Mr.Dylan (a.k.a. cranky pants)

So Dylan is 19 months as of today, and he is one spunky little boy let me tell you. He is talking up a storm, not like you can understand much but it's there. He is always on the go and has mastered the skill of having temper tantrums. His latest being when I put him in the stroller and he doesn't want to go in...man oh man..does he ever give a fight. I literally need to restrain him to get him in there, and this little boy is pretty strong I may add. He also does this thing where he looses his breath and can't breathe and goes all purple in the face. He actually has done this since he was a baby, and it still scares me everytime he does it.

                                                                       "AHHHHH"
                                                                    (caught in action)

Dylan also has took in this new habit of screaming everytime he wants something or isn't getting the attention he wants. He does this "ahhhh" thing with the cutest face afterwards..well the screaming isn't cute but that face..omg !! I have tried every behaviour strategy and he just doesn't want to listen to mommy. I can just ignore the scream but he will just keep doing it and it will just get louder and louder. He actually is doing it as we speak, he is in his room having some playtime and obvioulsy wants me. OK....so guess what? He had a dirty diaper. I went down there and he said to me "poo poo", sure enough he was right!!

What else is new Dylan's world?

Well he has been sleeping in his 'big boy' bed for a few weeks now. It was a challenge at first because I would stay there with him until he fell asleep and then I realized that he would never learn to sleep on his own in his bed if I kept that up. So I had to start sleep training him all over again, as I did with him when he was in the crib. The only method that has ever worked with us is the cry it out method (CIO) so that is what I had to do with him, except this time it was harder because he has a big open room to explore while he's crying. So we stick to our bedtime routine and once we've finished reading his 'night night' book, I sing him a slovenian prayer and then I tell him it's time to go to sleep. I kiss him goodnight and proceed to leave the room. He will still cry a bit (it's only been about a week of this) and come to the gate at the door, but it doesn't last more than 5-10 minutes and then it's all quite. I can somtimes hear him playing but he's usually in his bed sleeping within half an hour. He has always been an early riser, about 5ish and that has stayed the same.

So as I just read this draft (well it's a post now)....I started writing this about a good week ago.

Dylan is still Mr.cranky-pants!!!! Teething, being in the good old 18-21 months transition period and a new baby sister may just be the culprit.

Yay for MOMMY!!!!!!

WATER, WATER, WATER

As I sit here this morning and enjoy my big glass of water, I think to myself all of the wonderful benefits it is providing my body.

Water is one of nature's most important gifts to mankind, it really is!

It is the most essential element in maintaning a healthy lifestyle.

Here's a list to just name a few;

•  necessary for digestion and the absorbstion of food
• helps maintain proper muscle tone
• supplies oxygen and all the right nutrients to your cells
• rids your body of waste
• serves as a natural air conditioning system
• helps metabolize stored fat, so a significant factor in losing weight
• hydrates your skin, especially in pregnancy (helps reduce stretch marks)
• helps the body to detoxify
• helps build up your immune system
• decreases the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer and so many over diseases

P.s. This list could go on and on and on......

The recommended amount is to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. I say drink 12!!!
I love my water and I am pretty much drinking it all day, always refilling my water canister. I have never been one to drink pop or juice (unless it's real juice from a juicer) and I only have my organic coffee in the morning..Because we all know those early mornings with the kiddies could really use that added boost!

So what was the whole point to this post??

Drink your WATER ladies and get your children started early. My son has been drinking water since introducing him to a sippy cup, he never drinks juice (once again unless real "juicer" juice) and absolutely loves it. I am so blown away when I see the crap people drink these days....just sugar, high caloric yuckiness!!

So when you wake up in the morning, start your day off right. Enjoy a nice tall cup of cold, refreshing water!!!

Reminds me of those milk ads.... Milk, does the body good!! Not anymore it doesn't......that's a whole other story I will get into later.

WATER... DOES THE BODY GOOD!!......that's more like it.

Smoothie Heaven

So the hubbie recently bought the magic bullet and I have been hooked ever since. So now I have been on this crazy smoothie kick and I thought I would share my latest creation.

I always have frozen berries in the freezer, I usually go to the market and stock up on blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. I am allergic to strawberries so that is why it's not listed....yes, very very sad I know! I also usually have mango chunks (the ones you can buy pre-frozen from presidents chioce) too.

So for this time I put some organic plain yogurt, frozen blueberries and half a banana into my bullet. I then put a heavy tablespoon of almond butter and about 2 teaspoons of shelled flax seed ( I got this amazing product from the store called Omega crunch; it's a unique product whereby the hull is naturally removed from the inner flax kernel, therefore making it easy to digest and reap the full spectrum of benefits offered in the powerful seed..so good for the little ones!) and then I top it all up with a bit of almond milk. I blend it all together and then I have the most delicious and health benefitting drink ever!!!!!!!

Now this was just one of the many creations I have made so far. The amazing thing about having a blender is that you can create such a wide variety of drinks like this one. I often mix together a bunch of berries/fruits, always the flax (flax meal is often the easiest, I just happen to have the omega crunch at the moment), and I sometimes like to put oatmeal in too (thanks Tosca Rena for that one).

The extra amazing thing about smoothies is that kids love them. Well my son does, and I know he's getting some amazing nutrients this way. We're going to buy a juicer soon too...ooh I can't wait, I love juicing!!! It's also pretty amazing what kids will eat when it's all disguised in something like a juice. Just the other day I was out at one of my favorite juice places and I got Dylan a juice with beets, apples, carrots and ginger....he LOVED IT!

I have been putting the magic bullet to good use and am always mixing away. I actually think I'm going to make myself a frozen yogurt for dessert. I just mix whatever I want together, my yogurt and some ice instead of the milk. Talk about a yummy and healthy way to eat treat yourself after a busy day.

With all that said I'm off to make a new creation.

Welcome Note

So I wanted just to start off my saying hello. You obviously know that I am a mother..Duhh! What you may not know is that I am about to become a mother again. My son Dylan (who is just absolutely amazing) is 15 months and I will be having a baby girl due this March. Talk about not wasting time! I am excited for her to come, but I obviously know its going to get a little crazy.

Being a mother is such an incredible journey, a journey that I want to make the most out of. I want to optimize my health the best that I can and give my son the best possible start to a healthy life. While using my background in Early Childhood Education and in Health and Wellness I have been able to educate my life the best that I can to give my ALL to my son. I have found the amazing effects my background knowledge has had on my son, and as we enter my journey you will see just how well developed he is. I have to say I am one PROUD MOMMY!! And I love seeing all of my efforts shine through him.

So to all of you that happen to stumble across my blog, look forward to seeing daily tips that I have found have helped me in my daily life, stories that I want to share and just my experiences through motherhood. Especially now as I'm sure I will discover many new things with the new birth of my daughter. Yay.....raising a toddler and a newborn. Can't wait for this!!!!