On top of that, I put him in his playpen today, and when I came back to get him, he was standing up! He's a quick learner. And what a ham!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Quick Learner
A few days ago we lowered Gabriel's crib to the middle setting because he was grabbing the mobile. Well, it didn't take him long to figure out how to pull himself up on the side of the crib and grab it. This time he broke it. We caught him red-handed.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
DIY Jewelry Frame
Supplies needed:
1 frame
1 roll "floral wrap" (mesh of some sort)
spray paint
floral wire
staple gun
Richard was throwing away some old work shirts, and I originally thought I would use one as a backdrop for the frame. I may still do this later on, but for now I'm liking it without any backdrop.
Step 1. Bend floral wire into "hooks"
Step 2. Spray paint mesh and floral wire and leave to dry
Step 3. Remove backing from frame
Step 4. Staple mesh to back of frame (not the very back, but the inside where the picture goes)
Step 5. Bend floral wire to fit snug against the frame and staple in the back of the frame. Cut any excess wire before stapling.
Step 6. Hang frame and put jewelry on frame.
Step 7. Put more jewelry on frame.
So pretty!
1 frame
1 roll "floral wrap" (mesh of some sort)
spray paint
floral wire
staple gun
Richard was throwing away some old work shirts, and I originally thought I would use one as a backdrop for the frame. I may still do this later on, but for now I'm liking it without any backdrop.
Step 1. Bend floral wire into "hooks"
Step 2. Spray paint mesh and floral wire and leave to dry
Step 3. Remove backing from frame
Step 4. Staple mesh to back of frame (not the very back, but the inside where the picture goes)
Step 5. Bend floral wire to fit snug against the frame and staple in the back of the frame. Cut any excess wire before stapling.
Step 6. Hang frame and put jewelry on frame.
Step 7. Put more jewelry on frame.
So pretty!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Lowering the Crib
Now that Gabriel can get on his hands and knees. I caught him doing this.
Yes, he can now grab the mobile above his crib. Not only that, but he has tried to pull himself up on the side of the crib. Fortunately for us, he's not really able to pull himself up yet. It's just so sad to have to lower the crib. My baby is growing up, and now I have to bend over further to pick him up. Ha!
So here he is all happy with his lowered crib. This is just the middle setting. We'll lower it one more setting at some point. Until then, I'll save my back.
Yes, he can now grab the mobile above his crib. Not only that, but he has tried to pull himself up on the side of the crib. Fortunately for us, he's not really able to pull himself up yet. It's just so sad to have to lower the crib. My baby is growing up, and now I have to bend over further to pick him up. Ha!
So here he is all happy with his lowered crib. This is just the middle setting. We'll lower it one more setting at some point. Until then, I'll save my back.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Scrub Day
Today is scrub day. What is scrub day, you ask? Scrub day is when I am wearing my "scrubs". Today that consists of warm-up pants, slippers, an over-sized Celine Dion t-shirt and my high school basketball sweatshirt with a hole burned in it from sitting too close to a campfire. No makeup, hair is not done and glasses instead of contacts.
Scrub day happens when your baby is sick. When his nose is so runny that he can't breath, and has a hard time nursing and eating. When he's getting a tooth and his gums hurt.
Scrub day happens when you haven't gotten hardly any sleep for the last two nights, because you're baby is up crying, and all you can do is hold him and sing to him.
On scrub day, you go to the store and pray no one you will ever see again in your life sees you. You ask the pharmacist if there's anything you can possible give your baby to help him sleep and breath, to which the answer is "no, just wait it out".
On scrub day, you wear the snot your baby rubbed on your shoulder, and the slobber that dripped on you and everything else in the house.
On scrub day, you don't make any food and tell your husband he gets a PBJ for dinner.
Yes, today is scrub day. I predict tomorrow will be a scrub day too.
Scrub day happens when your baby is sick. When his nose is so runny that he can't breath, and has a hard time nursing and eating. When he's getting a tooth and his gums hurt.
Scrub day happens when you haven't gotten hardly any sleep for the last two nights, because you're baby is up crying, and all you can do is hold him and sing to him.
On scrub day, you go to the store and pray no one you will ever see again in your life sees you. You ask the pharmacist if there's anything you can possible give your baby to help him sleep and breath, to which the answer is "no, just wait it out".
On scrub day, you wear the snot your baby rubbed on your shoulder, and the slobber that dripped on you and everything else in the house.
On scrub day, you don't make any food and tell your husband he gets a PBJ for dinner.
Yes, today is scrub day. I predict tomorrow will be a scrub day too.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Gabriel pulls himself up!
For those of you who subscribe to my YouTube channel (Sanx23tube), I uploaded this video tonight from my phone. I am thankful that Gabriel likes to show daddy his new skills and is willing to do it on camera. Enjoyment for everyone!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Turtle Baby Costume
Each year our church hosts a Harvest Party, where hundreds of kids come to play games, dress up and get candy. Last year, we dressed up with the bun in the oven costume. This year, we didn't dress up, but Gabriel did. He was a turtle. And, might I say, the cutest turtle I've ever seen!
The Harvest Party had a life-size version of the Angry Birds game! It was amazing! There was a giant sling for kids to launch bouncy balls (painted like Angry Birds) at the targets (pigs). Loved it!
The Harvest Party had a life-size version of the Angry Birds game! It was amazing! There was a giant sling for kids to launch bouncy balls (painted like Angry Birds) at the targets (pigs). Loved it!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Importance of Reading Aloud
Our wonderful friends sent us a book called The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. It's all about the importance of reading aloud to your children. Yes, it's a book about reading books. OK, OK I know. But it's actually very insightful! The book includes numerous studies that document the benefits of reading aloud to your children, and continuing to read aloud through high school. Studies show children learn to read well and are more interested in reading when they are regularly read to. They get better test scores, and get into better colleges etc. One important point the book explains is that children want to be like their parents. If your child sees you reading, he will want to read too. So make an effort to not only read to your children, but read in front of your children.
Trelease also provides a large list of age-appropriate books. The book might be worth it if only for this list alone. For Gabriel's age, the best books are picture books that rhyme or are predictable. That's why Dr. Seuss is such a hit, along with Sandra Boynton and P.D. Eastman. Until he's two years old, it's important to re-read the same selection of books to him, rather than read a huge collection of books only a few times each. Young children need things repeated to them in order for it to sink in. So I've started reading his favorite books (the ones that hold his attention) more often, and sometimes two or three times in one sitting.
Right now, we're reading to Gabriel at least 30 minutes each day accumulated. We read before naps and bedtime and at random times throughout the day. He LOVES reading time. When we stop reading he starts crying. Of course, that might be because he doesn't want to go to bed. :) During reading time, he usually sits and looks at the pictures, occasionally reaching out to feel the pages. If there's a picture that's really bright or stands out from the rest of the page, he wants to feel it. We've set up a wish list on Amazon called Gabriel's Bookshelf. It's our collection of desired books that are recommended from The Read-Aloud Handbook as well as other sources.
One of Gabriel's favorite books right now is Geena Giraffe Gets Tucked In. We've preserved the memory of this book in a video.
We have also started going to the library regularly to see if they have any good books. Sadly, I am not impressed with the selection. I've been trying to find some sort of discount book club online, where I can purchase new books for a cheaper price. No luck yet. If anyone knows of a good recourse, please share! Since I plan to buy a lot of books over the next couple of decades, I need to find a more cost effective way to purchase them. There is one site I've found that will do a search for the book you're looking for and tell you what your cheapest option is for an online purchase. If you're interested it's http://www.booksprice.com/.
Trelease also provides a large list of age-appropriate books. The book might be worth it if only for this list alone. For Gabriel's age, the best books are picture books that rhyme or are predictable. That's why Dr. Seuss is such a hit, along with Sandra Boynton and P.D. Eastman. Until he's two years old, it's important to re-read the same selection of books to him, rather than read a huge collection of books only a few times each. Young children need things repeated to them in order for it to sink in. So I've started reading his favorite books (the ones that hold his attention) more often, and sometimes two or three times in one sitting.
Right now, we're reading to Gabriel at least 30 minutes each day accumulated. We read before naps and bedtime and at random times throughout the day. He LOVES reading time. When we stop reading he starts crying. Of course, that might be because he doesn't want to go to bed. :) During reading time, he usually sits and looks at the pictures, occasionally reaching out to feel the pages. If there's a picture that's really bright or stands out from the rest of the page, he wants to feel it. We've set up a wish list on Amazon called Gabriel's Bookshelf. It's our collection of desired books that are recommended from The Read-Aloud Handbook as well as other sources.
One of Gabriel's favorite books right now is Geena Giraffe Gets Tucked In. We've preserved the memory of this book in a video.
We have also started going to the library regularly to see if they have any good books. Sadly, I am not impressed with the selection. I've been trying to find some sort of discount book club online, where I can purchase new books for a cheaper price. No luck yet. If anyone knows of a good recourse, please share! Since I plan to buy a lot of books over the next couple of decades, I need to find a more cost effective way to purchase them. There is one site I've found that will do a search for the book you're looking for and tell you what your cheapest option is for an online purchase. If you're interested it's http://www.booksprice.com/.
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