If Only I Had A Video Camera

Those are the words from my husband as he witnessed a hilarious spectacle of my son and I. If you have been following my series of Adventures in Potty Training then you would know that we are attempting to train our 2 year old in the art of scheduled elimination.

Well, the other day my son who has been doing quite well in using the potty had an accident where he pooped in his pants. I made no big deal of it and matter of factly proceeded to bring a plastic bag into the bathroom with me and cleaned him up. I dumped the poop into the potty, showed my son that this is where it goes, and put the dirty wipes into the plastic bag.

As I proceeded to hold open clean pants for him to put on, he gave me a devilish grin, grabbed the open bag of poopy wipes and took off like a flash of light.

My husband standing in the kitchen doorway saw a naked little boy streak by shrieking with glee carrying a plastic bag of something bouncing around and then saw his wife chasing as fast as she could after him all the while shrieking, “NO, NO, NO!”

I was panicking, because I could just see poop and wipes flying out of the bag. Luckily he didn’t drop any and I managed to catch up with him on the couch. Breathlessly I snatched the bag back from him and managed to put dry pants onto his wriggling little body. My son was laughing hysterically and so was my husband. I had to laugh too as it was funny.

Life is funny. Life with a toddler requires you to be funny. Anyone with one knows exactly what I mean.

Adventures In Potty Training - Part 2

How hard can this be? I've trained dogs and horses before, how hard can it be to train a little person? I am about to find out just how hard it can be.

Parents are weird aren't we? We teach our children to "go" in their pants and then all of a sudden switch places and now tell them they shouldn't. How confusing that must be to a child!

So out comes the big boy underwear, the potty chair (which has been in our bathroom for months used only sporadically) an array of stickers, snacks, crackers to make him thirsty so he’ll drink more, to pee more. All in the hope it will teach him faster through repetition.

I also have special coloring pages, special “wipes” in his favorite cartoon character bin, special candy and treats for when he does go in the potty, books, toys - you name it it’s in the bathroom. You can’t enter the bathroom during the day without tripping over something and getting to the toilet to use it yourself is quite a challenge. My husband has resorted to using the downstairs bathroom in an effort to keep from breaking his leg by tripping over some potty training paraphernalia.

I also have plenty of clean up supplies on hand. What I wasn’t prepared for though, was the huge amount of time is involved. It literally takes most all my time. My only break is nap time which is time I use to write articles.

I never dreamed I would get so excited, jump up and down, do a dance, give out treats so freely for a little pee pee in a bowl. I must look like a complete idiot, but if you have ever had to housebreak, I mean potty train a child then you know the kind of potty dance/celebration I'm talking about. Dancing with the Stars rejects have nothing on me. Hey, the name of the game is fun for your little one and if looking like a dancing fool does the trick to ending diapers then that's what you have to do.

When my husband comes home or calls I can’t wait to tell him about any successes we’ve had that day. I’m sure he’s just thrilled about hearing another potty conversation. He's witnessed our shameless dance and though he doesn't join in (he has managed to retain his self control) he does applaud our son's efforts.

Of course I omit all the misses. My husband does not support the no diapers during the day idea. Can’t say I blame him since he always seems to find the wet spots on the carpet with his socks. My telling him that is where I scrubbed it clean does nothing for his “Yuck” face.

I was hoping for warm weather so we could play outside in just a long shirt and underwear since it is easier to hose off the deck as opposed to scrubbing the carpet. It's been cold and rainy. Stupid weather! Doesn't it understand how we need it's cooperation for this potty training thing to work?! I threatened the sky with a time out. I don't think the sky is real scared of me because it is rainy, cold and windy. I may have to try a different approach with Mother Nature.

Back to the indoor training.

Since I can't use a dog crate like when you housebreak a puppy, I am forced to always keep a sharp lookout for the signs. One main sign of course is him looking down and spreading his feet apart as he is dribbling on the floor. Being the helpful little man that he is, he yells out, "Pee pee! I went pee pee!" My response, "Greeeaaatt!" Actually it's more along the line of #*&% muttered under my breath as I jump to my feet to run and take him to the bathroom. Hey, a burst of aerobic activity is good for me. Actually I think that telling me after the fact is a good sign. Better late than never I guess.

Spot by spot my floors are being scrubbed clean. This does get easier, right?

See if it does in the next installment of Adventures in Potty Training Part 3

Staying Dry Can Be Such A Thrill - (side note to Adventures in Potty Training)

I never knew how hard potty training could be till we started. Phew ! It's exhausting and a huge time consumer, but it can be exciting, too.

I try to look at it with some humor though. Actually, I use the humor more as a defense mechanism to keep from losing my mind!

I have been chronicling our Adventures in Potty Training, but I have to get this achievement out to those of you who have been there and are currently doing it! I know you guys would appreciate it.

