Balance and Serenity

Don't these two words sound lovely together?  These are two blends of essential oils that I used on my husband last night to help him get a "good night's sleep".  He has called me crazy for the past couple months for the oils I have been using.  I have used lavender on my kids to help them sleep, I've used frankincense on "inflamed" body parts. (I won't go into detail on that)

So last night I rubbed Serenity on Neil's back and Balance on his neck.  When he woke up this morning he asked if I (and Vivi) had a good night.  He only woke up one time in the night.  This was a miracle for him (and me since he's usually all over the bed and wakes me up on accident).  So we're going to continue this for the nights that he is home and has to sleep at night.  He is a nurse and works midnights so he is constantly battling staying awake at night when he has to and sleeping at night when he needs to.  I hoping these oils will work for him on a regular basis.

Balance - Grounding Blend

spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy with fractionated coconut oil

Serenity - Calming Blend

lavender, sweet marjoram, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, sandalwood and vanilla 

Another oil that Neil has been using is Melaleuca.  This oil is more commonly known as "tea tree" oil.  He gets bad razor burn on his neck after shaving.  He was complaining about this the other day and I told him to try putting melaleuca on his neck after shaving/showering.  He never mentioned anything else about it so I thought he had just ignored me, but this morning when we were getting ready, he went and grabbed it and I saw him using it.  I looked at his neck and it did look a little better.  I'll have to get a full report from him on how he's liking it.  I am so happy that I found these oils.  I will admit, I do like some better than others, but they are really working for me.  :)  

If you are interested in learning more, feel free to email me.  I'm still new to the oils, but I can get information for you.  

ljatkins84@gmail.com

Let Kids Be Themselves

I read a blog today about moms comparing themselves to other moms.  You should read it! Here it is.    It triggered me to write this post that I have had on my "blog list of things to post" for quite some time now!

I recently got an email from BabyCenter on my 2 Year Old's growth and development.  I opened it like I do all of "those" emails I get.  (You know I signed up for like every kind of email when I was pregnant with her.)  I started to read it and it went something like this:

"Too tall? Too short? Too chubby? Too thin? As your preschooler grows and changes, it's natural to wonder how she compares."

I just focused on those words for a minute.  How my child compares... To who?  Other 2 year olds?  Other 3 year olds? Other genius 1 year olds?  I've only been a mother for almost 3 years and I've learned A LOT!  If you are a new mother, or even if you're a seasoned mother, I think you'll relate to this post.  I feel that the most important thing that I've learned is that every child is different.  Lila is different than her friends.  She's different than her cousins.  And Vivian is going to be way different than Lila.  It's funny that these sites send out these emails, some daily, some weekly, and some monthly saying your child should be doing this or that, or walking or talking or being an angel or a brat...I could go on and on.

I understand that doctors, scientists, and other professionals have done tons of research on the development of babies and children, but I still don't see how "they" can tell me that my child should or shouldn't be doing something.  Do they know my child?  Are they around them everyday?

Lila does things that I think there's no way she should be doing this yet and other things, like trying to pedal a trike is so complicated for her to understand.  Does that mean she's ahead or behind?  No, that means she's Lila.  

She didn't start crawling until she was 9 months old (which I thought was SO late), but started walking before her first birthday.  She had basically no hair until she was about 15 months old.  She could count to 10 before she turned two.  Do you see where I'm going with this?  All kids are really good at some stuff and not so good at other stuff.  We, as parents, must accept that and stop "comparing" their every move to the other kids.

It took me a little bit (ok, like 18 months) to realize this, so if you're a new mom, it may take a bit to get off this track, but you can do.  I promise.

Then comes the second child.  Poor thing...everything they do gets compared to what the older sibling(s) has done, when they've done it, and how they did it.  It took me a few months, but I've told myself I'm not gonna push things for Vivian to be on the same track as Lila.  She may crawl at 6 months and then not walk until she's 14 months.  Whatever she does, she'll be Vivian.  

I want Lila, to be Lila and Vivi to be Vivi.  Most importantly I want them both to know how proud I am of them of being them!

I hope they are always best friends!

   

Pumping in the Bathroom

This is one of those things that you tell your children when they are adults (and have or are getting ready to have kids of their own) and hope that it makes them realize how much you care for them and how much they should appreciate the things you did when they were babies.

I chose to breastfeed both of my kids.  It just didn't work out with my first so unfortunately, I won't have the same stories to tell Lila as I will Vivian as far as breastfeeding.  There are always stories and always experiences, but some, however, are funnier than others.

