Five Tips for Surviving Life with a Toddler & a Baby

Currently, we have two daughters (2.5 and 9 months).  We did this 100% on purpose and will probably do it again with another baby.  For the record, we are not as crazy as our friends and family might think. This is how we've survived...

The Squirrels in Question (aka Squiggles and Squishy)

1.     You have to LAUGH.  Some days will be utterly and completely ridiculous.  Some days they will only want to go in opposite directions.  Some days the big one will hate the little one.  Other days she'll be pretty sure she's the mommy and she loves the baby ten times more than you ever could.  Some days they'll fight.  Some days they'll love each other.  You will only survive it if you're willing to laugh with them and, let's be honest, sometimes at them.

2.     Some days the older one will come first.  One of the best pieces of advice I received when I was pregnant with #2, was that sometimes you need to just let the baby cry to help your older child.  It's advice I've followed and passed on to more than a few people. Your instinct will likely be that the baby should always come first, because baby; but, baby will survive and when you devote some time to your older child when they really need it, they remember that they are sometimes more important than the baby.   

3.     Some days will be really, really freaking hard.  Do as Elsa and learn to Let it Go.  I'm not saying let kids get away with whatever they want or turn on the TV for hours on end.  I'm just saying, don't be too hard on yourself.  If you need some quiet time, turn on a movie.  We're partial to Doc McStuffins.  If a little person misbehaves, follow through with your normal consequences, but then move on with your date.  Don't let it stress you out.  I've found that if I don't let it go, even small instances can wind me up.  I'm learning to deal with it and then just moving on.  My "favorites" lately have been when the two year old decided that carpet was a good place to color the day after I rented a rug doctor and when she colored all over her sisters new push toy in the matter of 60 seconds.

4.     Try to Organize.  When Squiggles first came home things were chaotic.  I felt like I was pulled in too many direction at once.  I quickly realized that it wasn't just the challenges of the new baby sending me spinning, I figured out that I wasn't organized and it was making me crazy.  I took steps to keep the house neater and found ways to work in the housekeeping aspects of parenting and it allowed me to feel more relaxed with the girls.  I know it sounds impossible and like the least of your worries; but, it does make a difference.  I'll try to do a little write up on how I manage that and include a link here soon.

5.     Remember they are only this age once.  This is a great reminder for both your best days and your worst days.  On your worst days you can remind yourself that this chaos will pass sooner than you think.  Soon they'll be able to entertain each other, communicate with each other, and they'll be more independent.  On your best days you can remind yourself that this magical time won't last forever.  On those days take lots of pictures and give lots of hugs.  It really does go by so very fast.  Someday I'll have two dramatic teenage girls.  I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling I'll be longing for these days in 14 years. 

One of THOSE Days

Sometimes as a parent you have one of those days.  Unless you're a Stepford parent don't even try to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.

One of those days....where you are 80% sure your children have actually been replaced by small gremlins who only look  like your children.

One of those days...when your older child seems to have lost the ability to entertain themselves and the little one thinks everything is sad.

One of those days...when you consider hiding in the bathroom for five minutes but remember that there's a very good chance that someone would get hurt in the meantime.

One of those days...where you start to wonder whether you might actually be done making miniature humans.

One of those days...when all you want to do is scream at the top of your lungs into a pillow and you honestly wonder how you are going to make it through the rest of the day.


We all have those days.  If you don't, I will say right now I don't believe you.  I honestly think it's days like this that keep us sane. It reminds us that we're only human.  That perfection isn't realistic.  And when days like this are done, it helps us remember that we can get through it the next time it happens.

Today was one of those days in our household.  The baby, my lovely 9 month old Squiggles, has been a stage five clinger.  Putting her on the floor has been labeled a scream worthy offense and god forbid the pouch of peaches takes more than a second to reach her mouth.  She will make her wrath known.

The big kid, well, she's been potty training and chose to use today as her regression day.  She's also lost the ability to entertain herself and during this blog post, when she was supposed to be napping, she informed me over the monitor that she needed a new pullup because she'd taken hers off.  Yup.

