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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

DaDa: 2, MaMa: 0

It's official, Dylan's first word at 7 months and a few days, was DaDa!  Little stinker!  I was really hoping he would say MaMa first, since Marissa said DaDa first.  No such luck...but that's okay, he is still a Momma's boy!





DaDa - 2
MaMa - 0

Guess we'll have to have one more so I can get another chance. ;) 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Spreading the Fluff Love

Head on over to Sincerely Liz to get another perspective on Cloth Diapering.  Liz and I have had many chats about cloth diapering and I like to think that I maybe had a tiny piece in her choosing to cloth diaper her beautiful little girl. :)  It makes me so happy to see that others are sharing their fluff knowledge. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Worldwide Breastfeeding Week

Did you know that it's Worldwide Breastfeeding Week?  Well, it is!

In honor of WBW, I wanted to share some information as to why BFing is so important to me:

  • Promotes Mother-Baby Bonding
  • The best food you can give your baby, it's what nature intended
  • Some research indicates that Formula Feeding can cause obesity in adulthood and a higher risk of allergies than BF babies
  • Helps protect children from asthma, SIDS and Diabetes
  • It's free (for the most part)
  • Important antibodies are passed from mother to baby
  • Breastmilk is a complex food and changes with the needs of your baby, which formula manufacturer's have yet to master
While BFing is not for everyone, I am glad that I have chosen this route for my children.  We have had ups and downs along the way, but there are so many resources to help you have a successful BFing relationship.  One of my favorite resources is Kellymom.com. 

From clogged ducts, to bleeding nipples, to bad latch, to supply issues and reflux, I feel like we've gone through every hoop.  Dylan had a terrible latch in the hospital and I was so sore before we even got home.  We were able to have his frenulum clipped before leaving the hospital which helped a ton!  To prevent further confusion, we did not introduce a bottle until 3 weeks old.  We continued to work on his latch until it was perfected.  Danny was such a big help and encouraged me to not give up (he knows how much I loathe pumping, so we knew that we didn't want to exclusively pump and bottle feed). 

Something that I didn't experience a lot of with Marissa was spitting up.  Dylan, however, is a different story.  He is what Kelly Mom refers to as a "Happy Spitter."  At first I was a bit concerned with the amount he was spitting up.  After talking with the pediatrician, we decided that it was completely normal for him to spit up some.  Actually, all babies have some form of reflux due to the immaturity of their esophagus.  Since he was not spitting up entire feedings and was gaining weight well, we decided to label him as a "Happy Spitter."

From Kelly Mom: If your baby is a ‘Happy Spitter’ –gaining weight well, spitting up without discomfort and content most of the time — spitting up is a laundry & social problem rather than a medical issue.

Knowing this information put me at ease, and although Dylan is almost 8 months old, he still spits up.  We're hoping he will outgrow it completely by 12 months! :)  It certainly doesn't look like he misses any meals, though.

Anyway, I'm rambling...check out Kellymom.com for all your BFing questions!  One day I may share pictures of my last nursing session with Marissa. :)  It is very special to have those memories, but I'm not sure I am ready to share them yet. 

Happy Worldwide Breastfeeding Week!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Sweet Boy - 7 Months

This little guy sure has stolen my heart.  How can you not love this face?   









Sissa being sweet to Dee-Dee


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tuesday Night Shenanigans

It's just a regular 'ol Tuesday night here.  The babes are asleep, the husband is twiddling away on his computer and I'm perusing the internet, catching up on things, drinking a Shock Top Raspberry Wheat beer (yum) and getting ready to call it a night.  Today was one of those days where I'm glad Danny was home, though I'm sure he was wishing he was on travel.  The kids were a little trying (to say the least) this evening.  During dinner, Marissa threw her plate of food on the floor, you couldn't get the spoon to Dylan's mouth fast enough, Marissa wanted Dylan's puffs, Dylan didn't want applesauce...seriously, we couldn't please these kids at dinner tonight!

Luckily, Danny and I sneak away for lunch time dates sometimes while I'm working.  We have this great Indian restaurant close to work that we like to go to.  It's usually a pretty quiet spot, the staff is nice and the food is delicious and different than the norm.  It's nice to get away and have a "date" without having to worry about two other mouths to feed first.  I'm just waiting for the day that a spoonful of Dylan's sweet potatoes end up in my mouth instead of his.  I love our lunch time dates.  It's a time for us to be husband and wife first, instead of parents first. Feeding our relationship and not only our stomachs.

Of course we have our ups and downs.  Some days are easier than others, but for the most part, I feel like I was born to be a mom and I love having 2U2.  I'm so glad that we made the decision to start a family.  I've come to realize that it is such a big step in life.  It's a step that I think should be made with great consideration.  Parenting is the biggest commitment you will ever make in life.  Even more so than saying your vows to the one person you love more than anything.  I feel like I knew exactly what I was getting myself into when we decided to have children; I feel like this is what I signed up for and I will try to be the best mother I can possibly be.  I openly traded nights of hanging out with friends, drinking, dancing, partying until the sun came up, sleeping until noon, jumping in the car for a spur of the moment road trip, being spontaneous and free...all to have my little family.  It was perfect timing and I couldn't be happier.  Even on days where I want to pull my hair out and run for the hills, I know tomorrow is a new day and these two little babies need me more than anyone in this world.  I will always be here for them, on good or bad days.  One day all too soon they won't need me quite like they need me today, so I will cherish these days and relish in the chaos that is our life. :)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Potty Training

We are on day 5 of potty training Marissa.  She is doing so good!  We started last Friday and I am so proud of her.  She's had a few accidents here or there, but she is starting to really get the hang of it!  I hope to have her trained with the exception of naps and night time soon.  It will really cut down on diaper laundry if she is trained. I will miss her fluffy butt, it's hard to believe how fast she is growing up.  She will be 2 at the end of next month!  Here's to hoping that this whole potty training thing sticks.  :)

We're so proud of you, Marissa!


Isn't she so lady like??


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Life Gets in the Way

My poor blog has been neglected lately.  I've only had time for short posts and quick photo check-ins.  Life has been busy.  Good, but busy!  It's amazing how life slips away when you have little ones.  Everyone always says "wait til you have kids" because your life passes by in the blink of an eye.  As much as I hate to say it, they're absolutely right.  Marissa is cruising right on to 2 and Dylan is already 6 months old.  Where has the time gone?  Several friends have recently embarked on their journey into parenthood; I hope they cherish each and every moment.  While I know all too well that sleepless nights are tough, they are only this little for such a short time.


Dylan is starting to tripod sit on his own:


And Marissa is turning into such a little lady:


I've been taking a little "me" time and getting some things checked off my to-do list.  I got my first pedicure since before Dylan was born with my SIL Katie this weekend.  I sipped a hot cinnamon dolce latte and enjoyed a few hours (kid free) shopping and eating lunch out.  It was heavenly.  I also realized that it has been over a year since I got my hair cut or trimmed.  It's on my to-do list but my 2U2 have been keeping me pretty occupied.  I'm saving up so I can donate to Locks-of-Love again.

Danny and I went on a date last week...to the dentist.  I'm cavity free, so it's nice to know that while I may not be as thin as I'd like, I don't always get out of my pajamas on days that I'm home and I haven't had a haircut in over a year, at least I'm still flossing and brushing effectively. :-D  While things like wearing skinny jeans and cute tops without spit up on them are days of the past, I wouldn't trade these days for anything.

These are the days I live for:



Danny and I went on a real "double date" to an Orioles game this weekend with my BIL and SIL.  We had a nice time, even though it was hot, hot, hot and we lost.


We had great seats!



Time to relax!