tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36323251524493234232024-03-05T03:15:16.523-06:00Mama Luna StarCandidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-22657861618566831102011-09-05T13:44:00.000-05:002011-09-05T13:44:38.073-05:00state fair fun<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This past Friday was fair day!</span><br>
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All summer long we look forward to going to the <a href="http://mamalunastar.blogspot.com/p/summer-2011.html">Minnesota State Fair</a>. We wait, and wait, and... then it's here! Of course, this means that the summer is over, but I think it softens the blow a bit.<br>
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If you're not from Minnesota, you might not understand the fair. Thousands and thousands of people, fried-crazy-greasy food on a stick, farm animals and more- are we crazy? Why do Minnesotans love the fair so much? Just because. It's something we do every year, something to look forward to, a reason to eat crazy amounts of food and wear paper corn hats. Fun!<br>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Some highlights:</b></span><br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LZI5O-4Ed3Gxvzfv8PK-02OBhWdElMvyvqBkioyDL65S7vLvqpsVNmORr8-FOHeou4KD3qRgHzfEEUYfWZhBR7DpjhO5lLIWU6X3v1upTNONw9j3bNjTqJ-exAhEYz9-V1e4MKCb44E6/s1600/fair+on+the+way+090211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LZI5O-4Ed3Gxvzfv8PK-02OBhWdElMvyvqBkioyDL65S7vLvqpsVNmORr8-FOHeou4KD3qRgHzfEEUYfWZhBR7DpjhO5lLIWU6X3v1upTNONw9j3bNjTqJ-exAhEYz9-V1e4MKCb44E6/s400/fair+on+the+way+090211.jpg" width="400"></a></div><b>The bus on the way to the fair. </b>Luna is being a smart girl and getting her nap in before all the fun!<br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTyDHCuQsTAvLFw7s9qrmPsuYWTzNoF-hSZGMiN6QgCFnS6ZEp69wKThAzKeXexPoyQuzzCBoLnx_W8vr0VXYqRm-XOvom5NNYkyDuparygB6XIMcne1pB8JuhAGwqiWOeKsvySaT9J96/s1600/fair+condog+dakota2+090211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTyDHCuQsTAvLFw7s9qrmPsuYWTzNoF-hSZGMiN6QgCFnS6ZEp69wKThAzKeXexPoyQuzzCBoLnx_W8vr0VXYqRm-XOvom5NNYkyDuparygB6XIMcne1pB8JuhAGwqiWOeKsvySaT9J96/s400/fair+condog+dakota2+090211.jpg" width="300"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6p5dzfVNNCeGibijRAPeCv6Ech1Aw3yzd9jNQU7bsNL2sqhGjYFsMUoQbHlcxBHBz0ITlFJFLgQDam75NYg0Gs_orJJ3HOoBEEbO82fhFlxKdxsTx4NNzKWPV-UYq1SHN5vCL1NofLe8/s1600/fair+corndog+dakota+090211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6p5dzfVNNCeGibijRAPeCv6Ech1Aw3yzd9jNQU7bsNL2sqhGjYFsMUoQbHlcxBHBz0ITlFJFLgQDam75NYg0Gs_orJJ3HOoBEEbO82fhFlxKdxsTx4NNzKWPV-UYq1SHN5vCL1NofLe8/s400/fair+corndog+dakota+090211.jpg" width="300"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3cTgqNS06n48XeRn-AJ1Yc4S6zg8Rp8D5hW9HGV81tGuZhURJAv28AN60Mqx_lqP7x0fpMYkCOK-C42qV4g71hLDAL3KjgFkc5Ea7MxovcR8mCmcHcqLL6m6POQIthEdOxOcZc_Gui-W/s1600/fair+corndog+dakota3+090211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3cTgqNS06n48XeRn-AJ1Yc4S6zg8Rp8D5hW9HGV81tGuZhURJAv28AN60Mqx_lqP7x0fpMYkCOK-C42qV4g71hLDAL3KjgFkc5Ea7MxovcR8mCmcHcqLL6m6POQIthEdOxOcZc_Gui-W/s400/fair+corndog+dakota3+090211.jpg" width="400"></a></div><br>
<b>The famous food on a stick.</b> I eat corndogs once a year- at the fair. We walk in and head straight towards my favorite stand. Obviously it will be Dakota's favorite one day too.<br>
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<a href="http://mamalunastar.blogspot.com/2011/09/state-fair-fun.html#more">Read more »</a>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-10878927949769760822011-08-29T23:33:00.000-05:002011-08-29T23:33:30.908-05:00go the f*ck to sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTe7nAC3XGthUZ9V9gxVjOQo2TsSRnKqFV94C_cZeEfoPh84mX1mmYERn-4kI2ixZ3RyLMEIP17_W4bvfKDIOzo9DCQ8ElCnjGiTREIIY6-B-b9G1pMFXb34QPn8Ln3tDeo3JTxHrvi8Z/s1600/Go-the-Fuck-to-Sleep-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTe7nAC3XGthUZ9V9gxVjOQo2TsSRnKqFV94C_cZeEfoPh84mX1mmYERn-4kI2ixZ3RyLMEIP17_W4bvfKDIOzo9DCQ8ElCnjGiTREIIY6-B-b9G1pMFXb34QPn8Ln3tDeo3JTxHrvi8Z/s320/Go-the-Fuck-to-Sleep-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Looking for a present for a new parent? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then look no further- this is it. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1617750255/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1617750255">Go the F*ck to Sleep</a>, by Adam Mansbach, gives words (funny ones!) to the grumblings that every parent has going through their head almost every night.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnXrx-EO-X6tzH7pcY7lxrsR_IpV6YU8sBLsz-CIRI6TkQzoUyOk8n88lWZZ-9GVhF7r9Ku0CMEcCOdGHMLl6-meQ5v5D5JPVQs9gmaPz5_M3XsKnvEjKT0PYT1YS7Wh8Ro8LJZj1Erhp/s1600/Go-The-Fuck-To-Sleep-Illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnXrx-EO-X6tzH7pcY7lxrsR_IpV6YU8sBLsz-CIRI6TkQzoUyOk8n88lWZZ-9GVhF7r9Ku0CMEcCOdGHMLl6-meQ5v5D5JPVQs9gmaPz5_M3XsKnvEjKT0PYT1YS7Wh8Ro8LJZj1Erhp/s400/Go-The-Fuck-To-Sleep-Illustration.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Hilarious! My sister got me the book when I last visited her and I can't thank her enough. When it is a particularly bad bedtime night, I can't help but think of some lines from the book, which makes me laugh instead of be grumbly.<br />
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There is nothing more frustrating than a child that won't go to bed- anything that can inject a little humor into it can be a lifesaver!<br />
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<b>Thanks sis! </b><br />
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Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-85605490042901442022011-08-19T14:48:00.000-05:002011-08-19T14:48:54.375-05:00cucumber tomato puree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckd9avnMbXt7tpouwh6k6_VvURV_b0_w0w8Nohgh3qBKhCApuhH3aUxTBfNd1nl_-fqNCSYt4X-ZbDw3bCaFkI9I9Y3eCLYA5QOYh61eo0OsKuw_E9lUTZoFrodePHQ20H49vdHcC5iII/s1600/cucumber+tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckd9avnMbXt7tpouwh6k6_VvURV_b0_w0w8Nohgh3qBKhCApuhH3aUxTBfNd1nl_-fqNCSYt4X-ZbDw3bCaFkI9I9Y3eCLYA5QOYh61eo0OsKuw_E9lUTZoFrodePHQ20H49vdHcC5iII/s400/cucumber+tomato.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>At 20 months, Luna is still eating purees. They might be a little chunkier, but everything she eats still needs to be mashed, processed or blended...<br />
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Which makes it hard to eat lots of the fresh vegetables and fruits that are out at the farmers markets right now. She eats a lot of cooked food- which I think is okay for her, but I've decided to start trying more fresh, raw foods with her.<br />
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Yesterday a friend gave me some cucumbers from her garden. I figured I'd let Luna give it a try- success!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Fresh Cucumber Tomato Puree</b></span><br />
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<b>One <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42">cucumber</a>, unpeeled and sliced</b><br />
<b>One <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=44">tomato</a>, sliced</b><br />
<b>Sprig of fresh <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=85">basil</a></b><br />
<b>1 heaping spoon of sour cream</b><br />
<b>1/2 cup cold <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=142">quinoa</a> </b><br />
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In food processor, blend cucumber, tomato, and basil together to desired consistency (Luna needs it pretty smooth, as would younger babies). Stir in sour cream. Serve desired quantity over quinoa (quinoa can be blended with vegetables as well). Leftovers can be put in refrigerator and served within the next three days.<br />
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Enjoy! The smell alone of this puree makes it worth it.<br />
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Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-25462314362699326652011-08-13T23:12:00.001-05:002011-08-13T23:13:47.880-05:00we're back!We're back in Minneapolis after Dakota's week of firsts: <b>First time on an airplane, first time meeting multiple cousins, aunties and uncles, first time in New York and Philadelphia, first time on a train, first time on a bus.</b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some highlights from the trip:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKLQd2jodCpnmG5AJRpjoPbfO3iZvmTZwsAbtzGkoCKfggqNlY5uDM6of1wq2asfWUB5emHtUsaNQ4umVrxMo-11oi0r_G3-ByOzp6LYJLGg94NF6omkLrs18adX4Vc_qVBzhupBpH072/s1600/dakota+first+plane+080511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKLQd2jodCpnmG5AJRpjoPbfO3iZvmTZwsAbtzGkoCKfggqNlY5uDM6of1wq2asfWUB5emHtUsaNQ4umVrxMo-11oi0r_G3-ByOzp6LYJLGg94NF6omkLrs18adX4Vc_qVBzhupBpH072/s640/dakota+first+plane+080511.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<b>The plane rides!</b> The first one was great- no crying, no screaming. If anything, she was squealing because of over-excitement. The second one was not so great.. a couple of screaming jags. Maybe because of her teething? Nothing that a little tylenol couldn't fix...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkPGBKoNThHJkLlQVEotBRHPUmytwIfGOpMLdOnp6l7yaAlnjqjB6-ro_IOv1Rg1446X_8YT412DoEA2SR3dd9Kq7LsRUtf54O4hTq5tntNwYnuC12UkWxDu7hWBZfMZxw0SWrmupY_Sy/s1600/dakota+addy+080611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkPGBKoNThHJkLlQVEotBRHPUmytwIfGOpMLdOnp6l7yaAlnjqjB6-ro_IOv1Rg1446X_8YT412DoEA2SR3dd9Kq7LsRUtf54O4hTq5tntNwYnuC12UkWxDu7hWBZfMZxw0SWrmupY_Sy/s640/dakota+addy+080611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<b>Dakota finally met her cousin Addy.</b> Here they are chilling in the pool. I believe they liked each other, although their main form of bonding was trying to grab each other's eyes and toys. I love that they are the same age- if only they lived in the same zip code! I also will take this opportunity to highlight the fact that they need some more cousins their same age (hint-hint, all of you relatives who have yet to child bear)...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKq71JY_zBFUXao-Pes5CrrH6CL0TXJB9qU2cFsun2EHJ0i_vopb1pD1VVuEv3JP6M-YKXHOZhFuK3_1JHw17bdOe33ZR4xsefWZIkTE3N2g2YG3KA1rhWGQWAZDkHPTekFVC_MoifGLc/s1600/jones+beach2+081011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKq71JY_zBFUXao-Pes5CrrH6CL0TXJB9qU2cFsun2EHJ0i_vopb1pD1VVuEv3JP6M-YKXHOZhFuK3_1JHw17bdOe33ZR4xsefWZIkTE3N2g2YG3KA1rhWGQWAZDkHPTekFVC_MoifGLc/s400/jones+beach2+081011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Dakota also went to the beach for the first time.</b> She was NOT a fan of the ocean. Was it the cold? The salt water? The noise? The sticky sand? The scary seagulls stalking us? Who knows. At least I enjoyed myself. I predict that next time she will too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vapvqEJ8L2q-ZLrEwqw6mCS5ZEBN411idyVSZXApbrhIHFzNY8-buCOJS3GlOZxigK2vBkPJa50UJdWHhJ3tLbeGAoy69yKZaxAmCGl4JVaabTnHdqxRTxeu34ErAXkwjwsVJJkiaVbg/s1600/rowan+dakota+love+080711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vapvqEJ8L2q-ZLrEwqw6mCS5ZEBN411idyVSZXApbrhIHFzNY8-buCOJS3GlOZxigK2vBkPJa50UJdWHhJ3tLbeGAoy69yKZaxAmCGl4JVaabTnHdqxRTxeu34ErAXkwjwsVJJkiaVbg/s400/rowan+dakota+love+080711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Here is one of Dakota's cousins that she met for the first time.</b> I think that if they could have found a good place to hide her away in their house, they would have. I don't think I held my baby the entire time we were in Philadelphia!<br />
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<b>A gross highlight (no picture included since I can't provide barf bags to those who might need them):</b> Is your baby constipated? Do you have a long bus ride coming up? If you do, please be aware that said baby will choose to hold in all poop until you are firmly on the bus. Also know that you will forget to bring a plastic bag, gloves, and little scent trees to pass out to those seated around you. In addition, please realize that on a moving bus, with a moving baby, you will get that poop ALL OVER YOU. Laugh now, because you will not be laughing later.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can laugh about it now.</span><br />
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And we are home. I am happy that our family is all together again, but sad that we won't be seeing our east coast family any time soon. I'm also pleased to know that I have two babies that are master travelers!Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-34395372062392620202011-08-05T08:12:00.000-05:002011-08-05T08:12:37.503-05:00we're off!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhp5WVLzRWBgrG4Bn6pTbLo_Og2B-qVLnpmp97Weu4wiNHG4p8ddOV5MXgSuqQG97mYiVXujHcVOtpP_OEbUmQkuxYTA-aFydPc5_PpSBhm0Soq9Hvj3gV_aUOQMdSrFq1AzNjSmcxQOb/s1600/dakota+sky5+071211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhp5WVLzRWBgrG4Bn6pTbLo_Og2B-qVLnpmp97Weu4wiNHG4p8ddOV5MXgSuqQG97mYiVXujHcVOtpP_OEbUmQkuxYTA-aFydPc5_PpSBhm0Soq9Hvj3gV_aUOQMdSrFq1AzNjSmcxQOb/s320/dakota+sky5+071211.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We're almost off on our adventure! <b>Dakota and I are leaving for one week in New York and Philadelphia today. </b>This will be a week of firsts:<br />
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- Dakota's first time on a plane (pray for us!!!)<br />
- My first time away from Luna for more than a night<br />
- My first time away from Dustin for more than a night for over three years<br />
- Dustin and Luna's first week alone<br />
- Dakota's first time meeting all her relatives<br />
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Nervousness! I think Dakota will be fine. But how will I do with my other baby at home? Dustin is a great father, but babies need their mamas too. And I shudder to think about how the apartment will look while I'm gone.<br />
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On to other things... like the fact that<b> I'm not packed yet and I need to be at the airport in a couple of hours</b>. I hate packing!!! Especially for babies- who knows what you'll need? Might as well pack it all! Luckily, since I am breastfeeding Dakota I don't need to deal with bottles, formula, water, and all that other crap. Just diapers. And wipes. And extra clothes. And her toys. And some blankets. And....<br />
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Alright, a lotta crap. Better get packing.<br />
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<b>See you next week!</b>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-32141437126102308932011-08-02T22:59:00.000-05:002011-08-02T22:59:40.866-05:00types of diaper loads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpbw1fduGu1r0dfg2o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpbw1fduGu1r0dfg2o1_500.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This is killing me right now. Cannot stop laughing. My god, is this what my life has become? Did giving birth shave so many years off my mental life that I am now like a 8 year old boy, laughing at poop?<br />
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No, I just spend so much time up to my elbows in poop that it makes me happy that someone is sharing my pain.<br />
