January 2016 Winner

Congratulations to our 1st winner in 2016


























Stacie H.  Contact me at peeingwithdooropenmommies@gmail.com

Mom Reality Check

When I had my 1st born I was a pretty inexperienced mom who thought she had it all together.  Before I had my boy I was so certain how things were going to be and what kind of parent I was going to be.  Boy do you get a reality check when your baby arrives.  All of the preconceived notions I had about being a parent were either incorrect, inconceivable, or not for my baby.  As most of us who are moms know every child is different and one solution or way to do things doesn't work for every child.  In the beginning you are able to use the books as a guide but basically you are left to figure it out on your own.  I am sure like me while pregnant or before kids the phase:  I would never let my kids do _______   We are  really as a whole a very judgey society not just to others but even ourselves.  Having never been through the experience it is difficult to really have a grasp on what is really in store for us.  Then real life comes in and shows you what is really going on.

300 Posts

I can not believe that this blog has grown as much as it has.  I thought it would be fun and cathartic to write about my mommy life and maybe even be able to commiserate with fellow moms.  Little did I know that that little idea would grow into what it has now.  So happy to be sharing this mommy journey with you.  I wanted to open up this blog to my fellow mommies and give you an opportunity to have a featured post on this blog.  So if you are interested in trying out blogging or have a blog of your own let me know at peeingwiththedooropenmommies@gmail.com

Thanks for making this blog fun and engaging!!!!  Looking forward to what the next 300 posts will bring.

Potty Training Update

I am happy to report we are almost there.  My 3 year old is doing really well with potty training.  He never poos in his diaper anymore and for the most part his pull ups are dry throughout the day.  We haven't started underwear until he keeps the pull ups clean throughout the day.  The candy works great as incentive and for poo he gets a frozen pop.  I found some great fruit/veggie pops that the kids enjoy so we use them for special treats.  Love when I find something that sneakily gives nutrition to my kids.

Current update:  He still never poos in his pull up but peeing he still hasn't totally mastered.  Hoping he will be ready to have underwear soon.  We are SO close.

3 Months

Time is moving quickly!!!  I can't believe she is already 3 months.  She is so stinking strong if I am holding her flat she pulls her body up to sitting position.  She also grabs onto hanging toys.  She has been rolling over from front to back.  Still waking up once a night.  She has been starving lately so I assume she is trying to build up my milk.  She definitely has quite the personality already.  She smiles, laughs, and coos.  Excited for the milestones that are just around the corner.

Journal

I have started to keep a diary/journal for each of my kids. I write about things going on in their lives, their current friends, favorite toys, and sayings.  I am unfortunately not consistent with the entries but I try to write in it as much as possible.  I think it will be an interesting read when they are older.  I always enjoyed going through my baby book or other keepsakes my mom had saved for me.   My plan is to write in it occasionally and when they turn 18 to give them the journal as a keepsake.  If you have ever gone through a diary or journal from your childhood it is always an eye opening experience.  All the teenage drama, how every little thing had so much importance.  All of it that I am writing in them is important to me and I hope one day a good read for them.

Breastfeeding my poor nipples!!!

My little girl like a lot of children who breastfeed is in the phase of cluster feeding. I feel like I am feeding her all the time.  This is good to increase my milk supply but it is so painful for my overworked nipples.  The nipple cream in theory sounds like a great relieving solution unfortunately somehow my poor exhausted nipples didn't get the memo.  Breastfeeding is hard work but I feel so worth it.  It is a huge inconvience in the beginning but it is so much easier as time goes on.  I wouldn't even know how to make formula.  To have to get up in the middle of the night and go make formula sounds like too much work to me.  I just have to get her and latch her on.  Big time saver.  It is amazing what your body does and can do.  Even with all the abuse on your body with pregnancy and afterwards it still for the most part does it's best to bounce back.  

