Charlie had turned 12 months, and Remi turned 18 months, and suddenly their sleep patterns started to change. Yup, it can pretty much happen at either or both ages, or none if you're super lucky.

Morgen and Trisha navigate these tricky times. They have learned a lot about sleep regression. Don't think it was an easy road getting there, though. It not only involved re-sleep training the girls, but Morgen and Trisha found themselves having to re-train themselves as well. This is an age where children can understand and comprehend so much more, which makes the training and teaching new and challenging.

See some new teeth sprouting? Yup, molars are starting to come in around this time, and teething can be a significant culprit in the sleep regression department. Are you feeling like you've got a koala bear clinging on to you lately? Mmm hmm, separation anxiety peaks at this age as children start to feel bigger emotions, like the fear of being away from their parents or caregivers. It is all normal at this age. Couple it with the rapid growth and brain development, and everything becomes new again for the babes, and us!

Morgen and Trisha remind themselves, and one another, that patience and flexibility are essential in these pivotal situations. So if you find yourself having 'A mom of a day' (Morgen's new coined term), know that you're not alone, and this will soon all be a distant memory.

Hang in there and happy Zzzz'ing!

Join Morgen and Trisha for another Lil' Mama-sode, where they blinked, and the girls turned 18 months. The ladies go through their 18-month checklist and milestones. They share where Charlie and Remi are at (or aren't at 🤷🏻‍♀️) in four significant areas of development: Social/emotional, language/communication, cognitive/learning/problem solving, and physical development.

Is your child hurling their toys at you? Good news! Check it off the 18-month checklist for "handing objects off as play." Tempor tantrums anyone? Check! Deep breathes mommas and papas as we all navigate the big emotions 18-month olds feel, which is entirely in line with this age. Trisha is relishing in the extra snuggles she is receiving, while Remi shies away from strangers, which is also a big ol' check off the list.

Morgen and Trisha have their list of things to work on over the next six months, but it was nice to check in and see just how far their girls have come and to know other parents are being tested on their levels of patience while the milestones are reached. Pat yourselves on the back. You're doing amazing, and so are your babes!

Links: 

CDC 18 Month Check List

https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/development/development-tracker-1-3-years/18-24-months

Happy Mother's Day to all the mama's (women) out there, that take on a mothering role!

Hearing from their listeners makes Morgen & Trisha feel that much more connected to their Mom Jeans and Minivan tribe. Wondering what there most embarrassing pregnancy moment was, or how they met their significant others? Are you dying to know what their favorite episode is, or their go-to cocktail? They have decided to focus their Mother’s Day episode on answering the questions they’ve already received and extend an invitation to all of you. Send in any comments, questions, tips, or tricks you might have and hear them answered in the next episode. You can email the ladies at [email protected]! Ask, and they shall answer! Hooray!

Are you going into labor during Covid-19 or know someone who is? Kacie, Trisha's older sister, joins Morgen and Trisha to share her birth story during Covid-19 and gives insight on some things to expect.

Seeing the silver lining in every scenario is possible, and being quarantined with her four-week-old baby has turned out to be the most intimate and memorable time Kacie could have ever imagined for herself and baby Hudson. 

Are you wondering what to expect for your doctor's appointments and at the hospital? Want to know what precautions are being taken to protect yourself and your baby? What about professional newborn pictures? Kacie talks about it all. 

As with all new moms, nipples and vaginas are everyday conversation and can't be dropped enough in our discussion with Kacie. Kacie has a funny momfession involving her dad. Listen in and hear some fresh new momfessions from Morgen and Trisha as well.

To all those mamas out there giving birth during Covid-19, you've got this, and stay strong! Mom Jeans and Minivans wish you all continued health and safety during Covid-19.  

Links:

PRIORITY, a nationwide registry for pregnant women with known or suspected COVID-19

https://ucsf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cyexkjt9NrcGdD

Food, food, food! Let’s face it, we all love eating it, but this coronavirus has most people searching for easy, yet tasty recipes. Morgen and Trisha have ideas that are sure to satisfy the whole family, from babies to adults. 

Their go-to during Covid-19 ideas are the ones where there is a simple base that can have interchangeable ingredients added to appease everyone’s taste buds. We’re talking fried rice, breakfast egg muffins, and new creative pizza toppings. So fun!

The ladies discuss their one-pot dishes, make-ahead marinades, and new cocktails that sound simply delish. Let’s not forget the pie dishes either. Pot pies and shepherds pies that can be made and eaten right away, but can also be frozen for the nights when the motivation to cook isn’t there. Morgen always declares she is Italian when it is time to cook in big batches and freeze for future nights. Listen in to hear her freezer stash ideas, assuming you have the room in your freezer or are lucky enough to have a backup freezer in the house. 

Try to listen when you’re not hungry because this episode will be sure to have your mouth watering. The hope is this episode will spark some ideas and creativity in the kitchen for your coronavirus meal solutions. Feel free to share your recipes with Morgen and Trisha at [email protected] because if there is anything these two know how to talk about, it is food! Don't see a recipe they discussed, feel free to email them and they will happily share. Enjoy and bon appetite!

Links:

Chicken and rice with scallion-ginger sauce recipe

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020888-chicken-and-rice-with-scallion-ginger-sauce?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

Shepherds pie - eat2explore

https://eat2explore.com/collections/mixes/products/spice-sauce-grain-mixes-per-recipe?variant=31896750424118

Creamed Eggs

Boil 6-8 eggs. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Slowly blend in 4 tablespoons flour with a little salt and pepper. Use a wire whisk and mix. Then SLOWLY blend in 2 cups milk. Keep stirring on medium to high heat until bubbly. Lower temperature and put in cut-up broiled eggs and stir. Serve over English muffins. 🥰

Infantino Squeeze Pouches

http://www.amazon.com/Infantino-208-101-Squeeze-Station/dp/B009IVKY7Q

Morgen and Trisha are joined by Christina to discuss positive self-image, what that means, and how they want to be examples for their girls.

Christina and her husband, Scot, have two teenage daughters, so they are right in the thick of it. Christina is such a positive influence in her girls' lives, and she explains how she has an open-door policy with them, being completely candid, truthful, and honest about all things. We mention Scot because fathers are often the most influential when it comes to body image and confidence in females, so listen up fellas! 

Positive self-image starts when kids are young! The ladies try their best to react to their toddlers the way they'd want someone to respond to them (pfff, easier said than done, or as Morgen states, "it all depends on the time of day,"). 

The ladies consider all aspects of self-image. Why people enjoy drugs and become addicted, and when it comes to body image, it's not about how you look as much as it is about how you feel. Girls these days aren't just feeling the pressures of body image; they also are faced with the pressures of success both in their careers and financially. Christina shares how she navigates this road with her own teenagers. 

Don't miss the end where Trisha delivers a very real momfession, Morgen comes out with a dadfession, and Christina shares a secretfession.

"You're beautiful just the way you are." -Alessia Cara 

Links:

Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Warrior-Memoir-Glennon-Doyle/dp/1250075734

The coronavirus has everyone spending a lot more time at home. Are you going stir crazy and running out of ideas on how to entertain your kiddos? 

In this episode, Mom Jeans and Minivans have tons of ideas for the entire family that are both indoors and outdoors, ranging from 'clean' finger painting, starting a garden, and receiving an inspirational text from a celebrity. You'll have to check out the episode for the celebrity's number. Morgen and Trisha share countless free live stream videos available from storytelling, dancing, or getting in that much needed workout. Morgen's has a fun "bear hunt" idea where the whole neighborhood can get involved, and Trisha shares her favorite website for fun science experiments. 

The possibilities are endless. This might be their most informational packed episode yet. Enjoy the show and stay safe and healthy everyone! Thanks for listening in!

Do you have a favorite #stayathome activity you want to share with Mom Jeans and Minivans? Email the ladies at [email protected]

Links:

eat2explore :

https://eat2explore.com

Dawny Dew: 

http://www.dawnydew.com/

Jack Hartmann:

https://jackhartmann.com

Elephant toothpaste science experiment:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/make-elephant-toothpaste/

PSA Sesame Street Video Wash Your Hands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQn0z6xa8II

PSA Sesame Street with relevant new videos, printables and learning-at-home resources for your family in English and en español: 

https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring

Getty Museum Art Challenge: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/04/03/people-are-re-creating-famous-artworks-with-their-pets-whatever-else-is-lying-around/

Video of Tampa Zoo where Penguins roam free while closed: 

Penguins roam free

Neighborhood Bear Hunts: 

https://time.com/5809613/bear-hunts-coronavirus/

At Home Ballet Workout with the Cindies: 

Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 2pm EST on Instagram Live

@jamesbwhiteside

@isabellaboylston

#thecindiesballetclass

Welcome to Mom Jeans and Minivan's first Lil' Mama-sode! A shortened episode still packed with goodness. 

This shorty but goody is all about how Morgen and Trisha find daily moments of sanity while they're raising their 1-year-olds. We know, we know, you're thinking, "moments of sanity, ppfffff like that exists." It is far and few between, but when it does happen, it is glorious! Ever catch a morning when the babe has slept later than usual, and you can enjoy your first cup of coffee in silence as the birds chirp outside, and the sun is rising in the sky? Time seems to stand still in those moments, right!?! How about foregoing sleep at night to binge-watch a show on tv? Perhaps not the best decision, but it sure feels good in the moment.

Morgen and Trisha take a couple of deep breaths in this episode just thinking about these rare moments of bliss and hope you take one too. If Charlie were around, she'd mimic you, so maybe take two and see how you do!

Links: 

Article, "Why being the parent of a 1-year-old is simply exhausting":

https://www.mother.ly/life/why-being-the-parent-of-a-1-year-old-is-simply-exhausting

Trisha says that she’s never wanted to be the best version of herself more than she does now that she is a mom, and we have a feeling most moms out there feel the same. This week Morgen & Trisha pay homage to the women (and men) in their lives that have been instrumental to them with the way they choose to raise Charlie and Remi. 

Some parents seamlessly pick up their lives right where they left off before they had kids. Camping in Iceland with a toddler, sure why not?  Road trip with three kiddos, no problem. The ladies of the show are watching these parents make it happen, and are taking notes so they can sprinkle a little more of it in their lives. 

Then you have the moms out there who seem to have endless patience and are so calm under pressure and stress. But How? No seriously, how do some moms go with the flow so well?  Then there are the moms who have older children, and the ladies are in awe of the relationship they have created and the kiddos they have raised. One glass of whatever you are doing, please! You know what, you better make it a double. The most influential, however, have been Trisha and Morgen’s own moms, and they discuss just how instrumental they have been with raising Remi and Charlie. 

Although Morgen’s hormones got the best of her in this show, that is what our show and life is all about. Keeping it real, staying humble, and being unabashedly true to ourselves. Listen in and feel inspired along with us, and maybe shed a tear or two along with Morgen.