Hey Fatty Meal!

Let me preface by saying a dear and beautiful friend of mine recently got engaged and I am beyond excited to stand up with her on her wedding day as she marries the man of her dreams...but after hearing the names of the bridesmaids...mama has to get serious about slimming it down!

So, say hello to my last "fatty meal"! Burger King is one of the few fast food restaurants that we can drop by when time constraints...ok, laziness... get the best of me. Their veggie burger isn't a key item on the menu, but if you search...you'll find it. I pair that bad boy with a monster size coke and some onion rings with zesty sauce and the fat kid inside me is a happy camper. The responsible, food loving, caring parent however...is ashamed.

Alright, in all honestly, this probably isn't my "last" fatty meal before the spring...but I am going to make a conscious effort to steer clear! Wish me luck!

Finger Food Friday!

One of my favorite things about being a mommy to a toddler (wow...where did the time go!) ...is watching Lily discover new foods. My biggest fear is that we are going to have a picky eater. So, to push her to being a lover of food like her parents, we are having fun introducing new colors, textures and tastes. Her reactions are the BEST! The only heart breaking experience we have had so far...she hates avocados! No matter how we dice it or spruce it up...she isn't fooled!

She loves to eat but hates being fed...she wants to do it all herself. Miss Independent already. So, finger foods it is! Since we are having so much fun stuffing her little sweet cheeks, I'll start sharing our experiences...the good, the bad, and the adorable!

This week...Black Bean & Corn Salad...success!

I got the recipe from one of my go-to sources of baby food fun...Weelicious. They have such creative ways to spice up the everyday lunch box...which I'm all about! This salad was a no-brainer to try because it is completely vegetarian, so no need to tweak too much, and it's so much fun! Not too messy, very colorful and healthy...win, win, win! Here ya go...

2 ears of corn, husked, cleaned and ready to go!
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed1 red bell pepper, dice it up...remember, small fingers need to grab it!
2 tbsp cilantro, same thing, dice it up!
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp salt

We had every intention of grilling the corn to spice it up...but there was a hungry little girl running around my feet, so off the grill the ears of corn came and into the pot! It was just as tasty...and Lily didn't seem to mind too much!

So, bring about an inch of water to boil and add your corn. Cover and steam for 5 minutes and then remove and let cool. While your corn is getting ready, go ahead and mix all of your other ingredients in a bowl.

Once your corn is cooled, add it to your party...stir and serve! So easy!

Doesn't that look so tasty? Trust me...it is! Lily LOVED it! Black beans are one of her favorite things right now so she ate all the black beans first...and then dove head first into the bell peppers and corn. 

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! There is so much going on around town so have fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I said in an earlier post that Christmas with a child is just the greatest.

Well... I can now confirm that EVERY holiday with a child is just the greatest!

We didn't want to make too much of a fuss over Valentine's Day.
So, this morning we simply exchanged cards and gave Lily just a little something extra.

She also had a fun little prize from GranZee and Pops!

Now, Lily isn't thrilled about doing anything extra in the morning...but she powered through!

GranZee made her little t-shirt special for today!

OWL always love you! How stinkin' cute is that!?!

Oh..and, the finished Valentine Pretzel Buttons for her classroom...

Hope you all had a fabulous day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Button Pretzels

I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day....but whatever, we are celebrating anyway!

I decided today that we wanted to bring something for Lily's teachers, so I needed something quick and easy...yet impressive... to make. Of course, I ran to Pinterest and I found just that!

These Valentine Pretzel Buttons might be the easiest thing I've ever "baked"! As I said earlier, I found them on Pinterest thanks to the blog G*Rated. Great site! Enjoy!

Valentine Pretzel Buttons

You'll need:
-square pretzels
-Hersey Hugs (regular Kisses would work, but I don't think they would be as cute!)
-M&Ms (disclaimer: if you are making them for your kid's class, best to grab peanut FREE)

First, pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees and place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Then, line with your pretzels.

