Love at first sight
Hello, welcome to Austin Baby Planner’s Blog.
We are grateful to live in Austin and want to share our unique services.
In our blog you will find book lists, articles, recalls, and resources we find noteworthy to help families become organized and prepared in Central Texas.
Pictured is Jen’s chihuahua and her adorable little girl. Enjoy:
How has becoming a parent changed me?
Ha. Even in that question, I see humor. There’s no way to delineate all of the ways it has. Basically – it’s changed everything.
You see your friends become parents who do something to/for/with their kids that you wholeheartedly don’t approve of and think – “Oh, I’ll never do that,” or you think the opposite – “Wow… they do that so well… Need to remember that one.” Well, now that I’m a parent, I can say that it has literally and figuratively brought me to my knees. I am truly humbled by the enormousness of it all while I am cleaning up my baby girl’s poop from our semi-new carpet.
It’s such a cliche, but when your friends say, “You never know what its like to be a parent until you become one,” you should take them very, very seriously.
Now that I’m a parent, I feel far less judgmental towards other parents, and fully understand how we’re really all just doing the best we can. Now that I’m a parent, I know that there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Now that I’m a parent, I’ve discovered that carving out time for myself just to think without someone asking me to play or participate is a huge challenge. Now that I’m a parent, I have experienced many nights of no sleep crying and praying… on my knees for my baby to get better and for a few hours of decent rest. Now that I’m a parent, I’ve loved how I’ve grown in my relationship with my partner Phil. Now that I’m a parent, I know how fallible I am.
This post could easily be a thousand pages long, if I continue to discuss how parenting has changed me – and Phil too. Ultimately, it has changed both of us tremendously. It has shaken us and thrilled us. We have gone from that terrifying feeling of having absolutely no idea of how to soothe a newborn, to the excitement of starting the whole process over again.
And the emotions… the range of emotions… is amazing.
I love to watch my husband marvel at our daughter.
I regret how I have occasionally lost my temper and cursed in front of my daughter. (Of course, I apologized).
I have tried to put myself in her shoes and ask myself what emotions like these could be like to a 2 year-old brain! I’m a therapist – and know that emotions are scary for anyone – but to a two year-old?!? As another mother told me you have to step back and recognize that it’s important for a child to learn that there is a range of emotions and that the tough ones can be resolved.
My friend Leigh asks whether or not she should kid. Well, I certainly can’t answer that for her. I will say, it’s quite a balancing act… balancing time to connect with your partner, your child, your self. It isn’t easy. Whoever said it is is lying. I think more people are acknowledging that now. I’ve read discussions about how hard parenting is these days… especially for women trying to “have it all,” and recalling how the picture of parenting was always painted as blissful.
Parenting is not all bliss – but neither is life. Fortunately, dads today are far more involved in parenting than most of our fathers ever dreamed of being – and that does in fact make things easier.
So as for Leigh kidding – only she can make that decision. As for me, I’ve enjoyed the process of learning how to be a parent who doesn’t beat themselves up, and respecting myself for doing the best that I can.
There are so many recalls we are just going to number them. Yes, we will add photos of each product, so you can check and double check your baby items. Each recall has been sent out by consumer reports and we want you to have the information! Recommending the safest and most unique gear for your family is part of our mission.
1. Musical Wooden Table Toys Recalled by Battat Due to Choking Hazard
Name of Product: Musical Wooden Table Toys
Hazard: Small pegs on the xylophone toy can loosen and detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Battat have received nine reports of loose and detached pegs. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Battat’s Musical Wooden Table toys. The table has a green painted surface and colorful instruments affixed to the top. The table stands about 7 1/2-inches tall and has three supporting legs. Instruments on the table include a xylophone, cymbal, drum and two drumsticks.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Battat to receive a free replacement product.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Battat at (800) 247-6144 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.battatco.com
2. Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
Name of Product: Drop-side cribs
Hazard: The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches, a hazardous gap is created between the drop-side rail and the crib mattress in which infants and toddlers can become wedged or entrapped, posing risks of suffocation and strangulation. In addition, children can fall out of the crib when the drop-side rail falls unexpectedly or detaches from the crib. Drop-side rail failures can also occur due to incorrect assembly or with age-related wear and tear.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and the firm are aware of 21 incidents involving drop sides that failed or detached. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves wooden drop-side cribs with hidden drop-side hardware. The cribs were sold in various colors. Model numbers 202647, 211047 and 272547 are included in this recall. The cribs were sold separately and as part of the “City Lights,” “Fairy Tales” and “Dormez Vous” furniture collections. “Shermag” is printed on a tag on the mattress springs. The model numbers can be found on stickers and warning labels on the crib’s headboard or footboard.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact the firm to request a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop-side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Shermag at (800) 567-3419 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.shermag.com
Important Message from CPSC: CPSC reminds parents not to use any crib with missing, broken or loose parts. Make sure to tighten hardware from time to time to keep the crib sturdy. When using a drop-side crib, parents should check to make sure the drop side or any other moving part operates smoothly. Always check all sides and corners of the crib for parts separating that can create a gap and entrap a child. In addition, do not try to repair any side of the crib. Babies have died in cribs where repairs were attempted by caregivers. Crib age is a factor in safety. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you do not use a crib that is older than 10 years old. Effective June 28, 2011, new, mandatory federal crib rules require that all cribs manufactured and sold after that date must meet new and improved safety requirements (pdf). Older cribs do not meet the new standard and can have a variety of safety problems. Check if your crib has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov
3.IKEA Recalls Children’s Folding Tent Due to Laceration and Puncture Hazards
Name of Product: BUSA children’s folding tent
Hazard: The steel wire frame of the tent can break, producing sharp wire ends that can protrude through the tent fabric, posing a laceration or puncture hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Three incidents were reported, including one injury.
Description: This recall involves a cube-shaped children’s folding tent with model number 90192009. The brand name BUSA and IKEA and the model number are printed on a sewn-in label attached to an interior seam in the tent. The tent frame is made of flat steel wire and the tent material is pale green polyester fabric with turquoise, pink and white trim. The tent’s dimensions are: L 28 1/4, W 28 1/4, H 28 1/4.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take it away from children and return it to their nearest IKEA store for a full refund.
4. Jogging Strollers Recalled by B.O.B. Trailers Due to Choking Hazard
Name of Product: B.O.B.(r) single and double strollers
Hazard: The stroller canopy’s embroidered logo’s backing patch can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies and young children.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received six reports of children mouthing the detached patch. Gagging and choking were reported in two incidents. The backing was removed from the children’s mouth without injury. In each of the reported incidents, the children were seated in an infant car seat attached to the stroller.
Description: This recall involves all B.O.B. strollers manufactured between November 1998 and November 2010. Strollers manufactured after October 2006 have a white label affixed to the back of the stroller’s leg with the manufacturing date. Strollers with no manufacturing date listed were produced prior to October 2006 and are included in this recall. The strollers were sold in single seat and double-seat models. The BOB(r), Ironman(r) or Stroller Strides(r) brand name is embroidered on the canopy of the strollers.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers until they remove the embroidery backing patch from the interior of the canopy’s logo. Consumers should contact B.O.B. Trailers for instructions on removing the backing.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact B.O.B. Trailers toll-free at (855) 242-2245 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.bobnotices.com
5. LittleLife Baby Carriers Recalled by Lifemarque Due to Fall Hazard
Name of Product: LittleLife Discoverer Child Carriers
Hazard: The carriers were sold without bolts that attach the carrier’s main frame to the metal stand. Missing bolts cause the carrier to disconnect from the stand and fall backwards, posing a fall hazard to a child in the carrier.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves LittleLife Discoverer child carriers. “LittleLife” is printed on the back of the carriers. Number LS55060 is printed on a tab sewn underneath the care label. The carriers are green and gray with a black metal frame at the back with a folding leg bracket to enable the carriers to stand.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the carriers and check to make sure there are two bolts on each side where the carrier’s main frame attaches to the metal stand. If the bolts are missing, contact LittleLife for a free replacement product.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the firm toll-free at (877) 922-5462 between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email the firm at customer.services@littlelife.co.uk or visit the firm’s website at www.littlelife.com
6. Guidecraft Recalls Twist ‘n Sort Toys Due to Choking Hazard
Name of Product: Twist and Sort Toys
Manufacturer: Guidecraft Inc., of Winthrop, Minn.
Hazard: The small pegs on three of the four posts can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves Twist ‘n Sort wooden toys. The toy has a square base, four posts and twelve primary-colored game pieces that can be arranged to fit over the posts. Product number “712″ is printed on underside of base.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys from children and contact Guidecraft to receive a replacement or another product of equal value.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Guidecraft toll-free at (888) 824-1308 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.guidecraft.com
7. Target Recall Children’s Frog Masks Due to Suffocation Hazard
Name of Product: Children’s Frog Masks
Hazard: The plush frog masks lack proper ventilation. When secured in place across a child’s face, it presents a suffocation hazard to the child.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves child-sized frog-themed animal masks. The plush mask is green with yellow and red highlights. There are two eye cutouts and a green elastic band with a fastener used to secure the mask at the back of the child’s head. UPC code 06626491474 is printed on a label attached to the mask.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take masks from young children and return the product to any Target store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: Contact: For additional information, contact Target Guest Relations at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.target.com
Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
The Pregnancy and Childbirth Series by Dr. William Sears
Breastfeeding
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, La Leche League Publication
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman and Teresa Pittman
For Children
A Baby on the Way by Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears
How You Were Born by Joanna Cole and Margaret Miller
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
Being Born by Sheila Kitzinger
Recommended Authors
Dr. William Sears
Ina May Gaskin
Sheila Kitzinger
Penny Simkin
September 28, 2011
Release #11-334
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 321-0183
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Little Tikes Expands Recall of Toy Workshop and Tool Sets Due to Choking Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Little Tikes(r) Workshop and Tool Sets
Units: More than 1.7 million additional units (about 1.6 million toy workshop sets and trucks with the same toy nails were recalled in August 2009)
Manufacturer: Little Tikes, of Hudson, Ohio
Hazard: The recalled workshop and tool sets have oversized, plastic toy nails that can pose a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has reported two additional incidents, occurring prior to the August 2009 recall, of children who choked when the toy nail became lodged in their throat. Both children were treated in a hospital and made a full recovery.