Days like this are hard.  I waiver between utter exhaustion, extreme frustration, and a deep and profound love for the day.  It's like a roller coaster. But even as I hear the toddler refusing to sleep and the baby is rolling on the floor next to me talking to a notebook, I wouldn't change these days for anything.

These days remind me that I will get through this.  They remind me that parenting is an adventure and I'm only human.  They remind me that someday I will have no little bodies in my house and I will yearn for days like today.  They remind me that, at the same time, when I have no more little bodies in the house I will be content and won't feel the need to fill my house with cats or rats or bats.

Remember when you have one of these days that they are fleeting.  That although other mamas may pretend everything is rainbows and sunshine and unicorns pooping glitter, everyone has those days.  Even those mamas.  And if they don't, if they're just that perfect, they'll probably be a crazy cat person or have creepy realistic doll children when they have an empty nest.  You don't want that.  I'd much rather have a few rough days than resort to doll children ;)

Remember these days can turn on a dime and remember those moments when a little person crawls into your lap, wraps their arms around you, and says "Mama I love you."

A non-Gremlin Day.

How to Have an Awesome Disneyland Trip with Your Littles

Hubby and I are Disney addicts.  Movies, books, tv, and, most importantly, DISNEYLAND!  We live 200 miles away but still manage to go about three times a year and we're annual passholders.  Squishy is two and some change and has already been seven times that I can think of.  When I ask if she wants to go to the park, the kid asks if we can go to Disneyland.  I tell her no of course because who wants to drive that far midday but it's a good example of how we are THOSE people.  The crazy people.

Because we go so much, and because we've learned the ins and outs of how to have an awesome trip over the years I thought it was time to pass that info on to those of you who may be getting ready for their first trip with their kids, or even for veteran park goers who want to make things a little bit easier.

Photo courtesy of: Disneyland.com

Don't Bring...

* Your $700 stroller.  Just don't.  Unless you're planning to have someone with it at all times, I highly advise you don't take that gamble.  Strollers do get stolen from Disneyland.  It's not a myth.  The likelihood isn't high; but, personally that isn't a gamble that I'm willing to take.  We have a Baby Jogger City Select that I love more than my car some days but I only take it into the park if I know that someone can be with it at all times.

Instead...

* Babywear, rent a stroller, or invest in a cheap stroller that wouldn't break your heart if it grew legs and walked away.  On our most recent trip, if we knew all of us would be going on rides, one of us would wear Squiggles and Squishy hung out in our $25 umbrella stroller.  So much easier to maneuver.  I can collapse that sucker down and bring it on rides or into the restaurants.  It's just a lot easier.  In the past we've rented the strollers at the park $15 for the day and if they go missing there are locations in the park where you can get a replacement.

Don't Bring...

* Your regular diaper bag.  Unless you have a really supportive cross body bag or backpack don't bother.  If you're going to the parks well prepared you'll have that sucker loaded with snacks, water, and all your baby goods.  It gets heavy.  Trust me.  My shoulders and neck learned this the hard way.  Thanks for nothing Petunia Picklebottom!

Instead...

* Bring a backpack with supportive straps.  Sure, it might make things a little harder to find but it makes lugging all your gear a heck of a lot easier.  I'll go into what we pack for a day at the park in a second, but suffice it to say we get our use out of the backpack.

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What to Bring:

Other than your normal kiddo gear there are a few things I always try to bring with me

• Sunscreen, or hats, for little ones.  You'll be outside a lot and it's sunny in SoCal.
• Water.  Bring in a few bottles of water.  Bottled water in the park is outrageously over priced and there are water fountains you can use all over the place.  
• Granola bars.  Chances are, at some point, you'll be standing in line and someone will end up starving.  They will be pretty sure they are going to collapse before they make it on the ride.  For those occasions have granola bars.  They are typically pretty filling and can help tide you over.  We like cliff or quest bars from the grownups and quaker chewy bars for Squishy.
• Apples or oranges.  Really any fruit that won't get squished in the backpack.  
• More diapers than you think is necessary and a change of clothes for young kids and babes.  Murphy's Law is real folks.  We have had epic blowouts in Disneyland even though we almost never have them at home.
• Camera.  Disney photopass folks will use your camera for pictures with your favorite characters.  And they don't suck at it.  And it's free.

