I've decided to perhaps encourage blogging a bit more to review products we have around the house. Maybe one day someone might read it and this info might help them out.
Yes the big oval crib that Stokke puts out we have for both H and Z. The first Stokke we got was a bit challenging to put together - I will admit that the second time around in putting together Z's bassinet it was a snap. Instructions were rewritten or simply clearer and the assembly was a snap. Even the daunting rod for the drapery over the bassinet was easily put on.
The bassinet is honestly useable for normal sized babies probably until they are 5-6 months old. In reality our children were long so they outgrew the bassinet fairly quickly - in the 4-5 month range. You should remember to remove the drapery as soon as the baby can roll over and begin grabbing as that is a potential safety hazard.
The bassinet to crib conversion was simple - a few bits of additional hardware, bigger mattress and voila! I'm not sure that the bassinet is worth the money - I'd probably have bought the crib and junior bed kit looking back on our purchases. The crib has two heights and the switch between the two is done in 15 minutes. Another big plus is the crib is on wheels so easy pushing between rooms - very useful in urban environments! And the footprint of the crib/bassinet is much less than the traditional shaped ones.
I really liked that once H was ready to be taken out of the crib to a toddler bed that it was simply removing a panel and raising the bed platform up slightly. She had no issues in getting in and out of her bed and actually felt it wasn't that much of a transition. No scary new bed for her, just easier access!
My current problem is, though, the junior bed kit. The toddler bed, they say, is supposed to last until ages 3-5. Again if your child is tall, you're looking at possibly age 3 (our girls are in the 90-100% for height). My frustration is that there are NO waterproof sheets available for that size mattress (yes you need yet another mattress and conversion kit - approximately $350-500 depending on the vendor you purchase from). Explain to me how a 3 year old won't wet the bed when she's learning how to potty train at night. Also those cute bedding sets? Nope nothing available other than $50 sheets in white, pink or blue. So my big conundrum is do I keep H in the smaller bed where she's a bit squashed (but has a waterproof sheet) or put her in a bigger roomier bed (with no waterproof option). Regular flat sheets (not fitted) will obviously work on the odd shaped mattress BUT do I want to fix the sheets constantly? I don't think people that initially bought the Stokke are really using it as long as we have been as there's very few options out there for bedding - I think people may simply be switching to a regular toddler bed and moving on.
So, my endorsement for this product is age related - great for kids under 3 but beyond that I'd probably look at getting a regular shaped toddler bed. Remember also you are restricted on bedding as your child grows up.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
the blog ate my homework
I suck at posting don't I?
Kids being sick, various excuses, just not into posting. Why do I bother posting, as let's just be quite frank probably no one reads this anyway. Funny for me to think that back when I had a "big" blog (yes back then they were online diaries or journals) with several hundred readers. Oh thank god that pressure is off now.
Z is "talking" much more now - fun things like "uh-oh" or "oof" (aka dog noise). My real favorite is when she poops she hollers "poo-poo" over and over until I change her.
H is just being H - more vocabulary (exclaiming "This is TERRIBLE" after being told she's going to bed with no story). She's just *more*.
Other half's work sucks.
H's 3rd birthday looming. Annoyed that it is on the weekend it is but not much we can do due to job situation.
Really need to write out potty training post. Need to do a lot of things actually.
Kids being sick, various excuses, just not into posting. Why do I bother posting, as let's just be quite frank probably no one reads this anyway. Funny for me to think that back when I had a "big" blog (yes back then they were online diaries or journals) with several hundred readers. Oh thank god that pressure is off now.
Z is "talking" much more now - fun things like "uh-oh" or "oof" (aka dog noise). My real favorite is when she poops she hollers "poo-poo" over and over until I change her.
H is just being H - more vocabulary (exclaiming "This is TERRIBLE" after being told she's going to bed with no story). She's just *more*.
Other half's work sucks.
H's 3rd birthday looming. Annoyed that it is on the weekend it is but not much we can do due to job situation.
Really need to write out potty training post. Need to do a lot of things actually.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
has it been
a whole month since I posted? Such a slacker.
1. Z is now walking! Finally! Since last weekend actually. The only negative is now the girl does not want to be in her highchair to eat.
2. Taking two kids to a dr. appointment is not a good idea at prime naptime. Lesson learnt yesterday when naps started at 4pm (!!).
3. Shots are worse when the child can tell you how much it hurts and isn't their favorite. Thanks H for letting me know.
4. Have decided to look for a job. Many factors - primarily may take pressure off other half. There is great debate/need for him to quit. Now I need to find jobs for both of us. Anyone in the market for a great IT person in Philadelphia?
5. Was not going to do a birthday party for H. That's now changed but I'm not doing it at home so waiting to hear back from a venue that can do the whole thing for 2 hours.
