I love hearing about how everyone views different things. Thanks for all your advice and suggestions - I really take them to heart! Below are the answers to my own questions, as of 6 months into motherhood :)
Books: Lexi loves ANY kind of book. Her favorites are definitely...all of them. I do love the Sandra Bouyton books, and any touch and feel books, but honestly, I think that once you start reading to your baby, read to them often often often. I started to read to Lexi before she could even realize what I was doing and now she is a total book lover! I hope this continues! I buy used books from DI and Amazon and new books from WalMart, Amazon, or other cheap sites. GET BOOKS FOR YOUR BABY! I also make my own books out of small scrapbooks. Mostly, we go to the library at LEAST twice a week and check out books. You can have them for up to 6 weeks and you don't have to buy any - free books - immense variety!
Toys: Lexi loves kitchenware (whisks, spoons, spatulas...), keys, books, "Mr. Ducky", and anything she can get her hands on. I always have toys with me! There are always toys all over her blankets on the ground so she can have fun fun fun! I buy toys from Walmart and Amazon. Infantino and Bright Starts our the favorites and also very affordable. You can also make your own toys using anything you have. I've made a ribbon stick (big popsicle stick covered in various colors, sizes, and textures of ribbons), Shakers (cleaned baby food jars with dry beans inside), Balloons (blown up to a medium size either empty or with beans inside), Puppets (sock, felt, etc.) Check out books on how to make them from your local library for more ideas on homemade toys.
Activities: Lexi's favorite things include jumping, singing, tickling, "Super Lexi", reading books, and crawling EVERYWHERE. I think babies should definitely be able to use their imaginations, and have the opportunity to laugh often! We read books the most, I think. That and letting Lexi explore on her own!
DVD/TV Show: HUGE fan of Baby Einstein DVD's. We check them out from the library and they're fabulous. Lexi also likes any show/DVD that has lots of songs. She loves to giggle at them. Baby Einstein hold her attention the best and they're also specifically geared towards babies and teach them things. Great invention!
Music: Any kind that is uplifting! Lately, Lexi has loved to listen to her "Calliou's Favorite Songs" CD. We also have learning songs, Primary songs, Raffi, instrumental, you name it!!! I think the best music for your child to hear is your own singing voice. I sing to Lexi constantly - either real songs or I make them up! She loves it. I sing to her before bed, in the car, while she's eating, before we start an activity....SING. Just do it. Everyone can sing.
Ear Piercing: I go back and forth with this one. Sometimes I like the idea, other times I feel it's not for me. Ultimately, I think that it is definitely up to you and your spouse. There are definitely pro's and con's to both options. I think that if your baby girl has her ears pierced, the earrings definitely need to be small studs ONLY. We are not sure when we are piercing Lexi's ears. If we wait, it will be at an age where she doesn't have anything else "major" going on so she can look forward to the more important things (8 = baptism; 12 = Young Women's) instead of ear piercing.
Tummy vs. Back: Lexi sleeps on her tummy. SHOCK?! I know, I know, you're supposed to do the back thing, but I believe that babies should sleep however is more comfortable for them. Lexi sleeps the absolute best on her tummy, therefore TUMMY it is. Each baby is different, so do what is best! Babies will naturally go to what is most comfortable for THEM: back, side, tummy, etc. Especially once they can move themselves about. So, all in all, I don't believe the doctors when they tell you it is not safe for babies to sleep anyway but their back. Sorry, docs! I'll do what's best for my baby!
Playing: Obviously, as much as possible! I do think, however, that babies need time to themselves to explore and learn and use their imagination. I struggle with playing all the time with Lexi and sometimes don't know WHAT to play. I made an "ACTIVITIES" calendar where I cut off the days of the week and so I just have the boxes and I put a sticker of some sort in each square and came up with an activity to do with Lexi that has to do with the sticker (Sticker of a foot = going on a walk; sticker of the sun = playing outside; sticker of mirror = mirror play; etc) It's a great idea and I recommend every mom to have a "back up" plan when they don't know what to do. Let me know if you want ideas! I have a TON on that calendar!
Cry to Sleep: Not a fan. Yes, babies do need to know how to put themselves to sleep; however, I don't think they should just cry and scream themselves to sleep. Rock your baby, sing to them, lay them down, and if they fuss or cry, don't necessarily pick them up, but soothe them (rubbing Lexi's back works for her, putting her binky back in her mouth works wonders, too). If you do pick them up, just stick in the binky/bottle whatever, don't look at them face to face, and go on with your rocking. They'll cry, sure, but you still have them comforted by you, and then once they're calmed down, into bed they go! Also, I think they should be able to fuss/cry a bit to see if they'll put themselves back to sleep (only for a few minutes! NOT until they exhaust themselves with crying). My opinion. Take it or leave it.
I think it is incredibly important to put the Gospel into everyday. We look at pictures of Jesus, the Prophets (old and present day), sing Primary songs, tell scriptures stories, and more. Babies are so close to our Heavenly Father, and are more capabale of feeling the Spirit than perhaps we are, and need to be able to feel the love that we have of the Gospel, and the love we have for them, as does our Heavenly Father. Lexi has her prayers said every night, even though she cannot say them herself. Habits early = habits learned. Babies understand what you're saying more than you realize. Teach them the Gospel now. Every aspect.
"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
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