Pregnancy should come with an option to buy stock in Energizer.

As I sit and make out my grocery list for the following week I notice that under the “Other” section of my list there is once again a need for batteries.

Surprise, surprise! We are in need of replacement batteries for the swing and the bouncer seat and the talking trains and the soother… and the list goes on.  Although I know this is not the case, I feel that all of the toys in my home run on batteries. I am spending a small fortune on batteries!

Remember when toys did not require batteries? Remember when action figures didn’t talk and the telephone made a noise only when it fell off the table. Now everything has lights and plays music and has some type of mechanism that requires AAA batteries by the busload.

My toddler, Mr. Clean.

In my home we like to recycle. We are not everything must be green type of people, but we try not like to be wasteful. So if something can be recycled it does get recycled.

Not surprisingly, there is a place in my home where we put the recycling. Items that need to be recycled spend their “in transit” time out of the way and to the right of my stove. There they wait. When I am not longer preparing a meal I take all of the recycling that has accumulated to the garage to be put in the recycling bin.

This morning I placed an empty orange juice container in the “in transit” location and continued to prepare breakfast for my husband, my son, and myself.

My son William noticed that the orange juice container was out of the fridge. He promptly tells me “No Mommy. Messy! Messy!” He then goes to the counter and grabs the empty orange juice container. He opens the refrigerator door and puts the empty orange juice container on the shelf. He closes the refrigerator door, turns to me, and says “All clean.”

He is very much my child! I thought that this would be fitting to share after my post yesterday about cleanliness and organization.

I just hope he can refrain from doing this when we visit friends and family in their homes. How embarrassing would that be? I might have to write a disclaimer on a post it and stick it on my child like a name badge. “Warning: This child comes from the home of an organizational neat freak. He does not have a filter and will point out messiness. If he starts to clean your home make no sudden movements and back away slowly.”

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There is a method to my madness:

Hello, my name is Laura and I am a neat freak.

Now that I have stated that I have issues we can all move forward on the same page.

I believe that there is a place for everything and everything should be in its place. I understand that when something is being used it should be out, but when you are done with said item it should be put away. I don’t think this is a hard concept to grasp. My two-year-old son knows that if he takes out a toy to play with, he has to put it away before another toy can be taken out.

Granted, I lump toys into “categories” (these quotation marks are meant to be air-quotes: please note a tone of mockery as I air-quote the term categories). For example, the transportation “category” consists of anything transportation related. This includes but is not limited to cars, garage, race track, trucks, and airplanes. My philosophy about play time is this: if you are going to play at something embrace it wholeheartedly. What fun is playing cars if you have nowhere to drive them?

Who needs Pilates when there is an Odyssey Fun World?

I just spent Thursday afternoon at Odyssey Fun World. In case you have not had the pleasure of visiting this fine establishment picture Chucky Cheese on steroids minus the plastic singing rat. There is food, arcade games, tokens, rides, paintball, and a gigantic play area for kids under 10 years old. Guess where we were?

We spent the afternoon in the “Exploration Adventure” section. This play area is huge! It is essentially a two story high obstacle course.  There are tubes, tunnels, slides, stairs, a bridge, rope holes, ball pits, and a bounce house. There is a smaller section off to the side for smaller children with Little Tikes animals and playhouses. All for the low, low price of $7.00 (no time limit).

I brought my niece Isabella, my son William, and my baby Steven. I had the full intention of sitting on a bench and watching the kids run around like crazy. This is not what happened. After we gave the cashier our ticket, received our wristband, and removed our shoes we were buzzed in. The kids took off like the structure was made of chocolate and it was Easter morning.

They raced from one end to the next with me trailing behind pushing Steven in the stroller.

William was terrified of certain parts of the structure. If it moved underneath him and he couldn’t find his footing, he turned around and went back the way he came. If he could see through it he was not going to try to climb it. He needed to warm up to the idea of trying out new sections of the structure.  He needed to see someone else successfully navigating the sections he feared before he was willing to risk it. 

Isabella was fearless! She went everywhere and tried everything. She wasn’t scared of moving tunnels or rope bridges. She made her way to the very top of the structure so she could slide down the longest slide. She, of course, made friends with a group of girls who were there playing.

The ladies took William under their wings and helped him to traverse his way through the structure. He would hold their hands when he was scared and they would cheer him on through the hard parts. It was adorable. 

It was fun for me to watch the kids having such a great time.

After my husband got off work he came to Odyssey Fun World to meet us for dinner. As soon as he walked through the gate I gave him the stroller with baby Steven and I went to go play with the kids.

I was crawling through tunnels, climbing stairs, crossing bridges, and balancing William on my chest and pulling us across scary sections of moving tubes. It was a blast! By the end my arms, legs, and my neck were sore and I was covered in sweat. Talk about a fun workout. I had more fun chasing the kids for the afternoon than I have had in quite a while. I am looking forward to a return trip very soon.

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The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup…

Every morning we eat breakfast together as a family. We talk about our plans for the day and remind each other about upcoming events. It is one of my favorite parts of the day. Quality family time with coffee.

This morning my niece Bella says to my husband, “Uncle Travis, can I have more juice.”

Travis gets Bella more juice.

He then makes his way around the table giving hugs and kisses goodbye before heading out the door for work.

Bella says to my husband “Uncle Travis, can I have a hug goodbye?”

Travis gives Bella a hug.

William, after witnessing both interactions between Bella and daddy, decides that he is going to refer to his dad as Uncle Travis as well. “Goodbye Uncle Travis.”

Travis stops, looks at William, and tells William “No William, I am your daddy. You call me Daddy.”

William’s response is “No. Goodbye Uncle Travis.”

Dad then tells William jokingly, “Don’t push it buddy. Don’t push it. I am your Dad. You call me Dad. Oh, you probably don’t even know what you are saying.”

Without missing a beat, William instantly responds with “Yes, I push it! Goodbye Uncle Travis.”

I look at my husband and crack up. I am practically howling with laughter. What a great way to start the day. My child is hilarious.

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Friday Fun Pic: Week 7

This week I had my niece Isabella for the week. We went to the water park, the Brookfield Zoo, Odyssey Fun World, and several parks. The kids had so much fun! This Friday fun pic is of my son at the water park reacting to the sprinklers being turned on. His expression is priceless! I love that I captured this reaction on film. It took him a while to get used to getting splashed. Although he did wander quickly through the sprinklers, he mainly did laps around the water park.

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You say goodbye and I say hello.

Every time I pick up the telephone my children know it. They know it and they come running while screaming, fighting, and crying!

It is like they have an inner alarm that goes off whenever I even think about picking up a telephone. Bells and whistles must go off at a frequency I am too old to hear.

The children have been fed, cleaned, and dressed for the day. I have taken out new toys from storage for them to play with in the basement. They are actively engaged in cooperative play. I see my opportunity and I take it.

I dial my mother on the telephone and as soon as she answers I hear a howl from below my feet. Uh oh! Something has happened in the basement. Thump thump thump thump thump, my son comes running up the stairs with my niece trailing behind him. I am still holding onto the illusion that this will be a quick fix situation that does not require me to get off the phone with my mother.

Nope. Not happening. William starts crying and screaming about Gordon. Bella, my niece, is talking over William, trying to inform me that whatever happened is not her fault. Of course all this commotion sets off the baby, who until this point in time was peacefully sitting in his swing cooing at his reflection in the mobile.

Apparently there was a train disagreement. This was not going to be a quick fix.

I get off the phone with my mom and turn my full attention to the children only to discover the fighting is over. I try to ask them what happened and find that I am talking to thin air. They are already on their way back downstairs. I am left with is a screaming baby that needs to be soothed and a phone call to return. After about five minutes of rocking the baby is soothed and happy.

Although I am a little apprehensive to place my return phone call, I dial the number and wait.

I creep to the top of the stairs that lead to the basement and listen. No screaming. No fighting. William and Bella are playing nicely and all seems well.

I press the send button. The phone rings. My toddler calls up the stairs “Mom! Juice Please.”

Seriously.

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What’s the story morning glory?

Happy 1^st official day of summer! The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and it is okay to sit back and relax a little. Isn’t it?

My start to summer began quite humorously this morning.

As most of you know who read my blog, I have a two-month-old baby. When I am not completely exhausted I try to get a little work out in so I can get my pre-pregnancy body back.  

This morning, after a bagel and two cups of coffee, I was ready to tackle my elliptical. I put on Chuggington for my son and niece to watch while I got in a half hour on the machine. After my run on the elliptical I popped in a Wii fitness game (EA Sports) and continued to work out with my son and niece participating (my son looks hysterical flailing his arms and legs and spinning in circles). After, I set up the play kitchen for them to play with, I ran upstairs to feed Steven and take a shower.

There I am scrubbing away singing in the shower feeling completely relaxed when in comes William followed by Bella.

“Aunt Laura, there is somebody at the front door and it is not Uncle Travis and it is not the mailman.”

All righty then. Who in the world is at my front door? Is it UPS with a package? Fed Ex? I have no clue. I tell Bella to go down stairs and wait for me. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR! Just wait.

I rinse off and jump out of the shower. Wrap a towel around my head like a turban and don a ratty tatty robe. I race down the stairs and peek out the window.

GFI. Mental head slap. I had scheduled the GFI guy to come and check my air conditioner for a regular maintenance inspection and I had completely forgotten. I let him in, and promptly apologize for making him wait.

This is the same guy who always comes to the house to service out heating and cooling system. His response is a simple, no problem. Then he looks around and tells me “you have a full house today don’t you?” Three kids in their pj’s and mom in her robe. We must have looked very efficient.

Needless to say, he worked his GFI heating and cooling magic and was out the door rather quickly.

Once the door was shut and Mr. GFI guy was gone I sat down on my bed and laughed. How crazy I must have seemed. I must have appeared completely scatter brained.

I figure this is a great way to start summer. With a laugh.

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Social Media Monday Blog Hop

Join Mom Mart on Mondays for a Twitter, Facebook, & Blog Hop!

This social media hop is designed to create more traffic, more followers, and more unique page views for your blog, twitter, and Facebook pages.

You can also meet other amazing bloggers.

It is all about sharing and having fun!

While it is not required, it would be appreciated if you could spread the word about the Social Media Monday Hop by grabbing the button for your blog. Feel free to also send out a blog post, a tweet, or share the news on Facebook! After all, the more people that participate, the more blog traffic and potential followers there are.

To join in the fun and link up please click on the Blog Hop button at the top of the screen.

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Friday Fun Pic: Week 6

Last week I mentioned that every summer I take my niece and my nephew for a week each. This week my nephew got to go to 6 Flags, a softball game, and go cart racing. This was my first time, my nephew’s first time, and my son’s first time riding a go cart. It was quite entertaining. My nephew was all about accelerating. My son was all about shouting “Ready, Set, GO!” In this picture my husband and my son are getting ready to Go Go Go! Based on this experience, my husband now thinks that William is ready for a trip to 6 flags as well.





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It always seems to happen this way…

Let me start this post off by saying that when something goes wrong or appears to be broken I first ask my partner in crime, my husband, if he knows how to resolve the issue. If my husband is as clueless about a situation as I am, I look in a book or online to find answers.

Earlier this week my Honda Odyssey, otherwise referred to as the swagger wagon, decided it did not like me. This is not something entirely out of the realm of possibilities in my world, electronics frequently die on me. The GPS system and back up camera refused to work, instead demanding that I enter a four digit code.  WHAT? This had never happened before and I had no clue as to what the four digit code could possibly be.

Away I typed. I entered every four digit combination I could think of. I entered random digits hoping that I might stumble upon the right combination. Nothing.

I asked my husband if he knew the magic number to unlocking the GPS system and backup camera. Nope.

I looked for answers online. I searched for other people who have had similar problems. There were quite a few. I felt better about myself and my lack of love with technologically temperamental equipment after reading about others who had experienced this same problem. I found several solutions.

1)      Check the glove compartment for a sticker with the four digit code.

2)      Check the user manual (there are like 5 manuals that came with our vehicle)

3)      Call the dealership.

I checked the glove compartment. No sticker. I looked through all five user manuals. No code. I located a business card in my glove compartment for the dealership where we purchased our vehicle. I called the number.

I spoke to a very nice individual who could not help me, but could transfer me to someone who could. As I sat on the phone, waiting patiently while listening to elevator music on hold, I flipped over the business card and noticed four digits. I turned on the car and entered the numbers and voila! Yup, you guessed it. It was the code. I thanked the person who finally took me off hold and hung up.

It seems to me that only after I have exhausted all of my options do I finally figure something out, and it usually tends to be the simplest solution to begin with. I must have flipped through all of the paperwork in the car, including the business card, several times. Not once did I notice the big bold writing on the back of the card.

Needless to say, I wrote the code in several of the manuals just in case this happens again.

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The Train Takeover!

Trains are taking over my home.

At first my toddler’s little Thomas the train fixation was relegated to watching Thomas & Friends on the television before bedtime. Then a neighbor gave us a train table and train track set that their child had outgrown. Now everywhere I look there are trains!

My son has The Polar express in the DVD player for after bath time. He watched Polar Express while I clean his ears, brush his teeth, and clip his nails. He sleeps with Thomas, Percy, and Salty. His flashlight is a talking Thomas flashlight. He is all about the choo choo trains!

Thomas is not the only train in town anymore. Oh no, now there is Chuggington. Chuggington is a cartoon on the Disney channel. My toddler just loves these new trains. He even knows there names. He cannot say all of his Aunt’s and Uncle’s names yet, but he can tell you who Koko, Brewster, and Puffer Pete are.

These trains are an expensive habit to have. Especially if you are purchasing the wooden train sets. Imaginarium, Thomas the Train, and Chuggington all have wooden train sets that can work universally with one another. At least this is how they are advertised. I went to Toy’s R Us to use a gift card William received as a gift only to find that they do not carry the Chuggington Wooden Railway sets. There is nothing worse than having your toddler get super excited about his new toy train, then get home only to discover it is incompatible with the train set you have.

When the train doesn’t fit the toddler doesn’t play. My son loves to line up his trains and drive the caravan around his train track. When the trains fall off the track because they aren’t made for the set, he gets incredibly upset. Meltdown with tears and screaming upset. It is not a pretty sight.

As a solution we have quarantined the non-wooden railway trains to the upstairs. These trains are now sleepy-time trains. Now if we can just keep them upstairs. The trains have a tendency to go wherever my son goes.

The obsession with trains happened all at once. One day we were oblivious to trains. Then all of a sudden we were saying “Choo Choo” and “All Aboard” and wanting to watch Thomas & Friends and The Polar Express all the time. Now everywhere I look I see trains!

Is your child obsessed with something? If so, what are they obsessed with and how long do these fixations usually last?

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Product Review: Baby Bond Flex and Giveaway

I am a stay at home mother with two little boys, a two-year-old and two-month-old. To say that I am constantly on the go is an understatement of gigantic proportions. We are constantly out and about, especially when the weather is nice and being outside is a necessity for my sanity. The hustle and bustle of our everyday lives can make breastfeeding on the go a little complicated.

I consider myself a rather conservative lady. For example, I prefer to wear clothing that covers me. Even in the summer time when the weather is hot and muggy I can be found sporting a pair of capri’s and a polo. Needless to say, I am not someone who would be very comfortable breastfeeding in public.

I didn’t breastfeed in public with my firstborn son. Instead, I took him into changing rooms, bathroom stalls, or the back seat of my car in order to feed him whenever we were out and he needed to eat.

Now that I have both a newborn and a toddler I find that I am unable to drop everything to run and hide when my newborn needs to eat. My toddler is too active a child to stay in a stall or changing room without trying to crawl out or open the door. Since we are always on the move and my newborn has to eat, I find myself open to the idea of breastfeeding in public if I am able to wear a nursing cover.

I was asked to do a review for Baby Bond, and after some online research of their products I decided that since I am a nursing mother and in need of a nursing cover, we were a good fit. There are three types of nursing covers to choose from. There is the Original Baby Bond, the Flex Baby Bond, and the Couture Baby Bond. I chose the Flex Baby Bond.

After I received my Baby Bond nursing cover I decided to practice using it at home before having it make its public debut.  Although there is less room to maneuver with, I did end up mastering the art of this nursing cover and have used it countless times while out in public.

Features:

• The Baby Bond Flex (There are 3 different types of nursing covers. I received the Flex nursing cover) is 100 % cotton and is machine washable. The nursing cover is soft on my baby’s skin, lightweight, and can be easily cleaned. I washed it in Dreft before its first use and there was no shrinkage.
• The nursing cover is worn like a sash, there are two layers of fabric that pull apart to separate and cover you as you breast feed while creating access for your baby to latch on. This is great because the fabric can be stretched to cover more or less of you, depending on your comfort level. Another bonus is that I am able to keep my stomach and back covered while breast feeding. You nurse from the top of your shirt as opposed to lifting up your shirt from the bottom.
• You are covered but your baby is not. While I am modest and like to be completely covered, I also like to be able to see my baby while I feed him. Since this nursing cover covers me and not my baby I get to have a great bonding experience with my baby as I feed him. I also get to make sure he is latching on correctly. This is especially fabulous on those hot days when covering my little guy to feed him feels like cruel and unusual punishment.
• A terry velour burp cloth is included with the flex model of nursing cover. There is a band attached to the nursing cover that keeps the burp cloth in place while you are breast feeding. Although the velour burp cloth that is included is great, you can attach and use any burp cloth with the nursing cover. This is a great feature because I have a tendency of putting down the burp cloth and forgetting where I placed it. I also love the versatility of being able to change out the burp cloths as needed.
• When not in use the nursing cover can roll up tightly and be placed in a matching pouch (which is included).
• I really like the packaging of the Baby Bond; it is adorable and very boutique. Although the nursing covers are very reasonably priced at $35, the packaging and craftsmanship of the product makes it looks expensive. This would make a great baby shower gift.

Overall I am very pleased with the Baby Bond. It is a fabulous alternative to the nursing covers that completely cover your baby while breastfeeding. I love that I am able to breastfeed in public without feeling like I am on display. I can maintain my modesty while being able to bond with my baby. I would recommend this nursing cover for nursing and expecting mothers.

The Baby Bond is available for purchase at Baby Bond Nursing. All nursing covers cost $35.00, but if you enter the promo code “MART” you can save an additional 25%

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by webbizideas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product Review and Giveaway Disclosure.

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My Husband, My Hero!

My husband and I share parenting duties. He changes diapers, bathes our children, and tucks them into bed just as much as I do when he is home. We both take turns being the “bad guy” when it comes to disciplining and telling our children no. When it comes to our kids we both believe in the hands on approach. I am a little less hands on at 5am.

Have I mentioned before that I am not a morning person? Let me put any questions of my morning cheerfulness to rest, I am so NOT a morning person. I am even less of a morning person at 5am after having been woken at 12 am and 3am as well.

At our 5am feeding my little guy usually requires a diaper change. I nudge my husband who has gotten to sleep through the night, and let him know it is his turn to take care of the babies needs. Since I am breast feeding, my husband cannot feed him. But since he doesn’t have to be up with him at every feeding, he is on diaper duty after the 5 am feeding. My husband usually changes his diaper, hands him back to me, and leaves the room to get coffee and the morning paper and get ready for work. If my newborn decides that he will not go back to sleep and he is ready to be up and active at 5am it is time for mommy to be up and active at 5am.  

This morning I fed my newborn, nudged my husband, and fell back asleep. I woke up two hours later when my husband came in to wake me for Steven’s 7 am feeding. He had taken our newborn, our toddler, and our nephew into the basement to play so mommy could have some uninterrupted sleep. I couldn’t believe it! I got to sleep a whole 2 more hours, and I didn’t even have to ask.

What a great way to start the day!

