7.23.2015

baby girl clothes : by jean

Now that I have a girl, it's been interesting purchasing girl clothes.  With boys, it was always a t-shirt and shorts in the summer; long sleeve shirt and sweatpants in the winter.  With girls, there are SO MANY OPTIONS!

Jordan's been getting a lot of Miles/Logan/Charlie's hand-me-downs, but I have gotten a few real girl's clothes for her.

I recently purchased a few rompers for Jordan as they are super easy for the summer.  I didn't even look at the back picture since I assumed it would be a regular back, but then I got the package in the mail and saw that they both have open gaps in the back!

old navy striped bubble romper 
old navy striped romper


I get it that these open back looks are trendy right now for women...but even for BABIES?! 

A friend of mine who has a daughter in grade school said she can only shop at Target in the summertime becauseTarget is the only store that have "normal" shorts while other stores have shorts that are "daisy dukes".

I remember having major argument sessions with my dad who wouldn't let me out of the house if my skirt went above my knees.  If this is payback for all the times I gave him a hard time, I'm in TROUBLE!



5.29.2015

thank you, California : by amy

As some of you know, our family went through quite an adventure over the past year.  While our adventure was for my husband's job, it became one of the best things to happen to me and my work situation (among other areas of my life too!).

Back in February 2014, I returned to work after my maternity leave.  I was now juggling 2 kids with my very-full-time job.  I still had the same support systems in place, but I felt like I was just hanging by a thread.  I was technically getting everything done in my life, but I just wasn't satisfied with the quality of my time spent at both home and work.  Honestly, when I look back, I think having a full-time nanny (that cooked and drove) would probably have been the best type of help to meet our demands but my husband and I just couldn't get comfortable with a stranger being in my house all day with my kids or driving my kids around town.  And the major killer was my commute: 1 hour each way.  I wasted 10 hours a week on the road.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I only saw the kids for about 45-60 min. a day, and I was usually feeding, cleaning, dressing and chaffeuring them for that entire hour.  I knew it was going to be rough during these years, and I managed to accept it and just deal with it after my first one was born.  But after the second one, I was genuinely unhappy.  I asked my bosses if they would let me work one day a week from home....and they said no.  And I tried hard to see it from their eyes: they didn't want to set a precedent (I work with a bunch of men), and maybe I would miss out on some important business conversations that happen around my desk that day (...like what's for lunch :P)  but come on - one stinking day a week!.  We have email and phones!  Anyway, the funny part was that after they denied my request, we happened to have a snowstorm once a week for the next 3-4 weeks, and I ended up working from home 1 day/week for about a month.  God's funny like that.

So, now I was discouraged and a bit resentful.  My husband and I had been contemplating a big change/decision to move to California since Christmas, and while we were leaning towards doing it, my rejection of this 1-day/week proposal was the straw that broke the camel's back.  I decided to quit my job and move to California.  My colleagues were understanding of my decision, and I was frank about my struggles and disappointment because these were people I had worked with for over 8 years.  But during one of my discussions with a male colleague, I was explaining how there were things that I wanted to do and be there for as the mother of my children, and my commute and work circumstances were just denying me the chance to do that sufficiently, like real home-cooked meals once in awhile, spending quality time with them before they go to bed and just generally BEING THERE.  And do you know what he said?  He said this:

Well, you know Amy, if your financial situation can support it, I would highly suggest you hire people to do what you need done, like cooking, cleaning and driving the kids around. 



*SHAKING MY HEAD.*  OK first, I do have a cleaning person that comes twice a month, so yes, I've outsourced that, but that's mostly b/c my husband is semi-OCD and doesn't accept my cleaning standards.  But I JUST told you that I (me personally!) want to take a more active, physical and emotional role in my child's life aside from paying for his bills. *sigh* I know he was just trying to help.......

So we did the California thing-- lived the laid-back life, soaked up the sun, ate some acai bowls and mexcian food, got addicted to Cardio Barre classes...and then came back to the east coast a little sooner than planned.  But our life in California was just the kick-in-the-pants I needed to slow down and enjoy my family.  It humbled me because I no longer had a six-figure salary or a cushy bonus to rely on-- and that was honestly hard for me.  I somehow managed to keep working part-time while in California, but only 10 hours a week, so my salary was enough to buy the groceries each month :P  But I was finally able to be WITH my kids....and in beautiful southern California!  In the midst of the other crazy stuff going on with my husband's job situation, I was learning to be happy with less.  I was also cooking more and learning to be more efficient with our money.  I even saw a difference in my relationship with my kids. I started to feel way more in-tune with them than I did when I was full-time working.  I realized this sacrifice was worth it and was so thankful we had the balls to make this move.

