Big Sibling Bestseller

When I found out I was pregnant with my second child, I did what I always do when a new task is at hand...get books! This time it was for books on second time parenting, how to approach bringing up a new baby to your first born, sibling rivalry, and also a whole plethora of children's books to help them understand about "mommy's growing belly".

Recently I stumbled on this little gem (Mail Harry to the Moon, by Robie H. Harris) at the library, which my daughter, who is almost 6, and I read with lots of giggles. It is especially fun to us at this crossroad because the main character is recognizable to her, an older sibling, who doesn't quite take to her baby sibling, until a later date, but later is quite enamored by him.

A Very Cute Shower Gift for second time moms.

Love and laughter,
Kerry the Momster

Sick things for sick babies

I recently had strep throat for over a month, which my daughter then caught and added to it a cough, which in turn was passed onto my 5 month old in the form of bronchitis. Fun for everyone! Sick children are sad, sick babies are even sadder. Here's my list of must haves for sick babies,who for the most part can't take anything for coughs or congestion.


1. A cool mist humidifier: this helps ease the airway for a baby with a cough, and also helps tiny inflamed nasal passages. The cool mist takes away the fear of a child getting burnt, and this brand makes such gos-darn cute little ones! (Crane 1 gallon Cool Mist humidifier).

2. Baby Cold Rub: Regular Vicks is too harsh for little noses, but this is perfect to smeer on chest and back after a bath. It will give you at least 2 hours of clear nosed sleep.
 

3. Saline Solution and a nasal aspirator: Saline drops help to loosen the mucous, then sck out with a nasal aspirator. Hospitals give the best ones!!
 

4.  Vapor Bath for baby: Great to help soothe a sad, sick baby at any time of day (I bathed my baby at least 3 times a day while he was sick). A capful in a warm bath is just enough to help baby breathe, and I steamed the bathroom prior to getting him in there. He splashed around happily, and it helped bring his fever down. while he was bathing I sprayed saline solution in his nose, and then a few minutes later aspirated it. When he got out I kept him in the steam and smeered the baby rub over his chest and back, and then put on pjs.


5. Nosefrida Aspirator: Gross idea I know, but man it works so well!! Suck out the snot with this Swedish aspirator (Don't worry it's filtered, so snot stays far away from your mouth). This got such great eviews n Amazon, and after nights of sleeping in two hour intervals, I used this and got a solid 4!! It's amazing how much it gets out.


If all else fails, ask your doctor to prescribe C-phen. It's the only baby decongestant and definitely works! If you are like me ad like to try natural methods first, try the others first.

Love and robust health,
Kerry, the Momster

Don't make me go Dr. Seuss on your a**!

Recently a friend of mine had a baby shower, and the theme for her nursery is Dr. Seuss. The ideas started rolling in for ideas, but alas time doesn't permit for the "want to do's" and I had to narrow down my gift giving. I was presented with a lovely black and white diaper cake for my shower, and thought it looked so lovely that I would try my hand at my own. I googled for inspiration, and gathered my supplies and then this is what I did:

1. Cut out a round bottom out of an old pizza box for extra support.
2. Used a cereal box side rolled into a tube and taped and affixed to the center of the base.
3. Cut three pieces of thin elastic to varying sizes and tied (used to hold the diapers in place)
4. Started adding diapers to the bottom layer. Keep adding around the base until you reach the desired size.
5. Repeat for the next two layers, but make each layer smaller than the first.When my friend made me a diaper cake she used bigger diapers on the bottom and newborn on the top which was a clever detail.
6. Tie ribbons around and secure with pins (I used two different ribbons for each layer)
7. Add red grass to the layers tucking them into the ribbons.
8.  Add items for a special touch (I added a book secured by a ribbon, and little Seuss buttons. I wanted a Seuss stuffed animal for the top but couldn't find one.)
and Voila! An impressive diaper cake that gets oohs and aahs from every angle.

Love and creations,
Kerry, the Momster