Next, top the pretzels with your Hugs.

Now, bake until the Hugs are a bit shiny and soft...which should only be 4-5 minutes. You want the Hugs to still have their shape. When you remove from the oven, carefully stick one of the M&Ms on tops of the Hugs. Barely push it into the Hug...you don't want to smash them all over the place!

Now, I'll admit...when I was patiently waiting the 4-5 minutes while they baked...and the M&Ms looked like this:

I snuck a few...shh, don't tell anyone!

Lastly, let them cool completely and then ENJOY!

Mine are currently chilling in the fridge overnight. And then tomorrow, I'll toss them in this cute little basket for Lily's classroom.

Can't wait! I'll share more pictures tomorrow!

Have a great Valentine's Day!

Mommy Lessons {at 8 months}

Just a few things I've learned so far...

---This is the greatest pacifier in the entire world. Period. {Green Sprouts}

---Making baby food is actually pretty easy and incredibly fun! Watching wholesome and colorful fruits and veggies transform into a puree and then seeing Lily enjoy good, natural food is pretty amazing.

---When another mother gives you awful advice or criticizes how you are raising your child, just smile and nod. It's not worth arguing or disagreeing...trust me...just smile and nod.

---Very few people actually care about the color, consistency, smell or even the shapes of my baby's bowel movements. Especially my non-parent friends...weird, right?

---All the times I complained before about being tired or needing more sleep...HA! It's amazing how well your body can perform on little to no sleep when you have a beautiful baby smile at you! It's like downing a couple Red Bulls...she smiles and I have the energy to keep going!

---Christmas with a child is just the greatest!

---There is no parenting debate more intense than the breastfeeding vs. formula feeding frenzy. My goodness! People are not scared to tell you right to your face EXACTLY how they feel. It is just bananas! There is no in between. I've been told outright that I'm a bad mother if I stop breastfeeding before Lily is one and then next conversation I'm being told how disgusting it is that I'm still doing it. Avoid this conversation like the plague!

---You can never take enough pictures or videos to satisfy a grandmother that lives 3 hours away.

---When all else fails, just go with your gut! No book, website or other parent can tell you the right way to love and care for your child. Now, of course there are guidelines, but I've learned to calm down a bit and just go with what feels right.

---It's not a good idea to make a bet on the baby's gender when going in to the 20-whatever week ultrasound. Especially, if betting that child's first Halloween costume...

---And lastly...never, ever, ever, ever ever say "I'll never do that with my baby!". Because chances are, you'll not only do it but you will depend on it and absolutely LOVE it! Trust me!

A little bit of this...A little bit of that

It has been a crazy couple of weeks and I haven't been able to sit at a computer long enough to post ANYTHING. So sad...

Let's see...what have you missed?

Well, Lily's two month "birthday" has come and gone...

We have a growing girl on our hands!

She enjoys supervised playtime by Oliver...

and Mr. Kitty!

Lily started daycare last week in the Strawberry Classroom! It was such a sad day for me, but she took to her teacher so well, I couldn't help but be excited for her!

(Yes, the fact that she in the the Strawberry Classroom and she wore a Strawberry Onesie on the first day was on purpose!)

The sad thing about this picture (in addition to me looking like a homeless person) is the fact that I had no idea Lily had drooled on my arm until after I posted the picture on Facebook and a couple of my friends pointed it out! Gotta love Mommyhood!

Lastly, I'm obsessed with Pinterest. Follow me: http://pinterest.com/blissbyrachel/



Just call me Daisy!

Breastfeeding is one of the most beautiful and rewarding things I've ever done. However, for something so natural, you would think it would come naturally. Unfortunately, that isn't the case for most...including little Lily and myself.

Instead of throwing in the towel when we hit our road blocks in the beginning, we powered through and after several appointments with our pediatrician, a lactation consultant, an ENT snipping Lily's tongue and one lofty purchase...we are well on our way to successful feedings!

Lily started life tongue-tied...yes, it's an actual thing. I had no idea! It isn't anything serious but it was making it difficult for her to latch when nursing. When Lily wasn't gaining weight as quickly as we liked, we decided to get help. The lactation consultant informed us that since Lily wasn't demanding enough milk during her feedings, my supply was decreasing and we needed to fix this ASAP.

So, off we went to do just that with the help of these tips and tricks...

Fenugreek

A funny name but a serious herb!  Used for medicinal and culinary purposes by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, this herb has been known to reduce fever, flavor curry, make lip balm, treat skin infections, curb menstrual cramps,  treat bronchitis and other respiratory or sinus problems, etc. Thanks to the hormone precursors in the seeds, this magic little herb can also increase milk supply in nursing moms.

I've been taking the pill form of fenugreek, found at Whole Foods, for a couple weeks now. I take 2-3 after each meal with a full glass of water. Now, this herb does affect everyone differently and it isn't guaranteed to increase supply for every woman. But, it has been known to have some results within 24-72 hours. Once your supply is stabilized, you can stop taking the pills.

With the increased milk supply comes some unfortunate and weird side effects. The worst is the upset tummy and increased sweating. Some scientists believe that fenugreek increases milk supply because it stimulates sweat production and breasts are simply modified sweat glands. I'll leave the reasoning to the smart guys!

The most bizarre side effect I've encountered is the maple syrup smell to both mine and Lily's urine. Yep, I told you that it was bizarre! But hey, if I have to spend a little time being a sweaty mess with sweet smellin' tickle to improve Lily's feedings...worth it!

Organic Mother's Milk Tea

This herbal tea contains bitter fennel, aniseed, coriander, fenugreek, blessed thistle and a blend of spearmint, lemongrass, lemon verbena and marshmallow root...all of which are organic ingredients! According to the packaging and my lactation consultant, the combination of anise, fennel and coriander has been used for centuries by European women to promote healthy lactation and to increase production.

It is suggested that you drink one cup 3-5 times a day the entire time you are nursing. Unfortunately, my stomach just can't handle it so I only drink 1-2 cups a day...one in the morning and the other before bed. Some think the tea is rather bitter, but I actually like it and find it almost sweet. To each their own!

Also, you can print a $1.50 off coupon after signing up for their newsletter here. Every little bit helps!

Lifestyle Changes

I say "changes" but most of these things are common sense...just be healthy! Tips include resting as much as you can, drinking tons of water, and eating a well-balanced diet. Also, cutting out smoking, caffeine, alcohol and unnecessary medications.

Remember,  breastfeeding burns calories (approximately 600 a day...depending on what study you look at), so make sure you are eating enough and eating enough of the right things! My lactation consultant encouraged lots of raspberries, blueberries, oatmeal, whole grains and leafy greens.

Increasing Demand

This has been the biggest challenge! Mastering the art of supply and demand is the key to successful milk production. So...pumping has been a necessity. Lily tends to satisfy herself after approximately 15 minutes on each breast but she doesn't necessarily empty either one each feeding. So, to make sure their is a sufficient demand, I pump for an additional 10-15 minutes. With her feeding every 2-3 hours, you might as well call me "Daisy the Dairy Cow"!

I didn't notice a big change when adding the pumping until I added the night sessions. Lily is an excellent sleeper so we thought we hit the jackpot when she started sleeping through the night. Everyone says "sleep when the baby sleeps" so that is exactly what I did! Well, sleeping 6-8 hours at night means missing feeding sessions...which decreases demand and ultimately decreases supply. So, as much as I hate waking up at 3am, I'm loving having the extra milk around!

