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While I'm on my Babywise II kick I thought I'd talk some more about the book and things I learned from it! Besides the re-parenting idea I also LOVE the idea of independent playtime. I actually had read about it on the Babywise Blog I follow but I liked reading it from the actual book too. Babywise II talks about the use of a playpen (I call it a pack and play) for independent playtime. They say the pack and play has three benefits: 1. It provides a safe environment. 2. It doubles as a portable bed. 3. It offers a structured learning center. #1 and #2 are pretty obvious, but #3 was something new to me. I, like most new moms, thought that every moment Kye is awake should be spent with me cuddling, playing, reading, singing, and doing other things together. I never thought that he might need time to himself! Some of the ways that the book discusses that the pack and play helps a baby develop include: Mental focusing skills: Helps them to concentrate on an object or activity ...
Duh, I loved Babywise and I'm actually even MORE in love with Babywise II! It is meant for a parent of a baby who is between the ages of 5 months old and 15 months old. I got it when Kye was about 4 months old and read it cover to cover then read it again when he was about 5 months and have left it out to use as a reference over and over again. I think that the Babywise series is awesome because the authors say what they want to say and don't worry about stepping on people's toes. I love that! The beginning of the book talks a lot about parenting and how important it is to teach children morals. I, like most people, hadn't really thought about how Kye doesn't know right from wrong. I mostly worry with trying to help him develop skills (such as sitting up) or learning tools (like always counting things, telling him colors, etc). But do I put much focus on right and wrong? Not really. This book really helped me realize that moral training is the most important th...
Back in the day I started Kye on rice cereal and didn't have the most amazing experience with it. I think the whole issue was really a teething problem, but once we went to the walk-in clinic and they dr. told me he typically recommends babies to wait until at least 5 months old before doing solids, I decided to chill out for awhile. I started thinking to myself and the pressure I felt to start Kye on solids so soon. Why did I think he needed solids when he really didn't at all? I think a lot of it had to do with so many people asking if he was eating solids yet, so many people giving their babies rice cereal in bottles at young ages, but mostly I think it was brainwashing by the baby food companies. As soon as Kye turned four months old I got overhwelmed with mail from baby food companies (Gerber mostly) with tons of coupons and little booklets all about introducing solids. As yes, by their standards Kye showed all the "signs" of being ready. But did he actually N...
On August 12 th (a Wednesday) my computer started acting screwy. It kept rebooting itself and on Thursday is made these error messages and told me I was going to lose everything on my hard drive . I called HP for help and it turns out they charge $50 just to HELP over the phone! Um no. I just shut that junk down and went to bed! On Friday I got the same message again and I hunted around for someone local. Zach took it in for me and they said it'd be ready in a week and would cost $80 flat rate to fix whatever was wrong with it. I was not excited to be without my computer for a week but figured I'd use my old laptop from my freshman year of college if I had to. Well that Saturday we ended up going to Melbourne and Nana passed away so I stayed down there for 8 days and it turned out I didn't miss my computer at all. When we got back I was eager to have my computer back as well since blogging is something I enjoy and knew it would bring me a way to express my feelings about...
We live in Valdosta, Georgia which also happens to be Sport Center's Titletown, USA. It's some HARDCORE high school football down here people! I've never been a big football fan but did love the days of watching Zach play...since then though...notsomuch. However, I realize we live in a place where football isn't optional and while I will NEVER pressure Kye (or allow anyone else to pressure him) to follow in his Daddy's footsteps I will go along to the games that Zach wants to go to. Friday night was the first Lowndes HIgh School home game and Zach's cousin, Cole Parker, is the starting quarterback! It's a HUGE deal and he's been on the front page of the paper, been talked about on the radio, and is basically a little celebrity around here now! Of course we wanted to go to support him on his big night! (going in the stadium for his first time!) I bought Kye some cute little football onesies for the season and tried to get as "excited" as I...
