Breakfast is totally possible

I know how a lot of moms feel with multiple kids, life is busy from the get-go as soon as any one kid is up.  You barely have time to sleep, let alone have a good, nutritous breakfast, especially within 2 hours of waking up.  So you sometimes settle for what is around that you can heat up or can grab and eat while running after a toddler, which usually means something processed or not too fulfilling.   Your priority, rightfully, is feeding your kiddies.

Moms you need your energy too, and if still trying to lose baby weight,  you need to be eating well and on time (to keep your metabolism running optimally you should eat within two hours of waking up, and avoid sugary breakfast alternatives). 
With a very active toddler, I found the trick is to eat the same breakfast.  No really.  Once your toddler is able to eat on his or her own, no need to bother with multiple breakfasts.

Here are a few breakfasts I do often with my son...quick, easy and nutritious. 

Grilled cheese with eggs and spinach
Simple grilled cheese, however I add a quickly scrambled egg and some leaves of baby spinach before grilling.  This takes all but 5 min to assemble and we both enjoy it.  It also combines protein, dairy, carbohydrates for a well balanced meal.  The spinach is not overpowering and adds a good source of iron which is great for a growing toddler.

Turkey sausage, waffles and blueberries
I always have waffles in my freezer...they are perfectly fine to serve you and your child...read labels choose ones with fibre and made with whole wheat.  Turkey sausages are a lean alternative to others,  and cooks quickly.  My son loves blueberries but I mix up the fruit option to keep variety in our diet. 

Cereal with yogurt and fruit
This is easy and needs no explanation.  But its simplicity doesn't make it boring.  My son likes to have his yogurt,  fruit and cereal all on his table and tops it with his cereal and gobbles it down.   Just choose cereals not high in sugar (should not be one of top 3 ingredients) and should provide at least 2g of fibre per serving.

Cinnamon toast, yogurt and pears
This is a fan favourite at my house. I put together a blend of cinnamon and sugar and keep it on hand.  Butter some bread (opt to use non-hydrogenated margarine of course), add a sprinkle of this cinnamon blend and toast in a toaster oven or oven to your liking.   Serve with fruit and yogurt; super easy, balanced and they will love it...so will you.

Peanut butter smoothie
My toddler loves this, mostly because we make it fun and make it together. 
I just add milk, bananas, frozen  strawberries and a healthy scoop of natural peanut butter.  It is delicious and nutritous and filling.

Strawberry pancakes and scrambled eggs
This is easier than it seems...I am not ashamed to buy pancake mix though. I add berries to my batter and make a couple,  this literally takes 5 minutes.  Scrambling some eggs is easy, nothing fancy there...serve with your pancakes and voila. 

I am big on sneaking in some servings of fruits or veggies early in the day, and even bigger about eating breakfast.  These are easy ways I ensure I can do both, regardless of having two little ones. 

Enjoy!

Stay up and stare

Well Rayna is definitely a night owl, she mainly likes to deep sleep in the day and feed and wake up more frequently in the late hours.  I know it will take some time for the days and nights to synchronize or for her to establish a schedule,  but somehow it's not as daunting as I expected.   Probably because she is too cute and I find myself just engulfed in her expressions and little face!  

It is okay if I admit she's cute right?   Am I supposed to be modest?   Whatever,  she really is just so adorable and precious in every way.   I get a huge shot of a blessed feeling every night when I look at her eyes and smile. 

No matter how tired taking care of two young children gets, I love it...truly.  That's how I know I was ready,  and meant to be a mom.  Being in love with your children does not capture how I feel... and I can say this, I am sure parents of older children and teenagers can say, because they are still both so small and innocent.  Rayna has just started being more alert so looks and smiles and does slight "coos".  As I hold her, even in the wee hours, I take it all in and try to cherish these moments,  where I just look at her looking at me and fall deeper in love than I ever thought possible. 

Yes I do have the nights also where I am so uber exhausted and long for a full night's rest, but honestly I knew what I was getting into with that. 

She is an angelic baby, loves cuddling and being held close...I hope that won't be a problem later.  She sleeps with both arms in the air (her aunt Priya calls her "Party Princess" because of it), makes little pout lips, has chipmunk-like cheeks, and sometimes holds her face in a pose...ohhhh you can melt every time you look at her.   She doesn't do much at this stage but doesn't need to, you really can't help but just stare and be in awe.

Maybe knowing we most likely will stop at 2 and knowing this is my last baby is playing into me just trying to savour every "coo", "cah" and baby facial expression.  Maybe, it is the different experience of having a daughter and having that angelic/fragile feel to it.  Maybe it's just being thankful for two healthy beautiful children.  Maybe it is seeing Caiden grow and develop so rapidly and reflecting on him as a baby, though gosh him as a toddler is entertaining and mind-blowing also. Whatever the reason, I just love staring at Rayna and cuddling with her daily. 

I am told don't do it too much, don't hold her too much, because she will get used to it; and given I have another child I physically cannot all day long.  However, she will only be this small for such a little period of time before that on-the-go phase approaches, that I often say "oh whatever".  These are precious moments with such a precious little one.  I am so blessed; I realize it and am thankful every time I stare at those little eyes, that sweet face, hold those itty hands and kiss those little chubster cheeks.

This is love.