The Baby - or Toddler! - Shusher: A Review

I have seen lots of photos and reviews of parents using The Baby Shusher to calm their newborns and infants and promote sleep. However, I also know that white noise can be useful to small children of varied ages! I even have friends - grown ups - who use white noise to sleep better! My two year old does not like riding in the car after about an hour and a half. Guess what? We frequently visit family that lives about 3 hours away…which means the last half of our trip can get pretty noisy. For our most recent journey, I tucked The Baby Shusher in my purse - it’s palm-sized and weighs just a few ounces - just in case it would come in handy. 

So small and lightweight - fits anywhere!

Wouldn’t you know it, on the way home after an exhausting weekend with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousin playtime, Lil' Dude started ramping up his dissatisfaction at his position in the car. He started screaming requests for “CHOCOLATE”, which, in the late afternoon, I was not keen on giving him. So I rested The Baby Shusher at the top of his carseat (he is still rear-facing) while holding it. And…he stopped screaming. Then he requested to hold it. I let him hold it, and he played with it, adjusting the volume by twisting it. (Unless he threw it at a brick wall or something, there is little damage he would do to it - or it to him!) Not a peep. In just three minutes of use, he was calmed. He ceased his whining and screaming and was by comparison much happier for the rest of the trip!

I was a bit skeptical that it would work so well, but it did! As any parent knows, the quiet moments after intense screaming are the most delightful in the world. We will definitely take The Baby Shusher along on any trips! The gentle, repetitive “shhhhhh…..shhhhhh……shhhhhh…..” would be inoffensive, in my opinion, to any other travelers who happened to hear it (like on a plane or public transit). I initially got The Baby Shusher to attempt to get my son to sleep on his own (a younger sibling is due later this year!), but any usefulness after this travel benefit is just gravy! Here's to scream-free happy trips!

Chores Schedules by My Wise Mother

Does your mom get wiser every year? Mine does! ;) I guess it could be that I just realize the wisdom she has been sharing all along...but I appreciate it whether it has been there before or is new information.

Last Christmas, my mom gave me something she probably didn't even realize I would treasure. Or maybe, in her wisdom, she did realize it. She gave me printouts of chore schedules that my sister and I had when we were growing up. (my sister's birthday is on the 19th of the month, and mine is on the 14th - so we could divide duties by odd numbered days and even numbered days!)

Are you impressed with how a good ol' dot matrix printer's product has held up for 25+ years?! ;)

I can tell you without a doubt that I did not fully appreciate these schedules when they were in force in our house. My sister and I both had chores we hated - me: dishwasher, especially the flatware; her: plan and prepare an evening meal. But here's the kicker: as a wife and mother, I do every.single.chore listed on these schedules. That's right, she was not only ensuring our household ran smoothly with everyone pulling their weight, she was training me for what my life is now!

I see a lot of moms online struggle with balancing childcare and household upkeep. These schedules are extremely basic, but I thought they really have a good structure for a rhythm of chores.

I do dishes and laundry every day - dishes after every meal, and I try to carry a load of laundry with me on the way to the kitchen as my first task every day. We have three bathrooms in this house, and I don't always clean them from top to bottom in a single session - sometimes I give the toilet a quick swish, sometimes I wipe down the counters as I have the chance. There is no right or wrong way to clean house or keep up with the chores - the main thing is JUST DO IT. Clean something, straighten something, declutter something every day...and it you'll see results quickly!

I hope these basic outlines are helpful to you and show that a little every day is key to keeping a home that everyone will be happy to live in! I was about 8 or 9 when I had these responsibilities. Feel free to adapt to any children you have as a way to engage them in the household upkeep! I know I'm so glad I had this training growing up.

Stay Fluffy!

Random Facts and Questions for YOU! Liebster Award!

Howdy! I just got nominated for my first Liebster Award!

 

Erin from http://www.ekesmom.com/ nominated me!

 How it works: You give 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you. You then nominate 11 other bloggers (with less than 200 followers) and give them 11 questions to answer!

11 Random Facts About Me!


1. I love to quilt, but I don't seem to find the time to often. My goal is to make a quilt for each kid this year!

2. I love cats. I have had a cat in my house almost my whole life. My current cat is 14.5 and is the best cat ever!

3. I am the youngest of three kids in my family.

4. My husband has a home office and I love being at home...we only drive our vehicles a few times per week! Sure does save on gas!

5. I live in the same town I went to college in. I say that I came here, went to school, got married, never left! My freshman self would never believe me, but I love it now!

6. I love to type. I think it's just a way of fidgeting, but I love it! I used to typeset in my first job and my fingers would FLY!

7. Speaking of first job, it was at a printing company and I worked as a graphic artist. I did everything from business cards to simple logos to brochures to a local real estate magazine. I loved the deadline and pressure-cooker environment, until I didn't anymore. ;)

8. My next job was an academic advisor at my alma mater. I loved being on campus without the stress of studying and grades!!

9. I have never been to the West Coast or seen the Pacific Ocean...but I want to one day!

10. I love Walt Disney World, even though I was 28 before I took my first trip. I have been back once and am always daydreaming of a trip to plan!

11. I started out as an architecture student and although I switched to Journalism (my eventual degree), I still love architecture books/magazines (I'm looking at you, Dwell!) and designing floor plans in my head.

Here are the 11 questions from Erin!

1. Is your family complete?
I hope not! We are blessed with a daughter and a son, but we would love more kids!

2.What is your go-to weeknight dinner?

Something in the crockpot!! Beef or chicken with some veggies on the side. Both kids love tender protein!

3.What was your favourite stage of your child's/children's development?About 18 months...I love seeing the language/communication develop!

4.What is your favourite candy?
I don't really eat a lot of candy...but I keep some dark chocolate on hand for special days!

5.How did you first meet your SO
We went to college together. We got to know each other over an IM program called ICQ! (we're old!)

6.What is your average daily outfit?
Does this mean I have to get dressed?

7.What is your guilty pleasure TV show?
I started watching "Call the Midwife" on Netflix, and you know, I'm not sure if I ever finished all the episodes! Oops!

8.You are childless for half an hour, what do you do?
Take a shower and blow dry my hair.

9.Which of your children's toys do you like to play with the most?
Blocks! or trains.

10.What is your favourite new life-hack?
Does my spiralizer count? I adore slicing veggies with it!

11.What is your favourite kind of muffin and why?
Fruit! Banana or berries, yum!

Is it awful that I'm not in the swing of this blog thing as much as I used to be, and don't follow people regularly? I'm supposed to nominate other mama bloggers...but I don't know any around here! I miss my old blog site but it kind of died out. :( Sad face. Feel free to nominate yourself or comment if you'd like to be nominated, and I'll add you!!

Here are 11 questions for YOU!!

1.What is your favorite kid show to watch with your kid?
2. What is your LEAST favorite kid show to have on?
3. Do you have a smartphone?
4. Do you use Instagram or Facebook more?
5. Do you send snail mail/handwritten notes?
6. Do you use family names for your children?
7. What's something you make so often you don't need a recipe?
8. What is your favorite season?
9. What is your dream vacation?
10. Does your passport have lots of stamps?
11. Cook, driver, maid: which one would you pick if you could have any ONE of them?
 

Rules are here ladies :

This award is for bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It works like this: you start by being nominated by a fellow blogger who likes what you have been posting, then you tell 11 random facts about yourself, and answer 11 questions. You then get to nominate 11 fellow bloggers and give them 11 questions to answer. Have fun and comment below when you have re posted I cannot wait to see who you all nominate!

Christmas Eats!

My husband and I have been married for just over 14 years. This was our 15th Christmas together! From the very first year, we have made it tradition to be at home on Christmas day, and I make the big dinner for us, even when it was just for two! I always want my kids to have a calm(er) day at home on Christmas, without the hassle of travel on a holiday.

My goal this Christmas was to have healthier options than the traditional sugar- and sodium-packed rich foods I'm used to around the holiday time. I definitely feel that I accomplished this goal with a very simple menu!

We had:
Turkey (first time I have made one!!)
Sweet potato casserole
Green bean bacon bundles
Brussels sprouts
Cranberry sauce
Veggie tray
Plantain-chocolate cake
Dairy-free pumpkin pie

My plate!!

