we all need encouragement

I found a website for moms in need of support and communication with other moms who have kids from newborn to eighteen years of age. Once you register with Maya's Mom you can keep a journal of memories, post photos and even vent frustrations. I think it is so important to feel surrounded by other women's support and encouragement no matter what.

Going Green

These days most everyone is looking for ways to be more "green". I used to go through cases and cases of bottled water thinking I was being healthy. Healthy maybe but not environmentally conscience. I discovered a fun website called Earthlust (love the name)with reusable bottles that can be refilled and reused again and again. Not only am I saving money but I am helping the environment at the same time. So check it out. Its not surprising that the company is based in San Francisco, CA.

Fun magazines

There are some great magazines out there for new parents. I think we have all heard of Parents magazine and Parenting. But there is a new one I had not heard of until one arrived at my house a few months ago. Cookie magazine has been a lot of fun to read. There are articles about discipline, fun activities with different aged children, great getaways, pampering ideas and a lot more. I have found new decorating ideas for Erik's room and cookie corner in the back of the magazine has new websites to check out.

Homemade baby foods

Erik just passed the 5 month mark and we have been given the green light to start solid foods. We have gone through the rice, barley and oatmeal cereals and he was not a big fan. I am looking forward to the next step but not the new level of poopy diapers. :)

Some of my friends have been trying to make their own baby foods. It sounds like alot of work in addition to the already full time jobs we have taking care of our little ones. However, I may give it a try with the help of this new website I found. wholesomebabyfood.com supports and encourages moms to try it out. On the website, you can research new recipes and learn how to puree and store baby foods. They also offer advice on a calendar for which foods should be introduced at specific ages. I found it very interesting. Here is the calendar for 4-6 month olds.

Four to Six (4-6) Months old
Try mixing together the foods that you have already introduced without allergies or reactions
Try Rice Cereal mixed with Bananas for example
CEREALS
Rice
Barley
Oat

FRUITS
Apples
Bananas
Pears
Avocado

VEGGIES
Sweet Potatoes
Acorn/Butternut Squash
Green Beans

PROTEIN
None
DAIRY
None

Hope this helps as we enter the next step of motherhood.

always finding ways to save

I stumbled upon another tip to save money in these tougher times. One website worth looking into is Diapers.com. They carry everything we might need-- formula, diapers, wipes, food etc.
I price checked a few items between the local grocery store, Babies R Us and Diapers.com. They seemed to be pretty comparable but one thing about ordering online, the convenience factor.

Shall we go out?

I don't know about any of you but...I love wine. Not only is it so fun to stumble upon a new discovery but the ambiance, passion, romance and relaxation behind drinking wine is what I truly have embraced. There is something about the rituals women create when it comes to sharing with friends while partaking in a little wine and cheese.
Spending six years in the bay area of California, I learned (ok among other things) about the wine business, visited many wineries and even worked for one, so I have a PASSION for it.
So this passion has lead me to learn more about where to find fun places to taste wines. I have a couple of ideas.
In Coral Gables there is a wine shop called Wolfe's Wine Shop. Located on Miracle Mile, Wolfe's features wine tastings every Friday evening. They send out an email to their customers (Wolfepack) to let them know who the next wine expert is on the schedule. They always have different regions, price ranges, styles etc. We pay $20 for the tasting and if you buy a bottle $10 is credited toward your purchase and...you get to keep the glass.
Another idea is Town Kitchen and Bar in South Miami. Their wine program is friendly to those of us who want to try a few wines but not spend a lot of money or drink too much. They have 25 wines for under $25. So you can purchase a bottle with a few friends and not spend much. They also feature a smaller pour. Instead of always having to buy a full glass they have a half glass option.
So...I think it would be fun to meet at one of these hot spots for a girls night and let our husbands take a turn putting the little ones to bed. Let's let our hair down we deserve it!!

Shall we shop?

I know we don't need an excuse to go shopping however...these two shops up in north Miami might be worth the trip. Now that most of us have the necessities we are looking for a few fun doo-dads for our children to either wear, play with or decorate their rooms with.

One store to stop by on the field trip would be nini and loli in North Miami. They have everything from stroller liners to room decor and toys. I am excited to go that's for sure.

The other jewel in north Miami is a children's store called Chocolate Milk. I got my nursery furniture there and I LOVE it. The store is filled with adorable furniture, bedding, art and fun gift ideas. So... even though we probably shouldn't um ok...sure we should.

Keep saving

We are looking looking for ways to save on the necessities these days. My grocery list now includes items like Barley cereal, Mylicon, diapers and wipes. I have gotten a lot better at clipping coupons but another way to save on those baby items is joining the Publix Baby Club. When you join they ask for your baby's birth date. Then they send coupons for products you need that correspond to your baby's age. So if you are interested visit Publix online and keep on saving.

Run like the wind

I was talking to a friend the other day about the importance of good running shoes. If we are going to get back into shape, a reliable and knowledgeable store to buy running shoes is very important. There are a couple I would suggest. I have had good luck with Footworks in South Miami. They are knowledgeable and very convenient. I believe they have a shoe sale every January if you can time your need for a new pair. They also have sponsored runs in the neighborhood Monday and Thursday nights at 6:30pm for everyone from the beginner (run one minute and walk one minute) to the avid runner (run five minutes and walk one). The route is about 3.8 miles and is a great way to meet other runners in the area.

The other suggestion I have is further south in Pinecrest called Runners High. If you are like me and have weird feet and a gait that looks worse, this place is right for you. When you visit Runners High, they will put you on a treadmill and watch you walk/run so they can fit you with the best shoe for you.

It looks like the next Footworks Miami event is a 5k October 23. Would anyone like to join me?

Travel tips

Erik and I have driven to Orlando and flown to Denver so far. I thought I would share a few tips I found to be helpful during our trips. It takes about 4 hours to travel up to Orlando from Miami. Scott and I took turns driving and sitting in the back to entertain Erik. We also stopped half way so I could feed him. Erik slept in the Graco Pack and Play swaddled like we do at home. We also brought plenty of diapers, wipes, toys and baby shampoo/body wash.

At the Miami airport I checked the suitcase Erik and I shared and had the diaper bag, car seat, snap and go stroller and baby bjorn. In order to get through security I had to carry Erik through while all the gear went through the scanner. So make sure you are organized and have your purse, clear plastic bag of lipsticks, shoes, jacket and belt all ready to go in the bucket next to your diaper bag. After security and we had a chance to get everything back in order I made sure to change him before boarding the plane. Also at the last minute we were able to bring on the car seat so make sure you ask if there is an extra seat available to do that. Feel free to take your stroller all the way to the plane and they will gate check it for you.

Once we were on the plane, I nursed him when we took off and again as we started our decent. That seemed to help with the change in cabin pressure. I did have to change him once and thank God we were on a plane with a pull down changing table. If you are on a plane without one, the best way is to lay him on the top of the toilet seat and change him at record speed. :)

Hope these tips help and happy traveling!!