Enjoy

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

-Robert Brault

Loving Your Child

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

Playing With Your Baby

Fisher Price wrote a fun article about different activities you can play with your baby!

From birth to 3 months
*Put on a show.
Since babies love music, your little one will enjoy dancing with you--rocking gently in your arms to different tunes. Stand in front of a mirror (babies delight in seeing their reflection) and move and sing together.

3 to 6 months
*Talk it up.
Stand baby on your lap and gently bounce him up and down while you point out interesting things and say their names: "See the orange kitty? What does a kitty say? Meow!"

6 to 9 months
*Play pat-a-cake.
This silly game teaches your baby to anticipate actions. When playing together, sing cheerfully with exaggerated facial expressions-your baby will coo with delight and mimic your expressions.

9 to 12 months
*Play hide-and-seek.
At around 9 months, babies begin to understand the concept of object permanence (a toy exists even when it's out of sight, for example). Nurture this knowledge by playing a variation of hide-and-seek: Show your baby a toy, hide it under a blanket, and then have him search for it. Imagine his surprise when he locates the hidden object.

Salt Water Gargle,

When you're feeling like you're coming down with something, like a cold with a scratchy throat, you've probably heard of the remedy to gargle warm salt water. However, did you know that the same harmful bacteria in your throat is also in your nose? Try using a Q-tip dipped in warm salt water to swab the inside of your nose and the salt water remedy will be more effective.

Thermometer

Of all the thermometers that we have purchased/tried.. we like this one the best (especially for infants, toddlers and kids that aren't able to keep a thermometer in their mouth yet). I'm sure you can buy a fancier thermometer if you choose to spend more... But this one is quick and accurate and totally recommend it!

VICKS Underarm Thermometer

Mothers

There are few assignments in human experience that require the array of skills and wisdom needed by a mom in fulfilling her everyday duties. She must be a resident psychologist, physician, theologian, educator, nurse, chef, taxi driver, fire marshal, and occasional police officer. And if she succeeds in each of these responsibilities, she gets to do it all over again tomorrow.

-Dr. James Dobson

Are You Prepared?

72hours.org is a great guide for preparing families for natural disasters. For earthquakes, fires or flooding, there is a step by step guide to make a plan, build a kit and get involved. Here is an example from 72hours.org about preparing for a power outtage:

When a disaster occurs, you might not have access to food, water and electricity for days, or even weeks. Store enough emergency food to provide for your family for at least 3 days.

• Store food items that are familiar, rather than buying special emergency food. Consider any dietary restrictions and preferences you may have.
• Ideal foods are: Shelf-stable (no refrigeration required), low in salt, and do not require cooking (e.g. canned fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, jam, low-salt crackers, cookies, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, canned soup or meats, juices and non-fat dry milk).
• Mark a rotation date on any food container that does not already have an expiration date on the package.
• Include baby food and formula or other diet items for infants or seniors.
• Store the food in airtight, pest-resistant containers in a cool, dark place.
• Most canned foods can safely be stored for at least 18 months. Low acid foods like meat products, fruits or vegetables will normally last at least 2 years. Use dry products, like boxed cereal, crackers, cookies, dried milk or dried fruit within six months.
• After a power outage, refrigerated food will stay cold longer if you keep the door closed. Food should generally be consumed within 4 hours. Food in the freezer will normally remain safe for 2 days