it's a...

Just thought I'd make sure everyone saw the facebook video that I posted announcing that Joe and I (and big sister Laine) are expecting a BOY BABY this time!!! I am really excited, but also a little intimidated... I don't have much experience with boys! Any advice from you boy baby mamas?

(In case you missed the video, it's here on my blog now, or on my facebook profile.)

What happened to discipline?

Hadley has been bitten a time or two at daycare for trying to take someone else's toy, and apparently she is learning from those kids because Tom went to pick her up at daycare yesterday and was told she had bitten another kid that was trying to take her toy away. We asked them what they did about it, and they told us they are not allowed to discipline (not even time out), so they just redirected her to another toy. REALLY?! What does that teach her? It teaches her that if she bites someone, she gets another toy. At this age, she is not old enough to understand what she did wrong 4 hours later when we get her home. So what is a working mom to do?

I just don't see what the problem is with giving the kids a very emphatic NO! and a little time out (and honestly, although I don't really believe in spanking, I wouldn't mind a little pop on the hand for something like biting). Of course, once she is old enough to understand things a little more, we can take care of the problem when she gets home if she acts up at school, but what do I do in the meantime?

--Amanda

Hadley at 1 year + continued

So overall, life has been good lately. Hadley and I have started going to the Little Gym together on Fridays before I go to work. They have all sorts of things she can climb on, crawl through, hang on, etc. And the work week is a little easier to get through knowing that I have Little Gym class with Hadley to look forward to on Friday. Hadley really loves to hang on the bars. I have to hold her to support her because her little shoulders aren't quite strong enough yet to hold on by herself.

She is starting to develop a little personality. She is very sweet and lovable--she loves to give people hugs. I love seeing her "read" her books and start to connect words and concepts together. I really thought I loved her as much as was humanly possible when she was born, but I swear I just love her more and more every day!

--Amanda

Hadley at 1 year +

Life was a little hectic for us the first part of the year, and I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I would give everyone an update on all things Hadley! She is walking and running everywhere. She really likes to be outside in a big field where she can just go where she wants. She is also copying like every other word I say! I guess we have to start watching our mouths around her!

Tubes have not been the miracle we hoped for. She is on her second ear infection since getting tubes put in in January. But, they have helped. Ear infections used to mean fever, fussy, lack of sleep, re-arranging work schedules to stay home with her and take care of her fever, and yeast diaper rash and other not so pleasant side effects of the antibiotics. Now it is more like, "Oh, her ear has been draining for a few days. Time to use some drops." So the tubes have helped because she does not get a fever and the pressure does not build up and cause her pain.

Well, nap time is over . . . more later!

--Amanda

Do you juice?

So Molly has never had juice. Not a drop, not of any kind. And it's not because I'm against juice. She's just always loved water and milk so it wasn't a necessity. But I feel like most 14 months old drink juice. What age did you give yours juice? And is there really any reason for me to start her on it now, since she does like water so much?

Update: She's taking several steps, several times a day. But she still thinks it's funny to plop down and start crawling, mostly because she knows I want her to walk! :-D

Emily

We're getting closer..

Molly spent all of yesterday standing up and then sitting down and then standing up again from the middle of the floor, with no accessory toys to help her! And she took 1-3 steps a couple of times yesterday. (Last Wed she took 12 steps in a row but hasn't done that since) So I really do think/hope that we are getting closer! Andrea, keep pushing Isaac down! Molly can't be the last! :-D

-Emily

Can you say Mama?

Cause Molly can! I know it doesn't sound that impressive but after almost 40 weeks of carrying her in my womb, and then 13 months of caring for her 24/7 and nursing her, I was getting pretty fed up with hearing Dada day in and day out! But finally, she says Mama! And I love the sound of it!

On another note, she's not walking yet but getting so much closer. She loves to take a step and then fall, trusting that I will catch her. She thinks it's hysterical! But I'm hoping walking is right around the corner!