Our Chapter Two

Mothers Day Gift Idea

2012-03-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

2012-03-31T17:39:00.002-07:00

No cheesecloth? No worries!

2012-03-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

I have just made a discovery that will change the way I made tzatziki dip forever!

When instructed to use a cheesecloth in a sieve to drain the yogurt, simply use a coffee filter instead. It works perfectly, and you would be amazed at the water you find in the bowl underneath, after about one hour in the fridge!

Hmmm, yummy tzatziki!

BRAT diet

2012-03-29T10:53:00.001-07:00

Diarrhea. The runs. The quick poops.

Whichever way you twist it, it all comes out the same in the end. Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

When your little one is sick with diarrhea, this BRAT diet may just be the answer you are so desperately looking for. Adversely, if he is suffering from constipation, these foods are the ones to avoid.

The idea is quite simple:

B - bananas
R - rice
A - applesauce
T - toast

The science of the diet can be found here. Good luck!

Mommy Brain

2012-03-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine gave me some sound advise after my first son was born. While others stuck to the cliches of 'sleep when you can,' and 'enjoy every moment, it goes so fast,' my friend, blunt as can be, stated simply:

Eat more fish. You'll grow your brain back.

She went on to explain to me in detail of how I delivered part of my brain when I delivered my son (not literally, of course, but in a way of speaking), and how the Omega 3's in fish will help to repair all that damage. There it was, mommy brain explained. At the time, I laughed. Or cried, I can't really remember. After all, my first born was only a few days old, and I was in a haze. I was sure that haze would dissipate.

And yet here I am, 4 years later. Am I smarter? Or at least as smart as I once was?

I would like to say yes. But a girl can only eat so much fish.

Like many a stay at home mom can attest, I do not feel at the top of my game. Don't get me wrong, I can recite many a nursery song, cook dinner to the proper time and temperature, all while settling a toddler quarrel and telling you what diapers are on sale this week. As a mom, not only am I at the top of my game, I am the captain, referee and coach.

This doesn't seem to help me at dinner parties.

Moms who stay at home with their children do not receive report cards. There is no proof in writing that we are doing a good job. The day to day can certainly be monotonous, and rewards are given in kisses, hugs, and moments you wouldn't sell a second of for all the money in the world.

So with this in mind, I have come to a conclusion.

As a new mom I felt overwhelmed, as most do, and then I found my groove. I remember looking in awe at mom's with two children. Now I am that mom. Potty training used to seem like an insurmountable obstacle, and then we mastered it.

Could it be that mommy brain is not a lack of knowledge at all, but instead, an overflow of knowledge, bursting at our seams? We are experts at our specific stages, masters of our craft. At any given moment in time, we are knowledgeable. We know what we need to know, when we need to know it.

Perhaps having a mommy brain is not such a bad thing after all?

One day I will re-enter the 'work' force, and receive my progress reports in writing. Until that time, I will greatly enjoy my kisses and whispers of I love you mama.

After all, my children think their mom is the smartest mom in the world.

Polar Bear Birthday Cake

2012-03-27T05:22:00.000-07:00

Our little man turned one back in December. Wasn't it just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital on a cold winter's night? As a parent, I certainly am beginning to understand the cliche ~ time goes so fast.

But I digress.

We had a nice little birthday party for him, and the cake was a huge success. I found the idea on the Betty Crocker website, and just adapted the colors to fit our needs.

One for the memory books!

Cutting Onions

2012-03-04T17:52:00.001-08:00

We all cut onions, and we all cry.

It is part of the kitchen ritual. I've heard of many ideas to stop the shed of tears, but none have ever worked.

Until today.

It was an accident, really. We had placed our bag of onions in the garage to keep cool, and didn't realize that they had frozen. When I began chopping them, I braced myself for the sting.

Nothing! Frozen onions are totally choppable, and they don't sting your eyes. I don't know the science, nor do I care to. What I do know is that I will never chop an onion and cry again!

Wet Jammies in the Morning?

2012-03-02T04:39:00.000-08:00

If you have ever experienced an overflowing diaper that has made your little one wet throughout the night, this tip is for you.