And you know, God continued to provide for us when we moved back to NJ.  I am miraculously still working part-time (!!) with my same team.  This is a bit unreal considering part-time was a big NO-NO in my business.  I can't really explain how this started and even continued after I moved back to NJ -- it really is God's grace and providing the right circumstances at the right times.  Now that I'm back in NJ, I work 25 hours/week-- 5 hours a day.  I commute into the office 3 days a week and work 2 days from home.  It is my dream work situation and I have ZERO interest to go back to work full time.  I still get to interact with my colleagues who I really enjoy, but I also have the flexibility to eat breakfast with my kids, pick them up at a reasonable hour and make dinners for them.  The days are still incredibly busy and jam-packed.  I'm basically a chaffeur with a paying job in between drives, so time management is still key here.  But this is the kind of work-life balance that I've been dreaming of.  My part-time situation isn't permanent, but I am thankful to have it and will hope to do it for as long as they let me.  My part-time role is different from what I was doing-- I'm no longer leading or delegating major projects, but instead, doing side projects and in more of a supporting role.  Sometimes I struggle with my ambition to be and do more (and to make more $$$), but my husband has been really great at keeping me grounded and reminding me of how awesome my balance is now versus pre-California.  There may be a time and place for more focus on work/career in the future, but my priority is different right now.

I came across this article the other day about a women-led law firm that let's partners be parents.  So amazing!  Hope these women are able to keep doing what they do!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/business/a-woman-led-law-firm-that-lets-partners-be-parents.html?_r=0

5.22.2015

itchy, itchy eczema! (part II) : by jean

I'm back!  Well, sort of.  I've been meaning to post and have all these things I want to write so I can remember for later, but there's NO time!

As Amy mentioned in her previous post, I too had another baby. (CRAZY!) Her name is Jordan, and she has had some mild eczema from about 3-4 months old.  It started to get a little bit worse so I had asked my doc for a prescription ointment.  Every time we went in for Jordan's check-up, her eczema was getting better so our doc told us to stick to OTC stuff.  I ended up trying out a bunch of different products, so I figured I would share!  But keep in mind, when it gets really bad, I think prescription hydrocortisone is really the best way to go.  Amy also mentions that here.

In the end, I finally called my doc for a prescription, and she finally ended up giving me one, but before she did, I was desperate and took some of my friend's kid's prescription. (shhhh!)

2 products to live by when you have eczema: Cerave Cream & Aquaphor.  (FYI Cerave is $12.50 at Costco- much cheaper than at your normal drugstore). This is more of a repeat to Amy's previous post but I can't emphasize how great this combo is.

Cerave & Aquaphor

Coconut Oil is one of the new products we've been trying. Too many people have raved and raved about it so I had to try.  I got a jar from Trader Joe's.  They also sell a huge jar at Costco for $15.  Make sure to get organic, unrefined/raw.
Trader Joe's Organic Coconut oil

I normally use Cerave, everyday as my face cream.  After I got coconut oil, I've been using that as my night cream.  At first, I have to admit it was a bit weird to smear it all over my face and smelling a bit like a pina colada.  But it makes my skin SOO soft. I've been using it also to remove makeup (the two times I've worn makeup), and using it on my cracked heels and cuticles.  These days Jordan does this itch dance as soon as I take her out of the bath so I slather coconut oil all over her since it starts absorbing right away and then put a layer of Cerave and then Aquaphor on bad patches.

I also came across Vanicream
Vanicream

Vaniply Ointment
and Vaniply Ointment ...didn't seem too much different from the usual Cerave & Aquaphor.  Vanicream def feels a little bit more greasy after you apply, I'm wondering because it doesn't absorb as quickly?  Vaniply Ointment seems like a good in-between if Aquaphor and Vaseline had a baby.  Its not as thick as Aquaphor but thicker than Vaseline. Because the thickness is in between, its very easy to apply.  The National Eczema Organization link is a great resource for anything eczema-related, especially for products.

My doc also suggested Sarna, which is a steroid free anti-itch lotion. To be honest, I don't think it works that well...Jordan still does the itch dance and scratches herself even after I apply. I don't know if it takes some times to settle in?  I've been using it sparingly here and there, just to test it out. Only if she can just tell me if it works or not...!
Sarna

I also read somewhere about Curel's Itch Defense lotion.
Curel's Itch Defense lotion
It says it is pediatrician-tested and good for babies 6 months and up...gentle enough to use on face, so I got it.  Again, similar to Sarna, not sure how well it's working but I do think sometimes it's nice to switch up products once in a while.  I still religiously use Cerave and Aquaphor but in between, I try out these other ones on areas like Jordan's legs where she doesn't show much eczema but still scratches.

And last, but not least...A&D!
A&D


I've only heard of using A&D for cuts and diaper rashes but when Jordan's eczema started to ooze, Amy recommending trying A&D.  Aquaphor is also great but I found A&D better for areas where her skin started to break and was oozing.

What are some other products you have used?  There's so much out there, would love to hear all about them!

3.19.2015

Life with two and Montessori : by amy

Does anyone still write in this thing!?

Sheesh.  Slackers!  Seriously.  What.  Happened.  We went on an unannounced hiatus.  Sometimes, it happens.

One year later, where are we now?  Jean and I both have TWO kids now.  Meet Charlie (Amy's second) and Jordan (Jean's second):


Jean and I have been reading back on old entries to refresh our memories on baby food, feeding schedules and sleep regressions, so the blog fulfilled its purpose for us!  I don't know how frequently I can write in this thing going forward, but I felt like writing an update on the boys.  Maybe it'll become useful for us if we have a 3rd kid :P.

