Baby blog updated

With 2 talking videos! So cute.

And Megan is right, I need a new name for this blog because she's definitely out of "baby" territory. Any ideas?

Baby blog updated

Rubber duckie, you're the one

I have a subscription to Parents magazine, which I thoroughly enjoy reading. They have some really helpful articles, articles with totally fun activities, and articles that are ridiculously hilarious in their fear-mongering. Why has The Media decided to report every little thing that could possibly harm 0.01% of the population and report on it as if we're all in danger? Sheesh. But I digress.

February's Parents has an article about the "windows of opportunity" for infants and toddlers, the times in which you can best begin a habit (sleep through the night, start solids, etc.). I love these kinds of articles. In all my nerdiness, I scan articles like this and keep a topical record that I can use when some of the information is more applicable.

One of their windows (which also include potty training and using a sippy cup) is the time to introduce a "lovey." This window I just don't

understand. Why why why would you purposely attach your child to a single object, something they can't sleep or leave the house without? Something that is easily lost and will lead to meltdowns and sadness for all? (The article does helpfully suggest buying a replacement lovey, though from what I know about some kids' loveys, replaco-lovey doesn't cut it.)

Many kids naturally gravitate to a lovey. That is fine. But to have a strategy for creating a lovey, as if a lovey is suddenly a necessity... Am I the only one who thinks that's just silly?

P.S.

Speaking of Leslie Patricelli books, we bought the book Yummy Yucky just a month ago, and it has quickly become one of Nadine's favorites. The colors are fantastically bright, the pictures are actually marvelous, the only character is a baby, and the words are fun. Nadine says "yucky" now, which is adorable.

We may need to buy many more of her books.

Did you hear the east coast got snow last night?

Luckily, Maryland does not get slammed like New York, Boston, etc. do. For that I am very grateful.

The baby blog is updated, again! With snow day pictures.

Also, I took these out my back porch this morning. The trees were gorgeous. I need to take photography lessons to learn how to really capture what I see.

Baby blog updated

Only two pictures. But they're worth the trip.

Practice, practice, practice!*

I have revamped my place mats. The main reason for this is I mistakenly washed them, and most of them became horribly frayed. The Christmas ones were completely shot, which made me sad. BUT, as you shall see, it all worked out for the best.

The first place mats I made were really just glorified pillow cases. Really cute pillow cases, but pillow cases nonetheless. Not very practical for eating. Fortunately, I have learned a bit about sewing, and I actually listened to my mom who knows much about sewing.

For this new batch . . .

• I went matchy-matchy with the coloring (remember how my matchy-matchy Thanksgiving ones ended up being my favorite?).
• I used fusible interfacing to keep the seams ironed and flat and in control.
• I ironed!
• I didn't double the place mats (Thanksgiving on one side, Halloween on the other); this is less space-friendly, but it's much easier for eating.
• I used double-fold bias tape around the edges to further flatten everything; plus it makes them pop.

And I am so very happy with how the new Christmas ones look.

Todd picked the fabric on the back--it's so fun! Cute ornaments.

I used the previous Thanksgiving and Halloween ones (especially because the Thanksgiving ones were so marvelous), tore all the outer seams, cut to make them less wide, ironed, interfaced, and bias taped. I've only finished two Halloween ones, but here's the finished product. I'm not sure what I think of the bright orange binding, but it's definitely Halloweeny.

I absolutely adore the fabric I got for the back of most of the fall mats. I was giddy when it was on sale.

*This quote comes to my mind often. The person has a (Russian?) accent, but only for this phrase. Google said it's from "Sneakers." Does anyone know if that's correct? Now I want to watch "Sneakers."

Baby blog updated

Grinches? Or are we not alone in this?

Because this is our first Christmas with a non-newborn, we had to consider the possibility of sitting Nadine on Santa's lap. We're into photo ops, and a child on Santa's knee seems to be one of the quintessential ones (I love that word; many thanks to my Communications Law professor for introducing it to me). We passed Santas set up in the malls, and Santa was available at our church party. But we didn't get a picture with Nadine on Santa's lap.

We did this mainly because Santa arrived during Nadine's bedtime, and she's really not into people who aren't me or Todd.

As I have stated many times on this blog, I am a bit paranoid, and I think that plays into the Santa picture thing. We've decided we're never going to force Nadine into physical contact with people--no forced hugs/kisses from "great-aunt So and So," etc. If she doesn't want to go near someone, she won't have to; it's important for her to listen to and follow her feelings. So how does that work if we force her to sit on a stranger's lap? It doesn't.

She may be the only child in history never pictured on Santa's knee. Oh well.