If you have a baby (newborn to 12 months), it can be difficult to come up with “things to do” since your little one may be somewhat unresponsive and rather sleepy (which makes him a rather boring companion) or a bit loud and sometimes demanding (which makes public outings a bit frightening). So, what to do?
Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss are two moms who have answered that question for you…in their new book, The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to do with (and without!) your baby (Quirk Books, 2008).
This square-shaped, smallish book with fun illustrations and activities numbered from 1-250 is exactly the kind of book that a new mom would pick up and use. The activities are short, concise, and are categorized by baby’s age (1 month to 12 months).
I found the activities to be fun, practical, and perfectly “cataloged” so that new moms can feel confident about little outings and activities with their baby. This handy little power-packed book would make a perfect baby shower or “new mom” gift.
And not only is this book truly fun and helpful, you’ll also be supporting two mom bloggers if you purchase the book. Yep, that’s right…Heather and Whitney are bloggers too. In fact, I read their blog – RookieMoms – before their book…and I love that too.
Bored with Baby? Buy a copy of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook. Order from Quirk and use the code ROOKIEMOMS to get 25% of your order.
NOTE to Heather and Whitney (and Quirk Books): I would love a follow-up book: “The Rookie Mom’s Handbook for Toddlers: 250 Activities to do with (and without!) your 12-24 month-old.” I so need that book right now…
WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of The Rookie Mom’s Handbook: 250 Activities to do with (and without!) your baby by Heather Gibbs Flett and Whitney Moss. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Friday, June 20 at midnight (don’t forget to follow the rules). * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The winner is #54 Susan C. Congratulations!
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Liz Pignataro says
April 15, 2009 at 12:25 amI would love this book as my little one is 5 1/2 months old and we are trying very hard to keep her interested, busy and interactive. This book would be a great help!!
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Lily Kwan says
June 20, 2008 at 11:47 pmPlease enter me into the contest. Thanks!
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Terri B says
June 20, 2008 at 8:56 pmI love some fresh ideas, thanks.
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Sarah Stern says
June 20, 2008 at 6:49 pmI could have used this the first time around!
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Renee Weinberg says
June 20, 2008 at 6:21 pmI am not a rookie but I surely need activity ideas.
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Donna Kozar says
June 20, 2008 at 6:00 pmIt sounds good.
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* * ALiesa * * says
June 20, 2008 at 4:34 pmThis handy little power-packed book would make a perfect baby shower or “new mom” gift.
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~ HeLeN ~ says
June 20, 2008 at 4:02 pm~ Fun, practical, and perfectly “cataloged”. ~
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! MiC says
June 20, 2008 at 3:03 pm** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
A book of short concise activities full of fun illustrations. Categorized by baby’s age (1 to 12 months).
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
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kathy pease says
June 20, 2008 at 8:35 amcount me in please :)
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Jeanine Price says
June 20, 2008 at 8:31 amI want to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
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Halina Pittaoulis says
June 20, 2008 at 8:12 amWhy is Grape Nuts cereal called that, when it contains neither grapes, nor nuts?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?
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sarah woods says
June 20, 2008 at 6:57 amLove the contests and the excitment for wonderful reading. Thanks SW
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Helen Vassilakis-Russell says
June 20, 2008 at 3:02 amI need all the help I can get, as my 1st baby is due this October!
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Jennifer says
June 19, 2008 at 9:59 pmMy daughter’s two months old so I’d love to get this book.
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chris h says
June 19, 2008 at 8:34 pmsounds great
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shawna says
June 19, 2008 at 6:39 pmWould love to win this!
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Hesper F says
June 19, 2008 at 6:33 pmI am first-time mom adopting a baby from China and this book would be great for me!
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Jenna says
June 19, 2008 at 4:42 pmI love this book idea and although my current little one is over 12 months, I have another little one on the way that I’m sure this would rock to have!
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Marion B says
June 19, 2008 at 9:28 amSounds like fun book to read!
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Paula S. says
June 19, 2008 at 9:14 amGreat book! I would love to win.
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rebecca snodgrass says
June 19, 2008 at 7:32 amThis looks like a great book
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Brooke says
June 19, 2008 at 6:26 amSuch a perfect gift for a new parent!!
