breastfeeding: the real eat, pray, love.

Prior to having kids I did not consider what breastfeeding would require of me - that it would impact everything from when I sleep to what I eat, drink and wear.  It is demanding.  I also did not realize the connection and quality time that it would give me with my girls. 

I am so thankful that I have been able to breastfeed both of my girls and that I work in environments that provide clean spaces for me to pump when I am at work.  

It is difficult to explain the mental gear shift that happens before and after breastfeeding - my pregame routine for hockey begins with a feeding session, and throughout the day when I step away from work to feed (or pump) it can be a challenging momentum shift. 

But these moments are so special to me.  I've prayed for these girls and I couldn't love them more.  

For all of you breastfeeding mommas out there, I hope that today you take a deep breath and enjoy your little miracle!  As moms we tackle countless issues throughout the day, it is easy to miss the little victories, like a few minutes to just sit down and stare at our baby. 

If you have a friend, family member or colleague that is breastfeeding, please remember that she has a 2-4 hour breastfeeding timer - her body is working to nourish her baby even when the baby isn't there and to maintain her milk supply she needs to pump when her baby would need to feed. Be considerate of her time. Be respectful of her privacy when she needs to feed.  If she is carrying a breastfeeding bag (to or from!) where she pumps, you do not need to urgently stop her and talk to her. Give her peace; her mind and body are working overtime.   

Below are a few links that I have found helpful.

Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  

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Links
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kellymom
The authority on everything breastfeeding- including charts with info on breastmilk storage.

Using your Health Savings Account (HSA or FSA) for breastfeeding products

I always give new moms that I meet the items below when they are planning to breastfeed.
Lanolin: Use after EACH feeding, no exceptions!
Gel Pads: When just starting to breastfeed, keep these in the freezer and after each time you breastfeed apply lanolin then these pads.  It will keep your nips from cracking!   
Milk Storage Bags: Lay them down in the freezer so that they freeze flat, then place upright in bins to keep organized by date. 
Boppy Breastfeeding Pillow: There is a reason this pillow is the #1 best seller. 



  

To My Second Kid

I recently saw the video of the moment we found out we were having you - our second little girl.  I cried but not quite like I had when I found out about your sister.

You see, with your big sister I was terrified that I wouldn't be good mom to a little girl. I was scared that we couldn't have a healthy, loving relationship - I didn't know what that kind of relationship would even look like.  Then I had her in my arms and love conquered all. All fear. All pain. All insecurities.  Our relationship just is. She is her own little person, I love her and she loves me.

There is something so simple and pure in love. I wish I had known that before and had not been so afraid.

Then you came along and I cried again, but that time I cried because I was so excited that I got to do it all over again. I got to have ANOTHER little girl. Not one, but TWO. Two girls that I can raise to be strong, brave, confident and loving. Two girls that I can encourage, love, snuggle, tickle and teach.

I will always strive to be the kind of mother you girls need, and at the end of each day I'll go over in my mind the moments I had with you girls and challenge myself to be the best mom I can be.  I'm sure there will be days when you girls can't stand me, and I'll be scared that I'm not the best mom, but love will conquer all.  I could never have imagined the kind of love that I have for you girls -it is going to embarrass you girls when you're older I'm sure. 

So for you, my adorable second kid, you get a mom that is a little more at ease, a little more tired, whose hands are a little more full and whose hair is a little more gray.

You, my wonderful second kid, get a mom that is tirelessly working to be the first - the first person you see loving unconditionally, the first person you see willing to sacrifice with joy, the first person embracing who you are and teaching you faithfulness.  The first to challenge you, encourage you and love you. The first to hold you up so you feel strong and the first to hold you tight when you feel weak.

You are earnest, full of joy and your eyes are wild with wonder and curiosity.  You are a sweet, gentle and graceful addition to our family.

You, my luminescent second little girl, are so loved.
   

MLK: Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination.  I encourage you to take the time to read his "Letter From a Birmingham Jail".  

My words can do no justice to MLK's letter, but if you have yet to read it, I will say a few words about his letter since it has absolutely influenced my perspective on several issues, including recent marches and protests. 

He communicates his thought process, strategy and leadership for his campaign with an eloquence and authority that is incredibly moving, but most importantly, his letter highlights the love he has for his fellow man.  

His letter was written with love poured over every word; love for those who agreed with him and those who didn't.  Love was the beautiful chorus around which his verses were written.  His words were torturous, humbling and inspiring to read; not only had he been put through atrocities against the human heart, soul and body, but he reacted with a composure, methodical process and articulate message that resulted in real and lasting change for our entire country. 

