Practical & Conscientious Parenting
Zach
Zach is a soon-to-be father who joyfully works from home creating things for the web and his family. In addition to spending hours in front of a computer, he likes playing mandolin, stirring up delectable vegan cuisine, and being outside. He wants to be a grown up when he grows up.
Home page: http://zbrustudios.com
Posts by Zach
There’s a Nooth Grush
Edie’s first two teeth came in when she was just over three months old. She actually cut her first tooth on my finger while we were at an event at Ashley’s school! It’s always been a fun and exciting thing for me, although they came with mixed feelings for Ashley since she’s the one breastfeeding.
I mentioned it to my dental hygienist around the same time, because I thought she’d be surprised that Edie had them so young. She was, and she immediately gave me a children’s toothbrush for Edie. Even though Edie wasn’t eating anything other than breast milk at the time, my hygienist said that plaque can start to build up.
Anyway, she absolutely loves playing with it, even if she uses it backwards. She’ll chew on it for half an hour if we let her. We’re going to be two lucky parents if she keeps up her joy of tooth brushing.
Jolly Jumper
Edie striking a pose in her Jolly Jumper
I remember these cool little jumpers from when I was a kid. We decided to get one for Edie, but it’s been about a two month process. We looked around town first, and the only thing we could find was really bulky and had lots of plastic parts to it. Plus, the spring was really stiff, so it didn’t really seem like much fun for Edie. After looking around online, the only place Ashley could find a decent old-fashioned style jumper was at Toys-R-Us — in Canada. This is not the first time we’ve had to look outside the US for cool baby things.
Fortunately for us, our friend Owen went to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and he was able to stop at Toys-R-Us and pick one up for us.
Edie isn’t as big of a fan as I thought she would be of her Jolly Jumper. If I’m there playing with her, she and I can play for probably 20 minutes or so before she gets board. If I’m watching her from the kitchen table while I’m cooking, she tends to get board after five minutes unless I hand her new toys to play with.
What I like about it is that she’s upright, and has a chance to use her leg muscles without me bending halfway over and “exercising” my back. Once she gets a little bigger, I could see there being a risk of her hitting her head on the door jamb if I’m not watching closely, but this isn’t something I’d leave her unattended in anyway.
Busy weekend
On Friday, an old coworker of mine was in town with his family. They decided to stay the night, because they were too tired to drive home. Ashley’s sister and her boyfriend also came to stay with us for the weekend. It was a fun-filled weekend, and I’m exhausted, as is Edie. She is always quite a trouper, and even when her sleep schedule gets messed up, she stays pretty smiley. The only thing I’ve noticed so far (and today was a prime example) is that whenever she gets low on sleep, it gets harder and harder to get her to sleep. But she’s in bed resting now, and I’m ready to get some rest before the week as well.
But I am thankful everyday to have such an accommodating, happy, people-loving little one. I love you, Edie!