As I'm going into nesting mode, there are so many new things out there! I've ordered a personalized going home swaddle blanket and onesie outfit from Boco Baby (boco-baby.com). I'm super excited as we've finally decided on a name. Next, I'm going to start researching nursing wear and I met the owner of Rumina at MommyCon so maybe I'll be ordering one soon. With my daughter, I only used Dr. Brown and she never threw up once from it so I never switched or tried another brand. Not going to fix what's not broken right? Well, as much as I love Dr. Brown, it was quite an investment of constantly purchasing new parts (and there is a lot of them) and the constant washing of all the parts. Again, I still love Dr. Brown and will still use it on #2 but I am going to see if I can get the same good results from the Joovy Boob. I just invested in 2 Boob bottles and I got the PPSU. The higher graded plastic bottle. They also offer a glass one which I will get if the baby takes a liking to it. But in the meantime, I'm starting to clean out stuff so I'll be able to dissect the Boob soon.
Anyone else have any product recommendations? I just love great products and buying only what you need. I spent an hour the other day with a random stranger at Buy Buy Baby going through all that she needs and what she really needs and which was the best. Who ever said to not talk to strangers took all the fun out.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Cord Blood and Tissue Banking - Why is it so difficult to understand?
As we are ticking down to the last 3 months, my husband and I have decided that we are going to bank our last child's cord blood and tissue. With our first daughter, we thought about it and was in a bit of denial and lack of understanding. When we had a scare with our daughter, I told myself that I would have paid anything to even have a backup plan. So, although I have a huge guilt now that I didn't do it for my first daughter, I won't make the same mistake again.
Now, after reading all the brochures and talking to my OB about it, I still extremely confused about all the different banks and what makes them different. I've read other blogger's blogs and have done some research down to reading FDA reports. However, I'm getting extremely confused with all the scientific terms and wish there was some description about it.
Here is the thing why its so important to understand the difference between these banks.
1. They are NOT all the same. They have different collection methods and processing methods. This results in different collections and what is important to you make not be what will be available to you later if you were to ever need it.
2. There are different price points and these banks try to entice you with a better price. But when you are spending thousands, do you really care about $100 to $200 difference versus the quality of the collection.
3. The locked in storage price is different among them and when they will change the locked in price. So, it is important for you to have some kind of long term plan on how long you plan on storing it. Sometimes, the volume collected is only good for up to a 10 yr old, so why pay for more storage after that. Or, a lot of the available future treatments will have been recognized in your child prior to reaching adulthood, so do you need to pay for more than say 18 years? Or, are you banking on future scientific research and planning on paying for the storage for as long as you can.
My biggest concern of all the 3 I've listed above is #1. I have #2 answered for myself. I'm not going to let their price point cloud my judgement because its minor in the long run. And #3, I think I have time to decide that as we go as long as I know the companies policies and contract ahead of time.
But, I cannot find answers to #1. What are the pros and cons of each bank's collection/transport method and their processing method? If I collect more volume of blood cells, am I getting more of what I need or will it be diluted with the other cells along with it? Also, based on their collection methods, when its time for engraftment, what will the quality be like and the success rate? What is the success rate at 10 yrs and 20 yrs? With so many new collection methods, do we even have data to will go that far?
So, I will be contacting the local reps of 2 of the banks as I have already eliminated it down to 2. Lets see if they get back to me and what information I will get. Hopefully I will get this info in time before this little girl arrives!
Now, after reading all the brochures and talking to my OB about it, I still extremely confused about all the different banks and what makes them different. I've read other blogger's blogs and have done some research down to reading FDA reports. However, I'm getting extremely confused with all the scientific terms and wish there was some description about it.
Here is the thing why its so important to understand the difference between these banks.
1. They are NOT all the same. They have different collection methods and processing methods. This results in different collections and what is important to you make not be what will be available to you later if you were to ever need it.
2. There are different price points and these banks try to entice you with a better price. But when you are spending thousands, do you really care about $100 to $200 difference versus the quality of the collection.
3. The locked in storage price is different among them and when they will change the locked in price. So, it is important for you to have some kind of long term plan on how long you plan on storing it. Sometimes, the volume collected is only good for up to a 10 yr old, so why pay for more storage after that. Or, a lot of the available future treatments will have been recognized in your child prior to reaching adulthood, so do you need to pay for more than say 18 years? Or, are you banking on future scientific research and planning on paying for the storage for as long as you can.
My biggest concern of all the 3 I've listed above is #1. I have #2 answered for myself. I'm not going to let their price point cloud my judgement because its minor in the long run. And #3, I think I have time to decide that as we go as long as I know the companies policies and contract ahead of time.
But, I cannot find answers to #1. What are the pros and cons of each bank's collection/transport method and their processing method? If I collect more volume of blood cells, am I getting more of what I need or will it be diluted with the other cells along with it? Also, based on their collection methods, when its time for engraftment, what will the quality be like and the success rate? What is the success rate at 10 yrs and 20 yrs? With so many new collection methods, do we even have data to will go that far?
So, I will be contacting the local reps of 2 of the banks as I have already eliminated it down to 2. Lets see if they get back to me and what information I will get. Hopefully I will get this info in time before this little girl arrives!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Do you Cuppow?
Are you a juicer? Health nut? or really aware of the benefits of drinking out of a glass bottle instead of plastic or other containers that could emit chemicals into your drink?
Let me help you because it saved my car and my frustration. Go get yourself a mason jar. Preferably one that fits in your cup holder. Then, go to amazon.com and search Cuppow and get one or 2 for yourself. Merry Christmas!!!!
Let me help you because it saved my car and my frustration. Go get yourself a mason jar. Preferably one that fits in your cup holder. Then, go to amazon.com and search Cuppow and get one or 2 for yourself. Merry Christmas!!!!
Travelling with toddler while pregnant - Orbit Baby!
So, we just took a family trip to Maui before I can't fly anymore. Made it back the day before I enter into 3rd trimester! We've traveled quite a bit with our daughter since she was born and the first time was a disaster. We rented a minivan at our destination and we brought so much stuff, we barely all fit in it. We did learn a lot from our trip and since then, we've learned to travel lighter and smarter.
Here are some tips:
1. Get a travel system that allows you to use your car seat with your stroller. Sounds easy right? WRONG! The concept of travel system doesn't really work once your child is no longer in a infant carseat. Most infant carseats dock onto a stroller but not toddler car seats. Luckily, we did think ahead and since we have the Orbit Baby, the car seat docks directly onto the stroller. We have encountered 2 different type of parents on the way. Those that give me the dirty look at what a terrible irresponsible parent I was. I had a parent come up to me and scold me about how unsafe it was to put the car seat on the stroller. She thought I was putting my child in danger and that the car seat could fall off. I looked at her and told her before she scolded me, to go on her cell phone and Google Orbit Baby. And in case she couldn't spell it, it was written on the stroller frame. The other kind of parent were the ones that kept telling me how amazing that was. Most of them were dads because they were the ones stuck carrying around the car seat at the airport.
2. Bring toiletries for your little ones that are all-in-ones. I don't like switching things up on the daughter while on vacation or away from home. So, we normally use Honest products so the Honest body wash and shampoo all in one is great! What is even more helpful, adults can use it too so we really only have 1 travel container for the entire family.
3. Travel size everything. I used to carry the gigantic bottle brushes and accessories. I found that Boon baby actually makes a travel brush and drying rack. I also found Babyganics now makes a travel size bottle dish wash too.
Most but not least, know how your baby sleeps. My daughter cannot sleep without her bumper, so we end up bringing part of her bumper set up everywhere we go but it gets her to sleep her 12 hours through the night. We make sure she has a pack n play where we go and we bring a pack n play mattress that I fold in half and put at the bottom of the suitcase.
For those of you baby wearing moms, do that! It's even easier than carrying a stroller around and checking it at the gate although it is a great purse carrier when your toddler won't stay in the stroller....
Here are some tips:
1. Get a travel system that allows you to use your car seat with your stroller. Sounds easy right? WRONG! The concept of travel system doesn't really work once your child is no longer in a infant carseat. Most infant carseats dock onto a stroller but not toddler car seats. Luckily, we did think ahead and since we have the Orbit Baby, the car seat docks directly onto the stroller. We have encountered 2 different type of parents on the way. Those that give me the dirty look at what a terrible irresponsible parent I was. I had a parent come up to me and scold me about how unsafe it was to put the car seat on the stroller. She thought I was putting my child in danger and that the car seat could fall off. I looked at her and told her before she scolded me, to go on her cell phone and Google Orbit Baby. And in case she couldn't spell it, it was written on the stroller frame. The other kind of parent were the ones that kept telling me how amazing that was. Most of them were dads because they were the ones stuck carrying around the car seat at the airport.
