Trying Out the Booster

Tonight, we tried Baby B out in the FP Booster so she can sit with us during dinner. We are also trying to get her used to a sippy cup, since she won't take a bottle...

Baby C's old highchair is coming back soon, so she will probably mostly sit in that. I must say I am not looking forward to that highchair coming back. It's pretty bulky.

She did not last too long in the booster, but its a start!

Sophie Giraffe

Now that Baby B is starting to reach for things and chew on them, and with all the news about toys that have harmful BPA, Phthalates, etc, I would like Baby B to chew on some safe toys. Now, I am not going to switch out our whole toy repertoire (because we have A LOT of toys that I was hoping to be used for BOTH kids), but for the ones that she chews on, I want them to be safe. I am also going to be switching out our whole stash of sippie cups.

Here is a picture of Baby B chewing on Sophie Giraffe (Thanks AW!). She is made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, I can be assured that Baby B will not be ingesting bad stuff. Baby C was not really that much of a chewer/sucker, etc, so at least I don't feel like a total bad mommy!

My biggest worry right now is to keep it away from the dog. Every time he hears Sophie squeak, he goes nuts and is constantly stalking it! One bite from Max and Sophie is toast. That would be a very pricey dog chew toy! YIKES!

Three Bean Indulgence

After a rough @ss day, I am grateful that everyone is OUT by 9pm (yes including Daddy J), and I get to enjoy my three bean drink in peace while catching up on my DVR! =)...and I guess um, I should hit the sack at a reasonable time too! Wish me luck!

The Challenges of Juggling Two

Ok, today was a particularly challenging day juggling two kiddies. I can deal with one screaming at a time, but when both of them are melting down, it makes my head spin sometimes.

Today the toddler meltdowns included trivial things like: jacket hanging on the stair rail vs on the floor, mommy getting her hair clip from downstairs vs doing it herself, necking itching in the car (um hello, go scratch it!), wanting a dropped shoe in the car, wanting her milk while I am driving and can't reach it, NOW. All these little incidents seemed to trigger arms-and-legs-flailing-head-tossing-snotty-teary-screaming-tantrums. I don't know what Baby C's deal was today!?

Of course to top that off, I was super tired because Baby B woke up at 3am, plus throughout the Baby C tantrums, Baby B was also melting down because she was tired and crankly. She is a "relentless cryer" in the car and does not give up easily...so you can imagine the decibel level with both of them screaming.

For now, Baby B's needs are pretty basic, eat, sleep, poop, but can be physically taxing. On the other hand, Baby C's needs are more mentally challenging and can be a major power struggle sometimes. The question is, when both of them are screaming and need my attention, which one do I address first?!

Anyhoo, somehow I survived the morning and early afternoon of screaming...now, I need to go scream!

Old McDonald Hodge Podge

OK, she's a bit confused, but still cute! =)

Amish Friendship Bread

Earlier this week, my friend MS gave me this bag of mush and instructions for Amish Friendship Bread. I've never done this before but heard the bread turns out great. The mush is suspect and the instructions are weird...Day 2-5 = "Mush the bag", then you add some ingredients and then mush some more until Day 10, when you add more ingredients, mix, scoop out some batter to give to your friends (like a bread batter friendship chain letter of sorts, HAH!), and then bake the rest into a well-deserved (after 10 days of "work"!) delicious bread.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. I am excited (and hopeful) to see how this turns out!

ETA: 4/28 - Added 1 cup each of milk, flour and sugar, and mushed the bag some more...kinda nervous about leaving milk out on the counter for 4 more days...although I guess it already had milk in the original mix...

Rice Krispie Treats With Baby C

We made rice krispie treats today. I LOVE me some rice krispie treats. I could eat them all day long, these will definitely not last long in this house!

Baby C enjoyed cutting the shapes out, she made a whole family of duckies, a couple of butterflies and other various shapes. Here is a picture of Baby C taking a picture of her creations. I told her I had to take a picture of the plate for my blog and she ran to grab her camera too. =) I guess I am rubbing off on her! LOL!

Pork Tenderloin With Plum Sauce

I am trying to use my slow cooker more often (even in this heat!) because it just makes my life easier (duh). Problem is, I don't have any tried and true slow cooker recipes on hand. I make some yummy five spice short ribs, but that's about it, and frankly I am tired of it.

I found this random recipe and gave it a go. When done, it is supposed to be sliced...well, mine turned out like pulled pork, which is ok I guess, but just not what I was expecting. I think I may have left it in there too long? =D Still trying to get the hang of this...

Anyhoo, here is a picture of our meal: pork tenderloin with plum sauce, green beans and brown rice.

Any good slow cooker recipes out there to share?

LeapFrog Kids Lab

Despite the busted lip incident this morning. I managed to juggle two grouchy kids and haul them over to Emeryville in the afternoon for a LeapFrog Kids Lab I signed up for. Today they were looking Ni-Hao Kai-Lan fans, and we fit the bill! She tested out a Tag Jr. (ages 2-4) - a young toddler version of the Tag system (ages 4+) with a Kai-Lan book. Baby C did very well and liked exploring the book with the reader thingy. It's like a fatter version of the Tag pen. She's played with a prototype verison before 6+ months ago, when we last did this.

Baby C also got to play with a new toy debuting in May called the Text & Learn. It's like a Crackberry for kids! (minus the wireless connection). When Daddy J first saw it on their website, he thought it was a bit over the top, but seeing Baby C play with it today, it is right up her alley! She followed the directions pretty well and was actually operating it! It is for kids 3+. They took a couple pictures for possible use on their website. Good timing with her busted lip, right? LOL! Before this, I was not considering this as a possible birthday gift for Baby C, but now, I am rethinking it after this test-drive...but not sure how much it retails for...?

I think it is awesome that LeapFrog puts so much effort into R&D of their products.

Days Like This...

Today was "one of those days".

This morning, Baby C busted her lip open within 5 minutes of arriving in class. She was jumping on the mini trampoline and decided to, instead of holding onto the handle, LAUNCH off it like a rocket. Unfortunately, she landed SMACK face down on the (hard) floor. Fortunately, all her teeth were still intact, but the gash on her lip was the exact shape of her lower front teeth, go figure.

Needless to say she was a screaming, teary, snotty, bloody mess. Luckily Baby B was in the stroller today (too hot to be in Bjorn) and I was free to grab her and run to the bathroom for clean up. My mommy friends watched Belle, who was not yet grouchy.

Baby C sucked on some ice and felt well enough to catch the last of the free play period. Unfortunately, she was not a pleasant kid the rest of class and had a couple meltdowns, including one where I had to take her outside to have a "talkin'" with her and had to hand Baby B over to the teach WHILE she was talking to the class...OY VEY!

Anyhoo, I am hoping for an early bedtime today. Baby C woke up a bit early today, and probably on the wrong side of the bed, so she has had an "off" day...to say the least!

When Good Intentions Go Wrong...

No, Baby C did not spell this herself, but as I was putting the lunch tray together, I was oddly drawn to these letters...in this order. LOL!

Yes, I added other letters and mixed them up before serving...not that she would know the diff!

For this meal:

• ABC tater tots and ketchup
  
• Ham sticks
• Gerber yogurt melts
• Grapes (which I had to put in a separate bowl because I had to keep the ketchup separate)
• Whole milk (which goes in the circle spot)
  

Busy Saturday!

Today was a busy day filled with friends and family in San Francisco. It was a gorgeous day in the city...so nice that I felt a twinge of "city-envy" and wanted to move back! =)

We started our day at Recess Urban Recreation for a 1st birthday party for KS. The place is in Potrero Hill and was pretty cool! It truly was "urban recreation". Plenty of room for the kiddies to roam and explore. They even have a "cafe" for snacks, etc. My friends rented out the whole place for the party. It was a great venue, laid-back and fun at the same time! Here is a picture of the birthday girl KS along with Mama AS, and Baby C of course!

