you know they say that children teach us. I just didn't expect to learn the meaning of the phrase "wailing & gnashing of teeth" from them.

now to buy the CD!

christmas parties & my vent on such

Last Saturday we went to our Christmas party at church. We had a really nice time. We had a full dinner and then the Primary children acted out the Nativity scene. Well, they were in costume and moved, while a brother did brief narration and the rest of sang Christmas hymns. It was very well organized and brought a very sweet spirit.

On another note of Christmas festivities-(My vent)
Tomorrow the Primary from church is having a "Cookies with Santa" party for all the kids. They're going to make cookies and visit with Santa. Which sounds like a great idea and will sure to be loads of fun. However we will not be attendance for a number of reasons. #1 being my children's unexplainable fear of the man in red & white. In fact, last year at the Christmas party when Santa made his grand appearance, heard over all the cheers was my screaming daughter running in the opposite direction. We even saw a Santa this year at Wal-Mart and when he tried to talk to her (from a distance even) she hid her face and started whimpering. Despite what others may feel that "there are scarier things in life than Santa Claus". We (the parents) do not feel the need to subject our 3 year old toddler to "get over it".

to not forget

Carlise: A leaf! (laughing)
Mom, that's funny. (serious)

Mom: Oh. Well, thank you for enlightening me. (in passing)

Carlise: You're welcome!! (shouted after me)

Mom: *Snort*

Thanksgiving 2008

We took advantage of the long weekend and went on vacation to Augusta, GA. We finally got to see Anna & Toby's beautiful new home (that they've been in over a year now). Our kids did pretty good on the 6 hour drive up and had tons of fun playing with their cousins.Wesley loved being around so many other boys. He experienced football and legos. Carlise got to play princesses with Talia and have a playmate her exact size. Josie & Kaiya played really well and were very curious about each other.

I finally met the infamous Tina to put a face with the name (and fun). We got to meet Tina's great husband, Alan, as well as all of their cute kids. Among other things, Tina brought this awesome squash casserole that I have to get the recipe for (hint, hint). The Thanksgiving spread was absolutely wonderful! So much food and pies and I don't even think I got to try everything.

Anna & I even went shopping on friday. We took the nursing babies with us and we did really well, got some great stuff, and had fun. Now if only the lines hadn't been so long. yeah, right.

We attended church with them and they have a cute little branch. Carlise & Wesley loved being in nursery with Sister Timmons. She is an awesome nursery leader! And the people were very nice and could tell at a glance that Anna & I were sisters. Well, all except that one woman that thought Anna was my mother! I know I don't look that young and Anna doesn't look old enough, there's only an 8 year age difference between us. LOL

We packed up and left after church. Why does it always take longer to get home then it does to get there? It seemed like there was road construction everywhere and our 4 lane was reduced to 2. And there were 2 accidents on 2 different highways that caused stop and go, sometimes a standstill traffic. We enjoyed our vacation, but we are very glad to be back in our home especially after the 8 hour return trip. But we could do it again, after a few months break. =]

A night without children

otherwise known as our 6th Anniversary!!! =]

Last Friday, we stayed the night at a hotel to celebrate our anniversary. Yes, we actually went a whole night without our children with us. (very hard for some of you to believe, I know) But, it was a nice break. We acted silly and were at Wal-Mart at 2am shopping for ice cream & soda. Ahhh, just like old times. But come 10am we were very ready to see our little ones and be Mom & Dad.

And I didn't have much time to blog during that week since I was cleaning like a mad woman so we could come back to a nice clean home. It's such a nice feeling.

However since it's gotten chilly this week, so I haven't kept up the clean home I had last weekend at all. That whole "having to cross the carport to wash clothes" gets me everytime it's cold. We will have it clean in time for the Thanksgiving holiday but for right now Ben & I are sick with some kind of bug.

Happy Birthday Wesley

Wesley is officially a 2 year old. I can't believe our little man is another year older. He hasn't grown that much, only 34 1/2 inches tall and a light 25 lbs. 7 oz. But his mannerisms do show us that he's growing up. We didn't do anything too special for his birthday today (the party's not until this weekend). He had a well visit with the pediatrician who said he looks great and no worries. I did take some pictures of him in his birthday diaper. (Thanks Anna!)And we picked Ben up from work and went out to dinner to celebrate. We even had the hostesses come around and do their clap & chant rendition of happy birthday for Wesley. He got a smirk on his face when he realized they were singing just to him, but the attention became too much and he slouched in his seat to hide his face. He was embarrassed, but he was sooo cute about it that Ben & I just had to laugh. He is definitely Ben's kid!
This is my favorite photo that I took today. It took a couple tries, getting him to focus where I needed, and lying on the driveway. I'm slowly getting better. =]

Paramore

Paramore - New Music - More Music Videos

Halloween

yeah, so we had a "fun" week. I realized that I rely very heavily on Ben in our parenting, especially for a break at the end of the day. But I think the most difficult part was Ben not being able to pick-up the kids and play with them. They all reacted negatively towards him because the lack of attention, which made him feel even worse. Poor guy.Our church did "trunk or treat" on Wednesday and my mom came up and helped me with the kids so we could go, while Ben stayed home & healed. Carlise was a cowgirl, Wesley a cowboy, & Josie was a cow. All of this started from a paci clip & bandana bib we got from Charisma's shop. Anna sent me costumes (she had made years ago), boots & a sheriff diaper (i drooled over) for Wesley, and Ian sent me a cow costume for Josie. Then Mom flew in & saved my budget with cowboy hats (that were purchased from Hallmark for 87 cents many moons ago). All I had to purchase was a shirt for $1.87 from a thrift store for Wesley to wear. Our camera was dead, but Mom had hers! So I just need her to e-mail the pictures to me. - Thanks! =]We didn't go out for Halloween trick or treating because Carlise is easily scared. But our neighborhood gets swamped so we're either hostages in our house until it's done or we can go to the empty stores. It was great shopping because not only was it Halloween, but it was also opening night for the National Peanut Festival and the grand opening of the new 12 screen Carmike Theatre. Halloween was still a great dayt because Carrie's box got here that day. She sent me like 40 cloth diapers. I think my stash is complete. =]

Appendicitis Sucks!

