5 Fabulous Bathtime (Multi)Tasks

I know I've been MIA for a while, and there are reasons for that, some of which I'll mention in Monday's post--and yes, there will be a post!

Okay, if you're a responsible baby-mommy (and I'm sure you are, if you're a baby-mommy at all!), you know that it's terribly unsafe to leave your preschool aged kiddos unattended in the bathtub. Truth be told, I've actually left mine in there for over an hour while I completed various tasks around the house, only popping in on them occasionally, but then, I didn't have any water in the tub that time. (I had you going there for a minute, didn't I?!) And yes, my Caleb likes bathtime playtime that much!

If your older baby (at least able to sit up unsupported on his or her own) or toddler enjoy bathtime as much as my two little guys do, you want to give them as much time to soak in all the splashing suds they can. But if you're like me, you get a little . . . um . . . bored. You also may feel irresponsible for not getting much done in that hour or so of bathtime fun.

Now, if you really need and will enjoy letting you mind wander as you stare into the bubbly bath toy hullaballoo (and yes, that's a real word--I even looked it up to make sure!), by all means, do not let me deter you from a visit to La-La Land. But in case your mind is a little less wonky-wooed (I did make that one up!) and you want to actualy accomplish something during bath time, here are a few--five, actually--ideas:

1. Floss your teeth.
   This was actually recommended to me by a dental hygienist. I guess she knew I wouldn't start doing it every day, so this was a pretty good suggestion. And yes, I do follow this advice . . . once in a while.
2. "Blitz" the bathroom.
   Cleaning the floor is clearly a dangerous idea, and cleaning the tub is out, but you can at least wipe the mirror and vanity down, put away the clutter, and scrub the commode.
3. Make a list.
   Put the lid down, have a seat, and make out that grocery list, to do list, or whatever organizational outlet you need for all those stray bubbles of information you have floating around inside your mind--quick, before they pop!
4. Organize your toiletries.
   At one point, I was so bad about this, that I discovered 5 full-sized cans of hair spray. I just kept buying them, thinking I was out, when in reality, the others were just stashed way under the bathroom sink. (I think now I'm down to 2. It's been over a year, I think; I really don't use much.)
5. Do your toenails.
   Notice that I did not say to paint your fingernails. If your luck is anything at all like mine, there is no way in bathdum that you would possible avoid having to pick up or otherwise provide assistance to your child without messing up wet fingernails. Toenails are a much safer bet, though.

By the way, don't forget to wash behind your kiddos' ears! (And here's a bonus bathtime thought--you know those classic rubber duckies your baby likes to try to eat? Make sure to check them for mold growing inside--I guess you could call them yucky duckies, and I've thrown away more than my fair share! The yellow ones make it easy to spot the black mold, but you'll want to check out your darker colored toys, as well.)

This is a wet but clean(ish) bathroom-boasting





reminding you that the days are sometimes far too long, but the years are far too short.

P.S. Sorry I didn't include any bathtime pics. I guess I'm a little splash-shy about it after this incident. I'm pretty much over it, but still.

Fabulous 5 Summertime Funtime Ideas

Okay, so I know I've been terrible about posting on here, lately. One of my excuses is that our internet connection has been spotty. Hopefully the technician that came out today was more effective than the one that came out last week! Ugh! I won't bore you with the other twelve. (You're welcome.) :)

My sister sent me this awesome list of summertime activity ideas, and I'm totally logging it away for future reference, but honestly, many of the ideas are much more suitable for older kids. (By the way, if you have them, I'd love to see your pics of any of these ideas that you use!)

So these Fabulous 5 Funtime Ideas are specifically tailored to the toddlin' tots out there:

1. Blow bubbles.

Seriously, this is Caleb's favorite pastime, lately, which is great because we don't have to go any further than the bathtub or our little balcony to do it. Usually, I blow the bubbles, and he chases them, yelling "no, no." It's really quite amusing. We got some professional pictures taken this week, and some have pics of him chasing the bubbles, so hopefully I'll post some of them, soon.

Grammy got him a sword-style wand that he likes to swing around, too. It's a little scarey, but since he doesn't get the whole blowing gently thing yet, it's great! (He spits forcefully or puts the smaller wands in his mouth. Yuck!)

2. Buy miniature ice cream sandwiches.

You can imagine what happens to the big ones, but the mini ones seem to be just right--for Caleb's little hands, small apetite, and short attention span. Unlike popsicles, when kids bite into ice cream sandwiches, they don't get that icky feeling when that cold stuff hits their teeth.

3. Freeze yogurt on sticks or (even easier) Gogurt tubes.

Actually, since Caleb likes to bite things off, I have to break off small pieces for him. It's worth it on hot days, though, when juice or water seems more appealing to all of us than dairy does. Josh (who's 8 months old--yes, already!) loves to suck on the frozen yogurt and slobber all over the messy tube, once it's empty!

4. Make smoothies.

You don't have to do anything fancy, here, folks. This is another way to get both dairy and fruit in, too. Here's what I use:

• 1 can of orange juice concentrate
• about 2 cups of frozen fruits or berries (We've used blueberries, strawberries, and peaches!)
• 1 t. vanilla
• 2-3 cups milk
• Sugar or sweetener, to taste

Simply thaw the frozen fruits in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until they're somewhat soft but not warm, and then put all the ingredients in a blender and puree! (I use a plastic container and a cheap-o immersion blender, which makes for easier cleanup.)

5. Allow for spontanaity!

Okay, this goes both ways: You want to allow for flexibility so you can all enjoy those days when the weather is just right, and you want to be willing to abandon your plans for special outings when weather or moods just don't cooperate. The second part is really easier to do with little ones than it will be in a few years.

Don't tell them that you're going to the zoo, the beach, or whatever, ahead of time, so you don't have to feel guilty for "lying" if plans change. But if the weather is really too hot or muggy or whatever, or you little tike is just plain out of sorts, do yourself and your kid a favor, and switch the "fun time" to another day. You'll both be glad.

With little ones, you also need to be flexible enough with your own plans to realize that they might not exactly have the same idea of what's fun. I'll post about how I learned (and applied!) that lesson on our recent trip to the zoo, on Monday. (The above pics are from that trip. If it looks like I think my "boys" are more photo-worthy than the animals we went to see, well, looks aren't always deceiving!)

I hope you're already planning some unplugged time to enjoy the summer with your little darlings. I know I am!

This is

reminding you that the days may be long, but summer is always way too short!

5 Fabulous Excuses for my Still Full To-Do List at the End of the Day

Okay, here's my pa-the-tic list of excuses for not having my home cleaned up or my other goals accomplished for tonight. And that vlog I'd planned to do? Well, my excuse fot that is that my home is not cleaned up, and it was one of the goals that I just mentioned. (If anyone starts paying me to write this, I think I might be able to move it up a notch or two on my priority list.)

1. I keep staying up late and waking up early, hoping somehow the two will magically switcharoo someday, and I'll get to go to bed early and wake up late, someday.

2. I have a baby who seems to think I'm the only one in the world that can feed him. (Well, in his defense, I am nursing exclusively.)

3. I have a toddler who thinks "entertain yourself quietly" is an invitation for him to throw his toys at his brother's head.

4. I keep cleaning the dishes and the kitchen, but then I cook a meal, and *poof!* It's like I'm right back where I started.

5. I started drinking a cup of coffee sometime this morning, but then I found a mug of cold brown liquid after lunch and realized I never had my caffeine. Since I hadn't had my caffeine, though, I wasn't mentally awake enough to make a fresh cup, then.

So that's my list of 5 Fabulous Excuses for my day. What's yours?

This is

reminding you that the days may be long, but the years, they tell me, are still oh-so-short.

5 Fabulous Baby Products

If you're expecting a little one and want ideas for budget-friendly, versatile baby gear to help you care for your bundle of joy, I hope you'll find this vlog helpful:

Since that video ended up a bit longer than I'd anticipated, here's a summary:

1. Boppy pillow

• Tammy Mommy's recommended uses:
• counter pressure after surgical birth
• comfortable seating after an episiotomy
• arm support for mom during nursing or bottle-feeding
• infant upport for tummy time
• fall protection for supported sitters
• Pros: versatility, popularity (easy to find used, on Craigslist)
• Cons: originally designed to help supported sitters, not to aid in nursing; allows small new babies to roll toward you, especially if you have a small build
• Tammy Mommy's Suggestion: Get a "bare naked" pillow and at least two covers (find one to suit your unique taste here), or--for a product exclusively suited for nursing--try My Breast Friend, instead.

2. Moby-style Baby Wrap

• Pros: 
• more stylish and more comfortable than backpack-style carriers
• more conducive to movement and more comfortable, for mommy and baby, than pocket-style carriers or slings--particularly as baby gets bigger & more mobile
• versatile, with several ways to position baby
• easily transportable, washable, and "makeable" (I think I just made up that word!)
• Cons:
• a bit pricey, if you get the name-brand model
• slightly challenging to wrap, the first few times
• Tammy Mommy's Suggestion: Buy some fabric, and make your own or buy a homemade knock-off! Also be sure to check out these videos (& more on YouTube) that show you how to wrap it.

3. By-Your-Side Infant Seat

• Pros:
• Higher than most infant seats, providing greater safety (especially with animals and other children) and convenience (particularly after having a surgical birth)
• Longer than many similar seats, accommodating babies who are long
• Neutral colors, storage shelf, and soothing music
• Cons:
• A little pricey, compared to traditional bouncer seats
• Hard plastic and pathetic pillow
• Cover that's difficult to remove
• Takes up a lot of room, similar to a small swing
• Tammy Mommy's Recommendation: If you buy this  or a similar seat, be sure to use a protective pad, and use this seat for sleeping, but only when baby is congested and uncomfortable lying flat, and  only with baby secured in 5-point harnass.
• Side note: It's currently very hard to find, brand new; I'm not sure why, but I'll try to contact Bright Starts and find out. I am selling mine, soon, though, so if you live in Wisconsin, I know where you can buy one!

4. Piddle Pad

• Pros: inexpensive & time-saving
• Cons: NONE
• Tammy Mommy's Recommendation: Buy one of these to protect each item that has stainable, hard-to-remove fabric covers (car seats, infant swings, bouncy seats, etc.).

5. Diaper Champ

• Pros: Easier to use and less expensive than the Diaper Genie; helpful for those who use cloth diapers
• Cons: NONE
• Tammy Mommy's Recommendation: This is my #1 "must-have" nursery item! Make sure to be consisten with the "default position" so you eliminate icky odors as much as possible.

Wow! That took a lot longer than I hoped it would, this Friday afternoon! I hope it's helpful to Stephanie and other mommmies-to-be. If any of you other "seasoned" moms have suggestions for them, please comment below!

This is

reminding you that the days may at times be long, but the years--especially that first half year!--is really way too short!

5 Fabulous Wood Learning Toys for Toddlers from Melissa & Doug

Well, I figured that if I waited until a day when I had time to make both myself and my home look presentable enough for video, I'd never get around to vlogging, so here I am--no makeup, spitup on my shirt, hair in a pony tail--you know, the "mom" look! :)

Well, here it is, my first vlog (video + blog):

I seriously had already finished this vlog and was waiting for the video to upload, when I noticed that Melissa and Doug are having a Twitter party tonight, at 10 p.m. complete with GIVAWAYS! I might just have to bit the bullet and get on Twitter, people. (Do any of you Tweet?)

If you'd like to continue to see these each Friday, please let me know! (My blog isn't monetized, at least not yet, which means I'm not making any money off of it. So if I don't have any readers--or any who like seeing these, I'll seriously lack motivation for posting!)

Like I mentioned in the video, I'm not getting any "kick-backs" from Melissa and Doug, but I do really like the company. (Among other reasons I mentioned, it's a family-owned business and still offers truly personal customer service: if you call, a REAL PERSON actually answers the phone, and if one of their products is defective, they actually replace it--for free!) If you're like me and tend to shop online these days, I figure videos like this is the next best thing to trying before you buy.

Here are pics and links to the Fabulous 5 Wood Learning Toys for Toddlers that I featured in the video, plus the "bonus" one:

Here's the Magnetic Hide-and-Seek Board.

Here's the Fishing Magnetic Puzzle Game

Here's the Rainbow Stacker Wooden Favorite

Here's the Magnetic Chalkboard/Dry-erase Board.

Here's the Vehicles Mix-n-Match Peg Puzzle

Here's the Barnyard Jumbo Knob puzzle.

Please share this blog with your mommy friends, and don't forget to let me know if you liked my first vlog!

Signing off in hopes of a sunny spring weekend--in your area and mine, this is

reminding you that the days may indeed be long, but the years are oh-so-short!