Went to the bank and post office today and low and behold, my son made it through the entire outing without wetting his pants. And he waited till we got home and told me he had to use the potty! I about fainted. When I came to I hugged him and told him I was so proud of him. Though we were only gone less than 30 minutes, it was still the first time ever staying dry on an outing.

Weird how we parents get so excited over pee and poop, isn’t it? Anyone else who has never been through it would think we had lost our ever lovin’ minds! Of course I guess I do look kind of nuts jumping up and down and clapping over a little person peeing into a bowl on a make believe toilet.

Funny how us moms (& dads) live for these little moments and how we will miss these times when they grow up.

I told that very same comment to my husband after he stepped on a wet spot with his socks on the carpet after I had to scrub it clean. He wasn’t as near as amused as I was. I wonder why?

It has totally made my day.

OK, after re-reading this I have determined I may need to get out more.

Adventures In Potty Training - Part 1

This is the first in what I hope is a very short series. I am tired of diapers. That’s it. That’s the main reason. That and we could use the money. You may be thinking one or two things right now. Either I am a bad mom for what you think is pushing my son into it too soon or you are where I’m at now and can relate. Either way you are probably right.

I have heard potty training requires a lot of patience, but I was unprepared for how much patience is really needed. An unbelievable amount of patience is required for this. You need patience, patience and more patience. Did I mention you need patience?

I had read articles and ideas from other parents from all over the Internet and all I really discovered was there are just as many different ways to train your little poop machine as there are people. It’s amazing how many different approaches there are.

So I decided to take the no-nonsense, don't wait forever to start approach. Though my son is only 2 I feel many parents wait way too long to start. I don’t want to wait till when we “have” to as he’s starting pre-school. That kind of pressure may be too much for him and me. He has been showing the signs of interest and though he isn’t good at all of them I feel he is ready.

The question is, am I? Well, I thought so until…..

See the next article coming soon - Adventures In Potty Training Part 2

Lead Paint in Toys

The other day I was shocked when I went to buy a toy for my son and saw a warning label on it stating that it had lead paint and that it was possible that lead paint dust could be inhaled or ingested. I dropped the toy like it was the plague. I was so disgusted and so very disappointed for my son who I know would have loved it.

I was shocked that there was even a warning label. Usually you don’t find out about a toy with lead paint till long after it was sold to the public. I do not understand why toys knowingly made with lead paint are allowed to be sold in this country. The outsourcing of most of the toy manufacturing to China has put our children at grave risk. In the name of cheapness we have sacrificed our children’s safety.

I think the government needs to really start cracking down on these toy manufactures. I think the penalties need to be great. An example of a penalty is possibly a 1 million dollar fine for each offense along with a ban from that manufacturer from selling toys in the U.S. for 1 year. Some may say that is too harsh of a penalty, but how much is your child’s health worth? I believe in sending a very strong message that we will not tolerate producing and selling unsafe toys to our children.

Be sure to keep updated on the latest recalls by visiting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) The amount of toys and children’s products recalled because of high levels of lead are mind boggling. And that is just the ones that are known! Here is a good article stating how the CPSC is getting tougher with toy manufacturers - CPSC Gets Tough on Lead Paint Violators It’s a start, but it needs to be tougher and more widespread.

Join a group like Kids In Danger, get on the CPSC’s email list to keep up to date on the latest recalls and the best way to vote is to try and not buy toys from manufacturers that consistently break the rules. It is up to us, the consumer to protect our children because you can’t rely solely on the government and certainly not the manufacturers to do so.

Finance Advice for Women

Sign up to receive a newsletter from DailyWorth.com - DailyWorth is a free daily personal finance email for women. They deliver practical tips, empowering ideas and the occasional kick in the pants.
The tips cover self worth, net worth, saving, spending, earning, investing, taxes, entrepreneurship, financial feminism and lots of other things.

Here are some latest articles:

• The High Cost of Part Time Work + working mom poll
• The 90-Day Pre-Budget
• Impulse Shop No More
• Your Retirement: On Target
• 1 Hour To Big Savings
  And More!

I plan on signing up and look forward to reading their advice!

Friday Freebies

· FREE Eye Exam for Infants till one year old. See my article on The Infant See Program here.


· Earn FREE Rewards every time you surf the Net with Swagbucks here.

· FREE Kids meal at IHOP during April from 4-10PM with purchase of adult meal

· Free Military admission offer for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place in 2010 - Throughout 2010, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. Thanks Couponing To Disney!

· Free 50 photos from CVS


· Earn double the cash back on a different store every day at Ebates
Ebates pays you to shop online and with tons of stores and all the major retailers, you are bound to find great deals on places you already shop, so you might as well get paid for it! Click Here to sign up for Ebates to receive this great deal!

