Bacon Bit #2 - 28 weeks!

How far along: 28 weeks

This week, baby is the size of an: An eggplant 

Gender: Boy boy boy!

Due date: August 20th

Quality of sleep:  It's getting more uncomfortable. Ian and I have been going to bed too late lately so I'm not getting as much sleep as I'd like, but taking naps here and there helps. 

Best moment this week: A few early mornings this week I couldn't fall back asleep because he was moving so much... so I stayed awake day-dreaming about him, praying for him and enjoying him tumbling around. For the first time since 12/12/12 (finding out we were expecting) it started to feel real. 

Food cravings/aversions: My favorite lately are PB & J's. That was lunch yesterday and breakfast this morning. I'm also loving honey dew melon and I want asparagus something fierce! Dinner tonight, steaks on the grill, asparagus and some pasta. YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM. Is it 6 yet!?

Movement: Yes! Due to my placenta being right in front this time it took longer for me to feel movements, let alone strong movements. Within the past 2 weeks or ago they've definitely picked up and I love it.  

How's Mama: I'm trying to think of another word to describe myself right now other then tired :) my mind want's to do so many things but my body is like "eh? nah!" I've been asking the Lord for more energy and keeping committed to my prenatal's, probiotics and magnesium has helped. I've been feeling willing to use up all my energy hanging with Aubi and taking her places. In the past month or two we've been to the zoo a few times, got her a sandbox this she likes to stick her toes in. We've gone on lots of "bike rides" which is really me pushing her on her bike, the library, parks and grandparent visits. I like to keep us outside, and as busy as we can handle while Ian's at work. 

What I'm looking forward to: Sooooo looking forward to the next few weeks of Ian being on a break from school. We plan to make progress on the landscaping and HOPEFULLY get a new kitchen floor :) Next week I have another ultrasound to check a concern my midwife has, nothing serious, I'm not worried but it's an awesome excuse to see baby again :)

Thanks for reading :)

(Remember if you'd like to comment, do so on here as opposed to Facebook, thanks all!)

Update post #2

Aubi lately...

Her favorite thing right now is books. She likes pretending to read them to me, Ian, and her babies. They're her 'Green Eggs & Ham,' she likes them in the car, in her bed, in the wagon, while riding her bike, at the store or in the tub, she likes books everywhere! Lately we've been talking about the pictures in the books because I'm getting pretty drained of the same stories. Her favorite right now is easily "Cuddle" which I don't find all that special but she loves it. Ian told me one of his daddy secrets and now I've caught on... each page has asks her to "find" something, or he points to things and has her say it. With Cuddle there's a little boy talking about cuddling different animals and Ian has Aubrie point to the boys shoe, or his eye or the skunk, or make a tiger sound. She likes it and she's learning, double win.

Speaking of learning, I've been trying to be intentional with exploring age appropriate material (I plan to do a separate post about her 'tot school' soon, stay tuned!). Her favorite number is nine, as we walk the stairs to her bedroom I count them for her and she thinks you count like this: "1...2...9....5....9....9....9....10!" Just thinking about her little voice saying niiiiiine makes me smile. I've been trying to be pretty intentional about pointing to items and calling them by their names and asking Aubi to repeat them... I know I'm bias but I think she's doing great :)

Some of her favorite words are: Tar (guitar), book, Bible, hew (shoe), wa wa (water), car, nana (banana), baby, cuddle, ummm, cower (color), keys, teef (teeth), pease (please), bike, and her name, she says it so clearly. Aw-bRee. Lately she's been saying "Aubrie B" which I find adorable! The standard mama, daddy, yeah and no are said too many times a day to count. She switched within the past few days from "Dada" to "Daddy." Ian loves it! It's been really cool to watch Ian enjoy being a daddy to her. He asks her for kisses all the time, usually after a few she'll say "Nooooo!" He keeps track of her babies, compliments her hair and tells me which dresses her likes most on her. Listening to him read to her, sing to her, pray for her, talk to her melts my heart. She is so lucky to have an awesome daddy. After she gets dressed in the morning or I do her hair or she colors a picture she toddles over to Ian to show him, awaiting his approval. His role is so important and by God's grace he's loving Aubrie (and me!) so well.

Lastly on a more somber note... Aubrie weaned herself. I was totally emo about it... and even cried a few times. I've researched a bit that around the sixth month of pregnancy it's common for moms milk to dry up or because of the hormones the taste changes - leading baby to self wean. Maybe the hormones did affect the taste but either way, I completely dried up. She still asks to comfort nurse a little bit here and there but there's no milk. I'm thinking maybe when my milk comes back in with Levi she'll start up again, not likely but well see! If you recall the awful time I had in the beginning (here) with nursing and the toddler nursing I researched (here) it was definitely bittersweet to see it come to an end. I'm so thankful for the 15 months I was able to nurse and learned SO much from it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Oh wait, in 3 months I will ;-)

That's the Aubi recap from the past few months, thanks for reading!

Update post #1

It's been months, I'm lame. Truthfully this blog is not even on my top 10 priorities but tonight I realized I enjoy looking back on it and maybe a few people care about what's going on in our lives and so I thought I'd start a series of updates. I've decided on a series of updates to avoid me sitting at the computer for 2+ hours compiling the longest blog post ever.

So we left off in March with me crocheting hats and wondering about the gender of Bacon Bit #2... Well, it's a boy! I was so surprised, just thinking about it gets me all geeked again. The ultrasound tech even said to me "You know, there's always a 50% chance." I was so sure we were going to have another girl and didn't believe the women when she announced "Definitely a boy!" I was honestly a bit apprehensive at first. Now, a few months removed from that awesome ultrasound day, I'm ecstatic!

I can't believe That's our Bacon fam. Dad, mom, Aubi and baby boy. Here's the ultrasound pic, just to show you how evident it is, he's a he.

Look for a minute and I think you'll see quite clearly! Even better then finding out his gender was to hear that he was measuring just right and seemingly in perfect health. That was an awesome day. We went back and forth for some time with what we'll call him. We had a name for a few weeks, then changed it, then played with names all over again and unless a serious change of heart comes along he is Levi Gideon Bacon. 

We'll call this update 1, maybe I'll continue on tomorrow, if time and energy allow. Thanks for reading. 

P.s., if you're desiring to leave a comment (which you should because I LOVE reading them and they encourage me greatly) please leave it on here and not on Facebook, I'd prefer to direct traffic here :) Thanks!

Spring time in the Bacon home

The past few days have been beautiful, we've been to 3 different parks, downtown for a stroll and a nice walk around our neighborhood. The girl loves her bike and mama loves being out of the house. Maybe if your a southern Cali folk you'd still consider it dreary and cold, but to me it seems as if winter has left; to hear birds chirping and rays of sunshine peaking even the slightest is such a relief!

I decided to take a break from the blanket I was crocheting and work up a quick hat for the girl. It's a perfect spring hat and she loves it. The pattern won the 2013 Crochet Design Wars and was written by my dear friend from Frayed Knot. I think I'll make one for myself next and maybe some Christmas gifts many months from now?

We're also trying our hand at some veggies this year. Here's the girl displaying their growth. She's such a good listener (so far) with not sticking her little fingers in the soil and has only tugged one on 1 cucumber leaf. 

Ian and I are crazy about spices and herbs, they can make or break an entire dish. So in addition to some veggies, we're hoping to grow a few herbs this year. Ian also has begun to make his own homemade salsa... imagine some home grown tomatoes with fresh cilantro - oh my word. Sounds perfect! I decided we'd try and grown our herbs in mason jars indoors (at least for now). We don't have safe enough windowsills with a 14 months old on the prowl for new discoveries so I crocheted a mason jar cozy that'll hopefully allow enough light passage and placing it in the correct window will yield us some herbs. This is the first of many (I hope) hanging herbs in our East facing window. I should be planting the seeds this week!

 That's all for now, off to go get the girl baptized. More on that later, maybe :)

Bacon Bit #2 - 16 weeks!

How far along: 16 weeks

This week, baby is the size of an: An avocado

Gender: Next time I do a pregnancy update we'll know... yay!

Due date: August 20th

Quality of sleep:  I've been sleeping very nicely, it's been nice.

Best moment this week: Deciding on a girls name, if baby is a she we've got the name part covered, the clothes part, the girlish toys part, basically all things. If baby is a boy then we still got some work to do :) 

Food cravings/aversions: Glad to say the Oreo kick has slightly been fought off.. besides the Oreo cheesecake Ian and I made the other day, oops! Other then that I've really been enjoying cucumbers and bell peppers. What have I been grossed out by...? I don't know, it changes every day.  

Movement: I think but I'm not sure. I'm waiting for the "Oh wow, he/she just kicked!" 

How's Mama: I'm doing well, a little bummed my favorite jeans are becoming unwearable but SO glad for the sunshine the past few days. Very thankful my headaches are not as strong or frequent as they were a few weeks ago. 

What I'm looking forward to: More sunshine! And getting Aubrie baptized Sunday :)

Ian said "Aubrie give the baby is mama's belly a kiss." Too sweet! 

What's new...

It has been quite some time. With being mama, wife, wannabe crafter and pregnant that doesn't leave much blogging time! We've been through quite the few weeks but as always, come out remembering the faithfulness of our God and seeing His blessings and feeling sanctification all over.

As far as reading goes... I finished "Pushed" by Jennifer Block, I mentioned I was reading that a few months back. It was quite the read, very text book-ish, I think I mentioned that already but it stayed true to that format which was okay by me. The end took a plummet I thought, with the author's feminist undertones but the overall message was spot on. I found myself wishing it wasn't a library book a few times so I could highlight or underline a couple paragraphs. I would in-fact recommend this book to expecting mamas, it aids in asking tough questions and following where the information leads - despite popular belief. Check it out from your library or buy it at a local bookstore. I'm also reading through the book of Acts and slowly Genesis. I am baffled by Peter's prayer for further boldness. As I read the accounts of Peter's ministry I think "can he get more bold?" yet there is he praying to be bolder, still. Then Genesis, oh my, what's blown me away the past few weeks is this small sentence... "And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." The immense grace the Lord shows to Adam and Eve following the fall astounds me. They had just displayed their lack of trust in God's word and as a result disobeyed, allowing sin to enter the world. Not long after curses fall upon Satan, man and women does God kill the first animal to cloth his children. God shed the first blood of an animal to provide, protect and love those who just disregarded Him. I could go on about the volumes this sentence and the entire story of the fall is doing to me but I won't. Instead I'll end with 1 last thing, learning the Old Testament, reveals God's character, standards and sovereign grace in such a way that without it the blood of Christ is not as rich or satisfying.

As far as crafting goes... I haven't been in the basement much to sew, I've been down there to rinse out poopy diapers and switch loads though. I did sew Aubrie a beanbag! I wanted to see if it'd be something she's interested in yet and she's not. So I only made one and figured I'd try to introduce them again later haha! Crocheting is going wonderfully though. I am loving it! I started to make myself a cowl as you can see...

And about 10 minutes after this decided I wanted to use the yarn for something else and unraveled it completely! What I want to use the yarn for, I have no idea but I didn't want to cowl anymore and considered it good practice following a pattern and getting more comfortable with the few stitches it required. Instead I embarked on a different crocheting journey... boots for Aubrie!

This was me all geeked I finished the sole and sent a picture to my friend Jonna. I finished them a few days later and could not, for the life of me, get a good picture. Let alone one with her wearing them! So the picture doesn't do them justice but they are DANG CUTE!

Aubrie likes them, especially trying to pull off the flowers, like I put them on there as a challenge for her. I'm not sure if you can tell via the picture but the sides have pull up slots in them to get them on easier. I love them and can't wait to make more things for my girl. Which leads me to my next project... a blanket for Aubi. The blanket she sleeps under every night in her crib has, hate to say it, stains from previous diaper leakage and no matter how many times I was it, they stay. So it's the perfect timing for me to make her a new one! my friend Jonna (who I mentioned earlier) just released her first blanket pattern (Frayed Knot - check her out!). I bought it and plan to start her blanket anytime now. I'm not going with the blue like Jonna did, but rather eggshell, light and dark purple - to match Aubi's room. I hope she loves it and I'm sure it'll be sometime until I finish so check back to see my progress :)

Lastly....

As far as pregnancy goes... Can I say headache?! With Aubrie I didn't have a single one. With Bacon bit #2 over here, every stinkin' day. I actually had my midwife appointment today and she gave me some tips, hopefully they work or else... I'll have to take some stupid medicine and I really really dis-like that. Even though I don't have a belly shot, although the belly is growing, I'll post the info...

How far along: 14 weeks

This week, baby is the size of an: A lemon (aw!)

Gender: My convincing Ian to be surprised was an epic fail. Although I assured him it's a she based on the very vivid dream I had last night where I delivered our baby and pulled her up, took a look and saw she was a she! I was so excited. 

Due date: August 20th

Quality of sleep: I love sleep. Always have, always will. 

Best moment this week: There are two... trying to explain to Aubi there's a baby in mama's bell so she can nurse by laying on my belly. She just looked at me weird and I said "Aw Aubi it's a baby in mama's belly, be niiiiiiice, give the baby a kiss," and she kissed my tummy. Too cute! Also today when we met with the midwife and she used the doppler and found the strong heartbeat within 3 seconds, it was so reassuring and such a beautiful sound. 

Food cravings/aversions: Soooooooo weird for me, but Oreos??? I don't even like Oreos, or so I thought? I'm not buying them again. I will not. Other then that I haven't been craving much but I want some Chipolte man, always want Chipolte and never get it. 

Movement: I could of swore I felt my uterus move a few times but who knows? 

How's Mama: Aside from these headache's I'm good. Tired but not anything too crazy. Everyday life and Aubrie sure keep my busy and my mind doesn't wander to be pregnant much but it'll come I'm sure. Especially after we finalize baby's name and find out if she's a she or he's a he. 

