some nice things

I’ve decided to let go of the word “shill.” Sometimes I like things and I need to talk about them. If I ever rave about something I get for free, I’ll let you know.

Jasmine Lime Cooler: You could make this at home, with some brewed jasmine tea and Odwalla’s limeade, or be even more crafty and make your own limeade. I should do that since I like using agave as a sweetener, but really, who doesn’t like to just walk into Peet’s and buy the large cuppa, already made, on a beautiful sunny day? I only wish this stuff was available year-round.

Zooper Twist: A stroller in the hand is worth two that I’m obsessing about in my brain but haven’t bought yet… I used our Twist again today and I have to say, for an umbrella stroller, it really held up to the hills of my neighborhood. Plus I could carry it down our 36 stairs in one hand, baby in the other. I just read tonight that the front wheels can be locked, which I will try next time as that might make long walks even more enjoyable. I still so adore the included accessories — we used the UV netting today. Lucky you, if you buy one this year, now they come with a lovely head support cushion. I’m currently using the insert we got at Wal-Mart in Kauai.

In the meantime, I obsessively test drove strollers again on Monday and am currently waffling between the Baby Jogger City Elite, which pushes, I-kid-you-not LIKE BUTTAH, turns on the head of a pin, and folds up with a flick of one hand, but has the teeny-tiniest under basket — how can I walk to the grocery store and do any real shopping? — and a bunch of why-bother little pockets all over the back of the canopy as if that would make up for it; and the Valco Tri-Mode which has a more ample basket, more padding, and cuter colors, but the fold is more complex, and the ride is not AS smooth because it has these fancy shock absorbers which should be a plus but I’m not sure (the BOB is even bouncier for the same reason).

If I had it to do over, I might have started with the Trimode and optional bassinet attachment, but now Jonah’s almost too old for a bassinet. Oh, how I am seduced by all manner of baby gear. Sigh. What happened to my desire for a BOB? After trying the others, the BOB now feels too bare bones and bouncy (it’s a true jogging stroller, these others have air tires but are considered all-terrain strollers — let’s be honest, I’m NEVER going to jog).

Amber necklace: It’s probably a bunch of hooey, but it looks cute, so what the heck. I got the dark amber because I think it looks more manly. It does SEEM like he’s drooling less, and his neck rash SEEMS to have cleared up since he started wearing it. Whether both are the result of amber’s purported healing powers, or the rash gone because of the drooling being reduced, or a coincidence, who knows?

In other nice news:

Jonah’s sleep continues to mostly be fine again. Sometimes he wakes up about 45 minutes after he goes down for the night and seems to just need to be cuddled. Awwww. Tonight we’re trying out a new kind of cloth diaper, to see if that helps him sleep longer. He seemed to like the soft flannel right away. A pleasant change from the relatively rough texture of the diaper service prefolds.

Scott’s mom was visiting over the last five days and it was a pleasure. And I’m not just saying that because I know she reads the blog. (Hi Marcia!) She was great with Jonah and super helpful all-around. We had an especially nice time visiting the reptiles and amphibians at the East Bay Vivarium (we both cringed at the arachnids), and she even enjoyed sharing in my new favorite dessert, Coconut Bliss.