Top 10 Nursing/Baby Products!

My Top 10 Nursing/Baby Products!

Nursing Tanks: ranked in order of favorites

#1 Gilligan & O’Malley Women’s Full Sling Long Nursing Tops

                              $16.00 at Target and www.target.com

                              Colors available: white, black, brown, grey, hot pink
These were my favorite because I was on a budget and I could buy more than one at a time.  It seems like I needed a larger size toward the end of my pregnancy and shortly after I had my daughter.  A few months later I bought more in a smaller size.   Yes, I wore nursing bras during my pregnancy because I started as a 34DD before pregnancy and I have no idea how big I got because I just bought the nursing tanks in medium and large.  Regardless of my gigantic boobs, I felt comfortable in these tanks.  I layered my clothing in the colder months anyway and then in the summer I usually just wore them under another tank.  Another reason I loved the tanks was because they offer the comfort of hiding your belly after pregnancy while nursing.  I could lift up my top layer and still have my belly covered by the tank.  So nice to not worry about people seeing my skin!

               #2 Bravado Designs bra $49.00

                              www.diapers.com

               #3 Glammourmom nursing tank $44.00 www.diapers.com

                              Colors available: brown, white, black, blue, and green; available in long or short

               #4 Bravado Designs Essential Nursing Bra Tank $49.00  www.diapers.com

Nursing Pads

               #1 Hands down: Reusable Nursing pads by Ladybug Creations at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ladybug9753
             I loved these reusable nursing pads! I recently gave them to a friend as a gift at her baby shower.  They are adorable and they dont leak like the flimsy disposables.  They are very absorbent and you can throw them in the washer.  Just dont use a dryer sheet and you can throw them in the dryer too!  Yay for being Green!

Breast Pump: Medela Freestyle Pump

               I loved this pump because it was fast and effective.  I could travel with this without having to worry about where I was going to plug it into an outlet…because it is battery operated! I charged it every night and took it with me where ever I went.  I realize this is dangerous but I was able to drive my car and pump at the same time – that’s talent! Only a mom can juggle tasks like that. 

Ointments: Burtsbees

               Mama bee: Nourishing body oil $8

                              Belly Balm $10.00

               I used both the Nourishing body oil and the belly balm. The nourishing body oil smells like lemon but lasted a long time and it seemed to do the trick.  The belly balm was very thick and kind of difficult to spread but also worked very well.  I think the body oil lasted longer and was less expensive.  Best of all – NO STRETCH MARKS on me!!

               Baby bee: Shampoo & Wash $7-9.00

                              Diaper Ointment $7-8.00

                              Recommendations: Getting Started Kit $13.00

  Kit includes: 1 oz. of each apricot baby oil, buttermilk lotion, shampoo & wash, .80 oz. of buttermilk soap, .56 oz. of diaper ointment, .14 oz. of buttermilk bath, .14 oz. of dusting powder, and a comb!  Perfect for giving new moms to try out each product.  Very long lasting and very worth trying.  I love the diaper ointment – my daughter gets rashes mostly with new teeth and they seem to clear up within 24 hours of using the ointment. 

Fuzzibunz Diapers!

               I love these diapers! They have two panels of snaps to adjust for waist size and the legs have an adjustable system to make the perfect fit.  The diapers are essentially pocket diapers in which you insert an absorbent pad.  The outside is waterproof and the inside is very soft fabric gentle on baby’s skin.  Check out the website at www.fuzzibunz.com various colors available.  I love the one size diapers and have been using them since my daughter was 5 months old.  She is now 16 months and using the same diapers.  I have not tried the individual sizes newborn, small, medium, large, and extra-large but they are available.

Pacifiers/Teethers!

