Tuesday, April 28, 2009

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!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

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!

Friday, April 24, 2009

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...

Thursday, April 23, 2009

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!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

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!