A blog for new parents wondering what the heck to do with their little one, including personal experiences and the best of web resources.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Hangover
Do not go out to dinner, have too much wine, go to a high school reunion, drink beers, come home with your childhood girlfriends at 1 a.m. screaming like "wild banshees," eat all the Christmas cookies, wake up the baby and pass out on the bathroom floor.
Just a suggestion.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Little Boy Trauma Overload
- The Road - I tried to prove MacDad wrong and read this book. I got about 60 pages in and realized it was just too depressing. Maybe I'll pick it up again over the holiday (doubt it -- it's already back on the bookshelf), but I couldn't help but picture MacDad and MacBaby trudging through an apocalyptic nightmare without me. Why anyone (MacDad -- I'm talking to you) would want to see this play out on the big screen is beyond me.
- Dexter - Two nights ago I had a Trinity nightmare. Not kidding. Then, last night, as I was innocently watching The Sing-Off, the kid that Trinity kidnapped showed up on a fast food commercial. There is no escaping the terror that was the season finale. Fast food boy escaped unscathed, thanks to Dexter, but the cycle of awfulness continues with poor Harrison. Perhaps this affected me so much because little MacBaby was sleeping peacefully next to me while I was watching the horror unfold. Again, in this scenario, the mom is absent while the dad and son (I'm presuming) will navigate their way in the world. An aside about Dexter -- it's interesting that he says he and Harrison are both "born in blood." Aren't we all? Is it being "born in blood" twice that gives one serial killer tendencies?
- A man inserted more than 40 sewing needles into his step son in an effort to kill him to spite the boy's mother. I cannot fathom why a person would do this. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about. Thank goodness the mom realized that something was up and sought help.
- I don't know what's going on in the Southern Hemisphere, but David Goldman's heartbreaking journey to regain custody of his son. This time, a father and son separated for years because of his (now deceased -- again!) mother's actions. I hope they are reunited and can live happily ever after.
- Finally, and even more heartbreaking, a two year old drowns while his mom is Tweeting. There's a lot of talk on the internet about "judging" others, so I won't judge this particular case because I don't know all the details, but I will say that I can't understand moms who are constantly Twittering. It would seem that they Tweet while driving, preparing family meals and putting their children to bed. This makes me nervous. I can barely manage to keep MacBaby from taking a nose dive at any given moment. I couldn't imagine running a household while constantly broadcasting our goings on. Not to mention, does anyone really care/need to know how many diapers I change in a day.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Postpartum Depression - Not Just For Moms Anymore
Monday, December 7, 2009
All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Required Reading for Dads

Guest post from MacDad:
So I'm in an airport. Tired, mentally bankrupt, fighting back a cold, and nothing to look forward to except the next several lost hours spent being queued through anonymous glass and steel corridors and into an airborne, aluminum tube full of meat before I get back to the family at home. And then I do something I wouldn't normally do. I buy a paperback and start reading it.
I finished it later that night. I was home, and although the world was quiet, I had an immediate need to find my sleeping wife and son, to touch them and to feel that that they were real and safe and that I had done my job for the day.
The book is The Road. I don't think I'm going to see the film when it comes out next week. There is something pure and unspoiled in the bleak landscape of words that Cormac Mccarthy has assembled. There is something untouchable in the tenderness between the unnamed father and son.
My wife wonders what's different about this book to me, and why I finished it when I leave so many others halfway through. For a new father, this is the story that lays plain all of the undecorated love and horror that I normally keep safely to myself. I don't expect her to like the book.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I Have No Idea What Happened To My Placenta, but I Can Guarantee It Didn't Become This

Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wherein I Admit I Can't Do It All - Or Sometimes Anything
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A Budding Bookworm?

Monday, October 26, 2009
Trick or Treat, Give My Parents Something Good to Eat?

