Product Test: Aquaphor!

After 6 months of buying things and using things I feel like I have enough knowledge to start making some recommendations. The first one is Aquaphor. I have used Aquaphor on Junebug's tushy from day one and she has never once had a diaper rash - not once! It comes in this convenient tub which sits on the changing table with a loose cap for easy access. I highly, highly, highly recommend this product. In most places this tub costs $17.99 but if you get them at Target they only cost $14.99. If you see them at Target in a tub, scoop them up because they constantly sell out of them.

State of the Union: 6 Months

Weight: 15 pounds 9 ounces

Length: 24 3/4 inches

Activities: rolling around the crib, eating cereal and smushed banana (but more spitting it out than eating it), chuckling and laughing, bouncing in activity center, trying to talk, popping bubbles at mommy and me class while socializing with other babies, sitting up, teething

Mommy Tips: The F Word

At some point I became a militant breast milk lady. When I was 4 months pregnant I read a book called "Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven" about nutrition during pregnancy. It talked a lot about the benefits of breast feeding and the negatives about formula. There was one line that really stuck with me... something about how there's never been a recall on breast milk. Wow. As I continued to get educated about breast milk I became fascinated with this perfect food created by God and petrified of the food made and packaged in a factory... Formula. That's when "Formula" became the new "F word" in my house. Despite all my trials and tribulations with breast feeding (and there were many) I never let go of my commitment to it and my aversion to the F word. Well, this week was Junebug's 6 month birthday and to celebrate the occasion I caved ... I gave in to the F word. Keeping up with my job and exclusively feeding breast milk to my baby became incredibly overwhelming. If I don't get home on time to give her that evening boob sandwich things go to hell in a hand basket pretty quick because I have no surplus of milk... I'm hanging by an ounce. It's like living paycheck to paycheck... like the stress of having your rent due the day you get paid. Pumping once before work, 3 times at work and once before going to sleep has become the only way to get through the day. This week the pressure just became too much. A three day all night video shoot became the straw that broke the camel's back... but here's what happened...she drank it and she's ok with it. She still smiles at me, she still nurses and loves me unconditionally and I'm a Mommy who's no longer living on the edge. I made it a lot farther than I ever thought I would and I think I'm ok with that.

Trend Alert! Baby Dior!

Dear Junebug,

Before you were born I swore I'd never ever buy you baby designer clothes. However... when I set my eyes on these Baby Dior uggs, all good judgement went out the window. How can any fashion obsessed new Mommy pass these up? And in LA you can throw these on with your jammies and score a Sunday brunch fashion hit!

XO

Mommy

Tardy for the Party

Dear Junebug,

I can't tell you how difficult it is sometimes to get you out of the house in a timely fashion. Between your nap schedule, feeding schedule and pooping schedule it's tough to make our social commitments on time. This weekend it was your friend True's first birthday. He is such a cutey and we didn't want to miss out on all the fun. We made it in time to see the farm animals even though I had to twist Daddy's arm to let you get a closer look at the goats (he was stressing over something about a rare flea that feeds off livestock or some similar insanity).

By the way - you looked very cute - who knew Osh Kosh B'Gosh meets Payless Shoe Source could look so chic?

XO

Mommy

Lil' Red's Traveling Buckaroo Ranch 818/848-3565

I like my duck!

Ricci!

Dear Junebug,

We can't stand the fact that your Great Grandmother Ricci lives all the way in New Mexico and can't come over and hold you like this. God knows if she was around more you'd be a lot better at tummy time (she was one of the first ones to put you on your belly)... and you'd be quite the reader by now I'm sure. She drove all the way from Albuquerque just to meet you this summer which was a huge treat. I know she thinks of you every day and she sends us lots of cute emails. You should convince your Great Grandpa Phil to move Ricci out to Cali so we can have her all to ourselves!

XO

Mommy

Mommy Tips: Nursery Inspiration

I haven't had a chance to post Junebug's nursery pics but I wanted to stress how important it is to start with some solid inspiration. Mine came by way of this photo of Amanda Peet's daughters room profiled in Domino Magazine (RIP). I feel like a nursery doesn't have to be so "baby-ish" - Mommy has to enjoy the surroundings too! I love this look because it's casually sophisticated, cute and pink without being "baby pink". Junebug nursery pics coming soon!

OH EM GEEEE!

Dear Junebug,

Your stylist has topped herself yet again! Check out your brand new Kid Scamosciato in Mystic White Gucci flats. I mean... seriously! Can you believe that all you did to deserve this was get born?! That's cookoo... she's spoils you rotten. These came from somewhere in Europe. She told me she was jogging down the street and saw them in the window - had to stop. She said Mommy would have done the same... that's funny. What would this lady not do for you? Maybe she'll dive into your first birthday cake?

XO

Mommy

Baby Einstein

Dear Junebug,

I know how you feel... this is the same look I had on my face when I was sitting in algebra class in 8th grade. Do what you can.

XO

Mommy