Fisher Price Fun

Goodness me!  Haven't been posting much because I've been so anxious over Julian's birthday party this weekend. It was a modest success and Julian had a great time so I'm super happy.  Anyway, now that that's done with I can focus on other things.

I thought I'd write today about the Fisher-Price website and all the cool (and more importantly, FREE) features they have for parents.  I don't know about you, but I was definitely a Fisher-Price kid growing up--so naturally it's a brand I trust for Julian.

I started going on the website a few months ago to play some of the online games they have for babies when Juju first started mashing my laptop keys.  On a recent visit though, I found they have A LOT of really cool stuff for parents!

You can check out the site yourself to see all they have to offer, but I'm going to list my favorite sections here:

Online Games
Here you'll find a bunch of cool games for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.  I really like these because I do a lot of work on my computer and when I'm home alone with Julian he often wants to get on the computer and do things with me.  I haven't tried out the toddler or preschooler games yet, but the infant ones are perfect for babies who want to be just like Mommy and Daddy!  Watch out though, because if they hit certain commands on your keyboard they can shut out of the game and start messing with other things.  Try and make sure the babes are just playing with the main keys.

Julian's favorite games are the Hide and Seek games and any of the animal games--the noisier the better!


Crafts
This is actually the page that got me excited about writing a post on this website because it's SO what this blog is about!  Here's a list of cool art projects and activities you can do with your kids at little or no cost (they even have a fishing activity like the one I wrote about!).  I'm so excited to try some of these out (and put my own spin on them too haha).  Any of these activities would be great for a boring weekend or rainy day. 

I tried to pick out a couple favorites to list here, but honestly I love them all!

Birthday Party Ideas
I'm a little peeved I checked this out the day after I have Julian's birthday party (especially since they have a dinosaur theme and that's what I really wanted to do grrrr), but I will know better in the future. :P 

Anyway, they have lots of great tips and tricks for parents on holding a successful and fun birthday party.  They also have several party theme ideas that include food suggestions and decorating and activity ideas.  All the party ideas function on a reasonable budget and seem to be real low-stress which, given the anxiety I went trough over Juju's birthday party, is definitely an awesome thing!

Playtime Guide
This section focuses on the importance of play and how different activities help baby develop cognitive, social & emotional, and physical skills.  They even have sections devoted to baby's specific age, from 1 month to 5+ years.  In addition to great tips on different ways to play with your baby they have a section for parents that focuses on everything from pregnancy worries to potty training.  This is great for nervous first time parents!  There's a section dedicated solely to grandparents as well.  This is a really valuable resource if you're getting tired of playing peek-a-boo and want to try something fresh and new. 


There are also coloring pages, online videos, and of course plenty of info on fisher-price's toys and stuff.  So if you're bored and trying to think of something new to do with the little ones take a look!

Construction Paper Jack-O-Lantern

Here's a template I made for you to make your own construction paper Jack-o-Lanterns.

Cut out 1 Large Pumpkin piece, 2 Mediums pieces, 2 small ones, and 1 top.  Glue the medium pieces on either side of the back of the large piece, then the 1 small piece next to one medium and the other on the other side.  Glue the top at the top of the large pumpkin piece OR make long green winding vines and add lots of leaves.

To make a Jack-O-Lantern cut out triangle, square, and circle shapes for the eyes and nose and a crescent piece for the mouth.  I didn't make any template pieces for this part because there are so many different ways to do this part, it's really up to your imagination.

This is a great project for kids that may not be old enough to carve pumpkins or for parents who aren't so keen on the idea of chopping up pumpkins.

These make great cards, party invites, or decorations you can save or scrapbook later. 

Magnet Fishing

Here is a fun activity you can do with kids of varying ages (I'd say anywhere from babies to preteens, after that you might be pushing your luck).

Magnet Fishing!

This is actually an idea I got from watching Little Bill on Nick Jr. with Julian.  My husband and I are in the process of bringing in new furniture and rearranging our house so I haven't been able to try it out myself.  So, when I get around to doing this with Juju I'll be sure to share some pictures of our fun.  Or at least draw some pictures haha.

So here's what you'll need:

- A box or a fishbowl or some kind of container to act as a the fishing spot, it can be clear if you want to see the fish inside--or it can be opaque if you want it to be a surprise (for a surprise I'd say make sure there's lots of things to catch in there so you'll actually get something.

- Construction paper or colorful card stock for the fishes.

- Sticks and string for rods

- Magnets--you can take the magnets off of old magnets you don't use anymore or you can cut up those flat free magnets restaurants hand out with their menus on or you get a free events.  That's what I'll be using.  Make sure these magnets are strong enough to stick together though because sometimes they're kind of weak.  If all else fails you can buy magnet backs at office supply and craft stores.

