Not a great week. Jessicat has had diarrhoea and a painful nappy rash. She is now recovering slowly, but it has been upsetting to see her in discomfort. And to add to our woes, yesterday, I had my handbag snatched in Tesco's car park. That has led to much frantic phoning round to cancel and replace essential cards and items. It's all things that can be replaced, with the possible exeption of my diary, where I had recorded so many pivotal moments of Jess's first year.
Still, on the upside, we finally caught the mouse last night. No more unwelcome guests here! As Dave said, with the snap of the trap, and on the B of the Bang, our luck changed....
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Lots going on...
I've suscribed to Carousel magazine, which is the only magazine I know of that is devoted to children's literature. I found out about it by browsing the website of The Federation of Children's Book Groups. I would love to work for them! Whilst surfing, I also came across the I Can website. I Can is a charity that works on behalf of children with communication difficulties - a worthy cause if ever I heard one - and they produce some very interesting DVDs on how children acquire language skills and how the adults in their lives can support their developing communication skills. Dave and I watched one last night, and I found it fascinating. Wonder how many people know these are available for free (well, 99p P&P).
Some of our reads this week include:
I Kissed the Baby - Mary Murphy (makes Jessicat laugh)
We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Michael Rosen (ok, I know that Jess is a bit young to follow the story, but what better way to celebrate Mr Rosen becoming the new children's laureate?)
Goodnight Poppy Cat - Lara Jones
Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell (we are long overdue in acquainting ourselves with this children's classic).
Jessicat continues to do well. She is now venturing into lumpy food, so a typical day's eating goes something like this:
Breakfast - up to half a weetabix, followed by half a Frutapura
Lunch - something savoury and lumpy
Tea - something savoury, but less lumpy (mutual tiredness at this time of day means I take the path of least resistance - slummy mummy!), a yoghurt, followed by a rusk to practice self-feeding skills.
Jess continues to babble, gurgle and is now showing promising signs of being able to roll both ways. Life is so much better now than it was when she was a newborn; long may it continue.
Some of our reads this week include:
I Kissed the Baby - Mary Murphy (makes Jessicat laugh)
We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Michael Rosen (ok, I know that Jess is a bit young to follow the story, but what better way to celebrate Mr Rosen becoming the new children's laureate?)
Goodnight Poppy Cat - Lara Jones
Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell (we are long overdue in acquainting ourselves with this children's classic).
Jessicat continues to do well. She is now venturing into lumpy food, so a typical day's eating goes something like this:
Breakfast - up to half a weetabix, followed by half a Frutapura
Lunch - something savoury and lumpy
Tea - something savoury, but less lumpy (mutual tiredness at this time of day means I take the path of least resistance - slummy mummy!), a yoghurt, followed by a rusk to practice self-feeding skills.
Jess continues to babble, gurgle and is now showing promising signs of being able to roll both ways. Life is so much better now than it was when she was a newborn; long may it continue.
Thursday, 7 June 2007
More books...
Yesterday, Jessicat and I visited Filwood library and found they had a great selection of board books for babies. These are some of the ones we chose:
Good Night, Spot - Eric Hill
Night, Night Baby (from the Amazing Baby series)
Bard's Rhyme Time - Julie Aigner-Clark (I have to confess that up to now, I have not been the biggest fan of Baby Einstein products, as I don't like the idea of pressuring babies to develop intellectually or academically before they are ready, but Jess appears to like this book, and the rhymes are fun).
This Little Baby - author not stated. You just can't have too many surprise mirror endings as far as Jessicat is concerned!
I'm about to start The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which I have heard great things about, and have high hopes for. Have just finished and enjoyed Young Wives' Tales by Adele Parks.
Good Night, Spot - Eric Hill
Night, Night Baby (from the Amazing Baby series)
Bard's Rhyme Time - Julie Aigner-Clark (I have to confess that up to now, I have not been the biggest fan of Baby Einstein products, as I don't like the idea of pressuring babies to develop intellectually or academically before they are ready, but Jess appears to like this book, and the rhymes are fun).
This Little Baby - author not stated. You just can't have too many surprise mirror endings as far as Jessicat is concerned!
I'm about to start The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which I have heard great things about, and have high hopes for. Have just finished and enjoyed Young Wives' Tales by Adele Parks.
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
Summer is here...
I know that summer has really arrived when I need to crack open the Piriton, accompanied with a cool Zirtec chaser. Mmm....I'm not the biggest fan of summer.
