I have such a new respect for working moms. I just got back into the work world (which explains my recent absence) and it has been INSANE! . Waking up at 7 am, getting me and the 2 kids changed, fed, ready and in the car by 8:45 may sound easy but, trust me it is a little hectic. By 6pm I am on my way to pick them up from daycare only to eat dinner, give baths and be ready for bed by 7:30pm.

I went to bed Monday night feeling deprived of time with my children. It made me sad. But I can see the benefits that daycare has on them and I know that they are being well taken care of. I also feel that in some ways it is going to make me a better mom for them.

Whether you are a single parent, stay at home mom, working mom or a soon to be mom...my hat's off to you. Take care of those kids and keep up the good work!

So I'm starting the potty training adventure. I am requesting lots of prayers, crossed fingers, positive thoughts and any other thing you all can send my way.

So far I think I have the essentials:

* Potty training book for my son to read

* "Potty Power" training video

* His own potty chair that has all the bells and whistles (sings, lights up and basically talks him through the whole process)

* A potty chair that goes on the "big boy" potty

* A step stool

* "Big boy" underwear

* Pull-ups

* A potty training doll (well we're using a bear)

* Potty Training for Dummies (for me)

Let me just start out by saying that I'm terrified to start this. There are so many unknowns that come with it. Who knows how he will react, or how I will react or how much work it will be and are we both ready for that work. Yes, I tend to over think things...


He is showing all the signs of readiness...

So I plan to start this adventure in a month. By then our vacation will be over and he will be used to full time daycare.

Truth is, I think we are both going to need some help during this process so I thought I would include you all so you can give us some tips along the way. Advice or encouragement are always welcome :)

I personally like to save where I can. Who doesn't? Even if I was rich I think I would still be on the hunt for a good deal. That's why, today, I am feeling so satisfied. I just got 5 onesies, 2 pairs of pants, 3 outfits, a step stool and a potty chair for $40!!

There is a consignment store near my house that sells gently used or new items for practically nothing. There are toys, clothes, strollers, cribs, swings etc. for kids all ages. You can take your things there and sell them but they are very picky with what they choose.

They have a punch card, so after you get a certain amount of punches you get 20% off. They punch your card for anything you buy OR sell! (No, I don't work for them and I'm not getting paid for this advertisement) :)

Check out there website. They have locations in almost every state and Canada!

Once Upon A Child

A newborn's conversation with God...

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "but tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." God said, "your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "and how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?" God said, "your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.

"God said, "You will simply call her, "Mom."

I can't stand it when car seats and strollers get littered with snack crumbs. Or have you ever been on a walk or better yet, a grocery store and your child accidentally drops the bag of snacks? UGH!

I was shopping the other day and came across this nifty "Snack Catcher" (that's really what they call it). It's made by Munchkin. It allows your child's hand to reach in to get the snacks but if you turn it upside down nothing falls out. It's been a life saver. I paid $4.99 for it at Safeway. Get it! (Now we just need a solution for sticky fingers).

For those of you who don't let your kids watch T.V. I commend you. I however, am not one of those parents. Since my 2 year old was a baby he's been watching Baby Einstein. He loved it. My 8 month old daughter is the same. I don't let them watch a lot of T.V. and nothing with violence or adult content, obviously.

This morning, during breakfast my son was counting his fruit on his plate. I said "we need to teach you how to count to 10 in Spanish". His grandma said "uno", and he replied, "dos"! What the heck! They went all the way to diez taking turns saying every other number. I had no idea!

Thank you Dora!

Although sometimes challenging, parenting is extremely rewarding. Its amazing the things that your little creations pick up from you. The cute sayings they say and the funny gestures they do.

Last night, while giving hugs and kisses to my 2 year old son before bed, he folded his arms and said "prayers!" My heart melted. I, of course, want my son to have a relationship with Him and it was so rewarding to know that the prayers we say every night are making some sort of impact. He is on his way to having his own relationship with Him and I am facilitating that.

What a perfect reward!

We all have those days. You wake up on the wrong side of the bed and your bad morning quickly turn into your bad day. Kids have those days too. Take my 2 year old for example: He woke up in tears this morning at 7 am. Not sure why? For the next 5 hours he looked something like this:



Kids his age are exlporing their emotions. And some say they even get scared and feel out of control when they don't understand their emotions. I tried everything I had in me this morning to try to get him to stop (short of compromising boundries I have tried to put in place)but he just kept on.



Finally I had to step outside...and cry. I was the one who needed a time out. I think its crucial in these situations that parents do this. They can take the time to scream, cry or just say a quiet prayer to try to regain a little bit of sanity. Those of you who practice this I commend you. I think it speaks volumes about your parenting; knowing yourself well enough that you need a time out and actually taking it.

Don't feel weak or unsure of your ability to parent because you break down too. We are all human and need some sort of release from our stresses. I'm not sure how dads feel, but as moms we tend to try to take on too much and not let our fellow moms help when we need it that day. Don't feel ashamed. Because your fellow moms have those days too. Even if they don't want to admit it. Unless they are taking some very strong happy pills!

One last note. If you need help, ask! And for heavens sake if its offered, take it! And those of you who might not need the help that day, please offer it! We gotta stick together.

A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…

But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

So far this is the best money I have spent all summer. This pool was $10 at Walmart. I highly suggest it. If not for your kids, then for your feet while you read a book during nap time!