While I'm reading to my little one, I give him a plastic book to play with or give him the junk mail to 'play' with (this play includes ripping and putting the paper in his mouth).  I have also gone to a bargin shop and pick up a few board books.  They still go in the mouth, but I don't mind as they aren't the good books.  Board books are also a good way to teach him how to turn pages, and after about 2 months of use the board books are still going strong.

I have been giving Koen small amounts of cows milk in a sippy cup for a few weeks.  Being only about 9 months, breast milk is his main drink, followed by water at meal times and then we give a small amount of cows milk once a day.  I first gave it to him just to see what he would do, and from day one he has enjoyed it.  I am careful to only give him a small amount given his age.  20 - 30 mls is enough and he drinks that well with no problems.

Koen doesn't mind getting his face wiped clean of food, but with his first stuffy nose this week it was a real challenge.  There was snot all over his face  from using his hands to rub his nose and everytime I tried to clean it there were big tears.  In the end I gave him the wet face cloth to hold and suck on while I grab a spare corner of it to clean the nose.  This worked most of the time and kept his hands busy.

We like going out to the backyard and feeling the different textures and feelings of things out there.  The rough fence, the smooth iron of the shed, the green leaves and grass etc.  Sometimes we sit out on the front step and watch the cars go by saying the colour of the car or what type of car it is.  Koen loves the big trucks.

Thanks for all of the ideas.  K is almost 9 months and still no sign of teeth.  When they do come I have got some great ideas from your post

My brother and sister are leftys, while I'm the middle kid and am right handed.  Baby Koen I believe is favouring his RH at present.

Thankyou so much.  Changing my little one has been the biggest challenge of late.    Something so simple turns into a marathon struggle.  In the end the nappy is put on crocked while standing him up.  I think the mirror will work a treat.  We will try that one tomorrow morning

Koen has started to regonise what "don't touch" and "no" means.  Hopefully we won't have to move everything in the house that is down low!

My little one spends most time with me, but once a week for about an hour we go to mothers group.  He seems to really enjoy the other children.  they are all roughly the same age.  I see him chatter alot more and explore the other children by gently touching their arm, leg or face.  Toys get mixed up every now and then, but so far nothing 'bad' has eventuated from that yet. 

When I go back to work, I was concerned that as it will be looked after by his grandparents he would not be socialised - only because so far he seems to really enjoy the other children.  I do hope that he will get an hour or two a week with other kids, but if he doesn't, I'm not too concerned as he will get it when he goes to pre school at 4 years.  I look back on what happened to me and by brother and sister, we stayed at home with mum and grandma, and I think we all turned out ok!

mmm, makes you think.  all we all want to do is what is best for our kids.  we have the tweedle wink dvds.  i sit and watch the lessons with my little one.  they are presented in a very relaxing way and so far he enjoys watching them.  i like the quiet cuddle time we get together on the lounge.  as tweedle wink and many others say, a loving relationship with your child is the first step to successful learning.  the dvd's give us another avenue for together time just like books, flash cards and play time.

AI felt like a cat coughing up fur balls.  There was so much hair coming out, especially when brushing or while in the shower.  I haven't done anything different as I read that it is just part of the pregnancy thing.  My shedding is just about back to normal, but it has taken about 4-5 months.

While Koen is asleep I catch up on the Sunday newspaper or sit out the back and play with the dog.  Of course there are always the jobs that have to be done around the house, but they aren't going anywhere

I was 34.  That worried me a bit as, as with most people I was worried that something would go wrong.  During the delivery I kept blacking out and it felt like I was just floating above everyone.  Nothing was wrong, but because of that I'm reluctant to go through it all again.  It was such a strange feeling.  Now that Koen is here, I feel being a bit older works for me.  I seem to let things not bother me as much, don't worry about the little things I can't change or the mess.  For me, if I was younger I don't think I would be as easy going.  Everyone tells me how relaxed I am with him and I think that comes from being older.  Only problem is that I feel like I'm going to be the old mum in the playground or at the school yard.  But as I said earlier, can't do anything about that, so move on and forget about it

I have a hot chocolate or mocha on special occassions, well mainly when we go on holidays.  Other than that I usually stick to water, it's great.  While giving Koen water from his drinkie cup today we made up a niffty little song that he laughs at each time.  It's actually an adaption, but here is how it goes:

one, two some water for you
three, four I know you want more
five, six have another sip
seven, eight drink it down straight
nine, ten lets start again

simple, but he likes it.

since i have been at home, we have hardly used the car.  I can't remember the last time we put petrol in it.  I try to walk into town, up to my mums house and just everywhere.  Now that summer is here and the weather is really warming up, I just have to be careful not to have Koen in the pram for too long, and I always make sure he is protected from the sun.  Not only are the walks good interaction time, they are great exercise and of course as mentioned earlier we save $ by not using as much fuel.  Oh, we have even gone walking in the rain a few times, it is really quite nice and a different sensation for Koen.