Top Ten Tuesday: Breastfeeding Must-Haves

Welcome to my first Top Ten Tuesday post! I'm so excited you're here. Today's post is, of course, on the topic of breastfeeding. (What else would it be, right?) I hope to cover many different categories in the future though, and would love your input on each list! Read through till the bottom to find out what my next list will be, and how you can help me out with it.


This list is not just a quick run-through of affiliate links I like best - although take note that affiliate links are used. (They help fund this blog so I can keep researching awesomeness for you!) It's a list of items that I seriously needed and use(d) constantly throughout A's breastfeeding adventure. But, first of all...don't forget the camera! Take it like....EVERYWHERE. I can't believe how many cute things I caught that, looking back now, I totally wouldn't have remembered! Without further ado...here we go!

The Story of Little A and the Boobies That Could

Ahhhhh... breastfeeding. It's a magical - and incredibly frustrating - experience! Baby #2 proved to be quite a challenge in the eating department, as I'm sure is apparent from previous posts. I thought I'd gather it all together in one place for other breastfeeding mamas...

Blackberry Mojito

Happy Independence Day Americans! Blackberry Mojito has, for some reason, made me nostalgic!

6 Breastfeeding Myths

Breastfeeding is hard work! And along with tons of research and advice comes more questions than answers. Here are some of the more common issues that I myself dealt with when breastfeeding, and want to pass on to you! These myths are about to be busted...

Love Wins: A Supreme Court Ruling Conversation

Photo Credit: Silikids

Birthday!

Google made me a Google Doodle!

So fun! Today's birthday entertainment is nothing too flashy, but fun none-the-less! I'll be updating this blog, so look for some awesome posts (including pics of Ricardo's birthday present to me!! It's amazing!). R and A and I will be hitting the park later, accompanied by Starbucks of course, and some marketing and business tasks are in today's plan as well.

Living here in beautiful Washington is almost like a birthday everyday! Ricardo and I have been given the chance to start fresh in a new environment, and we couldn't be happier. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family nearby, both actual and those family members we hold in Christ, and beautiful visions of God's creation at every turn. A walk down the street is like taking a stroll in your local botanical garden, complete with neighbors who wave as you walk by. :)

I am looking forward to see what God has for us this next year as we settle in further here in Spokane. :) Thanks for reading, friends!

Formula

There are two reasons for the title to this post. The first is in regards to the newest Aguayo.

Anthony (my 7 week old) has not been doing well on any of the formula brands and types we've been trying. Two weeks ago, I decided to go ahead and stop supplementing my nursing with formula, and make the permanent switch. He wasn't eating enough with just me, and additionally seemed to be having some gastrointestinal issues even when I pumped it to bottle-feed. My production was steadily decreasing, and the stress was probably not helping with that.

Depressing though it may be, I thought the choice was a good one. Now, if we could only find food that doesn't hurt him! After seeing the pediatrician, we are giving Anthony Similac Alimentum, which is pretty much the end of the road as far as formula goes. It's predigested, so if this doesn't work, then obviously there's something else going on. Or, so I've been told. We will wait until Monday, and see if the diarrhea and crying after feedings continue.

I feel so sad for the little guy. He just wants to be able to poop normally, eat enough, and sleep peacefully. Is that so much to ask? I cry with him just about every day, though today his cries don't seem to be as related to feedings, and moreso to the fact that I'm not holding him. (Which is normal baby stuff...and I can handle that!)

So...yay for formula! Not. Overall, he is gaining weight, and not "sick" per se, so very grateful!

The second reason for a post entitled "Formula" is in regards to this 30-day journey of mine. I have been on the hunt for a formula. A secret ingredient that, when sprinkled into my life, will allow me to have some magical relationship with Christ. What I'm finding is that there IS NO SECRET INGREDIENT.

(I LOVE Kung Fu Panda! And didn't remember this phrase was in the movie until I did a google search for images related to the phrase haha. Fits perfectly!)

There is no formula. I already HAVE a relationship with Him. It just isn't what I presume it to be. So many people indicate that a relationship with Christ is meant to be super-personal and like a best friend. But, I'm learning the contrary. How in the world can we expect the creator of the universe to have a one-on-one relationship with us when He isn't visible or audible? God isn't. But the Holy Spirit is. In a sense. The formula isn't that I'm going to have this great relationship and back and forth thing with Christ here on earth. The difference between the way I approach life and the way a non-Christian approaches life is in my view of the afterlife.

I believe there is one - and I live as though I believe that. I believe that God will reward me for trusting Him, searching for Him, and obeying Him once I arrive in place He has prepared for me (John 14:6). But, for now, I'm merely meant to live my life normally. Making good choices, yes. Asking for God's input, yes. But not pretending like he's my bestest friend in the whole world (despite the fact that I need one). He's my parent. Sometimes you can go to them as a friend, but that isn't what they ultimately are. He's there to guide me in honorable lifestyle choices. No, I won't always make the correct choices, but He is there to point the way and say "Good try...now give the right choice a go...".

In both cases, formula is not having an uplifting impact on my life. ;) However, I am FAR less stressed realizing that the secret ingredient I assume others have is non-existent. I'm breathing a bit easier, which gives me some wiggle room despite the stress of baby formula. It's comforting to realize, after typing all this out, that I'm actually handling all the stressors in my life better than I would have a couple of years ago. I haven't thrown any dishes, punched any pillows, or screamed at any cars on the road haha!



Moreover, I'm feeling less guilty. I have walked through life for years feeling guilty for not following a set schedule/pattern for a relationship with Christ. I'm not going to cultivate an earthly one because I go to church, do my Bible Study, and pray. I will, however, benefit from the relationship that does exist by doing those things.

