The Blogger Mommie

Before Baby A was born, I promised myself I would never use monsters, witches, or even spiders to scare him. We did that with my niece and it worked for a while until she figured out our "scare tactic". So hubby and I decided that we would not scare our baby but rather make him aware of stuff (like monsters etc.). If you think this is a great idea and want to know if it worked, read further. ....     ...... Did you really think I could give the 'scary monster' a miss? At 13 months, toddlers know they can get away with pretty much everything. They're constantly checking what they can and are not allowed to do. So no surprise .....we tried but he wasn't buying the 'scary monster'. One day, quite by accident we found that the word "spider" made his eyes grow bigger and stop what he was doing (no surprise as I am mortally scared of all spiders!). So...we continued to use it "occasionally". Does that make me a bad mom? Well not real...

Baby A has learnt to scream! He does it when he's happy, angry, excited, when I take something away from him, when he feels like it, when ....oh my God! There's no stopping him. Sometimes its high pitched, deafening, sometimes short and screechy. But wait, I already knew this and countless other pieces of advice (that I never really listened to). You hear about sleepless nights, how life will never be the same again, tantrums that will leave you red-faced and wondering whose in charge. It's endless what you will hear and in your mind you might think it will never happen to you. Fat chance! I wish someone told me how the sleepless nights will seem less annoying when I see a big toothless smile or feel tiny fingers reaching out to grasp mine. How a tantrum (as frustrating as it may seem) will be less relevant when a tiny mouth plants a zillion kisses on your cheek (as if to say sorry). It's these small but special things that make you get through the tough times. You ...

Recently, my best friend (also a first time mom) and I were talking about some things we often hear people say to us. My friend, went back to working her full time job when her baby was three months and I became a stay-at-home mom when Baby A was seven months. One of the assumptions is that a mother should take time off (a year or more) after the birth of a child. In realoty, not all mothers can afford to give up their jobs and some are faced with no choice at all. Ofcourse, you should  never put anything else before your baby but if you have family or friends to support you it becomes easier to get back to work mode. It's simply your choice and no one has the right to frown upon it. However, as things usually are, you will get asked this question even before your baby is born! Everyone will want to know how long you're taking time off to enjoy motherhood, if you plan on quitting your job and how you plan to manage once you do get back to work. There is no perfect o...

There are some things you must never do before you become a parent (or after). Never wake someone else's sleeping baby (or yours). It's difficult to resist (I know) when they look so cute and snug. And its harmless right- just play a while and then "poof" they go back to sleep. When my niece was a year old, she loved sleeping over at my house. I would come home at 4 a.m. (I worked night shifts) and head straight to her room. Well, not really to wake her up but to look at her angelic face as she slept. Then, I'd get tempted to plant a kiss on her ever cute cheeks and little palms, and feet....and there you have it. That's how you wake a sleeping baby! My mom must have dreaded those moments whenever she had to stay awake to put my niece back to sleep (while I blissfully slept). Fast forward ten years. Baby A and sleep! I am a dragon breathing fire on anyone who wakes him!(hubby included). It's an accomplishment to get him to sleep and when he's awakened...

Time flies. I remember when Baby A was a month old, hub and I wondered when he'd start rolling over. When he did, we were anxious about when he'd start crawling. Then, we couldn't wait for him to walk. And now, we just wish he'd stay still- while eating, or bathing, and in the car, but most importantly when it's time to change him. This is where "distraction" becomes a vital part of all activities. I'm not talking just toys! It's a combination of games, funny faces, songs, sounds..you name it. Whatever works for you to either get your little one dressed, or to stop crying or just about anything. Peek- a-boo is one game that will keep a child distracted for quite a while. Props help (even if it's a towel, bib, sheet or just plain hands). Baby A loves to play with the tassels on his towel. So that works well for me. Funny sounds and faces work extremely well too. If you're worried that people might think you're loony (well who cares!)....

Shopping with a baby is never easy. Shopping with a toddler is even more challenging. There's meal times to keep track of, snacks to fill those hungry tummies, sleep time that will never be for long because of said activity (i.e. shopping)..the list is endless. So if you're one of those people (like me) who will promise never to go shopping again, then please read this post. Because no matter what, you will shop again and it's just a matter of time before you'll excel at it. Ever seen those mommy shoppers with all their kids so well behaved and entertained? That will be you! A few things to keep in mind: Never go out shopping with the idea that you will finish what you started. Also, if you need to make certain decisions or more than a couple of choices (furniure shopping for example) its better to leave your little one with a sitter (family or friends). If not, be prepared for plenty of peek-a-boo, some distractions, and screaming. Timing is everything so be sure t...

