How to get through Toddler sick days

This past week Kayden got sick for the first time since he was one month old. As a mother, this was the first time he was sick, so I was worried. He didn't sleep much and didn't have much appetite. The medicine Curtis got, wasn't Kayden's cup of tea. They were nose drops that did help, but Kayden refused to take them again, so that didn't help. The next day he got a bit of a cough so I got some children's Tylenol in banana berry flavor, and I saw an improvement, thank you Tylenol!!

I decided to compile a list of things to get through a toddlers sickness, because it's not easy.

1. Be prepared to be tired

I am utterly exhausted as I write this. Kayden didn't sleep at all last night, and his naps have been all over the place. I napped when I could last night (4 hours of sleep) and today Starbucks was needed. Being a toddler he needed extra attention and cuddles.

2. Medicine

Have the basic medication in your cabinet, this will be a time saver. Since kayden turned 2 a few days ago, infant Tylenol wasn't going to cut it. I ran over to the pharmacy an picked up children's tylenol. We usually have tylenol stocked in our cabinet, which has come in handy a few times when he was teething. When kayden came down with a cold, he literally woke up from a nap and and had a runny nose. If you have certain things in your cabinet it'll be easier to tackle it from the begining. Try to also get a medicine that has a flavor that your child does enjoy, it'll make it so much easier for your child to take that medicine. Tylenol for infants it was white grape flavor and Kayden couldn't stand it but unfortunately it was all that we could buy so it made it difficult for him to take it. This time I got banana berry and Kayden is obsessed with bananas if you put banana and anything he will gobble it up and I didn't have to fight him at all he took the medicine so easily.

3. Prepare for anything

When kayden gets sick (it's only happened twice) he doesn't have much appetite and all he wants to do is sleep. The only time he is fussy is when he is exhausted and needs a nap. Sometimes you get a whole new personality when your child is sick, so be prepared for anything, diarrhea, vomiting, only wanting certain foods etc. Today I was lucky that kayden ate a cookie, that's about all he ate. He was very quiet, but despite everything, he wanted to be outside constantly.

4. Tv/Movies

As a child I remember the best thing about being sick was being able to lay in front of the TV and just watch endless amounts. That is the exact same thing I have done with Kayden because honestly it has calmed him down and he is just relaxed. Cadence favorite show is curious George, so we always have those on the PBR and we have a few curious George movies. We have put them on the coach with his favorite stuffed animal, which is a monkey no surprise, and he's also late up in our bed. We have a blanket for him And he just loves being close to either his dad for me, his dad was working last night so it was just me and him cuddling in the bed. I had Curious George on and I mustve played the movie at least three times in the past 24 hours and the day is not even done, but he just sits there and he laughed and he has a good time and he totally forgot that he is sick. So one of the greatest things is for him to sit down and just enjoy himself and he will stand been like dancing play a little bit as well when he seems to have the energy.

I will tell you from experience, regardless of any tips that anyone gives you it will always be difficult when your child is sick. To see your child in pain to see you child crying and you not being able to ease the pain as easily as if they had fallen is very difficult. It's also hard for the child themselves because sometimes they don't even understand this concept of being sick. Kayden hates getting his nose wiped right now because he's been getting it done since last night and he is just absolutely over it all he wants to do is be outside playing but he doesn't understand why is energy level is so low. To see you child's personality change can sometimes also be hard to come on located is extremely lazy doing certain point of the day he breaks down and cries a lot when he is extremely tired and he's also fighting trying to sleep thinking that he can stay up. You need to just fight through this as and if you are able to switch over to your partner and let them take over or call the family member or friend and allow yourself just to recuperate. When your child is sick You need to work harder and there so much more that you were doing and trying to balance. A lot of times Parents thing because you talk to sick your child to stop being lazy and sleeping in that's not the case I dog is so much more effort that goes into it when you tell this feeling under the weather.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation

Hey Guys!

So my birthday is coming up at the end of September, and for the first time in awhile, I have the opportunity to spoil myself a little. I have heard a lot about Estee Lauder's double wear foundation, and have been curious to try it. I will admit, the price point made me think twice, to be honest I spent 45 minutes debating whether or not to put the order in. Part of why I wanted to purchase this foundation is because I wanted a foundation that was a better coverage then my clinique foundation for those special occasions.

Claims
stays on for 15 hours
flawless & natural looking
lasts in the heat, humidity and activity
doesn't change color once it is on your face
doesn't come off on clothes
lightweight & comfortable
Lasts all day without touch ups

Price- $45

My Review
I absolutely love this foundation, to the point where I have said good bye to my clinique foundation. I purchased the shade 'wheat' and it matches me perfectly. I purchased this product through the Sephora website, and I matched my shade through an online foundation finder. The second I put this on my skin, it blended flawlessly, and a little bit truly goes a long way. Every single time I put an amount on the back of my hand, I put about 50% back ( and I don't pour to much out). I have applied this with a primer, and I set it with a setting spray. It does stay on for 15 hours, but I do notice that my nose and forehead does get a little oily, (8 hours after application) so I would need to do a minor touchup in those areas during the day. For the most part, it did stay flawless on my face. The one thing I do love, it doesn't oxidize, it is true, the color you get on your face, is the color that will stay. I had a few people tell me, that my face looked amazing with this foundation, and I have gotten a consistent look with this product. It blends seamlessly with your skin, and you can't even feel it on your face. The price point is high, but after using it, I can see what it is so pricey, and didn't think twice about it. Also, this foundation is going to last me forever, which is a pro seeing how high the price is. This is has now become my day to day foundation and I have now said goodbye to clinique.

Kayden's daytime 2 year old schedule

Hey Guys!

A few days ago, Kayden turned 2! I can't believe I am saying that. I knew once he turned two a few things were going to change, so im excited to bring you all along for the journey. One of the first things is his daily schedule. If he was in daycare, he would now enter preschool. In order to prepare him for JK, I want to ensure that he has all the necessary skills, so I wanted to structure his day, as though he was in preschool. I researched the key skills that Kayden should know by the time he reaches 3 years old. We also have tons of activities to do. Keep in mind he doesn't sit down for the full time. It is a lot of getting up getting distracted but I get in what I can.

7am- kayden wakes up, has breakfast and doe independent play. Kayden usually pulls out all his toys while I do some dishes and do a little bit of tidying up. His dad leaves for work at 7:30 so Kayden often follows him around trying to get some extra time with him.

8:30- Snack time

9am- Language skills

9:30am- Math

10am-Go Outside

10:30am- art activity

11:15 am- wash hands, eat lunch and get a diaper change

Noon- nap time

2:30- snack time

3pm-Music

3:30 PM - free time

Kayden's structured day is done around the time that school would be done, which works great. We also work on gross and fine motor skills throughout the day. 

How to survive when your partner works long hours

Hey Guys!

It's been awhile since my boyfriend has been working nights, and also a day job. As tough as its been, I feel as though I am able to pass my wisdom on, about surviving with a spouse working long hours. I found these tips helped me stay sane, and also kept my days busy.

1. Do things for yourself

I am such a big believer in taking time for yourself. My "me time" is when Kayden is sleeping. Whether he is taking a nap or is down for the night, it is all about me. If you read my post from long time ago, I talked about how every mom needs something that will keep them sane. For me it is taking a peaceful shower and working out. During his morning nap I shower and when he goes down for the night I work out. Those moments where I focus on me, and do something for myself I feel Refreshed.

2. Go out!!

I am lucky enough to have a dog. Which forces me to get out of the house.For those that don't have a dog find something you can do which allows you to get out of the house . For me I sometimes will run errands with just Kayden. we have also gone to the park for some mommy and sometimes we were just going down to the local dollar store. it is so great for Kayden to get out of the house and it breaks up the day as well because we do have a schedule which does help me and Kayden as well but it is also fun just to break out of that day to day schedule and do something different. Now that Kayden can walk so much better, he doesn't last in the stroller for to long. A few times on our walks, I let him out, and he discovers nature! There is so much you can do in your backyard or just around the corner. Our regular 20 minute walk turned in 40, but it was well worth it.

3. Spend time with family/friends

Because Curtis works such long and crazy hours it has been a lot easier for me to spend time with my family and thankfully they are free on weekdays and mostly busy on the weekends which works great for my schedule because usually on the weekend or on the weekend Curtis will work on Sunday, so on Saturday will run errands and then spend Sunday just lazing around having really good family time. it is great when we can all go over by all I mean Kayden and Buddy (which is our dog) and I can go over to my parents house for the day, which means a lot of spoiling and time outside playing. I can put my feet up for a little bit and just relax. Another great thing is going and spending time with friends even when Curtis wasn't working his two jobs or I would have friends come over or I would go out with friends and he would take care of Kayden and it was such a great bonding time for those two and it gave me a break allowing me to have girl time.

4. Let your partner take over

I had to have a Little talk with Curtis in order for this to happen because of course he's a man and he doesn't always realize that if he takes Kayden for 20 to 30 minutes when he's running a quick errand, it gives me a break. It is always the smallest things that make the biggest difference. There have been times when we have split up when doing groceries, so I don't have to tend to a toddler and I can just do it in piece, or Curtis will just take care of Kayden while I shop. I always emphasized to Curtis that he is the biggest male influence in Kayden's life., disciplining him, or even correcting his behaviour plays a major role. Often times Kayden wants attention and will do extreme things to try to achieve it. Often times I find myself repeating a lot, and when curtis takes over, it helps keep me calm. It's nic when curtis steps up after working long hours, and the great thing, I know he enjoys it. He spends so much time apart from Kayden, just playing with him, being around during meal time or just a movie is amazing.

I am not going to denie it, it is exhausting, being a parent in general is exhausting. Throw in a partner not always being around puts you on double duty. The older your kid(s) are the more on your toes one needs to be. I hope these tips add some sanity to your life!