Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Itzbeen Changing My Life

Y'all. I just got the Itzbeen Baby Care Timer. It's amazing. I'd seen it here and there but never felt like spending the money on it. I got by just fine without it before. I finally broke down when I saw it at Target a few days ago. This thing is going to change my life. I've been using it for about 24 hours and I'm in love with it.

Here's how it works. There's a button for diaper changes, a button for feedings, and a button for sleeping. Whenever Annabeth gets her diaper changed, gets fed, or goes to sleep, I just press the corresponding button one time. Then it keeps track of how much time has passed since that occurred. It even has a bonus timer for anything else I want to keep track of. I'm using that to time Jackson's potty breaks.

I pretty much nurse on demand at this stage, but I still need a guideline to help me. I had been using my cell phone alarm for the last week to keep track of when it was time to feed the baby. But setting that thing is so complicated and half the time I do it wrong. Luckily, this timer also has an alarm feature.

This little gadget is going to set me free. That is, if you consider keeping track of how long it's been since you last changed a diaper, fed the baby, or put her down for a nap, setting one free. To some that might not sound like freedom. So if you are pregnant or have a little baby, spend the $25. You'll also need a pack of AAA batteries. But if the batteries die tomorrow, I swear I will issue a retraction.

57 comments:

3girlsmom said...

Pure genius.
Definitely falls in that "why didn't I think of that so I could be a zillionaire" category.
It's amazing the things that are invented in such a short time. For example, a Bumbo seat, which is the most brilliant baby invention EVER, wasn't even around for my 1st or 2nd kids. I think my 3rd might take it to college with her. She loved it that much.
Hugs to sweet Annabeth and best big brother Jackson!

Mary H. said...

That is pretty awesome. Wish they had that 10 years ago when I had my little girl!

Sounds like things are going good!

Blessings!

Pam said...

This is such a great little gem, Amanda. I'm going to put it on my list as a future baby shower gift. I love to get new mamas something they'd never buy themselves, and this looks like just the thing.

I would have loved Itzbeen when I was a new mama, too. Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer said...

I had a baby in October and got one of those the week he was born. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love mine. I would have lost my mind trying to remember when to nurse him if I had not used that! I didn't go anywhere without it for the first two months. I still use it and he is 4 months old!

Rose said...

What a great gift idea, I have two pregnant friends rightnow!!
Annabeth is absolutely beautiful, can't wait to see more pictures, btw, we still haven't seen any brother-sister pictures! :)

Marla Taviano said...

I have never heard of such a thing. That is brilliant. I never had ANY idea when I last did ANY of those things. My brain was complete mush. I still haven't quite recovered.

Unknown said...

You are CRAZY!!! And I love it! :) :)

I have never heard of this contraption, but I think I might just put in on my must have list because come May, I think I might just need this wonderful "life changing" baby care timer!

Rebecca

Lindsay said...

That sounds like a handy tool! Especially the feature that shows which side you need to nurse off of. I was always forgetting that. Matt's Iphone has an application for helping you remember, but I didn't make him download that for me ;)

R said...

interesting! i've never heard of it! i've lived without it just fine through two children now, but maybe that's something we can register for for Baby Boy!

Sarah said...

What a neat idea. I wish I had known about this before each one of my boys was born. Definitely one of those "duh" ideas that I should have thought of!

debra parker said...

I am loving hearing about baby stuff!!! It is so fun!

Suzi K said...

If I have another i'm SO getting it!!!

Heather said...

I think I need one of these! I am going to put that on my registry! Praying for you guys and can't wait to see more pics of Annabeth!

C:M:W said...

I would love that.... i love timers- it falls under my organization issue. I will have to remember to register for that!!!! I love all the baby updates, it allows to slightly see whats ahead of me.

JottinMama said...

I have never heard of such a thing! I think I might need one :) Thanks for the tip!

Mommy Blessings,
Kate :)

barbara head said...

Itzbeen waayyy toooo long since I had a baby!!! Wow, they didn't even have disposable diapers when I had mine. What will they come up with next, an electronic "nanny" so one can get some sleep.

Holly said...

There's nothing like taking a few less things off of a busy and tired Mama's mind. Praise God!

I thought of you this morning and prayed for your daily-ness today...may it be full of JOY for your family!

Beki said...

Neat-thanks for sharing. I just have to invest in one of these come July. Annabeth is beautiful!

How is Jackson adjusting to Annabeth? Just wondering-I've got a 3 y/o with Baby #2 due in July.

Blessings!!

The Ham Family said...