Turkey
I roasted the turkey, approx. 10 lbs, in the oven at 325 for about 4.5 hours. It was perfect! I stuffed a huge bunch of fresh rosemary in the cavity (because nothing says Christmas like your hand up a carcass!) and the flavor came through beautifully. I sprinkled salt and pepper on the outside and added about 6 cups of water so I could make broth later. After pulling all the meat off the bones, I dumped the bones and broth into my crockpot overnight for about 10 hours. I can't wait for some yummy soup with that stock!!

Sweet Potato Casserole
I baked 6 large sweet potatoes and peeled them after they were cooled. I did my prep work the day before, so I put the cooked potato in a container in the fridge. On Christmas, I mashed it with some butter (you could use ghee - butter does not give me any issues dairy-wise) and cinnamon, spread it in a buttered dish and sprinkled raw pecans on top. I baked it at 350 for about 40 minutes. The nuts came out delightfully toasty - I honestly did not miss the sugar in this dish at all!!

Sweet Potato Casserole and Cranberry Sauce

Green Bean Bacon Bundles
I prepped these the day before as well. Grab a handful of washed, snapped green beans and wrap with a piece of bacon. It's that simple! I usually cut the bacon in half, and that is just big enough to wrap around a small bundle. I baked them on a jelly roll pan at 425 for about 40 minutes, until the bacon is done. YUM. Even non-veggie-eaters gobble these up!

Brussels Sprouts
Wash and cut the stem off of Brussels sprouts, and remove the outer or any damaged leaves. I like to toss mine in olive oil or ghee and sprinkle with kosher or sea salt. Place on a jelly roll pan and roast at 425 until most outer leaves are browned. I usually stir a couple of times to get even coverage. I learned to make these when my husband issued me a challenge: he said he liked all veggies but Brussels sprouts. Well, now he loves them!! (He also issued the challenge with beets. That one was an utter failure, as it turns out I don't like beets, either!!) I have done this with frozen Brussels sprouts, and they are still delicious, but the texture is not as perfect as with fresh. But they work in a pinch!

Green Bean Bacon Bundles, Brussels sprouts and Veggie tray

Cranberry Sauce
I washed a bag of fresh cranberries and put in a sauce pan with the juice of two small oranges, 1 tbsp. sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Just simmer and stir until it's the consistency you prefer! I like my cranberry sauce TART. You can also add lemon or orange zest if you like! I would probably do two bags if I made it again, because it cooks down quite a lot!

Veggie Tray
My mom brought the veggies - celery, carrots, radishes and tomatoes. We always have celery and carrots in the fridge ready to eat, and this is a great snack when you're waiting for the meal to be ready. You can add a dip of your choice, but I love them just plain! A wonderful crunchy option on the plate!

Plantain-Chocolate Cake
A Facebook friend posted a link to this recipe (http://preparingitpaleo.com/2012/11/21/chocolate-cake/), and I just had to try it. It was so good!! My dad and daughter both had second helpings. My dad pronounced it "like fudge with frosting!" I used date puree instead of honey - pour about 1/3 c boiling water over 14 pitted dates and toss in the blender. That made enough for the cake and the frosting, which I made with the puree, coconut oil, chocolate chips, cocoa powder and cashew butter. It is definitely rich, but you will not miss the flour at all!!

It's as moist and rich as it looks!

Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
This was my grand experiment. I just did a direct sub for the evaporated milk with unsweetened vanilla almond milk! A can is 12 oz, so that's how much almond milk I used. It DID take about 40 minutes longer to bake than the recipe on the back of the can of pumpkin stated, but the result was delicious and I, a pumpkin pie EXPERT, could not detect a difference in flavor or texture. Win!

I loved how this food tasted, and even better, I loved how great I felt after eating it. No slumpy sugar-rush or carb coma. It was just the food we've learned to love, holiday-style. Don't be afraid to tweak traditional menu items to something that is healthier! You probably won't miss the sugar and salt overload, and you might even learn to like it better this way!

Stay yummy!

Updated take on Whole 30

Wow, it took me a lot longer than I thought it would to get back to the keyboard! We had a couple of weeks of sniffly noses in this house...so glad that is over!

I mentioned on my original Whole 30 post that I would update with a new, improved take on my response. Well...here we go!

