Tips For Everyday Life

On my searches through the internet I have come across a few posts I wanted to share with my loyal followers. Please like and share these bloggers if you enjoy them. They need the likes too.

First up is a brandy new meal planning list. Everyone gets sick of the same old thing every week. Chicken, hamburger, pizza, mac and cheese and so on and so on. So I am always on the look out for something different or something interesting. I like breakfast for dinner for sure and anything stuffed inside dough is sure to be yummy.

This blog has some great ideas and recipes to try out.
Babies And Seeds - Meal plans


My family lives on a single income at the time being so we have to budget tightly. Here are some interesting ways to do that and some of these I do myself and have had great results. No budget cant be fixed.
Try these tips at

Babies And Seeds - Budget Trimming

Our Life As Four

Have you ever wondered what it's like to have two kids under the age of three? Well, my dear readers, wonder no more. I am the proud mother of two beautiful children, two and a half year old and a 3 month old. They are beautiful children, healthy both physically and emotionally and I love these kids more than I ever thought possible. (I realize how cliche that sounds but believe it when people tell you, no matter how annoying they make it sound.) I am here to tell you that multiple children are why boxed wine was invented.

I wound up taking some time off school. I wasn't doing so great in my Trig class, (seriously, it's trig,) and I didn't want to lose future financial aid because of poor grades. I start back up in the fall and I am insanely terrified.

My daily life consists of constant diaper changes, "Don't touch that.", "Do you want a time out?", "Oh god why is everything wet?" and feeling like Oprah, "You need a nap and you need a nap. Everyone gets naaaaps!" It all seems worth it when I get my nuh nite snuggles before bed or when she asks to take her vitamin and brush her teeth. Can't get her to potty train but she is all about her baths and teeth brushing. Picking my battles I guess. That said she is getting so big and there is talk of her going into pre-school soon and it seems so soon.

 The little man is getting big. Picking up his head and meeting his weight goals. He recently had to clip his nails because his face looked like my poor little boy was in a knife fight in some alley. Terribly dry skin but we are working on it and it doesn't seem to bother him much. Tongue tied still because I was a bit shell shocked after the circumcision and didn't want them cutting into my baby anymore. Now there is a whole stupid thing about it and the insurance has to be done through medical not dental blah blah blah. Healthcare blows. Any how he's growing like a weed and I think he's starting to look like me.

We seem to be adjusting well, I guess if I had advice for a second time mom it would be... get used to your house being a mess. Try not to over do, the kids want your attention too and that's more important. Make time with your friends sometimes, especially if you are a stay at home mom like me. I occasionally will visit friends and family for lunch at work or a coffee break. Plan some out of the house time for the whole family, weather it be a walk or a beach trip or a weeks vacation try to find a few moments to be together.

I'll be posting some links to some stories I'm writing and I am  open to story ideas, questions or comments. As always you can always reach me in the comments.

Recipes For New and Expecting Moms: Dinner

Everyone knows bringing home baby is a crazy time. Even the few months before, carrying the extra weight around, is exhausting and most of the time I, personally, opted for junk food or agonized over having to cook over the giant belly.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I have compiled a list of recipe ideas that were a life saver when we got home.

Freezer Bags:

Freezer casseroles are always the standard but I, for one, am not a fan. I really don't feel like eating leftovers every day so I found a neat twist on it.
Directions: Cut up a red and green bell pepper. Slice up a pound of chicken and get yourself two of those big plastic freezer bags. Split up all the ingredients between two bags keeping the chicken on one side and the veggies on the other. Lay flat in the freezer stacked.

When you're just not feeling all the cooking take one of these bad boys out of the freezer and toss it in hot water. Should be sufficiently thawed in about 15 to 20 minutes. Toss that in a hot skillet in some oil for like 25 or 30 minutes. Right before it's done toss in that Fajita Seasoning and get your tortillas out. Pop one or two in the microwave for a few seconds.

If you're feeling even lazier all these recipes can be used in the crock pot. Set it to low in the morning and it is ready to eat when you get home.

Load em up on your plate and add your toppings and enjoy.

This recipe is inter-changeable with other ingredients so you can  make a few weeks worth of meals in just an hour. Here is a few variations I have had success with. chicken, terriyaki sauce and pineapple, steak, peppers, onions and mushrooms, chicken, sezchuan sauce, broccoli, red peppers.

You can do the same thing with your breakfast and save yourself some time. That post to come later.

7 Sanity Saving Things To Do With A Toddler

My skin is warmed and muscles a little sore. With the end of April approaching I felt I couldn't wait any longer and finally got my trowel back in the ground. With out any knowledge of the previous owners landscaping I have no idea what grows where so I'm just digging it up and starting over. I dug out the edging around the house and decided to separate the rocks and wash them and return them where they belong. I have not had the chance for that today I'm excited to see the edging clean and even. The more I plan and I can envision the happier I am with our home purchase.

The lawn has been cleaned off, thatched and mowed and we are told (by a neighbor/ our landscaper) that our lawn is healthy and we will be pleased when it grows in. Not only does the personal attention improve the value of your home but I believe the hard work makes you love your home even more because you now have your little stamp on it.

That all said and done, it is spring so rain it must. Today I have the children inside all day, (at least until after nap time because I am not hosing down two cranky toddlers.) so I have to find something for these kids to do. I know this is difficult sometimes so I thought I would share some ideas I have used to entertain toddlers.

1. I encourage independence as much as possible such as helping clean up, clearing her plate when she is done and playing on her own. For the most part I am lucky and she entertains herself when alone and when I have the lil guy they are more than happy playing on their own. However, that doesn't last all day and sometimes you have to structure what these crazy, screaming, running offspring are doing. So when I want to make sure skills are being built and don't want to build again I hand them the Mega Blocks. These are a life saver and you don't have to worry so much about the dreaded lego minefield. 

2. I also recommend, if you have the space, get a tunnel. When the babies seem bored or they start getting into everything, like they do, I pop that thing open and they start clapping. They are adjustable so they can be made different shapes. They love them.

3. I also, on occasion, let them have crayons... I know. And, they aren't really unsupervised since they are in the room with me but here is the trick... I save shipping boxes and drop the kids in the boxes and let em color away. They get to play with color a little and the boxes keep them relatively contained.

4. I have one of those exercise balls that the kids are just fascinated with just make sure you don't have breakables lying around. Although, I guess if you have toddlers to entertain you likely don't have your fine china out on display.

5. After their nap I plan to take them out in the rain for a little. Honestly, what is a childhood without a little rain. Some of my favorite memories are of playing in the rain and splashing in my boots. Getting dirty and muddy. Who am I to deny these kids that joy.. (also, I kind of want to play in the rain now...)

6. Now that everyone is dry and in clean clothes it's time for a little relaxing so we do a little "baby yoga" This is really kind of move your toddler is willing to copy. We usually will start out hands up in the air high as you can. Then drop down into a forward fold and take a deep breath. Repeat those a few times then stand up. Next place your feet far apart and walk them back together. Repeat those a few times then sit on the floor and take a deep breath. Last we give hugs and maybe a tickle to add a laugh.

7. Once we are all calmed down I gotta usually have to get back to whatever chores I was in the middle of so on the floor goes the floor pillow. She loves this thing and we also used it to build neck and back muscles while doing tummy time when V was an infant. I got the plan and idea here: Giant Chevron Floor Pillows

Sorry about the picture quality but it's the best one of the pillow.

One and a half years old to two is a hard age. They are big enough to run around and understand basic instruction but they don't really talk and have very short attention spans. I spent a lot of time reading and planning and filling out a day planner trying to make sure I can pack as much learning as I can. You know, breed a genius. I am here to tell you... they are babies. They are going to learn and grow all on their own. I personally think its amazing how fast they learn things and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't teach your kids things, or help when they struggle. I am only saying.... they are babies, let's not forget to let them be babies.

Kids Who Dress For Success

I have recently been faced with a pet peeve of mine. Mind you, sometimes there are reasons behind these decisions and those are at the discretion of the parents. (I still believe the parents are in charge of their children's behavior until they are adults or prove their maturity.)
Wearing PJ's to school! As a teen. of course, this is very common. They have to get up so early, (too early according to some recent studies conducted among adolescents.) This however is merely the tip of the problem. There are dress codes in high school to keep the kids focused on school an not on the chicks cleavage who sits by the window. What about conveying the importance of "dressing for success" to the younger kids too. I am seeing a significant amount of children, elementary school kids, going to school in their pajamas.
One woman informed me that it was a compromise, her son (9) wanted to wear shorts to school on a 30 degree day. So to avoid a fight she agreed to let him wear his sweatpants to school. I get compromising with your children, we need to teach this to them as well, but when do they learn pride in their appearance? How do you feel after a fresh start in the morning, teeth brushed dressed and ready for work or school. Do you feel more productive? Maybe even feel better about yourself?

Getting dressed everyday sets an expectation for kids. That they have started their day and it is time to get to work and start learning. It also boosts a child's self esteem, think about how you feel when you go somewhere and realize your under dressed? How about when you stay in your pajamas all day, do you get lots done or do you tend to hang out on the couch?

