1m2aSandbox

While visiting relatives recently, Maddie had her first encounter with a friendly animal.
 
And big surprise, it wasn’t a cat.
 
Maddie met her aunt and uncle’s black lab Amy, and I’m not sure who walked away from the situation more smitten.  Amy’s still a bit of a puppy herself at around two years old, and she was more than ready to join a Mutual Admiration Society.

Well, it’s happened; I’ve had my first “Sunrise, Sunset” moment.
 
She’s crawling.
 
A few days ago Maddie was playing happily on her bedroom floor as I put her clothes away.  I was half watching her play, half putting clothes away, and half looking about the room mentally babyproofing. (Everyone knows mommies do 150% all the time-)  One moment, Maddie was on her hands and knees doing the rocking thing, which she’s done for a good month now.  A bright pink swim bottom caught her eye a few feet away.  The next thing I know, Maddie’s chewing on said swim bottom.

Last weekend Maddie was officially inaugurated into that great American tradition, the Road Trip.
 
We took a spin down to visit some family and friends, christening Maddie’s new convertible car seat.  I confess, I was a bit apprehensive at the thought of putting her through a five-and-a-half hour car trip, but she handled it like a pro. 
 
Though the five-plus hour car trip did turn into a seven-hour car trip.

Finding a nursing bra that fits can seem an overwhelming task, I know.  My friend Rebbecca Rosen, the owner of Breastchester, Inc., is an expert on the subject, and I asked her to let us poor lactating mommies in on her secrets.  Click below to get the inside scoop –

 

Jennifer

Madeleine had a few firsts recently, all in one fell swoop –
 
Her first real playdate (as opposed to two newborns lying side by side on a blanket)
Her first real interaction with a boy
Her first case of assault by said boy
 
Yep, it was a busy afternoon for my girlie.  We had my girlfriend Renee in with her baby Elijah.  Now, Eli’s three months older and twice the weight of Maddie; the kid’s a real bruiser and, if his dad and uncle have anything to say about it, a future linebacker for first the Tennessee Vols and then the Tennessee Titans.  Maddie’s knee-deep in her fascination-with-other-babies phase; she’s simply hit that age where she realizes there are babies other than her (Quel Horreur!) and is captivated by them.  Thus far, though, all interactions have been more of the waving-hello-from-one-mommy’s-lap-to-another’s variety; no up close and personal play time with toys and open spaces.

So far, I’ve covered things to think about as you decide where to register, how to approach your registry, and specific items to consider for your list.  It may seem odd that I’m going to talk about what not to register for, but it’s a legitimate topic.  Since I didn’t cover everything you’d probably put on a registry, you may think I left these off because I assumed you’d know to add them.  But my girlfriends and I have discovered through experience that there are some things best left off the list.
 
So in my opinion, here’s what to avoid putting on your registry: