The Sickies + Crib Items

Mr. C has been laid out, so we've got limited posting ability over here (between watching lots of Cars and Sesame Street). 

However, after 3 vomit episodes (2 in the crib and 1 in a restaurant...many people now need therapy and we won't go there again for a whiiiiiile), I do have some useful recommendations to offer.

He's still in the crib at 2+ years, and we intend to stay there until it is no longer tenable. I've also had several people ask me for suggestions for these items, so here are the bedding winners that stand up to the fraternity-house-level horror shows that babies and toddlers can throw at them.

Restoration Hardware baby & child

Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad

Not much to say except that it does what it is supposed to do. I like that it is waterproof without feeling or sounding like baby is rolling around on plastic. And the quilted top makes it feel a little more cushy. I put a crib sheet under it as well so that there's still a sheet ready to go under the pad in the event we have to strip it, say, in the middle of the night. 

Restoration Hardware baby & child

Washed Organic Linen Fitted Crib Sheet

I have lots of crib sheets--from cheapie on up--and I have opinions on most of them. All of mine look different, though they're all fairly neutral. Naturally, a crib sheet gets pretty heavy wear and wash, so at this point I might suggest sticking with a solid color like this one, as many of the patterns have long faded (ours is the ivory pictured above, but they have several in the washed linen). But what I most like about this crib sheet is that it is very generously sized, so it's MUCH easier to get on and off the crib mattress. Like, I have seriously broken a sweat and also fingernails trying to re-cover the mattress with other sheets. The linen feels very sturdy--as opposed to some of our other sheets that are wearing thin--and gets softer over time. I also like that it is supposed to look kind of rumpled, so you don't have to worry about ridiculous thoughts like "Am I supposed to iron the crib sheets or what kind of insanity is this?"

Also: cannot stress enough the importance of duplicates of critical items (sleep sack, lovies, other faves) so that you can still sort of continue to function even with a washer full of soiled bedding. 

No perks or affiliations here; just straight up recommendations I can make after 2 years of crib-sheet changing and 4 days of the bed pukes. 

(Honorable mentions: Apple TV, Gatorade, cocktails for parents)

Deals for You: March Madness and Amazon Mom

I've never done this before, because usually the deals are spectacularly irrelevant, but today I saw an Amazon deal for college basketball gear.

I know I have a relatively large proportion of UK fans in the (10-person) readership...and, unlike literally every other team in my bracket, they at least are still alive. Will it be Peggy or Maggie bringing home the (invisible) trophy in our family pool?

And also, because I know a couple of you are interested in my Amazon links more for baby registry building and beyond (I see what you click on, peeps)

There's a 10% discount 30 days before baby's arrival, and some other perks, plus I also strongly suggest...

Amazon Mom is basically Prime, so if you'd rather have Prime, I can set you up with a discount for that instead. Holler at me.

And finally, maternity clothes: Shop Amazon Fashion - Maternity

 (Lest this feels pushy, please know that I have made $11 TOTAL from all Amazon affiliate links ever, like in the entire 2 years, so this is more to dovetail with your interests than it is to create any gain for me

Current Status:

Throwing MegaBlocks across the room while saying "C getting really FRUSTRATED."

Almost...but not quite.

Zoo Tots Wrap-Up

Yesterday we said goodbye to our Zoo Tots friends...

A few photos and videos from weeks past (each one didn't really merit its own post, but...I have them, so now you have to look at them).

[Videos not uploading...will try again later]

Taste!

This is a skink.

A what? A skink.

Kangaroo Kickabout

George the opossum

Turns out the zoo has an AMAZING playground

All-Request Breakfast

Starting Sunday off right...

Peanut butter pretzels

Quesadilla

Sausage

Small eggies (just to look at; not to eat, duh)

Christmas paper plates

2 Olafs

#balanceddiet

Favorite Things: March 2015

Here's what I'm loving, as we emerge from our ice-covered winter madness.

This one's for the ladies--no baby or kid stuff here. If you've survived, you deserve it!

1. Garnier 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother

This was an impulse purchase at Target (have you ever HEARD of such a thing?!), but I think it works. It's not a cream; it goes on dry. I think it definitely made no-makeup skin look better and helped even out some of that late-winter redness.

2. Starburst jellybeans

Need I say more? Hello, Easter candy aisle. *currently 10% off with Target Cartwheel app*

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation

I read a good review of this online and had a Nordstrom gift card, so decided to try it out. They gave me a generously-sized sample at the Armani counter (another reason to love Nordy), but I'll be buying the full size. It is light and provides good sheer coverage without being heavy or cakey.

4. Coconut oil

I've been using this for everything. I bought a big jar at Target and put it in the stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whipped it for about 5 minutes (h/t to Kate for the prep tips). This makes it less waxy and much more spreadable. You could add a few drops of essential oil if that's your thing, too. When it was painfully cold and dry outside, I put some on the baby in the bathtub for a few nights, and it definitely smoothed out his little dry patches. I've used it on the ends of my hair, as a lip balm, and on adult skin as well. It's also a good makeup remover and I'm sure has a billion other lifehack uses. A little bit goes a long way, so it's definitely a winner in terms of bang for your buck.

5. Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color in Tutu

I've been wanting a lip color that didn't really look like lip color, if that makes sense. Just sort of finishes the look but doesn't make a bold statement. Everything can look a little washed out this time of year, you know? The girl at the BB counter (again, at Nordstrom) said this color looks good on almost everyone, and I believe it. It also feels moisturizing and doesn't get dry or flaky. I've never dropped real money on a lip color before--drugstore gloss all the way, baby--but I feel good about this one.

6. Revision Teamine Eye Complex

This is by far the most effective thing I have found to address dark undereye circles. It addresses the actual causes and diminishes them, rather than just covering them up (although they also sell a concealer). I highly recommend to moms and other people who feel or look tired on the regular. Maybe I'm a sucker, but I saw almost instant improvement. It was recommended to me by Gwen, my skin guru at Elan, but it's on Amazon (link above) and elsewhere online.

7. Problem-Solving Pants

This is actually two items. The jeans in the picture are Madewell's High Riser Skinny. They're pretty much exactly what they sound like. They are not, like, fashion high-rise--wear them as you would normal jeans--but they're just high enough to contain (rather than bisect) any ghosts of pregnancies or doughnuts past. They run pretty true to size, even if they're a little tight when you try them on. They have just enough stretch to get to a good place, but don't end up sagging. They look good with flats and are a normal person length (hallelujah), though they sell them in tall. I've also worn them in boots, so they're slim enough for that. Highly recommend. I have a dark blue wash and black, but they have lots of color options.

My second fave in the wobbly-bits-containment category is Liverpool Pull-On Jeans. Whoever invented pull-on jeans is a goddamn genius. Mine came in my last Stitch Fix box, but I found them on Amazon and think these are essentially the same. Obviously do not wear them with your shirt tucked in like the goofy model, but you can see that there's no zipper or button. Naturally, this makes them more comfortable and also makes them lay more smoothly under a long or flowy top. They're really soft, but they are actual denim--not leggings or pajama jeans or something gross. And yes, you just pull them on. Basically they are all the best parts of maternity jeans (minus the full panel) without being such (I'd say they could work for early pregnancy and postpartum, but don't think they could serve as actual maternity jeans. Sorry). I would suggest sizing down--I wish mine were a little slimmer fitting.

Happy March, everybody. You made it (and if you're somewhere where there's still 6 feet of snow...you'll make it too. You're doing a great job). Treat yo'self. Boots's orders.


Amazon links are affiliate, but I have only included Amazon links if the price there is the same as or less than where I bought it. I bought all these products with my own $$--no freebies.

Forecast: Doughnuts

And also more rain, sleet, and snow.

But we'll just focus on the doughnuts for now. 

Skating Saturday

Morning: roller. Afternoon: ice (well...watching the hockey game).

A friend of ours had told us about "Little Kid Skate" at the roller rink on Saturday mornings, so this weekend--totally out of indoor activities and parenting solo--we joined in.

It's totally ridiculous. First, the skate center is exactly as it was when I attended approximately 2-3 birthday parties per month there, circa 1990. They give the kids skates, and these little walkers, have colored lights and disco balls, and play all the "kid hits" (the DJ made me want to die a little).

I believe in the background of this clip you can hear a snippet of "Funkytown," as performed by The Chipmunks. I'll let you start your Monday with that.

He did so great--I was worried he'd be overwhelmed (and he was, at first), but I told him he didn't have to do anything and could just watch. So obviously then he wanted to put his skates on. Reverse psychology for the win.

Those tiny suckers are SO heavy, so it must be great exercise for them. But the bonus for adults is that it's an extremely slow-motion kid-exhauster. You don't have to chase them, and they're not really going to get hurt. I think we circled the rink 2 or 3 times in 45 minutes, which was ok because I was laughing too hard to do anything.

We will definitely go back. If you're interested:

Little Kid Skate

Saturdays, 9:30am (before the birthday parties)

Brentwood Skate Center

you definitely want to be there by of before 9:30 so they don't run out of tiny skate sizes or walkers. 

Adults can skate alongside, but I opted not to rent skates on our first visit so I could get the hang of things.

It's a jungle out there.