Feelin' like a (Germ) Killer

This morning I was horrified to find that sometime during the night last night, my poor Bean threw up big time. I felt so horrible for her. She was a mess. Her crib was a mess. And her menagerie of toys? Yep, that was a mess too.  I immediately snapped into Supermom, crisis containment mode. Bean went in the bathtub, bedclothes went in the washer, impacted fuzzy ones were put in a box and hidden in the closet for later attention...

...It's later now... 

Not long ago, as I described the Bean's menagerie of creatures in her crib, a friend asked me,"So how is it that you get to that point [of having a whole town worth of stuffed animals and toys in your one-year-old's crib]?" Well, I guess the simplest answer is that two people who happen to go by "Momma" and "Dada" cave every time another furry little friend is added to the fold. And so far, it's mostly been positive, even buying us extra time in bed on Saturday mornings, while the Bean plays with her beloved babies and kitties. The downside, which I now know firsthand, is that stuffed animals are magnets for everything gross that can possibly be emitted from a toddler. 

So what's a parent to do? (Especially one whose number one hated activity is throwing up). Well, thankfully there are all sorts of suggestions out here on the interwebs. Though many people had great suggestions, my favorite resource was a Real Simple article that gives detailed instructions for disinfecting all sorts of important and germ-collecting objects in your child's life. Which is how the Bean's babies have come to live in the freezer (germs will die in the cold environment). And even though I'm doing the right thing, this image somehow feels so wrong (thus I had to share it with you!). 

Recipe for a Winter Workout

Ingredients:

1 24 lb toddler
24 lb toddler's winter gear (size may vary)
itty bitty sled

Recommended, but not necessary:

6 + inches of snow

backyard with a ridiculous hill

Directions:

Snugly wrap, zip, velcro, or otherwise shove maneuver toddler into winter gear. You'll know you've done it right if said toddler cannot move her arms, hands, or neck. It is a good idea to do the same for yourself. Doing so sets a good example.

Go outside. Buckle toddler securely into sled. After a few test pulls through the snow just to get used to things, bend at the knees and hoist the toddler-filled sled part way up the hill. Carefully turn the sled around, and pull down the hill. For extra fun, let go for the last few feet. Giggle, dust off your snowy bum (you probably fell down at some point along the path), and repeat the process.

Marks of success:

You can "feel" your legs, knees, back, and arms in a whole new way.

Your toddler is ridiculously happy and has internalized the word sled.

Her face might look something like this:

Note:

This workout is best followed by a lunch of warm soup and a long nap.

B-Word of the Week: Book

Book was the Bean's first word. Right after Dada, and before Momma, she began asking to read. As many families probably do, we've gone through several phases of favorite titles, books that she'd ask for night after night. Until recently, however, the Bean would typically request different titles every night to accompany whichever book was the favorite. This is something that I most certainly took for granted, as we've now entered a phase of strict adherence to routine. We've been reading the same three books every night since Thanksgiving, sometimes more than once. Part of me loves this, as the Bean can now read these books to herself pretty well, and part of me is anxious to change up the mix a little bit.

Ultimately, I am grateful that my little girl loves reading so much. It has most certainly contributed to her language development and has helped to satisfy her insatiable interest in everything. It provides wonderful quality time together and acts as a conduit for us to sing, dance, and laugh together. It is also one of the few times my daughter sits almost completely still...in my lap! This is why, no matter what the book Bean chooses for me to read night after night, I will always embrace the opportunity to pick it up and make the story come alive for her once again.

Although the selections may not change frequently, we invite you to read along with us. From now on, we'll share our current bedtime favorites on Bean's very own virtual bookshelf. We look forward to sharing them with you, and to hearing about your favorites, too!