Schlaf, Kindlein, Schlaf

How do you wean a baby? And how do you know when is the right time to wean them? There are many experts and books about this, but as a mother, there is no specific time line. You just know when it comes. And it will come. 

Among my two daughters, the youngest is breastfed since birth. She is almost 3 now, but I still nurse her to sleep. I have been telling myself that it is about time she learns to sleep without nursing and every time I try, there is always drama and lots of crying and wailing until I have no choice but to give in just so I can give everyone the peace and quiet they need, and so that I too can go to sleep. 

But tonight I have a small victory. The little one managed to sleep without nursing. There was of course, some, errr, lots of, crying that came with it but she fell asleep without mama's precious milk. And I too can now go to sleep.... Or write this short post to remind me of the this small victory, this milestone. ☺️ 

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf... Mama is here, always and in all ways. Good night. 

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Ideas to Prepare your Child for Kindergarten

If your first child hasn't attended school yet, you may be wondering how to get them ready for this big step. Many parents have helped prepare their preschoolers for kindergarten through some of the tips shared below. 

Read to Them

Reading out loud is one of the top early learning strategies that will prepare your youngster for the classroom. Start the tradition when your son or daughter is still an infant. Bedtime stories are a wonderful way to cuddle each evening and get ready for sleep. 

Create Learning Opportunities

Visit nearby museums and attractions as often as possible. If there is a zoo or aquarium in your area, it is an ideal way for them to learn about animals. While you are driving in the car, talk to them about what buildings you are passing and what happens in each place. Help them start to identity different colors of cars and what various road signs mean. Go on family adventures to national parks and other areas where they can learn about nature. 

Help Them Develop Friendships

Organize a small playgroup with other young ones in your neighborhood. Change the location of where you meet to create some variety. You can rotate between your homes or meet at different parks. Playing with friends can help young ones learn to share toys and take turns. These are important social skills that often help preschoolers adapt to the classroom. Young children should be closely supervised by a trusted adult at all times. 

Keep Them Healthy

Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits can build your child's immune system. Getting adequate rest and exercise can also benefit their health. Look for opportunities to teach about healthy food and activity choices. 

Kindergarten can be such a positive step forward in your preschooler's life. Look ahead and include one or two of these ideas into your schedule this week. The school teachers will thank you!

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Off to Kindergarten Soon

So my little Lilly is now 9 months, 1 week and 3 days old. She has achieved a number of milestones since my last post here. 

She can now pick her food so that we have started easting finger foods. She loves strawberries and (cooked) carrot sticks and butter cookies for babies. I also have tried integrating some boiled egg and beef into her lunch meals. She also gets porridge for breakfast and dinner, and for lunch she gets a mashed potato-vegetable combi. I always prepare her meals fresh for lunch. I know it is a bit tedious and time consuming but at least I know what she is getting. Besides, I am getting used making her lunch "mush".

And she now has three teeth! The fourth one is coming out soon too. In no time, it will be more and more painful to nurse her. We still need to work on her love for feeding bottles as she only will drink from it if the content is water.

She is also becoming more mobile. She has long been able to roll over. She still needs a little help from me when she tries to sit upright but I know that she is getting there. She can already keep her balance when sitting. She can almost crawl - she now goes on all fours or sometimes does the plank position. With a little bit more practice, I know that she will soon crawl on all fours. Time to baby-proof the house since I haven't started doing it yet. 

She is also still very shy with strangers, and doesn't want to be held by our friends when they come to visit. She would cry when they try to get her from me. But I know this is just a phase that babies go through and hopefully it will get better as the months go by.  

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3 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School

Childrens' academic performance has to do with a lot more than what goes on in the classroom Monday through Friday. In order to set your son or daughter up for success in school, it is important to provide plenty of support at home. Read on for a few helpful ways to do so.

Be Available for Homework Help

After school, do your best to take an interest in whatever assignment your child is working on, whether it's reading a book or section of a textbook, completing a problem set or writing an essay. If it has been too long since you studied any particular topic in school yourself and you're rusty, there are plenty of free educational resources New York NY available online to lend a hand.

Encourage Reading

Being an avid reader comes with a host of benefits for children and adults alike. Make sure to have plenty of books available in the home that are appropriate for your child's age group. Since kids tend to imitate their parents' behavior, making a habit of reading will increase the likelihood of your son or daughter picking up a book on a regular basis. Instead of watching TV after dinner, why not read together as a family?

Cultivate a Relationship with Your Child's Teacher

Teachers and parents are partners in educating children. Make sure that you attend parent-teacher conferences, and don't hesitate to get in touch with your son or daughter's teacher if you have any concerns about how things are going in the classroom. It should be easy enough to get answers via email or set up a time to talk on the phone.

Kids tend to be happiest when they are engaged with the material they are learning in school. If you sense that your son or daughter may be struggling, don't hesitate to enlist help from his or her teacher, an outside tutor or another resource.

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2 Must-Do's Before Your Baby Arrives

If you're expecting a baby, you probably have a list a mile long of things you need to purchase, things that need to be done at work or at home, or even an endless stream of worries keeping you up at night. While all of that is normal, it can also take its toll. And because your overall health is so important during this exciting time, making sure you prioritize now will ensure a smoother transition upon baby's arrival. Read on for two must-do's to add to your list. 

1. Have a Plan for Childcare

Childcare is one of the most important things you'll need to figure out, and it can also be one of the most stressful. Since stress isn't good for either one of you, placing this at the top of your priority list will serve you well. That way when the time comes for you to go back to work, you'll already have a reliable plan in place. 

Since it might take a while to find a provider, setting up tours ahead of time for a daycare center Batavia OH will help you narrow down your options based on your personal preferences and provider availability. 

2. Purchase and Install the Car Seat

While getting the baby's car seat squared away early might not seem like something that should be done way in advance, rest assured it is. By planning ahead, you'll give yourself plenty of time to research different options, purchase it and have it professionally installed into your vehicle. 

Since your baby's safety is paramount, don't hesitate to devote a good amount of time to choosing a car seat. Having it professionally installed is also a great idea, particularly if you're a first-time parent. The peace of mind you'll receive will be more than worth it. 

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Lilly's 1st Month

On your first four weeks, a lot of things happened. It was a busy time as we prepared for our move to Ludwigsburg. You came three weeks early into this world you see, but I think that is a blessing in disguise, then we were already able to establish some kind of a routine. Had you been born on the day that you were supposed to come out, it would have been a lot more stressful for all of us.

Phototherapy to reduce bilirubin levels in newborns with jaundice.

With the pandemic, it is not simple. We always feel afraid for you and your big sister. But with the observance of proper hygiene, wearing of masks and only going out when necessary, you are both healthy and safe. Almost a week old and you had to be admitted back to the hospital because you had jaundice and you had to undergo phototherapy to lower the bilirubin levels in your blood. We both needed to be swabbed for Corona virus tests. This is a protocol for all patients admitted. They pierced you very tiny hands and feet with needles so they could check your blood properly. Hearing you screaming out in pain broke my heart I had to get out of the examination room because it was too heart wretching to witness. Also, it really pained me to see you inside the incubator with nothing but your diaper on and your "swimming" eye protector for a total of 12 hours, with 6 hours of break in between. You did not know how to breastfeed properly yet at that time and my milk supply is still too small so that feeding you was a challenge. I had to give you formula milk to supplement the breastmilk that I had to regularly pump. Thankfully, the therapy was a success and we were able to come home three days after. 

It could be muscle reflexes but this was one of first smiles
captured on camera at about 3 weeks old. 

As you turned a month old, we finally managed to go breastfeeding all the way. Such a huge feat for me since it has been my silent wish and desire to be able to nourish my child with my own milk. I was not able to do it with your Nee-chan and I thank the heavens I was able to do it with you. We still have our mishaps sometimes🤦🏻‍♀️ especially when we try to find a comfortable breastfeeding position. It was a learning process for me, and all the sleepless nights made me feel very exhausted. I am thankful that your daddy is there to watch over you when he has the time and energy to allow me rest and get a few hours of sleep. 

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Two Months Into Breastfeeding

My breastfeeding journey wasn't easy at first. But I am determined to breastfeed my baby however it takes... And just like that, my baby is already two months old. And I am happy to say that she is exclusively breastfeeding. Yay!!! The days seem to fly by in a flash. The sleepless nights I can still count, and they are worth it... every second, every minute of it. Thanks to the encouragement and advice of friends, I was able to pull it through. So what did I learn in those two months of breastfeeding?

That your breastmilk does not come automatically at first. So you will have to nurse your baby as often as you can to stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. Never skip a meal. It is important to eat properly so you will have your strength and eating a well-balanced food ensures that you get the nutrients your body needs to remain healthy. Drinking plenty of water and nursing tea keeps you hydrated and ensures that you don't dry out. It is also important to get enough rest. There is always the temptation of doing house chores or other things when your baby is asleep, but trust me, you need as much sleep so you have the strength to feed especially in the wee hours of the morning. For newborns, they feed like every two hours so you need to be awake too when you baby needs to nurse. Support of your family is also very important. When they can look after your baby for a couple of hours so you can have some time for yourself  or you can get some restful sleep, that is really great. I am luck and grateful to have such a good team behind my back: a husband and a daughter who have been very understading of me and all my craziness.

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An Angel Is Born

My dearest Lilly,

You came earlier than expected. And nothing could have prepared us of your coming although we have been excitedly waiting for you since you were  conceived. It took years, you see, before I got pregnant with you. We have prayed for you and He has answered our prayers at a time when we least expected it.

I had my worries during the course of my pregnancy with you, because I was turning forty and there are lots of risks that go with a late pregnancy. But our Lord is gracious and faithful and gave us a healthy baby girl. There were complications during childbirth, but it was all perhaps for a reason. You are now 19 days old and growing bigger and filling our days with surprises and our sleepless nights with wonder. Looking back at what we have been through the past couple of weeks, I could say that you have been through a lot, that I still cry remembering your pain each time they wanted to get your blood samples for tests. The Corona pandemic didn't make it any easier for us, as it did not allow for hospital visits from other family members and friends but the positive thing is, we were able to bond better and have the time just for ourselves. 

There are lots of challenges, surprises that will come our way, in this journey together with you but I am positive and happy because everyone in the family is here to support you and me: your daddy, your big sister and even our dog Suki. For that I am grateful. We are all happy that you, our little angel, is born. And we have lots of plans with you, going on family trips and family adventures, or just spending lazy days at home.

We welcome you into our life, our little angel, our Lilly Anne. We thank God for you. Thank you for being born.

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Lilly Anne

Remember my post about which baby name to give our second child?

I had a list of girl names, carefully thought of and debated over. And all members of the family, well the three of us, got to vote and choose what would suit our little girl best.

And so it is finally decided! She shall be called "Lilly Anne".

And by the grace of God, may she grow up to be what her name embodies. My fervent prayer: that we as her parents and sibling, may be able to guide, support and nurture her to become the person that our Almighty has planned her to be.

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Welcoming a New Child

Children are a joy. They bring light, energy, and laughter to any household. But new babies, especially for first-time parents, can bring many unexpected hurdles and obstacles as mothers and fathers begin the magical journey of parenting. All adults should plan ahead in these three key areas before bringing a new baby home.

Safe Space

Babies need to arrive home to a safe environment free of hazards. This includes not only childproofing a home, with necessities such as outlet plugs, safety gates, and more but also ensuring the baby feels safe and secure in his or her designated sleeping space. Before bringing a newborn home from the hospital, parents should carve out a designated nursery space, preferably a room that can adapt and grow with the child over time as he or she transitions from an infant to a toddler. Guardians should make sure a crib, changing table, rocking chair, and comfortable carpets are placed on the floor for the baby to play. Of course, parents should ensure the nursery is well-stocked with diapers, clothes, bibs, and other baby necessities.

Health and Heart

Once a baby arrives home, it will soon be time for initial checkups at the doctor to assess growth and development while administering shots and vaccines for a healthy life. Parents should research pediatricians in their area and meet with physicians ahead of time to determine a mutual fit.

