January 26, 2012
An Update on Night Weaning
I didn't realize that Parker knew how to read. I guess he read my blog post the other day and said, heck with it, I'll just sleep. I don't want to jinx anything or be superstitious, but since I offered him only that teeny bit of booby milk the first night, Parker will sleep from 8-515, waking to nurse and then going back to sleep. I can soooo handle that. Not that I love getting up at 5, but I cannot complain. He does want to nurse more during the day now, but I still practice the don't offer, don't refuse. However, one night he fell asleep in the car, and I was paranoid that if I didn't nurse him, he might wake up and be out of sorts in the middle of the night (shrug, I never said I was super woman). I feel both sad and empowered and proud of him at the same time. He will always be my baby boy, but it sure is nice for him to act like a little man and sleep!!
January 20, 2012
A High Needs Baby
I can't really decide how I want to do this post. I almost feel like I'm standing up and saying, "Hello, my name is Callie, and I have a high needs baby." It's not really a confession because I haven't done anything wrong. However, whenever babies are clingy, attached at the hip, or overall brats, most people have their own opinion, usually that its mommy and daddy's faults.
I've known Parker is a high needs baby for awhile. He needs lots of physical touch, lots of attention, and he is very intense. The moment he was born, he came out SCREAMING and did not stop until he got to nurse. Not much has changed in the last (almost) 19 months.
Other high needs qualities that Parker possesses include that he can be draining, he has always been a demanding nurser, "schedule" is not in his vocabulary, he is demanding, he awakens frequently (this is what spurred this post), he is often unsatisfied, he is rather unpredictable, he is VERY sensitive, he is not a self soother, as a baby he could NEVER be put down, and he has serious separation anxiety.
Let me first say that I am not complaining about all of these qualities. I just recently compiled a list from Dr. Sear's website and wanted to include them in this post for my records. I have known many of these things for a long time. Parker and I are together all day, and I am very accustomed to his behavior. I try to correct him when he is naughty, but I don't fault him for being sensitive, afraid to leave me, or demanding of my attention. Also, Parker is EXTREMELY happy when he IS happy, he is a total goofball and always has us laughing, and he is a VERY smart little boy.
The absolute hardest thing about having a high needs baby is the sleeping. I'm sure I've made 10 posts on this blog about Parker sleeping, I post it on my parenting message boards asking questions. It's been 19 months of lack of sleep, and honestly, it is the most draining experience.
I recently read on Dr. Sear's website about just why a high needs baby has difficulty sleeping. The description fit Parker to a tee. Basically, he is extremely used to having physical contact during the night and that is why he continually wakes up.
Last night I decided that I was ready, and I wasn't going to wimp out or give in. Parker went down at his usual bedtime around 8 pm. He did better than usual, skipping the midnight crying and waited until 330 am. I got up and picked him up and cuddled him for a second. I nursed him on both sides for a minute or less. When I put him back in his crib, he cried for a minute at the lack of booby time, but then dozed off.
Around 415, he began crying again. I hadn't even fallen back asleep yet. This time, I went in and held him and cuddled him but did not nurse him. I put him back down, and he cried for several minutes. He then went back to sleep until 615.
Tonight, I plan to only offer him on side for a minute and then continue with the cuddling. My main goal is to make these nightly meetings less exciting. If there's no booby, then why wake up, right? When I don't offer him any milk, I'll be sure to bring in a sippy cup of water in case he really is thirsty.
I've been dealing with this forever. I know he's not in pain, I know he's not sick. I think we ALL really need some good rest.
Being a mommy is so hard sometimes, but I have to stick with my gut decision...
I've known Parker is a high needs baby for awhile. He needs lots of physical touch, lots of attention, and he is very intense. The moment he was born, he came out SCREAMING and did not stop until he got to nurse. Not much has changed in the last (almost) 19 months.
Other high needs qualities that Parker possesses include that he can be draining, he has always been a demanding nurser, "schedule" is not in his vocabulary, he is demanding, he awakens frequently (this is what spurred this post), he is often unsatisfied, he is rather unpredictable, he is VERY sensitive, he is not a self soother, as a baby he could NEVER be put down, and he has serious separation anxiety.
Let me first say that I am not complaining about all of these qualities. I just recently compiled a list from Dr. Sear's website and wanted to include them in this post for my records. I have known many of these things for a long time. Parker and I are together all day, and I am very accustomed to his behavior. I try to correct him when he is naughty, but I don't fault him for being sensitive, afraid to leave me, or demanding of my attention. Also, Parker is EXTREMELY happy when he IS happy, he is a total goofball and always has us laughing, and he is a VERY smart little boy.
