The Case of the Gimmies

This time of year, it’s hard to escape the blatant advertising of kids’ toys…. It’s Zhu Zhu Pets this and Littlest Pet Shop that…. Ella didn’t even know Sing-a-ma-jigs existed until she saw a tantalizing commercial for them in between one of her Dora the Explorer episodes. Now she’s “gotta have it!” And quite frankly, I’VE HAD IT!!

This time of year, when we parents are already trying to keep the kids as happy as we can and making sure we get some of the special items on their Christmas list, it gets frustrating (as the month scurries along) when the lists get longer, and longer, and longer. The gimmies gotta stop.

I want this!


I want that!


When do I get presents?

Seriously, all this talk about “what’s in it for me?” really takes the joy out of Christmas. As Linus said in A Charlie Brown Christmas, “we’ve lost the true meaning of what Christmas is all about.”

I hate to be a Scrooge, but what about Joy to the World, Angles We Have Heard on High, and Hark, the Harold Angels Sing? Instead, we get All I Want for Christmas… and You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch if we don’t deliver.

Charlie Brown nailed it on the head. Christmas really has gone commercial. And it’s up to us to bring the “peace on earth and good will toward men” back. Show your kids that, believe it or not, it can be just as much fun to give as it is to receive. Take a few names off your nearest Giving Tree and have your child help you shop for a gift someone truly in need deserves. Spend some good, old-fashion family-time ringing bells for The Salvation Army—something (anything) to show your kids that this time of year is not just about the presents.

Matt, the kids, and I decided to pull a couple names off our church’s Giving Tree this year and it gave me and Ella an opportunity to get started on some holiday baking, since one of the requests was homemade Christmas cookies. That festive project led to a separate day of making ornaments for the tree.

Memories last longer than any toy ever will, and the best part is you can make as many as you wish. Your kids will surely treasure those experiences for years to come. I know I’ll never forget the fun I had as a kid, decorating cut-out cookies with my mom or having my dad drive us around town to look at people’s outdoor Christmas lights. Special times like these are what make the experiences a gift that keeps on giving.

What are some ways you help make the holiday season special as a family?

The Dessert to be Thankful For...

As we prepare for our Thanksgiving Day feasts, there’s always one thing besides the turkey (of course) that we look forward to dressing our tables with every year. For some of us, it’s pumpkin pie with whipped topping, or Grandma’s famous stuffing. For others, it’s the tart and tangy apple pie and vanilla ice cream, or the rich creamy comfort of green bean casserole.

In my family, there’s been one glorious dessert that’s been topping off our holiday meals since I was a kid. No one can ever seem to get enough. And when it’s gone in the blink of an eye, all of us our thankful for having tasted a little piece of heaven. I’m proud to say this mouthwatering masterpiece – with its sinfully delicious concoction of chocolate and peanut butter melded together with cream cheese and whipped topping – was passed down from my Grandma Mabel and we’ve been singing her praises for sharing the recipe ever since. My grandma is no longer with us, but her recipe lives on, making its way to a few family gatherings every year.

I’m thankful to say, I’ll be bringing the Peanut Butter Torte to Thanksgiving in a few days, or as my family affectionately calls it, Mabel’s Torte. It’s been missing at our table for the past few occasions so I know it will be a welcome treat and I’m sure the first of the desserts to be wiped clean from our plates.

It’s that good.

If you’re in charge of bringing a dessert for Thanksgiving, come with this knock-their-socks-off creation. I guarantee your family will be asking for it for years to come. Just tell them you got it from Mabel. It’s a simple recipe that you can make ahead of time and leave in the refrigerator until you’re ready to go.

Give thanks for all that you’ve been blessed with this year…..like this recipe!

Peanut Butter Torte

Crust:
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup margarine
1 cup flour

Beat sugar, peanut butter and margarine until fluffy. Add flour to mixture. Pat into 9” x 13” pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Let crust cool completely.

Topping:
8 oz. whipped topping (thawed)
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
½ cup sugar
¼ cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips

Beat first 5 ingredients until smooth. Beat eggs separately then add to mixture. Pour mixture onto cooled crust. Melt chocolate chips. Drizzle thinly over mixture and marbleize with a knife. Refrigerate for 1-3 hours. (It also freezes well).

Happy Thanksgiving!
What's your favorite holiday recipe!

Elmo Amoré

La-la, la-la….la-la, la-la… (everybody sing!) ELMO’S WORLD!

Jaisa. Loves. Elmo.

Honestly, I don’t know many kids her age who don’t. Elmo has that irresistible allure that magically makes it hard for toddlers to turn away. Ella was no exception at that age so I’m not surprised that Jaisa has followed in her sister’s footsteps of infatuation for the ever-popular Sesame Street monster. The very moment Jaisa saw that furry, red, (obnoxious) little guy, she was hooked. And I have no idea why.

Is it because he’s red?


Is it his high-pitched voice?


Is it his relentless laugh?


Is it because he likes crayons and his goldfish, too?

I don’t get it. I can’t understand the guy…literally. Don’t even ask me how long it took before I finally figured out what his mustached sidekick’s name was. Mr. Moo Doll? Mr. New Doe? Oh, Mr. Noodle! Of course. It makes so much sense (??). Whenever Jaisa sees Elmo on TV, in books, or sitting stuffed on Ella’s bed, she points, smiles and sings, “La-la, la-la!” She’s yet to utter his actual name, but when she starts singing, we know exactly who she’s talking about.

Elmo didn’t exist when I was a kid, so I was completely thrown off when I started watching Sesame Street again when Ella was a toddler and this red monster showed up on screen with his goldfish Dorothy and you guessed it, Mr. Noodle. I protested for a long time, stating to Matt, “I just don’t like that guy.” But Ella liked him a lot. She was in love with Elmo at first sight, just like Jaisa. I remember that first Christmas….when love turned into obsession. Everything was Elmo—books, movies, toys—Santa even brought her a life-sized stuffed Elmo, the very one that after 4 years, is still proudly displayed on her bed.

Now it’s Jaisa’s turn. We have yet to succumb to the Hokey Pokey Elmo, Chatters Elmo, Teach Me Elmo, Kiss Me Elmo or (gulp) Tickle Me Elmo. I guess I was hoping the craze would fade. I worry that if one of the “talking” variety made its way into our home, the poor guy may turn into “Pummel Me Elmo” after a few days. There’s no telling what Matt might do.

In all motherly seriousness, I have to say this: The next time you wonder, “What’s so great about Elmo?” and wished your children looked at you with the awe and whimsy reserved for their furry friend, just be happy he can keep them entertained long enough for you to get a load of laundry folded.

Elmo is a monster to love.


YouTube, anyone?
Someone sent me a YouTube video awhile back on the voice of Elmo. Have you seen it? Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this person behind the monster that is Elmo. It actually made me warm up to the fuzzy guy a little bit.

Teething Bites

Go ahead. Ask me the question I get asked by family, friends and complete strangers at least a couple times a month….

“Are you going to have another baby?”

My answer today: Nope! Two is plenty.

Shocked? Puzzled by my lack of hesitation? Don’t understand how I couldn’t possible want to bring a third child into this world?

I’ll give you my reason in one word: TEETHING.

Yuck. Yuck. Triple Yuck.

There is nothing fun about it. And how quickly we parents forget what an awful time it is. Sure, there are those lucky few who barely know what hit their child who one day was giving that gorgeous gummy grin and the next flashing a mouthful of teeth.

I have to admit, I thought I WAS one of those lucky ones. I don’t remember Ella having a difficult time of it…maybe a handful of rough nights…a few runny diapers... but nothing to bat an eye at. Or is that just because my brain doesn’t let me go there? You know, kind of like what happens with child birth? After a year or so, we foolishly say, “Eh, it wasn’t so bad.” And then comes baby #2, and we say, “What the heck was I thinking—2 am feedings are SO not cool!”

Why don’t we accurately remember these trying events?

Well, this time, I’m not forgetting. No foggy recollections or sugar-coating reality. I’m going to remember exactly what it was like at this exact moment if and when I get that itch.

Here’s the story. Jaisa is not having an easy time of this teething business, and hence, neither are Matt and I. In fact, the past few weeks have been a nightmare, as a whole crop of teeth have been popping up in Jaisa’s mouth all at once. Poor thing. We’ve tried everything to ease her pain—Orajel®, ibuprofen, chilled teething rings, cold meals—but when it comes to teething, there’s only so much a parent can do, and then you’re left to let it run its course.

Unfortunately, the worst is always at night. We’ve reentered the infant stage, awakened by shrieks and hollers at least a couple times a night. Against my better judgment, I’ve been reduced to rocking Jaisa back to sleep, which I’m pretty sure I’ll be paying the price for once the teeth come in. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. This mama needs some sleep!

On top of the sleepless nights, the poops are on the loose and the bottom is red. Can you blame me for not wanting to go through this all over again?

Yes, teething bites. Thankfully, that adorable little smile is coming in quite nicely, and Jaisa sure loves showing it off. But if that “million-dollar question” comes up six months from now and I pause to consider the idea, please send me to this blog post to refresh my memory.

Costume Countdown

Four weeks ago: a ghost. Three weeks ago: a horse. Two weeks ago and holding strong for two weeks solid: Snow White (contingent on Matt and I dressing up as dwarfs). But this week, as the costume countdown comes to a close with just five days left until trick-or-treating, I asked Ella, “Are you going to be Snow White for Halloween?” To my dismay, the answer was no.

She’s back to horse.

I don’t have a horse costume. I have a Snow White costume.

A child’s right to choose becomes every parent’s nightmare as the clock tick-tocks toward the witching hour – and we may have a “witching hour” of our own sort if Ella in fact chooses to be a horse and refuses to wear her Disney Princess costume. I know all too well that it’s a girl’s prerogative to change her mind, but when it comes to Halloween, this mummy’s going to go mad if I have to come up with a last-minute costume change. Luckily, Jaisa is still too little to make up her own mind. She’ll be a puppy by default, since that’s what Ella was three years ago. I know I won’t be able to get away with this for much longer, so I’m thankful that I only have one wishy-washy girl to deal with this year.

Aside from our latest costume conundrum, the girls and I have been having a “spooktacular” time getting ready for Halloween. We had our annual viewing of The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We visited our favorite apple orchard and picked out pumpkins. We carved jack-o-lanterns and even roasted the seeds (which I normally don't take the time to do). We did a trial-run with our costumes and attended a special Halloween event held at our local zoo. We frolicked in the leaves. We’ve also been making treats like crazy ghouls—chocolate covered pretzel rods with orange and black sprinkles, pumpkin-shaped brownies for Ella to take to school, and we’re planning to make Halloween cereal balls yet, if time allows. If you’re still searching for something fun-n-festive to do with your kids, try out this recipe!

Halloween Cereal Balls

¼ cup margarine or butter

1 pkg (10 oz) marshmallows

2 Tbls orange-flavored gelatin

6 cups crisp rice cereal

½ cup candy corn

Combine margarine and marshmallows in 2-quart bowl. Microwave uncovered 2 ½-3 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed. Add orange gelatin; mix until combined. Stir in cereal until well coated. Mix in candy corn. Cool enough to handle. With buttered hands, form mixture into 24 balls. Place on waxed paper until cool. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap for storage.

Keeping it Safe

One thing I’m reminded as trick-or-treating approaches, is costume safety. Whatever Ella decides to be, I have to make sure she’ll be able to get around easily and comfortably, or the trip becomes a frightful nightmare for Matt and I. Some tips I recommend:

• Make sure the costume fits right and doesn’t cause a trip hazard.

• Dress for the weather—even if coats have to cover up parts of the costume.

• Leave the magic wand at home—or you’ll be the one carrying it.

• Stay visible—if trick-or-treating in the dark, put your child in reflective clothing and let her carry a glow stick or flashlight.

• Provide a backup mode of transportation—bring a stroller or wagon for tired little legs.

• Use makeup instead of a mask—kids get too hot and can’t breathe well with masks.

• No eating without inspection—check your kids’ candy before they start gorging themselves on it. Stick to wrapped candy and things they can easily chew and aren't choking hazards. Keep the hard candy and gum for yourself.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, whatever you’re little goblins decide to be!

Superfoods to the Rescue!

It dawned on me the other day as I was downing a handful of dry cereal while getting the girls their breakfast that I’ve really been eating lousy lately. Since obtaining my new role as full-time, stay-at-home mom (I’ll save the details of that story for another time)—with its 24/7 diaper duty, preschool meltdown mending, sibling squabble stopping, and clingy-toddler, one-legged Olympic house cleaning—I realized that my life has become so consumed with the day-to-day tasks of my latest gig that I forget to eat healthy meals. Instead I do what most of us hurried moms do and grab the leftovers from the girls’ plates or pick grab-n-go foods as I fly out the door to get Ella to school on time. (With a 12:30pm start-time, we still manage to be almost-late most days....no kidding. It's sad.)

I’ve been neglecting my healthy eating habits and I’m not proud of it. This realization brought me back to an article I wrote once about superfoods. These powerhouses from nature, which are packed with mega doses of health-protective antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—surprise!—are actually convenient enough to fit into my most jam-packed day. Now that I’ve starting choosing a handful of blueberries over a handful of cheese nips for an afternoon snack I'm beginning to feel so much better. Superfoods like these have secret powers any Super Mom would love—to lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and even improve your mood!

This time of year, there are an abundance of choices out there to enjoy and experiment with in your favorite recipes. High on my list right now are beans, broccoli, pumpkin, walnuts, yogurt, and who could forget….dark chocolate. Screw diamonds. Chocolate is a girl’s best friend in my book. It makes the superfoods list because it’s loaded with antioxidants and helps to lower blood pressure. No wonder I feel so much calmer after a sweet indulgence! Experts say, the darker the better for lower sugar and fat content. Aim for 60% or higher cocoa content to reap the most benefit and less guilt.

Remember my teaser for America’s Healthiest Cookie? It’s loaded with superfood goodness, is super healthy and, SERIOUSLY super yummy (kid-tested, mother-approved). I got it from one of my favorite websites, health.com. Next time you have a sweet tooth, whip up a batch! You won’t be sorry.

Chocolate Chunk and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
6 Tbls unsalted butter
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
¾ tsp baking soda
1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
½ tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup chopped walnuts
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat, add brown sugar; stir until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, oats and salt in medium bowl. Combine butter mixture with the dry ingredients, and add egg, lightly beaten, and vanilla. Fold in walnuts and chocolate, coarsely chopped. Mix well and spoon by tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 12 minutes or until tops are dry to the touch. Makes about 32 cookies.

Want More Recipes?
Check out other mouth-watering, superfood-infused recipes like the oatmeal pancakes with wild blueberry sauce. Not only will you be pleasantly satisfied, you’ll be helping improve your health in a single bound. Eat to your health’s content!

When Push Comes To Shove

I remember the day like it was yesterday… Jaisa was about three months old. I was sitting on the floor in our living room holding her while Matt and I just finished reprimanding Ella for misbehaving—the details of that are not as clear. Ella, still a bit upset that she got in trouble, walked over and hit me. I was shocked. Especially since I was still holding Jaisa, and up to that point Ella had been an extra careful big sister around our new family addition.

