Mommy to Mommy

Summer Fun - Water Painting

2012-03-19T06:00:00.000+05:30

This might not be what you are thinking it is, so read on. I once read about this activity in a book of things to do with preschoolers. It is simple and sure to keep them occupied.

All you need is a large paintbrush (one for painting walls), a bucket, and an outdoor area such as a driveway or balcony that is cement or waterproof.

Fill your bucket with water, then show your child how to "paint" the walls with water. As children are wont to do, this painting will probably cover more than the walls. The ground, steps, car, outdoor toys - everything will be painted. But you can rest assured that nothing will be ruined since the paint is actually water.

You may also want to dress your child in a swimsuit and not leave them fully dressed as I did. I just increased my laundry pile. Not smart. But they had a lot of fun, even painting each other in the process. I finally had to put a stop to it when they began climbing into the bucket and fighting over it. Next time I'd better give them each their own bucket.

You could also do a mini version of this if you don't want them to get wet by giving them a small paintbrush and a plastic cup of water. This works well with Lila as she likes working with small things, but I would never give it to Logan if I wanted him dry as he would be sure to get wet, throw the water, drink it, or dump it on someone.

Eww, Yuk, Gag

2012-03-17T09:37:00.000+05:30

Why do toddlers delight in eating gross things?

Scarlett, of course, has been a normal toddler, eating off the floor after a meal, etc. But lately she has done some things that gross out even me, and I have seen little kids do lots of gross things.

For example, the other day at the park, she picked up a ball of mud and chewed it up. After digging it out of her teeth, she tried to go for another. What? Did it actually taste that good?

Last night, though, she joined the ranks of the poop tasters. All my kids tried it at some point, seriously grossing me out each time. At least she had the presence of mind to spit it out - or maybe she realised it tasted bad. Ewww.

My only question is - why?

What is the grossest thing your child has eaten? (Really though, can anything top poop?)

Making Watermellon Popsicles

2012-03-12T06:00:00.001+05:30

As a follow up to last Monday's post, here is how we made our watermellon popsicles. Lila and Scarlett wanted to help out; Lila added the sticks at the end and lots of questions throughout, and Scarlett stepped on my feet the whole time. Some help she was. :)

Mommy's little helpers.

First I cut the watermellon into chunks that the blender could manage, removing as many seeds as I could while cutting but not getting them all out. I blended it on high for about 15 - 20 seconds, enough to make it liquid but not grind the seeds that were left. I didn't add any water; no need. I didn't sweeten it either.
Then I strained it into a measuring cup that had a spout to make it easier to pour into the molds. I had to use a spoon to stir the mixture in the strainer to get the juice through. (If you have the patience to pick out all the seeds first, you can skip this step; plus, the popsicles will be thicker.)

We had just enough juice to fill each mold about 85% full, then we added tiny pieces of chopped watermellon to it.

Lila adds the sticks.

And here they are, ready to go into the freezer.

Yum!

Patience is ...

2012-03-09T06:00:00.000+05:30

"A mother's patience is like a tube of toothpaste - it is never quite all gone." -Author Unknown

I remember reading the above quote as a child and thinking it was funny, but now I see that it does make sense. There are so many times when I feel my patience is completely gone, and that the next mess or tantrum will be the straw that broke the camel's back. Yet somehow, I don't give up.

Here are some things that patience is for me.

Patience is ... waiting because your little sister can't go so fast.

Patience is...

... cleaning up that giant mess the kids made with their dinner when you thought they were eating it, without scolding or punishment, because you remember that they are just kids, and kids left unattended will make messes. (You were paying more attention to the t.v. than them so it really is your own fault they made the mess.)

... washing, wiping, cleaning, rearranging, scrubbing, polishing - every day!

... changing messy diapers with a smile, even though you are running out the door and will be late.

... answering the same question over and over, every day, without telling your child to never ask that question again.

... refolding the laundry your toddler just pulled off the shelf for the 10th time that day.

... reading the same story night after night, even though you can quote it with your eyes closed, just because your children love it.

... listening to your child repeat the same line at the same place every day and just saying, "Uh huh."

... cooking the same food day in and day out because it is all your children will eat and you don't want them to go hungry, even though you crave something more exciting.

... knowing where everything in your house is - every toy, book, item of clothing - so that when your child asks for something you know exactly where to tell them to look.

... enduring those little idiosyncrasies that your husband and children have, without making them feel bad about them, even though those things drive you crazy. (I'm thinking about Logan's love of playing with doors - opening, closing, slamming, banging - yes, it does drive me crazy.)

Ok, I came up with 10. What do you think patience is? Tell us what it is for you.

Summer Fun - Popsicles

2012-03-05T06:00:00.000+05:30

Where I live, summer is upon us already. With temperatures hitting 34 deg.C and rising, it is time to find ways to cool off. This is the first in a series of summer fun posts, with tips and ideas for ways to cool down on those hot days, and what better way to cool off than to eat a homemade popsicle?

Scarlett eating a homemade popsicle - first time she held it alone.

The other day I picked up a popsicle mold set so that I could make some for the kids. Like most kids, they enjoy popsicles, but having store bought ones on hand as often as they would like to eat them is not always possible, nor would I want them to eat those so frequently as they are full of preservatives, food coloring, and too much sugar.

Popsicles are easy to make. First, get some molds. Any shop that sells plastic kitchenware should have them. But you don't have to use molds - you can use disposable cups, or plastic cups, or ice cube trays. For the cups you can use a spoon if you don't have sticks, and for the ice cube trays, use toothpicks.

Next, pick your juice. Any juice you have on hand will work - powder mixes, canned, boxed, or frozen - so long as you don't care if it is healthy or not. All you do is pour it into your molds, add the sticks, and freeze. You could even add some chopped or blended fruit to the juice for extra flavor.

But if you want these to be healthy and nutritious, then you will have to make your own juice, which isn't too hard if you have a juicer or blender. Many fruits can be peeled and cut into chunks, then blended (obviously with seeds removed). Then all you have to do is fill the molds, or if you want, you can strain it. But I think thicker is better for popsicles. Some may need sugar; others won't, so sweeten to taste if you want to.

Orange and mango flavor Tang. That is my cold coffee on the side.

So far I have made mine from orange and mango Tang, a grape concentrate, and banana and milk. While I like my kids to eat healthy, I am not so picky about it always being 100% pure health food, so I do buy Tang and the occasional concentrate since they are cheaper than the pure fruit juice. Also, my kids are fruit lovers, so I know they will eat any fresh fruit I give them and they have them daily. Since it is watermellon season for us, watermellon popsicles are next on my list of flavors to try. I just don't look forward to picking out the seeds before blending.

Flavor ideas:
- Whatever fruit you have in season. Citrus fruits, especially those with a bit of a sour tang to them are nice. Lemon, orange and tangerine, individually or mixed, are delicious.
-Berries: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, etc.
-Banana and milk - I added a little cinnamon and a tiny bit of sugar. These should be roughly 3/4 banana for the taste to come through well.

Banana and milk popsicles.

Making tips:
-A bit of lemon juice can bring out the flavor of other fruits when mixed together, ie. with papaya.
-If you just want the juice, squeeze or blend the fruit and strain before filling the molds, otherwise, leave the pulp in.
-For sweetening you could opt for honey instead of sugar, if you prefer.
-Try adding yoghurt to your fruit for a frozen yoghurt option. I plan on doing yoghurt and mango as soon as mangos are in season as the combo is heavenly. Other fruits that go well with yogurt are bananas, papayas and berries.
-Remember that liquid expands when frozen, so don't fill your molds to the brim.

Grape juice from concentrate popsicles.

Popsicles are a great way to get in some liquid on those hot summer days, and even if you child normally won't eat fruit or have milk or yoghurt, what child will refuse a popsicle? Making your own ensures that the ingredients are healthy - you know there are no added chemicals or coloring or extra sugar (unless, of course, you are using the concentrates, but hey, no one can eat healthy all the time) - and your child gets a fun treat.

And mommies, while you are at it, make a few extra for yourself, cause you are sure to find it more fun to join your child outside eating popsicles than sweating inside doing housework. Try freezing your favorite coffee blend. You may need to make it a little stronger and sweeter than usual since freezing can mute the flavor. You could also add rum or brandy flavorings if you like, or make a mocktail with the flavorings. I'd say freeze your favorite drink, but alcohol doesn't freeze so you wouldn't get a popsicle out of that. Ha.
Above all, get creative and have fun with the flavors. And make sure you have enough molds cause your kids are sure to ask for them daily.

Enjoy!

Missing My Babies Babyhood

2012-03-02T06:00:00.000+05:30

Last night I was thinking about something: My youngest is now 15 months old, and I am beginning to miss having a little baby in the house.

Myself and Logan at 4 months.

In the past 5 years, I have either been pregnant, pregnant with a toddler, or had a small baby and two toddlers. Now I have a preschooler, and two toddlers. I guess 15 months is still a baby, but she talks so much and runs and plays with the other two that I see her more as a toddler than a baby. When the other two were her age, each time I was already pregnant again; now I am not. It feels different, not having a little baby or expecting one. While we won't be having any more, part of me would like one, just because of the special feeling a newborn brings. I don't want the pregnancy part - never did like it - nor the delivery part, but I would love the cuddle-with-a-newborn-and-smell-that-newborn-smell part again. I loved watching them sleep, dressing them, carrying them. Though I know at those times I was always worn out from middle of the night feedings, long days and little sleep, all that is forgotten and only the good memories remain.

Lila at 5 weeks old.

I'm enjoying seeing my kids grow, seeing them older and learning new things. There was a time when I thought all I would ever have was babies and never-ending diapers. But I do miss their babyhood. It went by so fast. I find it hard to believe that it was only 5 years ago (next month) when I first got pregnant. It doesn't feel like that much time has passed.
Would I ever want another baby? Well, I know I would never want another pregnancy. After the last one I felt so worn out. My body felt drained and void of energy. I knew another one might knock me flat, so we opted for a tubal ligation. We also felt three kids was as many as we could properly care and provide for right now. They came so quickly, so close together, each one unplanned.

Daddy and Scarlett at 4 weeks.

But another baby? Maybe, just maybe. Another 5 years and we plan to move to another country to settle permanently. Maybe then, adoption would be an option. Or maybe fostering. I don't know. Right now isn't the time but maybe the future will be. Just maybe I will again be able to smell that newborn smell, cuddle a tiny body close to mine, again experience having a little baby in the house.
Or maybe it won't happen and I will have to wait until (eek) grandchildren arrive. (Makes me feel old just saying that, ha.) However it happens, it will be special, and the memories it will bring will most likely make me teary-eyed.

Isn't motherhood wonderful?

What do you miss about your children's babyhood?

Before and After

2012-02-27T06:00:00.000+05:30

It is amazing how your mentality and thought process changes from before you have kids to after. Do you recall a time when you inwardly critisized a mother for something you saw her do, only to find yourself doing the exact same thing with your own child? Or did you ever sware you would never do this or that, say this or that, or act in a certain manner, yet now as a mother you feel totally opposite about these same things? I know I have.

I remember watching mothers give in to a child's demand, thinking I would never do that - yet I have. I swore I would never get upset and would always be calm with my children - ha. If you have never in your life gotten upset and yelled at your kids, please let us in on your secret!

Below I've listed just a few of the things I see I have changed from before I had kids to now.

Before: "That child is so picky. His mother really should have made him eat all that food. Mine will always finish all the food I serve them. And like it or not, they will eat their veggies!"

After: "Oh, you don't like that any more? Ok, I you can leave it." Forcing my child to finish food he doesn't want is stressful for me and ends up with both of us upset and frustrated, him to gagging point ... and the food still on the plate.
Somewhere around 2 1/2 - 3 is the magic age when kids begin to eat less and get pickier. Logan was a great eater until almost 3 1/2, then he got super picky and I wore myself out trying to force him to eat. He is eating better now at 4 1/2, and also because I no longer force him to eat. Lila is almost 3 and is getting pickier, and no amount of cajoling will work if she doesn't want something. If they don't want it, they won't eat it, so why stress over it?
Right now, the only veggies they both really like are carrots and cucumbers; anything else they pick out of the meal. So as boring as it is (for me), I make sure they have what they like at least once a day so that they are getting some veggies in their diet. I still serve other veggies, often mixed with another dish or in a salad, and once in a while they will eat some of them, but if they don't, I leave it.

B: "That child is a brat because he doesn't get any discipline. Mine will be properly disciplined and will always listen to me."

A: I am still figuring this one out. My kids have thrown tantrums, screamed at me, demanded treats and t.v., and they most definitly do not always listen. Maintaining proper discipline is one of the most stressful and exhausting parts of being a mommy. I find that I have to change my approach every so often, especially as they get older. Rules have to be adjusted or adapted, punishments changed or dropped.
One thing I have learned is - if a punishment no longer works, it is time to change it. Stop and evaluate why it isn't working and don't be afraid to experiment to see what does. It is also good to inform your children when you are changing something so that they are aware of it and you don't surprise them with it at the moment when they are acting up.

B: "Look at the time. Shouldn't that kid be sleeping now? She just has her mother wrapped around her little finger. My kids will always nap and go to bed at a decent hour."

A: Now that I understand how sleep works a little better, there does come a point when children no longer nap. Or if they sleep late in the morning, they won't nap. Or if they nap too long, bedtime will be late. And it can vary with each child in the family. I'm definitly more relaxed with this one now.

B: "I will be the only one to care for my child. I will never let anyone fill in because only I will know what they need and will be able to give it to them in the right way."

A: How wrong I was on this one! Now I would give anything for a chance to get away and get a break. Often when my husband has a holiday from work, I find a reason to get out of the house and always make sure I am not able to take one or all of the kids with me, just so I can have a break.
I also love preschool because it gives me a few hours where I am not monitoring fights or listening to whines and demands. I can't wait until June when both Logan and Lila will be in school in the mornings. It will be wonderful!

What is something that you thought about one way but then changed your stance on once you had kids?

I Recommend ... Chyawanprash

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000+05:30

For quite some time, Logan was constantly getting colds, coughs, etc. He got pickier as he got older, and of course, he got sick more often. I was desperate for a solution. Then my sister-in-law told me that her son had the same problem for a long time and the solution she found was to give him chyawanprash daily.

Chyawanprash is an herbal mixture that is common here in India. It consists of a long list of spices and herbs, with the main ingredient being the amla (gooseberry) which is high in vitamin C. (The link above lists many of the ingredients.) It is often recommended for its health benefits. At first glance it may not look so appetizing, and the taste may take getting used to, but after almost a year of use, I can say that it works.

I give it to my children daily along with their multivitamins. At first I wasn't sure if they would eat it, so I told them it was vitamin honey, and I made sure to give them just a small amount to taste. Well, they liked it right away and now ask for it daily. Even Scarlett has started eating it and she enjoys it. I give her about a 1/4 of a dessert spoonfull and the older ones have a full dessert spoonfull. I've even started taking it myself and find that I am not getting run down as often as I was before. The fact that it was recently released with orange and mango flavor added has inspired me to try it, since I didn't like the taste so much before. The kids love it more with the flavor as well.

This is primarily an Indian remedy, but it is possible that it is available in other places. If you find it where you live, you may like to try it.

Taming the Crazy Hour

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000+05:30

We have all been there, most of us on a daily basis - the crazy hour before dinner. Kids are tired and hungry. Fights errupt. Tears flow. You may or may not already be thinking about grabbing a drink and hiding out until the kids fall asleep.

I've done cooking like this many times.

For me, this has always been the most stressful part of my day. Usually we would get home from the park or shopping just in time for the baby to start crying, demanding to nurse. The older ones would fuss and fight over whose turn it was to pick the video, then beg for juice and snacks. I would be at wits end, often not even knowing what I was going to prepare. By the time the baby finished nursing, dinner would be late, adding to the stress of the evening.

I tried planning meals ahead, and while it helped somewhat, it wasn't enough. The time I had to spend chopping, boiling, etc. dragged out each night, and I would add a little more vodka to my juice to keep from going insane.

Then recently I got this grand idea - why not do prep for dinner at a more peaceful time of day? So I tried it. For me the best time is before the kids get up from their nap, or while they have a snack. They like to drag out snacktime, so I found I could get a good portion of dinner done at that time. Of course, I still need a menu plan to work from, so if, for example, I want to use meat for dinner, I take it out to thaw in the morning. Or if I am making chickpeas or beans, I soak them in the morning.

When prep time arrives I will put the beans or meat in the pressure cooker, or I'll marinate or precook the meat, all depending on the dish. While that is going I chop the veggies, or make a salad. Sometimes I can get almost the whole dinner done at that time.

I look more like this now. :)

When we get in from the park, I get the kids washed, pottied, and in front of a video (perhaps with a snack for the baby if she is extra fussy) and I get on to finishing dinner. It is working great right now, cause I no longer feel the need to rush and get the food on the stove. Many times I just have to cook the rice or pasta, or fry something, otherwise, I just reheat what I made earlier. Because of this, I found that I was able to move dinner up by 1/2 an hour and give us a little more time before bed - meaning there is time for a little extra play, storytime is more often, and there is less rush to get tired kids into bed.

So if dinner prep hour is your most stressful hour, see if it would work for you to move it to a time that is calmer. It has helped me more than you can imagine.

Have you already come up with a solution to make that hour more peaceful? Please share what works for you.

Snacks Preschoolers Will Love - Frozen Grapes

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000+05:30

Ok, I know this is more of a hot weather treat, but for us it is already warming up and we feel like having something cold. I actually made some today for myself, but I was thinking about how my kids would enjoy them too. This is a snack that kids can help you make, too.

So you will need:
-Seedless grapes
-A bag or bowl to freeze them in.

First wash your grapes and take them off the stem. Make sure to pick out any bad ones. If you want to serve these to older babies or toddlers, you will want to slice them in halves or quarters first.

Then you just put them in your bag or bowl and pop them into the freezer until they are frozen. If you are only doing a small amount to eat in a few hours, then use the bowl. A bag is good for larger amounts and longer freezing times and it will keep them from tasting of the freezer.

These thaw quickly, so only take them out when you are ready to eat them, and only the amount you want to eat. And mommies, these are a low-calorie treat that are great for cooling down with when you are tempted with ice cream but are trying to watch your weight.

Yummy!

Potty Training 103

2012-01-29T16:21:00.000+05:30

Previous two parts can be found here and here.

In this post I want to talk about nighttime potty training. While I had some experience with daytime and naptime training before my kids came along, I had never done any nighttime training and didn't know where to start.

The thing that propelled me into starting Logan into nighttime training was that he started to outgrow the diapers and I couldn't get a larger size. I had actually wanted to start him around his 3rd birthday, but I waited because Scarlett was born then and I couldn't pick him up for a few months, so Logan was 3 years and 4 months old when I began. He was staying dry all night most of the time, so that gave me the courage to take him out of diapers.

At first I took him to the toilet at least twice a night, then eventually it went down to once. Most mornings he woke up dry, though I did notice he was more likely to be wet when it was raining or cold. He doesn't stay covered so well (many kids don't) and though I dressed him extra warm, he would still pee.

Now that the weather is warming up, he is mostly staying dry again, and I have even had nights when I would forget to take him and he would wake up dry. He often comes to our bed in the night, and if I happen to be awake (nursing the baby), I tell him to go on his own and he will. But if I'm not awake, chances are that either he already wet or will wet ... our bed. And it is always on daddy's side. Ha.

With Lila I may wait longer before starting her nighttime training. (She is 2 years, 9 months now.) Up till now she has only woken up dry a handful of times, so she is not yet ready for it. One bonus I have with her is that pull-ups are now available here, so I plan to use them during her training time.

The way I see it, you have two choices: either keep your child in diapers/pull-ups until they are dry all night, every night, or take the time to get up in the night and take them to the toilet until they can either do it themselves or until they no longer wet in their sleep.

I don't think there is a perfect way for night training; I am still learning as I go. I also feel it is important to separate daytime and nighttime training. They are two separate things and will be learned at different paces, so, even though I know it is possible for a child to be completely daytime trained by 2, it could take a few more years before they will be nighttime trained. It may not, cause I have heard of children picking up on both quickly, but it more likely will take that extra time.

If you do want to go the waking-them-in-the-night method, then here are a few things I have learned.

-Pick a time to focus on it and go for it. Take the diapers off and don't look back. (Though you may like to try using pull-ups since they are easy to pull up and down, and if your child does wet, you are spared the bed change.)

-Talk to your child about it. Tell them about your plan and get their ideas too.

-Make sure you start at a time when your child's home life is stable and they aren't facing any other big emotional issues like starting school, a new baby in the house, sickness, or any other situation that could cause them emotional upset. Trying to potty train during such a time can make it harder and the chance of them succeeding will be lower.

-If you are going the diaperless route, be prepared for wet beds. Invest in a good plastic sheet to keep the mattress safe, and keep extra sheets and pajamas at hand so you don't have to hunt for them in the dark.

-An idea I read about somewhere was to make the bed in layers with several plastics and sheets on top of each other. That way, when one is wet, you just have to take it off and the next is there, ready to go.

-You may find it helpful to set an alarm for yourself so you will actually wake up to take them to the toilet.

- I find it debatable whether curbing liquids in the evening works or not. Some people sware by it while for others it makes no difference, so you may have to experiment and see what works best for your child. Since we live in a hot climate, often the kids will want water at night, so I give it to them. I'd rather they need to pee than feel thirsty.

-If your child is a very deep sleeper and doesn't wake up when you get them up, you may have have to actually wake them for them to pee at all. With Logan, I would stand him in front of the toilet and would have to shake him awake or he would just flop around, sometimes trying to sleep on the toilet.

-Very important - don't punish them if they wake up wet in the morning. They were asleep when it happened and didn't do it on purpose. Just reasure them that it isn't a big deal and help them get cleaned up.

Mommies, we need your success stories! Please share what helped you when night time training your child and at what age you started and by what age they were staying dry all night.

Potty Training 102

2012-01-16T23:30:00.000+05:30

Logan at 16 months.

In my last post on potty training, I discussed daytime training. Now I want to talk about naptime training.

I don't think there are any tricks to it. With both Logan and Lila, there came a point when I noticed that they were waking up from naps dry, and they would, at that age (between 20 - 24 months), nap a minimum of 2 hours a day, sometimes more. Though I had taken them out of diapers during the day, they wore one for nap until they were able to go for a while without waking up wet. Of course if I didn't put them on the potty as soon as they woke, then they would wet, but once they got used to going on the potty after nap, they would hold it until I put them on. Once they reached that point, then I could let them nap without a diaper.

Lila is currently 2 years, 8 months old. She is daytime and naptime trained, but that isn't to say there are never accidents. These mostly happen when she has had a lot to drink, enough that she has to pee several times in one hour. At those times I do remind her that she has to remember to get to the potty instead of peeing where she is - on the floor, couch, playmat, balcony, my bed, etc.

It is important to remember that, even once a child is trained, accidents can and will happen, but it doesn't mean you have to go back to diapers. Some reasons a child might have an accident are:

- Forgetfulness. Toddlers need lots of reminders, not because they can't remember things (try to get them to forget that song they heard on t.v. two weeks ago that they only heard once and won't stop singing), but because often fun gets in the way. They are busy playing and exploring the world. In other words, their minds are engaged in what they are doing and they don't notice that they need to go until it is too late.

-Not recognizing the need to go. Learning to recognize the feeling of needing to go is important and it takes time.

- Some children try but just can't hold it, others wait until past the feeling before they say anything. I remember doing that as a child, why, I don't know. Logan will also wait until the last second before he says anything and then he can hardly hold it, but he does. I can't remember when he last had an accident. (He's 4.)

- Too much to drink. Input equals output. The more they drink, the more they will pee. It isn't rocket science.

I think that what it comes down to is that you have to remember for them until they can do it for themselves. If it has been a while and you suddenly think about it, put them on right away. I know that when this happens to me and I ignore the feeling, next thing I know is that Lila is wet. It happens often and you'd think I'd have the lesson down by now. Let's hope I get it before I begin Scarlett's potty training.

How did naptime training work for you and at what age was your child staying dry during their nap?

Happy New Year - I'm Back!

2012-01-14T17:02:00.000+05:30

Happy New Year, Mommies. How is 2012 treating you so far? It has been nice taking a little break from blogging and now I feel ready to tackle it again.

Just today I was wondering what I could write as sort of an "I'm back" post before I get back into my regular posting. I didn't want to just jump into it without greeting you all again. So when I logged in, I saw some comments waiting for me (I moderate comments older than two weeks, just to make sure I don't miss reading them), and I discovered I had an award waiting for me at Surrounded By Pink. It's exciting cause I've never gotten an award before, and I now have something to write about.

Liebster is German & means "dearest" or "beloved" but it can also mean "favorite." The idea behind the Liebster award is to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers.

As part of receiving the Liebster Blog award, one is to:

1. Choose 5 blogs with fewer than 200 followers to grant the Liebster Blog award.

2. Show appreciation to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them!

3. Post the award on your blog and link back to the blogs you have given the Liebster Blog award to so everyone else can pay them a visit!

So now for the blogs I am passing this award on to.

1. Literal Mom - Missy writes some great stuff, all of it to help us think about our parenting a little more, and at times to give us a laugh. This is one blog you don't want to miss.

2. Whatcha Talkin' Bout Willis - Amy is a young mother who just gave birth to twins last month and has an adorable 2 year old son.

3. My Piece of Mind - Kim's writing has kept my interest from the day I first found her blog, and I think you will enjoy it too.

4. My Life ... Lived My Way - I don't read too many daddy blogs, but Jeff's blog attracted me from day one. The stuff he writes is deep and makes you think.

I am having a hard time finding who to give the fifth award to. I looked over my blog list (on my other blog) and most of the blogs I read have more than 200 followers, so now I am going to take a little time to search out a new blog to give it to.

And after much searching I have found it:

5. Moments that Define Life - I'm gonna have to read this one some more, but already I like what I see. So, Nicole, here is an award for you from someone you don't even know.

Now go and visit these great people.

And have a happy saturday! (Regular posts will resume this week.)

How We've Grown This Year, part 3

2011-12-30T15:00:00.000+05:30

Today we are linking up with Confessions from an Impulsive Addict for the final review post for the year. I hope that you have found topics of interest to you and that you will stick around for more.

October

"Mommy, My Tummy Hurts"

Getting Enough Calcium

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

Things I Learned After I Became a Mommy

A Busy Mommy's Wish

There Must be a Toy Monster in the House

The Great Sippy Cup (Mis)adventures

Random Tips That Can Make Life Easier

I'm Embarassed to Say

November

Rainy Day Activity

Preschool Snack Ideas

Fuzzy Mommy Brain - Do You Have It?

Things I Learned After I Became a Mommy, part 2

The First Time ...

Christmas Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

December

Peanut Butter Candy

Christmas Movies for Children

Potty Training 101

How We've Grown This Year, part 1

How We've Grown This Year, part 2

I'm Taking a Break

Happy New Year! See you soon!

I'm Taking a Break

2011-12-28T14:33:00.000+05:30

Hi mommies,

I hope you had a wonderful, fun Christmas. I thought I'd let you know that I will be taking a few weeks away from blogging; I need time to sort out what I want to write and I just need a break from it. I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you or that I had dropped my blog.
So except for the final year-end review post that goes up on friday, this is my last post for the year and I will see you again sometime mid-January.

Here are some of the topics I have in mind for this coming year:

Nap and nighttime potty training.
Bedwetting.
Stuff on mothers and motherhood in general.
Breastfeeding for toddlers.

I need input from you too, so if you have a topic you would like to hear about, please let me know.

I would also like to have some guest posts that deal with topics I am not so familiar with:

Alergies in children and how to deal with them.
Natural childbirth - tips and advice for first-time mommies.
Special needs children - care, advice, support
Single parenting
Raising multiples - twins, triplets and more.

If these are topics you are familar with first-hand and you would like to share what you know, let me know and we can arrange it. It could either be a one-time post or a series, whatever is better for you. Obviously many of these topics can't be covered in depth in one post, but amongst all our readers we should be able to cover lots of territory.

See you in the new year.

How We've Grown This Year, part 2

2011-12-23T20:30:00.000+05:30

Today we are linking up with Confessions from an Impulsive Addict for an end of the year review.

If you missed last week's post, you can catch up on it here. And like I said last time, I am just providing the links to what I wrote each month to make it easy for you to read whatever catches your interest. If you are looking for info on my life and family, you can find it at my family blog.

July

If Only I Wasn't So Tired ...

Toddler Foods - Baby Pancakes

Beginning Solids

Beginning Solids, pt.2

Toddler Foods - Home Made Ice Cream

Those Little Worrisome Things ...

August

Cloth or Disposable?

Baby Needs, part 1

Cradle Cap and Ear Piercing

Baby Needs, part 2

September

Poem - What Do Mothers Do All Day?

Drooling and Neck Care

Teething

Packing Your Diaper Bag

What to Bring for an Outing with Your Toddler or Preschooler

How We've Grown This Year, part 1

2011-12-16T20:00:00.000+05:30

Today MTM is linking up with Confessions from an Impulsive Addict for a review of 2011.

According to the "rules" (there aren't any but I don't know what else to call them) this was supposed to be a review of the full year. But since this blog only started in May, I am just starting from there. I figure that since I didn't write many posts each month, I will link to each and you can choose what you want to read - some, all, or none (at least one?). It's your choice.

If you only joined us recently, this is a good chance to catch up on some older posts, and you may even find something helpful. If you are new here, welcome! - And be sure to follow us using one of the ways over there on the sidebar. You don't want to miss anything new.

One more thing, please feel free to leave a comment on any of the posts. Doesn't matter how old it is, when it comes to comments, the more the merrier.

So here we go.

May

Finding Quiet in the Chaos

Beginning Breastfeeding

Continuing Breastfeeding

Walkers - Use and Safety Tips

Weaning

Random Safety Tips

June

Growing, Growing, All the Time

Better Safe than Sorry

When God Created Mothers

Calming Tears

See you next week. Merry Christmas!

Potty Training 101

2011-12-13T08:27:00.004+05:30

For some time now I've been putting off writing about potty training. Why? I guess there is so much out there about it, so many opinions and personal viewpoints. These range from those to think potty training should begin as soon as a child can sit to those who hold out until their child is 3 or 4 years old. On this blog I try to cater to everyone and make it easy for anyone to feel welcome, yet I know that won't always be the case.

Almost every time I blog about something that is a big deal, I tend to want to cover all angles so that no one feels slighted or left out. Problem is, I am not always familiar with all the angles and won't be able to do them justice. Then I remember that this is my blog and that what I write about should be what I think, how I feel, and my personal experiences on the subject. While it is good to consider everyone's feelings, in the end, trying to please everyone will result in making a mess of things.

So when you are reading this, remember that I am writing from my experiences with my children. If I suggest something that is not to your liking, you are not obligated to like it or do it, just like I don't have to do what you say on your blog. Our blogs are our own personal expressions and should be seen as such.

I also want to offer a disclaimer - when I talk about at what age you should do something or how to do it, I am talking about children who are healthy, who don't have physical disabilities or health problems that would hinder or delay them from being able to potty train at the age I am suggesting. In such cases you as the parent will have to decide if they are ready or not and how to best go about it.

Your child may or may not progress in the same way mine did. Actually, it is highly likely that they won't, since every child is different and progresses at different paces. Also, right now I am only referring to daytime training. Nighttime training is a whole other subject that will be covered separately.

Ok, keeping all of that in mind, let's get into the basics of potty training.

First off, the age at which you decide to begin potty training is really up to you, but from personal experience, I have found it can be started as early as 12 months and it is possible for a child to be trained as early as 14 months. If you feel that is too early, then sometime between 18 and 24 months is reasonable. I know many people like to hold off until their child is over 3 or in some cases 4, but I feel that is too long to wait. Why they feel it is easier to keep a child in diapers until then beats me, not to mention how gross diaper changes for a child that age would be.

I started Logan on the potty at 12 months. It was only to get him used to the potty and let him get comfortable on it. I made it a regular part of our day to put him on the potty at intervals, though I have never had set intervals. You can time it, or you can get a feel for how often they go by watching them for a few days and noting when they go.

Logan's first time on the potty,
a few days before his first birthday.

In the beginning I only put him on a few times a day - morning when he woke, midmorning, before nap, after nap, midafternoon, and before bed. I was using cloth diapers at this time since it is easier to tell when they are wet and can be removed easily for pottying. He still wore a diaper all day. That way if he didn't make it to the potty there was no floor mess to clean. (I should mention that I was pregnant with my second at this time.)

When Logan was about 16 months, I took him out of diapers and just let him run around in underwear. I continually reminded him to tell me when he needed to go so that he would get the idea. Since he wasn't talking yet, each time I would point to his pants and pat them while reminding him. He eventually would pat his pants when he needed to go.

Between 16 and 17 months I focused on his training. I wanted him trained, at least for when he was awake, before the new baby arrived, and he was. Often, if I put him on the potty as soon as he woke from his nap, his diaper would be dry, but if I waited it would be wet.

But then he regressed. I had the baby and spent 5 days in the hospital away from him (C-section). He was with daddy all the time and daddy didn't keep up the training like I had so he lost what he had learned. Since I couldn't bend or lift him for some time, it had to wait, and we picked up again when he was about 19 months old. Since he was already familar with the process, he relearned quickly.

With Lila I was wiser and, while I introduced the potty early, I held off her focused training until she was about 20 months. The reason? Yes, I had another baby and another C-section. It was planned that time so I knew it would be best to wait for when I could handle it physically. Since she was already in the habit of sitting on the potty at intervals, it wasn't too hard for her to learn.

My plan with Scarlett is to wait another month or two and then start. Since I am not/will not be pregnant, I won't have to worry about that interruption. She is now 13 months, but I want to wait out the cold months and train her when all she has to wear is a diaper and maybe a t-shirt. She has sat on the potty once or twice, but only for a second and usually after seeing Lila use it. She still thinks the potty is a toy and likes to play with it if I don't keep the bathroom closed.

Logan at 19 months.

So here are some tips:

- Decide when you want to start and go for it. Don't do it on and off as that will be confusing for your child.

-Make sure that things are relatively peaceful when you start. Heavy teething, sickness, weaning, passing through a time of emotional difficulty, or a having a new baby could make it difficult for your child to focus on the training.

-You may want to wait for warm weather to train. Children pee more when they are cold, and if they are wearing several layers it will make more work for putting them on the potty.

-A child will pee more when they drink more. Some books recommend offering more drinks during the training time so that they will need to go more often and get in the practice. The problem often is that they go so frequently you will finish your stack of undies before the day is out.

Lila's first time on the potty at 11 months.

-Hearing water running will often make a child go. When they sit on the potty, you can turn on a faucet and let it run a little. If they don't go within a few seconds then they probably don't need to go. But you don't want them to only pee when they hear water or you will be in trouble when you pass a fountain, it rains, etc.

-Remind your child to tell you when they need to go. It is good to do this so that they get the idea, but don't depend on it. And don't ask if they need to go - 99% of the time the answer will be no. And you won't get a reply if they aren't talking yet, so save your breath. If they haven't gone in a while and you feel they need to go, put them on. Just say, "It's time to go potty now."

-Teach non-talkers a signal for how to tell you when they need to go.

-Potty time should be fun. There is no need to leave them for a long time. If they don't go after a few minutes, take them off and wait a while. While they are sitting, you can use the time to look at books or sing songs together. Especially if they fuss about it, do something to distract them.

-Some people prefer to start on a potty and others go straight for the toilet. I prefer to start with a potty. It is easy for a child to sit on and eventually they can sit without you being there. Some children find the toilet scary, too.

-Learning to use the potty is a new skill for a child, so it isn't fair to them to punish them when they have accidents. Accidents happen; when they do, just remind your child in a cheery voice, "Pee goes in the potty." And leave it there. Don't keep harping on it.

-Draw attention to the positive by getting excited and clapping for them when they do go, even if it is just a dribble. Positive reinforcement is the way to go.

-I don't think it is good to get in the habit of offering treats to get them to go potty. You don't want to connect food with praise, nor do you want them to depend on getting a reward every time they use the potty. Food is for nourishment, not reward. Offering food treats can get them in the habit of always eating to reward themselves and could later lead to weight problems. Instead, offer lots of verbal praise, claps and cheers.

Lila at 2 insisted on using the toilet.

-On the other hand, if you feel a reward would help them, try something like getting new undies with their favorite cartoon character on it, or a new toy, or a trip to the playground. It doesn't have to be big. You don't want to have to buy them something for every potty run. Such rewards could be for success over a certain time frame, one that is easy for your child to reach. An immediate reward that you will always have is story time with you. Most children love that, and you could offer it whenever you want.

-Potty training success will take time and effort on your part. Don't give up too soon. But don't feel you have to keep going if it isn't working for you. You can always wait a few weeks and then try again.

Logan, 2 yrs. 5 months; Lila, just days before her first birthday.

Next time we will discuss nap and nighttime training.

Mommies, please share your tips and what worked for you. Also mention the age at which you started and why. First-time potty trainers need all the help they can get so let's give it to them.

Christmas Movies for Children

2011-12-08T22:30:00.000+05:30

Do you like Christmas movies? I love them. They take me back to when I was a child and Christmas just had that magical feel to it, unlike now. I try so hard to feel the magic but it seems to be lost to me, probably because I have spent the last 8 Christmases in a country where it is only celebrated by a minority of people, so it is not in the air in the same way as it is in a country where Christmas is a major holiday.

I am trying to bring that magic to my kids. I want them to be excited about Christmas and look forward to the whole season, not just the gifts. We have our little tree up and have hung our stockings; each day we cut a number off our countdown chart and have a treat, and I frequently hear them singing carols. These come from the Christmas movies and cartoons they have been watching lately, though they did start watching some as far back as October. :) When Lila goes around singing her version of "Jingle Bells" or Logan goes on with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" for a half hour straight, or like today, they both sang (and I had no idea they had memorised the words) "The 12 Days of Christmas", I know that they are indeed feeling the Christmas spirit.

So to pass on some of this Christmas spirit, I decided to share with you some of the Christmas movies and cartoons we have seen lately, just in case you need some ideas.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas 1999 (66 min.)

This is their top favorite, must-see almost daily cartoon. They love it and have the whole thing memorised. A great one for all children.

Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas 2004 (68 min.)
The sequel the the above cartoon, except done in computer animation. Just watched it together tonight and they loved it. (Update added 9/12/2011)

Mickey's Christmas Carol 1983 (26 min.)

Disney version of the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol".

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year 2002 (65 min.)

Another current favorite. If they aren't watching "Once Upon A Christmas" then they are watching this.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 1966 (26 min.)

I believe this is an animated version of the book.

Frosty the Snowman 1969 (22 min.)

Cute short about a snowman who comes to life.

The Dog Who Saved Christmas 2009 (89 min.)

Cute story about a dog who saves his owners' home from robbers, kind of along the lines of Home Alone, but more for young children. My kids enjoyed most of it since it has lots of animal scenes, but there is a fair amount of dialogue that will go over little kids' heads.

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure 2011 (85 min.)

Another dog rescuer movie. Not as great as the other Beethoven movies, but enjoyable. My kids found it to be rather long and too much dialogue for them, but older children would probably like it.

The Polar Express 2004 (100 min.)

While they watched it and enjoyed it, I don't think they quite got the movie. It is more for older children.

Blizzard 2003 (93 min.)

Just saw this one with Logan the other night and I think I liked it more than he did, though I think he lasted well through it, seeing as the story is aimed at older children, probably 8 - 12 yrs. It is about friendship and magical reindeer, ice skating, and thinking of others more than yourself. Santa is played by Christopher Plummer and the reindeer's voice is done by Whoopie Goldberg. I thought it was well done and a great Christmas movie.

Well, that is what we have seen so far this season. I still have some more up my sleeve and will add to this list if I find any more good ones.

And don't forget some of the classics like "White Christmas" (1954, 120 min.). That is a great family Christmas movie, though you do have to like those old style movies to really enjoy it. This is one I watch every year without fail. Don't know if my kids will last through it this year, but I'm gonna try.

Other classics:

"It's a Wonderful Life" 1946 (130 min.)

"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" 1984 (97 min.)

What is your favorite Christmas movie? Let's make this list grow.

Peanut Butter Candy

2011-12-04T10:30:00.000+05:30

My mom was always a stickler for getting us to eat healthy when we were small. At the same time though, she had (ok, still has) quite the sweet tooth and had to have something sweet, so this led to her experimenting with using honey instead of sugar as a sweetner.
One thing she used to make that I still love and make from time to time is peanut butter candy. As far as I know, this is her own creation, and it is so good.

You'll need:

Peanut butter

Honey

Powdered milk

Vanilla or other flavoring

In a bowl, mix together a cup of peanut butter, enough honey to sweeten, a little vanilla, and then enough milk powder to hold it all together. You want it to be solid enough to hold on to without it being sticky. Mix together, then press onto a buttered plate, making it about a 1/2 inch thick. Chill until set and cut into small cubes.

Sometimes mom would add rasins to this, and you could also add chopped nuts or other dried fruit cut small. For the one I just made, I added tiny pieces of tuttie fruttie and crushed candy cane to give it a Christmassy feel and flavor.

Let me know if you try this and like it. I think mom would be happy to know her recepie is being passed on.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

2011-11-28T09:57:00.001+05:30

The season is now upon us: Christmas!!! I love Christmas, even more now that I have children to share it with. I have been excitedly buying and stashing gifts for them, some requested and some surprises.

Maybe it is your child's first Christmas and you want to make it memorable. Or maybe you have opted to make their second Christmas special since on their first they were too young to join the fun and enjoy it. (I can understand this cause two of my kids were born in November and were only about 7 weeks old on their first Christmas.)

But as a first-time mommy it is understandable that you might be stumped as to what to get them. You see so many great things, but what is best? My top recommendation is Fisher-Price toys. Why?

1. Quality - they are sturdy and solid.
2. Colorful - they attract children and are fun to use. I find them attractive for me too.
3. Educational - the majority of them teach some skill or educate the child in some way.
4. Most importantly - they don't break. Toys that break after a few uses are a waste of money. Invest in quality items and they will last a long time.

Here are some of the Fisher-Price toys my children have or had.

This was Logan's first Christmas gift and his first toy. It is still attached to my stroller even now and Scarlett is using it.

I bought him these trucks when he was three months old and we still have them, except for the smallest one. It got lost.

This was Logan's first birthday gift. He loved it and played with it until it didn't make noise any more. He just kept those songs going and going all day long. (Warning: Noisy toys can make mommies go crazy. So if you really want to get a toy like this, do yourself a favor and get some earplugs too.)

Another gift. See it in his hand?

Lila was 8 months old on her first Christmas so I got her something she could work with, as opposed to a rattle. She figured it out quickly.

For her first birthday, Lila got these two toys. Too bad the book got lost; they enjoyed it a lot. We still have the shape sorter and Scarlett uses it now.

Scarlett just had her first birthday and I got her this Tiger Stacker. She really enjoys it.

And for Christmas, she is getting this toy, the Growing Baby Musical Xylo Fish. I can't wait to see how much she enjoys it.

While I consider Fisher-Price a top brand for small children's toys, it is by no means the only good brand out there. Some other good ones that I am familiar with are Duplo and Playskool. I also love good wooden toys, though I don't have a specific brand in mind for that.

I hope this is a help to you. Happy shopping!

Disclaimer: I've written this as an idea-giver. It is not a review for Fisher-Price toys. I was not asked to do this and all thoughts and ideas are my own.

What is your favorite toy brand and what do you think you will be getting your child this Christmas?

The First Time...

2011-11-24T23:37:00.001+05:30

When is the last time you did something for the first time, something you have never done before? It doesn't happen to me so often any more (as opposed to when I was younger and so many things were "first time"), so when it does, it really stands out.
I'm thinking about the time when I first nursed Logan. He was 10 days old and the only step left before he would be discharged from the NICU was for him to breastfeed. I remember not being sure how to hold him, and the nurse showing me how to put a pillow on my lap for support and how to get him to latch on. It was at that moment that the thought came to me, "Wow, this is a first. I can't remember when I last did something for the first time."
Now 3 kids and 4 years later, I can breastfeed without thinking about it, but that first time will forever stand out as a first-time event.

Today I had a first time event too. I took Logan to school.
Normally daddy takes him since he works there, but today he wasn't feeling well and needed a little extra sleep. I have picked him up before but never taken him, so I put a video on for the girls, got Logan ready, and headed out with just him. Actually, I can't remember the last time I went out with only Logan. Ha.
With daddy he goes on the scooter, but of course I don't drive (cause the only things I can drive well are bumper cars), so we got an auto and made it just as his teacher was arriving. Perfect. And on the way the thought came to me, "This is a first-time event. I should blog about it."

Hopefully I will have more first-time events that stand out like these, and I hope I can recognise them and remember them.

When is the last time you did something for the first time?

Things I Learned After I Became a Mommy, part 2

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000+05:30

Some more things on my ever-growing list. You can read the first list here.

#11 Sleep is overrated.

#12 My 2 year old will eat any veggie, including onion, garlic and chili pepper ... as long as it is on the cutting board waiting to be cooked and not on her plate.

#13 It is safer to assume the underwear (sheets, blankets, etc.) are dirty than to smell them to be sure.

#14 Kisses and getting to lie on mommy's bed will heal most any pain, real or imagined.

#15 Kids get sick first; mommy gets sick last. Kids get to rest, watch videos, have treats; mommy gets to keep working as usual.

#16 As long as I am up and about, my kids play on their own, but as soon as I sit to rest, they all need me for something.

#17 At mealtime, if one child asks for something, the next one only asks for the same after I have served the first, put it away, and sat back down to eat.

#18 Don't jump out of bed the minute you hear the baby cry. They may just be stirring and you will wear yourself out.

#19 Laundry multiplies faster than rabbits.

#20 Disciplining your children and following through on what you say when you threaten a punishment is the single most exhausting thing you will have to do as a parent.

And a few from our readers (from the comments section of the last post):

"Kids like to eat. Constantly. Resign yourself to the role of "Perpetual Snackmaker" now and save yourself a whole lotta heartache."

"Kids will end up using anything as face cream, including yogurt and peanut butter."

"I've learned to just do my best and let the rest go."

So what have you learned since you became a mommy?

Fuzzy Mommy Brain - Do You Have It?

2011-11-15T14:35:00.001+05:30

Have you ever gotten up from what you are doing and gone to do something else, only to forget what it was you got up to do? How many times have you walked into a room and not have a clue why you were there? Do you ever forget simple things, like whether you already wiped the table or turned the washer on? Did you ever put a pot on the stove and walk off, only to come back and wonder why it wasn't hot yet and how you managed to forget to turn the stove on? Or did you turn it on and forget about it and come back to find the pot had boiled over? If so, congratulations, you have what is known as Fuzzy Mommy Brain.

This is totally my house right now.

Fuzzy Mommy Brain tends to occur sometime around the birth of your first baby, sometimes before the baby acutally gets there, and gets worse with lack of sleep. As we all know, a newborn's only goals in life are to eat, cry, poop, and see to it that mommy doesn't get any sleep.

The problem with Fuzzy Mommy Brain is that it gets worse over time, and the seriousness of it depends on how many children you have. Pets, never-ending housework, and spouses can add to the problem as well. Listening to kids scream and fight all day seems to enhance it by 100%, because the screaming damages what few good brain cells you have left.

I have three children, meaning I have this pretty bad. I suffer from Fuzzy Mommy Brain all day long. I can't count the number of times in a day that I walk into a room and forget why I walked in. Or I open the fridge and forget what I wanted. Or I put the milk jug in the cupboard and salt shaker in the fridge. And yes, I often put the milk on to boil and forget about it the moment I walk out of the kitchen. I have to stay with it or, if I must leave the kitchen, I have to keep reminding myself that it is on so that I can come back for it.

If I don't return an item to its usual place, it is lost to me. I can never remember where I put it and try very hard to keep everything in the same place so I can find it again. Just yesterday, I took the hairbrush from its usual place in the bathroom and left it on a shelf in the bedroom. I was in a rush to leave the house, with both girls in tow, so putting the hairbrush back was the last thing on my mind. Later my husband wanted it and I was surprised that it was missing. I was so sure I had put it back after using it.

Sometimes I feel as if I am losing my mind. I walk around, jumping from one job to the next, never quite finishing one, because as soon as I see one thing, it reminds me of something else, and that will remind me of something else. It never ends.

For example, as soon as Logan is off to school, I set about on my daily tidying and aim to get at least the dishes done and a load of laundry into the machine. So I clear the table from breakfast. When dropping the dishes in the sink, I see the dishtowels need changing, so I take the dirty ones to the laundry basket. That reminds me to put a load in, so I do. Once the load of laundry is in, I look up to see a cobweb in the corner, so then I get the broom to sweep it down. I take the broom outside to clean it and see the balcony needs to be swept so I do that. I come back for the dustpan and remember that the dishes are still waiting and that I haven't wiped the table yet.

Do you get the picture? It goes on like this all day, unless I force myself to stop and think about what I am doing. Sometimes other distractions come up, phone or doorbell, kids fighting, diaper changes and so on. These interrupt my train of thought and make me have to rethink what I'm supposed to be doing.

Fuzzy Mommy Brain is what causes me to try to get my baby to blow her nose when she can't do it, and what makes me mix up my girls' names and call them each others names without realising it. It is what makes me think 20 times about taking the meat out of the freezer without actually doing it. It is what makes me mindlessly call out, "What's happening in there?", when the kids get too loud in their room, even though they are just playing and no one is fighting.

Fuzzy Mommy Brain is what made my mom try to put a bib on one of us instead of the baby once upon a time. I remember she was so distracted that the kid she was putting it on was pushing it away saying "No, mom, that's not for me." And she was saying, "Let me put this on you. Stop pushing it away." Then she stopped and realised what she was doing and said, "Oh." I imagine her brain was quite fried then. She also used to call all of our names before getting to the one she wanted. She's had 8 kids, and often mixed up our names too.

As far as I know, there is no cure for Fuzzy Mommy Brain. Oh, well. I guess I will have to live with it.

Mommy friends, do you have Fuzzy Mommy Brain? How do you deal with it? Do you know of a cure? :) (I wish.)

Preschool Snack Ideas

2011-11-10T00:32:00.000+05:30

Logan started preschool this year, and along with that came a whole new world for me - homework, packing snacks, washing and filling his water bottle, notes to and from his teachers, washing uniforms, making sure he keeps his uniform clean, remembering that he has to wear his ID card, making sure his backpack has all the items his school requires for the day, and so on.
Most of it is pretty straight forward and just requires that I make the effort to remember things that he isn't ready to handle himself yet. And then there is the snack .... His school is very strict about only sending healthy snacks. In the handbook they only mention sending fruits and veggies, and at first I felt limited by that. But there are so many other healthy snack ideas out there, and it does get boring packing the same thing daily - and for him to eat the same thing. (Since this is preschool and he only attends for the morning, he only has snack there.)
Unless you have a child who absolutely wants the same snack daily, it is good to have some variety. Here is a list of ideas of things you could pack for a snack.

Fruits - go for the non-messy ones and cut into bite-size pieces, or if your child eats neatly already, you could add some that might be considered messier. I have used grapes (picked off the stem), bananas (cut in half with the peel left on), guavas (left whole or quartered), apples (quartered), oranges and tangerines (peeled and separated). A fruit salad could be nice, but Logan still doesn't like to use utensils so I consider that too messy to send. Other fruits that you could try would be berries, pears, peaches - really anything you can leave whole or that is not too runny and juicy when cut would work.

Vegetables - veggie sticks are great, and many snack boxes provide a space for a dip if your child likes that. Logan's favorites are carrot sticks, so that is usually all I send since it is all he will eat, but your options are really only limited by what your child likes and will eat. Cucumber, brocolli, and celery are great.

(One thing that was mentioned at his orentation was that even if a child normally won't eat fruits or veggies, they will pick up on it quickly if they see the other children eating them, and hunger will sometimes make them try something they normally don't like.)

Nuts and seeds - highly nutritious and packed with energy. Logan loves peanuts and eats them almost daily. Most any kind of nut is ok to send as long as they are shelled. (Don't send nuts if your child has a hard time chewing them or tends to swallow food without chewing.)

Dried fruit - raisins and dates are favorites here. Other ideas are figs, apricots, apples, prunes - whatever you like.

Chickpeas - Logan loves these plain; he will eat them by the bowlful if I let him. Cooked with salt and drained, these will keep a few days in the fridge. I get all my beans dry and have to soak and pressure cook them, but you can find many varieties of canned beans that you can use instead. Just drain and add some seasoning if you like.

Pancakes - yes, I have sometimes sent my baby pancakes with him cause he likes them. And the other day I make him a snackbox full of pancake dots - I just dropped small dots of batter on the pan, about the size of a small coin or smaller.

Cookies - cookies can be either healthy or not, depending on the kind you get. I sometimes give him Horlicks cookies, or others that are made extra-healthy with whole wheat, bran, or oats. I avoid any with fillings or chocolate (though I do sometimes give those at home). You can also make cookies with oats, wheat germ, nuts and rasins, and you have the satisfaction of knowing they are healthy because you know what you put into them.

Yoghurt - a small tub or as a drink. I don't send it to school as I make my own and don't buy it in tubs, but my kids eat it plain daily. Avoid presweetened yoghurts and instead add some fruit or honey if your child won't eat it plain.

What healthy snacks do you send with your child to preschool? And for those of you who send lunches, what healthy lunch ideas do you have to share with us?

Rainy Day Activity

2011-11-06T16:06:00.000+05:30

First, I must apologise for my absence. All the kids got colds one at a time, and then I got it, and well, I just couldn't keep up with anything more than the absolutely necessary. You know, the cooking, dishes, diaper changes, baths, laundry - we mom's don't really get a break when we're sick. Add to sickness heavy rain and we were stuck indoors for about 10 days or so. Today the sun has finally come out, but the kids were cooped up for a long time.
One activity I tried to keep them occupied during this time was playing shopping.
I looked in my cupboards for boxes I didn't need and empty plastic food containers. To make them last a little longer, I put folded newspaper inside the boxes. Not enough to make them heavy, but enough for them to hold their shape. Then I sealed them with wide clear packing tape and let the kids loose. Lila enjoyed it the most. Putting boxes in and out of a bag, then pretending to go home and put the food away kept her busy for a long time.

See the newspaper inside the box?

To keep this activity from getting old quickly, when they were done, I put everything away out of reach. Had I left it on the toy shelf everything would have been damaged. Of course, since these are products I buy regularly it is easy to replace a box if it gets too messed up to play with, but I am trying to teach them to care for their things.
This is an easy activity to add to. Just add new boxes and containers as you get them. You can make the game go further by using play money and acting it out.

What are your children's favorite rainy day activities?

I'm Embarrassed to Say

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000+05:30

It would seem that one of a child's many goals in life is to embarrass his parents; unintentionally, of course. They go around doing little things in the process of exploration and learning that leave us feeling, well, embarrassed. Logan is one such child. I am not someone who gets embarrassed easily, and I was sure my child could never emabrrass me ... until he turned the magical age of 2. Then it happened. It seemed overnight he started doing things just to keep me on my toes.

I have found people here in India to be quite accepting of small children's actions, and so far I haven't had anyone get upset at me or Logan for the things he has done. Thankfully. Because some of the things he has done are enough to make me want to hide.

One thing he has done for a long time and only recently stopped was touching any person that passed us on our walks. Most women wear flowing saris and dupattas, and his little hands couldn't resist touching and sometimes grabbing them as they went by. On a few occasions some of them were startled to feel a touch so low on their bodies while walking, but quickly got over it when they saw it was just a tiny kid. (Here, purposefully touching someone you don't know is considered indecent.)

When we first moved into this house over a year ago, Logan was a little over 2 1/2. The little park near our house has its share of regulars, one of which is a small group of old men who meet almost daily. They sit in the same benches by the playground, at the same time each day, talking about whatever it is that old men talk about. There are at least 6 or 7 of them.
One day while playing there, Logan went up to one man and took the water bottle out of his hands. The man willingly let Logan have a drink, but instead of returning the bottle, Logan dumped it on the ground, right on the man's foot. Yes, I did try to make him think I hadn't noticed.

On more occasions than I can count, he has walked up to people and take food out of their hands, food that they were about to eat or were already eating. He has marched up to other children and taken their snack or drink right out of their hand and proceeded to consume it himself. Most times I have managed to stop him, yet lots of people insist on letting him eat whatever it was he was trying to take. But this is the "icing on the cake" incident. Recently we were in a department store waiting to pay for some stuff. Right near the entrance was a small coffee shop that was only enclosed with a low wall and there was a bench on the outside.

Too late I noticed Logan kneeling on the bench, leaning over, grabbing a chocolate doughnut off a little girl's plate and stuffing it down his throat. I wished I could have melted into the floor. I, of course, told him he shouldn't do that, that he needed to ask me if he wanted food, and apologized, and the mother was very understanding. The girl amazed me even more that she didn't cry when he did that. She was about Logan's age, and if someone had done that to him, he would have shouted and burst into tears.

I know there are more incidents and if they come to me I will record them, but this is all I can think of for now.

Has your child done something unintentionally that emabarrassed you? Tell us about it.

Random Tips That Can Make Life Easier

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000+05:30

Here are a few random tips that you may find useful, things that have come to me and been "wow" moments of learning. I'll post more as they come to me.

- Always put a bib on your child when feeding them banana or tomato-based foods. While most stains are removable, these stain permanently. To be on the safe side, always use a bib.

- Lock doors you don't want your baby or toddler getting into. (Works for older kids too, if you keep the key somewhere safe. I lock the cupboard in my kids' room to keep my oldest from getting into stuff I don't want him to have on his own.)

- Does your child have one of those shirts that has a head hole that is just a bit too small? To get it on, stretch the hole as far as it will go, then first pull it over the crown of the head and it should easily slip over the rest. (Don't force it if it is really too small.)

- When dressing your toddler, put the underwear inside the pants or shorts and have them step through both at the same time. It saves time putting clothes on. Works with skirts too.

- Keep a notebook on hand for all those random ideas that come to your mind throughout the day. That way you can jot down what you are thinking about and then go back to whatever you were doing without worrying that you will forget that great idea you just got.

- Keep a paper or dry-erase board on your fridge so that you can note down things you need to buy as you see they are getting low or you are out of them. Then when you are ready to go shopping, your list is ready.

Tips from Facebook readers:

- Get enough excercise yourself because it gives you the energy to keep up with them (your kids)!

- Sleep! If I don't sleep I want to rip my hair out! I couldn't stress this enough!

Please feel free to leave your own random tips in the comments. If it is something that you do that makes your life easier, than let us know about it so we can all learn something new.

The Great Sippy Cup (Mis)Adventures

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000+05:30

As a new mom, everything in the world of baby items is new. It is a vast, undiscovered, fun, exciting, and at times frustrating and downright annoying arena.

Logan at 20 months with the first cup, and
probably the 3rd top.

When Logan was about 10 or 11 months old, I bought him his first sippy cup. After looking around at all the varieties, I settled for one that (now that I think about it) was very overpriced but looked like something useful. Instead of the usual hard tip, it was soft, like a nipple was. I thought he might drink from that so I got it.
It wasn't long before I discovered the first problem - he liked to bite the tip. He used it for some time (at that time just for water) but eventually I knew I'd have to replace the tip ... and this is where the problem grew. I couldn't find a replacement! The manufacturer hadn't put one out and the only solution was to buy a new cup. This bugged me A LOT because I had paid so much for this supposedly great cup to have my kids teethe on it and I couldn't replace it? Finally, after much searching, I found a top by a different manufacturer. It didn't fit perfectly but I made do and the cup lasted a little longer.
By this time, he was using the cup for milk and problem number two had shown up - milk caked in the tip. Frustration doesn't describe the feeling as I spent countless hours soaking, scrubbing, and picking with a toothpick all the milk that got stuck when it wasn't washed immediately.
Eventually I'd had enough with the cup, so I got him a new one with the usual hard tip. And yes, he chewed that one up too, and I had the same milk-caked-in-the-top problems. I think until he was almost 3 I got him a new cup every few months cause he would chew on the top and I figured it must feel funny to drink from. Then I just gave him a regular child's cup, plasic but no lid and he had to learn to drink carefully.

Opening gifts the morning after her
first birthday.

With Lila I was more aware of what to look for, and she happily drank from a bottle, so I waited until her first birthday to get her a cup, plus plate, bowl, and utensil set, all matching in pink (of course). Yes, the cup problems continued but ... she didn't bite the tip of the cup. Wow. The cup could last longer, and it did. I made sure to wash it as soon as she was done so the milk couldn't cake up, or so I thought.

But over time it did and I soon got her a new one which lasted all of 2 hours, since as soon as we got home, Logan proceeded to bite up first his cup and then hers. Groan.

I think I waited a month or so, and then got her a new one, which she still has ... cause I've learned the secret to getting all that milky gunk buildup out:

1. Wash it right away, or soak with water if I can't.

2. When it won't come clean with a wash, soak with a drop of bleach for a few hours and then wash well. You have to make sure the lid of the cup is completely submerged to get it clean, so put something heavy on it to keep it from floating.
If you have a spray hose at the sink, the force of the water can help dislodge milk that is in parts you can't get into to clean.

3. Q-tips work great for cleaning hard-to-reach spots.

Of course cups do eventually have to be replaced but trying these cleaning methods can make them last longer.

Scarlett's birthday is next month, so guess what I will be buying her? (I think, though, that I will just get her a cup, a plate that has divided sections and a spoon. Everything else is not really necessary.)

Anyone else have sippy cup stories you want to share?

There Must Be a Toy Monster in the House

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000+05:30

Before I had my own children, I spent a number of years as a fulltime live-in nanny/caregiver/preschool teacher (yes, I did all those things with the children I cared for). One thing that used to bug me was when toy sets were incomplete or puzzles had missing pieces or when books were damaged. I hated it. It messed with my desire to keep things orderly and complete.
When my son was born, I bought him some toys and books, and was determined to never lose a piece to a set or to let them get damaged in any way. Of course a newborn hardly even bothers to look at his toys, so there was no problem there.
As Logan got older, I kept tabs on his toys and made sure to pick them all up when he was finished playing. I would even count the plastic animals and Lego pieces to make sure they were all there. Books were limited to reading with mommy since he took to biting them early on. Aside from wanting complete sets and mint-condition books, I didn't want to waste money by things being lost or destroyed when it was preventable.
I don't know when I first noticed it, but ever so slowly things started to disappear. First one plastic animal, then another, then a piece of Lego. At first I would scan the house, looking in every nook and cranny and at times finding something that was missing, but what bothered me the most was things that never showed up. Where were they going??
I think he was over 2 when both his bottle and sippy cup disappeared in the same week. I couldn't believe it. They were no where to be found. I gave him the cup one morning full of milk, and minutes later he didn't have it and I could not find it. Sometime later I saw him throw a cloth over the balcony. That is when it clicked. Why had I not thought to check if he was throwing stuff over? I had never seen him do it so I never thought he did it.
That was when I took to checking the ground below the balcony whenever something went missing. Often I found what he threw down and other times they had already been taken. I guess the people finding the toys figured no one wanted them and kept them.
Logan got good at losing toys and I eased up on keeping perfect tabs on his toys. After all, I have more important things to spend my time on. Yes, he has cost me a lot of money in the last 4 years. He has destroyed more books and puzzles and lost more toys than I ever thought was possible. Every time I sware I won't buy him any more, yet I continue to do so. You'd think I'd learned my lesson, but how can I say no when he asks for yet another farm puzzle or a book about animals?
My job now is teaching him to care for what I give him. In the mean time, I keep all the good books on a high shelf, and if I do give in and get him a puzzle for his soon-coming birthday (he'll be 4 next month), I guess I'll have to watch it closely too and keep it out of reach when he isn't using it. Too bad for me; those things are supposed to keep him busy when I have other things to do, not give me more work.

Anyone else experience this? How have you taught your toddler or preschooler to care for their things?

This post was inspired by this one from Amber at Crappy Pictures. Check her out.

A Busy Mommy's Wish

2011-10-15T10:38:00.000+05:30

This is a repost from my other blog. The original is here.

Oh to be a child again,

To spend my days in play.

To never have to worry about

The cares life sends my way.

No dishes, laundry, or cooking,

No washing or drying at all.

I want to relax and just kick back

And truly have a ball.

Why is it that mommies have all the work

And kids have all the fun?

One day I hope the trend will reverse

Before I go mad with these puns.

Things I Learned After I Became a Mommy

2011-10-11T22:56:00.000+05:30

This is just a random collection of things I have learned that are good for a laugh or that may even be informative.

#1It is impossible to keep my house clean and picked up 100% of the time ... and I shouldn't feel bad about it.

#2 No matter how much I shout, my kids won't hear me unless they want to.

#3 It is possible to tidy up, cook, eat and type while nursing my baby.

#4 Making my children's beds is a waste of my time. The same goes for picking up toys and books.

#5 Don't iron something until you plan on wearing it.

#6 Banana stains clothes instantly and no amount of scrubbing will get it out.

#7 It is totally possible to live on coffee and fresh air.

#8 Kids are happy to read the same story night after night for months on end, whereas I want to hide the book and pretend I don't know where it is after 3 or 4 readings.

#9 A mommy's best friends are locks, high shelves, earplugs, coffee, and vodka.

#10 Three-year-old boys talk about their penies waaaay to much.

What things have you learned after becoming a mommy? I will post your answers on my next list.

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000+05:30

Ok, I'll admit that when it comes to tooth care, I am not the best one to talk about it. I have not taken good care of my own teeth; actually, except for daily brushing, I've neglected them entirely. I don't like dentist visits (had a painful experience once), and I actually let one of my teeth rot during my pregnancies rather than get it taken care of. Bad, I know.

But just because I don't like it for myself doesn't mean I should ignore my children's dental needs. If anything, I should teach them proper dental care so that they don't have to suffer cavities like I have.

When my oldest was a baby, somewhere around his second or third tooth, I decided to get him a toothbrush. Since then, I have tried to faithfully brush my kids' teeth twice daily. Here are some things I have learned about children's teeth care.

- You have to start cleaning their teeth once they begin solids. You don't have to clean them if they are only breastfeeding.
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush that is made for babies, but don't buy an outrageously-priced one. Those are no different from regular brushes; they are just made by companies that want your money and know you will pay any price for something that is for your baby if their logo is on it.
I recently got a good one for Scarlett made by Johnson and Johnson for a decent price. Colgate has decently-priced ones too.
- I remember reading about a dentist who recommended using a little gauze on your finger to wipe your baby's teeth and gums after eating. It may work well, but if your baby is a biter (what teething baby isn't) you may find a toothbrush will save your fingers.
- Since a baby doesn't chew its food, you don't really have to scrub their teeth. Just gently brush them.
- Toothpaste is not needed for babies. I started putting a small smidgen of it on the brush, just barely a hint of it for taste when they were past their first birthday.
- Special children's toothpaste is not needed, unless you are having a hard time getting your kids to brush their teeth. Mine have always been ok with the regular minty stuff.
- Teach your child to spit the toothpaste out from the beginning. Most will swallow it at first, which is why I put so little to begin with, but will eventually learn to spit it out.
- Let your child see you brush your teeth and they will want to do it to.
- You will have to do the brushing for your child for a few years, until they learn how to do it properly on their own. Right now for my kids, I brush their teeth first, and then let them do some so they can learn how to handle the brush.

