On the play mat

[mmcirvin]

Before Jorie was born, her grandma Judy McIrvin gave us a beautiful handmade play mat. Jorie is finally big enough to get significant use out of it:





(It's officially a tummy-time mat, but tummy time usually lasts about 60 seconds before she gets worn out from her baby push-ups and starts yelling.)

Comments

[thette.livejournal.com]

She's even cuter now, when the newborn edginess is wearing off. Awww!

[sunburn.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize that "tummy-time" is an important developmental element, nor that anyone besides my sister used that expression, but then, she's a mother of two and has read up a bit on how to raise babies. A year or so ago, I happened to be present when second niece turned herself over. I remarked to my sister, in another room, and she said "You didn't flip her over? She's not supposed to do that for a few weeks." "I'll tell her to cut it out, then." I told her, which is why I'll never be a good father.

Anyway, we tried to get the baby to do it again (as you do) and didn't manage it, and she wasn't comfortable on her belly for very long. But she was a bundle of glee on her back, with numerous toys dangling precariously overhead.

Saw her again two weeks ago, and she's walking and signing and attempting a few words. And she's made of meat! Walking, thinking meat! And cute.

In short, don't hope into a time machine and go forward in time one year like I apparently did. Babies are cool fun, and a good thing because they replace all of the other cool fun things you ever did.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, we actually have multiple beautiful handmade play mats. My aunt Bonnie and my co-worker's wife Vickie Hill made lovely ones too! So we can have one in every room.

[asienieizi.livejournal.com]

I'm very much enjoying that playmat. I quilted some bright ones for my own grandchildren instead of the traditional baby pastel colors. Gramma McIrvin is very talented.