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I have always been a DIYer. I love creating new from old and finding ways to make something that I want or need myself (especially if it’s cheaper to do so!).

When Layton was super, super tiny, just a month or so old, I was looking up the best toys for his age and I read that high contrast, black and white toys and books were the best.

We didn’t have any high contrast toys or books at the time and I didn’t really want to buy something that would only be entertaining for a few months. The best thing I could have purchased would have been some books that were black and white. I decided to wait until my local library had their used book sale and in the meantime, I made some “flashcards” for him to look at and enjoy.

It was super easy and free!

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Materials Needed: Computer, a printer, and card stock.
Cost: $0 – $5 (depending on if you need to buy card stock)
Craft time: 2-10 minutes.

How To:
1. Search Google: “high contrast black and white images for babies” or any variation of that.
2. Save and print any images you like! I found a lot of search results that had multiple images/designs on one page. Of course, I’m partial to sloths, so I found some black and white sloths!
3. Print!
4. Cut up.
5. Display! You can prop them up in their bassinet or bouncer or even just hold them in front of baby’s face. Babies at this age only see about 12-15 inches in front of them.

We had this portable bassinet that made it easy to put some of my flashcards propped up around his head. As he got older, he would hold them and look at them. We retired them when he started putting everything in his mouth!

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Pros: Cheap, easy and quick! Definitely get the same benefits that you would if you bought high contrast board books.

Cons: They tear easy and when baby starts putting everything his their mouth, you have to retire or dispose of these “toys.”

Durability: 1/5

Age: 0-4 months

Baby Entertainment Time: multiple hours a day, over a few months

Skills Learned/Benefits for baby: Helps with eye development. When babies are three months and younger, they only see in blacks, whites, and grays, so they love looking at simple black and white or other high contrasts images. This helps them focus on shapes and designs and helps with eye development!

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Sources:
Newborn Eye Sign, American Academy of Pediatrics
Why Black and White Toys Are Best For Baby, The Tot

Don’t Want to DIY?
High Contrast Board Books:
– “Look Look Baby” (We actually found this book at our library’s used book sale.)
– “Hello Animals” (There are a ton of “hello, ___” black and white books.)
– My First Soft Books (If we had all the money in the world, I probably would have gotten something like these! They are great for babies, are fabric pages and have crinkle paper inside!)

Other high contrast toys:
– Tummy Time Soft Activity Book With Mirror and other textures.
– High Contrast Shape Set (these can hang off anything…your bouncer, stroller, or car seat!)

I do love a good alliteration. Every month I would like to compile a list of what Layton and I are currently reading, watching, listening to, or otherwise worth mentioning. I’ll probably mention Daddy too.

Mama Mentions… this month has been so busy. I have been working a ton between my main job (albeit still not back to regular pay) and coaching. We held our first in-person race (my main job) since March and coaching is just crazy; there’s something new to deal with every day… it’s impossible to work on my hobbies, but I’m trying; especially because I’m trying to become a stronger writer to see if I can break into that industry!

Creating: I’m still working on some cross stitch projects I’ve had for awhile!

Reading: “The Montessori Toddler.” I originally checked this book out from the library but I really liked it, and it was 3 months overdue, so I ended up buying my own copy! I’m not a 100% Montessori mama, I’m barely 25%, but this book gives you some good ideas if you want to bring some Montessori play/learning into your home. It’s written very well, includes pictures, and example ideas for each age.

Listening To: “The Farm” audiobook. I honestly thought this book was going to be a bit different when I read the overview (I was thinking more dystopian/cult fiction). It ended up being just a fiction book about women that go to live a “the Farm” while carrying a surrogate baby for super-wealthy families. The first 2/3 were kinda boring, but the book did explore deep thoughts about pregnancy, motherhood, and family.
Find it on Goodreads.

Watching: Anything on Disney+. I’ve been a long-term insomniac and in recent weeks, I have taken to setting my phone up next to my pillow and watching a movie to fall asleep. It kinda works. The most recent movie: Zombies 2. It took me about four nights to get through the whole movie, but I did enjoy it in a geeky way.