6. Will not be with other half's family at Thanksgiving/H birthday. There's more to say about that but nothing that can be posted on the internet.
7. Still going to the gym 2-3 times a week. It messes up Z's nap but I have to do it for me.
8. Z is still giant for height/head size. She is slimming down.
9. My wrists are a mess - tendonitis. I'm pushing 75 pounds (two kids, one stroller plus gear) and my wrists are suffering for it.
10. Have to rewrite my resume/cover letter today. Ugh. I hate doing all that stuff. Is it even possible to get a part-time job in this economy?
1. Z is now walking! Finally! Since last weekend actually. The only negative is now the girl does not want to be in her highchair to eat.
2. Taking two kids to a dr. appointment is not a good idea at prime naptime. Lesson learnt yesterday when naps started at 4pm (!!).
3. Shots are worse when the child can tell you how much it hurts and isn't their favorite. Thanks H for letting me know.
4. Have decided to look for a job. Many factors - primarily may take pressure off other half. There is great debate/need for him to quit. Now I need to find jobs for both of us. Anyone in the market for a great IT person in Philadelphia?
5. Was not going to do a birthday party for H. That's now changed but I'm not doing it at home so waiting to hear back from a venue that can do the whole thing for 2 hours.
6. Will not be with other half's family at Thanksgiving/H birthday. There's more to say about that but nothing that can be posted on the internet.
7. Still going to the gym 2-3 times a week. It messes up Z's nap but I have to do it for me.
8. Z is still giant for height/head size. She is slimming down.
9. My wrists are a mess - tendonitis. I'm pushing 75 pounds (two kids, one stroller plus gear) and my wrists are suffering for it.
10. Have to rewrite my resume/cover letter today. Ugh. I hate doing all that stuff. Is it even possible to get a part-time job in this economy?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
sometimes i like to be quiet
1. Cat sleeping on couch by window. Birds chirping. City traffic. It's quiet and I can hear and feel myself think. I try to savor these moments because having children means sometimes it is deafening.
2. H loves her preschool program. So much so that I was told to "GO AWAY" because she didn't want to leave yesterday.
3. Seem to have a pinch in my shoulder/neck. One too many downward dogs perhaps yesterday at the gym.
4. To my yoga/gym instructor - Please stop talking during savasana. Seriously. It's a quiet reflective time in which I do not need to hear your annoying voice drone on about light and letting go. Shhh.
5. Everyone was sick this weekend except for me. H is still semi-snuffley. Z is in dire need of catching up on sleep.
6. Other half is very bogged down at work. Like as in freak me out I have so much work to do. And he continues to hate his profession and is looking for a way out. I can't stand seeing him miserable. I need to make getting out possible for him. Just not sure how.
7. Must pick out benefits for other half's work this weekend. Finally health insurance coverage!
8. I'm constantly hungry. Being ravenous sucks.
9. Need to think about Christmas and Birthday gifts for H. No ideas unfortunately.
2. H loves her preschool program. So much so that I was told to "GO AWAY" because she didn't want to leave yesterday.
3. Seem to have a pinch in my shoulder/neck. One too many downward dogs perhaps yesterday at the gym.
4. To my yoga/gym instructor - Please stop talking during savasana. Seriously. It's a quiet reflective time in which I do not need to hear your annoying voice drone on about light and letting go. Shhh.
5. Everyone was sick this weekend except for me. H is still semi-snuffley. Z is in dire need of catching up on sleep.
6. Other half is very bogged down at work. Like as in freak me out I have so much work to do. And he continues to hate his profession and is looking for a way out. I can't stand seeing him miserable. I need to make getting out possible for him. Just not sure how.
7. Must pick out benefits for other half's work this weekend. Finally health insurance coverage!
8. I'm constantly hungry. Being ravenous sucks.
9. Need to think about Christmas and Birthday gifts for H. No ideas unfortunately.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
le freak
It's about 10:30am. H is at her new preschool program. Z is sleeping in her crib. And I'm bathed in sweat and fear and anxiety.
Why you say? Well today was H's first day at the new preschool program. She was so excited to go today. Thankfully I was brilliant and took her long before it started to see the place and she had a good experience there playing with another little girl. I have to remember that H does well and better when she knows what's coming versus just plonking her in something and expecting her to do well. The other half got to stop in and drop her off too which was nice. The logistics of getting both kids in/out will be interesting but I think I just need to figure it out - like how to open the door, bump the in-line stroller up the steep steps, unload kids (without tipping stroller over) and get two kids up 4 steep flights of stairs. Sounds easy doesn't it but things like that make me freak out. I think too it's that I'm not there for 3 plus hours today with her. No idea what she's saying or doing or thinking. I should really be at the gym (which I skipped as I was exhausted) but here I am freaking out and missing my H.