During the month of October, I did not notice any skin or digestive changes while eating dairy-, grain-, sugar- and legume-free. I thought that meant that I probably was not sensitive to any of those items. I tried reintroducing items gradually to notice if I saw a change.

First up: grains, specifically gluten. Gluten is of special consideration in this house due to a family history of Celiac Disease in my husband's family. I am happy to report that I still have exhibited no sign of sensitivity to grains, gluten-containing or not. But I DO feel better nourished when I stick to squash and sweet potato as my meal carbs instead of stuffing my face with half a  plate of rice. ;)

Next: dairy. I am a sad panda. Yogurt...is...gross. I worked so hard for many years to get to a point where I could tolerate/want to eat SOMETHING dairy, you  know...for the calcium. I finally started eating yogurt 4 years ago. And I eat a small amount of melted cheese on pizza or tacos. But after my dairy reintro day, I felt so disgusting. My skin and ears got itchy and my tummy was NOT happy. After my reintro days were over, I tried a bit just to see if it was true...and it was. The good news is that I can live quite easily without dairy! Butter does not seem to cause any issues for me, although I still do love to make ghee. But yogurt, ice cream, pudding, cheese, milk chocolate, milk with cookies...all of those are out! Not like some of those are good for me anyway, right? ;) Causing particular sensitivity is sweetened dairy. I've known for quite a while that a bowl of cereal made me feel gross. Even though I stuck to cereal with 10g or fewer of sugar per serving, that combination is no bueno for me. I've tried almond milk over cereal, and it's not bad. But it's just  not a food that I need in my every day life. It's not a "bad" snack...but there are so many better options that are healthier, cheaper and less processed! And cereal is in NO WAY ALLOWED as a "meal" in this house, especially at breakfast. It just doesn't last, folks!

I still exclude soy, and have for years, due to symptoms I notice when I eat soy - or, get this - use body products like shower gel or lotion with soy.

Peanut products don't cause an issue, either, but cashew, almond and hazelnut butter are soooooo much tastier to me now. I still love the changes in my diet that this eating plan caused. I really enjoyed trying new things and I LOVE that my family enjoys the nutritious food I cook for them! By watching carefully, I discovered my kids eat MORE FOOD when I cook Whole 30 style, than if I feed them past favorites like rice, white potato and pasta. It doesn't make sense in my head based on kid eating stereotypes, but I'll take it and run with it! Not a lot is more fun than watching your kids inhale Brussels sprouts and kale.

Well, I need to wrap this up and finish making my shopping list! Christmas is one week away and I need to buy groceries for a Christmas dinner Whole 30-ish! After the rich (read: canned and sugary) Thanksgiving dinner, we felt...kind of icky. Every year, we stay AT HOME on Christmas Day, and I make a big fancy dinner for just us...with china and candles! I've done it every Christmas we've been married - back to 1999! This year, I'm planning delicious dishes with squash, berries, turkey and something involving figs, dates and nuts. I can't wait to share the results soon!

Stay Fluffy!

Real Savings of Cloth Diapering

Everyone knows that one reason people use cloth diapers is the financial aspect - saving money! While it's true that using reusable, washable diapers can save money, especially if used for more than one child, I find that I can boost my savings significantly by making as many things as possible about my diapering system reusable. Enter cloth wipes!

You can find cloth wipes just about anywhere! Many people use baby washcloths, which are available at major retailers like Target and Wal-Mart (and some grocery stores); some cloth diaper companies manufacture cloth wipes; and of course, these items in a variety of fabrics are readily available from WorkAtHomeMommies on Etsy, eBay and many Facebook groups.

Some people use plain water to moisten their wipes if they have convenient access to a sink. Others place them in a wipe container (a warmer or just a plastic box) with solution poured over to mimic traditional disposable wipes. I prefer to have a spray bottle of solution at the change table, and I spray each wipe as I need it. I use Sheepish Grins Washy Wafers - I melt/dissolve two wafers in 2c of boiling water 1-2x a week.

 

Washy Wafers

 

 

 

 

The wipes basket. Must have been laundry day when I snapped this!

 



It's a very gentle formula and since I have started using cloth wipes instead of disposables, we have had ZERO rash issues! We used disposables initially, and even the "Sensitive Skin" ones left some kind of residue that contributed to a rash. Lil Dude's bottom has never looked so healthy and clear as when we use all cloth! I remember always having to slather ointment and cream on Chickadee when she was a baby. Oh how I wish I had started using soft cloth diapers with her!

Let's talk math. I spent about $60 on commercially made, thick wipes (I have some with velour/flannel, and some with a terry texture - about 40 wipes in all). There are cheaper options than that (you could even make your own from leftover receiving blankets or fabric scraps!) and obviously, more expensive options (but some bamboo blends CAN be used as boosters in the diaper in a pinch...versatility is always a win!). I buy the wipe solution tabs for $9.00, and that box lasts me for 6 months. So for the 2 years of cloth diapering we will do (I started when Lil Dude was 10 months...just guessing he'll be potty trained by 3?!), I will spend $36 on wipe solution tabs and the $60 on wipes...under $100!! What about disposable wipes? I usually bought the thickest sensitive ones ($$) and they ran about $0.02-0.03 per wipe. I have changed some "ten wipe wonder" diapers, so sometimes we went through them pretty fast!! (Another benefit of cloth wipes - just one does a great job, and the most I ever use is 3 for a really special diaper! ;) ) So let's figure an average of 20 wipes per day. 20 wipes at $0.025 = $0.50/day. $0.50 a day for two years is...$365. For WIPES THAT YOU THROW AWAY. Even if you only used 10 wipes a day, you'd still spend $182.50. And that is only for that child - if you cloth diaper subsequent children, you can reuse the cloth wipes and only have to purchase wipe solution! Once cloth diapering days are over, you have great household cloths or rags for small cleaning projects.

I use my diaper sprayer to clean off any solids off the wipes, then toss them right in the diaper pail. Which brings me to my next tidbit...cloth diapering pails are infinitely cuter (and more cost efficient) than any disposable diapering pail system. I used to hate the panic I had when I was out of bag inserts for the diaper pail for disposables. Not to mention the horrid "diaper sausages" (ick) that I bundled up more than once a week to stick in the trash. Dear future generations, I'm sorry for the poop I stuck in the landfill. It's so nice to have extra room in the trash can, along with not having big diaper boxes to get rid of!

I had, until just last week, been using hanging wetbags for dirty diaper storage. But AppleCheeks is coming out with their size 2 storage sac (biggest size) in the gorgeous, moody Steel Me. And I have to have it! I also picked up a sac in Coriander (minty green) during a Black Friday sale, so I went trash can shopping! I scored a metallic champagne pop-top can from Wal-Mart for under $10! The storage sacs retail new for about $25, but you can find them in EUC for $15 or less! (Guess what? Whether or not you cloth diaper, these sacs are perfect for travel laundry bags or wet swimwear storage. I'm so happy we've started becoming a household making an investment in reusable items.) Here's the result:

Don't you love the Winging It sticker?

 

 

 

 



 

So easy to use - pop the lid one-handed, toss diaper inside!

 

In my opinion, it's a lovely addition to our bedroom (where our changing area is)

 

 

 

It's easy to see how making the switch to cloth has helped realize significant household savings and the ease of not having to purchase and dispose of as many throw-away items. I take what steps I can along the way and am happy to see the results!

 

 

Stay Fluffy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Things

It's my favorite time of year! Family...food...chilly weather...warmth inside...glittering lights...thankfulness. The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas is filled with lots of fun, shopping, surprises and togetherness!

Let's talk about one of my favorite baby items - cloth diapers. And my favorite brand - AppleCheeks! The first time I mentioned cloth diapering to a friend in person, I got a response along the lines of, "Why on earth are you doing that?!" with a puzzled "You must be crazy" facial expression. I explained that I needed a better leak solution and, of course, that they were cute. "Oh, right, cute. Well, that I *can* understand. They are cute!" A nod of approval. Cloth diapers are SO cute! And in the realm of cute, AppleCheeks and their fluffy ruffles can't be beat!

 Orange You Glad and St. Lucia - aren't they lovely together?

 Aw, how cute...my first stash shot! My, how you've grown!

 Forget-me-Not...sweet baby blue color

 Delicious after a bath. See the ruffles?!! Love.

