*What to REALLY Expect

Tip for giving meds to a toddler

2011-11-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Ari has been sick for over a month at this point with everything from a mild cold to croup. I have learned through this process that getting a diagnosis and a prescription does not mean that the battle is over. When we got home I realized that I had to GIVE her the medicine. As I've stated before, I have a very picky eater on my hands and so I was not sure how in the world I was going to convince her to take some unknown liquid goo (antibiotics). Through A LOT of trial and error I finally discovered the "trick". My first mistake was using a spoon, my second mistake was using the tiny cup, finally I used a children's syringe--GENIUS!

I also learned that the trick is to stick it into the corner of her mouth and as she clenches her teeth, slowly squeeze the medicine between her teeth. She can fight it but it still goes in. Also, this keeps the medicine from covering her tongue so she doesn't have to be overwhelmed by the nasty flavor (it smells awful so I can only imagine how it tastes).

Even more amazing than this tip for administering meds is using a similar technique for trying new foods. I took a small piece of turkey (being Thanksgiving and all) and stuck it in the corner of her mouth-she chewed, she swallowed and there was no argument : ) I did this a few more times and then she ASKED for a piece!! Ofcourse, by "ask" I mean that she walked over and grunted at me with her hand extended, but it worked! I will use this trick for many more new foods in the future. Finally there is light at the end of this craaaazy tunnel.

Hope this helps other frustrated mommies out there!

Good Luck : )

Personality Snapshot

2011-11-25T13:42:00.001-05:00

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Recipe of the day! 41

2011-11-25T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Standing Pasta "Pie"

Recipe of the day! 40

2011-11-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread/Muffins

Recipe of the day! 39

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Spinach Burgers

Recipe of the day! 38

2011-11-22T07:30:00.000-05:00

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I plan on buying some avocados on my next trip to the store. This is a GREAT idea for hiding some healthy goodness in bread (something my daughter can't get enough of)--Yay!!

Avocado Banana Bread

Recipe of the day! 37

2011-11-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Cream Cheese Christmas Tree

Recipe of the day! 36

2011-11-20T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Spinach and Onion Bread

Recipe of the day! 35

2011-11-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

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This is from the Queen Martha Stewart : ) It is actually 49 different recipes-only one pot required!!

49 One Pot Meals

Recipe of the day! 34

2011-11-18T07:30:00.001-05:00

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Baked Taco Ring

Personality Snapshot

2011-11-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Recipe of the day! 33

2011-11-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

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Steakhouse Pizza

Recipe of the day! 32

2011-11-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Bacon Nachos

Recipe of the day! 31

2011-11-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

Fun with alcohol

I decided to post a few recipes for flavored vodka and various cocktails. I am not a big drinker but I think these would be great for parties and gifts. Enjoy!

Fill blender with ice and red wine. Add 1/4 cup (more or less) of Country Time Lemonade, blend and serve.

Skittles Vodka

Candy Cane Vodka

Sangria-esque: 1 bottle of wine, 3 cans of Fresca, fresh fruit!

Riesling Strawberry Slushies

Recipe of the day! 30

2011-11-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

Charleston Cheese Dip

Recipe of the day! 29

2011-11-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

Spinach Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Recipe of the day! 28

2011-11-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Polenta Fries

Personality Snapshot

2011-11-11T10:11:00.001-05:00

Recipe of the day! 27

2011-11-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

Broccoli Bites

Potty Training

2011-11-10T14:04:00.000-05:00

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Potty Training Tips

I found this site via Pinterest and it has some really great tips for potty training. I introduced Ari to her potty months ago just get her familiar with it and how to sit on it. She has peed in it twice but we sat there for quite sometime before she peed. I know most people tell you to start training around age 2 and Ari is fast approaching the big 2. My concern is the fact that Ari is still not really talking. She communicates for sure, but there isn't any dialogue. I don't know how I am supposed to motivate/communicate this process.

My husband is Russian and was potty trained by like 1 and the method was basically just sitting him on a potty and waiting, then repeating over and over and over. I can't do that....ok I won't do that : ) I just can't see us spending all day in the bathroom, plus I think it would become more annoying for her and myself. Ari is not one to sit still for longer than 2 minutes and I don't want to turn training into a battle. I guess my hope is that she will want to get out of diapers and once she understands the alternative she will begin to initiate potty time. It's not looking good though now because she rarely informs me of poopy diapers let alone wet ones. UGH! I fear this process. I am going to review the tips on the above site again and see what I can apply in our special world : )

Any other moms in this boat or a similar boat?? Would looooove any advice!

Recipe of the day! 26

2011-11-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Zucchini, Black Bean and Rice Skillet

Podcast Sanity

2011-11-09T10:54:00.002-05:00

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Ari is 21 months and the terrible almost-two's is in FULL effect! When she was an infant and I was breastfeeding her, I began listening to podcasts of The Regular Guys (TRG-a local radio station) to help me get through the late nights/early morning feedings. My husband introduced me to the show and to the value of podcasts. Ever since then, I have become addicted to podcasts and have recently branched out beyond TRG. I now listen to Joe Rogan, WTF, Jay Mohr and a few others when I need them. These adult content podcasts saved my sanity! I keep earbuds in most of the day and while Ari watches Barney I listen to filthy humor : ) Don't worry, I still communicate with her as well, but having the podcast on in the background really helps. It is also helpful so that I don't feel so lonely. Sometimes Ari and I are cooped up all day in the house and it gets lonely only having a toddler to talk to. They are also great in the car, at the playground, at the grocery store..etc.

I'm telling you, podcasts saves lives. When Ari is throwing a tantrum because I wont let her climb inside the refrigerator, I just turn on a podcast and her tantrum becomes a faint background annoyance. I can stand there and handle the situation without my nerves going nuts. I honestly think that using podcasts as a coping tool has helped me not fly off the handle or let my anger get the best of me in tantrum situations. It's pretty difficult to freak out when you're listening to calm, collected, funny people.

If you wanna check out some of these, here is my fave list so far. Keep in mind these are ADULT content podcasts.

http://www.regularguys.com/
http://www.wtfpod.com/
http://www.joerogan.net/
http://smodcast.com/channels/mohr-stories/

Enjoy your sanity moms!!

Recipe of the day! 25

2011-11-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

Chicken, Spinach and Pasta Bake

Recipe of the day! 24

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

Broccoli, Grape and Pasta Salad

Rolled Paper Flower Tutorial

2011-11-07T11:19:00.001-05:00

Found this site through Stumble Upon today and loved this tutorial. It's very clearly and beautifully done.

Rolled Paper Flower Tutorial