Mom-Ergonomics: Back Pain

Since November I have had lower back pain which I kind of figured was due to a growing toddler which often means more rolling on the floor, more hip time and lots more running around. I finally broke down and went to the chiropractor and he told me that just like at work, mom's especially, you need to have "Mom Ergonomics". After poking, pushing, cracking and some electric probing, he came to the conclusion that my back pain was from overuse and, as i thought, a growing toddler. One leg is acting shorter than the other because it is pushed up into my hip from holding Bear on one side all the time.

Mom-ergonomics:
- You should note lift or carry anything (anyone) heavier than 4x your body weight. That means for mom's on the smaller side (110-130) lifting you toddler now is pretty close to that weight.
- Keep in mind when you are lifting, always bend your knees. Although your kid is around 25lb, if you bend at the waist and lift, the weight is closer to 100lb.
- Let your kid walk or use a stroller as much as possible. When you need to console or carry hold them either on your front and bend your knees slightly (you'll get killer calves from doing this) OR hold them on your hip and sway from knee to knee to evenly distribute the weight.
- Stretch in the morning! Getting ready for the day is important, at night the majority of your blood goes to the core to help digestions and other such things. Get the blood pumping back into the rest of your body with simple stretches or exercise.
- If you do have back pain, you should really go see a professional but heat in the morning and throughout the day in 15 minute intervals and COLD in the evening before bed. I did not know this one!

Anyone else having lower back pain from overuse? Any more tips are appreciated!

Love,
PlusPeace

HOW Many Months Until Bear is Two?!

What is everyone thinking about Second Birthday themes?? I am thinking of putting together some DIY Birthday Packs and would love to hear what the trends will be this year!

Love,
PlusPeace

FREE Template! DIY Placemat!

Made these placemats from scratch and I'm proud of them! That's why I am offering them FREE to my followers and passerbys! There are two, both fairly generic, butterflies and flowers or trucks and cars. 

To upload click which one you would like:

FLOWERS

TRUCKS

They are 8.5 x 11 and can be printed on any color home printer. I happen to have a lamination machine at work but if you don't have one it's likely that someone you know will.

Let me know your feedback!

Love,

PlusPeace

Old MegaBloks

We FINALLY had Christmas with the in-laws last weekend and they got Bear lots of duplos which he loves! It seems he has outgrown the Megabloks that we got him just two months ago on Christmas. We had made a little chair for his stuffed frog, Ribbit, out of Megabloks a few weeks ago that he ended up sitting on himself.

We decided to make a chair large enough for Bear to sit in and glue it all together since we have no more use for the Megabloks and they were destined for the yard sale bucket anyways. It came out really cute, we even had enough to make a foot stool :)

We still need to glue it all together but I thought I would share the idea since it came out pretty neat and Bear really likes sitting in it - just the right height!

I am putting together some Party Templates to share, since Birthday time will be here before we know it!!

Love,
PlusPeace

I'm Feeling Springy

It's been warmer here in Maine than most Februarys, and I like it! Still not warm enough to spend hours at a time outside but we've been finding chances to jump out for a bit. Yesterday we walked with Bear's little toy wagon to Tandoor to pick up takeout and he had fun towing the food back to our apartment. :)

I made our apartment a little more springy with some of these butterflies that later on Bear enjoyed. I like them because it's hard for a toddler to ruin them - he even ripped and squished one and you cant even tell! The original directions for these say to cut them after you make them but that was kinda hard so I made a template and cut them before making them.

You Will Need: 

Colorful Newspaper Adds - Fashion Magazines have some of the most vibrant

Scissors

String, ribbon or thread

Use the general shape below as a template for the butterflies. Trace your template onto the magazine adds and cut out.

After they are all cut out, accordion fold about 1/3 inch thick.

Squeeze in the middle and tie. Ribbon looks nice because when you tie it, it looks like there are antlers on your butterflies.

Voila! 

As an afterthought I thought these would make nice party decorations since they are so easy and quick :)

Love,

PlusPeace

Accordion Valentines

Yay! I love Valentines Day! I have so many people I love and enjoy every day of the year so why not pick a day to give everyone a hand made present? I was browsing MarthaStewart.com looking at kids crafts and she makes old cardboard jewelry boxes into children's keepsakes. I made a spin-off of these as Valentines Day cards.

The Part Your Can Do:

Measure the inside bottom of the jewelry box and cut a long strip of cardstock. Accordion fold so it fits into the box completely. I made mine just in the lid and tied a bow instead of putting it directly in the box. You can also do this my way and put chocolate in the larger half of the box (present and card all in one). Cut out shapes out of tissue paper for your kids to glue on, you can also do finger painting, drawing or put pictures on each of the panels. I used modge podge to glue in the tissue paper letters and shapes which is easy to work with and washes off of fingers better than elmers. 

The Part the Kid Can Do:

Decorate! I made the one above but we will be doing these again with markers and crayons and paint so Bear can make some too. 

You Again:

Once the insides are decorated and dry, glue the first fold into the bottom or top of the box and fold it up! 

Enjoy!

PlusPeace

Indoor Energy Releases

Long days indoor due to weather can be daunting. I've come up with a few indoor games for little tots
that require lots of moving around!

Indoor Soccer – I know this sounds like broken glass and rug burnt knees but hear me out. We got a
plush soccer ball at the dollar store which also comes in foam. The one Bear picked out is actually from
the pet section but honestly, who cares? We don’t have lots of space so I moved the coffee table to the
side and the objective is just to get the ball under the coffee table using only your feet. Make sure you
play too or else it is no fun!

Cardio Dance Party – Put on a fast paced kids CD or maybe http://pbskids.org/danceparty/ PBS Kids’
Dance party game, which lets you choose 24 dance moves to play in sequence. There is also a bunch
available on YouTube, like the Fresh Beat Band.

Tickle Tag - Exactly what it sounds like, running around the house and when you are tagged everyone joins in for a good ticklin'! Laughing is so much fun and it's great to let your kids hear you laugh often :)

Pots N' Pans Band - You should play too. It's loud but so, so much fun. Grab two or 3 pots and lids and some wooden spoons, whisks and plastic forks and experiments with the different sounds you and your little musician can make.

Remember to have fun!!!


:)
PlusPeace