After the birthday party, I got a little "me" time at the Westfield Mall. I met up with some girlfriends from elementary school. We try to get together a couple times a year, usually lunch, but this time, only a quick snacky get-together. It's really tough getting together these days because of schedules, etc, but today, the stars were all aligned and we all made it out for a quick get-together. We shared a strawberries and cream crepe (ok, I ate most of it), and some Beard Papa's cream puffs. I also had a Thai iced tea....so yummy! Too bad I could not stay for very long, Baby B was super grouchy that day and I had to rush back cuz I was worried she was screaming her head off the whole time I was gone. (she didn't, maybe only half the time...*sigh*)

We had dinner with my in laws at Penang Garden Restaurant. I was surprised my inlaws chose this place because they usually only like to eat Chinese food, especially in Chinatown. This place serves Singapore, Malaysian, and Thai cuisines. We order 9 dishes and about half of them were decent and I would reorder, the other half, were...EH. Overall, the restaurant was decent.


Whew...I am stuffed! =P

Playdate with Baby C's BFF

Well, ok, I dunno if MO is her BFF, but it's cute to say. LOL!

Today we got together with my friend JO, and her daughter, MO for a playdate. It was a beautiful day in suburbia and we ended up in MO's grandma's backyard for some fun. The girls had a great time chasing each other, picking up sticks (and MO whacking Baby C with them), climbing the "clubhouse", playing in the dirt (literally), and then in the water. Needless to say, they were filthy by the time it was over, but ya gonna love a good ol' fun and dirty time! =)

They are moving to Livermore soon...and expecting twins later this year, so I hope that we can keep up our fun playdates!

Magic Masala

Found these chips at an Indian market. Initially I thought it was super spicy, but my mouth adjusted. Pretty tasty if you have a craving for masala....is these such a thing as a "masala craving'? =)

Pixieland

We went to Pixieland in Concord for the first time over the weekend. We attended a birthday party for MS, one of Baby C's little friends from Movement Magic class. Pixieland is like a toddler amusement park and just the right size for Baby C, she was able to go on almost all the rides (even one solo one!) except for 2 of them because she was about 1-2 inches too short.

We had a great time at the park and the pirate themed party. Baby C was chanting "Arrrr Matey" all day. It was hilarious!

We will definitely be back soon once Baby C is a bit taller, she was bummed that she could not ride the dragon roller coaster...ok, maybe it was me that was more bummed....HAH!

Check out the fab cupcakes and cookies MS's mom made for the party! She made yummy cupcakes and topped them off with home made cookies decorated like pirate ships, treasure chests, cross and skulls, and pirate hats! Very creative!

Baby C's first solo ride!

I had to resist spinning too quick. Didn't want Baby C's breakfast to end up on me!

Baby C with all her "loot".

"I Pee Pee All Over The Place"

We had a challenging, yet funny potty training day. What qualifies as a "challenging, yet funny potty training day" you may ask? Here's a long story long:

So, we were having a "good" potty day, no accidents in the new "big girl panties" the Easter Bunny brought her yesterday. Baby B just woke up from her nap, I asked Baby C to go check on her, which she loves to do. But instead of checking on her, she picked up her new fishing game and started to play with it on the floor in Baby B's room. While squatting on the floor, Baby C has an accident. When I discover this, I was so upset because we were doing so well all day AND we were downstairs the whole time, which has hard floors (easier to clean up). So she pees all over herself including smack dab in the middle of Baby B's room...on the carpet.

So I clean up the mess, while Baby C sits on the potty. Baby B is screaming cuz she is so ready to be picked up after her nap. After changing Baby C into some clean clothes, I told her to go apologize to her baby sister for peeing all over her room. So she does, sweet, blah, blah, blah. So I feel bad for freaking out and sit on my nursing stool and tell Baby C to come over and give me a hug. All of a sudden I feel wetness on my butt. She must've been sitting on the stool when she initally had the accident!!! Anyways, you can imagine my disbelief, and yes, I freaked out again...

She not only peed on herself, panties, pants, socks, the carpet, my stool, and now my backside is soaked with her pee too! OY VEY!!! It was quite a day!

Here is a video of her giving Daddy J the daily potty dish.

