I have heard a lot of talk about car seats lately and about when its okay to turn your child to forward-facing. You can turn your child to face forward after they reach one year and 20 pounds, but that is the minimum. It is best to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. We have a Britax Boulevard and the weight limit for rear-facing is 35 pounds. I plan to keep Jacob rear-facing until he reaches that limit. He may be 3 years old before he hits that, but that's okay. :P I have heard parents say that they will turn their child to forward-facing as soon as they can because of the comfort issue and so they can see better out the window. I would rather have Jacob be a little uncomfy than have a broken neck.
I ran across this video today and decided I should post this for all the parents out there who are wondering when to turn their child to forward-facing and to encourage you to keep your kids rear-facing as long as possible.
Check out this website. It gives all the reasons why rear-facing is best.
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Baby Picasso (or future chimney sweep?)
A while back I came across a homemade finger paint recipe and decided to give it a try today. I got everything set up while Jacob napped and after he got up, I stripped him down and we headed outdoors to do some painting. It was hilarious! Jacob had so much fun getting messy. I am so glad I took off all his clothes and put him in a disposable diaper! Also glad the paint was edible because he just couldn't resist shoving his paint-laden hand in his mouth.
mmmmm......paper
Look at his legs and mouth. Its all over his diaper too. Paint everywhere!
Here are our creations. I know you all are super jealous of my spectacular painting!
After the painting, I plopped Jacob right in the bath and then we headed outdoors to walk the lion. Our street is on a slight incline so he struggles to push it uphill, but flies downhill. He little legs almost get away from him. He did take a tumble today. He did a complete roll around. I thought he would cry, but he just got right back up and started pushing the lion again.
The neighbor came over with their new dog and Jacob wasn't quite sure about Shadow. Funny because this dog is tiny, like the size of a large cat. Jacob isn't afraid at all of big ole Homer, but when a little dog comes close he gets a little panicky. He was making yelling noises, but it was hard to tell if he was truly scared or just excited. Maybe a little of both. :)
After lunch I was doing a few things around the house while Jacob played in the living room. He has been obsessed with the fireplace lately and this is what I found.
I think we may need to find a fireplace screen that sits closer to the wall so he can't get in there. Notice how he is licking the fireplace screen and his one hand is all sooty.
The other day while I was cooking dinner he managed to wedge himself between the fridge and the wall. Its a pretty wide space but he had to squeeze past the step stool to get back there. He started making noises because he couldn't figure out to get back out and at first I couldn't figure out where he was. He is always making me laugh. Even when he does things he shouldn't, it still cracks me up.
mmmmm......paper
Look at his legs and mouth. Its all over his diaper too. Paint everywhere!
Here are our creations. I know you all are super jealous of my spectacular painting!
After the painting, I plopped Jacob right in the bath and then we headed outdoors to walk the lion. Our street is on a slight incline so he struggles to push it uphill, but flies downhill. He little legs almost get away from him. He did take a tumble today. He did a complete roll around. I thought he would cry, but he just got right back up and started pushing the lion again.
The neighbor came over with their new dog and Jacob wasn't quite sure about Shadow. Funny because this dog is tiny, like the size of a large cat. Jacob isn't afraid at all of big ole Homer, but when a little dog comes close he gets a little panicky. He was making yelling noises, but it was hard to tell if he was truly scared or just excited. Maybe a little of both. :)
After lunch I was doing a few things around the house while Jacob played in the living room. He has been obsessed with the fireplace lately and this is what I found.
I think we may need to find a fireplace screen that sits closer to the wall so he can't get in there. Notice how he is licking the fireplace screen and his one hand is all sooty.
The other day while I was cooking dinner he managed to wedge himself between the fridge and the wall. Its a pretty wide space but he had to squeeze past the step stool to get back there. He started making noises because he couldn't figure out to get back out and at first I couldn't figure out where he was. He is always making me laugh. Even when he does things he shouldn't, it still cracks me up.
Dreams
I have always had strange dreams and last night I had 3!
In the first one I delivered a baby girl weighing in at 15 lbs, 2 oz! YIKES!!
In the next one, Alan and I moved to Michigan and I was back in high school. I kept seeing kids that I went to ninth grade with when I still lived there. I was trying to tell them who I was, but nobody really remembered me. Then I was in class and the teacher looked vaguely like Roberto, the owner of The Farm, a restaurant here in Redlands. Weird. I saw him on Saturday, but that was days ago! I have no clue what the subject was because he was speaking so softly that I couldn't hear a word he said. We were supposed to be answering a question on paper, but I didn't know how to answer because I didn't hear the question. He started asking other students for their answer and they were talking about blowing people up in trunks of cars so not sure what subject that would be!
