Mommy FTW

When I was growing up my mom always made my Halloween costume.  And as I got older, I really got into making my own.  I have to admit at this point in my life with an almost 3 year old and a 6 month old, I don’t have the time to make a crafty costume – thankfully there is Etsy!  With a little looking, you can find some incredibly adorable costumes at a wide range of prices.  Place your orders now to be sure you’re ready for Halloween!!  Here’s a rundown of my favorites:

I stumbled upon the shop of Etsy seller NotTheKitchenSink and I was totally blown away by the incredible costumes they had.  They are a little on the expensive side ($35 and up – more for twins costumes) but they are some of the cutest and most creative costumes I found.  Here’s a few:

Sushi and Soy Sauce. This almost made me wish I had twins.

Peas and Carrots - I'm sure you can get them seperate, or for twins

So sweet! What a tasty little cookie!

Do you have a little monkey on your hands?  Well Etsy seller MegSewCool has the costume for you priced at $55:

Chunky Monkey!

How about a cute little bumble bee costume, complete with cute flower headband?  Check out this one from Etsy seller PeaPodRay – $52 with headband, $36 without:

Buzzzz.... Love this cute and comfortable look!

I love the DinoCapes made by Etsy seller MaukyJo – I think they would be great for creative dress up play throughout the year, not just for Halloween – and only $28!

I have a feeling this cute DinoCape could get a lot of year-round use!

And another great dress up / costume option that is really affordable (only $14!) is this cute Robot costume from Kidatheart01 – don’t forget to check the store because there are lots of other affordable costumes too!

I'm pretty sure you can't beat the price on this Robot Costume - 14$!

Want some more choices?  There’s endless tutus, balarina costumes, cowboys, and princess dresses on Etsy too.  Just search and see what you can find!

I’m pretty sure that Cameron breaks his crayons on purpose – hopefully your little one isn’t being so devilish!  But even so you most likely have a collection of broken crayons around because they so easily snap in little hands.  Recently on Baby Center I came across a great blog post with some creative ideas on what to do with them.  I wanted to share those, and then add some more that I found.  You can bet I will be trying some of these ideas!

Crayon Shavings + Wax Paper + Iron = Endless Possibilities!

I saw so many different iterations on this basic idea – pretty much your own imagine is the only limit!  But, here’s one specific idea that is a perfect fall craft for this time of year – Wax paper and Crayon fall leaves!  Check out this blog post for the super easy instructions.

Create some fall color!

I also saw people using the same idea to make Valentine’s day hearts, shamrocks for St. Patrick’s day, butterflies, pumpkins – you can do pretty much anything you want!

Be mine!

Chunky Crayons – perfect for little hands!

You can take your old broken crayons and melt them down to make some easy to hold chunky crayons.  I’d totally trying this one for Violet!  You can use pretty much any shape pan to create them – here’s a blog post that uses mini and regular sized muffin pans.

What a great idea! Especially for little hands.

You can mix any colors you want together – even add in glitter before you melt the crayons for a little extra sparkle.

Crayon Chip Wrapping Paper!

Want to make your gift look super special?  I love this idea – it’s such a great way to decorate a package.  Pick colors to go with whatever the occasion is!  Check out this blog post for the easy instructions.

Make your gift stand out with paper too pretty to rip up!

You can bet for Christmas this year my broken red and green crayons will be meeting a noble end!

Crayon Candles!

There are so many posts about doing this all over the web.  You can go wacky and mix lots of colors together, or you can seperate you colors into color families for a more solid colored candles.  Here’s one post about how to make candles from your broken crayons.

Possibly the most popular idea I found out there - candle crayons!

If you happen to have lots of empty baby food jars around (like me!) you can always make your candles in those!  More recycling!  Another simple idea for your baby food jars – fill them with water and some crayon shavings – it’s a cute mini snow globe!

Beautiful Melted Crayon Art!

