This post has a little bit of everything

Hello dear Friends!
Once again I was M.I.A. I barely have time, as you know (your a parent yourself). And the time I do have to go online, is not the time to sit, think, and type. But I have been keeping myself informed and educated! Its  really amazing the things that we have yet to learn.
So today I want to talk a little bit about my recent discoveries: strange ingredients. What do you mean, Deb? Well have you ever looked at the ingredients on packaged food? At first I just thought, "Ok, so what? They need to add this stuff to make this stuff." Now looking at that I don't really know how I wasn't alarmed at the fact that all I was consuming or giving my kid was chemicals! No wonder people are getting sick! Really think about. Our bodies are still the same bodies people had from years and years ago. Yet our food is not the same from years ago. All the chemical stuff is forcing our livers to work overtime! People don't need to take vitamins, I believe, if they are feeding themselves properly. Nor do I believe people need to see doctors because food, yes WHOLE FOOD, can cure. But of course don't take my advice because I'm no one to lead your life. I just believe this for myself. For example, cancer is on the rise and seems like something that you're bound to get in the future. No! Cancer is formed because these chemicals, harmful man-made things, and stress are forcing our organs to fight. Eventually these poisons win because our bodies were not meant to take so much crap! Sugars feed this cancer, and whole foods such as organic veggies kill it.
We live in a society/culture where we are taught or brought up to be lazy. Yep, I said it! "Oh, I have a headache." Take a Tylenol. "Oh, I have diarrhea." Take Pepto. Listen to your body. Its not just feeling terrible to screw you over. Its screaming for your help. "Oh, I'm to tried to cook." Microwave some fake food. "Oh, I've worked all day. I don't have time to play with my kid(s)." Sit them in front of the TV. When in fact, we seem to always have time to walk our dogs at 6am, but wouldn't take our kids to the park for an hour. Then we wonder why kids are so violent or so passive. That's what we teach them; how to hate (because some parents don't care to show love). Its not that we hate them, but we aren't showing love either. I'm not saying let your kid do what he wants. But disciple with love (you may be firm when needed) and give them some of your time, because sometimes that's what we need as adults too; someone to give us time to just care or listen to us (hence why so many pay a great deal for a therapist).
Back to food. My toddler hates soup. The good thing is that last week when my husband made chicken soup she ate it! How did I do it? You guessed it. I just took out the broth. Even though that's the most nutritious part. So she ate the carrots, pasta, and chicken. Later she had some dessert: almond milk cookies and cream ice cream. Make sure it doesn't have carrageenan; its carcinogenic.
Here's something important I've learned. Sodium benzoate is of course bad, especially worse when mixed with ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C) and/or vitamin D. So read labels! I really hate that most kids juice boxes contain synthetic vitamin C. I found one that is organic and has no blah blah acids. It's called R.W. Knudsen Sensible Sippers http://www.rwknudsenfamily.com/products/sensible-sippers

  It does contain "natural flavors" so you're going to have to do a little research or call them up and ask what "natural flavors" means. Sometimes it could be an issue if you're kid has a gluten intolerance.

Switched, but surprisingly easy..

Hey, it's been a while and I'm so tired! I want to lay in bed and knock out! Anyway I totally forgot to inform you that I switched from bottle to sippy cup for my daughter's milk. So it's official, no more baby bottles. Wow, I'm kind of upset that she can't stay a baby forever.
Can you believe I cried the other day thinking that the day that she is a teen and says ugh I hate my mom is coming soon! I'm terrified! I don't want her to hate me, but it's the stupid cycle of life isn't it? Moms or whoever is the one constantly takin care of a child is super person. You give and give, and sacrifice so in the end your kid can despise you. :(
Anyway let me get back to the original topic of this post.
So it went smoothly. My daughter hasn't asked for the bottle or complained so that was easy, unlike the rest of the things in parenting.

