We are not supposed to do it all....just do our best! GREAT ARTICLE!

My fellow pregnant friend and I were talking about the nerves that rattle a little  a lot before your baby arrives.  She has a few more nerves than me at the moment because it is her first and this is my second (I already know she (and I) won't mess everything up even though she doesn't know it yet).

I read this article ''Why Your are Not Failing as A Mother'  thanks to my friend Becky and loved the crazy truth behind it.  We never fail in the roll of mommy as long as we are doing all the things we can to raise good kids.

Keep going fellow Mommy-friend! God paired us with our children to better the world, lets agree with Him in confidence.

Happy Reading!!

 

He is probably crabbin' in this picture but I see a smile.....don't you?!

Never say Never

Somewhere between 5 months and now, 7.5 months, this mommy was able to finish a few books, a few movies with my husband and Season 1 of a TV series.  Its a miracle.....wait, no, its just what happens when your baby gets older!  Truth be told, I thought days like this were gone forever....

~ cue weird dream-like music as we travel back to a not so distant memory ~

When Jackson was about 5 or 6 weeks old, my man and I rented 'The Chronicles of Narnia - Voyage of the Dawn Treader' thinking we would enjoy our son's nap time with a movie....WRONG!!! He was awake within the first 20 minutes of us starting it and screaming by the middle of it.  It took us a full day and a half to finish watching it and I stood, bouncing that baby for the rest of it.  After that fiasco, we decided to cancel Netflix because and I quote myself 'we will never quietly watch a movie snuggled up on the couch again'.

Guess what new mommies of the world, those days are NOT gone.  They are just on hold for a bit.  I am here to report that, while it is you may not renew your subscription to Netflix, you will be a patron of a RedBox near you!  And if you like to read, nap times become more routine in these months so you will enjoy a good book again. 

If you are looking for some I recommend a 2 part series written by Francine Rivers.  It is about legacy and now that I am a mom it resonated with me in a deep way.  I want my legacy to include a whole lot of Jesus.  I want to maintain a close walk with Him so that my children see His goodness.  I want to thank my mom for giving me the best life her and my dad could.  I want to thank them for teaching me by example.  I am so thankful to know that He can change our destiny if we respond to His calling.  I can't wait for to see where He will lead the generations, our legacy, after Jarrod and I.

First Book

Second Book

I also loved loved love The Hunger Games Trilogy.  Do not be fooled by its popularity for those of you who do not like to be 'bandwagon' readers.  It is worth EVERY page.

So, again I find myself writing about things that I am accomplishing that at 6 weeks, I thought I would never do again.  Mommyland is demanding but oh so rewarding.  I am still ME even thought I double as Jackson's mommy too!  It is a beautiful balance that I am learning to master day by day.

Bloggers Block, Bible Study and a Baby

Its been 12 days since I have blogged. *Sad* There has been so much going on yet I can't seem to get any of it to come out right on here....I have a case of bloggers block.  You can stop now because there is no telling if this post will be anything worth reading.

Almost 2 years ago, the Lord called and allowed me to lead a small group of ladies at my home on Tuesdays nights.  What a wild ride to think He would use me to lead a small group - Glory!  We have done 6 in-depth studies and the Lord has done amazing things with us.  We have been as small as 8 and as large as 21....21 women loving Jesus in my living room, we almost made the walls fall like Jericho during that study!  We have seen prayers answered and many many holy provision.  We are in the midst of Beth Moore's - Believing God study and that is another reason why I have not been on the blog as of late. 

If you have ever done a Beth Moore study you know why something like this could keep me away from the blog.  Studies of this nature require full attention and frankly, I do want to do anything else; it is so good.  This study truly has been a 'fresh explosion of faith'.  I believe we are never in a study by chance.  God knows what each of our seasons call for and He ensures our needs are met - EVERY TIME.  This study has been for my particular season, Praise You Lord.

 And as usual, this guy has been keeping me from the blog.

He is growing at the speed of light.  Look at that face, doesn't it bring so much joy?  He is at the age where interaction is key.  While it is important for him to have independent play time, its crucial for him to learn to interact with people - enter playtime with Mommy.  We have been reading lots....well I have been reading to him and he has been doing this with his books

We started rice cereal and this man loves it!!! I knew he was gonna be an eater! He eats 6 teaspoons of cereal mixed with breast milk a day along with about 30 ounces of milk via the bottle throughout a day. We have kept his normal bottle feedings as of right now because there isn't much nutrients in rice cereal. He is a happy little man!

We also had a our first 'holiday' photo shoot.  This will be the first on many.

