What to expect on the first day of class…

So we (the parent/caregiver) are very excited. We looked into classes in our area – perhaps heard a recommendation, searched the webiste, contemplated what day and time would be best for your child’s mood and your schedule and signed up! YIPEE!

On our calendar the day has been marked. The first class has arrived. You may walk in with a bit of nervous energy. Did I bring everything I need? Is my child well rested? Where do I put my things? What if my child cries? If you have been here long enough you know that none of that really matters! We have everything you need here even for a cranky baby or toddler!

Each class is different and for different ages but here is an idea of what you may feel proud of after your first day:
For your baby: If they glanced at another baby or smiled up at you, if you learned a new song to sing to them or learned another way to calm them. If you met a new Mom that is just as tired as you – you had a great first day!
For your toddler – if they “explored” the Little Explorers room from your lap where it is the safest place on earth, if they got their hands flapping with excitement when they saw some art materials or instruments. If they tried something new or actively observed – you had a great first day!
For our tykes – if they tried even one new yoga pose, if they watched you try a yoga pose. If they hugged you and watched others in the class do yoga – you had a great first day at yoga! If they pushed a crayon or paint on paper or danced in your arms they had a great first day.

Try to remember the first day because at the end of the session you will not believe how far they have come!

Can’t wait!
Namaste,
Lisa

Sooo Cool

It is March 10th…and regardless of the fact that we may still see piles of snow in parking lots (I’m looking at one right now across the Bellani parking lot) Spring is right around the corner! One of the things I love most about Spring and Summer is some of the awesome sweet treats that are around this time of the year! Despite being an adult I still got excited about seeing “Drip Stiks” arrive at Bellani today….they are so cool. It is a 2-ended gadget…one for ice cream cones and one for a Popsicle stick. Around the opening for the stick or cone there is a bowl shaped area to catch all of the drips as your treat melts. Also, we all know that kids love to ask you to hold their food for them while they run around and play, the Drip Stik is made so it can easily be set down on a table while keeping the food item clean. Such a good idea! Of course they are geared toward kids but they look so fun I might just have to get one for myself! Oh, and rest assured moms and dads…like every other feeding accessory and bottle we have here at Bellani, Drip Stiks are BPA and PVC free.<

We all go down…

A fat lip, a bruised head, even stitches (no these have not happened at Bellani!) but they all have been parts of the stories I have heard this week (actually today) at Bellani.

Nothing really surprises me anymore. After all, my largest “cliental” happen to be toddlers. The definition of a toddler if you look it up in the dictionary is “a young child who has just learned to walk.” When you learn something new and mix it with a brain that hasn’t learned cause and effect and is intensely curious – you are going to have bumps and bruises.

You know what is funny about that? (If there is a funny) It happens when you are inches away. You get to watch the whole thing unfold and you can’t do a thing to stop it. I was about 2″ literally from my son’s hand when he tumbled down the stairs. I watched him hit each step. I felt my body age in those moments.

I am writing this because if a bump has happened to your toddler in the recent hours – you are not alone. I had a lot of “guilty” confessions that “I was right there and couldn’t grab her” this week.

We tend to beat ourselves up even more. Take heed – being a parent is tough but being a parent to a toddler requires Inspector Gadget’s super powers. What I wouldn’t do for arms that extend 20 feet!

These toddlers are so lucky to have you. The kids look tough (and even cute) with their little bumps. You look tougher too because you are travelling through a rite of passage showing that you know how to react and comfort your toddler.

Enjoy the ride. It is an exciting one.
Namaste,
Lisa

Recaro Car Seat Recall

Sorry about the Capital letters, this is how they come through to us:

FEB 01, 2008 – SEP 30, 2008

Manufacturer: RECARO NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Mfr’s Report Date: FEB 27, 2009

Component: CHILD SEAT: HARNESS

Potential Number of Units Affected: 5444

Summary:
RECARO NORTH AMERICA, INC. IS RECALLING 5,444 SIGNO CHILD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUAY TO SEPTEMBER 2008. THE CENTRAL FRONT ADJUSTER STRAP ON SOME SEATS MAY SLIP WITHIN THE METAL ADJUSTER (A LOCK) THAT CONTROLS TIGHTNESS OF THE HARNESS AND MAY PREVENT THE HARNESS FROM BEING PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence:
IF THIS CONDITION EXISTED AND A VEHICLE CRASH OCCURRED, THE CHILD WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED IN THEIR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND MAY SUSTAIN INJURY.

Remedy:
RECARO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2009. OWNERS CAN CONTACT RECARO CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-473-2290.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .