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Happy Thanksgiving

November 24, 2011 By 2 Comments

I wanted to take this opportunity to say Happy Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is a day that we all share.  No matter or religious belief, no matter what we are all united as Americanson this day.  Many people have a tradition on Thanksgiving of saying what they are thankful for and this year I thought that I would share it with all of you.

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 26: Crowds watch the Than...

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  1. I am thankful for my family.  No matter what is going on they are always there.  While I know many people cannot spend time in a room with their families and in-laws I actually am lucky enough to enjoy their company.
  2. I am thankful for my babies.  I had been told when I was 20 that it would be near impossible to have children.  I remember feeling as if my life was over.  All I had ever wanted was to have a big family.  Having a Dr. tell you that your dreams could be shattered is never easy.  I showed them though.  I have 4 beautiful babies and the big family I had always wanted.
  3. I am thankful that god gives me the strength to deal with things such as bipolar and cerebral palsy on a regular basis.  I will admit that there have been days that I have been crippled by dealing with these illnesses.  I have resented god for giving my babies such challenges.  I have asked why me?  I have asked why them?  Now I accept it and we make the best of it all.  I would not trade them in for anything
  4. I am thankful for my husband who no matter what is always there by my side.  Again it is not always easy but love has shined in our lives and we give each other the boosts we need.
  5. I am thankful for my health.  In church there is a teen who has spent her life struggling with diabetes.  Recently it was discovered that she also has cancer.  As I pray for her each evening I also thank god that I am healthy, that my babies are healthy and that my husband is healthy.  There are so many things we take for granted.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to share what you are thankful for.  I know that some days it seems as if nothing goes right and that your life is terrible.  I think that what is important is that you put all of that into perspective.  Thanksgiving is a time to evaluate.  Thanksgiving is a time to truly look inward and discover your inner thanks.  What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Becca

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Mariska Hargitay Adopts New Bundle of Joy

April 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mariska Hargitay

I just read that Mariska Hargitay, star of “Law and Order: SVU” and her husband, Peter Herman, have adopted a baby girl.  I am so excited for Mariska Hargitay.  She seems like such a wonderful person both on screen and off screen.

According to People Magazine Mariska Hargitay and Peter Herman are excited to announce the new addition to their family.  Mariska already has a 4 year old son, August.  They are now adding a baby girl into the family!  Every mom needs a girl!  As I have recently noticed, they are a lot more fun to dress.

Mariska Hargitay and Peter Herman have been investigating adoption for quite some time now.  Even in Hollywood, adoption takes time and patience.  Mariska Hargitay said, “We talked a lot about mixed-race adoptions, and we are very excited that we are now a multi-racial family. We’re just so happy she’s here.”

The baby girl was born about a week ago and has been named Amaya Josephine.    They have welcomed a new bundle of joy and Mariska Hargitay did not have to ruin her figure!

Becca

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What to expect in: Week 20

February 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
20 weeks pregnant

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Pregnancy is a fun and exciting time.  Even though this is my fourth pregnancy it is still proving to be an exciting time.  Week 20 is bringing new emotions and feelings.  It also means that the baby in my belly is getting bigger and bigger with each day!  So here are some fun week 20 facts:

  • At 20 weeks the baby is about 6.5 inches long!  More than half of a ruler!  It is amazing how much more the baby will grow in the next 20 weeks.
  • At 20 weeks the baby weighs almost 1 pound.  While that is not heavy it is amazing that by the time the baby is full term it will be between 6-10 pounds on average.  That is a lot of growing!
  • At a 20 week sonogram you should be able to determine the sex of the baby.  I had a sonogram last week in which the baby did not cooperate.  Today I am off for another sonogram.  So keep your fingers crossed for us!
  • At 20 weeks the baby has established a sleep pattern.  All I have noticed is that my baby is always the most awake at 10pm.  This is NOT good!

While there are a lot of fun facts about how the baby is changing this week there are also a lot of fun facts about me!  Here are some 20 Weeks fun facts for mommy:

  • At 20 weeks you are halfway there.  I am lucky enough to be having a planned c-section so I am more than half way there!
  • At 20 weeks pregnant your uterus is about level with your belly button.
  • It is time to sign up for a childbirth education class if you have not already done so.
  • At 20 weeks you may want to start thinking about registering for what you need and want for the baby!  Babies R US is a great place to register because friends and family from afar can shop your registry as well.

The baby will be here before I know it.  Now is the time to start preparing and getting ready!  21 Weeks is right around the corner.  I cannot wait to see what it brings.

Becca

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Chore Chart

September 7, 2010 By 5 Comments
Chore Chart
Image by smithsoccasional via Flickr

Back to school feels like a time of renewal.  It is a time to try new things and new schedules.  This year I decided to try a new technique for chores.  Of course there is a story behind this new chore technique!

