Rookie Mom : 10 Things I Learned in the First 6 Months

Christie Harrington has been one of my best friends since we used to watch TV on the sly together in college (TV wasn’t allowed, long story). She lives way, way too far away in Anchorage, Alaska, so I haven’t met her gorgeously chubby cheeked son, Jonah. Born August 16, Jonah just passed the 7 month mark. (Side note: Christie had the same due date as me with Caroline (Aug 29) - no fair that she delivered early!)

As a self-described “rookie mom,” Christie reflects below on 10 things she learned in the first 6 months. I’m having a little trouble picturing my squeamish friend washing off poop, but kuddos on the cloth diapers!

Great pieces of baby gear:
1. Moby wrap: At first I was totally intimidated by this cloth monstrosity and put off reading the manual.  Yes, it has a manual.  However, once I experimented with it for 10 minutes I was angry I hadn’t done it sooner.  An AMAZING baby carrier that can be used from newborn through 35 pounds.
 

2. Breast pump: I had taken a breast feeding class prior to giving birth but once Jonah came along I realized there was so much that no one ever told me! I wish I’d had a breast pump before Jonah was here.  My breast pump has been one of the most valuable pieces of equipment ever!!

 
3. Bouncy chair: Enabled me to take a quick shower while he was entertained and safe.

 
4. Bumbo seat: A lifesaver once Jonah was able to support his head on his own. Because the seat is so deep and supports the baby so high on their torso, they’re able to sit safely and comfortably.

Pieces that weren’t as wonderful as I thought they’d be:
5. Baby bath tub: I found it easier to use the sink and once Jonah was larger we just took baths with him

 
6. Tummy Tub: An item that I wrestled with purchasing. All the research I’d done seemed to say it was ideal for bathing a baby. However, once I had it, I discovered it wasn’t as easy to use as I thought and seemed to require more time preparing to use it than actually bathing Jonah. 

Other learnings:
7. Cloth diapers are not as intimidating as most of us may initially fear; they’ve come a long way since our parents used them. I waited until Jonah was 10 lbs before using them - on the recommendation of another mom who was using them (with newborns it’s easier to use disposable because you’re changing diapers so frequently and disposables have the notch cut-out for the umbilical stump). I haven’t hired a diaper service. I do all the work myself and I personally don’t find it totally disgusting. It is a little more work than simply throwing a diaper in the garbage, but I figure I’m doing my part for the environment and saving myself a lot of money! Totally worth the effort.

 
8. I make my own baby food and again, like cloth diapers, not as time consuming as many of us may think.  I love WholesomeBabyFood.com.

 
9. I believe every parent should read one or two sleeping books prior to their bundle of joy arriving.  Once your baby arrives, one thing you desperately need is some good sleep but it’s virtually impossible because someone else always comes first (a hint: it’s not mommy). Having a game plan for sleep training ahead of time will help you instill good sleep habits early, and you’ll have less headaches in breaking habits you didn’t know you were teaching. Two good books: The Baby Sleep Solution and Health Sleep Habits, Happy Child.

 
10. What would I do differently? I would focus much more on resting when Jonah was sleeping during the first 2 or 3 months. I can only recall taking three naps during that time and I know I needed much more sleep than I got during that period.

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What are your newborn must-haves? What totally disappointed?

P.S. Be on the lookout for the next post from a Pro Mom who shares 10 learnings from 30 years of experience!

P.P.S Don't forget to enter our fabulous giveaway!

Meet Cool Mom Amber Carlson

It's Mommy Monday! Our latest Cool Mom is Amber Carlson. I met Amber in elementary school, and she was already beautiful and cool (lucky girl!). I tried to emulate her style, becoming obsessed with the Esprit clothes she wore, but try as I might, I couldn't quite pull off the look.

Now as a mother of twin girls, Amber is still pretty darn cool. I can't wait to try her homemade wheat sticks recipe! Read on....

Names & ages of children: Sadie Glenn and Trista Lee Carlson, 2 years and 3 months

Feel best about being a mom when: I see the girls hug and kiss each other or if one is crying the other one will pat their back.

Stopped feeling guilty about: The house NOT being clean all the time and picked up.

Favorite family ritual: With hubby we do homemade buttermilk biscuits or chocolate chip pancakes on the weekends. Without the hubby the girls and I run thru Sonic at least once a week while we are out running errands. The second one sounds a little pathetic but it's like a field trip for me!

Best family vacation: Took the girls to Florida last summer for 12 days. They loved chasing the sand pipers, sifting sand through their hands and running into the ocean. They had no fear.

How do you find time for yourself? I have an incredibly supportive husband who gives me the evening off if I want to go out or because he's off every Friday I get out for several hours and do whatever I want to do. 

Biggest mom-stresser? Trying to get my kids to eat their vegetables. The pediatrician says to stop worrying but it stresses me out way more than I thought it would. 

What do you see your kids doing that you have no idea where they got it? So far everything I've seen them do I know exactly where they got it from. :)


Go-to kid snacks: Love the dried veggies in the produce section. The girls will eat those! And Wheat Sticks that I make. (see recipe below)

Biggest timesaver: I always have whole wheat pancake batter pre-made in the fridge. And my favorite is crock pot oatmeal - put it on at night and it's ready in the a.m.

I keep organized by: I'd label everything if I could. I love my LABEL maker!

Best piece of parenting advice: Don't tell your kids what to think - let them think for themselves. Let them explore, be creative and get messy. 

What I read online: I read reviews on anything I'm about to purchase - my little brother taught me that. :) I have enjoyed listening to various podcasts. I listen to This American Life (NPR), Stuff Mom Never Told You and Truth Driven Thinking.

My mom style is:  Hands down: T-shirt and Jeans

Most special moment as a mom so far? The girls have just started saying "Thank you, Mommy" and tonight Trista said "Goodnight Mommy" for the first time. Or sometimes they will caress my face softly.
 

Wheat Sticks Recipe:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts(i use pecans or even pecan meal)

1/4 cup coconut(sweetened or unsweetened)

1/2 cup ice water

1/3 cup oil ( i use canola)

Mix oil and water and then add to dry mixture to make a stiff dough. Roll out on cookie sheet and cut into squares or diamonds. I do this by using a long knife to make perforated edges but don't cut all the way through. Then when it's done baking I can just break the pieces off easily. I roll it about as thin as a cracker.

BAKE at 325 degrees for 20 minutes

ENJOY

Mommy Monday :: Margaret Laracy is a cool mom!

Meet Margaret Laracy, a mom I've recently gotten to know because our girls are in the same preschool class. Plus she has an infant son who also has an aversion to napping. 

She's one of those moms that truly makes you think, I don't know how she does it! She's funny & smart, always full of energy, and the best at dealing with playdate meltdowns (even when it's not her kid). And don't believe her that her house isn't spotless!

Margaret is a cool mom ... read on ....

-Stephanie

Names & ages of children Marie - 3 years   Ray - 6 months

Feel best about being a mom when I hear Marie playing with her 'friends.' I love hearing her little voice create an elaborate and imaginative scene.

Stopped feeling guilty about Keeping my house in order on a consistent basis. I try to give in to the moment more and realize these special, simple years won't last long.

Favorite family ritual Going on family walks around 'the loop' in our neighborhood. We do try to do this all year long, but especially every evening in the summer just before bedtime. Such a peaceful way to end the day.

Best family vacation We head to New Harbor, Maine each year during the third week in June.  It's an amazing and special time to reconnect with each other, siblings and cousins. I hope the tradition never dies!

What you miss most about pre-kid life?  I think I fall into the common answer of...freedom!  I miss the fact that I wasn't watching the clock as much, trying to keep to a schedule.

How do you find time for yourself?  Luckily my kids have an early bedtime, so I capitalize and occasionally workout, read, pray, watch a movie with my husband, have a glass of wine or even go the grocery store alone.  7-10pm in my house is very peaceful.

Biggest mom-stresser? Currently my biggest stressor is getting my 6 month old on a predictive sleep schedule!

What do you see your kids doing that you know they got from you?  All of Marie's facial expressions....ALL ME. It's scary! And Ray? He's just cute to look at...no habits yet at his wee age.

What have you learned from your kids? They continue to teach  me the value of a single moment and to be patient. I am reminded of this throughout the day, at night I make a vow be more peaceful the next day, and somehow forget it every morning. I hope I continue to get another day to try again.

What do you see your kids doing that you have no idea where they got it? I occasionally wonder from day to day where Marie picks up certain sayings or habits. Then I catch myself or my husband saying something and I realize she hears EVERYTHING we say!

Biggest surprise vs. your expectations pre-kid?  Two is way harder than one.

Most special moment as a mom so far? Child-birth. Those moments after the baby is born are simply a gift from God.