Naptime Blog

When the ultrasound at sixteen weeks showed that our first child would be a boy, I was shocked but very happy and felt so blessed to be having a son. The reason I was shocked is because, for some reason, I always had it in my head that I would have girls. I had several girls names picked out and had been perusing the stores looking for pink clothes.

My shock quickly faded and I had so much fun picking out adorable “little man” outfits for my soon to be first born son. I found the most adorable Winnie the Pooh travel system with car seat and stroller. We decorated his room in a Winnie the Pooh theme and it seemed that almost everything I received at my baby shower had Winnie the Pooh on it. It was easy picking a theme to decorate his room in and easy picking out adorable little outfits for my son. The hardest thing was picking out a name.

My husband and I are very picky when it comes to our kid’s names (as I am sure all parents are). I bought several baby name books, I scoured the internet for baby name websites. I tried to remember names of boys I had heard in the past that I liked. We wrote lists, we discussed, we thought it over and over, but just couldn’t decide on the perfect name. We wanted a name that was unique without being too difficult to spell. I liked certain names that my husband didn’t care for and vice versa. No one ever told me how difficult it is to name a child. It’s a big burden to bear, since your child will have that name forever!

When I went in to have my first son, we still weren’t 100% sure on the spelling of the first name we chose. We had decided on the first name, though. The middle name was a different story. We just couldn’t decide. We finally decided on Finley Andrew. Finley is of Irish and Scottish origin and means fair-haired courageous one or fair-haired warrior. He is very fair-haired and indeed a courageous little boy who has had to endure more than a lot of little boys his age health-wise. He is such an angel and I think the name fits him perfectly now. It’s like the name was meant for him.

With our second son coming so soon after our first, my husband came up with his name… Kieran. We chose it because we liked it and thought it went well with Finley. It is also of the same origin as Finley.

How did you come up with your baby’s name? Is it a family name, a name you just like the sound of or maybe a name that has special meaning to you?

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

Our whole house has been sick with the dreaded H1N1 “swine flu” and being sick at home lead me to think of strange things. So here is my wish list.
 
1. I wish Wal-mart delivered groceries like Safeway does.
2. I wish parents choice made toddler microwave meals like Gerber does. (These work in a pinch as a nutritious meal)
3. I wish parents choice made a beverage like pedialyte. That stuff is so expensive.
4. I wish Tristan would eat even when sick. Feeding a child pedialyte with a medicine dropper is no fun.

While we were sick I read a book called a year without China. It is about living a year with out buying anything from China, this led me to challenge my husband to do a year with out national brands to help save money. When we did our Safeway shopping to be delivered there was only two things my husband would not bend on.. The things he refused to bend on were toilet paper (he must have the red Charmin mega rolls) and Viva paper towels (not the pick a size it has to be the regular size).
 
Tristan got through and only lost a pound, so that is not bad considering there was three days straight that he refused to eat. At one point we were worried that he would be hospitalized but thank the lord that didn’t happen. Along with the flu we had two more teeth come in. My little man is growing up, 10 months old already and I can’t believe.
 
Chrystal

I’m a nut when it comes to washing my son’s bottles. Literally. I check at least 4 different times to make sure all milk residue is out, hold it up to the light for inspection, and rinse with super hot water before placing it on the rack to dry. Same deal goes for the bottle nipples. Just another “OCD” symptom I’ve developed since having a child! I’ve gone through at least 4 different bottle brushes since Shaughn was born because I guess I am too rough with scrubbing the bottom of the bottle and making sure its super clean.

Bottle brushes cost money and its hard to believe that 2 different brushes broke the 1st or 2nd time they were used.

You would think the more expensive bottle brush would be more accommodating to my crazy scrubbing but that is not the case. Here, once more, is where Parent’s Choice has saved my wallet and sanity. I’ve gone through the Dollar General brand ($2), the Munchkin brand ($4), the Playskool brand ($5 at CVS! that was an emergency purchase), etc. There is the PC brush less than $2 at Walmart staring me in the face. I figure I trust them with my child’s life by using their formula, how can they do me wrong now?

So far the PC bottle brush hasn’t let me down and withstands some beatings I give it. I would highly recommend it to any of my friends having a child and would probably give it to my expectant friends at their baby showers. I do admit, I did already break a PC brush but that was after 9 months of using it. Nine months is so worth the money paid for it instead of these other brands that broke on day one. Remember, not everyone is a looney so if it lasted so long for ME think of what it could do for a normal mom! Any products out there that you just can’t “get along” with?
-Krystle

I have just begun the seventh month of my pregnancy.  My fifth pregnancy.  Well, the first two I lost very early on.  My daughter was born in March of 2002.  My twin boys were born in July of 2008.  And my fourth baby will be born in September of 2009.  I will have a seven year old daughter and three sons all less than 14 months.  Wow!

I found out I was pregnant again in mid February.  I actually thought maybe something was wrong or that I was going through early menopause.  That would have been a big surprise, but instead, I got the biggest surprise of my life – I was having another baby when I had just given birth to twins only six months before.  For three weeks I did nothing but cry.  My husband was beside himself not knowing how to handle me, and later told me how shocked he was that I reacted the way I did, since he knows how much the kids mean to me.  I think back now and I think I was just stunned and overwhelmed.  I still get overwhelmed at the thought at times, but I am very much looking forward to my three boys being so close and having each other growing up.  And my daughter is the best big sister ever, she will be a huge help with the new baby.

Regardless, I do feel like I have been pregnant forever.  What is the gestational period of an elephant?  22 months?  Well, I will have been pregnant for 18 of the last 24 months when this baby is finally born.  Close enough!  And I feel like an elephant, too!  Since the twins’ pregnancy wasn’t easy, I wanted to take my time after they were born to lose the weight and by the time I got pregnant this time around I had only lost four pounds!  So I feel huge and uncomfortable, and still have two months to go.

I had saved my maternity clothing (I don’t know why, but now I am thankful!).  But I have did need some extras like some more shirts and capris.  I went online to Motherhood Maternity two nights ago and although their prices are reasonable and I am happy with their clothing, it was easier and cheaper to run to Wal-Mart and get some clothes.  And I didn’t have to wait for shipping, was able to try them on right then and there and take them home.  I do not have the time these days with three little kids at home to wait around for clothes to come in the mail, taking a chance that I might have to return them.  And the nearest Motherhood Maternity store is pretty far from my house, so it is not convenient.

So as I sit here, still in disbelief we are having another child, I feel the little guy stir in my belly. The feeling is just as wonderful as it was with my first child.  And I am aware that I will be overwhelmed for some time, but the joys that these kids bring me daily is the best reward I can ever ask for.  I look forward to the day this baby is born, and even though I vowed to my husband that this baby making factory is closed after September, I know I will look back one day and wish I was still sitting here, pregnant with little kids all around me.  Motherhood is amazing!

Jennifer
Mom to Juliana (7), Louis (11m) and Anthony (11m)
Expecting #4 in September!
www.nevaland.com

When was the last time you made S’mores with your kids??  Talking about a fun an INEXPENSIVE treat!!! My oldest son Jeromy caught the end of a movie on Disney and the kids were having a camp fire. He immediately ran into our room saying

“We have never made S’mores Ma!’ I replied, I know son,

He immediately rushed us to our local Wal-Mart Supercenter to get our supplies!! Well, I know it cost all of $5.00 to get everything we needed. My husband was very hype about finally getting to use his fire pit that we bought about 2 yrs ago.

It took a little while to get the fire going. We searched all over our small town for some skewers, uuuggggg (small towns)

Well, we finally got things going and they were GREAT!!! We all had chocolate and marshmallows all over our faces. Baby Jayce, with his FAST hands managed to grab a melted marshmallow and smash into his face. He was all sticky and loving every minute of it!!

Here is the easy recipe:
(1) Place Hershey bars on graham crackers.
(2) Toast marshmallows.
(3) Place toasted marshmallows on Hershey bars to melt chocolate.