My little pumpkin man!! Its ok if you want to squeeze his cheeks, they are so cute!  My mine is already planning his Christmas pictures....I am thinking lots of presents around him...hmmmmm.

Well, that explains my absence from the blog.  Thanks for stickin' around to read it.  I am already thinking of my next post and I don't plan on it being 12 days away.  

Booty Duty

We, as parents, are in the business of taking care of all of our babies business and diaper rashes are....the business!  Man those things are persistant and their sweet little bottoms need our help!  Can you imagine depending on someone to make sure your pants were dry?!?! Better yet can you imagine not being able to tell that person that you are wet? Oh the defeat! Sometimes I feel so bad when I open a super soaked diaper, poor guy, its got to feel like a swamp down there.  My dude has had quite the rash as of late.  I have been reading that getting his new set of chompers could be part of the problem.  Nevertheless, I have been on a mighty mission to relieve him of it. 

Since I have been waging war with this stubborn enemy, I have found a few things that work so I thought I would share.  Now, I am not a doctor!  I am just a mommy doin' the thing, so I would encourage anyone to call their Pediatrician about anything that seems out of the ordinary when it comes to their little. 

Two days passed of using diaper cream and there was no change, in fact it was getting worse.  I called the doctor to see about a new rememdy.  At this point she said she felt like it had morphed into yeast...sad.  Like a butt rash isn't bad enough....

Yeast is not just a lady problem because all it needs is a dark, damp area to set up shop in - enter my sons diaper and sweet baby fat folds.  According to BabyCenter.com, you can tell it is yeast if in a few days your efforts with diaper rash cream and powder do not help.  It typically looks like little pin dots known as 'satilite lesions' as opposed to just a pink patch, but a lot of pin dots can mesh into a large patch so look carfully at the edges of the site to see if you can see what looks like pin dots and raised borders.  If your eyes behold these dots, its time for the big guns.  My pediatrician recommended the following steps to take to help get rid of this unwelcomed visitor. 

1) Get some Lotrimin or Miconazole Nitrate and apply it four times a day to the site
2) Use powder or cornstarch during the other diaper changes to keep the area dry
2) Change diapers frequently as to keep the buns dry
3) Stop using wipes and start using a wet washcloth for every change.  Wipes can spread the yeast and slow healing.  Also for every poopy diaper, a quick rinse in the sink would be best.  The stool is acidic, irritating the yeast rash.  This has increased my laundry but it has helped my dude and that is my job right??  Well so is the laundry...... I am a stay-at-home-mommy
4) Let the booty air out completely before applying the cream/powder and slappin' on the next diaper
5) Some play time with no diaper on is good
6) Natural sunlight, yeast hates it.  So strip the baby down and open the window shades, shed some light on the problem!! (you know you smiled at my word play)

I also added baking soda soaks to the mix.  A small tub or sink full of warm water and 1/4 of cup baking soda helps restore the normal acid base balance and soothe the area.  With some determination and consistancy coupled the above mentioned methods, I am happy to report that Jacksons issue is clearing up.  I have been applying Aquaphor to the area to help heal the dry skin now that the yeast has backed off as well applying Desitin at night since he goes longer without a diaper change.  The Desitin really shields from the wetness.  I have put the 'Butt Paste' on the shelf for the time being, it has proved just to be a 'cute name'. 

God's Word says that we are to be 'more that conquerors' in Romans 8 and while it is the inspired writer of Romans has our spiritual lives and freedom from sin in mind I have put this verse to use on my diaper rash issue because I believe God's Word is to be applied to all things in life.  So with that said, we are 'more than conquerors', the rash is gone and we have learned how to battle it next time. 

Can I get an AMEN!

'Rome Wasn't Built in a Day'

*Caution...If you are uninterested in a breastfeeding post, you might want to come back another day*

When I wrote this about breastfeeding, I was in the throes of it.  For some, one day the baby and mommy just 'get it' and breastfeeding becomes second nature.  That is not how our tale goes because Jackson was off of this mommy at 5 weeks and we never looked back so I will never know if we just 'would have gotten it'.  That is ok though because what we did worked.  Pumping was the name of our game and I am happy to report that so far my baby has been breast-milk-fed for 5 months.  One of pros of exclusively pumping for so long is that when a baby cries my milk doesn't let down! But turn on something that remotely sounds like the humming of my pump and my milk ducts go wild.  Weird how our bodies do that.  Huh, anyways.....My pumping status also allowed us to stockpile my liquid gold for the months to come so our plan is for Jackson to be breast-milk-fed till at least 7 months (yes, I have that much frozen)....D.A.I.R.Y. 

