My friend and fellow babycenter.com blogger, Sabrina, is the first-time mom to a nearly-one-year old baby boy named Raffi. She writes Rhodey Girl Tests about food, family, and fun. Her nickname RhodeyGirl started as a joke between RhodeyGirl and her husband Trig, AKA PhillyBoy. I caught up with Sabrina a few weeks ago.
How old is Raffi and what’s his most recent accomplishment?
Raffi is 10 months old and he is learning so much these days. Most recently he learned how to sign for “more” and how to open all of the kitchen drawers and take out one item at a time. I’m still working on teaching him to put them back.
What’s your favorite outing with Raffi that’s not necessarily Raffi-centric?
I love going running or power walking early in the morning before Raffi is fully awake. He loves smiling at everyone we pass, and in the quiet moments I love hearing him talk to himself. He has so much fun entertaining himself, and the fresh air is good for both of us.
What’s your most frequent way to spend the last hours before Trig gets home?
I spend the last hour before Trig comes home wishing he was home. That’s the honest answer. Raffi is still not very happy in that hour before dinner so we try to do a fun activity. Most days we will head to the pool for a bit or go to the playground. When I’m too lazy to do that we have cruising races or play catch in the way only a 10 month old can.
What do you and Trig like to do with Raffi on the weekend?
This summer has been my favorite in my entire life. We have spent almost every weekend on the beach or by the pool. Raffi loves eating sand and splashing himself, and I love feeling the warm sun on my face. Trig really likes carrying Raffi on his shoulders during every excursion.
Do you have any tips for moms of newborns in your neighborhood?
Take a class! Nest Philly is near me, and they have a hatchlings class geared for new moms. If you can’t make it to a class, go out for lots of walks and be friendly with other moms. When Raffi was a newborn I walked all the time just to make friends. I learned about the best playgrounds and made some of my favorite mom friends on those walks.
Have any veteran moms taken you under their wings? What did they show you?
I am very thankful for the veteran moms that have guided me. I learned how to let my husband take over and go out for a glass of wine with the other moms without calling home 10 times. I still don’t know how they can let go and relax like that. I wish I could, but I still send a few texts for my comfort.
Give us a cooking tip. (anything goes, baby-related or not!)
Everyone knows it, but few people do it. Wash and cut your veggies the minute you get home. And meal plan! So many people complain that they don’t know what to make for dinner or they don’t eat a healthy diet. By meal planning and doing some prep work ahead of time you can have a healthy dinner on the table in no time.
Oh, and Cheerios make a perfectly acceptable cooking snack.
Thanks so much, Sabrina! Follow along with her at Rhodey Girl Tests or on twitter at @RhodeyGirlTests.