I think she'll do well and in the end it will be good - it's me that needs to stop worrying/freaking/stressing.
Z is so messed up with lack of sleep. Up every day this week at 5:30 if not earlier. Naps are missed in the morning and she's a trooper through it all. I guess that's how it goes for a second child - messed up sleep.
I really need to write that potty training post that I've been thinking about so I can remember when it's Z's turn.
I loved how Z lifted up her little feet to put her shoes on today. She is becoming more of a little person every day (not that she wasn't before but more interactive).
I miss H.
Why you say? Well today was H's first day at the new preschool program. She was so excited to go today. Thankfully I was brilliant and took her long before it started to see the place and she had a good experience there playing with another little girl. I have to remember that H does well and better when she knows what's coming versus just plonking her in something and expecting her to do well. The other half got to stop in and drop her off too which was nice. The logistics of getting both kids in/out will be interesting but I think I just need to figure it out - like how to open the door, bump the in-line stroller up the steep steps, unload kids (without tipping stroller over) and get two kids up 4 steep flights of stairs. Sounds easy doesn't it but things like that make me freak out. I think too it's that I'm not there for 3 plus hours today with her. No idea what she's saying or doing or thinking. I should really be at the gym (which I skipped as I was exhausted) but here I am freaking out and missing my H.
I think she'll do well and in the end it will be good - it's me that needs to stop worrying/freaking/stressing.
Z is so messed up with lack of sleep. Up every day this week at 5:30 if not earlier. Naps are missed in the morning and she's a trooper through it all. I guess that's how it goes for a second child - messed up sleep.
I really need to write that potty training post that I've been thinking about so I can remember when it's Z's turn.
I loved how Z lifted up her little feet to put her shoes on today. She is becoming more of a little person every day (not that she wasn't before but more interactive).
I miss H.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
realize
-You realize that kids see the world differently. Rocks are suddenly very interesting - so interesting that we have a collection in a vase and as we go along often we return home with rocks.
-Kids are crazy people magnets. Especially cute ones. Explaining mental illness and why people are homeless to a 2 year old can be hard.
-Strangers freak kids out. And it's an odd juxtaposition to say "Say Hi" and then in the next breath remind them not to talk to strangers.
-That you have to worry about your kids posting something dumb/inappropriate/way too naked of themselves on the internet now. Years ago when we all did stupid things they didn't have 15 minutes of fame or were permanently etched into Google for all to find.
-That your 1 year old is talking. Saying actual things with cadence and emphasis. The dial to tune in language isn't quite there yet but it is coming - almost words or sounds translate through. Yesterday it was "WOW" with much finger pointing and today "UH-OH" with much emphasis.
-That this coming year will be hard. 65 plus hours at work per week. Two kids. Minimal money. Family drama. Life stuff. Just plain old hard.
-Siblings are different. And it's a good thing. Although I want to hold H back and make her stay small and rush Z forward and make her walk and talk.
-Not having a grocery delivery service sucks. Yet another reason I will never move to the suburbs. Although right now no delivery service but still - it's not the suburbs.
-The city you live in is about 10 years behind the city you left. Meaning in 15 years it will be tolerable. At which point you will be back in the original city you left making everything moot anyway.
-Your body is lumpy. Ass fits into pants, belly not so much. Not a huge dunlap (as in my belly dunlap over my pants) but still it's there.
-The plumber better show up this week as you have things to do.
-Kids are crazy people magnets. Especially cute ones. Explaining mental illness and why people are homeless to a 2 year old can be hard.
-Strangers freak kids out. And it's an odd juxtaposition to say "Say Hi" and then in the next breath remind them not to talk to strangers.
-That you have to worry about your kids posting something dumb/inappropriate/way too naked of themselves on the internet now. Years ago when we all did stupid things they didn't have 15 minutes of fame or were permanently etched into Google for all to find.
-That your 1 year old is talking. Saying actual things with cadence and emphasis. The dial to tune in language isn't quite there yet but it is coming - almost words or sounds translate through. Yesterday it was "WOW" with much finger pointing and today "UH-OH" with much emphasis.
-That this coming year will be hard. 65 plus hours at work per week. Two kids. Minimal money. Family drama. Life stuff. Just plain old hard.
-Siblings are different. And it's a good thing. Although I want to hold H back and make her stay small and rush Z forward and make her walk and talk.
-Not having a grocery delivery service sucks. Yet another reason I will never move to the suburbs. Although right now no delivery service but still - it's not the suburbs.
-The city you live in is about 10 years behind the city you left. Meaning in 15 years it will be tolerable. At which point you will be back in the original city you left making everything moot anyway.
