{365} Challenge: Learning toys for the baby

How often have we heard it said that giving a child a cardboard box would be better than the toy inside?  

There is so much truth in this.  Babies and children seem to love containers and textures and random items and engage with them with more curiosity than the electronic toys we put out for them.  Don't get me wrong, we have a few electronic baby toys that Baby B loves like her Fisher Price Vanity and Learning Table.

To help Baby B explore the world around her, we have filled her toy basket with items to allow her to learn textures, work at problem solving, build creativity, and work at hand-eye coordination.

With the weather getting warmer, we have been spending some time outdoors in the beautiful weather.  I was able to score a turtle sandbox from another mom for $10 to start off our outdoor play area for Baby B.  She really seems to love the sand and watching it go between her fingers and toes.  I will end up putting some "treasures" in the sand (plastic animals and other like items) for her to unearth and discover.

I created a sensory basket for Baby B to play with.  In it are bits of different types of ribbon, lace, felt strips, a Christmas bow (with the sticker-tag removed), bits of fabric, and a toilet paper roll that I reinforced with duct tape.  I figured this would stop her from chewing through it, and so far my idea has been successful.  She can run the ribbon through the roll and as she gets bigger, may be able to start threading the ribbon through the holes in the basket.

Providing Baby B with a variety of textured balls will also help her learn and play.  Just gather up a variety of different types, sizes, colors, etc.  I really need to find a small football!

One of the best toys I have found, was a basket of vintage wooden blocks.  These are played with more than anything else in our home right now.  They were a great thrift store find and they will be staying with my family for years to come.  I have also learned that babies who play with blocks with their parents for at least 20 minutes a day, score higher on language tests and are less likely to watch tv.  Score!

I also like taking random objects around the kitchen and letting Baby B just play.  We give her wooden spoons, cups, bowls, utensils (without sharp edges!), measuring cups, and anything else clean and lying around.  Sometimes it is fun to put a little water and ice in the bowls and cups and let her splash and play on the kitchen floor.  You can take empty Crystal Light containers, fill them with just about anything, glue the top on, and presto - instant rattle!  I used some tiny chip clips that we never use.

Surprisingly she left the animal water bowl alone

Lastly, I wanted to share our new favorite books.  The Indestructible books are amazing!  Baby B LOOOOOOVES paper and these books offer her the pleasure of crinkling and biting on them without destroying anything or getting some extra fiber in her diet.  I recently scored a few at BuyBabyDeals.com for just a few bucks each.  I have also seen them on Amazon and at Buy Buy Baby.

This post is linked up at Inspire Me Wednesday's

You can catch up on my challenges here.

Great Cloth Diaper Change

Today has been a busy day so far!  Baby B and I woke up early to go on our local morning show with some other moms to promote the Great Cloth Diaper Change.  

We started using cloth diapers with Baby B, because not only are they super cute, but they are also great for the planet and can be used the whole time she is in diapers.  No disposable can do that!  Plus, they have the added bonus of being able to be re-sold at close to what you originally purchased them for.  In some cases, you can even sell them for more than what you paid (used too!)  As a frugal momma who wants a beautiful Earth for her children to grow up in, there is no other choice.

Bliss {she has arrived}

Our sweet little girl arrived August 28th, 2013 at 4:10pm - just 4 days late.  Like her brothers, she wanted to make me wait, but thankfully not as long.

My Story: The night before I was having some mild contractions after the doctor scraped my membranes.  My parents came down and took the boys for the night in case we ended up going to the hospital.  After a few hours, my contractions went away and I was able to sleep. 

Around 3:30 am, I woke up and had a bug to start cleaning and get myself moving.  They say that urge hits strong right before you deliver and boy, were "they" right!  By 8am I was in early labor and feeling them kick in.  By the way, after having had epidurals and Pitocin during my first two labors, I had planned to go natural this time.

My friend Kristy is training to become a doula and she came over around 10am to help my husband, Earl and I out.  We went on a walk around the block and my contractions were getting closer together.  After the walk, we decided to go to the hospital where I would feel more comfortable. 

After being checked in, it turned out I was (only) at a 4.  I was really hoping for at least a 7!  Oh well, I suppose.  Our nurse, Kim, was super supportive of my natural plan.  We had read that often times, hospitals will push you towards meds and interventions, so I was pleased that she was on my side.  Around noon I was at 5 and my doctor came to see me and broke my water for me.  Then I was able to go to my room and get checked in, officially.  As labor progressed, the pains became more intense.  Kristy was amazing, putting counter-pressure on my lower back and handling the nurses for my husband and I.  Nurse Kim was a little concerned with my breathing and the fact that I was using too much energy so she had me get in bed.  She even helped my husband to work with me - by keeping eye contact with me and breathing at the same time during the contractions.

I've told him this - I have never felt more love for him than during those last few hours.  In my labor-haze I would squeeze his hand when the contraction would start and then he would take the breaths with me through the contraction.  Then we would both doze off for the break.  It was painful and amazing.

At one point there was a shift change and Nurse Kim had to go.  Her replacement was not as nice.  When she checked me and I was at a 7, I almost lost it.  Labor was so hard!  Without my husband and Kristy there, I don't think I would have had the willpower to fight through the pain.  But I am glad I did. 

Around 4 o'clock the doctor came in and it was time to push!  They got everything set up and told me to start pushing.  It only took me about 3 minutes to get Miss Bliss out!  The ring of fire they tell you about is no joke!  What a relief it was to have her on my chest and in my arms.  She really was a blessing.  We did an hour of skin-to-skin time and tried breastfeeding (she was quite the natural) and then we had her measurements taken.  Bliss was 7' 10 ounces, 21.5" long and was perfectly healthy.

 

I spent the next 24 hours in the hospital with lots of visitors.  The boys were begging me to come home with their new sister, so I left just before dinner the next day. 

 

After doing both natural and medicated, I strongly urge you mamas out there to go natural!  Get a doula if you need the extra support.  I feel like she-woman now and feel this intense bond with my little girl.  If you have any questions, feel free to comment below :)