tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39605363903022803032024-03-05T18:54:11.547-08:00Natural Mommy {In Progress}Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-40091945270489051542016-11-29T09:35:00.003-08:002016-11-29T09:35:37.937-08:00You might have noticed...I just published three posts I have written over a year ago about or efforts trying to conceive Baby #3. I left them sitting unpublished for almost a year.<br />
Why?<br />
I miscarried that baby.<br />
It was painful at the time to read my hopeful words, not knowing the disappointment I'd soon face, but now I can look back at them for memories.<br />
I still have a few people trickling through here reading what Ive written, maybe someone will appreciate reading those posts.<br />
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Anyways, I have a new blog now. Also about family life, our life now a year after those last entries, including all about a healthy baby boy named Benjamin that was born last February!<br />
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Come see what were doing now at <a href="https://baileysonabudget1.wordpress.com/">Baileys on a Budget</a>!<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-91029322435732180002016-11-29T09:30:00.001-08:002016-11-29T09:37:26.795-08:00This is it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
January 26, 2015</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh7qKYqMoG2Kqep3Bce1qyq3lPKKuPfd1O4WFSPvdUzA-yy_3CZtdwX7PxU5Qn0Yy8mddb7FKC3Dz0RH8w9M5VN_xsazocRQrLAUus-EXBSkFY2eBn-t41ZQjAakYlWWFAhIk1Hjku8k/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh7qKYqMoG2Kqep3Bce1qyq3lPKKuPfd1O4WFSPvdUzA-yy_3CZtdwX7PxU5Qn0Yy8mddb7FKC3Dz0RH8w9M5VN_xsazocRQrLAUus-EXBSkFY2eBn-t41ZQjAakYlWWFAhIk1Hjku8k/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After three months of "trying" for another child, yesterday we found out we're expecting! We're so over the moon happy yet I feel so much more calm in this pregnancy than in my first two. There was no PANIC like before, just happiness. I'm dying to start getting the little nursery area together and start washing and folding little clothes, going to doctor appointments and seeing baby grow. I can't believe that after thinking about it for months and years that it's finally here, we're finally pregnant again.<br />
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There's no real big story about how we found out. I had planned to test yesterday and managed somehow to wait. Jeff was right in the kitchen as I was reading the test. We even told Sam and Abby and they were really cute and said they wanted a "baby to come to the house " but I don't know if they remember. I've told a few friends but no family yet. I think we'll tell people sooner this pregnancy but I'm not sure when yet.<br />
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And on that note, I present my second pregnant picture ever!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGTETkKfTE1ugkishF-zz3njmf4S2-ZgCpC_tjsnMT0QzwXnDeZ5HUH5UcvnyVJsp3WTBRVIACUhCMqvSzvRX4bTXt6X_JO5M1NUMEz8jl1XilGnpJ16uWp8VGvdcNZutnKDxxfYWMQ0/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGTETkKfTE1ugkishF-zz3njmf4S2-ZgCpC_tjsnMT0QzwXnDeZ5HUH5UcvnyVJsp3WTBRVIACUhCMqvSzvRX4bTXt6X_JO5M1NUMEz8jl1XilGnpJ16uWp8VGvdcNZutnKDxxfYWMQ0/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQqRHM2YCghHfBoec2po99kxjoTmx78aZ2NcTBOQ3o6qAo7yU2dKTdi511xbwxuGEX2V5rhCRCnlhoYuZkGDsJYvznJkQSEH1txG45JCsEnkGxhj6rCEzcQHPab7UUSuF07fPn2CRXPw/s1600/IMG_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQqRHM2YCghHfBoec2po99kxjoTmx78aZ2NcTBOQ3o6qAo7yU2dKTdi511xbwxuGEX2V5rhCRCnlhoYuZkGDsJYvznJkQSEH1txG45JCsEnkGxhj6rCEzcQHPab7UUSuF07fPn2CRXPw/s1600/IMG_0186.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I told myself that I would actually document this pregnancy every week. So along with the picture, here's some more stuff:<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">How big:</span></b> size of a poppy seed<br />
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">How far along:</span></b> We just found out yesterday, so 4 weeks and 2 days, Due November 30th<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Doctor's Appointment:</span></b> April 22</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><b>Feeling Pregnant:</b></span> I've definitely been nauseated since yesterday and super wiped out. I was really nauseous on the way to the store yesterday (to buy the sets that came back positive!) but by the time we were coming home I stopped at Dunkins and DESTROYED a toasted egg sandwich with bacon that I don't even usually like! I never eat anything with bacon.<br />
Today is a little worse, a little more tired, a little more nauseous, but I have two other children and a house to care for so I'm really trying to pace myself, get the rest I need and still got done what I need to. I'm trying to munch on toast and sip water to settle the nausea but I haven't been able to eat much yet today.<br />
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Everything is really falling into place here. Jeff and I both found out we'll be getting raises in April, and Jeff is getting call backs from even better jobs that he's been applying to.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">So what's next??</span></b><br />
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Sam's birthday is coming up next week and he wants to go to the aquarium. He's tuning four and I can't believe it.<br />
Abby is going to start potty training this weekend.<br />
I'm starting to detox from coffee again. I was totally free from it a month ago, but its so so tasty. I just love it. Its part of my routine in the morning. But I know its not the best for me so its going.<br />
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-57086520122523636472016-11-29T09:30:00.000-08:002016-11-29T09:30:21.709-08:00Now We Wait...<br />
January 12, 2015<br />
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So I guess we're done trying to conceive for this month. I honestly have no idea whether or not I think we'll be successful. My cycles have been like clockwork so I ovulated when I thought I would and our timing was good, but we didn't get to "try" as much as we would have liked. Both kids have been sick for over a week, Jeff has been back to work and gets home very late at night and I've been so tired lately, probably because I haven't had a coffee in weeks.<br />
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In the mean time, I've been focusing a lot on my health and making sure my body is as ready as it can be for a possible pregnancy. I added an extra <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vitafusion-Omega-3-Vitamins-Adults-120-count/dp/B005D0DSLA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421116125&sr=8-2&keywords=vitafusion+omega" target="_blank">Omega-3 supplement</a> after rereading the chapter about it in <a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/news/sears-family-blog/healthy-pregnancy-book" target="_blank">The Healthy Pregnancy Book</a>. This is in addition to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vitafusion-Prenatal-Gummy-Vitamins-90-Count/dp/B003IP8BC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421116065&sr=8-1&keywords=vitafusion+prenatal+gummy+vitamins" target="_blank">prenatal</a>, and the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/up-up-slow-release-iron-tablets-30-count/-/A-11005202" target="_blank">gentle iron</a> I started since my prenatal had no iron (boo).<br />
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I've also been eating super healthy. I started making smoothies today with yummy fruits, peanut butter and almond milk and sipping on one for breakfast. The one I made today was super filling and I just had a small bowl of lentil soup for lunch. I made fish for the first time on my own, and had baked haddock and quinoa for super. Shockingly the kids actually ate it, even Sam who eats nothing. I'm working on increasing good fats with nuts and fish, decreasing bad fats by cutting fried stuff and sweets and increasing fruits and veggies and legumes.<br />
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The healthy pregnancy book is so inspiring and it really gives you the stuff you need to know and how to do it. Now that Abby has her own room, its nice to be able to stay up a little bit and read something interesting (and still be asleep by 930 ha!).<br />
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So now we wait and wait... the dreaded two week wait. I'm going to be distracting myself with nutrition, daily yoga and of course my sweet sweet littles. I'm going to keep tracking my cycle in case we have to try again next month and hopefully everyone is healthy and well rested so we're not too tired to try!Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-25613424176747018122016-11-29T09:29:00.000-08:002016-11-29T09:29:57.432-08:00New Year and New Changes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">January 7, 2015 </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So after over a year of planning and thinking and waiting (I first wrote privately about it in November 2013), I am so happy to announce that we are, as of this month, trying to conceive baby #3!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lets look at the goals I set back then and see where we stand today:</span><br />
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<div style="color: #8ac487; font: 18.0px 'Handwriting - Dakota'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">to do’s</span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>finish bedrooms and entry way</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>buy a vehicle that fits three car seats</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>move to day shift</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>finish classes for bsn with clinical component</b></span></div>
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<div style="color: #8ac487; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal 'Handwriting - Dakota'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">small goals</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>buy and install reverse osmosis water filter</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>dental check up</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>buy life insurance</b></span></div>
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<div style="color: #8ac487; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal 'Handwriting - Dakota'; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">fitness goals</span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #38a7bd; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>get back to goal weight!</b></span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #38a7bd; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>consciously eat healthier</b></span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #38a7bd; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>eliminate soda</b></span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #38a7bd; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>increase vegetables</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>start juicing </b></span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>stop ordering out (a lot)</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #38a7bd; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>start practicing yoga again</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The bedrooms and entryway are mostly finished and we are using all of them. The only work that remains is to refinish the floors in our bedroom and the upstairs entryway.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have a down payment saved for my new family vehicle and with our trade ins we are financially ready at this point. We're just now looking around for a good deal and this is something that can wait a few months. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also, I realized money was a huge stress on my mind. When I had Abby, I didn't have any paid maternity leave and it really drained our finances, and I was tired of worrying about money month to month. The last half of last year and now this year was spent straightening out or finances. I calculated how much I would need saved to cover my bills when I wasn't working and set a plan to accomplish that. I also decided on how much of a down payment I would feel comfortable with for a family vehicle. One of those goals has been accomplished and I'm only a few weeks away from the other. We also took a long hard look at our bills and made some cuts and sacrifices to lessen the pinch every month.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I moved to day shift at work a few months ago. This is the one I was most nervous about and its a big check! Now we have more baby sitting options.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All of the small goals have been accomplished for some time now. The filter has been in for a year, I've had life insurance for months and I even now have a retirement plan. Yay adult things!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One huge thing that I'm so so excited about is that Jeff finally quit smoking a year ago. I fell like he's so much healthier and it's so much better for our children and any future children. I hated that smell of smoke and what he was doing to his body. During my other two labors, he had to keep excusing himself to go smoke and then would come in with the smoke still on him. I hated it. I'm so unbelievably proud of him now and grateful that he did this for our family. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As far as my health, between January and June of last year I lost 54 lbs, finally reaching 1lb above my goal weight. Since then I have gained back about 10lbs. I really did not watch what I ate at all or even try to exercise over the past few months so I'm excited that 10lbs is all I gained. Honestly I've never had trouble losing weight, but the second I hit my goal, I bounce right back up to what I was before. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;"><b>What I'm Doing Now</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Since this cycle began and I knew we were actively going to start trying, I have really turned my diet around. I've detoxed from coffee (the worst), I'm eating small healthy meals about four times a day and snacking on super healthy things only like apples with peanut butter, hummus and pita (or hummus on my finger...) and lots of greek yogurt with fruit. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I scored a really good deal on a nice blender on Target.com that's supposed to come in tomorrow, and I plan on making healthy smoothies once a day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Earlier this week I also started practicing yoga daily. I'm so sad that I let this fall by the wayside this past year. On the other hand, the last time I practiced I hadn't reached my weight loss goal and was 30lbs heavier than I am now and I'm finding it so much easier. I remember from my last pregnancies that in the 3rd trimester the body releases something called relaxin (a hormone) that helps relax the pelvic muscles and ligaments in preparation for birth and it makes you super stretchy and bendy, so I can't wait to see how that affects my practice!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's amazing how easy it is to change your lifestyle for someone else, compared to changing it for yourself. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;"><b>Preparing for Pregnancy Pre-Pregnancy</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been taking prenatals intermittently since the summer, but since were actively trying now, I switched to a chewable one that has fish oil to help the baby's brain grow (there are also tons of other reasons and benefits for both mom and baby) after being inspired by a chapter in The Healthy Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sears on the benefits of Omega-3s. I love my prenantal. Except for the fact that it doesn't contain iron. I've never had a problem with anemia or bleeding but I feel that iron is important to have on board, so today I bought Slow-Fe, or a slow release iron supplement. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On top of the prenatal and iron, I've started drinking 8oz of pure pomegranate juice a day and at least one cup of raspberry leaf tea a day which I will continue throughout my upcoming pregnancy. Raspberry leaf tea has a gazillion benefits for conception, pregnancy and just women's reproductive health in general including overall uterine health, less painful periods, and shorter easier labors. More are listed <a href="http://wellnessmama.com/5107/raspberry-leaf-herb-profile/" target="_blank">here.</a> I first heard about drinking pomegranate juice when we were trying to conceive Abby, and the cycle I started was the cycle we got pregnant. Its rich in antioxidants and overall thought to be crazy good for you, but specifically its thought to thicken the lining of the uterus and increase blood flow to the uterus promoting implantation. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've also already been to my doctor for a check up and "preconception counseling," which basically just included him telling me basic pregnancy info. Being my 3rd pregnancy almost I really knew all of the stuff he was saying. I weighed in there at 185 and he made a comment that I was up 8lbs from the month prior when I saw my primacy for asthma exacerbation. So now my goal is to be 177 at my first prenatal visit. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: small;"><b>So as of Today...</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Ovulation is coming, I can feel it but I haven't had a + ovulation test yet, which I'm really not expecting until tomorrow or Friday. We've started trying anyway, just incase. And because it's fun (lol). The next time I can test is in 16 days.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Last month we weren't actively trying but had already ditched the birth control. Our timing wasn't anywhere close to ovulation but it was still exciting buying those tests again and waiting and waiting... for the negative. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">For emotions? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Excited!</span> I can't wait to be pregnant again. I honestly love it. I love the anticipation of waiting for labor, and I even love labor and delivery. I can't wait to be the mother of a newborn again and then watch that child grow and become a unique being. But also... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Nervous! </span>Oh my God are we seriously talking about another child? That's three children! Sam and Abby are only 3 1/2 and 2, they're practically babies! But on the other hand... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Confident and calm.</span> This is our third child. I know pretty much what to expect. And I'm 27 now. When I was 23 and first pregnant with Sam, I knew nothing about babies children or family dynamics. Since he has been born I really dove into natural and gentle pregnancy, birth and child raising philosophy and I just feel better prepared. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b>Hopes for this Pregnancy</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">We always said that now that we have one boy and one girl, if we decided to have a third we wouldn't find out the gender. I still hope to do this but I don't know if we'll be able to hold out!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I'm hoping to continue healthy eating and practicing yoga throughout my pregnancy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">My last delivery was all natural, so I'm hoping to do that again. I also want to try to push in a different position and maybe catch the baby myself. I'm thinking since it's my 3rd, and second with the same doc, maybe he'll say ok. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">For the more superficial: I want to do weekly updates! I have like one picture of myself pregnant! I have a tripod now so I really want to try for weekly updates here and see the both of us grow.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">So that's all the news for now. Hopefully this first month is the month! </span></div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-26684422334437723012014-09-27T10:14:00.000-07:002014-09-27T10:14:30.909-07:00A Quick Potty Update So Sam has been potty trained for about 4 months now (it seems like a lot longer than that). In the last <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/06/potty-journal-week-3.html" target="_blank">potty post</a> I had made a few goals that we were still looking to hit. As for now, he will mostly say when he has to go to the bathroom, but if he's doing something really fun he'll totally lie and say "no" even if he's doing a full on potty dance.<br />
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I'm working with him now on pulling his pants up and down but he still needs a lot of help. It's hard to watch him trying to do it on his own when I know that I can just do it in two seconds, but it's part of the process.<br />
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He hasn't had any accidents in a long time. at one point he did regress for the better part of a week and had, like, three accidents a day all over himself and the couch, floor, kitchen chair, wherever. We went back to basics and did almost a "toileting schedule" and put him on the potty every 90 minutes and we fixed that problem in about a day.<br />
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I still put a pull-up on him at night and a nap time, though nine times out of ten he's dry after nap and in the morning, so mostly its for mess prevention and convenience.<br />
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Our biggest problem right now is poop. Most of the time, he out right <i>refuses</i> to poop on the potty. At the beginning of last week, some wind of fortune blew in my direction and he went on the potty for about three days straight and of course we made <i>the hugest deal ever </i>about it. Since then? Nada. At least he is considerate enough to go during nap when he's wearing a pull-up instead of messing his whole outfit. I've tried to read some things about kids who refuse to go #2 and I'm not finding anything definite or really helpful. I'm hoping he'll just grow out of it at this point.<br />
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Next is Abby. I was hoping to train her by the end of the summer before the weather got too cold. I let her run around the house for two days with no pants like I did for Sam, but she didn't seem to be making the connection and we stopped. She picked out her own potty and underpants (yup, Despicable Me boy briefs), and she is definitely still interested in in so I'm thinking about trying again shortly.<br />
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-58312229605724082102014-09-17T13:22:00.000-07:002014-09-17T13:24:25.737-07:00Our First (real) Vegetable Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been planting vegetables since I was a little girl. It was one of the benefits of having a HUGE yard and massive amounts of super private land which we had when I was a kid. After I moved out, me and Jeff lived in little apartments and places that either didn't have a yard or had one that we couldn't dig up and honestly I kind of forgot about growing. </div>
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Now that we have kids and have been thinking more and more about eating healthy food and the safety in organics over the past few years, I started getting the itch to start having a garden again. Buying organic all the time is expensive, so last year I bought a few seeds, and a few strawberry plants and we had a very small little crop of just a few things (squash, tomatoes and strawberries I think) in a little 4'x2' plot near the porch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND1nvmz6qLtil3nuOgWHwc-RvBCCNemX3T1uvCt_1u_CAqlpdA9WNGTv1bYpBIbFRI5ui-2UN42qkg5L2BcVxGmqRtlzyWTj6JwuDOnQDBOzYFtSs_rd9d6wLOP54ycUva9ckGXXO6E8/s1600/basketofveggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND1nvmz6qLtil3nuOgWHwc-RvBCCNemX3T1uvCt_1u_CAqlpdA9WNGTv1bYpBIbFRI5ui-2UN42qkg5L2BcVxGmqRtlzyWTj6JwuDOnQDBOzYFtSs_rd9d6wLOP54ycUva9ckGXXO6E8/s1600/basketofveggies.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a> This year we cleaned up a big section of the yard, tearing up the rose bushes that were here when we bought the house, which I was a little bit sad about. I had this big plot (possibly I think 10'x10', maybe more) and the small side plot. I added a few bags of soil but honestly the soil that was there was pretty good. It must have been a garden before that just needed a little help. I got organic seeds which were a little more expensive but worth it, and we planted two tomato plants, a patch of rhubarb, onions, garlic, two long rows of corn, one zucchini plant and a small patch of broccoli in the big garden. In the small plot I planted carrots and what I thought were strawberries since that's what it said on the BAG, but turned out to be butternut squash. I really wanted the berries but hey, We like squash too. We also planted blackberry and raspberry bushes on a whim, which shriveled and died. I also had one cantaloupe plant that I thought was dead, but then gave one delicious melon. </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">What We Learned</span></b></div>
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All summer I was griping that my rhubarb, onions and garlic never grew. Last weekend I bought a Farmer's Almanac and found out that, well, that's possibly because you're supposed to plant them in the fall. My plan is that I'm just going to leave them there and hope they come up in the spring. Ewps. </div>
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My broccoli did come up but never turned into anything that looks like broccoli and then was eaten by some type of creature. I probably won't waste my space trying to grow it again next season since even organic broccoli is pretty cheap. </div>
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The zucchini plant looked good all year, grew one huge perfect zucchini and then died. I always remember zucchini being super easy to grow and having more than we knew what to do with. I'm not sure what happened here. </div>
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The two rows of corn yielded about four full sized stalks and these were the only ones that gave cobs. I think it has something to do with the sun falling differently on the plot but I'm not sure. I have to research this and figure out how to fix it because the corn that we harvested and ate was delicious. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HG6lvoL-BxIiuswRnuJ8MminctVK7I6pJKMrY4CBeLfypWmUtQpB7iXUakIsQejKSGBEWAvJWc6aUryFSXAG8CPKvafkeGmuUPpzsk1wnj9K1onMy6Gy1Nusmi3WaB55DcaDV2T8Mwk/s1600/corn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HG6lvoL-BxIiuswRnuJ8MminctVK7I6pJKMrY4CBeLfypWmUtQpB7iXUakIsQejKSGBEWAvJWc6aUryFSXAG8CPKvafkeGmuUPpzsk1wnj9K1onMy6Gy1Nusmi3WaB55DcaDV2T8Mwk/s1600/corn.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a> A few weeks ago I found a packet of cucumber seeds and lamented never planting them so I planted a small patch and had Jeff make a little wooden apparatus to hang strings on so they would grow up and not all over the ground. I know I had a slim chance of actually eating cucumbers this year (my real intention was to can them which would be another first), and thanks to the short growing season up here and a sudden drop in night time temps, I have a 3' square patch of dead 1" long mini cukes. </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">My Plan for the Coming Season</span></b><br />
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Even with the learning curve I managed to pull out a pretty good little crop. The basket in the picture above was just one harvest. I also got about six more ears of corn and carrots and tomatoes every few days through out the summer.<br />
This winter I plan on educating myself more about vegetable gardening in general so that I can get a higher yield on my small plots of space. I probably won't plant the broccoli or rhubarb next year and use that space for something else. I hope the garlic and onions decide to come up because we use a lot of those cooking. So next year the plan is:<br />
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<li>Plant only the things we grew successfully and eat regularly: tomatoes, corn, butternut squash and carrots. </li>
<li>Figure out what was up with the corn rows and how to get more to grow to full size. </li>
<li>Plant the cucumbers early and grow enough to can, which leads me to</li>
<li>Learn how to can (lol)</li>
<li>I also really want strawberries since the kids love them, they're cheap and easy to grow and buying organic berries is expensive. Maybe buying already started plants and keeping them in planters? </li>
<li>I also was thinking about planting a patch of pumpkins, but it's possibly just because it's fall now and I'm seeing them around because I have no idea where I would put them. </li>
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After looking at my list I think my big problem was that I just tried to plant too many different things in a too small place. I also think we have a few branches to take down so that more sunlight can get to the plants. </div>
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SO I'll be doing some light reading all winter on general gardening with the goal of a larger crop. Maybe adding pumpkins next year and selling them in the fall for a little pocket change. Then I'll be able to hopefully adjust my shopping list and buy only minimal amounts of produce at the store and that will be organic especially if it is on the list of <a href="http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214" target="_blank">the Dirty Dozen</a>, which is a list of the produce that is the most contaminated with pesticides EVEN after it's been washed and peeled!</div>
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-37486909248133539902014-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:002014-09-16T13:52:04.068-07:00Boomerang!Where have I been?<br />
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Oh my goodness I did not expect to take the WHOLE summer off from blogging. Honestly the time that I spent on this thing just got overwhelming, especially the photos, which I suck at editing.<br />
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I really did like writing here and am planning to come back but mind my pictures because they will be strictly unedited lol.<br />
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So just a quick preview of whats to come: what we were up to all summer, how the first season of growing our own food went and plans for next year, a quick potty update (hint, he's doing fantastic), our continuing prep for possibly baby #3 (!!!), Sam's home schooling schedule.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-76047456488434082812014-06-11T23:00:00.000-07:002014-06-13T07:33:21.797-07:0052 Weeks of Toddler Experiences Week 12: Boston Museum of Science<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It's no secret how much Sam loves dinosaurs. Just before his birthday I was looking for places close by to take him to see some dinosaur bones. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Last year I took the kids and my sister into Boston to the <a href="http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Harvard Museum of Natural History</a> because it was a part of the Blue Star Museum program and relatively close by. As is anything in Boston it was a pain in the ass to get to and there was on street parking only. Nightmare. Sam was satisfied with the bones and stuff they had but it was so stressful other wise (no parking, no AC, no elevator, no strollers allowed) that I wanted someplace different this time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I found the <a href="http://www.mos.org/" target="_blank">MOS</a> online and remembered going there as a kid in school but the prices are astronomical. I held on to all of Sam's birthday money and decided that instead of spending it all on one trip to do a lot of smaller ones. I was kind of bummed. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Fast forward a few weeks later and I get my cousin's wedding invitation in the mail. And lo and behold, its AT the Museum of Science, and included in the invitation is a free pass for each guest for that weekend! Obviously we had to go. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Jeff absolutely HATES going into the city so I took my sister (again) instead since she was staying at my house anyway. I had in my head the idea of how to get there and honestly should have just gone with that but for some reason turned on my GPS that suddenly decided to yell TURN LEFT NOW in the middle of our nice easy route, propelling us into the bowels of the city. I had no clue where we were, we were lost for a half an hour. At one point we were on some piece of highway that was seriously hundreds of feet in the air, over treetops and buildings. Awesome. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So finally somehow we get there. Obviously we went directly to the dinosaur room and stayed there for the majority of the time. Sam and Abby both loved it. There were a few fossils and skeletons and a huge model T. Rex. They also had little games and activities for kids. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> We finally wrestled them out of the dinosaur room and they had so much other stuff; The Science of the Park, The Hall of Human Life, a movie theatre, live animals, taxidermy local animals in little fake habitats, and a Discovery Center play area for little kids to play in. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Of course we had to go in the Butterfly Garden (which was 22 freakin' dollars for 15 minutes). Abby seemed to like it and it was good for cute pictures but Sam was ready for nap and he didn't like anything at that point. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the end of the very long tiring city day, I'm glad we went. I love doing new and interesting things with the kids especially if they can learn something. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-38648416058304963222014-06-11T12:53:00.001-07:002014-06-11T12:53:17.006-07:00My Return to Health <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I've been working on this post for a long time, not quite sure how to begin. So let's just do it: I was fat. Really fat. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I've struggled with my weight basically my whole life and I've never been what I'd call a thin person, or even a healthy person. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Right before I got pregnant with Sam, about four years ago, I was in the best shape of my life. I was following Weight Watchers, working the evening shift and going to the gym for about an hour after work. I was within 8lbs of my high school weight and 13lbs of my first semester of college when I was at my lowest from walking all over a huge spread out campus all day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSt7mfXZqNN-OkN4N97-er9nff1OcOKvaIJNxGyH0qr-LzeI91q5vQseZXpHXJn8aCywue3Cv9uXBt8Ub8SdU1MZ-KoKbnKpaBkEZ6N1u2blrAJV-YY-_OyrALgyiYkE4tj-l_u64V6k/s1600/1stPregnancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSt7mfXZqNN-OkN4N97-er9nff1OcOKvaIJNxGyH0qr-LzeI91q5vQseZXpHXJn8aCywue3Cv9uXBt8Ub8SdU1MZ-KoKbnKpaBkEZ6N1u2blrAJV-YY-_OyrALgyiYkE4tj-l_u64V6k/s1600/1stPregnancy.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Getting pregnant with Sam was super easy, it really took only one try. Thanks to my all-day sickness which lasted the entire 39 weeks, I gained no weight and was the same after he was born. The picture to the right is me at 7 months pregnant.</span><br />
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<a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/03/our-attachment-parenting-journey-first.html" target="_blank">For my First Birth Story, click here.</a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The minute he was born the nausea was gone. And I was hungry. And I ate. I put on I think 30lbs between when Sam was born and when we started trying to get pregnant with Abby, a time span that is under a year. Getting pregnant the second time took much longer. Every month that went by that I wasn't pregnant I would wonder why, why was it so easy the first time and not now? In the back of my mind I knew it was because I was overweight. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> After Abby was born I was slightly heavier than I was when I got pregnant. I had read that if you are breastfeeding, it's super easy to lose weight and you're <i>supposed</i> to eat more. And I did. I was FAMISHED all the time, an absolute bottomless pit. And I just got fatter and fatter. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> In July I went to my cousin's wedding and took a group shot with my cousins. And I was the fattest one. But I was still in denial. I seriously thought that the dress I was wearing was making me look bigger. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItBgGG7D2FJEMYeRJqD2Z3E5oQfWBypBFTdMlt9xuf1OuUVd-doFmuYCN18ZntLrllhNV-k3sXPkK7ilxsigyyRgkui-ArlCj4TboSAWPJTZy8JoZ_J-Vq15KRhcnIbiv2nHGmIOXWO8/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItBgGG7D2FJEMYeRJqD2Z3E5oQfWBypBFTdMlt9xuf1OuUVd-doFmuYCN18ZntLrllhNV-k3sXPkK7ilxsigyyRgkui-ArlCj4TboSAWPJTZy8JoZ_J-Vq15KRhcnIbiv2nHGmIOXWO8/s1600/before.jpg" height="320" width="159" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> That September, I was the Maid of Honor in my friend Megan's wedding. I was so honored and happy. The event was breathtaking, the dresses were beautiful and I knew there would be a hundred billion pictures. I was still in the deep river of denial about my weight as I ordered the biggest size the company carried and prayed it would fit. It barely did and was a 16/18.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I knew I was the fattest bridesmaid and I was so nervous to see the pictures, but I wasn't prepared for what I saw when they came out. I looked awful. There wasn't enough hair and make up in the world to make me look good. Their wedding video was more like a film, it was a work of art, and I couldn't even finish it because I wanted to barf looking at myself. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the months that followed, I knew what I had to do. I needed to lose weight. I entered my height and weight in a BMI calculator and it said I was obese. Not even obese, but obese class 2. None of my clothes fit, not even my scrubs, which are basically pajamas. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Full disclosure: I want to have another baby. I've always known I would want a lot of kids. I know that if I want that to happen I would have to lose this weight. When I finally realized that this weight loss needed to happen, I made a list of a ton of other things that needed to happen too, but I knew that this would take the longest. I'll talk about the other things on my list another day; this post is just about me getting healthy.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK03aIb5pA-n3ocOQYlwyfRQk4p1rt-w3KN-X0Iuep4VBoa05TyiOSTrik4L17GzqSKD2G1jZdWwvK5axNq8PqHMieqh9oWV9mtqoipki27t3emFEuh7tYhSRVVGQx3qz-2I0iwE066RA/s1600/wwscreenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK03aIb5pA-n3ocOQYlwyfRQk4p1rt-w3KN-X0Iuep4VBoa05TyiOSTrik4L17GzqSKD2G1jZdWwvK5axNq8PqHMieqh9oWV9mtqoipki27t3emFEuh7tYhSRVVGQx3qz-2I0iwE066RA/s1600/wwscreenshot.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> Come January, I saw a commercial for Weight Watchers on TV saying that they'd wave their new member fee for new sign ups. The start up cost was the one excuse I'd been using to justify not really being serious about eating better and now that was gone. January 6th I started my weight loss journey. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I started seeing results on the scale right away. I didn't take any pictures initially because I couldn't bear looking at myself and now I'm bummed that I didn't. I had a huge amount of weight to lose. I knew that setting my end goal initially would just overwhelm me and increase my chances of giving up. So I set small goals. I wanted to be under 200 by Valentine's Day, under 190 by Sam's birthday party and under 180 by my cousin's wedding which was a few weeks ago. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKf3uwBNDfk5NJLHvyhO7QTVG0fF_Vv4kbcmx5HBNT_SyFxUNfACxTJETnB_kAt6k6A8vmjkbyRAPyvnH5AH6ND3jK73tyEEgfwPDs-uAlLUmQg26wbRViLKL1uC3XpddNWk7ERnAOu4/s1600/initialbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKf3uwBNDfk5NJLHvyhO7QTVG0fF_Vv4kbcmx5HBNT_SyFxUNfACxTJETnB_kAt6k6A8vmjkbyRAPyvnH5AH6ND3jK73tyEEgfwPDs-uAlLUmQg26wbRViLKL1uC3XpddNWk7ERnAOu4/s1600/initialbefore.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Excuse the bad quality of these pictures, but these are the first ones I had taken and I'd already lost a few pounds. These are the jean's I'd been wearing. They're a size 16 and I don't have to tell you they barely fit. I had to wear super long baggy shirts to even wear them in public. I think taking these pictures and coming face to face with myself made me realize no, its not the jeans, or the dress, its me. And I got to work.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I preplanned what I would eat the night before so I wouldn't feel rushed and make bad decisions out of hunger and lack of time (huge for a busy mom). Even though I hate it, I exercised a few times a week by either doing some DVD's at home or walking all over town with the kids in the double stroller. I definitely could not afford (either financially or free-time wise) to step foot in a gym.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Valentine's Day came and I surpassed my goal by three pounds. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Sam's birthday party came and I had surpassed my goal by five pounds. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I knew that I wanted to lose weight the natural way (this is Natural Mommy after all) through healthy diet and exercise and it was working. No pills, no potions, no crazy restrictions on carbs or other foods being completely eliminated because I knew I would set myself up to fail. Sometimes a girl just needs carbs and shouldn't be punished for having them. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I'm not trying to say I didn't fall off the wagon once or twice or more times. I'm not trying to say every week was a huge loss. But consistently, every week, through nothing but mindful eating and some light-moderate exercise (because I really hate exercising) I lost weight. Even if it was a half pound. And over the past five months the amounts have really added up. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> Those too tight size 16 jeans? This is what they look like now. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoEZUQ7IcHHPcdxRQdQ7woJqhoKdEwwA25KkmuWp1ynwgV3D0dsDpliQibQmoA8pf1LFZ_dJwWpygGcmLKAYEBPFlw0PURNfI5vno3UynNoFMwEsqsmb_YWb0wv91ODDCjuQXduCpYFQ/s1600/afterjeans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoEZUQ7IcHHPcdxRQdQ7woJqhoKdEwwA25KkmuWp1ynwgV3D0dsDpliQibQmoA8pf1LFZ_dJwWpygGcmLKAYEBPFlw0PURNfI5vno3UynNoFMwEsqsmb_YWb0wv91ODDCjuQXduCpYFQ/s1600/afterjeans.JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Now I'm in a size 10 and they fit comfortably. And that gorgeous bridesmaid's dress I squeezed into? Now I would be in an 8/10 according to their size chart. Two sizes smaller. When I hit my ultimate goal I was considering re-renting it and taking pictures again. And the goal of being under 180 for my cousin's wedding? I forgot to weigh myself that morning, but I got on the scale the day after and was 166. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's 14lbs below my goal for a total of a 52lb loss in just over 5 months. My BMI has gone from a shocking 36.3 to 26, which is still overweight but much closer to a healthy range. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have less than 10lbs to go to hit a healthy weight for my height, but I would love to be a size 8. A single digit dress size once seemed so out of reach for me but I feel like with a few more weeks of hard work I'll get there. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> As is everything in my life, my weight is a work in progress. I'm giving myself until the end of the summer to get into the 150's and those still too tight size 8's. If I can get the courage together, I just might wear a bathing suit on the beach for the first time in my adult life. When I DO hit that goal, hopefully just around the time the New England leaves are turning, I'm going to reward myself with something big. I'm going to commission my photographer cousin for a family portrait. That would be a 60lb weight loss after all! As much as both of my kids combined!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So the theme of this blog is progress. I've come a long way but I still have a bit of a journey ahead of me. So in order for me to be able to cross off "Get to my Goal Weight" from my Master To-Do List, I still want to:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be under 160 by the fall</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fit into size 8 jeans</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maintain that weight (forever but immediately) until January 6th</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1exAHgGYhXSX7R6uYXHpaa48H80wpXNGqbklH-Rx-x2W4lVmMyOmw1ueMO3r42nzWPW8gCcRGX1NPeghnpAtYOc_h1UDQYKzitm_9xe9KQ_lBkbVbFUkQxFUpA0VMAGaNpS81_HLNzc4/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1exAHgGYhXSX7R6uYXHpaa48H80wpXNGqbklH-Rx-x2W4lVmMyOmw1ueMO3r42nzWPW8gCcRGX1NPeghnpAtYOc_h1UDQYKzitm_9xe9KQ_lBkbVbFUkQxFUpA0VMAGaNpS81_HLNzc4/s1600/collage.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One more just to hammer my progress home for myself. No my gorgeous bridesmaid gift bracelet didn't fit. Yes it does now. I've come a long long way but I still have far to go. And I have the cutest photobomber in the back.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK9I_fxQgg1cP8sUjWoHX5mmQV7bbz8kgdVfA3ojlkfRHJlpo-3sbGEv1bdbT9lyDMiH7jm0PiX5zm1WVrI_HOQ0gfvIsVh8Wwox0u0rqobUIQG-ZCRLDyrETcN3FRLKm_ACHlxtkQlI/s1600/jeans+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK9I_fxQgg1cP8sUjWoHX5mmQV7bbz8kgdVfA3ojlkfRHJlpo-3sbGEv1bdbT9lyDMiH7jm0PiX5zm1WVrI_HOQ0gfvIsVh8Wwox0u0rqobUIQG-ZCRLDyrETcN3FRLKm_ACHlxtkQlI/s1600/jeans+collage.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the bedroom is still a mess. Some things never change.</span></div>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-67958703433367654022014-06-04T19:30:00.001-07:002014-06-04T19:30:50.835-07:00Potty Journal: Week 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is probably going to be the last potty journal. He really seems to get it. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the very beginning of the week he had two accidents. I don't know if we were too confident or just forgot or what, but he peed once on the floor and then once sitting on my lap!! Ugh! I'd be more grossed out of I didn't have the professional body fluids conditioning that I get 3-4 days a week at work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He acknowledged the accidents and seemed a little upset, so I just reminded him gently that pee only goes in the potty and not on the floor. He hasn't had an accident since. We've been out to stores, the lake, Grammie's house, no pull up on just-in-case. I just watch for him to start dancing, bring him to the bathroom with the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/prince-lionheart-weepod-basix-potty-ring/-/A-15279879#prodSlot=medium_1_1" target="_blank">Prince Lionheart Potty Ring</a> I got ages ago and he goes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today he even started telling me he needs to go to the potty which is another huge step I think. He's never been huge on sharing his thoughts and feelings with words. He even sat and tried so hard to poop on the potty. I'm not sure if he just didn't have to go or what because after sitting for a little while and a little talking about it he gave up. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So the only to-do's left in Sam's potty training are:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saying he has to go with consistency</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Walking over to the potty himself without being prompted</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pulling his pants up and down</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nap and night time dryness which really only comes with age</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm so proud of us. I feel like we're battle worn now; that I've actually done some real parenting and everyone has come out of it feeling positive and our goal was accomplished. I'm putting a damn sticker on his chart for myself. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-v4IWQhpaI_GiL_BP1CywM3buO298I6zCnofObJAdYMfNfIMMHhMkX29RC9olySZ0MEkqHFGhRbUQYA_cIZCNwo5lMEWUc2eCLwZtZ_4pbDUYeVuysGkl9yGjqvuBDvhulCa8X02x7g/s1600/IMG_2539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-v4IWQhpaI_GiL_BP1CywM3buO298I6zCnofObJAdYMfNfIMMHhMkX29RC9olySZ0MEkqHFGhRbUQYA_cIZCNwo5lMEWUc2eCLwZtZ_4pbDUYeVuysGkl9yGjqvuBDvhulCa8X02x7g/s1600/IMG_2539.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next up is going to have to be Abby. She's so ready to learn. She pushes Sam off the potty and wants to sit on it a thousand times a day. She hates being wet and tells me when she wants to be changed or when she's going to poop. And now she has big brother to watch. According to the readiness checklist in the Elizabeth Pantley book I mentioned in the <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/05/potty-journal-week-2.html" target="_blank">last potty post</a>, she's more ready than Sam was, but I didn't know what self esteem issues I'd cause by training little sister before big brother. Like I said, this one was touchy and scary for me. I wouldn't want to screw up and make Sam a serial murderer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And lets be honest, even if I was the worst potty training parent ever and Sam grew up to become a mass bomber or mall up skirt video taker, I'd still love him as long as he came home and told me about his day. </span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-29951976956876098512014-06-04T18:58:00.005-07:002014-06-04T19:52:32.044-07:0052 Weeks of Toddler Experiences Week11: Lake Swimming<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We've been planning a trip to the real beach at the end of the month for a while now but until then, I'm using the lake in our town as beach methadone.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQxA77POaMrcxFiFaC4EHmxFYFf_15sMxd6dz23pvuOdDJIgmfnpf0CiADnMDcJML8y0hwvEFQujkZHfwH4HGhv8jd0j34nCiWS9VM1fwb2CFenWydZqidRHMrZ9x_lk9E9aBVnS2tPg/s1600/LakeGeese.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQxA77POaMrcxFiFaC4EHmxFYFf_15sMxd6dz23pvuOdDJIgmfnpf0CiADnMDcJML8y0hwvEFQujkZHfwH4HGhv8jd0j34nCiWS9VM1fwb2CFenWydZqidRHMrZ9x_lk9E9aBVnS2tPg/s1600/LakeGeese.JPG" height="371" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We went early in the day on a weekday and since school isn't out yet we were the ONLY people there. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2JP1G2UNurCWEpS3YCaIdW8_zWjRFXGuBUCRhHzNwa6sDeZOayo4TbyaAE9WRjB6ANIjnF3tTt9hROR4rSLdONQj3f_ymZX-mxhGaEEjDOTuJH3RlKdNIxXGg2wtUPSblzY9lqIyot0/s1600/SamLake2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2JP1G2UNurCWEpS3YCaIdW8_zWjRFXGuBUCRhHzNwa6sDeZOayo4TbyaAE9WRjB6ANIjnF3tTt9hROR4rSLdONQj3f_ymZX-mxhGaEEjDOTuJH3RlKdNIxXGg2wtUPSblzY9lqIyot0/s1600/SamLake2.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Look at Sam's face. All morning as I was packing and getting ready and all the way there he was saying "Beach time!! I'm so excited!" This post is mostly pictures of the kids playing and the day. I forgot how nice this lake really is since usually when we go its way too full of people.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7R-Tn-1I3cu8wl-hix3LgWM9moveNW-zs5prRsKTqaEaL9_99ptrFB4ptUs2KxPYnETJxIKQW0gzieNByHm5UfFITrPcntLn-0eY8VLxfDSb38sV41fC372tnYMZhLNT4xQSqIULYUM/s1600/BabyganicsSunscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7R-Tn-1I3cu8wl-hix3LgWM9moveNW-zs5prRsKTqaEaL9_99ptrFB4ptUs2KxPYnETJxIKQW0gzieNByHm5UfFITrPcntLn-0eY8VLxfDSb38sV41fC372tnYMZhLNT4xQSqIULYUM/s1600/BabyganicsSunscreen.jpg" height="531" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And just one of my favorite no-nasties sunscreen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlK42Hdi3KyjOIjKvYWebWvVUpwvtllVEbYvGoN0t4mfQH7Cm165NuFJZj76KY_xjJF8K62MLx8Nm2bGriQl0qfr4jAkQ_sAoB0RnzwtRBaEd_87teAPNjIWawGkCVUaCM2N7zwqVcM4/s1600/AbbyLake3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlK42Hdi3KyjOIjKvYWebWvVUpwvtllVEbYvGoN0t4mfQH7Cm165NuFJZj76KY_xjJF8K62MLx8Nm2bGriQl0qfr4jAkQ_sAoB0RnzwtRBaEd_87teAPNjIWawGkCVUaCM2N7zwqVcM4/s1600/AbbyLake3.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTFc0YqLOFBNxAuNJC9ScsJqXP4tOg2qMumsNhOiVgbXWjGMD8IpeZS6PX6W0b5aFTxHPRxfhMEO_aEGicN6UOAv29PqxE7GQbDe-PwnknN-J1TuB8JgvNvN7N4O4pdcKiAPypFGU17I/s1600/SamLake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTFc0YqLOFBNxAuNJC9ScsJqXP4tOg2qMumsNhOiVgbXWjGMD8IpeZS6PX6W0b5aFTxHPRxfhMEO_aEGicN6UOAv29PqxE7GQbDe-PwnknN-J1TuB8JgvNvN7N4O4pdcKiAPypFGU17I/s1600/SamLake.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chana-frid/11-great-things-about-preschoolers_b_5069465.html" target="_blank"><b>11 Great Things About Preschoolers</b></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I definitely got what the writer was saying about wishing away the littleness of her first child and being excited to move on to the next stage. I did the same thing with Sam. I couldn't wait for him to roll over, walk, talk, sleep through the night or whatever. Looking back, I think this is why I felt like I <i>needed</i> to have another baby so soon (they're only 20 months apart). I missed the little baby stage that I had wished away, but I think this is natural for first kids. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A brand new parent wants to see her baby's first steps and first words and experience all of those firsts that are so exciting and we put so much value on as a society. Parents LOVE to compare at what age their kid hit all of these important milestones vs. other kids. It's nice to be reminded to live in the moment and suck up all of these little things while they're around forever. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So without further ado, here are 11 great things about MY preschooler. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.<b> He thinks I can fix anything. </b>Even broken sidewalk chalk. Which is not, in fact, fixable. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <b>He states the obvious.</b> "Mama! I'm eatin' cookies in the bathroom!" "Mama! You have claws! And bears have claws!" "Mama! Abby stinks! She pooped!"I get squeaky voice news bulletins about every 10-15 minutes on average. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <b>Everything is brand new, even if its not.</b> Every time we go outside is like going to Disney World for the first time. Same with car trips, the store, toys he's lost and re-found. He sees life through perfect un-jaded rose colored glasses. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <b>He negotiates. </b>He has an <i>idea</i> of what he really really wants. But he's open to negotiation. Two cookies ("Two cookies mama! One two!") can easily become one granola bar, or even string cheese if you make him feel like it was his idea the whole time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. <b>He's a teacher. </b>He loves learning new things but more than that, he really loves showing them to Abby. So far he's taught her how to sit on the potty, wash her hands, and take the leaves off of strawberries and throw them in the trash. It really makes my life easy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. <b>He still cuddles. </b>I mean obv. He's my 'best boyfriend.' I relish his hundred million hugs and kisses a day because I know there will come a time when it'll be like pulling teeth. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. <b>He's a bookworm. </b>Every night before bed we read. And read. And read. At times there is a pile of books next to his bed, and I can' ever tell him no more. He can also recite the Very Busy Spider and Brown Bear, Brown Bear. I'm so grateful he has a love of books and not screens. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. <b>He knows how to relax. </b>A man needs his rest. Sam's main chill spot is <i>right</i> in the middle of the couch, with a drink, and usually with his legs crossed. The latest addition of the all white briefs makes it perfection. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. <b>He loves animals. </b>Having compassion for creatures that need caring for is such an amazing quality to have and I think it shows so much more depth of character than holding only human interests at heart. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. <b>He finds joy in little things. </b>Bubbles, a hot bath, a handful of M&Ms, a really cool bug on the window screen, all still hold wonderment and happiness. He's not yet moved into the realm of material possessions or needing knock out over the top activities to make his day. I'm hoping to hold onto this for as long as possible. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. <b>He's compassionate. </b>If anyone sheds a tear of makes a sound hinting at distress, he's there with as many hugs and kisses and "it's otay"s it takes to make you feel better. He has a huge heart, and wants everyone to be as happy as he is. </span></div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-54949239420898292342014-05-28T20:04:00.000-07:002014-05-28T20:04:24.577-07:00Potty Journal: Week 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last time I wrote about Sam on the potty I was aaaaalmost at the end of my rope. Frazzled. Frustrated. And I had no idea what to do next. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the two days that followed, he had more accidents on the floor than he had been having initially. Lysol and paper towels were our best friends. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Something has happened over the rest of week though. Something clicked for him. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That peeing every ten seconds problem? Gone. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The frustration and discouragement? Gone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The really huge problem I thought we could never get over: peeing in his pants and not knowing/ caring? Gone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It took the better part of a week of peeing on the floor and in his (super cool) new underwear, but with gentle reminders he now seems to know that pee doesn't go all over the floor or in his pants, but ONLY in the potty. He gets it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He now refuses to pee in his pants. In the past three days he has been totally accident free except overnight, which isn't really an accident as overnight dryness is about physiological growing, not understanding or executing a task. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I still put a pull up on him at nap time and obviously at bedtime. Today though he did wake up dry from his nap but I'm still using pull ups just in case. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today we even went out to the store with my mom and brother, potty seat in tow. He started jumping around and wiggling so I knew he had to go. We went into the big, scary, (even for adults) public bathroom and he went! Right away! No sitting and coaxing for 15 minutes. It was awesome.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I feel like I'd been dreading this particular milestone since he was a baby. Its like, a BIG one. I know he still has a long way to go; he doesn't pull his own pants down or say that he needs to go using words, and poop is pretty much luck if it goes in the potty or not (but we haven't really talked much about poop yet) and I know that he still may regress and go back to having accidents, but I feel like we have a good foundation. He gets the concepts, he seems proud of himself for learning and I think now I have SOME clue what I'm doing. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Things that Helped and Things that Didn't</u></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*I loved the book </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Cry-Potty-Training-Solution-Good-Bye/dp/0071476903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401331498&sr=1-1&keywords=the+no+cry+potty+training+solution" target="_blank">The No-Cry Potty Training Solution</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. It totally goes along with my stress free, gentle parenting approach. Rereading certain parts really helped get through those initial dark potty days, after the initial enthusiasm wore off and before the success started to kick in. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*A lot of places talk about hyping the whole new underwear thing, but honestly, Sam could take them or leave them. He really doesn't care about clothes and prefers being naked to anything. It definitely wasn't a huge catalyst to peaking his interest, but now he really likes wearing them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*He did respond to the whole sticker chart thing. It's just a piece of paper taped to the bathroom wall. I got books and sheets of all different kinds of stickers and he gets to pick whatever one he wants. It's a nice little reward that doesn't cost a fortune or fill my house with junk. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*TMI but the watch-and-learn method really works too. He watched both of us and we told him what was going on and then I propped up the mirror so he could watch himself and that helped him out too.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Lastly and most importantly, the best decision I made through this whole thing was letting him run around naked and pee on the floor. Sure it was a mess and stressful, but n hindsight, I think this is what really got him to get what's going on with that "need to pee" feeling. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now he's free to relax like a little man. Tighty whities, chillin' on the couch with a beverage. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-13399948652109704602014-05-27T11:36:00.001-07:002014-05-27T11:36:35.013-07:0052 Weeks of Toddler Experiences Weeks 9 (1/2) and 10: Blowies and Backyard ZooSome how last weeks just got away from me. I've been working extra to try to save up and take the kids to the beach at the end of next month, the weather was bad and I was in a funk. I wanted to make up for missing last week so we snuck outside before this afternoon's thunderstorms roll in to blow some of those puffy dead dandy lions around (I used to call them "blowies" when I was a kid) and to look for some friendly animals.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blowies!</span><br />
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I thought Sam was going to be more into this than he was as he's usually my little nature boy, but honestly how adorable are these pictures of Abby?<br />
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She loved the "blowies" and only ate a few. When blowing them off was too slow she pulled the rest off and let them fly before moving them on to something else.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Back Yard Wild Animal Encounter!</span></div>
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This one was almost purely luck. I knew if we hunted around the yard long enough we would find <i>some</i> type of creature to look at (we live near a brook and theres always something around). But what we found was totally perfect. Snakes are one of Sam's favorite animals (after sharks and dinosaurs of course) and we found a nice big fat, yet pretty docile, garden snake. </div>
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I tried not to aggravate it too much as I'd really like it to stick around for a while and get rid of some of the chipmunks digging huge holes in all my gardens. Sam loved it, and cried when it crawled back into the grass and out of sight and even tried to tempt it with a little frog we found later: "Here snake here! A frog snack!" Lucky for the frog, he didn't bite.</div>
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Now that it's nap time and the clouds are getting thicker I'm glad I got them out before it rains for the next two days. So much for the lake day I wanted to do this week. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> A while ago I started reading online about how to start potty training a kid. We bought a potty about a year ago and showed it to Sam and were met with COMPLETE disinterest. He was obviously not ready, so we tucked it away, taking it out every few months to try again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Before his birthday we tried again, made a potty chart, got some potty board books and started hyping the potty again. I bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Cry-Potty-Training-Solution-Good-Bye/dp/0071476903/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400779856&sr=1-1&keywords=the+no+cry+potty+training+solution" target="_blank">The No-Cry Potty Training Solution</a> by Elizabeth Pantley, which is pretty in tune with the whole attachment parenting way of life. We started "potty learning," and he happily talked about the potty and sat on it with his clothes on, sometimes with his clothes off, but never actually did any peeing. I really feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. I know all about potty training theory, like don't ever scold your child for having an accident, let them do it on their own time, stay upbeat and reward successes. But mechanically? No clue. I have so much anxiety over it because I feel like this is one of those do-it-right-or-your-kid-is-a-serial-killer parenting moments.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Friday was my day off, followed by my weekend off so I felt that this was the perfect time for the full court potty press. I was super motivated. I told Sam the night before to say good bye to his diapers and that tomorrow he would get big boy pants and use the potty (which he did, which was adorable). Friday morning we woke up ready to rock. I changed his last diaper (tear) and put him in disposable training pants. I sat him on the potty every hour for 15 minutes at least. He didn't do one drop of pee on the potty all. Day. As soon as he got off the potty he peed the disposable pants. Saturday we kept trying, and even went to the zoo with foamy potty seat in tow and he actually did pee on the zoo potty once. By Sunday I started thinking that maybe the disposable pants were too much like diapers, so we went to Target and got some of those old school white training pants with the extra layers and some super cool train underwear for later. He really likes his "unnaweeyahs" but it really didn't change the outcome too much. Monday and Tuesday I was at work and from all reports, the trend of sitting on the potty with no results and immediately peeing in the pull up (which I gave to my mom and Jeff's grandmother who watch the kids when I'm at work) or underpants continued.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sam either doesn't know or care when he is wet in diapers and would never complain about it. I also</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">had no idea when he was pooping. I knew this was going to be a hurdle when we eventually started potty training him. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because of this and because he didn't seem to make the connection between having to go and the potty when he had the trainers on, I took drastic measures. Yesterday, we started going pants free. Yes. Free wheeling buns all over the house. I was terrified and really hesitant to do it but honestly, its made all the difference int he world. He can SEE himself peeing and then all I had to do was associate that feeling with "quick! Run to the potty!" Last night was full of experimenting intially. I caught him pushing pee out onto the floor just to watch himself. After a few times though, he really seemed to begin to understand. He actually peed on the potty for the first time that I was sure wasn't just due to timing and then he did the most amazing thing: he came up to me and said "mama, have to go peepee potty please?" So I rushed him into the bathroom, placed him on the potty, and he peed right away and clapped for himself when he was done. Of course I made a HUGE deal about it and told him over and over why it was so amazing. Later on, he was playing by himself, and then quietly got up, sat down on his little potty in the living room and pooped. I was ecstatic. I'm so relieved that he really seems to get what he is supposed to do. He can associate that need to go feeling with sitting on the potty.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Today has been a lot of reminding. He has many many accidents, but I'm trying to focus on getting him to pay attention to what his little body is saying and to take a break to sit on the potty. One thing that's still making me nuts though is that he pees so frequently. He pees like ten drops every ten minutes. What's up with that? When he sits on the potty he stays there for several minutes, so it's not like he's getting up too soon. I gave him extra milk this morning to increase the number of potty opportunities and it resulted in a hailstorm of pees on the floor. I feel bad that all morning revolved around accidents on the floor, reinforcement, cleaning up, and then more accidents. By noonish, he was feeling frustrated, I was frustrated, and he asked for a bubble bath to relax in (love that) which I happily gave him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> After lunch he was must more relaxed. Abby on the other hand, has been beside herself that Sam is getting the majority of the attention. End result, everyone is having an early nap, including mommy. Today is one of those rainy dreary days where I have no motivation anyways. I need a break. And some time to reflect on how far we've come. Today there's pee in the potty which there hasn't been, he knows what's going on and what he's supposed to do. I'm off the rest of today and tomorrow also, so I'm hoping we'll be in a pretty good place come the weekend. I'm not expecting anything less than weeks to pass before he's completely day time potty trained, and am just looking for progress.</span></div>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-32142765895092085972014-05-16T20:24:00.006-07:002014-05-23T21:18:02.910-07:00Friday Night BFFLs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Let a 3 year old stay up way way past his bedtime and then try to take a picture and this is the result. Quality. </span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-84338832290821375062014-05-16T20:13:00.000-07:002014-05-16T20:13:05.553-07:0052 Weeks of Toddler Experiences Week 8: Trip to the Library <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> A little late on this one, but I've been laid up this past week (gallstones, seriously? I'm too young for this!). One day last week we had a particularly beautiful day and we walked down to our tiny local library, only about a half mile from our house. They do have story time weekly for different age groups but our age groups fall on days where I have to be at work. Oh the woes of a working mom! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Sam loved playing with the wooden puzzles they had laid out on little kid sized tables, walking through the shelves and shelves of books and finally settled on three to check out; hippos, rain forests and dinosaur books, anyone who knows him would not be surprised. Abby, on the other hand, was not so impressed by the books and was more interested in scaling the steps outside and playing in the flower boxes. All in all a nice little family outing that both kids enjoyed for one reason or another.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This is Sam last year and this year at the same library. I can't even believe how big he is. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-5448560026760825382014-05-05T19:12:00.000-07:002014-05-05T20:10:04.496-07:00Our Attachment Parenting Journey: A Second Chance and a Second Birth<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">To read <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/03/our-attachment-parenting-journey-first.html" target="_blank">Part I</a> and <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/04/our-attachment-parenting-journey.html" target="_blank">Part II</a> of this story, click the links. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUJD9y4swebLRsm6jf_XE-QHQmK0IY-JJNalh7wkKpBCUcG4eIgz-G5rzCmnfw0NIjp1zNErAv5cROX3B4J_39BfXRHOBDAQVmrxoUKTWFN9vGzxqAjxGQ4FLbJZH82W-5VoQndKx4g0/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUJD9y4swebLRsm6jf_XE-QHQmK0IY-JJNalh7wkKpBCUcG4eIgz-G5rzCmnfw0NIjp1zNErAv5cROX3B4J_39BfXRHOBDAQVmrxoUKTWFN9vGzxqAjxGQ4FLbJZH82W-5VoQndKx4g0/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5c5c5c; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> After this discovery of the attachment parenting lifestyle, I began to feel comfortable as a parent. Confident, as if I had come into my own. All of these cliche things. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Jeff came home at the end of September that year, late at night one evening after Sam had been sleeping. I remember him peering in our bed astonished at how he had grown. He asked “But... why isn’t he in the crib?” I told him that this was how he slept. And he accepted it and we all got in bed and slept peacefully as a family for the first time in six months. </span>Jeff was an instant father. All of the worries I had about the boys being separated for so long melted away as they became best friends. It was nice that he had no outside influences giving him ‘ideas’ about what parenting looks like, and he fell right in to our lifestyle without leaving me to feel judged. Sam slept in our bed every night. Some nights, he would start off in his crib, stretching and rolling around, waking up to jump around and then fall back asleep. But inevitably he would end up between us at some point in the early morning.<br />
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When we found out we were pregnant with Abigail, we were elated. It had taken a little longer than Samuel, and I was over come with relief that my body was in fact working properly. The trip we took to Vermont when we were trying to conceive left all of us with wonderful family memories, but I was relieved I was finally pregnant. It was just before Sam’s first birthday.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I immediately knew I wanted this pregnancy to be different. I was seen by a nurse practitioner for the first several weeks, after I was disappointed to find that there were no midwives in my area. I filled my mind with positive birth affirmations and read several books on natural childbirth and breastfeeding. I really liked the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Childbirth-Bradley-Way-Revised/dp/0452276594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399340656&sr=8-1&keywords=natural+birth+the+bradley+way" target="_blank">Bradley</a> book, and practiced the exercises religiously. I walked with Sam in the stroller, ate healthy, and stayed positive. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> As I neared my ‘due date’ my doctor began internal exams. He told me at 38 weeks that I still had an ‘unfavorable’ cervix. I thought this was good news, but it would seem I was wrong. He then began the induction talk. At 38 weeks! I still had 2-4 weeks to go! I was amazed. I told him that I absolutely did not want another induction and that I could go into labor on my own. His response was best described as a ‘we’ll see’ and my 39 week check up was the same as before. On my due date he scheduled a non-stress test where you lay semi reclined and very uncomfortable on a very narrow table with external monitors on, looking for contractions. I had none. In the exam room, my doctor told me that my cervix was still very high and unfavorable. I told him that I wasn’t worried, because I knew I was going to go into labor in 3 days; that I just had a feeling. He must have thought I was crazy or in a deep denial because he scheduled an ultrasound after agreeing to “allow” me to go another week without intervention. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Just as I had suspected, two days later I was in labor. At first I didn’t know I was. I thought I just had a stomach ache and gave Sam his bath and put him to bed like any normal day. As my belly ache got more intense, I texted Jeff saying that tonight might be the night. He asked if he should start heading home and I wasn’t sure. He works a two hour drive away, so I finally decided that yes, he should start heading home because even if I wasn’t in labor I would have his company. I sat tailor-style on the floor wrapping Christmas presents for my family; pictures of Sam in black frames. By the time Jeff got home at around 9pm I realized I was in full blown labor. I didn’t bother timing contractions because I couldn’t make myself care. The pains were intense and coming frequently, who cares what the numbers are? To deal with the cramps, I got in a hot shower and spent a long time in there letting the water rush over my back. When I got out I called my mom to start heading our way (she was going to sleep over with Sam) so we could go to the hospital. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> In contrast to my previous scheduled induction, I was so happy to be experiencing labor on my own. I so missed having that “is this it? lets rush to the hospital in the middle of the night!” experience the first time around. I moved to a hands and knees position on the bed. The contractions were intense but I was so afraid to go to the hospital. What if I get there and I’m only 1cm? What if I’m left for hours strapped to those monitors not allowed to move? Then at 11pm my water broke and this rush of panic swept over me. First, it was meconium stained, so my dreams of laboring in the birthing tub or shower were dashed, and I was fearful for what it meant for the baby. Then, I remembered how intense the contractions got after my water broke with Sam. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle bringing my stuff to the car, the short ride to the hospital or walking in. I called my mom back and told her to hurry. She called her sister who lives right up the road to come until she got there, but they both came at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> The less than 5 minute ride (seriously it was like a mile) to the hospital was torture. I was sitting in the car thinking of how grateful I was that I didn’t decide to deliver in Boston where the midwives are as I knew I wouldn’t have been able to tolerate the ride. We got to the hospital at around 1130 and I calmly walked through the ER waiting room (where I work) and waved to a few coworkers, trying to be the picture of serenity.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Once on the maternity floor, the nurse gave my a johnny to change into and I remembered that I had wanted to buy a light cotton one from <a href="http://www.dearjohnnies.com/shop/" target="_blank">Dear Johnnies</a> or some place to labor in instead. Too late now! I got on the bed and she checked me and I was surprised and to happy to hear that I was 7cm! All my hard work at home really paid off; there would be no pit drips on this girl! She also put external monitors on, but didn’t make a fuss when I wanted to labor sitting straight up sitting Indian style on the end of the bed. This was the only way I felt comfortable. At one point she DID make the comment “you don’t look very comfortable” and attempted to lay me back and put pillows all over me and one under each appendage. I immediately flashed to being stuck in that half reclined position for days on pitocin and jumped back up to my criss-cross stance. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> As the contractions got more intense, I remember hugging Jeff around the neck with each one. At one point I wanted to bite him, and I think I actually tried. Between contractions though, no matter what anyone else says about birth, are lovely little pain free breaks, where you’re just a girl sitting on a bed. At one point I felt like my body was pushing. I wasn’t doing it, it was as if my body knew exactly what to do (funny huh?) The nurse checked me and yes, I was ready. It was about 1am I think. I had to wait for my doctor of course, so I sat in the same position on the edge of the bed not really trying to not push until he came. What I really wanted to do was just stand and push the baby out, or push kneeling on the bed. I knew it was coming, but when he came in it was immediately lay flat in lithotomy, feet up! I panicked. PANICKED! I started yelling “What? I don’t know that to do! What am I supposed to do?!” I was completely thrown off my flow. I don’t remember anyone really telling me, but I just started pushing the baby out. It hurt. It burned like no other. All I had heard was how contractions were bad and pushing felt great. I felt the opposite. I think I only pushed three or four times. I do remember reaching down and feeling the top of her head coming out because no one was telling me progress and I wanted to know. At one point I said “I never wanted a natural birth!” Which every one in the room knew was not true. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I saw the pediatrician come on the room (because of the meconium stained fluid). The one I disliked and still do. I will say that it is awkward giving birth in front of people you will continue to work with. But before I knew it, our precious girl was here. At 131am on December 7th, 3 days after my due date just as I had said. She went directly into the arms of the nasty pediatrician, and I feared another long exam. But he checked her over, gave a small ‘congrats’ half-wave and after I was sutured for a small tear, the nurse put her right back in my arms. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> She was so wide awake and soft and sweet. I tried to nurse her and took to it right away (and hasn’t stopped for 18 months yet). Like it was easy, as if we had done it a million times before. I knew all of my reading had paid off. Then something magical happened. The nurse had me get up to go to the bathroom to get cleaned up, and when we were through, she put Abby back in my arms, shut off the nights and said “have a good cuddle!” Just like that!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">No fights, no damning looks over ‘endangering’ the baby, no hiding our “alternate lifestyle” from strict staff. It was wonderful. And we did have a good cuddle AND a good sleep. We were both quite tired. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> We woke up early the next morning and the first thing on my mind was getting home so that our little family was together. The nurses and OB didn’t seem to have much of an issue with it and by that evening around supper we were home.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Adjusting to home life with Abby was so much easier than with Sam, even with a little guy under 2 running around. I think as a second time parent you are able to adjust your expectations to what works better for your family and your baby. This time I knew that she was going to sleep with me and be worn in a Moby Wrap during the day. I didn’t have those old anxieties about “spoiling” her or not being able to put her in a crib as she got older. I didn’t even try to put her in a baby seat until she was much older and when I did, she actually liked being in her little swing. We left the house plenty of times and wherever we went, whether it was the aquarium, Natural History Museum or the beach, or even just the grocery store, she was in the carrier, quiet, happy and looking around. I believe in the Attachment Parenting Book its referred to as ‘peaceful observation.’ This phrase describes Abby to a T. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I love these sweet memories of baby wearing at the beach, breastfeeding and baby wearing at the EcoTarium. Having a breastfed sling baby has made having a toddler so much easier. I have one arm free for him at all times. I don’t have to juggle bottles or a stroller, I can follow him around with Abby in the sling at his pace, holding his hand. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Another perk of AP is the amount of compassion that this style of parenting instills in children. In The Attachment Parenting Book, Dr. Sears says that when children know their needs are viewed as important and will be met with compassion, they then view other’s needs as important and pass that compassion on. I would say this is absolutely true and is one of my favorite qualities of Sam’s personality. His is the most loving little boy. He is so concerned about the happiness of others, especially his sister. He brings her snacks, blankets, when she (or anyone) cries or seems upset, he runs to her and asks “Whats wrong Abby? It’s ok!” and rubs her hair. He says “please” and “thank you,” “you’re welcome” and “excuse me.” He kisses her and shares his toys. He is generally a happy little sweet boy. I love that and I’m so glad that I listened to my instincts and ‘discovered’ this style of parenting, as I can now see the same qualities starting to emerge in Abby. She also at just one year old says “please” and “thank you.” She shares with Sam and gives out plenty of kisses and hugs. </span><br />
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I was worried as they got older, that I would 'run out' of ideas of how to parent this way; neither child sleeps with us anymore, Abby has been shunning the wrap and prefers to walk around solo. But I realize now that AP is so much more than when they're infants. Its gentile parenting, its a mind set. It's about holding a child through a temper tantrum, understanding that they are frustrated, not defiant or manipulative. Its about maintaining open lines of communication in ALL the ways they communicate. If anything, AP only expands as children grow older. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"> If you think the attachment parenting style would work for your family, or you just want to learn more, see the AP Resources links below:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.attachmentparenting.org/" target="_blank">Attachment Parenting International</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/" target="_blank">Ask Dr. Sears</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/attachment-parenting/what-ap-7-baby-bs" target="_blank">The 7 Baby B's</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201307/the-4-principles-attachment-parenting-and-why-they-work" target="_blank">The Four Principles of Attachment Parenting and Why They Work</a>- an article from Psychology Today</li>
<li><a href="http://time.com/606/the-man-who-remade-motherhood/" target="_blank">The Man Who Remade Motherhood</a>- the Time Magazine article about AP from May 2012</li>
<li><a href="http://www.baojournal.com/BDB%20WEBSITE/BDB-no-10/A01.pdf" target="_blank">The Benefits of Attachment Parenting for Infants and Children: A Behavioral Developmental View</a>- a Harvard Medical School study posted in the Behavioral Development Bulletin</li>
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-72314706071631807192014-05-02T12:24:00.002-07:002014-05-02T15:31:15.449-07:00Vaccines: Pc<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pc or Pneumococcus is the second installment in my series of posts on vaccines. To read my post on HIB, and why I started this series, click <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/04/vaccines-hib.html" target="_blank">here.</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All information from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316180521/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397589592&sr=1-1&keywords=the+vaccine+book" target="_blank">Dr. Sears' The Vaccine Book.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Pc: Pneumococcus</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">>Given at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months of age. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pc bacteria, or Streptococcus pneumoniae, is a bacterium that, like the HIB bacterium, is passed like the common cold and is more common in infants, toddlers and the elderly. The Pc bacteria can cause:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Cold symptoms</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ear Infections</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Blood Infections</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meningitis- an infection of the lining of the brain</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Pneumonia- an infection causing fluid to build up in the lungs</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Signs and symptoms of infection with Pc:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Mild infections</span> caused by Pc present like a cold. A fever that does not resolve on it's own after a few days would prompt a trip to the pediatrician, who would treat with antibiotics if symptoms of ear or sinus infection, bronchitis or possible pneumonia are present. Usually the antibiotics will treat the illness without ever being discovered as Pc. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Moderate infections</span> begin like a mild infection does, but the child will also appear lethargic, may have labored breathing and will "look sick" enough to call for a chest X-ray, blood work and oral antibiotics or IM antibiotics (administered my intramuscular injection). The blood cultures are positive for Pc (that take 48 hours to result), and the parents of the child will be called to have the child come to the hospital for 1-2 weeks of IV antibiotics.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Severe infections</span> with Pc will present with meningitis or blood infection symptoms which the treating doctor will immediately recognize. The child would be immediately admitted to the hospital for several days of aggressive IV antibiotics and possibly respiratory support via endotracheal intubation in an intensive care unit. Most children with severe Pc infection will recover fully but it may take weeks in the hospital. Long lasting complications such as brain damage or hearing loss are caused by swelling of the brain. Fatality is 20-30%, 60-80% in the elderly. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Pc is the most common cause of meningitis in infants and a common cause of respiratory infections. Infection with Pc is not required to be reported to the CDC, so it is difficult to say precisely how common it is. It is believed that the number of serious Pc infections has decreased from 60,000 cases yearly to 17,000 cases after vaccination began in 2001. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Although the vaccine has done much good, the current vaccine now only covers 2% of the known strains of Pc. A newer version of the vaccine, Prevnar 13, was formulated to cover a new strain, 19A, which was resistant to some antibiotics. As the vaccine is reformulated and distributed, new strains crop up and older ones die out, so Pc will never be completely eradicated. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~The Pc vaccine is made by using the sugars that coat the outside of the bacteria and are added to the vaccine solution along with diphtheria toxoid pieces and aluminum. The vaccine does not contain full or living Pc bacteria, so there is no chance of infection by Pc from the vaccine. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Potentially Harmful Ingredients</b></span><br />
<ul style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(119, 119, 119); border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Prevnar 13 contains 125 micrograms of aluminum. Toxic effects of aluminum can occur if too many aluminum containing vaccines are given at one time. In the book, Dr. Sears includes an alternate vaccine schedule which you can find <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/p/dr-sears-selective-vaccine-schedule.html" style="color: #cc3300; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here,</a> on another page of this blog that I copied out of the book. </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Common Side Effects</b></span><br />
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<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Local redness, swelling and pain at injection site (50% of kids), 80% of kids report fussiness or irritability, moderate to high fever (5%). Severe reactions are reported in 8% of test infants. Severe allergic reactions or seizure occurred in less than 1%. Post market surveillance reveals that the vaccine can also cause rash at injection site, lymph node swelling in the injected limb, anaphylactic shock, angioneurotic edema (severe swelling) and apnea (a period of not breathing). </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Sears' Summary: "Pc infections can be very bad or only minor irritations. The problem is, you don't know until you're stuck with one. The Pc germ is a fairly common resident in day cares, schools, and check out lines at the grocery store. Unless you are a housebound agoraphobic or a stay at home mom who never, ever takes her baby out, you and your kids will encounter the germ. The Pc vaccine offers a "get out of jail free" card, so to speak. Overall, I'd call this a fairly important vaccine."</span></blockquote>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-89783549822147502222014-05-02T11:45:00.001-07:002014-05-02T11:46:03.227-07:0052 Weeks of Toddler Experiences Week 7: Painting with Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I love doing art projects with the kids. I feel like making a god awful, hideous mess is part of childhood. Painting with feet is something I saw cruising Pinterest late at night and I couldn't wait to try it. Sam got two huge rolls of paper for his birthday, so I rolled out a few strips and taped them together, covering most of the kitchen floor (and honestly, my kitchen floor is ugly and old and needs replacing so I wasn't too terribly concerned with protecting it). Then I laid out paper plates with all different colors of paint, different types of brushes, rollers and sponges and let them have at it! No one actually painted with their feet but I am now the proud owner of a massive piece of toddler art that I have no idea what to do with lol.</span></div>
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-67657140102125832112014-04-30T12:42:00.000-07:002014-04-30T12:42:04.399-07:0052 Weeks of Toddler Experiences: Weeks 5 and 6 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> We've been keeping up with the list, or my version of the list anyways, I swear! I have have pictures to prove it. I just can't seem to get to the computer to post about them! So here's my multi-week post for week 5, blowing huge bubbles and Week 6, zoo trip!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Week 5</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Easter morning was gorgeous here and my brother bought the kids a killer bubble machine. Obviously hours of fun were had. The pictures are from when we first tried the machine on inside and we moved outside after. I adore these pictures, the kids' faces are just so full of joy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Week 6</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Sam absolutely loves animals so this year I couldn't wait to bring him to the zoo. My sister was gracious enough to come along with us and help me out as I knew it would be hectic bringing two little ones and, honestly, I don't think I could have handled it without her. It was so crowded and our zoo is just hills and winding trails from exhibit to exhibit and of course, Sam couldn't wait to see them ALL! There is also an acres large open area full of deer you can walk in and feed, like a little simulated magic forest. I was so glad I could run in one direction with Sam as she ran in the exact opposite direction with Abby. </span></div>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-14871707995996058982014-04-15T11:46:00.000-07:002014-04-15T11:46:22.411-07:00Week 4: 52 Weeks of Toddler Experiences<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So after this past gorgeous New England weekend when I was trapped at work, our super fun zoo day I had planned for today is a washout. I was so bummed. I hadn't told the kids, of course, where we were possibly going today so they didn't know any different. It was still pretty warm out despite the rain so I had all the windows open, and I heard Sam talking to someone or something in the playroom. I went around the corner and found him talking to a tiny little spider (I know, gross) that was walking up the screen in the window. He had so much fun talking with the little spider, watching it walk, 'feeding' it pine needles that were still trapped in the screen from winter. He told me all about spiders, their webs, their legs and then he showed Abby the spider and told her all the same things.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I don't think that all memorable experiences need to be intricately planned knock-out ones. The imagination of a child can take the smallest observation or event and be completely in awe. Sam didn't need the zoo today to have a special moment, all it took was a tiny spider on a window. Its another one of the amazing things children can teach their parents when the parent is listening and, thankfully, today I was. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-82394771391159481862014-04-11T19:30:00.003-07:002014-04-11T19:30:30.533-07:00Vaccines: HIB <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was inspired to write this series of posts after reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316180521/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397246378&sr=1-1&keywords=the+vaccine+book" target="_blank">The Vaccine Book</a> by my Dr. Sears. All information in these posts is basically a summary of the information written in the book.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Vaccines are such a hot topic. Some families vaccinate religiously, some adamantly refuse to, and both sides have excellent and (most of the time) well researched arguments. As a mother, I knew I wanted to have my children vaccinated but I wan't exactly sure why. I realized I didn't even know what diseases we vaccinate for, what ingredients were controversial and what the possible side effects were. I realized that without knowing it, I was leery of certain vaccines that I didn't see as absolutely necessary; I had never had a flu shot and I elected to opt out of the trendy new HPV vaccines that came out when I was a teenager. For some reason they made me nervous.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The point of these posts is to present a little more information about vaccines, diseases they hope to prevent, and their potential side effects. Working as an ER nurse, I am used to breaking down tons of information and presenting it to patients into small, workable chunks that make sense and they will remember. I hope this is what I have done here. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">HIB: Haemophilus Influenzae Type B</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">>Given at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months of age. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HIB is a bacteria exclusive to infants and the elderly that is passed like the common cold. The HIB bacteria can cause:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Meningitis- an infection of the lining of the brain</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Blood Infections</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Bone Infections</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Epiglottitis- an infection of the epiglottis in the throat than can obstruct breathing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Pneumonia- an infection causing fluid to build up in the lungs</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Signs and symptoms of infection with HIB:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Mild infections</span> caused by HIB present like a cold. A fever that does not resolve on it's own after a few days would prompt a trip to the pediatrician, who would treat with antibiotics if symptoms of ear or sinus infection, bronchitis or possible pneumonia are present. Usually the antibiotics will treat the illness without ever being discovered as HIB. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Moderate infections</span> begin like a mild infection does, but the child will also appear lethargic, may have labored breathing and will "look sick" enough to call for a chest X-ray, blood work and oral antibiotics. The blood cultures are positive for HIB (that take 48 hours to result), and the parents of the child will be called to have the child come to the hospital for several days of IV antibiotics.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Severe infections</span> with HIB will present with meningitis symptoms, severe pneumonia symptoms or epiglottitis which the treating doctor will immediately recognize. The child would be immediately admitted to the hospital for several days of IV antibiotics and possibly respiratory support via endotracheal intubation in an intensive care unit. Most children with severe HIB infections recover, but slowly, and about 25% will have permanent effects such as hearing loss, learning difficulty or nerve injury. Fatality is 5%. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Before the HIB vaccine in the 80's, incidence of HIB infections per year in the US was about 20,000 cases. Now there are only about 25 per year, but remember, these are only the more serious cases that are evident enough to call for blood work and be positively diagnosed and treated as HIB. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~The HIB vaccine is made by using the sugars that coat the outside of the bacteria and are added to the vaccine solution. The vaccine does not contain full or living HIB bacteria, so there is no chance of infection by HIB from the vaccine. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Potentially Harmful Ingredients</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two brands of HIB vaccine, ActHIB and Hiberix, contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, in very tiny amounts (less than 0.5 micrograms). </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The PedVaxHIB brand contains 225 micrograms of aluminum. Toxic effects of aluminum can occur if too many aluminum containing vaccines are given at one time. In the book, Dr. Sears includes an alternate vaccine schedule which you can find <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/p/dr-sears-selective-vaccine-schedule.html" target="_blank">here,</a> on another page of this blog that I copied out of the book. </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Common Side Effects</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Local redness, swelling and pain at injection site (25% of kids), moderate to high fever (5%). There are no known severe reactions. Post market surveillance reveals that the vaccine can also cause swollen lymph nodes, sterile abscess at injection site, swelling of injected limb, allergic reaction, seizures, a shock-like reaction, sleepiness, apnea (a period of no breathing) hives and rash. </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Sears' Summary: "HIB is a bad bug. Fortunately, it is also a rare bug, so rare that I have not seen a single case in my practice. Ongoing use of this vaccine in our country helps keep it away. The HIB vaccine is one of the safest we have. The ingredients aren't too strange and the known side effects are uncommon. Since the disease is so rare, HIB isn't the most critical vaccine. But its definitely high on the list."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-62865916699781443982014-04-11T12:39:00.002-07:002014-04-11T18:13:22.228-07:00Our Attachment Parenting Journey; a Discovery To read Part 1 of our Attachment Parenting Journey, click <a href="http://naturalmommyinprogress.blogspot.com/2014/03/our-attachment-parenting-journey-first.html" target="_blank">here. </a><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> That night Jeff left. It was the worst night in either of our lives. For the next few days I held Sam and just cried, replaying the scene of Jeff holding Sam and saying good-bye over and over in my head. I now can see that I was probably experiencing post pardum depression. I have a history of situational depression, and was being treated with medication just prior to getting pregnant and had stopped taking the med on my own. My obstetrician, aware of our situation at birth had recommended that I come in for follow up one week after birth for a sort of mental status check. I work in healthcare and knew exactly what to say, and I lied through my teeth. I couldn't have anyone know that I was 'failing as a mother,' or so I thought, with my non-sleeping baby who wants to be held. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1soRBrLgW00QBfEZi79SkufUJUNLribvUazXWqE8NXFs_UhkE7A7zsVP-iEcAlYf9n-cIWUl6kVNr0yaq6U_YNemHgTOzUNjco8V-wm7_7BiR6T8y8rJqROnfw6uoce75WntldSLxqw/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1soRBrLgW00QBfEZi79SkufUJUNLribvUazXWqE8NXFs_UhkE7A7zsVP-iEcAlYf9n-cIWUl6kVNr0yaq6U_YNemHgTOzUNjco8V-wm7_7BiR6T8y8rJqROnfw6uoce75WntldSLxqw/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
Probably a week later I remember calling my mom crying because I knew I was the worst mother ever. “All I do is hold him,” I wept, “the house is a mess, and I don’t even know how to give him a bath.” I didn’t have the insight to say to myself that holding him and letting the house go to Hell WAS doing something. It WAS nurturing, it WAS loving. I hadn’t realized, but Sam slept best those few days we were alone because I let him nap in my arms or on my chest. Concerned, my mother came and picked us up to spend the night at her house, where we stayed for several months.<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span> For weeks I came to her asking, why, 'Why doesn’t he sleep in his crib like “every other baby”? Why doesn’t he ever let me put him down?' I honestly thought that babies slept happily in cribs, and that they would just occupy themselves in bouncy seats as their mothers showered and read magazines. Night after night I dutifully followed the advice “just keep putting him back in his crib” that everyone else around me was repeating. After all, they all had children, I never have, so what did I know? One night, exhausted, I was holding him in my bed, giving him his bottle all cuddled up in my arms trying to get him back to sleep so I could put him back in his crib as I was instructed. Hours later we both woke up, still cuddled together. He had slept. I had slept. He didn’t suffocate or fall out of bed or get trapped against the wall. We both just hugged and slept for most of the night. I was afraid to tell anyone, and this arrangement became my dirty little secret.<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span>Now when people would ask about sleep I would say, 'Why yes he is sleeping better, that put-him-in-the-crib trick really works!' The pediatrician asked where he sleeps at the check up; I lied. 'Yes in his crib, absolutely.' Every night we were snuggling together in my twin bed. We were so happy. Waking up to snuggles and smiles. We became so content in our situation, my feeling of failure started to dissipate and I became more confident in my mothering skills. Eventually I became tired of lying about putting him in a bassinet and sleeping peacefully. I decided that lying is what you do when you're doing something that you know is wrong and want to hide. I began to reply to the famous "is he sleeping?" question with 'yes he’s sleeping, and its because I hold him all night!' Why are people so concerned with how a newborn sleeps anyway? Why do new mothers ever hear "Is he happy?" "Isn't mothering a newborn amazing?" Or how about "You are doing a fantastic job!" Our culture automatically defaults to "how is he sleeping?" even though the asker usually knows that newborns don't sleep, all of which causes the mother to FEEL like her infant SHOULD be Rip VanWinkle and if he or she isn't then Mom must be doing something wrong. I was tired of hearing the I-told-you-so’s about how much better it was for a baby to be alone in a swing, seat, bassinet or crib because I had proof otherwise. From that moment on I heard nothing but how terrible this would be in the future. That I would never get him out of my bed. Off hand comments about how I need to put him down. "Put that baby in a crib." Our dirty little secret was out. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: white; font-size: small;">I want to make clear that I am not in any way saying that what worked and continues to work for my family and my children is the ONLY way to raise and nurture a child. Nor am I saying that my beliefs are right and everyone else is wrong. Every child and family is truly different and each individual situation is dynamic and unique. Parents are responsible for finding out what works best for them and their children. This post is about me, and my beliefs and my journey. </span></blockquote>
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It was about that time that we moved from my parent’s house back into our apartment. I felt I needed to be alone and grow as a mother. “What kind of mother is afraid to be alone with her baby?” I thought. I felt I should be beyond the need for constant companionship and needing help with daily simple tasks like having someone watch Sam while I made bottles and showered. Perhaps I was made overly confident by how well we slept together and thought that he was ready to sleep on his own just as well. I started trying to put him to sleep in his crib again as, by all opinions, at three months old, he should be old enough to sleep all night alone in the crib. I noticed that he really liked sleeping on a C-shaped nursing pillow. Here was the key! I thought. One night I put him to sleep tucked in the pillow. I woke up that night in the middle of the night and felt like I had to go to his crib, which was just at the other side of our very small bedroom. I was horrified by what I saw. He had slipped down in the bend of the pillow so that the pillow was slightly covering his face. His arms were limp at his side. I whipped him out of bed, startling him awake. He was fine. He had just been sleeping. But I was horrified and forever changed. We had a wonderful sleeping arrangement but I had let the pressures of other people and their beliefs alter the way I parented, and I had put my baby at risk in the process. I felt so incredibly stupid and selfish. It was a mistake I would never make again.<br />
After Sam was back asleep in bed next to me, I immediately texted my friends for comfort about what had happened. The next day on the phone, one of my long time friends who had four children of her own, quietly mentioned that she hadn’t slept without her youngest in her bed until she was four, and told me about Dr. Sears. I immediately read The Baby Sleep Book. And then The Attachment Parenting Book. I was hungry for this knowledge. I was finally being told that what I was feeling and naturally doing was not a dirty secret, or selfish parenting. I was also not alone in the sea of babies sleeping through nights in cribs as I had believed until then. There was a name for this; Co-sleeping. And lots of people do it. Its a parenting style and set of beliefs called attachment parenting. I was elated. From that moment on, we didn’t spend a night apart (until he was over a year old and began preferring his crib as he could stretch out and move the way he wanted to). I began wearing him in a carrier around the house and getting so much accomplished without feeling guilty about leaving him alone to play on the floor. I lamented failing at breastfeeding and brushing it off as over rated, but I realized that AP was not an all or nothing exclusive club. I was brave against nay sayers and had books and research within them to back up my beliefs. At his next check up, when asked where he slept I proudly said “With ME! We both love it and that’s where he’s staying!” Probably at much surprise to the pediatrician.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam and Jeff video chatting during deployment.</td></tr>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3960536390302280303.post-72030647707873046172014-04-11T12:19:00.000-07:002014-04-11T12:45:02.115-07:00Week 3 Toddler Experiences I'm totally slacking on posting these experiences! We did this seed planting a few weeks ago and I feel like I was waiting to post it and now all of the sudden we're a week behind! Sadly week 4 we did nothing special except planning for Sam's 3rd birthday party, which may not be on the list but was very special for us, especially a certain little boy.<br />
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This time we just did #9: Plant a Seed, but in a few weeks with will be garden planting time and I plan on involving the kids and having them help me plant my yearly veggie garden.<br />
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They picked their little bean seeds and "planted" them on wet paper towels inside ziplock baggies like I remember doing in elementary school. Abby was completely involved in the activity, she couldn't wait for her turn to pick her bean and was engaged right up until we taped them to the window.<br />
Sam enjoyed it for a little while, but it wasn't really his thing. He was more like "yeah I'll put the bean in here, but now I think I'll go play." Which is totally cool. Both of then are not going to absolutely love every single activity and that fine, all kids are different. I have some activities planned over the next few weeks that I know he's going to go nuts for!<br />
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We planted the seeds on 3/28 and now they have little roots all the way to the bottom. So now I'm in the realm of, so now what? Its getting warmer here but it's not quite planting time here in Mass so I guess I'll hang on to them for a while and then I'll show the kids how to plant them in the ground some time in May.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13822126565421442664noreply@blogger.com0