Christmas Advent Calendar Idea

How cool is this idea?  I may have to hijack this next Christmas for EMC. 

Christmas book Advent calendar

[Reblogged from Babyccino Kids]

Sayonara Soother

Yeah, remember this post?  Well, I take the part back about the Nuk Pacifier being one of my favorite things.  Why you ask?  Because this very "favorite thing" has been the bane of our existence ever since I wrote that blog post!!  


For months we have not had issues putting Evelina to bed with the pacifier.  She would eventually spit it out but would continue to sleep peacefully even through the light portion of her sleep cycle, which meant we would sleep peacefully as well.  But a couple of weeks ago, something changed and she is now dependent on the dang thing which requires us to head into the nursery multiple times per night to replace her plug, after which she will go back to sleep immediately (most of the time...except usually around 3:30am when she likes to stay up for 15 or so minutes gazing around, perhaps spitting the pacifier out just to get us to go in again for her to smile at us...she knows very well what she is doing!!).  


I've mentioned to Chris that we need to stop giving her the binks at night since I think it's what's causing her night-waking, but I just haven't pulled the trigger yet.  Now, it would have made the most sense to have done this while I was off from work for 5 days since I suspect there will be some crying involved, but the caring mother who doesn't like listening to her dear daughter cry multiple times a night just keeps going in and giving her what she wants.  Bad move, BIG.HUGE.  


So, tonight I am going to attempt to put Evelina to bed sans binkie and we shall see what happens.  I'm not against her having it while in the car or if she needs it during the day to curb a case of the fussies but by hook or by crook I will wean the child from the need to use the binkie during naps and night-time sleep!! She is beyond the newborn sucking phase so there is no reason that she can't learn to sooth herself to sleep without the aid of a prop (mind you we still swaddle but that is another issue).  I'll let you know how it goes.  Wish us luck!!

Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump

I broke out the Jumperoo last week hoping that Lina would enjoy it. We went through a tough couple of weeks where she would only tolerate her toys for about 5-10 minutes max before she got antsy and wanted a change of scenery. Even the floor gym wouldn't make her happy!! In came the Jumperoo. So far she likes it but she hasn't really gotten the hang of the jumping part quite yet. She will bounce a little here and there but she would much prefer grabbing the hanging cat rattle. 

Sitting High

Even though we don't plan to start Lina on solids for another few weeks, we thought we would start getting her used to the high chair. She hasn't been thrilled with it just yet and either tries to scoot out of it or fusses, but hopefully she will begin to enjoy it. She did have some fun with Sofie though last week...but not for too long!! 

Milestone :: Rolling Belly to Back

Today, Evelina surprised me by rolling belly to back for the first time. Yay!!  I was convinced that she would actually roll back to belly first since she's been so close for over a month, but either way, I am very proud of the little string bean. AND, very happy that she decided to achieve the milestone on my day off!!  What could be better?   

PS: I think it may be time to retire the bodysuit she's wearing; she's a little young to be flashing cleave. 

Christmas is a Comin'

Christmas is just around the corner and will be here before we know it.  I am already overwhelmed with the thought of Christmas shopping.  I am hoping I can do a lot of online shopping this year but there are always things that require a trip to the crazy mall.  Hopefully having Friday's off will help me avoid the Rt. 9 parking lot traffic on route to the Natick Collection.  Here are a few things that I hope Santa brings this year:  

Beaba Babycook Baby Food Maker - I plan to make as much of Lina's baby food as I can find time for so I think this will be useful (since you can steam veggies right in it and then puree), in addition to the immersion blender we already have.  Hopefully I will be able to freeze a bunch so these are a must (any color will do).   

Cooking for Baby - I'm not very creative when it comes to recipes and don't like just making them up on the fly so this should help with my baby food making initiative.

Child of Mine - Feeding with Love and Good Sense 

Splat Mat - I have a feeling this will come in handy once the introduction to solids begins in a month or so.  Plus, it is super cute.  

Embroidered Tote Bag - Red, Small, Regular for EMC 

Macro Lens and Tripod

Slippers - Size 9, Deep Violet 

A new wardrobe ala Anthropologie -  I am in a dilemma, my pants are too big in the tush and hip area but fit in the waist (although sometimes too lose) so if I go down a size, they would be too small.  This leads me to...

Time to work out (I think Chris has this on his wish list too)

A personal chef

A trip to Italy- Rome, Venice, and Florence will do.

Violet Cuteness of the Week

Every evening during dinner time, Violet spies on Chris and I as we dine at the breakfast bar.  She is just waiting for the moment we finish up so that she can be fed her dinner.  She is definitely smarter than we give her credit for, and very well behaved I might add (ha!) ;-)

My Birthday

Today is my birthday.  When I was 33, I gave birth to the most beautiful little being and it was the most amazing year. A year full of pregnancy, excitement, anticipation, preparation, fear, challenges, frustration, joy, fun, love, and a new addition to our family!! 30 wasn't so bad either, but if I had to rank them, 33 would be at the tippity top of my birth years.   

With this being the first birthday for which I am a mother, I've thought about how wonderful it must have been for my mother on this very day 34 years ago. Hearing that I was a girl, being introduced to me for the very first time and dreaming about what I would become. A feeling I didn't experience until my 33rd year, it now adds a new sense of meaning to this, my birthday,  It's a moment I certainly will never forget each time that Evelina celebrates her birthday.  

I don't know what 34 will hold for me but I am excited to see what it reveals.  As long as Chris, sweet Evelina, crazy Violet and my family and friends are near by, I think it will be tops.    


xo

BFF

Recently, my BFF has definitely been the slow cooker.  Dinner time can be hectic since it tends to coincide with Lina's witching hour or her bed time.  We aren't at a point yet where we can put Lina in the exersaucer or bouncy seat for play time while I cook dinner (unless I'm making a 10 minute meal).  She either likes to be held in the evenings or is tired from a busy day at "school" and would rather hit the crib.  In comes the slow cooker, I whip something up on Sundays and we have leftovers during the week.  It has been great.  What else is great?  Chris cooking more!!  My fave slow cooker recipes these days:  

Beef Stew
Chili Chicken Tacos
Tex-Mex Chicken and Beans

A Few of My Favorite Things

We are starting to accumulate more and more baby stuff and I fear that baby items will begin to explode from each window after Evelina's first Christmas.  I am just as guilty as family when it comes to spoiling the child.  I come across so many cute toys, toys that look like they would be a blast, toys that would be perfect for when she is teething, toys that I think would help her learn, and the list goes on and on.  Don't even get me started on clothes, bibs and burp clothes.  I'm the one that needs a new wardrobe but I still go crazy for baby apparel, and with Winter approaching the cuteness that is baby hats is overwhelming.

This week we added the newest baby necessity to 19 BHL.  A high chair.  Someone doesn't really dig it much so photos will be coming soon. 
 

In any case, in the midst of all of our baby gear, there are a few things that I thank the high heavens for each day:   

  

Summer Infant Video Monitor - This has to be one of my favorite things.  It just give us so much piece of mind each time Evelina is sleeping in her crib. We can check on her as often as we like (perfect for my OCD fix) but don't have to disturb her by going into her nursery.  If she makes any peeps we can quickly turn on the monitor to see if she is awake or just transitioning between sleep cycles (I've actually learned a lot about how she sleeps just from eavesdropping on her so much!!).  Even when we have to let her cry it out on occasion, it is nice to see that she is safe and hasn't gotten herself into any trouble in her crib.  Once she starts rolling, sitting up and standing, this device will become even more valuable.    

Miracle Blanket - What else can I say other than this truly is a miracle.  For a baby houdini like Evelina, this has been a savior.  We were able to use the super swaddle technique in early weeks but once Evelina bypassed the 10lb mark and grew more in length, the Miracle Blanket really became the star.  In fact, it works so well that we have a 5 month old swaddle addict on our hands who gets very mad if she gets put down for a nap/sleep unswaddled.   

Itzbeen Baby Care Timer - These days, I would forget my head if it wasn't attached so this has been a god send. It the early days I could easily keep track of when I last fed Evelina, how long she had been napping/sleeping and even how long since I had last pumped.  I found a fancy Droid app but at least with this timer Chris could keep updated as well.  She is on a schedule now but even so, this is still helpful and used everyday in our house (OCD again).   

