Tales from Astoria

7 Quick Takes

1. So, I didn't realized it was Friday. Everything seemed to smoosh together this week.

2. Yesterday, Gram was off so Charlie, Gram, and I went to the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery (using the Library museum pass). He really enjoyed watching the fish splash around for the food.

3. I thought we were supposed to be going to a program at the library today but, it is two weeks from now. I'm really glad I didn't drive all the way over there!

4. I will never understand how the same brand of gas at two stations in neighboring towns can differ in price by almost $0.25. I can understand different states or counties but, literally the next town over has exactly the same gas for $0.25 less.

5. We are still having MAJOR sleep issues with Charlie hence why I don't know what day of the week it is or what activities we are supposed to be doing.

6. I have discovered the wonderful world of consignment shops, consignment sales, and garage sales! A couple of weeks ago there was an enormous consignment event at a local arena. My friend Sara and I went a got four overall outfits ($10), a snowsuit($10), an Exersaucer($25), a cozy coup (that will be turned into a Batmobile) -$10, four kids CDs ($2) and several toys ($14) for Charlie all in great condition! Last weekend we got a barely used backyard swing for $5 at a garage sale! YAAAY!

7. I can't believe how quickly Charlie is growing. His motor skills are increasing by the day. He newest thing is that he likes to hold a spoon and put it in his mouth!

Ten Things I'm Grateful For Thursday

A blogger friend of mine, Sarah, has set up a weekly link up for things you are grateful for:

1. My beautiful son who makes everyday worth living.

2. My loving, patient, and considerate husband - namely because I've been very sleep deprived and therefore not so nice to be around.

3. My supportive parents who couldn't be more generous

4. My in laws who will be coming up from MD for one day to spend it with Charlie

5. The ability to stay home with Charlie because of #s 2, 3, 4

6. My father's health - although fragile be is home with us instead of in the hospital

7. Medical professionals who are working tirelessly to try to encourage my father to take care of himself and his medical needs

8. The public library - they provide endless hours of free, wholesome entertainment for my family and employment for my mother

9. Generous, caring friends who give up their time off to visit with us and love on Charlie

10. The women of #CathSorority because without them I would be in the loony bin this week.

Making Your Own Baby Food

I have always enjoyed cooking therefore the thought of making my own baby food has excited me from the time I found out I was pregnant. Friends of ours had a little boy about six months before Charlie was born. They made their own baby food and it just seemed so easy. Since I am home and have the time to do it, I might as well!

(If you've been reading my previous posts, you know I'm a bit of a library addict.) I checked out a great book from the library called Top 100 Baby Purees. It is a great way to jump into making your own baby food. So far, we have introduced avocado (no-cook), sweet potatoes (boil and mash), apple sauce (heat w/ 2 tbsp of water for 4 min. and mash), and pears (heat for 4 min. and mash). SUPER EASY! You really don't need any special equipment to make your own baby food. You can use your blender/immersion blender/bullet/fork to mash.

SUPER ECONOMICAL! We buy the same produce we would buy for ourselves. The little market in town has fruit and veggies 10% off every Tuesday. The little packages of baby food cost more than one piece of fruit and yield less in terms of meals. Not to mention the real fruit and veggies will never go to waste because someone will eat them! (I can't say that I would baby food out of an already opened jar but, apple sauce/sweet potatoes/avocado will definitely get eaten!)

Some "Make Your Own Baby Food" Websites:
*Wholesome Baby Food - MY FAVE!
*Dr. Sears On Make Your Own Baby Food
*Baby food recipes
*Baby-led Weaning

Infant Storytime: October Edition

Most of the libraries around here don't have story time for children under 9 months old. The hubby and I have been reading to Charlie since he was a few weeks old. Charlie and I go to the library weekly (or several times a week) to pick out books and music.

I decided that we would pick out some Halloween-y board books to supplement the ones we already had at home for our own little story time. Generally story times involve developmentally appropriate books, rhymes/fingerplays, and songs. If you and your kids haven't ever been to a story time, you should check out your local library!

Some of the songs/rhymes we might use will be:

Five Little Ghosts
Five little ghosts flying through the door,
One flew away and then there were four.
Four little ghosts spooky as can be,
One flew away and then there were three.
Three little ghosts drinking Halloween brew,
One flew away and then there were two.
Two little ghosts having lots of fun,
One went home and then there was one.
One little ghosts a real superhero,
Went to help a friend and then were was zero!

LITTLE GHOST
I saw a little ghost (hold hands over eyes)
And he saw me too! (point to self)
When I said “HI” (wave hand)
He said, “BOO.”

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Pumpkin, Pumpkin
Pumpkin, pumpkin, big and round, (Make big circle with hands.)Sitting on the cold, hard ground. (Sit on the ground.)Soon I'll pick you off the vine, (Pretend to pull pumpkin from vine.)Give you a name and make you mine, (Hug imaginary pumpkin tightly.)Carve a face for all to see, (Point to face.)Add a candle -- Halloween glee! (Clap, clap, stomp; clap, clap, stomp.)

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Here's a great blog, filled with songs and fingerplays, if you are looking for more!

For the month of October we will be reading: