A Frog In My Soup» Motherhood

Here and Now

Shera — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:51:17 +0000

I’ve heard it said a million times “remember, you can’t get these years back”.

Blue Like Play Dough

Shera — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:34:31 +0000

I don’t do many book reviews here, but every once in a while, there is a book that comes along that must be shared and since so many of my readers are moms looking for encouragement, I simply had to share this great book!

If you are a mom that is feeling a little bit like a blob of play dough, this is the book for you.

Potty Tots – Potty Training Review and Giveaway

Shera — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:28:59 +0000

You would think that since I’ve already potty trained 4 boys, training the twins would be a walk in the park…but it’s not. They are now officially my latest-to-train kiddos and there is no more putting it off. So when I was introduced to Potty Tots and their unique program I was definitely intrigued, so they sent a kit for boys my way.

The little ones were so excited when I began opening the kit! They knew it was for them, with all the little people all over the box. Then, to find a letter addressed to each of them inside, they were in heaven. The process is simple with Potty Tots and while you still need to endure the process of potty training, this program gives your little trainee some extra tools for the journey so that they can feel like they are in control.

As a potty training mom alumni, I do know all the basics, I also know that it is important not to have a ton of failed attempts at potty training. The last two kiddos I trained had a unique way of doing it…I introduced it, they rebelled against it, I finally stated (to my husband, not to them) that I was giving up and they suddenly decided to do it on their own the second I stopped “training”. All of that to say that with every child the process will likely look a little different.

I really do recommend Potty Tots for parents who are ready to begin the process – or maybe you’re not completely ready but your child is showing signs of being ready…yup, you should get this too! You choose the kit for a boy or girl. The boy’s kit comes complete with a letter addressed to your child and…

A story/guide book

Animated DVD -featuring three original Potty Tots songs and 2 bonus music videos

One 11″X17″ Illustrated potty chart (easily wipes clean with damp cloth)

One 11″X17″ Toilet Bowl” progress/reward game with clings (easily wipes clean with damp cloth)

My boys loved every aspect of this kit. We started by watching the DVD. They loved the songs (and were singing them the rest of the day) and also loved watching the little one in the DVD learn how to go potty by himself. As soon as that was over I pulled out the Illustrated potty chart and we talked about how it was the same process they had just seen in the movie…which was very exciting for them! So we went and hung it on the wall next to the toilet. Then came explaining the “Toilet Bowl” game to them.

My boys were super excited to give it all a try and the potty chart for the bathroom is genius! Not only do they totally understand the process, but since it’s next to the toilet, they like to look at it while they’re “trying” to go.

For those of you who have been putting it off, I’m sorry to say that I have just eliminated your last excuse to avoid potty training your little one. Once you order one of these kits, take your little one on an adventure to the store to purchase their new undies and a potty seat of their very own (of course, my twins have to share).

Potty Tots is also offering one lucky commenter the opportunity to win a Potty Tots kit for the little one in your life. To enter, simply visit the Potty Tots website to see their products, you’ll also want to take a minute to sit down with your little one and watch the video! Either way, when you are done come back here and leave a comment telling me about any of your potty training experiences and/or who you want to win this for.

Remember to take advantage of all the great ways to earn extra entries, just leave another comment for each extra: the favorites are to tweet with a link to this giveaway, submit the giveaway to Kirtsy or Stumble Upon!! This giveaway is open to US addresses and will end on May 27th.

Expect the Unexpected – The Colicky Newborn

Shera — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:00:52 +0000

This post was written by Tessa (my sister and Baby Fest’s Mom-of-Honor)!

Anyone who has a baby with colic can relate to the feelings of helplessness that I experienced when my daughter was an infant. She cried nearly all afternoon and evening, everyday, for the first three months of her life. I was a first time mom and completely clueless as to what she needed, let alone how to meet her needs.

My husband and I did our best to comfort her, care for her and not kill each other in the process. Looking back I can now see that I went from feeling like a clueless, helpless bundle of tears, to feeling confident and capable of loving and raising my baby. We tried a lot of methods and strategies that sometimes helped and sometimes didn

Cushie Pushie – New Breastfeeding Mom's Best Friend

Shera — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:00:17 +0000

This Giveaway has ended and the winner has been contacted.

I Have A Teenager

Shera — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:28:19 +0000

As of this morning, I am now officially the mother of a teenager … you can probably hear my screams of denial if you live anywhere in the United States or Canada!!

A Word from the Salesman

Shera — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:03:31 +0000

Getting interesting, funny and touching messages and school papers from our children is possibly one of the best parts of motherhood.

Set Apart – Encountering Jesus

Shera — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:04:53 +0000

Encounters with Jesus aren’t always easy to spot right away, but in the aftermath – the part where you finally start to breathe again – His hands were clearly there … guiding, directing and holding me.

My childhood was filled with a variety of challenges and incidents that could have been emotionally and physically devastating.

Pitter Patter of Little Feet

Shera — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:23:23 +0000

Growing up an avid reader and book lover, especially of historical literature, there is a phrase I would often read that signified the longing of a character in the story “to hear the pitter patter of little feet”.

It may have been an impatient parent longing to become a grandparent, or another character wishing to be a parent themselves, but it was always a phrase that seemed to be uttered almost reverently. Even in “real life” I’d hear many adults use the phrase almost humorously. My greatest desire was to grow up and become a mommy myself, so when I read (or heard) that phrase I would imagine the sound of a small child shuffling down the hallway in their sleeper first thing in the morning.

I did discover that when my first child was very young (and my second), this was probably not that far from what I heard each morning and throughout the day. But as you have more children and as they get older, the pitter patter can sound a little more like thunder.

I relish, long for and crave quiet, so as you can imagine, I’m often asking the Lord why in the world He, in His infinite wisdom, decided that I should be blessed with 6 boys! Boys are loud, they are thunderous and they don’t love to sit still. I was COMPLETELY the opposite as a child! So, even though I still LOVE peace and quiet, I’ve adjusted and thank the Lord everyday for the patience he shows me and pray I may extend even a portion of that toward my own sons.

There are many things I have discovered in the pursuit of finding the Pitter Patter of Little Feet: I am blessed (Psalm 128:2), I am an example (Proverbs 22:6), I must trust God for help (Proverbs 3:5-6)!

A Positive Moment

Shera — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:34:41 +0000

As I was preparing and serving breakfast for my children this morning, a handed a couple of the olderboys two plates each, one for themselves and another that was for a younger child.