Baby sitting instructions

Tomorrow Mom is flying in to watch Zane this week while Zach is out of town. I had sat down to write mom a little list of notes/helpful hints for her day tomorrow since I will be at work when she gets here. As I started to think about the various things I would tell her I realized that the list would sum up the phase we are in here amazingly well, so I thought, why  not blog it. That way you all can get a small glimpse into a day here at the Korenak household and if anyone ever wants to baby sit, you have these helpful hints. Here goes!

First things first, Zaney has an attention span of nat, so you will be moving quickly and often. Don't worry the house is fairly child proofed, as long as you keep the doors to the bathroom, my bedroom, the guest bedroom, and downstairs locked. He can climb up into all chairs, can reach the top of all tables and counters so don't let him chill out by himself for too long or he will find something to destroy or possibly harm himself with. If you can't find something he was previously playing with or that you had set out, check the trash/recycling bins, he enjoys throwing EVERYTHING away. In good news we emptied both of these trash cans today, hooray!

Two hours after Zane wakes up he will become very emotional, find his blanket, point to the basket on his changing table (requesting his binka), and ask for milk by crying in front of the fridge making M sounds. This means it is time for his first nap. Before nap time we cuddle, sing, and drink milk in the chair for a little bit then Zane goes to sleep with Mooly in his crib. I should say with at least Mooly in his bed he may put various stuffed animals in his bed throughout the morning/day to keep him company. This leads me to a few needed introductions to the rest of the Korenak family. There is Mooly, who you all have heard of or met before, Zane's beloved cow friend. Dale also has made quite a few blogs, he is the Clydesdale in the family. Ignatius (AKA Iggy) is our new dog, he loves being ridden by Zane and often this is Zane's preferred mode of transportation. It is a very slow mode but very adorable and entertaining. The newest addition to the family is Rosemary the hippo, she goes by Ro Ro and Zane has been sleeping with her as of late. We also have a lion, who doesn't have a name so much as Zane roars whenever he sees him. There is also an amazingly soft polar bear, thanks to Aunt Christal, who as been through a few names, but we can't determine if it is a boy or girl so feel free to find a name for him/her. All these animals are welcome in his crib except Iggy. Iggy would take up his whole bed, so if Zane thinks he needs to go night night as well his bed is on the leather chair. Cover him up, give him pats and tell him good night and Zane will accept that he can't sleep with him.

Once Zane goes to sleep I would suggest that you do the same because after this nap there will be three to four hours of non stop toddler fun! Once he wakes up it is usually lunch time. There are a few things that guarantee a good lunch. Apple sauce, cheese sticks, ham, yogurt, chips with things to dip them in, and mac and cheese are always a hit. In sad news we are currently out of cookies. Cookie is Zane's best word by far and he will request them frequently. I would say he could have a couple but we are out. But he loves baking so that might be a good activity idea. Aprons are in the top drawer of the white cabinet and he will need his own little spatula, which can be found in his kitchen or any of the drawers in the real kitchen. If at any point during the day Zane goes and pulls on the fridge he most likely would like a cheese stick, milk, or juice. You can ask him if he wants any of those things and he will say yes and nod his little head to whatever you say so you really can't take him at his word.

If at any point you decide you would like to go to the bathroom by yourself or use the computer you will need to know how to start a Dinosaur Train episode. Here is the step by step. On the right hand side of the TV there are tiny little buttons that really are more like braille. I always just start at the top of the TV and slide my finger down until I reach the top braille button. Push this button twice. Then you will need turn on the the PS3 (left side of the TV cabinet). From there scroll through the PS3 menus until you find the Netflix logo, once you are in Netflix Dinosaur Train will be every where. If at any point Zane brings you the PS3 remote and starts singing 'da da, da da' this is actually a request to watch Dinosaur train. You do not have to turn it on, but if you were confused by what that meant, there is the translation. Also, he might start singing that if you try turning on a different cartoon as a request to please switch it back to Dinosaur Train.

Zane loves reading books and will bring random books to you throughout the day. If you find Zane searching for a book, or if he takes you to the book case and points to it as if you should know which book he is looking for, he is looking for his "How Do Dinosaurs.... " books. There is How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food, and How Do Dinosaurs Go Up and Down. We have a million books but those three are really the only ones he wants to read with the exception of possibly Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs or That's Not My Dinosaur. Do you see  a them appearing here?

Downstairs is a whole other adventure. Currently it is a hot mess. I thought about picking it up so that it would look like a lovely little play room when you arrived but you and I both know it will be back to being a hot mess within five minutes so why bother. He has lots of animals down there currently that he loves playing with, blocks, trucks, CAT machines, and all sorts of other toys. Our Christmas tree is still up and he thinks the colored ornaments are balls, which is fine, you can't break them. The little table is covered in butcher paper which is the only place that Zane can draw downstairs. If he draws on the walls or any other piece of furniture, he is to go straight to time out. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Time out can be anywhere, just sit him down by the wall and let him know he is in time out for drawing on the wall. Don't worry he won't be surprised by this, it is a daily occurrence. If you get really brave the arts and crafts box is in the hidden closet and the arts and crafts basket is on the bottom shelve in the office. Feel free to draw or craft at your own risk.

You have all read our night time routine, in case you have forgotten the details refer to this blog post. This begins after super when bath time begins. And that is our day! Good luck and thanks so much for coming to play! If at anytime you have questions or are headed to Children's Hospital please call Zach or I and let us know. Sounds like tons of fun, right?