A friend of mine has been unemployed for a few years now.  She began making herself lists of things she wanted to accomplish each day.  These lists were placed on a clipboard so that she could carry it with her, make adjustments as needed and easily cross items off.  She placed important papers that needed addressing on the back of the clipboard as a reminder of what she needed to deal with.  She kept telling me how fun it was to carry a clipboard.  So, in search of making stay at home life more fun, I tried it.  It really was more fun! So I go to thinking… why wouldn’t this be fun for the kids?  And daddy could try it too…  So, I ventured out to buy clipboards.  I designed a chore list for each of the girls.  I even went as far as adding a morning checklist and a bedtime checklist.  The deal is that when you wake up you get your clipboard.  When you complete all the tasks you hang it back up.   They are expected to do the same thing after school.  Once their chores are completed they have free time to go outside and play, watch TV, play their DSi or play a game.  at 7:30 they are to start on their bedtime list.  If they complete that by 8pm they have 30 minutes to watch tv or read in their room.

So far the kids are loving it!  They wake up each morning and grab their clipboard.  When they come home from school they know right where their clipboard is with their chores on it.  Bedtime is going super smooth as well.  There are many benefits to children doing chores.

  • Feeling of accomplishment and pride:  When children accomplish a chore successfully they feel a sence of pride in what they have done.  This is wonderful for your child and will lead to improvements in self esteem and pride.
  • Time management:  Many adults have trouble with this concept.  Management of time is important for your child’s success not only now, but also in the future. Chores help children learn how to effectively manage their time.
  • Independence:  You child can accomplish cores with no parental guidance.  This gives them a sense of independence and should mean that you are nagging your child less.
  • Self-Discipline:  Children learn self-discipline best when there are firm ground rules with attainable goals being set.

I was able to establish chore charts for all of the kids.  Each one has chores that are age appropriate and able to be completed within about 45 minutes total.  This means that there is still plenty of time for fun and games.

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Michigan Mother in Trouble for Helping out Friends?

October 1, 2009 By 4 Comments

The story has been out for two days now!  A mother in Michigan is in trouble with the state for putting three neighborhood children on the bus in the morning.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Why in the world would this be an issue?  Perhaps people have nothing better to do then to worry about a mom who is helping out.  I am so appalled by this!  With the economy it is more and more important that friends and neighbors use each other as resources.  My parents cannot afford to pay their friends to help out.  It is like a barter.  You help me and I will help you.  So why is this wrong all of a sudden?

A 19th-century example of barter: A sample lab...
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As a mother with three children I certainly ask friends to help out from time to time.  They ask me for help as well.  That is whay friends and family are for.  This woman is not profiting, she is helping.  I am so flabbergasted by this entire situation!  My mother in law is forever talking about “big brother” watching.  I usually blow her off and poo poo the allegations.  Then a story like this comes along and I have to say that I agree!

What do you all think about this case?  Do you think that this mother should be a liscensed daycare because she puts three kids on the bus for FREE?  Join in and let me know what you think.  I am always interested in opinions!

Becca

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Time Out: Does it Work? Parenting Tips

August 25, 2009 By 4 Comments
Two of a Kind
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Time out is one of those parenting tips that everyone throws around.  It is something that is supposed to work.  I think that it all depends on the kid.  I have found that there are some things that you have to make sure happen when you do time out.  They have worked for my oldest, my middle daughter and even my two year old gets the idea.  The trouble is that even I forget that time out can work because from time to time I get too emotional.

Yes it is true that I tend not to keep my cool.  I yell and yell and yell a little more.  Then I throw them in time out while screaming some more.  I yell most of the time they are in time out.  If they stay in time out that is.

Then there are those other days when I do time out right.  Here are the steps that you are supposed to take with time out.  I have found time and time again that when I follow them time out is much more effective.

  1. Have an area in your house that is the time out spot.  This can be a step, a time out chair, a mat on the floor, or even a large stuffed toy
  2. Do not make your time out spot in a child’s bedroom.  This is where all of their toys and things that they love are.  If they are told to stay there where is the punishment?
  3. Only place your child in time out for 1 minute per year.  So if your child is 6 then they should remain in time out for 6 minutes.  This is because your child’s attention spans grow with the child.  You cannot expect a 2 year old to sit in time out for 10 minutes.  they just do not have it in them.
  4. When you are placing your child in time out remain calm.  This is so that the message is not lost.  If you remember way back when you were a child I think that you will remember that you stopped listening once people were yelling at you.   Kids are no different right now.
  5. Tell your child why you are placing them in time out.  Say, “Abby, I you need a time out because we do not speak that way in this house.”  This makes it clear to the child what they have done.
  6. Set the timer and walk away.  It is important not to engage your child when they are in time out.  If they get out of time out, place them back and restart the timer.  DO NOT TALK TO THEM.  This feeds into the game that they want you to play.
  7. When time out is over tell your child again why they were placed in time out.
  8. Do not force your child to say that they are sorry.  This is my own personal belief.  All you are doing is forcing the child to lie.   If they are sorry they will say so on their own.  I think that you should never tell a child to say sorry when they are not.  Many times the child is not sorry.  You are not looking for sorrow.  You are looking for an understanding of what they did and that it was not acceptable in your home.

