It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

I walked outside on Friday night and thought, "wow, it smells like December out here."  So crisp, cold, and clear.  And then I realized, it is almost December!  While the weather was still warm this afternoon, I made it outside to hang the Christmas lights (although I won't light them until after Thanksgiving).

On that note, I introduced Ethan to some of his friends he'll be getting for Christmas this year.  Please don't tell Santa!!  Specifically, I purchased some Dr. Seuss plush toys from Kohl's.  Interested?  The proceeds go towards their Kohl's Care's charity and can be purchased for just $5.  I wanted to get some photos of them with him while they are all still the same size!  He loved them!!  Warning: Here come tons of photos because I love them all! (Don't worry..more blog to follow them...)

Could it get any cuter? Seriously!

I wish I could bottle all that happy.

I love how his feet are up in the air just like Mr. Bird!

We had a pretty good weekend just the three of us.  Tonight I had him laughing from his belly so hard (complete with the sound of real honest to goodness laughter) that it's a good thing he wears a diaper!

It's amazing to me how much Ethan is starting to recognize things.  His bottle for instance.  If you hold it up in front of him, and he's hungry, he'll start to talk.  Or is buddy "Nigel."  Nigel (named after the pelican in Finding Nemo, of course) is his bath rinser.  He knows exactly what that guy is going to do...dump water all over him!  The minute he gets close to Ethan, his grin gets so big that it just might pop right off that little face.  When I got Nigel, I was a bit unsure about spending $8 on a rinse cup, but I'm sure glad that I openly spoil him.  Ethan has always loved him, but now that he's starting to associate faces, he loves him even more!  What's $8 for a little joy?

Potpourri

Why the heck not?!?
I am not only part of the first time mother's baby study, but also am going to be a baby product tester.  The product is in its final phases of production and I will be one of fifteen to test it before it goes out on the market.  I can't wait for my product to arrive so I can begin the review process!  The rest of the story is confidential...shhhhhhh!

Kudos Toys R Us!
Toys R Us has amazing customer service.  After being so irritated by Michael's poor service (both in the store and by their corporate office--Yup, I'm still not over it--), I am pleased to report that Toys R Us has not lost sight of what's important.  I had an issue where my rewards card where it could never be found in the register system, and when I went to sign up online, I was told the card was invalid.  Of course, I've made countless purchases there over the last few months for Mr. Ethan at Babies R Us, and should have accrued my share of rewards dollars.  I had yet to see any of those rewards.  I called Customer Service, and they found out that my card had been duly registered with another customer.  Whoops!!  They figured that in the history of the card, $25 should have been rewarded, so they righted their wrong and sent me and the other customer $25 gift cards, no questions asked.  Super.  Well, about a week later, I recieved a phone call from the head of the rewards program asking for more information about the mix up.  I happily assisted them with any questions I could answer to help them ensure they didn't make the same mistake again.  When the call was finished, the very nice service rep. told me that she was sending me another $25 gift card for my help and patience.  I've already received the first gift card, and it came with a very nice, well formulated, personalized letter.  What a great way to handle a customer.  Cheers to you Toys R Us!

The Diaper Race
We joke that with every diaper change that the dirty diaper just cost us 30 cents (approximate when you figure in discounts and sales).  I decided yesterday that Ethan is working so vigorously on using diapers because he wants to earn enough rewards points with Pampers to earn that little red wagon (or maybe a toddler bike) he has his eye on.  That wagon is pretty cool....I don't blame him!  Keep up the good work kid!

Still Can't Get Enough...
One more note about Ethan's wonderful Fisher Price Rocker Chair.  This weekend we attached the overhead toy bar.  He loves it.  The toys rattle, shake and swing.  He just sits and stares at them.  Last night it kept his attention for a full half hour.  Nothing keeps his attention that long!  It also seems that over the course of the weekend, he has figured out that if he kicks his legs feverishly that he can make the toys swing.  He also bats at them quite a bit.  Way to work on your baby skills Ethan!

Oktoberfest
We made our way this weekend to the Lancaster Liederkrantz Oktoberfest.  We go every year...mainly for the incredible potato salad (which tastes awesome, and even better made into an omelet in the morning)!  Plus, they always have Spaten on tap.  :)  Ethan got to meet a baby dressed in lederhosen and listen to some traditional folk tunes.  Mostly, he just enjoyed spending some time outside on the blanket with his mommy and daddy.

Ethan "drinking" at Oktoberfest.

Awwww :)  I promise those hats will fit one day Ethan!

"The Chair"

I'm typing with a baby in a sling, and a lap top on my lap.  Thank goodness for some quality baby products that make life with newborn that much easier!  There are some great tools out there right now!

"I'm going to put Ethan in 'the chair'" are words that are heard over and over again in our house.  Sometimes I feel bad.  "The chair"  It sounds like a punishment.  Luckily, he loves it!  I have to say, one of the biggest lifesavers we have is our Fisher-Price Rocker.  I can't say enough good things about it.  It's one of our many tricks up our sleeves to put Ethan to sleep.  Sure, it doesn't always work, but it works more often than not.  Sometimes, it's just good to calm fussing, or to hold him contently while I get ready in the morning, or while we eat dinner.  It's a nice safe place for him to nap without worry.  Of course, there are millions of baby swings and bouncers out there, so why is this one so great?

Well, this is my humble rocker review.  The first thing that attracted me to this particular rocker was that it can be used on a newborn, sits up with a toy bar for infants, and converts into a rocking chair for toddlers up to 40 lbs.  Typically swing weights max out way before 40 lbs, making this rocker useful much longer.  The rocker vibrates to soothe baby, but we will often rock Ethan with our foot while we are sitting at the computer or on the sofa.  And if that wasn't enough, it folds up to be more compact for storage or travel, making it great to bring along on trips to the grandparent's house.  Regardless of what Charlie or I think, Ethan loves it, and I think that we'd all be lost without it! (Not to mention, it is very cool that it is decorated with frogs and lizards!)

And Thank You Lamby!

While we were waiting for Ethan, I spent countless hours researching exactly what baby products to buy.  I read magazines, Consumer Reports, online reviews, and polled numerous friends.  I was worried about things like quality, longevity, ease of use, convenience, and bang for the buck.  Any baby items we brought home had to fit all my criteria perfectly.  It was a bit like doing research for a college term paper, but by the time I was through, I was pretty certain that I had aced this part of the exam. So far, we're thrilled with our purchases!  My hard work has surely paid off!

It's been evident that perhaps one of the BEST investments I made came from a random trip to the Pottery Barn Kids outlet.  A super soft plush stuffed lamb.  He's not just any stuffed lamb however.  He's a super lamb who plays white noise on a timer (15 to 45 minutes) and who has a Velcro strap to attach to the rails of the crib.  I assure you that our switch is permanently set to the 45 setting!  A Cloud B Sleep Sheep to be specific.  Anyway, he plays a heartbeat sound, ocean waves, rain, and he even speaks whale!  When I saw him at the store, I figured he was cute enough.  I'd heard white noise makers were nice to have.  The price was right.  So home he came.  From the minute Ethan came home from the hospital, our Lamby has worked wonders!!  Sure, it's not a fix all, but we don't put him down to sleep without it!  Charlie and I give it rave reviews.
And of course...what kind of child of Sesame Street would I be if a sleep aide named Lamby didn't remind me of this classic clip???

You can find your own Lamby here: