Friday, August 31, 2012

Around The Web


Happy Friday, hope everyone has a wonderful 3 day weekend!

Here's what I've been loving around the internet this week:

:: This post about lead poising is must read for all parents.
:: I love this post from Margaux about the importance of capturing those sweet breastfeeding moments in pictures. As a nursing Mama I couldn't agree with her more!
:: Lately we have been struggling with stinky cloth diapers so this video from Katie on how to strip your diapers has been so helpful.
:: This organic onesie I found on Etsy is so adorable, I wish they made one is Chloe's size!
:: I love everything about this beautiful blog.
:: This blog post from Courtney is incredibly heartfelt and honest as she opens up about being a cancer survivor.
:: Leslie and Heidi from the blog The ( Breastfeeding ) Initiative are currently looking for breastfeeding mama's who want to share their breastfeeding journey in their weekly feature Mama Stories. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in being apart of email Leslie and Heidi at weheartbf@gmail.com.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Chloe Eats: Dinner

Her "too spicy" face, poor girl.

Mike had to work late yesterday so for dinner I wanted to make something that was easy and fast, nachos with everything on them.

Here's what I used:

:: Organic ground turkey
:: Organic yellow corn tortilla chips
:: Mexican cheese blend
:: Very mild salsa
:: Taco seasoning
:: Spanish rice
:: Avocado
:: Sliced black olives

I was able to get everything I needed for this meal at my local Trader Joe's. It was so easy to make and tasted delicious! The only problem I had was that the taco seasoning I got was very spicy and Chloe absolutely hated it! I tried to mix everything together to see if that would make it less spicy for her but unfortunately it didn't work so Chloe ate everything but the ground turkey.

I will definitely be making this meal again but next time I will use mild taco seasoning or just make my own seasoning to use instead.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Dear Chloe: 10 Cool Things About You Now


To my dear Chloe,

Thank you for filling our life with so much love, joy, and sunshine! You are truly a gift and blessing to your Daddy and I.  Please don't ever, ever forget that!

here are 10 cool things about you right now:

:: You love to play dress up and wear jewelry and sunglasses. It's so much fun dressing you up in silly outfits!
:: You say hi and bye bye while waving at the exact right times!
:: You can give a high five.
:: You love to run around the house and will crack up hysterically when we or Ozzy chase you.
:: You have the best dance moves ever, seriously your way too cute! I'm going to have to take a video of you dancing sometime soon to show you.
:: You love to smell things like shoes, socks, people and chairs and scrunch up your nose and pretend like everything is stinky, you do this all the time now!
:: Your officially able to climb up on chairs, the couch, and the piano bench. This is fun for you but not so fun for Mommy and Daddy!
:: Squinting is your new favorite facial expression to make.
:: You are still extremely outgoing and always seem to put a smile on everyone's face!
:: The older you get the more you love to be snuggled and held in our arms. Holding you close is the best feeling in the whole wide world my dear.

We love you so very much Chloe

Mama

Monday, August 27, 2012

My Grandma's Birthday


Yesterday we spent the evening at my uncle's house to celebrate my beautiful Grandma's birthday. We had such a fun night filled with good food, laughter, and cousins. I feel so blessed to be living in Chicago again with my family. To be there yesterday to celebrate the most, amazing, beautiful woman on her birthday makes my heart fill with so much love and joy!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

The Only Way To Sleep


You do know the the only way to sleep is with your butt in the air right?!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

On Writing

Image Source

Each morning after I put Chloe down for her nap, and the dishes from breakfast are cleared and put away I sit down at my computer with every intention to write something for this blog of mine. As of lately though writing anything with substance has been a real struggle for me. This happens from time to time but eventually I always make it through, but this time it feels so much more harder to get out of this funk.

There have been so many post I've planned to write that just simply haven't happened. For example, I wanted to write a post about living with family, an update on breastfeeding, Chloe's birth story, life updates, and so many more. It's beyond frustrating to me to have all these ideas and words buzzing around in my head all day long but then not being able to form them into complete thoughts and paragraphs.

