Peanut Butter Shortage

And THIS, my lovelies, is why you buy in bulk. We have four containers of peanut butter (two small Creamy, and two large Chunky) in our cabinet at the moment.
Peanut Butter Shortage

Why I am Grateful, #4: My Dog

We got our dog, Buddy, from a no-kill shelter, during my second trimester of pregnancy with The Goob. This shelter rescued him from a county pound, where he was deemed "unadoptable" due to abuse from his former owners and rampant sickness. The no-kill facility rescued him, nursed him back to health, and here he is with our family, four years later. I feel sometimes that, thanks to the craziness of marriage, life, kiddos, whatnot, that I don't always give him the attention he deserves, but oddly enough (and this isn't an excuse), I feel sometimes like he understands because he loves our family as much as we do. He is crazy, rambunctious, loving, and all out wonderful. I joke with the hubby sometimes that I feel the dog loves me more than anyone else because he loves me faults and all. He has some health problems, and I so wish he didn't because he doesn't deserve them. He's a great dog, and I cherish how much he loves me and my little family.

Why I am Grateful, #3: Quiet Mornings

I am grateful that my children are good sleepers, because if I get up early in the morning, I can manage to have time to myself to think, to relax, to blog, to surf, and anything else that strikes my fancy. I used to be a morning person, until I had my first child, and now, I'm rediscovering that trait within myself again. This little quota of peace and quiet has become my favorite part of the day, I think. I can watch the sun rise out of my kitchen or living room windows, let the dog curl up at my feet without his being disturbed by happy little ones, and send out emails to my hubby while he is at work. Bliss. Sometimes, it is indeed the little things.

Why I am Grateful, #2: My Home and My Hubby

I have two things to be grateful for today because, hey, it's my blog, and I can do what I want!
I'm grateful for my home. Sometimes, I feel like I need to be more grateful than I am. I struggle a lot when it comes to looking at others' houses, and I feel overwhelming inadequacy at times because I don't feel my house isn't clean enough, or big enough, or as well decorated as another house, or organized enough--you get the picture. And a lot of these battles I will continue to fight until I change my perspective and until the little ones are grown up enough that they can clean all of their own messes...you know, when they are forty.
I need to remember when it was worse--when we lived in a really bad neighborhood and wanted so desperately to be where we are now. I remember when we were getting ready to close on the house--we loaded up The Goob in the stroller and took him to the new house and just walked around the neighborhood, and I was so joyous, so happy to be in a safe, comfortable, and beautiful neighborhood where we *could* walk our baby around and feel secure and be able to take in the wonderful things around us. I shouldn't let envy get in the way of those feelings.
Our home is adequate, comfortable, able to be improved upon, and perfect for our family. I need to show my gratitude for it by using it and appreciating what it offers us, and by taking better care of it than I do sometimes.
I am also grateful this morning for my husband. I'm not very good at showing affection, even to my own spouse, and sometimes, I just get so overwhelmed by life and its challenges that I find I neglect showing him the love he deserves because I know he'll understand. But, it's not fair to him. He needs as much attention and concern as the house, as the children, as my work, as I do. Without him, I wouldn't have many of the things in my life that I cherish the most. He helps me overcome fears and obstacles, puts up with my endless array of crap, talks with me about the craziest things, is my confidante, and is very much my rock. I need to resolve to prioritizing him in my life, in showing affection and love, and taking care of the things that are important to him, and not just what is important to me.
What are you grateful for today?

Toothless Grins and Affirmations

I have been struggling some with the fact that breastfeeding just simply did not work out for The Bean and me. I didn't get the chance to nurse The Goob due to medication, and I was so anxious to nurse The Bean. I bought books, supplies, pads, bras, a Boppy, covers...you name it. I researched, I daydreamed...I was so excited.
But, thanks to latch issues and the fact that my little girl thrived on soy formula, and not my breast milk or milk-based formula, we were bottle feeding exclusively after only a couple of weeks. And I was so heartbroken. You hear all the time that "breast is best," and bottle-feeding moms are constantly condemned/criticized, and not to mention, those few successful nursing moments were OH SO WONDERFUL, and yeah, I was bummed. Not to mention, a pal had her baby close to mine and was struggling with similar issues, and it ended up working out for them, and I endured her endless nursing updates on Facebook every two seconds, so my news feed was glutted with all of these success stories, and I felt like SUCH a failure.
I have been doing better, but have had my moments, and today, while giving my Bean a bottle, I looked down at her reflux-y self, and she slurped a few, looked at me, and just grinned--so unbelievably happy and content, and you know what? I knew in my heart I did what was best for my little girl, even if it wasn't what I wanted, or what others thought was best. It was a precious moment, and I cherish that smile today. Sometimes, even when they can't speak, little ones can say so much.

Beco Baby Carrier Giveaway on Newly Wed, Newly Bred

I am obsessed with our Beco Gemini baby carrier (The Bean LOVES it), and Newly Wed, Newly Bred is doing a giveaway of a free Beco Butterfly II carrier. Check it out to enter. There's also a really smashing review of the carrier in question as well. Highly recommended. Beco is, by far, my favorite brand of carrier (and we've experienced some sub par carriers in our child-rearing years), and having a good carrier is so crucial to babywearing--for both baby and mama's comfort. Babywearing is so beneficial--three hours a day can really decrease crying and fussiness in babies and does so much to promote a close parent/child bond (there have been numerous studies). Baby spent nine months in mama's tummy, and there's little he/she likes more than to snuggle up close and hear that familiar heartbeat again. (And you can totally do housework hands-free. Score.) I admit that The Bean and I don't often make it to three hours a day...some days are better than others...but I didn't really do this much with The Goob at all because we had a crappy Wal-mart carrier, and it wasn't enjoyable or comfortable for either of us. The Bean and I found Beco and have been so happy.

Why I am Grateful, #1: My Children

So, here comes the cheese...since it is November 1st, it's time to start all of the obligatory "Why I Am Grateful" entries until Thanksgiving. And truth be told, I need the reminders and the time to reflect, so let's get started, shall we?
So, what am I grateful for so early in the morning on November 1st? Today, I have to say I am feeling grateful for my children. I truly need to appreciate them more than I do sometimes. Sometimes, I get so frazzled by potty-training, bottles, cleaning up after them, dressing them, bathing them, feeding them, that I focus more on the routine, rather than my children as individuals? Does that make sense? I care for the chores, and lose focus on getting to know them as individuals. Love doesn't always have to be simply taking care of them and cleaning their mess, but taking time to slow down the day a bit and learn to appreciate what they do and who they are. I grew up as an only child and saw the pain it caused my parents to not be able to have as many children as they wanted. I have friends who deal with infertility, miscarriages, the deaths of their kids...and here I am with two wonderful little ones.
I'm not saying that it is bad to get frustrated or to feel overwhelmed--heaven knows I feel this...oh, every day...but sometimes, it's nice to stop and forget about the dishes and the laundry once in a while and simply take the time to spend with them.
So, this morning, I'm grateful for little red dinosaur costumes, countless Binkies laying around my house, tutus, pettiskirts, headbands, that indescribable way that babies can sometimes smell that is so nice, the crazy things that come out of The Goob's mouth, toothless grins, coos and squeals of delight, toys everywhere, Hot Wheels cars under every nook and cranny, bedtime routines, Elmo, and everything else that reminds me that I am a mother and that my little ones are mine. I love them more than I can ever express.