A Batch a Day and Other News

So as you know, we've been making our own baby food.  We were making several batches at once.  My husband has no problem with this, but I tend to get overwhelmed.  This week I decided to make a batch a day.  This allows me to make the food while Jackson is awake, without taking too much time away from him, which in turn leaves me nap time to do my school work.  So far it's working. 

In other news...

Jackson has learned how to crawl up the stairs! 

While I was looking at The Toddler Calendar, Jackson was playing by the stairs, just out of sight.  It became too quiet, and then I heard a noise I've never heard before.  I walked around the corner and didn't see him.  The bathroom door was closed.  I quickly looked over the baby gate to see if he had somehow climbed over it and fallen down the stairs (as if he could really climb OVER the gate..haha!).  My heart sank!  Where was he!?  I heard the noise again and then I found him....HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS! 

As you can imagine, I spent the next 15 mins baby proofing the house.  Sockets, check.  Baby gate in new location, check.  Locks on cabinet, check.

I can get up, but I can't get down

Little man just fell asleep for his 1st nap of the day.  By the way, it's 1:15.  He has figured out how to sit and stand up in the bed.  When I laid him down he immediately sat up in frustration.  I laid him down.  We repeated this process several times before I decided he would have to figure it out.  Well, it didn't go as planned and I finally just brought him downstairs to play.  Before trying again I changed him diaper, gave him Tylenol and baby orajel, feed him, nursed him and gave him a sippy cup of milk.  All bases covered. 

He once again repeated the flip, sit, stand, but this time I noticed he was only flipping to the left.  So I laid him back down beside to railing in hopes of him having a harder time flipping over to sit.  I walked out at this point so I don't know what happened but 5 mins later this is what I saw....

And yes, I will take tips on teaching him how to lay back down himself.  What do you do? 

Getting Bigger Every Day

It seems like a just a few short weeks ago I was able to lay Jackson on the bed in the computer room while I blogged or scrap booked.  Today it's a different story.  He is 'crusin' anything and everything in an attempt to walk.  When he's not cruising the furniture or the walls, he is scooting from place to place, dancing, playing music (AKA: banging on pots, pans, and toys).  He is also talking constantly.  Sometimes with 'words' other times with sign language.

 Getting into everything.  Wait, is something in your mouth? 

Fixing the bed:

This the the drawer I set up for Jackson in the computer/guest room.  As you can tell from the picture, he's been playing with them for a while.  This room is not overly child-friendly, but this keeps Jackson occupied for about 15-20 mins.  Just long enough to pay bills, post a blog, or check email.



Mama Rach

Jackson's 1st visit to the lake

One of the things that helped convince me to move to the frozen tundra, aka: Minnesota, was that we would once again be able to live near a lake.  I grew up 10 mins from a lake, learned how to swim, fish, ski and tub all on the lake.  When Brent and I started dating we spent most of our free time on the lake with friends.  The lake has been a big part of both of our lives and we want Jackson to grow up with the love of the lake too.  This weekend was our first real chance to take him there since the past 6 months have been too cold and snowy. 

Jackson cruised in the stroller as we walked along.  He saw lots of joggers (Minnesota people really like to work out!), fishermen and his first catfish.  His eyes lit up when he heard the waves crash on the rocks and he spoke to every dog he saw.  It's still too cold to swim but I hope that opportunity comes soon.

Jackson and dad.

 This is my favorite picture of the day :

 Looking for fish.

 Jackson and mama.

Mama Rach

Mother's Day is coming!

In preparation for Mother's day I had my charges (my nanny kids) make cards for their mom. 

 Project 1:

Materials: glue, markers, sissors, and left over paper or tissue paper.

Tear or cut paper into small peices.

Draw an outline of a flower. 

Have kids glue paper inside the flower.



Tips:  When working on this project with younger children I show them a completed project 1st.  It seems to motive them, and they have a better understanding of what they are making.

Project 2:

This is a simpe project for the very young. 

Paint one hand and stamp it on the paper.

Tips:

To open infant's hand, gentle use the tips of your fingers to pull their up.  Then, quickly press to paper.  I recommend that you practice on scrap paper to get the technique down before doing the final project.

Use a paci so that the child does not put painted hand in mouth.

For easy clean up, fill a bowl of warm water in sink before painting his hand.  Baby wipes are also great!