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

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!

Maybe I need a proper Play mat?

The floor has turned into a playground with blankets upon blankets upon blankets. In my rookie mom mind I really thought that 2 yoga mats would be sufficient enough for little B to play on. hahha!
The yoga mats are:
1, too small
2, too hard!!!!

Little B's playground

Little B has learnt to sit up and sometimes she falls down on her head. Therefore, I have resorted to putting loads of blankets on top of the yoga mats and pillows all around. Accidents still happen but at least she is more protected. Our floor now looks like a playground ALL THE TIME!
Do you guys now that we are trying to sell this place.....well we are! So I have to hide all this stuff every time someone comes to look at the condo.

I think that a foam play mat might solve my problem.....a little bit. At least I could skip the blankets.....I have never touched or seen a foam play mat in my life so I have to go out and look this weekend.

Have a nice weekend everybody!

Xo
Little B's mom

Activities for an 8 month old baby - Suggestions by little B

Little B is very energetic and she needs to do something all day long. She is not that keen on napping so that means, no rest for mommy and no time blogging either (or making dinner, cleaning or even washing my face...haha).

She has a couple of "stations" that she uses daily:

Exerciser/Bouncer 

Baby bouncer by Fisher Price

She had the exerciser since she was 4 months old and she absolutely loves it! It plays music (which might drive you insane after a couple of weeks) and it speaks (says apple when she lifts the apple etc). This is by far the best "toy" she has!

Jolly Jumper

Jolly jumper

The jolly jumper is fun and she loves how high she can jump in it. It is perfect for her to use when she has a lot of extra energy stored up.

Fisher Price Crawl around car

Fisher Price Crawl around car

The car is a new toy. I love it, she loves it, the cat loves it, LOL. I think she will enjoy this for a couple of years as it has a lot of different learning features to grow with. 

Yoga mat/playmat

I have a two yoga mats that are functioning as playmats. She uses them to roll around, play with toys, sitting and practice her crawling. Pretty easy to just roll up and put away when not in use.

Swing

Fisher Price Swing

I think she is almost outgrowing her swing, but it has been very useful ever since she was born. Every time she is in it she plays with the animals on top of the swing and when she was a newborn she napped in it.

Baby gym

Bright Starts Safari Celebration Activity Gym

I also have to mention her baby gym as it was a very good activity for her. She has outgrown it now, but she really enjoyed it for a long time. She even learned to roll while she was in this.

Wow, I can't believe how fast they grow and outgrow their things!!! Wonder what's next, a real car or pony? =)

xo

little B's mom

Snuggly in her snuggle bag

Little B and I try to go for a nice walk every day. Since it's winter time and we live in Canada I always worry about if she is warm enough.

I used to put her in a snowsuit, but she absolutely hates putting the snowsuit on indoors. Well, who wouldn't, it gets pretty hot and you would feel like a wrapped up sausage. It also takes a while before we get out, since we live in a condo.
 However, I think we finally found the perfect solution; the snuggle bag...Her grandmother got that for her the other day and she loves it. Now I can put her in some lighter clothing before we go and then I just zip up the bag once we are about to open the front door. Much easier! And, most importantly, little B is a much happier B! Happy B, happy mom!

It was pretty chilly when we went for our walk, but at least the sun was shining. I wish I had a snuggle bag myself, lol!

Like a snuggly bug in a rug

Blanket for the crib?

Ever since little B was born I have been nervous about what bedding to have in her crib. After lots of Google searches on the subject I decided not to have anything at all. There is definitely some scary stuff out there and warnings against using any kind of blankets or pillows, even stuffed animals seem to be a NO NO. I mean who is not afraid of SIDS especially as a first time parent. Little B has been wearing a onesie and that is all. Nothing else in the crib. I even bought a mesh crib liner since I am so nervous about the SIDS thing.

Mesh crib liner

Now when she is 6 months old I am starting to think about blankets again. It is also winter so it gets a bit chillier inside. Last night she had a blanket that I tucked in on all sides of the madress. I know she loves to snuggle with a blanket and she seemed quite happy to have one. I might continue with the tucked in blanket or I have been thinking of buying a breathable blanket. The breathable blankets have holes in them so she can breath through it.

Breathable blanket

If I was good at crocheting I guess I could just make her a blanket with holes....but I am not so would have to buy one.
Another option is the wearable blankets. She has one already that we got from IKEA. She almost got too hot it in first time we tried and did not sleep more than 2 hours at a time. That was a pretty exhausting night for mommy. I guess I can turn down the room temp more......

haha did not think what to put and not to put in the crib would be so difficult to solve!

Ok well, hopefully it is normal to be this worried about your first child. Maybe if I have another baby I would feel calmer about things.

Baby Sleigh/Sled

Merry Christmas and happy new year everybody! Hope you had a great Christmas!

I have not enjoyed Christmas all that much for the last few years, but now, when I have a baby, I really enjoy it again! Christmas is really all about the kids! It was so much fun to spend it with my little B and the family!
She got a very nice baby sleigh that we will use once the snow comes. I am sure she will have a blast riding in that!

Little B's sled