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By the power of Grayskull!!!

13 Apr

So, ever since I found out that I had 10 toes and 10 fingers brewing inside my belly last year, I started thinking about a million things.  Ok, a million and one.

One of those things we started thinking about (besides immunizations, food the bay-bay will eat, public school/home school, what she’ll look like, when will she say “Mama,” … you get the point)—I should say one of the lighthearted things we started thinking about–  is what kind of TV we would let her watch. Most likely some people will voice their opinion proudly to me that “TV is the devil and my child will not watch TV.”  That’s fine, no need to voice it, peeps.  For my family, I hope to have balance. However, I come from a generation in which we lived our adventures through talking bears who expressed their feelings, man-size turtles who were skilled ninjas with a rat as their loyal sensei, more bears who drank magic potion and bounced to save the day, and a pair of twins who suffered from some sort of identity crisis. I love tv- and I agree with some who believe too much is not good.  But that’s true for anything … especially regarding my dirty obsession with Krispy Kreme Honeybuns—but that’s a whole other post all together. So don’t worry all you folks who want to lecture me on why I shouldn’t let my kiddo watch TV – it’s all good in the hood. When that moderation comes around, I’m gonna make sure it’s quality shnizz and truly outrageous!

This past year I discovered Amazon.com (yes I’m late to the game).  It’s amazing.. I can order things (even diapers! Wipes! Paper towels!) and it comes to my door! LOOOOOVE IT.  With this new discovery it’s SOOO easy to look up OLD SCHOOL cartoons and order  volumes and volumes for your little one.  I swear the Amazon.com app on my Iphone is the MOST dangerous thing since SunDrop was created as Golden Cola back in the day.  If you are reading this post and do not know what Sun Drop is:  Google it.  Try it.  Drop it likes it’s hot.  Then come back to madtimemama.com and  talk about how inferior other soft drinks are to it.

Back to the topic at hand. I started compiling a list of the old school cartoons and even old school movies that I grew up watching and that I want my baby to know (and love!).  I have found the best prices for the movies I have on my list mostly  on Amazon.com.  However, today at Target I bought TWO VOLUMES of He-Man for $5 each.  Yes, $5!  God, I love Target.

Anyways, here’s my list of tv show volumes/movies that I am presently collecting for the bay-bay:

Gummi Bears

He-Man

She-Ra

JEM

GI Joe

Fraggle Rock

Duck Tales

The Care Bears Movie

Watcher in the Woods

Flight of the Navigator

The Child of Glass

Willow

Cloak and Dagger

The Never Ending Story

The Dark Crystal

Labrynth

The Worst Witch

The Last Starfighter

The Last Unicorn

The Journey of Natty Gann

Krull

Teen Witch

Iron Eagle

Explorers

BeastMaster

Flash Gordon

Space Camp

The Secret of Nymh

The Monster Squad

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Hobbit (the cartoon)

Scooby Doo cartoon (the original — none of this new crap)

The Boy Who Could Fly

The Goonies

Anne of Green Gables (all of ’em)

Star Wars Collection

Star Trek Collection (Original and Next Gen)

This list can and will continue to grow …. The bay-bay will have the ULTIMATE collection of quality tv entertainment.

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Madonna inspires my daughter.

12 Apr

I haven’t spoken about how my daughter is totally hip. True, true, she’s six month’s old.. but why should age keep you from being fashion forward? She draws on all sorts of inspiration.  Most recently Madonna. Click on the picture to get a special gun-n-wink from Madge!

My daughter is VERY hot natured.  I can’t blame her. Look who she comes from.  My husband and I are two of the most hot natured peeps around.  My husband quite literally is like a ball of steam—and so is his daughter.  She sweats more than any baby I know.

A lot of times, especially now that it’s warmer, I dress her in sleeveless outfits.  When we go somewhere it’s super easy to throw leg warmers on her arms. Not only do they cover her up she becomes an instant hipster.

