I have a new grandson--3 months old now. We did not use blankets at all and still don't . Daughter likes these pre-made, all in one swaddlers. I swaddled my babies but just used blankets. Amazed at the cool stuff that's out there. Even in the car seat and stroller the don't use blankets, they have this sleeping bag type thing that zips around. How about if you knitted a blanket to use on the floor for "tummy time". With baby's sleeping on their backs all the time they have to do tummy time with mom and dad so they don't get flat heads and strengthen their necks (according to dd). At my house we are always looking for a soft blanket for that activity. I guarantee you that blanket would see a lot of photo ops :-)

My vote would go against the soy formula. He's only five weeks old. All this switching around what you feed is not giving him a chance to adjust to the formula. There is also new controversy about using soy products for infants unless it is absolutely necessary. That would be babies who have a true milk allergy or are truly diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Colic just is. It is not diet related and there are many breast fed babies who go through it also. I know several and in fact because of the poor advice often given breast feeding mother's many panic and take them off the breast and put them on formula when they become colicky. So it most likely isn't the formula. it's probably an immature digestive system or an immature nervous system or perhaps a bit of both. Your DDIL needs to listen to her pediatrician or get a new one. He may just seem brusque about the colic because he hears it every day. If his manner isn't compatible with your DIL's wishes/needs then she should definitely seek out a pedi she is more comfortable with. Colic just is. Children survive it and grow into perfectly healthy people. My DD screamed for several hours a day for almost 6 months. Then she tapered but was still "colicky" for another 3 months. She was exclusively breast fed for 5 months when I was guilt tripped into starting cereal being a first time mother. It's heart-breaking to hear them scream and such a feeling of helplessness but he will survive. There has been excellent advice given on soothing him. As your DDIL gains confidence she will discover what works for him. My DD like to be held hanging face down over my arm while I swung from side to side. (a relaxed football hold) I learned to do everything with her like that. Thanks for the compliments on Mia. The dog with her is one of 3. I call them "the crows" since they perch and stare. They are siblings, one male and two females. The dog in the pic is one of the girls. She has appointed herself head nursemaid since the day she met Mia. The others are always nearby and are very protective of the babe.

You can get the double strollers where one seat is in front of the other. If you can get a single seat down the aisle, then you could get a double down there also. The woman should have been properly instructed at boarding. Usually the airline people talk to those who need extra help. I've never traveled with a baby much less two. It sounds like maybe the mom was technically wrong, but the air hostess escalated it. We had an incident where an a flight attendant was pretty rude to us a few years back. She decided that my then 8 year old couldn't bring on one of his two carry ons. He was small for his age, his feet didn't touch the ground, and it would have fit under the seat. She checked the bag and sent it to Dallas instead of Dulles. We got it back 48 hours after we landed. My child got some new clothes in the meantime. One of the other flight attendants must have felt bad for us. He was extra nice to us and kept bringing extra snacks.

As long as the master bedroom and bath, and laundry, are on the same level as the kitchen and living areas, it seems it would be easy to age in place in this plan until one can no longer negotiate stairs. Even if that happens at a fairly young age (65?), the house could be enjoyed for many years. You might want to explore the possibility of building some kind of dumbwaiter-type lift into the pantry area, for groceries. If one becomes disabled and has special ADA requirements, that would be different--and difficult to predict. Mostly from the kitchen perspective I'll make some suggestions which will make the plan more functional, but they might not satisfy those who want you to start over. I would cut back the wall by the fridge as far as possible, while still blocking the view to the BR from the dining table. You'll need a cabinet or filler between the fridge and wall, to allow the fridge to open far enough to remove drawers and crispers for cleaning. I'd suggest exploring the possibility of recessing the fridge into the bathroom, by moving the vanity wall forward. You could have the storage of a standard-depth fridge without it protruding too far into the work aisle. Since you wouldn't need the storage space to the left of the fridge, that could be incorporated into the BR as a narrow, shallow space for shelves for shoes or purses. I would center the range and hood on the remaining perimeter counter, and store dishes in drawers to the right, across from the DW. As another poster suggested, leave the eating nook for toys or a child's table while the kids are young. I'd adjust the large window and add a bookcase to the side without the window. Kids' books and toys can be stored there for a quick pick-up, and then when the kids have outgrown the floor toys, a bench can be added for a reading nook. Omitting the small table will give you space to extend the island as I've drawn it. Having lived with a 72" vanity with one sink, for 26 years, I would suggest one sink in the master bath, with more counter space on each side. Also, having been raised in two split entry homes, I think you need more space in the foyer, especially with the closet. I moved the wall out, and added a few inches to the powder room, although I'm not sure how that will work with them being on two different half-levels''. Another window was added on the front, with a high window in the PR, and maybe one over the bed--if you want more windows on that side of the house. I know--easy for me to say add a couple of feet here, add a window there, and move this wall. :[