Parenting Toddlers

I’m serious! Would you like to see your toddler on television teaching other toddlers how to do things? Check out the tv show that is going to be airing on Sprout this spring - coming weekends on the popular toddler channel from PBS is The Sharing Show!

The Sharing Show is a show that shows toddlers doing their favorite things. For instance, if your two year old daughter loves to help you bake cupcakes in the kitchen, grab a video camera and get it on tape! Mail it into the company and they may show your toddler on tv! As of now, VHS, DVD, or MiniDV has to be into the company by March 3, so go grab a video camera and start recording!

I have to admit, I have Sprout through DirecTV but I haven’t watched it yet! We just got it a few months ago when we changed or package and the kids were pretty set in their tv shows already, but now that I know about this program I’m going to make the time to check out more about the programming. I do know that the website has lots of fun stuff for your toddler to do, from games to activities.

You can find more, including the signed release that you have to send with the tape, here.

Why is it that parents are always overscheduling their children? I know of a woman who has her son (who is in elementary school) in every afterschool program available, keeping him busy until 5 p.m. every night, and then into Tae Kwon Do two nights a week. Her toddler is in daycare while she works, and then has a gymboree class on the nights that her brother doesn’t have Tae Kwon Do. These guys are constantly running around, and every time I talk to her older child he says how tired he is.

How come parents believe that their children have to have some activity to fill up their every waking moment? Children do not necessarily need something to do every day! They need quality time to spend with their parents, as well as with their siblings. Toddlers especially need a lot of sleep and a lot of cuddle time. If a toddler, or any child for that matter, spends too much time on other activities, they will be tired, cranky, and may have behavioral problems.

Is it alright to put your toddler in an activity or two? Absolutely - but if they have more activities scheduled than they do cuddle and chill-out time, you might want to rethink your schedule a bit.

This evening the hubby and I have to head to the tax mans in order to pay our dues to the federal government once again. The only problem is that we’re going to a new tax man because I have NO idea how to do my own taxes now that I’m a freelance writer. This means that the kiddos are not coming with us. So where are they going?

Yup, Grandma and Grampa’s house. I’m one of those parents who believes that it is vital that your child interacts with your close friends and family. I don’t, however, believe that it is a good thing for your parents to be parents to your children. After all, they have earned the right to have their own lives. I do think, though, that it is good for your toddler to spend some time with Grammy and Grampa now and again. Usually my mother sees the kids once every couple of weeks and every three or four months or so they spend a night. I’d like it to be more, but it just hasn’t happened yet.

Tonight, though, Grammy is taking them for supper! She loves to feed them, and so it works out perfectly. They get to have a mid-week (or almost mid-week) treat, and we get to know that they’re having fun and getting a bit spoiled with Gram and Grampa while we are getting our taxes done. And I may just slide over to the store while they’re busy and grab a few little Valentine’s treats…more on Valentine’s day tomorrow!

A little mid-week treat for all of us!

I’m so sorry!! I had this HUGE post set to go about moving into a new home and tricks to try with your toddler, and then the entire site crashed, and I’ve had problems getting it working since then!

BUT! We’re back, and we’re good to go! I will have a post every day from now on (barring emergencies, illness, and stupid internet crashing).

Anyway, my topic for today? Renting toys.

What, you think I’m crazy?

Well, they don’t think I’m so crazy over at Baby Plays!

Baby Plays is a new website that is sort of like Netflix for toys - you sign up to receive a few toys a month. When the month is over, you send the toy back and get new toys that are on your list. It is not only a way to keep the toys fresh, but it’s a way to experience new toys without having to buy them. After all, what’s worse than buying a new toy for your child and having them hate it? This way you can rent a toy and they can play with it for as long as they want (you don’t have to send it back after 30 days - you can keep it as long as you’d like), and you will know if they love it or not. If you find that they play with it almost every day, you can send it back and buy your own.

