To bump or not to bump? That is the question

By bump in this post, I am referring to bumpers in cribs (not the baby bump, or for the perverted readers out there, bump n' grind).  If you've had a child in the last several years, you may have been warned against bumpers--maybe by a doctor, or a friend, or by a stranger, due to their risk associated with SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).  Just about everyone who has a child has an opinion on the bumper matter.  I told you that some topics on this blog might be controversial.  There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, it might not be so black and white, and that intrigues me.  I hope I'll get some interesting feedback from some of you.

Some child safety organizations believe bumpers pose a risk of suffocation and strangulation.  There is a lot of information out there, and you can do your own research, but I will share some of the info I did find.  The American SIDS Institute recommends against placing anything in the crib, including bumpers (also blankets and toys, among any other objects), to reduce the risk of SIDS, as does First Candle.  Dr. Sears, who has been featured on OPRAH (so he must be the real deal, right?) suggests that parents make sure crib bumpers fit snugly around the entire perimeter of the crib and are secured by at least six ties or snaps. To prevent your baby from chewing on the ties and becoming entangled in them, trim off excess length. Remove bumpers and toys from the crib as soon as the child begins to pull himself or herself up on the crib rails, because they can be used as steps for climbing over the rail.  Of course, some feel that without bumpers there is a risk of babies hitting parts of their bodies on the slats, or getting arms/legs stuck in the slats. 


Many of the baby bedding options include bumpers, but that doesn't mean you should feel compelled to use them just because they look nice.  There are other options--you can use bumpers as decor when the baby isn't in the crib and remove it when the baby goes to sleep (that sounds exhausting, honestly, I hope you have a nanny to help with this task), you can use breathable mesh bumpers or you can use no bumpers at all.  Or, you can do what many generations before us did, and use the bumpers. 

Only you know what is best for your child.  No matter what decision you make, you don't need to justify or defend your position to anyone.  The best decisions are the educated ones, so do your research, find the right resources to answer your questions and try to get some sleep (and help your baby sleep safely and soundly too).

FoodParc--smokin' food and scene (sans smokers)

Last night I had dinner at FoodParc (and BeerParc) in Chelsea.  It was awesome, in a word.  It can best be described as a gourmet food court.  You place your order on one of the dozen computers, and choose from pasta to burgers to salads to raw bar options and more, and then you get texted when your order is ready for pick-up.  The neatest part of this dining spot is the outside area, where most of the seating is located.  There was a ton of seating and the weather was wonderful, and there was a humongous TV screen on the side of a building.  The concept is unique.--lots of different cuisines to choose from, almost no waiting time, no tips, no clean-up and brings a whole new meaning to TV dinner. 

I would recommend this spot to just about anyone of any age.  I noticed parents with children and strollers to college kids were enjoying the food and scene.  Oh, and bonus, did you know that Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an extended smoking ban into law, outlawing smoking in the city's parks, beaches and public plazas in NYC?  So you can further enjoy your meal sans smoke being blown in your face.

To learn more about Foodparc, visit http://www.foodparc.com/ or go check it out one day this summer.  The only thing that could make this spot any cooler in the summertime would be a pool, literally.

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

Memorial Day commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States.  However, when most of us think of this weekend we think about the vacation we're going to take or the family and friends we're going to have over for a bbq.  I am no different, I am in NY with family and friends.

Today's post is not about how to save money or things to do when traveling or living in the Big Apple, but I have lots of tips for a later post.  My message is simple this weekend--enjoy your time off and your family and friends, at home or on vacation, and be thankful for your life as a US citizen.

Our military men and women have fought and continue to fight for the freedoms we experience everyday.  They put their lives at risk everyday to protect our country.  I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and stops to think, "how lucky am I?"

The heat is on!

Is it summer or does it just feel like it?  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, oh yeah and it's ridiculously hot outside.  I'm in FL where the heat seems to begin by 7am and by noon you're thankful that everything in this state is air-conditioned.  I'm headed to New York today where it's really no cooler.

But with the extra need for air-conditioning in the summer, we face higher electricity bills.  In fact, did you know that the average house in North America consumes about 21.5KwH /day?  So, that means that if you pay the average 12 cents/KwH you could sum a grand total of over $942/year on electricity (probably a lot more if you're a growing family, like us)?  That's 10 pretty fancy date nights with your man/woman, approximately 30 movie and dinner nights with a friend, and in our case, about six months of baby food.  I'm sweating just thinking about this!

