Toby & Tutter

Book Review: Toby & Tutter 

By Kirten DeBear & Laura Dwight

Topic: Therapy Dogs & Differences

What a sweet and delicious book. As a dog lover, this just melted my heart. The amazing Kirsten DeBear, who was once a Professor of mine during graduate school, wrote a book about her therapy dogs. The book highlights just like people, they too can work hard, try new things and that it's okay to be different. 

The book has colorful pages but can be a lengthy story depending on who the listeners are. For younger Busy Bees I would have them preview the book by looking at the pictures and explaining what they see. Point out what activities the different dogs are doing and add real life situations that you know your busy bees have been involved in that are different from you or their peers. Read it aloud to children to help them understand what it means to be different and how to accept others if they are. 

Buy the book by clicking here. 

Pregnancy Must-Haves

Being pregnant is a wonderful thing. The magical feeling of having your Busy Little Baby Bees inside of you and then once you start feeling them wiggle, quick, stretch and play soccer in your belly, you feel complete. But those of you who know what it's like to be pregnant, know it's not always glitter and rainbows. I just wanted to share some of my favorite pregnancy must-haves. They can also be used as a gift guide to a newly pregnant mommy to be. {I plan on preparing a few packages for a few friends, but please don't tell.}

My Favorite Products:

Preggo Pops - During those nauseous mornings these yummy treats helped so much. I almost ran to my neighbors house to hug her after trying one one morning after she gave me all her left overs. They are worth it. Trust me, you will be so tired of ginger ale!

Pregnancy Books - Pregnancy for Dummies and What to Expect when you're Expecting are great books that you don't need to read in 1 sitting or straight from cover to cover. You can bounce around depending on what's going on with. I love just having them close because if I have any questions I refer to these instead of the overwhelming Internet. Belly Laughs is hysterical. It will get you to look on the bright side while all these weird things are happening to your body.


Belly Bands - In the first few weeks of pregnancy, well at least for me but for most it's months, you feel bloated and big. Your pants won't feel the same. With Belly Bands you wear your pants open at the top and these little gems keep them from falling down. They are soft, comfy, come in a variety of colors and can be found at a number of stores. 

Low Cut Undies - My favorite undies are the Motherhood Maternity bikinis. You won't think you will need these for a while but they are super soft, comfy and worth it. They do not look like 'grandma's panties', I promise! 

Maternity Clothes - Even though you may not have the same style as your friends or family, it's well worth asking if they or anyone else has any maternity clothes that they are not currently using. Having a baby can be a BUSY and stressful time but the best thing that I did was accept all maternity clothes or clothes in bigger sizes that were offered to me. I have worn things I would have never picked but you're not wearing these clothes forever and no one is looking at you, only your growing belly! Everything is just temporary, so why spend the money? My closet has never been more cluttered, but it's well worth it. Most clothes are soft and stretchy which is basically all you need. It is fun to take a trip to Destination Maternity too but you really don't need a ton of clothes. 

Happiest Baby on the Block DVD - this was sent to us as a gift and it was so nice to watch. I had registered for the book and immediately took it off my registry once I watched this. It really helped calm some of my pre-mommy hood nerves about how to calm a baby.