What everyone else has been up to lately...

Jay and I are trying to get the kids to start acting their age. They don't seem to understand that they are growing up and they can't continue acting like the baby all the time. We're pretty sure Matt is going through puberty already. I don't think I need to go into why I believe that lol. All I'm going to say about that is it's just way to early for me to be dealing with that issue! The kids started school a week and a half ago. So far so good. Matt's teacher has been out though due to an emergency eye surgery. I'm trying to get the kids to invite some friends over to stay the night next weekend. Bri has to have someone other than Angelina though because I swear those two act like they are inseparable and she really needs to make other friends as well. Matt just doesn't really get along with many people so I'm really trying to encourage him to make more friends. I even told him to find someone with an Xbox and they can bring their controller over and the boys can play Xbox together. Hopefully he can control his attitude and make some friends. Speaking of his attitude, we have an appointment for the 12th for him to start seeing a psychologist instead of his psychiatrist, we don't really care to much for her! This new one we are seeing is supposed to set up plans for us to work with him better at home as well and not just give him meds. With the onset of puberty, his attitude towards people is getting so much worse. I seriously hope we can get this under control! And soon!

Brooklyn is 2 months (8/27/11)

Our baby girl is 2 months old already. This time seems to be flying... it's almost scary! She learned how to roll over from her belly to her back at 6 1/2 weeks. It was amazing watching her. She would get so frustrated at herself then when she would finally turn over she would be as calm as can be. She's smiling more and I swear she's laughing too. Her smile is so beautiful, especially when you are talking to her and she just looks up at you and grins so big or when she smiles after getting kisses. It just makes me feel so warm inside knowing that I'm making my baby girl happy. She had her 2 month check up/shots last Monday (3 days ago). She's now 9lbs 14oz and 22 1/2 inches long. They gave her that first shot in her thigh and she screamed louder than I've ever heard her scream. I was holding one hand and Jay was holding the other while rubbing her hair, we tried making her feel safe but it just didn't help. As soon as she started crying, so did I. I tried holding it back as much as I could though. When the Dr. laid her on her belly, she got up on her arms with her head and shoulders up and was showing them how big she is. The Dr. said they don't usually start doing that until around 4 months. She's so determined already to do everything. Poor baby doesn't realize she needs to pace herself! I think she wants to grow up faster than she's meant to. I don't want her to grow up yet, I want her to stay my perfect little baby that plays with my shirt and necklace while she's nursing. 

She's growing so fast!

Brooklyn is growing up so fast on me. It's exciting and sad all at the same time! She's only 6 weeks old and already trying to roll over on to her back. It was so exciting to watch. I'm really glad Jay was home to watch her too though. We know he's going to miss so much while he's at work. It was amazing to watch her lay on her back, prop her head up with her arm and start kicking her legs while scooting her butt while trying to turn. It's just so awesome how they know what to do already with out having to be taught. She was getting so mad that she couldn't do it. She'd cry the whole time she was trying to flip but then would be calm as could be when she would stop to take a break. She just amazes me every day!

Weight Loss Plan starts Sunday!

Monday I will finally hit 6 weeks postpartum! I know I probably could have started a weight loss plan sooner than this but I really wanted to wait just to be 100%. Found a site with a week by week (4 week plan) meal plan w/shopping list. Looks like it might get a little pricey but that's okay. I've lost 23lbs by just giving birth and breastfeeding but I would love to lose 45-50 more pounds. I admit that I will need the help too since I've never really known how to do this on my own. I'm holding my head up and not giving up though. I HAVE TO DO THIS! I have to do it for my family and my babies! So I guess the plan for now is to print out the meal plans and figure out how much of each thing I will have to buy. I know I will have to make changes to them since I don't like greek yogurt (found that one out today! That crap tastes like spoiled cream cheese!) and I definitely don't like fish. Speaking of fish, why is fish one of the main things they put in diet plans? Do they not realize that not everyone (me) likes fish!  Guess I better get off here and get these printed off before I end up closing them out! 

There's a name for that!

I'm going to be honest here... while raising Matt and Bri I have totally been winging it this whole time! I mean seriously, 11 years ago the internet was nothing like it is today. Needless to say, I did my research this time around. I knew there were better ways to do things and wanted to find out what I could do to be a better parent from the beginning. After doing my research and deciding what was best for me, baby, and my family I now know that I fall into a particular group of people, this also happens to be a group that many people (I know personally, and also those that live in my region) don't exactly agree with. The good news? I'm the type of person that couldn't care less what people think of me and my decisions! So let's go over this group that I fall into... or maybe it's groups? 


I don't exactly fall completely into the crunchy group as I don't follow the entire "natural" parenting plan. I think I'm more Semi-Crunchy! What do I mean you ask? Well, IF I could have had my epidural then I would have, though experiencing it natural for the first time without a choice leaves me feeling very differently and I can say 100% that if Jay and I have another in a few years, I will be doing it natural, this time it will be planned though! I don't grow my own garden for food (I kill plants, not intentionally though!), had I went to 39 weeks, I WOULD have agreed to be induced (once again, not sure if I would feel this way again though). However, I do breastfeed, cloth diaper,and  plan on making my own baby food.
I also fit into the category of Attachment parenting. I fit into this group of people because I breastfeed, babywear, co-sleep, want to parent a more natural way when it comes to comforting instead of allowing my baby to cry or self soothe (it just breaks my heart to watch her cry). I had no idea this was a "type" of parenting that had a name and all. I just thought I was doing what I felt was best for us. Then with a little research I found myself reading about attachment parenting on Dr.Sears.com... I'm pretty sure I used to secretly make fun of people on babycenter when they would post threads about "following" the Dr. Sears parenting books but now look at me doing reading on his page! I guess now I'm eating my words! Oh well, we are happy and that's all that matters... right?  Well, maybe I'll post some links a little later, right now though... time for dinner!

Lactation Cookies!

Just found the recipe for lactation cookies, they help increase your supply! Wanted to copy it here for all the other breast feeders out there and so I don't forget where to find it before I can get it printed out!




Makes 12 dozen! (holy crap that's a lot!)
1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 Lg eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C Thick cut oats
1 C Chocolate chips
2 T Brewers Yeast (no substitutions)



Preheat oven at 375.

Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs.
Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
Beat until well blended.
Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.
Add butter mix to dry ing.
Stir in the oats and then the choc chips.
Drop on parchmant paper on baking sheet.
Bake 8-12 minutes.