Cheap Doesn't Always Mean Cheap!

I am thrilled to share a recent find with you guys:

This may not look like a gem to you, but to me, it is absolutely gorgeous! It is a victorian-inspired love seat with queen anne details (the photo does not do justice to the feminine, cabriole legs). And I can't WAIT to pick it up from the good old Goodwill tomorrow. Seriously, the desk next to this love seat was equally gorgeous (ah to have both)... splash on a coat of turquoise or lime green paint and trim it out in white with brushed steel handles... gorgeous, stylish, and recycled).

I was not even searching for furniture. I was actually donating an entire car's worth of nice items as we are really paring down lately (less is so so so more). I saw it and listened as two other women eagerly discussed price with the employee. It was out on the floor for the first time today and had already been placed on hold twice. The lowest the manager would go is $50. Who wouldn't take it for $50? I felt bad (sort of) but I did bring out the cash first and money talks. So, I won!

Think you can't bargain at places like Goodwill? You totally can and should.

So I am already eyeing some fabrics:

This would be lovely in a nursery

This would be awesome in a quest room with a crisp ecru-colored duvet

This would be good for an entryway

This would be a good living room fabric

And while these fabrics are, for the most part, not traditional, they will add a nice modern touch to a piece that is a replica from the 19th century. Even in a modern condo loft (if we go that route) this piece will find a home.

Don't be shy about DIY projects! This one won't really take off until the summer, but until then, it will be in my bedroom with a slipcover.

Lunchtime!

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Up and Down, Parenting Dos

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You may notice that we don't yet have any baby gates up. Yes, even on the (few) stairs. In a lot of ways, this is one example of how our parenting style is a little different from the norm.

One thing that is important to us is using the word "no" extremely sparingly. When a child hears the word no a zillion times a day, it not only means less each time you say it, it also emphasizes the behaviors you don't want to highlight. Children are also notorious for imitating their parents--so, you guessed it, you say no a million trillion times all day long, your child will also say no back to you. It all boils down to respectful discipline and understanding that your child is her own person. We treat Dalia with respect as we would any other human being. We treat other children with respect because they are human beings. And in the end, we want Dalia to treat herself with respect, her parents with respect, and other human beings (and animals) with respect.

Three words: empathy, compassion, and respect.

These are the core values of our little family of three.

So we let her climb the stairs. She did fall down and she was very scared, but that is ok. I was there for her and she learned that sitting on stairs doesn't work. I do not let her climb on the stairs when I am not looking, but I don't jump up and say NO NO NO DANGEROUS, because climbing stairs is an important skill. And she felt empowered when she accomplished it!

We have said no to Dalia basically one time. And now at 12 1/2 months, she never ever touches electrical cords. In fact, they are abound in our home and she crawls right past them. I no longer get nervous, though I watch her. She looks at me sometimes (and acknowledges that touching it would be a no no). It isn't about changing your whole world so your child is always protected, it is about teaching your child right from wrong.

It is about teaching your child to make the right decisions. And we value Dalia making her own decisions because we know that she is (with guidance) capable of learning and growing without too much intervention.

Getting Crafty

Do you remember my post about that adorable nursery photo featured on The Little Green Notebook?

Well, I have an Anthropologie gift card (score) and was looking to purchase an addition to my wardrobe since they are having a 25% off already reduced sale items (another score).

I came across something remarkably similar to the zebra in the nursery photo. It is a bit on the pricey side, but would add a huge punch to a nursery. If you can't splurge on the item, you can try to do something similar using a paper mache (sorry, lacking diacritics) technique.

Check out these resources if you are interested in a DIY project (that also doubles as a recycling project):

http://www.planetpals.com/papermache.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaLmdRBvGG4

Let It Snow Snow Snow

I woke up and looked outside. I had no idea it was supposed to snow. What a surprise!

I immediately prepared everything we would need to take a quick trip outside to play in the snow. Remember my recent post about acquiring an amazing Catimini sweater for next to nothing? Dalia's snow pants are from that same trip!

My heart was warm today with the thought of showing Dalia snow. I love being outside. I love fresh air. Winter air helps me breathe better (totally weird but true). Once Dalia woke up I brought her right to the window (the same one we spend hours at gazing away at the birds eating from our feeders) and showed her snow. Her smile was incredible.

I love watching Dalia see new things. I love being a part of her childhood and reliving those beautiful experiences through her eyes. It is magical. It is what life is all about.

