22nd April 2009

Earth Day - A Look at How We Could Learn from Birds & Their Ability to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

I’ve always had a thing for wild birds - not in my house - but outside, feeding from a birdfeeder hanging from a tree.  I love to listen to the sounds on dog walks - I can identify most birds by hearing them, before I see them.  The benefits of not walking with an iPod while walking the dog over the years. 

My favorite bird?  A goldfinch?  Why?  Two reasons:  they eat upside down (or can), and they have a cool flight pattern - if you watch them in the skies they look like they’re on a roller coaster, and as they come down the “hill” in the roller coaster, they sound like they’re giggling.  Watch and listen for these finches, or better yet, hang a goldfinch feeder in your yard, and get some neijer seed and they’ll be attracted to your yard.


From http://www.iwrc-online.org/kids/Facts/Birds/goldfinch2.htm

So, while goldfinches are my absolute favorite birds, I like to feed wild birds including cardinals, robins, any finch, and any bird of color that adds some life to my yard.  I plant wild flowers and perennials to attract birds.  On occasion, I have had a bird nest in my yard, in a hanging plant.  This year, however, I have a bird nesting in a rather unusual place.  She is nesting in a forsythia wreath hanging on my front screen door. 

Last week, on the morning Mom & Dad left, I noted something looked a bit odd on my screen door.  From my vantage point from within the house, I could see something looked different on the wreath.  I just couldn’t determine why.  I continued to stare at it while I talked on the phone with someone.  But then all of a sudden, two birds came up and landed in the wreath.  I realized they were building a nest. 

Excited, I went up to the nest after they flew away.  I looked at the ingredients of the nest and was excited to see Bentley’s cat hair hanging off the nest in a glob of fur.  I saw human hair neatly stitched into the nest in what seemed specific places.  I saw different types of bush material woven into the nest, including some prickly stuff - thought that was kinda cool - which might be thistle?  The nest got thicker and deeper in the next several days (they take about 8 days to build a nest). 

http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/american_goldfinch_info.htm - Nest building
The female builds the nest in late summer up to 30 feet off the ground in the terminal branches of a bush or tree. Nest building occurs in 10 to 40 minute spurts, during which material is brought to the site and laid down. There may be periods of hours or days when nothing is added. The average interval between the start of the nest and the laying of the first egg is eight days.The female strips fibers from dead trees, weeds, and vines and utilizes catkins as well as grass to construct the outer shell of the nest. She sometimes dismantles the nests of other birds to use the materials in her own nest. She reinforces the rim of the nest with bark bound by sticky spider silk and caterpillar webs. The nest is lined with plant down from thistles, milkweed, and cattails.The male often accompanies the female on flights for nesting materials. He may carry some materials back, but leaves the actual construction of the nest to the female. He perches nearby, singing and calling to his mate. At the first sign of danger the male or female will whistle sweet or call bearbee, bearbee, bee, bearbee.

And she began to sleep on the nest at night, which means I guess that she has laid her eggs.  They incubate for 10-14 days, depending on the source you consult on the Web….

The only concern I have about this, is that it’s the front door, and I have a dog I let out that way.  We’ve tried to limit our entrances and exits, and know we’ll soon need to curtail all exits that way.  Babies should arrive in less than two weeks, according to what I’ve read tonight.

I began talking to the mailman about birds’ nests and he said he collected them.  He was always amazed to see the materials they’d find laying around, trash, cigarette butts, hair, plant materials - and how they stitched it into the nest.  I’ve always respected a bird’s ability to survive cold winters here in Ohio, as little as they are, but they really do have a lot we can learn from.  While they suffer from our abuse of the planet, they really have the reduce, reuse and recycle concept down well.

Reduce - they have small humble abodes for their young

Reuse - they reuse things laying around in nature, whether they’re supposed to be there or not (trash NOT)

Recycle - without fancy chemical recycling plants, they recycle plant material, trash material, human & animal material for integration within their homes

I’ll work to post some pictures of my bird nest in the wreath - but here are some photos of other goldfinch nests found on the Web tonight.

By the way, baby wild birds need to eat every 15 to 20 minutes during daylight.  Okay, so feeding Melina in the first eight weeks every 1-2 hours seems like nothing, huh?

Want to attract the American Goldfinch to your yard?  Here are some tips on what goldfinches look for:

http://www.wildbirdsforever.com/goldfnch.html - reference to how they build their nests, usually near water and food, and that they create a bowl like nest, with plant as the base material

http://www.iwrc-online.org/kids/Facts/Birds/goldfinch2.htm - very nice reference - talks about being near thistle - which is what I think I saw in the plant nest - nest in forked branches - like my forsythia wreath - it has forked branches in it (albeit fake).

http://www.audubon.org/bird/boa/F15_G8a.html

So on Earth Day, don’t forget to take your recycling in, reuse something, and reduce your intake of plastic.  Take a walk and listen to the birds sing, nest and feed.  And enjoy this beautiful Earth we live on - and take care of her.  I think it’s only fitting that last year, I blogged for ten months about a fertility journey.  It’s great to know, that after having Melina in November, that the fertility journey continues around me - right at my front door.  I think that’s good karma. 

13th April 2009

Spending Easter with the Thieme Family 3 replies

Mom and Dad came out to meet Melina and spend Easter weekend here in Columbus.  Melina was captivated by Mom - lots of staring took place, then smiles, then holding - it was all good.  Mom shared a very nice part of her childhood with Melina - an old ring, bracelet and locket that Mom wore as a baby girl. 


Granny (My Mom), Mommy (Me), and Melina checking out that cute little bracelet of Granny’s

It was a neat moment between three generations of Thieme Women.  Mom looks great at 65, doesn’t she????


Mom in front of her baby photos where she was wearing baby locket, bracelet and ring
A Southern Belle!

On Easter Sunday, we all went to Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral downtown.  I said a prayer for Melina’s twin that was considered a “vanishing twin”, and the child I chose not to have at the age of 21.  I thanked God for the gift of life, and for giving me Melina.  I do not forget that I could be a mother to three children.  A woman came up and showed me her photo of her niece - saying how Melina was so pretty and how she resembled her niece.


Pretty in Pink & White - Easter Sunday after Mass

First time in a dress - wow - dressing her up - wonderful moment, with Mom’s help - very nice to share this with Mom & Dad.


PaPa Thieme - Dad shared time with Melina

Melina got her first storytelling session from PaPa (Don) Thieme, and lots of photography sessions with PaPa Thieme behind the camera.  More photos to come soon.

It was a good weekend.  Mom organized my laundry room and kitchen like only she could.  Dad bought an organizer for the laundry room, and bar-b-qued chicken Saturday night.  Mom made a ham on Sunday.  The left lots of goodies to eat this week so it would be easier on me while working.

The biggest challenge - getting Melina to sleep in the crib without her current attachment - the car seat - yes, not a lot of fun.  She sleeps better in this car seat, and doesn’t go to sleep on her back for long. 

Well, I have work to do before I fall fast asleep. 

7th April 2009

Cost of Having a Baby (Formula, Diapers, Clothes, Baby Wipes)

15 Ways to Save In Baby’s First Year - Coming Soon! Updated 1/3/2010

A while ago, I talked about the cost of having a baby.  I know a little more than I did then a year into it.

1) Breastfeed - to save $100-$200/month and add immunity, as well as bond with your newborn.  You may have breastfeeding supply costs; however, such as breast pumps, pads, and all those attachments that go with breast pumps.  You might find you go through 1 or more breast pumps before you find one that fits your style.  If you’re lucky, and are a stay-at-home mom, and don’t have to return to work, you may not need a breastfeeding pump, and this will save a lot of money. For on-the-go moms, you might like this pump when you’re travelling for the day, and can’t afford the space of a larger pump in your briefcase.

2) Baby Formula, if you can’t or won’t breastfeed
Approximately $6 per bottle of Similac Advance & approximately 20 premixed bottles per month or $115 OR
$22 - dry powder mix; approximately 4 or month or $88/month
Ross/Abbott Labs/Similac does send rebate checks, so use them, they will save you a lot of money OR
Buy online from Amazon in bulk, and save
OR

3) Diapers - approximate .25 a diaper
Use 8 diapers a day, minimum, then you’re spending $2/day or approximately $60 a month.  But it seems like you’re spending more than that, as one big box costs around $40, if you buy in bulk, or $20 if you get the 80 diapers per box at the grocery store or Target.  There are cheaper versions but they seemed to give Melina a diaper rash.  I buy Pampers and Huggies, depending on the Phase Melina is in.  I prefer Pampers over Huggies any day, but coupons are harder to come by with Pampers.  They have coupon codes on every single box and wipes, but making time to enter those damn little codes online is hard in mommy’s first year.

