Babywearing

While pregnant with Handsome 3 I felt the need to venture into something new.  With Handsome 1 I researched and took on when the time came, making my own baby food.  I also did the majority of my learning about bottles, caring for baby, etc. then.  While pregnant with Handsome 2 I delved into cloth diapers.  What was I to learn with Handsome 3? 
I found babywearing.  Let me tell you it is a blessing and I wish I had read about it sooner.  I always did wear them to an extent but not as much as I could have because I didn't know much about it at the time and the carrier I was using was not ergonomical so it wasn't comfortable for long periods on me and especially as the boys got passed infant stage.  I wish I had this back for Handsome 1 because he was so fussy and with Handsome 2 because Handsome 2 was and still is such a snuggle bug. 

I have all the major options ring sling, mei tai, soft structured carrier and wrap.  I have not mastered the mei tai, and I haven't attempted the soft structured carrier or wrap yet.  I haven't mastered the ring sling either as Handsome 3 keeps (popping his seat) as they say.  He is one strong boy!  I am getting better though and can wear him comfortably for hours.  I especially like the "gathered" shoulder vs the pleated because with the pleated I can't spread the material across my should and back as much as I like.  Here is my favorite right now:

It is a linen RS and it is so comfy!  I can spread it well across my shoulder and back making him virtually weightless on me.  I love having him close so I can give lots of kisses and it makes going into the doctors and especially grocery shopping so much easier!  No lugging the huge car seat!

I so far have gotten all compliments on this and genuine interest.  I hear from the "babywearing community" that they get a lot of negative comments.  The closest I have gotten is to ask if it,
"is strapped in because how does he stay secure?"  And I also heard someone say, "Look she has her baby in a blanket!  See his feet sticking out".  Those weren't really negative though.  The closest was when someone I know told me that I would be walking funny later from arching my back from all that weight on my front and the kids would ask me why I walked that way."  I thought that one was pretty funny and I assure you my back isn't arched :)

Mostly though I get smiles, comments of how content he looks, asking where I got it, etc.  Not that it matters because it works for us and that is all that matters.

Cousins!

As you know my sister and I were both pregnant.  Originally we were due a week apart and then my due date got moved as you may remember and we were due just a day apart.  We were sure I would go first.  However, my sister ended up going into labor early at what they thought was 37 weeks.  Little Dakota looked and acted much like a full-term baby and had a full-term height and weight so they aren't so sure the due date wasn't off.  With that said, I went into labor earlier than I ever have and had Handsome 3 2 weeks early at 38 weeks.  Thus, he and his precious cousin ended up being exactly two weeks apart. 

Below, the first pic is him meeting his pretty cousin for the first time at just 4 days old (which happened to be her baby shower since she came the week of her planned surprise one!)  The second pic was taken the next day and the third pic was taken when Handsome 3 was just over a month old. 

Aren't they just precious?! 

 

Handsome 3 is on the left in the first two pics and he is on the right in the third one...I have had people ask me that :)

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Bread

Thanks to a dear friend, Maggie, who has embraced gluten-free for Miles and tackled it any time she makes something for our family (always so sweet), I found a site called, "Gluten Free on a Shoestring."  It is run by a Mama who has a child needing to be gluten free and knowing how crazy expensive it was, etc. she started making her own stuff.  There are published books by her now too but her site is free and she often posts recipes.  I have several flagged to try and this was my first one.

 

Handsome 2 and I tackled this one day while Handsome 3 (yes I said Handsome 3...you haven't even seen him yet!) napped thankfully (he is proving to a temperamental one). 

We had a great time.  This crazy kid loved eating the raw bread dough...yuck. The bread was super easy and rose really well (which is sometimes hard to get with gluten free breads).  However, I think I cooked it a tad too long.  It was dry on the inside a little more quickly than I would like.  It also had a unique taste as it is made with yogurt.  Furthermore, it really is more of a bread than a dessert bread consistency (like zucchini or banana bread). 

The bread got a "so-so" from me as I couldn't decide whether I liked it or not.  Handsome 2 ate it but didn't ask for seconds and Hubby said, "I would eat it again." 

Will this go into my book of recipes?  I don't think so but it was still good, easy and fun to make.  If I had to give it "stars" for a rating, out of 5 stars I would give it 3.

Next up is a cabbage stir fry.  I also have a wonton soup and monkey bread flagged.  I am trying to do a new recipe a week.  I want to try so many but I get bogged down doing too many at once and lets face it, groceries are expensive (and getting more expensive) so I can really only afford the extra once a week.

Stay tuned for more of my GF cooking adventures.  If you should want this recipe to try, let me know and I will be sure to get it to you. 

Hello?

Is anyone still here?

I am here!

I know it has been a while.  I kind of slowly stopped coming here as my pregnancy progressed and things got harder.  We also moved into our home, which is STILL under construction.  And now, I have a newborn who is quite the temperamental one and one who doesn't sleep much either and that makes getting on the computer harder. I finally got on just long enough the other day to upload over 300 photos! Yep, that is how long it has been. 

I do want to get back to it though.  I know I keep saying that but I do.  I don't keep baby books, etc. so this I my journal.  My way to keep memories.  I have enjoyed each pregnancy looking back to compare to the last.  I love looking back as my boys grow and comparing one to the other at that age because then, they actually look somewhat a like to me at times.  I DO want to come back.  I just need to MAKE the time.  Just as I need to make the time to exercise, eat right and heck, yes even make the time to shower! 

Yesterday I took the time to paint my toes and that felt  so good.  It is the little things you know?  For now though my moment to throw a load of laundry in and sneak on here has ended...little man is crying...again. 

I will be back...eventually.

why I didn’t want to pull up my bootstraps anymore

Life is busy right now.  Little brother is here and life seems to be piling it on.  Nothing major.  Just a lot.  This post spoke to me so I thought I would share. 



why I didn’t want to pull up my bootstraps anymore



I am here dear friends and if I can get a moment, I will be back.  I want to be back.  I need to be back.  I will get back.  Patience....