My Earth Week So Far.....

Last weekend started the "week of CRAZY" in our house! I thought that recovering on Sunday from two big days would have helped.....but it didn't! Baby J's teeth are still coming in so he has been getting cranky recently, my allergies are acting up and the bf has been sick :( . Seriously, he has been sick ALL week and I am nervous he's going to get the baby and I sick. So far, so good. I just sneeze whenever I'm outside because of all the pollen in the air. Baby J sneezes too but his sound much cuter than mine :) .

Baby J is going to take off any day now. He stands in his pack and play and will move his hands to the left or right and take steps in the same direction. He's really getting the hang of it! I am so amazed with how much he has learned in the past ten months. I guess it's one of those things you need to experience first-hand in order to appreciate what goes into taking care of a child and how that child reacts and learns from what you teach them. It really is amazing.

Mom's Birthday went well. She was with her four kids, their significant others and her grand-baby (Baby J). She was happy and we treated her to dinner- we even got her a mini cake! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and it was nice to get everyone together.

Yesterday was Earth Day! Baby J and I went to my Nana's house and stayed with her for the afternoon. We went for a nice walk in her yard which always seems to tire Baby J out because he always falls asleep afterward! It's fine with me!

I got my shoes too! I'm not sure if I mentioned that I ordered a pair of TOMS Shoes, but I did and I got them. They are so comfy and I love them! I can't wait to get another pair! I was also thinking about getting a pair for Baby J's birthday even though he won't be able to wear them till he's a little bigger (like 2 or 3). They just have a really great pair on the site with writing that looks like graffiti- they are awesome looking!

So what did you do on Earth day? Anything special? I would like some ideas for next year when little Mister is walking and can understand it more!

Much love,
-J

Too Crazy for Words

Ok, so I slacked! I'm sorry! I haven't written anything in a while, but the weekend was CRAZY and we needed Sunday to recover!

Thursday night my brother and his buddy came over to hang out (it was nice seeing them) and then Friday we had gone to a friends house. Friday we had a great time! Got to see some friends I haven't seen in a while and we talked and played Wii (The bowling is so much fun)! We were able to bring Baby J along with us- he hung out for a while and then fell asleep in the guest bedroom. We are very fortunate to have friends that let us bring our baby to hang out!

So anyway, we had a Communion on Saturday. It was my first communion ceremony I have ever been to. It was interesting. I did not grow up Catholic so I had no idea what went on and it was the first time I attended something like a Mass in a Catholic church. So after the church we went to the party. It was fun, but I was soooooo tired! Staying out two nights in a row is not fun with a baby in tow! I was just happy he did so well with everyone.

Sunday we recovered! We were in out pajamas all day and took a nice (and much needed) nap! So after the crazy weekend we had, it was very hard to wake up Monday morning!

It's Earth week!!!!! I am so excited! It's also my mom's Birthday! Very big week for us! Baby J and I have to go out to get my mom a gift for her birthday and I am not sure where I should go or what I should get her. She has way too many clothes, so I think they are out of the question. I was thinking about going to Whole Foods and getting something there for her......just not sure what.....

Whatever I do, I know I should not stay out too long. Baby J has been getting antsy wayyyyyyy too fast! He's getting more teeth in (I can see it popping through on the top), and it makes him very irritable. That, and he has been wanting to walk everywhere! He is such an active boy! I need to start taking vitamins or drink energy drinks to keep up with him!

Does anyone know of something that can give me some energy? Let me know!

Much love,
-J

Lazy lazy day

Today was not overly thrilling. Baby J and I stayed home for most of it because he was very cranky all day. I am not sure why, but, he wakes up in a great mood some days, and then other days he is a total crab. I know he is getting more teeth in- I can feel the bumps- but I feel that it does not matter what I do to try to make him happy. Other than him being a crab ALL DAY, we went shopping at our local Whole Foods and got some certified organic poppy seeds (as in the flower) so we can grow them, as well as a few groceries.

I must admit that I have not really used the stroller for Baby J at all recently. It feels great! I have been using the Baby Bjorn that was given to us for my baby shower. Other than a sore back, I feel like I am stronger for hauling around a fifteen pound baby strapped to my chest! LOL. It sounds funny.... but it's true!

Hopefully tomorrow will be more exciting and I really REALLY hope Baby J is in a better mood. There is nothing worse than a cranky baby!

Sorry this post wasn't too long, but I promise tomorrow will be longer.

Have a great night!

Much love,
-J

Oh Tuesday........

OKAY!!!!! So I have been on a roll with blogging and it feels GREAT! It's nice to make time for myself to think after the baby goes to sleep. I think about my day, what I am going to do tomorrow and of course wonder how the baby will be tomorrow. He has been out of the house these past two days. Monday- work and today I worked for a few hours and then got together with my sister and my Nana for lunch. I heart them! Lunch was great as usual (vegan style because of the sis) and the company was great. Baby J really seemed to enjoy himself too until he got tired. He has not fully recovered from his cold and to top it all off he has more teeth coming in! Yes..... teeth.... MORE teeth which means he will be drooling and chewing more :/. It also means he will be MUCH crankier than he usually is. Sheesh! How am I going to deal with it?!?!?! I'll figure it out.... I did before and hope it will be easier this time!

After lunch I went shopping with my sister...... I still can't decide if it was a good idea. The thing is, when we get together, we spend money- not huge amounts, but more than we plan. I bought myself some running attire (oh yes, you heard me correctly) because I need to get in shape. It will also get me to go outside with the baby more (which is great for him!). I like being outside, but when you put jogging or any other kind of physical activity (besides swimming), then I don't like it. So........ for the good of the team I must suck it up, force myself to move and tone in the process. Sounds like a lot......

Oh, and by the way my running shorts are environmentally friendly! : P

Today I also got a large rectangular planter and organic potting soil from Target. I plan on either transplanting my herbs into one planter or plant my lettuce and spinach in it. I plan on getting a taller pot to plant my growing tomatoes. I feel like I have ten green fingers than just a green thumb (lol)! My seeds have sprouted and I am ready to plant them. I also have two mango seeds that have started to root (they will go next to the other mango that sprouted a few months ago) and three avocado trees that I hope to plant in a large pot too. I know that the trees I start from the fruit seeds will not give me any fruit, but the leaves are so beautiful and they give me fresh air to breathe!

I have to make sure the plants are out of reach when Baby J starts to walk. He loves to grab the leaves and chew on them. It's okay to do with the herbs but not any of the other plants!

Well I think it is time for me to run off and sleep while I can. Hopefully a full night of sleep is ahead of me and I wake up refreshed! Goodnight to everyone who reads this!

Much love,
-J

My favorite things (and more).....

Getting back onto the subject of Earth month, I wanted to share that by taking small steps they can make an impact. When the baby was first born, the hospital told us to use water from bottles and not the tap... so we did. Every week or so we would go to the store and buy one or two cases of water- you know, the ones with 24 bottles. We had so much recycling in the house that I had to empty the can every two days. To get to the point, we bought a Brita filter and we have cut down on the amount of water bottles that we needed dramatically! It made me feel so much better knowing that I was doing something to stop creating so much waste.

I have also been using the cloth (washable ones) and the G-Diapers which have liners that you can compost or flush down the toilet. I like using the G-Diapers, but at night I feel they don't hold enough so I use the disposable ones for that :/.

Most of Baby J's toys are hand-me-downs. The pack and plays, the crib, the crib mattress, and tons of other toys that he plays with on a regular basis have been used before. Many of his clothes are from other people in the family whose kids have outgrown them. I feel so grateful to have so many family members and friends that think of me and Baby J - we really are blessed.

Many of the toys that I had on the registry (especially the teethers) are all eco-friendly. Organic cotton toys from Under the Nile have been great (he LOVES his carrot, green bean and mushroom!) and his other teethers are BPA free. I have been trying so hard to make decisions that don't make a big bad impact on our environment.