What I'm looking forward to: Buying a new to us car this upcoming week (or the following week).  I'm also looking forward to knowing the gender, deciding on it's name, warmer weather and the day when Aubrie Lilian learns to say "I love you" back. 

Let's end the post with the some picture of my little miss... she's such a ham!

Happy week to you all!

Learning new ways to create

You gotta start somewhere right?!

When I was younger my mom began to crochet, she taught me how to make a chain and I thought it was the coolest. She wanted to teach me more but I became a teenager and was no longer dazzled by a hook, yarn and the creations that come from working the two. Fast forward some years and again I want to learn! A friend of mine has inspired me by her crochet designs, she writes and sells patterns and does it very well! I decided I want to try some of her patterns and can't do that unless I learn to crochet, right? Also, how cute would Aubrie look in a lite headband with a flower,  cute leg warmers or cozy mittens? What about if I want fingerless gloves or around the house type socks? Well I can't ask Jonna to make everything for us. So I borrowed a ball of yarn and hook from my mom and got to YouTube. Tonight I had a 5 minute mini session with Jonna at church and I can single stitch now! It's VERY rough and takes me probably 5 times longer then a beginner haha, but I'm learning.

Now now, this doesn't mean I've abandon sewing. I do enjoy sewing but honestly with my sewing area being in the basement and the freezing weather,  I have not felt like going down there - at all. I want to stay cozy on my couch during the time I have free, or snuggled in my bed... With crocheting I can do that!

So... If anyone knows of any links, videos or helpful tips - send them my way. I am a brand new,  beginner and could use all the help I can get :)

Oh yeah, check out Jonna's Facebook, it links to her Raverly and Craftsy sites and her blog :)

Bacon Bit #2

How far along: 10 weeks / 2 1/2 months

This week, baby is the size of an: A prune or a kumquat

Gender: I'm trying to convince Ian to have this gender be a surprise but he's not going for it...

Due date: August 20th

Quality of sleep: As long as I'm not too hot, I sleep great! I've been napping during Aubrie's nap each day and that's helped a ton!

Best moment this week: Seeing the quick thumps of his/her heartbeat. This whole pregnancy has almost felt made up because the very few and very mild symptoms I've been expierencing. To see the baby's form shocked and calmed me simultaneously. 

Food cravings/aversions: I usually don't like ice-cream much but have been wanting a little almost nightly. But, more then ice-cream, Buffalo Wild Wings, Parmesan Garlic and Spicy Garlic sauce. Ian and I bought some the other day and put it on our own chicken - SO GOOD. It's not like anyone goes to BWW's for the quality of their chicken.. now we've brought it home and it's AWESOME. Haha I'm pretty excited about it if you can't tell. 

Movement: Obviously still not feeling any but we saw him/her extend their spine and jolt during our brief ultrasound meeting. 

How's Mama: Not as tired as I was a few weeks ago, which I'm sure is due to daily naps, thanks to my awesome napper Aubrie Lilian. I am doing well, slightly struggling with not being able to afford a home birth or at-home midwifery care but at the same time SO thankful that the insurance I have covers a birthing center. Emotionally, a hot mess... I could look at a kitten and cry or think about Aubrie too long and start to cry, it's weird. Physically I'm doing just fine! I almost feel bad saying that knowing how tough the first trimester is for some mama's, but it's not like I want nausea or morning sickness... 

What I'm looking forward to: Spring. I want to take Aubrie to the zoo, the park, out riding her bike and to do things that come easy to a mom with one baby. I'm sure with 2 babies a simple grocery shopping trip will be an event. 

Another day, another soup

Okay the soup this week was a.m.a.z.i.n.g! I'd love to go on about it to try and convince you to try it but I'd just sound redundant. I don't know what else to say other then it was so yummy! Here's the recipe, give it a try or share a favorite soup recipe with me :)

Creamy Spinach and Gnocchi Soup

Ingredients -

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 ounces of dry country gravy mix

4 cups water

14 ounces low sodium chicken broth 

Sliced mushrooms

Chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (we used more, we like spicy)

12 ounce box gnocchi 

12 ounce can evaporated milk

6 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped

Ground black pepper to garnish

Parmesan cheese to garnish 

Directions -

Bring 4 cups of water and chicken broth to a boil.

Chop, season and brown chicken in lightly oiled skillet.

Prepare country gravy according to directions on mix, add to water and broth

Prepare mushrooms, onion and spinach until water has come to a boil

Once boiling, add gnocchi - once gnocchi are cooked (or have risen to the top of the boiling water) add sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, minced garlic, basil, salt, oregano, cayenne pepper and stir

Once all the added ingredients are nicely combined stir in evaporated milk and spinach. If desired, sprinkle individual bowls with black pepper and cheese.