Star Wars

With all the excitement of Star Wars lately and my husband being such a big fan we decided to show our oldest (who is 7) Star Wars IV, V, and VI.  We have been watching it in pieces he is not totally immersed but interested in watching.  The funny thing is our 3 year old is way more into it than our oldest.  We are halfway through V and it is concerning for me.  My boy is pretty sensitive to "scary" scenes so I worried to how he is going to react.  Our main goal was to get him up to date so he could go to the theater with dad to watch the new movie.  I really can't see him being interested to watch the whole movie since he has only been able to handle 45 minutes at a time and then he gets distracted.  I wanted to share some of my 7 year old's reactions to the movies:

A New Hope: Yay they got Darth Vader!  ( I think he thought that was the end of Vader)
The Empire Strikes Back: At the big reveal What!!!  No he's not...Why does he want to hurt his own child?
He was a little rattled by Luke's hand but calmed down once he realized he was getting it back.

He is actually getting into Star Wars and is looking forward to watching Return of the Jedi.  We are not even interested in showing him I, II, and III.

BBC Obsession

Ever since I have been home a lot with our new addition to the family.  I have had the opportunity to watch lots of tv (what else is there to do when you have a newborn sleeping on you?).  I have a love of BBC programs.  I want to share some of my favorites

Coupling

This one is an older show but it is a great sitcom style show.  Very funny!!!!

Doctor Who

I didn't think I would like this one.  It is sci-fi and I normally don't get into those.  But Dr Who (the newest seasons) has been a great show to watch.  I am partial to Doctor 10 (big David Tennant fan) but all of the new doctors have been great.  The current doctor has finally grown on me.  After the 1st full season of him being the doctor.  

Sherlock

The plot lines are unexpected and the casting/acting for this show is excellent.  There are only a few episodes per season but they are all great.  Nothing like it coming together in the end.

Downton Abbey

Great period drama with lots of funny one liners from Violet (Dame Maggie Smith).  Fabulous show great plot lines.

North & South (mini series)

Great show.  Amazing acting from Robert Armitage.  If you are looking for an unconventional love story this is a great 4 part mini series  

Encouraging Your Little One to Read

I have always loved to read there is nothing like being transported completely into a story and feeling totally immersed in the words of a book.  I want my kids to love reading as much as I do or at least close to.  My oldest has been "reading" since preschool but Kindergarten is really where it got more pronounced.  The Kindergarten circulum really pushed reading with a book to read a day.  Now we are in 1st grade and his reading level has definitely improved but when it is time to read I get some resistance.  It is definitely not something he has a lot of issues doing but encouraging him to actually do it is like torture.  I have been doing some research as to popular books that would be more interesting for him and challenge him to read on a higher level.  If I give him the option to pick out a book he wants to pick out the easiest.  Smart kid easy read quickly done.

We recently started the Magic Tree House Books series.  They are chapter books that aren't too difficult of a read.  They are all based on a brother and sister that go on an adventure with the aid of a magic tree house that transforms them into the book  .He has really been enjoying the series. Anything with time travel is a win-win.

We got a few of these from the library and they were perfect for his first grade reading level.  He thought they were okay books.

Two Month Old

Can't believe it has been 2 months since my little girl made her appearance in the world.  Overall she is a really good baby and has been sleeping with 2 feedings through the night.  Co-sleeping is going great and we are both getting lots of rest.  Unfortunately, the evenings until about 10 pm are rough for her with colic.  She is awake a little more throughout the day and her naps are more predictable.  She still loves to be held all the time.  She started smiling at 6 weeks and it has been more frequent.  We have started to do playdates and for the most part she does really good when we are out.

January Giveaway

Let's kick off 2016 with a new giveaway.   This giveaway is for an Amazon Gift code valued at $25.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Amazon. The winner has 1 week to claim their prize via a valid email address.  Must be claimed by randomly selected winner through Rafflecopter at peeingwithdooropenmommies@gmail.com.  Winners actions will be verified.  This giveaway is open to US residents only.

Happy New Year

Hope you have a fabulous 2016 filled with happiness, success, and fulfillment.  The best to you and your families.  We will be back at it on January 4th with a giveaway to kick off the new year.