The Mommy ‘n’ Baby Page

I have been working hard lately and it hasn’t been online. This has led to a little slacking off here, but I think it will be worth it. You see, I must admit that I am a horrible housekeeper. I get easily distracted and am the biggest procrastinator I have ever met (or heard of). I hate cleaning and cooking and as such try to avoid it. However, I really need to make all of my online endevors work well so that my husband and I can make all our dreams come true. I have come to feel that this can only happen if we are really really disciplined. That kind of discipline is something that doesn’t come naturally to me and will take a lot of work.

This is what I have been working on. Step one is getting the house really really clean and organized. This isn’t that easy since we have tons of stuff and it seems no where to put it. However, the kitchen is looking loads better as is the living room. The dinning room is getting there and I feel accomplished after three days of working on it. I am no where near done, but one day at a time is all I can do.

Step two is figuring out how to maintain it. We often plan on picking up at the end of the day and then we don’t. This lets things pile up and become overwhelming. Having a messy two year old and two adults who don’t pick up after themselves make the house look like a tornado whipped through it after a single day. The schedules we have tried to use to keep up on laundry, dishes, and picking up haven’t worked so I have to find something that does work and then stick to it.

Step three is to figure out how to cook every night. I hate cooking and it is hard for me to keep it up. I would much rather go out to eat (even if it means spending a few dollars and going fast food style). Over the past several years (five or so) this has become an addiction to me and it is hard for me to go more then three or four days without going out and the weekends are the worst. Our budget needs to be cut back so our savings is increased and this isn’t easy to do. One area that could be done is the eating out factor and therefore I have to figure out how to cook each meal.

Step four is to get all of my work organized so that I am producing the most amount of material that I can and increasing my passive earnings as well as my daily earnings. This isn’t necessarily and easy thing to do because planning how much can get done each day with Marcus here is hard to do. Some days he is really good about playing by his self and I can get ten to fifteen articles written plus update each blog. Other days he is horrible about it and I am lucky to get even one done. No matter what, now is the time to make sure every step of my work is organized to make sure that I am getting enough done to grow my income faster then ever before.

Those are the four steps I need to accomplish right now for better living, life, work, and hopefully helping us to accomplish our dreams. I also need to find time to make jewelry and to work on getting my book done. These two things have slacked off some which is scary. I have my first Texas craft fair on October 11th and 12th. Hopefully we do well and walk away a lot richer then we are today. Of course, it won’t take much!

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Sometimes temper tantrums get out of control and there is the question of whether or not a doctor should be called. Knowing when it is time to call the doctor isn’t easy to do. After all, most toddlers and young children through temper tantrums at some point in their development for one reason or another. So, when is it time to call the doctor? Studies have reveled that these are the times when it is a good idea to discuss temper tantrums with your pediatrician.

1. In your child is hurting themselves while throwing temper tantrums. Sometimes this may be hard to identify, but if your child is doing things that can or do cause self injury then it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.
2. If your child is violent or lashes our at people or things.
3. If your child has repeated temper tantrums and is unable to calm themselves. If you have to help them calm down all the time. This is easier to identify in older children who should be able to calm themselves down after a few minutes.
4. If your child throws temper tantrums that last more then 25 minutes.
5. If your child has more then five temper tantrums in a single day or more then fifteen in a single month then it might be a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician.
6. If you don’t like to leave the house for fear of your child throwing temper tantrums in public then it is a good idea to talk to your doctor.

Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your child’s behavior. This isn’t a sign that you are a bad mom, but rather could be a sign that your child needs help that you don’t yet know how to offer him or her. This is a good way to help you and your child, if the need is there.

There are so many different rewards from having a house full of books. Reading can be informational, answer questions, provide thinking time, and even provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience. If you know where to go you can even get great deals on books, such as Amazon books found at cheaper prices. With millions of books to choose from and thousands of good deals, now is the time to be thinking, “What shall I read next?”

Thrifty mommies have to do interesting things to keep on top of all the expenses life throws at us. One thing that can be done is recycling things that are normally thrown away. If your family uses soap bars in the shower then chances are pretty good that you toss out the last little shards of soap. They are a pain to deal with and make showering a little hard, especially for kids. You can collect those and make liquid hand soap to sit at your bathroom sinks instead. Store the leftover soap bars in a plastic baggie after they have thoroughly dried. Then place them in a pan with two cups of water and one table spoon of oil (your choice, I usually use vegetable oil because it is always available and cheap). Keep them on low to low medium heat. It will take longer to melt, but it is less likely to boil over and make a mess. Let it heat up and melt the soap. Stir often with a wooden spoon. Once all the soap is melted let the mixture cool. Chances are pretty good that it will be thick once cool (it really depends on how much soap you have). Add a cup of hot water and stir well. Add water till you reach the desire consistency. If you feel that your soap is too watery then heat up a little to let some of the water evaporate leaving thicker soap.

This can reuse your old soap and save you money for hand soap. Reuse the pump bottles that you use in the bathroom and your refill bottle to make large batches at one time and then have lots of time before you need to do it again! Plus, your house will smell good for a few days!

The soap is already been made into soap so all the tools used will be easy to wash and very clean…

Recently the terrible two’s have hit us full force. While we aren’t having temper tantrum issues regularly, they are coming often enough that I have started to research the issue. Here is what I knew and what I have found out.

Temper Tantrum Causes-

Understanding the cause of a child’s temper tantrum helps you to solve them. Frustration is the biggest reason for temper tantrums is frustration. What causes that frustration is another matter all together.

• Unable to communicate. It is true that your child has a lot better ways to communicate then he or she did a year ago or two years ago, but they still have trouble. Now they have a better understanding of what they want and sometimes become frustrated trying to communicate with you.
• Unable to do something. Toddlers have a huge desire to explore the world and figure out how everything works. This sometimes leads to frustration when they are unable to do something they want to do. Whether it is because they aren’t allowed to climb up the entertainment center, the toy won’t fit together like they want to, or they can’t figure out how to make it do what they want, these things are frustrating.
• Overwhelmed. It is easy to be overwhelmed. After all, you are overwhelmed at certain times and you have a better understanding of the world around you. Whether there is too much going on around them, a busy store, or their schedule is interrupted this can all be overwhelming and cause temper tantrums.
• Now verses Later. A toddler doesn’t understand the idea of getting or doing it later. This can cause temper tantrums. You can say, “We’ll go to the park tomorrow” or “You can have the cake after dinner” and it doesn’t mean anything to them. After all, they want it now and are going to try to get it now.
• Me. A toddler is still at an age where his or her needs come first. This makes it hard when there are others around who also have needs. It causes issues with sharing and it can cause problems when there is a new baby in the house.
• Temper tantrums can still happen when your child is over tired, hungry, or they desire to be done with an activity. It is hard for them to express what they are feeling and it often comes out in a mess of sobs or a temper tantrum.

Understanding the causes of your toddlers temper tantrums can make it easier to sooth, comfort, and work your way through them. It is also easier to avoid some of the situations that cause your young child to throw a temper tantrum.

Defusing the Child!

Defusing a temper tantrum can be a hard job. It can leave you feeling exhausted and in need of a vacation. Don’t forget that you aren’t alone and there are lots of moms out there who are going through the same thing. If your child has a temper tantrum in public there may be rude people who think that you should know the off switch or do anything to turn it off. It will also feel like all sorts of people are staring at you. Fear not, this won’t last forever and your child is probably 100% normal.

• Avoid the causes. If your child has a lot of temper tantrums when they are tired or they are ones that have to have a nap at 1:30 then avoid the causes of the temper tantrums whenever possible. Bring a snack with you if your child gets hungry or needs to snack a lot. Work toward a calmer day.
• Try to talk it through. Once a temper tantrum has started it is often a good thing to pick up your child and hold them close. Then try talking it through. Let them know that you understand that they are frustrated. Ask a few questions if you think there is a communication issue happening or give them comfort and let them know that they aren’t alone.  This can calm them down and get them talking instead of crying or screaming.
• Try a distraction. There are a lot of different ways to distract a toddler. Be silly, work toward making them laugh, or offer them something to do or look at. This can be the difference between a crying kid and a happy one.
• Ignore it. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to ignore a temper tantrum. It can grate on your nerves and make you feel horrible. However, sometimes that is just what is needed for your child to understand that he or she isn’t going to get what they want by throwing a fit.
• Walk Away. Sometimes you need to walk away. This might be from your child if he or she is making you really frustrated. Make sure they are in a safe place and go count to ten. Other times you might be in public and need to leave the scene for a breath of fresh air for both of you.

It is often a trial and error for a parent to get to know their child enough to quickly and easily defuse temper tantrums. It is still possible that the occasional, unavoidable one will happen. But fear not and press on, this won’t last forever. It is important not to reward temper tantrums. Sometimes it is hard to do. After all, giving in will stop the crying and screaming. But giving in and letting your child have the cookie or play where he or she isn’t supposed to reinforces the idea that temper tantrums will get them what they want. This can cause more temper tantrums and lead to a bigger issue later on.

