Mom's the Word

Spring like weather

2011-02-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

Today was beautiful weather, the first in quite some time. I was on the road all day for work, but when I got home I threw on some workout clothes and hit the track. I am starting my interval training so that I can get my knee strong for the Crescent City Classic in April!!! I am hoping to get my time under an hour. I ran the 10k Turkey Trot in November in 1:04, but I was in major pain for 2 days..... Yuck!!

Valentine's

2011-02-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

Today has been such a wonderful day. I had lunch with my very best friend (sushi) she has been a part of my life through the good and the bad and she is the reason I have Todd! After lunch I did some shopping and finally found shoes for our Mardi Gras ball and I love them!

I came home and dipped some fresh strawberries in chocolate and then went to pick Rowyn up from school. She came home to a surprise of her Valentine's day gift, which she loved! When Todd came home, we boiled shrimp, potatoes, corn and carrots. So yummy!! He also came home with roses and chocolates for me and a little bear and chocolates for Rowyn.

I just got a text from my sweet Suzy saying that she just got engaged... I am so excited for her!! She deserves so much happiness and love. She is such a wonderful woman and friend. What a great way to end my night knowing my friend got engaged!

What a great family night

2011-02-11T19:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight Rowyn, Todd and I went to Mr. Gatti's for dinner and then took Rowyn to see 'Gnomeo and Juliet' in 3d!, it was such a fun movie and very family friendly.... I truly enjoy nights like this. We are all 3 cuddled in the big chair watching Yo Gabba Gabba. A great end to a really nice night.

Oh my silly girl

2011-02-10T19:56:00.000-08:00

I am getting Rowyn ready for school this morning and she looks at me and says " can I have breakfast at home, school breakfast is disgusting!" I can see bag lunches in my future... Hahaha! I love that my sweet baby enjoys eating healthy food. Her breakfast this morning was a boiled egg, half a banana and grapes, this was her choice. This past weekend we were at a friends house and all the kids were eating cookies and Rowyn was given one also.... She looks at Todd ask if she could have a strawberry instead. I truly believe that if you start your kids early on a healthy diet, they will grow up appreciating healthy food and learn how to make healthy choices!

Time to get back in the swing of things

2011-02-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

I have been away from my blog for a while trying to decide what I was going to do with it..... I have decided that I am going to use it as a journal of my days. I am going to talk about the trials and tribulations that comes with being a mommy and also as a woman. I will also post fun activities and recipes. I hope to gain more followers, but either way I am doing this for me as an outlet for my stress.

Potty Training!!!

2010-02-01T18:43:00.000-08:00

Potty Prep

Is it Time to Try?

If you're not sure when to introduce the potty, consider more than your child's age. Watch for these six important signs, says Elissa Levine, MD, a pediatrician in Charlotte, North Carolina. (It may still help to know that girls are typically ready to start training at around 2 1/2 and boys at about 3.)

Your child shows an interest in the potty process. For instance, he follows you into the bathroom or wants to flush.
She tells you when she's about to poop or pee or you can see from her squatting, grunts, or facial expressions that she's about to go.
He wants to be changed after pooping.
She's not constipated.
You have a reasonable amount of time and energy to devote to this intensive, sometimes frustrating process.
There aren't any major events going on in the family, such as a new baby or a recent move.

Pre-Training Training

Before the "official" toilet training begins, warm him up to the idea with these tips from Parents advisor Ari Brown, MD, a pediatrician and coauthor of Toddler 411.

Explain the bathroom routine in positive, child-friendly terms. During a diaper change, you can say, "When we eat or drink, our body takes what it needs and then the rest gets turned into pee or poop. It's like our body's garbage."
Be a role model. Let your child watch you use the potty. Although it might seem strange, Dad may want to sit down while peeing at the beginning in order to simplify the process for your toddler.
Pretend that her doll or stuffed animal is using the potty. Seeing her "friend" go through the motions in a relaxed, playful setting can relieve any stress she may feel about graduating to the potty.
Practice sitting on it. Suggest visits to the potty first thing in the morning, before her bath, and before bedtime. Just don't expect success at this point. Getting her on a schedule early may save you from constantly asking her to go when the real training kicks in

Fast Chicken Meals Kids will Love

2010-01-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

Ginger-Chicken Kabobs
Makes: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 167
Total Fat (g) 3
Carbohydrate (g) 8
Fiber (g) 1
Protein (g) 27
Calcium (DV%) 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Ingredients

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken-breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup fresh pineapple cubes
1 medium red or green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions

1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Add cilantro, ginger, garlic, oil, coriander, cumin, salt, and nutmeg to bag. Seal bag and set in a shallow dish. Turn and press bag to coat chicken. Chill for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.

2. Heat grill or broiler. On eight 10- to 12-inch skewers, skewer chicken, pineapple and sweet pepper, leaving a 1/4-inch space between pieces.

3. Place kabobs on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat. Grill for 8 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to brown evenly. To broil, place kabobs on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 8 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to brown evenly.

Rowyn's New Word

2010-01-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

I am in a panic with Rowyn's new word... Titty!!!! I have not taught her this word nor do I allow her to watch TV programs that would include this word.

It is not a big deal that she learn the word and I am impressed that she is using it to identify the correct body part, but where did it come from. I always use the word "Ninny" when she asks or points to that body part.

Here is why I am in a panic..... last night she was playing with my sister and they were laughing and being silly. Rowyn then lifts up her shirt and says "look at my tittys". I don't want this to happen in public or ever again. I would like her to be a lady and no what is proper and improper. Any suggestions of what I can do?

2010-01-21T12:48:00.000-08:00

Curried Apple and Chicken Soup

Shredded apples add sweetness and texture that kids will eat up.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

You Will Need:

2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 container (32 oz.) chicken broth
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and shredded
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and curry powder, cover, and cook until onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add ginger and cook 1 minute more. Stir in broth and applesauce, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 5 minutes.
Stir in shredded apple and diced chicken. Simmer 2 minutes, until chicken is cooked. Makes 8 cups.

Nutrition per cup: 137 cal; 14g protein; 4g fat; 11g carb; 13mg calcium; 1g fiber.

Toddler Games

2010-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

The Hot or Cold Game

How to play: Choose one child to be the "Finder." Send him out of the room while the rest of the players hide an object, like a red ball, somewhere in the room. Ask the Finder to come back and look for the ball, while the other players shout out hints: "You're getting hotter" or "you're getting colder." Play until the object is found, then give everyone a turn as the Finder.

What it teaches: Cooperation. This game puts the emphasis on encouraging other players, not competing against them, so preschoolers learn to help each other out in a fun setting.

Parent tip: Try asking kids to speak louder or softer depending on how close or far away the Finder is from the hidden object.

No more pacifier

2010-01-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

Rowyn started a new school on January 11th and I love it!!! Since starting the new school she is, sleeping better and we have also kicked the pacifier (pappy) habit. It took 3 days and the pappy was gone. If I would have known it was going to be so easy, I would have done it long ago.

Rowyn and I are gearing up for her 2nd birthday. I can't believe that it has been two years that I recieved the miracle that my life needed.

Catching Up

2010-01-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

I have been slacking on my posts for a while now, but will be back on track!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season.

9/11... remembering what we lost

2009-09-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." - Jimi Hendrix

Take time to appreciate the life you have and the fact that you are still breathing today...

So Sneaky

2009-09-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

I leave the room for 5 minutes and Rowyn raids the pantry!! She is so darn cute... but so darn rotten. This was after she had dinner and ice cream for dessert!

Being a Bully

2009-09-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

I picked Rowyn up from school yesterday to learn that she is a bully in her classroom. While playing outside that morning she pushed a little girl off the top of the slide. She was put in timeout... although later while playing she hit and pushed some of the other children. She was put in time out again.

After being told about what Rowyn did, I then asked Rowyn if she was a bad girl today and she honestly said "yep". What to do!!!

She is so sweet when the two of us play and she hugs and kisses me and shares all her toys. But when she plays with others she becomes a bully. I notice it when she is playing with her cousins, she will take things from them (mainly their pacifers) in order to make them cry and then gives it rigt back. How do I stop my child from being a tyrant?!?

Learning our Alphabets

2009-09-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

I am currently trying to teach Rowyn her alphabets, but she has no desire to sit them me and learn. It is a slow process and I am being very patient cause I know she is only 19mths old. I believe that starting a child's education early is the building block to a lifetime of loving to learn.

Alphabet puzzles are a must for all toddlers/preschoolers. Parents should read to their children from birth. Talk nonstop to your infant and most of all sing and say Nursery Rhymes. Being a parent is the longest, hardest,but most rewarding journey you will ever take. If you truly spend long hours doing all of the above your child will learn. Maybe she will not know his alphabet at 18 months, but she will have spent many loving moments with her parent. Remember you are given your child, a little soul, to guide through her early years. Do your part, but love the soul for who she is!

I have read that the Leap Frog Letter Factory is the best DVD for teaching both letter identification and begining sounds, I plan on buying it for Rowyn. I will let you know how it goes!

Yummy..... Black Bean Brownies

2009-08-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Black Bean Brownies

•1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
•3 eggs
•1/2 cup Applesauce
•1/4 cup cocoa powder
•1 tablespoon instant coffee (optional)
•1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.
2.Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and instant coffee in a blender; blend until smooth; pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.
3.Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.

2009-08-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Recent photos of Rowyn....

With a face like this, it is hard to tell her "No", she is just so darn cute and so full of life and happiness!!!

2009-08-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Fall semester classes start today... it will be interesting to see how this semester goes with Rowyn, now that she is getting older and becoming more of her own little person.

I am currently dealing with lots of "NO, NO NO!!"... from her. Everything I say or do is a no, so now when I try to correct her, I look for other words to use besides "no" so that maybe she will move on to a different word.

Rowyn enjoying Watermelon

2009-06-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

This was Rowyn's first time to have watermelon. She loved it and could not get it in her mouth fast enough. we actually had to hose her off outside because she was sticky from head to toe!!!

How is your week starting off?!?

2009-06-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Hey moms... A new week has begun! My weekend was great, I ran a 5K on Saturday and then spent Sunday with my family for Father's Day. We played a mean game of kick ball, so much fun! My morning started off with a CrossFit workout, that almost killed me.

Let me know about your weekend..... Have a great Monday!

Mom's the Word

2009-06-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

I am starting the blogging site in order to help moms relate to each other and talk about day to day activities.