I've always had a love-hate relationship with my hair. When I was pregnant, I loved my hair. Everyday was a "good hair day". What made me happier was the almost five months where I never saw a single strand fall out in the shower or when I brush my hair. I should have read the fine print😬 - nothing lasts forever! After Baby A was born I enjoyed the lovely locks for about a month. And then....my hair began to fall. It got so rough no matter what shampoo or conditioner I used. So off to the hair dresser I went.....and went....and went...until I was stuck with the shortest possible hair style (that I loved for only a few days). Apparently the hormones do the trick and when they are gone you're left with dull, lifeless hair. Now, if you were really careful and continued to take your vitimans and watch your diet (post-pregnancy) then you might not have had to worry (like I did). It's not easy especially when all you really want to do those first weeks is sleep......

Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies out there! Not only today, but everyday should be a celebration of what we do and everything we sacrifice for our children. It's been a few days since my last post and getting back on track is slightly difficult when you're on "vacation mode". It was a special four days of family bonding and spending time just enjoying our little Baby A. Today's post is short- simply because I have a zillion tasks to complete tomorrow and need an early head start. However it's such bliss to sometimes do nothing but just live in a "moment". That being said, Baby A made the most out of these few days and it's going to take some work and time to get him back to his routine. Babies can be extremely cranky after a vacation. So..I'll let you know how my next few days go! This is going to be a looonggg week! Ugg!

Dealing with emotions and pregnancy hormones can be frustrating. Not just for you but for the husband as well. The best and easiest way to deal with this is: Voila! Shopping!! Baby shopping can do wonders. But it can also make you splurge on stuff that you are most likely never to use..ever! Not to forget the palpatations your husband might suffer the moment he hears the word "shopping". The golden rule is to focus on "essentials" and what you really require the first few weeks (at least). Some of these suggestions can save you (and hubby) time and moolah as well (if that tends to worry you). So to make this easier, let's begin. 1. Diapers- Get used to this! You are going to spend the next two or so years buying diapers. Don't bother calculating. It will make your head spin. If you decide to use "cloth diapers" it's  a wonderful choice but I promise you by day three you will be at the store buying......yes, diapers. It's tiring for new d...

Most women love bags. I am one of those who don't. So you can imagine - diaper bag shopping was disastrous. They were either too big, way too small and the nice ones were ugly or over priced. I looked in every store, I hunted online but weeks later I still hadn't found one I liked. Quick tip: It's good to start looking for a diaper bag well in advance - like four months before baby arrives.  Choosing one is never easy. I think most of us fall for the look, or the design (how cute!!!) or whatever. None of these help!! You should really look at other features like how much it can hold, how it actually feels on your shoulder (not empty but with stuff in it). Also, never fall for the ones that make you think are sooooo organised. You might just forget where the heck you put stuff (let me think right pocket, side pocket, flap pocket). With a baby, you really have no time to look in pockets. So keep it simple.  1. Two pockets at the most.  2. One big enough for diape...

Today's post is a bit sentimental. It's something I've recently been thinking about, especially after Baby A turned one. Also because my precious niece turns ten tomorrow. Every night Baby A has a big share of hugs, kisses and cuddles before he heads off to baby dreamland. There's  a bedtime story and goodnight song as well. This routine has become so special that I cannot help but think that one day he will not need a story or goodnight song. One day he might not want to shower me with his little kisses and cuddles. That "one day may be so far away" but Sigh! So I'm making the most of these moments. It can be silly things I do that make him laugh, or something out of the blue that makes him crack up and laugh till he has tears in his eyes. It can be grooving to a tune on the radio making funny faces together (while the people in the car right next to you think your loony). All this and more...I'm  going to enjoy them all. 