Mama’s Me Time Activity: Speaking of Disney+, I’ve taken a 10-month hiatus from my Watching Every Disney Movie ever project I started years ago. I got a list of every Disney movie ever and started watching them, mostly in order of date released. In the process of doing this on my own, I found a girl on YouTube that is also doing this and reviewing them on her channel. She’s super cute, in an “I feel old enough to be her Mom kind of way”, but has improved tremendously over the years and gained so many followers since the beginning!
Check out Jess and her Every Disney Movie Ever project on YouTube

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Layton Mentions… Layton is a rough and tumble, full of personality, ready to explore, 14-month-old. In the past month, he’s been keeping us busy, coming with me to cross country practices, and unfortunately taking a trip to the emergency room. I haven’t decided if I will write in detail about that, but in quick: he caught a random virus bug (negative for COVID) but it caused an intestinal intussusception which required an emergency procedure to fix (not surgery). He’s better now, recovered, and back to his normal self!

Current Favorite Toy: The traditional popper toy! You know what I’m talking about…

Current Favorite Book: This kid LOVES books. Obviously, he’s not reading yet, but he will just flip the pages and flip the pages…he’ll grab a book, plop in my lap, and put the book in my hand. All. Day. Long. And I love it! Right now, he keeps finding this “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” picture book we have. He must really like the colors. He also likes this tiny board book about a construction truck and giggles when I read “rumble rumble.”

New Discovery/Milestone: Body parts! He now knows what different body parts are! Like, “Layton, where’s your belly?” and he’s point to his belly! He knows belly, eyes, ears, nose, hair, mouth, and toes/feet!

Memorable Moment: Meeting Layton’s new cousin, Casey. 🙂

Family Time Activity: We’ve still been going on a lot of family walks to parks and having picnic lunches.

Daddy Mentions:

I do love a good alliteration. Every month I would like to compile a list of what Layton and I are currently reading, watching, listening to, or otherwise worth mentioning. I’ll probably mention Daddy too.

Mama Mentions

Creating: I just finished up a cross stitch project, a wedding sampler for my cousin. Here’s a picture of it pre-wash and frame.

Reading: “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” by Kim Edwards. This book has been on my shelf for who knows how long; I don’t even remember buying it or where it came from! I found the audio book on my library’s free audio book APP and have been loving this deep book. In short, it’s about a woman who gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl with sown syndrome. During labor, she passes out and her husband, who is the doctor, hands the girl off to the nurse with instructions to drop the baby off at a poorly run orphanage facility and tells his wife the twin died at birth. Instead, the nurse raises the baby as her own, the biological mother not knowing. This book dives into themes about love, parenthood, accomplishing dreams, and marriage. I’m almost done, but so far I highly recommend it.

Listening to: The rain outside my window. It’s much needed and the sound is so calming and relaxing.

Watching: NOTHING! I have not been finding anything that sounds good to watch or that interests me! Nothing motherhood related or otherwise! Recommendations?

Mama’s Me Time Activity: This past month? The daily shower. Oh boy do I look forward to my 15 minutes to myself in the shower and the following 15 minutes of my nightly routine.

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Layton Mentions

Current Favorite Toy: Any type of ball! In particular the dog’s gross tennis ball!

Current Favorite Book: All my old, vintage Dr. Seuss books! My mom recently brought a tub of my old books down and in them are these old Disney and Dr. Seuss books. I think they were from one of those mail subscriptions things like this ad. Anyone else have these??

I don’t know if it’s the feel of the cover or what, he grabs those books first, carries them all around, flips the pages (doesn’t even try to tear out the paper!) and brings them to me at bed time!

New Discovery: Knocking on things. It’s pretty cute.

Recent Milestone: Climbing on the couch. He can now get on the couch by himself….and, luckily, can now get off the safe way!

Memorable Moment: Being a ring bearer at my cousin’s wedding!

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Family Time Activity: Having family from out of town.

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Daddy Mentions: “Babe! look! This is how to be a dad,” he says as he holds Layton while vacuuming.

Wow. Layton is over a year old (now almost 14 months). Already!! How did that even happen!?

I would love to write a heartfelt story about the last year with profound words about how much he’s changed our lives for the better and I couldn’t imagine life without him, but I don’t even know how to begin that type of story! Words can’t describe how much I love watching this kid grow and learn.