Here are a few links with reference to when it is best to begin dental checkups and how to find a good pediatric dentist.

Oral Care and Dental Health for Toddlers and Children
Your Child's First Visit to the Dentist
Majority of parents schedule child's first dental visit two years too late

Which reminds me, I'd better look into finding a pediatric dentist myself.

Mommies, what has your experience been in caring for your child's teeth and taking them to the dentist? Do you have any tips or advice you would like to share?

Getting Enough Calcium

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000+05:30

Recently I was talking with a friend who is in the last month of her second pregnancy. She has had nausea all throughout her pregnancy, and has not been able to get enough calcium in her diet due to not being able to take calcium tablets or eat dairy foods. Because of this, she is having constant pain in her bones.
During pregnancy, your need for calcium increases. You need it and the baby needs it, and if you don't get enough in your diet, your baby will draw what it needs straight from your bones, causing considerable pain for you.
If you are able to eat things like cheese, yoghurt, tofu, and milk, those are a good way to get some calcium, but you do need the supplements as well. If your nausea is only in the morning, then take your tablets later in the day when you are feeling better, always taking them with food. If you have nausea throughout the day, it will be harder to take tablets and keep them down, but try. Maybe you could add the tablets to a milkshake made with some fruit, yoghurt or milk, and lots of ice.
But what can you do if you aren't able to eat dairy foods or take calcium tablets?
There are lots of other foods out there that are rich in calcium. Lots of them have even more calcium than milk does. Check out the following list, found here:

Sesame Seeds
A quarter cup of sesame seeds has 351 mg calcium.
Spinach
A cup of boiled spinach has 245 mg.
Collard Greens
A cup of boiled collard greens has 266 mg.
Blackstrap Molasses
One tablespoon has about 137 mg.
Kelp
One cup of raw kelp has 136 mg.
Tahini
Two tablespoons of raw tahini (sesame seed butter) have 126 mg.
Broccoli
Two cups of boiled broccoli have 124 mg.
Swiss Chard
One cup of boiled chard has 102 mg.
Kale
One cup of boiled kale has 94 mg.
Brazil Nuts
Two ounces of Brazil nuts (12 nuts) have 90 mg.
Celery
Two cups of raw celery have 81 mg.
Almonds
One ounce of almonds (23 nuts) has 75 mg.
Papaya
One medium papaya has 73 mg.
Flax Seeds
Two tablespoons of flax seeds have 52 mg.
Oranges
One medium orange has 52 mg.

Here is another link for dairy-free calcium sources. They also list receipe ideas.

It won't be easy if you are one who experiences all-day nausea your whole pregnancy long. I'd recommend looking at these lists and seeing what appeals to you and trying it.
These foods are also good for those who are alergic to dairy products, or those whos kids don't like milk. And even if they do like milk, adding some of these foods to their diet (and yours too) on a regular basis will increase not only your calcium consumption, but your overall health.

What are your favorite non-dairy calcium foods? Do you have recommendations for pregnant mothers who are having a hard time getting enough calcium? What worked for you?

"Mommy, My Tummy Hurts"

2011-10-01T15:41:00.000+05:30

I'm sure you have heard this one before, and if you haven't yet, you will. There comes a point, usually during the toddler years, that a child becomes more aware of bodily pain. The problem is that, since they are too young to identify what could have caused or is causing the pain, they tend to freak out and just cry.
Here is a little tip for when your child comes crying that their tummy is hurting - ask them where the pain is. They can't tell the difference between stomach pain and lower abdominal pain, and the different causes for each one. Even if your child can't talk yet, they can point to where it hurts.
If they point to their stomach, it could be hunger, nausea, or pain from overeating. You should be able to figure it out depending on when they last ate, what they had, and how they have been acting since then. Often a child who is about to throw up will whine and fuss, want to lie down, or be with you. My son is scared of throwing up, and will cry about it more once it happens than before. Lots of comfort and emphasizing that it is all over is needed to calm him down.
If they point to the lower abdomen, the most likely cause is a need empty the bowel. This one happens to Logan almost daily. He will fuss and cry about how much his tummy hurts, then within minutes, he will be on the toilet and then everything is ok. Other causes could be gas, or, more rarely. appendicitis. This last one can be serious and will require medical attention. (Read this link if you want to know the symptoms.)
With Logan, each time he says his tummy hurts, I talk to him and find out where the pain is, and I explain to him what it might mean. Of course, I don't say everything I listed above, only what applies to him at the moment. This helps him to learn the difference in hunger pangs and needing to use the toilet, or feeling sick in his stomach.

What do you do when your child says his tummy hurts? How do you handle it?

What to Bring for an Outing with Your Toddler or Preschooler

2011-09-28T06:00:00.000+05:30

Last time we learned what should go in a diaper bag when going out with a baby. But what about outings with toddlers and preschoolers? Do you need to bring stuff for them? What kind of stuff is needed and how much? What kind of bag should you carry? I'll try to answer all those questions here.
Remember that what you bring depends on where you are going, how long you will be out for, and how many kids you are packing for. When I go out, I have to bring stuff for a baby, toddler and preschooler. Thankfully most of the items overlap so I don't need to double them up.

Toddlers

Going out with a toddler takes a lot more out of you than going out with a baby. Toddlers can run you ragged and you need both hands free to keep up with them, so you may want to opt for a backpack, though a shoulder bag or even your regular diaper bag could work too.

You will want to pack:
- 2 or 3 diapers - if you haven't begun potty training yet

- A few pairs of underpants or training pants - if currently potty training

- Change of clothes or two
- Snacks - cookies, crackers, carrot sticks, rasins, cut fruit (non-messy), banana, etc.

Scarlett at 6 months and my
current trusty diaper bag.

- Milk bottle or sippy cup, if needed

- Bib

- A few favorite books and toys

- Wet wipes

- Hand disinfectant

- Tissues or handkerchief

Optional:
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Sweater or jacket, other winter essentials
- Blanket
- Anything else you personally need for your child

Preschoolers
Since they are older, they need less stuff when out. You could always have them carry their own essentials in a small backpack.

You may need some or all of the following:

- Wet wipes, hand disinfectant, or both (I use both all the time. If I am somewhere where there is no water to wash their hands, i.e. the park, I use the wipes to get the dirt off and then the disinfectant for extra cleansing.)

- Change of clothes, especially pants and underwear

- Snack

- Waterbottle

- Tissues or handkerchief

- Sun hat and sunscreen

- Sweater or jacket, other winter essentials

- Small books or toys

Remember, these are only suggested items. You may need some or all of them; you may even need aditional items depending on your destination. Also, when you aren't sure if you should bring an item or not, remember the adage that says, "It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

Mommies, what do you pack for your outings? Do you have tips on packing for more than one child, and more than one age group?

Packing Your Diaper Bag

2011-09-25T12:47:00.002+05:30

Picture this: it is your first outing with your newborn. You are excited about going somewhere since you have been stuck in the house for so long, waiting for your baby to be old enough for outings. You get dressed, dress the baby, grab your purse and head out. It isn't until you get where you are going that you remember you were supposed to bring ... something. What was it?

Baby decides it is time to do one of those poops, the kind that leak and spread all over his clothes ... and you. Now too late, you remember what you forgot - the diaper bag.

Hopefully this hasn't happened to you. I'd never wish such horror on anyone (unless I hate them. Then I might just laugh.) Going out with your baby means lugging enough supplies for a small army. How can you keep it down without forgetting anything?

The following is a basic list of items you should pack in your diaper bag. Not everyone will need every item, so I have divided them into must-have's and optionals.

Elegant yet practical.

Must-have's:

2 or 3 disposable diapers - how many you bring will depend on how long you plan on going out for

Package of wet wipes

Changing pad - some diaper bags come with one attached. If yours doesn't, pack one.

Change of clothes - in case of diaper leaks, throwing up, etc.

Empty plastic bag to place soiled items

1 - 2 bottles and formula - if you don't breastfeed or if your destination doesn't provide privacy for breastfeeding. You could either bring the sterilzed water in the bottles and the can of formula, or carry the water in a separate bottle and measure the formula into the clean bottles before you leave. How much you bring will depend on how long you will be out and how many feeds your baby will need in that time frame. Bring a bottle brush if needed.

Hand disinfectant - so you can clean your hands even if you aren't near a bathroom.

Light-weight sheet for covering baby or to put down on a seat or bed before you put the baby down.

Tissues or a handkerchief.

Cute

Optional:

Sun hat and sunscreen

Blanket

Sweater or jacket, other warm clothes

Drool or meal bibs

Snacks or baby food - if your baby is old enough for solids and will need them.

Pacifier

A toy or two.

Fancy and fun

Bag options are endless, so whether you have a bag with lots of pockets for sorting everything (my personal favorite), or you have one where everything goes in one place, try keeping it sorted and organized in some sort of order so you don't have to dig through it when looking for something. Keeping each item at your fingertips will make it easier for you to use your diaper bag. It should be your friend, not something you come to dread carrying.

Mommies, care to share what you put in your bag and how you use it?

Teething

2011-09-20T06:00:00.000+05:30

Teething is often a painful experience for a baby. Why is it so difficult? I wish I knew. It has been different for all my babies.

Symptoms can vary from general fussyness, having a runny nose and more frequent naps to non-stop crying and fevers. You can tell where the tooth is coming by a slight swelling in the gum. Often a baby will rub this area with his tongue or finger. They will also drool a lot (though this can also vary, see below).

Often a teething baby will stop eating solids because it is painful on the part of the gums where the tooth is coming in. They will either nurse more, or stop eating altogether. Their sleep may also be disturbed; they will wake more often and be fussy.

Logan always got at least a 24 hour fever before his teeth broke through. I spent many days carrying and cuddling him as he was very fussy when teething and refused to be put down. Lila drooled a lot but I don't recall her ever having fevers. Scarlett got her first teeth early, at only 3 1/2 months. She drooled then, but with later teeth she didn't. The last 3 came within 10 days of each other - not a happy time for us. Amazingly, she never drooled. Instead, she makes this "ck" sound all day long and I think she is swallowing the extra saliva (she still does this even though she isn't teething right now).

Difficult as it is, there is no way around teething. The best we can do is make them comfortable and walk through it with them. Here are some things you can try to soothe your baby:

- First-time teethers may find comfort in gnawing on your finger. Just don't try this once the teeth are through, especially top and bottom, cause you will be bitten for sure. And teething babies bite hard!
- Something cold to bite may be soothing cause the cold will lightly numb the gums. Try using a water-filled teething ring, chilled in the fridge (don't freeze). A peeled carrot could work too, though don't continue this once they are able to bite chunks out to avoid choking.
- You may be able to interest them in something cold to eat, like blended fruit or yoghurt.
- Some babies may like to bite wooden spoons or any large spoon from your utensil drawer.

If your baby is crying non-stop and seems to be in a lot of pain, you could first try giving them gripe water. I don't know what it is about it, but my kids always stopped crying almost instantly after having it. If you feel it is needed, you could also give them a children's painkiller. Here I get Crocin in a syrup. Look for whatever you have locally available and make sure to follow the dosage exactly. Also, make sure it is for babies, as some are specifically only for children over a year or two.
If the bottle comes with a dropper, use that. Otherwise, get your own dropper or use a medicine spoon or bottle. These make it easy to give medicine to a baby. Make sure you don't just drop it on the tip of their tongue or they will spit it out, and medicines can stain. Squeeze the dropper into the back of the mouth so that they swallow it right away.
I have never used teething gels, mainly because I always heard they were dangerous. But I have never researched this so I can't say for certain. I'd recommend doing some research before trying it.

Happy Teething!

Mommies, do you have any tips to share? We'd love to hear them.

Drooling and Neck Care

2011-09-17T15:28:00.002+05:30

Often one of the first signs of teething is when your baby starts to drool all the time. Since there is nothing you can do to stop drooling, you will want to do what you can to make sure your baby stays dry so as to avoid infection.
Each baby drools differently. Some just a little and others enough to fill a jug. Most, though, fall inbetween. You will want to have on hand a stack of cloth bibs to protect the clothing and keep your baby dry. The ones I like best are thick cloth ones that absorb well. You can also get bibs with a plasic lining on the back so that the drool doesn't soak through to your baby's clothes.

Whichever you choose, you will need to keep an eye on how often the bib gets wet and make sure to change it as soon as it is wet around the neck. Because of the fat rolls a baby has around their neck, it is easy for infection to set in if the creases get wet and dirty and are not cleaned well.
You may find, like I did with Lila, that no matter how well you clean those creases, you will still smell a rotten cheese-type odor in part of their neck. I thought I was getting everything clean, but she had so many creases and folds on her neck that it was easy to miss parts. I would wash her and still smell that smell and could not figure out where it was coming from. I finally had to tilt her head to the side and open the folds and I found a part that was infected.
To get rid of such infection, the area must be dry. Easier said than done with a drooling baby. Since the infection will most likely be under the chin or on the side of the neck, you will need to tilt your baby's head to clean it. Wash with water and soap, then dry well. Don't rub it dry; just daub it gently so as not to hurt your baby. To help it heal, apply an antibiotic powder (I used Neosporin). This will keep the area dry too.
Do this as often as needed throughout the day, until it is healed. You may find, as I did, that the same area will be prone to repeat infections, and that it will continue until your baby gets bigger and the folds of fat disappear with growth. In hot weather you may need to clean baby's neck a few times a day. This is easy to do with a washcloth.

In summary:
- Use bibs when your baby starts drooling to keep their clothes dry.
- Change wet bibs as often as needed.
- To avoid infection, wash the creases in your baby's neck well daily, or as often as needed.
- If infection sets in, wash and dry the affected area, then apply an antibiotic powder.

How have you handled such a situation?

Poem - What Do Mothers Do All Day?

2011-09-11T14:57:00.001+05:30

Mommies, can you relate to this poem?

What Do Mothers Do All Day?

Every minute, to and fro,
That's the way my hours go;
Bring me this, and take me that,
Feed the dog, take out the cat.
Standing up, I eat my toast,
Drink my coffee, thaw the roast;
Empty the garbage, make the bed,
Rush to church, then wash my head.
Sweep the kitchen, wax the floor,
Scrub the woodwork, clean the doors;
Scour the bathtub, then myself,
Vacuum carpets, straighten shelves.
Eat my sandwich on the run,
Now my afternoon's begun;
To the baseball game I go,
When will there be time to sew?
Meet the teacher, stop the fight,
See the dentist, fly the kite;
Help with homework, do the wash,
Iron the clothes, put on the squash.
Shop for groceries, cash a check,
Fight the crowds, now I'm a wreck!
Dinner time it soon will be,
"What's for dinner?"
Wait and see.
Dirty dishes crowd the sink,
Next there's popcorn, then a drink;
Will they never go to bed ...
Will I ever get ahead?
"Bring me water,"... "Get the light,"
Turn off the TV, lock the bike;
"Where's my pillow?" ... "Hear my prayers,"
"Did you lock the door downstairs?"
At last in bed, my spouse and I,
Too tired to move, too weak to cry;
But as I doze, I hear him say,
"What do mothers do all day?"

~ Marshall H. Hart ~
Copyright 1976

Do you ever feel like this, like life is just one big blur of never-ending work? I do, often. Sometimes I wish I could just disappear - leave work and kids behind and take a break. Then reality kicks in, often via one of the kids. They need something, want to do something, want my attention.
We all have days (or nights) when everything that happens makes us wish we could dump it all on someone else. I understand what it's like, and so does every other mother out there. We know how you feel and send you our best. Click here to read about my latest chaos night. It will probably make you laugh (I laugh every time I reread it, even though I found it anything but funny at the time) and you will see that we all go through rough times.

Share your story. What are the rough times you are currently facing or have faced recently?

Baby Needs, Part 2

2011-08-31T22:56:00.005+05:30

Picking up where we left off... (pt.1 is here)

Here is a list of basic items you will want to have on hand before your baby comes.

Receiving blankets - at least 3
Warmer blankets - only needed in cold climates
Sheets - for the crib, 3 or 4; you may also find some thin small ones useful for when you need to put your baby down somewhere other than the crib, for the first few months.
Plastic sheet - to cover the crib mattress if it isn't already protected. That way you won't have to scrub things like pee and vomit out of the mattress.
Set of bumper pads to go around the crib - for wooden cribs

(Important: avoid pillows for babies. They could cause suffication if the baby were to get face-down in it and not be able to move back. Children don't really need pillows in bed until 2 or 3 years old.)

Puddle pad - for protecting surfaces during diaper changes
Changing and bath supplies - diapers, wipes (useful for the early months and outings), washcloths, baby shampoo, soap, cologne, and lotion or powder (lotion is for dry weather, powder for humid).
Nose bulb - for removing excess mucous either after birth or when baby has a cold.
Medicine dropper or bottle - in case you need it.
Baby hairbrush
Nail clippers - don't get a baby manicure set no matter how cute it is. People who invent such things obviously don't have babies. Only get the clippers.
Bottles - even if you plan on breastfeeding fulltime, it is a good idea to have one or two 4oz. bottles on hand, with the correct size nipples, in case you need to express milk or give formula.
Bottle brush - for cleaning the bottles
Diaper bag - ones with lots of pockets are more practical for keeping items sorted. But you don't have to carry a real diaper bag. You may prefer to opt for a large purse or shoulder bag, something that expresses you. Click here for my post on diaper bags.
Toys - a mobile is nice for over the crib, and a few soft toys. But don't buy too many. You will probably be given lots at your baby shower.