Pump In-Style Advanced - For an exclusively pumping mama like myself, I couldn't live without this.  Although I would have preferred to actually breastfeed, Lina had other ideas, so I am just thankful that this pump has allowed me to keep up my supply for 5+ months, works quickly and isn't too much of a pain to lug around. And, considering the amount of time I've pump, I'm surprised the motor hasn't started smoking yet!!

Nuk Pacifiers - As soon as we made the decision, for my sanity, that I would exclusively pump and not breastfeed Evelina, the Lactation-Consultant-recommended Soothies went out the window and were replaced with these lovely binkies.  Evelina much prefers them and if she goes to bed with one, it will still be happily in her mouth for hours (as can be viewed by the video monitor). They work perfectly during car trips when she is unhappy in the car seat or to lull her back to sleep during nighttime wake-ups. Even though I am at a point where I would rather her not need a pacifier, these have been faboo. 

Exercise Ball - I had no idea that bouncing on an exercise ball was a baby soothing technique until the first mom and baby class I attended.  As soon as Lina started to fuss, I took my position on the ball and voila, a happy, quiet baby. Ever since that day, the ball has been a fixture in our living room and works at soothing our sweet daughter about 99% of the time.  I must have really bounced a lot while she was in utero because she is addicted to the ball just as much as being swaddled.  The only downside is that it can sometimes be a struggle when we aren't near the ball and she needs to be soothed.  I am hoping one day soon I will actually be able to use the ball for exercise instead of just bouncing a baby :-) 

Zip-Up Sleepers/Footed One Pieces - Dealing with all of the snaps of traditional sleepers can be quite annoying with a baby with ants in her pants (especially for Papa), and I can imagine that once Lina is no longer swaddled at night, we won't be wanting to fuss with snaps in the event of night time diaper changes.  In comes the zip-up sleepers/footed one pieces.  My faves are from The Children's Place, Baby Gap and Gymboree (hint hint for any one shopping for Evelina out there).  

Angel Dear Blankie - Evelina just loves blankies and this one is at the top of the list.  It is soooo soft and the perfect size for a lovie.  She snuggles with it in her car seat and during naps (when we are successful with one arm out of the swaddle).  It is very cute.  I know "they" say no blankets/stuffed animals/pilows/etc. in the crib for safety reasons but we may have to bend the rules for this blankie. 

Bibs - 'Nough said from this mama of a spitter. And it certainly helps that such cute prints exist thanks to many an Etsy seller.  

Aden and Anais Burp Clothes - See bibs.  Plus, the muslin is nice and soft, the patterns are adorable, they are nice and absorbent, and they fit nicely over the shoulder since they contour around the neck.  They can even be used as bibs which I just realized this week...yeah, I'm slow sometimes.    

Maybe I should write a post about what we DON'T use!! Ha!! If we have another babe, I will seriously be an expert. 

The Bird

Thanks for telling me how you really feel about your 5 month photo shoot.

The Sound of Sweet Giggles

Even though Lina has been giggling for over a month, it has been a challenge to actually capture it on video.  The majority of the time the camera just isn't within arms reach.  Tonight I thought I would give it a shot and had some success.  I know I sound ridiculous but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to hear the sweet sound of her giggles.  What could be better after a busy day at work? 



PS:  Apologies for the shaky camera.  It is tough tickling a baby, making jiggy jiggy jiggy noises and holding a camera all at once. 

ACHOO!!

You know when you are about to sneeze that looking up the sun or other light will sometimes trigger it? This doesn't typically work for me but I know it does for some and who knew that there is potentially some science behind it?

Well for the past few weeks this has been impacting Evelina. When we bring her outside in bright light she will sneeze, if we turn on the light in her nursery she will sneeze, even turning on the light on her crib mobile will cause her to sneeze.  I wonder if it is just a phase?  

5 Months!!

Dear Evelina,
You are 5 months old!!  Wow, a whole 5 months.  In just one month you will be half a year old.  It just seems so hard to believe.  


