Here are the little things we celebrated this week-
1. We now have three rolling babies (Rylin, Harper, and Mason), plus they all turn and scoot a bit. This meant time for changes in our den arrangement. First we sold all of our little baby equipment (three rock ‘n’ plays, two swings, three Bumbo chairs, and two bouncy seats) on Craigslist. We caught babies trying to flip over while in these types of seats so it was time to say farewell. With all the movement and exploration we noticed far too many baby tangle ups so our coffee table found refuge upstairs. I really like how our den works now. We have just two baby contraptions and an activity table so there’s much more open space for all.
Oh boy! The babies are like heat seeking missiles when they see a toy being used by another baby. Harper and Sydney seem to be scuffling over that book. As of now, they don’t mind having a toy snatched up, but it won’t be long before there are wails of protest.
For the first time in months there is nothing below the television besides baskets concealing baby toys. Ahh!
2. We summoned the babies to be Mini Monets once again for our spring artwork.
This is my favorite piece of baby art so far. We used the babies’ footprints to make robins for spring.
3. Even when we scrubbed it with rubbing alcohol, Mason’s DOC Band started smelling like a foul foot. I tried putting baby powder on his hair as suggested, but he just smelled like a stinky foot dusted in baby powder. My sister reminded me of an amazing product I bought in Vegas a few years ago. It is coconut scented deodorant powder from Lush. They use organic and chemical free ingredients at Lush, which is baby friendly in my book. Now his noggin smells like summery coconut even after hours of wear!
There are a few Lush stores internationally located, but if there is not one near you, check out http://www.Lush.com
4. Sydney is clearly our Little Evil Knievel with her stunt girl moves.
Sydney’s latest trick is planking. She should have a seriously developed core now! Sometime we catch her bear crawling like this, but of course she only goes backwards so it’s not efficient means of locomotion.
5. I found my latest snack craving this week when we seemed to have way too many pretzels in the pantry. I paired them with peanut butter and Nutella. I just love salty/ sweet snack combos! George was less than impressed, but I think it is yum-o!
Sometimes I dip the pretzel in each scrumptious spread while other time I mix the spreads together first. Either way I love it!
6. During playtime I’ve been playing children’s music for the babies so they don’t hear only me talking all day. And so I don’t hear myself talking all day! Most of our children’s music was sung by the Fisher Price Little People. The Little People have quite the repertoire of children’s sing-a-long tunes and they can carry a tune, but their voices started grating on me. I visited the itunes store yesterday and purchased a bunch of folksy-indie children’s music that is much more appealing to me. I am the newest fan of Frances England and Elizabeth Mitchell. Seasoned parents, do you know of great children’s music not sung by Wee Sing or the Little People? I accumulated a good bit, but I will soon tire of the 40 some odd songs I have now.
What little things highlighted your week?
hugs!
Amber
Four to Adore 
Barry Louis Polisar….think I have that spelled correctly…was one of my favorites for my toddler-aged little ones. He is really funny. But might be better for them when they are older.
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If it is something I will enjoy then they can hear it now 😉 They don’t really get the music so much now, but it helps keep them from hearing only me all day.
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Sandra Boynton! I could (and sometimes do!) listen to her stuff all day. 🙂 It was also some of the earliest music the babies really consciously enjoyed, because they could get some of the really obvious humor like cows singing songs, etc.
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She writes books too, right? I will check her out!
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Love Sidney up on all fours. As always, Blessings and love to all.
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She’s a funny girl!
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Amber, I am friends with Terri, I’ve net you at her house. I have to say you are truly and inspiration to so many people. My friend Eileen who lives in CA has been keeping up with you as I forward your postings every week. She will be here in June and really wants to meet the babies. She also said to tell you that she always liked Sharon, Lou’s and Bram for her kids when they were little.
I hope to see you soon, keep up the Amazing Mom job you are doing!!!
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Hi Marianne,
It makes my heart happy to hear that we inspire people. After the years of tears and struggle, we hope to be just that, an inspirational story and testament to God’s love for us.
Terri talks about you often. =) You made the monkey towels for the babies, correct? Terri comes to help almost every week and sometimes even more (bless her!). When Eileen comes in June maybe we can coordinate when Terri is helping. Or maybe we can take the babies swimming at Terri’s house (we are wanting to do that in the summer).
I will check out those music recommendations!
hugs!
Amber
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HI Amber, OMG, you had me going this morning with your latest post….You are good!!!!
Yes I made the Monkey towels:-) We will definitely figure out something when Eileen’s here.
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Yay! Glad I got someone going ;).
I loveeeeeeeeeee the towels. We use them exclusively.
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Yay for selling items!! I have so much big stuff still but want to start moving it out but we still use all of it. I am going to get rid of at least one swing but that still leaves one along with two exersaucers, a jumperoo, pack in play, and 2 bouncy chairs that we view daily. I am hoping once they start rolling they will find the floor more entertaining and we can start moving stuff out. How are you doing bottles right now? Tate is almost ready to hold his bottle but don’t think he could do it for the whole thing. The others are lazy! We prop in the two bouncy chairs and the 2 swings. We too will be moving the coffee table out when the movers start moving! Paul is not excited for this and asked how we are going to fold clothes since this is where we do it. Maybe we will just boycott washing clothes. It would add so much time to my days!!
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Your crew is just a few weeks behind ours so I bet it won’t be long before you have rollers and they won’t need all the gear! It works fine having just two big contraptions. I try to rotate so they all get tons of floor time and just a bit to the saucer or jumparoo.
For bottles, we put the babies in the boppies like before then I hold the bottle so they can grasp it and they pretty much hold it themselves. They need some help with positioning, but I have not used a prop or blanket in over a week! They are doing great. They can get lazy if they think I will help them and put their hands up. When that happens, I bring the bottle back, position their hands and scoot back so they know they have to do it. They started self feeding when we significantly reduced their bottle size after spoon feeds (like 2-3 oz) and they could manage holding a lighter bottle then they started being able to do a full bottle too! It is awesome!!! I didn’t want to move our coffee table out, but I actually like it better because it’s so much more open. We fold laundry either on our bed or when the babies are in bed for the night, we put the clutter away and spread it all on the quilt. Boycotting laundry is also an option 😉
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Check out the Laurie Berkner Band 🙂
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Will do! I got two recommendations for her and she is a fave of my cousin’s daughter as well.
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Our grandson loved Laurie Berkner – her songs are sweet and give kids a sense of worth, as well as being just plain fun.
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She must be good, I now have three people who recommended her!
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I need to get rid of those items, too! I still have them around “just in case”, but honestly can’t remember the last time one used a bumbo and the swings have become hazardous! Yeah for new items & clear spaces for all that rolling/toy snatching!
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You should purge them! I promise it will feel GREAT!!!!! Now that your crew rolls, you don’t need them anymore than we do and I bet you’d love more space. =)
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Raffi has great kid songs. All four of my kids have enjoyed him. Love your blog Amber.
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Hi Marcie! So happy you are keeping up with our shenanigans. I hope you and yours love your new home!
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