Reflections on Nursing and Mumbo Nursing Pillow Envy

This post brought to you by Comfort and Harmony. All opinions are 100% mine.

I nursed babies for about 3 years of my life.  Prior to nursing, I'd never really thought about nursing nor paid attention to nursing moms.  I didn't realize that they're were nursing pillows, nursing clothes, nursing creams.  I knew I would nurse because I'm too frugal not to, but I never expected to FALL IN LOVE with such a primitive act.

Fall in love I did and now my body physically yearns for another baby every time I see a friend nurse or hear about it.  Granted, I also sleep for about 7 blissful uninterrupted hours of sleep a night... so if push came to shove, I'd probably be very conflicted about whether I want to nurse OR sleep through the night.

ANYWHO, recently I received a mombo nursing pillow to review.  Oh sweet heaven.  This nursing pillow blew my old hand-me-down out of the water.  Immediately I noticed how thick it was (anyone else require an arm chair to get their nursing pillow to work comfortably?).  

A dear coworker, Andrea was super willing to try out this new pillow for me.  Oh, this picture makes my heart turn to goo...

 

 

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As you can see, Andrea's sweet boy is growing up (fast) and this pillow was slightly too thick for her normal nursing spot.  However, she noted that it would be PERFECT for those times when we're leaning against a wall or stuck in a non-supportive spot (anyone else get back pain when nursing while sitting on the floor and leaning over in an attempt to use your lap as a support?  ugh!).

 

One side of the mumbo is firm for supporting during nursing time and the other side is softer for tummy time and sitting up.  Andrea discovered that the mombo nursing pillow was perfect for sitting up time for her little guy.  It provided a lot more structure than her "old" nursing pillow and he really enjoyed sit in the U.  PERHAPS he loved it so much because the Mumbo is the only nursing pillow that includes a vibration box... so our little ones can really relax and feel soothed during their independent floor time!

Mombo nursing pillow's (and other great Mombo products) are available at Babies R'Us...you will be the hit of the next baby shower, I promise :)

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Sweet Singing Sneak Preview

Tomorrow the Sunday School kids will be singing a simple song entitled "Praise the name of Jesus".  We've been practicing at home in hopes that Hazel won't stand up with her shy face on not singing one word :)

She forgot one line in this practice run, but despite that, I think she's gonna be a star!

If you listen creatively, you'll hear Heidi chiming in with "Praise the name of Jesus".

*Incidentally, when Hazel grows up she wants to be a singer and a Doctor.

HAPPY (early) Mother's Day, Llama!  I have a feeling this is the best gift you could receive this year :)

Springing Up :: Glimpse into what's growing!

It's that time of year where birds starts returning home and moving into our bird houses, my girls show up with skinned knees and muddy toes and my husband spends every waking moment (often till midnight) digging in dirt.  Oh what a wonderful time of year!

Here's what's happening in our neck of the woods!

The only plants that I can identify and pay attention when Jake talks about are the rows of STRAWBERRIES and my flowering peach trees!  It's so wonderful watching everything grow and develop as each planting season arrives.

Of course, there's A LOT of this going on:

WHY is it so much fun to walk UP slides?  I think I'll name this technique "SISTER BOWLING".

And inspired by our LESS SCREEN TIME PLEDGE, we've been staying OUT of the house and enjoying picnic lunches in the girls playhouse... after just 2 days, Hazel informed me that she will eat EVERY lunch in HER house from now on.  Perhaps we need a better roof (that's an old canvas tent stretched on top)?

How are you celebrating Spring?

Sisters and Their Swingset

Long ago, we received a sweet board book about Sisters (from Grandma Baird).

This is the story of two sisters... who in many ways, were different.

Perhaps because the book reminds me so much of growing up with my big sister, it makes me so happy every time I read it:

One liked to chase fireflies through the grass... while the other liked to lie back and look at the stars.

The two sisters were alike in many ways too.  They both like horses... and sugar-snap peas fresh from the garden.

And a pile of leaves was never safe with those sisters around.

They fought over the piano... 

And both felt the day would not be complete without a swing after supper. 

Last week, Jake erected the girls' swing set .. all for the total cost of $40!  Not too shabby, eh?  We paid for 2 new big girls swings (which Hazel was initially leery of, but now LOVES) and one yard sale slide.  The rest of the set came from the house of a friend of Jake's whose kids had outgrown the set.  I snapped the above picture to show how Jake, the rock climber, managed to stand the set-up without my assistance!  IMPRESSIVE :)  Yesterday during some gloriously warm Spring weather, I was thrilled when both girls spent a huge chunk of time playing on their own outside now that they have their own "playground".

Speaking of SISTERS, recently Houdini Heidi has perfected the art of climbing out of her crib, unscathed.  We're not sure how she does it, but we're thankful our little climber manages it without injury!  Recently I put the girls to bed and knew they were up to mischief, but let it be.  Eventually their squeaky voices quieted and I was relieved that they fell asleep... until I checked on them and was shocked to discover them sleeping in the same bed!

umm... let's pretend my 2-year-old doesn't have electric cords by her head!

