Time for 2 more challenges!

The first challenge is a challenge I created from a pin I saw on pinterest for Bethenny Frankel's flat belly workout.

 



I'm sure you remember me doing Shannon's 30 day ab challenge. It was pretty hard and I fell of the wagon a few days before 30 days and never got back on. Let's see how I do with this challenge. Anyone else want to join me? You don't have to follow the schedule I made. Just thought it would make it easier.

Ok, here is the dreaded before picture!

Now the before measurements since it is drop 2 inches in 4 weeks. Helpful hint: if you don't have a long paper tape measurer, cut a scrap piece of paper into strips and tape them to fit around you and then measure that piece of paper!

35.5 inches (about) around my belly pooch before

I will be posting on Fridays since I'm starting today.

After these 4 weeks are up I'm doing a butt challenge I think!

 

 

Some of you may remember my resolutions that I made at the beginning of the year. We have slowly but surely been crossing them off here and there. I really need to donate my clothes that I don't wear. #5 on the resolution list.

The lovely Mrs. Shannon Dew started a new challenge, called Challenge your Closet.

Basically, the challenge is to wear stuff that is in your closet instead of buying new stuff.

 I decided to take it one step further and turn all the hangers in my closet around so I know if I have worn an item or not.

Dun, dun, dun... FB!

A friend of mine gave up facebook for 40 days. I love that she did that. It is so funny that I had to get her email address to send her those blog posts on marriage that I recently posted about. I have to text her if I want to make plans with her.

I've been trying to stay off facebook for 24 hours. It is hard!

When I was just typing the paragraph above the thought occurred to me that maybe I should tell all my friends and family that I'm going to give up facebook, texting, and tweeting and make people have to actually call me. But then I remembered I don't like talking on the phone.

Facebook can be such a time suck though. You go to check one thing and then 10 minutes go by. I know I will probably delete my account some day. I keep talking about it. I am in a few mom groups though that are so helpful and we all know I'm passionate (I just had the hardest time spelling that)about helping other mommas. So I keep it for that reason.

How long could you go without facebook? Could you give up facebook, texting, and tweeting and make people call you?

Tips and Tricks Tuesday 1st bday party edition

This week I wanted to give some advice on throwing a 1st birthday party. We went to a few and I wanted to share what was fun.

Honestly, having a lot of things for the kids to do was the most fun. We went to one party where there was a swing, a water table, a sand box, and the pool. Chase was running back and forth playing with the water table and balls. They also had a bounce house and a trampoline but Chase wasn't too into those. The older kids were.

A lot of one year olds take two naps a day so lunch time is when the parties are usually held. Try to get the lunch served pretty quickly.

At Chase's party we ate lunch and then did cake and presents right after.

I liked when there was a theme. We went to one party that was just kind of random and it wasn't as fun as the theme parties.

My pal Brittany was pinning some mustache birthday party stuff and I wanted to share an acquaintances bday blog post. I had to search forever to find these for you my friend! Part 1 Part 2 These may intimidate you. She's a real person, I've met her. She is a stay at home mom though. Looked like everyone had a blast!

Our favorite party was bug themed. They had all kinds of cute bug snacks and the sandbox was dig for bugs. Very cute.

But the most important thing is to enjoy the time you have with your friends and family celebrating your one year old! I wrote this post with some advice right after we had Chase's party.

What advice would you give someone throwing a 1st birthday party? What was your 1 year old's birthday party theme? Write a post, grab my button, and link up!


ps  

The spark!

*I'm really discussing some personal things today. I had no idea I would do this today but just started typing. I'm sure it is a God thing and someone else needs to read this today.

Last night at the dinner table my husband was doing or saying something that he thought was funny. I rolled my eyes and asked him if that was the kind of talk he used on our first date. I remember thinking he was so funny. I asked him if his sense of humor changed or mine.

Things have been tense lately. I almost hesitate to write tense. Less than tense really. We have a great marriage and friendship...

I stopped writing here because I knew if I kept writing everyone would just tell us to go on a date. Yes, we do need to go on a date. But I don't think having someone watch Chase and going on a date is the only solution. There has to be a way to get that spark back when a babysitter isn't available. Then God whispered that I should look at things I've pinned on pinterest in regards to dates at home.

The first post I read was this.

The second post I read was 25 ways to communicate respect. 1. Choose joy is something I definitely need to do. Some days it feels like I've been in a bad mood since Chase was born. 2. Honor his wishes is another one I need to do! I struggle with doing things around the house because Hubby likes them done or because I like them done. It is difficult to be the one that is home a lot more than your other half. The division of labor is a struggle in a lot of marriages I think. Seeing someone else give the advice to honor my husband's wishes makes it not seem like such a bad thing.

Are you still with me? Do you agree with these posts? I know so many people give Alexis on the Real Housewives of Orange County a hard time for not traveling without her husband, but I relate to her. I spend a lot of time with my husband. We rarely are apart.

I'm so excited for Hubby to get home today so I can start communicating respect!

Mommy Brain Mixer! Co-Host!

Welcome to week 5 of the Mommy-Brain Mixer, ladies!

Last week we had an amazing 105 link-ups! The Mixer is thriving!

If you haven't noticed, one of my favorite things to do here at Two In Diapers is to share stories about motherhood and my littles. One of my favorite things about sharing these stories is your comments with stories of your own children!

Welcome to...

At the Mommy-Brain Mixer, we will be linking up our writings about anything and everything motherhood!

We want to see funny posts, serious posts, sweet & sappy stories, mommy-brain episodes, memories from when your older children were younger, thoughts & lessons learned, and anything related to motherhood or little people. You know that post you wrote yesterday about your teething baby? Or that hilarious post you wrote about your 2nd grader's school play? Those are perfect, so link 'em up! 

The Mommy-Brain Mixer is the perfect place to find some great new blogs to follow, make some wonderful new blog friends, and enjoy some entertaining new reads!

To make things even more fun, my friend Mar, over at Raising Bean, is hosting a sister link-up for you to join, too!

Head on over there after your finished here and link up your recipes, DIY, arts & crafts, and sensory activities!  

Let's get to it, friends!

 

RULES:

1.Follow Two In Diapers

{the first link below}

2. Follow your co-hosts

This week's lovely co-hosts {the first 4 on the linky} are:

Roshni from BIG A little a

Whitney from The Sweetest Things

Susan from Project Emma Robinson

Meg from Megs7827

3. Link up your mommy post!

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link-up and maybe even follow them!

{and comments are always loved} 

5. Tweet about the Mommy-Brain Mixer to help spread the word! 

Tweet  

6. Grab this adorable button and place it somewhere on your blog!

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7. Don't forget to check back throughout the week, as we gained approximately 15 new moms later in the week last week! 

If you are interested in co-hosting the next Mommy-Brain Mixer, send me an email at twoindiapers@gmail.com!

Like my blog? Don't forget to vote for us! One click on the banner below = one vote for our blog, and you can even vote daily to keep us at the top!

Tips and Tricks Tuesday: parenting books

 

Tuesday again already?! This week we are talking about parenting books! I think I've read every book ever written.

When we were on our 1st anniversary trip and a few months pregnant our bell hop that we told our life story to suggested we read Happiest Baby on the Block. A few other people recommended it while I was pregnant too so I read the book and we watched the video before Chase arrived. Like most people that watch the video we thought the man was insanse shushing so loud in a baby's ear on its side. Then Chase arrived and that first night in the hospital we were jiggling, shushing, and we even got him to sleep like an hour in the bassinet by laying him on his side. I told everyone I knew to read that book because we would have had no clue how to calm a newborn without it.

Now that I have a 15.5 month old with sleep issues, I'm not so sure how I feel about Happiest Baby on the Block. Like I said I've read all the other books written now and they all say you shouldn't put your baby in their crib asleep and you shouldn't rock or jiggle them. Dr. Harvey Karp is the author of Happiest Baby on the Block and his whole argument was that you couldn't spoil a baby in their first 4 months of life. But we now have a spoiled 15.5 month old that lately has been sleeping with us.

I now recommend the book The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems. She has a method for putting newborns to sleep that I would try if we were blessed with another one. She also has a method for getting kiddos to sleep after they have been spoiled like Dr. Karp told us to do. We have used her method to get Chase unaddicted to the rocking. We plan to use her method to get him sleeping through the night. Her method is called the pick up/put down method. She is against abandonment cry it out like Ferber or Healthy Sleep Habits. We tried cry it out in the past and I noticed Chase suffering more from separation anxiety. So I don't do it and don't let his other care takers do it either.

The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems doesn't discuss too much in regards to setting limits for toddlers. For Chase's age she suggests distracting him. Well one of our big problems recently has been Chase climbing on our dining room chairs while I'm doing the dishes or cooking meals. He is pretty good about listening when we say no and we might have gotten through to him but I decided to pick up Happiest Toddler on the Block to see what he suggests.

I'm on page 200 in Happiest Toddler on the Block. He has some crazy suggestions this time but maybe they work. He suggests mirroring your child's emotions and using short phrases to describe them. So if your child is mad his friend took his toy and looks like he is going to hit his friend you are supposed to "stomp your feet, shake your head, make a big frown, and flail your amrs...and passionately say, 'Mad! Mad! MAD!...'".

Chase will throw tantrums more when he is tired and I've tried using this technique and it hasn't really helped. I can't wait until I get the video and make my husband and dad watch it. I expect lots of eyerolls.

Happiest Toddler on the Block has some suggestions for sleep issues which I plan to read to my husband tonight. He basically gives you options like the baby whisperer's method and the ferber method.

I saw another toddler book on instagram that I might check out since I'm not too excited about Dr. Karp's methods. What toddler parenting books do you like?

Mama's going out tonight!

I HATE being away from Chase. I think mostly because I am a control freak. You know how hard it is for control freaks to let go of control right? To not even be able to watch you to see if you are doing it my way?

I rarely get invited to do things without my kiddo and usually Hubby looks at me like I have three eyes when I suggest letting me go out for a girl's night. I got invited to a Stella and Dot party and Hubby said he didn't care if I went!

I have to be honest that I do have to force myself to go, but I'm sure I will have a good time.

So excited to get out of the house and chat with some girls. Keep your fingers crossed that bedtime without me goes well!

I thought things would be different

Most of you know that a year and a half ago we moved back to Northern California. Hubby and I both grew up in Nor Cal and went to college here. After college the hubs got a job in Southern California. We lived there for 4 years.

I wouldn't trade those sunny 70 degree days for anything. During those 4 years Hubby proposed, we got married, and I got knocked up.

That being said, I was unhappy, A LOT.

I'm an only child that wanted to move away from my parents more than anything my senior year of high school. I even told them they weren't allowed to move closer to where I was going to school. I think I was away from there for a day before I quickly realized how much I depended on them and talked to my parents on the phone almost every day.

I supported Hubby's decision to accept the job in So Cal for many reasons. We also had no idea the economy would crash and he would be lucky to hold on to the job he accepted. It wasn't supposed to be 4 years.

While we were living so far away from our families I fantasized about what it would be like when and if we ever moved back. Now that we have been back for a year and a half I've been hit with reality.

We spent a lot of weekends alone in So Cal. We missed out on family get together, birthdays, and holidays.

As I typed that I was reminded of the family reunion, bridal shower, and friends dinner that kept us super busy last weekend. I started to think maybe I should stop complaining.

I get to see my parents a ton. Chase is close with all four of his grandparents and his aunt and uncle. I wouldn't trade that for anything. That's why we are here. But, there are a few people that I thought I would see more often that I don't see and it makes me sad.

When we were on vacation, we visited our former employer. One of the guys we worked with said I looked different. I thought maybe different hairstyle or the whole had a baby thing but as we were driving away it hit me that I look different because I am happy! The last few months I was working there I don't think I talked to anyone very much. I was keeping two huge secrets! Hubs was trying to get a job transfer and I was preggo!

I guess I should stop letting things like people I don't get to see bum me out and let the things like having a dinner mid week with my mom and Chase cheer me up!

Tips and Tricks Tuesday from moms!

 

I love to read and hope to pass my love of reading on to Chase. We read books all day long and I like to have reading as part of our bedtime routine.

 

When Chase was younger I read novels to him. I figured it would be easier for him to wind down if I wasn't turning the page every few sentences to reveal a new colorful interesting picture.

 

Since we got back from vacation our bedtime routine has been all messed up. I've found he prefers to sit and listen to the books when there is a picture for him to look at. He also seems to like picking the book. We have the Favorite Thornton Burgess Animal Stories Boxed Set (Sets) [Box set] [Paperback] which has pictures every 10 pages or so. These have been working but I'm getting tired of reading them so I posted a picture on instagram and facebook asking for suggestions.

Rachel suggested a few books and so far The Real Mother Goose worked for nap time.

I also got Make Way for Ducklings and One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey at the library.

Rachel suggested this Child's Book of Poems which isn't at my local library. I'll have to see if it is at the library by my parents or buy it when we are ready for some more books.

My uncle that is a teacher, author, and book obsessed suggested the Peter Rabbit books by Beatrix Potter and No, David!

What books do you read to your kiddos at bedtime? Write a post, grab my button, and link up! Or you can leave me suggestions in the comments :)

  

Free printable!

