Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle

Sophie loves Yo Gabba Gabba; she loves the characters, the music and Tom and I love the fact that the show actually tries to spread positive messages to kids. The show teaches children about such things as the importance of getting enough sleep or how to clean your room and it does it in way that children, including children Sophia's age can relate to. You can tell that the creators probably grew up in the 80's because the show has many elements that are "totally" byproducts of the 80's, especially the music...not to mention the host, DJ Lance Rock who is dressed in a frothy orange outfit. I love the show and so does Soph...this is the show that taught her how to wiggle wiggle wiggle.

Growing Up

It never stops amazing me how my daughter is growing and turning into this amazing kid who is trying so hard to be independent. She is saying new words everyday, trying to put on her own clothing, climbing on and off chairs and couches... It seems that with every passing minute, my "kid" is learning something new and growing up before my eyes. I know...I know...she's only 16 months but she went from cooing to smiling to giggling, pointing, singing, walking, running and dancing all within a blink of an eye. Part of me wants time to slow down, stand still even, so that I can embrace and hold on to my little baby forever, while the other part of me is getting a kick out of watching her grow into this cute kid who will eventually grow into an amazing woman. Wow! I feel so fortunate, so blessed, so lucky to be a mom to this precious little being who has changed my life forever.

HOT! HOT! HOT!!!

Well we are on the brink of summer and the days are already getting hot, hot, hot. Sophie is now old enough to get in a pool (a toddler's pool of course) to keep cool from the heat. She has been swimming practically  every hot day we've had and loving it! I've known since she was an infant and we started giving her baths that she was a lover of water. I've never seen a baby want to live in water the way my child does.

Speaking of hot days and water, parents should take the proper precautions with their infants/toddlers during the summer to keep them safe from over exposure to the sun or dehydration and other possible dangers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have some really helpful tips to keep your children safe while enjoying those hot summer days. Here are a few that I'd like to share:

FUN IN THE SUN
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/tanning.htm

Babies under 6 months:

• The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For All Other Children:

• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN
Source: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9845.html

• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
• Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

I hope this helps a little, especially with those first-time parents who need all the information that they can get to ensure the safety of their little ones. For a complete list of helpful summer safety tips, visit AAP's website at  http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.cfm.

Say Cheez!

What If?!!!

Sophia is now 16 months old and growing fast. It seems like every time I turn around she's getting taller, or saying a new word or just doing something that reminds me that she's maturing. With every little growth spurt comes a new found independence for my little peanut and I can't say that I'm handling it too well. I'm one of those first-time mothers that, pretty much, worries about everything under the sun when it comes to my child. Sophia is one of those children who wants to do everything on her own, with practically no help from anyone and the older she gets, the more intolerant she becomes of those trying to help her.

This independence thing is hard enough to deal with but when it's coupled with the finicky eating thing and the "I-want-to-do-what-I-want-to-do-without-any-help-from-you" tantrums, well lets just say my nerves are pretty much on edge. I go through all the "what ifs" as I'm sure many first-time parents do..."what if she's got behavioral issues?" or "what if I'm not disciplining her properly?" or "what if I'm enabling her and reinforcing her bad behavior?" or my personal favorite "what if this isn't just a phase?"....what if?....what if?....what it? You could drive yourself crazy thinking about all the "what ifs" and not having any answers. I told myself that when Sophie was born, I would not be one of those parents that smothered my child or worried about every little thing...BUT I AM! I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't call my babysitter a hundred times a day but I can be a bit doting at times.

I'm so excited about watching Sophia grow; I'm overjoyed when she says a new word or does something that she's never done before...I live vicariously through my child. However, I worry everyday about her safety, about her growth and whether I'm doing what I need to do as a parent to ensure that she is being raised properly. As great as it is to be a parent, it is equally as terrifying to have the responsibility because, for me, I'm always worried that I'm doing something that will ruin my child's future. All my friends who have been parents longer than Tom and I, constantly tell us not to worry; they spit that favorite "children don't come with manuals" line at us...a mantra that we have come to respect and repeat whenever we are having doubts. Thank God for all our friends and family who have suffered patiently through all of our questions and irrational fears and offered support and pieces of advice that have guided us along the way.

I have come to learn, or shall I say, I am continually learning to try to relax and enjoy my baby girl. While I know raising her is and will not always be easy, the joy comes from knowing that I, with the help of my hubby, have created this beautiful little girl who, with our help, will one day become a beautiful woman. She will have the whole world to explore and will do marvelous things with the tools we give her today. We will make mistakes (hopefully not too huge) and we will learn from those mistakes and we will continue to heed the advice we receive from those we trust and take it day by day.