January 2011

No. And I Mean It.

Monday, January 31, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

The moment I first held her, I couldn't fathom a day when I would mutter the word "No" to anything she did.  Then, came toddlerhood. It wasn't so much that she was doing anything "bad." Most of the time, I was using the word "No!" to simply try and keep her safe. As in "no jumping on (or off) the ... Read More

Cowboy & Wills

Friday, January 28, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

I just finished reading the book "Cowboy & Wills" by Monica Holloway: www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Wills-Story-Monica-Holloway/dp/1416595031/ref=sr_1_1. These days, I'll admit that I don't read many books that have more words than pictures. I am reading this book for a review I am writing (I most often write about munchkins a... Read More

Feeling Fine

Thursday, January 27, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Tiny little fingers are amazing and can keep you very busy!   When it comes to little hands and fingers, first of all, they are the cutest little things (doesn't everything seem cuter when it's smaller?!). Secondly, when it comes to development, it's astonishing what those fingers learn to do over the course of a short amount of time! F... Read More

Yogaaaaaahhhh

Monday, January 24, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Yoga. I've been talking about this for a long time. Finally, I'm doing something about it. Have you considered yoga? When it comes to optimizing YOUR development, there are a lot of positives to practicing yoga. Check this out: Pre-conception: Yoga for fertility has recently been accepted by the Mayo Clinic because of the natural detoxification... Read More

Fabulous Fingerplays

Thursday, January 20, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Who needs toys?! Fingerplays are the PERFECT solution for engaging your munchkin, anytime and practically anywhere. What is a fingerplay? Here's a great definition I obtained via "Wise Geek:" Fingerplay songs are children’s songs that are designed to be accompanied by hand movements that relate to the content. They are used both ... Read More

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday, January 17, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

The date is January 17, 2011. It's Monday, and it's a national holiday.  Between sleep deprivation, trying to get a shower, and just *trying* to maintain balance as a parent and a person, I often overlook things that are going on in my community, in my world. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As I've mentioned in a blog written before, wh... Read More

What's Your Child's Job?

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Happy New Year! Yes, I realize this holiday passed nearly two weeks ago. I run a little late on most things these days. I call it my "kid exemption." Did you make any resolutions this year? These are still some of my favorites. What about your child? Did you think about what their goals should be for this year? I lo... Read More

Your Eats, Baby's Likes?

Monday, January 10, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

  Pregnant? First of all, congrats! What an awesome time (even if you may not always feel so "awesome!"). The moment you find out you are expecting, a multitude of changes seem to happen in life. Chances are, you are eating a bit differently these days. This may be the result of not being able to tolerate certain smells,... Read More

Safe

Friday, January 07, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Look around. When it comes to keeping our kiddos safe, ensuring their physical growth and development, there sure are a lot of contraptions. If you're like most, you never question cost; you buy and install. You baby proof. You do anything and everything recommended to keep the munchkin safe and sound. What about when you fly? As in, fly on an a... Read More

New Year, New Resources

Friday, January 07, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

I love the New Year...it feels like a new beginning filled with new opportunities and new adventures. What a great time to be a parent. Think about it...you've not only got friends and family, but other resources that are available (24/7) to answer your questions. Literally. Great sites like www.planningfamily.com/ give you information on ... Read More

New Year, New Growth

Monday, January 03, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Happy New Year! Hasn't time flown? Here we are again! When it comes to your developing child, the year ahead is sure to be filled with growth and new opportunities for learning! Where do you start? As a parent, what will your resolution be in order to best support your child? Consider... *Being proactive vs. reactive to your child's needs... Read More