The eagle has landed

The eagle has landed! It's here! It's here! I'm so giddy I can't take it. The kids are thrilled, too. The mattress box has been a useful fort and they've already laid and jumped and crawled all over the new mattress (it's comfortable y'all).

Operation big girl room commences this weekend. Now, seriously, I have some curtains to make (I do have like four more days to procrastinate, let's see how long I last).

Sleep well, little lamb, on your beautiful organic cotton bed. I'll be sleeping better knowing Sophie is having a true, healthy, good night's sleep very soon. Ack! So excited. And proud, and worth every penny and every minute of research.

Mattress rodeo

Sophie is going to have a pretty sweet suite in a few days: mostly hand made, thrifted, low-VOC, and organic. I socked away the bedding a few weeks back, material for the curtains (still to-be-sewn) and just now purchased the long-awaited mattress. We have a really easy homemade headboard waiting to be attached to the wall (courtesy Aunt Nancy), and she'll be getting the thrifted dresser that I purchased and painted for Tucker's nursery. While she doesn't have 100% organic bedding and we won't be springing for the untreated natural wood box spring, we are still making big strides in lowering the chemical load of this house one purchase at a time.

Here is the mattress round up. It's a rodeo out there of information, mis-information, "green-ing" of things are not even close to "green," and extreme over-use of the word "eco." Don't get me wrong, there is a plethora of options - and good ones, too. Simply depends on your budget. Here was the list of budget friendly options that I pulled from.

I turned to the master of all things inexpensive, European and "home," and wound up with my first option, the Ikea Sultan Edsele. The comfort is firm and it's the most natural of the mattress they offer. The inside is composed of seven inches of 85% natural latex and 15% synthetic latex. Just like every other mattress in the US, they must meet flame retardant safety standard, yet there is no information on non-toxic flame retardants... so it is safe to assume they are of the toxic variety. However, a mommy group friend told me that she actually cut open the mattress exposing the inside and was able to simply remove the layer that Ikea inserts for US customers that is treated with the flame retardant chemicals. And she told me that natural latex is so comfortable. So, this one stayed on my list. Ultimately I decided I would rather not spend this amount of money to dismantle a brand new product. I'll wait until I see a how-to on Ikea Hackers. $929

Another mattress I took great interest in for it's cool design and awesome marketing: the Nook Sleep System Full size Pebble. The middle of this mattress is made with a non-toxic foam core (read: certipur, a certified manufactured foam, not a natural product) and then topped with one inch of natural latex foam. What's on the outside of this mattress is what makes it different than the rest. The cover is removable and washable! Pretty cool for potty training and every-day kid accidents. Here is a link to their education section. Nook mattresses are made in North America. The rise is six inches and it's compression rolled to ship, no coils in this bad boy. Alas, it's not organic and for that price, I can still get organic. $995

Last but not least, and the winner of the Mattress rodeo: The Naturepedic No-Compromises Organic 2 in 1 Ultra kids mattress. Packed with 528 coils and 100% organic cotton, the comfort is medium-firm. Three sides are water and dust mite proof (great for potty training/food/spills) and the other is a quilted, more plush side you can flip to later when kids are heavier/bigger. The 100% cotton makes it hypo-allergenic with no wool or latex. It is also naturally dust-mite proof with it's polyethylene barrier (no PVC or vinyl here!). It's non-toxic flame retardant is composed of hydrated silica, baking soda and cellulose. NO phthalates (chemicals that act like hormones/endocrine disruptors). Here is a link to their education section. $999 directly from the manufacturer, but I purchased it from one of their preferred vendors (call to make sure) through Amazon for $899 and free shipping.

While you can easily spend $1300 to well over $2000 for an organic, natural latex full-size mattress for your kiddo, that just wasn't in our budget. There are other really great options if you pocket is a little deeper. If these price points are still out of reach, there is another way, too. My fellow green-mom Meagan told me how to take a conventional mattress and make it better:

Purchase the No-chem mattress wrap made of Polyethylene for $28.00 (non-toxic plastic wrap that doesn't allow off-gasses to escape into breathing space) and wrap those chemicals up tight! Now that you've created a noisy, plastic-y sleeping foundation, purchase an organic cotton or wool mattress topper, wrap it with a protective cover and slap on your fitted sheet. Then pray to God that you don't go flying across the room when all of the elastic gives way and the covers lose their grip :) (Organic cotton or wool mattress toppers go for $200-$400.)

Like I said before, when we considered what was in a conventional mattress, there was no looking back. We had to jump in with both feet and do a lot of reading and asking questions. Hope this was helpful... to at least one of the two people reading it. 

