Thankful Thursday!

Do you make New Years Resolutions?

I don't and it's because I am terrible about keeping them, as I think most people are. Is it because we are too easily distracted? Is it because we are too busy?  As I look ahead to this year I know that I have a lot to be thankful for and I want to dedicate Thursday posts to things that I am thankful for.  We live in a culture that is always looking for the newest and "next" thing.  The, "I must have it" syndrome. Don't get me wrong, I get caught up in it too- GUILTY!

But, I want to take the time to be thankful for the things that I have, both old and new. New experiences, foods, life changes.....

So for my first Thankful Thursday.......

Today I am thankful that PC is on the mend from her first cold. She's still a little congested, but she's eating better, sleeping better and happier and louder(for better or for worse.)

Apparently PC is well enough to scoot off her play mat and pretend she's a puppy, gnawing on the table!!

What are you thankful for today?

What all postpartum women love to hear....or at least me....

Yesterday and Today I got a wonderful compliment!

I was walking out of school yesterday and a former parents stopped me. She goes "Woah! You look great! Did you even have a baby?!" (Enter happy heart)

For most of us losing the baby weight doesn't just magically fall off, although there are some of you whom this happened to. If I could just figure out a way to activate my thyroid- haha  

They say to give it a year to be back to your post baby weight. If you gained more than the normal amount 25-35 lbs during pregnancy than it might take longer. If you gained less, then it may take less time. This makes sense, no? 

I unfortunately gained more than I would have liked (insert frustrated slap to the forehead!) 

I am 5 months postpartum and am not back to my pre-pregnancy weight yet, slow and steady.  My "ab" area is quite out of shape- oops.....but on a positive note, I can fit into some of my pre preggers pants! YEAH!!!!! I'm still not fully comfortable in many of my shirts....and I can't wait for my muffin top to disappear....if it ever does. 

I did however run a 5K 3 months after PC was born.  I actually did pretty well too. It was also super coooold! 

However, not that I'm back to work full-time I have not found the time and or energy to keep running right now. 

When you are pregnant it's normal to get comments like:

"Oh, you have that glow about you."
"Oh that's so nice that your legs still have shape." (as in no edema)
"You're carrying high."
"I think you're having a girl/boy(based on the way one carries the baby of course:-p)."

Those aren't too bad, but then you also get:

"Oh you must be ready to pop?" (when you are 4 months along)
"Are you sure you aren't having twins?" (Hold me back, I will punch you. I already feel large, how about you make me feel even larger?!)
"You look worn out."
"Looks like baby is gonna be a big one."
"You haven't had your baby yet?!"

You may have also dealt with the touching....if I know you it's ok. It's still a little outside my comfort zone. I mean you don't go around touching other people's normal bellies, do you?! But I mean, if you want to touch, at least PLEASE ASK! It's just so unnatural to me.

After pregnancy what you don't want to hear: 

(I mean come on! Not everyone has the elastic body of a supermodel! Or the good luck of  a body that magically goes back to normal.....for those of you who had that, I am extremely jealous of you!)
"When are you due?"
"How far along are you?"
"Congratulations."
"When is baby two coming along?"
"You look like you're having another baby."

I mean, sensitivity people! Especially after, I mean our hormones are crazy and if you want to make us cry, or tick us off, this is a great way to do it.  Just a forewarning!

What's the craziest comment you got when you were pregnant or postpartum?

Barbacoa

I love Tacos! Fresh ones, especially from food trucks! YUMMMMM!!!

I got my recipe from here, but I didn't have a pressure cooker so I used our slow cooker. I love our slow cooker add all the ingredients, push the button and go about your day. Then several hours later mmm....deliciousness....well hopefully.

Fresh Ingredients! Yummy!

I pureed the "sauce" mixture in my food processor. *Side note, I wish that when I had done my wedding registry I had done better research on a blender/food processor.  My Cuisinart blender is SO loud! It seriously hurt my ears.  Crazily enough PC slept through the whole screeching process.

I purchased 3 lbs of bottom round roast which I cut up into 5 chunks. I then browned the meat on all sides in oil. I then added the meat to the crock pot and poured my "sauce" on top of the meat. I then set the crock pot for 6 hours.