Because, you see, they loved each other so very much.

These two sisters sure do love each other!  Hazel is always quick to call Heidi her "best friend" and tell us all the amazing things they are going to do together once Heidi gets bigger.  In the meantime, they're finding plenty of laughter (and mischief) together:

Yup, sisters sure are one of the sweetest things in life!  I can't wait to spend some time with my sister this summer... we will laugh, cry, fight, craft, share and HAVE A BLAST :)

What's your favorite thing about having a sister?

*Here's my affiliate link for this fantastic book.

Changing My Name

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  will shakespeare

It's cliché for a mama to say "I'm changing my name" in response to 24/7 yells for "MOMMY!".  In fact, like many women, I spent the bulk of my life wishing, hoping, dreaming & praying for the gift of being called "Mama".

However, Heidi is growing two back molars.  Heidi has found her voice and talks NON STOP.  Heidi has a very loud speaking voice.  Heidi has a cold & a cough.  Heidi has decided that she wants to sleep in my bed (note: not with me, just take over my bed).  

Over the past 4 days, Heidi has perfected the art of sleeping peacefully for 2 hours, screaming for "MAMA! MOMMY!  MAMA!" for 30 minutes (feels like 300 minutes), and then sleeping for a few hours again until starting again.  When I know that she is safe, comfortable & as medicated as I'm going to make her, we make her scream it out.

Our hope (and a fact we've proven many times over) is that by not reinforcing this dreadful habit by responding to her every time, she will learn not to scream like a banshee for me throughout the night.  

In the meantime, I'm missing those blissful rapid eye movements and my heart is breaking while I have to lie in bed not responding to the frantic (and have I mentioned LOUD) calls for me throughout the night.

For today, how about everyone just call me "Sleepyhead".

*For the record, this behavior is very unusual for Heidi.  She typically gleefully lies down in bed at 7:30 and doesn't make a PEEP for about 11 hours.  She typically requires no coddling, cuddling, nor canoodlings.

Kindle Review for Mama and Toddlers

Similar to my great cell phone rebellion of 2000-2002, I've held strong against the e-reader phenomenon of the past 5 years.  At times, I have the determination and attitude of an 80-year-old during a contemporary worship service (HA!  I kid... though the older generation does typically dislike anything new at their religious houses).

My arguments against e-readers, weren't unique, but I was passionate:

• I love books.  
• I love looking at my book shelves (though I'm too cheap to buy books, so I guess this point was lame).
• I love the smell of books.
• I like leafing through a book after I'm done and re-reading my favorite plot twists.
• I love sharing books with friends (especially being on the receiving end).

As you may know, I started an Independent Consultant business this past fall/winter.  My mentor is an incredibly successful and generous consultant and periodically has some major prizes for her team to compete for. 

RECENTLY, I WON a $250 Amazon gift card.  Personal "fun" items have not been in our budget this year, so I was like a kid at a candy store choosing what I'd spend that money on... JUST FOR ME!

So, I channeled my tablet envy and my book obsession and bought:

Shop Amazon's New Kindle Fire

At first, I thought I might just use it for checking my email and facebook and maybe a book when I travel.  HA ha DOUBLE HA!  I've read one or two books a WEEK since I bought it.  Yeah, I don't have that kind of time, but I sleep less, watch NO TV and because it's so handy I carry it with me everywhere and enjoy little snippets of reading while waiting for my family, while my kids watch .3 seconds of a TV show, waiting my turn at the bank, etc.

source

The other amazing discover is how much my KIDS LOVE IT!  They prefer my Kindle over their own toddler electronics and I LOVE the low cost of the apps, in fact most of them are FREE (while I also like their LeapPad, the cost of those games/apps are astronomical!).  Now we can have story time on the go with a HUGE selection of books without carrying all that weight.  I can also keep them quiet in the car, at meetings, in church by handing it over with the sound muted (Heidi loves making fireworks and will do it for a loooong time).

While I have paid for a few apps and books, mostly we enjoy free apps and free books.  I check www.ereadergirl.com every day for daily FREE Kindle books for me and the kids.  You must check it daily because most of the books return to their normal price after a day.

Here are some of our 

FAVORITE TODDLER KINDLE BOOKS and APPS:

  

    

What are your favorite Toddler Books & Apps?

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.  I will make a SMALL commission on any sales generated through clicking my links.  Thank you.

Heidi's Goodnight Moon Party

What a BLAST!  I love a good theme, and this was my favorite yet!  I have tons of Goodnight Moon Party details over at Lazy Green Mama.

However,  I'm betting that you want to see more of

 THE GIRL!

This is what she does every time someone asks her how old she is.  Perhaps she'll master this fine motor skill by next year :)

Despite a cough and a poor night's rest, Heidi had a WONDERFUL birthday!

Our sweet girl went from THIS:

To THIS:

Be still my beating heart

After a too-short-nap, her Grammy Kosker and I let her open her first present (which I needed for party decor) and then headed out for her birthday photo shoot.  I think the present was a hit:

Then we came indoors and got ready TO PARTY!