Here are some I bought recently:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Little-Legs-warmers-stripes/dp/B003TY3OPW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1334273325&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/My-Little-Legs-warmers-polka/dp/B0030AIS6U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1334273325&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.com/My-Little-Legs-warmers-Rainbow/dp/B0049PE8HS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1334273325&sr=8-9

http://www.amazon.com/18-Rainbow-My-Little-Legs/dp/B005BTPDD4/ref=pd_sim_ba_4

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Being a parent, breastfeeding, Baby Food, and cleaning the house

11 Apr

Now that I have entered into the most scrutinized club in the whole world – parenthood – I’ve come to realize different things.

1) People will say ANYTHING they want to you about how you clothe, feed, and raise your child.

2) Breastfeeding is good.  It’s cheap.  It’s convenient.  It’s also confusing, hard and overwhelming. I decided at 3 months that I was done breastfeeding. (Is it weird that I heard a huge gasp from an imaginary audience?) Before too much judgment is passed from my imaginary audience, here are my justified reasons. I wasn’t producing enough. I was miserable and baby was miserable (and HUNGRY!). Not only that, it’s MY decision to stop and mine alone.  I’m the MOTHER.

This is what got me thinking about this topic. I have a dear sweet friend who I love very much.  We don’t talk often and when we talked several months ago, I mentioned to her that I had just stopped breastfeeding.  Her reaction was “Eesh, stopping at 3 months is a little too soon.”  WHO SAYS!!!! Excuse me? Are you serious???

a)    What did she mean by that comment?

1)   Did she mean that my child is going to be malnourished?

2)   Did she mean that my child is going to most likely get some kind of sickness because she no longer gets antibodies?

3)   Was she saying that I am a bad mother because I felt it was the best thing for both me and the baby but really its not??

i)   If that is the case, then what happens to babies are completely formula fed???

WHAT DOES  HER COMMENT TRULY MEAN!?!?!?!?!   BOTTOM LINE QUESTION:  Why would you say that to a new mother??? When I told my pediatrician that I was going to stop breastfeeding she said “Right on, sista.  Whatever you would like to do.”

I don’t have any problem accepting help or even accepting constructive criticism when I solicit it.  However, here is my piece of advice for all you peeps who want to make comments to me.  The day that I start feeding my daughter drano instead of formula, you can say something.  Otherwise, don’t bother because you will be ignored and eventually forgotten.

3) Baby Food is fun.  I haven’t even made my own food yet—I’m a Gerber mom for now (there goes my imaginary audience gasping in disgust again!) and I’m having a great time feeding my baby.  My baby just recently started grabbing ALL THE TIME. Her new thing is wanting to grab the bowl and put her hands all in her food (which, I admit, I let her do…. Because it’s so fun and I love the joy in her face when she feels the food… clean up is not as fun.)     I’m eventually going to make some food—not all (I’m too lazy – really am and it doesn’t hold my interest right now). I have a very close friend who is totally into making her own food.  It’s been great seeing all the things she’s made.  If I could get out of my lazy mode, I’d totally do it all the time.  We’ll see. Stay tuned. I’m sure I’ll have another post some day and may even post recipes for fascinating baby food.

4)            God I hate to clean.  Even more so, I hate to FOLD CLOTHES. I do it all, but man, I HATE IT.  I really hate putting clothes away and hanging them up.  I can’t wait to make it big some day so I can have my own personal maid, clothes folder, and clothes hanger upper.  Things I hate to do that I would have my maid do:

1)   Wash/Fold/Put away clothes

2)   Vacuum/Sweep/Mop all floors

3)    Clean my bathrooms.

4)   Dust all surfaces

Some day, I’ll have my own maid.  Until then, it’s all me. Speaking of, the baby is asleep.  Time for me to get going on my chores. **sigh** Mama’s job is never done. If I’m not slingin’ poop, I’m slingin’ clean clothes.  BAH!

