Sweet little Tyler had his first encounter with how hard life can be sometimes. He had to get his first series of vaccinations at his 2 month checkup. The poor sweet little guy was just being his adorable self, when he was rudely woken from his nap, disrobed of his clothes, laid on a hard table in a cold room and attacked by needles being shoved into his newly-chubby thighs. Mia (my grandma name) wasn't there but the story goes that Tyler cried, his mama cried, and his auntie cried. Mia is glad she wasn't there - because she would have cried too. Especially when after it was all over he looked over at his auntie and started crying all over again, with real tears, as he tried to convey to her how horrible the whole thing was. Never is his sweet, short little life had anything like this ever happened to him. Life was all about kisses and snuggles and lots of warm milk. He just didn't understand.
As the event was being told to me I couldn't help but feel anger rise up inside of me. How dare that mean doctor hurt my little guy like that? Oh I know it had to be done. It's for his good. We don't have to worry about those horrible diseases attacking him now. But really, how could a baby doctor, who is supposed to love little babies, do something so cruel? How could he smile at him one minute and jab him with a needle the next? As my daughter was relaying the story to me I was just couldn't help it that a part of my heart was just so mad at that doctor.
But then she told me something else that happened. As the doctor was examining the baby he was telling my daughter about all the things Tyler will be doing next. He talked to her about his development and how on target he is. He told her what a good job she was doing at nursing him. He talked to her about how babies bond with their mommies. And then he said,
"It's now time to start reading books to him."
The doctor immediately redeemed himself in my eyes. Just imagine - advocating reading at 2 months of age. Brilliant! What a wonderful doctor he is! I was so excited to hear that he said that!
Immediately we dug out some books and I read Goodnight Moon to him. And do you know that his bright little eyes tracked along as I turned the pages and he really seemed to enjoy the melodic sound of my voice as I read the rhyming words out loud to him.
It's been a long time since my girls were little and I need some new books at my house. So I want to know what books are your favorites for babies? For toddlers? For pre-school age? What are some of the newer books on the market that are "must-haves" for my grandbabies?
I can't wait to hear your recommendations.
10 comments:
Robin-
Remember those books you got for Miah's 1st birthday? One of them is called "Little one, God loves you". They were inspired by The purpose Driven Life book. Anyway, I so love these books, and they are also have very cute illustrations. Anyway, my girls loved them and still do!
-Mindy (who right at this moment is loving on your grandbaby, Tyler!)
I agree with the doctor - it's never too early!
And about the shot thing - Kristen had me take Emma for a blood draw, which had been required by the doc because of her small start, I guess. Katie didn't have to do it. K knew she wouldn't take the trauma, so I took her - actually I took all 4. The big girls were watching for awhile, but then I knew it was going to be too intense, so the volunteer took the other 3 out to a play area, thank goodness. Turns out they couldn't find a vein, though they tried and tried and tried - brutal!! For all of us. They finally got permission to just do a heel squeeze - which took forever. Poor little sweet Emma - I'm so glad Kristen wasn't there!
You know what's as bad as taking a 2 month old for shots? Taking a 5YEAR old! He goes tomorrow. :( I can't do it. Dave has to.
Now books--Goodnight Moon is still Molly's favorite! Do you have any by Iza Trapani? She (He?) has wonderful versions of many of the classic sing-songs--Itsy Bitsy Spider, I'm a Little Teapot, Twinkle, Twinkle, etc...Also, Sandra Boynton is a favorite author of books for infants like Moo, Baa, La La La! and The Going To Bed Book. Also, don't forget Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.! For toddlers, here are some I recommend--all currently loved by Molly--Eric Carle's From Head to Toe, The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root (love this one!!!), and Silly Sally by Audrey Wood. And for pre-schoolers don't forget Dr. Seuss. Those are oldies but goodies. Oh and right from the start, it's never too early for classic nursery rhymes. Those are so good for developing phonemic awareness. And back to pre-schoolers, they usually love the Five Little Monkeys books by Eileen Christelow. Yeesh! Do I sound like a teacher or something! :)
You're going to have so much fun, finding books for Tyler and his new little cousin:) When he's old enough to hold a book, those chubby little cardboard books with bright pictures will keep him entertained and he'll feel so proud of himself for being able to "read". As preschoolers, my kids loved the Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, If You Give a Moose a Muffin (can't remember author) and any of Sandra Boynton's books. My oldest loved the series about Tacky the Penguin when he was in pre-school.
You really must get "The Big Hungry Bear" by ... oh, man, I cannot think of the authors. They are a couple, and the woman's name is Audrey I believe.
Wonderful book. My boys would have us read it over and over as toddlers. My husband would change words and they would have it so memorized that they would shriek and giggle with the corrections.
Lovely pictures too. You will fall in love with the tiny mouse. You will never see the big hungry bear. Wonderful!! Oh, Woods, is the last name of the author.
I want to say it is Richard and Audrey Woods I believe. I just bought one as a baby gift last year.
What fun! I started reading to mine when they were infants too....we loved Goodnight Moon as well. Pajama Time is something Katelyn has loved and it might be by Sandra Boynton also, any of hers are good...Brown Bear, If you give a moose a muffin, The very hungry caterpillar, The velveteen rabbit. Oh, and Just in Case you ever wonder by Max Lucado is good too. Tons of choices out there and y'all will have such fun collecting them! Board books will be great for the next several years.
that does sound like a wonderful dr if he's already recommending reading! We're big fans of Sandra Boynton books here!
Right when I went on to read your blog, Daniel came up to me with a book for me to read to him. So, I didn't read your blog, instead I read him the book, Goodnight Moon. How strange that that is the book you mention.
Daniel's favorite book is a book called "Sleepy Dog".
What a wise doctor! Poor baby, those shots are the worst! How wonderful that he has so many people in his life around to love him though!
I love reading A.A. Milne's books to little people, they also love the Dr. Suess ones.
Oh I love the classics over here. Peter Rabbit is one of our favorites. There is also a series of "bunny" books I got from my Christian bookstore that are fun, as well. (No, no Bunny; and Uh Oh Bunny are two of the titles).
Have fun out there looking for books.
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