Note - sometimes with soup recipes I add  some more water, a little more a little more broth and whatnot to assure plenty of leftovers, feel free to do the same - it's soup after all, taste as you go! 

Nursing - to infinity and beyond!

Ok, so not really. Aubrie only turned one last month but to combat with some comments and controversy on why you hear a mama should stop nursing at one I did a little research. 

For the record, any nursing is better then no nursing at all. With all the troubles I had in the beginning (story here) I set mini goals for myself. Goal one- Start strong and get encouragement! I didn't do my Pediatrician homework and just went with the one who was at the hospital. Big mistake. She was a sweet lady (kinda), with no children and could careless about breastfeeding. On 2 occasions she said she "had to send me home with formula" because of the issues I was having and how "slowly" Aubrie was gaining weight - even though I told her I wasn't going to use it. The third and final time I saw her, she said that although things were getting better, my desires for not supplementing and the fact that I was having to nurse Aubrie literally every 2 hours to the minute in order for her to get back to that oh so holy birth weight, was unrealistic. EXCUSE ME??! 

Anyways, I NEEDED encouragement at that time and if I wouldn't of had it I might have supplemented or given up. Ok so my goal one - start strong. Goal two - three months, then once I reached that, six months, nine, and 12. When we were approaching the 12 month goal is when we found out Bacon bit #2 was growing. So now my goal of two years seems more up to Aubrie then me. 

I've read a little bit on tandem nursing and I guess a high percentage of toddlers will wean before the next baby arrives. I of course am hoping Aubrie is not one of those. I've come up with a theory as to why she might not be, and I think it's fairy legit. She only has two teeth.. and it looks like another one, possibly two are coming in. So my thoughts are, with her being a late teether the desire for my milk and the comfort it brings will help combat the teething pains, and her desire to nurse will be greater then any changes that may occur with my milk (or belly) because of the pregnancy. And if that's not the case then it's okay. I will not force her to nurse and am all for her self weaning if that's what she wants. 

Not only did we find out we were expecting again when Aubrie turned one, I got questions asking how I was going to wean her, if she was doing okay not nursing anymore, how much longer was I going to breastfeed and why would I nurse after one and how unnecessary it is... things like that. And this is what I found as to why Aubrie, Bacon bit #2 and any other children the Lord blesses us with will be nursed after one... 

This is when I told Aubrie "no nursing right now Aubi, mama has to do the dishes!" Then she gave me this face and of course I nursed her. Dishes could wait...

___________________________

1. Nutritionally beneficial 

“Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant.” – Article by Dr. Mandel (2005)

As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed1 for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health2. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. - World Health Organization (2001) 

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:

• 29% of energy requirements
• 43% of protein requirements
• 36% of calcium requirements
• 75% of vitamin A requirements
• 76% of folate requirements
• 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
• 60% of vitamin C requirements

– Extended Breastfeeding Fact Sheet, Dewey (2001)

2. Contributes to Overall Health

Breastfeeding toddlers between the ages of one and three have been found to have fewer illnesses, illnesses of shorter duration, and lower mortality rates  (Mølbak 1994, van den Bogaard  1991, Gulick 1986).

Some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Lawrence & Lawrence 2011, Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).

3. Benefits Mental and Social Development 

According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in “Extended Breastfeeding and the Law”:
“Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood. Meeting a child’s dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable.Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely."

Dr. Jack Newmen believes that extended breastfeeding actually promotes a child's independence and emotional development. He says, "The breastfed toddler is more independent in the long run because his independence comes from a deep-seated security that comes from breastfeeding.

4. Even Mom Benefits!

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and endometrial cancer. - National Cancer Institute (2002)

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease. - Karlson (2004)

Breastfeeding moms may lose weight easier. - Dewey, KG (1993)

The "mothering hormone," prolactin, relaxes you, while oxytocin stimulates loving , nurturing behavior. As mothers of nursing toddlers know, this can be very important to your mental health and well-being. Life with a toddler is not always easy! You also benefit from the intimacy that nursing provides. Taking time out of a busy day to cuddle is as important to moms as it is to their babies. - D. Donovan (1999)

5. If Extended Breastfeeding Isn't Wrong, Maybe we are?

in many parts of the world, it is normal to breastfeed for two or three years or even longer. - Dettwyler (1995)

68% of the women who breastfed longer than one year returned to employment before their infant was 1 year old. - Hills-Bonczyk SG (1994) 

According to one study, the major themes that emerged from women`s comments were the importance of being strong in the face of social unacceptability, development of a close mother-child bond, and the naturalness of breastfeeding beyond 12 months.