We all know that we need a little more time for ourselves. Mommy time is something most of us need more of, are unsure of when to take it, and what to do with it when you have it. Relaxing and taking time for yourself is important, but it isn’t easy. In fact, it is really hard. But with a few good tips you could find yourself more relaxed and enjoying your life more.

When to find the time. 

Take time whenever it works for you and your family. This is often different for each mom depending on when she likes to get up, go to bed, and whether or not she works from home, is a stay at home mom, or a working mom. You need to work out your schedule to find the perfect place to slide in a bit of mommy time. You can do this in the morning before everyone else gets up if you are a morning person or after everyone goes to bed if you are one who likes to stay up late. Other good times to slip in a little me time are after everyone has gone to work or school, during nap time, before or after work (even if it is in the car). It is also a good idea to give dad some time with the kids. Not only is this good for their relationships, but it is also a great way for you to have a little alone time. Have them go out to a movie, hit the park, go for a walk or a bike ride, or some other activity.

What to do during your time.

There are a lot of things you can do during your relaxing time and it often depends on the things you enjoy. Choose activities that will really be good for you and not for me or your best friend! A hot bath with bubbles, salts, or bath teas can make for a great relaxing time. Candle light is also a good way to relax. Spend some time surfing the net or listening to relaxing music (whatever type that makes you relaxed). Take a nap. Pick up your favorite craft or that new book you have been wanting to read. Have a refreshing beverage. Enjoy a movie or your favorite TV show. Get out with the girls or other mommies. Hit the spa or salon.

If all of these are hard to manage then take a class. Choose something you are interested in. Sign up and you will find yourself with a scheduled time off each week. Need to do your homework away from home? Schedule a few extra hours each week to spend at the library.

Making mommy time isn’t always easy. However, it does have its advantages. It gives you time to be you. Being a mom is an important job, but it isn’t all that there is to life. Take a few moments out and enjoy yourself.

Taking care of your eyes and those that belong to your family is important. However, if you happen to need glasses it can get expensive. Replacing them, eye doctor visits, top it off with needs from everyone in your family and you are talking about a lifetime of expense. Of course, in this day and age you can get Lasik surgery. It is an expensive procedure that can save you money as well as time in the long run. It is safe, effective, and can change your life for the better!

We’re back from vacation. I never knew that it would be sad and yet be a huge relief as well. I am glad to be back to work and enjoying spending time with my son. He spent most of vacation running around and playing and then time in the van. So, spending time with him this morning was wonderful. Overall I think that our vacation was good. We spent two days in the van. However, even that went fairly well. Then we spent the morning and early afternoon in Indiana with my husband’s brother, sister-in-law, and some of her family. It was a delightful time. We then loaded up and road the three and a half hours to Michigan with Sam and Naomi (my husband’s brother and his wife). Once there Peter (my husband) and I walked along the beach in the dark.

We spent three days at Lake Michigan. Two of which were beautiful, sunny, and warm. The third day was rainy and meant that we played cards most of the day.  Plans changed quite a bit. We ended up renting a UHaul truck and loading up a bunch of tools from Peter’s grandpa. This meant that Peter and I would have to drive down before the others.

Friday morning was an early one with the alarm ringing at 5:30. We helped everyone get loaded into the van, including Marcus (our two year old). Then we finished cleaning our cabin and off we went. The day was a relaxed one driving, though we were a little sad that we missed the boat trip across the Lake Michigan. The family went on a visiting trip across Wisconsin and we went for a long drive. We spent the night in a fantastic bed and were feeling refreshed in the morning as we left Rolla, Missouri. However, it was a long drive from Rolla, MO to Midland, TX and we didn’t get in till about 1:30 am.  All the while, the rest of the family went to a wedding.

We then had two whole days to relax and take care of business while the rest of the family drove down from Wisconsin. We got the shopping done, picked up some supplies for the craft fair next month, unloaded the truck and returned it, and took care of our tire since it keeps leaking. In addition we watched a few movies and slept in late. Now it is back to the real world of work and life. In some ways that will be easier, but there is part of me that is disappointed to leave behind the relaxed flow of life and the beach. Of course, it will be cold there very shortly.

To vacations!

The day is coming to a close. I have worked hard and gotten all my work done. I almost have my family packed and I am very excited for the time ahead of us. Tomorrow morning we will be getting up early and heading out on nine days of crazy adventure and calling it a vacation. I shall be back on September 9th and look forward to continuing at that time. Till Next Time.