The absolute hardest thing about having a high needs baby is the sleeping. I'm sure I've made 10 posts on this blog about Parker sleeping, I post it on my parenting message boards asking questions. It's been 19 months of lack of sleep, and honestly, it is the most draining experience.
I recently read on Dr. Sear's website about just why a high needs baby has difficulty sleeping. The description fit Parker to a tee. Basically, he is extremely used to having physical contact during the night and that is why he continually wakes up.
Last night I decided that I was ready, and I wasn't going to wimp out or give in. Parker went down at his usual bedtime around 8 pm. He did better than usual, skipping the midnight crying and waited until 330 am. I got up and picked him up and cuddled him for a second. I nursed him on both sides for a minute or less. When I put him back in his crib, he cried for a minute at the lack of booby time, but then dozed off.
Around 415, he began crying again. I hadn't even fallen back asleep yet. This time, I went in and held him and cuddled him but did not nurse him. I put him back down, and he cried for several minutes. He then went back to sleep until 615.
Tonight, I plan to only offer him on side for a minute and then continue with the cuddling. My main goal is to make these nightly meetings less exciting. If there's no booby, then why wake up, right? When I don't offer him any milk, I'll be sure to bring in a sippy cup of water in case he really is thirsty.
I've been dealing with this forever. I know he's not in pain, I know he's not sick. I think we ALL really need some good rest.
Being a mommy is so hard sometimes, but I have to stick with my gut decision...
January 12, 2012
Iphone Updates
Cozy nights.
We love going out to eat, and Parker loves terrorizing every restaurant we go to.
Even when he gets a big boy cup of ice water.
NYE snuggles.
Reading to brother.
I think Oscar ate most of these. I only swept up a few.
Nerd alert!
It's no wonder Lily's nickname is Goose.
Cabin fever.
Baby love.
January 9, 2012
A new way to clean
I only have natural cleaning products now. Tomorrow, I will be making homemade dishwash detergent. I've also ordered some soap to make the kids shampoo and bath soap, as well as hand soap. I'm even trying my hand at homemade toothpaste. As Shane would say, I'm on a kick. I'm a little fixated. But once you buy a few ingredients, you have everything you need to keep going. If you google some of the break downs, you will be amazed at how much money you are saving.
I really want to make my homemade laundry detergent, but I'm still learning how to use my HE washer, and I would hate to ruin it before we paid it off.
Here are the essentials I think you need to start:
Baking soda
Lemon Juice
White Vinegar
Borax
Washing Soda
Tea Tree Oil
Other yummy smelling essential oils-lavender, etc.
I found most of my recipes from diyNaturally. I will be sure and credit all the sites that I used though below. Happy, healthy, safe cleaning yall!
All purpose cleaner: (me, after lots of research)
1 part white vinegar
3 parts filtered water
2 drops tea tree oil
Store in a spray bottle
Glass cleaner: (me, after lots of research)
1 cup white vinegar
3 cups filtered water
Store in spray bottle
Dishwasher Detergent: Bonzai Aphrodite
1 part Borax
1 part washing soda
Combine powders in a bowl and break up any clumps. Store in a closed container with lid, and shake daily to keep from clumping. For an extra shine, add white vinegar to your rinse.
Liquid Hand Soap: EnviroMom
1 cup water
1/4 cup liquid castille soap (I ordered Dr. Bronners with Aloe Vera, the baby kind since I am also using this to make shampoo)
1 tsp vegetable glycerine
Mix all together. I'm going to get some cute soap pumps to stick in the bathrooms and next to the kitchen sink, or you can resuse your old ones.
**Note: Homemade shampoo is made with the same ingredients...and perhaps a dash of essential oil for a yummy smell. Also, did you know that you can use 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water as a conditioning rinse?
Homemade Toothpaste: diyNaturally
2/3 cup Baking Soda
4 tsp salt
1-2 tsp peppermint extract
water to reach desired consistency
Mix all together until you reach desired consistency. Store in a container with a lid.
I really want to make my homemade laundry detergent, but I'm still learning how to use my HE washer, and I would hate to ruin it before we paid it off.
Here are the essentials I think you need to start:
Baking soda
Lemon Juice
White Vinegar
Borax
Washing Soda
Tea Tree Oil
Other yummy smelling essential oils-lavender, etc.
I found most of my recipes from diyNaturally. I will be sure and credit all the sites that I used though below. Happy, healthy, safe cleaning yall!
All purpose cleaner: (me, after lots of research)
1 part white vinegar
3 parts filtered water
2 drops tea tree oil
Store in a spray bottle
Glass cleaner: (me, after lots of research)
1 cup white vinegar
3 cups filtered water
Store in spray bottle
Dishwasher Detergent: Bonzai Aphrodite
1 part Borax
1 part washing soda
Combine powders in a bowl and break up any clumps. Store in a closed container with lid, and shake daily to keep from clumping. For an extra shine, add white vinegar to your rinse.
Liquid Hand Soap: EnviroMom
1 cup water
1/4 cup liquid castille soap (I ordered Dr. Bronners with Aloe Vera, the baby kind since I am also using this to make shampoo)
1 tsp vegetable glycerine
Mix all together. I'm going to get some cute soap pumps to stick in the bathrooms and next to the kitchen sink, or you can resuse your old ones.
**Note: Homemade shampoo is made with the same ingredients...and perhaps a dash of essential oil for a yummy smell. Also, did you know that you can use 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water as a conditioning rinse?
Homemade Toothpaste: diyNaturally
2/3 cup Baking Soda
4 tsp salt
1-2 tsp peppermint extract
water to reach desired consistency
Mix all together until you reach desired consistency. Store in a container with a lid.
December 30, 2011
Goals for 2012
My "resolutions" aren't going to be anything stressful, but I really want to set up some goals for myself that will lead to a better life for my family and myself. A lot of these ideas pertain to healthy eating and a self reliant lifestyle.
Our Family 2012 Goals: (images from Google Image search)
1. Make all our cleaning products. (Minus laundry detergent, I have a new HE washer)
This is SO easy, and I wish I had done this sooner.
I will need: 3 spray bottles, vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. I'll also occasionally add lemon for a fresh scent, but I have heard the lavender tea tree oil is amazing. I'll be making an all purpose cleaner, homemade Windex, and a sort of homemade Softscrub. I'll have the kitchen and the bathrooms covered. I plant to mop with very hot water and a drop or two of the tea tree oil.
2. Obtain our own chickens-thus, fresh, organic, and FREE eggs. I'm kind of nervous about this, but this is Shane's project. Plus, I figure I can send the kids out to get the eggs. That would be a fun chore for them. I just need to figure out who is going to clean the chicken coop. I only buy organic eggs now, and they are kind of pricey.
3. Have a garden this spring. I have no clue if my thumb is green, but I want to grow easy vegetables for our first go around. I'm thinking peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes...
4. Eliminate fried foods.I rarely eat fried food, but when I eat anything breaded or fried, I always think I want it, and I feel sick afterwards. I never prepare anything fried or breaded, so this really will go hand and hand with eating out less and cooking more. We already eliminated all meat in May, and have since returned to eating chicken and turkey.
5. Use less than one roll of paper towels a week. We get a little grabby when the paper towels come out. I have an old towel that I just cut up into a ton of dish rags. Not the cutest thing to look at, but they are going in a basket near the sink, and we need to stay away from the wasteful paper towels!
Personal Goals:
1. Give yoga a shot.
2. Drink more water.
3. Stay home more, drive less.
4. Visit the park at LEAST bi-weekly.
5. Walk three mornings a week.
6. Will myself to have more patience with my children.
7. Read more.
I think 2012 will be a great year to focus on the health of our family and find a really great place where we feel balanced, secure, and refreshed. We already spend so much time together, but I feel like its important that we get "back to the basics" so to speak. In these crazy times, one of the most important things you can do is take care of your self and your family and not rely on anyone else.
Our Family 2012 Goals: (images from Google Image search)
1. Make all our cleaning products. (Minus laundry detergent, I have a new HE washer)
This is SO easy, and I wish I had done this sooner.
I will need: 3 spray bottles, vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. I'll also occasionally add lemon for a fresh scent, but I have heard the lavender tea tree oil is amazing. I'll be making an all purpose cleaner, homemade Windex, and a sort of homemade Softscrub. I'll have the kitchen and the bathrooms covered. I plant to mop with very hot water and a drop or two of the tea tree oil.
2. Obtain our own chickens-thus, fresh, organic, and FREE eggs. I'm kind of nervous about this, but this is Shane's project. Plus, I figure I can send the kids out to get the eggs. That would be a fun chore for them. I just need to figure out who is going to clean the chicken coop. I only buy organic eggs now, and they are kind of pricey.
3. Have a garden this spring. I have no clue if my thumb is green, but I want to grow easy vegetables for our first go around. I'm thinking peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes...
4. Eliminate fried foods.I rarely eat fried food, but when I eat anything breaded or fried, I always think I want it, and I feel sick afterwards. I never prepare anything fried or breaded, so this really will go hand and hand with eating out less and cooking more. We already eliminated all meat in May, and have since returned to eating chicken and turkey.
5. Use less than one roll of paper towels a week. We get a little grabby when the paper towels come out. I have an old towel that I just cut up into a ton of dish rags. Not the cutest thing to look at, but they are going in a basket near the sink, and we need to stay away from the wasteful paper towels!
Personal Goals:
1. Give yoga a shot.
2. Drink more water.
3. Stay home more, drive less.
4. Visit the park at LEAST bi-weekly.
5. Walk three mornings a week.
6. Will myself to have more patience with my children.
7. Read more.
I think 2012 will be a great year to focus on the health of our family and find a really great place where we feel balanced, secure, and refreshed. We already spend so much time together, but I feel like its important that we get "back to the basics" so to speak. In these crazy times, one of the most important things you can do is take care of your self and your family and not rely on anyone else.
December 28, 2011
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
We had a fun filled and slightly relaxing Christmas weekend. Christmas Eve, we got up and baked cinnamon rolls. Then Shane and I were in the kitchen for hours. We made a huge mess. The whole Mahaffey family was planning to bring appetizers to Shane's uncle's house for Christmas Eve. For Christmas Eve "dinner", Shane made homemade jalapeno poppers, and I made a hot crab and artichoke dip.
After we finished destroying the kitchen, we went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at church. We were supposed to work the nursery in the second service, but the only baby there was Parker, so we headed home and started our Christmas Eve party early. The kids exchanged presents with Shane's cousins, and we all ate way too many yummy treats.
Once we got home, I was super tired and headed straight for bed. Poor Shane procrastinated setting up some of Parker's toys, so he unfortunately was up until one am. The next morning, the kids were up by 7. They were so happy and excited. Shane needed coffee!
Lily got her first American Girl Doll, an art easel, a razor scooter, and other goodies. Parker got a Cozy Coupe, a basketball goal, a tent, and some other fun things. Both kids got some clothes and pjs.
Christmas Day, we spent time at various houses of Shane's family members. We were so full and so tired, but it was a great day. We're celebrating a very late Christmas with my mom tomorrow. My kids are beyond spoiled rotten.
After we finished destroying the kitchen, we went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at church. We were supposed to work the nursery in the second service, but the only baby there was Parker, so we headed home and started our Christmas Eve party early. The kids exchanged presents with Shane's cousins, and we all ate way too many yummy treats.
Once we got home, I was super tired and headed straight for bed. Poor Shane procrastinated setting up some of Parker's toys, so he unfortunately was up until one am. The next morning, the kids were up by 7. They were so happy and excited. Shane needed coffee!
Lily got her first American Girl Doll, an art easel, a razor scooter, and other goodies. Parker got a Cozy Coupe, a basketball goal, a tent, and some other fun things. Both kids got some clothes and pjs.
Christmas Day, we spent time at various houses of Shane's family members. We were so full and so tired, but it was a great day. We're celebrating a very late Christmas with my mom tomorrow. My kids are beyond spoiled rotten.
December 21, 2011
Julianna Grey Photos Christmas 2011
I think the post title speaks for itself. Find Julianna Grey Photography on Facebook. She's wonderful!
Baby's First Haircut
Sadly, Parker's shaggy blonde hair had to finally get cut. His mullet is now gone, and so are the last of his baby curls. He looks like a little man now. I kept it long in the front though, so he'll probably need a haircut in like a month.
Funny story, he sat still as a statue. He was SO good. It was hilarious. I think he was scared. Besides not blogging, I haven't pulled out my real camera, so all of my pictures are Iphone quality.
Before:
During:
After:
Funny story, he sat still as a statue. He was SO good. It was hilarious. I think he was scared. Besides not blogging, I haven't pulled out my real camera, so all of my pictures are Iphone quality.
Before:
During:
After:
Shane's Superior Christmas Party
This was our fourth Superior Christmas Party. This year, we brought Shane's cousin Faith and brother Chase, and Lily and them had the funnest time ever. Parker enjoyed it much more than he did last year as well. There was bowling, laser tag, lots of games, a whole kids buffet room, Santa, cookie decorating, and most importantly, Bobby Cox was there (well, most importantly to Shane and Chase.) They were all starstruck (Lily and Faith could care less). We had a blast!
Shane's company does a gigantic White Elephant gift exchange for the whole company. This year, I think we got the BEST present ever. I know I'm in love.
Shane's company does a gigantic White Elephant gift exchange for the whole company. This year, I think we got the BEST present ever. I know I'm in love.
My Favorite Flower Girl Pictures
I haven't had a laptop in over a month, and thus, I haven't blogged in forever. Anyways, I'm back with lots of updates, so bear with me!
Here are some of my favorite shots from Aja's wedding, back in October. Lily is seriously so beautiful! And spunky...I love her. Enjoy the picture overload, I know I did!
Here are some of my favorite shots from Aja's wedding, back in October. Lily is seriously so beautiful! And spunky...I love her. Enjoy the picture overload, I know I did!
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