Thursday, February 27, 2014

Toddler Activities: Rice & Farm Animals


Materials Needed: 
Bin
Rice
Farm Animals 
Spoon
Bowls
Dust Buster


Add a small amount if rice into a bin. Throw in animals...

Questions to ask:

"Can you find the cow" (or whatever animal)

"What does the cow say" 

Positive reinforcement is always encouraged so make sure you tell them how well they're doing. 



Once they get restless, toss them a few spoons and bowls so they can transfer rice into bowls. It gets messy, but a dust buster just sucks everything up! 


Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Toddler Meals: Easiest Daily Meals

BREAKFAST


Another meal I utilized pinterest for.. and I have to say, the french toast rolls have been made almost everyday!! Instead of nutella, I use almond butter. SO SO SO GOOD! 

scrambled eggs are made with spinach. Breakfast is always served with steel cut oats with yogurt and a banana. Also he takes about 6oz of almond milk.


LUNCH
Bolani is a new favorite. We love spinach bolani with hummus or guacamole. Its pretty easy to eat! Served with cheese crackers, string cheese and cut oranges.

DINNER

Dinner doesn't always have to be extravagant. we made home made black bean burrito with guacamole, raisins and cut pears.  Pretty easy, fast and we ate a ton! 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

26 Weeks: Lucy will be here in less than 100 days!


How far along? 26 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: My home scale says 15lbs... But on Monday I have my glucose test so we will see how much I've really gained! 

Maternity clothes? Yes! This belly is much higher so I'm having a hard time wearing the same clothes as my last pregnancy... 

Stretch marks? Nope. Using coconut oil, coco butter and vitamin E.

Sleep? Yes and No.. I'm having a little sleep insomnia.. A few nights ago, Landon peed through his diaper.. Since then (the last 4 days) he's been waking up in a panic to tell me he's peed.. Even though we moved him up a size.. Ughh so it takes only 2 minutes to settle him Down but then I'm awake from 4-6am! 

Best moment this week: we've had a few birthday parties to attend and Landon's really enjoying his time! 

Miss Anything? I miss being skinny. Yes, I definitely miss being skinny.

Movement: lots of movement, especially at night!

Food cravings: pizza.. Fruits and cookies!

Looking forward to: starting on our nursery! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: smooth sailing and it's so nice and breezy. 

Have you started to show yet: yes

Gender: a sweet little girl!!

Labor Signs: well... I had my first signs of labor today.. Sharp shooting burning pain while I was trying to put Landon to sleep... It actually was so painful I cried. Sooooo I called my OB and he recommended I drink a large water and lay in bed for 10 hours... I'll have a stress test done on Monday. 

Belly Button in or out? IN.

Wedding rings on or off? on.. But my engagement ring is currently off. My knuckles were aching. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy happy happy!!

How about a comparison photo? 


Landon on the left and Lucy on the right! 

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Toddler Activities: Painting with toilet paper rolls


Materials Needed:

Paper
Paint
Toilet paper roll shaped into a heart

Directions: 

Tape paper down... And let them go to town! 

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Toddler Meals: White Chicken Chili


Alright... I made this a few times.. and IT IS "hands down my favorite meal" says my husband!! its so warm and hearty, perfect for cold weather! Landon LOVES IT! 

I've made a few variations but you can find the real recipe HERE


Here is my version:

Ingredients: 
2 tablespoons of olive oil 
1 medium onion, chopped 
1 tablespoon minced garlic 
1/4 bell peppers, chopped
1 sweet potato
1/2 cups broccoli and cauliflower, chopped  
1 tomato, chopped 
1/2 a cup of uncooked quiona1 lb. cooked chicken breast, cubed 
2 cups chicken broth 
1 can white beans (drained and rinsed)  
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 
Avocado slices and rice to serve 

Directions: 

1. Cook the onions and garlic in hot oil over medium heat until onions are translucent. Incorporate the peppers, tomato, chicken, sweet potato, broccoli/ cauliflower, salt and pepper and cook, stirring constantly, for another 5 minutes. 

2. Add the chicken broth, beans, quiona and cover with a lid for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes. 

3. Use a potato masher to mash some of the beans and chicken. This will help to thicken the stew and break the chicken into smaller pieces. (I used my hand mixer)

4. Let the stew simmer on low heat for another 20 minutes. Check constantly and add more water or chicken broth, if necessary. 

5. The stew will be ready when everything is soft and the stew has thickened. Serve with avocado slices or with a salad. 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Toddler Activities: Noodles & Poms

It's been a while since I posted some activities... So here is our current favorite. Noodles and Pom Poms. 

What you need: 
A bin
Large pasta noodles
Assortment of colorful pom poms
Ice cube tray
Tongs and large serving spoon

This activities teach Landon about patience, concentration, sorting and transfer skills.  