Description: This recall involves the toy nails sold as part of 11 additional models of Little Tikes(r) Workshop and tool sets listed below. The toy nails are oversized, plastic, and about 3 1/4 inches long by 1 1/4 inch in diameter. The nails are either red or blue and have a large round head; below the nail head there is a plastic ridge, slightly smaller than the nail head and about 1 inch in diameter. The model number may be found on some of the products.
Sold by: Mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1990 through 2004 for between $25 and $100.
Manufactured in: United States and China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the toy nails away from young children and contact the firm for free replacement toy nails.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Little Tikes at (800) 321-0183 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.littletikes.com
Model # | Name | Sold
4491 | Workshop | 1994 – 1995
4601 | Deluxe Workshop | 1996 – 1999
0827 | Carry Along Workshop | 1997 – 1998
4765 | Revv ‘n Roar Mechanics Workshop | 1997 – 1999
0627 | Carry Along Tool Caddy | 1996 – 2002
4174 | Home Center Workshop | 2001 – 2002
4789 | Workbench | 1997 – 1998
4071 | Little Tikes Workshop | 1990 – 1994
0014 | Kohl’s Workshop Tool Set | 2000
4497 | Menard’s Home Center Workshop | 2003 – 2004
4201 | Action Power Workshop | 2002 – 2004
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11334.html
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September 28, 2011
Release #11-335
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (305) 622-7122 collect
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
LM Import & Export Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Toy cars
Units: About 1,900
Manufacturer: LM Import & Export, Inc., of Miami, Fla.
Distributor: Mega Wholesales Corporation, of Miami, Fla.
Hazard: Surface paint on the toy cars contains excessive levels of lead, a violation of the federal lead paint standard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The products are sold in packages of four or six toy cars which are painted in silver, black or blue with red stickers with “super,” “max” and “racing” labeled on the top and sides of the cars. The 4″ plastic car sets have item numbers “43835″ and “43836″ printed on a white label on the back of the cardboard packaging. “Gallop X” or “RACING CARS” is also printed on the product packaging.
Sold exclusively at: Mega Wholesale stores throughout Miami, Florida from September 2010 through January 2011 for between about $2 and $3 per set.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take these toys away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LM Import & Export collect at (305) 622-7122 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. LM Import & Export will accept collect calls.
To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11335.html
By Sonya Fehér, on May 23rd, 2009
Earlier this month I wrote Running on Empty about feeling mama burn out. It was a hard blog post to write. I felt ashamed. I felt like a failure. I felt worried that motherhood was going to turn out like so many other jobs I’ve had: fun and interesting at first, then drudgery. It took me two days to write the post because I kept editing my feelings. If I just cut the words, maybe I could delete the feelings too. I wrote while my toddler son napped in the next room. I kept walking in to look at him, so peaceful while he was sleeping. I kept willing him to sleep longer, give me more time. On the second day, right after I’d clicked the button to submit my post, he woke up sad. He clung to me and cried. Maybe he’d had a bad dream. Maybe he’d picked up on all of my conflicted feelings while he slept. I was sure that if he were old enough to read what I’d written, he would feel betrayed. Maybe all of that was true, or maybe I was just finding one more way to not give myself a break.
I needed a vacation from my mama job, which wasn’t realistic. Getting a vacation from my state of mind, however, was absolutely possible. Just admitting to myself (and those who read the blog post) how burned out I was feeling helped. It helped me to understand what was contributing to my exhaustion. It helped me acknowledge my feelings and give myself some space to actually feel them. The comments on the post offered me some great suggestions to renew balance. I tried those and some more. And I’m really starting to feel good again, having fun with my son, being more creative about how to spend our time so our life together doesn’t feel like the movie Groundhog Day.
Maybe some of what has worked with me will work for you.
By Sonya Fehér, on December 2nd, 2009
A whole lot of my friends are either pregnant or have just had babies so I’ve been referring to this list a lot. Thought it was time for a repost of these resources I was grateful for or wish I’d had when we brought the baby home from the hospital. Better yet, I wish I’d at least skimmed through them before the baby arrived so I’d know what resources were available. So here’s my list, in no particular order.
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by Drs. William, James, & Robert Sears, & Martha Sears, R.N. A friend gave me Baby 411 when Cavanaugh was born. it was supposed to be a resource for the baby’s first year. I hated it. It was simplistic, didn’t offer enough explanation, and most of the advice clashed with every instinct I had about how to parent my child. I was so grateful when I found The Baby Book. It’s a comprehensive guide with a great index and detailed table of contents so I could find just about anything I needed to know, whether it was a reminder about how to burp my baby or a question about how to take a rectal temperature.
For all you new parents, congratulations!!! You have just begun one of the most fulfilling journeys I know of. Happy parenting!
Any great books or other resources for new parents that I missed? Please let me know!
