Your 2-year-old now...

Your 30-month-old: Creating art...

You'll soon be noticing some changes in those scribbles. When a toddler first learns to make a mark on paper (around 12 to 15 months), it's all he can do to grasp the crayon — he used his whole fist to hang onto it. He progresses to being able to make straight lines and random squiggles, with most of the motion coming from his wrist. Around 2 1/2, though, a preschooler's fingers develop better dexterity. He can now grasp the crayon between his thumb and fingers. This gives him better control, and some recognizable shapes will start to appear on the paper: primitive stick people, circles, and rainbows.

Give your child lots of opportunity to use art materials. Provide different kinds: fat crayons, fat pencils and colored pencils, nonpermanent markers, sidewalk chalk, watercolor, clay or Play-Doh. Don't get too caught up in the what of the art; it's the how that your child is focusing on now.

Your life now...
Running out of ways to say "no" to your child? Here are some fresh alternatives:

• Give him what he wants in fantasy: "I wish I could l buy all the dolls in this store for you! But I can't buy any dolls today. Should we take your baby doll or Raggedy Ann to the park today?"
• Empathize: "I know how much you'd like to eat dessert first. That would be tasty! I bet the cake will taste good after supper, too."
• Acknowledge and delay: "I see you don't want to leave. Let's go down the slide two more times before we go."
• Go for the silly diversion: "Crayons are for writing on the paper, not the table ... Hey, look at this crazy crayon — I can't make it stop drawing circles!"

7 signs that your child loves you...

1. Your newborn stares into your eyes. He's actually working hard to memorize your face. He doesn't understand anything else about the world, but he knows you're important.

2. Your baby thinks about you even when you're not around. Between 8 and 12 months old, he'll start to scrunch his face and look around when you leave the room — and he'll smile when you return.

3. Your toddler throws wicked tantrums. Nope, those screaming fits don't mean he's stopped loving you. He wouldn't be so hurt and angry if he didn't trust you so deeply.

4. Your toddler runs to you for comfort when he falls down or feels sad. Kids this age may not truly understand the meaning of "I love you," but their actions speak louder than words.

5. Your preschooler gives you a flower picked from the garden, a finger-painted heart, a sparkly rock, or another gift.

6. Your preschooler wants your approval. He'll start to be more cooperative around the house, and he'll look for chances to impress. "Look at me!" will become a catchphrase.

7. Your grade-schooler trusts you with secrets, like his first crush or his most embarrassing moment. You're his confidante, even if he shies away from your hugs in public.

Life Guide For Women

Life Guide For Women

Ashley's Baby Shower Registry

We are having a baby shower for Ashley on Feb. 19, 2011 at 3:00pm, at Round Table Pizza, 512 Main St., Placerville, CA. She is expecting a baby girl due March 23, 2011, her name is Abbygail Lyla and she will have a 2 year old big brother, AJ. Ashley is registered at Walmart.com.

http://www.walmart.com/giftregistry/gr_detail.do?registryId=80500371308

2 year old AJ is very excited to be a big brother!