Numero Tres is here!

Wednesday, September 26 I was technically 2 days shy of 42 weeks and very nervous about having to transfer care from my homebirth midwife to a hospital. Per my midwives request I did a castor oil smoothie that morning and went for a hike at Catalina State Park. It was a beautiful morning for a hike and I was feeling really good! I also had an appointment for acupuncture in the afternoon. I felt fine after castor oil, which I was kind of bummed about. Ha! But during and after my acupuncture appointment I had some pretty good contractions, but they fizzled about an hour later. 

My midwife recommended another castor oil smoothie and I really wasn’t looking forward to that but I did it anyway. I again had no side affects. 

After dinner I started having some decent contractions again and they were stronger than the ones in the afternoon.  I went up stairs and took a bath while Ryan took the kids for a walk and then we tried to go to bed early. We got the kids to bed and I tried to sleep but couldn’t sleep through the contractions. So I got up and walked around a bit and then made myself another bath. Contractions were really strong then, but I was pretty tired and falling asleep in the tub so I got out and tried to rest. I went and laid in Brynn’s bed for maybe an hour but my contractions quickly turned into back labor and it was getting crazy painful so I went back in the tub. The contractions really amped up then and I had to rub my back really hard during each one to help with the back labor. Finally at 1:30 I was really struggling and texted my midwife that I needed her to come. My back labor was really getting to me and I was feeling pretty overwhelmed. 

I

Meanwhile I had Ryan, who had been laying with Brynn, get up and fill up the birth tub and get it ready.  When my midwives got there they said my position in the tub was not the best for back labor and I should probably get out and stand or lean over something and let someone squeeze my back. Ryan applied pressure on my hips and back for every single contractions after that and I really don’t know if I could have survived without him!! I’ve been thanking him every since! Ha ha! Outside of the tub I did maybe 5 contractions leaning over the changing table, but these contractions.... they were what I can only describe as.... electrifying. Like I got chills and had to dance my feet they were just so intense. I also started to feel some pressure to push and I could feel the baby’s head. It was at that time that I wanted back in the tub asap. So I hopped in and felt down below and sure enough I could feel something and thought maybe it was a head or my water bag. My midwife wanted to check me and I was completely dilated! Which was such a big relief, knowing I was almost done!! We made our way over to the birthing tub and woke up Colin, who was so excited!! He has wanted to see the baby come out since we found out we were expecting! One push in the birth tub and my water popped! Next push I could feel the head with my hand! I was sooo close! It took me a few good pushes before his head came all the way out and after that it was over! It was the most relief I’ve ever felt! I was so excited to find out what the baby was and Colin was sooo proud it was a boy! Brynn miraculously slept through the entire labor and birth and woke up when she heard the baby’s first big cry,  which was really sweet! 

I walked over to the bed and we all snuggled the baby and ooohed and awwed over him until I delivered my placenta. The kids both picked out books and took turns reading the baby books while he nursed until he got his check up! It was such a sweet and tender time and those first moments together as a family of 5 are memories I will treasure forever! 

Cade Patrick Waggoner was born at 4:15 am Thursday, September 27, 2018 at home weighing 7lbs 15 ounces and 21 inches long and perfect in every possible way. 

New adventures and number 3!

Well it’s officially been years since I last blogged. But here we are waiting for our next baby to arrive and praying for a safe and healthy delivery and baby! Life with two kids has been crazy and fun and blogging was the last thing on my mind! 

We definitely can’t imagine life without Brynn who is spunky and independent! Opposite of her brother in so many ways yet loves him so fiercely! 

And today here I lay snuggled up to her in bed while waiting for our baby number 3 to arrive!  

I’m 38 weeks pregnant (and 3 days, but who is counting).  We are having our first surprise gender baby! We found out what we were having with both Colin and Brynn but this time decided to have a surprise. I honestly never thought I could do it, but being so busy chasing the big kids around it’s been very easy! The only thing driving me batty is names because I like them picked before baby comes and no, we have nothing picked out yet! I can’t wait to put a name to this baby! Ha ha! But for now it is babywaggsnumerotres.... has a nice ring to it, yah?

We are also having our first homebirth! I was really super excited about it and then got nervous this week! Ha ha! I don’t know why, I think it was just a weak moment in life. I had a rough week and was like what am I thinking?!  Which actually led me back here, to my blog where I reread Brynn’s birth story and the following blog about being healed and I was like, oh yes... now I know what I was thinking!!! 

My birth with Brynn was powerful. I felt like a super woman afterwards. It was an incredible experience and I seem to have just forgotten that this week. It made me realize how capable I was. How strong women can be and how amazing the process is. I’ve wanted that experience again since I had her. In fact right after she came out I was like, let’s do this 5 more times! Ha ha!  

But life makes you doubt yourself! I don’t have all of the support I had in NM of people telling me empowering birth stories and being my cheerleader because we’ve just been here in AZ for a year. In fact I have a lot of people nervous and anxious over my home birth. Which is hard. You feel a little crazy sometimes trying to prove to the world that birth doesn’t haven’t to be scary or traumatic or gross and messy... all things I’ve heard a lot of. It definitely leaves you with doubts when you can’t sleep at 3 in the morning. 

But I know it’s just our crazy society. That most people have never seen or maybe never even heard of a calm or beautiful birth experience. We’ve only been told horror stories our whole lives, so we tend to only believe or associate birth with those. When in fact it doesn’t have to be scary or traumatic. And yes, I know There are always rare cases and scary scenarios BUT the majority of the time if we let nature do its work and we don’t interfere or intervene things go really smoothly! I read something the other day about how we are the only mammal on the planet who doubts our ability to birth and I was like, yup. So true. We were designed to do this. Our bodies are amazing. Trust them. 

Anyway. Here I am laying in bed, resting my days away waiting for our next sweet babe to join our family.  This baby, unlike our other two was not planned. It’s been a very spiritual journey for me knowing that God’s plans were bigger than ours. This baby was picked just for our family and will likely complete our family. How lucky are we?! At night when I can’t sleep and need to get crazy doubts out of my mind when it’s so easy to just grab your phone and go brain dead, I instead pray. It’s been so refreshing to have that time of quiet and peace to get my thoughts and prayers in a row. I know I will have many nights ahead up feeding and changing a baby here soon and I plan to continue my late night prayers!  

Here’s to birth, family, chaos and lots of prayers and all that goes in between! Stay tuned for the birth story of our newest little one, hopefully coming very soon!!! 

It healed me and I didn't even know I was broken.

I feel like I've been on a birth high for the past 5 months. I didn't know that could be a thing... but apparently it is!

Whats funny is I thought my first birth was ok. I wanted my OB to help me birth all my babies and couldn't imagine doing it without her. Since I had Brynn I realized how not so great my first birth was. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't have support. I didn't trust or believe in my body or the process of birth. My labor was long, stalling because I was scared. I thought the epidural was the best thing on earth, but it wasn't. I couldn't feel when it was time to push. I was stressed and tired and couldn't even push my baby out. He was suctioned out, while I was begging for a c-section. He was rushed away because he wasn't crying. We never had skin to skin. He came back all bundled up like a burrito. He was sleepy from the epidural and I wasn't confident in what I was doing. I really wanted to nurse, but it wasn't working well. I left the hospital feeling lost and scared and with bleeding, cracked nipples. I remember being so scared that they would let me leave and trust me to take care of this little human. We made it through and I eventually became a somewhat confident mother. But this next birth and experience changed me. Healed me. When I didn't even know that I needed healed.

I had support. Before, during and after birth.That helped tremendously. I was dealing with midwives instead of an OB which I think really helped. I had a lot more knowledge on birth. I went into it trusting my body and knowing what I was capable of. I was still scared, but once I was in labor I knew I could do it. Would do it. And I did do it. I was calm, in control and the birth was awesome. When she came out, all of fears went away. I was strong. I was confident. She went to my chest and didn't leave my side for hours. (Heck she basically still hasn't) That time was so healing. Just her and her parents. Snuggling, connecting and getting to know each other. We nursed so naturally and she stayed latched all night. She wasn't sleepy, she was alert, happy, calm and so was I. It felt so natural, normal and perfect. So opposite of my first experience.

Now, 5 months later I just realized tonight how I felt healed. I didn't know I was broken or needed healing, but the experience was so very much healing for me. I went from being terrified of birth. So scared to go through it again, to having a birth I could have only dreamed about and wanting to relive that day over and over.  Two babies. Two vaginal deliveries. And two VERY different experiences. One that made me feel broken and one that made me feel healed.

Birth story for Brynn girl!

This is my natural birth at a hospital with a midwife birth story for my second baby! After my first birth, which was a very long in the hospital with an ob, epidural and suction delivery birth. 

The last few weeks of my pregnancy were stressful, to say the least. At my 37 week apt my measurements were off,  my weight gain dropped and baby's heart beat was a little funky. So they sent me for an ultrasound and did a stress test on the baby. We got the results the next day, but they had miscalculated my due date off of my last period (I had irregular periods before getting pregnant) so initially my results were a little weird but then my midwife caught it and corrected it and all was well. A stressful few days, but fine! 

The next week Ryan woke up with some crazy chest pain. We rushed to the hospital and sure enough there were some irregularities on the ekg they did . We spent the morning back and forth from the hospital to the cardiologist, only to find out it was a random thing that he will probably never get again and to rest for a few days. (Pericarditis is what the actually diagnosis was and its just an inflammation of the outer lining of the heart possibly caused by a virus). I had an apt that day and my blood pressure was high but they attributed it to our stressful day. 

Then my next appointment, 38 weeks 6 days. My blood pressure was super high again. The midwives were really nervous. I had blood work and urine tested and something came back weird so I had to do a 24 hour urine analysis. Which came back normal, thank goodness. My blood pressure was still high so they started talking about inducing me. But because I didn't have preeclampsia issues and just some end of pregnancy hypertension they wanted to hold off until the next week when I was due and keep monitoring me, thank goodness, but stressful none the less.

Saturday we trick or treated and walked quite a bit. I definitely felt lots of pressure. I had a feeling that birth was coming. Sunday I joked to Ryan that he shouldn't go to his shooting competition because I felt funny, but all was well. I was just a little crampy and uncomfortable.

I woke up Monday morning around 1:30 am with a few contractions. They stayed pretty steady all day, but weren't very consistent ranging anywhere from 3-11 minutes apart. I labored in the bath for a bit and tried to rest a few times and every time I would rest my contractions would slow down, sometimes to even 10/11 minutes apart, but would be greater and stronger when they came. So I thought this was going to be another long labor and another long day. I ate breakfast 3 times (hey when you are up at 1am what else do you do?) I took a bath in the late morning and then ate lunch. I did some pacing and then decided to go back in the tub. I was there maybe an hour and was getting frustrated because I felt like nothing was happening and I wasn't progressing and instead I was stalling.

We had called my midwife a few times and I felt like because my contractions weren't very close together she didn't take me seriously and even suggested I come in for a blood pressure check (wasn't happening!) I thought maybe I'd get out of the tub and go for a walk with Ryan and Colin. When I got out  of the tub it was like contractions hit me wave after wave. I got really nauseous and Ryan knew that he needed to get me to the hospital and fast. The hospital was about 5 mins away and I had two contractions on the way there. We parked and I walked in (one contraction getting out of the car). I was soo terrified that I would get to the hospital and my labor would just stall with the change of scenery. They quickly wheeled me up to the 5th floor and I remember smiling and laughing between contractions. I got to the room and they had me change into a gown, which I was grumpy about because I had brought my own gown.. But it was in the car with all of the rest of my birth stuff (and camera) that we wouldn't get!

The nurses kept telling me to lay down and I was like, nope, sorry that isn't happening. Two contractions in my room and my water broke everywhere. Finally one nurse said just lay down so I can check you. I layed down JUST long enough to be checked and I was fully dilated. They quickly called my midwife. I labored standing up for a bit until I had the urge to push. Again was told to lay down and again refused because it seemed like it would be the most uncomfortable position and I wanted gravity to help me. I labored the last bit and pushed on my hands and knees! Pushing was hard for me, but also so amazing because as soon as she was out, it was over and there was immediate relief!!! Ryan helped catch her and as soon as she was out I flipped my leg over and brought her right to my chest where she stayed forever. It was so magical to get that bonding time immediately. Everyone left and it was just us and our new little life that we brought into the world. So precious and beautiful. 

My labor was so awesome and I feel so empowered and strong. 14 hours total. Showed up to the hospital fully dilated and spent an hour and a half there before we delivered. Wouldn't trade a second!! It was so different than my first birth. I'm not sure what the difference was in me, but I read a lot, did a lot of research and surrounded myself with stories of positive and beautiful births. During labor I kept reminding myself how strong I was. I knew my contractions wouldn't last forever. In fact I knew they would only last a little over a minute with the hardest part being the first 30 seconds. So I would really focus on breathing through that first part and focused on low moaning and trying to relax my body. If I can do it, seriously anyone can!! You just have to trust yourself and the process! And now, Brynn Elise Waggoner!! 

Its A....

We are so so excited!! 

18 weeks no sleep

First crappy nights sleep: 18 weeks! 

It's going to be a long 22 more!!! Lol 

Night before last I woke up with crazy pregnancy dreams about spiders crawling on my bed. Those dreams are my favorite, let me tell you! I wake up screaming and jump off the bed. Basically waking up the whole family. Loads of fun! Lol I had them all the time when I was pregnant with colin and that was my first one! I blame it on the season and the mass amounts of spiders migrating inside! 

I am feeling so much movement and felt the first movement from the outside the other day while I was resting my hand on my belly! That aspect is most definitely my favorite part of pregnancy!! 

We go for our 18 week apt on Friday and then will schedule my ultrasound!!! Eeeeep! So excited to see this baby! And see what it looks like! I think I'm more excited to see how it looks in there than what it IS! With colin even from that 20 week ultrasound he looked like Ryan! I wonder if we will have another clone or not in the works!! Can't wait to find out! 

16 Weeks

So I was perusing pinterest the other day... what else is new. And I saw these cute little pictures... and I decided I wanted to give it a try!  Colin was pretty excited about them too... completely so that by the end he had completely wiped off some of the chalkboard. The letters in weeks ended up on his shorts! 

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: 7 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes! I can still wear a few bigger shirts, dresses and pants with a belly band, but totally rocking maternity clothes.

Stretch marks: Not that I know of!

Sleep: Sleeping ok, when the dogs or the kid don't wake me up! I usually get up to pee at least once.

Best moment of this week: Just getting some time at home to relax after running with work and trips the past few weeks.

Miss anything: My cute clothes and ALL the wine! 

Movement: It feels like a little fish is swimming around in there! 

Food cravings: Still love me some english muffins!

Anything making you queasy or sick: This week and last week is the first time I can EAT real food again! Alleluia!  Meat is no longer my enemy!! So excited to get back to healthy eating again! 

Have you started to show yet: Totally

Gender: Don't know yet, one more month!

Labor signs: I had a few braxton hicks (I think) last week when I didn't drink enough water and was out working on the yard.

Belly button in or out: In... for now

Wedding rings on or off: On, 

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly Happy

Looking forward to: My Stitch Fix Maternity box comes in TODAY!!! Whoop Whoop!! AND Ryan has a 4 day weekend so we will probably spend a lot of time at the lake, when I'm not working!

Midwives

I am so thrilled with my decision to see a midwife for this pregnancy!  The experience is like a 180 from my last time. I leave my apts feeling so loved! 

The place I'm going has 4 midwives and you see them all throughout your pregnancy and then whoever is on call when you deliver is who you get. I was skeptical of this, since the last time I had the same dr I saw throughout my pregnancy, but so far I haven't met a midwife I haven't liked!  

For me the biggest difference is with my OB They came in, saw me for like 5 mins and then left. It was very quick and they didn't really try to get to me or make me feel comfortable. The midwives spend so much time getting to know you! I leave my visits feeling like I was talking with a friend for 40 minutes.  

I'm so excited for my birth (kinda) and  hopeful it will be a really great experience! 

Cravings!

Lets talk about cravings!


So with Colin I craved... who remembers???   Raspberries. Like crazy insane. I was out of control. This time around I think because we are paleo I've been craving bread.  And no I don't deny myself these cravings!

Specifically I crave English Muffins! Oh my! They are so glorious! I may have to go make one as soon as I'm done typing! Lol   Funny story. We've been paleo for... a little over a year. So when I got the hankering for an english muffin I went to the store and bought a package. Only to come home and discover... gasp... we DONT own a toaster!!!!  For real! We had been paleo for so long and hadn't had bread in our house for so long that our toaster had somehow vanished.  I looked EVERYWHERE for that dang toaster. I got really tired of frying up english muffins with coconut oil on the frying pan that I did go out and buy one! Let me just say it is SOO much easier to fulfill that craving now! Lol

I've been trying to eat healthy.. .but when you are nauseous and no food sounds good sometimes it is hard to eat healthy!! I'm definitely indulging a bit more than usual and not exercising as much as I'd like because I'm just too... tired and busy. But Hoping as I get out of this first trimester and into the second that my energy levels will hop back up and I can get back into eating our normal meals and exercising more!

New jobs and such.

So along with being pregnant I also started a new job. Not the best timing, but at least it will keep me busy!  I started a job with the breastfeeding task force in my state as the northwest regional coordinator. My position is only for 7 months, so literally a few days before I'm due it ends! Immaculate timing! The position is work from home with some travel and only about 15 hours a week. So it is pretty doable, even with being a stay at home mom and being pregnant! Plus it falls right into what I love, supporting breastfeeding advocacy and nursing mothers in my area!  So far it has been a lot of fun and I'm really looking forward to my work in this position!  I also quit my job... for now... with the newspaper. I enjoyed writing for the paper it was just a lot of work and very little pay. It was like a hobby. I really wanted to focus on this new position so I knew I had to cut something else out of  my schedule and that was it. Bittersweet for sure, but I'm excited for this new opportunity!

Pregnancy the first 10 weeks!

So obviously I've been holding out on everyone a bit! I am 10 weeks pregnant!! 

We had been trying for about a year and half, but because we were still nursing (and still are) my cycles had been either non existent or just super crazy!  Finally at the end of last year I had a few cycles in a row and things finally got consistent enough for me to get pregnant! We got our positive test the week after Valentine's Day! 

It was super  faint so I took about a gazillion more and enjoyed watching that second line get darker and darker each day! 

