So, I suck at blogging

I realized today that I forgot I even had a blog.  I mean I didn't totally forget but my blog hasn't crossed my mind in a week or so.

What can I say?

I've been busy. 

Everything used to always have to be in its own place in our house.  I've given up on that.  Our living room is full of baby stuff.  And I've learned to be somewhat okay with that.  And sometimes, there is even laundry that needs folded.  Gasp!

I've been busy at work. 

School started last night.  I'm taking "Federal Tax Accounting."  What a snoozefest!   It's rough!  And last night was only night #1.  I dropped my other class because I didn't want to pay for it.  I'm actually going to fill out my FSFA again this year.  (Haven't even bothered the last two years.)  Maybe now that we have a little dependent, I can get some kind of grant.  Unfortunately, when you work and are married, you don't get any assistance.  Kinda of assbackwards if you ask me. (No offense to anyone, I just think it's crap.) I get the pleasure of paying $500 to $1000 every semester so that I can be free of student loans.  Enough with that rant..... 

Aubri will be 4 months old this week.  And we are having her Christening this weekend.  Outside.  At a park.  By the hippie that married us.  Guess, how much I care that people are talking shit about the way we are doing it?  Not one damn bit.  She's our child and we are entitled to do her Christening however we want, wherever we want, and whenever we want.  Same applies to how we plan on raising her.

So, we've been trying to get ready for that.  Getting food, plates, cups, stuff like that without going overboard.  I mean does it really matter if the napkins are cute or if they are just regular napkins.  I don't think so.

And I get to wake up to this little face.  That keeps me busy.  You know, spoiling her.

She is absolutely without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to us.  There is nothing that I wouldn't do for her. 

Happy Little Scamper

Last weekend we took little Peanut camping.  The weather was perfect.  There was a "no burn" order but that didn't stop us from having a good time.  Hopefully, now that the weather is nicer, we can start camping more.

Aubri got spoiled while we were camping. You know, because she never gets spoiled any other time.

Her you're-not-really-gonna-make-me-sit-in-this-bumbo-seat face.

Family picture time!

At three and a half months old, she can already rock a hoodie.

Uncle Lyle camped with us too.

Playing in Grandma's camper.

By next year, we would like to sell our camper.  We need a bigger one.  She needs more stuff for camping than Matt and I do combined.

Hope you are all having a great week!

Prenatal Nutrition

Nothing gets a woman thinking about her nutrition like when she is pregnant. When a woman is carrying a child, she knows that she is responsible for that child's nutrition and development and wants to ensure that the baby is getting everything it needs to develop and grow properly. The nutrient needs of a mother can vary from woman to woman and it’s important to speak to a doctor about what is best. Just like the doctor will give advice on diet they will also be a great resource on other pregnancy and delivery related topics like exercise, cord blood banking, circumcision, and pain management medicine.

Anything from prior pregnancy weight to special dietary needs or even food allergies can affect the nutrients each woman needs during pregnancy. It is important to evaluate those dietary needs and establish a healthy meal plan to make sure that the baby and mother are getting everything they need.

Some of the most important nutrients needed during pregnancy are: Protein, folic acid, additional nutrients, calcium, micro-nutrients (especially iron). Women commonly experience cravings during pregnancy. Often times a woman craves food high in the nutrients that she is lacking, strangely enough these cravings are usually for unhealthy items. Thankfully, there is a food serving guideline that is in place to assist women in monitoring their daily intake of food and to help monitor cravings. The recommendations are as following: 6-11 servings of bread and cereals, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-4 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of protein or protein alternatives (6-9 oz per day), 2-3 servings of dairy, and 8+ large 6 oz glasses of water.

During pregnancy most women find themselves overwhelmed with questions regarding proper nutrition and aren't sure where to go. A woman should speak to her doctor about what she should be eating as well as maintain a few dietary references to refer to help educate herself and gain reassurance that she is doing everything she can to provide her growing baby the proper nutrition he needs.

There are many recipes out there that are ideal for women during pregnancy looking to infuse their diets with nutrient-rich ingredients. A great recipe to enjoy during pregnancy is Vietnamese Chicken Salad. The salad can be enjoyed as a meal or a snack and work great during lunch or dinner. Chicken is a fantastic protein option that is needed for tissue development of the baby.

Vietnamese Chicken Salad

*Ingredients

For the dressing:
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon distilled vinegar
2 tablespoons fish sauce (a salty condiment used to flavor foods in Southeast Asian cuisine. Use more or less depending on your taste.)
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
For the chicken:
2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
1 small onion, roughly chopped
1 small carrot, roughly chopped
1 chunk ginger root, peeled, approximately 1-by-2 inches
1 Serrano chili, sliced in half lengthwise
5 garlic cloves, whole and peeled
2 tablespoons soy sauce
10 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

For the salad:
1 pound head savoy or Napa cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 cup chopped scallions, green parts only
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
1/4 cup loosely packed mint leaves
2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped

*Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients and set aside.

2. For chicken, place 2 quarts water in a medium saucepan on high heat and add celery, onion, carrot, ginger, chili, garlic, soy sauce, cloves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and continue cooking uncovered for 5 minutes. Carefully add chicken breasts to saucepan, cover and cook on low for 15 to 20 minutes—until chicken is tender. Strain broth and reserve for another use. Discard vegetables and set chicken aside and let cool.

3. To prepare the salad, shred the chicken into bite-size pieces with your hands. In a large bowl, toss cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro and mint leaves. Place on serving platter and mound chicken on top. Drizzle with dressing and garnish with roasted peanuts.

Remember to do what your doctor recommends is best for you, you will feel better and be less stressed as you prepare for your baby to be born. Have fun with it!

“Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26.”

SALE!

My mom is having a sale on all of her in-stock items until Monday. She makes handmade baby blankets, tag blankets, burp clothes, books, and most recently, an item called a "Tummy Soother." A tummy soother is a basically an herbal heat pack for babies. Aubri uses hers in the evenings when she gets a little grouchy.

So, go check out her facebook page and etsy site and use the code 10STITCH at check out to receive 10% off.  

If you see something you like on facebook that is not listed on etsy either let me know or message her via facebook and we will list it on etsy.

Here are some of my current favorites:

There is also an album on the facebook page titled "Gift Sets."  A gift set comes with a 36"x44" double flannel blanket, tag blanket, and two matching burp clothes.

And here is Aubri with her favorite tag blanket and matching tummy soother. 

And feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

Have a great weekend!

Only Child

Chances are Aubria will be our only child.  

Matt and I feel like we were extremely lucky to be blessed with her.  She's perfect.  (I know everyone thinks that.)  But she really is.  She was born a 10 on the Apgar (whatever it's called) scale.  We could not have gotten a better child.  There is not one day that goes by that we don't tell her how good she is and how pretty she is.

She gets a little grouchy in the evenings but besides that, we have no problems with her.  Sometimes she sleeps all night.  And she can usually entertain herself, if need be.  She doesn't have to have a special formula or diaper.

We tried to get pregnant for 3 years and had one miscarriage before I was pregnant with Aubri.  Neither one of us want to go through that again.  Also, being pregnant was no walk in the park for either one of us.

Matt and I are 30 years old.  Now granted, we are not 50 and still possibly capable of producing more children but we are no spring chickens.

Not to mention, kids are expensive.  We are doing fine being able to afford everything our sweet baby girl could ever need or want.  Probably even some stuff that she doesn't need or want.  And we want to be able to do exactly that, give her everything she wants.  If we had another child, we might not be able to do that. 

I'm not saying that people should only have as many kids as they can afford to spoil, but that's what we are doing.  

The problem is that people are always making comments.  "When are you having another kid?"  "Oh, you have to have more."  "She'll want brothers and sisters."

I don't think anyone else is entitled to make that decision for us.  

We have talked about it.  We've made up our minds.  We have a perfect little angel to spoil and we are happy with our family.

Now, how do I politely tell people to drop it?

3 months

Our little Aubria turned three months old on Monday.   Since we've brought her home from the hospital she's grown into such a little character. 

She loves to smile.  And giggle.  She always wakes up happy.

She's a die-hard Cardinals fan.

She likes to take naps with Daddy on the couch.

She loves her tag blankets that Grandma made for her.  

And she apparently knows how to flip the bird.

She sits in her big girl high chair while we eat sometimes.

Her arm is too fast for any camera to catch.

She likes to sit in her walker and look at her toys.

She took a nap in her crib... once.

She is wearing mostly size 0-3 but wears 3-6 month sleepers.

She wears a size 2 diaper.

I have no idea how much she weights.  Maybe 14 pounds.

She still sleeps in our room in her Rock n Play.

She just started sleeping all night.  Like, as in, from 9:30 to 6:30.  It's a beautiful thing. 

She tries to roll over but can't yet.

She loves her baby gym and loves to kick her legs.

She loves Mommy and Daddy. ;)

She likes bath time.

She likes to be snuggled before bed.

She likes books.

She thinks the dogs are nuts.  And her Mommy and Daddy.

She prefers to wear socks.

I don't even really remember what life was like before she came.  What did we do?

We wouldn't trade her for anything.