New Baby Gift Basket Ideas

This is the time of life where women everywhere are having babies, and I have to say I love it.

There are meals to bring and diapers to offer and sweet celebrations everywhere.

For a few friends I was too slow to get on the make a meal list, so I decided that I would do something a little different. Think of it as a "You Don't Have To Go To The Store Cause I Did" basket.

If you want it to be REALLY GOOD, do some research prior to delivery asking about favorites in a nonchalant way. It can still be successful if you remember to do the research or not. There are a few different kind of baskets as well. Feel free to comment with more ideas.

First Baby Basket Ideas

Homemade Cookies, Milk, Eggs, Bagels, Cream Cheese, Granola or Protein Bars, Fresh Fruit, About Your Baby Book, Magazine, Burp Cloths, Socks, Chocolate, Wine, Foot Scrub, Foot and or Leg lotion, Big Cup With Straw for Ice Water (preferably no spill), Box of Tissues, Journal, Pen, Hair Ties

First Baby Basket And Newly Married or Easily Embarrassed by Bodily Functions Basket Ideas (this should be presented as early as possible)

Ibuprophin, Cold Face/Eye Pack, Socks, Maxi Pads (the Xtra Large ones), Preparation H Pads and/or Cream, Nursing Pads, Lansolin Nipple Cream, Aveeno Bath Soak for special sids baths, Chocolate, Big Cup With Straw for Ice Water (preferably no spill), Box of Tissues, Hair Ties, Journal, Pen

You Have Other Kids to Think About Basket Ideas

Anything that is an easy meal grab for breakfast or lunch for the other kiddos.

Homemade Cookies, Milk, Bagels, Cream Cheese, Granola or Protein Bars, Frozen Pancakes, Syrup, Fruit, Not Too Messy Cookies, Rice Krispy Treats, Yogurt or Gogurt, Freeze Pops, Cheese and Crackers, Specially Wrapped Chocolate just for MOM (this can be done by hiding it in a Frozen vegetable box that has been emptied of veggies and resealed after chocolate filler), Coffee, Wine, Big Cup With Straw for Ice Water (preferably no spill)

As you might be aware, feel free to mix and match and make the basket as little or big as you like. You know your friends well enough to make any gift basket great.

Extra tips...

• Start stocking up on things that have coupons or go on sale prior to the baby coming.
• Basket Wrapping Option 1 - Find a basket that is perfect size to hold diapers and wipes in a downstairs or nearby location
• Basket Wrapping Option 2 - Find a basket that has a handle so mom can keep her "just had a baby" stuff with her at all times.
• A basket that can be stored in the car for the "oh boy" moments had by all new and experienced Mamas.

Happy Shopping!

Potty Training Again - Moving Along

Potty Training - now 18 months, Day 10 - Moving Along

Today was our first day without an accident. Tomorrow we are sure to have one and that is what I have prepared myself for. However, I will hold on to the success of the day. Consistency and consideration seem to be the key. The schedule has really helped and she knows what to expect just as I do even the other kids know. Though it is our first day without an accident, I can't help to be excited about the imminent conquer!

Forgot to mention... or wanted to forget... :) Day 8 was a day where I needed some extra motivation to stay on track so I showed a couple of friends how cute her little bottom was in her tight pants (without a diaper to fluff it up). Her sweet daddy went to her when she woke in the morning, and a couple moments after I heard... "Mama, oh Mama..." I am sure he was thanking God I was home. She had her first poop without a diaper in her bed... which really wasn't that bad. I figure it could've been much worse and it made me feel important to ease her and him- or that is the road I was graced to take :). We simply cleaned it up and explained to her what she can do when she has to poop. (say "Mama, Potty" or sign "potty" for me - the sign is to wave your fist in the air with your thumb between your fore finger and middle finger) She showed me that she knew. We'll see if it sticks.

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Potty Training - 17months, Day 7 - Evolving Schedule

This past week has gone well. Much of me learning what motivates her and what my tolerance is. She has only had pee pee accidents. Seems she just understands the impending poop feeling.

We have switched around Day 3 or 4 asking her to go every 1/2 hour. She would start to get irritated and began to fight it a bit, so I put more effort into thinking about how much liquid she consumed and set up a mental schedule.

If she goes at 6:00 when she wakes, the next time she has to go is usually around 8:30 or 9 if she has some milk in the morning. This is usually just before we leave for the day's activity, working well for our schedule. Then just before lunch or nap (11-12). Depending on lunch fluid intake and how much she went before nap, we go for just after nap about 2 or 3. Before dinner and before bed are next.

At this stage, we have been taking the potty with us in the car. Shouldn't be long until we switch her to the big potty, but for now it is less stress on me and her.

Today's Bonus - I found telling the other kids the show (kid TV show) will start as soon as the little one went potty. Next thing I knew she was sat down on her potty by the kids who started singing the wheels on the bus go round and round. Everyone earned a show and MnM's.

Today's Loop - Watermelon! Ha. Who knew mothers had to be such detectives! I forgot how much you have to go until I was up in the night thinking about when I drank so much water?....

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August 9th - Potty Training - 17month old, Day 2 - Today Crazy Mom

I am so pleased that I didn't write yesterday. The day was so wonderful (only one pee pee accident) that if I would've stopped there anyone reading would surely think my kids and I were born with a "silver potty".

Today, reality hit. We are potty training. That is a main focus for the day at least until she completely understands the goal enough to follow through. With 5 pee pee accidents, one might think I would cave but that is not what this process is about. Once it is time (where I am sure she can understand expectations) we will continue to move forward. The accidents were my fault. I assumed she understood the process better. Although she is capable, she needs more guidance. She now gets one MnM for sitting on the potty and another one for peeing. I will also be more conscious of when she has a full bladder, and be more diligent about sitting her on to go, not letting other things hold my attention. Every 1/2 hour.

Here is where I got my "Go get em" energy today after our 5 accidents. God Blessed me with the wonderful naptime stalling tactic taken on by my daughter. Just before putting her in her crib, she threw her potty sign up and I let her sit on the potty, letting her also know that as soon as she got off the potty we would head straight for nap. She was content to stay on until dinner if I let her. Here is where the great blessing comes in. She pooped and peed! That means, we are good on poop until tomorrow at least. (based on my observations. :))

Still accepting prayers for "nice mom" as I didn't fully realize the 5 accidents were due to my own poor assumptions until pondering the process after the fact.

Potty Training, again - Crazy Mom or Motivated Mom?

So, we like potty training around here. Ok, so maybe I do. It is a great time for me to get to know my child's temperament and how to work best with it. It is also a great opportunity to teach my children how to work together as a family to help each other overcome personal challenges.

At 17 months it sounds a bit early to some and surely late to others but with a post, I am accountable.

Current Status
This past week we have been letting her run around without a diaper and putting a potty movie on as often as we can remember. Whenever she has to poop or pee I have been extra diligent on getting her to put it in the potty. Upon waking and prior to going to sleep or nap we always do a potty check. I keep treats (pez) on hand to motivate. Two things that help are her brother and sister who gets treats when she does for "good aim" as long as they praise her efforts. We talk often about putting our pee pee and poo poo in the ... (and she finishes the sentence). I also took everyone shopping where she picked out her own underwear in front of everyone to really get her and everyone else excited.

We start homeschool on Monday for Kindergarden, a touch of preschool, and it is Potty Day. My youngest will get to open her underwear that is wrapped up and we will all blow out candles on a cake. A potty day/first day of school cake. Woah you might say, however my thoughts are the schedule of the school day might just keep us in line to take 1/2 hour breaks for the potty and we are homebound for the most part.

More to be posted after Monday. If you you have just a moment, please say a prayer for "nice mom" to be on hand when there are more than say five things going on at once. :)

More to come on Monday....

Positive Motivation Idea For Kids

In an effort to discipline, I had been taking things away from my little ones so often that I felt like I was more of a tyrant than a parent. I mentioned this to a friend who had great feedback.

Marbles.

The idea is to show them what behavior is good and guide them to choose it.

Each time they do something that you would like to reinforce, tell them "Wow, great job Jimmy! You earned a marble!" Then, let them see you put a marble in their special cup. (Each child should have a cup with their name on it)

Go to the dollar store or target dollar spot and let them pick out 5-10 items. These items go directly into a treasure box/bag that is put away. Inform the children that the items in the bag are off limits.

