Mom2MomPhilly

BounceU

2011-08-26T14:44:00.000-04:00

I have been contemplating taking my daughter to BounceU for several weeks now, ever since she went to a birthday party where there was a moon bounce that she absolutely loved. Even though she bounced her little heart out at the birthday party, I was worried that a place like BounceU might be intimidating to her (and me). Well, with summer rapidly winding down, I decided we should do something fun these last few days, so we went!

We went for a Preschool Playdate at the Horsham BounceU location, which according to the website calendar takes place every weekday morning from 9:30-11:00 (M, W, F) and from 12:30-2:30 (T, Th). It costs $8.95 per child and includes 90 minutes of bounce time, plus a snack. You can actually purchase five sessions for $36! It is for children 7 and under. Socks are required to bounce!!

Happy bouncing girl!

Leah had the time of her life. Bouncing, hopping, jumping...her most favorite things!! Now, I have to put it out there that my daughter is not very shy and she has almost no fear! There were a lot of people there but there is enough equipment that it never really felt too overwhelming. Now, I did feel like some of the "older children" were a bit rougher. There is obviously a huge difference between what a 2 year old and 7 year (or even a 4 year old) can do. That was at times a little frustrating because these bigger kids were tackling each other and not really paying any attention to the little ones. That's hard even at a playground, so I am used to seeing it, but still, it's always a bit unsettling for a mom to watch!

Trying to climb up for a slide!

Some of the equipment was definitely way above Leah's ability, but that didn't stop her from climbing up some of them and going down the incredibly fast slides. I was bummed that I didn't wear socks because I would have totally taken her up all of the bigger equipment. I know she would have enjoyed it, but I'll remember that for next time!

There is loud music playing the whole time but it was nothing offensive, and quite honestly, I had fun singing along to the tunes! They played the Electric Slide, Footloose, Twist and Shout...oldies but goodies!

At the end of the bounce time, the staff members (there were a few spread out throughout the bounce areas for the entire play time) took the children to the party room, where the tables were set up for snack. I was very impressed with this! I expected some crackers in a cup, but they gave each child an individual bag of Goldfish and an Apple and Eve juice box. This was Leah's first experience with a juice box and with undiluted juice. She was ecstatic!! The bag of goldfish was actually a very decent size and since it was getting late (I still needed to do my pre-hurricane shopping), we took the bag with us in the car.

Overall, I was very pleased with Bounce U. I have been to a few different "gym type places" for kids and often leave just feeling dirty or like it wasn't really worth the huge fee. I did not feel that way about Bounce U at all. True, there was no "lesson" or group activities like at other places. But, it still gives children the opportunity to socialize and more importantly, take turns and share the equipment! Although I go back to school next week and won't be free during any of the morning Preschool Playdate sessions (boo hoo for me), I do plan on keeping this in mind for whenever I have off throughout the year. It's a great way for children to be active and get their energy out, especially if you are stuck indoors!

Warning: the slides are VERY fast! :)

PS. Please try to look past the blurriness of the pictures. It is not easy capturing a quick-moving toddler! :)

Double the Rewards from Stonyfield

2011-08-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

I am a huge fan of Stonyfield Yogurt and I think their rewards program is one of the best out there! Right now they have a special promotion going on. From August through October, all reward points from YoBaby and YoToddler products will be automatically doubled!! If you haven't joined My Stonyfield Rewards, then now is a great time to do so! You'll be earning FREE products in no time!

Great Fun at Merrymead

2011-07-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

My niece is visiting with us this week and we've been trying to do some fun things with her. Tonight we took our daughter (22 months) and niece (3.5 years) to Merrymead Farm, located in Lansdale, on Valley Forge Road. The girls had a TON of fun and didn't want to leave!!

When we first got there, we walked around to see all of the animals. We saw a hog (the biggest hog I have ever seen), bunnies, goats, sheep, donkeys, chickens, a pelican and of course lots of cows! Except for the hog, all of the animals were up and moving around plenty for the girls to see, and we even heard lots of maas, moos and clucks!

After we walked around, we used the little washroom to clean of their hands. They have kid-sized sinks, which makes hand-washing a much more enjoyable and productive experience! Then, we made our way into their little store, which happens to serve some of the best ice cream I've ever had. The prices make the ice cream even better: a "pint-sized" cup costs $1.99, and a single scoop is $2.99! There are tons of picnic benches to eat at outside, which of course is great when you are eating with kiddos who tend to spill their food! :) Before we left, we had to do one more round of animal-looking! On the way, I stopped to take a look at their produce- really fresh looking veggies and fruits for very reasonable prices!

This wasn't my first trip to Merrymead but it was the first time we had been there since October. Leah's enthusiasm for the animals has truly multiplied and I enjoyed our visit more than I expected. There isn't an abundance of animals, but what they do have is great entertainment for little ones! Definitely head there soon...you won't be disappointed!

Do you want FREE jewelry?

2011-07-24T15:21:00.000-04:00

Some of my readers may know that I sell jewelry, mostly just as a fun little hobby! I got involved with Premier Designs Jewelry a little over a year ago because I loved their jewelry and realized that if I sold it, I could earn free jewelry and make a little extra money (which then buys me more jewelry!!).

Premier's varied collection of high fashion jewelry makes it easy for everyone to find something they like! Their prices are very reasonable, too!

One of the best things about Premier Designs is their hostess plan. Hostesses who have a home show earn 30% of their retail sales in FREE jewelry, plus they can earn up to $100 more in free jewelry based on other factors such as pre-orders, number of guests, bookings made through their show and keeping their original booking date!

Home shows aren't always convenient for everyone so you can also do a catalog show. Earn 20% of your retail sales, plus get an item at 1/2 off! Not a bad deal for passing a catalog around your family, friends and coworkers!

Since the summer and beginning of fall is a busy time for many people with vacations and back to school, I am looking for some people to have catalog shows. Anyone who contacts me before July 30th to hold a catalog show will receive the pair of earrings pictures below for FREE (in addition to your hostess benefits). Catalog shows must be held before September 30th.

Contact me today if you are interested!

These earrings are go with everything. They are my go-to earrings when I want something simple yet trendy. They are as light as can be- I don't even know I am wearing them. They hang down about 1 1/2 inches. You will love them!

Potty training...is today the day??

2011-07-20T11:36:00.001-04:00

My daughter took her diaper off this morning...and she does NOT want it back on. I'm thinking maybe I should try potty training. She's been without a diaper for about 2 hours-I am being very brave!! She tinkled a little bit two separate times but once I realized she was going, I asked her to go on the potty. As quick as her little legs could go, she ran to the potty and went a little more! We had one larger accident on the kitchen floor but I know that's to be expected. I have a timer set on my phone for every 15 minutes and when it goes off, she now realizes it's her signal to go to the potty (which is currently set up in the family room, right near all the toys and in direct view of the TV). Of course she gets an M&M each time she goes, too!

She's been interested in the potty and has been going a couple times a day for a few months. Since I'm home with her right now, it's probably a good time to actually be serious about this. I am interested in other parent's experiences...did you use a timer? Did you do the naked route? What's your best advice?

Free sample of Diapers!!

2011-07-20T08:55:00.000-04:00

If it's free, it's for me! :) My husband loves to say this...but in all seriousness, who doesn't love free diapers? Get your free sample of Huggies Diapers at Target. You have to answer a few survey questions, but truthfully, it takes less than 2 minutes to get your free sample! Check it out today before it's too late!!

Kids Bowl Free

2011-07-20T08:16:00.000-04:00

Just in case you missed this, I am reposting information about Kids Bowl Free. With the HOT weather we are experiencing right now, I think everyone is looking for some indoor activities to enjoy with the kiddos!

This summer, kids all around the country will have the opportunity to bowl for free! To find a participating bowling alley near you and to learn more information visit Kids Bowl Free! Registration is required but it's free!

Shopping Deals!!

2011-07-16T07:20:00.000-04:00

I would be lying if I said I didn't love shopping. I've always enjoyed shopping- mostly for clothes and boy did this intensify after my daughter was born!! I rarely look for myself anymore, most of my shopping is devoted to the baby sections. :) Finding incredible deals makes my shopping experiences even more thrilling. I hardly ever buy anything full price for my daughter. When she outgrows clothes in as little as 3 months, there is no justification for spending a lot on what she wears!

