Nasty Germilies

Here is an article on the ten dirtiest places. http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100233797&gt1=31036 I'd never thought of some of them. YUCK!

Truck Driver Demand

Here is a cool little news clip about a local truck driver training company. This clip is about the company Josh works for called Driver Solutions. Watch the clip here http://www.fox59.com/pages/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3503489 And of course I will give you the link for their site http://www.greatcdltraining.com/default.aspx Cool web page? That's what Josh does...computer guru!

Interesting article about TV and babies

Read this http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/03/babies.watch.TV/index.html Ok, I think that a big thing is being lost here. In homes where TV is going to be the babysitter/entertainer/storyteller/etc...educational kid shows are a much better choice than random other shows which may include all sorts of other inappropriate things (language/violence/sex/etc!).

Obviously if you park your kid in front of the TV all day, every day there are a lot of other things that are happening...like parents are not interacting with their kids, and they are also seeing ads for sugary, crappy, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) laden cereals and foods, and toys they don't need, etc. I myself personally refuse to watch commercials. When I do watch a show I TiVo it and skip the commercials. I think the article is stating the obvious that they won't make your kids SMARTER, but I also personally don't think they will make them dumber. So turn on that Elmo DVD and go take a full 10 minute shower! Like anything else, moderation is key.

Want a really smart baby? Then do this:

1. READ to your kid. Yes, even before they sit and listen to it from cover to cover. Actually if you start this from birth, they will sit and listen until they become mobile. HA! But they are still hearing you even if they are not "sitting" and reading with you in the traditional sense.
2. TALK to your kid. Tell them what they are doing. Tell them what you are doing. Use big words. Mother-ese (high, sing-songy voice) is ok and used in every language by males and females. It's actually beneficial for your kid. If you want I will email you my linguistics paper on this topic. ;) But mix it up a bit and try to use new words and phrases. Use lots of body language and baby sign. Your local library probably has some great books and DVDS (oh snap...those might just be a little education for mom!). If they don't, find out who to talk to in order to get some ordered. It's YOUR library after all.
3. PLAY with your kid. Play is probably the most over-looked one. We usually think of just reading and talking. But guess what...when you play...you talk! So show them how to do their puzzles and make their animals hug, etc. HAVE FUN!

More Claire Commentary! And my first contest! :)

1.) "My precious!"
2.) "I didn't do it!"

3.) "Stop! You're burning my eyes with all the flashing from that camera!"

4.) ?

5.) ?

Ok, your job is to make up cute comments for 4 and 5! I'll pick a winner on Sunday by 10:00 pm CST, and mail you (or hand you if local) a book, game, or puzzle, from the USBORNE book show I am having this Saturday from 3-5 if you win. So there will be 2 prizes. Anyone can comment!

The book show should be a lot of fun. I already have several RSVPs so it should be a fun crazy time with lots of kiddos running around. Remember to wear green for St. Patty's Day if you're coming! And feel free to look at the Usborne books ahead of time here http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/hostess.asp?sid=F2314&gid=75566487&HID=HOS139151 or place an online order if you can't make it. I already have 2 online orders that people have already gotten so they ship fast! They have stuff for all ages, not just little kids!

If Claire could talk...

"More! I don't know what I want more of, but I want MORE!"

"Hmm, is that right? I'll have to look at my calendar!"

"YAY! It's Happy Elmo!"

"I look like Daddy!"

"I like to hug my Dada!"

"You better shut up about me having no hair."

"Playing with shapes with Mommy!"

"Mommy washes my hair with Nair. Make her stop!"

"You said 'look up'!"

"Well, I checked my calendar, and can't possibly fit in another playdate this month, but I'm taking bookings for April already. Would you like to set a date?"

Have a Happy Day!

: ) Happy Square Root day, everyone. 3/3/9 ~~How wonderfully geeky. :)

19 months already!

Here is the first video footage of Claire at 19 months! She got her shots earlier the morning this was taken. She has always done amazing at her shot appointments, just crying while getting stabbed with the needles and settling as soon as I stand back up with her and tell her it's all done! We had a really busy time at the Health Dept. I asked if it was their busiest time or something? The lady laughed at me and said, if you think this is bad, don't come in August. Why August? Kids getting shots needed to start school, and especially Kindergartners that have been put off. We were a little late getting her 18 month shots done, but I guess that happens as each appointment you wait a few days more to make the appointment...So I was thinking about this and wondering if private schools require all the same shot stuff as to the public schools??????????

Playing with Daddy's Guitar!

Claire likes to go into Daddy's office, turn on the amp... ...and JAM!

I need to make a video of this! It's so cute!

Walking the Pennsy Trail

We have a cool trail in town that we've never been on before!! The month of Feb. was crazy as we were able to get outside at least 4 times for lengthy walks. Last Wednesday, Claire and I joined our friends we met at Moms Club, Kellie and Baby Kya for a nice long walk outdoors! Here is a link to the trail site: http://www.indianatrails.org/Pennsy_Trail.htm So if you get to Greenfield, it's a cool place to check out. This was a cool bridge to the side of the trail! It would be a really cool place to pose for some photos!

Banana Diet

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1226950/how_to_lose_weight_on_the_morning_banana.html?cat=51 Not so genius. Drink water. Eat right. Eat some bananas. lol.

Breastfeed Indy

Have you heard of the Breastfeed Indy Site? Here's a link to a very inspiring story I read today http://breastfeedindy.ning.com/profiles/blogs/found-memory

Proud to be a Part

Check out this link on extended nursing http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/211386/when_to_stop_breastfeeding_your_child.html?cat=25 I'm proud to be part of the 7% minority! Claire has actually gone and turned 19 months! WOW!

Crazy for Kitty

This video was taken Sunday morning when Josh's mom and brother were visiting. Glama Lynn bought the diaper shirt and kitty cat. This is my kind of pet. No food required. No poop clean-up of any kind! Claire LOVES this kitty!

Claire talking!

Here is Claire saying some cute words and biting her feet because we do that to her!

Drinking and Driving

Here's a news article about a different kind of drinking and driving...haha http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29441879/?GT1=43001 Some lady thought it was ok to not only talk on the phone while driving, but also breastfeed while driving. Good grief. PULL OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK! I mean ACTUALLY DRIVING!!!!!!! What was she thinking! This is the kind of news-story that gives breastfeeding bad raps!