Instead of spending extra dollars on the overnight diapers, simply use one size bigger for sleeping. It holds that much more and your baby won't wake up at 4 am because she is wet and uncomfortable.

This will save you money, and precious sleep!

Finding Nemo Birthday Cake

2012-02-23T11:42:00.001-08:00

Making this cake was actually fairly easy. Just a few simple steps:

Paint a backdrop on a piece of cardboard, or cover a piece of cardboard with tinfoil and decorate it with aquarium decorations from your local dollar store.
Bake your cake in a round cake pan. Let cool.
Trim the round cake into a foot ball shape.
When icing the cake, use a crumb coating. Any time you cut a cake, it will be harder to frost, so a crumb coating will help to make the crumbs less noticeable.
To make the 3D effect, 'paint' your fins on your backdrop with icing.
For the eye, use a marshmellow and a drop of icing.

Get ready to knock the socks off of your little Nemo fan!

When Can I Introduce Eggs To My Baby?

2012-02-21T09:48:00.001-08:00

Most literature agrees that egg yolks can be introduced to your baby at around 8 months of age.

Egg whites should not be introduced until after one year of age. Egg whites are a top allergen among infants. If your family has a history of egg allergies, or if you are concerned in any way, wait until after your baby is 12 months old to introduce both egg yolks as well as egg whites, and consult your family doctor.

Eggs are a good source of nutrition and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Get crack'in!

Simple Steps To Making Your Own Baby Food

2012-02-21T05:55:00.002-08:00

Making your own baby food is an easy and affordable way to control what your baby is eating.

It may seem overwhelming at the start, but with a few simple tips you can get on your way to giving your baby healthy, non processed food, wherein you have completely controlled 100% of the ingredients. The puree stage of baby food is a very short stage, as well, and before you know it you will be off and running with finger foods.

If you are on the fence and still considering buying your baby food, try some store bought baby food yourself. After you wipe the look of disgust off your face, follow these tips and begin making your own!

Materials Needed

Some type of blender or food processor. Certain foods, such as bananas and avocados, can be pureed by hand, but the majority of foods need to be blended with a machine, to ensure an even consistency.
Food!

The Method

The concept of making your own baby food is really rather simple. Your baby is learning to eat what the family is eating, which can make it easier for you in the picky eating toddler years. Your babies food is in its purest form, without added sugars or butters. It is OK to add mild spices and seasonings to your babies food, after all, you are developing their palates, and helping them to discover a variety of flavors.

Vegetables

After washing, cook the vegetables before pureeing. Bake, boil or steam your produce until it is soft. If you do boil, add some of the leftover liquid to the puree. Some vegetables don't require any liquid, such as avocado or sweet potato; just mash and serve. Remember to peel and pit the produce and strain out any seeds.

There are so many varieties of vegetables to try with your little one! Most people tend to start with a puree of carrots, as it is a common vegetable and has a natural sweetness that babies usually seem to like. A few other ideas to get the ball rolling:

Cauliflower
Broccoli (get ready for a seedy mess and seedy diapers)
Sweet Potato
Asparagus
Peas
Beans
Avocado
Squash
Tomato
Mushrooms (can be very watery when pureed, but are a good add in to another vegetable or meat)

Fruits

Some fruits, such as apples and prunes, need to be softened, so you will want to cook them before pureeing them. Others, such as bananas, are as easy as mash and serve. Melons, such as cantaloupe and honeydew, tend to be very watery when pureed. They are not easy to serve on their own, but can be mixed with other fruits to add to the flavor. If you find your pureed fruit to 'dry,' add a little liquid - either from your boiling water or simply add breast milk or formula until you reach a good consistency. As your baby adapts to solid foods, you can add less liquid.

Some ideas to get you started:

Bananas (be careful of too much, as it may lead to constipation)
Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries
Pears
Apples
Apricots
Peaches
Mangoes

Grains

Grains can be pureed as well. Simply cook them first to package directions.

Meat and Poultry

Remove the skin and fat before cooking. Boiling or steaming is a simple way of cooking your meat without having to add any cooking oils. Puree the cooked meat and add a little of your cooking liquid to reach a desired consistency.

Dairy
Not all baby food requires lengthy preparation. Don't forget about those easy foods such as cottage cheese and yogurt. Look for the high fat variety, as your little one needs the calories at such a young age. When buying cottage cheese, as well, pay attention to the consistency - you will want a creamy cheese, not the overly lumpy or dry brands.

There are guidelines for introducing eggs to your baby, which can be found here.

Combination Foods
Once your baby has tried a variety of foods, and you are confident there are no allergies or irritations, you can begin to combine foods and flavors. Be creative! Mixing chicken with avocado, or tomato with grains can make for a yummy supper! Pureeing a stew can add a variety of nutrients to your babies diet as well. Try out new recipes and see what your little one loves!

Storage
There are many methods on the market for pureeing and storing your own baby food. The easiest and most affordable method, however, is really quite simple: Ice cube trays. Each ice cube compartment will hold approximately 2 tbsp of pureed food. Once frozen, remove from the tray and place in to Ziploc bags in your freezer. Your frozen food can be stored for up to 3 months. By this time, your baby will be working his way to finger foods, so expiry is really a non issue.

Ensure your ice cube tray is sterile by initially boiling it for 10 minutes, and washing it in warm soapy water between each use.

This is another advantage of of making our own baby food - you can take out what you need from the freezer, and there is less waste. Economically, it makes good sense!

In summary, making your own baby food is easy to do, convenient to use and an economical and healthy choice. Out of all the things you cannot control in your babies world, let this be one of the few things you can. Your baby will thank you with a nice, healthy mess for you to clean up!

Baby Food Recipes

2012-02-21T05:45:00.001-08:00

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Puree

one small, cooked sweet potato
2 tbsp chickpeas (canned)
1 tbsp milk

Simply puree ingredients together.
Serve warm or cold. Leftovers will refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze up to one month.

Chicken and Rice Delight

1/2 cup cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup cooked brown rice
1 peach, peeled and diced
2 tbsp milk

Puree ingredients together.
Makes 3/4 cup.

Bread Crumb Pudding

1 cup white bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp lemon juice
1/8 cup diced apples
1/8 cup diced dried apricots

Blend and serve! Delicious!

Sauteed Broccoli With Parmesan Cheese

2 cups of frozen broccoli
2 tbsp olive oil
1 pressed garlic clove
2 tbsp fresh grated Parmesan cheese
water (for pureeing)

Turn stove top to medium high heat.

Coat bottom of pan with oil, add garlic and saute.

Add broccoli and saute until tender.

Top with cheese.

Transfer to blender. Puree.

Add water gradually until desired consistency is reached.

Halibut With Leeks and Broccoli

1 tbsp canola oil
1/2 cup sliced leeks
1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
1/2 cup sodium reduced chicken broth
4 oz halibut fillets, cut into chunks

In saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
Cook leeks, stirring often, until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add broccoli and broth, bring to a boil.
Sprinkle with halibut, reduce heat. Cover and simmer until fish flakes easily when tested, about 5 minutes.
Let cool.
Puree.

Vegetable Quinoa
(9 months and up~when introducing texture)

1 cup of sodium reduced vegetable broth
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup shredded zucchinis
2 tsp canola oil

In a saucepan, bring broth to boil over medium high heat.
Stir in quinoa, carrots, celery. Return to boil.
Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in zucchini.
Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
Drizzle with oil and fluff with a fork.

Minty Peas and Rice
(9 months and up~when introducing texture)

1 1/4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup instant brown rice
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
3/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
pepper to taste

Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat.
Add rice, bring to simmer. Cover. Reduce heat and cook 4 minutes.
Stir in peas and return to a simmer.
Cover, reduce heat and cook for about 6 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in scallions, mint and pepper.
Cover and let stand 3-5 minutes.

Hard Boiled Egg Yolks
(8 months or older)
Hard boil an egg, then peel the shell away and cut in half.
Scrape or pop out the yolk.
Mash your yolk and mix in breast milk, formula, yogurt or applesauce.

