“Dads Don’t Babysit” Shirt Sparks Conversation

There are certain stereotypes about parenting that persist despite the fact that the world has changed. One of them is the concept that dads are not able to take care of their own children. One dad has gotten so fed-up about being called a “babysitter” that he has created a t-shirt designed to crush that stereotype. Al Ferguson is a British writer who is the founder of the Dad Network. It is a blog dedicated to the art of modern fatherhood. It is an online hub and support network for dads. You might be familiar with “mommy blogs” – but … Continue reading

Pregnancy and Last Minute Changes

Yesterday I found out that one of my two midwives left the practice.  Yesterday also happened to mark a calendar month before my due date.  As you might guess, in my hormonal state (and given that I’m also just kind of a worrier anyway), I found this all upsetting. Now that there’s only one midwife, there’s a chance I might have a regular obstetrician deliver my baby, if my midwife isn’t on call when I go into labor.  Not only that, it will be one I won’t know, because all of my prenatal appointments have been with my midwives.  It’s … Continue reading

Some Thoughts on Strollers and Baby Carriers

Over the weekend, we had some very nice weather. Even though the dirt road that we live on is muddy and full of deep ruts, I really wanted to take the boys out for a walk. Dylan really wanted me to take the double stroller out so that he could ride with his baby brother for part of our walk. I thought that it might be fun to see whether our beat up double jogging stroller (which we got from the thrift store last year) was up to the challenge. We enjoyed a wonderful walk, and since the stroller is … Continue reading

Baby Sleep is Unpredictable

Last night was brutal. My little man was up every couple of hours. Screaming for no apparent reason. It was tough. But, what made it even tougher was the fact that he had just turned a corner with his sleep habits, and had started sleeping through the night for like 5 days in a row. He is 13 months old. Unfortunately, a baby’s sleep is never predictable. I remember my daughter having episodes like that too. And, she was my best sleeper. My middle child was the worst, not sleeping through the night until he was 18 months old. And, … Continue reading

Baby’s First Snow Adventure

This past weekend, we got a monster snow storm. My kids were all excited to go play in the snow. It just kept falling, and there was plenty of snow right in our backyard to build a snowman and even a little sledding hill. While I love looking at the snow from my warm house, sometimes, the thought of getting the kids all bundled up seems exhausting, and I leave it up to my husband. But, this time, I was anxious to get the baby out in the snow and let him experience his first snowfall since last year he … Continue reading

Winter Gear For Your Snow Baby

If your baby is coming soon, you may already have stocked up on blankets, hats, and cozy clothes for your little one’s cold – weather arrival. Of course you will want to ensure that baby is warm enough during the winter. However, it is also important to consider safety while selecting which items you will use to keep him cozy. For example, there are many baby buntings and snow suits in the stores right now. Did you know that it is not safe to place baby in a car seat while he is in a bunting or snow suit? The … Continue reading

The Flu Shot for Baby-Is it Necessary?

In our house, we have always been big proponents of the flu shot. We all get them every year. And, it is that time of year again. My husband works in the medical field, and in past years, he has had to be in contact with flu patients regularly. Since our children are young, we have always been cautious. In his current job, he is not in close contact with patients infected with the flu, although he does still work in a hospital. So, I found myself asking him if it was really necessary. I had never really questioned it … Continue reading

When Will I Feel Baby Move?

One of the most eagerly awaited moments in any pregnancy is that moment when you feel baby’s first kicks. There is a wide range of when you might feel baby start kicking. Sixteen weeks is on the early end of the spectrum, and most women feel at least a little kicking by the twenty second week of pregnancy. There are a few variables that can influence when you will be able to feel baby’s first flutters. Experience can have a big impact on when you are able to notice and acknowledge your baby’s movements. Women who are pregnant for the … Continue reading

My Brave Year of Firsts

When was the last time your child’s bedtime story included details on the book’s main character crashing her two-wheeler and her mom recording the entire incident on an iPhone? Not exactly Goodnight Moon, but this is 2012, baby. If you are looking for a book modern-day kids can really relate to, then My Brave Year of Firsts is sure to be a fast favorite. While the playfully written page-turner has a classic theme–celebrating the triumphs and tribulations associated with a child’s major milestones–its approach is far from traditional. Actress turned bestselling children’s book author Jamie Lee Curtis and award-winning illustrator … Continue reading

Are You My Mother?

As I was tucking my 3 year old into bed, he asked me to read him the book, “Are You My Mother?” I love this book. It is a fun one about a little bird that goes around asking everyone if they are his mother. After I was done reading, I asked my son, “Am I your mother?” and he laughed, and said, “No!” I said, “Then, what am I?” He said, “My Mom!” I then asked him, “Well, who is my mother?” to which he quickly replied, “Mother goose!” A child’s perception of his mother is a funny thing. … Continue reading