Potty training

I tried coming up with a clever title for this post, something gripping and exciting about the topic...but then I realized, it is what it is.  There is nothing exciting and gripping about potty training; it's just something that every parent has to tackle at one point or another, just another step forward in our journey.

We started potty training this past weekend.  My little man decided that he had enough with diapers and refused to put them on.  Well, before his brother was born he had just about every possible sign of being ready to go diaperless.  You know, telling you when he was going to go, going longer hours without wetting his diaper, being "private" when he was going...we had it all.  That is, except an eager mother and father.  We had our hands full, we still do.  The prospect of running back and forth between a peeing toddler and a screaming newborn just didn't sound appealing.  Well, it still doesn't, but we decided that there was probably going to be no better time.  The only thing worse than the former scenario is a crawling baby who is bound to get into everything.

So, alas, we have begun.  I don't know what I thought, but I definitely thought that my son would be the 2 year old trained with the "3 day potty training."  Yeah, not so much.  I read the book, being passed through email from one mom to another.  Sure, he's got the point...you pee, you get a sticker.  Getting there in time is the problem.  We've had quite a few shrieks of, "Mommy, pottttttttty."  The look on his face says it all, he's already gone.  Let's just say things are a lot messier at our house this past week.  And what is it with the fear of using toilets at other places??  This little boy refuses to pee at my mother in laws house, same potty seat and all. Patience is key with all things in parenting and I guess this will just be another notch in my belt.  Someone, please pray for me.

For those of you thinking about partaking on this adventure with me, here are some signs of readiness:

• Your child stays dry at least two hours at a time during the day or is dry after naps.
• Bowel movements become regular and predictable.
• Facial expressions, posture or words reveal that your child is about to urinate or have a bowel movement.
• Your child can follow simple instructions.
• Your child can walk to and from the bathroom and help undress herself.
• Your child seems uncomfortable with soiled diapers and wants to be changed.
• Your child asks to use the toilet or potty chair.
• Your child asks to wear grown-up underwear. 

I plan on picking up Elizabeth Pantley's "No Cry Potty Training" book tonight.  I'll keep you all updated.

Children's Sales around the Blogosphere

Here are some great finds I have found. I bought myself a Baby K'tan carrier for the new little one!  Can't wait to use it.  Happy Shopping!!

You have to be a member of these sights, but joining is free.  It's exclusive and the deals are amazing.

Zulily: Baby K'tan: Blush girls clothing 50 percent off

Baby K'tan

Blush

Gilt Groupe : bikes and trikes for your little one 50 percent off, Jaxxwear and Rock and Republic half off

Jaxxwear Organic Clothing, Half offRock and Republic Children's 50 percent off

Pastina, Egg, and Veggie Recipe

This recipe is courtesty of one of my good friends and her mother.  We were on a play date yesterday and were told about this great recipe.  My son wasn't that big of a fan because anything that requires the use of a spoon and him succumbing to being fed by his mom is a no no.  But both of the other children there loved it. It is very nutritious and I really really wished I could get my little guy to like it.  I will keep trying!

Directions:
1. Bring water to a boil and cook pastina according to box directions. You can use tubitini or any other pasta really for that matter.  Come to think of it, maybe little man will eat it if he can pick up the pasta!
2. Drain the pasta.
3. Scramble an egg or two depending on how much pasta you are using.
4. cook over low heat with the pastina to cook the egg.
5. Add your cooked veggies.  Mixed Vegetables would work great.
6. Here's my touch, parmesan cheese...what kid doesn't love it.

You are getting grains, protein, and veggies.  All around healthy meal.

Hope you are more successful then me!  Thanks Stef for the recipe!

Food Nation: Changing the way we raise our children

I hope some of you were able to tune into the Food Nation sneak preview last night, I was totally drawn in, and glad about it.  It is a new show about a man who helped reform the British school systems menu coming over to America to help change what our children are eating.  First stop: Huntington, West Virgina.  In 2008 statistics were published naimg Huntington the most obese city, in the most obese state, in unfortunately, the most obese country.

I was truly disturbed viewing the first few minutes of the show.  To see what is being fed to our children in schools.  It looked like complete greasy, fried, carb overload.  Pizza for breakfast, chicken nuggets for lunch?  This was a little too much for me, I am happy that my son is not old enough to be in school and it got me thinking that unless some huge changes are made, my son will be bringing his bagged lunch to school.  Don't get me wrong, I know not all schools are like this, and many have made great strides.  I am glad that someone is taking initiative, and I think this show will help families actually think about what they are sending their children to school to eat.  We expect that our children are getting a good education and are not being harmed by the food they eat.  What a child eats is the basis for what they will eat the rest of their life.  We are their parents, their elders, we have to teach them.

This got me thinking, I'd really love to add a healthy recipe a week for toddlers/children.  We all know how hard it is to come up with different things that our children like.  Hey, they might not like it all...but at least we are showing them what good food is and not exposing them to all the processed junk!

So for this week, here's a great recipe that my son loves.

Avocado, grilled cheese sandwhich

It's simple.  In a toaster, toast whole wheat bread with avocado spread on one side and a slice of any cheese (preferably organic) on the other side.  You can also add a tomato, or even some chicken.  You can cut it into different shapes, or little pieces for your little one.

My son and his green beans

I make my son some amazing meals.  This week, so far, I have tried French Toast with a smiley face with egg drizzled into the eyes and mouth, avocado and grilled cheese sandwhich, and homemade chicken nuggets.  Out of all of these Nicholas has touched one chicken nugget. ONE!  Everything else he merely looks at!  I don't get it.  They look AMAZING!  And you know what, I bet if he tasted it he would know how good they are!

Nope, he won't do it.  He only wants his green beans.  I am not joking, this kid can live on green beans.  That can't be normal!  GREEN BEANS!  Ok, he also loves bananas and cheese.  Can he live on these three things?  Sure.  But shouldn't toddlers at least also like cheerios?  I don't think I have known a child besides mine that hasn't liked cheerios!

Oh yeah, don't try getting anything by this kid either.  I tried replacing his overpriced Earth's Best cereal bar with an "adult" cereal bar that you can buy in bulk...FAILLL.  Won't even touch it.  Does it ever get easier?  Will he eat one day?  Or will I always endlessly struggle with his meals and try to please, always failing?
At least my dog likes all the leftovers.