I actually KNEW I was pregnant within days ovulation! Which is totally crazy! I had sore Breasts almost immediately  and light cramping and exhaustion like 5 days post ovulation! I did a double workout one day and could hardly move the next day. I was like what in the world is wrong with me? I just knew I was pregnant! Which is why I tested and got a faint line like 10 days out! 

This pregnancy has been a bit different than the first time around. My exhaustion is crazy. I just fall over in the afternoons. I imagine it is because I am chasing after a toddler all day, but I worked full time the first time around, so I dunno!!  I've been a lot more nauseous too. I've even ordered meals at restaurants and when they bring it out I'm too nauseous to eat it. That never happened to me the first time around. I am either starving or sick! I get up in the middle of the night and chow down because I'm starved! 

I also popped out immediately! I gained 3 inches in my midsection the first week I was pregnant and couldn't fit into my jeans anymore!  So sad! Lol  It has been so hard to wait to tell people and hide it!! I also swore I was having twins because I was so big and I've been feeling lots of movement already. And colin told us there were 3 in there! 

This time around I am having a midwife at the hospital. Everyone I say midwife to assumes I'm having a home birth. Not yet, we will see how this birth goes! Lol maybe the next time! Ha!  Yesterday was my second midwife apt. I really loved the midwife I met with she was so excited I was coming to see them since she has seen my name on LLL stuff this past year! They checked for multiples and believe (unless one is hiding) that there is only one in there! They felt my uterus, which is the size of an orange right now. And they checked with a Doppler to hear the heartbeat. Baby kept moving and flipping and they couldn't get a good heartbeat over mine. But then they pulled out their old ultrasound machine and they were able to see baby, a fluttering heartbeat and just one sac! 

I still can't believe it! It is so amazing! Colin said he didn't see his baby ( it was hard to see) but he did hear it!! He was excited about it! 

Speaking of he has been so so thrilled! He told me the first week I was pregnant that he wished there was a window in my tummy so the baby could see him and he could see the baby! That just makes me melt! 

I think this pic is 6 and 8 weeks (I need to label better!) 

Oh hey! Another baby wags to pray for!!!

Breastfeeding and Tongue Ties/Lip Ties

So as most of you know Colin was born with tongue tie. We almost didn't make it past the first few weeks of nursing because of it. Since then I've been on a mission to educate people about ties because nobody should have to suffer from a hurting nursing relationship because of a tie. We weren't checked in the hospital for one and left the hospital in pain while nursing with bleeding nipples (graphic, but true. Your nipples should never bleed while nursing. ever.) and when we did identify the tie we had pediatricians tell us that ties don't affect breastfeeding, which is very much false.  For the record we got another opinion, and got his tie clipped when he was 5 weeks old. It was like I was nursing an entirely different baby. It no longer was painful and Colin gained weight. Like 2 pounds in a week, because all of a sudden he was an efficient eater. So tell me again how ties don't affect nursing? Lol

So lets talk about ties. I went to the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force's Annual conference last week. One of their guest speakers was Dr. Bobby Ghaheri, an ENT. Not just any ENT. An ENT who is making strides and waves across the country and world with his outreach, experience and skills in assessing ties. He is basically my hero and because of him I was inspired to write this blog post about ties. http://www.drghaheri.com/blog/

What are some symptoms of ties:

And I will also repeat this. Nursing is not supposed to be painful. Ever. Nursing was designed to be a joyful and harmonious experience for both mom and baby. Nursing releases hormones that make it a special bond and beautiful experience. If you are experiencing  pain, please seek out help. Whether it be a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League group I guarantee you they can give you the guidance you need to make nursing enjoyable, like it should be, for both of you. 

So above are the symptoms of ties. Some babies have all of these symptoms and others have none. Another interesting one, for those who have an oversupply of milk is baby gains weight very quickly because in the beginning your milk supply is hormonally driven. Once your hormones taper off your body relies off of supply and demand to produce milk. If baby is an inefficient sucker because of ties all of a sudden mom's supply tanks and baby's weight levels off. Not on the list above, but is often mentioned. Weight gain cannot be the only marker of successful breastfeeding, especially if mom is having issues. Babies and mommies go hand in hand. There is not just a baby, there is a baby and someone. The two of them make a breastfeeding dyad. 

So some interesting facts about ties. In Utero we are all tongue tied until the end of the first trimester when the ties are supposed to move back. Lip ties, or what most people see as lip ties are very common. In fact 90% of babies have a "lip tie." What really indicates a tie is the amount of tension of the lip and the tongue. If you can easily flip the lip up without any whiteness on the frenulum or with ease from the baby, that is not a tie. Same with the tongue, if you can easily lift the tongue up to the roof of your mouth, that is not a tie. Another thing to keep in mind sticking your tongue out does NOT mean you don't have a tongue tie. It is more about the ability to stick your tongue UP and the flexibility to reach the roof of your mouth than it is out. 

So how do ties affect nursing? Of course the issues listed above, but what is really happening is the tongue can't get in the proper position to effectively and efficiently nurse. Thus affecting how much of the Breast they take in and causing pain to the mother... among other issues. And the lip, is also an important factor of nursing. The lip acts like a suction and nursing is like a vacuum affect. When a baby is tied you hear clicking which is the loss of suction. They cant get a good seal. They slide off the breast, milk dribbles out of their mouth. They instead inhale air causing gas, reflux and colic. 

What happens when you don't want to correct ties?  As a child there can be speech issues, food aversions dental issues and of course on the super restricted tongues never being able to lick an ice cream cone or be a very good kisser.  Dr. G talked a lot about the palates in your mouth and how they can be affected which I found super interesting. Babies with restricted tongues have a much higher palates because even in utero they can't get the proper movement to flatten it out. High palates can cause a slew of issues from drainage issues, dental issues to  mouth breathers and sleep apnea!  Of course not everyone who doesn't get a tie corrected will have all those issues, but that is always there as a possibility to consider!

I'm not trying to scare anyone I'm just trying to spread awareness. Most ties are genetic. I have one and besides some jaw tension don't have any other issues and I've noticed a few people in my family do as well. But now that I know these things I can keep them in mind. They are also very easily fixed. I'm talking a 2-5 minute procedure from an expert. Colin's clipping was over in minutes and he only cried because their hands were in his mouth and that little snip saved our nursing relationship. 

Why is that important? Because nursing is amazing. It saves lives. You transfer antibodies back and forth that protect your baby from viruses and bacteria. Breast milk sets up  their gut microbes for the rest of their life. It prevents obesity and increases their IQ. Oh and lets not forget the benefits to mom! The longer you nurse you cut down your chances for breast cancer and cervical cancer and increase your bone density and avoid osteoporosis.  And besides all of those benefits nursing is the most natural and beautiful thing I've ever done. It is amazing. The bond and the connection you create with your baby is something that nobody can recreate.  

I also want to mention that doctors, ENTs and dentists and even lactation consultants don't know enough and some don't know anything about ties. Why? Because it isn't something that is taught in medical school. Doctors get less than an hour average of breastfeeding education typically... although hopefully that is changing. What they learn they've taught themselves or seeked out education on it themselves.  That and formula feeding was the most common thing until a few decades ago. so they had no reason to know about this information and it was taken out of the books. Dr. G is a prime example. He is an ENT. The reason he is on this mission to educate is because his own daughters were tied. They didn't catch his older daughter's tie and she had a ton of issues with nursing. When his second daughter was born they told them right away that she was tied and that was when he realized so was his first daughter. He said he was really mad at himself for a long time  because he is a specialist in this field and he felt like he should known... but he didn't because he wasn't taught about it. Since then he has basically flipped his whole practice to correcting ties and working on educating and spreading awareness because no mother baby dyad should have to suffer. 

So if nursing isn't working for you or someone you know and the symptoms sound like the ones listed above. Please please seek out help. It is worth it. I promise. 

So apparently I blogged and they didn't post! Oops! I just logged into blogger and saw two blogs I posted, one in December and one january didn't post! Goodness! That's how long it's been since I've blogged I didn't even notice! 

Hoping to keep up with this a bit more this year. So I'm starting now! 

Yesterday was my LLL anniversary. I've been officially accredited for 1 year now.  This past year has been so rewarding being able to give back and help others and provide support to others is the best feeling ever! 

I've learned so much in this position and have become a much more confident person and mother because of it.  

So many big plans for LLL this year. Hoping to get a few more leaders so I'm not spread so thin. Currently I have enough people coming that I'm doing two meetings a month so my one isn't overflowing!! And we are already planning for world breastfeeding week in August. Last year my group was really new and I had about 60 people show up. I'm expecting to double that this year!  

So that is why I keep so busy! I encourage any nursing or expecting mom to look into your local LLL group! It is the best way to mingle with like minded women that help and encourage eachother and mother through breastfeeding!  

So now that I'm off my LLL soap box! I also want to to encourage you to volunteer! It fills your soul and your heart and if you haven't ever or have thought about it but haven't made the leap, do it!! I promise that you will not regret it, not even a second! 

Healthy

We started on the healthy train pretty hardcore last year when Ryan's crossfit box did a paleo challenge. During that challenge Ryan lost over 30 pounds! 30! Guys my husband is so skinny and fit!!! 

Anyway! We've kept up this paleo lifestyle and i have been really hammering down on exercising. I think part of the reason Ryan was so successful was that he paired it with cross fit. 

