Every Mother's Struggle

Decisions, decisions...

In 1999 I had my first baby, or should I say, in 1999 I became a mother. People have babies every minute of the day I am sure, but not everyone really becomes a mother. I cannot remember my life prior to being a mother, it's weird, it's like that is what I was meant to do.
In came Julls into my teenie bopper world. The world that, at the time, consisted of the shortest shorts I could get away with and when the next pep rally was. My hearing became keener as I could now decipher my child's cry amongst thousands of others. My vision and reflexes became sharper because I could now catch a falling pacifier seconds before it tipped itself off the edge of the table and last my expectations became extremely high. It was, it is exhausting!
Here is what every single mother struggles with, are you ready for it? "Which brand of diapers should I buy!?"
So, when one delivers a child the hospital kindly provides us with diapers, formula, nipples, wipes and more and then they charge you $10,000.00 for it. When I had my first little monkey the hospital provided me with Huggies so I thought they were medically recommending I use Huggies. Then, when I had my second little bumble bee, 7 years later, the hospital provided Pampers so I thought Huggies must have gone downhill and now Pampers are the best. Finally, when I had my third little pirate, 5 years later, the hospital provided me with Huggies again. Go figure.
Unfortunately moms, you must do your own research. I used to feel so guilty for buying the off-brand of anything, but I have become more level headed and realized I am only cheating myself. I work hard for my money and it should be spent wisely! I always hated the diaper commercials that boasted how much their diapers could hold versus what is really important and that is whether it was actually made for comfort. Would you buy yourself uncomfortable underwear as long as they lasted years? Uh, no (I hope). My goal when I buy diapers for my little screamer is comfort. For the first one she used Huggies, the second used Pampers and the third has become momma's wittle ginny piggy :)
I liked Pampers over Huggies when I used them with my second child. I liked the texture and the feel. They seemed soft and flexible. I did not like the price, which is a few dollars more than Huggies, nor did I like how soggy they became during wear (they often leaked because the fit would loosen). When my first little bundle was born I liked Huggies as long as they were the supreme, the designs were cuter and they seemed comfortable, but they always had this weird gel that would form with moisture. For the third little cake boy I used the cheaper of all the Huggies and they still seemed to have that gel formation, they seemed stiff and really uncomfortable. I moved to a more expensive version of Huggies and I did like those, but they still had that same gel I mentioned before. I then tried the Huggies natural version diapers and my baby's fussiness reduced tremendously. He seemed to be in the recliner version of all other Huggies or diapers for that matter. In addition to comfort, the Huggies Naturals did not have the gel issue that had bugged me so much before. I then tried the Kroger organic brand of diapers and those worked well, did not leak, are chlorine free, but they do not have all natural materials. My baby just did not seem as comfortable. Next, I tried the Kroger off-brand diapers (non-organic). They have cute little bumble bees on them, they are a bit stiff, but they are priced well and work just as well as the regular Huggies brand. I never tried Pampers again because once I found the Huggies natural brand I found those to be comparable to Pampers, but better because Huggies Naturals used better materials that are partly biodegradable and have never leaked (so far).
The verdict is in, I am sticking with Huggies Naturals. Though Pampers are seemingly comfortable I ran into a lot of leaks along the way with the middle cupcake. No one likes sleeping in pee :( The third little sweety just seemed so comfortable and relaxed in the Huggies Naturals that I was sold. Word to the wise, pay attention to your baby's body language and keep in mind how hard life is with out words. It is much more important to me that my child is at ease and comfortable than a diaper that can hold 8oz. of blue liquid from a beaker.
Lastly, it is best if one does not depend on a diaper to reduce diaper rash, this is something that amongst all three of my children has only happened twice. Diaper rash, I feel, is dependent upon how clean and dry one keeps their baby. I know diapers are an extra expense, but save a baby's bum and change a diaper.

Let me know if you have come across any better.

Until Next Time,
Urban Mom

LASH OUT

I HATE CLUMPS ON MY LASHES! For this reason I have spent years trying to find the perfect mascara. The perfect mascara that does not leave boulders on my lashes, but adds length at the same time.I have tried all kinds of mascara and all sorts of tricks. Tricks that have gotten me in front of the eye doctor.
Story:
So there I am at work putting on my make-up. First things first, my concealer, then my eye liner, then my eye shadow and last the mascara. Once my mascara was applied I got out my rusty old paperclip, don't wander, yes I got out my rusty not trusty old paper clip that had been unfolded and I proceeded to separate and remove excess mascara from my clumpy lashes. Now, I know! This sounds scary, but these were the measures I took to have nice natural looking lashes, and no, I no longer do this. So, I begin to separate the lashes and suddenly I no longer see the paper clip, but I now feel it. I throw this wire and clutch my eye and with second eye make sure no one saw me. I got myself together (because I was embarrassed) and acted like I was fine (whew, no one saw.)
The next day, I was not fine. I shutter my eye open in the morning, and oh the pain! The sun light pierced my eyeball like a knife, and my eyelid scrape my eyeball with each blink. I grabbed my sunglasses and found the nearest eye doctor. I'm a mother since 16, we know how to get through hard times, so yes I drove my temporally blind self to the doctor.
The doctor said I scratched my eyeball, that it would heel, and to drop an antibiotic solution in my eye. The discomfort faded, but every now and then I wake up with pain in the eye because of that pain in the ass mascara. So for all you mommas and women that feel my pain, read my suggestions.
The Study:
I have bought at least 15 different mascaras over the years. For a long time I would take a tissue and remove excess mascara from the brush before applying it to my lashes. Obviously, this is not economical, it is a big waste of mascara and money.
I love the classic Maybeline, pink and green mascara. This mascara has shown to be nourishing to my lashes. I have noticed my lashes grow and become strong while using this, but it leaves clumps :(
Recently I bought the classic Maybeline, but a customized version that has a coned brush claiming to reduce clumping. Don't buy the hype! This smaller coned brush actually pulls more mascara and leaves it all on your lashes. I felt like a cartoon character. So I had to break out the old tissue in order to use this.
I thought to myself, "Self, am I the only genius alive?" Why don't they just make the hole at the top of mascara tubes smaller so that when one pulls up the brush the excess is easily pulled off and nothing is wasted? Well until that solution arrives I have settled upon a great option.
As it goes mother knows best and mother has suggested: Estee Lauder's classic mascara.
Why:
Long thin brush that allows nice angles to maneuver with.
The mascara itself is fluid, lessening the clumps and allowing a smooth application.
Does not leave the dark stains under the eyes after long wear.
Extends the lashes well.

Why Not:
It is more pricey than other mascaras you would find at the grocery store (but, worth it in my opinion) it is about $15.
Leaves small clumps on lashes, not really clumps, but thin layers that sometimes clings between the lashes.

Well that's all I got, look forward to my next blog, Pampers v. Huggies.

Love,

URBAN MOM