A Letter to My Future Daughter-In-Law

To my future daughter-in-law,

Hello sweet girl! I do not know who you are as I write this. I imagine we won't be meeting for quite some time. Your husband is only 3 years old right now. He is imaginative, outgoing, fun, silly, just like his daddy, and one HANDSOME boy! As I am sure you agree! :)

It is crazy to think about who you are! I have no idea. I have no idea if you are even born yet. Maybe you are and your mommy is holding you as we speak. Maybe you are a little older and a little toddler running around with siblings. I have no idea. But I do know this. I have prayed for you every day since the day Brody was born. I have prayed for him to be a man of God made just for you. I have prayed that you would find each other and you would fit together like puzzle pieces. I have prayed that you would be his and he would be yours.

Your husband and I had a great pregnancy. He was so easy!!! No sickness or issues during pregnancy until about 33 weeks. I began having low fluid. I had to drink tons and tons of water! As if being 33 weeks pregnant didn't send me to bathroom enough, then add 150 ounces of water a day. I lived in the bathroom. But it was worth it to help my baby boy. At 38 weeks I went in for a routine checkup and my fluid was at a dangerous level of 4. So, I got induced starting at midnight that night! At 7 am we started Pitocin. He was a little stubborn and gave me a 14 hour labor, but came with only 15 minutes of pushing at 8:51 pm on 9-9-11. Brody Scott Webster was born. It was love at first sight. He was 6 lbs 9 oz and 18 1/2 inches long of sweet goodness. Small baby - but his mommy and daddy aren't big themselves! About 20 minutes after Brody was born, Aaron and I prayed over him. We prayed that he would be a man of God. That he would love others and put others before himself. That he would be a good friend and share Jesus' light to all he met. We prayed (and still do every day) that he would find the love of the Lord early and commit all his days to serving him. And we prayed for you. We prayed you would find each other and have an everlasting love. That you would adore each other and have God as the center of your relationship.

The night before Brody was born

Brody at 27 weeks

Brody was such an easy baby! He slept well, ate well, transitioned well. He was a very stoic baby. I don't think we heard him laugh out loud until he was nearly 7 months old. He would laugh but stick his hands in his mouth and not let us hear! Drove this mama crazy!!! I just wanted to hear that sweet laugh!

Brody at 27 weeks with precious little cheeks!

Brody is such a fun little boy! He has a sense of humor. That kid says the funniest things! He can melt my heart in an instant. He usually runs out to my car before I have time to park it when I get home. I secretly watch for the door handle to turn because I can't wait for his excitement to run to me and see me. Then he "helps" me park the car. Those hugs of his - pure goodness! The other night he wrapped both arms around his daddy and I and said "I love you guys!" He has defiantly stolen our hearts, as I am sure he has done to you as well! You are now under the Brody curse! :) He is has his quirks too! He hates water on his head and his hands dirty. He is very independent and likes to do things on HIS terms!

He loves his sister to death. I pray they grow up to be best friends. I hope that you and Payton have a strong bond and relationship. You need to love each other and support each other. She is not trying to replace you and you don't need to try to fill her shoes. Y'all both have special places in Brody's heart and you have very different places in Brody's heart.

The boy can dance! His daddy can dance too, me, not so much! Hopefully y'all can have some fun times tearing up the dance floor and having some fun! He talks up a storm and is very curious. He also loves all of his family so much! Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. We pray that never changes. He is also very stubborn. I am sure this is no news to you by now! Just try to be patient and work with him. He will budge eventually!

There are some things I want you to know. Some things you need to know before you marry my little boy!

1. I want you to know that I am on your side. I don't want you to be nervous about your "dreaded" in-laws. I remember the first time I met my in-laws. We pulled up to their house and I was a ball of nerves. Would they like me? Would I be good enough for their boy? Will we get along? So on and so on. I have been there sweet girl. I get it! Relax. It will be okay! We have prayed many years over Brody for a strong and discerning heart after Jesus. We trust the Lord and we trust Brody. We trust that Brody has prayed over your relationship and we trust that he is making a wise decision. If Brody feels like you are the one for him, we will welcome you with open arms and open hearts. We will treat you as if you were our own daughter.

2. I loved him first and I was his first love.
I am sure you have heard this by parents before. They loved there child first. It's true. I have loved Brody since the day I found out I was pregnant on January 4, 2011. It was instant love. My love for him has only grown since then. It is a fierce love. A love that absolutely nothing in this world could ever break. A love that cannot be replaced. It is only a love that a mother can have. I hope you get to experience it one day - I want some grand babies!! :) I was also his first love. I was the one who saw his first smile and his first laugh. I was the only who picked him up when he got hurt and kissed all of his "boo boo's". I was the one who cleaned up his vomit when he was sick. I was the one he called out for in the middle of night to come to his rescue. I was the one who cuddled him while we watched "Pooper (Super) Mickey" a million times. I am the one who taught him to dress himself and pee pee in the toilet with good aim (you will thank me one day!) His daddy was the first one to teach him how to play sports and we were the ones who watched him play his first sports game and fail. And then who picked him back up and told him to try again. And then saw him succeed. I was the first one who held him after his first broken heart. I taught him how to get over that silly girl and realize how valuable of a young man he is! I watched him drive away in a car for the first time. I was the first one who told him about Jesus and tried to show him how to live. I taught him about money, and relationships, and all the "tough" stuff. I am preparing him to be a husband, for you! I was the one who dropped him off in his college dorm and then was a blubbering mess the whole way home (yes, I know, he is only 3 but I know how I will be that day! I cry when I leave him for 24 hours, let alone college!)

But you need to know something else. YOU are his love now. Yes, I was his first. And that cannot be replaced nor should it be. But you are his now. It's your turn. It is your turn to pick him up when he is down. It is your turn to mend him back to health when he is sick. It is your turn to watch him fail and pick him back up. It is your turn to encourage him to try again and be successful. It is your turn to discover how to handle finances as a married couple and how to make life work on your own. It is your turn to mend his heart when it is broken by circumstances that life throws your way. It is your turn to help him become a man among men, a man after God's heart, a man that loves his wife and children, and a man who we would be and are both proud of. It isn't easy for me to let you have this spot. See I have had it for many, many years. But I am trusting you with this very important position.

Those eyes would melt anyone!

3. I'm cheering you on!
As the day draws near that you will meet me and my husband, your future in-law's, you will be nervous. You will want to make sure you impress us and that you say the right things. You will want us to like you. You will want to make sure your outfit is just right and that you look pretty when you meet us! I know because I have been there. Don't be nervous! I am excited to meet you! I cannot wait to get to know you and learn more about you. I cannot wait to see yours and Brody's relationship grow and mature. I cannot wait for the day you tell us "We're pregnant!" and the day I get to meet my grand baby. Aaron and I will be your biggest fans! We will support you and love you. We pray for you every day and will continue that! We aren't here to judge or make you feel like you aren't a "part" of our family. You are a very important part of our family!! Your place can never be filled by anyone but you!! We want your relationship to be good and whole and we want to see you and Brody be happy!! We love you and we're here for you. Don't be nervous, you are our new daughter and we couldn't be more thrilled.

You are so important to my son! You are his missing puzzle piece! I won't say you make him whole because the Lord makes us whole. He is his own person and you are yours. You should not complete each other but rather the Lord should complete you. However, you will be what makes his heart skip a beat. You will be the one to cheer him on, to lift him up, to be his "other half". You will be the one that he swells with pride at when you are walking hand in hand into a room. You will be the one who sees him at his worst and at his best and will love him anyway. You will be the one who has to show mercy to him when you get into a fight. On the flip side, he should be your missing puzzle piece. The one you run to when things don't go right. The one who dries your tears, who holds you when you need to be held, who laughs with you, who is your biggest fan, and who stands by you and leads you through all of lifes experiences.

I don't know what this life will bring your way. I have no idea what God has in store for the two of you. I do know that if you trust him and follow Him, you can't go wrong. He will guide you, love you, protect you, and be there every step of the way. You just have to let Him. Keep Him at the center of your marriage and He will bless your marriage in ways you never knew possible.

You will be the first person that he sees when he wakes up and he will be the first person you see. You will make each other laugh, smile, mad, and all the many emotions in between. You will make each other a better person because you had the other one in your life. You will understand what true love means and understand that you can love someone more than you love yourself. You will (hopefully if you decide to have kids :))be the first ones to hold a precious new life when you welcome new ones into this world. If you have children, you will raise them together. You will experience exhaustion together, hurts together, struggle through this thing called parenting together, and watch your little ones grow up just like I am doing with Brody. It won't always be easy, but it will always be worth it.

I hope on my death bed (hopefully a long, long ways away from now), that my sweet Brody is standing next to me. I hope that as I drift from this life into the next my sweet boy will be there, still holding my hand. I hope that he will have fond memories of his past. I hope memories of him and I will bring floods of happiness and joy. I know it does for me. I hope he remembers the times we played ball, and cars, and hide-and-seek a million times, and watched videos, and cooked together, and painted together. I hope he remembers me at everything he did in the stands supporting him. I hope he remembers that I always loved him and supported him no matter what. I hope that he remembers that I was always his number one fan. I hope he remembers the lessons I taught him on how to be a gentleman and to treat women. I hope he remembers to respect you and cherish you because he saw his father do that for me. Then, I hope he also realizes that all those memories belong to me, yet all of the new and incredible memories belong to you, his beloved wife.

See, we don't have to try and fight to find our place with Brody. We both have very special, unique places. Places that the other one could never fill. We are both so important to him in so many different ways. You get the honor of being his the love of his life now. Cherish it. You are his best friend, his lover, his supporter, his wife. No one could ever take your place, nor should they. You are his supporter. Let him lead your family. Pray over him and guidance for him as he leads you and guides you. Support him.

As we wait many years to meet you, know that even from right now Aaron and I are praying for you. There are days I am playing with my sweet boy and I think about the woman he will marry. I wonder about you and wonder who you are, what you will look like. I wonder what your interest will be and pray that not only you have a good relationship with our sweet boy, but with Aaron, me, and Payton as well.


You now have my whole world in the palm of your hands. Take care of him. Love him, support him. It's not my job anymore, but yours. It a sacred job that I don't give to just anyone. Please cherish your new job and love him with every breathe and ounce of your being. He's been loved that way his whole life and knows nothing else. Be each other's best friend and each others priority. Be what only you can be to our sweet boy.

Here is our family picture from September 2014. One day, it will have you in it as well. When you are added in it, you will be our new daughter!

I cannot wait for this new chapter!! Welcome to our family sweet new daughter of mine! I love you.


Love,
Karlee - Your Future Mother-In-Law

Marriage and Little Ones

Maintaining a healthy marriage and little ones, or any kids, for that matter can by trickey. Many times our children take over our lives. That is not necessarily a bad thing, unless we put them above everything else!

That is a crazy last sentence right?! Don't put your kids above everything else. Please keep reading!
Many times, especially new parents, tend to have a baby and that baby becomes the center of everything they do. Which, is not bad, especially at first. This whole baby thing is a hard thing to adjust to! You go from doing anything you want anytime you want to do it, sleeping all night with no interruptions, minimal doctor appointments for most, and using your money on whatever you want to doing hardly any of that! Your money now has to be spent on things like baby clothes, baby supplies, diapers, child care for some, finding babysitters and time to go out, up multiple times a night for months on end, many doctors appointment, and their well being at the forefront of your mind. Your life totally changes, yet in a good way!

After you get the whole parenting thing somewhat down, it is important to take time away from your kids. It is important to nurture your marriage. Don't forget about your spouse! After all, you were married before you had children. You have a partner in crime to do life with and you need that relationship strong. You need to be able to look at each other and know exactly what the other is thinking because your kid is screaming so loud that you cannot hear each other talk. You need to be able to play tag team and help the other out when they are tired and cannot go on anymore. You need to be able to endure the days your spouse is short with you and just plain grumpy because they are tired from endless nights of little sleep and long days at work or with kids.

