Entertaining baby

One of the challenges about staying at home with a toddler is the question of entertainment and stimulation. In a daycare setting, lots of toys and other kids are available to provide interaction. When you're at home, you're the only playmate (unless you have other kids, which in my case, is not so) . My baby frequently wants to play with me or at least to be in the vicinity of my legs... whether it's the kitchen or laundry area, it doesn't matter. After all, unless we go to my ILs, I'm the only one he's with for the whole day. So, I'm challenged at times to come up with ways to keep him out of the kitchen cabinets, which seem to be a magnet for his curious mind.

Here are some ways I've coped:

• Give him those credit cards that come in the mail. They're plastic, have rounded edges, and can't go through a toilet paper roll. Let them serve some function by keeping him occupied. They're easy to slide around and can be stacked like a deck of cards.
• When we can't go outside, I open the patio door to let him see and hear outdoor sounds. If it's raining, it's even better. He can watch and listen to the rain falling on the deck, all the while staying safe and sound in his playpen. He even talks back to the pitter patter of the raindrops.
• Let him play with the big bottles that apple juice comes in. It's best of some juice is still left inside so he can shake it around.
• Give him a photo album with some photos in it. He thinks it's a regular book and is thrilled to see familiar faces.

Other than ply more toys and turn on the TV, what do you do to keep your baby occupied and happy?