photo friday: ip cam

We recently got a new gadget that has pretty much revolutionized naps + bedtime. We were struggling with constantly checking on Kai because he started to literally rearrange furniture and strip from the waist down when he was supposed to be sleeping.

We thought we'd register for a video monitor for little brother since it would come in handy with both children, but even the lowest priced monitor seemed out of range for anyone to buy for us. We did some more research on video monitors and decided that they weren't secure enough for us. The negative reviews I ran into on Amazon alerted me to the fact that any neighbors in the area that also had video monitor equipment could tap into our video feed and see us and our kiddos. I know the odds of someone actually doing so are fairly low, but having accidentally heard someone nearby through our audio monitor on a couple of occasions had me creeped out enough to know I didn't want to spend $150 to possibly let strangers into my home.

Ben began to research IP cameras that work exclusively on your home network. These cameras are often used for home security purposes and from the reviews it seems that people are using them for baby monitors more and more. The biggest benefit being security, the 2nd benefit being a much lower price. We decided to go with the Foscam for best reviews + price ($89.99).

When we got it set up it was like a whole new world opened up. We no longer had to open the door and risk disturbing our sleeping toddler, or not open the door and wake up at 12am to find him soaked after taking his diaper off. We also no longer had to wonder about every bump + thump that came from his room. Sometimes he would just bump the side of his bed, other times he was literally moving furniture.

One feature I love is "snapshot" where it takes a still photo. I've taken several as I watch Kai doing something sweet or funny. I've captured bedtime stories with daddy...

and funny moments where he really should be sleeping...

{bonus points if you can spot him in all 4 photos}

and precious and hilarious sleeping positions....

{under the pillow with his feet sticking out is one of my faves}

This camera has been a lifesaver and I'm so glad we finally made a choice and got something that works for our family!  I love watching Kai fall asleep and on the occasions where he's being mischievous I've often been able to holler "no!" from the other room and stop him in his tracks without even going in! Complete game changer! I think it'll come in handy when (if) we decide to have the boys share a room some day as well.

Now, if we could get him to keep his pants/diaper on at bedtime he might go to sleep on time. Any pointers toddler parents? (we've tried onesies + pullups already)

the child proofing continues

Malakai is still the houdini of childproof devices. His latest venture has been to move the speakers on the sides of our entertainment center to get to the tv's power button. We've ordered a new LCD TV stand but it won't be here until April. I can't wait for it to get here so he can no longer reach the power button or any of our electronics. yay!

He also started to climb everything. He now flips his toy basket over so he can use it as a step, he opens the cupboard on his dresser to climb the shelves, he tries climbing into or up drawers, he climbs and walks all over the couch. This is on top of all the other baby-proofing he's already "cracked" over the last several months.

I am literally going to contact the companies that manufacture some of the products that he has literally broken or been able to open to let them know of the faults in their products. Maybe it'll help, maybe it won't.

What do you do differently than the traditional baby/child-proofing to keep your kid out of stuff? And how long is this climbing stage going to last?!

baby-proofing failures

Disclaimer: We keep a very close eye on Malakai and any children that enter our home. For one, because we know that babyproofing doesn't replace parenting. Also, we really believe in teaching boundaries rather than blocking everything off from contact at all times. That being said, in our opinion  some amount of baby-proofing is necessary to keep curious little ones safe from harm.

When we moved Malakai was 8 months old. Thankfully, still young enough to be preoccupied in his room or his jumper while the rest of the house was full of dangers. Boxes towered everywhere, cables + outlets weren't protected, cleaning products were scattered throughout. It was the usual mess from a fresh move.

Nine months later and we are quite settled in. Malakai is now just over 17 months old and figuring out everything, I mean everything!

some reviews...

I've been on a bit of a break from posting reviews and giveaways, but have some past due reviews for CSN to share with you. The wonderful team at CSN stores gave me the great opportunity to choose some items for review recently.

 I chose the Hoover Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum back in August. This little thing has been a lifesaver. I must say that my primary reason for choosing this product was to clean up after Malakai's meals. His highchair has a way of collecting crumbs and I didn't want to remove the cover to shake it out after every meal. The wet/dry feature was important for obvious reasons. I also wanted cordless and something with a wall mount. This was the only choice in a small handheld vacuum with all of those options.

It holds a charge for a long time. I don't always put it on the charging base and it has yet to die on me. It's also super easy to empty + clean out. My only complaint is that it's SUPER loud and makes a bit of a high pitched sound. I'm assuming all hand vacs are about the same in this, I just make sure Malakai isn't near it when it's running.

Earlier this month we received the North States Supergate III for review. We were in need of a gate that would work for our hallway to keep Malakai out of the other side of the house so we could get things done without constantly having to find out where he ran off to. With the layout of our house, this also enables us to have our bedroom + bathroom doors open more often which keeps the whole house at an even temperature. We also move the gate into the kitchen when I'm working with the oven or Ben is loading/unloading the dishwasher to keep Kai away from hot, sharp + breakable objects. We only do this when the other one is home to watch him since we only have the one gate and he could wander out of sight to the other side of the house.

This gate has worked really well for us so far. We've only been using it for about 3 weeks. I only have 2 minor complaints. One was that when we received it there was styrofoam literally inside the gate between the two pieces that slide and it was nearly impossible to remove them to use the gate. Second, it's really difficult to get the lock into place. I'm guessing this is probably pretty standard with tension gates in order to get them to stay, but it's really difficult!

Being short, this gate is a bit too tall for me. I've already fallen once (go ahead and giggle) because I caught my toe. Not the first time something like this has happened to me...all 5'2" of me tried hurdles in High School...bad idea.  Anyway, I just have to be really careful when going over it.

We're thinking of getting another one to create a bit of a smaller space that keeps Malakai on one side of the house AND out of the kitchen at certain times. Just an FYI we don't use the gate all the time or keep Malakai only on the one side of the house. We feel it's important for him to be exposed to all the parts of our home for the purpose of exploration and to learn boundaries.

As always, feel free to ask me for additional information or tips in the comment section or via email (link to the left). 

mama friends

My college roommate and one of my best friends, C just left after staying over last night...and I'm kicking myself because we didn't get any pictures. That is SO not like me, but I think I was just so into soaking up her company while she was here that I didn't think to whip out the camera.
I mean, usually this is what I look like-

Most of my best friends live in Portland, which is a two hour drive from us. Not so far that we never see them, but far enough that I miss them like crazy. I love being a stay-at-home mom, but sometimes I get lonely for adult interaction, especially with my close girl friends. Contrary to how much I share on this blog, I am the type that has a few close friends and a lot more acquaintances. Also, none of my best friends have kids yet...so that's something that has made the gap a bit bigger.  I do have one other SAHM friend and we've been getting to know each other better, but her little guy is 10 months older than Kai, and our house isn't baby proofed for a toddler so they don't come over here now that he's walking. I need to get on that- any suggestions for where to even START?

Anyway- I need to hang out with friends more...it makes me wish we had a second car. There's no way we could afford that, but it seems like it would make things easier on us. C took us to Target today and it was so nice to get out of the house and get a few things done during the day. I got some Christmas shopping out of the way and got to stretch my legs a bit.

The weather here has gotten more mild and I really would like to go for a walk, but our stroller is in the back of the car that Ben has and I have a lot to get done around the house today before I go out tonight.

Tonight I'm going to see The Nutcracker with my mom, sister, and aunt. I'm excited to hang out with them and to see the ballet. I haven't been since my grandpa took my sister and I when we were little. What do I even wear?