Sleep on it

We've had a successful run at the BGB experiment (Big Girl Bed) with the crib/toddler conversion and Sophie is ready for a real bed. The honest truth is that Tucker is officially ready for Sophie's sturdy crib that won't fall down as he rocks and rolls and bounces off the sides.

First day in big girl bed. I was nervous. She did great, per the usual.

But I had no idea that shopping for a mattress was going to be, um, horrifying. {Shakes fist at Google.} Before I continue, in full disclosure, all of the mattresses that currently reside in our home are of the regular store-bought variety (i.e. the carcinogenic, toxic kind), and it makes me ill.

There are no labeling requirements for mattress manufacturers. So unless you do some due-diligence research, you have no idea what you're spending a third of your life lying on - and breathing in. My kids have spent more than half their lives in bed (hands in the air for good sleepers!) and sleeping on these toxic little packages. Traditional mattresses are made with synthetic materials, Arsenic, Boric Acid, Formaldehyde, PVC, vinyl, Polyurethane, PBDE... known carcinogens that are banned in many parts of the world. These chemicals have been linked to skin irritation, respiratory problems, hormone disruption, fertility problems, learning disabilities, thyroid problems and even cancer. They can be traced in our breastmilk and in cord blood from newborns. Poison!

Mattresses made or sold in the USA are pumped full of poisons in order to meet fire "safety" requirements - they must resist open flames. Why? Because people died from fires that started as a result of smoking in bed.

As a mattress ages, it gets worse. The chemicals and compounds off-gas (that's the "new" smell) and create a cloud of hazardous fog in our breathing space adding to our already full chemical load.

Here is a really good FAQ on why you should buy an organic mattress.

Organic mattresses are made with organic cotton, wool, sustainably sourced natural latex, or a combination of these materials. With springs and untreated wood frame, or not. And the natural flame retardants (again - thanks for the frivolous requirements) are commonly made of natural wool or hydrated silica - or sand - that will melt instead of ignite.

So, to go organic or not? We vote yes. While I'm on the quest to lower the amount of toxic products in our home, we can only afford to do so one thing at a time. Now that it's time for this purchase, we're going organic for Sophie's new bed. Only the best for my best girl. But honestly, it's not even a question when we considered what is in a conventional mattress. 

There has been a significant amount of hand-wringing and hair-twisting when it comes to which mattress we would spring for. Organic mattresses can quickly jump to more than three times to cost of a traditional mattress and there are lots of options. Next up, the final selection!

Let him sleep...

We have reached the baby holy grail of sleeping through the night: 7pm to 7am (with only one nursing around 2 or 3am). And just yesterday I caught him napping on his belly. Folks, we have arrived. I am so smitten with this mellow little fellow.

Permanence and other new stuff

Feeling a bit more permanent these days. We are renewing the lease on our house in Charlotte, and Sophie is officially enrolled in weekday school starting in the Fall. I know that she will love school, but looking into my crystal ball I see a few tears in the future.

The Barber household is done with baby bottles! But let me tell you sippy cups are just as much a pain in the a** to wash at the end of the day.

So, to update on Operation: One Nap...

I think we need to see someone about Sophie's addiction to sleep. She had one week of one-nap-days. Then Yaya came to town, March came in like a lamb and we had some perfect park days (i.e. lots of fresh air). Get to the point, you say.

Sophie started waking at 6am and going back down at 8am, sleeping for 2-2.5 hours, up for lunch and an activity and back down for a solid 2.5 hour afternoon nap. And bedtime has stayed between 6:30 and 7pm. This is the kind of sleeping she did at 10 months old. I am at a loss. Is it all the fresh air? A growth spurt?

All I can say is mommy gets more free time during the day than she expected, so instead of lamenting over the role of the SAHM as I've been doing lately, I got some stuff done.

• did some consignment shopping
• consigned some clothes to get into the BEST pre-sale in town
• got my creative juices flowing
• cooked some dynamite food
• took some pictures *swoon*

I am going to leave this as my baby/family/life/motherhood musing blog, but I have to pimp my pillows once since they are officially for sale, both on Facebook and at Ruby's Gift in NoDa. Here is the low-down:

Little Bungalow pillows are artistically repurposed one-of-a-kind creations made from burlap sacks that were once used to import green coffee beans from around the world. Each bag is completely unique bearing the stamps and markings of the exporter.

All Little Bungalow pillows are created individually with a vintage 1970’s Sears Kenmore sewing machine. They are lined with 100% cotton muslin, double stitched and are backed with various coordinating canvas and cotton duck fabrics. The envelope closure provides easy entry for pillow insert.

Ideal for indoor or covered outdoor space. Spot clean only with damp cloth. Sizes are standard, inserts not included.