 

 

 

These ruffles aren't just for looks, though...one reason that AppleCheeks are so effective against leaks is that there is elastic at the legs, back and on the FRONT. Many diapers don't have an elastic waist on the front. That tummy protection is vital, especially for my side/tummy sleeper. But the ruffles sure make diaper laundry my favorite kind of laundry!

 

 No clothesline, no problem!

 

 

 

But even then, with adorable ruffles, gorgeous colors, superior fit and awesome leak protection, AppleCheeks are something MORE than just cloth diapers. They are a fantastic company with a very personable and fun social media presence. The owners, Amy and Ilana, are quite approachable, caring and happy to interact with fans. They even agreed to answer a few questions I had to ask them about some of their favorite things!

 

 

What is your favourite AppleCheeks colour (or top 3, if it's too hard to pick just one!)

 

Amy: Too hard to pick one for sure.  My three are: Appletini, Steel Me and the next limited edition we are planning now - it is so hot!

Ilana: Steel Me, hands down!! 

 

I love that you are both so active on Facebook and Instagram. What is your favourite thing about the AC online community?

 

Amy: Everything; The feeling of community itself, the enthusiasm, the genuine love.

Ilana: That they are SO incredibly creative and supportive and just generally loving and warm. I'm worried sometimes about participating in conversation because I'm afraid that it will result in people not being totally open and honest because I'm there, but now I get that they realize I'm just one of them!

 

I think just about all AppleCheeks fans would love a peek into the office. What is your favourite thing about your job?

 

Amy: I wake up every morning and look forward to going to work.  I especially love working with Ilana.

Ilana: Our employees. We have the best staff EVER. And also, i love the fact that I can direct myself creatively and don't have to satisfy anyone else's vision except for Amy's. But 9 times out of ten we're on the same page anyways. And that other one time I manage to get my way anyways.

Even with a job you love, time away from it is a must! What is your favourite thing to do on Saturday or a day off?

 

Amy: My favourite thing to do is cheer my kids on in their sports, which include swimming, basketball, soccer, running, etc.

Ilana: I love to bring my kids to their various activities and just watch them enjoy themselves.  And I love Saturday nights when they are all in bed and my husband and I just get to hang together and watch violent superhero movies. Or Sherlock. Or Downton Abbey. But actually, we've seen them all so I need new show suggestions BADLY.

 

It's a giving time of year - what is your favourite gift ever from your kids?

 

Amy: The homemade cards from the kids are the best because they include sincere words of love and affection.

Ilana: Oooh, that's a tough one. Are you speaking esoterically? Because I suck at that stuff.

I've never been to Montreal. What is your favourite thing about your city?  

 

Amy: The many inexpensive ethnic restaurants.  My husband and I go on a date every second week or so and enjoy the many varied tastes of Montreal's interesting restaurants.

Ilana: Just one thing? I'd say the Anglophone mom community. It's because of them that I'm where I am today, both as a business owner and as a parent.

I know Canadians have already celebrated Thanksgiving, but this week starts the month I do the most baking and cooking - between US Thanksgiving and Christmas. What is your favourite holiday food?  

 

Amy: Turkey!  I love a good turkey.  We eat it all year round in my house.

Ilana: Well, I'm new to all this stuff as I didn't celebrate either until I met my husband. But I'm still SUPER impressed by people who can cook a turkey and not dry it out completely. 

Along those lines, what is your favourite kitchen tool/item?  

 

Amy: I love a good cast iron skillet.  It is so good for so many things!

Ilana: My BLENDTEC!!
 

It's obvious from the fun reveal videos that you stay in touch with pop culture! What is your favourite book/movie genre?  

 

Amy: Right now I am reading Khaled Hosseini's third book and am loving it, just like his other two, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.  They are heavy reads but enthralling.

Ilana: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, except I'm really struggling with the fifth book. 

I always love seeing your lovely faces in photos. What is your favourite makeup brand?

 

Amy: MAC for sure.  It is expensive but lasts a long time so I only buy one new MAC item every few months and build up my supply that way.

Ilana: Zorah! I should say Mac because the colours are amazing but I don't feel comfy wearing that stuff every day. But Zorah is completely natural and argan oil based and they have an AMAZING mascara.



 

 

Thanks, Amy and Ilana! That was fun! I hope everyone enjoyed reading about favorites. Feel free to share about YOUR favorites in the comments!