Happy Birthday Shannon

A quarter century so far
and although no surprise
you warmed our hearts with all you do
and with your feisty blue eyes

you were born with your beauty
and that never has quit
blonde locks and ready smile
your trade mark, and wit

a nose no more than a button
you were cute right from the start
but if one would ever think that all there might be
you brought laughter and joy to their heart

you showed depth, and a spunk
from a very young age
no one pushed you around
and you weren't so easy to gage

oh you always had friends
too many to count
then came tap, and soon jazz
all before the stage you'd mount

the first time you cried
but made not a peep
then came your pure voice
so strong and so sweet

you're loved because you love so well
from the core, right from your heart
we all win to know you as you grow
even when were often apart

and now as a partner, and a mother
it's the beginning of your next chapter in life
the first twenty five have gone by in a flash
and wait the next quarter with delight

Happy Birthday Shannon

Daddy

Loving my body

Since giving birth to my son, I have struggled with my post baby body. I find myself so busy with a bouncing baby boy, that my regular gym and nutrition lifestyle have been completely replaced with shear laziness. When I get the chance to be alone, I'd much rather read, or nap while Carter is down. Not jump on a tread mill.

After months of self hate, and guilt due to thinking I had given up on myself, I took a long second and realized something: I am NOT being lazy, I AM having an active lifestyle, and I just need to readjust my expectations of myself.

Eating has become a marathon race against the clock. Eat before Carter wakes up, Eat while Carter is happy, eat eat eat. All I have to change in this circumstance is my control over the time I allow myself to slowly enjoy my food. I now have Carter eating with us, or have toys at the table, get him involved. Stop trying to eat while he's sleeping... (the smell of food wakes him up anyways) I eat smaller snack meals constantly during the day, and take my time to enjoy what I'm putting into my body. (I'll worry about the nutrition part eventually... :P)

Exercising to me was, hitting the gym, or going out for runs and rollarblades. Since having Carter that has competely stopped. BUT, I realized a few days ago, I am still active. EG: The million trips I take up the stairs to my sons nursery is a way better workout than the Stair Master. Chasing him around the Library leaves me breathless. Carting around a 20 pounder and all his accessories is a muscle builder ... and yoga? Well I guess that would be my sex life ;)

On top of all that hard areobic and strength training, I manage to do a complete circut training course daily. I start in the kitchen with dishes, tidy the toys, run my dogs back and forth to the kennel, lug the loads of laundry... and run on the spot, while my head spins :)

Yesterday I stood infront of the mirror in my buff and smiled. My baby belly has become wrinkly and covered with stretch marks. My hips are 3 inches wider than they were. My breasts are.... awesome. I am totally over hating my body, because it has done and continues to do so much for me. Of course there are going to be some signs of ware and tare.

I am loving my body.

Learning to deal with other Mom's jabs... sorry advice.

Everyone deals with it, even without intention. Mom's in general always think they have the right answer, or have it worse than you. I know this to be true, because I AM always right and my situation IS worse than yours. ;)
For example: Carter does not sleep through the night. Not even close. He's awake sometimes every 1.5 hours, and can only settle while being nursed. Most mothers pipe up and tell me to sleep train, "It worked for me, if you do it right it'll work for you." or "My kids are 10 and still waking at night, wait till you've been sleep deprived for 10 years."
At first glance I want to punch you in the face for trivialising my predicament. But, I've been trying to deal with such comments with a better understanding. Trying to get to the root of why women are telling me these horror stories or making it seem "so easy." It kills me to say it... BUT they are only trying to help.
Everyone thinks (and I am just as guilty) that their advice is going to be the advice that 'clicks' and is the suggestion you've been waiting for, that will miraculously cure all your baby woes. And when I think of it that way...
All you mom's and your unintended insults of wisdom are so sweet. Thank you so much for caring and for trying to help me out. Although your advice will probably make me roll my eyes at first, I do take all advice to heart eventually. I appreciate the input. Even if I think you're wrong :P

Formula Fed America Trailer -Now THIS I have GOT to See!

Formula Fed America Trailer -Now THIS I have GOT to See!

Breastfeeding: Join the Boob-olution!

Mommy ReeeeeMIX - Sing-Along-Songs

Jumpin Up and Down in my Little Blue Jumper. (Jumpin Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon)
Jumpin up and down in my little blue jumper
Jumpin up and down in my little blue jumper
Jumpin up and down in my little blue jumper
Jumping all day long!
Jumpin up and down in my little blue jumper

Jumpin up and down in my little blue jumper

Jumpin up and down in my little blue jumper

Jumpin with my mom!

2nd Verse to Head and Shoulders.

Elbows, Fingers, Tummies too
Tummies too
Tummies too
Elbows, Fingers, Tummies too
I love all of you!

One Little Monkey Jumping on the Couch (Bed)

One little monkey jumpin on the COUCH
He fell down and he yelled OUCH
Mommy called the Doctor the Doctor SHOUTS

NO MORE MONKIES JUMPIN ON THE COUCH!

"Like a Cow"

Recently I've been put into the situation where I've had to explain breastfeeding to several children. Kids that come into my home, who come from homes that bottle feed. I have never been one to hide while Carter nurses, so I guess this moment was bound to happen more than once.

Obviously when a child see's Carter latched onto my boobs, they come running over, "What's he doing?" They always say with blank stares, and wonder. At first I was a little insecure. Was this something I should really be explaining to children that aren't mine? Yes. They are in my home, and asking a very natural question, about something just as natural.

Here are my two recent enounters and how I handled them:

1) Breanna is my 2nd cousin on my husbands side. She is 6 years old, and this was my first time meeting her. I had gone upstairs to nurse Carter, where the distractions were gone, so he could have a solid feed. When who should pop her head around the door frame? I invited Breanna in and she came right up to my breasts and looked at Carter suckling away.

"What is he doing to you Shannon?"
I was caught off guard. I wasn't sure how to explain. So I went about it very matter of fact.
"I am feeding Carter my own milk. He drinks from me instead of from a bottle. My breasts make milk special for him when he is hungry."
Breanna was satified with that answer, and seemed to understand. After a few minutes, she looked up from staring at Carter and said to me:
"Which side in Chocolate?" I smiled and told her "I think the right one." :)

2) My niece Brooklyn on my husbands side is 4. The same situation had come up, but she was not as satified with my "matter of fact" explantion of breastfeeding. I searched my brain for a way to explain it to her that might make some real sense to her. "I GOT IT!"

"Brooklyn you know how baby Calfs drink milk from the mommy Cows in your backyard?" -S
"Ya, then we drink that milk too." -B
"Well, Auntie Shannon is like a Mommy Cow and Carter is like a baby Calf." -S
"Oh, OK."
And that was that.

I wonder what it will be like explaining breastfeeding to a little boy?