Can anyone relate?

If so here are a few questions I have.

-- When do you sit down to blog?
-- Do you schedule your post's?
-- What helps you write?
-- What sort of post's do you enjoy to write?
-- Do you ever get writers block? If so how do you move past it?
-- Do you ever jot down notes for a post in a notebook or piece of paper?

If you have any advice you'd like to share I would greatly appreciate it!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sweet August Days


Yesterday the weather was absolutely perfect here in Chicago, so Chloe and I spent the afternoon at our favorite local park. I wish I could describe just how beautiful this park really is. Since I can remember it's always been a favorite of mine. I love taking Chloe there to run wild and free with the warm sun against her face. These are memories I never want to forget, spending all my days with my sweet baby girl.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

These Are The Days

This poem is so very sweet and has reminded me just how special and beautiful breastfeeding my daughter is to me. 

Mother's Love

These are the days of laughter and love
smiling faced cherubim sent from above
snuggled at my breast full of warmth and rest
brings meaning and purpose fulling destiny
creating, nurturing the solar plexus
of radiant energy transformed
in your smile.

- Charisse Goodyear

Monday, August 20, 2012

Good Music: Grouplove

Happy Monday, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Today I'm featuring one of my favorite bands right now, GROUPLOVE.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

14 Months Old

Yesterday my sweet Chloe turned 14 months old, ahh how can this be!


She is growing much, much too fast these day's, it's so exciting watching her blossom and grow but at the same time it also fills my heart with a little bit of sadness. I just never knew how quickly she would grow, how fast those sweet baby days would fly by.

I am absolutely loving this fun new toddler stage we are at, though I'm not going to lie is also a bit challenging at times. Chloe has the most infectious smile and laugh I have ever seen and her personality is so bright and vibrant. Chloe is strong willed, stubborn, independent and wild and I love all those things about her!



Here's whats new with Chloe:


:: Chloe has been obsessed with taking baths and playing in the water lately which is amazing since not too long ago Chloe went through a phase of being scared to sit down in the bath tub.
:: She is getting better and better at running!
:: Chloe loves peek a boo and being chased around the house.
:: Chloe likes to scream at the top of her lungs no matter where we are if she does not get her way. This is not fun!
:: She loves, loves, loves music and watching music videos!
:: Chloe loves playing dress up! She will put my clothes on and even try to wear my shoes.
:: She loves to pretend she's talking on the phone or have us pretend we're talking on the phone.
:: Chloe is learning more signs but still mostly does "more" and "all done".
:: She calls her Aunt Becky "baba", and she also calls banana's "baba".
:: Chloe gets so excited when her Daddy gets home from work!
:: Chloe is pretty good at playing independently with her toys for a little while.
:: Overall Chloe seems to be "getting things" so much more these days. It's pretty darn incredible to watch her discover the world around her.
:: She is loving books, puzzles, and  playing with shapes.
:: When Chloe see's a picture or video of herself she points to the picture or video and get's so excited, it's so cute!
:: Says hi and bye.
:: Chloe can give high fives!



Stats:


Chloe doesn't have a doctors appointment until September 5th, so I'm not quite sure her exact weight and height at the moment, but I am anxious to find out! Chloe is currently wearing size 18 month clothes but I think it's time to move up to the next size especially with fall and winter approaching.

Food:

At 14 months old Chloe is still breastfed on demand. Nursing is still going wonderfully and I am so thrilled we have made it this far and that we're still going strong! The plan is to let Chloe self wean when she is completely ready. As for food Chloe is still eating 3 meals a day and 1 or 2 snacks but she has definitely become more of a picky eater. I'm constantly trying to figure out how to get her to eat more fruits and veggies! New Food's Chloe has tried are: ground flax seeds ( we started mixing this in with our food for added nutrition), smoothie's, green and red bell peppers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and lemons.


Happy 14 months my sweet Chloe!
Your Daddy and I love you more each and everyday!