Out for a run with the stroller

Since spring is finally here I got inspired to start running with the stroller. It's great to get your workout done while little B gets some fresh air.

To motivate myself, I got some new stylish workout clothes. Who doesn't want to look cool when working out?, haha. Seriously though, it feels better to work out if you look good. Vain or what, lol! I also got a new water bottle to drink my icy cold water drinks in :) This makes you forget that you have to wear a tampon while running, which I wrote about here; Urinary incontinence.

Flexing my huge biceps

There is an outdoor gym along the path where I stop to work on my muscles. My goal is to do three pull ups before the summer is over. Right now, I can only pull up an inch, so I got something to work on...

The pull up muscles needs some work....

I also worked on my abs and lower back. I have gotten such a pain in my back after lifting little B in and out of her crib (like 100 times every night..)

My six pack is almost there...

Most of the time little B sleeps when I run, but yesterday she was awake so we went to the playground. She tried out the swing and that was a lot of fun! I know she looks pretty bored in the picture but I promise you, she laughed later!

Little B 

Tonight, my husband and I are going for a run together with the little one. Good way to spend some family time!

Xo
Little B's mom

These books help keeping her tummy full and my sanity intact!

A full Little B is a happy Little B, which automatically means more peace for everyone =)

Sometimes it seems like my ultimate goal throughout the day is to keep her belly full. 

Distraction is key to get her to eat her food. I usually read something to her and some books keeps her attention way longer than others. Little B got a book called "That's not my tiger" a couple of months ago from her granny and she loves it still.  Since then I've gotten two more; "That's not my fairy" and "That's not my piglet". They are written by Fiona Watts and Illustrated by Rachel Wells,
www.usborne.com.

Books by Fiona Watts & Rachel Wells

What's good about them is that she can touch the different textures of the pictures, like the tiger's fluffy ears or the fairy's bumpy shoes.

www.usborne.com

They are also very colourful and durable! The tiger book has been licked, drooled on, food droppings have been smudged all over the pages, it has survived a trip to Cuba where it got covered with sand and the fatty stains of sunscreen lotion . And still.....it looks good. Wish I could say the same about myself after months of sleep deprivation or binge drinking tequila (kidding I don't do that anymore).

Anyhow, I got the books from Babies R Us and www.Amazon.com. They also have a website for more information, www.usborne.com.

Happy World Book Day!

Xo
Little B's mom

Growing up bilingual, how to teach her my language

Whaatt? My child will learn English as her main language? How on earth is that possible when I grew up speaking Swedish? What do you mean she won't have a Swedish accent? She is Canadian? What???
Haha, well although I logically know this is how it is and how it will be, I still can think that it's a bit strange.

Sometimes I feel very stressed when I think about the huge responsibility I have to teach little B Swedish. I'm like the only one around her who speaks Swedish, which makes me solely responsible for her learning the language. In other words; Help!

What also freaks me out is how my own Swedish language skills can be lacking. Sometimes I have trouble finding the right words and I can mix English words with Swedish. It's like the opposite way of Swenglish and that my friends, sounds pretty darn bad!

To help me teach little B Swedish, I gathered some useful tips. Here is what I came up with so far:

How to teach your child your native language

• Read, read, read books in your native language. I mostly read for little B when we eat. 
• Talk! Apparently you have to talk to your child in your language even if people around you (like dad and cousins) does not speak your language. I think this is pretty difficult since my husband doesn't speak Swedish. I try to do it but it's a challenge. I do however speak Swedish when we are alone all the time.
• Sing. We sing a lot and listen to Swedish music on YouTube. 
• Watch programs for kids in your language. I use Apple TV to stream some Swedish programs for her.  
• Use Skype to communicate with relatives in your country.
• Apps, I know little B is probably too little for apps but I have used them. Swedish learning apps are good!
• Hire an Au Pair from your country. this is probably not for everyone, but it would help a lot! At the very least, my husband would be a happy camper having another woman around, haha.
• Spend time with people from your country and travel to your country. Pretty obvious that this would help. However, might be difficult to fulfil...

Little B with her Swedish books

Anyways, to me, it's just so important that she learns Swedish. I mean, Swedish is part of me, a huge part! I think that she will be happy when she grows up that she is bilingual! 

Xo

Little B's mom

Smoothie with kale is little B's favorite!

Who knew that I would have such a healthy veggie loving baby haha. I mean, when I was a child, I only wanted to eat candy and pizza (I was very fat by the way...I had boobs...) Well, today I tried to feed her some regular baby puree that I purchased and she refused to eat more than 2 spoons. I then went ahead and mixed a smoothie for us instead. She really loves smoothies!

I found some organic black kale at the supermarket, which looked super healthy. I also added banana, avocado, kefir, water, blueberries, strawberries, mangoes and hemp hearts. It tasted like ice cream and we both got very full and satisfied. 

Healthy Lunch

I read on The world's healthiest foods that the health benefits of Kale are even better if you steam it. I might try that so my bacon-loving husband can get a boost for dinner. 

Anyways, don't think I'm all healthy all the time myself. I spent the weekend binge eating Frozen Yogurt and eating Ketchup chips while watching Netflix. 

Ok, time to enjoy this beautiful weather we're having! We're going out!!! 

Xo

Little B's mom

Remove Brown Spots while breastfeeding

Since last summer I've had some sunspots on my face. They are not very noticeable (my husband can't see them unless I point them out) However, the thing is that I see them and they bug me!

Now, if I wasn't breastfeeding I would know how to get rid of them. I would simply use some Retin-A in combination with perhaps, hydroquinone. Or I would go and get a photofacial at the dermatologist. I've researched and researched how to get rid of these annoying spots while breastfeeding. The hormones are still weird while you breastfeed. I know, since I have not had a single pimple since I started (good) and my face is dryyyy (bad). Therefore, some people may develop sunspots more easily. It could also be called the mask of pregnancy or chloasma.

So what do I do? I rated what I've tried from 1-5, where 1 is not working at all and 5 is working very well.

Tested Sun Spot remedies:

Vitamin C = 1

Tried a dose of vitamin C capsules and it did not help. Also tried applying pure lemon juice for a couple of weeks with no results =(

Salicylic Acid = 3

After researching this I found that it's safe to use while nursing. It feels like the skin is reacting to it, but I have not seen any results yet. However, I think it has potential....

Glycolic Acid = 4

I purchased Derma E overnight peel which I've been using for about 4 weeks. I think it might be working, but it's not providing any fast results (I'm very impatient). However, I will keep using it.

Exfoliate = 3

I do this every day, by using my homemade exfoliator I found on wellness mama. 

It definitely refreshes your skin and it helps in shedding the dead skin layers. In the long run I can see it helping.

Green tea toner/green tea bags = 1

Nope, that did not work for me! I ended up drinking it instead =)

Next to try:

Kojic Acid

I heard many good things about this and I will see if I can find any cream with this ingredient.

Licorice extract

This should also help fading dark spots. I have yet to find a good cream with this ingredient. What I do have though is Swedish salty licorice candy. That is so darn good, but most Canadians seem to think it tastes like sh xx ttt.  Unfortunately, candy doesn't fade any spots...

No No's right now ( I have yet to actually confirm the dangers of these ingredients with a qualified doctor)

Hydroquinone

This is very effective but also a bit scary since it's banned in Europe. In some cases, I heard it can actually make your spots worse. Might try it anyway later.....

Retin-A

Not recommended to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. Too bad since I have a huge tube in my fridge......

Prevention:

Sun Screen

Any living woman knows that this is important! The higher the better! 

Hat

Use a hat. I found a great one at IKEA yesterday for only 2 dollars. That is what I call CHEAP! 

Ok that's all I've got for now.

Happy Easter!!!