Ally ...

I've really scaled down even though I have two kids because now my minivan is my diaper bag. I have everything in there; diapers, wipes, a portable potty for Liv, the stroller-which obviously wouldn't fit in a purse. So, this is what I take in my purse/ diaper bag. I think I've become a minimalist when it comes to this.

Wipes

Diapers

A Toy for Isaac

Small Hand Sanitizer

Small Tube of Sunscreen: a MUST for summer (I use this on me and the kids)

Chapstick

Wallet

Gum

Pen

Receipt

I'd love to know ...

What's in your diaper bag?

Email pictures and descriptions to:

mostlyamommy@gmail.com

And if you don't have a diaper bag, that's okay.

I'd love to know ...

What's in your purse?

Thanks Ally for being the first to participate!

Yes, Peas ...

I have a big bucket of freshly grown peas.

Lots and lots of peas.

And, no idea what to do with them.

Like, not the slightest idea how to even cook them.

I think I can probably figure that out.

But, I am in need of some recipes.

If you have any, send them my way.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Fluoride

I am not the type of person who believes everything I hear, and I don't usually take people's word for it. So, when my pediatrician declined my request for a fluoride prescription for my 9 month old because "there's enough fluoride in the water" I decided to make sure that was in fact the case. What's interesting is that in Utah, it varies by water source. No fluoride in the water in St. George City, but in South Jordan there is.

Fluoride is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. I found this Q & A from the organization's website helpful:

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a compound that contains fluorine, a natural element. Using small amounts of fluoride on a routine basis can help prevent tooth decay. In areas where fluoride does not occur naturally, it may be added to community water supplies. Research shows that community water fluoridation has lowered decay rates by over 50 percent, which means that fewer children grow up with cavities. Fluoride can be found as an active ingredient in many dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, gels and varnish.

How does fluoride prevent cavities?

Fluoride inhibits loss of minerals from tooth enamel and encourages remineralization (strengthening areas that are weakened and beginning to develop cavities). Fluoride also affects bacteria that cause cavities, discouraging acid attacks that break down the tooth. Risk for decay is reduced even more when fluoride is combined with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene.

Will my child need fluoride supplements?

The pediatric dentist considers many factors before recommending a fluoride supplement. Your child’s age, risk of developing dental decay and dietary sources of fluoride are important considerations. Infant formulas contain different amounts of fluoride. Bottled, filtered and well waters also vary in the amount of fluoride they contain. Your pediatric dentist can help determine if your child is receiving -- and not exceeding -- the recommended amount.

How safe is fluoride?

Using fluoride for the prevention and control of decay is proven to be both safe and effective. Nevertheless, products containing fluoride should be stored out of the reach of young children. Too much fluoride could cause fluorosis of developing permanent teeth. Fluorosis usually is mild, with tiny white specks or streaks that often are unnoticeable. In severe cases of fluorosis, the enamel may be pitted with brown discoloration. Development of fluorosis depends on the amount, duration and timing of excessive fluoride intake. The appearance of teeth affected by fluorosis can be greatly improved by a variety of treatments in esthetic dentistry.

What type of toothpaste should my child use?

Your child should use toothpaste with fluoride and the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. Brushing twice a day (after breakfast and before bedtime) provides greater benefits than brushing once daily. Parents should dispense toothpaste to prevent their young children from swallowing too much.

How much toothpaste should my child use?

For children under 2-years-old, use a smear of fluoridated toothpaste. For those aged 2 to 5 years, a pea-sized amount is recommended.

What is topical fluoride?

Topical fluoride is a preventive agent applied to tooth enamel. It comes in a number of different forms. A dental professional places gels or foams in trays that are held against the teeth for up to four minutes. Fluoride varnish is brushed or "painted" on the enamel. Varnish is especially useful for young patients and those with special needs who may not tolerate fluoride trays. Children who benefit the most from fluoride are those at highest risk for decay. Risk factors include a history of previous cavities, a diet high in sugar or carbohydrates, orthodontic appliances, and certain medical conditions such as dry mouth.

You can do your own research, and get your own unshakable facts by going to the My Water's Fluoride page. It takes a minute to load, so be patient. You can also view Utah Water Fluoridation Levels.

Courtney ...

I left Linley unattended for just a minute the other day at Darin's office, and she managed to pull everything out of my diaper bag. It was kind of nice because it kept her occupied for a while!

I clean out and switch my diaper bag fairly regularly. I get tired of the same bag, and stuff just seems to accumulate. My bag, on this day was in need of a good clean out. But, I thought it'd be fun and since everything was already out of my bag to show you what's in my diaper bag. So, here it is. My perfectionist self wishes I would have cleaned out my bag and then taken pictures, but here goes from left to right ...

Nursing Cover: I love my nursing cover and it comes in handy when I nurse in public, which is most of the time. Sometimes, I even use it as a car seat cover. The brand is bebe au lait and I love it because the fabric is soft, and a corner on the inside is terry cloth which comes in handy to clean up milk mustaches.

Wallet: Hobo wallets are my favorite. I bought this one more than 5 years ago. It's looking a little rough, but it does the trick.

Manicure Kit: I can't tell you how many times I snag a nail or need to file a nail when I'm out and about. This comes in handy.

Diapers: Enough said.

Pacifier Wipes: I love these. They are perfect for cleaning a binky that's fallen on the floor. They are made by The First Years and they are safe for baby. They are made with food based ingredients.

Lipstick: This is one of the areas I've reduced since I took these pictures. I used to carry around this big case when I was working, because I never knew what color I'd need. Now, I just carry around one lipstick and one liner as well as a mirror.

Wipes: Enough said.

Change of Clothes: It's happened to most of us, right? You get somewhere and your baby has a blowout. I like my extra set of clothes to be something soft, so it can double as pajamas if you're out late and want your babe to fall asleep on the drive home.

Burp Clothes: These are nice to have on hand.

Toiletries: I always have extra baby products in my bag. I reduced this section of my bag after I took these pictures. Who needs two lotions, and two baby washes? I like to have baby wash and baby lotion at the very least. I also carry around a Tide To Go stick and a sample of perfume.

Toys: You can never have enough of these to keep a baby occupied. I try to change them out regularly so there's always something new to play with.

Binkys: This is way too many. Like I said earlier, somehow they just accumulate. I like to have at least 3 binkys because they're always getting lost or falling on the floor, etc.

Food: I like to have snacks on hand, and a sippy cup. I also like to have a bib, a spoon, and some baby food.

Work Papers: I don't need to haul these around in my bag.

Camera: I never leave home without my camera.

Miscellaneous Papers: Again, clean out!

Pearls: I took these off, and stuck them in a pocket of my bag and totally forgot about them. Clean out!

Gum, Pen, Chapstick: These items are essential.

I've added some items also. Advil, hand sanitizer, and lotion.

I'd love to know ...

What's in your diaper bag?

Wouldn't it be fun to post pictures?

Email pictures and descriptions to:

mostlyamommy@gmail.com

Welcome

I traded in my career as a full time television news reporter to be a mother. It was extremely difficult to walk away from a job I absolutely loved. Luckily, I have been able to continue doing stories for the station when I have time. People often ask me if I have gone back to work yet. My response is typically, "Sort of, but I'm mostly a mommy." It really is the best of both worlds. Being a mommy is better than I ever could have imagined.

Adjusting to life as a full time mother has been a lot of things: fun, interesting, challenging, rewarding, surprising. I've learned a lot in the last 9 months and have wanted a place to document the journey, the interesting finds along the way, thoughts, and lessons learned. This blog will hopefully be just that.

So, welcome and keep checking back!