Thursday, December 31, 2009

A Year of Commitments

At the end of every year millions of people consider what new years resolutions they would like to make. We all know what tops what is likely 90% of those lists: weight loss and financial freedom. And we all know how long those resolutions last. By February those resolutionists are paying for their Big Macs and oversized Starbucks with those handy dandy Visa cards.

For some, that may be ok. But I am taking a stand in my own life and rather than making a resolution to better my life, I'm making the commitment. One commitment for each month so that by the end of 2010 a whole new lifestyle has emerged. Hopefully, it's one for the better.

January - No tv on Mondays-Friday. Only 2 hours on the weekends for the boys and one movie on Saturday or Sunday allowed for Paul and I.

February - Sex everyday. Whether or not I am in the mood.

March - Hot breakfast everymorning; NO microwave.

April - Do hair and make-up everyday (the amount of make-up isn't important).

May - Make bed everyday.

June - Get outside to play for no less than 1 hour.

July - No fast food.

August - Put all the laundry away every day.

September - Floss daily.

October - Put aside one item daily to be donated at the end of the month.

November - Write one thing I am thankful for everyday on a post-it note and post around the door, fridge, bathroom mirror, etc.

December - Find one food to make a new recipe with every day.

By putting this out there I hope it will make for some accountability as I continue the everlasting journey to become a better wife, mother, and woman. Here we go!

Three Weeks of Misery

Over the last 3 weeks we've been taking turns passing around the nasties. Starting with Braxton and what we thought was "just" conjunctivitis that turned into an ear infection and a slight cold and treated with breastmilk in nearly every orifice to vomiting and a fever of 105.7 that sent us to the ER at the children's hospital. Turned out it was adenovirus. His lasted about 8 days and just as we thought we were done , Kade, Trent, and I awoke with crusty and goobery eyes. What joy! So the milk flowed into their eyes as well, and seemed to keep the goobers at bay for my boys, but what about my own eyes? Well....I did attempt that. And I was not successful. Although saturating a cottonball with the precious milk and rubbing on my eyes did seem to offer a bit of relief.

Slowly our eyes, noses, and coughs have been getting better and we have been filled with so much elderberry, garlic cloves, garlic oil, slippery elm, and breastmilk I'm surprised it's not leaking out our pores. And now the hubby has started with a sore throat and he's taking the elderberry as if it's going out of style, but at least he's not complaining. We all know how horrible a "man cold" can be.

But there is a point to this point rather than just rambling. I have to admit that we gave in and saw the drs. Braxton had to go for the high fever, Kade's eye turned from viral to bacterial and we needed some eye drops (they have cleared it up beautifully), Trent is borrowing the eye drops as well, and I went for a sinus infection and ear infection that I just couldn't kick. I suppose there is a time when it's a good thing modern medicine developed the "Z-pack".

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Behold! The power of breasmilk!!

There are so many awesome uses for breastmilk that involve the whole family. I have discovered the healing powers of breastmilk on scrapes and scratches, how soothing it is on a rash, and my newest discovery - the power to cure infections!!

I have been dropping breastmilk into Braxton's eyes to take care of the puffiness and gooberishness, into his nose to dry up the boogers, and last night in his ears to take away his ear infection and the fever it was bringing...at it has worked each time!! This morning Braxton woke up happy as a clam and feeling fantastic.

Who knew breastmilk wasn't just for babies?

Friday, December 18, 2009

Centers

In part of coming to our agreement with Braxton about ending our public school days and beginning our adventure in homeschooling he said he wanted to have "centers" like they do at preschool, so we are. We already have a sand and water table, though it's only being used for water so we are going to need a seperate bin for sand/dirt so that one is covered. We have since bought a play kitchen and kitchen items and I am in the process of learning how to make felt food. I may start out with a flat version and once I feel confident with my creativity (and once I get a sewing machine) I'll begin the fluffy stuff. I think starting out with fruits and veggies will be easiest, then move on to breakfast foods like pancakes and eggs then add in things like fish, cookies and cupcakes, and finally sandwich foods. I'm so excited!

Some other center ideas I've been contemplating are playdough (going to make the fruity scented kind) and a tool area (the boys love being "working dads"). Maybe expanding on the playdough and making it a basic art station. All sorts of paints and items to paint with....sponges, ice, fruit/veggies, spiky balls...anything that encourages their creativity. And for the tool area I'm sure Paul would love to put something together and maybe even donate some of his odds and ends that no longer serve a purpose for him.

These are the types of things I love about the idea of unschooling. We follow our children as they guide us in what and how they learn and we provide plenty of opportunities to discover more. Right now Braxton is really into dinosaurs and Kade is into trains. I do think a visit to the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum is in order, along with a trip to the Utah State Railroad Museum. Fieldtrips!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Baby Bites

Trent has 5 teeth! Holy moly!! His first tooth came in at 4 months old and I think with all the teething he's been doing it's had a little something to do with his rejection of purees. I have made several different purees and he hasn't really cared for any of them..though the worst thing I could offer him is mushy cereal. His sweet mouth becomes sealed jaws of steel if I bring out the barley. So what solid food will he eat?

*Cheerios
*Baby Mum Mums
*Bananas cut into pieces
*Avocado cut into pieces
*Steamed veggies: peas, green beans, green pepper, yellow pepper, broccoli, and potatoes
*Rice
*Wheat toast
*Cottage cheese (this one I'm embarrassed to say I've offered, since he's only 8 months...but he didn't try it UNTIL 8 months!!)
*Shreds of meat: beed and chicken

When I see it written down that is a pretty good menu for a babe who's never actually eaten a pureed food. And of course I am trying not to compare with Braxton and Kade who loved eating purees from the start. To this day Kade will try anything once, and if Braxton tells Kade it's good, Kade will snarf it up. I love my adventerous eaters!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Home Is Where The Heart Is.