Loving Care

Before parents know it, it will be time to venture out on their first solo outing after bringing a new baby home. Whether it be an appointment, work, or a date night, parents should plan ahead and secure reputable, trustworthy childcare long before the bundle of joy arrives home. New families can screen in-home babysitters, interview nannies, or consider infant care Tampa to provide care for new babies. Regardless of the choice, childcare workers must be loving, experienced, and dependable to watch over newborns.

New babies bring life and excitement to the world. By planning ahead with care all parents will be ready to welcome their baby home.

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A Name for Baby No. 2

Naming a child is one of the most important decisions any parent is faced with. Because once a name is decided, the child will bear it all though his/her lifetime. It may seem like a Herculian task, and it can at times be so, but thanks for modern technology, there is now a vast database of boy or girl names, along with their meanings, origins or roots, and even name or Saint's days.

But how do you select the name for your baby? Parents may choose popular names, or names which have a relevant meaning for the parents, or they name their child after a person who has a great influence on them. What is important I think is that the child will be identify with the name, and not get bullied for it once he / she grows up.

Since we are having a girl, (yes! it is a GIRL!), it should of course be a girl's name. Our first daughter has two names and I want the second baby to have two names too. So we are thinking of the following names:

Lilly - it is both the name of the flower Lily in english and comes in 150 varieties. A beautiful flower, it is a symbol of purity. It is also the short form for the Hebrew name Elizabeth, which means "my God is abundance" or "pledged to God". My daughter loves this name and wants to name her baby sister so.

Emilia - the Italian name has Latin origins ("aemulus") and is the female form for Emilio. When translated, it means the zealous, the hardworking, the imitator. I love the ring of the "-iya" at the end and I think that when combined with softer names, it gives the person more character and personality.  

Grace - the name is derived from the Latin word Gratia, which means grace, beauty, mercy. In Roman mythology, the three Gratia are the three daughters of Zeus. In Christendom, the name has come to mean "the mercy of God."

Hannah - the name comes from the Hebrew word "channah" and has biblical origins. It means gracious, graceful and lovely. In the bible, the name comes from the mother of the Prophet Samuel and the prophet Hannah. 

Marie - the name means "the stubborn" and "the one loved by God". Marie is considered a variant of the name Maria, the mother of Jesus, which goes back to Mirjam, and therefore has a Hebrew origin. 

Claire - the name has Latin origins and is derived from "clarus", with the feminine form "clara" being used only after the time of the Romans. It means the bright, the clear, the radiant, the shining. The name is known for St. Clare of Asissi, the founder of the Order of Claris. This is also a good name to someone who stands out and inspires. 

So these are our choices. Which name combination can you suggest? I would really love to hear from you. I will reveal in another post what Baby No. 2's name will be once we have decided on one so look out for it!     

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Three Surprising Questions to Ask When Choosing a Daycare Center

Finding the right childcare options for your family may seem like a daunting task. While location, budget and atmosphere play a significant role in choosing the right daycare tampa fl for your child, there are some other questions you might not have thought to ask. Here are three things to address when weighing your options for childcare.

Find Out if Snacks and Meals are Provided

It may seem like a minor thing, but providing food for your kids can be a huge help to parents. Many facilities offer snack and lunch options for children enrolled in their program. Be sure to ask about what's included and what costs extra. It may be an important part of your budget and can also help save precious time in the mornings.

Inquire About Educational or Enrichment Programming

Even at a very young age, children are eager and ready to learn. Find out what types of programs your top choices offer to help you make a more informed decision. Ask if they plan any lessons or activities around math, science or reading, even if they are play-centered. Don't just ask about academics; inquire about enrichment activities as well. Music, art and even foreign language are some of the most common special activities that you could expect to see at some daycare centers.

Ask to See an Example of a Daily Schedule for Each Age Level

What matters most is that your child is in a safe place and well cared for. But you should be wary of a facility that does not have a set structure to their day. Children thrive best in a routine setting, so ask to see what the daily schedule looks like for each age level at the center. Not only will it help you know what to expect for this year, but you can also see what the future would hold if you stay long-term.

Don't skip the details when choosing a daycare center for your child. Asking the right questions can help you make the best choice for your family.

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What to Do If Your Loved One Can No Longer Live Independently

As your parents get older, it can be difficult for them to accomplish tasks that once came easily. If you think that your parent or loved one needs a bit of help living on their own, here are some strategies to try.

Consider Moving Back Home

Sometimes it is best for your parent to have a child living with them to assist with day-to-day chores and errands. This way, your parent can still maintain his or her freedom while having some help from a family member, and you are also less likely to disrupt their schedule or lifestyle. Moving home might seem like a drastic step, but it can be hugely beneficial for your parent and your relationship.

Look Into Home Care

Older folks with more persistent or complex health problems might require a level of care that you are unable to provide. If this is the case, hiring a home care worker might be a better option. To find home care workers in your area, simply do an internet search to see reviews and cost breakdowns. For example, if you reside in Washington, D.C., search for "home care washington dc" to find agencies near you.

Research Retirement Communities

A retirement community can be a wonderful choice for seniors who need some help or companionship, but also want to maintain a relatively independent lifestyle. As people age, they still need to surround themselves with a community of friends and family. Finding a retirement community where your loved one can engage in group activities and have on-hand assistance may be a perfect middle ground between living on their own and types of full-time care that is more hands-on.

Depending on the amount of assistance they require, it may be frustrating to think about living accommodations for your parent or loved one. However, with these tips, you are sure to find the situation that works best for everyone involved.

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My Little Girl's Frozen-Themed Birthday Party Part 1

My precious little Princess is finally six. She celebrated her birthday last Friday, February 28th and I can say that she really enjoyed it. After all, she was dressed up like Elsa, the beautiful and nice snow queen from the Frozen movie. After seeing the movie for the first time here in the Philippines, she immediately told me that she wants a Frozen party. So a Frozen party it was!

I only had barely a month to plan for this party for her and I am lucky because I've got two creative sisters and equally creative and crafty cousins who readily volunteered to help me out. It wasn't a breeze planning for this party since we were limited to what's locally available. After all, in a tropical country like the Philippines, who would even think to supply winter-inpired materials except during Christmas? But we managed to do it! I can't thank these wonderful girls enough!  

The star of the day before her birthday cake and cupcakes.

She chose the dress from the many images we found on Pinterest. It was a tutu dress which my cousin made for her. I bought the tulle, organza cloth and the ornamented ribbon from a local department store here and my cousin did the rest. Underneath, she wore a tube dress (which unfortunately was pink since there was nothing else available at the department store when we bought it) to prevent her from itching. 

Playing a game of Frozen Dance to break the ice.

For the party hats, we went for the Sven antlers for the boys and tiaras for the girls. The pattern for the Sven antlers we got from My Sister's Suitcase blog. The tiara was also cute and I initially wanted to make it too! But it was difficult to get the rubber sheets (or craft foam) and we only found the brown ones with glitter on them so we only managed to make the antlers. Luckily, we found the plastic tiara at a local party supplier for only Php 3.00 each so it was really a good buy! 

Wacky pose: the birthday girl with her cousins. 

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Getting Your Kids to Eat Healthy

As a Mom, it is always important for me that my little girl gets to eat nutritious food, and by that I mean fruits and vegetables. I count myself lucky because she is not so much into candies and chocolates. 

A temptation corner in the house...
I am lucky the little girl would ask first if she wants one.

Although I display a bowl of sweets on top of one of our chest drawers in the living room, she would always ask first if she can take a chocolate or candy from the bowl on those occasions when she feels like eating them.

A combination of fruit slices is good so they get a mixture of vitamins and minerals.

More often than not, she would ask for a bread sandwich or fruit slices for snacks.

On most meals, I usually include vegetables in the menu and I am happy to see her wolfing them down. And she would sometimes eat with her hands and would ask for another serving of rice.

A burst of colors for your warm meals. Plus they very easy to prepare too!

I guess a good way to keep your child interested in eating healthy and nutritious food is by making it look interesting for them. You can cook up colorful veggies together so it looks delicious: a combination carrots, peas, corn and paprika will be perfect to whet your child's appetite. You could also cut up interesting figures or form / arrange the food into interesting characters. A good example is how Japanese moms prepare the Obento of their children.

