It is Friday yet?

This week has been draining.

Monday we took MJ in to the vet and she had to go back Tuesday to get her teeth cleaned. Turns out her teeth were so bad that when they went to clean a tooth it would fall out itself. Poor kitty lost about 10 teeth total, mainly molars. She still has her canines and front baby teeth, but pretty much everything else is gone. I still feel terrible for not catching this earlier, but I think she feels better now. She had quite a bit of energy Tuesday night and is eating her wet food well, which she use to hate wet food. She is also still on pain medication. I also need to mention how much I love this new vet we decided to try. They are so much better than the other place, and they gave MJ a personalized Christmas ornament. How cute is that?

On top of that Leland has had a fever, ugh. It started Tuesday with many screaming and crying periods and then a fever of 101. We gave him some meds to help and I called the doctor this morning since the fever was still hanging on. I was worried it was an ear infection. So we had our appointment, he weighs 17 lbs 9.5 oz, and no ear infection!, thank goodness. The doctor said it was most likely just a virus that has been going around and that his runny nose and cough may linger (by the way he had a normal temp at the doctors). But if he still has a fever come Friday morning we are suppose to go back to make sure an ear infection has not developed and possibly get some blood drawn to make sure it isn't anything more serious. He is doing much better tonight, temperature still a bit high but has gone down a bit, and he had no crying fits today. He did sleep a lot today, so that also makes me think he has a bug and is going to be a okay.

Side note on baby, he is becoming more demanding and particular about his ways. He wants to use a spoon to eat. And he wants to drink water while he eats. It is kind of funny to think about it. He is starting to know what he wants and will not do what you want until he gets it. Oh baby. We don't have a chance.

And lastly, our washer/dryer is broke. This causes an issue when you use cloth diapers. I have been washing diapers in the tub this week, but drying them in the house has been very unsuccessful. Tonight we had to go to a friend's to use their dryer. Leland needed some clean diapers to use tomorrow.

And that is all, well besides only having two weeks of school left and a massive to do list for those two weeks.

I don't think this week can get any worse at least. (please don't get any worse).

Traveling

Last week we flew to KC to visit family. It was a good trip overall. But the best part was how great Leland was on the plane both times.

First time he feel asleep before boarding started and stayed asleep until I got my drink. Then we played with toys and with the magazine in the seat and looked out the window and then it was time to land! No crying or fussing, woohoo!

The second time was even better. He fell asleep right before we boarded and stayed asleep until we started to descend into Denver.

Seriously, how did I get awarded such a good baby? I feel every time we fly I expect the worse and I get the best. Don't know how it happens but it does.

I used the ergo the whole time, since it is easy to undo and semi-take off without having to take a sleeping baby out of the carrier. Technically you are not suppose to have a baby strapped to you during take off and landing, so I try to avoid it, even though no one has ever said anything to me about it.

Hopefully this cutie can do this well when we fly again after Christmas.

Poor Kitty

This poor kitty has to go to the vet tomorrow and get her teeth seriously cleaned and possible get some teeth pulled.

Anyone that knows MJ, knows she has terrible breath, I thought it was just part of her 'ness' but turns out she has some sort of gum disease.

The past week she had been drooling a lot, like all. the. time. and sticking her tongue out (again something new). It just didn't seem right, so last night I googled it(the source for answers) and they listed many possible conditions- all mouth issues. So I got brave and held her down to open her mouth and take a peak- OMG something was totally not right.

First thing this morning I call and got her into the vet, they took a look and said yep something is not right. So tomorrow she goes in to get sedated to get her teeth fully cleaned, understand what is actually going on and possibly get some teeth pulled (it is that bad).

I feel awful for not catching this earlier, but I can't believe a 4 year old cat can have teeth that bad.

So hopefully tomorrow night she is feeling better and we can prevent this from happening again.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Here is what I am thankful for:

My kitties

My baby, and my hubby

And of course my family.

Photo Challenge Day 8 to 13

Day 8: Favorite Color- Blue!

Day 9: Inspiring person- This one make me want to be a better person

Day 10: Nature- I love random areas on campus with nature, especially in the form of wheat

Day 11: Something old- This kitty may not look that old but he was born back in 2004, he is getting up there

Day 12: Hands

Day 13: Written words- Leland's journal, written by me, his 7 month entry!

7 months

7 months! Eek!

You amaze me everyday with what you know. You now turn pages while reading a book, can turn off the light switch, are so close to saying 'Hi' (you said it to another mom at the library the other day, it was awesome!), you babble a lot (ma, ba, ya, and da sounds). You only make raspberry noises when upset. You now roll continuously but still not close to crawling (thank you).

But really you just amaze me. Watching you grow is the best thing I have ever done. And you make me want to be a better person and make the world a better place, so that you have a wonderful life.

I really can't understand how a person can love someone this much, but moms do it everyday, and it is amazing. Watching you grow makes me think you are the best person ever, but I think I am a little biased.

Love you baby.

Apple Pie Bars

Seriously, you must try this recipe. They are so good, I can't stop eating them. They are especially good when they are cold, despite what the recipe says. I made these for a school gathering, so thankfully we don't have too many left over because I plan on eating then rest very soon. This recipe makes quite a few bars.

I added cranberries to the recipe, and I am glad I did. They give it a good tartness, so it is not overly sweet even with all the brown sugar. I also did not do the browned butter part for lack of time.

But again, you must try this.

Apple Pie Bars
Adapted from Food & Wine
Crust
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt

Filling
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
8 cups Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into diamonds
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 bag frozen cranberries, thawed and rinsed
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup water, as needed ( I didn't need this)

Topping
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup flour
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Line a 12 x 17-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper. For the crust, cook butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams, turns clear, and then turns a deep brown, about 6 minutes. Pour browned butter into a glass measuring cup to chill in the freezer until solidified. - I did not do this step, didn't have time, instead I just used room temperature butter.-

Beat solidified brown butter, vanilla, and brown sugar in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until smooth. Whisk together flour and salt in a medium bowl; gradually add to butter mixture, beating on low speed just until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan and chill until firm, about 30 minutes (or wrap well with plastic and chill overnight).

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake crust until golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool crust in pan. For the filling, heat two large skillets over medium heat and melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons brown sugar in each. Add 4 cups apples to each skillet and cook over high heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon and an 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg into each skillet, as well as cranberries. Cook until the apples are caramelized and liquid has evaporated, about 5 more minutes. If needed, add up to 1/2 cup water to each skillet to prevent scorching. Let cool; spread filling evenly over cooled crust.

For the topping, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add vanilla and melted butter; toss mixture with a fork until it comes together in small clumps. Scatter crumbs evenly over apple filling and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating pan halfway through, until topping is golden. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars with a serrated knife. Arrange bars in a single layer in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or wrap individually in waxed paper and freeze for up to a month. Bring to room temperature or warm before serving.

Grain Free

I found this article very interesting. It talks about how babies cannot properly digest grains until they get their first molars. Until then their body is not producing the enzymes to digest grains (wheat, oats, rice, quinoa, etc.)

We had started giving Leland quinoa prior to me reading this article, we have now stopped that. Unfortunately Leland will not be able to experience the deliciousness of bread, pasta, rice and quinoa until he gets his first molars. He still gets his teething biscuits that I make, only because he doesn't really eat them, he just gums them then throws it on the floor for Heath to lick. (Yes Heath likes teething biscuits, egg yolks, broccoli and kale, and he has already figured out this kid will drop food on the floor for him.)

For now he will have to stick with vegetables, fruits, beans, eggs and meat. We may eventually introduce some cheese, but I am a little cautious about it since he has been so sensitive to me eating dairy.

He really loves his veggies.

Life after pregnancy

Things that have changed since being pregnant and having a baby.

1. I can barely drink a beer or glass of wine. It is not that I don't want to drink it, it just takes a really long time to do so. I guess I really got out of the habit of drinking while pregnant.

2. Sex. Not necessarily bad, just different.

3. My clothes don't fit. This isn't because I haven't lost the baby weight, it is because I have lost more than just the baby weight. Now most of my clothes are loose, a little too loose in my opinion.

4. My boobs. I swear they are actually smaller. I think it has to do with the weight loss as well. And when they are not full of milk, they seem smaller.

5. My hair. It is still in a weird phase where I am not losing my hair anymore but it is taking its sweet time growing back. It is also a darker color.

6. Social life. Now revolves around nap time and bed time.

7. Taste buds. I use to not like a few things prior to getting pregnant, dark beers, mushrooms, spicy foods, now I love them.

8. I love all babies. On the news or watching a TV show, anything bad happening to a baby makes me want to cry. All I can think about is, what if that was Leland?

I think it is safe to say, all these changes are worth it.

What about you? Any changes?

Still babywearing...

Linking up with the anderson crew: embrace the camera.



It helps with teething (and everything else). Don't mind the smudges, someone is obsessed with the mirror.

Christmas already?

I cannot believe it that time of year already. And I am already done with my shopping. Say what!? I totally got ahead of things this year and I am already done! Woohoo!

