I Am Mother...

Above all else, family comes first.  I am a mother and wife first and foremost.  I will relish and enjoy the time I have with my children while they are still children (and while they still enjoying being with Mama!).  So some other things take a backseat.  If you come visit me some time, this is what you will find: 

You will find dust on my furniture.  You will find carpet that was vacuumed two days ago but needs it again.  You will find a kitchen floor that needs a good mopping, mirrors that probably need to be wiped down and food crumbs that haven't yet been swept up.  No, I don't keep a dirty house and yes, I do clean.

You will find books scattered across my children's floors and toys on the carpet.  You will find art projects covering the fridge and paintings sitting on the counter drying.  You will find too much stuff crammed into too little space.

You will find leftovers that have been in the fridge a little too long.  You will find a loaf of bread just a couple days too old.  You will find the last little bit of homemade cinnamon bread still sitting out on the counter that no one will eat.

You will find dog hair, baby toys and three missing pieces to a board game behind my couch.  You will find shoes scattered about, empty cups on the tables and burp cloths tossed over the corner of the couch.

You will find take-out pizza in my kitchen or fast food hurriedly grabbed after a late evening.

What does this all mean?  This means that my family and my children enjoyed living today.  My children played and enjoyed their time today.  My family ate a home-cooked meal almost every day this week.  

I am teaching my children through play on a regular basis.  I am influencing my children by being a good role model for them, by reading to them each night and by instilling in them the values that I find so important.  I am teaching them responsibility by encouraging them to help Mommy around the house.

I've learned over the years that it's ok if everything's not perfect.  It's ok if my house isn't immaculate.  It's ok if it looks like someone actually lives in my house.  It's ok if my children have take-out because I was too exhausted or stressed out or busy that evening to get dinner on the table.  It's ok to live my life and enjoy my family.    

7 Tips for Successful Pumping at Work

I return to work in 2 weeks and I will be pumping daily to provide milk for my son to have at daycare.  My ultimate goal is to provide breastmilk for each of his feedings.  Here are a few tips from my previous experience pumping at work.

1. Buy the expensive pump.  It is worth it!  With my daughter, I had the cheap pump.  I ended up replacing it once because it just stopped working and it was never as efficient as I would have liked.  Now I have the $250 Medela pump and I love it!  I get as much breastmilk in 5 minutes with this pump as I did in 20 minutes with my cheap pump.
2. Talk with your boss.  Find a private place to pump where you will not be disturbed.  I pumped in my classroom but since multiple people had keys, I still had people unlock the door and walk in on me every once in a while, even with a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door.  If you're nervous or worried about people walking in on you, you will probably not produce as much milk and the experience will not be pleasant for you.  That's why it's important to try to find a place where you are least likely to be disturbed.  Many states have laws that require employers to provide a place and time for you to pump.  Check with your state laws to find out.
3. Pump a lot before you return to work.  I currently pump at least once a day.  I have 25-30 bags of breastmilk in my freezer.  I occasionally use these if I need to run an errand and the baby will need a bottle while I'm away but I am saving most of them for my return to work.  That way, if I find that I am not able to pump enough to satisfy baby's needs, I can pull from my frozen stash.
4. Pump on weekends.  Continue to nurse baby as you normally would on weekends, but also pump.  The more baby eats and the more you pump, the greater your milk production will be.  I found that my milk production decreased when I returned to work but if you continue to nurse as usual when you are home and pump additionally on weekends, you will probably have a pretty good supply of milk.
5. Pump on one side while baby nurses on the other.  I do this every single day first thing in the morning.  Milk production is usually at it's greatest first thing in the morning, so I always allow my baby to eat on one side and pump on the other.  I usually get 4-5 ounces each time I do this.  When I return to work, I will probably do this in the evening, as well. 
6. Pump when baby would normally eat, if possible.  Unfortunately, my schedule does not allow me to do this.  As a classroom teacher, the only time I can pump is during my lunch break.  This means that I have approximately 20 minutes to eat my lunch and pump.  I have to multi-task in order to do this.  With my daughter, I was not able to produce enough milk using this method, so I highly suggest you pump at least twice a day, close to the time when baby would normally eat to keep milk production at a maximum.
7. Don't be afraid to supplement.  If you are not able to produce enough milk for your baby through breastmilk, don't be afraid to supplement with formula.  I really wanted my daughter to be strictly breastfed but I simple wasn't able to pump enough breastmilk for that to happen.  She received 1 supplemental bottle of formula per day and I had to be okay with that.  As much as I didn't really want her to have formula, she needed the nutrition. 