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Baby Registry Must-Haves

10 Apr

BFF – for those of you who don’t know what that slang acronym is it means “Best Friend(s) Forever.”  Anyways,  in another year my BFF and I are coming up on our 30th (yes… 30th anniversary).  How old are we?  33.  Besides my husband, my BFF knows me better than ANYONE. We have shared so many things so it is only fitting that I got pregnant about 5 months before she did.  Not only did we get to go through pregnancy together virtually at the same time, our kids will now get to grow up together and we can force them to be BFFs… or arrange a marriage.  Either way, it’s gonna be pretty cool around the holidays.

After we moved to our new small town, I put together a list of things that would be “must haves” for any baby registry.  Below is that list.

Strollers: 


If I could do it over again, I would get this stroller with the bassinet option!

http://www.uppababy.com/products/product.php?id=236

 

Bottles:

I suggest 3 four oz and 3 8 oz. (four oz for the first several months, eight oz for the older months) Dr. Brown is what I use. Dr. Brown is supposed to help with gas as well as help prevent ear infections (how a bottle prevents that is beyond me.. but oh wells)

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Polypropylene-Natural-Newborn/dp/B001IXYOD2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325645810&sr=8-3

Be advised that there are different speeds on the nipples.  Usually a Slow and Fast.  Newborns will need to use slow probably for a while — so as to help keep his suction harder on your nipple if you are breastfeeding to help you get all the milk out and keep your production up. I didn’t enjoy it that much. Breastfeeding is confusing.

Bottle Tree/Rack:

Get something like this to put your bottles on to dry.  IT’S AWESOME and keeps everything so organized.

http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-16001-Deluxe-Drying-Rack/dp/B000RFBW00/ref=sr_1_5?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647676&sr=1-5

Dishwasher box:

Get one of these to wash nipples, tops, rubber rings etc. Love it– use it every day.

http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Deluxe-Dishwasher-Basket-Colors/dp/B000RI8Y30/ref=pd_cp_ba_3

Bottle Warmer:

This warmer is awesome– has a water reservoir and is pretty quick.

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-850T-Bottle-Warmer/dp/B0035LLG2W/ref=pd_sim_ba_5

Car Seat Slip/bug net thingy by UPPABABY:

I have one of these and it’s AWESOME! Shade/keeps bugs out/people can look at the baby but not touch….. very helpful.

http://www.amazon.com/UPPAbaby-Cabana-Infant-Seat-Shade/dp/B004G1JXR0/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325646354&sr=1-1-catcorr

Pacifiers:

These are subjective to what the baby likes.. but just to give you an idea of what is out there. My baby uses MAM.  Her buddy uses Dr. Brown.

My baby won’t use the curved binkys– she likes the straight sucker.

Dr. Brown is:  http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-Prevent-Pacifier-Stage/dp/B004JM8XGI/ref=sr_1_21?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325646505&sr=1-21

MAM is:  http://www.amazon.com/MAM-Original-Silicone-Pacifier-Months/dp/B00352M1RA/ref=pd_cp_ba_1

Pack N Play:

We have a pack n play that doesn’t vibrate.. but boy, if I could do it over again, I would totally get one that vibrates– Baby loves going over to her friend’s house and use her pack n Play. it vibrates and she loves it.

http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Playard-Newborn-Napper-Classic/dp/B004O4DU2I/ref=pd_sbs_ba_3

Bouncers:

Get something like this. I have a bouncer, my buddy has a vibrating chair — both look the same they just do different functions.  My baby likes them both.  But beware, the vibrating one literally shakes the poop out of the baby I swear.  Besides that, it’s nice to have to entertain the baby ESPECIALLY during dinner. You can put them on the floor or table and have them with you and not have to hold them while you eat and they can see you and be content.  SOOOO nice.

http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Comfort-Harmony-Biscotti/dp/B002VBXY5O/ref=sr_1_4?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325646913&sr=1-4

Breast Pump and accessories:

I have this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Pump-Style-Advanced-Breast-Backpack/dp/B0011E75RK/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647106&sr=1-2

