(mom) Car seat measurements

As the boys near their 22lb weight limit for their infant car seat, we're starting to research our car seat options. But we're also in need of a new car, so we're wondering if we need to get another minivan or if there is a car/SUV that will fit 3 convertible/toddler seats.

And thankfully, Car Seat Data provides measurements for all car seats. So I can quickly do the math to rule out cars with a 50" backseat when we need at least 54".

Do you have 3 toddler seats in a non-minivan? Please share any stories or advice!

(mom) Make your own custom onesie

I enjoy fun crafts, and amazingly, here is a one I actually completed! I managed to make these for Father's Day. Now imagine me sitting on the floor ironing, because I was too tired to stand, with my belly that already measured as if I were 44wks pregnant. Amusing, to say the least. These make great gifts for new moms and are great for multiples (put their name on the onesie/T shirt to tell them apart). My original goal was to make these for the boys' birth announcement. I had designed their full name, time of birth, and weight for each, but the thought of putting the custom onesies on each and taking a photo where it was all readable for all three at once was a bit overwhelming.



I can't take credit for the creativity. A blog that I love (that has nothing to do with babies) is ljcfyi - here is her post on how to make these onesies.

What you need:
* Onesies (wash first)
* Scissors
* Iron
* Iron on T-shirt transfer printer paper



Step 1:
* We didn't have a scanner, so I took a digital photo of my husband as a child. In Photoshop, I edited the photo (erasing the background and the writing on his shirt) and added the text (which comes from a sign in his parent's house).
* Or, you can open Word and use fun font styles and colors to make your design.

Step 2:
* Print the image out on the iron on paper. (The paper comes in white or black/dark, so you can best match your onesie.)

Step 3:
* Cut the image out. Know that the lines that you cut will be somewhat visible on the onesie. (This is why the example from ljcfyi is so clever because she hides the outline with a stitch. I didn't have the energy to do this...)

Step 4:
* Iron according to the package directions. And you're done!

(mom) Postpartum Hair loss

I had always heard that all of my hair could fall out after the delivery. That happens to other people, not me. Or so I thought. Four months after the delivery, I noticed that my hair was coming out by the handful. I wish I could say that I was kidding or even exaggerating. My hair started to get so thin on the crown and my widow's peak started to resemble Dracula's.

And now I've found that the worst isn't so much the hair loss, but when it grows back in! I now have inch long wispy bangs. The only tricks I know for helping to hide this fun awkward stage:
* Bangs. My side swept bangs now cover the short wispy bangs on one side. But the only problem with having bangs is that you need to have the time and ability to go back to the salon to have them trimmed often. Things I should have thought of.
* Headbands work wonders, according to a friend
* Hats are always good
* Move your part to cover any bald spots

Here's a great article from Babycenter on postpartum hair loss.

One thing that the article also mentions, that I want to second, is that you will need to be careful that your lost hair doesn't wrap around the baby's fingers and toes. Someone had warned me about this (and again, I figured this could never happen to me). But after one bath, I was putting one of the boys' sleepers on and just randomly checked his toes for my hair - and there was a strand wrapped so tight that it was completely cutting off his circulation! So now I constantly check all of their hands and feet for loose (or tight) hairs.

Please share any other ideas for hiding postpartum hair loss and regrowth. I could use them!

(mom) Free baby classes

I'm all for free baby classes. Every month Babies R Us has in-store events to educate parents. For example, on March 25th at 7pm, Pampers is sponsoring a "Diaper Changing Know-How Seminar". This is a great idea for soon to be Dads who often do not benefit from many of the prenatal classes and books. They recommend registering at your local store, but I would also try calling to register to prevent an extra trip.

If we had a Babies R Us closer by (and if I was more mobile during my pregnancy), I would have taken advantage of these. So I can't vouch for how good they are, but they seem like a great idea.

Look into classes at your local Babies R Us.

Any other suggestions for free baby classes? Share your ideas in the Comments!

(mom) Bra extenders

So cheap, yet so useful. I was so excited when I stumbled upon bra extenders at Destination Maternity when I was pregnant. My belly wasn't the only part of me that was rapidly expanding. Simply hook them onto the back of your bra to give you a few extra inches of wiggle room. They typically come in a variety of hooks and colors, so you have many options to match your existing bras.

Purchase Bra extenders

(mom) Kellymom

Founded by a lactation consultant (named Kelly, of course), Kellymom offers everything you could ever wonder about breastfeeding. The site contains up to date research, often from La Leche League, American Pediatric Association and other medical professionals.

Not breastfeeding? Want to know more about starting solids? Want tips on pumping at work? Want to learn more about postpartum depression? It's all here.

(mom) Baby essentials for less

As for most new parents (of one, two or seven babies), finding great deals on diapers and formula is essential. As a result, Babycheapskate.com has become daily reading for me. Actually getting out and to some of the stores is a different story, but I've enjoyed a few online clearance shopping excursions all thanks to this blog.

Babycheapskate.com
Coupons, online and in-store sales for everything baby related. Want to know where to find the best deals on Pampers this week? Check out this site.