I feel a bit rambly today, so I'm sorry if this post sucks! Haha. It's nice to get these two topics off my chest, and hopefully sleep a little easier. (until my cutie wakes up, that is) Now, despite the late hour, I'm off to sew! Because nitetime is my time ;) Here's the burp cloths I've been working on for my Etsy shop. Makes me wish I had a baby girl to use them!

Shared with these beautiful blog people: Missional Women
Till next time...

-Heather

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Disclosure: I am not a medical professional, and all information on this site is strictly opinion. If you aren’t sure about your situation, please seek professional medical advice from your doctor. This post contains affiliate links, which allow me to obtain compensation on products that visitors purchase. That said, I do not link to products that I would not personally recommend.

Gone Fishing!

So, my little man has a fishing pole. One of those kid kinds that actually has fishing line and a reel attached. He's had this fishing pole for about a year and, up until now, he's had a plastic frog attached to the end. He would cast the line and then reel the frog in. Well that seemed a little boring to me so I decided to make some fishes for him to catch! 

After some research, I decided fabric was the way to go! (Plus I have so much fabric that I never know what to do with) They turned out to be about 7 by 3 1/2 inches. I used a pattern that I made cut out from cereal box cardboard, haha! But if you happen to have a printer, this pattern is the way to go since it has options for you advanced crafters. I used one layer of batting inside just to give it some definition, but you can stuff it and have a puffier fish too if you like!

Magnets seemed to be the way to go as far as finding a way to "catch" the fish, and I got some pretty strong craft magnets at Joann's. After putting the fabric, batting and magnets together, I stitched the fishes around the edges and called it good. Then, I stitched one magnet inside a circle fabric pocket, attaching it to the fishing pole's paper clip "hook! 

Ricky and Ricardo had a blast fishing on the stairs. Playtime success!!

Apparently as a bonus, they stick to the corners of walls!! :) 

The Gender Question

Babies! We all love that new baby smell, and warm fingers and toes, but the months it takes to make those cuties is not all fun and games.

Those classic first few months of sickness ensure an impatient mommy! Hoping to reach that second trimester, Moms-to-be look to the ultrasound that generally occurs at the 2nd trimester mark. Excited to find out the gender of their little baseball sized baby, the impatience can be overwhelming!

There are tons of quizzes, old wives' tales, and all kinds of nonsense predicting your little's one's gender. I have recently found a quiz that is pretty interesting!! I love the questions, and think it would work for sure!

It's been waaaaayyy too long since I've been preggo to remember all the answers to these questions, so let me live vicariously through you :)

Test it out, and tell me if it worked!

Gender Predictor

Good luck!
-Me

Pumpkin Patch, 2nd Edition

On Sunday we went to the Pumpkin Patch (again) with some friends! We browsed around and also went through the corn maze! Something I've never done before.

We met a scarecrow,

a llama,
a goat,
and an awesome pumpkin train!

We didn't ride the train because it was like 8 bucks per person.

Then it was off to the Corn Maze! It was only the guys and me because Krystle "wasn't in a Corn Maze mood". Lame, Krystle! :)



My two boys wanted a taste of the delicious-looking corn!



Helicopter view...haha. Not really, but I'm so tall, I can take awesome pictures like this!

THIS, is the infamous "#55". We dubbed him this, clearly, because of his jersey. However, the reason he is important to this Corn Maze post, is because we spotted him peeing in a corner of the Maze lol. The boys kept talking about him throughout the maze, so everytime he saw us, he booked it out quick!

Yes, yes, butts can only mean one thing.... we finished the maze. haha. I like how Little Man is standing "at ease". Such cuteness. :)

Oh yes...I had to take a picture of myself to prove I was there! Here it is. :P

The Pumpkin Patch

AKA - Pumpkin Desensitization. ;)

After seeing many pumpkin decorations, Ricky has determined that pumpkin are, indeed --Scaaaarrry! Video of Ricky saying "Scary Munkins!" He was very freaked out when we got there.







After much encouragement, he finally ventured out to touch one.





And eventually he had fun holding all the pumpkins!






Apparently there was something in the sky... haha



Here is our lovely array of pumpkins! That giant one cost us 18 bucks! NEVER buying them at the Pumpkin Patch again...



All in all it was a good trip. The weather was close to 90 degress (blech), but what can you expect from the desert? More pics to come, we took a second trip with friends and I got more creative with the camera. :)

Much love!
-Rett

My Brown Table

I suppose I should have begun this blog with an explanation for its title. :) I just got a new kitchen table. Well...new/used. My friend Becky and I like to switch furniture...often. Haha. Recently we switched kitchen tables. Mine was a light oak colored oval table, and hers a dark brown slightly rectangular table. (I say slightly rectangular because it's only about 3 inches shy of being square) I absolutely LOVE this dark brown table, with it's simple elegance. The legs are four in number, one in each corner, with no special design carved into them. The edges are straight with four actual corners. I wanted this table because it was not only the dark color I was after, but also because it was smaller than the one I had. Ok enough about the table (but seriously...I love this table). A friend of mine pointed out that most kitchen tables are, indeed, some form of brown. D'oh! So the title fits all the better.



Recently my kitchen table has become a catch-all, if you will. We eat dinner there, I do homework, blogging, and scrapbooking there, and Ricky learns his alphabet. (Ok ok so he colors pictures of letters...but hey that's the beginning of learning don'tcha know?) Anyway, because of this catch-all kind of atmosphere, I decided to use it to my advantage. I wanted a blog I could write about anything on. Since just about any topic can come up at my kitchen table, I decided to use it as my title.

So that's my Brown Table. :)
'Till next time,
-Rett