Metadata: f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 6400
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Feel me? I know you do. These little ones are so precious. But sometimes, cooking dinner without stepping on tiny toes is all I want at 4pm! Got any great tips for getting through dinner prep without a meltdown? (& without putting on the tv?) If you do, I am all ears. :)
& if you happen to be new here & want to learn more about why my project 52 looks the way it does, head on over to
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& here are the links to all of you who are doing this with me! Be sure to let me know if I missed you by adding a comment to this post. I promise to add you, as long as you link me back! (& do let me know if the link needs editing)
allenaim photography • Brown-Eyed Girl Photography • Bump Meet Baby • Capturing Memories • Capturing My Time • Cyan Baby Bliss • Fitori • Katie Clay Photography • McBabyBump • New Mom Adventure • Phreckle Face Photography • {rik-see} photography • Surviving Endometriosis • The Buckeye Homestead • The VanDyck Family • Wicked Kate
George laughs when he walks in the door at 5… because to get Claire to give me 5 mins I let her have run of the kitchen floor. You might find… spoons, spatulas, bag of coffee, can of peas, toys… whatever will keep her occupied so I can read a recipe and get things together. Love this post and I am right there with ya ;)
I absolutely agree. I feel the need for space from time to time, but I love the kiddo hugs!
Playdough and a kid table in the kitchen is where we are right now. They wake up asking for it.
Do I ever!!! You should of seen me last night!!! My 2 year old had a death grip on me last night and would not let go…now she can say “Momma hold me…peeeease!!!” and believe me her please doesn’t sound polite it’s very demanding!!! But I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way!!!
I asked her the other day if she would always love me this much and she looked at me with those huge brown eyes and said…”yeah…shure” I just laughed!!!
Coloring in the highchair or a little soap and water in the sink, some random kitchen items, a stool, and an apron when we can make it work. I’m right there with you!
I throw Makenna in the sink! She loves to play in water :) I give her tupperwares to play with and leave the water on a slow slow drizzle! It’s fun and I am right there so it doesn’t worry me…….. She fills up the tupperware with water and then empties it down the drain. I don’t do this everyday-just the days she reallllllly needs it and I have a time limit!!!
we do a dance party :) I turn on pandora radio and we twill around, stomp, hop, and shake our tail feathers. My boys (3.5 &1.5) think it’s hilarious when I shake my booty ;) It only takes a few seconds between stirring or chopping to keep them interested and not thinking about the ‘hold me mama’ fits.
LOVE IT! and totally get it ;) i try to to as much prep work for the meal (chopping veggies, cooking meat, etc.) while she’s napping to avoid a complete fiasco. finley has her own cabinet and drawer full of kitchen stuff that she gets everywhere! i’m sure my kitchen looks a lot like nicole’s ;) i could fall and break my neck at any moment. sweet sweet pic
Oh my! I know the feeling exactly! I’m 6 months pregnant and have a biggo baby boy (14 months and 26 pounds) and all he wants me to do is hold him so he can watch dinner prep! Ugh!!! Yes, I love the cuddles and sweetness but seriously…my back is about to break and I just wanna get it done without fuss.
I found that a crockpot is the answer! Seriously, they are awesome and the meals always turn out awesome without much mess or time from me. I found this blog with great meal options: cockpot365.blogspot.com
From another Texas Mama,
Katie
love all your ideas! thank you! :)
Nothing wrong with a lil’ tv :) – and im not huge on tv, but if I got something I need to do I dont feel bad turning on Baby Einstine , throwing a handful of toys and telling my 6 yr old to watch the baby. :) but im on the 3rd – with my 1st I was very similar to you.
Another way that works for Owen (whos 1)- is to give him all the pots and pans and a wooden spoon, hurray for noise, but it keeps them off your legs.
Or putting them in the high chair by you and giving them taste of food :)
I’m totally stealing this photo idea for tomorrow’s image. ;) It’s rough when they’re clingy.
You’ve gotten lots of ideas here. What works best for me when I cook dinner is “The Learning Tower”. Google it if you haven’t heard of it, but basically it safely gets the kiddos to my height at the counter and I set them up with a mixing bowl of their own filled with uncooked pasta or rice crispies. (And the dog stays nearby!) :)
Hope you have a great weekend!
We’re quite late getting on board, but will be trying Project 52 as well! Love your blog, Shawna!
My little guy is just over a year, so probably not as mobile as yours! But I find if I put him in his highchair and pull it up to the counter while i work, he’s pretty happy. That along with crackers, bananas, etc for distraction…So he can see, but with the tray in the way, he can’t touch! Gives a bit of a buffer :)