As Father’s Day is approaching, I thought it might be nice to take a minute and share something that your father/husband/significant other has done that you appreciate.

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Launching My Facebook Page

I am getting ready to create and host my very first giveaway on Mom Mart. Woo Hoo! I am very excited to be able to test and review some of the coolest new and innovative products on the market. I am even more excited to be able to host a giveaway for the people who follow my blog. I mean, who doesn’t love free stuff?

I have decided that before I write up my review and set up the giveaway I should probably create a Facebook page for my blog. I have come to discover that a lot of the companies out there looking for people to test and review their products look at how many Google Friend Connect (GFC) followers, RSS Subscribers, Twitter Followers, and Facebook fans (likes) you have to help them when making the decision on who they want to give their products to. 

It should come as no surprise that the amount of traffic your site generates and the type of blog you write has a significant impact whether a company chooses you to test, review, and giveaway their products.

Without further ado, I have placed a Facebook widget on the right hand column of my blog directly under my Twitter widget. I would really appreciate it if you would take a minute and “Like” my Facebook page.

If you “Like” my Facebook page and would like for me to visit and “Like” your Facebook page as well please leave me a comment.

Thank you.

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Product Review: Bright Starts; Start Your Senses Peek-a-Pal

My children and I always seem to be in the car going from one activity to the next. We spend several hours a week simply traveling in our vehicle. This is fine and dandy for my older son who is able to face forward and take in his surroundings or watch a DVD in the minivan. But for my newborn, life is a little bland in his infant carrier with nothing to see and nothing to do. That is until I received the Start Your Senses Peek-a-Pal from Bright Starts.

This product is designed for children to play with from birth & up. My newborn is now two-months-old and loves his new Peek-a-Pal. He loves to watch the worm disappear into the apple. In fact he giggles when I let go of the ring, it is too cute!

My two-years-old son likes to “help” mommy get ready by playing with his baby brother. This entails my toddler pulling the ring on the Peek-a-Pal, letting go, and ducking below the infant carrier. He likes to play Pee-a-Boo with the Peek-a-Pal.

How to follow my blog while GFC is not working.

I have had several people tell me that they are unable to "follow" my blog through Google Friend Connect (GFC). I do not know why, but Blogger is having problems again with Google Friend Connect. I assume this issue will be resolved shortly.

In the mean time, if the "follow" button in the "Folloe me on Google Friend Connect" box is not showing up you can still "follow" my blog by clicking on the "follow" button located in the Navigation Bar at the top left portion of my blog.

The Navigation Bar is located at the very top left hand side of the screen after you have scrolled to the very top of the page. It is located next to the "blog search", "report abuse", "next blog", and "share" links.

If you are following me and you would like for me to take a look at your blog and follow you as well, please leave me a comment with your blogs link.

Thank you for your support and interest in my blog. I appreciate each and every follower of my blog.

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Friday Fun Pic: Week 5

I take both my niece and my nephew for a week each during the summer so that I get to spend time with them and they get to play with their cousins that they do not see very often. I am not crazy; I do not take them all at the same time. We alternate weeks, I take my nephew for a week and then we switch and I take my niece for a week. During this week long vacation we go and do fun and exciting things that they don’t normally get to do at home. We take a trip to Brookfield Zoo, ride go carts, and this year my nephew is going to 6 Flags with his Uncle Travis. My favorite part of this little vacation is watching as my son William tries to keep up with his big cousins. In this picture William is playing hide-and-go-seek with his cousin. “Found You!”



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Nap time for mommy?

I must have heard it a million times if I have heard it once, “sleep when the baby sleeps.” This is the most common advice I hear when I am pregnant or when people see I have a newborn. Every time I turn around someone is telling me to sleep when the baby sleeps. As wonderful as the idea of mid-day napping sounds, it does not always work out.

When my baby is sleeping, my toddler is usually awake and requiring supervision and attention. When my toddler is napping, my baby is usually awake and needing to be fed, changed, and soothed. On those rare occasions when both children are sleeping I am usually swamped with a list of things to do around that house that are difficult to do with children under foot. Priorities… I know.

