couch potato

So, we all hear all the time about how kids watch too much tv and don't get enough exercise and don't use their imaginations enough, etc. Until lately, N. never watched tv unless we were watching something together. However, recently, she found this dvd my mom gave me a while ago and asked to watch it. So, I humored her and let her watch it and suddenly, it's like I've opened Pandora's box. She now asks to "watch dt" and specifically, can she "watch the bear" several times a day. Usually, I try to distract her with something else and that will often work. But we've had a few meltdowns over not being able to "watch the bear." And mommy's also discovered that she can grab 30 - 60 minutes of "get something done" time while kiddo is mesmerized by "the bear."
So, what do you think? What do you do with your kids? How much tv is okay? How do you choose what tv is okay? For instance, I'm not particularly fond of "the bear." Several of the episodes the bear is misbehaving and I don't care for how the parent bears handle the misbehavior... However, the time to get a work out in or clean or cook with out "help" from little hands is also quite attractive. Thoughts?

Slowly

Well, I have to say that transitioning from one baby to two babies is not easy. I just don't have the luxury to relax and simply bond with C. with N. running around like a typical two year old. I was also not healing nearly as fast as I did after N.'s birth, despite this one being an easier birth. So, M. put his foot down and took N. to daycare for the past three days, and I have literally done nothing more strenuous than wash a few dishes and sit on the couch. C. and I have had some good bonding time and it's so nice to just spend time getting to know the little guy.

++++ Several days have now past. I've now had N. home with me for two straight days and I'm managing to survive. I've also actually been able to vacuum the floors and clean the bathroom. Gross. Just not something that men... or at least my man, does well.
So, we're hanging in there. N. went through a phase of not going to the potty... last Tuesday, I think I changed her clothes 10 times. I know this is normal, but so aggravating in the midst of everything else. I'm combatting it by simply taking her to the potty every hour and making her go. She's also gotten attached to a pacifier, which is odd since she never had one as a baby. She did also ask if she could "eat your boobs." I just said no. I wasn't even going there. But isn't that funny? That's what she calls C. eating... "mommy, C. eat mommy's boobs?" And then she gets one of her teddy bears and says, "My baby eat my boobs," as she pretends to nurse a teddy bear. I find it to be quite humourous.

So, anyway, thanks for all the well wishes. We're doing okay!