MY DAZE

I'd like to apologize ahead of time that when I think to take photos of my belly, it is late or I am sick. I'm usually in my jamis and it is a last minute thought when I'm in my bathroom brushing my teeth before bed. Sometime before I give birth I plan on getting a couple of nicer belly photos.
I haven't had a working camera for a few months and have been borrowing a friends as the battery charger for mine died. I just got my new charger and there were old photos from December 13, 2008 waiting to be downloaded. I looked at them and there were a few shots that had been taken with a terrible flash in my bathroom mirror, which had really needed to be cleaned at the time.
For fun, I decided to take a few photos of my belly in the mirror today, before downloading the old photos. All of the pictures were difficult to see, bad lighting, some had flash, it was just a mess. However, here is a slight preview to prove my belly is growing. Perhaps one of these days I will get around to proving that I have some photography skills, but today is not that day.

At 6.3 weeks, 12-13-08

Today at 24.2 weeks, 04-17-09.


The really odd thing to me is the weight gain with this pregnancy. I gained approximately 70 pounds with my first child and 50 pounds with my second. I will totally cop to being young with my first child and starting out at probably only 115 or 120 pounds. I will also tell you that at 17 years old, I totally believed pregnancy was an excuse to eat for two and I did just that! However, I did start out at the same pre-pregnancy weight with my last child as I did this one. As of today, I have gained 8 pounds. The reason I am so astonished by these photos above, is because I thought that I must *look* exactly the same, since I haven't gained much weight. WRONG! Another exciting development as of today is that not only can I feel the baby moving, I can see it now too. So Cool!

Find out how you can get yours!!
These are 2nd Womb baby slings offered by The True Face of Birth blogspot.

Good Luck winning yours! My son LOVED his ring sling, as did I. It was a life-saver through the first 9 months and I can still use it with him now that he's 2 years old. I remember how empowered I felt when I could walk through the grocery store, using both of my hands to shop, and nurse him at the same time. Plus, no one could even tell what we were doing. I often had people stop to admire him without even noticing we were nursing.

These make WONDERFUL shower gifts too!

Listed below is what you would be asking of president-elect Barack Obama if you chose to sign this petition created by the United States Breastfeeding Committee.

Please take the following actions to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, the foundation of lifelong health:

1. Instruct the Surgeon General to issue a statement in support of breastfeeding urging all sectors (governmental and non-governmental) involved in supporting women, children, and families to improve their breastfeeding policies.

2. Enact a national paid family leave policy.

3. Endorse the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes as well as the Global Strategy for Infant & Young Child Feeding.

4. Ask the Federal Trade Commission to monitor infant formula marketing.

5. Ask the Food and Drug Administration to include labeling on powdered infant formula warning that it is not sterile and providing instructions on how to properly reconstitute it.

6. Highlight the benefits for employers of workplace breastfeeding support programs as part of your program to promote flexible work arrangements.

7. Urge all insurers to cover lactation care and support services.

8. Approve an increase in breastfeeding support funds for the USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), especially to support the peer counseling program.

9. Instruct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to recommend that all hospitals achieve the Baby-Friendly designation.

10. Ensure that emergency management agencies are trained in breastfeeding support and have breastfeeding supply kits available for distribution in emergencies.

When a toddler goes to the fridge looking for the yummiest thing they can find, what else would they come out with except for pumped mommy milk?!
My baby boy had been visiting his dad the night before, causing his mommy to pump breast milk. I had not been feeling very well and did not have the energy to clean parts, so I just stuck the entire containers in the fridge. Of course, when baby went to raid the fridge, he was pleasantly surprised! He took his milk to the coffee table, so as not to miss a moment of Max & Ruby.









Mmmmmmm, breastmilk, it does a baby good!!!

If the toddler quacking isn't cute enough, you should hear his sad mama duck voice! It's hard not to giggle at his woeful duck sounds!

Riok turned two on November 4th, but I didn't have my photos ready. Better late than never. Happy Birthday Riok!! I hope you are enjoying your new bike! I love you with my whole heart and although things have been challenging lately, I couldn't do it without you. I love you, baby!

...on October 30th!!!
Happy Birthday Baby Girl!
Pregnant, a little over 12 years ago....*sigh* (I'm SO old!!!)

Beautiful new baby girl.

Mama loves you, baby

Look how big you are on your first day of school!!

This is one of my favorite all time pics. What a cutie!!

Mommy and Kyla camping.

This is one of Kyla's best friends. They have been together since he was born and he was also here for her 12th birthday party. How awesome is that?! Most of us, as adults, often have a hard time keeping friends for 12 years or more!!

I sewed this BEAUTIFUL creation for Halloween. The fairy wings that went with it are not in this photo, but I worked my butt off on this! I wish I still had the energy and positive thinking for undertakings of this grandeur. I suppose it truly is time to start exercising. *sigh*

Kyla, you truly are a SUPER GIRL!!!

We are a silly family. Thank goodness. I'm not sure I could get through this life sometimes without your laughter. So much of who I am, I owe to you.

You are so strong! You went through several levels of swimming during one season. The older you get, the more I enjoy watching you succeed through physical activity. I am envious of your natural ability at sports. Of course, I'm also a little shamed that you turned a former 'stoner' into a soccer mom.

People say you look like me. Don't worry baby, they're full of crap. You are so much prettier than your mama could ever hope to be. As you're nearing your teens, I am VERY nervous about how absolutely beautiful you are.

The girls on Mother's Day.

See.....SO PRETTY!!!

Kyla with Aunt Chelsey and her brother, Riok.

On Mommy's 30th birthday, just a few months ago...

As Kyla's birthday is so close to Halloween, we often have costume parties...Kyla decided to be a cheerleader for her party this year.

Earrings from Claire's. She also raked in a ton of cool stuff from Hot Topic.

She was equally thrilled and disgusted upon opening her tween gift of sports bras and a shaving kit. Think how shamed she'll be when she reads it online! *gasp*

Happy Birthday Kyla.