               Wubanub starting at $10 and up

                              These soft and cute little beanie-like stuffed animals have the paci sewn right on to their nose.  Makes a great companion for your little one.  It is designed to lay upon your child’s chest to hold the paci in place while baby sucks on the paci.  So very cute and many styles available.  Check out www.Amazon.com or www.diapers.com

               Razzberry Pacifier/Teether starting at $3.79

                              These pacifier/teether’s are so cool!  They are shaped like a raspberry and are textured to sooth baby’s gums.  The colors available are red with green leaves, blue with green leaves, light blue and light pink.  You can find these at Meijer, www.amazon.com, or www.diapers.com

AND #11! Okay so I couldn’t stop at 10.  I just found this website offering beautiful nursing bras and had to share with everyone. I remember feeling like I could not find any attractive nursing bras and after a year of nursing everyone wants to at least feel slightly attractive in what they wear…even if no one else sees it.  The website is www.you-lingerie.com and prices start at $29.99! Here is a sneak peak

Buddhism at Christmas Time!

FYI - I do not claim any religion as my own.  I have various beliefs taken from several religions and have encorporated them into my daily lifestyle.  I believe that I will always be refining my values and beliefs and that everyone is a work in progress. 

I liked this article from www.purifymind.com/ChristmasTime.htm
because my parents have always given me a hard time about why I love the christmas holiday but do not participate with the Catholic religion as I was raised.  Please keep an open mind.

Buddhism at Christmastime

An Essay by George Boeree

When people find out that I'm a Buddhist, they always have these cute little questions like, "Do you celebrate Christmas?" Well, I've always loved Christmas a lot, so the question kinda throws me every time.
First, they make the mistake of assuming that Christmas is a purely Christian holiday, and of course it's not: It has roots in the winter solstice celebration common to northern people, and many other roots. Christmas trees, holly branches, mistletoe, candles, feasts, gift-giving -- all are older than Christmas "proper."
Some will point out "it IS called Christmas, you know!" I (playfully!) point out that Easter is named after Eostre, goddess of the dawn (the east)! I do get some pretty dirty looks.
Santa Claus is a particular favorite of mine. He derives from the Christian Saint Nicholas, of course, but he's slowly become a more archetypal creature. It strikes me that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Pu Tai (Hotei in Japanese), the cheerful fat monk with the big hemp sack full of gifts for children. He is considered to be an incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha.
I have a little statue of him on a table next to my favorite chair, and he smiles at the various Santas on my Christmas tree -- and they smile back!
Some people ask me why I let my kids believe in Santa, only to disillusion them later. But I think Santa is actually for the adults, teaching us unselfish, anonymous generosity!
Even the nativity is a wonderful story. I see it more as myth than reality (the same way I view most Buddhist stories) but it touches me anyway. Beyond all the centuries of accumulated superstition, Jesus seems to have been another enlightened being, serving a different people in a different time.
The nativity story is like a parable that illustrates the wisdom of such expressions as "the meek shall inherit the earth." That's always sounded so "Buddhist" to me -- I wonder if there is a parallel in the sutras?
Mary particularly touches me (though, raised a Protestant, I was taught not to "over-value" her like Catholics do!). She has a nice counterpoint in Kuan Yin (Kwannon, or Avalokiteshwara) in his/her feminine aspect: She, too, hears the sorrows of the world. Buddhism, like Christianity, comes out of a male-dominated culture, and both need that feminine touch!
Really, what could be more "Buddhist" than a holiday that celebrates giving, compassion, and human warmth! Here's a little "present" for you, a quote from a 16th century Italian monk:
I salute you! There is nothing I can give you which you have not;
but there is much, that, while I cannot give, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.
Take Heaven.
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant.
Take Peace.
The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.
Take Joy.
And so, at this Christmas time, I greet you, with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.
--Fra Giovanni, 1513
Quoted in Tasha Tudor's "Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book" (Cleveland: Collins World, 1966).
Have a Merry Christmas, all of you, and a Happy New Year!

New Adventures with the Wii Fit

Okay, first I have to say that I have used the Wii about 2 times total up until yesterday when I tried the Wii Fit.  I borrowed it from my sister last spring and it has sat in the box ever since.  I was feeling guilty and wanted to try it since my sister wanted to sell it when I borrowed it. 

When I started out, I felt totally unprepared.  I had my husband set it up because I didnt even know how to turn the Wii on.  I didnt really know how to use the wand or the attachment for the Wii Fit.  Apparently I had set up a character for myself a long time ago when we first got the Wii and my husband convinced me to play once.  I've never really been a technology buff. 

So, my Wii Fit age was 46 and I was so upset.  It was based on a balance test using the balance board (I didn't know what it was asking of me) and some kind of memory test using the wand.  Eek.  Needless to say, I was feeling pretty crappy about myself but I continued to do some of the workouts.  I started with cardio and did 10 minutes of stepping.  It was sooooo SLOW and didnt record all of my steps.  I am used to high impact aerobic activity and this was way to slow for me.  To give credit to the system, it did warn me that my steps would not be counted if I went to fast.  I did 1000 steps in 10 minutes and it ranked me at beginner but the funny part was that I was going faster than the system and it was not recording my steps so I have no idea how it would rank me any higher than my score if I cant go faster and it wont record all of my steps. 

After cardio, I decided to try the hula hoop.  The object is basically to move your hips around in a circle very fast to record your circles.  As a bonus, they throw hula hoops at you so you can lean to the side and catch them around your body.  At this time I still didnt understand the leaning part (as earlier in the fitness test).  I re-tried this activity 3 times to master the hoop catching! I ended up with a "trainer" score. 

After cardio, I tried Yoga and scored "advanced" or "trainer" on all of the moves with the program telling me that I had great posture.  With this in mind I decided to re-take the fitness test but this time they gave me different tests to gauge my age.  I scored at age 50...holy crap!!! So, this motivated me to try the test again and I got the same balance test I took the first time and then a different memory game.  Within five minutes my age went from 50 to 36!!!

While I think the Wii Fit can offer some benefits to exercise...mostly posture and proper technique...I think there is a lot to be improved upon.  By learning how the program works in general, I was able to increase and then improve my "fitness age".  I think the age the Wii Fit gives you is unrealiable, as if you couldnt tell, and I think my fitness level is more advanced than this program is set up.  This program would be better suited for someone at the beginner level.  I do think that my lack of experience with the Wii in general has had an effect on my scores as well.  Please keep that in mind.

Information on the Wii Fit can be found at http://www.wiifit.com/

Princess Piper's Boutique

I just wanted to take a moment to invite everyone to visit my new online store: http://www.princesspipersboutique.com/

I know you all have probably seen my other advertisements on Facebook but I wanted to celebrate and invite everyone to view the site.  Please provide any feedback with suggestions on how to improve the site.  I am still working out the bugs. 

Princess Piper's Boutique features accessories for little girls and adults too! Mostly hats, headbands, clippies, tutu's and pettiskirts.  I plan to add more for little boys soon.  I will also be adding more items to the site regularly so please check in to see the new items.  All items can be purchased locally at Upsy Daisy Floral in Boyne City.

Ergo Baby Carrier Review

           I love love love this carrier.  When I was looking for a sturdy baby carrier I asked a bunch of my friends at playgroup and did a lot of research.  I ended up purchasing the original ergo baby carrier in black.

          This has been a lifesaver! or should I say "back" saver.  I have had trouble maintaining strength in my lower back for as long as I can remember.  I had an injury as a tween and then waiting tables as a college student really put strain on my body.  Anyway, I was feeling a lot of pain with my other carriers - I tried several including slings, kelty kids, baby bjorn, and infantino...possibly others.  All of those did not fit my body type or have the comfort level that I have found with the ergo pack.  I did like the beeko pack too but it was a little too expensive for my budget.  I was tempted by their trendy colors.  Ergo baby carriers also have a variety of colors and patterns but I found a good deal on the black one so that is what I have.

           My daughter was 6 months when I began using this back pack and she weighed about 18 lbs.  I decided to try this particular pack because I wanted something that I could wear while hiking but also for everyday running around.  I also wanted to enjoy my investment for awhile so I was pleased that this carrier holds up to 40lbs.!!!   I still use the carrier to the grocery store and when I know Ill have to hold onto my daughter for more than a couple minutes at a time.  Another reason I just love this backpack is because I can wear it three different ways, on my hip, on my back, and on my front - I've worn this all three ways depending on the activity.  My daughter loves it too because she can be close to me and still be able to see whats going on around her. 

