Blog Posts by Baby's First Year

As I was patting Fuzz's tush while he was whimpering himself to sleep last night, I thought about all the things I've done in order to get my babies to sleep. It seems at some points in our own desperate attempts to get sleep, or some time alone, we will subject ourselves to things we never thought fathomable. Here is a list of things I've tried with success:

1. Bouncing on a physio ball

2. Rocking (in my arms, a chair, or a swing)

3. Jiggling the carseat or stroller

4. White Noise Machine/Sleep Sheep

5. Pacifier

6. The Butt Pat

7. The Back Rub

8. Vaccuum cleaner (yes, really)

After having a baby, did you buy transitional clothing or stick with a combo of pre-preggo and maternity gear? After my first baby, I stuffed myself into pre-preg pants and too-big maternity tops. I was NOT going to invest in THAT body. Then my sweet mother arrived at week 3 and performed an intervention. In Target. Less than $100 later, I was feeling great about the way I looked for the first time in weeks. The perfect little boost for the tender ego of a new mom. Here's one outfit that could get me through the "4th trimester."

To find out where to buy this awesome outfit, visit Babble.

MORE ON BABY'S FIRST YEAR:
Dressing up Your Little Man - a Guide for Boys' Style
The Cutest Winter Onesies from Baby Gap
Modern Baby Leggings - Chic and Handmade

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I want and expect my children to see their own siblings and cousins as their closest friends and allies, as well as their responsibilities. As a mother, I try to imbue my children with an understanding that being in our family means being part of something bigger and potentially more meaningful than any one of us is likely to be all by ourselves. I trust that the relationships and sense of responsibility that my children develop for their siblings and cousins during childhood and adolescence will protect and nurture them long after I am gone, and that's comforting to me.

My belief in the power and importance of family ties within each generation is the primary reason why I absolutely do expect my older children to help care for their younger siblings and cousins. In our family, the bigger kids are required to play with, entertain, watch out for, and sometimes outright babysit the younger ones. My brother, sister and cousins are raising their children with the same expectations.

Dear first-time mother Jacinda of 2007-

This is third-time mother Jacinda of the future. It's 2011 and you are once again the mother of an infant and learning the lessons of new parenthood. How do you keep forget these important personal revelations? They must have been washed away with the memory of the pain of childbirth. So, I thought I would write them down for you. They really will make it all a bit easier.

Also, you left San Diego and now live in Texas so eat a Santana's Burrito and go to the beach for me today, would you? Oh and ignore the urge to cut bangs, they do not and never will work on you. But back to your 3 important lessons of motherhood…

These babies are all ready for Valentine's Day. View the whole little cupid gallery on Babble (and vote for your favorite!).

MORE ON BABY'S FIRST YEAR:

The New Mother Chronicals: 5 Lessons to Remember

Sweet Child of Mine - Where Did You Go?

Baby's First Superbowl (Out of Utero)

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I have both breastfed and formula fed my babies. I have been a stay at home, exclusively breastfeeding mom, and I have been a full-time, work outside the home pumping, breastfeeding mom. And now I have been a full time, working, formula feeding mom for the last six months. This variety means that I have a lot of real-word experience to draw on in sharing what I've liked and disliked about each type of baby feeding. But again, nothing in the list of my "pros and cons" of each feeding method that I am about to offer up should IN ANY WAY suggest that I don't continue to believe that breastfeeding matters a great deal to babies' health and women's health, and that breastfeeding support and promotion should be a public health priority. That is a given, and represents the context for my thoughts on OTHER, more logistical aspects of the breastfeeding vs. formula feeding experience.

Okay, lengthy prologue over. Without further ado, I give you my super honest, highly personal comparison of

Argh. I have to sit down and admit that this new year has not started off with a bang. Just a lot of whimpers.

I was just fixing up a new profile page, and it asked what movies I like. I thought about it. What are my favorite movies? I know I used to have some… eh, my brain is in a fog. I went over to Facebook and cut-and-pasted whatever was there.

Then it asked what music I like. Music. Huh. I automatically typed in Tom Waits and Eels, and then… gosh. I know I have a lot of music I like, I just… meh. I went all the way back to MySpace to get that list, and didn't even bother adding anything recent.

More on Baby's First Year: Formula Feeding vs. Breastfeeding - the Pros and Cons

Then it asked about books. Books! Light of my life, fire of my loins! I mean, I live for books. I read on my Kindle app when I'm up nursing in the middle of the night. There are books that have absolutely changed my life! But… what were they… what was that one I just read that I liked so

Taking care of a sick infant while you are sick is no easy task for anyone, no matter how often it happens. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, actually. Sadly, it happens. I have a few pieces of wisdom I'd like to share after taking care of the sick Fuzzball while also trying to nurse my own cold.

1. Lower your expectations: cancel plans, and any thoughts of getting anything done should be tabled if possible. This means cleaning, projects, work, EVERYTHING. Taking care of yourself and infant will be all you have energy for today, and even that will be a struggle.

2. Nurse lying down: (If you are a nursing parent) Hopefully, this way, both you and your baby can get a little more rest.

3. Drink lots of fluids: I like to drink hot lemon water with honey when I have a cold, but also just drink lots of regular water. I have a cool Capresso hot water kettle that heats the water really quickly, too. Very helpful when you have little time.