I am convinced that the one of the most important education that I can give my baby bean is foreign language education. So I did some research and found a French Mommy and Me class near our house.  See you there!

Alliance Française de Los Angeles
French cultural and language center

10390 Santa Monica Boulevard,  Suite #120
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310-652-0306

Classes they offer are:

1. Bebe Musique (newborn to 2 year old)
2. Mommy & Me / Petit a Petit (1 to 2 years old)
3. French Preschool (3 to 5 years old)
4. Mini-Groups (3 to 5 years old)
5. French for American Children (7 to 10 year old)

For pricing and class schedule, visit Alliance Française website.

I went for a baby check up last week with my little one and I was handed a consent form for an online immunization registry from the receptionist. I signed it without discussing it with my husband because I thought having the record would be a good thing, since I plan on giving her most of the shots according to a modified schedule. When I spoke to my husband he felt that her medical records should not be online because insurance company could always use it against her. His argument made me extremely worried about my decision.

If you haven’t been to the pediatrician’s office in a couple months your doctor’s receptionist might hand you a consent form on your next doctor’s appointment. Visit CAIR to learn more, so you can accept or reject that form without feeling pressured to make a decision right away.

I was watching Modern Family on my DVR and saw Mitchell and Cameron trying to Ferberize Lily. It made me laugh since I am like Cameron, a “mother bear” who can’t stay outside the room while my little one cries.

A month ago, all my family got together for the New Years and my cousin who has a year old brought her baby who has been Ferberized. They had a strict sleep schedule, and when it was time for the little one to take a nap or sleep she would just bring him upstairs lay him on the crib and he would toss and turn for a little while but would fall asleep on his own. That NEVER happens to me. I have to either walk around singing to my little one, or she needs to nurse before she can fall asleep. I am sick as a dog from a cold and my 14 months old woke me up 4 times last night to nurse.  When I woke up this morning I started thinking should I have sleep trained my baby??

On babycenter Ferber method is described as:

Ferber says you can teach your baby to soothe himself to sleep when he’s physically and emotionally ready, usually sometime between 4 and 6 months of age. He recommends following a warm, loving bedtime routine and then putting your baby in bed awake and leaving him (even if he cries) for gradually longer periods of time. Putting a child to bed awake, says Ferber, is crucial to successfully teaching him to go to sleep on his own.

Parents are instructed to pat and comfort their baby after each predetermined period of time, but not to pick up or feed their baby. This routine is called “progressive waiting.” The suggested waiting time, which Ferber charts in his book, is based on how comfortable you are with the technique, how many days you’ve been using it, and how many times you’ve already checked on your child that night.

After a few days to a week of gradually increasing the waiting time, the theory goes, most babies learn to fall asleep on their own, having discovered that crying earns nothing more than a brief check from you.

There are several other methods of sleep training your baby as well.

If you are interested in the topic here are some books you might want to read.
Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth
The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Gentle Ways to Stop Bedtime Battles and Improve Your Child’s Sleep
The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby

Floam (PlayFoam) was in my hands for the first time today, and it is magical. Floam is made for kids, but I have a little kid left in me, and when I got my hands on this stuff our little bean ended up only watching for a while. You can sculpt, tear, break, squish, bounce, throw, etc… This stuff does everything. The first thing I made was an Easter Island sculpture and my little bean loved it, it was like a new doll. Then we made a shark, and a dinosaur, and we continued on and on. When my bean and I were  done with Floam I took just a little piece with me and continued to squish it in my hands as a stress reliever. I love Floam.

Babygroup, which is run by Donna Holloran is THE mommy and me class on the Westside. I got her info from my boss at work, but I kind of found out too late about it so I couldn’t attend. I currently go to a different mommy and me class at a preschool and I found out most of my little bean’s classmates are Babygroup graduates(?) and most of them still attend. They love this class so much, I actually feel a little left out!

I heard from numerous people that her classes not only are full of useful information but fosters longtime friendship among attendees.

If anyone is trying to become pregnant or recently found out that you are pregnant I would recommend checking babygroup website out.

Babygroup meets in Santa Monica at First Presbyterian Church.

Sunshine Music, which offers music classes and Spanish music class for children up to age 7 has updated winter enrollment information available. Registration closes on January 24th so if you are thinking of enrolling your little one head over to their website available at Sunshinemusic.org.

On their website, you can learn more about their program, view their schedule, and sign up for demo classes! They offer classes in various locations throughout Los Angeles, so you will be able to find a class near you.

habla blah blah classes introduce the sounds and words of Español with fun and whimsy. Addressing multiple learning styles at a child’s critical period of language development, the class invites children and their caregivers to participate in songs, play, and ritualized communication that can be repeated and reinforced easily at home. And it’s fun!

The fall session will focus on the 1st half of habla blah blah’s self-titled CD, habla blah blah: an introduction to the sounds & words of Español, Volume 1 (available for purchase at Play).

• Dates & Details: When: Tuesdays, 11:30-12:15; September 29th – December 8th (no class October 20)
• Ages: Open to children ages 9 months to five years and their caregivers. No previous language skills are necessary.
• Cost: $185 per child Siblings 9 months and over $125. Siblings under 9 months attend FREE Includes 10 weekly classes and unlimited use of Play’s community area on the day of your class.
• Instructor: Valeria Mason (see below)
• Class size: Enrollment is limited to 12 children plus care providers. Register in person at Play or by phone: 323.988.1189
• FREE demo class: Tuesday, September 15th, at 11:30 Reservations are required.
• Please reserve your spot by e-mail.

Valeria Mason, Instructor, habla blah blah Valeria was raised in Mexico City with a passion for music and languages. She is fluent in French and English, and, of course, her native tongue, Spanish. Wonderfully gifted with the violin, Valeria has taught children and adults since 2002 and was last the Dean of the Department of Strings for the Escuela Nacional de Musica, UNAM. Valeria has also been a member of the Suzuki Method Association since 2003.

Andell Family Sundays
12:30–3:30 pm | Free
Join us on Sundays for programs designed especially for families. Make art, explore the museum, or join a bilingual gallery tour. Most of all—have fun!

Power of Color: Abstract Expressionist Art
August 23*, 30, September 6, 2009 | North Piazza
What does red say to you? How about green or purple? Color is one of the most important ways an artist communicates. In LACMA’s permanent collection, check out how abstract expressionists use color. Make your own art or move like a color in workshops with Doran George, May Jong, Daniela Arbizzi, and Quan Yen Trang. 

Celebrate Korea! 
September 13, 20, 27* | Los Angeles Times Central Court
Join a celebration of the reinstallation of the Korean Art galleries! Special on September 13—Korean dance and music performance with the Korean Classical Music Institute of America. Make your own music with the performers and join in art workshops with Hadley Holliday, Robert Morse, and Quan Yen Trang.

*Family Sundays starts at 11 am just after the Tarfest run! See Tarfest.com  for more information.
*Children’s Author & Illustrator: Alex Beard

Brush and Ink: Korean Painting 
October 4, 18, 25 | Los Angeles Times Central Court