New Mommy Files, Part 8

Raine is off to the grandparents for the week. I’m just getting back from dropping her off—a six-hour roundtrip. You do what you gotta do these days. So I’m anxious to see how disciplined I can be this week to get a lot accomplished. Everything from paying bills to cleaning to shaving my legs. Hey, speaking of mommy maintenance, I found a great product— Heel Balm by Flexitol—if your heels are getting a little crusty. I admit mine are a bit cracked. I blame walking the NYC streets in flip-flops.

I’m on the hunt for some great baby products, too. I would love to go natural with Raine. Wouldn’t that be great? But let’s be realistic: It ain’t happening. If anyone can spread the knowledge about lotions or hair products for babies that you really like I’d appreciate it. I want to find products the whole family can use. We do use (including baby Raine) Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Oil. Love it! And at $18 it’s worth it with the three of us rubbing it on.

Since the last post Raine’s two bottom teeth have really popped through and she is trying to sit up alone. She’s almost there. The teeth are dangerous though. I still try to breastfeed Raine at night, but she bit me so hard that I am seriously reconsidering. At five months she is also eating solid foods. Just a few tablespoons of rice cereal a day. She loves it. Most of it ends up on her face, but she grabs the spoon and shoves it in her mouth. She loves food and sleep. Now that’s my girl!

Speaking of food, I’m trying to eat better. I’ve cut back on the bread and try to snack more sensibly. I just can’t eat half a pizza anymore. The Windsor Pilates DVD I bought is fun, though I haven’t done it enough to see a difference yet.

I miss Raine already. I’m home alone. Hopefully Daddy will be home most of this week so we can have some couple time. It is work keeping that alive! All the touchy-touchy goes to Raine. She gets all of the hugs and all of the kisses. Her dad is absolutely in love with her. She may be the only woman in the entire world who can get this man to jump at her command! I’m a little jealous. I read that the transfer of affection goes to the baby in many cases. I didn’t believe it but it is so true. Your touch quota really gets filled up with the baby.

So a lot needs to be accomplished this week--cleaning, organizing, life planning, date time...all around the work schedule. I’ll let you know how it goes. And please, you other mothers out there, share with me how you keep the home fires burning!

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion
mcaster@heartandsoul.com