- (optional) metal paperclips as an alternative to using magnets for either fish or hook (but not both)

- Glue

- Tape

- Scissors

- Markers, crayons, glitter, and whatever else you want to use for decorating.

- (optional) sand or marbles to put at bottom of tank

And here's what you do:

Rods

- Tie string around end of stick.

- Cut out a hook shape from two pieces of construction paper.
- Glue hook pieces on either side of the string so it is stuck in the middle
- Glue magnet piece on hook.

OR

- Tape, glue, or tie on piece of magnet (maybe cut in the shape of a hook) at the end of the string.

OR

- Tie a paperclip to the end of the string (do this only if you're using magnets for the fish--and if they're STRONG)

Fish tank

- (optional) Decorate the outside of your tank to look like an underwater or beach scene.
- (optional) Put sand or marbles in tank and maybe a figurine or two to decorate.


When everything is done, have fun fishing!

Fish

I added pigtails to my mermaid but you can cut out any hairstyle you like.

Here are some templates I made that you can print out and use to cut out your fish.  I also made one for a mermaid and octopus.  Feel free to use these templates for any under-the-sea projects!  You may alter and share these to your liking (please keep my link though or at least link back), but you may not sell these templates!  You can, however, sell whatever you make.  Fair? :)

- Cut out fish shapes (for some more fun add in an octopus or mermaid or two)
- Decorate
- Glue magnets on the mouths of the fish.

OR

- If you're using really strong magnets you can glue the magnets on the inside of two pieces of paper so the magnets won't be seen.

OR

- If you have a strong magnet hook clip paperclips on to the mouths of the fish either by just sliding them on or punching a whole and looping the paperclip on.

Please check out my hub for tips on how to make this game more fun.

The small things in life...

A big pot of water with some floaty toys can keep Julian occupied for quite sometime. AND it's heavy enough that he can't tip it over (like our dog's bowl =_=)

Juju loves food

There are exactly two things my son likes to do more than anything else; he likes to play--and he LOVES TO EAT!

From the moment food was introduced to him he was hooked.  I have heard stories about babies who are very picky and are completely disinterested in food--well Julian was definitely not one of them.  There are a few things he doesn't really like, such as bananas for example (strange since they're considered a starter food!)--but for the most part he'll eat anything you hand to him.  And he'll do it BY HIMSELF thankyouverymuch.  He does not like to be fed!

He is almost a year now and I'm thinking about weening him off the breast, but I want to make sure he is getting enough nutrients since he will no longer get the vitamins he normally does from my breastmilk.  Cow's milk just isn't the same.

So I've started making lists of foods he likes and ways I serve it to him.  I decided to share for any other new parents who are nervous about what to feed their babies.

Dairy

- Yogurt

Sometimes I give Juju the kids yogurts or the yogurts that have to mix fruits, but I prefer mixing my own fruits (usually peaches or berries) in either plain yogurt or greek yogurt.  Juju really enjoys it, but if there isn't enough fruit to mask the taste of the yogurt he spits it out.
I haven't tried this, since Julian doesn't like bananas, but I have also heard that some kids like to eat bananas with sour cream or yogurt on top.  Yogurt is a lot healthier than sour cream, so that's the option I'd go for.

- Whole Fat Cow's Milk

Juju got the go ahead to drink milk from his doctor, so now he drinks it in his cups or with his Cheerios.

- Cheese

I don't give Juju a lot of this because it is hard to digest, but it still has benefits.  I will give him little blocks of cheese to chew on or offer him small slices on bread.

Meats

- Beef

I mostly serve beef to Julian in pasta sauce with plenty of vegetables.  I will also give him little bits of hamburger when I'm eating them.  Ground beef, I find, is the easiest for Juju to eat on his own since it isn't too difficult to chew.  I haven't really tried many other ways of serving it to him, yet.

- Chicken

I prefer feeding Juju bits chicken off the bone or cutlets.  I take off the skin and will sometimes mix it with rice (Juju likes both white and brown rice).  I'm trying to avoid chicken nuggets and patties just because I'm not a big fan of how they're processed (although hot dogs are processed similarly and I can't help but enjoy them anyway DX).  I just feel, it's bad enough that we have to worry about what types of antibiotics and chemicals our meat was processed with, I don't want to deal with ground up meat that may or may not have non-edible chicken parts in it.  I try to avoid giving him chicken with too much sauce or seasoning.  Juju enjoys the natural taste of the chicken just fine.

Cereal/Grains

 

- Cheerios

Juju loves Cheerios.  I love Cheerios.  Who doesn't love Cheerios?  I think what we both enjoy the most about Cheeriosis the independence Juju has when he's eating them.  Julian never liked being fed.  From the very beginning he wanted to do it all by himself--usually resulting in a great big mess.  With Cheerios, Juju can happily feed himself.  When I'm having a bowl of cereal, I'll share spoonfuls with Juju too.