This one isn’t really for broken crayons – you’d want to start with some perfect fresh ones I think.  But, it was just so beautiful and cheery I had to post it.  Check out this link on how to make this amazing melted crayon art.

This brought a smile to my face!

By the way, if you’re not feeling crafty enough to make this, then check out this Etsy seller that will make one for you!

If anyone else has more ideas, please share them.  I hope this gives you some inspiration on what to do with all those broken crayons!

I am excited to say that my almost 3 year old Cameron is doing great at his potty training (pee that is…. don’t get me started on poo) and he has begun leaving the house without a diaper on.  This made me really nervous because he isn’t comfortable peeing on a big potty yet, so I decided to look for a portable potty for him that I could fit in my diaper bag, or throw in the bottom of the stroller.  I found the Potette Plus on Amazon – it had great reviews, and sounded like a great solution.

I don't think Cameron would appreciate me posting pictures of him using his Potette, so here's a cute little girl I found via google.

The Potette Plus can be used as pictured above (set on the ground with an insert in, if you like – I just put mine on the grass) or you can fold the supports outward, and it fits on top of a big potty (pictured below).

Potette on the big potty

Cameron has used his both ways,  much to my delight.  He is extremely proud of himself when he is done – and so am I!  By the way, the reviewers on Amazon also said that instead of the inserts that they sell you can just put a diaper in the Potette to catch whatever falls if you are using it in the sitting position not on a regular potty.  This seems like a good idea so you don’t have to buy something specialized and extra.  The Potette does indeed fit easily in my bag.  Overall, I can’t be happier.  It gives both Cameron and I the confidence to leave the house without him wearing a diaper – and it’s so great to see him succeed and feel good about himself.

The Hurricane is coming!  It’s time to batten down the hatches, and figure out what the heck to do with your kids!  Here’s a round up of my favorite rainy day activities in Washington DC if you need to get the little ones out of the house, most of them FREE!

Some ideas to beat the rainy day blues. Of course, there's always puddle stompin'!

Wilson Aquatic Center – The Aquatic Center is currently closed for it’s yearly “deep clean” but will re open Sunday, August 28th all refreshed.  Given that Sunday is supposed to be one of the more rainy days, this seems like great timing to me!  Check out my earlier post on the Wilson Aquatic Center to learn more about this fabulous, free spot.  It’s the perfect place to take your kiddos and really tire them out!

Rock Creek Park Nature Center – While not the most glamorous spot, it’s a great little gem for a rainy day.  There’s lots of things for your little explorer to look at and touch, and plenty of free parking.  Check out my earlier post on the Rock Creek Park Nature Center for more information.

The National Museum of Natural History – This museum has Dinosaurs, bugs, a huge Elephant, gems, and so much more.  Both my son and daughter loved being able to hold the bugs, and were amazed by the butterfly exhibit.  Check out the National Museum of Natural History website for more information on the current exhibits and hours.

National Museum of American History – If your little one loves trains, trucks, machines, and hands on activities don’t miss the Spark Lab!), then you definitely want to check out this Museum.  Check out the website for more information on exhibits and hours of operation.

National Air and Space Museum – There is something amazing about giant planes hanging indoors just a few feet away from you – even to an adult!  Air and Space is a guaranteed winner for kids.  Be sure to check out the How Flight Works exhibit which has lots of fun hands on activities.  Check the Air and Space website for more info.

Wisconsin Place Rec Center – This isn’t the most exciting outing, but if you are desperate to get your little on out of the house, this is a decent option.  Check out my previous post on the Rec Center to learn more.

Metro Train Ride – If your toddler loves trains as much as mine does, they might enjoy just a train ride on the Metro.  I know I’ve done this before!  Cameron really loves the “underground train.”  Seems silly…. but you never know what is exciting to a little one.  Kids under 4 ride free.

National Zoo – Yes, much of the Zoo is outside, but there are lots of indoor exhibits too.  Cameron’s favorites are the Bird House and Amazonia.  Check the Zoo website for more info on exhibits and hours.

Palisades Library – Did you know the Palisades library has a train table, and a whole floor devoted to the kids section?  It’s the best kids library I’ve ever encountered.  The library isn’t open Sunday, but it’s a good option for this Saturday (or any other rainy day!)  Check out the Palisades Library page on the DC Public Library website for more info.

Those of you who read Mommy For The Win regularly know that Cameron loves to read, and I try to encourage this by always getting him new books.  I’ve become a huge fan of the D.C. Public Library because really, who has the money to buy all these books!

When I first started going to the Library I would aimlessly search the shelves and pull out what seemed like it would interest Cameron.  Occasionally I would find something good, but it was hard to really get in there to look for specific things while wrangling a toddler and a newborn.  So, with the encouragement of the DCPL on twitter (@dcpl) I checked out the D.C. Public Library website, and learned how to place books on hold for pick up at whatever library I wanted.  It’s really easy – Here’s a step by step guide:

1)Figure out what book you want to check out – this can be the hardest part.  If you are short on inspiration, use Amazon.com to help you.  Today I started by typing in “Truck Book” to the search box.  One of the suggestions that came up was “Little Blue Truck” by Alice Schertle.  The reviews seemed good, so I thought I’d see if the Library had it.  (Honestly, I would say 8 out of 10 times they do have the book I am looking for!)  FYI, another great resource is the “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” suggestions box.  It’s full of other great ideas for similar books.  If your toddler has a favorite book, search for it and see what Amazon suggests in this area.  It’s really helpful!

Use this suggestions box to come up with ideas

2)Go to the D.C. Public Library website and search their online catalog.  The website is catalog.dclibrary.org – just type the title of the book (or if you have an author you like, you can try that as well) to find your book.

Search the online catalog

3)Place the book on hold.  Click on the book – when looking at the book information page you will see there is an option to “Place Hold” – this means that they will fetch the book for you (from any DC Library branch) and bring it to whichever Library branch you ask.  Yes.  THEY DELIVER IT!! If the book is checked out, they will get it for you once it is returned.  Usually it takes a few days if the book is not checked out.  They will email you when the book has arrived at your requested library.

Place your book on Hold - you can choose your pick up branch

4)Pick up your book.  Once you get your email, go and pick up your book – it will be there waiting for you under your name.  It’s so easy.  You will never aimlessly browse the Library again!

You can manage your holds and see what the status is as well.  If you decide you don’t want a book after all, you can cancel the hold.

Manage your Holds using the "My Requested Holds" button

Of course to do all this you need a library account.  If you don’t have one of those, sign up.  It’s quick, easy, and FREE!

Not in D.C.?  Don’t worry – I know other Libraries have a similar system.  Stop in to your local branch and ask them how to place a hold for a book and if they have an online catalog.  You will be so happy you did!

This week Cameron, Violet, and I, went to check out the sprinklers at Friendship Park (Turtle Park).  He had a blast, so I wanted to find out where we could find more “Spraygrounds.”  I contacted the DC Department of Parks and Recreation on twitter (@DCDPR) and they pointed me to a list of all the Sprinkler parks in the District. Here’s the list:

Cam cools off in the Turtle Park sprinklers

14th and Girard Street Spray Park - 14th and Girard Street, NW
14th and Park Road Spray Park - 14th Street and Park Road, NW
Benning Stoddert Spray Park - 100 Stoddert Place, SE
Columbia Heights Spray Park -  1480 Girard Street, NW
Friendship Spray Park - 4500 Van Ness St., NW
Lafayette Spray Park - 5900 33rd Street, NW
Palisades Spray Park - 5200 Sherrier Place, NW
Petworth Spray Park - 801 Taylor Street, NW
Riggs LaSalle Spray Park - 501 Riggs Road, NE

UPDATE – As of Today, 8/2/11 the sprinkler park at Chevy Chase Playground is OPEN.  For more info: http://mommyftw.com/the-sprinklers-are-on-at-chevy-chase-livingston-playground/

For more information on hours of operation and contact phone numbers for the sprinkler parks, check out the Washington DC Department of Parks and Recreation website.

By the way, if your toddler is a little water shy, check out an earlier post I wrote about helping your toddler warm up to going in the sprinklers.

UPDATE – Yesterday we went to check out the Palisades Spray Park and the water was NOT on. I talked to some people at the park and they said it is usually NOT on – so if you are looking for some sprinkler fun, I wouldn’t bother heading over there!  Check out Friendship Park instead.

It seems like every time we get new books from the Library Cameron learns new words and his vocabulary grows.  Pretty cool!  And now to make finding the books I want super easy I just request them online at the DC Library website and get an email when they are ready to pick up.  If I’m short on inspiration of what to look for in the online catalog I just browse Amazon and see what other books people buy when I look up Cameron’s favorites.  Anyways, these are his current favorites – soon to be returned for something new!

Alphabeep!  Cameron learned so many words from this book, which highlights a transportation related word for each letter of the alphabet.  Now everywhere we drive he points out stop signs, yield signs, red lights, firetrucks, cement mixers… the list goes on!  It’s perfect for any vehicle obsessed toddler.

Cameron has loved many Byron Barton books, and Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs is no exception.  A lot of the dinosaur names are pretty hard for him, but he did learn “T Rex” and also now seems to understand what “scary” and “scared” means.

In the book My Big Rig a young boy drives cross country in his truck via his imagination.  Since Cameron likes anything to do with trucks, this one is a no brainer!

Cameron seems to love every Spot book that we bring home.  In Spot Goes to the Park, Spot and his friends play ball and swing at the park.  These are things that Cameron and I do a lot together, so reading this book is a fun way for me to ask him questions about what we did at the park too.  Of course, this book has all the lift-the-flap fun that Spot books are known for.

Be sure to check for these books at your local Library – and DC friends, try out the online library catalog.  It’s a really convenient way to get all the books you want.  If you’re not in DC, check to see if your library system has a similar feature.  I know the one in Brooklyn did as well!

A few days after Violet was born I started feeling a little itchy, and saw some small red blotches appearing on my chest.  I didn’t think too much of it – figuring maybe she had clawed me a little while I was holding her and my skin was just a bit irritated.  I laid down for a nap.  When I woke up there was a rash covering my chest and my torso and it itched like CRAZY.  I started googling.

After searching for some time I came upon something called PUPPS – Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy.  The thing is, PUPPS usually happens during pregnancy, generally during first pregnancies, 70% of the time the mothers are carrying boys, and usually the mothers are carrying multiples.  As you know, none of these things applied to me.  But, the symptoms themselves and the pictures I was looking at seemed like an exact match.  I started looking for something, anything, to give me relief from the unbearable itching.

I was incredibly disheartened to read that there was no “cure” for PUPPS (they don’t even really know the cause) and that sometimes women find the itching so bad they have their doctors induce them because most of the time PUPPS goes away once your baby is born.  For me, this wasn’t even on the table.  I was frantic.

I sent my husband to Whole Foods to buy up any holistic remedy I found on the internet (which I will post about below).  I was all about the shotgun approach since I was so desperate.  While he was gone I called my OB to make an appointment, and spoke to my daughter’s pediatrician to make sure all the things I were about to try were ok for the baby.  I got my OB appointment for the next day (which seemed like an eternity away) and got the all clear from the pediatrician.  My husband came back and I began my home-remedy assault.  Here’s what I tried:

Grandpa’s Pine Tar Soap – This stuff will make you smell a bit like you spent too much time next to the camp fire, but I didn’t care.  I took a warm shower with it and left the lather on me for a few minutes before rinsing it off. I did this a few times that day. This soap is written about all over the internet as a PUPPS helper.  It did seem to give me some relief from the itching.

Natures Gate Skin Therapy Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion – I put this on after each shower, and sometimes in between. This lotion is supposed to help with itching. I’m not sure how much it really did for me, but I didn’t care.

Dandelion root capsules – The bottle said take 3 pills, 3 times a day. Dandelion Root is said to help improve liver function. I figured it couldn’t hurt.  I can’t really say if this helped, but improved liver function sounds good!

Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel - the Nurse Practitioner I spoke to at my OB’s office recommended trying this since I wasn’t going to see my OB until the next day and get something stronger. We had some on hand for mosquito bites in the summer so I was all for it. It helped some to relieve the itching – for about 5 minutes.

Claritin – I think in the end this was my savior. Maybe 10 minutes after I took the first pill I started feeling better, and within an hour the itching was bearable again. I took a 24 hour pill, but within 12 hours the rash was back with a vengeance and I had to take another pill (this was at 4am). Be sure to NOT take Claritin D if you are nursing, the “D” kind will decrease your milk supply.

The next day I saw my OB and she gave me a topical steroid cream as well as a steroid pack.  She also told me to keep taking the Claritin, and try Benadryl at night.  She said that the two medicines work different ways so it was kind of like hitting the problem on two fronts.  Mercifully, within a few days the PUPPS rash seemed like it was all gone.

Besides the prescriptions, you can get all these remedies over the counter at a health foods store (or Whole Foods) and a drug store like CVS or Walgreens.  Be sure to check with your OB and your child’s pediatrician before trying any remedies to be sure they think they are safe for you and your baby.

So, if you have PUPPS, first I would like to say I am terribly sorry because I know how awful it is.  Second, I hope some of these remedies help you get at least a little relief.  And also, for the very very few of you out there who might get PUPPS after delivery I just wanted to let you know that yes, it can happen, even though it is rare.  My OB said she had only heard of it happening once before.  Either way, hang in there – and GOOD LUCK!

My sister in law, Kate McKenna, is a photographer based out of the Boston area – but since she’s family I was very lucky to receive from her a newborn photo session for my brand new baby girl, Violet, even thought I’m down in Washington DC.   She and my brother made the trip down shortly after Violet was born.  I wanted to share some of the pictures with you guys since I thought they were so beautiful!

I have to admit when I had Cameron two and a half years ago I didn’t really give any thought to have pictures of him.  It wasn’t until I started seing the images that Kate had taken of other babies that made me think this time around I really wanted to document this important moment in my family’s lives.

Kate came fully prepared with all her equipment, adorable accessories for me to choose from, her patience, and her creativity.  For someone who doesn’t have her own baby (yet!) she was remarkably good at dealing with newborns.  The session took a few hours because in between poses we let Violet fall asleep and get comfortable, and of course, there were diaper changes and feedings throughout.  Never did I feel rushed, and I was always very comfortable with how she handled Violet.

After seeing the final products, I am SO happy that we had these done, and I would encourage you to consider newborn photos for your little additions.  And, if you are in the Boston area, check out Kate’s website featuring her Crabapple Photography portfolio and blog.  FYI, Kate also does family photo sessions, maternity sessions, kids of all ages, wedding photography, and lots more.  Of course I am biased, but I think her stuff is great!

For my little girl’s room I ordered some SurfaceInspired Wall decals from their shop on Etsy.  I have to admit they were a bit time consuming and sometimes frustrating to put up, but in the end, totally worth it.  The finished product is gorgeous and has gotten so many compliments.  I wish I had known before I ordered them that they have a 15% off coupon code – SURFACEINSPIRED15.

So if you are thinking of giving them a try, check out their shop and be sure to use the code!  Oh, and watch the YouTube video before you put them up – it’s really helpful in understanding how to apply them.