I would also get the accessories.

http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Breast-Pump-Accessory-Set/dp/B00092A7E8/ref=pd_sim_ba_6

Swings:

Baby has this one and LOVES it.  However, our buddy has this swing and she hated it. SO it’s subjective too. Everything is.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Little-Snugabunny-Cradle-Swing/dp/B0042D69WY/ref=sr_1_3?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647204&sr=1-3

Baths:

This is awesome for newborns and older babies– this is the one that my buddy has and I prefer it.  It has the sling for when they are little and can’t hold their head stable enough and then you can take it off and it’s a perfect tub for a bigger baby.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Infant-Toddler-Sling/dp/B000067EH7/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647359&sr=1-2

This is the one I have.. It’s good too.  But i like my buddy’s better because it’s for the older baby too.

http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Mothers-Deluxe-Bather/dp/B000IZVCM2/ref=sr_1_25?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647489&sr=1-25

Breastfeeding pillows:

If you are going to breastfeed, get one of these. It makes everything easier and you can also use it for a lot of other activities.. like tummy time for the baby, something to prop him up on while you are on the couch etc.. I suggested getting a couple of covers for it so you can wash it.  It gets dirty because your boobs will leak and the pillow will act as a drop cloth for the baby — gross I know. But you dont’ want your pillow to smell like buttermilk (ew.. I know.. but get used to it. I smell like buttermilk, poop and pee)

http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Pillow-Slipcover-Lots-Dots/dp/B001GIOPH4/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647529&sr=1-2

Diapers:

Get your diapers on Amazon if you do disposable.  SO much cheaper than getting them in the store.

http://www.amazon.com/Pampers-Swaddlers-Diapers-Newborn-Count/dp/B00347AGFK/ref=sr_1_7?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647845&sr=1-7

Diaper Genie:

This is a MUST.  We have two-  One downstairs and one upstairs.

http://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Diaper-Genie-Elite-Disposal/dp/B001BMWABI/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325647934&sr=1-2

Wipe Warmer:

Newborn baby loved having warm wipes…. now she could give a crap (pardon the pun)

http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Lionheart-Ultimate-Wipes-Warmer/dp/B00008ODBG/ref=pd_sim_ba_14

Diaper Trash Bag on -the – go:

Connect this to your diaper bag.

http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Hammer-Diaper-Dispenser-Colors/dp/B001QKDI48/ref=pd_sim_ba_50

Baby Mirror:

I love having this in my car so I can see her in the car seat.

http://www.amazon.com/Brica-Baby-In-Sight-Mirror-Gray/dp/B004L2JJAK/ref=pd_sim_ba_27

Diaper Bag:

This is the diaper bag I have.. i actually have two. One was a gift from my Texas neighbor and a bit more stylish. But this one is much more functional and unisex.  We have the red color.

http://www.amazon.com/Diaper-Dude-Bag-Black/dp/B000G2B2PY/ref=pd_sim_ba_69

Lanolin:

Have this ready for your nipples the first month.  I don’t need it any more unless i get chapped, but you WILL need it the first couple of days. MAN. CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP… OUCH!

http://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Lanolin-Breastfeeding-Mothers-Grams/dp/B005MI648C/ref=pd_sim_ba_89

Tummy Time/Activity Gym:

Get something like this to practice rolling over, strengthening holding his head up, crawling etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Melodies-Lights-Deluxe/dp/B000FFL58Q/ref=sr_1_9?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325648633&sr=1-9

Jumper:

This is another fun thing for baby when he is about 3 months and can hold his head up.  Perfect distraction while you are making dinner or folding clothes etc.  (so domesticated you will be! hee hee)

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-K6070-Rainforest-Jumperoo/dp/B000I2UJ0Q/ref=pd_sim_ba_3

Car Seat:

This is what we got.  Very pleased with it.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=aKu&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=baby+car+seats&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=13493184388326502809&sa=X&ei=rOeIT8rqOsarsQKhlYnECQ&ved=0CMIBEPMCMAU


