Beautiful Family Dinner

On Saturday night, we had an amazing family meal.




It was nice to have the kids both there in calm moods.
It was nice to have the fresh flowers.

But it was the FOOD that made it so amazing.
BBQ Corn on the Cob (one of our family's personal favs)
Salad (with baby tomatoes from our gardens)
Grilled Salmon (prepared using HyVee's Curtis Stone recipe featured on TV as inspiration)

Yarn Wreath Bandwagon

 In early June, I decided to make a yarn wreath, after having a few pinned on a Pin Board for awhile.

Then my friend Emily jumped on the trend (she actually said bandwagon, which I am totally using since its exactly how I feel about most crafts!)and that spurred me on.

 I used tips from this tutorial to make the wreath.  It took only one night to get the materials, wrap the wreath, and cut the felt for the flowers.  It took a half hour or so with the glue gun to make the flowers (a half hour without the toddler... he does know that glue guns are OWIES not BANG BANGS, but I didn't want to risk it).

And then the project sat unfinished for four weeks (blush!) as I hemmed and hawed about the flower colors, placement of them, etc.

My friend Hilary came over last week and commented on them, and I got the desire to finish them up.  I simply dolloped glue on the wreath and put the flowers on.  I used only half of the flowers I made, but that's okay.

Its nice and simple.
My favorite parts about it are the colors (taupe, oatmeal, and grape) and the textures.
I also love that it replaced a pinecone wreath (also DIY) that had worn out its welcome, despite being decorated for various seasons (here and here)

Maybe I'll change it up for various seasons... it just takes a (large) bundle of yarn and some motivation to actually finish up the project.

Considering Re-Branding. Feedback, Please!

Or renaming.

I don't think I am having fabulous adventures as Mrs. Haid.
It seems artificial and contrived, but dang, it is hard to come up with a blog title, so I forgive myself for that back in 2008.
I think I'll also buy the domain name from google for $10.

Before I go ahead with the name I have chosen, I'd love to hear different ideas (they are probably different, anyhow) from you, a reader.

I'll also change the name of my kids' blogs, too.

I realize that there's a risk of losing readers with a change in name, since it will be harder to find the blog or whatnot.  But I don't write for money on here or anything, so I don't make profit off this ill-fitting title.

But, I was recognized just last weekend by TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE I'd never met as Mrs. Haid (hide, is how they said it, so obviously they know me from reading, not from life) and that was kind of neat.

For my kids' blogs, I think I'll give them real names instead of Baby H2 and fabulous adventures of baby h, since Baby H is generic and these kids are fantastic.

Really, if you read this on a reader app, click over to the site and leave a thumbs up, thumbs down, name suggestion, etc.  I need affirmation from others, that's my personality style.

Giving Myself Flowers

The last two weeks our favorite store has had fifty cent rose stems.

I found some room in the grocery budget for eight of them by putting back a box of Lucky Charms.

And I am so happy that I did.  They have really brightened my kitchen and my mood.

My son selected these colors, which is totally fine.  I do usually prefer pink roses... all shades of pink... but these are just so sunny and perfect for summer!

I think that instead of waiting around for someone to buy you flowers, you should just treat yourself to some.  

This will be a lesson that I teach my daughter, and perhaps it will lessen the blow of some boyfriend-less February 14ths. 

It might also help her to have less "why didn't you read my mind?" expectations of her husband and therefore, a happier married life.

One of these things is not like the others...

And I am not totally sure how I feel about it! Growing independence...
growing boy!

(I'd probably feel better about it if the little boy undies stayed
clean and dry all day, but they did not!)

DDD July 28

Yep, he's now two, and yep, those are whoopie pies, and yep...
Daniel's favorite new words now are yep, two, and
whoopie-piiiiiiiiiiie.

Fun With Mr. Head's Glasses

When my husband gets home from work, we often sit on the couch and chat.  

Usually one or both kids is on the couch with us.

On this particular afternoon, our son was playing with Mr. Potato Head's accessories.