         For more information please check out the website: www.ergobabycarrier.com

Lots of information that I did not cover will be readily available on the company's website. 

A New Begining...

I am very excited about a new endeaver that I am working on and I thought I would share a little bit with everyone.  I am actually hoping for some feedback and insight from anyone interested in helping us with this project.
My sister-in-law and I have been talking about how there are very limited resources for expecting parents in Northern Michigan as far as birthing options go.  Basically you can give birth at the hospital with a doctor or at home with a midwife or varioius options.  So if you want to give birth in the hospital, you only have the option of using a doctor. 

So, this project of ours is begining as a collaboration of resources and hopefully develops into more.  We believe that women know their bodies best and should have the option to deliver their babies in the ways that feel safe and natural to them.  I do not want to start a heated discussion about safety or what is "best" because I think there is a continuum of what is "best" and that is individual to each person.  With that said, we are really looking to provide resources for those who are interested in a more unique and personal experience. 

Our first meeting is taking place in someone's living room in the middle of January in the Petoskey area.  If anyone knows of resources in Northern Michigan and would like to share, please do so.  So far we are hoping to bring in the ideas from midwives, doulas, birthing assistants, alternative forms of therapies, and women who have had alternative births...and anyone who is interested in contributing. 

Check out Ricki Lake's Business of Being Born link for some insight.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

Turbo Jam Rocks!

I must say that I absolutely and completely fell in love with Turbo Jam about 6 years ago.  I cannot believe that it has been so long since I first started.  When I began I was looking to lose another 10 lbs.  I had gaines A LOT of weight in college and was hitting a plateu.  I lost the last 10 lbs I was looking to lose within 6-8 weeks of starting the program.  I didnt follow the program daily as suggested so it took me slightly longer than than the advertisements claim. 

Let me just tell you that I have never been a fan of working out.  Prior to Turbo Jam I did everything I could think of including starving myself and taking metabolism stimulants to increase my calorie burning power.  I ended up in the gym halfway through my bachelor degree and I had a love/hate relationship with the gym.  I didnt feel comfortable in the classes because I wasnt "fit" enough to keep up and I tend to be a little competitive.  I stuck to the eliptical machine and some weight training but never got the effect I was looking for.  When I moved back home after college I saw an ad for Turbo Jam and tried it.  I figured I could just send it back if I didnt like it.  Well, I never once thought about sending it back.

I felt completely uncoordinated (still do sometimes), clumsy, and silly doing these workouts but the 700 calorie burn per hour totally motivated me.  Its not just a claim, I actually calculated it by tracking my heart rate with a wrist band.  This is way more than I could burn at the gym.  And...I could do it in my own home.  I would still like to take a class now that I know the moves but I havent been able to fit that into my schedule.

So, I have been severly neglecting my Turbo Jam since my daughter was born 16 months ago.  Maybe slightly longer than that... I did workouts in the spring and tried this fall.  In the summer I usually try to spend my workouts in nature and its too hot to workout inside.  So, I just started my regular routine last night and I am hoping to workout at least 5 out of 7 days each week while Im on break from grad school and my internship.  Im soooo excited.  Last night I did 45 minutes of Cardio Party 1 and this morning I did 30 minutes of strength training - Turbo Sculpt plus Abs.

Speaking of Abs...I absolutely hate floor abs!!! with a passion!  So, my thanks go out to Chalene Johnson, the creator of Turbo Jam for encorporating ab work into the cardio and strength trainning while standing.  I love Chalene! She makes me feel good about myself through the TV.  I also love the crew in the videos, they feel like my friends even though I never met them in person.  After each workout, there are snipets of interviews and insight to Chalene's world of Turbo jam.  They dont know me but I feel like Ive made great friends and have a huge support system.  I now have a relationship with each of them that they are totally unaware of. 

I have tried other beachbody videos to mix up my routine but I always go back to Turbo Jam! I cant wait to try Turbo Fire and Chalene Extreme!  I do like the Yoga Booty Ballet, Hip Hop Abs, and Slim in 6 but nothing compares to Turbo Jam's intensity and fun.  Keep on Turbo Jammin'
Peacehttp://www.beachbody.com/