That's why I love shopping when stores are having incredible sales. Right now, many stores have their current summer clothes on clearance and are also offering 40% off the sale prices! This is happening at places such as babyGap, Crewcuts and Old Navy (Old Navy went as far as taking 75% off!!). I found a navy blue shirt at crewcuts for only $2.99. babyGap is by far on of my favorite stores so when I found shirts for as cheap as $4.19 and adorable dresses for $8.40, I couldn't pass them up! At Old Navy, I was able to get a skirt for as low as $3! Now I am being smart about all of my good deals...buying sizes for next summer! Leah has always been an average "grower" so I feel confident assuming her size for next year. So not only am I having fun shopping, but I am really being budget-conscience and getting my daughter clothes that ordinarily I wouldn't be buying!

At what stores have you seen amazing deals?

Free $25 Gift Card

2011-07-15T14:25:00.001-04:00

Need diapers? Well, this weekend is the perfect time to buy them! Purchase 2 value boxes of Pampers Diapers (Pampers in a bin excluded) at Babies R Us (or online) and receive a $25 gift card to the store.

If you have any pampers coupons, you are allowed to use them on your purchase. This deal is available on July 15th and July 16th only! Happy shopping!

Summer Movie Express

2011-06-12T21:18:00.001-04:00

While I fully believe that children should be outside enjoying their summer vacation, it is nice to have alternative activities for rainy days or for when children simply need a low-key day. Well, this summer, select Regal Movie Theaters are offering $1 (yes, ONE DOLLAR) admission to a variety of kids movies. Movies start at 10am and are being shown on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting June 21st and go through August 17. A variety of movies are being shown, including Ramona and Beezus, Open Season, Charlotte's Web, How to Train Your Dragon and Karate Kid (there are lots more that I did not mention).

Participating theaters include: Downington Cinema Stadium, Oxford Valley Theater Stadium, Edgemont Square (Newtown Square), Oaks Stadium 24, Warringon Crossing Cinema. See which movies are playing at a theater near you at the Summer Movie Express.

Hot-Car Tragedies

2011-06-07T21:27:00.000-04:00

Whenever I hear about a child being left in a car, I can't help but think "Gosh, how irresponsible is that parent?! How could they forget their child??" When you have a loud child like mine, who rarely falls asleep in the car, it seems impossible to leave a child in a car. However, when I read the article Tragedy in the Backseat: Hot-Car Deaths, I couldn't help but sympathize with the mom, Mary Parks who accidentally left her son in the car one morning. I will say that I still do not understand how a person could leave a child in the car, but I can completely relate to that overwhelmed, stressed out feeling - the busyness that comes from working, coordinating childcare, visiting sick family members, food shopping, cooking, cleaning...the list goes on. Managing the day-to-day (especially for working moms) can be a lot to handle! But at the same time, it is your primary responsibility as a mom to care for your child. So, I am not justifying how people leave children in the car- I simply understand the distractions stress and exhaustion can cause. Regardless, I have to come back to the fact that you must do everything in your power to care for your child and certainly this means making sure your child is not left in a car ever!

Since mistakes can happen even to the most attentive parent, here are some very practical suggestions (taken from the article above) to help prevent something like this from happening to you:
- Put your cell phone, purse or something else that you will need when you get out of the car on the backseat of your car.
- Place your quieter or younger child behind the passenger's seat in the car. You are more likely to notice them there.
- Keep a stuffed animal in your child's car seat and when your child is riding in his/her seat, move the stuffed animal to the front seat. - - - The stuffed animal will be a reminder that your child is in fact in the car.
- Ask your babysitter or daycare to call you immediately if your child isn't dropped off at the normal time.
- Make a habit of always looking in the back seat and even opening the back door just to make sure no one is back there.

Unless your child is a loudmouth like mine, then perhaps these are some practical precautions you might want to take. This is another tragedy that can easily be prevented!

Free Class at Children's Music Express

2011-06-06T16:56:00.001-04:00

Children's Music Express is kicking off summer this week by offering FREE sample classes at their Chestnut Hill and Huntingdon Valley locations. Visit their Children's Music and Movement classes, Music for Autism™ class, and Children's Yoga classes (see below for days/times). In addition to experiencing a great class, there will be balloons, facepainting, raffles and prizes!

RSVP now to reserve your spot by calling (215) 275-5594 or email tammy@childrensmusicexpress.com. Please provide your name, the class you’d like to attend, phone or email, and child’s name and age when you RSVP. Reservations are required so hurry to reserve your spot.

Classes at the Chestnut Hill location (at The Cedars House 200 Northwestern Avenue Philadelphia PA 19118, Forbidden Drive at Northwestern Avenue in Fairmount Park)

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Prancing Warriors™ Yoga 9:30 am / Ages 3-4

Power Warriors™ Yoga 10:30 am / Ages 5-8

Peaceful Warriors™ Yoga 11:30 am / Ages 9-12

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Music Lions™ Music and Movement 9:30 am / Ages 3-4

Music Monkeys™ Music and Movement 10:30 am / Ages Infant - 4

Music for Autism™ Music and Movement 11:30 am / Ages 3-5

Huntingdon Valley (at The Kid Company 2381 Philmont Ave, Suite 119 Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, Near the corners of Philmont Avenue and Huntingdon Pike)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Music for Autism™ Music and Movement 6:30 pm / Ages 6-8

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Music Lions™ Music and Movement 9:30 am / Ages 3-4

Music Monkeys™ Music and Movement 10:30 am / Ages Infant - 4

Peaceful Warriors™ Yoga 11:30 am / Ages 9-12

Power Warriors™ Yoga 4:30 pm / Ages 5-8

Music for Autism™ Music and Movement 6:30 pm / Ages 9-12

Friday, June 10, 2011

Music for Autism™ Music and Movement 12:15 pm / Ages 3-5

Drowning Dangers

2011-06-02T21:50:00.002-04:00

Two of my friends posted articles about drowning today and after reading both of them, I felt it was really important to share them with Mom2MomPhilly readers. While many parents would say "oh that would never happen to me," the truth is, it happens more often than it should. Drowning is the number two leading cause of death for children. Drowning also happens to be completely preventable! One article said that babies can drown in just 1 inch of water! Water safety is important for all people but it is even more crucial if you have babies and toddlers around. After reading 18 Seconds, I was completely heartbroken for this family, whose little girl died while swimming in a crowded pool. It took just a second for the parents to lose sight of their toddler (and you know that happens to every parent at some point).

Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning is an informative article that will help you recognize when someone is drowning! Surprisingly, drowning victims usually don't look like they are drowning. Drowning victims do not have the ability to wave or reach out for help. Read the article for more information.

After reading these two articles, I decided to do some more reading on this topic. I came across Water safety: Protect your child from drowning. They offer some suggestions for helping to prevent drowning- not only in pools and oceans but in toilets and bathtubs, as well. A couple of the suggestions I personally needed to be reminded of include: removing toys from the tub (or blow up pool in our case); Shutting toilets and install childproof toilets; shutting bathroom doors!

Don't let a preventable tragedy like drowning happen to your family. Take precautions and keep your family safe this summer!

Great Deals for Restaurants

2011-06-01T21:34:00.000-04:00

Groupon is offering some great deals on local restaurants right now. Allegra Grille in Maple Glen, Mile High Steak and Seafood in Glen Mills, Vintage Grille in Doylestown and Nina's Trattoria in South Philly are just some of the tasty establishments offering discounts. Check out these restaurant deals, as well as other great deals by clicking here.

The "fine print" for each deal is clearly spelled out before you even purchase, so there will be no surprises when you go to use your certificates. 50% discounts make eating out a lot more affordable! Deals only last for a couple of days, so don't delay making your purchase!

Old Navy Groupon Deal

2011-06-01T21:26:00.001-04:00

If you like shopping at Old Navy (who doesn't?), then you must check out this Groupon deal. Spend $10 and you will get a $20 certificate to use at Old Navy! This deal expires June 2nd at midnight, so don't delay!

Click here to take advantage of this great offer!

Ladies Who Run

2011-05-31T21:58:00.001-04:00

A women's running group is beginning in the Collegeville, PA area. Tomorrow, June 1st, is the first run, which happens to coincide with National Running Day! The run will be at 9:30 a.m. at 101 New Mill Road Oaks, PA, Lower Perkiomen Valley Park (meet in the 1st parking lot on the left). For more information, click to view their flyer and find them on facebook!

Anyone interested in running is welcome. You do not have to be a marathon runner, nor is this group just for Moms! More running groups/times will be added, as well!

Summer Fun!

2011-05-30T22:23:00.001-04:00

Who isn't excited for summer? This Memorial Day Weekend has given us all a taste of what the next 3 months will be bringing! Summer is supposed to be filled with BBQs, swimming at pools, taking beach day trips and taking your kids (or nieces and nephews) to Carnivals and Fairs!

I had fun searching for events to put on this page. I really searched for events that offered discounts/deals on tickets for families. I believe all families can find an event close to where they live and I don't think that these fairs and township festivals will break the bank!

In an ideal world, I'd make it to all of the fairs I have listed but I know it's not going to happen. I'd love to have Mom2MomPhilly readers share their experiences at any events they go to. Where did you find the best funnel cake? Which place had excellent rides for toddlers or preschoolers? Which events have fireworks at night? So please, comment! We truly value your feedback!

Manners and Children

2011-05-19T19:29:00.000-04:00

I'd like to think that all parents teach their children manners and how to be respectful. Obviously, I realize that this is not the case and it's very unfortunate. Sometimes, I think parents focus too much about the academic part of development that social skills are given the back burner. While learning to read and having quick recall of basic math facts is really important, they aren't the only things that should be focused on when raising a child. Teaching children manners and proper etiquette should also be a major part of parenting. Modeling these behaviors to help your child know what is appropriate and in some cases, you simply need to tell them what is expected. As a teacher, I spend a lot of time teaching and reminding my students what good manners are and how to show respect to adults and classmates. It can't be expected that children will just know how to do this. Yes, some children might catch on a little quicker than others, but they all need to see and hear what is expected of them.

I recently came across an article, 25 manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9 (thanks for posting, Aileen). As I read through, I agreed with almost all of them and I think it's a good list for parents to read and work on with their children (and most importantly model). I'm not saying Leah will learn all of these by nine. Nine years old seems to be a bit young to master such a comprehensive list of manners but at least we have a goal!

Are there any other manners you would add to this list?

Pretend Play

2011-05-18T20:52:00.000-04:00

"Imaginative play is a precursor of conceptual thought – in which possibilities are explored upon the inner 'stage' of a child's imagination." – Erik Erikson

It is argued that developing an imagination is crucial for gaining knowledge and that children who engage in more pretend play at a younger age have a richer vocabulary, are less impulsive and turn out to be great leaders! Furthermore, pretend play builds social and social skills, language skills and thinking skills. For a more in-depth look, read the article, How to Encourage Preschool Pretend Play. Don't be deceived by the title...pretend play usually begins around 18 months and lasts all the way through childhood! Although it is introduced during toddlerhood, older children certainly will enjoy pretend play!

Leah has recently become very interested in pretend play. She is taking a sudden interest in baby dolls and enjoys feeding them, rocking them and putting them in the toy cradle. Leah also enjoys playing with her dollhouse, putting the "people" in the bed (and saying shhh!), having them "ock" (rock) in the rocking chair and even letting them slide down her slide (while she yells whee)! It's fun to see imaginative play taking place and I hope that her love for this form of play continues to grow!

While many toy stores sell plenty of toys that encourage imaginative play, it is not necessary to spend a ton of money on them. Chances are you have items lying around your house that would be great props for encouraging pretend play. For example, put no longer used clothing, hats, shoes and jewelry in a box for children to play dress up. Do you have large boxes hanging around your house? Let your child have them...you would be surprised with what children will create with boxes! Allow your child to play chef: all they need is some old old tupperware and utensils and empty food boxes/containers and the cooking can begin!

At a time where technology is overtaking our lives and there is so much instant gratification because of technological advances, it is important to still give children ample opportunities to simply play, be creative with with their toys (or household items) and make up games. I know for me, some of my fondest memories as a kid are playing school, store and house with my sisters.

What is your child's favorite pretend play activity?

Free Events on May 18th!!

2011-05-17T19:02:00.000-04:00

Looks like the rain is going to stick around for another day or so. Thankfully there are some great indoor activities taking place in the area tomorrow. A trip to a museum is a great rainy-day activity. A free trip is even better and that's exactly what you will find tomorrow at area museums. Tomorrow is International Museum Day so museums throughout Philadelphia are offering free admission. Some museums participating in this include: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Museum-administered Park Houses, Cedar Grove and Mount Pleasant, as well as the nearby Rodin Museum

The Franklin Institute is also offering free admission tomorrow between 5 and 8pm. Visit hands-on exhibits like the Giant Heart, enjoy shows in the IMAX theaters and view the amazing night sky in the observatory. Learn more here!

Food Dilemma

2011-05-16T19:41:00.001-04:00

Two or three times a week, my daughter goes to a babysitter and on those days, I always pack her food. While cooking for her at home is rarely a problem for me, I find packing her breakfast and lunch to be a challenge. When she is home, we have the flexibility to make eggs, pancakes, waffles, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, quesadillas, mac and cheese etc. I realize I could send these and have her babysitter just warm them up, but let's be honest...a warmed up grilled cheese doesn't sound very appetizing! I just feel like I don't have good ideas for packing meals. I try to rotate through our regulars: For breakfast this includes oatmeal, toast and yogurt, and a whole wheat bagel. For lunch, I send leftovers from dinner and peanut butter and jelly. Yep, that's it for lunch. I will admit though- she loves her PB&J! :)

Thankfully, Leah has a huge variety of snacks that she enjoys eating and a lot of them are healthy and nutritious, so that's good. I just feel badly that her actual meals are so boring. Both of her parents are fairly boring eaters -- seriously, I alternate between turkey, cheese & mayo and PB&J every day. It doesn't bother me in the least bit. Every once in a while, I'll bring some leftovers from dinner but usually, my sandwiches taste perfect! But I don't want to limit her food choices and I really do want to expose her to as much as possible at a young age.

Do you have any good suggestions for breakfast or lunch foods? How much variety does your child have in his/her diet?

Diaper Deals!

2011-05-16T16:31:00.002-04:00

My sister has been talking about her amazing diaper deals for months and finally, after foolishly ignoring her way too long, I decided to check it out. Wow! I have been missing out on some amazing deals! I don't want any of my readers to make the same mistakes I did, so I am going to share everything with you!

First, sign up at Amazon Moms (membership is free). Then, you will want to see what coupons are on Amazon for you to use - not only for diapers but for tons of other household items, too. Click here to pick your coupons. They are automatically applied to your account when you click on them but you won't see the savings until you check out. Now it's time to start shopping!

Since my focus is on diapers, I'll share how I searched. I looked for Baby Products, specifically diapers, on the left sidebar of the home page for Amazon Moms. I then clicked on Disposable Diapers and on the next screen, I narrowed my search by Leah's size and I also chose Subscribe and Save (this is key). Basically, Subscribe and Save means you want a particular item sent to you on a pre-determined schedule (every 1, 2, 3 or 6 months). You save an extra 15% off your order, plus you get free standard shipping when you use Subscribe and Save. The Pampers I was buying Leah were originally $39.99, I got them for $23.32! Normally, I am very hesitant to subscribe to things and I hate automatic withdrawals but you can cancel your Subscribe and Save at anytime, which is a great feature. To cancel, go to Manage Your Subscription and cancel. If your child outgrows the size you have on your Subscribe and Save account, you can simply switch the size of diapers you want to receive without canceling and starting a new subscription. It really is user friendly!

Honestly, I don't think I'll ever buy diapers at a store again. This is so incredibly easy and the deals can't be beat! I also love that they have coupons for you to take advantage of. What a time saver...no need to check out circulars and flyers to see which store has what on sale! Getting familiar with what Amazon sells and checking out their coupons does take some time, but once you are familiar with the site, it is a breeze to find what you want! Just be sure that when you are looking for something, you always narrow your search by clicking "Subscribe and Save" so you can get the really awesome prices!!

If your little one is no longer using diapers, don't worry...there are TONS of household items for sale on Amazon Moms! Check it out, let us know what great deals you find, and if you need help navigating the site, feel free to let us know that, too (we'll do our best to help).

Rereading Favorite Picture Books

2011-05-15T21:43:00.001-04:00

I'm happy to say that Leah has always enjoyed reading. As a teacher, I know the importance of reading and having a love for books. I'm so glad that Leah enjoys books. In fact, she loves books so much that at times, she becomes completely obsessed with one book and will read nothing but that book!

Anyone who knows Leah knows that she's sort of strong-willed...she definitely knows what she wants, when she wants it and she lets you know it! This is absolutely true with reading. She goes through phases with favorite books and during these phases, there is no reading anything but her favorite book. It started with Peekaboo Farm. This book was great because we were able to learn animal names and noises, plus this book has touch and feel parts! After this phase ended, she became obsessed with Guess Who? A Foldout Valentine Adventure. I enjoyed reading this book to her because like Peekaboo Farm, it had animals and she was able to learn more animal names and sounds! We then moved on to Clifford's First Valentine's Day. I can't even begin to count how many times we read this book. Leah impressed me because she remembered the storyline and on the page where Clifford is found in the mail room, she starts barking because she knows that's what happens in the story! Right now, we are reading Tomie's Three Bears and Other Tales (Tomie dePaola). Along with the Three Bears, this book also has The Little Red Hen and The Big Bad Wolf. All three of these tales have dialog and I must say, my husband and I are pretty entertaining with our voices. Leah actually sits and lets us read through all 3 (usually) stories.

Clearly, Leah does not get easily bored with books and when I thought about it, I realized that even the second graders I teach love reading books multiple times. Rereading books isn't a bad thing, and in fact it is recommend by experts and it has great value. The National Reading Panel shared in 2000 that children who reread books multiple times have better sight vocabulary, reading comprehension and fluency!

For Leah's age, rereading a book such as Farm Peekaboo allows her to keep practicing animal names/sounds and it also boosts her self-confidence as she accurately recalls the correct names and sounds! For older children, rereading a book might provide an opportunity to learn a new vocabulary word, discuss a story element or make a connection between the story and the child's life. So the next time your child asks you to read a book for the hundredth time, take a deep breath and consider that this may be an opportunity for your child to make a brand new discovery about the book!

What is your child's all-time favorite picture book?

Obsessions

2011-05-14T18:49:00.000-04:00

I have to share this because I really think it's funny. My daughter has the craziest obsession with socks (and sometimes shoes)! She always wants socks on, which I can relate to because my feet are always cold! :) However, she loves changing her socks and has a select few pairs that are her favorites...and don't even think about putting on plain white socks. Honestly, she will take off her socks, go into her room and search for a new pair and then switch them...and this will take place several times a day, for no apparent reason at all! Her new favorite thing is to also put sandals on - with socks!

Leah is a very independent and strong-willed child. I really try to say "no" only when it's really necessary. Not that it's a free-for-all in our house, we do have limits and boundaries. I've decided that controlling this situation is really not necessary but boy does it frustrate me when she wants to wear pink and black polka dot socks with white dress shoes. Not that I am some incredible fashion expert- I am certainly not! I do, however, understand the concept of matching and choosing appropriate shoes for certain outfits! :) But, I have to ask myself if this is really worth the battle, and I just don't think it is (much to my disappointment).

Still, I can't help but think her obsession with socks and shoes (mostly socks) is a little funny. Why do her socks matter that much?

Does your child have an obsession with something that really surprises you?

Great Old Navy Coupon!

2011-05-13T14:51:00.000-04:00

Shopping at Old Navy this weekend? If so, then you must print out this coupon. Save 50% on one regularly priced item between May 13-15, in store only. Coupon can only be printed until 11pm on May 13th!

Happy Shopping!

Decorate-a-Cupcake at Bredenbeck's

2011-05-11T13:42:00.000-04:00

Bredenbeck's Bakery in Chestnut Hill, PA has become one of my family's favorite dessert places. We love everything- their ice cream, cupcakes, sugar cookies, linzer tarts, pound cake...the list goes on and on! If you haven't been, it is well worth the hassle of finding street parking to experience their delicious desserts!

May is actually the perfect time to go to Bredenbeck's because on Friday nights they have Decorate-a-Cupcake nights. Every Friday night between 6:00-8:00pm children can decorate a cupcake with icing and sprinkles for free! Adults can also decorate a cupcake for a $1.00 and the proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research.

We went this past Friday night, expecting to see a line wrapping around the block. Much to our surprise, there were only a few people there when we got there and we had no wait time whatsoever. Of course, Leah couldn't really decorate a cupcake so I did it for her but she definitely ate it!

There is no inside seating and outdoor seating is limited. The night we went, parking and seating was not an issue. We have been there other nights, though, where both are difficult to find. However, both challenges are worth their amazing treats!

Also in May...you can get their Cream Cheese Brownies BOGO! Enjoy, and let us know if you make it to one of the cupcake nights!

Growing up

2011-05-11T07:12:00.002-04:00

I know growing up and changing is a part of life and I'll admit I've never been a good one with change. However, most of the time I happily embrace it with Leah because I absolutely love watching her learn new things. I miss the days of her falling asleep on my chest but I love that she now falls asleep on her own and actually asks to go in her crib. I miss feeding her bottles but I now enjoy watching her attempt to eat with a fork. I loved when Leah looked so teeny-tiny in her whale bathtub and she gently slapped the water with her hands. Now, when I say "tubby time" she squeals and runs to get a washcloth for me.

Honestly, I love how much she is changing and it warms my heart to see how much she is learning. Last night, however, when I took apart her highchair and put it in the attic, I became emotional. My little girl is now sitting at the kitchen table like a big person. Then when I put away her winter clothes, my eyes filled with tears again because she will never wear any of them again. I know there is so much to look forward to as she gets older but there are moments when I get so emotional that she is growing up.

So I am trying to focus my thoughts on all of the positive things to come. We still have so many firsts to look forward to. Since I'm a teacher, I know that I can't wait to see her in a classroom, interacting with friends and raising her hand to answer questions. Soon she'll start sports teams, or perhaps ice skating or horseback riding. All of these events will be great memories!

Still...I can't help but mention that motherhood sure does bring about a huge range of emotions (my poor husband)! I wonder why we get so upset that they are growing up when growing up actually means that they are discovering new things and learning so much?

What experiences have caused you extreme emotions? How do you handle your little one growing up?

Awesome deal on Deals that Matter

2011-05-10T10:14:00.000-04:00

Right now, Deals that Matter has a great off for My Gym (Cherry Hill and Lionville locations). For just $39, you can get:

• A Lifetime Membership for children ages 6 weeks to 13

• One month of classes of your choice

For more information, visit Deals that Matter.

Free Cone Day at Haagan Dazs

2011-05-09T20:53:00.003-04:00

There is no denying that I love ice cream. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I never turn it down - especially when it's free!

Well, tomorrow is free cone day at Haagan Dazs and between 4 and 8 pm you can get a free scoop of your favorite flavor at participating shops! To find a shop near you, visit their facebook page or use their shop locator on their website.

Enjoy!

Free Cone Day at Haagan Dazs

2011-05-09T20:53:00.000-04:00

There is no denying that I love ice cream. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I never turn it down...especially when it's free! Well, tomorrow is free cone day at Haagan Dazs and between 4 and 8 pm you can get a free scoop of your favorite flavor at participating shops! To find a shop near you, visit their facebook page or use their shop locator on their website.

Enjoy!

And the winner is...

2011-05-09T06:31:00.001-04:00

Sue! Thanks for telling us about your mother's day! Email us at: mom2momphilly@gmail.com as soon as possible for your free code!

Thanks for everyone else who shared their favorite part of Mother's Day!

Free 50 Prints!!

2011-05-08T15:44:00.002-04:00

We have 50 free prints to giveaway from Shutterfly. Comment below telling us the best part of your Mother's Day and you will be entered to win these free prints! Contest ends tonight (May 8 2011) at midnight! Winner will be chosen from random.org.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T15:26:00.000-04:00

Being a mom is one of the best things in life! I never get tired of hearing Leah say "Momma" when she wakes up from a nap. Her spontaneous hugs and kisses while I am washing dishes at the sink melt my heart. She is full of energy and I still don't know where she gets her outgoing nature from! I'll even admit that I love when she tests me...puts the crayon up to her lips, opens her mouth and almost puts it in, but then quickly puts it down and starts coloring. When she doesn't get her way and she falls on the floor, I usually have to leave the room laughing because I just can't believe how dramatic she is. I could go on and on...she is truly a blessing and I thank God every day for her!

What do you love most about being a mom?

Making Baby Food - Tips!

2011-05-07T23:18:00.001-04:00

Baby Food

Just a few notes...
- Freeze your baby food in ice cube trays. Each cube is about 1oz of food.
- Store the cubes in tupperware or freezer bags. Defrost in the fridge or in the microwave (be careful it doesn't get too hot).
- Mix cubes for variety, and even add rice cereal for some extra calories and vitamins!
-Add spices and seasonings (just not salt) to make the food tastier for your little one.
- Yes, they sell fancy pureeing machines, specifically designed for baby food. These are not necessary. A blender or food processer will work perfectly for all of these recipes!
- If after pureeing the food, it is very liquidy, don't worry. Still freeze them and then when you defrost it, just add some rice cereal to thicken it up!
- As your child becomes older and more used to eating solids, puree for a shorter time so that the food has some small chunks.
- If you want to keep some of the pureed food in the fridge instead of freezing it, then you can store it in there for about 3 days.

Search our blog for lots of great baby and toddler recipes!

Melissa and Doug Hide and Seek Puzzle

2011-05-07T21:23:00.001-04:00

Melissa and Doug Hide and Seek Farm

Leah became very interested in this puzzle at 16 months. She realized that when she "opened' the different doors, she found animals that could be removed. At first, she really only cared about the cat (one of her favorite animals). However, it wasn't long until she would take each animal out and hold it up to me asking, "wassat?" It has been a great way to name animals and teach animal sounds. She can't identify all of the animals yet, but she definitely knows the horse, cat and bunny. Like all puzzles, this one works on her fine motor skills. However, it is different than a regular puzzle because it involves opening and shutting doors (that have little openings for her fingers), taking out and replacing the animals. The "doors" are all different sizes so she has to figure out which animal will fit in each one. It's fun to watch her "try" and realize it won't work, so she looks for another one!

Mozart Munchkin Cube

2011-05-07T21:22:00.000-04:00

Mozart Munchkin Cube

OK, I have a lot of favorites when it comes to Leah's toys and books so I am worried that every time I say "I love this product" people are going to start wondering if I throw those words around easily. Well, I don't!! I'm choosing to highlight my favorites so you should expect me to say I love the product.

The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube is one of the coolest toys Leah has. Seriously, I enjoy playing with it (at times more than Leah does).

This is how it works: It's a cube, so it has 6 sides. Five sides have musical instruments (word and picture) and one side says orchestra. You can press any side to start the music. If you press the orchestra button, it will play a song with all 5 instrument parts. You can keep pressing the orchestra button to choose a different song. If you choose the piano side, however, the song is played with only the piano part. If you choose the harp, the song is played with only the harp part...and so on!

This is the part that I have fun with: You can start with the orchestra and then press an instrument button and take that part of the orchestra away!!! Likewise, you could start with just one instrument and keep adding the other instruments until you build back up to the orchestra. There are so many ways to listen to songs, it's hard to get bored with this toy!

The sides of the cube will light up- either all 6 sides if you are listening to a song on the orchestra, 1 side if you are listening to the piano etc. Depending on whether you are adding or taking away instruments, the lights will also appear or disappear.

The manufacturers age for this toy is 6m to 4 years. Mom2MomPhilly agrees with this recommendation. Leah really became interested in this toy around a year but certainly she liked it before this.

There is only one setting for this toys. Personally, i don't think it's too loud but if there was one thing I would change, it would be to have 2 volume settings. Most noise toys have soft and loud switches and I do think it's a good idea.

This toy takes 3 AA batteries.

All-Star Sports Climber

2011-05-07T21:21:00.000-04:00

Step2 All-Star Sports Climber

We are currently using the Step2 All-Star Sports Climber indoors, in our playroom, since outside play is not happening much these days! Assembly of this climber really wasn't very difficult (this coming from a husband who does NOT enjoy anything to do with manual labor). It is definitely helpful to have 2 people when attaching the slide and steps (as well as a powerdrill).

The climber is well-made- it seems very sturdy. The "landing" at the top of the steps is pretty narrow- definitely have to be careful when a child is up there that they don't step around too much. The slide is perfect- a great angle- not too steep. Leah slides quickly down, which she doesn't seem to mind!

The climber has a basketball hoop, a soccer "goal" and a football side. It comes with 3 balls (you will need a pump athat has a needle to blow them up). My husband likes the basketballs even more than my daughter, does! So really, this is fun for the WHOLE family!

Baby Einstein Alphabooks

2011-05-07T21:20:00.001-04:00

Baby Einstein Alphabooks
It should come as no surprise that I love books (I am second grade teacher). Honestly though, in my case, it's not just that I love them...I am obsessed with books! I love buying Leah books and I really have to practice self-control when I go to a bookstore. I am thrilled that Leah already has favorite books and it warms my heart that she often goes to her room, pulls books off her bookshelf and "reads" them to herself.

Before Leah was even born, two of my co-workers gave me the Baby Einstein Alphabooks. I figured we would enjoy them with our child someday, but truthfully, I never expected for Leah (and me) to love them as much as we do. Leah will sit and listen to us read each and every book. They are alphabet books...so that means she reads through 26 books! Granted, they are short books....each opened page has a picture on one side and the word on the other side. But still, it does take us quite a while to get through every book and often times, we even reread certain ones!

I love these books for their simplicity. The picture side alternates between photographs and illustrations and some of the chosen words are really unique- Zucchini, Violets, Garden, Quail- words that children might not hear daily. There are also many familiar words- apples foot, nose, dog, cat- which children will also enjoying hearing and seeing. Leah especially loves the eyes (she will poke my eyes), hat (she points to her hat), Kiss (she kisses the book) and Dog (she barks).

These books are interactive, engaging for children and sturdy (they are board books). I have no doubt your child will enjoy these books over and over and over again!

Fruit Dip

2011-05-07T21:18:00.000-04:00

Fruit Dip (from Maureen)

Ingredients:
Strawberry Yogurt- Any other flavor is fine!
Fruit to dip such as bananas, strawberries, grapes or apples

Directions-
Take your yogurt and empty it into a small bowl. Cut up some fruit and serve the yogurt as a "dip" for the fruit! Toddlers love dipping everything and this is a good way to get more fruit and dairy into them. Stay away from the packaged dips as they are full of processed ingredients.

Another way you can make yogurt dip-
Take 1/2 cup yogurt, 2-3 tablespoons honey, 1/8 tsp cinnamon (or nutmeg) and a very small splash of vanilla and mix together. Taste it before as you might need to adjust the taste to your liking!

Homemade Trail Mix

2011-05-07T21:17:00.001-04:00

Homemade Trail Mix (from Maureen)

Ingredients:
Peanuts- Any type of nuts can be used
Dried fruit- Any type can be used we like banana chips and yogurt covered craisins
Chocolate Chips- optional! I like to use the mini chips or white chocolate chips since they aren't technically chocolate and the kids don't need chocolate
Puffs

Directions-
Use equal amounts of each ingredient. Mix together and divide it into separate plastic bags or containers. This one is good for when you are on the go!

Strawberry Banana Smoothies

2011-05-07T21:16:00.001-04:00

Strawberry Banana Smoothies (from Maureen)
Ingredients-
1 Cup Light Plain Yogurt- Can be substituted for flavored yogurt or whole milk yogurt!
1 Ripe Banana
4-5 Strawberries- You can leave them whole or cut them up
Ice
Honey- (Optional used to sweeten it)

Directions-
Blend all the ingredients in your blender. Serve in a glass with a straw.

Peanut Butter Cookies

2011-05-07T21:15:00.003-04:00

Peanut Butter Cookies (from Maureen)
Makes approx. 24
Ingredients-
1 Cup Peanut Butter- I use Skippy All Natural Creamy
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 Tsp Vanilla (optional)

Directions-
Mix all ingredients together! Bake cookies for 6-8 min at 350

Creamy Oatmeal Cereal

2011-05-07T21:15:00.001-04:00

Creamy Oatmeal Cereal
1/4 c. Oatmeal Cereal, mixed with water to desired consistency
2 oz. Yogurt (we liked the YoBaby Banana)

Mix the oatmeal cereal and yogurt. Please do not use this recipe until your Pediatrician has given the OK to introduce yogurt into your baby's diet!

Creamy Corn

2011-05-07T21:14:00.001-04:00

Creamy Corn
1 16oz. bag of sweet white corn
1/2 c. water
1/4 cup of plain yogurt

Boil the corn over medium heat until very soft, usually around 10 minutes. Cool completely and then transfer to the blender. Add yogurt and puree until desired consistency.

Butternut Squash

2011-05-07T21:13:00.001-04:00

Butternut Squash

3 c. cubed Butternut Squash (Approx. 1 large squash)
1 1/3 c water

On medium eat, bring the water and squash to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender and then allow to fully cool. Transfer to blender and puree until desired consistency.

Pears

2011-05-07T21:12:00.003-04:00

Pears
3-4 Ripe Pears

Blend pears until desired consistency. Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze.

Note: Ripe pears are naturally very sweet and juicy, which is why it is not necessary to boil the pears. However, if you use pears that are not ripe, then cut the pears into chunks and boil in water (about 1/4 c. for 3 pears) until soft, between 15 and 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then puree in blender.

Mixed Veggies

2011-05-07T21:12:00.001-04:00

Mixed Veggies
1 16 oz. bag of Mixed Veggies
1 1/4 c. water

Place the frozen veggies in boiling water and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Allow to fully cool before transfering to the blender. Puree until desired consistency.

Peas

2011-05-07T21:11:00.003-04:00

Peas
1 16 oz bag frozen peas
1 ½ c water

Place the frozen peas in boiling water and simmer until tender, usually between 5-7 minutes. Allow to fully cool and then transfer to blender. Puree until desired consistency.

Applesauce Graham crackers

2011-05-07T21:11:00.001-04:00

Applesauce Graham Crackers (from Brittney)

Graham Crackers
Natural Applesauce
Cinnamon
Raisins
Wheat Germ

Mix cinnamon, wheat germ and raisins into the applesauce. Spread over the graham crackers. Use any type of fruit purée you wish!
Using low salt saltines, low-salt Ritz, pita bread slices, or plain rice cakes as your cracker base is just as good!!

PB&J and Banana Rollup

2011-05-07T21:10:00.003-04:00

PB&J and Banana Rollup (from Christina)

1 small tortilla
1 Tablespoon of peanut butter
1 Tablespoon of jelly/jam
1/2 of a banana (dont slice into pieces)

Spread PB & J on tortilla. Then take your banana and roll it with the edge of the tortilla until its completely rolled up.

Broccoli Bites

2011-05-07T21:10:00.001-04:00

Broccoli Bites (from Gretchen)

1 1/2 c. of shredded cheddar cheese
1 head of broccoli (or 16 oz frozen broccoli), steamed, drained and chopped.
1 1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1/4-1/2 c. Parmesan Cheese
3 large eggs (kids over 1) OR 5 egg yolks (kids under 1)

Combine all ingredients by hand. until well mixed. Shape into nuggets and place on a pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325F for 25-30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.

Chocolate Banana Graham Crackers

2011-05-07T21:09:00.001-04:00

Chocolate Banana Graham Crackers

Graham Crackers
Nutella (or other chocolate spread)
Bananas

Break the graham crackers into 4 parts. Spread 1/4 teaspoon of Nutella on crackers. Slice the banana on an angle and place slices on top of nutella.

Transitional Objects

2011-05-07T21:06:00.001-04:00

My daughter Leah loves, loves, loves her blankies. Yes, I said blankies because she has 3. They all have satin trim and 90% of the time, she will take whichever one we give her. At times, she does want all 3 at once. It's always fun carrying her and 3 blankies! :) The fact that she is not "blankie specific" is great, though, when it comes to washing them!

If Leah is sad or hurt, she wants a blankie. When we are in the car, she holds a blankie. At bedtime, she snuggles a blankie. And now, more recently, when she plays, she carries around a blankie. Leah associates sucking her thumb with her blanket, so as soon as she gets her blankie, her thumb goes in the mouth! Yes, Leah is a thumb-sucker and despite people constantly giving me their opinions regarding this habit, I don't mind it terribly. I've been reassured by many people and online articles that sucking her thumb as an infant and toddler is not going to cause her to have horrible teeth.

Lately, Leah drags her blankie around like Linus, which of course means her thumb is in her mouth a lot more. I try to leave all of the blankies in her crib but then when we go to change her diaper, she sees them and starts banging her chest "Please" while saying "ban" (her word for blankie). Then there are times when we walk past her room to go to the playroom and she sees one through the rails of her crib. Her little hand is still tiny enough to fit between the bars to grab them. There are also times she just gets so upset for one reason or another and climbs the stairs to her room and points to her crib, begging for a blankie.

Sometimes I feel like she is very dependent on her blankies. However, from what I've read, it's completely age-appropriate for her to have an attachment to an object such as her blankie until she's 3 or 4. In my opinion, she's still young and since she can't communicate all of her feelings appropriately yet, I am OK with her needing it once in a while. It's her "transitional object" and I know it provides a sense of comfort and security that she needs.

So instead of breaking her of this habit, I'm trying out some other strategies:
- I offer blankies only while in the car or when she is going to sleep.
- I try to distract her with toys, puzzles or books when she starts looking for her blankie.
- When she does get really upset and needs it to calm down, I give her lots of hugs and kisses and even try to tickle her or make her laugh.
- When my comfort isn't enough, I give her a blankie until she stops crying and then when she isn't looking, I throw it in her room.

When did you break your child of a transitional object?

Car Seat Inspections

2011-05-07T21:05:00.000-04:00

When it was time to move Leah to her convertible car seat, my husband and I just didn't feel comfortable with our installation. For some reason, they just didn't seem secure and so we decided to visit a car seat inspection center to make sure we had them in correctly. So many people just assume that their seats are in correctly- and maybe for some people they are. However, I don't think it's something anyone should risk and if there are people out there who specialize in car seat installation, why not take advantage of their expertise?

The workers we dealt with seemed to know car seats in and out- which harness slots were right for your baby's height, which cars you can use the latch in and which ones you can't. The center we went to (the fire station in Plymouth Meeting, PA) showed John and me how to install it, then took it out and had us re-install it. Of course they are standing right there watching you but by having you do it, you really learn what to do!

A couple notes about car seats (and I don't mean to sound preachy about this- I just think it's really important!):
First, the workers at the inspection center said that basically no car seat was better than another. They all have to pass certain regulations in order to be sold but they will differ in their ease of installation, features and basic design. So buy the one that fits best in your car (Babies r Us will allow you to try out the seat in your car) and the one that your child seems most comfortable in!

Secondly, The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that you keep your child rear-facing for as long as you can. It's not easy to keep a child rear-facing, trust me, I know!! But, rear-facing can help prevent injuries or death in case of an accident. When we were debating turning Leah around at 11 months, one of my best friends (who also happens to be my on-call Pediatrician :)) really stressed to me the importance of keeping Leah rear-facing for as long as we could. She isn't usually that opinionated about things but when it came to this, she couldn't stress her point enough so I listened!

Lastly, don't put your child in the car seat with a heavy jacket on. This isn't a law, but it is a strong recommendation. You can't get the harness straps tight enough when a child is wearing a jacket. It's a pain in the neck to take a jacket on and off a child as you get in and out of the car. Again, trust me, I know!! We always start up our car before going out, that way it's warm enough for Leah to be in the car without a jacket and then we give her a blanket to snuggle (on top of the harness straps) while driving. She likes it better this way. We tried keeping her jacket on once for a quick drive to the food store and she was miserable, trying to pull the jacket off of her arms. On the way home, I took her jacket off and she was much more pleasant!