Side note: He calls him Mr. Head.  He also pronounces our last name as Head (rather than Hyde), so I wonder if he thinks Mr. Head is a part of our family.  Huh.

At first, I objected to the tiny eyeglasses being placed on my sweet little girl.  

Then I realized I was being a stick in the mud, and I allowed it.

And photographed it.

I'm glad, because these are a hoot!  

DHH laughed and laughed and laughed.

Shared Nursery: Wall Art Monograms and Puffies

I've been working on little projects here and there for the nursery to femme it up a bit, since EK will move in with her brother in a few weeks (I hope).

Here are a few projects I worked on this summer - fabric in hoop frames and letters for the wall.

I collected so much fabric for use in the wooden embroidery hoops, but I ended up choosing just these three to use. Most of the fabrics seemed to change into aquas rather than cool blues or be too dark or inappropriate proportions once they were on the wall.  My original ideas was to have seven to ten multi-sized hoops on one wall, a lot like these, but it was just too busy.  I'll think of some use for the fat quarters, I'm sure!

I also worked on making "puffies" (that's what my son called the paper poms when he saw them).  I want to hang them in a neat grouping, but since I haven't finished making them, they are just suspended from ceiling fans in the house.

They are so fun to make, and I'll post tutorials of each project, if anyone is interested!  Both are super inexpensive and both fulfilled my need to be creative.

Don't Pull On My Dress, Man.

Note the matching diaper and silly socks.
And the train shirt.

Toddler Imposed Lock-In

"DeeDee, put down your Bicky Dotdor Toolbox and get your sandals while Mama puts Elsie in her carseat."  (It helps to translate English into toddler-speak if I want him to listen!)


"No! Dee Dee home! HOME. HOME. MOMMY HOME!!", he bellows.

Its been the same story for several days. He doesn't want to go anywhere.
But I do!
Its too hot to play outside, which leaves cleaning the house as the only thing to do.  Yuck, right?

Note: He looks so much like his father in this photo - specifically, like his senior pictures.  Give him a letter jacket  and he'd be a perfect double.  Oh, take off the silly motorcycle shirt though, his dad wore mostly t shirts from baseball teams.

And if we get out the house, maybe I can talk to an adult.  Or at least eavesdrop on a conversation that isn't about sitting on the potty or Mickey Mouse or where the blue binky is hiding.

Plus, we need some produce and something for dinner tonight.
So of course we need to make a trip to Hy-Vee.
Usually, he loves to go to this store.  We smell all the flowers in the floral section, get an ice tea to sip while we shop, and he devours the free cookie they give kids.

I decided not to fight this battle, especially since he got hysterical about it.  I took his sister from the car seat, and we all read a book instead.  He went down for a nap within the hour, so it was probably best not to take a tired kid out in the world.

Maybe I'll get to go out tomorrow morning.
 

Cloth Diapering Lessons: Shopping Sales

I just love getting a good bargain.  I also love that I didn't pay retail for most of the cloth diapers we've got because I learned how to get good deals on an already money saving item!

In this post today, I will teach you about:


a) Seconds Sales
b) Common Promotions
c) Buying Used

I want you to get good deals on cloth diapers, because really, though you are going to save money in the long run, its not until the long run is over that you can fully appreciate savings, right?  I mean, paper diapers are $.19 each with a coupon and already on sale, so paying $17.95 for ONE diaper seems like a bit much.  It works out in the end to like a nickel a diaper, so there is a savings.

Here's how to see a savings sooner!

This Flip diaper cover in Blossom snaps was something I waited patiently to find as a second, and saved  $4 as a result.

Seconds Sales
Most manufacters also sell their product on their websites.  They have to check that each product meets their superior standards, but they keep aside the diapers that don't meet those standards for whatever reason.  Then they sell them at a deep discount to consumers, often with a no returns policy and big, bold (fine) print about the condition of the item.

For example, I bought three Rumparooz pocket diapers for $11.50 each.  They are ordinarily $23.50 and $25.50 each.   I saved more than half!  That was a great deal.

Another great example is saving about $5 on each Bum Genius OS pocket diaper and $6 on each Flip Organic Set when buying second quality at Cotton Babies.  They put their second quality diapers up on their website every few months, and they go QUICK.  Sign up for their newsletter, and they let you know within 24 hours of the sale, or follow on Facebook for quicker access to the sale.

I've noticed that Kissaluvs and Blueberry have infrequent seconds sales, too.

Green Mountain Diapers are the BEST in prefolds, organics, and flats, and they have second sales every year... but they go QUICKLY, so you had better follow them on Facebook!

Common Promotions

Several major companies do special promotions, and usually you can find at least one per month.  Most companies do these promotions twice a year (or so).

Promos I've seen:
- Buy 5, Get 1 Free (Bum Genius One Size, Blueberry Trainers, Oh! Katy pockets, Fuzzi Bunz)
- Buy 3, Get 1 Free (GroVia Shells)
- Special prices on kits... save $20 on large Rumparooz package, save $5 on Econobum kit, save $10 on GroVia summer kit

Other online retailers often have their own promotions, usually in the form of a coupon code for a free diaper.  I have linked Kelly's Closet as an affiliate on this blog, and that's where I have bought half of our diapers from.  (And clicking to their site from here gives me a tiny $benefit).

Right now, they have a spend $59, get a free diaper valued at $18.  That's when I order! I've seen similar promotion codes, including higher value diapers, lower value diapers, and different "spend this much first" prices.

To learn about these promotions, you need to follow them on Facebook or get their newsletter via eamil.  Watch out... you will be sucked into buying!  They are really, really good deals.  I am trying very hard to not buy right now because those free diapers get me every time!

Buying Used


Honestly, if you aren't currently using cloth diapers, buying them used might gross you out.

Until your baby wears one and you wash it and realize that its clean and its used.  And that its value its a lot lower now that its used.  And that if  you don't like the diaper, you are stuck with it unless you sell it to someone else.

So, buying used is great, actually.  It helps you try something new at a lower price and makes you have an even better cost savings over paper diapers.

I've bought used only from the Diapershops (discussion tab) Facebook page, and had great, great experience.
I've looked at used items on DiaperSwappers, but never bought.
I've bid on items on eBay, but never won.
I've sold items on Craigslist, too.
I've heard of people finding prefolds and other cloth diaper paraphenilia at Goodwill for outrageously cheap prices... so look for that!

So buying used is a definite option.

However, you probably should be cautious about this.
You could wind up with a diaper that is faulty or stinky.  So its a little risky!  I'd make sure you see plenty of pictures to look at the diaper and also be prepared to clean the diaper with bleach to make sure it meets your cleanliness requirements!

These three ideas are ones I think you could explore in order to test the waters of cloth diapering or as a way to expand the cloth diaper stash you already own.  I would recommend shopping around for sales,  especially when you are still pregnant!


Next Cloth Lesson: Out and About; Cloth on the Road

How God Blessed Me At (Another) Kid's Cardio Appointment

Two weeks ago, I wrote about how God blessed me with the news of a safety for my daughter at her first cardiologist appointment for an ASD (specific type of heart murmur).

This past Friday, God blessed me again at the very same office!

I had the opportunity to transport and accompany a seven year old Tanzanian refugee to to an echo cardiogram at the same clinic. (I had to google the country - Southeast Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Swahili, FYI)

I hadn't ever met the girl (or her fourteen year old sister), but have some knowledge of a program that has helped their family called City of Refuge.  Their friend Jen is my friend, too, and when she (they) needed some help in this manner, I stepped up.

I was excited to do so.
I'd been praying for God to give me chances to show love to others and to use what I am learning from mothering EK to help other people.
Then this opportunity presented itself by way of a Facebook post/plea for help.
Then I easily found child care for DHH, who isn't remotely interested in being in a waiting room with a friend.
Then he had the chance to not just hang out at the friend's house, but go to a WATER PARK with lots of little friends.  He was blessed by this experience, too.  (He had a great time.)