I don't know if you are like me, but I have no clue where I'm supposed to store my produce. My favorite designer created a free printable to help me out with my weekly struggle! It is super cute and so helpful! Go over to her blog and print it out!

Blog Star: Hi, I'm Meagan and Tips and Tricks Tuesdays from moms

 

Before we get to the tips and tricks I wanted to say hi to anyone stopping by from Mrs. Monologues blog star! I'm a California twenty something (not for too much longer!) wife and mom of a tiny giant 15 month old. I am obsessed with all things tv and celeb when I have free time (rarely these days). Most of the time I'm giving and getting all kinds of advice here on this little blog. Sometimes it is kid related, sometimes it is hair or fashion related. So take a look around and I hope you decide to leave a comment so I can stop by your blog too!

Today we are talking about traveling with a toddler.

I hope you have figured out by now that I don't give the normal tips and tricks with these topics. I give you the real deal tips and tricks!

I'm one of those packers that has a two page word document packing list saved. I also pack like we are going some where that has no grocery stores or Targets. So my 1st tip of traveling with a toddler is to plan ahead and make lists because you do not want to forget the lovie or the stroller or the pack and play.

I also packed what I like to call the "funnest bag you've ever seen in your life". This is to save your butt during long car rides or plane flights. In our bag we had the Melissa and Doug Latches Board Puzzle, a back scratcher from the target dollar bin, a dr. suess hologram cup from the dollar spot at target, a numbers book from the one spot at target, a ball from the dollar area in the party aisle at target (did you know about that little gem), a $2 or so truck that was on clearance, and the IPAD!

I also brought along snacks and drinks for everyone. We road tripped it so we could take an ice chest.

Chase has had some massive blow outs in the past so I'm usually prepared for those. What I was not prepared for was puke. After a long car ride, a trip to the park, and getting a little lost my little man lost his lunch before arriving at our 2nd and final stop of the day. Since I had an extra outfit and paper towels we managed to survive. This was Chase's 2nd time getting carsick and we now know to keep the car cool and not to make too many turns.

We had an itinerary of places we wanted to go and people we wanted to see. What I didn't plan for was Chase to fall asleep so early in the morning in the car. Almost every day we would venture out after breakfast and Chase would fall asleep. He only takes one nap so if we waited to go out after that most of the day was over. Even though his schedule was completely off he did pretty well.

The ipad saved us on some cranky car rides and restaurant trips. There was one time we were coming back from the beach and didn't have the ipad and poor little man was over it. We tried calling peoplon speaker phone to talk to him and what worked was rolling the windows down.

We stayed with family members and friends on this trip. Most of the places weren't baby proofed which was hard. We did spend a lot of time out and about. For my sanity I would take Chase for a walk in the stroller after breakfast when Hubby was getting ready for the day.

It is definitely a challenge traveling with a toddler but we all had a blast at the zoo, beach, and getting to see family and friends.

Did you write a post with tips and tricks from or for moms? Link up!

Beach baby

We are back from our trip to Southern California! Did you miss me? I scheduled posts for while I was gone but maybe everyone was on vacation too this week because I don't know if you guys saw them. I might repost some of them.

We had a blast on our vacation! I have a little beach baby on my hands. Tuesday I'll be sharing my tips and tricks for a road trip and staying in non baby proofed houses with a 15 month old.

 

Do any of you feel as gross as I do after traveling? Today I was searching pinterest for natural blackhead removal remedies. You have to try this, my skin feels amazing! I mixed nutmeg and milk until it formed a thin paste and then lightly scrubbed on my clean, wet face for 3 mins. For more natural ways to remove blackheads check out this link.

 

Ok, back to the laundry!

My son's finacee

It is no secret around these parts that I'm a fan of Ms. JS.

Recently, I was catching up on celeb gossip and realized that Maxi was born on May 1st. Chase's birthday!

Obviously, this means they are going to get married. Hubs is on board with having Maxwell Drew for a daughter-in-law.

I'm so excited to spend time with Jess.

Thank you everyone for your congratulations! We are really excited to share this news!

She's going to be such a pretty bride!

Hubby answers the other 2 questions

We wanted to get Hubby to answer the other questions that were asked of him for the vlog. Here are his answers:

Allie asked, "How does he handle your hottness 247!?!? haha"

Hubby said, "I work long hours..." He made some comments like he thinks he's Mr. Gray or something. Not that either of use have read the book.

Kelly asked, "What made you fall in love with your wife? (smile, personality, etc...)"

Hubby said, "How easy you are to get along with and obviously how beautiful you are. And you laugh at my jokes."

Let me know if you have any more questions for him!