nash vogeltanz

From time to time I like to post some of my random thoughts here to share with whomever wants to read them. I won’t promise that they will be profound or even make any sense, but share them I will.

-Emily Vogeltanz

July 5, 2008–I’ve Been Watching you dad…

I am unashamedly a big time country music fan. This week I heard a super cheesy song called Watching You that basically tells the story of how a little boy watches his father and does whatever he does. And as cheesy as the song is, it really struck a chord with me (no pun intended!). It’s amazing how our children really do watch everything we are doing and begin to mimic the good and the bad.

At 10 months now, Nash is already picking up on our reactions and mannerisms. I saw two funny examples of Nash mimicing us this week. Bryson and I recently gave Nash an old TV remote control to play with because he LOVES buttons. One morning he pulled it out of his toy basket and began playing with it while I was getting his breakfast ready. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him begin to crawl into the living room and closer to the TV. He then pointed the remote at the television as if to change the channel. When it didnt work he hit it a few times and tried again. It was hilarious to watch him make the connection that the remote went with (in theory) the TV…and then it made me sad. Apparently Nash has seen mom and dad watch a little TV in his lifetime! (I promise we aren’t couch potatoes!)

The second example happened just yesterday when Nash was playing with a toy that made a ringing sound similar to a phone ringing. Now, Nash is completely fascinated by our cell phones. He immediately squeeled with excitement, pressed the toy against his mouth and tried talking into it saying “hellooo hellooooo” in his baby babble. Again really really funny, but also sad that he has picked up that that is the proper response when something rings. I guess the little guy has been watching mom and dad!

It’s a silly story, but a good reminder that our little people are sponges and are constantly absorbing all that is around them…challenging me to be more aware of the things I say and do in my day to day life. What an amazing responsibility we have been given as parents!

June 4, 2008–Some “helpful” baby instructions.

I think it is true that every new mom has a few fears about bringing home their baby and not knowing the exact “right” way of doing things. Besides, it’s not like the baby come with an instruction manual and if you ask 10 different moms you will get 10 different answers on how to do it “right”! So, I came across these very “helpful” baby instructions today and laughed so hard. I think you will agree with this advice! I hope they bring a smile to your face too…

May 10, 2008– MY TOP 10 FAVORITE BABY ITEMS (YEAR ONE)

It is hard to believe that Nash is almost 9 months old! Time has flown by. A lot of new mom’s ask me what my “must haves” are when it comes to getting ready for baby. Well, I am not sure about “must haves” (every mom is so different!) but here are 10 of my very favorite items that have made life a little easier for us! Let me know your “must have” items!

Listed in no particular order…

1. A GREAT NEWBORN ROUTINE: “Dr. Denmark Said It” and “The Well Fed, Well Rested Baby”.

This could be a post in itself! Nash has thrived on the Dr. Denmark routine. She is the oldest living pediatrician (now 110 years old!) and her methods are tried and true. We started it the week he came home and have stuck with it…it has been awesome! I definitely suggest these resources to my friends. The book is a great resource and the DVD is excellent as well (amateur and a little cheesy, but GREAT information.). Both available at www.DrDenmarkSaidIt.com

2. HABA TOYS

I love these classic wooden toys. I am not a fan of plastic/light up/loud toys that require batteries (though a few have made it in to Nash’s toy chest!). These are the best out there! Made in Germany (not china! no lead in these toys!!) and great designs. Melissa & Doug wooden toys are nice too, but I have found that the paint chips off their toys so I prefer Haba. (www.Oompa.com has a great selection. Also available in boutique toy stores)

3. SKIP HOP DIAPER CHANGER WALLET

Before Nash arrived I seriously stressed over what the perfect diaper bag would be. Now 8 months in to being a mom I rarely even carry a diaper bag! I found that this compact + stylish little wallet was all I really needed: diapers, wipes, changing pad and enough room to stash an extra onesie. Through it in your large purse and, TA-DA! Who needs to lug around a big diaper bag? (Note: I do have a diaper bag– it is a Timbuk2 messenger bag that isnt ‘baby’ at all and bryson will even carry it proudly when we do need to have a diaper bag handy. (Available at Target stores)

4. BOTTLES: PLAYTEX DROP-IN’s

I originally registered and received the whole line of Avent baby bottles, but after a little research discovered that they contain high levels of BPA chemical so I quickly packed those away and found an alternative. The Playtex bottles aren’t cool looking, but they are way practical. The liners are BPA free and recyclable so I feel great about using them. I actually buy the generic Target brand of the liners to save a few bucks. I love these because they are already sterile so you dont have to waste precious time sterilizing the bottles. Glass bottles are a great alternative too. (Available at Target, Kroger, Walmart, etc.)