As I went to pick her up, I prayed for her and her little heart. I also prayed that God would give me the ability to calm her, explain to her about how her heart works and about the machines that would be doing the tests, and to form a connection with her that could show her God's love.

Then I arrived in her neighborhood, a street of government subsidized housing, and I realized I hadn't prayed for God to open up my eyes to poverty.  But they were opened anyway.  Looking at the stark duplexes, I felt such gratitude for our (small) piece of property and home that is distinct from the other houses and is OURS.  Homeownership is a big deal, and I do take it for granted.

When we got to the clinic, I realized other ways to be grateful.

Its kind of a big deal to read and write fluently in the language used by a hospital.  My parents could do this, and my kids' parents can do this.  This little patient is a non native speaker with parents who likely don't read or write English and would have a difficult time communicating in this type of setting.

I always had a parent to sign legal documents for me, and I am around to sign the important documents for my kids.  This little girl didn't have a legal guardian or parent present to sign the documents, so it was significantly more difficult to register her at the clinic.

I should be thankful for routine health screenings from an early age that led me to feel comfortable with physicians.  I can't imagine the anxiety she must have felt after seeing only a handful of medical professionals in her life and having to meet several of them in one morning.

As a parent, it is important for me to be well informed of my child's health and to be physically present with her during medical procedures.  I had the privilege to be with my child during her cardiologist visit and her two echocardiograms.  It must have been tough for this girl's parents to be at work instead of with their kid.

Yes, I am a blessed person for so many reasons.

Its such a little thing I am doing to take a morning here and there to help a child get to a doctor visit, and its such a little thing like this that is teaching me to be willing to alter my normal routine and help others.  Really, its nothing for me to do this, but yet I am reaping a huge reward from doing it.

Current Hair Color and Favorite Photo of Me

My friend Laura took this photo of me holding her nearly newborn son, EJ*

I had just gotten a hair cut that morning (trim, still hoping for long locks like Jennifer Aniston over the next twenty years!), and I have resisted the urge to color my hair for FOUR. SOLID.WEEKS, which has been tough, especially since I have some Samy Fat Foam in Light Ash Brown to try out, in hopes to minimize some of those red tones that get so brassy in the summer.

I like that this photo captures how happy I look holding a baby.  I look this happy holding my own baby, too.  This sweet boy is three weeks younger than my sweet girl, and its marvelous how the skill of holding one infant can transfer over to holding another infant.  I think its like riding a bike.  When you've done it for awhile on your own, you can do it with anyone's, and its a skill you just cannot forget.

I know there's been a gap between posts, and I hate that.  I've been here and there and mentally writing post after post.   I've got some good things coming, like four more (half-written!) cloth diapering posts, opinion posts about nursing and co-sleeping and best baby gadgets 0-3 months, photos of DHH's (first round of) second birthday party, a cloth pad project for African girls in orphanages who SO need this resource, how God blessed me last week at another kid's cardiology appointment, and The Bachelorette.  So prepare yourself.  I have lots and lots to write about.

* Note: I refer to kids on this site usually by their first two initials... I don't actually know ANY kid who goes by them.  So its not some strange Missouri trend to give kids names like DHH and EK** or EJ or EN or CB or whatever names you've seen describing kids on my site!

** Note: My daughter is EK because I think Cate isn't the logical nickname from Catherine.  Kate is just better.  Ask the Duchess of Cambridge, she prefers the K, too.

Recipe: Crustless Zucchini Casserole.

This is so tasty.  Seriously, go make this! (But I love zucchini... grilled, fried, steamed, in muffins... so if you don't like it at all, you might not love this recipe.  But I think you'd still like it or find it tolerable!)

Also, if you like Red Lobster's Cheddar Biscuits, you will probably like this, too.

Its like quiche, but less egg-y.

My mom made it when I was home in late June, and I liked it so much I went right out to buy zucchini.  (Because we don't have a garden and don't have any farmer friends who give us veggies from their garden this year.)

This is the recipe according to my mom, typed in email...

