Crocheting a Simple Baby Hat

Ever since I had my daughter I haven't had a chance to crochet.  Last night my son went to bed unusually early and Sofia happen to be sleeping too.  I took this opportunity to make a hat that would match the outfit Sofia was going to wear the next day. 

When making a simple hat I usually don't follow a pattern. I figured out the size by comparing it to a baby hat that already fit her. She is currently 2 months, so I would say this hat would fit a baby 0-3 months. While this is a simple pattern, I have never written a patten before so I think you might need to have some basic knowledge of crocheting to follow it.

Yarn used: Lion Brand Microfiber
Weight Category: 3 - DK Weight: Light Worsted Yarn
2.50 oz./70 g (168 yd/154 m)
100% Micro-Fiber Acrylic
Hook size 5mm

A Simple Baby Hat Pattern
1st Row: Chain 4, double crochet in first chain 11 times (the 3 chains count at a double crochet through out). Connect with slip stitch.

2nd Row: chain 3, double crochet in same space as chain 3. Double crochet twice in each stitch until you get to the end and connect with slip stitch.

3rd Row: chain 3, double crochet in same space as chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch. *2 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat until you get to the end from *. Connect with slip stitch.

4th Row: chain 3, double crochet in same space as chain 3, 1 double crochet in the next 2 stitches. *2 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 double crochet in the next 2 stitches. Repeat until you get to the end from *. Connect with slip stitch

5th Row: chain 3, double crochet in same space as chain 3, 1 double crochet in the next 5 stitches. *2 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 double crochet in the next 5 stitches. Repeat until you get to the end from *. Connect with slip stitch

Rows 6-14: chain 3, double crochet in each stitch until you reach the end. Connect with slip stitch.

OPTIONS:
-You can create a ribbed edge by alternating front and back post stitches in rows 11-14.
-You can make the edge fancy by adding a shell stitch pattern on the 14th row.
-You can make the hat a couple of rows longer and create a slouchy look or you can fold it up. 
-Add a flower.  You can use the pattern given below.


Flower Pattern

Damn It! I Have to Buy a Double Stroller...

20 months ago I had my first baby, and it was so exciting.  I did endless amounts of research on high chairs, reusable diapers, development, and of course strollers.  After living on the Upper West Side for 2 years I had seen some really nice strollers.  The Stokke, Bugaboo, Uppababy, iCandy, Snap and Go, City Mini..etc...  After much consideration I really wanted the Bugaboo. You could attach a car seat, it had a bassinet and a toddler seat that went up to 3 year.  You could face the baby towards you or outward.  The most impressive part were all the wheel settings, it had a city setting, off road setting and beach setting (I got to use the beach setting twice).  For all these fabulous features it cost only $1200, but that's because when I sent my husband to buy it he decided that the special edition denim version was sexy.  I love my Bugaboo, but it is a big ass stroller...

My big ass stroller

Over time we have accumulated 2 more strollers, a Chicco which is only 17lbs and easier to take places.  We also have a Babies r Us umbrella stroller which is about 3lbs and can be taken anywhere because it is so small, but it doesn't
recline and isn't a good stroller to be out in all day.  Now I live in NYC and while my apartment is a good size, I don't have the room for 3 strollers; so when we found out that we were going to have a 2nd baby we cringed and the thought of a double stroller.  We live on the Upper West Side which is saturated with double strollers and those things are huge.  The last thing we wanted to do is spend more money on another stroller that is twice the size of the expensive stroller we already have.

Fast Forward to the present....I have been home on maternity for 2 months and it has been very hard going out on my own.  At first it wasn't a big deal because it was still winter and I had no desire to leave the house, but now that its spring time I want to go out with my munchkins.  I was thinking that I could get the little board that attaches to the Bugaboo for Francisco to stand on, but he is still small and he gets tired.  If we go out for a long period of time we put Francisco in the Chicco and I put Sofia in the carrier.  This works out great because if Francisco needs to nap he can; the stroller is small and if we go to a restaurant he sits in a highchair and I can put Sofia down in the reclined stroller.  It sounds like I have it all figured out doesn't it??  Well I don't, this only works if I'm not alone.  I found out very quickly that I am confined to the apartment if I'm alone; unless I'm walking over to meet someone who can then help.  This REALLY SUCKS!!!

So....A couple of days ago when it was really nice out, I caught my son looking out the window.  I felt bad that I couldn't take him out.  Even if I put Sofia in the carrier and we go for a walk I don't have the ability to pick him up or run around with him.  This is when it hit me, I would have to give in and buy a double stroller....Damn it!

The "N" Word

As a 2nd grade teacher and a parent I definitely use the word "no" throughout my day.  During my first pregnancy I did a lot of reading about parenting, and I came to find out that Americans are scared to say "no" to their children.  One article said that while they understand that you might be put in a situation that requires you to say "no",  you shouldn't say it often.  While I was reading this I thought, "what the hell has happened to the parents of my generation??" My mother said "no" to me all the time and I am a very well adjusted adult that understands that sometimes there are limits.  I also read that parents don't want to say "no" to their child because they don't want to expose them to negativity, and they don't want to stunt their curiosity and creativity.  ARE THEY CRAZY!?! Even if you decided not to say "no" to your child they will know how to say "no" to you.

When I went back to work in September I didn't have a permanent position so I was placed in a school in Greenpoint,  Brooklyn.  While helping out in classes PreK-2nd grade I encountered something I have never seen before, the child of a hipster.  My 6 weeks in this school was an eye opener, and I have worked with kids for over 10 years.  The majority of my experience has been with kids ages 10-18 from low income neighborhoods.  I have dealt with my share of bad attitudes, smart ass remarks, ignorant parents, and even kids in gangs.  I'll take all of that over a child who is from a middle or upper class neighborhood, being raise by a well educated parent who doesn't believe in saying "no". 

I feel that our society, these parents, and sometimes our education system are doing an injustice to our kids.  We have started worrying so much about the mental and emotional stability of our children that we have forgotten that they are smart, resilient, able to handle everyday life frustrations, and major tragic events.  When our children go out into the real world they are going to hear the word "no" over and over again and they will not be prepared for that if they don't hear it from their parents first.  When parents send their children to school and their child has no concept of rules and limits, not only does the teacher suffer but the child and parents suffer too.  The child doesn't learn as much as they can because the teacher is too busy managing the child's inability to understand why the whole class doesn't revolve around them.  The parents suffer from embarrassment and deciding weather they are going to stick to their parenting philosophies, or if they are going to take the time to teach their child limits and how to follow rules.  Changing a child's behavior when they become school aged is not impossible, but its not a battle any parent wants to take on.

I believe that children feel safe when they have limits, guidelines, rules, consistency, and consequences.  When they know what to expect from the adults around them they relax and enjoy being a child without worrying about what will happen next.  This is another reason why sometimes children behave at school but are crazy at home.  At school their is a schedule, rules, hopefully clear consequences and many limits.  If a child understands how to function inside the box then they will be able to use all their curiosity and creativity to explore the outside of the box.

The minute my son started crawling I started saying no to him because this is when he started getting into things.  I felt that even thought I needed to make changes in my life to accommodate my child, he also needed to realize that somethings don't belong to him.  My husband and I decided that we will not allow our child to take over the apartment.  His stuff belongs in his room and he will learn that he is not allowed to touch everything in the common areas of the apartment.  Don't get me wrong, he touches stuff, but we say "no", explain to him that he is not allowed to touch, and then do it again if he touches stuff again.  Even though he is 16 months he understands what he can and cannot do, and he tests the limits but it is my job to teach him those limits.  I know if I teach my children limits now I won't have to do it later, therefore, I believe that you should say "no" as often as you need to, its one of our many rights at a parent.

You Know Your a Parent When....

When my son was 2 weeks old I was talking to my sister while getting ready to go out to dinner with my family and my new baby boy.  I looked at myself in the mirror, looked at her and said, "I know I'm a mother because I'm not going to change my shirt even though I'm wrinkled and there is some pee on it."  The main reason I didn't want to change my shirt beside laziness, was the fact that you weren't able to see the fat that was still lingering after only giving birth 2 weeks earlier...

That's the shirt...

For the last 6 months I've had several unforgettable moments where I say to myself, okay I get it I'm a mother; here are a few of those moments...

• I went for my 6 week pelvic exam after having my son and nobody was available to watch him.  Waiting took longer then expected and by the time I was called in Francisco was fussy and hungry.  My doctor told me to take my time and feed him, but he wasn't having it.  I thought I was going to have to reschedule for another day, instead I ended up breast feeding him while getting my pelvic exam...fun...

• I went to TD Bank with my friend Nia, it was a nice day and I was wearing a summer dress.  Francisco was being fussy and didn't want to be in his stroller so I was holding him.  As we were waiting on line I felt something warm on my body.  I moved Francisco away from me and that is when I saw it, the big wet spot on my dress.  But wait there's more...not only did he pee on me, he continued to pee all over the floor of TD Bank... Miraculously, the pee came from the side of his diaper and when it leaked none of the pee got on his onesie just on me and the floor.

• All my life I have seen my friends go and get family portraits done (family pictures at Sears...lol) .  My family never did that so I always found it to be strange to take a staged family photograph... At my baby shower my sister & brother-in-law gave me a gift certificate to a place called Portrait Bug where I could take pictures of the baby and get a special package of 3 pictures in a frame.  When Francisco became 3 months I went and had pictures taken.  Oh My Gosh!!! I was hooked.  So far I have gone in for three sessions and not only have I bought pictures every time, I put them in frames the same day I pick them up.  So I have become one of those parents and I plan on getting many family portraits taken in the future... (I have a 4th appointment at the end of this week)

I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and I'm in for hundreds of special and laughable moments when I'll say to myself "this is the life of being a Mom".  I will continue to share the extra funny moments... What are some of your eye opening moments of parenthood?  I would love for you to share them in the comments box, I'm sure everyone has some great stories...

A Day in the Life of a Mother on a Rainy Day at Home...

A couple of days ago I wrote about how I literally have nothing to talk about other then my son and being a mother. It's days like today that are the cause of that problem.  Yesterday was a rainy day and I decided to just stay home and be a couch potato since I had no plans. Many people ask me what its like to stay home everyday so I thought I would share my lazy day at home...

7:00am - Woke up to feed Francisco.

8:00am - Woke up and moved Francisco to my bed because he seemed fussy and unsettled.

9:30am - My husband woke me up because the super showed up to fix the bathroom sink in the bedroom.  Since I didn't know when he would be back I got up and we moved the baby upstairs, he slept for another 30-40 minutes. When Francisco woke up, I changed his diaper and he was in the middle of peeing, so....he got pee all over my pants but didn't get any on the sofa and that's what matters.

Between 9:30 & noon I ate some cereal, watched Lost Girl, played with Francisco and worked on the burping cloth I started weaving the night before.. Now playing means making him laugh so hard that he screams.  I have come to realize that I love the sound of his laugh more then anything else...

At around 12:30 Francisco took his first nap of the day.  I took advantage of this; I worked on my blog, watched some TV and I started working on another burping cloth.  I also made myself a salad.  I wanted to make some coffee but I would have woke him up grinding the beans.  Francisco slept until around 2:30.

Finally made coffee at around 3:00..

I would also like to mention that between 7am & 3:00pm I changed his diaper around 3 times, I washed his bottles, I changed his clothes and I discovered that he now enjoys playing peek-a-boo.


(Right now as I'm writing this my lovely son is producing a fantastically dirty diaper, I hear him grunting while playing with his ball...This means I must stop writing for a moment before the mess becomes out of hand, a dirty diaper can become a wardrobe change or even a bath if its not addressed right away...My days are so exciting...)

Between 3:00 & 4:00 I attempted to feed Francisco applesauce.  He ate 2 spoons and made a mess spiting out the applesauce I attempted to give him after those 2 spoons.. After around 10 minutes of that he started to make his frustrated sounds and face and gave me the sign for milk.. I gave up on the applesauce and made him a bottle...

Notice I haven't mentioned anything about taking a shower yet...

Between 4:00 & 7:30 Francisco took another nap after playing in his walker.  I made myself some dinner, a tuna burger and salad.  I did a little social networking, posted pictures of my burping cloths, read Crystal's blog, liked Erica's new facebook page, & finished and posted my blog.  Francisco woke up, I put him back in his walker and as I was starting to wash the dishes my husband came home..

After my husband came home I washed the dishes, took a long shower, changed into another set of pj's, and continued working on this blog while he fed the baby.  So there you go, that was my day... Francisco will go to sleep at around 10:30 after drinking another bottle.  Once he is asleep and in his crib I will pour myself a glass of wine and enjoy a couple of hours to relax with my husband (if he is not asleep on the couch), and off to bed so I can do it all again tomorrow...

To Relax? or Wash the Dishes? That's the Question...

Yesterday, after a very rigorous play time at Gymboree I came home with my son and he napped for 3 glorious hours.  During the first hour or so of his nap I sat and got my social network on. I checked my Facebook, liked some statuses, commented on pictures.  I updated my Google+ picture and added a video.  I checked and replied to a couple of emails.  I also logged onto my twitter account and posted a tweet.  I tweeted "my munchkin is taking a nice long nap.. it gives me time to be on the computer when I really should be doing dishes..."  I felt compelled to tweet this because as I was getting my social network on I looked up at the dishes a couple of times thinking to myself that maybe I should take advantage of this time to do the dishes.  As this thought went through my head for like the 3rd or 4th time someone responded to my tweet, someone named Amanda tweeted back "Nothing wrong with that :)"  At that moment I wanted to yell (but I didn't because I would have woke up my son) "that's right there is nothing wrong with that!!!!" 

I feel like parents who stay home full time tend to put all this pressure on themselves to be this super mom or dad.  We get up every morning and start our day with feeding the baby, getting them dressed, & playing with them.  In between all of that you have to find the time to shower, get yourself dressed, eat (this is key, we tend to forget this until we are on the floor dying of hunger), and whatever else needs to get done.  Most of the time you haven't done anything for yourself because your waiting for them to take a nap so you can get yourself ready without interruptions...  There is nothing like trying to do your hair and makeup while attempting to entertain your 6 month old son.  What normally takes 10 maybe 15 minutes tops, can take 30-45 minutes...  I have to be a master multi-tasker, and when there is a time of the day that I can relax and do one thing at time its a gift.  If I'm really in a rush I'll stream video of the cartoon Pocoyo on my iPad for my son to watch.  I have become a pro at doing things in 7 minute increments because that is how long each cartoon lasts.  Of course I feel like a horrible parent that needs to put my child in front of the TV to get things done, but if I'm going to make it to places on time and get things done I need to give in sometimes...

When it comes down to it I try to balance my time as much as possible.  Some time for me, some time for my son, and some time for the dishes... If I need more time for me or him the dishes can wait for my husband to come home...lol

Some Advice for New Moms

For 9 months I felt my baby grow inside of me and I prepared for his arrival.  I read books, did research online, talked to my friends with children, and asked my mother many many questions.

When I came home with my son I still couldn't believe that I finally had my baby.  I tried to remember everything I read about being a new mom, and all the advice people gave me.

Of all the advice from family, friends, books & websites there where 5 things that I was told by almost everyone:

• Sleep when your baby sleeps.
• Ask for help.
• Don't freak out if he gets a fever.
• Don't forget to eat.
• Follow your instincts

All of this advice is great and should be followed, but I came to find out that when you have a baby, life is very unpredictable.  This is my experience...


Sleep When your baby sleeps:

• I was very lucky to have my husband home for the first two weeks.  This made it very easy to take naps because I knew that I could take real naps without out interruption.  Once my husband went back to work I did take a nap here and there when my son was sleeping but it became difficult because I wanted to clean up, organize baby stuff, and I just wasn't always tired when he was asleep (I'm not much of a napper).  Eventually my husband and I came up with and overnight schedule that allowed me to sleep for at least 4-5 hours straight and that gave me a good amount of energy to last most of the day.  It's important that you rest because you need to have energy for your baby, but we all know that life gets in the way so make sure you give yourself time to relax even if you don't sleep.

Ask for help:

•  This is a big one that I had no problem with.  Asking for help is so important because if you try to do everything on your own you will drive yourself crazy.  I made sure to let my husband know what I needed from him, and I was so lucky to have my parents around whenever I needed them.  My mother and my sister work close to me and came over to help whenever I asked.  My mom even came over once during her lunch break so I could take a shower (I wasn't comfortable leaving the baby alone yet)  Ask for help its so important for your own mental health.

Don't freak out if he gets a fever:

•  One of my girlfriends told me that I shouldn't freak out the first time my son gets a fever.  I was sure that I wouldn't because I knew that a baby's temperature can range anywhere between 97-100.4 degrees.  Then my son got his vaccination shots, and that night he became feverish.  With all my logic and good sense I freaked out.  The doctor told me that I shouldn't worry because it was normal for him to get a fever and if I wanted I could give him baby Tylenol.  After getting 4 shots I didn't want to give my son anymore medicine.  I stayed up all night checking his temperature every 30 min and keeping him cool.  His temperature never went above 100 and he hasn't had a temperature since.  My advice is to do what is comfortable for you, and my sister-in-law says if you give them some baby Tylenol before that vaccination appointment you can avoid the fever all together.

Don't forget to eat:

• This is easier said then done.  I never forgot to eat, I just didn't always have a chance.  Eating is important because you need to have the energy to take care of your child, and you need nourishment so you can breastfeeding.  I live near a great supermarket but it is not stroller friendly and I can't carry much if I have the baby in the carrier.  Don't feel bad about ordering food now and then, and try to prepare food when the baby is sleeping not just for that moment but for later too.  Its much easier and faster to just reheat something.  These days my husband does most of the food shopping, and on slow days at work he comes home and cooks me lunch.

