Did you know that children that spend more time outside laugh more?  It seems that little ones these days spend more time in front of the TV or playing video games then using their imagination.  The game industry is getting children younger and younger it seems, as there are now video games for toddlers.  I know they are educational, which is nice, but nothing compares to using the imagination.  Playing outside can teach children how to be adventurous, and even self-motivated.

Sometimes it doesn't make since to go outside, maybe it is to cold, or even too hot.  In those cases you can spend time inside with the same imagination.  Build forts out of blankets, or even make some home made play-dough.

Spend time laughing with your baby.  Those are things that you and your child wont ever forget.

This is something that I say often, but I think it is good advice! :)  Reading to your baby, even just a few minutes a day, can really teach then that learning is fun.  Reading is such an important skill that even many adults do not enjoy anymore.

I do story time with Alex every night before bed, and now he is some words reading with me!  He isn't a baby anymore, which is hard for me, but he is learning to read!  Inspiring a love of reading is wonderful, but what is even better is the bonding time that you get with your baby.  For those moments that the two of you are reading together your baby knows that you stopped everything that could have taken time and focused on him/her.

As an infant they may not pick up on that, but as they get older they sure will.  What story will you be reading tonight?  I think it is going to be "Space Boy" in our house.

One really great thing about babies is that they are not too picky!  If it is something that feels good to them and they can put it in their mouth they are typically happy.  The key here is making sure it is safe for those things.

I don't know of a single baby that hasn't gone through the stage of wanting whatever they touch to go in their mouth.  My last post was about lead and in this one I wanted to give you some ideas of safe toys that babies will actually enjoy!

These dinosaurs are a great teethers that not only look cool, but serve a very important purpose!  They feel wonderful and are safe for baby!

Who can resist a sock monkey?

These blocks are a personal favorite! You can never go wrong with blocks!

This is just a few ideas, all of which are hand made!  These were all found on Etsy.com, which is truly an amazing place to find one of a kind and safe gifts.  It is so fun when we find that perfect gift and to know that it is something safe makes it even better!

With the Holiday's right around the corner I want to let you all know that I read an article stating that the lead level came back on 7 toys that were beyond the federal limits.  3 of these 7 were:

Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit

Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily necklace

Dora the Explorer Activity Tote

A lot of the high lead level items were sold at target and walmart.  I do not say this to scare anyone, but people do need to be aware of what they are buying.  Excisve lead in our children is a scary thing that can lead to irriversible brian damage.

There are so many toys that we can get for our baby's that are safe. I know that Alex loves his wooden blocks and I know that those are safe!  There are lots of other options as well!

I saw a quote this morning that made me want to blog.  I am going to share it with all of you!

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today" -Stacia Tauscher

This quote touched me.  It made me really think about all the things I try to get Alex to experience.  I am going to try something today and I am going to challenge you all to join me.  For today (no matter what day you are reading this) let your child just be them.  If our children want to make a picture that may not make since to us, lets make it with them and follow the instructions we are given!

Fill me in if you gave this a try!!

Lately I have had a lot of questions about bedtime.  Many of you wondering how to get your baby not to fight bedtime.  This is not a cut and dry answer, as every baby is different.  I will always recommend keeping your baby on a schedule that way he/she knows when it is bedtime.  If you do a bath and read before bed every night then your baby will catch on to this.

One of the things that I did and still do with Alex is have wind-down time, maybe listening to soft music or reading a bedtime story will help with your little one.

Another question I get a lot is: do I let my baby cry himself/herself to sleep?  Again, everyone has their own opinion, but my answer would be no.  I am not saying go every time they whimper, but let your baby know they are safe.  Sometimes all they need is one more hug and smile!

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once again urging all parents and caregivers to immediately stop using convertible "close-sleeper/bedside sleeper" bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa. CPSC has learned of two additional infant deaths since the August 2008 safety alert and recall announcements that notified consumers of two infants who had strangled in their Simplicity bassinets. To date, CPSC is aware of four infants who have died in the close-sleeper bassinets.

CPSC learned that in September 2008, a two-month old female in Demorest, Georgia suffocated when she rolled into the adjustable fabric siding of the bassinet, pressing her face into a "pocket" which formed near the Velcro© fasteners. In another incident in January 2009, a six-month old female in Fort Worth, Texas appears to have been fatally entrapped in the bassinet’s bar opening created when the Velcro© fasteners were not secured. An investigation into this infant’s death is ongoing.

In addition, CPSC has received two separate reports involving a 10-week old and a 3-month old whose heads became entrapped between the lower bassinet bar and the mattress support. The infants were freed by their caregivers without injury.

The Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible bassinets, including bassinets with the Graco logo and “Winnie the Pooh” motif licensed by Disney Consumer Products, contain metal bars that are covered by an adjustable fabric flap. This fabric flap is secured by Velcro© fasteners, which are intended to be partially removed when the bassinet is converted into the bedside/close-sleeper mode. If the Velcro© fasteners are not properly re-secured when the fabric flap is adjusted, or if the consumer entirely removes the fabric flap exposing the metal bars, an infant can slip through the opening between the lower metal bar and the mattress support and become entrapped and suffocate or strangle. Consumers are urged to check their bassinets to ensure they are not using one of the recalled Simplicity bassinets.