Fruits in skewers is also a good idea to get them to eat different kinds of fruits.

For fruits, you can always prepare a mix of it instead of just one so it looks colorful. Another interesting trick is to put the fruit slices one after another on sticks. You can also prepare a chocolate dip on the side to make it more attractive for your little ones. Your kids will love them!  

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What's Keeping My Little Lady Busy?

School is over since the middle of March and that means my little lady has all the time in the world to play to her heart's content. It also means more time for ballet, the one activity that's keeping her (and me) busy during the weekdays. She has ballet lessons every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and acting and voice classes every Monday and Wednesday. So expect us to be out of the house on these days...

My little lady has always loved ballet and so as parents, we try to support and nurture her interests so that in the end, she will grow up knowing of our support. I also believe that children should be given choices even at an early age so they will know that they have the option to choose.

Watch out for my little girl's recital on May 19 at the CAP Grand Auditorium, Davao City.

For their recital in May, they are doing a Broadway Musical Montage... Right now they are learning some songs from the Broadway musical "Annie" and I really find it cute. As for ballet, she is still at the Babies ballet so it's more of the fun side of ballet that people can expect. 

During one of their ballet classes... She was attentively listening to their instructor.

Guess I'll be one those stage moms in the event because I am just proud of my little lady!

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Taming The Toddler Bed

You’ve lowered the crib mattress as low as it can go, but your little one still manages to catapult himself out of his crib with ease; it might be time to consider curbing the crib and taming the toddler bed.

When preparing your home for this milestone, be sure you really consider the timing. If your toddler is already overwhelmed with other huge changes in his life like potty training, moving homes, changing schools, new sibling, etc., you might want to consider waiting until things slow down a bit. Toddlers have a tendency to get overwhelmed easily and will look for comfort in familiar spaces and things. Because of this, when it’s time to give up his crib, it might be best to wait until this is the only big change happening for maximum success.

In preparation for the big switch, it’s necessary to keep your toddler involved in the process. Discuss it with them at length, letting them know what to expect and what you expect from them (like staying in their bed all night). Perhaps, give them a vote on picking out their new bed, if that’s an option and let them help with putting their new bed together. The point is to get them excited about the new change and becoming a “big kid”.

Additional tips on choosing a toddler bed: If your child is going into a proper toddler bed, look for something close to the ground with sturdy side rails. For regular twin and full beds, side rails can be purchased separately from any specialty baby store.

When introducing the bed for the first time, keep everything else in the process the same as always. Same nap time or bed time routine, same sheets, blankets and favorite toys as always; and some experts even suggest placing the crib in the same spot as the crib was so the view from inside will be the same.

Most importantly, be patient. This is a big change for this little person. Aside from ditching the diaper, this will be the biggest change he will be going through. The trick is to stay calm, be reassuring, and prepare yourself for nighttime visits. When this happens quietly walk him back to his room with a kiss and a hug and then leave. Any lingering or prolonged cuddling will only encourage this behavior.

Last, it is a good idea to take extra safety precautions around your home now that your toddler has been freed from the crib. As much as we would love for them to listen to us when we say “stay in your bed,” we all know that toddlers often times have a mind of their own. If your child knows how to unlock and open outside doors, you might want to consider installing latch locks at the top of doors. Locking bathroom doors, refrigerators, and ensuring dangerous and/or expensive items are put out of reach is also a good idea.

Your toddler might know better than to climb on the counter and grab a permanent marker when you’re standing right there, but all bets are off at three in the morning. Rule of thumb, as always, is better safe than sorry. If you find that staying in bed is becoming an issue, consider a reward system similar to potty training, anything to keep the process and positive and happy one.

Good night and good luck!

This guest post is written by Nicole Yontz. Nicole Yontz is a stay at home mom in Arizona, a contributing parenting writer for WhatToExpect.com and a personal blogger at TheBetterHalfBlogs.com.

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Tinkerbell.... We Just Love Her!

Last Sunday, I decided I needed a little break before going back to writing... After church, we went to the cinema to watch the latest Tinkerbell movie: "Tinkerbell: Geheimnis der Feenflügel". It was the family's first time to watch a full-length movie and armed with popcorn, sodas and chips, we headed off to our seats. I was going to take a family photo as a souvenir of another one of "firsts" but I wasn't able to charge my phone so.... So much for my "preparations". Hehe!