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Molly Capel says
June 19, 2008 at 1:08 amThis sounds like a really great book! I do agree that it’s hard to think of new things to keep baby happy. lol
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Cassandra says
June 18, 2008 at 7:49 pmSounds like a great book!
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Tracy Ackroyd says
June 18, 2008 at 7:38 pmThis would be great to give to my best friend who is a first time mom!
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Tesa says
June 18, 2008 at 12:19 pmWhat a wonderful-sounding book! I’d love to give this to my niece who is a brand-new mom!
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william causey says
June 18, 2008 at 11:59 amim going to be a grandpa again in augest. this would be a great gift
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valerie mabrey says
June 18, 2008 at 8:44 amthanks for the contest
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jan koontz says
June 18, 2008 at 7:51 amjust to cool
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Kristen Townsend says
June 18, 2008 at 6:19 amThis would be GREAT. My son is the perfect age to try out all of the things in the book. We love to get out and about and figuring out what to do is the fun part – what a nice way to get more ideas.
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Janet says
June 18, 2008 at 3:07 amty 4 the great contest!
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michelle rosborough says
June 18, 2008 at 1:05 amThis sounds like a great baby shower gift
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Tanya Moyer says
June 18, 2008 at 12:09 amWhat a great book idea! I wish I had it when my 2 were young! I think it would be a great gift for my sister-in-law who is due in Sept. with her first! Great giveaway! Thanks for offering!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
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Pauline M says
June 17, 2008 at 6:37 pmWhat a great way for playdate ideas. This would be very handy to have!
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Anthony Hedden says
June 17, 2008 at 11:52 amenter me
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marybeth i says
June 17, 2008 at 6:38 amMy kids are older but I would love one for my SIL. With one baby it is easy to get out there and do stuff. With 2 it is a little more challenging but still possible!
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Tara Hill says
June 16, 2008 at 11:29 pmYes, I feel like I should be doing so much more. He just sits around and smiles! Thanks for the chance!
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Angela says
June 16, 2008 at 9:46 pmOOO we’d love to have a copy!
I blogged your contest on Prize-A-Tron!
http://www.prizeatron.com
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Aimee says
June 16, 2008 at 9:41 pmI really love the idea of this book. I have to admit, I’m kind of a second time around rookie! I have two girls that are closer in age that are a bit older. There is a five year gap between the youngest of those two and the new baby I had in January. It feels like a whole new world! While it’s true with the love and so many other things that it is like “riding a bike – you don’t forget” there are other things I do sort of forget and would love the refresher on. I feel that even more now that my time and attention are shared. I want to be sure this new sweet baby is offered as many stimulating, fun, bonding, learning experiences her oldest sister was being the first and having our undivided attention even though now there are the needs of three to meet. Our hearts are there and ready to do it. I know with some good planning and great ideas like it sounds these ladies have, it will be a great running start! Thank you so much for the chance!
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Anna says
June 16, 2008 at 7:40 pmI’d love to read this! I have a little one on the way.
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Channah says
June 16, 2008 at 4:39 pmTheir RSS feed for rookie moms is my lifesaver – I have a 4 month old son, and I need this book!
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Judy Y says
June 16, 2008 at 4:30 pmI would love to have this book.
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Tara B says
June 16, 2008 at 9:02 amWe’re having a new baby in February, and I ditto your request to have a book for 12-24 month olds!!
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Barbara Fox says
June 16, 2008 at 8:22 amLooks like a very useful book!
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Brian B says
June 16, 2008 at 6:54 amEnter me please. We’re new to parenting (7 weeks now) and could really use this.
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Nicole M says
June 16, 2008 at 6:08 amThis would be the perfect book for me! I am so backward around babies as it is, and when I become a new mom, I’d love to know what I could do with my little one.
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Sharon Jones says
June 16, 2008 at 1:56 amI would love to win this so much for dear friend who is new mom..thanks so much :)
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Caryn Bailey says
June 15, 2008 at 10:50 pmLOVED this book….
PS…don’t enter me…I have it! : )
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Meredith says
June 15, 2008 at 6:21 pmI would love to win this book. I’m expecting my first little one this winter!
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Noelia Gutierrez says
June 15, 2008 at 5:54 pmI think great book, thanks!
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Rozie says
June 15, 2008 at 5:19 pmWhat a great book for new parents. Would love to win for my brother, who is a first time parent to our adorable little Gracie. I’m sure this would help him a lot.
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Roxanne says
June 15, 2008 at 4:50 pmWhat a great idea for a book!!!!
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Sarah Z. says
June 15, 2008 at 4:49 pmI need this! I’m due in October!
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Shirley Younger says
June 15, 2008 at 4:32 pmGreat book – Hope I win
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Kristinia says
June 15, 2008 at 3:18 pmMy son is 15 months old and this would definately help me with some ideas on what we could do to have some fun! Also it would benefit our baby girl due in September, so this would be a well used book!
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Derek Buckner says
June 15, 2008 at 10:35 amI’d love to win this for my wife. We have a baby due in October and I think she would love this.
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Mya Brooks says
June 15, 2008 at 8:50 amWhat a great giveaway!!!
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Linda Lansford says
June 15, 2008 at 8:22 amlol to all
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Susan C says
June 15, 2008 at 5:16 amMy daughter has a two month old baby boy. Whenever I call her and ask her what she’s doing her answer is always “holding the baby”. I think she would have fun with this book.
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the mama hood says
June 15, 2008 at 4:37 amWhat a wonderful book! I would love to give this to my brother and his wife, they are first time parents and I know they would love this! Thanks!
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Kathy Scott says
June 15, 2008 at 4:21 amMy boss’s wife just had a baby and I could really use some brownie points. Thanks for the chance.
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Kari Follett says
June 15, 2008 at 2:33 amI’d love to win this for my sister, seems I’ve won two of your giveaways for her already :) Thank you so much!!
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Corrie C. says
June 14, 2008 at 11:55 pmThis looks like a good book.
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Stephen Saunders says
June 14, 2008 at 11:28 pmhow’s your day going?
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Lynette says
June 14, 2008 at 10:36 pmThis book sounds great for my friend with a 2 year old and twin 6 month old girls.
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Doreen says
June 14, 2008 at 8:18 pmThis would be a fantastic “push” gift for my friend, a first-time mom!
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erica g says
June 14, 2008 at 7:44 pmSounds like THE book to have!
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amira says
June 14, 2008 at 7:38 pmThis book may be a little early for me being aimed towards 12-24 mos. But it is always good to read up early!
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James Jenkins says
June 14, 2008 at 6:55 pmwow
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sandy says
June 14, 2008 at 6:54 pmlove to win
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Tonya Froemel says
June 14, 2008 at 6:33 pmlike to win this
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My Baby Pajamas says
June 14, 2008 at 6:14 pmI have a baby shower on June 28. I am going to have to add it to my list for presents. Thanks,
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Roxanne says
June 14, 2008 at 5:49 pmI would love this for my daughter, what a great idea!
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Tricia Moreno says
June 14, 2008 at 5:02 pmI would love to win this book!!
TRICIACUS76@YAHOO.COM
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Linda Moeller says
June 14, 2008 at 4:35 pmVery helpful.
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Shannon Baas says
June 14, 2008 at 4:27 pmsounds like a great book.
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Catherine copeland says
June 14, 2008 at 3:13 pmwow this would be such a great help. sometimes your mind just can’t outthink the little ones
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K. Cleaver says
June 14, 2008 at 3:01 pmThis would be great. I get in such a rut trying to find new things to do then I start getting bored right along with my little one.
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GTaylor says
June 14, 2008 at 1:37 pmI soo need to win this for my little sister.
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Hil'Lesha says
June 14, 2008 at 1:02 pmI’d love to win a copy of this book.
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Desmond says
June 14, 2008 at 12:27 pmCount me in!
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Linda says
June 14, 2008 at 11:55 amGreat giveaway! I would love to enter.
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charline s says
June 14, 2008 at 11:41 amThis sounds like a great littel book that my daughternlaw could use, She is a mommy of one and one on the way!
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Anita W. says
June 14, 2008 at 11:34 amWhat a great book to have……
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Michael Capp says
June 14, 2008 at 11:07 amI want to win!
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Carroll Griggs says
June 14, 2008 at 9:12 amThis would be wonderful for my daughter in law.
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Jo-Anne Madsen says
June 14, 2008 at 8:36 amMy daughter just had twin sons – this book would be great for us !
