Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Potty Training - 3 Day Method

I recently shared our potty training success story on another parenting blog, and I have had so many requests to share it here too!! So here ya go! Feel free to email me for more specific questions, advice, or just moral support!

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How Potty Training Worked for Us - Twice!

Let’s talk potty training!  If you think that your child may be ready for potty-training, he/she probably is!  Signs that your child may be ready to move from the changing table to the potty chair include: interest in the potty, removing diapers after bowel movements, waking up dry at night, asking to sit on the potty, or just climbing up their on their own!  Generally most websites recommend between the age of 18 months-24 months, but please remember that every child is different!  This training can definitely work before or after those ages.  

If you are prepared with the appropriate supplies, knowledge, and attitude, potty training will be much easier on everyone!  There are several methods used for training your child to learn the appropriate cues for using the potty.  I want to share my method that worked well for us - twice!

3-Day Intensive Potty Training Method:
Goal: To knock potty training out in 3-4 very focused, concentrated, and prepared days.

  1. Preparation - Stock up on at least 15 pairs panties or underwear.  This is a huge part of making the change from “baby to big girl/boy”.  You can even let the child pick out their own underwear prior to the training to get excited!  You’ll need some kind of reward, like M&M’s, stickers, jelly beans, etc. for when they actually “go” in the potty.  A few tiny toys or gifts are great for moments when you are very proud of them!  Accidents will happen, so have towels, flushable wipes and carpet cleaner on hand and ready.  You’ll need a baby potty or seat, and it’s not a bad idea to have an extra one for car rides/trips when you’re ready for outings.  For fluids, have some fun drinks, popsicles, juice boxes, anything that will get them excited to drink throughout the day!  Cut fluids off 2-3 hours before bedtime, if you want to implement nighttime potty training.


  1. On the morning of Day 1- Make a big deal about “throwing away diapers" for during the day (or donating them) and let them be a part of that process.  Take them to bathroom, show them the potty, explain what the process will be like from now on, what goes in the potty and why. This will also help keep you accountable if/when you want to turn back to diapers!


  1. Be ready for the day (shower, teeth brushed, breakfast ready), so you can give them your full, undivided attention and focus.  You will be glued to your toddler throughout the day, doing activities, coloring, sticker books, playing, even chores, with them right by your side. Being at home for 3 days may be quite challenging, so come up with some fun activities, recipes, and games to play together!  This will be quite the bonding experience!


  1. On that same note, you’ll have to be prepared and willing to let go of your daily schedule and normal activities.  Giving up your plans, phone calls, emails, work, social activities etc. will be difficult, but it is crucial to eliminate frustration and resentment during the training process.  You’ll want to plan the 3 days consecutively, and I have found that a Wednesday through Friday is ideal, (so that you have a couple extra cushion days with spousal support, or a Friday-Sunday plan if you are a working Mom).


  1. Give them the control/independence they need as a toddler.  They want to feel trusted through this process!  Throughout the day, instead of repeatedly asking “Do you need to go pee pee?” (which can come across as nagging), tell them to “Let mommy know when you have to go pee pee!”  “Remember to tell Mommy before you go pee pee in your panties.”  “Keep your panties dry today!” You’ll need to be reminding them of this approximately 1000 times throughout the day.  You must catch them in the act of pee pee, and run them to the potty, praising along the way.  They need to quickly understand the sensation of needing to go pee pee and poo poo.  The goal is for them to tell you right they are about to release. Every single time.



  1. Positive reinforcement/encouragement!  Children thrive on praise.  Using words like “big girl”, “big girl panties”, “super job”, “you did it!”, “Mommy is so proud of you!” are all wonderful and positive phrases to say throughout the day. When there is an accident, avoid using the words “bad girl” or “no, no no!”.  Instead try “Uh oh! Your panties are all yucky!”, and “Let’s really try hard to keep those panties dry today!”  Remind them again to tell mommy before you need to pee pee. Also, if there are family members or siblings that they will be seeing during these days, brag on your child!  This gives them a wonderful feeling of pride and accomplishment! We even Face-timed grandparents so they could be a part of the verbal praise and adoration!


  1. Patience and Love!  This may be the most important part to remember!  Patience will go a very long way through this process.  Be patient with yourself, be patient with your toddler. Give yourself grace, and give your little one grace.  This is a season, and you will get through it!  This is a big adjustment for both of you!  Loving them through it all will give them a sense of comfort and safety, even though they are navigating new (and sometimes scary!) waters.  


What potty training technique worked for you?  I'd love to hear!  For those of you who are about to start the process - good luck!  You can do it! 




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Friday, December 29, 2017

Tuscan Ham and White Bean Soup

I don't know about you, but our fridge is still full of yummy holiday leftovers!  We had enough ham to feed a small army, so I decided to whip up a few batches of soup for us to enjoy!  It turned out that I needed to drop off dinner for a friend, and had plenty to do so....this batch makes quite a lot!  I didn't follow a specific recipe, but just created it out of things we currently had in our fridge and pantry.  It turned out great, even the kids thought it was delicious (although the spinach was picked out of their portions.)  Give it a try - and let me know if you do!  




TUSCAN HAM AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Ingredients:

3-4 cups of ham (cut into small chunks)
8 oz (¾  bag) of frozen onion/carrot/celery mix
1 tbsp minced garlic
32 oz vegetable broth
32 oz chicken broth
1 cup water
1 can great northern beans, drained
1 can white kernel corn, drained
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
2 cups chopped spinach
Salt and pepper to taste




Directions:

In large pot, saute onion/carrots/celery for 4-5 minutes.  Add garlic and saute 2 more minutes.  
Add in ham, broths, water, beans, corn, and herbs.  
Bring to simmer, top with lid, and cook for 30-45 minutes.  
Before serving, add spinach in and cook for 5 more minutes.  Serve and enjoy!

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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Gift Guide - Baby's First Christmas

Baby's First Christmas
Gift Guides are my favorite :)
And I know that there are only 5 days until Christmas!  But I made several Gift Guides back in November, and then, well, just never posted them!  But just in case there are last minute shoppers out there, here's the one of the several gift guides I created for the holidays!  OR, bookmark these for upcoming birthdays!  Anniversaries! Mother's Day!  Get a jump start on your Christmas presents for next year! You get the picture...you need gifts all year long!  And the best part of a late gift guide - almost everything is already on sale!  ;)


Baby's First Christmas

1 - Personalized Wooden Toy Airplane (Safe and natural, and just begging for imagination!)
2 - Their first phone! (love the wood design and the simplicity of this one)
3 - Cuddle and Kind doll (hand-knit and adorable, comes from a company with an amazing cause)
4 - Personalized/Monogrammed outfit (tons of designs to choose from!)
5 - Taxi Rattle (Is this not the cutest rattle ever! Perfect for a "big city" baby ;))
6 - The Nutcracker Board Book (a favorite of ours this season!)
7 - Monogram nursery print - (so sweet and special, love this simple wreath design)
8 - Silver Initial Ornament (would you look at this price!)
9 - Sheepskin Cloud Rug - (baby soft, and I love the cloud shape!)
10 - Knit Baby Blanket (comes in black and white too!)


What is under the tree for your little one this year?

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Friday, August 4, 2017

My LipSense Story


Grab some popcorn (it's kinda long!) but here's my LipSense Story! Why I joined, and what the past 3 months have been like for me! I've received many questions about this experience- so I thought I should share here! It's been quite a ride ;)
Thanks to everyone who had been a part of this journey! 





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