Benjamin Moore's "Jack Frost"
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The Baby Product Industry
I was recently listening to my favorite radio station, NPR. I think it might have been Science Friday (a gem of a show for nerds who love learning like me). They were talking about how the universe is limitless--without end. The speaker was contrasting this concept to our world's borders in which everything has an end eventually (if you keep traveling you'll come to the end of a city or state or country). The universe, in comparison, has no end at all but keeps unfolding onto itself. Hard concept to grasp....until you enter the realm of the BABY PRODUCT industry as a new mom.
The baby product racket is endless like the universe itself. This is a double-edge sword, of course. On the bright side, there are endless choices that have been rated, tested, reviewed, and revised--all promising to make life better for the parents or your baby. I have always been glad to have been born in this modern-age (medical advances, technology that connects us, etc) and so I embrace the opportunities that my child will have that I didn't or my parents didn't as children.
Yet, there is a nagging part of me that asks, "But people have been having babies for centuries and they never had any of these things??" For instance, the wipe warmer. Sounds like a luxury for baby but do I really need to spend $30 to keep my baby's a$$ from experiencing the cold swipe of a wipe. There is also the need that I feel to read about research all the products for which I am registering. Currently, I am reading 2 books that help guide the new parent in their product selection. Helpful-yes. Overwhelming and anxiety-producing-yes! I overplan for weekend trips so imagine what kind of investigation I am putting into this endeavor. (SIDE NOTE: I always promised myself that I would read Anna Karenina when I became pregnant and I have neglected this enjoyable pursuit with only 100 days left in this pregnancy!) Lastly, I don't even know my son yet and I am already guessing what his preferences will be. Sure, lots of babies love to be swaddled but what if HE hates it? What if he doesn't like a certain pacifier or bottle? Or he hates the stroller (I really hope this doesn't happen because walking is going to be THE way that I lose all of this weight I have gained)? All what-ifs, an endless amount of what-ifs!!
Coming back to the universe-baby product industry analogy, I guess I have to resign myself to the idea that life is full of these endless possibilities and that all I can do as a new momma is to make my best guess at what our new life will like and be like. Keeping in mind that these are just guesses and embrace the discovery that will happen when he finally comes.
The baby product racket is endless like the universe itself. This is a double-edge sword, of course. On the bright side, there are endless choices that have been rated, tested, reviewed, and revised--all promising to make life better for the parents or your baby. I have always been glad to have been born in this modern-age (medical advances, technology that connects us, etc) and so I embrace the opportunities that my child will have that I didn't or my parents didn't as children.
Yet, there is a nagging part of me that asks, "But people have been having babies for centuries and they never had any of these things??" For instance, the wipe warmer. Sounds like a luxury for baby but do I really need to spend $30 to keep my baby's a$$ from experiencing the cold swipe of a wipe. There is also the need that I feel to read about research all the products for which I am registering. Currently, I am reading 2 books that help guide the new parent in their product selection. Helpful-yes. Overwhelming and anxiety-producing-yes! I overplan for weekend trips so imagine what kind of investigation I am putting into this endeavor. (SIDE NOTE: I always promised myself that I would read Anna Karenina when I became pregnant and I have neglected this enjoyable pursuit with only 100 days left in this pregnancy!) Lastly, I don't even know my son yet and I am already guessing what his preferences will be. Sure, lots of babies love to be swaddled but what if HE hates it? What if he doesn't like a certain pacifier or bottle? Or he hates the stroller (I really hope this doesn't happen because walking is going to be THE way that I lose all of this weight I have gained)? All what-ifs, an endless amount of what-ifs!!
Coming back to the universe-baby product industry analogy, I guess I have to resign myself to the idea that life is full of these endless possibilities and that all I can do as a new momma is to make my best guess at what our new life will like and be like. Keeping in mind that these are just guesses and embrace the discovery that will happen when he finally comes.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Getting Bigger by the Day!
This looks like I have a black eye, but I assure you that I am fine!
Baby's big bro and sis having some fun together...
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