Beat the Heat with Summer Reading

This blog for me is an opportunity to record my favorite sites, topics, ideas, and adventures as a mother and homemaker. It makes for easy access when I forget something and makes it easier for me to share my thoughts (not having to repeat it ten times or write 3 emails of the same information). Lately, I've had so many things to post about! I admit that while the two's can be terrible, it's a budding time of learning for mommy and toddler! Now that I have two children, the new learning seems to happen everyday (and the growing pains at least once a week if you know what I mean).
Looking over my list, I realized how silly it will be for me to post in the fall about summer reading. So, while you may not be able to take advantage of all of the ideas below (because half of the summer is over), at least it will be a resource and idea bank for next year's summer reading. Enjoy!

Breastfeeding Fashion

I've been struggling for clothes lately, now that I'm nursing again. Seriously, what did I do for clothes the first time I was nursing?! I feel like everything is uncomfortable to nurse in this summer and I'm dreading when the baby starts pulling at the nursing cover!
I ran across Mod Milk Momma - a site by my college friend, Mandi. So cute! I love her thrift. I love her easy tutorial on making any top to accommodate breastfeeding AND modesty by including a tank underneath! I just bought 10 of the Old Navy tanks for only $20! I'm so excited that the $20 is going to save me A TON in buying nursing clothes! The tutorial looks super easy (even for an intimidated, green seamstress such as myself). It might just help me get over the fear of using that machine ;) Hope you enjoy the site! I'm proud to be a Mod Milk Momma too!

New C-Section Guildelines

I was happy to read this article on C-Section guidelines, referenced on my friend Jenny's blog. I'm grateful that the pendulum is starting to swing the other way. It's scary how much interest groups and national academies, which are set up to actually represent and help differing groups, can actually set up guidelines to hurt them. Be careful with the power you've been given!
I'm grateful the ACOG has more seriously considered the tragic C-Section rate in our country. I'm grateful we have C-Sections (for which my breech, leg behind his head, low heart rate, and one month early water breaking husband would not have been born without). Still think that 1/3 of the United States' women have them is alarming! I'm hoping this policy especially helps so many women who'd like to have a VBAC! What are your thoughts?

Parenting the Terrible Two Year Old

  I've been struggling lately to be a parent to my little 2 1/2 year old boy (Cadence - Cade for short)! I am grateful for this article - "Yes or No? - Parent Choices".
  Cade's favorite book is No, David by David Shannon. I bet you can't guess what kind of parent I am? I learned a lot about myself by reading the article and even more in the coming days as it heightened my awareness of my parenting style.
  In general, it left me reflecting again on how difficult it is to parent.

Whole, Foods, the Whole Truth

Whole Foods, the Whole Truth - a short little show about how to begin making your diet more healthy, including ways to help your children eat more healthy and the the benefits of raw versus cooked foods. Check it out!

Even Bath Time is Educational

Toys R Us a cute little birthday club. Your child can come into the store and get a free balloon and they give you a free $3 to use in the store (plus more, but that's all Cade and I cared about). While there is not a whole lot worthwhile that's $3, I told myself that if I got something about $6 it would at least a half off!


So in March, (though Cade's bday is in January, we didn't end up getting there until the $3 almost expired) Cade and I wandered the store and finally scored this fun little item - soap crayons!