-Your body is lumpy. Ass fits into pants, belly not so much. Not a huge dunlap (as in my belly dunlap over my pants) but still it's there.
-The plumber better show up this week as you have things to do.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
i forgot
Yes, yes bullet points are annoying to read but necessary right now.
-H is doing art while I type this. She is desperate to write her name so draws lines which she claims is her name. Occasionally she can actually make an L!
-Z decided today was a 4:30am/5am day. I let her snuffle around in bed until 5:45am. I dread the clock change.
-I forgot today is my mother's birthday. You'd think I'd remember but somehow it snuck up on me. I remembered this morning when I heard that tomorrow is 9/11. You'd think I'd remember that too. I wish I could go visit her grave but that would be several thousand miles away. I just feel yucky - sad she's not here, sad I forgot, just plain old sad.
-The other half is working ridiculous hours. Like 15 plus a day. H is struggling missing him. "Where is my pal Daddy?" Tears at breakfast about waking up with Daddy already gone and the likelihood Daddy will be home long after bedtime. This is why you don't marry a doctor.
-Struggling with getting H into bed. Bath and story time OK but then there's announcements about being hungry which dissolves into a tantrum. She is painfully thin so I think perhaps a snack during story time and then teeth brush, bed.
-Z is so uninterested in walking. Wish she would honestly. Why am I always so impatient for her to develop skills?
-Had to get stroller from NJ myself - no thanks to in-laws who apparently were elsewhere. Other half and I furious about various things with them. My resolve to not spend any future holidays with them has firmed up - I tend to feel guilty and then succumb to schlepping there. No more. Stroller trip overall not good, other half pissed off - drama, drama, drama. I am hopeful new stroller will allow for better dual mobility for all!
-One minor poop accident in the Dora's yesterday with H. Honestly I think she pooped in her sleep. Thankfully she took it in stride and hopefully today the poop goes where it needs to.
-Did manage to do the gym yesterday. My shoulders are paying for it today.
-Worried, worried, worried about money. What else is new.
-Having a nervous, depression type day. There's a mom who I met at the playground who emailed me about play time with the kids. Why am I suddenly wanting to not respond and am freaking out? I hate that you have to be so outgoing when you have kids. I just can't deal with people sometimes. I have this fear that my parenting is crap, I'm doing all the wrong things and my kids are evil and you/your kids will hate us. I have to get over myself and just email this nice lady back.
-Where is the rain? It's now sunny and it was supposed to pour today? WTF? Z is up so now must load kids up with food and truck out before the monsoons start.
-H is doing art while I type this. She is desperate to write her name so draws lines which she claims is her name. Occasionally she can actually make an L!
-Z decided today was a 4:30am/5am day. I let her snuffle around in bed until 5:45am. I dread the clock change.
-I forgot today is my mother's birthday. You'd think I'd remember but somehow it snuck up on me. I remembered this morning when I heard that tomorrow is 9/11. You'd think I'd remember that too. I wish I could go visit her grave but that would be several thousand miles away. I just feel yucky - sad she's not here, sad I forgot, just plain old sad.
-The other half is working ridiculous hours. Like 15 plus a day. H is struggling missing him. "Where is my pal Daddy?" Tears at breakfast about waking up with Daddy already gone and the likelihood Daddy will be home long after bedtime. This is why you don't marry a doctor.
-Struggling with getting H into bed. Bath and story time OK but then there's announcements about being hungry which dissolves into a tantrum. She is painfully thin so I think perhaps a snack during story time and then teeth brush, bed.
-Z is so uninterested in walking. Wish she would honestly. Why am I always so impatient for her to develop skills?
-Had to get stroller from NJ myself - no thanks to in-laws who apparently were elsewhere. Other half and I furious about various things with them. My resolve to not spend any future holidays with them has firmed up - I tend to feel guilty and then succumb to schlepping there. No more. Stroller trip overall not good, other half pissed off - drama, drama, drama. I am hopeful new stroller will allow for better dual mobility for all!
-One minor poop accident in the Dora's yesterday with H. Honestly I think she pooped in her sleep. Thankfully she took it in stride and hopefully today the poop goes where it needs to.
-Did manage to do the gym yesterday. My shoulders are paying for it today.
-Worried, worried, worried about money. What else is new.
-Having a nervous, depression type day. There's a mom who I met at the playground who emailed me about play time with the kids. Why am I suddenly wanting to not respond and am freaking out? I hate that you have to be so outgoing when you have kids. I just can't deal with people sometimes. I have this fear that my parenting is crap, I'm doing all the wrong things and my kids are evil and you/your kids will hate us. I have to get over myself and just email this nice lady back.
-Where is the rain? It's now sunny and it was supposed to pour today? WTF? Z is up so now must load kids up with food and truck out before the monsoons start.
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