I like the idea behind Baby Plays, but I’m not quite sure if I’d rent toys from them or not. I don’t even have Netflix because I really don’t quite get it. I mean, I get it, but I don’t know if it will truly save me money or not. My daughter is old enough now that most of the toys they have for rent I’m not sure if she’d really play with. I think this would be a great site for parents of children between 0-3, but older than that? I’m not sure. What do you think about renting toys?

Hi! My name is Randi and I’ll be your guide through the formative, yet crazy world that is Toddlerville! So, let’s see, what makes me qualified to run Parenting Toddlers? Well, I’m 28 and have two beautiful children (I count three children on the days that my husband’s being whiney). Toad is now 7 and Babygirl is 3. So, technically, I guess my daughter is on the outside edge of toddler-hood. I love talking about toddlers, however, and being a licensed foster parent means that I never know when I’ll have another one in my home.

We live in Vermont (read: Hickville), and my husband works in a furniture factory. I’m a stay-at-home-mom and full-time freelance writer. My mother works at a special school for children who have “issues” (both emotional and developmental), and I help them out by taking children who are considered to be OCS - I’m still not sure what the letters mean, but basically these are kids that have acted up and have to be out of the school for the day.

So what can you expect from this blog? While it’s under my reign, you can expect my thoughts on discipline, food (I have one of the fussiest kids…), naps, toys, and everything that has to do with raising a toddler and a family, because any toddler is highly impacted by the type of family life they have.

So welcome to Parenting Toddlers, and I hope that you’ll know if you have any questions that I’d love to answer them! Just leave a message in the comments…

It is very early as I write this. Connor had a rough night, and about 5:00 this morning he decided that bed was simply no longer an option. While he was visiting family yesterday he spent quite a bit of time outside, and he picked up a stellar collection of bug bites. (Stellar as in “I think we could draw lines between them to form Orion and his belt,” not stellar as in “great.”) We gave him children’s Benadryl and applied calamine lotion, but he woke up every three hours as the Benadryl wore off. This morning is not kind to us, folks.

As an exhausted-mom cop out, I’m just going to give y’all a collection of links this morning. Eventually, some of these may make it to the blogroll or the links sidebar, but for now they’ll have to do as an entry. Let’s just pretend I wrote something insightful around the links, okay?

Like most of you, I enjoy reading mommyblogs. This is actually a holdover from long before I had a kid; I just like reading about children and parents. I’m pretty sure the entire internet knows about Dooce and Mighty Girl, but do y’all know about Mimi Smartypants? All three of these women are pretty hilarious, and thankfully, all three of them find the time to update regularly and the brainpower to do so with style.

Here’s a little something for those of you who have trouble with meals: Mom Puts Family on Her Meal Plan. Some — okay, most — of the information in the article will be pretty familiar. (Prepare meals ahead of time! Learn to make a few quick and easy staple meals!) Still, it’s never a bad idea to reiterate this stuff. This link may require you to register with the New York Times.

If you find that article interesting, try hitting up Living Behind the Curve and check out their SRSLY plan. It’s a nice take on pre-prepared meals, and all it requires is that you own a CrockPot. Actually, it doesn’t really even require that — if you don’t own a slow-cooker, a nifty trick is to throw your CrockPot meal into a stockpot and pop it in the oven at 200 while you get on with life.

My, that was food-centric, wasn’t it? As a silly subject change, Baby Gift UK offers exactly what the title implies — baby gifts for you Brits. (It also has offerings for new parents.) The site’s got a nice variety of items for sale, although they seem to be a bit pricey. These are for when you really want to impress someone or you really want to give something nice. Don’t waste them on your snotty sister-in-law!

Mighty Goods offers a smaller version of the same thing for those of you in the US. Smaller… but much more funny. This site is run by Maggie of Mighty Girl, so using it makes you win twice.

All right, kids. I’m checking out. I’ll be back tomorrow with something insightful, witty, and heartwarming.

Happy Sunday everyone! And happy almost birthday to my hubby!! Love you sweetie!!

Here is this week’s Sunday Sixteen:

1. When did you take the bumpers off your toddler’s crib? We took Alex’s off a short time ago because he was climbing on the bumpers and then getting his legs caught. Now, he has no bumpers to climb on, but he’s still getting his legs caught. He’s only getting caught in the mornings or right after naptime when he’s trying to get out. Thoughts?

2. We got pictures made this past week and the few that I’ve seen so far are absolutely wonderful! I love that I have such a photogenic son!

3. Alex and Diesel are once again inseperable this week. It’s a good thing too, because Alex’s affection and Diesel’s dedication to him in return is the only thing that keeps my diaper cream eating dog in my good graces.

4. Alex’s favorite foods this week - French Toast Bites, fresh pineapple, cooked ground turkey mixed with extra sharp cheddar cheese.

5. Best Mom Movies this week (not toddlers allowed) - sorry, no new ones this week, yours truly hasn’t had a chance to watch any!

6. I checked my weight this morning, and believe it or not, I weigh less right now than I have since before we got pregnant with Alex. Not by a lot mind you, but enough that I’m excited about it. Guess the weight really does start falling off when you start chasing a toddler around!

7. Alex’s favorite book this week is Planes at the Airport by Peter Mandel. It’s a scholastic book about different types of airplanes and what they are used for. It’s a hard board book with lots of pictures, what’s not to like?

8. Best Mom beauty helper this week - the Venus Breeze Razor. This thing is awesome. My legs have never been so smooth.

9. Monday we’ll be going to Alex’s pre-op appointment for his ear tubes. The doc just makes sure his lungs and heart are fine, and he’s in good shape to go under general anesthetic on the 15th.

10. Monday is also my hubby’s birthday. Happy Birthday Hubby!! I love you.

11. Cinco de Mayo has got to be one of the cheapest holiday’s you can celebrate. Mexican food is generally pretty cheap anyway, and add the Cinco de Mayo specials on top of that and voila! A fun evening out for less than $30.00!

12. I want my pool weather back. I’m sick of the rainy, cold days we’ve been having for the past week. Plus Alex is getting antsy being cooped up inside, and when Alex is antsy, everyone is antsy.

13. This past week we had some great posts, so if you’re looking for some good outdoor fun, or if you want to hear more about the super smart little toddler who called 911, visit those posts and check them out! Don’t forget to bookmark the Carnival of Family Life we hosted this past Monday. It’s got tons of useful parenting tips and lots of great stories as well.

14. Next weekend is mother’s day. What do your families have planned, if anything?

15. I’m addicted to hot teas lately. I have all sorts, regular decaf, chai teas, green teas, etc. If I keep going like this I’m going to turn into a tea leaf.

16. Best blogs to read this week (in my opinion) Pinks & Blues Blog - these ladies have all aspects covered, kids, parents and adults. They also have some awesome contests going on, so check them out! Parents Behaving Badly - I’m warning you, this one is hard to read, and not for the faint of heart since it deals with the horrible things that parents do to their kids - but it certainly helps me be a little more tolerant when Alex is having “one of those days”. And last but certainly not least, is Dadcentric. These guys are an absolute riot, and it’s nice to get things from a Dad’s point of view every so often.

So I heard about this story the other day from a lady in my mom’s group. Apparently a toddler received a book from his grandma that taught him how to dial 911 in case of an emergency.

Later on, when his mother collapsed from a gall bladder attack, he picked up the phone, dialed, and told the dispatcher that “Mommy is sick, Mommy needs an ambulance.” He also mentioned that “When Daddy gets here he will see if there’s something wrong with Mommy.”

How adorable is that? And how amazing!! Kudos to this little guy, he very probably saved his mother’s life!!

Click here to read the full story.

toddler calls 911

Carnival of Family Life

Welcome to the Carnival of Family Life!!! I am floored by how many wonderful posts have been submitted this past week, and I’ve bookmarked a good many of them to refer back to! I have to say, there are some pretty talented writers out there, and some even more talented parents! Just for easier access, I’ve categorized this weeks submissions into a few large sections. Kids - Glorious Kids, Family Finances, Relationships, and Parenting Tips. Make sure and check out all the submissions this week. I have, and I’ve enjoyed every one!

Come along on a carnival ride, just follow Alex!

KIDS, GLORIOUS KIDS

WhyMommy gives us a heartwarming peek at her newest addition with Toddler Planet posted at Toddler Planet.

My Wealth Builder shows everyone how to get in touch with their inner bubble blower at Being a Big Kid - Frugal Entertainment

Megan Bayliss brings us along to visit an adorable little guy in How Much can a Koala Bear? posted at Home Schooling Aspergers.. Some must see pictures included!

Emma Honey presents healthandfitnessfactorfiction.com » Blog Archive » Carnivorous Questions posted at healthandfitnessfactorfiction.com.

Dexie gives us a first hand look at a mom’s heartbreak when she realizes her baby just isn’t a baby anymore with … And Then He’s 9 posted at Superwoman.ca.

Matt Finley shares a hilarious post about the tactics behind a successful water fight at The True Innocents » Blog Archive » The Setup posted at The True Innocents.

Lena reminds us why we all hate “mean girls” at The Cheeky Lotus: Mean Girls posted at The Cheeky Lotus.

Anna presents REMOTE CONTROL FOR YOUR TEENAGER « On The Ponderosa posted at On The Ponderosa.

Denise gives us a great riddle with Happy birthday, sweet 17! « Let’s play math! posted at Let’s play math!. See if you can figure it out!

Joan presents Maybe I’m in the Top Ten posted at Sleepless Juggler, an adorable look at why she’s only “probably” the best mom ever.

Julee reflects on Kidney Donation - Our Journey Part One posted at Homeschool Daze.

DeputyHeadmistress takes us for a ride down Memory Lane posted at The Common Room. I’m pretty sure I can come up with a pretty long Lost, Stolen and Strayed list just based on Alex’s activities around here!

Lill Hawkins reminds me why I don’t ever want Alex to grow up with Would You Like a Little Squeeze With That Whine? posted at News from Hawkhill Acres.

Csara gives us true flashbacks with Fifteen things that remind me of childhood posted at Baby Talkers. I remember my very own Cabbage Patch Doll, I think she has arthritis nowadays.

Kerri wraps her mind around the reasoning behind mass marketed toys with American Idol Happy Meal Toys posted at Play Library.

Lisa Mitchell reminds us all about the ups and downs of pregnancy with My Pregnancy: Week 9 posted at Let’s Talk Babies.

Mary (mert) presents Anna-isms posted at Almost Somewhat Positive.

MyBestInvest teaches us about Expanding the family vocabulary posted at My Best Investments. I was feeling a bit crooky myself last week!

FAMILY FINANCES

Rachel Starr Thomson gives us a run down on the pros to owning a family run business with Family Business: Pros to Embrace posted at Inklings. Plus the pictures are just yummy looking!

Ispf presents 5 Financial Lessons I Wish My Dad Had Learnt posted at Grad Money Matters.

Summer M. gives some great suggestions for Frugal homeschooling posted at Mom Is Teaching.

Mom & dad teach how to handle people who are “different” with Little People, Big Lesson posted at raising4boys.com.

Lyn has me rolling on the floor with her description of how one skittle can hinder an entire tee-ball game with The Green Skittle posted at Sleepless Juggler.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Vause gives us an inside look at the struggles of having a spouse in the military including the Military Divorce Rate posted at Active Duty Military Money and Matters.

Toe presents Borloloys, a wonderful look into what it means to be usurped as the youngest in the family, posted at kurokuroatbp.

Muse offers up a glimpse into the family bible contest and enjoying grandaughters at I missed the Bible Contest posted at me-ander.

Kailani helps us remember why our spouses really are a blessing with For Better or For Worse posted at An Island Life.

Karen presents PREPARING FOR ADOLESCENCE posted at PediaScribe Blog, and shows us that some one on one time with your child really is worth it.

