In-Love with the In-Laws

It’s not very often I hear people compliment their in-laws.  In fact, I very rarely hear it.  I see many complaints, hear the griping, and the pleads for help.  I wish I could tell you that I am in the same boat, but I am in another boat.  A very luxurious, comfortable boat.  

I am in love with my in-laws.  Yep, I said it.  I love them.  I could not have asked for a better set of “parents.”  

Harlan and I have been staying with them in North Carolina for almost a month now. Without MacKay.  He was here for a bit over Christmas, but had to go back to the city for work.  Yes, I am staying with my in-laws voluntarily, for an extended period of time without my husband.  

It has been a great vacation for me. I am getting help with Harlan, which is giving me some time to relax and go out and do things by myself. My mother-in-law has cooked some amazing meals and is great to watch television with.  

At home I am always getting griped at from MacKay about my choices in television.  When I am with my MIL we can sit and chat for hours about which housewife we can’t stand or which celeb is our new favorite.  

My in-laws have been so supportive of me since day one.  They have always welcomed me into their home, cared for me as if I am one of their own, and treated me like a part of the family.  

The same goes for Harlan.  My MIL came to Tampa when Harlan was born and stayed for almost a month.  She would stay up and rock her in the middle of the night and would bring her into my room when she needed to nurse then take her back when she was finished.  It was amazing.  She wanted to make sure that I got the rest that I needed.  

Harlan sees how great they are too.  She loves being here with them and will follow her Granddad around the house all day long.  She calls for her Jannie in the morning after her breakfast.  It’s going to break her heart when we have to go back to the city.

MacKay has even said to me that he has lucked out with some pretty great in-laws as well.  My parents are pretty amazing. He and my mom have a great relationship.  So much so that he took her to the bar next door to have a drink with her when she came to the city for Harlan’s birthday.

It’s so great to be part of a family where everyone can get along {for the most part} and genuinely love one another.

I have never understood why the in-laws always get a bad wrap.  I probably never will.  I do hope that more people are as blessed as I am with in-laws as great as mine. 

But the greatest thing about my in-laws?  They gave me the most amazing man in the world, my husband.

Sneezes, Sniffles, Achoos...Oh My!

As as mom, one of the seasons I dread most is cold season.  Somehow Harlan always manages to get the cold that is passed around play group once or twice.  I must admit, I'm not quite as prepared as I should be when it comes to cold prevention, but now with these tips from Dr. Tanya Altmann I will be.


Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann, a UCLA-trained pediatrician and mom, teamed up with Puffs and recently held an event at Apple Seeds with some useful information on how to prevent the dreadful cold and flu.

The Cold Facts:

• The common cold is the most frequent cause of school and work absenteeism.
• On average, adults will get two-five colds per year while kids will get six-nine; parents are prone to catching them from their kids.
• About one billion people will have a cold at any time during the year, but colds are most prevalent between August and April .
• Sneezing is the most efficient method of spreading the common cold {the average sneeze travels up to 100 MPH!}
• You use more than three times as many tissues {an average of 24 a day} while sick.

Dr. Tanya  with Stan the Puffs "sneeze machine" doll testing out the strength of Puff's tissues along with a little guest at Apple Seeds

Tips on preventing and managing colds:

• Practice Healthy Habits {get plenty of sleep, exercise and eat your veggies!}
• Wash hands early and often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds {I like to sing a song to Harlan when we are washing her hands to entertain her while doing it}
• Soothe cold symptoms by drinking fluids and running vaporizers/humidifiers at night.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in the trash. {My favorite tissue is the Puff Plus with the Scent of Vicks.  A must when you have a cold.}

Dr. Tanya showing a little one how to properly wash her hands.

With these tips, I hope to prevent many colds for my family.  I think I lucked out though, because even when Harlan is sick, she is still a very happy toddler.


{Disclaimer: A Mommy in the City was not compensated for this post.  I did receive samples of Puffs. I was unable to attend this event, I just thought this information was too good to pass up.  All opinions expressed are my own.}

Need Your Help! Harlan is a finalist!

Harlan is a finalist in Big City Moms Cutest Kid of the Year!!!! I am going to ask you for your vote again so she can win this thing! (she is the only girl) Click on the Cutest Kid Tab on the Big City Moms page and cast your vote!!


Vote Here ------>Vote for Harlan!

Harlan

DOB: September 2, 2009

Resides: Upper East Side

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Activity: Having a book read to me, playing with my dolls, and pushing around my toy stroller, coloring

Favorite Song: Rocketship Run by Laurie Berkner Band

Favorite TV show: Yo Gabba Gabba

Favorite Book: Goodnight Moon and any lift flap book.

Favorite Toy: Maclaren Toy Stroller

Favorite Food: Depends on the day, I am a very picky eater.

Favorite NYC Hangout: Central Park and Forty Carrots

Wordless Wednesday

My future business woman.

{yes, she is using the mouse as a phone}

patemm® pad WINNER!

Congratulations to Katie! You have won a patemm® pad! Thank you to everyone who entered.  If you didn't win you can still take advantage of the 20% discount exclusively for A Mommy in the City readers.  Just use coupon code "MOMMY" at check out.  The offer will expire on January 15, 2011.

Thank you to Grace, the founder of patemm®, for providing this amazing changing pad for the giveaway! 

New Year, New Design, New Host!

My site finally has a new design!  I am so excited and I hope you love it as much as I do.  Thank you to Jacquelinne at Smitten Blog Designs for this wonderful design.

I am making the switch over to Wordpress on Wednesday night so please be prepared if everything isn't up and running right away.  

Some of the menu links at the top aren't working or do not have information filled out.  This is all a work in progress and will hopefully be up and running soon.

Thank you for your patience!

A Hair-Raising Experience

There is nothing that makes me prouder than experiencing one of my daughter's "firsts" with her.  I get a sense of joy and pride as she accomplishes a task for the very first time.

This morning Harlan woke up with her first case of bed head.  Yes, she finally has enough hair on her head to get messed up during her night of sleep and stick straight up in the air.

To many this may not seem like a "first" worth mentioning, but any parent of a bald baby will tell you what an accomplishment this is.  I have waited patiently {and impatiently} for Harlan's hair to grow.  She has the most beautiful blonde hair that, at one point, I thought was incapable of growing.  

This morning proved me wrong.  Her hair is growing, and it's growing fast.  I hadn't realized how long it was until this morning when I saw her strands sticking straight up and glistening in the sun.  

I loved her look so much I almost didn't wash it in the bath this morning. I wanted relish in this moment as long as I could.  

This is a very unconventional first for many moms, but for me, it's definitely one worthy of the baby book.