Ideas for another day...

I really should change the name of this blog since I am really just using it as a bookmark for stuff I need to pin and can't otherwise. Anyway, next year's Christmas present for myself will be a router so I can do some cool stuff on my stair wall. This video explains how to use the bits I want to use for it. Obviously the end product won't look exactly as pictured, but I hope it looks very similar to it!

Yes, I want!

Bathe baby in 10 easy steps!

Disclaimer: I know I'm putting this non-food post on my food blog, but I didn't want to put this on my personal blog ;) So anyway, with my first two children, I hated giving baths. I got that silly little bathtub that came with its own little sprayer, which was expensive, big and bulky, hurt my back to use, and really just not an efficient way to bathe a baby. After swearing to my back that I would do my best not to inflict back pain on it again, I came up with the following solution - daddy would bathe the baby. hahaha. Yeah right... Actually, as of late, I have become pretty organized. So, the first thing I did was go to walmart and buy this cheap little caddy for around 2 bucks. I filled it with baby wash, lotion, the sponge/brush from the hospital, rash cream, vaseline, 2 hooded towels, and 4 washcloths. I put two sets of towels and washcloths just in case I'm not supermom and don't get around to doing the laundry in time for the next bath. I keep the bath stuff in the laundry room so that after the towels come out of the dryer, I just roll them up and put them back in the caddy. Then I got this primo bath seat on Amazon for under $12. Best thing ever. I have used it ever since my little guy was a newborn. Now, five months later, my little chunker just might have to graduate to the bathtub soon, or maybe he'll just have to sit in the sink ;) Another thing I have is a detachable faucet head. This allows me to rinse baby easily and adjust the water pressure so it's not too powerful. You could just use a cup or something to rinse, but this is so much easier. Here are the steps I use to ensure a smooth and simple bath routine: 1. Clean sink and put bath seat in. Make sure stuff around the sink is pushed far enough away that baby won't grab the dish brush while you're bathing them. 2. Place caddy next to the sink. It's easier to have the baby wash turned closest to the sink for easy dispensing. 3. Clear off counter and lay a thick blanket down. When my son was a newborn I put a boppy on top of the blanket. Place a hooded towel on the blanket so that after the bath you can swiftly lay them down and wrap them up. 4. Next to the towel, place a clean outfit. On top of that outfit place an open diaper. *With your bathing station all set up, you are ready to bathe baby! 5. Turn water on to correct temperature. BabyCenter website recommends bath water that is between 90 and 100 degrees F. *important* Never leave running water on baby while soaping another areas. I move the faucet so the water runs in the corner. Always feel the water as it is coming out of the faucet during rinses to ensure water doesn't change to really hot or really cold - this does happen. It only takes a second to scald baby. 6. Undress baby and gently place in bath seat. 7. Take one washcloth and place over belly and upper legs. Otherwise, you'll probably get a wet surprise ;) This also helps keep baby warm. 8. Soaping time! I usually soap the legs and move up from there, rinsing every so often so baby stays warm. I do the head second to last, then as I'm about to take baby out of the seat, I'll get his back and do an extra rinse as I'm holding him up. 9. Quickly set baby on blanket, wrap him up, dry him off, put diaper on, and get him dressed. 10. Give baby lots of kisses and enjoy the clean baby smell! *I think this goes without saying, but never take your hands off baby when you have them on the counter and never leave the sink while baby is in there. What once was a stressful experience is now a soothing and sweet time for me and my baby. Happy bathing!