Every parent knows the anxiety that comes when you receive a wedding invitation that says “children invited”. The first thought that rushes through your head is, how will I keep our daughter quiet during the wedding service? Now that my husband & I are experiencing life with a 2 year old – it’s amazing how many occasions arise where QUIET is required. Here are some recent situations we have faced where “peace & quiet” was required; a family funeral/memorial service, a nice restaurant with friends, an international flight for 8+ hours (have you heard of a child & parent getting kicked off a plane?!) and even a Basketball foul shooting contest.

When you think of QUIET you would NEVER think of a 2 year old.

Of course the gut response is…well don’t take your daughter. Sometimes, as we all know, that is easier said than done.

Therefore, I have created a Top 10 List of Tricks to Keep a Toddler Quiet (or at least my toddler!)
* Keep in mind, the tricks should be quiet, small, entertaining and easily done independently 

#10: Food! Of course this one is easy. But the tip is the food selection and package you use. Lesson learned from us; of course Goldfish is a sure winner but the package is LOUD. Transfer the fish to a small [quiet] plastic container.

#9: Don’t forget a Drink. WATER is ideal (no color in the beverage in case of a spill).

#8: A mini Etch-A-Sketch

#7: Save up 2-3 toys from the Happy Meal (and don’t let them see prior to the Quiet Event) Lesson learned from us on this one; make sure the toys don’t wind up or make a noise. You can imagine the scene when you take the noisy toy away from them. (yeah…we learned the hard way at a memorial service)

#6: A small ring notebook with a pen attached by a string (so they don’t drop it) and a roll of stickers attached to the front cover. Attachment is critical so it doesn’t drop during the event.

#5: Don’t forget a favorite animal or blanket. Try to by-pass on the pacifier. (there is something about a toddler in public with a binky that seems to cause the commotion you’re trying to avoid.)

#4: This one is specific for flights – but the video ipod with some free cartoon downloads is a great way to get 30-45 minutes of peace & quiet.
We once witnessed a couple out to dinner and they propped up their toddler with a DVD player on the table in front of her. That seemed quite excessive and a little too child-centered for us. Therefore, we have restricted this video ipod trick to long flights.

#3: Don’t try and switch up their normal routine in the hopes of them sleeping through the event if this isn’t their time to nap. Trust us on this one! (where do you think Bear got her nickname?)

#2: Sit at the end of the aisle, perimeter of a restaurant, or the outskirts of an event – this will make for an easy exit if things go terribly wrong.

#1: Have the “you’re a big girl” conversation before hand. It’s amazing how much children want to impress and please their parents. We talk about the need to be quiet and “you’re a big girl now”. We try to steer clear of bribery. THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS…when she makes it through a quiet event successfully – praise her!! We are so proud, you are so amazing, and you are such a big girl. On the flip side, when the quiet event goes terribly wrong…tell her she was a bad girl. It may seem harsh but how do we expect them to learn right from wrong and good manners from bad?

Of course these are just our tricks - what tricks have worked for you?

Volunteer. Give Back. Pitch in. Help out. Lend a hand. These are all synonymous terms. Regardless of how you refer to it, the opportunities abound, both individually and as a family, through businesses, faith-based organizations, government, nonprofits, school and youth groups, older adult groups, etc…

For quite a while now, we’ve been volunteering either as a family or individually because it serves a good purpose, it provides a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction (tell me you didn’t feel good the last time you helped somebody), and it can be a lot of fun. It’s a value I’d like to instill in Gus.

Some things we’ve been involved with: In addition to donations of food and such, we exercise the dogs (take ‘em for a walk) at our local Animal Rescue League. We’ve had many a Saturday afternoon go to the dogs. We sign in, and Gus picks the dog(s) for us to walk. I remember the Rat Terrier we walked in early spring, a real lovable little guy that was either cold or nervous or both – he was shaking quite a bit, so Gus nicknamed “Mr. Shivers.” The most memorable pooch tale was probably the amorous Eskimo dog that must have thought he was trying out for the Iditarod – he dragged me (all 200+ pounds of me!) about 25 yards – uphill - through the mud (at least I hoped it was mud). I didn’t even have to move my feet or shout “mush!” Sure, the dog got me all muddy, and in need of a chiropractic adjustment, but I’m sure he appreciated our time together, I mean he REALLY appreciated it - when he jumped up, he was so large he was able to hug my neck. We did a fleeting foxtrot right there in the field. It was like “Dancing with the Stars” meets Call of the Wild.  Judging by subsequent walks, he must have told all his buddies back in the kennel what a great time he had - I think mine was voted most popular shin at the shelter. But that’s a part of what volunteering gives us – memories. Plus Gus has developed a great way with the dogs and a healthy respect for animals through this experience. How we ended up adopting a kitten out of all this, I have no idea.

