[The Rattle] Take a Trip to the Outdoor Nursery

Day 6: 31 Day Challenge

We have been having a BEAUTIFUL fall so far here in Minnesota. It makes me want to do more and more outside while we can still enjoy the weather and fabulous colors. I read about this idea in the book Rookie Mom's [highly recommend] and just had to share.



Take your little one to an outdoor nursery. Babies love using their senses. Let them listen to the different water fountains, look at all the colorful flowers and touch the different textured plants. Let them play with the wind chimes [without breaking them!] and look at their reflection in the gleaming garden balls.

If you live in the Twin Cities, Gerten's in Inver Grove Heights, is a great place to visit. They have a huge greenhouse and garden center. Plus every Saturday in October, Gerten's hosts their annual Pumpkin Festival from 10:00AM - 4:00PM. The event includes hayrides, apple tasting, story time, petting zoo, fun fall treats and more!

[The Rattle] Visit Someone for Lunch

Day 5: 31 Day Challenge

So yesterday we stayed home for lunch. Today we are going to venture out!

Are you still on maternity leave? Or perhaps you are a stay-at-home mom [or dad]. I know it can get easy to fall into your routine at home day after day, but it is good to practice taking your baby OUT [and great to get some adult interaction so you don't drive yourself crazy].

Today we are going to visit someone for lunch. If you haven't taken your baby to visit your work or your partner's work, this is a great time to do so! But sorry Daddy, today E & I are visiting a good friend that we haven't seen in a while.

So today's tip is simple and you might have already done it, but it's a reminder. It's easy to get caught up in the day to day routine once baby has arrived and don't forget to change it up every now and then! So I challenge you to set up a lunch date by the end of this week and go make someone's day [because who doesn't LOVE seeing a cute baby in the middle of their work day!?]

[The Rattle] Throw a Tupperware Party... for your BABY!

Day 4: 31 Day Challenge

Have you ever noticed how your baby grabs for everything he or she shouldn't? The remote control, your cell phone, the dog's chew [oh yes, there has been plenty of that over in our house!] For some reason babies LOVE what they can't have. Or just something they haven't seen and played with over and over again.

Which brings me to Tupperware. Plastic [aka nonbreakable and nontoxic to baby] and it's easy to wash [double bonus!] If you need 5 minutes in the kitchen to make a sandwich or unload the dishwasher, try dumping out a bunch of Tupperware on the floor and let your baby play. Embrace the mess. Have a cupboard or pull out drawer near the floor? Pile up all your Tupperware and let baby get it out themselves, oh the fun! And don't stop at Tupperware....water bottles, spatulas, ice cream buckets, plastic spoons and measuring cups are all just as exciting.

[The Rattle] Backyard Picnic

Day 3: 31 Day Challenge




Here in MN we are having an Indian Summer: 80s in October? Not normal in Minnesota. Regardless of where you live, fall is a beautiful season. For some of us, it's our last chance to enjoy the outdoors before the blustering snow hits. So today E and I are going to go for a picnic... in the backyard!

Sometimes taking your baby away from home is a LOT of work. At the same time, being cooped up in the house all day can drive you crazy. A picnic in the backyard is the perfect combination! Pack your lunch like you were leaving home, even bust out the picnic basket. Pack a bag for baby too... a blanket, some toys [babies LOVE bubbles] and don't forget a hat if it's sunny. Then set up your picnic in your backyard and enjoy! And the best part: If baby is fussy or the weather turns bad, you are just a few steps away from home!

[The Rattle] Personalized Cards

Day 2: 31 Day Challenge

Now that you had fun having your own baby photo shoot why not use those adorable pictures for something fun like personalized cards. Is there a birthday coming up? Holiday? Did Grandma buy you a cute outfit?

You can buy blank cards at local craft stores and paste the picture on the front. Or just cut out the picture add some paper to the back and you have a postcard! Try using a fun [and FREE] site like Picnik where you can add text or make fun collages.

Time to get creative!

[The Rattle] Baby Photo Shoot

Day 1: 31 Day Challenge

You don’t need a professional photographer to get great shots of your baby! Try having a baby photo shoot at home with your little one. Crank the RockABye Baby and use all those adorable [or NOT so adorable] outfits you received. Also grab a neutral color blanket, perhaps a boppy pillow or bumbo for propping, and a well lit room [natural light works best]. Then take as many shots [and outfit changes] as you want until you get that perfect smile!

[The Rattle] + The 31 Day Challenge

Sophie the Giraffe. Baby Einstein. Haba Toys. It is easy to get caught up in having the best and sometimes most expensive toys for our baby. [Don't get me wrong, E has Sophie and it has been a teething GENIUS!] We want our babies to be stimulated. We want them to have the same opportunities: to learn, grow and develop. And let's face it, as some of us are new parents, we just don't know any better as to what is worth spending the money on and what isn't.

So I want to bring us back to the basics. The rattle: simple, inexpensive, stimulating, entertaining. We don't always have to spend a lot of money to keep our baby's interest. Each week I will post about something simple, inexpensive and entertaining for you [and your baby]. They will be ideas for anyone and anywhere [so yes all of you non-Minnesotans please keep reading!]

This brings me to 31 days.




I decided to kick off The Rattle by participating in a link-up where I am dedicated to blogging every single day in October [I know, I'm starting late, I will make up for it!] So for 31 days you will get a different idea or activity to do with your little one... and so begins The Rattle!