Cilantro Rice:

 I cooked jasmine rice in our rice cooker, normal style, 2-1(two cups of water to one cup of rice) I also added a tablespoon of EVOO and some salt.  Once the rice was done I added lime juice and fresh chopped cilantro.

Corn Salsa:

1/2 of a red onion, diced
chopped cilantro
4 cups of cooked corn
2 tomatoes diced
Chipotle Chili powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 jalapeño peppers seeds removed (I added a few for extra spice)
**Note: I've never chopped a hot pepper before. Next time I will wear gloves. I didn't realize how potent the oils from the pepper were. I thought I was being careful. washed my hands and HA! I then rubbed my nose and OWWWWW! Yeah, nose burning, sucked!! I was so worried I was going to touch my eye and of course I wear contacts.  And to top it all PC has been chewing/sucking on my fingers lately. I was so scared that I was going to get the oil on her or in her mouth. Thankfully I don't think she got any. Although I could SWEAR that there was still spice under my nails like a day later! WEAR GLOVES people!

We of course had leftovers.  We've been trying to be a lot more savvy with our dinners. Trying to use up leftovers. We are trying to save money.

So, with our leftovers the other night we had

Barbacoa Tacos!

We used flour tortillas.

First Cold!

Our second health adventure.  Poor PC has her first cold. No mother likes to see their baby sick. She's all stuffy and congested.  She also has a this phlegmy cough that is so sad to hear.  She coughed so hard and much today that she threw up more mucus.  Poor little panda.  She's of course been fussier than normal and my heart aches for her. I just don't want her to be uncomfortable.

We currently have this guy that we got from the hospital, we have two of them....I don't actually think this one works very well.  I mean it gets some mucus out, but I don't think it is as effective as the product below will be.  It can only do so much sucking with it's little bulb before it runs out. Plus, I am not sure I actually clean it. I've only used it today, but I'm pretty sure I need to figure out a good way to disinfect this sucker(haha).

I had this guy on my registry, but no one bought it for me. Tragic I know and me being I dunno what, didn't buy one until the other day and now I wait for Amazon to deliver it. Hopefully baby girl can hang on until then. If not I will be going to Babies R Us to buy one and then I'll give this one away as a gift.

Being the over paranoid mother(first baby) I called the pediatrician, just in case. She said that she's been getting a lot phone calls lately about babies with colds. It is just the season and I knew we wouldn't be able to avoid it although I was very much hoping we could.  Thankfully when Gary and I were both sick lil love bug stayed healthy.  I'm just hoping that she is able to sleep peacefully, as much as possible, throughout the night.

So far she has been able to feed ok and she's still smiley so that's a good thing.  

Poor boo didn't nap at all today and then finally fell asleep on me later this evening.  Nothing sweetie than having your sick lil one fall asleep on you....well I guess the only thing sweeter would be a healthy one!

Sleep sweet little one!

Any tips for a baby with cold? Things that you've found that work?

***Snow Day!***

What are some of your favorite things to do on a snow day?

Yesterday we had a snow day and we have another one today! As a teacher, there is nothing better! 

And so it begins.....

Someone is super excited for Snow!

I'm a big fan of traditions....
Gary and I have the tradition of walking in the snow, even if it is snowing at midnight. Actually walking in the snow at midnight is so peaceful. There are usually no cars out and most likely not people, except for us adventurers.  I love walking down the middle of snowy streets, being bundled up, frolicking through the beautiful soft white flakes.  So, of course we have to continue the tradition with PC. So far we've had two walks in the snow....the last two "snows" were not really that epic, but snow is snow and I will take what I can get here in the district.

Not quite sure what to make of the white stuff.

So, other than hanging out in our PJs, watching some movies, snuggling and taking our walk I'm starting a new tradition.

PC hanging out in her PJs

What movies did we watch you ask?! Why, the Fast and the Furious 6 of course and Immortal Bones....Ever since watching the first Fast and the Furious back in what, high school I've been addicted. I mean Paul Walker(RIP) and Vin, come on! haha.....the only true fall was Tokyo Drift, I love the Ludacris, I mean Chris(his more serious side), Tyrese and the Rock are in in. Classic!  So while the snow falls down, PC naps and we are snuggled up on the couch.

Homemade pretzels! 

Mmmmm.....who doesn't want to come home after a chilly wintery walk to a cup of hot chocolate and fresh homemade pretzels. I can't wait for Charlotte to be able to truly enjoy these traditions as much as Gary and I do.

