Sometimes you have to laugh

Because it's all you can do. You have your good days and your bad days with the little ones. They brighten your life and your days 95% of the time. But sometimes that 5% just takes its tole on you at times.

This week has been one of those weeks for us. After a few months of sickness all of us are pretty tired and worn out, each week seems to be bring us a new virus or another. The past few days Gabby hasn't been getting enough sleep we think as she is waking up pretty defiant. It seems that if things don't go exactly her way she throws a fit. One morning it was because I didn't stack her cereal "right". Right for her is one layer of each of the 3 to 4 cereals, that morning it was because it was more like a  mountain. who knew there was a right way to stack cereal. LOL

Today we had a great day, she cuddled in bed with us while she watched some cartoons, we got to "sleep in"....well for us anyway until about 7:15. We had a good breakfast of pancakes - no stacking involved. Then headed to the Zoo for a family trip. Met up with some friends, had lunch and had a great time.

She napped on the way home and cuddled with Mike for awhile. We had a great afternoon and then dinner happened. We had the audacity to serve Gabby enchiladas. All hell broke loose. All we ask of her is that she eats 3 bites of each item of food on her plate. She just had to eat 3 bites of enchilada to get some corn bread that was it. Well lets just say it didn't happen. After 20 minutes of fighting with her we told her she was done and going to bed. I have never sent her to bed without dinner in 3 years until tonight. She didn't eat, she fought us every step of the way.

During this same time the littlest one also decided that after her few bites of corn, enchiladas and cornbread that she was ALL DONE! and was throwing her food on the floor and screaming her head off. Fun times!!

But I know that tomorrow is a new day and they will be smiling and laughing with me tomorrow. When I went to put Liv down tonight, she was screaming her head off until I started tickling her and then she was all smiles and giggles and it took away all the frustration for the night.

I need to remember these moments when I am in the thick of it and dealing with them trying to exert all the independence they can muster!

Livy Pie is 1!

Weight

20lbs 10oz - she actually lost about 5oz in the past week that the doctor thinks is because she is moving around so much.

Clothing Size

12-18 Month shirts, onesies and pants and some 24 month stuff.

Diaper Size

Size 3 diapers

Feeding

She has really taken off with the solid food in the past few months. She still nurses when she is around mama, but she is down to 4oz of mama's milk during the day + water. She is eating 3 to 4 solid meals a day + snacks. She LOVES meat and veggies. Even just last night she was asking for more beans and veggies! She eats so much! We are starting the transition of her from my milk to whole milk. Day 1 - no go she hated it, so I added a little honey to it today.

Sleep Schedule

We have been struggling with this the past month. With 4 and now 5 teeth coming through + colds it really throws someone off their sleep schedule. She got used to sleeping in my arms in the recliner. We started our version of cry it out (see my next post for more details). Which seems to be working. She is back to only getting up 1 to 2 times a night and sleeping from 6:3pm to 6:00am

Milestones

* You have 7 teeth now. You got your four upper teeth all at once - it was a rough few weeks

*You are signing like crazy, ball, please, thank you, more, all done

* You are talking up a storm too, you can say, dada, please, ball, bubble, hi and even started saying bye

* You are starting to try to walk more, but still not quite there yet, but I have a feeling it will be soon

* You totally love your sister and your puppy and you light up when you see both of them

Dear Sunshine! You are my little girl and this past year has been so amazing. I LOVE watching you grow and learn every day. You love your family and your teachers at school and to see that love come from your smile is truly amazing. You are one special girl and I want you to never forget that!! Your sweet sweet smile makes me laugh every time I see it. You are truly special in my heart.

I love you!
Mama!

Bloodmark: Book Review - Check it out people!!

This is my first official book review at least since college anyway. While I am not very good at this type of thing I want to try my best for the author as she holds a very special place in my heart.

There is a new book on the market it was released last Friday November 1^st. It is in the Teen Genre and is called Bloodmark by Aurora Whittet. If you like Twilight, Hunger Games and Beautiful Creatures you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE  Bloodmark!

I am a new fan to Twilight, in fact I got on the band wagon so late that the last movie was released just 2 months after I finished reading the series. I also saw all the Twilight movies (except the last one) before I read the books which I almost never do. I can’t wait for Bloodmark to get turned into a movie!

The story is about sixteen-year-old werewolf princess Ashling Boru who is different from other wolves—she was able to shift to wolf form at birth. Rather than bringing pride to her family, it brings fear, and as a result, she is forced to live in seclusion in Ireland’s countryside. Ashling’s reputation is further blackened when she refuses her betrothed and defies the ancient laws. When her pack’s oldest rivals begin hunting her, she finds herself in the small town of York Harbor, Maine—far from everything she’s ever known.

In Maine, she crosses paths with the dark and rebellious Grey Donavan, and something ignites within her soul. There’s just one problem: Grey is human. Their instant connection turns into a passionate romance, and Ashling begins to believe she can create her own life outside of wolf laws. When she begins to uncover long-buried pack secrets—secrets that threaten to destroy all she holds dear—Ashling’s courage and tenacity are tested. Will she choose her deep and enduring love for Grey, or will she follow Old Mother’s path to her destiny?

Aurora started writing her first novel when her mother was diagnosed with Cancer for the second time in 2009. She brought her mother into the book where she will live on forever. I was lucky enough to meet Aurora’s mom a few times before she lost her battle to cancer this past March. I could always see the love in her eyes for her family! Especially when Aurora’s son was around her. She just lit up the room when she saw him. She will be forever looking over Aurora and her son and her spirit lives on everyday within them.

Everyone knows that a good book needs to hook you in and draw you in right away. I have had many times where I give a book multiple chances hoping, just hoping that it will start to pick up, or draw me in soon, only to be 100 pages in and have it still dragging on. Well that is NOT the case with Bloodmark. From the first few pages you are instantly brought to a whole other world and drawn in. There were many nights where I woke up with my tablet lying next to me in bed because I had to read just one more page and fell asleep – night after night for the past few weeks. (it’s hard to get a lot of reading in when you have a couple of little ones). I just couldn't put it down, I kept wanting to get to the next part in the book. I was actually sad when I finished it because I wanted more and I knew I would have to wait for the second book.

I was one of the lucky friends chosen to proof Bloodmark before it went to the editor. I thought it was fabulous then, but the changes that Aurora has made, made the book even better! Like I said you feel a part of the world instantly when reading this book. I felt like I was a part of Ashlings pack, I felt that I was along for the ride with her and her family. I could feel the emotions that she felt during the ENTIRE book.  You felt her joy, her sadness, her heartache. You laughed and cried while reading Bloodmark! I even saw someone the other day that I could have sworn could have been Ashling! I had to remind myself that she isn’t real and is a character in a book. But she isn’t just a character, you feel like she is a part of your family.

I joked with Aurora that she had to hurry and finish Bloodrealms so I could read it. I am not a patient person and I will have to try my hardest to wait until she gets the next one finished. I am hoping that she will include me on the list to proof the next one too!

So NOW I need a favor from all you wonderful bloggers, readers out there. Spread the word about Bloodmark and the Bloodmark Saga. Add it to Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter. Review it on Goodreads, Shelfari and any other site that you can. It’s the only way the word will get out there about this amazing book. 

Aurora has touched my heart, my life and my soul. She is an amazing friend – like a sister I never had. She is a truly awesome mother, wife and friend and has inspired me to do what I dream. To say “what if….” What if I follow my dreams! What if I don’t let fear hold me back? What If I move forward with my life.

So thank you girl for being there for me, for being such a creative inspiration in my life and just being you! Your mom gave birth to a very special person and I know she is smiling down at you every day!! 

Love you girl!

It's Almost Time!!

You guessed it!! It's almost time that Bloodmark Saga will be releasing!! I was fortunate enough to receive my Special Bloodmark Saga t-shirt! and tattoos today!! The girls got theirs right away and I wore my t-shirt to Gymnastics!!

For those that haven't seen me post about Bloodmark Saga. It's an amazing book that my awesome, talented, creative and beautiful friend Aurora Whittet wrote and is having published AS WE SPEAK!!

You can read more about the latest on it being sent to print here on her blog. Here is the synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old werewolf princess Ashling Boru is different from other wolves—she was able to shift to wolf form at birth. Rather than bringing pride to her family, it brings fear, and as a result, she is forced to live in seclusion in Ireland’s countryside. Ashling’s reputation is further blackened when she refuses her betrothed and defies the ancient laws. When her pack’s oldest rivals begin hunting her, she finds herself in the small town of York Harbor, Maine—far from everything she’s ever known.

In Maine, she crosses paths with the dark and rebellious Grey Donavan, and something ignites within her soul. There’s just one problem: Grey is human. Their instant connection turns into a passionate romance, and Ashling begins to believe she can create her own life outside of wolf laws. When she begins to uncover long-buried pack secrets—secrets that threaten to destroy all she holds dear—Ashling’s courage and tenacity are tested. Will she choose her deep and enduring love for Grey, or will she follow Old Mother’s path to her destiny?

You can even pre-order it on Amazon! I have already pre-ordered mine and I am patiently waiting for the electronic version to come so I can start reading it. I was lucky enough to be included in a circle of trusted people that  Aurora had read it before she sent it to her editor. It was amazing and awesome, it was a book I couldn't put down. I am even more excited to read the edited version, the final version!

Here is Gabby sporting her awesome Bloodmark Tattoo!

Out the other Side

When you are in the thick of something, sometimes it's hard to see the other side and know that you will be okay. Thats where I was Thursday evening.....after a really hard night of clogged ducts and again no nursing I woke up Thursday morning with the full intent of talking to the Lactation Consultant at the peds office and see what she recommended for formula and how to go about it. I was going to pump 2 times during the day and supplement with formula as long as my supply in the freezer would last and my supply daily would last until she was a year and switch her to whole milk.

I had an even rougher day of pumping, massaging and kneeding out those clogs while I worked my brand new job in the office! I came home after checking out Kellymom, Le Leche League forums and was determined one more shot at it - since the LC never called me back.

After dinner of some yummy veggies for Liv I took her into the bedroom and laid down with her on the bed skin to skin like we used to do when she was a newborn. I didn't force her to nurse, in fact I didn't offer it at all, I just laid her head near my breast and she and I took a 20 minute snooze. It was wonderful. It was bath night, so I got both girls in the tub an when It was Liv's turn to get out of the tub I took her instead of our usual routine of my husband taking her. I went into the bedroom again and laid down with her skin to skin again. this time I squirted some milk into her mouth. She tried to nibble a little but actually just started nursing. No pushing or anything. It was glorious! I got her to nurse on both sides which relieved my clogged ducts in a matter of 20 minutes!!

I put her to bed and she slept until around 1am, I nursed her in our spot in her room and she again tried to bite but I took her off and squirted milk into her mouth and it was like she remembered "Oh yeah this is what I am supposed to be doing" and nursed again. She slept until 5:45 and nursed again.

This evening after great pumpings at work, I gave her sophie to chew on while I got ready to nurse her and she chewed on sophie a bit and then nursed beautifully. No biting, nothing. back to our old routine and I am in love all over again!

Like I said in the beginning so many people said it was a phase and clearly she wasn't ready to wean - not that I really thought she was. Clearly I wasn't ready to wean her either....so I am glad I stuck it out and knowing this will help me if it happens when the next set of teeth come in!

Thanks for all those that helped me, listened to me and supported me. I truly could not have done this without you. That's what mom's and friends are for!!

On Strike

I didn't think it could happen but my 9 month old is on strike. You may be asking yourself on strike from what?? The only thing my 9 month old really has control over in her life right now is her eating. Yep that's right she is on strike with nursing. I have heard of it but in the 21 almost 22 months I nursed her sister Gabby and in the 9 months so far that I have nursed Olivia it's never come up until now that is.

Things in our life started to go a little crazy last Thursday. Liv wasn't feeling well I thought she was warm, but the thermometer told me not so much. So I sent her off to school. around 12 or so they called me and said she wasn't feeling well, and had a 102.7 fever. EEK! So off I went. We had a doctors appointment for her 9 month check up the next morning so I wasn't worried. 2 days later fast forward to Saturday and her fever broke over night and she was doing fine. Saturday evening Gabby got sick with the same thing. They decided to trade off getting up in the middle of the night and Mike and I were up every hour it seemed like that night. It was a rought night. Liv was still nursing just fine.

Sunday they were both a bit clingy but doing great, Liv was obviously teething as she was trying to bit everything, the dog, me, her toys, her sister! You name it, she would bite it! We would sternly but nicely tell her no bite - I even started doing the sign for no bite. She would just look at us and giggle.

Fast forward to Monday evening, I get home from work and I go to nurse Olivia. She bites me not once, not twice but three times. Apparently I am a sucker for punishment. She arched her back and refused to eat. I might have scared her a bit since I may or may not have screamed out. It hurt, babies have teeth like puppies, they aren't just teeth, they are razor sharp fangs it seems and it hurts!

I figured okay, she is teething, she did this last time to me and we moved on when she really needed/wanted to eat. At bed time I thought forsure she would eat. No such luck. Fast forward to Wednesday and we haven't nursed since 4am on Monday morning. She has been getting bottles from me, Mike and at school. I have tried every time to nurse her and she either bites me or arches her back, screams her head off and refuses to even try to nurse.

This deeply saddens me more than I can even express. I know some people have a real love/hate relationship with nursing, but I truly enjoyed my time with my daughter. It is our time to bond, have that connection. To be honest it's something I can do and only me in my family. I know thats a bit selfish, but I am proud of the fact that I can offer nourishment to my daughter. I pump 2 times a day just so she can have that nutrition she needs (Do not take this as a post against formula - I know and respect that not everyone can nurse, it's not an easy thing to do and for some it just doesn't work).

I had a emotional breakdown Monday night because she kept biting me and while it hurt physically it hurt more emotionally. Only 1 time in my life of nursing have I thought that I might give it up and just do formula. That was week 2 with Gabby, I was having such a hard time, had no idea what I was doing. Since then however I haven't even considered it until yesterday.

I am now pumping 4 to 5 times a day, with little output, I get maybe 3 or 5 ounces at the most each time. I only have about 300 or so ounces stored up, but Liv is eating about 18oz of milk a day. at this rate, if I stopped pumping we could continue with my milk until september 13th or so.

I have a few options.

1. Give up nursing her and see if she goes back to it after her teeth come in. Keep pumping 4 or 5 times a day and pray that my supply stays.

OR

2. Give up nursing her, use the rest of my supply, stop pumping and switch to formula for the last 3 months or so until she can switch to cows milk.

Right now I am actually leaning towards option number 2. It's stressing me out having to pump so much - I give props to all your women out there that exclusively pumped for your little ones - you know who you are. You are better women then I.

The more I stress out this, the more my supply will tank...So if anyone out there that is reading this has ANY thoughts, other options suggestions please, I am all ears.

The things that I have done to help relieve Olivia's teething are as follows
1. Alternated Pain meds from advil to tylenol

2. Tried the numbing gel - didn't work

3. Tried a cold wash cloth - the only thing she WON'T bite

4. Teething oil - somewhat works at least to start with

5. Amber necklace, we just got this, if it doesn't work it still looks adorable! HA!
6. Teething toys, she bites pretty hard on them but it doesn't work at night.

So let me know your thoughts! and if you made it this far Thank You!

Gabriella - 3 Years!

 

Weight

29lbs

Clothing Size

5T shirts and 3T & 4T pants

Sleep Schedule

You are sleeping through the night, but we think you are starting to have nightmares, because you will cry out every once in awhile.

Milestones

*You are moving up to the preschool room in a few weeks.

*You are POTTY TRAINED! and rarely have accidents

*You are able to trace your name

*You know your letters, numbers. 

*You love to talk - we have our best conversations when you are in the bathroom

Livy Pie 9 Months

 

Weight

19lbs 8oz

Clothing Size

12 months and now 18 months stuff

Diaper Size

Size 3 diapers

Feeding

You are drinking about 3 - 4oz bottles at daycare and on the weekends you are just nursing on demand.
You are also eating 2 meals a day at daycare and 1 to 2 snacks as well. You LOVE food!!

Sleep Schedule

You take two naps during the day, sometimes one - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You go to bed around 7:30pm and gets up between 4 and 6am.

Milestones

 *  You started crawling!! You are taking off a ton and getting into everything now.

* You moved up to the Young Toddlers room. 

*You are starting to use a sippy cup
* You are now on the full menu at school and loving every minute of it.
* You love your puppy and squeal every time she comes by.
*You are standing up on furniture and tables
*You are trying to walk.

Livy Pie - 8 Months

  I am a bit late with her 8 month post, but late is better than never!

Weight

18lbs 10oz

Clothing Size

9 Month and some 12 month stuff

Diaper Size

Size 3 diapers

Feeding

Mama's milk all the way.You are drinking about 3 to 4 - 5oz bottles at daycare and on the weekends you are just nursing on demand.
You are also eating 2 meals a day at daycare and 1 to 2 snacks as well. You LOVE food!!

Sleep Schedule

You haven't been sleeping as well the last month, you have been battling a bad ear infection and have been getting up 1 to 2 times a night usually around 2:30 and 5:00am. You are napping 2 times a day.

Milestones

* You are scooting backwards a lot now and moving yourself into the sitting position.

* You are rocking back and forth like you want to crawl, it will be any day now
* You have 2 teeth now!! And you know how to use them.
* You can give a high five and are starting to wave at people

* You are eating like a champ and pretty much eat anything that is put in front of you, I haven't seen a food yet you don't eat.

* You are talking more and more these days and making so many sounds
* You LOVE your dog and your sister and your face lights up when you see them walk into the room!

Life....

....goes so fast! Before I had kids time went fast. Although now that I think about it I am not even sure what I did before kids??

Oh that's right, slept in. Went out to dinner on a moment's notice, went on vacations to the Bahama's and Italy!  But even with all that (and I did like sleeping in) I wouldn't trade it one bit for the life that I have now.

My two girls give me an amazing view on life. The things that come out of Gabby's mouth just crack me up.

Here are a few conversations she and I have had over the past few months

Conversation #1
Mike: mumbling something under his breath about the semi driver not being nice on the road last week
Gabby: Why is he not being nice Daddy?
Mike: He isn't sharing the road with the rest of us
Gabby: Maybe he isn't being nice because he is angry?
**A few minutes later
Me: Ouch, my knee hurts.
Gabby: Mommy, why does your knee hurts?
Me: Not sure it just does a little
Gabby: Maybe it hurts because you are angry?

Conversation #2
Gabby was sitting in the car and was counting....this is how she was counting

Uno, Dos, Trece, Quatro, Cinco, Dora, Seis, Siete, Ocho, Diego! 

Conversation #3

I overheard her talking to Liv the other morning....

Gabby: Okay Olivia, I am going to make you breakfast. Do you want Hotdog pancakes?, are you sure you don't want any hotdog pancakes. Maybe I will give you some bbq sauce and that will make you want to try it.

Conversation #4
Me: Gabby who did you play with today?
Gabby: Charrrrrrlie
Me: No one else?
Gabby: Nope just Charrrrlie.
Me: What about William or Gavin, Kate, Alaina?
Gabby: Nope just Charlie, William and Gavin.
Me: Not any of the girls?
Gabby: No I don't like the girls, just the boys, they are my  brothers.

Conversation #5:
Me: Gabby we are going to the dentist tomorrow
Gabby: I will get to pick a prize and watch a movie
Me: Well you will get to pick a prize, I don't think you will be able to watch a movie.
Gabby: No mama, I watched a movie last time up there (Pointing to the ceiling).

Fast forward to us going to the dentist, sure enough they had tv's on the ceiling. This girl remembered 6 months previous that she watched TV at the dentist's office.

I look forward to many other conversations like these (most of which happen when she is going to the bathroom). and many more with my little Olivia!!

Breezy Point 2013

We had another great year at Breezy Point. Probably the best weather we have had in years!!

We were able to do so many fun things! Mini golf with the girls - Mike had his handicap with Liv strapped to his chest. Gabby still needs to learn how to hit the ball - her idea of playing is just picking up the ball and putting it where she wants it to go.

 

 We went to the pool a ton of times! Gabriella loved the slide, she had to go on it a bunch of times. She also got really good at jumping off the side of the pool and has started swimming too.

 

Mike was able to get out on the kayak and make his usual trip out to the island and back. He and I also took out Gabby and Alyssa. We tried to get Liv on there, but she hated her life jacket so no go.
 

 

We rented the pontoon again and had a great time out on the boat for the afternoon. Gabby loved it as usual. Liv wasn't so happy with her life jacket, but she made it through the ride. Hopefully next year will be better. The goats weren't on the island this year, so Gabby was a bit disappointed, but they still had a great time. 

We had another great year and we can't wait until next year!