Mama Brownie Bear

Feeding the Birds

2011-10-27T15:59:00.001-04:00

E just asked me for some of my croissant.

"Bread, bread."

I gave it to him.

He then walked to his toy bird to feed him.

Thankfully, Z ended up eating it so it didn't go to waste. = )

The Butt of the Joke

2011-10-24T20:04:00.000-04:00

This morning E decided to use the potty. He takes his diaper off right in front of his potty and plops down on his throne.

All of a sudden, he starts running towards me. I tell E "show me your butt" to make sure he wasn't running around dirty. He then proceeded to lay on the couch, butt facing me, for his diaper change. More than once. Silly goose.

Not today:

(mastering the uneventful potty run while looking productive)

The Things I Make...

2011-10-24T19:58:00.001-04:00

...with play dough.

I got E his first play dough and he has enjoyed it so much. I only let him play with it when little brother Z is sleeping and he takes every opportunity that he can.

So far he has had me craft penguins, fish, whales, dolphins, hippos, snakes, spiders, balls, elephants, a dinosaur and a frog. And the letter E. = )

Monster Ball

2011-09-06T20:05:00.000-04:00

No, not Monster's Ball, the movie, but Monster Ball.

That's what my son thought of my little monster.

I'm in the process of moving the arms, adding feet, and changing the method of construction on this little guy, as well as coming up with some differently shaped friends. I imagine it will take my about a month or so to have a pattern, especially since I am also working on fixing our cloth diapers.

Ugh, our cloth diapers. So, our diapers (Bum Genius) are less than a year old and most of the velcro is destroyed. I am currently removing the velcro and replacing it with aplix. I think I'll be done with this in like 2 months, bah. This is especially annoying because I have a Bummis Tots Bot diaper that has been in circulation for longer than most of my Bum Genius diapers and it is in perfect condition. Unfortunately, we messed up with the washing of our BGs so they are not under warranty.

Z: Then and Now

2011-09-06T06:22:00.002-04:00

Z came into the world precisely when he wanted to.

He still maintains his need to inform one of when things will be happening.

One of Z's nicknames was Ptery.... because he shrieked like a pterodactyl when he cried. You know that cry that kids get when they have already whined a little and really, really need/want something? Well, that is Z's only cry and always has been.

It's like he knows he's a younger brother. Though, he will probably be just as big as E when he turns 1 in two months. They are a few inches and two pounds apart in size.

Signed, Indignant at the Park

2011-09-02T10:38:00.002-04:00

Dear Someone Else's Nanny,

It is not appropriate to touch someone else's child to overcompensate for the fact that you weren't paying attention to your charge. Snatching a toy from a child that you have never met before is unnecessary and uncalled for. Your attitude is repulsive and your methods archaic. You are serving as a role model not only for your charge, but with the other children you interact with. If you act like a child you only harm those around you. I fault myself for being non-confrontational and not speaking up at the park but if a similar event occurs in the future with you or any other caretaker or parent, I will not hesitate.

Signed,

Indignant at the Park

( disclaimer: not my kid, from google)

Help! It's 10:30 and I'm already complaining!

Seriously though, my oldest is having a rough day (yay canines!) and we encountered a rude nanny at the park. I have no problem in general with other children's caretakers at the park. I try to be cordial to everyone and there are a few parents and nannies that I speak to regularly. This was the first time I recall encountering this nanny, though I could be mistaken (I have horrible facial recall). Anyway, my son apparently snatched a toy from her charge (I didn't see this, but I will assume it happened) and I walked away (10 feet) to go get one of his toys to diffuse the situation. In the meantime, the nanny (who had been on the phone) gets into the fray (not really a fray, her charge was upset but not crying) and snatched the toy from my son while holding his arm. This upset E and flipped out. I have never snatched a toy out of another child's hands and I don't know where this woman got the audacity to do so. She then proceeded to sit back down on the bench and glare. In my mind I just see her glaring and I really want to smack her. I hope I don't see her again.

E: Then and Now

2011-09-01T11:46:00.000-04:00

This is the first picture of my son E. My husband took it with my camera, thus why it is blurry. It is amazing how much he has grown and how much emotion this picture stirs up. I love this boy so much and in a couple of months he will be two!

E never stops moving and is a fast learner. He has a great memory and is quite the little adventurer. Also, he has plenty of 'tude.

Update

2011-09-01T11:38:00.000-04:00

So the toe is recuperating. I skipped going to the doctor's since it seemed like a waste of a copay. I'm chasing after the kids well enough and was able to put sneakers on today.

In other news, I have found my long abandoned knitting mojo! I haven't knit anything since E was a couple of months old and it was baby related (wool soaker). I am currently working on a cardigan, pics to come soon. Hopefully a pattern as well. In the meantime I am also thinking about smaller crafts that I can share on the blog, whether seasonal or child related.

While this is a lame update, I should have some cool stuff coming up soon- recipes, crafts and stories on the way!

