10 Fun Products For Ages 0-3

This week I am joining Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday to lists of some of the things the kids AND I have come to love over the past 3 years.

1. Blankets and Beyond

It's a blankie and rattle in one. Soft and fun for the tiniest little new one.

2. Fisher Price 3 in 1 rocking gym

Both of my babies have enjoyed playing with this activity center.

3. Picture Me Book

You add your own photo to this book. This one is personalized Ann Gedes motifs. Z has loved reading this together and it will be a special keepsake as well. I've already put in a request with grandma to get one for SJ too!

4. Leap Frog Learn and Groove

Even from the very first years all kinds of musical instruments are a must have in our home.

5. Hug and Learn Baby Tad

I love this frog! There are lots of great educational songs and features for daytime and a soothing night time setting that plays classical music (I have listened to these songs HUNDREDS of times).

6. Fisher Price 3 in 1 Rocking Gym

Did I already mention this one? Well, it can be converted into a rocking toy when your child gets older and so it's really like two separate items. This particular toy has gone through over 4 different kiddos so it obviously holds up well.

7. Crocs

They aren't a toy or a book, but I can't leave them off the list. Crocs was literally one of my sons first words. They must be comfortable because he would wear them all the time (with or without clothes as shown in #4) They are great indoors, outdoors, in water or mud, and they clean up so easy!


8. Samsonite Penguin Back Pack

This has been the most COMPLIMENTED accessory I have ever known. The beaks squeak and makes carrying your own stuff fun, which means a lighter load for mom and dad!

9. Crayola Tadoodles Paint


I am all about anything that allows children to be artistic and this paint is easy for babies to grasp. It is also easy for mom to clean, it comes off of anything!

10. The Noisy Airplane ride

In 3 years Z has been on 10 airplane rides, and SJ has flown twice. This book helps children learn about the airport, flight, and what to expect along the way.

It's hard to sift through all of the stuff that you supposedly need for a child to grow and flourish developmentally in the early years. While this list isn't exhaustive, these are some of the things that I've found helpful or enjoyable so far. What about you?

Fairness and the First Born

We all want to be fair when it comes to our children, but lets be honest it isn't always that simple. There aren't quite as many photos and you may not keep every little sentiment for the scrapbook with each subsequent child like you do with the first born. The first one comes along and you watch their every move. Their first drool, first coo, first time to wear brown, you name it it's documented. They color all over the novel you are reading and you tear out the pages to hang on the fridge.

I heard a stand up comedian once (I think it was Jim Gaffigan, but not sure) who talked about this very situation. He described how every move is photographed and filmed with the first baby and then the second one comes along and you are excited because they are taking their first steps. Someone mentions the idea of getting the video camera and when you realize you would have to go ALL THE WAY UPSTAIRS to get it you decide to just take a mental snapshot instead.

Although it may be different with the second one it's not necessarily a bad thing. I was so anxious for the next milestone with Z. Checking for his first tooth, watching and waiting on the edge of my seat for him to crawl and maybe even bribing him at times. I was slightly obsessive and technical about each achievement. I counted how many steps he could take without falling. After several days of this, I was counting up to 63 steps and I finally decided I could officially say he was walking.

With SJ I may not dote over her quite as much as I did with Z, but I am also not as anxious for her to grow up. Sure I get excited when I happen to notice her doing something new. I want her to do all the things she needs to learn to be a healthy thriving baby, but I am perfectly content with the stage she is in. No bribing and obsessing this time because now I know that crawling, walking, and talking, will come soon enough!

Is just me, and the comedian that I mentioned, or does anyone else feel like they may not have reacted to every milestone the same with each child?

52 Weeks

Yesterday I finished up my rhyming recap of the past 52 weeks of blogging. When I began blogging a couple years ago I had no idea what I was getting into, but it sounded like fun. I have always loved writing whether it be journaling, poetry, or school projects. My family can verify that writing has always been a part of me. Although blogging is a wonderful way of connecting with people, I am not going lie, it can be intimidating. Especially when you read a profile that's like

"I am just your average mom. I occasionally model for J. Crew, where I also work as a full time designer. I love to work out, and travel. You can read more about me in my best selling book "Your Average Mom". Thank you for being the One Millionth person to read this today!"