Kicks and seaweed

Sophie finally has some new kicks from Kixx. Embarrassing as it is, it took two trips to the store to pick out one pair of insanely adorable Pedipeds. If we can look at the trips as teaching moments, Sophie now knows and can tell you the difference between her "boots" and her "shoes." Ah, little girls. Have I mentioned how smart she is?

Or have I mentioned what a good eater she is? Over the past week we've had some new foods that seemed to please the pint-sized palette: Grouper, black beans, hummus, baked tofu, and... seaweed. Yes, the weed from the sea, lightly salted and baked to a crisp. She loves it.

It's about 10am on Monday and I'm blogging... to which you might be asking, how I do this with a one-year-old who naps only once a day? Yes, today is a two nap sort of day (as was yesterday). Some days I guess we'll still need two; and if the social calendar allows, we will go with the flow.

Back to it being 10am and I'm blogging... I should be working out at the Y (where Sophie would be crying the entire time) or doing P90X in the basement. Or sewing. Or taking pictures. Or cooking. Or reading the other 24 books I now have only 9 months to complete. But folks I'm a little in the dumps. I can't seem to brush my shoulders off. The Social Network had me up all night Saturday wondering if I am living up to my full potential; and I haven't been able to pick a side of that fence to sit on. Not that I have some great computer programming ideas I've been sitting on or an application in to Harvard... more like: am I using my God-given talents, challenging myself and/or making a difference in this big 'ol world? (Not one to sit on big decisions, I booked a photoshoot and am *this* close to opening an Etsy store! Hopefully brighter days on the horizon.)

I hate goodbyes and we had one this morning. Yaya flew in for the weekend we had some good food, good times and beautiful weather.

This one is a keeper... going into the Three Generations Frame :)

Operation: O.N. (one nap)

Well, three days in and Operation: One Nap has been a screaming success. I tell you, there is some truth to my baby bible: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. There is also truth to a little old saying that God doesn't give you more than you can bear.

We have a good sleeper on our hands. She hasn't always been that way though. Just when I was seriously about to commit myself due to sleep deprivation, Sophie started napping. Then she started sleeping more at night. Between five and six months, she was sleeping a solid 12 to sometimes 14 hours straight. So, it's no surprise really that when she was ready to drop a nap, she simply dropped a nap.

Friends, three days in might still be the honeymoon phase; I'm totally aware. As I write about the good times, I'll also be honest about the not so good times. But if this is the last post on her One Nap adventure, then rest assured that we are all resting. Assured.

To address our recent hiatus from the blogosphere, we went to Maui for 10 days. There was an adjustment to that idea on the front side of the 10 days, and an adjustment to hugging our 23lb alarm clock on the back side of the 10 days. And, here we are, back to Musing on Motherhood with Sophie en Sophie. xo

Is she always this happy?

"Is she always this happy?" Heard that lots of times over the last year. I also feel like I've spent a lot of time this past year apologizing to friends and family. One last major "I'm sorry" going out to all of you now, and then I hope you understand where I'm coming from after reading this. I think Dr. Weissbluth was on to something when he started his ped practice, raised four kids and wrote this book:

I am VERY protective of Sophie's sleep schedule. So I'm sorry for the missed playdates, rescheduled or unscheduled events, being late, leaving early... but baby girl is going to nap, and she is going to go to bed when she is ready, and if I have any control over the situation (which, I do, as the mom), she's going to do both of these activities in a crib.

Since about 7 weeks old, Sophie stopped sleeping on the go. Her car seat used to work like a dream, and then one day, it didn't any longer. On our recent drive to/from Kentucky (8hours) she slept for a whopping 20 minutes each way. Her normal naps are about 4 hours every day.

Her brain is developing at such a rapid pace and outside of love, affection and nourishment, the amount and the quality of sleep is vital to her growth. I'm very protective over this - and in my opinion, for good reason. I may not always be a stay at home mom, and we may add another peanut or two to the Barber brood. So, I realize that I won't always be able to control Sophie's or our other childrens' sleep patterns.... but for now I can. And I will.

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

And to my man, aka Sophie's Dad:

You are one of the hardest working men I know. You spend all day working - selling and entertaining doctors and the like - only to come home and make lists of house and yard projects you want to tackle (we're renting now, remember :) ) and errands to run. You always listen intently as I talk your ear off about Sophie and all the ah-ma-zing things she did that day. You eat my cooking, complement my cleaning and tell me I'm beautiful. You recognize and appreciate how much work goes into being a SAHM - for that I'm infinitely thankful.

You've been the best Dad that Sophie could ask for from the first moment she was born. She has brought more joy to our lives than we could have possibly imagined, and I have you to thank. Happy Father's Day, Beb. I love you.

Some pics from our walk in the park in Elizabeth for Father's Day.

Daddy and his girl.

Daddy and his three chil'rens.

Daddy doing BBBB time (bath, bottle, books, bed routine).