In a society that still gets squeamish when a baby is nursed in public, the idea of continuing to nurse that baby until he’s a toddler or even a preschooler is a real show stopper. But much of the world doesn’t share the U.S.’s uneasiness. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breast-feeding up to a child’s second birthday “or beyond.” Most U.S. mothers don’t even meet the recommendation made by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Surgeon General that they skip infant formula and breast-feed exclusively for six months. According to the CDC’s 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card, 75% of U.S. mothers start out nursing their babies, but only 44% have stuck with it by the time their child is 6 months old — and just 15% are breast-feeding exclusively by that point. By baby’s first birthday, less than a quarter of mothers are breast-feeding at all. - Time Magazine Article

_______________________________________

If anything, I hope this little bit of information encouraged you to continue nursing your little one until you, and he/she is done, do not let critics tell you it's time to wean if you're not ready! Also, I hope this has given just a GLIMPSE of how beneficial breast milk is. There has been so much research done and it reaches the same conclusion: Breast is best! I also hope this has shed some light on what mother's like me are feeling and how we'd LOVE some support in our nursing endeavors :) 

Nursing, which is one of the most loving, selfless acts I can think of has affected me greatly. It's helped me enjoy Aubrie's infancy, I've gotten hours of cuddle time praying over her and memorizing her features, I've gotten to know her in a way I wouldn't have without our nursing sessions, we've grown to have this awesome bond, it's saved our family money AND I feel like I'm using the PERFECT gift of breast milk from God, that He intended for my girl, to benefit her immensely. Nothing, not formula or anything created by man could come close to breast milk, a perfect creation by THEE Creator. I could truly go on and on but am so under-qualified and emotionally attached that I really have a hard time seeing as to why it's viewed the way it is in the States or not more accepted. I'm beyond thankful for this year and hope this time next year to have two beautiful, healthy babies at my breasts praising God for it all. 

Some Resources : 

-http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/3/e432.abstract-

-http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/infantfeeding_recommendation/en/index.html

-http://www.whale.to/a/extended_bf_factsheet.pdf

-http://kellymom.com/ages/after12mo/ebf-refs/#BreastCancer2

-http://fhea.com/main/content/breastfeeding/May2009.pdf

-http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7857467?dopt=Abstract

-http://www.mothering.com/community/a/extended-breastfeeding <-- This article is awesome and a more intense, detailed version of this post. 

Venison Stew

This winter Ian and I set a goal to cook more soup. We love soup and it's absolutely the most logical winter-time dinner... So we've tried some realllly yummy soup recipes that when we make again I'll definitely have to document for you.

One thing I love about soups is the lack of measuring required. With baking you need to make sure the perfect amount of salt, baking powder and cinnamon has been added or else it could be a mess! With soup, you are free to add more salt then the recipe requires if that's how you like it, or load on the cayenne, to kick it up a notch.

Last night's dinner was venison stew. This hunting season my dad shot a deer and now our freezer has a good amount of meat. Score! The meat is so lean and filling. I used two back straps and they were the perfect size. The stew was hearty but the broth was light - just right if you ask me. Ian had a bowl before he left for school and on his was home from class called me asking to start heating him up another one for when he got home. The recipe is simple, you might have seen it before but here's what I did...

Ingredients

Venison
Cooking oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
2 cups low sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
4 Carrots (sliced)
5 red-skinned potatoes (diced)
1 large onion (chopped)
2 stalks of celery (sliced)

Directions

1. Season and brown meat in cooking oil, I used a big spoonful of coconut.
2. Transfer meat to large bowl.
3. Add all other ingredients to the bowl besides broth, stir to coat veggies and meat nicely.
4. Transfer contents of bowl to slow cooker then add broth.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours and high 3-4 or until veggies and meat are tender.

Enjoy! 

Tonight's dinner, lemon pepper tilapia with red skinned potatoes and raspberry vinaigrette pasta. Maybe since we had potatoes last night in the stew I'll switch those out with some veggies, we'll see?!

Bacon bit #2 - 8 weeks

How far along: 8 weeks

This week, baby is the size of an: Raspberry 

Gender: Have been thinking girl, but last night 2 boy dreams?!

Due date: End of August

Quality of sleep: When it happens, it's so nice! This time around the amount of sleep I've gotten so far is quite different. Being pregnant with Aubrie I had nobody to worry about so I slept like crazy, now that's not possible. Which is totally okay because it makes me appreciate nap time more. Aubrie is a really good sleeper too so I get to sleep in pretty late. 

Best moment this week: Going out to dinner at Famous Dave's - oh I love it. I have been craving it for a week or so now and it. was. awesome.

Food cravings/aversions: I was craving Famous Dave's, but other then that I am really in the mood for raw veggies with Italian dressing. What I found out over the weekend is that I cannot eat Indian food right now, maybe ever again. Oh no. Just thinking about it...

Movement: Not that I can feel :)

How's Mama: Tired, but good. It still feels surreal because I don't have any difficult symptoms and I'm so preoccupied with Aubrie that I'm not constantly thinking about another baby, but I am so thankful and excited! 

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my midwife in a few weeks! 

So much to read, so little time...

I really enjoy reading but it often seems as if there's never enough time or warm bath water to get through all the books I'd like too. I'm a sucker for some lovey dovey fiction and your classic teenage dystopia but who isn't? Hah! Riiiiiight.

Anyways, right now I'm interested in some non-fiction. I have 3 books I WILL FINISH in a timely manner. Mainly because I'm crazy interested in them but also because 2 are library books. Let me express my love for local libraries real quick... what a great way to be wise with money, use available resources and support the community. There's been a few instances when I'm minutes away from spending $15+ buying from Amazon when I decide to check the library database and BAM money saved, book on it's way! I'm especially glad when I'm not very into the book - what a bummer it would of been if I had bought it. All that to say, go to the library, rent books on your Kindle, rent movies there, take your kiddos there. Use the library!

Here's what I'll be reading, in this order too if you were wondering.

I'm a few chapters in on this book and let me tell you - it's a gem! I oddly love the text book style of it and have already learned quite a bit. I'm a fan of cited resources and thus far there has been plenty of that. I'll read a fact or results from a study and in astonishment flip to the back to make sure the source is legitimate. It's funny that before bed Ian anticipates me gasping or say "guess what?!" He doesn't mind learning with me and actually wanted to watch the infamous "The Business of Being Born" documentary with me the other night. He said we needed a reminder because we haven't watched it since being pregnant with Aubi :) He's so cool. Next is, 

While I do love me some Ina May, I will read this with my guard up. I'm all for The Farm and her CPM practice but do not associate birth and the beautiful miracle it is with any new-age spirituality and being one with a higher power or ideas such as those. My convictions are to The Holy Bible, and I believe that through the promises of God women are able to bring life into the world. Ian tells me to be careful not to idolize Ina May, he knows my sinful tendencies and that I think she's the coolest women ever. I'll let you know how the read goes. And lastly....

So, we don't have cable but I've heard this book is now a TV series and that excites me! Maybe It'll be online and I'll be able to follow it?! Anyways a friend of mine got the book for Christmas and highly recommended it to me - she's already finished and let me borrow it tonight. I truly adore learning about  how cultures change through the decades. I find fascinating the way everyday life carried on without things we are so accustomed to. That's a lengthy way of saying, I like history. I also like Midwifery so this book should be just perfect for me! Ahh I'm geeked to get to it, I'll let you know how it is :) 

What are you reading???

Us lately...

Let's see. in the past month our girl turned 1 (December 28th)! She now likes sitting on the toilet and to brush her teeth before bath's. I love when she actually goes pee in the potty. I cheer because that's one less diaper I have to wash haha :) She took her first plane ride to visit Nana and Papa in TN and did unbelievably well. As long as she had snacks, some paper to rip up and the ability to nurse whenever she wanted, she was a doll. She also took her first steps on her first Christmas! It was such an exciting day. She's learning to say more words, banana, mama, dada and hi are her current faves. Oh, and her two front teeth came in, it's the cutest thing - her only having her top two.

Ian turns 24 tomorrow. He got a guitar for Christmas and I'm thinking of sewing him a guitar strap - he more then likely will not receive it on his actually birthday but I already have a few other gifts for him. Ian also starts school next week! I'm so proud and excited for him. He's really geeked about it and I'm ready to support, encourage and be the best wifey cheerleader I can be!

I want to learn to crochet. I'd like a hobby that I don't have to be cooped in my corner downstairs away from everyone to be able to create. Don't get me wrong, I do really enjoy sewing but why not learn to crochet so while Aubrie is playing or eating I can still be right there but creating?! Seems logical enough! Also, thanks to some books I've checked out from the library I'm getting pretty interested in modern healthcare for women. Namely, pregnancy related healthcare like labor and delivery. I'm excited for meet my midwife later this month and see how going to her will differ from the norm of OB/GYN care. Anyways, more on that later... That's us lately :)

Happy New Year! 

Hello again

Writing again! -- for me mostly. I do not intend to make this blog a priority but rather an outlet - at least that's what I see it as for now. It's funny to me that in different seasons of life I begin up again and allow it to fade out when I feel necessary. I am first a wife and mama and if I'm not managing my time well, updating this will be the first to go. However I love documenting our memories, writing about what I'm learning and looking back at my posts from time to time. I realized today that I would be very thankful if I wrote about this entire pregnancy (Bacon bit #2, yay!) because the few posts I have of my pregnancy with Aubrie I truly treasure. So here we go again...

