If my husband is a "chicken" does that means that I am a "rooster"?

During last night's class (I teach faith formation at my Church), I received several phone calls from my husband. At first, I thought that there was an emergency in the house and something had happened to my son but after answering each one of the phone calls I realized that the situation was not a big deal; at least for me.

It all started around 7:30 p.m. While in class, my husband called me to ask me if I have ever heard one of my son's toys going off without being touched. I sense some fear in his voice as he continued to ask me the same question. It got me off guard because I couldn’t understand why he would call me to ask me this question but I proceeded to answer no. Then he said that my son (2 years old) was freaking out about the noise and he didn’t know what to do.

You see, I have a two story house and my boy’s room is on the second floor and NO ONE was on the second floor at the time so my husband was disturbed about the occurrences. I assured him that these things happen once in awhile especially when the batteries are running low. What makes it more interesting is that this toy only goes off when you touch it or push it making the situation a bit eerie.

Half hour later, he called me again asking me if we had holy water at home (we are Catholics) and I said we should have some on the kitchen counter. He insisted that he couldn’t find it and that he didn’t know what to do as the toy continued to go off. At this point, I am getting very frustrated because my class kept being interrupted because of the situation. So my suggestion was for him to leave the house with the baby and stroll around the neighborhood until I got home.

And so he did. As soon as I arrived to the house, we went upstairs and I stood in front of the toy that was causing all the commotion and sure enough it went off without even touching it. So the three of us did a little prayer, sprinkle some water and turn off ALL of the other toys to make sure we don’t go through the same ordeal again.

Needless to say, we keep our nightlight on the rest of the night JUST IN CASE!!!!

Cool iPhone Apps for Parents (Moms)

I have to admit, I never thought that I would like so much a phone but the iPhone is awesome. The fact that I can watch videos, teach my son numbers, letters, object names (while we wait to be served at a restaurant) is pretty cool.

The commercial says that there are 75,000 apps available. But I would like to narrow it down to a few cool ones for parents (moms). Here is my list:

1. White Noise Lite App (free) = Help your baby nap or relax after a particularly crazy day.
2. Baby Monitor App ($.99) = Just place your iPhone next to your sleeping baby, and when it detects noise, the phone will automatically call you at the phone number of your choice. GENIUS.
3. Toddler Teasers (free/$.99) = These are a series of apps that help your child during their educational development.
4. Preschool Adventure App ($.99) = Another great app to keep your little one occupied while they learn at the same time.
5. Total Baby ($3.99) = Have more than one kid? This apps will help you keep track of all of babies' diapers, feedings, sleep and baths, their current ages, doctor visits, vaccinations, growth charts, and more.
6. Baby Translator ($.99) = More of a fun application than a practical one, this app records a baby's noises and then "interprets" them to tell you just what your little one is trying to communicate. Consider it a party trick for new parents!
7. Food Substitutes ($2.99) = Food Substitutes can help you find cooking alternatives in eight (8) categories: baking ingredients, cheese and dairy, eggs, fats, oils and vinegars, herbs, spices and seasonings, fruits and veggies, low fat substitutes, and miscellaneous.
8. BigOven (free) = This app has a 160,000+ recipe search where you get free access to cooking archives.
9. Shazam (free) = Like a song but don't know the name or the artist? No problem, just aim this app and it will tell you the info.
10. All Recipes (free) = This fun app will provide you a recipe based on the ingredients you have at home. Cooking has never been easier!

So there you have it. Now, what are you waiting for. Just get an iPhone!

Have a good one!

There is a chair in the ladies room

A friend of mine recently had a baby and it is pumping breast milk at work. In our building, there is only one room to do so and sometimes it is occupied by other ladies doing the same thing. As a fellow breast -feeder, I understand how frustating it is to go to an unfamiliar location to pump and to find out that it is occupied.

So what did she do since she doesn't have a private office to pump? Well, she pulled a chair into the disable accessible stall on the ladies bathroom and plug in her pump. She is getting the job done no matter what, and I applaud her for that.