For you:
Breast pump - useful if you have more milk than baby can drink, or if you need to pump so baby can have milk at home while you go out.
Breast pads - you can get either cloth or disposable ones. These are very useful in the early months when you have so much milk and it leaks when nursing.
Nursing bras - nursing bras open so that you don't have to take your breast out to nurse. Buy them when you are about 8 months pg., and you may need to go for a cup size larger than you normally wear. It will fit well when your milk comes in.
You may want to have a nipple cream on hand in case you need it.
Stock up on sanitary napkins now. You will need lots. I found the extra-long nightime ones were best for the post-natal flow. You can return to your regular ones when your period returns.

What is your most essential baby care item?

Cradle Cap and Ear Piercing

2011-08-27T22:54:00.003+05:30

About 10 days ago I got Scarlett's ears pierced. Finally! It is not that I didn't want to do is sooner, but I held off because she had cradle cap on her ears from birth. She is the only one of my kids to get it. It covered the top of her scalp and her ears - inside, outside, behind - everywhere.
I cleaned her ears daily with a wet cloth and my fingers, getting all the crust off her ears. It would cake up if left, especially behind her ears, so daily cleaning was a must. On her ear lobe it was easy to pick off.
For the top of her head I used (and still use) Johnson's Baby Hair Oil. I just put a small amount in my hand, then apply it gently with my fingertips. Because of the soft spots, it is important to be gentle when cleaning off cradle cap. Allow the oil to sit and loosen the cradle cap for a half hour or so, then remove by gently rubbing with a baby hair brush, using a circular motion all over the head until it all comes off. Wash the hair afterwards with shampoo.
You may be tempted to use your nails to clean it off, but I know from experience that doing so scratches the baby's head and seems to hurt more than using the brush. Make sure you are using a baby brush with soft bristles and not an adult one with hard ones.
In Scarlett's case it took several months before her ears no longer had any cradle cap on them. She still has some on the top of her head, in lesser quantities than before, so it is going down. But it will be some time before it is totally gone. For most children, it clears up by age three, but for some it continues up to six or seven.

If you do decide to get your baby's ears pierced, I'd recommend doing it earlier instead of later. The longer you wait and the older the baby is, the harder it will be to get it done. If you want to wait for her to choose when she is older, then wait. But if you want it done, then do it early. I actually waited a little too long with Scarlett(though I didn't really have a choice). She plays with the piercings at times and that can hinder the healing, whereas a younger baby won't do that because they can't. I had Lila's done at 6 months and she never touched them.
Everyone has their own idea of what should be done for them to heal properly. I used to use rubbing alcohol for cleaning the piercing, but read somewhere that it actually hinders healing by destroying the tissue instead of healing it. Here in India they recommend coconut oil, but I never tried that. Instead I use the most common thing for cleaning any open cut or sore that actually helps it to heal - water.
I have found - from cleaning my own piercings to Lila's and now Scarlett's - that just running some clear water over the piercing daily and turning them at the same time helps them to heal well with no infection. A piercing is like any open wound - touch it with dirty hands and it will get infected, so make sure your hands are clean before touching, or else do it when bathing your baby. That is actually the easiest time to do it, and it really only needs to be done once a day. Make sure to rotate the earrings so that the ear doesn't heal onto them.

What do you think about early ear piercing, yea or nay?

Baby Needs, Part 1

2011-08-17T22:10:00.004+05:30

Shopping for your new baby before it comes is lots of fun. There are so many things out there that you could get, some important and necessary, others that are nice to have, and yet others that are perfectly useless yet are sold as something you just "have to have". How do you this important job of preparing for your newborn without ending up with a lot of clutter and an empty wallet?

The secret lies in having a list and a plan.

Before you enter that shop with all those adorable baby items that call to you, take some time to plan. Are you setting up a whole nursery, or just a corner of your own bedroom? Are you expecting one or two or more babies? Do you know the baby's sex? What is your budget? Sit down and make a list with these questions, plus any more you may have, then make your list.

But if this is your first baby, you may be clueless about what you really need right away, what can wait until later, and what you won't need at all. Below I've written some lists of things you will want to get before your baby comes, based on my personal experience.

Equipment: Immediate
- Crib - Even if you plan on having your baby sleep with you, get a crib from the beginning. That way, you can put your baby there during nap times. Especially as they get older, it is safer for them to sleep in a crib to avoid falls off your bed.
- Car seat - try to get one that you can use past the newborn stage so that it will last longer.
- Stroller - very useful if you plan on lots of outings. Some have detachable carry seats for newborns. When you get it, think about how you plan on using it. Strollers come in varying qualities and strengths, so think about if you will use it for long walks, carrying groceries (like I do), exercising, or just short strolls.

Equipment: Later
- Highchair - You won't need this until your baby is able to sit up, somewhere around 6 months or so. With Logan and Lila I used a booster seat that has a detachable tray and it ties on to a regular chair. Lila is still using it now and Scarlett has a regular highchair.
- Walker - I've writen what I think about walkers here.

Equipment: Optional
- Carrier - this is very useful and practical when your baby is small and light. You can use it indoors or out. There are many styles to choose from.
- Bouncer - a bouncer is nice for the first few months when you need a place to put your baby and they can rock in it.
- Changing table - this can be useful if you have back problems and bending is difficult. Some also have a bath attachment. I never used one. Instead, I changed the baby on my bed and gave them sponge baths on the bed until I was able to bend.
- Bath tub - I used one once I was able to bend post-delivery and hold the baby up. It is also useful for when baby is able to sit up alone and play, especially if you only have a shower stall. Of course, you could also use a regular tub and a bath seat instead.

Clothes
Babies grow rapidly in the first six months of life, so if you are able to get used items instead of new ones, you will save a lot of money. Don't turn down offers from friends and relatives. Buy on discount if you can. Baby clothes cost as much as adult clothes, but will use them for less time than you would, so only buy new what you absolutely must. Also, buy unisex unless you already know the baby's sex.
With all my kids I had people give me clothes. When Logan was born I had nothing, but within the first week, bags started showing up from all over the place. Lila was the most well dressed. She had so many clothes that she outgrew many of them before she had a chance to wear them. I've had to buy the most new things for Scarlett, but I also saved whatever was still nice of what Lila had outgrown. Do hang on to things if you plan on more kids. It will save you money in the long run.
Some of my personal favorite clothing items for babies are one-piece items, jumpsuits, pajamas, etc. They are comfortable, easy to wear, and practical. Always think practical when buying baby clothes. Think comfort.

For your newborn you will need:
- Onesies - in hot weather they are a complete outfit and in cold weather they are a layer of warmth. Buy cotton cause it breathes better than polyester. You will need a good amount on hand, especially if you are using cloth diapers.
- Pajamas - get the ones that snap up with the covered feet. Newborn ones often have an extra piece at the wrist to cover the hands, or else they come with mittens.
- Mittens - a few pairs. They are not just for warmth, but to keep baby from scratching himself in those early weeks when the nails are still fused to the finger and you can't clip them.
- Warm hat - needed for newborns and those born in winter.
- Socks
- Booties - for extra warmth

These are the best items for newborns. Save outfits with tops and bottoms for when they are older.

To be continued... click here for part 2

Cloth or Disposable?

2011-08-07T16:48:00.005+05:30

One thing every new mommy puts a lot of thought into is diapers. After all, they are going to be an integral part of your life for a few years or more, depending, of course, on how often you have a baby.
Eventually the question comes: which is best, cloth or disposable? What should I use? You research, ask other mommies, get a list of pros and cons, and each person's reason why you should use one or the other - and you are still no closer to making a choice.
Here is the reality: the option you choose really depends on you, your lifestyle, whether you will be home with your baby or they will be at daycare, your finances, your preferences, etc. When it comes down to it, you have to find what works for you, and it may take some experimenting until you find what you are comfortable with.
When Logan was born I chose to use cloth diapers because they are more cost-effective, but I quickly discovered that, while they worked during the day, I hated him being wet for so many hours at night, and there was no way I was going to change diapers in the night. So I decided that I would use disposables at night and cloth during the day since I was home most of the time.

Here is how it works for me now:
- Cloth at home during the day.
- Cloth if going out for no more than 1 1/2 hours, close to home (ie, the park, that way should I need to change it urgently, I can go home easily, though this has never happened).
- Disposables for outings longer than 1 1/2 hours, or if we are driving where we are going.
- Disposables at night and during sickness, fevers, etc.

I have also found it more practical to use disposables when the weather is cooler, since cool weather makes a baby wet more often and usually their clothes get wet too. I used to get frustrated when Logan got his clothes wet and I had to change his full outfit several times a day during cold weather, because he would go through outfits so fast and laundry doesn't dry so quickly when it is rainy or cold (no dryers available here).

These are the plastic pants.
Inside I put a cloth diaper.
Scarlett at 5 months.

The only good plastic pants I've found are ones that close with velcro but don't have elastic around the legs. These are perfect in hot weather (what we have 99% of the time) and I use them a lot, so it isn't such a big deal cost-wise for me to use disposables when things cool off.

If you want to use cloth diapers, look around and see what is available locally. Ask mommies who use them what they recommend. Every country is different in what they have available, which is why I'm not recommending any particular brand. What I use is most likely not available anywhere else. :)

For disposables I like Pampers. For one thing, they are the cheapest of the good quality brands I can find here, and for another, they work as advertised. Try different brands if you like, then stick with what works best for you. I have tried other brands in a pinch but always come back to Pampers.

I usually start with disposables for about the first two months to give myself some time to adjust to a new baby and have one less job (diaper washing), then switch to cloth when I am ready. It always made those first months easier.

What have you found that works for you?

Those Little Worriesome Things ...

2011-07-27T22:16:00.005+05:30

Yesterday I was reading a post over at Literal Mom that got me thinking. It was about how as new moms we tend to make a big deal over unimportant issues regarding our babies, thus making it obvious that we are "baby" or inexperienced moms.

At the end she asked people to share their experiences, what their worries were as new moms and how they think about the same issues now. I answered, then gave it some more thought. I realised that new or soon-to-be-new moms have lots of fears and worries, and that perhaps if I share some of the ones I faced, it may help you be a little more prepared.
Before I had kids, I worked as a fulltime nanny/caregiver/teacher for two adorable rascals, one boy and one girl, 7 weeks apart in age. I spent almost 3 years with them, from the time they were babies, and thought I knew what to expect when I had my own. Well, I knew the basics, but nothing can prepare you for the worries you face with your own child. Why? Well, when you care for someone elses child, your concerns stop with your workday. Their parents have full concern and responsibility for them; you don't.
Like every other new mom out there, I was unprepared to face fears and worries when Logan was born. So many small things can scare you if you aren't aware of them. My goal now is to try to help you alay those fears so you can feel a little more in control with your baby.
Ok, so here goes. Some of the things I worried about when I had Logan ... well, I have to admit I worried that he would even be born. I had a rather unstable pregnancy, spotting monthly from the third month on. (See the page Logan's Story for more details.)
Once he was born, new worries surfaced.

- I used to worry that I might smother him while I was sleeping since he was so tiny.

Logan's first time in a cart.

- I vowed that I would never turn my back on him in public, even for a second. (Once when he was 7 or 8 months old, we were shopping and he was sitting in the cart. My husband came from parking the car and took Logan out of the cart and walked a distance away where I couldn't see them in the short 2 seconds I had my back turned. Scared the hell out of me, thinking he had been stolen.)

- I never let him play on the floor unless I had just swept and mopped it.

- I made sure he never put anything from the floor in his mouth. I kept his bottles and pacifiers sterilized and his toys off the floor.
- I made sure everything he touched was clean, and that if it wasn't clean, he didn't touch it.

Fast forward 3 1/2 years. I have two more babies and find said fears slipping away. I do remember that around the time Scarlett was born, I read an article about the dangers of letting a baby sleep on their tummy. It scared me so bad that for weeks I only put her on her side or back, but it wasn't until I remembered that Logan and Lila had both slept that way as small babies that my fear subsided. Why it hit me after 3 kids I don't know. I guess we are vulnerable to fears no matter how many kids we have.

But we also reach a point where we see that most of these worries and fears are just that - things that we don't actually need to stress over. Now, with Scarlett, she plays on the floor all day long, even though I only sweep daily and mop (at best) twice a week. She regularly finds stuff on the floor to put in her mouth and I just keep pulling it out, but I don't freak out. Actually, all my kids will pick up and eat food they drop on the floor, even on the balcony (but I draw the line at stuff that falls on the ground outside). They have yet to get sick from such things.

I stopped sterilizing stuff for her after about 3 months, she plays with the older kids toys that haven't been washed in forever. She has even chewed bugs and, worst of all, poop. But I think all babies try that at least once. I'm sure Logan and Lila did too, I just can't remember it.

As for the other worries, well, I have never smothered my babies and all of them have slept in my bed. I found that letting them sleep on their tummies allowed them to sleep longer, since when on their backs they would jerk their arms and legs and wake themselves up.

I still don't let them out of my sight for long in public, but I don't freak out about it like I used to. You can never be too careful with your child in public. Here in India, kidnappings for ransom or sale is all too common, especially with children who have such fair skin like mine do. I read about such things in the papers all the time. I do still worry if I can't see where they have hidden themselves while at the park right away, or if they run around the corner, will they still be there when I get there. It happens. I shouldn't be too hard on myself and think that now I should never worry about them at all.

As mommies, we will probably worry about our kids for the rest of our lives. But we can make sure that if we have to worry, it is about important things and not little things best left alone. So if you find yourself worrying, stop and think, is this something I really need to worry about or not? It will save you a lot of stress and your sanity in the long run.

What worries do you have (or did have) and how are you facing them?

Toddler Foods - Home Made Ice Cream

2011-07-23T15:53:00.002+05:30

Something that is both delicious and healthy. I call it ice cream but it is really frozen yoghurt.

400 ml. plain yoghurt
1 cup of fruit - banana, mango, papaya; anything that blends smooth and doesn't have seeds.
sugar to taste
for banana ice cream I've also added a little vanilla and cinnamon

- Blend all ingredients together. You could omit the sugar if you want, or substitute it with honey, though I've never tried it so I don't know if it would change the consistency.
- Freeze in a shallow pan, plastic container, or ice cube tray.
- When frozen, break into small chunks or dump ice cubes and put in blender. Add a bit of milk and blend until smooth.
- The finished consistency is that of a milkshake. If you want it more solid just return it to the freezer until set.
- Another idea I had was, after reblending it, to pour it into popsicle molds and freeze. It would probably work too.

And a warning, kids. Mommies like this too and may eat it all before you get a chance. I know I did. ;)

Got some tips for making this better? Tell me about them in the comments.

Beginning Solids. pt.2

2011-07-23T14:11:00.004+05:30

Picking up where we left off...(pt. 1 is here)

Though banana is the first solid food I like to introduce, you could also try avocado, or any fruit that is easy to mash or blend.
Babies are only used to liquid at this point, so you may want to liquify the food at first by mixing in some breast milk or a little water. That way they can swallow it easier. But I have to admit I've never done that. I usually either mash the banana super well with a fork or my fingers, and give it like that, or mix it with yoghurt.
Some people are against mixing foods together, saying your child won't get used to the individual taste of the foods. I feel it is a personal decision. You can always start out offering each one separately and mix them later once you know they like both.
One thing you do have to be prepared for is the possibility of your baby having a reaction to the food. Certain foods can cause alergic reactions in babies simply because their bodies aren't mature enough to assimilate it. Some foods you should avoid when just starting out are egg whites, tomatos, nuts and nut butters (especially peanut butter), chocolate, and cow's milk. If alergies run in your family, it would be wise to get your doctor's advice on foods to avoid. Children will often outgrow alergies over time, but don't take any chances.
I always read that you should wait a week between introducing different foods, but I have never stuck to this too rigidly. I did wait on the above-mentioned foods until my babies were over a year and have never had any alergic reactions with them. (Though you have this to consider with milk.) The older the baby is when you start, the less chance you have of them having a reaction to a certain food. And now I think that if foods are offered in the correct order, the chance of alergies diminishes.
I like to start with fruits (banana, papaya, mango, and apple are favorites here) and yoghurt , then veggies (potato, carrot, any that you cook for a short time in a small amount of water, then mash up with the water to retain the vitamins). By 8 - 10 months (once the lateral incisors are through), I start giving them eggs and meats (chicken, beef, fish). Soft meat like liver is good, or you can blend the meat into a paste with a baby food grinder. You may find, however, that your baby will eat it just fine when it is offered in small pieces. I used to give cooked cereals at this time but after reading that article on teeth and digestive juices (see pt.1 of this post), I am holding off for Scarlett. Once they are ready for them, you can give the cereal as is, or blend the grain into a powder and cook in a little water/milk to make it smoother. Oatmeal is a good first cereal.

Lila at 8 1/2 months old.

By the time my babies reach their first birthday, they eat almost all of what I cook for us, with very little being omitted. Since a good portion of what I cook uses Indian spices, I start by preparing their food separately, then slowly allowing them a little with the spices (usually mixed with some yoghurt) until they don't mind the spice and digest it well. I don't make the food too hot, so they get used to it quickly. Actually, most Asian diets are full of spicy food and children get used to it at an early age. We westerners are the ones who eat more bland food and worry about children having even a little spice. My kids love both.
Once you start your baby on solids, you will need to offer them water to aid in digestion. When they are only breastfeeding water isn't necessary, unless you live in a place as hot as I do. There are times when I know Scarlett isn't hungry, just thirsty, and she will guzzle water from her bottle until satisfied. When Logan was a baby we lived in a cooler climate so he hardly ever touched water, but both Lila and Scarlett started it early since they were born into this heat.
You can either use a regular bottle or offer a sippy cup with water at mealtime. Either one seems to work fine; it is just personal preferrence.

In summary:
- Babies don't need solids until after they get their first tooth, but if the teeth show up early, wait until they are at least 6 months old.
- First introductions are just to get baby used to the taste and feel of solids. Breastmilk should still be their main food.
- Start with fruits and veggies, then proteins, and finally, grains.
- Be cautious when introducing known alergy-causing foods, and watch for any reaction. Avoid them if alergies run in your family.
- Offer your baby water once they start solids.

What tips do you have for introducing solids?

Beginning Solids

2011-07-17T13:58:00.003+05:30

Starting your baby on solids is always an adventure, and I've learned a lot about it from my own 3. Scarlett is now 8 months old, and while she has had some solids off and on, she isn't yet regularly eating meals of solids. Instead, most days she will have one meal of something like fruit or yoghurt, and breastfeed for the rest.
Breast milk is still the most important food for a baby. It is made for their digestive system, and your body adjusts the nutrients in the milk to meet your baby's specific needs. This is why you have to continue a nutricious diet while breastfeeding.
A baby will begin to show interest in solids somewhere around 6 months old. There is no rush to introduce food so don't worry if your baby isn't interested by then. Usually this coinsides with the arrival of the first teeth, which usually happens around 6 months but not always. Scarlett got her first two teeth at 3 1/2 months, but a baby's digestive system is not mature enough to handle solids until after 6 months, so it is best to not give it to them before this age.
Something interesting I read recently on another mommy blog said that each tooth brings with it certain digestive juices, so foods should be introduced in a certain order depending on which teeth your baby has, but not before 6 months. Here is the order: central incisiors - fruits and veggies; lateral incisors - proteins; molars and canines - grains.

She says:

I'm sure many of you are wondering why teeth show food readiness. The eruption of teeth produces saliva with contains digestive enzymes and this generally happen along the same time line as digestion and intestinal development of necessary enzymes. If you are feeding your baby grains before they have the necessary enzymes to digest the grains properly your baby's body will not digest or only partial digest the grains leading to intestinal trouble and possible allergies.

Read her whole post here.

The first time you give your baby solid food, you are not trying to fill their tummy. Rather, you are just introducing the taste and feel of food to them. I like to use my fingers for their first taste of food since they are softer than a spoon. You could get a rubber tipped spoon for later feeding. My favorite first food is banana. I mush it with my fingers and put a tiny amount in the baby's mouth, just a taste.

To be continued... click here

Toddler Foods - Baby Pancakes

2011-07-16T15:58:00.003+05:30

Toddlers can be picky eaters, and as concerned mommies we try everything to get even just a bite into them. Thankfully my kids have been good eaters from the beginning and enjoy foods that many small kids won't eat, simply because I gave it to them from a young age, but there are still times when even my good eaters get picky.

One of the most common times for them to get picky is when they are tired, like at lunch time right before their nap. The solution for me has been to serve them foods I know they like and will polish off. Unless they are sick, it is rare for a child to reject a favorite food. (I'm only referring to healthy food here, not junk food or candy.)

Logan and Lila both love fruit of any kind, yoghurt, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks or slices, dried fruits and nuts, and chickpeas. Those are foods that I can fall back on if they are tired and fussy and don't want what I am serving.

Another special food that almost never fails is pancakes. Not packaged mixes, but home made healthy ones. I find it easy to whip up a batch of these at a moments notice. They keep well in the fridge for a few days (if they aren't eaten before that). The secret is to make them small, and I mean not bigger than 1 1/2 in. in diameter. You could even make them smaller too. Kids love small things for some reason. Mine call these baby pancakes and will eat several this size in one sitting. If I make them regular size and cut them up, they just don't have the same appeal.

Small, like this.

Wanna know how to make them? Ok, I never measure my ingredients, so the following is just a rough idea based on years of baking experience.

Baby Banana Pancakes

In a bowl mix together:
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon (less if you don't like it so much)
1/4 tsp. each of nutmeg, cloves, and ginger
1/2 cup sugar

Give the dry ingredients a stir, then add:
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 lg. mashed banana
1/4 cup oil
enough milk to make it a pancake batter consistency

Mix together, adding more milk or water until you have a good pancake consistency. Cook over low heat until bubbles form on top, then flip. To get the small size you can drop tablespoonfulls onto the pan. I usually get 4 at a time on the pan.

You can add anything you want to this basic recipe: rasins, nuts (chopped small or ground for safety), shreadded coconut, milk powder, wheat germ, chopped dry fruit, instant oats, etc. basically anything healthy or nutricious.

I've also made a chocolate version by adding a 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and eliminating the banana and spices. You may need to add some more sugar and increase the liquid a little. I've tried this one with a tablespoon of peanut butter added for chocolate peanut butter pancakes. It's great too.

The main idea with pancakes is you can add things that are nutricious so that your child is getting something healthy in an enjoyable format that they are likely to eat.

If Only I Wasn't So Tired...

2011-07-15T06:39:00.003+05:30

One thing I never expected when I became a mommy was to be tired all the time. I feel like I never get enough sleep, can never get enough. Now that Logan goes to school and has to be up by a set time, I try to get up earlier so that I can have some time to wake up slowly, coffee in hand, and do something personal so that I feel I am getting some time to myself before the demands of the day start.
I wish I had an answer for this problem but I don't. If you have never known what it is like to be really tired, have always gotten enough rest, then be warned: you will no longer know what it is like to feel rested once you become a mommy.
First, it will be the unpredictible schedule of your newborn that will exhaust you. You will wonder if you will ever sleep again as you wake up multiple times a night to feed and care for your tiny bundle. As baby gets older, you may get more rest when baby sleeps longer at night, but it will never be enough.
If you are blessed with one of those rare babies who sleeps through the night from an early age, enjoy it. It may not last forever. Of my three, only Scarlett slept through the night for any length of time, and it only lasted about 6 weeks from when she was 2 1/2 months until 4 months old.
Sickness, teething, and frequent needing to feed will keep you up more than you knew was humanly possible. Lila used to nurse so much at night I had a hard time telling when one feed ended and the next began.
As they get older, you will still not get enough sleep. Your child may go to bed at a decent hour but you will find yourself using those hours in the evening to catch up on things like folding laundry, washing dishes, or even just trying to relax a little before you sleep.
Even if they have their own room, be prepared to find your child in your bed, sometimes all night. One way to ensure a little more sleep with your baby is to keep their bed in your room. That way, you can just lie there and fall asleep while you breastfeed. Some mommies prefer their baby to sleep with them for the same reason. I like a little space, and I always worry about the baby rolling off the bed (though it has never happened in the night) so if I'm awake when the baby finishes nursing I do move her back to her bed, but more often than not, she ends up sleeping with me the rest of the night.
Logan and Lila both climb into my bed at night, sometimes multiple times. It can get crowded and uncomfortable to have 5 people in the same bed. I've woken up to find one next to me on either side and one at my feet. How my husband can sleep through it is beyond me.
Currently, I wake up at 6:30 a.m. and am rarely in bed before midnight. Sometimes I am able to squeeze in a short nap after lunch when all 3 kids are down, and that helps a little, but I get the feeling that I won't know complete rest until my kids are grown and living on their own.

How do you manage without enough sleep?

Calming Tears

2011-06-25T08:12:00.006+05:30

All babies have times when their fussiness goes beyond just being hungry or tired or bored. Sometimes they won't settle down, no matter what we try. At times like that, our nerves get frazzled and we tend to stress out because we don't know what is wrong or how to help our baby calm down.
There are many things that can happen to upset a baby that we won't be aware of, simply because they can't tell us what is wrong. Whether it is teething, stomach ache, colic, abdominal pain, or general discomfort like clothes that are too tight.
The first thing to try is to see if there is any outside physical reason your baby is crying. Check her diaper and change if needed. Make sure her clothes are comfortable, not too tight anywhere or hot or itchy. Make sure she has not gotten hurt anywhere.
Next, see if she is hungry. A growing baby will at times deviate from their daily schedule and want to nurse more frequently.
Next, is she due for a nap? When did she sleep last and for how long?
Is she just plain bored and in need of a change of scenery or toys? You could try a walk in the yard and see if that helps.
If none of this makes her stop crying, then the problem could be internal. But before you freak out and run to the doctor, I would suggest you try giving her gripe water.
Before I had kids, I had never even heard of it. Gripe water is a liquid concoction made of herbs that is soothing for the stomach and body. Here in India it is well known. Every mother swares by it.
When Logan was a newborn and screamed a lot, someone recommended I try it. I was hesitant at first since I was not familiar with it, but what amazed me was how fast it worked. Literally within seconds of him taking it, he would calm down. I have used it with both Lila and Scarlett and I am continually amazed by its rapid effectiveness.
The brand most common here is Woodward's and that is the one I use. The brand itself is British, but is localy made. In the Wikipedia article that follows, they say that brand originally had alcohol in it, but the one I have is non-alcoholic. One of the other links said Indian-made brands have cocane in them. I don't know about that or if it is even true. I doubt it. In some countries paediatricians don't recommend it. I don't know why as it is effective.
Anyway, there does seem to be some debate about it, mostly between people in coutries where it is commonly used and those where it is not. My husband says his mother gave it to him daily until he was 5 or so. I only use it when needed. Scarlett was teething recently and it worked wonders when she wouldn't stop crying. I would suggest having a bottle on hand along with a medicine dropper, and give it when you feel it is needed. It worked for me. It may work for you too.

Here are a few links with reference to it:

Wikipedia

Babyslumber.com

Beneficial or not?

Do you use gripe water? How has it worked for you?

When God Created Mothers

2011-06-22T00:14:00.003+05:30

This is one of my favorite writeups about mothers. I found it here.

When the good Lord was creating Mothers ... He was into His sixth day of "overtime." An angel appeared and said, "You're sure doing a lot of fiddling around on this one!"

God nodded and said, "Yes, but have you read the specs on this order? She has to be completely washable, but not made of plastic.

She has to have 180 moveable parts ... all replaceable.

She'll have to run on black coffee and leftovers.

She'll need a lap that disappears when she stands up.

She'll have to have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped finger to a disappointed love affair. She will also need six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands? ... No way!"

"It is not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord. "It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded and said, "One pair is to see through closed doors when she asks, "What are you kids doing in there?" ... although she'll already know.

She needs another pair here in the back of her head that can see the things she shouldn't have to, but things that she has to know.

And of course, she'll need a set of eyes here in front that will be able to look at a child when he goofs up. Those eyes will be able to say, "I understand and I love you," without even muttering a word."

"Lord," said the angel touching God's sleeve gently, "You had better go to bed. Tomorrow ..."

"I can't," interrupted the Lord. "I'm so close now to creating something that is so much like myself, that I just can't stop.

I've already created one who can ... heal herself when she is sick, feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger, and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower."

Slowly, the angel circled and carefully looked at the model of a Mother. "It's too soft!" the angel sighed.

"But she's tough!" said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this mother will be able to do or the things that she will be able to endure."

The angel asked, "Can she think?"

"Not only can she think, but she will be able to reason and compromise," said the Creator.

Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the mother. "There's a leak in her!" the angel pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear!"

"What's it for?" asked the angel.

The Lord said, "It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, love and pride."

"Wow! You're a genius!" said the angel.

The Lord looked somber and said, "But I didn't put it there!"

Better Safe Than Sorry

2011-06-15T13:51:00.004+05:30

Safety is a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately. Ever since Lila (current age 2 years, 1 1/2 months old) drank turpentine thinking it was water, I've been keeping my eyes open for more potential hazards.
Every house has them, yet as adults we know they are dangerous and avoid them. We rarely, if ever, think about these things as dangerous, and many times it is not until our child gets hurt that we become aware of them again.
A child will taste something out of curiosity; they don't know it is not edible so they put it in their mouth. This is something a baby or toddler has to do to learn about the world around them. Their taste buds are more sensitive than the nerves in their fingertips, so they learn about an object faster through tasting it. The only problem is, they can't yet taste the difference between something that is edible and something that is not.
Start by keeping all poisonous items out of reach. If you use it to clean the house, your car, your laundry, or to kill pests, it is poisonous. The degree of danger varies with each item - some will only cause stomach upset, alergic reaction or vomiting - others can be fatal. These kinds of products are generally labled as dangerous and will often tell you what to do if swallowed, but don't count on it. If you have a poison control center in your area, then keep the number next to your phone (or in your mobile, labled as such) so that you can call for help quickly if need be. The best thing you can do, though, is to keep these items out of your child's reach at all times.
Look for other hazards in your house and do what you can to fix or remove them. Sometimes it can help to crawl around the house yourself so you can see things from your child's eye view. If they grab that ledge to stand up, is it safe? Will they hit their head or eye on it while standing up? Is it loose? Could it fall off? Ask yourself these kinds of questions as you go from room to room and make a list of what you need to either fix, cover, hide or remove to ensure your child's safety.
You should always know where you baby is playing at all times. With a toddler or fast crawler this can be harder, but is so important. See Random Safety Tips for a list of other things to be aware of with small children.

Growing, Growing, All the Time

2011-06-08T09:30:00.004+05:30

Ok, here is a little something fun that I heard about once upon a time and though I'd share with you.
Have you ever wanted to know how tall your child will be when they grow up? Well here is a way you can find out. Of course, nothing is 100% accurate, but mothers who have done this say it is fairly accurate.
Maybe you have heard that by the age of 2, a person is half their adult height. Admitedly, the average 2 year old doesn't look all that tall, but if you were to measure them you'd see. Lila was 35 1/2 inches on her second birthday, 1/2 an inch short of 3 feet. 6 feet is a rough average for most adults, so you could say she has reached half her adult height.
So here's how it works. You have to measure your child - girls at age 2 and boys at 2 1/2 years. Then you double the measurement and you have it, their estimated adult height.

Random Safety Tips

2011-05-31T07:44:00.006+05:30

Safety - it is so important with children, yet is so easy to take for granted. I know I do it sometimes. Even though I know something, I will ignore it, thinking the worst will never happen. As mommies, we can never be too careful with our children. This doesn't mean we should freak out at the slightest thing, but we should always be on the lookout for dangers in order to protect those in our care.
Yesterday I was playing with the children on the roof. Scarlett had been in the walker for a while but got fussy, so I picked her up and was following the other two around as they ran from one side to the other. While standing by the edge looking over, out of habit I made sure to hold the baby away from the edge and that got me thinking: how many things do I do that are good safety rules to remember that others may not be aware of?
So here is a list of safety tips, in no particular order.

- Always check when closing a door that your child doesn't have her fingers there. Often children will stick their fingers where the hinges are and get them jamed there.

- When on a balcony, roof, or any place that is above the ground, never hold your baby near or over the edge. It is too easy for a child to wiggle and be dropped.
Before we covered the rails...

- If you have a balcony where your child plays (or even if they don't) make sure the rails are not wide enough for them to get their head through. Our balcony has gaps large enough for my kids to just slip through, so when we moved here, we had the whole thing covered with a plastic-coated wire mesh, so that they can still look down but can't fall.

And after...

- Put the crib down to its lowest level as soon as your baby can pull up into a standing position, otherwise they could fall out of the crib.

- Don't let a child play around your feet when cooking. They could trip you and you could drop a pot or hot food on them. A baby could watch from their highchair, or a toddler could sit at the table if they must be near you. Otherwise, it is safest for them to not be in the kitchen, especially near the stove, while you are cooking.

- If your baby is big enough to stand up in her highchair, make sure to strap her in. Otherwise she could stand up and fall.
Logan's trucks.

- Only buy safe toys for your baby. A safe toy is one that does not come apart into small pieces that could easily be swallowed, can be tasted without paint coming off, doesn't have any sharp edges. Fisher Price makes safe baby toys that don't break. Logan has had some trucks since he was tiny that have been dropped, banged, thrown, sat on and stepped on, but have never even cracked.
If you have an older child who has smaller toys (i.e. Lego, doll acessories), make sure they put them out of the baby's reach when they are done playing, or play with them somewhere the baby can't get to - a bed, table, etc.

- Watch out for anything with a string attached, skipping ropes, belts, plastic bags, balloons, cleaning supplies, medicines, vitamins, matches.

- Since a baby puts EVERYTHING in their mouth, check your floors daily. Don't asume they won't try it. Choking is something that can happen when you least expect it, so be aware and on guard at all times. If it fits in their mouth, they will try it. Watch out for coins, nuts, hard candies, seeds, small toys, etc.
When you are out, watch what other people give them. Some people don't know that hard candy can be dangerous for children (I have a hard time with it myself since it can't be chewed) and they give it to them, thinking they will make the child happy. My kids know that if someone gives it to them, they should give it to me right away. And if your todder really wants it, exchange it for something safer, like a piece of chocolate or a soft candy. (Or else just don't give your child candy and they won't know the difference. Logan never knew what it was, so he always gave it to me.)

- Staircases can be fun to climb but so dangerous to fall on. Have a safety gate in place to keep adventurous crawlers and climbers off of them, but do also teach them how to go up and down safely. The earlier you teach this, the better. You can teach your baby how to crawl down feet first, and when they start walking, how to hold the rail to go up and down.

- Watch out for edges of furniture and corners. If they fall on it, they could seriously injure themselves. You can put foam padding on corners, and store anything that could break (like that lovely glass coffee table) until they are older. Also, teach your child to look when standing up, especially if they like to play under the table, so they learn to not hit their heads all the time.

- Once your child is able to open doors on her own (usually around two years) you may find it necessary to lock doors you don't want your curious toddler opening. You can put a lock on the outside of any door, high enough that they can't get it. Be aware that if you often climb on chairs to reach things, they will try the same, so put the lock well out of reach. And don't just lock rooms that could be dangerous. Put it on any door (including closets) that you don't want them to open. For low cupboards you may need locks that need a key to open, or special child-proof locks.
I've heard of people who had older children (3-5 years) who would open the front door at night and get out. If your child tries this, you will need a high lock on all house exits, something that they can't open.

- If you can't lock things up, then put any item you don't want them to touch out of reach. It will save you from having to say no 1,000 times a day.

- Sharp items (knives, scissors, nail files, etc.) should always be kept out of reach.

- Teach your child road safety early. You don't have to wait until they go to school; start when they learn how to walk by holding their hands when crossing the street, etc.

Weaning

2011-05-29T17:45:00.003+05:30

The time will eventually come when you will either need or want to wean your child. There are so many viewpoints on this, how to do it, what age is best, and so on. Everyone has their own opinion so I won't get into that. Instead, I will just tell you what worked for me.

I got preganant with Lila when Logan was only 9 months old. I kept on nursing him as long as I could, but by the time I was 2 months along, I knew I had to wean him. My body felt as if there was something permanently sucking my energy and ability to do anything. I was drained 24/7. I didn't feel better until Logan was weaned.
It is possible to continue to breastfeed your first during your pregnancy and even nurse both children after your delivery, but it is not for everyone. If this is something you want to try, I'd advise you to reasearch it well, but in the end, listen to your body. You will know if you can do it or not.
Back to Logan: When he was 11 months old, I slowly introduced him to the bottle. At this time he was already eating solids well, having meals with nursing inbetween. He liked food and ate well, so the bottle was mainly for nightime and before naps.
I didn't feel he needed formula, since he ate such a variety of food already, so I opted to give him milk in the day and yougurt and banana at night.(Cow's milk should be introduced slowly, because in young children, it can cause alergies and constipation. My kids are not alergic but Lila did experience the constipation caused by too much too fast. Be careful.)
I gave Logan milk twice daily in 4 oz. bottles, slowly increasing the amount as he got used to it. At first I had to focus on replacing the nursing with the bottle. Sometimes he would nurse a little and then take the bottle, but by his first birthday, he was completely weaned off the breast. At night, I gave him 2 8 oz. bottles of yoghurt and banana. I gave him this cause I felt he was too hungry in the night and that was why he woke up so much. Later I realised that the banana wasn't needed so I eliminated it when he was 13 months old.
To make these bottles I would mash a banana, mix it with about 6 oz. of yoghurt, and top it with water. They had to be shaken well to mix and then kept in the fridge until he needed them. The problem was that I had to make an extra large hole in the nipple to allow for the banana to pass through, and if he fell asleep without finishing it, it would leak all over. So I don't recommend doing it with the banana. I didn't do it for Lila and she was fine at night with just the yoghurt.
Shortly before Lila was born, I decided Logan no longer needed his nighttime bottles, so I slowly got him off of them by each night, replacing one ounce of yoghurt with water. Then after he was off the first bottle I did the second. Once he was off the yoghurt, he kept having water at night, but I let him have water bottles too long, until after he was 2. He didn't need so much water in the night and because of this, his diaper would leak. When I took the bottles away and gave him water in a cup when he woke up, he started sleeping so much better at night, and eventually slept through the night.
Lila also had to be weaned early, but being a food-loving Tarus, it took longer with her. She didn't take to the bottle as easily as Logan had, especially at night, but I had to persist. She also took longer to be weaned from her night bottles. Logan was weaned off them by 17 months, but I think Lila was almost 20 months when she was weaned. Every child is different. She would scream and freak out if I didn't give her the bottle, keeping all of us up in the night, so in her case, it was better to go slow. After a rough first try, I waited a few weeks and tried again, and she accepted with no fuss.
I also gave her too much milk too fast. Wearas Logan tolerated it well by 12 months, Lila had problems with getting constipated until she was at least 14 months. Her body just took longer to adjust to milk, so I gave her more yoghurt and less milk until she didn't get constipated any more.

My plan with Scarlett will be to breastfeed her for as long as possible. Since I can no longer get pregnant (I had a tubal ligation with Scarlett's delivery), I hope to continue until she is at least 15 months, but we'll see. Maybe she won't even need to take bottles.

So to sum this up:

- The age at which you wean your child is up to you, when both you and baby are ready to quit.
- If you have to wean early, you will need to introduce bottles. Some babies take to the bottle faster than others, so have patience.
- If your child is already eating solids well, you shouldn't need to use formula. But if your baby is still mainly breastfeeding and for some reason you have to quit, find a formula that works for you and is for your baby's age. Babies who aren't regularly eating solids get their main nutrition from their milk and need a good balance of vitamins and minerals. Ask your doctor what they recommend.
- Go slow with weaning. If you go cold turkey, you may get painful breasts and it could lead to infections. I found that slowly replacing one nurse at a time with either a bottle or meal of solids worked for me. By the time they stopped nursing, I had only been giving it once a day so I only had a little milk and never had any problem. Breast milk is produced by demand from your baby, so the less baby nurses, the less milk you will have.
- When you are ready to get your baby off the bottle, slowly replace one ounce of milk, formula, or yoghurt (whichever you are using) with one ounce of water. This dilutes it and gradually they get used to the taste of water and will take that.
- There is no need to continue water bottles at night. If they wake for water, give them some in a cup so that they see it as something different. If you want them to have milk in a cup instead of a bottle, either introduce it early (such as for their daytime milk while weaning) or explain to your older child that they are now big enough for a cup and that bottles are for babies. Of course, you don't want to rush it. Follow your child's lead. Your older toddler could even help you pick a cup to encourage them to use it.
- Make sure that your child is eating solids well before taking their bottles away. On the other hand, if you have a toddler who only wants milk all day and refuses food, you will have to cut the milk down somehow. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works for you.
- Above all, have patience. Weaning can take time, and it can be tempting to rush it when you are newly pregnant, overtired, and just need some sleep. If you have someone who can help you during this time, all the better. But if not, just remind yourself that it won't last forever and that you will succeed.

Walkers - Use and Safety Tips

2011-05-17T15:33:00.006+05:30

Scarlett started using the walker about 10 days ago. She still doesn't go anywhere in it except backwards at times. I know though that it won't be long until she will be racing around the house in it. In case you're wondering, it's normal for a baby to go backwards first and then learn to go forwards. They seem to also do this when learning to crawl.
People have asked me if I think a walker really teaches a baby to walk or if it is just another useless piece of baby equipment that shops try to convince you that you need. Why get it if they will learn to walk anyway, right? I don't think a walker teaches walking at all, but it does give you a place to put the baby where they can sit upright and move about on their own.
Babies need to explore, to move about, and they get frustrated and fussy if they are confined. To give you an example: Logan started using the walker early, at nearly 6 months old. He could barely touch the floor at the lowest setting, but as soon as he learned to move it on his own, he was off. He loved being able to move about on his own and follow me from room to room. He used to do this cute hop with both feet and got to where he could move the walker at lightening speed.

Logan didn't crawl until he was 11 months old. During those months, he was happier in the walker than on the floor. He would get frustrated if he couldn't move around and would fuss a lot. Of course I did put him down at times so he could learn to crawl, and he eventually did figure it out. I still used the walker for him until his first birthday; then he preferred crawling, and learning to stand so he didn't need the walker any more.
For him, the walker made a difference. It kept him happy and gave him greater freedom of movement. I say walkers are useful; just don't expect them to actually teach your baby to walk.

Some tips on walker safety:

- Never use them at the top of a staircase unless you have a safety gate in place, one that will be impossible for your baby to learn to open on his own. Make sure the gate swings toward you instead of down the stairs for extra safety. Even then, know where baby is at all times, just in case someone else was to leave the gate open.

- Make sure that if low cupboards are in the baby's reach, they can't be opened by little fingers, otherwise baby will open them out of curiosity and ram the walker into them, squishing his fingers. The same would apply to any room door when baby is in that room. You can always prop doors open, or else close them to keep baby out.

- If your walker doesn't have an activity tray, you can tie some toys to it. Just make sure you use a strong piece of string, something that will be ok for baby to chew on (such as a tie from a pair of track pants), slip the toys on, and tie securely on the other side. Make sure the string is taut and that baby won't be able to get it over his head; also make sure it is tied securly so that it won't come undone.

- Make sure the walker is locked in position when you change the height level, otherwise it could collapse, injuring your baby.

- Your baby will be able to reach things they couldn't before. Watch out for tablecloths (can be pulled down), electrical plugs (use large pieces of furniture to make inaccessable, or cover with special plastic inserts), and any furniture or ledges that would be at baby's head level. Move up anything that you have on low tables that could be broken or that would be dangerous for baby to play with.

Continuing Breastfeeding

2011-05-14T08:58:00.005+05:30

First part is here.

One of the best things about breastfeeding is that it gives you a close bond with your child. You have to stop to feed baby numerous times a day, so you have to take that time with them. Of course, you have the option of doing something while baby is nursing, if you feel you need to make use of the time. You can read a book, work on a shopping list, check your mail, etc.
There are many things you can do so that you don't feel you are just "sitting there". It is tempting to hurry baby along so you can get back to work, but having something you can do while sitting will keep you occupied and you can allow baby to take his time while feeding. You could also just relax since you have to sit to nurse. You could even lie down and take a little nap while nursing. You know you need it so don't feel bad about it.

For the first 3 or 4 months, you will need to burp your baby during a feed. There is no need to slap baby's back hard; it is best to gently rub baby's back with your hand or lightly pat until the burp comes up. Put baby on your shoulder, making sure to put a cloth there first to catch any spit-up. With a newborn you can also sit him up on your lap, cradling his chin in your hand, rubbing his back with your other hand, until it comes up. You will know baby has a burp when he stops nursing and refuses more, even if it has just been a short time. After burping, he will pick up again and continue until the next burp. Burping the baby is important, otherwise he will be uncomfortable, even in pain, and will cry until you get it up.
When I had Logan, I wasn't sure when to burp him. I always thought he was done, but then he would cry unconsolably and I didn't know what the problem was until someone told me about the need to burp him and not just lie him down when he stopped nursing. Things got easier after that, and by the time Scarlett was born, I automatically knew what to do.
As your baby gets older, he will eventually learn to burp on his own, usually around 4 months but will have to be sitting up to do so. Scarlett often falls asleep while nursing, so I lie her on her tummy. That way, if a burp wakes her, she just has to lift her head and it comes up. She always lies back down and sleeps again. I've seen this many times. On the other hand, if I leave her on her back, or if she rolls over, she screams in pain until I pick her up and she burps. But then she is awake and stays awake, and misses her nap, making her fussy until she can sleep again.

Oh, yes. Don't forget that breastfeeding has an important benefit for you too: weight loss. Lots of the fat your body stored during your pregnancy will be used to make milk over the first few months. You still need a nutricious diet, but be asured that you will lose weight even if you can't exercise yet.

Beginning Breastfeeding

2011-05-11T07:24:00.003+05:30

Deciding to breastfeed your baby is probably one of the best decisions you will ever make for your child. We have all heard that "breast is best", baby will be smarter, etc. But did anyone ever tell you it will hurt like hell when you first start? No? Ok, well, I'm telling you now. It hurts!
You may have seen other mommies nursing their babies and thought, "Well, that doesn't look too bad. I can do that." You get all excited, thinking that when the time comes, you will let your baby nurse as much as he wants cause you want your baby to have the best. And it is the best. But the reality check doesn't hit until you actually begin.
The first time baby latches on and gets that first mouthful, you smile. You observe that tiny mouth working hard to get the milk, the closed eyes, the tiny fist on your breast. You feel like a mother.
The rest of the first day you don't mind nursing whenever baby asks for it. You may even make it through the second day...then again, you may not. At some point the pain is going to kick in, and this isn't just a little pain - it's enough to make you yell. Your nipples will feel like they are on fire each time baby grabs them; you will cry, maybe even wish you had never started.
The good news is, the pain will only last about a week to 10 days, or 2 weeks at the most. Your nipples will toughen to a point that you lose all feeling in them. But what can you do during that time when it hurts so much?
At first, you have to endure, even if you are yelling and crying. I remember pounding the bed with my fist and yelling "ow, ow" until the painful point passed. Yes, it will not hurt the entire time, after about the first 30 seconds, the burn will pass and you won't feel anything, unless baby lets go and you start over.
Since a newborn nurses so frequently, you may reach a point in the day when you say "enough, I'm done". What I did was to keep on hand a jar of formula and use it whenever I needed a few more hours in between. Sometimes the hospital will provide this so that the baby has something to eat while your milk is coming in. If they don't, then have someone get it for you. It won't hurt your baby to have a little formula, and your nipples will thank you for the break.
Eventually the pain will pass and you won't need the formula any more. I always keep some on hand though, mainly for use during outings. Where I live, finding a private place to breastfeed is not easy, and trying to sit and nurse the baby with a sheet over my shoulder while my other two were running off was not practical. It is also extreemly hot here (current temperatures around 40 deg. C) so covering the baby's head would make her sweat, too. So the easy solution was to pack a bottle with the formula measured out in it, and a bottle of water, and just mix it when she was ready for it. A pack of cookies to keep the older ones happy while I sit to feed the baby, and we are all ready for an outing to the park.

You can find the next part here.

Finding Quiet in the Chaos

2011-05-10T16:37:00.004+05:30

Currently my life is in constant chaos. With 3 small kids running around, peace and quiet are rare occurances for me. I look forward to things like naps and bedtime, cause those are the only times when I can think.
As a mommy, you will slowly, or sometimes rapidly, lose your sanity unless you find ways to destress. Every mommy needs time to herself, something that can be so hard to get. If you are fortunate to have a husband or relatives or even a babysitter who you can rely on for some time away, that's great.
But what if you don't have any help at all? What do you do when you feel your head is about to explode and you have to get away from it all, but the kids are still there? Well, here are a few ideas, things I have tried that help me.
I find I can relax best once my kids are sleeping. I get them into bed, do any jobs that are left that can't wait for the next day (why do them if they can wait, right?) and then it's "me time".

- Once baby is in bed, have a hot shower or bath. Focus on the water flowing over you and let everything else out of your mind. Stay as long as you can.

- No matter what anyone says, chocolate can be a sanity saver for a stressed-out mom. If you are afraid of eating too much, then put it somewhere where you have to work to get at it, or don't keep it at home but instead, get some from the corner store on your way home from the park or your walk with baby. Eat it slowly, savoring each bite.

- Do you have a favorite drink that helps you relax? It can be whatever you like, from ice water, to lemonade, to wine, and yes, hard liquor. Sometimes I find a drink of rum and coke or vodka with juice to be so relaxing. It soothes my nerves and helps me destress. But it doesn't have to be alcohol, if you'd rather not. Any drink you enjoy can help take the stress off life if you drink it slowly and enjoy it.
Note: you may have heard that breastfeeding moms shouldn't have alcohol, but a drink once in a while isn't going to hurt.

- Try combining all 3 ideas above to help you to really relax.

- Do you like slow music? Put on your favorite songs and lie back and listen to them, or if you have some energy to get rid of (you must be a rare one) then get up and dance to some fast songs. Slow or fast, music can be soothing and relaxing.

- Watch some t.v. or your favorite movie.

What ideas do you have for relaxing?