I’m not ready to leave Veronika with a babysitter yet… but I also have moments when I need, well, my brain and my hands! Now that Veronika is old enough for quality face time with relatives, I can try some time being “on” as me and “off” as a caregiver.

When you need a moment, invite someone (grandparents are usually more than willing!) to take time “on” with your baby. Veronika absolutely adores staring at these new and comforting faces.

Meanwhile I’m free to get things done – bills, Christmas clean-up. And if I really have time for a pause, the crossword!

What do you do in your parenting “off” moments while someone else is “on”? Do share in the comments!

Travis keeps asking when his baby sister will start talking I’ve been setting his expectations, telling him that first she’ll go from purely instinctual noises (the nehs and the hehs to cooing, from cooing to babbling, from babbling to syllables, and finally from syllables to real words.

Well, the time has come for the cooing stage! Veronika is just starting to make vocalizations, trying to “talk” back to us, and Travis (and I!) are delighted.

To encourage these noises, take a quiet moment face-to-face with your child, either in a bouncy seat, or on your lap.

I made cooing noises to Veronika, and waited for her to coo back in response. In addition to adorable noises, you’ll get some cute faces.

This early on, you can focus on the vowel sounds: aahs, ohhhs, ooohs, and eeehs are all early to come to a baby.

Travis loved pitching in, making sounds and waiting for Veronika to “talk” back. A great activity for engaging big siblings, and for helping your child’s language development along.

Veronika’s reached an age (just shy of 2 months!) where she might actually need a little entertainment on trips away from home, rather than remaining content simply staring (or sleeping). Enter in this perfect solution:

Keep a zip-top plastic bag in your purse or diaper bag, filled with two to three small toys.

You can rotate these options frequently, to keep things interesting, but it means you’ll always have something on hand to dazzle the eyes and ears if the need arises.

Suggestions include rattles, toys that crinkle, or ones that squeak.

We love this new light-up teether!

You could also add a small, lightweight book to your pouch, if it fits.

Veronika loved her little kit!

Whatever you pick, keep the baggie in your purse and you’ll never be caught empty-handed.

We’re lucky that Veronika’s two month birthday and first round of vaccinations coincide with the holidays – because this is the perfect time to introduce new family members! Just as with friends of the family, your infant is now more attuned to his or her surroundings, and taking an interest in what the people around are doing.

I’m used to Veronika gazing at me, but it’s so heart-warming to watch her turn her focus on other people as well.

When you introduce baby to aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives, take it slow and try not to overwhelm your little one. Veronika loved taking a special moment in each person’s lap or arms, quietly having a moment one-on-one. With aunts…

…uncles…

…a special story time from a cousin…

…and grandparents.

Uncle’s fingers make the perfect fingerhold at nap time!

It didn’t matter whether it was the holidays or just a simple weekend; it felt special to take the time to do this, and let Veronika bond with her family members. I hope you enjoy this activity with your baby, too!

If you’re following along in my baby game journey, then your infant is nearly 2 months old (!) and finally getting his or her crucial first dose of vaccines. This means it’s safer to play with other young children, so it’s time to meet some new faces!

If you haven’t done so already, it’s the perfect time to introduce cousins or host playdates with friends of the family, or invite over some of a big sibling’s buddies.

No need to do anything special (although we combined one playdate with a cookie swap!); babies love watching older kids, and older kids will love sitting near baby, perhaps stroking an arm.

Veronika has been taking long daytime naps lately, but she was absolutely entranced watching big kids run around the living room, which kept her wide awake.

She watched from her swing for over an hour without a single fuss!

Big kids are so cool!

If an older child wants a special role, you can definitely help make them feel useful. They’re great at handing over a clean diaper, wipes, or simply talking to baby during a change.

In all the hustle and bustle of a household – whether your little one is the first child entering an adult sphere, or a younger sibling now contending with the hubbub of big kids – there’s often a lot of noise. It feels like we’ve had more than our fair share lately, from an under-the-weather big brother watching loud holiday movies, to music playing, to ambient sounds of dishwashers and laundry machines.

If you notice your baby showing signs of overstimulation (arms flailing, turning the head away), then take a moment for this easy activity.

Veronika and I retreated to a quiet room with no background noise, where we could just be for a moment. You can talk quietly, or sing softly, or just sit with your infant.

In moments you should notice the baby relax in your arms. Veronika sure did! I got smiles and her wide-eyed adoring gaze – making this a zen moment for mama too!