Baby Specialist

It is getting colder, and I am worried about keeping our kids warm as the temperature drops at night. Our 2 month old is fine, we bundle him up and he stays warm all night. Our 20 month old is a different story. We put blankets on her, and she always manages to kick them off while she is sleeping. She is like her Mommy in that she is very mobile during the night. Many times I will go in there early in the morning and she has kicked her covers off and she is cold. I always put the covers back on, but I have no idea when she kicked them off and how long she has been laying in her crib without the warmth of the blankets.

It is not feasible to watch her all night obviously to make sure she keeps her blankets on, and I think she is still too young to pull them back on if she wakes up cold. So, we are turning to the more experienced Baby Specialists of the site and asking for suggestions. What do you do to keep your kids warm at night? I think the best solution would be to wake up every couple of hours to check on her, but that doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.

Please help us keep our children warm at night! Leave a comment and let us know what you have done that has worked for your children.

Today I got to go to lunch with two of my very best friends! After the morning I had I almost nixed the whole thing, but my pediatricians wise words kept ringing in my head “Don’t let having kids change your life completely, still do all the things you love just take the kids along!”. So even after the morning of:3 (YES 3!) blowout diapers, 2 non-stop crying babies, 1 pancake breakfast thrown on the floor to clean up,  2 loads of laundry, and 1 shower interrupted by a toddler who decided to put the whole roll of toilet paper in the toilet… I somehow still managed to get all three of us dressed and loaded in the car. My friends wanted to meet at Chili’s, a sit-down restaurant which lately my husband and I try to avoid taking the kids to, because our little Lexi doesn’t “sit”. By the time I got to Chili’s my two kids were both exhausted from our very eventful morning! They had both fallen asleep in the car. I debated on getting the 2-seater stroller out, but I wouldn’t be able to lay Lexi’s seat down, so she could sleep, with Hunter’s infant seat behind her. So, picture me walking in to Chili’s carrying Hunter’s infant seat in one arm, Lexi in my other arm, and my diaper bag and a purse over my shoulder. As I walked in I was thinking to myself that this was a HUGE mistake and I should have stayed home so the kids could nap. People were looking at me like I was crazy, but I was determined and we made it to the table. By now Lexi was waking up and I was sure that she was going to be a nightmare. But, a smart waitress had already set a coloring page and crayons at our table. Lexi reached for the crayons and I was able to set her in the booster seat and she sat and colored like an angel. Hunter stayed asleep the whole lunch, he is such a good baby!

One of my friends had brought her little 3 month old baby girl, Lindsey. I was shocked when I saw her, because my 7 week old baby boy was bigger than her. I knew that Hunter was a big baby, but seeing Lindsey really made me see just how big he is! My husband is probably right, I think Hunter is going to be a middle line-backer for some great football team someday. What a stud! He is the best baby ever, and I think that him being so big has a lot to do with it. He sleeps, eats, poops, and smiles! Hunter sleeps a lot more than Lexi ever did and I think it is because he is growing so much. Last night he went 7 hours without waking up. (Now if I could just get Lexi to sleep that long!) I am so lucky to have such a good little (BIG) guy! Yay for big babies and for the good babies that they are!

Remember Mommy’s: “Don’t let having kids change your life completely, still do all the things you love just take the kids along!” After today I realize how hard it can be to cart your kids and all their gear along just so you can go to lunch with your friends, but it was worth it! Thanks Doctor Pete!!

I am a huge football fan, and I have had the opportunity to teach Brandi a lot about football in our short marriage. One thing that I have taught her is the love for the college gameday atmosphere. We love going to games on Saturday, and we have a blast watching our favorite team play. We have been able to take both of our children to football games over the past 2 years, and it has been fun to see them get excited about all of the commotion. It is not always easy having children at the games, but it is worth it when I see how excited they get at the games. Hunter is still very young, and he has been to 2 games already. He may not know what is going on, but there is no doubt he is very alert during the game. It is a blast, and I recommend taking your kids to a game if you have not already done so.

Last week we attended a game, and afterwards we went out to eat. While we were at dinner I noticed a brown spot on Brandi’s pants. I asked her what it was, and she told me Hunter had a blow out during the game and it got on her pants. For anyone that knows Brandi this was out of the ordinary for her. I was shocked at how calm she was while telling me about it. Brandi is always very clean, and her appearance is always top notch. So for her to not be worried about having a poop stain on her pants all day was pretty remarkable. She is doing such a good job taking care of our kids. She has certainly put our children first, and I am so grateful that I am married to such a Baby Specialist!

I promise all of my posts will not be about such messy subjects.

I can’t even count how many times I have left the room for a minute and come back to find my little girl has found my Diet Coke on the table and is chugging it as fast as she can, because she knows I will be coming back. You think I would learn and just move the drink, but then I wouldn’t have to clean up what she has spilled! Anyway, here is a little something to make me feel better about Lexi drinking my Diet Coke!

My aunt was in the library doing research on a paper for diet ads in the 1950s. And she came across this ad for cola being good for babies. Too funny!

As Brandi announced here, I am Travis and I am the husband of the true Baby Specialist! Having 2 kids has pushed me to do things I never thought possible. Things like changing diapers and singing nursery rhymes were very foreign to me a couple of years ago. I have come along way, but there is always room for improvement.

Being around babies was not necessarily new to me, I had 7 nieces and nephews by the time Lexi joined our family. I knew what was required to take care of a baby and I knew the work that was involved was not easy, or sanitary. Until Lexi came along I could always give the baby back if they started to cry, or needed a diaper change. I was quite happy being the fun uncle that would play all the time. In fact when my cute little niece Caitlin found out I was going to be a daddy, she asked her mom “does that mean Travis will have to grow up now?”. Caitlin is very relieved that I did not “grow up”, and I hope that I will never disappoint her in that aspect.

The journey technically began when we found out Brandi was pregnant, however my journey as a father really began the first night in the hospital. Everything had gone smooth with the delivery of Lexi, and we had a great time visiting with our family afterwards. Once the dust settled and everyone had headed home for the night, I decided it was time to step up and face one of my biggest fears. Changing a diaper.

Everyone had offered to let me change their child’s diaper, but I was reluctant and insisted that the first diaper I ever changed would be my own child. In my mind I felt it would be different. You know how sometimes the smell of your own farts don’t smell nearly as bad as other people’s farts? I thought this would apply to diapers as well, and my child’s diapers wouldn’t smell as bad as other children’s diapers. I had never been further from the truth on that assumption. A dirty diaper is a dirty diaper, it does not matter who produced the dirty diaper. They all stink!

Lexi’s first diaper did not dissappoint, and although other people had warned me about the first couple of diapers, I was not prepared. If you have babies, or if you have changed a newborn, you know what is found in those first couple of diapers. If you have never had this experience, than I will try to describe it to you without chasing you away from the site. The first couple of diapers are filled with a tar like substance, that is extremely difficult to get off. I have no idea what it is, or how it gets inside babies, but it is there and it is worse than regular baby poop.

My brother Shane had yet to see Lexi, and I had not had any food since lunch. He called to congratulate us and asked when he could come visit. I told him if he brought me food he could come anytime that night. I knew he was on his way, and Lexi was messy, so I decided to step up and change her for the first time. This way she would be clean when he showed up, and he could hold our little bundle of joy. Brandi took a minute to give me a lesson on how to change her, and answered all of my ridiculous questions. She was pretty out of it from labor and pain pills, and I knew I would be doing this alone. I was under-prepared and what happened next was not pretty.

