Watching my daughters grow has been the greatest joy of my life. Seeing them smile for the first time took my breath away. Everyday they learn something new and the world is fascinating to them. Recently they learned how to drink out of big girl cups and now refuse to drink from sippy or straw cups.
They have been talking for awhile now. Nadia believes food is fish. When she is hungry she says fish and points to the pantry. Nicole has picked up on this and calls food fish also. They have been saying mom and dad since they were about 10 months old.
Nicole learned two things today. She has loved giving adults hugs and often greets Grandparents and Dad with a huge hug when she sees them. Today though she has discovered she can also give her sister hugs. She spent quite a lot of time following Nadia around today giving her hugs. Nadia didn't seem too impressed.
The other thing Nicole learned today was to tell us no. She isn't terrible about it, yet. She started telling us no if she doesn't want the "fish" we offered, or no to are you ready for bed. During bathtime tonight Charles asked her if she could say Daddy and she said no. After bathtime he asked her again if she could say Daddy and she told him no again.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Scary truth of Pet Food
Today the news is reporting on chemicals in Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo that are possible carcinogens. MSNBC story This does worry me and makes me happy that I pay more for natural soaps and shampoos for my children. It also makes me think of the things that are added to animal food that have been long ago been deemed unsafe.
The majority of animal foods found in supermarkets, discount stores, and large chain pet food stores contain ingredients that shouldn't be considered food or are so filled with fillers you end up feeding your animal huge quantities to get the nutrition they need.
Most pet food contains corn. Animals do not digest corn and it is used as a filler. All foods containing corn require you to feed large quantities as most of the food is corn. Our rottweiler, Atrus, was on a corn free diet and ate 4 cups of food a day, he weighed 140 pounds. Corn based foods suggested feeding him over 12 cups a day.
Another ingredient often found in pet foods are by-products, which are heads, feet, bones, blood, intestines, lungs, spleens, livers, ligaments, fat trimmings, unborn babies, and other parts not generally consumed by humans. If they only state meat by-products, you have no idea what type of animal these parts are coming from.
The dry kibble is so unpalatable, companies spray it with fat to entice the animals to eat them. Then the problem of the fat spoiling comes into play. To deal with this, most companies mix in BHA and BHT as preservatives. These are known carcinogens.
Healthy pet foods do exist, but they are not found at chain stores. Do research on your pets food and read the ingredients. You will be surprise what you find. These healthy foods do cost a bit more up front, however, in the long run you feed less. It can also help your pet live longer.
For further information:
Bornfreeusa
Natural News
The majority of animal foods found in supermarkets, discount stores, and large chain pet food stores contain ingredients that shouldn't be considered food or are so filled with fillers you end up feeding your animal huge quantities to get the nutrition they need.
Most pet food contains corn. Animals do not digest corn and it is used as a filler. All foods containing corn require you to feed large quantities as most of the food is corn. Our rottweiler, Atrus, was on a corn free diet and ate 4 cups of food a day, he weighed 140 pounds. Corn based foods suggested feeding him over 12 cups a day.
Another ingredient often found in pet foods are by-products, which are heads, feet, bones, blood, intestines, lungs, spleens, livers, ligaments, fat trimmings, unborn babies, and other parts not generally consumed by humans. If they only state meat by-products, you have no idea what type of animal these parts are coming from.
The dry kibble is so unpalatable, companies spray it with fat to entice the animals to eat them. Then the problem of the fat spoiling comes into play. To deal with this, most companies mix in BHA and BHT as preservatives. These are known carcinogens.
Healthy pet foods do exist, but they are not found at chain stores. Do research on your pets food and read the ingredients. You will be surprise what you find. These healthy foods do cost a bit more up front, however, in the long run you feed less. It can also help your pet live longer.
For further information:
Bornfreeusa
Natural News
Halloween
As I have said before, I have never been a huge fan of holidays. This is the first holiday season my daughters are old enough to enjoy. Nicole really enjoys holiday lights but gets a little nervous around all the "scary" decorations. Nadia is bomb proof and thinks the decorations are great fun.
Last night they had their first adventure in Trick or Treating. We first visited a friend early in the afternoon to ease them into ringing doorbells for candy. At first they both were hesitant but got the hang of it when candy made its appearance. We visited our friend for awhile then headed to my Mom's neighborhood.
They may have learned a bad lesson when they rang Grandma's doorbell and she gave them candy. I hope they don't think this will happen every time we visit Grandma. We spend time visiting with Grandma and a few of her neighbors.
Nadia dressed as a parrot, her costume took a little getting used to as she dislikes things on her head. Once she discovered everyone thought she was super cute she consented to the hat.
Nicole originally was going to be a cow but she decided that her costume was not ok. She was then made into a kitty which she approved of. Nicole LOVES cats and starts every day with hugging at least one of her kitties.
Both girls had a lot of fun, but were worn out afterwards. I am glad we did the trick or treating early though as it got crowded in our neighborhood as the night wore on. I was surprised how many older (teenage) kids were trick or treating. I saw many high school age kids asking for candy, one even asked for money.
They may have learned a bad lesson when they rang Grandma's doorbell and she gave them candy. I hope they don't think this will happen every time we visit Grandma. We spend time visiting with Grandma and a few of her neighbors.
Both girls had a lot of fun, but were worn out afterwards. I am glad we did the trick or treating early though as it got crowded in our neighborhood as the night wore on. I was surprised how many older (teenage) kids were trick or treating. I saw many high school age kids asking for candy, one even asked for money.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Helping Animal Rescues
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| Aunt Xiao Ping and kittens |
In four weeks our batch of kittens will be old enough to be spayed/neutered and find homes of their own. They will go to the vet to have their surgery, recover, then Homeward Bound will place them for adoption.
While not everyone can spare the time or space to foster kittens, there is a lot anyone can do. Every shelter, vet hospital, and rescue can always use donations. Old sheets, towels, blankets, and linens are always welcomed to give homeless animals a soft place to lay. Pillowy items can only be used once as they cannot be sanitized. Monetary donations are always welcomed as well. A friend and fellow blogger, Mindy, has an interesting way of donating to rescues. She is a wonderful artist and donates paintings and drawings to be auctioned or sold for money.
Rescue groups always need help. There is never enough people assisting them. Anything anyone can give is appreciated. Next time you have linens or old towels, consider donating them to a rescue instead of throwing them away.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Block Party
There seems to be a trend of neighbors distancing themselves from their neighbors. I have lived in my house for a year and have met my neighbor once when our sprinkler system was malfunctioning. At our prior residence we spoke to our neighbor once in three years when we accidentally received her mail. This seems to be the norm in most of the places I have lived.
My Mother moved to a house two years ago and her new neighbors, all of them on her block, are different than any I have ever lived near. They are all on very friendly terms, speak at least every week, and have their dogs play in large groups together. They gather to watch fights and tv shows and think nothing of helping each other with things. As they live on a dead end street, it is a perfect place to have block parties, which they frequently do.
Saturday they had their annual Halloween block party. It started early for the youngsters, but continued well into the morning. There was marshmallow roasting over a raised fire pit, hot chocolate bar for the kiddies, slow roast pork sandwiches to die for, and drinks for the above 21 crowd. I was amazed when a 6 year old boy offered to roast marshmallows for my daughters.
Maybe it is just Las Vegas, however, it seems our society has lost its neighborly ways. You rarely see neighborhood parties or barbeques. Many neighbors don't know who their neighbors are or even how many people live next to them. The block party was such a wonderful experience for my girls and I, I think I will try to become friends with my neighbors also.
My Mother moved to a house two years ago and her new neighbors, all of them on her block, are different than any I have ever lived near. They are all on very friendly terms, speak at least every week, and have their dogs play in large groups together. They gather to watch fights and tv shows and think nothing of helping each other with things. As they live on a dead end street, it is a perfect place to have block parties, which they frequently do.
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| Nicole (left) and Nadia (right) with Grandma Judy |
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| Nadia and neighbor Liz |
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Game Time
Nadia and Nicole have always been drawn to electronics. Nicole had learned to turn the tv on by the time she was a year old. Her favorite toys are have buttons and lights. Nadia loves anything that makes loud noises. They pretend to talk on the phone and play games on our smartphones.
They have always wanted to play on the computer. We have been hesitant about letting them do this but recently decided to give them an old laptop to play with. I hunted for for a game made for 18 month olds, but was surprised there weren't very many. I decided to give a Disney game made for 18 month to 3 year olds a shot. Disney Toddler Game
The game is fairly simple and teaches letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. All the girls need to do is mouse-over certain objects. Disney characters provide lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement. After a short play period Nicole was associating moving the mouse with what happens on the screen.
The girls love having a game to play on their computer and I love not having to tell them to stay away from my computer so often. They have not mastered the games yet, but I'm sure with a little more practice they will soon be surfing the web like big girls.
They have always wanted to play on the computer. We have been hesitant about letting them do this but recently decided to give them an old laptop to play with. I hunted for for a game made for 18 month olds, but was surprised there weren't very many. I decided to give a Disney game made for 18 month to 3 year olds a shot. Disney Toddler Game
The girls love having a game to play on their computer and I love not having to tell them to stay away from my computer so often. They have not mastered the games yet, but I'm sure with a little more practice they will soon be surfing the web like big girls.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Rough Week
When I venture out with my kids, I am often stopped by people to ask questions about my girls. By far the most common question is "are they twins?" The second question I hear a lot is "Are twins more work than a single child?"
Of course twins are more work, however, I have never had a single child so I don't know the differences. I have stayed home with them since they were born, and aside from the brief times where one girls stays at a grandparents house, I always have both of them. Day to day life has become routine and easier.
When they were young and not sleeping through the night, life was hectic. Looking back I barely remember the first few months of their lives, I just remember being exhausted. Life is still hectic, but in a different way.
The girls are fantastic about most things. They can almost dress themselves, they pick out their own food, and clean up after themselves. Usually they love playing with each other, there are days when they don't want to be around each other though. I have set strict boundaries about what is allowed and what isn't, and both girls follow the rules most of the time.
Now that they are 19 months old, the most hectic part of life has become trying to find time for everything they want to do and everything I want them to do. I find it hard to spend one on one time with either girl. We try to work experiences into everyday activities and playing.
This last week has been tough on our family. I was sick most of the week which left Charles completely in charge. He has always downplayed how much work raising twins is and how stressful it can be. When I got better, my mom told me Charles called her to tell her he didn't know how I do it every day.
The answer is yes, raising twins is harder than a single child, but it gives twice the joy.
Of course twins are more work, however, I have never had a single child so I don't know the differences. I have stayed home with them since they were born, and aside from the brief times where one girls stays at a grandparents house, I always have both of them. Day to day life has become routine and easier.
When they were young and not sleeping through the night, life was hectic. Looking back I barely remember the first few months of their lives, I just remember being exhausted. Life is still hectic, but in a different way.
The girls are fantastic about most things. They can almost dress themselves, they pick out their own food, and clean up after themselves. Usually they love playing with each other, there are days when they don't want to be around each other though. I have set strict boundaries about what is allowed and what isn't, and both girls follow the rules most of the time.
Now that they are 19 months old, the most hectic part of life has become trying to find time for everything they want to do and everything I want them to do. I find it hard to spend one on one time with either girl. We try to work experiences into everyday activities and playing.
This last week has been tough on our family. I was sick most of the week which left Charles completely in charge. He has always downplayed how much work raising twins is and how stressful it can be. When I got better, my mom told me Charles called her to tell her he didn't know how I do it every day.
The answer is yes, raising twins is harder than a single child, but it gives twice the joy.
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