Happy Halloween!!!

I loved all the costumes that were sent in! I hope you enjoy the too!!!
(You'll have to look at all the cute photos in order to get to the giveaway!!!)

Faries

Clark Kent and Lois Lane

Batman and Robin

Pink Fairy

Little Reindeer

Pirate and The Cutest Clown I've ever seen!

Another Pirate... this one looks like he's about to send someone to the plank!

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe got sick so he didn't make it....

Charles Chaplin - probably the most original idea I've ever seen!!!

Pebbles and and her cute Mama! Can you believe she made this her self?! With Hot Glue!?!?!

Cute little kitty!

Lion costumes are my favorite, especially when they have such a chubby face like this little guy!

"Do the Monkey uu-aa-uu-aa!"

A very cute Princess Tiana!

The cutest bumble bee in the hive!!!

 A not so happy piratess.... but very cute non the less

Edward's got nothing compared to this little stud!

This little pumpkin witch is just about to cast a spell.... or maybe she already did?!

Spider Man !!!

Dora the Explorer

Another very cute Bumble Bee

Flower Power 

Peter Pan

Tinker Bells!

 Captain Hook and Tiger Lily

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And now... for the Giveaway!!!!

You could win this super cute throw pillow case, made by - Yours Truly!

It's very very simple! Leave a comment on this post telling us what costume you liked best or what you were this year for Halloween, or say how cute the pillow is and how much you want it - or whatever....

Only one comment per person please, this giveaway is only open today - Sunday, October 31st and it will close at 11:55pm MST!!! 

Anyone can participate, even if you live outside the US

Winner will be announced Tomorrow - Monday, November 1st - so come back to check if you won!

Halloween Fashion Show and Giveaway!!!

On Sunday we'll be displaying all the pictures that are sent for the Fashion Show! This is a great oportunity for us to share our kiddos cuteness and to give ideas for next year!

Another exciting thing that will be going on on Sunday is a Giveaway! It'll be open SUNDAY ONLY, so be sure to come by and participate, details will be given that day (but basically you come in, leave a comment saying whose costume you like best and you'll be entered on the giveaway!) Anyone can participate in the giveaway, even if you live outside the U.S.!

But what will be given away you ask? This boo-tiful throw pillow!!!!

 Now, here the fun thing about this pillow : t's actually a throw pillow-pillow case. The idea is that you stuff it with a little pillow and you can actually make more pillow cases for other seasons/holidays and then recycle it through the year!

So send us pictures by SATURDAY to amorimacf@yahoo.com and be sure to come back on Sunday to check out the Fashion Show and enter to win in the giveaway!!!

Lest We Forget

This is such a cute poem my sister-in-law shared in her blog. It brought tears to my eyes (I've been having a pretty emotional day already).

LEST WE FORGET

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl that I use to be...
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes that I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame
All wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all of it's gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels for your hair?

And as she spoke I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past
The girl that I use to be.

So, gently arising, I took her hand,
And guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay
Innocent, sweet and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know;
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me,
And I saw that the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl that I use to be.

And here's a picture of my youngest who is turning two in 8 days. *Sigh*

Introducing Solids.

So I feel like I'm at a cross roads right now. My sweet little girlies are almost 4 months old, and with that, they are only two weeks away from being given a green light to solids. But I can't decide if I want to go ahead, or if I want to wait!

With my first, I waited until he was 6 months old. But with the girls I really can't decide. I know that there is the whole "if they are ready/interested" thing, and in that sense, they seem to be. But I'm posting this more to see what you think, did you wait longer, did you jump in eagerly into feeding solids and seeing all the funny faces? Did you really start with the cereal, or did you just went straight for the fruits and veggies (that's what I did with my first). And if you waited, why did you decide to wait?

Anyway... what were your experiences with introducing solids like? 

Adjusting

Whether your family is increasing by one, two or three babies, there will be some sort of adjustment phase to go through. It's never easy, no matter how many kids you have or have had, it's always something new and it never will be like when you had your first.

Sleep when she sleeps. I wish!
Ever since my twins were born I'm lucky if I can get a few minutes of sleep in the afternoon while my oldest is napping. Lucky for me, they don't always sleep at the same time. So my advice to moms of two or more is - go to sleep as soon as they fall asleep at night! Never mind doing the dishes, cleaning up, folding laundry or whatever it is that you like to do after they've gone to bed. Do it, in the morning, during the day, while some of them are napping. At night - sleep!