Find a car seat inspection center near you. Your child will thank you someday for taking time out of your busy schedule to ensure their safety! :)

2011-05-07T21:03:00.000-04:00

3/21/11
The American Academy of Pediatrics now states that children should ride rear-facing until they are 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their car seat. They also state that children should sit in a booster seat until they are 4'9" and are between 8 and 12 years old.

Children who are rear-facing are less likely to sustain head, neck and spine injuries because the impact of a crash would be distributed over their entire body. A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention showed that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding rear-facing.

For more information, read the online article, AAP Updates Recommendation on Car Seats.

Although I believe the AAP has reliable research to back up their recommendation, I can't imagine keeping my daughter Leah rear-facing until she was 2. We waited until she was 15 months and even that was pushing it. Having her forward-facing has made car rides so much more enjoyable (for Leah and us). Obviously safety is more important than convenience and pleasure, but I really don't think we can put Leah's car seat rear-facing again. I'll be honest- I did mention it to my husband who quickly said "no way we can turn Leah back around." Part of me wishes we had never put her car seat forward-facing because then I would follow the AAP's recommendation. I am definitely a rule-follower, and I'm also a bit of a worrier. I think my husband is right though, and for now, we'll keep Leah forward and say some extra prayers during our car rides!

So, I'm curious...will you keep your child rear-facing until 2? When did/will you move your child's car seat forward-facing?

Potty Training

2011-05-07T21:01:00.000-04:00

Well, I swore I would not rush Leah into potty training, and truthfully, I haven't give it much thought until today. She's only 18 months old and I'm OK with not rushing her to do anything grown up! :) I know that pushing potty training too early can lead to many negative side effects so I've always said I would just follow her lead and when the time is right, we'll work at it!

Well, several times over the past few days, she has pointed to her diaper and sort of whined "ehh ehh." Almost every time, someone had just given her a clean diaper. So, when she whined, I felt her diaper and realized that it needed to be changed. My thought was that she recognized that she had gone to the bathroom and wanted a clean diaper. Naturally, this made me start thinking that perhaps she is ready for potty training.

She has exhibited some of the "readiness" signs: staying dry for a few hours, demonstrating a desire for independence, and she can follow simple directions. There a couple of readiness signs she hasn't mastered yet: she can't pull her pants up and down completely on her own (oh she tries, though), she doesn't ask to use the potty or wear underwear, and she can't verbalize her toileting needs.

I'm new at this. Yes, I remember helping to potty train the children I babysat in college. I remember watching my niece learn how to use the potty last year while she lived with me. However, what I don't remember is how the parents knew to begin potty training. I don't want to make any mistakes with starting before she is reading. I found a couple of articles that offers suggestions for beginning potty training:

Babies Today: Potty Training Readiness

Baby Center: Potty Training Readiness

Nothing beats hands-on experience and suggestions from other moms. What are your experiences? When did you know your child was officially ready to potty train?

Creative Parenting

2011-05-07T20:59:00.000-04:00

I've learned that children start testing you at a very early age! It's part of their nature and completely developmentally appropriate but it doesn't make it easy for parents. Lately, I have found myself being as creative as I can to get my sweet 18 month old daughter to do certain things. Allow me to explain.

Lets first talk about meal time. While I try hard not to stress too much about how much Leah eats at a meal (and more importantly if she has had a well-balanced meal), I can't help but be a little concerned about her nutrition. There are days when she only has a bite or two at each meal, so I think it's understandable that I would try new ways to get her to eat. The first thing I did was offer "dips" for her food: yogurt, honey and ketchup. The dips were a huge hit (and mess). They haven't worked complete miracles but I will say, they have gotten her to take several more bites at each meal! I'm still working on dealing with the mess they cause but that's another story...

I've also started giving Leah a spoon and a fork at meals, so that she can "try" to pick up her own food. As with the dips, the novelty of utensils is very helpful in getting her to eat a few extra bites of her food. She loves having independence, so although letting her control the utensils usually results in a much larger mess (yet again), it does get her to eat some more food. Plus, it's an important skill she needs to master.

Brushing her teeth is another area where I've had to sort of "think outside the box." The first couple of months we brushed Leah's teeth, she was fine. She opened her mouth willingly and let us brush for as long we wanted (and of course she always got a "turn"). Recently, however, brushing her teeth has been a struggle, as she clenches her mouth shut as soon as we show her the toothbrush. We have asked her to show us her tongue, we tickle her to make her laugh...pretty much do anything we can to get her to open her mouth. It seemed we couldn't outsmart her. So, I brought her step stool into the bathroom and let her stand on the stool at the sink while I brushed her teeth. She loves it! When I tell her it's time to brush her teeth, she runs to the bathroom and hurries to get on her stool. Amazing how the stool has transformed brushing her teeth into a much more cooperative experience!

Leah loves bath time. She squeals and laughs when I turn on the water, and she tries getting into the tub even before her clothes are off. Well, as excited as she is when bath time begins, she is equally (if not more) disappointed when I say tubby time is over! One night, to help distract her from the tragedy she was experiencing, I started waving at the water while excitedly saying "bye bye water" and then I offered her a rubber ducky to take to her room while she got dressed. While she still whines a bit when I start draining the water, she automatically says goodbye to the water and also looks for a toy to take with her. Developing this little routine has definitely helped make the end of bath time a little more pleasant!

I don't want to be the kind of mom who "bribes" her child to do things, nor do I want to unnecessarily praise Leah for things that she should simply be doing (such as eating). However, having a bag of tricks is sometimes necessary and changing the way things are presented is often intriguing to children and effective in changing behaviors.

What are some of your most effective "tricks of the trade" when it comes to parenting?

Car Rides with Children

2011-05-07T20:58:00.001-04:00

This past weekend, we traveled about 500 miles to visit my sister and her family. Although we were beyond excited to see them, I was completely dreading the drive. Leah does not do well in the car. She can handle our 10 minute drives to Target (usually) but 8 hours? I am not good in the car, so I can totally empathize with her. Leah only took a catnap the afternoon of our drive and silly me, I thought that would work in our favor. Well, 4.5 hours later, she was still up!! I have to give her some credit- she did remarkably well considering our drive. The drive down to Fayetteville, NC is normally 8 hours (with just one quick bathroom and food stop). Now, we haven't done this drive since she was born, so we expected it would take a bit longer. What we experienced, however, was nothing we would have ever expected. The drive took us 12 hours (and no, that wasn't because we stopped so many times). Apparently everyone in the NE was driving south for spring break! Both my husband and I were ready to lose it...so you can only imagine how a 19 month old would be reacting. Before you start thinking we are crazy, I will tell you that we broke our drive up. We had initially planned to do half the drive on Friday, spend the night at a hotel and then finish the other half on Saturday. Although mileage-wise this is close to what we did, time-wise it was more like 7.5 hours on Friday night and 5 hours on Saturday.

I will proudly admit that we completed this trip without a DVD player. We thought about going to purchase a portable DVD player for this trip, but then I started thinking that she would expect the TV every time we go in the car. So, we opted to not get one and instead, I packed 2 bags with "Leah distractions." One bag was filled with snacks and 3 different drink choices (since we're still in a diaper I didn't care how much she drank). We had also purchased soft pretzels before our drive (for us of course) but shortly after we hit our first area of congestion, we realized that the soft pretzel easily bought us 30 minutes of peace (and we repeated this twice Friday night). I will admit...I broke down at one point and gave her Dove Chocolate (the little square chocolates). I broke it into pieces and gave her one little piece at a time...again, bought myself a few minutes of quiet - although, I'm not entirely sure the peace was worth the mess I had to clean up!

