Wepon of Mass Interruption

Probably the most difficult thing to get used to as a new mom is interruption. Sleep is optional, eating is ocassional and showering really only affects those around you - but the ability to get things done (for me) is directly linked to my sense of purpose and self value. Now that Zac is here, my ability to get stuff done has been seriously altered! But, in the end, all for the better.




It's far better to have Zac and not get as much done because I get to watch, experience and encourage all these wonderful moments between us and even between Zac and Stephen. Having an infant really does make you appreciate so much more about your life - life before and after baby.



This weekend we took Zac to the pool for the first time. It was magical to watch him explore the water, how his body works in the water and the wonderment of being in the water. It's these moments that you can never appreciate until you're actually there! And that was worth WAY more than getting the laundry done, paying bills, meeting the repair man, etc. etc.

For more photos, click here.

On Tuesday, June 29 we are headed back to the U.S. for our first trip to America as a new and improved family. I'm quite nervous for how much stress it'll be. I know that the cooler I keep it, the cooler it will be for Zac and for Stephen. We all feed off each other in stressful situations. I truly hope that the whole flight (approx. 10 hours) will be no problem for him.

The thing I'm most concerned about is how he's going to transition to the new time. All the other travelling mommies I've talked to said it's just like adults, it takes a couple days, but eventually he'll be on track. The worst part will be when we come back to Germany - going east is far more difficult jetlag.

While back home we will be spending 2 weeks with my parents - who have never met Zac before. I'm so excited to introduce them to my son. I'm so proud of him - he's the best! And I can't wait till my parents get to see that as well.

After that, we'll spend a week with Stephen's family - they haven't seen Zac since he was a month old. Quite a lot has changed since then!

This month, as previous months, has seen a great number of firsts:

• Zac now loves laying on his back, putting his feet in the air and grabbing them to bring his toes into his mouth.
• Zac can now lift his own body weight onto his legs. We just have to hold his hands or body for balance and give him the initial momentum, but once he's on his way up, he's in total control.
• Zac can roll from belly to back (it took another month to get our 2nd instance of rolling) and just yesterday he did a back to belly roll. That one will take some more time to become reliable...but it's coming!
• He is now pushing up on his arms a little bit to lift his chest off the floor during tummy time.
• He grabs for toys when playing on his tummy, back or sitting in his chair.
• He sits, supported, in his high chair!
• He makes chewing motions while he watches us eat, and much of the excess saliva is now being swollowed (both signs of him getting ready for solids).
• He loves playing peek-a-boo with dad and dancing with anybody. He enjoys "pony rides" on your knee and can't get enough of silly sounds and faces.

Favorite Things - Newborn to 4 Months

So all along the way, every new mommy and daddy learns something new: about themselves, about their babies, and definitely about a whole new world of products. Here are a few of my favorite things, in no particular order, that have helped ease our lives:

1) Bouncy Chair - I love the "Sassy Zanzabar Bouncer” – cheap (especially when received as a gift), light, super springy and relatively easy to take apart and carry with you if you're visiting a friend or what have you. This bouncer goes from living room to kitchen all day long. It’s comfortable, safe and portable. The downside is that it eats batteries (3AA).

2) Huggies diapers – I feel that they are contoured better than Pampers. Pampers and Luvs are practically the same diaper (the difference being the pictures that are printed on the diapers). I’ve heard that Pampers can hold more pee, but in my trials, they worked equally well. Huggies has 2 levels of quality. Huggies Snug & Dry and Huggies Swaddlers. I’ve noticed that the swaddlers run a bit smaller, are softer and have the “mess catcher” (an extra fold on the backside to catch the runny poops – actually works well!).

3) Huggies wipes – thick, strong, fresh. That’s all you need!

4) Baby Gym – I should have gotten this sooner. Not only does it encourage motor skills, it’s a huge help for mom too. I can put Zac in it and drink my cup of coffee and maybe even eat some breakfast before he’s done enjoying it. Get this one early for everyone’s benefit. We use the Tiny Love Kick ‘n’ discover.

5) Pack’n’play – the Crib, we’ve established, is for night time sleeping. The PNP is for day time sleeping. It’s portable, relatively small and handy to have especially when baby’s crib is on a different floor than your daytime living spaces.

6) Swing – Oy! This think is a life saver! Crabby baby goes in, turns into sleepy baby, happy baby comes out 20-60 min later. We have the Fisher Price starlight Papasan. Zac is mesmerized by the lighted stars and it chills him out quickly.

7) Strollers – originally I didn’t want to do a travel system. I was just not happy with the quality available to us. It turns out that we needed the infant bucket seat and now I’m desperately wanting the pop in stroller option. Well…Greco makes a stroller frame for the bucket seat. We’ll be picking one of these up when we get back to the states. I’ve seen how easy it is for my friends and I want to have the option of the big comfy pram as well as the quick pop in of the stroller frame. We will still use the pram, but it’ll be for those times when we’ll be on the roll for extended periods (walking in the city, exercising, etc).

8) Pumping Bra – this hands free, bandu bra helps me pump more milk! How? Well when I’m more relaxed, I get more milk. And when I don’t have to worry about keeping the pump properly positioned, I’m more relaxed.

9) Microwave Steam Sterilizer – most importantly, make sure that it fits in your Microwave before you purchase it. But this handy dandy contraption steam cleans breast pump parts, bottles, nipples, pacifiers and even toys. Madela makes micro steam bags, which are handy when traveling, but the contraption will last longer and save $.

10) Baby Timer App for iphone/itouch – in the first days, you will be obsessed with: sleep, feedings, pees and poops. This app tracks all of this and more. I loved it, it was only $5 and I was addicted to it for the first couple of Months. It really helps a sleep deprived mom to remember what’s been going on.

11) Baby Gas Drops – we were giving Zac this at nearly every feeding in the beginning. Very helpful

12) Colic Calm – when the problems are bigger than gas bubbles, this product really seems to help him feel better. This product has charcoal in it, so don’t be surprised when your baby’s poos are dark or black for 2 days after giving him the dosage.

13) Video Baby Monitor – Sound only would work just as well, however, I like peeking in at him without him knowing it! Ours even has lullabies that can be triggered remotely. Sometimes, if he’s getting fussy, I can turn on the music from the living room and it helps him relax off into dreamland.

14) Boppy Nursing Pillow – I have one for each floor! Not only does it help me to nurse him, but it’s also great for tummy time and propping him up for sitting (DO NOT LEAVE BABY UNATTENDED!!!).


15) "Moby" wrap - I put "Moby" in quotes because mine isn't actually the name brand. It's litterally 5 yards of jersey cotton that has been cut to the right width. It's perfect! Now that he's strong enough to hold his head I can wear him front facing out, front facing in, back pack style or side saddle! Plus its easy to ball up and toss in my super jumbo diaper bag.

I’m certain that as Zac grows and his needs change, so will his stuff. And when it does, I’ll let you know!