6 Months June 29, 2009

Guess who’s eating solid foods now?? Oh, and did I mention that he LOVES them?? Rice cereal (mixed in with BM and applesauce, thanks for the tips guys!), applesauce and PRUNES! He made a pretty funny face when he tried the prunes….he actually kind of gagged… but now he loves them.   He even grabs onto the spoon on his own and puts it in his mouth (sometimes he hits his nose or cheek).  I think this boy is going to love to eat.  Tomorrow we’re introducing sweet potatoes! No allergies thus far.  He also has had strawberries in the m.unchin snack-net thing (of course now I can’t think of the name!) and adores them.  At this point we are giving him 2 “snacks” (example: after BF in the morning, he will have prunes, after BF lunch he will get applesauce, and then after BF dinner he will have rice cereal).  When did you guys move to 2 “meals” a day? I was really concerned that introducing solids would cause him to become constipated though….He went 3 days without pooping…..I kept giving him prunes on day 2….and I was happy he went a lot on day 3.  But boy was it different then what we were used to….2 words: THICK & SMELLY.  Does it stay this way??

Mobile Man June 24, 2009

Thanks for ALL the awesome advice on starting solids, etc.  You guys are the best and I really appreciated all the great feedback.

I wanted to post a video I took of Lachlan today.  He is becoming VERY mobile….and is changing EVERY day.  It’s wild to watch and thought some of you would get a kick out of it.  He just sits up on his own with little to no effort!  Enjoy! And thanks again for commenting!

Bumps and Bruises June 22, 2009

Yesterday was full of tears….and big ones at that.  Lachlan had his first real “boo-boo’s”.  3 to be exact!  One after the other after the other.  You see, this all began because our little man can now sit up UNASSISTED.  No toys, pillows or blankets to hold him up! He can go straight to sitting up from his back or his tummy.  The first injury happened after he fell backward in his crib and bumped his head….that one seemed to hurt me more than it hurt him.  He was left with a red bump, but didn’t cry too badly.  Next, he was on the floor on a big comforter, crawling/scooting around and I was reading him some of his favourite Dr. S.euss books.  He was sitting up for a minute or two and then lost his balance and mouth dived into the corner of “Are You My Mother?” (board book).  He wailed and screamed and cried big raindrop-like tears.  No amount of “I love you to the moon ANDDD back” seemed to help.  That was the first time I’ve seen him so upset.  His breaths were deep and quick and followed by sobs.  It broke our hearts.  After several minutes of tight hugs from the little man (so tight he left marks on my neck) he was calmed down.  Next we showed him the water in the kitchen.  This is one of his fav things to do….he tries to “grab” the water with his hands and it makes him squeel with delight.  After said injury, we thought this would cheer him up.  Simple, but it works.  I guess he was just starting to get overtired and after 2 injuries…probably exhausted from crying.  Well, within 30 seconds of touching the water, he leaned forward with such force that he bumped his forehead on the faucet!!! Screaming insued.  This wailing we were unable to stop…the only thing I could think of to do was try breastfeeding him.  He stopped crying right away and nursed until he fell asleep for the night at 7:30 – one whole hour earlier than normal.  I think he had just worn himself out emotionally and physically.  I was so happy that he finally calmed down and fell asleep.  After last night, I really realized how much it hurts both the parent AND their child when they are in pain.  You want so badly to make it better and take the pain away from them.  I know this is only the BEGINNING of things like this as Lachlan starts crawling and discovering the world.  I’m trying to prepare myself for the many more bumps and bruises to come and know that I will try my best to kiss and cuddle them better (as well as try to prevent them from happening in the first place).  Speaking of that….I ordered him a foam play mat yesterday off of A.mazon.  It is PVC free and safe for babies 0+.  I searched high and low for eco-friendly foam play mats that were free of harsh, harmful chemicals (and looked decent too!), but had a really hard time with it.  Ultimately, we are paying out a pretty penny for this mat…but at least I know it it safe if he licks it or something! It’s cute too, and will protect his cute little head from the hard floor at work.  Definitely the cutest one one on the market right now (by s.kiphop):

For all the mamas/aunties/nannies/honorary mamas out there, what do you do/recommend to keep your little loved ones safe on hard floors?

Next Monday Lach turns 6 months old.  I still can’t believe that.  Anyway, we are introducing solids then (rice cereal).  I am going to start by mixing in some BM with the cereal and seeing if he will take that.  If you guys feel like offering some responses…..I have a few questions about introducing solid.  My questions are….1) Do you feed him after you nurse, or before?? 2) When do you start replacing a BF meal? Or do you?? Is solids just in addition to the usual BF meals? 3) Should I start a sippy cup with water?? Do babies need water if they are still being BF???

I’ll leave you guys with some recent photos of the man! We are trying to get him used to the high chair a bit for when we start solids….he hates sitting still for long, so it’s a challenge!!!

unintentionally grabbing himself

caught him!

“i have to STAY in here?”

so unimpressed

Mommy Squared June 15, 2009

And the winner is……………………….well, I guess you figured that out by the title of the post.  Mommy Squared won with 59% of the votes! Thanks for voting!!! The blogging onesie seemed pretty popular too (38%)!!! After talking to my beloved K, we decided we’d offer both as they were neck and neck for some time there! So, I guess June is now “Onesie’s of the Month!”.  I am accepting orders for these 2 onesies for the next 2 weeks (through the end of June).  See below for my email address.

The 2 designs will be offered on 100% certified ORGANIC onesies, infant & toddler shirts.  They come in NATURAL, PINK & BLUE and print with BLACK INK.

* Sizes available for ONESIES:  6m, 12m, 18m, 24m

* Sizes available for INFANT TEE:  6m, 12m, 18m, 24m

* Sizes available for TODDLER TEE:  2T, 3T, 4T

* Please email me at:  lgraeapparel@hotmail.com if you are interested and would like to place an order.

* Include the following information: your name, the item, color, size & design you’d like, and the address you’d like the item to be shipped to.  I will email you back with the address to send payment to.
* I can only accept payment by check or money order by mail.
* Once payment is received, you can expect to receive your product within 2 weeks via UPS or USPS.

Thanks for voting guys, and check back in July for a new bunch of designs to vote on!

Onesie of the Month: Vote Now! June 10, 2009

Please participate in the poll below and vote for June’s “Onesie of the Month“! The onesie with the most votes will be printed and available to order for $18.00 including shipping within the U.S.  Still 100% Organic and now available in the following colors: natural, pink & blue.  All onesies and baby/toddler tees print with black ink.  The winner will be announced on Monday and I will begin accepting orders that day at: lgraeapparel@hotmail.com. Happy voting!

Almost Crawling! June 9, 2009

The Terribly Sad Face June 4, 2009

Because I realized that all I post is happy faces of my child.  He does cry, and make some not-too-happy expressions.  The video at the bottom shows his “terribly sad face”…….he does NOT like the sound a kitty cat makes, and gets this expression every time he hears it.  Ignore me saying that a dog goes “bark bark”.  It had been a long day.

5 Months May 29, 2009

There’s nothing more fun than writing out a long post and losing it all on wordpress.  The drafts come up empty….Ahh, the joys of blogging.  I won’t remember everything I wrote….but I’ll do my best….

Thanks for all the sweet and funny comments on our Wee One.  I so love those smiling photos of him – they honestly make me happy  – just looking at them! Thanks, also, for the response to our onesies and baby clothes.  I have gotten a whole bunch of orders and messages from awesome folks from all around the world- so thank you! A website should be in the works here soon, but in the meantime, check back every once and awhile for new screenprinted designs.  We have some great lesbian-friendly designs in the works.  I think I may start a “onesie of the month”.  Each month I’ll post a new design and if you are interested, you can order them or tell your friends!

Now, to the title of my post.  I don’t know how it happened, but it did…..we now have a crazy 5-month old! It’s hard to believe my little man is 5 months.  Time is going by so fast.  He grabs, laughs, rolls over (both ways!), kisses (with open mouth!), cuddles, squeels, pushes up (can lift his whole body off the ground now), and on and on….we love every minute of it.  The newest thing is semi-crawling.  Well, it’s not really a crawl….I’ve started to call it “frogging”.  If he’s on his belly, he can push back with such force and go all the way across a room! It’s pretty hilarious.  Also, he still loves our cell phones and has now learned how to change the ringtones (on my phone).  See the video below.  He will press his thumb down on the button to change it, and then look at the screen, then back at his thumb…it is honestly the funniest thing to watch.  He does it in his carseat everyday on the way home from work. I know there’s more I’m forgetting, but this is the best I can do this Friday afternoon.  Happy 5 mos to my man! We love you to the moon and back!

Hope you guys all stay cool this weekend! Here in VA it’s supposed to be a scorcher.

Happiness & Hair May 26, 2009

100% Organic, 100% Adorable May 19, 2009

As most of you know, my partner, Karli, runs a screenprinting and embroidery company here in VA.  She loves what she does and prides herself in putting out quality product.  I’m EXCITED about some new products we’re selling and wanted to be FIRST to share them with all the ladies in blogland.   Information and photos below….

We are offering 100% certified ORGANIC Natural-colored onesies, infant & toddler shirts and youth shirts in THREE different designs.

* Sizes available for ONESIES:  6m, 12m, 18m, 24m

* Sizes available for INFANT TEE:  6m, 12m, 18m, 24m

* Sizes available for TODDLER TEE:  2T, 3T, 4T

* Sizes available for BIG KID shirts (YOUTH): XS, S, M, L, XL

Each item will be $20.00 with FREE SHIPPING (via UPS) to a ANY BUSINESS ADDRESS.  A small amount will be added on to the price if you do not have a business address available to ship to.

* Please email me at:  lgraeapparel@hotmail.com if you are interested and would like to place an order.
* Include the following information: your name, the item and size you’d like, and the business address you’d like the item to be shipped to.  If you want the customized letter with name, please make sure the name is spelled correctly.  I will email you back with the address to send payment to.
* I can only accept payment by check or money order by mail.
* Once payment is received, you can expect to receive your product within 2 weeks via UPS.

The first design is a fav of mine.  Earthy tones catch your eye in this eco-friendly design – customized with your child’s name – it’s been a real hit with parents and a cool keepsake!

Here is a “proof” of the “I love my moms” onesies we’ve printed.  I didn’t take photos of the actual garments. They come on the same color natural onesies, as seen above, and the green and brown shades used are the same as above.

Unlike standard cotton, these organic cotton styles are made from cotton grown WITHOUT the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.  Organic cotton has an exceptionally soft hand and is biodegradable and hypoallergenic.  And…a cool little tidbit of info….a shirt made from 100% organic cotton saves 1/3 of a pound of synthetic fertilizers and farm chemicals!

I’m excited about getting these out into the community.  Don’t hesitate to email me with questions, comments, etc!  For those of you that ordered, I would LOVE to see photos of your little ones wearing them!! Thanks guys!