Make meal times quick and easy. I've started preparing a few meal starters every week, that way, when dinner time comes, I have at least one part of it semi-ready.I like to clean and cut some veggies like green/red peppers, onions, parsley, chives and other herbs and have them ready for use when I need it. I make a big pot of beans (a staple in our home) and then freeze it in portions, same with cooking ground beef and shredded chicken. Another great thing to do is make up our favorite chicken marinade, mix it in with some chicken breasts/tenders and then freeze it! It's totally safe and beyond helpful. Think about it, freeze some cut up chicken breast in a soy sauce, when the time comes, defrost the chicken, grab some of those peppers and onions, cook them, make some fresh rice and BAM! - a nice simple stri-fry!

click on the image to learn more about 1 hr-16 meal starters tip

Don't rush the adjustment process. It'll come to you. Maybe it will take 3 months, or more -ahem! - but it will happen! Eventually you'll get the hang of it, you'll learn what's the best bath giving approach. Maybe you'll bathe your oldest at night, and the youngest in the morning. Maybe you bathe them all at the same time, or maybe you won't bath them at all - just kidding. :oP Try different things, different approaches, talk to other moms, find out what works for them, and don't stress out if one night you really don't manage to bathe them. Just do it in the morning, and make it a swimming party of sorts. They'll love it!

Enjoy each kid individually. Set some time in your day to sit and enjoy each one of your kids. Give them some one on one time, play whatever they like to play, let them set the rules, read, play with play dough, cook something with their help, let them "fold" laundry with you. Enjoy them. Don't go through the day worrying only about a clean house, loads of laundry and etc. Have fun and enjoy your time with your babies... they grow up so fast. And before you know it, they'll be opening the fridge to get their own food.

These are some of the things I have learned so far. But I confess I am far from being fully adjusted. But then again, do we ever fully adjust? Either way, have two or more if definitely an adventure.

One thing I have not learned how to deal with yet, is the ridiculous amount of laundry... I feel like I'm always doing laundry...
But what are your tips to a new mom of two or more?! What have you learned, or not learned yet? Share away! Enlighten us... don't keep your secrets to yourself!

Halloween Jars

This is a fun project that you can do with your kids and prepare for Halloween!

Supplies:
Modge Podge
Paint brush
Mason Jars or other jar/vases
Ribbon or paint for the rim
Tissue Paper
Black vinyl or black construction paper for the details

How - To
Cut the tissue paper into stips. Brush modge podge on the jar and lay the paper slowly and then put more modge podge over the paper. Go all around the jar. For the Lay it upside down to dry.
After it is completely dry you can either cut out the shapes for the faces out of vinyl or use construction paper and then glue it to the jar with more modge podge (under and over).

For step by step (and better) intructions go to Our Best Bites and check it out!

BTW : they also have some extremely fun Halloween food ideas that I'm dying to try out !!!

Tummy Time

Hello hello hello??? Is anyone out there there there?

 It's been a while... but we're back.Well, I am at least! A lot has happened since that hospital bag got unpacked, which brings me to todays topic:

Tummy Time!

Tummy time is key to help baby reach physical milestones such as rolling over, crawling and eventually walking. Including tummy time in your little one's routine, whether or not it's a structured activity, is beneficial for many areas of development.

I remember with my first, he hated being on his tummy. He would only stay for a few short minutes until he started complaining. He learned how to roll over soon, but probably in an effort to get off his tummy. On the other hand, my girls love being on their tummy - notice the picture!? 

Introduce your baby to tummy time around the 3- to 4-month mark. At this point, she has better neck strength and control, so she's able to lift and turn her head while lying down. Although, some babies have enough strength as early as 2 months and if that is the case - by all means get them on their tummies! 


Start by placing her on a blanket on the floor and giving her several five- to ten-minute sessions each day. By about 4 months, your baby should be able to lift her chest off the floor and lean on her elbows with her head upright. She may even be able to lift her arms off the floor, arch her back, and kick her feet. As your baby stretches and pushes on the floor, she may accidentally lean to one side, fall over, and roll from her belly onto her back. Don't worry; that's normal. At 5 or 6 months, she will begin to pivot on her belly and use her arms to reach in front of her or to the sides.

Besides the physical benefits of tummy time, giving your infant playtime on his belly will minimize any flat spots on his head he may have gotten from back sleeping. There are also psychological pluses: When your baby learns to make his body do new things, he feels a sense of accomplishment. This gives him the confidence to try new skills as he grows and his coordination improves.

"Make tummy time part of regular play, not a chore," Dr. Shapiro suggests. Supervise your baby's activities -- never leave an infant unattended on her belly. And, of course, continue to put her to sleep on her back.

• Start early. Place your newborn belly-down on your chest or across your lap for a few minutes so he gets accustomed to the position. Just don't do it right after a feeding; pressure on his full abdomen may cause him to spit up.
• Think comfort. Lay your little one down on a flat, clean surface, such as a blanket or play mat on the floor. If she squirms or cries, try some extra padding. Roll up a small receiving blanket and tuck it under her chest.
• Go head to head. Lie down on the floor and get face-to-face with your infant. Make goofy noises and expressions, or sing songs. You might feel silly, but your infant will be less likely to fight being on his belly.
• Give her distractions. Hold a mirror in front of your baby to capture her attention. Or place brightly colored stuffed animals just within her reach. There are also plenty of tummy-time toys that can keep your baby from getting bored.
• Get others in on the act. Encourage friends, relatives, and your child's caregivers to get down on the floor for short periods of tummy time with him as well.

-parents.com

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So what are your views on Tummy Time? What worked and what didn't? Share your experiences!