Friday, February 25, 2011

A Mother's Worst Day-Mare

Do you ever see your kid do something that could potentially be dangerous and then have these crazy visions of it turning really bad?

Say, your kid puts their finger by the hinges on an open door and all of a sudden you have this thought of the door being slammed closed by the wind, shrill screams, an amputated pinky finger laying on the floor. A panicked you calling 911. Rushing to the freezer to put that tiny little finger on ice.

I have these thoughts, oh about ten times a day.

The smoke alarms go off in the middle of the night and for the first time your kid is actually sleeping in their own bed in their own room down the hall, you sprint down the hall only to find a blazing fire is encasing your precious child's room.

These thoughts are absolutely disturbing yet I can't stop myself from having them. I'm not usually one to worry, in fact I am quite the opposite. I 'go with the flow' and I don't take things too seriously. For some reason these thoughts come to me often, even though I know they would be so unlikely. Although they do happen for some people, it's not something you should think about multiple times every day.

My house is relatively safe for a 15 month old. She can't get into the cupboard under the sink where all the cleaning supplies is, she can't stick her fingers in the outlets. There is only so much you can 'baby proof', and make things safe while still having a functional living space. I think it is also important NOT to baby proof too much, otherwise you can't teach your child boundaries and what's ok and not ok to touch or play with.

I try not to take my 'day-mares' too serious because I know they are so wild and most of them are very unlikely to happen. Do age appropriate toys have a tendency to impale a child if they fall near it?

Anyone else in the same boat? What has been your wildest day-mare about your child's safety?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Baby Sign Language FAIL

That's right, we totally bombed. I talked about starting baby sign language here about 8 months ago. I found it hard to learn BSL myself let alone remember to use it with Sweet Thing all the time. If I worked harder at it(and owned a BSL book, instead of borrowing from the library) it might become second nature. But I knew that this wasn't a life or death situation and I wasn't going to waste my time doing something I didn't like at the time.


I'm happy to report at 15 months old she has a booming vocabulary of over 35 words. She is very capable of communicating with the people around her. She understands so much more than she can say. I am pleased with the way she is communicating, even if she can't sign 150 words by now.


Every baby is different and develops at their own pace and though my daughter is thriving without it I wish I could see how she would have developed with the added bonus of knowing signs. There are still times when I wish I had followed through with it because she can get very frustrated when we can't quite figure out what she wants, but that subsides quickly once I realize the capable being she is.


All in all, she is learning new things everyday and I am constantly amazed at this little human we've created.


I know when I stopped trying to use baby sign language I felt like a...wait for it...a failure. I felt bad because I couldn't teach my daughter a second language. It's another one of those things that people will judge you about. Just like breast vs. bottle, just like circumcision vs. intact. Although it might not be quite as controversial, un-healthy or life-altering, mothers will judge you no matter what you do, which is really sad. Do what you feel is necessary, and don't pressure yourself to do sign language. It's just one more thing we shouldn't need worry about. Do 12 extra IQ points really make that much of a difference anyway? Ok, ok, maybe they do to some, but it's not going to change the love I have for my child. I'll always think she is the smartest kid in the world! You know, cause I'm biased and all!


Did anyone else try BSL and fail miserably? Or did it go well? Tell me about it!


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Baggino Learner's Bibs on Hippo Bargains

I just want to let you all know that Hippo Bargains has the BEST bibs ever on their site for HALF OFF!

Baggino Learner's Bibs how I love thee!

I bought 2 of these bibs a couple months ago because all the regular bibs weren't cutting it. I wanted to let my daughter feed herself but I just felt it was a huge hassle because I would either have to strip her down before putting her in her chair or after the meal when her clothes would be covered in lunch. So I saw these bibs on Hippo Bargains and decided to try them out, I got them just before my trip to see my parents and was so excited to use them. As soon as we got there we sat Sweet Thing in her chair and gave her a bowl of yogurt, and boy oh boy was she happy! She went to town on that yogurt and I don't think half of it even went near her mouth. I took that bib off and my baby was CLEAN!! Not a spot on her clothes! I was ecstatic! Amazing what us mommy's can get excited about right? First diapers, now bibs. We're a crazy bunch!
She has been eating all her meals herself since then and she is also an awesome eater now, she is great with a spoon and barely makes much of a mess on herself anymore. I contribute that to letting her do it on her own. It's also the lazy mom way, and I am definitely a lazy mom!

I also love the Velcro neck closure, it is VERY strong so the little one can't take it off themselves.

So I just have to say if you are in the market for a clean, happy, self-fed baby, I HIGHLY recommend Baggino Learner's Bibs. For about $8 per bib (that is factoring in the shipping charges) from Hippo Bargains today. I think they are definitely worth it. I just got 6 more bibs and I have 2 already!


I did not get any compensation for this post, this is a sincere "I love this product" post written by me!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Be My Valentine

Happy Valentines Day to all!

Sweet Thing's First Valentines Day, Last Year.  ♥

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Winner

The Winner of the $50 gift pack of BabyLeg products is...


Toni G
'Like' Mother of a Deal on Facebook

Congratulations Toni!

Please contact me within 72 hours to confirm.
tenenda @ hotmail.com
If I don't hear a response within that time I will have to draw for a new winner.

Winner

The lucky winner of a Dinner is Ready Cook Book and Software Set by 30 Meals in One Day is...



Breanna P-L
Follow Mama to a Sweet Thing on Facebook

Congratulations Breanna! I hope you enjoy this system as much as I do!

Please contact me within 72 hours to confirm.
tenenda @ hotmail.com
If I don't hear a response within that time I will have to draw for a new winner.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

3 Years Ago Today - We Miss You

Three years ago today my Grampa passed away.
I sure do miss him.
I feel regret and sadness in not seeing him one last time before he passed. He was in the hospital in the town I grew up in, where all my family lives. I lived an hour away with my boyfriend(now Sweet Husband). We were planning on going to visit him this day three years ago, instead inside of me was saying 'no, you don't want to see him like this' the other part knew I needed to see him. So we decided we would go tomorrow. Later that day while cooking tomato soup for lunch my own dad called me to tell me the news that grampa passed away. This plays so vividly in my mind. I was heart broken and I burnt the soup on top of it all. We went to be with my family that evening. I will always remember that day. Not by the number on the calendar, just the events. Today isn't normally the day I would like to remember him, it's too sad. In fact, if it weren't for Facebook, I would not have known today was that day. I like to remember him on his birthday, and any other day I need patience.
My grampa was quiet and patient. When he talked, he was funny and wise. He was such an amazing guy and I have some wonderful memories of him from my childhood. Visiting my grandparents every summer in Saskatoon, I remember specifically talking about toe jam at one point. Him driving me to my very first day at my very first job and I was so nervous, he assured me it would all be fine. It was.
Love you Grampa, miss you every day.
xo

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

BabyLegs Giveaway Sponsored by True Cuddles

I'm pleased to introduce you to True Cuddles and Mother of a Deal.
True Cuddles



Heather and Danielle co-own two mom-focused websites based in New Westminster, BC. The first is True Cuddles and they offer a deal a week on great baby and toddler products. Their second site is called Mother of a Deal (not to be confused with Mother of a Sale who I wrote about here) and it’s a free resource for moms who want info on deals, coupons, and freebies.

These lovely ladies bring you unique products at great discounts every week and this week they have a product so many moms, babes, and maybe even some dads love! At up to 50% OFF this is truly a steal of a deal! Why don't you cuddle this deal today!


True Cuddles is giving one lucky Mama to a Sweet Thing reader a BabyLegs tights and socks gift pack worth $50! That's 2 pairs of tights and 2 2-pack of socks(sizes and styles chosen by the winner)!

All you have to do is fill out the form below with the mandatory entry along with your name and e-mail address!
  (Open to Canada and US)
Giveaway ends Feb. 13th 2011 at 9am PST
Important Links:

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Did She Hit An Ice Berg?

It's like the Titanic over here!

Sweet Thing's diapers are leaking everywhere. I can't seem to get them to stop leaking. I'm sure they are not repelling. I think it is the fit. I've tried adjusting them and it hasn't helped much. I use primarily Fuzzibunz and Charlie Banana. I have a few other brands that are doing alright and not leaking as much. So I need your help! Anyone who is familiar with these brands could you please give me some pointers!