Toys for the Picky Toddler

As the holidays of gift-giving approach, we like to shower our kids with gifts. Well at least I do. I went to toysrus.com and made a wish list for my daughter. (By the way, I just had a Roasted tomato and mozzarella panini from Starbucks and it was SUPER delicious! Along with that, a Gingerbread latte. Plus I'm listening to Christmas music and having some alone time while my little gingerbread naps). Just wanted to share the little bit of joy bestowed on me on this lovely Saturday afternoon. So as I was saying, I made the wish list in hopes of adding it to Christmas cards I planned on sending out. I don't know when that's going to happen, because we just spend too much money on our Christmas & Birthday gift; my husband and I. We got iPhones, not the new one (4s) because that's way too expensive.
Moving on, lol, I added to the wish list toys I know my daughter wants. It also helps that when I was a kid my dad spoiled me with lots of toys :) He was pretty strict with everything else. So with that being said, I know about cool toys. Now, let's keep in mind that my daughter has a nice variety of toys now so if I don't mention it, she probably has it lol.
I had a shopping cart on her list, but I took it out because I saw one at Walmart for $10!!! Amazing! So here's what's left:
Crayola Color Wonder Makers and Coloring Pad
Crayola Color Wonder Fingerpaints and Paper
She loves dogs so a fake "real" one will do. FurReal Friends GoGo My Walking Pup
Teach My Baby/Toddler Learning Kit
Imaginarium Sensory Ball- Jumbo
Power Wheels Fisher Price Barbie Little Trail Rider ATV Girls Sports Quad
Fisher Price Little People Noah's Art Playset
Hello Kitty CD Boombox (she loves music)
Step 2 Neat & Tidy Cottage
Folding Slide
Fisher Price Little People Wheelies Stand n' Play Rampway
Mega Bloks Building Bag 80 Piece
Just Like Home Angled Broom
Step 2 Prepare and Share Kitchen Set
Pink Doodle Pro
So far that's it. If you got any ideas please let me know :)

Location, Location, Location...for a changing table.

Hey guys!
So I moved my changing table right in front of the window in my daughters room. Boy does that help a lot! As I'm sure your baby does, she hates getting her diaper changed. Again, I had to find a way for her to calm down so I could change her. I keep the thermometer and tube of teething gel close by so she can play with that. I don't know why she likes both of those things, but hey I don't question if it's in my benefit. lol! By the way, if you're looking for something to entertain your kid while you change his/her diaper, make sure the object (or toy) you pick is only for diaper time or else they'll get tired of it.
Back to the position of the changing table. After bath-time I get my little girl ready fairly easy, even hough she fusses sometimes about getting her clothes on. She stares out the window while I put her clothes on, clean her ears, comb her hair etc. I'll ask her to look for a dog outside, because she likes them, or I say "Is the baby outside?" or she'll simply say "Vrrooom" while she watches trucks pass by.
Location for the changing table was important, because it helped me out with one of the many hectic parts of the day/night.
Oh and for those of you who care, I'm enjoying some hot chocolate... Yeah, no coffee. I know, what a surprise lol.

Discipline

Ok about discipline.. This is a difficult subject because different things work for different kids. You definitely have to be consistent though. For example, cleaning up baby's toys. My little girl was used to me picking up her toys. I would tell her to help me, but she would just stare or run off and do something else. Then I decided that I have to enforce this rule, because we're civilized people and we need to organize our things. So I would constantly ask her to clean up and bring her arm down to pick up a toy and bring her to the toy basket to drop it off. It worked! Patience is a big part of being a mom and that's what toddlerism requires. Now when its time to clean up she'll do it, especially in the bathtub. She won't leave the tub without pointing at the toy mesh bag and placing her bath toys in there. I know that sometimes it's easier to give up on your rules, but just think of the importance of it in the long run.
Next, if your child made a mess in the kitchen, instead of putting him/her in time-out have him/her help you clean it up. At least that way they're learning that you have to clean up after yourself. Tell him/her what you guys are doing and why. Because if you answer the why's now, you won' have to deal with "But why? But why?" later on. No I'm just kidding. That will still happen. lol
One thing I find important is praising your pumpkin when they do something good. Think about it. If chubby cheeks is always getting your attention when he/she is doing something wrong, they'll probably continue. Now, if you say great job when you catch them cleaning up (without you asking) they'll find a great accomplishment. This helps a lot when you're trying to be consistent. It goes hand in hand with the first thing I was talking about.
Also try to keep your explosiveness to a minimum. It's hard, I know. But think, the way you react when you're stressed is what you're teaching your kid. They learn everything from you. Pressure! So if you have to relax for a minute, just do it. Sometimes I'm cleaning and my daughter is crying and wants to be picked up and I'm trying to go as fast as I can; it'll just stress me out. So at that moment I just stop. I take off my gloves, pick up my pumpkin and go play a little bit. Sometimes she just wants a little attention, just to make sure mommy didn't forget about her. About 2 minutes later she's fine and I just go back to continue my work and let her play alone. Maybe if you make a schedule for yourself, in the morning, it'll help your day run smoother. Make sure you plan a moment to relax. Like, at nap time you can sit and read and drink some coffee, check your email, call a friend, do your hair or your nails, or even try to finish up your chores so that you'll have more time to be with baby when he/she wakes up.
These are just some ideas I've tried that worked for me.

On-the-Go Bag

Hey, so when you're on the go you need to be well equipped, no? Yes. I'm known for always carrying a huge bag with me. Big and Proud haha. Anyway, since being a parent now means being a frugal shopper, I just went to a thrift store and got a big bag that I could use as my "diaper bag." Lo and behold I find a "Mary Poppins" looking bag and BAM I'm set. So here's what my luggage contains: (I like using these bullet points lol if you haven't noticed)

• Wallet
• Phone
• Keys
• Extra pacifier (I just put it in a snack size Ziploc bag)
• 4 or 5 small bags (these bags you can also get at the thrift store or even the dollar store)

Each bag:

• One for diapers, ointment, wipes carrying case and a disposable changing pad thingy lol
• One for snacks or food. I like this one for snacks.
• Another one for toys (a variety of toys to choose from)
• One for extra clothes just in case of a poop or pee accident (change occasionally according to your growing toddler and changing weather). For example, I have a thin sweater, long sleeve onesie, pants and bib, oh yea a a small plastic bag to put the dirty clothes in.
• And one with a pocket for an ice pack for the sippy cup.

Now that it's getting cold outside I keep an extra blanket in the car. I also have a travel size pillow for when my little big-diva falls asleep in her car seat.

Conquering the Pickiness

Hey just wanted to let you guys know some tricks I've made up to conquer my daughter's pickiness. So for breakfast she sometimes doesn't want to sit and eat. Therefore in a sippy cup, that has a wide straw, I just add her cereal (baby cereal) with milk and yogurt. Then I just mix it around and boom there's breakfast for my little runaway.
She loves to eat her foods with her spoon or fork too. When she doesn't want to eat her lunch or dinner (that is just finger food) I just give her the special utensils and magic! She begins to eat. Not everything of course. I mean why would a full blown miracle happen at dinnertime?right? lol But it's better than nothing.
Also for those of you wondering about bottle feeding. I've found what works well for me was that when my toddler was a baby just a few months ago :) I began giving her a sippy cup with a straw (because she didn't know that you had to lift the other ones up for liquid to come out). That sippy cup had water and her bottle had milk. She began to understand that there was a difference. When she wanted water she'd reach for the sippy cup and vise versa. Also I've cut down on the milk because she was drinking too much of it and not eating her food. Oh and snacks as well, that used to be her meals lol. I was just telling @tutu_tuesdays that I read somewhere that at this age 16oz of milk a day was good enough. But then again I'm not a doctor so do what you think is best. So milk is for nap and bedtime. That has worked very well for me. Soon I have to give up the bottle completely. I'll let you know how that goes.
Oh another thing! My girl loves milkshakes. And who doesn't? I put a banana and some strawberries and milk in the blender and voila! There's a satisfying snack. No sugar though, fruit is already sweet and added sugar is not all that healthy. Then again who am I to talk about healthy when I'm always drinking coffee and craving sweet things (no I'm not prego probably PMSing). And you know what? It's a great snack for you & I and we're getting our daily fruit in our system. :) Ok I gotta run! You know how it is.