Sounds easy right.  If you look at Nanny Jo on Supper Nanny she will even make you think that it is simple.  For those of you who know me you know that I am not a sugar coat it kind of person.  IT IS HARD.  It takes a lot of work and you have to be dedicated.

One more note… It is alright that you take a time out if you need one.  I have done it before and it works.  Sometimes it is not the kids but the adult who needs a break.

Do not handle time out like my favorite episode of Lucky Louise.  He did it all wrong!

Becca

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Free Concert In The Park With The Kids

July 9, 2009 By 4 Comments

Last night we went to the Concert in the park with the kids.  We packed up a picnic and chairs and were off for the evening.  The kids were able to run all around and be kids and we were able to enjoy the music.  This is a 100% free event which is something that I always love.  The band was actually really good and played tunes from the beetles to John Lennon.  It is nice that there are still free things to do out there in the world.  With the economy in shambles and people struggling to put food into their mouths it is nice that there was something out there that could be enjoyed.  I think that sitting back, relaxing with the family while listening to some great music is what summer is all about.

Becca

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Summer Survival

July 1, 2009 By 1 Comment
New York State Capitol Building, completed in ...
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Here we are just 6 days into summer and I am more then done.  The kids are NUTS.  The house is a mess and I think that I have pulled all of my hair out.  The $30 worth of crafts I bought on Friday have all been done and I have no gas to take a trip.  I am not sure where to go from here.  We are all a little cranky and the baby is wondering why all of these other people are on her turf in the middle of the day!  I am lacking the motivation to do anything about it and the patience not to boil over.

Why is it that Summer vacation is still something that we need to have.  It was started to accomidate farming.  I am sorry to say that there are few farming families left here in NY.  I know of just 3 in the town I live in.  Why is it then that we have not changed all of this.  Why can’t the kids just go to school in the summer?

I know that all of this sounds bad but I also know that I am not alone in my angst!  Please September come quick.  I am not sure how long I can hang on here!

Becca

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Micheal Jackson: Funeral Arrangements Have Been Made

June 30, 2009 By 2 Comments

Today funeral announcements were made for the late Micheal Jackson.  It has been five days since his passing and many are waiting to find out when they join with others and morn his loss.  It is said that his body will be returned to the Neverland Ranch for a public viewing on Friday.  Come Sunday the family will have their own private funeral.  I understand that there is still some debate as to where his body will lie by the end of it all.  It is rumored that he will be returned to Gary Indiana where he started his life.  I am sure that it will be covered by the media on Friday and those wishing to watch from a distance and remember the king of pop will be able to do so.

Becca

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Jon & Kate Plus 8: The Drama

May 24, 2009 By 2 Comments
Rouge le Fou (163.365 7.16.08)
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I know that my sister in law watches this show.  I have missed it.  I have been swept up into the real life drama surrounding this show lately.  The trouble is that I just think we should not care so much.  Is Jon cheating on Kate?  Is Kate cheating on Jon?  Why do we care?

I think that a lot of people get too wrapped up.  We all watch a reality show or two.  We look at these people and feel as if we are a part of what they are living though at the moment.  The thing is that these people are not on camera 24 hours a day.  These are shows.  The tapes are edited for added drama to an otherwise simple everyday life.

So why do we care if someone is cheating.  They are two people with a lot on their plate.  They have 8 children!  They are suddenly TV stars.  They are a family just trying to make it.  I think that even if they are cheating it is nothing we should worry about.  They owe us nothing.  They let us into a part of their lives.  That part of their lived has to do with how  to deal with 8 kids.  How do they go to the store and shop for food?  How do they get all of those kids to bed before 12AM?  The question is not about them but their family.  While cheating does effect family life I really feel that it should be out of the public eye.  The preasure of being a star has to be a huge strain.  Add to that 8 children and I may also want to run away with my body guard.

I pray that they work it all out.  I think of all of the kids and womder how one person can do it.  I am sure that neither one of them will be able to keep it together on their own.  Perhaps they just need a little time without all of us passing judgements!  Perhaps they need to disconnect for a while to reconnect!

Becca

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