v3 issue49: Just for toddlers

This issue is packed with some of our favorite toddler items as well as an article on toddlers sleep patterns. Is your toddler getting enough sleep? Temper tantrums and crankiness can result from irregular sleeping and eating schedules.


Cover by Alicia Cervenka








1 Take a sneak peek at the sassy songs of MusiGo and you are sure to wiggle and giggle with your little one. These songs get you moving while encouraging the development of your toddler's self-confidence and life skills. Snappy tunes with great lyrics! CDs, manuals, and all kinds of fun trinkets can be found at musigokids.com.

2 A mini craft center to go! Doodlebugz Crayola Doodlebag gets you off to the restaurant in a jiffy and keeps hungry toddlers entertained. Each bag comes with a pad of paper, a chalkboard, 5 pieces of chalk, and 10 washable crayons. Additional holders and pockets help you stack in a few favorite colors or stash away some special stickers for extra fun.

3 Citrus shades and handmade quality go into this empire waisted dress found at Bodemi. A matching sun hat adds a little extra flavor to this lemony treat, but nothing stands out as much as the superb quality of the fabric & the exquisite workmanship put into each detail.

4 What toddler couldn't be swindled into a teeth cleaning session with this super sweet princess toothbrush holder? Comes with a timer and a cup for order and efficiency. Keep the cavity creeps away in style with the complete, easy to clean set at only $27.99 at Rocknsprouts.com

5 Amateur linguists often come up with original words for the simple objects of this world and Translation Tees likes to call it "temporary language". They take your toddler's favorite word or silly mispronunciation and put it on a t-shirt. Plenty to pick from, but you can also submit a special request if you can't find exactly what you're looking for.

6 Live the life of a pirate this summer with Pooki the Pirate. Just the right size for tots to pack up with booty for a summer adventure or a long weekend getaway. A sleek metallic, black, and yellow color trio transforms any landlubber into a stylish man of the high seas at Oompatoys.com.

7 Kenzie Klips does a fantastic job of taking a snip of durable wool felt, giving it a bit of tender loving hand-stitching, and plopping it on a ponytail holder or a non-slip clip. The result is an adorable hair accessory little girls will love. Great craftsmanship that endures lots of use!

8 Eco-kids shouts out a big NO to metals, chemicals and artificial dyes and a big YES to plant, fruit, and vegetable extracts. They've created the perfect first playful dough for tots to sink their fingers into. If it happens to slip into the mouth or gets left out overnight...no big deal! It's all natural and a few drops of olive oil brings dried dough back to life.


This weeks mom tips:
Cleaning Tip:
Found gum on your new carpet? Remove gum from surfaces by using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
Green Tip:
Switch to a low-flow shower head. You will use about six gallons less water per minute, which will dramatically reduce the amount of water and heat used. Showers are responsible for 2/3 of water heating costs. Save even more by taking shorter, cooler showers.
Financial Tip:
Swap babysitting with another family on Saturday nights…enjoy a date with your husband one weekend and watch you friends kids the next.
Time Saving Tips:
Make a list of all your needs before heading out for errands. Map out where you need to go so you can go the most convenient route and try to consolidate all your errands to one shopping center. This saved time and gas.


Is your toddler getting enough sleep?
According to the National Institutes of Health, a good night’s sleep, along with healthy eating and exercise, is the crucial third leg in a child’s health triangle.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that one in three kids is sleep-deprived on any given day.

So what is enough?

No one can tell for sure. Each child's sleep requirement is as different as the child himself. Observe your toddler when he wakes. Is he happy and ready to start his day? Or does he seem tied and fatigued?

Your toddler is more likely to misbehave if they are not getting the rest their small bodies require.

Yawning, eye rubbing, slowing down, crankiness, lying down, and clinginess are just a few signs that your child needs some shut eye. You will notice that it happens just about the same time every night so look for the signs and schedule bedtime accordingly.

If your child wakes during the night attend to their needs, however, try to limit conversation and social interaction with them.

Naptime-
Most toddlers, aged 18 months to 3 years, will nap. Try, playing some calming music, and read a book before nap time. Having and keeping a routine is key. Require your toddler to nap in the same place he sleeps at night. If he is at daycare, bring a stuffed animal from home. Discourage your toddler from cat naps in the car or stroller.

When it becomes clear that your child no longer requires an afternoon nap you should implement a quiet time instead. Quiet time can include dim lights, calm music and some books. They need this time to recharge their batteries and it is great for Mom too.

Just make sure your children have a regular bed time and a regular nap time. Their bodies adjust to these times and they anticipate those times to sleep every day, even if they don't act like they want to go to sleep.