Urban Times in Michigan

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Favorite Things~ 2 month edition

1) Dropcam

I LOVE this thing. I can watch/stalk her when she is in her crib. The sound quality is fantastic. She can be in her room with the door closed and I will sneeze in the living room which is down that hall and the camera will still pick it up.

The only thing I don't care for is the slight delay. It's only a few seconds so it's not that big of a issue and would not be deal breaker at all.

2) Pandora lullaby station. After she decided to become a night owl I knew that wasn't going to work with me so I needed to set up some sort of routine for bed. I had a free white noise app, but I wasn't a fan because it played the lullaby one on a 30 or 60 second loop and hearing it over and over was annoying and the rain and ocean sounds made me have to use the bathroom. So I went to pandora and found a lullaby station and it works.

3) We have this cloud b lady bug and it is part of her bedtime routine. It helps to calm her down and distract her I think. It projects onto the ceiling and she likes to look at the stars.

4) Skip hop play mat.

We used this a little in month one for tummy time, but now that she's a little older she can interact with the different parts a little better.

Ours was a hand me down so it didn't come with the little tummy time mat, and is missing one of the animals but it's still completely functional. It has lots of little loops on the arms to put toys on. We have a set of plastic links so sometimes I will hook some of the other toys she has up to it.

5) Car seat cover.
We have the one shown below. This might not be a necessity for everyone, but living in Michigan we have some pretty cold winters so for us it is. This was a baby shower gift and it's one of the most used ones.

6) This is not really a thing, but a local breastfeeding support group has been a huge help this month. If you are local to the west Michigan area you should check it out. It's run by certified lactation consultants and is totally free. It meets twice a week (at two different locations); I only go once, but knowing it's a resource has kept me going.

Find out more here: Spectrum Health Breastfeeding Support Group

Monday, December 9, 2013

The 9 Week Update

Breastfeeding:

Last week was a really rough week for it. I got yet another clogged duct (that makes 4; same side) and trying to nurse through that was rough, and then we had latch pain. I didn't really nurse her on that side for 2 days. I was in tears on multiple occasions, couldn't sleep from the pain, and was really considering if it was possible to only nurse on one side.

I'm so thankful for that breastfeeding support group though. I went and while the lactation consultant helped latch her on, it was still painful. Basically I just had to get through it, and with the help of pain meds left from recovery (I'm talking the good stuff, although I didn't abuse them, just so you don't think I did, lol) I did get through it.

There is still some pain when she latches, but on a scale of 1-10, I'd say a 3. Before I would have said an 8 or 9.

I tried the side lying position. It was fine for her nursing on the right side but nursing her on the left while lying was just a little more uncomfortable. That was the side that I was hoping would work out since that's what the lc's recommended.

Rob took her over to my sister and brother in laws on Saturday because I had plans and wanted to not have to bring her. He fed her a bottle before he left and brought one. It wasn't out long enough to be a problem, but he was very nonchalant about dumping it. Like if it's bad we will just dump it. No Rob, you didn't spend an hour sitting awkwardly forward holding a bottle to your boob while a machine pumps. Ugh!

Misc:

Eleanor has a doctors appointment tomorrow. It's her two month appointment and she's getting shots. I'm going to cry. Pretty sure I already am crying. I know it's necessary, but I just think about how she is most likely going to react and I hate that I'm going to bring pain to her on purpose. I'm sorry Ellie!

When we were doing the side lying position on my bed she fell asleep on her side. I left her there for a minute, I was still in the room, while I was putting away laundry. I picked her up and put her on her back in her crib, and when I turned on the camera she was on her side. So I went back in, put her on her back again, and she rolled back to her side. First time she had done any rolling. She also wasn't in a sleep sack which I think was a big part of the reason she was able to. I was nervous to have her on her side so I was constantly watching the monitor.

Me:
I'm at the point where I really need to get serious about finding a job. I haven't worked since end of August. The plan all along was to get through the holidays and then find something. We aren't struggling to pay bills, but there isn't really extra money, and with winter comes more expenses; from Christmas to higher heating and energy costs. Ideally a child care job would be the best since the thought of leaving my sweet girl gives me mild anxiety, so something that I can do in home or bring her with me would be needed. And I want something part-time. Like half days or a few full days.

On a positive note, since I rarely leave the house, my gas costs have gone done, I haven't had to get an oil change in almost 4 months (and probably won't need one until February) so general maintenance costs are down.

She rolled over on her own

Smiling after spitting up on me

Fell asleep during tummy time

Stare down

Sporting the Michigan hat, much to my dad's dismay

LOVE!

My camera phone attempt at a under the Christmas tree shot.

Getting love from cousin Traverse.

Spoiled by Aunt Lisa.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Happy Two Months Eleanor!

Two months already! As much as I do miss that sweet snuggly newborn stage she's getting more interactive and is become really full of smiles and it really is a fun time as well.

With the exception of a few newborn onesies she's pretty much entirely in 0-3 month stuff. Putting away the newborn stuff was a little sad.
She's sleeping at least one 4-5 hour stretch at night and is becoming a better daytime sleeper. She usually naps in her crib and is doing great with it. I'm so not ready for her to be in there at night though.
She's becoming talkative. I'm semi-convinced she says words. I know she's not really, but it sounds like she says 'hi' for example.
She is also pretty smiley like I mentioned above. And these aren't just gas or sleep smiles. She'll be kicking away in the bouncer and I will look at her and she will smile, so I know it's a real smile.

I weighed her on Thursday (2 days shy of the 2 month mark) at the breastfeeding support group I've been going to and with just a onesie and a clean diaper and she was 11 lbs. I've had breastfeeding struggles but I know she's gaining weight and growing so I'm going to keep up with it because I love knowing I'm giving her the best possible thing for her. (I'm not saying formula is bad and if you go that route it's still good, I'm just thankful I am able to breastfeed because it is tough).

I still don't know her height, but she has her 2 month appointment next week so I'll find out then. She's also getting shots then and I'm nervous about that.

For more detailed progress updates you can always check out her weekly updates. You can find them in the right side bar where all my previous posts are listed.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Dream House: Bathroom Edition

A little while ago I posted about what my dream kitchen would look like. Since I spend some of the late night feedings browsing pinterest I compiled some of my favorite bathroom images. Here is the dream bathroom.

A huge walk in shower would be so awesome

A nice bath and a fire sounds relaxing in the middle of winter

I like the dark color and the double vanity

I've never seen a walk in tub before. I like it.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Buttons Cloth Diapers~Review

When Eleanor was born we mostly used disposables. We didn't have very many newborn sized cloth diapers, and while I did use the ones we had, Rob stuck with the disposables. I think he was intimidated by them with all the snaps.

Now that she's getting bigger I'm starting to use them more often and I love them. I know cloth diaper fans say it often, but really there is nothing cuter than a fluffy butt.

I'm still really a cloth diaper newbie and so I'm still figuring out what I like and what works bests for us.

When I was given the chance to review a diaper from Buttons I was excited. The covers are one size with two different insert size options depending on the size of the baby.

This is how it arrived. Super cute!

Eleanor is 10 lbs and this fit her on the smallest setting pretty well.

This diaper had several features that I liked:

I liked the cross over snaps and am realizing that is a feature I wish all diapers had. I was able to get a good fit around her waist.
I really liked is that the insert snaps on both ends. I have found that ones that don't tend to move around a little, and I've had one leak before.
I liked that the inserts had a tag sewn on them. I have many different brands of diapers and inserts and I'm sure I don't always match them correctly. I guess it doesn't matter as long as it fits but I would like to match them up. With the tag I know that it is correct every time.
Speaking of tags sewn on, there is a tag sewn right onto the diaper with care instructions

I used this diaper and after having it on for a little while she fell asleep and slept for an hour or so. She's not a heavy wetter usually, but this insert was absorbent and didn't leak at all.

The diaper also comes with a card with care instructions.

The inserts. I'm not sure why there is a size difference,
but it doesn't effect how they work.

I like the cute little button on the back

Double Gussets

The largest setting

The smallest setting

The diaper has a snug fit around the legs

It's a trim fitting diaper.

I've said before that I am a new to cloth diapers so I'm still learning what I like and don't like, and with use my preference and opinions may change; however I can't think of anything I didn't like about this diaper.

I loved this diaper and would recommend it.

You can buy Buttons Diapers on their website A cover is $11 and inserts are $3.50.

They also have a few special programs where you can earn free diapers

1) If you refer a store who places a wholesale order you can earn a diaper package that includes 5 covers, 6 insets and 2 packs of cloth wipes (worth $107)

2) If you place a link on your site and someone makes a purchase you can also earn free diapers.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Famous Footwear Shoe Deal! TODAY ONLY!

A pair of black ballet flats have been on my Christmas list for a while. I'm usually to impatient and just buy things myself though so I might have to check out this sale and see if I can find myself a pair. Then I can actually wear them to Christmas events, right?