Vegetable Eggs and Rice
(8 months or older)

1 or 2 hard boiled egg yolks
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/4 pureed vegetables, such as carrots or sweet potatoes

Simply puree all ingredients until you have reached a desired consistency.

Groove Shark

2012-02-16T05:16:00.000-08:00

There are good days and bad days with any job, including that of a stay at home mom. And there are methods of making it through.

Coffee. Wine. I won't judge.

But all joking aside, one constant that helps this mom get through the day is music. I listen to my fair share of If you're happy and you know it, and the like, but when it's my time to have the stereo remote, I tune in to Groove Shark. This online radio station lets you search for music and create a play list on your computer, then listen to it live any chance you get. It's convenient and easy, and puts a pep in my step just when I need it.

And who couldn't use a little Rolling in the Deep to help her get through witching hour?

The Spanking Debate

2012-02-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

To spank, or not to spank. That is the question.

This issue has been heated for ages, and it isn't going anywhere. People are either for it, or against it, with no middle ground.

But maybe there is a middle ground that should be explored?

On one side of the spectrum lies corporal punishment. Spare the rod, fear thy parents, and the like. If you are a parent that follows these ideals, it is a fine line to walk in this generation. I spank my child is not a favored conversation topic at most mom's groups. Instead, we speak of time outs and behavior management with a sense of social acceptance. And then someones toddler throws a tantrum and we listen repeatedly to his parents giving empty threats (If you do that one more time...) and we all think silently to ourselves, Boy, that kid could really use a swat on the bum. Acceptable? Maybe not.

But it is food for thought.

Could there be Positive Effects of Spanking? Is it possible that spanking is a symbol of the readiness of parents to set rules for their children? That is to say if it is done right: Discipline must be consistent and never done in anger. Those moments of anticipation, once sent to his room, are often worse than the punishment themselves. And it gives mom and dad some much needed time to cool off.

On the other end of the spectrum are those that believe you should never lay a hand on a child. (See 10 Reasons Not To Hit Your Child) There are many arguments supporting this claim. Hitting fosters hitting, little hands are meant to explore and should not be limited, spanking leads to anger, and simply, spanking does not work. On paper, these words make good sense.

And then life happens. And children misbehave.

We grow and change as parents. When we are expecting our first we have ideals and expectations, and we plan on reinventing the wheel overnight. We sit at dinner parties with other parents and silently judge the way they are parenting, and on the way home that night discuss in detail all the things that they did wrong and what we will do differently. Our child will never be that way. Ah, how naive we once were. Now, two kids and many mistakes later, there is one solid truth I know:

Everyone is the perfect parent, until they become one.

I do not know the right answer to the spanking debate. I do not wish to harm my children, in fact, I wish the exact opposite. I want to keep them safe. When my toddler reaches for the hot oven, then, am I wrong to swat his hands away to keep him from getting burned? I do want to scare him. A simple 'no' will not suffice.

One could go back and forth for days on the topic, and spin in circles as a result. To lay in on the line: I have not spanked my children, yet. I am not opposed to it, though, as a last resort.

To spank, or not to spank; it may seem black and white. But as a mom I have learned one simple truth:

children introduce us to shades of grey.

People For Good

2012-02-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

Teaching our children to do good, is best taught by doing good ourselves.

The idea sounds simple enough; lead by example. But in our day to day hustle there seem to be more negative, rather than positive examples, for our little ones to see. It is difficult to be watched, studied and imitated 24 hours a day.

But no one said parenting would be easy.

Teaching morals and values to our children is hard. Period. Taking the time to do one good deed a day is not. A smile to a neighbor, holding a door, or letting someone in your lane are very doable tasks, even in our incredibly busy lives. And who knows when those little innocent eyes will be watching, and learning, from our examples? It's worth a try.

For some fantastically simple good deed ideas, take a moment to peruse People For Good. You will be glad you did, and so will every one else around you.

