Ben's first swim

Ben in his Johnny jump-up

Daniel's birthday

Camo family

Wow! This months seems to be flying by! Well, my baby doesn't seem to look like the child I gave birth to six months ago! He changes on a weekly basis, but it hit me recently how he looks totally different and I love it! We have taken him for his first swim in the pool at Daniel's work. He didn't know what to think of it so he was really quiet and just looked around. I dunked him under so that he gets used to holding his breath if he falls into a pool. My mother did this with me when I was an infant. What you do is blow a burst of air into the babies face and they hold their breath fr a few seconds. You can tell they hold their breath more when they are crying and you blow in their face. I had been practicing this technique since Ben was born so he was really good at holding his breath. Daniel was a little nervous and didn't want me to do it, but it totally worked and we will try again soon!
He said his first word today, although no one believes me. He said "Dad" . It is particularly special today his his dads birthday. What a wonderful gift! We celebrated it last night with family and lots of strawberry short cake! mmmm it was yummy! I probably gained ten pounds from the blessed event. Oh well, I am going to start going to the gym and it will all be a memory full of mmmm's and ahhhh's.
I have started sewing again. I have found an interest in quilting. I don't prefer traditional quilting, but an artistic one. I will show you photos when I am all done and everyone can comment on how weird my ideas are:)
Ben is getting really chubby and I attribute that to his eating veggies every night before bed. I have recently introduced the sippy cup into his universe and he seems to accept it quite well. We have also been taking the picnic basket and going on lunch dates with Daniel. The weather has been nice so we went this past week. I flopped on the food and brought things he doesn't like, but it was fun to interact with him in the middle of the day. We went out to eat at this wonderful Thai food restaurant for his birthday and I am completely satisfied and full! I can't wait to go back!
St. Patrick's day was hectic for us. There was Young womens and we both had a presentation for them, so We didn't get to celebrate like I like to. We all dressed in green, even hazel the pug, and I felt especially special because it was a great holiday. We had a traditional Irish dinner the next night of corned beef and cabbage. It was really flavorful!

Tagged

Answer the following with only one word.

Where is your cell phone?.......................................purse
Your significant other?...........................................Daniel
Your hair?........................................................short
Your mother?.........................................................awesome
Your father?..........................................................loving
Your favorite thing?..................................................Benjamin
Your dream last night..........................................weird
Your favorite drink........................................root beer
Your dream/goal..................................Martha Stewart
The room you're in..........................................small
Your children?...................................................crib
Your Fear?.............................................spiders
Where do you want to be in 6 years?......................?
Where were you last night?................................bed
What you're not?............................................psycho
Muffins?............................................chocolate
One of your wish list items?....................mini cooper
Where'd you grow up?..........................Midwest
What'd you read last?.......................manual
What are you wearing?............................pajamas
Your TV?..........................................none
Your pet?........................................pugs
Your computer?........................................necessity
Your life?...........................................happy
Your mood?................................. tired
Missing someone?..................................Ollie
Your car?...........................................black
Something you're not wearing?.................shoes
Favorite store?...................................Michael's
Your summer?.....................................humid
Like someone?..........................Daniel
Your favorite color?.........................green
Last time you laughed................................minutes
Last time you cried?...........................................yesterday

I Tag Lynette, Michelle, Sarah, Erin, Amanda, and Alyn

Parents as Teachers

So yesterday was playgroup and Daniel came with us. It was so fun to have him there! This week they were working on the five senses.When we arrived they started an activity called "Make a cloud". You take a Ziploc baggie and put some shaving cream and a few drops of food coloring in and seal it. Then they squish the baggie for sense of touch and watch the cloud turn from white to blue for the sense of sight. Ben LOVED this! He used his mouth mostly to squish it, but he was entertained for a long time. I think we will do this activity on a regular basis. A few kids at playgroup made their bags explode, so I guess the older the child the more likely they will have an accident. They give us a handout every week and this week had more sensory activities so I thought I would share them with everyone so we can all benefit from this information! I think I will do this update every week and share info.

Yesterday we also started Ben on his first vegetable. I chose green beans and he really liked them! I made my own baby food and it was fun and didn't take very long! I cooked the beans in a pot with water and then blended them in the blender with the water they were boiled in. Then I put the green concoction into and ice cube tray. This way they stay fresh and I just use one ice cube at a time. When they are frozen you put them into baggies and back into the freezer. I was told it takes 14 times for a child to like a food if they don't right away, so I am excited to start different ones in a few weeks after the green beans run out. I am also excited to use the vegetables we will grow this summer!

Sensory activities:
Potting and garden soil- provide small garden tools and plastic flower pots
Sand(wet or dry)- Add sea shells, sand molds, or toy construction vehicles.
Snow in season- Bring snow inside and wear mittens
Fall leaves- These are great because they make rustling sounds. Bring several varieties inside and match colors and shapes
Shaving cream- Put an unbreakable mirror or shiny cookie sheet in the bottom of a container and let your child decorate his face. Supervise the child because shaving cream can sting
Ivory snow and water- Wash your dolls clothes clothes in the tub or bathe your stuffed animals
Water- Provide plastic pitchers and cups for pouring. Investigate how objects float and sink.
Dried beans, rice, or oatmeal- Provide scooping and pouring toys. Bury small toys for a treasure hunt
Cotton balls- pretend snow without the cold-have a snowball fight
Easter basket grass or shredded paper-bury plastic eggs and have an egg hunt
play dough and clay- molding helps your child's senses

Have fun!