Jenn's Journal

Review- Amazing Baby

Truthfully, I put of even looking at this book until yesterday because the last thing I want to do with  my failed reproductive status is look at adorable babies.  But turns out Amazing Baby is much more than just adorable babies.

Yes, there are lots and lots of adorable baby photos.  It's really about the growth and development of a child during the first two years.  With interesting facts about how babies grow and change, it touches on all their body systems and how they start to move, learn, and communicate.  For example, did you know that human babies are the only primates to smile at their parents?

My favorite part is the overlays.  There are several full color tracing paper overlays that lay on top of a photograph showing, for example, how the skeleton of a baby looks.  It appeals to the science geek/nurse in me. 

It sells for $40, but Amazon has it right now for a good bit less and free shipping.  It would make a nice baby shower gift, especially for first time parents.  You can also try to win one!  Leave a comment on this entry and I'll pick a winner Saturday for a copy of the book.

Find out what others are saying at The Parent Bloggers Network.

Review and giveaway! My Baby A to Z

William and Nick love TV.  There.  I've said it, I admit, I own it.  Since Dave and I both work from home, they watch more TV than I'd like, but it is what it is and I've stopped feeling guilty about it.  So there.  After breakfast they ask if they can "WAT SHOWWW?  PWEASE MAMA?  WHERED MOTE GO?" and most times my answer is yes.  But there are only so many episodes of Sesame Street I can watch without wanting to go on a homicidal rage against anything brightly colored and furry.  So new shows are a plus.

We do have some rules though.  Any TV they watch on a regular basis has to be educational.  This helps lessen my guilt.  It doesn't have to be drilling letters and numbers into their head (though the love letters and numbers), but it does have to teach some sort of lesson.  Also non-violent.  And age appropriate.  The only exception to the educational rule is movies, which are a rare treat and usually reserved for if they are sick. 

The boys were more than willing testers for the My Baby A to Z DVD.  I was happy to have quiet for 23 minutes.  Except they weren't quiet because it's pretty engaging and they were yelling out shapes to the TV.  DERE!  DERE A STAR!  At first I didn't think they were that into it, but the more they watched, the more they seemed to like it. 

There are your puppets, also music, animation, and kids.  They review shapes, circles, triangles, squares, stars, and rectangles.  Nick was disappointed OTTADONS (octagons) weren't included.  What I liked was that it was easy for parents to get involved and ask kids questions, etc.  After it was over we looked for various shapes around the room and they were really into that.  It also engages them instead of just passively presenting information.  William especially liked it and got very excited about shapes.

But don't take my word for it!  Thanks to the good people at Grimix and The Parent Bloggers Network, I have a copy to give away.  Leave a comment and tell me your favorite children's show, movie, DVD, whatever, either current or from your own childhood, and I'll pick a winner at random for a copy of the DVD.  The Parent Blogger Network also has 20 copies to give away, check out their post for details on entering the contest there.

All about eggs

Something you may not have known is that World Egg Day is October 10th.  Or maybe you did know.  I am not one to judge your ovum-knowledge.  Either way, I think we should all get a day off work.  If your boss won't go for that, there are other activities on the American Egg Board website like decorating an egg or catching eggs falling from the sky in a basket before they smash.  Which was way more fun than I am willing to admit to, even if two small someones did count each one that smashed, loudly, making me feel like I was no good at it.  Ahem.

Or, you could cook.  I personally think eggs are best in things like cake and brownies.  But Dave and the boys love eggs.  I found leeks and potatoes at the farmer's market, so I thought a leek and potato frittata was in order and called it Irish Eggs.

Being as how I have neither made nor eaten a frittata, I required assistance.  Unfortunately, my normal assistants decided nap time was for LOSERS and hadn't had any sleep.  Nick ended up crashing on the couch so William, me, and my trusty Fannie Farmer cookbook (seriously, if I had to pick one cookbook for the rest of my life, that would be it) were on our own. 

Potato and Leek Frittata

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 cup 1/2-inch cubes peeled potato
• 1 cup sliced leeks
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and the oil in a skillet.  Add the potatoes and leeks and cook until the potatoes are cooked and lightly browned.  Put into a bowl, toss in the parsley and cheese, and set aside.  Combine the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper, and add to the potatoes and leeks.  Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet.  Pour in the egg mixture and cook very slowly over low heat, pricking the top with a fork and lifting the bottom gently.  Cover and cook 2-3 minutes until the bottom is brown and set.  Slide out onto a dinner plate and invert into the pan.  Or else place the frittata under a preheated broiler until the top is brown.

Now, I learned a few things from this recipe.  One, potatoes cook a lot slower than leeks, so get the potatoes going first before adding in the leeks.  Two, don't call your grandmother while the frittata is under the broiler or it might get a little too brown on top.  Three, I used too big of a pan and it was really thin.  Four, waiting for things to cook is boring if you can't help because you are two and the stove is hot and cause and effect is something you're still working on.  And five, leeks can double as a wig if needed.

You can check out other egg recipes at The Parent Bloggers Network.

Maybe the grass IS greener

The most William and Nick know about money at two years old is that coins make a loud noise when you drop them in a bank.  And if you shake it, MORE GLORIOUS NOISE.

I have absolutely no idea what the right approach is to teaching kids about money.  I've read that paying them for chores teaches them to work for it.  But then I read that chores should be expected and they shouldn't receive monetary compensation for it because that's just an expected part of being a family.  I don't know which is right. 

What we have done for them though is opened up a bank account for each of them.  Any gifts of money they get go right in there.  We also contribute a small amount monthly.  My hope is that they won't blow it all on...whatever it is 18 year old boys blow money on.  I do have one story that I'll be passing on to them.  They can take what they want from it.  Hopefully the message is powerful enough to leave an impression. 

My uncle mowed lawns for money as a boy.  His father took half of his money he earned and put it in the bank for him.  He never touched it.  Through the miracle of compound interest, when he died unexpectedly a few years ago leaving behind my aunt and three young cousins, the bank closed the account and sent a check.  For enough to buy three of the SUVs I drive.  With some leftover for floor mats. 

If you want to see how other people are teaching their kids about money, check out the Capital One blog blast at The Parent Bloggers Network.  Capitol One also has some interactive eLearning tools to help families learn about money management.  Mowing lawns optional but recommended.

Review: Noodleboro Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game

Hasbro and MomCentral sent me a Noodleboro Learning About Manners Picnic Basket Game to review.  Manners are a big deal around here.  Well, they're a big deal to me.  The boys are two.  They don't really care.  But they do say please often and thank you a good bit of the time.  They get a little mixed up with thank you though and say it when they hand me something because usually I say thank you when they give me a book/toy/piece of string/week old goldfish cracker that they find on the floor.  So a game that teaches manners I'm all for.

I broke it out the other night.  There's a picnic "blanket" that is the game board.  Each side has pictures of picnic items and there's a picnic basket with tokens that match the items.  They are color coded.  You take turns asking for a token (with good manners).  If you forget to use your manners you can have a reminder but if you keep forgetting you have to skip a turn.  The goal is to match all your items.  There are also ant tokens and I can't figure out what those are for.  There was also a story book and CD included.

It's for ages 4 and up.  Mine are 2, so we couldn't quite play it the way it was intended.  Nick had fun trying to match the pieces.  William had fun emptying the picnic basket and filling it back up again.  Both of them asked to play again the next day. 

I still believe the best way to teach good manners is to mirror them yourself, but this is a cute little game.  I don't know that I'd spend $20 on it myself, but it would be a good gift.  Or hey!  Buy one and donate it to your kid's classroom.  Definitely a good game for a class although I think it's only four players at a time.  They are giving away 200 games to people who sign up through this link, so maybe you could win one.  I'll be holding on to mine till they are bit older.

Summer safety

I'm a safety nerd.  At my last job my nickname was Fire Marshall Bill since I was the Safety Committee and was in charge of evacuation in the event of a fire.  I suggested we all wear yellow plastic hard hats to our committee meetings.  My loving co-workers obliged.  We also made The Safety Dance our theme song.  I won't back out of a parking space without putting on my seatbelt.  So yeah, safety conscious.

Mommydocs has a list of five summer safety tips that I'll put below.  I hadn't heard about this website before Mom Central sent out an email about it, but it's actually pretty cool.  Lots of good info, an "Ask the MDs" section, articles, links, etc.  The best tip on there I think is about sunscreen.  It's so important.  I think half my family has had skin cancer.  ONE bad sunburn in childhood DOUBLES the risk for melanoma later in life according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.  One.  So slather them up, check out the site, and here are the other tips:

• Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Look for products that provide "broad spectrum" coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Use this sunscreen routine with your child--daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future. In addition, don't forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.
• Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child. For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellent. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.

• Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria. To keep the pool free from unwanted "swimmers," after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it's a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.

• High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink! Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.

• Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicing in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather. But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine. If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.

Book Review: The Fertility Journal

When I first agreed to review this book, I was feeling a lot better about the whole not having more kids because my uterus SUCKS thing.  But by the time it arrived I was back to crying at newborns and pregnant bellies and pregnancy test commercials.

Ah, the life of an infertile.

So I approached The Fertility Journal ready to hate it.  I thought, I bet they tell us to track our cycles, have sex on day 14 and maybe throw in a reference to good ole' EWCM.  Then I saw it was by the editors of Conceive Magazine, I was pleseantly surprised.  When I saw the forward was by Geoffrey Sher, I was downright hopeful.

The first part is broken down into 12 monthly sections with spots for each day to write down your BBT, CD, etc.  There are also tips and info on women's health and places to journal.  What I didn't like was that on almost EVERY SINGLE PAGE was a little box with a "Looking ahead to pregnancy" box with pregnancy tips and info.  I know getting pregnant is the whole point of the book, but do we need it right there every single day?  Like, yeah I know you just got a BFN and all but did you know that not all women experience food craving?  Oh right, you don't because YOU AREN'T PREGNANT.

Ahem.

So after you get through the twelve months of torture trying, you get to the more infertility based info.  There's short sections on diagnosis, acronyms, etc.  There are also weekly calenders, but in this part there are spaces for appointments, treatment plans, medications, dosages, journal questions, etc.  And NO pregnancy tips, thank goodness.  There is only space for two treatment cycles though.  Pretty hopeful I'd say.  I went through seven and I feel like I got off easy in a lot of ways.

The last section (which is the smallest) is on pregnancy.  To be honest, I didn't read that part.  I can't right now.  I flipped through it long enough to see that it's short, has a place to write down questions for your doctor and addresses.  There's also a resource section in the back.

For the hard-core infertiles, you probably won't find this really useful.  But if you're just starting out and think you might have problems, or it's taking a little longer than you thought and you're getting worried, or you already know you have an existing issue, this might be helpful.  I can't keep it in the house any longer because thinking about having more babies makes cry, so if you would like my copy, leave a comment and my random number generator (aka Dave, although Nick may stand in if he is unable to fulfill his duties but I'm warning you Nick only counts to two.  Trying to get to three goes like this: One! TWO!  One!) will select a winner.

Be a Dancing Queen

Without shame, I admit to have Dancing Queen on my iPod.  With slight shame, I'll admit to singing along at top volume.  If my sister is in the car with me, I'll sing even louder...but so will she.  It's quite a sight.  Not quite as big a sight as the time in seventh grade where I had to choreograph a song and lip sync and dance along with two other girls.  We chose a Debbie Gibson song.  And I admit that with great shame. 

Anyway, Ponds is having a contest.  If you're over 40, grab two friends and sing Dancing Queen or Mamma Mia.  Make a video of your performance and you can win a trip for the three of you to London.  Details are here, but the deadline is April 30th.

Any other cool contests out there?   

Book Review: The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting

I'm usually don't read parenting books for fun.  I'm more of the "wing it and hope for the best" kind of parent.   But The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting sounded interesting and I'm all about review copies.  The book was entertaining.  I don't know how much I really got out of it for parenting advice, but I did have a good laugh at lines such as this upon seeing a Diaper Genie for the first time:

Tal and I stood there in horror, a sensation made all the more acute when Dylan opened the top of the Genie to prove just how functional it actually was.  Curling around the inside of its cylindrical body, like the guts erupting from some cheap sci-fi movie monster, was a string of what looked like shit sausages.  I nearly threw up in my mouth.

There are lots of war stories from Uncle Brett Berk's days of running a preschool which are quite amusing.  As for advice though, I didn't really get a whole lot out of it.  Many of the ideas and suggestions I either flat out didn't agree with (absolutely no breastfeeding passed age two under any circumstances, even though my boys stopped at one) or were things I already do or know.  It focuses heavily on toddler/preschool age issues.  Uncle Brett is also heavily opinionated.  Case in point:

I'm sure there are instances in which homeschooling feels necessary: where the schools are truly and intractably terrible, where moving isn't an option, where you're an insane Christian fundamentalist who believes bigoted brain-washing benefits children.

Fine if you happen to agree with those opinions, probably alienating if you don't.  Although I'm guessing if you are one of those insane Christian fundamentalists, you probably wouldn't have picked up a copy of The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting anyway.  For those who are fact and research junkies, there's not a lot of that either.  But if you're looking for a light-hearted, amusing book with some tips from a child-free by choice gay man with lots of experience in early childhood as a teacher and preschool director, this is a good choice.

If you want to check it out, I do have a second review copy to give away.  Just leave a comment and I'll pick someone using a highly scientific method which usually involves asking Dave to pick a number.

Review: Clorox Green Works

When I decide what cleaning products to buy, I have a few criteria.  In order of importance: Does it work?  Does it smell good?  Is it mostly free of harsh chemicals?  Is it cheap?  Clorox generally makes pretty good products so I was pretty excited that they were making a natural product.

They sent me the general surface cleaner and the glass cleaner.  Dave tried them first (I know, I was shocked too).  He liked them.  He thought they worked pretty well, smelled good, and felt the glass cleaner actually made a dent in the legendary soap scum on our shower door.  (Seriously, it's so bad and I can. not. get. it. clean. no matter WHAT I use or how hard I scrub that I'm considering replacing the doors.  Suggestions welcome).  I looked at the shower doors when he was done, and I don't personally see a difference.

I didn't try the glass cleaner myself, but I did give the general surface cleaner a whirl tonight while I was doing what most people do this time of year, taking down my Christmas decorations (I know, I know).  So since everything had been sitting out since, oh, early December, there was quite a bit of dust and dirt.  I have to say, I wasn't impressed with the Green Works in terms of how well it worked.  I mean, yeah, it was dirty, but not that dirty and I had to go over it several times before I got up all the grime.  In terms of smell though, I was pleasantly surprised.  I hate scented things.  I hate scented candles.  I hate scented lotion and soap.  Perfume is evil.  Green Works had a light, citrus scent.  It was definitely not over-powering and probably would be good if your in an enclosed space (like cleaning the shower doors for the 18 millionth time for example).  It's made with coconut and citrus based cleaners.  I don't know how the price compares though.