From Our Bed Back to Her Own: Transitioning my daughter back to her own bed and not feeling guilty

Well, I have to be honest, since my daughter was an infant, I’ve loved resting with her…that oh so addictive yummy baby smell. – Hey, I know I’m not the only mother who is in love with the smell of a baby!! But as my daughter got older, she somehow got on a schedule of laying with me when it was time for her to go to sleep at night.  Of course I wouldn’t tell her no because whenever she laid with me, she was knocked out within minutes, sometimes seconds- I couldn’t complain.

But I will admit, after a couple of months it got bad…to the point where she didn’t want to be put in her crib at all! That not only affected our cuddling and intimate time, but made it so that we barely laid together at all.

To make things even more complicated, I was expecting again! I wanted to cuddle at night so my hubby could rub my back, tummy and feet, but with a 1 year old in the bed with you, that was not going to happen! We were faced with a top secret (sort of) special task – operation get Kay to go nite-nite in Kay’s Bed! Now, I will admit that this was not and I repeat WAS NOT an easy task!

It took night after night of attempting to tire her out to the point where we could put her straight in the bed. Finally after months of trying, she is in her own bed – no if, ans, or buts about it! Every night I say “time to go nite-nite in your bed” and she gives kisses and we put her in the bed and she sleeps ----ALL NIGHT!!!!!

…I feel so accomplished and I’m glad that this hurdle is over…

…now on to the next one J

Mommy vs Daddy: Round One

….Procrastination….Oh how it annoys me!!!

….(sigh)…As I come to you from a place of annoyance and frustration, I have to tell you that I can’t stand procrastination! That is one of my biggest pet peeves, of course among other small things. Now, I’m not saying that I haven’t procrastinated before because that would be a lie, but once my family “begun” I did my best to not do so in any way. Well my wonderful “husband” on the other hand….

First let me start off and say that my mother was and still is very VERY organized! I learned from the best, very best! She taught me how to manage my time and plan out my day so that everything that needs to get done is done and its either before it has to (if it has a deadline) or right on time- NO EXCUSES!

From all of this, I learned that men procrastinate way more than woman do- it’s the truth! And when you throw kids in the scenario- well that just further proves my point.

The picture above seems so accurate especially on a Saturday. Now of course the lists are different in the matter of tasks to do, but they’re still things that need to be done.

I feel like this topic will always be one of my pet peeves and with me having two daughters, I will be sure to teach them how to be organized like my mother taught me!!

                         Love, Procrastination-Free Mom

A Twist On Breakfast ♥

This is a fun alternative to the simple and plain cereal and milk or waffles / pancakes that your child normally has for breakfast! It’s also very healthy!!

Breakfast Kabobs

Ingredients:

Waffles (I used Eggo Frozen Strawberry Waffles)

Banana

Strawberries

Grapes

Plastic Skewers

Directions:

• While your waffles are toasting, cut up the bananas in thick but bite sized circles, the same with the strawberries

• Once the waffles are done, cut up into small triangles

• Then, begin to put the kabob together, starting with a piece of waffle, then fruit following.

                                                  Enjoy!

Adventures at the Park

We’ve always taken Kay to the park, but had to assist her in sliding or climbing, etc. Now that she’s getting older, she wants independence and is able to run around on her own! Of course, we still had to help her, but not nearly as much as before!

Being able to sit back and watch her run freely around, I just cherish these moments because I know that she won’t be this small for long. In our everyday, busy lives, I think it’s important for all of us as parents to take out time to just “watch” our children grow because with a blink of an eye, they will be grown…..

Short Play Dates Without the Work & A Little Less Energy.....

This is the best place ever!!!  I’m pretty sure they have classes for babies aged 6 months and older, but this is a great way to let your child have 45 minute play dates weekly! The teachers are very interactive and know exactly the activities to keep your child entertained and busy! It’s almost like school for little ones except with parents!

I began taking my daughter when she was just an itty bitty baby and she loved it, as you can see from the pictures below. Of course she is older now and I've had to recently take her out of the classes until the baby comes.

Not only is it a learning experience for your child, but a time of play, laughter, fun and interacting with other children.

I highly, highly recommend that you check out their website to see where the closest Gymboree Play & Music center is to you and sign your child up today!!!

Gymboree Play & Music

Transitioning from a 9 – 5:30pm Parent to a SAHM

Ever since I was in high school I was a workaholic working from sun up to sun down, that was me. When I became pregnant with my first child, I was working from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm – and it came to a point where I couldn’t handle the long hours anymore. I worked with children, 2 & 3 year olds at a daycare and honestly, I saw the effects of having parents who dropped them off early in the morning only to return later on that afternoon to pick them up. I told myself that no matter what, that would not be me!

Even when I began to work again after my daughter was about 6 or 7 months, my days lasted forever. I couldn’t do the 9 – 5:30 pm days either! I simply had no time to spend with my daughter! It was annoying leaving her so early in the morning only to return to her when it was dinner then bedtime! The older she got, months passed by quickly and I realized that I was missing out on her growing and teaching her what I wanted her to know.

So here we are today, it being about five months since I became a full time mother and I absolutely love it!

A picture of pregnant me and Kay, taken in June, 2013

Flower Bouquet

I love this project because its easy and simple, but it keeps your child entertained for awhile. It can also be a cute table piece!

Materials:

• ·         Toilet Paper Roll or Paper Towel Roll Cut in Half
• ·         12 Count Egg Carton
• ·         Paintbrushes
• ·         Paint
• ·         Pipe Cleaner – Green
• ·         Newspaper
• ·         Scissors

Directions:

• Cut up the egg carton so that each egg holder is separate
• Using scissors poke a small hole in the bottom of each egg holder
• Place newspaper on the table and floor to prevent spills and as easy clean up
• Have your child paint each of the egg holders inside and outside, all different colors
• Once painted, let the egg holders dry
• Meanwhile, paint the toilet paper roll, color of your choice
• After the egg cartons dry, use the pipe cleaners as a stem through the hole and fold over to help keep its place

Now you've created a pretty project that can be given out as a gift!