Vacationing with a baby

We just came back from a nice vacation in Cuba with our little B. It was nice for the whole family to get away from our everyday life and enjoy the beach, pool and nice weather. Everyone was very friendly and little B loved the pool! I just have to add that the buffet food was pretty bad! In fact the food was terrible! I didn't want to be "one of those people" who complains but I guess after tasting it for a week, I have to say YUCK!
Anyways, that was not what I was going to write about. I wanted to give some useful tips for others who plan on traveling with a baby.

Food for baby
We brought food from home for little B. She likes those soft pouches with food, they are light weight and easy to use. For one week, we packed about 14 of those.

Baby food

We also brought some snacks, like crackers and some apple sauce.
Although the buffet food was what it was, we occasionally gave her some yogurt for breakfast from the buffet and some bread (I also gave her ice cream but don't tell anyone......)

Drinks for baby
We brought formula that I packed in my carry on luggage. We also had easy access to boob milk (The milk factory was present) and we used bottled water for her to drink as well.

Sanitizing bottles
I was concerned about sanitizing her bottles and stuff before we went. I emailed the hotel who said that there will be a kettle in our room. Great for pouring boiled water over stuff and kill bacteria, right?! However, upon arrival we only found a coffee maker in our room. Good thing was that I packed a little bottle of dish-washing liquid and a brush which I used to clean her bottles. I first used tap water, then I poured some bottle water over everything to rinse of the tap water. Maybe this is insanity and paranoia at its finest but it made me feel better!

Swimwear
What a joke to buy a swimsuit for a baby! I never ever used it. All we used was her rashguard top with the swim diaper. Still the top had short sleeves (whhaatt?) so we had to use loads of sun protection. Also I don't understand the purpose of the bottoms that came with the rashguard. We only used her swim diaper...maybe the bottoms are for playing in the sand and what have you....


Stroller
We brought a light weight stroller with us. It was pretty cheap, but worked great! Loads of storage space and even a cup holder. I plan on using it here in Canada too for shopping and such.





Fun to have
We also brought a floating ring for her. It was great since both of us adults could swim around the pool with her in it and she loved it!

Looking outside on the windy weather today, I wish we were back there!

Mommy and baby beach ready

We are going to Cuba! Cuban cigars and whiskey here we come....just kidding! :)

I'm a little nervous since I never gone anywhere with my baby before. I have written looong lists of things to bring and my goodness, there is a lot to think about. However, I'm probably overdoing it and should just chill out. Relax Woman!! 

I bought baby tylenol, baby benadryl, baby creams, tissues, travel bottles, baby disposable change pads, baby polysporin, baby food, baby this and baby that. Probably spent more on buying things for the trip than the actual trip itself haha. Anyways, out of all these things I mostly enjoyed buying the swimwear for both me and my baby. For little B I picked up two bathing outfits, and a swim diaper. For me, I got a set from Victorias Secret and an extra pair of bottoms with a high waist. I love the 70s fashion that's back now!

We also have loads of sunscreen and a froggy tent the little one can play in at the beach.

Bye bye you windy chilly weather you.....! (I almost blew away with the stroller today, thanks a bunch weather!)

Xo

Little B's mom

Homemade Green tea & Avocado mask

I feel that I need to freshen up after this lengthy winter chill. I love beauty products and have been browsing online to find my next beauty elixir. If I wasn't breastfeeding it would be so much easier to find something good, like Retinol! The best for aging in my opinion. Well, since I will be breastfeeding for several more years ( it seems) I have to find other options.

The new thing right now seems to be avocado oil. Since I couldn't find anything worth buying at the moment, I made my own avocado and green tea mask. 

I just used matcha green tea powder with some avocado oil. I bet this is going to make me look fab! :) 

After reading online on wellnessmama.com, I also went ahead and mixed my own exfoliator the other day.

I used sugar, coconut oil and avocado oil.  It works really well!  So well in fact that I don't see myself buying any more exfoliators in the future! 

All these money savings will buy boatloads of diapers! ;) 

Xo

Little B's mom

Urinary leakage solution

Yes urine leakage/urinary incontinence, that's not nice and it's not sexy. It's also rather embarrassing to talk about. But the truth is, urinary incontinence is something many women suffer from. I've had it ever since giving birth to Little B.
You can get it fixed by surgery, which I might do later. You also have to work on you kegel muscles every day, which I've done.

My problem is way better now, 9 months post-pregnancy, but I still have problems when I run or jump.  Black pants has been my motto and a sweater to tie around my waist if it gets bad.
Anyways, I just cannot believe it took me until today to find a solution - The TAMPON!
By using a tampon I was able to run with the stroller without any leakage at all. It was amazing and I finally felt like normal. The bigger the tampon, the better! Although this is just a temporary solution to the problem it really helps!

I just felt compelled to write about this subject since it might help someone. And it doesn't seem like people talk that much about these things. I mean it's not all champagne and roses after delivering a baby through your vagina! There are many other side effects as well, but that I leave to another time.

Have a great weekend all you awesome moms out there!

Xo
Little B's mom

3 things that would benefit you child

Tonight we had to get out of our condo since a realtor was showing it to a client. We went to our neighbourhood restaurant and had an appetizer. While there we met this really cool older gentleman. He already raised 5 children. He started talking to us and said that he had some advice that would be valuable for little B and her future. Since I'm a freaking foreigner in Canada it was good to hear advice from someone with experience here!

I guess what he said applies to Canada but it could really be adapted to anywhere you live.

1. Place your child in the French immersion School
I guess little B would have to learn English, Swedish AND French. How awesome wouldn't that be for her career and future opportunities!! I studied French myself for about 6 years, but I don't remember much more than Bonjour. Little B would have to teach me! =)

2. Air Cadets

The gentleman said that the Air Cadet program focuses on leadership and decision making skills (all very beneficial to have). I can see how this program would help build a confident young woman!

3. School of the arts

It was very noicy in the restaurant so I couldn't hear why he recommended this. I could think of a few reasons like creative development and so on. Anyways, I would have to look into it. 

The gentleman said that these things had greatly benefitted his children who now are successful adults. It was really cool to meet him and I'm happy that he shared that with us! 

It's so amazing to think that little B has her whole future ahead of her. I so want to be able to make her future as successful as possible! I will definitely look into these three options for her. 

Xo

Little B's mom

Working out with my baby

I usually make sure to go for a daily walk or even run with the stroller, but the weather is still pretty cold. I don't get my dose of exercise that I need to feel good. So little B and I worked out at home today. She was in her jumper and I rode my bike.

I took the picture myself and it was pretty difficult so not the best. Had to put a band aid over my boob since I don't really wish to display my milk jugs to the whole world. =)

Anyhow, to get my motivation going I put on some sort of fitness program  and some good music. After my bike riding I picked little B up and we danced around the condo to some Salsa music. She was laughing a lot and probably thought that her mommy is somewhat weird (which is true haha=) Anyways we had fun!
Then we did some stretches on the yoga mat. She was rolling around and carrying on while I was doing down dog or whatever it's called. Little B is such a great workout buddy!!!

Xo
Little B's mom