Bumbo, Bumbo, Everyone Loves A Bumbo...

We have a bouncer and a highchair for Escher and they serve us well. For example, the bouncer gives me the opportunity to shower and keep an eye on Escher; Doug and I can eat dinner while Escher relaxes in his bouncer or in his highchair. However, the bouncer keeps Escher in a reclined position and limits him to the lights and toys it came with (not very interactive, if you ask me) and the highchair is technically still too big for him. He can't reach his toys on the tray very well...and the straps don't get small enough (we never leave him unattended).

Enter The Bumbo.

The Bumbo is a baby seat. The design supports the back and torso; the seat is lower than the feet, creating a passive restraint that prevents slipping and sliding! Babies who are able to hold their head up can sit unassisted (although not unattended)in a Bumbo. A friend of mine has a son that is 4 months older than Escher. Since he can sit all by himself and crawl around, we are borrowing the Bumbo for Escher.

I think it's wonderful! In it, he can sit up (and improve muscle tone and posture) and play with his toys on the Bumbo tray (sold separately). Toys that suction cup to the tray are also sold separately, but I find his toys work just fine. So what if they fall off and I have to pick them up? The Bumbo is made of a low density foam material, is lightweight (albeit, a bit bulky) and is easily transported! I can't wait to take it with to the Grandparents' houses!

As with any baby product, there are warnings...DO NOT use on a raised surface. The Bumbo is for floor level use. DO NOT leave your child unattended while in the Bumbo (or EVER, for that matter). While the Bumbo is nicknamed "The Baby Sitter," please note: it is not intended to replace a child's caregiver! The Bumbo is not a restraint, either. Babies can get out of Bumbos...stop using the seat when your child can get out of it!!! Bumbos have been recalled because of improper use. Consequently, new warnings and instructions have been sent out with Bumbos.


Recalls and foolish parents aside, the Bumbo is a great asset to our repertoire of baby gear. They can be purchased at most major box stores and also online. Prices run about $35-40 for the Bumbo and $10 for a Bumbo Tray. The company Sassy, makes suction cup baby toys that work well with the seat/tray. They also run about $10 each.

Defective Diaper Drama

My husband and I purchase diapers by the box- 192 diapers, to be exact. This comes in handy since we live an hour away from a big town and it cuts down on trash from packaging.. Upon opening the latest box, I discovered some of the diapers are missing a gusset on one side.

*** For those of you not yet versed in the ways of the diaper, this is pretty important. A gusset is an elastic piece of the diaper that helps to ensure those little (or big) messes stay IN the diaper and not oozing down the leg of your little one.***

Now, I have rarely had a good experience with customer service reps. Some take your complaint personal, some don't even pretend to care, and few leave you fully satisfied with the experience. However, the folks at Huggies gave me hope!

I found their 800 number on the side of the box and dialed, determined to make sure they did SOMETHING about the defective diapers. I was prepared for a fight! To my surprise, the call was answered by Sandy, a very cheerful and helpful woman. Sandy listened to what I had to say about the missing parts, took note of the production information on the side of the box, and informed me that they'd be mailing out coupons to replace the diapers we had bought AND a few extra for our trouble. I thanked her for her kindness and efficiency, then hung up the phone and felt...shocked. That was too easy!

So, friends, never hesitate to voice your opinion and make use of that customer service line!

Comfort food for a cool spring evening.

Sausage Gravy.
It's cheap and easy...and filling. And I'm a big fan. So I thought to pass it along to you. The following measurements are approximations; the recipe is in my head. Be forewarned, but enjoy!

Begin by frying 1lb of ground pork sausage (Sage or Spicy. If plain, add 1-2 tsp Sage to taste and crushed red pepper if you like it warm!) in a large non-stick pan. When the sausage is cooked thoroughly, create a roux by stirring in enough flour (it varies, but 3-4 TBSP is a good start) to soak up the grease left in the pan.



Cook for a few more minutes, stirring constantly over medium heat. It should look like this:


Now, add enough milk to cover the sausage, pepper to taste (fresh ground is best and I believe a good milk gravy has a peppery punch to it) and bring to a boil.



Stirring constantly, boil gravy until thickened. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes.
Serve over biscuits. I make drop biscuits with Jiffy Baking Mix. Sometimes I throw a tube of Grands biscuits in the oven if they're on sale.

Yum.

And So It Begins...

For a while, now, Doug has been encouraging me to blog. "Blog about what?" I say. I have nothing to blog about...maybe the odd rambling here or there...a recipe...a funny anecdote about changing diapers. But who doesn't have one of those? So...I'm sitting here on the floor watching the sun's rays slowly increase the glare on my computer screen- and I think, "What the heck." Escher is asleep. The dishes are done. I'll blog.

Now. What to blog about, today?

Last night, Doug and I took our son, Escher, to the Danny Schmidt concert at KAXE. On any other day, Escher would have loved the live music- and even stayed asleep through the clapping and whistles. However, yesterday, The Young M.C. had a pretty nasty tummy ache develop as we drove into Grand Rapids. We lasted a few songs...but I couldn't keep Escher from fussing. He wouldn't nurse...wouldn't sleep...and wasn't even distracted by Dad's scat improv. So we hightailed it out of town and headed home. There is always another concert! All was not lost, however. We saw the most amazing sunset on the way home. Bright lavender, fuchsia, coral and gold washed across the sky as the sun went down. I made an attempt to capture the moment on camera...but we couldn't stop the car and the windshield was a bit dirty...so the pictures don't do justice to reality. Isn't that always true?

That's all for now- still getting a feel for the art of blogging.

Cheers!