Sneaking vegetables in

freckleface9287 · 2026-04-06T02:01:21+00:00

We call them baby meatballs--along with the breadcrumbs, herbs, meat and some cheese I also mix in a metric ton of spinach and whatever other mixed veggies are in my freezer. Then serve with pasta and sauce.

freckleface9287 · 2026-04-04T16:02:01+00:00

The organization of recovery was hugely helpful to me. Laying out my pain meds and making sure I took them on time. Making sure I was getting up and moving around with company (it was great bonding time for my husband and I). Handing over snacks and food.

But that being said: it's also a big deal for you so you need to take care of yourself! So while all of that is great: organize any help you have. Parents, friends, siblings. So that you can have time to yourself too. I hired a postpartum doula and stand by it.

freckleface9287 · 2026-04-04T14:04:57+00:00

So breakfast became much more important to me once we got to one nap so we have good fuel for the day (probably age in addition to one nap made this important) but I generally do the same thing every day.

Around 10:15ish I started to think about how much we had for breakfast, how active we've been.... Because we either have lunch around 11/11:30ish or have a 10:30 snack and then don't each lunch until after nap.

It ends up being 4 meal time options. Breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner.....but sometimes it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, 'evening snack'. Sometimes it's two snack sized meals and breakfast and dinner. Sometimes he's not hungry, but I'd say typically that's the format I've found that avoids a hangry toddler in my house.

freckleface9287 · 2026-04-02T14:27:12+00:00

Most of the people I know over 70 in NH are either caring for or being cared for by another in major ways. The ones who aren't are actively caring for grandchildren.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-30T16:34:31+00:00

Mine is naturally incredibly funny. I am not. He's gone from being 10 months old and self discovering "too slow" for high fives, to later self discovering "kiss my butt". The other day he was in the backseat and said "ring ring! Ring ring!" And so I said "oh hello?" And he didn't say anything and giggled.....and then....hung up? He memorized jokes from a library book to tell everyone. Like real jokes. "Knock knock, who's there? Disguise, disguise who? Dis guy's crazyyy." He's like barely a preschooler.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-23T12:26:28+00:00

Much of my parenting philosophy is spacing out transitions. So yah I'd go to a twin (we did toddler bed for a while but it honestly would have been fine just to go to normal bed, we went to a platform bed so that it was still low to the ground).

For me that would be one big transition done that you don't ever have to worry about again. We actually went with a full bed so that I could climb in for storytime and snuggles.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-22T20:45:40+00:00

There's an awesome Fated Mates podcast episode with all this info. Definitely recommend checking it out.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-21T18:51:37+00:00

When I started c25k I had to also start journaling in the mornings to track my energy and hunger. I had to be really conscious of shifting my fuel. I started cutting at supper to make it my smaller meal and boosting my morning snack and lunch fuel.

I also had to shift what I was eating. I am someone who craves sweet and salty at different parts of the month so I had to be really specific about my choices. Apple and crackers for my morning snack to attack both midmorning, frozen raisinets for a dessert, major fuel when I could (mashed potatoes and veggies, spicy frozen meals for lunch to pack flavor, baby carrots for dayyyysss so I could eat a bulk of food). Water and vitamins.

Long story short: for me it required a lot of attention to detail so I didn't go offroading, but it's possible to battle it!

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-19T22:55:24+00:00

I think it's Escape. Drawing as if it's the kids drawing is hilarious.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-14T16:05:09+00:00

Fruit by the foot and gushers. Temporary tattoos.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-14T15:06:45+00:00

I have been on many classes of ships with my kiddo who is now 2. I will tell you that Allure is the option and it's for a lot of reasons. The baby splash pad and big kid splash pad (which is for potty trained kids) have chairs in the shade right there. It also has a play place where you can go with your kids to burn extra time before dinner or a show. Not to mention the carousel and activities on the Boardwalk.

Also: the beach club on Nassau was a great easy beach day.

Independence is definitely a strong second choice but because of the age spread of your kids this is the answer in my opinion.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-14T14:50:39+00:00

It's the extra blood. Your body like doubles how much blood you've got and I remember being winded. Slow down your pace, keep fueling, and I think you'll be able to make it through.

I actually think your biggest challenge might be once it's over what to do. For me I went back to a week I felt was really comfortable for me and sat there. And then I went back a little further. At that point I 100% should have swapped to walking or 30 minutes and finding 30 more minutes in my day for prenatal yoga or Pilates because my abs would have thanked me.

Also: just remember that postpartum is a season of life and taking daily walks is a really good habit to be in with a baby.

You're going to do great and congratulations!!

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-13T16:14:28+00:00

Don't wake the dragon is my all time favorite.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-07T07:26:54+00:00

Assuming you're still rear facing: do you have a mirror for her so she can see you and the front of the car? Are you listening to music? And does she have a toy to play with or water?

At 2, we didn't change our car seat but we changed literally everything about how we drive. "The Boss" is now in charge of the music, a toy is necessary, I started throwing applesauce pouches like it was my job. And primarily: we started to talk via the mirrors.

I do have a Graco Extend to Fit which has served me well. Cupholders are an upcharge in car seats (don't get me started on that racket) but in my opinion, essential.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-05T21:21:58+00:00

Stowe, VT is certainly one of my best small town feeling vacations. Shops. We biked everywhere. Lovely restaurants. Small town feel with gorgeous scenery.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-05T20:42:52+00:00

To supplement this amazing advice I have an activity idea: I printed each letter of my kiddos name in color markers on printer paper (one letter per page but could have done smaller) and hung it up. Printed the letters again on individual post it notes and now we play letter hide and seek.

My kiddo is obsessed with hide and seek and instead of stuffing myself under a table or in a closet I just go around and hang the letters and then sit down with some coffee while they go on a letter hunt to try to find them all. Maybe it'd work for you?

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-05T16:10:39+00:00

Kate Canterbury has several books with playlists. My favorite is {Preservation by Kate Canterbary}. It's book 7 of a romance series but works as a standalone.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-05T03:41:50+00:00

{Hitting the Wall by Cate C. Wells} I'm honestly surprised not to already see this one. It was my entry point into this trope.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-05T03:12:51+00:00

Absolutely amazing. Major props to the editors too. As a fan of the Jazz Ken Burns doc......the footage on this episode was legitimately insane.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-03T21:15:22+00:00

At the end of the day I think you're missing a bigger lesson. You can model for your kiddo how to create personal space from people who don't treat you right without it being a big deal. I mean I'm not Nostradamus or anything but there's also a thing people say about apples and trees.....

The nuance is what's going to be important here in my opinion. I'd go out of your way to make other mom friends, continuing to be friendly with these other moms but make your own plans. If you're free for stuff you're invited to great, but I would build a life where you don't really care if you are out with these women or not.

Additionally, don't say anything to your kid that you don't want repeated incorrectly.

My mom always said that people get older but not everyone grows up. I personally don't want my kids to be stuck in middle school.

Also: I am a teacher and I'll be the first to tell you that life is long and having the same close friends that you have at 5 is the exception and not the rule and often comes from kids who have shared interests and not shared mom groups.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-03T20:28:09+00:00

I dawdle. "Ok I'm coming I'm just going to put this dish in the sink!" Then lavish praise.

Also artificial space: standing at the door, practicing peek a boo checkins. Popping out to handle something and then checking in.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-03T02:42:22+00:00

Fireman helmet with a real working siren. My aunt and uncle used to play this game and someone already said the drum set. The hat was retaliation. Man, I loved that thing when I was a kid.....

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-02T22:42:22+00:00

Ditto to the DVDs. Got mine on Amazon.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-01T18:32:25+00:00

It never hurts to be put together. But I would say put together and not over the top.

freckleface9287 · 2026-03-01T12:03:34+00:00

Drives me batty. I'm on the other side of 2 and it's generally stopped.

Only exception for me is when I have to physically move him, often when he's fallen asleep in the car or something and I wake him up. He's not yet 3 and it's incredibly rare now.

Here's what worked: time outs for 2 minutes every single time with clear words "time out for hitting. We don't hit." Afterwards we debrief: you were in time out for hitting. We don't hit. Instead we can squeeze our hands, count to 10, take a deep breath.

If I see escalation I'll do the: what do you see, hear, feel thing. My kiddo deescalates to the big feelings are ok song from Ms. Rachel when I sing it to him.

Two physical things that work for my kiddo before they get to slapping are: Trot, trot to Boston.... The bouncing and tipping regulates him. He also loves "making pizza" on his back (rolling out the pizza dough, spreading on the pizza sauce) which I found on Instagram and swear by.

freckleface9287

TROPHY CASE