I don't do crossfit. Maybe I should... But I have a hard time making classes as a mom and I'm afraid of messing up my neck or back.  So thankfully there are things you can do at home! I've joined the beachbody world and have become pretty obsessed with my PIYO DVDs. These workouts are like 20-30 minutes which is totally doable and it is easy on my bad neck and back. It makes me feel so strong. Push-ups, side bends, down dogs... Ugh I love it and you sweat your butt off! I pair it with zumba or running  and I'm hoping to be the healthiest me I can be this year. 

Ive decided that I'm going to (try) not to worry about the scale. Scales are so stupid! And instead just focus on being healthy and strong! I get super depressed when I start worrying about the scale. But it is just a number. I know I'm building muscles which weighs more than fat so that is another reason why that scale is so stupid! 

So here is to 2014, being healthy and strong... not skinny!

Anniversary time!

I was in 10th grade and I saw this new boy in school. He was tall and lanky with blonde hair and blue eyes. He played an instrument in band. I was pretty smitten. But too shy to do anything about it.  He went on to date a girl that was a year older than me and I remember always being a bit envious of them.  

Two years later this boy asks me out on a date. I had tickets to go see George strait. So I turned him down. Luckily he was persistent. Our first date was a disaster and I didn't speak to him for a few weeks. Then I saw him at an assembly looking all kinds of sad and I asked him if he wanted a fresh start and to get to know eachother slowly again. He invited me to ride on a Christmas float in a parade with him. We held hands and the rest is history. 

That was 12 years ago. 6 years ago to the same day we got married. 

Happy anniversary to my husband! 

Long Island Medium LIVE

I've posted before about my love for the Long Island Medium, Theresa Caputo and all that she does.  I know it is weird and foreign for some/most people to try to think about, but I really do feel like our loved ones spirits are still with and guiding us throughout life. Little things happen to me and I'm sure they do to you too and you think, I wonder if that was my grandma or my friend reaching out from up above and it is!  How comforting it is to know that they don't ever leave us behind and that they are always with us.  Also my family are crazy Italians originally from NY so of course Theresa reminds me of them which makes her even more awesome!

I was in a car accident 11 years ago ( in a month) and I don't really know how I walked away from that. My grandfather had passed about 4 years prior and the only thing I can think of is that he was protecting me and watching out for me. I rolled my car. Totalled it. And I didn't even have a scratch on me, not one. I definitely had a guardian angel that day and I know it was my grandpa. 

When we found out Theresa Caputa was coming to Albuquerque my good friend Dawn and I decided we would go. I'm not really sure we knew what to expect but it was awesome. It was like watching her show at home, except you couldn't ugly cry because you were sitting near strangers. 

I posted that we were going and had someone ask me if I wanted to connect with anyone. My initial thought was yes and no. I mean of course it would be so nice to get that reassurance that my grandparents are still with me, but I knew there would be people there that needed some closure a lot more than I did. And that was exactly the case. It seemed she channeled a lot of tragedies that night. Which I imagine are the people who need the most closure. Shootings, accidents, suicides... Things you don't understand entirely but try to and have to deal with here on earth with unanswered questions. 

When we got there we ended up in the elevator with this sweet older couple. We were both a little lost but together found our way. We chatted with them a bit and then parted ways. They just so happened to be sitting in the front row and ended up getting a reading from their son who had died tragically. We ran into them again on the way out and gave them hugs. The wife said it was meant to be that they came there that night. She told us about her son and how he was their only boy and they had two daughters. I can't imagine how they felt, but I bet they went to bed feeling a little more at peace that night.

My favorite reading was an older guy who didn't even know who Theresa was. Someone made him come there that night and she was able to connect with his departed wife. He shed some tears and it was very sweet.  And the last reading was the one that got me and I'm pretty sure everyone else crying a big ole ugly cry. Two little boys who had lost their mom.  The mom came through and Theresa talked to them about how they changed their rooms around and played instruments. It was very sweet and very touching, but also sad to see two little boys missing their mom so badly. I think it touched home to so many people everyone was crying. (Especially dawn and I who have little boys!)  Theresa invited them back stage afterwards because she is awesome! 

I hope someday to actually meet Theresa. I feel like I know her from watching her shows and relating to her because she reminds me of my own family from back east but she really is an incredible person. If you ever get the opportunity to see her live I highly recommend it!  

Colin is 3!!

I can't even believe my baby is 3. Say what?! He will be 13 before I know it.  I can't handle this whole growing up thing. He keeps telling me he wants to grow big and I say no, Mommy wants you to grow tiny! Ha, poor child!