Mystified by her reaction, I asked Ella, “Why did you hit Mama?” not expecting an actual explanation. Again, she was only three and still had trouble articulating her feelings. But what came out of her mouth next resounded loud and clear.

“I want to put the baby back in your belly,” Ella mumbled.

At first, I thought I was hearing things. I was speechless. For one, I couldn’t believe she was actually able to tell me WHY she hit me. Secondly, I couldn’t believe her reason. But, I figured if she was being so candid I might as well probe further.

“Why would you want me to put Jaisa back in my belly, Honey?”

Ella was quiet for minute, as if determining if she should actually tell me the truth or not. And then, out it came.

“I want you to play with me,” she said.

Two words: Heart. Breaking.

I’m sure many of you who’ve had a second child can recall how challenging it was in the beginning, especially for the oldest child to adjust. Our story was no different. Ella was our baby. We did everything together. She never had to share our time with someone else. So her latest outburst of defiance made me stop and think. Since Jaisa had been born (about 3 months ago at that point), when WAS the last time Ella and I really played together, just the two of us? Sadly, I couldn’t pinpoint a date. Ella’s matter-of-fact reaction was a wake-up call. I needed to make time and give her the attention she was missing.

Those first few months were dicey for all of us. But we made sure we devoted more one-on-one time to Ella and helped her feel included as we brought up baby. Getting clean diapers and bottles became her thing and she loved to help us out. We also made a point to not always refer to Ella as “the big sister” because we all knew she was so much more than that.

As a sentimental side note: Nothing can take away a mother’s love for her firstborn. But to answer a common question, once that second child comes around, you really do magically produce more than enough love for both children.

It’s not over till it’s over…
Now that Jaisa is mobile, she loves playing with Ella, and the feeling is mutual. Ella often asks for Jaisa to come play in her room, which I find precious. What amazes me is how protective Ella can be of her little sister—making sure all the tiny toys are well out of Jaisa’s reach and letting me and Matt hear it if we ever forget to close a baby gate.

Lately though, we’ve seen a bit of that behavior from Jaisa’s infant days creep back. One minute Ella is pleasant as can be, then (BAM!) out of the blue, she’ll push Jaisa in mid-walk, or tackle her to the ground, pull her, and just plain be rough. We harp on her constantly, and maybe that’s the problem. Is she acting out to get attention? I wish I knew. Now when I ask why she pushed her sister, she’s not quite as articulate as she was a year ago.

Is this a sign of things to come? I can only hope that these latest shenanigans are just a phase and the two sisters will grow up to be the best of friends. I want for them the closeness I always imagined having a sister would bring—braiding each other’s hair, sharing clothes, talking about boys and hopes and dreams. You know…all that good stuff you see on TV.

Whatever happens, Jaisa’s not going to be one year old and helpless forever. Fast forward three years and Ella better sleep with one eye open.


Have any tips on how you handle your children’s sibling rivalry? I’d love to hear them!

Autumn Comforts Call For Apple Crisp

One of the things I love about fall is the amazing comfort foods….and the blessing to eat them. Why is it suddenly okay to not feel so guilty about such things this time of year? Well, we Mid-westerns gotta stay warm somehow! It’s time to add on a few layers for winter.

I joke, but once that autumn chill is in the air, it definitely brings cravings for all things warm, sweet, rich and creamy. The body wants what it wants!

One of my absolute favorite fall-time desserts is apple crisp. I’m sure you’ve all had a version or two of it at one time or another—maybe your mom’s special recipe or one passed down for generations. The latest blend of delectable apples, brown sugar, oatmeal and cinnamon I’ve had the pleasure to devour was a recipe that came from my friend Micaela and it may very well be the recipe I pass down for generations to come. It’s hands-down the best darn apple crisp I’ve ever tasted! It has not just one, but two delicious layers of crust—one on top and one on the bottom—which, in my opinion, is this recipe’s ultimate attraction.

Serve it at your next gathering and I can assure you, there won’t be a crumb to spare.

Here’s how it’s done:

Crust:
2 ½ cups flour
2 ¼ cups brown sugar
1 ¼ cups butter (softened)
2 ¼ cups oatmeal
2 ½ tsp cinnamon

Mix till crumbly.

Filling:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 Tbl corn starch or flour
1 tsp vanilla

Cook till clear. Then add 5 cups of cut-up apples.

Press ½ crust mixture into a greased 9"x13” pan. Cover crust with the filling. Top with remaining crust mixture and pat lightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Coming soon, I have an amazing cookie recipe to share. It's been touted as America's Healthiest Cookie, but I can attest that it tastes anything but. Stay tuned!

To Fall, With Love

Ahhhh… Fall, why have you kept me waiting so long?

I love everything about you—the cool, crisp air you blow through my hair, how you make me smile just looking at your vivid beauty—the blazing oranges… bold, fiery reds… sunbursts of yellow and gold… You’re absolutely breathtaking. I want to embrace everything about you. It’s amazing what energy you give me as I breathe in the intoxicating smells of crumbling leaves, fireplaces ablaze, apples ripe and juicy, your comforting casseroles, chili, apple crisp and cinnamon stirred cider. Your natural sounds of crunching leaves and geese honking overhead provide the perfectly calming background melodies to my afternoon walks. The days of endless entertainment you bestow upon us...the festivals, visits to apple orchards and pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, wine tasting, hay rides and bonfires… I’m forever thankful for your presence and wish you’d stay awhile longer. I don’t mean to disrespect, but tell Old Man Winter to stick it. It’s you I want, Fall, for just a month or two longer.

There are a lot of reason people like living in Wisconsin – the Badgers, the Packers, the cheese, the brats, the beer, family, good farmland, good schools, good paper, hard workers and friendly faces. For me, I suppose it’s a combination of all of those, but it’s the change of seasons, (and family of course) that keep me grounded here. Truth be told, as much as I bash winter, I’d miss it if I didn’t have it. But, seriously, why must you stick around so long? If you haven’t gathered from my ode to autumn, it’s the season I love most of all. Always have. It’s a time of year I look forward to with giddy anticipation after a hot, humid summer. And it’s a time I forget how much I’ve missed when that first cool breeze kisses my nose.

For my family, the month of October kicks off all kinds of fall-time fun. Ella has constantly been asking when she can jump into a pile of leaves. Our trees are still fully loaded so we have a few more weeks to go. But that little girl was so desperate for a frolic the other day that she took out her little rake and scrounged up every fallen leaf she could find and made one very pathetic heap. She didn’t care. She jumped right in with a huge smile on her face and threw those 20 or so leaves up in the air with the pure joy that autumn brings.

Jaisa is still taking it all in. We went for a walk on the Fox River Trail yesterday and I kept putting freshly fallen leaves in the tray on her stroller. She got all excited and started patriotically waving them about like little flags. It’s quite possible that both my girls got it bad for fall just like their mom.

In the weeks ahead, the family and I will be discussing (and hopefully deciding on) Halloween costumes, picking out pumpkins, visiting our absolute favorite apple orchard (it’s not just apples, folks), creating mountains of Halloween crafts, gorging ourselves on caramel apples and candy, and of course later giving thanks for every last bit of it.

Fall, I’m so crushing on you right now.

Got a favorite season? What are some of your favorite traditions?

Health is a Battlefield

I’m struggling, people! I’m on Week 2 of defending myself from the cold that attacked Jaisa and Ella, and I’m this close to letting my guard down. Trying to stay healthy can be exhausting! I’ve been popping everything that Mother Nature has to offer, from vitamin C to echinacea, vitamin D and lots of OJ. But more important than anything, I know I need my sleep…something that was not had last night on account of my youngest, Jaisa, crying in the night. Normally she’s a superb sleeper, but naturally, the one night when my defenses have been compromised to dangerously low levels, THE ONE NIGHT I REALLY NEEDED A GOOD SLEEP, Jaisa had other plans.


So today, I’m upping my game. I got some exercise in and I’m gulping down obscene amounts of water to help flush out the bad mojo. I used to be a rockstar water drinker—getting my required eight, 8-ounce glasses a day without pulling a muscle. Now it seems I can’t find the time. Sounds ridiculous, I know. How much time can it take to guzzle water? But somehow I found a way to make it difficult, and I flat out forget to drink. (Maybe I should write myself a Post-It.)

It reminds me of my morning coffee ritual that’s gone awry. I love coffee. There’s nothing better than starting my day with a nice hot cup of joe. But in my hurried state of getting both of the girls their breakfast in the morning (because once they’re seated at that table, food better not be far behind), I make a pot, pour a cup, and by noon I see that sad little cup of caffeinated goodness sitting on the counter cold, with only a few sips taken. I think I need a lesson in time management. But that’s another topic, another day…if I have time.

Today I have to kick this cold to the curb for good because it’s already inched its way into my system and left me with a scratchy throat. I know the full-blown effects won’t be far behind. There’s never a good time to get a cold, but this week REALLY is no good for me. It’s Homecoming Week at Matt’s school and he’s the teacher in charge. Every year, this week brings a little stress to my life as I put on my single-parent hat. Thank goodness I don’t have to wear this hat a lot. Those of you who do, I applaud you. Thankfully, come Sunday I get my husband back and hopefully a little R&R.

Here’s my plan of attack…

Sleep: If that means missing Glee tonight (gulp), then so be it. (Thank goodness for DVRs.) Studies show that if you get less than seven hours of sleep a night, you’re three times more likely to catch the common cold, since sleep deprivation has been shown to impair immune function. And if you sleep poorly, you’re five times more susceptible to one as well. Sandman, it’s time to help a mother out.

Hand Washing: It’s something I harp at Matt about regularly. When he gets home from work “Did you wash your hands?” Before he fixes the girls a snack, “Did you wash your hands?” And believe it or not, after he uses the bathroom, “Did you wash your hands?”

To make things easier for everyone, I now house a canister of sanitizing wipes near our kitchen sink as a reminder to keep it clean, at the very least, before we eat—no excuses.

Healthy Eating: I’ve been upping my intake of fruits and vegetables…again something I’ve been lacking lately. There’s nothing like fresh, natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals to ramp up the immune system.

Family Time: Carrying my healthier habits over to my family helps us all stay healthy and stops the vicious sickness cycle. So if it means I have to keep asking…

“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”

…That’s exactly what I’m going to do.


What’s your secret to keeping your superpowers intact?

Holding On For Dear Health

You’ve heard how Jaisa’s cold killed Mom’s run, right?


Well, we moms all know how the rest of the story goes…

One kid gets sick. Then another falls victim. Dad’s hanging by a thread. Mom? She’s the one wiping noses all day and getting globs of snot blown in her face, not to mention goopy saliva coughed into her eyes. She’s also the one who’s been popping the extra vitamins since Day 1, scrubbing down the surfaces with antibacterial wipes, and doing the best she can to get enough sleep so she too doesn’t become a helpless prey to the Monster Virus that could rip the entire family to shreds.

Let’s face it folks, if Mom goes down, the entire family is screwed. But let’s get realistic too….when Mom goes down, dishes still need to get washed, laundry still needs to get done, meals still need to get made, and butts still need to get wiped. (This is not a slam on my husband because he DOES step up to the plate whenever he's called to duty.) But sick or not, Mom’s NEVER done. Which is why I apply my protective force field as soon as that first sneeze is sprayed… metaphorically speaking. (I'll talk more about my personal "tricks of the trade" in the days ahead.) Supermom does not go down without a fight!

I do have to give my kids a pat on the back. Sickness in our house usually starts earlier. One step inside daycare usually did the trick. But now that both girls are a little older, their immune systems are building up more defenses to all the crud out there. Thank goodness! Fall is my favorite time of year… until we get slapped in the face with reminders that cold and flu season is on its way.

In the beginning…
I remember all too well that one of the most difficult things I endured during both of my girls’ first years – aside from getting them to nurse, learning how to perfect the swaddle, soothing their evening crying spells and weaning the 2 am feedings – was trying to keep Ella and Jaisa healthy.

Like it or not, during Year One kids get exposed to pretty much everything (especially in daycare), which may be a blessing, as long as they don’t actually come down with everything. After Ella’s first year, she seemed to get sick a lot less often. I’m hoping the same will hold true for Jaisa. One thing I did when Ella got a little older was try some natural remedies to help alleviate symptoms, with my pediatrician’s approval of course. Mother Nature has some wicked immune-supportive tricks up her sleeve!

The bee’s knees for coughs
If you haven’t yet thanked your neighborhood bees, it’s time to sing their praises. It’s not just for tea, moms, honey helps relieve a cough too! With the ban on all cough and cold medicines for children under 6, this alternative has proven to be a safe natural remedy and our ticket to sleep-filled nights during times of sickness. Honey has amazing anti-bacterial properties and is a rich source of antioxidants that are beneficial for healing. When Ella can’t sleep without a hearty coughing spell, I give her a half teaspoon of honey to help coat and soothe the throat and quiet the cough. Ahhh…silence is bliss, especially at 3 am. [Moms, remember, never give honey to children under age 1 for fear of infant botulism.]

Last season with Jaisa was a little different. I couldn’t try honey yet and she wasn’t old enough for herbal formulas either (as advised by her pediatrician). So I relied heavily on a cool mist humidifier, a wedge to incline her mattress a bit, some chest rub to loosen up congestion (there are some good homeopathic options out there), and the aspirator to suck the gunk. She loved it. And if you believe that, you obviously have never tried it on your child. Consider yourself warned. Still, I consider it a necessary evil.

Kids bugging you? Bug them back!
I take a probiotic supplement on a daily basis for healthy digestion, but I first discovered the power of these good bacteria for children when Ella had a bout of diarrhea. After reading about the “wonder bugs” and their ability to improve digestion even in infants, I mixed a kid-friendly probiotic blend in with Ella’s yogurt or applesauce and sure enough, it eased her diarrhea.

A little common sense
Common sense applies to kids just as much as it applies to adults. I remind Ella to wash her hands after using the bathroom and before eating, and to cough and sneeze into her sleeve, not her hand. I have a pretty good idea of where that hand goes throughout the day and as few germs that can get from there to her mouth (or to me), the better. I also try to keep the girls away from each other as much as possible when one of them is sick. It’s not like I quarantine them or anything. Basically it means, “Ella, don’t let Jaisa put her hands in your mouth… and Ella, stay out of hers, for crying out loud!”

Laughter is the best medicine
Don’t forget a little TLC and a tickle goes a long way. Hugs can be just what the doctor ordered. By maintaining a positive, fun-loving environment for your child, a sniffle or two won’t stand in the way of laughter and a smile.

Stay tuned because I’ll talk more about how I try to stay healthy this time of year in an upcoming post.

Got a natural remedy that works for your child? I’d love to hear about it.

'Twas the Night Before Race Day

'Twas the night before Race Day and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except our “little mouse”
That mouse was Jaisa crying upon each hour
I quickly realized sleep was out of my power.

At 3 am I was still awake, having not yet slept a wink
Forget about running a race—I wouldn’t be able to think!
Now it wasn’t my back in pain
So much as the throbbing on my brain.

And then the clock struck four…
My alarm would go off in an hour more
Finally, I passed out from sheer exhaustion
At that point I might as well have forgotten.

There I was on Race Day
Dead as a door nail you might say
With just one hour of sleep in me
This race nearly brought me to my knees.

Each mile was a mighty struggle
When all I wanted to do was snuggle
Beneath the sheets and start all over
Thank goodness more races come in October.

Sadly, my time I did not beat
One minute more I pounded the street
But I FINISHED and made it alive and well
And have this dreadful story to tell.

What was bothering Jaisa so?
At the time I did not know
Later it proved to be a cold
How dare that virus be so bold!

To drag me down in such a way
Alas, I will have the final say…
On this, my next big Race Day!

Mom on the Run

Guess what? After years of protest, my body finally gave in.

I LOVE RUNNING!

To fully understand my elation at this latest revelation, take a trip back with me….
In high school gym class, the day I dreaded all year was the day we had to run the MILE. It was one measly day, one measly mile, and it practically had me breaking out in hives every single year. I would actually contemplate giving myself a sprained ankle or talking my parents into this being “the year” to get my bunions removed (its hereditary…thanks, Mom). Never work. I had to huff and puff it around the track one, two, three, four times… Every. Single. Year.

I tried running in college too, pushing myself every day to LIKE it. I still hated it. So I stopped and started walking instead…which by the way, isn’t for wusses (reminds me of an article I wrote once). I still love to walk and take them with or without the girls all the time.

Persistence Pays Off
About a year before Jaisa was born I decided to give running the good ‘ole college try (again). The first week was brutal. But somehow and for some reason I stuck with it just a little longer than all the other times I’d tried. And there it was… over this immense internal hurdle was EUPHORIA. I finally discovered what everyone referred to as the “runner’s high.” And just like that, I was hooked. I’m a running junkie.

Don’t get me wrong, my story is nothing spectacular. I’m not doing marathons all over the country and running 10 miles a day “just for fun.” Oh no. I keep my runs short and sweet, just for kicks. Over the summer I ran my first 10K and participated in the Green Bay Packers first ever 5K. I ran it with my brother and man, was it fun! Packers fan or not, who wouldn’t have the time of their life charging out that tunnel and circling around the bowl with 2,999 other runners? I know I did.

Up next is the Fox Cities 5K tomorrow morning. I talked my friend Nellie into running it with me. I ask. She said “Yeah, why not!” And now don’t I look the fool because this friend of mine, this mom of two, just announced that she’ll be running a half marathon at the “Happiest Race on Earth” – Disneyland in January! You go, girl!

A Minor Obstacle

So here’s the bad news… A few weeks ago—just two days before my 15-year-class-reunion, mind you—my back goes out (old age, here I come!). I was lifting Jaisa off the changing table, like I do about 5 times a day, and this time I felt a pinch down my left side and I spent the next 15 minutes on the floor rolling in pain. It’s getting better, but come on, it’s been three weeks! Now the pain has rudely maneuvered its way around my hip, making running oh so enjoyable. But I told Nellie, “I’m running Saturday come hell or hip replacement.” Let’s just hope neither is in my future. An offer for a massage, on the other hand, I will not turn away.

Time to beat: 28:43 (never said I was Speedy Gonzales). I don’t care so much about the time, as much as just doing it (this blog is not endorsed by Nike). This is one thing I do for ME. And bad back, you can’t take that away from me.

Are you a Mom on the Run? Share your latest adventure!

Simon Says “Sayonara.” Now What?

Like it or not, I’m an American Idol fan…most of the time. The big upset for this upcoming season has been the departure of the say-it-like-it-is judge, Simon Cowell. I don’t think anyone was too surprised to hear that Ellen DeGeneres was close behind. So that leaves the Big “Dawg” Randy Jackson. And of course the big question on everyone’s mind--who’s going to replace Simon and Ellen? Today I hear that Jennifer Lopez signed a 12-million-dollar deal to be a judge. That doesn’t seem like her. Guess I figured she’d hold out for more money. Rumor has it Steven Tyler is filling the third chair.


I’m definitely not against J Lo as a judge. She obviously has years of experience in the music industry to bring to the table. But is she too nice? I somehow can’t picture her saying, “That was absolutely dreadful.” Or, “Don’t quit your day job at the karaoke bar.” I don’t know much about Steven Tyler other than his success with Aerosmith…well, and that he has an enormous mouth (sorry, but every time I see him on TV, all I can think is “My, what a big mouth you have!”). Would he make a good judge? Maybe. But are they all going to be a bunch of mother hens afraid to hurt the kids’ feelings? Please, leave the “That a boy” and “You go girl” pep talks for the real moms.

Someone has to step up and say what we’re all thinking. After all, in the end only one person can go “Rockin’ on Top of the World.”

Will you be watching this upcoming season?
Who would you pick to be the 4th judge?

A Glimpse at the Future: Flux Capacitor Not Required

Big moments for us last week as we got a sneak peak at what lies ahead... By the way, I think our moms were right—“History DOES repeat itself.” Give me a second and you’ll see what I mean.


In one corner: The “Teenager”

Ella gave us a real eye-opener last week – not just with how much she likes dolphins – but we saw a bit of what the teenage years have in store. That teenage girl is just waiting inside, dying for a chance to burst out, and she made a few guest appearances throughout the week as we mistakenly asked Ella, “How was your day at school?”

“Fine.”

“What did you learn today?”

“Nothing.”

“Who did you play with?”

“I don’t know.”

Good grief! And so it begins!

After a couple days of this, we realized we needed to ask Ella more specific questions to help her recall her day. Things like, “What kind of art project did you do? Did you play with Izzy? What letter did you work on today?” Finally, we received more than a one-word answer…still, not as much as I was hoping for. I’m SO not ready for this.

In the other corner: The Toddler

It was an amazing week for Jaisa with the start of some major 1-year milestones. At 13 ½ months old, Jaisa finally took her first steps across the living room. I say “finally” because Ella started walking at 10 months (overachiever), so we’ve kind of been waiting for Jaisa’s big moment—not that I’m comparing. Oh, who am I kidding?

Jaisa was so proud of herself she proceeded to walk around the entire house that day, just to show us that she could. I knew you had it in you, sweetie. Mommy’s aching back thanks you for finally not having to hunch over and walk you everywhere…well, at least for too much longer as you master this latest trick. No pressure, but please hurry! [And yes, moms, I know what I’m asking for here. Considering I’ve been walking like Igor for the last few months, I’m ready to chase after an independent walker...in an upright position.]

Just when we thought we couldn’t handle any more childhood developments for the week, Jaisa throws us another. We were eating supper one night and I had put some food on Jaisa’s fork as I’ve been doing lately to teach her how to eat with utensils, and she proceeded to put the fork in her mouth. Nothing new. And then it happened…Jaisa started stabbing the rest of the food on her tray with her fork and was feeding herself! Matt and I looked at each other in only the amazement two parents can give as a child practices a new skill for the first time. Bravo, Jaisa, bravo! Before you know it, I’m going to be out of another job.

Don’t you just love it when everything clicks? It’s the little things in life, people! We can’t wait to see what the little Jedi will master next.

Teenage Ella, you stay inside….we’re not ready for you yet.

The Dolphin Within Reach

I know I promised a different topic for this next post, but something so absolutely ridiculous happened last night that I just have to share it. It’s the kind of ridiculous that showcases in all its glory the complexities of being a four-year-old, and raising a four-year-old. This, friends, is a tale of mammal proportions….that of a dolphin. It will make you groan, wince, roll your eyes, and oh yes, maybe even shed a tear.

And so it begins…

Ever since the school year began (a whole week ago), Ella has been a bit of a handful. Not sure why—maybe the change in routine can be to blame. With a four-year-old, who knows? But Matt and I had it up to here (insert your own tolerance threshold) with Ella’s behavior—the whining, the crying, the screaming and carrying on. Enough with the drama! So we came up with a nice little incentive for the week. Each day that she was what we deemed to be a “good girl,” she got a sticker on the calendar leading up to the big reward—a trip to Happy Joe’s. For those of you familiar with this delightful establishment, they’re known for their mighty delicious (if I do say so myself) taco pizza, and of course the games that spit out tickets to win prizes.

So okay, Ella made it through the whole week with stickers leading right up to Wednesday – pizza day. She was teetering on the edge yesterday, but I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She was a “good girl.” (Not sure why I keep putting that in quotation marks, but it IS a relative term, is it not?) One foot inside Happy Joe’s and Ella could barely contain herself…she needed to play games immediately. We tried to calm her down enough to order our pizza and then set her free. She played. Our pizza arrived. Ella barely had four bites before heading back to "Play Land." Matt joined her to help score more tickets (as any good parent would do). Finally, it was getting late. I signaled to Matt that it was “go time.” The moment of truth…. How many tickets did we have and would it be enough to get something of any value? That ruled out toy jewelry, squirt guns, tootsie rolls, giant pencils…you get my point.

We earned 400 points, not bad, but unfortunately not enough to get any of the things Ella originally started rattling off that she wanted….. not enough for Barbie or the walkie-talkies…sorry, kid. So I started giving her ideas that I thought she would like.

“How about that jump rope?”

“No.”

How about that tie-dyed dolphin?”

“No.”

“How about that tiara and some chalk?”

“No.”

I was starting to run out of worthwhile options.

“Are you sure you don’t want that dolphin?”

“No.”

“Okay. I know! How about that cool Buzz and Woody dart game?” (You know the one….it’s a target with a Velcro ball that you throw at the bull’s-eye to get points?) Fun for hours, I thought. Or at least a few minutes.

After about 10 minutes of this (which seemed more like 20), Ella finally agreed, “Yes, I want Buzz and Woody!” We have a winner, folks! Let’s go home.

All was well…we got the kids in their pajamas, put Jaisa down and then I went to lay with Ella for a minute and we talked about our fun day. Then out of the blue, she started crying, “I want the dolphin! I don’t like that Woody game!” I tried to reassure her that she made the right decision. That game was awesome! She wasn’t buying it.

The crying escalated into a full-blown melt down. In between sobs, staggered breathing and trembling I heard, “Can you go back to Happy Joe’s and get my dolphin….PLEEAASSEEE?”

“I WANT MY DOLPHIN, I WANT MY DOLPHIN, I WANT MY DOLPHIN!”

Seriously. There was nothing I could do to calm down this poor, upset, overtired, overly dramatic little girl. Matt stepped in. After 10 more minutes of this, he lost it. Anger=louder crying. After 20 minutes, I got upset. What could I do? I tried to hold her tight and shush her (it works for infants). In my head I was swearing at myself for not listening to my gut. I knew she wanted that stupid dolphin. Apparently, the sheer volume of prizes was just too overwhelming for a four-year-old to make such an important decision. Why didn’t I step in? After 30 long minutes of anguish and Ella asking, “Can you go get my dolphin?” over and over again and me replying, “Yes, Sweetie, yes”, was I really going to be the crazy mother who goes to Happy Joe’s in her pajamas just before closing to return an opened prize and request a freaking dolphin for my impossible-to-please child?

Not a chance.

Sometimes we moms just have to tell our kids what they want to hear to get a little peace and quiet.

But just in case, where else can I find a dolphin?



Tell me…what would you have done?

My Baby, The Kindergartener

Ella’s first day of school had been a hot topic of conversation at our house for the past couple of years. Every time Ella saw the school bus go down our street, she’d ask me, “Mom, when I get big, can I ride the school bus?” I replied every single time, “Yes, Ella, when you get big you’ll get to ride the school bus.” Over time, the allure of the school bus morphed into the much anticipated first day of school. She’d see kids in our neighborhood getting on the bus (again, the bus) with their backpacks overwhelming them and ask, “Mom, when I get big, can I go to school?” To which I replied every single time, “Yes, Ella, when you get big you can go to school.”

As time went on and neither the bus nor school was happening yet, I started feeling a little sad for her, hoping she wouldn’t give up on her dreams so soon. I’d tell her to have patience. “Your time will come sooner than you think.”

The first dream-come-true happened when we signed Ella up for a few Y camps over the summer. Every Friday of camp was Field Trip Day, where, you guessed it; they got to ride the bus. I’ve never seen a kid more excited to step foot on that bus. Ella hadn’t a care where it was taking her; finally she was riding the BUS! That first field trip day, a camper arrived late (there’s always one), so the whole group had to sit, staring at that bright yellow school bus, until the girl showed up. Matt, Jaisa and I waited for 20 minutes until those wide-eyed, little 4-year-olds were allowed to single-file-it on that bus. We quickly discovered in that time of waiting that our child was definitely not the only one who put the bus on such a pedestal. Pictures were taken. It was a magical day Ella retold for weeks to come.

The second dream-come-true, to Ella’s dismay, did not partner with the first dream quite as she had been picturing in her head. Lesson number one: Life’s full of disappointments, kiddo. Ella learned she wouldn’t be riding the bus to school since we live too close for pick-up, BUT she WAS going to school at long last. Over the summer, Ella told virtually everyone she knew (and didn’t know) that she was going to school. We did the traditional back-to-school shopping—she picked out some cool pencils and got a Disney Princess notebook and folder (only to find out they didn’t need their own supplies but instead shared everything). Disappointment #2. No worries though, because those things have already come in handy at home.

The night before school, we stood in front of Ella’s closet and she picked out her favorite polka dot sundress. All I had to do was pray that the weather would be warm enough for her to wear it. It was.

I felt prepared. After all, class was only for 3 hours in the afternoon and only 4 days a week. Did I mention it was in the afternoon? Yeah. Not such a good idea. That’s what you get when you enroll last-minute (I’ll explain why that happened in a later entry). So there we were on the first day of school, the anticipation killing both of us as we wait for the morning hours to tick by until 12:30. But before we knew it, there we were—Mom, Ella and Jaisa in tow, walking up to the front doors of the school as I felt my throat tighten.

My baby was going to kindergarten. My BABY was going to kindergarten. (Okay, it was only 4-K, but still!)

I of course made Ella stand in front of the building so I could take a few pictures. She looked so proud. So grown-up. So ready to leave and start her big first day. The teachers came out to greet the eager students (some not so eager as well). Ella perked up her ears to listen for her name to be called. Finally, she heard it and looked at me as if to say “Could this really be it?” I gave her a smile, then an enormous hug and kiss, and told her to have a great day and I couldn’t wait to hear all about it (Remind me to tell you how that went). She ran over to her teachers to put on her name tag and then took hold of a rope sprawled out in the entry way for all students to grab as they were corralled into the building. The teachers assured us teary-eyed parents that the time would fly by, and Ella yeld out to me with a beaming smile, “Bye, Mommy, I love you!”

It took everything within me to yell back “I love you too!” and not turn into a puddle on the sidewalk instead. It wasn’t that it was hard for me to see her go; I had done it hundreds of times at day care. It was me being so proud of her… for finally being big enough to go to school.

As Jaisa and I walked away, I heard Jaisa say a soft “Bye-bye.” Bye-bye indeed. A door on Ella’s childhood closed that day, but wow, how many more just opened. But, please Ella, don’t “get big” too fast.

Next up: My Baby, The Teenager??

Don’t Go! Part 2: Saying good-bye isn’t always easy…for baby.

Once upon a time in a land not far away—at our local daycare—a single tear streamed down my daughter Ella’s 8-month-old face… and then another and another as I turned my back on her to head to work. Suddenly her tears exploded into a full-blown fit, screaming and all.

Well, this came out of nowhere.

I was not prepared to see Ella so upset by my departure. Finally, she cared that I was leaving! She really does love me! Wait a minute. Focus, Jessica. Your daughter is in hysterics and somehow you have to figure out how to leave.

Nothing tugs at the heart strings like your child reaching out, pleading for you to stay, with tears instantly driving guilt deep into your chest like a knife. Oh, did it hurt! I did everything the magazines and books warn new moms against—I picked her up, held her, smothered her with kisses and prolonged the visit, making my departure that much more painful.

As I pried the tiny, kung-fu grip from my shoulders, handed Ella to her daycare teacher, and backed my way slowly out of the room, tears filled my eyes too as Ella’s crying got louder and louder. I heard her sobs all the way out the door and it festered in my head for hours. Not a way you want to start the day.

How did my once happy-to-play-with-anyone child now crave my constant presence?

Doctors assure us that separation anxiety is a normal, healthy stage—a sign that your child is beginning to think about you when you aren’t with her. The problem is, babies learn about leaving before they learn about coming back. Makes sense why Ella reacted the way she did—she thought I was never returning! So, I began reading about different ways to help Ella cope and hopefully make saying good bye easier for both of us.

#1: Start small. Playing games like peek-a-boo with Ella helped her get the idea that Mommy goes, but comes right back. The things we do for our children—there I was draped under a blanket, calling “Where’s Mommy?” and then pulled the blanket off to reveal my smiling face to a room filled with hysterics. But this time it was laughter. Huh, she really thought this stuff was funny! Never have I been known for my comedic talent, but to Ella I was a comic genius! So I repeated the move again and again, feeling her laughter light up the room.

#2: Say no to strangers. Most babies go through the stage of separation anxiety best in their own environment with people they know well. But even leaving Ella with Grandma—a woman she saw on a weekly basis—would upset her from time to time. One thing I realized is the importance of slow transitions. When planning a night out with my husband Matt, we would make sure Grandma came early to play with Ella while we were still present. Soon she was having a blast and could care less whether we were there or not.

#3: Plan your exit. Sneaking away may seem like the easy way out, but do I really want to think about Ella suddenly realizing we’re gone and never getting a good bye? I don’t think so. She deserves a proper good bye. I just don’t prolong it like I used to do. Now when we leave, we give Ella a quick kiss and hug, tell her to have fun, and we’ll see her later. Then we bolt. Sometimes she cries for us, but we don’t turn back. It’s hard, but Matt and I know in less than a minute she will have forgotten we’re gone and be distracted by her newest audience.

#4: Let her cry it out. Yes, it felt awful to leave Ella while she was still crying, but like I said earlier, the theatrics didn’t last long. After a few minutes with a loving caregiver—who’s good with spontaneous distraction—she calmed down, as most babies do. Grandma would immediately engage her in a book, toy or even short children’s program. It made leaving so much easier for both Ella and us.

Even now at 4 years old, Ella still gets a bit upset when I leave the house, primarily because she wants to tag along. But now with the tag-team efforts of our youngest daughter Jaisa, who at age 1 is literally attached to Mommy’s hip most of the day, saying good-bye just doubled in difficulty. Once one starts crying, the other chimes right in, primarily for amplified effect. As sad as it is to leave those tear-streaked faces, I know they’ll be fine and I’ll come back to showers of hugs and kisses.

If you and your child are going through the struggles of separation anxiety, just remember it does get easier. Got any tricks for leaving the house without the kids going into hysterics? Please share!

Don’t Go! Part I: Saying Good-bye is never easy...for Mom

I’ll never forget it. After nearly three months of complete focus and attention on our new little bundle of joy, Matt and I had decided to venture out of the house to celebrate our anniversary. This decision was not made lightly—in fact, it was debated upon for weeks, mostly by me.

Matt had been out in the “real world” since Ella’s birth, going back to work, living his life. Me, not so much. My life at the time consisted of nursing, changing diapers, stroller rides and doting over our gorgeous new little girl, without much contact with the outside world. Did I mention nursing and diaper changing? Yeah, that was really the brunt of my day. But after much encouragement and coaxing from one of my best friends who generously volunteered to watch Ella, “we” decided we really need to take this next step.

“What, leave my baby! Are you crazy?” I thought. “She’ll know I’m gone. What if she cries and wants her Mommy and I’m not there? What if she won’t take her bottle? What if a burglar comes in, knocks my friend over the head with a garden shovel and takes off with Ella in tow?”
“Relax, you paranoid, hormonal freak!” I said to myself (dang those hormones).

Deep down, I knew we had to do this, and after all the new-parent stress from the first few months, we really deserved—correction, NEEDED—a night out to celebrate the fact that one of us had not left the other by that point. I’m joking of course, but you gotta know that those initial months of a new parent’s life test a marriage like nothing else.

Bless her soul, my friend made good on her word and watched Ella so we could go out to dinner. With two kids of her own, I felt pretty safe leaving Ella in her company. So for the first time in months, I slipped on a dress (praying I’d be able to zip it up all the way and still breathe) and fussed over my hair and make-up…all the while mentally preparing myself for our departure. “You can do this. You can do this. You can do this.”

One solace was that I knew we couldn’t be gone long or my breasts were going to burst. Hey, maybe breastfeeding did have its perks after all!
We were all dolled up and ready to go. I gave one last loving hug to un-phased Ella, and then another….and another, before I noticed Matt giving me “the look.” You know the one that says, “You’re blowing this way out of proportion, let’s get the heck out of here already.” Excuse me, but when a mother is physically attached to her baby for nine months, letting go isn’t easy!


But I did let go, and it was the beginning of my newfound independence as a mother. Once I got my first taste of freedom—however difficult it was to say good-bye—I realized how absolutely necessary such mini “escapes” were for my health, sanity, parenting and marriage.

Granted, on that initial night out I couldn’t get through the meal without calling home twice. But it also felt so good to be enjoying a little grown-up time. From that point on, stepping out the door became a bit easier…at least for the first 8 months or so. That’s about the time Ella’s separation anxiety kicked in. Then we were both a mess; but I’ll get into that sob story next time.

The Solid Truth: Tales of the Short-order Cook

As a baby, Ella had been a good eater. Not at all what I’d define as picky (except for her aversion to strained peas, but who can blame her?) But once she was old enough to eat what my husband Matt and I were having, mealtime took a turn. It all began with a splat of chicken casserole on our dining room floor. Ella flat out refused to eat it, with her lips buttoned up like a fortress. So what did I do? I ran to the fridge to fix something she would eat. A grilled cheese sandwich? Chicken nuggets? (Gulp) A hot dog? They all seemed like lousy options in comparison to my wholesome meal.

At that moment, I became a sucker…and a short-order cook no less—a big no-no in most parenting magazines. In my defense, I just wanted to make sure my little girl was getting all her essential nutrients.

Fruit fanatic!
Since her first introduction, the one thing that continues to astound us is Ella’s infatuation with fruit. She’ll jam-pack her mouth full of grapes and gobble down a banana like she’s being timed to break a world record. Stand back Joey Chestnut! Veggies don’t go down so bad either. Weird kid but she loves lima beans and we’re soon finding out that our little one-year-old Jaisa loves them too. Weird kids. Matt and I hate ‘em so if they show up in a veggie mix, we pile Ella’s plate with our rejects. Childish? Maybe. But someone might as well enjoy them.

