You know you are a Mother when...

Just a few moments you never envisioned your life having until you became a mom.

You Know You Are A Mother When:

Getting Peed on is the least of your worries.

Silence is no longer Golden.  In fact it usually means bad bad things.

You wake up humming the tune to the Wiggles.

You are bathing your child, when they turn to you and hand you a turd, complete with a "Here you Go."

You talk more about poop then your local Proctologist.

You spend most of your life trying not to look like a fool, but now you could care less who stares at you while you make weird noises in the grocery story to entertain you child.

You can come up with 10 creative uses to keep your child entertained using only a cardboard box, a book, and a car.

You buy more shoes for your little one then you ever have for yourself.

You are lucky to get through a day without boogers, drool, food, or various other arrangements on your clothing.  *And usually you don't notice that it is there until after you get home from a rare moment out on your own.

None of that really matters because you couldn't be happier, whether you are handling baby turds, covered in slime, or dancing like a fool in public - everyday seems to be better then the last - and the mamas, kisses, smiles, and hugs are worth their weight in, well, parenting.

Scootababy Carrier ~ Review and Giveaway - CLOSED

It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of baby-wearing. In fact if you ask my husband he may just tell you I am a little addicted. I admit it, it is true. I love having multiple carriers in my stash. They are each so good for different reasons.

In October I had the opportunity to attend the ABC Kids Expo. There were so many amazing companies there. It is the largest juvenile product expo around! Not even 30 minutes after walking in to the massive expo space I came to Scootababy's booth. I was immediately intrigued because this carrier was different then most I have seen before.

What is so great about the Scootababy Carrier is it allows you to hold your baby in the most natural of positions, straddling the hip. So your baby is supported right on your hip, and the strap that goes across you body is soft, easily adjusted, and makes this carrier wear like a dream.

My Scootababy carrier has become my Go-To carrier for quick trips, or strolling in the mall. It is so easy to use. Anyone can wear this carrier. In fact, when I purchased my carrier I did so with my Hubs in mind.

Please note, that I took the picture immediately after getting Squish into the carrier, the Hubs isn't a fan of pictures, so I took it before we adjusted the carrier for a proper fit. (We moved the waist up, and spread the shoulder out.) He wore Squish until Squish wanted to play!

Here I am wearing Squish at the Wax Museum! Talk about a great view for a Child!!

We all love this carrier. We love it so much I have showed it to friends who have since gone out and purchased their own Scootababy Carriers. On the Squishy Rating Scale, the Scootababy Carrier rates an EXTRA SQUISHABLE!

Disclosure: I bought and paid for my Scootababy Carrier. All opinions are 100% my own. No monetary compensation was given for my review.

The Giveaway

Scootababy is generously offering one lucky Family and Life in Las Vegas reader a Scootababy Carrier of their own from the Essentials Line!

How to Win

Entering is easy – all you have to do is the mandatory entry. Extra entries are available but not mandatory. Please make sure to leave your email in your comment, or I will not be able to contact you about your win, and will have to choose another winner. I will be checking each entry to the best of my ability, so honesty is appreciated!

Mandatory Entry
Head over to Scootababy's Webpage and let me know why you would like this carrier or what you would use it for. You must also be a follower of Family and Life in Las Vegas. Then come back and leave one (1) comment saying you have done both of these things. (This is the only mandatory entry. The other entries below are EXTRA.)

Extra Entries

Follow Family and Life in Las Vegas via GFC, Facebook, and Twitter. (1 entry for each)

Subscribe to Family and Life in Las Vegas via email or RSS. (Upper Right-hand Corner) (2 entries each)

Tweet/Facebook/Stumble this Giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (1 entry each) (can be done daily)

"#win a Scootababy Carrier #Babywearing #giveaway from @FamilyNLifeLV! ends 12/27 http://bit.ly/scootababy Pls RT "

Grab my Button and comment with the link to where I can find it. (2 entries)

Add this giveaway to a giveaway linky and comment with the link (5 entries)

If you would like I would love for you to vote on Top Mommy Blogs and Picket Fences while you are here. No entries for this, just a big YOU ROCK for each vote!

This Giveaway is open to US entrants only and ends on 12/27 at 9 pm PST. The winner will be chosen via Random.Org and notified via email. The winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked. Good Luck!

Toddler Talk ~ Week 18 (Questions)

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Welcome to week 18 of Toddler Talk Thursday! Where Family and Life in Las Vegas, Crazy about my Baybah, and My Life as a Sippy Cup Mom talk all things Toddler

Toddler Talk Thursday was created as a place for moms and dads of toddlers to come together over a weekly topic and share ideas, go-to toys, or products. It is a great way to meet other bloggers of toddlers. Each week the topic will be different; we invite you to link up, share your weekly Toddler Talk!!

Each week the hosts will travel around to each blog that links up, and pick an idea, story, or picture they think was a great example of that weeks topic. In order to qualify for this you need to blog about this week's topic, and follow the hosts. Comments letting us know you are participating are always great too. If we choose your blog, we will link back to your post the following week.

Our highlighted blogs this week is:

Mandalyn and The Stinky Cheese 

She won the Toddler Talk Photo Contest

We LOVED looking through all your beautiful submissions.  Everyone has such adorable kiddos!

This week’s topic is : Ask you Questions

We thought this week we would have you all post any questions about your Toddler you would like advice on.  Maybe you are having sleep issues, meal time drama, or just want some new suggestions on meal ideas, music, or things other Toddlers enjoy.  No question is off limits, but please as we go around be respectful of other people and different parenting styles.

My Questions are:
1. What is your favorite on the go meal for your Toddler?
2. We are having some issues walking in public.  Squish wants to walk on his own, I would prefer to hold his hand.  But when I do, he drops his body weight and gets upset.  He is wanting to be independent.  I have never been a big fan of leashes personally, but I don't know how to keep him from running away in a crowd and not throwing a fit.  Any suggestions?



Thanks in advance for all your wonderful ideas!

Link Up Suggestions:

1. We ask that you follow all three hosts. That way you can keep up to date on future Toddler Talks.

2. Please grab the Toddler Talk Button and display it in your post or on your blog.

3. Stop in to other blogs that are linking up. Leave a meaningful comment if you visit, and follow if you would like.

This link up is for families that have toddlers. Raising a toddler can be fun, crazy, exciting, and exhausting. Sharing what works for you could give other families another way to do things.

Have Fun!

Next weeks topic will be: What are you getting your Toddler for the Holidays?

Please email us if you have ideas for a Toddler Talk Topic!!

Please – Before you Link up – This is NOT A BLOG HOP!! IT IS A MEME FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF TODDLERS. If you aren’t going to post specific to this weeks topic, then don’t link up.

Wordless (ish) Wednesday ~ Daily Vegas

Squish and BobBob's Welcome Home picture.

  

 

We have made it a tradition to take one when he leave, and one when he is home.

That way Squish can always see how sad his Daddy was to leave him, and how happy he was to be home.

Happy Wednesday!

Other Wordless Wednesdays:


Angry Julie Monday

Parenting By Dummies

5 Minutes for Mom

A Beautiful Mess

Live and Love Out Loud

Daily Vegas ~ Daddy is HOME!

I can't believe I am still up, but I suppose it is the excitement of having the hubs home. He is currently SNORING loudly next to me - Ahhh! The sweet sound of a hubby home!

Squishy took a late nap, and managed to stay up way past his bedtime to wait for daddy. And boy oh boy, was the Hubs happy to see him! So much has changed in 6 months!

My favorite part was when Squish said "Hi there Bob Bob!" (He has never really called the Hubs Dada or Daddy. I am sure that will change now that he is talking more, but I know Daddy doesn't mind one bit! In fact he thinks it is cute!)

I can tell you Squish loved having his "Bob Bob" home. He has already shared several hugs and a couple sloppy kisses. Not to mention he had to show off some of his new tricks!

Tomorrow we are off to the circus. Hopefully the Hubs will be okay. I know - not the best timing, but it is for Squish so he is going to try.

Other than a few pre-written posts and the announcement of the Toddler Wonderland Winners (Tomorrow is the last day to enter!!), I am probably going to be absent for a few days, which I am sure you can understand!

So happy to have my family back together! Now I am going to attempt to fall asleep next to my sweet chainsawing hubby! Love that man!

Daily Vegas ~ Single Parenting VS Single Parent ~ Wordfilled Wednesday

We have reached the end of another deployment. The day that my Hubs will be returning is within reach. I can count down the hours instead of the months.

And boy oh boy, I ready to be done with Single Parenting! Every part of me is ready for a break. My son is a sweet little Squish, he is by no means a “difficult” child, but that doesn’t mean that doing it on your own isn’t extremely exhausting.

All the choices whether they are small or large decisions are all yours. Every time your child wakes in the middle of the night it is all you. Late night runs to the ER when your child has a temp of 105.5, yep just you.

Daddy Leaving - Squish just shy of 5 months

You sleep when you can, and cry when you can’t. You love every moment with your child, and praise every moment you can get away to breathe.

But the main difference between Single Parenting and being a Single Parent is eventually your spouse comes home. Whether they have been deployed for 5.5 months or they have been on business for 2 weeks. The moment your spouse/partner comes home and wraps you in their arms, you know that rest is in your future, the pressure of making choices for your child is again split, and you are once again parenting with someone you love.

Daddy home - Squish 9 months

I have had two deployments spanning just less than 10 months total to learn how to deal with Single Parenting. Those 10 months have given me is an amazing perspective into the daily life of a Single Parent.

Single Parents are amazing people. I don’t know how they do it, because let me tell you, it is not easy. Rewarding? Fun? Crazy? Chaotic? Amazing? Lonely? Yes, it is every one of those things, but it is not easy.

When the Hubs deployed the first time post baby, Squish was 5 months old; I had no family in Las Vegas. My mommy friends were newer friends, and had families of their own. I was embarrassed to accept offers of help, and forget about asking for help. By the end of that deployment I was SO.INCREDIBLY.EXHAUSTED.

There were days when I wasn’t sure I could do it anymore. I hadn’t slept more than 3-4 hours at one time. I look back and feel like I missed out on so many moments with my son. Even though I was there, mentally I had checked out.

This holiday season why not offer a full day off to a friend or family member who is doing it all alone. Tell them no is not an option. If they don’t want a whole day, tell them to take an hour to go to the grocery store, better yet tell them to take 2 so they can do some holiday shopping.

If you happen to be a Single Parent, or are Single Parenting and someone offers to help you. Just say yes. I know it isn’t easy to say yes, and harder still to ask for help.

Daddy Leaving - Squish 12 months

This deployment I was lucky enough to have my Sister-in-law here. She moved out to be closer to her nephew, find new opportunities, and to be there to help me when her brother deployed.

Because of her, and some really great friends; sure I am RIDICULOUSLY.READY for the Hubs to come home, but I don’t feel like I missed out on important moments. I’m tired, but I can breathe. I got out of the house almost once a week just me. It has made a world of difference.

Thank you Kim. Thank you Thursday friends. Thank you Hubs - for doing what you do, the privilege of staying home with Squish is one I am blessed to have. And Single Parents – You amaze me.

So more of a Wordful Wednesday than Wordless Wednesday, but a wonderful Wednesday none-the-less.

Other Wordless Wednesdays:

Parenting By Dummies

5 Minutes for Mom

A Beautiful Mess

Live and Love Out Loud

Daily Vegas ~ You are your toddler's voice, SPEAK UP

As many of you know my little Squishy hasn't been doing well the last couple of days. In fact in the past 48 hours he has been in 3 different hospitals for tests, and ER visits. Had blood drawn, had a catheter inserted to get a clean urine specimen, 2 chest x-rays, and seen 4 different doctors.

Granted, as of right now, everything is pointing to a nasty virus, but he has also been improperly diagnosed with Pneumonia and Bronchitis. (I have to admit, after I cried due to feeling like a mom failure for not knowing my child was so sick, I thought that was odd that 24 hours ago my son was running around the strip. Sure he had a cold, but he was happy, no fever. I didn't realize Pneumonia could just show up over night. But I thought Doctor's know best.)

This isn't the first time this has happened. Back in June Squishy was diagnosed with a UTI after getting a high fever and not being able to hold down any voice. While we were in the ER I said to the Doctor, "So these spots on his feet and back are they a heat rash?" Doctor replied, "Oh probably." Again, I figured he must be right.

The next day we went into our Pediatrician with the diagnosis of the UTI. I again pointed out the spots on his feet, and the Doctor opened Squishy's mouth to find it covered in ulcers, he had hand foot mouth disease, not a UTI. (Which means the prescribed antibiotics were not needed.)

Back to currently day, my son was diagnosed with Tonsillitis, and an Upper Respiratory Infection, but his 2nd X-ray showed absolutely NO Pneumonia or Bronchitis. I think that it was an honest mistake. I don't know that the first x-ray didn't show up weird. But what I do know, is the best thing you can do for your child, no matter what the diagnosis is to go in prepared.

1. Write down any and all symptoms you child is having. Just because something doesn't necessary fit into a perfect "illness checklist" doesn't mean it isn't important.

2. Be prepared. When you get into see your Doctor, especially with a sick child, make sure you have all the questions written down that you want answers to. Squish gets upset when he sees Doctors and he isn't feeling well. So if I didn't have a list in front of me it would be easy to get lost in the tears and clingy child.

3. Listen to your gut. If something doesn't seem right to you, speak up! Your toddler can't always verbalize what is going on. They are very reliant on you to be their voice. So if the Doctor tells you something is normal, and you don't agree, say so. If you don't understand a diagnosis, ask for clarification. If you noticed something odd, and the Doctor brushes it off, keep bringing it up. Mother's Instinct is real, and powerful. You know your child the best. Listen to your nagging gut when something just doesn't feel right, or something needs to be done.

4. Be Polite, Patient, and Powerful. Doctors tend to respond better to parents who have their head on straight. It is easy when your child is sick to get lost in the emotions that go along with that. Sometimes it can manifest itself in and impatient, rude, or timid parent. Keep you head about you, do your best to control your emotional reactions, but don't forget to use your voice. Save the other behaviors for the car, or the shower, or the conversations with your partner.

5. Don't forget, as a parent you are your child's advocate for the next 18 years, if not for the rest of their life. Speak Up.

A special thanks to Vanessa over at .

She picked me to be this weeks Monday Maven!! How fun is that! I am excited to be featured for this. If you haven't already found her blog, make sure you head on over and check it out! She has a beautiful family and pretty great information on monetizing you blog!

Daily Vegas ~ Deja Vu Wordless Wednesday

My Squishy looked so sweet taking his nap the other day, I had to take a picture. I wasn't worried about waking him up, because he had been sleeping for 3 hours, and needed to get up if it was going to be a good night.

Isn't he sweet?? He sleeps just like his Daddy...

Wakes up just like him too!!

Now when I saw this picture I was suddenly hit with a feeling of Deja Vu. No, and not because that is very literally the look my husband has on his face when he wakes up in the morning.

It was because I have posted this before....

Don't believe me? Have a look for yourself!

Daily Vegas ~October 20th, 2010

• Just over 2 years since we found out we were expecting the sweetest squishiest baby ever.
• 16.5 Months since we had said Squishy Baby.
• 500+ days of our lives.
• Easily over 3000 Nursing sessions.
• Hundreds of hours of bonding time.
• One formally 10lb 2 oz baby, Now a healthy 26+lb 33inch Toddler.
• Cracked nipples.
• Un-totaled amounts spent on nipple creams, nursing bras, breast pads and other breastfeeding paraphernalia.
• Pinch marks.
• A million sweet smiles hidden sweetly behind my breast.
• 14 teeth.
• A few bite incidents.
• Countless public boob flashes.
• A place where sleep kissed both of our eyelids from time to time.
• Sweet Hands on Mama's Face.
• Soft baby skin for me to rub with love.
• A lot of hard work.
• A lot of love.
• An end of a chapter.
• A healthy beginning.
• A sad and sweet moment for me.
• A reminder of Roots and Wings.

My son has been fighting his only nursing session of the day. The past few weeks, nursing has only been frustrating for him, and work for me. Last night I nursed for the last time. I am thrilled to have made it this long. I am counting my blessings. I am sad it ended this way. I always thought it would be him nursing, gazing into my eyes, me knowing it was our last time nursing. A tear or two. A sweet end to a rough beginning.

Instead I knew it was the right thing to do. My son self-weaned himself. I had gotten him to a point where he was ready to be done. I just thought it would last longer, and end different. I am kind of numb to it right now. Despite the fact that my son was ready, my breasts are still feeling full having not nursed in over 24 hours. I knew being a mother would be filled with ups and downs, but I never realized it you could be filled with such sorrow at the same time as you are proud to have made it this long.

Toddler Talk ~ Week 12 (Clothes)

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Welcome to the twelfth week of Toddler Talk Thursday! Where Family and Life in Las Vegas, Crazy about my Baybah, and My Life as a Sippy Cup Mom Talk all things Toddler!

Toddler Talk Thursday was created as a place for moms and dads of toddlers to come together over a weekly topic and share ideas, go-to toys, or products. It is a great way to meet other bloggers of toddlers. Each week the topic will be different; we invite you to link up, share your weekly Toddler Talk!!

Each week the hosts will travel around to each blog that links up, and pick an idea, story, or picture they think was a great example of that weeks topic. In order to qualify for this you need to blog about this week's topic, and follow the hosts. Comments letting us know you are participating are always great too. If we choose your blog, we will link back to your post the following week.

Our highlighted blog this week is:

Mommyhood and Wedding Bells

This week’s topic is : Clothes

I'm funny when it comes to clothes. I like clothes that either make my Squish look like a "little man", or a "baby".

"Little man" would be polo's, jeans, overalls, sweater vests, bowties, ect.



"Baby" would be onesies, footed jammies, and anything pastel and well, baby looking.


It really just depends on the mood I am in.

I tend to not like to put Squish in "character clothing". I know there will come a time when he will only want to where Elmo, Buzz, or whomever is popular at the moment. But for now - I like to shy away from it. The rare exceptions to this are made for 2 reasons. Sometimes it is just too cute to pass on, and my hubs is a huge fan of Tigger.

I think the best clothing for a little boy are the carter's rompers. It isn't a onesie, it isn't a two piece, it is just perfect. I seriously could let him wear them everyday - save the days where I dress him like a little man, or need him to feel like my baby again.



(And yes, I know. I am a bit crazy.)

What clothes do you love to put on your toddler?

Link Up Suggestions:

1. We ask that you follow all three hosts. That way you can keep up to date on future Toddler Talks.

2. Please grab the Toddler Talk Button and display it in your post or on your blog.

3. Stop in to other blogs that are linking up. Leave a meaningful comment if you visit, and follow if you would like.

This link up is for families that have toddlers. Raising a toddler can be fun, crazy, exciting, and exhausting. Sharing what works for you could give other families another way to do things.

Have Fun!

Next weeks topic will be: Family: What does your toddler love to do with Aunts, Uncles, Grandma and Grandpa?

Please – Before you Link up – This is NOT A BLOG HOP!! IT IS A MEME FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF TODDLERS. If you aren’t going to post specific to this weeks topic, than don’t link up.