jarred baby food and disposable diapers

I wrestled in my mind with what to title this post.

I'm sure you're saying, huh? Such mundane things.

But to me, these are two very small items in my daily new mommy life that have significant messages to how God is currently shaping me and molding me.  How he's digging into my heart and rearranging some things.  Getting rid of some things.  Replacing some things.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

-Galatians 5: 25-26 (NIV)

Or I really like the way The Message words it...

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.  That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.  We have far more interesting things to do with our lives.   

Each of us is an original.

-Galatians 5:25-26 (The Message)

So let me break this down before I go any further.

Every detail of our lives. (Yep, God is teaching me through jarred baby food and disposable diapers.)

We will not compare ourselves with each other.  (The heart of this post.)

Each of us is an original.  (That means every. single. one. of. us. There are no exceptions.)

This mommy thing is so precious.  The best role I've ever played.  By far.  God designed me to be a mommy.  I just know deep down He did.  It feels so natural to me.  So right.  So perfect.  And how neat is it that He is using this exact same role that I feel so confident and bold in to strip my heart down and humble me.  Our God is an amazing God.

If you've been reading for long or know me in real life, you know that there are many things I have written about or shared about or you've seen me do in action as a mom.

cloth diapering

making my own baby food

"sleep training"

made my own bows

DIYed tons of her nursery

couponed

etc

etc

etc

We could go on.  But this is where I want to explain.  We read blogs, we chat, we see each other in our everyday lives living out this mommy thing (or if you're not one, you may see and read things that churn ideas and thoughts for how you will be in the future as a mommy).  We see the good mostly.  We see the comparisons.  We focus on the "how she does it part".  We get caught up in what everyone else is doing.  How it should be done.

God has been teaching me a lot about this comparison thing.  He said it right there in scripture, it's not healthy.  It's not how we're supposed to live.  Maybe you've seen the quote floating around Pinterest..."Comparison is the thief of joy."  Seriously, y'all.  True story! God is teaching me to let go.  To be the mommy I know is best for my baby.  Not for anyone else's judgements.  To be confident in how I do things and to reflect.  But to know that this mommy thing is different for everyone.  We're all original mommies.  We aren't here to beat ourselves up.  Or to beat each other up.  We are here to fulfill the role God has blessed us with.  So many times, I read blogs or see something or hear something that makes me think, "oh...if only I could do that...could be that....could...." That's not healthy.  I want to live my daily life pointing to God.  He's the one that provides daily grace in my life.  He's the one that makes me the original mommy that I am.  What I am in His eyes is all that matters.

So I don't want to be someone that you may read my blog or see me in person and think, "oh...I wish I could do it that way...or be that way..."

So to help you out.  To keep you from comparing like I often do.  Here's two things that I don't do...

I don't cloth diaper full time.  We've had crazy leak issues with the cloth.  We use disposables unless we're just around the house or heading to Adeline's grandparents'. 

I make some of my own baby food.  Not all.  I am a big believer in organic food and staying away from preservatives and artificial stuff for Adeline for health-sake.  But she eats jarred baby food.  Gasp.

To me...those two things have been huge in how God has taught me to let go.  (Those are just two in a long list.)  Those two things represent something that I have heard so many times from other moms that it's so neat that I do that...that they wish they could be a "good mom" and do that.  Gross.  No.  If you're baby is happy and healthy and you're doing the best you can.  You are a good mom! What works for one...doesn't work for the other.  We are all originals.  The other side of this is, no.  I do not consider myself better than you or that my way is more perfect than yours because of these things.  It's what works for our family.  We are all originals.  God said so.  Not one of His children is better than another.  I believe it whole-heartedly.

So where do we go from here?

We show grace.

To ourselves and to each other.

We lift each other up in the Spirit as He does for us every single day.

We live transparently in a way that points to the Savior.  

He gets the glory for this mommy role.  Not us.

And we let go and live the life of the Spirit in every detail of our lives...jarred baby food, disposable diapers, and all.

7 months! (a week late)

Dear Adeline Grace,

            You've done it now.  You're now closer to being a one year old than a newborn...you are over half way there.  I can't believe it! This month was nothing but amazement and wonder as we saw you grow, mature, and learn new things daily...sometimes it seemed hourly.  We can't believe how fast you are growing up before our eyes and how much you are starting to come into your own and develop a personality.  You even showed this in your 7 month photo shoot! I could not get you to sit still for two seconds to snap a picture.  You are a mover and groover (always have been)!

So what have we learned about you this month and what have you been up to in your seventh month of life?

Here are some of your firsts this month...

On 5.2.12, you started blowing raspberries while eating for the first time while eating sweet potatoes.  This equals one big mess for you and Mommy and Daddy.  You still do this...and you know to do it when you don't want to eat at this point.

On 5.13.12, you helped Mommy celebrate her first Mother's Day with you in this world.  You and Daddy surprised me with breakfast in bed, a picture of you and me in your pool and a "Best Mom" charm for my charm bracelet.  You also tried peas for the first time on this day and like them (still a go-to food).

On 5.22.12, you slept overnight in your crib for the first time! I cried, but knew it was best for you at this point because you were starting to be disturbed in the morning in our room when we were getting ready.  You did great! The second night, you slept from 8pm-8am without waking up at all.

On 5.27.12, you started saying "Dadada" intentionally and you will often repeat it now once someone says it.

On 5.28.12, it was your first time swimming in a big pool.  We swam at your grandparents' and you LOVED it! You floated around in your raft.

On 6.1.12, we took our first family vacation as just us three to Gatlinburg, TN.  We had a great time! You really enjoyed being with Mommy and Daddy and took it all in during the trip! We swam, shopped, hiked, ate out, and did all kinds of things.  Of course, you were a trooper the entire time and did great in the car!

This month you also:

-started blowing raspberries while eating (especially when you don't want to take the bite!)
-started sitting up on own with NO support
-started sitting up in the bath (we still use your little tub inside our big bath tub)
-started army crawling like a pro
-tried all kinds of new fruits and veggies!
-started eating "real food" at each meal
-knowing your name and responding when we say it
-started babbling "dada" constantly
-started playing games with people (i.e. peek-a-boo)
-started showing your strong-willed and stubborn side
-got your first tooth--your bottom right tooth

So what do you like and dislike?

You love…

-swimming
-talking
-being around people/people watching
-chewing on your Sophie Giraffe
-cuddling with your bunny blankie to go to sleep
-your jumperoo and exersaucer
-squash and pears
-the zoo and watching any kind of animal
-crawling/scooting around and grabbing things
-swinging

You dislike…

-diaper and clothing changes

-when you are awake in your crib and Mommy or Daddy leave the room

-being in a bouncy seat or swing

-white potatoes

 

What are your sizes?

You are still in 6 and 9 month sleepers.  You are in mainly in 6-9 and 9 month clothing.  You are in size 3 diapers when in disposables and are in second snap setting on your cloth diapers! We also had to start nighttime, size 3 diapers because you started peeing through your normal dipes almost every single night.

You weight between 17 and 18 lbs. by now.  You seem to be getting long to us...please stay a baby forever!

What are your eating habits like?

This was the month we introduced solids! You now nurse around 8-9, 12-1, 4-5, and 8-9 for anywhere from 5 to 12 or so minutes.  You also wake sometimes once or twice during the night and nurse (because it's easy to get you to go back to sleep ;).  This happens usually around 1ish and 4ish.

You are also eating "real food" at each meal.  By the end of 6 months, at breakfast, you eat 2-3 tbsp. of rice and/or oatmeal cereal and 1-2 oz. of fruit.  At lunch you eat 1-2 oz. of fruit and 2 oz. of veggies.  At dinner you eat 2-3 tbsp. of rice and/or oatmeal cereal, 2 oz. of veggies, and 2 oz. of fruit.  By this point you are eating about 1/2 cup of veggies and 1/2 cup of fruit daily.  Most is made by me.  However, you eat some jarred, especially when we travel.

You are also drinking water from your sippy cup and when we just put a cup or glass to your mouth.  You also love sucking on your food pouch when it has ice or frozen bananas in it.

How is your sleeping?

You go to bed around 8-8:30 and go down really well after our nighttime routine and nursing.  You sleep until 8 or 9 (12 hours).  However, you do wake up usually a couple times right now during the night.  I nurse you and put you right back down.

You nap in the morning usually about 2 hours after you wake up (10ish) and a couple hours after lunch (2ish).  You nap anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.  You still cat nap in the evening and always fall asleep during car rides.
This month I learned that your magic sleep number seems to be about 14 hours (however you get it) and you do great sleeping in sleep sacks (we use that instead of a blanket in your crib).  You also always have a quick, loud cry/whine right before your fall asleep.

So what makes you, you this month?

We are simply in awe of you.  However it's possible...we love you more and more each day.  Often, so much it hurts! We sit and just stare at you and have decided without a doubt that God truly broke the mold with you.  We thank Him daily on numerous occasions for blessing our lives with you. We adore you.

                                                                                                    Love,

                                                                                                    Mommy and Daddy

z stands for zoo!

Adeline's first trip to the zoo was a success!! We spent the day yesterday enjoying the zoo as a family.  Adeline loves her Sophie Giraffe, so we couldn't wait for her to meet "real Sophies".  She loved them.  She oohed and ahhed and talked to them.  It was so adorable.

What fun! I knew she would love it! We decided to go with a membership so that we can enjoy it for the next year.

Looking forward to more fun memories being created!

how our garden grows

My hubby has a knack for gardening.  We have lived in our home for almost 4 years and have had at least a small garden each year.  Last year we just did tomatoes and vowed to have a better garden this summer than ever before.

We have had two predicaments in the past...hilly ground and lots of shade.

Hubby, being the handyman he is, along with his dad's help, leveled out a place in our backyard with compost and railroad ties.  They also cut down a tree that was blocking the sunlight from our garden spot.  We now have a level spot that gets about 6-7 hours of sunlight.  Perfect.

When planning what we wanted to grow, we took into consideration what we purchase the most from the grocery and/or farmers market as well as what types of veggies I want to have on hand to make homemade baby food.  We also decided to go organic with our veggies of course.

When planning on the layout of our garden, we honestly just used my hubby's knowledge.  He's good like that.  We purchased the plants from Wal-Mart, as well as purchased some seeds from our local farm store.

We spent the day on Sunday afternoon tilling and planting our garden as a family.  Such fun!

We decided to plant:

-squash
-zucchini
-tomatoes
-red peppers
-banana peppers
-yellow corn
-green beans
-cucumbers

On my deck, I'm also growing lavender, cilantro, and parsley.

Someone even enjoyed planting from afar, getting her feet in the dirt, and eventually snoozing in the shade.  :)

sleep success!

We have an amazing baby.  Seriously.  She smiles all the time. She's happy all the time.  We honestly can't complain about her being whiny, weepy, or anything like that even since day one.  We have been extremely blessed.

On that note, I've already learned that I have a hard-headed, stubborn baby. :) She gets it from her momma and I'm pretty sure it's God's sense of humor in works.  She's so sweet-natured and laid-back at the same time (that comes from her Daddy).  Her temperament is honestly more perfect than we could have even asked for. As Justin said the other day, we honestly couldn't have ordered a better child.  We didn't even know the extent that God could bless us.  The proof is in the other room right now sleeping like a little angel.

Sleep has been one area where she's shown her stubbornness.  And honestly, to a less A-type, OCD, organized, person, her sleep would probably be amazing.  To me, though, it hasn't quite been as predictable and in order as I would like for all of our sanity.

With the first three months, while I was on maternity leave, we started some loose sleep training.  It worked pretty well.  Minus the nights that I sobbed on the couch as she cried and Justin would go get her and bring her to me because I just couldn't take it.  "She's only this little once," you could often find me saying through my tears.  He agreed.  We've honestly always been on the same page.  Another blessing.

Her sleep was great by 3 months.  Waking up only once and often sleeping through the night.  Naps were still hit or miss because we hadn't been intentional in working on a set nap schedule.  However, I went back to work right around then and she started waking up numerous times during the night (I still say it was she missed her time with me and needed Mommy time.)  Her naps were pretty much just as she wanted to take them...cat napping...and often happened by the time she was too exhausted to take a successful nap.  We have been so, so blessed to have my mom keep her most of the time while I finished the school year, my aunt and grandma watched her a couple weeks, and my in-laws watched her on occasion as well.  We realize the blessing this is and absolutely wouldn't have it any other way.  However, all the place-to-place the past few months haven't allowed us to get into a routine.

In the meantime, she continued to sleep in our bedroom in her pack-n-play.  Mainly for all selfish reasons on our part.  I am still nursing and she is exclusively breastfed with no bottles unless needed.  Therefore, it's just been easy to keep her in our room so I can feed her during the night.  I also had the worries of SIDS and had read numerous places where it is best to have your baby in your room until 6 months, when the risk of SIDS drops dramatically.  Add to all of this, about a month and a half ago she started sleeping on her belly because she had learned to roll over.  Well then I was worried and wanted to check her little breathing and make sure her head was to the side constantly.  And Justin wasn't in a rush to have her in her bed either.

So here we are now at 6.5 months and I feel like I can say we finally have a schedule (I use that loosely) that has invited better sleep for our sweet girl.  I think she's like her Mommy and likes routine, consistency, and to know what's going to take place.  She seems to be thriving with that while also being such an easy baby (her Mommy isn't an "easy" person like her ;)

So here's where we stand with her sleeping as of 6.5 months.  (Now that she's finally sleeping in her room! It was such an easy transition for her.  No issues whatsoever!) I share this for my sake, to have something to compare to with the next one(s), while also wanting to share with other Mommies.  I am always looking for other's advice and stories in order for inspiration to either do something one way or know I don't want to do it that way at all. :)

Nighttime sleep:

-Bedtime routine starts at any time between 7:30 and 8:30.  ("naked time" --she loves being naked-- on changing table which includes lots of kisses, peek-a-boo and often some crazy time with Daddy, California Baby calming everyday lotion on legs and cheeks, diaper rash cream on bum, disposable diaper b/c she pees like crazy during the night, PJs on, sleep sack zipped on, rocking chair with Mommy for vitamins, gas drops, and nursing (she loves all of this and is like a little bird with each stage opening her mouth for each), she falls asleep nursing, she goes down in her crib on her back, Gentle Giraffe wave white noise, monitor on, door closed, and Mommy is out of the room).  All of this takes about 30 minutes at max.  If it's bath night, that comes right before all the other steps.

-We check on her occasionally during the night based on hearing her toss and turn on monitor on occasion.

-She does a little mini cry a couple times during this time some nights.  Usually the paci in the mouth works.  She's not awake, just stirring.

-On occasion she is waking for a 5 am feeding, but that was the habit that was started to help with my supply while I was at work.  She's moving on from this and didn't wake for this last night.

-She's now sleeping about 11-12 hours.  Whoo hoo! She wakes for her first feeding and to start the day at about 8 am.

Naps:

-2 to 3 a day

-Morning nap starts after nursing, and awake for about an hour which includes rice cereal and fruit while Mommy eats breakfast too.  Nap starts around 9 or 9:30. (Naptime routine when we are at home: diaper change, sleepsack on, calming lotion on cheeks (I am sure this helps thanks to switching to natural, herbal lotion), paci in mouth, rocking while singing and/or reading a short book--usually Goodnight Moon, down in crib with Gentle Giraffe on and her mobile moving with light but without music.)

-Naps take her everywhere between 7 and 20 minutes to get to sleep.  Some naps include more crying than others to get to sleep.  However, I can tell she's getting more and more comfortable just going straight down.  Praise the Lord! This has always been her biggest fight.

-Up until just recently, she has been awake crying after 30 minutes...that's changing! She's easily making it 45 minutes to an hour asleep without doing this.

-Naps are everywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours (on a rare occasion).

-Afternoon nap starts about an hour to hour and a half after nursing.  Same routine.

-On occasion she takes a solid nap or cat naps in the evenings.  She's in-between here at this stage.

-I am not a stickler at all for her having to sleep in her crib.  No offense if that's your opinion, but I've always thought that was silly. Sleep is sleep wherever she is.  If we are out and about, she takes these naps in the car, or in the cart while I'm shopping, or in the stroller while we are running errands, or even in one of these while we are eating out.  Now, I am trying this summer to plan our activities around her naps and I always attempt to plan us being in the car during a "nap time" if we have to be out.  However, she is so good at taking her nap and going with the flow if we are out and moving.  And of course, if we're home, her naps are always in her cribs.

If I could share one piece of advice, it would be to RELAX.  Pinpoint what is most important to you when trying to implement a routine and take it one step at a time.  Make sure you and your hubby are on the same page (that's tremendous!) Take your time getting there and celebrate every little success along the way.  I've read and shared on here before...your baby is a human, not a project.  Let your baby be human.  Remember you are human.  Do things the way that works for you, your hubby and your baby.  Not just because a book says so.  Not just because your family says so.  You'll get there (whatever your goal is your working on with your little one).

Of course, every baby is different! And if it's taken over half of her first year to get here, that's fine with me. We finally have found sleep success in our own way!

Fitness Friday {Week 19}!!

<center><a href="http://www.cait-theblessedlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="the blessed life" src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab38/theblessedlife/scrollyframegraphicsfairypk2sm-1-1-1.jpg"/></a></center>

This was the final week of the challenge...whoo hoo! (And the post is a bit late...oops!)


How did the challenge go?


I started the challenge mainly to just get myself back on track after having Adeline.  I really wasn't at the point I wanted to be physically when I got pregnant, so I felt like I had a lot of work to do.  Although I didn't quite meet all my goals each week...I feel like I have been extremely successful during this challenge! Both my weightloss, eating habits, and activity level have encouraged me to keep up the great work.  This is all about adopting a new lifestyle.  (Plus, I can't help but notice how much exclusive breastfeeding has helped me...if nothing else, for giving me 500 calories more a day to consume!)

Was I active?

I was so great at being active at the end of my maternity leave.  I really got into the habit of working out daily and saw such an improvement with the toning of my body! However, once I went back to work, I got busy and was exhausted by the time I got home.  So although I didn't stay as active as I hoped to throughout the challenge, I have gotten a taste of the actual change being active can do to your body.  And I can't wait to start a fitness routine now that summer break is here!

Overall Weight Loss Success?

Still working toward my goal weight, but.....Yes, yes, yes! :)

Starting Weight: 129 lbs.
Goal Weight: 110 lbs.
End Weight: 112.6 lbs.

Total Loss:  16.4 lbs.

Overall Measurement Success?

Yes!!

Waist--
Starting:  32"
End:  28"
Total Loss: 4"

Thigh--
Starting:  22.5"
End: 19.75"
Total Loss:  2.75"

Other Successes? 


Goal- Waist measurement: Middle of "healthy waistline" range--middle 20s or so

End Result- Close enough for me!

Goal-  Thigh measurement:  No specific measurement, but I want my thighs to not touch when standing and look less "flabby"

End Result- Success! (Plus, I feel more confident in shorts...that's huge for me!)


Goal- BMI of 20.1 (bottom part of "normal weight" level) from a 23.6 BMI

End Result-20.6 


*Turned calorie counting into second nature thanks to MyFitnessPal


*Found an awesome group of support through blogging and MyFitnessPal that have been and continues to be an awesome encouragement! (Thanks ladies...you know who you are!)


*Found more body image confidence.


*Lost all of my "baby weight" and got to a weight that is even less than when I got married.


*Gained a whole new wardrobe! ;)


I'm so glad many of you joined me along the way and worked toward your own fitness goals! Keep up the awesome work!

naptime musings

A collection of random thoughts as I enjoy a little Mommy-only time during nap time...

One-We went to Adeline's 6 month check-up yesterday.  Sweet baby got three shots and this round definitely bothered her the most.  She was such a mellow, calm, drowsy little one last night.  We were all a little weirded out by it, being that she is such a rowdy, spunky, on-the-go-all-the-time baby.  I'm glad to have my spunky girl back today!

Two-The doctor stated during our visit...and I quote..."She's going to be walking at 9 months as fast and easy as she's moving already!" Mommy panic.  I'm not ready for her to do this whole growing up thing.  Time, please stop!

Three-I have three more days of the school year left.  That's crazy.  We had no snow days this year...so that means we get out super early.  Love it!

Four-Little lady is loving food.  We eat rice cereal regularly.  However, she's also ventured into carrots, sweet potatoes, and peas.  So far, she's loved them all!

Five-We are slowly but surely working on getting new living room furniture...We keep going back and forth on where to purchase a new couch and possibly a chair.  Plus, I'm pinning ideas like crazy for organization and decor on Pinterest.  Oh the possibilities!!

Six- My little brother graduated from college last weekend from the University of Kentucky! We are so proud of him! (This also makes me feel like I'm getting old...because it means that it's been 4 years that I've been in the "real world" and out of college....8 since I've been out of High School. Oh my!)

 

Seven- I am loving these pictures my mom took of our sweet fam a couple weekends ago at our annual Derby party/my little brother's college graduation party.  They make me smile every time!