Eat & Enjoy

~Shanta

So, what is your favorite season? It’s hot here. There are four season where I live… almost summer, summer, still summer and fall but still almost summer. I have lived here in the south my entire life, but I have to say that I get a little jealous of those that have real falls with turning leaves and apple picking. I am, however, not all that jealous of the terrible snow and ice storms that some get (although I didn’t see real snow until I was in my early 30s).

In all seriousness, I would say that fall is my favorite time of year followed closely by spring. I enjoy being able to wear long sleeves for a few days during the fall. I just love fall clothing. I also love football, fall food (Thanksgiving food is something I look forward to all year) and taking the boys to pumpkin patches. My hubby and I were married in the spring and it was the perfect day, cool and sunny. I just love being able to play outside with my boys without breaking out in a sweat.

I know it will be a couple months before we have any truly cool days here, but a girl can dream right? I am already eyeing cute fall clothes for the boys and thinking about hot cider and pumpkin pie.

It’s been the hottest, driest summer I can remember. Our grass is so crunchy from the drought and just walking outdoors results in being drenched in sweat (not pleasant). Dreaming about cooler weather gets me through the days.

Shannon
Potamus Prefers
http://www.potamusprefers.com/

We have officially out grown the safety first bath seat we have. It says when the baby can stand up to stop using. Well Tristan has been standing and trying to walk for about a month, but I guess he never thought to stand in the tub until the other night. So for now he sits on a bear sponge and has a little bit of water to sit in. Here is a video of why we can no longer use it. Please ignore the background talk, my husband didn’t realize I was taping and was trying to get me to be more forceful with my saying no. I am not sure when a baby gets the concept of NO, so I try to be gentle when saying it. I stopped the video right as he stood up since I was worried about him falling out.

Chrystal
www.everydayoates.blogspot.com
www.everydayoatescooking.blogspot.com

I am guilty of having a potty mouth. I don’t know how I became that way. My mom didn’t really curse, unless she was super frustrated. My dad was probably the one that would insert curse words nonchalantly in conversation as if the sentences just went more smoothly with them in it. They can even be used to express happiness or excitement. My husband suggests being in the military contributed to his potty mouth. Whatever the cause, it’s present in our lives and needs to stop before our son becomes a parrot and repeats everything we say!

What’s funny is that some of our friends who don’t even have kids and aren’t around them on a daily basis have completely changed their word habits when they are around Shaughn. One day, a friend came over and was telling me about her stressful job while Shaughn was playing with his toys on the floor beside her. When a potty word was used she whispered and spelled it. I started to laugh and assure her Shaughn would not catch on the word. The spelling of it, made it more funny to me. A different time, another girl friend of mine also whispered when she used a potty word.. well, several potty words. I was surprised at how natural it came to them to whisper these words and even spell them.

Then I realized, our friends are doing this, we need to start! I don’t want our son’s first word to be a bad one! I think in the back of my head I was comfortable assuming that Shaughn wouldn’t understand or repeat anything we say til he’s about 2, but children start saying words before then! So eliminating these potty words entirely would be best, and if we can’t, at least spell them out. Who knows what day your baby will say his or her first word, but you definitely don’t want it to be one that will make you blush. I get lessons from parental pros, new parents, and see, even from people who don’t have any children. Do you have any funny stories about this? Or if anyone else had a potty mouth problem, what did you do to make sure your child wouldn’t accept it into their vocabulary?

-Krystle

My daughter Juliana begged for a baby brother or sister for years.  It began when she was only two, and I was separated from her father.  I was able to use the excuse “Mommy needs a husband” for a while, until I remarried when she was four years old.  My new husband and I experienced fertility issues, and a year into trying to conceive, we learned we were expecting twins!  Juliana was thrilled; especially after learning she was going to have two baby brothers.

Juliana and her brothers, Louis and Anthony, born 7/22/09

I have my Master of Science degree in Counseling, with an advanced certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy.  Prior to the birth of my twins, I was a social worker in a foster care agency in New York City.  I have given advice both online and in person on both personal and professional levels to parents all over the country and have been successful in what I do.  I am well respected in my field and consider myself exceptional as a therapist.  So why am I now having a hard time with my seven year old? 