Calling All Boxes!

The time has finally come... 

When Ian and I got married we rented a darling apartment for a year. Then by God's grace we able to rent a family members house for a year and a half. Next week we get the keys to our very own house! I am excited for so many reasons: A backyard for Aubrie to explore, play and grow. It's DIY dream, begging us for TLC. The outstanding price we're getting. The park 3 blocks down... and somewhere we can call our own - our humble abode.

Our appointment to close is next week, as long as everything goes as planned we should get the keys then! As eager as I am to move right in... it's not quite ready. The renovations will begin immediately, budget permitting. We'll do what we can, when we can, and try our hardest not to rush and be foolish with spending. So the next week and on will be spent saying so-long to the house we've called home for the past year and a half. Time to get packing!

The Reality of DIY

Tuesday a few girls and I stopped by a local thrift store before our community group. I was excited we found some gems, not literally of course but some great pieces. One thing I've been on the look out for is a new lamp stand. Our old one held two bulbs but a friend broke one and it was too dim after that. We were at the store for 30 minutes or so and I left with... 

This old, broken wall clock ($1.51 - WHAT?!) that I plan to add a mirror and some TLC to and have something like this...

or this...

I'm not sure if I should paint it a gold like color or something different? What do you think?  I also picked up a new bed side alarm clock (also $1.51!) for Ian. I say Ian because Aubrie is my alarm :) 

The last thing I found was a lamp stand, it wasn't 'perfect' but it was do-able. I was so excited to spray paint it and finally have a cute, working lamp for our living room. The next morning after Ian went to work Aubs and I went on the hunt for some spray paint and a simple white shade. We went to 3 different stores... Home Goods with no luck, Target, where we got a shade and Meijer where we got the spray paint. I was already tired from carrying Aubrie in and out of the stores and traffic around here right now is ridiculous but I wanted a completed lamp! So I got to work... The stand was not brass, but a faux wood type material so I sanded it down a bit then started spray painting. What I didn't take into account was 1. the wind and 2. that Ian cut the grass that morning. As I began spraying, a gust of wind blew grass from the morning cut all on my wet lamp stand. !!!! Ugh. I was annoyed. I tried gently to pick off some of the flakes and in doing so obviously smudged the wet paint. I then tried to re-apply paint over the smudged areas to cover up my finger prints. In doing that I sprayed too closely to the lamp and the paint started to drip. !!!! Ugh... getting more annoyed. I decided to take Aubrie and myself inside to cool off (emotion wise, not temperature wise - it was pretty cool out yesterday). I had a granola and played with the girl in the grass a bit.

After we played I re-examined the lamp stand... it looked hideous. I got the sand paper and started sanding the jagged areas with hopes of re-painting in. Remember how I mentioned it was faux wood? Basically the sanding did nothing but make it look more hideous. So I tried hot water and a wash cloth to rub out the imperfections (or something?) and nothing worked. I threw a mental hissy fit and got Aubrie back in the car and we went back to the thrift store. This was not what I wanted to do but I was too far in already. I found another stand ($3.98) and actually liked it better then the first. Things were starting to look up, all I had to do was not screw up this one.

At home I tried the shade I bought on for size, to see if it'd match well. It was too small. !!!! Annoyed all over again. Ian and I went out to dinner and on our way to pick up Aubrie stopped by Target and exchanged the shade with a bigger one. Then I tried that one on for size and it was the wrong kind. !!!! Seriously?!?! I've never bought a lamp shade before so didn't know there were types that need a 'harp' piece and some that don't. Well this second stand I bought needed the harp piece. I went to bed feeling defeated. I knew I'd done too much work and spent too much effort to give up now and buy a lamp from Home Goods or something. This morning Aubrie and I bought that harp piece and I carefully, slowly, cautiously, painted that darn lamp stand.

Flowers from a bush in the backyard and a thrift store vase ($.95)!

Mission accomplished! Happy mama, baby and daddy. He's happy because I stopped talking about the dumb lamp - he's also not a big fan of the color but there is NO WAY I'm re-painting it. Ha ha the nerve. Now just a few tips so you don't get into the fiasco I did. 

- Fully inspect any piece you are planning to DIY

- Take your time

- Spray paint in the right conditions and not on the grass

- Basically have common sense (I seem to forget that at home sometimes)

-Spray paint lightly and farther from the piece then you might think. It's better to do 3-4 coats then have a ruined piece from thick dripping paint. 

That's all I can think of - thanks for reading.