I began my journey by taking off the existing diaper, and checking out the damage that had been done. I saw the tar-stuff, and it had started to creep up her back. A blowout on the first diaper, just my luck. I held her legs in the air, and started looking for the wipes in the changing table. (After 2 kids I now realize the importance of laying out everything BEFORE you start the changing process. Once you get started there is no turning back!) Finally I found the wipes, after much searching, but what I realized next sent a shiver down my spine. These wipes were not what I had expected to find. I thought the wipes would be nice and moist to help clean up the mess, but these wipes were all dry. At that moment I heard a knock on the door, I told whoever it was to come in. I hoped it was a nurse that would be able to step in and save me. The door opens and in walks Shane with our food. I can only imagine the scene he just burst in on. I was holding Lexi’s legs in the air, with tar-like crap all over, and no idea what to do with these dry wipes. Luckily Shane has a daughter as well and had some experience. He jumped right in and moistened the wipes for me, and taught me how to change a diaper. I had no idea you had to wipe girls a certain way, I always had thought that as long as the poop was off you were good. Now I know you have to wipe from the front to the back (This prevents anything from being pushed into areas it does not belong). As I started to wipe, I realized that as I was looking for the wipes I was not very careful with Lexi’s feet. She had the tar like substance on her little feet as well. I had Shane running back and forth moistening wipes for me, as I tried to clean Lexi up from the disaster. We probably used 20 wipes in the whole process, but she was finally clean. I am just glad Shane’s first impression of Lexi was her dirty little bum being held in the air, while her Dad stood there in shock as to what needed to be done.

I have changed many diapers since that first one in the hospital. While I am not a perfect diaper changer, I am improving. My speed is picking up, and I am figuring out new ways to plug my nose as I change the diapers. I have found that if I hold my breath the whole process speeds up quite nicely. Although being a dad can be messy, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. There is nothing like having your child look up at you and smile! I love being a Dad to my children, and I hope I can contribute to this site by sharing my stories. I am becoming a Baby Specialist, one stinky diaper at a time.

Please leave a comment, and let us know when your journey to becoming a baby specialist officially got started.

Shop for the best costumes here

It’s time to get those Halloween costumes all planned out for your lil’ kiddies! Last year I found the cutest pink bunny costume for Lexi and she was absolutely adorable. This year she is a little more opinionated about what she wears. For example, most days she wears her ballerina tutu, a Cinderella princess crown and carries a purse on her shoulder. But, I think after looking long and hard we have found a costume that she will wear… it’s Minnie Mouse! This costume is so cute and the best part is it only costs $18.49! For our new little guy I think we are going to go with the little Winnie the Pooh or Tigger costume. It has been tough to find a costume for a baby that is under three months old. Anyway, this website has tons of cute costumes! This is the second year we have ordered our costume online, and it could not be any easier! They have a detailed sizing chart, and you can shop from the convenience of your home. Best of all, it shows up to your house in a nice box so your child can’t bug you to wear their costume every day for a month. Check it out!

I want to introduce you all to the Baby-Specialist Daddy and my Hubby… Travis! (In a lot of my post’s I may have called him “Trav”). Since you have only been getting the “Mommy” point of view on my blog, I thought it would be good to hear the “Daddy” point of view every once in awhile. Trav is the best Daddy and Husband ever!- I know a lot of other Mommy’s out there wouldn’t believe me because they think they have snagged the best guy ever. But you are wrong… sorry my guy is the best!

Trav & I went to the same Jr. High and High School, but we never really knew each other until our senior year of High School. Trav was the soccer star and hung out with all the “cool kids” and I was a nerdy choir kid! We had a few classes together our senior year and our first date ended up being our Senior Prom. We dated for 4 years and then we were married. I am sure that many of our friends from High School would be or were shocked to hear that the “Soccer Hunk” ended up marrying “Mrs. School Spirit”. I’m just lucky I guess!

Trav and I have been married for 4 years. Two and a half years after we were married our first little one, Lexi, was born and we just had baby number two, Hunter, last month. Trav works all day long so I can be a stay at home mom. After work he comes home and plays like crazy with our lil’ ones. He changes diapers, gets up in the middle of the night with crying babies, helps with the laundry and still makes time to kiss his wifey. Told you he is the best ever! I should mention that when I married him he was not equipped with all of these skills and watching him change our daughter at the hospital for the first time was quite entertaining! Just like all parents out there we have learned through experience. But, seriously he is the best ever!!

Trav is such a good Daddy and I know he would do anything for me and our 2 kids. (For example he will post on my girly baby website just to make me happy! What a guy!) Hope you all enjoy hearing from the Baby-Specialist Daddy! And thank you honey for bringing a guy’s point of view to my website!

