Friday, August 28, 2009

Officially a Toddler!

Ladybug made her debut as a toddler last Friday. She just suddenly started walking! It's both exciting and sad that she's not really a baby anymore. I went to pick her up from the sitter's and I'm sitting in floor and I see her coming at me from the corner of my eye but it takes a while to realize that she's upright! She walked all the way from the kitchen to me. We were meeting friends for dinner that night so when Chris got there I ran outside and put her down to walk to Daddy. We're so relived that she did this before Chris left to go out of town otherwise I would have had to hold her all week - no walking without Daddy!
It's been a busy week for us and tiring without Daddy here to help out and play. We're looking forward to him coming home tomorrow.
In other news Ladybug is starting to use/hold a fork or spoon while eating and boy is she eating. Walking is taking a lot of energy.

Why the Unexpected Hippie

Before I had children I would have laughed my head off if you had told me that I would be a cloth diapering, extended breastfeeding, baby lead weaning, baby wearing, co-sleeping, selectively vaxing, all things earthy and as natural as possible momma.

Well when they say having a baby changes everything boy does it ever! It all started before we even knew I was pregnant, I looked at Chris and said 'I want chickens'. Chris' response "Huh?! Like for dinner?" 'No, like to raise for eggs and eating' He just assumed that I'd officially lost my mind. Well that desire hasn't left and we live in the suburbs so farm animals are a no-no; that desire hasn't left and in fact has gotten stronger (or worse depending on how you look at it). Over the course of my pregnancy in my desire to save money so that I could stay at home with our little one I discovered breastfeeding and cloth diapering. Everyone thought that I'd lost it then. Cloth diapers - 'you know you have to wash those right?' or 'we'll see how long that lasts' (12 months and going strong).

Ladybug was born and we just parented by instinct and breastfeeding gave way to co-sleeping and then to baby -wearing. It just made sense to us. We didn't like her to cry and felt no need to let her if we could help it. So we rock her to sleep, go to her when she cries and carry her around when she wants to be carried (which isn't very often anymore).

We knew that our goal would be to exclusively breastfeed for six months before starting solids - yes I said six months! As we approached that mark I began doing research into making our own baby food and discovered baby led weaning. What a genius concept. Just offer baby what we're eating and they feed themselves what they want. As long as they're six months old or older they are able to handle easily mushed food on there own, no jars or pureeing or spoon-feeding. Ladybug loves being in control of what she eats (from what we're having for dinner) and there's no stress about getting her to eat since she eats until she's full. It's a little slow going at first.

Well since she started eating 'real' food I started getting worried about what was in the food. So now I'm trying to move to organic foods and minimally processed foods. More work in the kitchen but so worth it in the long run. It tastes better and is better for us. My next goal is to have a garden next spring and summer as well as shopping at the local farmers markets for locally grown produce, I've even looked into using raw milk and plan on touring the farm in the next month or so.

As for Chris, he's been wonderfully supportive in my transition to 'hippie' and although he doesn't always agree with me he still loves me and respects my opinions (and calls me crazy behind my back).

Now I have an opinion on why this has happened to me. It's very simple - God's plan and design. I believe that while God is creating our babies inside us he is also creating the mother that he wants us to be. He gives us the instincts we need to care for and make decisions for our individual and unique child. What works for me may not work for you and may not work for any other child I may have, but He's given me the ability to 'know' what's right for this particular child. To provide the best possible for her. I know a lot of the things that I am doing on instinct create a lot of extra work but He has also given me the strength and support (both His and through those around me) to do it. Not only is He preparing me for things to come in my tasks as a Mom but He's enabling Ladybug to reach her fullest potential to grow into the person He has made her to be.

I love to share about all things 'hippie' so feel free to ask away!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

12 Month Visit

We had Ladybug’s 12 month check today and everything is great - even her ears.

Ladybug is 29 inches and 19.5 pounds! She received her second Polio Vaccine and we’re holding off on the MMR vaccine until she’s two or older. Originally she was going to be getting the MMR vaccine as separate Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines but since Merck stopped making them separately that’s no longer an option.

We decided to hold off on the MMR due to a recent study from Johns Hopkins showing that it isn’t fully effective if administered before 15 months and that the children that have adverse reactions are the one’s who have had frequent ear infections and antibiotic use in the first year of life as well as a dairy sensitivity. Since Madelynn seems to have all of those things we chose to wait until she’s older to receive this vaccine.

We are currently dairy free to see if she really does have a dairy sensitivity. We were clued into the dairy sensitivity after doing some research into her frequent ear infections and seeming anitbiotic resistance. On top of my breastfeeding we couldn’t understand why she was getting the infections and why we couldn’t get rid of it. It seems that ear infections as well as some other issues can be linked to a dairy allergy/sensitivity. (http://www.diannecraft.com/article-008.htm)

Our plan is to switch to raw milk (http://www.realmilk.com/) since dairy allergies and cancers have been linked to the rBGH now given to our commercial dairy cows (www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/milk.htm).

Monday, August 10, 2009

One Year


Today our baby turns one. I can hardly believe that it has already been a year since she entered our life and can’t imagine what our life would be without her.

One year ago today we were blessed with a healthy baby girl and everyday since have been blessed with watching her grow and thrive into the beaming one year old we have now. I know every year will go by faster and be more amazing to experience.

Some highlights:





Happy Birthday Sweetheart, you are the light of our lives!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Birthdays Galore



Saturday was Ladybug’s first birthday party and Sunday was Gage’s seventh birthday.

We are so blessed to have our families close by so that they can celebrate with us on these special occasions; it also makes for a very full house! Ladybug had her picture made with everyone as they arrived and enjoyed being the center of attention. She was unsure about her cake at first but then dove in! Gage stood guard to make sure no one bothered her and the paparazzi were in full swing!










After a bath to get all the black icing off we opened presents (well I did while she played with the paper). I don’t know if we have a favorite toy but she is playing with them all.




Sunday was spent at Gage’s birthday party – more cake before we start back with the no dairy for Ladybug and I. (more on this later)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

White Sand Beaches in the US








Ladybug did great on the plane both down and back, I think she’s glad to be home and able to crawl around and play. The whole trip was pretty uneventful; Chris played golf and caught up with the guys while Ladybug and I hung out with Michelle. We did go to the beach for the morning on Sunday. This time it was all about the water! Ladybug loved it, it could have something to do with the fact that the waves are all of six inches tall. I really would love to go back for a whole vacation.

The wedding was gorgeous also with the sun setting over the water. Ladybug fell asleep as soon as the wind from the ocean hit her face and slept through the whole thing.



Congratulations Jeremy and Welcome, best wishes for a long and happy life together.



Now it’s back to the real world and who’s idea was it to have Ladybug’s birthday party the weekend after we’d been out of town? I could not have been that crazy to think that I could get everything done during the week. I guess we’ll find out!