Follow your instincts:

• Any mother (especially yours) will tell you to follow your instincts, when it comes down to it this is so true.  Books can only tell you so much, and in the end you need to relay of your feelings.  Every baby is different and what works for some baby's might not work for yours.  My instincts always tell me to stay calm because I am sure my son can feel how I feel.  I know that he doesn't always feel good and I don't want my feelings to make him panic.  I truly think that my son is so chill because I am so calm around him.

Every woman has a different experience when they bring their baby home, good luck and remember to take some time out for yourself..

Awesome Apps: Best Baby Monitor

When I was registering for my baby shower I wasn't sure what type of baby monitor to get because I have a small apartment and I wasn't sure if I would even need one.  Video monitors are very expensive, in the end I registered for a video monitor and a basic audio monitor that was much cheaper.  It turned out that I didn't get a monitor as a gift, so I decided I would get the inexpensive basic audio monitor.  It just seemed more practical to get an audio monitor since during the day I knew my son would always be with me in the living room.

After my son was born I realized that I would like a video monitor for the times that I do put him in his crib and I'm upstairs cleaning or showering.  Instead of running out and buying a $100 video monitor I decided to check out the apps store.

I have many apple products, a macbook, iPad, 2 iphones, & an old school iPod that still works.  I figured, there must be a video monitor app.  Of course there were several apps and I decided to try one that was free first, it didn't work very well.  So I sucked it up and spent $5.99 on the Best Baby Monitor app (I don't like paying for apps) That was the best $5.99 I have ever spent.  Once you download this app on your iPhone and iPad you are all set.  You sent up one of your devices facing your baby and you can watch your baby from your phone or ipad.

One of my favorite features is the lullaby feature.  You can choose from 3 lullaby's, Twinkle Twinkle, Brahms Lullaby, and Sweet Dreams.  You can set it to play the lullaby 1, 3 or 5 times in a row, and you can control all these settings from your side.  It even keeps a log for you of the noise made by your child and when he/she is silent.

I really love this app because I can set up my iPad turn on my phone and go take a shower while my son sleeps.  In the summer when I had BBQ's I could put him down to sleep and watch him from outside.  As a new mom I want to watch my baby's every move, and this app allows me to do that.

***As a holiday promotion this app is being sold for $1.99.

The Last 3 Months

For the last three months I have been doing the Mami thing.  It has been an amazing ride so far and everyday I still can't believe I'm a parent.  Every week I try to visit my best friend Nia and she always looks at Francisco and then looks at me and says "you have a baby" and I say "I know its crazy".  You have 9 months to get use to the idea that your going to be a parent, but once it happens it's still unbelievable. 

It has not been an easy ride, there have been ups and downs and lots of things to figure out.  During the first couple of weeks I had some major cabin fever because I was told that I shouldn't exert myself for the first 2 weeks which meant that I shouldn't take long walks or lift anything heavier then my baby (7lbs).  Well I was going crazy, but luckily many friends and family came by to visit and keep me company with the baby.  During week three I got an infection in the milk ducts of my breast and I had a fever for about three days before I new what was happening.

My wonderful and loving husband who was able to stay home and help most day for the first two weeks got wrapped up in the beginning of the football season. He spent several nights hanging out until really late with his friends watching football; I wanted to kill him.  I also felt that he needed to help me out more with keeping the house together.  Instead of killing him we sat down and had a long talk about where I needed him to help. Now things are great and he is more aware of how he can help.  Now that he is super busy at work and is unable to help as much, we have hired 2 of my former students who are college bound to come once a week to clean up and do some laundry.  Now, instead of us cleaning when he is home we are able to spend time relaxing together.

The biggest problem that I had to solve was creating a schedule and routines for me and Francisco.  Now I make sure that I'm up by 9am.  We shower, eat and get dressed.  Mondays and Wednesdays we go to Gymboree. Tuesdays I go to Central Park for the walking tours if weather permits it.  On Thursdays I meet up with my mother and sister for lunch, and Friday I just make sure that we go on a long walk.  As long as I follow this weekly schedule I'm out of the house at least once a day and that makes a big difference.  Usually I also visit Nia at work or go for long walks in Riverside or Central Park.

So now that I have figured out a few things I hope that I can slowly add more activities to my days including this blog...