Toddler Talk

I have read in books that in between years two and three children’s vocabulary take off.  I have read this in books, magazines, online websites, and other mommy blogs. I have heard this from my pediatrician as well as from other mothers that I know. And yet, I continue to worry that I am doing something wrong. At least I felt this way until very recently.

My Opinionated Newborn

Like many babies, my newborn son Steven likes to be swaddled tightly and rocked to sleep. Although he is only two months old now, he has asserted which activity he prefers. If he cannot be held and rocked he insists on being put in an activity swing. He even has a preference as to which swing he should be placed in.

Product Review: Fisher Price Baby Papasan Cradle Swing in Nature's Touch

I purchased the Fisher Price Baby Papasan Cradle Swing in Nature’s Touch from a lovely woman who lived in the area and had listed in on craigslist. She said she purchased this swing in 2006 for her first born child. This activity swing has survived two children in five years and is now working splendidly for me and my baby in our home. This swing has quickly become the go to soother for me when my newborn is being fussy.

Product Review: Graco Lovin’ Hug Swing in Safari Sun

The Graco Lovin’ Hug Swing in Safari Sun we received as a baby shower gift in 2008 for the birth of our first born son William. My son’s nursery was jungle themed and I picked out the activity swing pretty much based on looks alone. I have been pleasantly surprised by how well this swing has held up.

Friday Fun Pic: Week 4

In this picture my son is eating lunch, a regular every day run of the mill lunch. Apparently he decided that lunch was not fancy enough, proper attire was required. I must not have received the memo. Like every fashion savvy person knows, the key to completing a look is all in the accessories. William is sporting mom’s very fashionable headband in the style of Josh Brolin form Goonies. He is also decked out in dad’s Hawaiian beaded lei from our wedding. To complete the ensemble William has smeared jelly on his face and shirt, to give him that lived in I'm 100% boy look. My children are my entertainment.

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When is a good time to start potty training?

I am gearing up to start potty training my two-year-old son. I am reading up on all the different methods there are to potty train. Some methods absolutely terrify me while others seem like tidbits of knowledge that should be common sense. All in all I feel overwhelmed and undereducated when it comes to potty training. I am just guessing here, but I think this might be a common theme to be revisited throughout parenthood.

To prepare my son, we have bought a big boy potty and placed it in the main bathroom. Since I have not had privacy in the bathroom since the day my first child was born, I figure he might as well get some exposure to his very own potty as early as possible. Couldn’t hurt, right?


I have borrowed books and DVDs from the local library on using the big boy potty.  We have read the potty books together. We have watched the potty movies together. We have sat on the potty and sung our potty songs. Am I doing this right? Is there a right way to potty train?


There is no poop or pee being deposited into the potty at this time. I ask my son if he needs to go poop or pee, as he is trying to crawl under the table for some privacy to do his business. His reply is “no!” And yet, he continues to crawl under the table and sit for a bit. When he re-emerges he does not smell like roses. In fact, there is a distinct poopy smell wafting off of him. I guess he did have to go poop.


Why did I think this was a good time to start potty training? Oh yeah, William has shown an interest in flushing the toilet and will sit on his big boy potty for short periods of time. He has started to tell me after he goes potty that he is "yucky" or "messy” and he wants to be clean. As far as I can tell, these are all good signs to go ahead with potty training.


Then there are the days that although he wants to be clean, he strongly dislikes getting his diaper changed. When I say strongly dislike I am referring to his kicking, his screaming, and his general angst for all things diaper related. Even the mere mention of diaper changing sends William into the fight or flight response. This makes absolutely no sense to me. He obviously wants to be clean, but cannot stand the process of being cleaned. What is one to do?


We are not at the point yet where he lets me know before he has to go potty. I am thinking that this will come as we progress into potty training. I believe that the only thing to be done is to continue trying to catch him before he goes potty in his diaper, continue reading potty books, continue watching potty movies, continue singing potty songs, respond to potty training efforts with positive reinforcement, and use bribery. At least this is the approach I am taking.


I would love to hear your tips, tricks, and advice on potty training. Please share your experiences; I can use all the help I can get.

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