BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

First episode of the new year, and we’re easing back in by catching you up on our lives. We talk about how the holidays actually went, who we spent time with, what worked, and what we are glad is officially over. From family moments to quiet resets, it’s a real look at how we wrapped up the year. We also share our resolutions and personal goals for the year ahead, the realistic ones and the stretch goals we are holding ourselves to. To close it out, we keep things fun with a quick Playlist Playoff, picking our walk-on songs for 2026 and explaining why each one fits our mindset going forward. New year energy, honest conversation, and a little music to set the tone. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

Merry Christmas from the Babies Down, Bottles Up crew! This episode is a fun holiday special, full of festive energy and end-of-year laughs. We kick things off by talking about what our kids are most excited for this Christmas, from the gifts they have been counting down for to the little traditions that make the season feel special. Then it is time for a Playlist Playoff holiday edition, where we each share our top three Christmas songs we absolutely cannot stand. Strong opinions are shared, feelings may be hurt, and no one backs down. We also reveal what our Secret Santas got us, unwrapping and reacting in real time as we talk through the gifts and the thought behind them. Before closing out the episode, we take a moment to say thank you. To everyone who has pressed play, shared an episode, supported our work, mentioned us to a friend, sponsored an episode, or believed in the mission, we are incredibly grateful. A huge thank you as well to all of our guests and supporters this year. Celebrate the holidays with us, get a few laughs in, and wrap up the year together. We will see you in 2026. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

Amber from WonderBaby.org joins us for a conversation that feels like sitting down with the friend every parent of a disabled child wishes they had sooner. Amber takes us back 20 years to when WonderBaby.org first started, long before Facebook groups and endless resource websites existed. What began as a need for information turned into a lifeline for families raising children with disabilities. She talks about the parents she’s connected with over the years, the friendships that grew out of shared experiences, and what it really means to be a steady resource for families who are figuring things out as they go. We get into adapting mainstream toys for kids with different needs and the simple materials Amber keeps on hand to make toys more accessible. She also shares practical advice for relatives and extended family, especially during holidays and gatherings, on how to make things easier and more inclusive for families who are already doing a lot of planning behind the scenes. Then Amber delivers something parents will want to bookmark, her favorite toy picks broken down by category. From sound and music toys to tactile and exploration toys, light-up toys for kids with light perception, movement and motor skill toys, braille toys, and other developmentally appropriate options, she gives thoughtful recommendations and explains why they matter. We wrap up with Amber offering grounded advice for parents and advocates who are supporting children with special needs and want to feel more confident doing it. If you are looking for ideas, reassurance, and tools you can actually use, this episode is one you will want to listen to more than once. Visit WonderBaby: https://www.wonderbaby.org Email Amber: [email protected] WonderBaby on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderbaby.org/ Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

When your child has to go into the hospital, everything shifts. In this episode, Kisha and Terrin open up about their personal experiences with surgeries, long hospital stays, and what it takes to keep yourself together when your child is on the operating table. They break down how they prepared themselves and their kids, physically and emotionally, for surgery day, from pre-op appointments to fasting rules to finding age-appropriate ways to explain what is about to happen. They also talk about the anxiety that builds as surgery approaches and the different ways they have learned to stay grounded while waiting for updates. Once surgery is over, that is when the real work begins. Kisha and Terrin walk through the recovery phase at home, comforting kids through pain, handling mobility limitations, and staying on top of medication schedules without mistakes. They also get real about how they label and identify prescriptions as blind moms and why asking for weight-based doses is one of the most important safety steps you can take. This episode also digs into medication awareness inside the hospital, specifically fentanyl, why it is commonly used, how it is administered, and the questions every parent should be ready to ask before anything is given. They talk openly about overdose concerns, what warning signs look like, and how to advocate for your child in a medical setting. Terrin also shares her experience with long-term hospital stays: what to pack, how to make an unfamiliar room feel a little more like home, staying strong when you are hit with hard news, and balancing communication with doctors while still trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for the rest of your family. They also discuss anesthesia. Together, they talk through what parents should expect before, during, and after anesthesia, how kids often respond differently than adults, and the little things they wish they had known sooner, told through their own real experiences. From prepping your kid for surgery to surviving days or weeks in the hospital, this episode is an honest look at what families actually go through. If you ever find yourself in this situation, this one will prepare you in ways you did not know you needed. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

```html The cookisode is finally here, and it is landing just in time for the holidays. Whether you are trying to keep the kids fed while they are home on break or you are just ready to level up in the kitchen, this one is for you. We are talking all things cooking and baking, starting with simple beginner meals and the kitchen gadgets that actually make life easier. We get into meal prep routines, grocery shopping strategies, and how to confidently drift away from a recipe without losing the plot. We also walk through how we orient ourselves around the stove as blind moms, from finding your bearings with burners to safely managing multiple dishes at once. And of course, we get into baking: the tips, the tricks, and the basic ingredient science that makes the difference between “it worked” and “why did it turn into a brick?” Some of our favorite lessons from independence training make their way into the conversation too, including the little skills and shortcuts that changed the way we move in the kitchen. If you have been wanting to sharpen your cooking skills, get more comfortable with baking, or simply feel more confident whipping up something good, this is your episode. Hit play and let’s get cooking. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.```