Musical toys, books, leapfrog cellphone, and other toys with lots of buttons were also lifesavers on this trip. I had packed several (if not an excessive amount) of toys. Although I had almost no room to stretch out my feet, it was worth having all those toys with me. We spent time singing songs, playing peek-a-boo and searching for the moon! Of course, we stopped a few times to let Leah stretch her legs and get out some energy. Cracker Barrel was a great place to stop because she could play with some of the toys in the store (not sure you are supposed to but lots of kids were) and she also rocked on the rocking chairs. Chick-fil-A is another great place to stop at because the children have a nice little play area and the food, albeit fast food, is not the worst for you to eat!

Thankfully, our ride home was MUCH better. We ended up cutting our trip a bit short because we wanted to leave at a time that we thought would be best for Leah. It actually worked! Although I still needed many forms of entertainment for my sweet little girl, it was a much shorter drive!

I am not anxious to make another long car trip anytime soon but I do feel good about finally doing this with Leah. My advice for other moms who are planning long car rides with little ones:
- Pack a large variety of snacks- soft pretzels are great if your child is old enough! Pack something your child loves but hasn't had in a while! We did this with fruity cheerios and it was a HUGE hit! To eliminate some mess, use Munchkin Snack Catcher cups.
- Bring along lots of small, musical and interactive toys. Magna doodle is a great toy to keep kids occupied for a while! Another idea- buy a small toy and give it to your child in the car. The novelty of a new toy will be worth it! We found a toy in our closet (LeapFrog Learning Friend Lily) that Leah had never played with. She loved it!!
- Prepare yourself for reaching and stretching your arm farther than you thought it would go in order to find dropped snack cups & toys!
- Plan on stopping every 2 hours or so. We did not get to do this, due to traffic etc., but I would highly recommend a stretch after about 2 hours. Yes, it will add on travel time but it's well worth it! If you see a Cracker Barrel or Chick-fil-A, go there (but remember Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays and Cracker Barrel gets really crowded at peak breakfast times).
- You can easily entertain your child with songs (could be a CD or just your voice) and "Where is" games (where is your nose?)
- Take lots of deep breaths and enjoy the cute moments while in the car. I'm not going to sugarcoat it- driving a long distance with a child is not fun! However, there were several times that Leah was being funny and when John and I just focused on how stinkin' cute and silly she was being, we temporarily forgot about the drive.

Independent Play

2011-05-07T20:57:00.001-04:00

I love my daughter more than words can say. She makes me laugh and smile more than anyone else (well her daddy does a lot, too). When I see her learn something new, tears fill my eyes. Honestly, I can't imagine my life without her. Since I work full time, I try to spend as much time with her as possible at night and on the weekends. I could care less about "me" time and hardly ever make plans that involve me leaving her. I focus all of my time and energy on her when I am home and really try to make the most of the little time I have with her. I am off this week for spring break and have been looking forward for weeks to be with Leah. I had little planned for my week off because I simply wanted to be at home lovin' on my girl.

Being with her all week, however, has made me wonder if I am spending "too" much time with her. I hate even thinking that it is possible to spend too much time with her but she has become extremely possessive of me and won't do anything without me (which secretly makes me feel really good)! She won't sit and play if I am not with her. When I put the gate up in our family room so I could go into the kitchen to make dinner, she just sat by the gate, holding her blankie, sucking her thumb and occasionally calling out some form of "mom." She has more toys than 1 child alone needs so I was shocked that she couldn't find something to do during the 10 minutes I was out of the room starting dinner. I am realizing that perhaps I have caused this by giving her 100%, undivided attention to her every moment I am home. Children need a balance of independent play, play with other children and play with parents (or other family members. Leah has a ton of playtime with her parents and other children but perhaps not enough independent play.

Since I am off this week, I don't feel too badly making her have some "alone" time. But when I go back to work on Monday, this will not work. When I am driving from work, all I can think about is playing with her and I can't imagine coming home and leaving her in her playroom to play alone! She needs her mommy time and I need my Leah time!

However, the last thing I want to have is a child who is incapable of entertaining herself. I don't want Leah to "need" someone to entertain her. Selfishly, I am unwilling to give up my desire to be with her at night and on the weekend. So, I am going to start by leaving her in her playroom only while I make dinner. I have to make dinner, and it is easier to not have her running around the kitchen, taking out pots and pans while I cook. That will give her a little alone time but hopefully I won't feel too guilty leaving her alone.

Although I am a full-time working mom, I am sure that all moms (regardless of whether or not they work) have struggled with a similar situation. What do you do to balance playing with your child and helping them to learn how to entertaing themselves?

Leah Signing Please

2011-05-07T20:53:00.002-04:00

Connor Signing "All Done"

2011-05-07T20:53:00.000-04:00

Leah Signing Milk

2011-05-07T20:52:00.002-04:00

Leah Signing More

2011-05-07T20:52:00.000-04:00

Leah Signing Thank You

2011-05-07T20:51:00.002-04:00

Leah Signing Go

2011-05-07T20:51:00.000-04:00

Teaching Sign Language to Babies

2011-05-07T20:50:00.001-04:00

There is a lot of "buzz" these days about teaching babies sign language so they can communicate their needs. For those of us who have actually taught their babies certain signs, we know that it really is a very valuable skill. Children have less frustration and tantrums because they can let their parents or caregivers know exactly what they need. This in turn helps develop a stronger bond between parent and child. Developmentally, babies begin working on fine motor skills at a young age so it makes sense that they would use their hands to communicate needs. Studies have shown that signing does not delay speech development and in fact, children who sign have much larger vocabularies and acquire verbal language much easier.

When I started teaching Leah sign language, I felt it was helpful to actually see the sign being used. A simple picture of an action was not enough. So, we made some very short videos so you can see the signs in action! Suggestion: When teaching your child a sign, it is helpful to take their hands and actually do the action. Yes, watching you do it will help, but feeling how it should be done will be extremely helpful!

Making the most of dinnertime

2011-02-10T07:07:00.000-05:00

Last night I was doing some reading on the value of family dinners and I thought it was worth sharing.

Various studies show several benefits from eating dinner as a family:

- Families have a stronger emotional connection

- Children are more likely to open up to their parents

- Test scores and overall school performance is increased

- Teens are less likely to drink, smoke or do drugs

Some thoughts on making dinner a valuable time:

As your children get older, involve them in making dinner and cleaning up! Give them responsibilities (depending on their age) such as putting out the napkins, getting beverages or scraping off the plates. This makes dinner a more cooperative experience and children will appreciate it more because they were involved in making it happen.

It is important to get everyone talking during dinner. Give each member of your family a chance to share something from his or her day. Parents should also share! If you want, you could have a question that each person answers- but do not use a question that has a yes/no answer. Examples include: What was the best part of your day? Or, What made today special? Specific questions will elicit better responses.

One thing that many parents (and teens) will really struggle with is turning off the phones- or at least keeping them away from the kitchen table. Show your children that they are worth uninterrupted time. A phone call or text notification could really be distracting and make a child lose their train of thought.

We really want to make dinnertime an exciting and important time for our family. Leah is young and I know she can't fully appreciate our conversation at dinner. However, 6 out 7 nights a week, we sit down at the table to eat. Consistency and routines are so important for children. Even though Leah doesn't fully comprehend what we are doing and why we are doing it, we always make a point of saying "Ok Leah, it's dinner time so we are going to sit at the table." We know she understands what is happening because she walks right over to her high chair. So, even at a young age, it is possible to get kids into a routine and make a habit of dinnertime.

After a long day, it is easy to just plop on the couch and get lost in television shows. Although relaxing is definitely necessary, do not compromise your dinner time. Make the most out of it and create lasting memories your children will always cherish!

Visit to Barnes and Noble

2011-01-22T21:18:00.001-05:00

I was really excited to take Leah to the Barnes and Noble in Plymouth Meeting. I was hoping she would enjoy the Thomas the Train table and all of the books we could read (there was even an opened Melissa and Doug puzzle for the children to play with). Unfortunately, Leah found it more exciting to run around the store and pull the stuffed animals off of the display racks. Her lack of interest in the store I attributed to her age and not to the store. The children's section at Barnes and Noble is certainly a wonderful place for children- children who are slightly older than 16 months! Barnes and Noble encourages children to read as many books as they please and also has storytimes for young children. If your child is a little less active then I suggest you try visiting your local Barnes and Noble. The Plymouth Meeting store has storytimes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30. Check your local store for storytimes!