4) Baby wipes - $10 a box of three packs of baby wipes.
You’ll need three boxes a month.  $30 a month, or buy online at Amazon in bulk

5) Shampoo, one bottle will last you four - five months or so.  $5 - minor expense
Many get this as a baby shower gift, so you shouldn’t have to buy shampoo for a while

6) Baby Tylenol - $10 or so - that you might need every two months or so.  And if you have a dog like mine, you seem to go through it a little faster.  I could buy two or three of these during a cold season.  I choose dye-free Tylenol and Ibuprofen.
Suggest getting a lot of this in your baby shower, ask for 5 or more on the baby shower list - you will use it

7) Teething Medicine, Tablets - $6-$10
At four months, you might need Baby Orajel - that’s about $6 a container, but my daughter didn’t like these.  Spend a few restless nights with a teething, screaming infant, and you’ll be opting for other home remedies.  Hyland’s Teething tablets are expensive at around $10, but these will last 2-3 months and seem to do the trick.

8) Clothes?  $6 a pair of pants, right?  How does that seemingly add up to $100 each time you go to Babies R Us?  It seems that with a few other things, I’m up to $100 once a month, or every six weeks or so.  I try to buy items on clearance, and I have shopped at Once Upon a Child, and of course hand-me-downs are enjoyable.  But always try to buy the next size up, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly she can fit into those clothes.   Ways to save on baby clothes expenses, according to Babycenter.com?  Make sure you’re doing as much as possible to save clothes that can get soiled.  Re-sell your clothes at Once Upon a Child, or similar place, and you can exchange clothes for new stuff.

9) Stain Remover - $10-20 so use coupons
I can’t live without Dreft Laundry Stain Remover - that stuff is magical.  It gets the worst stuff out of Melina’s clothes, even stuff that sets for a few hours.  I’ve tried to go the cheap route, but it seems every time, I end up with Dreft and it works. Buy from Amazon in larger quantities, and save.

10) Baby toys, books and DVDs - $50/month, minimum
You can also buy these at Once Upon a Child - but I was lucky enough to get some of these items in the baby shower process.  I asked for favorite books, or a book list, and most everyone took advantage of the opportunity to send something good.  Most of Melina’s books haven’t cost anything.  DVDs - I’ve purchased a couple at Babies R Us, including the Baby Einstein DVD for 3 mos.  Toys - or swings, bouncy chairs - I purchased them on Craig’s List and Once Upon a Child and saved quite a bit that way.  Also received a few items from friends who no longer needed these items, bringing a big savings that way.

If you’re not getting those items gently used, you can spend $50 a month, on average, on those items.

Baby Einstein DVD’s - these are a life-saver for the working mom, or for a single mom
My Favorite Baby Einsteins for the Baby’s First Year:
& &

A favorite to have on hand in the car:

Favorite books, especially those by Usborne - touchy feely books - we have each of these and she loves all of them!
& & & &

Books that have lift the flaps, or things they can discover - these are favorites after about 7 or so months:
& &

Other things to keep them busy, so you can do the dishes or run the vacuum, or just keep your sanity:
&
Musically Inclined Tots?
& &

11) Babysitting - Approximately $1,600/month - if you use a sitter service, you’ll pay $8 an hour, plus $6 a sit, or thereabouts, or a nanny service might cost $1,200 placement fee, or $300 online processing fee if you do the screening.  THe monthly fee if your sitter is full-time is around $400/week or $1,600/month.

12) Daycare - probably the cheapest option I’ve seen - Kindercare cost about $700/month at the one I checked out in r Ohio.

13) Food, after six months, about $40/month unless you buy a Food Mill and make your own.  For working moms, this is a nice alternative - Earth’s Best Organic baby food:
&

6th April 2009

Staring at Your Child

I have often been asked if I just stare at my child - yes, the answer is absolutely yes. 

 

The pendulum swings from side to side as to the emotion you might be feeling when you stare at your child, depending on what phase that child is in.  This morning, at around 1 a.m. when I fed Melina, the love I felt was a sweet one.  When she was up again around 3:30 and crying, rather unusual, it was a feeling of concern.  By 5:00 a.m., when she awoke again, the feeling of love was enduring.  I wondered why she was crying again and thought of ways to remedy it.  I wondered if it had to do with teething, or something else.  By 9 a.m., the feeling was amusement.  Any discomfort she was feeling was not apparent.  Melina was laying on her back, next to my head, trying earnestly to blow spit bubbles out of her mouth - the spit was landing nicely on my face.  Quite humorous indeed, despite how yucky this may sound.  I saw an opportunity to help her with this endeavor, of course.

All day long, Melina became fascinated by her new adventure of spit bubbles and making noises.  I too began to blow bubbles - of course without spit - and noticed I was in fact challenged by this skilled endeavor.  Hers, on the other hand, were nice little spews of tiny little spits - into the air.  I didn’t have the drool that came with her sounds, which made for better sounds.  How’s that for “scrumptious”?  :-)

 Funny thing though - I’ve been working with her to stick out her tongue - and in most cases, she and I communicate on this level quite well.  Manners - whew!  I’m in trouble, aren’t I?  So, when she tries to blow bubbles, she keeps sticking out her tongue.  I am sure she’s quite confused because normally when we communicate, she has to stick out her tongue.  She probably wondered why she didn’t need to stick out her tongue along with her drooling bubbles.

I can see it now - here’s what I’ve taught my child:

Stick your tongue out

Spit with bubbles all over everything and make funny noises

Laugh when you toot

It’s exciting when you scoot on your back -

Giggle when you get kisses from Mommy

It’s likely, no school will accept us….

Tonight, as she slept beside me calmly, on her side (big step in the sleeping world), instead of in her car seat in the crib (the usual attachment), I watched her sweet innocent angelic face and listened to her breathe.  Such sweet sounds. 

And then just as if the silence couldn’t be any sweeter, she tooted really loud.  I couldn’t help but laugh out loud - and yet, she slept throught it all.

4th April 2009

18 Weeks - A Global Traveller

It’s nearly 10:30 p.m.  I’m sitting in the rocker/glider with my feet up on the glider ottoman.  It’s pitch black with the exception of Melina’s rainforest lighted crib attachment that is playing songs.  Melina is slowly but surely falling asleep.  We had a late night.  Actually the best part of my night was leaning in to kiss her tonight, first on her forehead, and then on her cheek.  When I kissed her on her cheek, and said “kisses from Mommy” - she giggled and shrieked - so not needing much to inspire another round of kisses - we giggled together as she got more and more “kisses from Mommy”.  God - she gives me such joy and fulfillment. 

Melina this morning on a stroller ride and walk with dog
Melina on a stroller ride this morning

We’ve had quite a week.  We went up to Toronto this past week so I could speak at a search marketing conference on both Tuesday and Wednesday.  Melina was quite good in the car, all things considered.  Monday was a very long day for both of us.  God looked out for both of us, and kept me very alert.  Although some caffeine helped, I was amazed at how alert I was, considering the length of the drive.  I think knowing you have a little one entrusting her life to you in the back seat - does amazing things for keeping you awake.

We crossed the border.  I wondered if I would have any issues there regarding donor father.  I was asked “where is the father?”  But no issues - stated my case and moved on.  I had documentation just in case. 


Look at that silly mommy in the reflection of her glasses

The conference was just two days long -and then we returned to Columbus, staying overnight at a friend’s house in Lakewood, NY (near Jamestown).  They were kind to let us crash their house late at night, with the baby in tow.  Not only that but they had dinner waiting for me, and gifts for Melina - amazing kindness.  Thank you Curt and Jill.  I was also able to meet their little 2-year old daughter (turns 2 next weekend).  I had a late breakfast with Gary and Curt, and then M and I headed off to Columbus for a 5 hour drive.  We made it - only a little fussing.  She’s such a great baby.

Melina had some big events in addition to becoming the world traveller this past week. 


Melina is getting her first front tooth - bottom front tooth

She is congested - not sure if that’s related to the teething or if she’s getting a cold from her trip?  Last night, she fell asleep on the way home from the office around 6:40 or so, and stayed asleep until 6 this morning (minus a feeding around 1130).  She then let Mommy go back to sleep until 9 or so.  I still felt exhausted though - and was determined to get a nap this afternoon, which Melina was not happy about. 

She also scooted on her back this past week, in Toronto.  She discovered she could push off with her feet, and up the portable diaper cushion pad which has a slick surface.  She had begun looking up and behind her recently, so when she discovered she could scoot back - that was pretty exciting for her.  All I could envision this morning as she tried to do the same on the carpet with less success - is a child that failed to crawl or walk - but me telling people - well, she likes to scoot around on her back - that seems to work just fine…..

My baby book says I crawled at 6 months - and stood by 10 months, so the former is just 6 weeks away.  I’m in trouble - I have a lot - ALOT of cleaning to do to let Melina crawl around on my floors. 

In the meantime, she’s growing out of everything so fast - I put pants on her that I thought she’d never fit into - and she already does perfectly in fact.  The 3-6 months stuff - yes, fits perfectly - as it should, but it just seemed that those clothes would swallow her whole just yesterday.

Okay, enough for now - Mommy has a bit of a headache tonight and needs to clean the kitchen, do 2 loads of laundry and then well, it’ll be late, late by then.