This year I have come to realize some pretty important things.

1)I am capable.
2)My family needs will always come first. Always.
3)My children can learn the most important life lessons right here at home.
4)My husband is the most understanding man there has ever been and loves his family more than words can express.

Starting with the birth of Trent we have come to find out just how important being at home is. I gave birth to Trent at home, on our bed, with my husband and Braxton sitting on the bed beside me and our middle son napping nearby. My sister, Meigan, and friend, Megan both supported me and my family in ways I can't even express. And my midwife keeping a watchful eye over the whole experience. While my older two boys were born med-free and labor involved with wonderful use of a jacuzzi tub, it was my most intense birth, my homebirth, that I feel the biggest smile come when I recall the day. It was so wonderful to be able to have my children involved as much as they wanted to be, to use my own shower, and to feel so open with such freedom to move about the way I needed to without fear of disrupting other "patients", nurses, or other hospital personnel.

This year we have come to decide to homeschool. We started Braxton out in a public preschool (the elementary he would have attended for K-6 grade) but soon after the feelings of frustration set in. Braxton is so gifted and it doesn't seem to me that giftedness is nourished and nutured in the public school setting. Instead, it's made out to be something that causes children to be disruptive and difficult. Being gifted brings on negative labels. So with the mindset that so far we have helped guide Braxton's learning already, we have decided to homeschool. Though do not think this is school at home. No curriculum, no bells, no tests. Rather, following our children's cues on what they would like to learn and providing positive experiences to encourage new thoughts and ideas. For example, Paul mentioned to Braxton that Mozart learned to play the piano when he was a small boy, and Braxton became fascinated so now we are learning about Mozart. I will make a list of what we have learned this year...it's not your average "preschool" list.

One of my greatest joys about homeschooling is that it isn't about teaching my children to pass tests. It's about learning and growing together as a family. We nurture eachother through our questions and discoveries.

This year we also grew our organic garden in the backyard complete with a compost bin. It was primarily tomatoes, but this coming year we are planning much, much more. It is my goal that the majority of what is eaten by our family is grown by our family. Hopefully though next year won't be so wonky in the weather. Too many soggy days make for some unhappy tomatoes.

We have switched our cleaning supplies to homemade concoctions. Vinegar is our friend!! It doesn't have to be smelly either, with the assistance of some pleasant essential oils it doesn't have to be very smelly at all. Vinegar is a great antibacterial cleaner and is safe if the kids lick where it was sprayed. And if you add some Clary Sage to it then you have added antibacterial power. Other than our all-purpose cleaner we have also made laundry and dishwasher detergent with the help of Borax, baking soda, and you guessed it...vinegar!!

Our next homemade projects include personal use items (i.e. "shampoo", feminine hygiene products, diaper rash ointment) and toys (i.e. felt food, peek-a-bags, wooden puzzles). I'm so excited to continue making our home a more environmentally friendly home.

Crunchitize Me, Cap'n

Since having my first son in November 2004 I have discovered that I deeply enjoy breastfeeding, so much that I let my children decide when to wean. Yes, that's right folks, child-lean weaner right here. The amazing benefits of breastmilk don't stop just because your baby has teeth, becomes mobile, or can express themselves with words or sentences. It makes me sad how many women feel they must stop breastfeeding to appease family, friends, or even worse, the average schmuck stranger who may make a comment that is nothing short of uneducated blather. I love knowing that my babes are getting great immunity from the food source designed specifically for their needs.

I've discovered that that I enjoy sleeping in the same bed with my babies. We don't have a family bed, but for the first year or so I cuddle my babies to sleep. I don't know how anyone could CIO with an infant. Babies don't cry because they are manipulative or vengeful. Babies only know what they need..whether he is a tiny babe crying out with a hungry belly or an older babe crying out for their mama's gentle touch and safe arms. My bed might seem crowded to some, but it's also full of love.

Baby wearing is something I rave about to anyone who will listen..ring sling, hotsling, mei tai..and in the event of an emergency, Snugli. When I watch other families who are using a big bulky stroller and awkwardly navigating their way around I wonder if they knew just how much easier it would be if they were wearing their babes. I wish I could carry extra slings with me wherever I went so when I passed by a mom or dad who is trying to console their unhappy baby from the carseat carrier, stroller, or shopping cart I could give them a sling and show them how easy it could be to make their baby happy. Whether we are taking a walk around the neighborhood, doing some grocery shopping, or getting some household work done, our slings (including the mei tai!!) have been a saving grace.

Something I have only recently discovered with my youngest babe, Trent, is how great cloth diapering is. AIOs are awesome and even more lately is my conversion to cloth wipes. No more money being blown on diapers and wipes every two weeks...it's all washed and used again!! Woohoo!! I am using Osocozy AIO (all in one) so that the cotton inside and cloth cover and one diaper and they connect using velcro. And for the skeptic who's wondering about the poop factor, just go take a look at the diaper sprayer. Hooks right up to the pipes for the toilet and voila! we can spray the poop right into the toilet where everybody else's poop goes. Excellent, eh? Oh! And must not forget to mention that I have my middle child, Kade, also in cloth. His opinion? Disposables are scratchy and cloth is soft.

And it is in making these gradual discoveries that along the way I have been able to unleash the tree hugger within...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Let's try again

I tried this whole blog thing last year and failed miserably, but we'll give it another go...who know, maybe it'll even be fun!