Baby Wipes

An article worth reading:
Kirkland Premium Baby Wipes (Costco) contain hazardous ingredient

Non-toxic wipes I've been using & highly recommend:
Seventh Generation Baby Wipes
 
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EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database

Pregnancy must-have items

When it comes to pregnancy items there are a wide variety of items to choose from. Now that I'm on my second pregnancy, I've discovered my two favorite items that I can’t imagine living without. You are probably wondering what they are. Drum roll please....

My first favorite item prevented me from getting dreadful stretch marks during my pregnancy with Ethan. The magical potion comes in the form of a 4 oz. tub and is called, Bella B Tummy Honey Butter. The $20 price tag can be costly, but it’s worth every penny. I lather it on my belly first thing in the morning and right before I go to bed. It also comes in a stick form, which is less gooey and convenient for on-the-go during the day. My one suggestion is to find a retailer that sells it, rather than purchasing it online. I learned my lesson the day I received the tub blistering hot and melted in my mailbox.

I recently purchased my next favorite item (not up for bid). It’s the lightweight Boppy Total Body Pillow. I purchased mine at Target, but it’s also available at Babies R Us and other retailers. I regret not having one throughout my first pregnancy. It easily puts your body in a comfortable side-lying position to allow for a good night’s rest (between bathroom runs). I especially love the washable and removable slipcover that comes with it. It takes up minimal space, so my husband can still sleep with his body pillow. The $55 I spent on it was again, worth every penny.

I give these two items an A+ rating. What rating do you give them? What are your favorite pregnancy items?

Sleep is Key

Adequate sleep is very important for children during their early years. It allows them to have the rest they need to refuel their developing bodies for the remainder of the day. Following lots of physical activity, having consistent and predictable nap times every day helps children stay healthy.

It is not always easy for children to settle down during the day to rest. This is why it is up to a parent, caregiver, teacher, or other adult to make nap times an easy transition from other activities. They should engage in quiet activities to help them rest before taking a nap.

There are several activities that will help calm children before their nap time when they ‘re away from home. One is to tell them imaginative stories with their eyes closed or read them books. Another activity is to play quiet and relaxing music with the lights dimmed or turned off. In order for children to feel comfortable they should be welcome to bring items from home, such as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal.

Parents can help to improve their children’s compliance with bedtimes by also making nap times an easy transition from previous activities. It is very important that they have a scheduled bedtime, so the child is aware when it’s time to settle down. If they eat a nutritious dinner that isn’t too close to their bedtime they should be able to have a good night’s sleep. A warm bath, massage, patting, rocking, cuddling, singing, and reading are some ways to help put a child in a state of relaxation to prepare them for bed.

For more sleep-related tips visit: http://www.babycenter.com/baby-sleep-basics.

Parenting Style

Ethan showing the sign for "pain".

After taking the “Parenting Style Quiz” at: http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/quizzes/l/bl_prnt_style.htm my results said that I am 100 percent most likely an authoritative parent. It described my parenting style as: “An authoritative parent 'operates on the belief that both the child and the parent have certain rights and that the needs of both are important. The parent is sure that she is in control and doesn't need to assert physical force to keep the child on the right track. Rather, an authoritative parent is more likely to control her child by setting rules and explaining why these rules are important and why they must be followed'.”

I agree with the results of this quiz for the most part. Before I took it I was very aware of what my parenting style is. I feel my job, as a parent is to set an example for my child by being consistent in my disciplining, teaching, and nurturing.

In order to raise him to the best of my ability in a spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy environment I established do’s and don’ts from the start. When my son does something wrong I attempt many times to handle the situation in a calm and assertive manner. I try to avoid using the word “no”, but say it if he does something potentially harmful to himself or others. I look him in the eye, explain what he did was wrong, and tell him to be gentle and nice. Since he knows sign language I also explain to him that he caused pain, while showing him the sign. If that doesn’t work I put him in his crib for a brief time out and again, explain why he is there. If that still doesn’t work then I spank him over his diaper, explain the disciplinary action, then give him a hug and kiss, and tell him “I love you.”

I only believe in using the method of punishment as a last resort, and then make sure my son knows that I am doing it because I love him and care about him deeply. I noticed that as long as I nurture my son and am attentive to his needs then he does not act up very often, since he has my full attention. This makes both of our lives easier.

My parents and parent-in-laws used the same parenting style while raising me and my husband. They have been our role models in helping us develop the same parenting style, since we feel we were raised in a healthy environment.

What's your parenting style? Do you have any parenting advice you want to share?

The World According to Me

I consider myself to be a Christian and thus the foundation of my morals and values is based on God’s word, the Bible. My relationship with Jesus Christ directs my life, thoughts, and actions. In order of importance, I value and honor my relationship with God first, followed by my husband Ryan whom I dated for nine years and have been happily married to for two years. I also cherish my baby Ethan who is 16 months old. He is what keeps me motivated to finish my last year of college. In addition, I value all of my relationships I have with the rest of my family since I love them all very much.

The good and bad circumstances that I encounter with my family do not impact my character. I wholeheartedly believe that “I can do all things through Christ who is my strength” (Philippians 4:13).

All of my past experiences have shaped who I am today and affect the things and people I value. For instance, if I had been raised in a poor family rather than a middle class family I would not have had the opportunity to attend a private Christian school when I was young. I may not have done as well academically when I switched to public school in the fifth grade. In addition, I became well educated about the Bible and Christianity in private school and would not have had that foundation if it were not for my parents.

When I was 12 years old my parents got divorced, which had a huge impact on my life. Being a pre-teen was a rough age to experience such a major change. It affected my view on relationships and marriage. I often wonder if their divorce is what steered me towards many bad relationships at such a young age. I had such a strong need for affection to fill my void of loneliness and despair, which caused me to find love in the wrong places. I wonder if my parents were still married today what my life would be like. I know it would be completely different than it is now.