Nama Sushi

I blogged about this place, but it was on my old Yahoo one, so I am gonna talk about it again cuz it is so yummy! We went to Nama Sushi last night and had some kick ass sushi rolls and Baby C had her own kids katsu chicken bento box.

She is becoming quite the tempura monster!

Hoppy Easter!

This was the first year the Easter Bunny paid us a visit at the house. He left Baby C a basket full of goodies and some eggs to hunt in our front yard. The big thing in Baby C's basket was a couple packs of "big girl" panties including Dora, Princesses, Hello Kitty, and Handy Manny! (well, those are boy ones, but she loves her Manny!)...and a note from the Easter Bunny tellign her what a big girl she is now!

Baby C was very excited about the egg hunt!

The Easter Bunny was very good at hiding eggs!

The Easter Bunny put non-candy items in the eggs, like stickers, rings, necklaces, fruit strips, and quarters to put in Baby C's piggy bank!

Baby C also got a fishing game in her Easter basket...and as you can see her, she is taking charge of her fishing pole!

Easter Egg Hunt ...In the Dark!

After we made Easter cookies on Friday, we hit Super Franks for some play with my cousins and to partake in the "Eggs-Pedition" event. During the hunt, kids trek through the black light jungle (mini-golf course) in search of prize-filled eggs. I don't think their golf course was getting much action, so what an innovative way to use the space and drive more business!

It was darker than I expected and the eggs were more difficult to find than I thought! But we managed to get a decent stash (plus they only limit 10 eggs anyways). I dressed her in light colors so that she would show up a bit better under the black light. Baby C was super excited and had lots of fun!

Easter Cookies!

On Friday, we made Easter cookies with Baby C's little friend SL. We used store bought cookie dough, fun cookie cutters, and decorated them with sprinkles...nothing fancy, but lots of fun! It's amazing to watch the girls in action. Here are some pictures from our little cookie adventure:

Roll it, and pat it, and mark it with a "C", and put it in the oven for Mommy & me!

Cutting out cool shapes. In the end, all the cookies kinda blobbed together anyways, but good try!

At the end, we were running low on time so we made a ginormous cookie "egg" and sprinkled it.

Baby C and her friend SL playing at the play kitchen while waiting for the cookies to bake. So funny because this picture kinda shows their different personalities...SL is kinda quiet (at least that day she was) and Baby C just out there and loud!

Easter At Preschool

Today, there was an Easter celebration and potluck at Baby C's preschool. They had an egg hunt (indoors because it was raining today), a potluck and they combined classes for a large circle time with Easter songs, etc.

When I came in, they were doing circle time and singing a bunch of Easter/springtime-related songs. Baby C was really into it and even knew all the "signs" that went along with the words...or she was just imitating the director very well...who knows?! =) I wish I got some video of it, but it would have been all of the back of her head because I was observing from outside the circle. Here is the best picture I could get, she is wearing a bunny hat, although you can't tell in the picture...and a "spring" outfit...?



Besides the socialization Baby C gets from preschool, I also love to see all the arts and crafts projects she brings home. Plus I'd never be so creative in making these projects at home! ...and I know that these art piles will just grow bigger and bigger, so I am going to try to take pictures of them and store them digitally. I know it is not as good as the real deal, but they will be preserved nonetheless. I will definitely keep my favorites (like the handprint "flower" one below) in a binder perhaps.

Doctor's Visit

So I had to bring Baby C in for a doctor's visit today, nothing serious, it was an just-in-case kinda appointment, everything is fine. But here is something new...kids her age wear gowns! Check her out in her new digs! HAH!

And a random picture of Baby B too...just before she blew out of her diaper and outfit.
I hate Huggies!

Oh and BTW, Baby C is now about 26 pounds at 2 years 10 months old, and Baby B is about 16 pounds at 5 months old! What a difference in their growth! =)

Another Beautiful Day

We took advantage of another beautiful day and had a playdate with my friend VB and her daughter AB. It's supposed to rain the rest of the week, so I am glad we soaked up the sunshine today.

AB is about 4 months older than Baby C and they play wonderfully together. They ask about one another, get excited when they anticipate seeing each other for class or a playdate, they show concern and affection for one another when they play together. Even though they are only toddlers, I think they are truly friends! =) So cute!

