The "ayes" Had It!

Three kids and seven grandchildren later I needed to choose "to mess or not to mess" my kitchen, for the sake of my little honey-pot having fun! The "ayes" had it, and so did my floor! With one tooth in, and one on the way, Emmett is finally able to practice picking up food and putting it in his mouth. His aim was not too good on this fine day, but it gave him plenty to do and lots to laugh about. Good thing I left out the milk...next time, I might leave out the cereal :))))

Always more to come,

Bubbie and her babies

Toddler Finger Foods

Baby Self-Feeding 

A Perfect Kid's Gift

She liked it! She really liked the gift I gave her. I believe I was more excited than my granddaughter.
Unless I'm given the exact spelling of what my grandkids want, I'm at a loss.  It turns into one big guessing game. I find myself asking store clerks for advice. (Actually begging for advice.)
When the time comes to give my gift, I'm sure to attach the receipt, apologize as it's being opened, and usually have some cookies waiting in the wings. But this time was different. Katie's response was immediate. No receipt or apology was necessary. It was love at first sight. She adores drawing anywhere, anytime. This sweet "Pipity", oil-clothed tote, opened up to all the accessories needed to bring her ideas to life. With an easel, pockets and a shoulder strap, this little honey was ready to get to work at home, in the car, or even at Bubbie's house. 
Share with us your successes, suggestions, and thoughts on gift-giving for kids. Love to hear from you!
Best, 
Bubbie and her grandbabies 
How To Choose The Perfect Gift For Your Child

Three Month Old Milestones

If he's sleeping and we know it shout, "Hooray!" Hooray!... But please, not too loud. After all, mommy just got Elliot to sleep.
I can't believe my new grandson is almost three months old already!  And when Elliot is in the "wide awake" position, this little honey coos, laughs, and tries his hardest to hold his head up, and turn onto his stomach!
"This is the stage that child psychiatrist Margaret Mahler referred to as “hatching,” when babies come out of their “shells” and begin to react and relate to the world around them." 
What fun!
Bubbie and Elliot and Mommy, too!
Please share your grandchildren's milestones...at any
age!
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Teaching Babies To Feed Themselves

Watching Katie learn to feed herself was quite a treat for Mommy and Daddy, but for Jeggie, (the drooling pup on her left), it was a dream come true! Turned out to be a win-win for everybody. Jeggie gets every piece of food that falls from Katie's little fingers, and the floor is always free from crumbs. 
Katie's favorites: graham crackers, cheese, bananas and cereal
Jeggie's favorites: everything!
Best,
Bubbie, Katie and Jeggie, too!
P.S. Would love to learn about your finger-foods suggestions for babies!
Related Video and Article:
Video:How to Teach Baby To Feed Themselves
Article:Teaching a Child Self-Feeding

Jude and His New Brother, Elliot

Yes, Jude...this day has arrived. You are officially and undeniably a big brother! I know what you're thinking! "Life is over as I've known it!" But I promise, once you've gotten over the shock...and looking at you, it might take a while...you'll be just fine! 
(Foot surgery has put me out of commission for a bit. Haven't blogged or been able to see my grandbabies. This picture, sent to me by my son, had me laughing off my seat. Thought you might enjoy it, too. Welcome ELLIOT! Our newest munchkin!)
More happy days to come with,
Bubbie and Jude and Elliot and Katie
P.S. Would love to hear your about your little one's reactions to newborns!
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Sitting at Seven Months

"If you're given ten toys, and all of them look good enough to eat, how do you know which one to grab first?" That's exactly what Katie must have been thinking as she balanced herself on her pillow in a big-girl sitting position, at just seven months old! Surrounded by sounds, textures, colors and shapes, it's understandable that choosing something to play with could be a problem! Fortunately for Katie, Bubbie came to the rescue! It was actually a no-brainer! I simply handed Katie one toy at a time. The toy that wasn't tossed back on the floor, but landed back in Katie's mouth was deemed the winner!
Happy playtime,
Bubbie and Katie, too!
Related Article:
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P.S. What toys did your little ones like to play with when they were under a year old?

Little Ones Teaching Littler Ones!

Little ones teaching even littler ones! Gotta love it! Jude couldn't resist playing and sharing his knowledge with his visitor, Ava. Ava hung onto his every word and even laughed at his jokes. You can't wish for a better audience then that!
Fortunately, Jude gets to spend a lot of time with babies at the park, so I'm guessing that his new baby brother's arrival, will be a bit smoother for him and his folks...I can only hope!
Keeping it light,
Bubbie and Jude
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P.S. Please share any helpful tips on preparing siblings for a newborn's arrival!