Hopefully these tips were able to help you if you are returning to work soon.  What tips do you have?

Busy Bags, Part 1

I have seen some amazing ideas for busy bags lately that I can't wait to make for my daughter.  For those of you who have not heard of busy bags, you are missing out on a great idea.  A busy bag is simply an activity that your child can complete independently.  I use busy bags for my daughter while I'm cooking dinner, when we're out in public (i.e. waiting for our food at a restaurant or at the doctor's office) and when I need to keep her occupied for a short time.  Today I'm going to share with you some of the busy bags I have created for my daughter.  I store my busy bag activities in Ziplock bags but I'm looking for a more durable, inexpensive option for storing them.  Any ideas?

Paint Chip Memory

I created this memory game using leftover paint chips.

Stickers

My daughter created this book in Vacation Bible School but several sheets of paper stapled together would work just as well.  I included several sheets of stickers for her to choose from.

Reusable Sticker Board

These are reusable stickers on a plastic board.  This came from the school supply aisle at Dollar Tree several months ago but they are probably still available.

Cupcake Busy Bag

This cupcake busy bag activity was very easy to make and pretty inexpensive.  All you will need is a couple pieces of felt and scissors.

Popsicle Stick Puzzle

I love the idea of using family photographs for this popsicle stick puzzles.  My daughter absolutely loves trying to reassemble these easy to create puzzles.

Coloring

Easiest busy bag ever--crayons and a coloring book.  Just be sure not to leave this busy bag in the car or you will have a mess to clean up!

Paper Dolls

I made paper dolls for my daughter using this website.  She is a bit young for them right now but will grow into them.  I think making them magnetic and using them on a cookie sheet would be a great option to make these more user friendly for her.

Counting and Numbers Puzzle Pairs

I scored this number puzzle on clearance in the Target dollar spot.  I think I spent maybe $.50 on this.  Right now, my daughter is working on the puzzles with the pictures she can count.  I have not yet introduced her to the set with just the dot to count.

I am always seeking new ideas for busy bags.  I can't wait to try some of the ideas here.  Please feel free to share your links or ideas for busy bags.

Linking up at:

Snack Organization

There are tons of ideas out in blogland recently for how to organize snacks and lunch items.  My daughter gets a morning snack and a snack after nap.  Most of the snacks I have for her are in a high cabinet she cannot reach so I decided to take some inspiration from the many ideas I've seen on blogs recently and create my own.  I simply took a plastic bin that we were not using and placed all of her snacks in it.  Pre-packaged snacks like fruit treats and granola bars are just stacked neatly.  I took Goldfish crackers, snack cookies and crackers and placed them in individual snack size baggies.  I also put small servings of cereal in plastic lidded cups that she can grab for a quick snack before she leaves on school days.  I put the basket in a low cabinet where she can easily reach it.  What a timesaver for me!

Sticky Feet {Guest Post}

I am thrilled to have Vicky from Mess for Less guest posting today.  Vicky's blog shares wonderful ideas for hands-on, engaging activities for young children.  As a teacher, I truly believe that children learn best through process and the type of activities Vicky suggests are perfect for preschool-aged children.  Hop on over to Mess for Less and check out her incredible ideas!

Hello readers of This Mom's Happy Life! I am so excited to be guest posting here! My name is Vicky and at my blog, Mess For Less, I share fun learning experiences I have had with my kids (3 year old twins and a 20 month old). I was a teacher before having my kids and taught a bunch of different grades: Pre-k, Kindergarten, First and Fourth. I love saving money, so most of my ideas and activities are budget friendly. Here is one of my cheaper and easier ideas.

Sticky Feet

I love contact paper. There, I've admitted it. When I was teaching I would buy roll upon roll of the stuff and cover all of the paperback books in my classroom. It made them so much sturdier and the covers were so easy to clean. As a mom, I still love contact paper. I have used it in the past for art activities. You can find it at the dollar store which makes me love it even more!

Today, I am using it to provide a sensory experience for little ones. So if you are reading this and not the least bit crafty, fear not! This requires absolutely no skill and minimal effort, yet it will entertain the kids for a long time. You will need clear contact paper and masking tape. I unrolled some contact paper (maybe 2 feet long, but you can experiment with lengths) peeled off the backing and placed it on the floor with masking tape. Then I let my kids run amok. That's all there is to it! I will say that peeling the backing off the contact paper is the most challenging part for me. Maybe some of you are more dexterous. I usually end up with the contact paper stuck on me and folded over on itself.