No meat? That might be Mom’s fault.
I’m not a big meat eater, much to Matt’s dismay, so we tend to stick with chicken and ground turkey at our house, along with plenty of vegetarian dishes. Since we’re not fans of fish either, Matt and I have created monsters when it comes to polishing off protein. Ella and Jaisa either tolerate a few bites or, it hits the floor, thanks to our youngest.

If all else fails, try a bribe.
When it comes to table-time wars, a parent has to pick her battles. And sometimes that means using the occasional bribe.

”Take two more bites and you can watch Dora.”

“Just one more spoonful and you can have a treat.”

It can be exhausting coming up with new ideas.

Filling the nutritional gaps
Since no two days are alike, I’ve made one thing constant – a multivitamin. Since Ella turned two, I’ve been giving her a kids’ chewable multivitamin daily. I pick one that’s low in sugar and chock-full of essential nutrients she may be missing from her diet. Ella loves them and some days even begs for more (which of course I don’t give her). If only she’d show such enthusiasm for chicken casserole.

So, what will it be tonight? Penne pasta bake or a ham sandwich. Either way, this Mom will be prepared (I really am a sucker).


Got a picky eater? Have helpful ideas for dinner-time bribes?
I’d love to hear them.

A good poop story goes a long way

When I entered motherhood, never did I think a conversation starting out as “You’ll never guess what happened last night,” would end with “There was poop everywhere!” and consider this the most hilarious event of my husband’s and my weekend. But, hey, poop happens. And when you have an infant, it happens a lot, and can sometimes make life a little messy.

As my husband Matt and I began talking to friends who are parents as well, we were surprised at how freely poop stories such as ours entered their way into conversation. Soon, we’d find ourselves in a back and forth competition of sorts, saying, “You think that’s bad, wait till you hear this!” Four years ago, I never would have thought my daughter Ella’s unpredictable bowel movements would be a source of entertainment. But as those Johnson & Johnson® commercials remind us, “Having a baby changes everything.” And with the addition of our youngest, Jaisa, who's now almost one, those poop stories keep coming and never seem to get old.

A bonding experience
As strange as it sounds, these little (and not so little) poop stories had helped lighten up our marriage during the often trying times within the first years of our daughters' lives. To this day, we still bring up our first “projectile poop” experience with Ella and how we just both stood there surrounding her, surveying the after-math, and laughing harder than we had laughed together in a long time. With Jaisa, we were armed and ready...or so we thought, until that first explosion. Then, somehow it felt like we were transported back in time, not sure whether we wanted to brave the storm or duck and take cover.

Throughout the trials and tribulations of parenthood, when things get messy laughter is sometimes the best medicine. My one piece of advice to any new parents, always open with caution.

Life After Birth: The Post-partum Conundrum

Is that her “I’m hungry” cry or the “I need to be changed” cry? At 2 am, who can decipher the difference! Surviving the first few months of your baby’s ever-changing life is a challenge in itself. If you haven’t had time or been too sleep deprived to notice, your body is once again going though some major changes too. Giving birth takes a lot out of you—literally!

You’ve likely been overwhelmingly prepared for what you can expect when you’re expecting; but once the baby is born, then what? You might not be as certain about how to deal with the “after-effects.”

For example, I was completely thrown off when about a month after giving birth to my first daughter Ella I started losing what seemed to be a ton of hair. Thankfully, I later found out that this was perfectly normal. I wasn’t actually losing more hair, it’s just that hair tends to stay put and grow while pregnant. After giving birth, normal estrogen levels return and normal hair loss occurs again, which can come as a shock after going 9 months with very little “shedding.” You can imagine my relief!

Bladder Matters
Similar to hair loss, incontinence is a very common post-partum concern making many new moms feel helpless and insecure. During delivery, all that pushing and wear and tear on the pelvic muscles can leave them weak afterwards, which means you may experience bladder leakage when doing everyday things—picking up your child, sneezing, coughing, laughing or getting out of bed. Ahhh, the joys of motherhood!

First of all, don’t panic—adult diapers are likely not part of your immediate future. Kegel exercises can do wonders in strengthening your pelvic muscles back to top form. For another natural approach, experience the benefits of pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pumps Up Bladder Power
In my experience, taking a nutritional supplement featuring pumpkin seed extract really helped “put a cork in it” naturally by helping support healthy bladder strength.

For most effectiveness, look for a product that contains a concentrated, 18 to 1, extract of Cucurbita pepo. Certain products also use a patented process which removes the fat soluble components from the seed, revealing a more potent extract, which has been clinically shown to promote urinary tract and bladder health.

Remember to talk to your physician before taking any nutritional supplements. Some products may not be recommended if you’re nursing.

The day I became a MODO

Happy New Year!
With today being the first day of the New Year, what better day to finally get my blog up and running. January 1st marks a day of new beginnings, so for my first blog entry, I'm going to tell the story that made MODO Moments possible. The day I became a mother to my second daughter. It goes something like this...

Three days before my due date, I wasn’t feeling quite right. It was a Friday, I was at work, and I remember telling my co-workers, “I don’t think I’ll make it through the weekend.” Those who placed bets with their “best-guess” dates approaching grew hungrier for the winnings. It was just a matter of time. That night the dull cramping persisted, but not enough to start counting the minutes—just a constant ache that made it difficult to get a sound night of sleep.

By day break, I knew this was the “real deal” as the pain became more intense and I was able to clock it. By 8 am, the contractions were 8 minutes apart. Still not knowing how long this could go on for, I assured my husband that he could go help with his mom’s rummage sale, but to keep the phone at hand. Meanwhile, I tried to keep our 3-year-old daughter Ella occupied with an art project as I winced through the periodic pain and got the remains of my hospital bag together. With the passing of each half hour, the contractions got closer and closer together. Just two hours later, they were 5 minutes apart. I called the doctor to share the news.

It was “time.”

Ella was thrilled when I told her the baby was finally coming. Little did she know, it still might be hours before she could find out whether she’d have a little sister or brother. To tell you the truth, I’m not so sure she cared. She was more excited to get to spend the night with Grandma.

So my husband got called home, we gathered up our bags, dropped Ella off at Grandma and Grandpa’s and headed to the hospital—a short 5 minute drive away—when things really kicked into gear. Once we arrived at the labor and delivery room, had my vitals checked, got attached to all sorts of tubes and was interrogated with a thousand questions, I was begging for an epidural. Finally, after two agonizing hours the anesthesiologist came with relief in hand. I just hoped I could remain still long enough for him to jam that foot-long needle into my spine. Heaven followed.

After about an hour, my water finally broke and it was time for me to start pushing. I pushed and pushed and still no baby came. Two hours of this and tears started to roll down my face uncontrollably. Not again! I thought. I pushed for two and a half hours with Ella and was assured by countless friends that the second child would be easier. What happened to the stories about only having to push a few times before the baby popped out? You can imagine my disappointed when I reached that two-and-a-half-hour mark and nothing…. Three hours…nothing… Finally, the doc came in to help me along—forceps at the ready. He must have known that somewhere deep inside me I could muster up a few more good pushes before using other means. So there I went, giving it one last try. One…two…three…and after 9 ½ hours of labor (sure beat Ella’s 16!) and 3 hours and 15 minutes of pushing…there was my preciously stubborn baby girl.

Jaisa Mae was born at 6:36 pm weighing 7 lbs, 5 oz, 21 inches long. And of course she was worth every last push.

A few hours later, big sister Ella came to meet her new little partner in crime. We took this picture of Ella proudly holding Jaisa for the first time. A picture says a thousand words. And the adventure continues…