· FREE Racing Classifieds

· FREE pair of socks from HUEtopia on Facebook

· 50 FREE photo prints from Kodak for new members

· Print Free Grocery Coupons

· FREE Samples

· FREE Baby Stuff

· FREE Grocery Coupons

· FREE Dr. Seuss Books

· FREE 25 Songs

· FREE Name Brand Samples

· FREE HOME INSPECTIONS FOR VETERANS...For Vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who live in the Cincinnati area only. Call "Criterium Cincinnati" Engineers at 513-474-9600

More freebies courtesy of http://www.wcpo.com/:

FREE SAMPLE OF JOHN FRIEDA SHAMPOO CLICK HERE

FREE MOVIE TICKET IF YOU BUY 4 BAGS OF HERSHEYS CANDY CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF RITZ MUNCHABLES...for joining their facebook page CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF DOVE DAILY HAIR CONDITIONER CLICK HERE

MORE THAN $100 IN FREE COUPONS FOR HASBRO AND PLAYSKOOL TOYS CLICK HERE

FREE $30 WORTH OF P&G COUPONS....For Swiffer, Cascade, Mr Clean, Dawn, others. Direct from P&G.CLICK HERE

FREE SPONGE BOB CREAM OF WHEAT CLICK HERE

FREE 3-WAY FROM GOLD STAR CHILI....For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE

FREE SPECIAL K SAMPLE...from KelloggsCLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF CARRIBEAN TRAVEL MAGAZINE...No credit card neededCLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF ENSURE...Plus coupons toward your next Ensure purchaseCLICK HERE

FREE $1 COUPON FOR TETLEY TEA...Direct from TetleyCLICK HERE

FREE QUIZNOS DISCOUNT COUPONS ...If you sign up for Quiznos new email clubCLICK HERE

FREE CHEESEBURGER FROM RED ROBIN ON YOUR BIRTHDAY...for joining their Birthday Club CLICK HERE

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO NEW LEGO CLUB JR MAGAZINEFor younger children...and not just a catalog selling new Lego toysCLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF NEW HAWAIIAN TROPIC SKIN CARE LOTIONCLICK HERE

FREE BOWLING GAME...For signing up with AMF's email club CLICK HERE

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO "AMERICAN PHOTO" MAGAZINE...No Credit Card required! (Never give a credit card for a freebie, or you'll regret it)CLICK HERE

FREE APPETIZER FROM TGI FRIDAYS...for signing up for their E-mail clubCLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF AMBIEN EXFOLIATOR....Plus a $1 off coupon.CLICK HERE

FREE ONE HOUR ART CLASS AT IMAGINATTIC...A kids art studio in Cincinnati's Madeira community CLICK HERE

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO PARENTS MAGAZINE OR AMERICAN BABY MAGAZINE...Just be careful how much personal info you give themCLICK HERE

FREE GIFT FROM ARBY's...For joining their e-mail club. CLICK HERE

FREE PLAYTEX SPORT SAMPLE FOR WOMEN CLICK HERE

20 FREE DIGITAL CAMERA PRINTS...Plus, free shipping. From SnapfishCLICK HERE

FREE GIFT FROM SUTTERS CREEK HOME ACCENTS CATALOG...For signing up for their newsletter CLICK HERE

FREE KIDS FITNESS DVD...From the US Dept of Health & Human ServicesCLICK HERE

FREE ADDRESS LABELS...From The Nat'l Council for Cancer Research. You do not have to donate. CLICK HERE

FREE BEAN RECIPE COOKBOOK...From Bush's Best Beans CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF OXYFRESH TOOTHPASTE CLICK HERE

$2 OFF COUPON FOR NO-NONSENSE PANTY HOSE CLICK HERE

NEW WAY TO CALL DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE FREE!Just dial 1-800-YELLOWPAGES. Or call 1-800-FREE-411. Both services require you to listen to an ad first, but they work as promised!

FREE SAMPLE OF PARENTS CHOICE INFANT FORMULA...From Wal-Mart CLICK HERE

FREE "DOGS LIFE" MAGAZINE: CLICK HERE

FREE DIP SAMPLER AND DISCOUNTS...TO DON PABLO'S...For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE

FREE APPETIZER FROM LONGHORN STEAK HOUSE...For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE

FREE CHARMIN TOILET PAPER ROLL EXTENDER...So your old style TP holder can use the new Double Rolls CLICK HERE

FREE CHILD SAFETY KIT....Great to have in case your child is ever missing CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF NEW GAS-X THIN STRIPS: CLICK HERE

FREE ICE CREAM CONE...for Kids who join Dairy Queen's Kids Club CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF "COOKING LIGHT" MAGAZINE...and no credit card required CLICK HERE