The thing I have noticed is that there are not many stores in the area that sell eco-friendly baby items. I have to order them online or go to the basic baby stores that have way too much stuff in them and never anything you really need or are looking for. The closest store that I found is actually in Sussex County, NJ and is called Mother Moon Baby. There is a website with a few items, but the store is much better to go to(much more stuff than what is posted on the website). This store carries the most unique items and most if not all is eco-friendly. That's why I love this place, and it is affordable which makes it so much more appealing.

Making this decision was easy. I wanted the most healthy and best way to bring up my family. By starting when the baby is young, I hope that what he learns with us, he keeps with him forever and uses it in a great way. I don't want him to be one of those kids that doesn't care about the world around him. I want him to be aware of himself and where he is and to know that his actions affect the world and the people around him.

Well, it's something to think about. What kind of impact do you have on the environment and what can you do to make it better?

Much love,
-J

Locally Grown

I know I'm a little late saying this, but it is Earth month!!! Ever since I got pregnant, I have been trying to do more eco-conscious things. Trying to buy organic products (ie: laundry soap, makeup, cleaners, clothes,etc.), and try to recycle as much as possible if I can't reuse it. I have also started an indoor garden with the BF and hopefully soon we can move it outside as the weather gets warmer. So far we have a variety of herbs like rosemary, basil, oregano, cilantro and parsley to name a few. We are also have a few kinds of lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, arugula, beets and onions. As soon as they get a little bigger we will be transplanting them so they can mature and hopefully give us lots of food :P.

Ok, so you are probably thinking that this blog is supposed to be about babies and baby things. Well..... it is! The reason I am blogging on this is that as Baby J has been growing, I have been showing him all of the plants at the different stages of growth. I let him touch, smell and occasionally taste depending on what it is. I have decided that I want him to be aware of what is going on in the environment and learn about the things that come from it, starting with the food that we eat.

I rarely give him food from the jar even though we have so many of them. He doesn't seem to like the taste of anything that is in them so he's been eating "grown up" food. He loves mashed potatoes, beans, cheese and yogurt to name a few. He prefers to drink water from a cup with the help of an adult too and that cuts down on the use of bottles. He is getting very big and very strong and I couldn't be happier!

I know there are so many people that say that eating organic and locally is way better than what you can buy in a supermarket. How much more local can you get than your own back yard?

Much love,
-J

Cold in the warm weather

Since it has been pretty warm here I started taking Baby J out for walks. Unfortunately, the day after Easter he came down with a cold and a cough. The cough started out dry so i thought it was just allergies, but that evening a fever had started :( . So..... this means for the past few days I have gotten about five hours sleep in total and i have a runny nose and sore throat. I can't believe babies can give their parents what sickness they may have! I am pretty sure it's because I have been so worn down and not eating right for these past few days. I just hope that I can stop it from becoming a full cold because I really don't want to give it back to him.

This is the first time he has gotten sick and I really don't like it. I mean, he has thrown up before, but it is the first time he has gotten sick and needs an Rx from the Dr. I feel so bad for him. He coughs his little cough and cries because he is uncomfortable. It makes me sad, but I am so relieved that he is starting to act like himself again.

Every single day brings new and exciting challenges to the mommy-front and I am not only ready to face them, but am also terrified. I am a new mommy, I don't know what to expect. Every baby is different and my baby just so happens to need me to be on roller skated to keep up with him. He is closer and closer to walking each day. He has figured out how to move his walker backwards with his feet (hopefully forwards will come soon) and can hold on to his crib rail or the side of the couch and bath tub for short periods of time before his legs get tired. He is my big boy!

Since he has gotten so big, my bf and I have gotten his clothes together and have sent two bags of baby clothes to South America. We have two more bags of clothes to send if we cannot find anyone who needs baby boy clothes. If anyone reads this blog, let me know and I can let you know what I have here.

Well, it's getting late so I am going to hit the sack. Have a great evening!

Much love,
-J