Potty Training 101

So, we are now officially potty training around here...and I feel like I know what I am doing, but I could always use some tips and tricks. Paige is doing great during the day, but nights are hard...and she freaks out if she goes in her diaper at night. I guess I will have to cut her water off at like 6, or some thing? I would love to hear what you all have to say!

The Business of Being Born

I watched this movie last night, produced by Ricki Lake, and I found it to be sooo interesting. It just looks at the birth practices in the US compared to other developed countries. Check it out if you can...I got it through Netflix so it should be widely available now. You can watch the trailer for the movie at www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com to get a sneak peek. I will forewarn you though...I cried soooo much watching it; lots of live births and new babies. Also, an interesting link from their website is The Birth Survey. You can go here and input specific information about your birth experience for it to be put into a database so to speak. This info could be so useful to other expecting mothers...

I thought this was cute...

As I re-examine my Mommyhood now that I have 2 kids, I feel like my life is soooo much better and soooo much harder all at the same time. AND since my husband is gone for a while, I am a little more sappy than usual, so here goes...

What changes when you have a baby? A better question may be: What doesn't change? Here, writer and mom Rebecca Woolf lists her most notable post-baby observations. Then scroll down to read our favorite comments from readers about how their babies changed their lives.

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

4. You respect your body ... finally.

5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.

8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.

9. Your heart breaks much more easily.

10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

11. Every day is a surprise.

12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

14. You become a morning person.

15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

And from our readers...

1. "You discover how much there is to say about one tooth." — Ashley's mom

2. "You finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth." — Anonymous

3. "You now know where the sun comes from." — Charlotte

4. "You'd rather buy a plastic tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have." — Sophie's mom

5. "You realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers." — Roxanne

6. "You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night." — Kellye

7. "Silence? What's that?" — Anonymous

8. "You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having." — Brenda

9. "You discover an inner strength you never thought you had." — Ronin and Brookie's mom

10. "You no longer rely on a clock — your baby now sets your schedule." — Thomas' mom

11. "You give parents with a screaming child an 'I-know-the-feeling' look instead of a 'Can't-they-shut-him-up?' one." — Jaidyn's mom

12. "Your dog — who used to be your 'baby' — becomes just a dog." — Kara

13. "You take the time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late." — Tracey

14. "You learn that taking a shower is a luxury." — Jayden's mom

15. "You realize that you can love a complete stranger." — Dezarae's mom

16. You find yourself wanting to make this world a better place. — Arizona

17. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, now you do! — Ciara

First Birthday

Ruby's first birthday is about a month away and I need some ideas for her birthday party. I want it to be fun and special, I just don't know where to start. Anyone care to share some ideas??? HELP!!

30 Day Shred

So, I tried this Jillian Michaels workout today...part one of her 30 Day Shred program, and I have to say that it was one of the best workouts I have had in a LONG time. The workout is designed in a 3-2-1 order, 3 min. strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute of abs....and then it repeats but the exercises change. Very effective, and I was drenched after 20 minutes. I highly recommend. If you have Comcast Cable, I did it for free on On Demand in the Exercise TV section. Baby Weight, Be Gone!!

Cinnamon Apple Chips

These looked tasty, and pretty healthy too!!


Ingredients:

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 large apples

1. Preheat the oven to 250°. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Using a serrated knife or mandoline, thinly slice the apples crosswise, discarding the seeds and both ends. Arrange in a single layer on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets; sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.
2. Bake the apple slices, turning every half hour, until dry, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove and transfer to racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Hmmmm...

Just thought I would share...I got mastitis recently...NOT FUN! I had a temp if 103.6, and almost gave up breastfeeding altogether...BUT, we are ok now and back on track! I am glad I stuck with it! Anyone else had this???