...I am not going to lie, my baby fever is resurfacing again. It doesn't make any easier that I see pregnant ladies come into work all the time and admire their perfectly sculpted bellies. But...it seems like whenever my baby fever gets a little out of control, God puts me in check and tells me that I am not ready yet. For some reason, the past few times I have had it bad, I have gotten sick. Nothing like having flashbacks to 1st trimester pregnancy. As much as it was manageable when I was pregnant with Lauren, there is no way that I could take care of my little vivacious girl while struggling through 16 weeks of nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, etc. etc...The other thing that is really holding me back is breastfeeding. A lot of women are able to conceive when they are breastfeeding so that isn't the issue, it is the changes that scare me. Your breastmilk changes when you become pregnant to prepare for the new baby and a lot of women struggle with a low supply as well. I do not want to force Lauren to wean because of my breastmilk changes and really want her to continue to nurse...such a dilemma. I wish it was much easier...
If you have never met my little crazy Lauren...here is just a glimpse of the sticky situations she has gotten herself in lately...
getting stuck under the chaise lounge
I had the laundry out in the living room and she put one of Kyle's shirts on her head and then couldn't get out...
Grandma Cindy 'bought' Lauren this bow over the telephone the other day when I was at the Farmer's Market and saw it. Of course when I mentioned that I saw a monkey bow she told me that I had to grab it.
...that is how far I ran this morning. I was quite impressed with myself considering my goal was two minutes. When I made it that far I thought that 5 minutes would be nice and slowly extended my goal back to the house. I think I got about a mile in but need to double check on the map. I was equally impressed that my thighs did not rub together once nor did my underwear catch on fire.
I have been meaning to post pictures of my little orphan Lauren but haven't gotten around it and thought the time presented itself nicely after my friend, Jessie, wrote a blog post about not being perfect. So often I post pretty little pictures of my little tazmania devil without posting what she looks like most days...covered in dirt from crawling everywhere (the floor, basement, Target, the bank, outside, you get the drift). She has starting head-butting and bucking when she wants down and to refrain from getting a black-eye, I usually cave in to her autonomous desires. Needless to say, we have been frequenting the bathtub a lot lately.
I am signing up to participate in my first 5K run (on Lauren's b-day)! I know...3+ miles is not a long distance and shouldn't be difficult, let alone something that is "blog-worthy", but I am NOT a runner. My excuse of my underwear catching on fire due to my thighs rubbing together isn't going to work anymore...I am forcing myself to complete this!
For all you runners out there, I need advice! Especially those with little ones at home, do you find it better to get your run done in the morning or after bedtime? My sister-in-law, Amanda, gave me a great 8 week training program to follow that I plan on starting on Monday...ugh!
Speaking of exercising...Kyle might want to lose some weight...obviously the chair couldn't withstand him (haha!). Thankfully he was holding Lauren and didn't smush her under the chair!
Most parents would probably freak out if they witnessed this from their window...I just grabbed the camera!Note the perfect toe point. I have a feeling she is going to be a dancer or a gymnast like her mommy.
Don't mind our jungle in the 'sideyard'. This was after we took out tons of weeds and shrubs. I guess that is what happens when no one has lived in the house for two years.
Just in case you are wondering what Miss Lauren has been up to lately...
-She crawls REALLY fast. -She can stand up by herself and cruise along furniture but hasn't really tried to take any steps on her own. I have a feeling one day she will just start running around! -She has three teeth on the top, three on the bottom, and one more coming in on the bottom now. -She says simple words like: mama, hubba (Kyle), na-na (breastfeeding), and she loves making other noises. We think she might be starting to sign a little back to us: all done and eat. She understands many signs though. -She eats table scraps and LOVES to eat everything, including onion that I gave her last night... -I do not foresee her weaning anytime soon. She nurses about every 2-3 hours during the day if I am home and anywhere from 1-3 times at night depending on if I was home during the day. Her nursing sessions only last 5-10 minutes max. because of course she has too many things in life to do. -We are still co-sleeping and she usually goes to bed around 8-9pm depending on what we are doing that night and will rise in the morning between 6-7am.
I forgot to mention her 9 month stats although she is now 10 months old: 18lbs. 2oz. 28 inches long 17.5 in. head circumference
After Lauren ate massive amounts of watermelon (see post below), we decided it was time for a tubby. Unfortunately it has been rather hot here lately so it was fitting to bring her little tubby outside for some 'pool time'. She seemed to enjoy herself:
She is so full of energy!
She loves to stand in the tub which makes me rather nervous when we are inside.
I had to work so I loaded up the backpack with blankets, cheerios, water, and diapers for Kyle instructing him to take lots of pictures! We had to take a picture next to the new artwork on the wall first though. My grandma Lubinus found this piece of Chicago's lakefront from A LONG time ago. It is neat to see the progression of buildings. (The picture isn't crooked either, it is the angle of the camera) On the stroller ride to the parade. What a perk of living in the downtown area! Sipping some water on the hot morning. She has two bottom teeth, two top teeth, and one on the bottom left and top left coming in...
Watching the Parade. Kyle said she only got scared of the fire trucks.
All tuckered out...I have an identical picture from when I was this age!
Thanks to all our servicemen/women who fight everyday for our continued freedom! We are truly blessed to be able to live in freedom and safety everyday.
My cousin Linsey got hitched this past weekend. Although I haven't seen her in ages, it was one of those weddings that makes you cry and have flashbacks to our own big day.
