My friend Becky is expecting her baby this summer and recently asked Randi and I which baby products were absolute must haves. I have been thinking about it this week and compiled my favorite things. Please share your "must-haves" for those precious baby days!
1. Boppy Nursing Pillow: This made feedings so much easier than they would have been. I took it with me everywhere during those early nursing days and it provides support if you are bottle feeding. I considered giving mine away but now Violet sleeps with it.
2. A Good Rocker/Recliner: We bought a La-Z-Boy recliner when we were expecting Violet and it was well worth the investment. Steve and I both have spent countless hours in that chair rocking, reading, sleeping, etc. It is so comfortable and the fabric has really worn well.
3. Baby Bjorn/Sling/Etc.
4. Swaddle Blanket: My Favorite http://www.swaddledesigns.com/
5. Lanolin Nipple Cream: I don't particularly have a brand preference but this was a life saver in those early nursing days!
6. Triple Paste Diaper Rash Ointment: Paula gave this to me as a gift when I was pregnant with Violet. Best Diaper Rash Ointment hands down!
7. Infant Tylenol: Teething can start ALOT earlier than you think. Tylenol has given mommy, daddy, and baby relief on many a sleepless night in our household!
8. Burp Cloths: Violet was a spitter and Phoenix is a drooler...Burp Clothes are not optional!
9. Portable Changing Pad
10. Head Support for CarSeat
Friday, February 19, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Valentine's Pictures
Father-Daughter Dance Saturday, February 6, 2010
Veronika with her little sister Kalyssa
Veronika, her friend Autumn, and Kalyssa
They were introduced as Princess Veronika escorted by her Dad Steve.
Veronika's Class Party
Violet ate her own ice cream, half of Veronika's and then some more! She kept trying to go to the other kids' desks and eat theirs also!
Veronika is an awesome big sissy! She always shares her goodies!
My Valentine's Surprise!
Valentine's Day
I have always loved Valentine's Day, I think it is such a fun celebration. Even when I didn't have a Valentine of my own I loved curling up with some chocolate, Diet Coke and a sappy romantic movie. These days I have not one but 4 Valentines! Our Valentine's Celebrations started last Saturday. Veronika had a Father-Daughter Dance at her school and she and Steve were able to go. Veronika's mom dressed her up beautifully-I can't believe how big she is getting! We bought her a corsage and Steve even put on his suit! Sunday night Steve and I had out Valentine's date. We ate at Macaroni Grill and saw Dear John...I am SO lucky that Steve will see girly movies with me:) Friday was Veronika's Valentine's Class party and Violet and I were able to go while Phoenix stayed with Dodi for a couple of hours. Veronika loved showing Violet off to her friends and Violet LOVED the attention. Saturday morning I woke up to some beautiful flowers-what a sweet suprise!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Read to Me
My friend Randi did a post on her blog about books and it got me thinking about the books in our house. I remember being read to...ALOT! I don't remember all of them but to this day I can pick up a book and it will stir up a childhood memory; laying in bed listening to my dad read-he always smelled clean, like shaving cream, toothpaste and soap, going to the library and listening to story time, remembering how much I loved to check-out books at the library-I always wanted to open each book and put a return card in it. The first book I remember reading was "Rub-a-Dub Suds", I got to read it to my kindergarten class. My best friend Calley was jealous so she had her mom read it to her until she memorized it and she "read" it to the class as well! I hope she eventually learned to read for real...she is now a Homeschooling Momma to 3 precious boys!
My parents never had to "make" me go to bed, I couldn't wait to get in bed so I could read. I remember having a stack of chapter books by my bed and I would read a chapter or two each night out of each of them. I remember in 3rd grade we had indoor recess one day, the class was rowdy but I was immersed in a book. Ms. Armstrong asked me how I could concentrate and I didn't know how to answer-I was in a different world-I could read for hours at a time.
One of my motivations for becoming a teacher was my love for reading-it was the most amazing thing to me to see my students learn to read! Through my college years I invested a small fortune in Children's Literature. I had so many books in my classroom that I had to rotate them-I didn't have enough room in my library for all of them! I have a collection of books for each holiday-right down to Groundhog Day and Martin Luther King Day! When I decided to stay home I was so grateful that I had bought most of my books with personal money so that I could bring them home for my children. We have them EVERYWHERE! I even have a bucket of books in the van for the kids to read.
