Taking a Break

Wanted to give everyone an update.  We had our little girl October 23rd at 5:42 am.  We are so happy and thankful she is here.  After 5 days in the nicu we were able to bring her home yesterday afternoon  October 27th.  Thank you all for your good wishes and congratulations.  I am going to be taking a brief hiatus from the blog to heal and get some rest.

October Amazon Winner

Thank you everyone for your entries and participation in our recent giveaway for an Amazon Gift Code.  Our October winner has been randomly selected by Rafflecopter.  Congratulations to.......








Summer B.  Please contact me at peeingwithdooropenmommies@gmail to claim your prize.

Potty Training

My youngest is in no way ready to be potty trained.  He is happy to wear diapers 24/7 and has no qualms with a dirty diaper.  So it looks like I am in for another stubborn go at potty training.  I also have not been pushing the subject too hard because we are expecting our newborn very soon.  So for some encouragement I want to share a post I put up when my oldest was potty trained so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Finally after all this time and for the last month…..my boy  is potty trained!!! I am so happy and relieved. It was a long frustrating road. Just wanted to fill anyone who is curious on some potty training things that finally helped him seal the deal. At first I tried stickers on a chart, candy, and small trinkets as encouragements. These things were effective for occasional potty visits but were not long lasting. What worked for my boy was if he was on any kind of electronic device and peed or pooped in his pants that item was taken away. I also explained to him when we were out and he wanted a toy or a big surprise that he can’t have these things until he used the potty for pee or poo. The two things in combination worked awesome and finally things started to click. I know every child is different but I wanted to share what worked for us. Believe me, I understand how frustrating and defeating it can be. Also, how you feel like your child might be graduating high school in diapers but it will happen. This also a little encouragement reminder for me when it is time to potty train my youngest  in the future. Future me: He will potty train hang in there!!!

Freezer Meals Preparation

I have been in that special mode of preparation in my pregnancy.  Knowing I am going to exhausted with a new baby and 2 boys at home I went on a freezer meals rampage.  I have a very picky crew of boys at home and my husband has dietary restrictions so it makes the preparation a serious challenge.  Many of the things I mainly tried to think of the kids and I for meals.  My mom is also going to be at my house to help me out so I know she will enjoy the meals I have prepared with me.  I am not a measurer unless I am doing a recipe.

Stuffed Shells
I actually used a recipe on the box for this one the recipe called for marscapone cheese as well as ricotta looking forward to enjoying these.
Just used small loaf pans to store and freeze.

Vegetable Lasagna (this one is mainly for me)
I used eggplant squash, and mushrooms as my filling
Mini loaf pans made this a great easily portioned meal.

Chicken and Yellow Rice (Gluten Free)
I always try to find one without msg or colorings
-Chicken breast chopped and sautéed
-Peas and carrots (sliced)
-Make yellow rice with package directions and I add a cup of additional water with the cooked chicken and veggies.
I used little loaf pans and portioned it out into servings.  Then press and seal with aluminum foil.

Chicken Pesto Calzones
https://newleafwellness.biz/2012/07/02/freezer-ready-part-two/


Chicken Noodle Soup
-Sauteed chicken
-Egg noodles
-Carrots sliced
-Chicken broth
Cook all together.
I then took large freezer zip locks and separated them into servings and put them in the freezer.


Many recipes and ideas I found online with a freezer meals search.

I always with a sharpie label the food and cooking directions along with a date that I prepared it.  Things tend to get lost in the abyss of a freezer.

Girls Toys Giveaway Winner

Thank you everyone for your excitement and participation in this giveaway.  Rafflecopter randomly selected a winner and you have one week to claim your prize.  Please claim asap by emailing me at peeingwithdooropenmommies@gmail.com

Congratulations to Laurie N.

When You Have a Colicky Baby

Colic sucks....it is a horrible thing.  Both of my boys had colic and I am fully expecting my little girl to have an issue with it too.  Many times I have paced the house with a screaming child feeling completely helpless and even crying myself.  I guess I just have some really gassy babies and it is enough to make even the most put together person a little crazy.  My boys didn't settle out until about 6 months which made for quite a long duration of colic and it didn't completely disappear until about 10 months.  My husband and I as babies were both colicky so I am pretty screwed.  I have tried the over the counter remedies to no avail.  Hopefully, third time is a charm and I will find that magic solution to any colic problems that arrive.

I have found some new things to try this go around:
Happi Tummi

I will review this product in detail after I have a chance to try this for our upcoming colic experiences.

Colic Calm

This will also get a full review to it's effectiveness.  

***This post is not sponsored by any of the products listed on this blog post.  No compensation was received by me in exchange for their inclusion in this post.  All opinions all completely my own.