P.S. This Latches Board is on my "mommy wish list," but the price is just a bit much for this momma! If anyone has a used one or sees a good price on one, could you please let me know? Thanks!

5 Fabulous Spring Freebies for Moms & Kids

Okay, so I missed my second "Mommy Mondays" post! I had it "saved as draft" before we went away for the weekend, and then I came back to feeling behind in that crazy Momsquawk contest, and, well, here we are ready to say bye-bye to Friday!

By the way, I want to create a theme for Wednesdays, too, so if you haven't voted on what you'd like to see, yet, make sure to vote in the poll at the bottom of the sidebar!

After spending half the day in the ER with my 2yo, Caleb, and the other half trying to finish writing for an already kindly delayed writing deadline, I just couldn't find anyplace in our little home respectable enough to shoot a vlog, so you'll have to wait one more week for that one. I have an idea for next week's, though, so messy house or no, I will do video for next week!

Without further ado, here are this week's Fabulous 5 Mommy Freebies for you and your Kiddos, this spring:

• This "Happy Earth Day" activity book is a little beyond my kiddos' abilities, right now, but I thought some of you would like to use it to help develop environmentally conscious kiddos!

• If you have an Ereader or an iPhone, you can download check out this "The Very First Easter" ebook download from Amazon. My Caleb loves flipping through these!
(Thanks to one of my favorite deal blogger, Heidi, The Frugal Girls!)
• Do you have a hard time getting cards out on time? Somehow, I tend to end up sending out cards late, even when I buy them in plenty of time! They just get stuck in a holding pattern between the store and mail box. Well, you're home free with this FREE Mother's Day Card that Tiny Prints even ships for you!
(Thanks to Sarah Gibbons and her fabulous deal blog, Raining Hot Coupons!)

• On these cold, rainy spring days in Wisconsin, having some indoor play time is a very good thing! Last week, Caleb got to play on rides and do some games at Chuck-E-Cheese with our 60 free tokens! (Jonathan and I each received coupons for Caleb's birthday and Josh's "half birthday," this month, just for being on their e-mail list!) You can also get them for your school-aged kids' grades and any aged kids' filled chore charts!

• If you have older kids, you can make up your own crossword puzzles or other games on this site, powered by Discovery Channel. (I've also used them for bridal showers and baby showers, as well as in the classroom, when I taught high school full time.

Sorry this is a very visually unappealing post, but it kind of goes with the rest of my surroundings right now. (I don't know why the formatting is so hard for me to get right--if any other bloggers who use Blogspot have any tips, I'd be obliged!)

I'll remind you as I remind myself, today, that the days may be very, very loooong, but the years are oh-so-short!

Signing off for the weekend, this is

5 Not-So-Fabulous Ways to Sabatoge Your Children's Sleep

Okay, so my intention with this series of posts is to be helpful and even inspirational, but I just don't have that kind of thing in me right now. This week has been totally overbooked for me; I knew from the start of it that it would hold well-baby visits, a few other appointments, Caleb's birthday, a writing contest (please comment on my piece, if you haven't already!), another writing deadline, and preparing to go out of town this weekend. I did not know it would also bring increased efforts to sleep train Joshua, which would mean having his Pack-n-Play migrate to the living room (for night time) from our room (for naps) and back again each day, and then re-arranging our storage room, only to find a ton of MOLD, meaning we had to empty it out, so boxes and bins are currently crowding our already crowded living spaces. And my first vlog? You'll have to wait until at least next Friday for that!

All that to say, for your entertainment, here are my "5 Not-So-Fabulous Ways to Sabatoge Your Children's Sleep," all of which I have stupidly done:



1. Leave the light on in your child's room.
2. Immediately after putting your child to bed, drop dishes, glasses, pots, or pans in the kitchen, when your kitchen is close to your child's room.
3. Accidentally put your child to bed an hour early, when he or she is not yet tired.
4. Give your child a lot of sugary snacks right before bed.
5. Forget to put a diaper on your child who is not yet potty trained. (I did this just last night.)

Extra Tip: If your baby falls asleep in a Jumperoo, be sure to turn off the sound!

Now that you're feeling like the smartest mommy in the world, I hope you feel energized and empowered enough to be have a super Saturday and Sunday, full of relaxation and memories to last a lifetime.

Signing off, this is

reminding you that "the days may be long, but the years are oh-so-short!"