Naptime Blog

Our 2yr old has decided that he doesn’t like eating out very much right now. Even though our budget is a little tighter these days, we still enjoy a meal out every now and then. We try to have books, crayon & even a game on the iPad ready to go. He is usually satisfied with those items for the 1^st 15 minutes or so, but then he starts to fuss, a cry that he is ready to go.

We offer him everything we can think of to calm him, french fries, applesauce, and chicken nuggets, all of his favorites. Maybe he’s just a homebody or going through another one of those awful terrible two phases. I hope this passes soon so we and the other restaurant goers can enjoy a nice evening out.

Do you have any restaurant secrets to share?

~Shanta

I finally learned a trick to get my 2 yr. old on board with trying new foods. As long as he participates in the prep, he is more excited to eat it. No matter what it is, veggies, different meats, and even fruits. Jayce loves helping Mommy in the kitchen. He is a dipper too, so if I can find a dipping sauce to go along with the meal he is more interested in eating it. I put smiley faces on his toast & pancakes, and let him use chopsticks with his veggies (really funny). Share your tricks for getting the picky eater on board.

I love this website I found with kid friendly foods, check it out!

http://www.juicyjuice.com/Recipes/Kid-Friendly-Foods.aspx

And don’t forget to make it cute! Check out these cool pictures.

 Shanta

I can’t believe that our 4 month old is already cutting teeth! It seems like he just got here.  Well, poor baby is here & he’s teething L It is really kicking his butt too. So I headed out today to find him some relief. I have all the basic things on deck; paci, teething ring etc.

But he’s starting to run a low grade fever & he’s pretty cranky. Things are so expensive these days, gas, groceries, medicines,,, I could go on & on (……and on). I am always looking for ways to save. Maybe one day I will be featured on TLC’s “ Extreme Couponing Show” http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/extreme-couponing

I don’t leave home without my frequent shopper cards. So I headed to my local CVS Drugstore and look what I found. (See Below) Needless to say, I went with the store brand after comparing the labels and thank goodness Baby Javen is now sleeping peacefully

STORE BRAND

$4.49

Active Ingredient: Benzocaine (7.5%). Inactive Ingredients: FD&C Red No. 4, Flavor, Glycerin, Polyethylene Glycols, Purified Water, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitol.

$7.49

Active Ingredient: Benzocaine (7.5%). Inactive Ingredients: Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Flavor, Glycerin, Polyethylene Glycol, Purified Water, Red 40, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbic Acid, Sorbitol.

Shanta

What do you do to keep your kiddo’s busy on a long road trip? My family loves to hit the road, but its has gotten a little more challenging with the new baby. I tend to crawl across the seat and get on mommy duty about an hour into our trip. I still look forward to roadtrips.

Here are a few “Saving-Grace” roadtrip ideas that may help you & your family to pack it up and jump on the road.

1. Make music. No roadtrip is complete without the perfect soundtrack! Consider the purchase of a new children’s CD that you’ll also like listening to.

2. Play games. We play rounds and rounds (and rounds…!) of the Alphabet Game, and I Spy is a favorite.

3. Enjoy rest stops.  One of the keys to road trip success with small children is to avoid being in a hurry.  Rest stops are necessary for everyone, even me! Toss a ball in the car and play a quick game of family soccer.  Make sure you’ve brought quarters, and treat your kids to the novelty of a vending machine.  Feed them, wear them out, and they just might take a longer nap when you hit the road again!

4. Tell stories.  Kids LOVE good stories, and an engaging tale can make the time pass so quickly.

5. Surprise them!  It takes a little planning and effort, but try to work in some surprises during the trip. Take a trip to the dollar store and wrap up some little gifts to open along the way.

Now gas it up & ride out!

Shanta

I often struggle with deciding what activities to enroll my boys in for the summer. Do we try T-ball, soccer, swimming, library programs…the possibilities are endless. I don’t want to over schedule the boys or MYSELF J. The biggest questions is “How do I choose which ones are best for them?” & “How many are too many?” 

I recently read a very interesting article about this very issue. The psychologist recommended that parents should try out a few activities on a trial basis—many places offer free trials. She suggested trying only 2 and at the most 3 activities a week. Some activities call for 2 sessions a week. Many classes are now available with mommy and me so you can start as early as 2 to 2 ½.

