Sippy Cup Nightmare

Jonas is a sippy cup nightmare! He's been drinking from a sippy cup since 9 months, but he only loves one kind. It's the one that leaks, like crazy. I started him on the basic Nuby soft spout sippy cup because a) it had a soft spout ... a good way to transition from a bottle and b) it was one of the cheapest. He took to it right away. He was transitioned to a sippy cup in two feedings. It didn't take my husband and I long to figure out just how much we hated those cups. A LOT!

From: www.nuby.com

They have these grooves on the nipples that are supposed to line up with notches on the handles - impossible. If they're not lined up they leak even more than usual. Oh, and the spill proof nipple mechanism, tore on 4 of the 6 cups. More leakage.

After 3 months of torture, and successfully transitioning Jonas to whole milk, we decided it was time to try something else. Next up, Avent cups. I personally love these cups. No leaking. Easy to put together. Caps that fit well and protect the spout from getting dirty. Plus, you have 3 different spouts to choose from to put on one cup (you do have to purchase the different spouts separately, they only come with one kind on them) - you've got the soft spout that's meant to be the transition spout, the regular spout, and the sport spout which allows more liquid to come through.

From: www.avent.com

Jonas, however, after using them for a month decided he hated the Avent cups. My guess as to why, he can't get as much liquid through them as he could from the Nuby cups (because the spill proof mechanism was broke of course). So, he started refusing them. Being basketball season, I decided not to try and fight with him right now and have gone back to the Nuby cups that he likes. One month later and I'm just about done with those stupid cups. I'm sure you understand just how irritating it is to have whole milk spilled on floors and carpets!

So, what do I do now? I have one Dr. Brown's cup that he did fine with this morning. I'm going to keep washing it and using it for every feeding and see how he does with it for the next few days. But then I'm torn, if he likes the Dr. Brown's cup (just about the most expensive cup out there!), do I buy a few more? Or, do I keep washing it for the next few weeks and wait for basketball season to be over and fight with him to take the Avent cups again?

 From: www.handi-craft.com

I've seriously been debating this with myself for about 24 hours straight now. I'm super frustrated because he's always been so easy with transitions that I'm stumped as to what to do next.

Anyone else have these problems? Any cups you love? Any cups you hate?

A Plug and Plea

Our youth group at Bethany Reformed Church will be doing World Vision's 30 Hour Famine again this year. While the Famine isn't actually until April, we can start raising funds NOW! This year they also have the convenience of donating online at sites set up by Famine participants. So, you guessed it, I set up a site for YOU to donate online.

The funds that we raise during the 30 Hour Famine will be used by World Vision to support the programs that they have around the world that help feed children through various projects. This year, a portion of the funds raised have already been designated to go to the efforts that World Vision has already begun in Haiti. Want to know more? Check out their website.

If you decide this is a cause you'd like to support, please, please donate online TODAY!

I thank you in advance for your support of our youth group's efforts!

1 Year

Well, we made it to the one year mark with no major incident. It's pretty exciting to have a one year old - so far, so good that is. Even though Jonas turned a year on December 27, we still haven't had a birthday party here at home for him. I'm honestly having a hard time bringing myself to spend money on a party that he will never remember! One month late, I think I will just make him a cake and have a couple of friends over to share it with us. I really do want to bake him a cake for his first birthday. Then, I can have some pictures of him with his first cake. Isn't that something I'm supposed to do as a mom? Any rules on this? Anybody?

Jonas' Grandma Triemstra did make him some cupcakes for his birthday while we were in Michigan complete with a 1 candle. Backwards to the picture. Correct for Jonas - because he knows what a 1 is!

He was totally ready to tear that cupcake apart with a spoon.

My Most Horrifying Mom Moment Yet

I can't believe I am going to admit this, but I have vowed to myself that this blog was going to be honest and not full of fluff. So, here it goes:

Jonas fell off his changing table today. I had my left hand on his belly while my right hand put the dirty diaper in the pail. He's just too wiggly and strong now. He rolled over and flipped off. He landed right on his back and his little eyes looked at me in horror. It was like, "How'd that happen Mom and why didn't you stop it??" Then he started wailing. A minute ticked by and hugs and a pacifier calmed him down. I looked him over, everything seemed in place and there were no bumps. He wiggled free from my oh so tight embrace and started playing - naked of course.

In the end, I think I cried more than he did.

Funny thing is, I was changing him to take him to a Dr's appointment, so I thought, well I guess I have to tell the doctor what a terrible mother I am so that she can make sure he's fine.

You know what she did when I told her? She laughed. That's right, laughed. Then she said to me, "Oh honey, every baby falls off the changing table, the sofa, the bed, something." Once again, the pediatrician made me feel better about my ability to care for my son properly.

In case you are wondering, Jonas is just fine. And, today, he's getting spoiled because his mother still feels awfully guilty.

What do You do During Nap Time?

While Jonas peacefully sleeps away the afternoon, I have a decision to make. Do I get some more work done like I did during his morning nap? Or, do I take a little me time? If you're a mom, no matter how many kids you have, you know how painful making this decision can be!

This afternoon I chose to take a little me time, at least for part of the nap. I spent the first 30 minutes of his nap getting dinner ready to put in the oven later, but now I am sitting here watching HGTV, drinking wine and eating chips, and blogging.

So, my question for you is this: what do you do during nap time?

Sleep Gear

While I was pregnant with Jonas, like most first time moms, I did all kinds of research on all the latest gear out there for putting the little one to bed. There's a lot! In the end, I bought two things. One of which we still use, one of which we do not.

I always loved reading reviews written by the everyday mom who had used a product - it's a lot more useful than a product description. So, in hopes of helping some mom out there, even if it's only one, I will review the two products that I purchased.

1. The Swaddlekeeper

The concept of this product is simple: you use a regular blanket, swaddle the child, then wrap it around to keep the blanket together.

Why I love it:

* It's BEAUTIFUL! I'll just put it right out there, I like to look good and I like my baby to look good too. :) I got an organic one, but I have noticed that they don't have that pattern anymore. There are other really cute ones though.

* If you're not great at swaddling (and I'm not!), no worries, this will definitely hold it together.

* My Jonas was born at the end of December and I felt like it added a little extra warmth.

* Eliminates the need to buy any specialty swaddling blankets on top of regular blankets. I love having a lot of regular blankets on hand, they're useful for many things - stroller, playing on the floor, changing baby on the floor, and so on. So, I'd rather spend my money on some nice big blankets and forgo those specialty swaddling blankets.

* It's really easy to use. Lay your little bundle on top, wrap the Swaddlekeeper around and velcro. Walah! It's done.

Why I don't love it:

* I only used it for about a month. After that time Jonas screamed, literally, when swaddled. We had to at least keep his arms out or he would go berserk.

* Even though it was a gift and I didn't spend my own money on it, I was a little disappointed and felt like I didn't get my Mom's money worth out of it. (It was $28)

My Recommendation:

Maybe consider buying this after your little one has arrived and been on scene for a couple of weeks. You'll have a pretty good idea of whether they're going to like being swaddled or not. Or, you could just ask for it as a gift. If you don't mind doing the swaddling thing and you're good at it, then you probably don't need it.

2. The Halo Sleepsack

Why I love it:

* A plethora of sizes, colors, and fabrics to choose from. They have cotton for the summer and a fleecy one for winter. We are currently using the winter material one.

* While I have had to purchase new ones as Jonas has gotten bigger, he's always liked them. He's still sleeping in one now.

* There's a lot of room in the bottom, so his leg movement really isn't too restricted. I was really worried about that at first because he moves a lot when he sleeps and I was afraid that the sack would restrict his movement and wake him up. Nope! He can still roll over while he's wearing this. He can even get up on his hands and knees, and stand.

* I zip this up over Jonas' footy pajamas and feel confident that he's plenty warm at night.

* It's a safe alternative to a loose blanket for the little ones.

Why I don't love it:

* I have to buy a new one every time Jonas grows out of one. I just keep thinking that I'll use them for the next baby - God willing. (They're about $20-$23)

My Recommendation:

This is a product you'll definitely want to check out. There are several different brands out there, so research that. Halo is just the brand that was at my local Babies r Us when I was using gift cards to shop with.

I am feeling like I want to say this is a must have, unless you live in the perfect always 75 degrees climate and never run an air conditioner.

Wow, Wow and More Wow

Do you ever have days where a bunch of great things collide and you can't even process it until the day finally comes to an end? I don't think I had too many of those before Jonas was born. Of course, before he was born I didn't get to watch a child that Nate and I gave life to (through God's miracle of course) grow up and develop. But, now I know that babies really are amazing little things, just like everyone always tells you. And now I know how exciting it is when your child learns new things.

It was only about 2 months ago that Jonas had a week where he learned all kinds of new things - crawling, getting into a sitting position on his own, and pulling himself up to stand (the first place he did that was in the tub of course). This past week was another doozy, and I really just got to process everything today.

Don't mind my bragging, in a sense it's more like sharing my relief at the way things have turned out. Jonas started taking steps a couple of weeks ago, and today, he's so close to being a full time walker (maybe in another 2 weeks). It's unbelievable, exciting, and scary all at the same time. His walking prompted me to make a few changes in his routines. I decided it was time (after not having luck before) for him to start using a sippy cup. He fought me a little this afternoon, but I just put it away and when he was fussy in 25 minutes I tried again and he drank it all, no complaints. I just gave him his evening feeding in a sippy cup with no complaints at all. My sister told me to go cold turkey on the bottles, the thought made me nervouse, but it seems like it's going to be a fairly easy battle to win. The other change has to do with bedtime. I was still giving Jonas a bottle, in the rocking chair, in the dark, then putting him straight into the crib. I know, I know, he's got 4 teeth that should be cleaned after he eats! So, tonight I put him in his pajamas, sat down on the couch (with the lights on) and gave him his sippy cup. We wiped down his teeth and gums (which, remarkably, he hardly fought me on), zipped him into his sleeping blanket, then sat down in the dark in the rocking chair for about 2 minutes. Then I laid him in his crib, kissed him good night, and left. Now, he's sleeping.

I wish you could feel all the good energy flowing around me. Sure, today was a little busier than I would like, I had to cart Jonas to the doctor's because I forgot to get a babysitter, and I had a lot of housework to get done (blech!). It's 7:40 now and I'm sitting reclined on the couch watching HGTV. Maybe I'll have some ice cream, and hopefully my dear husband will be home from his meeting soon!

Thank you Jonas for being such a big boy! I am oozing relief at your willingness to accept changes to your routine.