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We celebrated our daughter’s first birthday over the weekend. I kept wondering all day where this past year had gone. It is hard to believe that in just a short 12 months she has gone from being this completely helpless little infant to this baby who is crawling around, learning to stand, and speaking her mind (well babbling her mind anyway). They say time flies when you’re having fun, well ain’t that the truth 
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The past couple of months have brought some pretty big changes in our daughter. She has learned how to pull herself up on the furniture and loves to cruise around while holding on to things. So far she hasn’t been brave enough to take any independent steps, but I’m sure that is just around the corner. I can wait for that though, she is growing up too fast as it is. The other day she learned how to stand up in the middle of the room without pulling up on anything. She was so proud of herself. Now whenever so does it she squeals, claps and looks around for praise from mom and dad!
Our daughter was a late teether. Her very first tooth just started to pop through early last week with the second one popping through a few days later. You can still hardly see them but can feel them if you put your finger in her mouth. Thankfully, teething seems to be pretty easy for her so far. No fevers or colds or earaches. She would occasionally fuss a little but nothing too bad. It hasn’t affected her sleep at all either. I was a very early teether and my husband was right on average so we were surprised when the months kept rolling by and still no teeth. I love that gummy smile though so I didn’t mind waiting.
I’m still breastfeeding. My plan was to go through her first year and then begin to wean. I think I’ll try to wean her from a couple of the middle of the day feedings but will continue to breastfeed her first thing in the morning and at bedtime (and maybe naptime too) until we are through the cold and flu season. She loves breastfeeding and I don’t think she will wean easily! I’ll probably let her self-wean from the morning and bedtime feedings. We’ll see how it goes.
When I brought my little bundle of joy home from the hospital a year ago I had no idea how wonderful the next 12 months would be. Every day, every milestone, every thing has been unbelievable. I can’t wait to see what the next year holds.
Happy Birthday Pumpkin Pie!!!
As your little one begins to grow up and gains a little independence you can give him or her a little responsibility too. Making clean up time a family affair teaches children many valuable lessons like cleaning is something that is done by men and women, household chores get done faster when everyone helps out, and what it is like to be responsible for something.
Depending on the age of your child there may not be a whole lot your child can do. However, even toddlers can help out with clean up chores a little bit. Here are a few things you can do with your young children to get them in the spirit and act of helping out with household chores.
- Have your child help with cleaning up their toys as soon as they are old enough. You can build this into their bedtime routine.
- Let your child help clean up the dinner table by carrying unbreakable objects to the kitchen for you or wiping down the dining room table.
- Purchase a little broom and dust pan for your little one and have them sweep up the crumbs in the kitchen.
- Teach them how to put their own clothes in the laundry hamper. You can start this one pretty early.
- Let them help make their bed in the morning and when they are old enough give them that as one of the chores they do on their own.
- Let them help you take the garbage out. They may not be able to carry much, but even just carrying a small bag will help them feel part of the task and teaches them something new.
Be creative and make it fun. Think of chores you do throughout the day that have a little part to them that your child can help with. Kids love to feel like they are being helpful and “grown up”. Having them begin helping out with chores early on will make assigning them chores later a little easier (at least it might!).
What little chores do you give your young children? What chores do they like helping out with the most?
Tomorrow is November 4th, Election Day!! I encourage everyone to head to their local polls and exercise their right to vote. If you don’t know where your polling station is contact the election office for your State. Here is a list, State Election Offices.
In case you haven’t decided who you are going to vote for, here are some links to where the candidates stand on important family issues like health care, the economy and education.
Barack Obama (Democratic Candidate):
John McCain (Republic Candidate):