Mommy Momments

Missy, I think you have forgotten the meaning of sleep. For the past two night you have been waking every 2 - 3 hours to nurse. Whats up??

Today you were being so cute when we were nursing. My iPod was playing some music while we were nursing. You were sitting on my lap nursing and every few minutes you would come off, look at me and start dancing, then go back to nursing. It was so cute. Nursing you is still the best part of my day.

I love you so much!

My name is Emily. This is my rocking/nursing journey in motherhood.

Sleepy mornings, winter walks and curry

Life is good. Life is oh so good (although somewhat sleep deprived).

James took Missy for an hour this morning so I could get some extra sleep. Love that. She nursed every two hours last night. Teething? Ear infection? Too hot? Too cold? Just bad luck? What ever it was, I am grateful it happened on a Saturday night so hubby could help in the morning.

Started teaching in primary today. Went much better than expected. I think this is going to be good. I am grateful for callings that help me grow.

I am also grateful for winter walks as a little family and a delicious new curry recipe I tried. I had never tried making curry before and I am happy with the way it turned out.

My name is Emily. And this is my joyful walk in motherhood.

Today

Missy is 10 months and 3 weeks old

Today I am grateful for:
1) The Christmas season: it reminds me of hope and joy and celebration

2) Two hours all to myself: I rested, read and worked on Christmas presents

3) Being with the people I love best. Missy and hubby.

4) Sushi for lunch. I love sushi.

5) The gospel of Jesus Christ that keeps my life in perspective.

The Little Things

In my second pregnancy I bought a shirt for our little one. A onesie that said "daddy's little monkey". I have little things, like that shirt, from different pregnancies and I wasn't entirely sure what to do with them. But at some point I decided to use them for Missy. I feel as if those other pregnancies were just Missy all along, just waiting to come to earth.

So I have been saving these items for years, just waiting and wondering of I would ever be able to use them.

Last week I dressed Missy in her Daddy's little monkey shirt. I almost cried. Some moments I just can't believe that she is actually her. After so much heartache and longing she is here.

Missy 4 Months Old

Missy I an loving this 4 month old stage. You are so much fun.

• you can roll from your tummy to your back and from your back to your tummy (but you don't do it very often)

• you like to laugh

• you love to be outside. Yesterday you had a big nurse and cuddle under the shade of the tree in the front yard.

• you try to eat dirt. If we lay you on a blanket you will reach to the side and grab a handful of dirt. So far we have stopped you from getting it to your mouth.

• you smile at everyone. Last week when I took you for your shots you even smiled at the nurse after she poked you. At first you screamed, then after cuddling with me, you turned around and gave the nurse a big smile.

• you like to wear your sunglasses .

• you like to sleep in momma's bed. You have been waking up a lot more at night. I get tired of nursing you in your bed (a little mattress on the floor beside our bed) so half way during the night I put you in bed beside me. I think we both enjoy cuddling all night long.

Missy I love you so much. I waited such a long time for you to come to earth. I feel so blessed for every day that we have together.

Change of perspective

Pre-baby I would see mothers worried about getting there kids home at a certain time or wanting to leave an event to put thier kids down for a nap and I would think "relax. It's not that big of a deal. How the tables have turned. Now I am the mom telling my husband that it's time to go so that Missy can get to bed. Everyone, including dh, can't see what the big deal is, but they aren't the ones pacing the hallways at 4 in the morning. I really had to stand up for myself and leave a get together today so I could bring Missy home and have her regular routine. I felt a little type a personality about it but I really didn't want my little one to get over tired or over stimulated, for her sake and mine. Did I know that would happen? No. But I didn't feel like taking the risk today. The whole experience helped me realize a few things: 1) Stop judging people! I have been learning this a lot lately. Things I thought I would never do. I am doing. 2) Trust my gut. I am a good momma. I know what I am doing. Trust, hnour and respect myself. I am doing the best I know how to do. I don't need to be perfect. Right now I am exactly the right mother for Missy. I am enough. My name is Emily. I left early to put my daughter to bed. I am a wonderful mother.

One handed iPod blogging

I am blogging with one hand on my iPod because my little one is cuddled up with me in bed and if I move she will wake up.

Maybe I am starting some bad habits, but I co-nap a lot, okay almost always these days, and the past two nights we have coslept. She just seems so much happier when she is cuddled up with me. Right now she keeps fluttering her eyes open, smiling and then drifting back to sleep. When she slept in her own bed she would randemmley cry out during the night. I would have to rub her tummy to get her back to sleep. When she slept in our bed she seemed to sleep better and I did too. Cuddled between the two people I love. Feeling safe and warm. Does it get much better?

Will I co-sleep again tonight? Well see.

My name is Emily and this is my journey in motherhood that I am recording with one hand on my iPod.

Starting My Stash

My adventures in cloth diapering.

Why I cloth diaper:

1. It’s better for the environment.
2.  It saves money
3. The diapers are so soft and comfy.

I started with a cloth diaper service. I would leave my diapers outside in a bag once a week and clean diapers would get dropped of. Super easy.

But to save money I wanted to do my own.

So I started experimenting with a few different types of diapers.

Motherease fitted, sized, bamboo (Sandy Diaper)

Pros: Super soft and absorbent, good fit

Cons: Need to buy multiple sizes

Motherease fitted one-size, organic cotton

Pros: Only need to buy one size of diapers

Cons: Bulky

Omaiki Sleep, one size

Pros: Soft and super absorbent, just need one size

Cons: Haven’t found any yet

Bummies Wetbag (travel sized)

AppleChecks Pail Bag

 Bamboo/Hemp Liners

Pros: Add to a diaper for night time. No night time changing needed.

Cons: Cant think of any

I haven't tried this one yet. But it sure saves a lot of money. A package of 10 disposable swim diapers cost me $15. This reusable swim diaper cost $15. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

I liked the Motherease fitted diaper (Sandy diaper). It wasn't as bulky as the one size fits all type and the fabric was super soft and absorbent. Plus when I went to the store they had a bunch on consignment, still in great condition and only $10!! So now I am prepping them all (I have to wash and dry them three times to get the fabric ready). So I should be ready to roll tomorrow.

My name is Emily and this is my journey in cloth diapering.