But the movie was really nice. It is all about Tinkerbell discovering that she has a sister who lives in the cold and snowy side of Pixie Hollow. It was a great film that the entire family really enjoyed, especiall my little girl who so loves fairies and all!

And because she is one great Tinkerbell fan, she even sent an entry to a kids art contest that was advertised on Disney Junior.. Here it is and she drew it all by herself... Ain't it nice?

We didn't know who won yet but whether she wins or not, she will always be my great artist. I can see so much potential in her and I know that she will create more finer artworks in the days to come. Yes, I am one proud momma!

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Vacation Means A Day At The Pools!

It has been very hot lately and my little girl was very excited to go to the outdoor pool since she had a two-week break from the kindergarten. So we went last week. Not only once, but twice. She was so excited so that the day before we went swimming, she went with her Daddy shopping for arm floaties, swim ring and even swimming goggles. Then she happily said, "Ja! Nur einmal schlafen und dann gehen wir Urlaub!" (Yes! Only one more sleep and we will go on vacation!)

Yes, she equates swimming to a vacation! And we need not go that far... We only need to take the train to get to the outdoor pool or Freibad as they call it here. So one hot Tuesday afternoon, we went to Möhringen Freibad. When we got there, we headed directly for the kiddie wading pools (Kinderplantschbecken), which is a series of 3 pools, water cascading one after the other. The water was only knee waist-deep (my daughter's height as reference) so it is safe enough for little children. And since she is all geared up with her swimming accessories, we feel twice as safer.

My, did she have a lot of fun! There is also a playground adjacent to the pool with a sand box and water system where children can be creative and make sand castles. Plus there is an "Idiana Jones" ride that my girl really enjoyed!

It was a fun-filled afternoon and a very great day for a family bonding. On the way home, she asked: "Wann gehen wir noch mal in Urlaub?" (When are we going on vacation again?) to which I answered with a smile, "Mal sehen..." (Let's see...)

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How To Help My Baby Get A Good Night's Sleep

Learning to live with a baby in the house is a big challenge for even a seasoned parent, for every baby is unique. Getting the baby to sleep well is a big factor for parents, for when baby sleeps well so do the parents. There are countless tips and hints on how to help your baby get a good night's sleep, from blackout curtains to lullabies and pacifiers. Here are a few specific tips to help you be able to help your baby settle down and sleep well. A well-rested baby is a happy baby with well rested parents.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of where your baby sleeps is an important factor in facilitating a good night's sleep. The room should not be to warm or too cold. A cool temperature is ideal for sleeping. Warm enough for light covers or pyjamas to be comfortable yet cool enough to breathe easily and rest well. Most people sleep better under cool conditions, babies are no exception. Some babies need quiet to sleep while others sleep better when they hear muffled household sounds. Once you learn what works best for your baby, you can adjust the atmosphere accordingly.

Lighting is also something to consider in the baby's sleeping atmosphere. Most people sleep better without any bright lights shining in. All electronics and bright lights should be kept from the room when it is time to sleep. Lights shining in from outside can be blocked with blackout curtains. These curtains can also let baby sleep past the crack of dawn. Blackout curtains can be easily closed at bedtime and opened when it is time to wake.

Routine

A soothing bedtime routine can help baby wind down and get ready for sleep. This routine need not be rigid or stressful, the point is to relax both you and the baby and get the baby ready for sleep. A baby's bedtime routine can be a warm bath followed by snuggle time and a story or soft lullaby, anything that is soft and calming that allows the baby's body to relax and wind down. This is a very important part of helping your baby get a good night's sleep. A baby that is wound up cannot relax and go to sleep. This is true for most people of any age.

By setting up a comfortable sleeping space for your baby and keeping the temperature cool and the lighting low, you are setting the stage for a good night's sleep. Helping your baby get a good night's sleep can be smooth sailing with attention to atmosphere, including lighting, and routine. A well-rested baby is a healthier and happier baby—which is what all parents want for their child.

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