Looking back now that I am older I realize that everything in life happens for a reason and my experiences have definitely molded me into the person I am today. Having a baby has changed my outlook on life. It now makes sense to me why my parents did the things they did. I now realize how important it is to try to set an example for your child and raise them with morals and values.

My relationship to the world around me seems like a whirlwind because I currently have a busy lifestyle. Being a full-time wife, mother, and student I have to be extra careful how I manage my time and whom I devote time to. I have a responsibility to my husband and son to be a good wife and mother. In order to better our family I know I must obtain my bachelor’s degree, which is why I currently have the responsibility to finish school.

I feel my responsibility to the planet is to protect it and take care of God’s handiwork by keeping it clean and by being environmentally friendly. The way we treat the planet today will affect my son’s future. There is no planet that is as phenomenal as planet earth. Within my time and financial restraints I comply with “earth-friendly” directives.

I rely on my faith with absolute certainty to give me answers on life. By trusting God, I accept my life why I was born when I was and as an American citizen, why I was born into my particular family, why I got pregnant when I did, and why I met my husband at such a young age. Some of the things I also know for sure are why I decided to attend the University of La Verne, why I decided to get married, and why I put my baby’s needs before mine.

I wanted to attend the University of La Verne because of their outstanding communications department. I knew without a doubt that I was ready for marriage because I dated my husband for many years and was ready for the next level of commitment. I put my baby’s needs before mine because he is a part of me and I love him unconditionally. I know the strong impact parents can have in raising a baby, especially during the first couple of years as their brain develops and absorbs everything like a sponge.

At a young age my parents and teachers told me that Christ died for my sins and rose again, so I will live in heaven with Him for eternity. The ethics and morals in my household were modeled after Jesus Christ and I was taught the importance of glorifying Him. My belief meets my need for love, peace and contentment. No matter how rocky things get in my life I have comfort in knowing that I can turn to God through prayer when I feel like I have nowhere else to turn. He is what keeps me motivated to better myself and try to live each day to the fullest.

According to my beliefs that God created the world, when I die I will go to heaven to see Him and other believers. This information definitely influences how I live each day because it gives my life a purpose and a meaning. During the tough times I have encountered I would have wanted to give up a long time ago if I had not believed in God.

I know what right and wrong is because of what I was taught at a young age by my parents and teachers. My understanding of right and wrong was different when I was a teenager than it is now. I thought it was wrong and not fair that I had a curfew, could not go on dates alone and had to attend school everyday.

Now that I am a parent I realize the importance of standards of behavior and the necessity of implementation. I try to refrain from doing wrong because I do not want to sin and disappoint God, my family and myself. The opposite holds true for what compels me to do right. I want God and my family to approve of my actions. When I have to make difficult decisions or choose goals I consider the consequences of my actions. Even though it is not always easy, I try to think before I act.

I choose to get up every morning because I treasure each day because each and every day is a gift of God. At this stage in my life I have many roles and responsibilities. First of all, I am a young woman of God, a wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and college student. My goal is to find a proper balance and meet the needs of these varied relationships.

Guiding principles for me are from the word of God – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).” “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).

His Temperature’s Rising and I’m Feeling the Heat

The clock strikes midnight and I decide to get a good night’s sleep before my long day at school tomorrow. After all, I’m exhausted from a busy week.

I’m sound asleep when I hear my 15-month-old son, Ethan let out a frantic cry. I quickly put on my glasses so I can make out the numbers on my alarm clock. For a minute I think I’m dreaming until he lets out an even louder cry. I realize it’s barely 2:00 a.m. and I’ve only been asleep for two hours. Why is he awake now? He usually sleeps through the night. I wait a couple of seconds to see if he’ll go back to sleep, but it becomes obvious that he wants me and he wants me now!

My motherly instinct is telling me that something is not right. I go into his room and can immediately tell by taking one look at him that he’s sick. His eyes are dark and heavy and his forehead feels blistering hot. After struggling to have him hold still to take his temperature I discover he has a 104-degree fever, which is the highest it has ever been. A dose of Tylenol, a cold washcloth on his forehead, and some cuddling should put him right back to sleep. Well, that’s what I think but evidently I am wrong. We painfully stay up all night long together.

How can I be upset that my little guy is sick and wants his “mama” to comfort him all night long? Smiling, I reminisce back to when I was a little girl and feel blessed to have had a mom that was always there for me when I was sick.

I decide to go to school late because Ethan is still in bad shape. He has another fever and will be devastated if I leave. Fortunately, my husband is off work and will have to be Mr. Mom until I get home.

The next day Ethan is still fighting a fever, along with teething pain and a terrible diaper rash. Everything happens the week after I wean him, which I have correctly predicted. The doctor prescribes him antibiotics for the first time to treat his ear infection, as well as cream for his sore bottom. I try to be optimistic since he’s a healthy boy and things could be much worse. People whose babies are sick all the time would love to trade places with me.

Caring for a sick child is not easy and requires patience and understanding. It was agonizing to see my baby in pain and not the happy little guy he normally is. I felt like my life was put on hold until he got better. When I had to leave him I felt horrible and struggled to hold back tears on my long commute to school. Luckily, my professors were very sympathetic. My whole world revolved around Ethan, which caused conflict between my role as a mother and role as a student. My role as a mother superseded all of my previous commitments.

This experience has taught me lifelong valuable lessons on how to balance my different roles, which is a common scenario for many mothers. It has also taught me how to overcome the difficulties in life, which will ultimately make me a better person. At least the next time my son gets sick I will know what to expect...maybe?

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