We’ve also recently volunteered in our area in an effort to clean up around a local landmark. The Pagoda sits atop Mt. Penn in our county. I find it ironic that most recognizable structure in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country is a Japanese style of architecture.  Anyway, the structure is in need of TLC before its 100th anniversary celebration later this year. So through my wife’s company, we joined a host of other folks who spent a day pulling weeds, painting, planting flowers and such. We met some really nice people, got to chat with the Mayor and generally had a great time. The free lunch they provided was a bonus (yes, I like bonuses, and no, it wasn’t Sushi and Shoofly pies).

I suppose Gus has seen some of the volunteer activities my wife and I have done over the years, and he’s very excited about the opportunities he has to help others and “do a good turn.” Later this year, Gus is going on a mission trip with his church youth group to Vermont to be of more service to people up there, plus he’s constantly engaged in helpful activities in our community with the Boy Scouts. I asked what he likes best about helping, expecting to hear something altruistic like “to leave this place better than I found it” or “I like to use my time and talents to be of service,” or “we’re all in this together, so we should help one another.” Nope. His response was quite simple: “It’s fun!” Quite right, my boy, quite right.

I know a lot of other parents here at Graco have done some volunteering with their families and I’m hoping to share some of their interesting stories soon as well.  I would love to hear from you too! What are your thoughts or experiences of volunteering with your family?  Let me know.

“I see good things in your future”

As the weather gets warmer, blowing bubbles becomes a favorite pastime in backyards across the country.  That is certainly the case for ”Toodles,” daughter of Kristie who is on our creative team here at Graco.  Blowing bubbles never gets old and you never get too old to blow bubbles!

Photo credit to Jennifer Breton Photography

Every Wednesday we’ll be sharing a photo showing off a little bit of wonder in the lives of our extended Graco family of customers, employees and friends.

I can’t believe it. My little Punkin’ Bear turned 3 earlier this month and while I was so caught up in the excitement details of planning her party, I’m just finally getting around to reflecting on all of the amazing developments she’s made in her first 3 years of life. I suppose it’s natural for parents to be reflective and sentimental at their children’s birthdays, which I indeed was, but what has really struck me recently is just how far she’s come in the 2 weeks since her big day! 

Ask most of my colleagues here at the office and you’ll know that potty training has been an interesting course for us. For the past 6 months, Punkin Bear has been hit or miss (mostly miss) on the training track. I thought for sure that moving into the “potty training class” at daycare with a more focused effort from her teachers would surely move the training along (plus a little peer pressure from her friends never hurts, right?). That was 6 months ago and the only thing it did was create a refusal on her part to wear baby diapers; instead only opting to wear big girl training pants.  Great if she used the training pants in conjunction with the potty training, but not so much when she decided to use them solely as diapers – especially given that they’re more expensive than diapers!

We tried everything we could think of to help the transition. We tried the reward system, potty training books, and even a potty poster where should could proudly display a special sticker each time we had success (which , by the way, she quickly learned that she only had to go a tiny bit in the potty to qualify for this special treat and that the rest could be left to her pull up!). As we got a little more desperate, we tried switching to pull ups that change temperatures to help children know when they had an “accident” and even decided to go cold turkey into big girl underwear.  Nothing worked. That is until her that magical day that happened just 2 short weeks ago– her third birthday.

 Somehow, I think due to part desperation and part “training exhaustion” on our end, my husband and I spent the weeks leading up to her birthday less focused on the instant win of potty training in the here and now; instead shifting our focus to make it more of an evolutionary process. So instead of focusing on “why didn’t you tell us you had to use the potty” we shifted to “big girls tell mommy and daddy when they need to go potty” and “when you’re 3, you’ll be a big girl so you’ll remember to tell us when you need to go”. By speaking to something she ultimately wanted – to be a “big girl” which in her mind began at 3 – we found our sweet spot which finally worked! Instead of trying to make it a process that worked for us, we found a process that works for her. And I have to tell you, success has been SWEET! Like a light switch, she has been fully potty trained since her birthday. Did I mention we’re going on 2 weeks straight?! She just decided to do it and did it. 

Amazingly, I was still fully prepared to take nighttime training as its own course – another evolution to come in the next few months. But Punkin has actually taken it upon herself to get up in the middle of the night, go to the bathroom and stay completely dry.

I’m just so proud of Punkin’ Bear. And, yes, while it is also a relief for my husband and me to have one less set of diapers to change (with BrotherSister due to arrive any day now!), I’m more thrilled about the fact that my little girl put her mind to something and did it on her own accord. It’s funny, but I’m really beginning to have an understanding and appreciation of the old cliché “It’s the little things in life”.

The irony of my job is that I’m surrounded by kids and baby gear all day but I don’t have children of my own. Don’t get me wrong, I love kids (I even had my own babysitter’s club for close to a decade!), but I’ve only been married for 7 months and we’re just not there yet.  So, even though I can set up and fold down a Pack ’n Play, with my eyes closed, in less than 60 seconds and I am constantly maneuvering through them in the halls at work everyday, the sight of one in my own home last weekend was- well- a little weird. No, it was not some strange work assignment- two real, live toddlers actually spent the night!  It was the first time children have ever stayed in my house, the first time there was “Yo-Baby” yogurt in my fridge, and the first time there was a Graco product in my house that was actually being used by a child.

Ok, I have to be honest; their parents were there too. My brother & sister-in-law brought the family up to stay with us for a night. Kevin and I were a little giddy about all of it. We were so excited to see them but- was our house child-proof? did we have the right snacks? what will they play with? do we have a place for them to sleep? Clearly, we were somewhat unprepared, so we came up with a plan to divide and conquer.  Kevin went to the food store and bought the kid-essentials (?)- apple juice, cheerios, pudding, and this fun snack we discovered- yogos! Thirty minutes later, and high off a sugar rush, I found myself at Target buying race cars and magna doodles. (wish I had read that post before heading out!) But not me! I also had to get the loop-de-loop race track for the cars. This was going to be great!

Soon enough, everyone arrived. Little JMC and APC burst through the door and gave us both a big hug. To our delight, the toys were a hit. Little race cars began flying all over the kitchen. We had the cars that could jump through flames (don’t worry, they were plastic flames). We set up a winners circle, and sent the “losers” under a nearby cabinet (where they still live and probably will stay until we move).

APC was busy with her magna doodle. She is just about 18 months and is starting to talk. It’s really so amazing to realize that this little person has something to tell you. She said “DANK OOH” (thank you) and “GU GUH” (good girl) with such enthusiasm, it had us cracking up. JMC is 3 and such a little gentleman. He was so genuinely grateful for the race cars, it blew us away- a testament to their parents, Matt and Maryann. I think when Kevin and I have kids someday, we might need them to move in- just for the first 5 years or so….

The night ended with all of us dozing off to The Backyardigans- the perfect end to a day of seeing things through a child’s eyes. I think we did well for our first visit. And yes, the race car track is still set up in our kitchen. You may just catch us on any given night, competing for the winner’s circle while popping a few yogos!

This past January I had the pleasure of meeting Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott and baby Liam at the Boom Boom Room in LA. Of course I was in awe of meeting Tori, who before I watched religiously on Beverly Hills 90210, I loved as Screech’s nerdy girlfriend Violet on Saved By the Bell. Yes, I have always been a fan of Tori’s, but now it’s not only because I appreciate her keeping me company on Sunday’s while I drown myself in drama-filled Lifetime movies that she stars in, now, I look at her as a role model. Tori is not only a successful woman, talented actress, she is most importantly, a loving mother.  With little Liam just turning one (!) in March, Tori will soon have her hands full as she is expecting a daughter in just a few weeks.

Now, I am thrilled to introduce Tori Spelling…

What is your favorite part about being a mom?
My favorite part about being a mom is seeing this little man, that Dean and I created out of pure love, grow and learn and become his own individual. And, knowing that I’m responsible for teaching him about life and love. It’s such a true blessing to be a parent. I just stare at him all day long in wonderment. He is so amazing and every day learns something new!

What is your latest wondorous moment with Liam?
Liam just started waving his finger at me and saying “No, No, No”. It makes me laugh hysterically. And, he’s so perceptive that whenever he does something that garners laughter, he keeps doing it.

What is the biggest thing you have learned since becoming a mom?
Since becoming a mom, I’ve realized that there are so much more important things in life than ourselves and what we have going on. When you see life created and watch it learn and appreciate the small things, it really puts things into perspective for you. Being a mom gives me the chance to relive things thru Liams eyes and appreciate things that I never took the time to appreciate.

Is there a family tradition you are passing down to your child or have you started a new one with your own family?
Family dinners are a tradition that I want to start with my family. Growing up we didn’t have family dinners all the time and I think they are very important. I want us, as a family unit, to eat together and be able to have a open dialogue about life. I want my kids to always feel safe that they can express themselves and talk to us about everything.

What is your favorite children’s book?
My favorite children’s book is ” Goodnight Moon”.  My mom read it to me as a child and now I read it to Liam.

What’s your favorite time of the day with your child?
My favorite time with Liam is first thing in the morning. When he wakes up we bring him into our room and we give him his bottle in bed with us. He nestles right in the middle of us and the 3 of us watch cartoons (age and learning approriate, of course!). It’s by far my favorite time of day.

What is your favorite Graco product?
Liam’s favorite GRACO product is the bumper jumper. He has it in the twist and shout pattern. He screams for us to put him in it and crys if you try to take him out. He could jump for hours if we let him. We put on tunes for him and he jumps away!

OK.  I admit it.  I’m not a newborn baby person.  There.  I said it.  Hopefully this doesn’t put me in the “Bad Mom” category.  I love my new little Hercules and I loved Boog when he was born too.  However, I didn’t fall head over heels crazy in love with my Boog until he started really playing, talking and interacting.

Little babies are good to cuddle and snuggle, but at the same time they’re little blobs that cry a bit too much for no apparent reason (did I mention that I feel like a bad Mom for admitting this?)

My two year old isn’t always sweet and he doesn’t want to cuddle as much as I’d like, but he’s filled with pure joy and pure emotion.  He sees and explores the world and lets me see it all for the first time again.

My heart aches when he’s sad and at the thought that he might not be as joyful at daycare as he is at home.  My heart leaps when I see him laugh and run and roll around.  And my heart nearly explodes when he hugs me, holds my hand, or cuddles up with his Dad.

I only wish I could be sure that I will always remember all the little things he does.  I’m trying to get them on video, but it’s never quite the same once the camera is rolling and it’s almost impossible to get the spontaneity of some of my favorite moments on tape. 

I’m doing my best to soak up every “Thank you, Mommy” (pronounced “Tank you, Mommy”), all the proud “I did it!”s), each and every “I cuddly” (what he says after a bath when he’s all wrapped up in a towel).  And I’m trying to burn into memory all of our hallway races (“I running!”), silly dances, and driveway sporting events.  My laundry pile is definitely suffering as a result, but until I learn to freeze time, I’m willing to make that sacrifice. 

I love the stage my Boog is in right now and while, of course, I want him to grow up, I kind of dread it too.  Not only will I have numerous more worries (Will he make friends?, Does he like school?, Is he safe?), but I’ll also no longer be the center of his life. 

I guess you could also call me greedy, but I just love my little guy to pieces and before I know it he won’t be my “little” guy anymore.

We have a small baby boom going on at Graco.  As you can see just from our blog contributors – 3 out of 9 of us are expecting (that we know of?!) and one has a 7 week old.  And they are all 2nd babies. We have had some great discussions on the differences between pregnancy #1 and pregnancy #2 and the superstitions that come with the later.

The challenge my husband & I are facing as we anxiously prepare for our 2nd baby is HOW do we most effectively manage this major life changing moment for the Big Sister, Bear?

It’s amazing the littlest things are becoming colossal decisions in our house. And I’m not sure if it’s the raging hormones that make my thinking irrational and overly complex, or if all mothers experience these same twisted emotions and concerns.

Here are some of the basic decisions that are seemingly impossible for me to make these days?

• Should Bear keep her current room and the new baby go into another room? I know it sounds basic, but I’m worried about Bear’s Bed (the crib) being the new baby’s bed. I can imagine the jealousy and misunderstanding she will have when the new baby is sleeping in her bed…so when is the right time to transition to the big girl bed?
• How do you do the introduction of the new baby? In the hospital or when you return home? You want it to be special and a moment to remember…or am I over-thinking this one.
• I’ve heard about parents getting a gift for the older sibling when the new baby comes home? Is this true?
• Are there any great Children’s Books to read to help prepare the Big Sister for this life changing moment?

How about a party when the baby arrives (not that I’ll be in the mood to have a house-full of guests)…but it would be fun for Bear to Host a “Come & Meet My Little Sister/Brother” party?

Again, I’m sure it’s the hormones blocking the ability to apply logic & reason to these basic decisions – but it would be great to hear what is working for others who have been here before.  Let me know!

It’s commonly known that the sense of smell is the strongest sense tied to memory.  I’m going to have to disagree here - it’s certainly my “sense of fashion” that has the strongest ties to memory.  For some reason I have committed to memory, every onesie, sleeper, creeper, jumper, sweater, jacket, hat, shoe and bathing suit that my children have worn since they were babies.  Actually since before they even entered this world!  I can remember which outfit I recieved as my first pregnant mom gift (those little onsies made it seem so real!), which outfits I packed to take to the hospital, which outfits my kids wore in their first few months home and then which outfits they wore to family celebrations or during milestone moments. 

When we found out we were having a girl the second time around, I realized that I wasn’t going to need a lot of Jagger’s clothes.  I wanted to sort through his stuff and get out any gender neutral stuff we could use for B and donate or give away the rest.  Well guess what?  I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  It wasn’t the thought of all the money that was spent on these clothes that I hated getting rid of them- it was all of the precious memories that were made when Jagger wore these clothes.  There was this one seersucker striped hat that Jagger wore at the beach when he was 6 months old that actually brought tears to my eyes- I didn’t even realize how tied I was this pile of old, worn-out clothes.  I seperated some of my favorites into a pile (which became quite large) and then got rid of most of the rest.  I sat on that bag of clothes for a while until I found this. That was it.  This is what I was going to do with all of Jagger’s old clothes!  I was so happy to not have to throw away his clothes and that I had a way to keep all those wonderful memories alive in my mind. 

My mom gave me this quilt on Jagger’s 3rd birthday.  From top left to bottom right, these are the memories that will be with me forever: Riding in the wheelbarrow in our backyard, my first mother’s day, your first birthday (when we told everyone you were going to be a big brother!), the first birthday party you ever went to (they had a moonbounce!), your first Christmas (sweater & shirt), your second year school picture, the first time you held your little sister (she loves you now!), your 2nd thanksgiving (first holiday as a big brother), the first time we left you with a babysitter to go to a concert (Pearl Jam!), your first jacket (exploring your new backyard), your first pair of jeans (look at those muscles!), your first Thanksgiving (pants & sweater), playing with one of your favorite toys, and lastly, memories of you starting to be a little monkey and try to climb on everything!

So the next time you are sorting through old clothes and not wanting to let go of all those memory-filled outfits, hold on to them and create something that will help you remember all those special times.

I’ve got a question for you: what happened to turn my son from a soiled, smelly and satisfied-with-it sixth grader into a clean, aromatically aware thirteen year-old in a matter of months?

Could it be:
a) The fine example of immaculate personal hygiene set by his well-groomed paternal parent?
b) An overzealous attempt to draw fewer flies?
c) An early teenage attempt to melt adult eyeballs?

Or

d) Junior high, hormones and girls (not necessarily in that order)?

The boy has discovered Axe. He finds it fragrant.  All the boys must find it so.  I’ve compared notes with other dads I know and this situation seems to be reaching epidemic proportions. Just ask any of your watery-eyed friends with a junior high boy why their eyes are on fire. I bet they’ll sniffle a similar story.  Some of the boys even carry their spray cans to school “just in case.” Just in case what? In case there’s an immediate need to eradicate innocent olfactory nerves ?

Unfortunately, Gus’ vocabulary doesn’t include the word “moderation.” He bathes in Axe. He slathers it and sprays it. He’s certain it makes him smell good. So his 13 year-old logic says the more he uses, the better he smells. What he doesn’t realize is the more he uses, the better chance he has of peeling paint off of the walls.
I’m sure in his pubescent exuberance he thinks it helps attract girls (now that he’s in junior high, he’s going to dances and noticing girls) or maybe he just thinks it kills cooties.

I don’t know exactly WHAT he’s thinking, all I know is my sinuses instantly clog when I walk in the house (an act of self preservation on their part, no doubt), my wife has upped her dosage of allergy medicine and the cat has contracted what seems to be either a two-pack-a-day habit or a permanent hairball.

I’ve been trying to talk Gus into using smaller doses and I may have finally made some headway.
The other night, he said, “I think 9 out of 10 girls are allergic to the Axe.”
“Why’s that?” I wheezed.
“Because, like, nine of them will walk away from me because they start sneezing.”
“Yeah but why’s the other one walk away?” I snorted.
“Oh, she just she doesn’t like me to begin with,” he replied.
So I think he’s starting to catch on.

Perhaps that answers my question. It’s got to be letter “d”…right?( I know it certainly couldn’t be letter “a”).

Suppose my next question is: What else do I need to know about these 9 or 10 girls exactly?