The Breakthrough Meal

Any tubie mom knows the feeling you get when you walk into your child's room in the morning to get them out of bed and see this:

That sinking, stomach-in-your-throat, heart-in-your-belly feeling.  The feeling that you get when you know you have unwittingly deprived your child of 900 calories that he so desperately needs.  You can't give him those calories back if you want him to eat orally throughout the day, so they are lost, gone forever.

These things happen in the tubie world, and it's almost always a pump issue.  This time it was totally our fault.  A miscommunication between Shane and myself led to the lost calories, but it turns out that it was totally worth it.  

Our son was hungry today.  Hungry.  I saw him ferociously seek out the snacks in his therapist's bag when she arrived.  I saw him (without asking) rip open the baggie of crackers and instantly begin putting an entire cracker in his mouth, not taking his normal crumb-baby-bites.  I saw him ask Ms. Maria to eat instead of playing their normal games first.  Asking to eat.  

I watched him climb up into his chair at our table and pour the entire bag of mini Ritz crackers out on his plate and without blinking an eye popping them in his mouth like he'd been doing it for years.  I watched him grab other baggies of snacks that were laid out, open them, and pull out the contents, trying each one.  Feeling lucky, Ms. Maria and I added a tablespoon of peanut butter to a bowl, and I watched as he spread peanut butter on his mini crackers and ate them like he didn't have a sensory issue at all.  I even watched him  scoop heaps of peanut butter onto his little knife and bite it off.

In about 30 minutes, Greyson had devoured more than he has ever eaten in one sitting.  29 mini Ritz crackers, 1.5 Tbsp of peanut butter, 3 Ritz flatbread crackers, and 5 cheese balls.  308 calories.  

My child had a typical meal.  I'm not sure if this feeling can even be described appropriately.

{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 30: Box

You read it right.  How about giving a really big, really cool box to a toddler as a gift.  You wouldn't think so, but there are a whole lot of things that a child can do with a box, and they will find those ways.  You can help them create a house, rocket ship, truck, boat, fort, comfy reading spot, the largest coloring/painting surface they've ever seen, and so much more.  Give them a large box with a set of paint and paintbrushes and a promise to help them turn it into whatever they wish.

Where should you get your box?  Call around to local furniture stores or places with large appliances and ask if they will save you a large box.  I'm almost betting that they will, as most places just put their boxes out for recycling.  What an inexpensive and easy gift that kids will go crazy for!

Create With Your Hands:  Creativity with Cardboard Boxes

{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 29: Flannel Board and Felt Pieces

Believe me when I tell you this:  I have not met a toddler that does not love a flannel board (also sometimes called a story board or felt board).  My mom made Greyson one for his second birthday and he loves it.  He will play with it for an hour at a time, creating his own scenes and stories with the felt pieces.  You could purchase a flannel/felt/story board, but you can save lots of money and have a better quality board by making your own!  Make sure to check out my simple flannel board tutorial.

If you're not into making your own flannel board, here are a few options that won't break the bank.  Make sure to get some felt pieces to use with the board!

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{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 28: Cooperative Games

Cooperative games are great for toddlers, if they are ready.  Usually, depending on the child of course, they are ready by 3 to start learning the many skills it requires for cooperative games.

Skills:

• cooperation
• following directions
• taking turns
• life skills (winning/losing)
• concept skills (colors, shapes, counting, etc.)

"And She Loved a Little Boy" is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

{30 Days of Simple Toddler Toys} Day 27: Shape Sorters

This is a classic toy that has survived the test of time.

Skills:

• problem solving
• fine motor
• shapes
• colors

"And She Loved a Little Boy" is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.