Traveling Without Children

2012-02-06T05:15:00.000-08:00

I can, and will, at some point, write about all my tips, tricks, successes and disasters of traveling with children. We have done our fair share. Our oldest son first flew on an airplane at 3 months, and now, at 3 years, has flown more than the average adult. And lets not forget about the hours we have logged as a family in the car.

But, I digress.

This blog is not about traveling with our little ones. Instead, it is a celebration of the very first time I left my children in the capable hands of grandma, and vacationed with my husband.

I am a new woman.

The vacation itself was tropical, exciting, relaxing and romantic. The feeling of refreshment I had on my return is hard to describe. I have more patience, more appreciation and yes, more love (I didn't think that was possible) for my children.

My husband travels often with work and is old hat, so to speak, with leaving the little ones. Me, not so much. It took weeks of preparation in order for me to walk out the front door for a week and not look back.

My biggest concern was my 3 year old. I knew he would be asking grandma hundreds of times a day where mama was, and would most likely be sad. I wanted to give him a visual, some sort of a calendar that he could count down the days. What I ended up doing worked very well. I wrote 8 simple notes in envelopes, one for each 'sleep' we were away. Inside, I reminded him how many more sleeps until we were home, and asked him if he would like to find the Smarties. I gave him a hint, such as - they are hiding where you wash your hair - and had grandma hide a container with 5 Smarties each day. He was very excited, and now that we are home he is still asking for his daily letter.

I also wanted him to be able to hear my voice and see my face, though I would not be able to Skpe or call while we were away. Well, we certainly live in technological times, and I took advantage of that. I made 8 simple videos on our computer, and the boys opened one a day. Silly things, like me doing a somersault, and asking them if they could too. Or asking him his age. It didn't take much to make them happy to see my face.

And the one other gift I left for them was a video of me singing their nightly prayers. I teared up while singing it, but was so glad that I did. I was there with them in some way, as they were in my heart and mind our entire trip.

These little touches served as peace of mind for me, and left a piece of me for my children. A little bit of preparation went along way, as it always does. I am so very pleased that I had some alone time with the love of my life, and will count down the days until we can escape once again.

I do find it comical, though, how you can travel thousands of miles and go out for a romantic dinner with your husband, only to find yourself talking about your kids.

What A HomeMaker Should Get Paid

2012-01-30T08:19:00.000-08:00

I thought this was interesting, to say the least.

What A HomeMaker Is Worth

But I don't mind getting paid in smiles.

Baby's First Year

2012-01-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

Scrap booking your baby's first year is a task full of good intentions, but one often unfulfilled. I know we mean to write down all those cute milestones as they happen, but there you find yourself, staring at a blank page, wondering when your little bambino first smiled.

Relax. Though some won't admit it, all of us have given our best guess.

One simple way of making your baby's first year scrap book a memorable one is collecting news headlines. We have all seen the links to 'what was the number one song the year you were born,' and the like. Instead, we can collect the important information for our little ones.

Some ideas to get the ball rolling include Oscar winners, SuperBowl and World Series Champions, major world events such as presidential elections, environmental disasters, and gas prices. And yes, the number one song.

One small piece of advice: Though it is possible to go back after your child celebrates their first birthday, and collect such headlines, it is SO MUCH EASIER to collect them throughout the year. I usually read online, so I copy and paste, then send an email to myself. Easy, and worth it.

And one day, my children will read all about those news worthy moments in the year they entered this world. And they'll probably ask me then, what this ancient thing is that we called a newspaper.

The Naked Truth

2012-01-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

source: Being Liberal/Facebook

A Resolution You Can Keep

2012-01-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

January is a time for resolutions; making them, and much too often, breaking them. I am no stranger to this. I have resolved to drink more water, pray more, eat healthier, call old friends...you name it. Each year, come February, I seem to have disappointed, though not surprised, myself.

Except for one resolution, which I have kept since I was 18 years old.

A Year In A Glance.

The tradition was started by my mother, who would sit down and read to me her yearly write up each January. We would reminisce about the past year; special birthdays, camping trips, or sadly, people we lost. And once we read one, we found ourselves looking back through previous years. Sometimes to laugh, sometimes to cry. But always to remember.

The idea is simple, really. When Christmas has come and gone, and you have taken down all the sparkly decorations, take a half hour out of your day to write about your past year. It helps to have your calendar in front of you, and then you can chronologically document your year. You do not have to write a book. A few words per month or special occasion is fine.

Trust me, it is worth it.

It is an emotional exercise as well. It is funny how you don't remember, or therefore, document, that day in January that your car wouldn't start. Instead, you collect memories of your grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, a new niece being born, or when your little one took his first steps. No matter how hard this past year was, you will look back at it and smile.

Once you have done this for a few years, you will marvel at how easy it is, but most importantly, how much you cherish that little file in the back of your closet.

One day I will read to my sons about the year I met their father, in real time, when he was just this cute boy I liked. Or I will read of the years they were born, and how nervous and new I was at being their mother.

And as they laugh about the 'old days,' I will smile, knowing this was all worth my while.

Hey Little Ant

2012-01-20T05:43:00.000-08:00

Life, from the point of view of an ant, which you are about to step on.

It is an idea like this that can help you make your child understand such complicated issues as empathy.

I have made it a personal goal to focus on morals with my two children. By using random acts of kindness, taking the time to explain and demonstrate empathy, and just taking the time, I hope to make a difference. Not in the world, per se (I am not that ambitious, or naive), but a difference in the people I add to this world. Our little ones are watching us, and I am attempting to take the time to be the example they need.

There are those teachable moments, when parenting, where you just cannot find the words. Luckily, there are others who can find them for us.

The following are some fabulous children's books that can do just that: find those words you are looking for when attempting to drive home a moral lesson. Let's face it; as parents, we need all the help we can get.

Tails are not for Pulling, by Elizabeth Verdick

This same author also has other similar behavior books that are worth a second look:

Hands Are Not For Hitting, Teeth Are Not For Biting, Words Are Not For Hurting...you get the idea!

Another excellent book for the young ones comes from the author Jennifer P. Goldfinger, My Dog Lyle. The little girl that owns Lyle sees him for all the the things that make him special, instead of ordinary. A reminder that our 'quirks' are our own special traits instead.

And one of my favorites, Hey Little Ant, by Phillip Hoose. This is a parable about mercy and empathy, and asks the reader to look at life from an ant's point of view. It is a 'stop and think' story for parents and children alike.

One more book worth a second look, Kindness is Cooler, Mrs Ruler, by Margery Cuyler. This story centers around a teacher who disciplines students by having them preform acts of kindness. Its a great story and a wonderful place to get ideas for good deeds!

I hope to add to this list as I find read worthy books, and welcome any suggestions other may have.
Happy reading!

Sarah Burke

2012-01-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

Canada suffered a great loss today, with the death of freestyle skier, Sarah Burke.

At the age of 29, Sarah was a legend of her sport. Please read all about her successful career and remarkable life. She leaves to mourn her husband, Rory Bushfield. If you have the means, medical bills are grand and her family could use all the help they can get.

To donate, and read more about Sarah, follow the link below.

www.giveforward.com/sarahburke

My condolences to Sarah's family.

And now, to go and hug my kids a little tighter.

German Humor

2012-01-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

For all my German friends, a nice chuckle for the day!

English translation:

If you are happy, inform your face!

The Peace Project

2012-01-18T04:10:00.000-08:00

Photo By: The Single Wife

www.peaceproject.com

To Carpe Diem, Or Not?

2012-01-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

As I lay my son down to bed on his second birthday, I hugged him a little tighter as the thought crossed my mind:

Today he is two. Tomorrow he'll be twenty.

There are days like these that I really do cherish the moments. The smile of my babe is something I cannot put into words. My kids fill my heart, plain and simple.

So why do I feel so guilty when I look forward to nap time? Or bed time? Or any time that I can have a minute to myself?

I do not like to admit this fact, and find that most moms don't either. That is why I found the following article so refreshing, Don't Carpe Diem.

Its honest and refreshing, and worth a minute of your time. (When you get that minute for yourself.)

Enjoy.