It's the Little Things...

~ Yesterday we got hit with a snow/mostly ice storm. The price of oil has really hurt our budget, so thank goodness we have a wood stove. And for once, I am thankful that we have such a small living space. Our wood stove is enough to heat almost our entire house, so we are able to turn off the heat during the day while the stove is running and only use the oil heat at night after the fire dies.

~ The Mermaid used the potty twice yesterday and didn't go in her diaper at all. On one hand, I was thrilled, but on the other hand, it made me realize that she only went "pee pee" once in the entire day. I don't think that's normal. Note to self: make sure the Mermaid starts drinking plenty of water!

~ The Guppy's two teeth finally popped through and we've been getting some peace in the house :o). She's now our little happy baby again, and she's even begun to pull herself up to a standing position.

~ A dear friend of mine and I are going to collaborate to help pregnant women in our community. She does Reiki and teaches Yoga and I am a Doula, so we are working on plans to have a monthly gathering of women where they can learn some relaxation techniques through prenatal Yoga and I can show them positions ideal for encouraging a baby to turn or for labor. I'm excited!

~ We haven't started our Christmas shopping yet, or put up any decorations, but since I made a conscious decision to take it slow during December with my businesses, we're going to have plenty of time to do that in the next week. I can't wait!!

It's the Little Things...

Song of a Mother

Song of a Mother

My Husband is HOT!

And I'm not talking about in the "you look handsome!" sense!

The other day the Knight bought some new fire starter sticks for our wood stove, ones that we had never used before. When he went to go start the fire, the flames flared up and his face got burnt.

He had hundreds of tiny, tiny blisters all over his face. His skin was hot. and he had a cough.

The Knight's company had recently been bought out, and everyone is a little nervous about what exactly is going to happen to their jobs. On top of that, the Knight is up for promotion. So, although he took one day off to recover, he really didn't want to take more than that off, so he went to work all week. And of course, I was working every night this past week. And of course, the Guppy has two teeth coming in and she is VERY cranky. So, the Knight would work all day in this condition, then come home and have to deal with a very cranky baby and active three year old.

My poor, sweet Knight.

But this story has a happy ending. Last night, my family swept in to the rescue. While I was at work, they came over and caught up on all the housework and tended to both kids while the Knight rested.

When he woke up this morning, the blisters were gone, as well as the cough.

Another thing to add to our list of things to be thankful for this holiday season: wonderful family :o)

My Husband is HOT!

Thanksgiving

I really love holidays simply because I have a blast whenever I get together with my family. This year, Thanksgiving dinner was held at my aunt's house and everyone came. Good food, good company, good times. However, I do not have any pictures to show from that day. Why?

Because the Knight dropped our digital camera that morning, and it broke.

Of course, it had to happen Thanksgiving morning, when I was itching to get some great pictures of the kids and fam. And of course, it had to happen with Christmas coming up, a time of year where every day presents numerous opportunities for fantastic pictures (think Santa, Christmas parties, etc.).

Despite my grief over the loss of my camera, I am fully aware that I have so many reasons to be incredibly thankful for this holiday season. Two wonderful, happy and healthy children. A wonderful and supportive husband who is more than I could ever hope for. My own health. A roof over our heads and food on our table. And every day, I get to experience those moments that make every mom's heart melt. Those moments when the Mermaid throws her arms around my neck and whispers "I love you" into my ear. Those moments when the Guppy laughs and giggles just because she saw me walk into the room. Those moments when the Mermaid watches me get ready for the day, then tells me "Mommy, you look beautiful!"

I am truly blessed.

Thanksgiving

Still Here

I'm still here, but unfortunately, so is the virus.

The Mermaid has pretty much recovered. She still has a slightly runny nose, but other than that she is fine. So, of course, when the Guppy woke up this morning, she was sick. Runny nose, slight fever, sore throat.

Of course.

Tonight I have to work and find some time to cook up something to bring to my Aunts house tomorrow. We are having dinner there and then dessert at my In laws. This year in my family, we had a really corny idea that we could dress up as pilgrims and Native Americans for Thanksgiving. I was all for it, but now I find I am lacking in both time and money to go out and get costumes for all four of us. I'll probably just end up making hats and feathers out of construction paper.

Yesterday we had our first snowfall of the season and we found out that our heating system does not work properly for some reason. Until we got the fire going in the wood stove, we were all bundled up in our jackets. Now I am worried that the Guppy will burn herself on the stove, as we can't put a gate up in front of it and she really doesn't understand the concept of hot yet. I just have to be really careful not to leave her in the room alone.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Still Here

Great Giveaway

Five Minutes for Mom always seems to have great giveaways! So I am so excited that from now until November 25th, they are having their big Christmas giveaway! Head on over to check out what you could win!

Great Giveaway

I'd Hate to Say I Told You So...

I think I've blogged about this before. But now I have research to back me up.

One of my pet peeves is when women say that they don't even want to try to breastfeed because it will make their boobs sag. Whenever I hear this, I cringe and two thoughts run through my head:

1. What a selfish reason to deny your infant optimal nutrition. Way to put your looks before your child's health@@.
2. Breastfeeding does not make your boobs sag. Pregnancy and gravity do.

The first thought I usually keep to myself. The second I usually share. And they usually don't believe me, either because they don't want to or because they know of "so and so who breastfed her kids and her boobs are down to her knees".

Nice. Reeeaallll nice.

Well, I hate to say I told you so, but now there's research that states the same thing: breastfeeding does not make your breasts sag. Really. In fact, this study suggests that the real causes of sagging breasts are age, number of pregnancies, and whether or not the mother smokes.

Now, here's my viewpoint. Do my boobs sag? Hell ya. Not down to my knees, but I definitely no longer have the perfect, perky round lovely lady humps that I was graced with before pregnancy. Does that bother me? Not at all. When I decided to become a mother, I decided to embrace all of motherhood, including saggy breasts due to pregnancy. Just like women learn to embrace their stretch marks, their apron of skin, etc. At least I am using my breasts for their intended purpose, by giving my child her optimal nutrition.

So yes, my breasts sag. And yes, if you have children, your breasts will sag, even if you don't breastfeed. The difference is, my breasts are going out with a bang!

I'd Hate to Say I Told You So...