Reason number 5,367 why you should never take your eyes off a toddler

January 24, 2012 By

I’m the first to admit that I’m a mix between a Helicopter parent and a let-your-child-explore parent. Really… it’s a mix or a struggle between some lingering anxiety and having a teaching background.

I repeatedly tell my husband that our toddler is not trustworthy. And only because he’s just that… a toddler — with two older brothers.

I’ve never had to baby proof my house to the extent that I’ve had to in the past two years. It’s like this kid sniffs out danger and puts himself in harms way whenever possible. He is totally a thrill-seeker. Or is trying to fit in with his older brothers. Or he’s out to give me a heart attack. Although, it’s likely all of the above.

Sunday was an extremely lazy day in our house. It was wet outside from raining the day before, half the family was sick with God only know what and I was relishing in the opportunity to get a little work done.

Or so I thought.

Along with being a little daredevil, my child likes to be in the most natural state possible. Which is usually a typical toddler trait.
While I was sitting on the couch, he ran into the other room and quickly shimmied his way out of his zip-up PJ’s – without unzipping them. This happened twice and each time I put his PJ’s back on. (Yeah, I know.)
I then went to the kitchen to clean up the mess from lunch.
Once I finished, I checked my computer then caught something out of the corner of my eye. Like a flash of bright white streaming across the sky.
My toddler not only took his PJ’s off… he took his diaper off, too.

I laughed while yelling to my husband — who was upstairs playing LEGOs with the two older boys. He ran downstairs (with his camera) and we followed our naked little devil into the playroom. Then it hit me. Poop. I smelled poop!

The anxiety kicked in and I sniffed out the missing diaper like a crazy hound dog.

I finally found it. In a backpack, hanging on the door.

My husband took the culprit upstairs for a bath while I disinfected the entire downstairs.

The worst part of it all? I found a straggler — a little turd – yesterday. I had poop nightmares all night last night.

Filed Under: Humor, Parenting Tagged With: , Leave a Comment

Food Friday: Picky eaters

January 20, 2012 By

 

I have a picky eater. Oh… do I have a picky eater.

Not only do I have a picky eater, I have a toddler (aka a little walking and talking sponge) who is mimicking his older brother’s picky ways… and it’s driving me a little batty.

I’m learning more and more everyday thanks to the guidance of a nutritionist and through research for a weekly series that I’m writing on the SheKnows ChefMom site about — you guessed it – picky eaters.

Picky eaters: Are you concerned about your child’s intake?

Picky eaters: Mixing foods to get the right nutrients in your child

And because it’s a New Year and with that comes promise, hope and goals for health and fitness for parents, here are some healthy alternatives for your everyday foods.

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Laughter keeps us (or me) sane

January 18, 2012 By

Just one of his faces

Laughter really is the best medicine in this house. My day can start off much like waking up on the wrong side of the bed (today) and turn out to be something so much more just by laughing at my kids.

Yes, I laugh at my kids. Often.

They are so sweet and so cute and seem to think they are pretty funny so… it really ends up being all of us laughing together. Which makes everyone laugh even harder. Then, the baby puts on his little act and the tears start rolling — from laughing. Sometimes the 4-year-old gets a little crazy and messes up the mood by throwing his body into whoever is closest (resulting in a bad kind of cry) but that doesn’t happen much anymore. Thankfully.

Balancing work with the kids has also proven to be something to laugh about – and not a good laugh. But throw in some sick kids and suddenly the balance shifts to mostly kids. I’m not happy that half my kids are sick (one is sick and one is half sick… or has allergies. The verdict is still out), but I am thankful that the situation today has allowed me to be in those moments — the ones that make me laugh. The ones that make me a little saner.

For example… While driving away from the school after dropping off the 4-year-old, my 9-year-old longingly gazed out his window at the kids playing on the grass. Then this happened.

Him: “I wish I wasn’t sick today.”
Me: “I know, bud. You want to be at school, huh?”
Him: “Yeah…”
Me (trying to slide in the importance of eating healthy): “That’s why we need to take care of our bodies, eat right and get good sleep.”
Him (He tuned me out by the time I said the word need): “I hope I’m better by Friday.” (There’s a school event on Friday).
Me: “Well, let’s rest and get better and hopefully you will be.”
Him: “Yes… I know. I need to get wealthy.”
Me (after laughing so hard that I had to pull the car over): “You mean healthy, right?”

