Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Menus4Moms
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Mommy's Group
If you haven't already found a women's center in your area, I encourage you to do so. Our local women's center is the Elizabeth Blackwell Center. It is an amazing place that I discovered during my pregnancy. We took our Baby Basics class there (how not to break your child in the first two weeks) and we took Breastfeeding Basics there. Beyond that they have a whole bunch of incredible programming. Currently I am involved in the New Mothers Group which meet every Tuesday from 1:30-2:30. Moms bring babies and questions. Yvonne, the facilitator, is a parenting specialist and helps to calm our nerves and encourage us. Who knew that my daughter might just need more than 12 hours of sleep at night during a growth spurt. (I know, I'm so lucky) I thought something might be wrong. The topics are generally centered around eating, sleeping, and diaper habits with the occasional toy or car seat question thrown in. But most of all it's a resource. And as Maggie grows and develops in to a toddling little girl, I know I am going to have lots of questions. It's really nice to know I have a place to go, to talk with other moms, to talk with the experts, and really see what other kids her age are doing. Again, if you haven't found this place in your area, I would encourage you to start looking. You won't believe how reassuring it is to know that there are other kids out there infatuated with sucking their right big toe....my kid's not weird!
The picture, by the way, is my friend Lisa and her 8.5 month old daughter Claire. We had a picnic at the park last Friday and our girls discovered the swings and the slide. Lisa and I met the first time I went to the New Moms Group at EBC.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Easy Baby Booties!
Materials:
booties pattern (Download PDF)
1/4 yd. fleece fabric
9" length of 1/4" soft elastic
16" decorative ribbon
sewing machine
matching thread
scissors and pins
1. Pin the pattern in place on the fabric, making sure to place it on the fold, and cut out (figure A). Remove the pins, open the booties and place them right sides down (figure B).
Figure A
Figure B
2. Cut elastic in half (1 piece for each bootie) and, following pattern instructions, sew stretched elastic across the appropriate stitching line (figure C).
Figure C 3. Fold each bootie in half, keeping right sides together. Cut the ribbon in half (1 piece for each bootie), fold each piece in half and pin according to pattern directions (figure D).
Figure D
4. Pin and sew the edges, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance (figure E).
Figure E 5. Turn right side out and tie the ribbon in a bow. Use scissors to cut a fringe at the top of the booties (figure F). Figure F
Let me know how your booties turn out! I will keep the useful tips, crafts, and ideas coming! Keep checking back!!
Amanda