Every week, or sometimes daily, you try to perfect a new skill.  That brain of yours must be working so very hard to accomplish something as simple as reaching out to "pet" your big sister Violet.  We take the simplicity for granted, but for you it takes a lot of thought and concentration and I can see it in your eyes as you analyze a subject.  I thought for certain that you would be rolling over by now.  You have definitely mastered the side roll and as much as I help you by finishing the motion, it just isn't something you have the desire to do on your own quite yet.  That's okay, as long as you are happy on your back or stomach, then that makes me happy.  In addition to side rolling, you enjoy doing back bends by planting your heals into the floor or changing table and pushing up.  You even do them when we're sitting you up as if you are trying to get away from us, which isn't very nice!!  I wouldn't be surprised if you are a late crawler/walker which I guess isn't so bad...more time for your papa and I to childproof and something tells me Violet won't mind either.

You absolutely LOVE your papa.  As soon as you see him you flash your big smile.  If I'm holding you, you will sometimes shy away and nuzzle into my shoulder and then look back at him and smile again.  It is just too cute.  One of your papa's favorite activities to do with you is to just hold you and snuggle.  You tend to get antsy when held for too long though so other activities are required...like the floor gym, which you also LOVE.  


This month you have really started to use your hands with much more thought.  You will reach out for specific toys to bring them to your mouth, you will grab toys that we hold in from or you and snuggle with them...or bring them to your mouth.  You will hold our hands or fingers while we feed you and sometimes push or pull the bottle out of your mouth.  You like to reach out for my arm while on the changing table...and sometimes even attempt to put it in your mouth, and you especially like touching my face when it is near to you...although you haven't tried to put it in your mouth yet. :-)  Even Violet is getting attention from you these days.  

You have become quite the babbler and many times we can't get a word in.  You like to blow raspberries and will even mimic us if you're in the right mood.  You're teachers at "school" tell us that you enjoy sharing many stories with them each day in addition to you being very sweet.  I think the trees and birds on your crib bumper must enjoy your stories at 5am as well, since that is when you like to start your wake-up routine these days.  We are going to have to work on that.  


As much as you love so many things, there are a few things that bring the fuss on, other than you being hungry, over-stimulated or tired.  The bouncy seat isn't your favorite activity these days.  It will keep you entertained for a short time but you would prefer to be held.  Yup, that's right, sometimes you fuss to be held, you just want your mama or papa.  You absolutely HATE getting dressed for bedtime.  You will be having the best time, enjoying tubby time and your massage, chatting with me, giggling, blowing raspberries, doing your back bends and then as soon as I slip the bodysuit over your head you get very mad and cry. Making you happy again requires the intervention of your little bear friend that plays "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or me just simply blowing on your owl and tree mobile so it will catch your eye.  When all else fails, the Miracle Blanket will do the trick (yup, you are still a swaddle addict!!)...most of the time. 


It is so amazing watching you grow and learn.  One day you can't do something and the next day you can.  It is just so cool!!  Looking back even one week ago, you would only look to your right when I was holding you up on my shoulder, now you can push off my shoulder and look left or at me.  Such a simple motion but it just makes me happy to see even these simple developments occur.  I just love you more and more everyday, if that is even possible, and I'm looking forward to what new and exciting things you will learn and do this month!!  


You are the sunshine of my life,
Mommy

E and V

Over the past couple of weeks, Evelina has started to show some interest in Violet. She stares are her more frequently, will watch her run around and when Violet is within arms reach, Lina will reach out and grab her...her face, the extra skin under her chin, her legs.  It is very cute.  Violet doesn't make Lina smile or laugh yet but I'm sure once she figures out how crazy Violet is, she won't be able to contain herself.  On this particular day, Violet decided she wanted to bark at Lina, who ignored her for a brief second.  Oh, such a needy pooch. 

Chris's Fave Commercial

Chris gets a kick out of this commercial.  The baby's face in the close up shot is hilarious.

1st Halloween

We had a fun Halloween at the Ciano household.  Even though we didn't go trick or treating it was a treat to just see Evelina and Violet in their ladybug costumes.  We attended a Halloween party at Lina's daycare, carved pumpkins, ate too much candy and watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown".  Halloween has never been my favorite holiday but I'm certain in the years to come, I will begin to enjoy it more and more through the eyes of our little one(s).