Fortunately, there are simple suggestions below to save as much as 50% of these costs.  Also, check out this Home Energy Saver website to calculate your energy usage and see a list of home improvements that while they require some upfront investment, will provide a generous return on investment.

1. Replace your old bulbs with compact florescent light-bulbs.  And when you leave the house, remember to turn all lights, and fans off.

2. Get a new tv--LCDs use a lot less energy than your old tv or plasmas.

3. Turn off appliances, including unplugging them when you're not using them.  Put your computer on sleep mode or turn it off overnight.

4. Buy energy-efficient appliances, specifically your refrigerator and freezer and washer-dryer.

5. When you're not home, turn the a/c up to 78 degrees in the summer.  Keep all blinds and curtains over windows closed.  If it's cooler at night, open windows.  Also, a dehumidifier can be useful in removing moisture.

If you have additional ideas to share with readers, please post them in the comments.

And speaking of heat, how 'bout that Miami Heat team?!  I've always been a loyal fan since I'm from South Florida, so let's hope they go all the way!

Ditch the diaper bag, clutch it!

I just got an awesome baby gift from Mr G. and Dr. N., but it's soooo much more--it's a mommy gift!  It's the perfect clutch for mommas.  It's a Rosie Pope and it's black leather on the outside and inside fits all the mommy AND baby essentials with compartments for a bottle, diapers, wipes and your phone and wallet.   It's fashionable and a nice size.  It also happens to be affordable at $128 on the Rosie Pope website (oh, and follow her on twitter or like her page on Facebook to get a special 15% off entire purchase and free shipping code).  It can be dressed up for a fancy affair with your man or dressed down for a lunch with the ladies.

So whether you're pregnant in heels or a momma in sandals, ditch the diaper bag and clutch it, you won't regret it!

Man (and Baby's) Best Friend

Maddy

If you're anything like us, your pet is your baby too.  Maddy was our first baby.  She is a lovable, schnauzer-poodle mix and she's adorable and spunky.  We rescued her from Pets in Distress in South Florida.  She taught us about caring for someone others than ourselves and each other, and we learned early that Maddy likes plenty of attention and tlc, sometimes beginning as early as 6:30am.  Enter AML jr.  At first Maddy was perplexed by her and disinterested in her.  The only time she reacted to AML jr was when she cried, and would stand by her side and whine too (her concern was kind of cute actually..or maybe it wasn't concern it was more like Maddy was saying "this kid is driving me nuts, shut her up please!").  Then a few months after AML jr was born, she figured out that AML jr was a source of entertainment and like a younger sibling she could easily annoy her.  So began the licking--first feet, then hands, head and then face.  We did our internet due diligence like any neurotic parent would and discovered that more than a few studies state that a certain amount of exposure to various microorganisms is necessary for the development of a healthy immune response and that parents who keep their young children in super-clean environments do them no favors in the long run.  On the other hand, we discourage it because it's kind of gross, let's be honest (no need to go into details, I'll let your imagination take over here) and we prefer super-clean environments.

Fortunately, AML jr loves Maddy, she really gets a kick out of her.  Maddy has never been aggressive with her, and AML jr has even gone so far as to grab on tightly to Maddy's beard.  But, the question remains, how do we balance the attention we give to our baby and Man's (and now Baby's) Best Friend?  There is no clear cut answer here.  Maddy filled our home with unconditional love and positive energy during what was a very tough time for us given difficult job situations and moves.  AML jr is truly a miracle to us and brings us joy and pride everyday.  So, here goes--just do the best you can, your pet will still be your best friend if today is filled with a little less fetching and petting (mind you, I'm still trying to do it all--I am typing with one hand, petting Maddy with the other and singing to AML jr--did you ever think you could multi-task like this?!).

The best advice I got was from Mrs. F, mother of a son and daughter both under four, and a schnauzer.  She taught her dog that once the baby went down to sleep at night, the attention goes to the dog.  We've done the same, and we call after 8pm Maddy time.

Maddy and AML jr

And speaking of rescuing pets, please check out Best Friends Animal Society, the organization runs the nation's largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals.  I am a big supporter of this org, and hope you will consider supporting it as well.