When the child earns 10 marbles, they can cash in the marbles for a treasure from the bag and this part is important. Make it a big deal that they earned TEN MARBLES! WOW! and let them know how proud you are of them.

In order to get them in the groove, give them a marble for almost anything. You will be amazed at the things they will do to earn a marble. Remember they need to earn 10 marbles to get a dollar treat. Don't be too stingy with the marbles, or they will loose motivation. Later, you can say things like "Thank you for brushing your teeth, but that is something you should be doing everyday to ensure your teeth stay in your mouth". There is a balance to find of course, but I am sure you can do it if we could.

My children are going out of their way to help each other out. I only let them cash in marbles when they both have 10 together. My son has been earning a little more than my daughter so he has offered her some of his so they can reach the reward together. At this, he gets a bonus marble and they both reap the reward of a treasure. When my daughter cries or carries on simply because she has to go to bed, I say "It was unfortunate that you chose to carry on because you could've earned a marble for doing what Mama says the first time. Maybe tomorrow you can try again." This concept works wonderfully for teaching them to do things the first time I ask. Always a learning curve, but they are starting to get it.

I was thinking of other ways to use marbles too.

How about around Christmas time or birthdays when we have to give away toys that aren't played with anymore... we can do 1 marble for each toy you give away! We have yet to see how that turns out.

Garbage Disposal - Keep this post in the back of your mind

Perhaps your Disposal is running very well these days. Excellent. Be sure to thank God for the smooth sailing....

However, just incase tomorrow or the day after it is not.. read on.

Here is a quick fix for a VERY simple problem that could cost you big in time and money if in haste, you turn to a plumber or even a new disposal. FYI... this post is assuming you are past the I dropped a spoon in there stage. :)

Case 1 - Disposal not grinding but you can hear motor running.

(there is something lodged in the blade. You are going to manually dislodge the food or item from the outside of the disposal) Here are a few pictures to walk you through.

Take the "Disposal Tool" (pictured on Orange towel- if you do not know where the one that came with your disposal is, use a larger sized alan wrench that fits in the hole at the bottom.)

As pictured in the second image (this is the undercarriage of your disposal) take your alan wrench or "Disposal Tool" and put it in the center hole of the dispsal.

Turn the wrench clock wise or counter clock wise to unlock the blade. This should not loosen the blade itself. You should even be able to hear/feel when the item that was lodged gets loose.

Run your water, and try the disposal again from the switch. It should work.

Case 2: You hear nothing. Try hitting the red reset button on the bottom of the disposal. This is pictured in the 2nd image. You may also try unplugging and plugging back in the disposal.

For all other problems, you might google "disposal troubleshooting" or "my garbage disposal doesn't work". These internet searches work for other problems as well. Remember, if someone built it, you can fix it. The only thing that might hold you back is finding out how.

How to save vertical blinds from kids

In finding a quick and easy way to fix those venetion blinds at my back door that seem to fall right off at the mere glance from my sweet children....

What you need? - A toothpick and clear packing tape

What is the fix?

Well the reason your blind fell off is one little piece of plastic holds another and neither of these pieces can hold the weight of a 4 year old monkey as well as a real vine might. Most of the time the plastic on the blind itself breaks right off.

Simply tape the toothpick at the very top of the blind where the old plastic came off to replace the plastic 'hook' that use to be there. Then poke a hole in the tape where the clear opening is. The blind will go in the same way it used to.

Yep, it doesn't have to be pretty to be functional. Remember, it is up high in an area that people don't look to see. If by the off chance they do see your handy work, that is exactly what they will be thinking.... "my what handy work"!

Fun At The Doctor

We just came from the doctor's office and I didn't leave frazzled from all of the waiting with three little ones, four years old and under.

A few items that worked for restraint/entertainment are treats, crayons and magnets.

Treats are always a hit and really a no brainer for any mom, but I have to share that we find ways to eat our treats so they last longer. Separating fruit snacks into color patterns or making funny sounds with them as our lips smack from their gooiness. Feel free to make up your own games with them. I have also found they are great bribes (or call it motivation) for guiding them to make good choices while waiting.

Crayons you may have heard of before as well. Forgetting them once, the nurse overheard me saying so and brought them in. She mentioned that she only shares them on request from parents. I am sure the nurses have even taken some of my kids creations from the exam table paper for their own home refrigerators... and rightly so! :P

Now my recent hit has been the best. Magnets. Never before did I realize how much metal is in a Doctor's office! We find all of the different places they can stick. We only bring in one magnet per child so as to not give too many options or leave any behind. The children are eager to find a new sticking spot for their own magnets especially when boisterous encouragement is my response.

Lesson Learned: Setting up engaging activities ahead of time for the kids allows for more fun, less discipline, and a happy Mama.

Potty Training - Step 3

This post has taken a while to compose as I wanted to put in some observations as well as sharing our own personal process.

As we left off in Potty Training - Step 2, we decided it was time to go through the night without diapers. (still being in a crib, with small crib sheets versus bed sheets)

Side Note....My greatest challenges and accomplishments with my children are once I start something, I do what it takes to not go back. This way they are not confused, and the expectation is clear.

After trying to go through the night without diapers, the challenges were many. She started by doing a great job. Every other night for about a week, she would have an accident. Then it seemed to go to every two nights for two weeks. I thought.. yeah, we are on our way. Then she decided to give me a great battle. It seemed she was putting up her last big battle. She would pee in her bed 3 nights in a row with 1 night off and then another 3 nights in a row one night off 3 nights in a row..... and then.... she stopped.

Yep. She just stopped. Just as I was on the verge of breaking. I was considering putting her back in pull ups, I was considering going against my very own convictions... and in holding steadfast... boom. Only through God's grace could I have persevered, but in sticking with it, it worked.

Personal Lesson highlights

Pee Pee last thing before bed each night. (even if we have to talk to her dolls about how great she is at going pee pee for 10 minutes)

We have standard expected times to go to pee pee or try before doing things. (add extra time to get places if "stand off" time is needed just for her to simply sit on the potty for a moment)
Wake up, before we leave, before lunch, after nap, before dinner, before bed.

I allow her to tell me she has to pee if it is outside of these expected pee times, knowing that she may very well have an accident.

Treats are always motivating, but may not always be necessary. Creativity is!

DON'T GO BACK - stay strong

She still has day time accidents but I have noticed it is when I am not on my game and night time accidents when I am not diligent in getting her to go before bed. I would absolutely do it again the same way.

Difference between girls and boys. (from my experience)
Our son was potty trained on his second birthday. It was the right time for him, and due to his temperament, he was done even sooner than she was. We made the expectations clear, and he got it... within a WEEK!
Our daughter being the second and a girl, we thought it would be easier. We started her at 19months. It took about two months for her to really "get it". Perhaps it was her temperament or perhaps the few months were very important and perhaps it was that she was the second born....? Either way, she now has it and she is not yet 2.

2 Year Window Sell
In my experience, and from what I have read, there is a critical 2 year window. Just before or just after 2 years is a great time to work with them as they are interested. Very interested in their own accomplishments. After, they are developing so many other toddler tricks and before they just don't quite understand the concept.

Potty Training - Step 2 POTTY DAY!

Today is POTTY DAY!
She had 2 presents to wake up to, including balloons taped to her chair and a big sign with "Happy Potty Day" - on the back, instructions for RockStar Daddy. (I had to leave for the morning, so he gets all of the credit for day 1 - and BRAVO!)
The presents were underwear, and donuts. Anything they have to unwrap makes it extra special. We really built up Potty day talking about it the night before and when we woke up prior to coming downstairs. There was a potty video on that was playing a potty song. We did pictures, and video. We even put a candle in a donut and sang "Happy Potty Day to you!" She could really tell it was something special.

Here is a picture of our setup. When she is taken into a public place, we will simply bring along the foldup seat so she has something familiar to have with her, and we will bring post it papers to cover any sensor potties, otherwise the flush may scare her from public potties. It sure did frighten her brother. That was a great lesson learned!

Today's instructions for daddy ...