Sticking to the activity has always been the tough part for our family. I think we stretch ourselves to thin at times! The article suggested that you pick activities that interest your child. It is important that you ask your child what is interesting to him/her, and what they would like. I think my husband tends to push a little more in the direction of activities that he always enjoyed (sports)

Once an activity starts it is important that the child stick with it for the remainder of the season and not quit. This does teach your child a valuable lesson about commitment.

To find out about activities for your children in your area, don’t forget to check some of these places:

• Local libraries
• YMCA
• Parks & Recreation
• Museum

You will be surprised to learn there are some great programs out there to enrich our children’s lives.

~Shanta

I shared a few weeks ago my research & interest in baby sign language. My research really sparked a new passion. I am now studying to become an independent Instructor with Baby Signs ®. The number of benefits this program offers to hearing babies is unbelievable. I will share a few with you in a bit.

By becoming an independent instructor; I plan to offer classes, workshops & playgroups to the parents in my community, I am really excited.  Here are just a few of the benefits: (Research Based)

• Reduces frustration
• Builds trust
• Allow babies to share their words
• Strengthens the parent/infant bond

There are classes & workshops offered all over the country, check out the web-site for more information. www.babysigns.com

I hope to share my class offerings here soon; I will keep you posted! If you have any stories you would like to share about your experience with signing with your infant/toddler please feel free to share it here or e-mail me at babysignslb@hotmail.com

http://youtu.be/uyeS6KR64PE

Shanta

My co-workers, family & friends were nice enough to throw me a shower. Even though this was our 3^rd baby, we were still blessed enough to have a really awesome shower. Luckily for me, diapers were the most popular gift of the evening. I was perfectly happy with opening all of the gift bags that were filled with the various diaper brands & wipes, all sizes. We received Huggies ®, Pampers ®, Luvs ® & last but not least Parent’s Choice ®

I have to admit, I LOVE nice things! Name brands have never really mattered to me, long as it is good quality; I a fan. While I have been able to sample all of the various diaper brands on the market from the generous baby shower, when we run out, I know I will be in Wal-Mart looking for my Parent’s Choice.

If you have never tried them, you wont believe the quality and the SAVINGS. They fit my baby perfectly and we have not had any leaks, which is very important, being a family on the go. They have a huge economy box that you can’t beat. I have been a fan of their wipes since my last baby! Don’t let the low price fool you; they are great!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Parent-s-Choice-Baby-Diapers-Count-96-Size-2/14912815

Mommy of 3 BOYS!

Shanta

I am afraid to even utter the words terrible 2s, maybe it will make it worst! Jayce is 2 and needless to say he has been a challenge. I know he has experienced his fair share of changes in the last few months. He became a big brother and we have been really pushing the potty training in the last few months. My secret prayer is I wont have to buy his training pants and the baby diapers at the same time. Luckily, we are still using baby shower gifts for the baby’s diapers. But, my little stash is beginning to get low L

He is very independent, like many other 2 year olds. But, he is STRONG willed & stubborn. I pray that we get through this challenging time soon; I see a few new grey hairs showing on my husband and myself.

I try to laugh my way through the challenging (tantrum) moments; otherwise I would be in a corner crying. I have to remind myself that I can do ALL things,,,,,,

And when that trying moment is over, he is still my sweet boy <3

Shanta

We have really enjoyed our 2-year pass from Busch Gardens! Our passes will be up the end of this summer and I am debating if we will renew. I definitely feel that we have been getting our moneys worth. On the weekends when we don’t have anything planned, we just pack up a bag and go. We don’t live very far from Williamsburg. 

Our middle son (Jayce), who is now 2, is just really beginning to enjoy the park. They have an area called Sesame Place that’s just perfect for little guys like him. There are all types of attractions and rides just for that age! 

I am leaning towards renewing the passes because of all the additional savings they offer to season pass holders. You should check out the site if you have a larger family and want to save on family fun. 

Here are a few pictures from our most recent trip, enjoy! 

As you can see my little man is not even scared of Elmo! 

Shanta

Now that we are a family of 5, I often feel that there are NOT enough hours in the day. Some kind of way we manage, but when I sit down and reflect, I often feel overwhelmed! I know parents have been raising children and managing a career for many, many years. I often wonder is there a secret or do they just do it?

I just hope that I am being an effective teacher for my students and an AWESOME mom to my boys. My husband & I work very hard to provide for these boys and give them all the love they need.

My husband & I both lost our mothers to cancer, and I think we feel like we have to be Mommy, Daddy & Grandma x2. I know we have to be Mommy & Daddy, but maybe someday I wont feel the guilt of trying to be Grandma too!

Shanta