It's these things like this that makes me wonder who gets more control the kids or the parents. If we upset our children and they go to their teacher we get called in to explain ourselves. Even letting our children walk home from school can cause an arrest warrant out for the parent who raised smart, responsible children. I find it infuriating, frustrating and ultimately disappointing. I guess the message we are trying to convey to society is what, hide your kids away because everyone is out to get them. Also, they get to do whatever they want because we don't want to cause a lifetime of disorders.

Ugh, I drank form a garden hose, walked home from school, played in the mud and I would never be allowed anywhere in my pajamas because I was taught to have more respect for myself than that. Why is it that the next generation will never learn these things?

I think it is time to take back responsibility for our own children and return to being their parents. They aren't your friends, they aren't your ward and you are not merely keeping them alive until they move out. hey are our kids and I think they deserve more. But hey, that's just me!

Off the soap box again...

Shout Outs To Some Women Keeping It Real

Normally I will wander off on some rant or DIY or something but I have been finding some pretty awesome chicks out there doing what I aspire to. Being a SAHM/Nanny/Mom and trying to look like superwoman while we do it. Lots of times we can feel kind of alone, am I right? Well, these ladies are really holding it down and deserve a little recognition.

Tatted Mom - 5 Things SAHMs Didn't Sign Up For  She is absolutely right!
Originally published at Mom.Me - 6 Things You Need To Know About Being A SAHM  Loved this one too.
Oh Get Over Yourself Already - Rachel Grise

Seriously, lets look at life for what it really is and take things a little less seriously. We are turning into and raising our children as neurotic and paranoid nut jobs sometimes. Lets spend a little more time enjoying and making light of the stresses. Just my two cents.

Trusting Your Gut Can Be Harder Than It Looks

I recently brought my daughter in for her 15 mo checkup. (We did it at 16 months because her former doctor was difficult to schedule with as she sees a very high number of patients because she is wonderful at what she does.) Sadly, our beloved pediatrician went off into her own practice and our insurance didn't allow us to follow her. We opted for the next best and was given another woman. My daughter has no dietary restrictions, allergies and is on no medication so there was no need to find a doc with special skills or anything. Well, my daughter got nursemaids elbow, (it's a slight dislocation of the elbow that can happen from picking them up by their arms, playing, even getting out of the crib wrong and it's apparently very common.) I was a bawling wreck, while my daughter played on the floor with her non hurt arm, as I was assured by a woman with the most fake smile and ingenuine look on her face that she is fine but they would like to give her x-rays just in case. Sure enough all comes back well and she was back to normal in a couple of hours.

A couple weeks later was her wellness checkup and my visit with this doc was very brief so I thought there was no need to book and appointment with anyone else. I should have trusted my gut the first time. We go over all the usual, no allergies and meds, she is walking and she chatters but no real discernible words just yet. At this point I figured at 16 months it was something to work on but I wasn't overly concerned.

The doctor tells me that it appears she is just fine and will be one of those children that just explodes into language since she learned a little sign language, she shows us what she wants and even lets us know when she is ready for bed. (Yes, my toddler puts herself to bed most of the time, be jealous.) Then she informs me that she likes to be conservative with medicine and is going to refer me to a specialist that is going to run her through a bunch of tests and cover all of her development, you know, just to be sure.

Few things, just over a year is not nearly time to start worrying about delay in development when it comes to talking. Two, I do not believe a battery of testing over this matter will lead to anything different down the road. I really believe that large amounts of testing and 'precautionary measures' will be requested by this doctor. Three, the fake smile and insincere expression. I'm sorry how am I supposed to trust you if you are going to pretend to be friendly.

I had a little sister with special needs her whole life, my best friends daughter had some complications during birth and has had to undergo therapies of all kinds and may have to for a long time. The fact that my perfectly healthy daughter is being recommended for some of the same therapies absolutely baffles me. Please don't misunderstand me. I will never deny my daughter of services she needs. If she was 2 and not speaking then this would be a very different post or if she didn't seem to hear me or understand what is going on around her then I would completely understand the cause for concern.

This whole event has left me shaken a bit. My husband and I decided we will work closely with her on language for another month and then reconsider her referral after, of course, we get a new pediatrician and a second opinion. I hate that she was able to make me question my own parenting decisions. It makes me angry that as a society we have so little faith in each other as parents, as care givers, or even just as people. Kids can't explore their own towns anymore. We are drugging kids up and insanely young ages. (Don't dare tell me that it's necessary either. I'm from the Rx generation and they tried putting me on Ritalin in the 4th grade. My mother refused and it turns out... she was right. I didn't need it and if it had been given to me I never would have learned to deal with social anxiety, stress or even just daily life because the drugs would have done it for me.) It makes me sad to wonder what will happen when my daughter gets married and has a baby. Will she be forced to raise her children by a pamphlet given in the delivery room and will be arrested if she doesn't follow exactly? Yikes!

