Non-negotiables

I get it. I am so much like my dad. Though I have never openly admitted to this, I know it's true. Everyone says so. My dad is overprotective to the point of being neurotic, every detail is taken into consideration and he questions everything. Though I am more laid back than him, I still inherited this need to dig deeper and seek information without taking anyone's ideas as fact. It took a long time to choose a car seat for the Pea because 1.) I needed one that was safe. I mean, very safe. 2.) I wanted one that she could grow into and last a while because 3.) Our baby gear budget was dwindling and we could not afford the almost $400 Britax I wanted when there were other very good seats on the market for a lot less.
After much research we decided on the Evenflo Triumph (but in a much cuter print, hehe). So far I like it a lot although we need a second car seat and I will be getting a Britax and using the Evenflo as a second seat. I've learned that proper installation is just as crucial as getting a large, sturdy seat. And most important of ALL is rear-facing as long as possible.
To me, this is a non-negotiable. I have read far too many articles, watched too many videos, and read too many accounts of the importance of keeping a child rear-facing. A Swedish scientist discovered the physics of rear-facing for children in the 1960s after studying the way that American astronauts sat in a shuttle as it shot off into space.
"The impetus for modern child safety was born in Sweden 1963. The first rear-facing child safety seat was designed by Bertil Aldman of Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden. While watching an American TV program, Aldman noticed the position of the astronauts in the Gemini space capsule. By lying on their backs, in opposite direction to the force of acceleration, they were better able to withstand the acceleration. Professor Aldman believed that this principle could be applied to protect a child in the event of a head-on collision." "Since its inception in 1970, Volvo has gathered over 35,000 real world accident reports, nearly 5,000 of which involving children up to the age of 10 years old. Volvo's own research shows that a 90% reduction in injury is reported with children who are rearward facing."(Reference: Auto News)
Today I was browsing Facebook and I came across a woman who posted a photo of her 7 month old baby girl sitting in a car seat facing forward with a caption that read, "In her big girl seat :)." There is nothing smiley about this. In the event of a head-on collision, that tiny babe will most likely not survive.
I will preach no longer, but I will hope you watch this video if you need any further convincing on this topic. It does not matter if your kid is old enough to kick and complain, I'd much rather deal with a 2 year old that does not like to RF than a child I will never be able to hear again.

*WATCH ME:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWgnuTH6mqQ

On a lighter note, Olivia does not care for car seats at all and would much rather just sit in the seat but that is a totally different story.

Favorites

I am not sure why I spend money on toys. Olivia's favorite things are not toys. They are:
-dogs (obsessed, we have three and she loses it and practically crawls to get to them.)
-people's noses
-cables/cords/etc.
-the computer keyboard (that is my fault)
-did I mention dogs?

Exactly.

Toof!

We made a discovery. The sweet pea is cutting her first tooth! It is on the bottom and it is clearly peeking out but getting a photo will be very difficult. Luckily, last week I ordered her amber necklace and hopefully it will come in the mail soon!

for her happy 1/2 birthday

Relax & Unwind

Ways for a mama to take a load off on a Friday night...
A glass of wine and a chick flick?


A good book and perhaps some ice cream?


A bath with a little Beach House?


Folding some diaper laundry and calling it a night?




images via: Google

Thought

This has been one of the crappiest days I have had in a long while. I will blog about that later but I just have to say one thing because I cannot forget. Today I made a monumental discovery. As I was trying to relax and clear my head I realized that no matter what hurdle is thrown at me or what bad thing happens as long as Olivia is well then nothing can be so bad. If I see my little girl's happy smile topped with a pair of rosy cheeks then I can handle anything.

Earth Day & Thankful Thursday

Every day belongs to Earth. Without Earth, we would not exist. Today for Thankful Thursday I was going to write a post thanking Mother Earth for sustaining us even under our immense weight and of our population's greedy consumption. My good friend in blogging and motherhood posted about it first, so I will let her tell you why we are thankful today.

Here's Olivia in her Earth Day outfit. Onesie is 100% organic from Baby Gap. It says "Respect Your Mother" with an adorable stitching of our planet underneath. Next year I will start planting something in my mother in law's garden each year on Earth Day with Olivia. I think we are going to start with peas :)

Wish List Wednesday

I would like a Victorian house in San Francisco for my little family.

And one for my parents.

Olivia eating cereal

After trying a little avocado and banana, I decided to give Olivia a taste of rice cereal. I did not go straight to oatmeal because I wanted to see how her tummy did with this first. Food allergies are not at all common for us but I wanted to play it safe anyway.

I am feeding her and my sister is filming. I think our commentary is sillier than the pea's funny face covered in white goop.

Artsy

Although I am often consumed with thoughts of which organic veggie I should introduce Olivia to first or what wooden toys will suffice I am reminded of something else that is of paramount importance to her development and who she may be one day. Even though certain choices we make every day influence the person our babies will become we also have to ponder what things were really crucial in our childhood. For me, the answer is simple. My parents immersed my sister and me in music, books, culture, and art from a very early age. I cannot tell you where it began because every conscious memory I have reverts back to colorful picture books and The Beatles on the radio. These were the things that made me a creative person, not sweet potatoes.

During my pregnancy I always daydreamed of children's literature and which artists I would get nursery decor inspiration from. I hoped that listening to music that made me feel good would pass on those happy vibes all the way to my womb. If you ask me, I will tell you it worked.




I do not expect Olivia to be altered in the same way I was by my love for the arts but I do know it may fuel passions and ideas that will be all her own. The respect my parents, especially my dad, have for our ability as humans to create things that make our life beautiful is what has had the most resonating influence on my childhood and who I am now as a mother.

Mute Monday

Our weekend in photos taken by my phone.
Earth Fair in her woolies

Playing with other October 2009 babies at the cloth diapering booth

First back carry

Sitting like a big girl amongst asparagus at Whole Foods

Fun with dad

Beautiful Sunday evening outside at Grandma Barb's house

Sssshhhh...

Finally. A nap.

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday and it is funny to think how many wonderful things can fill a life in just one year. Last year, Todd bought us tickets to visit San Diego on my birthday because I was 3 months pregnant living in San Francisco and feeling homesick. My beautiful family and girlfriends threw me a birthday/oh my gosh Val's having a baby party! It was wonderful to be there and it was enjoyable because I remember finally being able to eat and not feel sick ALL day.

I often say thank you to Todd for making the pea with me. I know it sounds funny to say and he usually just laughs but I mean it! She would not be the same without him or without me and that is so special. This year I got a necklace from Tiffany's with an O for Olivia. It is simple and pretty and a huge statement but honestly the best birthday gift of all was having my silly and sweet baby girl here in the world with me.


And last but not least, here she is trying to escape like always. She keeps getting better at it. Baby-proofing is in full force around here.

Sitting pretty

Vegas and my marathon pea

Wow. I have been so tired the past few days. Many exciting things have been going on around these parts. This past weekend we drove to Vegas to celebrate my little sister's 21st birthday. The night before we left I did not want to go because I missed my sweet pea already. Isn't it just nuts? Two days away from her and I got teary-eyed hearing her babble on the phone. She stayed with my parents and I trust them as much as I trust myself but I could not help but call every hour to check on her. They got tired of it I am sure but they used to be the same way with us!
It was a nice mini-vacation, I won't lie. Not a vacation from my daughter (I do not need that) but an opportunity for us to just stop for a minute. Catching some sun and sipping on a cocktail with girlfriends never hurt anyone. It was refreshing.

It made me happy that we showed my sister a good time and we were able to get on the guest list of the lounge at the Wynn hotel called Blush. It was beautiful and we had a blast.

We all had a chance to just be together and unwind from lives full of career building, university going, and more. We walked, and laughed, and window shopped.


The day before we left, we took the little one on a picnic at the park across the street. I love that she is so used to being out in nature and still loves looking at trees and the sky. The weather is getting so beautiful here in San Diego (except for this week) and I am looking forward to many fun days in the sun showing Olivia all the wonders of this city.


The pea is really becoming mobile. She does not crawl, but she rolls so quickly! It is almost scary. Now she has to play on the floor on a sheet because a blanket is just not big enough. Olivia also does a funny and awkward sort of backward scoot to try and reach all the fun things she is not allowed to play with. I will try to get a video of it. I can already tell my hands are going to be really full with this tiny tot.

Booboo Bunny

There was another mishap on this sunny Wednesday. I was sitting on the floor with Olivia in my lap and she decided to push herself out of my arms and bump her head. Having an active child has its downsides! It was very minor but the bump made her cry. My sister walks in and reminds me that this is a situation for Booboo Bunny! What a success! Booboo Bunny saved the day :)
We have several left over from my baby party, they were party favors my girlfriends bought! They are so genius. It is a terry towel somehow knotted into the shape of a bunny with a little ice pack inside. They live in the freezer and work wonders in a time of tears.


She preferred playing with BBB instead of having her on her head :)

Babywearing Meetup

Earthquakes and Bonding

This morning I feel like I felt when Olivia was a newborn. Actually, not so much. Sad thing is my body is getting so used to interrupted sleep. I have a terrible cough and on top of that the child refused to sleep last night. I woke up from a cough attack and as soon as I was finally drifting back to sleep I heard the baby's pacifier shoot out of her mouth quickly followed by her cries. That was the cycle of the whole night. She'd cry, I picked her up, she would be happy and looking around. I would lay her down and the cycle would repeat. I do not think it was because of the huge earthquake we had that day, because she went to sleep fine when it was bedtime. Finally, I decided to feed her around 4am and as we sat there the entire building shook again! I screamed and woke everyone up. What a night! We sleep right next to the baby but she sleeps in her crib. Our bed is not big enough to safely co-sleep until she is a bit bigger but as a last resort I brought her to bed with us and voila, happily she slept with her mommy and daddy.

Recently, I have noticed Olivia's attachment to me is becoming very apparent. Before, anyone could hold her and she would be fine with it. Now, she searches for me when I am not within her vision and even cries until she sees me or is held by me again. Of course, it warms a part of heart that we have this connection but at the same time I feel bad because so many people love her and sometimes she only wants mama's arms. I have read in child development books that around 6 months babies start to realize that things or people still exist even though they do not see them. Perhaps this explains why I am suddenly sensing her attachment. Sometimes I even have to wear her while brushing my teeth!