I must say, Juliana is a wonderful big sister.  She is always talking to her brothers, playing with them, entertaining them.  I love watching her put on her Miley Cyrus or Jonas Brothers CD and dance around the living room while her brothers laugh in delight.  I have been able to cook many dinners and clean the floors quite a few times only by having the boys entertained by their big sister.  She is so proud, too!  Whenever we are out, people stop and ask questions about the twins (I am guessing it comes with the territory as people are amazed with multiples… either that or they are just being nosy!).  Almost inevitably they then look over at Juliana and ask if she is the big sister.  She grins ear to ear when they say “I bet you are a big helper” or “You are a great sister!”  And when she leaves for school in the morning she goes over to each baby, hugs and kisses them, saying “See you in six hours!”

Only twice have I heard any negativity relating to her being asked to do me a favor with regards to the babies, such as “Can you bring me a diaper?” I try to do this as infrequently as possible.  Once, as I was washing dishes and a baby was crying, I asked Juliana to see if he was okay. She replied “Mom, they are YOUR babies.  YOU had them.  YOU see if he’s okay!”  Another time, I asked if she could help hold the bottle on one baby while I burped the other, and she replied “Mom, if Jon and Kate can handle eight, you can SURELY handle two!”  I have never heard any other negative comments regarding the boys from my daughter.

Juliana is now answering back, throwing tantrums, disobeying, and being defiant.  She is only doing this at home, as she is doing beautifully at school on all levels.  I heard her tell my mother last week that I do not spend time with her anymore, and this was only a day after I took her to Chuck E Cheese for lunch and a play date.  I try to talk to her all the time about how she now has baby brothers and is big sister, and she consistently maintains that she loves her brothers and is thrilled to have them.  But these behaviors have only begun since I became pregnant with the boys, and it seems so logical that they are directly related to Juliana no longer being an only child.

So what do I do?  I try my hardest to maintain my cool and reprimand her positively, although this is sometimes very difficult to do when two babies are screaming and a seven year old refuses to take a bath.  I constantly tell her I love her, as does my husband, and continuously reinforce her tremendously important place in this family.  I am always telling her that she is still and always will be my baby, even if I have two other babies now (and a third on the way).  I emphasize that she is my only little girl, and always tell her how beautiful she is and how much she means to me.   I always try to give hugs and kisses.  I try my hardest, although sometimes difficult, to read every story she writes, look at every drawing she makes, and listen to every discussion she wants to have, regardless of how trivial it may seem to me at the moment. 

Do I always succeed in this?  Of course not.  Which is probably why I have not kicked the bad behaviors just yet.  But we’ll keep trying, and hopefully, my sweet little girl will be back soon!  It just goes to show that a therapist cannot treat her own children!

Jennifer
Mom to Juliana (7), Louis (11m) and Anthony (11m)
Expecting #4 in September!
www.nevaland.com

The older I get, the more I fall in love with the beach!! I can’t remember very many trips to the beach as a child, but my kids will have very vivid memories of the beach.

It seems like we have been going almost every weekend lately. We are really close to some beautiful beaches. We live about an hour away from 2 great beaches; the OBX & Va. Beach.

Jeromy Jr. and Jeromy Sr. seem to think they are pro-surfers!! NOT
I have yet to see either of them stay up on a wave. They love the boogie board and appear to be having a blast, but at every attempt it is a total wipeout.
Baby Jayce was enjoying the feeling of sand running through his fingers. He looked amazed and after the amazement wore off her tried to eat it!! He is at the wonderful phase were everything goes in his mouth for a sample taste. I am very cold natured, so I don’t play in the water much. I like the feel of salt water on my feet, but that’s about it. We love going to the beach, it is very inexpensive. We pack a small picnic basket, load up on sunscreen and we head out!!

I try to have all my paparzzi equipment ready for any magic moments that may come up!!

Here are a few shots from the beach,

This is the 1st time Baby Jayce felt the ocean,

-Shanta