Promotion on Love Potion #9, or in this case Bond No. 9 New York (but just as delicious)

My favorite perfume for the past several years has been Bond No. 9's West Side.  I love these scents which are named after different neighborhoods in NY.  However, they happen to be quite expensive. Fortunately, my 1.7 oz size bottle has lasted almost two years.  Like you, these bottles are lovely on the inside and out (I promise, I am not getting any compensation from this company or my readers!).  The bottle designs are so cool looking that you'll want to showcase them as part of your home's decor. 

Bond No. 9 New York is only available on their own website and at select stores, and is pretty much never on sale.  Well, I have something exciting to share and again on a wonderful Wednesday....Exclusively on Saks.com and in Saks stores until June 3rd, you receive one complimentary perfume refill with the purchase of two Bond No. 9 New York products (excluding pocket sprays and soaps).  This is a huge savings on this product.

So, if you can't get to "the city," at least you can smell like it.  Kidding!  These scents are no joke, go try one (or three).

You can have your cake and eat it too!

Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the week.  Is it because Modern Family is on?  Well, that's part of it.  But the real reason I enjoy most Wednesdays is because it's the halfway point of the work week.  I've accomplished half of the week's to do list, or maybe more if I'm feeling especially ambitious that week.  I'm that much closer to a pretty nice little Saturday, which when not involving family trips to Home Depot, and maybe Bed Bath & Beyond, if we have time, tends to offer opportunities to relax and explore. 

So, to add to the joy of Wednesdays, I'm going to feature a savings offer every week (this week two offers).  Hopefully some of you can take advantage of it, and therefore look forward to Wednesdays like I do.  If TGIW won't do it for you, maybe this offer will, and remember TGIF is just around the corner.

Happy saver, happy lady! Oh, and I did tell you I would provide a piece of cake in this blog, didn't I?

Cheesecake Factory: Free slice of cheesecake with $30 purchase

 

Saks Off Fifth store savings

Moms Night Out (even Supermom needs a night off sometimes)

We get up early to feed our children (sometimes much earlier than we'd like if we have a sleepless, hungry, wet, teething or simply bored child), get ready and get out the door.  Whether we're headed to jobs outside the home or to take care of our ever-growing to do lists, or both, the day starts early and ends late.  We find little time to ourselves and our significant others.  I'm not complaining, really.  Since having AML jr I have become quite the laundress, housekeeper, errand runner, bather or as we call it for AML jr, spa time (I know, I know, I'm training her way too early to enjoy the joys of the spa.  Don't worry, no manis, pedis, facials or massages yet, just bubble baths).  Oh and lest I forget my role as the family clown (yes, I make just about any silly noise or face to get my girl laughing, a far cry from my businesswoman side...though I do think we could all use a daily dose of clown mom in our workplaces...hmmmm new company idea?).  We work hard for our money...and our families.

As much as I enjoy the mommy role, I am a huge proponent of Moms (and Dads) Nights Out.  I feel the same way about date nights (another post to come).  Maybe you heard about National Mom's Night Out on May 9 (Mom's Night Out 2011) and were able to take advantage of it?  Maybe not?  Trust me, I get it.  Who has the time and energy to plan or even attend a night out given how busy we are everyday, and exhausted?  Plus, I have three nights of three different Real Housewives shows to watch, Glee and The Voice so those nights are out people! On the other hand, I do have DVR...

If you're a mom-to-be, don't be afraid.  Just plan to make time for yourself every once in a while, after all that baby won't be happy if you're not happy! I feel it's important to be able to step out of your mom role, just temporarily, to enjoy the company of your girlfriends (or guy friends).  Remember, before you were a mother (who at times felt consumed by household chores and smelly diapers) you were a worldly woman who enjoyed talking about...okay, okay celebrity gossip, the latest fashion trends, movies, etc.  That's the thing, you don't have to get out and necessarily have intellectual discussions or even force yourself to not talk about your kids.  In fact, other moms can be a great source of advice and laughter.  You don't even have to talk at all.  Last night I saw Bridesmaids with Mrs. S, son of two boys under four (G-d bless her heart, she also works full-time!), and we had the best time.  The movie was hysterical, the popcorn and Milk Duds tasted as good as I remembered, and catching up before and after the movie was fun too.  We've decided to make this a regular outing. When I lived in NY, I went out with my friend Mrs. K-K to be and we went to a wine bar.  I have become such a cheap date, after one glass I had a buzz that lasted well into the night.  WARNING: You might regret the wine when you're awoken in the middle of the night by baby.  However, I didn't regret getting out, spending qt with Mrs. K-K and remembering what it's like to wear a cute outfit without a diaper bag!

