Let the weaning begin...

I got news yesterday morning that I've been fully accepted into the PSW program that I applied for. My first day is in a little over a month. I have soooo many emotions.

 

I mean, my first thoughts were beaming smiles but the thoughts that followed were like a deer in headlights.

 

I've got so much to do to prepare myself and my family.

 

And when i say family? I mean James. And i mean weaning.

 

In all honesty, I feel so honored and privileged to have strictly breastfed for 15 months but... i need my body back now. Its been a while since its been all mine. Maybe I'm being greedy to some but ive met my personal goal. Which was at least a year. Im actually proud of us and that's what is important.

I know he could do it for a lot longer...maybe even until he was two. But i cant. He still doesnt sleep through the night and im starting full time school soon....in another city.

 

 

Our journey with breastfeeding is ending.

 

 

The memories and precious moments we've shared will be treasured for the rest of my life.

Ive gotten him down to just feeding for his nap and bedtime and the occasional little feed during the day....oh and obviously through the night whenever he wakes up. Which could be 1-2 times a night.

So he still nurses a lot. Ha.

 

First stop on the weaning train? ....

Middle of The Night Milkies = GONE

 

Lord help me.

 

22 of our Favourite Christmas Movies (Do you remember any of these?)

I don't know about you but I have some awesome Christmas memories as a kid. Some of the best, other than getting that doll you wanted SO badly, and never thought you'd get, was watching Christmas movies.


Remember VHS? Remember recording from the tv to a video? Yeah, that was pretty awesome. We had some classics recorded on video.


Here's some of my all-time favourites:

• How The Grinch Stole Christmas
• Home Alone
• Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer
• Frosty The Snowman
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Care Bears The Nutcracker
  
• The Christmas Raccoons (I loved this show even when it wasn't Christmas!)
• Christopher the Christmas Tree
• Annabell's Wish (This movie introduced my LOVE for Jersey Cows, and my dream of owning one. Don't judge me.)

 

 

• One Magic Christmas
• The Wish That Changed Christmas (25 minutes long but Oh So Sweet!)
• A Flintstone Family Christmas

I'm sure there's other classic that i'm forgetting, but those were my ultimate favorites! Here is some of Leah's favorite Christmas movies:

• The Polar Express
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Arthur Christmas
• Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas
• Frozen (obviously)
• Shrek The Halls
• The Santa Claus Trilogy
• Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas
• Mickey's Christmas Carol
• Rise of the Guardians

She really enjoys some of my favorite classics too, and obviously I enjoy the new(ish) ones. Needless to say, we watch a TON of Christmas movies!

What are your favourite Christmas movies? I'd love to add it to my list!


Merry Christmas friends!

 

 

Motherhood Rambling (whining)

Motherhood isn't always sunshine and daisies. At least for me. I kinda squint my eyes in wonder (and maybe a hint of sarcastic judgment) as I scroll through someone's "perfectly happy" Instagram life. Your sweet children are beautiful but all I can think is how the heck does she do it?

Some peoples "bad" days are my good days.

I just want to do this mom-thing right. I just want to raise good children, Godly children. That grow into people I'll be proud of. Is that too much? Is that unrealistic? Because most days im questioning this whole job.

Like, I'm doing it all wrong.

What do you hear during the day? The radio? The T.V? Nothing?!

I hear Backyardigans. All freaking day! Everyday. And then, I go to sleep and I see them. I dream, if I'm lucky enough to go into that deep of a sleep, and they are there. Five dancing little creatures.

Because If they aren't on the t.v. James has a conniption. He maybe watches it for a total of 1.5 hours a day, VERY on and off. But he HAS to have it playing. We have two movies. One that is 25 minutes and another that is 1.5 hours.

Yeaahhh.... Let me tell you. There's a lot of Backyardigan hours in a day. Believe me.

Also? How does one NOT go a little nuts with a child constantly on your leg and another whining in the background while Backyardigans play for the 8th time that day?

Going pee? Yeah... you're not alone. You're never alone. Like, everrrrr.

And I have two children. Reasonably spaced. Nothing crazy like a year or two. No, they are almost 4 years apart. And they still fight. My one year old has known how to pull hair to get his way since he was 9 months old. My almost-5-year-old = whining QUEEN. You ain't heard whining till you heard my daughter. And so, obviously, James has learned this skill as well. Guess what else she taught him. They both sit there shaking their heads no saying "uh uhn!"

I'm just saying.

I thought this mommy thing would be easier.

Children are beautiful, but man is it hard. Worth it, if you come out sane. Well, maybe if you don't come out sane, it's still worth it. But still.

Iv'e had a few days of "MOMMY MOMENTS"!! Pray for me.

Gratitude (or not) for the season.

I've been so filled and humbled by His grace lately. My heart has been so at peace.

Im sitting here, under my heated blanket with a fresh pair of knitted slippers on, sipping on my second cup of coffee and clutching my book, staring out the window.

God has been busy, intricately designing each beautiful snowflake and having them fall perfectly peaceful along the tree branches.

Although im not a fan of bundling up the kids (which could take 15 mins) or stuffing them into their carseats, scraping off ice, brushing off snow, cold toes, runny noses, freezing vehicles, slippery roads, road salt all over my boots, shoveling, copious amounts of snow brought into the house, ....

Where was i going with this? ....

Oh. Right. ALTHOUGH i don't like a lot of things about winter, i DO enjoy the cozy warm part. The outside looking in part.

But i am still so amazed at the beauty of it. And i praise God for His articulate,  holy hand.

Detox Diet Day 3 -- a new goal.





Okay, so I'm supposed to be starting day three of the GM Detox Diet. Except physical, I can't do it. I'm eating and taking in 8-12 glasses of water a day but I'm just too weak! That was one of the side affects of this diet but I didn't realize how bad it would be. Like, going up the stairs? My legs felt like I just did those same stairs 10 times. I could barely lift Leah into our Jeep. I also woke up in the middle of the night and I couldn't even hold onto my glass of water. Which, doesn't normally happen to me.

So, yeah, I guess you can call me a wimp or unmotivated or lacking will-power -- fine.

But?

Even just 2 days of this diet and I have a HUGE boost in motivation to eat healthier. I mean, I did go out and buy TONS of fruits and veggies. But it feels good to sit down and eat a bowl of sliced cucumber and tomatoes. Or snack on melon instead of Halloween candy. The only carbs that I've taken in was a yogurt and cranberry granola bar yesterday, because I felt like I was dying. Anyways, this excitement for a healthier lifestyle has me super excited. Excited to just be healthier.

Because I owe it to myself. I owe it to my family. I owe it to God.

I'm down one pound in two days. I can even see a change in my complexion, my eyes. And in just those two days I was able to realize how much junk and unneeded food I take in. Because I'm one of those people who cant see a half of my kids dinner go in the garbage, so I just "pick" at it. It's been hard but I've stopped doing that.

With my not finishing this 7-day detox I've come across a new goal, and that is to just be healthy. And I'm not going to beat myself up for this. I tried and I failed and I still succeeded.

I'm happy with that.

Also? HELLLOOOO COFFEE!

Detox Diet Day One

Okay so i did a lot of research on different diets and detoxes and i ended up going with this one. Im going to do a short update on here everyday about how im feeling, if im down in weight etc. to kind of hold me (a little more) accountable. SO! Look forward to daily updates for the next week!

Its known as the GM Diet. Its pretty straightforward and if you want to read more about it you can go here. I'll probably do a full review when im done. At least, that's the plan.

My day-one goal is to ingest all fruits, except bananas, and tons of water. Im pretty pumped about how well I've done so far. I also get to have their special "wonder soup" in unlimited amounts.

Why does produce have to be so expensive?! Why cant it be affordable for people to eat healthy? I mean, i didnt spend a whole lot more than what i usually do on groceries. But a lot of what i bought won't last an entire two weeks. We go shopping every two weeks. Most produce doesnt last that long.

Anyways. This is my Day-One update. Feeling good and excited for tomorrow! Veggie day!!

A Run-in With Head Lice

Ew.

That's my first thought when I hear "head lice". Tiny little bugs living on your scalp, laying eggs, feeding off your blood? Yeah, stay FAR away from me, thank you!

But then we get a phone call from Leah's school. She's got head lice. She needs to be picked up.

And...queue freak-out.

As soon as she came in the door she was beaming. Smiling from ear to ear, "Mommy, look at this! I got head lice. See, the bug is taped the paper, and an egg too!" Oh, their sweet innocence. They are so untainted from this evil world. This world of judging, name-calling, mean people. I wish it could always be that way. I was honestly expecting her to be more uncertain, nervous, or sad. I guess my kid is just a confident one.

I asked if I could have a look near her neck and she willingly bent her head over. The nits were clearly visible and I don't even know how I didn't notice anything. That's one thing I never understood with kids getting lice. How did the parents not even know? Do they not brush or do their kid's hair?

I bathe the kids 2-3 times a week depending on how busy we are. I do Leah's hair everyday. French braids, pigtails, buns, pony-tails, and I never noticed a thing. I didn't even notice itching!

I've personally never had head lice so I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. But with head lice in my home(!!), I felt extremely antsy and had to do something while I waited for Matt to come home on his lunch to pick up treatment. Here's what I did and what I suggest you do if you know your child has head lice:

• Put all couch cushions, blankets, throws etc. into the dryer for 35-40 mins. on high heat.
• Gather all hats, coats and either wash and dry or just dry for 35-40 mins as well.
• I also stripped Leah's bed of all bedding, pillows, stuffys, as well as the other beds in the house (just in case)
• What can't be put in the dryer, vacuum if you can. Otherwise put aside for 48 hours. Some people suggest placing things in garbage bags for 48 hours but it doesn't matter. Lice can't live off of the scalp.
• Collect any bath towels they recently used and place in the laundry. I gave Leah a new towel each time her hair was washed.
• Make sure they wear different pyjamas every night.
• Boil hair brushes and combs
• And lastly, give them a hug and kiss because yes, they can transfer from head to head but they cannot fly or jump and giving them some love will definitely make the both of you feel better

Once we got the treatment (we used Resultz Head Lice Treatment, which I highly recommend) I bathed Leah and did it with her still in the bath. Basically you soak the head and let it sit for 10 mins then wash out with shampoo. Afterwards, she got in jammies and we sat to the kitchen table. She had a snack and I combed her hair and went through it with the lice comb, removing the eggs (nits). Im going to say she had about 50 eggs max. And honestly, that might sound like a lot but its totally not (they can lay between 10-50 eggs a day). I found ZERO bugs.

 

She had to stay home for 24 hours and the night before she was to return to school she got in the bath again so I could wash the rest of the oily residue out. I went through her head again and only found 2 eggs. SO YAY!! That means no mature lice laying eggs. (I think we caught it early enough!)

 

I'm going to continue going through her head every night before bed since the eggs are so small, chances of missing some are high. And in 7 days she's due for another treatment. 

**Some other suggestions:

•  Tea Tree shampoo! Lice hate it. Only use a small amount though, it dries out the scalp. I used a little too much on Leah and she was itchy from dry skin :(   
• Once you're done combing through hair, braid it and use hair spray.

This wasn't a great experience but it was an experience nonetheless. I can now take better precautions to prevent it in the future. It's obviously something I don't wish upon you, but if you ever find yourself in the situation I hope you find these tips helpful!

Boy's Best Friend

Back in July we got to bring home our newest family member. A sweet, cuddly, energetic little Australian Shepherd. We picked her out when she was just a week old. This adorable little face captured us.

We made visits until she was ready to come home with us. Leah had no idea about her. It was a surprise until a couple days before we picked her up. 

She is the most loveable dog, right from the start. She spent the entire drive home curled up on my shoulders between the headrest. 

I knew these dogs were knows for the good behaviour with children as well as their intelligence. I didn't realize the bond that would develop immediately between her and James. It's like they were littermates or something. He spends a lot of the day just laying on her, petting her, laughing at her or hanging out in her crate. And she is incredibly patient and gentle with him. Its amazing and beautiful and something that I'm sure will last for as long as she lives. He has a true best friend right here.

 

Beating Boredom This Season

I can't believe the cold weather is here again! It's Fall! Almost Winter! Well, it feels like Winter some days anyway. Doesn't it seem like it wasn't that long ago that we finally got rid of the snow?

Although this tends to be my favourite season, with its beautiful leaves, my birthday (heehee), Halloween and comfy clothes, it's usually the most boring season. With colder weather brings more days of being stuck inside. The kids go stir crazy (okay, okay. I go stir crazy.) But this means I have to come up with things to keep me busy. Keep us busy.

Here's an idea of some things on my list to keep us away from boredom:

1. Crochet.
Every Fall/Winter I tend to try out crocheting. Sometimes I'm successful. Last year I made a couple baby hats for when James was born. And a hat for Leah. Although they were super cute they all ended up being too small. Huge bummer. The year before I attempted a pillow. haha. It's stuffed and stays hidden on our bed (And it will never leave the bedroom). I suppose each year I'm getting better.

2. Crafts.
Pinterest got me all ambitious.

3. Bake! I love baking! And I haven't been doing any lately. I got an itch to bake something.

4. Workout.
I really need to get in shape again. I'm secretly hoping it'll get give me energy as well.

5. Spend more one on one time with the children.
The summer months, Leah tends to be so absent from home. She's just constantly outside. And then school starts up and I'm still not seeing much of her. So basically, its just one on one time with her that I'm craving. I miss that special time with her.

Let's see where this list gets me. Maybe I'll actually accomplish stuff? Haha

I Went and Got Snarky. Oops.



I've got this lady on Facebook who uploads close to 40 photos a day of her two children. Half of them are the same, just different expressions. The other half show all kinds of new things they get daily. Toys, hair clips/headbands, a scooter, a helmet, running shoes, a dress, clothes etc. It's extremely excessive.

I'm sure you know the kind of people I'm talking about.

This morning I went on Facebook to find yet another forty-something photos added to her "Halloween 2014" album. I couldn't help but comment:

"WOW!! Halloween?? ....Christmas must of come early at your place! This girl gets new stuff every day! She has tons of frozen stuff! Lol and i thought Leah was spoiled. She's one extremely lucky girl."

 

Snarky? A little.
Rude? Maybe.
Necessary? No, not really.

Her photos and the obscene amount of things she gets given is just annoying. It's compulsive. It's extreme. And frankly, there's no need of it. I don't usually like to stir things up and cause drama but this is just plain irritating. I mean, I like to get Leah new things. A new toy here and there or a trip to the corner store to pick out some goodies, but I don't go full out nuts. 

Yeah, sometimes it's exciting, getting to re-live some childhood fun, buying new toys, but when is it enough?

Christmas for example, Leah usually gets spoiled. My family sends a package for her with presents, my mom usually has a mini Christmas over at her place for her, then "Santa" comes, and Boxing Day we are usually with Matt's family who gives her a little something too. Her birthday is just a week later so maybe its just the incredible amount of "stuff" that December brings. 

 

Anyways, I'm going to admit, half of what she gets given she barely plays with. It sits in her room or in the basement not getting played with. Maybe some kids play with everything that they've been given but my daughter doesn't. She's not a home-body though either...she spends a lot of time outside.

But how in the world can the kids even find time to play with all that stuff? I find its just a waste. A waste of money and space.

This whole situation reminded me of this scripture:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 

 

Why not use that money to put into a savings account or just put aside for their schooling? Or use it to buy something for a child whose family can't afford it.

This year we are filling a shoebox with some things like hygiene items, school supplies, toys, and candy. It gets sent to hurting children around the world. You can find out more about here. I'm looking forward to spreading the love of God and teaching Leah all about the joy in giving. I would rather her be more glad to give than to get.

That's a hard characteristic to come across.

 

Mom's Night Out

Lets just be brutally honest. And i know theres probably a zillion and one posts out there about this but i just wanna get this out. Because often times, its satisfying and even gratifying to hear about someone doing just a bad or worse than you are. Admit it, thats what you're looking for when you turn to social media to vent. You dont want people telling you it will all be okay in 5 years. Or a "hugs!! Hang in there" (YOU HAVE NO IDEA, SHUT IT, LADY!) You want someone to tell you how bad THEY have it, then you realize that your situation is not actually all that bad.

 

Its no lie that being a mother is the hardest job out there. And being a stay-at-home-mom, you barely ever get a break. There's always laundry to be washed, toys to be cleaned up off the floor, surfaces sanitized, floors swept/mopped/vacuumed, diapers to be changed, baths to be given, food to be made, screaming or fighting children to attend to etc. etc.

 

Its REALLY hard. REALLY stressful. REALLY exhausting.

This is daily life for me.

 

I love my kids. And i, too, feel like there's no one out there that loves their children as much as i love mine.

 

But i have my moments. These terrible ugly awful moments where i feel like a monster. Like the meanest person. The most impatient mother ever. And i pray and i pray and i pray. All. The. Time. And i take it day by day.

 

A lot of times i refer back to scripture and just sit and talk to God. And i recite James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

 

A few night's ago my husband and i sat down to watch a movie and decided on Mom's Night Out with Sarah Drew from Grey's Anatomy.

 

 

I seriously love that woman. Her acting, her faith, her hair (is amazing - always!!). Shes just very beautiful and extrmely talented. And this movie was completely and hilariously perfect. She portrayed a stressed out mother of three VERY well. I could relate to this woman so easily and im sure so many other women can as well. I highly recommend it. The ending was beautiful. Very touching and very profound. I love that it was a Christian movie and it was decent enough for me to sit down and watch with my daughter (i havent). Its not a children's movie but its alao not a movie that i would be uncomfortable with like most movies/tv shows.

I don't want to give too much away in respect to the people who haven't seen it. There were tons of good, encouraging lines in this movie, but one of my favourites was this:

 

 

And that's that. Just a great movie and a reminder that we can do anything through Christ who strengthens us.

Amen.

...now I have to go clean my bathroom before my baby wakes up. :)



I took a hiatus. Here's a brief Life Lately post.

I've been completely absent the last 5 months. But looking back on those five months... its been great. So many things have happened. We've done so many things. I'm not even going to start listing them all because it would take too long, and time is not something I'm very generous with. I'm pretty greedy with it actually.

But anyways. Back to what's been up. Life lately.

We recently got back from a beautiful vacation in Newfoundland with family. Just the kids and I went while my husband stayed home, working (bless him).



We were blessed with amazing weather the entire time.



So, Halloween. It kind of snuck up on me this year. Leah's been nagging to be a Lalaloopsy doll. She's not even that into them. She just thinks the wig is amazing. Well, She's not being a Lalaloopsy doll (sorry kiddo). Honestly, I'm convincing her to wear one of her dress-up dresses and call it a deal. OR maybe I can whip up a little something from the dollar store for them. I don't even know. I've got three days though. Ha.

Oh, and I'm also not on the ball with the pumpkins. I magically grew a pumpkin plant this year that only produced two small pumpkins and that's all we have. We didn't even carve them. I got the kids to paint them. Seriously, 10 minutes and it was done. The clean up was pretty sweet too. So I call that a win.

What are your kids being for Halloween? I'm curious how many Anna and Elsa's there's going to be.

Today's Treasures

The crisp, cool nighttime air. Fog laying low between trees. Its been raining all day and the earth is soaked with cloud water.

The breeze breathing through my open window. A busy road remains busy nearby. Sounds of transport trucks' tires slicing through puddled laneways.

The sky is an orange-kind-of-grey, keeping the stars hidden from our eyes. And I breathe in that chilly nocturnal air.

I smell the rain before I hear it but I listen for it anyway. The steady tiny drumming on the rooftop. Generously and faithfully nourishing the earth.

One does not need to hear the rain to know that it is there. One simply needs to inhale the fresh and poignant perfume of life. The waters of Noah dispersing here and there.

And just like Noah's waters a memory floods my mind. Driving from the farthest West to the farthest East. Nine days traveled and a dozen 7 year-old memories saved. 

The journeys and adventures God has guided me through are what makes appreciating life's details so easy. The memories He's helped create are constant reminders of today's treasures.

7 Months!

James is 7 months old! Now that the warm, beautiful weather is here I'm really looking forward to being outside more. He loves the outdoors! And gosh how I've missed the fresh air. The sunshine. What a long, cold winter we had. Leah is thrilled for this weather too, she's already gotten a sunburn! :( Now she doesn't leave the house without sunblock and a hat.

Some things im beginning to work on with James?
* cutting down on the number of feeds
* cutting out nighttime wake-ups all together

He's so close to crawling and can pull himself up to his knees holding onto things. Also, he weighs 22.2 lbs now!! Fewf!!

Happy 7 month birthday sweet boy!

One Year Married!

If you're not in the mood for sappy...move on. heh heh

One year ago, it was the most beautiful day in April. This year, I think its the coldest. Either way, it will always be the most beautiful day. One year ago, in front of God and our most closest friends and family, we officially went from being two to one. Bound together. Heart and soul. Forever. And ever. Although we've actually been together for 6 1/2 years, this day is still so special. And I love him now as much as I always have.

This year has been an amazingly blessed one. And I am so grateful. I thank God profusely for this man. This good hearted, easy going, mostly positive man. He's my hero and my rock. His arms know a good workin', how to use a rifle and throw grenades, and how to hold his babies. In his arms is the safest place I can ever be.

Thank you for making me your wife, Matthew. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'll choose you again and again.

(April 15, 2013)

I have a 6 month old!

Yes, it's gone fast, but yet, it hasn't. It feels like it's been 6 months. But when I think that's half way to ONE? I get a little sad. My big baby sort of robbed me of the tiny stage. He was never tiny haha. I don't miss the newborn-ness, not really. Not yet. James still wakes up 4-5 times a night and he still relies on us completely so I'm not at that stage yet. Although, it does seem like forever since Leah was a baby. I suppose that's the reality. They aren't actually babies for long.

This month has been crazy though. We made a trip to the hospital for his cough and the ER Dr. said he had Bronchiolitis. He got a puffer and yucky syrup. And thank you LORD, he is finally well!! Also, he got two teeth! (I think I'll need a whole other post for my opinion on the Amber Teething Necklaces.)


He weighs 21.5lbs! (uh, what?... Leah only weighs 34 haha)
He still doesn't roll over but he sits very well and almost never falls over.
He's been on table food for about a month now too. Some bottled baby food like strawberries and carrots and sweet potatoes. But also some "real deal" meals. My mom has an awesome food processor and just purees up a bunch of stuff for him and he LOVES it.
I was at the Doctor today and I brought up how often he feeds (at least every 2 hours) and she mentioned that perhaps he is using me as a "human pacifier". Which is probably the case. Probably why he is up 4 times a night.

I am just so excited for the warm weather to start so we can all just sit outside and play in the grass (and pick it out of a drooling baby mouth).

Happy Half-a-Year Birthday my sweet boy!!

Learning Letters and Such

As a small kid, my third home was the library (first being my own, second being my grandmother's). I remember the small chairs, the little table with the built in cubby in the center that held some children's books. I remember the bean bag chairs, the stuffed animals from classic stories lining the book shelves. I remember the dirty yellow carpeted floor (oh how interior design has changed - thank goodness!). I remember the smell; musty, wood, paper, and occasionally oranges. But that smell. That smell. The one that permeates from the pages of old authors into every library.

And this just came to me: my love for books, just like my love for Jesus was present and rooted in me at the earliest age. Funny how glimpses of your adulthood can be seen in certain childhood moments.

Every parent wants their child to be a reader. But, being a reader myself I feel like its crucial. To be able to sit down and have the rest of the world fade away while you dive in and swallow up a good book? Its a great feeling; relaxing, distracting, stress-relieving. Important. Imagination expanding.

So, I've been really working with Leah on her Alphabet and writing. We've started weekly Library visits where she spends about a half hour on the computer, and maybe 15-30 minutes playing with the trains. Obviously those things are distracting. Things my library never had when I was a child. But while she does this, I walk around and pick out books. Sometimes we cuddle up together in a chair and read a short story.

One that we just borrowed that she is really enjoying is My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannet. She told me she had a dream about it last night. Its a small chapter book. I love old classics.

 

Another of her favorites is No, David! by David Shannon. She thinks this book is so funny and loves the faces he makes.

 

***

About a month ago, Leah didn't completely know her ABC's. She forgot half of them and mixed up the other half. I came up with an idea to do some fun things that involved letters to help her. I made giant cut-outs of letters and let her stick foam letters on and stickers of words that started with that letter. We also started making an Alphabet-print book where I use her hand or foot to create a picture of something starting with a certain letter.

I also went to the dollar store and bought her some foam letters for the bath tub and an ABC Garanimals game. I picked her up a couple work books from Wal-Mart too. So, yes I spent some money but since I started all this, she knows her ABC's, and can pick out certain letters when asked. She's interested in writing too. And this says spending the little bit of money was worth it. She's learning, and loves it.

I hope she grows up to love words.

Winter Can be Over Now

 

Winter. Bleh.

This Winter has seemed like the longest winter ever. Near the end of Fall Matt had said "I want to get a bunch of snow this year, like we used to get when we were kids".  Be careful what you wish for! We got it.

It was nice to finally have a white Christmas and be able to make a pretty awesome snow fort. And although Winter is almost (should be) over, we have yet to go sledding or make a snow man. But with the amount of snow we have? There's still time for that.

I don't hate Winter. It has it's moments of beauty and fun (occasionally), and every time it snows I watch for a long while, appreciating every snowflake. The uniqueness of every one, slowly falling from "the heavens". But? Still, I'm kind of over it.

It is hard lugging a 20+ lb. car seat out of a Jeep (that even I have troubles getting into sometimes) into the cold Winter air, walking through snow. Or the snow pants and snow boots. Every single morning. That's, like, five whole minutes longer it takes us to get ready to leave.

And the sickness. Oh, the sickness. Running noses, coughs, whiney babies. Sickness has not left our house since this cold weather hit. It has not let up. Poor James has been sick the whole 5 months of his life so far, pretty much. But, of course, I am grateful and thankful that this is all my children suffer from. I know there are parents out there sitting in a hospital room somewhere with their terminally ill children, eagerly waiting morning. And I think of them, and pray for them. Because, I can't even begin to imagine.

The wind is howling loud now and the trees are swaying, snow is falling and blowing so you see only white. And I just want health in this home.

 

  

Been Busy Bakin'

I love my sweets and homemade goods! But I haven't really been one to do it myself. I didn't even cook most nights, but I'll blame a newborn for that. We mostly ate quick things I could throw in the oven or something I could throw together in a dish and pop in the oven. Or pizza.

But lately? My oven has been getting spoiled. [speaking of which...I should probably clean it.] I've been baking lots of yummy Banana Blueberry Buttermilk Bread and muffins! So, so good!

 

Its kind of a family thing, since my great-grandmother, as far as I know. But I'm sure even before that. Homemade bread! By hand, not a bread maker. The old-fashioned way. The best way! I've never made it before so my mom came over to teach me the techniques. And lets just say it's MUCH harder than it looked growing up. But I'll be definitely getting her over here more so I can be just as good as her. We tried something for the first time though (my idea, obviously -cheese!), we made a cheese loaf. I also put some of the dough aside for a homemade, cheese-stuffed-crust pizza! Go ahead, drool. I won't judge. My house has been smelling heavenly!

 

 

And, I've also given the good 'ol Lactation cookies a shot. They turned out so so good. I'm now a new rolled oats fan. The recipe made so many cookies (48), I ended up freezing some. Although, that didn't make them last any longer. They were still all gone in less than 2 weeks. :)



My newest attempt? Cinnamon buns! Also from scratch. Also mouth wateringly delicious. Pretty simple too. Just look how pretty these are...

 

 

Tortillas! Not in the oven, but still, from scratch! And that's huge for me, especially with another baby...rolling out paper thin pieces of dough and frying it up in a pan. But they really are yummy and pretty! I don't think I'll buy the expensive store kind anymore - as long as I can help it anyways.

 

 

 

I'm kinda loving the whole baking-homemade-from-scratch thing! And I plan on doing it as much as I possibly can from here on. So you might just see more posts of my delicious successes!

 

4 AND 5 Month Update (oops!)

Life has been all kinds of hectic here lately. We've been sick (who hasnt been?). Matt worked 31 days in a row and most weeks pushing 55+ hours.

Also? Ive been cooking! Ha. Yeah, that New Year goal of mine is happening. We've been trying new recipes for suppers and baking cookies and tortillas. All kinds of fun stuff. More on that later. Back to my baby:

So, at his two month check up he was over 16 lbs. At his (late) 4 month check up only days away from him turning 5 months, he was over 19lbs and 27.5" long. Biiiiiig boy. It is so so relieving to know he is getting enough to eat and growing steadily. He has had a cold for a while now with broncitis prior to that. He's been put on antibiotics again now for a sinus infection (hes been getting bloody noses), although we are 7 days in and he's still getting dry bloody crusties in his. He sleeps with a humidifier so im not sure if this is something I should be concerned about since its cold and dry these winter months. For the last month though he has been the crankiest most grumpy baby. Its frustrating to say the least. For a few days he was terribly gassy but now he seems fine, just whiney. I think he's just about to cut his first tooth.

He has started to sort of roll over from his tummy to his back, only a few times. He seems content with not moving from his back though. He coos and chats up a storm. He can also sit up on his own now, although he will occasionally still topple over. His favorite person is Leah. Also, still waking up every 2-3 hours a night. He's a chatter box too. Sometimes when I put him back in bed he coos for another 20 mins. I love it.

He really truly loves his sister. And she really truly loves him. He lights up becomes a different baby when shes here.

I love being their mom. And most days I feel so complete with this family God has entrusted me with.

I cant believe he is almost a half a year old! Seriously. 

New Year Ambitions

New Year Resolutions are always so cliché. Lose weight, get healthy, get fit etc. etc. There's nothing wrong with it but I'm just not going to set the same goals that I strive to accomplish every. single. year.

2014 is going to have to be awfully juicy to live up to the amazingness that was 2013. I mean, I got pregnant, engaged, married, my little girl started school and had a birthday, and we had our sweet baby James and more. It was filled with so many amazing memories. I'm really just so thankful that 2014 is here and we are all happy and healthy (as far as I know... despite baby Bronchitis).

My new year ambitions are (in no particular order):

• that we do more things as a family
• read more books
• write a book
• spend less time on cell phones
• have more date nights... okay, okay...have a date night
• worry less
• be more patient
• get more massages
• trim some belly fat 
• read more of the Bible
• spend more time with God
• eat out less and cook more (I'm too lazy)

Let's see how much of this I can accomplish. Welcome 2014!!

 

My 3 Month Old Has Bronchitis

Three months new. Thats all he is.

It all started with a common cold. My cold. Then a stomach flu swept through our house. Luckily that skipped over James. With my cold still lingering even after the flu, my antibody casualties were probably at an all time high. Maybe thats why he got my cold...I didn't have enough antibodies to share, to help him. Or maybe he just got it. But it makes more sense to me this way. Why else did his little body not get the highly contagious stomach bug? Whatever. He got sick anyway.

But then the cough became more than a typical cough.

He started gagging when he coughed. More and more. I'm really not one to rush off to the doctor at the first sign of a cold, even though my mom always insists. It usually and almost always is just that. A cold. Something they get over. Grin and bear it. But when he started to gag and gag and cough at the same time, and turned dark red, I started to get concerned. He couldn't catch his breath. I wasn't sure if it was just the way he was coughing but I knew it wasnt right. And the next morning we were off to the doctor.

Going in I really didn't expect anything, but I was hoping the doctor could do something for his cough. For the chest congestion. The doctor seemed so relax and procedural (not our family doctor). Then he says "Bronchitis". It might not be a big thing to you, and ive never even had it myself, but I know what it is. And I wasnt expecting it. I was floored. And thats probably where my heart had fell to as well.

The doctor prescribed antibiotics and suggested I get a cool mist humidifier, so I did. This is something that he will always be more prone to getting now.

The poor little guy is also lucky enough to be teething, and bad. Red cheeks, drool for days, more poops, more cranky.More hard to please.

We are on our fourth day fighting this thing. And I haven't seen an improvement. He's still having coughing/gagging/hard to breathe episodes. I still wish I could just breathe for him. Cough for him. Clear his throat. He looks at me and knows I'm his Mama. I take care of him. I'm his. And I'm doing all that I can do. But its so hard not being able to do more.

Please pray for him. :)