Voyages of the S.S. Whalen: June 2011

I've been wanting to do this post for a while, but I just never got around to it. Since, oh about 9 months ago, there has been a little whirlwind that came into our lives and he is constantly moving around. We love our little boy soooo much, but there were moments - as there are in most babies lives - when you needed a little help to make it through. Here are my "Top Ten Favorite Things that Helped Me Survive the Past 9 Months Without Becoming a Complete Nutcase, Crazy Person"...

1. Baby bouncer - If you read my blog, you will understand why this one is #1 on the list :) What, oh what, would we have done without this bouncer??? Thanks again Michele!

2. DVD of Happiest Baby on the Block: For those of you out there with colicky babies, or babies who just cry more often than not, or babies whose cries are ear piercing banshee shrieks that might make a grown man curl up in the fetal position, clutching his knees to his chest, dreaming of sweet release, I HIGHLY recommend this DVD. It shows you how to effectively calm a crying or fussy baby with the 5 S's. This saved the sanity of my entire family :)

3. Baby Blanket/ Binky/ Glowing Sea Horse that plays music: The trifecta of tranquility. I love you all! For those of you who have ever seen me try to put Asher in his car seat, you will understand this. Suffice it to say, Asher does not like being strapped into a car seat. The items that made it bearable were his blanky and his binky (pacifier). Magic, pure and simple. By the way, he still doesn't like his car seat. Soon enough we will switch him from his infant seat to his rear facing one - yay! His glow sea horse has become a favorite too, because it helps him go to sleep at night, and keeps him company when he is awake at 5:30 in the morning, simply playing while mom is struggling to get herself out of bed.

4. Doorway Jumper: This fandangled invention had a two fold purpose. First, Asher loved it and has the strong thighs to prove it. Second, I could actually get a few things done when he was in it! And now, it lets me shower without having to worry about what he is getting into. Thank you doorway jumper!!! Unfortunately, I think his love for this is waning and puts up a commendable fight (he is freakishly strong for a 9 month old) when I put him in it... we shall see how much longer it will last :)

5. Saucer/Jungle Jumper: Pretty much the same as #4. I can get things done around the house and Asher is a happy little boy. While having all three is nice, you could get away with two. I just have a wonderful friend who was sooo good to me that she gave me all her baby things. One more time, thank you Michele!!!

6. Booster Seat: This next favorite has two parts. The reason this favorite is on our list is because it was directly responsible for our first family dinner out that was actually fun and doable! No walking around, no screaming Asher, just a happy, enjoyable night out with the fam!

6. Part Two - Travel Booster Seat: Because we realized with the booster we could actually go out and enjoy it, the size of the booster became a little problem. It's bulky and we are out a lot, so I was told about this fancy little invention - the collapsible travel booster seat! It's brilliant, and it fits in my backpack and can be brought anywhere we go. I love it!

7. Puffs: Now this could be a #6 part three, but it deserves its own number. Oh puffs, how I love thee, let me count the ways... I can make dinner without Asher crying because of you, I can go out and enjoy a meal or an outing because of you, I can finish doing chores or other random things because of you, and I can get home without Asher crying the entire way because of you. You are a truly inspired treat who has made my life a little more easy :)

8. Baby Bjorn: I can actually go places and do things without having a child crying the whole time. What more needs to be said?

9. Bibs/Burp Cloths: Asher is what they call a "Happy Spitter". What this means is that he spits up a lot, I mean A LOT, and it doesn't hurt or bother him or have any negative effect on him. While Asher may be "happy" about this, momma sure ain't :) Lots of clean up and laundry for this little happy spitter. Fortunately, we had a ton of bibs that he would wear constantly until a few weeks ago - yay!! While he still spits up some, it is way more manageable now, and you can actually see the outfit he is wearing in his pictures!!!

Burp Cloths - 3 of probably 20 or so. The middle one is clean, it's just well used :)

10. Floor mats: Because of #9, my mom was a smart woman and ordered me these floor mats for here in Albania. Not only are the fun for Asher to play on and with, but every time he spits up - the clean up is soooo much easier than if it were just the rug. This has saved me many a headache and much time.

These next few have helped too, but didn't quite make the top ten :)

Vacuum CD: A great tool for getting Asher to sleep and helping him stay asleep for longer than 30 minutes.

Stroller: The only reason this didn't make the top ten is because currently, the stroller only holds Asher's attention for maybe, MAYBE, 20 minutes. Back in Maryland it was great though. We would walk up and down our street and Asher loved it! The bjorn always accompanies us if we bring the stroller out.

Walker: He loves this thing. He treats it like a bumoer car. Flying up and down the hallway. I am a little bit worried about the whiplash when he slams into stuff, or the backs of our ankles that have bruises on top of bruises from being caught unawares by this maniacal driver. I'll have to get a video of him in it, it's hilarious!

Mylicon: This little box was my BFF turned frenemy. It was working great, and helped Asher calmed down, then I think it started making him even fussier and when I stopped it, he began to be much better. So while I still use it occasionally, our friendship is tainted for making my baby not feel so great.

Well, there you have it, my top ten, plus a few, of my most favorite things over the past 9 months.

It's been pretty busy around here which is nice, but I haven't posted in a bit. Well, I finally have some time to post about our little boy who is growing up so quickly! In the past week he has started to crawl, started climbing up on furniture, and turned 9 months. Woohoo!

He can crawl!!