I'm Learning How to Knit! WIPS

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So, I finally took the plunge.  I picked up a pair of knitting needles for the first time.  Getting used to having a tool in both hands was a little strange.  I pretty much googled my way through casting on, the knit stitch, and the purl stitch.  Other than rather messy edges (what's going on there?!?!) I think it's coming along pretty well, what do you think?

I really love the look of the stockinette--knit one row purl the next.

I think I'd like to pick up the Idiots Guide: Knitting, from what I can tell it appears to be a pretty comprehensive introduction.  Have any of you Wonderful Readers used this book?  Or do you have a different recommendation?

Also, does anyone have any "first pattern" recommendations?  I was checking out Ravelry and there were almost too many things to choose from.  (I'm philwife there, if anyone is curious . . . although I don't really participate much in the online community.)

Oh, this is completely random, but I do have to say, knitting needles seem more dangerous than crochet hooks.  I mean, I wouldn't even think of using a crochet hook to ward off an attacker, but a knitting needle sure could do some damage!

I will be sharing this post at the following:

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami

Yarn Along with Ginny

What/How To Teach a Toddler?

I wrote this post three months ago, and--for some strange reason--never got around to posting it.  

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My sweet little girl is getting so big!  I honestly can't believe how fast she is growing up.  This of course presents me with new challenges; with one of the greatest being how to begin her education.

Yes, she is only 15 months old, but I believe it is important to cultivate an early love of learning.

There are so many books, articles, internet forums, etc. dedicated to helping you to help your child learn.  However, it is incredibly hard to weed through them and find any black and white guidelines.  And, as everything regarding child raising, what to teach/how to teach/when to teach your child is highly controversial.

So what's a Mommy to do?

For now I try to fit "learning time" in throughout the day.  We do flashcards with colors, numbers, first words, and shapes.  We sing songs.  We say prayers.  We play the Naming Game (I hold Catherine and we dance around the apartment and name everything--seriously, everything--from the couch to the Progresso can of French Onion Soup).  We read books.  I try to narrate everything I do--"Mommy is washing a cup with a sponge and soap and hot water..."

But I can't help wondering sometimes, is this enough?  Should I be doing more?  If so, what?

We don't color or draw yet--she still would rather eat the crayons.  I don't do programs such as Your Baby Can Read--I'm certainly not against it, but it is a little expensive and has mixed reviews.  I don't have many Montessori approved toys--although I do need to do more research into this method of teaching/learning.  I don't do baby signing--I got some books and dvds from the library and tried it for a little while but for whatever reason it was short lived.

Like every Mommy out there, I just want the best for my little girl!