As much as the 1st birthday is a fun gathering where you get to watch a baby shovel cake in their face, the 1st birthday is also about the parents, I mean, you should get to celebrate lasting a whole year, trying to figure out parenthood!

When I first starting thinking about having a birthday party for Layton, I wished I could invite all the people that helped us out throughout the year, but alas, we knew we should keep it small due to COVID. We debated back and forth what we wanted to do and ultimately just settled on a small gathering of our immediate family and a couple of friends. We BBQed and had adult beverages while everyone doted on and spoiled Layton.

Layton got a TON of presents, did great with his cake smash, and got lots of playing and pool time with his cousin (who is just about one month older).

Since Layton is too small to pick a theme, I stuck to his sloth theme that I picked for his birth and nursery. I cannot wait to do birthdays in the future (please pick dinosaurs, please pick dinosaurs, please pick dinosaurs...)!

It was a great 1st birthday and we are super grateful for all the gifts, help, and love for Layton over the year!

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Check out my Pinterest board that inspired the decorations and my cake.

I do love a good alliteration. Every month I would like to compile a list of what Layton and I are currently reading, watching, listening to, or otherwise worth mentioning. I’ll probably mention Daddy too.

Mama Mentions:
Creating: I’m currently working on making a cross-stitch bookmark for a friend’s (belated) birthday present. I can’t tell you what it is yet because chances are, she’ll read this. Before that, I just finished a grandma theme cross stitch that I gave my Mom for Mother’s Day and some Harry Potter-themed bookmarks for my Dad for his birthday.

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Reading: I just finished up “Yes Please” by Amy Poehler. I liked it a lot. She’s one of my favorite comedians and I can watch “Parks and Rec” over and over. In her book, she talks about her life and how she got to where she is. She also has a lot of parenting stories and funny quotes! Find it on Amazon.

I’m a mother now and I think I’m pretty good at it. I think I’m a decent person, a very good listener and excellent at making funny faces; all necessary when mothering a child.”

Amy Phoeler, “Yes Please!”

Listening To: “Savage Mom (Parody)” by Laura Clery. On repeat.

Watching: 9 Months With Courteney Cox – This is a Facebook Watch Series, so everyone should be able to watch for free! They are on season two now, so I might be late to the game with this one, but I binged season one and loved it. The episodes are about 15 minutes each and I cry almost every time.

Mama’s Me Time Activity: Inspired by another blogger my age and a comment about my wrinkles, I’ve been obsessed with searching for an anti-aging cream and skincare regimen since my previous one just isn’t doing the trick anymore (it was built for ance treatment). After a few google searches, I realized this is a daunting task and It’s become a research project for me as I search products, tips, and look for samples (because a lot of them are EXPENSIVE and there’s no way I can just buy $50 bottles “to try”). The project has become rather fun for me and I can’t wait to try some of the samples that are on their way to my house.

Layton Mentions:
Current Favorite Toy: He loves the traditional stacking ring toy. That’s usually the first one he picks off the shelf and scatters around the house.

Current Favorite Book: “Never Touch A Dragon” a touch-and-feel board book. He LOVES this book! He’s constantly flipping the pages and touching the dragons. Find it on Amazon.

New Discovery: Drumming on things with his hands and how they make different noises, including my belly!

Recent Milestone: TEETH! We can actually see TWO teeth on the bottom coming in. He’s been drooling like a St. Bernard for a few weeks and we’re excited to finally see teeth after we saw white spot when he was about 4 or 5 months old with no tooth to follow.

Memorable Moment: My first Mother’s Day. Ben made breakfast for me and let me sleep while he took care of the kiddo in the morning and went on a walk. That left me to my breakfast, coffee, and a book for a few peaceful minutes. Later, I ran with Layton in the stroller for a Virtual 5k and my Mom and Ben’s Mom brought flowers for our house!

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Family Time Activity: Whenever we get the chance, we have been trying to run or walk together, Baby, Doggy, Daddy and Mommy.

Daddy’s 2 Cents for the month: “Don’t let your kiddo to walk in a cast iron tub.”

Comment below with your Monthly Mentionables! What are your favorite things this past month?