Ugly bridesmaids dress bachelorette party for my sister-in-law

So, put down the remote, drop the diaper bag, toss the kid to your husband or a sitter (I kid, don't toss please), throw on a pair of skinny jeans you now fit into because who has time to eat these days anyway, grab a clutch that fits your non-baby essentials (gloss, cell phone, wallet, etc) and get your booty to a Moms Night Out (or bring Mom's Night Out in!).  And don't feel guilty!

OBGYNs--plural

Yep, one of my pregnancy tests

I said I'd do a post about my OBGYN experience, so now seems as good a time as any.  Any moment now you'll be ready to press COMMENT and call me crazy.

Well, let's go back to the day I found out I was pregnant.  I'll skip the how I got pregnant part since we've all heard the birds and bees story.  Plus, I'm not going to get raunchy just yet people, we just met, buy me a drink first!  Notice I did not say WE got pregnant, since afterall Papa Lusty never carried a baby in his belly (or had morning, afternoon or evening sickness) or at least not to my knowledge.  To his credit, AML jr., in all her glory, has plenty of Papa Lusty's traits.  For example, she often laughs at farts, mostly her own, but she already clearly has her father's sense of humor. 

I am the child of a retired surgeon, so I am very picky about doctors.  When we moved to South Florida, I chose an OBGYN that my parents recommended, I didn't realize he was no longer delivering babies until the end of my annual exam.  When I found out I was pregnant on March 17, 2010 I took half a dozen pregnancy tests.  That's right, one, two, three, that wasn't enough, but six was just right.  I immediately called him to ask for a recommendation for an OBGYN who would in theory deliver the baby and he recommended his ex-wife.  I made an appointment, they wouldn't see me for a few weeks because I was only about a month pregnant at the time.  I had never been so eager to get a blood test in my life!  And here begins the OBGYN saga.

OBGYN 1
Group practice of popular, intelligent female docs, 2 hour wait times, air shut off at 1pm and 99% of the appointments available seemingly were after 1pm.  I kid you not, for the three months I went to this doctor, their air shut off after 1pm, like clockwork each time.  Did I mention this doctor also forgot to give me a due date on my first visit and if not for me reminding the office twice, would have forgotten to schedule me for the Down Syndrome testing?  Screaming kids, pregnant, hungry, tired women, 2 hour waits and no air and a forgetful admin staff--recipe for disaster, or in my case a recipe for I'm getting the hell out of here asap.

OBGYN 2
Single male practitioner, good credentials, very nice. For some reason my dad forgot about this doc when I originally asked for a recommendation (is that a bad sign? eh).  Lovely office, organized and pleasant admin staff and virtually no wait. Saw him once, then we decided we were moving to Tampa.  Ugh, how frustrating.  

OBGYN 3
At this point I was moving to a new city where I knew few people, except for my brothers who shockingly had no advice in the OBGYN department.  Through a friend of a friend I found a doc who sounded great on paper (single male practitioner, excellent credentials, very experienced).  His office was old and not decorated at all, the admin staff was sassy, the waits were about a half hour, and the doc was very bright and nice.  He won me over though with the following traits: he had mini schnauzer pictures all over his office and posters of Jackson Hole, WY (my first dog's breed and where I got married).  You heard me right, he had me at his dog and vacation choices.  This is the doctor who delivered by baby and during my emergency c-section was telling jokes and talking baseball.  After AML jr was born, he gave me a kiss on the forehead while I was still on the operating table and told me I did great.  I responded by saying "No, you did great.  I couldn't have done it without you."  Well, let's be honest, I couldn't have done it without him AND the epidural.

The moral of the story is simple here.  If you are thinking about getting pregnant or are pregnant, choose a doctor wisely.  The right fit for your mother, sister, or best friend might not be the right fit for you.  Make a list of what's important to you.  Male or female doc?  Is he/she board certified?  What docs are covered under my insurance?  Who will cover for the doc should he/she be out of town when you go into labor?  Which hospital(s) is the doctor associated with, if you have a specific hospital in mind where you want to deliver?  And beyond the facts, find someone who makes you feel comfortable.  In my case, I wanted someone smart and laid back and who would be calm under pressure, similar to my dad when he was a surgeon.  It also didn't hurt that we had similar interests and I felt he treated me as he would his own daughter.

