New Year, New Inspiration!

Welcome to 2016! 

 

With the new year comes new motivation and new inspiration! This year is going to bring a variety of projects for me, and I hope it will bring lots of projects for you as well.

So many things happened last year that pushed me to grow in almost every aspect; this year I feel like I can do anything! Let's analyze; think about the struggles and impossible situations that you overcame in 2015. If you got through that, you can literally do or be anything you want. I realized 2 important things:

1. You don't need to be a professional to do what you love - We can't let the fact that we aren't "qualified" hold us back from our passions, because practice makes perfect. I used to be under the impression that a short film had to be this magnificent work of art, and that discouraged me from making movies. But I got tired of waiting for inspiration to strike, and I started making little videos to work on the technical side of my craft. If you love something don't wait until someone gives you permission. Just go for it!
2. Hard work, passionate work, always pays off - Passion can leak into to everything you do. When you try your best at something because you love it, the right people will notice and things will take off for you! And even if no one ever notices, the satisfaction of finishing a task that you know you put 110% of your best efforts into is indescribable. 

Maybe I am a little ambitious to be taking this on, but I feel like if I stick to it and work hard, I will succeed. One of those projects is to start a YouTube channel. It's time to take the time to practice my craft. So I started out already with a couple short videos...

my short film...

  

and a new trailer for my book!

 Soon I will also be posting irregular Vlogs documenting our transition from Puerto Rico to Raleigh.

(Stay tuned!)

The point is 2016. 

It is the year of inspiration, motivation, and new challenges! 

Forget about a new year's resolution! 

Set goals and make yours dreams happen! 

 

Potty Diaries: Day 3

 

Dear Diary,

Today was kind of disappointing; Nico experienced regression for the first time, which is completely normal, I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. At this age toddlers are learning how to express themselves. Nico goes through periods where he really wants to please me, and phases where he could care less whether I approve of his behavior or not; I call those, "Rough Days." 

Today was a Rough Day.

Nico defiantly used the floor when he went pee-pee, alerting me each time after he was already finished. And the times when I took him to the potty he refused to use it even when he was reminded of his potty reward, which is okay. To me, the most important thing is that he feels comfortable with going to the bathroom; it is not the time or place for strict discipline in order to avoid tears and outright refusal to even sit on the potty.

The one time he did use the potty was when I caught him in the middle of doing a number 2 on the floor. I carried him running to the potty where he finished! Afterwards, I cleaned up the mess with toilet paper and put it in the potty to show him that numbers always go in there.

3 Things I learned about Nico and Potty Time:

1. He likes to pee on the floor (I assume this is true of most boys when they start)
2. Regression is normal
3. He enjoys the Potty Song I made up to go along with Number 2's

Though I was a little discouraged to discover that he enjoyed peeing on the floor, and was tempted to give up and put him back in a diaper, I stuck it out until bath time, which is when we put his diaper on for the night.

 At the end of the day, it helped to focus on his small accomplishment, rather than dwell on the things that were out of my control. 

Sincerely,
Sabrina (aka The KUL Mom)

Potty Diaries: Day 1

Dear Diary, 

Today was a very exciting day for Nico! He was thrilled to discover that he didn't have to wear his diaper at all, and happily ran around the house in all his naked freedom. 

Then, he had his first accident. He came to me saying, "Nico pee-pee!" And I was excited, until I found a small yellow puddle on the tiled playroom floor. I calmly told him that we pee-pee in the potty, and had him bring me paper towels to help me clean up, which he was very happy to do. 

The second time he had an accident, I caught him, and was able to get him to stop midstream, a thing that is difficult for him to do at this age. We ran to the potty where Nico finished his number 1! We sang a song, and I gave him lots of high-fives and endless praise. 

When it was time for his nap, we visited the potty again, though he didn't use it. It is unreasonable to expect these little ones to stay dry during nap time, or to be able to wake up and alert their parents if they need to use the potty; so, I put a diaper on him to avoid a smelly disaster. When we went to the potty after nap time, he successfully made another pee-pee!

We visited the potty several more times that day. Before and after lunch, snack, and dinner, without much luck. I was careful to not show disappointment when he didn't have to go, so that he wouldn't associate potty time with guilt. However, when he made a number 2 on the floor, I made sure he knew that it was not okay. While he helped me clean the mess again, I sternly but kindly told him that we must use the potty next time so that we can keep the floor clean.

3 things that Reassured me that Nico was ready for potty training:

1. He was able to tell me when he was finished using the potty
2. He knows the difference between going number 1 and going number 2
3. He recognizes the sensation and tells me either before or after he does his business

Overall, the first day of potty training went better than I had excepted!

Sincerely, 
Sabrina (aka The KUL Mom)

Back to School, Again

August is here, and if you are headed back to school you have mixed feelings about the month of "back-to-school." On one hand, you get to catch up with all of your friends that you didn't get to hang out with during the summer! On the other hand, if you're in the "mommy in school" boat, you must once again fill up your book bag and head off to classes leaving your little ones (and your comfortable bed) behind.

It seems like there is so much to do and so little time to prepare. I found myself caught between wanting to make the most of my last days of summer and scrambling to get ready for the impending school year.

 Thankfully, being a college senior comes with the perks of being a back-to-school expert!

In My Backpack:

• *1 Notebook Per Class
• 1 Pack of College-Ruled Paper
• 1 accordion file
• *1 Pack of Note Cards
• *Agenda
• 1 Pack of Pens
• *2 Packs of Pencils
• 1 Pencil Pouch
• 2 Highlighters 
• *Pencil Sharpener 

*I like to have hard copies of my notes and schedule instead of using a digital device, because anything can happen. During my first semester of my junior year, I used a Kindle Fire for basically everything, however when it froze and died on me half way through the semester I learned a hard lesson. 

My Look For the Day: 

A plain camisole with a light sweater or jacket, loose leg jeans, and comfortable shoes.

This is perfect when you don't know the temperature of your classroom yet; if it's rather warm, you can push up your sleeves or ditch the sweater, and if it's cold you'll be comfortable!

Accessorize with dangle earrings, a delicate necklace, and a french braid!

Good Luck! ;)

Have a great, productive day!

Teaching Toddlers 103: Water Exploration Day

One impossibly hot summer afternoon, Nico and I decided to go outside to play. We don't have a fan in the living room/play area, so we roamed into the side yard hoping to catch a breeze. After watching Nico sweat it out for a few minutes, a brilliant idea occurred to me. 

I could turn the broiling day into a teachable moment! Nico already knew it was hot, he told me as much several times in both English and Spanish, so I came up with a fun way to cool him off without leaving the house and without wasting too much water. 

I went inside and grabbed a milk carton that I had been saving for a spontaneous craft, and using scissors, a sharpie, and a stapler, I turned it into a "watering can" and a "water house"!

It's okay if the pitcher has holes in it! The point is for the little one to see and feel the water fall out

The hole in the front is so that water can been seen going through the carton

The flap on the side is so that the toddler can see the water pouring off onto the ground

  

Once our supplies were assembled, I went inside and gathered water from the sink into a large pitcher. 

That's when the real fun began! 

Nico learned about pouring water, and that though it is tangible, it cannot be grabbed, only felt and contained. Of course I wasn't trying to explain those complicated concepts to my 23mo, he was content to figure it out in his own way.

Please excuse his naked lower half, we are still potty training =)

 

 He also learned that some things sink in water, while other things float, and that if you put enough force on an object in the water, you can push it to the bottom.

 

By the end of our little experiment, he was cooled down and soaked! 

He ended up running free in his birthday suit without a care in the world, and the hot hot sun was long forgotten! 

It was just another day of trying to keep my Gummy Bear from melting! 

Mommy & Me Monday!

The reason behind the Mommy and Me posts is to remind myself that Nico always comes before work. During the day while I'm writing, Nico crawls on my lap, craving attention, and I take a few minutes to snap some pictures with him to make him feel loved and special. 

 

He's growing up so fast, I refuse to miss a single second of it!

 

He will always be my baby!! 

 

 

Happy M&M Monday ;)

Don't forget to cherish the ones you love every moment of every day! 

Potty Diaries: Introduction

Nico has always been a very intelligent and strong willed little guy. Once he decides he is ready for something, there is no stopping him. Though I have never wanted to rush him through milestones, I was not surprised when he took his first steps at 10 months, when he started climbing everything in sight at 12 months, or when he began to take an interest in the potty at 15 months. He began following my husband and I to the bathroom, flushing the toilet when he thought no one was looking, and telling me all about the contents of his dirty diaper. Though experts say these are all indicators of potty readiness, I still felt it was too early, and I didn't want to push my baby to grow up before his time. Instead we decided to take pre-potty steps. 

A potty seat was the best option for our household because Nico was eager to sit on the toilet like mommy and daddy, and because we live in a single story house with easy bathroom access. I also liked the other benefits of the seat such as, portability, easy clean up, and space-saving storage. Each day, or maybe every other day, I would sit Nico on his potty seat (fully dressed) to get him used to the idea that one day he would be doing it all by himself. 

Little did I know that day would come sooner rather than later. 

Nico decided he was ready all on his own. At about 18 months, he started taking off his diaper during nap time. Sounds innocent enough, right? There is no harm in being silly and or figuring out how to work the tabs on a diaper, unless there is something in that diaper. Imagine my shock and disgust when I walk in on my 1 and a half year old happily smearing his feces all over himself and his crib. Unfortunately, this was not a one time thing. Over the next couple months, Nico continued to make monumental messes, no matter what my husband and I did, and he was beginning to do it more frequently. I began asking the older mothers in my church when they started the potty process and they all advised me to waited until Nico was ready. 

Well, when you know, you know. 

I still had my doubts since Nico was still 22 months old, not even 2 yet, but I couldn't take another nap time nightmare. 

So, I made a potty plan:

1. Stay home as much as possible during the day. 
2. Let Nico walk around with no diaper, and no pants. BIRTHDAY SUIT! 
3. Begin using undies when he has at least 2 days of no accidents in a row (this hasn't happened yet)
4. Take the potty seat out with us when he finally does make the transition to undies.

Over the next few months I'll be writing a little series called Potty Diaries that will highlight misadventures of a first time mommy in Potty Land. 

Follow us through all the ups and downs, and #1's and #2's!

Potty Diaries: Getting Started

To potty or not to potty?

It seems that's the next big question as our little ones make the transition from toddlers to big kids. And everyone has something to say about it. With half of your friends and family telling you to wait and the other half telling you it's about time you got started, it can be hard to know if or when your baby is ready. 

The main question on my mind was, at what age is it appropriate to start toilet training

my son? After many hours of research I finally found my answer.

Despite what you may have heard, I found that there is no exact age to mark the beginning of the potty days; it all boils down to your baby. Is he or she ready? I found a POTTY READINESS QUIZ on pediatrics.about.com that might help you figure it out. 

The next question is, are you ready? To begin the potty process you'll need a few supplies:

Potty Time Tools

A cleaning spray (maybe 2, for the accidents)

A large pack of paper towels

Potty seat or potty chair (pro/con list for both)

Baby wipes (for cleaning up beginners) 

Training pants or undies 

 Diapers (yes, you'll still need diapers. our little ones still cannot be expected to stay dry at night or during naps)

A potty book for parents (optional but extremely helpful)

 An online forum to turn to when you're at your wits end (no matter how calm you are when you start the process, I guarantee mild frustration on your part at some point. Knowing that others are going through the same things may help you feel a bit more relaxed and will motivate you to be patient and to not give up) 

A few more things that experts suggest are videos and books to help your baby along. We decided to skip the videos, and although I originally planned to buy potty books, they didn't get there in time. So speaking by experience, I'd say it's okay to start without those as long as your little one understands what the toilet is, what it's for, and what to do on it. 

Follow Nico and I as we take our first steps towards his childhood! 

And I wish you the best of luck on your own Potty Journey! 

3 Yummy Toddler Meals They Won't Refuse

It can be incredibly frustrating to get a toddler to eat, let alone be sure that they are getting an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. Their little bodies are going through big changes that have a monumental effect on their appetite. Sometimes, my little one will ask for more, and sometimes he only takes 3 bites and he's done. 

The key is preparing foods that he can enjoy, that have nutrients packed into every single bite. 

 One of the things I learned not to do is give him what I know he likes just because I know he will eat it. French fries may be tasty, but they are certainly not an everyday thing. 

 

The following meals are colorful and healthy, and they have Nico running to the dinner table every night!

Salami and Swiss Cheese Sandwich with Mustard and Margarine, and Carrot Sticks and low fat Ranch dip

 Kielbasa Sausage with Carbonara Elbow Macaroni, and Juicy Cucumbers

Homemade Fish Sticks, White Rice & Black Beans w/ Fresh Chopped Spinach, and Juicy Cucumbers

**BONUS**

For a delicious and nutritious dessert, Apple Slices with Vanilla Yogurt!

Puerto Rico Adventures: El Yunque

My family and I are blessed to live on an island that is rich in history and diverse in nature and landscapes. From the rainforests, to the caves, to the beaches, to the salt plains, there is always something new to see! 

During the month of July, we planned a few affordable day trips around the island to take in as much of Puerto Rico as we can before we move back to the States later this year. 

Our first stop was El Yunque rainforest! 

Since we got a late start we did not have time to stop at the observation tower and viewing spots on the way up to the river. Our main priority was taking a dip in the cold Yunque water! If you want to see everything the mountain has to offer I recommend leaving early; the park is open from 7:30am to 6pm. 
Start heading down 45min. before they close to avoid getting left behind. 

When we arrived we were interested in going to the peak, but the hike is much too difficult for our 22mo, Nico. 

(My husband and I agreed to go together later) 

 

Instead, we tried to tackle the hike from the gift shop down to the waterfall. The path was steep and narrow and there were dozens of tourist passing by on the way up and down. Needless to say, Nico got very tired and when we realized we would have to carry him all the way back up the mountain we turned around.
(Again, we agreed to save this hike for another day) 

Nico and I suffered a minor accident when I stepped off the path and slipped on a rock, falling face forward, with Nico in my arms. 


 


I came down with his weight and mine on my forearms and elbows, and learned to never leave the path. The 30 or so people around me were very concerned about Nico, who was terrified but not hurt, and shot me "bad parent glances" when they passed around me, as I was now determined to never leave the path.

We eventually made it back up to a picnic area we had spotted on the way down, conveniently close to the parking lot and a tranquil shallow part of the river. 

We ate a delicious lunch of turkey, Swiss, and salami sandwiches with barbecue chips, then suited up for Nico's very first river bath!

 

He was freezing but excited and more than comfortable as long as he could cling to Daddy or me. 

I guided him up stream.... 


 

And before we knew it, it was time to go home. On the way down the mountain, Nico fell asleep...

and we were able to stop at a looking point with a view that is much better in person. 

Where the ocean and sky connect <3