2. Bring toiletries for your little ones that are all-in-ones. I don't like switching things up on the daughter while on vacation or away from home. So, we normally use Honest products so the Honest body wash and shampoo all in one is great! What is even more helpful, adults can use it too so we really only have 1 travel container for the entire family.
3. Travel size everything. I used to carry the gigantic bottle brushes and accessories. I found that Boon baby actually makes a travel brush and drying rack. I also found Babyganics now makes a travel size bottle dish wash too.
Most but not least, know how your baby sleeps. My daughter cannot sleep without her bumper, so we end up bringing part of her bumper set up everywhere we go but it gets her to sleep her 12 hours through the night. We make sure she has a pack n play where we go and we bring a pack n play mattress that I fold in half and put at the bottom of the suitcase.
For those of you baby wearing moms, do that! It's even easier than carrying a stroller around and checking it at the gate although it is a great purse carrier when your toddler won't stay in the stroller....
Friday, May 9, 2014
SmArt - Do you know what that is?
I tested out the local Las Madres working mom's group a while ago. While I was testing out the new group, I came across a monthly event held at the Willow Glen library that integrated science and art for toddlers to explore. What a great learning concept for little ones! While this is currently run by 1 working mother, this program has great potential to grow for the children in our community.
Please help this mom out with her project with this simple and quick survey. The sooner the better!
https://aytm.com/rb476dd
Please help this mom out with her project with this simple and quick survey. The sooner the better!
https://aytm.com/rb476dd
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Preschool decisions
So my daughter graduated from daycare to preschool. I loved her daycare but it was time for her to be a little more challenged and to hang around children her own age instead of babies. We felt that it was better for her development. While researching all the different preschools out there and the fight to get your child in, it was hard to decide which one to fight for.
It was important to us that the school was bilingual, full days, potty trains, playground, set schedule, and relatively not too educational pushy curriculum. At 26 months, we wanted a school that was going to help more with her self development in terms of confidence, character, social, and fine motor skills. I wanted her to be introduced to a school environment so when it was time for the education push, she would be familiar with a class environment.
After touring some schools, my husband and I had to sit down to come to an mutual understanding for what was important to the both of us. It was our child and we needed to both agree and have both of our wants met. We believe that we both have to be on board together so we can support each other in raising our daughter through this transition and period of her life.
So after we did our research online, we toured the final school that we thought was a perfect fit. As soon as we toured the school, we both knew that this was the place and we immediately put in the deposit for the wait list. The director of the school told us, she was busy and if we wanted our daughter in, we would have to hassle her. Well, I did just that and 2 months later, my daughter started preschool. My husband and I had to rearrange our schedule the first week and she had half days there with us so she would get familiar with the environment. This idea actually gave from the director and I'm very thankful for that. When it was time for my daughter to start on her own, it wasn't as painful. My daughter stopped crying by the time I left the parking lot.
What was a plus that I didn't realize was her preschool also has a video camera that the parents can log on at anytime to check on their kids. I liked that idea not that so I can watch it all the time but the fact that they offer it means a lot of honesty to me. And that was comforting.
A lot of people thinks I put my kid in too early but its really a play environment based learning. It was important that since my husband and I both work full time, that my daughter wasn't deprived of thriving just because we weren't home with her. So far, we love the teachers there and my daughter seems happy and has learned so much already.
It was important to us that the school was bilingual, full days, potty trains, playground, set schedule, and relatively not too educational pushy curriculum. At 26 months, we wanted a school that was going to help more with her self development in terms of confidence, character, social, and fine motor skills. I wanted her to be introduced to a school environment so when it was time for the education push, she would be familiar with a class environment.
After touring some schools, my husband and I had to sit down to come to an mutual understanding for what was important to the both of us. It was our child and we needed to both agree and have both of our wants met. We believe that we both have to be on board together so we can support each other in raising our daughter through this transition and period of her life.
So after we did our research online, we toured the final school that we thought was a perfect fit. As soon as we toured the school, we both knew that this was the place and we immediately put in the deposit for the wait list. The director of the school told us, she was busy and if we wanted our daughter in, we would have to hassle her. Well, I did just that and 2 months later, my daughter started preschool. My husband and I had to rearrange our schedule the first week and she had half days there with us so she would get familiar with the environment. This idea actually gave from the director and I'm very thankful for that. When it was time for my daughter to start on her own, it wasn't as painful. My daughter stopped crying by the time I left the parking lot.
