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Library Adventure for the Little Bair + Tips

This past week before Christmas I was finally able to take my little guy to the library. He LOVES books and I've been waiting to take him for basically 2.5 years but wanted to wait until a time when he could actually grasp the concept of borrowing books and enjoy the varied array of what's available. 

He was thrilled to start our adventure so I headed off to the local library with an eager LB in tow. It was quite timely that one of the few times we let him watch TV, Daniel Tiger shared a real people scene with a little boy venturing to the library with his Dad. This let LB envision what to expect. If you've read some of my other posts about him you know LB really likes to have a handle on exactly what to expect in a new situation. I try my best to explain new experiences before we go but  a picture is worth a 1,000 words right? Seeing a picture of a library with a little guy like him picking out books made things come together for him and when we arrived he was not at all weary (like usual) but instead quite comfortable, more so than I expected. 

We entered the children's section on the right where a dozen books are on display on top of the child size bookcases, he grabbed a few interesting covers and was ready to go. Once I explained we can explore all the books on the shelves he was curious and was checking out titles on all the shelves. We stopped in the holiday section but most of the Christmas books were checked out so LB spent a little time in the board book section to the left of the holiday books. I stood back and watched him "read" a few different books, pulling each off the shelf, flipping through the pages and putting it back where it belongs. It was like watching a little man perusing the book store and made my heart happy.  This book set up was also very easy for his little hands to maneuver, appealing for our "I'm independent" toddler. 

       

 

As I shared on instagram LB found himself some books in the non-fiction section (of course) about animals (of course). A few months ago we visited friends in Portland who had a book series each about a different animal, I think there were 30+ books? Anyhow LB loved them, especially the one about Bison, go figure. I also grabbed a book on naptime (current struggle), Peter Rabbit (long-time fave) and a book for his sister.

   

A few tips: To be honest I found the kids area a little hard to navigate, while also encouraging LB to speak in a whisper. It probably would have been helpful to prime him a bit more on the whispering concept, particularly WHY we need to since I know he is perfectly capable and has lots of practice from being around his sleepy little sister. If you've never been to the kids section of your library before I suggest you go there before you take your kids, gain your bearings and understand the selection. I can see some children becoming overwhelmed with the options at first so knowing where the animal books or simple, possibly more familiar board books are might help the trip from being a total bust the first time or two. Of course always letting their curiosity guide them is best but when something is overwhelming you'll feel better if you can confidently redirect to something positive while your child becomes more comfortable with the new environment. Next time I will also come armed with a larger list of titles and authors I think LB will like, I had a few Llama Llama books I was looking for but they were all checked out.

(Side note: Most libraries have a website where you can see if a particular book is checked out and when it is due back, in some cases you can even put the books on hold.)

Finally a Dress for Nursing Mom's: A Look at Harper and Bay

I found out about this fabulous Kickstarter campaign, Harper & Bay, offering stylish and convenient breastfeeding dresses. The idea is to eliminate stretched collars, wrinkled blouses or undressing to nurse your baby. Finally someone who designs nursing dresses for "stylish moms", although this feels like an oxymoron as I look at my sunflower butter, yogurt and spit up stained sleeves. Harper & Bay, clearly I need your help!

I heard about this campaign first via Instagram and a few bloggers who posted about it here and there but it was quite hush-hush. I am so grateful someone with fashion where-with-all is taking this on. There are other brands who make nursing wear but honestly nothing is this functionally designed or fashionable. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to my closet and looked for something to wear to a non-workout attire event, only realizing I'll need to easily nurse or pump in the outfit or bring a change of clothes, coordinate a place to change etc. What a pain this can be and I know I'm not alone.

Here is a short video from Taisja Maxfield discussing the line and inspiration behind it. She discusses hating to spend all kinds of money on clothes she would only wear for such a short time - girlfriend, you hit the nail on the head, those are my thoughts exactly. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of lines with nursing friendly attire but none quite as stylish, functional, classic, on trend, or reasonably priced. 

PS isn't she adorable? There are a few spots left in the campaign and dresses are currently priced anywhere from $70-$90 depending on which option you choose. Dresses are set to retail for approximately $98 a piece.

Below are the options...

(Photo: Kickstarter/Harper & Bay)

I ordered the raglan sleeve floral print pictured below. (Photo: Kickstarter/Harper & Bay)

I am considering ordering the mid-point exclusive color release which is the black-white stripe sleeve raglan dress. So on point right?

So thank you to the Harper and Bay creator Taisja Maxfield who is going to make this season of life a little easier and more fashionable for all of us. I can't wait to receive my dress in December!

Dear C - 4+ Months With You

Dear C,

We have been getting to know you for about 4.5 months now and about two weeks ago you really started to share more of your personality with us. 

