Mesh Baby Feeder Showdown

I had never heard of mesh feeders until my BFF insisted I register for one. I owe her a lot for the suggestion, because we are obsessed with it! We put everything in it from cookies to fresh or frozen fruit (frozen is great for a teething baby) and I don't have to worry about my son choking on huge pieces of food (although, you should never leave a child alone with the feeder according to the instructions.) I attach the mesh feeder to a pacifier clip so he can't drop it on the floor and it does wonders to occupy Andrew when we are out at a restaurant and I'd like to feed myself for a change!  

In addition to the one I did register for while with said friend, I got two other kinds of mesh feeders at my baby shower. I used each one until I got to the one that I really loved--the one that my above mentioned BFF actually bought for me, the Sassy Teething Feeder:

The Sassy feeder is awesome because it comes with its own cover, it is super easy to wash and replace the feeder's mesh bag (be sure to buy extras--my friend bought me like 20), and it has a freezable liquid bubble in the top section to keep cold foods cold. The feeder also has a super secure locking mechanism that requires you to squeeze two buttons on each side of the top (shown in yellow in the picture at right) and twist the top into place. Your baby isn't getting this thing open regardless of how much of a genius he is (or, by the time he can open it, he'll have a full set of teeth anyway.) Its around $6.

The Designs 2-U Baby Safe Feeder was my least favorite of the mesh feeders I recieved. I tried this feeder out first and was liking it--it was easy to clean and open and came with mesh replacements--but the ease of opening is because it has no safety locking mechanism! This new mommy didn't even think about the possible dangers this feeder could pose until I was out at a restaurant with a friend who pointed out that my son had unscrewed the feeder top and was attempting to chomp on some frozen blueberries. Scary! That doesn't seem "Baby Safe" to me! Needless to say, this feeder went in the garbage. $10.50 for 2.

I tried the Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder out second because it is super cute and has a locking mechanism. The only problem with the locking mechanism was that I couldn't even open it without hurting myself! It looks like Munchkin realized this was a problem because the feeders pictured at right have a different lock than mine did. What isn't different is that you cannot remove the mesh bag on the Munchkin Feeder which makes cleaning them a nightmare. No go. Around $6 for a 2-pack.

So... save yourself the showdown in your home and get a Sassy! It will change your life (is that a bit dramatic?) :)



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Wednesday Weight In & Semi-Wordless Wednesday!

I started the Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred on Sept 30 and man has it been kicking my ass, but I've only lost .2 lbs this week! I guess its better than losing nothing at all... and I guess I could be gaining muscle weight... but I want Jillian Michael's abs right now!

Ok, obviously I know this process is going to take time. And I know that last night's peanut butter from the jar bender isn't helping me out either. So, to keep up with the accountability, here's my stats for the week.

Current Weight: 144 (-.2 lbs from last week)
Mini Goal Weight: 135 - pre-pregnancy weight [9 lbs to go!]
Ultimate Goal Weight: 122 lbs - wedding weight [22 lbs to go!]

Total Weight Loss: .2 lbs

Now that we've got that business out of the way, how about a silly Wordless Wednesday video featuring my babbling baby boy? (Alliteration! My elementary school language arts teacher would be proud.)

Enjoy!

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Book Review: A Dog's Purpose

Forge Books; Hardcover;
July 2010; $10.49 on
Amazon or free at your
locat library! 

If you have ever loved a dog, you must read New York Times bestseller, A DOG'S PURPOSE by W. Bruce Cameron. Written from the point of view of a dog who continues to be reborn until he finds his true life's purpose, this novel is so amazingly touching and witty--I laughed and cried the whole novel through.

Really, how lucky are humans that such a pet exists, one who lives just to make us happy and hear "good dog" from our lips? I put down this book with a new appreciation for every past and present canine in my life--and I made a promise to treat those around today with more patience and understanding. (After all, like the dog in the book, they truly don't understand why we leave to go to that thing we call "work" and why the delicious smelling "garbage" is off limits!)

And, just in case you're wondering if a book written from the point of view of a dog is juvenile or annoying, I must answer with a vehement "NO!" There are so many beautiful passages in A DOG'S PURPOSE, from the peaceful way the dog accepts each death, to his yearning for one special owner who he remembers and misses even as he lives other lives. And the innocent way the canine protagonist talks about cats, that peculiar "wrestling game" male and female dogs play, and more will make you laugh out loud.

Read this gorgeous book--it is one of those rare ones you'll carry with you in your heart and talk to all of your friends about! There's a website for the book HERE if you'd like to learn more. (You'll see that there is a rave review from Temple Grandin!)

**Disclosure: I received this book from a colleague at publisher Forge Books. I worked at Forge years ago, but the opinions in this review are by no means swayed by that fact. You'll realize this once you read the book!**

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Wednesday Weigh-in

I have been so terribly bad about eating healthy and getting back into shape after having Andrew, so I've decided to punish myself with "Wednesday Weigh-in" posts. Sorry if it seems that I'm punishing you all as well, my blogger friends!

I should have listened to my OB/GYN and only gained 30-35 lbs when I was pregnant with Andrew. 40 lbs actually came off like a breeze after birth and breastfeeding. But, now I'm stuck with the extra 10 I gained and I've only got my bad eating and exercising habits to blame. My husband and I have had way too many trips to fast food joints recently and my exercise schedule is...  well, its non-existent. I mean, I totally did buy Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred like 4 months ago, but never even put it in the dvd player!

So, this week has started with me tracking my calories on MyFitnessPal.com (try it out--it is free and there are message boards and friends ala Facebook) and ordering hand weights so that I can start the Shred tomorrow. Please send lots of luck, willpower, and continued 2-hr morning naps for Andrew my way!

Here are the starting stats so that I am accountable (and embarrassed):

Current Weight: 144.2
Mini Goal Weight: 135 - pre-pregnancy weight [9.2 lbs to go!]
Ultimate Goal Weight: 122 lbs - wedding weight [22.2 lbs to go!]

Oh how I loved my wedding weight! What a dream it would be to fit back into my size 6 Abercrombie and Fitch jeans which the snotty 16-year-old salesgirl didn't even think I'd fit into (I brought them to her at the checkout counter BEAMING.)

Happy Wednesday!

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