What was a plus that I didn't realize was her preschool also has a video camera that the parents can log on at anytime to check on their kids. I liked that idea not that so I can watch it all the time but the fact that they offer it means a lot of honesty to me. And that was comforting.
A lot of people thinks I put my kid in too early but its really a play environment based learning. It was important that since my husband and I both work full time, that my daughter wasn't deprived of thriving just because we weren't home with her. So far, we love the teachers there and my daughter seems happy and has learned so much already.
MommyCon San Francisco
This is a much delayed review on the event. However, it was a great experience and I've learned a lot. It was a mini convention for natural baby raising choices. Lots of information on reusable diapers. In fact, they brought it all out and all the different types of diapers. That was really helpful.
What I took away from this and why you should attend as a new parent:
1. There are MANY products out there that are not in stores like Babies R Us or Buy Buy Baby. I found a much better designed nursing bra that what was in stores that would have saved my back and time. There were also things that helped with cloth diapers like a toilet spray and a shield to help it from splashing everywhere.
2. You see how natural parenting has worked for many children. There were many babies there so you really see how happy, healthy, and easy that life choice is.
3. There were a lot of new products being introduced that weren't out on the market yet. So, you get the opportunity to touch and feel them. I got to try on the new Ergo Baby 360 before it was out. I love it and I plan on getting one when I have the 2nd.
Its nice because I got to speak with a lot of the inventors/owners of small businesses that are just introducing their new products that are currently only available online. Hearing how their product was made and the reason behind the invention.
What I recommend before going:
1. The San Francisco event may not have been as big as the others but spending half the day there was sufficient.
2. The meetings/conferences were extremely packed. I looked at the packed room and got terrified and left. If there is a specific one that you really want to see, get there very early and hold your spot.
3. Don't expect all the mommies there to be too friendly. Some of them are on a mission of some sort and I'm not sure what. I imagine it's because they have to be done with the place before their child's patience runs out which I completely understand. So, if you have a choice of babysitter, leave your children at home so that you can really focus and take your time experiencing all that there is. I left my daughter with my parents so I was able to focus on the new products without chasing my 2 year old.
4. Arrive light because there are tons of business cards, information, etc to hold. It gets heavy. Luckily, MommyCon comes with a great gift bag that you can throw everything in or there was The Bump that was there passing out reusable totes as well. I didn't plan ahead and brought my gigantic purse and it got too heavy. Luckily, I brought my human coat hanger (my hubby) to help me hold all the goodies.
What I took away from this and why you should attend as a new parent:
1. There are MANY products out there that are not in stores like Babies R Us or Buy Buy Baby. I found a much better designed nursing bra that what was in stores that would have saved my back and time. There were also things that helped with cloth diapers like a toilet spray and a shield to help it from splashing everywhere.
2. You see how natural parenting has worked for many children. There were many babies there so you really see how happy, healthy, and easy that life choice is.
3. There were a lot of new products being introduced that weren't out on the market yet. So, you get the opportunity to touch and feel them. I got to try on the new Ergo Baby 360 before it was out. I love it and I plan on getting one when I have the 2nd.
Its nice because I got to speak with a lot of the inventors/owners of small businesses that are just introducing their new products that are currently only available online. Hearing how their product was made and the reason behind the invention.
What I recommend before going:
1. The San Francisco event may not have been as big as the others but spending half the day there was sufficient.
2. The meetings/conferences were extremely packed. I looked at the packed room and got terrified and left. If there is a specific one that you really want to see, get there very early and hold your spot.
3. Don't expect all the mommies there to be too friendly. Some of them are on a mission of some sort and I'm not sure what. I imagine it's because they have to be done with the place before their child's patience runs out which I completely understand. So, if you have a choice of babysitter, leave your children at home so that you can really focus and take your time experiencing all that there is. I left my daughter with my parents so I was able to focus on the new products without chasing my 2 year old.
4. Arrive light because there are tons of business cards, information, etc to hold. It gets heavy. Luckily, MommyCon comes with a great gift bag that you can throw everything in or there was The Bump that was there passing out reusable totes as well. I didn't plan ahead and brought my gigantic purse and it got too heavy. Luckily, I brought my human coat hanger (my hubby) to help me hold all the goodies.
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