Chocolate Waffles (or Pancakes)

2011-08-28T07:12:00.000-04:00

These chocolate waffles were a great way to start my day. Super simple to make and easy to customize to your taste.

Chocolate Waffles (or Pancakes)

3/4 cup Flour (I tried both all purpose and whole wheat; great with either or a mix)

1/4 cup Cocoa

3 tbsp Sugar

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

Dash of Salt

1 Egg

1 cup Milk

3 tbsp Vegetable Oil (any oil, or even melted butter, is fine; for pancakes, use 2 tbsp)

Optional: dash of cinnamon, mini chocolate chips, whatever your heart desires

Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet in another, then combine the two. Seriously. That easy. Let the mix sit as your heat up your waffle iron or pancake griddle and then cook as you normally would.

I prefer to dip my waffles in syrup rather than pour it on top, thus my plain pics = ).

Motherhood is Bad For Your Health

2011-08-28T06:59:00.001-04:00

AKA First Philadelphia Irene Victim

(the victim)

Center City Philadelphia- Rain started pelting the Philadelphia area around noon yesterday as the impending Hurricane Irene made her slow ascent up the east coast. Residents had previously flooded the local groceries stores, emptying the shelves of lighters and booze. As the sky darkened, one local woman took it upon herself to tidy up her son's room.

That's when tragedy struck. As the local woman, a mother of two in Center City, went to step over her youngest son (9 months) she miscalculated and hit this:

(the culprit)

Her toes were ensnared in the metal and wood contraption and the woman was forced to do a hop and turn move that would've had the judges on Dancing with The Stars raving. The local woman then maneuvered herself to fall gently on the floor, at which time her older (21 months) son gave her a big hug...

So yeah, I'm pretty sure I broke my toe. I imagine going to the ER as we await the worst of the storm would be stupid, so I will be calling my GP tomorrow. And I hope I never have to show you a picture of my foot again...

Judgy Pants

2011-08-25T11:15:00.000-04:00

The moment I became a mom I felt it. I knew it.

Everyone was judging me.

Why couldn't I stop my child from crying? Why wasn't he wearing any shoes? What was I feeding him? Why was I letting him climb up the slide? On and on and on.

The worst part? I was doing it to. Jeez, why doesn't that woman just pick up her child? Why doesn't that mom tell her child to share?

It seems that my insecurities about the job I'm doing come out in judgmental statements (in my head) aimed at other caretakers. No one has the answers, I know that.

So anyway, I had this judgy moment at the park today where I thought a parent was being overly pushy with their child. I guess I still think so, if I'm honest. I have to remind myself that every child is different (as is every parent) and that maybe his technique would be what was best for her. It was trying for me because it reminded me of times when my husband and I weren't actively aware of our oldest son's developmental capabilities. There are certain concepts that kids just don't get until certain ages, and yes some will understand them earlier than others and some later. For the parent at the park today I hope that he isn't banging his head against the wall trying to teach his child something s/he can't understand yet. If so, I sympathize.

Drinking Games

2011-08-24T16:07:00.000-04:00

E likes to drink out of a big boy cup. Unfortunately, once his thirst is quenched he likes to dump the remaining bit on the floor. Knowing this, I didn't give him a cup just now when he asked. So what did he do? He took a draw on his sippy cup.... and spit it into a play cup. And then he drank it. He did this a few times and then decided to spit whatever was left in his mouth on the floor. Niiiiice.

Superbaby and the Blood Draw

2011-08-24T10:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I woke up anxious. I was scared, nervous. My oldest, E, was going to have blood drawn for the first time and I didn't know what to expect. Before heading out to the park and the appointment I packed everything I could think of that I might need. I had chicken fingers for lunch, extra juice, milk, a brownie to raise his blood sugar, books, fun flashcards, etc. I even brought the backpack carrier in case I had to have his brother, Z, sit in it while the bloody thing went down.

Oy, I was nervous. All though our time at the park, the walk to the lab, and while waiting, waiting, waiting. Thankfully, Z fell asleep on the way to the lab. When they finally called us Z woke up- of course. He was really good though sitting in the stroller staring at another patient. Me, I was a mess. The phlebotomist wasn't too helpful. She could've explained what was going to happen. Come on, we are talking about taking blood out of my first born some details would've been helpful.

So basically, I had to sit with E on my lap and immobilize his arm. I tried to distract him and get him to look at his brother but my efforts were unnecessary. I had wasted so much time being anxious and a jumble of nerves and when it came down to it E showed that he was superbaby after all. He watched the whole blood draw and didn't move or cry. Then he watched as the phlebotomist but a band-aid on him and for once he didn't try to rip it off. I was so proud of him. And so exhausted. All that worrying tired me out. I almost didn't have the energy to make it home.

In my mind I always tend to think of the WORST. POSSIBLE. SCENARIO. I guess I should let up a bit, but it certainly seems like a mom trait. Anyway, here's the star of the day- E: