third birthday

My big girl's birthday is in ONE MONTH! I cannot believe it. She is growing into such a beautiful little person. She is quite the little lady, loves her nails painted and her hair styled.. but REALLY loves her "lipshtick." I mean REALLY. I literally have to hide it away, way out of reach, while she isn't looking. I say while she isn't looking because I have caught her many times climbing the shelves to reach it! She is seriously a little monkey. She is also so independent. She demands to do almost everything on her own! If I beat her to something that she wanted to do, she insists that I put it back/turn it off/etc... so that she can do it. I can't lie, it's amusing. Someone with less patience really would have a difficult time with her, but luckily I am full of patience!

So, back to the topic- her THIRD birthday is coming up and I have no idea what to get her. She honestly doesn't need anything. I thought about trading in her toddler bed for a twin sized bed, but then what fun is a new bed when you're three? She honestly has more toys than she can use. So, should I go the smart way and get her something that she NEEDS or buy something that she will like, but will probably get lost in the mess of her room? What would you do?

where has it gone?

Time seems to just be zooming by. My baby is 3 months old today. THREE MONTHS! yikes. I remember going through labor with him like it was yesterday.

His coos and giggles make my heart flutter. He has this charming smile that can melt anyone's heart and a scream so high pitched it will make you flinch. I love everything about him. He is perfect.



Brestfeeding is going great and I have no intentions of weaning. I am so thankful to have stuck through with it even when it hurt so bad I cried. 3 months exclusively breastfeeding, who'd a thunk it?! I am really proud of myself.

a glimpse into the future?

My little girl, Ava, has always been around kids a little older than her. She will be three soon, but is a lot smarter than your average almost-three year old. For the last year and a half, she has been being watched by an in-home care provider while I work or go to school. There are other kids there that vary in age. Most of them are older than she is. She also spends a lot of time with my sister (her aunt) who is six.

What I am trying to convey is that she spends a lot of time with kids that are older and more mature than those that are her age. She has a demeanor that is beyond her years and is amazingly smart. And, I swear I am not just a biased mom. I know this to be true!

Yesterday was her first day at her new school. It only took her a minute or two to warm up and she was "SO excited" to be at her new school. When I went to pick her up, she was happy. She had a big smile on her face and was very excited to see me. It was snack time, so I waited and observed for a while to give her some time before leaving. What I noticed was that the other kids in her class are not at the same level as she is. They didn't have as good of communication skills and a few of them didn't even know how to sit properly at the table and eat their food.

Now, before I get judged- I am by no means saying that there is anything wrong with the other kids. At. All. I am simply describing the situation as I saw it.

The teacher said Ava was pretty quiet that day. Didn't have a lot to say and was just checking it all out. Doesn't sound like my Ava to me, but fine. I can understand that!

Well, driving home all I could think about was if I had made a big mistake taking her out of the setting she was in and putting her into this new setting. Am I hindering her intellectual advancement? I don't know.

Today when I dropped her off, I spoke with the director. They will not (can not?) move her up to the next class until she is 3. In a little over a month. I spoke with her teacher and she tried to assure me that she sees that Ava is very smart and that she will take one on one time with her to keep her challenged.

I'm not sold. My plan is to give this another week or two. See how it goes. I don't want to pull her out so soon, but I also don't want to lose her spot at our old sitter's.

I can't help but worry. I don't know if I am doing the right thing for my child. Then, I think about when she starts school. Is this how it will be from here on out? Because this is a lot of stress!

Have you ever been in a situation like this? I need to hear from other parents who may also have a child that is a little smarter than your average (insert age here). How did they do in school? Did you put them in a special program or do you just let them ride it out? I have so many worries because I want the best for my child, but I know that I don't have the budget right now for the best schools.

Please, leave me a comment! I would love to hear from other parents about this.

fluffy butt

Before knowing anything about it, the thought of cloth diapering seemed overwhelmingly daunting. The thought of touching poo and cleaning diapers and where do I put the dirty ones when they are dirty, etc... it's enough to drive anyone away from it.

When I was pregnant with Ava I didn't give it a second thought, really. There was no way it was going to happen. After I had Nathan, the thought crossed my mind again. Not only would I save money, but it would also be fabulous for the environment. How could I NOT cloth diaper?

I looked into the different options. There are so many. I decided on the prefold and cover style- for the time being. It's the least expensive way and I needed that mostly due to a newborn that poos everytime he eats (which was often!).

After working with the prefolds for about a week or two, I decided I was going to stick with cloth diapering. I bought a few Goodmama fitted diapers from a girlfriend and they work awesome. I still need to put a cover on them when I need them to be waterproof, but they are great.

Then, I bought a Flip Diaper. I LOVE these diapers. It is a hybrid system, so there is an insert that you put in the diaper and then snap it on. So simple, and they hold a lot of pee! I even use a prefold in them and it works just as well. These are by far my favorite diapers (so far). The only thing I don't really like is the fact that Nathan's poo gets on the cover almost everytime. It's not really that big of a deal, though, because as long as you have a few covers you just switch it out.

Find the Flip diapering system at Cottonbabies.com



I have a few different diapers that I want to try next, but I am trying to take it easy. It is SO easy to get addicted to "fluff" and I definitely do not make enough money for this habit!

I love cloth diapering because it's easy. EASY! Who would've thought?

Head on over to Mom's Milk Boutique to search for cloth diapers.

EDIT:

I have entered this entry into a contest!

http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com/2010/09/free-cloth-diaper-week-grand-finale.html

new beginnings

I'll share more with you tomorrow! For now, here is a clue!

love

I love how much my children love each other.



She is so protective of her little brother. I must be doing something right.

jamison square

We love going downtown, so I made the decision to try and make it down there frequently this summer to hit up all the many fountains! Portland is so kid friendly and offers such a robust sampling of fun fountains for the kiddos to enjoy on warm days! I love it.

that building on the left hand side? that's where i'll be living in a year.

first beach trip this summer

I took the kids to the coast the other day to get away from the heat wave we were experiencing. Luckily, my apartment has managed to stay cool even though it lacks air conditioning, but I still felt it would be fun to get away for the day. So, we did! It's about a 90 minute drive to Seaside, so that's where we went!



She loved running from the waves!





It's not a trip to the beach without a little sand in every nook and cranny! 



Nathan enjoyed lounging under the umbrella and watching Big Sister play in the sand.



It was a great trip and we plan to go many more times this year!

baby carriers

I wanted to share with you the three types of carriers I suggest to use. All three work great for different reasons, though some work better than others depending on what you would like to get out of it. There are other options, but these are the types that I have personally used and prefer. Remember, you are the best judge of what works best. Please do not take my word for it!

1. the mei tai



It's great for simplicity. You tie it around your waist and then wrap it around and tie it under the baby's bum. Really simple, yet not the greatest option for the itty bittys. I would suggest waiting to use these types until your baby has good head control and maybe even wait until they are comfortable enough to sit with their legs wrapped around you and not in the froggy position (does that make sense?).I used this carrier with Nathan in the beginning of summer simply because the moby wrap was too hot. This carrier allows for more air circulation because of the openings on the sides. The particular mei tai carrier I have in this photo is the Ella-Roo Mei Tai, but you can find them from many different makers including Babyhawk and Kozy Carrier. You can also find them on Etsy. www.ellaroo.com

2. The Moby Wrap



You don't have to buy the name brand version of this wrap. You can even make one yourself! This is by far Nathan's favorite carrier. He gets nice and snug and gets to cuddle with his milk machines. It is absolutely fabulous, but its gets pretty warm in hot climates or the summer time. If you can handle it, by all means use it! I also found that it is great to use over a simple tank top. No need for a bra because those babies were covered up nicely from the public eye. This also allows for easy breastfeeding. This is the only wrap of the three I am discussing that I can actually breastfeed while wearing. It takes a couple of uses to get familiar with how to get it on, but once you do it a few times it comes naturally. www.mobywrap.com

 

 

 

 

3. The Organic Ergo



This carrier has quickly become my go-to. I consider it the in-between carrier of the moby and mei tai. It is super soft and comfortable. You can adjust it in any way and then unbuckle it to keep your adjustments. The buckles allow it to keep a tight fit and they also have a safety elastic band to catch the buckle in case of any mishaps. I love the head cover to keep wind and sun out of Nathan's face, and it also has a great zippered pocket that is really deceivingly large to fit my keys, phone, wallet, and even a diaper for the trips to the grocery store or park. Nathan is still getting used to this carrier, but he seems to really enjoy it and I am sure once he gets just a bit bigger he will love it just as much as I do. There are also optional accessories you can buy for it including an infant insert and additional bag.  ergobabycarrier.com

Like I said before, there are other options. These are just the options I found to work best for Nathan and I. If you get a chance, I suggest taking your baby to a store that allows you to try them out. Put one on and shop with your baby, then go back another day and try a different one. This will allow you enough time to really get acquainted with the carrier and not aggravate your baby with a bunch of different ones in one day. It will take time, but will save you money in the long run. Good luck!

This post is simply my opinion. None of the companies discussed have paid for or suggested their names for this blog.

babywearing

I will be the first to admit that I have had an obsession with strollers since Ava was born. I have owned my fair share, and will be sharing those product reviews with you in time. Something that I didn't realize until after having Nathan, was that strollers really aren't even necessary until your kiddo gets too heavy for you to carry. Babywearing has made all the difference in our family!

Not only does it help build on that closeness and bonding between mommy and baby, but it actually is beneficial for your baby's development!
From thebabywearer.com:

Babies cry less. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours (1). In cultures where babies are carried almost continuously, babies cry much less than those in non-carrying cultures (2-6).

Good for baby's mental development. Babies spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried (yet there is a place to retreat too). When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people's knees from a stroller. And the extra stimulation benefits brain development.

Good for baby's emotional development. Babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s (7) and often become independent at an earlier age (8). 

Good for baby's physical development. By being so close to your body's rhythms, your newborn "gets in rhythm" much more quickly. Your heartbeat, breathing, voice and warmth are all familiar. Research has shown how this helps newborns (especially premature babies) to adapt to life outside the womb (9).

Good for babies whose mums are depressed. Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you're there. Carrying your baby is a great way to connect with her (and provide stimulation too) without the "burden" of having to interact (10). Of course your baby is "right there" to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling, kissing or talking.

Babywearing International has an annual event called "International babywearing week." This year it is from October 6-12, 2010. I am very excited to be able to take part in this event!

References

1. Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.


2. Barr, R. G. (1990). The Early Crying Paradox: A Modest Proposal. Human Nature, 1, 355-389.


3. Barr, R. G., Konner, M., Bakeman, R. and Adamson, L. (1991). Crying in !Kung San infants: a test of the cultural specificity hypothesis. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 33, 601-10.


4. Brazelton, T. B., Robey, J. S., Collier, G. A. (1969). Infant development in the Zintandeco Indians of Southern Mexico. Pediatrics, 44, 274-290.


5. Lee, K. (1994). The crying pattern of Korean infants and related factors. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 36, 601-7.


6. LeVine, R.A., LeVine, S., Dixon, S., Richman, A., Leiderman, P.H., Keefer, C. and Brazelton, T.B. (1994). Child Care and Culture: Lessons from Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.


7. Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627.


8. Whiting, J. W. M. (1981). Environmental constraints on infant care practices. In R. H. Munroe, R. L. Munroe & B. B. Whiting (Eds.), Handbook of cross-cultural human development, New York: Garland STPM Press.


9. Ludington-Hoe SM, Swinth JY. (1996). Developmental aspects of kangaroo care. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 25, 691-703.


10. Pelaez-Nogueras M, Field TM, Hossain Z, Pickens J. (1996). Depressed mothers' touching increases infants' positive affect and attention in still-face interactions. Child Development, 67, 1780-92

About a year after delivering Ava, I felt really good about my body. I was able to fit into a size that I was comfortable with and had a confidence that I hadn't felt in a long time.

Now, after giving birth to Nathan, I have lost that confidence I once had. Sure, it took me a year to get to the place I was at after Ava, and it may take that long again, but I WILL get there.

Follow my weightloss here. I will periodically update on my progress. I am not yet ready to start updating weekly, but once Nathan is a bit older and able to go into the gym childcare I will start updating weekly. I hope my readers will hold me accountable for progress! I am determined, but I need to take it slow because my breastmilk supply seems to drop very easily if I don't keep a good calorie balance.

my little man

My son, Nathan, was born April 26, 2010. He had a very fast delivery, but it took a long time to grasp the fact that I was going to be a single mommy of TWO children. His father chose not to be a part of his life the moment we found out he was conceived. It still hurts my heart that he made that decision, but I wouldn't change things for ANYTHING. Nathan is a handsome little guy that just melts my heart. He has such a personality already. I am exlusively breastfeeding and we are really starting to get into cloth diapering as well. He seems to really enjoy it.

His favorite things include being worn by mommy in his moby (he is still getting used to the ergo), and loves snuggling up to mommy's milk makers while digesting his meals. He is such a snuggler already!

He is my little man, my heart, and my soul and will always know how loved he is.

I have never been the rural type. Big citys are just so intriguing to me. I love the hustle and bustle and the people and the environment. I love it all. Portland is a great city. It's not too big and overwhelming, yet it has all the staples that I love of downtown. I love the hot summer days with kids running in the fountains while their parents look on, rested on a blanket or park bench. I love the great stores with items that you thought you could only find online. I love finding a new store everyday to peak into. I love the myriad of food options. What I love the most is the fact that you don't have to drive, especially in Portland because we have such great public transportation. I just love it.

Since I was old enough to know better, I have wanted to live in a downtown high-rise with the steps of downtown culture at my toes. Having children doesn't make that dream easy, but I have decided that I am no longer going to sit on that dream. I am going to make it happen. I am young, and I have the world at my fingertips, so why not?

I am going through a lot of transitions right now with school, especially. I have this daunting task of finding an externship site and getting hired on as  medical assistant. I am now directing my search to downtown. I am going to work downtown. In a plastic surgery office. I will.

Once I get hired on I am going to move downtown. I already have a place that I want, though I will actively search more once the time gets closer. It's not going to be cheap, so until then my objective is going to be downsizing. I expect to lose square footage, and I can definitely use the extra space that my junk is taking up.

I am SO excited for this new journey. Beyond words, really. It really is something I have wanted for SO LONG. Some people may think that my excitement is silly. I say, become a single mom of two and tell me how silly your dreams become.

my sassy pants

My daughter, Ava, was born August 30, 2007 after a smooth and complicated-free pregnancy. I was going through a really rough time in my life and I was forever changed the moment she was placed onto my chest. My problems became insignificant and I focused on creating the best possible life for my little girl. Every decision I made and every thought that I had revolved around her. She became my world.

She is a spunky, smart little girl now, and can put a smile on anyone's face. She loves playing with her ponies and picking flowers. She is my little sassy pants.

She was (and still is) my absolute joy in life.