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Gina Stratos says
June 14, 2008 at 8:19 amMy son and his wife are expecting their first born this summer. This would be a great gift!
gkstratos @yahoo.com
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Barbara Baker says
June 14, 2008 at 8:13 amLooks like a great guide to motherhood and parenting fun!!!!
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Angel says
June 14, 2008 at 8:08 amnice book
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Maja says
June 14, 2008 at 8:07 amnice prize
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Ana says
June 14, 2008 at 8:07 amso cool
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Karen Gonyea says
June 14, 2008 at 8:05 amSounds Great!!
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Kacy says
June 14, 2008 at 7:55 amThis would make such a great baby shower gift! Or, a perfect meet-the-baby gift. Once that newborn arrives, the parents will be sure to realize there’s not much to “do” in the beginning.
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susan bowman says
June 14, 2008 at 7:49 amwould be great back for my daughter, expecting her first
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Dolly says
June 14, 2008 at 7:40 ami love practical books with easy to implement ideas. this sounds like something that would help me out a TON.
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susan varney says
June 14, 2008 at 7:15 ami would give it to my daughter in law she would love this
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Belinda A. says
June 14, 2008 at 7:07 amI’d love this for a friend who surprised us by delivering her first baby yesterday – lucky Friday the 13th! I could have used a book like this the first 12 months, so I’m sure she’d like it. By the way, I’m with you on the request for a follow-up book for the 12-24 months group!
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Louise Brouillette says
June 14, 2008 at 7:05 amGreat idea for a book!
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Lilita says
June 14, 2008 at 6:46 amThe Rookie Mom website has saved my sanity more times than I like to admit out loud with my 5 month old, so I would love to see which ones the Rookie Moms themselves picked as their best ideas. The book’s already in my Amazon shopping cart waiting for a little extra cash to appear in my wallet!
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jenny m says
June 14, 2008 at 6:12 amWhat a great idea- I second for a followup book~
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Erica says
June 13, 2008 at 11:20 pmThis book is a great idea, and I agree that we need the follow-up books too. They need to get writing, because Blondie will be three soon…
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Allison says
June 13, 2008 at 5:14 pmWhat a great idea for a book! I always feel terrible admitting that I don’t know what to do with my son. He’s 9 months old, so there aren’t many “games” to play, at least not that I can come up with! We do the same things again and again. Which is fine for him, but a little dull for me!
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Suzanne B. (Crunchy Green Mom) says
June 13, 2008 at 2:29 pmWhat a cool book! With kids ranging in all ages, I am sure some of these can be adapted for even them!
Ok… I HAVE to leave work and go home.. It’s FRIDAY.. I’ll blog more tonight!
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Carrington says
June 13, 2008 at 1:52 pmOh, this would be so nice to have! It gets exhausting trying to think of stuff to do!
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Sarah T. says
June 13, 2008 at 1:49 pmThis sounds like a very helpful little idea book, and, like you & many other commentors, I could see a whole series, including toddler & pre-schooler editions!
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Heather says
June 13, 2008 at 1:38 pmI would love this book for our next child (when we have one that is). I am with you and could use a toddler activity book!
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Lachelle says
June 13, 2008 at 1:30 pmBefore I got to the end of your post I was thinking to myself – now what to do with a child that is between 1 and 2 years old (like my 16 month old). This would have been helpful to have last year! But I do plan on having more kids so maybe for the future?
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Becca says
June 13, 2008 at 1:17 pmI would have loved this when my daughter was an infant. Maybe I’d pass it along to my best friend who just had her first. Or maybe I’d just keep it for myself for the next go-round.
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Jenny N. says
June 13, 2008 at 12:49 pmWhat a genius idea! My son is now almost 19-months old so I could use a toddler version as well. But a 1-12 month version would work nicely as a gift or for myself for baby #2…someday…
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Amy Meyer says
June 13, 2008 at 12:11 pmWhat a great book idea! That first year is so hard to know what to do…it seems like all your days are spent nursing…diapering…and sleeping. What a great baby gift idea!
My daughter is 23 months so I am also in desperate need of the toddler follow-up book!!!
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RookieMom Heather says
June 13, 2008 at 11:51 amThanks for the nice review… I better get to work on that toddler follow-up book!