I started by showing him how to scoop the poms out and sort them. 

Key words: "scoop it!" and "put it in the tray" also, "pick it up"

Positive reinforcement words, "good job buddy!" "You do it!" "Show me"

Constantly repeat, "don't eat it" and "out of your mouth!"


Once he fills his tray, I taught him how to dump and repeat. Next day, we switched and had him scoop noodles. This taught him the difference with hard and soft materials and he recognizes that a noodle different from a Pom. 

Enjoy!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Landon is 20 Months


Ok.. I'm going to sit down and take a deep breath... In a few months, this kids gonna be 2.. Gasp!!! Someone hold me, I'm about to CRY!

Weight: home scale: 26.7lbs. He feels heavier, maybe it's the extra "15" lbs I'm carrying, but I'm out of breath carrying him! We are "stair" training (teaching him how to safely come down the stairs). 



Health: super healthy. We did have our first trip to the ER. My little guy was standing in a little Lego wagon when it tipped over.. 8 stitches to his beautiful face! 


Diet: We are on a roll with meals! He has a huge appitite and eats almost everything.. The only thing he hates is chunks of chicken and tomatoes. 



Social: He had a play date with my little cousin Maxwell and he loved it! He's also making friends easily at the park and he spends most of his free time with grandma (my mom).


Sleep: sleep is awesome.. Sleeps by 7:30.. Wakes up around 7:30 and plays in his crib until 8/8:15.. Naps around 12-2/2:3". He's been asking to sleep when he's tired... During our bedtime routine, I usually read books then when we're done, I turn off the light and sing him a good night song while I rock him. He's been having a hard time getting comfortable so he will ask to just go in his crib... It makes me so sad! 


Crying: This kid is so tough.. He cried when he fell and needed stitches.. But not as much as my husband and after he was over the initial shock.. He could care less.. It's amazing! He trips all the time and doesn't even cry.. He just gets back up and keeps going! 



Loves: Hotwheels, curious George, Mickey Mouse, park & beach, puzzles and animal noises.



Clothes: size 18 & 24, some 2T. Shoes 5. 


Milestones- turns his toys on & off..  Lots of new words and had his 1st sleep over at my parents house!


Must Haves: shoes, snacks, his water and oven mittens. 


Teeth: 14! I think we're finished with teething for awhile. I took off his amber necklace and he was acting nutty so we put it back on. Normal. Maybe it's just me.. But I swear that it works! 


This month..  He's changing daily! He's very chatty and spends a lot of time working on puzzles, reading, potty training and playing out doors. He loves running, climbing and using a slide! I spend every waking moment with him and I love it! Hes so easy going and funny and everyday is an adventure! 


Wow 20 months. Crazy!!! 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day!


I hope everyone had a beautiful valentines day!!! We had an amazing day! 


My husband gifted Landon a cute Lego barn book and we can build Lego animals!  He sat and played with it for about 30 minutes while we got ready. 


He gifted me a beautiful orchid plant (I love orchids! Ours bloom every year.) Girl Scout cookies and a stunning David Yurman pearl and diamond ring! 

Pearl is Landon's birth stone! 

My valentine chalkboard design! 

Landon got to open a card from my Inlaws and was so happy to see a monkey! Lol


We did a bunch of paintings this week since he loves sitting at his table to draw and paint! 


The best valentine? My brother had a baby today! An adorable little girl! She was born 2/14/14 @ 14:02 

She's just scrumptious! I can't believe my sil had such an easy birth! She only pushed for about an hour and 20 minutes!! I'm so jealous!! 


We ended up ordering take out sushi and watched Tv at home. Such an exciting day! 

Xoxo

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Lucy's Nursery Inspiration


This was the photo that started it all... Shades of pink along with a splash of gold... 

**SWOOooOn**

And then I saw this image:


And I died. Let's see if I can make it happen... Btw.. I never completed Landon's nursery.. Big fat fail.. 

So this week I've been ordering all my nursery essentials, can't wait to show everyone my final design! 

Xo

Sunday, February 9, 2014

24 Weeks: Lucy



How far along? 24 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I'm starting to wonder how much weight I've gained... 

Maternity clothes? Yes...Has anyone noticed how EMO I've been? Black is my favorite color... 

Stretch marks? Nope. Using coconut oil, coco butter and vitamin E.

Sleep? Yes!!! Im so sleepy all day

Best moment this week: nothing too fun.. I'm starting to best.  

Miss Anything? I miss being skinny.

Movement: lots of movement, especially at night!

Food cravings: sugar and fruit.. 

Looking forward to: crib shopping

Anything making you queasy or sick:nope! Second trimester has been easy!

Have you started to show yet: yes... Like a whale

Gender: a sweet little girl!!

Labor Signs: nope!

Belly Button in or out? IN.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy happy happy!!