31 Days of Play- conclusion!

Sooo... I think I only got through 9 of my "31 Days of Play" and then we went on vacation, and then Quinn started teething, and my time to blog disappeared along with sleep.  :)  So to finish that up, here are some of the other things we've done:

(On our Spring Break trip we did a lot of play.  Quinn got to touch and taste the sand, she got to feel and hear the ocean, she got to go swimming in a big pool, etc.)

Simple Shape Sorters:

I used chicken cans and juice can lids. 

 I used muffin tins and small objects.

Music Play:
I made shakers out of yogurt and baby food containers with rice, beans, pasta, etc. and hot glue the lids on.  I also got some tambourines and a maraca from a garage sale.  Quinn explores the different sounds the shakers make OR we sing songs while I help Q shake to the beat.

Quinn also LOVES to play the piano!  It's so much fun to bang on the keys and hear the different sounds.

Music and Story Time at the Local Library:

I've taken her to the Plaza Library for "Baby Bounce Story Time" a few times.  Barnes and Noble also has a story time.  This is a great way to get out of the house and get Quinn around some other kids, which she find more interesting than the stories.

Developmental Playgroup:

I've been taking Quinn to a great Developmental Playgroup where a friend of mine works.  It's been a lot of fun, again- good to get out of the house and good to get Quinn around other babies her age  But this group has been wonderful because we have a different focus each week like music or motor skills.  It's a small group so the kids get individual attention from the "teacher" leading with puppets, hello/goodbye songs, etc.  Last time we focused on motor skills, so Quinn got to crawl through a tunnel and play in a little ball pit (balls in a baby pool-but you could also do this in a pack-and-play).  We've also done different things with the parachute which the babies love. 

Cheerio Training:

Ha!  I did some fun Cheerio "training" with Quinn and the puppies.  It was great for them to play together and good motivation when she was first learning to crawl.

Colored Ice:
I used food coloring to color water and freeze in ice cube trays, then put them in the bathtub to melt out the colors.  Not a big hit with her.

Flashlight: 
You basically make the room as dark as you can and then play with a flashlight, see if she will follow the light beam on the floor, etc.  She was not interested.  Maybe she will take more notice when she is older.

Cloth Pull:
I made this but not a big hit yet, I think it will be more interesting when she is a little older.
http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2010/11/cloth-pull/

Nesting and Stacking:
I have these adorable nester/stackers made from recycled milk jugs that Aunt Chrissy bought Q.  I give them to her nested and she pulls them apart, then I stack them and she knocks them over.  Good for cause and effect.  Some day she will be able to nest and stack them herself. 

Cause and Effect:
I made this but I don't have a good ball for it yet.
http://www.activity-mom.com/2010/09/baby-activity-tissue-box-and-ball-cause.html

"Edible" paint:
 I posted about this earlier.

Here is the recipe:
http://www.theimaginationtree.com/2011/03/homemade-edible-finger-paint-recipe.html

ZOO and Nature Center:
We went to the KC Zoo again with Quinn's baby friends, Jude and Josephine.  We also went to the Nature Center (which is free and right across from the zoo).

 Outdoor Play:

It's fun to feel different textures like the grass.  And of course we go on LOTS of walks.

Motor Skills:
This is mostly what our play now consists of, learning to move- crawling and standing and exploring all around.

9 months

On April 20th you were 9 months old.  You had your doctor appointment that day (with no shots!!) and Dr. Moylan said you are doing great!  You are very healthy, growing just as you should.  You were 15lbs, 14oz and 26 3/4 inches.  You have been crawling all over the place, usually heading for the top the the stairs (I just ordered baby gates) or the dogs rawhide bones (yuck!).  Of course you love to put everything in your mouth that you shouldn't and pay little attention to your toys.  I love watching you crawl around, deciding for yourself where you want to go and what you are interested in.  I love watching you explore so many new things.  You love to pull up and stand, holding on to the chest in the living room or the side of the bath tub.  A couple days ago I sat you down on the bathroom rug so I could brush my teeth and you stood yourself up against the tub and turned the water on!  What a fun discovery!

Here you are actually playing with your new favorite toy.  I went to the Pembroke Hill garage sale last week and got a TON of great toys and board books for you.  I was so excited!  I got this awesome toy in perfect condition for $2!!

 "Ha, ha Mommy!  Just try and catch me!

Pics from Megan's engagement party in STL:

 You wanted our food and drinks.

 You love Cousin Marikate!

 Cousin Danny!

Then Sunday we went to the STL Zoo:

 

And some yogurt painting pics just for fun:

 Your favorite part was Ozark licking your hand and arms.

On Friday, Mommy and Daddy went to the "Tiger Ball" with people from Daddy's work.  We had fun getting all dressed up and eating fancy food, plus we are both Mizzou alumni- GO Tigers!  Brooke and Ryan watched you and you had fun but you did not want to go to sleep with out me there to nurse you.

First Easter

It's been so long since I've posted and so much has happened.  We had Easter in Springfield, we went to St. Louis for my cousin's engagement party, Quinn finished teething (for now), and Quinn turned 9 months old.

So I'll start with Easter in Springfield at the farm:

 Going to look at the cows.

 Silly Uncle Mitchell

Here are some pictures from when Aunt Paige stopped through to see you: