I Am A Bag Lady - What?!

J calls me a 'Bag Lady'. I don't claim that title. If he meant it in a kind, loving manner because I like purses, then I would relish the title. I DO love purses. As it stands, I don't like the title. 'Bag Lady' conjures up visions of a down-on-her-luck woman (not lady) who lugs around bags that contain her life's possessions in a shopping cart. That IS NOT me!! I don't walk around with a shopping cart!

I am a fun, witty, self-depricating Canadian who likes to recycle. That's all. I like to recycle. I especially like to recycle cute shopping bags. Does THAT make me a 'Bag Lady' or a "Frugalista"? My money is on the latter.

Case in point. My dearly beloved purchased these lovely book-looking cases to carry our Mac laptops in.

I should have clued in that these were not bargain basement accessories when they came with this bag to cover the case while in transit.

Isn't that a great little bag? I could put my shoes in there, or my lunch, or my crochet project. Maybe a book or two, even. I could take it to the beach and not have to carry a purse! I could take it to the produce store and save a plastic bag from an eternity in a landfill (or something like that). Oh, wouldn't this be perfect on a road trip to carry my 'activities'. The uses for this durable and cute bag are endless.

So you tell me..."Bag Lady" or "Frugalista"?

8 Days of Birthday Celebration

Our kids' birthdays are 3 days apart. That means they share a birthday party. And have for the last 3 years until this year. I had a fundraising banquet for Motor Mouth's school on the day that we would have had their birthday party. Lots of valid reasons why we couldn't do a party the week before or after. Also, if you have ever planned a fundraising event, you know not to book anything the night before or the day after.

Day 1

Family Friday Night

Mini Me's birthday was the day of the banquet so J got her a rose, a butterfly balloon, cupcakes, and the new Princess & the Frog movie that we watched together after our regular pizza night.

Day 2

Banquet Day / Mini Me's Birthday

Mini Me got to eat a cupcake for breakfast on her birthday. We were going to visit a cafe in town that has Mini Me's name in its title. However, when we pulled up, it was closed. Website said they opened at 9:30 am. It was 10:00 am. We went to Panera Bread instead. I was at work by 11:15 am to work on the banquet.

Day 3

Kids got the UP Wii game.

It's a hard game, apparently.

Day 4

Motor Mouth got an army looking balloon (it was the most masculine balloon after Elmo). Instead of a rose, Motor Mouth got a pack of play money and coins. Also a few cupcakes. Grandma and Grandpa Widney arrive long after bedtime.

Day 5

Motor Mouth's Birthday

Motor Mouth got to eat a cupcake for breakfast on his birthday. And wake up to Grandma and Grandpa!! Kids went to school. We brought cupcakes into Motor Mouth's class and passed them around to all the teachers and admin staff in the school. Then it was off to Mini Me's school for a cupcake repeat. Jazz picked Portillo's as where he wanted to eat dinner. Afterwards, we had ice cream at Margie's Candies. The kids got bikes for their birthdays.

Day 6

The kids got to go riding on their new bikes after school with Grandma and Grandpa. Mini Me had her first wipe out. A trip to Target resulted to get her new girly bandaids. Motor Mouth got to pick out his own boy bandaids just in case.

Day 7

We told the kids we got them a season pass to the Adler Planetarium and to the Museum of Science & Industry. They didn't have to go to school. They hung out with Grandma and Grandpa all day.

Day 8

Family Friday Night/Birthday Dinner

No school again. More hanging with the G-parents. Birthday dinner with 3 friends each. Super Mario theme.

Presents

After all of this celebration, we still have 2 Wii games we forgot to give them!

Next year, I'm picking 1 day and that is it!!

Letter to our Neighbor

We have a downstairs neighbor. 2 actually. They are a gay couple. Sometimes, I think my children are a reminder as to why their lives are perfectly wonderful without children.

Here is a letter I posted on their door this morning:

Gentlemen,

The good news is our children are celebrating their birthdays.

The bad news is that our children are celebrating their birthdays with friends.

There will be sugared up, excited, running and stomping children invading our home from approximately 6:00 – 9:00 pm this evening. It is quite possible it may sound like a herd of wild elephants charging back and forth. While we will do what we can to tame the little beasts, we can’t make promises…

Pizza is a 6:00 pm and there will be cake. The adults coming are fun people. Feel free to join us!

J & Widney Woman

Motor Mouth (7) & Mini Me (4)

Worst Mom of the Year Award

This week, we celebrated Mini Me's birthday with her class. It's a Montessori school, so they do things a bit differently. The teacher asked me to talk about when Paris was born. I did great. I told them about how she was the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. And she was. At first.

Then the teacher asked about memories of Paris when she was 0-1 year old. This is where things went astray. Cue the crickets. 27 pairs of 3-6 yr old eyes were on me. Mini Me looked to me adoringly, waiting for some wonderful story.

"She cried a lot."

That was all I could come up with. I couldn't think of a single good, positive thing about Mini Me's 1st year of life. I was proud of myself for not telling them about taping her pacifier to her mouth. (Oh. Did you miss that one? Details at the end of this post).

The teacher tried to help me. She asked if Mini Me had walked or had teeth in her first year.

"Mini Me didn't walk or have teeth before her 1st birthday. In fact, she was a bald baby."

I was dying. Fast.

When we got to year 1 to 2, I excitedly exclaimed that Mini Me walked, got teeth and grew hair. I had to stop myself at that. I didn't want to mention the 'ugly phase' or how she was at the doctor's office with some ailment or the other.

Had I received the email from Mini Me's teacher explaining the process, I would have been prepared with lots of wonderful things to say about my precious 4 yr old daughter. As it was, I stumbled through and made myself come across as the most insensitive mother in the world.

I'm hoping Mini Me never remembers the things her bumbling idiot of a mother said this classroom birthday.

And now........

The Pacifier Story.

Mini Me cried.a.lot. Still does, actually. Well, what you don't know is that her pacifier would not stay in her mouth. And the girl WANTED her pacifier!!

If that pacifier fell out, Mini Me screamed. Not cried. Screamed like she had been hit. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't drive 5 minutes to church or the grocery store.

One particularly challenging night, around 3:00 am, I begged God to show me what to do. Medical tape came to mind. It was perfect. No pain when you remove it and it doesn't leave red marks/lines. I left enough room for her to spit up safely without choking. I did clear it with her pediatrician.

One morning, walking into church, I ran into an older couple from our Sunday School class. They were excited to see Mini Me. I removed the blanket covering her car seat. They gave odd looks. A few steps down the hall, I saw the wife of the Children's Ministry pastor. As she whizzed by, she said: "Hi WidneyWoman. Cute baby. You might want to remove the tape."

And that, is why we are not saving for our children's college. We are saving for their therapy.

I Got Nothing

I want to blog and I think of things to blog often. But they are just ideas and are not formulated entries with a logical start, middle and end with a fully thought out purpose.

These days, my brain is just fried. I can't talk about what is going on at work. I can't talk about what is on my mind most all of the time. And even if I could, I honestly don't have the time or the brain function to do so.

Last week, I worked longer hours than I had planned almost every day, in prep for this fundraising banquet that happened over the weekend. Then I came home and had to get some time-sensitive stuff done for my client. By Friday, there were times I could barely keep my eyes open during the day. In fact, on Friday evening, I downed a large Red Bull (hadn't had one in almost 3 weeks) but couldn't get through Princess and the Frog with the kids and J.

So, while I would like to share what is going on with me, I can't.

Knowing Me, Knowing You - Mar '10

knowing me, knowing you - march

Well it's that time again.... time for that little monthly interview project that The Fairy Blogmother started. Why not play along with us?

1. Do you play a musical instrument?
I wish I did. This is the only possible reason why I was never able to enter beauty pageants. (LOL!!!) Seriously though, I started learning piano 3x and I am still only able to play the 2 songs my sister taught me (I don't think she even remembers how to play them).

2. Do you have a set of every day dishes and a set of "good" dishes?
Our 'everyday' dishes are our good dishes. My MIL gave all 3 of us girls a full set of really, really good dishes. That is what we use every day. My MIL taught me that the people you are with all the time and love are the ones that should eat off the "good" dishes every day.

3. Chocolate milk or white?
Chocolate milk.

I. can. not. stand. white. milk. Blech.

4. What time do you usually head up to bed?
Well, I live in a 1-storey loft so there is no going 'up' anywhere... But I try to be in bed by midnight. Lately, I've tried getting to bed by 10 pm. (haha! 10 is my uber lofty goal!)

5. Do you hang your toilet paper over or under?
Over!!! How else are you going to fold it into a triangle? I do think you have more control when you go over.

Now, for your chance to join in on the fun, be sure to head on over to The Fairy Blogmother's site to see her answers and to play along!

End of an Era

One of my brothers made this little bench/foot stool in high school shop class. He was 4 grades ahead of me so that makes this stool almost 30 years old.

When I moved into my own apartment in Toronto, I stole it from our mom's house. It's not like she was using it. For almost 10 years, the bench had just sat in Mom's living room (that we weren't allowed to go in unless we had company). Like many women of her generation, our mom cherishes the things she loves by setting them aside and not using them.

I've kept this bench ever since and have loved and cherished it as well. Like many women of my generation, I use the things I love. This bench is used almost daily to reach things on the top shelf in our kitchen. I'm 5'9" but the stool makes it so I don't have to strain as hard. My kids, especially Mini Me, sit on this while they are watching me in the kitchen. There are flecks of paint from every one of the homes I painted.

If you look closely, you can see where the finish is darkened in spots where my feet rubbed.

This little stool has travelled to numerous apartments and homes with me in 7 cities and 2 countries. Just a little shop class project my brother has most likely long forgotten, but it has brought me so much joy. My brother has not visited any of my homes in the States, but having his stool helped to make that okay.

(He's a really busy guy.)

Then I found this last night.

Which led to this.

And now, I am heartbroken.

J says we can fix it with carpenter's glue. But I will be scared to use it after that. Sadly, my little bench might have to sit in a corner of my living room, unused.

But much loved.

Up & Down Sides to Parenting

There are downsides to parenting for sure. But then you experience one of the upsides and the madness seems not so bad after all....

Downside of Parenting #1

Mini Me has started wetting her bed all of a sudden. Motor Mouth proclaimed: "Mini Me pisses her bed. I piss my bed. We are pissing twins!" I don't ever recall our son using that language so it was pretty shocking.

Downside of Parenting #2

In his class at church, the teachers were explaining what it means to tithe (give 10% of your income to God/God's work/Church). Motor Mouth said, "I'm not gonna do that. I don't want to waste my money." Time to talk about savings, tithing, money.

Upside of Parenting #1

When talking with classmates, Motor Mouth and his friends were selecting who they were going to be on the Titanic. "I'm Jack!" claimed Motor Mouth. "I'm Rose!" claimed a girl. "I'm Jack Sparrow!!" yelled one boy. "Wrong movie, Dude" said Motor Mouth.

Upside of Parenting #2

Motor Mouth put $0.25 in a gum ball type machine and got out a ring. I decided he should try for something more masculine, so I gave him another quarter. Mini soccer ball. Score. When we got home, Motor Mouth packaged up the ring and packaged up a few toys Mini Me has not played with in awhile. When Mini Me came home, Motor Mouth surprised her with 4 wrapped presents! All his idea.

Upside of Parenting #3

Motor Mouth thinks I'm smarter than J. I fairly certain he is correct...

Upside of Parenting #4

J and I had a test of wills to see who would get out of the car to pick Mini Me up from after school care. Neither one of us wanted to do it. I dug my heals in and refused. J manipulated me with his words. When I left the car, Motor Mouth said, "I wasn't expecting that." (He was convinced I would win!)

What's Cooking Wednesday - The BEST Chicken Noodle Soup EVER!!

"They" say necessity is the mother of all invention. I was sick on Monday and really wanted my mother-in-law to make me some chicken soup. But she lives 10 hours away...

On my trusty laptop (it's a MacBook) I typed in 'easy chicken soup recipie'. Google then asked if I meant 'easy chicken soup recipe'. I clicked that and I found a simple recipe calling for 2 cans of cream of chicken, 1 can of mushroom soup, and some water and veggies and seasonings if you want. Easy.

Then I went to my pantry. 10 cans of cream of mushroom, 0 cans of cream of chicken. Not sure what the heck I was thinking when I bought all those cans of mushroom soup but girls and boys, this is why you need to MAKE A GROCERY SHOPPING LIST and TAKE IT WITH YOU. I'm just sayin'.