I shall step down off my soap box I suppose but feel free to leave your two cents. Would you take your child to be tested this early or would you give it some time?

SAHM Yoga, Relaxing Or Rage Inducing?

Yesterday was a pretty busy day. I didn't have to work but I had shopping and had to go clear out stuff from the old place. (P.s. Always get the fridge first when moving. We had to wait for our refrigerator to arrive and it was a week late. I somehow managed to get my husband to clear out the nasty food. Guess we need new tupperware.) Anyway, with all the work on the new house, moving and watching the kids and cooking I haven't really had much me time. I needed a little down time so I popped in my yoga video and figured my munchkin would try to copy me or would dance to the soft music that plays.

Oh boy was I wrong. She wanted to climb on me like a jungle gym which started out cute and funny until her straw cup got dumped on my lap mid hero pose. I paused the video and cleaned it up. I grabbed one of her favorite toys and set her up on her mini couch beside me.

This worked out well for a few moments but the next thing I know she is hungry and wants a snack. Pause. Goldfish. Couch. Deep breath for Mommy. Press Play. At this point I'm not feeling very zen but I gotta push through. Breath in to cat lift making sure your catch your daughter regurgitating goldfish all over the yoga mat where your hands go next. Back to her feeding seat, fresh milk and a warning that she will get time out if she doesn't listen. Get through the last string of movement and now its time for the relaxing part. Lay on your back and breath deep. All I smell is those stupid goldfish and my eyes pop open long enough to witness my toddler about to force feed them to me. After some creative new words ushered under my breath I pick up my daughter to clean her off and she waves to me signalling nuh nights. Of course your ready for a nap now! GRRRR!

Deep breath, start video over and let my muscles guide me through. Arm's up and deep breath in, my husband walks through the door, if you have ever tried to do yoga in front of your husband you know what it usually stops being yoga and starts to become and activity for your husband to see just how much of the Kama Sutra you could really do. At least that's what my husband does, so he came in and made the mistake of asking how my day is going....

Moral of the story is this, always try to cut some time out for yourself but I urge you to wait until the children are napping or down for the night because when deep breathing is used to prevent drywall damage you don't really get the zen relaxation it's supposed to encourage.

I think after the kids go down today I'll try out some meditation and get my head back. 10 more inches of snow this weekend. Ugh

Please oh please bring me some sun!

Toddlers Are Nuts

 My daughter is a 16 month, don't worry that ends at 18mo then she is a year and a half. (When I was a photographer I had a woman tell me she wanted photos of her 42 month old. I, legit, wanted to slap her, just a little.) Anyway, she is cute as a button and smart as a whip. Seriously, she surprises me everyday with something new. She is also the demon baby from hell sometimes. You know, one of those kids who is always great and very well behaved when she is with Grammy but when left alone with Mommy throws tantrums smacking her head on the floor and fake crying. Even gone so far as fake coughing for a while but as soon as attention was paid to her again her ailments magically dissipated and she was just fine again.

Clearly less than amused!

If you have one of these children, and I'm sure there are a few out there, I have a little ray of sunshine just for you. It eventually ends. For real, I'm not pulling your leg I have seen it.

At the moment I think my case is just the beginning stages of the terrible twos and I know it is going to get harder before it gets better. That said, even New England's snow melts eventually and it does still get hot in the summer, (I have to keep reminding myself), and that will go a long way to keeping both tiny terrors content for a while but I still have a few months and three feet of snow to melt before that can become a regular thing. Once that happens all my gardens can get started and that will be a nice learning experience for them. It also prevents me from stabbing my husband in the face with a fork when he tells me about an annoying customer and how tired he is after I explain the four and a half hours of constant screaming, throwing food and milk... just.... everywhere. But I digress...

I did yoga for a while but, honestly, the 30 minutes a day I get to actually sit my butt on the couch I intend to take full advantage of. Besides when else am I going to get to eat something. Goldfish, pretzels and coffee does not a healthy diet make. I really thought I would be able to take the babies for a little sledding this year but if you have ever been caring more than one toddler, you know, the second you set them down they make a break for it in two different directions and think it's hilarious as you get red in the face trying to remain calm while you half nelson them both back into the house. I'm sure you can imagine that was not a fun day.

Despite the tantrums that only I deal with, (At least she doesn't do it in the grocery store or at restaurants,) or when no is the only thing she chooses to communicate for an hour. My baby girl is awesome. All our offspring are awesome and if you think about it, if they weren't perfect gray hair production assistants we would have a bunch of em and well.... that's not good for anyone or their wallet so have a glass of wine instead

 

Tell us about your rant or rave. Show off those munchkins being crazy, silly or just adorable. As always, feel free to leave a comment or question.