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By the way, Dakota is firmly in the Inverted Exorcist stage. Gross.Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-61616795460614599942011-08-01T22:48:00.001-05:002011-08-01T22:48:37.634-05:00dakota update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can you believe she is already five months old? I can't!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mt2FWT9yFfn-yAYkzEuipaOuljOukBLXlwGCwXmZBqv24fb48py-7CcXufiGi8nrmjIFpzpgY5zPInO4AfJDFiNJeJblIFDiupAb2trM61m_o8_WeFH9-EmEaOLbJEfr52HelIY1bxIw/s1600/dakota+5+months+072311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mt2FWT9yFfn-yAYkzEuipaOuljOukBLXlwGCwXmZBqv24fb48py-7CcXufiGi8nrmjIFpzpgY5zPInO4AfJDFiNJeJblIFDiupAb2trM61m_o8_WeFH9-EmEaOLbJEfr52HelIY1bxIw/s400/dakota+5+months+072311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Things she is doing now:</b> making the most adorable sounds <i>ever</i>, a mile a minute. Grabbing things with both hands. Grabbing two things at a time. Grabbing my hair and not letting go! Smiling and laughing. Kicking everything with her super-strong legs. Lifting her front end up when laying on her belly. Rolling from side to side, over and over and over again. Chewing and drooling and sucking on everything in sight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AAfJ5oQSHhHXg4Hv3tCE9blng_App3HhrEJE_FfUGy5OKsFp-MrXM1zuvp4PLNqtUspJN_vioyG059SzyqbnP4feSOIqL98nXJXHlDjCI0_7kjq1QbSVFfXA5kZa-3Sxy9y_d8s4S6Bc/s1600/dakota+5+months8+072311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AAfJ5oQSHhHXg4Hv3tCE9blng_App3HhrEJE_FfUGy5OKsFp-MrXM1zuvp4PLNqtUspJN_vioyG059SzyqbnP4feSOIqL98nXJXHlDjCI0_7kjq1QbSVFfXA5kZa-3Sxy9y_d8s4S6Bc/s400/dakota+5+months8+072311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>What she loves:</b> Being held. Seeing her mommy (she won't relax until she finds me in the room). Jumping in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Jenny-Jump-Up-Circles/dp/B0010W9OE0?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Jenny Jumper</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010W9OE0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Eating (or snacking constantly). Standing (with someone holding her up). Playing with her sister- yes, they are playing together more and more! Kicking and hitting things on her activity mat (million thanks Stephanie!). Chewing on her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lifefactory-Multi-Sensory-Silicone-Teether/dp/B002SG7KO8?ie=UTF8&tag=widgetsamazon-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">lifefactory teether</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002SG7KO8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Hugging and attacking her stuffed animals with her mouth. Reading books. Swimming.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHll0Gee-oSAe-SWwbS3vDXm8RljBFNDzm3x2TGftEulNm8fBGMA51srB5aVnOYyTPjHk4TJoxmEj18P40EWpFE7KEUQuULCULgk32EcWwoN_k-i1Xfy2QTuTlFOmhyphenhyphenJi7jCOlbOw6NVuf/s1600/dakota+5+months11+072311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHll0Gee-oSAe-SWwbS3vDXm8RljBFNDzm3x2TGftEulNm8fBGMA51srB5aVnOYyTPjHk4TJoxmEj18P40EWpFE7KEUQuULCULgk32EcWwoN_k-i1Xfy2QTuTlFOmhyphenhyphenJi7jCOlbOw6NVuf/s640/dakota+5+months11+072311.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<b>Other milestones:</b> She got her ears pierced this past weekend! We decided that Luna and Dakota can only get piercings and tattoos (much, much later on) with their Auntie Heidi. Now she looks like a little boy with gold earrings.<br />
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She's also about to take her first plane ride- we're heading to New York this Friday. Keep your fingers crossed that we are not that crying pair on the plane that everyone wants to kill!<br />
<br />
Finally, she is definitely pre-teething. I predict that by her six month picture there will be a little tooth poking out of that mouth.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The time goes too quickly!!!</span>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-23299199387838242722011-08-01T10:58:00.000-05:002011-08-01T10:58:04.525-05:00sister loveIt's been forever since I've posted!<br />
<br />
As I said, two babies are just a little bit time-consuming and difficult...<br />
<br />
My sister and her girlfriend visited this weekend! A long-awaited yet too short visit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mAXCrhXZXNnvL02OlTCL1Wbv0KqKjbzMz681vYffywQKOXn5jthutggtuW042ivbT8XAdV3QqNpGrQdDExqY3E4ELAyHfthEzLXvAgfsM1ZrIx90FRwcJhwGditobi-B9lsiuVcL5tgI/s1600/heidi+dakota+luna+072911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mAXCrhXZXNnvL02OlTCL1Wbv0KqKjbzMz681vYffywQKOXn5jthutggtuW042ivbT8XAdV3QqNpGrQdDExqY3E4ELAyHfthEzLXvAgfsM1ZrIx90FRwcJhwGditobi-B9lsiuVcL5tgI/s640/heidi+dakota+luna+072911.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
If it were up to me, I'd move them in to our house in a second.... and not just for the benefit of having four extra, willing and loving hands around! My sister is an awesome mother, and I love having someone that I can just turn to and ask any child-related question too. Plus, did I mention that she is awesome?<br />
<br />
I miss her already. Boo.Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-74832072627438675932011-06-19T11:56:00.001-05:002011-06-19T11:57:16.673-05:00happy fathers day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Daddy- Thank you for everything that you do:</span><br />
<br />
- Being a willing helper on the diaper assembly line.<br />
- Giving bottle after bottle.<br />
- Dedicating your life to playing with babies every day.<br />
- Being a loving mate.<br />
- Working so hard with Luna every day.<br />
- Making meal after meal during this difficult baby time.<br />
- Being there for us, day in and day out.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We love you! - Mommy, Luna and Dakota</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw1mPE_NxDK8gILOFM8pnOry1fSAMrHGaZ_ReSg2TRlaCHI4p19hq6K1gQVY6nANOyKUjU0DWPDzWMmzWmF2DmHZ3SrttPExeSaUZ7iKMCXXaHGIIlrrQBSv3RMCd1ItaX98Hs8tcte03/s1600/couch+052311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw1mPE_NxDK8gILOFM8pnOry1fSAMrHGaZ_ReSg2TRlaCHI4p19hq6K1gQVY6nANOyKUjU0DWPDzWMmzWmF2DmHZ3SrttPExeSaUZ7iKMCXXaHGIIlrrQBSv3RMCd1ItaX98Hs8tcte03/s400/couch+052311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWjxptsK9bQrrdATn-pdaraK6bxvCYH8rC8_gGFdq2g_WUuLLvDo3THltfxZL36lfuuFR8Fk5xfk9puzlgrki1A0erWZtkvuXDL2Asvj2h338dhNYz0cRhOpHDh3Iz1Er9Np9Q8GnM9Xx/s1600/cedar5+071810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWjxptsK9bQrrdATn-pdaraK6bxvCYH8rC8_gGFdq2g_WUuLLvDo3THltfxZL36lfuuFR8Fk5xfk9puzlgrki1A0erWZtkvuXDL2Asvj2h338dhNYz0cRhOpHDh3Iz1Er9Np9Q8GnM9Xx/s400/cedar5+071810.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9V9fCanbiDbeRbOm8IhTGeyA_21h8MHEDdWWR6ebm0Gzy4ujJStzUBg2kkR4BErV2qqGrefD9_AVAw7c22CEzG1qqCid8Xjm-K0TM72yK4zt3X26PJgqpnn9ve5ROX1UzIdlsbfB4svf/s1600/fair+family2+090310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9V9fCanbiDbeRbOm8IhTGeyA_21h8MHEDdWWR6ebm0Gzy4ujJStzUBg2kkR4BErV2qqGrefD9_AVAw7c22CEzG1qqCid8Xjm-K0TM72yK4zt3X26PJgqpnn9ve5ROX1UzIdlsbfB4svf/s400/fair+family2+090310.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-35485646290875916522011-06-18T10:57:00.000-05:002011-06-18T10:57:42.594-05:00the nap dilema<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EKdDfu5S_4ei88in9-bp2Zni16ohk_HWJXqTkbPiBzpDeWcz31jzgT4Vu1bqsIWcoqVYaUlSE9bPwtDph0Zr6lLruzUhWKjFmsbda30RSlAmTEo65eqag2FHbYIH8tdxFntMu8Ewcb0e/s1600/sleeping+052211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EKdDfu5S_4ei88in9-bp2Zni16ohk_HWJXqTkbPiBzpDeWcz31jzgT4Vu1bqsIWcoqVYaUlSE9bPwtDph0Zr6lLruzUhWKjFmsbda30RSlAmTEo65eqag2FHbYIH8tdxFntMu8Ewcb0e/s320/sleeping+052211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The nap time dilema. Dakota has fallen asleep. What to do? Do I:<br />
<br />
- Play on the computer?<br />
- Clean?<br />
- Do the dishes?<br />
- Take a bath?<br />
- Spend quality one-on-one time with Luna?<br />
- Do laundry?<br />
- Watch TV?<br />
- Read?<br />
- Get out of the house and run some errands?<br />
- Just sit and stare into space?<br />
- Take a nap myself?<br />
<br />
Even if I decide what to do, it's always a gamble- will she sleep for 5 minutes? 15 minutes? 2 hours? What if I decide to do something more involved and she wakes up just as I get into it?<br />
<br />
