Well, too bad for her, because we didn’t. Her tooth is wrapped in a tissue, sealed in a plastic baggy. I know, I know, there goes my mother of the year award nomination, again. But maybe that’s what she gets for wiggling it at me for the last two weeks when she knows it freaks me out! Or for just having an absent-minded Mommy.

It is strange, though, because I do believe that this first tooth to vacate her mouth was also its first resident. Five years ago this month, that little tooth peeked its way through her pink, sore gums, and reminded us that our newborn was gone and was being replaced by an active, mobile baby. And now that tooth, leaving a vacant space in her beautiful smile, reminds us that our baby has been long gone, and our little girl continues to grow up.

But I’m still not touching the tooth. It really does gross me out.

Post from: Play Library

Tonight was gorgeous here in the Midwest, so my family and I decided to get some fresh air and to hike it up to our local library. It is uphill much of the way, so it does often feel like a hike. Of course, it seems uphill much of the way back, too.

Since I had yet to get any exercise in for the day, I strapped the one year old into a baby backpack similar to the one pictured here. The cushioned straps on the shoulders and waist make for a very comfortable walk for me. The kickstand back makes it possible to get baby strapped in and the backpack hoisted on all by one person.

Our little guy loves being up where he can see everything (rather than strapped near the ground in his stroller). He also loves to be where he can reach and play with my hair (or grab and eat the flower that his sister had picked that was then tucked in my hair).

My husband says next time we need to bring a second backpack for all the books I wanted to bring home.

Post from: Play Library

While you’re doing up the baby’s new nursery, keep the following from the Telegraph in mind:

• Paints and varnishes give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been associated with birth defects.
• Water-based paints are less hazardous than solvent-based ones, but even they might contain metal-based pigments.
• Sanding down the paintwork in an older house might expose you to a high dose of lead, too.
• Insecticides will have been used on most new carpets and curtain fabrics
• Wallpaper pastes usually contain fungicides
• Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) contains formaldehyde, which has been linked with lung disease.
• Untreated timber and new furniture have often been sprayed to prevent mould growth and insect damage.

Babies are at even greater risk because of their low body weight and while one item at a time may not be hazardous, a new nursery containing all new furniture, walls, etc. could cumulatively deliver a heavy dose of chemicals.

What to do?

• Keep the nursery well-ventilated
• Use water-based paints or natural, low-odour paints
• Bare floorboards or natural floor coverings
• Use latex backing for floor coverings to avoid dust mites and other small particles
• Regularly vacuum with a fine filter

Were you this careful when planning your child’s new room?

Post from: Play Library

The grobag® egg™ room thermometer has an added bonus it even works well as a gentle night light. A yellow glow suggests a comfortable temperature for children to sleep in, while a blue glow suggests it’s too cold and a red glow suggests it’s too high. The colours act as a reminder for you to cool or heat the room, to modify the baby’s clothing….

via Kelake

Post from: Play Library