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Parenting is a full-time job, but unlike a "real" job, there are no sick days. You don't feel like being a mom today? Too bad! You are one. You have to do "your job." Today was a day that if I could have called in sick, I would have. I'm a good worker, I show up every day and every night. I'm there for my kids. Come on, I deserve a day off! This morning Ari refused to be changed or wear pants. He hid under the couch. Meanwhile Samara was screaming. I asked him to come out from under the couch 50,000 times and finally, my brain short circuited and I lost it. I yelled at him. He yelled back. Wil woke up, saw that I was in distress, grabbed Ari from underneath the couch where he was hiding and changed him. He had a private talk with Ari, lecturing him to listen to me. Then he went back to sleep because he had worked the night before. The rest of the day was filled with more crankiness. I tried to save the day by buying Ari and I each a chocolate chip cookie, but nothing could save this [...]

Samara is a colicky baby, there is no doubt. I've been at my wits end here trying to to soothe her. There have been days where she's cried for over five hours. It's rough. One of my Canadian readers, Sara, suggested I try BioGaia Probiotic drops for colic. I googled them, ordered them to my local pharmacy and gave them a go. I am happy to report that they resulted in this:And then this:So thank you BioGaia and thank you Sara for the recommendation! My baby feels better and I have a sense of relief.

The other day, Ari was finishing up his french toast. He left the crusts, as usual, and said:"I all done Mommy!""Okay," I said 'Throw the rest in the garbage.""No!" He shot back "I not doing that! I don't think so!"Taken aback, I said:"Don't you talk to me like that!""I don't think so!" He repeated defiantly."If you say it again, you're going to time out!" I knew what was coming next. Predictably, he said:"I DON'T THINK SO!"I immediately picked him up and sat him in time out for two minutes. I set the stove timer so I would know when those two minutes were up. When the timer beeped, I removed him and asked:"Do you know why you went to time out?""I don't know." He replied innocently.I knelt down on my knees and looked him in the eyes."You don't talk to mommy like that. You have to respect mommy.""Your eyes are Ari." I couldn't quite understand what he said at the point so I asked:"What? My eyes are angry?""No!" He shook his head "Your eyes are ARI!"I paused, and then it occurred to me, he couldn't focus on anything I was saying because he saw his own reflection in my eyes."Oh, [...]

I was on a playdate the other day, and I did something that I try to avoid; I intervened in an argument between Ari and another kid. I always feel strange when I'm telling another person's kid what to do. It doesn't seem right, I didn't give birth to this child, I don't tell him/her what to do on a daily basis, what makes today any different? Why should I have the right to tell this kid to cut it out?Back to the playdate. It was a situation in which both kids weren't sharing a coveted item, and something needed to be done. Afterward, I asked the kid's mom:"I'm sorry, is it okay that I did that? I didn't mean to tell your kid what to do.""No!" She said sincerely "I'm glad you intervened, I have a lot of friends that just sit there and don't do anything, and it really bugs me. Thank you for doing that."I felt a little better about it after that. But I have to say, there is a fine line. Here is when I think it's appropriate to step in and intervene in a conflict between your child and someone else's:1. When there is [...]

I've written a bunch about the exorbitant amount of money that Pre-School costs. Recently, I've been seeking out low cost classes as an alternative to Pre-School. A friend of mine, who also has two kids similar ages to Ari and Samara, recommended art classes at a place near us called Barking Cat Studio. She said the classes were affordable and it was an all around great time.I decided to check it out.I went to their site and gave the number a call.Within an hour, Karen (the founder of Barking Cat Studio) called me back. Karen had a vibrant voice and a great energy. I immediately got a good vibe over the phone. She said they had a class on Friday where the kids were making "dinosaur art.""Perfect!" I said "Ari loves dinosaurs."I asked how much this class would be."Normally classes are $25, but since it's your first class, we'll give you $10 off.""Thanks so much!" I said getting excited already.Friday arrived, my mom watched Samara and off we went to Barking Cat Studio.What a great time it was!One of the great things about Barking Cat Studio, is that you get to take all your art work home. They call it [...]

Sometimes I amaze myself. I had an epiphany this morning. It takes me a zillion years to leave the house every morning. 50 % of the time is spent cajoling/forcing Ari into putting on his clothes. This morning, as we were eating breakfast, it dawned on me. I can put him in his clothes for the next day the night before. Here's what he's wearing today:I put him in this outfit last night after he took a bath because I couldn't be bothered to find pajamas in the rubble that is the clean laundry pile.I'm all set! All I need to do is put his shoes and jacket on and we're good to go.He doesn't wear jeans anyway, so all of his pants are pajama-like texture. Why didn't I think of this before?Random question(s) of the day: if you could go to work in pajamas, would you? What are your favorite PJs?

As much as my first born would like to deny it, he loves routine. With the addition of his little sister to our family, any semblance of routine we once had has gone completely out the window. My brilliant friend, and early childhood educator, Ubaldina (Ubie for short) suggested creating a daily schedule for Ari. That way he'd know what to expect next at any given point during the day. I took out my writing utensils and got to work. Ari seemed pleased with the final product.So far it has really made a difference in the quality of our day. We both know what to expect next.When it came time to go to the library, Ari was so excited, he protested less than usual when I put on his winter coat.As long as I allowed him to take his fire truck to the library (pictured above) he agreed to wear his coat. Samara had a harder time getting ready.Babies I tell you, they are so lazy.We made it to the library. Unfortunately, I was unable to document our library experience since I was carrying a baby on my chest, and chasing after Ari for two hours straight.We made it home [...]

Everybody is asleep right now, and I'd just like to take a moment to admit that I'm freaking out.I keep thinking things like:"Is this real?""Do I really have two small creatures that are solely dependent on me?""Who put me in charge here?""It's an elaborate joke, right?"First of all, it's a miracle that everyone is asleep at the same time, and by everyone, I mean, Ari, Wil and Samara.Here are the highlights from today so far: Samara has a cold, again. Ari wants to go outside and it's like Antarctica out thereWe running dangerously low on baby wipesSo far Ari asked for Pancakes, but only ate 1 % of a pancake I made, instead he opted for Goldfish, Cheerios, and 1/16 of a Stonyfield Farm smoothie. I'm afraid for everyone to wake up because then it means:1. Everything is real.2. I have to tend to everyone but myself, and I'm officially overwhelmed.The hardest part of this whole situation is nursing. Ari sees that I'm busy with Samara and instantly wants attention. I explain to him that I have to feed the baby, but he is unrelenting.Well, I'd better go before they all wake up.It's going to get easier right?