Saturday, January 29, 2011
Jayden's First Birthday Party
We had so much fun at Jayden's first birthday party! It was Yo Gabba Gabba themed and even the characters came! Miss Erin was there to sing and read to the kids. Mila had a great time!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Playdate
Today we went to Jayden's house for a playdate. Tomorrow is his birthday and Saturday is his birthday party. He's turning 1!
Jayden
Joseph
Mila
Liam
B
Joseph
Heike and Audrey
Monday, January 24, 2011
Toddler This Week: 12 Months, Week 4
As your child's second year begins, take some time to think about your relationship with your partner. Caring for an infant can wreak havoc on couples. You may find yourselves bickering a lot or just not connecting the way you used to. Don't despair — it takes time to adjust to having another person around. Now that your baby-turned-toddler is becoming less dependent, make a point of getting away to do adult things, just the two of you.
Though at this point her vocabulary probably consists of only a couple of words besides "Mama" and "Dada," your 1-year-old can probably babble in what sounds like short sentences, complete with vocal inflections. It's almost as if she's speaking a foreign language. By now, your toddler may also be able to respond to simple questions and commands, especially if you give her some clues with hand gestures. For example, ask her, "Where's your mouth?" and point to it. Or try, "Hand me the cup" and gesture toward the object. Your toddler may answer you in her own way, shaking her head for "no" or using her own gestures. Because she's starting to grasp the meaning of words, it's a good time to begin teaching your toddler the basics of good manners. Explain "please" and "thank you" and model their use as often as you can. Though she probably won't quite get the idea for a while, she might melt your heart with a well-placed "please" when you least expect it.
It's up to you to help your toddler make connections between objects and their names — the more you do, the faster her vocabulary will grow. Keep talking to your toddler, and label things every day. Count stair steps as you climb them, and point out the names and colors of fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Read your toddler a picture book and ask her to point to or name familiar objects. Solicit her opinion once in a while: Ask her if she'd like to wear the red or the blue socks, or if she'd like to play with her blocks or her stacking rings. Even if she doesn't answer, she's learning not just words from you, but the rhythms of social interaction.
Your child is watching… everything… you… do. Toddlers love to copy the behavior of the people around them, especially their parents. It's how they learn basic behaviors.
You may see your child trying to brush her hair, wiping a counter with her bib, pressing buttons on your cell phone, or trying on your sunglasses. Eventually she'll pick up on your words and speech patterns, too.
Imitation has a downside, too. Your child may watch you take vitamins or pills and later, when you're not looking, decide to do the same herself. So be vigilant about safety. Use child-resistant caps on medicines and vitamins, and store the pills out of reach. Don't let her see how you open child-safety latches – she'll be eager to work them just like you do.
Worried that your little one isn't lurching around on two feet yet? There's probably no need for concern. The normal range for reaching this milestone is very broad, and some children don't walk until 16 or 17 months.
The 12-month mark is a good time to remember that each child is unique and meets milestones at her own pace. What's important is the progression – in other words, that she's continuing to develop and learn new skills.
Developmental guidelines merely show what your child has the potential to accomplish – if not right now, then soon. Trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to bring up concerns with your child's doctor if you're worried or want to know what to watch for.
-BabyCenter.com
Though at this point her vocabulary probably consists of only a couple of words besides "Mama" and "Dada," your 1-year-old can probably babble in what sounds like short sentences, complete with vocal inflections. It's almost as if she's speaking a foreign language. By now, your toddler may also be able to respond to simple questions and commands, especially if you give her some clues with hand gestures. For example, ask her, "Where's your mouth?" and point to it. Or try, "Hand me the cup" and gesture toward the object. Your toddler may answer you in her own way, shaking her head for "no" or using her own gestures. Because she's starting to grasp the meaning of words, it's a good time to begin teaching your toddler the basics of good manners. Explain "please" and "thank you" and model their use as often as you can. Though she probably won't quite get the idea for a while, she might melt your heart with a well-placed "please" when you least expect it.
It's up to you to help your toddler make connections between objects and their names — the more you do, the faster her vocabulary will grow. Keep talking to your toddler, and label things every day. Count stair steps as you climb them, and point out the names and colors of fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Read your toddler a picture book and ask her to point to or name familiar objects. Solicit her opinion once in a while: Ask her if she'd like to wear the red or the blue socks, or if she'd like to play with her blocks or her stacking rings. Even if she doesn't answer, she's learning not just words from you, but the rhythms of social interaction.
Your child is watching… everything… you… do. Toddlers love to copy the behavior of the people around them, especially their parents. It's how they learn basic behaviors.
You may see your child trying to brush her hair, wiping a counter with her bib, pressing buttons on your cell phone, or trying on your sunglasses. Eventually she'll pick up on your words and speech patterns, too.
Imitation has a downside, too. Your child may watch you take vitamins or pills and later, when you're not looking, decide to do the same herself. So be vigilant about safety. Use child-resistant caps on medicines and vitamins, and store the pills out of reach. Don't let her see how you open child-safety latches – she'll be eager to work them just like you do.
Worried that your little one isn't lurching around on two feet yet? There's probably no need for concern. The normal range for reaching this milestone is very broad, and some children don't walk until 16 or 17 months.
The 12-month mark is a good time to remember that each child is unique and meets milestones at her own pace. What's important is the progression – in other words, that she's continuing to develop and learn new skills.
Developmental guidelines merely show what your child has the potential to accomplish – if not right now, then soon. Trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to bring up concerns with your child's doctor if you're worried or want to know what to watch for.
-BabyCenter.com
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Toddler This Week: 12 Months, Week 3
Look who's talking now! Your 1-year-old is working hard on being able to tell you what's going on in his busy brain. Try these strategies to help his vocabulary grow: When you change his diaper or dress him, talk about the parts of his body. Look at picture books together and ask him to point to or name familiar objects. Teach him about textures by letting him touch an apple ("smooth"), avocado ("bumpy"), or kiwifruit ("fuzzy").
Your toddler probably has been wrestling with bouts of separation anxiety during the past several months. This is natural: He loves and depends on you, so he's distressed when you leave. To ease departures, ask your sitter to arrive early so your toddler has time to adjust. Be matter-of-fact when you leave, and don't prolong the agony with extended goodbyes. Make it quick, with just one goodnight kiss. Your toddler's tears will subside soon after you're out of sight. You can help your child feel more independent by not hovering over him all of the time. Of course, he still needs to know you're around and dependable. So if he toddles to another room, wait a couple of minutes before following.
There are a lot of foods you can consider feeding your toddler now that he's 1 and his immune system and digestive system have grown strong and hardy. If allergies run in your family or you're particularly concerned, however, it's best to consult with your child's doctor and consider holding off on certain foods, including some of those listed below, until age 2 or 3. Among the things you can consider introducing to your toddler's taste buds:
It's an exciting time when, after months of babbling, your child begins to form recognizable words. It's not an overnight process, and the pace varies significantly from child to child. One thing is sure, though: He understands far more than he can say. Some things to watch for now:
Your toddler's pincer grasp is probably well developed by now, so he can pick up small objects between his thumb and forefinger fairly easily. He may enjoy practicing this skill on any little thing he finds on the floor, which is a lot closer and more visible to his keen eyes than it is to yours.
Be extra careful about small but potentially dangerous little items that fall to the floor without adults noticing, such as vitamins and other pills, pieces of food (and pet food), pushpins from the bulletin board, tiny toy parts used by older siblings, and so on. They could end up in your child's mouth.
Parent tip
"Kids grow up all over the world learning more than one language, and our children can too. I grew up in India, a country with more than 25 languages. I grew up learning four, including English, and I'm no genius!" – Vish
-BabyCenter.com
Your toddler probably has been wrestling with bouts of separation anxiety during the past several months. This is natural: He loves and depends on you, so he's distressed when you leave. To ease departures, ask your sitter to arrive early so your toddler has time to adjust. Be matter-of-fact when you leave, and don't prolong the agony with extended goodbyes. Make it quick, with just one goodnight kiss. Your toddler's tears will subside soon after you're out of sight. You can help your child feel more independent by not hovering over him all of the time. Of course, he still needs to know you're around and dependable. So if he toddles to another room, wait a couple of minutes before following.
There are a lot of foods you can consider feeding your toddler now that he's 1 and his immune system and digestive system have grown strong and hardy. If allergies run in your family or you're particularly concerned, however, it's best to consult with your child's doctor and consider holding off on certain foods, including some of those listed below, until age 2 or 3. Among the things you can consider introducing to your toddler's taste buds:
- Cow's milk
- Corn
- Wheat
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Honey
- Eggs
- Shellfish
- Peanuts and tree nuts
It's an exciting time when, after months of babbling, your child begins to form recognizable words. It's not an overnight process, and the pace varies significantly from child to child. One thing is sure, though: He understands far more than he can say. Some things to watch for now:
- Gestures that speak louder than words. Your toddler may be a man of few words but speaking up a storm in gestures, like raised arms for "up" or a pointed finger for "What's that?" Children who learned sign language as babies are especially "fluent."
- Words with many meanings. An early word like "joos" may mean "I'm thirsty for milk," "No, I want water," or "Hey! I dropped my bottle!" Listen to the inflection. He'll say the same word in different ways and using different gestures.
- Words from everyday life. Perhaps not surprisingly, your child's first words probably relate to things in his immediate life: "Mama" and "Dada" and other favorite people or pets, or words having to do with eating ("baba" for bottle), sleeping ("nite-nite"), possessions ("ba" for bear), or desires ("up").
Your toddler's pincer grasp is probably well developed by now, so he can pick up small objects between his thumb and forefinger fairly easily. He may enjoy practicing this skill on any little thing he finds on the floor, which is a lot closer and more visible to his keen eyes than it is to yours.
Be extra careful about small but potentially dangerous little items that fall to the floor without adults noticing, such as vitamins and other pills, pieces of food (and pet food), pushpins from the bulletin board, tiny toy parts used by older siblings, and so on. They could end up in your child's mouth.
Parent tip
"Kids grow up all over the world learning more than one language, and our children can too. I grew up in India, a country with more than 25 languages. I grew up learning four, including English, and I'm no genius!" – Vish
-BabyCenter.com
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Reading with Daddy
Daddy loves reading with Mila! And Mila loves reading with Daddy! Her favorite part is turning the pages. Daddy reads her the story, or he'll make up his own. Mila's always spellbound!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Toddler This Week: 12 Months, Week 2
If your child gets upset when you leave her now, she's right on schedule. Twelve to 18 months is prime time for separation anxiety — a psychological term that means your toddler can't bear to be without you. The best way to handle painful farewells is to keep them short and sweet: Say goodbye with a quick kiss and head out the door. Your toddler's tears will subside soon after you're out of sight. It's hard not to feel guilty, but in the long run you'll help your child become more independent.
Napping is one of the small luxuries for a parent that's built into caring for a baby, especially if you use the downtime to rest and recharge yourself. But as your child rounds the corner of her first year, she may begin to resist taking naps. Not only that, but her growing independence may lead her to make a fuss at bedtime, too. Following a well-established bedtime routine, which might include a bath or a story, can give her the comfort of knowing what to expect at bedtime and help settle her to sleep. Whatever you do, make sure you and your toddler have plenty of time to connect and wind down at the end of the day. You may choose to alternate activities with your partner — you do the bath, he reads the story, and so on — each night. Or, to give both of you a break several times a week, try switching nights when you're responsible for putting your toddler to bed. Another trick to help bedtime go more smoothly is to have a babysitter or relative put your toddler to bed every so often, following the routine that you've established. That way, your toddler will learn to associate bedtime with the routine, and not to be dependent on your presence to drift off to sleep.
Your toddler may start feeding herself with a spoon this month, though her aim won't be the best. Prepare for a little more mess than usual, and let her go at it — using a spoon is a great way for your toddler to improve her hand-eye coordination, exercise her independence, and make mealtime more fun.
Time to add a new appointment to your child's schedule: a first visit to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend that you establish a "dental home" for your child around this age. They point out that about 40 percent of children have tooth decay by age 5, and that the rate of tooth decay in baby teeth has not declined as it has in permanent teeth over the last 30 years.
This first visit offers a baseline look at your child's mouth and reveals any problems that your child's doctor may have missed. It also gives the dentist an opportunity to offer pointers on caring for your toddler's budding teeth, preventing cavities, and ensuring the right intake of fluoride. You can stick with your own dentist or choose a pediatric dentist – a specialist with a child-friendly office who's an ace at keeping young children comfortable and relaxed.
At home, continue cleaning your toddler's teeth. You don't really need to use a toothbrush until the second molars (the ones farthest back) come in, typically between 20 and 30 months. Until then, simply wipe the teeth clean before bedtime using wet gauze or a washcloth and water. (To distract your child while you do the job, try giving her a toothbrush to hold.)
You don't even need toothpaste. You can use a fluoride-free baby toothpaste if you like, but don't add fluoridated toothpaste to the routine until at least age 2.
Cow's milk is probably becoming a big part of your child's diet now that she's passed the 12-month mark.
Whole milk is usually the beverage of choice at this age because toddlers need fat to fuel their growth and their considerable energy needs. (Possible exceptions: If you're overweight or obese, or have a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease, your child's doctor may recommend starting with reduced-fat milk.)
At 24 months, your little one can safely switch to low-fat or even nonfat milk. When consumed in moderate amounts, cow's milk has many nutrients a growing toddler needs. Nutritionists recommend that 1-year-olds drink at least 16 ounces of milk a day – but not more than 24 ounces.
Some kids love their milk and the challenge for parents is not to go overboard. A child who drinks more than 24 ounces may fill up on milk and miss out on other foods that are important for a balanced diet.
At the other extreme are toddlers who turn up their nose at cow's milk, at least at first. After all, it has a different texture, taste, and even temperature than breast milk or formula. Parents of reluctant milk-drinkers can try mixing whole milk with some breast milk or formula at first (say, one part whole milk and three parts of his usual stuff). Then slowly increase the amount of milk to 100 percent.
Find out more about introducing cow's milk and what your options are if your child can't or won't drink milk, or if you'd prefer to give her other calcium-rich beverages, such as fortified soy milk.
Parent tip
"I buy children's books for my son and include a sentimental note inside the cover related to the book's subject. Not only will it be a special keepsake for him one day, but it also builds up his library." – Courtney
-BabyCenter.com
Napping is one of the small luxuries for a parent that's built into caring for a baby, especially if you use the downtime to rest and recharge yourself. But as your child rounds the corner of her first year, she may begin to resist taking naps. Not only that, but her growing independence may lead her to make a fuss at bedtime, too. Following a well-established bedtime routine, which might include a bath or a story, can give her the comfort of knowing what to expect at bedtime and help settle her to sleep. Whatever you do, make sure you and your toddler have plenty of time to connect and wind down at the end of the day. You may choose to alternate activities with your partner — you do the bath, he reads the story, and so on — each night. Or, to give both of you a break several times a week, try switching nights when you're responsible for putting your toddler to bed. Another trick to help bedtime go more smoothly is to have a babysitter or relative put your toddler to bed every so often, following the routine that you've established. That way, your toddler will learn to associate bedtime with the routine, and not to be dependent on your presence to drift off to sleep.
Your toddler may start feeding herself with a spoon this month, though her aim won't be the best. Prepare for a little more mess than usual, and let her go at it — using a spoon is a great way for your toddler to improve her hand-eye coordination, exercise her independence, and make mealtime more fun.
Time to add a new appointment to your child's schedule: a first visit to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend that you establish a "dental home" for your child around this age. They point out that about 40 percent of children have tooth decay by age 5, and that the rate of tooth decay in baby teeth has not declined as it has in permanent teeth over the last 30 years.
This first visit offers a baseline look at your child's mouth and reveals any problems that your child's doctor may have missed. It also gives the dentist an opportunity to offer pointers on caring for your toddler's budding teeth, preventing cavities, and ensuring the right intake of fluoride. You can stick with your own dentist or choose a pediatric dentist – a specialist with a child-friendly office who's an ace at keeping young children comfortable and relaxed.
At home, continue cleaning your toddler's teeth. You don't really need to use a toothbrush until the second molars (the ones farthest back) come in, typically between 20 and 30 months. Until then, simply wipe the teeth clean before bedtime using wet gauze or a washcloth and water. (To distract your child while you do the job, try giving her a toothbrush to hold.)
You don't even need toothpaste. You can use a fluoride-free baby toothpaste if you like, but don't add fluoridated toothpaste to the routine until at least age 2.
Cow's milk is probably becoming a big part of your child's diet now that she's passed the 12-month mark.
Whole milk is usually the beverage of choice at this age because toddlers need fat to fuel their growth and their considerable energy needs. (Possible exceptions: If you're overweight or obese, or have a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease, your child's doctor may recommend starting with reduced-fat milk.)
At 24 months, your little one can safely switch to low-fat or even nonfat milk. When consumed in moderate amounts, cow's milk has many nutrients a growing toddler needs. Nutritionists recommend that 1-year-olds drink at least 16 ounces of milk a day – but not more than 24 ounces.
Some kids love their milk and the challenge for parents is not to go overboard. A child who drinks more than 24 ounces may fill up on milk and miss out on other foods that are important for a balanced diet.
At the other extreme are toddlers who turn up their nose at cow's milk, at least at first. After all, it has a different texture, taste, and even temperature than breast milk or formula. Parents of reluctant milk-drinkers can try mixing whole milk with some breast milk or formula at first (say, one part whole milk and three parts of his usual stuff). Then slowly increase the amount of milk to 100 percent.
Find out more about introducing cow's milk and what your options are if your child can't or won't drink milk, or if you'd prefer to give her other calcium-rich beverages, such as fortified soy milk.
Parent tip
"I buy children's books for my son and include a sentimental note inside the cover related to the book's subject. Not only will it be a special keepsake for him one day, but it also builds up his library." – Courtney
-BabyCenter.com
Playdate
Today we had a playdate in South Beach at B's place. B's inflatable pool/ball pit was so much fun!
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