The Great List {8.31.2012}

Hooray...it's Friday!  

As a stay-at-home mom, Fridays ARE a big deal, even though I don't work Monday- Friday.  It's so nice to have Jeff home on the weekends for some family time (and a little me time too!)

Tool time: I'm sure it won't be the last of Jeff's lessons!

1.  I am really looking forward to our first ever family photo session tomorrow.  We'll be meeting the photographer at the beach for an hour-long outdoor session.  I cannot believe Leila will be two in less than a month and we've never had any pictures taken of the three of us (the ones my sister takes on holidays don't count).

2.  Ever tried brussel sprouts?  Me either, until this week.  Now I am wondering what on Earth I was waiting for!  My friend Amy baked some up in the toaster oven drizzled with a little olive oil, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, and a salt-free seasoning from Costco while we were there on Wednesday.  I thought they tasted a little like roasted pumpkin seeds without the crunch.  Delish! 

3.  I am having mixed feelings when I see "Back-to-School" sales, Facebook posts, and September creeping onto my calendar.  Luckily I have some wonderful friends from my teaching days to remind me just how precious this time off with Leila really is.  Talking to them this week made me feel better about the fact that I will once again, not be going back to teaching this fall.  They reassured me that this lay-off has been a "gift of time" that I will never get back with Leila.  Thanks ladies!  

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Come back here each week for my newest list and don't forget to check out Betsy's list each week too.  Warning...positive thinking is addicting!

Want to write your own list?  Just grab the button, add it to your post, and come back to tell us about it.

Share some joy...

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Let's be friends

My long-time BFF has a daughter just seven months younger than Leila.  The girls don't get to see as often as I imagined (due to nap schedules)...but we have plenty of time.   We're not going anywhere!  

Kennady (16 months) and Leila (23 months)

 

Doctor vs. Mom {Potty-training}

I was quite surprised when I went for Leila's two year well-baby check up last week (a month early) and her pediatrician tried to convince me that Leila was ready for potty training.

The doctor (who had been in the room with Leila for a whopping five minutes) said without hesitation, that Leila seemed ready.

Fine.  You think she's ready, then you potty train her.  What about me, don't I get an opinion?  What if I'm not ready?

I kept my mouth shut and listened to the good doctor ramble on about potty training.  Unfortunately for her, she failed to state one single reason why she thought Leila was ready for this next step.  Nope, not one.  Until...

Leila blew my cover and announced that she needed to poop.  

To make matters worse, Leila pulled at the door handle indicating that she wanted to leave the room we were in.  Of course the doctor assumed she wanted to use the bathroom, but I knew better than that!  The truth was, Leila wanted some privacy.  (And who wouldn't?!)  There was no table to hide under, no chair to stand behind, no place that she could be alone to do her business. 

Before the doctor said good-bye, I had her convinced that we'd be starting potty training within the next month.  

Luckily for me, Leila's next well-baby appointment is not until she is THREE years old.  That gives us plenty of time.

Evidence to support WAITING to potty training...

I think Momma knows best!

Anyone else NOT interested in potty training their toddler?  If you've already mastered potty training, what were some clues that your child was ready?

The Great List {08.24.2012}

Ahh yes, the weekend is upon us.  Time for another dose of The Great List.

This is only my second Great List post and already I was feeling like nothing great happened to me this week...until I really took time to think about all the little moments that made me smile this week.

1. Elmo saved the day this week...what a hero this furry red guy is!  Elmo is a favorite around here and I only bust out the DVD once in a while because Leila is glued to the television when he's on.  This week Elmo captured Leila's attention long enough for me to take a shower one evening when Jeff was working late. Not only did I get to shower, but I got to shave both legs!  She did not move from this position the entire time.

2.  Leila and I went on our FIRST ever trip to Costco.  (I have seriously been missing out on greatness.)  I am sure the entire world already knows this: Costco is like Target on crack.  We picked out Leila's Halloween costume for $13 and grabbed a bunch of other necessities.  I didn't go crazy and buy a membership yet, but I can see it happening in the near future!

3.  It's been a month since I was home visiting my family in Chicago and I've really started to miss them again.  Skype is a wonderful thing!  It was great to see their faces and talk to them "in person".

4.  Probably the best moment of the week was spent in the car with Leila.  We were singing along to two of our favorite (and overplayed) songs on the radio like rock stars! She knows just as many of the lyrics to Gotye's popular song, Somebody that I Use to Know and Fun.'s catchy tune, We Are Young as I do. Seriously adorable.  And bonus...she prefer's listening to "Mommy's music" over music intended for her age group.    

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Come back here each week for my newest list and don't forget to check out Betsy's list each week too.  Warning...positive thinking is addicting!

Want to write your own list?  Just grab the button, add it to your post, and come back to tell us about it.

Share some joy...

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Beach living

This is how we do it...

I love taking advantage of of big, sandy, wet, and beachy backyard!

Easy Green Smoothie Recipe {Toddler approved!}

Convincing Leila to eat a vegetable is a daunting task.

Typically she will try the vegetables (bonus!) just to spit it out after it's been chewed a few times.  The other night Jeff felt so proud that he actually got her to lick a piece of broccoli.  We'll take what we can get folks!

I know there are tons of ways to hide vegetables in your child's food.  I found one recipe that I was going to try from Pinterest, but recently it's been too hot to turn on the oven. I know there are dozens more I haven't even discovered yet!

The thing is, I make ONE dinner for the entire family to enjoy (or not).  I do not want to start making Leila her own meal, secretly filled with vegetables, while Jeff and I openly enjoy our vegetables.  Ideally, she will learn to appreciate tolerate vegetables with few modifications. (Cheese smothered broccoli is acceptable.)  I realize I may be asking for too much, so in the meantime I have a solution:  a daily dose of greens in her morning smoothie. 

You may be thinking...Wait?  Isn't this an example of hiding vegetables, just like you said you didn't want to do?

Not really.  Here's why:  Leila helps me make the smoothie each morning.  She rips the kale from the stem and then takes handfuls of spinach and dumps them in the blender.  It's not a secret if she knows, right?!

Easy Green Smoothie Recipe

Recipe from Lauren Boston 

(PER PERSON*)

1 large leaf Kale 

1 cup spinach 

1/2 cup frozen blueberries 

1/2 frozen banana

1 scoop organic wheat grass powder 

Water to desired consistency (about 1 cup)

Variations:

Add 1 scoop Trader Joe's Very Green Berry Flavored Powder 

Add additional 1/2 cup of frozen fruit (I used raspberries above) 

Add ground flax seeds

Replace 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of orange juice (pictured above)

Add plain Greek yogurt for protein and a thicker smoothie

*This recipe makes enough for Leila and I to share.  We each get a cup (pictured above) full of green smoothie first thing in the morning.  I'm still experimenting with how much we need/want.  Sometimes I add an additional leaf of kale and it doesn't change the taste at all.  This smoothie doesn't replace our breakfast.

Please let me know if you try this recipe.  I'd love you to share your green smoothie recipe too! 

The Great List {08.17.2012}

One of the first things I do on Friday morning is head over to Betsylife to read her newest addition of The Great List.  It's a wonderful way to start the day and and even better way to kick-off the weekend.

What's The Great List?

Betsy says it best..."Every Friday here on Betsylife, I like to take a day to reflect on all the great things that happened throughout the week.  It’s pretty easy for life to get in the way, and the next thing you know, weeks have gone by and you haven’t even come up for air. I make it a point every Friday to reflect on the past week, count my blessings, and start each weekend on a good note. Some weeks totally suck, and maybe the only good thing that happens is that you were able to finish all the laundry, but I’m a firm believer in silver linings, and feel that no matter how stressful life gets, there has to be at least one great thing happening for everyone each week whether it be large or small." 

It's inspirational, funny, emotional, uplifting, and simple.  That's why I will be following her lead and sharing the great things that happen each week in our lives.  I hope you'll be inspired to do the same!

1.  I have been trying to get Leila to eat vegetables for months without luck.  This week I finally tried a green smoothie recipe from my friend Lauren that includes frozen fruit, KALE, and SPINACH.  It's a huge hit around here, especially since she gets to help me make it each morning.  Now I can rest assured that she's getting the nutrients she needs each day first thing in the morning.

2.  Clouds.  Wow, I never thought a cloudy overcast day would be a highlight of my week.  After these hot summer days (without air conditioning) I couldn't have been happier to wake up to a cloudy sky.

3.  This picture alone made my week.  Leila and Charlie are best buddies.  They are learning so much from each other.  They make each other laugh, think, communicate, share, tolerate, and just be better overall .  Just thinking about it melts my heart.

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Come back here each week for my newest list and don't forget to check out Betsy's list each week too.  Be careful...her positive thinking is addicting!

Want to write your own list?  Just grab the button, add it to your post, and come back to tell us about it.

Share some joy...

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YES, you can {Beach day fun}

Last week I took Leila to the bay for some water play.  It's been hot here in San Diego and a day at the beach was just what we both needed.

As I was relaxing on the towel, Leila was having fun playing by herself.  She was digging holes in the sand, picking up seashells, throwing wet sand in the water, splashing in the shallow water, and running around enjoying her surroundings.

About thirty minutes in, I noticed a young boy around Leila's age throwing shells and sand into the water.  His mother immediately called out his name from her towel, jumped up after him, and reprimanded him for throwing things in the bay. Seconds later she was yelling at him, "No splashing!"  She chased him around for a while telling him not to do just about everything he was doing.

Honestly, I didn't know how to feel.  For a second I felt embarrassed that I was allowing Leila to throw wet sand into the bay (that happens to be full of wet sand) and I wondered if I should ask her to stop splashing around in the water.

Then I chuckled to myself...

Here I was enjoying a relaxing day at the beach, allowing Leila to do what kids do at the beach- have fun!  And here was this other mom all frazzled chasing her son around telling him no.

Clearly Leila and I were having more fun!  Isn't that what beach days are all about?

Dear Leila, for the record, YES you can throw sand (or seashells) into the water.  YES you can splash in the bay.  YES you can be a toddler!

If you need more inspiration to say YES to your child check out my first YES, you can...post here.

Sleeping with a "Lovey" {Sleep Tip of the Month}

Lauren Boston is back on the blog this month sharing a sleep tip that I swear by.  Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her.  Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.  

Lauren's Sleep Tip of the Month:
Babies and children sleep better with a "friend".

My daughter, Charlie, getting ready for bed with her loveys.

By "friend" I mean a security object, or "lovey".  It could be a stuffed animal, a favorite blanket, or even one of your T-shirts.  It will help your child feel safe and secure if they have the lovey when you're not around - like when they wake in the middle of the night.  

If by the time your child is 6 months old they haven't fallen in love with something on their own, you can pick a lovey for them, and include it in their bed & nap time routines.  

Choose something cuddly and soft, if your child is old enough, let them pick it out at the store or from their existing toys.  Let them hold it when they nurse, play peek-a-boo with it, make it an important part of their day.  

If your child doesn't seem to bond with it right away, give it time, put it in the crib or bed every time your child goes to sleep.  Eventually they will take to it.  

Consider buying duplicates if possible, loveys are notorious for going astray at shopping malls.

Does your child have a lovey?  Did they pick it out or did you choose it for them?

How I stay sane {Finding balance}

Everyone wants and most definitely NEEDS balance in their life.

No matter what you do each day, there never seems to be enough hours to do everything you really want to do. (Trust me, it seems like there are plenty enough hours spent doing things I'd rather not do.  Dishes top that list!)

What tops my list of things I want to do?  How do I find balance in life?

I stay sane by...

drinking red wine or a crisp wheat beer.

working out regularly.

making lists and crossing off one item at a time.

hanging with the girls (or Jeff) sans Leila.

skipping the chores for a week. 

reading, writing...blogging.

ditching my meal plan and heading out to dinner.

listening to music and signing along.

taking a nap instead of doing what's on my list.

...and it doesn't hurt that I live here.

How do you find balance in your life? 

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This week's Toddle Along Tuesday topic is finding balance! How do you maintain a sense of balance in your life? Any tips to share?

Share your tips in the comment section or link up a relevant blog post (old or new).  Then, visit the linked blogs to read about how others are Finding Balance in their daily lives.

Wait...what did you just say?

My daughter just got a little more adorable (or annoying...you make the call).

Summertime sweaty Leila

Out of no where she started adding -y to the end of random words.  I do not talk to her like this.  I am not a fan of what I call "baby talk".  But when Leila says it, on her own, it is too cute!

The other day she asked for some "milky" instead of milk and she called her toy cell phone a "phone-y".  The next day she was passing toys out and said, "One for Leila.  One-y for Mommy."  I about died!  Seriously, where does she come up with this stuff?

I guess can stop blaming "those Moms" for talking baby talk to their kids. Sorry I judged you.  Can you forgive me?

Has your toddler started making up words or saying things you just can't believe?

August Weight-loss Challenge {Giveaway!}

The August Weight-loss Challenge Giveaway features an Ozeri Digital Scale AND a Meet Me At The Dinner Table meal planning guide to help get your family on the track to a healthier life!

Read more about the Ozeri Digital Scale here.

Read more about Meet Me At The Dinner Table here.

Come back next month for a new weight-loss giveaway!

Weight-loss challenge {Month 2}

Last month was a tough one for me.  I spent twenty-three days in my hometown near Chicago with my family and friends.  Ever been to Chicago?  In my opinion, the city is know for it's delicious food.  I was not going to miss my yearly opportunity to indulge!

My goal for July was to not gain any weight (I lost 5 pounds in June!) and to enjoy my vacation.  Well, I certainly enjoyed my vacation!  One out of two isn't so bad, right?


The food temptations and vacation vibe (aka lots of drinking, to help me relax of course) got the best of me.  I have gained 1.5 pounds since my July weigh-in.  That leaves me 3.5 pounds from my goal weight.  I'm so close I can taste it!

I'm cutting myself some slack for last month's gain.  Vacations are something everyone looks forward too.  It's a change from the norm, a time to let go, a step away from everyday life.  I'm sure I'm not alone here, right?  Losing weight on vacation is difficult.  I am glad I had fun and tried not to worry too much about my vacation bloat.

I am a brave woman for posting this picture of me in my bathing suit!

Luckily this is a new month and I have a chance to try again!

My goal for August:
I can tell by photos that I lost what little definition I had in my arms.  I want it back!

My plan:
My plan is to work out with weights three days a week to get that definition back in addition to running 2-3 days a week.  (You can read about what I do with weights here.) 

Anyone else coming back from vacation with the dreaded vacation bloat?  What's your plan to get back into shape?