With your busy schedule as mom, you don’t have a lot of energy or time to spend calculating the best meal that will help you shed those unwanted pounds. And, with a variety of options from dinner to dessert, your sweet tooth and your taste buds can be satisfied while your waistline can be reduced. Healthy Choice has done the work for you so you can get back to more important things, like family.

If you’re like most moms out there, you can relate to that video. Fad diets are miserable torture that rarely work. They make you irritable and cranky and leave your taste buds – and your wallet – desperate. Instead of following what the health gurus of the hour think, try a Healthy Choice meal. They’re designed to make your life easier and healthier.

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I’m 5 months pregnant (21 weeks to be exact) and while ‘Lil B attends nursery school and learning new and exciting adventures, I am eagerly spending all my days and nights with him before the arrival of baby #2 in February.  Its somewhat bitter sweet to know that in only a few short months, Lil B will no longer be the one and only running things at home. So I thought I’d share some special moments (cue to Boyz II Men “Its so hard to say goodbye to yesterday“) of ‘Lil B and myself spending some mommy and me moments.

Top left-right: Yankees game, Halloween 2012…”The Jersey Shores” style, Bottom left-right: trip to the Bronx Zoo, a tour of the fire station

And because its so important to carve sometime out with your kids, here are some great advice on what I learned from friends and family on making time with them:

1.    Set a “weekly” date. Go for a bike ride, walk the dog, have lunch at your kid’s favorite restaurant, or have dress-up time – whatever your kid likes to do.  Marking your dates down on a calendar is a great idea and shows your children you make this time a priority.

2.    Choose group activities that everyone can participate in – whether you’re crafting, cooking, or playing at the park, make sure there’s something fun to do for each member of your family.

3.   Write notes and drop them into their lunch boxes. Be creative here!

How do you make time for each of your little ones?

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Dear Lil B,

Look how much you have grown…can’t believe another year has past, summer is gone and soon you’ll be the big three!  Over the summer you overcame so many first…potty training, asking me tons of questions, learning Spanish from Granny and soon you’ll become a big brother..and just when I thought weaning you from a bottle would be a huge first.

As you have grown, so have I. Learning not to sweat the small stuff, picking my battles and putting my family first, now comes second nature to me…and now I could not imagine a world without you in it.

Just only last year you cried on my shoulders when I dropped you off to the 2’s program. Oh I was a wreck and I questioned myself if I was doing the right thing, but now dropping your off to the 3’s program, I was so very proud of you and know that this is place where you will thrive academically and experience healthy friendships.

But know this, you are not alone in this new adventure. Our home is your safe haven…no matter how big or small, we are never too busy to listen to you and to share what happened in your day.  And finally know this, you are loved – always!

Your Mommy

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How to potty train your child

Every parent has to go through certain things in raising their child and potty training is one thing most parents fear.  The different theories behind how to train your child, advice from friends and family, and the stories from people whose child woke up on day and decided they would potty train themselves.  This can be a very stressful time with your child.  The constant asking them if they have to go potty, accidents, self doubt that you are doing something wrong, and just over all frustration.  Don’t worry because you are not the first parent to have issues potty training and you won’t be the last. View Post

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Oh what the horror! Watching your baby cry can break your heart, especially when you’ve tried everything..from feeding, swaddling or changing her diapers just doesn’t do the trick, geez, then what is there left to do? Well, don’t fret, that’s where the Kids II Ingenuity Automatic Bouncer comes in. The one item that every new mom must own.

With ONLY a 20 minute assembly (Phillips head screw driver required, (3) C Batteries needed) here are some awesome features/benefits you will surely fall in love with it:

  • Automatic Bounce that mimics mom’s natural motion
  • 3 point safety harness keeps baby secure
  • 10 melodies and nature sounds to soothe baby
  • Nice stitching and soft plush hanging toys
  • Removable toy bar – pivots back for easy access to baby
  • Machine washable seat pad, bolster, and head rest
  • Integrated, cushioned foot rest and bolster for baby’s comfort
  • Non-slip feet

The Ingenuity Automatic Bouncer ($49.99), is sold in this fashion only at Target and on Target.com, and but is also sold at Amazon.com, Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby in other fashions. Be sure to check KIDS II on Twitter so you can keep up with all of their news on this bouncer and all their other great products.

Disclaimer: This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Kids II, Inc. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review.

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