There are somethings you must not ignore. Sleep advice is one of them (and the most important of all). Infact, if you must heed any advice, listen to what you hear about catching up on sleep - after the baby arrives that is. I chose this topic today because I did not listen. I was silly enough to think that new borns know better and ofcourse I had lots of images of peacefully sleeping babies in mind. I wasn't wrong, I just had to get the equation right and its something like this: eat+eat+eat+sleep+poop+eat+eat +eat +eat+nap (I'm sure you get it). Baby A did not like to sleep! It was as if he thought he'd miss out on something exciting if he went to sleep. So the golden rule to sleep, especially in those first few days (and months) is to sleep when your baby sleeps. Even if its for ten minutes (its like a power nap). This will NOT make you happy and there will be several distractions. Your phone, pending housework, email, talking to friends, to name a few. But be strong an...

We've all heard of the tooth fairy so I won't bore you with an explanation. Ever heard of the tooth monster? Well it exists too. Unlike the tooth fairy the monster can leave you with a lot of stress, sleepless nights and a feeling of helplessness. However, there are ways to soothe and ease your little ones discomfort and some teary days when you wish you can make the pain magically disappear. Teething appatently is hereditary. So it's good to know when you or daddy got your first "smileys". One of the most noticeable signs of teething is drooling and sometimes some babies like to stick their fists in their mouth (this can also be mistaken for hunger!). Teethers are the easiest and I like the liquid filled ones. However, as a word of caution, these can break or crack easily especially if your little one chomps hard on them. They can be refrigerated (not frozen) thereby providing additional relief. Baby A did not prefer teethers. It was in his mouth for a few min...

So my once happy to eat baby suddenly hates all veggies, fruits and curries cooked at home. He has decided that Yogurt Rice is the only edible and delicious food that he will consume but I hope this changes. I have tried tricking him to eat, but he figures it out almost immediately, will inspect his food bowl and give me a very disapproving look. I try to look very serious when he does this but it's adorably funny! He then clamps his mouth shut and refuses another bite (thankfully he hasn't yet figured how to spit his food out). Well, I was warned that this would happen😊 and that "this too shall pass". However, after a few food fights and a lot of patience, I've decided to let him win.  My reasons are simple: Forcing him to eat does not guarantee an empty bowl.  Toddlers are full of energy and definitely know when to refuel. so if he's hungry he is definitely going to make a big noise.  Teething is a possible reason for this behavior (and Baby A is tee...

I've often wondered who came up with the idea that all things blue relate to "boys" and all "pink" girls. I remembered a funny incident with my niece. When she was about four or five years old she saw a picture of a cat and very innocently stated that it was a "girl cat". On further coaxing her to explain why she thought so, she looked at me with that " isn't it obvious" look and said " it's a pink cat...pink means girl !!" Yes...we sometimes forget that our little ones learn things from us and are guided by our own bias of colors, toys and games to name a few. I'm guilty too. From the fact that I bought an entire blue wardrobe for Baby A to the time I was offended when the nurse dressed him in a pink romper (apparently they ran out of blue ones!!). That brings me to the point of this post. All this because? Well, because my very cute Baby A decided that the first color he will learn to pronounce is - yep "PINK...

I recently read a very nice blog post on "things that happen after giving birth". It was right on spot and I wished I had read that a year ago. So for my first blog post I began thinking about my own experience and some of the things I was asked. This is no " gory post" but just some things I found extremely annoying, insensitive and something I never thought of..until baby A arrived. The worst part is that most of these questions are "always" asked (so no comfort here). It's better to be prepared to answer them or dismiss them (as you please). 1. Is this your first child! Well..hell yea! But wait, how did you know? This question is most likely to be asked by those who don't know you (e.g. nurses). This made me feel like I was right under the brightest spotlight. People who ask this question are really implying that you have NO idea what you're doing. It's best to avoid something as stupid as this and focus on something more positive or...

Like the famous JLo song but quite opposite in meaning, welcome to my world of mommy hood. As a first time mom, I must admit that I was confident of ‘rocking motherhood’ and thought I had most of the basics covered until my ‘precious package’ arrived. Everything since then has been a blur and although it seems like time sure is flying, every day is an experience. That’s what my blog is all about! The funny, not so funny, in your face, mad at baby, mad at self-moments. So I hope we connect! While pregnant I looked through every possible website to keep up-to-date on my pregnancy and baby’s development. Google was my best friend on days when I was happy, sad and ready to burst into tears, extremely angry, sick to my stomach. You name it. I googled everything I could. If that wasn’t enough, I also had my mommy friends share their experiences and “oh so fun” pregger stories. But looking for answers on google after the birth of my baby was a different story. Of course th...