 Yeast in 1 1/4 warm water and 1 tsp sugar

 4 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp salt , 1/2 cup sugar; create a well then add 1 tbs oil and yeast/water mix

 Kneaded for 7-8 min until smooth, I used my Kitchen Aid! Win!

 Let sit for an hour covered near warmth so that the dough rises. Then divide into 12 sections. I used our pizza cutter, kinda like Auntie Anne's.

 Roll dough out and then dip into 1/2 cup baking soda and warm water

 I also brushed my pretzels with butter before, during and after

Bon Appetite!

****Happy Snow Day Y'all!!!****

Happy 5 Months!

Panda Cub is 5 Months Old!

Time Flies!

Any mom/parent can agree that time flies by too fast with their little one. I mean my mom even says she feels like I was a baby only yesterday. 

At 5 months old PC can:

-Sit up in her bumbo

- Laugh 

- Smile 

- Grasp things

- Put toys and any other item close to her in her mouth

- Grab her feet

- Roll Over!!!

We LOVE YOU!!!! 

Can't wait to see what this month will bring!

I Will Pick You Up!

I love holding my daughter! I absolutely Love it when she falls asleep in my arms because she feels safe. I also Love being able to talk to my mom about anything, at any time.

I recently saw this commercial by P&G. It definitely brought tears to my eyes, especially as a mother. But, even if I didn't have a child, I have a mother and I know she's felt the way the mothers in the video did.  We all want our children to succeed.

PC may not be walking yet, but her pains are my pains.  The first time I nicked her thumb when I cut her nails, I cried longer than she did.  She won't remember, but that moment is ingrained in my memory. I don't want any harm to come to her let alone pain I inflicted on her!

I will always be there, God willing, to pick my daughter up when she falls, when she's hurt. I want to support her in her goals and be there for her.  I hope that in the end she too will Thank me like these children did, knowing the sacrifices their mothers(and fathers) made for them and how we, moms, are their BIGGEST FANS!

Nutty Quinoa Salad

I made this the other night, as part of our, "Eat Healthier New Year."

Quinoa can be used in many different ways. Pinterest has tons of different recipes and I can't wait to try a bunch of them.

I used red quinoa, it doesn't really matter if you use white, red or black.

I cooked my quinoa in chicken broth to give it extra flavor.
It is recommended that you rinse the quinoa before adding it to the pot as it will remove the bitter coating on the seed.

The recipe calls for 2 cups chopped, or finely ripped spinach,  1/2 cup cranberries, 1/2 cup almonds and 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, I added more.  I may also toss in some feta cheese. Love feta and that extra saltiness is great. I toasted my almonds first too.

I actually ended up tossing in 1/2 the spinach to the warm quinoa and then will mix in the rest of the spinach after it has cooled in the fridge for about an hour.

There is also a dressing to add 4 tablespoons apple vinegar, 4 tablespoons EVOO and 1 tsp. honey. Add to the quinoa and let it cool and soak up.

Then mix in all the goodies.

I got the recipe from here.

I think I can.....

It's not The Little Engine that Couldn't.......wouldn't that make a fun children's story?!

As a working mother the "I think I can, I think I can" phrase often resonates in mind, as I am sure it does many a mother, or even athlete. Heck anyone who is pushing towards any sort of finish line probably feels like this. I am almost there! 

The end of the week is just around the corner and I sure feel like this poor battery here.

Can.NOT.Wait.for.the.weekend!!!!!

Happy almost Friday.

To Swaddle or not to swaddle

Which works best?

When I registered for our panda cub I of course, like most mothers did my research.  I read the reviews and had friends recommend different products.  Like any new mother, I of course wanted what was best for my little cub and I still do.  I wanted to have what was recommended, "what worked." Of course we learn that what works for some may not work for others. Some babies love to be swaddled, others do not.

Why Swaddle?

Swaddling can help to comfort agitated infants, or those that cry excessively.  Some feel that it provides a "womb-like" environment.

Arms are free mom and I'm wide awake!

We learned at the hospital how to swaddle with her blanket. We pretty much just used her Aden and Anais blankets to swaddle and also the stretchy pink and white stripped blanket from Carters. We liked the stretchy fabric because she could kick and move without coming out. Eventually panda cub got stronger, as babies should, and started to break free, kicking or trying to get her hands to her mouth. At this point I turned to our swaddle blankets.  Because, as any parent knows, sleep is important to both mother and child. So I was desperate to find a solution to her waking multiple times during the night.