Now that it is time to return our rented breast pump back to the hospital, I researched and researched various pumps to purchase. Finally, I decided on the Medela Pump-In-Style Advanced. Although this is a lofty purchase, I used a coupon code and saved over $70 at Target.com! I should receive the pump tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to having the battery-operated option and the ability to easily travel with it! I'll let you know how it goes!


Now, all of these things have been a huge help and we have seen GREAT progress. BUT, the biggest thing that has led to Lily's successful weight gain and happy feeding sessions is...wait for it...patience. Remaining calm and as stress-free as possible is key to a happy mommy and a chunky baby!

Happy 1st Month Lily!

This past weekend we celebrated Lily's first month of life! I can't believe she is already one month old...time really flies! We have had one exciting month of firsts...

first day of life...



first day out and about...

first real bath...

first lunch out at Zippys...

first trip to Leesville...

among others!

What a blast we have had...but there is much more fun to come!

Happy 1st Month Lily!

Lily's Room

Well, our little girl's room is basically finished so I wanted to share some photos! Enjoy!

We still have a few things to add and tweak, but you get the general idea!

My Birth Experience

Well, I can finally say...SHE'S HERE! Lillian Mae Henry arrived at 10:46pm on May 11, 2011. We have loved parenthood so far...even with the lack of sleep!

Before we got too distracted with just how amazing she is, I wanted to write about her journey here.

So here we go...

At 4:29am on Tuesday, May 10th, I woke up with mild cramping. I remember looking at the clock and seeing the time...thank goodness I did because I knew the next set of cramping was about 30 minutes later. I wasn't too alarmed because the cramps weren't "like the book said they would be". So, I shrugged it off and went back to sleep. Chris and I woke up for work around 7:00am and I was still experiencing the cramps. Just in case, we both called-in to work. I downloaded the "contractions timer" app on my iPhone and started timing. I still wasn't sure this was the real deal...but I knew it was something.

As the day progressed, so did the cramps. Despite the fact that they were getting more intense they were also getting closer together. I still wasn't 100% sure I was actually "in labor". So, we kept powering through them. I did a lot of walking, a lot of leaning over onto counter tops, a lot of side lying and even more hip swaying to deal with the pain. Chris called our doula to fill her in and get suggestions. She advised us to rest as much as we could, eat something light but substantial, and to keep her updated. So, we ordered Jimmy John's and I continued to manage the contractions that were now 4-5 minutes apart.

Come 11:00pm, I had had enough. So, we finished packing our bags, said goodbye to our adorable animals and headed to the hospital. Upon arrival, I was anxious, scared and just plain ready to know how close I was to seeing our little girl. I was convinced I was at least 4-5 cms. I mean, I had been laboring for over 18 hours! Plus, how embarrassing if I was wrong and this wasn't labor at all? Well, after being assessed by the nurses...I was somewhere in the middle. I was definitely in labor but only the very early stage of it. I had only dilated 1 cm and was about 70% effaced. WHAT!?! I was so disappointed!

After being monitored for an hour, Chris and I decided to go back home to progress further before being admitted to the hospital. They gave me something to help me sleep and off we went. We got home close to 2am. Unfortunately, their pills weren't as magic as we hoped as I barely slept! When we "woke up", the contractions were still 4-5 minutes apart but WOW, they were intense. I tried the same techniques (lots of movement) from the day before with little comfort. I tried to eat a bit of toast but couldn't quite stomach it. I jumped in the shower and that was actually the best help. The hot water on my back was wonderful! Once I got out, I was done. With tears in my eyes, we packed up and headed back to the hospital.

We were admitted around noon and headed to Labor and Delivery Suite 11 approximately 3-4 cms along. Not ideal, but better than the night before! I was given an I V and was hooked up the the wireless monitors, which kept tabs on the baby's heart rate and my contractions. I also put on my adorable hospital gown! Yes, I'm vain and brought my own! The excitement of it all helped me power through the first few contractions with a bit of ease. Chris set up his computer to play zen-like music and we turned the lights down to create a more relaxing environment. As much as that helped, I needed a bit more assistance getting comfortable. So, my doula and the nursing staff set up the birthing tub.

