Those of You Born 1930 - 1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers
Who smoked and/or drank while they were Pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing,
Tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles,
Locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode
Our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children,
We would ride in cars with no car seats,
No booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day
Was always a special treat..

We drank water From the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends,
From one bottle and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon.
We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar.
And, we weren't overweight. WHY?

Because we were Always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day,
As long as we were back when the Streetlights came on.

No one was able To reach us all day. And, we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps
And then ride them down the hill, only to find out
We forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes
a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes.
There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable,
No video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's,
No cell phones,
No personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.
WE HAD FRIENDS
And we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth
And there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt,
And the worms did not live in us Forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,
Made up games with sticks and tennis balls and,
Although we were told it would happen,
We did not put out very many eyes...

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and
Knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just
Walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.
Those who didn't had to learn to deal With disappointment.
Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law
Was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best
Risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years
Have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility,
and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them? CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others
who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the
lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives
for our own good.

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know
how brave and lucky their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house
with scissors, doesn't it ?

The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control,
mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms
tearing up the country from one end to another,
and with the threat of swine flu and terrorist attacks.
Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' 

*forwarded email to me from Brett Spitzer 

Grace's first road trip

The second we merged into Friday rush hour traffic on the Dan Ryan, Grace started screaming bloody murder. Our hearts were hurting as we were listening to Grace's lip quiver. After we pulled over for a feeding and changing she was good to go the rest of the drive to Indianapolis. We had another great weekend with the Fiji group. Friday night was girls night; Anna, Amanda and I went out to dinner. Thank you to Amanda Vetor's parents who watched Grace and Sam so we could all hang out together at the Spitzer's house after dinner. We all met up at the Vetor's house Saturday morning for pancakes and kid craziness. This weekend was not only the first time for Anna, who is expecting baby #3, to meet Grace but it was the first time for Grace to meet Audrey, Brock, and Sam. Audrey and Brock are definitely ready for another baby in their family, which you can tell by the flip clips and pictures.  The boys and Amanda Wilson headed to Btown for a much needed night out filled with a Fiji Mom's weekend auction, IU basketball game, Nicks, Upstairs, Kilroys, and ending the night with a good old Kilroy's bread stick! Grace and I had our first night without Daddy, but we had fun girl time with Auntie Amanda and Sam. One of the best parts of the weekend was Grace sleeping 11 hours through the night on Saturday! Way to go Grace! 

Future Mr. and Mrs?

Audrey is trying to teach Grace how to play with Sam's toys...priceless!

Thanks to these boys we have a wonderful couples group!

Brusha, brusha, brusha

This is definitely my favorite video clip to date. When Grace smiles it just melts our hearts and wraps her even tighter around our fingers! If you turn off the music you can hear her giggle! Go ahead and just ignore my silly Mommy song. Oh the things you do to get your child to smile/laugh. I have the feeling this is just the beginning… 

Reminds me of a FRIENDS clip of Rachel, Ross, and Emma!  Check it out:

 

Playtime

Grace is becoming more and more alert and aware of her surroundings everyday. I just LOVE "playing" with her. She is beginning to grab on to toys if we place them in her hand.

Grace loves her Daddy

Mommy went to check out Aunt Libbie's wedding dress with Great Aunt Jeryl last night while Daddy hung out with Grace!

Watch Me Grow

 

 Love, love, LOVE these adorable Picky Sticky stickers. I first saw them on the Adley twin boys. Thanks, Kristen! I can't believe how much Grace has grown in just 2 months. Looking back at her pictures from the hospital, I think she looks like a completely different baby. I waited a while trying to get Grace to smile for her 2 month picture, but she was perfectly content just hanging out...
Who do you think Grace looks like? Mommy? Daddy? Neither? A combo of both?

Friend vs Parent

On the Today Show they were discussing the Miley Cyrus scandals and how Billy Rae Cyrus has been expressing his worst fears for his child. He says he regrets the way he parented his child...he was a friend rather than being a Dad, didn't set limits, didn't guide and didn't say no.  Now she's 18 and he says he's scared for his daughter.

My favorite quote I took from this interview was by the psychiatrist. She said it is too late for Billy Rae Cyrus to start parenting his child at age 18, but he can still say things such as,

"I can't tell you you can't do these things, but I AM going to tell you what I think."

Talk about a guilt trip line from your parent! This reminded me about how frustrated I was in middle and high school that my Mom wouldn't "be my friend." I would tell her how cool I thought it was that some of my girlfriends were friends with their Moms. She would always reply by saying, "I'm your Mother; not your friend." As a new Mom, I definitely look back and agree with her. She had a reputation for being such a strict Mom and it wasn't until I graduated form high school that I became close to her like a friend. I think she would also agree with the quote, "I can't tell you you can't do this, but I am going to tell you what I think." She will always be my Mom and tell me what she thinks, but we continue to get closer and closer the older we get!

I know Grace will eventually go through her middle school, talk back, I hate my parents (especially my Mother) phase, but I hope she always respects Michael and me and later realizes we made our decisions based on what we thought was in her best interest. Not just because it's cool, easy and because "everybody's doing it" like the Cyrus family.