With that said, can you tell where this is going......I am in the process of closin' up shop.

Some mommies dread the day they stop breastfeeding which I will NEVER understand because I think I have been dreaming about this day since the moment we started this fiasco.  You know that saying, Rome wasn't build in a day......well, I have two Romes that are not going to stop in a day.  Closing up this shop is going to take at least a couple of weeks.  This, again, is something no one wants to tell you about.  What I don't understand is why something that hurts so bad when it comes has to hurt so bad when it goes.  Can't we get a break??  The answer is in Genesis 3:16 when the Lord is punishing Eve for eating the apple by telling her that her pains in childbearing will increase.  This boob business is a part of childbearing as far as I am concerned.  So until I am done having children me and my boobs will be at odds.

The world wide web offers a variety of different ways that assist in this painful process.  It suggests everything from cabbage leaves, to drinking sage tea, wearing sports bra, to icing them, stopping 'cold turkey', to binding them.....you name it, someone has probably tried it because desperate times calls for desperate measures.  Me, I have chosen simply to gradually stop breastfeeding by decreasing how often and how much I pump.  I may give the cabbage leaves or the tea a go if in a couple of days if things don't let up but we'll see.  I started this process by decreasing my pumps using Jackson feedings as a marker so when he decreased, I decreased.   I went from 8 times a day to 6 times.  Then I decreased to 4 pumps a day even though J was eating 5 times and at that point I was able to sleeping through the night!!  I have stayed at 4 pumps a day for a while now out of fear; full ducts hurt.  This weekend, with the encouragement of my life friend Pam, I dropped another pump.  I am at three pumps a day now.  PTL!

I would think everyone finds this process hard for different reasons but for me the hardest part has been not pumping as much as I know will offer some relief.  Its a small form of torture to know that just 5 more minutes and a few more ounces could be life changing and you can't do it.  To make less, you've got to pump less.  Less is more people.

Best part about closing up shop is that I get to eat things that did not agree with Jackson like beans, garlic, broccoli, COFFEE, ice cream, and cheese.  That is seriously exciting.  Mommies with sensitive babies can 'Amen' to this part!  And can we talk about the time I am about to acquire.  Pumping moms, you know what I am talking about!! Maybe my house will be cleaner or dinner started on time....maybe!

I think it is important to stop when you feel that YOU are ready.  It a place in mommyland that only you can decide.  I am happy my time has come and I am so thankful I am in a good place to stop.  So, in my baby memory bank I am adding breastfeeding to the list of things under the category 'this too shall pass'.  I esteem all you milk makin' mamas!!    

Power outages, a baby and new mercies

Since becoming a mommy, the phrase 'can I get a redo' has left my mouth more than it used to!  This morning was no exception....not only was it a Monday but I needed a redo.  Jackson sleeps until about 9 or 9:30am and I have come to cherish my morning times.  I will get up around 7 or 7:30 to give myself about 2 hours of 'me time'.  I am still running a small dairy so pumping is a part of my early morning 'me time' but like they all say...this too shall pass.  Anyways, I got all settled in this morning as usual, opened my Bible and clicked on the machine....5 mins into it, it stopped....I looked at it in horror thinking, I have pumped so many dang times that I broke it!!  Not good.  Then it resurrected itself as if God called it back to life (wave of relief) but then died immediately (panic)....picture this happening all while I am hooked up...HAHAHAHA - on, off, on, off.  Why didn't I take the darn things off?  Good grief!!  It took me a few minutes to realize the pump was not dying (Praise Jesus) THE POWER WAS GOING OUT....actually by this point the power WAS out (Lord help me)!!!

*Excuse me PG&E.....I have to make my son's breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

What proceeded to happen next was truly just that of dominos....House alarm started beeping that the back up battery was being used....dog started barking at my fall scarecrow sitting in the dining room (really dog?!?!), baby is now awake and crying, I still have to pump, dog is still barking....can you picture my Monday thus far.  Ok, this mommy had to get it together and figure out how I was gonna finish makin' breakfast for the upset baby in the next room!! 

Maybe I could put him in the swing...NO, that requires electricity
Maybe I could turn on Baby Einstein....NO, that requires electricity
Maybe I will just turn his noise maker up to lull him back to sleep....NO, that requires electricity

WHAT DID MOMMIES DO BEFORE ELECTRICITY??  This morning reminded me why the Lord wrote my story for the 21st century, I would not have survived any other era!! 

Finally my brain started to overcome the chaos....I have an AC adaptor for my pump in my car!!  THAT'S IT!! I hauled my pump out to my dark garage (power is out remember) and climbed in the front seat.  I felt terrible for being in the garage while my baby fussed in his crib but nursing mommies know that the milk will not wait!  Half way through my pump session I ran into the house to binkie him and make sure he was ok then back out to the garage to finish.  One word - CIRCUS!  I am happy to report that 20 minutes later, 2 binkie breaks and the help of my 4 horse power engine breakfast was done.

I sat in my car this morning and said, Lord, I need a redo.  Guess what He said....'my mercies are new every morning' Lamentations 3:22-24.  I (we) get a redo every morning!!  I (we) get a fresh start with each new sunrise.  Now granted the sun had already rose on this day but I believe God can give us a redo anytime we ask and believe Him for it on top of providing them to us each morning!! How gracious is He.  With two feet standing firm on that promise, I felt power despite my powerless house.  With that promise on the forefront of my thinking, I had set my sights on the God of redo's and my morning started to turn around.  Jesus makes everything better, don't you agree?!?!  

Hey PG&E......can the next power outage wait until I am done pumping?!?!

More Things I Love

Now that The Boss is 4 months old there are some new things that I love!!

MAM Pacifiers - Jackson is using the 2+ month ones.  He can hold them in his mouth very easily and they are orthodontia friendly.

Fisher Price Swing (still) - a swing is a new mommies best friend.  I plan on using it till he reaches the weight capacity.

Baby Einstein Play Mat - J loves all the colors and things hanging. It has helped him learn to reach for things.  His little feet kick the rattle ball on the bottom right of the canopy and when he hears it I swear he kicks it again to hear it more.

Baby Einstein Baby Mozart Video - who knew a still picture of a lemon or raindrop with music in the background could be so entertaining but for his learning mind, ears and eyes it has FUN written all over it.  I am a pumping mommy so having him watch this while I pump has been so helpful (I limit him to only once a day).  J's right side of his head is flat, way flat so I lay him on the left side with blankets propping him up so his left side gets action while he watches.

Bright Starts block set (J loves the 'crinkle' sounding ones) - love love love these.  The crinkle sounds are the best.  He is learning how to use him fingers when grabbing these.

Bright Starts Giraffe - this is probably his favorite if I had to choose based on usage.  This toy keeps his attention.  He currently loves the plastic parts hanging, they are good for chewing.

And last but not least......Sophie Le Giraffe - She is the best.  Easy for his learning fingers to grasp.  He has learned how to grab her and put her in his mouth.  Perfect teething toy.  She is easy to clean too!!

Well, those are my 4 month finds that are winners in my book!!

Got any recommendations for us for the upcoming months??

Happy 4 months Son

Dear Jackson,

Son you are 4 months!! Most mommies say 'already' but I say FINALLY!! I love that you are getting older.  I understand you better with each day gained!!  You are one sweet little man and I love spending my days with you.  I have enjoyed getting to know you more over this last month and look forward to the next!

You eat 4.25 ounces during the day and 4.75 right before bed
You are sleeping 10pm-5am and then back down till 9:30 - PTL!
You are better at tummy time and often roll to the right when you no longer want to be on your tummy
You have a temper
You fight sleep and always look like there are toothpicks holding your eye lids up
You know my voice and daddy's
Your face lights up when Dad comes home from work
You still sleep in a Velcro blanket - PTL!
You are in a size 2 diaper
You smile when people sing silly songs to you
You have no problem letting us know when you are done with something
You weigh 15.7 lbs
You are being dedicated to the Lord on Sunday
You bring so much joy to your daddy and me

Flirty, Thirty and Thriving....well minus the flirty

The tag line from the movie 13 going on 30 kept coming to mind as I celebrated my 30th birthday this past weekend!!  I say minus the flirty because I really don't fall under that category anymore unless you consider batting my eyelashes at a 4 month old to get him to smile to be 'flirty'.  In that case......I am still flirty!  I still can't believe I am 30, 3-0, Treinta (that is 30 in Spanish).  The years 27 and 28 lagged but 29 flew...I think its because I spent most of it pregnant.  I would expect being a human crockpot to drastically slow down anyones' year but for me it passed by fast.  I think I also have my mom to thank for my ability to embrace each year gained.  I never saw her fret over turning another year older, she accepted it so gracefully, so thanks Mom.  

I kinda look at my 20's like a game of golf.  You got the 'front 9' and the 'back 9' and together it makes your overall score for the course.  My 'front 9' did not have a very promising score....in fact I spent most of it in one sand trap after another.  Oh, but the 'back 9', the beautiful 'back 9' had such a better score.  I'd say it was full of eagles, birdies and pars.  I have my Redeemer to thank for that.  To my front 9 I would say, Praise the Lord 'who works ALL things for good according to his purpose' Romans 8:28 and to my back 9 I would say Praise the Lord 'who can do immeasurable more that I ask, or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me' Philippians 3:20.  He did immeasurably more that I could have imagined.... I graduated college, met and married my husband, had my first child, saw many wonderful friends get married, saw many babies be born, settled into a church, started a bible study for women at my home and if I wanted to, the list could go on and on.

I am excited about 30 because Job 12 says 'is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?'  Since this is the case, I say bring on the age and bring on the long life because I want WISDOM!!  Now that I am a mommy, I would trade age for wisdom in a hot second.  I am always envious of the things my elders say or have said to me; its so full of perspective and experience.  It creates in me such a moment of clarity and I pray I am able to do that for my children someday.

James 4 tells me that I 'have not because I ask not'.  Lord give me wisdom, your kind of wisdom, that I might better raise my children and show them more of you.

James 1 says that 'if any of us lacks wisdom, ask God, who give generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us'  Lord, thank you that by the Cross, I am worthy to receive this kind of wisdom.  Create in me a clean heart that I might better use the wisdom I ask for.  Thank you for being so generous to me, I know that without you, I could not do anything.

Scripture is telling me that I did not have to wait till 30 to start asking for wisdom but for some reason it is the year in which I realize its worth.  I cannot wait to see what God and I do together during this next decade.  I am thirty and thriving.

On this birthday, I ask for wisdom and I do it for my son.

Why Can't They Know How to Eat

Thank goodness none of us remember our early moments of life, what traumatizing memories those would be!! We flop into a world full of bright lights and loud sounds, we are poked, prodded and pushed on and THEN....a giant boob is shoved in our faces to eat!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!? Those little minds have got to be reeling thinking 'what happened to my belly button tube, that was so much easier, put me back in'.  And if you are like me, you are thinking 'why did they just cut that cord that made feeding them so much easier, put him back in'!!

*Like I said, traumatizing*

It is pretty amazing how God made our bodies.  We have hormones that tell our uterus its 'go' time, we make the best out of 10 centimeters (which is not much) and then we become a 24/7 dairy for that sweet little person they put in our arms.  It is amazing to me that our bodies know exactly what the baby needs and when they need it.  Colostrum and milk generally don't make their BIG entrance until needed.  First comes the colostrum, which is beyond nutritious for the baby.  The problem I have with colostrum is that there wasn't much that came out which resulted in my son trying his hardest to figure out how to eat and not getting much in return.....he probably felt underpaid for his hard work.  But, as underpaid as he may have felt, he had just eaten the cream of the crop and his immune system was better for it, you are welcome son!

*Enter stage left - A jersey cow......your milk just came in*

OOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! How come no one told me about this!!! I was wishing for a pin to pop them just to relieve some of the pressure, holy cow (pun intended).  What was BIG to my baby before just....got....bigger and things had just got a bit more complicated.  I mean, have you ever tried to squeeze a newly aired up basketball, you can't......get the picture.  I was in pain and in denial that someone was supposed to get their breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack, midnight dinner, 3am snack, 6am pre-breakfast and repeat despite my pain.  Warm compresses, bags of frozen peas and 800mg Mortin were tricks I used to manage my dairy farm.  The ring leader of this circus was a little baby who was learning how to eat.  I kept asking my husband, why can't he just know how to eat???  He knew how to poop, sleep and cry, WHY COULDN'T HE HAVE KNOWN HOW TO EAT?  And even though he did it every 2.5 to 3 hours, he still seemed to forget how he did it the last time.  AYE

Breastfeeding is not for whimps my friends!!  Labor was easier for me than this breastfeeding thing has been.  First off, I put my Boppy in the closet and bought The Brest Friend.  The Boppy was not a good fit for me but this, THIS made all the difference.

My new pillow helped tremendously but Jackson did not latch properly (which is key) and I had a list of other issues, I won't get into, that continued to hinder the process from getting easier for this mommy/son duo!  I was frustrated and knew this was not working for us.  I still wanted to make sure my son was getting the best of the best.  Especially because, I had it and it was free.

Thank goodness I bought the Medela Pump in Style breast pump!!  Gotta have the double one, you have two don't ya??



This machine pictured above is my saving grace!!  Baby gets good food and mommy knows exactly how much he is getting!! Win-Win!  Pumping is an extra step but it has been good for this momma and in turn good for Jackson.  Happy mamas are important to babies.  In the beginning my OB encouraged me by simply saying 'breastfeeding is not for everyone'.  That phrase took some of the pressure off of how I had been feeling in the midst of all ups and downs I had been having with Jackson's eating.  At the end of the day I had to do what was best for me AND baby.  We better for it.

I still think they ought to know how to eat when they come out.

One Day, Son

One Day Son, your sweet little hands, that grasp my finger ever so tightly, will be bigger than mine.

One Day Son, the little feet that I kiss, will walk a thousand steps on a college campus.

One Day Son, you will wake me up to tell me you are home safe, not because you are hungry.

One Day Son, the smile that melts my heart, will brighten your wife's day.

One Day Son, the voice you are learning to use, will praise Jesus.

One Day Son, those eyes that show you your new world, will show you so many of God's Glories!!

One Day Son, those arms that have no coordination, will hug me with intent (and I can't wait).

One Day Son, those chubby little legs, will make you taller than me.

One Day Son, that mind of yours will be set on many goals.

One Day Son, your ears will listen for the voice of God and you will heed his call.

One Day Son, one of your fingers will wear a wedding ring.

One Day Son, you will be all grown up and I will wish for the days that I could hold in my lap, rock you when you cry and watch you when you sleep.  I love you and can't wait to watch your life unfold.  May the Lord bless you 'according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus' Phil 4:19. (and those are some seriously good riches)


July 4, 2011



3 months - Insert New Baby Here

I spent the first 2 months of Jackson's life in sheer survival mode.  In this state of mind I was doing things I said I would NEVER do......just to make it past another day.  "I never liked the taste of crow but baby I ate it" as The Band Perry sings.  I have learned to not make such bold statements about what I will or will not do with regards to a situation that I have never been in.  *mmmmm love me some humble pie*  

I had a million people telling me 'it will get better, I promise' and while it is I appreciated their encouragement, I started to hate that phrase because it felt like NOTHING was getting better.  Words of that nature are unable to be received properly by a new mommy, there is no light at the end of the baby vortex at that point.  I started to struggle with feelings of inadequacy because things were not getting better.....didn't everyone just say things would get better?? Why hadn't that started for me?

Two months brought some relief as Jackson cracked his first smile on purpose.  Its amazing what a little crooked smile on his face did for this mama's heart.  I thought back on the phrase 'it will get better' because at that moment it was a little better.

'I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth' Psalm 121:1-2

We hit the two and a half month mark and it felt like we were on a high speed rail to a happier place.  His play time started lasting longer, his jags of crying started to shorten and he was coo'ing more than crying.  I thought back on the phrase 'it will get better' realizing it was better.

'The God of heaven will give us success' Nehemiah 2:20

This brings me to three months.  I love three months.  Three month old Jackson is nothing like 2 month old Jackson, I have a new baby.  Don't get me wrong, I loved 2 month old Jackson but I actually GET 3 month old J so much more.  His play time is now interactive, he talks with me, smiles in response to me, sits in his Bumbo and loves when I sing (God bless him)!  He is sleeping at night and less gassy.  I think back to the phrase 'it will bet better' and think......'it HAS gotten better'.

'Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask, or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us' Ephesians 3:20

Three months was my magic number.  It was the moment it all came together for me. (well at least for now)  From now on I will be telling my new mommy friends, to wait for three months.
Happy 3 month birthday son - You, me, daddy and Jesus - we did it!

Date Nights....remember those!

Now if you laughed when you saw the title because you don't even use those two words anymore, I can relate!  Becoming a new mommy hit me like a MAC truck traveling at 75mph that I didn't even see coming.  I went from being a social butterfly to being a couch dweller and master of the DVR in 2.2 seconds.  It was a shocking change for me and I felt like I needed to have a mini funeral for my 'old life'.

*insert funeral march song here*

In this time of FB, text and Twitter it was hard for me to sit on my perfectly indented couch holding my newborn reading about all the fun things my friends and family were up to.  No one hates to miss out on a party more than me and I believe I have passed this trait onto my son because he fights sleep as if he doesn't want to miss the party!! *great*  Now, more than missing time with my friends I was missing time with my husband big time.  We hadn't eaten dinner together in weeks because one of us would hold our fussy baby and the other would scarf, then we would switch.  We hadn't sat together on the couch in weeks because there were bottles to clean and a baby to bounce.  We hadn't watched a movie together because we were both too tired.  And the sound of my breast pump always drowned out any conversation we attempted to have.

Are you in this boat??

A newborn temporarily interrupts marriages and I say 'temporarily' because our son is almost 3 months old and I feel like we have time for our marriage again.  I think one of the biggest mistakes we could make during these next few months is not finding time for each other.  The first month or two warrants a free pass due to the survival mode you both are in but once things even out its important to find each other again.

Outings as a family are the new normal but you can't forget about those date nights - just you and your husband!  Date nights stretch us as new mommies - we have to LEAVE our babies *dun dun dun* but girlfriend, we GOT to!!  For the sake of our marriages, we got to.  For the sake of our sanity, we got to.  Even if its just for an hour, get dressed and go on a date with your husband.  I needed it.  I needed to be alone with my man without have to binkie anyone to finish my sentence. 

My guy got us tickets to a concert for our first outing and it seemed like too long to leave my 3 week old....I was nervous!  Leaving my baby was like a 12 step program.....
  
Step 1 - A sitter I trust, someone who has raised kids - GRANDMA! 
Step 2 - Over packing his diaper bag with every amenity he may need and I repeat OVER PACKING 
Step 3 - Including the Dr's exchange # as well as the Urgent Care # for emergencies
Step 4 - Double check with my hubs - 'are you sure we should leave him'
Step 5 - go over my over packed bag with Grandma so she knew where everything was

And so on....you get the picture!!   I was not afraid to look like a wild animal as I explained to my 'babysitter' what the baby needed.  It was like I had forgotten that my babysitter had, in fact, raised 3 healthy kids (my husband included) because I still felt the need to explain everything I had packed, AYE!!!  She knew it made me feel better so she just smiled and listened.  Well, it was a fabulous night and guess what....Jackson survived without me!!!! Ahhhhh sweet release!  Getting over that first night away was the first hurdle and from that point on it has been a breeze.  We have gone on many dates since then. *so there is hope for new mommies*  Cheers to date nights and finding our marriages again in the midst of Planet Newborn!!

Tim McGraw!!!

*HAPPY*



2 years and a 2 month old

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary last week!  Where did the last year go.....oh that's right I was pregnant for most of it therefore I legitimately get to ask 'where did it go' because when you are pregnant you can't remember anything!  I like to call it 'swiss cheese brain' due to the gaping holes in your memory.  WebMD says its not scientifically proven and I say, psssshhhh what do they know anyhow!!! Its real....and I had it.

One thing I did not forget was my anniversary (just all the days surrounding it, HA).  It was too wonderful of a moment and a day, that when I think about it, I get on my knees and say 'who am I Lord that you would bring me this far'. 

A year can bring about a world of change......last year (1yr) we were roaming San Fransisco.....this year (2yr) we were getting a babysitter for our 2 month old and grabbing dinner!! 

Can't wait to see what our 3 year anniversary will bring!  Pour out your blessings Lord!!!

Top 10 New Mommy Stuff

Mommies, we need things too!!! Some of this is not pretty but its the truth!

I present to you my ideas:

1. Tucks - the big container, trust me....think about what you just did
2. Thick Maxis - take what you can from the hospital but you will need more
3. Sleep - at least try to get some when offered
4. Dermaplast - I only needed the can from the hospital and I used it liberally
5. Nursing Tank tops - I have survived with 3
6. A good breast pump - go cadillac and get the double pump - use gift cards, its worth it
7. DVR - if you don't have it and if your budget will allow for it, just get it for the beginning months
8. Nursing Bras - the kind that are all cotton, no underwire. Comfort is key!!
9. Your mom and/or mother in law - saints
10. Motrin - take whatever prescription your OB gives you, cross your fingers is 800mg!!

Did I forget anything?

Colic, and Cookies and Gas- OH MY!!

If you are like me, you cringe at the word 'colic' and if you don't cringe you have clearly never experienced it and I consider you a lucky duck!  This post will serve as a support group for all of you who have survived or are trying to survive a crying baby.  When those little guys come out, the world as they knew it is dramatically different, who wouldn't cry.  But cry and cry and cry, is that really necessary?? My little man was a crier for about 4 weeks, read that again, 4 weeks.  Now I know some of you had a crier for 3 months or even 6 and for that you deserve a metal of honor given to you by the President of the United States himself!  4 weeks was long enough for this mommy! Colic is a mysterious condition where a healthy baby will often cry for hours on end, never to be consoled, without any reason.  My little one kicked, grunted and tooted as he cried so I was sure he had tummy issues.  The doctor said that dreaded word 'colic' to me when I took him in.  She suggested I do acrobats while holding him in order to console him.  Um, excuse me, I am way too tired to perform acrobats!!

This book was a blessing

It helped me realize that "Unlike adults, babies cry out of need not emotion." So when your baby is crying, its is not because they dislike you as their mom or are sad because you put them down...NO...they NEED something - food, sleep, quiet time, new scenery, diaper, a poop.  Remember this, a crying baby does not mean you stink as a mom!!!!!!!!!  I wish I would have read this book in the beginning weeks of my mommyhood or even the fews leading up to delivery. I highly recommend it.

I also took advice from.....

The SHHHHHing sounds, swaddling concepts and sucking concepts were such help to me!!

When these things didn't work I turned to these for comfort

Only to find out that chocolate gives babies gas.........causing them to cry..........DARN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So then I decided I was gonna keep the cookies in my life (a girl has got to be happy) and just give Jackson A LOT of this.....

I am here to encourage you that this time of tears for both you and your baby will end even though as you read this you may say 'no way'.  There were days when I was SURE both me and my baby would cry forever!!  So eat your cookies, buy some Mylicon, read those books and show that Colic who is boss!!!

Top 10 Newborn Survival Must-Haves (According to me)

Baby showers are wonderful!! They are full of family and friends who already love your baby.  I loved celebrating Jackson at all of my showers and was so thankful to receive so many great things.  Jackson is one blessed little guy!  People love to buy baby things because everything is just so darn cute! The thing is, cute won't get you through the crazy days.  Cute doesn't make sterilizing 10 bottles 20 binkies and 15 storage containers for milk easier.  Cute is for later on when you actually have a grip on being a mom! In the beginning think practical, practical practical.       

These are like Oprah's Favorite Things only I am not giving them away.....we just had a baby, funds are low people!! Ok, so in no particular order, these are my Top 10 things that I could not have lived without in the beginning months of my sons life.

1. Grandparents - let them help in everyway
2. Medela MicroSteam Bags - who has time to boil water to sterilize
3. Burp Clothes - for spit up, pee, poop, and my tears
4. Summer Infant SwaddleMe blankets with velcro - key word, VELCRO
5. Summer Infant Muslin Blankets - great for summer babes, thin and airy
6. Fisher-Price Papasan Craddle Swing - if they made an adult size I would buy it
7. My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow - the boppy is for tummy time not booby time
8. What To Expect - The First Year (book) - for all your self diagnosing, but call the Dr if necessary
9. AVENT Soothie Pacifiers - they are like your babies off switch
10. The aspirator that the hospital gives you - its free and the best for the little noses

New mommies, live long and prosper!! Hope my list helps.  I would love to know what would be on your survival list.....on the baby battlefield more is always helpful, so leave it in the comments!

Birth-day

May 14, 2011 was when I finally met the little man that made me forego my figure forever.....It's July 27th and I am just now able to sit down and write about that day.  Yes, it took me 2 months to get my brain working well enough to write anything of substance.  And the jury may still be out on whether this actually is anything of substance.  New mommy brain is wild; you are so tired that rational, complete thoughts are hard to come by.  Our minds are constantly being interrupted with little cries of need that take us frantically down the baby checklist - Diaper (check), Hunger (check), Cuddle(check), Sleepy (check) and repeat.  My mother-in-law told me early on that once those things were accomplished, that was all I could do and the rest was up to him.

Ok back to May 14th.....He was here and I was his mother, now what?? I wonder if every new mom looks at the nurse with crazy eyes as they tell you where the 'call' button is on your bed then LEAVE you with your new baby.  How could she just leave me sitting there with a fragile newborn? Didn't she know I hadn't done this before?  How was she so sure I would do the right things?  She clearly had lost her mind leaving me with him!! It was the first quiet moment I had had with him since he arrived, 'Lord thank you for giving him to me' I thought.  My son started to cry, he needed me and you know what.....I some how just knew what to do.  Sure I had questions and doubts, but ultimately I KNEW what to do.  The nurse was privy to this information and that is why she left me so willingly.  She knew that we mommies (even brand new ones) are amazing creations and know what to do.  Even if you have never held a baby before I promise you, you will know how to hold yours.  God, no wonder You sat back after creating us and said "It is good".  The days to follow were a blur and full of moments where I second guessed whether I truly knew what to do.  I had a mini battle with colic ahead of me that would leave me shell-shocked but even then, I knew what to do and I did it literally with my eyes closed!! That is another post all together.

I now understand why mothers love to celebrate their children's birthdays.....it was hard work and worth a celebration each and every year!! It is a place in which parents place stones of remembrance like the Israelites did in the book of Joshua after the Lord allowed them to cross the Jordan River without their feet ever getting wet.  I have put a BOULDER of remembrance at the end of the first two months with my son shouting, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us'.  One thing I am sure of is that I will be celebrating my son's birthday in a passionate way each and every year.