A Few of Our Favourite Things

Three months with my little man have flown by- even though some days have been long. Having a winter baby in the middle of a pandemic can be hard at times, but we are doing our best to have fun and keep busy during his wake time!

Here are a few of our favourite things that have kept Baby I busy and have helped him develop during these first few months of life! 

Tummy Time

The Lovevery Play Gym has been his playground during tummy time and floor time. When laying on his back Baby I can look at black and white images and follow the sound of the rings. When he is on his tummy, he listens to the crinkling and squeaking sounds from the "Making Sounds" section and lifts his head to look at images in the "Learn to Focus Zone". Recently, I added an acrylic mirror from Ikea for him to look at himself while on his tummy and back.  

Lovevery Play Gym

Since babies can only see in black and white, I also added a set of art cards from Wee Gallery, as well as their soft book of animals on the farm (I love using this as we sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"). Placing these high contrast images around his play gym have helped Baby I to strengthen his cognitive abilities, attention span, and gross motor skills. 

Wee Gallery Soft Book

In addition to the rings on the play gym, we added a shaker, chime ball, and wrist rattles to our playtime. Baby I enjoys when we sing songs and use the rattles during movements like up, down, fast, and slow. He is able to follow the path of the rattles and chime ball with his eyes. Recently, he has started to bat at the rings and rattles, as well as grasp them when I place them between his fingers. 

O Ball Shaker

Wrist Rattle

I can't wait to see what new developments Baby I makes as he enters into his third month. It is truly a joy to watch him learn and grow!

*The links embedded in this post are connected to my Amazon Storefront, where I receive a small commission for any purchases made. Thank you! 

 

A New Chapter - Motherhood

It has been two years since I last shared a post on my blog. In my last post, I wrote about my hope of sharing more in my role as an educator and beyond. Little did I know that we would be heading into a global pandemic a month later, which had educators teaching virtually- on and off- up until today! Needless to say, my blog writing was yet again put on hold, as I navigated the new waters of online teaching.

My virtual learning setup

Today, I am back to my blog, where I write not only as an educator, but as a new mom! Just like becoming an educator was a dream come true of mine; so was becoming a mother. Both dreams however, were not easy to accomplish. After finishing teacher's college in 2008, and not getting interviews in any of the school boards I applied to, I spent two years working in the field of early childhood education as a toddler/preschool teacher and an ABA and play therapist for children with autism. The year after that, Full-Day Kindergarten was being implemented in Ontario and I applied as an ECE to the YRDSB. After almost missing my interview, as I drove up and down Yonge Street searching for the building, I was hired and one step closer to becoming a teacher! The year I spent working as an ECE was invaluable to my teaching career. I experienced first hand what it was to work collaboratively in a classroom setting from day one. It is what helped me become a teacher the following year, now ten years ago.

My first year teaching

Becoming a mother was a dream that I didn't think would take as long to accomplish (once I was ready), yet as I write this post, I realize that it took the same amount of time to become a mother as it did to become a teacher. After getting married to the love of my life in 2017, we planned to start a family the following year. The next three years would prove to be some of the most challenging years of my life. I experienced two miscarriages, which took a toll on my health, both mentally and physically. I was open about my loss, and by sharing my experiences, I was met with others who were willing to share theirs. This really helped me grow through my loss and come out hopeful that I would be blessed to be a mom one day. Who knew that in the midst of a pandemic my prayers would be answered. Just weeks before my 37th birthday, I found out that I was pregnant. Each day, week, month, and trimester that passed was a blessing. The moment that the doctor put my son on my chest, I cried a cry of relief. I still can't believe he is here!

My 37th birthday

I didn't know what I was going to write in this post when I first started. I just knew that I wanted to share that I am in a new chapter of my life- one that has been many years in the making. So if you are starting a new chapter, whether it be as an educator or parent, or if you are still waiting for that new chapter to begin- continue to have faith that you will grow through whatever challenges come your way. Your chapter will write itself when it is ready. I do hope to share more beyond the classroom this year, and I do hope you come along as this new chapter called motherhood unfolds!

My baby boy

"The thing you're waiting and praying for may be closer than you think. Don't give up just yet."