Swanns Pond

Rotten!

2012-02-13T22:23:00.002-06:00

Life in a hotel has perks- the perks may also be the very down fall we've wanted to avoid.

All the attention Little Miss gets is fantastic! She bounds happily from one adult to the next and clearly has favorites. She knows no racism... As long as you hold her while vacuuming, you are her BFF!

The down fall you ask?

Because we are not millionaires, we cannot afford a house full of staff members and thus when the glorious day arrives and we are back in our own house we will have a rotten little girl on our hands without anyone else around to give distraction.

She'll have her own room and bed {which we hope to transition her to once settled}. She'll have lots of room to throw dramatic fits when not getting her way {and give mommy and daddy a good laugh!}. She'll have to go on a hide and seek hunt to find the dogs as surely they will find a hiding spot perfect to finally get a moment of peace!

Anyone have any tips on transitioning a toddler from non stop attention living on top of each other hotel living to single family residence with room to spare??

You are what you eat!

2012-02-10T20:39:00.001-06:00

I'm on a role... Because I'm passionate about it.

And because Little Miss clearly has shown her love for fresh fruit and veggies.

We're raising a rabbit.

Seriously.

She screams in the grocery store not for a cookie but for a celery stalk.

Seriously.

She's happiest munching on a carrot stick than a handful of teddy grahams.

I'm thankful for this. It encourages me to reach for those healthy snacks too. Charles too.

Apples have become a staple in our house. Right along side blueberries, strawberries, bananas, and raspberries.

And let's not forget the carrots and celery.

Little Miss stands at the fridge and when we open it she reaches immediately for whichever fruit or veggie she wants to snack on.

It's awesome!

Besides the obvious of keeping these foods in the house, how does a parent continue to encourage this type of eating behavior without forcing it?

Hair Care

2012-02-08T10:05:00.002-06:00

I've ditched my regular shampoo and conditioner, awhile ago! I recently read an article that 100% of breast cancer had parabens in the biopsy. Wow. Out those must go! I was on the hunt for something better... Something to give my hair umph again. Pregnancy and beyond didn't exactly leave my hair beautiful.

I started with going "no 'poo". I stuck it out for 2-3 months. My hair never got over the shock of not being washed every day. I tried doing a baking soda wash and apple cider vinegar rinse. Talk about a tangled mess! My latest was a conditioner only wash which was okay but not head over heels about.

At Whole Foods I asked some random employee for his guidance and that is how I was introduced to Hugo Naturals... I'm in love! I got the "smoothing and defining" shampoo and conditioner to help with my wavy/curly hair along with a body wash. My hair is oh so very soft! It feels clean. My head doesn't itch like some left it, nor is it too dry.

And the body wash... Yeah. It's my favorite so far and I've tried my fair share! Used it to shave my legs this morning and worked beautifully! I tried Alba shaving cream last and I did not like the way it felt for comparison.

Hugo Naturals compliments my Olive Oil/Castor Oil face wash and Coconut Oil face lotion routine nicely! :-) What is your favorite go to natural beauty tip???

Feeling Good!

2012-02-06T20:06:00.002-06:00

After the horrid ovary ultrasound, Charles and I immediately decided we were done with hotel foods! We made a grocery list and for the first time, we went shopping at Whole Foods!

I cannot even begin to say how much of a relief it was in knowing that each and every single item we placed into the cart was good for us, well, maybe not the Ben and Jerry's ice cream... No preservatives. No "bad" things. Grass fed beef. Organic turkey and chicken. Lots of fresh and organic fruits. We walked out with our heads held a little higher knowing we are making positive changes not only for us but Little miss too!

Two highlights of the trip? Tomatoes and black beans in cans... NOPE! Boxes!

I'm so that mom... I figure why do something half way? I want to get rid of her plastic feeding items and get the Duralex shatterproof kid sets, test our dishes for lead and replace as needed along with her toys and bath toys... That's my starting point. I want to be healthy. Have a healthy home. Raise a healthy daughter. These are the little things that I can control unlike so many other things in life.

My Ovaries know...

2012-02-04T08:23:00.000-06:00

So many titles will be appropriate for this blog but I am sticking with this one. It's true though. My ovaries cannot be fouled. As seen yesterday. :-(

So after having "cyclical" cramping every 30-45 days without a period for the last 6 months, I decided to had to the wanna-have-a-baby-Dr {AKA RE} to have a check on what's going on inside there... I knew deep down my lack of period was not related to extended breastfeeding but something more. And I was right.

That, my friends, is exactly what each of my ovaries looked like. Like a sack of different sized marbles where my ovaries once were. :-( No wonder the cramps. The bloating. The discomfort. My ovaries have not been that enlarged since we had to cancel our last Follistim cycle due to 10,000+ estrogen levels! That sucked. This sucks worse though as it isn't going away! At least not as things currently are...

Back when our infertility journey first began in 2006, I had no clue what my body was doing. I hadn't reached the "in tune" stage yet. When I had my yearly appt at the gyno later that year, the ultrasound showed a very similar cystic ovaries. I immediately cut out all estrogen packed foods and every ultrasound since then was normal. {Another blog post on that one...}

Since living in the hotel we've been eating their foods. Breakfast 7 days a week, dinner 4 days a week. Obviously, they use the hormone packed foods because they are cheaper. I get that. But boy are they destroying my body! I can't imagine what they are doing to Little Miss' growing little body...

So Charles and I decided right then and there that we are no longer eating crap and will be back 100% on organic, all natural foods. I'm hopeful that this in itself will get me back to "normal" and we can thus begin our full on trying to conceive a sibling for Little Miss! I'm hopeful anyways...

Fasting 101

2012-02-03T20:19:00.002-06:00

I managed to learn the hard way that ending a fast must be done gradually... When I talk about this I think to myself, "Duh! Why wouldn't you?"

Yeah... Ending a 21 day Daniel's Fast left me with what I have self diagnosed thanks to Google with acute Pancreatitis. Ouch. That hurt. Seriously. Like labor pains. 8 days of it. Then Google saved me. No joke! Aloe Vera Juice and Papaya to the rescue!

So lesson learned- don't over load your body with all the crap you've fasted from be it 3 days or 40 days or else your body will let you know of its disapproval!

This and That Vent

2012-02-01T22:07:00.002-06:00

This last week has been C-R-A-Z-Y for us! Too many health concerns from too many Swann's!

But even more crazy has been this whole house searching we've been actively doing! Where to live... That's the million dollar question that we don't have the funds to finance for! :-) We hear some fantastic things about one place so we begin searching only to later learn it's a big fat no-no! Scratch all the hours spent looking there. Ugh. On to another city... Same thing.

We think we have some good areas now to look around at but with the previous not so good places means we had to cancel our hotel reservation we had there and find another hotel {using our Hilton Honors points of course!} in a different location. Argh.

Don't get me wrong- I'm super thankful to find all this out ahead of time so we don't waste time when we do get there!

I'm thankful that 90% of our stuff is packed already. That's a HUGE burden lifted!
I'm thankful Jack seems to be responding to the Thunder Shirt so hopefully he doesn't completely flip out during the move.
I'm thankful for parents that are willing to help us out how they can.
I'm thankful there is a light at the end of the hotel living tunnel!

I am so excited to check out our new home and leave with a feeling of accomplishment that we know where we will be living {of course this is if all goes according to our plans and we know how that is...}!

God at work!

2012-01-22T19:53:00.001-06:00

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

How life happened-

We have seen the finger prints of God working in our lives, especially the last year. We have never felt like Missouri was home. Our fault? Probably. Missouri has just always seemed like a jumping point for Charles' career. We purchased a house hoping that is what we needed to make it feel like home. To decorate. To unpack all the boxes and get rid of them! That would feel right. So we thought...

We were making our way home from a trip to GA and as we drove through Nashville we both made a comment "I sure do wish we were home already." This was a very humble statement on both our parts- I never thought I wanted to be back in Georgia and Charles did not see himself ever wanting to work at Atlanta Tower! Little did we know that that statement would start a series of life changing events and God seeking moments...

Then we felt the strong need to put the house on the market, still with no offers for Charles to go anywhere. Miraculously we had an offer within 24 hours and after haggling, an accepted contract by the end of the work week. In this market? Yeah. Only God could have orchestrated that! We pushed out closing until August and have since been living in a one bedroom hotel suite with the firm belief that God was moving us from Missouri to what we believed to be, Georgia.

We were so excited at the thought of being within an hour drive of our parents! So excited to watch the relationships between Little Miss and various special people in our lives bloom. Excited that holidays we would have a house full of people to celebrate with. Excited.

Charles had put in paperwork requesting relocation to quite a few facilities- all giving a similar answers, " you are coming from too low of a facility" or "we don't need anyone for another 1+ year". We were dismayed...

Although, all along we truly believed in our heart of hearts God was leading us home to Atlanta. We had so many awe inspiring moments when we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt it was coming, to moments of "is this ever going to happen?" Why did we sell the house? Are we CRAZY? All along though God was there watching over us a preparing us as long as we were ready and willing to receive.

Then it happened! Last week Charles got the oh-so-important-phone-call! He was being released from St. Louis, Missouri and was to report to Charlotte, North Carolina April 8, 2012!!!

Talk about a curve ball!!!! That was supposed to be waaayyyyy out of the picture! We are so very excited at this possibility as in so many ways it is better than moving to Georgia for his career and still only 4 hours from our family in Georgia {sure beats our 10 hour drive currently}!

So as of April, we will embark on another new journey... Yet with it comes some bittersweet feelings. Leaving the few friends I have made here in Missouri but more so, leaving my older brother who lives here as well. I just need to figure out how to convince him to move to North Carolina too... :-)

Not our plans, His!

2012-01-21T21:40:00.002-06:00

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Charlotte, North Carolina will be our new home come April!

Inspired by Finn

2012-01-16T20:37:00.003-06:00

Teething babies are pitiful... It's a necessity in life, I'm thankful for my teeth!, yet it is still hard to see the little ones so miserable from teething!

I was turned onto Baltic Amber teething necklaces before I got pregnant actually. It was one of my "try" wants but did not see it as a necessity. Then I had a baby...who was teething. It was a necessity!

I am a total believer and tell anyone and everyone within ear shot how much I love this necklace! {Yes fakes are sold... Buying from a reputable company gives peace of mind! Plus, for your own mind sake test the necklaces yourself. Plastic beads burn when held to fire. Baltic Amber doesn't. When warmed it releases a warm forest scent.}

Anyways- When putting Little Miss' on her after bath a week ago I stupidly tightened the screw clasp too much and it broke off! Now she's having to wear mine which is way too big and she is constantly putting an arm through the necklace to wear as a sash... So I need to replace hers.

I have my eye on this one and can get it for free if 15 of you buy any item from Inspired by Finn using my specific code to get 25% off YOUR cart total!!! How great is that?!?! If you use my code please let me know as I have to tell them when I've reached 15 since they do not keep track for me. You can leave a comment or e-mail me {MSwann2003@gmail.com}

Ready?! Inspired By Finn co-op code MS25 Good through January 30, 2012!! Go shop!

THANK YOU!

Don't think Baltic Amber is just for babies precious teeth either... It helps with many ailments!

Sugaring

2012-01-15T20:50:00.002-06:00

When I stumbled across Sugaring Paste Hair Removal I couldn't wait to try it!!! I HATE shaving. I hate that I am so incredibly white and my hairs as so incredibly black. Even when I shave, you can see the nasty hair follicles on my smooth legs because I'm so fair skinned. The promise of longer time between shavings, lighter, and thinner regrowth had me convinced!

My first two attempts were using Brown Sugar and Apple Cider Vinegar- No go.

My third attempt was using the appropriate ingredients but it came out really watery, more like the gel than paste.

My final attempt has been the best yet!

Ingredients- 2 cups white sugar. 1/4 cup water. 1/4 cup lemon juice. Admittingly I used the 2 cups white sugar but I used about 1/4 cup combined lemon juice and water.

Photos of the process- Nice boil.

As time passes, it turns colors. It needs to be a dark amber color.

Once nice and dark, it's done! Mine, at room temperature, was rock hard. I ended up heating up in microwave and adding 2 tablespoons of water and it was the right consistency.

Now for the FUN {OUCH!} part! I have not shaved my legs in over a week! in hopes of getting consistency right and sugaring them so my hairs were nice and long. EWW!

This is the after photo... Check out the red splotches left from sugaring. Ugh. I obviously was not doing something right as each application and pull would only remove like 5 hairs at a time! This is one little section on my leg that is hair free yet the red stinging fire feeling remained for almost a whole day!

I gave up. Drank a cold glass of water and hit the shower to finally shave! I've decided waxing/sugaring is not for me so now I need to convince Charles to let me buy the No! No! Home Hair removal device...

Oreo Truffles {Thanks Pinterest!}

2012-01-14T22:05:00.003-06:00

Pinterest + No Oven = Very Disappointed Meghan! Until I came across these No Bake Oreo Truffles!!!

Then began the wait for a special occasion to make them... Preferably after I completed my 21 day Daniel Fast {January 23}.

The occasion came up, early! Heading to a get together tomorrow! I couldn't eat them but Charles assured me they were amazing! How can you really go wrong with Oreos, White Chocolate, and Cream Cheese? Really... Even I would have to try really hard to mess that up!

Ingredients- One package double stuff Oreos. 4 oz Cream Cheese. Dipping Chocolate. {I ended up using 4 packages of this Baker's White Chocolate as I did double dips so no spots came through the white which was completely pointless as I just added spots by garnishing with the crumbled Oreo cookies...}

Enlist the help of your 14 month old, while keeping the dogs at bay should the baggie open and chocolate spew everywhere, to crumble the Oreos oh so finely {or put in a food processor- ours is packed away in storage so we improvise.}

Set aside a little of the Oreo crumbles for garnish. *WASH HANDS!* The rest, mix well with cream cheese so you can make balls. Try to resist the urge to lick hands mid process.

Place balls in freezer for 15 minutes.

Melt chocolate according to package directions. I placed in microwave for a whopping minute and a half. :-)

Dip frozen Oreo balls into chocolate and set to harden. I chose to double dip. Lick bowl clean, errr, hand bowl to husband to lick clean.

Completed goodies! Oh they look amazing! Charles assures me that they are so good he feels bad I won't be able to enjoy any...As he has already threatened to swipe at least one more before leaving tomorrow.

Silly, Silly Girl!

2012-01-12T15:19:00.002-06:00

We have one silly little 14 month old on our hands... Oh the ways she amuses us, daily, provides endless stories!

Here's just one...

Ignore the crappy cell phone video and my horrible laugh and you will surely be entertained! :-)

What are You Reading?

2012-01-11T19:38:00.001-06:00

In no particular order: My reading material.

Is this how an ATC feeds baby?

2012-01-10T20:05:00.003-06:00

Best. Bib. EVER! Seriously.

Or maybe only those in regards to aviation appreciate it? I know my Air Traffic Controller husband would! Maybe then he would get the food in her mouth instead of "landing" on her forehead, cheeks, etc... :-)

Saying NO! to sugar!

2012-01-07T20:56:00.002-06:00

Living in the hotel has some perks- housekeeping, breakfast 7 days a week, dinner 4 days a week, etc... With those "perks", specifically breakfast, comes sugar infused goodies like delicious chocolate chip muffins or cinnamon scones {our two favorites!} at an almost daily basis! Not to mention dinner usually includes dessert of some kind. Decadent dessert like brownies, huge chocolate chip cookies, or cheesecakes... Mmmmm.

Coincidence that Little Miss' sleep habits have gone downhill since moving in?

Coincidence no more! My "aha" moment today as I am about a week into a fast to include No Sugar and it dawned on me that she's sleeping more and crabbier less! {Charles confirmed!}

While she directly was not eating these yummy foods, {yes, we were those parents that held her food to a higher standard than our own} I was and she was indirectly getting it from breast milk!

Like the saying, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" comes my saying, "Sleep trumps Sugar!"

I guess the two really go hand in hand... :-)

Straws

2012-01-06T20:14:00.002-06:00

Ever heard the saying "The straw that broke the camel's back"? Yeah. I had my last straw today...

Today happened to also mark 5 full months living in a one bedroom hotel room...

Coincidence?

:-)

We have Jack back on his anxiety pills {though maybe I need to be on them? LOL}, Jill is having another stupid reverse sneeze flair up that first happened after the Bordetella vax, Little Miss has been horribly teething so that equates all things not fun, new long term "neighbors" across the hall have a couple Bichons who yap and scratch at the door like crazy which means Jack and Jill are wearing their bark collars a lot more to keep them quiet which means Little Miss is constantly climbing them to play with the collars which means frustration for all parties involved!, I am sick and tired of the same ole' hotel foods, our usual housekeeper who we LOVE is on FMLA and I don't speak Spanish nor do the English speaking employees take any pride in their job at all, and to summarize someone new thinks it is acceptable to smoke in a non-smoking room again and not take into consideration those that are in non-smoking rooms not only because they do not smoke but because they have allergies to smoke!

THAT was the straw that broke the camel's back today...

I so want to rent a house for a few nights just to act like we live a normal life again. You know, because we're still waiting on God to tell us when to move from center.

So I was ultra thankful today when Little Miss was in a wonderfully happy mood and Charles got off work early so we headed to the park in the almost 70 degree weather. It was beautiful! A fresh dose of Vitamin D that was much needed!

And then I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:10 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." and Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God".

So I have handed my straws back to God because I obviously cannot carry them without breaking and will follow Him as He leads...

Happy New Year 2012!!!

2011-12-30T21:47:00.003-06:00

I absolutely cannot believe another year has flown by! I'm making the most basic yet best resolutions yet...

Out with the old, in the with new.

My motto for 2012! Everything from putting to use all the pinterst pins I've made on organizing my home to ditching the same old foods I've been eating that aren't good for me to bringing in new fresh variety that will benefit everyone in my little family!

I look forward to having a home again... Unpacking every.single.box and throwing them away! To decorating. To having friends and family over just because. To reconnecting with old friends and making memories with new ones.

To ditching the usual boring vacations for fun and adventure! Saying goodbye to the mundane self centered life I'm stuck in a rut living to connecting within our community.

To continuously finding ways to show Charles how much he means to me... How much I love him and treasure him not only as a spouse but as my best friend.

I am very excited for 2012! For the endless possibilities that each New Year brings!

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year celebration and don't forget, if you're out drinking please do not drive!!! Depending on where in the country you are, AAA has some partnerships that offer free towing and transportation back home!

To to Go Program or "Tipsy Tow"

Breastfeeding = Spoiling?

2011-12-23T20:41:00.001-06:00

Little Miss spent earlier this week crazy teething (yay tooth #8 finally breaking through!) and a head cold with lots of diarrhea. It was fun.

In hopes of getting some sort of nutrition in her we headed to Target for some baby food pouches (if only I had a sili squeeze...) thinking maybe she would drink it.

Checking out the conversation went somewhat like this-

Cashier picking up food pouches "I wonder if my son would have liked these when he was little..."
Me containing Little Miss in the cart "It's our attempt to get nutrition in her other than breast milk during this horrible teething phase"
Cashier clearly shocked "You're still breastfeeding her?!" "How old is she?"
Me "Yep, 14 months"
Cashier "I didn't want my son spoiled so I chose not to breastfeed him. Maybe if I have a girl I will breastfeed her though. I should have breastfeed my son anyways as heck, he's spoiled."
Me "eh, spoil away! That's what babies are for!"

Two things I'm confused on- One, I'm still wondering how breastfeeding = "spoiling" of babies?? I'll admit, by western standards Little Miss is "spoiled". I have no doubt even if I formula fed, she would still be "spoiled". She cries, we respond. She wants to be held, we pick her up. She wants to nap being held or snuggled close to us, we oblige. It is simply our parenting style. It suites her quite well, obviously, as she is thriving and extremely happy as commented by just about every.single.stranger she meets! Secondly, quite the gender expectations already! Girls can be spoiled, boys can't? Boys must be tough and manly even at the very beginning of life and girls are expected to be the prissy high maintenance ones?

So what are your thoughts on spoiling babies?? Do you see breastfeeding as spoiling?? I truly am curious about this- no judging. no debating.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T20:25:00.002-06:00

We, just like everyone else I'm sure, are gearing up for Christmas this weekend! All gifts purchased. All gifts wrapped. Felt tree up and decorated. Just missing snow... I have no control over that though. :-)

In the past, I have not been a big baker/cooker with with a little one around to feed my desire to be a good baker/cook has changed! Charles is thankful for this...

Last year I slacked by choosing to be the one holding Little Miss as a tiny two month old and let everyone else do the cooking. :-) This year, I will cook! ...without an oven... For the three of us!

Since the hotel provides dinners Mon-Thurs, we are going to have the first feast Christmas Eve just before heading to church for the Christmas Eve service and leftovers Christmas Day. I'm cheap like that.

I found a no-bake Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe I'll make Friday so it can sit in the fridge overnight and be yummy for our feast beginning Saturday! Friday evening I'll start a potato casserole dish in the crockpot that will cook on low for 10 hours. Saturday early morning I'll put in the turkey breast for the Cranberry-Plum dressed turkey recipe we'll have for "linner" (lunch/dinner). :-)

The hotel kitchen staff is going to throw the Sister Schubert's yeast rolls in the oven for us so we'll have those and I'll make some green beans on the burner.

I really hope everything turns out as it would be the very first time I've made everything, from scratch, myself! Okay, the yeast rolls don't exactly count but I absolutely could not make those from scratch here... not happening. Nope.

I just hope I've planned it all out properly and things go according to plan!!

So in light of our hopefully yummy Christmas feast-

from our family to yours, Merry Christmas!!

What's it like?

2011-12-15T19:49:00.000-06:00

In hopes that we are actively trying to conceive (come on period! Work with me for once!) a sibling in the next couple of months, where does a {once} infertile start?

Am I {still} infertile?

...Even with Little Miss being conceived au natural?

Does the title only pertain to your current situation, so we won't be considered infertile until after a year of actively timing intercourse without conception?

Do I see my OB/GYN or a RE?

When does a whole new blood work profile need to be done?

I'm not naive'. 4 years of infertility took that. I genuinely am not sure where I fall though.

I have read that Clomid is compatible to take while breastfeeding... Oh how I have a hatred for Clomid. I couldn't even finish the five day course when I initially was to take it so could I really take all five days of it while being a proper parent to a toddler, a wife, and sain?!

Oh how we cannot wait to experience the miracle of adding another child to our family!!

Baby Fever!

2011-12-14T21:10:00.000-06:00

I've been bitten... Bitten MANY times!

Baby fever attack!

I have never wanted my period to show as much as I have now! :-) Ready to get the ball rolling as I'm hopeful it won't take us another 4+ years but realistic that it will take some time. It's all a numbers game, the more attempts we make the greater our chance of getting a positive!

So many friends are pregnant or have new babies that it makes my uterus just flip flop like crazy! I so want our kids close in age and I keep seeing each month that goes by another moth difference in the ages... We have until a February conception to have a new baby before Little Miss turns 2. Would LOVE another fall baby! :-)

Anyone know of any tips or tricks {minus weaning} that would be safe to encourage the first postpartum period and jump start fertility already?!

The lady at the herb shop recommended Red Raspberry Leaf so I need to Google {and call my Dr} on that one!

New camera + warm{ish} winter days

2011-12-13T20:36:00.007-06:00

I got my Christmas present a bit early, thankfully! I've finally upgraded from my basic point and shoot Kodak Easy Share Camera to a more sophisticated point and shoot Sony Cyber Shot! :-) LOVE it! I'm still learning though so no picture bashing...

Although I would have really loved to seen snow already, the rest of the family is grateful we have not! Especially on warm{ish} days like this one we had recently... Days when a few layers do and we can escape the walls of the hotel room for some fresh air, sunshine, and releasing pinned up energy for all of us!

Wagon Rides

Daddy and Little Miss on one end of the field, me on the other, calling the dogs back and forth {Check out that amazing zoom clarity!!!}

Dogs grateful to be out of the hotel room!

Jack chasing Jill

Dogs playing
{background is Little Miss squealing with delight as she tries to keep up with them}

Mean dogs!
{insert Little Miss pointing finger and "yelling" at them to stop}

Who's high maintenance? Not her! A stick will do.

After the dogs run back and forth, so does Little Miss. Wears her out too!

{Jack}

{Jill}

Hopefully soon the same photos will be captured with a beautiful white surrounding us all as we frolic in the snow! :-)

2011-12-08T21:01:00.002-06:00

I'm loving it! I'm so not a creative person by nature but can somewhat follow directions or mimic something I see, so Pinterest and I are BFFs!

Living in a one bedroom hotel room has been tricky at times, especially with Christmas coming and lack of space, but thanks to Pinterest we have a Christmas tree up! A felt Christmas tree with felt ornaments! LOVE it! As does Little Miss... She has yet to be told "No! Don't touch the tree!" haha!

In dreaming of living in greater than 600 sq ft of space, I have found many ideas especially for Little Miss' room! Oh, I cannot wait to decorate another room for her... Same idea {birds and owls} but totally different spin! :-)

I've got a "new baby" board {no, not pregnant, still dreaming though} with all kinds of ideas for announcing pregnancy, pregnancy milestone moments, nursery, and of course newborn photos!

Then the "dream house" board to include everything plus a double functioning deck {up for adults, down built in for kids}! :-) Do believe that one will be another come to life idea...

Once we get into a house again that is...

So for now, I fantasize about all the amazing things I can do in a house again yet actually do the things that take up no room at all, after all, that is all the room that is left in here. :-)

Top Five

2011-12-06T18:53:00.002-06:00

Just for fun, I want to document my Top 5 baby {related} items that I absolutely LOVED for Little Miss... Items/gifts that I am really hoping to be so blessed with for all future babies and hanging on to the ones we have to make sure we have them!

5- Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper Mini. Having baby well, within arms reach, was wonderful! Charles and I routinely would simply roll over and place our hand on her back to make sure she was still breathing {she was the quietest baby ever! Did not make any noise when sleeping!} and then drift back off to sleep. Breastfeeding, it was amazing as well! I recommend the mini mostly because you do have to scoot around it to get in/out of bed and even though I delivered her vaginally I did not want to scoot too much as I did just push an 8lb 3oz baby out... We did later use a full size as well when she got too long for the mini. LOVE the co-sleeper!

4-Help. Help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, getting up/down, affirmation that I can take care of this itty bitty little being that God has entrusted us with, and to hold while I slept or showered. I will say I do believe the best gift would be an on-going help for like the first six months of really basic cleaning that I did not feel up to doing for the longest time! Who wants to dust or mop or heck, even put baby down long enough to eat! when they have a newborn to snuggle?

3- Frozen/Freshly delivered meals! When family was in town meeting Little Miss we were fed. It was when everyone went home that we had to worry about feeding ourselves. Thankfully Charles was a trooper and either cooked for us or went with the "cereal for dinner" approach I always had. :-) At a week old when everyone had gone home, Cathy brought us dinner... It was more of an excuse to meet Little Miss I'm sure {:-)} but a totally wonderful gesture that saved Charles from eating another bowl of cereal and me from worrying about anything. I do believe future kids we will establish the rule of anyone coming to see the new baby must bring food, fresh or a frozen meal, as "payment". haha!

2-Nursing tanks! Oh my goodness, LOVE! Especially in those early days, I only had one but wore it like five days in a row before washing it! :-) Bra + establishing supply/breastfeeding = Ouch! Still at 13 months and counting of nursing, I wear one about every other day if not more and sleep in one, a lot! Only this week did I go from one to three nursing tanks thanks to my mom. :-)

For moms not breastfeeding, still a good idea!!! Milk still comes in around day 3-5 so you'll want the support and can hold cabbage leaves nicely too to help dry up milk. Another bonus is the tummy support they give! :-)

1- ERGO Sport! Ergonomically correct baby wearing. :-) When cooking finally has to happen, dishes need cleaning, laundry doing, baby-needs-to-sleep-but-isn't, and some fresh air is needed for everyone the Ergo is a lifesaver! Hands free closeness makes mommy and baby happy! This is hands down my absolute favorite baby item, ever! Daddy and Nana love wearing Little Miss too!

Now to bookmark this as a reminder for the next pregnancy when I'm asked what I want/need... Lesson learned! :-)

Thirty-One Fundraiser!

2011-11-26T09:14:00.000-06:00

The Lost Stork Foundation is having another fundraiser, just in time for Christmas! A consultant from Thirty-One is gracious enough to host a fundraiser event for us in which the Lost Stork receives 20% of the total sales prices. If we can sell $1,000 we'll earn $200 which is our goal.

The event is from November 23rd through Wednesday December 7th. Please visit this link to order. If the link doesn't work (it's given me problems on Facebook) then you can visit www.thirtyonegifts.com and search by our consultant, Debra Verneau in Georgia. Under her "My Events" link you'll see a link for the Lost Stork Fundraiser. Please use this "Shop Now" link to make your purchase to ensure that our organization receives the 20% donation.

If you make a purchase please note that your credit card will show a pending purchase until the fundraiser closes on December 7th. At this time your credit card will be charged and all orders placed during the fundraising period will submitted and ship within 10 days. Our fundraiser closes in time to receive all products by Christmas so please consider buying something to help us reach our goal. You can also help to spread the word! Below is the Thirty-One December Specials which you can receive by spending just $31 or more.

Sickness

2011-11-25T20:58:00.003-06:00

The one and ONLY reason I dislike fall/winter... Illness!

As I'm sure every other family feels the same way.

Our household was struck by a lovely headcold that Little Miss seemed to have picked up {probably from one of our many mall playplace days}. She "shared" with Charles in a wonderful daughter/father way.

A good solid week+ of them sick. Ugh.

I was boasting that I wasn't going to get sick. I had managed to get through it. Yay me!

And then today hit. :-( My bets are on strep throat versus headcold though...

So I'll go crawl back onto the couch and let Charles pamper me, in dream world anyways. :-)

-Why yes that was mostly a pity party post. Whoops.

Christmas Card 2011!

2011-11-18T20:15:00.003-06:00

I can't believe how "on the ball" I am this year with Christmas!

I only have TWO people left to buy for and I know exactly what they are getting AND I just finished our Christmas Card for this year! Go me! :-)

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Love it?! Only a few photos to capture Madelyn's "Firsts" in 2011...

First snow. First ferry ride. First family {of 3} vacation to Nashville, TN. First hotel stay. First plane ride. First campfire. First road trip {to Georgia} + First time sucking her thumb! First time at Chick-fil-a Dwarf House. First time to Florida's Walt Disney World. First carousal ride + first trip to the zoo!

Oh so many first... So much fun we had in 2011! I'm so excited for 2012 and all the first that will accompany it!

Some things never change...

2011-11-13T21:07:00.000-06:00

@ 3 months-

@ 11 Months-That little lip still gets me a year later...

Changing it Up

2011-11-12T18:52:00.002-06:00

I think Charles and I have officially come to terms that while hotel living was to be "temporary", as in, no more than two months, we are beginning to think that "temporary" is going to be up to a year.

So be it. Accept and move on.

In coming to terms with this, we are moving things around and changing up stuff. Before, the computer was in the bedroom. This looked better but was not functional at all! Little Miss HATES for anyone to be on the computer so basically if I couldn't access it via my cell phone, I wasn't doing anything computer related. Now, Charles has so kindly moved the computer out to the itty bitty dining room table. I am currently typing as she is asleep for the night. :-)

I've missed blogging... And reading blogs...

Hopefully now with this new change I'll be back a little more frequently, both reading and posting!

So do I have any readers still??? ;-)

Thankful November!

2011-11-06T06:39:00.002-06:00

November is a time many spend reflecting on all that they have... Friends, Family, Health, Grace, and Love are top on the list usually.

I'm incredibly thankful for all these... Every. single. day.

November is also Adoption Awareness Month!

Lost Stork Foundation blog is hosting another set of raffles in honor of Adoption Awareness! We have two amazing raffles.

All things Adoption Includes:
An orange "Got Love? Adopt" tumbler from the Minus 1 Project
A Baby Medbasics book from Baby Medbasics
A copy of Adopt Without Debt by Julie Gumm
An Adoption wall decal from OldBarnRescueCompany on Etsy (not pictured)
Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other by Scott Simon
Fostering Hope: Living the Dream with My Name on It by Shane Salter
Love You Forever children's book
A $20 Shutterfly gift card
A 4 oz. bottle of Johnson & Johnson's bedtime lotion
3 gender neutral onesies, size newborn

All things Family Fun Night Includes:
Harry Potter jigsaw puzzle, 1,000 pieces (I just had to include this!)
Skip-Bo
Jenga
Sounds Like a Plan game
Dr Seuss Horton Hears a Who movie
Annie movie
Pop-Secret Extra Butter popcorn

Head on over to Lost Stork Foundation Blog to participate! Click the "Donate" button on the right sidebar. Remember that tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Please specify which raffle you are entering, the Adoption raffle or the Family Fun Night raffle.

The raffle ends Tuesday November 15th and the winners will be announced by the end of the week. Even if you can't participate please help spread the word!

I'll be back, eventually, with lots more updating!!! Can you believe I'm the mother to a ONE YEAR OLD though?! And life {still} in a hotel... And why breastfeeding trumps fertility (not by my choice though)...

Break

2011-09-03T08:47:00.001-05:00

Maybe this is obvious from lack of posts so this just makes it official. :-) So much is going on right now, like keeping up with my "Mischievous Mountain Lion Madelyn" that I just do not have the time to dedicate to posting right now and I feel guilty about it. I have given myself permission to put my blog on the back burner until we are settled again in a house and life returns to "normal". Thank you for reading and I hope when I return to blogsphere that you will be here again!

I hope everyone has a fantastic beginning of football season! Much love from me to you!

on the farm

2011-08-26T14:55:00.001-05:00

Ingredients- Breastfeeding vs Formula

2011-08-08T07:54:00.002-05:00

Breastfeeding-

Water
Carbohydrates (energy source)
Lactose
Oligosaccharides (see below)
Carboxylic acid
Alpha hydroxy acid
Lactic acid
Proteins (building muscles and bones)
Whey protein
Alpha-lactalbumin
HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made Lethal to Tumour cells)
Lactoferrin
Many antimicrobial factors (see below)
Casein
Serum albumin
Non-protein nitrogens
Creatine
Creatinine
Urea
Uric acid
Peptides (see below)
Amino Acids (the building blocks of proteins)
Alanine
Arginine
Aspartate
Clycine
Cystine
Glutamate
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lycine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Proline
Serine
Taurine
Theronine
Tryptophan
Tyrosine
Valine
Carnitine (amino acid compound necessary to make use of fatty acids as an energy source)
Nucleotides (chemical compounds that are the structural units of RNA and DNA)
5’-Adenosine monophosphate (5”-AMP)
3’:5’-Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (3’:5’-cyclic AMP)
5’-Cytidine monophosphate (5’-CMP)
Cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP choline)
Guanosine diphosphate (UDP)
Guanosine diphosphate - mannose
3’- Uridine monophosphate (3’-UMP)
5’-Uridine monophosphate (5’-UMP)
Uridine diphosphate (UDP)
Uridine diphosphate hexose (UDPH)
Uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl-hexosamine (UDPAH)
Uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA)
Several more novel nucleotides of the UDP type
Fats
Triglycerides
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (important for brain development)
Arachidonic acid (AHA) (important for brain development)
Linoleic acid
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Conjugated linoleic acid (Rumenic acid)
Free Fatty Acids
Monounsaturated fatty acids
Oleic acid
Palmitoleic acid
Heptadecenoic acid
Saturated fatty acids
Stearic
Palmitic acid
Lauric acid
Myristic acid
Phospholipids
Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylethanolamine
Phosphatidylinositol
Lysophosphatidylcholine
Lysophosphatidylethanolamine
Plasmalogens
Sphingolipids
Sphingomyelin
Gangliosides
GM1
GM2
GM3
Glucosylceramide
Glycosphingolipids
Galactosylceramide
Lactosylceramide
Globotriaosylceramide (GB3)
Globoside (GB4)
Sterols
Squalene
Lanosterol
Dimethylsterol
Methosterol
Lathosterol
Desmosterol
Triacylglycerol
Cholesterol
7-dehydrocholesterol
Stigma-and campesterol
7-ketocholesterol
Sitosterol
β-lathosterol
Vitamin D metabolites
Steroid hormones
Vitamins
Vitamin A
Beta carotene
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B8 (Inositol)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
a-Tocopherol
Vitamin K
Thiamine
Riboflavin
Niacin
Folic acid
Pantothenic acid
Biotin
Minerals
Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Iron
Zinc
Chloride
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Copper
Manganese
Iodine
Selenium
Choline
Sulpher
Chromium
Cobalt
Fluorine
Nickel
Metal
Molybdenum (essential element in many enzymes)
Growth Factors (aid in the maturation of the intestinal lining)
Cytokines
interleukin-1β (IL-1β)
IL-2
IL-4
IL-6
IL-8
IL-10
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)
Platelet derived growth factors (PDGF)
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Hepatocyte growth factor -α (HGF-α)
HGF-β
Tumor necrosis factor-α
Interferon-γ
Epithelial growth factor (EGF)
Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α)
TGF β1
TGF-β2
Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) (also known as somatomedin C)
Insulin-like growth factor- II
Nerve growth factor (NGF)
Erythropoietin
Peptides (combinations of amino acids)
HMGF I (Human growth factor)
HMGF II
HMGF III
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
β-endorphins
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP)
β-defensin-1
Calcitonin
Gastrin
Motilin
Bombesin (gastric releasing peptide, also known as neuromedin B)
Neurotensin
Somatostatin
Hormones (chemical messengers that carry signals from one cell, or group of cells, to another via the blood)
Cortisol
Triiodothyronine (T3)
Thyroxine (T4)
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (also known as thyrotropin)
Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH)
Prolactin
Oxytocin
Insulin
Corticosterone
Thrombopoietin
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
GRH
Leptin (aids in regulation of food intake)
Ghrelin (aids in regulation of food intake)
Adiponectin
Feedback inhibitor of lactation (FIL)
Eicosanoids
Prostaglandins (enzymatically derived from fatty acids)
PG-E1
PG-E2
PG-F2
Leukotrienes
Thromboxanes
Prostacyclins
Enzymes (catalysts that support chemical reactions in the body)
Amylase
Arysulfatase
Catalase
Histaminase
Lipase
Lysozyme
PAF-acetylhydrolase
Phosphatase
Xanthine oxidase
Antiproteases (thought to bind themselves to macromolecules such as enzymes and as a result prevent allergic and anaphylactic reactions)
a-1-antitrypsin
a-1-antichymotrypsin
Antimicrobial factors (are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects, such as bacteria and viruses.
Leukocytes (white blood cells)
Phagocytes
Basophils
Neutrophils
Eoisinophils
Macrophages
Lymphocytes
B lymphocytes (also known as B cells)
T lymphocytes (also known as C cells)
sIgA (Secretory immunoglobulin A) (the most important antiinfective factor)
IgA2
IgG
IgD
IgM
IgE
Complement C1
Complement C2
Complement C3
Complement C4
Complement C5
Complement C6
Complement C7
Complement C8
Complement C9
Glycoproteins
Mucins (attaches to bacteria and viruses to prevent them from clinging to mucousal tissues)
Lactadherin
Alpha-lactoglobulin
Alpha-2 macroglobulin
Lewis antigens
Ribonuclease
Haemagglutinin inhibitors
Bifidus Factor (increases growth of Lactobacillus bifidus - which is a good bacteria)
Lactoferrin (binds to iron which prevents harmful bacteria from using the iron to grow)
Lactoperoxidase
B12 binding protein (deprives microorganisms of vitamin B12)
Fibronectin (makes phagocytes more aggressive, minimizes inflammation, and repairs damage caused by inflammation)
Oligosaccharides (more than 200 different kinds!)

Formula-

Water
Carbohydrates
Lactose
Corn maltodextrin
Protein
Partially hydrolyzed reduced minerals whey protein concentrate (from cow’s milk)
Fats
Palm olein
Soybean oil
Coconut oil
High oleic safflower oil (or sunflower oil)
M. alpina oil (Fungal DHA)
C.cohnii oil (Algal ARA)
Minerals
Potassium citrate
Potassium phosphate
Calcium chloride
Tricalcium phosphate
Sodium citrate
Magnesium chloride
Ferrous sulphate
Zinc sulphate
Sodium chloride
Copper sulphate
Potassium iodide
Manganese sulphate
Sodium selenate
Vitamins
Sodium ascorbate
Inositol
Choline bitartrate
Alpha-Tocopheryl acetate
Niacinamide
Calcium pantothenate
Riboflavin
Vitamin A acetate
Pyridoxine hydrochloride
Thiamine mononitrate
Folic acid
Phylloquinone
Biotin
Vitamin D3
Vitamin B12
Enzyme
Trypsin
Amino acid
Taurine
L-Carnitine (a combination of two different amino acids)
Nucleotides
Cytidine 5-monophosphate
Disodium uridine 5-monophosphate
Adenosine 5-monophosphate
Disodium guanosine 5-monophosphate
Soy Lecithin

Our first true home.

2011-08-05T22:43:00.001-05:00

Tonight is our last night in the first home we have had as a family of three. When we brought Little Miss home from the hospital, it was a rental and about 90% of our stuff was in boxes getting ready for a move. 99.99% of our belongings are yet again in a box ready for the movers tomorrow.

When we came into this house I immediately began decorating her room. I had it completed within a couple weeks. I absolutely LOVE her room. Birds and owls and girly yet not too babyish. Love it.... It is her first room. I will miss her room. Sadly, it was the only room in the house to be completely decorated.

Tomorrow we leave it with the hopes another family continues to make memories here. We were only here 8 months but in those 8 months Little Miss crawled, said her first words, took her first steps, ate her first real foods, and is comfortable with the house layout. All in this house. She is a speeding bullet having her mind set on where she wants to go and getting there extremely quick! We spent many hours on the back deck and walking throughout the neighborhood. She squeals with delight as her dada comes into the house from the garage. I look around the house and see the special moments we had as a little family of three. All in this house.

We are excited as to what the next steps may be, to see where they lead us. These memories in this house are only the beginning to a lifetime filled with precious moments as these.

Today was interesting...

2011-08-04T21:29:00.001-05:00

Heading out the door this morning, Charles grabbed his Georgia Tech hat - he has not been wearing hats a lot lately.

Running errands we decided to stop for lunch at none other than my most favorite, Chick-fil-a. Yum! It was a packed house! Of course it was....Chick-fil-a is delicious!

In the midst of eating an older gentleman walked by us and made the comment "It sure is nice to see a Georgia Tech hat". Charles made a comment back on us being from Atlanta. The gentleman proceeded to say that he too was from Atlanta. The next 20 minutes were spent discussing how Missouri drivers can't drive.... How they should partner together and open a Varsity here.... All things Georgia to say the least.

When the older gentleman went to Chase down the manager for taking his chicken sandwich off the table Charles and I resumed our conversation... Totally a deep one so beware. :-)

C- "Have you noticed people don't wear hats around here like they do in Georgia?"
M- "No."
C- (panning the room to take a mental note of hat wearers in the packed dining area) "Not a single hat here.... In Georgia probably 70% of the guys would have on a hat."
M- (looking up from devouring my chicken sandwich and directly over Charles left shoulder.) {Insert me giggling} "Look behind you. Two kids wearing hats- each with an 'A' on it. One was representation of Atlanta Braves and the other Anaheim Angels."
C- "Isn't that funny..."

God winks?

To continue further- Charles is searching the job swap boards as often as I look at babysteals.com and found a potential four way swap to get him to Atlanta tower. He emailed the guy at Atlanta wishing to leave then headed out to mow the lawn.

Upon returning he had a response- the guy could not work out the swap but asked if Charles had his paperwork in for a voluntary move as the tower was looking to select a few people from the list soon...

(Of course Charles has his paperwork in!)

Funny huh?

So I continue to ask for prayers.... Prayers that we would be open to wherever God sends us. That we would be able to know which path to take. That we will be at peace with whatever God's will is that shall be done.

Prayers that hotel living isn't as bad as we are anticipating..... We move in Saturday!

Amen!

2011-07-28T21:31:00.001-05:00

Proverbs 19:20-21
Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.

God winks, so far

2011-07-27T09:03:00.000-05:00

Along this journey, Charles and I have felt so indescribably close to God and so far away from God... God didn't move. Our faith wavered. I love these versus as a source of comfort and promise that God is on our side and does have it all worked out according to His plan.

Romans 8:26-28
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with graonings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I remain in such awe and appreciation of the moments only God could orchestrate... Coincidence? I think not. God winks, as my cousin Jill calls them.

Our house gets an offer within 24 hours of listing, after negotiating we have an accepted contract by the end of the work week.

Couple weeks pass...

In searching for an apartment I call about 15 places straight from Apartment Guide Magazine for Greater St. Louis, MO. My 16th phone call from this same book lands me talking to a leasing agent for a complex in ATLANTA, Georgia!

After telling Charles about this, I think to myself half saying to God half questioning what just happened, "Well, that was Atlanta... We want to live in Newnan..."

Less than an hour later while thumbing through our first Reader's Digest magazine since renewing after lapsing subscription for about a year, I see a submission from someone listed in NEWNAN, Georgia!

Couple weeks later...

On our local cell phone {(636) area code, local to Missouri only} we have a message from a random leasing agent in Atlanta, Georgia apartment complex contacting us about leasing from them!

Neither Charles or I have contacted {other than my oops, wrong number phone call while searching for Apartments here in Missouri. I did not leave a phone number, name or any other identifiable information} any Georgia apartments to inquire about leasing.

A couple weeks later, on a Saturday...

I have an overwhelming feeling that Charles is going to hear something today about Georgia. I couldn't get out of the shower quick enough to see if he got a phone call while I was showering. I then tried to convince myself it was a Saturday and no way he would hear something from the government day.

Ye of little faith was I... God knows no days of the week and works in mysterious ways!

Later that day, I receive a text from my mom who is out on the WEST COAST starting their two week long vacation. She had met someone while out there and the conversation of Air Traffic Control came up... Lo and behold, he is an Air Traffic Controller and works at the Center in Atlanta! He had informed my mom that they along with the tower had just opened up a handful of positions!

A week ish later...

Charles is at work and while on break he passed the time reading a brochure he found in the union office on the wall. It is about Air Traffic Controlling after retirement, blah blah blah. He reads through it all interested and turns to look at the back and notices they are located in Newnan, Georgia!

We have lived in Missouri for just over 3 years now and not once has anything like these above situations have happened. We do not know what will come of this but know that we are taking the right steps in putting the house up for sale, moving into a hotel for the time being, and just waiting patiently for the Lord to reveal the next step for us- whatever that shall be.

A couple days ago I felt the need to do some blog catching up- I've SO been slacking all things computer as packing has overwhelmed me. The very first blog I read was Elaine's... I couldn't get through this post without tears. Our situation currently has nothing to do with adopting or even trying to conceive yet God spoke to me loud and clear through this post.

Just as Elaine writes, "And not only a God, but a God who knows all things, controls all things and works out all things in His time and for His glory."

I sign off simply saying "Amen!"

Bubble Wrap

2011-07-26T09:49:00.002-05:00

Packing a house is difficult.
Packing a house with a mobile-into-everything-now-9-month-old is EXTREMELY difficult!

Yet that is what I have been doing...

Packing. Taping. Building boxes. Packing. Organizing. Listing items for sale on Craigslist. Throwing stuff away. Packing. Rearranging boxes to fit more. Packing more. Moving boxes from room to room, in attempt to get them out of the way. And packing, more.

Fun.

Today as I was packing up our wedding memorabilia, I found myself lingering with the bubble wrap in my hands just popping the tiny bubbles one by one. What simple stress relief that is!

As I popped, I prayed.

I know God knows what He is doing... I have faith that we are taking the right steps and will eventually learn what our "final" destination will be.

Sometimes, in the midst of boxes, I need bubble wrap. It helps me let go and let God. Something so simple can do so much.

Back to my bubble wrap I go for another round of packing and prayers.

repaid

2011-07-10T09:13:00.002-05:00

Oh how I love when my childhood stories come back to bite me in the butt, almost literally... All these items were a wonderful make me laugh so hard gift sent to Little Miss days after her birth.

I hear you asking now, Is the sender some sort of child slave driver? Pledge?! Socks?! Really!?

Oh, there is a story...

A good story...

I used to babysit "Aunt Su-Su" three lovely children way back when. One evening, I decided a great occupying game would be to spray pledge all over their hardwood floors and slip n slide around in our socks.

I have to take a moment to giggle as I recall these events...

While we had a blast doing it, in my teenage mind I didn't think about the after effects Pledge has on hardwood floors.

It's slippery.

The next morning the kids father got up for work and when come off the stairs onto the floor he kind of slipped and busted his butt.

But the floors were cleaned! {No extra charge! :-)}

And we all had, and still have, a good laugh over it!

He was okay though... and I was hired to baby sit again so it must not have been too bad. :-)

When when "Aunt Su-Su" heard of Little Miss' arrival she stocked up on all types of girly socks and promptly shipped to me! One day, Little Miss will wear socks and slip n slide around in Pledge but I'll {hopefully} remember to anti slick the floors so we don't bust our butt.

Thanks "Aunt Su-Su" and Moses kids!!!

Sun baby!

2011-07-05T14:01:00.000-05:00

My beautiful Sun baby!*Straight from the camera dumb luck picture that I'm in love with! :-)

"The Milk Truck"

2011-07-01T21:08:00.000-05:00

I LOVE this!!!! I couldn't help but share...

Baby Led Weaning

2011-06-30T20:39:00.002-05:00

My take on baby foods has changed {Shocked?} since having Little Miss. After lots of reading I decided to start solids, at the earliest, when she hit 6 months. She had a bite here and there from about 5 months but we're talking about a total of like five times. When her 6 month birthday hit I tried introducing solids without much enthusiasm on her part. Tried the jarred foods and they were, eh, not a hit. I decided to skip cereals all together so that pretty much left us with following Baby Led Weaning.

It has worked out GREAT for us! She, unfortunately, seems to have inherited my sensitive digestive system and although she showed all the developmental milestone of being "ready", she wasn't. Baby Led Weaning allowed her to decide how much to eat and of what foods offered to her. She really did not start "eating" until just the last week at 8 months old.

*The first year nutrition comes mostly from breastmilk {this is her case} or formula. Solids are a means of learning new tastes and textures in the first year so really no pressure to start exactly at 6 months anyways. Heck, our pediatrician told us if we didn't start until a year it's not that big of a deal since her nutrition is coming from breastmilk.

We have learned though that she still can't tolerate wheat {one of the things I had to eliminate early on in breastfeeding but since about 5 months she was able to tolerate again in breastmilk} so that has been eliminated, again.

It still baffles me to sit down at the table and have a meal with her... Her eating buckwheat pancakes and fruit and me eating a bagel. Crazy!

Old dog??

2011-06-28T21:36:00.002-05:00

Hubby and I are dog lovers... Especially our two furbabies, Jack and Jill. Jack is our pound puppy Jack Russell Terrier who we are guessing is about 9-10 years old. Jill is another rescue, Lab/American Bulldog, who is about 6 years old.

Over the years, obviously, they have aged- especially Jack. He's always been antsy when we start pulling out the moving boxes but the last few moves have been really hard on him. We put him on anti-anxiety meds {I know, crazy!} while I was pregnant as he just couldn't handle all the changes of moving boxes out, again, and sensing something big going on. We've tried taking him off several times but he just can't... It sucks.

Although we have yet to start actually packing for the upcoming move, he has peed on the floor a couple of times. Old dog? Getting back at us since 8 months later and the baby still here? Needing dosage increased?

I really HATE taking the dogs to the vet unless absolutely 100% necessary... $40 just for the "office visit", really?! Then they always want to do blood work and check urine and stool... Throw in the meds that are needed.. Add in any possible x-ray or ultrasound and we've gone bankrupt, ON A DOG!

Yet the dog just had his teeth cleaned a couple weeks ago......... That's ALL Charles.

So, any pet owners out there have any thoughts on what's going on with our Jack??? I would wrap a diaper around his butt, err, ya know, but he'd just chew it to shreds and we'd fear intestinal blockage so to the vet we would rush only to walk away with a $350 vet bill and an "all clear" stamp on the paper.

Yeah, we've had our fair share of emergency and regular vet appointments for Jack. Our $20 puppy has cost us thousands over the years! Not including yearly vaccinations... Oh but the stories we have to share because of him! :-)

Baby Signing Time

2011-06-24T20:21:00.000-05:00

I have a new addiction! Babysteals.com! Ah! I've scored several fantastic items from them... BabyBanz Hat, BabyLegs, Swaddlebees Econappi, and my new favorite Baby Signing Time!

Long before I got pregnant I was enthralled with sign language. I think it is beautiful and have wanted to learn for some time. When I learned about baby signing I was hooked and this was long before I was pregnant! The idea of communicating with my children before they could speak, amazing!

When babysteals.com had Baby Signing Time as a "steal" I had to buy it! I am so glad I did!!! Little Miss doesn't watch TV and still isn't into the little segments but we love the books and flash cards and CDs! I love the movies since I am a visual learner and the books themselves just are not cutting it... I have learned so many signs from this kid series and try to sign to Little Miss throughout the day. I will most certainly be on the look out for Signing Time and hoping that one day they will create a visual program for adults! :-)

Our favorite signs are "more", "milk", and "all done". In an attempt to teach her "more", I did the signs and she started clapping. I don't know if it was her version of the sign or she was clapping in joy that I knew what she wanted! :-)

8 months

2011-06-23T08:12:00.000-05:00

Today my sweet baby girl is 8 months old... It seems like she was 3 months, I blinked, and she's 8 months now! I sure hope the rest of her childhood doesn't go this fast!!!

She is all over the place! Perfected crawling the proper way last month as well as pulling to stand and cruising around with minimal holding on. It's crazy!

What we crack up the most with though is her personality... we are so going to be in trouble as she seems to be following awfully close to my "monster meghan" days. She has figured out temper tantrums, especially while getting her outfit changed.

You can see the light bulb going off with cause and effect... She hits a toy with another toy and waits for the music to come on. It's great! And figuring out where to place her hands so she can accurately open cabinet doors. :-)

And my favorite these days is what we affectionately refer to as "dog hurdling", the next Olympic sport. She makes a b-line for whichever dog is closer and crawls over them, except she forgets to go all the way over and just lays on top of them. Eventually the dog gets tired of this and {Jack} rolls over and thus she does a somersault while {Jill} just gets up and thus Little Miss goes rolling. Hilarious!

I love watching her learn new things and explore every day! So thankful I can call her my daughter...

Family Photo

2011-06-18T09:10:00.000-05:00

Love Kristine Lynn Photography!!! This is our first family photo that included our fur-babies! Sad that the dogs are cooperating better than the baby and I...

"Secrets" Shared

2011-06-16T20:24:00.004-05:00

Some big things are happening in our household... No, Little Miss is not going to be a big sister {yet}. Big things that I have had on my heart to share- not to have questions asked -but to give glory to God!

A little back story-

When we moved to Missouri in July 2008 we were ecstatic! Getting out of Georgia was a dream come true! We love our family and friends still there and miss everyone dearly yet we felt like getting away we were able to spread our wings and fly! Living in Missouri has been wonderful for our marriage! We have learned some very valuable lessons and know that the priority is our family, the three of us. We have learned that boundaries are a necessity. Living in Missouri gave us forceful boundaries. We needed this to learn. Saying "Yes" to something means saying "No" to something else.

After the first year, we knew we wanted to get closer to family but were dead set against going back to Georgia. We had no hurry but knew it would be an eventual thing. Year two came and we began searching more... South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and even possibly Florida were our options. And we pursued these options with all clearly being a closed door from God.

And then we had a baby...

We continued to pursue moving closer to Georgia without actually being in Georgia. Charles applied for a position in Jacksonville, FL. When he was offered, and accepted, the position we were so excited! We were going to be 4-5 hours from our family! Close enough for easier visits yet far enough away where it was quality time instead of the number of visits. And yet, all doors were closed. He ended up pulling out from that offer after learning it was a mandatory 6 day work week with 10 hour days, as it had been for the last 3 years and was going to be for the next 3-5 years. He would never get to see Little Miss. He would never have the time to make that short drive to visit our family in Georgia. It just wasn't good timing. Him pulling back from that job was one of the hardest decisions we have made as a family and him in his career. Despite this all, one door continued to have a light shine on it though, Georgia. So many people encouraged Charles to look at Atlanta Tower as a possibility...

We accepted Missouri was going to be our home for the next many years. We purchased a house in December 2010 that we love and threw away all the moving boxes that have faithfully moved us since we sold our house in Georgia and moved to Missouri {4 moves if you're not keeping count}. We were here to stay.

Although we have met some great folks here, nothing beats the thought of raising Little Miss around our family {who the majority} are in Georgia. And in April, on our way home from Nashville, TN on our first family of 3 vacation, we did just that. Considered Atlanta as a possibility. We prayed. We talked. We spent countless hours asking God for direction and clarification. And direction He gave- We both feel very strongly that Georgia will be home again. Not sure when. Not sure how. But we know that is the direction we are being led.

We listed our house for sale on June 7. June 8- we had an offer. Less than 24 hours from listing, we had an offer! A couple days of counter offerings and we had an accepted contract on June 10!

In today's market?! Really!?!? How could that be just a coincidence? Nope. That was God at work.

And it gets even more exciting! The contractor that screwed us over... Yeah. It's been a rough go. Anyways, needless to say God made it all right! We are in absolute awe watching God work in our life!

We are set to close on or before August 12... Where we will go to? Not sure yet. Still waiting for God to reveal that part to us as we have no word yet on a transfer for Charles so we wait oh so patiently as we humanly can trying not to screw up the plan by jumping the gun and trying to take charge ourselves.

I share all this for two reasons- The first to give glory to God! We were obedient and moved when we felt led and God followed through. Secondly, not to have questions asked but to ask for prayer on our behalf. It is one thing to fly by the seat of your pants with just you and your spouse but when you add a child to the mix it gets a lot harder to just trust with blind faith. Pray that we will be open to moving when God says move. That we would have an overwhelming peace about it that would calm all humanly questions that will arise.

We are excited to be on this journey and nervous at the same time! God is working, that we have no doubt about!

"Strikes for Storks"

2011-06-11T21:35:00.003-05:00

I am so super excited to share that Lost Stork Foundation's first annual bowling fundraiser, "Strikes for Storks" is underway!

A bowling fundraiser will be held August 27, 2011 in Newnan, Georgia from 1-4 pm! This is a family event so bring the everyone but the dog!

3 Games! Shoe rental! Choice of hotdog, hamburger, or pizza! Drink!

Enjoy time with family and friends along with participating in a Silent Auction and winning door prizes!

Tickets are $20 for one to three tickets. Four or more tickets are $15 each.

*Must be purchased together to receive the discount. Tickets are non-refundable.

For more information, please e-mail info@loststorkfoundation.org

Vaccine Posts

2011-06-07T13:18:00.000-05:00

I knew when I first tackled this topic that it would be a work in progress no doubt. What I didn't realize is how LONG that work in progress would be! I really feel the pressure as I have put off vaccinations until her first birthday and that's just a short 4.5 months away! Will we start then or postpone another year? I need to complete my research so Charles and I may decide what we feel is best for Little Miss and our family.

So I write to say, please bare with me as this is one heck of a topic to tackle and as I compile more FACTUAL {realize how difficult it is to separate the facts from strong opinions?!} information on each vaccination available.

If you have any resources you wish to share on FACTUAL information, please feel free to e-mail me and I'll look over and possibly incorporate into the different vaccination posts!

Make up 101

2011-06-05T10:43:00.000-05:00

I seriously need some tutoring in the make up department! I suck at it. No dodging that.

I received a promotion package from Mary Kay as apart of the BlogHer program and was sent the new Compact Mini, Shy Blush mineral cheek color, and a beautiful brown eyes bundle that included Silky Caramel, Midnight Star, and Sienna.

The colors are all so beautiful! They feel so smooth and natural. The compact mini is so cool! Very handy and something I could totally carry with me in the midst of diapers, wipes, keys, and phone. :-) You know, the priorities.

I'm about to fully admit my complete makeup niaveness here...

I had, really still have, NO CLUE what to do with the brown eyes bundle?! I have blue eyes... Does this make a difference in application? Or does the brown bundle colors draw different focus despite the blue color of my eyes? Playing with makeup is fun, it's when I actually have to wear it out of the house that I have no clue what I'm doing! haha!

So what makeup tips and tricks can you share with me, the self proclaimed makeup novice?! I don't want to spend more than 3 minutes putting together my face, what little I can tolerate anyways, for fear of Little Miss emptying out the bathroom trash can in that time frame or similar "Mischievous Madelyn" act.

Batten Disease Awareness Weekend!

2011-06-03T21:33:00.002-05:00

June 3 - 5 is Batten Disease Awareness Weekend

What is Batten Disease? I'd never hear of it until my mom met Kim Fair.

Travis Jack was born beautiful and healthy. Kim & Dean Fair had the perfect family with two adorable, active little boys. When Travis was 3, Kim started noticing that he would occasionally stumble, concerned, they took him to the Doctor. That visit was the first of endless Doctor and Hospital visits. Travis was diagnosed with epilepsy and treated. But when things didn't get better, there were more and more tests. Two years went by before Travis was diagnosed with Late Infantile Batten Disease. For nearly 6 years Kim and Dean watched their precious son's health deteriorate until his life ended prematurely just before his 9th Birthday. He was wheel-chair bound, blind and fed via tube. But....he loved to snuggle and he could light up a room with his smile! No disease is good, but some are more cruel than others. After hearing Travis' story I went on line to read up on the disease I'd never heard of. Batten Disease is very cruel.

When my mom first told me about Kim's son I felt gutwrenching sorrow. I can't even begin to fathom having to watch my child slowly die knowing there wasn't a thing I could do about it. Neither Kim or Dean knew they carried this gene!

I encourage you to go to the website below and read about it yourself, then help others become aware of this horrible disease! Kim never wants another child to suffer like her Travis did and no parent to experience what her and Dean had to. BDSRA not only does research, but has an incredible support system including a medical equipment exchange. Batten is not well known, research needs to be done. I looked at their budget and very little goes to administration!

Again, I encourage you to visit the website www.bdsra.org and maybe even make a donation in memory of Travis Jack Fair.

BDSRA : Neurological Brain Disorder : Batten Disease Support and Research Association
www.bdsra.org

Photo Re-cap!

2011-06-01T22:12:00.002-05:00

I am absolutely still floating around on cloud 9 somewhere... Life as a mommy is so much more than I ever dreamed it would be! This little girl is love in so many different ways! Seeing her smiles, comforting her tears, the giggles and watching her grow every single day just makes my heart burst with joy!

She's cut two teeth now {and as of yesterday seems to be working on another given the low grade temp she's running, again} See them? So cute! She's crawling on all fours but still much prefers army crawling. Well, actually, she prefers standing and walking with help.

My mom and Ray came for my birthday weekend. Love this photo of my mom and Little Miss! I think Madelyn is starting to remember my mom as she is taking less and less time to warm up to her despite being hesitant with everyone else still.

Yep. This is how brave my just barely 7 month old daughter is... She's much more frequently now letting go and standing for short seconds herself! She was holding onto my {still pj wearing} leg and after a few seconds, went back to the comfort of holding onto it. She likes to pull up to standing using any and everything in sight, including the dogs and curtains, and shoe laces! Not kidding. I imagine she'll definitely be walking by her first birthday...

And our attempts at capturing her monthly birthday pictures, 7 months actually, were a chore this time! Darn teeth bring low grade fevers and make her want mama's comfort. Yes, she still wears the teething necklace as we do believe it helps some but certainly does not take away all the teething pain. {To be expected though}

After a falling from co-sleeper incident on my birthday, we have transitioned Little Miss to her crib. Suprisingly, she took to it very well! I was shocked as we had tried several times before and she was clearly not ready. She is now going about 5-6 hours before waking for her first feed and is up 2-3 times to nurse during the night. I do not like that she is now getting up for the day between 5-5:30am though... I really liked the 7-7:30am wakings!

I never knew I would be so sad in her moving to the crib! I miss our snuggles. I miss waking refreshed despite her waking the same amount of times during the night to nurse- in bed she latched to nurse herself with minimal effort/waking on my part thus getting more sleep. Now I am up for 20 min at a time 2-3 times a night to nurse her and then have to settle back down to sleep myself. Not liking this but she seems to sleep better, at least in the beginning, so I'll suffer.

Been Busy!

2011-05-16T09:26:00.000-05:00

Little Miss has earned the new nickname, courtesy of her daddy, "Mischievous Madelyn". And boy is that true! She has been army crawling for almost two weeks now and this past weekend started "real" crawling on all fours! Of course, her main incentive is still the nasty dog toy but at least she's moving! Needless to say, "Mischievous Madelyn" is into EVERYTHING! It's quite comical really. Watching her explore the world around her opens my eyes to new things every day too. Like the dust bunnies collecting in odd places or how she instinctively finds every outlet in the house...

We have been on again/off again with solids. She is not a fan of jar foods at all. We've been relying on this mesh feeder as she absolutely loves it! Really helps with teething too and since she has just recently cut her first tooth with a couple clearly right behind, we pull out the mesh feeder often around home and while out!

Her favorite fruit so far, hands down, strawberries! Just like her Uncle Daniel...

The deck we had installed has been a God send! We LOVE spending time outside. The dogs roam while Little Miss and I play, sing, and talk. Looking forward to the stairs and fence getting installed one day too... It's been a nightmare!

{Yes, Jack still thinks she is his baby!}

I cannot believe my baby girl is going to be 7 months on the 23rd! I still thank God daily for this wonderful blessing! She truly is such an amazing little girl and we are so proud to be her parents!

Lables- Secondary Infertility?

2011-05-14T21:26:00.002-05:00

It is no secret that hubby and I want more kids. God willing.

It is not secret that I want our kids close in age. God willing.

I really hoped for "Irish twins". That didn't happen.

I now am really hoping to be pregnant before Little Miss's first birthday.

In seeing the stark white OPK {negative} daily now, I am already getting defeated. Do I already have secondary infertility written across my forehead? Am I doomed to the heartache trying to conceive brings? At what point do I make a mad dash to the RE and start the lovely path of blood work and meds again?

I had a reality check last night as I was searching Kellymom.com {THE most amazing breastfeeding resource available!} and due to Little Miss' nursing frequency and lack of solid eating and non sleeping through the night and rejection of plastic pacifier in favor for the human pacifier I am, it looks as though I will not have fertility return for some time now.

This excites me and frustrates me. I'm super excited to not have a period for such a long time! Super excited that my body, God's design, forces me to wait before getting pregnant again. Excited that my absolute earliest I want Little Miss to wean from nursing is a year. {Yes, she wean not me wean her.} Excites me that I am giving Little Miss just what she needs, sole mommy and daddy's attention. God blessed us with her first for a reason. It frustrates me as I'm wasting money peeing on these darn OPKs. Frustrates me that we cannot go ahead and actively try to conceive a sibling for Little Miss.

So now I work through the labels that surround me... Wife. Mom. Daughter. Sister. Infertile?

Mother's Day Upon Us, again.

2011-05-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

Six years ago, Mother's Day was a daydream of what I one day hoped to have. A day I spent with my mom and brothers, thankful for our mom. A day that other than buying a card and small gift for my mom, I did not put much self thought into.

Five years ago that all changed...

The first Mother's Day came and went in 2006. We had been trying to conceive our first for just four short months. I just knew the following Mother's Day I would indeed be a mom. I laugh now at that.

Each passing Mother's Day was more emotionally taxing than the last. Each passing holiday was filled with mixed emotions. I was thankful for the years I was able to spend this day with my mom as not to focus of my lack of being a mother myself. When alone though, those feelings crept right back to the surface and took over.

Mother's Day 2010 I was right at 12 weeks pregnant with our Little Miss. Excited. Fearful. Trying to remain optimistic yet cautiously doing so. This was a new set of feelings.

I was told over and over and over again that I was a mom... Pregnancy made me a mom. In that aspect, I was a mom back in 2006. Sadly, miscarriage took that baby from me. I received first Mother's Day cards. I kept those cards, hoping for the best.

Mother's Day 2011- I am a tangible mom. I have held my child in my arms.

Mother's Day is different. Especially this year. Many emotions come flooding back as I reflect on where I was and where I am now. Our journey through infertility brought us here. I thank God for each step along the way as how else would Little Miss have come to us?

I also reflect on my mom... Our relationships up and downs. The daughter I have not always been yet want to be. The mother I always want to be. The granddaughter I should have been and now it is too late.

Mom, I hope Mother's Day is just another day to you. I hope you do not need some Hallmark holiday to know that you are so very special and loved by me, your daughter. I thank God for allowing you to be my mama! I love you mom!

Baby changes everything...

2011-05-07T23:08:00.003-05:00

When pregnant I was told over and over and over {and over and over and over...} again that "A baby changes everything"! My response? Rolling of yes with a "yeah, yeah" attitude.

No really. A baby changes everything!

The obvious. Ya know- like watching what I put in my body as she gets trace amounts via breast milk.

The not so obvious. Like willingly going to a one car family.

Then their are the words I have muttered that I never in a million years expected to come from these lips...

"I want to move back to Georgia."

Those. words. The complete opposite of the words I have spoken many times throughout my high school life... I could not wait to leave Georgia! To spread my wings and fly! Instead, I am like a Penguin {right bird?} that has flown and now wants to come back home to settle.

Baby has brought to surface some feelings that I thought were handled. No. Instead they are raw feelings again.

Baby changes the way I see my mom... My dad... My in-laws... My brothers... My cousins... My friends... No sense in wasting time establishing relationships with those, regardless of their "title" in my life, if they don't truly care about Little Miss or us really.

Baby has changed the way I see community. Not necessarily community in the sense of what is offered but instead the people. I want my daughter to grow up in a close community of people. A village of sorts. You know, because "it takes a village to raise a child".

For what it is worth- I truly believe this. This is one reason I'm sad we're not back home, living in Georgia. Georgia is where our "village" is. I never acknowledged that fully until now...

I love how baby has indeed changed our lives... Changed our lives for the better, no doubt.

I, naively, did not realize baby would change even the things deeply hidden...

2011-05-01T14:56:00.001-05:00

My cheap bow tree.$1.25 at Target.

Dirty Laundry

2011-04-27T01:12:00.003-05:00

This little cutie, Little Miss, is adorable if I may say so myself! Only the best for her, of course.

We are cloth diapering (FLIP system is our go-to with night time diapers being Bumgenius 4.0 snaps with one Fuzzibunz thrown in that I am not a fan of at all!) her and decided to do so while she was still in the womb. Charles and myself both have very sensitive skin so I just knew she would too. Boy was I right...

We started out washing the diapers in All Free and Clear and while they were clean, I felt they could be cleaner and less sticky feeling. Not to mention, I had to strip them numerous times! We then tried adding a hard water softener to the cycle to help with the All. Then we had skin reactions from Little Miss! Her poor little body was broken out head to toe, bum too since all was washed in this new detergent! Back to the All we went... I have two friends that use cloth and love Charlie's Soap. I decided to give it a try!

Let me just take a moment to say I LOVE Charlie's Soap!!! And not becuase it's similiar in name to my husband. :-)

I have since switched ALL of our laundry duty to Charlie's Soap! No fragrances. No frills. No fun. Just clean. Everything smells, clean. That's it. Items are softer than before too. And, it is saving in money as it washes out in only two rinses opposed to the 4-5 the All required!

Have I mentioned I love Charlie's Soap?? :-)

I don't love that it doesn't get out dried in stains though. haha. Kind of unrealistic? Mr Sun takes care of those.

I wish they were paying me to say this. Actually, I just love it so much I'm sharing on my own free will!

It is cheap too. I purchased two 80 load washes to test out. When we hit the second one, I'm going to go all out and order the giant 5 lb detergent one!

Now if only I could find dryer balls that don't fall apart like the last two I tried... Suggestions?

NIAW!

2011-04-25T07:54:00.000-05:00

National Infertility Awareness Week is upon us again, yesterday actually. To kick off some great things happening with Lost Stork Foundation, head on over to the amazingly designed Lost Stork Foundation blog by Aly @ The Infertility Overachievers! Still a work in progress so continue to check back!

Lost Stork Foundation {blog} has so kindly been given an amazing allotment of donations for this raffle! Each ticket is $5 and you have a chance of winning one in three raffle awesome packages.

Also, Aly is hosting her own giveaway in the name of NIAW! You can earn extra entries by following Lost Stork's blog and also by purchasing a raffle ticket! Check out her giveaway!

Super stoked with all that is happening in Lost Stork world! Don't forget, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter too!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T08:04:00.004-05:00

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him... He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today! Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins and rising again!

On Watch...

2011-04-20T09:05:00.002-05:00

Little Miss has been tucking her knees under her and scooting forward. She's chest up with arms straight a lot more these days too. She has "army crawled" a couple of times, but nothing consistent.

I find myself only putting her on the floor when I am sitting there with her as I don't want to miss the first crawl! I know, sad. But true. {We do spend most of the day on the floor but still!}

I think she's cued in on my watching and waiting to crawl since she is desperately trying to pull herself to stand! Yep. Trying to skip crawling all together {not under my watch Little Miss!}.

When sitting with her, she turns to position herself directly in front of you; reaches out her arms; grabs onto your fingers; and pulls herself to standing! Crazy. I know!

She tried to pull herself to standing in the tub. She got so frustrated since it was too slippery to do so just yet. She tries to pull up using the dog. The toy baskets. Just about anything that is within arms reach while sitting, she tries to pull to standing on!

My baby is growing up much too quickly for this mama's liking! Someone, please invent a freeze time machine so I can have her a baby for a bit longer! Half a year officially on Saturday...

First and foremost...

2011-04-14T23:14:00.001-05:00

I am a wife and mother.

Sometimes the wife part gets pushed back to care for the needs of my daughter. This last week has been one of those weeks.

It's been some kind of crazy around Swann Pond for the last week ish. I don't know if it is teeth, growth spurt, changes in my milk's taste, or what but Little Miss has not been too thrilled while nursing. She still wants to nurse, just fussed quite a bit in the process.

We persevered.

*Knock on wood*

Things seem to be getting back to normal... Whatever you consider "normal" in terms of a growing changing baby to mean.

For me, it means asleep at 8pm ish and awake at 7am ish. :-) It means 30-45 happy minutes of independent play in the mornings while I take care of the dogs, feed myself, and then join Little Miss in morning play before her first nap. It means putting her down in the dining room in front of the window while I walk to the door {it's right next to the dining room so I can clearly see her and she me} and let out the dogs throughout the day. It means lunch can be eaten and dinner made. It means a lot less fuss and a lot more laughs.

We'll see what the days continue to bring as we live by the ability to be flexible with her ever changing needs!

Nursing is one of those things that the rewards are there, you just have to push thru and you will get them! :-)

We all have those kind of days...

2011-04-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

"Springtime"

2011-04-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

A beautiful poem my late grandmother wrote... Maybe this will encourage Spring to come on as obviously the groundhog did not!

Springtime

Spring is a beautiful room,

A ceiling of blue and floor of green,

A carpet of flowers in Bloom,

Every color you’ve ever seen.

Up in the trees are some nests,

With tiny blue eggs inside,

Why are they there – you can guess,

So wee baby birds can hide.

Until they come out to greet,

The rest of the newborn earth,

Singing a song so sweet,

Of the beauty of spring and it’s worth.

We love the warmth of summer,

And the many colors of fall,

But after the bleak of winter,

Spring’s the most welcome of all!

Anita V. Brown

I wonder what Spring is like in Heaven... I imagine as beautiful as it is here on earth, it's a bazillion times more so vibrant in colors in Heaven. I know grandma is enjoying it, minus the allergies!

Vote for Lost Stork Foundation!

2011-04-05T09:54:00.000-05:00

If you have not already investigated the widget in one of the right hand columns, please do so! It is an easy click to vote for Lost Stork Foundation and you can do so once a day!!!

2011 Leading Moms in Business Competition Widgetgreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

So head on over and set up the daily e-mail reminder as well to please vote for Lost Stork!!! We greatly appreciate it!!!

And, while you are at it... Head on over to the website to purchase your cookbook if you have not already done so! :-)

All too soon...

2011-04-04T21:40:00.003-05:00

...my daughter will no longer want to nurse for nourishment or comfort...
...carrying her will be replaced with running and exploring on her own...
...her gummy smile will be replaced by pearly whites...
...she'll be independently putting herself to sleep in her big girl bed...
...cuddles will be replaced with quick secretive hugs and kisses...
...she'll choose someone else over me, her mommy...
...entertainment will be found in something other than my attempt at goofy faces...
...back talking words will be coming from her adorably cooing lips...
...rules will be set, she'll say she hates us...
...she'll be too big for me to pick up and hold, my baby...

All too soon, my baby girl will be a big girl who needs her mommy less. It is beautiful, this circle of life. It is also heartbreaking to know a day will come when my baby will no longer be a baby.

For now, I linger in putting my sleeping baby down for bed. I hold her during a nap or two. I take in her sweet baby smell a little more. When she lifts her chubby little arms up to me, I smile and pick her up. I try to memorize each gummy smile and squeal from excitement.

All too soon, it all will be a memory that pictures reflect on. A time I refuse to have any regrets of not enjoying more of her during this "baby time". So when I am sporadic in posting, it is not because I have forgotten but because I choose to spend the time treasuring my daughter before she grows up all too soon...

NIAW + Lost Stork = GOODIES!!!

2011-03-29T21:37:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to share just a little of what Lost Stork Foundation has going on "behind the scenes"!

National Infertility Awareness Week is quickly approaching, April 24-30 to be exact, and as a kick off for Lost Stork Foundation we will be hosting a few raffles on our new {coming} blog! It's in the prepping stage design wise!

Christa at Fearlessly Infertile has joined us in fearlessly spreading the word and gaining supporters so we may help infertile and adoptive couples!! My mom who is also now blogging, will keep updating her blog too as more exciting things come to be!

For any Missouri readers- I am participating in a city wide yard sale with all funds earned going directly to Lost Stork Foundation! If you would like to donate items and/or your time, send me a message!

Until next time, You'll find me anxiously awaiting the mailman as I excitedly await the next package of goodies to be included in the NIAW raffles!! :-)

Sharing the love!

2011-03-22T20:51:00.003-05:00

This is her new favorite face. Hilarious! Cannot believe tomorrow marks her 5 month birthday! To help celebrate with us, hop on over to Christa's blog "Fearlessly Infertile" to participate in the raffle for Lost Stork Foundation!!!!

Vaccinations {Part 3}

2011-03-18T19:43:00.002-05:00

Did you know... VAERS {Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System} has a whole section devoted to the compensation someone will get shall they exhibit certain "adverse events" after a vaccine? Check it out for yourself!

My favorite statement thus far... {I added the italics and bolding of words that I further elaborate on}

"VAERS data contains coincidental events and those truly caused by vaccines.

More than 10 million vaccines per year are given to children less than 1 year old, usually between 2 and 6 months of age. At this age, infants are at greatest risk for certain medical adverse events, including high fevers, seizures, and sudden infant death syndrome. Some infants will experience these medical events shortly after a vaccination by coincidence.
These coincidences make it difficult to know whether a particular adverse event resulted from a medical condition or from a vaccination. Therefore, vaccine providers are encouraged to report all adverse events following vaccination, whether or not they believe the vaccination was the cause"

That was taken straight from the VAERS website. I just want to say, "REALLY?!" It is KNOWN that infants between 2 and 6 months of age have the greatest risk yet that is when the recommended time frame to give a huge chunk {15 to be exact!} of the vaccines is for??? Is that by coincidence???

Then their is the moral issue... A number of vaccinations use aborted fetuses in the making! Polio {Vaccine name Poliovax}, Measles, Mumps, Rubella {Vaccine name MMR II}, Mumps-Rubella {Vaccine name Biavax II}, Measles-Rubella {Vaccine name MR-VAX}, Rubella only {Vaccine name Meruvax II}, Hepatitis A {Vaccine name Havrix Vaqta}, Hepatitis A-B Combo {Vaccine name Twinrix}, Chickenpox {Vaccine name Varivax}.

Thankfully, some manufacturers are sensitive to this moral issue and make an alternative. Polio {Vaccine name IPOL}, Mumps {Vaccine name Mumpsvax, creative huh? :-)}, Measles {Vaccine name Attenuvax}.

...Bolding is my doing to put emphasis on the fine print... "Some studies suggest that chicken pox in a vaccinated child may be milder than in an unvaccinated child. However, some experts believe that this may be due to the vaccine suppressing the illness, which could actually signal a more serious underlying chronic condition. For example, “Atypical measles” is a disease that occurs only in people previously vaccinated for measles, and it is far more serious than regular measles. It is not yet known if “atypical chicken pox” cases will appear as a result of the use of VARIVAX.

The FDA VAERS' (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) first year surveillance of VARIVAX included over 1,500 reports. 76 were serious adverse reactions that included 2 deaths. While a VAERS report does not prove a causal relationship between the vaccine and the death or disability that follows, the vaccine is highly suspect in all such reports."

Now let's take a look at these vaccinations!

Let me first add... I am not anti-vaccine nor am I 100% pro-vaccine. I walk a thin line in what I believe is the right decision for OUR daughter. Not your child. Not your nieces or nephews. Not your grandchild. Not your friends' daughters' soccer coaches' niece! I simply want to do what I can in educating parents so that they may look at all sides and THEN make the most informed decision for their family.

Vaccinations {Part 2}

2011-03-17T22:16:00.002-05:00

Did you know...

The 2011 Vaccine schedule for children birth - 6 years consists of

- Hepatitis B {Hep B}
- Rotavirus {RV}
- Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis {DTaP}
- Haemophilus influenza type b {Hib}
- Pneumococcal {PCV}
- Inactivated Poliovirus {IPV}
- Influenza
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella {MMR}
- Varicella
- Hepatitis A {Hep A}
- Meningococcal {MCV4}

Compared to the 1983 Vaccine Schedule for children

- Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis {DTP}
- Oral, attenuated Poliovirus {OPV}
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella {MMR}
- Adult Tetanus and Diptheria {Td}

Thoughts on THAT and how it impacts one's body in various ways??

Vaccinations {Part 1}

2011-03-16T21:59:00.004-05:00

Oh, it is a strong debate word. Vaccinations. Shots. Whichever word you refer to them as. The sticking your child with a needle and injecting a disease/virus with the hopes they build antibodies as not to catch it themselves.

Charles and I have, after much debate and research, decided to delay vaccinations. At the time we deem appropriate to begin giving them, we will be selective in the ones we do give.

Why? I am sure you are asking...

Many reasons.

Young immune system. Known weaken immune system. Moral. Ethical. Medically. Too little research. Vaccine worked, disease gone! Recommended dosage times.

I will, in future posts, break down each individual vaccine and state the facts on them. All the nitty gritty stuff that a lot of parents do not care/want/desire to know about and just go with what the CDC recommends. If that works for you, great. If not, you'll want to read the posts. :-)

I will state that I do believe in vaccinations, when appropriate. I believe they are a great medical advancement, in some areas anyways. We are not an anti-vaccine family.

So check back tomorrow for the first post of many...

Love/Hate Relationship

2011-03-10T20:19:00.002-06:00

I, just like many others, have several "love/hate relationships". My current is this whole post postpartum hair loss crap.

I hate that the head on my hair is falling out in mass numbers...

I love that the unwanted hair all over the rest of my body is falling out...

I hate that the darn shower drain keeps clogging...

I love that "Man, I feel like a woman!" again...

I was one of the unlucky ones that sprouted hair in rather manly places during the most womanly time in my life. I often wondered if I was turning into a man instead growing a human! Not to mention, I swore that based on this alone I was having a boy! Why else would all this testosterone be floating around my body?! I dread if I ever have a boy, wondering what it would do to my body! Thankfully, my husband loved me through it all and reminded me that I am still beautiful, if even only just to him. :-)

I love though, at almost 5 months postpartum, I am feeling like a beautiful person again. I even wore a necklace today {yeah, that's one of the places hair sprouted!} and did not feel self conscious about it!

Now, I must really work on getting pregnant in summer months so fall/winter months I will not be looked at like a wacko when I am wearing turtle necks and scarves every. single. day. until I return back to femininity again.

Next, I must work on these abs to show off my beautiful non-hairy stretch mark dusted belly!!!

Can't shake it.

2011-03-08T20:50:00.000-06:00

I wrote several posts back about our trip to Georgia for Jason Moye's funeral. A long time dear family friend. He is missed greatly and loved deeply. That will never change.

His death not only impacted me as a friend, but also as a mother.

A new mother.

I think about his mom, often.

I think about her memories of the last time she hugged her son. Last time she told him she loved him. The last time she laughed with him just because. The last time she did his laundry although he was not living at home.

I think about her thoughts for the future. He was to get married. The dreams of him having his own family. What would he be like at age 30, 40, 50, etc?

Then I stumbled across a blog whose daughter, Maddie, passed away from SIDS a couple weeks ago at a precious 4 months of age.

Madelyn's age.

I have deliberately, from the first moment, held Madelyn a little longer before putting her down for naps. Smelled her new baby smell often. Played with her fingers and toes daily. Enjoyed doing her laundry. Remained in awe of her smiles and coos and laughs.

This I did before any tragedy happen. This I did because I waited 4 years for her. I did because how quickly my pregnancy passed, I knew her childhood would too.

Now, I do so even more. As I read, "What is the hurry in having her grow up?" NONE! I know she is only little for so long. I know I will miss these moments. {que the song!} Moments that she still sleeps in our bedroom, sometimes in our bed. Moments that I can hold her for a long time without my arms giving out because she's grown so big. Moments that she is in awe of her mommy and daddy and needs us. I do not want to regret one moment of missing out on her, in the now. Whatever stage that may be.

Friends with kids- hug your children a bit tighter today. Tell them one more time that you love them. Laugh for no reason with them. Remember that they are more important than a clean house. Take lots of pictures but also take time to be in the moment.

Friends who are pregnant- being uncomfortable is the price to pay for such an amazing experience. Treasure it. Take lots of pictures. Your bundle of joy will be here soon.

Friends who are still waiting- When it happens, you too will surely take time to treasure each and every moment. Not letting life get in the way of the joy that your child has brought you. Soaking in each second in hopes of not missing a thing. For you, I pray this for.

Turned Away.

2011-03-05T20:00:00.004-06:00

Lost Stork Foundation is no doubt a God derived organization given to me and Charles.

No doubt.

We felt God leading us to have a cookbook fundraiser. Our goal was 150 recipes.

We got 263!

To us, this was God's way of reaffirming that this was indeed His plan and we continued forward.

We now currently have a huge stash of cookbooks to sell.

Just this week, I have received three e-mails from three separate ladies sharing three unique infertility stories. All asking for financial help.

I have to turn them away.

Without the cookbooks selling, we have no funds to give grants.

Please buy a cookbook {or few as they are great gifts} and know that although you are receiving a great product, more importantly, you are helping a couple fulfill their dreams of achieving parenthood!

You can purchase via www.loststorkfoundation.org OR in person, just ask!

We're Pregnant {re-cap}

2011-02-26T08:10:00.001-06:00

I find it so hard to fathom that it was one year ago today that the $12 First Response home pregnancy test would reveal that we were finally pregnant. That line, the darkest I had ever seen. The first time I would see the word "Pregnant" on the Clear blue Easy Digital home pregnancy test.

Sitting on the toilet, unable to breathe better yet move. Sobs. Laughter. Few words leaving my lips as I reveal to Charles he is going to be a daddy. Hugs. Shaking. Cloudy thought process.

As I type out these words I am reliving those same emotions. That moment I hope to never forget. That same moment I hope to experience many more times. That moment when a blinking hour glass on a digital test seems to take hours to show the words that change lives.

Spending the day in our Ob/Gyn's office. Going for blood work. Having our first ultrasound to reveal a beautiful black dot in the midst of my uterus. The most beautiful black dot I had ever seen... That itty bitty black dot that is now our Little Miss Madelyn Grace. Our miracle baby from God. Our long awaited but not over due gift.

Whirlwind of "to call or not to call" debates. Wanting to scream from the roof tops that we were pregnant yet keeping it a secret until the time was right. Teasing each other as the other spoke on the phone to family and friends dying inside to tell of this great news yet keeping our cool. Coming up with lies, err, stories, to tell to cover up the magnificent truth we were hiding. Planning everything just right so we could forever treasure the moment of telling our parents they were going to be grandparents {again}.

I feel oh so blessed that we have a beautiful healthy little girl that we love to absolute pieces. I feel so blessed that I got to experience pregnancy, childbirth, and now breastfeeding. I am in awe of this life that we first had a glimpse of at a mere 4 ish weeks into her life that was a perfect little black dot on the screen. I thank God every single day for her, for her life, for our life we are living with her.

I have taken my first post partum pregnancy test {hoping} it would bring all these emotions back again with another "Pregnant" result. It was not. Instead, I hug our Little Miss a bit closer and smell her still new baby smell with a deep breath in and live in this moment that is now.

One year has passed and was amazing. I am looking forward to what the next year holds, and each one there after...

This time last year...

2011-02-25T10:04:00.000-06:00

...The last day of my "old" life. The last day I would go to bed dreaming, hoping, praying to be a mommy. The last day I would snuggle into my husband's arms before drifting off to sleep with hopeful baby dreams filling my head.

This time last year was also the night I finished the book. One, the first one, in a series I am calling "I Prayed for you". The book that God told me to write. To complete first before He gives us a baby. That book. Now if only I can overcome my fears of attempting to publish it...

I went to bed feeling accomplished. The book was done. My husband had spent the last several hours out celebrating his completion of Air Traffic Control training here in St. Louis.

This time last year was the last day of the rest of our lives...

One year ago today...

2011-02-20T22:00:00.002-06:00

I was down in the dumps and frustrated beyond belief with infertility... I remember having a text conversation with Charles while he was at work and practically begging him to "go knock up someone else but let me be the baby mama".

I was done. I just wanted to be a mommy. That's it. No strings attached.

Charles text me back "I would rather never ever have a child if it meant not having you".

Little did we both know...I was pregnant.

3 Month Photos!

2011-02-19T21:24:00.000-06:00

I'm just now getting around to posting a few of Little Miss' 3 month photo session with Kristine from Kristine Lynn Photography... Why? Well, because Life Happens! :-)

You can see a top fave from the teaser post - here.

Her Nursery is Complete!

2011-02-18T23:33:00.000-06:00

I absolutely LOVE Little Miss' room! {We have since added a white dresser/changing table where it looks blank next to the crib, under the owl picture} It has little bits of my childhood, the books, as well as Charles' childhood, the mobile. It is fun and girly and bright and cheery. I hope she enjoys it as much as I have putting it all together!

{Photos credit to Kristine Lynn Photography}

Back from Georgia...

2011-02-17T21:01:00.002-06:00

Yes. From Georgia... It has been one heck of an emotional roller coaster ride! I wrote the Homesick post and future dated it to post, thinking I was going to delete it. {I often write posts to get it off my mind and future date them so I will have time to re-read it and usually delete cause then I think it's stupid}

I wrote that post Friday evening.

Not 12 hours later, my mom calls to inform me a long time dear family friend, Jason Moye, died.

Shocker of all shockers!

He was only 25 years old...

He was to be married in April...

He was moving back to Georgia from working the pipeline and starting this whole new life...

He is gone.

Needless to say, without batting an eye we got things together and made our way to Georgia to be with the family and go to the funeral.

NOT how or why I wanted to go to Georgia!

It was an emotionally taxing week, to say the least. I was in the valleys when with the family and remembering Jason. I had a few highs when I was able to do a wonderful get together with a group of long time dear friends and spending time with my two younger brothers and our parents.

I still find it so surreal that Jason died. I thought by seeing his body in the casket and attending the funeral would make it real, but it didn't. We grew up together. His family. My family. All the camping trips. The tubing adventures. The campfire stories. Impromptu get togethers between our families. Church outings and events.

Jason was such a fantastic guy. While working the pipeline he was in Illinois, oh so close to where we lived. We talked a few times on the phone trying to get together but it never worked out for whatever reason... I regret that.

I am grateful to have known him and to know that I will see him again one day in Heaven. Until then, his family and dear loved ones will remain in my thoughts and prayers as they grieve.

Homesick

2011-02-06T14:06:00.001-06:00

"Home is where the heart is", right?

My heart is here in Missouri with my wonderful husband and adorable daughter. No doubt this. While I've embraced living in Missouri and am venturing more and more out of my comfort zone to do all that I can to make this home, I miss Georgia. Not Georgia like the weather and stuff, I miss what Georgia holds. My family and long time good friends...

I miss the spontaneous meals with our parents. Shopping trips with my mom. Sunday lunches with my dad and Jodi. Lazy afternoons with the in-laws. Awkward moments with my two younger brothers. Get togethers with my friends {and that was before we all had kids! I really miss it now not being able to see their babies grow up!}. I miss visits with my Aunt. I miss the church I grew up in...

And now I'm in tears. :-(

I need a Georgia fix. If only I could get over the anxiety I have of traveling 10 + hours in a car with an infant and two wild dogs... And flying is a no-no in my book with these upped security screenings, I don't want anyone patting down my daughter nor her going thru that full body scan! She doesn't need exposing to all that radiation and having all her body seen for who knows what pervs!

I do believe this is the first time I have actually been "homesick" since moving here in July 2008. Wow. Maybe having a child really did change things more than I expected...

I believe moving away from all I've ever known and us beginning a new life together so far from everyone we knew has been a great thing for us! I wouldn't change that. It's our life and we're embracing that. I just sometimes need to go back "home" and am needing it now... Even though it's so stressful.

I would have thought with all the visits from my mom previously and yet to come, and the anticipation of seeing my dad and Jodi and Charles' parents later this month and next month that I wouldn't get homesick. Is Madelyn still young enough for me to blame hormones??? :-)

Ah, Georgia... I hope to be visiting you soon......

Pumping...

2011-02-05T01:55:00.003-06:00

...and dumping.

:-(

So Little Miss has a sensitive tummy. I can't really fault her as Charles and I {more so I} have really sensitive tummies as well. My diet is limited in what I eat as we've learned, the hard way, what upsets her tummy and not.

Peanut butter is one of those foods. Yesterday at the grocery store, I thought I could cheat the system so to say by getting Almond butter instead of traditional peanut butter because oh how I love peanut butter! It was actually Dark Chocolate Almond Nut Butter. I had about 2 TBS of it last night for dinner on a sand which and now, I've been up since just after midnight with severe tummy problems. If I am having this sort of reaction, I can only imagine how Little Miss' tummy would feel!

Thus the pumping and dumping...

Well. I admit I have not actually dumped it... I got about 5 oz from the side she was next to eat off of {she's a one side at a feeding type of girl} with my little hand pump and it currently sits in my fridge labeled "No Madelyn". Can't bring myself to dump perfectly fine liquid gold, err, breast milk.

Anyone want it??? Can dogs drink it?? Anything but dumping it down the drain!!!

Thank God for a mini freezer stash. And of course, she is sleeping very peacefully not waking to eat like she would have done had I too been asleep still... Oh Murphy's Law, how you humor me.

Spoil vs Nurture

2011-02-04T21:11:00.000-06:00

I do realize this is debate words I am speaking on... Oh well. :-)

The comment has been made that we are "spoiling" Little Miss by not letting her cry it out for naps/bedtime and meeting all her needs when she announces it the only way she knows how to, crying.

She cries when it is necessary. Like when I have to go to the bathroom and she is bored of playing on her floor mat. I hate to hear the cries but it is a need I have and a want she has. I go immediately to her when my need has been fulfilled and I then meet her want.

She, just like all babies, have their distinct cries. She fusses more when she's just bored. She has a cry of just wanting to be held sometimes. She cries a serious cry when it's eatin' time or she's ready for her mini nap. Those are the reasons she cries. She has a need that needs meeting and crying is the only way to communicate with us at this time.

I have read and been on both sides of letting kids cry it out versus nurturing their every cry. Nurturing Little Miss' every cry is our way of parenting. It works for us. She is a very happy baby who knows she can count on her mama and dada to take care of her when she announces a need by crying. If this is "spoiling" Little Miss then put me down as doing just that! :-)

We will raise her expecting her to use manners, just as we do. We hope that she is a polite child who respects others and is caring and compassionate. We too want her to be independent and successful and driven by her dreams of doing big things in life. I believe when we nurture her by meeting her needs, we are raising her to be just this type of person. Someone who will too nurture others just as she was nurtured from the moment we learned of her growing in my womb.

Food for thought...

To "spoil" is to neglect. An apple doesn't spoil because you've taken great care to preserve it well. It spoils if you leave it untended and uncared for.. then it becomes rotten. Thus, to neglect a child's physical and emotional needs as well as neglecting to teach proper behaviors and manners is to spoil them rotten.
~ Michelle Cannon posted this and I could not agree more!

What is/will be your parenting style??

Why I love...

2011-02-03T09:50:00.000-06:00

Video Monitors!

The saying goes, "Don't knock it until you've tried it!" is oh so true!

Once upon a time, I used to think that parents that used these new techy video monitors were just lazy. Why get a video monitor when you can just go check in on the baby for goodness sakes! What's the big deal people!?

And then I used one...

Love!!!

It was our splurge item for our self as I wanted to make sure I got the one I wanted. I stocked all the stores for sales and read a gazillion reviews on all the monitors. I could have cared less about the color part, which is a good thing since the color part really doesn't work too well unless it's daytime. It's the pan/zoom that I absolutely love on this monitor!

As I learned nannying for twin boys who would often scoot and roll about in their cribs, the monitor was stationary so if they happened to move outta sight, you had to go abouts checking on them the old fashioned way- peaking in the bedroom hoping not to get caught. You could still hear them but it was the silent moments that you knew trouble was up!

When I came across this one that scans and zooms, my search was over. Even though Little Miss spends 99.9999% of her naps in the co sleeper in our bedroom with not much room to move about, I have used the zoom and pan feature many times. I have no doubt it was worth the extra bucks just for this feature!

I sure hope it lasts for the upcoming years when she transitions from the crib to a toddler/big girl bed and is in and out of her bed as she wishes. That feature will be great then too!

I love the zoom too and have used it many times to zoom in on Little Miss' chest to make sure she's still breathing when she happens to be taking an uncanny long nap...

This product gets 5 stars from me!

Why I love...

2011-01-31T21:39:00.000-06:00

Co-sleeping!

I went into pregnancy with this beautiful sleeping arrangement in my mind. You know. The ideal baby sleeps through the night {7pm - 7am} at 2 weeks old. I laugh at myself as I knew no way was this realistic, especially with breastfeeding. I knew I wanted baby close to us, in our room, but I was not a fan at the thought of baby sleeping in the bed with us.

I introduce you to the best of both worlds - The Arms Reach Co sleeper, mini. :-)

I cannot recommend this item more if I tried! I absolutely love it! I love that all I have to do is roll over and I can touch her, pick her up and bring her into bed next to me, lay her down in it after falling back asleep, and yet still have room to get in/out of bed with minimal grunts. :-) Yes, she has spent numerous nights in bed with us sleeping directly under me it seems. I love these moments too...

Charles loves having her nearby as well. He often times wakes at night to barely sit up to look over me to check on Little Miss himself. {Gosh I love that man!} Neither of us see her moving into her own room and crib at night until around 6 months old. We are thoroughly enjoying these sleeping arrangements and see us doing it with all future children.

The pad is a bit hard and uncomfortable for baby so I've put a couple blankets down that she sleeps on top of to soften it a bit for her. It has worked as she sleeps wonderfully in it now, most of the time anyways. :-) It works for us. I will be sad when the day comes and she leaves my side, literally, to sleep in her own crib at night.

By the way- the photo is the exact Arms Reach Co-sleeper Mini that we own and love! Co-sleeping is different from bed sharing where the baby sleeps in the bed with you.

Daddy's Girl!

2011-01-31T14:49:00.002-06:00

Little Miss is such a daddy's girl!

I savor the moments now that only I can give her {nursing} as I know the day is coming when she is going to wean and will run to daddy...

Nothing warms my heart more though than seeing my husband cuddle his sweet baby girl...

Their relationship is special. I hope it continues forever!

He was home for ten minutes. Gave kisses. Talked to her. And then she was out for a nice needed nap. :-)

Sippy Cups!

2011-01-30T23:20:00.000-06:00

While at Babies R Us spending my R Us Bucks, we decided to get several varieties of Sippy Cups. I have worked with way too many kids to be naive in thinking that the first one I try her on, she'll love and forever use! I know kids are picky and each have their own likes/dislikes so we stocked up on a variety! I seriously think we got like six different types of sippy cups. :-)

I am most excited to try her on this Tommee Tippee one! It's adorable! And yes, we will give the first go on her 4 month birthday just for laughs. She has only had a bottle a whopping like three times so far and I'm okay with that. If we can skip bottles all together, that would be a-okay in my book!

Sippy cups from 4 month to 12-18 months. Sometime between 12-18 months start on open lid cups and hopefully have spills down to once a day by 2 years old. I say that's the way to go!

I am super excited to see how she does with this sippy cup. It isn't shaped like a pacifier or the Playtex Drop Ins bottles or the Medela Bottles that she has taken to without a problem...

So for further laughs, kicks, grins, and giggles- what sippy cups did/do your children favor??? I will have to look into my stash and perhaps take a photo of all the varieties. :-)

Why I love...

2011-01-29T11:07:00.000-06:00

Breastfeeding!

I always knew that I would breastfeed, or at least give it one heck of an attempt. I knew all the benefits it has for baby. The immunity, the natural antibiotics, the amazing only God derived function of the milk changing to suite baby's needs specifically pending age, etc. I knew of the health benefits to mom too. The relaxant. The happy hormones. The weight loss. The breast cancer chance reduction. The bonding.

It's a beautiful thing!

What I didn't know and only ever hoped for, was how amazingly convenient breastfeeding is {directly from the source anyways}. I don't have to pack bottles. No dispensing formula before outings. No needing to plan my day so I can try to predict feeding times and bring appropriate bottles/formula. No need in using both arms, one to hold baby and one to hold bottle to feed baby, when out and about. No need in worrying where to get the water from to milk formula to feed baby.

I love that when out and about if she gets hungry, I take a few minutes to adjust things accordingly and then we're back off to whatever we were doing while she's happy nursing away. I love that it is our time. When family is here, I have a reason to get my baby back for some much needed snuggles. I love that she knows I am her food source and comfort. I love that she almost instantly calms when nursing regardless of what has happened previously to upset her so.

I especially love the middle of the night feedings where all I have to do is turn over to get her out of the co sleeper attached to our bed, lay her next to me, and I drift off to sleep while she fills her tummy. Me, sleep deprived? Nope. {Most of the time anyways} Thanks to breastfeeding!

I am so thankful that I have had such an amazing support network surrounding me and encouraging me through the difficult times {those growth spurts are killer!} when I questioned if I had enough milk to satisfy her... I am so thankful that my husband is a supporter of breastfeeding as well since he is missing out on the feeding part 99.999% of the time.

I am looking forward to continuing to breastfeed for the next couple of years! {Before all you go gasping in horror at at 2 year old still nursing, the World Health Organization recommends it as it is best!} Or at least until she self weans... I hope to at least reach the 1 year mark though. :-)

Teething...

2011-01-27T22:55:00.003-06:00

I do believe the dreaded teething word has officially struck our household... Little Miss has no longer taken to sucking on my finger, no, she wants to bite. Thankfully this has not happened during any nursing sessions yet. :-) She's whiney, chewing on her own fingers, drooling a lot. The beginning signs of teething...

I have read quite a bit, even in the midst of Infertility you-know-what, I would occupy my time by dreaming of our one day baby and read up on any and everything I possibly could. Baltic Amber Teething necklaces included.

This is the Milk and Honey Baltic Amber teething necklace I am anxiously awaiting to arrive {from Hazelaid.com} for Little Miss. I have read such fantastic success stories by those that used such teething necklaces that I too hope to be sharing a success story sometime soon!

Charles thinks it's a bunch of hooey. I disagree. We'll see!

Amber is not a “stone” but a natural resin. So as it warms with the body’s natural temperature, amber releases its healing oils (these oils contain succinic acid) which are readily absorbed into the skin and then into the bloodstream. Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of succinic acid found in nature, and this is what makes it so special. Succinic acid is a natural component of plant and animal tissues, and it's presence in the human body is beneficial in many ways.

Commonly known as "teething jewelry" in Europe, Baltic amber has been a natural remedy for pain relief for hundreds of years. Baltic amber is a natural analgesic that will help relieve headaches,reduce inflammation of the throat, ear and stomach and fight irritations, infections and respiratory diseases as it dramatically improves the body’s immunity.

Makes sense to me... {No worries, the Hyland's Teething tablets are on my to get list as well!}

I also purchased one for myself. :-) I hope to share a success story from my end too over the coming weeks!

Anyone used one themselves or for their little ones? Know of someone that has used one?

3 Months!

2011-01-24T22:02:00.003-06:00

I cannot believe 3 months have passed already... My baby girl is 3 months old!

Everyday she is doing something new to amaze us. I feel so blessed to wake up each morning to her smiles and go to bed each night just staring at her. My heart overflows with love...

How could it not looking at this sweet face though!? Oh Little Miss, you have stolen our hearts, again and again and again and...

Kristine from Kristine Lynn Photography came to our house on Saturday to do Little Miss' 3 month photos. Kristine is an amazing photographer and such a delight to have capturing such precious moments for us! I am so looking forward to the next several milestone photo sessions with her! This is just one photo... the teaser. I cannot wait to see and share other photos from this session!

On Sunday, Charles and I did the unfancy 3 month photos with my boring camera. :-) Little Miss is still adorable if you ask me!

She is thriving beyond belief. She's "talking" up a storm. Smiles all the time. Loves to go shopping with mommy. Hates naps. Loves bedtime. Enjoys her weekly bath. Gets a kick out of being naked, er, everything but diaper as pee always follows when that thing comes off. Has mastered rolling from tummy to back since she was like a week old. Is oh so close to rolling back to tummy, that darn arm gets in the way. Grabbing and putting toys into mouth is a relatively new trick. She has daily "conversations" with Charles when he gets home from work. It's their special time and it melts my heart! She loves nursing and instantly fixes whatever may be wrong once she gets into the position. As of today, she gives kisses. Big, wet, juicy kisses. She opens her mouth wide and everything!

Blessed doesn't even begin to truly tell how I feel. Everyday I thank God that He has sent Madelyn to us, even if it took all the heartache and frustration and losses. She is absolutely perfect. I so want to keep her little and cuddly like this forever yet am beaming with pride as she demonstrates a new talent on a hourly basis it seems!

I must go searching for Baltic Amber Teething necklaces now... Why yes, I do believe we are quickly approaching that stage. Fun.

Disposables STINK!

2011-01-15T11:42:00.000-06:00

...In more than one way! :-)

Little Miss has spent the majority of her time in cloth {I need a couple more covers to get me through as I always seem to need one disposable diaper on wash day} since 8 weeks. I love the thought of her being in cloth. I'm sure it feels better on her bottom. The fluffy butt, err, shelf back, is adorable! A few mornings back I realized just how much I loved cloth!

It was wash day and sure enough, I needed one single disposable diaper for her as the covers were still drying. She ended up going to bed a bit earlier {I don't change her diaper during the night unless it's poopy since it wakes her up so much that she thinks it's time to get up for the day and then can we say cranky pants?} than usual so she slept in the disposable all night. The next morning I don't awaken to my adorable baby pawing me to eat but instead this horrendous smell! It was the darn disposable diaper!

I'm pretty sure she urinates about the same amount nightly these days so the cloth should stink that much too, right? WRONG! It just was another reason to affirm my love for cloth these days...

So if you're looking to give cloth a try, think of the urine smells you won't be missing! :-)

Laughs, Kicks, Grins, and Giggles

2011-01-14T23:31:00.002-06:00

Let's talk sleep! :-) Little Miss' sleep that is...

Blah blah blah, I've been a nanny for several years, random babysitter since I was 11, worked in day cares, church nurseries, helped my mom when she babysat, etc... All the tricks to put babies to sleep, I did. I was {mostly} successful. My own? Ha!

It all started on Thanksgiving day 2010... That was the first day she has flat refused to sleep! She sleeps a whopping 20 to a rare 30 minutes for her naps which only happen a handful of times during the day. Thankfully though, she is a happy non napper and a fantastic night sleeper so I really can't complain. I've learned though that when she first shuts her eyes to jump in and out of the shower really quick if I have any hopes of showering at all when Charles is at work.

So besides swaddling {she HATES being confined and has since like day 3 of life}, tummy/back/side sleeping {she's a side sleeper}, sleeping in a swing/bouncer {hates the swing and bouncer she likes only when well, bouncing}, and white noise things that turn off after X amount of time- what are your tricks???

This 20 minutes is regardless if she puts herself to sleep {I don't let her CIO, she's too young in my book so it's the moments she just lays there and drifts to sleep}, rocking, bouncing, nursing, baby wearing, dark room, bright room, car rides, shopping, loud, quiet, etc.

Example- She fell asleep so I put her in the co sleeper. She slept through the dogs barking, me showering, and my cell phone ringing right next to her. Yet at that 20 minute mark she was wide eyed and ready to roll. Crazy, huh?

The only three times she has had a good long nap since Thanksgiving Day is one day when she was sick she slept for 3 hours on the couch, I took a nap with her in our bed and she slept for 45 minutes, and today on Charles she slept for just over an hour.

She wakes for the day between 6 and 8 am happy and goes to bed between 7 and 8 pm. She sleeps a good 7 hours before waking for her first feeding and then sleeps another few hours before waking for a feed and the day. This I do NOT want to change, obviously.

Again, it's not like she acts tired all day by being fussy or crying. She's happy and talking and smiling and alert and playing all day when not in her little cat naps.

So I'm asking, just to humor me, for your sure thing ways to get baby to sleep!

Clarifying more {carseat fiacso}

2010-12-30T13:01:00.003-06:00

I want to say that I greatly appreciate all your comments and hope that even just one mother took a closer look at how her babe sits in their carseat after reading my post.

What I did not want to do is deter anyone from not purchasing Chicco carseats or any other brand really. I believe all infant carseats have the same standard incline that has probably been studied more than once to be the best universal fit for infants from 4lbs to 30 ish lbs hence the weight limits on infant carriers. In saying this, I assume {and was not willing to "test"} that we would have had the same problem regardless of the brand infant carrier we went with which is why we jumped right into the convertible carseat. And as it was pointed out, the seats in vehicles these days are made to be comfortable for adults- not ideally the best when putting in a carseat. Ours was installed properly, even the Fireman who checked it concluded this and complimented my husband's work in doing so.

As I said in the original Carseat Fiasco post, "So my caution to parents- Instead of believing that you just happen to have a child that hates the car seat and screams every time you go anywhere, make sure they are positioned properly and if not, get a new car seat! It was worth the extra money knowing she's now really truly safe in the car! Yes, some kids do just hate the car seat and that's okay once you have ruled out they are actually breathing properly in it. :-)" To take it even further, every baby is different. Every carseat is different. Eventually you will find a good match for your baby. It may take a couple or more attempts but it is well worth it!

And really, I have taken the advice myself to be more than just with carseats. Whenever Little Miss gives off any clue that something is not right I thoroughly check on her and the surroundings before ruling that she's just fussing to fuss.

To answer questions- We were able to return the infant carrier to the store where we originally purchased it and was given store credit due to the circumstances. Little Miss' new carseat is still working beautifully and despite the occasional fuss that happens, she now does not mind car rides and usually just looks around or falls asleep peacefully. I am not as worried about our upcoming trip to Georgia like I was when she was in the infant carrier and am so glad we cancelled our trip we were going to take {while she was still in the infant carrier} in November! I'll still be sitting in the back with her but that's okay for the peace of mind to know that she is alright and not alone and helpless {that statement of the baby suffocating absolutely broke my heart!!!}

Happy car rides to all of you!

Invention idea!

2010-12-29T21:59:00.000-06:00

I have been known to throw out crazy theories and have some random stupid inventions come to mind that are never worth a darn. However last week while eating out with Charles I had an idea for an invention that I know without a doubt will be on the market one day, even if it's not because of me! I truly believe it will be a life saver as food allergies seem to be on such a rise!

Suffer from food allergies? Can't eat such and such foods because your breastfeed baby has sensitivities? Worry about your kids eating something at school that they are allergic to and thus getting the panic phone call? Worried about not eating Gluten products, Corn, Soy, Nuts, Wheat, Dairy?

Yep. It has to do with food allergies/sensitives...

If only I knew where to even begin!!!! Maybe I'll patent the idea as nothing is out there like it already, and then tell the world about it hoping someone will help me put it into motion???

Am I the only one with crazy ideas??? Of course not. Why else is Baby Einstein around? Or those goofy shopping cart covers {I want one btw}? Or boppy pillows?

So when the day comes that it reaches the market, probably by someone elses' doing, I'll shout to the world that I had that idea and told my husband about it while eating out in Applebee's on Christmas Eve and he laughed at the idea not because it's crazy but because I am! :-) I told him to mark my words, it will be on the market one day.

Back to the drawing boards on how to become a millionaire...

Carseat fiasco!

2010-12-27T21:43:00.002-06:00

I've been meaning to post this rant but *gasp* have not had time to sit and properly write it out! I just feel like possibly it could save a life... A little one's life.

Way back when we first found out we were pregnant, I spent hours upon hours upon hours researching which car seat, stroller, wrap, crib, travel bed, etc. to get for our baby to come. I ended up deciding on the Chicco Keyfit 30 after hearing rave reviews from friends and reading all the wonderful safety features it has.

Little Miss was brought home from the hospital in this car seat. We began noticing a pattern though with each outing, the screams. We dreaded taking her anywhere as should would scream, not just a fussy get-me-out-of-here-scream but a blood curtailing scream of life or death scream. We hardly ever took the infant carrier out of the car, instead just took her out of the carrier and either carried her or put her in the Moby wrap to prevent the screams.

It was thanks to the Moby Wrap that I started connecting the dots... The instruction manual for the Moby has a warning section on ways to make sure your little one is safe while being carried in the wrap. One is that baby's chin does not rest on its chest for fear of cutting off airway and suffocating. I began noticing that no matter how we positioned Little Miss in the car seat or changed the base itself, her chin was always resting on her chest.

And then I watched her during a car ride while sitting next to her in the back seat... The first few minutes in the car seat were fine. She would fuss, give up and start drifting off to sleep. This is when it would start. She would awaken from sleep gasping for air in such a startled shock that it would be the heart wrenching screams that would follow. She would scream so much that it would wear her out and she would drift off to sleep again and thus the patter would continue. When I put two and two together we immediately ordered another car seat.

Instead of going with another infant carrier with all the same incline angles, we ordered a convertible that would allow us to manually adjust the incline for her needs. I took the new car seat to the Fire Station for them to install and inspect and was actually told to have Charles recheck it as he did such a fantastic job installing the infant carrier. She is riding pretty now in the Sunshine Kids Radian 80 in Primrose print.

It was such a night and day difference! Now, she'll fuss occasionally but most of the time rides beautifully either asleep or just looking around at what's going on. I still freak out as she's so quiet now in the car that I wonder if she's still breathing! I think it's scarred me for life! It is such night and day difference with her that my heart aches knowing that she suffered in what was supposed to be the safest place for her for 8 weeks! I am just so thankful that she is healthy and alert enough of a baby to indeed scream when she lost air supply. I do not want to even think about what would have happened had she not been healthy enough to cry so she would get oxygen!

So my caution to parents- Instead of believing that you just happen to have a child that hates the car seat and screams every time you go anywhere, make sure they are positioned properly and if not, get a new car seat! It was worth the extra money knowing she's now really truly safe in the car! Yes, some kids do just hate the car seat and that's okay once you have ruled out they are actually breathing properly in it. :-)

Merry Christmas Eve!

2010-12-24T21:34:00.002-06:00

I apologize for my lack of posting- I knew having an infant would be time consuming. What I didn't calculate in there was this whole moving thing too! Unpacking happens pretty much only when Little Miss is asleep, and not on me which is rare. I'm enjoying too much holding her while she's little and lets me. Watching her facial expressions as she dreams of who knows what. Knowing she is safe in her mommy's arms...

This night, we go to bed with a fresh bed of white snow on the ground and new flurries falling. It's beautiful. Her, and my, first White Christmas we will awaken to tomorrow! I'm so very thankful that this Christmas 2010, I have been blessed with the best present ever! Charles and I could not ask for more...

Here is our Little Miss {our nickname for her these days} at her two month home photo shoot! :-) She's such a squirmy worm that it's hard to get a photo without an arm or leg or hand or face blurred out. haha! We absolutely love watching her grow and thrive as she is!

From our family to yours- Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year!

What's for dinner?

2010-12-10T20:10:00.000-06:00

Needing an idea for something different to cook??? Lost Stork Foundation cookbooks have a collection of 263 recipes so surely you are bound to find something new to try!

By Christmas Day we are on countdown to sell 50 cookbooks! Just go to Lost Stork Foundation's website to purchase cookbooks! $10 + shipping!

As we countdown to Christmas Day for the cookbook sell off, we also keep those that are still waiting for their bundle in our thoughts and prayers during the particularly hard time of year that the holidays are. Enter over at My Hopeful Journey, her first blog giveaway, a delightful gift set for those going through infertility!

Wanting to be beautiful

2010-12-03T13:51:00.002-06:00

I look back on our 4 year infertility struggle and can see how much it impacted my self image. I've never been one that is caught up in fashion or makes sure my hair and makeup are always perfect before going out. Heck, I have never worn makeup unless necessary as it irritates my skin so bad. Although not a fashion diva, I dressed nice. Tried to wear nice clothes. When we first started trying for a baby, I felt womanly. I was excited that I would get to do the most womanly thing on earth. To have a baby. As the years went on, I felt like my womanly nature was absolutely gone. I began wearing t-shirts and jeans/comfy pants only. I should have just been a man for goodness sakes. I couldn't do the one thing God designed women to do, to be a mother. I could have cared less how I looked as it matched how I felt 99.9% of the time.

Throughout my pregnancy I felt beautiful. I certainly did not look it, but I felt it regardless. I was on this high of feeling her move inside me. Knowing this body that I once believed would never function properly for me to experience it, was indeed working as it was designed to. It's crazy. Even though I sprouted hair in places only men should, stretch marks happened, and my voice even dag gum changed, I felt beautiful.

Postpartum, I still feel beautiful- inside. Knowing that my body successfully carried to term a beautiful baby girl and delivered her amazingly puts me right back on cloud 9. I am so in love with being a mommy. I feel absolutely great. I want to feel beautiful outside too but gosh I need help! I want my husband to have "that look" when he looks at me like he did early on in our relationship. I don't want Charles to ever have reason to call me frumpy again. I want this extra hair to go away. The stretch marks I actually am not that bothered by. They remind me of the beautiful pregnancy I had. I want to put on clothes and feel beautiful outside too. I want my uterus to hurry up and get back to normal size so my tummy will stop being so jiggly. I want my hormones to regulate and my skin to clear back up. I know most of this takes time... I'm trying so hard to be patient but it's hard.

So I come asking for my fellow blogger friends, help! What are your tips and tricks for feeling beautiful outside as you do inside?

Couple photos, as requested... :-)

2010-12-01T20:54:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe how quickly time is passing by! Can we please press pause and let me soak up a bit longer my baby girl at this age exactly?!

And then we went yesterday to meet Santa Clause for the first time! She could have cared less but gosh darn is she not adorable!?

And that's our Christmas card this year... We've decided she trumps us anyday. haha!