hope in a jar

My sister-in-law, Jess, reminded me today of how much I love my new skincare products! Philosophy has changed my life. Ever since I had my little Awesome, my skin has felt dull and drab. 

 

NO MORE. 

 

Let me tell you. I picked up this little kit at Macy's right before Christmas:

 

"think beautiful thoughts" kit consisted of:

Purity Face Wash - My skin rocks after using this. My dry skills seems to come alive with this along with my Clarisonic Mia. My skin is so soft and smooth. It doesn't foam up like I prefer, but the softness and smell seem to make me forget that I don't get the foamy feel that I'm use to. But it sure cleans my face!

Hope in a Jar- I love this stuff. It's light and fluffy yet seems to give my skin nice moisture. It's not heavy either, which will be great for the summer months here in the South. Again, the smell reminds me of a spa. It's not fruity nor repulsive. It smells like healing, if healing has a smell.

Eye Hope- Ah, thank you! My eyes love you for this. It's light yet moisturizing.

When Hope is Not Enough- I've been using this every morning, not that I am using Help Me at night. I use this bad boy after Hope in a Jar and it gives my skin another level of moisturizer that it so desperately needs right now.

Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel- So in this kit I received just 1 of these bad boy pads. Seriously, a tease! I'll need to buy the product not that I'm hooked. My skin was glowing for days after. I used this product one evening after washing my face with Purity. I followed with the peel and then with my moisturizers. 

A few other products not contained in my kit that I love, Help Me and Keep the Peace. Help Me is used at night and is helping to even my skintone and reduce the reduce. I'm loving it. Keep the Peace is awesome in the mornings after I moisturize, but before I apply my foundation. It helps mellow out the redness in my face and provides a nice primer for my foundation. A total win! 

If you haven't checked out the Philosophy line yet, I encourage you to do. It's already made a huge difference with my skin in its texture and appearance. I normally breakout fairly frequently, but using these products have cut down on the amount of breakouts. I'm just now waiting on the discoloration and scarring to lessen. I'll keep you updated on that!

biting and screaming? oh my!

My sweet, adorable baby boy has begun something new. And it's not so sweet and adorable; biting and screaming. He mainly bites me out of frustration, and he mainly screams when he's in his highchair and is wanting me to hurry up and give him food.

I'm at a loss at how to handle this. The pediatrician gave me one tip when he's screaming and biting. Well, we've tried that several times today, and all he does is look at me and laugh.  The biting is another thing. He is currently cutting his 1 year molars, so the pediatrician just thinks he's beside himself with his mouth not feeling well. I guess my next step is time outs. It's hard to do time outs sometimes especially when it's nap time.

So for you BTDT mommas, what did you do? He's 12 months old and just as cute as can be, but I feel this is something I need to nip in the bud, especially so he's not biting other kids at church and MOPs.

I got them back!

Yes, after 12.5 months of breastfeeding and 9 months of being pregnant, I got *them* back.  I have to admit, this morning I was a bit sad.  Okay, I may have shed a few tears that this was the end of something special. And the beginning of something new. Today was the first day that I did not breastfeed. Thankfully my little guy snuggled with me as he drank his milk/yogurt combination. So I at least got some snuggles in.

But what's a mom to do now?!

I think a trip to Victoria Secrets is in order. No more nursing bras. YAY.  And for this, I am excited.

Moms, how did you get your snuggles in after weaning?

i did it!

I can't believe it. I did what I set out to do. Lots of hard work and determination have paid off! And I'm quite proud of myself, and my son, that I was able to complete my mission.

My mission when Baby A was born was to breastfeed for a full year. And to be honest, when I first started out, it was hard work. He seemed to be attached to me ALL. THE. TIME.

There were times when I thought my supply was lacking and friends and family did their best to alleviate the stress I was under, by reassuring me that I could formula feed him. The thought of feeding him formula made me cringe, given that I could breastfeed and that he had no issues with it. I really wanted to do my part and for me, my part was providing him the best that I could. Granted, he was never colicky, never had a milk protein intolerance, never had any issues. And I'm so proud of myself that I stuck to what I really wanted. To say I was determined is probably an understatement.

When Baby A was born, we were told that he was moderately tongue tied and that he would benefit from having his tongue clipped. We had hoped to accomplish this before we left the hospital, but given the holiday schedule, no doctors were available. So our first day home, we spent the majority of the day at 2 doctors' offices and were finally squeezed in for the procedure. While I do think it helped him and will help him in the future, that day spent away from the comfort of my home, I believe it didn't set my supply off on the right foot. We were gone from 9-3, and I'm too embarrassed to say how little I was able to feed him. Then the remainder of the week was rather stressful due to some events with my in-laws.

Around the 6 week mark, I really struggled with whether he was getting enough or not. He was never a great sleeper at first. Up every 1-2 hours for the first several months. The thought of bottle feeding crossed my mind and sometimes happened to allow me some sleep. Around the 3 month mark, I remember going to see my lactation consultant to do a feed and weigh and guess what? He was getting plenty!

As my time of breastfeeding Baby A is coming to an end, due to his lack of interest, I'm left with bittersweet feelings. Granted, him biting me when done eating is making the weaning much more easier, I'm a bit sad for the morning moments when I could cuddle with him before the day actually started. He has more interesting things to discover and see! 

Next go around, there are a few things I will change. While Baby A did receive a bottle of formula later into his first year for when my husband would put him to bed, I have other plans for the next kid that hope to remain formula free.

They are:

1. Stay home the entire week in the comfort of my own home, stress-free of certain relatives, and feed on demand.
2. Learn to pump sooner to help build supply and a small stash for those weekend night feeding for my husband to help.
3. See the lactation consultant sooner if I am in question of my supply.
4. Make sure my pediatrician is on board for pro-breastfeeding (granted our first pediatrician never pushed formula on me, but I'd like one who knows more about breastfeeding)

So for those mommas who were able to breastfeed, formulafree, for a year, what tips do you have for those that want to? 

While I had plenty of friends and family who did have to formula feed, everyone must choose the best way for them and their baby. And feeding a growing baby is the #1 goal.

ADD

I don't know about you, but some days, well most days, I feel like I have ADD. I can't focus on one thing at a time. Now you might say, multi-tasking is a good thing. I don't agree necessarily. The fault for trying to multitask is that I feel like I never get anything done!

Example. Do you ever get on the internet to do something in particular, say, create a photobook of your child for a specific timeframe and end up with 10 tabs on your browser open consisting of the possibility: pinterest, Facebook, online stores, etc, followed by iPhoto open with photos that have nothing to do with the project you've set out to do?

I'm a pro at thinking, if I just purchase XYZ for a DIY project, it'll complete itself. Or if I just think myself 10lbs lighter, I'll wake up tomorrow, and I'll be there. I don't lack the gift of positive thinking, for sure!

I've learned that sometimes starting a project is a lot harder than actually finishing it. Taking that one additional step once I begin the project will put me that much more closer to finishing it.

For some reason, I don't remember the whole point of this post, but that just goes to show you, my mind has already skipped ahead to something new!

Any now, back to my photobook...

Happy Wednesday!

filling my friend cup

Some weeks, my friend cup is empty. While I've lived in this "new" town now for nearly 2 years, my friend cup can go empty. The one saving grace where I live is the luxury of having my brother, sister-in-law and niece within 20 minutes of us. It's been awesome! And while I love hanging out with my sister-in-law and niece, I'm sure I can't suck up all her time. Even though I'd love to, only because I love hanging out with them.

So while my husband was away on his man trip, I took Baby Awesome, and we headed up north to the Big D. Yes, I braved the 4 hour drive alone with a 7 month old. Ah, home. It's like the minute I see the skyline, my heart skips a beat. And while I sometime forget how much I hate driving on I-35, it's worth it when I get to see so many of friends and family.

Friday I was able to leave Baby Awesome with my mom and and head out with my friends to see the musical, Chicago. While I was excited about seeing the show, I was more excited about hanging out with my friends. I think I wanted to talk more than anything! Going to dinner and being able to enjoy a margarita along with some much needed Mexican food was just what I needed! Maybe not what my diet needed, but that's another story.

And Saturday was spent hanging out with two of my other friends, enjoying a burger at one of our local hangouts: Village Burger Bar. Back when I lived in Big D, my friend D and I would enjoy a blue burger and their sweet potato fries while watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette and watching guys and gals "accept this rose?". So being able to go back to my 'hood was exciting and yet still pinches my heart. Pretty much my entire "adult" life has been spent at the Shops at Legacy. It was the second place I moved out of college, and it's where I stayed until I got married. Roughly six years of my life spent within a 3 mile radius, it seems. And being back just made me miss it all that much more.

Saturday evening mom and I got to sit back and just be after Baby Awesome went down for the night. It seems that sometimes not doing anything after he goes to bed is just what I need! And that we did. Oh, along with our bowl of Braum's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

We headed out Sunday after grabbing a bite to eat and stopping at Carters to partake in the tax free weekend. Thank you, Nana for all the new sleepers that Baby Awesome will soon be wearing. What weekend would not be complete without shopping with Nana? It's another weekend activity that I truly miss being 4 hours apart.

How was your weekend? Hopefully as fulfilling as mine!

it's those little smiles

This little man has me smiling every single day throughout the day. I mean, how could you not look at this little face and not smile?!

He makes my day!

breast is best

For those that know me, I'm a proud breastfeeding Mom. While I believe breast is best, I'm not closed off to the thought of others using formula. While I'd rather not use, I know that with breastfeeding can come complications and difficulties where the mom resorts to formula. Heck, I even give my kid some every few days in his evening bottle. For a few months, he did receive 1 bottle of formula for his evening feed while my husband would put him to sleep.

Just recently, the AAP came out with new breastfeeding guidelines: Breast-Only is Best for 6 Months. Meaning exclusive. You can read about some of the findings on the Parenting website. Following this new release, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched a new campaign, Latch on NYC. Here's the general overview:

• Enforce the New York State hospital regulation to not supplement breastfeeding infants with formula unless medically indicated and documented on the infant’s medical chart
• Limit access to infant formula by hospital staff
• Discontinue the distribution of promotional or free infant formula
• Prohibit the display and distribution of infant formula advertising or promotional materials in any hospital location

I think these are all great initiatives to help suppose moms with their decision to breastfeed. 

The hospital where I delivered Baby Awesome is pro-breast and have a great lactation center  with readily available lactation consultants. I know two came by while I was there. And while I know other moms have mentioned that their hospitals sent them home with formula and even tried to feed their baby formula, the word "formula" was never mentioned to me except on the form I filled out to let them know whether I'd be breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

I definitely think that the body knows what to do when breastfeeding. For a while, I felt like I lacked supply and would take herbs and drinks gallons of water to up my supply. I was hardly getting any sleep at night, up every 1-2 hours. It was a real struggle there. I had some people who tried to relieve the pressure that I placed on myself for wanting to breastfeed but suggesting that I just wean him and give him formula. I think I would have felt worse by doing so. But in the end, I noticed a huge jump in supply when I started getting more sleep! (Note to self on allowing my husband to help with night feeds so I can get more adequate with the next one!) I could have easily given up at 6 weeks. But I pushed through it, and now 7 months later, I'm still able to breastfeed like I was originally hoping.

While breastfeeding isn't for everyone, it's definitely something that I'm proud to be able to do for my son and hopefully for other future children we might have.

6 months!

Where has the time gone? 6 months has come and gone so fast. My little man is not as little as he once was. He was born early Christmas morning after a very quick labor and delivery. At some point, I'll write out the details, as it was pretty intense and crazy! He was 7lb 1oz when born and now weighs 15lbs and 11oz. He was 19 1/2in tall when born and now 27 3/4in tall. He's tall and skinny! More and more he's starting look more like my husband with adorable features like the way his little ears poke out the side of his head.
I have several nicknames for him that include monkey boy, a definite term of endearment considering my mom called us kids "monkey" kids. Boogie Bear, considering he liked to "boogie" while I would change him. And lastly, Baby Bear.
He enjoys his Baby Einstein Baby Jumper, particularly the "sun" and red fish. He loves to read. His favorite book is "Where is Baby's Belly Button." He squeals when he sees it.
He's such a happy little man that brings so much joy to my heart. I can't imagine not having him be apart of my life. I'm thankful that I'm given this opportunity to be his Mom and to love and care for him.
Here are a few photos of his 6 month shots:

peas!

Today I pureed organic green peas in our Beaba. They didn't turned out as smooth as I had hoped. I'm not sure what the secret is. And I think that since it wasn't as smooth, well, he didn't care for them too much! He did eat them, but not without making faces like this:

Gosh, he cracks me up!

baby's first food - avocado

Besides breastmilk, Baby A has been eating 2 Tbls of rice cereal before bed. He loves it! We decided to mash up an avocado for him to try. Both my husband and I love are fruits and veggies, so we were hopefully that he would love one of our favorites, too.

Verdict?

 

Not so much! He hated them. Gagged every time he tried to swallow. Poor guy. Oh well. We'll move on to sweet potatoes next!

happy 5 months!

With each passing month, I'm sure one of my blogs will start with "I can't believe...". So, I can't believe that my little man Austin is 5 months already. Time is a flyin'!

He is such an enjoyable little man to be around. His smile is contagious, and his laugh makes me laugh. I just love being his Mom and get to see him growing up each and every day.

Everything goes in his mouth. He is enjoying his rice cereal each evening. He gets super excited when he sees me getting it ready and starts kicking his legs fast and furious. As soon as he sees the spoon, his mouth opens wide!

With each new day, he seems to be accomplishing more and more. He's very close to sitting up by himself. He seems to recognize himself in his photos and videos by smiling and kicking his legs. He loves when he is dad comes home for the day to play with him, bathe him and put him to bed.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos from the past month.