FREE "SOCCER MOM SHORTCUTS" COOKBOOK FROM RAGU: CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE AND COUPON FOR BEANO: CLICK HERE

FREE SUNMAID RAISIN COOKBOOK...21 recipes that use raisinsCLICK HERE

FREE 2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO LEGO MAGAZINE CLICK HERE

FREE 3-WAY FROM GOLD STAR CHILI...Just for joining their e-mail club (CINCINNATI AREA ONLY) CLICK HERE

FREE 2-WEEK TRIAL OF "NETFLIX" Test out the mail order DVD rental service everyone is talking about, free for 2 weeks! CLICK HERE

FREE CIRCUS TICKET FOR NEWBORNS...from Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey. You can use it 2 or 3 years later, when they're old enough to appreciate it. CLICK HERE

WEBSITE FOR PARENTS OF BABIES AND TODDLERS: For Cincinnati-area residents. Lots of good deals, some local freebies. CLICK HERE

FREE BABY GROWTH CHART: From "Baby Dreams" Furniture. CLICK HERE

FREE ORLANDO MAGICARD: Great discounts to Orlando hotels and theme parks. CLICK HERE

FREE PAMPERS "WELCOME KIT" AND COUPONS: Discount coupons, other goodies, for P&G's Pampers. CLICK HERE

SECRET TIPS FOR DISNEY WORLD SAVINGS: "Mousesavers" lists great discounts and promotional specials to Disney World hotels and attractions. The information is free. CLICK HERE

FREE HAMBURGER FROM JOHNNY ROCKETS....For joining their e-mail club CLICK HERE

FREE $10 GAME CARD TO DAVE & BUSTERS....For joining their email clubCLICK HERE

FREE CHILI'S CHIPS AND SALSA....For joining their email club restaurantCLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF WALMART PARENTS CHOICE BABY FORMULA....Direct from WalMartCLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF CREST WHITE STRIPS... Direct from P&GCLICK HERE

FREE 2 FREE ISSUES OF FAMILY CIRCLE MAGAZINE...And they promise not to charge you for any more! CLICK HERE

FREE 50 PRINTS PLUS FREE PHOTO COLLAGE... From ShutterflyCLICK HERE

$10 WORTH OF FREE TOKENS TO DAVE & BUSTERS...If you join their e-mail club CLICK HERE

FREE $10 WORTH OF BETTY CROCKER COUPONS...For joining their email club.CLICK HERE

FREE TODDLER SIPPY CUP FROM JUICY JUICE...For joining their email club.CLICK HERE

FREE HUGGIES DIAPERS COUPONS...For joining Huggies Baby Network Email list CLICK HERE

FREE STARTER KIT OF NICORETTE GUM CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF TIM McGRAW'S NEW FRAGRANCE: CLICK HERE

FREE REACH PERSONAL FLOSSER...Great for the car or office CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF NEW DOVE BODY LOTION...Direct from DoveCLICK HERE

FREE $1 OFF COUPON FOR WENDY'S....if you sign up for their email ClubCLICK HERE

FREE REUSABLE CLOTH BAG...with Cost Plus World Market Logo on it. Bring coupon to your local Cost Plus store. CLICK HERE

FREE SAMPLE OF NEW SPLENDA SWEETENER...and coupons. CLICK HERE

Please let us know if there are any links that are no longer working!

View ads below for more Feebies!

Get Clean for Earth Day!

Get Clean - Safe for you, your home, the planet

We believe home should be a safest place in the whole world.
But if you are using toxic chemicals to clean your home then you may be making it one of the most dangerous places to be.

To read more on how to Get Clean safely, then check out this presentation and let it show you how to clean safely and save money at the same time. Get Clean Presentation

Want to learn more about Get Clean products? Check them out here: Get Clean Home Care products

Real Simple Voted Basic-H The Longest Lasting Concentrate!

Real Simple Magazine just voted Shaklee’s Basic-H as the Longest Lasting Concentrate.

That is great news! Glad they agree! See their recommendation here: Longest Lasting Concentrate

This little 16 oz bottle creates an unbelievable 48 gallons of super-safe, really powerful, all purpose cleaner. Want to try Basic-H for yourself? Then click HERE to order!

Save money and the environment when you clean with Get Clean products!

Almost Locked Out By 2 year Old!

Today my 2 year old almost locked me out of the house!

I went out the front door for just a moment to get something and turned around and found the door locked. I was so shocked and my heart stopped. Then I remembered that I left the back door open when I went out onto the back porch earlier. I could hear my 2 year old giggling as he was climbing the stairs. I quickly ran as fast as I could to the back door and managed to get there before he did and before he could lock that door! Whew!

What lesson did I learn today? To always take my keys with me, just in case!

Toddlers! They keep you hoppin’!