It is from taste of home cook book

Called crustless  zucchini casserole.

I can’t find my cookbook so here it goes.

3 cups grated zucchini

4 eggs slightly beaten

½ cup parmeasian cheese  

2 cups cheddar

1 chopped onion

1 cup baking mix like bisquik

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 1/2 teaspoon dried

·         I did not add salt and pepper but you may want to

Mix eggs, cheese, onion,

basil

Add baking mix and zucchini

Put in greased 9 inch pie plate and bake 350 for about 35-40 minutes

I always modify recipes... right? So I added coarsely chopped mushrooms,  slightly more zucchini, parm reggiano cheese... and omitted the basil.

It was fantastic.

And healthy.

And actually better as left overs!

Bright Spots in My Long Day

Today I was with both kids alone except for three hours after my husband came home from work and before he left to play softball.

It felt like a really long day.

The baby is eating erratically.   She's still more or less on the three hour schedule recommended for her age, but she eats for five minutes or so.  Then there's one nursing that lasts for half an hour, twice a day.  Its weird.  And she refuses to eat more than the five minutes, which I imagine to be just an ounce.  So weird.

It was just too hot to be outdoors today, my son was like a caged beast.  I let him watch two Hot Diggys today.  He seriously goes into a couch potato state until its the Hot Dog Dance time, and then he wiggles like no one's business.  I feel inadequate as a parent letting him watch so much TV.
But it is just too hot to be outdoors.
And outdoors is his favorite thing.
With the water hose.
And Hot Diggy is his second favorite thing.
So that's how I am staying sane.

Today thought I had bright spots that made it good.

I talked to my BFF on the phone, twice.  (She had an errand in between.)
Each call was under twenty minutes but we crammed at least a half hours worth of chat into each segment by talking quickly.
It was needed.
I really need to be able to go on a walk with a friend or to a coffee shop (no coffee for me though, Pepsi or iced tea is just fine.)
I just don't get the same emotional satisfaction talking to my husband or my kids as I do with a good girl time chat.  I think that's why I loved Saturday so much.

Another good thing is that my son was DRY ALL DAY.  He was wearing an econobum prefold in an econobum cover... a $10 diapering solution that is really worth twice that price o me... but that's another story... and he was dry between when I would normally change him.
He doesn't tell me if he needs to go though.
So I just recommend it every two to FOUR hours at transition times in our day.
And then I tell him its time for his blue potty and try to act like its totally normal and all, and he gets annoyed with me and tells me he doesn't want to go, but then he complies anyway.
He was even dry after a three hour nap.
I am impressed with this child.  I am not doing any bribing, just trying to make it a pleasant affair.
I wonder if we will have two dry days in a row.

Another good thing is I found a great site called TOT SCHOOL.  Its a wonderful source of lesson planning and philosophy of educating young children.
 I have been collecting all sorts of ideas on my Pinterest Board.
But I've been haphazard in implementing them.
Maybe this will help me, because I will assuredly feel guilty if I am not teaching my child explicitly while I am at home with him because I'm a teacher for crying out loud.

I also made these tasty crab rangoons to go with the steak and stir fry (super easy meal : brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic marinade for steak... chopped onion, bok choy, and mushroom for stir fry... seriously one of the best meals we eat.)
The recipe calls for it to be dip, but I baked them in mini muffin trays at 375 and it was good.
Not deep fried good, but GOOD.

OH AND THE VERY BEST THING OF TODAY:

My daughter had her first laughs.
To me/at me/with me.
I called in my husband to film it (and thus left the toddler unattended in his tiny Primo bathtub).
She laughed and laughed as I had her kiss me and stand up.
Maybe I will share the video.
It was just wonderful.
She is growing up faster than our son did... not necessarily in size or something, but in ability to do things at a faster pace.  Maybe we are better parents and teachers and give her a better environment.
Or maybe she realizes she has to perform in order to get her fair share of attention from her parents.
We love love love love love this baby time with her, while I think we just endured it/mildly appreciated it/liked the same time period of 0-3 months with DHH.
Its more than surviving with her... its actually enjoying it!
(As a word of encouragement to first time parents.  It gets better with the second.)

I hope you had bright spots in your day today, too.

Love,

Clothes As Emotional Icons

Last weekend, I did something that I was emotionally okay with... I parted with clothing.

I think I am like most women (people?).  I have emotional connections to some clothing.

My Student Athletic Board Rugby, for example.  I never wear it.  It was too hot to actually wear to the football games, but I was a freshman looking for a niche, and so I sweated on the 50 yard line with the rest of the SABers in it.

A red bridesmaid dress.  I have only worn it once, and will probably not wear it again.  I love the dress because of how I looked in it (fabulous) and because of the time I had in it (probably one of my top five nights of my life!) with my husband and friends at our best friends' wedding.  There's spilled wine on it from the festivities and perspiration from dancing at the piano bar after the amazing reception.  When I see the swatch of fabric through the plastic tubs, I remember how the September sun streamed through church's stained glass windows and made my hair redder than it really was.  And how my husband looked at me, as in love with me as when we walked down the aisle together for the first time.

And lots of other great memories live in my closet.

However, nothing else can really live in my closet these days.  Its a medium sized closet and its stuffed full.  Its affecting my life in a negative way because I feel so stressed by this impossible pile of clothes to sort through.

So I need to just let these things go.
I boxed them up in three plastic tubs and took them to a consignment store.

I parted with 80% of my maternity wardrobe last weekend.  I have so many things that didn't fit correctly, but I bought out of desperation because NOTHING fit correctly.  I let those go.  Summer pregnancy outfits, dresses, dress pants, jeans.  Colors and fabrics that I didn't just LOVE, but that I bought from necessity.  Good bye.

Then I moved on to clothing that doesn't fit well, that doesn't match this season of my life as a mother of young children, and doesn't bless me in any other way.

Hello, two more plastic tubs full to the brim.  You are off to a refugee services ministry and will be worn by people who actually need to wear you, not just collect you as evidence that I was a certain size (smaller OR bigger... sometimes I just keep jeans for proof) or that I had a certain job or whatever.  I am letting go.

And I still have SO much more to let go of.
I am really being drawn to giving away clothing and being more minimalistic instead of materialistic.
 Maybe I can keep only what I actually need.
Maybe I can buy only what I actually need.
Maybe I can bless others with my collection of memories.

Then I moved to my children's closet, which is also stressful in that it has TOO MUCH stuff in it.

I parted with most newborn girl sleepers, T Shirts, and dresses. I kept only things I absolutely loved - smocked cotton dresses from my babyhood era, and a handful of other items.  The "first doctor's appointment" outfit and "gift from great aunt so'n'so"s didn't stay just because I had an emotional connection with them.

With DHH, I kept three times more, easily, of his newborn wardrobe than I did with EK.  There's no good reason to do so.
The fact is I am not guaranteed more children/more male children/more male children born in late summer.
There are those who can use these things, because we certainly aren't using them.
And there's no doubt in my mind we'll be blessed with new baby clothes as gifts or be fortunate enough to stumble on mega baby sales in the future again, too.
So goodbye, baby clothes.

Hello new way of thinking about clothing and collecting memories.

Tomorrow I will show you the goodies I got in exchange for the consignment items (and what I hope to use the store credit for) and I'll show you the PILES of clothing intended for City of Refuge.

Three Months Post Partum

Today marks the twelfth week of being un-pregnant.  I don't consider my baby a newborn, but I do still consider myself a new mom!

My super pregnancy sense of smell has totally vanished.

My taste buds have started to work differently (regularly) and I am back on Dr. Pepper.  I am so glad that the carmel-ly flavor preference isn't gone permanently!  And in other soda news, I can barely swallow any colas these days.  Diet Coke and regular Pepsi are tolerable, but Diet Pepsi and regular Coke make me gag.  Its so weird how these things changed with pregnancy.

I haven't been nauseous but a handful of time since April 18.  They were when I was experiencing a lot of pain (due to uterine contractions and mastitis and blocked ducts and strained ligaments in knee),  It is SO WONDERFUL to not have had morning sickness pukes in three months.  I am saying little thankful prayers about this, too.

I am surviving much better on the reduced consecutive hours of sleep than with DHH.  EK does sleep more in a row and often just is up at midnight and 4 or 3 and 6 (no real reason for the differences in wake patterns), which is totally unlike DHH's dream feed at 10:30, up at 1 and up at 3-4.

I've really changed shapes so much.  I was measured for a bra on Saturday and I've gone down so much.  From 38DDD (really) to 34DD.  I know the letters of the alphabet are similar, but there is a big difference.

I'm much more faithful about taking the calcium supplements (still off milk and most dairy products other than a serving of cheese every day or so for EK digestion reasons), multivitamin, and Zoloft.  Now that DHH is on My First Flinstones supplements (and wants to eat the whole bottle every time and signs more! more! more! every.single.day)

I am feeling more like being photographed.  On Sunday I was wearing a SIZE MEDIUM top and the same size shorts as I wore five years ago.  I felt more like me.  I actually wanted to be photographed with my kids since I felt confident (and I had fixed my hair for more than five minutes... it actually looked pretty good under the wilty humid conditions!) about my appearance.  But I wasn't.

EK is officially so large that I can barely fathom her being inside my abdomen.  She is in the stretched out, fists unclenched, neck elongated phase and thus so non-fetus looking.

My hair hasn't fallen out in clumps when I brush it or shampoo it this time.  That happened with other pregnancies.  This time I am doing the vitamins, so perhaps that's it. I keep thinking I won't need a hair cut so badly when my hair thins from all the post preg-hair loss, but that hasn't happened yet.

Nursing is okay.  Just okay.  At three months post partum with DHH, I was starting to LIKE it (rather than suffer through it), but this time I feel a bit more indifferent.  I think its the very best choice and that its not too difficult, but I do think having those blocked ducts made me feel skittish about breastfeeding.  EK was so so so thirsty last week, so I assumed it was a growth spurt, but the last three days she's eaten so little in comparison and is so easily distracted and offended by the slightest position change that nursing has become a time of annoyance for us both.  This didn't happen with DHH until 10 months or so.  Maybe this is sort of a nursing strike.

I would probably be starting back at work now if I were teaching public schools.  I'd be getting things in order for my teaching assignments and going to curriculum writing workshops to prepare for school.  I think it would be okay.  Or I would be okay. I wouldn't have been okay with DHH because of my fatigue and anxiety.  I am getting more rest/used to little rest this time.

However, I am happy that I am not going to work full time this year.  I was less happy about this choice with DHH. I think I am in a season of contentment in my life, and I really like this feeling.  I am happy because I don't want to divert my brain power and time investment away from my kids and my own needs.  I do not like the shrunken monthly one salary budget, especially with gas prices being high and my own desire to buy new things heightened, but I don't think those things are worth changing our life patterns in order to have.

I've been meaning to post the 1, 2, and 3 month baby stats/mama stats posts on EK's blog and on this blog, but just haven't gotten the posts out of draft form.  Will do that soon!

I've not done the best job documenting EK's life thus far on her blog, but I do take photos of her nearly every day, so there is proof of her happy lifestyle in image form.  Its very hard for me to split my online time between my need to communicate with friends/veg out/process via writing on my own blog and then between the children's blogs.  Maybe I should merge them into Haid Children Blog or something. Or rebrand my whole blogging as Mama Haid and just start over.  IDK.

Taking care of EK truly makes me feel like a mommy.  I felt like a parent to my son, but I feel more like a mommy this time when I am caring for her.  I know DHH taught me how to be a mommy, not just a parent, and I think I am interacting with EK in a different way.

Its really interesting having this same experience... being a mom to a new baby... over again in such a short time span because I can compare my personal growth so easily.  I can also see the sharp differences between each experience, and that fascinates me!