argus

Robert and I have had numerous conversations with several couples having their first child on what to register for. I have used quite a few products in the last two years and evaluated their performance. I decided to write some reviews to help you choose the perfect gift (if you get invited to a baby shower) or to help you create your registry.

Things We Could NOT Live Without (in descending order):

10. Dr. Brown’s Bottles: Sure, you might as well get the BPA-free ones, although studies have shown that it really doesn’t matter. BPA is not as harmful as once thought. If your kid insists on physically eating the bottle, then DEFINITELY choose BPA-free;) The price is the same regardless. If you have a baby that has colic, reflux, or constant spit-up, you MUST have these bottles.

Pros:

Cons:

(more…)

It all began with a bottle of castor oil.

Nichole: Now this is not “castROL oil” that you put in cars, so just get that horrid idea out of your mind! Castor oil comes from a bean plant, and resembles vegetable oil in both color, texture, and taste, so honestly, it could have been worse. It is commonly prescribed as a laxative, but I have read many stories of very pregnant women using it to induce labor. Two caveats: 1) you are past the 39-week mark, and 2) you have already been having pre-labor contractions. As of the last week of July I met both criteria, as well as the fact that I was absolutely miserable, and at that point, I would have tried just about anything to get her out.

Robert: I can vouch for the “absolutely miserable” part. When it’s 96 degrees and humid outside and you look like a hippo with a gland problem, it’s obvious that yo… OW! Hey! Joking, joking!!!

N: Monday, July 31st was a rough day. I was so tired of being pregnant, and my doctor’s appointment earlier that day was quite discouraging. My obstetrician seemed pretty flippant about my lack of progress and didn’t seem to have any reason to want to induce. That along with the many, many “Are you in labor yet” phone calls I received that day was enough to send me through the roof. I blame it on the pregnancy hormones.

(more…)

So after countless dishwasher cycles and hand-washings to disinfect the multitude of parts in the Dr. Brown’s bottles, Robert and I decided to introduce “the boob” again last night, just for kicks and giggles (literally!) Audrey took to it like a fish in water, and loves to eat now! Prior to last night, she was a very finicky eater, and would only eat three, maybe four ounces each feeding.

I wasn’t expecting much out of the experience, especially since the lactation consultant at the hospital said she was incapable of opening her mouth wide enough (was she really my daughter??). I figured I’d try it again, since she’s a little older now, and I KNOW she is capable of opening her mouth wide! And it worked! She appears to be getting enough sustenance to get her through her three-hour cycle, and is happy as a clam. Robert and I were thinking about what it was that made breastfeeding so much different and, well, better! She was getting breastmilk before (supplimented with formula), just through a bottle, so what really was the difference? After some thought, I came to a conclusion.

I suppose for me it’s the icing on the cake to really make me feel like her mother, and not just an extended babysitter. Being able to bond with her in such an intimate way is indescribable. And on an even more personal level, I got to succeed in a task I thought was impossible. Breastfeeding was always one of those things only the uber-professional-mommies could accomplish.

It’s been a rewarding couple days:)

Today was her one month appointment. It appears all those late night feedings (Thanks, Dad!) are paying off. She weighs 9 lbs. 4 ozs.! I could certainly tell- it seems the almost two pounds she’s gained since her birth is stored up in her cheeks. She’s now ready for winter!

She has also grown two inches taller, putting her in the 75th percentile for babies her age. She better not get used to it. Tall genes (or jeans!) don’t run in her family!

Next time she will get her first round of shots. Might have to have Robert come too so he can be the strong one;)

For all those who call my cell phone in eager anticipation that little Audrey may be making her grand entrance at that moment in time: keep waiting.

Scalini’s didn’t work for me this time, although right as my 48 hour buffer time ended, I began to have some quite considerable contractions on Sunday night- to the point where I was in so much pain we called the parents to warn them it may be an interesting night. To our dismay, the contractions never got close enough together to call the OB and in an attempt to get some rest, they diminished back to the regular old cramping by yesterday morning.
(more…)