Wednesday
04Nov2009
Heeelp!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 8:07AM 
Guess what! My little granddaughter is coming for Thanksgiving! She'll be here for almost a week, and I'm so excited.
However. It's been 25 years since I've had a two year old in the house, and I need to prepare.
Safety-wise, I remember how to childproof. But what about everything else? One thing I haven't forgotten is that BABIES NEED TONS OF CRAP.
Her mom will bring a car seat and a couple of her favorite books and her Grinch doll. I'll buy some more books/puzzles/toys, a booster seat, and toddler dishes/silverware/sippy cups.
Beyond that, I'm flailing.
Parents/grandparents, please help. What do you feel are essentials?
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Reader Comments (16)
Drawing materials and PlayDoh are big with the youngsters I hang out with. Well, so is my iPhone, but that's a $200 toy.
Oh, and you have a kitty! For a 2 year old, there's nothing quite like a handful of cat.
Umm, diapers and wipies are good.
Where will she sleep?
Reid, good suggestions--thank you. And I'm thinking I'll get her a toy cell phone.
Ken, I'll make a place for her to sleep in the guest room (I've already discussed that with her mom), but yes, diapers/wipes. And probably a diaper genie, too, huh. Since we're three floors from the trash dumpster. Thank you!
Hey! Thanks for the shout out on twitter. Hope this helps.
Baby Einstein flicks are essential for Cadie. If you have a Netflix account, that's probably the best bang for your buck. Even if not, get one for just a month and grab as many as you can to try. if they don't work, you can have more in 2 days. Cadie LOVES PIXAR movies (and so do I) those help too. Especially the Toy Story ones. Not sure where you live, but sidewalk chalk if you can still go outside. Ok, random list coming...
Play-doh for sure! Something bouncy like a bouncy horse or rocking horse. Several different sized balls. Washable crayons and markers. Roll of butcher paper for drawing on. Cardboard box, endless fun! I also second the iPhone/iTouch apps if you have one.
For the car, Cadie likes anything with lights, sounds and letters or numbers. Loves to sing her version of the ABC's and count to 10 (out of proper sequence of course). For a little of your sanity, a simple popup type toy seems to work well. You know, the ones you turn or push a button and a little flap pops up with a character on them. Ours has no music or anything so it's a nice break. Also, the iPhone/iTouch can come in handy too. We have Pixar movies and shorts loaded on ours as well as the toddler apps for car trips.
Oh! there are these little cups with rubber tops that the kid can stick their hand through to get stuff like crackers and stuff. Saves on the spills.
Snack-wise, Cadie likes the cheddar bunnies (whole foods, hippie version of goldfish). Honey-nut pretzels. Rice crispy treats, Corn chips, mini cookies, apples, carrots, cheese, and those gummy fruit snacks. Just be careful not to sugar out the kid. :)
Food: Eggs, eggo waffles, mac & cheese (she prefers the white cheddar shells - again Michelle is kind of a hippie haha so Whole Foods has a lot of great options), turkey dogs, kid's oatmeal/cereal. YoBaby yogurt, rice, etc.
Remember, they don't eat a lot so don't overstock and their attention span is very short so it's not about the amount of stuff you have for her but the time you spend with her. Bottom line, you are the best toy a kid could ever have. They tend to occupy themselves. Just play with them and all will be well but if you are getting tired, maybe SOME of the above ideas will help. You're gonna have a blast! Enjoy it! :)
Also, I got some more good info via facebook. Hopefully you can see this note from another friend: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=329979770270
Brent, thank you SO much. I can't see the FB note, but I sent you a friend request. :)
Here you go... I added it all to a blog post. Hope that helps too :)
http://whatablogger.com/2009/11/04/tips-for-visiting-toddlers/
Thanks again, Brent! And ooo, we'll need a stroller, won't we. For the zoo and the wild animal park.
No kids, no grandkids, no advice. I just want to say that's a real cutie-patootie you got there. And it amuses me that her favorite doll is the Grinch. (A budding misanthrope after my own [icy cold] heart.)
Baby Einstein is genious. Pure genious. And I like it, too!
Brent totally rocks. I tried to think if I could add anything but that's a pretty thorough list. I would add...
Cantalope.
Yep, cantalopes all I got. lol
Oh, and, May the Force be WithYou!
(Get down on your hands and knees and see what you see to thoroughly baby-proof. Kitty litter is nasty.... latch those cleaning cabinets... no blue stuff in the toilets... yadda, yadda...)
Baby Benadryl.
Nightie night!
It's my sister's secret weapon, ssssh, don't tell!
:)
Quisp, what's not to love? He's green, he's fuzzy, and his heart is two sizes too small! ;-)
Natalie, I am all about the baby-proofing. My only worry is the litter box--which I can't lock away because then the cats won't be able to get to it. We'll just have to keep a close eye.
Karen, that is EVERY mother's secret weapon!
Squeeky toy, something to chew on, ball....oh, wait...wrong kind of kid. Cant help ya ;-)
Vodka, and lots of it
Shan, there are some similarities, but in my experience, dogs mind much better than toddlers.
Bob, she's barely two. I don't think she can hold her liquor yet. I'm going to have to insist she stick to beer and hard cider for now.
Babies can be amused with a cardboard box.
It's us that need all that other shit.
Both of you will be fine.
;)