Baby Dickey

Ryan is 7 months old!

babydickey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:46:48 +0000

I have to catch myself now when answering the question, “how old is he?” because I’m still stuck at “6 months!” AHH! I feel like his 1st birthday party is just around the corner and I need to start planning. SO MUCH has changed in the last month, I feel like we have a real boy on our hands now, haha.

Dear Ryan,

Let me tell you, this photo shoot was DIFFICULT. All you wanted to do was crawl over the arm of the chair or topple out the front of it. I was constantly grabbing you to make sure you didn’t fall and the only way I could keep you occupied and in your seat was to give you a leaf! That means I got lots of cute pictures of you inspecting leaves and branches, but not too many of your adorable little face

Oh goodness, where to start! I guess you just had a doctor appointment (because we missed your 6-month one) so let’s start with the stats… You now weight 18 pounds and 4 ounces. You used to be near the 95th percentile in weight, but you’ve dropped and now you’re around 60–70. BUT, you are one TALL little boy! You’re still in the 95th percentile there… 28 inches! That means you grew 4 inches in the last 3 months! GO BABY GO!

At 6 months you loved to sit. Now you’re a pro and you love to MOVE! I can just tell you want to run all over the place. Pretty soon, little man! About 2 weeks ago you started rocking back and forth on your knees. Then you slowly started moving around the room by constantly getting up on your knees, moving back to sitting, and falling on your knees again. You’re persistent! I think today is the first time I actually saw you CRAWL, like one arm and one leg in front of the other. You went about 2 feet before you decided that was enough and you cried for mama We have a LOT of babyproofing to do!!! You’re going to be just cruising all over before we know it.

It makes me want to cry a little, because you’re so big already. But at the same time, I’m so proud. You’re the cutest thing ever! You enjoy playing on the floor (a little one’s imagination!) and inspecting everything you can find–especially the items you know you’re not supposed to have

We’re still breastfeeding! Even though you’re enjoying biting me while nursing, I haven’t given up. It’s just a phase, right?! You really don’t seem to have an interest in food yet. People tell us we could at least do rice cereal, but we don’t think you need it. “Food before you’re one is just for fun!” I gave you a banana chunk the other day for fun. You squished it around in your fingers, inspected it like you do everything, then put it to your mouth.

It didn’t go over very well, haha. We’ll try again. You also recently started trying to pull yourself up to stand. You LOVE this glass/mirror cabinet and have learned how to open the doors, watch yourself in the mirror, and almost get up! And thankfully, you haven’t fallen over (yet).

We’re also still co-sleeping. We’re having some issues right now, I think because you’re learning to crawl. That’s a huge developmental milestone and I think it just has your mind racing! That or you never want your mama to leave your side You’re still in size 3 diapers and you’re wearing size 12 month clothes! You still wear some 9-month stuff, depends on the brand. Or depends if your mama wants to think you’re not as big as you are and insists on stuffing you in a really cute, size 9mo outfit

I think in my 8-month post update you’ll be crawling and cruising, mister. I can’t wait for all the exciting stuff ahead! But also, I listened to a clip of you “talking” when you were 1.5 months old and I miss those days too! Just trying my best to love and enjoy every moment with you, Ryan, because you’re changing and growing so quickly!

Love you to the moon and back 9,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 times <3
Mommy & Daddy

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Meet Nikon, my new baby!

babydickey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:22:09 +0000

I’d like to introduce to you my new little girl, Nikon. I decided she’s a girl because… I already have a boy. And she’s beautiful. I debated between the names Nikon and Canon for a long time, but Nikon won, and I’m really happy about that. Let’s see what she can do:

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CSN Stores has everything!

babydickey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:49:39 +0000

I shop online. A lot. When I get stressed, shopping is my therapy–it probably shouldn’t be, haha, but it works! As a mom, it’s a bit harder to get out of the house to run errands… that’s why I <3 shopping online. And that’s why I love sites like CSN stores. They have everything! From mama stuff, to baby stuff, to home stuff like bedroom furniture sets. I could spend ~~hours~~ days on there.

Of course, my life is centered around Ryan, so he’s mainly who I shop for. I reallllly want to get him a wagon. And not just any wagon, but the same one we had as kids… this nice, wooden Radio Flyer one:

It’s a litttttle expensive though, so maybe it’ll be a Christmas present. Or birthday present! I know the two or only 2 days apart, but I said I’d never combine gifts, that poor kid, lol.

CSN Stores is sending us the Baby Bjorn Babysitter Toy… we have the Babysitter and have always thought, man that’d be so much cooler if it had a toy bar! We’ve tried creating our own but nothing stayed. Well OF COURSE Baby Bjorn makes their own!!! Maybe this will keep Ryan occupied for a bit longer while he’s playing in his chair

So be on the lookout for my review (and super cute pictures of Ryan)! Until then, check out alllll the stuff at CSN Stores!

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Are you a must-have-coffee person? I AM!

babydickey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:19:56 +0000

Kahve Koffee has been providing the world’s best coffee beans, gourmet coffee and fine tea since 1983! As a new mom (and working mom!) of a 7-month-old, I live on coffee. You better get.out.of.my.way if I haven’t had my morning cup. I love love love fancy coffees, but usually have to stick with the “normal” stuff. That’s why I’m super excited to try Kahve Koffee. It’s “normal” stuff I guess, but it’s FANCY “normal.” Why Kahve?

They’re obsessed with quality. Obsessed with the beans, the roasting, the packaging, the freshness! Their “master roaster” (see, I told you it’s fancy) knows the harvest, the altitude, the growing conditions, and the quality of the beans. He studies beans from all over the world and only selected the finest for Kahve.

They even have “Club Kahve”–get Koffee auto-shipped to your home and save 10% on recurring orders! At any time you can change the number of bags you receive, type or roast and grind, and the frequency at which they’re shipped.

I haven’t tried this coffee yet, but am being shipped a bag of the popular light/medium roast: Geneva Blend. I wasn’t sure what to pick! They have light roasts, light/medium, medium/dark and dark! What do you drink??? Is there really a big difference between them? I like to add cream and sugar so I figured I didn’t want a heavy (dark) roast. And thought I couldn’t go wrong with one of their most popular bags! I’ll let you know how it is once it arrives

In the meantime… who wants to win their own bag?! One lucky reader will win one 12-oz bag of whatever they’d like (excluding flavored coffees). To enter, just head over to my new giveaway blog: Baby Dickey’s Giveaways!

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Cesarean vs. VBAC

babydickey — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:54:19 +0000

I probably shouldn’t have watched this first thing in the morning, because it has me sobbing. This woman went through TWO unnecessary c-sections and ended with a VBAC homebirth in the water. It’s beautiful. The pictures shown at the end really got to me… I have nearly the exact same picture from after my cesarean–my first time meeting Ryan, strapped to a table, unable to touch him, and too drugged up to know left from right. I can’t wait for my homebirth next time.

*This video does show the baby coming out during the c-section so it may be a bit graphic for some of you.

Taken by Alexandra Orchard:

Cesarean vs. VBAC: A Dramatic Difference from Alexandra Orchard on Vimeo.

Watch how a baby is delivered in a cesarean birth and see the dramatic difference in what both the mother and baby experience in a home water birth after cesarean.

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Sign up for Simplisse #bfing swag at #BlogHer10!

babydickey — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:27:38 +0000

Are you going to BlogHer10?

Are you a breastfeeding mama or are you preggo & planning to breastfeed? Do you have a close breastfeeding friend?

Do you want some great breastfeeding products for FREE?!

If you answered YES to the questions above, you better sign up for one of my swag bags! My amazing sponsor, Simplisse Breastfeeding Products, has put together some awesome swag bags just for you! Each bag has a sample of breastmilk storage bags, disposable breast pads, a full-size bottle of nipple cream, and a handy little brochure. WHOOOHOO! Check ‘em out:

You know you want one! Bloggers will also have a chance at the conference to sign up to review Simplisse products on their blogs, so make sure you find me and we can chat!

Please, only breastfeeding or soon-to-be breastfeeding ladies or women who have a close breastfeeding friend. Quantities are limited so SIGN UP NOW! I have selected certain times to hand these out from my hotel room, per BlogHer guidelines. My hotel room will be emailed to you later.

To sign up, take this short survey: I WANT SIMPLISSE SWAG!

***NOT going to BlogHer this year? No worries! I’ll have swag bags to giveaway to you as well!!! Make sure you’re following my blog and twitter during the conference to watch for special announcements on how to win! Aren’t the people at Simplisse wonderful?!***

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Ryan has new crib bedding! (& $300+ giveaway!)

babydickey — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:02:34 +0000

When I was pregnant, we picked out an awesome theme for Ryan’s room. I wanted animals, Steve wanted sports. We actually found ANIMALS PLAYING SPORTS. Blows your mind, I know. Sadly, we never got the whole bedding set because it was so expensive. We ended up buying other pieces that matched… the window valance, crib mobile, wall stickers and the lamp. I was always pretty disappointed though that we didn’t have a matching crib sheet set. I found really cute jungle animal sheets at Target, but we never did have a crib skirt!

Artistic Sensations has really cute children’s bedding and other nursery decor items. If you keep up with Jenn over at Baby Making Machine, you know she got her beautiful bedding (and wall squares) for her adorable daughter from Artistic Sensations too! I was lucky enough to win one of Jenn’s giveaways for some imagination wall decor squares and got to talking with the owner, Kim, about my bedding issue.

She saved the day! Okay, she saved my husband from hearing me ever complain again about not having a crib bedding set I LOVE IT! The colors match the rest of our theme stuff really well. Besides, I kind of think an entire room of jungle animals (playing sports) is a little much, so I love the crib being a bit different… pretty!

I love love love the crib sheet. And the blues and the little bits of brown go great with the rest of Ryan’s things. Now I just wish his walls were painted and everything was hung up so you could see!!! We moved here in Feb. when Ryan almost 2 months old and now we’re discussing moving again (we’re insane, I know) so I’m not sure his room will EVER get done! AH! But.… at least we have a matching crib set Mama is happy. Which is funny because it’s not like Ryan sleeps in his crib anyway. BUT IT’S PRETTY ANYWAY!

The stripes on the crib bumper kind of get hidden by the slats on the crib, but that’s ok, because I love the baby blue color. (I know, I KNOW, crib bumpers aren’t safe. But Ryan doesn’t sleep in there, remember?) And the little fans of color on the crib skirt? Perfect touch. In the picture above you can see the included crib sheet, bumper, crib skirt. It also included a blanket (in the first picture), a window valance, and a diaper stacker:

Awesome, right? We didn’t even own one of these before. We have a basket with the changing table with diapers, but seriously–that changing table is getting a bit dangerous to put Ryan on! He’s a little monster. So I’m going to prefer the floor pretty soon, which will be a lot easier with this handy stacker.

OK, so what’s the good news for YOU?! Artistic Sensations is giving one lucky reader their very own crib bedding set for a little girl!

This is called Circus Crib Bedding and is valued at OVER $300! Do you want to WIN this set? Just head over to my NEW review and giveaway blog for details on how to enter!!! Baby Dickey’s Giveaways: baby tested, mama dickey approved!

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You know you wanna know: BlogHer10 Schedule

babydickey — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:30:02 +0000

I’ve said it many times before–I’m a list maker. I’m a planner. And it has been driving me CRAZY that BlogHer is just over a week away and I haven’t sat down yet and figured out what my schedule is. There are tons of parties and meetings and sessions… all at the same time! Where will I be?!

THURSDAY:
2pm: flight arrives
4:30-ish: Coffee with Kristine and ??? Tara and Becca?
5:30pm: pre-BlogHer dinner at Zen Palate with the coolest people ever (invite yourself!)
Squeezed in 5-7pm: MomSelect party
7pm: The People’s Party

FRIDAY:
8-9am: newbie breakfast
9–9:30am: welcome
10am: MomSelect Swag Suite
10:30–10:45: 1-on-1 meeting with Fisher-Price
10:45–11:45am: first session (geek lab? I’m not sure yet)
11:45am-1:15pm: private lunch with the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) and Perinatal Nutrition Working Group (PNWG)
1:15–2:30pm: session (change agents or writing lab?)
2-3pm: between sessions, pick up swag bag from Haley Quarles
2:45-4pm: session (professional or geek lab?)
4pm: Sweets in the City–Suite Event
4:30–4:45pm: afternoon break (handing out my SWAG!)*
4:45-6pm: keynote speaker
6-7pm: reception
7-10pm: gala and art auction

SATURDAY:
8-9am: breakfast
9–9:30am: recap
9:30–10:30am: keynote speaker
10:45am-12pm: session (haven’t even looked at them yet)
12–1:30pm: lunch (where????)
1:30–2:45pm: session
3–4:15pm: session
4:30-5pm: afternoon break (handing out my SWAG!)*
5-6pm: closing keynote
6-9pm: The Green Affair party

SUNDAY:
sleep in?!!?!
breakfast
flight leaves at noon!

