Vampire Children

Anyone have some advice for 2 year-olds who bite?

He's bitten his brother a few times before, but we were at a friends house and he full on bit a little boys face (2.5 year old), causing bleeding. I wasn't right there so I don't know exactly what happened.

I made him watch the little boy he bit get cleaned up and talk about how bad it was, made him say sorry and give him a hug, but I am at a loss for how to stop this behavior (this by far was the worst).

So--what do you do when your 2 year old bites? (besides just tell them no---I need something to STOP the behavior)

Complexion troubles

Does anyone have any recommendations for facial cleansers? I had hoped I'd be out of my adolescent complexion by now, but I can't rid myself of it.

I'd love suggestions. . .

New Baby Advice

So I'm not a rooky to having a new baby- I'm due in a week with our third girl. But I AM worried about how her two sisters will react. They are four and two years old and are very excited about having another sister, but I know the novelty will wear off when the baby has been home, and I'm nursing her 24-7, and there's no room on my lap, etc.!

Are there any moms that can give me some good ideas about: sibling jealousy issues, nursing a baby successfully with other little ones around, keeping siblings busy and happy while tending to a new baby, bedtime routines for siblings with a new baby around, etc. etc. etc. Any ideas you have heard about or tried are definitely welcome. Obviously, I'm a little nervous about how it will work to be outnumbered, 3 to 2, kids to parents! So I would love to hear what ideas there are to make the transition as smooth as possible. Thanks!

Through-the-night potty training

How have you taught your kids how to sleep through the night without wetting the bed?

Bispheno-A (BPA)

Ok scientists, has anyone been able to sort out the mess with BPA? I have read all kinds of things on it, but can't really seem to decide if I really have to throw out my precious Nalgene bottle or not. Has anyone talked to their doctors about it? What are you doing with your baby bottles/water bottles?

Ask an Organic Food Buyer...

Hey moms, I was wondering if their are any nutritionists, or just those interested in it, out there who have info on buying organic. I am trying to make an educated decision on whether or not it's worth my money. If you have and articles, or studies, etc. that you know of, could you post them? Or just leave them in a comment? Anything is appreciated!

Tasty Treat

I am always looking for healthy/fun snacks for my kids...so I thought this might be a useful category to have! Feel free to post any of your favorite snacks too!

I found this basic recipe online years ago...but tweaked it enough over time that I now consider it my recipe! Give it a try...and the beauty of this one is that you can switch it up to whatever you like or what sounds good at the moment!!! Granted it's not the healthiest thing out there...but it's whole grain, slightly filling and I know what ingredients are going into it - no crazy preservatives or anything!!!

Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:
4 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp salt
½ cup butter – melted
2/3 to ¾ cup honey
¼ cup brown sugar

Add-ins…these are some combinations that I’ve liked.
- Chocolate chip (1 cup) and marshmallows (1 cup) - my kiddo's favorite!!!
- Chocolate chips (1/2 cup) and peanut butter chips (1/2 cup) - my favorite combo! :)
- Craisins, coconut, chopped almonds – really good! Add in a ½-3/4 tsp of cinnamon with other -dry ingredients!
- Cinnamon and raisins
- Anything that sounds good.

Mix together the oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in any add-ins. Melt butter and stir in honey, vanilla and brown sugar. Pour over oat mixture and mix well. Press mixture into cookie sheet (or just a 9x13 inch pan if you want really thick bars). Press mixture in firmly! Bake at 325 for 18-22 minutes (less time for thinner bars, more time for thicker bars). I press my bars down again after I take them out of the oven with a spatula. Let cool for 10 minutes in pan, and cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing. They’ll crumble if you take them out too soon or don’t press them firmly enough!!!
You can wrap them individually or place in an airtight container. They also store well in the freezer. They actually taste pretty good frozen too!