Good reminder

This weekend we headed to Galveston with the Young Married Newlywed class that we mentor. More pictures of that to come soon. But while we were there I was walking Gianna around outside a restaurant and some one said to me, "They grow up so fast."
It's true. I remember about a year ago I was holding Gianna and remarking how much my little 4 month old had already grown from her 5 pounds to 7.
Now I remark that she is walking more now than she chooses to crawl and she is interacting with us and trying to get us to laugh.
I didn't roll my eyes or laugh at the man who said the comment to me. Instead I prayed a thankful prayer that I even get to enjoy my dear sweet one every day. And I thanked God that he chose me to be her mother. So grow big dear little one, just let me enjoy each baby step along the way.

PS more of these great pictures can be found at out pictures link. Thanks to Erin Cole who took them!

http://treasuresbyerin.com/

By the numbers

We took Gianna in today for her 15 month checkup. We got her 12 month shots. Her are her percentages: 10% 15% and 70%.

Guess which one is her head percentage?




Not 10% that's her weight.





Nope not 15% either. That's her height.





Yup- 70% Runs in the family on my side. I guess that gives us room for our smart brains!!!

LadyBug in the Bluebonnets

Here is our little ladybug in the Bluebonnets.

YUCKY!!!

Now Gianna has eaten some yucky things already:
Dog food. Dog toys. Sticks. Rocks. Food left on the ground by other children at a park.
(Gosh, it makes me sound like I never pay attention to my own child, but I do I promise!!!!)
Well, today Gianna (as I was standing right next to her!!!!) picked up a June bug wing and proceeded to put it in her mouth!

YUCKY!!!!!!!!!

Fianal Toddler Tip

Here is its folks. March has come in like a lamb and gone out like a lamb. And I have faithfully brought you a new toddler tip of the day. But now it's time to search your own Google web site and ask your mommy friends for those great tips. Or me, I've always got a few more tips up my sleeve!
So here is my favorite recipe for make your own play dough. I'm going to wait just a bit to use it with Gianna, because she still eats everything!
But when you see a kid "playing' with play dough remember all the things they are learning:
Building up hand muscles for writing
Increasing hand strength for fine motor tasks like tying shoes and buttoning.
Being creative and expressing themselves
Getting to work out all that tension. And let's face it- toddlers have a lot!


Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring

Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when cooled. Will last for a long time.
I also like to add vanilla or cinnamon or maybe almond flavoring to add to the sensory experience as well.

The High Chair

Today's tip comes from Mindy.
She says that she uses her high chair to hold her son for biomaintenance. What is that?
You know- where you have to keep up with nails, toe nails ,and everything for a human.
She pops him in the high chair and trims his nails.
I'm thinking about using it for hair cutting too.
I already use it as a great place to put Baby G in when she colors or does crafts for the grandparents.

So let your high chair be your new BFF!

Computer 101

Toddlers LOVE buttons. They love flashing lights and they LOVE whatever you are working with.
But for them they don't see it as work- it's all PLAY!
Dad flips with the remote- a cool toy to touch.
Mom talks to friends with her cell- A chance to be like mom and chat.
Working on the computer- FUN FUN FUN

So let them play with you. Teaching how to use the computer is a great skill. It's another chance to practice using soft hands. If you just can't stand your toddler playing with your stuff- Try it. Look at it as a chance to learn. Everybody has to learn how to be nice to other people's things and treat them with respect. Now those are pretty big orders for a toddler, but it has to start somewhere and it has to start sometime. What better place to learn than with you and what better time than now!?!?!?!
(Cool Bonus parent points if you know where the quote is from!)

So open up a word doc. Show a picture slide show of them selves as a baby and teach them how to "touch soft." It's OK to give a few chances and then put the "toy" up.
All they want to do is walk like you, talk like you, and be JUST LIKE YOU!