- Farina

Made this with water in the beginning, but now I use milk.  I'll feed it to Juju when it's warm, but when it cools it turns kind of solid and can be broken into chunks Juju can feed himself (I used to love eating cold farina when I was a kid lol).  When I was a kid my mom would also mix egg into the cooking farina for extra nutrients (it was like egg drop farina haha).  I haven't started doing this myself, but probably will so we can get some of the nice healthy benefits of the egg.

- Rice

I give Julian both brown and white rice.  White rice is easier for him to digest, but brown rice is full of rich nutrients.  I usually serve it to him with sauce, vegetables, chicken, or beans.  He likes it but gets frustrated by the fact that he can't handle it easily.

- Pasta

I give Juju spaghetti, but prefer serving him bow ties or shells or the swirly pastas or any other pastas that come in fun shapes.  That way he can still eat on his own and I don't have to worry so much about him choking.

- Bread

I try to avoid white bread if I can.  I'll make Juju jelly sandwiches on wheat bread and cut them into tiny pieces he can manage easily.  When we're at a restaurant we'll pass him a dinner roll while we wait for our food to come out--more to entertain him, than to actually eat.

Fruits & Vegetables

- Fruit & Veggie pouches

I think it's important to be mindful of the kinds of foods parents give babies.  It is easy to teach them bad habits by just giving them foods that are easy for them to eat on their own, like crackers or cookies.  That's why these pouches are so amazing.  Some come with just fruit mixes, like applesauce, but most have a mixture of both fruits and vegetables so kids get used to the taste of both.  Julian loves these and I always pack at least three different flavors when we're going somewhere.  I've, so far, found that the Target brand pouches are the cheapest for individuals--usually ranging between $0.70 - $2.  I've had luck at Walgreen's though where they sell them all for $2.  Rite Aid has been the worse, selling them for $4 each--no way!  Not for me!  Not when Walgreen's is just a block away where I live!  Costco, of course, has had the best deal--selling them in bulk, but my mom and I have only been able to find applesauce pouches there.  Perhaps I'll do some research and post an update later on the best places to get them, with the most variety, at the cheapest price.

- Strawberries

Okay, I know that these are on the list of allergy foods, but Juju loves them and no one in my family or in my husband's family is allergic so I'm hoping it's alright.  Juju eats whole strawberries now without much assistance (he doesn't even have teeth!), but I will mix them in yogurt or in smoothies for him.

- Smoothies

Speaking of smoothies!  These are awesome, even for picky eaters.  Add banana, strawberries, blueberries, or whatever fruits you like (I'd strongly suggest bananas though, for texture).  Add a little orange juice or apple juice or mix.  Add plain yogurt.  Blend it up and you have a delicious and healthy smoothie for both you and baby to enjoy.

- Oranges

I peel these and cut the slices in half.  This is the first fruit Julian was introduced to, so he has a pretty good handle on it now, but I'd watch out for the skin.  If you're nervous you can skin it.

- Grapes

Peeled and halved.  To be honest, sometimes I skip the peeling part because Julian eats them so well, but I ALWAYS halve them.

- Avocado

Julian likes to eat this plain, all mashed up or mixed with a little bit of yogurt.

- Sauce

I always pack my sauces with plenty of vegetables; carrots, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, beans, peppers, and tomatoes, usually.  This is more for my picky eater of a husband's sake than for Juju, but it's a great way to feed Julian vegetables. 

- Summer Squash

Julian and I both enjoy this sauteed in butter.  Mmmm.  I think I'll have some for lunch while they're still available.

- Melon

I give Juju chunks of watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe--sometimes.  He really only seems to like the watermelon though.

- Potatoes

I served these to him mashed.  He loves them.

- Earth's Beat Baby Food

I don't usually buy baby food, but the few times I have I have gotten Earth's Best.  Julian enjoys the taste (and so do I lol) and it's a pretty healthy brand so I like it.

 

- Who knows...

I'm always introducing new fruits to Juju.  He loves trying new things.

Eggs & Fish

I honestly haven't tried this at all yet with Julian.  I have to get on that!  If anyone has some good ideas for feeding babies Eggs & Fish, I'd love to hear them!


In general, whatever I'm eating Juju eats.  This can be a scary idea at first for new parents, but really it's fine!  I'm a firm believer in baby-led weaning and have had great experience with this method of feeding Julian.  For his age, he is extremely self sufficient when it comes to eating and very rarely gets flustered or frustrated when left to feed himself.  It is MESSY.  VERY MESSY.  Clothes have been ruined, my carpet is a disaster, and many many dishes have been made (not to mention my dog has been spoiled).  But it's worth it for Julian to gain that independence.

So I think, the most important thing to think about when feeding your baby is to reflect on what YOU eat.  You can try really hard to make sure your baby has all of the necessary foods, but if your eating habits do not reflect the healthy diet you are trying to establish with your children the whole system will fall apart. 

Free Apps for Babies

I live in Upstate NY, but I am from NYC and commute frequently on the MetroNorth.  Usually I have Julian with me and sometimes I even bring my dog--that added to whatever luggage I have and perhaps even a stroller is kind of insane...If I wasn't the one doing it, I wouldn't believe it could be done.

Juju is pretty good on the train, especially if he gets a window seat, but like all babies--he gets fussy and he gets bored.  So I have a few cards up my sleeve when it comes to making sure our hour and a half ride goes smoothly as possible.  I have snacks, I'm ready with a nursing blanket, I have all his favorite toys within reach--and I have these apps.

These apps are the saviors of my commute.  If you have a baby or toddler and an iPhone or iPad I would strongly recommend you download these.  They could save your life...or, to be less dramatic, they could at least save your day.

Full on temper tantrums have been thwarted with these.  And they are FREE so really, what do you have to lose?

Julian's favorites are the ones by Fisher Price, they were launched to go along with their Laugh and Learn Apptivity Case

(I intended to buy but never did, still might...)

From the Let's Count Animals App

I've listed them from his top favorite to his least favorite:

- Animal Sounds
- Let's Count Animals
- Where's Puppy Nose?

Another app he enjoys is:

- Baby Piano (Lite)

There is a pay version of it, but so far I haven't had any reason to get it.  It isn't one of Juju's favorites anyway.  I think I like it more than he does.

When he was an infant there was another app I used:

- Relax Melodies

It's a great sound app that really helps sooth and put babies (and you) to sleep.

All of these apps are really great (as long as you don't mind your iPhone/iPad getting roughed up a bit or if you have a protective case).  They're perfect for shopping, commuting, car rides...times when your baby's up and you just want a few more minutes of sleep (oh yes)--and, rest assured, they are educational!


In addition to those great apps there are some for you too.

- Parenting Ages & Stages
I'm a big fan of Parenting magazine and their affiliates so I really enjoy this app.  You get access to a bunch of great articles and resources targeted to your child's age group.  Plus, there's a community and a neat feature where, if a product is recalled--they send a message to your phone.  Pretty cool!

- My Pregnancy Today
I lived on this app when I was pregnant. As a first time mom I had so many questions and was so nervous about everything. This app was so helpful!

- My Baby Today
After Juju was born I downloaded this app since the pregnancy app was so useful. There are lots of great tips, articles, videos, and even activities you can do geared to your baby's age. I love it!

I hope you find these Apps as wonderful as I did! I will be sure to add more as I find them. :)

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Yo Gabba Gabba! has to be one of the most insane kids' shows I have ever seen--and I LOVE it!

It first came out when I was in college and my initial thought was, "they let kids watch this?" (Okay my initial thought was actually "is that a dancing dildo?" but let's keep this G-rated, shall we haha)

For kicks I watched a few episodes and drove my mother and sister insane by singing some of the songs.  My favorite being, "there's a party in my tummy!"


Overall, I thought is was a really fun show--but for kids?  Not so much.  I just assumed they marked it was marked a children's program because it was so absurd it couldn't be labelled anything else.

Then Julian was born...and my opinions started to change.

There aren't very many shows that get Julian's attention (not that I'm complaining!  I'd rather he wasn't a couch potato), but when Yo Gabba Gabba! is on he is enthralled.  He stands up and dances a long with them (as much as a baby who can't walk yet can dance, anyway).  He loves music, so when they sing they have his full attention.  I think all the colors and the bizarre characters really just fascinate him.  He genuinely enjoys the program!

Now that I get to watch the show through parenting eyes, I understand it better than I did before.  It's meant to be fun, and hip, and different--but it still has all of the fundamental values shows like Sesame Street have, it's just packaged differently.  Way differently.

If you're new to Yo Gabba Gabba!  and are a little anxious about your kids watching it, I'd say--let them be!  The show encourages kids to get up and move, be themselves, try different things, and be respectful to others.  All of these are lessons I feel are REALLY important nowadays; kids need to exercise more, they are bogged down every day by images of what they SHOULD be--which makes them scared to do things different, and the amount of bullying that goes on today is sick and is sad.  If a cast of crazy characters can help today's kids actually BE kids--then I am completely on board!

And if you're a parent who HATES kids shows, I'd say give this one I try anyway--you might just enjoy it...if only because of how completely ridiculous the whole thing is.   Oh and the music, can be pretty freaking good when they have guest artists on.  Just saying.

Yo Gabba Gabba!  airs on Nick Jr.