Okay, I've never read that profile, but some are pretty close, and it shouldn't matter, but the ugly, jealous, insecurity in me rears it's head in times of vulnerability. Thankfully I know God is watching out for me and no matter how many times I forget his promises he is patient enough to redirect my steps. One day when I was feeling especially glum about the blog life, a series of coincidental clicks led me to a post called If Blogging Makes You Feel Small and it hit the spot!

Nothing gives me quite the sense of fulfillment and inadequacy all at the same time like blogging does and I love it. Here's to creativity, growth, encouragement, self expression, and memories. Here's to another year of blogging.

2010 Blogiversary Poem Part 5

Previously on messymom.com: 2010 Blogiversary Poem parts 1, 2, 3, & 4

Week 41 I blogged about visiting my family all the way out in northern Kentucky

Then we were hoping to get answers from Lost, but unfortunately were not so lucky

On week 43 I went back to work, after being on maternity leave for quite a while

Then I wrote all about my boy riding horses, going potty, and his brand a new hairstyle

I revealed SJ’s new room on week 45 and we watched a father’s day movie outside

Things were good until the next day when a big hummer decided to bang up my ride.

On my birthday week I won a photo contest.

And I told you all that SJ sucks her thumb

Then I shared 10 trends I am not into, and it was the 4th of July so that was fun

The following week was week 49 time to for the potty training two part series

I wrote a post called the truth about parenting, which had some pretty interesting theories

We discussed what to do with all those awkward photos of exes and opinions varied

On week 52 I linked up a bunch of post just before my blog disappeared (that was scary!)

2010 Blogiversary Poem Part 4

The next week I shared the birth story and pictures because I just couldn’t wait

Then on week 32 I showed a special video along with a two week old baby update

On week 33 I was still bloggin’ about baby with plenty of photos all throughout

More of this on week 34 when our family began to venture out of the house

Life was good, but a bit of an adjustment thus the reason for only one post this week

But then came Easter, birth announcements, and even a little earth day sneak peek

Week 37 was so very intense I wrote about it in post called my my my…

It was a season full of firsts for SJ like her first dress, and first smile at a very special guy

My credit card numbers had been stolen, and I still had to go swimsuit shopping

Busy Busy Busy, was the story of my life and the craziness showed no signs of stopping


This goes along with part 1, 2, & 3 with one more to come!

2010 Blogiversary Poem Part 3

On week 21 we looked back at the fun, like thanksgiving time, and homemade jam

I recapped all of 2009, which was hard sum up because the year was so slammed

The much anticipated maternity update, natural birth talk, and belly photos galore

I talked about some of the jobs that I’ve had and what they taught me on week 24

On week 25 I put the focus on Z and all of the things that we know him for best

Then a month before I had my baby I announced that I would start blogging less

Week 27 I got REALLY REALLY SICK. And we also had record breaking snow

This was probably the worst I have ever felt and I was miserable for 2 weeks in a row

By this time my due date was right around the corner

and Z was learning to baby sit

I wrote a post about preparing for the birth while I was in labor but didn’t know it

2010 Blogiversary Poem Part 2

See Part 1 here

The week eleven topic was body image it’s hard to feel good about yourself in this world

By this time I was half way through the pregnancy and found out I was having a girl

Week Thirteen was all about drama such as the terrifying moment when I lost my son!

Then we celebrated being married nine years, for richer or poorer he’s still the one.

Week fifteen was all about autumn,

Oktoberfest, and pumpkins, and trunk or treating

Then we drove all the way to Nashville and barely stopped for sleeping and eating

Ho ho ho. It’s already December where posting about Christmas never gets old

Week 18 we were decorating for Christmas 100 winter penguins is still my goal

I created home made Christmas labels and gave an unappreciated Tae Bo gift

Then came the week of Christmas itself

where even us Texas were all snowed in


Check back tomorrow for part 3.