As we get closer to Peanut's arrival, I've been looking for ways to involve Riley in prepping for the new baby. We talk all the time about how Momma has a baby in her tummy, and now that we know it's a boy, we talk about "Brother" (As soon as we decide on a name, we'll call him by name instead of brother) I know that as a 2 year old, it's impossible to understand a new baby coming into our house. But we've been practicing! Here are some things we've been doing/plan on doing in the near future.
1. Big Brother Scrapbook-I found this book a few weeks ago and actually just ordered it. It should arrive this week. It's a scrapbook for the Big Brother (BB) to do as we prepare for the new baby. It has pages for the BB to color/draw pictures/glue pictures in. The last page has a spot for BB to add a pic of him and his new brother. I'm excited to get started on this with Riley!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1550746391/ref=ox_ya_os_product
2. I had a brilliant idea today (it does happen sometimes!) Now that we've decided on a theme for the nursery (elephants) I wanted to have Riley create a piece of art to hang in the nursery, something framed and special. Then the great idea went further and I thought I'd purchase a canvas and have him create a painting to hang. I'll keep brainstorming!
3. Something that I've seen families do (though we won't be doing) is to involve the older sibling in choosing the name for the baby. The child is given a list of potential names and is allowed to make the final decision.
4. One article I read-trust me, there have been tons!-suggested having the BB bring the car seat to the hospital and being able to help bring the new baby home. That way he's not just waiting at home for the new interloper to show up and throw his life into disarray. He's helping and involved.
5. As we go garage saleing, which is a favorite past time of ours, Riley helps me choose clothes for Peanut.
It's a short list but I'm sure I'll think of more as we get closer. But it's a start in making the transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
You know you live with a 2 year old when...
About a month ago, my Mom was in town and she was helping me prepare pizza dough for Riley's birthday. She asked me where my rolling pin was and I went to the cabinet where it should have resided. Long story short, the said cooking utensil ended up MIA for about 4 weeks-my expensive Food Network rolling pin, endorsed by Paula Dean and Bobby Flay, that we received as a wedding gift. It showed up behind my couch yesterday-one guess how it got there!
Needless to say, that story inspired me to create this list.
You know you live with a 2 year old when...
1. rolling pin. couch. end of story.
2. You find random sippy cup at the bottom of the toy box, full of what was once milk, now cottage cheese.
3. There is a candy jar sitting on the back of your toilet-for potty training duh!
4. You can't walk 6 inches without stepping on hot wheels. Or legos. Or tractors.
5. You have tiny fingerprints all over the doors, windows, stove, mirrors. Basically any reflective surface in the house.
6. When other children (who do not belong to you) misbehave, you feel the STRONG urge to yell "Momma said NO!"
7. Toys manage to find a way into your bedroom...I'm pretty sure they walk in there of their own accord at night.
8. In my expensive Coach purse, you'll always find the following: baby wipes, hot wheels, crayons, teddy grahams, some elmo toys, hand sanitizer, baby tylenol, baby motrin and an elmo notebook. I feel like I'm break some unwritten law by carrying all of these stain magnets in a Coach purse.
9. The sink is always full of sippy cups, Take and Toss dishes and snack traps, half of which have been chewed on by my garbage disposal at some point.
10. You have diapers and wipes stashed around the house on the off chance that said offspring will need a change and you'll only have a microsecond to hold him down (in the middle of play/exploring) before he protests strongly enough to make the neighbors think you may be beating/scalding him.
Needless to say, that story inspired me to create this list.
You know you live with a 2 year old when...
1. rolling pin. couch. end of story.
2. You find random sippy cup at the bottom of the toy box, full of what was once milk, now cottage cheese.
3. There is a candy jar sitting on the back of your toilet-for potty training duh!
4. You can't walk 6 inches without stepping on hot wheels. Or legos. Or tractors.
5. You have tiny fingerprints all over the doors, windows, stove, mirrors. Basically any reflective surface in the house.
6. When other children (who do not belong to you) misbehave, you feel the STRONG urge to yell "Momma said NO!"
7. Toys manage to find a way into your bedroom...I'm pretty sure they walk in there of their own accord at night.
8. In my expensive Coach purse, you'll always find the following: baby wipes, hot wheels, crayons, teddy grahams, some elmo toys, hand sanitizer, baby tylenol, baby motrin and an elmo notebook. I feel like I'm break some unwritten law by carrying all of these stain magnets in a Coach purse.
9. The sink is always full of sippy cups, Take and Toss dishes and snack traps, half of which have been chewed on by my garbage disposal at some point.
10. You have diapers and wipes stashed around the house on the off chance that said offspring will need a change and you'll only have a microsecond to hold him down (in the middle of play/exploring) before he protests strongly enough to make the neighbors think you may be beating/scalding him.
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