Rational

I seem to be watching TV way too much these days, well, at least it is on all the time, I only watch a few shows during the day but one is usually Ellen. See, around 10am Greta USUALLY has a nap, USUALLY does not include this week for some reason. She is faking it for a few minutes, for example today she shut her eyes for 10 minutes, pretended to be a sweet napping little angel, but then yikes...the Demon awoke, the teeth are making her evil, or shall I say the lack of teeth. Still only 2 pearly whites in that raw gummy mouth of hers. By 10am I had given her Tylenol, Baby Anbesol, every frozen teething ring we have (which is a lot), watched Baby Einstein, Guess with Jess, dumped 101 blocks out to play along with every toy in her toy box. Had her in the stroller, danced, practiced walking (she, not I) and nothing helped. It was exhausting, enhanced by the fact she woke for the day at 5:30am - I ignored her until 6am, but when it seemed she was not going to drift back to sleep, I was also up.

Anyway, back to Ellen, yesterday she was talking about medical sites and google - and just how dangerous it is to search and self diagnosis (of course, she was making a joke out of the results, but she was talking about me, well, maybe not me exactly, but people like me). I am the pro, I mean honestly, I do what every rational, worry wart does, you know - go to Google and type in my medical ailments of the day...hit enter and what do you know, I have some life threatening rare disease or I am expecting triplets...UMMM, so you think I would learn..but I don't. Now I add Greta's ailments to my insanity...I'm a Google nightmare. In between Googling What to do about teething babies and my liver hurts I am a pretty busy gal.

Small break required from blogging - Greta is up (I didn't even get to explain that I'm now writing in the afternoon and she thank goodness slept for 45 minutes)...be back soon (Pause and think of this as intermission).

I'm back, can you tell I was away - changed, fed, took a few pictures in her cute outfit because she seemed happy after her rest and now she is playing and I'm sitting watching her and able to type away.

I wrote a few posts ago about my favorite things, but seemed to ramble and it had no rhyme or reason, so I thought for the mothers to be, new mom's, people buying things for new mom's, I will give my favorite items that I know I would certainly purchase for others:

1) Sleep Sheep - Since the day Greta arrived home, despite my few complaints, she has been a great sleeper and I thank the Sleep Sheep for playing a part. Now, any white noise would probably do, but the Sleep Sheep is a fuzzy sheep that has ocean sounds, rain fall, heart beat, and there is one other, but for the life of me, can't recall. It is tied to the crib and travels with us if we are doing an overnight trip. I have to say, when Greta is finished with it, I'm going to move it to my bedside table. If your baby needs a more relaxing sleep - who knows, this may do the trick!

2) GroBag - I am currently looking for the next size - this was recommended as a must have and I now pass it along - we love it! Think of SweetPea from Popeye Days in her little bunting bag and you will imagine the look of a sleep sac. The GroBags are perfect, not too thin, not too thick and keeps Greta all snug in bed, we don't need blankets or quilts, she just wears her pjs and in to her sleep sac she goes. Of course, you can't buy them around here, so I have been desperately trying to win one on Ebay - better start bidder higher to ensure I have one ready for her growth spurt.

3) Sophie - So I caught on that all these hip Mom's had Sophie the Giraffe when I would look at pictures of their little babies, so I read all about them (just a fluk, as I didn't really go out and research anything), but we LOVE Sophie. Sophie travels with us, sleeps with Greta and thanks to Nana, Greta has not only the rubber one that she can chew on to work these teeth out, but she has a stuffed Sophie who she chats with each morning when she gets up - and chews on (Can I say now - Sophie needs a bath).

4) Exercauser - Wow, she is getting a lot of mileage out of this item. Our house looks more like the shelf at a Toys R Us these days, but this "I think" has been my favorite item. Toys to play with, keeps her occupied, has been a great learning tool and amazing to watch Greta figure all the buttons and motions and she can jump in it. We also have a Jumperoo, and although she does enjoy it, I don't think I would recommend it as much, I actually think I would have preferred the Jolly Jumper that hangs in the door frame, both for size and convenience, but if you are looking for a fun gift that will be well used, I think the Exercauser would get my vote.

5) Camera / Photographer - Meaning Lots of pictures. I am snap happy I know, always was, just before Greta the subject was the cats and dog so people called me the crazy animal lady, but I'm happy that I have so many pictures and very happy that we have had so many professional photos taken. Greta changes so much on a weekly basis, her hair, expressions, personality, and we have all that captured. Of course, because all my family lives away, and so many people are either too far away or never met her in person, they can catch up on Greta's adventures and changes via pictures. I still am a mail girl too, I love technology, without it, I probably wouldn't SEE anyone, but I love to send letters and mail Greta's pictures...someone has to keep Canada post going! My old co-workers bought Greta a Smile Saver Card, this is from Sears and allows us to go anytime for no sitting fee, get a free pic each time and buy one get one free for any sheets we want...it is a great Shower Gift!!!

6) UGG boots - okay, I just love them and it's been my favorite splurge for Greta. If you are crazy enough to buy them - go to Ebay and buy second hand...makes it a tad more justifiable that the child's shoes are worth more than mine! And for the record - she has tiny little feet and they are miles too big so she'll get a lot of wear out of them. I actually buy tons of things on Ebay, I'm a great bargain hunter and have bought so many sweet outfits for just a few dollars, all with the tags still on them, got to love it. It keeps me going between my USA visits.

7) Toys with limited noise! So I am mean, but there is a lot of annoying toys that make way too much noise, you can only listen to songs so many times before catching yourself singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star at the Grocery store...So choose the toys wisely.

8) We love our Bumbo seat - maybe we will use the Highchair more when she is a bit older, but since she was 7 weeks old, we have had her sitting in the Bumbo and since she started eating, she eats most of her meals in it. Maybe it's because we have an open concept house and the Dining Room Table isn't used much, but it has been a great purchase. I did buy it in the States so half the price we would have paid here, but even at full price - still a worth while purchase, and again, buy second hand...you can't destroy them, they clean up with a quick wipe...Greta's will be on the market soon enough - it is pink of course!

9) Gripe Water - Greta was a frequent user, hiccups cured instantly! I have given a bottle in most shower packages over the years...it's Liquor for Babies!!!

10) Deep Relief - okay, so this is for those who are carrying the 15lbs kid daily in the car seats and your back feels like it's broken in 10 different spots...it's a heat rub...love it!! That coupled with my heated magic bag are life savers.

Well, I am still on the fence on how much I will love the play pen (Or play yard as they are called now) - probably some activist out there said pen was too demeaning to babies, but they were always play pens to me, so that is what I'll call it...anyway, Greta has moved from the floor to the play pen - with about 20 blocks, 3 dolls and 2 things to chew on, I think I'm liking it...it is like a little cage!!!! I'll have to update this list in a few months and see if these are still my fav's or if we have new favorites. I'm thinking Babysitters will be added to my Favorites List!!!!

Have a great weekend...a warm welcome to any new readers out there (start from the beginning of the blogs, much more exciting)...and I'll be back soon!

Toodles.

Photos of Greta and her boyfriend Erik