I'm curious about what others think about the friend vs parenting styles...please comment with your opinions...

Essential books for Baby - Age 2

I just received an email from Amazon.com saying...

Customers who have shown an interest in children's books from Amazon.com might like to know about our new Essential Books for Children Store, where you will find age-appropriate lists of classic fiction and nonfiction books that are the building blocks of any child's library. 


Grace has 2/4 books suggested for her age group! 

 




The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon were very popular gifts given to Grace at her showers. She received several copies of each of them! Mommy's Chicago friend, Kristin Buchanan also gave Grace Good Night Chicago!

Unstoppable In Stilettos

After seeing this interview on the Nate Berkus show, I am adding Unstoppable In Stilettos...a girl living tall in an unstoppable world... to my "to read" list.

It's a good story about a woman who was born with a rare genetic disorder, Mccune-Albright syndrome. The doctors first discovered it when she was only  9 months old and began her menstrual cycle.


Her message is the importance of having to love yourself before others are able to love you too.
http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/1513/unstoppable-stilettos/

Just curious...has anyone ever read her book or heard her story? 

Infant Massage Workshop

I think this sounds fun and I have actually been reading a lot about the benefits of infant massaging lately. The instructor, Adina, was the instructor of the prenatal strength on the ball class I took at East Bank. Check out the article she wrote for more information. Infant massaging is also mentioned in the baby book I am currently reading, Happiest Baby on the Block.  Unfortunately we won't be able to go. Enjoy...

Saturday Feb 19th at Soulistic Studio from 1-2

Massaging your baby is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.  Here is a link to an article that I wrote about the benefits of Infant Massage.  http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/chicago/infantmassage.htm During a Infant Massage workshop, I  teach a massage routine that involves specific baby massage techniques, yoga/pilates stretches, and singing .   In the class we will also discuss:  Benefits Time out Signals How to comfort your newborn Interpreting Crying Simple Massage Strokes that enhance digestion, absoprtion, elimination, deeper sleep, healing, growth and development Soulistic Studio & Spa  805 Milwaukee Avenue Please call 312-226-7685 to register $35/family Chicago Il 60642

http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/chicago/infantmassage.htm 

Triathlon themed children's book

Adair, one of Libbie's closest friends and bridesmade, told me about her cousin's published children's book today and I want to share it with all of you. Michael and I think it makes more sense to get it for Grace when she's a little older. (2 months is a little early...)

The author's husband has completed several IronMan triathlons (just like Michael). All of the proceeds from the book go directly back into the world of triathlons and she's hoping to start sponsoring some kid triathlon races soon! How cool is that???

Check it out more and share with your triathlete friends who have kids if you're interested...
www.futuretriathlete.com

My Valentines

I love you, Michael James. I didn’t think it was possible to love you this much, I fall more and more in love with you every day. I’m honored to have you as my husband and father of our daughter. 

Of course I love you too, Grace. People were right when they would always tell me the love for your child is just different than the love you have toward anyone else.

Happy Valentine's Day

We split our Saturday between both Grandparent's houses. We had lunch with Grandma Patti, Papa Lon, Aunt Libbie, Great-Aunt Betsy and Great Papa Jerry. Then, we had dinner with Grammie Mo, Grandpa Den and Uncle Matt. 

Grandma Patti and Papa Lon got gave Grace the book Where Is Baby's Valentine? It was written by Karen Katz, who is one of my favorite baby book authors. Ironically, Grace gave Daddy another one of her books, Daddy Hugs.

 

Grammie Mo reading Grace her new turtle book with the help of a turtle puppet. Grammie Mo found an awesome website for finger and hand puppets! Check it out if you're interested: 

http://www.folkmanis.com/fingerpup_detail.php

Libbie and Hannah babysat Grace last night while Michael and I went out for our Valentine's Dday date. We had dinner at Niu and then to the show to see Just Go With It. Michael thought the movie was hilarious and I fell asleep about 20 minutes in. You know you're a Mom of a newborn when...

(The cider on tap at Fado's on the way, splitting a bottle of wine at dinner, and the beer at Lucky Strike probably didn't help either!)

Grace is wearing her Polo Valentine's Day outfit from Grandma and Papa Thompson. 

 Grace is smiling more and more everyday! This is the first picture I was able to take that captured her beautiful smile! What a fun and heart throbbing milestone!

Kisses from Grace to all on this very Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo

Message from future Dr. Matt

Grace's eye fact of the day: 

Her dilator muscle won't start to work until she is six months old.

Slept through the night!!!!

Grace is 8 weeks and 4 days old today and last night she slept 7.5 hours!!!!! She went down at 10 and I woke up to her baby noises at 4:00 am. By the time I walked into her room she was sound asleep so I camped out on the rocker. Of course the second I would have gotten back in bed, she would have started screaming bloody murder, but I didn't wake up to feed her until 5:30!!! 

Life is funny... a year ago I would have been bummed to get woken up so early and now I am jumping for joy that I was able to sleep in until 5:30.

I thought this day would NEVER come 2 months ago. I'm trying not to get too excited and get my hopes up for this to become her sleep schedule just yet. One can always hope and remain optimistic though...

HAPPY FRIDAY!

What happens at Grandma's...

...stays at Grandmas! :)

Four Generations

Uncle Matt...which one?

I wonder if there is anyone else out there who can say ALL of their Uncles have the same name? Our kids will all only ever have Uncle Matts (my brother, our only brother-in-law, and Michael's brother). Check out Grace's personalized sleeper from Kathy Eberle!

Uncle Matt

When Matt met his new niece in the hospital he was too nervous to hold her. He later told Maureen it was because she was too small. This picture was literally taken the second time he visited Grace. Now, he can't hold her enough. He is constantly asking if it's his turn to hold Grace! :)

First roll over

It definitely counts and once again I just happened to be recording her. I started recording because I thought I was going to catch Gumball being curious. This is my favorite flip to date!

Gumball shout out

L. Gumball has been the perfect pet around a newborn baby. When we got home from the hospital, he was more interested in playing with us than checking out our newest member of the family. The picture pretty much sums up the first hour we were home…

I spy Aunt Susan

Simon says, “Stick out your tongue!”

Grace was mimicking and interacting for her first time by sticking out her tongue. I am so excited I got her first time playing with her tongue on video!!! Yes, we are encouraging this right now! This is the only time it is appropriate for her to stick her tongue out at people.

PS Check out my parents’ dogs playing in the background…

Tummy Time

Lauren Ziemba and Aunt Libbie would be so proud of Grace’s tummy time. Babies are now supposed to sleep on their backs to decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). They have to hang out on their tummies during the day in order to develop their neck and back muscles. I try to get some tummy time in after every diaper change during the day and she loves her tummy time mat which you can see in her roll over video clip.

How big is the baby? SOOOOO big!

Thanks Samantha Vetor for lending me your amazing bouncy chair. Mommy loves how practical it is because it’s so light and can fold up and get shoved under furniture! I can’t wait to meet you in a couple of weeks!

Love, Grace

NFC Championship Game

Minutes before kickoff, Grace had a major diaper blow out while wearing her Bears good luck outfit!  Daddy always insisted Grace wore this EXACT outfit because the Bears had a winning record for her home jersey. He was even willing to have her sit through the game in her messy clothes. Mommy just smiled and put them in the washer which took the first half of the game. That’s why the Bears lost the first half, but won the second... Sorry about your knee, Cutler. Grace apologizes! 

The voice you’re hearing in the background belongs to David Miller…aka Vinny.

Papa Lon

This video clip was taken when Grace was learning how to use her pacifier and started following us with her eyes. The pacifier has been a blessing because she is definitely a sucker.   Before my Dad retired at the end of 2010, he would use his lunch breaks to come over and hold his new granddaughter. There were even times when I literally didn't see him because I was in the shower. Those are memories I will never forget and I can't wait for Grace to hear all about them!

Baby toys

Check out these cute toys that help babies discover their hands and feet! Compliments of Mrs. Zeck. :)


A couple people have asked me where they can get those toys. I found them on the BuyBuy Baby website...

Sleeping Schedule?

After Grace finished her one month growth spurt, she was starting to get into a VERY nice sleep schedule. She would go to bed anywhere from 7-9pm, not wake up until 2:30/3:00, and then go back to sleep until she woke up for the day around 7:00/8:00am.


That was then. Now it seems as if she is getting up every couple of hours again. :( She made up for it this morning when she greeted with me a smile as I was about to pick her up from her crib for the day!!!! :) Totally worth it, Grace!!!!

Welcome to the world, Grace Elizabeth

I learned how to add pictures! This is one of our favorites that was actually taken at the hospital by Bella Baby Photography. My 2nd cousin Kris made the cute pink blanket for Grace. I won't point out that I wrapped it around her inside out.

Continuing to date...

Last night Michael and I were able to go on a date to Coast Sushi thanks to Aunt Libbie and future Uncle Matt. We have been blessed with amazing family and friends who can't seem to get enough of Grace.

Michael and I have always said how we want to make an effort to continue to go out on weekly dates together. (even if that just means an hour or so at Starbucks or a work out) We are so lucky because we have been able to go out four weekends in a row. Kristin and Andrew Buchanan babysat Grace while we went out for sushi. My parents drove to the city to watch Grace while we went to the BP holiday party and to the Elpers's preparty. Last weekend Michael's parents hung out with Grace while we went to El Taco Real and surprised Matt at the Munster boy's basketball game. On a side note...the Munster boy's basketball team is currently ranked #1 in the state!

Are there any volunteers for next week? ;)

Inspiration

Thanks to Emily Weinzafel, Andrew Wilson's sister, I have been inspired to start my own blog to keep our family and friends updated on our daughter, Grace Elizabeth. Let's be honest...I've decided to try and figure out how to make a blog. Grace is going to be 8 weeks on Monday. I can't believe it has already been 2 months! They have gone by SO fast and have been pretty amazing.

First Post

Testing...testing...one...two...three...