Rookie Moms

I saw this activity on photojojo this morning and ran right out for bulldog clips to get started.

Unfortunately, my local Office Depot does not carry them in stock (nor does the next one down the street, which I stupidly thought was a different chain… but was the same chain!) so I got these over the top zebra-printed binder clips instead.

As you can see they match the weird zebra theme we have in the office. But that’s a story for another day.

Back to the activity.

Why’s It Cool?

Why would you cover your walls with bulldog clips and hang a bunch of photos? So many reasons. It’s super cheap, it’s ridiculously easy, and it requires practically no skill. Plus it means you can change the photos you have up at any time with practically zero effort.

If you have binder clips around and some fun snapshots that you’re meaning to Do Something With, this project can be done in the span of the tiniest nap.

The instructions on Photojojo for the bulldog clip photo wall give variations like OCD-style and tips for not creasing your photos. Check ‘em out.

If you want to go the high-end route, read Whitney’s instructions for the classier “Family Photo Wall.”

I am not sure if I should be embarassed about this, but we had a consultant, “The Babyproofer”, come evaluate our home. He walked around and then told us all the things that could possibly kill our baby.

This sounds dramatic, but we learned a distinction that we had not been making before his visit. You must fix the things that could kill your baby. The rest might just result in small injuries or minor damages to your home decor. Example: TV falling on baby (possibly fatal) vs plant toppling onto the floor (not fatal, just unpleasant).

After paying this professional for his time, I decided a better course of action would be to invite over my friend Julie or Heather’s friend Marla, both mothers of two. I’m sure that they would have been happy to show me how to protect my child from himself, and not charge me by the hour. And this wisdom is what I pass on to you.

Next step: Ask someone who has a toddler or two to walk around your house room by room and take notes as she gives you a braindump of all the little hazards her mommy mind can count.

Look around and choose a vegetable your baby hasn’t tried yet. Bring it home and steam and puree or mash with a fork.

Does this not sound like enough action for you? Believe me, it is. Navigating the stroller through the market area is a challenge and there are so many things to look at for your baby, it’s worth the effort.

There are Farmer’s Markets in Berkeley each week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday sponsored and organized by The Ecology Center and another festive one in Rockridge on Sunday.

The beautiful Farmers’ Market in the San Francisco Ferry Building is on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Check the hours>

AKA Attend a private puppet show.

Because of a little known program called InfantSEE (a public health initiative spear-headed by former President Carter), Holden’s eyes were checked for major vision problems by a nice person playing with hand puppets and shining lights in his face.

If you ask him, I think he liked it only ok, but I’m telling you that there are at least three good reasons to find a Dr. in your area and go do it:

1. It’s totally free
2. It’s an outing for you and baby complete with a light show, puppets, and a professional entertaining her exclusively
3. And, most important, it will give you peace of mind that her eyes are developing as they should or it will set you on the path to correcting any major vision problems early!

The free program applies to babies from six months to a year in age.

So, now I guess I need to confess that I did this for Holden but didn’t get around to it for Milo… Scarlett, there’s still time for you!