Can I just say, few things make me crazier and totally turn me into a "lactivist" than people equating breastfeeding with something sexual. Or criticizing moms nursing in public. We'll discuss this later. That is all.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Grrrrrr........
Can I just say, few things make me crazier and totally turn me into a "lactivist" than people equating breastfeeding with something sexual. Or criticizing moms nursing in public. We'll discuss this later. That is all.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Birthday Videos
Whenever I ask my mom what she wants for her birthday, she always says, "Make a video of the kids for me!!" Of course, that's what every grandma wants! So, a couple years ago, I made her a quick imovie surprise. Josie was so little!
This year, I decided to try it again. It took a while to remember how to use the software, but it was so fun to make! I plan on making more of these. It's a great way to do something with all the home movies we have. You'll see some definite similarities to the style of the videos. I'm not very creative, I guess, lol.
This year, I decided to try it again. It took a while to remember how to use the software, but it was so fun to make! I plan on making more of these. It's a great way to do something with all the home movies we have. You'll see some definite similarities to the style of the videos. I'm not very creative, I guess, lol.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
4th of July weekend
We ended up having a super long weekend over the holiday. Kevin and I were asked to help with a youth conference (Kevin gave a musical fireside among other things and I was in charge of the choir). They needed us Friday morning, so Kevin took the day off. We had 4 wonderful days together!
Sunday night, we went with some friends to see fireworks. The kids had so much fun!
Monday morning, we decided to go to the St. Joseph county 4-H fair. We saw lots of animals. Josie was too afraid to go near most of them, but Donny couldn't keep his hands away! He loves animals. Josie does too, just from afar.
And, yes, we bought and wore matching shirts : )
Josie sharing with her little brother : )
After naptime, we headed out to La Porte to carry on our tradition of the 4th with some friends out there. We have done this every year, beginning when Josie was a baby. They have the best lot ever. They had new baby goats and chickens for the kids to feed and pet, a sandbox and pool to play in, swing sets, barns, gardens, everything an midwest farm needs!
Just look at that beautiful farm view!
Of course, the boys brought their guitars.
I want a hammock.
Sunday night, we went with some friends to see fireworks. The kids had so much fun!
Monday morning, we decided to go to the St. Joseph county 4-H fair. We saw lots of animals. Josie was too afraid to go near most of them, but Donny couldn't keep his hands away! He loves animals. Josie does too, just from afar.
And, yes, we bought and wore matching shirts : )
Josie sharing with her little brother : )
After naptime, we headed out to La Porte to carry on our tradition of the 4th with some friends out there. We have done this every year, beginning when Josie was a baby. They have the best lot ever. They had new baby goats and chickens for the kids to feed and pet, a sandbox and pool to play in, swing sets, barns, gardens, everything an midwest farm needs!
Just look at that beautiful farm view!
Of course, the boys brought their guitars.
I want a hammock.
Donnny- 11 months
A little late, as always. Now that he will be a year old in 2 1/2 weeks, lets give a quick update!
*Donny is a little peanut. At almost 11 months he was 17 lb 9 ounces and 27 inches long. His head was like 18 inches or something, putting him in the 5th percentile in weight and height and 97th in head circumference. I told you his head is big. He has these little skinny minny arms though! Josie was much chubbier as a baby and weighed a couple pounds more than him. Different body types? He's definitely pocket size!!
*Has 6 teeth with #7 coming in on the bottom.
*Likes standing and walks around furniture some. He has let go a few times and even stood by himself for 10 seconds or so. I'm pretty sure he's at least a month or two from walking, still. He prefers being carried.
*waves to everyone, does high fives with everyone, gives kisses when asked, and likes blowing in our faces. He thinks that's hilarious.
*Is the snuggliest baby EVER!!!! He loves to lay his head on my shoulder or chest and snuggle away as he's sucking his thumb. If I'm laying down, he will crawl over and either maneuver himself into the crook of my arm or lay his head on my tummy. I hope this never stops.
*Is almost a completely different baby as far as personality goes. Suddenly, Donny became quite social, adventurous, and content. It used to be that he was perfectly content in being carried all day, never wanted to be more than 2 feet from mommy or daddy, and didn't like anyone but mommy, daddy, and Josie. Now, he regularly crawls pretty far away (still checking to make sure I'm around) and loves waving and "talking" to strangers (though we SWEAR we've heard him say "hi" a couple times). He is even letting others hold him and has been good with babysitters. At play group the other day, upon seeing him crawl off to the other side of the park, one of the ladies mentioned how much more independent he was lately. She then asked if it made me sad. Nope! Not at all, really. I know he still needs me and he still is a big cuddler, but I love that he is more outgoing. I feel really glad that I let him be clingy and needy as much as he wanted. Clearly, it helped him become more confident! I have a feeling he will be more friendly and outgoing than Josie. She is still quite shy.