Parents and caregivers are advised to return these bassinets to the retail store where they were purchased. All of the recalled bassinets can pose a danger to infants.

To determine whether your bassinet has been recalled, please check for the model number and the manufacture date code pictured below. Bassinets manufactured prior to 21st week of 2008, “2108” (before May 18) are recalled. The model numbers for recalled bassinets manufactured prior to “2108” are:

• 3000
• 3010
• 3011
• 3012
• 3013
• 3014
• 3015
• 3016
• 3017
• 3020
• 3025
• 3026
• 3027
• 3030
• 3040
• 3045
• 3046
• 3047
• 3050
• 3060
• 3070
• 3111
• 3112
• 343-8363
• 343-8399
• 5730
• 5750
• 8383
• 9250
• TD2500

The following retailers have voluntarily agreed to recall the product and provide a refund or store credit to consumers who return the product to the store where purchased.

• Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark.
• Toys “R” Us Inc., Wayne, N.J.
• Kmart Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill.
• Big Lots!, Columbus, Ohio
• Target, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• J.C. Penney, Plano, Texas
• AAFES, Dallas, Texas
• Amazon.com, LLC Seattle, WA
• Bed Bath & Beyond, Union, NJ
• Burlington Coat Factory, Burlington, NC
• Buy Buy Baby Garden City, NY
• Chelsea&Scott LTD (One Step Ahead),Lake Bluff, IL
• CSN Stores of Boston, MA
• Fingerhut Direct Marketing, Eden Prairie, MN
• Frogs and Lily Pads, St. Johnsbury, VT
• Kohl’s Department Stores, Menomonee Falls, WI
• ShopKo Stores, Inc., Green Bay, WI
• Sweet Pea Décor, North Beach, MD
• USA Baby #47, Overland Park, KS
• USA Baby #58, Brookfield, WI
• USA Baby #136, Berlin, CT
• USA Baby #141, Waipahu, HI
• USA Baby #142, Virginia Beach, VA
• USA Baby #147, Clovis, CA
• Value City Department Stores, Columbus, OH

Due to the life-threatening hazard these bassinets pose to infants, CPSC urges all consumers to share this safety warning with friends, family, day care centers, and consignment stores to ensure that no child is placed to sleep in a Simplicity convertible bassinet covered by this warning.

SFCA Inc., the Reading, Pa.-based company that purchased the assets of juvenile product manufacturer Simplicity Inc. after foreclosure, no longer appears to be conducting day to day operations. SFCA Inc. is no longer answering phone calls or responding to e-mails from consumers.

There are things that you can try, although nothing is a sure cure.  Hopefully it is just a faze of the pregnancy and as you get further along you will notice it less and less.  Until then here are somethings that you can try to ease the nausea.

• Eat more often-but smaller portions.  6-8 smaller sizes as opposed to 3 big meals.
• Try to leave out spicy or fried foods.
• Have a ginger ale between meals.
• Foods like saltines, other dry cereals can help reduce nausea.  This is an old fashioned method that seems to work, so try to keep something like this on you all the time to help when you are feeling nauseous.

Something to keep in mind with nausea is if you are vomiting a lot you need to talk to your Dr, because you could be getting dehydrated.

By the way - Congratulations on your new baby!!

Encouraging your baby to try different types of food is really a great way to get them to enjoy healthy food, which is important.  The best way to do this if you are ready for jar food is to use a food grinder, this way your baby can eat whatever you are eating.  This is something I have talked about in previous posts, because I think it is important.

Babies like to eat what the people around them are eating, toddlers are the same way.  If your baby is used to eating fruits and veggies, fish and grilled chicken (just an example) they develop a taste for this.

In my case, Alex actually makes requests for asparagus, peppers and squash when we are grocery shopping.  He is allowed sweets, as I think it is important not to cut it out completely because it can cause them to only want them.  Overall Alex would choose fruit over candy, and eats veggies as a snack!

It is something to try to start out with when they are babies so they develop a taste for it, and it really can be worth it!

I have received many questions on how to give your baby's first bath.  This is very important as you do not want to submerge your baby into the water just yet.  I will give you some key steps to guide through this.

First you will want to have access for everything that you will need:

• sponge
• a little bathtub
• shampoo *try to avoid perfumes it can lead to allergies*
• soap *again avoid perfumes*
• cotton towels
• diapers
• clean clothes

Use the sponge to wash your baby, make sure that the water is not too hot.

Use a wet cotton ball and a very small amount of soap for your baby's face and then continue with the sponge with the rest of the body.  As soon as you do that, wash off the soap using a towel.  You can then dry them off (make sure you get him/her all dry, neck and diaper area) and get dressed!

You want to check the belly button to see if it looks too red or has an odor if it does you need to contact your pediatrician.

Please if you have any worries about this contact your pediatrician first as I am not a Dr. I am just a mother!

Please NEVER leave your baby alone in ANY amount of water!