So, with all of that said, here are just a few of my favorite childhood books.
1. Don't Call Me Fatso- I was overweight even as a child and my mom bought this, I think to give me self-confidence, but maybe to let me know I was a Fatso. (JOKING)
2. When The New Baby Comes, I'm Moving Out- I got this when Mom was pregnant with Amanda, I loved the part where he was going to put his mom and baby in the trash can-I thought that sounded like a great idea. I read this to the girls when I was pregnant with Phoenix...Violet was uninterested and Veronika thought the boy was very mean.
3. Where The Wild Things Are- How can you not love this book? Who hasn't wanted to escape and be king of the Wild Things?
4. Philadelphia Chickens- This is a book/cd combo. The girls LOVE it! We get really crazy in the car and rock out to all of the silly songs.
5. The Dumb Bunnies- This book is hysterical! You MUST check it out.
6. The Going To Bed Book/Yoo Hoo, Little Rabbit- I combine these two into one because they are special for the same reason. I am not sure where these books came from or how it happened, but these are Violet's "night-night" books. They do not go on the bookshelf, they have a special place of honor next to the CD player so they are easily found everynight at bed time.
7. Someday- My friend Randi introduced me to this book. I cry EVERY TIME I READ IT! I look at it and think, "I know what is in you, you can't get to me this time. I will read you and not cry." I do ok for a few pages, and then my throat tightens up, and my eyes start to get wet, and then I give up and sob. I DO NOT read this book in front of anyone over the age of 2...I am embarrassed-but at the same time I want my children to always remember the message of this book.
8. I'm Gonna Like Me- One of my most important goals as a parent is to instill self-confidence in my children. In a world where we are bombarded with messages of what we "should" be I want them to love and like themselves no matter what.
9. Eric Carle books- I count this as one because there is not one of his books that I don't like. His illustrations are beautiful and his books hook children and adults alike.
10. On the Night You Were Born- Another confidence builder with sweet, soft words and beautiful illustrations.
11. Without You- A little Spann boy bought this for me at the book fair when I was teaching. I was very pregnant with Violet and cried as I read it to my class. "Where would I be? What would I do? Who in this world would see me through? Where would I be? What would I do? Without you"
My parents never had to "make" me go to bed, I couldn't wait to get in bed so I could read. I remember having a stack of chapter books by my bed and I would read a chapter or two each night out of each of them. I remember in 3rd grade we had indoor recess one day, the class was rowdy but I was immersed in a book. Ms. Armstrong asked me how I could concentrate and I didn't know how to answer-I was in a different world-I could read for hours at a time.
One of my motivations for becoming a teacher was my love for reading-it was the most amazing thing to me to see my students learn to read! Through my college years I invested a small fortune in Children's Literature. I had so many books in my classroom that I had to rotate them-I didn't have enough room in my library for all of them! I have a collection of books for each holiday-right down to Groundhog Day and Martin Luther King Day! When I decided to stay home I was so grateful that I had bought most of my books with personal money so that I could bring them home for my children. We have them EVERYWHERE! I even have a bucket of books in the van for the kids to read.
So, with all of that said, here are just a few of my favorite childhood books.
1. Don't Call Me Fatso- I was overweight even as a child and my mom bought this, I think to give me self-confidence, but maybe to let me know I was a Fatso. (JOKING)
2. When The New Baby Comes, I'm Moving Out- I got this when Mom was pregnant with Amanda, I loved the part where he was going to put his mom and baby in the trash can-I thought that sounded like a great idea. I read this to the girls when I was pregnant with Phoenix...Violet was uninterested and Veronika thought the boy was very mean.
3. Where The Wild Things Are- How can you not love this book? Who hasn't wanted to escape and be king of the Wild Things?
4. Philadelphia Chickens- This is a book/cd combo. The girls LOVE it! We get really crazy in the car and rock out to all of the silly songs.
5. The Dumb Bunnies- This book is hysterical! You MUST check it out.
6. The Going To Bed Book/Yoo Hoo, Little Rabbit- I combine these two into one because they are special for the same reason. I am not sure where these books came from or how it happened, but these are Violet's "night-night" books. They do not go on the bookshelf, they have a special place of honor next to the CD player so they are easily found everynight at bed time.
7. Someday- My friend Randi introduced me to this book. I cry EVERY TIME I READ IT! I look at it and think, "I know what is in you, you can't get to me this time. I will read you and not cry." I do ok for a few pages, and then my throat tightens up, and my eyes start to get wet, and then I give up and sob. I DO NOT read this book in front of anyone over the age of 2...I am embarrassed-but at the same time I want my children to always remember the message of this book.
8. I'm Gonna Like Me- One of my most important goals as a parent is to instill self-confidence in my children. In a world where we are bombarded with messages of what we "should" be I want them to love and like themselves no matter what.
9. Eric Carle books- I count this as one because there is not one of his books that I don't like. His illustrations are beautiful and his books hook children and adults alike.
10. On the Night You Were Born- Another confidence builder with sweet, soft words and beautiful illustrations.
11. Without You- A little Spann boy bought this for me at the book fair when I was teaching. I was very pregnant with Violet and cried as I read it to my class. "Where would I be? What would I do? Who in this world would see me through? Where would I be? What would I do? Without you"
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Simple Pleasures
My sister-in-law Paula did a "Simple Pleasures" list that she had seen on Kelly's Korner...so I thought I would follow suite. In random order:
1. Waking up and seeing Phoenix sleeping so peacefully beside me.
2. BOTH babies sleeping late and/or taking a nap at the same time.
3. NAP TIME...wow, I am starting to see a trend here, you would think I like sleep or something!
4. Long, Hot Showers...even when Violet pops her head in to say hello
5. Diet Coke
6. Phone calls from Steve...he usually calls me at break, lunch and on his way home. My favorite one is 5pm telling me he is leaving work!
7. Pedicures
8. Having time to shave my legs AND mosturize.
9. Watching Violet fall asleep.
10. Competing with Veronika to see who can sing "John Jacob Jingleheimer" or "I Am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" the fastest.
11. Family movie nights
12. Sunday lunch at Mom and Dad's house
13. Seeing Violet's face when we pick Veronika up or when she walks through the door
14. Opening Violet's door in the morning to get her out of bed
15. Girl's Night
16. Having a clean house
17. Laughing hysterically and not being able to stop
18. Rocking Phoenix to sleep
19. Date Night
20. Gardening
21. Making a budget and organizing our bills
22. Getting my hair done. Not only do I enjoy the actual process but I am ALONE for 45 minutes!
23. Family Game Night
24. Staying up till all hours of the night with my mom, sisters, aunt, cousins...
25. Candlelight
1. Waking up and seeing Phoenix sleeping so peacefully beside me.
2. BOTH babies sleeping late and/or taking a nap at the same time.
3. NAP TIME...wow, I am starting to see a trend here, you would think I like sleep or something!
4. Long, Hot Showers...even when Violet pops her head in to say hello
5. Diet Coke
6. Phone calls from Steve...he usually calls me at break, lunch and on his way home. My favorite one is 5pm telling me he is leaving work!
7. Pedicures
8. Having time to shave my legs AND mosturize.
9. Watching Violet fall asleep.
10. Competing with Veronika to see who can sing "John Jacob Jingleheimer" or "I Am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" the fastest.
11. Family movie nights
12. Sunday lunch at Mom and Dad's house
13. Seeing Violet's face when we pick Veronika up or when she walks through the door
14. Opening Violet's door in the morning to get her out of bed
15. Girl's Night
16. Having a clean house
17. Laughing hysterically and not being able to stop
18. Rocking Phoenix to sleep
19. Date Night
20. Gardening
21. Making a budget and organizing our bills
22. Getting my hair done. Not only do I enjoy the actual process but I am ALONE for 45 minutes!
23. Family Game Night
24. Staying up till all hours of the night with my mom, sisters, aunt, cousins...
25. Candlelight
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