A Pocket Full of Kisses

Even though I've been (slightly) preparing Chloe for her babysis for quite some time now (though I did back off a bit when I realized how long the wait was getting), since we are now so close to referral, I thought I had better hit it hard as far as prep goes - so off to the bookstore!

A few books were recommended to me from the famous RQ (rumor queen) so I snagged those right away - A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. The latter seems really good so far and I'm hoping I can remember all the tips supplied when the time (fights, arguments, etc) actually happen!

A Pocket Full of Kisses - I had actually purchased The Kissing Hand by this same author and it was a huge hit. Chloe and I have been reading this book for about 2 years and even at 6 years old, I still give her kissing hands when I drop her off at school in the morning (at her request) or when she goes to kids club at the health club or when I am about to travel - the book actually comes with little heart stickers. I can not rave about this book enough as far as calming the fears of your child.

The second one by this author is A Pocket full of Kisses and deals with the racoon family bringing a baby brother into the home. I picked it up last weekend and Chloe and I read it before bed on Sunday night - there is one part that goes:

Mother Racoon: "....I thought you liked having a little brother."
Chester: "I did like it at first...but now he plays with my toys, and swings on my swings, and reads my books. Then he pulls my tail and talks to my friends and follows me everywhere I go!"

My brilliantly analytic daughter chimes in immediately: "Well, that's ANNOYING!"

So I guess we have a little more work to do.

Speaking of analytical - I was able to borrow a baby bjorn from some Chicago Friends (thanks Sean and Mary!!!) which is a baby carrier thingamajiggy that you climb into that actually holds the baby to your chest - they are really super cool and allows me to have a hands free experience which is quite advantageous for international travel I must say. Anyway, these things have several belts going every which way and clips - like an octopus covered in soft cloth. Friend Vicky showed me how to climb into the darn thing while I was in Chicago and I'm like "Ok, this is easy enough now that you've showed me how to do it!" 20 minutes later, I try doing it myself and could not figure the darn thing out! I get home from my trip and I'm showing the thing to Chloe - I put it on and can't figure it out again! I leave the room to answer the phone, come back and not only does she have the darn thing figured out and on but she also has one of her dolls in it - Holy Moly!!! Thank goodness she is traveling with me!