Today I left both of my kids for the first time.  Lila is used to this.  I have gone on overnight trips for work several times since she was born. Sometimes it was easy to leave, sometimes I cried all the way to Mt. Vernon and then a little bit when I got to Chicago.  As a mother, you're always afraid you're going to miss something.  This time is a little different.  Every night for the 14 1/2 weeks since Vivian was born, I nursed her before bed.  I rocked her then put her to sleep.  Maybe it's harder on this time because I have two babies to worry about; two babies for my mom to take care of, OVERNIGHT; two babies for Neil to pick up from their respective childcares and hang out until my mom can get there; SEVERAL bags of frozen milk that had to be moved from the freezer to the fridge to thaw for Viv to take bottles while I'm gone.  Maybe it's harder because I feel like I'm more of a control freak after having my second child, because even my mom doesn't do things like I do, even though I'm 100% confident in her ability to care for my babies while I'm gone.  I don't know, it's just harder this time.

But I'm doing it.  I've been away all day and I'm ok.  The road to Springfield is one I've traveled many times in the five years I've been working for Harrisburg Project.  It's one with which I'm very comfortable making the almost four hour haul.  One thing is different this time.  I'm still pumping.  I've got my pump, I've got a cooler, I've got extra storage bags, I've got cleaner for my pump parts and bottles.  I've got everything I need.

I'm not traveling alone.  I'm traveling with my dear friend and co-worker, Sarah.  I can't just stop and pump in my car when it's time.  I've got to be courteous to my traveling buddy.  So we stop to go to the bathroom and I just decide that I'm going to go ahead and pump while we're stopped.

Oh Lord have mercy.  Of course there aren't any super duper clean places to pump, so I just pump in the bathroom while we're stopped.  Nothing like pumping and having people knock on the door while you're in there.  :)  "Someone's in here.  Sorry."  Or being almost done and having THAT lady come flying into the other stall and about blowing you out.  You have to just keep telling yourself that you're almost done...almost done.  Then getting to the hotel and thinking, "Whew, we've made it.  No more of that pumping in the bathroom nonsense.", only to find out that your room isn't ready.  "Are you kidding me?"  SMH  So once again, I find myself pumping in the bathroom.  Thankfully this time it was probably one of the cleanest bathrooms I've been in.  It was even clean enough for me to wash my pump parts and bottles.

Man the things that mothers do for their kids.  I can't wait until Vivian get older to let her know how hard I worked to give her food when she was just a wee lass.

Finally in my room and able to pump in comfort and privacy.  Here's to hoping that if I have to pump in the bathroom tomorrow, it will be as clean as the bathroom in the lobby at the Hampton Inn.  :)

Mom Style

I am really struggling with this right now.  There are lots of things that I want to wear, but I'm not sure that they look good on me.  So readers, help!  Comment to me your favorite places to shop for YOURSELF!  I can't spend a fortune either.  I have found some very cute things at Target, but I'm needing to expand my wardrobe.  :)  C'mon fellow mommas...help a sister out!

Roly Poly

Is it really that time already?  Vivian was 3 months old on Saturday.  I can't hardly believe that that is true, but I've checked the calendar several time and yes, 3 months has gone by.  She now weighs 11 lbs 6 oz.  She has gained about a pound and a half in a month!  I guess the breast milk is doing it's job!  I just am having a hard time thinking she's 3 months.

Last week Neil got Vivi to love tummy time.  I don't know how he did it and honestly I don't care.  All that matters is that she doesn't scream the whole time.  She has also just about mastered the art of rolling over from her belly to her back.  It's bittersweet.  She is getting so big so fast.  Now, if I could only get it on video so y'all can witness it.  :)  Of course, when I want to get it on my phone, she just stares at me like "what Mom?".  I just love this age!

Vivi love her big sister too.  She almost laughs at her sometimes.  Lila loves playing with her, tickling her, dancing for her.  Vivian just watches her and smiles and talks to her.  It's the cutest thing.  I hope they continue to have a loving relationship for many years to come.

Sisters!

I have a feeling that this is going to happen a lot in the future!

Lila has quite the little mouth on her these days too.  They other night she said "OMG!" to me.  I almost died!  I could not believe that she said that.  I mean, I say that all the time, but I never imagined that she would say it.  She is a sponge. :)  I need to watch my mouth I guess!

We got to visit with some of Neil's family this past weekend.  I hadn't seen Hadley in almost a month.  She is getting big so fast too.  I can't wait to watch them both grow together!