However, it does offer the chance to savour life on our new patio, and Jessicat and me have been taking full advantage of this. Yesterday, we were outside and I was singing nursery rhymes (fortunately, all the neighbours were out), and reading Baby Goz by Steven Weatherill and a book from Rod Campbell's Look, Touch and Feel series. Jess loves being outside, and is amazed by the rustling leaves and ever changing sky.
Today we went to our first Baby Bounce and Rhyme at Wick Road library. Seeing how much Jess enjoys my singing(!) and nursery rhymes in general, I have become a vociferous advocate of the importance of rhymes for even the youngest babies. It's amazing how easy it is to learn them off by part - I guess the repetition and rhyme helps here - so that they can be recited at any time throughout the day.
Annoyingly, only limited progress on the rolling front. Jessicat can roll from front to back, but still seems to like a helping hand from Mummy or Daddy. Her second tooth is also coming through.
However, it does offer the chance to savour life on our new patio, and Jessicat and me have been taking full advantage of this. Yesterday, we were outside and I was singing nursery rhymes (fortunately, all the neighbours were out), and reading Baby Goz by Steven Weatherill and a book from Rod Campbell's Look, Touch and Feel series. Jess loves being outside, and is amazed by the rustling leaves and ever changing sky.
Today we went to our first Baby Bounce and Rhyme at Wick Road library. Seeing how much Jess enjoys my singing(!) and nursery rhymes in general, I have become a vociferous advocate of the importance of rhymes for even the youngest babies. It's amazing how easy it is to learn them off by part - I guess the repetition and rhyme helps here - so that they can be recited at any time throughout the day.
Annoyingly, only limited progress on the rolling front. Jessicat can roll from front to back, but still seems to like a helping hand from Mummy or Daddy. Her second tooth is also coming through.
Friday, 1 June 2007
New month, new books...
To coin a phrase from The Fast Show, this week we have been mostly reading:
Debi Gliori's Nursery Rhymes - with CD. I love the old fashioned rhymes included in this anthology, and the little facts that accompany most of the rhymes. The illustrations are great as well. I tend not to bother with the CD, as Jess would rather hear my voice (strange child!)
Peepo - Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Jessicat's introduction to these classic children's writers! Sadly, at the moment, she is too young to notice all the carefully crafted details that go into each picture, but it is lovely for me to read to her, as it makes me think of my grandparents' house and the good times we shared when I was a baby. One to revisit when Jess is older, methinks.
Wobble Bear Says Yellow - Ian Whybrow and Caroline Jayne Church. I love this cheeky toddler bear!
Messy Dressy - Helen Stephens.
It's Heaven Having You - Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban. Lovely rhyme with touching sentiment.
Elmer's Hide and Seek - David McKee
Ladybird Baby Touch Peekaboo Book - Jessicat is still at the stage where she loves to touch everything and she is fascinated by the different textures here.
I am really enjoying having Dave at home this week as well. We are getting better and more organized at going out; Jess has been to Bath and Broadmead for the first time ever this week. Frustratingly, she can still only roll one way - I CAN'T WAIT TILL SHE CAN ROLL BOTH WAYS!!!
Debi Gliori's Nursery Rhymes - with CD. I love the old fashioned rhymes included in this anthology, and the little facts that accompany most of the rhymes. The illustrations are great as well. I tend not to bother with the CD, as Jess would rather hear my voice (strange child!)
Peepo - Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Jessicat's introduction to these classic children's writers! Sadly, at the moment, she is too young to notice all the carefully crafted details that go into each picture, but it is lovely for me to read to her, as it makes me think of my grandparents' house and the good times we shared when I was a baby. One to revisit when Jess is older, methinks.
Wobble Bear Says Yellow - Ian Whybrow and Caroline Jayne Church. I love this cheeky toddler bear!
Messy Dressy - Helen Stephens.
It's Heaven Having You - Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban. Lovely rhyme with touching sentiment.
Elmer's Hide and Seek - David McKee
Ladybird Baby Touch Peekaboo Book - Jessicat is still at the stage where she loves to touch everything and she is fascinated by the different textures here.
I am really enjoying having Dave at home this week as well. We are getting better and more organized at going out; Jess has been to Bath and Broadmead for the first time ever this week. Frustratingly, she can still only roll one way - I CAN'T WAIT TILL SHE CAN ROLL BOTH WAYS!!!
Friday, 25 May 2007
Busy Lives
This is now a typical week for Jessicat, aged 6 months and 1 week:
Monday - am - see Sarah and Sean. He is still her favourite boyfriend, little minx!
pm - Stay and Play
Tuesday - Could be Baby Bounce and Rhyme at Keynsham library, or a meeting with Nanny, or a trip to feed the ducks. At the moment, this is most likely to be our free day.
Wednesday - Mornings are free; afternoons are devoted to Storytime at Wick Road library. A story, a craft activity and some singing, all for free. Libraries are fantastic!
Thursday - as of yesterday, Jessicat now goes to Jolly Babies, a music and playing class for the under 1s. In my opinion, not as good as Rhymetime, but still fun, and Jess loves the bubbles! I also enjoy having a chance to go to a different library and look round the shops at Broadwalk.
Friday - Rhymetime, followed by a trip to the library to choose our new books. Afternoons usually consist of a trip to the supermarket, to stock up with goodies for Dave and me for the weekend.
Back to the subject of children's books. I'm thinking of compiling a list of the top ten books that no baby should be without, based on my extensive experience of reading to Jess over the last 6 months. The list will comprise books that fit the following criteria:
1) Enjoyable for the baby - absolutely imperative
2) Bold, eye catching illustrations
3) Interesting text to read, preferably rhyming
4) Bearable to adults to read again and again
5) Make us want to explore more by that author
Watch this space. If you are a visitor to my blog, please leave any recommendations; I make a point of following up every comment or tip. Thank you.
Monday - am - see Sarah and Sean. He is still her favourite boyfriend, little minx!
pm - Stay and Play
Tuesday - Could be Baby Bounce and Rhyme at Keynsham library, or a meeting with Nanny, or a trip to feed the ducks. At the moment, this is most likely to be our free day.
Wednesday - Mornings are free; afternoons are devoted to Storytime at Wick Road library. A story, a craft activity and some singing, all for free. Libraries are fantastic!
Thursday - as of yesterday, Jessicat now goes to Jolly Babies, a music and playing class for the under 1s. In my opinion, not as good as Rhymetime, but still fun, and Jess loves the bubbles! I also enjoy having a chance to go to a different library and look round the shops at Broadwalk.
Friday - Rhymetime, followed by a trip to the library to choose our new books. Afternoons usually consist of a trip to the supermarket, to stock up with goodies for Dave and me for the weekend.
Back to the subject of children's books. I'm thinking of compiling a list of the top ten books that no baby should be without, based on my extensive experience of reading to Jess over the last 6 months. The list will comprise books that fit the following criteria:
1) Enjoyable for the baby - absolutely imperative
2) Bold, eye catching illustrations
3) Interesting text to read, preferably rhyming
4) Bearable to adults to read again and again
5) Make us want to explore more by that author
Watch this space. If you are a visitor to my blog, please leave any recommendations; I make a point of following up every comment or tip. Thank you.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Massive collection of new books
Ok, what have we got this week?
Hip Hip Hooray Helen Stephens
I Like Colours Barbara Jean Hicks
Peek-a-boo Jan Ormerod
Maisy Likes Playing Lucy Cousins
Shiny Seaside Helen Stephens
When I was a baby Deborah Niland
Where's Spot? Eric Hill
My Ladybird First Rhymes
Drift Upon a Dream - Poems for Sleepy Babies John Foster and Melanie Williamson
Plenty here for Jessicat and me to get our teeth into. This morning, I stumbled upon the website for Red House books. I am so tempted to go shopping, and given we are now down to one wage, this would be a bad idea. Common sense tells me we can get a fantastic range of books from our local library, but I know how lovely it is to have new books to hold, smell and savour. Will have a think over the weekend and decide if the purse strings can stretch to something that Jessicat might like to keep.
Hip Hip Hooray Helen Stephens
I Like Colours Barbara Jean Hicks
Peek-a-boo Jan Ormerod
Maisy Likes Playing Lucy Cousins
Shiny Seaside Helen Stephens
When I was a baby Deborah Niland
Where's Spot? Eric Hill
My Ladybird First Rhymes
Drift Upon a Dream - Poems for Sleepy Babies John Foster and Melanie Williamson
Plenty here for Jessicat and me to get our teeth into. This morning, I stumbled upon the website for Red House books. I am so tempted to go shopping, and given we are now down to one wage, this would be a bad idea. Common sense tells me we can get a fantastic range of books from our local library, but I know how lovely it is to have new books to hold, smell and savour. Will have a think over the weekend and decide if the purse strings can stretch to something that Jessicat might like to keep.
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