The daily dilema.Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-36768357630670988772011-06-13T22:52:00.001-05:002011-06-18T10:58:55.875-05:00breastfeeding inspiration<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_qrEKHsZcMmItZVvoeuV3QWGuHDQ2sJ9rOkWlhgfMP5oWJ4R-gdgpi64d5JdLu7sfCOpCB0uGr58Nvn9pB2Hop7mffVXNYp8vDJwrPN-ZM3AKJyd20UCcCa7hMrFrjLiB7yETonSg9E/s1600/gorman1_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_qrEKHsZcMmItZVvoeuV3QWGuHDQ2sJ9rOkWlhgfMP5oWJ4R-gdgpi64d5JdLu7sfCOpCB0uGr58Nvn9pB2Hop7mffVXNYp8vDJwrPN-ZM3AKJyd20UCcCa7hMrFrjLiB7yETonSg9E/s1600/gorman1_big.jpg" /></a></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The Visitors,</i> R.C. Gorman</div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-3423366647363610332011-06-10T11:38:00.001-05:002011-06-10T11:39:42.611-05:00weekly update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetTNR4KDDGy2nXRBzmj8azT0Prr-1tUV0jK99NZQXHBz8EqcxqIo8uPqFnipvna7Tqt6Oaj9y1Y-OvG_LeNgHpKFvqnNIP94oT1npzD89LRZo_pYqlONetprkiHGYL6Mxwi4BhZ9gwjgH/s1600/luna2+051011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetTNR4KDDGy2nXRBzmj8azT0Prr-1tUV0jK99NZQXHBz8EqcxqIo8uPqFnipvna7Tqt6Oaj9y1Y-OvG_LeNgHpKFvqnNIP94oT1npzD89LRZo_pYqlONetprkiHGYL6Mxwi4BhZ9gwjgH/s400/luna2+051011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Busy week.<br />
<br />
Luna had her EEG on Tuesday. They wanted her to be sleep deprived- meaning we had to keep her awake from midnight until 9:30. Yeah... that didn't happen. We got her up at 5 am, but she we still pretty awake by the time we checked into the sleep center.<br />
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Luckily, the whole process of getting the many sensors on her head tired her out a bit- Getting little sensors glued onto the super curly head of a girl that does not want to hold still is not easy. She finally then fell asleep, so they got good readings of her awake, falling asleep, and asleep.<br />
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The good news is that the technician didn't see anything that indicated that her tremors are brain-related or seizure-related. She thought that they looked muscular, or a product of something going on in her nervous system.<br />
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Next up are two MRI's and a hearing test that she will need to be sedated for. After that we will meet with the neurologist again to go over all the results, and hopefully have some more information and answers about her condition.<br />
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Other Luna updates:<br />
-We wrote her new annual IEP plan last week. This year we will be working on getting her to hold a bottle, sippy cup and spoon, being social with other children, moving to sit and crawl unassisted, and putting toys in and out of bowls (she's already going crazy with taking things out of bowls!!).<br />
-She is sitting up by herself for very long periods of time.<br />
-Banging toys all over the place.<br />
-Picking up all different kinds of objects and playing with them.<br />
-In general being a happy, fun little girl!<br />
<br />
Dakota news: her colic is finally almost gone. She is becoming a much more happy baby, moving non-stop. We're working on getting her to fall asleep by herself and get into a nap pattern. She still sleeps mostly through the night, which I am loving!<br />
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Hoping for another beautiful weekend so we can get these babies out of the house and into the sunshine!Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-62237067644031429472011-06-04T10:22:00.001-05:002011-06-04T22:44:47.276-05:00breastfeeding inspiration<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VFwkLZV7WOM_xmFa4I-sv2krHjtlLyn07TqDMnlbsXUc7D4EXJ0uxNlO2I-s973V2qFTuYuU8Ghgildr7PfW1UdLfPmuIFn4pX_tKG515d03ROss7A6pUNNZWfA0mdZSITomrYfp3oBh/s1600/terry3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VFwkLZV7WOM_xmFa4I-sv2krHjtlLyn07TqDMnlbsXUc7D4EXJ0uxNlO2I-s973V2qFTuYuU8Ghgildr7PfW1UdLfPmuIFn4pX_tKG515d03ROss7A6pUNNZWfA0mdZSITomrYfp3oBh/s1600/terry3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Mother and Child I,</i> Terri Frank</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
This is Dakota: Why eat when I can smile and talk to you, mama? Sometimes frustrating but always adorable.</div></div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-34464719373894849382011-05-31T16:19:00.000-05:002011-05-31T16:19:28.101-05:00things worth rememberingHow did I ever think that one baby was hard?<br />
<br />
Backing up: One baby <i>is</i> hard, especially if it's your first baby. I try to think back to when Luna was born- besides her specific issues (which are a whole 'nother post in itself- NICU, questions, worries, etc., etc.) there were all kinds of new things to adjust to. Breastfeeding. Waking up at all hours of the day (and night). Poop explosions. Doctors visits. The fact that your whole life turns upside down trying to fit this new little person into it.<br />
<br />
I remember a day from the first week that Luna was home. It was Christmas-time, my brother and sister-in-law were visiting, and we were supposed to go over to my parents house for dinner. Easy, right? Wrong- I just could not get it together to get out of the house. My timing was all off. Feeding Luna, pumping, taking a shower, eating something, getting dressed- it was so overwhelming, even with my mom and sister-in-law at the house to help. We eventually got out of the house- 3 hours later than we should have.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to now. One baby? No problem. Easy. I could do it all day and all night, and be reasonably functional and relaxed. Granted, some of my standards have been relaxed- when was the last time that I washed my kitchen floor? Don't ask.<br />
<br />
But two babies? Half the time I'm <i>this close</i> to falling over the edge. Over-the-top busy-ness and procrastination are my constant companions. Some days I feel like I live on a diaper changing assembly line. Right after I put toys away in the living room, they somehow are all over the bedroom. A baby needs to be held. A baby needs to be held. And burped. And.. something. Luna has a million appointments to go to each week. There is a stack of unopened mail that has been growing since March, haunting me. The bathroom sink is so disgusting I hate to look at it. I'm falling behind at work and spend precious time looking at all my stuff wondering how I can possibly start to catch up.<br />
<br />
I went to catch up with my best friend yesterday, who I haven't seen in person for forever (she also has two little ones). She reminded me, and I have to remember this, that it doesn't last forever. The first months with a new baby are the hardest. It gets easier. It's true- I remember when Luna hit 6 months old thinking, <i>This isn't so bad. I can do this</i>.<br />
<br />
Most days I do remember, and I also remember the flip-side to it- <i>my babies won't be babies forever</i>. Dakota is getting bigger every day. Soon she won't be snuggling in my arms. We won't have the quiet peace of a good breastfeeding session, when I can just sit there and feel her in my arms and marvel at how beautiful she is. I won't hear the heart-melting "goos" and "gahs" and see the big, open-mouthed smiles.<br />
<br />
That's why I need to take time to sit and just <i>be</i> with my family. Play with them. Hold them while they sleep. Make kissy faces and have nonsensical conversations in baby language. Work will get done, eventually. The mail will get opened, one day. The bathroom sink will be dirty for the rest of my life. But I will never be able to get back <i>this time, this moment, this opportunity</i> to be with my daughters.<br />
<br />
Sappy, yes, but worth remembering.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_w-Kt-O8ST0-LCbAktzOwVohEIy_PvR7phnz1xez3tcFrsRGu6RzifKIo9oq5xCNgcaAt7XyvwbVA2YiAPuImVSdYqHkpqmd4V5pqJ08Wms7jLK9b91INKGEbLiV2cYsecTm4jzQj7TA/s1600/kiss+052611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_w-Kt-O8ST0-LCbAktzOwVohEIy_PvR7phnz1xez3tcFrsRGu6RzifKIo9oq5xCNgcaAt7XyvwbVA2YiAPuImVSdYqHkpqmd4V5pqJ08Wms7jLK9b91INKGEbLiV2cYsecTm4jzQj7TA/s640/kiss+052611.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a silent moment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-31941094032487653722011-05-28T00:45:00.001-05:002011-05-28T20:05:23.153-05:00more breastfeeding inspiration<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/lintpicker/Breastfeeding/terry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/lintpicker/Breastfeeding/terry.jpg" /></a></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Lena and Breast</i>, Terri Frank</div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-45202645179051154962011-05-26T22:18:00.001-05:002011-05-26T23:09:13.426-05:00more breastfeeding inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cultured.com/images/image_files/2523_motherhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://cultured.com/images/image_files/2523_motherhood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Motherhood</i>, Stanislaw Wyspianski</div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-53132923354552803572011-05-23T10:08:00.002-05:002011-05-31T19:41:00.904-05:00cradle cap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ncad3RTs6VDEeyHK95aq4DuOOGXqaEw13yuKQ5qwII6K3f2VnPxP8BccA-5IngAO692J5MXz0Ls5evc0ofmoJComcD4GatAJlPopHrbFDF51AQG-kCXLXAzVaIn4GrMg0hcQkhKrsv7M/s1600/dakota5+051611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ncad3RTs6VDEeyHK95aq4DuOOGXqaEw13yuKQ5qwII6K3f2VnPxP8BccA-5IngAO692J5MXz0Ls5evc0ofmoJComcD4GatAJlPopHrbFDF51AQG-kCXLXAzVaIn4GrMg0hcQkhKrsv7M/s400/dakota5+051611.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This baby.. if it's not one thing it's another. First the jaundice. Next, crazy bad newborn acne. Good news is the newborn acne is gone, revealing beautiful (if very sensitive) skin.<br />
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Now, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_cap">cradle cap</a>. Scaly, gold, white and flaky. First it came on one part of her scalp, then started spreading across the scalp and down her face. She can't tell me, but I have to imagine that it is itchy or bothersome.<br />
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From what I have read, cradle cap is related to newborn acne, both being variations of <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001959/">seborrheic dermatitis</a>.<br />
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One common remedy that I have heard of is <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=132">olive oil</a>, which seems a bit heavy and messy for her skin. Another common treatment is shampooing with a dandruff shampoo, but the idea of all of those chemicals on her sensitive newborn head scares me.<br />
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I've put <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jojoba_oil">jojoba</a> oil on her skin since she was born, and she hasn't had any reactions to it, so I decided to use this recipe that I found in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aromatherapy-Healthy-Child-Nontoxic-Essential/dp/1577310950?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1577310950" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I modified it a little to only use jojoba oil instead of an even mix with avocado oil.<br />
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<b>Mix in a clean glass jar:</b><br />
<b>1 ounce jojoba oil</b><br />
<b>1 drop <a href="http://www.simplers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SBCL&Product_Code=EOTea5">tea tree essential oil</a></b><br />
<b>1 drop <a href="http://www.simplers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SBCL&Product_Code=EOLem5">lemon essential oil</a></b><br />
<b>1 drop <a href="http://www.simplers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SBCL&Product_Code=EOOra15">orange essential oil</a></b><br />
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<b>Massage a small amount on head, working into scales. Avoid face area. Leave on for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, shampoo scalp gently with a mild shampoo (we use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/California-Baby-Sensitive-Shampoo-Fragrance/dp/B0014CTZSG?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">California Baby</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0014CTZSG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />) and rinse thoroughly. Brush gently with a soft bristled brush. Repeat 2-3 times a week, or every day if very bad.</b><br />
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We saw improvements right away! It stopped spreading to her face, and is much, much less flaky. I'm curious to see what comes after the cradle cap....<br />
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<i>UPDATE 5/31/11: </i>2 weeks later, and the cradle cap is 99% gone (but watch for it to get worse for a couple of days before it gets better, as the scales start to come off in force)!Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-3087356030205832882011-05-21T21:59:00.000-05:002011-05-21T21:59:00.991-05:00motherhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdtFZL8pFzLlUwlKvPE-KcpE97wnnFZTpHYYwhzQkkHP884I5AQ6LyK068lvBpW_NCTIila6IHICKdjjpL-BIdcwW2RdluStJoVfSaVdJuZFpvwNxbuKgA1MXCjaqsnauSyT2CMtBqAUZ/s1600/bed+051711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdtFZL8pFzLlUwlKvPE-KcpE97wnnFZTpHYYwhzQkkHP884I5AQ6LyK068lvBpW_NCTIila6IHICKdjjpL-BIdcwW2RdluStJoVfSaVdJuZFpvwNxbuKgA1MXCjaqsnauSyT2CMtBqAUZ/s400/bed+051711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love my children so much, sometimes it scares me. I know that this comes with the territory, but I wasn't prepared for how ferociously I feel this love.<br />
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I felt this way with Luna, and now it seems to have intensified with Dakota. Maybe it's the breastfeeding hormones that are coursing through my body that make the feelings seem stronger. Maybe it's part of the bonding process that Dakota and I are going through. Maybe it's just something that naturally grows each day through one's life with their children.<br />
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I find myself being extremely defensive of them, especially of my little baby. Someone can suggest something that might be harmful to them, or something that could happen in the future, and I instinctively go to hold them closer. I understand the feeling that you could kill for your child.<br />
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On the flip side, I also worry more, about huge things that I have no control over- what if there was a nuclear war? What if some crazy natural disaster came through and something horrible happened to one of them? Or what if it happened to me and Dustin, and the babies were left to fend for themselves?<br />
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I especially worry about Luna- I see these stories about horrible people that take advantage of mentally handicapped people and I want to cry. What is wrong with people? At least with this, I know that I have wonderful family that would jump to take care of her- this makes me feel better. I wish everyone could feel so secure.<br />
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My love for them also makes me feel happy. I have 2 beautiful girls that I get the privilege of watching grow. I get to hug them and kiss them, play games with them and cuddle them. These are the thoughts that I treasure at night, and that help me to fall asleep. I have never been so sure of anything in my life like I am of my love for them.Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-2637315788858918792011-05-17T13:16:00.002-05:002011-05-17T13:20:08.533-05:00links<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BfuAyzDfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BfuAyzDfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Our links are here!<br />
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A couple of months ago, one of Luna's therapists recommended that we get some of those plastic baby rings that link together. Fine, great, no problem- except when I started searching for some that were BPA free I found nothing. So I held off on buying any, figuring that it was just a matter of time before some brand came out with ones that were BPA free.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryo_DyF7c_Q4eQFjjQkN4woLz2JGMgwkVLz-guUNSpvD3stKAUnEfJM-EgbwLReHXZ5gGubviWsMOPXgEgC8xu7cit8Ojim0sMTU2Sy1anGbPAwb9hWFNGqb7KRULznyUmlxpOWotG6j5/s1600/rings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryo_DyF7c_Q4eQFjjQkN4woLz2JGMgwkVLz-guUNSpvD3stKAUnEfJM-EgbwLReHXZ5gGubviWsMOPXgEgC8xu7cit8Ojim0sMTU2Sy1anGbPAwb9hWFNGqb7KRULznyUmlxpOWotG6j5/s400/rings2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The wait was worth it! Yesterday we got these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dandelion-Eco-Friendly-Corn-Teething-Links/dp/B004GSJCRE?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">eco-friendly corn teething links</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004GSJCRE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> from Dandelion.<br />
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6 links- 2 red, 2 green and 2 yellow, made from cornstarch bio-plastic (I know, supporting corn subsidies, but I'll accept that trade-off). No BPA, phthalates, pvc or lead.<br />
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Each color has a different design for sensory play- my favorite are the yellow links that have little stars all over them.<br />
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The links can be played with alone, linked together, attached onto a bar, or worn as a cute little baby bracelet- not an advertised use, but very adorable. Luna has already spent some good time playing with them, and Dakota likes to look at them dangling.<br />
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I even tried to break one and couldn't. Score!Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-79762290893887673702011-05-15T22:28:00.000-05:002011-05-15T22:28:28.526-05:00baby sweet potatoes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE1SgFU8b6HskMw_T0PTKy8OKe4MNsVO4017Ez4UIgSMwGTw9o3A9Y8-u_jHWbtee2dtZFHHtaVfBBsvWKPWuHVdiJI3Ue-VJSlZQtGHKEXjNG4VYJGmdNTfLe_u0pdyIXaxn2RNF1ykm/s1600/sweet+potato2+051511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE1SgFU8b6HskMw_T0PTKy8OKe4MNsVO4017Ez4UIgSMwGTw9o3A9Y8-u_jHWbtee2dtZFHHtaVfBBsvWKPWuHVdiJI3Ue-VJSlZQtGHKEXjNG4VYJGmdNTfLe_u0pdyIXaxn2RNF1ykm/s400/sweet+potato2+051511.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">messy sweet potato face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Luna loves her <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=64">sweet potatoes</a>, without a doubt. If you have to ask why, well, have you tasted a plain sweet potato recently? Anyone who thinks that vegetables are by nature bland most surely has never tasted one. These things are sugary delicious! Luna must think that every sweet potato meal that we give her is an extra-long dessert time.<br />
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The biggest confusion that I have always had with sweet potatoes are the difference between them and <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=113">yams</a>. Turns out that most "yams" that we offer in american supermarkets are actually orange versions of sweet potatoes. This includes garnet "yams", Luna's favorite type of sweet potato.<br />
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The most common ways to cook sweet potatoes are boiling, steaming or roasting. I like to roast Luna's sweet potatoes- mostly because it's the easiest way... At about 11:00 I throw one in the oven and by 12:30 she has a hot and tasty lunch.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Roasted Baby Sweet Potato</span></b><br />
6 months and up<br />
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1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.<br />
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2. Scrub sweet potato and cut off any bad spots. Poke holes on all sides with a fork or knife.<br />
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3. Cook for 45 minutes- 1 hour. Sweet potato is done when you can stick a fork or knife through it easily.<br />
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4. Take out of oven and let cool. Peel skin off and mash. Depending on the age of the baby, add water, formula, breast milk or milk to get to the consistency that you want. At first, Luna ate a very watery sweet potato puree. These days (17 months old), I don't add any liquid- just mash.<br />
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<b>Just be prepared for orange poop. :)</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVjmeF2I9Q2xA5mFkfOz07fVod13QJCcYWnHT03mprPaJdFt0fegQQk4uRHhCK_jwg3BkezjW1nxHw8fpQ_RQ0m3juONJDdVcU79zRPtkCZMSDuiCy9HHhz8XltbmJE_sjR5SA8J56J-O/s1600/sweet+potato4+051511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVjmeF2I9Q2xA5mFkfOz07fVod13QJCcYWnHT03mprPaJdFt0fegQQk4uRHhCK_jwg3BkezjW1nxHw8fpQ_RQ0m3juONJDdVcU79zRPtkCZMSDuiCy9HHhz8XltbmJE_sjR5SA8J56J-O/s400/sweet+potato4+051511.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gimme more sweet potatoes, lady!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-4645621533849288672011-05-14T21:36:00.001-05:002011-05-14T21:36:36.053-05:00luna update - standing<div style="text-align: center;">Luna got her stander!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYLHmrorUr8EkmF8Fq2byGfKGuYidhdoA0q0jy9oCWQGN6VKdkAsAB99zcuQtrVuQcBWOErVN9rwF0f6pHfofiEYs9pb2EA3rhk990pTPDPEKPI5N8sGUazA1Bd7H90MEK6oxr1oJsQo8/s1600/stander4+051311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYLHmrorUr8EkmF8Fq2byGfKGuYidhdoA0q0jy9oCWQGN6VKdkAsAB99zcuQtrVuQcBWOErVN9rwF0f6pHfofiEYs9pb2EA3rhk990pTPDPEKPI5N8sGUazA1Bd7H90MEK6oxr1oJsQo8/s400/stander4+051311.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Another contraption lent to us by our therapists from <a href="http://ecse.mpls.k12.mn.us/">ECSE</a>. Dustin calls it "the rack". It now replaces "the electric chair"(the seat used to help her sit up) in our house. Which is great news- Luna no longer needs her chair to sit and play! Hopefully we'll have the same success with the stander.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Luna was very happy in it right away. We will be using it for 15 minutes at a time, 1-2 times a day. It is supposed to help her weight-bearing on her legs and feet and build up muscle tone. Our therapist said that families usually use it for about a month until they don't need it any more. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Can't wait to see what it will do for her!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpIvlPXMFGxWiawYUO6Zi4qVQcoG-W4E_n_T_h_Wc4V-KIhm1jfLysUcGG7WZZnXSw43l8VoFMZF6LAeJG1cMeH6XOZ8jGG0FDl-IX2StRGTcYRwGF4hZLVBKTSE3y2BobeGEaVUta5IV/s1600/stander2+051311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpIvlPXMFGxWiawYUO6Zi4qVQcoG-W4E_n_T_h_Wc4V-KIhm1jfLysUcGG7WZZnXSw43l8VoFMZF6LAeJG1cMeH6XOZ8jGG0FDl-IX2StRGTcYRwGF4hZLVBKTSE3y2BobeGEaVUta5IV/s400/stander2+051311.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySCcmozJnv8XgoMG4TrFJKe3xtf_9_ZZE_NTThPf_zBJq3TKBhC0TAmfVnhs_ivnegmhLUQREAjfP_2LoRJUX_chSwtcz3FSJYiZfFEDEecMTvDMx8yDpakOIgqrMgPnVy8ZJfnkJv1pL/s1600/stander+051311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySCcmozJnv8XgoMG4TrFJKe3xtf_9_ZZE_NTThPf_zBJq3TKBhC0TAmfVnhs_ivnegmhLUQREAjfP_2LoRJUX_chSwtcz3FSJYiZfFEDEecMTvDMx8yDpakOIgqrMgPnVy8ZJfnkJv1pL/s400/stander+051311.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi5Tq8Jz3p9o-l5V9SQxN3Mtzoxc1793bzjhH27Kb8_7EsG6dTHgwR5JzFI4W8CDvsU-upEeofPtJZXJVgV5H3zmkSvl8moV285KX4xOR6MNDnyPGcWyyUS4APH188E5WDPYFB8yFXnou/s1600/stander3+051311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi5Tq8Jz3p9o-l5V9SQxN3Mtzoxc1793bzjhH27Kb8_7EsG6dTHgwR5JzFI4W8CDvsU-upEeofPtJZXJVgV5H3zmkSvl8moV285KX4xOR6MNDnyPGcWyyUS4APH188E5WDPYFB8yFXnou/s400/stander3+051311.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-90186468330008439612011-05-11T20:20:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:25:08.943-05:00toddler=frat party<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Been up since 4 am (Thanks Dakota!)- need something to make me laugh. Found it! Courtesy of <a href="http://www.shitmykidsruined.com/2011/03/17/why-having-a-toddler-is-like-being-at-a-frat-party/">Sh*t My Kids Ruined</a>:</span><br />
