The Land of Naps

I remember the days when I had at least two naps a day...ok, I didn't actually take two naps...but I think it was sort of a "mind nap" where I could just zone for an hour or two. Ahh, yes.

(Oh wait, this isn't about me...it is about my daughter's naps...which equals - rest for mommy!)

Ok, so then two became one. But a nice chunk of the afternoon left to sleep, veg, catch-up on a good book or magazine.

Now my big girl doesn't believe in naps. At four she says, "I don't need to sleep mommy." Famous words at nap-time and bed-time. But mommy needs a break...so

What do you do with a determined toddler who refuses to nap?

I usually say it is quiet time, you may lay in your bed and read a book for an hour, or sleep - your choice. But the rules are, you must stay in bed, and be quiet.

Works like a charm. I get my hour of "me-time" and she gets an hour of "rest-time."

Blue Poo!

Jelly bean and I had a "girls night out" on Friday night. We stopped and had dinner and then made our way to get ice cream. I usually get something with peanut butter and chocolate, but decided to mix it up a bit...I ordered a "whoopie pie" flavor. Jelly got "cotton candy" mainly because it was blue...and well, she likes blue.

The next day she was on the potty and she started yelling, "Mommy come quick!" and as I ran in and about fell over (just from the potent smell - seriously how can a 4 year old put that out?)...she said "My poo is blue!"

Sure enough it was!

And I am pretty sure it was the cause of her belly ache for the next day and a half. Because that is how long it took for the blue poo to disappear.

She said, "I don't think I want to eat blue ice cream anymore."
Mommy agreed.

Long Time No Seek

I know it has been a while...I am not sure if anyone even comes back to read this anymore. It has been tough trying to find the time to write. And after my long days at work, I just feel creatively spent. But I do miss blogging and meeting other parents...I guess I just have to find the time and energy to do it again. So here is the latest update:

My little Jelly Bean is growing so big lately. She turned 4 years old last month, we finally gave up the "night-time" pull-ups, and we officially took the gate down that used to limit her freedom to wonder the house. (the side story to the gate) The gate thing really made me nervous...I think mostly because we used it to keep the cat out...now the cat is able to nibble on toes as he so famously loves to do when the unsuspecting prey is laying there asleep.

I guess we have officially graduated to "Big Girl" status. This fall, she will be entering preschool 2...and a year from now preparing for the big K.

I just can't believe it. I often wonder where the time goes? From the tiny seed into a sassy little girl! Life is truly amazing.

Don't forget to spray the monsters out!

Probably about six months ago, Bean started talking about the "M-word" you know, monsters.

She would run through the house screaming that the monsters were going to get her. She wouldn't go into another room alone (even with the lights on) because monsters were in the room. "Stay with me mommy, I can't sleep by myself, the monsters are in my room." she would plead.

Snuggled with 3 baby dolls, one kitty cat, 3 puppy dogs, 3 princess dolls, a night light turtle and a box of tissues with soft music playing in the background...I thought she might feel somewhat secure. And then it dawned on me...another blogger had tried "Monster spray." (Or a spray bottle of febreeze!)

So, that night I said, "Do you want me to go get the monster spray? It keeps the monsters away." She thought for a moment and said, "Ok."

Six months later..."Momma, I have something to tell you." "Yes." "Don't forget to spray the monsters out!"

Happy Halloween!

Chatty Bean

Have you ever really listened to a 3-year-old talk?

Jelly Bean loves to talk...friends are amazed while on the phone..."Does she ever stop?" is usually the question I get...which, I hope doesn't mean they are annoyed...but hey she is 3!

But of course when friends visit...you would think an alien would have come down and snatched her little tongue because she is that quiet! But then again...she is cautious of her surroundings and she is 3!

Today after dinner I was talking to Jelly Bean and sometimes I have to work very hard at not laughing, because she is dead-serious in conversation...

"Mommy, my tummy is full. That is why I can't eat anymore. I eat cheese, potatoes and bread and they make me feel better. But I cough and get sick when I eat too much. That is why my tummy is full."

Makes perfect sense...to a 3 year old!

Financial Fears and Your Kids

Ok, so I have been holding out on the whole financial crisis thing...trying not to join the ranks with the media in stirring the bees nest on the situation. But, sometimes the media does come out with an interesting story...or two.

The other day, MSNBC released a story called the "financial fears trickle down to the kids." Kids, even as young as three are very in-tune to what we say and the emotions that come when we are stressed. They may never ask or say what they are gathering...but they do build upon it. Sometimes I catch Jelly Bean having a reaction to an "intense discussion" that hubby and I are having...and realize that maybe we could have handled ourselves better...or of course waited until we could talk alone.

But the fact of the matter is, the financial crisis is affecting everyone. I keep hearing that financial strategists are worried that the "Great Depression" may in fact repeat itself. These are very scary times that we are facing.

I found the article to be very interesting and I wonder how many parents have discussed the hard times with their kids. Or how as a family they work together to create a new budget - cutting back on outings and small purchases?

I would like to open-up the forum and find out - what you, as parents, have explained to your kids, or maybe you haven't yet, or don't think it is necessary to...

I will start...

We haven't sat JB down to discuss the hard-times. But we weren't sure how much a 3-year-old would be able to digest. I think if she asked about it, we would definitely try to explain things to her. We have been fortunate so far, but we have been eating out less and spending less - just in case. And, I have to admit, trying to be optimistic...we have been hoping for things to bounce back sooner rather than later.

Have you talked with your child about the financial hard-times? Do you feel they would understand? What are you doing as a family to prepare for the worst?

Have you ever seen a Peeing Cow?

Jelly and I met a friend and her daughter at the Maryland State Fair today...

The great thing about state fairs, well besides all the fattening food, is that it is really easy to entertain a 3 year old. They had every farm animal a child could dream of...cows, pigs, goats, sheep...but that isn't even the extent of what entertained our kids...oh no...cow's and pig's relieving themselves is what drew our kids in! That is right people..Poop and pee.

In fact the peeing cow left such a lasting impression on my little Jelly Bean, that she insisted on saying goodbye to the "Peeing Cow" before we left.

Ahh yes, nothing like pure excrement for a days entertainment!

Conversations with my three year old:

"Your my sweet little girl."
"No mommy, I your sweet little BIG girl."

"Daddy Rocks!"
"What about mommy?"
"Mommy Bites!"

"Tobee doesn't listen. We need a new cat."
"But other cats don't listen."
"...We need a dog!"

Yelling from bed, "I am going to sleep mommy, all by myself!"

Isn't three the best age?

Yes Dear, they are shot-happy!

Jelly had her 3-year appointment the other day. Hubby braved this one on his own. Although, unlike most children, my child loves going to the doctor. She even asked if she could go.

In fact, she often asks for medicine too...which could lead one to think that either she is going to be a doctor one day or a pharmacist...(come on, what'd you think I was going to say, geesh!)

So the morning of her appointment I prepped her for going to see the doctor.

me "Jelly, you are going to see the doctor today."
Jelly "I am? I not sick mommy."
me "I know you aren't sick, but sometimes we go when we are healthy...to get a check-up."
Jelly "Ok. Are they going to give me a shot?"
me (remember what the doctor said last year) "Nope, you don't need that until your a couple years older."

Fast forward to a couple hours later.

Hubby calls to tell me how the appointment went...everything appeared fine, the doctor recommended we enter Jelly into some sort of play group outside of day care...and she got a shot. HUH?!

Ok, here is the background...back in 2007, the doctor offered a Hep A shot. I originally had signed the consent form...and before the doctor gave the shot...she double checked that it was ok. Because as sleepless parents it is easy to confuse oneself between Hep A and Hep B. Hep A is not mandatory...well at least not yet. Hep B is. After finding out more about it, we refused the shot. Giving her a nice shot-free break until Kindergarten. But now according to Jelly's records, she did get it (in the left thigh to be exact). However, Hubby and I (as witnesses) know she never got it...well until now. She got the second dose...so she is half immune.

My heart sank. "I told Jelly that she wasn't getting a shot." I said to hubby. Hubby "Don't worry, she took it like a trooper. It wasn't until she was in the car that she said, 'Daddy that shot hurt. I don't like shots.'"

My Poor Baby!

The Binky fairy has failed me

This weekend, while Jelly bean was on the floor throwing one-of-her-typical-three-year-old-fits, she stopped and said, "Mommy, something is under my bed."

And because we don't store anything under her bed, I chose to investigate. And there it was...a lone binky.

Me: "Well, look at that, it's a binky, the Binky fairy must have dropped it."
Jelly: "The Binky fairy dropped it? Can I have it?"
Me: "Umm, no."
Jelly: "Let me see it. " I nervously show it to her.
Me: "I guess we will have to let it out for the Binky fairy to pick-up."
Jelly: "Yes. Maybe the Binky fairy can leave it for my baby sister."
Me: "No, I think another baby can use it before then."
Jelly: "oh."

Nice try though. Thank goodness she didn't find that binky earlier...it could have been a binky disaster!

The Calvin and Hobbes syndrome

I recently read that some toddlers have such active imaginations, that they actually believe what they are imagining.

Sort of like Calvin and Hobbes.

Calvin, a mischievous little boy, and his stuffed Tiger, Hobbes find themselves in all sorts of trouble. To the adults, Hobbes is a stuffed Tiger. To Calvin, Hobbes is his very much alive tiger and best friend.

Similar to Calvin, Jelly has her imaginary friends...Bella and Becca. These two, who I assume are her sisters, whom she loves to boss around all the time. She plays with them at home, fights with them in the car and the moment hubby or I interrupt, she gets very shy and bashful about it, "No, turn around!"


Bella and Becca have quite the reputation around our household (similar to Hobbes), they usually are the ones causing any and all the trouble...well besides what our fat cat Tobee doesn't do.

She can become so actively engaged with her sisters/friends...that sometimes hubby and I have a hard time distinguishing whether she is talking to us or her friends.

I am not quite sure what the psychology is behind imaginary friends, if it is toddlers learning social skills, how to have a conversation or if it is a coping mechanism (loneliness or helping them through a difficult situation) or maybe it is as plain and simple as a developmental thing.

Does your little one have an imaginary friend?

Lost and Found

When I was about Jelly bean's age, my parents took me to the beach. My brother and dad were playing in the waves and my mom had only turned her back for a second...and I was gone.

At 3, I wasn't worried about losing my family...I was too interested in finding sea shells. As I walked along the crowded beach that day, I didn't even think to look up - like most 3-year-olds I was focused on the shells in the sand. Eventually when I realized my parents were out of sight, I began to cry. Luckily, a life guard approached me and asked where my parents were, unlucky for him, I didn't know. I couldn't remember what they had on or where we stayed, because at 3, it all looked the same. So, he signaled the other life guards to be on the look-out for parents looking for a lost child, fortunately soon after we were reunited.

I remember this day very clearly and now that I am a parent, I understand the distress my parents felt.

These days you have many options to help keep track of your kids with leashes, beepers, or id tags.

The leashes or "child safety harnesses" are good for when you will be walking on a busy street or in the mall. But these don't give your child any sense of freedom or independence, which could be a struggle with a toddler. These are available in many varieties, the one I linked above is a stuffed animal backpack -- making it more fun for your child.

The beepers or "toddler trackers" seem like they would be good when at a park or amusement park however, per some parents comments, it can be hard to hear in a noisy crowded area and if they get to far away, it wouldn't work at all.

When we recently took Jelly Bean to Dutch Wonderland, I was quite impressed with the park's proactive approach on lost children. They actually offer free ID bracelets at the ticket counter. All you do is write down your first and last name (and if you have, a cell phone number) and attach the plastic id bracelet to your child's wrist.

But what if the park or place you are going doesn't offer something like this? You can order them online, in many varieties.

There is a shoe id, which I thought was neat. It attaches with Velcro, so it is reusable.

There is an id band, it appears to be similar to the one that Dutch Wonderland had. But you are required to buy the minimum of 10.

There are those popular silicone bracelets that you can personalize, and they are waterproof. These are higher in price, unless you buy in bulk.

Tattoos are another option for parents, as is writing the information on their arm or belly with a sharpie. My only dilemma with this is, and I know because Jelly did it, they then think it is ok to color with pen and marker on themselves.

And some other (free) suggestions I found included, write the information on their clothing tag, or on masking tape and place it on the inside of their shirt or shoe.

When I think back to the day at the beach, I know that we were really lucky. And now with these simple solutions, I know that I can enjoy my summer and our travels with a sense of peace, knowing if I do become separated from Jelly, she will have our information to be reunited.

Refreshing blue waters

Swimming and summer go hand and hand. But there are many dangers when it comes to your toddler and water.

As I mentioned in my pool dangers post, all it takes is a little water in the lungs to cause un-intentional drowning, so as parents we must be vigilant about the warning signs.

But another health issue has come to fruition, don't drink the pool water. Which this past weekend, I noticed my little Jelly bean enjoys blowing bubbles in the pool - however, her version involves "tasting the water" not actually blowing bubbles. Experts say you shouldn't even let the water in your mouth, due to pools being contaminated or you may experience one of the most common illnesses - diarrhea.

So now that we covered keeping the water out of our and our toddlers mouths...also remember these important water safety basics.

And remember, this post isn't meant to scare parents, just remind us of water safety...so go have a fun and "jump in the pool" kind of summer! Besides, you may be training the next Dara Torres!

Are you smarter than a 3-year-old?

Recently, I bought the Deceptively Delicious cookbook to try to fool my finicky toddler into eating foods with yucky vegetables in it.

Yeah, think she read the book before I did.

The other night, I made mac and cheese with butternut squash...it was actually pretty good, but my little Jelly Bean was too smart for that.

To Jelly: "You haven't even touched your mac and cheese?"
My little miss smarty-pants reached over her plate and touched the mac and cheese with her finger and gave a "cheesy" grin...and wouldn't try one bite...not one!

Ok, maybe we will try the spinach/carrot brownies next...she can't resist chocolate!

Bring in summer with a Bang!

Ahhh, yes, summer is here...

Last night we let Jelly stay up late to see fireworks, sponsored by our local township. We weren't sure how she would react, at first she held her ears...then realized it wasn't too bad and had quite the commentary...

"They are not loud. They sound like drums."

"You can't eat them mommy. They are just dots."

"Look mommy and daddy a light'n bug! Ooooo its pretty."

Well, she is 3...so the lack of the attention span is normal...but she did enjoy them, even though she couldn't eat them!

Moments to love

What makes being a parent so awesome? The moments you love and cherish forever...

The contagious laughter from tickling.
The sweet whispers of air in your ear.
The snuggle moments.
The "I love you mommy/daddy" for no reason at all.
The imagination that creates their incredible stories.
The independence they yearn and the dependence you yearn.
The silly songs they sing.
The faces they mimic.
The daily accomplishments you watch them make.
The innocence they have towards every thing and creature and human being.
The quiet time right before bed while reading a book.
The moments that they are peacefully sleep.

These are just some of the moments I love...how about you?

Poopy Dilemma

Maybe I jumped the gun...maybe just a little.

Here is my dilemma, and I am sure there are other parents out there as frustrated -- if not more than we are. Everyday, Jelly goes to day care and everyday she stays dry (going to the potty - no problem)...but get her home for the weekend and it is like she has forgotten all about how to do it. But it isn't with the peeing that we have this problem...just the bowel movement.

I love being a parent, just because I can say bowel movement in a paragraph and no one thinks twice about it.

Anyway, my child has gone several times on the potty (both #1 and #2)...but lately she just won't do #2...she is even holding it in...which worries me. It is typical right? OR am I really going to lose all my hair due to frustration? Seriously, I would rather just turn gray!

Prayers for poopy on the potty are needed...

It's Friday the 13th - how are you sleeping?

Has a black cat crossed your path today?

Have you walked under a ladder?

Or maybe you just suffer from Triskaidekaphobia?

Yes, Friday the 13th...as a young teen we would have slumber parties and watch horror flicks and play with the Ouija board all night...why, you ask? 'Cause that is what girls do to frighten themselves silly!

I can't wait for Jelly bean to reach that age!

Oh wait, I think I am getting a taste of it now, as she already wakes every night screaming for mommy.

This has been going on now for about a month. It can be really frustrating. As a parent, you want to go in and comfort them, but at the same time -- if you do it becomes an endless cycle. Then if you get angry, they know they can still get your attention at 2am -- it becomes an endless cycle. Then if you don't come, they figure you will break if they cry long enough - and again an endless cycle.

What does a parent do? A friend recently suggested that I ask her what her punishment should be if she wakes up mommy and daddy at night (unless she is sick or hurt). Sounds tough, but she said it worked for her little late night talker.

So, tonight I asked Jelly what her punishment would be, and she said to "take my princess dolls away."

I am praying that she doesn' t wake, because if I take the dolls away...it will be a long, long, long night.

To be continued...

How to grow a toddler and eat veggies

While we are on this food kick, let's talk about toddlers and veggies.

Yes, now that we have established the typical toddler diet...
Chicken nuggets or Mac and Cheese with a side order of fried potatoes aka - french fries (well, we had to make them sound kinda sorta like a veggie, right?)

How does one get a child to eat a REAL veggie...and like it too?

You head to the book store or library...and find clever books like, I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato, and read it to your child...or just take some notes and use the technique at home. Who would have thought that peas were, "Green drops from Greenland"? Intriguing photos and words that may inspire your toddler to at least try a "moonsquirter" or maybe they will just look at you like you are weird?

So if that doesn't work...

You can always sneak the veggies into their food without them knowing. Like in Deceptively Delicious, by the one and only Jerry Seinfelds wife, Jessica. Brownies made with spinach or mac and cheese made with butternut squash! They will think you are crazy when you beg them to eat seconds!

So, there you have it. Two ways to get your toddlers to eat their veggies...and possibly you too!

I can't stop the clock...

And the time is running. away. from. me.

Breathe. air. slowly.

Only 4 days until Jelly Bean's birthday. FOUR days! That is not counting today. Where is the easy button when you need it? I have cakes to bake (yes, I am crazy), food to order, goody bags to fill and a house to clean!

Deep Breath.

Repeat: "I'm not stressed, I work best under pressure."

Ok, I am stressed and maybe a little crazy...so I guess it is time to look over my birthday tips plus two and get it together.

4 days until the princess party. I will post pictures this weekend!