The funny thing is that people (other ladies) are starting to question why the chair is there. This has been going on for weeks and even some of them have complained about it. Come on, we all have the same "equipment". Why would someone feel so uncomfortable with this? I don't get it. This is a very natural act. Our mothers did it, their mothers did it. Then what is the big deal?

What gets me fired up is the fact that people, specially ladies, are not supportive of it. The benefits are greater than the act but yet it is rejected by society. If more mothers decided to breast feed I bet that most babies would not suffer from a lot of illnesses.

So the next time you see a chair inside the disable accessible stall just smile, just think that out there is a working mother that cares and that baby is getting the best from her.

Have a good one.

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle

Is it a matter of choice? I can tell you from personal experience that I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. I read the advantages and disadvantages, got educated on how to do it but at the end my baby chose for me.

The minute that the baby comes out, the lactation specialists visit you at the hospital and they fill you with tons of information on how to do it, the benefits of breastfeeding and even provide you with special brochures dedicated to dads. After trying a couple of times, I became so frustrated that I almost gave up. And because I was not producing enough milk, I ended up supplementing with formula so my son had the "best" of both worlds. But in the end, he chose for me; formula it is.

It is very common these days to see a child getting breastfeed and formula at the same time. The majority of the moms have to return to work after a couple of months so the transition from one to another becomes easy, unless you are a cow that produces 5 gallons per minute.

Up to this day, I am still a little resentful about not able to breastfeed longer than what I was able to. But even though it was a short period of time (only 4 months), I was able to see the benefits of it. Now, I know that some mothers prefer not to go that route but I encourage for all to give it a try. It is hard at the beginning but the results are worth the trouble.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages for both:

Breastfeeding

1. Perfect balance of nutrients
2. Easily digested and absorbed
3. Content varies according to milk production stage, which meets the changing nutritional requirements. Infant determines amount
4. Free
5. Nursing pads, nursing bras, Breast pump (optional), etc.
   Bottles, nipples, etc
6. Always the perfect temperature. Anyone can feed the baby
7. Mother must be available for feeding or to provide pumped milk if she is absent
   Warming formula
8. Early breastfeeding may be uncomfortable
   Formula ready from bottles
9. Certain medications can interrupt breastfeeding

Bottle

1. Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk
2. Some babies have difficulty tolerating certain nutrients
3. Pediatrician/care giver determines amount
4. Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on brand
5. Bottles, nipples, etc
6. Some preparation time
7. Warming formula
8. Formula ready from bottles
9. No medications interruptions

So there you have it. You have options. Choose wisely.

What the heck is BPS and why do I need to care about it?

You hear it on the news and you see it on the stores but do you know what the heck is it and why it is important to know? Below you will find the scoop about it.


What is BPS?

BPA (bisphenol A), a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen, is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with bisphenol A. A recent study made by the the laboratory of Frederick vom Saal, PhD., at the University of Missouri-Columbia, showed that the majority of the most know bottles brands such as Avent, Dr. Brown's etc. included a leached between 4.7 - 8.3 parts per billion of bisphenol A.

Why this is important?

This chemical is not only found in baby bottles, but you can also find it on some kinds water bottles, food storage and heating containers. You can prevent or minimize exposure to bisphenol-A in the following ways:

1. Use glass, stainless steel, or polyethylene bottles (PETE, PET, or #1; HDPE or #2; LDPE or #4) instead of polycarbonate (PC or #7) bottles.21.
2. Avoid heating foods in polycarbonate containers, as bisphenol-A tends to leach faster with higher temperatures.22 Use glass or ceramic containers instead.
3. Cut back on consumption of canned foods to reduce exposure to bisphenol-A contamination from the interior coating of the container. Also, avoid canned foods with higher fat content, which may have higher levels of bisphenol-A.22.
4. Before getting dental sealants, check with your dentist about the ingredients in the products they use, as some formulations may leach bisphenol-A.22

Recommendations for Parents:

Most plastic baby bottles are made from polycarbonate plastic, as are many popular reusable water bottles (like some Nalgene water bottles). You can reduce your child's and your own exposure to BPA by taking the following steps:

• Use glass, or polypropylene bottles (the #5 plastic) instead of polycarbonate (hard, shiny,clear or tinted plastic, usually with a number 7 or "PC" on the bottom/underside) bottles
• If you continue to use polycarbonate bottles, do not use harsh detergents or put bottles in the dishwasher. Instead, clean them with warm soapy water and a sponge. Scouring brushes can scratch the surface of the bottles and increase leaching rates.
• Avoid heating foods in polycarbonate containers, as bisphenol A tends to leach faster with higher temperatures. Use glass or ceramic containers instead.
• Avoid use of infant formula brands in cans that use BPA as an epoxy liner.
• Cut back on consumption of canned foods and beverages to reduce exposure to bisphenol A contamination from the interior coating of the container.
• Also, avoid canned foods with higher fat content, which may have higher levels of bisphenol A.

Now that you know, go ahead and make the change. It will be good for your entire family.

Source: www.chej.org/BPA_Website.htm

Divide the ride

Gas is getting so expensive these days so why not share the burden with someone else. Check this website to help you aliviate the stress.

www.dividetheride.com

My Top 10 Baby Products I can't live without

During those long 9 (10) months of waiting for my baby to arrive, I did my research on the most popular baby products. It became very overwhelming at times because there are so many options to choose from and my little trip to Babies 'R' Us didn't help either.

One thing that really help me understand and simplify my thoughts was a little road trip that I took with a friend of mine to the baby section. She was able to show me which products worked best for her baby and the things to shy away from.

Now, I am paying it forward and want to share with you the products that I can't, absolutely, live without:

1. Pampers Diapers - I tried all the brands and this one seemed to work the best for my little boy.
2. Triple Paste Medicated Oinment - Nothing would work best on a diaper rash than this, trust me on this one!
3. Dr. Brown's Baby Bottles - I know they are more expensive than the other brands but because my baby was "fuzzy" all the time, these really help.
4. First Years Quick Serve Bottle Warmer - I love this gadget cause it makes mi life easier especially during night time feedings.
5. Boppy - What a great idea! I used it from the very beginning. I strongly recommended for all moms not just the ones breastfeeding.
6. Bouncers - This things are a life saver, not only free you up for a little break but they serve as "mini babysitters". Lots of choices to choose from.
7. Mobile - Who wants to spend the night rocking your baby to sleep when you can have smooth music?
8. Monitors - Now this one is good to ease your worries specially if you have a two story house like mine. Make sure that the one that you get is good for your area.
9. Play Centers - Whether is stationery or the jumping one, this gadget will help your child develop motor skills.
10. Pacifiers - I have to admit I had a bad perception about pacifiers but they help with "fuzzy" babies. Do your research and choose the best one for your babies.
    

Obviously, you will also need a crib, a stroller, sheets for the crib, formula(if needed), etc. but I thought that this list should help those moms save time and spend it wisely with their babies.

Sharing with your children

There are many things that you love sharing with your children. Your knowledge, your heritage, your values. But there is one thing that I dislike to share: illnesses. Whether you child is in daycare or at school you know at some point you are going to catch what they have. And then, that's when the vicious cycle begins. They get the cold, you get the cold, they go back to daycare/school and share it with their friends and on and on.

Unfortunately for me, because of my allergies, this problem becomes worst because at some point I end up with a sinus infection and on antibiotics. And no matter how many times you wash your hands, use wipes, use hand sanitizers and disinfect all areas, you will get sick. So I am up to a point that I have given up and suck it up. It will happen no matter what.

My only concern of course is the swine flu or the H1N1, now that is dangerous. So what do I do to prevent it? Well, I make sure that I constantly clean and disinfect all areas, get vaccinated and keep my boy's hands clean as much as possible. I also keep an eye on symptoms that might be similar to that.

I have heard about a great product called Hibiclens. This product is supposed to keep your hands off any bacteria for up to 6 hours. Six hours!!!!!!!!!!! Now that is something worth trying. So during my next trip to the supermarket I will be getting this stuff and see how it works. In the meantime, All-clear from Clorox will do.

Have a good one!