Another Easy Dinner or Lunch

In my quest to never actually "home-cook" anything for Z, I'm finding lots of great "fast" foods for him. I'm just kidding, I'm happy to share our meals with him, but you need some fallbacks for picky toddlers!

Anyhow, I've just discovered the yummiest meal from Trader Joe's! It's gnocchi with tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella called GNOCCHI ALLA SORENTINA (sp?)! You'll find it in a bag in the frozen section and all you do is cut open the bag and saute it's contents for 7 minutes. It is SO yummy...would be a great side for chicken parm! Check it out!

Reading to Your Little Gem

We all know that reading to our little gems is important, but who knows just how important? I mean, half the time they're flipping through the pages faster than you can get a word in. Reading Magic, by celebrated children's author Mem Fox, is amazing! This book will give you tips on how and when to read to your child. She also explains what a difference reading aloud will make in your child's ability to learn to read later on.

If you do read this book, don't be intimidated...some of her suggestions are a bit much...ie, reading a new book to your child everyday!!! Anyhow, this book is a great tool to unlock the power of reading!

**FYI: Only the first half of this book relates to reading to very young children. The 2nd half of the book is more focused on preschoolers.

Post-Birth Help and Massages!!!

After I had my little gem, Z, I was in need of HELP! Shannon Collier runs Holistic Helping Hand and she is a certified post-partum doula who comes to your house and takes care of you! Yes, you...not the baby! Actually, she did help with him a lot, but she helped *me* take care of him and she made sure I was doing okay, esp after having a c-section. She was truly amazing! It's sort of like having a baby-nurse, but she's someone you like hanging out with and will provide *you* with moral support!

At any rate, if anyone you know, in the DC area, is expecting please pass her name along if they are in need of post-birth help. When she helped me she came for several hours each (or every other) day and was there to get me in shape to take care of little Z...esp when breastfeeding was so rough. She does lots of other things too, but she really helped get me through the rough patches!

Oh, and by the way, she's also a certified massage therapist and although I've never had a massage from her, I'm sure she's fab! Check it out!

More BPA-Free Info

Hi there! For all who read this, I realize I've dropped the ball a bit. With Z's birthday and some home renovations, it was hard for me to focus. Anyhow, I think I'm back!

If anyone is interested in any products by Munchkin, particularly sippy cups, they have a pdf with a list of many of their products and what they're made of (click on the link that says "MunchkinPublished "). It's very useful. I just bought the 10oz Mighty Grip straw sippy in hopes that I've found a straw sippy that's not leaky...and BPA free!