Vivian and her cousin Hadley who is 4 days older.  They are also going to be the best of friends.

Sweet, smiling baby

At the big Saline Co Fair!  Lovin' the rides!

Birthdays!

Lila has had several birthday parties to go to this summer.  It has just been crazy.  This weekend she had THREE!

Earlier this summer she went to her best bud, Ky'Lynn's party.  It was so cute seeing them get to play together again.  They hadn't seen each other in over a months since their daycare closed in May.  Broke my heart because she had so many friends there.

She attended Jamisen's Art Party on Saturday and her cousin Graham's 2nd birthday Saturday night.  Erin had a fantastic party for Jamisen's 5th birthday.  The kids got to paint their own canvas, make stamp bookmarks, and make beaded bracelets.  The cake was adorable and the treats were so creative.  Everything looked as if it came from a painter's artbox.  Needless to say, Lila had a blast.

Today we are going to her friend Felix's 5th birthday.  He's having a swim party!  Who doesn't have fun at a swim party??  I'm pretty sure the Ninja Turtles are going to be there too. :)

Now it's just about time to start to think about Lila's birthday.  She started out wanting a basketball birthday.  Now she has changed her mind to a ballet birthday.  I'm going to give it until the beginning of September before we start purchasing things for the party.  Who knows how many times it will change between now and then.  :)

Friday we went Burdette Park with Ash and Samuel and Callie and Felix.  Viv got to stay at home with her Great Aunt Lisa and her cousin Halle.  I'm sure she had a blast.  As for Lila and me, we had a ton of fun.  I even got to go down the slides with Felix since 1. Lila isn't tall enough and 2. even if she was, she's too chicken.  :/  Hopefully one day she'll love the slides.  :)

From One to Two

I've been wanting to post something on this for weeks now, but am just now getting around to it.  Many people have asked me about the adjustment from one kid to two.  I can honestly say, it really depends on the day.  Some days are super easy.  Everyone is in a great mood.  Things just go very smooth.  Then there are days where Vivian wants to be held all day and Lila wants me just as much.

We have been very blessed with the time we've had since V was born.  Neil was just finishing up school and still working part time so he was able to be home and help me out a lot.  He has also gotten to enjoy this newborn stage a little more this time.  After L was born, he took a week off with me and then headed back to work, working lots of overtime hours for a little bit of extra cash.  Of course, she was my only responsibility so we could do whatever we wanted.  I could nap with her, play with her, watch TV if I didn't want to take a nap...you name it, I could do whatever.  I could fix supper with no problem at all.  Now, if V is sleeping, L is more than likely not (she has tried to cut out her own naps) and then she wants to play.  We have to work on inside voices and quiet activities.  In case you don't know this already, that's absolutely zero fun for a two and a half year old.

There are many days when she watches too much TV and eats too much junk.  I just keep telling myself that this time will pass and we will be ok again.  Neil usually tackles bedtime with Lila while I nurse and get Vivi down.  We go pretty used to this routine and it was working quite nicely.  Then a *GOOD* wrench was thrown to us.

My husband passed his boards!  He had just completed the RN program at the end of May and was waiting for the opportunity to take the NCLEX.  He did amazing, as usual.  So now, he has started working full time as an RN (here's the wrench) 7p-7a.  That makes for a long night for me when V doesn't get to sleep sometimes until 11:00 and L is a maniac and won't go to sleep at a reasonable hour.  Most of the night I'm home alone with them consist of L watching Cinderella or playing on the iPad until I get V to bed.  Then by the time I get in there, L is asleep too.  I know it will get better, but I feel like I'm depriving her of all mommy attention.  It's sad when I think about it.  I don't want her to resent me or her sister.  I know she's just 2, but I worry about these things.  I keep telling myself that I was almost 4 when my sister was born and I don't remember feeling left out or being upset with my mom.  I just try to spend as much time with her as I can.  It's getting easier.

We have never been the kind of people that are content sitting at home and relaxing.  When V was 2 days old we went to one of my brother's track meets.  Getting out and doing things helps.  My family is close by and they are really helpful with taking Lila and entertaining her (which she LOVES) while I get to spend some alone time with Vivi, something that is also important to me.  I cant thank them enough for the help and support they've given me!

Vivian is now 9 weeks old and becoming her own person.  She is more content sitting and watching and taking everything in now.  I can usually put her down and get some stuff done.  She is happy to just kinda hang around and talk to the lights and fans or look at the trees out the window.  Overall, she has been a completely different baby than Lila.  She was very trying for her first month, but developing more and more every day and really becoming a good baby.