I agree with you 100%. My daughter had a new baby three weeks ago and absolutely loves it. I had read about it on someone's blog (I think maybe MckMama) where they had people comment on the one baby item they couldn't do without. So I started searching for one. She lives in Houston but much closer to Galveston than you and the Target closest didn't have them. After reading about you going to Woman's Work in Rice Village I decided to drive up there to get a K'Tan carrier and found the Itzbeen there. I bought the last one! But I ordered 2 more for baby shower gifts just last Monday. It has worked so great for my daughter and we were very sad that she didn't have it for the first 10 days at home. She definitely uses it now! Every new mom should have one. I agree with the others who said - why didn't I think off inventing that! Gay

Colored With Memories said...

that sounds awesome. i always had a hard time keeping track of when to take my pain meds post partum...that would have been so helpful!

Kim ~ Kay Kay said...

Amanda,
I just had to giggle when I read this post.
Ten 1/2 years ago they did not have an "Itzbeen" when I had my daughter.
But . . .I also didn't have "two" underfoot, so I can see where this would be a lifesaver! Especially with breastfeeding. My Sister-in-law is due in May and I might just consider this.
So glad you all are doing well and praise God for such a wonderful blessing! She is beautiful!
Your Mom shared a little about Jackson's excitement, could you share a little more?

Andreea said...

Oh how cool!! That's awesome!! Have a great afternoon.
Hugs to you, Jackson, and Annabeth(I almost wrote Baby Girl!!)

Fran said...

Well, I'm just sick we didn't have these when I was having babies. You all but had to make a chart system and I was too tired to keep up with it. PURE GENIUS is right!

Enjoy the freedom.
Hugs,
Fran

Unknown said...

This is the neatest thing! Thanks for sharing! God willing - maybe I will buy one soon!!!!!

Terrie and Carley said...

Thanks for sharing your story with us. I have several baby showers to attend and I think I know what I will be buying thanks to your recommendation. Your little princess is about as princess as one can be. Now you have a complete kingdom. Keep the pictures coming. You have a great family and you are an encouragement to so many young adults.
Terrie

Mary said...

Okay I just ordered one. Expecting soon...

I had never heard of it!

Boonies in the Boonies said...

Shut-Up!!! Now that is fabulous! Even being the Target regular I am, I've never seen that!! I have a 21 month old and an 8 month old, so how handy would that be?!?!?!

Also I've kept up with your blog for almost a year and never understood your "baby bang" title. Just saw the explanation and so good to know there's another siesta out there that knows what I'm talking about! People ask me all the time if I've cut my bangs ... "yes I cut my bangs 1 inch long ..." Too cute!!

That little one is just too cute, I could just eat her!!
(Which in Arkansas means she is just too darling to be true).

Rebekah Boone
Bryant, AR

Leah said...

i'm not sure exactly how i found your blog, so i hope you don't mind me reading your fun and VERY relatable stories! i loved your baby shower cake and am always looking for fun new bakeries to try (i live in houston). my sister in law is preg and i wanted to possibly try out a different "cake place". i'm sure you're EXTREMELY busy between feedings, playing with a toddler, and laundry. i completely understand! no rush, but if you have a sec, i would love to get the name of the place that made your cake. thanks so much. leah (elsie519@aol.com)
P.s. sorry for the long comment :-)

Kelly said...

I have got to get myself to Target. Bless you.

Browns said...

That sounds amazing! The things they(whoever they is) come up with. My youngest is 4 years old and products have changed so much from when he was born! Amazing!

Debbie said...

I am amazed with the new things that have come out since my "teens" were babies.

I remember my feedings were always on the 3's. Midnight, 3 a.m., etc. :)

It ALMOST makes me want another one....

Steph V said...

Yep! I had one with MacKenzie. I just needed someone to remind me to push the button. I always forgot that part, so it never was every to do the job. And then JD threw it in the bathtub so I really couldn't use it after that! Ha! Glad it's serving it's purpose for y'all!

Missy said...

That sounds so cool!!! I am definitely adding it to my registry!

bethany said...

That's a sweet little contraption. Hmmmm.....maybe I could use it in the classroom....like when I have multiple little autistic angels needing a time out!

AKat said...

Woowoo! I am going to have to get one of these; thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

i've never heard of it, and survived three kids without it (guess that means i'm OLD!). But, there are several new babies due in my little sphere and it sounds like that could be a good gift for their mommies!

i hope your family is adjusting well to having Annabeth around!

Laura said...

This is amazing!! This WILL TOTALLY SET ANY NEW MOM FREE!!! I would have spent the money on something like this. I was always wondering when I last fed or changed my 4 babies.

I am going to buy one of these for each of my preggo friends!

Sarah said...

I just told Pace I need another baby, so I can get one of those! (He wasn't going for it.) Why do these awesome things come around AFTER my babies aren't babies anymore??

Tara said...