Mostly you are easy going and smiley, you don't choose to have a lot to complain about. When you are upset it's usually a gas bubble that's quickly resolved with a couple of your swift kicks or some solid toot filled tummy-time.  Even if you are over tired and waiting for a nap you have the ability to be calm and patient while Daddy and LB give you 37 one last kiss. 

Naps and nights have been uncharacteristic of you but very standard of a four month old. About a week before 4 months things started getting out of whack and you would play for 40min of your nap.  Oddly you always wake up after 2hours and 58min in your crib. On the dot. Although in the past 2 or 3 days your morning nap has turned in to about 20min of wind down/fussing and exactly 40min of sleep. 

You are as smiley as ever. You love the song my girl and like touching daddy's beard. You cannot help but watch your brother, his every move is interesting to you. I've set you down on a blanket with a few toys scattered and you forget playing with toys you watch your brother run about. Building with blocks, knocking them down, shooting hoops and playing with his animals. It doesn't really matter what he's doing you're in to it.

About a week shy of the 5 month mark you've become ticklish! It's not a constant but most of the time I can get you really giggling. You also love to grab my face, my cheeks and nose are a favorite.

You still seem sensitive to dairy but I can have milk almost daily in coffee, just not any cheese. That seems to skip the scale giving you gas and runny poops.

We love you so much little girl and can't wait to see what the next months bring. Soon I will go back to work during the day and you'll be in day care with the fabulous Mimi. Know my heart is with you though, by your side is the place your dad and I will always most want to be. 

Love you always,

Mama

Real Talk: A Taste of Life Mothering a Newborn and a Toddler

Written 7/2/15...

Ok real talk. I am getting a taste of what life is going to be like for now as I get used to having a newborn and a toddler. This morning I ate LB's chewed on toast crusts and pineapple soaked eggs for breakfast.  

I begin the one handed breakfast clean-up then sort and start a load of laundry while entertaining LB and holding C. The morning flies by with a series of toddler games, close calls of baby squishes and finally it's 12:30, M's nap time.

I organize the never shrinking laundry pile, I don't think I have any clean clothes left because they're either covered in milk, mashed food, or baby vomit. My bra size is currently a G and still doesn't fit right, I contemplate as a see the double boob in my reflection and give up because I don't even know where to get something that might fit properly.

Then I have a shower at 2pm because there is a golden 5 minutes where both kids are asleep. I eat lunch at 4:30 which consists of nearly a full box of TJs cookies. I actually manage a reasonable dinner because I miraculously planned before this weeks grocery trip and LB skips a bath because today I'm doing bedtime on my own. While putting C to bed I ate the rest of the TJs cookies :/ .

I am a list maker, an organizer and generally keep myself well presented but that is no longer in season. Bring on the sporadic bathing routines, living in stretchy clothes, milk soaked bras, and stuff upon stuff all over the house.

Who cares when this is your view, it's all about perspective.

Bair-isms: 25-26 Months

While C is crying, LB is pretending to hammer and saw around her...

Me: What are you doing?

LB: Fixing her, I'm her big brother <3 <3 <3

As he carries and lines up pieces of Styrofoam from the box his bed was packed in...

Me: What are you doing?

LB: Building my bed

Once the bed is "built" as he's rolling around on the Styrofoam planks... 

LB: Oh Mama this bed is so comfortable, I love my new bed!

LB: Mama, I'm going to my wedding...you can come

Me: Who are you marrying?

LB: Umm, I don't know but Michael, John, Wendy, Peter, and Tink are coming

It felt as though my heart fell out of my chest when I hard this, I can't imagine what it will feel like when he says this for real!

Our Little Bair: Week 9

Today the Bair had his two month well baby check up. Poor guy had a couple shots and ended up with a little bit of a fever. I pretty much refuse to use the tush thermometer so I appreciated the pediatrician telling me we could use a normal thermometer under his arm and add two degrees. Of course if you are close or over the 101.3 cut off for calling the doctor you have to brace yourself (and baby) for the real deal or just take them in. Our ped also told me you can tell how intense the fever is if you're nursing, when it starts to get in the 100s you can feel baby's mouth get hot.  What a wealth of knowledge this lady is :)

He slept a good 5 hours post shots, almost straight through with only a little fussing in between after which he fell back to sleep on his own.  This is a ton for our baby that does.not.nap during the day.

Side-note, if someone told me this was a possibility I would have planned to be super productive.  We'll see what happens at the 4 month check-up. He's slightly a daytime insomniac and only sleeps in small 20-30min spurts, just doesn't want to miss a thing I guess? My mom always says he reminds her of someone ;) .  He sleeps like a champ at night so I am okay with however he wants to get the sleeping in. 

Our Bair is really starting to "wake-up" and notice other people and especially babys.  I can see him processing and wanting to interact but I know it's nothing like what we'll see him doing in another few months. 

When he sees other babies he will look at them and stare for a moment but doesn't reach out to play yet. Still just taking it all in.

That's it for this week!