34 Weeks and counting...

While I sit here in my 34th week of pregnancy number two, I am feeling wholly unprepared for the arrival of Allyson’s little brother (he still doesn’t have a name – and no it’s not Darryl.) In the midst of escrow (we’re set to close August 31st), we’re making every attempt not to buy anything, use our credit cards or make any major purchases. But as D-Day approaches, I’ve been making lists of the things that he’s going to need – that we don’t have. Might be a little odd to use my blog as a To-Do List, but when I have the urge to write, I guess all who read have to suffer along with me (and help me make sure I’m not missing anything.)

When Allyson was born I knew that we were going to have a second so I made sure to get most of the “big” items in a gender neutral color so that we could re-use them. I am incredibly thankful for that foresight now because I could not imagine buying some of these things again. I already have – in bright green – the car seat and stroller. We have a swing and bouncy seat as well as a Jumperoo and high chair.

Here’s what I still need (and am starting to freak out about):

Bedding – we have it narrowed down to two different options (I think.) One set is called “Wings.”

And the other is called “Lil League.”

I think we’re leaning towards the “Wings” set. He’ll be able to have sports stuff later on in life if he wants. All Allyson’s bed set will be passed down to her little brother. So, I already have the crib and changing table along with the dresser. (Note the other big cost – this means my kid now has no bedroom set – yikes!)

I also need to get another monitor. In the new house, the kids are on the complete opposite side of the master bedroom. I don’t really love it (but I know I’ll get there when they get a bit older.) So, I really think I’m going to want a monitor in her room as well as one in the baby’s room – at least while she gets to know her room and the way to Mommy’s if she needs me in the middle of the night.

My diaper bag was destroyed in the last year, I really beat it up. Plus it was pretty girlie. I found this Timi & Leslie bag online at Zappos.com (have I mentioned how much I LOVE Zappos?)

This item isn’t deathly important, but now I’m heading into “nice-to-get” zone.

I’ve also done a little bit of research on strollers. We hardly ever use a stroller now, but I’m thinking that with two I might need/want/use one a bit more. I really wanted to find one that I could attach the carseat too, but that would also allow for Ally to ride along as well (she’s not all that keen on being strapped in a stroller – she’s my big girl.) I found one online by Joovy called the Caboose Ultralight Stand-On Tandem Stroller. It’s a pretty cool idea. The infant is strapped in the carseat in front and then the toddler child gets to ride or sit behind. Again, a “nice-to-have,” I’ll see how desperate I become when I start to venture out with the two of them.

And then there are all the little things that I know I’ll use but don’t have my shelves stocked with yet. New binkies – I love the NUK ones. New nipples for bottles – for when I go back to work. Milk bags, a new bath sling, diapers…you know – all that little stuff. I’ve been shopping since I found out we were having a boy (I know – shocker to all of you) for clothes and I went through all Ally’s old clothes looking for gender neutral items. I think I’m all set on onesies – that’s about all I was able to separate out. I see now that my daughter was a pretty girlie girl. (No wonder she was so cute! Wait a minute, she’s still cute.) I have all the stuff I have bought him in a bin but really have no idea what kind of inventory of size I have. Once we’re in the new house I’ll line it all up and see where I need to fill in.

I’m sure I’m missing stuff, but I know that I’ll be able to wing this one a little more. I mean, I’ve already had one – I know what I’m doing, right? All this stuff will fall into place as we get into the new house, as the baby arrives and as life as we know it moves into a more normal routine. At least a girl can hope, right?

~Becky

Decisions, decisions...

Should I get an eBook reader? I’ve been contemplating purchasing one for about a year now and I continue to struggle with it. It’s definitely a want versus a need, but this girl likes her techie gadgets (read: closet geek). I love to read, have a book in my purse or briefcase most of the time (usually one in both) and I thought that getting one of these new eBook readers might be something right up my alley.

I have a couple of reservations and I’d be interested to hear feedback from people who may have been in this boat or have actually purchased one.

1. I worry that I’ll miss the turning of the pages. The smell of a brand new hardcover, the crack of the spine when I first open it. Granted, buying an eBook reader doesn’t mean that I’ll never purchase a paper book again, but when you drop hundreds of dollars on one, my husband would probably be a bit P.O’d if I went out and paid full price rather than the cheaper eBook price.
2. I love to lend (and receive lent) books. There are restrictions with some of these eBook readers that even if I had a friend that had one as well, I might not be able to lend the books out. Granted, I’m sure publishers are none too thrilled with the lending book idea, but I get through a lot of great novels that way.
3. I stare at a computer screen all day. Is the last thing I want to do is come home and stare at another screen? These readers are not backlit so they’re very different than my computer screen, but it’s still an electronic screen. Between work, Blackberry and TV at home I think my eyes might fall out of my head.

I’ve only physically held the Barnes & Noble Nook. It was pretty cool. I like the size – can shove it in my purse and have a book always. Here are a few cool features of the Nook:

1. Ability to purchase content via WiFi and AT&T 3G wireless connections from any location in the US.
2. Ability to lend ebooks to others for 14 days.
3. Ability to checkout and read local library ebooks for free.
4. Ability to browse full ebook content while connected in Barnes & Noble stores.

Then there’s the Amazon Kindle. Cool features:

1. Been around longer than the Nook – i.e. the kinks have been worked out.
2. Longer battery life than the Nook.
3. Free book samples.

And the Sony Reader. Not really one of my top two – maybe not even worth the research to find out what’s good about it. Totally my prerogative.

I think I’m partial to the Nook, but that could just be because I’ve actually held it (and I’m a card carrying B&N member). I don’t know anyone with a Kindle and would appreciate any feedback from those who enjoy it. Hmm….what to choose? What to choose?

Or….do I hold off and wait for the next generation of eBook readers? Am I really sure I even want one? ARG! I’ve got a birthday and Mother’s Day this weekend and Steve is anxious to hear what I want. Maybe I’ll just say “screw it” and ask for jewelry….

~Becky

Random Stuff We Love

It doesn't take much to make us happy. If Ally's happy, then Steve and I are usually (baring any major work stressors) happy parents as well. Because of this reason I wanted to share the first of a couple posts of things in the Carroll house that make our world go round. None of these items are major, mind-blowing or earth shattering. These are just the necessities that help this family of three make it through the days.

We have used Johnson & Johnson No More Tears baby shampoo since we got home from the hospital. Thanks to some dear friends that sent us their leftover supply (thanks Michele!) we have yet to run out of the original yellow bottle of baby shampoo. Up until a few months ago, I never really thought about the smell of the stuff. It was always familiar and not always pleasant but it never really dawned on me what I was smelling. Well, a few months ago I realized that for the last year and a half of my daugther's life she smelled like wet dog. More specifically, our wet dogs.

Let me explain. We were told years ago that the best shampoo for dogs like ours, Australian Shepherds, was baby shampoo. So, that's what we used. And that is why, after so long, I realized the smell I was relating my freshly cleaned daughter to was dog. Poor thing, it's not her fault...her Mom's just slightly crazy I think.

To my delight, Johnson & Johnson makes a line of baby bath products in lavender scent. I can now take Ally out of the bath, take a deep breath and not think damp canine. I think beautiful, clean baby girl. ~Lovely~

Ally has also loved her Baby Cozie. (I can't for the life of me remember who got him for her - if it's you - speak up!) We call him, disgustingly, Road Kill Kitty (or RKK for short) because he's flat, but kiddo hasn't seemed to catch on to that one yet. Ally loves him, even as she moves on to more "sophisticated" toys like Winnie the Pooh and Goofy (or Foofy as Ally says). She has always loved her kitty.

One of the favorite snacks in our house, that Steve and I have to refrain from polishing off, are Nilla wafers. Ally loves them. Most definitely not the healthiest snack on the shelf, but one of the cutest when Ally says "Nilla peeese."

Found this lunch bag at Goore's on a shopping trip shortly after Ally started eating baby food. Up until then, I would pack her milk in bottles in a thermal bag and her baby food in a paper bag. This lunch bag was exactly what we needed and now Ally loves carrying it in and out of daycare. The line is called Sugarbooger, which just makes me smile, and is made by ORE Originals. It's thermal, fits two sippy cups, breakfast and lunch every day without issue. Love it!

And for this "work from home on Fridays" mom, Playhouse Disney is a blessing. Just enough amounts of fun to keep my daughter entertained when I need her to be and education to get her to stand up and count the number of dancing elephants or "pat, pat, pat" to get Rocket to fly. Her four favorites are below - Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger and Pooh and Jungle Junction (her new favorite).

And last for this list is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This was the first book Allyson really showed an interest in and the one that she will always sit still and listen to me read. It's a wonderful story and I hope you all get it and share it with your children. This little cardboard book (that's getting torn up from repetitive use) will always hold a special place in this household.

Hope you find that you love this stuff as much as I do!

~Becky