Alien in the Locker Room

So we watched Aliens in America at the cw's website (we don't really have a TV to speak of, but that's a different post altogether). It's a great show - funny, doesn't make you think too hard, promotes a message of tolerance, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's America's wry and snarky answer to the cheesefest that is Little Mosque on the Prarie. If you thought Yasser's wife pinching his butt in the mosque was risque, just wait till you see what the bullies at Medora High do when Raja expresses his sincere love for his new best friend, Justin.

Aside from the glaring errors now and then --Raja? a Pakistani muslim named Raja? Who walks around butt nekkid in the boys' locker room at school?-- it's as enjoyable as Everybody Hates Chris. It's no Gilmore Girls or South Park (are you getting a clue why we don't have a TV anymore) but its definitely on my Monday night viewing schedule for the next few weeks. Actually, it's not - we can watch online anytime!!

Book Review - Baby 411

In contrast to my earlier review of "What to Expect When You're Expecting," I can't find enough praise for "Baby 411." This book is like having an experienced mom willing to share her secrets and frankly discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly.




For example, lately (like since the Baboo was 3 months old till now) I've been reading everything I can get my hands on relating to How to Get Baby to Sleep. There's 5 methods and most articles objectively present the advantages and disadvantages of each method, leaving it to you, the parent, to figure out which is best for your child.




I guess this is a reasonable approach, but... come on, I've never done this before, and now I'm being asked to choose among 5 doctor-approved methods, all of which are proven to work. Baby 411 condenses the information into one chart and then tells you which one to choose. I think my acceptance of this book is a turning point in my attitude towards parenting: I don't need to be perfect. I don't need to do all the research, ask friends and other parents for advice, check my internet sources, and then implement the correct most up-to-date organic no lead no plastic no TV educational developmentally superior environment for my child. Sure I would if I had unlimited time and energy. But I don't. I just want some sleep.

How not to Throw Up

This is part of a special series devoted to the pregnant and unprepared.

(1) Press the inside of your wrist. There is a pressure point known to give relief 2 inches above (away from your hand) the crease on the inner aspect of the wrist. Seabands look dorky and don't work as well as your own thumbs (which never get lost).

(2) Ginger. I recommend smelling it (cut a fresh root) or drinking it (tea), not eating it, though I suppose any of the above might work. Also, Badger makes a high quality lip and body balm that you can apply right under your nose. This is now available at some drugstores, and definitely at Whole Foods or drugstore.com.

(3) Jolly ranchers. Preggie pops are just overpriced oversized oversweet jolly ranchers. Stick with the original.

(4) Eat fruit and drink water. It just goes down easy. There will be plenty of time for meat in the later trimesters.

(5) Get your vitamins from nutrition bars or childrens chewable vitamins (a few stores have chewable vitamins without gelatin, for example, Trader Joes's brand chewables). This way you can avoid the enormous prenatal pills, which are really gag-inducing after a point.

(6) Deep breaths. Use in combination with the pressure points.

Got a favorite remedy? Please add in the comments section!

Essential Baby Gear

There are a few items that friends have recommended to me that are just lifesavers. Also, my friends tend to do alot of research before buying baby gear, so I get to piggyback off their work. Now you can too. Here are a few of their (and my) favorite things for Year One.

Graco (or Baby Trend) Snap'n'Go - it's much lighter than the all-in-one travel systems. Not to mention way cheaper. You'll have to get a front-facing one when baby gets older.

Graco car seat - adorn the inside handle with stickers from the pediatrician's office. You will thank yourself later. Don't forget your take-along tether (see post of September 2007).

Graco Bassinet - like the one pictured, but get the one with an underneath storage basket.

Boppy with Cover

Baby Bjorn, along with a bib to keep the carrier dry and clean under baby's chin.

Baby's Bliss Grip Water (Very important!!)

Baby nail clippers and file - and don't forget to check baby's nails when you get home from the hospital.

Fisher Price Kick'n'Play Infant Seat

Medela Pump in Style - take it to the hospital with you, just in case.

Fisher Price Healthy Care booster seat - you won't need this till later, when he can sit on his own, but it's a great spacesaver, easy to take to restaurants, and eliminates the need for a highchair. Also, it teaches kids to sit still when they are eating (I hope!).

Gerber 100% cotton footed pajamas. They come in three-packs at Target and your kid will live in these for the first three months.

Munchkin bottle rack, bottle brush, dishwasher basket, formula travel container

An exersaucer and an automatic swing are also items to consider.

Also, it's definitely not essential, but the Kiddopotamus snuzzler for the car seat would be a good idea if your newborn will spend alot of time in his or her car seat.

Order the biggest box of Size N diapers from Amazon - it's a great price and ships for free!

Repeat for bigger sizes as baby grows. Have at least 100 Size N diapers ready when you come home from the hospital. That'll last you about 2 weeks if you're lucky.