• Enjoy this opportunity


• Have her sit on the potty every 1/2 hour (very important. If she makes a mess, it is most likely because you didn't remember to have her sit)


• She will be embarrassed if she makes a mess. Comfort her and encourage her to try again.


• She gets one MnM if she pees.


• Keep the bowl of assorted candy nearby that if she goes to poop and gets scared, you can deter her with the fun of a bowl of candy, where she can pick out a piece if she goes poo poo!


• Enjoy this opportunity


• At nap time, she gets "nap time underwear" after a trip to the potty - A pull up that she takes off right after nap. Discuss with her before nap that she can go pee pee if she would like a treat when she gets up.


• Lots of hugs and kisses especially for successes


• Encourage brother to join in praise whenever possible


• Enjoy this opportunity, it all goes by so quickly.

First Day - She seemed to do a wonderful job. They went to the park without an accident!
The having her sit on the potty will ease away as I can tell she is getting the feeling of when she has to go. I will continue to tell her to share with mama when she has to go pee pee. The diligent reminders should only take a few days at most.
Pull ups at nap time and bedtime will be used until she is dry when she wakes. For brother it only took a few days. Who knows what this experience will hold.
First Week - Went well, but as expected she had some accidents. Most of the accidents were because I relied on her to tell me when she had to go. The novelty of every half hour gets old for these little ones, so I am realizing that I will have to keep a mental note of her fluid intake and decide when to prep her for a trip to the potty until I am confident that she will let me know when it is time.
Second Week - Going into the second week I am realizing that since she is not in a big girl bed yet, the sheets are much easier to change for an accident then big girl bed bedding so she is going into nap time without "nap time underwear". She seems to be getting it, but I can tell that she will not be ready to go all night based on the weight of her diapers in the morning. We are still having accidents. Maybe one a day, two if I am not on it.
To be continued.....

Beginning Potty Training - Step 1

Beginning Potty Training - Step 1 (2 weeks, 1-2 hours or less per day)

Today we begin potty training my 21 month old daughter. (this process worked VERY well for her brother)

Step 1 lasts two weeks. (1-2 hours each day)

Each day without a diaper, she sits on her potty in front of a potty show or with a potty book (procured from the library for FREE) for 1-2 hours with a drink in her hand until she presents pee pee or poo poo. (if she misses the potty, I move her quickly to the potty and still offer successful reaction in beginning phases)

The potty is on a towel and she must stay on the potty or the towel.

If she goes pee pee she gets an MnM or poo poo she gets 3 MnMs. (so does her brother-this way he is more than motivating :)) She also receives a parade of happiness from mom in the form of running around with her in my arms while I praise her loudly for what she accomplished and put on a new diaper.

Tomorrow same exercise (this step will last 2 weeks)

Day one - success. She went pee pee in the potty. (very little, but now she knows potty=party with a treat) took 1 1/2 hours

Day two - success, however it took many more MnMs. One to sit on the potty and one of each color when she goes. For Day 3, we celebrate with one pound of chocolate. j/k.... took 1 hour

Day three - success. 4 MnMs. She only took 1/2 hour.

Day four - success. I added in a morning session as well. She didn't go, but she was glad to sit for a bit. Afternoon, 3 MnMs. it only took 5 minutes.

Day Five - no success. I left her to do some computer work, and she had an accident. After that we had to get a move on to be somewhere. Lesson learned: She needs more one on one attention during the "guiding" process.

Day Six - SUCCESS. She went poo poo and pee pee in the potty! I was nervous that she might be concerned about the poo poo, but not with the Halloween treat box infront of her awaiting her proud moment!

Day Seven- success. In thinking ahead to going out places, I decided today to bring out the potty seat that can be set onto toilets anywhere, and wiped down. This way she can get the hang of it and public places may be that much easier than carrying the kid potty wherever we go. You can find the seat we used for $9.99 at BabysRUs

Week 2- We are moving to step 2 on Saturday. She is really getting the hang of things. Each day of week 2 she has atleast gone pee pee in the potty. I have also added on extra morning sessions or sessions when we can simply let her run around without bottoms that she can go to the potty with urges. She has not been perfect. I have noticed that I must request atleast every 1/2 hour for her to sit on the potty. She doesn't seem to have a problem with poop either! Major bonus. What a great proud face she has when she takes the potty to the toilet to empty her presents! We absolutely build on that.

Next Step Potty Traing Step 2 - Potty Day!

Nail Polish on Carpet... How to clean it.

Imagine this... You walk into your closet with the lights off, and feel something crunchy under your toes... ughughuguuu.. whatever could it be? A broken toy? or maybe a... bah... what is it!? You turn on the lights to find it is dry nail polish and ...... in such a nice design.

After coming up with a brilliant "Bill Cosby" plan to paint my son's nails and have him show them off to his friends since he likes nail polish so much... or have him use his allowance to pay for a needed pedicure for myself.. I realized that he is only 3 and my husband would NOT see the creative discipline behind my nail painting plan on his Son, and the sweet little man doesn't get an allowance at his young age.

Bah. I decided to just figure out how to get the nail polish out and make him help. I did an Google search and found what not to do, then I remembered I had carpets cleaned way back and the guy told me his "secret ingredient" was ammonia. I went down and read the ammonia bottle, and it offered a "rugs" solution of 2 cups of ammonia to 1 gallon of warm water. I got my scrub brush out, added the solution to a spray bottle, and went to work.- A word of caution please: Ammonia is extremely dangerous especially for little ones, and when cleaning the carpet you want to try an inconspicuous spot first.

With gloves, (and my eyes steadily on him) we went to work on the carpet. After a few rounds, and some elbow grease..... Boom.

Although a new rug would've been a nice addition to our home, this is much more economical, and I am feeling pretty pleased with the "solution".

Play-doh is back!

After seeing an article in the October 2009 edition of Family Fun about making your own playdough, it reminded me that our Play-doh has been out of rotation for a while. Then I realized the reason why. The Play-doh we have is hard ... and hard to work with.

After arriving at the museum we packed up for and drove out to was closed, I had to quick find some excitement for kids who were in the car for too long. We decided to stop into target today for an adventure in the toy aisle. (Please note - this adventure only works with my little ones after a few rough adventures where mama stayed strong letting them know we aren't going to buy anything. I also threaten that we sadly can't come back if they carryon, but we can call Grandma and/or Daddy when we get home to share our findings with them and who knows....)

A case of Play-doh goes for $4.79 and a 4 pack for $1.64 at Target. If you ask me, $1.64 for HOURS of fun is worth it.

Option B is back to the create your own playdough. I would absolutely refer you to www.familyfun.go.com. They have not posted the All-Natural Play Clay recipie yet, but they have a handful of other ones that you can choose from. I just love this magazine!

Back at home... hours of fun began again. Now daddy has a "to do" with his little blessings when the show ends. :)

Crayon on Walls - Updated 08/2010

It has been a while since I have blogged, but after today, I had to share a few lessons learned.

Never allow a 3 year to leave the table with a crayon. Pat him down first!
- You may say duh, right but as a multitasking mother on the phone, I underestimated the agility of a little boy "I habba go poddy Mama"

How to clean crayon off the walls. WET WIPES!!! Who knew!?
Here is how the humbling lesson was learned....
I had given my 3 year old a washcloth with soap and had him start wiping the walls. I told him to continue until it was all done. (I was very serious too even if it took all day)

UPDATE August 2010: Have your kids use the wet wipes as a creative yet memorable punishment. When they are asleep from all that hard work (and rightly so) you can use the Mr. Clean Eraser - NOT FOR KIDS. As mentioned in the comments (Thank you for your feedback Gen and Claire!)- it works wonders! It also works for more than crayon. I have used it for the paint marks toys make when run across the walls, the garage door-entering into the home from garage, and those little black marks on the corner baseboards that no one knows where they really come from!

My 1 year old daughter wanted in on the action, so instead of getting three washcloths dirty (you know I had to have one of my own by now-five minutes into the cleaning) I decided to give her a wet wipe.

In just a few minutes I found she was the most productive! How neat. The wet wipes were a wonder for crayon even on carpet!!!!! I hope if you ever come across this dilemma, you will remember this lesson and feel free to act as though you thought of it first. Hey if a 1 year old can come up with it, you can too!