Merry Christmas!

So I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! New Years is coming right up and I bet your little ones are doing all kinds of new things lately anywhere from rolling over to crawling and laughing. That means it's time for...BABY-PROOFING!

Never skimp on safety! Hit up babies r us or the hardware store and buy some essentials.

-Outlet Covers - they even make cute ones with animal faces =]
-Zip ties - to tie up chords out of reach. Completely cover all chords if possible. Those are NOT good in baby's mouth.

-Move all breakables from the bottom cabinets in the kitchen and put tupper-ware, plastic bowls, measuring cups, etc on the bottom shelves. This way he can play with them-if you prefer get cabinet locks.

-I wouldn't worry too much about the bathroom yet-just keep the door closed.

-Don't leave breakables or small objects on end tables and coffee tables (anywhere reachable by a baby)

-Gate stairways and heaters to avoid uh-ohs

-Tie up curtains with matching ribbon, move house plants out of reach

-Anchor bookcases and TV stands to the walls

-Get corner covers for pointy right angles.

The best way to baby proof is to get on your hands and knees and be at babys height. Pretend to be a curious little one and see what kind of trouble you can get into.

Love,

PlusPeace

Baby it's cold outside!

A fellow June mommy, daisy00117, from WTE posted an excellent idea! Using a rice bag to keep baby warm in his car seat or stroller! If you don't have one here's how to make one-a rice bag not a baby...silly...

You will need:

8"x16" Scrap Fabric

9"x20" Flannel Fabric

3 Plastic Buttons

Thread

Freezer bag-sandwich size

Whole Kernel Corn-better than rice-can be found at bird food stores or hunting stores

How-to:

Fold 8x16 fabric in half to make 8x8 sew two and a half sides leaving an opening big enough to add corn. Sift through corn and pick out any twigs or the occasional bug. Turn right side out and fill bag loosely with corn-too full wont work as well you should be able to shake it. Sew up last hole.

Place bag on top of paper towel and microwave for 2 minutes and let cool for 2 hours. This helps sterilize and dry out the corn.

Place bag in a plastic ziploc freezer bag.

To make the cover take your flannel and fold a little less than half so you'll have 9x9 with 2" flap. sew sides (inside out) and turn right side out-so now you have a little pillow case looking thing with a flap. Sew buttons on pocket and make button holes on flap. If you are not a pro at sewing buttons securely use velcro instead. You do NOT want loose buttons that your baby can pull off.

To use:

Put corn bag in microwave for two minutes. Put inside flannel cover and button close. Place on baby's lap. Make sure it's not too hot. If you are worried you might burn baby then add a temperature strip they sell at babiesrus for bath tubs and stick on outside.

Enjoy!

Love

PlusPeace

Bow Patrol

Put baby on bow patrol while you wrap presents! Set all the wrapped presents out and take off the paper backing and let baby stick on all the bows. Yea they might end up in weird places on the boxes but who cares! They end up in the trash anyways. You can even let him stick em on his clothes-trust me-he'll think its a riot!

Love

PlusPeace

Read me a story, Momma

Oops I did it again-I said I'd post and didn't. An emergency arose and I had a mess of things happen yesterday! Here we go...

Decorating the tree!

For those of us who have not yet decorated the tree this is an activity both you and baby can enjoy. My son LOVES the lights so I set him in front of the tree and he stared at them for like 20 minutes. Buy a few ornaments if you dont have them already that are ok for baby to play with. Like plastic ones instead of glass-or wood ones with no led paint. Set him down with those while you decorate the tree and leave place on the bottom branches.

Hold him up to the tree while you hang "his" ornaments on the bottom. I can guarantee your baby will just look at you like your nuts but hey it gets everyone in the spirit and now if you sit him by the tree he can see the ornaments that are OK to touch!

Holiday Story Time! Ok I'll admit I couldn't think of a second one for today BUT Bear loves it when I do this and I bought the night before Christmas book the other day. Read with expression, props and funny voices. It's hilarious, if you have a significant other involve them too. My Christmas suggestions are:

Twas the night before Christmas

Polar Express

How the Grinch stole Christmas

What is Christmas

Merry Christmas Stinky Face

Humphreys first Christmas (religious)

Love,

PlusPeace

Preparing for Christmas!

I was trying to think of ways to have Bear enjoy his first Christmas and get ready for Christmas instead of letting it all happen around him. I know he wont really understand or remember but he can have little bits of fun!

I am going to post a holiday activity for you and baby daily (hopefully-if not ill double up days)

To start: Holiday Cookies that Baby can enjoy too!

Keep in mind these are not for everyone. Bear eats graham crackers when supervised because they get a smooshy some babies are not there yet and that's ok, just wait for tomorrows activity!

These are home-mad graham crackers that have no honey in fact they are vegan too

you'll need:

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

1/5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup butter

1/4 brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup agave nectar (health food store or sugar mixed with water works)

3/4 cups water

Mix flours, baking powder, salt, cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Cream butter and sugar in separate bowl. Whisk in agave and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add dry mixture and water until mixed completely-you may have to switch to mixing with hands. Let dough rest for 30 minutes at room temp.

TIP: If you have older children they may want to join in this process. If not sit your LO in his bumbo on the counter with you and say everything as you add. I usually give Bear a wooden spoon to gnaw on while I cook and he sits contently.

Preheat oven to 325F Roll out the dough and use festive cookie cutters to cut out graham crackers or 'cookies'. If you want to keep them square go ahead! (Cut in 3inch squares and poke with fork)

TIP: There are no raw ingredients so it's ok to let baby pat the dough. I wouldn't let him have his own chunk though. Just pat your hands down on it to show how and maybe sing "patty-cake" while you do it!

Lay out on a pan and cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!

Remember to watch baby eat these make sure they are all slimed up! If you are nervous take out a bowl and break up the cookie. Add 2 tsp of formula or breast milk and spoon feed to baby.

If you have older kids or want something sweeter make a glaze by mixing 1 small box of confectioners sugar and add water until its a thick glaze texture (about 1/2 cup) Add as-is or add coloring and let the older kids apply with a spoon or new paintbrush. If you let cookies sit with glaze it will harden so they are not so messy.

Love,

PlusPeace

SneakPeak: Decorate the tree!

Happy Holidays!

The holidays are so busy and I just started a new job-i know, excuses, excuses- BUT I will resume posting again this weekend! I'll have super easy holiday cards and holiday activities our little babies can enjoy too!

Come back this weekend and have a great week everybody!!

Love,

PlusPeace