Hey mom, I’m ready for some more food

The next chapter is rice cereal, followed by other solids- this should be fun! Although, I have to admit I’m not looking forward to the girls eating actual food- is it acceptable to puree chicken nuggets and hot dogs? I packed up all of their 3 month clothes the other day too…it was really sad, I think I even wiped a couple tears away. The twins are almost 6 months old! I cannot believe how fast time flies! My next blog will most likely be about coping with two crawling babies…

-Courtney has been a part of LLD since nearly the beginning, she has babysat for over 5 years with our troupe & is a new mom. Courtney is the sister of the President of LLD & lives in New Jersey with her husband.

My husband has lived his entire life in the tri-state area and I have been here for fifteen years, so it’s a BIG change for both of us. Yet, somehow I don’t feel as scared as one might expect. No, I don’t have a job lined up. No, I’ve never seen the townhome in which we’ll be spending our first year. No, I haven’t driven a car regularly in more than a decade. None of that scares me though, because this move is different than any other I’ve made before. This is not for my benefit; it’s for my daughter’s. It’s so she can grow up near family and in a house with a yard. It’s so we can give her the quality of life that we had as children.

Happy family ready for a change!

Of course I’m nervous about moving to a new city and starting over. But I’m also excited! We get to explore a great new place, meet new people, have new adventures and create a new home. We get to do all of this together!! If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my first five months of motherhood, it’s that children are a fantastic way to meet people. I plan to find every fun family event, class and location in the Washington, D.C. area!! We are going to have a great summer getting to know our new home.

And, yes, I will admit that I am SUPER excited to have a dishwasher and washer/dryer….just think of all the extra time I’ll have now that I won’t need to hand wash every bottle, binky and breast pump accessory!!

Yes change can feel scary, but if we let it, change can feel exciting. I’m ready, bring it on!

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade and just had her first child with husband Rob in January. She and her family just relocated from NYC to Washington D.C.

Henry looking out of our hotel room window

Our first ride on the NYC subway!

I was so confident in Henry’s abilities that I traveled by myself only a few weeks later to see my family in Detroit. This time I flew Southwest, which meant I could fly out of Midway instead of O’Hare (always a better choice…) I don’t know if it’s just because it was Southwest or because I was traveling alone, but everyone bent over backwards for me! The flight to Detroit wasn’t full so they let me bring the carseat on! Then the flight attendant told me how to place my bags so no one would sit with me and therefore i’d have a row to myself. I’m not sure if this was for my benefit or she felt sorry for anyone who would have to sit next to a mother and child! Either way, I wasn’t going to argue. Henry did pretty well. It wasn’t as stressful as I thought, and people actually smiled and commented on my “well-behaved child!” I didn’t get a row to myself on the way back, but Henry was in a super good mood, had the people around him enamored with his giggling and smiling, and a nice gentleman helped me with all my bags. (Thanks, stranger!)

Like all things in parenthood, you learn as you go. We’ve checked off flying with a baby off our list and look forward to the next adventure Bob and I take with Henry!  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that our trip to Hawaii in December goes as well!

-Maureen is the Chicago city coordinator for LLD and a new mommy!

Papa Bell & the gals

Then came the in laws from Ireland and a brother and his wife. Upon entering their house it looked like a shoe store. There should have been a “Beware of Shoes” sign on the front door. Seats were at a minimum and you needed a sign-up sheet to use the bathroom. Even though it was crowded and the poor house transformed into a frat house for the weekend it was a great family affair.

P.S. I spent the day cleaning on Monday.

-Mama Bell

The first nice day we had, I buckled Henry into the stroller, put the leash on the dog, and we set out for a long walk along the lake front. This is by far one of my favorite things about Chicago. Here you are, in a big city, and you can take a long walk along Lake Michigan. It is so peaceful and beautiful, and the people watching isn’t bad either! My other favorite places to walk are around the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, through the Lincoln Park Zoo, and through Lincoln Park to see al the sculptures. I’ve also discovered that these long walks make Henry a very sleepy boy! He falls asleep in no time!

Sleepy boy after a long walk in Lincoln Park!

We’ve also been enjoying Stroller Strides outdoor classes. I’m not going to lie, getting back in shape after baby has been way harder than I thought. Winter was challenging and I have been eagerly awaiting for the chance to get out and moving! These classes have allowed us to get outside, get exercise (and some good exercise at that!), meet some great moms and their babies, and Henry enjoys the silly songs I sing to him while doing Jumping Jacks!

Taking walks and doing Stroller Strides are definitely fun, but Henry’s favorite activity by far is going to one of the MANY parks in Chicago and going on the swing set. He’s at a great age right now (6 months) and can participate in a lot of different activities. He is crawling all over the place and can maneuver around pretty easily. This is fun for him, but a lot of work for me! Throwing him in a swing seems to solve that “problem.” Lots of movement for him and a lot of security for me!

Henry loves the swings! Weeeeeeeee!

The Green City Market opened up last weekend, and while we were busy last week, we will definitely be walking up there every week to check out the local produce and get fresh flowers. I love the market and think it will be even better now that we have a child.

Lots to do in Chicago! We can’t wait for the warmer, sunny weeks ahead and exploring the city!

-Maureen is the Chicago city coordinator for LLD and a new mommy!

Our view in Central Park

We actually ate out in a restaurant together, we went to Central Park, everyone got a bath and whether it was drafting architectural plans, teaching a fitness class or holding yourself up on your forearms, everyone got some work done and still had time to play!  It was a great weekend!!

I had forgotten what it felt like to successfully balance family, play and work…I’ve been on a steep learning curve and this felt like a win!

And the icing on the cake? I fit into a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans!!  I think I’ll go mark that on the calendar.

-Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade, and just had her first child with husband Rob in January. She has joined forces with Lucky Lil’ Darlings to bring NY moms a weekly workout class with on-site childcare, intenSati for Mommies. Check out her blog for more details on scheduling.

As a professional photographer, I love taking pictures at children’s birthday parties & events where the energy and excitement is contagious! Pictures from these events are cherished by families for years to come. Parents are often so caught up in planning and running the event, that they forget to pick up their camera, or they might not trust their own photography skills to capture the fun of the day. If you’re interested in taking event photography into your own hands, read below for some quick tips on how to perfect your party pictures.

• Photography tips

Great photography starts with nice, even lighting. Pick an event location that gets soft natural light, and you’re one step in the right direction! Take numerous shots, and edit them down later. If you take a ton, you’re bound to find a gem! Remember to take plenty of candid shots, in addition to the standard group ‘staged’ pictures. Have your camera ready at all times – often the best shots are unplanned. Most of all, be silly and have fun with the kids…it is a party, after all!

Sometimes, it’s okay to play with your food!

• Fun theme & prop ideas that photograph well

For older kids, consider a DIY photo booth with fun silly props, and a background made out of colorful fabric. This is a great way for boys & girls to act silly, and ham it up for the camera.  You’ll be able to capture a shot of everyone who attends the event.  As an added bonus, you can send the pictures out with thank you cards after the party.

How about a dessert-station at your event? Colored candy varieties displayed in vases, bowls, and cake plates are as fun to look at, and photograph, as they are to devour.  Any time you have cupcakes and lollipops, you’re bound to get some sweet shots of the kiddos. What child’s eyes don’t light up when they see a delicious treat coming their way?  Get the camera ready for some frosting covered fingers and smiles.

No one can resist smiling with a cupcake in hand!

Be mindful of what will be in the background of during major party photo ops like cake cutting and present opening. A bunch of balloons of one color tied together acts as a lovely and portable backdrop. Use the balloon backdrop to block messy areas so that your photos focus on the children, and not the (unfortunate, but realistic) party clutter in the background. Remember to photograph detailed shots of the decorations and food presentation before the guests arrive.

• Getting the kids to smile

Sometimes the best shots are when a child isn’t looking at the camera. Perhaps they are blowing bubbles, or concentrating on opening a present. When photography isn’t forced, the end result is unique and beautiful. Often times, using the words ‘say cheese’ will backfire by causing a child to shy away from the camera, or by producing a face scrunched toothy grin (which is super adorable, but we do want to see their faces!). For posed shots, ask children to look for the ‘bug’ or ‘fairy’ inside your lens. This creates a fun game that will get little ones to look toward the camera.

Saying “cheese” isn’t always the most effective way to get a lil’ one to smile

Hopefully these tips help you at your child’s next birthday party or event!  If you decide that you’d like to hire a photographer for the occasion, remember this advice – the photographer is there to get the feel of the event and to capture moments as they unfold. Let them focus on their job, so you can enjoy the event with your children. Have a list of ‘must have shots’ for your photographer, and discuss with them at the initial consultation. Do your research to find a well reviewed photographer in your area and then trust them to do a great job. You have better things to think about, like celebrating your little one’s big day!

 -Bethany Kruska is a Brooklyn based natural light photographer and owner of Shutter Happy NYC. Bethany is available for portraits, engagement sessions, weddings, birthday parties, personalized NYC photo tours, and any other fun event you have in mind!

• “Once you see your child’s face, you don’t remember the pain of labor.”

I heard this one over and over and I thought, no way is this true!  I’ve seen those movies of women screaming and sweating…you can’t block that out.  Guess what?  You can!  Just last week I was recounting my birth experience (to a friend who asked for it….don’t worry, I don’t just go around town sharing the gritty details) and when I finished, my friend said she was sorry I had such a horrible time of it.  You know what I thought?  You got it!  Did I have a horrible time? All I remember is that my parents made it to the hospital from across the country just in time for my daughter’s birth. I can still see my husband’s face right next to mine coaching me along the way and holding my hand every moment. And I will never forget the first time I saw my daughter’s little face or felt her on my chest in the moments after she was born. That’s what I remember….the waiting, the pain, the worry….that was forgotten the instant she came into the world.

• “Get your rest now, because once that kid comes, you won’t get any.”

Anyone who knows me, knows I have never been a big sleeper, so I figured the lack of sleep everyone warned me about wouldn’t be so tough….WRONG!! I have never, EVER been so tired in all my life as the first weeks of motherhood. Waking up every three hours is exhausting in a way I have never experienced before. It’s not just wake up and go back to sleep, it’s wake up and be responsible for a tiny life and stay alert for about an hour and then try and go back to sleep so you can do it all again in an hour and a half….because it’s three hours from the time you woke up not the time you go back to sleep! It is just “try” to go to sleep too because there are all these sounds a newborn makes that worry a first time parent that she’s not breathing or starting to wake or choking or…..the list is endless. However, as tired as I was, as soon as she looked up at me with her big bright eyes, my heart melted. There is no amount of sleep I would trade for those moments.

Ten perfect toes!

•  “There is no love quite like the love a mother feels for her child.”

From the moment I saw my daughter, I was completely in love with her in a way I can’t explain. Before she came, I was worried I was too selfish to have a child, too happy with the life my husband and I created together, worried that I would miss being able to just “go” in a moment’s notice. Let me tell you, I have never been happier, more proud of anything I have done in my life and more content to just be still. Every time I look at her I cannot believe we created this perfect little human. My heart expands and my eyes well up with love…she is amazing. I know this word is overused, but bringing a life into the world is really amazing and the fact that she’s perfect is even more amazing! I am happy to make sure she is fed, changed and dressed before I even brush my teeth, now my husband and I have fun at the baby store as a family or giving our daughter a bath, and there is no place I’d rather be than looking into those bright eyes and seeing her recognize me with a big toothless smile. Yes, life totally changes, but change is GREAT!

So, now with ten weeks’ experience under my belt, I pass on the same words of wisdom to future moms. And guess what? There’s another one in our family….next month my little sister brings another amazing life into the world. Hope you’re sleeping sister!

–Jolynn Baca Jaekel has been a fitness professional for more than a decade, and just had her first child with husband Rob in January. She has joined forces with Lucky Lil’ Darlings to bring NY moms a weekly workout class with on-site childcare, intenSati for Mommies. This month, Jolynn will be bringing back her mommy workout class with on site childcare from LLD, check out her blog  blog for more details!

What are some tips and reminders for bathing infants that you can share with me?

Sincerely,

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

Dear Scrub-a-Dub-Dub,

Bath time with your lil’ one can be a great way to show your lil’ one that getting clean can be fun! But, before you get to the fun splashy toddler age, it’s good to know a few things about bathing infants.

Sometimes the kitchen sink is the best place for an impromptu bath!

• Choose the right baby bathtub. Make sure your baby won’t slide around in the tub, and use a no-slip mat under the tub.
• Check the temperature, the water shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. Remember that a baby’s skin is more sensitive than a grown-ups.
• Make a bathing schedule. Babies don’t necessarily need a bath every day, aim for a few times a week. If baths make your baby energetic, make sure to do it in the morning. If baths make your lil’ ones sleepy, save the bath for right before bedtime.
• Find soaps without any harsh additives to keep your lil’ one’s skin soft and healthy!
• Keep everything you’ll need for bath time within arm’s reach so you can always keep one hand on your lil’ one during a bath.
• Take a refresher course on infant CPR and remember to always empty the tub completely!

Once your lil’ one gets a little older, make bath time fun with toys, bath crayons & paint, and fun bath games! Teach your lil’ ones that getting clean can be fun when done safely!

-Ask-A-Sitter

4 Months!

As Henry got older, and his personality took shape, we were met with new and exciting experiences. When Henry turned 3 1/2 months old, he decided he was going to go from 7 hour stretches of sleep at night to waking up every 2-3 hours. Admittedly this frazzled me a bit. I thought I had nailed the whole sleep routine! Why is my baby crying? He never cried before? WHAT IS HAPPENING?! Out came the sleep books (again), mom and dad needed a refresher course! Luckily, with some strong will on my husband’s part, a mute button on the monitor, and reassurance that letting them self-soothe is best, Henry is sleeping well again!

Henry also started rolling over. One day while “watching” the Today Show (really, it’s background noise because what mom has time to sit and actually watch?!), Henry decided that he wanted to see, too. I always face him away from the T.V. but he was determined. He craned his neck, lifted his legs, twisted his trunk, and BAM! he had rolled from his back to his tummy. I was half horrified that he wanted to watch T.V. that badly and half ecstatic about this new milestone. After that he was unstoppable. He was constantly rolling all over the floor. With that also came sleeping on his stomach…I spent the next three nights glued to the video monitor making sure he could breathe!

At our 4 month doctor visit, I told the doctor that Henry was fussier than usual and seemed extra hungry. She was confident with his mobility and head control and said he seemed ready to start with some baby cereal. Another milestone achieved! This was shaping up to be a big month for Henry. I practiced first by giving him a spoon and seeing what he did with it. He lifted it right up to his mouth. Impressive? Not really, since he puts everything in his mouth these days. Then I held the spoon up to his mouth and he opened it right up. Okay, that was enough evidence for me, we were starting solids! The first night was hilarious, disastrous, and messy! The second night was much better, and it only improved from there.

Clean Henry after a few practice rounds!

Henry is a mover and a shaker and definitely keeps us on our toes! You can’t leave him for a second because he will roll right across the room! Gone are the days of sitting sweetly in the swing and dozing off. Now he has to be on the move at all times! Luckily, all this action makes him a tired boy and he takes really great naps and is sleeping better at night. My husband and I are amazed at his growth and development because it seems like everyday he learns something new or is stronger than before.

While part of me wants to hit the pause button and slow it all down, I’m mostly excited and in awe by how quickly he is developing. It’s pretty cool! Grow, baby, grow!

-Maureen is the Chicago city coordinator for LLD and a new mommy!