Here is a picture of them at the park. It's tough to get a good picture of a toddler, let alone two! LOL!

Decorating Easter Eggs

Today was a beautiful spring day and we decorated Easter eggs with my sister RY. We used a Hello Kitty decorating kit Baby C got from her friend TM. We never got around to decorating eggs last year, so I am glad we got some use out of it!

Daddy J assembled the dyes for us and we moved the operation to the deck with plenty of newspaper coverage. Baby C did not make too much of a mess, but managed to crack a couple eggs. Honestly I do not remember the last time I dyed eggs...if ever!...maybe at school when I was little? Anyways, this is all pretty new to me, I love (re)living my childhood through my little girls' eyes!

We used crayon to draw on the eggs before dipping them in the color so the designs stand out....and then used the Hello Kitty sticker in the kit to further jazz them up. Next time, I will do a bit more research to make more fancy ones!

Here are some pictures of our little egg adventure:

Baby C is wearing a Bumkins toddler bib as her smock. Works pretty well, but I think I need to upgrade to an apron soon so it will be longer and have more coverage.

Check out the jasmine that's blooming around the BBQ. Press your nose to the screen...it smells divine! =)

Baby C is holding RY's arm, telling her to "be careful"...because I just finish telling Baby C to be careful cuz she just cracked 2 eggs. *sigh*

Look at RY's cool design on her egg!

Rare Moments

Here is a rare moment I captured of Baby C. She is usually a really light sleeper, and has been fighting her afternoon naps, but today, she was so zonked in the car, I was able to move her to our bed and she actually settled back in!

Right now, I am enjoying "peace on earth" while both kiddies are asleep! Yipee!

We'll see how long the "peace" lasts...=)

Morning Walk

Today, I took advantage of having only one kid in tow and took a walk to the local shopping center. Daddy J brought Baby C out with him to SF to run some errands for his parents and visit.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny, but cool enough to walk. For those who know me, you know I run hot, so if it was too hot, I would not enjoy the walk as much. =P We were out for about 2 hours and walked probably close to 1.5 miles including various stops like Peets for a Matcha Green tea Freddo...which probably canceled any calorie burning benefits the walk might have produced...did I mention I had a 15 pound baby strapped to me? That's gotta help, right?! =D

Oh, and check out the cool cover I bought for my Bjorn! I bought it online from one of those "Mommy" businesses. She uses recycled chenille for the lining, so it's kinda being green. But in hindsight, maybe I would've preferred all new material. HA! Oh wells..I think it is pretty stylish nonetheless!

Toddler Meals

In an attempt to keep meals interesting, I bought these meal trays and try to create a balanced meal. This time, not so healthy, but fun nonetheless. =)

- Trader Joe's mini chicken tacos with light sour cream
- Organic strawberries
- Trader Joe's honey wheat pretzel sticks
- Trader Joe's cheese sandwich crackers
- Organic whole milk

Here are a few more trays from my previous blog before I moved here to Blogger.



Simple breakfast:

- Honey Nut Cheerios
- Organic string cheese
- Danimals yogurt drink
- Half a PB&J sandwich
- Sliced organic apple



Ode to "Lunchables" :

- Sticks of ham
- Sliced cheese
- Wheat Thins
- Raisins
- Goldfish/Cheerios
- Strawberry/banana/blueberry/yogurt/protein smoothie


Basic Lunch:

- Turkey and muenster cheese sandwich with a touch of mayo and mustard
- Pesto pasta salad
- Organic strawberries
- Baked Lays

The Girls!

Last week, I braved a trip to the Sears Portrait Studio to take some pictures of the girls. They turned out pretty good! I bought their "super saver" card so on Monday-Thursday, I get a free 8x10 and no session fee, plus BOGO on all the sheets and products. Anyhoo, I got away with 10 sheets of photos for $40, not too shabby! =)

We'll be back when Baby C turns the big 0-3 in July!

My favorite picture:

I guess I should savor these moments of affection now before they start fighting!