How to get rid of a cold

Of course a couple of days before I have to board germ central station aka planes Liam and me get a cold. His is much worse than mine, but I am hoping the following will help me get us feeling better before Tuesday.  Here is a list of my go to products for colds.

For Liam

 Vicks Baby Rub- This probably works best on smaller babies because toddlers are squirmy plus Liam is ticklish on his neck chest area. I put it on in the evening after bath time and then again right before bed. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vicks-Vapor-Rub-Baby-Pack-of-2/12169679

Vicks Steam Vaporizor- I had to put a little bit of salt to get it working (directions say that it helps if you have a lot of mineral in your tap water) but once it starts working its awesome and a really good value. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vicks-Warm-Steam-Vaporizer/15423529

Little Colds- Regular honey does the same thing and is cheaper, but I bought this awhile back before the pediatrion recommended just honey.

For me:

Neti pot- My sister in law told me about this and I was skeptical, but really needed sinus relief I was getting sinus headaches everyday! Anyways long story short this product is a game changer!( I also think this is why my cold isnt as bad as Liam's) It helps so much it's just odd looking when you are doing it. I typically do it the shower for this reason. It does take some getting used to you have to breathe through your mouth when you do it, but after you are used it its awesome!

Ayr- My mom told me about this she uses it when it gets colder and the heat dries out her nose. I use it after the neti pot before bed. It keeps your nose from feeling dry. Its hard to find it's at target, but they typically keep it behind the counter and you have to ask for it.



Honey- I mix honey water and squeeze lemon in a tea cup when ever my throat starts to get scratchy.



OJ- I get tired of regular and the added mango gives it less of an acidic taste!!

Hope we are better by Tuesday I would really like to enjoy the fall in New Hampshire!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Liam

Dear Liam,

You are 2 years old today. It feels like yesterday I was holding a brand new tiny baby in my arms. You have grown so much; your personality is still the same though. You are very independent and happy. You love Cars and curious George and talk all the time. You can repeat almost anything and you love to read. Your favorite books are Colors, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Where the Wild Things Are. You have mastered how to jump and give lots of kisses and hugs. You can be stubborn about holding hands and getting into the car, but are very social. You love preschool you run right in every Tuesday and Thursday ready to go! Your teachers say you actually help out the kids that cry when their parents leave them by trying to play with them. You now sleep in a big boy bed and potty training is up next!! I love you and can’t believe you are 2. I look forward to this upcoming year it is going to be a great one!

Love,

Your Mommy

 

Below are some pictures from Liam's birthday party and actual birthday.

 

 

 

10/1/2012- 2 Years Old 

 

 

Banana Pancake Tradition 

 

 

                                                     Snuggling watching Lady and the Tramp

 

 

 

Prince Liam- His teachers at preschool made this crown for him and his classmates celebrated by eating pumpkin muffins.

 

First day of Preschool

Today was a very important day, Liam's first day of preschool! I think most Mom's cry at this moment and fall apart, but not me! (I was really scared I was going to) I did get really nervous the night before just like I did when I went to school! To be honest I think how the child does dictates how a Mom does. Liam recognized the preschool from when we went to orientation which I think helped. He held his Dad's hand and ran into class! I stood outside awhile putting up his bookbag and making sure everything was in the right spot and he didnt start crying.  The teacher said he did notice we were gone and looked around, but then started playing with a different toy.  He also got to do a craft today! He painted an apple with his name on it. When I picked him up he was still going strong while all the other kids looked like they were going to pass out (oh if I had half of Liam's energy!) We went and ate at our favoite pizza place Pizzetta's and had pizza and a greek salad. When we got home I think all the fun caught up to Liam and he was ready for his nap! I am so glad his first day went so well, we go back on Thursday for more fun!!

 

 

 

Being a Mom and learning to balance

Being a work at home mom (WAHM) I have had to learn to balanced many things. All day is Liam time and as soon as he goes to bed I get to work. This can be hard because I truly never get a couple of hours to myself to watch TV or read a book. I actually have only read 2 books this year. I realized this a couple of days ago and thought I really should make an hour a day to just read or watch TV( or do something else relaxing). This means I can not deliver photos at the speed of light, but I think it will help my sanity. I am so lucky to have the full month of August booked with all kinds of photos: wedding, family, senior, and engagement! The past couple of weeks have been rough my whole family has been sick at the same time! We are getting better, but Liam and me are still struggling. The only good thing about being sick is it forced me to chill out. I realized I never take a break and it might be a good idea for me to start trying. Although, I try to balance everything it really is impossible and once you realize that life gets way easier. Some things have to be ignored until you find time (Liam excluded) and lately its been making dinner and cleaning. I saw an interview with Rachel Ray when Liam was about 3 months old being asked the question how do you balance everything.  Obviouslybeing the mother of a 3 month old still trying to figure things out was sure a woman who owns several different business and host her own TV show would know. Rachel's answers was  "I don't and I don't think you need to. You can not do it all and if you try to you will just fail." For some reason that made me feel way better about not doing the dishes everyday.  So this week I am keeping in mind that balance is not everything, except in Yoga! : )


Below is my go to recipe when you are not feeling well, enjoy!

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

What You Need

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces
• 1 Can of Mixed Veggies ( drained)
• 1/2 tsp of pepper
• 1 cup of chicken stock
• pinch of salt

What To Do

Place all ingredients in the crock pot except biscuits.

Cover and cook on low for 5 – 6 hours.

About 2 hours before serving tear up the biscuit dough ( into 1/4ths) and place in the crock pot. I used all the biscuits but you can only use half. Make sure the “dumplings” are cooked through.

The chicken should be so tender that it will pull apart when you scoop it out of the crock pot.

Enjoy

Letter's to Liam-21 months

Dear Liam,

You are 21 months old, in three more months you will be 2!! I cant believe it. You are repeating everything at the speed of light. You now know body parts which include: head, shoulder, knees, toes, eyes, nose and mouth. You can count to 3 and repeat letters when I go over the alphabet with you (we are going to work more on this in months to come since you are repeating everything!!) You love playing with cars they are your favorite thing. You go around racing saying vroom vroom! We go on walks almost every morning to the park where you talk to the birds and doggies by pointing each one out! I can now read books to you and keep your attention because you love to repeat everything I am saying! You are so loving, you give hugs and kisses and today you started blowing kisses which is beyond cute! You are starting to say Mommy instead of MaMa and still are huge Daddy's boy. When your Daddy gets home you run to him and give him a hug repeating Daddy Daddy!! I love watching you two together you are the best of friends, but when it comes to when your hurt or scared your all about Mommy. I can not believe my eyes sometimes with how fast you are growing. You are starting to look more like a little boy than a baby which makes me a little sad, but proud at the same time. There is no one that could be more proud of you than me and your Daddy. You are the best Liam Matthew, I love you to the moon and back!!

Love,

Mommy

7-15-2012

Weekend Fun

This weekend we decided to head off to Myrtle Beach and check out the Aquarium. Liam had such a great time and so did we. Afterwards we went and checked out some of the rides on the boardwalk. For dinner we went to Medieval Times. Liam was very fascinated by the sword fights and horses! We were really tired when we got home, but the good news is Liam slept until 9 the next day and so did I (this never happens). I am really glad we got out of Wilmington for a day it’s always nice to have a change in scenery!

Liam jumping in the pool!

Liam loves jumping in the pool!! He has so much fun and I always get a longer nap out of this and a good arm workout! : )