Xander’s favorite song these days. When he sees water spouts, he looks for a spider. (via Abstract City Blog)
I’ve been watching a lot of Sesame Street lately online with Xander. In addition to the usual pedagogical/educational content, I’ve been enjoying the angles directed at parents. This is Patrick Stewart saying “Make it so, Number One!” clearly alluding to his role as Captain Pickard. Then there is Sarah Jessica Parker, “Waiting for Big.” Various singers’—Feist, Jason Mraz, Norah Jones—modified versions of their popular songs are quite creative too. I’m glad that the good people at Sesame Street take the time to make the show enjoyable for parents, who inevitable sit through it with their kids.
“I’m Vaccinated!” So he’s fine giving a pig a full smooch! @dailyshoot #ds63
“Baby & Shopping Cart” I don’t like the crack across the parking lot, but it’s still a fun photo of a shadow! @dailyshoot #ds44
“Xander’s Hands” @dailyshoot #ds37 — I love watching how he plays with his hands when he’s watching something on TV.
“Daddy-Baby Feet” (via my Flickr)
![I’m pretty sure this is the bargain between Xander and Pancake as well. But it’s an unstable bargain…. [ICHC?]](http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ksa8q8Tqr91qz6hddo1_500.jpg)
I’m pretty sure this is the bargain between Xander and Pancake as well. But it’s an unstable bargain…. [ICHC?]
I suspect every parent has a particular image of their children as young babies that are etched into their long-term memory—the kind that flashes back at every major subsequent life event of the children, such as the prom, graduations, weddings, etc. I think this might be mine, although not this particular shot. There has always been something about him looking back over his high chair to look at me in the kitchen.
“Daddy! I’m down here!”
Study: TV May Inhibit Babies’ Language Development
As most parents of small children will reluctantly admit, nothing can occupy a child quite like television. Unfortunately, the scientific evidence suggests that using the boob tube as a babysitter has its price: the more time babies spend sitting in front of the screen, the more their social, cognitive and language development may suffer. Recent studies show that TV-viewing tends to decrease babies’ likelihood of learning new words, talking, playing and otherwise interacting with others.I’m glad that we disconnected our TV service. Having the TV on in the background, even passively, is so easy and becomes a second nature. [Via TIME]
Lessons of Baby Care
Although now starting to get better, Xander had two difficult nights this week. The second time that he was screaming his head off, nothing was consoling him (this was at 3:30AM). I tried to tickle him around his collarbone, which always makes him giggle uncontrollably. Apparently, not always. Trying to tickle a baby when they’re upset only makes them more upset.
Love and Logic at Work
Susanne and I started using Love and Logic philosophy for our parenting. One of its main components is giving babies/kids choices to empower them. At 9-month old, Xander doesn’t get too many meaningful choices. At bath time, I usually offer him his rubber duck ducky (which has been his trusted friend in the bathtub for many weeks). I began offering the ducky along with a rubber elephant (which can spray water out of its nose). Since I began offering the two choices, he’s been immediately reaching for the elephant, ditching his long-time friend.
Couple of days ago, however, I could actually see the gears turning in his brain. He immediately reached for the elephant, paused, turned and looked at the ducky for one or two seconds and then finalized his choice as the elephant. It was quite amazing to witness.
“That’s lovely!”
That has recently become one of my most oft-used phrase during meal times. The proper intonation for usage has to be dripping with sarcasm, as in, “that’s lovvvvelyyyy!” Some examples:
- Oh, are you stroking your hair with your blueberry oatmeal covered fingers? That’s lovely.
- Oh, you’re squishing grains of rice on to your forearm. That’s lovely.
- Are you flapping your arms when your hands are covered in fruit? That’s lovely.
- etc.
Grains of rice everywhere at the end of his dinner. With a big smile on his face.
