A Milestone, a Reflection, and an Announcement

The Milestone

This is my 50th post! I started this blog in December and the ball has finally started to roll. I'm beginning to make some bloggy friends, which makes me very happy, and I've actually been getting comments somewhat regularly. I've also been fleshing out my blogroll, so be sure to take a peak at the right sidebar and check out anybody you don't already know!

When I began blogging, I never would have imagined how much fun and how time consuming it would be, nor how addictive it is! But I have really been loving the time I spend spilling my thoughts out and reading what others have to say.

The Reflection

Today we finally found a new church home. We've been in this town since October and I've really missed hearing God's word and enjoying fellowship with others. Oh, it was so nice!

It's perfect timing too, considering we're just entering the Lenten season. This is supposed to be a time of focus and sacrifice, remembering the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made for us.

I've been really stumped about what I should give up for Lent this year. When you consider that Christ gave up His life for us, everything else just sorta pales in comparison. So, I've been trying to think of something that would really hit me hard.

Hmmmm...

Something that is such a huge part of my life that it's absence would leave a gaping hole.

Hmmmm...

Something that has captured so much of my attention that it has left little time for the things that really matter (my home, my husband, my faith).

Hmmmm...

The Announcement

If you haven't guessed it already, I've decided to give up blogging for Lent. I know, I'm a few days late, but for some reason it took a good sermon at church today for the obvious to finally hit me.

Even as I'm typing this, I've been having second thoughts: Isn't there something else I could give up? What if nobody remembers me when I come back? Will it be like starting over again? Do I have to? Which just serves as confirmation to me that I probably am making the right decision.

Oh, blogosphere, I will miss you. I'm sure I will think of you often, but I will be back come Easter.

Ahhhh.

I can't do it!

Ok.

Publish.

Back on Track

The other day I was ready to put in my notice. Babies were crying, Mommy was tired, and nobody was happy. Then, the next thing you know it's a brand new day, and everything is wonderful again. Babies played and Mommy got a much needed reminder of all of the beauty and joy that two little girls bring into her life.

 

Lazy Mom's Blog

I think maybe this would have been a more fitting title for my blog. Sometimes I surprise myself with how little inertia I can possess at times.

Like this evening, I was preparing a Stouffer's Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake (because I'm too lazy to cook) which involves cutting a slit in the top. So, I see a handy pair of finger nail clippers sitting on the counter (because I was too lazy to put them away) and I think, "Close. Sharp. Good." (because I'm too lazy to reach for something further away).

However, I quickly realize how incredibly inappropriate it would be to cut the packaging of a frozen entree that is being made for my family with a pair of clippers that I use to clip my toe nails. So, I reach for the next closest thing, a used fork that is also sitting on the counter (because I was too lazy to put it in the sink) with some unidentified food product on it. Ok, this will work. I cut the slit and put the meal in the oven.

Then, I examine the fork more closely and realize that the stuff on the fork was left-over cookie dough from a pass I had made into the cookie dough tub earlier today (see below). I had to use a fork rather than a spoon because I didn't have any clean spoons (because I'm too lazy to do the dishes).

I decided to check to see if there already is a lazy mom's blog. Alas, lazy mom blogger has yet to make any entries.

I feel you lazy mom. I really do.

It's Been One of Those Days...

Buying Gifts from Your Sofa, or Bed, or Wherever!

Hey kids! Let's all go to the mall! First, let's make sure we have a change of clothes for everyone, plenty of diapers and pull-ups, snacks, toys, the sling, pacifiers, and the stroller. Is everybody ready to go? Oops, Bitty Baby just embellished Mommy's shirt with spit-up. Mommy's gotta go change...Shopping is fun!

Going shopping with the little ones tagging along isn't always an ideal situation. Actually, I try to avoid it whenever possible, but it seams like there's always some holiday, birthday, baby shower, or wedding that I need to buy a gift for.

Problem solved. Thanks to the wonderful world of online shopping, I can usually purchase my gifts, have them wrapped if so desired, and add a personalized Hallmark greeting card all from the comfort of my own home.

Here are some of my favorite places to shop for gifts...

Amazon- As close to one-stop shopping as you can get. 

Uncommon Goods- I discovered this online store last Christmas and  immediately fell in love with it. Where else can you find a pair of "Freudian Slippers" and sassy little tampon cases?  You can find something for just about anyone here.

Think Geek- The ultimate shopping destination for the geek in your life. Products range from the practical USB Squid to the completely off the wall Giant Plush Microbes. Haven't you always wanted to snuggle up with a plush representation of Salmonella? Not a Christmas has gone by since my husband and I have been married that I haven't purchased something for him from this wonderful retailer.

Oompa Toys- Take a break from Toys R' Us and find some truly special  toys here. Their mantra? "No batteries. No blinking lights. No cartoon-themed toys. Period." I love their European made wooden toys and, if I could justify buying another stuffed animal, I would really like to get my hands on this little guy!

Hallmark- This is my favorite little secret. Yes, everybody knows that  you can get lovely cards and sentimental trinkets from your local Hallmark Gold Crown store, but what about if you just can't find the time to get out of your house and Valentine's Day is fast approaching? Did you know that you can purchase a real greeting card, have it personalized and signed by a real person, and have it mailed directly to it's recipient for about what it would cost you to go to the store and buy it yourself? The person you're sending it to will have no idea you didn't send it yourself. I have used this service several times when I knew I wouldn't be able to make it out before the particular occasion and it has been a real life-saver.

There you go! Save your gas. Forget about the hassle. Just hang out in your jammies and shop when the kiddos are sleeping!

Nature Vs. Nurture: The Chicken and the Egg

Summer, over at Mom is Teaching, posted on a topic that I really got into. Her post stemmed from a discussion on wether boys are inherently different from girls, and if their education should be approached differently. She also touched on the nature vs. nurture topic. I do not homeschool and I have two girls. However, as I began writing what was turning into an epic comment, I decided to explore the topic in more depth here.

As far as nature vs nurture goes, it really isn't one or the other. Our personalities are necessarily a reflection of both our genetics and our experiences. Thanks to our genes, we are predisposed to certain attributes, but due to different experiences, those attributes can manifest themselves in different ways.

For example, say two boys are born with a propensity to be stimulated by conflict, but they grow up in different households with different experiences. Their respective experiences lead one to join the debate team  while the other makes a habit of getting into scuffles with his peers. They both enjoy the same rush, but one has learned to fulfill his need by engaging in socially appropriate behaviors.

Now, lets relate this to gender differences, but rather than viewing boys and girls as a dichotomy, try thinking about them as being opposite ends of a continuum. We hear about some boys being "all boy" and some girls being "all girl," but we also know of plenty of children who would not fall into either of those. 

I believe this is where genetics comes in. Some children are just born more energized than others--->enter stereotyping--->in boys this energy is viewed as rowdiness. A lot of it has to do with perspective (and, of course, everything is relative), although I do believe that boys tend to have a higher energy level than girls. This is where nurture comes into play.

It's up to us, as parents, to instill in our children the understanding that there is a time and a place for everything. School isn't supposed to just be about academics. In addition to the reading, writing, and arithmetic, kids learn a great deal about social expectations.

When my daughters enter school, I expect them to respect their teachers and fellow classmates by not goofing around. I expect them to exercise self control by waiting until they are out of the classroom to run around. And, I expect them to know that they ultimately bear the responsibilities of their actions.

Children need to be provided with plenty of opportunities to get their wiggles out, but don't they also need to learn the importance of complying with social expectations and finding socially acceptable outlets for their various needs?

***I do not have school-aged children, and I don't have boys. My perspective is based solely on my understanding of human behavior and my views on personal responsibility.

Get Out of Your PB&J Rut

Sometimes I find myself making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Little Bit day after day after day. I get so bored just serving it to her, and I can imagine she gets tired of eating it, too.

So, on days when I feel like really shaking things up a bit, I bring out the good stuff. Here are a few alternatives to the PB&J blahs:

• Peanut butter, banana, and honey- Oh, so yummy. Ok, you don't really need to add the honey, but it really does add that special something that makes you go, "Mmm, mmm, mmmmm."
• Ham and cream cheese roll-ups-  Slather some cream cheese onto a tortilla shell, add a few slices of ham, and roll!
• Turkey and cranberry relish- Think Thanksgiving dinner between two slices of bread. Get some real turkey from the deli, sliced kind of thick, then add the relish. The cranberry adds a sweet touch to your basic turkey sandwich. (Haven't done this one in a while because I can't find a good store-bought cranberry relish, but if you can get your hands on some, it's delicious)!
• Burrito- Peel open a can of refried beans, add some shredded cheese, and fold a tortilla shell around it. Lots of protein!

These are some easy lunches that Little Bit really seems to enjoy. Have any other suggestions? What foods do you find yourself serving your little one for lunch?

Pee Pee in the Potty: Hallelujah!

We had a break through today...Little Bit emptied her little bladder in the appropriate receptacle. I.e. She peed in the potty!!!

Can't see it? Believe me, it's in there! Daddy-O get's the award for the quickest reflexes for catching this! Little Bit was on the couch when Daddy-O saw her eyes widen suddenly. He quickly scooped her up and deposited her on the potty (which was conveniently located right next to the sofa) and she released right there on the spot! It was truly wonderful!

After yesterday's challenge of her holding it in most of the day, we decided to let her drink juice (which we usually don't) so that she would have to urinate more, and we would have more opportunities to teach her where to go. I guess it worked, because she peed probably half a dozen or more times before her nap, each one making it into the potty.

That was it. No accidents the whole day. We still did the timer thing (every 20-30 minutes), but there were times when she would run and sit on her potty chair without being told.

It's been a very exciting day. We've got two more days planned out for the PT Boot Camp. I think tomorrow we'll put her in undies and see how it goes.

Pee Pee in the Potty: The Boot Camp

Here's the scene: Potty chair in living room, potty chair in playroom potty seat in downstairs bathroom, and potty seat in upstairs bathroom. We had our bases covered.

As soon as Little Bit woke up we showered her with enthusiasm about her big day as big girl. Off came the diaper, and the Potty Training Boot Camp had begun.

Our plan was to watch her like a hawk and get her on the pot every 20-30 minutes. We used our oven's timer to set the clock, that way every time she heard the buzzzzz, she would know to go sit on a potty, any potty. We would only put her in diapers at nap time and at night.

What we hadn't planned for was her holding it. The poor girl would hold her pee in as long as she could then spring a leak before we could catch it. She did fine sitting on the potty. In fact, she seemed to get a kick out of the game we were playing. She very quickly picked out her favorite potty books and asked them to be read to her over and over and over:

A Potty for Me and My Potty Book for Girls

 

But she just would not pee on the actual potty. Very disappointing. I think I truly believed she would just get it. I knew there would be accidents, but I figured we could at least catch one and then be done. No such luck. I keep reminding myself that it's only Day 1, but I'm pretty bummed about our lack of progress.

We'll try again tomorrow, but I'm thinking maybe she's just not ready for all of this potty training stuff.

You can also read about the beginning of Little Bit's potty training and the set up of our PT Boot Camp.

Adorable New Shoes Up for Grabs!

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