<span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span></span><br />
<div id="content" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 44px; margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 512px;"><div class="post" id="post-731726687" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-left-radius: 6px 6px; border-bottom-right-radius: 6px 6px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-left-radius: 6px 6px; border-top-right-radius: 6px 6px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 50px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><h2 style="color: black; font-weight: bold; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 450px;"><a href="http://www.shitmykidsruined.com/2011/03/17/why-having-a-toddler-is-like-being-at-a-frat-party/" rel="bookmark" style="color: black; font-weight: bold; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" title="Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party">Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party</a></h2><div style="color: black; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">9. There’s always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">8. It’s best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone’s going to start banging on the door.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">5. You’ve got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4. There’s definitely going to be a fight.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">3. You’re not sure whether anything you’re doing is right, you just hope it won’t get you arrested.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUaLAhf1Tz6dPMbiuB9_dWKC4AY0_Xd9BcNuq4PR2VDd7-RLRIgz5HQRU63TCDkxABiy9Vpsb16h5eK71YzvEixS7KWBFgMYEkfCuFiDkJ57R-ik0dWftZiMROKAkVbDliM4EABhBSi4M/s1600/luna+hat+030311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUaLAhf1Tz6dPMbiuB9_dWKC4AY0_Xd9BcNuq4PR2VDd7-RLRIgz5HQRU63TCDkxABiy9Vpsb16h5eK71YzvEixS7KWBFgMYEkfCuFiDkJ57R-ik0dWftZiMROKAkVbDliM4EABhBSi4M/s400/luna+hat+030311.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">life at the frat house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></span></div></div>Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-70383407489864926162011-05-11T08:09:00.000-05:002011-05-11T08:09:10.501-05:00mothers day 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wkUKfMk43zdnEMFpQKmLAvl6NPynAnNk_Lj_S6FraFbsQ3ALXw3Q2w9sPHOq1Ewwi1-BEFJiZXwIxNSMPx3vp5TK_Usqojd1zQ0Xd5HxF_grsFn3RhgmumZayw7MUKdlDUHlQwQ2Ug6d/s1600/mothers+day+050811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wkUKfMk43zdnEMFpQKmLAvl6NPynAnNk_Lj_S6FraFbsQ3ALXw3Q2w9sPHOq1Ewwi1-BEFJiZXwIxNSMPx3vp5TK_Usqojd1zQ0Xd5HxF_grsFn3RhgmumZayw7MUKdlDUHlQwQ2Ug6d/s400/mothers+day+050811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy10AI0xVPm9RlfEDBhL0kRJrihRoELCvQQegpJI8gPcDudgJ3wtYk17vHvRHjacUtx9dL-sldKch4tDKZ79vW1-l5s5Wd7Nk-5tS8OYDEniKkVGslaVKWhAdzcEQOOjewzFZuhUPz5J6/s1600/Mothers+Day2+050811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy10AI0xVPm9RlfEDBhL0kRJrihRoELCvQQegpJI8gPcDudgJ3wtYk17vHvRHjacUtx9dL-sldKch4tDKZ79vW1-l5s5Wd7Nk-5tS8OYDEniKkVGslaVKWhAdzcEQOOjewzFZuhUPz5J6/s400/Mothers+Day2+050811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5RI5qpUZBVEPrcgBLNiOOcly114ssLo3nX9lUzKWe86GP3GdkoJz8E6tc8nAq5RyMqFihr_KIYehHa5UDiEYtfVhYuWg6zbuOo9VZVEbwnNIroy2dMg6NX_QZyEfmQ1V6FnUNCYIHl0x/s1600/Mothers+Day3+050811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5RI5qpUZBVEPrcgBLNiOOcly114ssLo3nX9lUzKWe86GP3GdkoJz8E6tc8nAq5RyMqFihr_KIYehHa5UDiEYtfVhYuWg6zbuOo9VZVEbwnNIroy2dMg6NX_QZyEfmQ1V6FnUNCYIHl0x/s400/Mothers+Day3+050811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSWVZegfPxxDREcIAXVg8HkFWkyx6wodM3BHllSMrZc7OPprQQ4Q5Rr1xOHb99HrY1s_jpggZ19f0PTYoV4GpPiP1C5D49tTxTcZcyJxakGWWlAJwIK2n1s4Cpv_WMrBOueB9ZHH-MarA/s1600/Mothers+Day4+050811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSWVZegfPxxDREcIAXVg8HkFWkyx6wodM3BHllSMrZc7OPprQQ4Q5Rr1xOHb99HrY1s_jpggZ19f0PTYoV4GpPiP1C5D49tTxTcZcyJxakGWWlAJwIK2n1s4Cpv_WMrBOueB9ZHH-MarA/s400/Mothers+Day4+050811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There is not much better than laying in bed cuddling with babies, as well as breakfast in bed and sleeping in! I didn't get out of bed until 2 pm. I think Mothers Day should be once a month, not once a year!Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-52932716120197514242011-05-09T23:46:00.000-05:002011-05-09T23:46:34.902-05:00feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJC-m8XDg4Q_M2B1fbwc_f5XtJjE9Kqu0ot5bc4ttsLtC_gTjK34xWI6Wh0dS94PjGS32-cThmjrmY02UfpwzMU4U9QplRZ4YOQ2G-3tbYSDOzyyaopbOa7UYFb-oS3pKXvoQhjKii-46/s1600/feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJC-m8XDg4Q_M2B1fbwc_f5XtJjE9Kqu0ot5bc4ttsLtC_gTjK34xWI6Wh0dS94PjGS32-cThmjrmY02UfpwzMU4U9QplRZ4YOQ2G-3tbYSDOzyyaopbOa7UYFb-oS3pKXvoQhjKii-46/s400/feet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>These days I do all kinds of things with my feet.<br />
<br />
Ok, backing up: I've always picked up things with my toes- chap stick, hair ties, anything that has fallen on the floor, shampoo bottles in the shower.<br />
<br />
I'm convinced that it is a genetic trait, given to only certain members of the family- me, my brother, my niece. Luna seems to be developing this trait too- I've watched her pick up books with her feet. The girl can barely do a lot of things, but she has already figured out her feet-pick-up skills. Amazing.<br />
<br />
Anyways, this trait is working out to be on my side these days- bending up and down in a Moby is hard work! So I use my feet to their full advantage- I pick up toys, blankets, clothes, dishes, books.. I'm still working on my ability to pick up a child (just a little heavy).<br />
<br />
Judge me as a freak if you must. My monkey toes have finally revealed their purpose.Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3632325152449323423.post-3556534177786113382011-05-03T23:00:00.001-05:002011-05-04T12:13:24.922-05:00taming the colic monsterDakota has <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_colic">colic</a>. Somewhere around 5:00 in the afternoon our cute baby gets taken over by a crazy, screaming, chicken-head bobbing creature. At two months old, it's not as severe as it was at one month, but it is still hard to deal with. I dread getting home from work at 6:15 and walking into a crazy house.<br />
<br />
Reading articles that talk about how there is <a href="http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/08/cures-for-colic/">no remedy</a> for colic is depressing, but somewhat misleading. No, you can't cure colic. I've come to terms with that. Eventually it will go away (Of course, everything that I read said that it disappears around three months, but my doctor informed me oh-so-nicely that sometimes it lasts until 6 months).<br />
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<b>In an effort to keep from going crazy, we've found some things that help- not cure, but help:</b><br />
<br />