Sara gives us all a good laugh with Conversation Between Me and Hubby Tonight posted at Suburban Oblivion.

PARENTING TIPS

NCN shows us all some Mad Carpentry Skills (Roof Rafters) on how to build a playhouse. Now if I can just print it out and get my husband geared up to get some work done …

Lil Duck Duck has the best Train Birthday Party Ideas to be found. I’ll be using some of these for Alex’s next birthday!

Erica Douglas gives all parents an amazing list on How NOT To Stifle Your Kids Creativity posted at Littlemummy.Com.

Randa Clay presents Thirteen free toys you probably already own posted at Free Stuff 4 Kids. Some really neat ideas in this one!

Megan Bayliss presents Bibliotherapy: Using Books to Help Children Solve Problems. posted at Child protection: serious business..

Frugal Journey offers up an awesome list of Free Toys for Older Kids

Leisa over at Down with the Kids provides everyone with a great review of her current favorite, Yoghurt DVD - just perfect for those expectant mommies out there!

Melitsa presents Play-Activities.com » Blog Archive » 11 Fun kid activities to do at Grandma’s house posted at Play-Activities.com. Alex and I will definitely be writing these down to take on our next trip!

Char Polanosky gives us a great printable activities list with Thirteen More Printables Sites posted at Printables for Kids - free word search puzzles, coloring pages, and other activities.

Summer presents Books books books! posted at Wired For Noise.

Stephanie offers us a look at the benefits of raising your kids to respect the world around them with So Much in Common posted at Stop the Ride!.

Praveen shows us you really can teach without saying a word at Refrain from Active Teaching posted at Tao of Simplicity.

Amanda Rose gives us a recipe that’s both good for you, and tasty for your kids with Chocolate Cinnamon Birthday Cupcakes posted at Rebuild from Depression Blog. My mouth is already watering!

Kevin presents Parenting Tips For Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids posted at More4kids Parenting.

Jessica Okon tells us about Free Movies At Summer Movie Camp posted at Wisebread. I am so looking into this as soon as possible!

Fun Playdates presents Make a Puppy Pinata Craft out of Recycled Materials posted at Fun Play Dates. What a neat party idea!

Kevin gives us all a wakeup call with Child Identity Theft posted at Identity Theft And You.

Stephanie offers some much needed tips for Washing Stuffed Animals posted at Work at Home in Progress.

And those are this weeks offerings from the Carnival of Family Life. We hope you enjoyed the Carnival and your stay here at Parenting Toddlers. Come back and see us again soon!

Bye Bye!

Parenting often reminds me of being in the first car on a roller coaster ride that may or may not have passed it’s last structural inspection. It can be scary, extremely nerve racking, and sometimes makes you a little queasy in the stomach area, but in the end, it turns out to be the most amazing thing you’ve ever done. That’s why I’m even more excited that I’ve become a part of the Carnival of Family Life. The beginning of next week I’ll be hosting the Carnival here at Parenting Toddlers, and I’m really looking forward to checking out all the wonderful posts! Make sure and check in with us on Monday April 30th to see all the great parenting articles. And if you’d like to jump on board with all of us parents who are stuck somewhere between screeching in joy and clutching our stomachs in fear, swing by and submit your own article here. Also, don’t forget to swing over and visit Kailani at An Island Life. She’s the one who came up with the idea for this carnival in the first place, she’s the one who ends up putting in most of the work, and I think it’s time she got some of the credit already!

Now put your thinking caps on, dig through your posts and send us the best parenting articles you can come up with. Think of it as a secondary safety belt for the rest of us.

carnival of family life, parenting articles

Okay, so I’m not technically an alum. I never graduated from Tech. But I did attend Virginia Tech for three years and it has been in my blood for decades. I’ve screamed and cheered in Lane Stadium. I’ve slipped and slid across the drill field on chilly, snow covered mornings. I’ve played pool and chowed down at the Hokie House. Virginia Tech is a second home to me. And someone has come into my house, MY HOUSE, and mowed down my brother’s and sister’s in cold blood. They have used this historical, beautiful campus as a backdrop for gut curdling evil.