If you haven't heard yet I had emergency surgery on Monday night. My appendix was inflamed, infected and waiting to rupture. Luckily I have a loving wife that suggested that I go to the doctor and get the pains on my right side checked out. Our doctor was surprised that I was not doubled over due to the pain. The surgery lasted about an hour or so and went fine. The surgeon said that my appendix was so infected it was covered in puss and was really swollen (I know sounds disgusting). I was in the hospital for less than 24 hours and have been home since yesterday. I hate the feeling of being helpless. They say I can't really do much other than lay in bed and wait for things to heal. If any of you ever have to have this surgery I feel for you. I now have a new sensitivity to my wife's three c-sections.

journaling

As I was in the shed hauling out boxes to start the process of whittling down the children's clothes (and wondering why I ever thought it was a brilliant idea to put these boxes in the very back) I came across my box of memories. I decided to open it up & go through some of the stuff. While I did find some stuff to get rid of, I also found something I surprisingly wanted to keep. I've owned many diaries over the years and I have yet to fill one up. Of course it didn't help that I would go back and rip out the pages when I came across an embarrasing entry. However, I was surprised at how much I actually recorded in this mini Hello Kitty diary during Jr. High & HS. Especially when majority of it was important things and not just the typical blurb about whatever boy I was currently oogling over. I can't believe how much I had forgotten about friends, births, trials, love, & even death. It reminds me that I need to be better about recording the current things that are important to me- my marriage, motherhood, my children & their quirks, my relationships with my siblings, extended family, & inlaws.

mission

it's too soon for us to know if we're done having kids or not so we're just going to continue what we've been doing. Everything feels comfortable the way it is and we're just enjoying that.

BUT, I did figure it up the other night that if we don't add onto our brood- then by the time Josie is 18 (and will be a legal adult in every state but ours) I will only be 43 & Ben will be 49. We could potentially be by ourselves before the age of 50!

So, would we be old enough to serve a mission as a senior couple? =]

quick recap

i know, i know. I promised one last week. I've just not had the inclination to get online lately. Instead I've cuddled with my little monsters and enjoyed PBS. =]

But Atlanta was the best trip we've taken so far. It was a wonderful experience all around!! Our children traveled very well and of course it didn't hurt that we took Leighann with us as a babysitter. She was a great help & our children adore her. It was wonderful getting to spend time with Rockey & Stormy & Uncle Denny. It was a memorable experience being in the temple with Hutto family members.

Next trip - Augusta to visit Anna & Toby

I'm currently working to clean up our home. My children have way too many clothes. I have done 5 large loads so far & I have at least 3 more to do. Because the dirty ones got mixed in with the clean and Wesley was "helpful" and unloaded some from the drawers, so I'm just washing it all and going from there. I then have to go through and take out what doesn't fit them anymore (especially for the girls) and get rid of it. And then pare down what currently fits them, so they only have enough for 2 weeks. Anymore than that and it will be too much for me to handle. Again.

and then it's time to declutter. *SIGH*

i've been reading

sorry for the lack of updating. I've been reading. I have inhaled/devoured the Twilight series. Oh so good!! And since I've been borrowing the books from George, I've been reading them over & over before I give them back.

I haven't been online much at all, not for e-mail or even google reader. In fact I had over 200 posts to read on google reader. (You folks have been busy!) I'm going to finish reading this last time and give George back her books. (sorry!) And we're going to be in Atlanta this weekend for Aubrey & Chris's temple sealing. I think today is their 2 year anniversary actually.

anywho, I'll be busy getting everything ready to go & shouldn't get stuck online so until next week. =]


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Miles & sales!

ok, so on Sunday my younger brother Miles turned 18!!! I can't believe he's already 18. AND that in a year he'll be on his mission. Anyone else shocked/surprised that he's actually that old?

And for local friends there are two spectacular sales going on next week & the week after. Yay!
and FYI- I'm on the hunt for a BabyTrend sit n' stand stroller for $35 or less.

The first one is the South Alabama's Premier Children's Consignment Event in Enterprise at North Pointe centre in the Sears building (next to Effie's).
Sellers Drop off/Check-in
Monday Sept. 22 1 pm - 6pm
Tuesday Sept. 23 9am - Noon
Pre-Sale
Tuesday 23rd 4 pm - 6 pm Volunteers' Pre-sale
Tuesday 23rd 6 pm - 8 pm Sellers' Pre-sale
Open To Public
Wednesday 24th 6 pm - 9 pm
Thursday 25th 9 am - 6 pm
Friday 26th 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 27th 9 am - 1 pm
1 pm - 5 pm (1/2 price sale)

Then in Dothan the Wiregrass Kids' Market in old Northside Mall (entrance between Books-a-Million & Stein Mart).
Merchandise Drop-Off
Sunday, Sept. 28 1 - 6 pm
Monday, Sept. 29 9am - 12pm
Presale - Wednesday October 1st
Team Member 3 - 4:30 pm
Volunteer 4:30 - 6pm
Contributor 6 - 9pm
Open to Public
Thursday, Oct. 2 5 - 9pm Moonlight Madness!
Friday, Oct. 3 10am - 6pm
*Saturday, Oct. 4 10am - 6pm
*Super Savings Saturday: All red dot items are 1/2 price from 2pm until closing!

hilarious!

Oh, I had so many laughs playing with these pictures at Yearbook Yourself. I marked which ones are my favorites in the captions. Which ones are yours?

privacy

ok, sorry for the sudden leap to private. due to some personal issues that are dredging themselves from my past, we've had to go private for safety. it should only be temporary, though.

And I don't have everyone's e-mail address to send them an invite, so please if you have it, leave it in the comments (that I moderate) and I'll send them one. =]

nothing like going to church in another ward and getting requests to update your blog. =]

speaking of updating, so need a new family picture. *Oh George!*

wow

I was trying to call Carlise to get her to do something but "Kira" popped out of my mouth instead. I can't believe I said that.

First Hila, now Lori

My Lori-Jean has moved to Texas. I don't what I'm going to do without her here. But thank goodness for phones, e-mail, & blogs. She just better keep it updated.

We miss you already Lori, Chris, Miss Alexis, & cutie-pie Trystan!

Logic?

To the Hutto family there is a tape. It is loved and loathed by many. While Ben is converting the ABC, 1 2 3 tape to a different format we were watching clips of it. Most of it is funny, but probably only to those in the family. Rydell shares a piece of logic, "If most accidents occur within 5 miles of your home, why not move 10 miles away?" =]

Hmmmm, what do you think?

Ok, so I got this poll. I like doing polls and seeing what other people have said. And wanted to share it. I know cheap thrills. =]

Happy Birthday JaNae!

JaNae's birthday is August 13th. When Josie was born she had these cute shirts made up for the kids as Charisma's. They say "Aunt Nae Is the BEST!" In honor of her birthday I dressed the kids in their matching shirts. I even took pictures. But I forgot to post them because she was working on her birthday & I knew she wouldn't get them. better late than never, i guess.

Happy belated Birthday JaNae!

Josie 6 months & a shoutout

Josie is 6 months old today. I can't believe it's been that long ago & I still haven't sent out a birth announcement. Blah, i suck.

Last week at breastfeeding support group she weighed 18 lbs. 3 oz.
Today she measured in at 18 lbs. 9 oz. and 26 1/2 in. long. She's in the 90th percentile for growth.

And I am proud that we have made it to 6 months exclusively on breastmilk. I only made it to 4 1/2 with Carlise & 5 with Wesley. Now the fun begins of starting solids & introducing juice! We might even attempt making our own baby food this time. Because I hate going to the store now (yes, even Target) and really what's easier that grinding up what everyone else is already eating?


A little shoutout to my George: 4 times this week (3 of those today) Carlise has informed me, "I wanna go see Stacy!" Apparently Ammon isn't entertaining enough for her. =]

latest HP delayed

the latest Harry Potter trailer! Enjoy. =]

nevermind- 8 month delay!

I am not alone

I have a new favorite website. It's called Baby Bunching. They coined the term for parents that have children closer than 2 years apart. It's refreshing to read the articles and see comments from fellow baby bunchers. =]

And this is why we don't have it in our home

Here is a link to an article that addresses it like it really is. If you notice the URL it's actually labeled "anti marriage". sad, very sad. But at least it's not in our home and our kids aren't watching it. I love being broke when it comes to things like this. =]

Study: Network TV likes sex, but not in marriage

Parents Television Council: http://www.parentstv.org

Common Sense Media: http://www.commonsensemedia.org

TV Watch: http://www.TelevisionWatch.org

the simple dollar

I was googling during naptime this morning and it led me to this great site. I've been reading for over an hour and love every article I've read so far. It's called The Simple Dollar.

"The Simple Dollar is for those of us who need both cents and sense: people fighting debt and bad spending habits while building a financially secure future and still affording a latte or two. Our busy lives are crazy enough without having to compare five hundred mutual funds - we just want simple ways to manage our finances and save a little money."

Trent is a down to earth guy. That is married, has a kid, and LOTS of debt. Every Friday he reviews a personal finance book of interest. I recommend starting with "my story" & "best of..."

so soon?

So, we set up the white crib for Josie in the nursery. Most people would just say crib, but you see, we own 3. We have a brown one, a white one, & a portable crib. We got the brown one from some family friends when I was preggo with Carlise. Then when I was preggo with Wesley, we realized Carlise wouldn't be ready for a toddler bed, we started hunting for a 2nd crib. I ended up trading with a friend an old crib mattress (given to me with my 2 toddler beds) for the portable crib. Then JaNae offered me her nice white crib. Around the same time I started watching Mila for Jason & Michelle. so Wesley got moved to the white crib & Mila slept in the portable crib.

So after Josie outgrew the bassinet, we moved her into the portable crib. But that barely gave me enough room to pass sideways to get into my side of the bed. So we set up the white crib for her in the nursery just for naps to begin transitioning her to the big crib & out of our room. *I'm never really ready for them to leave our room. I love the closeness (not to mention not having to fully wake-up to get them & nurse them) & being able to peek in on them without leaving my bed. The only problem was I couldn't find some necessary hardware. I thought I knew exactly where it was, & I checked a couple of my back-up hiding places. But, they were gone & to order the parts would be over $30. So, I said a prayer to help me find them but I didn't get a chance to go look for them. Two days later I said another prayer & finally went to look for them. I went to the nursery closet, opened it up, picked up a bag off the floor & they were sitting right on top in the bag. Wow! Of all the unimportant things going on in the world, he listens to a neurotic woman asking about crib hardware. I am very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that knows exactly what my needs are and listens to me when I pray.

Ok, so now the crib is assembled. Only one more problem, we've now run out of crib mattresses. I knew we had 2 crib mattresses, but somehow it didn't register that one is in the toddler bed. Well, great. Now its $50 for a crib mattress. Ouch! Oh, but you see I was offered a position to clean a home. And I got paid $60. So we got a crib mattress & Josie loves the feel of it so much, she now refuses to sleep in the bed we have for her in our room. I can't believe in one night she's out of our room. She's only 5 months. I like to wait until they're 6 months. Oh, but she's comfortable & we are, too. But still, did she have to go so soon?

Whoo!

Sorry we haven't been blogging. Or commenting on your posts. That's the evil of Google Reader. I read most of the blogs I keep up with in it and I always think, "I'll come back to this & comment later." But later never comes because I have children running around me wanting my attention. I don't know if I'll continue to use it for blogs of loved ones. So you might be hearing more from me. (is that a good thing?)

Anyway, we've been really busy cleaning up our home. Today I hosted a playgroup for some local SAHM (Stay At Home Moms). Ben actually took off 2 days of work last week, to help out. It was bad. We always love the way our home feels after we've done a major cleaning and we have full intentions of doing daily maintenance to keep it from getting really bad. But then throw in a couple hours of sleep (instead of a full night), not being on a schedule, kids tag-teaming for naps, and a sickness, and its gets right back to where it was. But we did more this time. We cleaned up the nursery, which was pretty much just a "Where does this go? I don't know- put it in there" room. But we cleaned it up, and put the white crib in there for Josie to nap in.
And then we cleaned out our storage/laundry room. We thought the room would just be too overpacked and we were going to store some boxes in Mom Hutto's shed. But, we reorganized, got rid of some stuff, and everything fits. (Well, everything except for the cannonball bed for Anna & some stuff for a garage sale.) Now to save up and get a window a/c unit so we can keep our food storage in there!
We also completely cleaned off our carport so the kids could play out there with chalk or ride tricycles & bikes. Then we did the usual cleaning of the kitchen, living room, & bathroom. It all looks lovely now. But it took alot of time & work. I always worry when we go through so much effort, no one will show up.

And how did it turn out? Playgroup was wonderful! There were 6 moms that showed up with their little ones in tow. And I invited nephews Garrett & Steven over to play so the older kids would have some playmates. For a total of 23 people over. And I love hosting because it allows my kids to get their naps. Ulterior Motive? you bet! =]

July 5th

Ok, so our 4th wasn't too exciting. But it was quite an adventure on the 5th. We went to Grayton Beach State Park in florida. It was nice & beautiful. Too much whale snot (seaweed) though. So surely you would think after our backyard swim disaster with our children we would learn. Well, I thought that Carlise would enjoy it if she saw her many cousins enjoying the beach. Ha! Oh yeah, it was that kind of day. The drive wasn't too long and the kids did really well. (a DVD player will do that, though) We paid $4 to get in (but they don't allow alcohol-- Yay!) Lots of while blistering hot sand. Carlise very quickly to inform us (as in right when we got on the beach) that she wanted to go home-Now! Ben tried taking her down to the water but she screamed the entire walk down there. Josie & Wesley enjoyed our wonderful sport pack-n-play that has a canopy and UPF 50+ rating. Carlise screamed until she realized we were ignoring her, then she willing went into the pack n play as well. I got burned really bad even though I used sunscreen. I tried spraying my back down when I was changing, but I couldn't reach what I sprayed. so, I got this fantastic drip mark burn. Wesley enjoyed the water. I got to use my solarveil pouch sling! I tried taking Carlise to the edge of the water and sitting on the sand. Even the waves coming in and just barely touching her toes, she freaked! And I got some ugly looks from folks for this cruel treatment of my child. I can't help that's she all drama. I took pictures of a couple food stands that swamp a small stretch of road w/ a speed limit of 35.

We got home around 5:30 and quickly showered & changed clothes and went to Jacob & Crystal's reception. I just need to say that Google's directions sucked & Aubrey was correct. We didn't get there until 7pm when everyone was leaving. But we can always go on a double date with them. The picture of crystal & me really shows my sunburn & just how bad I look.

Memorable part of the night- Jacob seeing Carlise for the first time since before his mission, him being surprised that I now have 3 children (Crystal was so ITK), and when Carlise said," Hi Jacob!" & his response was," *Gasp* She can talk!" =]

Field Day & Ice Cream Social

We recently went out to Landmark Park to let Ben participate in Field Day. No, not that kind of field day. It's a Ham thing. Field Day is an exercise for amateur radio operators (Hams). They essentially try to contact as many hams in as many places as they can during the 24 hour period of field day. They have it at Landmark Park to get more exposure for the Wiregrass Amateur Radio Club. Why is ham radio so important? during an emergency, it's the only thing that will work. Ben's had his license for almost 10 years. I'm working on getting mine as well.


It was also the annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social day at Landmark Park. I love going out there and enjoying the home made ice cream and seeing the animals, old houses & stores. It's quite a unique place. Here are pictures from that day. We also saw an educational presentation on milk cows. Like did you know- a dairy cow has to calf every year in order to keep producing milk? We met Lilly the preggo cow. =]

new callings

So Ben was released from Elders Quorum President. It's such a relief because I really need his help on Sunday morning. I was starting to feel like a single parent on sunday. And it was crazy because the one day that should be our easiest day was my most stressful one. Which made it bad for Ben because he never knew what kind of attitude he would get from me once I made it to church.

He & I are now nursery leaders. Of course you realize that our whole family is in there now every other sunday. Are you laughing yet? =]

Oh, and Ben was also called as a Cubscout Den Leader. I think he'll enjoy it. 2 of our nephews are in there, it'll just be odd him having to be gone on Wednesday nights.

Craziness I tell you

Pop Corn téléphone portable micro-ondes
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Fourth of July

Here are pictures from our Fourth of July. We didn't do much. Dad flew out for his mother's funeral and Mom left to pick up the boys from EFY. We did go to Mom & Dad's though and grilled with Jeremy & JaNae. We wanted to go swimming, but it started to storm. She did give Wesley a big boy haircut, though. He was occupied with cheese puffs & 2 combs. =]

Diapers, diapers, & more diapers

I was in need of some more cloth diapers. I almost had enough for one day for both Wesley & Josie. But my budget had all been spent. So, I put a want out on my local Freecycle group. (I love Freecycle!) I was pretty sure no one would know what I was talking about. But a sweet mom named Lisa responded right away knowing exactly what I was talking about! She had some spare she could give me for both of them & even some wool covers (Wow!) And she was coming to Dothan the next day & could we meet at Target? (Seriously, I don't have to drive to Enterprise to get them? Target? Of Course!) She gave me more than I could've hoped for & in excellent condition, too!
What I spent the last of my diaper money on: a piggy complete with ears & a curly tail in back & a strawberry/watermelon diaper. (both Starbunz)

Wesley

It started with a bandana bib we picked up at Charisma's. Well once I saw the bib, she showed me the sheriff star paci clip. Then I found a great deal on a Happy Heinys one-size diaper in Moo cow print.Now I've found a hat in the cheap bins at Target. (I would say $1 bins, but it was $2.50). He *hearts* his hat. =]

Josie

Josie is growing so fast.

I'm gonna weigh her tomorrow to see how big she's gotten.

For Nana

Here is Carlise in her big girl Pajamas. They are NOT from the baby section in the store. =[
She growing so fast! She wears 4T or 5. She JUST turned 3! But, I love my 95th percentile little girl. *Please disregard my stained cushion
And here is just another fun picture of her =]

What's that you say?

You'd like an update? Yeah, I know I've been bad. But I come bearing pictures! =]

Backyard Makeover

Yoda has had full run of our backyard since we first got him 2 years ago on the fourth of July now that I think about it. Anywho, he just gets so excited he knocks our kids over. So except for on two occasions, our children have never been in our backyard. Pathetic, I know. So we got a farm type of fence and steel posts to put up and divide our backyard so Yoda has half and we have the other half. Well, I went out and measured and put the posts where they needed to go and that saturday Ben & I got out there during lunch and starting putting it all up. I held the posts and he hammered them in with the sledge hammer. It was slow going but not too bad, until Ben somehow smashed the tip of his pinky between the post top and the hammer. That man bleeds really well. Eeeewww! Well that put a stop to that project. Thankfully Mr. Brian T. was willing to come over (and George ok'd it too) and help us finish the fence so it wasn't half-way done until next saturday. Yayy!! It's done and Ben's pinky was healed in a week once it stopped bleeding.

Since we now had our own part of yard we got out there and cleaned it up and got all the misc. junk Yoda had dragged in there from the neighbor's yard. Because anytime the neighbor's dogs tore the wood planks off the fence (oh, yes, you read that right) to get in our yard, Yoda would go over there and confiscate their toys for his yard. lol =] So we cleaned all that up and cut the grass and sprayed it with a bug treatment. The next day we got out the pools I had gotten on clearance last summer. Only after blowing up the two smaller ones did Ben remember that we had a pump for air mattresses in the closet. Thank goodness he remembered!

We got so excited setting these things up for the kids and the kids are inside telling us how much they want to get in a pool. We even have a really cute splash kind of pool that Josie can enjoy near the end of the summer.See the really cute whale slide, rainbow canopy, dolphin ride-on, stackable star rings, and I don't know if you can see the little sprinkles coming out of the sides. Anyway, really cute, so glad I got it for $4.58!

We get the pool filled up while we got the kids dressed in swimsuits and slathered in sunscreen. We take them outside and a sprinkler hits Carlise's leg and she FREAKS! I mean totally screaming her head off like a giant spider was coming to bite her head off!! She refused to go near any of them. At ALL! Where we just a little annoyed after spending 5 hours total in the heat cleaning the yard up for them for this reaction and total disdain for the summer treat we had for them. Umm, YES! Because after she screamed Wesley followed suit and didn't want any part of it either.*sigh* We'll try again on another day and maybe I'll have playgroup over here and some of the older kids will at least get to enjoy it. *Andre'a - do you think this would work for playgroup?

Pampered Chef anyone?

Tonight George & I went to Lori's grand opening as a new Pampered Chef host. But, unfortunately it was a REALLY small showing. Like it was Stacy & me that showed up. I was really grateful that I had decided to go and especially enjoyed that George wanted to come to! We had a fun time, but we have a little problem. It isn't a show until $150 is ordered (before tax) so I'm calling out all my blog readers to see if there is something they've been wanting from Pampered Chef and have a little cash if they can order something (even if it's just a little something). Click here to shop for the show.

If anyone orders $60 worth of product (again before tax) they get a FREE color coded pairing or tomato knife. And you can have it shipped to you.

**The show has to close Monday, June 30th at 12pm CST.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for anyone that is able to help us support Lori in her new career (& supplemental income) so she can be a stay at home mom =]

Go Uncle Denny! =]

Fathers's Day

I was in such a funk for my birthday that I neglected to plan Father's Day for Ben the right way. We did go swimming and grilling at Mom & Dad's house on Saturday for a father's day celebration. It was a BYOM (Meat). And we made Mom Hutto's potato salad for the first time and took that to share. It was received very well. I did get Ben a new skillet for Father's Day. (our other one has been dying a slow death) Our children are so used to Ben cooking dinner that when he comes home Carlise will put her hand on his knee, look up at him and asks very enthusiastically (remember - cheerleader), "Do you want to cook? Daddy, you want to cook?" =]

4 months

Josie is now 4 months old!! She loves to stand, stand, and stand some more. If she's standing she's happy. She thoroughly enjoys the exersaucer and her paci. And she's now attached to her bear lovey. she like to rub it against her face when she's going to sleep and chew on it when she's hungry. She laughs and smiles when Carlise starts talking to her in that baby talk voice she uses. She doesn't quite like Wesley to get close, but that's cause he ends up hurting her somehow while trying to interact with her. He tries, just doesn't know his strength and is lacking in grace but he's only 19 months. =]

the challenge

So my SIL Elizabeth extended this challenge for those that wanted to change the way their bodies are to become healthier individual to join together and help motivate one another. I accepted because I've had this desire for a few years, but about the time I start feeling it I end up preggo and sick. So I'm actually starting it finally. We're using the 12 second sequence by Jorge Cruise he's also the creator of 8 minutes in the morning. I really like him and his workouts. Anyway, I've created a private blog of my attempt/progress with this workout. I sent e-mails to those who I thought would be interested in supporting me in this challenge. But I don't have everyone's e-mails so if you want to come and join in the support group leave me a comment with your e-mail. I moderate my comments, so I won't publish them where they are exposed on the internet for everyone to see. Same reason my challenge blog is private. =]

Edit: There are now links so you can see what I'm talking about. =]

off to a good start

well, it's my 25th birthday today. I've got the birthday blahs. it just doesn't feel like a celebration. oh well, maybe it'll get better. It's off to a good start though. Josie slept through the night giving me 9 hours of sleep. =]

yay for Lori

my friend Lori finally started a blog. Ok, well she had a blog but she forgot all her log-in information and the last time she'd made an entry was before she even got engaged. She's been married, and had a kid since then. So anyway, go check it out. leave comments and encourage her to blog some more on her new blog. check out the Looney Lopez'.

a tale of two cakes

ok, so you know its bad when the people you talk to on the phone ask when you're going to post pictures of Carlise's birthday cake. ok, so there are two cakes. funny story about that. It says to make your favorite two layer cake recipe or mix. I've never baked a 2 layer cake so I call Anna right before she goes bed and ask how many boxes of cake mix do you need for a 2 layer cake. She tells me 2. So we bought two boxes of cake mix and proceeded to mix them up & pour them in the pan which made it very full. So full that once it was in the oven it started to bubble and rise over the edges and fall on the element. And start a fire. Now Ben was in the kitchen when this happened and I was nursing Josie in the living room. I've already dealt with a fire from a cake issue in the oven (another story). So he gets the fire situation taken care of and removes the pan while I make a phone call to Anna again. I ask so how many boxes of cake mix do you need for a 2 layer cake? She replies 2 (again, but i called her in the middle of a nap so sleep deprivation is involved again as well). then I tell her what happened and she busts out laughing and apologizes. Now it wasn't Anna's fault had either of us bothered to read the whole box, we would've realized that. So, we had 2 cakes. =]

Breast Cancer awareness

So my friend Carrie is joining the 3-day walk for breast cancer research. I've wanted to do one of those for years but they don't hold one close enough to me. I bought this diaper in April for Mothers Day. Fits Josie perfectly & $5 went towards the designer's goal for the 3-day walk she's participating in. Sorry Carrie it was before you started raising funds. So, if you have $5, $10, or even $2 (maybe sitting in paypal) you can donate towards breast cancer research, education, screening, & treatment please donate toward Carrie's goal.

Memorial Day weekend

Instead of the usual grilling and swimming my loving Husband arranged a lunch date with my Mom & sister JaNae and a little window shopping too. We had lunch at Olive Garden. We got the soup, salad & breadsticks meal because really is there anything else better there? We love that stuff! anywho i didn't take pictures of the food, but i did get some of us. Maybe one day i'll be brave enough to ask a stranger to take a picture for me so everyone can be in it.

long lost brother & sister in law

ok, so not lost as much as just wasn't able to make it to see them in over a year. We happened to drive to Mom's one saturday last month kinda last minute and we're very glad we did. Ian & Jessica were there!!! He had told Mom but with the huge project they had that day she forgot and so none of us siblings knew until he got there and Mom called. It was so great to see them and visit. The kids absolutely adored the attention. I was able to get a picture of Jessica & Josie! And they were able to come by our house after a wedding they attended in our town. So i finally gave Ian his spinning spice rack (they are wonderful!!) and Jessica some fabulous shoes.

alas poor Hila

Alright so I mostly take pictures of food for my fellow foodie Hila. I know she thinks it's dumb sometimes when she posts pictures of her food. But I love it. I love food and can appreciate all the different presentations and try to appreciate all the tastes. Anywho, so I had like 20 pictures of food that I was going to post for Hila, but alas they are with those 8 months of missing pictures that will never be seen again because they were accidentally erased and I did not back them up on the storage drive. So Hila, I'm sorry. I had pictures of 3 different salads that we had at a R.S. Terrific Tuesday. Even pictures of all the sisters eating their salads and our "chef". Really cute betty crocker-ish pictures. But, they're gone. I also had various get together meals especially those involving steak. =] Is it sad when we do things for the blog? I went to sit down to my Mother's Day meal and I stopped and grabbed the camera to take a picture for Hila. or is there anyone else that enjoys these types of pictures? Oooh, probably all the Ahroon girls, too.So here is my Mothers' Day dinner. One steak, butter and herb angel hair pasta and a salad. Yum! Oh and that was only half of my steak. =]

Josie now mastering

Josie is now blowing bubbles. Saying Ahhhh noises. She has mastered rolling over from her tummy to her back. So cute! =]

and she is now sucking her thumb- she found it all by herself. (i was a thumbsucker, too.) She has also started accepting a paci on occasion. Mostly when it's time for bed. =] Her motto: have thumb, will sleep. Anywhere. this is the changing table on the pack n play while I went to take care of Carlise & Wesley real quick.

Watch Carlise grow-up

and don't pay attention that there are 8 months of pictures that I just discovered are missing!!

Edit: added some pics that Mom had =]

Our SuperPrincess

Our oldest turns 3 today. As I sit here reflecting on all the different aspects of Carlise I can't help but laugh and smile. Which leads me to realize that even though the good, sweet, happy moments definitely outnumber the bad I find I allow myself to keep all the emotions from the bad moments and often let them overshadow the good parts of everyday. I must work on that. Anywho, through a link on Abby's blog I found this site for Ava. Reading it definitely made me appreciate our princesses even more. Now to my list

Living with Carlise is sometimes like living with a over enthusiastic cheerleader. She loves to go to stores. Specific requests are Wal-Mart, Sam's, & Target. The way she says "milk" is hilarious to her Daddy. so much so that he asks her to say it almost daily. Carlise loves dresses! She asks to wear one everyday. But she loves to be "nakie" even more and quickly strips down once we've gotten home from being out. There is a funny voice she uses when talking to Josie. It's her imitation of my baby talk voice.

darn

We had some local elections today. Ben went this morning before work. I on the other hand completely forgot until it was 7:30pm. The polls closed at 7pm. I am a ninny! I can't believe I forgot! Of course it could've been because the meeting I had at my house that was supposed to be from 10:30-11:30 last a lot longer and it was 2 before everyone went home. =]

sweet story

If you guys haven't checked it out yet, you should. Confessions of a CF Husband is wonderful. (CF = Cystic Fibrosis) But since you don't have all the time in the world to read all the posts check out the post he recommends in the top box on the right. If you check it out and enjoy it, go vote for it. because

I bet you didn't know it's called Melon Water, not watermelon. Well according to Carlise it is. =]

very cool news story

I came across this news story quite by accident, but thought it was awesome. It's amazing how different the view is on breastfeeding in other countries vs. here in the US. A woman here probably wouldn't be praised or make national news. They certainly wouldn't have put a picture of her nursing on the front page of the newspaper or declared her the nation's #1 mother.

birthday planning

Carlise is turning 3 in less than 2 weeks! I will no longer have 3 under the age of 3. Wow. Anna just did Talia's birthday and it was princess themed. You gotta check out the awesome cake she made. But I have been at a complete loss as to what kind of theme to do for Carlise. Well, I finally found it today.
Rainbow Brite it is! I saw this cake pan at a thrift store today and for 98 cents thought it would be awesome. I liked rainbow brite as a child and it's so colorful that I think Carlise will like this theme as well. Off to check out e-bay for party supplies. =]

3 months old

Josie is 3 months old. She actually turned 3 months the same day friends of ours had their little boy. =]

She is smiling and cooing at us. She loves for Carlise to talk to her. And Wesley gives her such sweet kisses. She also "talks" a lot and loves to play with my shawl.

fabric love

for those who don't know, I LOVE fabric. I love to oogle and google over all of it. Michael Miller being one of my most absolute favorites. The funny thing is, I can't do anything with the fabric. I have never sewn a thing. I do own a machine, I've just never been able to successfully used it. Anyway, a favorite designer of mine (Sandi Henderson) just released her new line called Farmer's Market and it is absolutely adorable. She said she wanted something to be inspiring and remind you of going on a sunny saturday to the farmer's market. It totally does for me. I think this might be the push I need to clean out the nursery so I can get to my sewing machine and start playing with fabric. I'm gonna start slow & small before I play with nice designer fabric. I'm no dummy. =]

perception

Ben & I were having a discussion last night about perception. I told him an experience I had last week. I was loading the kids in the van and was currently working on getting Carlise in when it hit me. "I have 3 kids? Really? 3 pregnancies? Huh, doesn't seem like I've been married that long. Hmm." I still think of Ben as when we got married, he hasn't aged at all to me even though it'll be 6 years in November. I guess because we enjoy our marriage we don't notice the time. Time flies when you're having fun, right? But there are guys at his work that sound very woeful, "I've been married 7 long years." Ben told the guy the problem probably was he wasn't putting his wife first. Said if he did that, everything would be a lot more enjoyable. The guy hadn't even thought of that and acknowledged, "you're probably right." I do know it brings a sweet spirit in our home when we're focusing on our spouses needs instead of our own. And there's something very special about hearing your spouse ask Heavenly Father to bless you for a specific need.

As great as it is focusing on your spouses need instead of your own, I still think there are those few times when you do have to focus on your own, so you don't affect the whole family in a negative way. Just my experience. =]

how my daughter rolls

quick exchange between Carlise & me this morning.

Carlise: sup!

Me: sup?

Carlise: What's sup, Mom?

I am here!

Sorry folks. I have been here and I've been reading your blogs, just haven't felt like posting anything on ours. =] Let's see what we've been up to last week.

Monday- Aubz called me to tell me our Toys R Us was selling their car seat, stroller, highchair, swings, and pack n play displays for 50% off!! So she very lovingly came over to watch Carlise & Wesley so I could go score a deal. I got a double side by side umbrella stroller that's made by Kolcraft (love the ease of their lock) for $40. It's already been put to use a couple times. Now, to sell the tandem double stroller.

Tuesday- I don't think i did anything. I was going to go walking with George, but she was suffering the insufferables.

Wednesday- I removed 4 boxwoods from my front yard. We recently decided that we didn't like them and we're going to replace them with something that has color! 7 more to go. I averaged 30 minutes per bush. And I was incredibly sore the next day. My hands & feet especially hurt from using the shovel.

Thursday- I took Josie to the breastfeeding support group so I could get her weighed. She was 14 lbs. 11.4 oz.

Friday- we took Zoey to the vet. She's been eating her fur off because of some skin allergy. We took her last time the week Josie was born and they gave her an allergy shot and she was good for a month. She's pretty bad now so we take her back in two weeks for another allergy shot. We also went and cleaned the church. it was our weekend, but the women in the other families and I decided to do it before Saturday so we could enjoy our weekend.

Saturday-We went to C.J.'s 1st birthday party! He was such a cutie even though he didn't feel too good. I can't believe that little man is already 1 year old! we got to see Stormy on the webcam while we were there and that was pretty cool.

Very long, but informative article.

I found this article on a forum I visit and wanted to share it. It's great for ALL types of mothers, but you must read the entire article to understand that!


Watch Your Language!
By Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC
(Reprinted from the Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 12, No. 1, 1996)

"The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior. These are difficult words, but they have an appropriate place in our vocabulary."

The lactation consultant says, "You have the best chance to provide your baby with the best possible start in life, through the special bond of breastfeeding. The wonderful advantages to you and your baby will last a lifetime." And then the mother bottlefeeds. Why?

In part because that sales pitch could just as easily have come from a commercial baby milk pamphlet. When our phrasing and that of the baby milk industry are interchangeable, one of us is going about it wrong...and it probably isn't the multinationals. Here is some of the language that I think subverts our good intentions every time we use it.

Best possible, ideal, optimal, perfect. Are you the best possible parent? Is your home life ideal? Do you provide optimal meals? Of course not. Those are admirable goals, not minimum standards. Let's rephrase. Is your parenting inadequate? Is your home life subnormal? Do you provide deficient meals? Now it hurts. You may not expect to be far above normal, but you certainly don't want to be below normal.

When we (and the artificial milk manufacturers) say that breastfeeding is the best possible way to feed babies because it provides their ideal food, perfectly balanced for optimal infant nutrition, the logical response is, "So what?" Our own experience tells us that optimal is not necessary. Normal is fine, and implied in this language is the absolute normalcy--and thus safety and adequacy--of artificial feeding. The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior. Those are difficult words, but they have an appropriate place in our vocabulary.

Advantages. When we talk about the advantages of breastfeeding--the "lower rates" of cancer, the "reduced risk" of allergies, the "enhanced" bonding, the "stronger" immune system--we reinforce bottlefeeding yet again as the accepted, acceptable norm.

Health comparisons use a biological, not cultural, norm, whether the deviation is harmful or helpful. Smokers have higher rates of illness; increasing prenatal folic acid may reduce fetal defects. Because breastfeeding is the biological norm, breastfed babies are not "healthier;" artificially-fed babies are ill more often and more seriously. Breastfed babies do not "smell better;" artificial feeding results in an abnormal and unpleasant odor that reflects problems in an infant's gut. We cannot expect to create a breastfeeding culture if we do not insist on a breastfeeding model of health in both our language and our literature.

We must not let inverted phrasing by the media and by our peers go unchallenged. When we fail to describe the hazards of artificial feeding, we deprive mothers of crucial decision-making information. The mother having difficulty with breastfeeding may not seek help just to achieve a "special bonus;" but she may clamor for help if she knows how much she and her baby stand to lose. She is less likely to use artificial milk just "to get him used to a bottle" if she knows that the contents of that bottle cause harm.

Nowhere is the comfortable illusion of bottlefed normalcy more carefully preserved than in discussions of cognitive development. When I ask groups of health professionals if they are familiar with the study on parental smoking and IQ (1), someone always tells me that the children of smoking mothers had "lower IQs." When I ask about the study of premature infants fed either human milk or artificial milk (2), someone always knows that the breastmilk-fed babies were "smarter." I have never seen either study presented any other way by the media--or even by the authors themselves. Even health professionals are shocked when I rephrase the results using breastfeeding as the norm: the artificially-fed children, like children of smokers, had lower IQs.

Inverting reality becomes even more misleading when we use percentages, because the numbers change depending on what we choose as our standard. If B is 3/4 of A, then a is 4/3 of B. Choose A as the standard, and B is 25% less. Choose B as the standard, and A is 33 1/3% more. Thus, if an item costing 100 units is put on sale for "25% less,"the price becomes 75. When the sale is over, and the item is marked back up, it must be marked up 33 1/3% to get the price up to 100. Those same figures appear in a recent study (3), which found a "25% decrease" in breast cancer rates among women who were breastfed as infants. Restated using breastfed health as the norm, there was a 33-1/3% increase in breast cancer rates among women who were artificially fed. Imagine the different impact those two statements would have on the public.

Special. "Breastfeeding is a special relationship." "Set up a special nursing corner." In or family, special meals take extra time. Special occasions mean extra work. Special is nice, but it is complicated, it is not an ongoing part of life, and it is not something we want to do very often. For most women, nursing must fit easily into a busy life--and, of course, it does. "Special" is weaning advice, not breastfeeding advice.

Breastfeeding is best; artificial milk is second best. Not according to the World Health Organization. Its hierarchy is: 1) breastfeeding; 2) the mother's own milk expressed and given to her child some other way; 3) the milk of another human mother; and 4) artificial milk feeds (4). We need to keep this clear in our own minds and make it clear to others. "The next best thing to mother herself" comes from a breast, not from a can. The free sample perched so enticingly on the shelf at the doctor's office is only the fourth best solution to breastfeeding problems.

There is a need for standard formula in some situations. Only because we do not have human milk banks. The person who needs additional blood does not turn to a fourth-rate substitute; there are blood banks that provide human blood for human beings. He does not need to have a special illness to qualify. All he needs is a personal shortage of blood. Yet only those infants who cannot tolerate fourth best are privileged enough to receive third best. I wonder what will happen when a relatively inexpensive commercial blood is designed that carries a substantially higher health risk than donor blood. Who will be considered unimportant enough to receive it? When we find ourselves using artificial milk with a client, let's remind her and her health care providers that banked human milk ought to be available. Milk banks are more likely to become part of our culture if they first become part of our language.

We do not want to make bottlefeeding mothers feel guilty. Guilt is a concept that many women embrace automatically, even when they know that circumstances are truly beyond their control. (My mother has been known to apologize for the weather.)

Women's (nearly) automatic assumption of guilt is evident in their responses to this scenario: Suppose you have taken a class in aerodynamics. You have also seen pilots fly planes. Now, imagine that you are the passenger in a two-seat plane. The pilot has a heart attack, and it is up to you to fly the plane. You crash. Do you feel guilty?

The males I asked responded, "No. Knowing about aerodynamics doesn't mean you can fly an airplane." "No, because I would have done my best." "No. I might feel really bad about the plane and pilot, but I wouldn't feel guilty." "No. Planes are complicated to fly, even if you've seen someone do it."

What did the females say? "I wouldn't feel guilty about the plane, but I might about the pilot because there was a slight chance that I could have managed to land that plane." "Yes, because I'm very hard on myself about my mistakes. Feeling bad and feeling guilty are all mixed up for me." "Yes, I mean, of course. I know I shouldn't, but I probably would." "Did I kill someone else? If I didn't kill anyone else, then I don't feel guilty." Note the phrases "my mistakes," "I know I shouldn't," and "Did I kill anyone?" for an event over which these women would have had no control!

The mother who opts not to breastfeed, or who does not do so as long as she planned, is doing the best she can with the resources at hand. Shemay have had the standard "breast is best" spiel (the course in aerodynamics) and she may have seen a few mothers nursing at the mall (like watching the pilot on the plane's overhead screen). That is clearly not enough information or training. But she may still feel guilty. She's female.

Most of us have seen well-informed mothers struggle unsuccessfully to establish breastfeeding, and turn to bottlefeeding with a sense of acceptance because they know they did their best. And we have seen less well-informed mothers later rage against a system that did not give them the resources they later discovered they needed. Help a mother who says she feels guilty to analyze her feelings, and you may uncover a very different emotion. Someone long ago handed these mothers the word "guilt." It is the wrong word.

Try this on: You have been crippled in a serious accident. Your physicians and physical therapists explain that learning to walk again would involve months of extremely painful and difficult work with no guarantee of success. They help you adjust to life in a wheelchair, and support you through the difficulties that result. Twenty years later, when your legs have withered beyond all hope, you meet someone whose accident matched your own. "It was difficult," she says. "It was three months of sheer hell. But I've been walking every since." Would you feel guilty?

Women to whom I posed this scenario told me they would feel angry, betrayed, cheated. They would wish they could do it over with better information. They would feel regret for opportunities lost. Some of the women said they would feel guilty for not having sought out more opinions, for not having persevered in the absence of information and support. But gender-engendered guilt aside, we do not feel guilty about having been deprived of a pleasure. The mother who does not breastfeed impairs her own health, increases the difficulty and expense of infant and child rearing, an dismisses one of life's most delightful relationships. She has lost something basic to her own well-being. What image of the satisfactions of breastfeeding do we convey when we use the word "guilt"?

Let's rephrase, using the words women themselves gave me: "We don't want to make bottlefeeding mothers feel angry. We don't want to make them feel betrayed. We don't want to make them feel cheated." Peel back the layered implications of "we don't want to make them feel guilty," and you will find a system trying to cover its own tracks. It is not trying to protect her. It is trying to protect itself. Let's level with mothers, support them when breastfeeding doesn't work, and help them move beyond this inaccurate and ineffective word.

Pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages. Breastfeeding is a straight-forward health issue, not one of two equivlent choices. "One disadvantage of not smoking is that you are more likely to find secondhand smoke annoying. One advantage of smoking is that it can contribute to weight loss." The real issue is differential morbidity and mortality. The rest--whether we are talking about tobacco or commercial baby milks--is just smoke.

One maternity center uses a "balanced" approach on an "infant feeding preference card" (5) that lists odorless stools and a return of the uterus to its normal size on the five lines of breastfeeding advantages. (Does this mean the bottlefeeding mother's uterus never returns to normal?) Leaking breasts and an inability to see how much the baby is getting are included on the four lines of disadvantages. A formula-feeding advantage is that some mothers find it "less inhibiting and embarrassing." The maternity facility reported good acceptance by the pediatric medical staff and no marked change in the rates of breastfeeding or bottlefeeding. That is not surprising. The information is not substantially different from the "balanced" lists that the artificial milk salesmen have peddled for years. It is probably an even better sales pitch because it now carries very clear hospital endorsement. "Fully informed," the mother now feels confident making a life-long health decision based on relative diaper smells and the amount of skin that shows during feedings.

Why do the commercial baby milk companies offer pro and con lists that acknowledge some of their product's shortcomings? Because any "balanced" approach that is presented in a heavily biased culture automatically supports the bias. If A and B are nearly equivalent, and if more than 90% of mothers ultimately choose B, as mothers in the United States do (according to an unpublished 1992 Mothers' Survey by Ross Laboratories that indicated fewer than 10% of U.S. mothers nursing at a year), it makes sense to follow the majority. If there were an important difference, surely the health profession would make a point of not staying out of the decision-making process.

It is the parents' choice to make. True. But deliberately stepping out of the process implies that the "balanced" list was accurate. In a recent issue of Parenting magazine, a pediatrician comments, "When I first visit a new mother in the hospital, I ask, 'Are you breastfeeding or bottlefeeding?' If she says she is going to bottlefeed, I nod and move on to my next questions. Supporting new parents means supporting them in whatever choices they make; you don't march in postpartum and tell someone she's making a terrible mistake, depriving herself and her child." (6)

Yet if a woman announced to her doctor, midway through a routine physical examination, that she took up smoking a few days earlier, the physician would make sure she understood the hazards, reasoning that now was the easiest time for her to change her mind. It is hypocritical and irresponsible to take a clear position on smoking and "let parents decide" about breastfeeding without first making sure of their information base. Life choices are always the individual's to make. That does not mean his or her information sources should be mute, nor that the parents who opt for bottlefeeding should be denied information that might prompt a different decision with a subsequent child.

Breastfeeding. Most other mammals never even see their own milk, and I doubt that any other mammalian mother deliberately "feeds" her young by basing her nursing intervals on what she infers the baby's hunger level to be. Nursing quiets her young and no doubt feels good. We are the only mammal that consciously uses nursing to transfer calories...and we're the only mammal that has chronic trouble making that transfer.

Women may say they "breastfed" for three months, but they usually say they "nursed" for three years. Easy, long-term breastfeeding involves forgetting about the "breast" and the "feeding" (and the duration, and the interval, and the transmission of the right nutrients in the right amounts, and the difference between nutritive and non-nutritive suckling needs, all of which form the focus of artificial milk pamphlets) and focusing instead on the relationship. Let's all tell mothers that we hope they won't "breastfeed"--that the real joys and satisfactions of the experience begin when they stop "breastfeeding" and start mothering at the breast.

All of us within the profession want breastfeeding to be our biological reference point. We want it to be the cultural norm; we want human milk to be made available to all human babies, regardless of other circumstances. A vital first step toward achieving those goals is within immediate reach of every one of us. All we have to do is...watch our language.

References

1. Olds D. L., Henderson, C. R. Tatelbaum, R.: Intellectual impairment in children of women who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Pediatrics 1994; 93:221-27.
2. Lucas, A., Morley, R., Cole, T.J., Lister, G., Leeson-Payne, C.: Breast milk and subsequent intelligence quotient in children born preterm. Lancet 1992; 339 (8788): 261-64.
3. Fruedenheim, J.L., Graham, S., Laughlin, R., Vena, J.E., Bandera, E., et al: Exposure to breastmilk in infancy and the risk of breast cancer. Epidemiology 1994, 5:324-30.
4. UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO: Facts for Life: A Communication Challenge. New York: UNICEF 1989; p. 20.
5. Bowles, B.B., Leache, J., Starr, S., Foster, M.: Infant feeding preferences card. J Hum Lact 1993; 9: 256-58.
6. Klass, P.: Decent exposure. Parenting (May) 1994; 98-104.


Copyright Kimberly Bobrow Jennery, 1997-2006

Wicked The Musical

Ok, so George introduced me to Wicked. I really like the music, that's what I have playing on my blog currently. It's been stuck in my head, but I don't mind. It's just because it's a really new thing. Anyway, I've only seen one musical and that was Phantom of the Opera. Saw it once w/ Lori in Birmingham and once w/ Lyns in Atlanta. Well Wicked will be at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta in October!! I'm trying to get a group of 20 people together so we can afford the ticket price. Anna has some info on her blog about prices. I figure it's far enough away anyone who wants to go could save up the money. Like me!! and maybe you? =]

I owe my Mother (for everything) e-mail pass around

this was on one of the boards at Diaper Traders and I thought some of them were hilarious! Enjoy!

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.
I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you
into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck,
you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear,
in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times.
Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world
who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going
to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think
I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes,
don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables,
you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think
you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope
they turn out just like you

Some friends of ours recently became engaged and so I just have to do a quick shout-out.
Single Adults rocks!!!!
It is a program that really works and only after you stop looking for your spouse do you find them. (funny how that works) my Mom & Dad found each other there. And the year we started dating, became engaged & got married (8 months start to finish), there were 4 other couples that became engaged & married as well.

Lock bumping

Okay, I had never heard of this. there was a google ad in my gmail saying they had bump proof locks. and that bump keys are real and do exist. anyway I came across this video is my search and thought it gave a great explanation and prevention. Again, informed decisions.