I had the privilege of doing her make-up so I got a behind-the-scenes look at all the preparations and excitement. Attending David and Linsey's wedding reminded me that I have a daughter who will possibly one day walk down the aisle herself....ugh! So much about their relationship, integrity, discipline, and love for one another started deep conversations with myself about the values that I want to instill in Lauren.
For starters, Linsey and David waited until they were married to kiss!!! Can you believe it, four years of courting...that is discipline! These two honored their bodies and the institution of marriage so much that they wanted to remain completely pure until their big day. Although Kyle and I waited until our wedding night to have sex, we must certainly kissed on our 4th date!
Not only did they wait until their wedding day to kiss, but they decided not to see each other until the wedding. That meant no pictures together before the ceremony. While everyone was checking out the bride as she marched down the aisle, I was busy snapping pictures of the groom. I just love this picture of David trying to peek around all the people and see his bride. There was so much love, respect, and Godliness in this marriage. I can only hope that I can instill values, morals, and respect in Lauren that she will want to honor her body, her future husband, and God and wait until her wedding day to have sex.
Congrats David and Linsey on your new marriage and for being great role-models and examples of a Godly Christian marriage. It isn't often that I look at newlyweds for advice on my own marriage!
Last week (June 16) Kyle and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was much different than the past two with a child in tow but fun nonetheless. She was even gracious enough to sleep through our fancy dinner at a restaurant so we could actually enjoy our food and one another. Each year we celebrate our anniversaries with the traditional themed gifts. The first year being paper (books and tickets to the Blue Man Group), the second was cotton (a baby sling and new pillows) and this year being leather. Now before you come to any conclusions about leather gifts to one another on your wedding anniversary...I received some leather portfolios and business card holders that I have been wanting and Kyle a new leather office chair; for neither of us being employed full-time we sound like quite the professionals!
Oh yeah...I guess I have failed to mention that Kyle quit his job a few weeks ago. He has been staying home with Lauren while I picked up some extra shifts at the cloth diaper shop. To make a really long story short, Kyle wasn't happy there and some poor management and dishonesty was occurring so it was best for him to step away and look elsewhere. Hopefully he will be up and working again here shortly or else I can continue to call him Mr. Mom.
We also celebrated Kyle's first Father's Day yesterday. This weekend we worked at a fair near the city for Yoreganics and Comfy Bummy Diapers (the shop I work at) so we didn't really get to celebrate much. We are going grocery shopping later today for his present....yep, I said grocery shopping...I figured we could spend a little extra grocery money this month and buy some things that we usually don't, i.e. macaroni and cheese and frozen pizza. Lauren truly loves her 'hubba' and I know that he is going to have a hard time telling her 'no' as she gets older....except when it comes to dating!
Here is our bathroom remodel. I was convinced it was going to be blue but obviously didn't go with that plan...
BEFORE
massive pink vanity, pink toilet with wood lid, white walls, toilet paper holder in odd spot AFTER pedestal sink, high efficiency toilet- white toilet, yellow walls, moved tp holder, painted window
I like it now...much more light, spacious, and airy!
We participated in the Avon Walk for Breast this past weekend and had a blast. There are definitely times that are difficult, boring, mentally frustrating, and physically exhausting but so worth it knowing that we are raising awareness about breast cancer.I know we have mentioned this before, but each participant is required to raise $1800.00. They have two months after the event is over to raise all their funds. If you have yet to donate and would like to contribute financially, click on the links below. The online donating process is super simple and your contributions are tax-deductible.
I had the laundry out in the living room and she put one of Kyle's shirts on her head and then couldn't get out...
Note the perfect toe point.
Don't mind our jungle in the 'sideyard'. This was after we took out tons of weeds and shrubs. I guess that is what happens when no one has lived in the house for two years.
Just in case you are wondering what Miss Lauren has been up to lately...
She is so full of energy!
She loves to stand in the tub which makes me rather nervous when we are inside.
She thought that it was pretty cool!
I had to work so I loaded up the backpack with blankets, cheerios, water, and diapers for Kyle instructing him to take lots of pictures! We had to take a picture next to the new artwork on the wall first though. My grandma Lubinus found this piece of Chicago's lakefront from A LONG time ago. It is neat to see the progression of buildings. (The picture isn't crooked either, it is the angle of the camera)
On the stroller ride to the parade. What a perk of living in the downtown area!
Sipping some water on the hot morning.
She has two bottom teeth, two top teeth, and one on the bottom left and top left coming in...
Watching the Parade. Kyle said she only got scared of the fire trucks.
All tuckered out...I have an identical picture from when I was this age!
Thanks to all our servicemen/women who fight everyday for our continued freedom! We are truly blessed to be able to live in freedom and safety everyday.
I can only hope that I can instill values, morals, and respect in Lauren that she will want to honor her body, her future husband, and God and wait until her wedding day to have sex.
Each year we celebrate our anniversaries with the traditional themed gifts. The first year being paper (books and tickets to the Blue Man Group), the second was cotton (a baby sling and new pillows) and this year being leather. Now before you come to any conclusions about leather gifts to one another on your wedding anniversary...I received some leather portfolios and business card holders that I have been wanting and Kyle a new leather office chair; for neither of us being employed full-time we sound like quite the professionals!
Lauren truly loves her 'hubba' and I know that he is going to have a hard time telling her 'no' as she gets older....except when it comes to dating!
massive pink vanity, pink toilet with wood lid, white walls, toilet paper holder in odd spot
AFTER
I like it now...much more light, spacious, and airy!
I know we have mentioned this before, but each participant is required to raise $1800.00. They have two months after the event is over to raise all their funds. If you have yet to donate and would like to contribute financially, click on the links below. The online donating process is super simple and your contributions are tax-deductible.
