As a taste of summer rolled along this weekend... so did my kid!

A fun filled, active weekend was scarred, so to speak, when my three year old scraped her knee twice in as many days, removing the skin in the exact same spot both times!

I know... "It's part of life," "She'll survive," "It could have been worse, " and as some of the real positive thinkers might says, "It's preparing her for a complex, sometimes painful world." But as she lay there screaming at the top of her lungs and yelling, "don't touch me,"
(My apologies to those who had their pleasant day at the park abruptly shattered) I couldn't help but wish it were me instead.

After concluding that she falls more when her knees are bare (only my imagination, I'm sure) I began to wonder if I should throw out every dress and pair of shorts in her wardrobe? Of course not, but the pain on her face quickly took me back to those excruciating knee scraping days. The ones that don't even surface when I catch a glimpse of my own battle wounds. Like I said, I wish it were me instead.

I'm doing better now. My daughter... well she forgot about the "owy" right after we stopped paying attention to it.

In my search on how to treat her wound I found a few tips interesting:

DON'T Use Hydrogen Peroxide. It cleans but it also destroys skins cells immediately growing.
DO Cover a Cut. Neosporin and a band-aid for a week. The goal is to keep it moist and prevent a scab from forming. Continue with vaseline or something similar and keep it covered until new skin begins to grow
DON'T Expo To Sun. It could discolor the scar.

This might actually lead to a story idea.
Please feel free to offer up any ideas of your own.

Does anyone answer the door anymore? After hearing a story on FOX40 Morning News
(a little plug for my favorite station) about an Ohio Mayor who implemented a "Do Not Knock" registry for his area, I began to wonder, how do people feel about answering the door these days? At times I've missed out on talking to a neighbor or two. However overall, I think my decision not to answer the door, unless I'm absolutely sure of who it is, is better safe than sorry. With little ones in the house with me, I have no idea what I would do if I answered the door and someone stormed in... I couldn't leave my children behind! I might be stuck! Ok, maybe a little over the top, but I did say better safe than sorry. Although, what if it's someone who might need help? Then I'd feel terrible.

I think I smell a story coming on... "Dos and Don'ts for when answering the door." If it’s a stranger, should I act like I'm not alone, not home? Could it more dangerous if a stranger thinks no one is home? What should I ask or say before opening the door? Is it safe for men to answer the door to a stranger? Andddd what about the children? I've try to explain to my three year old, why she should not open the door without me there, yet she heads straight for the door knob when the door bell rings!

If you're wondering too, stay tuned. I've already got it on my "story to do list."
Have a great day!

My youngest bundle of joy turned 1 this weekend. Boy was it a blast. My initial thought was invite everyone we know. After realizing family and a few close friends = 50, our dream list was abruptly cut short.
Now almost 48 hours later we're left with Beautiful Memories and a Ton Of Leftovers!
I know how it happens... A certain % of guests who plan on coming have a last minute change of plans, I made the B-Day menu list while I was hungry, I've got a huge fear of not having enough food, My dad, who is an awesome cook (and by the way made ALL the food) wants to show off his great talent... Thank God For Grandparents!

I handed out "to go" plates to everyone who would take one and I'm still left saying "what on earth am I going to do with all these leftovers???" I've still got about 15 servings!!!! Oooh, I'm going to freeze it for another day... Life is wonderful!"
Unless you don't eat leftovers. I can respect that, but man, too bad for you!

Anyhow, so yes... my Bouncing Baby Boy has reached a Major Milestone and I have to admit, it's Bitter Sweet. With my daughter is was mostly excitement that I felt. But this time around it's a bit sad. Maybe because with my daughter, I'd planned on having one more. This time, I know this is it! All those special months and moments leading up to the first year are over. To think he went from not being able to hold up his own head to now tearing across the carpet after his new toys, all in a matter of months... absolutely amazing. I'm tearing up, so I'll stop here (how soon we forget the midnight feedings, spells of crying and bouts of spit up). I guess I'll end by saying what is often said to me ... "Enjoy every moment possible... They are years you'll never get back."

I'm still not sure how it's come to be... what changed or made the difference but my 3yr old has just about accomplished one of her biggest milestones so far... she's clearly on her way to being fully potty trained!!!

Just when I had flushed the idea of her ever finding the potty more important than playing with her toys or watching cartoons, she came through! I know, I know, I've been hearing it for more than a year, "she'll go when she's ready," but after realizing that she completely understood how it all worked, even asked to be changed right after she went... I began to wonder for how long she'd be ok in diapers?

Well I must say it's been a long worthy battle. From raving about big girl undies to handing out stickers, trips to Chuck E Cheese, even skittles, which appears to have done the trick... even though it seems to be more about the timing and not so much the treat.

It doesn't matter, She Did It (I'm so proud of her) and We' Made It! Or have we made it... made it to where? Well... as I made a trip to the store Thursday with my two little ones in toe, I quickly realized how far we were from our cozy, convenient potty chair and how soon it could be that I'll be running my daughter into the public restroom everytime she yells, "I need to go potty." Even if she really doesn't need to go, I can already see myself on the freeway, making a mad dash to the nearest exit (safely of course) and rushing my daughter from her car seat to the first public place I see.

Ah yes, we're very happy about being diaper free... but as you can see, we still have quite a journey!

My littlest one has reached a major milestone... He's 1! He might not be able to walk yet, but boy can he dance! He wiggles, bobs and shimmies to any song, cartoon, commercial or toy! It's the melt my heart, cutest sight. And you can bet we're grabbing the video camera each time he comes up with a new move!
Little bummed today. This afternoon I'll be marching him into his doctor's office for his Wellness appointment and Shots! There are so many shots in the first 18 months. The tears, the yelling, the look of betrayal... It's too much to bare! But I'll do it... I'll go through it, reminding myself along the way that it's important for his health, that he won't remember it, and as my husband puts it, "We all go through it."
I know we do. Twenty five years later and I'm still trying to forget about the shot in my leg that hit the muscle and left me limping for a week! Ah yes we've all taken this painful passage. Too bad for my little one he's only part way through the journey with four more in store later today... poor kid doesn't know what he's in for.

A few tips, you may already know, from doctors I've talked to... when taking your child for shots, remain calm. Our kids pick up on our temperament. Ask your doctor about anesthetic creams that numb the skin (why they don't just hand these out is beyond me). Not sure how well the numbing cream could handle an area getting multiple shots at once. A small dose of tylenol before the shots will help your child to relax. Wish me luck!