We had a small party in Albuquerque with my parents and aunt and uncle (while I went there to see Theresa Caputo, which is another blog in itself.) and then had a party the day of his birthday at the local bounce house with some of his friends. FYI, that was the easiest party EVER. I just had to make cupcakes and show up... the rest was covered.  Stress free and amazing!  Colin has been asking for a Strider bike for his birthday because his good friend has one and laps him at the park. So he got one, complete with helmet, knee and elbow pads and some lights on it. He is all accessorized and rides it everywhere and all over the house.  If nothing else maybe he will sleep better at night! Ha! Just kidding that sooo isn't working so far!

So lets talk about my 3 year old. The biggest difference from when he turned 2 and now 3 is how much he talks. Boy does not stop talking... all day. Which is fine. It is actually pretty fun to have full on conversations with him and hear what goes through his mind.  Why? Is a new one that just happened within the last month. Everything is Why? Why? The other day I turned the tables and asked him why and he responded, Sometimes. I may have to use that one. Sometimes. He still loves trucks, cars and trains, BUT he also loves all things physical, like wrestling, football, soccer, running and riding his new bike. This used to be unheard of but sometimes he will actually go a full day without playing with cars. Shocking, I know.  He loves Towmater, Curious George and Jake and the Netherland Pirates. He also prefers to dress himself now and would like to either be naked or wear his football jersey all days everydays.

He had a good checkup last week. He is still small, but growing on his own curve. He is 28 pounds and 37 inches. He was 26 pounds FOREVER and I swear that he actually just gained those 2 pounds a month ago!  Yesterday the scale said 30... so who knows, I do think he is growing though so I wouldn't be surprised!!  He is like a bottomless pit some days!

Favorite foods: Oatmeal, eggs, yogurt, berries, bananas, apples, salads, carrots, pepperoni, salami, cheese and any soup and SUSHI. Of course he also loves ice cream, candy and cookies, but they don't count!  He really isn't a fan of bread of any type. The other day we were at Ryan's aunt's house and I asked him if he wanted a roll. He said yes and hopped on the ground and started rolling... everyone died laughing. He would much rather roll than eat a roll!! I swear he is a little paleo baby!

He is potty trained and just started going by himself and is trying to wipe himself (messy). He still doesn't sleep through the night, but I love with my new "job" that I have learned that it is ok and normal and most kids do wake up at night for a few years.  Sleeping is like walking and talking and crawling.. he will learn how to do it when he is ready.  The end.  On his way to 4... sad times!

Truckie

Lets talk about Truck... no not that thing that drives and has wheels.... This Truck:

As much as I thought he was the cutest fluff ball ever and that we just NEEDED to have him. I was also on the fence about the decision. We had a bad experience with the last pup we brought home. No amount of training was going to fix his food aggression and he wasn't a safe dog for a family. He was a sweetheart, but a switch would flip on him when he would smell food and he would turn evil in a second. It scarred me. It scarred Ryan too (and probably Bailey our older dog as well).  Ryan kept saying, " You know what happened the last time we got a puppy, it didn't end well."    But something kept telling me it was a great idea... and it was!

Truck fits in so well. He and Colin are like best friends. They follow each other all over the back yard. They wrestle and play chase. They are like brothers and I just love it!

  Bailey is still on the fence about him, but they play and have a good dog romping session every morning. He follows her everywhere too and she isn't too fond of that. She likes her space and does not like to snuggle. But she is getting old and grouchy. I sit on the swing in the backyard and pet and brush her while the two crazy boys run all over. It works out splendidly!

Truck is such a happy goofy dog. It is funny when we are in public he acts like a saint and very calm... but he isn't calm at all at home!

I didn't feed the dogs together for like the first month because I was soo paranoid. Turns out truck doesn't have a food aggressive bone in his body and Bailey is the top dog and eats her food and his and he doesn't know what to do so he just barks at her!

We took both dogs camping this past weekend and they both did amazing. Bailey is a pro at camping, but it was Truck's first experience. He picks up fast, stayed close to camp and didn't fuss.

He is sleeping in a crate at night in the house with Bailey in the laundry room.    The laundry room doors don't shut so he can't be free because he would escape. Bailey on the other hand goes and lays in her bed even though she knows the doors are open and sleeps all night.

I just love that goofball of a pup and I'm so glad we brought him home!

His only issue is he is a chicken. He is afraid of everything and especially other dogs. I don't understand that but we may need to take him to get some training on it. I've recently discovered he is only afraid of dogs that are bigger than him, which I suppose is understandable.  He growled at Bailey for the first day he was here and then decided she was his BFF.  I took him for  a walk at the park last week and to the dog park and he did really good with the small dogs, but growled something fierce at the big ones. So I think it is just that he is afraid!

Also I thought he was going to be a giant dog and he isn't. I think he may end up to be a little bit bigger than bailey, but that's it. He has white Shepherd and Golden Retriever in him, but he looks like a golden version of his mom and she isn't very big.

So there you have it. My little Truckie.