The Disgusting Things We Do For Our Kids!

I believe i speak for all moms when i say I've been in some very disgusting situations with my kid. You never even realize until your actually a parent that "Their issues are your issues." I mean obviously that's a given, but the reality of it is really shocking to a first time mother. Ive caught myself doing things that would usually make the average person say YUCK! and i do it like its second nature now. Its part of parenthood, if you don't step up who will?? Okay so what i want to know is am i the only person who does these things:

1. Wipe snot away with your bare hands - Yes if i have a wipe or napkin near me i will use that instead but sometimes you got to do what you got to do. Anit no way I'm going to have my little homie out in the streets with a snotty nose. [Looking like the snotty nose boy from "Martin's" Building] 
   
2. I Examine Poop!!! - Call me the poopie police or whatever but I'm always checking to make  sure everything is looking normal... hehehe
3. Stick your hand in the toilet - Toddlers always seem infatuated with the toilet water, especially mine and they will throw toys, phone, anything inside just to see the water splash. I remember on one occasion i was dumping Baby Alex pee from his potty into the big toilet, well soon as i dumped the pee he dumped my keys and i had to reach in there to grab them since i had already began flushing the toilet before i noticed them... smh 
   
4. Smell Butts - I have definitely been catching myself a lot recently picking up my baby or leaning down and smelling his butt, i don't even notice i do it sometimes. 
   
5. Pick their Nose - If you've been following my blog for awhile, you already know one of my pet peeves with kids are nasty noses. So yes i admit that i will go get my sons boogers out his nose, because he doesn't know how to do it yet... I use napkins.... most of the time hehe
6. Clean their face with your Spit - This is actually a normal thing i think all mothers do, I usually only do that if he has dried up tears on his face or something sticky. 
   
7. Catching that unwanted food into your hands - The first time i actually did this i was so shocked at what had just transpired in the food court of the mall... Half way into chewing his grilled cheese Baby Alex decided he was done and attempted to spit the whole glob of mush onto my food, i nonchalantly put my hand under his mouth and caught the food like it was nothing. it wasn't until then did i realize how gross that was.
8. Picking up Poop off the floor  - Lol i have only had to do this once but it felt like i was cleaning up after a puppy. I'm currently working on teaching my son about the potty, and one day when he went to poop in the potty he missed the whole damn thing and pooped on the floor.

These things may be very disturbing to someone who doesn't have kids, and maybe even disturbing to someone who has 3 kids, but at the end of the day this is me, this is motherhood. Its not always rainbows and sunshine, but as a mother you should be able to deal with these types of things because they can happen any day at anytime without warning. I actually love these little experiences because you go back and laugh, and you learn.

Wednesday Weekly Recipe

 So I'm sitting on my couch, trying to figure out something different to make for dinner last night, when I stumble upon this recipe for Chicken Enchiladas on eatcakefordinner.net,  but the twist was they were made with Stuffed Shells!!! OMG my mouth began watering immediately. I had to share this with you guys!! My husband Proposed again once he tasted this lol...

THIS WEEKS RECIPE IS CHICKEN ENCHILADA SUTFFED SHELLS (FROM EATCAKEFORDINNER.NET)  

 Ingredients

1. 2 cups of Cooked Shredded Chicken (Rotisserie fine)
2. 1 Tablespoon of Taco Seasoning, or to taste
3. 3/4 cup of Sour Cream
4. 1 Roasted Red Pepper, chopped
5. 2 Tablespoon of Chopped Cilantro, plus mor for garnish
6. 1 Tablespoon of Chopped Green Onions, plus more for garnish
7. 1 Large Tomato, diced
8. 2 cups of Monterey or PepperJack Cheese
9. 18 Jumbo Pasta Shells, cooked

White Enchilada Sauce

1. 3 Tablespoons of Unsalted Butter
2. 3-4 Tablespoons of Flour
3. 1 (14.5 oz) can of Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
4. 1/3 cup of Green Salsa
5. 1/4 cup of Sour Cream

 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, taco seasoning, sour cream, chopped red pepper, 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 Tablespoon chopped green onion, 1/2 of the diced tomato and 1 cup of grated cheese.  Divide filling between the cooked jumbo shells and place in a greased 8x8-inch casserole dish; set aside.  
   

 For the Enchilada Sauce

1.  In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.  Whisk in the flour, one Tablespoon at a time, until a thick paste forms.  Cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally.  Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and continue whisking until smooth and sauce reaches desired creamy thickness.  Stir in the green salsa and sour cream.  Pour sauce over stuffed shells.  Top with remaining cheese.   
2. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.  Broil  for a few minutes until cheese is browned.  Garnish with additional chopped cilantro, chopped green onions and remaining chopped tomato.  Serves: 3-4, depending on how many shells each person can eat.       
   

   
   

   
   

Poop Poop in the Potty!!!!

I'm just so excited to announce that last night before bedtime Baby Alex pooped in the potty for the first time.!!!

 AHHHHH I'M HAVING A PROUD MOMMY MOMENT!!

 I just recently introduced him to the potty but i haven't actively started potty training him yet. I just usually sit him on the potty first thing in the morning, before and after nap time and before bedtime so he will become familiar with it, and up until this point all he did was pee but now he pooped!! My main intention is to try the whole 3 day potty training boot camp in the next few weeks. I will definitely keep everyone updated on his progress and i will make post once i start the actual potty training.

Yeaaa!! one step closer to tossing the diapers!!!

Let's Nourish Our Toddlers Not just Feed Them!

As a first time mother I was absolutely clueless on what type of meals to feed my son once it was time for him to eat regular foods. Up to that point I was mainly breastfeeding him and giving him pureed baby foods, then once I noticed he was interested in what I was eating i began switching it up. I didn't have a clue what to feed him. Friends and family told me to give him fries, hot dogs, etc. and even though he seemed to enjoy those foods it wasn't something i wanted to feed him everyday. I wanted to nourish my child not just feed him, so I changed up his whole meal plan to something I thought was better for him. Of course I did my research, and in the end I came out with an overall healthier, happier, more energized toddler.

 It definitely took time though, Baby Alex was in the mist of going through that annoying picky eater stage. Our dinner table had become a battleground, but i had to take control of the situation, and that's exactly what I did. I stayed calm when he thought mealtime was playtime and threw his food all over the ground, because I knew if he was hungry he would eat. I continued to offer him the nutritious foods and I let him decide how much he was going to eat, and as time went buy he began to eat more and more healthier without the fight. The war was over and i was victorious!!! Dinnertime had become a peaceful place again.

 So I wanted to write this post to help other mothers who may be struggling with giving there child a healthier meal. I put together a list of foods that I give Alex and along with the food I will put how it helps your toddler... Now lets get Started.

1. Avocado - Avocado has "good" fats that lower "bad" LDL Cholesterol, It also has a Super source of Fiber which helps prevent constipation, and it contains Vitamin E. Baby Alex loves avocado by itself and i usually will give it to him as a snack but if your child is not as welcoming to Avocado you can add it to salads, chili, dip for chips etc. 
   
2. Greek Yogurt - aka "The Perfect Snack". Greek Yogurt helps aid digestion and contains healthy bacteria known to boost immunity.
3. Oatmeal - Helps boost energy, and it has a good source of Fiber.
4. Sweet Potatoes - Sweet Potatoes contain Vitamins B,C, and E, they also give your child a great source of Calcium, Potassium and Iron, and they are rich in complex carbohydrates and Fiber.and all you have to do to make this perfect with your meal is add some Cinnamon - which helps regulate blood sugar.
5. Cabbage, Broccoli, and Kale - All of these green veggies contain Phytonutrients, and helps clear harmful toxins from your child's body by releasing enzymes.
6. Milk - Contains Protein and Calcium. (builds brain tissue) helps keep bones and teeth strong.
7. Fruit - Gives your child Vitamins, Minerals, and Fiber. ( berries, Melon, Kiwifruit, Oranges)
8. Blueberries - Ranked one of the healthiest fruits. It has anti-oxidants and promotes brain function. 
   
9. Black Beans -  Contains Protein, Fiber, and Calcium. It guards against Heart Disease and High Cholesterol. " The Darker the color the better they are for you."
10. Salmon - Has anti-inflammatory powers, contains heart-healthy omega -3 fats, and it boosts brain development. 
    
11. Eggs - Contain Protein, Calcium, and Vitamin D
12. Basil - Has Anti-oxidants, contains Vitamins A,C, and K, it also has Iron, Potassium, and Calcium. It Improves Digestion. You can add basil to Pasta, Pesto, or grind it up for soups if your child doesn't like seeing green on there food.
13. Tomatoes - Loaded with lycopene which protects against many Cancers. Did you know that cooking tomatoes make them even healthier!! it releases lycopene. Tomatoes go great on these quick meals... Pizza, pasta, and chili. Add some Olive Oil to absorb it more.
14. Peanut Butter -  Contains Protein, Vitamin B, Fiber, Magnesium, and Potassium. Although its high in fat most are healthy fats. Spread it on Whole Grain Bread with fruit, bananas, or berries instead of Jelly or Jam.
15. Lean Ground Beef -  High in Protein, Iron, and Calcium. Hamburgers, Meatloaf, ground beef added to spaghetti sauce, and chili are all potentially healthy meals for toddlers.

 Now before I go I just wanted to tell you all if you give your toddler a main meal just before his nap he may be too tired to eat. Give him a small snack instead and a meal when he wakes. Try to space his snacks evenly between meals too, that way your toddler will have energy to fuel his burst of activity. 

**** Here are some good Snack Ideas****

• Yogurt with berries or Fruit
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Grapes
• Cubes of Cheese
• Small Sandwich
• Fruit Smoothie
• Veggie Stick or Bread stick with Dip