*SWAG!!! That’s right. I’m going to have some great swag bags to hand out to some select lucky folks from the wonderful people at Simplisse Breastfeeding Products! Trust me, you want one! Look for a blog post coming soon for details. Not attending BlogHer? No worries, you’ll have your chance at some swag too because Simplisse is just that awesome

I may need to add in some more time slots to hand out said swag. I also REALLY want to spend a good amount of time walking through the exhibit halls and talking with all the companies (and BOO-ING NESTLE, right?!). So I may need to skip a session for that, I haven’t decided.

AND… be prepared to get jealous… I got an email today that I won the BlogHer P&G contest for a makeover by celebrity makeup artist Bruce Grayson AND a $100 spa gift card So you better believe I need to fit in that makeover sometime too!

I CAN’T WAIT!
btw, don’t forget about my survey if you want to meet up with me in NYC! Fill it out so I have all your contact info so I can make sure we meet, even if it’s just sitting next to each other at a session (multi-tasking)!

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Wordless Wednesday: babywearing

babydickey — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:09:59 +0000

Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!

This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe’s Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today’s post is Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos! Please read the other blogs in today’s carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!

Here are more posts by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

Amy @ Anktangle—wordless wednesday: babywearing in the first week
Timbra @ Bosoms & Babes—Every-WEAR we go
Yuliya @ She Suggests—Babywearing Fashion Show
Kaitlin Rose @ Bring Birth Home—Babywearing Photo Virtual Fashion Show
Melodie @ Breastfeeding Moms
Unite!—Sentimental Baby Carrier
Shelly @ Lousy Mom—Worst babywearing photo ever
Kate @ KateIsFun—Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing
Lauren @ Hobo Mama—Wordless Wednesday: Breastfeeding and babywearing
Emily @ Baby Dickey—Wordless Wednesday: babywearing
Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl—Wordless Wednesday: Every Babywearing Photo
Natasha @ naturalurbanmama—Wordless Wednesday: My Favourite Babywearing Pics
Renee @ Just the 5 of us!—Baby Wearing
Brooke @ Milk Maid Mama—Baby Wearing
Veronica @ Crunchy VT Mommy—Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos
Anne @ Dou-la-la—Wordless Wednesday: Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival– Babywearing!
And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s Blog today is Sherrie Green—Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos

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BlogHer10 to-do list

babydickey — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:50:02 +0000

I’m a list maker. And BlogHer10 is coming up wayyyy too quickly. I felt like I had so much time but it’s just over one week away!!! AHhhhhhhhhhhhhh. And yea, I put things on my list I’ve already done just so I can cross them off. Your point?

~~~Purchase plane ticket~~ Arrive in NYC at 2pm Thursday and leave at noon Sunday!
~~~Order laptop skin~~ done yesterday with rush shipping from skinit.com
~~~Order business cards~~ in the process of ordering them RIGHT NOW!
~~~Order “I <3 @babydickey” buttons~~ done, as of 5 minutes ago, also with rush shipping
~Figure out my schedule! I’ve made so many appointments and RSVP’d to one too many parties, I need to figure out where I’m going and where I’m sending my clone. (I wish!)
~Find things to wear (apparently clothing choice at BlogHer is a huge topic? I haven’t read any of these threads–yet–but need to figure out what I’m wearing to the evening parties!) This probably = shopping!
~Get a new website up and running (because it’s listed on my business cards)… it’s a surprise!
~PUMP LOTS OF MILK. I don’t have nearly enough yet to leave Ryan!
~Speaking of pumping… I need to stock up on Simplisse breastmilk storage bags to save my liquid gold while in NYC!!!
~Buy a case for my BRAND NEW NIKON D5000 camera!!! Yep. I’m in looooove.
~Buy a business card case or something handy like that.
~Actually sit down and read the massive BlogHer10 guide they sent out.

Okay… that doesn’t seem so bad, right? I have a week… during which I am also finishing up my position at my current job (yea, that’s more news!), preparing for my new job, catching up on 10 reviews I’m way behind on posting, and going to the Birthing Babes open house on Sunday in Lombard, IL. Okay, now the list sounds a littttttle worse.

Better get moving!

And let me again say THANK YOU to my amazing sponsor, Simplisse, for allowing me to even have this massive to-do list . They make a complete line of breastfeeding products that I absolutely love and they are the reason I am able to jump on a plane next week to have a 4-day business/vaycay/friend time/me time/no baby time trip

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