His purpose came from an empirical understanding of injustice.  His message was clear because vandals and antagonists could not participate in his cause.  He spoke and acted with love for his fellow man and his mark on our country cannot be understated. 

I hope you take the time to honor him and read his beautiful letter.
~D & H
 

DIY Kitchen Upgrades: Go Green!

From the moment I first saw this kitchen I was OBSESSED with it!  It has been the heart of our home for several years now and it was time to give it a little love. 

We painted the cabinets, updated the trim, added a new light and drawer pulls.  I am absolutely LOVING the fresh look and have included links to the products below.   

Here is our kitchen before...

...and after.

Pendant Light
D converted the can light over the sink to a pendant light using this kit. He then hung this antique steel finish pendant. Since the light bulb is visible we splurged for these LED Edison bulbs. 

Drawer Pulls
These drawer pulls vibe with the hardware we already have and work so much better than the knobs.   

Paint
We chose Miller's Cove Sage for the color, it feels so much more grounded than the blue that the cabinets used to be.
 

Here are a few more photos, I love this kitchen even more after the years of cooking, baking and quality time that I've spent in it with family and friends. 

(Also, I have to say it because I can't stand overly staged photos - I really was making a smoothie for myself, then my littlest fell asleep in her bouncer and I didn't want to startle her with the noise.  We'll give her another month and she'll be just as immune to all my crazy noise as her big sister!)

D really took this project home, I had started this project during my LAST spring break, thinking I could knock it out in a week...um, that's a NO girl, no you can't!  The top and bottom cabinets were mismatched for ALMOST an entire year!  Mucho thanks to him for finishing the painting and also for his craftsmanship on the trim that adds a little elegance.  

Cheers to many more recipes, art projects, gatherings and giggles in this wonderful little kitchen,  

D & H

Easy Way To Teach Kids Their Address

I had an "aha" moment a few weeks ago as my toddler was reciting the names of the Bubble Guppies - why does she not know our address and phone numbers?   

God forbid she ever need the information, but the thought of my kid running around this earth knowing the Bub-bub-bub-bub-bubble Guppies and not her address just seemed insane. 

So I taught her the same way I accidentally taught her the lyrics to "Body Like a Back Road" - repetition.

Each time I pull into the driveway, I recite our address and phone numbers. 

This is how it goes for us:
"E do you know where you live? Where do you live?" Then I say our address. 
"Do you know how to call mommy? Say call my mommy," then I say my phone number.   Within a few weeks, she had it memorized.

I love my kids. I'd low jack them if I could, but I can't, I asked. So this is giving me some peace.  

I may not be there at every moment to hold their hands, but I pray that no matter where they go, they will always find the way home. 

If you give this a try, or have other ways you teach your kids about basic safety, I'd love to hear it! 

~D & H

Lumen

She showed up with big blue eyes; eyes that have a piercing & illuminating joy. 

Lumens are the amount of emitted light that our eyes can see.  Our family is brighter because of her light.

Welcome to our world little one, you are a gift from God.
  

Book Club: Setting Limits With Your Strong-Willed Child

Parenting is teaching your children that there are no limits to what they can achieve, while teaching them that there are limits to what they can do.  

This dichotomy is challenging to teach and is the driving force behind the ever growing wine (whine?) industry. 

Okay, maybe it isn't the driving force, but it certainly plays a role. 

Our toddler is a sweet, earnest, intelligent and loving little human who is more stubborn than anyone I have ever met. 

A friend pointed me to this book "Setting Limits With Your Strong-Willed Child" and after buying the book, I realized I made a $7.70 mistake in thinking I could power through the book this month.  So I subscribed to Audible and got the audio book. 

ABSOLUTELY worth the listen.  I feel like I have added tools to my parenting toolbox in a simple, straight-forward and data driven way.  The author lays out examples, guides you in examining your personality and the personality of your kid, and has you walk through typical struggles with your kid to highlight what ACTUALLY WORKS when you are setting limits. 

The takeaway for me has been that kids learn through our actions. If our words say "put your shoes on" and our actions don't require that of them, we are teaching them not to value what we say. 

I hope my daughters know that the world is theirs to conquer - whatever that means for them.  I hope they understand limits, why they are there, why they are meaningful and why they aren't.  

There will be limits that I hope they always respect, and there will be limits that I hope to God they fearlessly break through.  Maybe good parenting looks like teaching them which ones are which.     

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” -Pablo Picasso

The world is yours kid. Except that. That belongs to your sister. Put it down. 

~D & H