Creating

Lately I've been feeling really crafty.  For my birthday I want stuff to start making cloth diapers.  I need a slightly cheaper way to fuel my passion for cloth...why not try my hand at making them?  I also need to make up some more wipes as mine are (after 6months of heavy use) starting to show some wear and tear.  Then there is the momma cloth thing I wanted to try.  Yeah, still thinking about THAT one.  Landon is sooo not on board, but I LOVE it!  So, if he wont front the cash...I'll just make some of those.

Ive been making tons of crochet stuff too.  I made each of the boys a ball and am looking to make a pair of baby legs for Daniel.

Wait a minute...is there the possibility that I could make some moolah?  Hmmm.  I guess we will see...

Sprouts

I went into the WIC office today to talk to their lactation consultant about Daniel.  She is a great resource!  She always tells me things I already knew, but it's nice to hear someone else tell me I'm on the right track.  We decided that with my forceful letdowns that Daniel is in fact getting too much foremilk.  She advised me to pump prior to each feeding and to increase the "healthy" fats in my diet...simple things like eating more nuts, taking acidophiles, and  sprinkling olive oil over things.  Daniel is scheduled for a weight check with is doc in a month so we will see then how things are going.

They were so impressed with how much I know that they have asked me to help out with a peer counseling group they are starting called "Sprouts"!  I'm so excited!  I was just thinking the other day how much fun it would be to do something like that.  Cloth diapers and boobs!  Thats what I'm all about!  LoL!  I'm so thankful to the Lord for the doors he is opening for me.  I think that breastfeeding is one of the most important things a woman can do and I cant wait to help others!

Back in the Day

We were at Wal-Mart today picking up a few groceries and I seen a man with his young son while we were checking out.  He had that look on his face that he was in a bit of a hurry and just wanted out.  I looked in his cart and seen a few items...randomness mostly...and a VERY large box of diapers.  Ah.  THAT would explain it.  I remember those days!  You ran all the way in town for your diapers because you were almost out and you just want to go home and relax.  I wanted so bad to tell him "the good news" and it had nothing to do with Jesus this time.  I wanted to tell him that I knew better now..AND SO CAN YOU!  LoL!

6 month Rainbow Check-Up

This morning Daniel had his 6 month checkup.  Luke didnt have school today so he went with us.  We had to wait forever!  She was so busy this morning.  Of  course, the big issue was his weight.  He was in the 6th percentile at 2 months, the 3rd at 4 months...and this time she was really concerned.  He gained weight...2 pounds!  He weighs over 13 pounds, BUT he has dropped down in the .78 percentile.  Note the decimal.  Length wise he is in the 30th percentile at 26 inches.  Long and skinny...Like his daddy.  She is concerned with the drop in percentiles though so we were told to go over to the hospital afterward for some blood work to rule some things out.  He is still having some flecks of blood in his poops so we have to culture his poop and send it in too. 

With him not gaining weight along his curve she wants to supplement.  She told me to use to formula...I told her no.  LoL!  Even if it is just to supplement...no thank you.  So, our other option is to use oil in baby cereal.  Butter in potatoes was thrown out but that cant happen with the dairy allergy.  If his blood work comes back ok she is testing for cystic fibrosis...something about digestion not being on par with the disease and they have to rule it out since there are so few warning signs for it.

Please keep us in your prayers...pray that he is ok, pray that I do ok....Ugh.  I'm sure it's nothing.  My theory is that he hasnt been gaining weight because I had too much foremilk.  A recent case of Mastitis has straightened up my supply.  The bloody poop is normally caused by me eating dairy or the foremilk.  Last sunday I had a sausage McMuffin...caramel coloring does it every time.  Perhaps that is all it is.

Other than that he is doing great.  Crawling, cutting a tooth...getting into everything!  Such a sweetie!  He is always so happy!  It's nearly impossible to be upset or depressed with him around.  Between him and Luke...well, we are very blessed :) 

Fuzzi Bunz Give Away!

In the Know Mom is giving one lucky lady a FREE Fuzzi Bunz one size diaper!  You can head over to the blog by following the link above to enter.  I am so excited about this!  These are by far my favorite diapers!  Good luck to every one!

A Mother's Love

So the solids have already come and gone. LoL!  He was eating solids great, but there was a SERIOUS dip in the amount Daniel was nursing.  I was concerned, but when I weighed him and he had only gained .7 pounds (did ya see the decimal?) in 41 days I decided it was time to get serious.  NO MORE SOLIDS...and I let him trigger my let down reflex and then hand express the fore milk.  No more sugar water for Mr. Jackson!  LoL!  He is doing much better without it.  He actually comfort nurses now!  LOVE that!  And he is also more satisfied after his meal (which are longer too).  It was hard watching him fight for his meals as they were sprayed down the back of his throat.  I'm glad I figured it all out and wised up.  Oh, and he crawls now.  Watch out world!

Luke started first grade yesterday.  He seems to like it, but you never know with that kid.  He's so quite.  He never really talks about what goes on at at school and that sort of bothers me.  Who is he hanging out with?  What do they play?  What was the highlight of his day?  I get very vague answers...always have.  *sigh*  My grandma tells me it's a boy thing, but then why do I hear most of the other boys talking their momma's ears off in the HALL WAY?  I suppose things will get better...or I'll just get used to it.  He's still being a pretty good help around the house...a little mouthy, but we had a serious talk about choosing friends tonight.  I think that may be some of the problem...that and being tired for all that "work" at school ;)

Vanessa has been on my mind a lot lately.  She just has.  I keep thinking about the last dream I had of her and how she said she wants me to be happy.  I am, but sometimes I still feel like I replaced her...regaurdless of what she said.  Did I ever tell you about that one?  Here, let me do it now just in case I didnt....
Not long after I found out I was pregnant with Daniel I had my second (and so far last) dream of Vanessa.  I was very upset about getting pregnant again so soon and I wasnt sure how SHE would handle it.  Yeah, I was worried about my child in Heaven.  Like she was really concerned with being replaced where she is.  But still.  Anyway, in the dream she just sort of appeared.  Behind her it was all white and sort of bright.  Typical "cloudy heaven" look to it.  She looked to be just a bit older than me.  I would say early 30's, but as soon as I seen her I knew it was her.  To myself I thought, "Vanessa.  Wow, she's beautiful."  She looked at me and rolled her eyes like a teenager and said, "Mom, seriously, I'm fine."  Then she smiled at me and her eyes were so kind and sincere.  She said, "I just want you to be happy.  It's ok."  And I woke up.  That was it.  After that night I never once felt bad about Daniel.  The devil tries to trip me up from time to time, but all I have to do is picture that eye roll and her sweet smile, think of the words she spoke to me, and it's all ok.  I cling to those dreams of her like a life line sometimes.  I NEED to know she's happy and ok...and God has allowed her to show me enough so that I know.  I'm so thankful for those dreams.


Ah, kids.  They make us crazy, dont they?  I swear I've aged 15 years in the past one.  I keep waiting for the grey hairs to add to the eye wrinkles.  LoL!  But I love them all so much.  I wouldnt trade a moment of the time I've had with them for anything.

Perfect Zoo Day!

A random snap shot from our living room. I love these boys so much!

Today we took an impromptu trip to the zoo.  It was such a great day!  It was warm out, but cool enough that I was able to wear Daniel in the Moby Wrap.  We worked and figured out how to nurse in it...once we did that he thought he had to nurse all the time.  Silly thing! 

Luke and Landon rode the boat ride...TWICE!  They loved it!  

The polar bears were lounging around watching the fish in their inclosure swim around.  I was waiting on this one to dive in for dinner.

Here are the boys playing with some tame polar bears.  LoL!