Posts Tagged ‘funny’

Toddlers seem to have only two modes; either you can’t keep up with them or you can’t keep they awake. There is something about seeing a sleeping child that makes everyone smile- toddlers and babies look so precious when they are sleeping. I love to watch Anneliese sleep but watching her try to stay awake can be fun too. I think this video of my toddler trying to stay awake while eating is hilarious.
Continue reading “Sleepy Toddler Video” »

Anneliese loves dancing, especially when the hokey pokey song is playing. We have a Sesame Street DVD that plays the Hokey Pokey and she really gets into it sometimes. She is so adorable, I just had to share this.

P.S. My house is a mess because Anneliese loves to throw her toys everywhere. So, this is pretty much how our living room looks most of the time…

When my baby was 3 months old I could already see the affects that certain music had on her. So, I decided to do a little research about the benefits of music for babies when I wrote my “For the Love of Music” post. Now that I have cultivated this love of music in my baby I am really beginning to see benefits from listening to good music with her.

My baby absolutely loves music. Anytime she hears music, she stops what she is doing to listen and usually dance to it. Her favorite time of the day is our “piano lesson” time together. Do you remember that video of my baby playing piano at 7 months old? We have fun banging on the piano together every day and I have found that letting her play piano with mommy can quickly snap her out of a grumpy mood. It also gets her to start dancing- I believe she is the only baby that dances to Classical piano music.

Lately she has begun dancing to every bit of music she hears. When we sing the “Good Morning” song, she dances; when we sing the bath time song, she dances. Sometimes she will break out into dance without any music. My baby loves to dance and it is so adorable and hilarious that I had to record it.

Obviously, introducing my baby to good music when she was an infant has had a positive effect on her life. I don’t think enough parents realize the positive influence that good music can have for babies. It can calm, soothe, excite, and cheer up the most sour baby. It can also enhance their learning experience and cultivate a good sense of quality music that will go with them throughout their life. Have you noticed any benefits of music for your baby?

Last year at this time my parents and in-laws were brand new grandparents and I was still recovering from childbirth, so I didn’t even think about it being their first Grandparents Day. I want to give a big thanks to my Grandparents for being such wonderful, Christian examples to me and for all they have done for me over the years. I am sure my husband’s parents and my parents will be awesome grandparents to our sweet baby Anneliese as she grows up.

Anneliese as a Newborn

Why is Grandparents Day important anyway? Well, let me give you a little history along with some interesting facts about grandparents and this holiday. By the way, this year Grandparents Day falls on Patriot Day, in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks, so don’t forget to take a moment and remember those who lost their lives a decade ago.

Grandparents Day History

Founder- In 1970 Marion McQuade campaigned for a Grandparents Day in the hope that it would spur more support for Senior Citizens as well as encourage people to honor their Grandparents.

In 1978 President Jimmy Carter officially made Grandparents Day the second Sunday in September.

Why September? It’s symbolic for senior citizens being in the autumnal years of their lives.

September 9, 1979- the first celebrated Grandparents Day in America.

Bet you didn’t know…

Forget-Me-Nots became the official flower of Grandparents Day in 1999 to encourage lasting memories with Grandparents.

“A Song For Grandma and Grandpa” written by Johnny Prill, became the official song for Grandparents Day in 2004.

 Grandparents Day Facts

80 Million- number of Grandparents in the U.S. in 2010.

47- average age of first time Grandparents.

7.5 Million- Grandchildren lived with a Grandparent in 2010.

4 Million- Approximate number of greeting cards that will be given out for Grandparents Day.

75% of the wealth in America is controlled by Grandparents.

62% have provided financial support to their adult children and grandchildren in the past year.

72% of Grandparents think that being a Grandparent is the most important and satisfying thing in their life.

Fun with Grandparents

Grandparents: Joke-able and Quotable

A grandfather was telling his little grandson what his own childhood was like:
“We used to ice skate outside on a frozen pond. I had a swing made from a tire that hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony around the yard. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.”
The little boy was wide-eyed, taking all this in. At last he said, “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner, Grandpa!”

What is a Grandparent, according to a small child?
“Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no children of their own. They like other people’s.”
“Grandparents don’t have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old, they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.”

How do you say Grandma and Grandpa around the world?

• Poland - Babcia and Dziadek
• Germany - Oma and Opa
• India - Nana-ji and Nani-ji
• Korea - Halmonee and Halabujee
• Greece - Ya-ya and Pa-pu
• Japan - Oba-chan and Oji-chan
• China - Popo and Gong-gong
• Italy - Nonna and Nonno
• Israel - Savta and Saba
• Cuba - Abuelita and Abuelito

Want some more name ideas from here in the United States?

Grandma – Gammi, Mima, Grams, Momsy, Nanoo, Snuggums, Gigi, Ganny, Nana, Grammy, Mamaw

Grandpa – Gumpa, Paps, Peepaw, Pawpaw, Banpa, Papa, Pappi, Gramps, Umpapa, Granddaddy

{sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Grandparents.com}

Although my baby has been cruising around the furniture for a couple of months now, she has been a little too timid to really begin walking. Now at 11 months old, she has found her confidence and is starting to stumble her way around the house. Every day she gains more balance and curiosity as she explores everything she can get her hands on.

Baby Learning to Walk

When my baby first began showing an interest in walking I would always encourage her and clap for every step she would take. I think it helped her to learn to walk and be proud of her accomplishments, because she does get very proud of herself. She loves for people to clap for her, and has become accustomed to waiting for me to clap whenever she does anything great (like walking).

My Baby’s “Proud” Face

Although she might be getting a little self-absorbed, my exciting encouragement has helped her to learn how to walk with confidence. She is now wobbly walking her way all around the house looking for trouble or ways to make a mess. At least she helps me keep the coffee table completely free of clutter, but she also tries to rummage through the trash on occasions.

My Baby Attempting to “Clean Out” the Cabinets

Another thing that has helped her become more confident in walking is her Musical Activity Walker, which she loves to use. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not using the seated walkers, so we found this push walker in the store that plays music when she pushes it and we are very happy with it.

Watch Out! Baby on the Move…

FYI: It is also recommended to allow your baby to learn how to walk barefoot for proper posture and balancing, so we haven’t put her in shoes just yet. I have already ordered some Skidders for her to wear as soon as she is a little more steady on her feet. They have very flexible rubber soles and slip on like socks, so they should be very easy and comfortable for a walking baby.

Woohoo! My Baby is Walking!

It is so hard to believe that my tiny needy newborn has turned into this adorable independent baby in just eleven short months. The time has flown by very quickly and she has grown and developed so much, it’s amazing. When did your baby start to really walk? Do you have any funny mischievous walking baby stories?