Savvy Toddler Mom

Quick update on the flood: carpet is dry, but tonight we cut a hole in the drywall to check for mold potential.  Things look good, but I still sprayed with a Clorox/water mix to make sure.  As soon as that’s dry, we’ll get the carpet people in here to replace the pad, reinstall the carpet, and do a good cleaning.  My favorite carpet cleaning company?  Action Cleaning & Restoration (801-395-2822).

For now, though, my family room and office is still inundated with STUFF from the craft room.  I can hardly move!  I did find my list, though… so without further ado…

Here are some of my favorite baby/toddler books:

• The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy: A must-read for anyone that has ever gone through the experience of having a child.  Meant to be informative and HUMOROUS.  Not to be considered a medical reference.  Very, very funny, though.  Vicki Iovine ROCKS.
• Baby Bargains/Toddler Bargains: Better by FAR than Consumer Reports or any other ratings guide.  These guys know their stuff!  I don’t think I’ve made a big purchase without their advice… and they have tips and info on a wide variety of topics.  Also, if you had a copy of this and are having another baby — be sure to check out the newer versions.  They just came out with edition #7 two weeks ago (4/25/2007).
• Baby 411/Toddler 411: Others by the same authors as above (and a Dr. too).  I told my brother to pick up Toddler 411 — great reference book with bite-sized snippets on everything from nutrition to discipline to illnesses, etc. 
• The Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood: Ditto from above.
• The Girlfriend’s Guide to Toddlers: Ditto again.
• The Happiest Toddler on the Block: I just started reading this one and I am already a convert.  I know they have a “baby” version of this book, but I’ve never read it.  If you have an unruly toddler, though, this book will help you learn how to speak “toddlerese” and break down the language barrier.

There are many, many more books I want to share, but I don’t wish to overwhelm.  Another day, another post.

On a side note, on my bedside table on top of The Happiest Toddler on the Block is Love Your Handwriting by Heidi Swapp, scrapbooking queen.  If you are into card making/scrapbooking, check out her blog (check out this book too!).  She posts great info and examples of her pages/projects with TONS of personality.