Choosing a doctor is not as fun as choosing a pair of shoes.  However, don't feel bad about trying out a few different docs until you find the right fit.  Your doctor may not match your little black dress, but he/she should match your needs.  

Note: If you live in South Florida or Tampa and want the names of these docs, email me.

Allow me to introduce myself

Rosie the mom

Here goes.  This is my first post.  I'm bringing my A game to the blogosphere, and I'm bringing the fun.  I know readers have choices and only so much time to devote to reading blogs.  Fair warning--my topics and humor might be controversial, and to protect the innocent (they aren't THAT innocent, but still) I won't be using the real names of the people I mention in this blog.  So let's get this journey started...

First, I should tell you a little about me.  I am Momma Lusty.  I am one of three children, I am the middle child between the boys and I am 31 (no, really, I'm 31, I admit it).  I am the mother of a beautiful, hysterical, sweet, intelligent six month daughter (AML jr.).  Am I biased?  Of course I am, but it must be a fact that she has all of these excellent qualities because her father Papa Lusty, Grams and Grandma Ca also believe the same, right?  Did I mention she is also the first grandchild for both sets of families?  I used to drink a massive amount of corporate America kool-aid, but these days I find my greatest payouts come in the form of the day to day changes I see in my daughter rather than completing TPS reports.  Don't get me wrong, at times I miss the water cooler gossip and the benjamins, but I don't miss the commuting and many of my past managers (can we just call em' like we see em' please?  mismanagers).  If I'm being completely honest here, which I intend to be in every blog post, then I can admit that I love being a mom, but also desire to be an entrepreneur.  Being a mom is without question the most challenging, yet rewarding job I have had to date, and it keeps me busy 24-7.  I admire, respect and look up to stay-at-home moms all over the world. Over the past year I have explored a number of different career paths (some made me money, some not so much), and what I've found is that what would make me happiest is something that involves using my marketing, communications, sales, pregnancy and parenting experience.  Like many moms out there, I'm trying to find the balance between motherhood and career (and somewhere in there fit in sleep and play as well!).

AML jr and Maddy during our most recent move from NY to FL

Here's an interesting fact about me.  I've moved five times in the past two years (not apartment, but five city moves). In fact, I got pregnant in one city, delivered the baby in another city and moved to yet another city when AML jr was six weeks old (I also had three different OBGYNs, but that story is for another post).  Allow me to explain, so you don't think I'm crazy (I'd prefer you get to know me a little better and then feel free to call me crazy).  We moved from NY to Miami so my husband could get an advanced law degree at UM in 2009.  First we moved into my parents' home (losers, I know, but if it makes us feel any better, they weren't living there with us as they were away in the summer).  Then we moved down to Miami. Enter AML jr into my womb in February 2010.  When the program ended we moved to Tampa so I could work for my brother's law firm (loser again? maybe, but it gave me good experience, some good contacts and it paid the bills).  Then at about seven months pregnant my husband got a job offer in NY and we jumped at it!  I pushed him out the door, much to his dismay (on my birthday,) so he could get back to work.  SURPRISE!  On October 27, 2010 AML jr decided she was ready to enter the world a month early (healthy, preemie baby--yet another blog post), so Daddy hopped on a plane (I'll skip the part where he ran through an airport without shoes to make a flight) and made it with nine hours to spare.  AML jr was born in Tampa and six weeks later we hopped in a car (we chose not to expose her to germs on a plane).  My dad split the 20 hour drive with my husband, while I sat in the back on baby changing, feeding, and snuggling duty.  While we drove, Grams flew to NY to meet Grandma Ca to disinfect and organize our new NYC apartment.  We arrived in freezing winter temperatures and settled in.  Well, maybe settled in isn't exactly accurate because there was still one last move on the horizon.   That's right, three months after getting to NY, my husband's job was a disaster and NYC wasn't quite the same with a baby AND dog (Maddy, who makes AML jr laugh hysterically just by looking at her--yet another post).  So, Papa Lusty found another job and we returned to Tampa.  Suffice to say that we couldn't have gotten through these past two years without family support. 

I think that's a good place to start (and let you digest), more to come soon...