1.<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Block-Crying-Newborn/dp/0553381466?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Happiest Baby on the Block</a></span></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0553381466" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. While I was pregnant with Dakota I found this book at <a href="http://www.arcsvaluevillage.org/">Arc</a> for 39 cents- I think some angel knew that I was going to walk in there and say, "So cheap! What the hell." Thank you angel. Even though my doctor had something to say on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Karp">Dr. Harvey Karp's</a> "pseudo-science", he agreed that the methods that he outlines in the book do work.<br />
<br />
Karp outlines the "<a href="http://www.happiestbaby.com/5-ss-system-may-help-colic-symptoms/">5 S's System</a>" in detail: Swaddling, Side/Stomach position, Shushing, Swinging and Sucking. Sometimes all at once!<br />
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2. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Using the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Wrap-Original-Cotton-Carrier/dp/B000OY539A?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Moby</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000OY539A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> wrap</span></b>. I know I have said this before, but Moby, you are a god-send. It can be a pain to put on at first, but you get used to it. Now I can put it on and have her snuggled inside in under a minute. I think she likes the wrapped tight feeling- so secure. She can rest her face on my chest and feel my heart beat. Almost as good as being in the womb!<br />
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You can also go on with your life since your hands are free- ESSENTIAL, especially if you have other children. Or want to eat. Or go to the bathroom. You get the drift.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. <b>Shushing</b></span>. Making loud- sometimes very loud- shushing noises in her ear. Dr. Karp talks about how the womb is a noisy place, and this reminds them of being in the womb. Vacuuming does the same thing, but who can vacuum for hours at a time? Who would want to?<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. <b>Music</b></span>. Calming music- New Age seems to work best (thanks Soundscapes channel!). I also love the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rockabye-Baby-Lullaby-Renditions-Cure/dp/B000I2ISSG?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Rockabye Baby</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000I2ISSG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> series- because I actually enjoy listening to it too.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. <b>Singing</b></span>. My voice is horrible, and I really don't know any lullabies, but Dakota doesn't seem to care. I make up silly songs about washing the dishes or how I'm going to bang my head against the wall and as long as I have a soothing voice, it's all good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCWU7rYpzUocUd98tYINu7r-ObxZOiZkliVcUDDOleSWhCNUpz_5RNwsg_YZlMvWvBMfPUycHDQ3XyHg4jaF1ddABRUSlZtT2_iC0hqSMO6wwnhtaq-7v_WkmK933iVtn4RSxgkOGigX6/s1600/Pic14+031011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCWU7rYpzUocUd98tYINu7r-ObxZOiZkliVcUDDOleSWhCNUpz_5RNwsg_YZlMvWvBMfPUycHDQ3XyHg4jaF1ddABRUSlZtT2_iC0hqSMO6wwnhtaq-7v_WkmK933iVtn4RSxgkOGigX6/s320/Pic14+031011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. <b>Swaddling</b></span>. This worked well during her first month. I like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Organic-SwaddleMe-Botanical/dp/B00368CQ1O?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Summer Infant Organic swaddler</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00368CQ1O" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, since it has velcro and I have never been good at doing a tight swaddle with blankets.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. <b>Swinging</b></span>. We found a used swing at <a href="http://www.onceuponachild.com/">Once Upon a Child</a> for Luna, who never really liked it, but we are definitely getting our moneys worth with Dakota. Very useful when you want to do things like take a shower, get dressed, or play with boiling water (all things you should NOT do with the Moby...).<br />
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Tip: always have extra batteries on hand for when they run out at 11:30 at night or during a blizzard. Because they will.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. <b>Walking</b></span>. I get Dakota in the Moby and walk. I've tried dancing, bouncing, spinning, and marching, but she seems to like walking the best. I walk until she falls asleep. Sometimes I line dance (walk in a square), and she seems to like that as well. <i>Bonus: Exercise!</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9. <b>Being in the kitchen</b></span>. Why? I don't know. I thought it was the light, but my dad suggested the other day that maybe the smell is comforting. Could be- newborns have a highly developed sense of smell. I spend a lot of time cooking, so perhaps she remembers the smells and the sounds from when she was in the womb. So when she is really crazy, throwing her in the Moby and going to cook or do some dishes almost always calms her to sleep.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10. <b>Warm bath</b></span>. This is something new that we are trying- we both spend some time unwinding in a warm bath together. I don't know if it helps overall, but I do know that she is smiling and not crying when we are in the bath. Plus, it's great bonding time!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">11. <b>Sucking</b></span>. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Contemporary-Freeflow-Pacifier-Designs/dp/B001L2SA6M?ie=UTF8&tag=mama055-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pacifiers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mama055-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001L2SA6M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> are great. I know I will be cursing them in about a year when she won't give them up, but that is something that I am willing to deal with (Remind me in a year that I said that)!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12. <b>Taking a break</b></span>. I think this one is the most important. At the moment when you are ready to throw the baby (or better yet, before that moment hits), take a break. If your partner is there, hand the baby off and leave the room for a couple of minutes. Breathe. If no one is there, it's still okay to just set the baby down in a safe place and walk away for a couple of minutes. Call someone and tell them how you're feeling- sometimes talking can help you feel much better, especially if it's another mama friend who knows exactly what you are feeling.<br />
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Better to take a break and leave the baby crying than do something horrible to the baby. I never could understand how people could harm a baby until I experienced first hand what it's like to be sleep-deprived and in possession of a baby who is seemingly possessed by the devil. <i>Always take a break.</i><br />
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<b>Notice that riding around in the car is not on this list.</b> First, it doesn't always work, and second, just because she is asleep in the car doesn't mean she'll stay that way. Third, and most important, <i>have you seen how much gas is these days?!? </i>Plus, my daughter does not need to contribute to our shrinking ozone layer. Walking works just as well, if not better.<br />
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As I write this, Dakota is asleep in her swing (I almost don't even dare write that in case I am jinxing myself). It took me 2 hours of work to get her there, but this beautiful silence was worth it...Candidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03284401381158259383noreply@blogger.com1