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Where to Stay:

I'm not actually going to say much on this topic as we do tend to stay in one of the Disney hotels, although we have stayed off site a handful of times.  So I can't really give great recommendations for where to stay off site. 

The Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian are both beautiful and incredibly convenient.  We love them both and I can answer questions about them in the comments if anyone is interested in knowing more or anything about our experience with either. 

I will say if you are really wanting to stay at the Grand Californian but turned off by the price, check out David's Vacation Club Rental (here).  The Grand Californian has villas that are for Disney Vacation Club members; but, you can go through an intermediary, like David, and rent someones points.  That's what we did on our most recent trip and we got a one bedroom suite, with a full kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and laundry for less than the price of a regular Grand Californian room.  Seriously.  Same hotel.  Same stylings.  Biggest difference is less frequent cleaning.  So worth it!  ((We also saved A TON being able to cook some of our meals and make sandwiches etc.))

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How to Organize the Day:

The night before you go to the park, make a game plan.  Know what you want to do the most that day.  If you want to make sure you get a Fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers make sure you are in California Adventure when the gates open.  If you want to meet Elsa and Anna, you best be at Disneyland at rope drop.  Knowing what you want out of the day is VERY important.

In general, Hubby and I usually hit up the park in the morning and then in the evening leaving the midday heat and crowds to other people. It gives us a chance to recharge and keeps us from getting burnt out.  

We typically go to Fantasyland first thing in the morning at least once.  Those lines are always extremely long and they tend to be shortest in the morning, and very late.  

We also never wait in line for something with a fastpass.  You can hold one Fastpass for each park at a time and, to us, it's just not worth it to stand in line when we can use a Fastpass and spend our time shopping, eating, or spending time on rides that don't require quite so much of your day in a line.

((For those who might not know, a Fastpass is a pass to get on the ride during a set time.  For example, you head to Splash mountain and see the wait is 60 minutes but you have two impatient kids.  Next to the ride there will be a kiosk for Fastpass.  You insert your park ticket into the machine and it will spit out a voucher with a time range on it.  When you are in that time range, you return to the ride, present your ticket to a castmember (Disneyland employees are castmembers) and you'll get on the ride after a much abbreviated line.)) 

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Misc Quick Tips:

  

• If you're traveling with a baby or toddlers, utilize the baby care center.  The care centers have a clean spot to change your little one, small toilets for potty training kids, stations for nursing or pumping, and high chairs for feeding.  PLUS, they have most of the gear you might have forgotten for baby, available for purchase.  In DISNEYLAND, the baby care center is located on the end of main street on the right hand side if you're looking at the castle.  It's right next to corn dog cart and Plaza Inn.  In CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, the baby care center is located to the left, and slightly behind, the Ghiradelli shop which is in the wharf area where many of the restaurants are.
• If you want to make your trip a little extra special, ask if you can ride in the top of the Mark Twain River Boat.  They might not say yes, but if they do you might get to sign the special guest book and be in charge of the horn.  We did it a few years ago and I loved it a lot more than my age should allow ;)
• Try the goat effect.  When you're on Big Thunder and see the goat on the hill on the right handside on the hill, watch it as you go around the turn.  It'll make you super dizzy and is therefore super fun.
• When you're on Winnie the Pooh, look behind you and up in the last few rooms of the ride.  You might catch the remnants of the Country Bear Jamboree.
• Touch the apple while in line for Snow White.  Just do it.
• While you're at it, stare at the window above the ride when you get off.  You might just get a glimpse of evil.
• If you're traveling with a baby or someone who doesn't like rides, ask about the parent switch pass.  Parent A asks for pass and stands in line with a kiddo.  Brings the pass for Parent B when they're done and Parent B gets to ride with kiddo without having to stand in the super long line.  Usually you get to use the Fastpass line.  This is not available on all rides.
• Know the heights of our children before they go.  It will prevent a lot of heart ache if you grab a map and can see in advance what the height requirements will be before you tell your kid about a ride.  I've seen a lot of little ones with dashed dreams when they don't make the height requirement.  
• If your kid is a sloucher, but is tall enough, have them stand with their arms stretched up.  Helps them hit that marker.
• Keep your receipt for souvenirs.  If they break, and you have the receipt, Disney will normally replace it, no questions asked.

Honestly, there is so much more I could say.  I could be a this for hours.  I will say, if you have any questions please feel free to ask it in the comments.  We love Disneyland and there is a good chance we'll know the answer whether it's about dining, rides, the resort hotels, etc.

For FALL/WINTER 2014:

If you want to meet Elsa and Anna, you need to be there at park open.  Disneyland no longer just has one long line to meet the ladies of Frozen.  Currently, if you'd like to see them, you need to arrive at park open and head back to Fantasyland.  There you will join the line that stretches towards Big Thunder and you will receive a voucher to come back at a set time to meet them.  In order to get this voucher everyone in the party must be in the park, or at least have been in that morning at some point.  This means dad can't go and get the voucher while everyone sleeps.  Not everyone needs to be in line, but everyone must be in the park and whoever is in line needs to have ALL the tickets for the party. You then return during your designated time and stand in a shortened line.  This was done to alleviate the three hour wait some guests were experiencing when trying to see the Queen.   PLEASE NOTE: these passes are frequently gone in just a few hours, if not less.  If you get to the park in the afternoon you will not be able to attend a meet and greet with Elsa and Anna.  You can still see them on a pre-parade float.

Sissy Love

Squishy can always make her little sister laugh. Always.  I'm pretty sure Squiggles dotes on her already. 

Morning Adventures

One of the many reasons I've chosen to step away from Facebook this month is so that I can spend some more time unplugged with my girls.  I only tend to get on the computer at night once their both asleep; but, during the day I check my phone A LOT.  Usually for absolutely no reason. 

As part of my goals this month I'm trying to make a point of just doing more fun stuff out and about and at home.  So this morning I gave Squishy the choice of hike, zoo, or park.  She chose zoo and we did some park anyway. 

We are members at the local zoo and can go whenever so we wandered around for a bit (and I got some cute pictures I'll share under the cut) and then we went to the park up the hill a bit.  Squishy loves playing with other kids so much.  And it was extra cute because the little boy she was playing with said "bye" to him mom and tried to leave with us.

It was so nice!  Other than checking my phone for the time I didn't take it out once.

Breaking my Longest Addiction

Hi, I'm Gina, and I've been a Facebook addict since 2005.  I've been clean zero days.

That's right, I've been on Facebook since the beginning.  Since only college kids could get on.  Since it was used for finding rides to get home.  Since Zuckerberg was just a young 'un.  Nine freaking years. 

We've had some good times...

* It's where Hubby and I first talked
* How I've stayed in touch with family and friends
* Where I've shared my life for the past...forever it feels like.

BUT...

I think Facebook is the WORST for actually keeping in touch.  You get the sense that you know everything that's going on with everyone without knowing anything what's really going on.  You get the superficial only.  It helps people be hermits, stalk, and buy way too much crap on buy/sell/trade sites. 

So, for the month of October I'm walking away.  You message me?  I'm ignoring you.  You tag me?  I don't care.  If it really matters call me, text me, email me, snail mail me, or even leave me a blog comment.  If you actually want to talk to me you will get in contact.

I plan to use my blog and a photobucket album (get a hold of me for the password) to keep the pictures of the girls going and for general updates. 

Peace out Facebook.  See you when the ghosts, ghoulies, and witches are out! 

Take It or Leave It: What You Really Need to Have for Baby

With baby #2's arrival quickly approaching (12 weeks from today or less) I thought it might be a good time to do a post about all the baby essentials I've loved and the ones you can definitely live without.  I know as a first time mom (FTM) there are so many baby products out there and you end up thinking that maybe you really do need them all; but, TRUST ME ON THIS, you really don't.  So let's do a rundown!

