Baby Must Haves at 5 Months

So, my little Millie girl is 5 months old tomorrow. That alone is enough to blow my mind and I’ll probably cry a few bittersweet tears when I take her monthly photo tomorrow. Since she’s growing so fast and her favorite activities are changing by the week, I thought I’d share and commemorate what her favorites are for this month.

1. BOBA WRAP: I cannot sing enough praises for this invention. My Boba has been a lifesaver since she was two weeks old. It contains pure sleepy dust. Okay, maybe not but it might as well. Anytime she is fussy, tired, or just pissed off for some unknown reason, the Boba will save the day. It’s comfortable for me to wear around the house and some days that’s the only way I can accomplish anything. Also, it’s low key stylish for when I have to make a Target run with spit up on my shirt.
2. Skip Hop Stationary Activity Center: She loves this! The toys simply snap into place and the entire station evolves for your growing/developing baby. I love the fact that it doesn’t have cartoon characters. No Nemo or Pooh messing with my living room decor  🙂 Now if those guys are you jam, more power to you. I prefer the minimalist design Skip Hop has given us.
3. Munchkin Mesh Feeder: We’re doing baby led weaning and this little gadget is perfect for transitioning into that. She’s still a little young to be chewing real food but has been showing some real interest in food so the mesh feeder is perfect for to start sampling fruit and veggie flavors. I highly recommend purchasing this!
4. Munchkin Teething Ball: Munchkin also has this little gem on the market now. My mom picked this up and I initially thought it would be too awkward and she would never chew on it. Well…let me tell you this is her favorite teething toy to date. We bring that ball everywhere and if she isn’t chewing on one of the textures, she’s latched onto it. Nursing babes lol.
5. Aquaphor Diaper Rash Cream: Okay this last one is more of my favorite. I’m pretty sure she couldn’t care less which cream I’m plastering her backside with. This stuff has really been phenomenal for any irritation she gets. A few months ago, I was still using Desitin, which actually made her skin look worse. I picked up some Aquaphor Diaper Rash Cream on a trip to Target and haven’t looked back since.

At 5 months, these are our main squeezes. I’d love to hear what other sweet babes are loving at this age and what other moms can recommend as she gets older! As always, much love to those that stumble across my humble blog posts ❤

 

What NOT to Say to a New Mom

Since becoming a mom, I’ve encountered a wide array of strange, intrusive, and even rude comments. This is a tribute to these awkward situations and a warning for those contemplating their next dumb statement to a new mom. Just don’t. 

1. “Don’t worry. You’ll lose all that weight.”  ( I don’t need anyone to tell me I’ll lose ALL THAT weight)

2. “I can’t believe you’re using a pacifier.”

3. “But don’t let her suck her thumb either. That’s  even worse!”

4. “Be sure to start her off in the crib. You want her trained from the beginning”

5. “You should be sleep training.”

6. “You’re spoiling that baby.”

7. “I think you’re nursing her too much.”

8. “Can you get a sitter so you don’t have to bring her?”

9. “When are you starting daycare?”

10. “Will you be weaning her soon?”

11. “You can be successful OR have a baby.”

12. “Can’t you wait to feed her til you get to the car?”

13. “Why are you so tired if you didn’t work today?”

14. “Thinking about a another baby already? It’s too soon!”

15. “Did you have a normal birth?”
Okay, notice a common theme? All of these comments cross a crucial none of your damn business boundary. I’ve heard each and every one of these since having my daughter. This is a problem. So please, for the love of God, just stop. Women deal with enough criticism. Leave your mommy instruction book at the door and let us mommy our own, individual way in peace. 

The Struggle Behind the Struggle Bus

The history of the struggle bus goes way back for this girl. My husband used to call me “Murphy” as in Murphy’s Law when we were in high school. At times, I’ve also been called “Grace” as an ironic nod to my clumsiness 🙄. It seems that every single day has a moment where I just have to sigh and say “seriously?!?” in reference to my unfortunate circumstances. 

For instance, this week alone, my car was hit in a Hobby Lobby parking lot hit & run, my baby is teething and an absolute monster, and my dog puked enough to fill a football stadium and almost died. (She’s fine now btw…the dog. The baby is definitely still moody) 

I suppose the point in me complaining about this nonsense is to demonstrate the constant knot in my stomach that is my life. This blog has become somewhat cathartic for my stress but I feel like I need to break this string of bad luck somehow. I mean, was I just a shitty person in a past life? What the hell? If anyone that stumbles across this post has any thoughts on ways to attract positivity, please share. Until then, I’m going to try every superstition, horoscope, rabbit’s foot, and four leaf clover to make me feel less like a chronic hot mess. 

Thoughts I Have Since Becoming a Mom

1. “You’re sleepy. Why wont’t you just take the nap?”

2. “Take the f#%*!~g nap…sweet child.”

3. “God, I’m an awful mom for cussing at my kid. Even if it was in my head 😣”

4. (To stranger) “DO NOT touch my baby’s head. She is asleep. Move along.”

5.  “Great, you woke her up. Now I have to murder you.”

6. “Is this normal?!?”

7. “When’s the last time my husband changed a damn diaper???”

8. “I might as well just change it. At least she won’t have a blowout if I do it.”

9.  “When will I get to go to a movie again?”

10. “It’s totally fine. Elena of Avalor is quality entertainment.”

11. “All my hair is falling out. Maybe I should just chop it.”

12. “But then I’ll have a mom haircut.”

13. “I feel less like an adult now. Why do I have a child? I can barely feed myself as it is.”

14. (To doctor) “Don’t ask me where she’s sleeping I will lieeeee like a sleepy hound dog.”

15. “I love you little sweetie. I love you so much I could just eat your face 😘”

What’s the Damn Significance?

Perhaps the postpartum hormones are a little out of balance. Perhaps I’m just returning to my bitchy baseline. Maybe, I’m depressed. I’ve just been dwelling, quite extensively, on what all the crap we stress ourselves out over will mean in a year, ten years, when we’re in a nursing home. Who the hell cares if we get that next bonus? Our grandkids sure as heck won’t give a damn. They won’t care how much we had in our bank account, which Iphone we owned, or who we “networked” with at our work parties.

I just…can’t buy into the hooplah of the busy life we’re supposed to be sold on these days. Where is the emphasis on camping, running barefoot, and hugging the ones we care for. As a mother, I think it’s important to reflect on the slower way of life and not rush our little ones into this chaotic world we live in. I may still be constructing the framework of how I intend to do so, but I felt the impulse to share my feelings so they won’t weigh on my soul so heavily. I see so many moms trying to be the “IT” mommy. I just wish I could log on and see more individuals that were truly INDIVIDUAL.