Once Upon A New Time

*WARNING: This blog contains a lot of references to breasts, nipples and what they go through when nursing, so if you don't want the detail, I would recommend not reading any fur ther:) So WOW! It has been a YEAR (actually a little bit more than a year)! If you had asked me one month, two month, or even three of four months in I would have said that there is NO possible way I could make to nursing for an entire year! But here I am one year of breastfeeding under my belt and I wanted to share my experience with the whole process:) THE BEFORE Now during pregnancy I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. My mom breastfed all of us kids and I also saw my aunts nurse my cousins, plus both of my sisters had breastfed their babies, so it is safe to say that I was more familiar with the breastfeeding process than the average person. I wasn't too apprehensive about nursing as it seemed like it was a natural part of life and having a baby. I was aware that some people had harder tim...

Since I have been here for over a year and feel pretty well acclimated, I figured it was time for comparison blog. Things I like about the UK (in no specific order) *Round Abouts- For those of you who don't know a round about is a type of driving intersection. It is a driving circle with at least 3 exit points and each car is required to enter and exit the circle while yielding to the cars already in the circle. There is a etiquette that comes with driving in these with certain blinkers being used when exiting and entering the round about. It took me a while to get used to them, but now that I have, I have to say that I really like them. It is a way better system than stop lights, or the terrible 4 way stop signs we have in the US. The huge round abouts (with 5 plus exits) can get a tricky and hectic, and there are also round abouts with stop lights, which are weird. But for the most part, I really like them and wish the US would convert:) This is an example of a round abo...

Parents' first night away together from their baby can be an emotional one. I am not talking about a date night out to go to dinner, but a complete and total over-night away from baby. I know many parents who left their kids with family when the baby was only 3 or 4 months old, and I also know parents who still have never left their 3 year old over night with anyone. I think the right time to finally leave your baby/child with someone else is when you feel comfortable. I think it also depends on the baby. If the baby is breastfed, sleeping through the night and other factors can make the decision difficult. Also having someone you trust that is willing/available to watch your child is a major issue. Well, for Jeff and I, the right time to have an over-night get away came a few days ago. Max is 10 1/2 months old, finally sleeping through the night consistently,and able to put himself to sleep so I thought it was time Jeff and I got our night away. We might have done it sooner if...

Alright, well since I have gotten back  into my pre-pregnancy stage and it looks as if the weather may finally be giving us some warm days I have been looking into what to wear for the spring and summer. I am finding it a little difficult to fit my style and budget into clothes these days for these reasons. My age . Ok, so yes I am only 27  so to me that still seems pretty young in the grand scheme of things. And I want to dress young. I do realize that I am getting older and can only pull off certain clothes while in my twenties so I don't want to waste the few years I have left. I have the rest of my life to dress "older" so why do I want to do it now? Answer: I don't. I still want to wear fun trendy items. But with this, there comes a balance. A few years ago I pretty much stopped buying anything from the Juniors sections at the stores because I figured I am an adult and need to start shopping like one. Today, I occasionally cheat and get something from that se...

So once you become a parent you will be over-loaded with advice and opinions on how to raise your child. Everyone is certain that their way is best and "the only" way it should be done. Mothers will get so worked up  I have found that parents can get VERY offended and opinionated about certain hot topics. I have found that there are certain subjects that I do not bring up with surrounded by a group of mothers as it can lead to a very heated argument and a lot of uncomfortableness. These subjects (and much more) are: 1. What and when to feed you child. (organic homemade food, all vegetarian vs store bought) ( when to start solids, juice, cows milk, you name it, people have an opinion about it) 2. The way your child sleeps. ( Co-Sleeping, sleeping on the back or belly, sleep training) 3. Breast Feeding vs Formula 4. Circumcision 5. Vaccinations 6. Birth Control 7. Chemicals in the home ( baby wipes, cleaners) Most of MY personal parenting style as been t...

I am just so thankful to be alive. Today is one of those days that I just can't help but feel so blessed.   In my life I have experienced amazing love. My parents have always been there to support me and I can honestly say have been the best parents in the world. I have the most special love from all of my unique sisters. Although, my sisters are the only people that I can get in huge fights with, I love them more dearly than almost anything. I had such a special childhood that always brings the most fond memories. I have a HUGE extended family on both sides and so many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins that love me for who  I am, and I so lucky to have so many people to lean on.  I have had and still do have close, loving, best friends that have and would do anything for me. I am so blessed to have not just one, but so many best friends that I can count on no matter what happens in life. It doesn't matter if we haven't spoken in months, I know for a fac...

So my other military wives will  understand. When your husband has to leave for months at a time, you are forced to live and get by on your own. There are so many things a military wife has to adjust to, and I have come to realize that there are so many things I miss about Jeff being gone. Besides the obvious of generally missing his company and my partner in life, I have realized it is the small things that I didn't even think about that I miss the most. These are some of the things that Jeff did when he is here that I never had to ask him to do and I'm trying to remember or find time to do myself now haha - taking out the trash and remembering to take the cans out on trash/recycle day - lock the doors at night - set the robot vacuum to run while we sleep - mow the lawn - check on the baby before we go to sleep at night - get up with Max in the mornings while I sleep a little bit longer - turn off the downstairs light - start the coffee in the morning - stop to pic...