Three Years

It was exactly three years ago today
in a small church surrounded by our friends and family
there we stood, across from one another
 his hands tightly wrapped around mine
our eyes welled up with salty tears
as we proclaimed to each other
" I do "

What a beautiful three years its been. I love you so much hunny, more now then ever before. Thank you for being my husband, for your unconditional love and support. Thank you for taking care of Chloe and I each and everyday. You mean the absolute world to us both. I look forward to spending all my days with you, forever and always.

Love, your wife

Adventure: Chicago Children's Museum

On Saturday the three of us ventured out into the city to spend the afternoon at the children's museum. I couldn't believe how much there was to do and see. We spent most of our time splashing and playing in the water room, catching fish and going down the big slide in the tree-house, running wild and free and exploring butterflies in the big backyard, doing a little grocery shopping in kids town, and inspecting all the little treasures in Michael's museum. We had an amazing time together as a family and Mike and I loved watching Chloe play and explore, I cant wait to do this again with her in the near future!

8/52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013. "

Chloe, " baby, baby, baby, amimals. " I love hearing Chloe sing along to her favorite children's songs, it's truly one of the sweetest things to hear and see! 

Linking up with Jodi and so many other wonderful bloggers for the 52 project.

Featured On: Disney Baby

We've been featured!

Lacy, a wonderful writer over at Disney Baby featured my latest portrait of Chloe in her most recent article on The 52 Project hosted by Jodi from Che and Fidel. I feel so honored and thrilled that Lacy contacted me about being featured on Disney Baby and am so excited to be sharing that link with all of you now! You can also find Lacy over at her personal blog, Living on Love to learn more about her and her sweet family!

On Breastfeeding and Weaning

Chloe, 20 months old, nursing to sleep.

When I was pregnant with Chloe it was my goal to breastfeed her until she was at least one year old, and then she was born and everything changed. As I held her tiny, warm body in my arms and nursed her for the first time I fell completely in love with her, my beautiful daughter. As each month passed and my daughter grew older, breastfeeding her become such a natural part of our lives. It was during those first few months as a new Mother when I came to the decision that I was going to nurse Chloe for as long as she liked, whether that be before she turned one or after, it was simply going to be up to her.

Now here we are, Chloe is 20 months old and still breastfeeding every single day. In my experience breastfeeding a toddler is much different then breastfeeding an infant, its harder, at least to me it is. Chloe is heavier, taller, stronger, and constantly moving, and naturally with age she has become more stubborn and strong willed, and is able to voice her opinion much easier then before. When Chloe was an infant I could easily roll over and nurse her in the middle of the night without even really waking up, but now those nightly feedings have become uncomfortable, painful, and disruptive to my sleep. Besides waking up multiple times a night to nurse Chloe, I feel like I am constantly nursing her throughout the day as well. These past few months I have often found myself feeling completely overwhelmed by Chloe's constant need to nurse. I miss having my body to myself.

I feel torn, Chloe loves nursing, and since the day she was born it's been a huge part of her life. On the other hand, I know if we continue on this path with no resolution or change Chloe and I's relationship is going to suffer. I never knew how difficult the decision to wean my daughter would be for me, but it is an incredibly hard and emotional one. I'm ready though, and I know that with time and love and patience Chloe will be ready to move on as well.

I've done a little bit of research on gentle weaning and know that this process can take many months, for which that I am grateful for. Our plan at this moment is to start cutting out all of the unnecessary feedings and eventually, I would love to be nursing Chloe only three times a day and none throughout the night. There is so much I am unsure of though, like how to night wean Chloe, what to do in those situations when she's crying and screaming for milk and nothing else will calm her down, and how to get her to enjoy eating solid food more. It's all a little overwhelming to be honest but I know that with love, time, and patience everything will work itself out in the end.

If you have gone through the process of weaning your child, or are currently going through the process, your stories, tips, and advice would be so gratefully appreciated!

7/52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013. "

Chloe, I love watching the wonder in her eyes and she discovers and explores the world around her!

This week has been pretty rough for the three of us. Chloe had a molar or two coming in and also had a slight fever and cold on top of that. We've given her lots of fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice and she's been nursing as much as she wants to, which has all helped tremendously since she seems to be back to her happy, stubborn, wild self, thank goodness! 

Linking up with the lovely Jodi from Che and Fidel!

Be Mine, Valentine

Happy belated Valentines Day!

Hope everyone had a lovely V-Day spending it with the ones you love!

Quiet

Image Via

It's been quite here on the blog lately, not sure why. There have been so many things I've wanted to share and write about, so much that has been weighing on my heart these days. Almost every time I sit down to write nothing comes out though. I think too much, try to make everything sound perfect, and the truth is, I'm just not a strong writer. It feels good to be writing now though, even if it's just simply about nothing. For the most part life has been good lately, really good. Not perfect in anyway, but we are in a good place and working towards some really important goals and dreams. We are all healthy and growing, and honestly that's all that really matters right now.

6/52

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2013. "

Chloe, my beautiful little sleeping beauty. Every time I put her down for a nap or bedtime she grabs all of her " babies " and brings them into bed with her. I remember how much I loved my stuffed animals when I was a young child, so seeing this in Chloe just completely melts my heart! There are no words to describe the feeling that comes over me when I notice little bits of myself in my daughter, it is truly humbling and never ceases to amaze me.

Linking up with Jodi for the 52 project.

These Days

5/52

" A portrait of my child, one a week, every week in 2013. "

Chloe, is truly the happiest when playing in and exploring nature, and me, well I could stare at her beautiful, little smile all day long!

Joining in with Jodi and all the wonderful bloggers participating in the 52 project!

Currently

I am currently....

Loving: How much Chloe has been talking lately and all the hand and facial expressions that go with it! My new favorite phrase of her's, " oh my da " which means oh my gosh, ah it's so cute! Also I love that this past week we have had two nice days, so Chloe and I got to spend some much needed time outdoors!

Wishing: Wishing, praying, hoping that I get this job that I applied for at a local daycare. I have the interview on Tuesday morning and I'm feeling very, very hopeful about it! 

Craving: Lately I have been craving big green salads, smoothies, and fresh squeezed orange and tangerine juice from Marianos. I think all this unhealthy eating has caught up to me, overall I just feel tired, bloated, and sluggish these days.

Missing: Spring.... and warm weather. It's really difficult being stuck inside all day with a child. Also, more and more I find myself missing the days it was just Mike and I and Chloe living together in our own place. I love my family, and feel so grateful that they let us move in with them, but living with family can be very chaotic and difficult at times, especially when there is not enough space for everybody. 

Worrying: About the usual.... money, jobs, and moving into our own place. I'm trying to be hopeful though, and have faith that in the end everything is going to work out for us.