Grey Likes Baby

She’s here!!! Our second blogger bestie Kelly is here to tell us stories and allow us some insight into her impeccable taste in everything! I wish I could describe her…she’s like a tiny salt shaker that you would like to take everywhere you go, to sprinkle flavor and inspiration on everything ordinary. You’ll love her too!

Photo by Michelle Kim Photography

I’m Kelly. 36, prego with my first.. and who knows, possibly only child. I’m married to a dear, dear man and my best friend CJ. We are over the moon about our baby girl arriving this May [more on that in a moment], and are thrilled to share the journey of the arrival of our daughter and what we learn raising a brand new human being.

Five miscellaneous but important[ish] details:
1. I am no expert on birth, mothering or any related products or services, but have become an avid researcher of all of the above… so perhaps some of the things I’ve discovered will be helpful [or at least amusing] to one or two of you reading this.

2. I definitely lean towards the natural end of the spectrum when it comes to all this baby stuff.. so I’m doing my best to keep life in our home simple, creative and home-made.. that said, we plan to deliver in a hospital vs. birthing tub and when it comes to the great debate of whether or not to accept things like an epidural, my answer is: ‘I want to do this as naturally as possible, but if I’ve been in labor for 25 hours and am at the end of my rope, I plan to exercise my right to change my mind. Shame free.’

3. I LOOOOVE well designed spaces and repurposing lovely old things… so stay tuned for future posts about what I’ve decided to do in the nursery.

4. We are due on the festive holiday of Cinco de Mayo. I cannot tell you how badly my husband and I hope our baby girl arrives on her actual due date… can you even imagine the endless party theme potential of a lifetime of Cinco de Mayo birthdays?

Plus, if we ever run out of time to plan, we can always just walk her to the park and point to all the piñatas and tell her…. THIS… is ALL for you!! Happy Birthday!!!

But seriously, WHAT are the odds of a baby actually being born on her due date?

I Googled it.
According to my ‘sources’ [which range from Yahoo Answers to various pregnancy resource websites, the number ranges from 2-5%

Hmm.. not the best odds, but a girl can dream, right?

5. It is my sincerest pleasure to be a contributing writer for Grey Likes Baby… First because it forces [ahem, allows] me to document some of the thoughts and feelings I know I’ll want to reflect upon later. Second, it gives me a chance to meet and interact with the greater community of marvelous mothers who have paved the path before me.

So much more to come.

Until next time…

Kelly

It’s almost December 1st, which means the start of the beautiful advent calendar tradition. If you are looking to make your own, this one is such a precious idea from Shim & Sons.

First you can purchase craft boxes and use Martha Stewarts rub on transfer numbers, or just use stickers with a cute printout of the numbers.

On some days the kids will open the box and receive and small little toy.

On other days the kids will open the box and find a fun family activity planned for the day. I LOVE this idea. Maybe you could add a little peppermint candy to add to the excitement.

I know that we are all fleeing our houses in panic (for those of us who procrastinate) purchasing all the last minute candy needed to pass out to the masses of trick-or-treaters that will be filling up our streets in a few short days.  But before you do so, think before you buy. As you may or may not know, much of the chocolate that comes in the masses in America is farmed by forced child labor in Africa (get the skinny HERE).  If you are interested in making a choice that rejects the practices held by most mainstream chocolate companies, we recommend you purchase fair trade or organic chocolate products.

In an effort not to be Debbie-downer, here are some ideas given by Kristen Howerton of Rage Against the Minivan, on some candy ideas that will be perfect for your kids and all those crazy trick-or-treaters.

Find all the product pricing details and availability here on Babble in an article written by Kristen Howerton.

Well Friends, with fall fast approaching we begin to prepare for the change in weather, the leaves changing colors, excitement for the holidays, and unfortunately the nasty colds that come along with it and give our little kiddos the sniffles. So we’ve researched some of the natural methods for avoiding and treating the common cold.

First up:
Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to be one of the greatest contributors to health. Research shows it’s benefits internally and holds many qualities including:
Rich in enzymes & potassium
Helps support a healthy immune system
Helps control weight
Promotes digestion & ph Balance
Helps soothe dry throats
Helps remove body sludge toxins (that doesn’t sound good)

What you Need:
¼ teaspoon Cayenne
¼ teaspoon Ginger
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
2 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)

Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough.

You can find out more HERE

Tumeric Milk
Tumeric has attracted a lot of attention for it’s healing powers, which has always been recognized as that in places like India. It’s helps with things like skin problems, colds, toothaches and many other ailments. You can read more about it HERE

What you Need:
2 cups fresh whole milk
1/2 – 1 tsp turmeric powder
2-3 whole black peppercorns
2-3 whole cardamom pods, cracked
1/2 inch ginger, roughly chopped
Pinch of saffron, optional
Sweetener like honey

Heat the milk along with the spices for 2-3 minutes. Add the sweetener to taste if using. Let it cool until its warm. Strain and serve.

Elderberry Echinacea Syrup

Elderberry contains many healthful properties (including antioxidants, tannins, vitamins A, B, and C, flavonoids and more), which could help strengthen the immune system. But it’s best known for knocking out the flu right when it starts, so it’s important to take it immediately upon having symptoms, or every day really.  Echinacea has been shown to be helpful with all sorts of ailments, and honey is antibacterial and a natural cold symptom remedy, plus cinnamon and ginger root which are also very helpful in fighting the nasty flu (just cinnamon and honey together are often used as well). Read more in riveting detail, HERE

What you Need:
Water
elderberries
echinacea
ginger root
cinnamon
honey
The BIG MOMA (I named it that)

“Ginger and cayenne are warming to your system, while onion, horseradish and garlic help to kill any bug that is attempting to assault your body. Sage and rosemary dry up any mucus that might be tempted to drip, and your body will benefit from the boost of minerals that apple cider vinegar provides. As scary as it sounds, it’s actually quite tasty, too.” Read more about the recipe and how to combine ingredients HERE

What you need:
1/4 c. ginger root, freshly grated
1/4 c. onion, freshly chopped
1/4 c. fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 c. fresh sage leaves, chopped
1/4 c. grated horseradish
4 cloves of garlic (you can up it to 6, if you feel adventurous)
2 Tbsp. ground cayenne pepper
organic apple cider vinegar to cover

Sweetness

And if you can’t swallow any of the above, much less get your kiddos to do so, here’s another option.

Koreans make a medicinal “marmalade” with just fresh lemon and honey. “The lemon will cut through mucus (because of the acidity), kill bacteria, and also help numb tender, sore spots. The honey coats your throat and sweetens up all that acid that’s working in the lemon”, plus the other things we just learned about it, we’re such smarties.

Cut up 2 lemons, drop them in a small mason jar and pour honey over them until it filled up about 1/3 of the jar. You can immediately see the juice from the lemon being drawn out by the honey and the two swirling together. If you let it sit in the fridge, over the next couple of months the lemon will darken and the mixture will thicken. The peels and pulp will break down as well and leave behind a golden, lumpy marmalade that you can scoop into a cup and poor piping hot water over.  Easy as Pie!

This post is part of our new hippie mom series which will help the organic mom find tips in how to be as grass-roots, organic, tree hugging, well, hippie mom as possible.