I would like to warn you of the obnoxious color scheme that will pervade this post. No one in the baby activity center industry has consulted me for color advice so I really can’t take responsibility. I would have definitely gone more of a teal and chocolate route.
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When he first started batting at things, OBaby absolutely loved to lay under the arches of this activity mat and swing away at his links. Then he figured out the whole grabbing thing, and the play mat became something he could grasp and shake. Then when rolling and tummy time commenced it was “OMW LOOK! There’s a whole other side of this mat! With a bear on it! MOM! Why didn’t you say so?!”We stretched it out a while by hooking his keys and other items to the links so they would hang down in his face, but there’s no fighting it: the play mat is getting boring.
I’m sorry, but who gave permission for 5 month olds to could grow out of things? I find it fully unacceptable.
But again, no one asked me.
(Technically OBaby is borrowing this play mat from Lucy who grew out of it years ago, so I probably should have seen this coming.)
Mommy has gotten creative though, mostly because she is in denial that her teeny tiny newborn baby has actually become a sometimes-sitting-unsupported infant.
Instead of laying on the mat and gripping the links to jiggle the arches these days, we hold the arches and jiggle the whole stinkin’ mat!
Speaking of bigger and better, OBaby now does the jumper thing too, since the play mat’s entertainment value is decreasing exponentially by the day and mommy still has to go to the bathroom or make dinner from time to time.
Another borrowed piece from (OBaby’s possible future wife) Lucy, the jumper has given me entire (10 minute) chunks of time to whip up meals or (gasp) DRY MY HAAAAAAIR.
I’m beginning to wonder: is this a slippery slope toward needing to buy my 4 year old a Nintendo DS?
I sure hope not because if that’s where we’re headed, OBaby is in for a world of disappointment.
Don’t worry – there’s one more step before the Nintendo – Johnny Jump Up! We had a hand-me-down Fisher Price model and Tate loved it. Although if your old house is like ours, with tall doorframes, you might need to put a big pillow under his feet, so he can push off and actually jump.
Oh man, they totally outgrow those kinds of things waaaaaay too fast!
Oh man, my nephews LOOOVE their Jumperoo! I think all babies love it to death.. even the Duggars have one :D He has theeee cutest little eyes :] yay for OBaby!
Love your creative idea! So cute.
Those are the cutest baby pictures ever! I can’t believe he’s playing with his mat instead of laying on it! adorable…you brought a beautiful baby into the world, love you!
It really is amazing how they go through different toys during the first year! You learn to get creative for sure!
Man, oh, man, PLEASE tell me where you got that adorable suit he’s wearing. I mean, in case we find out tomorrow we’re having a boy.
You can try a Leapster first. At least it’s pretty educational.
GAH, he’s so stinkin’ cute! :D
We used to tip the mat over, too. Hours of creative play!
And don’t worry too much about the escalation. The first year is rife with expensive toys that last for 3 months (if you’re lucky). After that, you only need a sink of water, some old cups and/or a big box to keep them entertained.
(You can use those years to save for when they get to elementary and want a Leapster.)