And in the third dream my mom was telling me how a friend of mine (I won't way who) got pregnant as a teen and gave the baby up for adoption. I guess she went to visit some relatives in Iowa for a couple weeks over summer break, met a guy and got knocked up.
Where do I get this stuff? Maybe it was the brownie I ate right before bed.
In the first one I delivered a baby girl weighing in at 15 lbs, 2 oz! YIKES!!
In the next one, Alan and I moved to Michigan and I was back in high school. I kept seeing kids that I went to ninth grade with when I still lived there. I was trying to tell them who I was, but nobody really remembered me. Then I was in class and the teacher looked vaguely like Roberto, the owner of The Farm, a restaurant here in Redlands. Weird. I saw him on Saturday, but that was days ago! I have no clue what the subject was because he was speaking so softly that I couldn't hear a word he said. We were supposed to be answering a question on paper, but I didn't know how to answer because I didn't hear the question. He started asking other students for their answer and they were talking about blowing people up in trunks of cars so not sure what subject that would be!
And in the third dream my mom was telling me how a friend of mine (I won't way who) got pregnant as a teen and gave the baby up for adoption. I guess she went to visit some relatives in Iowa for a couple weeks over summer break, met a guy and got knocked up.
Where do I get this stuff? Maybe it was the brownie I ate right before bed.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The verdict is in
I put the new washer to the test with my comforter and it passed! The comforter fit just fine and is now nice and clean. I am sure the washers at the laundromat do a better job because they are ginormous, but if I wash it more often here, it will probably be the same, right??? Anyway, I am a happy camper now. So far I am very pleased with my new machines.
I am also pleased that Jacob has slept until at least 6 am for the past 4 or 5 nights. YAY! That extra half hour is heavenly.
I am also pleased that Jacob has slept until at least 6 am for the past 4 or 5 nights. YAY! That extra half hour is heavenly.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Weekend Fun
This was a busy weekend, but full of fun things. :)
Friday night was Bunco night. I didn't win anything, but I rarely do so no surprise there! We had a big group and had lots of fun and lots of yummy snacks. A pregnant girl's paradise. :P
Saturday morning I picked up my organic produce and then after Jacob got up from his nap Alan and I brought him over to my parents' so we could go shopping for a new washer and dryer. Before we hit the stores we had some lunch at Panera Bread. Super Yummy! We actually only ended up going to Lowes and found what we wanted so it wasn't horrid. I was not looking forward to hours of going from store to store. Ugh. They delivered my new washer and dryer this morning, but the dryer isn't hooked up yet so I have to wait to use my new things. :P They claim the washer will fit a comforter. If it does I will be happier than happy because I absolutely loathe going to the laundromat to wash it. The dryer has a steamer which is supposed to cut down on ironing. Can't wait to try out all the features!
After Jacob's afternoon nap, we headed out to Rancho Cucamonga for a house warming party for one of Alan's colleagues. It was such a beautiful afternoon! I even got chilly in the evening. I hadn't had that sensation for months! Jacob was a super good boy and a couple people said he was the most content baby they had ever met and asked if he was always that well behaved. (Too bad they didn't see him yesterday early evening and this morning. CRABBY!) There was a little girl at the party who is about 2 and she winked at Jacob. It was so cute! He's already got the girls after him!
Sunday morning we went to church. Alan had to take offering so he walked to church and Jacob and came later after Jacob got up from his nap. For lunch we went to a picnic at Sylvan Park for the faculty families. It was fun to meet new people and their kiddos. They are trying to do more family friendly activities for Faculty Club now that there are quite a few faculty who have kids. Jacob had a lot of fun swinging and watching the other kids play. We brought his lion and he and another little boy about his age had fun pushing it around.
Jacob absolutely loves pushing that lion around! We brought it outdoors the other day and let him push it up and down the sidewalk. He had a blast! And yesterday when he was getting cranky, we just took him outdoors with the lion and he was a happy camper again. I love that it is getting cooler again so we can spend more time outdoors.
Friday night was Bunco night. I didn't win anything, but I rarely do so no surprise there! We had a big group and had lots of fun and lots of yummy snacks. A pregnant girl's paradise. :P
Saturday morning I picked up my organic produce and then after Jacob got up from his nap Alan and I brought him over to my parents' so we could go shopping for a new washer and dryer. Before we hit the stores we had some lunch at Panera Bread. Super Yummy! We actually only ended up going to Lowes and found what we wanted so it wasn't horrid. I was not looking forward to hours of going from store to store. Ugh. They delivered my new washer and dryer this morning, but the dryer isn't hooked up yet so I have to wait to use my new things. :P They claim the washer will fit a comforter. If it does I will be happier than happy because I absolutely loathe going to the laundromat to wash it. The dryer has a steamer which is supposed to cut down on ironing. Can't wait to try out all the features!
After Jacob's afternoon nap, we headed out to Rancho Cucamonga for a house warming party for one of Alan's colleagues. It was such a beautiful afternoon! I even got chilly in the evening. I hadn't had that sensation for months! Jacob was a super good boy and a couple people said he was the most content baby they had ever met and asked if he was always that well behaved. (Too bad they didn't see him yesterday early evening and this morning. CRABBY!) There was a little girl at the party who is about 2 and she winked at Jacob. It was so cute! He's already got the girls after him!
Sunday morning we went to church. Alan had to take offering so he walked to church and Jacob and came later after Jacob got up from his nap. For lunch we went to a picnic at Sylvan Park for the faculty families. It was fun to meet new people and their kiddos. They are trying to do more family friendly activities for Faculty Club now that there are quite a few faculty who have kids. Jacob had a lot of fun swinging and watching the other kids play. We brought his lion and he and another little boy about his age had fun pushing it around.
Jacob absolutely loves pushing that lion around! We brought it outdoors the other day and let him push it up and down the sidewalk. He had a blast! And yesterday when he was getting cranky, we just took him outdoors with the lion and he was a happy camper again. I love that it is getting cooler again so we can spend more time outdoors.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Another Unwed Mother
I keep forgetting to post this story.
A few weeks ago I was at Gerrard's with Jacob picking up a few groceries. We were in the produce section when a couple older ladies came over to ooh and aah over Jacob. After they walked away I heard one of them say to the other (rather loudly), "Another unwed mother!' I was ticked! Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones coursing through my veins or something, but I walked over there and asked her if she was talking about me. She froze! I explained to her that when I was pregnant, my wedding ring got too tight and I hadn't gotten it resized yet, but I am in fact married. She blubbered through an apology. I think she was so shocked that I confronted her. I am pretty sure she will never make that assumption again! (Good thing I hadn't really started showing with this pregnancy or she would have been really appalled! )
I was reminded of this story today because I picked up my re-sized wedding ring this afternoon. Ha Ha! I decided to bring it in after this encounter. Not that I care what a couple of old biddies think, but it was just incentive for me to get done what I had been putting off. Guess I was just hoping that my finger would shrink back down, but even weighing 10 lbs less than I did pre-pregnancy with Jacob, it still didn't fit! :P
Now I've got my deflector ring to ward off the old biddies!
KAPOW!
A few weeks ago I was at Gerrard's with Jacob picking up a few groceries. We were in the produce section when a couple older ladies came over to ooh and aah over Jacob. After they walked away I heard one of them say to the other (rather loudly), "Another unwed mother!' I was ticked! Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones coursing through my veins or something, but I walked over there and asked her if she was talking about me. She froze! I explained to her that when I was pregnant, my wedding ring got too tight and I hadn't gotten it resized yet, but I am in fact married. She blubbered through an apology. I think she was so shocked that I confronted her. I am pretty sure she will never make that assumption again! (Good thing I hadn't really started showing with this pregnancy or she would have been really appalled! )
I was reminded of this story today because I picked up my re-sized wedding ring this afternoon. Ha Ha! I decided to bring it in after this encounter. Not that I care what a couple of old biddies think, but it was just incentive for me to get done what I had been putting off. Guess I was just hoping that my finger would shrink back down, but even weighing 10 lbs less than I did pre-pregnancy with Jacob, it still didn't fit! :P
Now I've got my deflector ring to ward off the old biddies!
KAPOW!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Toast
Our washer is toast. The repair man came today and installed the new belt, but when he ran the washer to make sure all was well, he discovered that the transmission was locked. He said it isn't worth repairing since to fix it would cost around $450. Guess what we're doing this weekend? Buying a new washer. Oh joy. I picked up the issue of Consumer Reports that reviews washers and dryers from my parents and am about to settle in and do some research. Oh goody.
At least this morning was fun. Jacob and I met a bunch of moms at the park for a play date. It was a bit warm, but we had fun anyway. Jacob had a great time visiting everyone, chewing on their water bottles (one of his favorite things) and chasing Grady along the sidewalk. He thought he was so silly! When I went to get him he was just giggling away. Well, as much as he could giggle through his mouthful of wood chips. He looked like a little squirrel. Aren't I such the bad mommy for not noticing that her son was stuffing his face with nastiness?
By the way, when is it going to get cool? I am sick of hot weather!!
At least this morning was fun. Jacob and I met a bunch of moms at the park for a play date. It was a bit warm, but we had fun anyway. Jacob had a great time visiting everyone, chewing on their water bottles (one of his favorite things) and chasing Grady along the sidewalk. He thought he was so silly! When I went to get him he was just giggling away. Well, as much as he could giggle through his mouthful of wood chips. He looked like a little squirrel. Aren't I such the bad mommy for not noticing that her son was stuffing his face with nastiness?
By the way, when is it going to get cool? I am sick of hot weather!!
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