Crafting Monsters

Last week, I had the thought that I really hadn't made anything for little Tam yet. Now, I haven't had much free time until this summer and many of the other relatives and friends have quilted/knitted/crafted totally awesome gifts that Tam already loves. Hmmm. . . but nothing special from his mama. What could I do? What does he seem to need?

Then, on another Mom Blog Wendolonia, I saw that the mom had sewn a stuffed monster for her son. Awww, it was super cute and seemed pretty easy. At first, I figured I didn't have time to sew or any desire to lug the sewing machine up from the basement storage. Then, a bit of guilt crept in, and I decided to go for it! How long could it take?

To answer that, it took me about 4 hours to complete my monster for my little goober. I started with a drawn pattern similar to what I had seen on the mom blog. After looking at it, it didn't seem monstery enough for me so I added the tentacles at the top of the head.

Choosing fabrics was the fun part. I've accumulated quite a stash over the past ten years (since I've settled down from traveling and had space for a fabric stash). Many of my prints I picked up on sale and had meant to use for curtains, pillows, or hippie clothes. For my little monster, I wanted something bright to stimulate baby brain power, but also something with great texture for little fingers. Brian got into the project too and helped with the selection. Here is the final combo: Plaid flannel and Bright cats. Cool.

Now I won't bore you all with the details of the sewing. I managed to conquer bobbins and beat the needle into submission to stitch this little monster up. A few years ago, my Aunt gave me a bunch of her notions and I dug these out for the ribbons around the tentacles and edges for fun chewing/touching bits for Tam. And I triple-stitched the ribbons so they are definitely not going to become choking hazards.

Lastly, I hand embroidered the mouth and a single tooth for cuteness. I stuffed the monster with bamboo stuffing to make it huggable and Brian named him "Tentacle Bob."

I handed Tentacle Bob to Tam for inspection...

I think we have success!

Grins all around :-)

Back to basics with child toys...

I'm still on my crunchy mom kick and I am now exploring child toys that are green. This means way more cloth and wood then plastic and lead paint. I definitely support the idea that not every toy needs to blink, light-up, make noise, sing, etc. to stimulate the little one's brain. When did parents start thinking this was a good idea? And then fighting over the latest "Elmo" for their kiddo? I'm sure Tam will have enough electronic usage through video games when he is older...but I would love it if he used his imagination too :-) I remember spending quite a bit of time with dolls or cars or Legos. I recall this 'cause a friend of ours came to visit and brought her little 4yr old? daughter. I had some of my old dollies and clothes and brought them out for her to play with...nope...not too interested in any of them for more then a minute. She spent all of her time "playing" with her nitendoDS game. Which, when I asked, she really didn't know how to play the game or what to do but was more randomly hitting buttons. Sheesh. I think I'll try to let Tam have some of them non-gadget memories like I had. Plus green toys = better for the environment since it is usually made from sustainable materials.

And how cute are some of these cloth dollies! And I love the idea of wood that are easy to gnaw on and wash and are gender neutral for possible future siblings. If only I could find more at yard sales where they are a bit cheaper . . .

http://www.childtrek.com/

Parent Hacks = Love

Here's my latest favorite site for great baby tips. I particularly thought of our new daddy friends when I stumbled across it:
http://www.parenthacks.com/
The site boasts great uses for stuff to help with taking care of wee ones. This is stuff that might not have originally been made/bought for a baby task. I particularly like the idea of using a laundry basket as a bath tub seat and may give it a go. Laundry basket into adult tub = safe area for kiddo to sit and play with water passing through and doubles as useful item that dries quick and doesn't take up extra closet space.

Oh...and this one is smart too for when our Goober gets older. Take a photo of everyone BEFORE going to amusement park, zoo, arcade, other crowded place and right cell number on kids arm under sleeve. This way if you get separated, you have an exact photo of what kid looks like and is wearing. And if kid is old enough, he can find help and show them the number to call for his parents. What did we all do before technology?

Oh how our cat loves the baby...

Especially now that Tam cat "pet" the kitty. . . yeah . . . Magellon loves to get "petted" and pinched and have hair pulled by the baby!   But to his credit, he usually just tolerates it or leaves :-)

Tam's new favorite things

Our kiddo is now in love with playing peek-a-boo. Goober likes to have the blanket/sheet/washcloth come down on his face and then moved away quickly. Peek-a-boo! Oh the squeals of laughter! He would love it if we kept playing the game until momma's arm fell off from exhaustion :-)


Oh...and he has decided that he loves the big lego blocks. I got about 50 of them at the yard sale last weekend. These aren't the tiny ones, but the large duplo ones for kiddos. Scored them for $3 and I'm on the hunt for some more. Don't worry, I only gave Tam one of the larger red blocks and it definitely will not fit down his throat. (No choking hazard). He can hold on to it and gum it or bang it on his high-chair tray. Now if I show him the block and his rattle, he wants the block. Block versus binky, block wins. Block versus food...he'll hold the block and open his mouth like a little bird for the food. The only thing so far that repeatedly trumps the block is glow-worm :-)

I'll try to get some photos of the drool-monkey gumming his new toy.

Predictions for Tam's future

I'm looking at Tamlin last night and smiling (of course) and thinking about how he is just a bundle of potential at this age. What will his personality become? What will he like? Dislike? What will he want to do? Where will he want to go? Do I have any predictions for him based on his actions at 6months of age? Sure...they may even come true :-) Especially if I make them vague enough!

Hmmm....
I see Tamlin having some love of rhythm and music. Gosh-jees he had better have gotten some musical genes from Brian and me. Can I see any evidence yet? He likes it when we sing to him since it usually calms him down. He is just getting the hang of pounding his hand against objects to make noise. And to a mom who's a drummer, it sounds fairly rhythmic and steady...but I could just be hearing that 'cause I think he's awesome. Might be time to get the ol' keyboard out for him to make noise on and for me to brush-up on my playing.

I predict that he will really enjoy food. I love to eat and Brian loves to cook...and so far, goober loves to eat anything placed in his mouth. We've had NO problems (knock on wood) with getting him to try any new food yet. Granted, so far he's only had various fruits and vegetables and nothing too spicey, but we had to start somewhere. I can't wait until he's can just have whatever we're eating...just chopped up for toothless people. And, yes, the poop has gotten more interesting too :-)

I foresee some great love of water. The little dude LOVES bath time, as long as he doesn't get cold or the water isn't too chilly. I think he loves being naked :-) Maybe we'll all move to a commune when he gets older...I'm sure the relatives would REALLY enjoy visiting us then! Anyhoo, Tam really likes splashing around in the tube. He's big enough to be in the real tube on his back or sitting up in the tube chair. We get lots of grins and giggles from him while in the water.

I'll have to keep watching him grow to see if I notice any other trends...Like maybe some science love? Or maybe a comedian with how easily he giggles at the world.