That’s right, it’s the end of the road for hotbabyfinds.com. I’m sorry it comes abruptly but let me explain why. 

1. Someone called me supermom the other day and I had to correct them saying I'm so far from it. But it let to an awakening for me. This whole blog was started just to share good things I found along the way or discoveries I made on my own blundering journey of parenthood. But I’m realizing now that people reading may not realize that often times the information I give and recommendations I make are just ideals and aspirations for me—I do NOT always abide by them or live up to them. I don’t always practice what I preach—i.e. I actually DO use the microwave, people! And I don’t always buy organic...I let my 10-month old watch TV and my 3 year old eat cupcake frosting just to make him happy! On the blog, I’m just sharing what I think is interesting or valuable. Most times it was an "Aha!" moment for me that I was eager to share. But I feel like it might give people a false impression of me—that I have all these ideals that they can't live up to. And that might eventually isolate me because I may appear unapproachable. I do not want that at all.
2. Every baby is DIFFERENT, every parent’s set of life circumstances and values are DIFFERENT, so what I say does not apply to everyone. Every parent develops his or her own best practices, discovers their own favorite products and decides on their own which books to follow. I’ve recommended many practices, products and books that have worked for me, but may or may not work for you. Everyone needs the room and grace to find their own way. So I hope as you read this blog you did it with many grains of salt because all of it was a matter of one person's very opinionated opinion.
3. I may talk like it, but I’m really not an authority on any issue. I’m just as CLUELESS, flawed and frantic as the next mom. I struggle, make mistakes, stumble and learn from it again and again and again. Everything is by trial and error—it’s all a learning process. There are things I've learned the second time around that I WISH someone had told me the first time around. And that was the original motivation behind hotbabyfinds.com...not to heap unsolicited advice on already info-overloaded moms. It was to put my lessons-learned out there so that you could sift through it and perhaps glean a gem or two for yourself. But I know I strayed from that a bit--posting everything from coupons to rants about chlorine and BPA (don't even get me started about flouride). 
4. I’m growing tired of baby stuff—products, clothes, stores, gear. I’m not as into it as I was when I was in the nesting phase, preparing for Cole’s arrival. I’ve been lacking motivation to read anything related to babies, much less write about it. So if I’m no longer passionate about it, why should I continue, right? It’s just taking time and energy away from other blogs I could start that I do feel passionately about. :)
5. Parenthood is SUCH a hard time and we’re ALL in such an emotionally, relationally, psychologically FRAGILE, often insecure, state. We don’t really need to read other people’s blogs and be tempted to compare...it only leads to jealousy and offense. My kids seriously humble me on a daily basis and sometimes when I read other people’s blogs it plays into my insecurities as a mom. I think they have it all together, they’re kids are so advanced, they are so privileged... And that’s where I stumble, get down on myself and I’m defeated. No more! I have to stop comparing, start receiving GRACE and giving that to others—the GRACE to be the mother they are today, wherever they're at in their journey. And the GRACE to become...that’s what I for one need desperately!
   

You’ll still be able to find me on kusumoto.blogspot.com, but this will be my final post on this blog. The purpose of that Kusumoto family blog has been and always will be for the purpose of:

1. Documenting the lives of my sons for myself—it’s just an online baby album so I can look back and remember (I have a REALLY BAD long term memory).
2. Keep in touch with family and friends who live away or who I don’t get to see as often as I’d like, so they can stay abreast of family developments through my blog.
3. As an online diary—for me to think and process, especially as we reach milestones in our kid’s lives and in our own.
   

As Cole is about to turn one, I think it’s a good time for me to turn my attention to other things. So look out for future blogs but for now this one is coming to a close. Thanks for reading!  

• PABA
• Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), Oxybenzone
• Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-)
• Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone)
• Phthalates (often hiding in “fragrance”)
  

1. Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30
2. Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF 30+
3. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+
4. Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30
5. Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum
6. Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40
7. Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 35
8. UV Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+
9. Sun Science Sport Formula, SPF 30
10. Soleo Organics Sunscreen all natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

I’m always forgetting the “rules” of breastmilk storage. So here’s a quick reference list of the important things to remember. These are the guidelines put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics about storing and preparing breastmilk:

• In the refrigerator: max 72 hours (3 days).
• Freeze milk within 24 hours.
• In the freezer: max 1 month
• Frozen milk must be used within 24 hours after thawed.
  

Other don’ts

• Do not re-freeze your milk.
• Do not save milk from a used bottle for use at another feeding.
• Do not add fresh milk to previously frozen milk.
  

Click here to download:

MOV09997.MPG (7667 KB)

After Cole’s many attempts to grab the video camera on the window sill, I ended up mounting it on the wall so now I get a bird’s eye view of him in his crib. I don’t know how I ever lived without my video baby monitor. I never have to wonder about what he’s doing, if he’s really awake or if he’s still in his crib. I just look at the screen. Takes all the guesswork out! Although one time I looked and he was no where to be seen. I ran into his room to make sure someone didn’t steal him out of his crib, only to find that he had fallen asleep SITTING UP, pressed against the bumper pad, just out of view. Freaky.

The monitor is so crystal clear—both in sound and in picture quality. The video above doesn’t do it justice because the image is too “hot,” so his face is white, but in person it’s really clear. The reception is great, no static on the audio. Brand is Summer. This is our second video monitor--the first one was too staticky. Also, our neighbor picked up our video image on their TV!! I think you might have to try a couple to find the one that works best in your particular house (with the frequency of your phones, tv, neighbors' baby monitors, etc.).

1. SUNSCREEN - Neutrogena Sensitive Skin is supposed to be safe for babies under 6 months. Available at Longs.
2. HAT w/ neck shield – don’t know where to get, but it's good.
3. SWIM DIAPERS – the washable kind are great, but you can also wash and dry the disposable swimmers up to 25 times!
4. BEACH MAT – Don Quijote has a great big one with a water resistant side. I got mine for like $21.
5. RASH GUARD – to protect and insulate. Evan’s rash guard is actually called “Sun Shield UV 50.”
6. BABY FLOAT – you still have to keep your baby within arm’s reach, but it’s nice to not have to hold them the whole time. And the kind with the sun shade is great.
7. SAND TOYS – shovels and a bucket is all they really need. But Wal-Mart has a sand toy package for super cheap.

     

Click here to download:

7_beachpool_essentials.zip (1668 KB)

My friend Stef asked if I’d ever researched kid-safe alternatives to pesticides. I hadn’t, but I thought it would be a great idea. For our household, the problem is fleas. We used to treat our dog Cuper with Frontline, and that worked fine until Cole was born and we didn’t want the Frontline getting on everything that Cole touches and puts in his mouth.

This is what I’ve found on pesticides:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_5_69/ai_n19311254

Infants and children may be especially sensitive to the health risks posed by conventional pesticides because their internal organs are still developing and maturing. What's more, young children spend lots of time playing on floors and putting objects in their mouths, which increases their exposure to pesticides used in homes. Along with the neurotoxic effects, small children growing up in homes that routinely use professional pest control are more likely to develop leukemia.

The Safe Solution
ANTS
Deter them by sprinkling peppermint leaves, paprika or cayenne pepper across their trails. If you have a full-blown invasion, try dusting boric acid into cracks and crevices with a soft paintbrush.

COCKROACHES
Soap can be very effective against cockroaches because the strong scent repels them. According to researchers at Iowa State University, catnip oil is also an effective way to discourage roaches. Make a catnip tea to spray around baseboards by mixing 1 tsp. of the essential oil with 1 qt. of water.

BEETLES, WEEVILS AND GRAIN MOTHS
These tiny bugs can ruin an entire container of food. Place a cinnamon stick or bay leaf in with your flour, pasta or grains. The strong-smelling spice or herb will repel or kill the insects without affecting the taste or smell of the food.

HOUSEFLIES
Hang sticky, nontreated flypaper from the ceiling near exterior doors to catch and kill these pesky insects.

While it's easy to create your own pesticides, many of us don't have the time to do so. Fortunately, a growing number of companies are creating effective nontoxic or minimally toxic pesticides from essential oils. Just be aware that, even though these are natural, you should take the same precautions you would with chemical pesticides. Because these products use concentrated essential oils, prolonged exposure could cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation. Wear gloves, long pants and sleeves, and a mask to prevent exposure.

Non- or  minimally toxic Products:
MITES OUT! cleansing spray from BioForce uses neem oil to kill dust mites, a common allergen. Spray directly on fabrics, including mattresses, carpet and other cloth surfaces.

ORANGE GUARD is a water-based indoor/outdoor insecticide that may be used around food, humans and pets. Made from orange peel extract, it works on ants, roaches, fleas and silverfish.

Woodstream Corporation's VICTOR POISON-FREE ANT & ROACH KILLER uses a mint oil and a lecithin formula to help kill soft-bodied insects.

Hope that sheds a little light on the toxic pesticides versus pest-ridden home issue. There’s hope for ant and roach-free, healthy homes yet!