366 Project: Days 11-15

Day 11: A sweet, content baby girl, and her focused big sister (decorating for Valentine's Day)Day 12: Reading her current favorite book, Llama Llama Red Pajama

Day 13: Baby J bundled up for our trip, Little A playing peek at the library.

Day 14: Happy baby!

Day 15: Family picture

Keeping Toddler Hands Busy

Baby J is already 6 weeks old... crazy! That means I've had about 6 weeks of trying to keep one pair of toddler hands busy while we've been home. We're able to get out a few times a week to activities, and it's been a mild winter, so we can get outside more often than I expected, but I've still needed some extra tools to keep Little A busy during our days at home.

Before Baby J was born, I started putting these busy boxes together (thanks to help from Pinterest and here). I organized a busy baby swap with friends who have toddlers too, and I picked up some fun little toys and books this fall to include as well.

Box 1: Magnetic Letters and Numbers

Box 2: Music Box

• Music Busy Bag: Childeren's CD, bottle shaker, recorder, bells



• Egg Shakers



• Lion Clacker (not in picture)



• Maraca



• Magic Wand (like our music teacher had)

Box 3: Animals

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear



• Animal Matching Game (from swap)



• Fishing Game (from swap)



• Pipecleaners (Little A really enjoys poking them in a strainer!)

Box Four: Colors

• Markers and Crayons



• Coloring Book



• Dyed Pasta Sorting and Stringing

Box 5: Body

• Mr. Potato Head



• Book About Body Parts



• Play-Doh

Box 6: Fun (A bunch of busy bags that Little A hasn't quite figured out yet)

• Button Snake



• Mini Felt Board



• Animal Lacing Cards

Having some special toys and activities to bring out from time to time has been really helpful, especially on days when Baby J needs more attention, or we're stuck in the house for a long time. Even when I go back to work, I think these will still be helpful to have something "new" to play with when E and I are busy. As she gets older, I will be able to add to what's in the boxes so they're still something special.

Big Sister

Little A absolutely loves her little sister. Baby J gets far more kisses from Little A than anyone else. She tries to help us with Baby J in her own little toddler way. She tries to help rock Baby J in her swing or car seat, but the rocking is pretty aggressive, and we have to remind her to be gentle. She takes Baby J's pacifier and brings it to us (although she occasionally tries to stick it in her mouth as well). She let's us know that, "baby's cying (crying)," followed by, "baby's sad," even sometimes when she's not. She finds Baby J's hiccups to be very fascinating.

Recently she's also started to take care of her baby like we do for Baby J. She tells us, "change baby's diaper," and then, "all better." She holds her baby and gives her a bottle when her baby is hungry. Yesterday she tried to swaddle her baby up in a blanket.

2012 Goal: 366 Photo Project

This year I am going to attempt a 366 photo project. That means at least one picture every day for the whole year. Hopefully I'll remember to keep my battery charged and my camera with me! I know I won't get a picture posted every single day, so I'm planning to do a few at a time instead. Here's the first 3 days to get me started...

Day 1: Puzzles with Grandpa

Day 2: Daddy's Hands

Day 3: Pancakes!

Christmas at Our House

This Christmas was a big change for us. Not only did we have Baby J with us to celebrate Christmas, but we did not travel at all. Not Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or any time in December. Instead, everyone came to us at different times, which meant we got to extend our celebrations over a few weeks. I think Little A is going to be a little sad that the presents have stopped for awhile now.



For our actual Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations, Nana, Papa, K1 and K3 came to visit, along with Little A's buddy Khloe (Nana's puppy). We went to Christmas Eve service at our church, and both girls fell asleep. It was so nice (and must have been some Christmas magic, because Little A almost never falls asleep on us anymore). Then we came home and grilled ribs for dinner, and exchanged family presents.



Christmas morning we woke up and Santa had delivered a few more gifts for the girls. Little A REALLY enjoyed opening presents, and for a bit enjoyed helping everyone else open their gifts too (although she was a little disappointed that the things inside were not for her).



For Baby J's "big" first Christmas present, we got her a set of pretty wooden blocks that we will keep for her when she grows up after she outgrows playing with them, just like we got Little A a wooden rainbow toy last year for her first Christmas.After everyone left on Christmas Day, we took advantage of the unseasonably nice weather, and spent some time outside. E and Little A ran around the backyard for awhile, and all four of us went for a night walk to look at Christmas lights in our neighborhood.Besides opening presents, I think her favorite thing about Christmas was the "Ginch" (Grinch). She loves watching the Grinch cartoon. We've watched it several times since Christmas as well. She has a lot of comments while watching like, "uh oh puppy," "happy Ginch," and "Ginch sad." E thinks she is rooting for the Grinch.