You see, if you don't nuture your marriage, these things can crumble your marriage to a million pieces. You will no longer view your spouse as your rock and your helper but just someone who doesn't have a clue on how to do anything right with your children. You will see your spouse as selfish and rude when they have bad days instead of offering grace and taking over for them. You will see them as an inadequate spouse and parent because you have only nutured your relationship with your children. Your children will notice too. Their home will not be a happy safe place, but a place of discord.

Don't schedule your life around your child. Let them learn to be flexible. Even at an early age! Believe it or not, it equips them for the future to be flexible! Yes even when they are little! If you run your life around your child, they will grow up to be entitled. They will think that everything revolves around them and should be done according to their wants and needs. After all, it has been that way their entire life. They will not be able to witness what a healthy marriage looks like in good times and in bad. It is okay for them to learn some life lessons and to not have everything their way every time they want it to. They may be upset, but they will be okay. After all, not everything life goes how we want it to. Teach them how to deal with things when they don't go their way. They need to know!

Please don't read something I am not writing. Yes, you need to take your children's needs into account and supply those needs. You need to think about their health and happiness and make sure that those are taken care of. You need to make sure that they are safe and loved. You need to support them and uplift them and look out for their best interest. You need to fight for them and stand up for them when no one else won't. But, you can do all these things without revolving the entire universe around them.

Some important things to do:
1) Still kiss your husband or wife when you get home.
2) Hug them and let them know how happy you are to see them.
3) Talk to them about your day and things other than your children.
4) Go on date nights at least once a month.
5) Do little things for each other.
6) Don't forget what makes the other one happy and do that for them.
7) Pray for your marriage.
8) Pray for your children.
9) Set time apart for time with children and that is their time only!!!
10) Set time apart for you and your spouse and that is yall's time! (After bed works best for those with small children.)
11) Pray with your spouse.
12) KEEP GOD FIRST

Believe me, these simple things will create a healthier marriage, well rounded children, and a loving, healthy home. Most importantly, keep God the center of your marriage and your household. If you let Him direct each and every relationship in your home, it will make all relationships flourish.


Until next time,

Pump, Pump, Pump It Up!

Do you have that cheer going through your head right now like I do after reading that title? No, okay. Maybe it is just me or my many years of cheering. I thought it was a clever title!

This week's post will be able the dreaded pump!! Some people have never experienced this glorious device and some of us have experienced it quite often! I get lots of questions on which ones are the best, how do you efficiently do it, etc.

1. Which pump is the best?
I personally prefer Medela pumps. However, I have only tried Medela and Ameda so I don't have a very large basis. I also like the Ameda, I just prefer the Medela because the suction is stronger and it takes less time when you have a stronger suction. According to Baby Center, the Medela "Pump in Style" (which is the one I have), "Freestyle", "Swing", and "Symphony", and Phillips Avent Comfort Manual pump is the best.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to have a manual pump, ever! Here are some pumps that The Bump suggest:
Best Pump for Working Moms: Medela Pump In Style
Most Affordable Pump: Lansinoh Affinity Pump
Most Convenient Pump: Philips Avent Comfort Pump
Most Comfortable Pump: Dr. Brown's Double Electric Pump
Best Manual Pump: Harmony Breast Pump by Medela
Best Hospital Grade Pump: Ameda Elite
Most Portable Pump: Freemie Freedom
Apparently you can just slide the cups under your bra and still pump with your bra and shirt on with the Freemie! Sounds a little harder than it is worth to me, but who knows!?

2. How often should I pump if I pump exclusively?
If you are pumping exclusively, you need to pump every 2-3 hours when your baby is first born. You should do this for the first few weeks-months. This includes night time!! You usually make the most milk between 1:00 - 5:00 a.m. So these are important! Once your baby starts moving to feeding every 3-4 hours, you can just pump when your baby eats and then feed your baby that milk in a bottle.

3. When should I pump if I am also nursing?
If you are wanting to get some extra milk to save, then pump after feedings. Whatever is left you can store. You can safely store it at room temperature for 3 hours, in a refrigerator for 3 days, in a freezer for 3 months, and in a deep freezer for about 6 months. You can also replace a nursing feed with a bottle of your pumped breast milk. Just pump about 15 minutes before feeding time.

4. How long do I need to pump for?
You should pump for about 15-20 minutes. Even if you are pumping and you think you are done, you can turn the power up a little and induce another "let down". This can help you produce more milk.

5. Does pumping increase my supply?
Yes it can. If you want it to help increase your supply, pump after every feeding for about 10 minutes. This will cause your body to think you need more milk and thus produce more milk.

6. How do I pump and work?
This one can be tricky. First talk to your boss and let them know your situation. This can be awkward but it needs to happen. Then figure out your child's schedule while you are at work. Try to pump at the same time they eat if you can. This will keep you on the same schedule and reduce pumping and bottles at home. When you pump at work, store your milk in a refrigerator or freezer and keep it for feedings for the next day or the future.

Hope this answered some pumping questions! Please feel free to ask any that I did not answer!

Until next time,

Remembering Piper Kay Brawner

In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, I asked my friend Julie Brawner to do a guest post. I met Julie at Deer Creek Camp in 2005. I was a camp counselor and she was the counselor girls leader. I'm not sure if Julie knows how big of an impact she has made in my life! She is such a strong woman of God. She's pretty great to hang out with too! I still ask her for advice and she's always there if I just need someone to talk to. She has willing shared her story and I am honored that she was willing to be a guest writer on my blog. Thank you Julie and love you!

She has also written a book about their journey. It is definitely a must read! The trailer is at the bottom. Check it out!


Hello.  My name is Julie Brawner.  And I have experienced loss.

So often I feel like I should be sitting around a circle and when it's my turn, take that turn and become a part of the group of us.  The AL's.  Those who are Anonymous Loss's. 

My husband and I met in college at Texas A&M University, whoop! We both loved Jesus very much and devoted our lives to honoring Him.  We told Him that when He said go? We would go. When He said wait? We would wait.  When He said "Step out on the water..." and other's said it can't be done, we'd lift our eyes to Him and we would come.

Little did we know our life would be a journey that asked us to give up life.  

Our precious firstborn, Adia Michele, came in 2009.  We were pregnant with our second baby girl in 2011.  We were so excited, had her room all set up and her name sign over her crib.  Piper Kay was about to be born and come home!  My husband was out on scouting (he's a coach) and I went with a friend to my very last doctors appointment...the one where they tell you, "You're dilated to a 5! Let's go!" or "Let's induce!"  Excitingly, I went to the appointment.  As they searched for the heartbeat with that silly little machine, they asked for another because the battery seemed to not be working.  The second one still didn't work so, they decided to send me quickly to do an ultrasound.  I knew...just KNEW...she was ready to come! They'd put me in the hospital to be induced!!!

Yes.  They would.  "You've lost your baby." 

What? What? No. This doesn't happen.  There is NO way.  She is FULL TERM.  This DOES NOT happen. She is alive.  I was here less than a week ago and her heart was beating fine! NO! NO! NOOOO!

In a daze and full of tears and sorrow, I left to call my husband.  "We've lost Piper."

His reaction being the same and on the phone both of us not understanding, "Is this real? What do you mean? She's gone?!?!"  "Yes, she's gone.  She's gone.  She's gone."  

The next morning we went into the hospital to be induced.  By 11 a.m., we were holding a precious, beautiful baby girl named Piper Kay, 6 lbs 12 oz with the most precious fingers and toes, the most beautiful mouth, and a perfectly formed body.  As we held her and loved her and hugged her and sang to her, we knew we had entered a new part of life.  A life of loss.

Piper Kay was born on July 27th, 2011.  We have still not recovered.  We never will recover. We will always be broken and have a scar from this cut that is so deep.  But God walked day by day with us through those hardest of times.  He sat with us, He held us, He loved us, and He carried us.   

Other people played a huge roll in our existence in those hard times.  There are days where we did not know if we could get out of bed to take a step, to breathe a breath, to blink an eye.  For our first born, Adia, we knew we had to.  But without the gracious prayers and the constant love poured out on us by friends and family, we would not have made it.

HOW can you help those who have lost? Don't shy away. Love them by asking the hardest most uncomfortable questions. Try to remember the day of the month they lost and send a text or email or note on that day, every month, and then every year...acknowledging that you haven't forgotten and you remember with them. Don't tell them you understand or that everything will be okay.  Rather admit you don't have the words, cry with them, tell them loss sucks, and tell them you're sorry.  Loss is loss.  It SUCKS.  It always will.  I had a friend who set an alarm every night at the same time and would send me a Bible verse every night for the entire first year after we lost Piper.  We had people from all over the community bring food and help out with meals, which helped tremendously due to the haze we lived in for a while. We had people send checks which helped cover the cost of funeral expenses and such. And then, the brave souls who ventured to sit and visit with us and hug us face to face.  It must have been the hardest thing for them to drive, knock on the door, and enter into our home. But they did. And their bravery meant the world.  We even had friends purchase a tree to be planted in a local park in honor of Piper, a park we took Adia to all the time to swing and laugh and tree-hug.

So often after a loss, people tend to stay away.  It makes us who have lost feel like we have the plague, alienated by the world.  I never blamed those around me for that.  I knew it hurt too bad and that people didn't know what to say.  But it is so comforting when people make the step out of their comfort zone to extend love in time of need.  No matter if you've lost a child through a miscarriage, a stillborn, an abortion, a death after birth...whether you've lost a friend, a sibling, a mother, a father, a grandparent.  Loss is loss.  It cuts deep and wounds forever. There remains a scar until we one day enter those pearly gates and walk those streets of gold in our new bodies. 

For those of us who HAVE lost? Challenge yourself to open that chapter of your life and allow others in.  Tell them your story, share with them your hurt, and cast your burdens out there.  Our Father has given us a family in Him that is not earthly, but Heavenly.  The believers that surround you are there to share your burdens, to cry with you, to laugh with you, and to remember with you.  Let them.  Open up and let them in. If you have kept your hurt in all these years, it is a festering wound that can not heal into a scar.  It will never fully heal--ever.  You will always be marked with loss.  The scar of loss remains, but if you have not allowed others in to remember that life with you? Now is the time. Today is the day.

If you have never lost, remember that every day, people are walking by you with a smile and when you ask them how they're doing, they say, "Fine!"  Little do you know that in the depths of so many people's souls, there is an aching loss that is invisible to the common eye.  We try to hide it and pretend like everything is okay. We try to be like those we see, those who don't walk around with the ringing of loss in their ears or the instantaneous flood of tears that hits when small remembrances pass by.  We try to blend in and be normal, but we can't...because this is our new norm.

But wait.  Wait.  As I peer closer into your eyes, you who seem so normal...sweet friend? I have not taken the time to ask you, but I see it on your face--do you have a scar too?

Hello.  My name is Julie Brawner.  And I have experienced loss.  Want to share scars?

________________________________________________________________________

Watch the trailer for When God Called Piper Home, by Julie Brawner at http://youtu.be/wNx4BpZpC8Q

 Adia treasuring her sister's features

Daddy's girl

Don't Feel Guilty

As Mommy's, we are our own worst critics! There are many reasons we feel guilty. However, for most of them we shouldn't. We should give ourselves a little slack sometimes!

 

Don't Feel Guilty For:

1) Waking up with a child in the middle of the night and just wishing they would go back to sleep.

I see Mommy's say all the time, "My baby woke up at 1 am for a few hours and I just treasured my time with them. Who cares about sleep?" Well, I do! I need my sleep. Not to say there have not been times I have enjoyed rocking my son and watching him sleep in the middle of the night praying over his sweet little soul. Watching your child sleep is SO sweet. But then there are times I feel like a zombie and can barely walk to his room. It is okay if you are tired and just want sleep too!