  

My master plan worked and our Adelaide's Boutique outfits from last year still fit!  Next year Heidi's will still work as a tank top!  

The guests:

Heidi with her Great Grandma.  Probably the sweetest picture I've ever taken.

2 party girls livin' it up

The PRESENTS 

(her Aunt Marianne will be pleased to know that Heidi declared "Presents" was her favorite part of the day)

Heidi opening up her presents.  I'm thrilled with our new book selections!

The TRACTOR RIDE

And what party is complete without a Medley Acres tractor ride?

Please head over to Lazy Green Mama for more Goodnight Moon party pictures.

Heidi-loo-who is TWO

My sweet silly baby is TWO today.  She's been fighting a low fever, cough and cold the past few days, but despite all of that... she woke up HAPPY!

We started our morning with her first birthday card (thanks Grandma Bear!) and hanging the birthday banner.  She is giddy and I predict I'll be singing the birthday song to her non-stop.

She'll don her birthday dress in a few hours and have a kickin' birthday party.  I've had SO much fun with the Goodnight Moon party theme.  Almost every day, when Heidi is otherwise entertained, Hazel will sneak the book over to me and turn each page, brainstorming party ideas.

Yesterday she began her party prep and there's a hair brush, toy mouse and fake telephone sitting on my counter just waiting for the party (those are all featured in Goodnight Moon).  I LOVE planning parties, but having a party planner assistant is the COOLEST THING EVER (even if she photo bombed this early morning photo shoot :)!

Typically I don't think they look alike, this picture proves me WRONG  :)
I am blessed.

The Emotional Ride of Holy Week :: Pierced by the Lows of Maundy Thursday

It may or may not surprise you to know that I keep a lot of things hidden deep within.  I suppose we all do and it's often healthy and appropriate.  However, sometimes I catch my husband gazing thoughtfully at me and I know that he's trying to decipher me.  Depending on my mood, I will help him or bury deeper.  I don't envy him.

This Holy week is a time of extreme highs and extreme lows.  Most of the time, I keep myself on the surface level and focus on the excitement of kids and Easter baskets.  The pagan mixed with the religious calendar makes no sense, but it's my culture and I still love it.

However, even someone as crass as myself has a penetrable armor.  For me, Cindy Berry's choral arrangement of Cup of Sorrow is an arrow straight into my heart.  The first time we practiced it for Maundy Thursday, tears poured down my face as my quivering lips attempted to form the words.

Tonight when we sang in front of the congregation, I bolstered my armor and tried valiantly to keep my thoughts from drifting down that dark road.

This Holy Week, I invite you to join me in reflecting upon these lyrics:

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus knelt to pray, deeply distressed and troubled, knowing the price He would have to pay.   

This cup of sorrow, this cup of suffering, He would not choose it for His own, to bear the crushing weight of the sins of the world.. to suffer and die alone. 

He prayed, "Father, take this cup if there could be another way.  My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow as I lift My voice to pray.  Yet not My will but Thine be done; all glory be to You alone.  Not My will but Thine be done."

He had known that this time would come, and, as He prayed in agony, He chose the path to Calvary because of His love for me, His love for me. 

"Father, take this cup if there could be another way.  My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow as I lift My voice to pray.  Yet not My will but Thine be done; all glory be to You alone.  Not My will but Thine be done.  Not My will but Thine be done.

Like an angry child, I want to refuse these truths.  I want MY way.  I want to scream and cry and curse.  And yet, I am His child and for me, he accepted that cup of sorrow, that cup of suffering.  What a difficult thing to grapple with on this dark night.

Tonight I worshiped with my church family and felt the weight of our worries, illnesses, griefs and shames.

Tonight I pray mostly for my friends, my peers, with cancer:  Cynthia (almost one year post treatment!) and Ally.

Tonight I will reflect on the abundant gifts present in my life, none of them as a result of MY WAY, but all made possible because of His love for me.

Saddle up

Deep inside, I'm a horse girl.  My Grandma remembers vividly feeling so sad that she couldn't give me the horse I so desperately wanted as a wee one.  After college, I spent 2 years working at Camp Lutherlyn and my favorite days were my stable mucking days.  Crazy, but true... I enjoyed feeding, tending to and cleaning the stalls of 19 horses.

In fact, my inner cowgirl came out for my kickin 30th Birthday square dance.  Oh man that was an awesome way to ring in a new decade!

Recently, we finally made it out to the farm of some close family friends.  I expected that the girls would get to sit on horses, but I didn't expect for them to have 5 horses ready with the intent to take us all on a trail ride!  We LOVED it (even my husband who admits to feeling a tad uncomfortable around horses)!

Soon after this picture, Jake nudged that horse into a trot!  Off they went!  I couldn't believe it :)

my view

Heidi was a tad unsure, especially when I placed her on the neck of the horse.  But tucked into the saddle with me, she had a (tentative) blast.  The best (selfish) part... my stetson cowgirl boots are now bonafide (and still muddy).