List of Must Haves for Your New Baby

Having 2 children and fastly approaching a 3rd I have discovered some items that you absolutely are going to need for your little one and what items you aren't even going to use

Bedroom

-Crib

-Rocker

-Changing Table

-Basinet (I always have had one but sadly did not use it)  I normally wind up co sleeping but I know for many this is a necessity

Bathtime

-Towels and washcloths

-Bathtub

-Safe baby wash

Daily Needs

-Bouncer this is a life saver when you need to put your little one down.

-Highchair but you won't need this till about 4 months

-Pack and Play we had one and never use it but if you have other children or animals it is a great safe place to put your little one down.  

-Swing for my colicky baby this item was also a life safer

Feeding
-Great natural bottles if you formula feed.  I saw a great machine at the store the other day that is a dispenser with warm water and formula which if I had to formula feed I would totally invest in.

-If you are nursing a breast pump I have had a Medula pump in the past but for my last child and this one I have an Ameda pump.  It is great especially using it this second time because I was able to easily replace all the tubing and use it again.

-Storage Bags for breast milk Label the date pumped and how much.
-A boppy pillow mine is used constantly it just makes feeding easier.

***Remember You never know what your child is going to be comfortable with so be prepared for either feeding method.  Best laid plans sometimes despite how hard you try don't alway work out the way you want it to.

This is not in anyway a complete list of your needs for your baby but an overview of some key items that I have found I needed for my babies.  

Sea World Spooktacular

Sea World has a great water themed event for the month of October during the weekends.  Sea World Spooktacular is included in your admission and for fun costumes are encouraged.  There is a special Trick or Treat path with several opportunities for candy.

 Throughout the path there are also games, halloween themed food, and costumed themed friends.  At the Bayside Stadium, Penelope's Party Zone, has a big activity area and dance party area.  There is a special Sesame Street show that is a must have for the holiday your Sesame Street lover will love the chance to see their favorite character onstage.

 Insider tip when you leave the theater on your right hand side get in line to meet a Sesame Street character or two.  My boys have a great time Trick or Treating and all of the fun activities that there are.

If you have the opportunity and a Sea World annual pass don't miss out on this one of a kind, fun, family-friendly event for you and your family.

***This post is not affiliated or sponsored by Sea World.  No compensation was received in exchange for this review. All opinions in this post are completely my own.

Tastykakes Minis Review

Being originally from New Jersey there are a few things that we love our hoagies, panzarotis, and Tastycakes.  For quite some time the only way to get Tastycakes was to live up north but for the last couple of years they have expanded their reach.  I have been seeing varieties of their yummy desserts in lots of different stores although no where near the choices available up north but still they exist.  We were sent a package of Tastycakes Minis to try out for ourselves and we got a Reese's peanut butter package...YUM!!!  My kids couldn't get enough of these mini cupcakes, they come 3 in a package and they are tiny bite size cupcakes.  The peanut butter is super rich and yummy and went perfectly with the chocolate cupcake it was paired with.  They made great small snacks and to pack for my oldest's lunch.  The box has a zip opening and then the box stands up for easy storage.

***This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Tastykake.  I was sent a box of Tastykake Minis to try from Inflluneser.  No additional compensation was included in exchange for my honest review.

The Reality of 20 days till my Baby Girl Arrives

I am in shock mode as it has set in that in 20 days or less if she has other plans my little girl is going to be born and we are going to go from a family of 4 to a family of 5.  I have been busy I guess in nesting mode putting together anything that needs to be put together and prepared for her.  Laundry loads upon laundry loads and organizing to the best of my ability.  I have this crazy constant feeling that I have forgotten something...I am not sure what.  I think part of the reason I feel this way is I have been pretty lax about getting things together for her arrival.  I guess when you are on number 3 it doesn't feel as pressing to be super prepared.  Realizing no matter what there is no way to be completely prepared.  I also have an extreme desire to go places during the day knowing full well l am soon to be a prisoner in my own home going stir crazy.  The not driving after giving birth is probably a good thing due to the lack of sleep and delirium that ensues it would not be safe for anyone to have a just labored mama driving on the road.  I am trying desperately to not be too overwhelmed by the reality of nursing that will soon be a part of my everyday routine.  Hopefully my boys will settle into a routine quicker than I think they will.  With the Halloween holiday upon us as well I feel like I have to get in some Halloween events to celebrate before I have the baby which probably isn't my most clever idea.  I have to realize this and cut myself a break.

October Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Enter to win in our October giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Code.  This is your chance to win a Rafflecopter run giveaway for an Amazon Gift Code towards anything on Amazon.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

***This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Amazon.  Winner has one week to claim their prize and winner's actions will be verified.