(My sister-in-law's tree)

Now we need to get a family photo taken so I can make some Christmas cards, I am hoping to have this done over Thanksgiving. Hopefully a family member will be willing to help us out and do this for us.

I saw this Christmas survey and had to participate. It comes from Sarah over at Nurse Loves Farmer

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. I have never tried egg nog, but the idea grosses me out.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Growing up Santa left them unwrapped, I have still yet to decide on this.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I can go either way, but I like a single color overall.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No

5. When do you put your decorations up? Sometime after Thanksgiving, usually once it is December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Hard to say, probably all the cookies!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Always getting to do Christmas early in St. Joe. My grandpa lived in St. Joe, but my aunt and uncle live in Illinois, we would always do Christmas early to work around their schedules and when they were able to travel back. It was always wonderful as a kid getting to open presents a couple weeks early.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Sometime in elementary school, like 4th or 5th grade. I was a believer.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nope, we wait until Christmas morning.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Our current tree is like two feet tall, not much decorating needed, but we do have Chiefs colored ornaments. I am thinking about getting a bigger tree this year, once all that stuff goes on sale after Christmas of course.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love/hate. Love it, but it makes me not want to leave the house.

12. Can you ice skate? This hasn't happened in years, but maybe.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Last year our camera was a gift, it has been wonderful!

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Seeing family and eating/making good food. I am really excited to watch Leland enjoy Christmas as he gets older.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Fudge, frosted sugar cookies, molasses cookies, chocolate crinkles. Any cookie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Um I don't know, I feel every year things change. We will definitely have to start some this year though.

17. What tops your tree? I don't think anything did last year.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving.

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? I could go either way. Not a big fan.

20. Favorite Christmas show? Movie? It's A Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown, old style Rudolph.

21. What is your favorite Christmas song? So This Is Christmas, but I love many others too.

Learning

Learning how to be a new momma can be challenging at times.

The other day I realized some things I need to teach my kid that I never even thought about.

I read, sing and talk to him throughout day. But until last week I never tried to get him to wave hi, or shake his head yes or no. Meaning, I haven't been doing these things, so he can see. I never even thought these are things he needs to learn from me. But now I realize I was just being stupid and overlooking some basics.

It is crazy the things we have to show and teach our kids, how are we suppose to do it all? I am afraid I will forget important things along the way. I think I need to start making a to-do list, is it too early for that?

Hopefully I will do better from now on.

For now I am doing my best.

Photo Challenge: First 7 days

I decided to do this photo challenge in hopes of expanding my subjects beyond Leland. I am trying (really), but sometimes it is just too hard, especially when I am just doing what comes to mind with each topic.

I also wanted to do this challenge, because I want to take the jump and become one of those people that takes their camera everywhere. I am self-conscious about it and tell myself it is bulky. But I really do want to document everything. I love looking at photos, I remember doing it a lot as a kid. And I know I will as I get older too, and I want to have photos for Leland to look at, if he also likes to look at photos. The kid won't have any problems in seeing photos of himself as a baby (I take a photo of him everyday).

I had a friend that made fun of me for always taking photos, saying some moms people are always taking photos and not being in the moment. But I really don't think I do that. Sure I am taking photos when I go out and do something (like visiting a pumpkin patch), but that doesn't mean it was continuously. I got the photos I wanted and I would turn the camera off and continue enjoying my time. Did I mention this friend is an iPhone addict? Who do you think is more connected? Again, I want to document things for myself and for Leland, I don't see the harm is doing so.

Also, this whole time change and winter thing is really messing with my lighting. I now have to plan out when I can take a photo, since it gets dark at 5pm and good natural lighting in the house is now limited to 11am-3pm. Lame. Very lame. So I apologize if lighting is a bit off, but I am doing my best to adjust.

So here are the first seven days:

1. Favorite Food- this is my favorite veggie burger, served with avocado, cabbage, sprouts, red onion, and garden tomatoes(the last we have of the season :sad face: ),oil and balsamic

2. Smile- okay, really, who else would I choose as my subject

3. Happiness- I think it is safe to say, my happiness is tied up in these two beings

4. Leaves- the best thing to play with in the fall

5. Morning sky-

6. Books- my current to read stack

7. Something funny- this was a hard photo, I didn't know what to do as funny. But this picture is funny to me, so that counts right? Even babies have work to do and important calls to take.

I am also thinking I may need to purchase Adobe Lightroom in the very near future while I am a student and get a discount.

Bed Sharing

(Pillows keep him in the safety zone.)

Why we decided to bed-share and still do:

1. I don't have to get out of bed in the middle of the night to feed a baby.
1b. With side lying nursing, I practically don't even wake up for a feeding.

2. Cuddles

3. No worrying about Leland getting too cold at night, he stays nice and toasty between us.

4. Less worrying about him not breathing, because I can continuously check on him while sleeping. (And often do, it is the first thing I do when I go to bed.)

5. Every morning I wake up to a baby looking at me, and of course he is starting my day with a smile.

I know this isn't for everyone, and before Leland was born I didn't think this would be us. We had a pack n' play all ready right next to the bed for the beginning and then I figured we would transition him to the crib. I also thought he would be napping in his crib, but that only recently happened.

But as soon as that cute little baby was born and we were in the hospital, I knew we would be bed-sharing. I didn't want him to be in that hard plastic cell you were suppose to put him in. Partially because he seemed so alone and partially because it was a pain in the ass to get out of the bed to get him and feed him every two hours ( I did just give birth you know and was all sore and stuff).

So in the bed he was and in the bed he stayed. And we like it, all of us. I made sure to ask Jeff if he was okay with Leland staying in the bed for awhile, and he is. In fact, I think when it is time for Leland to transition to his own bed, Jeff is going to take it the hardest. Just like he is the saddest about the new nap situation, Daddy's don't like their babies growing up either.

But anyway, don't knock it until you try it and see how awesome bed-sharing can be.

P.S. We are lucky to have a quiet sleeping baby and a non-movement baby. Meaning he isn't a snorer and doesn't wiggle or move much when sleeping. But when he is in his crib napping, he moves all over the place while sleeping. I don't really get it.

Hardcore Animal Lover

I know I have said it before, but Leland loves animals. And I just love some of these photos, so I had to share.

He loves animals so much, he decided to be a monkey for Halloween. ( I know, this photo is a little late.)

Snow- again

Linking up with the anderson crew: embrace the camera.



It snowed last week again. I decided we should try to put Leland in the snow again, because he just needs to get use to it with living in Colorado.

This time around, was not quite as tramatic, mainly because I was holding him most of the time. Once I put him in the snow again (standing up) he still wasn't so sure about it. But no meltdown this time around.

Maybe it is getting better?

Photo Challenge

I have been wanting to do a photo challenge, but I hadn't found one that I liked. And I really feel I need to take some photos outside of Leland, so hopefully this will push me in that direction. I happened to stumble upon this one and decided to go for it.

Feel free to join. I will do my best to get the photos posted in a timely manner. And I will post them on Shutterfly if anything.

Expressions

Leland has some pretty great expressions.

This one is my favorite!

He knows what he wants.

So remember that post where I talked about how I was still rocking my baby to sleep for every nap?

Yea, that ended this weekend. But not because of me. On Friday, Leland decided he was not going to sleep on me when I tried to rock him to sleep, instead he would throw a fit, cry and arch his back. This meant Leland only took two 30 minute naps on Friday, but he was surprisingly happy for that. The first one was while grocery shopping, he passed out in the ergo. The second one was in the car.

So come Saturday, we tried this method (rocking to sleep) one last time to only have it fail. The only other option was putting him in his crib. I made sure he was feed and happy, gave him his blanket and binkie and shut the door. We turned the baby monitor on to listen for screaming, but it never came. We also had to deal with a bad kitty, that kept trying to open the damn door, very obnoxious.

And I am so thankful for this, sure it took him a bit to fall asleep, but he didn't cry at all. There was just a bit of fussing, his tired fussing, and there was sighing (this kid knows how to sigh), but no crying. I don't think I could handle the crying, which is why we waited so long to do this method of napping. Crying it out just isn't for us, but I can totally see the need for it if your kid just won't go to sleep any other way.

So I guess he knew what he wanted, we just had to figure it out.

And so for his three naps on Saturday we followed this routine, and they were all successful, meaning no crying and falling asleep by himself. Sunday morning when he was getting tired, I did the same and he actually fell asleep while I was feeding him (he does this when he goes to sleep at night), but he slightly woke back up when I put him in his crib. But no worries, it just took some sighing and binkie and he was asleep in no time.

Now I don't know what to do with my free time.

Cheese

Cheeser:

Good photos are a challenge

Good photos are becoming harder to come by.

Someone is a squiggly, wiggly worm. And I think it is only going to get worse.

Feet are for bouncing

So this kid is now okay with standing and putting pressure on his feet. Something I am not encouraging but Daddy does, apparently Daddy doesn't know this leads to walking, something we should avoid.

But the funny thing is he won't move his feet. He will bounce but once he is standing, his feet are planted.

And now he likes his walk and stand toy (which by the way was a pain in the ass to assemble), he will stand but if it moves, his feet won't.

See the leaning. It is pretty funny.