Those Days

 

You know those days . . .

 

Those days that start with your alarm going off at 5:30am but a minute after you reset it for 6:00am your child wakes up.

 

Those days where the routine is out of wack and your child is clingy and doesn't want to play in his crib like usual.

 

Those days where you have to wake up your grumpy husband to watch the grumpy baby so you can take a quick 3 minute shower.

 

Those days where you're trying your hardest to quickly get ready but continue to be interrupted because you have to remove the child from playing in the toilet and then bribe him with animal crackers every 5 seconds so he stays away from the toilet.

 

Those days where you are getting lunch ready for all members of the household, starting laundry, and emptying the trash all before the daylight breaks.

 

Those days when the dog snatches the bread out of your hand at the same time the child throws his head back hitting you in the face during his attempt at a fit.

 

Unfortunately, it's been one of those days - and this mom lost it.

 

Upon arriving at working and reading my devotions in my inbox, I was quickly reminded of a verse in Philippians 2 (14-15) :

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

 

We need to remember that when we have days like those days, God's grace is all we need. Even though we are completely undeserving, God's love and kindness reaches down to us through Christ.

For this I am so thankful.  

 

Recipe: No-Bakes {Lactation Style}

If you turn to Pinterest for lactation promoting recipes - you will come across tons of different options to help get your juices flowin'. You will find more then enough different variations of cookies/brownies/baked goods that incorporate these 3 magical ingredients: fenugreek, brewers yeast and flaxseed. 

I kept coming across the oh so simple no-bake cookie lactation recipe. Luckily, I make some pretty mean no-bakes and I figured I would incorporate the three ingredients into my recipe. 

1. In a saucepan - boil sugar/cocoa/butter/milk to boil for 1 minute
2. Take off heat and stir in pb/vanilla

2. Once combined, add liquid mixture to oatmeal/flaxseed meal/brewer's yeast/fenugreek and mix 

3. Spoon onto wax paper and let cool 

TIPS

*brewer's yeast is different than baker's yeast 

*flaxseed meal or ground flaxseed will work

*both brewer's yeast and flaxseed meal can be found at your local health food store 
(but I also found flaxseed meal at Dillons)

*I used the fenugreek supplement capsules and opened them up to create 2 TBSP
(about 1/3 of the bottle) 

This is a super simple recipe that is deadly because it's so delicious! I'm sure you could add these 3 magical ingredients to just about anything - but what's the fun in it if they aren't sweet? Next time around I'm going to double the recipe just because I can and because I know I'll eat them. 

I've been chowing down on these the past few days (usually 1 cookie an hour or so before I pump) and I've seen an oz or two difference overall in what I'm pumping at work. It's not much but I'll take whatever extra I can get! 

I'd love to hear if you have success with this recipe or if you've tried any others! 

PS - If you don't want to make the cookies but still want to produce more milk, I was recommended by Kingston's Dr - A Mother's Love supplement. It's a combination of blessed thistle and fenugreek. 

PSS - If you make some cookies using the recipe above - you might as well finish off the fenugreek using the recommended dosage on the bottle.   

Encouraging Words

Today I am so thankful for encouraging words. 

I was able to see first hand how a few simple words can really brighten someones day. 

" Oh Tiffany ... God makes all kinds of mommas, and God made you awesome! You have heart, brains, and beauty... you are artsy/crafty, you have made organization skills ... :) and you are helping to support your family. Kingston will grow up with an appreciation for everything you do, which will translate into him having respect for women because he has had a terrific example in you. Whether you work outside the home or stay home full time, you are a fabulous mom! "

These words brought tears to my eyes today when I read them. Happy tears. Tears of appreciation. So many times in the last 4 months I have second guessed so many things, felt guilty more times than I can count, but done everything in my power to be the best mom I can be. I know God made me to be a mom and I am so thankful. I'm even more thankful though that others can see that too. 

After experiencing how a few simple words can totally change someones day - my goal is to encourage others more. Just a few words to let them know that they are doing a good job. 

We should all try it. This world needs more encouragement. 

I'm Just Me

Everyone loves to give labels to anything they can these days. Since becoming a mother though, I've noticed there is a crazy amount of motherhood labeling out there.

 You're a 'crunchy' mom if you cloth diaper or nurse on demand. 

You're a frugal mom if you coupon and use hand me downs.

You're a trendy mom if you make your own baby food and teach your kiddo sign language. 

You're an attachment mom if you co-sleep and baby wear. 

You're a strict mom if you have rules and a relaxed mom if you want to be their friend. 

I understand that labels are important to people because it lets us know where we fit in and in what category, but please know - I'm just me. A little bit of every kind of mom. I can't classify myself as any one 'type' of mom. In the three short months that I've been a mother, I'm trying all that interests me and sticking with what works.

 I cloth diaper because I love that it saves me money and that I'm saving Kingston's hiney from chemicals all day every day. I plan to teach Kingston sign language because I'd love to better communicate with him way before he's able to verbalize things. I also plan to make his baby food. I cook for our family so why would I not cook for him too? Plus, I got a baby bullet at my shower and I'm positive it will be fun coming up with pureed combinations for him! I also just purchased a ring sling because there are times I don't want to push around the stroller or lug the heavy car seat. You also better believe there will be rules in our house and probably spanks too.

I guess that classifies me as a crunch, trendy, attachment, strict mom.

Umm ... no. Please don't call me any of those things because. I'm nothing more then just me - a mom. I may be doing things different from others but we are all doing the same thing. Mothering. Taking care of our babies the best way possible. 

Give up the labels ladies. 

Linking up with Leslyn.

Pregnancy/Parenting = Scary

For as long as I can remember, I have always longed to be a mother. More specifically a stay at home wife and mother. I'm great at working and I'm really good at my job, but ultimately I want to be the best at running my home and a family. Danielle at Butler Party of 3 wrote an awesome post about this the other day and after reading all the comments posted - it makes my heart happy to know that so many other women feel the same way. 

 As soon as I found out that I was pregnant things got really scary. For first time moms, you have not a clue of what to expect or what is normal. With every feeling and every symptom you are turning to google to see if it's 'normal'. After waiting so long and having prayed so hard for this blessing, the last thing you want is to lose it.  What I've learned is that the unknown is super scary and we shouldn't turn to google but to prayer.  

As the weeks pass by and the first trimester slips away, things get a little less scary. This is when you start thinking about all aspirations and goals you want to have as a mother: solely breast feeding, cloth diapers, homemade baby food - you know all the things the 'supermoms' do. 

The more I think about it, this is a whole different type of scary! There are so many options and these are such big decisions. That's the good and bad thing about parenting - you have so many choices - too many choices. I feel like all my time should be spent researching .. but even then how do you know your child is going to like what you choose? 

Those fears are during pregnancy ... then comes parenting. Teaching and shaping your child so they are successful in life... oh em gee. Then I can't even imagine how scary it'll be when your child starts driving. 

Basically I've come to the conclusion that I will be living the next 20 years of my life in fear. I never thought this would be the top emotion I'd have as a soon to be mother. 
 How do you cope?