Olivia is just now getting to the age where she can hold a mini conversation and ask us about things she sees and hears. I am thankful, however, that on this day, she is not yet asking me what the flags are flying for, why people are wearing pins, or what 9/11 means.

I am thankful because I am terrified of the day when she will ask me and how I will answer that question truthfully without scaring her half to death or making her mistrustful of others.

It’s going to be a tough conversation and one that I will need to be prepared for. For those of you who have little ones already asking the tough questions, here are some children’s books to help you through those discussions.

America is Under Attack by Don Brown

September Roses by Jeanette Winter

It’s Still a Dog’s New York by Susan Roth

The Survivor Tree: Inspired by a True Story by Cheryl Somers Aubin and Sheila Harrington

September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right by Masterson Elementary Students

The Little Chapel that Stood by A.B. Curtiss

September 11, 2001: A Day in History by Evelyn B. Block

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman

Do Not Be Sad- A Chronicle of Healing by FDNY Engine 24 Ladder 5

We’ve all seen them—those amazing cupcakes on Pinterest that you decide you just HAVE to do for your child’s birthday party. Until you try to actually make them and they turn out like this:

For the record, those aren’t my cupcakes nor is this my picture, but it made me laugh out loud because it’s so true! Oh, I am still going to try to make the Cookie Monster cupcakes for my daughter’s 2nd birthday Sesame Street party, so we’ll see which of these pictures I get closer to.

But for the average parent (i.e. those of us who aren’t professional bakers or even good amateurs), here are some adorable cupcakes that are actually DOABLE. Enjoy!

By Good Housekeeping

By Frilly Milly Events

By Better Homes and Gardens

By Disney Family Fun

By marthastewart.com

By Better Homes and Gardens

By Disney Family Fun

By Better Homes and Gardens

By ericasweettooth.com

By justcallmechris.blogspot.com

I was looking online the other day for an Easter dress for Little O and noticed that floral seems to be everywhere, from tiny little blooms to large, colorful bouquets. I pinned a particularly cute one for my daughter on Pinterest and within a couple of hours, it had been repinned about 15 times. So apparently, it’s a popular trend!

I’ve curated some of the best floral fashions for your little girly girl, so go ahead—get shopping!

Gap, $24.95

Children's Place, $22.46

Gap, $34.95

Janie and Jack, $21.99

Mini Boden, $36.00

Pumpkin Patch, $39.75

United Colors of Benetton, $24.00

Gymboree, $24.49

Gap, $39.95

Pumpkin Patch,k $22.75

Opening Day for baseball season is just under a month away, so knock one out of the park with some cute baseball gear for your little slugger! (Ok, I’m all done with the baseball idioms, promise!)

Old Navy, $14.94

Gymboree, $20.99

Carters, $8.99

Pumpkin Patch, $9.99

Gymboree, $15.99

J.Crew, $36.50

Children's Place, $8.00

Carters, $8.99

Gap, $14.50

Bringing a new baby home to meet your first “baby” or introducing a new pet into your family can be really stressful and, if you’re not careful, dangerous. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips for keeping things safe for both your children and your pets.

1. Keep pet toys and children’s toys separate. You don’t want your toddler playing with a slobbery dog toy anymore than you want your pet choking on a Lego®. Aside from those obvious facts, keeping the toys separate will avoid any territorial conflicts—for both parties.

2. Make sure your pet has a “time out” spot, and teach your children that the space is off limits to allow your pet to get away and de-stress if needed.

3. Teach your child the warning signs of an aggressive animal (growling/hissing, fur standing on end, forward posture, sharp movements, showing teeth, etc.) and to back away slowly (and quietly) if they notice any of this behavior.

4. Never leave your baby, toddler or child alone with a pet unsupervised. This may seem obvious, but even previously “harmless” dogs have been known to snap from time to time.

5. Protect your pet as well as your child. Toddlers are especially notorious for not knowing their own strength, and they are testing their limits by hitting, stomping (yes, stomping, my daughter goes for our dog’s feet mostly), and pulling (usually ears and tails).

6. “Let sleeping dogs lie” . . . and cats and whatever else you have in your menagerie. The same goes while pets are eating or caring for their own babies.

7. If you’re introducing a new baby, give your pet a blanket with the baby’s scent on it so they can become accustomed to the new smell.

8. Don’t assume all pets are as kid-friendly as your own—a lesson my brother learned the hard way at the age of two, and he still has the scar on his lip to prove it.

9. Teach your pet basic commands (sit, stay, down, etc.) and enforce them or, better yet, enroll your pet in a training class.

10. Follow the 3 S’s when introducing  a new baby to your pet:  Sniff—Sit—Supervise. Allow your pet to sniff around and get used to the new smells (aka your baby); let your pet sit calmly with you and the baby; always supervise your pet and your baby.

Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/biteprevention.html
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/kids-and-pets/safety-tips.aspx
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_babies.html

Today has just been a bundle of fun. Everything started out perfectly normal—that is, until I got a call from daycare at 9 a.m. informing me that Olivia had spit up (something she hasn’t done in months). It wasn’t bad and she wasn’t running a fever, so they decided to let her nap and see how she was afterward. Apparently, the situation deteriorated rapidly because, before long, I got a second call asking me to come pick her up, as she had just blown grits all over the place. By the time I made it there, she was wrapped in nothing but a towel, having thrown up all over herself. It was the most pitiful sight I have ever seen. This is the first time she has ever had a stomach bug and, man, when she does something, she really does it! She went straight for the norovirus, of cruise ship fame, and there’s a major outbreak of it in Fairfax County. Olivia was the second casualty of this virus at daycare just this morning. So since many of my readers are in the DC metro area (and even those who aren’t, this is good info to have), here’s my PSA for the day!

Noroviruses are a group of highly contagious stomach bugs that spread rapidly from person to person through contaminated food and drink, contaminated surfaces, and direct contact. Symptoms often develop suddenly and generally last 1-2 days. Symptoms include:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Headache
Low-grade fever
Chills
Muscle aches
Fatigue

Children in school or daycare are extremely susceptible to the virus. Most often, symptoms don’t arise until 24-48 hours after exposure (though they can occur as soon as 12 hours following exposure), which means children are likely to spread the virus without displaying any symptoms. By the time the symptoms start, it’s usually too late. Because small children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths, this is a difficult virus to contain in a daycare setting.

The most dangerous aspect of the norovirus is that it can cause severe dehydration, especially in young children. Make sure to give your child plenty of fluids, such as Pedialyte. My daughter also likes the Pedialyte Freezer Pops, which are great right now, since she’s cutting a few new teeth. For her upset tummy, I have been giving her Nabisco’s Premium Saltine Minis—they are the perfect size for her little hands.

If you or your little one is unfortunate enough to come down with this nasty bug, be sure to wash your hands obsessively and try to disinfect as many surfaces as you can. I’ve also been using the sanitary setting on our washing machine for her clothes, bedding and anything else that ends up in the line of fire. And when all else fails, Netflix has about a year’s worth of the Backyardigans at your disposal!

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm