The Crocheting Mom

If you are looking for a place to travel to with your kids, and you even remotely close to Indianapolis, I highly suggest you make a trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  It is over 400,000 square feet and spread out over 29 acres.   It is THE largest children's museum in the world.

I love summer.  And, for the most part, I love spending summer with my kids!  LOL.  As long as the bickering stays to a minimum we'll be good.  I usually try to plan a lot of activities to keep the kids busy and active, mentally and physically, through out their time away from school.  Back when I was a kid, my summers consisted of staying with my cousins and swimming in their pool, or staying with my grandparents, and going to the beach down the street.  I was pretty busy, and I loved it. One of the things that we do every summer is: Summer Reading Programs.  We find all the ones we can, and my kids have fun tackling them, eager to earn their prizes.

I love Melissa and Doug products! They are so well made, and are very educational and developmentally appropriate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  As an affiliate with Melissa and Doug, they have given me permission to let you all know about an amazing deal they are having right now!!!!  By clicking on my link posted in this article, you will receive 20% your total order over $50!! Those are amazing savings.  Hint, Hint:  It's never too early to start Christmas shopping!!

I was reviewing some of my older posts earlier and one in particular caught my eye.  I had written about things that are not needed when preparing for a new baby.  While that is important information (that can be read here ) so that you don't waste your money, I thought it would be even smarter to inform all of the new parents of items that are essential.  I have 3 children, and while I am definitely not a parent expert, I have been around the block a few times, and have learned the ins and outs of what's really needed.

My son likes 3 television shows these days.  His favorite, currently, is Veggie Tales.  This favorite sprung from a book he received for Christmas.  Every since he got that book, and had everyone in the house read it to him repeatedly, he just cannot get enough of that talking cucumber and tomato !

I was asked to make a lovey blanket, about half the size of a regular baby blanket.  She wanted it for her little one to be able to carry around, without tripping over, or so big it dragged all over the ground.

Are you trying to find a new sitter?  Are you trying to figure out some good questions to ask?  Everybody's situation is always a little different but maybe my questions will help you out.

My 21 month old son was sick last week. He had a low fever the first 3 days of which I really didn't even notice unless I was hugging him because his body was so HOT.  He acted fine though!  He was running around and eating like nothing was wrong.  I called and the nurse line at the doctors office and they said to call back in a few days if he still has it. The nurse just said he was fighting something off and it's body is doing what it needs to.  I could give a little tylenol or ibuprofen to help the fever, but there wasn't any concern at all.  

How cute is this little unicorn?  I had a customer ask me if I could make one for her and she showed me a few pictures of what she was looking for.  She wanted something small enough to go on top of a diaper cake, but still big enough for a baby to grow and cuddle with.  This is what I came up with.  I don't often share patterns like this for free, but it's just so cute that I wanted everyone else to enjoy in the magic of this Unicorn! So here's my FREE Crocheted Unicorn Pattern.  If you would like to buy this already made you can here at  MY STORE .

I'm pretty laid back when it comes to potty training.  At least I have been with my middle child, Lilly.  I had my third baby when she was 2.5 so although it would have been nice to have her in underwear, I really did not have the time, or energy, to get her potty trained. We tried here and there at first, and she kept having accidents.  Finally, she was pretty much potty trained soon after she turned 3, and was entering school.  From day 1 at school, she was in underwear.  The teachers were fine with it which was great.  She had a few weeks where she had a couple of accidents, but soon we were finally there.

     I love to crochet.  Obviously, I am The Crocheting Mom after all!  Up until recently though, I've gotten my patterns from other people.  Then I started to figure out my own way to make things, but never really wrote it down.   I've had people ask me before for my patterns, but they were written in scribbles, or my notes on the computer, in a sequence that only I would be able to understand.  Until now.  These past few months I've started to create my own patterns.

For me, having one baby was easy.  Then, the transition from one child to two children was also extremely do-able.  So, I figured, adding one more to the mix would be a breeze! Boy was I in for a wake up call when I had my third!!!!

     As a parent to a newborn, and now three children, I find life to be even harder.  Knowing this sweet boy is my last baby, I tend to spoil him to some extent.  When he cries or fusses, we pick him up to calm him down.  He loves being in arms and being cuddled, so we continue to do it, because essentially, it seems easier than hearing him cry.      My mistake!  Now, he is in my arms ALL THE TIME I feel like.  Therefore, I have learned to do many things around the house with one hand, or at least with him in his carrier on my front side.

Last weekend my oldest, Ashley, had a cheer competition out of town.  Out of state actually.  It was only two hours away, but with having a newborn, a competition early in the morning, and the impending snow that we were going to get, we decided it best to get a hotel for the night. Were we crazy?  A hotel with 3 kids, one being just a month old?

     The day of, or day after, having a baby is usually a whirlwind for any mother.  Whether the baby is her first or not, the amount of people coming in and out of the hospital room can be a tad overwhelming.  During this time, the hospital photographer will usually pop in and ask if pictures are wanted.  I don't remember this happening with out first, maybe because it was a military hospital, but it did happen with our second.  They come in while your are still in a euphoric state, completely in love with this new baby you have in your arms, and they take advantage of this and ask if you want pictures.  Pictures?  Why of course I want pictures of my precious baby.  What would it look like if I said no?  No, I don't want to remember this day with beautiful pictures?