The birthing tub was amazing! The water was kept at 98 degrees and was large enough to keep me covered with water from the shoulders down. I was able to almost float and kick my legs during each contraction. The weightlessness really helped relax me...enough that Chris caught me snoring in between contractions! Being able to rest was invaluable and before I knew it...I had been in that thing for an hour and a half. Unfortunately, the exhaustion caught back up with me and I had reached a breaking point...I asked for the epidural.

I wanted a natural childbirth so badly but this was not how I had pictured everything happening. I was so full of mixed emotions at this point. I later realized that I had been in labor for around 36 hours without any medical interventions...I can be proud of that!

After the epidural, things progressed a little more quickly...but not much. After getting out of the tub, I was approximately 6-7 cms with a long way to go. The epidural really helped me relax and I caught a few more minutes of sleep. Chris had not rested or even eaten at this point and it was about 5pm. So, he made a quick trip to the cafeteria downstairs to refuel. Being the smartie that he is, he brought back some Mr. Pibb...only my favorite guilty pleasure EVER. I'll admit it, I took a little swig when everyone had their backs turned! At this point, I had only had water, ice chips and a little apple juice...I deserved it!

I have to brag on the nursing staff at Woman's Hospital...they were incredible. They were very intune with our expectations and desires and did everything in their power to make sure we were supported and comfortable. It helped that we had our doula with us and she has such a great relationship with the hospital. When most people have to say goodbye to their support system during the epidural being administered, my doula was able to stay and talk me though that intervention. This was especially helpful for me, seeing how I was quite emotional that I was getting it anyway.

Now, I had heard that one medical intervention can quickly lead to another...and I can say that is really true. Just a few hours after the epidural was given, I had my membranes artificially broken (aka my water was broken by the doctor). Although things didn't just domino immediately after this, we did progress a little stronger and faster. I was now 7-8 cms dilated...and incredibly sick to my stomach.

My legs felt the tingling of falling asleep, my back was knotted and sore, I was being twisted and turned every few minutes for various reasons, and I was now throwing up like a champion. YAY! Chris could not have been more supportive through this nasty time. He held my hair back, kept a cold rag on my face to help me fight the nausea and kept whispering words of encouragement. There is not a doubt in my mind...I couldn't have made it without him!

Come a little after 9pm, I was told that my doctor was heading to the hospital to deliver our little one. So, everyone started preparing for the final stages. At 10pm, we were told that he would be arriving in about 30 minutes. I had my eyes fixed on the clock. Sure enough, he arrived at 10:30pm and the party really got started! I barely had the energy to keep my eyes open but the end was near. I pushed through four contractions and little Lily made her appearance at 10:46pm. She was a healthy and beautiful 7 lbs 8.6 oz, 20 inch long baby girl!

Every cliche' about childbirth is completely true. The minute I saw Lily, I was hooked and every bit of the last 42 hours was well worth it. Chris and I fell in love with her immediately!

After both Lily and myself were cleaned up and checked out, our immediate families came to welcome her to the world. It was the sweetest thing!

Chris supported every decision I made before and during the labor and delivery. During everything, Chris had but one request. He wanted to keep the placenta. As odd as I thought this was at first, he could have just about whatever he wanted after being so amazing and supportive. In order to take the placenta home, one must bring a small ice chest, have the nurses provide tons of ice and sign a bunch of waivers. The nurses aren't allowed to handle the ice chest so we had my sister take the chest home and put directly in the freezer until we got home. Chris had big plans for the placenta, which you can check out at his website here. Here is a hint...

Although not everything went as we had hoped when preparing our birth plan, I couldn't be more happy with the results! We were blessed with a happy and healthy little baby girl...nothing could be better!

Chris has a ton more pictures on his site. If you are interested in seeing those, click here.