So many people, friends and strangers alike, keep asking me how I feel. “Didn’t you go to Tech?” “I see you have a Tech license plate.” “So you went to Tech huh?” all of these are paired with pitying, half hearted smiles of attempted comfort.

I don’t want comfort.

I want justice.

I want the person who did this to still be alive. I want him to suffer the razor sharp edge of our collective grief. I want to him to feel the sting of newly raw flesh, laid bare by the cowardice of one poor excuse for a man.

Yes, I’m angry. I’m beyond angry. I’m absolutely enraged. I feel cheated of justice. I want explanations, and yet at the same time I am tired of everyone pushing the blame on others. The simple fact of the matter is, this person, this poor excuse for any real soul, decided to commit a horrendous act. He planned it, he organized it, he scheduled it out. He is the only one to blame.

To the media, it is time to step back. To show my school the respect it so desperately deserves. Give us privacy to grieve and in doing so, to eventually heal. We will not divide our loyalties. We will not throw our own under the out of control bus of blame, so stop pushing. We will support our school to the very end. It is what we do, it is who we are.

We are the Hokies.

“We will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears and through all our sadness … We are the Hokies … ”

– Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist

We are the Hokies

We are the Hokies
We who have graced your hallowed halls
Bleed now through our endless tears of grief
We are the Hokies
Our hearts laid raw by this senseless act
Our minds enraged
We are the Hokies
We have stumbled under the weight of this great tragedy
But we stand as one once again
We are the Hokies
Proud and tall and always united
Ever mindful of the precious lives we have lost
We are the Hokies
And we will never forget.

-Jennifer Remeta
Virginia Tech Student 1994-1997

I cannot even express how devastated we are by this senseless tragedy. It hurts my heart that my school, where I had and still have so many wonderful memories, is now the backdrop for one of the worlds most horrendous acts of cruelty.

If anyone would like to express their condolences to the students, alumni, staff and anyone else of the Virginia Tech family, they have a memorial website set up at this address Virginia Tech Memorial Website

Hokie Pride

Yes, I am a HOKIE too. No matter that I am now 50+ years old. No matter that I gave up my framed BA degree in order to see my husband walk across that stage. I bleed maroon and orange just like all the graduates. I spent many a day in Miles Hall, even though it was strictly a male dorm back then (tee hee). I worked on campus to make expenses and we lived in a nearby mobile mansion up on Sparr’s Hill. My “hokie pride�? was very much there as I walked arm in arm through the arches carrying our first born after Steve graduated. In fact, as we walked into the life that his college education gave us, we felt a sadness at having to leave Hokie High. You see, you might leave Va Tech, but it will never leave you. There would always be the quiet call of the surrounding mountains, the memory of the gleeful faces (yes, someeven stuffed with Carol Lee doughnuts), or the impassioned voices from the football game ringing in your ears. I remember fondly taking pride in my job in Henderson and Pamplin Hall, knowing that in some small way I was contributing to the goals of this great institution of higher learning. I remember feeling like one of the guys as I spent as much time at Miles or the frat house as I did at home (no cracks, E). I was honored to be the married little sister leading clean up at the frat house after last night’s party (sorta learned by lesson on that one in my old age). Yep, I am a HOKIE. My roots are firmly embedded in Blacksburg soil. Even though I only completed two semesters of actual classroom education at VT before the swollen feet of pregnancy sidelined me, I felt it was me shaking the hand of the President of that great university. My heart still swells with pride when I see the Highty Tidies march in unison across the stadium, even when it’s on TV. I felt my pride most that day, though when I held that wimpering baby in my arms and hushed her as I said, “Yes, sweetheart, that’s your Daddy up there and someday you will be a Hokie, too.�? My “hokie pride�? was more than evident, showing on my t-shirt, my bumper sticker, and on the face of my tuition check when she crossed that drill field to register some 18 years later. Yep, even though I didn’t granduate, I am a HOKIE. My heart hurts for all of those caught up in this terrible tragedy. I wish so much that there was something I could do to help ease their pain. The HOKIE PRIDE will go on and I feel grow even stronger in the wake of this awful massacre on our hallowed soil. I worked for years to give the ones I love the privledge to wear maroon and orange and you can bet your sweet …(well, you know) that I will be wearing mine tomorrow, too.

-Patty Stacy

(updated April 19,2007)
Below is the latest updated list of the victims from Monday’s mass shooting on the Virginia Tech Campus, according to MSNBC.
The victims range in age from 18 all the way up to 76.

As much as I try to continue with my normal daily activities, I cannot get the victim’s of yesterday’s shooting out of my mind. As a parent, all I can think of is that those kids (and those adults for that matter) were someone’s “baby” at one time. They were toddlers just like Alex who got into trouble and laughed hysterically at the most random things. They brought joy to their parents hearts on a daily basis. And now?

Now they’re gone.

The world is not a fair place.

And because I cannot imagine the pain those parents must currently be going through, I am doing the only thing I CAN do to pay tribute. I am getting their names out there. I am making sure every one of us remembers these names for a long, long time. It is the very, VERY least we can do.
(Please note, the victims are numbered to verify that I make sure everyone is accounted for. The numbering in NO WAY reflects importance or level of grief. Neither of those can be measured.)
Virginia Tech Shooting Victims

1.Ross Abdallah Alameddine from Saugus, Massachusetts, 20 years old, Virginia Tech student

2.Christopher J. Bishop from Blacksburg, 36 years old, Virginia Tech instructor. Mr. Bishop’s wife also works as an instructor for Virginia Tech.

3.Ryan Clark from Martinez, Georgia, 22 years old, Virginia Tech student

4.Jocelyne Couture-Nowak from Montreal, ? years old, Virginia Tech instructor. Mrs. Couture-Nowak was a wife and mother.

5.Daniel Perez Cueva from Peru, 21 years old, Virginia Tech student

6.Kevin Granata from Blacksburg, Virginia, 45 years old, Virginia Tech professor. Professor Granata was married and leaves behind three children.

7.Caitlin Hammaren from Westtown, New York, age 19, Virginia Tech student

8.Jeremy Herbstritt from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, 27 years old, Virginia Tech graduate student

9.Emily Jane Hilscher from Woodville, Virginia, 19 years old, Virginia Tech student

10.Matthew La Porte from Dumont, New Jersey, ? years old, Virginia Tech student and Air Force cadet

11.Jarrett Lane from Narrows, Virginia, 22 years old, Virginia Tech student

12.Henry Lee from Roanoke, Virginia, 20 years old, Virginia Tech student

13.Liviu Librescu from Blacksburg, Virginia, 76 years old, Virginia Tech professor - Mr. Librescu spent his last moments trying to hold the classroom door shut so that his students could have time to escape out a window.

14.G.V. Loganathan from Blacksburg, Virginia, 51 years old, Virginia Tech lecturer

15.Daniel O’Neil from Lincoln, Rhode Island, 22 years old, Virginia Tech graduate student

16.Juan Ortiz from Puerto Rico, 26 years old, Virginia Tech graduate student

17.Mary Karen Read of Annandale, Virginia, 19 years old, Virginia Tech student

18.Reema Samaha from Centreville, Virginia, 18 years old, Virginia Tech student

19.Leslie Sherman from Springfield, Virginia, 20 years old, Virginia Tech student

20.Maxine Turner from Vienna, Virginia, 22 years old, Virginia Tech student

21.Julie Pryde from Middleton, New Jersey, 23 years old, Virginia Tech student

22.Austin Cloyd from Blacksburg, Virginia, 18 years old, Virginia Tech student

23.Brian Bluhm from Detroit, Michigan, 25 years old, Virginia Tech student

24.Lauren McCain from Hampton, Virginia, 20 years old, Virginia Tech student

25.Michael Pohle from Flemington, New Jersey, 23 years old, Virginia Tech student

26.Rachel Elizabeth Hill from Richmond, Virginia, 18 years old, Virginia Tech student

27.Minal Hiralal Panchal from Borivali, India, 26 years old, Virginia Tech graduate student

28.Erin Peterson from Centreville, Virginia, ? years old, Virginia Tech student

29.Waleed Mohamed Shaalan from Zagazig, Egypt, 32 years old, Virginia Tech doctoral student

30.Matthew Gwaltney, 24 years old, from Chester, Virginia, Virginia Tech graduate student

31.Partahi Lombantoruan, 34 years old, from Indonesia, Virginia Tech doctoral student

32. Nicole White, from Carrollton, Virginia, 20 years old, Virginia Tech student

There are still others, and as the names are released I will update this post. I will also update ages and hometowns as the information itself comes in.

For those of you who have left us due to yesterday’s tragedy, know that you will not be forgotten here on earth.

Memorial Service at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech shooting, Blacksburg, Virginia, Virginia Tech shooting victims

So it’s that time again. Time for the Blogger’s Choice Awards. So, to be shamelessly self promotional, please swing on over to parenting blogs section of the Blogger’s Choice Awards and vote for yours truly. At last check I was on page four, but I’m sure, with your loyal help and wonderful assistance, I can make it up a couple of pages. After all, I’m really just looking for an honorable mention out of the whole thing this go around.

As for me today, I think I’ll spend my time praying for those who were killed at Virginia Tech yesterday, praying for my own family members who live in Blacksburg, and praying that we can somehow figure out a way to truly keep our children safe from gun toting crazies.

blogger’s choice awards, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter may currently be in more danger than anyone realizes. Howard Stern, her assumed father up until yesterday’s DNA tests, was the picture of fatherly love in every television, radio, and court appearance (and trust me, there were plenty) for the past months. Yesterday, it was discovered that Anna’s former bodyguard, Larry Birkhead, is actually the biological father of of Dannielynn. It’s a very real possibility that custody of Dannielynn will be given to Mr. Birkhead, especially since he never signed away any parental rights (at last update per my local news, it looks like Stern will not contest custody and Dannielynn will be turned over to Birkhead). In my opinion, this will only serve to make Dannielynn’s very existence a precarious one. Again, in my opinion, Stern has been simply biding his time these past years, doing away with family members one by one so he coud legitametly get his hands on all Smith’s money. You cannot convince me that he loved Anna Nicole. I’ve seen the video’s of her smashed off her mind on various drugs. The simple fact is, if you love someone, you get them help. ESPECIALLY if they are pregnant with what you believe to be your child. You do not simply videotape these episodes and giggle behind the camera. Again in my opinion (don’t worry, I have plenty of opinions), Stern was quite possibly trying to get rid of Dannielynn even before she was born. Why else would you allow such blatant drug use? If you had to physically carry your wife to a lock up rehab program, you do so to save your child. Unless of course you already know that it’s not your child, and you’ve already been working your rear end off to get rid of various family members to open up the pathway to that pot of gold.

My concern here is for Dannielynn. Who’s fighting for her? Stern is after the money. Birkhead may very well want to raise his daughter and not care about the money, I’m simply not familiar enough with the way the man acts to form an opinion. Regardless, with all that money floating out there, it certainly makes it easy for everyone to set their priorities based on the prospect of future wealth. Who is jumping into this mess with the sole objective of keeping Dannielynn safe, healthy and happy? Who is going to be there to make sure Dannielynn makes it to toddlerhood at all?

Personally, I’m sick of the whole thing. I’m tired of hearing about random money loving lovers of Anna Nichole Smith who want to get down and dirty and fight over the greenbacks. I want to hear that all of Anna Nicole’s money has been put into an inpenatrable trust for Dannielynn, to be maintained by a judge or someone completely unrelated to this case. I think it’s high time people started worrying more about the child stuck in the middle of all this, and less about the adults duking it out in court.

Anna Nicole Smith, Larry Birkhead, Dannielynn, Howard K. Stern