Santa came early...

We bought Lara a lot of new toys today. At first, I told myself not to do this since her birthday is coming up. But then I figured it's not for another month, and she could use some new things now. Mainly because a lot of the toys we are using are being borrowed from my friend, and she is expecting again, so she will need them back soon! I don't like buying babies' toys because I just hate paying $3-4 on a little rattle. Goodness. I have looked at the Dollar Tree hoping to find some things, with no luck. And I also try to be creative and make a toy myself, using containers and beans and so forth. But since I can't make my puffs container filled with kidney beans light up or play music, it's not too exciting. I am no Santa.

The truth is: Lara would be very content all day with just a cell phone and a remote control. Or a tube of hand lotion.

I also attempt some creative projects that involve paint or shaving gel, etc., but in general, Lara is too young for that. Not that it shouldn't be done, but it can be more pain than anything. However, Lara loves to explore and has her Dad's strong sense of curiosity + baby curiosity = loves to watch everything intensely and enjoys feeling (or tasting) everything. Lara and I went on a nature walk not too long ago, and collected some things and made a collage. She loves to look at her collage; it is interesting to me that babies can be utterly fascinated with something as simple as a leaf. Lara has to look and touch...she HAS to figure it out and explore...

We also tried to buy Lara a new car seat, since she will be outgrowing her infant carrier very soon. But I didn't see any I liked, or some were just WAY too big, and we have a small car. This always happens to me: Bloomington does not have a great selection of baby products, not in comparison to what you might find on the internet. Wow, look at Lara, 11 months ago, the day she came home from the hospital. She spent A LOT of time in that car seat.

So I came home feeling discouraged at having spent too much money on toys, and no money on a car seat.