Bumbo seat:

Perfect for feeding the baby in when he can hold his head up. OR for watching TV etc. My baby LOVESSSSS her bumbo.  Her BFF hates it.  Like everything, it’s subjective to the babies’ desire.

http://www.amazon.com/Bumbo-402-Baby-Seat-Blue/dp/B0007ORN7M/ref=pd_sim_ba_4

Baby Bjourn and Ergo baby:

My baby digs it- but some babies hate it.

http://www.amazon.com/Babybj%C3%B6rn-Miracle-Carrier-Black-Silver/dp/B005AUYEHA/ref=pd_sim_ba_25

Some people think the ergo baby is better.

http://www.amazon.com/Ergo-Carrier-Black-Camel-Lining/dp/B0010PW3A4/ref=pd_sim_ba_84

Moby Wrap:

When my baby was a newborn, she LOVED being in this one. It’s like being in a papoose!

http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Original-Carrier-Chocolate/dp/B000X4WORU/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1325648969&sr=1-1

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New town, new season, new baby, and lots of tv.

10 Apr

I have a typical tale to tell. We recently moved to a new town, it’s spring time FINALLY,  I’m a new stay at home mom and it’s a new way of life.  I LOVE being a stay at home mom.  I’m not gonna lie.  It’s SO fun.  I had to bow out of work in my 8th month of pregnancy.  That last month ½ was INCREDIBLE.  NO WORK…Sleeping in… watching my programs on the tele, spending time with absolutely THE BEST husband, pedicures, shopping,  take naps with the pups….. then the baby came. Change but in the best way! I’m very lucky to be able to stay at home with my little one and watch ALL of the ways she changes every day.  Mostly, I’m really thankful that I don’t have to have anyone else watch her right now.  I think I would be a basket case if I had to leave her with ANYONE other than maybe my Mom or MIL/FIL.  No one is worthy to be in her presence as much as me or my husband.  She’s so fantastic. AND she is so smart. Seriously, I know parents are bias… but OMG, she is the smartest baby on the planet.

With this new lifestyle, I’m having to find a new “groove” in my day to day living.  I have ALWAYS held down a steady, good paying job.  The fact that I don’t have a “job” to drive to and execute every day is a different kind of living for me.  I’ve been trying to treat my new lifestyle/role as my job (because it IS a job—the best job).  I’m tackling lots of cooking, learning how to clean (sorry mom, it never took as a youngin’) and keep my child entertained.

In the midst of all my daily chores, I record A LOT of tv. Ever since I was introduced to the DVR, I have recorded and kept up with an impressive list of shows.  I have been saying FOR YEARS that I would be an excellent tv program critic.  I love my programs and I love a good story—especially when I am taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride.  I love even more awesome talent acting and Here are the shows I am currently watching/evaluating at the moment:

Once Upon a Time (NEW)

Desperate Housewives

GCB (NEW)

Smash (NEW)

Dancing With The Stars

NCIS

NCIS: Los Angeles

Unforgettable (NEW)

Scandal (New)

Law and Order: SVU

Fashion Star (NEW)

Celebrity Apprentice

The Client List (NEW)

Revenge (NEW)

BFF (NEW)

Up All Night (NEW)

Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (NEW)

Touch (NEW)

Awake (NEW)

Person of Interest (NEW)

The Mentalist

Grimm (NEW)

Missing (NEW)

The River (NEW)

Castle (NEW)

Long Island Medium

Cake Boss

Little People

Alcatraz (New)

Don’t Trust the B**** in Apt 23 (NEW)

American Horror Story (NEW)

Justified

Sons of Anarchy

Some may say I waste a lot of time on these shows, or some may say “you have a 6 mos old child, how can you spend your time watching all of those shows?”  Easy.  I’m a multi-tasker and I LOVE TV series—it’s like one big extra long movie.  Love it or hate it, it’s what I do.

Binky catastrophe in the nursery- gotta go!

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