The Wonder Bug

I broke my own rule. The rule that I set back before I became a parent. The rule I encouraged the grandparents to follow (and they did). Not only did I break my own rule yesterday, I confess that I've broken it a few times. The rule: Do not buy your baby a toy bigger than a shoebox. It sounds like a silly rule, but when you live in a small apartment, it is very necessary. I've always known how fun it is for parents and grandparents to buy an abundance of bigger and better toys and am trying so hard to simplify for Eva's sake, as well as our own. I desire for our home to be a place that makes our child and others feel welcome without overwhelming them with baby things.

The only baby items I wanted to break this rule with were the swing and highchair. Those were the "big items" I registered for. Since then we have acquired a floor gym, a Bumbo, and now... the Wonder Bug exersaucer. These are all great inventions for babies but they take up so.much.space.

We decided last night to get Eva an exersaucer after much discussion and following her 4 month check up appointment. Her head is somewhat flat in the back and angles up front to back. This is a common result of the new initiative to have babies sleep on their backs. I think a little misshapen head is worth it if it at all prevents SIDS but it comes with its own consequences. More and more babies are having to wear helmets to reshape their heads and correct flatness. We're really hoping that Eva does not need this expensive accessory. Right now her doctor was not too concerned and just said that the more time she can spend off her back the better. So we decided to increase tummy time and use an exersaucer for some of the time instead of her swing or floor gym.

Ironically, when I picked out the swing on our registry I looked for something in an understated design that wouldn't scream BABY when you looked at it. I know that makes me boring, I don't care. The exersaucer, with its bright colors and big googly buy eyes is the exact opposite. BABY BABY BABY!!!! But she likes the toys and colors and we got it at Once Upon a Child (a children's resale shop) for about 75% off the retail price. A baby changes everything - what are you gonna do???

She has played in it for about 20 minutes today and enjoys it. I've been showing her what the toys can do. Interestingly, she tends to use her left hand on all of the toys. She has good neck/head strength and can hold herself upright, but... her little legs don't reach the bottom. I was hoping that she could push up and put weight on her legs like she does on my lap. I guess she'll have to grow into it a bit.

Signed,
A. Rulebreaker