Katie, Katie, Lovely Lady!

Jude is tickled pink about his new cousin, Katie!  She has no idea the things that Jude has in store for her.  Like, how to hold a peach when you're trying to suck out the juice, where to hide when you don't want anyone to know you're pooping in your diaper, and of course, jumping on the bed then plopping on a mound of pillows! He's not yet aware that this lovely baby Katie is only one week old and still needing a little R & R before his games begin. I think this boy is going to do just fine with his first cousin, and I'm sure we'll soon see Katie teaching Jude a thing or two!                                                                                     

I'd love to hear your ideas on helping toddlers feel comfortable around newborns!

Best wishes from a very happy, new,

Bubbie and cousin Jude!

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When Toddler Meets Baby

When should babies learn to use eating utensils?

e-How.com showed me the way!  A little late, but next time Jude eats over, I won't need the carpet cleaner.  You see, if you scroll down to rule number two, you will read as I did, "Consider lining the floor beneath your baby's highchair with a garbage bag or plastic shower curtain liner to catch food your little one will inevitably drop or throw."  Now why didn't I think of that  before offering this newbie-fork-user, pasta with lots of tomato sauce?  Next time around, the curtain comes out and down, and I'll be lined with the garbage bag!
Ready and waiting,
Bubbie
P.S.  What tricks have you used to help your kids or grandkids use eating utensils?
Related article: "How to Teach a Baby to Use a Fork"

Understanding Baby Talk

Jude and his friends were snacking at the park on this fine day, when along came a hungry passer-by. The grown-ups tried to figure out the gibberish that was spoken between them.  We think it went something like this: 

Boy:  Bgdiili! Blii! Hebb diididi gre!
(Translation: Quick!  Sit!  The girls are watching!)

Dog: Bark, bark bark! (Translation: I'll be sitting, as long as you keep the treats coming!)

1st Girl: Hak ligl! Hmm! (Translation:  Big deal! I could do that!)

2nd Girl: Bla! Pdi ke! (Translation: No you couldn't!  You hate dogs!)

1st Girl: Dile Fe fen dd? (Translation: Do you think he's cute?)

2nd Girl: Woh de boga do! (Translation: I don't like dogs either!)

1st Girl: Nol kel, arklk! (Translation: Not the dog, the boy!)

Until somebody comes up with a book for Dummies on baby language,  we'll continue to be entertained by playing, "What the heck did they just say!"

Still having fun,

Bubbie
P.S.  At what ages did your grandchildren become somewhat understandable? 
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Water Safety

No...seriously...How could I possibly have passed a dog's water fountain with no dog line, on a record-breaking, hot day, and not have stopped to let the baby play .  I mean, it wasn't as though any dogs were drinking from the fountain at the time!  We didn't waste any water.  Jude caught every ounce of it with his face, hands and clothes.  What were we supposed to do?  Just walk on by?  Ignore the fact that we were hot, and this fountain needed testing to be sure it was still operational for the next dog expecting to quench it's thirst?  I say we did the neighborhood a favor!  Everyone can rest easy knowing the water spigot at the park works, even under the extreme circumstances of a dog wanting to hold it's paw over the spout.  In that case we learned, depending on how many fingers (or paws) used, you can still receive a satisfyingly, delicious, and hilarious spray of water , to please the most finicky of users.
You're very welcome! 
Bubbie and Jude
P.S.  In what ways do you have fun with your grandkids and/or kids?
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Babysitting Grandbabies

April 6, 2009 was a great day! My new grandson came into this world 4 weeks early...ready and willing to tumble. Three months later I was assigned a "3 days-a-week" babysitting slot. Not having a baby for 25 years left me a bit stale. After the first week, I slowly began to have flashbacks of my early days in the trenches. I took notes. 1. No necklaces. 2. Lose the glasses. 3. Hanging earrings won't work, unless you live for pain. 4. Wear a bib. 5. Wear clothes that you plan on throwing away. 6. Nap when they nap. 7. Wear a back belt and/or strengthen abs. Would love to stay and chat, but I've got to go rake-up the toys.

Happy Grandparenting,

Bubbie

P.S. Got your own list? Bring it on!
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