Monday, April 30, 2012

Help: Flying with a Toddler

OK Moms, come on in! We'll be traveling with Jack when he will be ~17 months old... So let's hear your flying tips for a rambunctious little one!

Specifically, here are a few of my questions/concerns:


  • I've read that the "best/safest" way is to give them their own seat. They fly free under 2 which was our original plan but after reading the arguments as to why they should have their own seats (in terms of antsiness/sleeping etc) we're thinking that may be a better fit. Jack is not a "sit still on our lap and be content" kind of guy...



  • I also have read about the Child Aviation Restraint Systems... Are they necessary? Anyone use them or know about them? 

LINK


  • Finally, we'll be bringing hubby's iPad with games/shows/etc... Are there infant headphones? Will he even keep them on? Anyone have them?



But I'm open to hear any advice/thoughts you have.

Thanks!!


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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Calling Etsy Shop Owners!

I've been busy putting together a week of giveaways and have a few more spots to fill! If you're interested in either being involved in the giveaway or joining the FB group of Etsy Shop Owners (She Made That?!), shoot me an email! Both will help get some excellent exposure for your shop!

agirlinpearls@gmail.com

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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Weekend Recap!

(In Pictures!)

Friday
Playing at Noanie's on her new slide
Saturday
Sitting in Batman's bed

At the playground

Sunday
Onesie all the way from Napa









Playdate at Lilly's





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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Pearly Wisdom: Travel Products

Pearly Wisdom Logo_thumb[1]

Today’s Pearly Wisdom topic is:

Travel Products

2012.03.07 Walk (1)2012.03.22 Walk (1)

For us, we used the following and have loved them all!

Infant carseat: Chicco KeyFit 30

Stroller: Chicco Cortina Stroller

Smaller infant carseat stroller: Snap N Go

Next level carseat: Britax Boulevard 70 CS

Next level stroller: Graco Mosaic Stroller

Now, let’s hear what the other Mama’s have to say…

Shanna

The carseat from our travel system is awesome. The stroller is cumbersome and has been barely used. It's the Safety 1st Aerolite in Pegasus. The stroller we love best is the Mia Moda Atmosferra. It has the functionality and style of many high end strollers at a lower price. It's excellent quality and we love being able to see Sam while we stroll with him.

McKeever

I love, love, love our stroller. It's a Baby Jogger city mini. It is so light weight and it literally takes one finger and the whole thing collapses!

Melissa

We just have a Graco travel system. It's basic and simple, but I like it. It gets the job done for us.

I do wish I got one of those snap n go stroller frames that are smaller to use with the infant seat. Our stroller is a little heavy and this would have been nicer and easier to maneuver when he was smaller.

KW

In regards to a car seat, if you can swing it financially or someone else can off your registry, go for the Britax. It’s WAY more expensive but it’s the only car seat company that will release its testing guidelines to the public. The rest will not, which basically means they could’ve taken a baseball bat to the side of the car and say it was “crash tested” whereas Britax actually drives cars up to 80 mph at the sides of the doors to test their car seats. They are actually “Side Impact Approved”. We didn’t for the infant seat (because I didn’t know about it) but did for the convertible car seat and will for the next infant seat. Oh and get a stroller that attaches to the base of your car seat. There are several that are compatible will all sorts of car seats. The rest? Get whatever is coolest at the time. It probably is.

Sara

- Whether you plan on running with your baby or not I highly recommend a jogging stroller like the B.O.B. - they are typically lighter and just handle better.

Emily

-We used the Quinny Buzz. Without a doubt the best stroller ever. It is so easy to push and folds up really flat! It is compatible with the Dreami Bassinet which we had and the Maxi Cosi car seat which we also had

-We now use the Safety 1st Air Protect Convertible car seat and LOVE it. Our little one can see so well out of it and it’s really safe so it’s a win win!

-Also, I always have the diaper bag stocked and ready to go. So, on a moments notice you grab it and be out the door.

-The Relax and Sleep sound machine app on my phone is wonderful.

Becky
-Chicco travel system
-Britax 70 car seat

Erika

We love our snap and go frame stroller for our Graco SnugRide, it’s so easy and convenient. We will be transitioning to our McClarren soon. We have a Graco SnugRide 30. The only bad thing about it is the car seat would get stuck in the base for the first two months.

Thank you to this week’s contributors!

Shanna, Mama to Samuel, 1 year, Author of The Life and Times of Lubey

Shanna-Sam

McKeever, Mama to Grayson, 10 Months, Author of The Cobia FamilyMckeever-Grayson

Melissa, Mama to Landon, 7 Months, Author of Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage!

Melissa-Landon

KW, Mama to C, 15 months, Author of Snips and Snails and Ponytails

Katie-Caleb

Sara, Mama to Saige, 3 years & Gabe, 3 months, Author of Saige Wisdom

3_saigebutton

Emily, Mama to Georgia, 8 months, Author of Live a Charmed Life

Emily-Georgia

Becky, Mama to Elliana, 14 months, Author of From Mrs. To Mama

Becky-E
Erika, Mama to Savannah, 6 months, Author of The Frieze’s Little Bean

Erika-Savannah



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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Draw Something...