With Halloween less than a week away, MacFamily finally bought pumpkins for carving. Other preparations have been made by ordering a personalized treat bag (MacBaby's real name not depicted) and purchasing a black and orange shirt that reads "Candy Pirate. Surrender Ye Candy." He will be wearing this shirt every day this week, since it will never again fit him.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Biology vs. Reality
Friday, October 16, 2009
Don't Blame Me, Blame My Brain
Friday, October 9, 2009
Why I Hate Ricki Lake
Thursday, October 8, 2009
What Goes Around Comes Around
Monday, October 5, 2009
Start Your Week With a Twist
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Around the Web
- A closer look at the demographics making up stay at home moms. Apparently, they're young, uneducated and ethnic. So, I guess I fit in with other older, educated white working moms? Only read the comments if you want to know how the yahoos think.
- We just got a jogging stroller. According to this article, now we actually have to start jogging to be fit. Wah.
- Diapers are now being used to sell toys. I have to admit, I did think it was weird that Elmo was on newborn MacBaby's tiny diaper, especially since he couldn't even see that far.
- Tips on H1N1 and pregnancy.
- A dad takes his five year old to McDonald's for the first time. MacDad and I agree that MacBaby will not be eating there anytime soon. It was good to read about this issue, which I'm sure will come up as there's one right down the street from our house.
- Pregnancy, weight gain and body image issues. Been there, sister.
- And, more intersection of obsessions - Mad Men on Sesame Street
Watching Television Through a New Lens
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Observations and Advice Needed
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Weird, Wild and Wacky Baby News
- A woman gets pregnant while pregnant, so, apparently it's possible.
- A woman in Indonesia gave birth to the largest baby on record at 19.2 pounds. That had to hurt.
- This one's not so weird, just good to know - there's a recall for Baby Tylenol.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I Have Shissues
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Flu Season Comes to a Boil
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Stuff
Friday, September 11, 2009
Baby Talk
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
We Have the Force
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Parenthood: A 6 Month Retrospective
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What is a "Wife" Anyway
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Crazies at the Grocery Story
Monday, August 31, 2009
Daughter's Hair Has Friend in Knots
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What's Fer Dinner?
Love Hurts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Put Your Money Where Your Onesie Is
Gymboree (GYMB)
Oppenheimer upgrades to outperform from perform
Oppenheimer analyst Robert Samuels upgraded Gymboree on Aug. 20, saying that its Crazy 8 clothing stores division could double its store base and become profitable in 2010. Samuels also said Gymboree "seems to now be toying with the idea of international expansion" for Crazy 8.
The company's strong balance sheet and good stock value are "too compelling to ignore," he said.
"The (back-to-school) season seems to be starting off strong and, in classic GYMB style, we expect that the company will continue to come up with innovative and creative ways to drive traffic and offer compelling promotions," Samuels said.
Samuels raised his 2009 profit estimate for the company to $3.31 per share and for 2010 to $3.70 per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect profit of $3.25 in the year that ends in January and $3.54 in the year that ends January 2011.
The Sleep Situation
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Planning for Maternity Leave
How Often Should We Bathe Baby?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Working Moms (and Dads) Want to Play Too
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Definition of TMI
Exciting New Developments in the Life of MacBaby
Monday, August 10, 2009
More Disses for Working Moms
Hi. I'm a Mom. And I Can Have Adult Conversations. FYI.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
You Annoy Me Mr. Hotel Front Desk Man
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Should I Move to France to Recevie Acceptable Maternity Benefits?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
It's Not Like I Spend All My Time Watching MTV . . .
I can only imagine that with twins you get zero sleep and can't get anything around the house done. This must require much additional help, especially if you have already procreated. I know a mom of twins who went out to get bagels after she brought her daughters home from the hospital and forgot the bagels at the bakery.
If you have twins, I am extremely awed by you. If I ever have twins, please plan on bringing me a casserole.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Flu Shots For Everyone!
Monday, July 27, 2009
16 and Pregnant for your Viewing Pleasure

On Thursday night, I watched the season finale of 16 and Pregnant on MTV hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky. I haven't seen every minute of each episode, but I got the gist of the series and was intrigued enough to check in on these girls who became moms at an early age.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
More on Breastfeeding
My New Favorite Parenting Site Speaks the Truth
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Proof That I'm Not Crazy
Need Formula Because You're Physically Incapable of Breastfeeding? The Gov Says Bah.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Today is an Exciting Day for the MacFamily Unit
This newfound trait - patience - is something I've learned in the past four months.
When MacBaby got home from the hospital, I was anxious for him to put some meat on his bones. I wanted a sturdier baby, one less fragile. But now, the time is zooming by. He smiles and even laughs. He plays in his exersaucer, and gets annoyed when we take him out to play with us. He faces out in his stroller, content to watch the world instead of making eye contact with his parents. He'll be in college before I know it!
So, I'm content for him to exist on breastmilk (and eight bottles of formula per week) for the time being.
By the way, what are the best (actual) books on child development? I feel as though I should have a few more handy as a resource in addition to the all-knowing internets.
Monday, July 20, 2009
What's Fer Dinner?

While I'm pondering what the MacFamily unit will be dining on tonight, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes, one-pot salmon with snap peas and rice, courtesy of Real Simple. Believe me, if I can do it, you can do it.
From Supermodel to Supermom

On Saturday morning, a rare moment occurred in my household. MacDad and MacBaby napped together and I got a moment to myself! I took advantage of the time to read the latest issue of Vogue and learned about supermodel Christy Turlington's involvement in preventing international maternal deaths. According the the article, "half a million women die in childbirth every year, a figure that has changed little in 20 years." Her research led her to finance a documentary filmed in Bangladesh, Tanzania and Guatemala following mothers and their treatment during pregnancy. She's advocating for change while working with CARE's Mothers Matter program, in addition to raising her own two kids.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Nekkid Time
What's in my Diaper Bag?

Please note: I do not have a "diaper bag." I carry around a large tote bag which currently contains the following:
- Wallet
- Sunglasses
- Be Be Au Lait Nursing Cover
- Small bag containing lip products and small brush
- Ahava Mineral Hand Cream
- Checkbook
- Three size 3 pampers
- Barrett
- Camera
- Two spare baby outfits
- Huggies Soft Skin Baby Wipes (travel pack)
- Burp cloth
- Sun block
- Cash totalling $6
- Biodegradable diaper sacks
- iPhone
- Peek Bah Booh! book
- Travel Diaper Changing Kit, which contains more wipes, but funnily enough, no diapers