Here you can see how I stuck it on the floor.

My kids loved running through the contact paper and hearing the noises as their feet stuck and unstuck. But that was not all. Soon, the twins had set up a picnic on the sticky feet mat. They liked how they could place their plates and toy bottles on the contact paper and have them stick. If you'll notice, one of the girls is using the backing I peeled off the contact paper as a picnic blanket. I was going to throw it out (bad mama!) and she rescued it.

 

Well, it wasn't long before little sister joined the party. Party crasher!

What I love about this simple activity is that it went in a direction I could have never predicted. I had simply intended for the kids to have a fun tactile experience, and they ended up using the contact paper for imaginative play as well. So you never know where something seemingly simple might lead.

 Exhausted after playing, they pretend to nap on the contact paper.

 

For many more ideas and activities please come visit Mess For Less. Hope to see you there!

Paint Chip Memory

I've seen tons of ideas in blogland for craft projects using paint chips.  I can't wait to try this word family game using leftover paint chips from previous painting projects.  This game would be great to use in my classroom (and with my daughter as she gets older).  I created this game yesterday because my daughter LOVES memory games and has learned all of her colors.  This is so simple--and I'm sure it's been done before--but I have not seen a paint chip memory game yet.  Here are the easy instructions:

For this game you will need two sets of each color paint chip and cardstock.

Choose several shades from each paint sample and glue to cardstock.  I used spray craft glue but any type of glue will work.  Be sure to cover the entire surface with glue--when you cut it will fall apart if you have not glued all parts.  At this point you could choose to laminate for durability.

 Cut apart each individual paint chip.  I have 42 cards here but I will not be using them all for my daughter.  For young children (3-4 years old) I would recommend no more than 20-25 cards.

To play the game, simply turn over 2 cards at a time.  If they match, the player keeps the cards and gets another turn.  If they do not match, flip them back over and the next player gets a turn.  Continue until all cards have been matched.  For young children, you can place them face up and simply have them match colors and name the colors.

I'm sure you all have other wonderful ideas for what to do with this activity.  What are your suggestions?

Linking up at:

The Idea Room

         

Easy Breakfast Ideas for Busy Moms

After being out on maternity leave for the last 3 months, I know going back to work next month is going to be extremely difficult.  I am going to spend the next few weeks preparing and finding creative ways to maximize my time once I go back to work.  Because my husband and I have to be at work no later than 7 and we now have 2 children to get ready for school, I need to have a quick and efficient morning routine.  One way that I can do that is by having easy, quick breakfast options available for myself and my husband.  My daughter usually eats a snack before she leaves and eats her breakfast at school, but all of these options would be great for kids, as well.  While I am not opposed to packaged food, I do like to have some homemade options available as well.  Some of the options I am planning to have available include:

• applesauce bread--prepare ahead of time and freeze.  This is delicious with cinnamon butter
• muffins--prepare ahead of time and freeze.  I love these caramel apple muffins and strawberry muffins with fresh strawberry butter.
• pancakes and waffles--prepare a double batch on weekends and freeze the leftovers.  These are great to pop in the toaster for a quick breakfast.
• freezer friendly breakfast burritos--these are delicious!  We love bacon, ham, eggs and cheese in ours!
• oatmeal breakfast bars--I love to have these on hand in the freezer.  I pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds and they are delicious and filling!
• trail mix--I love the Emerald Breakfast on the Go! trail mix packages but you could easily make your own.  Simply mix together nuts, dried fruits, raisins, chocolate chips or whatever else you would enjoy.  Package in snack size baggies for a grab and go breakfast.
• mini apple pies--why not?  These are tastier and probably better for you than Pop-Tarts or Toaster Streudels.
• yogurt and fruit--I like to pre-chop my fruit early in the week or the night before and pop it into individual plastic containers.
• apple spice bars--another meal to pre-bake and freeze.  Pop in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds to warm.
• cinnamon toast--toast bread, spread butter on top and sprinkle with cinnamon.
• smoothies--I usually have pre-made smoothie bags in the freezer.  The bags include frozen fruit and yogurt that has been frozen in ice cube trays.  Toss the contents of the smoothie bag in the blender or Magic Bullet, add milk and blend to desired consistency.  I love strawberries, bananas and peaches in my smoothies.
• Carnation Instant Breakfast--my doctor recommended this while I was pregnant and not gaining weight.  My favorite is the chocolate flavor in the blender with peanut butter and banana.  This is a very filling drinkable breakfast.

What are your go to quick and easy breakfast ideas?