It's rainy season here in Honduras. This means daily temperatures around 63 degrees and 100 percent humidity for about 3-4 months. When living in Honduras, mold becomes a part of one's life. For example, in our house right now, some of the items that are moldy are: bathrobes, front/back wooden door, walls, ceiling tiles, books, shoes, leather belts and purses, and a clay wall hanging. It's not because we're dirty people. It's just because it's the perfect condition for mold to grow! We try to keep up with it, but nothing ever completely dries out.
With our recent realization of the short amount of actual time left here before Baby Lew arrives, we both freaked out in our own way. I made a list of the things I need to do before the baby arrives. This includes things like buying a dresser, rug, and blinds for the baby's room, sewing a big patch for our green velvet couch, checking references on our potential nanny, and of course, decorating for Christmas. I'd also like to sit down and talk with Tom about my feelings and make some goals and plans for the upcoming weeks. We also need to figure out what we want to name this little guy.
Philosophically, Tom and I have some different feelings about what type of preparation needs to happen. I'd like to think about things and maybe buy some baby stuff. Also, I feel that our bedroom is incredibly ugly, so I'd kind of like to paint it, rearrange it, and sew some new curtains for it sometime in those 6 weekends.
I'm concerned about strollers also. Do we go for a travel system or just a stroller and a carrier separately? Forward or rear-facing stroller? I've read just about every review out there, and I've narrowed it down to a couple. Tom is also excited about strollers, but he's definitely into test-driving them before we buy. I hope Delta Airlines will let us travel with a stroller for free even without the baby. That's our plan for now! Here are a few pictures of those I'm interested in:
Above: Kolcraft Contours (faces both forward and back) Right: Graco Stylus Travel System, Below: Chicco Cortina Keyfit. What decisions!
Feedback on strollers, anyone???
Tom's idea of preparation is on the list below. You will see that he's also scheduled some special time for us to talk about my feelings. It's just going to be after cleaning and organizing and bleaching our house. :) Meanwhile, I'm just going to think about my feelings and the projects I'd like to do. For me, it all starts with visualization.
I feel good about the progress made so far. Our house feels a lot cleaner, and I haven't had to do too much of it. We have already worked through the medicine cabinets and wicker bathroom drawers together. Now Tom is heating up some soup for lunch. Yummy! Happy Sunday, everyone!
5 comments:
Here is my input from personal experience. I wanted a stroller that was small and portable, so I got a Combi that had a recline for infants. Folds up nice and small and goes over my shoulder for easy transport. If you are ever in a taxi, bus, or traveling lots, I would suggest thinking about something that can go with you without too many problems. But I also have some friends who love their strollers with big wheels because they travel nicely over bumpier terrain. I got a convertible style carseat only(up to 40lb size, not the huge one) and not an infant one, because you can put a headrest thing in for a smaller baby and I didn't want to be carrying the baby around in a seat all the time, they are heavy by themselves without a baby in it. Plus I feel that human contact is so important for a baby, so I mostly put my baby straight from a carseat into a carrier. The carrier I found easiest to use was a mei tai style carrier, it's basically a square of fabric with straps that cross in back, mine has a headrest, and some even have a hood(I ordered mine off the internet at momandbabynaturally, they are cheapest there and really nice). I also like the large fabric style wraps, but I don't know if it would be practical for you with all the rain (I can see the ends getting wet, but you could do a "shorty")But they are the most comfortable. You can get good information on carriers from thebabywearer on the net. My baby is now 13months and though she's too heavy now to carry her for longer periods of time, she still goes in the mei tai when she's cranky, teething, for can't fall asleep. Hope that helps.
Bilingual teacher in Omaha
Hi Reenie - you should definitely be able to bring back a stroller - even if you don't have a kid. My friends (who were over here) did the exact same thing, bought it in the US and brought it back to the UK. Didn't get any questions!!
No opinion on the stroller, but I wanted to send a kudos for Tom making a discussion of Karine's feelings a priority!
Thanks for the advice on the carrier/stroller situation Bilingual Teacher in Omaha! I've been looking at some of the carriers out there after talking with another friend here in Honduras. Since taxi drivers don't usually have seatbelts in the back of their cars, keeping the baby strapped to me is another safe option. Until we have our own car down here, we'll be relying on taxis and our feet. As for the stroller, I'm still not sure whether to go big or small. I guess we'll see when we actually "test drive" them.
Laura- thanks too for the confirmation of flying with the stroller. I think it makes perfect sense too.
Amanda- I feel so fortunate to be blessed with a thoughtful husband who recognizes my need to discuss my feelings. Lucky me!
Karine
If you are going to be putting on your carrier at home, and then going to a taxi, you could use a wrap. You could pick up 5-6 yards of fabric (a crinkle cotton, or very light weight linen/or linen/cotton blend would probably be good for the heat, maybe even a kind of netting). I got my crinkle cotton in the summer for $1 a yard, so a $6 investment...just use half the width(so there are actually two there) and hem or serge the edges. Some people like the ends to taper off in a triangle so it doesn't feel like so much fabric(Sleepy Wraps are like that). With that you can wear your baby like a shirt, so comfy because it spreads the weight across the whole back. I tried a Maya wrap(which is a ring sling) and hated it because all the weight was on one shouldler. Plus, they'd probably be pretty hot. The Baby Bjorns aren't very comfy, aren't good for their hips, and have a lot of buckles. If you are going to be in Omaha on your visit to the U.S., let me know and I could show you some different carriers.
Bilingual Teacher in Omaha
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