Love This!

In an attempt to provide some new stimulation for my ever developing little brainiac, I searched the web this afternoon for toys and came across this really cool wooden walker. Unfortunately, we have no need for it, since somehow we have managed to accumulate 4 different types of plastic walkers, all of which even combined, are no where near as neat as this one. The beauty and sustainability of the wood are great and all, but I really just love the idea of the woodpeckers clickity- clacking as they go along. I hope someone out there will snatch this up for their own pre-walker. Otherwise, if anybody has a need to borrow a plastic one, you know who to call.

Que Sera Sera

We have officially reached that stage...the into-everything-gotta-watch-her-every-move stage. Last week, we went to a birthday party for Elle Theis. Willa and I were playing on a blanket on the lawn, watching the older kids blow bubbles. I looked over at Willa and noticed she had something in her mouth. Remembering that she had already finished off the last of the Cheerios, I did a finger sweep and pulled out a leggy, black insect. I know it's hard to tell by the looks of her lanky stature, but she gets plenty to eat.

And she has toys galore. Our dollars (and gift cards) were very well spent on a plethora of tacky infant necessities, like the Rainforest play gym, Johnny Jump-up, monkey-themed activity walker, and an array of educational, music-making toys, rattles, board books, and balls. Our best purchase, though, was the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo, a noisy, flashy, primary-colored monstrosity that currently adorns our living room. Every morning the clever invention secures me a cup of coffee and a half-hour segment of Good Morning America.

Still, nothing can excite Willa like the cabinet doors and drawers throughout the house. I can't put her down for a minute without finding her next to one, grabbing hold by the glass knob, pulling herself into standing position, then grunting for someone to acknowledge her feat. I am aware of the dangers. So all day, I follow her around, swooping her up and redirecting her attention.

I need to start establishing some boundaries, which means telling her "no!" But honestly, how am I supposed to do that when she is so sweetly tickled with herself for such accomplishments? More and more these days, I find myself faced with parenting choices I am not ready to make. And the fact that I have had ample preparation for this role proves it's difficulty. Of course there are obvious "wrong" answers; the challenge is in weeding through all of the conflicting "right" ones and finding my own. Just look at how controversial basic issues such as sleeping, feeding, and vaccinating have become.

I guess this is where I take a deep breath, channel my God-given maternal instinct and trust myself. All we, as parents, can really do is try our best. And from there, whatever will be will be.