So obviously I had my camera handy to take plenty of shots for daddy. He melted (no pun intended) on the phone when I told him his little angle was making snow angles (and she really did make them, instinctively). Topping off the trip outdoors was a ride in her new wagon (shout out to Grammi and Papa for the sweet Hanukah gift).

And now I get to share it with you guys as well.

And how did we end our afternoon of fun? A delish batch of "good for you" home made muffins (think flax meal, oat flour, ground nuts, applesauce, and a splash of organic blue agave). I topped our snack off with a delicious, traditionally-brewed cup of red almond tea (in

my absolute FAVORITE mug) and cuddled up on the couch to a(nother) episode of that red furry Elmo.

Natural Childbirth Birth Plan

We meant to post our birth plan in honor of Dalia's 1st birthday. We didn't quite make it in time, but still want to share it with our readers. This is a fairly typical birth plan for women planning to labor in a birth center or hospital with midwives. There are some doctors out there who would probably be OK with some of these items, but most (if not all) will not agree to this type of plan (especially since most hospitals have procedures, time lines, and other birth policies they must always follow--hello, Business of Being Born, ever see it? It is a MUST)!

How about the you must dilate one cm per hour once you hit active labor or BOOM pitocin (you know the drill, the all-to-familiar cascade of interventions.....)

Having a natural and gentle birth (calm environment, soft music and soft voices, and gentle language and movements) can lead to a more bonded relationship with your child, not to mention it gives you a head start on gentle discipline, if you are interested in that.

So here you all go! And, if you haven't read our very abbreviated birth story, read it here.

Sarah and Steven Horowitz, Birth Plan

Birth Goal

We are attempting to have a natural, unmedicated birth without unnecessary intervention. We understand that emergencies occur and alterations to this plan may be medically necessary, but we would like to discuss alternatives and consequences of any deviation privately.

Hospital Labor Goals

We ask that our Midwife and Doula (Aimee Clark) be present for the labor. We do not want mother and father to be separated at any time during labor or delivery. All other visitors, family, and unnecessary staff should be turned away until we have had time alone with our new baby.

We ask that lights be kept fully dim, noise and voices be kept to a minimum, and the door always be kept closed for privacy. We will bring our own music to aid in natural healing.

We ask that cervical exams be kept to an absolute minimum and that fetal monitoring be intermittent rather than continuous.

We ask that the hospital staff refrain from offering pain medication at all times.

We ask that no routine IV be administered. The mother will drink and eat as she wishes to maintain natural energy.

We ask that the bag of waters not be artificially broken at any time.

We prefer to labor in one of the hospital’s tubs, if available.

Induction (if medically necessary)

We ask that non-chemical induction methods be tried first. (nipple stimulation, sex, etc) If further help is needed, please try a cervical ripening agent (but not cytotec) rather than pitocin. No pitocin.

Delivery Goals

We prefer not to have an episiotomy unless determined to be medically necessary; we would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.

We ask that the mother be allowed to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.), if labor or delivery seems stalled.

We ask that the mother be allowed to select her pushing position.

We would like to have the baby placed on the mother's chest immediately after the birth.

We would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible, even if delivered by a medically necessary Cesarean.

Newborn Care Goals

Do not administer the eye medication. Do not administer the vitamin K shot until we have spent some time with the baby, preferably as long as possible before leaving the labor and delivery room.

Please delay the weighing and measuring of the baby until the first feeding is complete.

Please do not offer any bottles or pacifiers to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

Please discuss routine vaccinations with parents before administering them to the baby.

Do not administer the Hep B vaccination.

__________________________________

So that is it. That was our plan and it went exactly as we wanted. Keep in mind my labor stalled for 3 hours at 9.5 cm (yeah, I go to the hospital at 9.5). MDs probably won't let you go that long--even my midwife was a bit up in arms. And in all honesty, I believe it was Dalia saying, "mommy and daddy, I am just not ready to leave this womb yet. I am not prepared to separate so please give me more time." I also believe it was my body telling everyone that it was not ready. I was not ready to become a mommy. It wasn't the right time.

In the end I did end up letting my midwife break my bag of waters. Funny enough Dalia was being born in the bag of waters (apparently a sign of good luck in Asia). At that moment, I caved, but no regrets there.

Birth is not just a physical task. It is mental, emotional, psychological, physiological, and personal. Your whole self has to be ready to have a baby, not just your cervix!

I LOVE The Little Green Notebook

At Harvard Law School, Steve met and befriended the Komenda family. Jenny Komenda is a fabulous blogger, designer, and one very cool, New York City mommy. Her blog never ceases to amaze me. Visit today's post.

This photo was taken from the posting. This nursery is absolutely lovely. The ceiling is to die for! I love the modern, animal-friendly touches throughout the room, and it is so baby friendly. Most people choose pastels and other neutral colors for a nursery, but research shows that bright colors (and black and white) are even better!

If you didn't know about The Little Green Notebook, now you do! Sign up and start reading the great posts of a NYC mommy!

food for thought

Is cow's milk a necessity for today's growing child? Read this food for thought.

I am increasingly committed to knowing more about what I put inside of Dalia's little body. How fortunate will she be to have always been vegetarian. I am already jealous! Of course she may always choose not to be a vegetarian, and it is her choice to make.

Let me know what you think!

Forward No Longer

In other interesting family news, the car seat is no longer forward facing (thanks for sending the links and info, friends... you all finally changed my mind). I am sure many of you will be happy to hear this :)

Here are some helpful links to help you in your decision:

http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRearFacing.aspx

We realized that we didn't want the minimum in safety for our little Dalia. We want her to be in the safest position for the longest time possible. Our car seat goes rear facing up to 45 pounds, and that is one reason why people purchase ours.

Hanukah photos coming soon :)

Sad Times

So this weekend we buried my Grandpa. Lets just say it wasn't the best few days, but I think a lot of our family is happy that his suffering has come to an end. This kind of stuff is never fun and it isn't easy.

I will be back soon with a happier topic.

See You Soon

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did. We are still out on the east coast.

See you back here soon!

Third Nipple

Joking, joking, joking... I don't have a third nipple.

Well not a real one anyway (do you?).

Dalia has discovered my belly button and boy does she think she has hit the jackpot! She tried as hard as she could to maneuver herself into some very creative nursing positions, curious and hopeful to drink to her heart's content.

My darling, near-one beauty, no matter how hard you try, milk will never flow from that spot. I only have two nummies and I think you should know that by now ;)

Love,

Mommy

Changes Abound!

Already!?

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Flips Flip on Us!

We almost always use wool covers at home and overnight. I have blogged in the past about wool covers and wool maintenance (you with me?). Still, we need the trimness of the thin PUL cover for everyday use.

In wool, Dalia can barely fit into 18 month pants--certainly not with the Baby BeeHinds Wool, but yes with her little-to-bigs. Wool is amazing. I love wool. Wool is necessary for Dalia's overnight diapers. It is breathable, absorbent, natural, and super comfortable.

So recently we have had a problem with our flip covers (pretend you can see my super sad face at this point in my post). They are serious workhorses, cheap, and generally pretty decent quality. BUT the PUL is starting to show serious wear and tear, and they need replacing after 1 year of solid use.

Not bad for a $10 cover, you know?

So 1 year later I am on the hunt to restock our worn diapers. A friend of mine suggested weehuggers. Seriously? What a name... I mean people will buy that cover just because it is called weehuggers! Plus they have adorable prints. Check them out here. So we got Dalia two of these to replace her PUL covers that are no longer doing the trick.

So after all of our trial and error with covers, our stash of current fitting diaper covers includes:

4 little to bigs, snaps

1 thirsties duo, snaps(PUL still works, but the rise is awful on her so we hardly use it)

1 soon to be aristocrat, pull on overnight

2 soon to be weehuggers, aplix

2 baby beehinds, aplix

10 covers total is a good number for cloth diapering families. We didn't include the flips because they aren't working for us anymore. It is just enough for us. The only thing I would add for cold nights is a pair of wool longies. I love wool longies, but they are so pricey. Our beautiful wool does the trick for now, almost exclusively thanks to Dalia's Grammi and Papa.

The world of cloth diapering has been so fun for us. We are very happy that we made the decision 11 months ago to switch.

I will let you know how Weehuggers do when we get them!

Good Clothing on a Tight Budget

So many of you know that I love to shop at children's consignment shops (Sarah and Steve love a good deal). Not only is it great for our pocketbook, it is great for the environment, too. Plus kids outgrow clothing super fast. We have splurged on the occasional item (I love the Robeez, See Kai Run, and Livie and Luca shoes). But more often than not, Dalia's clothing is cheap!

We recently got two new pairs of corduroy pants (tags still attached) for $.99 each. Yep, those adorable red cords Dalia modeled in her 1 year photos are from good old goodwill. And that hat? $2 at Gap on sale.

We always get compliments on how cute she is dressed. I feel like people must think we spend a fortune, but we totally don't. On an earlier trip to Once Upon a Child, we found these (but the embroidered version) for $3. A recent trip to kid to kid was super worthwhile. Check out some of the great purchases:

We got a catimini sweater (top of the line European children's boutique designer) for $5.

I had no idea it was a boutique item. I was drawn to its warmth and beautiful yet quirky design. I was showing Steve when we got home and we just decided to google it. Hello, deal??!? I think so!

We got a roots winter down vest. Apparently roots is a Canadian company, who knew?! And that was only $3.

We got a pair of snow pants for $7. These are usually very costly. Plus, it may only snow once or twice so we won't worry that they weren't worth it.

We got two pairs of shoes and each cost $3.

Another great item was a made in the USA like new LL Bean windbreaker in a beautiful lavender. These jackets are usually $50 and we got ours for $5.

So get out and get some winter clothing deals!

Research Released--Ear Infections

Dalia has had one ear infection since she was born. And I have to admit it was a pretty miserable few days. Of course her temp was 103 and she was really really super really cranky (did I make that point clear?). We took her to the doctor and the doctor prescribed antbx. Well, my mommy mind kicked in and I doubted filling the prescription. I doubted it the whole way home. I ended up filling it. Then we debated giving it to her at the table for 20 minutes. Something told me no, but then we decided yes. So we ended up giving it to her (I still feel this was the wrong decision. My friend shared an alternative remedy with me just hours later).

She, of course, developed hives, a sure sign on an allergic reaction. Hmmm... I did tell the doctor that I am allergic (and having a parent that is allergic makes it more likely that the child will be). Needless to say I was annoyed that the doctor didn't prescribe something else just because.

Oh well.

Check this out. I love when research that supports what we feel is correct is released! This has been researched for a long time with similar results, but I like when stuff continues to come out. From DOCTORS, too!

Obviously some infections require anbtx, so always check with you MD or ND :)

Now the alternatives:

Herbal Wellness for Kids (made by Rainbow Light)

Onions and garlic are known to have anti-bacterial properties. Warm onion juice can be used as an eardrop. You can also warm up two garlic cloves in a couple of teaspoons of mustard oil until the oil turns black. Once it is cool, this oil can then be used as a simple home remedy for ear infection.

You can put together two drops of lavender oil, two of chamomile oil, and three drops of tea tree oil in an almond oil solution. Use this mixture, slightly warmed up, as an eardrop three times a day. Chamomile is also known to sooth inflammation, and tea tree oil has well documented anti-microbial properties.

Warm washcloths over the ear can help with pain as well

There are so many ways to deal with ear infections. Do you have any other natural remedies?

Dalia's 1 Year Photos-Sneak Peek!

We were fortunate to work with Crystal Hardin of Lily B Photography for Dalia's 1 year photos (side note: you should totally book her asap).

Dalia loved playing outside in the leaves.

Example follows:

I can't believe she is ours! Don't you just want to squeeze her!?

Crystal was amazing to work with! And she was a fabulous person, too! It was so nice to be outside in the beautiful, crisp weather with our little soon-to-be toddler (jaw hitting the floor yet??). I know I know, we can't believe it either. She is so big already. She has an amazing personality. She is the love of our lives.

*Keep in mind that these are copyrighted images. Do not print them or alter them in any way, including removing the watermark.

Dalia Plays

Play time after a bath is one thing Dalia seriously loves. I love the beautiful name bench from my friend Linh in Chicago. This girl loves toys!

If you watch long enough you will see Dalia cruise... what a treat!!

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Happy to be Home

Watch Dalia laugh with (and at) daddy.

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Nearing 1 Year of Exclusive Nursing

We are nearing our 1 year mark of exclusive breastfeeding and it feels like such an accomplishment! We have calculated that I have produced about 100 gallons of breastmilk for our baby girl (so far). Now that is a lot of milk. Think of how much money we have saved...

Despite not having a huge breastfeeding and natural childbirth support system (oh, but let me extend a big thank you to my husband, our amazing doula, our midwives, and our bradley teacher), we have managed to have a wonderful year.

It took about 1 month for Dalia to learn how to nurse and for my tatas to produce what she needed. It took about 3 weeks of excruciating pain for my girls to get used to a suckling little baby. Ouch! They say proper latch=no pain at all, but I seriously think that is a lie. I mean someone is tugging on your tata all day and night! One reason I was able to get through the really tough days (and the labor itself) was preparation for pain. My go to person for everything baby and attachment parenting, Dr. Sears, emphasizes preparation as a method of pain management.

Anywho...

Not everyone decides to breastfeed and some people are unable to for medical reasons, but almost everyone can. Our country needs more people who are informed about the benefits of breastfeeding. We need to see more women nursing in public, and we need more people who are educated about breastfeeding. A couple of our doctors at our pedi office nursed for 18 months! Now that is an accomplishment (so is 1 week for those mommies who stopped earlier)!

Many women choose to breastfeed while pregnant. Many women choose to tandem nurse. Whatever your decision is, I think this YouTube video (posted on fb) is fantastic!

ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcjKeDyTZP8

Natural Healing

With the recent recall of my favorite teething tablets, it truly is the case that nothing (not even the natural stuff) is always 100% safe. Of course the moment the recall happened, thousands and thousands of parents went on-line and to brick and mortars to buy up each and every single container of these miracle pills (natural parenting people, go figure). In fact, many natural parenting parents view the recall as nothing more than the FDA trying to come down on natural remedies for the sake of big pharmas. The "problem" with the pills, according to some, is the inconsistent amounts of belladonna--many docs believe this is nothing to be concerned about.

Side note: Eating 6 bottles may cause a problem. Imagine 1 bottle of Tylenol.

Still I have to admit that I have used them less, if only because Dalia seems less upset by her teething pains. Oh, and because of my recent purchase!

After reading, researching, talking, debating, and doing some general thinking about other teething/discomfort remedies, we decided to purchase a baltic amber teething necklace for Dalia. The jeweler, Inspired by Finn, is an entrepreneur who showcases her products at HyenaCart, one of my favorite on-line shopping destinations.

Read up on amber as a natural healing remedy:

http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/index.php?c=63&p=14913

http://www.viewpoints.com/No-Brand-Amber-teething-necklace-review-00b92

http://www.mamapedia.com/article/amber-teething-necklaces

Side note number 2: the above is a quick google search and not my serious research!

Does it work? Who knows.

I will have to let you know, though it may be the placebos talking :)

Dalia eats beans

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Teeth

And I thought labor was hard!

Teething is really a crazy thing. One moment our child is blissfully happy, smashing B's Wacky Balls with the yellow, squeaking hammer (their website is really cute, check it out). The next moment our little munchkin has tears rolling down her face. So long as mommy and daddy are holding her (for the most part) she is fine. The moment darkness rolls around and that little b-word (bedtime) starts emerging from our lips, she is a totally different child. Unhappy, to say the least!

So Dalia has four teeth so far. Right now she is getting four more--all at the same time. Imagine that! And while these nights are difficult, I really cherish the time she needs us in the middle of the night. Soon this stage will pass and she will be telling us to go away. We relish it while we can :)

Dalia is also very interested in walking. She always wants us to hold her hands so she can practice. She doesn't like sitting down and she really doesn't like diaper changes. I can barely get the diaper around her little white round tushy before she is off! Sometimes I don't get that far and her little tushy goes racing down the hallway. Well there goes those last few pounds holding me back from my favorite pair of pants. Maybe they will see the light of day in 2010 after all.

Crafty Stuff

So many of you know I am a serious crafter. I like knitting, scrap booking, cooking, sewing, and anything artsy. Some of my favorite websites (Hyena Cart and Etsy) sell hand made, eclectic, and artsy things. I love supporting small business and individuals so if you do, too, please visit the sites!

I am currently working on a project of my own: mod-inspired barrette holders for girls. These are hand crafted items where parents can store hair accessories for their little munchkies.

This is my first attempt so it is not good, but take a look:

All of the edges are hand sewn.

See this one showing the barretts:

AND... the whole thing:

I know it isn't the most beautiful thing in the world, but I am just getting started with these.

I will be posting updates as I make more. I am going to do some vintage inspired ones using organic prints and combine both styles using a variety of textures. Stay tuned! And moms of little girls, you will be getting one on the house!

Recall

Another recall!

Check out the Fisher Price website to see if any of your items are on the list!

What is in that Vaccine?!

Gelatin

Fetal Bovine Serum (derived from aborted baby calfs)

Human Diploid Cell (derived from human fetuses in a laboratory setting)

Chick Embryos

These are current ingredients in the MMR vaccine.

Formaldehyde? Yep, that is in the IPV vaccine.

Some kids are exposed to 40 pricks and prods before they turn 2!

Don't believe me? Think this can't be true? Contact your local pharmacy and ask for the ingredient list and then go further and ask your pediatrician for the information on the specific maker of the IPV vaccine they use. Call that company for a full listing of every single ingredient.

In my circle of friends, vaccine talk is one topic of discussion that really gets heated. Most of my friends have opted to follow the alternate vaccination schedule recommended by Dr. Sears. For those of you who aren't familiar with Dr. Sears, take a look at his website and his famous writings on vaccines. Many people do not "jive" with Dr. Sears, but he spoke directly to us. His opinions aren't for everyone (nor should they be). This is information that we find useful and we know that some parents feel the traditional schedule suits them.

It is an individual choice.

This is simply our journey.

Even before Dalia's birth, H and I spent a long time discussing vaccines and did plenty of research. We knew that we definitely did NOT want her to receive the routine eye medication after birth. Some hospitals still use silver nitrate which can burn a baby's eyes. More often than not, hospitals are using Erythromycin instead. While it causes little physical harm to the baby, it does give the baby blurred vision for quite some time, and YES, newborn babies can see right after birth. We knew we wanted our little Dalia to see the two people who helped her make it into this world.

Dalia did not receive the HepB vaccine. We did not want to unnecessarily expose her to possible fever, lethargy, and the inability to suck with gusto in he first days on earth. This vaccine is extremely important if the mommy has HepB or if the family is residing in a part of the world where HepB is more common than not. We do plan on giving Dalia this vaccine later in life when it makes more sense for her. That time is certainly not now.

Most pediatricians recommend administering the IPV (polio) vaccine at 2 months. I gave Dalia her first dose of IPV today at her 10 month appointment. I was pressured like you wouldn't believe. It was a bad situation. This would never happen if we signed up for a practice listed on the Dr. Sears website as vaccine-friendly. Dr. Minkus does generally start the IPV series at the 10 or 12 month appointment, but he listens carefully to concerned parents and then often alters the course of action with empathy.

So what did I do upon returning home? Contact the pharmacy etc etc... I feel disappointed and angry right now. Upset and confused. It will all get better with time, but I just want to know why the orthodox practice of medicine is so stifling, secretive, and rigid.

Being a parent is hard enough, but I just can't let this go! I am a researcher (always have been, thanks mom) and the vaccine world is really unknown to most parents. We assume things are good because the doctors say so, but not all doctors say so!

Even if you give your child every single vaccine, at least research beforehand a little bit and know that the decisions you have made are right for you and your baby.

On the Move

So yesterday's post was bad timing.

We have a moving Dalia on our hands. Something tells us life will never, ever be the same!

After ten amazing months Dalia is sporting some serious red knees post an army crawling marathon day.

Let the fun begin!

Back to Blogging

Hello everyone!

Things have been crazy in the Horowitz household. We finally settled into our *temporary* abode and have just about ten months before we move *again* back to good old Chicago. God I can't wait to get back to that city. Virginia is not my favorite place and lets just leave it at that. Positive thinking! One fun thing about being in Virginia and having a hubby working at the United States Supreme Court is that Dalia gets to meet important people and had the opportunity to play "hands" with our newest Justice.

Here we are visiting daddy at work:

Dalia is a whopping TEN months old at this point. Crawling? Not really! Standing? With help! Teeth? Two! Sleeping? Sometimes! Talking? She says uh oh and dat dat dat dat dat and points--too cute! She is about 21 pounds these days (read: bigger than your average little munchkie) and very, very tall. She is adorable and just because you might not believe me I have added some new-ish photos:

We were lucky enough to have a house FULL of visitors (and toys... yes too many of those) nearly every day since we moved into the condo. Here is a favorite of mine:

Yep. My favorite (well only) sister came in for a visit and she brought her very own munchkie, Chase. We had a fabulous time! A girl like me needs serious quality sister time.

Most recently we celebrated two very special holidays: Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. These are HUGE holidays in Judaism and this was Dalia's first time celebrating them. It was so special for us! We were in NYC for the first and in Virginia for the second. We can't wait to have many more years celebrating these together.

So what does 5771 have in store for us? Hmmmmm... we aren't telling anyone just yet (kidding, seriously) but we want to do our best to be better people and to love one another even more. One thing that will happen in 5771 is Dalia's 1st (gasp) birthday. How can we be this far into parenthood already? 5771 is also the year I get to go back to Chicago. Counting down the days........

I will be posting much more regularly now that things have settled down. It is nice to be back!

xoxoxoxoxo

Promise to Fill You In!

I promise to fill you all in soon. Things have been very crazy, but we are all doing great in our new home.

xoxo

MOVIN'

Dalia doesn't seem to mind at all.

Yet another reason why the Ergo is dad's best friend. Just 5 minutes before this photo was taken, Dalia was screaming uncontrollably. Daddy put her in this and she was "a ok" for another hour while he packed and got lots of stuff done!

One of the best baby purchases (buy it by clicking on the left link, my favorite baby store here in Chicago) made by far.

Totally worth every single dollar.

Agar What?

We are going to try this bad boy from one of my favorite baby food sites: wholesomebabyfood.com

Adjustments? We don't eat gelatin (it isn't kosher and it isn't vegetarian) so we will use agar agar instead. Applesauce is still out of the picture so I am going to do this with mango sauce and blueberry juice.

Fruited Gel Squares

(I know my baby better than this site and I know she can handle this recipe)

Ingredients:

1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce (or add thin dices of banana, peach, pear, grapes, blueberry etc)
2 cups apple juice
3 small packages unflavored gelatin

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix cinnamon into applesauce and set aside.

Pour 1 cup cold apple juice in 8x8 pan and sprinkle gelatin on top. Heat remaining 1 cup of apple juice in the microwave for 3 minutes or until boiling.

Stir boiling juice into the gelatin and cold apple juice. Stir in applesauce.

Refrigerate for 1/2 hour and then stir to keep applesauce evenly distributed. If you do not stir when in the fridge, the applesauce settles to the bottom, but it still tastes great.

Refrigerate for an additional 2 1/2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares with a knife, or use cookie cutters to cut into shapes, and serve.

Purees Bite the Dust

yes, those are piles and piles of boxes in the background--another starbucks, please

With the exception of some food Grammi got for Dalia to help us on the road while we are moving, Dalia is past pureed foods (at only 8 months). She has been eating chunks with her hands for about a month already, but I have "let go" and allowed her to self feed. It is scary at times (um, she looked at me with a mouth FULL of sweet potatoes), but I know this is an important step in her development and she is ready ready ready.

Example #2:

the smaller the chunk, the more annoyed and frustrated she gets...too much work for not enough food!

Did Ya Know We Were Movin?

Yep. We are moving, again. Washington DC (ahem, Alexandria) here we come.

Why, you ask?

Well Steve was selected (like two years ago at this point) to be a law clerk for the United States Supreme Court with Justice Kennedy. Pretty sweet gig, no? Maybe all those Harvard Law Schools loans are worth it! And after a brief break in DC we will likely be back buying a beautiful home in the windy city. Real estate research is in progress :) Steve hasn't picked a law firm yet, but has a lot of good options.

And what will I do next year? Probably play mommy and take a few private educational consulting families. I did end up declining the free (yes free, actually salaried) PhD option at the University of Maryland (call me crazy, I know). But it wasn't the right thing for me for next year.

I don't need a PhD.

I don't need 5-8 more years of school.

I am not ever sure I want one.

I don't need up-all-nighters writing and grading papers.

I need another year to figure out what I want to do. And no matter what I decide, it will be the right decision for me.

Sidenote:

If you know me you know I am a total clean freak and organization nut. This move is driving me bonkers--boxes everywhere, paper strewn throughout the house, packing tape stuck to the floor, and dishes everywhere. Let us not forget there is a baby in the picture whom requires lots of love and kisses...I can't wait to get to our condo and unpack (this is one of my strong points). At 7 months prego, we moved to Chicago and I unpacked dozens of boxes in two days. Steve came home and the house looked like we had been there for years. Lets hope I still have this kind of energy next week!

The Simple Things

Nothing beats waking up to a little munchkie whose main objective is to kiss you as much as possible. This simple display of affection is the highlight of my month!

Dalia's newfound skill, kissing, is completely adorable and heart melting. I am a mess today--totally teary eyed.

Sleep and kisses in the same week?

Glorious Zzzzzzzzleeeeeeeeeeeeeep

Well hello there, sleep.

It has been quite a long time since we have seen one another!

Finally. We put Dalia to sleep at 10 pm and she didn't wake up until 8 am. Perhaps it was by chance or maybe it is a new trend (can you imagine!) but we are two happy parents. Steve thinks this is our first night of sleep in 8 months, but I know it is his first night of sleep in 8 months. It is my first night of uninterrupted sleep in more like 10 months (lets not forget how many times uber prego ladies wake up throughout the night).

A mommy friend of mine has a little one who slept through the night at 2 1/2 months--she has been getting this the whole time?!

I am very curious to see what happens tonight. All I know is H and I spent the morning making a check-list of things we "must do again tonight" just in case those things helped her sleep through the night.

Some things that we did:

1. kept the air conditioning on so it didn't get hot in her room

2. used the cotton wood baby insert inside her prefold and then lined that with a hemp doubler inside of her wool cover

3. stuffed her with pruny oatmeal and other foods

4. nursed her a lot

Time for some Investigation!

So given our recent week of not so much sleep (well hardly any really, especially if you count "hours in a row" it just might end up being "hour" total) it is time to start investigating the culprit of Dalia's tummy troubles--and sleep troubles...

Ah, just in time for packing/moving/stressful purging of belongings/sorting/cleaning/organizing. Thank goodness Grammi is hear to relieve some mommy and daddy duties! Still, this isn't going to be fun at all is it?

Another Starbucks decaf, please.

Perhaps an allergy or maybe a slight sensitivity to a certain something?

Bye bye bananas, brown rice, and applesauce! Oh brother, did she have two of the three yesterday? And don't I have a zillion mango banana cubes in the freezer (oh, new smoothie options for mommy). Well thank goodness we had a chance to see Dr. Minkus just when we felt like we didn't know what to do!

The best part? Minkus said, "no teeth in sight for the near future." I had a serious are you *&^%$#@ moment! No teeth? This isn't the dreaded "teething" pains? AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Seriously he must be wrong--just this once.

Well, updates will come soon enough! We will get to the bottom of this constipation stuff sooner or later.

We Lost the Bet

Both of us, that is.

Wow.

Several weeks ago we posted about betting:

"Who will win the bet of when Dalia's first tooth will come?"

Well apparently neither one of us as there is still NO tooth in sight!

IHOP

What else does a mommy need to say?

(please notice the chanukah princess bib, totally out of season, but totally rockin')

And how about this one?

And we can't forget that Dalia is basically refusing her sippy (for drinking purposes, but for teething? yes, please) and opting for adult drinking glasses:

Lest I forget to mention that Dalia is a grabbing, touching, exploring, and extremely curious little munchkin' and has recently changed our ability to do anything! She is ACTIVE!

Dalia Meets Salmon

The Horowitz family had a lovely Shabbat, thank you very much! On the menu? A delicious and vibrant piece of wild sockeye salmon. And this was not just for the mommy and daddy :)

We decided it was time for Dalia to taste something very different from her usuals (mango, banana, apple, grape, blueberry, cherry, egg yolk, brown rice, oatmeal, flax seed, wheat germ, asparagus, broccoli, and acorn squash--the list goes on and on). We cut up her little piece of salmon and placed in on her tray. Within seconds her little exploring hands were maneuvering the pieces with serious determination. SUCCESS! She looked at us with a huge smile as she placed several of her fingers (and the small piece of fish) in her mouth.

She really enjoys feeding herself these days and it is great to see her learning this very important skill.

Now what could top off a meal of amazing fish?

Well #1: prunes (boy Dal has been having poo issues) and #2: a piece of North Shore Kosher Bakery's challah:

Talk about a great night!

Goodies from our Philly Trip

This is love :) This is us as we near entering our fourth year of marriage.

Weddings make me realize how much I love you and how lucky we are to have one another.

Whrilwind Weekend

Well we are finally home after what can only be described as a truly momentous time making lasting memories with friends and family. One of my best girls, Katie, finally walked down the aisle. The moment I saw her tears appeared and it was difficult to keep my eyes clean during the night. She was an amazingly gorgeous and truly picturesque bride.

See for yourself:

And the next best part of the evening was spending time with great college friends. No matter how much time passes by, things just click again when you see each other. Steve and I have had just about NO breaks since little Dalia was born (think 7 months people) so the evening was also a time for us to reconnect and spend some hours snuggling up amidst the backdrop of a romantic wedding (thanks again to grandma--how lucky are we?!). Everyone loves a good wedding, especially ones with delicious drinks and a sushi station!

So congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bechtold, a rather stunning couple, don't you agree?

So so so so sweet :)