What kind of a moron rides their bullet bike on the sidewalk?…my neighbor that’s who!!! This is going to be a mean post, so if you don’t want to hear a Mommy venting about her crappy neighbors then stop reading now. Okay, if you are still reading here is the story. Today around noon I was headed out our door with the two kids. Anyone who has loaded two kids in their car knows how tricky it can be. I was carrying Hunter, in his car seat, in one arm and was holding Lexi’s hand with the other. We live in a town home and just off of our doorstep there is a sidewalk that runs in front of our place. There are two tall bushes that stand in between our doorstep and our neighbors. I had just made sure Lexi was down the stairs safely and was about to let go of her hand so she could go run up the grassy hill. (She loves to feel like a big girl and climb the hill all by herself.) But, suddenly I could hear a motorcycle, just as I heard it my moron neighbor comes speeding down the sidewalk right in front of our doorstep! I couldn’t see him coming because of the big bushes and he scared me and Lexi to death. She started balling and I hurried to set Hunter down and hug her tight. My neighbor yelled “Sorry!” as he sped off and left me standing there still in shock with a very frightened little girl. Then my mind started running through all the “what if’s”. What if I had let Lexi’s hand go and she had headed to climb the hill? What if he had run over my baby girl? What if he had hit all of us as we headed to the car? I was furious! These neighbors have been a big problem in many ways, but this time they had gone too far! You don’t mess with my kids safety! So, I quickly told my husband and he called our landlord to take care of Mr. Moron Bullet Bike Man. My husband would have loved to go over to the guy’s house and punch him or run him over on his bike with our SUV, but I love Trav too much to let him go to prison for this moron! I want to sue this guy for endangering my child or at least get him a ticket of some kind for driving on the sidewalk. Does anyone know how I can give this guy the punishment he deserves? Thanks for letting an angry Mommy vent!

Since our big scare today, every time Lexi has heard a loud noise she has come running scared into my arms. Poor little one really got scared, so did her Mommy. Today I was rocking her and Hunter at the same time and they both fell asleep in my arms. I just sat and held them while they napped and thought of how grateful I am that some little angel somewhere was watching out for us today!

Lately I have been stopping to watch Tori & Dean whenever I run into it while changing the channels. I am not exactly sure how old their little boy is, but it seems like he is probably close to my little Lexi’s age. And I know that her second baby was due right around when I had Hunter. So, I thought this show would be interesting to see how someone else is dealing with the stress of having 2 kids under 2. But after seeing the show a few times I don’t think they are the ones to compare my life to. I realize I havn’t watched the show a ton, but it seems like the kids are hardly in the show. I see Tori & Dean in the show, but where are the kids? With a nanny? When do Tori & Dean experience the “dirty job” of parenting (explained a few posts ago)? Although I don’t see any similarities in my family and Tori & Dean’s anymore the show is quite entertaining to watch. The last episode I watched was them registering at some baby store for their second baby. Tori was very upset because the paparazi were all out side taking pictures and her and her husband were trying to have a special moment registering. Too funny! Well, I guess if I had to deal with the paparazzi, while my husband and I were having such a special moment registering, then I would need a nanny too! I do admire Tori & Dean for having a family and a loving marriage I just don’t think their reality show is much of a “reality” for all of us regular people.

Lexi has hit the princess phase at only 18 months and I am loving it! It is absolutely adorable! Yesterday we were getting her dressed and she would not let me put anything on her but her ballerina tutu. She kept a firm grip on the tutu and was yelling “princess!”. So, she wore her little ballerina tutu all day and had to show off to everyone. So cute! To add to her princess fashion she will not leave the house without her purse. Every time I tell her we are going somewhere she runs to the toy box and digs until she finds her purse. Then she throws it over her shoulder and heads to the door. Today she took her princess fashion to a new level and had to wear her crown all day! I took her shopping with me and one of the workers at a store was watching me with the little princess. She noticed how Lexi really liked the Tinker Bell t-shirt that was in the big girl section of the store, so she ended up running to Lexi’s department and bringing her back a princess shirt. Lexi would not put it down and I have a feeling her princess t-shirt will be the outfit of choice for the next little while. I love it that my little girl is such a girly-girl and I am so happy she knows what a princess she really is! Here’s hoping all of us girls kind find our inner princess just like Lexi!