 

2) Feeding your baby formula.

This is a choice you have to make. Research shows that breast milk is better for your children. However, research also shows that the formula on the market these days is very good as well! Don't let anyone throw you into a guilt trip for this because you can't or don't want to breast feed. I know very healthy, happy formula-fed babies! This is a choice that is totally fine!

 

 

 

3) Letting your kids watch TV.

I do think that your child's TV needs to be limited, but allowing them to watch a little TV is harmless.  Make sure you monitor what they are watching and also encourage exercise and activities. If it is nice outside, go on walks or play in the back yard. If it isn't, encourage activities inside that do not deal with the TV. Make watching TV a privilege and only for certain times.

 

4) Feeding them junk food and not all "organic".
Let's face it, Mac and Cheese taste way better than broccoli! I don't think you should feed your child junk food all the time but it's okay sometimes. As long as they usually get in their fruits, veggies, proteins, dairies, etc., a little junk won't hurt them and will give you a little break. Good alternatives too are buying Whole Grain Mac and Cheese and all Beef/Turkey hot dogs, etc. I know I don't completely rob myself of junk. I eat healthy a majority of the time and sometimes let myself have that sweet or those chips. It is ok for your child too! It is also okay to give yourself a break from stressing out about meal time. Just grab the easy mac and relax!

 

5) Letting other people watch your children.
This can go several different ways. This can be daily for child care. I wrote a blog on What Not to Say to Working Mommies and I address this on number 7. It can also apply to simple things like running an errand or a date night or getting a pedicure. It is okay to do those things! You are not a machine, you are a human. You need breaks as well and to take care of yourself. You and your child will be much happier if you feel taken care of and not spread so thin. I believe the saying is true, "Happy Mama, Happy Life."

 

6) Not being to afford "extras".
It is okay if you cannot give your child tons of "extras" (toys, clothes, activities, etc.). You have to do what is financially stable for your family. Do not compare your life and your family circumstances to someone else's. I guarantee, your child will be happy without that extra coloring book or Mickey toy. They will soon forget. Your child will be happy with a stress free Mama who isn't worried about money. Accept your circumstances and what you can do and just enjoy your little one and your life with them. Sometimes the best things in life are not actual things. Rather they are the smiles, laughs, and moments of pure bliss with your loved ones that could never be replaced by things.

 

 

7) Buying something for ourselves instead of our child.

It is okay to buy that adorable dress for yourself instead of that toy for your little one! You deserve it! You work so hard for your child and it is okay to pamper yourself a little and not to forget about yourself! So go, buy that dress! :) I love this maxi from Target!

 

 

8) Getting frustrated with your child.

It is totally to get frustrated, sad, mad, upset with your child. You are not a robot. You are a human and have feelings girlfriend! It is the way you handle these situations that count. If you are feeling these things, it may be best to remove yourself from the situation if possible, cool down a little so you don't blow a fuse, and then reassess the situation. These feelings are natural! Just make sure you are handling it in an appropriate manner.

 

 

 

9) Enjoying being at work.

It is okay to drop your child off at daycare and be excited to head into your work field! I hope if you have to or choose to work that this is the case. Being happy at the place you spend everyday is very important. It doesn't mean you love your child less, it just means you are able to thrive and enjoy the situations you are put in. That is a great quality!

 

10) Not parenting like other parents.

It can be easy to look at other parents and see how they parent and feel guilty for not doing that with your child. I mean their child was potty trained and in a toddler bed before 2! Yours is in a crib and diapers at 2 1/2. Every child is different, every parent is different, and every family and situation is different. Yours is totally acceptable for you as other families is acceptable for them. Don't compare yourself. You are doing a great job mama just the way you are!

 

 

Don't feel guilty mama! Give yourself some slack. You are not perfect nor does anyone expect you to be!

 

 

(Pictures from google.com)

 

 

Until next time,

 



From Milk to Solids

Transitioning from milk to solids is a fun, exciting, rough, experimental time! Here's a few tips to help the transition.

 

 

1. Doctors recommend you start at 6 months of age, but you can really start anywhere from 4-6 months.

 

2. Ask some questions if you are questioning if they are ready.

A. Can your baby hold his or her head in a steady, upright position?

B. Can your baby sit with support?

C. Is your baby mouthing his/her hands or toys?

D. Is your baby showing interest in what you are eating?

If yes, they are probably ready!

 

 

2. Start with rice cereal. Make a small amount and make it watery. It may seem gross but remember, this is the first time your child has had anything with any consistency but watery.

 

 

3. Take it slow. Try it once a day at first. Do this for a few days and increase it if they like it and are used to it. Continue your breast milk/formula as well.

 

 

4. Resist giving it to them in a bottle. Really try feeding them with a spoon to help them learn the practice of taking bites and swallowing.

 

5. Feed them very small spoonfuls. They need to get used to new textures and swallowing these new textures. As your baby gets used to it, you can make it thicker and offer more.


6. Start to introduce pureed foods (meats, veggies, fruits, etc.) as they master the cereal. I always bought this in Gerber. I did want to make Brody's food, but just did not have the time to do this as a working mom. Just always check the ingredients and make sure what it says it is is the first ingredient, no sugar, and no salt. The fewer the ingredients the better. Gerber is a great option if you can't or don't want to make your babies food.

 

7. About 8-10 months, you can offer very small pieces of "real" chopped up food. Make sure the food is small and easy to chew and swallow. Again, this is a new texture so it may take them some time to get used to it.

 

 

8. Aviod power struggles. If it just isn't working during a meal time, try again later. They will get it!

 

 

 

Hope your transition is easy! Happy eating!

 

 

 

Until next time, 

 

 

 

Bumbo Recall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may or may not have heard by now that Bumbo is doing a voluntary recall of their product. As a mother and owner of a Bumbo, this did concern me a little bit. I decided to research it a little and see what was going on.

 

Reasons for Recall

 

1. There is no safety belt on the previous Bumbo's. Children have been able to wiggle free out of the seat. Because of this, it has caused some injuries to children. The new Bumbo's will have this.

 

2. They are putting a new safety warning sticker on the Bumbo. This sticker is going to say that children should be supervised by parents at all times and that the Bumbo should not be off of the floor. There have been reports of children that were in their bumbo on a raised surface and somehow tipped the Bumbo over and fell. There have also been reports of skull fractures.

 

Are These Safe for My Child?

In all honesty, I believe yes they are. In my opinion, it is common sense to not leave your young child unsupervised on a counter top in a seat. I do understand some of these may have happened while being supervised and it was an accident that just happened. However, almost anything out there for babies to play on, sit in, etc. can be dangerous if not used properly. The same goes with this.  Here are a few tips I have to ensure your child is safe in these.

 

 1. Be present with your child. Never be more than about 1/2 an arms length away.  Don't get busy doing something else and forget your child is in the seat. Children who use these likely cannot sit stably and will wiggle therefore, it creates a possibility of wiggling off a raised surface or toppling over and getting hurt.

 

2. Use only on the ground.These seats are not made to be used on raised surfaces. A knife is used to cut not eat your soup. The same goes with this. Read the labels and use properly.  

 

3. Use the restraint belt. The Bumbo website suggest that you always use this belt now.

 

 

What if I had a Bumbo before they recalled it?
 

1. Request a Repair Kit. You can go here and request a repair kit. The kit includes a new warning sticker and belt. They say it is very easy to install.

 

2. Returns: You cannot return this product as part of this recall.

 

3. Email: Email recall@bumbousa.com  for any questions for concerns you have. You can also call (866) 898-4999.

 

Use common sense and extra precaution when caring for your child and using products! Nothing is safe when used improperly.

 

Information is available on the Bumbo Recall information page. 

 

 

 Until Next time,