My husband and I are working on a several home renovation projects. Unlike, my favorite show, Renovation Realities, we are taking on small projects that require simple changes. I started with changing the paint in two rooms. As mentioned in my Conversion: Crib to Toddler Bed post, we chose a neutral khaki for my daughter’s room. Since then, we have completed the painting for the office and home gym.

Our current space functions as both a workout area and office. Luckily, we are now able to designate two separate rooms. I chose an electric blue, black and silver theme for the gym. We are using 2x2 floor tiles, Acrylic mirrors and a black cube organizer. We found the tiles and mirrors at Home Depot and are re-purposing a cube organizer to hold towels, water, and other gym essentials. The office will house two workstations. I am in search of a color scheme to motivate and inspire. Of course, I went to Pinterest to gather my thoughts and vision.

This week, I am focusing on the Family room. We applied a new coat of paint. Next, I’m going to DIY the curtains – since I cannot locate anything 74x26 that fits my color scheme. I have not decided whether we are going to do valances or curtains over the existing blinds. Ugh.

So, in the coming week, I plan to finalize my daughter’s room décor. Which includes transporting the existing the decals into a different location, painting a small dresser and converting it to a book case, selecting fabric for the reading nook. I will also pick a stain for the office and bedroom hardwood floors; in addition to, considering swapping kitchen appliances, cabinet restoration and media center re-purposing. Keep up with Mama on Pinterest - I can't wait to post the final transformation.

Today's theme: “Don’t touch, say sorry, no biting!”
It has a nice rhythm to it-once repeated fifty times in short period.

I am thirty minutes past sending my nephew home and boy, did we have a full day. Here’s a little background. Our little ones, which made two in March & April,  have been annoying one another since birth. They must touch, harass, poke and push one another just to make sure we are paying attention. Or at least, that’s all I can determine.

My day started at 5:30am. I planned to start my day an hour prior to his arrival but couldn’t muster the energy to do so. I did the bare minimum – folded a load of laundry. He arrived at 7 with a loud cry. Poor little man, he loves his Aunt but doesn’t want to be left anywhere without Mom and Dad.

And so it began – a snuggle campaign to get him to calm down. I rocked and patted him like he was fresh out of the womb. Then, I realized I could use a Buzz Lightyear video to soothe his soul. And it worked!

The next 1.5 hours included video games, puzzles, flash cards and books. His attention span is shorter than my daughter so I had to keep moving to ensure I didn’t lose him.

My daughter wakes and immediately asked if her cousin arrived. We dress, do hair, have breakfast and make it to the park in record time. The rush? We live in Las Vegas and must beat the heat. Our preparation includes packing water, sun hats – putting on sunscreen and wearing sunglasses. Poor me, I had to push the 60+ pounds of double stroller with a b ackpack (travel potty, diapers, pull ups etc). I’m sure you get the point. So we swing, slide and pose for pictures –and start the journey home.

I had an AHA moment while pushing them up a rather steep hill. Why not re-create a water table? It worked – each child had one large tub, a medium bin and two small bowls to transfer water. They were thoroughly entertained. This led us to lunchtime and a three hour nap. My plan to tire them worked tremendously!

The pain in my back didn’t set in until they were both sleeping. It started in my ankle and made its way to my neck. So, when someone says, “Aren’t you ready for #2?” I will remember this day, this pain and reply, “Don’t touch, say sorry, no biting!” It will be confusing to most but amusing to the ones that have uttered the words for years.

How did you plan for child #2?

As you know, we follow children's product recall list by Safe Kids Worldwide. Here are the latest recalls:

07/14/2014 USDA: The US Department of Agriculture is continuing its enforcement action involving Foster Farms which included the recall of chicken because of Salmonella. Three of the company’s California plants may be shut down.

07/10/14 CPSC: Gemini is voluntarily recalling chargers because the adaptors may overheat, posing a burn hazard. Units: 31,000

07/10/14 CPSC: Lifeguard Press is voluntarily recalling cell phone and tablet charging kits because the wall charger can overheat and emit smoke and sparks, posing shock and fire hazards to the consumer. Units: 25,400

07/08/14 FDA: Whole Foods Market is voluntarily recalling Caesar salad and Mesclun Goat Cheese salad due to mislabeled and undeclared fish, eggs, and tree nuts, posing a possible allergen hazard.

07/03/14 CPSC: Big Fireworks is voluntarily recalling mock sword fireworks because the handheld device may unexpectedly explode, posing burn and impact hazards. Units: 1,040

07/01/14 CPSC: Sony is voluntarily recalling flip PC laptops because the computers’ lithium-ion batteries may overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. Units: 680

07/01/14 NHTSA: Graco is voluntarily recalling certain rear-facing child restraints because the buckle may become stuck in the latched position, making it difficult to remove a child from the restraint system. Units: 1,910,102

06/27/14 FDA: Richard’s Rubs & Seasonings LLC is voluntarily recalling BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and teriyaki sauce, due to improper processing and the potential for contamination with Clostridium botulinum, posing a foodborne illness hazard. 

06/27/14 FDA: Nestle is voluntarily recalling ice cream due to undeclared peanuts, posing a possible allergen hazard. 

06/27/14 CPSC: Winco is voluntarily recalling shell fireworks kits because the shell can explode in the tube during firing, posing burn and impact hazards to consumers. Minor burns and cuts have been reported. Units: 4,500 

06/26/14 CPSC: Roland is voluntarily recalling digital pianos because the AC power cord can be connected to the XLR output jack, posing a shock hazard. Units: 640 

06/26/14 CPSC: Wolf Steel is voluntarily recalling propane gas fireplaces because the pressure from ignition of the propane gas may cause the front glass to break, posing a laceration hazard. One incident resulted in cuts to the neck and face. Units: 3,000 

06/25/14 CPSC: Scott, Trek are voluntarily recalling bicycles because the front fork may break, posing a crash hazard. Injuries, including broken bones and bruising, have been reported. Units: 125,200 

06/24/14 CPSC: Trane is voluntarily recalling air conditioning units because the ground screws may not have enough threads to provide sufficient grounding, posing a shock hazard to consumers. Units: 100,600.

06/24/14 CPSC: Stile is voluntarily recalling Tern folding bikes because the bike’s frame may crack, posing a fall hazard. Minor injuries (scrapes and bruising) have been reported. Units: 670 

06/23/14 FDA: Kraft is voluntarily recalling Velveeta cheese product due to low levels of a preservative ingredient, posing a possible foodborne illness hazard. 

06/19/14 CPSC: Reebok is voluntarily recalling senior and junior goalie throat collars due to evidence that a skate could penetrate the collar, posing a laceration hazard. Units: 11,400 

06/18/14 FDA: Domega NY International is voluntarily recalling gift chocolates, as they contain undeclared milk and peanuts, posing a possible allergen hazard. 

06/18/14 CPSC: Brooks Furniture is voluntarily recalling glider rockers because the spindles in the base may separate while rocking, posing a fall hazard. Units: 350 

- See more at: http://www.safekids.org/june-2014-childrens-products-safety-recalls#sthash.LWRC22JI.dpuf
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