Needs:

• Bottles (get one or two of a few different kinds because different babies like different things).  Even if you plan on breastfeeding I'd encourage you to have a few on hand because chances are at some point you'll use them.
• Somewhere for the little one to sleep.  We used a pack and play with a bassinet for Squishy until she was old enough to be in her own room in a crib.  That's the plan for this little one too.
• Carseat.  Now here you have two options. You can start with an infant carrier and then transition to a convertible or start with a convertible.  I chose the former.  I so appreciated being able to move Squishy from car to house to stroller to shopping cart without waking her.  Even though we moved her to a convertible by five months I still plan to use the carrier with this new little one.
• Diapers and wipes.  Self explanatory.  If it's not, I'm concerned for you.
• Onesies, sleepers and blankets.  Let's be real.  Babies are tiny little blobs at first.  They do not need to be trendy.  They will just spit up on everything.  Plus, everyone else will buy the fancy clothes.  Trust me on this.
• Burp rags.  I highly, highly recommend getting the bar style rags.  Those babies can sop up a lot of liquid.  They may not be as cute as the ones your friend embroidered for you (which you'll still use) but they are a lot more absorbent. 
• A diaper bag or even a purse that you aren't overly attached to.  Remember, at some point there will be blow out or vomit covered clothes going in there and you don't want to ruin an expensive handbag.  Even if you put those clothes in a plastic bag you will always flashback to what's been in the diaper bag before.  I had a petunia pickle bottom with Squishy but this baby I've switched to a Vera Bradley Baby Bag because it's both washable and cute.  
• Stroller.  If you can spend the money on the one you really want.  Also think about where you live.  We started out with a Graco travel system but those tires were no bueno on our semi-rural roads without sidewalks.  Squishy felt every bump.  I wish I'd planned ahead a little more on that one.
• A good breast pump.  Chances are you'll need it at some point.  Also check in with your insurance as many (in the US at least) cover all or a good portion of them.

Now these are some things you don't need but that I loved and found invaluable

•  A carrier.  Wearing Squishy made chores, grocery shopping, trips to Disneyland, and walks so much easier in the beginning.  She slept.  I got things done.  I had both a Moby and a Babyhawk.  I will use both with #2 but prefer the Babyhawk.
• A rock and play.  I set that sucker up in the living room and that's where she napped for the first six months.  It was lovely.
• A nose frieda.  Don't side eye me like that.  I know what you're thinking.  It's something along the lines of HELL NO!!  First of all I promise no boogers get in your mouth.  Second, it works ten times better than the mold infested bulb syringe.  Third, you'll thank me when baby has their first bad cold.  That's when hubby and I changed our tunes.
• A changing table.  I don't really think they are necessary; but, they are definitely a huge help and it's nice not having to bend over all the time.
• Diaper genie.  Because of smells.

Shenanigans (or things that are totally just a trap)

• Wipes warmer.  Nope. Just don't.  It's a trap.  Wipes aren't as cold as you might think and when you've conditioned your baby to have a constantly warm tushy you're going to get some glares when you change them in public and they're screaming bloody murder because the wipes from the diaper bag are just a few degrees off.  Just no.
• Diaper genie refills.  Not necessary.  Bags work just as good.  You're welcome
• A bottle warmer.  It's really not necessary.  Room temperature bottles work fine too.  If you're really determined, there is a much cheaper solution.  THIS  A hot pot works just as well and it's what we used when we bothered to heat a bottle.  Plug it in, wait for it to get warm and then pop the bottle in the warm water until it's heated enough. I just saved you $10.  

Of course there are tons of other baby products out there and you'll find what works for your family.  This is what worked for mine.  If you have any questions about a specific product and what I think about it or anything like that (doesn't need to be one I listed) just leave a comment and I'll be happy to give you my take on it if I have one.

I'll leave you with one last bit of advice...

If you really, really want things from your registry for your shower do not announce gender until after the shower or during.  If people know the gender they will largely ignore your registry and get clothes.  It's just what happens.  Even if you don't announce gender you'll get some gender neutral clothes but they'll get more stuff off your registry too.  Also don't register for clothes.  They just take up space and will be purchased no matter what. :)