When I think of cleaning a baby’s or toddler’s hands, I think of cleaning off dirt and germs that could make them sick with a cold or the flu.  But washing their hands cleans off more than that according to the Environmental Working Group.  It also prevents the transfer of toxic chemicals from their little hands to their mouths.  These toxins can be found many places such as some electronic equipment, older wooden swingsets, or some items with fire retardants.

IMPORTANT:  Hand sanitizers are convenient, but they do not remove dust and dirt which are how the chemicals are transferred.  Old-fashioned hand washing removes not only bacteria but also the grime.

Our daughter has this baby sling and used it with our second grandson, who is now nearly five months old.  She really liked using it when he was younger. Back in June, we were at a graduation ceremony and our grandbaby was comfortably and securely riding in this baby sling.  Unless you got up real close, you couldn’t tell there was a baby in there.  So this lady we had never met before said something to our daughter.  She thought our daughter was carrying some kind of “funky” purse until she realized that there was a baby in it.  We all thought that was funny!

It’s such an exciting time when a new baby is born in the family.  I know first hand because our second grandson was born a little over a month ago.  His older brother was born 21 months earlier.  The whole family was elated and friends and relatives wanted to know the news and how much the baby weighed, what was the weight, etc.  And what better way to share about the birth than with some stylish birth announcements.

If anyone is wondering where I am, I’m out visiting our daughter and son-in-law and helping take care of the two grandbabies, cooking some, etc.  If you are a grandma, then you know what I mean when I tell you how much fun I’m having.  I’m helping take care of our 20 month old grandson, Baby J, and our newborn grandson who is two weeks old.  Both are adorable, but there’s something so special about a newborn baby.  Their sweet little newborn sounds, cute faces they make, and the way they move their little arms are so precious.  Baby J is doing and saying the cutest things, has favorite words such as “no” (lol), “uh-oh,” “mess,” “shoes,” and is presently referring to me as ‘Bobba” since grandma is hard to say.  We asked him to say grandpa, and he said something like “Passa.”  So I guess temporarily (?), we’re Passa and Bobba which is adorable to us.

I plan to be heading back home tomorrow.  My husband jokingly told a friend that I had left him for two younger men and then explained about our two grandbabies.  He’s so glad I can be out here to help, too.

We have had such an exciting and blessed week.  Our daughter and s-i-l are the proud new parents of a precious baby boy.  Baby J (our 20 month old grandson) seems proud of his new baby brother and loves to point out Baby Brother’s nose, mouth, ears, hair, etc.

It is such a wonderful experience holding a newborn grandbaby, and just as much the second time around.  Such an awesome blessing!

Our daughter just recently designed new T-shirts for Baby J (our almost 20 months old grandson) and for our soon-to-be-born Baby C.  They are the cutest shirts!   One shirt says “Big Brother” and the other shirt says “Little Brother.”  She used CafePress.com to design the shirts, and they are just adorable.

If you have any special occasion coming up where a custom T-shirt would add to the occasion, check them out.  (This is not a paid post.)

Our daughter had a sonogram recently, and the news is out. They are expecting another boy in April. Baby J will be 20 months old when the new baby is born, so that means they will have two in diapers at the same time. Fun, fun!! We are excited, and of course all of the grandparents are excited. I think Baby J will make a good big brother once he makes the adjustment to having a baby in the house.

Now that our daughter and s-i-l are expecting their second baby next April, I find myself noticing baby clothes even more.  They are just so cute, especially the ones for the little babies.  I was the same way with Baby J when they were expecting him and still am to a certain degree with his clothes.  But now I’m noticing the little, bitty clothes again.   So fun!

Abortion, Roe Vs Wade, Right to Life, Pro-Life, and Pro-Choice are definitely being talked about in the political arena.  I’m not one to write about politics, but there is something that I believe so strongly that I feel the need to write about it now.  I do not want to offend anyone, please understand that is not my style.

I believe that we can not play God, that life is in God’s hands – not ours, nor do we have the right to take the life of an unborn baby, nor do we have the right to do nothing when a baby survives a partial-birth abortion and just leave it alone to die.  In the state of Illinois during the past several years, there have been cases of babies (some healthy) who survived partial-birth abortions and were left to die on a table or in a soiled linens utility room. Click here to read testimony from nurses involved.

Nearly everyone has heard of the infamous case of Roe Vs Wade.  DID YOU KNOW THAT THE REAL JANE ROE IN THAT CASE IS NORMA MCCORVEY?  And did you know NOW she is AGAINST Roe Vs Wade? Click here to listen to Jane Roe, who is really Norma McCorvey, as she speaks against abortion on video.

Obama says that after teaching his daughters morals, “if they make a mistake he wouldn’t want them punished with a baby.”   A baby is NOT a punishment, though…it’s a precious little person! Click here to watch a video of Obama himself saying that he wouldn’t want his daughters punished with a baby. What about teaching that we are responsible for our actions and we do not have the right to take someone else’s life? (There are a lot of people wanting to adopt babies and give them loving homes.  That’s a great option!)

Most importantly, here are words from the Bible in the book of Psalms 139:

(David is talking about God)

“For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful (notice this does not exclude special needs children),

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came

to be.”

God is the One who forms us, and we do not have the right to kill what God has created.

This has been such a busy week that I’m just now writing about the wonderful weekend we had with our daughter, son-in-law, and Baby J celebrating our daugher’s 27th birthday.   It was fun watching Baby J, who is 13 months old, walking all over the place…and fast.  He jabbered a lot and was very expressive, had a sense of humor, and hugged an Earnie doll (from Sesame Street).   He’s such a cutie!  One special time that we had together (teachers will appreciate this) was when he was looking at some baby books I put out for him.  He picked up a book that my parents (both have passed away) gave our daughter 27 years ago.  So Jackson picked up his mommy’s baby book about animals, turned the book until he could open it the correct way, looked at the first page, and then came over to Grandma (me) and wanted up in my lap so we could read the book.  That was such a precious moment that I hope I never forget!