*Looking back, I think I much prefer 9-12 month Donny over 0-8 month Donny, lol. Not that he wasn't adorable and sweet as a tiny baby, but he's so much easier and fun now. Josie was a much easier tiny baby.
*Sleep. Ah, sleep. Yes, that seems to be the endless struggle with this one. But things are better! He went through a phase a couple months ago that about drove me crazy where he was up 6+ times a night and sometimes nursing 6+ a night. I finally designated Kevin as the nighttime parent so that I could at least try and night wean him. It has helped quite a bit. He was not too happy about it and would cry heartily when he saw daddy instead of mommy. I don't feel as bad about the crying since it's not like we were ignoring him, he just wasn't getting what he wanted. So, now we are down to 2 wakings and 1-2 nursings. I can handle that. Lately, he goes down without fuss at 7-7:30, wakes at 1 or 2 and again around 5ish and is up at 7 or 7:30. We are going to work on eliminating those last two wakings as soon as Kevin is home long enough to be the night parent again (he's been out of town a lot.) It would be nice for him to sleep all the way through the night by his first birthday, lol!! If not, it's no big deal. He's so cute, I can't help secretly loving our night snuggles : )
*Kevin and I say to each other at least a dozen times a day that we can't imagine ever having a cuter baby. He is just so sweet, snuggly, kissable, and adorably good looking. I want him to be a baby forever!!!
Just look at those big, beautiful brown eyes!! They take up half his face, lol!
Who needs a double stroller when your kids like to share?!
Swings make him sleeeeeeeeepy......
My most favorite thing : ) He does this all the time. If I'm holding him, he will almost always lay his head on me and calmly suck his thumb. Awww.....
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Healthy Family
I'm a label reader. Big time, lately. I always look at the label of any food I buy. Not to see the amount of calories, fat, or sugar (ok, I'm paranoid about sugar and my kids), but to see what "fake" foods might be lurking there.
Growing up, we ate pretty healthy in my household. It was mostly because my parents couldn't afford yummy (aka sugary) food at the time, but it was good in the long run none the less. I have been a supremely healthy person all my life and I know at least part of it is because of the food I had as a child. I suppose part of me has always leaned toward things that are healthy, natural, whole, organic. My mom was somewhat of a hippie as a youngin' (though you would never guess it now) and I always noticed how she leans toward the natural side with most things.
So, in a way, an organic seed was planted in me.
Since having children, I have become more serious about being healthy, especially when it comes to food.
After all, we are made of food.
I was much more serious this last pregnancy about eating the right things and getting sufficient nutrients even if I didn't take a prenatal vitamin. After all, babies are made of food too! They don't magically get the nutrients they need if mom isn't taking them in. At the first prenatal appointment with my midwife, she did a thorough nutrition lesson and had me record everything I ate for a week. Many problems in pregnancy can be avoided or at least helped by eating the right foods.
Now, a little about some of the healthy changes we have made. Kevin is slightly annoyed at some of these things since some of his favorite foods have been effected, but he plays along: )
*During a regular grocery trip, at least 50-60% is fresh produce. Another 10-20% is dairy and eggs, 10-20% lean meats (mostly fish) and just a few boxed foods. I try to avoid as much processed food as possible.
*Most (not all) produce I like to buy either organic or from local farms. At least anything on this list. (Don't you love the cheat sheet? )
*Unless it's a special occasion or something, I do not buy anything with artificial colors or flavors. Especially colors. There have been all sorts of studies linking these to hyperactivity and even ADHD in children. There was a study done at my alma mater a few years back that's one of the many. There is a reason several colors have been taken off the market over the years!
*Nothing with hydrogenated oils.
*I mostly just try to keep the ingredients to a minimum and mostly things I recognize and can pronounce.
*Even "organic" products like cookies and boxed items you still should read the labels. Things like "pure organic cane sugar" and "dehydrated cane juice" are just plain sugar and too much added sugar is not good no matter if it's organic or not. Check out all the names for sugar on labels. It's in everything!!!!
In short, I just want to feed my family real food. Though none of us have weight problems, health is not just determined by weight. I think rather than count calories, fat grams, and cholesterol, just switch to whole foods, eat variety, and in moderation. Eating processed low calorie (and low nutrition) foods might help a weight problem in the short term, but long term health will suffer.
One thing I learned in a nutrition class is not to think of fat, sugar, cholesterol, or calories as bad things. They are actually really good for you! You just have to eat the right kinds!
Ok, I admit, I have a pretty narly sweet tooth. I try to keep my indulgences to a minimum and eat a mango or something instead, but some leeway is good too! I do let the kids have special "artificial" treats sometimes, haha.....I am not a nazi about it : )
Anyway, I know what I feed my kids makes a difference in their mood and energy level. They are both eating machines so I hope they are getting the right things!
Oh, and try checking your labels. You'll probably be surprised : )
Now I just need to get my butt to the gym more often, haha!!!
Growing up, we ate pretty healthy in my household. It was mostly because my parents couldn't afford yummy (aka sugary) food at the time, but it was good in the long run none the less. I have been a supremely healthy person all my life and I know at least part of it is because of the food I had as a child. I suppose part of me has always leaned toward things that are healthy, natural, whole, organic. My mom was somewhat of a hippie as a youngin' (though you would never guess it now) and I always noticed how she leans toward the natural side with most things.
So, in a way, an organic seed was planted in me.
Since having children, I have become more serious about being healthy, especially when it comes to food.
After all, we are made of food.
I was much more serious this last pregnancy about eating the right things and getting sufficient nutrients even if I didn't take a prenatal vitamin. After all, babies are made of food too! They don't magically get the nutrients they need if mom isn't taking them in. At the first prenatal appointment with my midwife, she did a thorough nutrition lesson and had me record everything I ate for a week. Many problems in pregnancy can be avoided or at least helped by eating the right foods.
Now, a little about some of the healthy changes we have made. Kevin is slightly annoyed at some of these things since some of his favorite foods have been effected, but he plays along: )
*During a regular grocery trip, at least 50-60% is fresh produce. Another 10-20% is dairy and eggs, 10-20% lean meats (mostly fish) and just a few boxed foods. I try to avoid as much processed food as possible.
*Most (not all) produce I like to buy either organic or from local farms. At least anything on this list. (Don't you love the cheat sheet? )
*Unless it's a special occasion or something, I do not buy anything with artificial colors or flavors. Especially colors. There have been all sorts of studies linking these to hyperactivity and even ADHD in children. There was a study done at my alma mater a few years back that's one of the many. There is a reason several colors have been taken off the market over the years!
*Nothing with hydrogenated oils.
*I mostly just try to keep the ingredients to a minimum and mostly things I recognize and can pronounce.
*Even "organic" products like cookies and boxed items you still should read the labels. Things like "pure organic cane sugar" and "dehydrated cane juice" are just plain sugar and too much added sugar is not good no matter if it's organic or not. Check out all the names for sugar on labels. It's in everything!!!!
In short, I just want to feed my family real food. Though none of us have weight problems, health is not just determined by weight. I think rather than count calories, fat grams, and cholesterol, just switch to whole foods, eat variety, and in moderation. Eating processed low calorie (and low nutrition) foods might help a weight problem in the short term, but long term health will suffer.
One thing I learned in a nutrition class is not to think of fat, sugar, cholesterol, or calories as bad things. They are actually really good for you! You just have to eat the right kinds!
Ok, I admit, I have a pretty narly sweet tooth. I try to keep my indulgences to a minimum and eat a mango or something instead, but some leeway is good too! I do let the kids have special "artificial" treats sometimes, haha.....I am not a nazi about it : )
Anyway, I know what I feed my kids makes a difference in their mood and energy level. They are both eating machines so I hope they are getting the right things!
Oh, and try checking your labels. You'll probably be surprised : )
Now I just need to get my butt to the gym more often, haha!!!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Just some pics from the last couple weeks........
Grandpa came to visit last week. The visit was too short but packed with fun Grandpa activities. Josie and Donny took no time bonding with him and were sad to see him leave. Josie still tells me about all the things they did and that it's so sad that he went back home to California.:(
I did not take near enough pics.
Luckily, I did get some cute pictures at the zoo!
Later that evening, after dropping Grandpa off at the airport, we went to a symphony in the park with some friends. Even though they were up way too late, the kids had an awesome time!
The kids both were mesmerized by the symphony and loved clapping and conducting to the music. Josie even recognized many of the songs they played.
Someone told us that Donny looks like he was created by Disney Imagineers. He does look quite cartoonish with his big head and tiny body. We just love our little cartoon boy!!
A week or so before this, the kids helped Kevin and I plant our garden out back (pics of the garden to come). This is what happens when you have kids running wild around dirt, water, and grass.
Notice the lovely, dirty snot rivers : )
Mmmmmm.........
It was definitely bath time!!!
I did not take near enough pics.
Luckily, I did get some cute pictures at the zoo!
Later that evening, after dropping Grandpa off at the airport, we went to a symphony in the park with some friends. Even though they were up way too late, the kids had an awesome time!
The kids both were mesmerized by the symphony and loved clapping and conducting to the music. Josie even recognized many of the songs they played.
Someone told us that Donny looks like he was created by Disney Imagineers. He does look quite cartoonish with his big head and tiny body. We just love our little cartoon boy!!
A week or so before this, the kids helped Kevin and I plant our garden out back (pics of the garden to come). This is what happens when you have kids running wild around dirt, water, and grass.
Notice the lovely, dirty snot rivers : )
Mmmmmm.........
It was definitely bath time!!!
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