Monthly Archives: August 2011

Nursing Celebrations–3rd time around



Miss Patrice and I are beginning our second year of nursing.  It is hard to believe the baby in the pictures above is now a year old.  She was just weeks old in the picture above.
We have nursed just about everywhere you can think of. 
Restraunts
Church
People’s houses
Parks
Stores
More Parks
My philosophy on nursing in public?  Most people would rather you descreetly nurse the baby than listen to her scream.  I know I would!!!
And here we are in our second year.
Happy Dance!!!
Come check out other celebrations at Life with Levi

Sue being just a bit zany for Wordless Wednesday

Why do we even bother buying them toys?  All they need or want is a platic bag.
*No, she was not allowed to put it over her whole head
*Yes, it was taken away from her right after this picture because she violated the above guideline

I am linking up with a mama I just found for Wordless Wednesday

Live and Love...Out Loud.As well as with some other mamas!

Alicia

Wordish Wednesday

5 Minutes for Mom

Introducing My Newest Blog Badge

I was going to share today about the battle of loving your life and wanting to leave it all at the same time.  It was a huge component of my struggle with postpartum depression.  A constant tug of war that literally hurt.  Literally made it hard to breathe or function.  And that is a story worth sharing, but some fun things have happened today that I would rather share…

I think I have mentioned a time or two how much I love my midwife.  If you are not sure, check out a few of these posts.

Everyone Should Have Someone

A Very Dark Woods

Patrice’s Birth Story

Patrice’s Name

Mamas and Midwives

And today, my love of my midwife, has gained national attention.  I recently discovered, on twitter, @teammidwife.  They are the advocacy group of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.  I found out I could join them, receive a badge for my blog, Team Midwife, top right hand side, and monthly newsletters on midwifery information.

Team Midwife is also on facebook.  And recently I saw a post where they were looking for stories on why people love their midwife.  So I sent mine.

And today it was published!!!

Check out why I love my midwife.  Mine is the fourth one down.  And then my midwife forwarded me an e-mail she had gotten about promotional materials for her practice.  And there was a flier with Patrice and I on it!!!  Midwives across the nation can order or download fliers to give out.  With a bit of my story on it!  Yay!!!

I am so thrilled.  I am thrilled to support midwifery and hopefully raise postpartum depression awareness.

PS–I would also love your help in sharing this post and information.

Birthday Fun for Multitude Mondays 148-150

I am a broken record as I talk about the recent birthdays around here.  But it has kind of consumed us lately.

Saturday we had a big party for our two girls, Patrice and Caitlyn.  We were so blessed by so many coming to celebrate with us.  We had cake and ice cream.  And so many people brought gifts, even being sweet enough to remember Sue, who does not understand why she does not get to turn 4 when the other two are partying.

148.  I am so thankful for everyone.

Partying is very tiring

149.  I am thankful to be watching each of my children learning

150.  I am thankful for the rain that cleans our air and refreshes our earth.

What are you thankful for?

Join us!

Differing Opinions

Sue continues to be very small.  She eats and gains weight very sporadically.  She loves junk food, but otherwise, can often take it or leave it.

Hubby and I struggle a little bit about how to handle her eating habits.

I prefer to offer her good choices and whether or not she eats it is up to her.  Obviously, she does not get special treats if she does not eat a good amount of healthy food.

Hubby worries more about her lack of eating.  He prefers to see her clean her plate.  He often will have her sit there until she is done.

I worry about making eating a battleground.  I worry we are setting her up for an eating disorder.

There is no clear cut way to handle this.

How do you and your spouse handle parenting differences?  How do you work to show an united front?

Linking up at Thought Provoking Thursday.

Practicality and Faith

“I hope eagerly for what I do not see and I wait for it with perseverance.”  Romans 8:25

I have mentioned before that I am believing God for some big big things.  I know we are not supposed to put a timeline on God, this particular thing has a natural deadline.  If God doesn’t step in, we have to make other plans.  We are closing in on that time very rapidly.

I am continuing to ask God and believe Him for those things I have been praying for.  But if He says, wait…  I need to begin making other arrangements.  And I am bit lost.  How do I keep believing while making other plans?  Does making those other plans mean I don’t really believe?

I’m a little, okay, a lot, confused.  What do you think?  How do you balance believing God and “living in the real world?”

When the Sisters are Away…

The baby will PLAY!

*Please, oh please ignore the disaster in the room and just look at the cute baby!
Come share your photos at Motherhood Unadorned.

Oh What Fun!!! Get Ready for Cuteness OVERLOAD

Did I mention we’ve had lots of Birthday fun this last week?  I was sure I did…You know, where my oldest turned 5 and 4 days later my youngest turned 1…yeah, yes, that.

Last night was Patrice’s turn. 

Check out the fun she had with her cupcake!!

Patrice Turns One!!!!

Big Birthday week around here.  Caitlyn turned 5 on Wednesday and Patrice turned 1 today!  This has meant lots of cupcakes and a few tears by mama to see her babies growing up.

I love having a baby and there is just something symbolic about the first birthday to mark the end of those days.

But I will admit this reminded me she’s not quite ready to leave the nest



Love me a baby taking a nap in their high chair

I have been crazy emotional about Patrice’s birthday.  Truly crazy.  And some people have very sweetly listened to me whine (thanks #ppdchat mamas).  But today I got a bit of a wake up call.  I got to thinking, yes, it is a tad bittersweet to have her slowly leaving the baby phase, but you know, it’s…what’s supposed to happen!  So there is nothing really sad about it at all!

There are tons of rough things that people are going through.  People I love on-line and in real life are dealing with real stuff.  Real hurts.  Real problems.

And while I will admit, I will probably shed a few more tears, it will be done in proper perspective.  And mostly for joy that she is growing so sweet and happy.

Here she was a year ago today…

And here she is one year later:

What more could a mama ask for?

And as a P.S of fun…Caitlyn came in today and said, “I was helping daddy lawn the mown.”

Blueberry Picking Again

Blueberry picking this year

 Looks a little different than last year…

I was 38 weeks, 6 days pregnant with Patrice when we went last year.  This year we are are just hours from celebrating her first birthday.

I love having my three girls.  There are no words that will ever express it fully.  I also cannot find the words to express how bittersweet her birthday is.  So I think I will ignore that for a moment and share a few more of our blueberry picking adventure.

We got rained on…not horrible, but we were wet.

The heavens opened up as we were driving away.  We happily drove home with our 10+ pounds of blueberries…just a few minutes into our drive we also had two sleeping little girls…I think Patrice as too excited to sleep!  This time around had to be more fun for her than last year…though she was hanging out in a “swimming pool” last time…hmmm, wonder what she was thinking today…

Saturday Snapshots is understandably on hiatus.  Please head over to Ali’s and see how you can pray for her family.