Our Vacation Together: Outer Banks, NC

What a fantastic getaway!  All thanks to Corey's Grandmother and Grandfather, the entire family gets to be together and share such a wonderful vacation.

Things Muffin loved:

• "Baby" sea shells, only baby sea shells.
• Turtles!  We came home with lots of baby turtle trinkets and she absolutely loved feeding the swarms or turtles from the boardwalk.
• "We go pool!"  I'm slightly worried about how I am going to keep her from noticing we don't have a pool in our backyard. This kid loves the pool.
• "Bounce!" There was this disc thing (an over sized Frisbee) that she kept putting in the water and insisted on jumping on over and over and over....
• "Let's go to______'s room"  With everyone staying in one beach house it made for lots of little knocks on the door from Muffin trying to get inside. (I apologize that my daughter wakes up at 6 am, I know a little person knocking on your door that early is maddening.  Thanks for being good sports! - for the record I tried my best to keep her occupied... maybe ;-))
• Ice cream!  The community had an ice cream truck with blaring music just taunting all of the children within hearing range.  Isabelle was no exception and her Aunt Nana loved to get baby girl her ice cream fix.
• Holes in the sand.  If we dug a hole or trench in the sand, she would happily play in it for quite a while.
• Kite watching.  Counting them, trying to see all of the colors, seeing how high in the sky they were.
• Early mornings and late nights.  She was a champ the whole trip and normally here at our house she keeps her own little schedule.  But while on vacation, she kept different hours and enjoyed all of her attention all day (and all evening).

Just a Little Love Letter.

My dearest love,

I'm so blessed to be sharing this journey with you.  I adore you.  Everyday you prove to me over and over that God is so carefully working in our lives.  My blessings as your wife and mother to our children fill my heart with joy.  When our family is struggling, you protect us and pour your love over us.  I admire your strength to carry our growing family and all of our needs on your shoulders.  So strong, steady, and hardworking, you are the keystone to the small niche in the world we are building.  I want you to know, I do see all that you do, even though you ask for no reward.  Your eagerness to serve our family humbles me daily. I'd marry you again tomorrow and a thousand times over.  Happy anniversary to my sweet man, I'm cherishing every moment.

Forever and always,
Wifey

September 6th 2008

Vacation!

We're vacationing (finally) in Outer Banks, NC.  Surrounded by our incredibly awesome family, this trip has been such a treat for us.  I'm laying in bed cuddling next to a beautiful dozing toddler and I sent Daddy off to the beach to enjoy the full moon with family.  This little person in my belly is staying pretty still during the day and usually only chooses to move when we're experiencing a peaceful moment.

Life is good. God is good. Sleep tight blog world.

Favorite Things: Newborn

1. Bordeaux's All Natural Butt Paste
2. Pack - n- Play (with elevated sleep surface)
3. Wipe warmer
4. Moby wrap
5. 100% cotton flannel extra large receiving blankets
6. Medela Freestyle breast pump
7. Lanolin
8. Mother's Milk Tea
9. Boppy pillow
10. Infant swing

1. All Natural Butt Paste:  Simply the best diaper ointment out there.  We tried them all and this is by far the best!  And I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no excuse for diaper rash.  I am a well documented diaper changing fiend.  If your baby is wet, change them.  Guess what happens if you don't change them frequently enough? Yep, diaper rash.  Muffin never had it and I vow this baby won't have it either.  I've watched too many babies with it and it breaks my heart.  Stop being lazy and change your kids diaper.  Buy extra diapers and lots of ointment, change frequently. *steps down from soap box*
2. Pack-n-play with sleeper:  Our cheaper version of a co-sleeper.  I would love love and Arm's Reach Co-sleeper, but I'm not about to shell out for a crib plus a co-sleeper.  I breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months so having the baby right next to me at night time is a must. (Not to mention wonderful<3)  I'm a strong believer in extended breastfeeding, keeping baby/toddler close makes this so much easier.
3. Wipe warmer:  Seasoned moms can laugh all they want, every time my baby nurses at night, I change their diaper.  Newborns have a habit of tinkling when they eat and falling asleep during the burping process, so a wipe warmer to keep from startling a baby with a cold wipe is worth it to me.  (Again, you can probably file this under: Diaper changing fiend).
4. Moby wrap:  I adore wearing my daughter.  I bought an expensive Boba carrier just so I can carry her now that she's a toddler.  Babies are meant to be next to Momma, it's been scientifically proven beneficial for both mom and baby.  (Not to mention it feels so absolutely wonderful).
5. Extra large receiving blankets: Save your money on those expensive swaddler things in the store and just use a huge flannel receiving blanket.
6. Medela pump:  It's expensive but you really get what you pay for here.  Pumping isn't fun and it's not the most comfortable even with the best pump money can buy.  So get the most effective one for your money.
7. Lanolin: Yeah, if you're pumping, nursing, or both you'll need this.  A lot of this.  Lansinoh sells 100% pure lanolin completely safe for babes.  (Other brands have additives- I'd stick to the pure stuff).
8. Mother's Milk Tea:  All natural tea that helps me keep my milk supply up.  Muffin was a really lazy nurser, constantly falling asleep at the breast.  She'd wake up and be hungry again in 15 minutes.  The child was affixed to my boob but because she wasn't eating full feedings it made my supply all wonky; the tea was a life saver.
9. Boppy: Not always necessary but it can give you a more secure hold on the baby if you're super sleepy while nursing.
10. Infant swing:  I don't really put babies placed in my arms down.  (You can ask family members, I'm not keen on sharing them either).  But when I do need to do something like shower or get something out of the oven, a swing comes in handy.

A lot of these fall under our attachment parenting style.  Just remembering all of the newborn moments with our little girl makes me so excited for this baby on the way!

The Thing No One Talks About

You research everything before you have babies, most of the stats and numbers making you a nervous wreck.  I thought I had done this before our first born, but if I have learned anything it's that parenting is a never ending journey of learning.

I can honestly say that if our little girl was a boy I would have made a decision based on nothing more than what I thought should be done.  A permanent decision that I would have made without truly educating myself on the subject.

Now, I have a gut feeling this baby is a boy and the husband and I will be making an informed decision on what we feel is best for our potential son.

Every parent will have a million choices to make once their babe is born and everyone has a right to their personal preferences and beliefs.  But, would you change your mind if you were faced with information that isn't listed in the baby books?  We did.

http://www.drmomma.org/

http://www.savingsons.org/

http://www.intactnetwork.org/

Warning: The following links I actually started to weep.

http://www.savingsons.org/2009/08/plastibell-infant-circumcision.html

http://www.savingsons.org/2012/03/plastibell-lie.html


It's a controversial subject and many people think we're extreme and don't agree and that's completely fine with me.  I can completely understand believing old wives tales because it's not a normal thing to research unless you're expecting. (And even then it's often not given a second thought- this was me for our first pregnancy).  I am also one of the people who (in the past) scoffed at a friends decision to leave their son whole.  I've been on both sides of this debate.  Peer pressure and pressures from family can be really tough, I can attest to that.  Just trust your gut and rely on your partner.  Do your own research and you'll make the decision that's right for your family either way, as long as you educate yourself before hand.


**Update**
I found this link today (8/25/12) very helpful when considering a faith based decision.
http://www.drmomma.org/2011/01/faith-considerations-on-circumcision.html

Favorite Things: Pregnancy

I'm joining in on all of the "favorite things" posts!  I'll do a few of these because they are pretty fun and will be fun to look back at in 10 years when everything I love I'm sure will seem so old fashioned.

My favorite things while pregnant:

1. Leachco Snuggle body pillow deluxe
2. Motherhood maternity underwear
3. Hammock
4. Sally Hansen french manicure nail polish
5. Business of Being Born DVD
6. Bio Oil
7. Flintstones chew-able vitamins
8. Sports Bras
9. Target brand maternity clothes

1. Leachco body pillow:  Mom got this for me when my belly started to get really large with Muffin.  It's amazing.  There have been plenty of times when Corey's back pain has flared and he borrowed it.  It gives ample support and makes it so you don't have to fight a million pillows.
2. Maternity underwear:  Pregnant or not, just do yourself a favor and go buy some.  My favorite underwear, ever.
3. Hammock:  I have a pretty fantastic doting husband and when I was pregnant with our little girl I begged for a hammock.  Once we made it out of the first trimester for this pregnancy, my sweet husband ordered what may be the most comfortable hammock on the planet.
4. Sally Hansen french manicure polish: The ONLY time I have nice fingernails is when I'm expecting.  So naturally, it's the only time I actually showcase them.
5. Business of Being Born: This DVD isn't for everyone, although I think everyone should see it.  But for me, it's a great reminder of why I make the choices I do when expecting, laboring, and delivering.  Corey has always backed my decisions, but since watching this together he understands why and acts as my advocate.
6. Bio Oil: This is more towards the end of my pregnancy.  I will forever have a tiger stripped belly from stretch marks so I don't use it to hide them, I use it because at the very end of pregnancy my skin is so stretched and taut that it's itchy.  Bio Oil just lasts the longest for comfort. (My reality check moment: I actually thought I was going to escape my first pregnancy without stretch marks.  Then I woke up one morning a little over 8 months pregnant and literally out of the blue I didn't recognize my ridiculously marked belly- ha. what a foolish girl I was).
7. Flintstones: The only vitamins I can keep down.* (*most of the time).
8. Sports Bra: My boobs fluctuate like crazy, I quit fighting cup sizes.
9.  Target maternity clothes: I've tried them all and these wash, wear, and are the most comfortable.

Coming soon: My favorite things: Newborn!

Things Accomplished at 14 weeks

Last week.  14 weeks pregnant.

 Baby girl is definitely a strong willed child, (I haven't a clue where she gets it from *sarcasm*) and has no problem objecting to having her picture taken.  The picture above is her waving her finger at Daddy saying "No cheeses, Daddy.  No cheeses."  But since this is a baby bump update, I will mention that I'm feeling some movement!

 

We made a trip to the children's museum and it was money well spent!  She absolutely loved everything but took special attention when we came to the arts and crafts room.

 

Milking a plastic life size cow.  Daddy was so proud of her "natural" farming talent.  We spent a lot of the ride home talking about cowgirls and cowboys.

Later, she was finally able to check out the grape vine that has been tempting her all summer.

Have I mentioned yet that my husband is an absolutely phenomenal photographer?

Despite the not so fun health stuff, life is pretty amazing for us right now.  I feel very blessed and I'm so deeply in love with our little family.  God is great.