National Doula Week

It's national doula week and I've been seeing a lot of posts and pictures popping up on social media.  It all just takes me back to Mara's birth and our AMAZING doula, Doris Ann.

I can't even imagine Mara's birth without her.  She was a rock for Josh and I.  She kept us focus on the outcome and present in the moment.  She was a calm in the inner storm that birth can sometimes be.  She just simply was the best.

So here's to you Doris Ann!  Thank you for being a part of Mara's birth.  It meant so much to us.  You will forever be a part of our story and we are so grateful!!

Block Leave in Florida-Jacksonville

After a few busy weeks at the office for Josh, we are finally on block leave and our little vacation away. We're starting our two weeks down in Jacksonville where Josh will be speaking at and attending an Army conference.  Yes I know "working" on vacation but really it isn't too bad.  Mara and I are tagging along for the ride and trying to keep ourselves busy while he is in presentations during the day.

I think somebody already misses Buddy

Our flight down was uneventful (thank goodness!).  We had to fly separately and I was a little nervous about being on my own with Mara.  She's getting older and more and more mobile.  Frankly it can be hard to corral her and luggage in a terminal.  Thankfully I did some skillful packing and really it wasn't bad at all.  I give huge props to my girl though.  She's a great traveler!!

Relaxing after a long day of traveling

Once in Jacksonville we headed to the base.  We would be staying at the Navel base suites here.  Josh got checked in and we headed outside to enjoy a small meet and greet.  Mara loved being by the water (we're right on the river here) and running around on the deck.

Ringing the bell

Running around down by the water

The next day Josh headed to the conference and Mara and I went to Target to stock up on supplies.  Yes while I'm on vacation I go to target.  I mean what mom wouldn't?! Unfortunately we also lost our favorite Mickey stuffed animal there.  Mara seemed oblivious but I was just sick about it.  I know she didn't know but I just felt so bad.  We searched the store but he still wasn't anywhere to be found.
The rest of the day was spent around the hotel.  We had lunch with Josh during his break and then went back up to the room for a nap (Mara).  Once she got up we headed over to a small park to let her run off some energy before dinner.

Swinging in the park

Dinner that night was spent at a fun local fish place.  It was uniquely decorated with taxidermy from around the world and a live alligator.  Mara loved looking at all the animals.  That night our heads were too big for our stomachs.  We ordered way too much food and ended up going home with almost more than we ate.  Although they had some unique meats on the menu (camel, gator, etc.) we stuck with seafood.  Delicious!

Tuesday I had big plans for Mara and I.  I wanted to explore the downtown a bit and do a little window shopping.  I was a tad disappointed once we got downtown and there was little in the way of stores.  We did check out a small shopping center and then walked to a fun candy store.

cheap entertainment

Calling it a wash we headed back to base to catch Josh for lunch.  Not wanting to spend another afternoon in the hotel we headed to a small mall nearby and did our window shopping there. Mara slept the majority of the time but I enjoyed strolling through the shops.

Looking at the live alligator

Her favorite was the pig!

That night we headed back to the same restaurant. Crazy right?!  Well little did we know the Army social would be there.  Oh well.  This time we just grabbed a few appetizers and called it good.

It's been a fun week thus far.  I'm looking forward to taking Mara to the zoo later on in the week and then heading down south to Josh's parents over the weekend.  It's so nice to get away from the daily grind every once in awhile and I can't wait to see what the rest of this vacation holds!

I love candid shots like these

Getting a little help from Dad

More swinging

Breastfeeding-Where We Are; Where We're Going

I had high hopes when Mara was born.  I wanted to exclusively breastfeed her to six months.  Six months came and went.  Then I wanted to continue to breastfeed her till one.  Well that milestone has come and gone.

I never gave much thought to breastfeeding past one.  Sure I have known people who have.  I don't have any problem with it.  I just honestly didn't think that far.  One month at a time.  One milestone than another.

Now we are quickly approaching 1.5 years and it's funny because now my thoughts are turned toward the end.  I'm not counting each month as another victory but looking at her cues as to when we can slow down.

Mara is a nurser.  She loves it.  She wakes up in the middle of the night for it.  Most people are astonished (namely her doctor) when I tell them she still nurses maybe 5-6 times a day.  What can I say.  I've never really told her no.  I've also never really had her on a schedule.  We've always done things at her pace.

For the most part we've had an amazing nursing relationship.  Despite her initial tongue tie, we've had no issues.  I have had no infections.  She's never really bit me.  I'm pretty sure I have it good compared to many.

Well lately I've been looking to the future.  Looking to the day when we're done nursing.  Sure I love nursing Mara.  I'm so happy that I was able to do this for her for almost 18 months now.  But I just feel like I'm getting toward the end.

She doesn't nurse like she used to.  Those who have nursed toddlers know what I mean.  Some days it seems like I'm more of a jungle gym than a food source.  There's also the issue of teeth.  Sure she doesn't bite me (I wouldn't stand for that) but it's uncomfortable.  She usually clamps down on the top and can sometimes treat me more like a sippy cup than mom.  Despite weeks of corrective work we haven't made much progress.

So here I am feeling slightly guilty for feeling this way, ready to be done, but at the same time not.  I know Mara would keep nursing if I let her.  I know this is still good for her, but I'm ready to have my body back a bit.  I'm a tad nursed out.

Sure I'll miss it.  I'll miss the nursing cuddles and looking down into those eyes.  I'll miss how fast nursing cures all and how easily it makes Mommy trump Daddy ;)

All this said I know we're not quitting today or tomorrow.  I think it's going to be a much longer process than that.  We may be looking at months but that's where we're headed.  In my ideal world she would wean herself.  I KNOW that's not going to happen so we will continue to try to cut back.  See how she does.

*Sigh* it's kind of hard to leave this chapter.  Watch it start to close. But I think in the end it will be best for all.

A New Hobby

I'd consider myself pretty crafty in general.  I don't really have a ton of artistic talent but I can definitely hold my own in the Pinterest world.  

This Christmas my parents bought me a sewing after I had been silently coveting a friend's zest for hers.  I let it sit for a bit before I finally got the courage up to try my hand at it.  

A St. Patty's skirt I did for Mara

I'm not sure why I was so intimidated.  For the most part everything that I've tried I have had success at.  Sure it's not exactly professional looking nor are all my seams straight.  But I'm trying and the garments are definitely wearable.

It's been really interesting seeing my comfort level expand the last few months.  When I first started I wouldn't work on a garment unless it was a pretty simple rectangle construction.  No way was I messing with patterns and multiple pieces.  Now it doesn't seem to intimidating.  I made the cutest summer dress for Mara that had a lot of parts and it turned out great.  I also just tried a pattern with the bloomers today.  Again no idea why I was putting it off.  Pretty simple!

Bloomers! I think these are going to be great for the cloth diapers

I think in a way I've been bit by the sewing bug.  I've already done way more in the past two months than I thought I'd do in six.  I've made myself and Mara three skirts.  I have also sewed Mara two dresses and two pairs of leggings.  Just last weekend I fashioned three sets of matching headbands for the two of us and today I made her a pair of bloomers.  

Maybe in the next month or two I'd like to also finish a scarf for myself and a kimono if I get really ambitious.  I'm also working on Josh's Christmas stocking (poor guy I make nothing for him).

Now I think you do save a little bit of money making things yourself but that's not really my purpose in all this.  I just really love the idea of homemade.  I love making pieces for myself and my daughter that will hopefully become heirlooms down the road.  Sure I know there are countless of homemade shops out there I could just purchase things from (and I have in the past) but now I'd just rather do it myself.  

Mara's skirt collection

I am so excited to keep sewing.  I've been on Pinterest way too much collecting "future" projects and drooling over fabric at the store.  Maybe the excitement will wear out but for now I'll keep my machine going.

A Raleigh Weekend

Last weekend we decided to get out of the house again.  This time we headed up to Raleigh for the day.  Our plan was to grab lunch, explore the children's museum, run to the scuba store and hit up a local brewery for a few pints.

After a quick lunch at a local restaurant we headed over to Marbles, the children's museum.  I was shocked at the size of the place after being in Fayetteville's a week ago.  This was two levels of fun for the kids including a water area, arts and crafts center, a toddler room and the general exhibits.  They even had a fun career fair geared toward the kids set up for that weekend.

Relaxing on the pirate ship

We started off in toddler room and let Mara run around.  The room was forest themed and she enjoyed looking through the logs and climbing on the bridges.  With her love of stuffed animals, it wasn't long before she was carrying around one in each hand!

Shhhh Mama

From there we headed out into the larger area.  Similar to the Fayetteville museum it was pretty busy and dominated by older kids.  Despite this Mara was still able to sit in both the ambulance and sports car.  She played veterinarian at the local pet hospital and met some real service dogs!  We then made our way to the farm exhibit which is always a hit with her.  She fed the pigs and gathered the eggs from the chickens.  They also had a wall that played animal sounds and we probably stood a good five minutes there listening to the different animals on the farm.

Cruisin in her sports car

Petting the service dogs

After the farm Josh and Mara climbed into a pirate ship and made their way to the mast.  Mara also convinced Daddy to climb up with her into the play ground at the money exhibit where they came flying down the large slide together.

Feeding the pig

Almost three hours later we headed out and made our way to the scuba shop.  Josh and I wanted to get some basic gear for our upcoming Caribbean trip.  We both ended up purchasing fins.  I also got a mask to go with my new snorkel Josh gave me for Christmas.  Mara did great at the shop quickly making friends with a group of younger girls who were in shopping for an upcoming spring break trip.  Mommy and Daddy will do just about anything to have a few minutes of time to focus rather than chasing after her.

Climbing the pirate ship with Daddy

At the bottom of the slide

Then it was on to the brewery.  We've been to Raleigh Brewing Company twice before but never when it was this busy.  Mara loved pointing out all the dogs in the building (you can bring your dog inside) and it was a great distraction for her.  We ended up mainly in their home brewing supply store as Josh wandered the aisles salivating. ;)  He ended up getting some grains for his next brew as motivation to finish his system.

up high in the playground

Waving to mommy from the pirate's ship

After a quick detour to Trader Joe's for some of our favorites it was time to go home.  Overall we had a great day in Raleigh.  It's so nice to have a bigger city close by (it's under an hour) that we can escape to for the day.

Mara-17 Months

Wears:  You are still in 18 month clothing.  I think (and hope) you'll be in 18 month for at least a couple more months.  Most of your 18 month clothes are 18-24 so I am thinking they will last!  Last time we weighed you you were 23 pounds which is 2 lbs up from your last appointment.  I don't know if you have gotten any taller as we haven't been into the doctor lately.

Brushing the teeth at the children's museum

Health: Again another month goes by without any major health issues.  We have dealt with the expected runny nose and the occasional bump on the head but that's it.  

That upper right molar finally broke through.  You now have all your baby teeth besides your four 2-year old molar.  I am so excited to have a break from teething for awhile.  

Making music in music class

Says:  You haven't added too many words to your list this month.  You have recently been saying, "I love you," which is the absolute sweetest thing.  "No" is still your favorite word.  You also say mama, daddy, buddy, I did it, uh oh, I shut it, oh no, etc. 

Your signing has done a 180 this month.  You now consistently sign for nursing, eating, all done, bath, please, more and thank you.  

Telling Mommy and Daddy about the piggies

Favorite Foods: I don't know what's different this month but your eating has gotten so much better.  You're not so picky and are eating a lot more than you used to.  This month you really enjoyed soup, spicy foods and even had a sip of daddy's coffee.  

Grocery shopping

Swinging on a semi warm day

Sleep: Once Daddy got home we started trying to ween you from night nursing.  I felt like you really didn't need the two extra nursings you were waking up for and started sending him in to soothe you for these.  I was right.  Quickly you stopped waking up for these.  Now you only wake up once around 3-4.  You resettle after a quick nurse and then sleep till around 8.  You still haven't slept through the night yet but this is much more manageable for mama.  

Your naps are still about the same.  You sleep anywhere from an hour to 2 hours about mid-day. If we are out and about early in the day you may split this nap up to a late morning and late afternoon double nap but it's not likely anymore.  It is still really hard to get you inside when you fall asleep in the car.

Daddy's home

Reading books

Best Moment:  The best moment this month was having Daddy back.  He came home early from Afghanistan and we have loved every moment of being together again.  You are following him around like his shadow and love having him read you books.

Milestones: You spin in a circle and walk on your tippie toes.

You pretend to be asleep and then wake when we ask you if you are sleeping.

You can clap and stomp at the same time and do both while you are dancing.

You put your finger to your lips and say, "shhhhh."

You are learning more body parts.  You now know elbows, hair and knees. 

You are generally concerned about where the bath water goes after bath time.  You do not understand why it goes away.  

Enjoying the fish at the aquarium

Loves To:  You love to read.  You are still really into Mickey Mouse and animals.  

You love helping around the house.  You start the dishwasher every night and help me push the buttons on the laundry machine and dryer.  

You love the children's museum.  This month we went to two and you loved exploring both.  

You love Mickey Mouse.  I let you watch a tiny bit of TV everyday and you always want Mickey.

You love to clap for yourself.  After you do something good you always clap.  

You love to give kisses.  You always give one when asked.

You love buddy.  You always want to know where he is and will go sit by him.

You love drinking out of Mommy's cup.  You prefer this cup to all others.

On the ferry with Daddy

Favorite Toys: Radio flyer scooter, BOOKS, teddy bear, anything with music, mickey mouse, table and chairs, crayons, kitchen set, magnets for fridge

Dislikes: not getting your way immediately, diaper changes, when Mama doesn't let you watch Mickey Mouse, wearing your bib and sitting in your seat at dinner

Over it...