 The miracle swaddle blanket: 

I actually used this one the least.  It has plenty of flaps to wrap the arms to prevent them from moving. It's true, it is almost impossible for a little one to pull his/her arms out, although I'm sure it isn't impossible. Several mothers that I hung out with though swore by this one and would wrap their babies in this at all times. They felt that it truly quieted their little one down.  Maybe if I had started with this one from the beginning I would have felt the same way, but I just felt there was too much wrapping and folding. 

The Summer Infant Swaddleme:

I received this in the cheetah print with pink border.  I also received the sage microfleece one for colder months.

Bother are nice. The cheetah one is more practical during warmer months since it is made with lighter cotton material. This was has velcro fastenings.  The swaddleme has the typical pocket for the legs/feet with velcro at the top. What is nice about the swaddleme is that it allows the parent to partially unswaddle to change the diaper without removing the arms. This is a great feature, but with anything that has velcro, it is loud when undoing it. We started using this when she was about 3 months old. What happened with our little one is that she would wiggle her arms out and then her arms would wake her up. She'd start sucking on them or they would hit her. If we swaddled tighter it would prevent this from happening, but she would cry out of discomfort. 

I think that if was had started earlier with this one it would have worked out better for her.  I like the option that you can purchase for different seasons.  Very practical.

HALO Sleepsack Swaddle:

We also had this swaddle. What I liked about this swaddle is that it was wider at the base which allowed for more leg movement. You also have the option to have your child's arms wrapped in, or they are able to be wrapped out.  The HALO sleepsack is available from newborn sizes all the way up to children who weight 36 lbs.  As the children get older the arm swaddle option disappears.  I like that this swaddle zippered from the top down so that the zipper part was away from the child's face.  This also allows for a parent to change their child without fully pulling them out of their cozy environment. 

The latest swaddle that we invested in was the Zipadeezip Slumber Sack:

Our PC has been sleeping in that since Dec 23rd.  She's now 4 months old and this has been working great.  We call her our little flying squirrel when she's in it, or our little penguin.  You can see from the picture why we do. You can also buy this in different sizes, prints and fabric(cotton/fleece).  They are more expensive than the other swaddle options.  With this "swaddle" your child is able to move their legs around, as well as their arms. Now however my baby's arms don't wake her up and she isn't struggling against her swaddle to free her arms.  This is more of a transition from being truly swaddled. We occasionally put her in it to nap as well.  What's nice is that your child can still hold things and even be buckled into their car seats, or other baby items that require a belt.  Your child can also be put to sleep on their stomach because they do have the use of their arms, whereas, normal swaddling does not allow for this.

I'm ready to fly!

I also like the story behind the zipadeezip.  Many of us don't have the ability to stay home, though we wish we could.  This sleep creation was designed by a mother who also really wanted to stay home with her daughter, but knew financially that it wasn't an option.  You can read more about their story here. 

I wish I could think of something like this.........wheels in my head are turning.....

These are just some of the swaddlers we've used, obviously there are many more out there. I just wanted to do a brief review of each of the ones we've used. Each has their pros and cons and you'll figure out what works the best for you and your little one.  Sleep deprivation is normal in the beginning and randomly throughout, but at some point we ALL want our little ones to sleep soundly and hopefully throughout the night. Peace of mind! Phew! Happy Swaddling!

What swaddle has worked best for you?

When did you stop swaddling?

Welcome

The beginnings of a blogging mother:

You can say that my life has pandemonium in it. I'm still trying to figure this whole working mom thing out, while keeping the house clean, taking care of the pets and being a good wife and cook. Staying fit?! That's a great question....when I was on my maternity leave getting out for long walks and jogs was easypeasy, now, not so much.  I applaud all those mommies who have paved the way for us working moms.

Why the name, "Pandamommium?"

If you know me, you know that I love Pandas. If you have ever stepped into my classroom you will definitely see this. When my husband and I found out last year that I was pregnant we needed a nickname for our little one. We decided on Panda Cub. I am also Asian, so we found that name fitting.

More Adventures of Mommydom and life with a Panda cub to come......