"Charlie-zilla" - back to infant/toddler life!
Our second son is now 18 months old.  He's down to 1 nap a day and sleeps "only" 10-10.5 hours at night-- he insists on waking up before 6:25am every day no matter what time he goes to bed.  Doctor says this is completely normal and he's just a natural early-riser (thanks to the husband's genes!)  Fortunately, no major sleep regressions just yet-- he had one or two with the naps at ~9 months.  Despite his dairy and random soy allergies, he eats quite well!  His favorite meals are typically bap and gook (rice with Korean soups), acini di pepe pasta in pureed veggie sauce, this salmon (though I take off most of the brown sugar), all types of chicken and marinated kalbi.  In his infant months, instead of buying only fresh fruits and veggies to puree, I used frozen organic produce from Trader Joe's.  What a time saver!  Anyway, Charlie had THE WORST eczema starting around 4 months.  It wasn't until 6 months that we realized it was a dairy allergy, so he was on super-expensive formula until about 14 months.  He is now drinking Flax Milk (with protein, unsweetened, vanilla flavored).  I found it to be the best in terms of maximizing calcium and protein with the added bonus of a ton of omega-3s, but it's only available at Wegmans and Wholefoods.  My mom accidentally gave him Greek yogurt last week, and...he didn't break out!  So I'm hopeful that he's perhaps slowly getting over the dairy allergy.  Behavior-wise, he's a bit of a terror, hence the nickname (unless he's at someone's house or we have company-- how courteous of him!).  He also makes us read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and "Oh My, Oh My, Oh Dinosaurs" about 30 times a day.  Each.  No lie.

Logan - the big brother.
My little Wolverine is now 3.5 years old.  He started going to a Montessori school when he turned 3, and I have to say that we (parents and child) love it!  I feel that there are some misconceptions about Montessori, and I can understand why.  It's a bit hard to understand the philosophy until you see it in action.  There are two types of Montessori: AMI and AMS.  Basically, AMI is the purest method and AMS, while it is still true Montessori, is a little more relaxed.  Logan has been to both, and I don't think the difference has been too noticeable.  Before enrolling the boys, I debated if this was the right decision.  Will they transition easily to public school?  Will they become anti-social because they work independently most of the time?  What if they're idle or choose to do the same work over and over?  After speaking to a lot of people about it, I realized that the people who encouraged me to do it were all professionals in education-- parents with masters and PhDs in education.  People who clearly knew more about the learning systems than I did.  I also realized that the people I know who did Montessori as a young child were actually pretty smart, very inquisitive, independent, "normal", social children/adults!  So it couldn't be that bad, right??  To address my original doubts:

Will they transition easily to public school?
Usually, yes.  But it also depends on the child's personality and when the child transitions.  If the child is in Montessori beyond Kindergarten, then there may be a more noticeable transition process, but it will be temporary (and again, depends on the child's personality and temperament).  But most Montessori schools start to transition the children to non-Montessori methods/settings in Kindergarten anyway since most children don't stay in a Montessori classroom beyond Kindergarten.  Kids will have to encounter change at some time in their lives!  Better they get used to adapting early on than later.

Will they become anti-social since they work independently most of the time?
Um, no.  Absolutely not.  Actually, Montessori encourages community (at least ours does!).  They encourage "grace and courtesy," so if anything, not only will they be social, but they will actually be polite and exercise grace and courtesy towards one another (though not all the time)!  Also, the older children often take the younger ones under their wings.  It's the most endearing thing to watch.  Children are encouraged to do work both independently and with others if they choose to.  It is typical to see 3-year olds commonly doing work independently and the 4/5-year olds doing work with each other (because they're more social at that age).  Also, there are circle times and group lessons/observations (at least more so in AMS schools), so they're used to group settings as well.

What if they're idle or choose to do the same work over and over?
I just asked Logan's teacher about this, and while Logan doesn't have this issue, she said that when it does happen to other children, they will allow the child to observe whatever he/she is observing (typically, it's another child's work) since they are still passively learning.  But at some point, they will encourage them to choose something to work on.  In my brief observations, I rarely saw a child doing nothing.
 
I originally considered Montessori because I wanted Logan to hone his concentration/focus skills since he's typically very high-energy.  So far, Logan has really flourished in the classroom, and I can now understand why they call Montessori "knowledge for life" because the skills they learn will be critical all the way through adulthood. I know Montessori is great for both boys and girls, but I feel like it's REALLY good for boys since they tend to have shorter attention spans and are slower in development.  But I also understand that Montessori is not for every child...and not a necessity by any means.  But I would highly recommend it if you're considering it for your child.

So far, I am really enjoying age 3-- they are not terrible for us at all...which means it will be terrible when Charlie turns 3 :P.  Logan's been saying all types of crazy things like... "I like it when the brown boy beat boxes!"  or "I didn't see my brown friend at my old school."  *UNEXPECTED TEACHING MOMENT!*  (no Montessori method for teaching race!)