Later while at home, my toddler decided to turn the Disney Junior songs (the ones between Little Einsteins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates) into rap songs by adding a “Yeahhhhh.” after each verse. And in the deepest possible tone he could muster. He eats it up, too. Laughter to this child is like batteries to Tickle Me Elmo. (And we might need to lay off the Gym Class Heroes – Stereo Hearts song a little bit).

Seriously though, if it weren’t for these goofballs (and my mom showing up mid-day with a giant chocolate cupcake), I think I would have gone a little insane today.

How was your day?

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Memories from 2011: My year in review

December 29, 2011 By

 

With the end of 2011 just days away, I’ve spent a lot of time this week reflecting on the best (and worst) of this passing year.

I’ve learned a lot from 2011… Some of which I wrote about here, some I didn’t. All of it continues to make me strive to be a better person, mother and friend.

One thing that is the same… I’m still not Supermom. I do what I can, when I can and I’m okay with that… now. My children come first and they always will. But with saying that, I do sometimes consider myself my own version of Supermom — just one that doesn’t parallel any other definition of the word.

My year in review…

We finally got some answers to some delicate questions this year. We’re starting to make progress (very slow progress) in getting our second son the care that he needs and deserves. I’m still learning little things each day about his Sensory Processing Disorder and to be honest, it’s overwhelming.

Things started falling into place when I was introduced to the world of freelance writing. I started writing for SheKnows Parenting, Pregnancy and Baby, Home and Living and even the Food channel. I’ve since become a Daily Blogger at SheKnows Pregnancy and Baby and I love it. I’ve found a new love for my writing and while it keeps me insanely busy, I’m so grateful. After all, I love being busy.

Another thing I’m extremely grateful for is the opportunities I’ve had to meet amazing people while supporting companies and campaigns that I believe so strongly in. The Red CARpet event with Britax and SafeKids is one of them. There are more exciting things to come… Mommy Fitness Tips is just one of them.

I learned how to make iMovies! I’ve always wanted to learn but have had no one to teach me. So one day, I sat and taught myself. I then went on to make a video for Yummie Tummie highlighting the best moments from BlogHer 2011. As for BlogHer, I loved meeting new people, experiencing new things and getting some girl time with another dear friend, but I won’t be going again next year.

We moved our two youngest into the same room. After months of hesitation, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we could have made.

I made a ribbon wreath for Halloween and lived to write a tutorial about it. It felt really good to get my craft on again.

I made more time for friends and made more time for myself. This is something I’ve struggled with in the past.

I also opened up about my reoccurring postpartum anxiety for the first time.

I said goodbye to my beloved Sharpie. Yes, this was a big deal.

Despite knowing it was going to be a bad day, I tried anyway. I cried, got embarrassed and sweat like I had just ran a marathon, but now I laugh and revel that it’s in the past.

Tampons make great parachutes for little Army men.

I turned 30. Call it irony, call it maturing… Things have become so much clearer since I’ve turned 30.

I finally found a way to document each year! That reminds me, I need to make our 2011 book.

 

What are your memories from 2011?

 

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I’m sick of Santa getting all the credit

December 22, 2011 By

Okay, not really… We’re not that vain.

But this year, we’re changing things up a little when it comes to the gifts under the Christmas tree. Last year was a bit excessive, and while that is hard for me to say (because I love giving gifts), it was evident about 10 minutes after all the gifts were opened. As expected, the boys flocked to their favorite toys and the rest became background noise… and mess.

Santa gifts

Santa is now responsible for the stocking gifts. He may chose to wrap them all or just a few… but he gets the stocking this year. He also gets the one unwrapped present (aka the “Kodak moment present”) that sits by the tree on Christmas morning.

By doing it this way, I no longer have to stress about comments like, “Hey mom! Santa’s handwriting sure looks like yours!” or “How did Santa get the wrapping paper that was under your bed?”

My kids are getting way too smart and I’m running out of hiding spots.

Mom and dad gifts

All the wrapped gifts that will be under the tree are from my husband and me. Last Christmas was the first year that our oldest (at age eight) got so caught up in the chaos that he didn’t read who the gifts were from — I’m part to blame because of the excessive amount of gifts. When he was asked what Santa got him, he had no clue. And it broke my heart. That’s when I knew that it was just “stuff” and the true meaning was lost.

Another change this year? The kids are each getting five gifts from us. This way, they have the same amount to open and the gifts are all things that they really want… not just fillers.

I want Christmas morning to be a memory, and one that lasts.

I also want Christmas to be more about giving, thoughtfulness and love.

This post can also be seen at Baby Gizmo.
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