Keeping the macaroni contained

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There was one more thing about the Roni Tub. Bailey does an amazing job at keeping it in the tub. From the beginning, I showed her how it had to stay in the tub, and if we dropped a piece we had to put it back in. If she dumps a scoop and some of them spill it’s okay, but we have to put them back. So she really has been good about it. I told her that if it was a mess, we would be all done. She understands that much and so she doesn’t want to get it put away.

Things I Love Thursday- Dry Macaroni

Filed Under Eighteen Months, Things I Love Thursday, Toys | 12 Comments

Yes, this is a thing I love. The reason I love it? It can entertain my child for much longer than most typical toys. I know it’s not a brand-name item that I can show you a picture of online, or link to the website. But it has been a lifesaver for me since Sunday when we made this tub.

We call it “The Roni Tub.” It’s a shallow Rubbermaid tub (that links to the exact one we have- the size is perfect) filled with 8 boxes of dry, uncooked macaroni noodles. We bought the cheapy 93-cents-a-box kind. At some point I am going to color them with food coloring but I was just in a hurry to get it set up. Right now there are just a few scoops and cups and plastic animals in the tub. I plan to change out the items every so often. Bailey really likes to fill the containers and dump them out, and bury the animals. She also pretends that they are eating the macaroni.

This is a great toy for when I am on the phone, or making dinner, or working on Avon orders or something like that. (Speaking of Avon- I would love it if you can help me out with this contest I am in! I need orders from as many states as possible.) We don’t leave the tub out all the time- we just get it out as a special thing so that it stays fun and exciting! Also, it fits under our bed so it’s easy to store.

Don’t you love this startled look? I had been trying to get her attention and she finally noticed me and looked up. She is so good at tuning me out. And that bright yellow spot on her forehead? It’s a bruise. Lovely, isn’t it.

Things I Love Thursday- Fisher Price Pop-Onz

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I know sometimes as moms we can be hesitant to buy more toys, when our kids already have too much of everything. You wonder if it will really get played with, or if you just like it because it looks educational, or if your kid just liked it in the store because it was something new. We have a toy at our house that I think was a great investment- Fisher Price Pop-Onz Twirl Table. Bailey absolutely loves them. I don’t think they are available new in stores anymore (we got hers at a garage sale) but this is hands down the toy that she can play with literally for an hour at a time. Nothing else competes, not even her books or puzzles right now. She loves building on this table. It is so fun to see what she makes. I think it is easier for her than Legos because on a lot of the pieces, there is just one spot to connect instead of having to line up two spots.

A quick search on Amazon showed tons of results for this, so it would be easy to get if you are interested. It’s also nice because all the blocks store in a net under the table. One side of the table lifts up to drop them in. Bailey can clean it up herself when she’s done!

Around the House

Filed Under Fifteen Months, Hair, Play, Toys | 1 Comment

For the last few weeks it has been dreadfully hot, up until just this past weekend. We have stayed home a lot of days, instead of just finding something to do. Gas is expensive, it’s sooo sweaty outside, and I have just felt like hanging out at home. We have played in the pool/sprinkler a bit, but other than that we’ve just been in the house.

Bailey has gotten a few new toys, including some wooden puzzles from Jonathon’s parents, a new Elmo video and stuffed Elmo from Mommy, and some new books. I have also been making more of an effort to rotate her toys so that she doesn’t get tired of the same ones. Her absolute favorite thing is her Little People Zoo. She doesn’t really care about the zoo part, but she loves the animals. Her new thing is lining them up on the couch or the coffee table. I have also noticed that sometimes she will get only the birds out (there are like six different kinds of birds in the set). For some reason, she really likes birds. Maybe because my parents make a big deal out of looking at the birds at the feeders on their deck.

Here she is lining up her animals. Yes, I know my coffee table needs to be cleaned. Glass top tables are constantly gross, especially with kids around. Of course that’s what we bought, before having a kid!

Whining at Mommy… this happens more than it used to. But my reason for including this picture- you can see her “haircut” because her bangs are actually laying nicely in this shot. I can’t believe this was just a month ago and already they are down to her eyebrows again. I think her hair grows fast like mine!

Playing with her baby and her Fuzzy bear. She loves to carry them around and hug them and pat their backs.

This is about as messy as she gets when she eats… weird, I know. Only maybe three times that I can think of has she gotten messier than this or gotten food in her hair.

Let me out of here, Mom! I’m sick of being at home!

My Busy Day

Filed Under Doctor Stuff, Fifteen Months, Home Sweet Home, Movies, Toys | 3 Comments

Today was a busy day for me. The morning started off by Bailey climbing out of her highchair. Then the carpet guy came to reclean our downstairs carpet. You know, the cat pee carpet? Well apparently the pet odor treatment didn’t work because after a few days the smell was back. (And to think Jonathon wanted to spend money on stuff like cat trees and condos for this stupid cat). The guy who they sent out today did injections into the carpet padding and onto the floorboard. We are hoping this works. If not we get refunded and have to buy new carpet. A friend of mine mentioned today, she thought we had already gotten new carpet. Well that was abandoned last minute due to money being needed for other things. So cross your fingers that this carpet cleaning works!

Then my Avon order came and I couldn’t sort it downstairs because of the carpet cleaning, so I completely trashed my office trying to find room to do stuff… but at least I can deliver things tomorrow and get some money!! Bailey did a great job playing by herself in the living room and watching her Elmo video.

Tonight I had to go get my eyes examined at my old eye doctor. Apparently the crazy woman I saw last time at the cheapie place was right, and I really do have an astigmatism. So my contacts are now like $65 a box. I am just waiting to go back for my “recheck” of my new contacts and then once they give me the prescription I will go get it filled online.

After that I ran a few errands- stopped by the grocery store and stopped by Best Buy to get a new Elmo dvd for Muffie. She is absolutely in love with “Mo” right now. Then we had a late dinner and let Bailey go outside and play in her new Cozy Coupe for a little bit. She can get in and out on her own and then picks up her feet so you can push her around. I’ll have to get some pictures of her in there!

Sprinkle Dinkle

Filed Under Fifteen Months, Play, Toys | 5 Comments

I think I mentioned that a while back, Jonathon bought a Dora sprinkler for Bailey. While very cute, it’s just not a functional kid sprinkler. I could tell that when I saw it, but he was so proud of his purchase. It’s inflatable and fills with water, and then water sprays out of all the holes. But I decided that we needed to get some more use out of it, so last night after dinner we got the sprinkler out to play in the yard.

Here’s Bailey checking out her Dora sprinkler.

We noticed that the water wasn’t coming up very high out of the sprinkler as it had in the past. Upon further inspection, Jonathon found a split on one of the seams. Of course it is from stupid Target and we will have quite the run around trying to return it, just like I wrote about here. That is so frustrating. I’m going to have to start searching for that receipt.

We ended up getting out the regular sprinkler for Bailey, and she was just as happy with that. Proof that kids don’t need cute sprinklers that don’t end up working. I have lots of pictures from last night but there were just so many that I felt like really captured her personality and her silliness, so here you go!

This is what she does when we tell her to smile…

Snacktime (which seems like about every half hour all day long!)

Our neighbor Will came over and confessed that he and his wife had been watching Bailey play out their window for a while. He is such a nice guy and Bailey just loves him! Plus, he helps us out with all kinds of house/yard/car stuff and has taught Jonathon a lot.

Wordless Wednesday- Building a Tower

Filed Under Fifteen Months, Toys, Wordless Wednesday | 9 Comments

Works For Me Wednesday- Crayon Storage

Filed Under Fourteen Months, Toys, Works For Me Wednesday | 3 Comments

You know how when you have a box of crayons, it is hard for the kids to get just one crayon out of the box, or put them back in the box? My parents as teachers lady showed us a good trick. Not to be outdone by Nicole and her snack trick, my Works for Me Wednesday tip also involves a Parmesan cheese canister. (And I had a little laugh because I had already planned on doing this post today before reading Nicole’s blog).

We are using a Parmesan cheese canister for storing crayons. If you wash it out and peel the label, it’s the perfect size. Also, as the kids get better with fine motor skills, then can try putting the crayons back in through the smaller round holes. We put Bailey’s crayons in there a few weeks ago and it seems to work well for her. And the plus side is that at least right now, she can’t get it open on her own

For more tips to make your life easier, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

WW- There’s nothing like riding a hippo backwards…

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Until now, Bailey has refused to get on any of her push along/ride on toys. (Or anything similar at the park, or Gymboree, or church nursery…) Finally this morning she decided to get on her Peek a Blocks Hippo. And just sit there. The funny thing is she has done this several times now and it’s always backwards. Maybe he’s easier to get on that way…. also he is in “pushing” mode and the seat isn’t even down.

Bailey’s Birthday Celebration with Avie and Juna

Filed Under Bailey's Birthday, Gifts, Playdates, Toys | 1 Comment

Today we went to Mae’s house for a playdate. Bailey had a good time playing with Avalon and Juna… and she was just fascinated by Miss Boo. I think it was mutual, actually.

I delivered Mae’s Avon order and she gave Bailey her birthday present since they couldn’t make it to the party. Remember the really cute pink shoes with bells on them? She got them for Bailey in a bigger size! I love them so much and I had planned on cramming her squished toes into them until she turned thirteen, so she is very thankful to have some bigger ones.

Here is a shot where I actually managed to get all three of the babies. That’s Avalon on the left, crying Juna is in the middle, and Bailey is on the right.

She also got a Disney Princess cell phone. Just what every toddler diva needs, right? She’s busy texting in this picture.

In honor of her first snow, and other things

Filed Under Clothes, Eight Months, Pregnant Friends, Toys | 5 Comments

Bailey wore this dress to church on Sunday and then again later this week to our nursing group, in honor of her first snow. She hadn’t worn in yet, so I thought this was a great time to bust it out. The snowflakes on it are embroidered with silver thread and I just love it. You know how you just fall in love with some of their little outfits? This is one of them.

My pregnant friend Sarah- she is right at 15 or 16 weeks in this picture. Just starting to get that little baby bump and I think she looks beautiful! She is my BFF from high school (we were seriously inseparable for a while) so I was thrilled to find out she was pregnant. I know she is still a good friend and nothing will ever be like high school again (thank God, right?) but I hope we can become closer again.

Bailey in a Christmas shirt that I got for her last year at an after Christmas sale and almost forgot about! She is really more concerned with chewing on the chapstick I got from my friend Jen.

Playing with her toy pig that she got for Christmas from Alison (the little girl I watch sometimes on Fridays). It vibrates and shakes and plays music, and she thinks it’s pretty funn

Sleeping Through the Night

Filed Under Breastfeeding, Milestones, Sleep, Toys | 4 Comments

I just realized I never posted the results of our crazy sleep training experiment. The reason I probably never posted? There was nothing to complain about. I am way too good about whining on my blog but not so good about posting normal blah kind of things.

It has been almost two weeks now, that Bailey has been sleeping through the night. The first night was a Friday. She went down like normal around 8:30 pm. I tried to give her that supplemental bottle at bedtime and make sure she was really full so that I would KNOW it wasn’t hunger when she woke up crying. The ped said that she didn’t physically need to eat during the night anymore. She woke up around 2:30 or 3, like normal. She cried louder when I didn’t go running in there. So I went in after like 10 minutes and just patted her and shushed at her. She wasn’t a big fan of that and yelled louder. About ten or fifteen minutes after that, it was Jonathon’s turn only he just stepped into her room and talked to her from near the doorway, I think. She yelled for about a half hour or so after that, and then fell asleep and slept until 8:30 a.m.

The next night, she woke up around the same time and fussed for about ten minutes. That is what she did for the next few nights, only at random different times and only for two or three minutes each time. Since then, I think she has only woken up during the night once in the past week. She doesn’t really cry- like mad cry- during the night when she wakes up. It’s more like she’s rolling around and fussing trying to get herself comfy again. I love that she can get herself back to sleep.

What’s it like getting a full, uninterrupted night’s sleep? I kind of take it for granted again. It already seems like so long ago that I was up four times a night. Sometimes I think I miss it. The other night before I went to bed, I went in her room and picked her up and held her in the rocking chair forever while she slept. It’s just about the only time I can get some serious snuggles from her now that she is so busy The only thing that sucks now, is that my boobs leak in the morning. I have been trying to pump before I go to bed around midnight, but the pump just doesn’t get ANYTHING anymore. My body never responded super well to pumping, so I think now that I am doing it only once every day or two it is even worse. I get like a half ounce, total, after about fifteen minutes. So most nights now I don’t even bother.

Bailey is now going to bed between 8 and 9 pm and waking up between 8 and 8:45 a.m. Except for this morning, she woke up at 7:30 screaming. I think that Jonathon went in her room to empty the diaper pail before he left for work, because today was trash day. I am going to question him about that when he gets home tonight. He is really obsessive about “collecting” all the trash on Thursday mornings. But he needs to stay out of her room, especially within the half hour or hour before she gets up, because she’s in a really light stage of sleep. I needed those extra few minutes I brought her into my bed and nursed her back to sleep for maybe a half hour.

Oooh, then my mom and I went to the toystore and I bought Bailey this for Christmas:

I can get my own toys now, Mom!

Filed Under Nursery, Seven Months, Toys | 4 Comments

Bailey has discovered that she can crawl to her various toy boxes (which are those collapsible boxes from Target in faux leather and suede… we have them stashed in each room of the house, in the color to match that room- I love them)! Anyway she can tip them over and then spends FOREVER digging through them, looking at all her toys. We keep different toys and books in each room and try to rotate them sometimes, so she gets to see a variety of them instead of always the same thing. We also try to trade out what’s in her diaper bag and at Grandma’s house and stuff like that, but I notice that we always have “her favorites” in the diaper bag anyway.

Here are some pictures of Bailey after she got into the toy bin in her bedroom. She finally decided on this vibrating frog teether and then spent quite a while retrieving him and chewing on him. She is so much better at keeping herself busy these days.




Why do you keep taking my picture?

New Animal Toys

Filed Under Five Months, Play, Toys | 8 Comments

I got Bailey this really cute Fisher Price animal set. It’s for 6 months and up, so I decided to get it out of her closet today and let her play with it. I have never seen a toy with so many twist ties attaching it to the box. Serious- it took me over twenty minutes to get all the pieces out. Bailey enjoyed looking at it, but didn’t really know what to do with it. She’s not quite ready to “play animals” with Mommy

She sure did like these bananas!

Bailey decided she’d had enough of the animals, and scooted her way off the blanket. For not being able to crawl, she can really get from one place to another. She rolls and scoots, usually in the direction she is trying to reach!

Fisher Price Toy Recall

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There has been all the stuff in the news about toys from China being recalled for lead paint… and all this Fisher Price stuff is now being recalled. Here is a list:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20079082/