5. A GREAT BOUNCY CHAIR: COMBI ACTIVITY ROCKER

I love this chair because it is neutral in color and practical in function. Simple. We used it the first 7 months of Nash’s life until he recently outgrew it. It is a great chair…and you can feel okay about leaving out because it is so neutral in color! (Available at Target.com

6. QUALITY CLOTHES: TEA COLLECTION

Somewhere along the way we decided we would rather have a few nicer clothing items for Nash (and ourselves!) than a lot of outfits we didnt really like. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Tea Collection of clothes for boys. They are cool looking, extremely comfortable, interchangeable, and wash + wear GREAT! Nash lives in these clothes! (Available at www.TeaCollection.com and kid boutique stores

7. BIBS: IKEA KLADD BIBS

I never realized how many bibs I would go through! Nash was a drooler so he had one on constantly! I love these bibs because they are cheap (5 for $3.99) and SIMPLE! Why baby merchandisers think everything has to have little pictures of creatures or stupid sayings on everything they manufacture is beyond me! I love these bibs because they are just white with a simple trim. I bought about 5 packs of these and LOVE them! (Available at Ikea stores)

8. A GREAT MONITOR: VIDEO MONITOR

This is probably my favorite item! It was a bit pricey but well worth it for us. Nash’s room was on the second floor so this monitor saved me a lot of trips up stairs in the middle of the night to check on him. It is also really fun to watch now that Nash is bigger and funny when he wakes up talking and laughing. (Available at Target Stores)

9. GOOD CONTAINERS: JARS AND BASKETS

It’s the simple things in life! I love having cool jars to store Nash’s powder formula and rice cereal so my kitchen doesnt look like it has been taken over by a baby. It also makes feeding time easy since everything is at arms reach in the kitchen. Baskets are a must have too…for toys, bottles, bibs, socks, etc. They keep everything organized and looking good! (Available at Target, Walmart, etc.

10. EXERSAUCER: BABY EINSTEIN DISCOVER & PLAY ENTERTAINER

Bryson and I TRY to be minimalist when it comes to baby gear but we eventually broke down and got this…and we have LOVED it! Nash started playing in it around month 4 and still enjoys it even though he is crawling and pulling up on things. It is big and very “baby” but we hide it when company comes over! (Available at Target and other baby stores. Also currently on sale at Sam’s club)

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12.21.07 Note: So apparently I have had a lot of time to think and not so much time for typing. Sorry to those of you who consistently check this part of the site and are routinely disappointed in my non-existent thoughts.

-Emily

12.21.07 | Projectile Vomit.
I am convinced that God gave babies the amazing ability to smile so their mothers would not toss them out the window when the baby projectile vomits across the room and all over the mama. The precious look on your baby’s face after he does this (accidental) deed is so sweet that, for a moment, you somehow forget you are covered in thrown up bananas and green beans. Nash always smiles the sweetest smile with big eyes looking at me in relief. I wonder at what age a smile doesn’t make up for the vomit? Something to ponder…

-Emily

11.01.07 | A father and son.
One of my favorite moments each day is after the 6PM feeding when Nash is in an exceptionally good mood and I hand him over to Bryson, his father. I then disappear into our bedroom for a few moments of alone time, for breathing space, to take a shower for the first time all day, or just to escape for a brief moment. When I return from my retreat, peeking around the corner, I love to spy on Bryson and Nash for a few moments and watch them interact. A father and his son. A smile beams from my face watching them. Bryson loving Nash and Nash returning the love with a giant grin. A grown man making funny high pitched noises and silly faces, anything to bring delight to his little boy. Sometimes when I turn the corner I find Bryson laid out on the couch, feet dangling over the edge and arms wrapped around Nash draped over his chest like a blanket, both of them fast asleep. It’s a nearly perfect moment watching them rest together. I secretly wish our couch was bigger so I could slide in beside them unnoticed and join in with their slow sleepy breaths.
I love knowing that our life will be filled with many father and son moments that I will get to watch from a distance and up close–both with such pride. I hope Nash grows up longing to play with Bryson, to just be wherever he is, and longing to be like him - -his hero. Bryson is a great dad, a natural. He was made for this. I look forward to years full of precious…and adventurous moments for this father and son. I am a blessed wife and mother to have both of these beautiful boys in my life.

-Emily

10.3.07 | Success Redefined.

I am learning that success is defined differently when you become a parent, especially a mom. In pre-baby life, success for me was defined by the amount of emails sent, phone calls made, items marked off my to-do list, meetings and projects completed. Today, success is measured in the number of dirty diapers changed, whether or not the baby goes down for his nap without crying, feedings, making it through a 30 minute trip to the grocery store, getting my baby to smile at me, or on a really good day…if I get to take a shower and dry my hair, that is success in my new life. Oh, and if I get the laundry done or dinner on the table by the time my husband gets home…wow, I feel like I am a superstar!

I used to wonder why my friends went MIA when they had a baby. I couldn’t understand what they could possibly be doing ALL DAY LONG in their house with the baby! How bored they must be. Now I know. Now I understand.

It’s not good or bad…it’s just different. I am adjusting to this new life and learning much about myself and joys of living at a different pace. I am sure over the next weeks and months things will change as I will get more used to this new pattern of life and figure out how to accomplish more in a day and the old Emily will weave itself into this new role. But for now…for today…I am a successful mom because my baby hasn’t cried in the time it has taken me to write this post. And that is enough to make me smile. -Emily