I did have 4 cans of Campbell's chicken noodle soup. It is cold season. So, I improvised. Basically, I did what I could feeling like crap. I sat down to chop this stuff (normally I stand, like they do on TV) and I took a few breaks.

The BEST Chicken Noodle Soup EVER Recipe

Ingredients

2 cans of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup

4 cans of water

4 cups of water

1 big carrot, chopped

1 big celery stalk, chopped

1 green onion stalk, chopped

1/2 small onion, chopped

2 gloves garlic minced or chopped

2 tbl powdered chicken bullion

2 handfuls rotini noodles or any kind of thick pasta noodle

3-4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (or leftover chicken)

Seasonings

(I know it seems like a lot but I just throw this stuff in 'cause the spice shelf is right there.)

1 bay leaf

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Nature's Seasoning

1 tsp Lowry's Seasoned Salt

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp majoram

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground sage

1/2 tsp basil leaves

Pasta Noodles

Boil in salted, oiled water like directions say.

Drain. Set aside.

Chicken

I used a hybrid. 2 frozen chicken breasts that I threw in a pot of water and boiled until cooked. But don't cook it at boiling or all this gunk floats up (I learned that from Martha Stewart). Drain. Shred. While the pasta and chicken were cooking, I picked off the last of the chicken on a whole chicken I had roasted the day before. Set aside.

Soup Directions

Add all the ingredients (except pasta, chicken, veggies) to stock pot and bring to a boil.

Lower stove heat, add veggies and chicken.

Cook until veggies are tender.

Add pasta.

Simmer on the lowest setting with the lid on the pot until your people come home.

Serve with crackers, corn bread, or bread or nothing.

Serves 6-8 adults (minimum)

Be sure to head on over to the Home of What's Cooking Wednesdays at The Fairy Blogmother.

Darkness Overcoming Beauty

The darkness of fear overtaking

the power of beauty

The latest painting by my incredibly talented husband.

Happy Valentines Day - 2010

Yes, this posting is 1 week late.

I've been busy and had some issues with

Blogger and iPhoto.

Not sure who to blame, really.

Most likely Blogger. Mac is perfect.

I wasn't putting much effort into Valentines Day

until Motor Mouth was all excited Saturday evening.

Here is what I mustered up...

Pink Heart Pancakes

Heart Ice Cubes

Lots of Pink Heart Pancakes

Pink Milk for the Kiddos

Red Raspberry Iced Tea for Mommy

Red Plates

Happy Kids

Table Decorations

Both kids wearing pink/red

J did come home with chocolate for everyone

And he surprised me with floor seats

to the Mariah Carey concert!!!!

I am ready for next year!!

We found some discounted items Monday

My fav find are the cookie cutters

We'll have heart shaped sandwiches next year!!

I even found a red box to store it all in...

And a green one for our St. Patty's decorations

Yes, I know we need to fill the green box...

Finished for Friday - Pond Friends

Finally, something I can post on

Finished for Friday!!!

Pond Friends Stacking Toy

Frog pole, Dragon Fly, Lady Bug, Bumble Bee, Blue Base

I crocheted this for one of my friends who has a new baby. Not sure which friend yet. I have to choose from 10 people who are about to pop out a kiddo.

I thought I could just bang it out because it is simple. It really took a long time to make. J likes it a lot. I don't think he wants me to give it away...

Pattern is Lion Brand Vanna's Choice

Baby Pond Friends Stacking Toy

Pattern Number: 90075AD

Now, please head on over to the home of

Lit and Laundry to see what fabulous thing she

Finished for Friday!

Baby Showers are for Babies

I know some people don't believe in having baby showers for the 2nd or 3rd or other babies. Or, they feel it is okay for the 2nd baby if it is a different sex. However, I believe EVERY baby deserves a baby shower, whether it is the mom's 1st or 5th.

Widney Grandbaby #5 (not ours)

I believe the shower is for the baby, not the mom. Each child deserves to be celebrated and showered with presents. And let me tell you, by the 3rd or 4th kid, that mom needs new stuff! I do think the big ticket items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, play yards, swings should to go to the 1st baby and be reused for the next. But what baby doesn't need diapers or bibs or burp cloths or sleepers? It's so nice to have fresh new clothes for a fresh new baby.

Motor Mouth age 1 month (ours)

This thinking might come from my adoption world experience where some adoptive moms received baby showers and then the birth mom ended up changing her mind and taking the baby back (failed adoption). Many of those incredible adoptive moms gave EVERYTHING she had received for the baby to the baby and the birth mom. Why? Because ultimately, those were gifts for that baby.

I wish we would look at all baby showers that way. It's for the baby. Not the mom. Let's celebrate every baby's life and shower every baby with material and immaterial love.

Works for Me Wednesday

In my previous post: Tackle It Tuesday: Inconvenient Lifestyle, I wrote about what I am working on this year. 6 weeks into it, this is what has worked so far:

1 toy at a time

Making the kids stick to only playing with 1 toy at a time was lofty goal. But they got it. They sometimes play with 1 toy and leave it out while they play with another then another. But in the grand scheme of things, it is working.

5-minute bedtime clean

Which leads me to the kids' 5-minute clean at the end of the day. Because they don't take out 50 toys to play with and leave them everywhere, it makes the cleaning at the end of the day super easy. And, more importantly, the kids no longer argue or resist cleaning the play/bedroom. The amount of peace that brings to our home is priceless.

No Movies or Wii during the week

This was not on the original list but I no longer allow the kids to play movies in Motor Mouth's room after school. If it is a school night, they are not allowed to have big screen time. They are allowed to play with their little screens - Leapster games, Leapfrog books, kiddie laptops, math games on the desktop computer. Basically, if it is an educational screen, they can watch on a school night. Otherwise, nope.

15-minute clean

This worked for 3 weeks then fell apart when I got sick. When we do abide by it, it works amazingly well for general tidiness. If someone would help with this more, it might work better.

Activity Jar

I haven't pulled anything from the jar, but I did spend a lot of time crocheting a baby gift so I feel like this is accomplished.

Updates on the rest:

In January, I had 2 weeks of 45 hr/wk at my normally 32 hr/wk job and I got really sick for 4 straight days. Not that this excuses stuff, but I do believe it played a major role in the breakdown of the following:

- Widney Wednesday. I didn't get to Widney Wednesday in January. We did go to the top of the Hancock Building. I think I need to schedule this. But I have to say, we do a lot together as a family, so it's not like we are strangers running in crazy directions.

- 1 load of laundry per day. Sore subject as I lost The Mommy Project's laundry throwdown and still have not tackled that mountain.

- Night Prep. The prepping meals and clothes at night fell by the wayside but I do see the benefit and need for it.

- Home Cooking. I have cooked at home more. It's just hard when I have evening meetings at 6 pm across town.

Mini Me's Catalog Ad

Mini Me had her 1st modeling gig for

Land of Nod, a higher end kids furniture & accessory store.

You might recall Mini Me's 1st professional photo shoot.

If not, go here.

Here is a photo of Mini Me schlepping rugs

I snapped this pic of the catalog

w/my phone in low light.

J was disappointed you can't see more of her face

It could always be worse.

Imagine THIS being your child's ad...

You can order your own Spring 2010 catalog for free at www.landofnod.com (unless you are not living in the U.S.).

Unpredictable

When Motor Mouth was an infant, J played instrumental lullaby CDs in his room 24/7. Sweet, melodic baby music. Very calm nursery.

We tried the same music with Mini Me.

She wasn't having it.

In his infinite wisdom, my darling husband realized Mini Me needed some hard bass tunes and searched his white boy CD collection until he found the closest thing that fit the bill.

Unpredictable by Jamie Foxx.

It WORKED!!

Who knew.

Knowing Me, Knowing You - Feb '10

It's time again for the monthly blog questionnaire hosted by one of my bloggy BFF's The Fairy Blogmother.

1. The Olympics are right around the corner, are you planning on watching?
Nope. J wants to watch the opening show but other than that, nope. Before I married this artsy man, I never missed an Olympics.

2. Which is your favourite Olympic Winter sport?
Figure skating. I knew who the skaters were when I was a good Canadian living in my home and native land. I did enjoy watching the ski jumping and the downhill, and the luge.

3. Okay you're in the candy store, what's the first thing you grab?
Either the Jelly Beans or sour gummy candies. Or both. Both.

4. What is your favourite John Hughes movie? Not sure what movies he made? Well, first you should be ashamed of yourself and I'm not sure we can be friends anymore. Secondly, click the link and see his impressive list of films, you'll be surprised...... go ahead I'll wait.

I'd have to say "Maid in Manhattan" for my most recent like. And "Ferris Beuler's Day Off" for my back in the day like. I still use quotes from Ferris Beuler and am amazed I live in Chicago - the city where Ferris sang 'Danke Schoen' in a parade.

I predict NAMK (The Mommy Project) will say 'Pretty in Pink' or 'Sixteen Candles' as her favorite. I know this because I watched it no less than 16 times each with her back in the day.

5. Okay you're going into the witness relocation program and you get to pick your new name, what will it be?

Kiki Freedmar

Alright, now please head on over to The Fairy Blogmother to see her answers and give some linky love if you decide to join in on the fun!

Super Nanny Trial Period

J and I watched Super Nanny for the first time in forever. Because of Super Nanny, we are going to start putting Mini Me on the Naughty Chair every time she cries. Something HAS to work with Mini Me. The crying all the time is not getting any better.

This week, my MIL was considering taking Mini Me for her Spring Break and asked what makes Mini Me cry. Mini Me cries...

- if she is hurt

- is tired

- is hungry

- has to leave

- has to stop doing something

- has been told 'no'

- thinks she is in trouble

- is in trouble

- if it is time to wake up

- if it is time to go to bed

- if it is time to go potty

- if Motor Mouth says 'Me 1st!' when it's time to pray or shower

- if she wants her hair straight/up/down/anything other than what you did

- if you ask her to get dressed

- if you ask her to put on her coat

- if you ask her to carry her backpack

- if you eat a restaurant other than McDonalds

- if she doesn't hear me say 'goodbye Mini Me' when I leave the car

- if she can't eat a sugar glazed donut in the car

- if she gets injured (but this one is justifiable)

- I know I'm missing at least 10 more scenarios...

For the last few months, I have taken to asking Mini Me if someone has hit her or if she is in pain when she starts crying. I tell her if someone has not hit or she is in pain, to stop crying. And I tell her I can't understand what she is saying when she cries and to please stop crying and use her words. It pretty much works.

In March, Mini Me will be 4. From birth, this child has been crying. Well, maybe 1-2 weeks after birth there was that honeymoon period. But as a baby, it was one thing after another: thrush, reflux, ear infections, formula/tummy problems, etc.

If Mini Me's pacifier fell out, she screamed and wailed. She had no lips so that thing fell out all the time. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't drive 5 minutes to church without the pacifier falling out and her screaming the whole rest of the way there. One night, I was so exhausted, I begged God to show me what to do because I had to sleep and couldn't deal with this. 'Medical tape' popped into my head. Yes, I taped her pacifier to her face with medical tape so it wouldn't hurt when it came off or leave marks. I always made sure there was enough room so she could spit up if need be. And I told her pediatrician and the children's pastors and adoption agency director so they knew what was going on.

If you didn't get her food that second, you had hell to pay, my friend. I put her on a schedule to get her food to her 15 minutes before she needed it.

My mother-in-law was not happy with us because we wouldn't let her have Mini Me overnight for about the first 3-4 months. Motor Mouth had been spending the night with his grandparents from 4 days old. Then I let her have Mini Me overnight. DonnaMomma never said a bad thing about Mini Me when asked how the night went. My sister-in-law was not so tactful and told me that Mini Me was a different kind of baby. For this reason alone, I could have love my sister-in-law for life - someone validated what I had been experiencing and trying to save others from. We didn't want J's parents to not love Mini Me as much as they loved Motor Mouth and we were terrified they would figure this out as soon as they got her overnight.

Mini Me cried herself to sleep every night. She wouldn't let you hold her or rock her to sleep as a baby. By the time she was a year old, I gave my baby rocking chair away. It had been my prized possession when Motor Mouth was a baby. I know I rocked him around the world and back again.

I kept thinking that when she gets over this sickness she will stop the crying. When she gets old enough to talk she will stop crying. If this or that or this or that she will stop the crying. It has been 4 years and I am exhausted. Her crying is the one thing that can set me off in 2 seconds.

We have started putting her on the naughty chair every time she cries. I pray to God it works. I need some relief from the crying.