Okay, usually I am NOT one to brag... And while I'm usually a stick figure drawing-type of girl, sometimes (very rarely), I give a little extra effort... And I think I did pretty good! Haha :)

Van Gogh (a few weeks ago)


Titanic (tonight)


Do you play?
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Blog Search Word Fun

Every once in a while I like looking in good ol' Google Analytics and seeing what people are Googling to get to my blog... Here's some of my recent favorites... (and I have not posted about these topics!)



michelle trachtenberg nude

bondage boots

miss america boy

swaddled blonde baby boy

"batman tied up"

"on a whim" hair cut

brittany murphy blossom

different shades of teal

panama city beach nightlife

bonnie wright ugly

florida map of sea world

ghetto girl names

hire penguins for wedding

madonna lyrics on pinterest

medieval italy map



Have you ever looked this up for your blog? Share if you've gotten any funny/unusual ones!

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Pearly Wisdom: Starting Solid Foods

Pearly Wisdom Logo_thumb[1]

Today’s Pearly Wisdom topic is:

Starting Solid Foods

2011.10.23 First Food (14)

We talked to the pediatrician about starting on rice cereal/purees at his 4 month appt. Since he was sleeping through the night, growing & thriving on schedule, she said she’s in no rush to see him on solids… so we decided we’d wait another month… What does he wake up with on his 5 month birthday?

Pink eye!

2011.10.19 (6)

Needless to say, we waited a little longer… He was about 5 1/2 months when he first had rice cereal, and then 6 months we he had his first veggies and it all worked out great!

Here’s some experiences from other Mama’s…

Samantha

Go SLOW, and follow their cues. Xavier was struggling with constipation, to the point I was at the pharmacy, asking the pharmacist what to do. She said to me "Maybe he's just not ready..." and I felt so stupid, because well..DUH. So we backed off for a few weeks, slowing down to just smallish amounts until we saw cues that he was more into it and his body was adjusting better.

Shanna

Samuel started solids on a special schedule based on his prematurity. We offered rice/oatmeal/barley earlier to aid with severe reflux issues and slowly added in fruits and veggies. His favorites (ok, my favorites) are Earth's Best - deals on Amazon, Ella's Organics, Plum Organics, Happy Baby - all $$$ and Gerber.

McKeever

We started solid foods very early. We began around 4 months with puffs and such and then moved onto soft foods like green beans. At about 6-7 months, Grayson ate no baby food, (excluding bottles) regular food only. She eats whatever we are eating and she loves it.

Melissa

We started Landon on rice cereal at 4 months. He was a big boy, and showing signs of readiness. He did great and still does now! He's a wonderful eater and is eating Stage 3 purees. We also give him Baby Mum Mums and puffs. We're starting more finger foods, but it makes me nervous!

I've heard with breastfeeding to not let solids take the place of a nursing session because it will mess up your supply and/or lead to early weaning. Landon nurses every 2 hours all day, sometimes 3, but not usually. I tend to offer solids an hour after he nurses, 3 times a day. He always eats them and still nurses within his normal time frame. I've found you just have to play around and see what works best for you and your baby.

Emily

-I didn’t really follow any guide lines. I just let her lead me.

-I make my own baby food and prefer the blender over a “baby food maker” because it makes larger batches

KW

Oh gracious. Be patient. No baby is the same. All your friends that are spouting the “Oh my child took his first bite of baby food and now is eating entire turkey legs.”? Well good for them. If your child gags and spits them out and doesn’t start eating Puffs until he’s 10 months? That’s fine too (if you can’t tell mine was in the last category) I’m JUST NOW getting the kid to eat a normal amount of table foods. He’s a total gagger. To which the pedi said is fine. Just be patient and don’t stress out. They’ll do it on their time.

Andrea

  • feeding baby is one of the best things in the world- nuk bowls and towel bibs are wonderful in this household!
  • we use the baby breeza for making baby food- its so nice using one gadget to steam & puree foods.

Erika

We started far too early. Our doctor said try rice cereal at 4 months and Savannah’s system just wasn’t ready for it. She was up for three nights straight with a stomach ache. So we stopped and tried at 5 months and the same thing happened. We are on day 2 and so far it’s going ok. She isn’t overly excited about eating but so far her stomach is handling it. So my suggestion is to follow your baby’s lead and not the doctor’s recommendation.

Thank you to this week’s contributors!!

Samantha, Mama to Xavier, 6 months, Author of Three Beasts One Baby

Sama-Xavier

Shanna, Mama to Samuel, 1 year, Author of The Life and Times of Lubey

Shanna-Sam

McKeever, Mama to Grayson, 10 Months, Author of The Cobia Family

Mckeever-Grayson

Melissa, Mama to Landon, 7 Months, Author of Love, Marriage, and a Baby Carriage!

Melissa-Landon

Emily, Mama to Georgia, 8 months, Author of Live a Charmed Life

Emily-Georgia

KW, Mama to C, 15 months, Author of Snips and Snails and Ponytails

Katie-Caleb

Andrea, Mama to Avrie, 7 months, Author of Keeping Up With the Sonneks

Andrea-Avrie Jo

Erika, Mama to Savannah, 6 months, Author of The Frieze’s Little Bean

Erika-Savannah



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