That is ingenious! I kept a chart and half the time would forget to write stuff down (especially in the middle of the night). And I also saw the little thing at the bottom to help you remember what side you last nursed on... Thanks for sharing this! I might head to Target right now to purchase one for the next baby shower I attend!

Continuing to think and pray for you- Hope you are getting lots of good snuggle time with your little one!

Aunt_Nette said...

I PURCHASED ON FOR MY FRIEND WHO DELIVERED THE DAY AFTER ANNABETH WAS BORN.

HEAVEN ON EARTH.

Aunt_Nette said...

Oh and they come in pink or blue. I online orderd mine from Wal-mart. My Babies-R-Us was out of them.

Kelli said...

Oh my goodness.... I seriously think that could change a new mommies life and I am wishing that I had known about that 10 months ago. I will definitely be ordering one of those for the next one! I hope all is going well adjusting to life with two!

a boy a girl and a pug said...

you rock...i read this earlier while i was in the midst of searching for a cool baby gift and thought this is so perfect. so i ran out and got one...the new parents are going to love it! thanks for saving me today!

Anonymous said...

How cool! I'd never heard of it....maybe for the next baby. Won't that come in handy once you start manipulating her to a 2-nap schedule and when you have to start dropping feedings, etc. Why can't I come up with something like that? I agree with earlier comments- I think the Bumbo and Boppy are the best things know to mom!

Our Family said...

Hi Amanda (I don't know if you remember me, but I am Bonny's sister in-law....David's little sister) anyways, the itzbeen saved my life for the first 3 months!! I carried it around with me everywhere I went and watched it constantly. I never did it without one, but I can't imagine! I would have used it longer, but I left it in a hotel room in Baton Rouge and tried to get it back, but they couldn't find it...I am sure someone had no idea what they were taking!! I went through withdraws for at least a week though because I was so used to it!!! I will definitely purchase another one for our next baby!

su said...

Target is going to need to send you a commission!! I now want to get one for my daughter who is due in May. With her first she kept a journal for months - she'll love Itzbeen. Thanks for the info.

Have a good day with your two!

jamie b said...

i had seen that, but wondered if it worked. i'm glad to know it does :)

i can't wait to see more pictures of your sweet Annabeth!

Nesha said...

I have not heard of this. I now know what to get a dear friend that is pregnant with #4 due in April. The first 3 are boys (7, 5 & 3 yrs)and this one is said to be a girl!

Hugs to your sweet family!

Ashley said...

Wow, what will they come up with next?!! I would have loved to have known a contraption like that when my 2 were itsy bitsy! I'm WAY behind on the news, so here's a very belated CONGRATS and greatest blessings on the birth of your beautiful baby girl; I pray that your getting pockets of rest and enjoying this quickly fleeting time. Blessings to all 4 of you!

Unknown said...

I don't think I could've kept up with a baby timer a newborn and a toddler. It would have overwhelmed me.

I mean seriously. I would have ran screaming from the house. I didn't even use a timer. I used the mommy gestimator. "It's been about..." then a year and a half later when baby three arrived... I would've been done with a captital D!

I'm so proud of you for being more organized than I have ever been in my life... and using technology to assist you in taking the best possible care of your baby.

Superchikk said...

I will definitely put that on my must-have list when it comes time for #2. I almost drove myself crazy trying to keep track of feedings and stuff, and with Hubs asking, "When will it be time for..." all the time, my brain was fried!

Of course, it doesn't help that I'm so Type-A my picture should be in the dictionary with the definition...I actually wrote everything down for nearly the first year of C's life. Yeah, I'm nuts.

ClintandGina said...

I had walked right past that when registering, but I added to my baby registry the moment I read your blog. Come July, I will be thanking you. Annabeth is gorgeous!

bethany said...

I have seen these as well-but I haven't ever bought one. It sounds really, really handy, especially right after you have a baby and can't remember ANYTHING (I swear it's worse after having two babies).
Completely unrelated: I love that the title of each of your blog posts is centered. Looks so good!

katiegfromtennessee said...

Cool, Little Momma, if I have little ones, I will be looking for it. I like structure in my day:) Stability? Amen!!:)

katiegfromtennessee

Kevin and Christie said...

That is awesome. I saw it after Jude was born and wondered if it worked well. you know me a rule follower and trying to stay on schedule...glad to know that it works!

Cindy- My Life HIS Story said...

Wow. This is so cool.

I'm thinking it would be great even now for when my almost 12 year old is sick. I HATE it when the dr. asks, "So how often is she throwing up/having diarrhea? When did she have her last dose of medicine, etc...?" I always have to start trying to remember what I was doing when the last...was.

I'm buying some for friends right now!

Anonymous said...

That settles it! I've been thinking of getting this for some newly pregnant friends. After your rave review, it's definitely what they're getting.

I'd get one for myself, but Wog'd just hide it from me... much like everything else.