmm...


Oh, he's not so bad!


This trip was the first time she got to meet her Grandpa Dale. They quickly became friends.


Up at the Bear Mountain Wind Park - home to 34 windmills. They were quite the sight. Each one of those blades is 120 feet long!


Look Dad, I can generate energy too, if I just kick really hard.


At Radar Lake.


Smiling while snoozing. It was a good weekend.