One activity I came up with was a water tub. Jed has had a TERRIBLE diaper rash the last week or so, and we're not entirely sure why. We know that the rash was caused by his diarrhea, but where the diarrhea came from is what has been stumping us. We had recently given him a new brand of formula, and when we switched him back to Similac the rash started to clear up - so perhaps that was it. He had had at least 4 different brands of formula up until that point, and didn't have a problem with any of them - so we were surprised. As the rash began to clear up, I wanted to give him a chance to "air out" to help it heal faster. I can't let him run around the house without a diaper though, now that he is so mobile - so I had to come up with something to keep his attention for long enough that he would stay in one place for a while. I got our plastic dishwashing tub, filled it with water, and set about gathering items to put in it. I found magnets, pine cones, rocks, cups, styrofoam peanuts, pine needles, aluminum foil, leaves, small toys, etc. and put them all in the tub of water. I spread out a large towel, put the tub of water in the center, and let Jed at it. I figured if he was going to be naked anyway, it was a good time for him to splash around in some water.
I made Jed some Play-Doh with flour, boiling water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring. Jed was a lot less interested in it than I had hoped, but that's how it goes I guess. He's a little young to know what to do with it (besides put it in his mouth).
I set up a station (on the large towel I had spread out on the floor) of ice, with a few cups and bowls. Jed wasn't so interested in the cups and bowls, but liked the ice. He would pick up one piece at a time and suck on it, then put it down and try another to see if it tasted any different. After a few minutes, though, the ice became slippery and Jed got frustrated trying to hold on to it - so he gave up and moved on to chasing the cat.
I also made Jed a bag with hair gel, water, and random toys, which (like the play-doh) is as much fun for me to play with as it is for him! I sealed the edges with duct tape to keep the bag from popping open and making a mess. He pushes on it and watches the toys inside squish around, and likes the sound it makes when he slaps the bag with his hand. Plus it always feels cool to the touch and smells good (the smell of the hair gel seeps through the plastic) - so the only sense this toy is missing is taste! Jed tests it frequently, though, to see if that particular flaw has been remedied.
Nope, still no taste.
