That Mama Gretchen

The story of the first trimester

2012-02-09T05:42:00.000-08:00

Sleep {restlessly with vivid dreams}

Eat {and gag}

Nap {with toddler who wakes you up when you finally fall asleep poking you in the face saying "eye"}

Be a couch potato {moan, sip on a smoothie, wonder if this is the flu or a baby ...}

Memorize Sprout Network schedule {before January Jemma did not know Kipper, Caillou, Angelina Ballerina, Nina or Star}

Eat {whatever sounds decent ... doughnuts, cereal, protein bars, sesame honey chicken from the grocery deli}

Call husband crying {so he feels my pain}

Send dramatic text to bestie {so they can respond with a "you've got this girl!" chant of encouragement}

Get dressed {in a fresh pair of pajamas}

~~Do laundry and dishes~~

Nap {with one eye open so toddler is supervised}

Trek to drive-thru {because who wants to cook when Jamba Juice and Taco Bell are near}

Start Pinterest board for new baby {because, obviously}

Eat {a yogurt with toddler getting every other bite}

Trip on toy-plosion {curse all children in the world for their lack of common courtesy}

Ask husband to cook dinner {more like beg and faint on the couch}

Take a bath {with toddler because it's just easier than leaning over the tub for a 1/2 hour}

Sleep {to continue the random dream from the previous night}

Upward and onward into the bigger and better 2nd trimester :)

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Surviving the Sickies

2012-02-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Right before Christmas Jemma weathered her first major cold. At the same time she had a molar are two working through as well and we were generally a mess of snot and unhappiness :(

But, we came through and were well by Christmas - YAY!

Here's a few of our favorite tips and tricks for kicking the sickness ...

Chiropractor Visit - The chiropractor fixed Jemma's first ear infection without antibiotics and getting adjusted can help drain fluid from a cold too. We're actually going to be in a short promo video for our chiropractor's office soon. I'll share it when it's live :)
Steam Machine - Our steam machine is a cold one and worked really well in loosening up all her nose junk. Just be sure to let it completely air out before packing away so mildew doesn't become a problem. Breathing mildew air doesn't help anyone's cold!
Supplements - In addition to infant Tylenol (for nighttime discomfort and teething) I tried by best to boost Jemma's immune system with echinacea, elderberry, and vitamin D drops (blended into juice or a smoothie).
Upright Sleeping - I think Jemma decided she liked sleeping on a pillow during her cold, by slightly elevating her head she was able to stay asleep a little better. We also took upright naps on the couch. My pillow is a very firm memory foam type material - use your best judgement when allowing your child to sleep with extra pillows or blankets.
Hydration - Yummy smoothies, water with a dash of juice, or breastmilk, whatever encourages your little one to keep the liquids flowing.
Keep Close - I love babywearing all the time, but it's extra special when Jemma isn't feeling well. She snuggles close, naps, and gets a little extra comfort by being attached to mama. I'll often wear a sports bra and leave Jem without a shirt to encourage skin-to-skin as a healing boost :)
BRAT Diet - Banana, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast! The perfect menu for wee ones who aren't feeling super.
Amber Teething Necklace - Amber is know to sooth aches and pains and whether it be teething or a cold, Jemma loves to sport her necklace. Ours is from this Etsy shop and totally worth the investment.

What are your favorite ways to survive the sickies at your house?

P.S. Code Name: Mama just shared a great post about natural remedies for itty bitty babies battling a cold. Check it out here!

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Valentines

2012-02-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

Source: craftandcreativity.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Joleen on Pinterest

Source: wanelo.com via Joleen on Pinterest

Source: danielleburkleo.com via Gretchen on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Gretchen on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Amy on Pinterest

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Dearest Baby - bits of the beginning

2012-02-06T11:10:00.002-08:00

December 16, 2011

Dearest Treasure ....
Mama couldn't be happier you are on your way! What a surprise and blessing all wrapped into one. It's amazing to me that you are so sweet and snuggly inside my tummy. You were my Christmas wish and mama couldn't be more excited. Happy 7 weeks my dear treasure, you already mean the world to me!

January 9, 2012

What a fun surprise to get to see you so early! We didn't see your big sister until she was almost halfway done! You bopped around a little while getting measured and then we got to hear your heartbeat. The best little "thump, thump" EVER! Can't wait to see you again in March. You'll be so much bigger!

January 19, 2012

Hey Little Love!

Daddy, Jemma, and I all went to Andaluz today for our 2nd appointment. We spent some time in the same room Jemma started her journey in and got to hear your heartbeat with just the doppler. You were low on my right side and it took a little while to find where you were, but when we did, we heard you loud and clear! It brings me so much joy to hear your heart - Mama loves you to pieces and I feel so blessed to spend the next 8 months bundled up together!

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Flashback Friday

2012-02-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

My mama mailed these to me the other week and I couldn't help but share them! My sisters and I being a sweet little co-sleeping bunch back in 1992 :)

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16 Months

2012-02-02T15:52:00.000-08:00

Book explosion - Jemma's favorite pastime

Brace yourself. Well, myself. How is my itty bitty baby 16 months old??? That's getting awfully close to 2, or at least 1 1/2! Plus, now she is a big sister which makes her seem much older than she actually is.

I've had a pretty relaxed month - battling fatigue and nausea, but Jemma, she has been busier than ever. Cruising around being my little helper ... never too early to show off those big sis skills :)

Playing with the fry basket at The Rock // Sharing cereal with her auntie's little dog // Chasing me to view the photos I took on the preview screen // Climbing stairs at record speed

FAVORITES

Pushing the start button on the washer and dryer

Helping unload the dishwasher

Sleeping on top of my pillow

Walking around the house and looking at pictures of family members

Finding pictures of dogs and cats in magazines

Moving her cloth diapers from their drying rack to their drawer

Listening to upbeat music and dancing - she can side step and twirl in a circle

Walks outside and feeling the rain on her face

NEW WORDS

"Whoo, whoo" for owls

"Shhhhhh" when she is rocking her baby

Lots more "mama" usually when she really wants something

Non-stop babbling :)

Responds very well to "Sit on your bottom" and "gentle, please"

NEW SKILLS

Drinking from a straw

Lots of new dance moves

Stacking toys up tall

Making a snapping motion with her fingers

FAVORITE FOODS

Pirate's Booty

Toast with honey, peanut butter, or homemade jam

Mexi black beans

Blue Machine Naked Juice blended with coconut milk and spinach

Steel cut oats with cinnamon applesauce

Pasta with butter and mizithra cheese

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Self Portrait

2012-02-01T16:08:00.000-08:00

Linking up with The Paper Mama for her Self Photo Challenge!

Thinking about ... Turning our office into a play room for Jemma

Anticipating... Eating Olive Garden's pasta fagoili soup soon!

Working on... Getting rest, finding food that sounds appetizing, stripping Jem's cloth diapers, organizing a to-do list so I can be productive when I start feeling better

Listening to... A Pandora station based on Biblio's Lover's Carving

Eating... Trader Joe's corn and bean enchilada

Wishing... The dishes fairy would visit my house :)

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February: Photo a Day

2012-01-31T15:39:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to jump on board Fat Mum Slim's photo challenge. At the start of the year I hoped to be super diligent a take a photo a day for the whole year. That came crashing down when I discovered it was January 2nd and I had no photo from the 1st :(

So, here's to a smaller goal - one month of photos. And a short month of that! Hope you join in too!

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12 Weeks

2012-01-31T14:56:00.000-08:00

cardi // Charlotte Russe, tank // Costco, tee // Urban Outfitters, jeans // Paper Denim Cloth, scarf // made by yours truly, bracelet // c/o this lovely lady

How big is baby? The size of a plum!
Weight gain/loss?Holding steady at my pre-pregnancy flucuation of 137-139
Maternity clothes? Not yet
Stretchies? Some old ones seem to stand out more
Sleep? Awful! Up 2x/night to pee, really vivid dreams, and Jemma is teething :( Needless to say, I join Jemma for most of her naps right now.
Best moment this week? Jemma almost falling asleep on me in the bath - it was like all three of us were snuggling
Movement? Nope
Food cravings? Anything that doesn't smell. No meat. I pretty much live on cereal, oatmeal, and protein bars right now. And fruit, lots of smoothies and pears!
Gender? I'm feeling girl.
Labor signs? Nope
Belly button in or out? I don't think it ever went all the way back in after Jemma, you can definitely see a little pop.
What I miss? Dominic got me a chocolate wine for Christmas (he bought it before we knew I was expecting) and I want a small glass so bad!
What I am looking forward to? Next midwife appointment on February 15th.
Weekly wisdom? The first trimester makes me think that the sister wives have it together - cooking/cleaning/child care help and all for free while the expecting mama rests. Who wants to be my sister wife for the next few weeks?
Milestones? 12 weeks is when we started taking belly pics with Jemma, so here's the debut of baby #2's bump!

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12 in 2012: Yoga

2012-01-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Source: cherubsyoga.co.uk via Gretchen on Pinterest

Despite being mega tired these days I started yoga last night! It was a prenatal yoga class and I met some lovely mamas and two great instructors. I can't wait to go back next Wednesday. Well, yes I can, I need awhile for my muscles to recover from all the squats we did!

Yoga is going to be my weekly mama activity and although it was hard, it was totally rewarding. I learned quite a few new poses, felt muscles I didn't know I had, and confirmed my favorite part of yoga ... the 5 minutes of rest and quiet at the end :)

One of my best friends has been taking yoga lately and her teacher read this poem during the ever-coveted quiet time at the end. I love peaceful things like this!

WALK SLOWLY

-Danna Faulds-

It only takes a reminder to breathe,

A moment to be still, and just like that,

Something in me settles, softens, makes

Space for imperfection. The harsh voice

Of judgment drops to a whisper and I

Remember again that life isn’t a relay

Race; that we will all cross the finish

Line; that waking up to life is what we

Were born for. As many times as I

Forget, catch myself charging forward

Without even knowing where I’m going,

That many times I can make the choice

To stop, to breathe, and be, and walk

Slowly into the mystery.

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Baby #2 - How I Found Out

2012-01-27T10:45:00.000-08:00

On December 8th Jemma and I made a little trek to Target. We were shopping for stocking stuffers and since Dollar Tree is next door I planned to pick up a few pregnancy tests, because, well, they are only $1 there and I don't feel guilty taking them willy nilly when they are only $1.

I didn't think I was pregnant so the test wasn't an urgent purchase. I just wanted to have some on hand since I'd had a quasi-period at the end of October - 13 months postpartum.

Come to find out, Dollar Tree was out of tests. WHAT?!?!? Since when does the Dollar Tree not stay stocked up on pregnancy tests? Don't they know that budget-friendly mamas need a few every once in awhile?

Fast forward to December 13th and we were at Trader Joe's which also has a Dollar Tree next door. See, it's a sign that I get my pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree because they are seriously next door to everything I frequent. Luckily, there were 3 tests left at this Dollar Tree - 3 was enough for me! I bought them all. $3 well spent.

Wednesday morning, the 14th, I decided to take a test. Here's why ...

Last sign of a cycle was October 28th
Nips have been super sore while pumping (because silly Jemma never started nursing again after her strike and I figured I might as well pump as long as I was producing milk)
I had that sneaky feeling and just wanted to be sure, so much so that I had asked to skip getting x-rays at my dentist appointment on the previous Monday

I fully expected it to be negative. Postpartum periods are a fickle thing and not usually regular or a solid indicator of much. I'd been pumping for almost 2 months and who's nips wouldn't be sore after that?

But then, this ...

Yep! 2 lines mean there is a baby on their way!

I scooped up Jemma and whispered, "You're going to be a sissy!"

She giggled and snuggled her head into my shoulder. We said a prayer for our little baby growing inside of me - for safety, health, and for them to feel our love and joy over their impending arrival. My Christmas wish that I thought wouldn't be, came true. We're expecting a baby in Summer 2012!

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Silhouette Perfect

2012-01-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

Have you had a chance to meet Lindsey from Out Of Alabaster yet?

Well, if you haven't you've got to check out her blog and Etsy shop! She recently finished a priceless work of art for me - a silhouette of Miss Jemma! I'm smitten!!!

Thank you, Lindsey, you're a rock star!

JEMMA /// 15 months

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I feel 10, I feel 100

2012-01-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

There are those days when I'm bursting with energy.
The world is full and vibrant and ready for my taking.
I want to be everything when I grow up.
And, I know I will.

Then, there are those days when I ache.
When sleep evades and is never enough.
I'm spent and empty and wistful.

I feel both 10 and 100.

I love the youthful days.
When I'm the young mama.
Having fun, soaking up the sun, making joy from all the life around me.

But still, I love my old days.
When I can reminisce.
When I feel wise and burdened.

I feel 10, I feel 100.

I journaled this before I found out about baby #2, but was pregnant. Might explain why I was feeling so tired and still remembering the days when I actually had a spring in my step. Ha!

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JANUARY GIVEAWAY DAY!

2012-01-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Another month has flown by and I'm back to share some amazing treats from our sponsors! Take a peak and enter before February 10th!

The Trendy Owl

Shop - Blog - Facebook - Pinterest

There are so many sweet treasures at The Trendy Owl! I've been wearing my headband quite a bit and can honestly say it is super comfortable. Plus, at these prices you can't go wrong!

GIVEAWAY - The above headband and flower pin (The green rosette flower headband features two shabby chic folded rosettes. The larger flower measures 2 1/2 inches and the smaller flower measures 2 inches. Both flowers have been attached to a black stretch headband that fits most heads very comfortably. The triple yoyo flower pin features three flowers that have been accented with silver buttons. On the back is a pin back making it easy to pin these fun flowers to just about anything.)

Ah!Natural Baby

Website - Facebook - Blog

Jemma is in love with her block set from Ah!Natural Baby! Daily she has so much fun stacking and sorting, filling bags and baskets, and showing me how noisy she can make them as they clap together :) Recently, Ah!Natural Baby debuted a number of new teethers too - check them out!

GIVEAWAY - One set of 10 colored blocks ($25 retail value).

Lemon Sweet by Leslie

Shop - Facebook

SWOON! All the jewelry at Lemon Sweet makes me so happy! Leslie's pieces are delicate, beautiful, and timeless. So much so, my adorable mint julep necklace was conveniently borrowed by my hip, college sister- crossing my fingers she decides to give it back soon!

GIVEAWAY - The lovely mint julep necklace

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Star Worthy V.7

2012-01-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

I love reading about other mama's diapering systems - Jenny shared about some great new brands I haven't yet tried!
Ok, this is a bit late - but who doesn't want a little holiday all throughout the year? A holiday must-have recipe from Deanna!
"A parent's authority is one of purpose, leadership, and teaching." I really enjoyed The Hippie Housewife's posts on the Bible's "rod" verses.
Have you seen The Pioneer Woman's TV show on Food Network - it's a must. Like watching a blog in real like. I love that lady!
I got an amazing silhouette of Jemma from Out Of Alabaster - Lindsey has so much talent!!!
Boho Mama whipped up her our moisturizer, definitely want to give this a try.
Awesome Brooke recently tagged me, I loved learning more about her and need to get on my response!

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Guess What!?!?!

2012-01-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

Jemma (and her Mama and Daddy) are proud to announce that a new little blessing will be joining our family in August 2012!

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More Green Goodness

2012-01-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

I had so much feedback about our green smoothie success! I wanted to share all the veggie ideas in one post in case you didn't catch all the comments ...

Strawberrycurls4 shared:

Bolthouse Farms Green Goodess (I've seen this at Safeway, Fred Meyer, and Whole Foods ... I'm sure it's at many other grocery stores too!)
Blend - Pineapple juice, spinach and a few drops of peppermint

Lactating Girl shared:

We go by a method I found a while back where you add a thickening fruit (e.g. bananas, mango, apple), a flavor fruit (e.g. pineapple, strawberries, orange), spinach (literally 3-4 cups) and ice.

Heatherbeaudreau shared:

Blend - Unsweetened almond milk, Trader Joe's chocolate hemp protein powder, flax seed, chopped frozen spinach or frozen peas, and banana

Carey shared:

Blend - Avocado, banana, and orange juice

Jamie shared:

Hummus - add some spinach leaves, lemon zest, and basil to premade hummus (or make your own), puree, and serve.
PB&J - grate some raw carrot onto the peanut butter b/4 serving.
Smoothies - add raw spinach leaves and use carrot juice (you can make your own really easily; do a search online for a recipe). Add 1/2 a banana, some berries, and yogurt and blend.
Pancakes - peel & dice a carrot. Steam in the mircowave until soft. Puree. Add to the pancake batter.
Applesauce - do the same as the pancake recipe, but add the pureed carrrots to the applesauce instead.
Mac N Cheese - same as pancakes, but add pureed carrots or sweet potatoes to the cheese sauce. It turns an awesome bright orange color.
Scrambled Eggs - grate some raw carrot, zuchinni, or cauliflower in the uncooked eggs, add cheese and scramble over low heat.

Thank you ladies for all the fabulous ideas - I can't wait to add them into our menu! If I didn't link to your blog and you have one just shoot me an email - thatmamagretchen{at}gmail{dot}com.

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January Sponsor Love, Round Two

2012-01-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

Lazy Lizards Yoga, makes yoga fun. We offer pint sized mats for little yogi's, with 12 poses printed on the mat, plus a dvd to go along with the brightly colored mats, easy and fun to follow along. Have the kids do yoga on there own, or make it a family activity.

Give them a "like" on Facebook and stay tuned for an awesome giveaway!

- - - - -

Hi, my name is Lindsey. I share my life, loves, and handiwork in my little corner of the blog-o-verse, Out Of Alabaster. When I'm not chasing around my little girl, Selah, I am busy making custom silhouette portraits for my Etsy shop.

I promise Lindsey won't disappoint - keep up with her on Etsy, Twitter (@OutOfAlabaster) and Instagram(outofalabaster)!

- - - - -

William Knopp and Jessica Tata revel in playful creation and collaboration. William is a graphic designer by trade, but has made stops along the way in the Navy, the oil fields of West Texas, and pilgrimages around the world. Jessica fancies herself a creative marketing professional with a background in art galleries and museums, photographing the world around her as she goes. Based in Austin, Texas, both continue to explore space and form through jewelry as just one of their creative outlets.

Visit them on Etsy, Facebook, Twitter, and their blog. You can read their awesome newsletter here too!
Use code THATMAMA for free shipping - WOOHOO!

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Style File V.2

2012-01-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

RUNNING TO THE GROCERY STORE --- cropped sweatshirt, thrifted F21 | mustard tank, target | Blue Cult denim, borrowed from sis | moccasins, Minnetonka

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She's Going Green!

2012-01-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

I'm back from my unofficial blog-cation ... I think :)

Either way, I wanted to pop in and share a bit about Jemma's new aversion - VEGGIES! It's gotta be a mother's worst nightmare to have a perfect green bean tossed back at her in disgust, but it's happening. She'll gladly eat a bowl of blueberries, banana slices, applesauce, and Naked mango juice, but dare I place a carrot on her plate and she's ready for a revolt.

But today I woke up with a renewed spirit and veg-itude (that's an attitude full of veggie power) and I knew we were going to hit a new milestone.

For the last while Jemma has been starting her mornings with a sippy of Nancy's Kefir. The probiotics have really helped her digestion (AKA less dramatic poos). She's enjoyed peach, blueberry, and strawberry so far. Yesterday I picked up blackberry - something she has yet to try, but with the strong flavor I figured it would be a good place to start my experiment. And, lo and behold (proof is in the picture) Miss Jemma took to her modified kefir like a champ.

Here's what I did ...

JEMMA'S FABULOUS GREEN SMOOTHIE
Ingredients
     1/4 cup blackberry kefir
     1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
     1/3 large banana
     15(ish) spinach leaves

Directions
Place everything in blender and blend to a puree. Jemma's favorite sippy cup can't take much chunks which is why I added some coconut milk to thin it out and blended like crazy. Pour into your littles favorite cup and watch them slurp up their veggies!

Have you tried green/healthy smoothies for your little ones? I'd love some more recipes to try out - please share!

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January Sponsor Love, Round One

2012-01-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that Jemma and I are in love with Kicky Pants! Their clothing is silky smooth, wears amazingly well, and they offer adorable prints and styles in each of their seasonal collections. Recently Kicky Pants added training pants to their repertoire and they are perfect in so many ways - soft and stretchy with a soaker pad sewn in.

We're just starting to implement potty learning with practice at home, but Kicky Pants trainers will definitely be a favorite part of our experience. Though Jemma is short on words now, she definitely beams with pride when she struts around in her Kicky Pants panties!

Check them out on Facebook and keep an eye on Hautelook for occasional Kicky Pants steals!

- - - - -

Have you discovered DIY Cupcake?

If not, I cross-my-heart that you will love and adore Jennifer, her parenting style, sweet daughter, homemade projects, and eco-friendly tips. Hop on over and give her a blog and Facebook follow!
- - - - -

As a mother of three, I have changed a lot of dirty diapers. I would often wonder if there was a better way of dealing with the mess and odor that came along with it. Well, now there is. I have created Baby Fresh Cleanser to do just that, it will eliminate odor and bacteria and leave a protective barrier on your baby, leaving your baby feeling baby fresh.

Visit them on Facebook and Twitter!

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Style File V.1

2012-01-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

I've been pinning, pinning, pinning all these glorious things to my Pinterest - knee high socks, beautiful dresses, accessories with boho flair. And you know what I end up wearing - yoga pants and hand-me-down sweatshirts from my sister's high school sports teams. Yeah - lame.

I've got nothing against yoga pants - actually, I sing their praises (see Sunday Confessional V.1). And high school sweatshirts, as we all know, the most comfortable sweatshirts known to man.

But, it's time to get dressed a bit more often and I'm going to document it for posterity's sake. Welcome to a glimpse into my real life style file. Don't expect to be super inspired, I'm just another mama trying to keep yogurt off my pants and snot out of my hair :)

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Little Mama

2012-01-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

At 15 months, Jemma has become quite the little mama.

Last night we babysit one of her dear little friends and she was the biggest helper! She sat right next to him on the floor, passing toys, giving kisses, and replacing his pacifier whenever it fell. We set out her old bouncer and swing as activity stations and Jemma was a pro at helping the bouncer bounce :)

This morning she has placed a number of her dolls in the bouncer, moved then to the swing, and now her grocery cart. In between transfers she pats their back and gives them a kiss.

She seems so young to be a little mama, but she is. She loves and cares for her dolls so sweetly. And she does this for her people too. If you're sad, she knows. She crawls into your lap, snuggles close, and pats your back. Her small movements and calm spirit bring comfort. Such a special girl, Jemma the Little Mama.

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15 months

2012-01-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

1-10 number blocks c/o Ah!Natural Baby

My Dear Girl ... Could it be true that you are 15 months? How is that so!?! This last month has been such a brilliant adventure. You are a bright and beautiful gem and I am blessed to spend every day with you!

FAVORITES

Jemma adores bath time and has developed quite an imagination with her bath creatures

Favorite toys include her dolls, books, wood blocks, and anything that sings a song

She grunts like a monkey when she sees stuffed animals in the store

Filling bags/boxes/buckets full of toys, dumping them out and starting again

NEW WORDS

"eye" and "eyes" while pointing/poking :)

"no"

"vroom" - car/train sounds

"roof, roof" - dog sounds

"uh oh"

Still hearing lots of "meow", "ma", and "da"

NEW SKILLS

Points to her/my/your belly button when you ask for it

Side step walks to be funny

Holding her dolls and patting their back

Getting on and off the couch/bed by herself

FAVORITE FOODS

Spaghetti squash and tomato sauce

Cheerios/puffs/Rice Chex

Blueberries

Turkey spinach meatballs

Greek yogurt with honey

All kinds of bread

Nancy's blueberry kefir

Good Belly probiotic mango juice

We celebrated today by sharing an oatmeal from Jamba Juice and visiting the brand new library in town. You loved every minute of it - it has a whole floor devoted to children full of books and a Hands-On Children Musuem-esque wing. We'll definitely be going back!

Happy 15 months my Jem, Mama loves you!

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Happy New Year's Eve!

2011-12-31T20:19:00.000-08:00

I can't guarantee I'll be up until midnight tonight, so here's a jump start at wishing you all a safe and blessed New Year! Wishing you and yours a wonderful evening as well as a happy and healthy 2012!

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Truth

2011-12-28T20:47:00.000-08:00

Source: itworksforbobbi.com via Tami on Pinterest

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12 in 2012

2011-12-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

My 25 before 25 felt really overwhelming when it began - it's hard to keep track of 25 things all at once. Thankfully, I finished stronger than I thought, here's the breakdown ...

COMPLETED!

Host my own photo shoot of Jemma for her monthly birthdays
Write my birth story - you can read it here :)
Find a new TV series to watch via Netflix - Jemma and I watched Veronica Mars during my maternity leave, since we've cancelled Netflix, but now I'm watching Once Upon a Time and LOVE this series
Read a "just for fun" book - I read and LOVED all 3 of The Hunger Games books
Paint a piece of furniture - Dominic, inspired by me, painted a doll crib that we are giving Jemma for Christmas. I'll feature it in a Homemade Christmas soon!
Find a new favorite place in our hometown - We found an great little park within walking distance of our house
Sew my own version of Baby Legs - they weren't super successful, but I did it :)
Finish framing and hanging pictures at our new house
Clean the garage ... enough to park in it - This happened a few times ... but, it is ready for a cleaning again, yikes!
Read 12 Hours by 12 Weeks with Dominic and sleep train our baby - Ended up not being a good fit for us, co-sleeping on the other hand has been a lifesaver!
Host my first blog giveaway
Begin tracking our family's geneology - hopped onto My Heritage and got a great start on this
Pack a Christmas box through Operation Christmas Child - we managed to pack 2, one for a 2-4 year old girl and another for a 12-14 year old girl
Decorate my front porch with a large potted plant
Cut our grocery budget by 10% - it's turned out to be even more. This month I'm feeding the fam on just $225.
Buy a family-size car ... without credit or a loan
Sacrifice something for the betterment of my family - I gave up my iPhone last winter for a Pantech something-or-other. It was crap, so I went back to the iPhone which I adore. So I would say I have given up sleep alot this year. It betters my family since Jem is cared for in the wee hours of the night and Dominic gets sleep so he can make it through the day at work. Now we have found a pretty good routine where Jem sleeps through the night, most nights. Except for when she is cutting teeth. Then, no one sleeps :(
Be the best wife and mama I can be! - trying each and every day :)

And, what didn't happen ...

Re-start the Recipe Project of 2010 - this evolved, and I'm getting quite close to finishing my Tastebook which is close to the original plan
Learn how to can fruit next summer - This has moved to a 2012 goal
Plan our first "family of 3" road trip - didn't happen
Visit Crater Lake - officially scratched of the list
Go to a fitness (yoga, pilates, etc.) class - Does it count that I bought a Groupon for a 6-month yoga class?
Make homemade biscotti - totally forgot about this one
Become more diligent in my daily devotions - This didn't happen, and yes, I feel guilty about it

So, with all this info from the last year. I've decided to make a shorter, more purposeful list for 2012. I'm calling it 12 in 2012 and would love for you to join in too! It's kind of perfect because 12 is a manageable number, there are 12 months in a year and goals keep me productive, and that is such a good thing :)

Here's my official 12 in 2012!

Tastebook. Complete my Tastebook by March (and actually order it); continue adding to it as we discover new recipes that we love.
Summer canning. The last few summers my mom and 2 sisters have canned a ton of summer produce. I've always been working an unable to participate, but this year, I'm in! I'm hoping to can up a storm - especially our family's famous spaghetti sauce!
Complete foster to adopt training. I feel nervous setting this as a goal because I know this is going to be an emotional process, but I'm truly excited to start and can't wait to share the journey this year.
Read 6 books. Unfortunately, 12 is a little too daunting and I really want to meet this goal. So, I'm aiming for 6. Any recommendations?
Green my life. There are so many things I'm hoping to do to become more green, but my specific goal is to add more green into our diets. I'm planning give green smoothies a try and I want to make kale chips. Any other "green" recipes you love?
Thrift more. I'm not talking thrifting for fun, although, I plan to continue that. I really want to start thrifting things we actually need. You know, a little delayed gratification. Rather than running to Target when something comes up, I'm hoping to head to Goodwill.
Start yoga. I've got the Groupon, now I just need to activate it and I'll be on my way to a 6 month yoga membership! We've also partnered with Lazy Lizards Yoga to try out yoga at home as a mama/daughter activity.
Fashion blog posts. I've lost my fashion zen since being home. It's not gone - it's just buried in my closet. I'm planning to start a monthly fashion post recapping some of my favorite outfits from the past and present.
Make my own soap. In a recent Sunday Confessional, I mentioned that I couponed like crazy for a bit and ended up with a ton of beauty products. We've been slowly using them up and I think they'll all be gone sometime this year. When that happens I was to make my own soap from this recipe.
La Leche League leadership. Although breastfeeding has ended for Jemma and I :( I'm still very passionate about supporting other mama's in their breastfeeding experience. This goal, might be a little bit of a stretch, especially if I dive into foster training, but I'd really like to become a La Leche League Leader, or at least an assistant. This might be complicated if we move, but it's something I want to get started.
Quilt. I bought a jellyroll with my birthday gift card and an anxious to turn it into an adorable quilt for Miss Jemma!
Date night. The days and weeks fly by without Dominic and I setting aside a special evening just for us. A monthly date night seems to be the perfect idea to re-connect and enjoy each other's company. You know, without picking Cheerios off the floor or singing songs while we wait for our meal to arrive.

Grab a button and join in with your 12 by 2012!

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A Note from World Vision

2011-12-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the sheep given in your name through World Vision, an impoverished family will soon have wool for soft, warm, and long-lasting clothes. Sheep often give birth to twins or triplets, which can be sold at the market for added income–and their milk is up to twice as rich as cow’s milk in nutrients that growing kids need.

Together we raised a total of $65 to put towards the purchase of a sheep through World Vision. Thank you so much for your generosity! I am blessed to have such lovely and caring readers.

Many blessings to you and yours in the coming year!

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Christmas Snapshot

2011-12-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

Jemma's response to "smile"

Playing with her Little People Christmas set at the grandparents

Giving her ornaments kisses

Simple, but perfect

Christmas shopping at Nordstrom

Giving her sweetest pose

Christmas Eve outfit

Loving on her ornaments

Got one!

Caught one of the Mama and Daddy

Jemma's Aunties and Mama

Christmas clementines and pajamas

Shiny presents

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DECEMBER GIVEAWAY DAY!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you all! As you celebrate with family, friends, and yummy food I wanted to pop in and share some extra sweet giveaways as a part of the December Giveaway Day!

- - - - -

Up first is the amazing Etsy shop, Anadollies! She's offering an adorable duo who will be a fun addition to any doll family :)

GIVEAWAY - Lovebird Couple Set, similar to above, but with a mystery fabric outfit!

- - - - -

Guess who recently received a mom necklace from Camilee Designs - JESSICA ALBA! That's right, you and Jess could be twins pretty soon!

GIVEAWAY - One mom necklace with up to 3 charms

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Last, but not least is Little Blooms Handmade. I'm swooning over their accessories and absolutely love the hair bow and earrings Jemma and I have had the chance to accessorize with. Wouldn't you LOVE to design your very own felt flower headband or clip?

GIVEAWAY - One Design Your Own felt flower headband or clip - check out all the options here

- - - - -

You can all jump for joy because I finally checked out Rafflecopter as an easier way to enter giveaways. Here's all you need to do to submit your entries:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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December Carnival: NPN Volunteer's Best of 2011

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

I recently joined Natural Parents Network (NPN), as an author. My first post hasn't gone live yet, but watch for it in mid-January! I'm so excited to have connected with this group of parents, first as a reader, and now as a writer. They are a priceless resource!

- - - - -

I am proud and honored to be volunteer with the Natural Parents Network (NPN), a community of natural-minded parents and parents-to-be where you will be informed, empowered, and inspired. When you visit the NPN’s website you can find articles and posts about Activism, Balance, Consistent Care, Ecological Responsibility, Family Safety, Feeding With Love, Gentle Discipline, Healthy Living, Holistic Health, Natural Learning, Nurturing Touch, Parenting Philosophies, Practical Home Help, Preparing for Parenting, Responding With Sensitivity, Safe Sleep, and so much more!The volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to make NPN the outstanding resource it is also spend countless hours informing and inspiring others on their personal blogs. To close out 2011, the NPN volunteers have come together to provide you with some valuable reading material. Each volunteer has selected either their most viewed post of 2011 or their favorite post and shared the link here. Please take a few moments to visit each post. Our intention is to expand our reach as bloggers and informed parents and parents-to-be who are still growing as we move through our own journeys. Each volunteer has provided links to other social media sites where you can follow them as well.We hope you enjoy reading these posts as much as we enjoyed writing them. We are always looking for new volunteers so please, contact us if you are interested. Just a few hours per month can help other mamas in a huge way!

Abbie at Farmer's Daughter shares her Christmas Cookie Swap Blog Hop, which is her fourth annual virtual cookie swap and most popular post of the year. Please stop by and link up your favorite holiday recipe until Dec. 31. You can find Farmer's Daughter on Facebook and Twitter.
Adrienne from Mommying My Way shares Fear vs. Faith, one of her favorite posts about how often living a life of faith can look like a life of fear, but the two are really quite different. You can also find Mommying My Way on Facebook.
Alicia of Lactation Narration retells the story of her oldest daughter's 5 years of nursing and weaning in her favorite post of 2011, The Weaning Party. You can find Lactation Narration on Facebook and Twitter.
Amy of Toddler In Tow shares Finding My Mommy-Zen, her most viewed post of 2011. In this post, she shares her desire to balance her own self-esteem by choice in order to parent with peace and compassion. You can also find Toddler In Tow on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, and follow Amyables (Amy W.) on Google + and Ravelry.
Arpita of Up, Down, and Natural shares one of her most popular posts titled Reflections. This is a beautiful look at the type of mother she wants to be. You can find Up, Down, and Natural on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Charise of I Thought I Knew Mama shares Why Do Children Have More Food Allergies Than Ever Before?, her most viewed post of 2011. This post explains the shocking info that one unsuspecting mother discovered when she started researching why her daughter had a violent allergic reaction to eggs. This is a must read post for ensuring the health of your family. You can also find I Thought I Knew Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Stumbleupon.Christine of African Babies Don’t Cry shares The Best First Food for Babies, one of her favourite posts of 2011. This well-researched post delves into the healthiest and most nutritious food to feed your baby. You can also find African Babies Don’t Cry on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.
Cynthia of The Hippie Housewife shares Gentle Discipline for Toddlers, her most viewed post of 2011. This post describes five gentle discipline tools for parenting toddlers. You can also find The Hippie Housewife on Facebook, Google +, and Pinterest.
Darcel of The Mahogany Way shares how Babywearing As a Way of Life one of her favorite post of 2011. This post showcases some beautiful woven wraps that she has purchased, traded, borrowed, and sold over the years. Darcel also talks about the benefits of babywearing from the newborn through toddler stage. You can also find Darcel{ The Mahogany Way} on Facebook, Twitter, Her Community for Mothers of Color, and Pinterest.
Dionna of Code Name Mama shares 50 Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids Plus Fun Serving Suggestions, her most viewed post of 2011. Most of these snacks are quick to fix and portable, so you can pack them to send with your child on play dates, at preschool, or to just have handy in the refrigerator for when your child wants to grab a bite to eat “all by himself.” You can find Dionna on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Erica at ChildOrganics shares a post that is not only close to her heart, but also her most viewed post for 2011 titled Attachment Parenting in the NICU. This post shares her top 10 tips for parenting should you find yourself with a baby in the NICU. You can also find Erica on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Gretchen of That Mama Gretchen shares her personal experience of returning to work, expressing milk, and the ups and downs in between in her 2011 most viewed post, Mama's Milk. You can also find Gretchen on GFC, Blog Lovin', Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Isil of Smiling like Sunshine shares how to make an autumn tree using pumpkin seeds, her most popular post in 2011. This post features a lovely craft activity that you can do with your kids! You can also find Isil on Facebook and Twitter.
Jennifer of Hybrid Rasta Mama shares 80 Uses For Coconut Oil, her most viewed post of 2011. This comprehensive post provides background information on the benefits of coconut oil as well as outlines 80 uses for it. You can also find Hybrid Rasta Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Pinterest.
Jennifer of True Confessions of a Real Mommy shares her most popular post of 2011, Weekly House Blessing (Otherwise Known as Cleaning Once a Week). This post outlines a once per week cleaning routine for busy moms. You can also find Jennifer on Twitter.
Joella, the mama behind Fine and Fair, shares An Unusual Gripe with Bebe Gluton, one of her most popular posts of 2011. In it, she discusses the controversy surrounding a "breastfeeding doll" and offers her take on the gender role implications of dolls in general. Fine and Fair can also be found on twitter and facebook.
Julia of A Little Bit of All of It shares the story of how her co-sleeping relationship ended with her daughter, her most viewed post of 2011. This post shows how her daughter transitioned to her own bed on her 2nd birthday and the emotions involved for her mom. You can also find A Little Bit of All of It on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Pinterest.
Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment shares True Blessings: White Noise and Grandparents, her most viewed post of 2011. In this post, Kat talks about how she maximizes getting sleep and how grateful and blessed she is to have her parents be so involved in helping and spending time with her kiddos.
Kelly of Becoming Crunchy shares That Cup Does What?, her most viewed post of 2011. This post is one of a series of reviews and information on switching to all natural menstrual products - having heard so many different options and recommendations, Kelly decided to give a whole bunch of them a try and pull all the reviews together in one week for anyone interested in making the switch. This post in particular covers the ins and outs of the Diva Cup. You can also find Becoming Crunchy on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.
Kristin of Intrepid Murmurings shares a popular post from 2011, something she and her husband made for their girls for Christmas, great for open-ended play and construction: Handmade Tree Blocks. You can also find Kristin on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Lani of Boobie Time shares Helping a Fellow Breastfeeding Mom, her inspiration for starting to blog. This post discusses the importance of fellow moms supporting each other and some tips on having a successful breastfeeding relationship. Lani can also be found on Facebook.
Laura at WaldenMommy: Life Behind the Red Front Door writes about finally entering "spring" when her child with special needs begins preschool. After battling post-partum mental illness (post tramatic stress disorder) after the preterm birth of her third child, she finally begins to feel healthy and whole again in "It's Fall, Ya'll-Again."
Lauren of Hobo Mama shares On not having an AP poster child, her (OK, second) most viewed post of 2011. Lauren's first child shook her certainty that attachment parenting meant babies never cried and toddlers grew independent — and that's all right, too. You can also find Hobo Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
Luschka of Diary of a First Child shares Lactivism, Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding and Mothers at War, one of her most viewed posts of 2011. This post discusses how the breastfeeding/bottle feeding debate causes a division between mothers, leading to the alienation of women and babies, while divisive companies prosper. You can also find Diary of a First Child on Facebook, and Twitter.
Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children shares how With Privilege Comes Responsibility, one of her most viewed posts of 2011. This compelling post explains her strong felt desire to stand up for those less privileged. You can also find Living Peacefully with Children on Facebook.
Melissa of Vibrant Wanderings shares a Montessori-Inspired Checklist for Choosing Toys, her most popular post of 2011. The article outlines some important Montessori principles and how they relate to children's toys, translating that into some simple guiding principles. You can also find Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
Melissa of White Noise shares Modern Day Wet Nurse, her most viewed post of 2011. In this post, Melissa shares the benefits of human breast milk and human milk sharing. You can also find Melissa at Mothers of Change.
Momma Jorje shares Amniocentesis - What is it *really* like?, one of her most viewed posts of 2011. This open and honest series offers not only the technical process of amniocentesis, but also the emotions involved in awaiting (and receiving) the procedure and a diagnosis. Momma Jorje can also be found on Facebook.
Moorea of MamaLady: Adventures in Queer Parenting shares Fluoride: Another Reason Breast Is Best, her favorite post of 2011. This post provides research on the harmful effects of fluoride in drinking water for babies and toddlers and ways to limit fluoride consumption in your home. You can also find MamaLady on Facebook and Twitter and her Parent Coaching Site.
Rachael at The Variegated Life is Calling the Muse in her most viewed post of 2011. In this post, she describes how she uses ritual to help her tap into her creative spirit. You can also find Rachael on Twitter and The Variegated Life on Facebook.
Rebekah and Chris from Liberated Family shares Using Cloth In a Disposable Society, their favorite post of 2011. This extensive post provides a lot of information regarding the varied uses of cloth as well as the many benefits. You can also find Liberated Family on Twitter.
Sarah at Parenting God's Children shares her most viewed post: Confessions of a Breastfeeding Advocate: I Couldn't. She confesses her struggles with breastfeeding her daughters, but shares why she'll continue the good fight. You can also find Sarah on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Seonaid of The Practical Dilettante offers a science- and reverence-based meditation on The Living Earth, her most viewed post of 2011. This meditation was originally written for Earth Day, but it provides a way to reconnect with your place in the living breathing planet at any time of year. You can also find Seonaid on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.
Shannon at Pineapples & Artichokes shares I Recommend (But Moira Likes This Book Too), her most viewed post of 2011. This post is a review of a wonderful book that talks about all the different ways that families can be made up, along with some of why this topic is so important to her family.
Sheryl at Little Snowflakes shares her experiences with tandem nursing in Tandem Nursing – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, her most viewed post of 2011. You can also find Sheryl on Twitter.

Stay tuned for some amazing posts from all of these tremendous bloggers in 2012!

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Homemade Christmas: Matryoshka Shirt

2011-12-19T23:36:00.000-08:00

Embellished Matryoshka Tee - perfect stocking stuffer for Miss Jemma

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Sunday Confessional V.5

2011-12-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

41. I've recently started collecting vintage pillowcases - I have some of the most BEE-utiful patterns and can't wait to build a reading pit full of pillows for my children and I to enjoy.

Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via April on Pinterest

42. I know your kids aren't supposed to be your best friend, but Jemma is one of my dearest friends. I'll always be her mama, but spending every day together - laughing, crying, eating - how can we not feel like friends?

43. I'm definitely a sweet tooth. I never crave salty things. Well, except for kettle corn which is sweet and salty. But who wouldn't crave kettle corn - DELISH!

44. Picking up the mail is one of the highlights of each day for me. Not that I want the postmen to work on Sundays, but I feel sad on Sundays knowing there is no new mail :(

45. I have an obsessive personality - nothing too insane, but I get fixated on projects, books, shows, etc. and can't stop until it is physically impossible to keep going. I get like this with sewing projects staying up until 1-2am because I am so. close. to. being. done. P.S. You make many more mistakes when sewing in the wee hours of the day. I also feel this way about Hunger Games - read them so fast and now I sit, waiting for March when the movie comes out. My heart beats faster just thinking about it!

46. Speaking of fabric - I just bought a jelly roll with my birthday gift certificate. I can't wait to make my first quilt!

47.When my sisters and I were little we used to pretend fight by staging wrestling matches on our parent's bed.

48. I love eating out with all my heart and if I could eat out every single meal I probably would. Right now my most favorite restaurants are Panera Bread, La Buca (in Portland), and Jamba Juice.

49. I don't really like ice cream, but I love fro-yo. Especially pomegranate flavor. I've never had a real pomegranate though ....

50. From pre-pregnancy to now I have gathered such a range of clothing sizes - 6 to 14 and small to x-large, plus maternity! It's both happy and sad. Happy because obviously I'm blessed to have been able to adjust my wardrobe to my changing size. Sad because so often I put together an outfit and have the perfect addition, except it turns out to be the wrong size.

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Homemade Christmas: Rosette Wreath

2011-12-17T09:39:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to make a wreath for our front door for a long time and finally picked a night to buckle down and do it! This was a little gift for myself this Christmas and I'm so happy it's done!

I opted to use what I had a home which was this plain wreath and hues of purple felt. It isn't really Christmas-y, but I plan to keep it up until I make another wreath which could be a very long time so I wanted the colors to be of year-round quality :)

I followed this sweet gal's directions to make each rosette

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Honestly.

2011-12-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

I've been searching for significance lately ...
Wondering exactly what the future holds.

I've found so much joy. contentment, and honor in being a mama. It feels like I've found my true calling in life and I can't wait to cherish every moment with my sweet girl and those that will come after her.

But still, I wonder if this is it ...
Sippy cups and naps.
Singing "You are my sunshine" countless times.
Dreaming up another meal that can be easily prepped in the crockpot.

Part of me wants a little fame. To be important to someone besides my children.
To be an author or entrepreneur.
To discover something amazing.
When I left my job, I made more money than any other 24 year old I know. Had I known I would do this when I was younger, I would have laughed. Nothing could make me give up the comfort and security a paycheck brings. But when I was expecting, everything changed. Nothing money can buy felt important.
Togetherness felt important.
Moments in rocking chairs felt important.

I still hope to feel settled. To stop reaching for something more. But I don't know if I ever will. "More" seems part of my DNA. More life. More love. More momentum.

I'm grateful for everything I have. I'm not at all complaining. Just reminiscing.
Reminiscing about how things were ...
how things will be ...
how I fit into it all.

Motherhood has both calmed my spirit and ignited it. I feel more alive than ever and more fearful of the life in and around me. I'm living a treasured time; one I know I will look back on fondly when newness overcomes.
I'm blessed.
I'm thankful.
I'm ready ... for whatever is around the corner.

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Why We Cosleep

2011-12-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Safe Cosleeping Blog Carnival
This post was written for inclusion in the Safe Cosleeping Blog Carnival hosted by Monkey Butt Junction . Our bloggers have written on so many different aspects of cosleeping. Please read tothe end to find a list of links to the other carnivalparticipants.
***

I asked That Dad Dominic for his top 3 reasons why we cosleep with our 14 month old daughter. I wanted to take a more personal approach and thought it would be interesting to hear a bit from a dad's perspective.

You see, ever since I became pregnant, I've been the researcher. I borrow books, scour websites, and talk to other mamas about the whys and hows of what they do. I boil it down to a few options and share the details with Dominic. He asks questions, I quote things I've learned, and then we come to an agreement together. It's a pretty good system.

In the beginning we didn't make a deliberate decision to bedshare. Rather, it is something we fell into. I always knew I wanted to sleep in close proximity to our baby, but I assumed that would be a crib in our room or a cosleeper attachment. In the early days, Jemma would fall asleep nursing and I would carefully transfer her into her cosleeper. When she woke for her mid-night feed I would pull her next to me and side-lie nurse. By this time she had been in her cosleeper for about 4 hours I always noticed how cold her little hands and feet were - even though she was always bundled up warm. As I nursed I would massage her hands and feet to warm her and almost always kept her in bed for the remainder of the night. I couldn't bear to let her be alone and cold! Soon, Jemma's cosleeper became a nice storage space for my nursing pads, water bottle, and glasses as she found herself snug in bed with us each night :)

We've adjusted our cosleeping technique for each phase of Jemma's development as it definitely evolved when she learned to roll, crawl, and now walk. Things have changed both for her safety and for our sleep needs, but overall, our sleeping arrangement has been a perfect fit for our family. I can't imagine doing it any other way.

Back to Dominic's reasoning - this is what he shared when I asked for his top 3 reasons why he supports cosleeping (explanations by me):

Physical closeness - We've noticed that nothing calms Jemma like laying on our chest. Hearing a beating heart seems to be the magical touch for falling back asleep in our house. As I'm sure most mother's do, I also appreciate hearing/feeling her breathe throughout the night. It's a quick check to reassure me that all is well.
Bonding -Being close leads to a strong bond. Whether snuggling Jemma to sleep or calming her in the night she knows that her parent's arms are equal to support, safety, and love. Mother's experience initial bonding through breastfeeding, but Dominic often commented how he was missing out on that same bonding experience. By bringing Jemma into bed with us, he gets to bond with her in a special way too.
Healthy sleep patterns being created and supported for the child - Jemma knows and understands night time. She has from a very early age. Perhaps we are just lucky that she never got her days and nights mixed up, but I do believe that she has somewhat mimicked our sleep habits like she mimics many other things we do. Being close and seeing us sleeping if she wakes has been a priceless lesson as her sleep process has developed over the last year. On her own accord she has learned to sleep through the night without tears and no nursing. Their is no doubt in my mind that cosleeping played a significant role in this.

I could add another 10-20 reasons in support of cosleeping and how it has made a positive impact on our family, but I'll leave you with that - one Dad's perspective on why cosleeping is both a natural and beneficial avenue for a family to explore.

In addition, here's a mini collaboration of resources I used when researching cosleeping ...

Three in a Bed was the book that gave me all the background, stats, and examples I needed to know cosleeping was right for us.
Worried about the risks? Check out these links to create a safe cosleeping environment - one, two, and three.
And, in light of the recent Milwaukee advertisement, I'd like to mention that it is more likely for a baby to be harmed while riding in a vehicle than they are to be sleeping safely with a parent. Shame on you, Milwaukee for using scare tactics as a means to educate. Read more on this statistic here. And this is what Dr. Sears says.
Cosleeping and Biological Imperatives: Why Human Babies Do Not and Should Not Sleep Alone
The Cosiness of Cosleeping
Babies Need Their Mothers Beside Them

*******
Thanks for reading a post in the Safe Cosleeping Blog Carnival. On Carnival day, please follow along on Twitter using the #CosleepCar hashtag.
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
***

Emotive Co-Sleeping Campaign - Miriam at Diary of an Unconscious Mother talks about her feelings on Milwaukee’s anti-cosleeping crusade and its latest advertising campaign.
Why Cosleeping has Always been the Right Choice for My Family - Patti at Jazzy Mama shares how lucky she feels to have the privilege of sleeping with her four children.
Cosleeping is a safe, natural and healthy solution parents need to feel good about. - See how Tilly at Silly Blatherings set up a side-car crib configuration to meet her and her families' needs.
Black and White: Race and the Cosleeping Wars - Moorea at Mama Lady: Adventures in Queer Parenting points out the problem of race, class and health when addressing co-sleeping deaths and calls to action better sleep education and breastfeeding support in underprivileged communities.
Reflections on Cosleeping - Jenny at I’m a Full Time Mummy shares her thoughts on cosleeping and pictures of her cosleeping beauties.
Cosleeping and Transitioning to Own Bed - Isil at Smiling Like Sunshine shares her experiences in moving beyond the family bed.
What Works for One Family - Momma Jorje shares why cosleeping is for her and why she feels it is the natural way to go. She also discusses the actual dangers and explores why it may not be for everyone.
Really High Beds, Co-Sleeping Safely, and the Humanity Family Sleeper - Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama gives a quick view of Jennifer’s bed-sharing journey and highlights the Humanity Family Sleeper, something Jennifer could not imagine bed-sharing without.
Crying in Our Family Bed - With such a sweet newborn, why has adding Ailia to the family bed made Dionna at Code Name: Mama cry?
Dear Mama: - Zoie at TouchstoneZ shares a letter from the viewpoint of her youngest son about cosleeping.
Cuddle up, Buttercup! - Nada of The MiniMOMist and her husband Michael have enjoyed cosleeping with their daughter Naomi almost since birth. Nada shares why the phrase "Cuddle up, Buttercup!" has such special significance to her.
Co-Sleeping With A Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler - Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling shares how co-sleeping calls us to trust our inner maternal wisdom and embrace the safety and comfort of the family bed.
Fear instead of Facts: An Opportunity Squandered in Milwaukee - Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction discusses Milwaukee’s missed opportunity to educate on safe cosleeping.
Cosleeping: A Mini-rant and a Lovely Picture - Siobhan at Res Ipsa Loquitor discusses her conversion to cosleeping and rants a little bit about the Milwaukee Health Department anti-cosleeping campaign.
Our Cosleeping Story - Adrienne at Mommying My Way shares her cosleeping story and the many bonus side effects of bedsharing.
Cosleeping can be safe and rewarding Christy at Mommy Outnumbered shares how her cosleeping experiences have been good for her family.
Adding one more to the family bed Lauren at Hobo Mama discusses the safety logistics of bed sharing with a new baby and a preschooler.
The Truth About Bedsharing - Dr. Sarah at Parenting Myths and Facts discusses the research into bedsharing and risk - and explains why it is so often misrepresented.
Cosleeping as a parenting survival tool - Melissa V. at Mothers of Change describes how she discovered cosleeping when her first baby was born. Melissa is the editor and a board member for the Canadian birth advocacy group, Mothers of Change.
Dear Delilah - Joella at Fine and Fair writes about her family bed and the process of finding the cosleeping arrangements that work best for her family.
CoSleeping ROCKS! - Melissa at White Noise talks about the evolution of cosleeping in her family.
Safe Sleep is a Choice - Tamara at Pea Wee Baby talks about safe sleep guidelines.
3 Babies Later: The Evolution of our Family Bed - Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment talks about how her family’s cosleeping arrangements evolved as her family grew.
Tender Moments - The Accidental Natural Mama discusses tender cosleeping moments.
Cosleeping Experiences - Lindsey at An Unschooling Adventure describes how she ended up co-sleeping with her daughter through necessity, despite having no knowledge of the risks involved and how to minimise them, and wishes more information were made available to help parents co-sleep safely.
The early days of bedsharing - Luschka at Diary of a First Child shares her early memories of bedsharing with her then new born and gets excited as she plans including their new arrival into their sleeping arrangements.
The Joys of Cosleeping in Pictures - Charise of I Thought I Knew Mama shares pictures of some of her favorite cosleeping moments.
Symbiotic Sleep - Mandy at Living Peacefully With Children discusses how the symbiotic cosleeping relationship benefits not only children but also parents.
Co-sleeping Barriers: What’s Stopping You? - Kelly at Becoming Crunchy shares how she was almost prevented from gaining the benefits of co-sleeping her family currently enjoys.
Co-Sleeping with the Family Humanity Sleeper - Erica at ChildOrganics shares a way to make co-sleeping safe, comfortable and more convenient. Check out her post featuring the Humanity Organic Family Sleeper.
Why We Cosleep - That Mama Gretchen’s husband chimes in on why cosleeping is a benefit to their family.
Adding to the Family Bed - Darah at A Girl Named Gus writes about her co-sleeping journey and what happens when a second child comes along.

A big thank you to all of the Safe Cosleeping Blog Carnival participants!

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Natural Parents Network Author - EEK!

2011-12-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

I've joined up with Natural Parents Network as an author and couldn't be more excited! This is seriously one of the single, most best, resources for parents! Yes, single, most best, is a great way to describe something that is uber fabulous :)

I'm working on some fun posts that will be featured in the coming months and can't wait to share. In the meantime - take a peak at my little bio and read up on some of the great features this week.

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Ah!Nautral Baby

2011-12-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

I love when I find toys that make me think, "My grandkids are going to play with these". They're durable, classic, and safe; timeless pieces that are the perfect addition to any toy collection.

Jemma had the chance to review wood blocks and a DuoCube Rattle from Ah!Natural Baby and she gives it two thumbs up! At 14 months these blocks fit perfectly into her little hands and she loves emptying, sorting, and collecting them in the Ah!Natural Baby cotton storage bag.

Just as much as Jemma loves her number and color blocks, I love the integrity of Ah!Natural Baby's products ...

Local - Ah!Natural Baby products are handmade in Portland, Oregon from locally harvested cherry, maple, and alder wood.
Natural - Colored blocks are dyed with safe and natural plant-based materials like turmeric, blueberries, and other completely safe dyes. Each block, whether colored or not, is sealed with natural waxes and oils.

It's amazing to see a little one as young as Jemma use her imagination with her toys. She stacks, claps, tosses, rolls, and shares her blocks in the sweetest way. It warms my heart to see her enjoying something so simple, safe, and quiet :)

Ah!Natural Baby has a perfect motto, "Children’s toys should be as simple and as natural as they are. That’s why we at Ah!Natural™ say, 'Your child never worries about what goes in their mouth, so neither should you!"

Shop online and check them out on Facebook and their blog - you won't be disappointed with the quality of these treasured toys! Plus, enjoy free shipping through the holiday season!

P.S. Did you catch this article I shared on Facebook about artificial food coloring? It's everywhere - food, play dough and supposedly child-friendly toy paint! One more reason to invest in safe toys like Ah!Natural Baby's plant-based colored blocks.

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Sunday Confessional V.4

2011-12-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

31. In college I donated platelets. It's like a long version of donating blood, but you get paid for it because platelets are "x" times more useful than regular blood. It would take almost 2 hours so I would work on homework while I donated and then collect my $20 (sometimes more if they had mailed me a coupon for an extra $5-10) on the way out the door. Nothing like making money while you study!

32. Someday I would really like to have a u-cut Christmas tree farm! Wouldn't that be the most magical family business?

33. When I was in 1st grade I was planning to become a Broadway star - I wanted to be Anna from the King and I. My mom even bought me the cassette tape so I could practice all the songs :)

34. I only wash my hair every 3-4 days. I have hair style options for each day too. Day 1 - blow dry straight or braid. Whatever I decide for Day 1 dictates what day 2, 3, and 4 turn into.

35. Dominic and I started dating on October 30, 2006, we were engaged on May 18, 2007, and married on August 24, 2007. That's only 10 months from boyfriend/girlfriend to husband/wife!

36. Jemma and I have started a weekly tradition - PAJAMAS DAY! It's different each week, but it's our extra snuggly day where we stay home, cook comfort food, watch Sesame Street, and take a nap together ... all in our pajamas :)

37. I use my email inbox like my to-do list. This week I had 38 messages - yikes! Now, it's down to 4 - SUCCESS!

38. My favorite TV family is the Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie.

39. There are some days during the year that carry the same excitement as Christmas - 50% off day at Value Village and Salvation Army, the city-wide garage sale, and any 3-day weekend!

40. My grandpa was an amazing violinist, he even played on the radio in the late 1920's. When he was a teenager he was working in a chair factory and cut off the tip of his thumb - he wasn't able to ever play the same again and his hopes of becoming a professional violinist ended :(

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December Sponsor Love, Round One

2011-12-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

Paper Bag Owl Company

Shop - Facebook

Paper Bag Owl Company makes reasonably priced merchandise for cloth diapering families utilizing existing materials. I also dabble in making upcycled children's clothing.

Use code THATMAMA for 20% any Paper Bag Owl Company purchase!

Ah!Natural™ Baby

Website - Facebook - Blog

Ah!Natural™ is a family run company in the greater Portland, OR area committed to making local, handcrafted, all-natural toys with their own nephew in mind. Children’s toys should be as simple and as natural as they are. That’s why we at Ah!Natural™ say, “Your child never worries about what goes in their mouth, so neither should you!”

Use code THAT MAMA for 10% off!

Blabla Kids

Website - Blog - Pinterest - Facebook - Twitter - Tumblr

Created in 2001 during a trip to Peru by two long-time friends, Florence Wetterwald and Susan Pritchett, Blabla started with finger puppets, grew into knit dolls, rattles, mobiles, and more. Blabla searches for beauty, authenticity and laughter. Contemporary designs in natural fibers and hand-knit by Peruvian artisans. Eco-friendly gifts and accessories for all ages.

The Trendy Owl

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The Trendy Owl features many different kinds of handmade flower headbands and clips for your hair. I love to match colors and patterns and create one of a kind pieces for you.

Lemon Sweet by Leslie
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I have been making and designing jewelry ever since I was a little girl! My mom taught me how to wire wrap at age 8! :) My jewelry is the kind of jewelry you will just want to leave on, but I do have a few pretty statement pieces too! Hope you like what you see! :)
Use code THATMAMA for 10% off!

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Homemade Christmas: Superhero Capes

2011-12-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

It's a good thing my two oldest niece and nephew haven't figured out the internet yet. It won't be long before I won't be able to share my projects/their gifts before Christmas!

These superhero capes were inspired by none other than the infamous Pinterest. When I pinned this idea I knew it would be just perfect for my almost 2 1/2 year old niece, Karrington, and almost 3 year old nephew, Bishop.

These were so fun to personalize with their initials and favorite things - Bishop's love of sports and Karrington's sweet girly-ness! Just the other day, Karrington's mama texted me a picture of Karrington pretending to be Spiderman with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Jackpot! I knew capes were totally in this season :)

I decided to leave the colors a surprise since both their mamas read my blog. Hopefully I can feature Karrington and Bishop modeling their capes after Christmas!

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'Tis the Season

2011-12-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

The holidays make me emotional. I go back and forth between being SO excited and almost dreading it. Christmas is busy, it takes alot of effort, and for a perfectionist like me achieving a magical moment Christmas morning takes quite a bit of coordination.

At the tipping point of ensuing grinch-dom I usually realize why we're doing this whole Christmas thing. It's not about a perfect meal, unique gift, or joyous carols around the fireplace. Christmas is about remembering. It's about remembering the gift God gave - His one and only Son.

As a new-ish mama I've realized what a sacrifice this is. It's not a gift to be taken lightly, it's a gift to embrace, celebrate, and share. Christ's love is like no other and the gift of his life is priceless.

So, in between wrapping, baking, and meeting friends I wanted to take a moment to share some of the special traditions and holiday favorites we participate in each year!

The Nativity. After Dominic and I were married I bought a BEAUTIFUL nativity on after-Christmas sale. This year, my set is packed away in storage and this little set adorns our living room. It carries the same meaning, in a much less fragile fashion.
Christmas Eve. Every year we go to our church's candlelight service to sing Christmas carols. When we get home we always have soup (I think it's going to be White Bean Chicken Chili this year) and exchange gifts.
Gift Exchange. About 10 years ago, my family decided to tone down gifts. Rather than buy for everyone, we draw names and focus on finding a meaningful gift for that one person. It was my mom's idea and her reasoning was this ... Our birthday is about us and that's when we celebrate with lots of special attention and gifts. Christmas is about Jesus' birthday, we choose to focus on celebrating him during the Christmas season.
Giving to others. This differs each year, but we always find a way to serve others around Christmas as a family. We've served food at a shelter, rang the Salvation Army bell, participated in Operation Christmas Child, and World Vision's Gift Catalog.

And ... a few other things to mention specifically about this year:

Jemma + Pressies = AWESOME! I can't wait for Jemma to open presents! She is pretty obsessed with gift bags and boxes right now and I know she is going to have a blast helping everyone unwrap :)
Jemma + Santa = SADNESS! Last weekend, Jemma had her picture with Santa. I don't have the real photo yet, but check out the one I snapped with my phone. Poor girl!

Secret Santa. We have a very special gift planned for my mom. This is outside of our gift exchange, because she has gone the extra mile with preparing for the holidays as long as I can remember and she deserves a little extra recognition. She's going to love it and I can't wait to share the details after Christmas!
Homemade Christmas. I've made almost all of my Christmas gifts this year and am quite impressed with my Homemade Christmas. More installments of this feature coming soon! I started most of these projects in November and am thinking about keeping this feature going all year to get a jump-start on Christmas 2012.
Would you give a little? Last, but not least we (as in all you readers and I) are shy $58 from meeting the goal of $105 to buy a sheep through World Vision as a goodwill Christmas gift. Would you consider donating a small amount towards this worthy cause?

What are your Christmas traditions? How do you make the holidays meaningful during all the hussle and bustle? I'd love to hear your ideas ... especially for next year when I'll have a 2 year old!!!

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Thanksgiving 2011 & Turkey Handprint Place Cards

2011-12-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

Dominic and I hosted Thanksgiving for the second time this year. It was a fabulous get together of his parents, mine, Jemma's aunties, and the Thankgiving star herself, Jemma!

Our meal consisted of turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberry dressing, olives, pickled beets and beans, olives, cranberry sauce, corn, macaroni and cheese, pumpkin pie, and gingersnaps with pumpkin dip! Mmmm --- yum! And, we're still finishing leftovers!

We're so thankful for our little munchkin! Mama's headband c/o The Trendy Owl

Jemma's Thanksgiving meal

Licking her plate clean! The ham and macaroni and cheese were definitely her favorites.

As Jemma and I bustled around the kitchen days prior to Thanksgiving, we got the grand idea to make place cards for each of our guests!

Turkey Handprint Place Cards

Cut Kraft paper into a tent shape
Traced child's hand print with a crayon
Release child to play :)
With a Sharpie, add eye, beak, and gobble to handprint --- TA DA --- it's a turkey!
Add border, child's name and age, and a cute little "thankful" note

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TEXAS!

2011-12-05T23:38:00.000-08:00

We've been home close to 2 months, but I still wanted to share some of the pictures from our fabulous trip to the south! We went to visit Dominic's brother, Anton, and his wife, Tasha, and daughter, Karrington. Jemma had a ball with her cousin and we ate WAY TOO MUCH amazing BBQ, but hey, it's not like we could say no - the scent alone made you salivate!

Favorites of the trip include:

Sleeping in - the room we stayed in had black out curtains which helped Jem sleep SO WELL which in return helped us sleep awesome too
Rudy's baked potatoes - Get this, you order a baked potato, choice of shredded meat, and add all the fixin's (yes, fixin's) - AMAZINGLY DELICIOUSLY. I chose BBQ pork and couldn't have been happier. We went twice :)
Sunny weather - Nothing like a hefty dose of Vitamin D in the middle of October!
Hobby Lobby - We don't have one in the PNW, so Tasha treated me to a shopping trip, gift card, and close to 2 hours of browsing. I'm in love!
Cousin playtime - Jemma only has far away cousins so it was priceless to see her interacting with Karrington - they played so well together, melts a mama's heart

Hanging out on a bench made completely of horseshoes - we ate the best steak ever at this ranch

Ah! Mama is trying to pack and I'm being the best helper EVER!

Jemma and cousin, Karrington, at the Big Texan in their souvenir cowgirl hats

Auntie/Mama Gretchen and her 2 favorite girls

Getting up close and personal with the tigers at the zoo

Texas photo shoot in the itchy grass

Big smiles - I LOVE VACATION!!!

Relaxing morning with Daddy - coffee, Texas sunshine, and Dave Ramsey

The cutest 2 1/2 year old - MISS KARRINGTON!

Family photo shoot - Uncle Anton, Aunt Tasha, and Karrington. Check out their family blog here!

And the best of the iPhone snapshots ...

Miss Wiggles on the plane

Did you know that TAA won't allow you to wear your baby on the plane? Apparently it is safer for them to be "loose" while in flight ... In case of turbulence I really felt much better about having her on me so my arms were free. The flight attendant could have cared less about my rational.

Yay! Hobby Lobby time!

Brothers and their babies :)

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Sunday Confessional V.3

2011-12-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

21. Dominic and I bicker about TV shows often. To resolve them we have instigated "us shows" meaning a show that we can both enjoy/tolerate. There are few shows in the "us" category. You see, Dominic prefers anything reality - ANYTHING, even the housewives crap. I prefer all things drama - Lost, Pan Am, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, etc. Current us shows include --- Survivor, 19 Kids and Counting, and Sister Wives.

22. My new favorite thing to thrift for is fabric - I don't have a whole lotta projects to show for my recent finds. But, I've got a ton of ideas mulling around in my mind :)

23. My favorite celebrity is Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I've loved her ever since Survivor.

24. My 3 favorite household chores are cooking, dishes, and laundry. I enjoy being creative in the kitchen, the quickness of dishes, and there is no better feeling than beating the laundry game (empty hamper, empty washer, empty dryer). Least favorite are bathrooms, floors, and grocery shopping.

25. In 09/10 I had a little Extreme Couponer phase (I was never close to the show though). All I have left to show for it is too many bottles of shampoo. At least they were all super cheap!

26. I'm going to start watching "Once Upon a Time" on ABC.com. Is anyone else watching this?

27. I selfishly want to get pregnant again so I have clear skin. During my pregnancy with Jemma I don't think I had one zit - best. thing. ever.

28. Matryoshka dolls are my latest obsession. Have you seen my Pinterest board?

29. During high school I identified with most of Shania Twain's UP album. It spoke to me. All 17 years of my love-torn, she-woman, boot stompin' life :)

30. In college I took a leadership position in admissions. The summer before I started, as part of our training, we were required to go on a trip called Walkabout. I don't do outdoors. Especially overnight. Even more, not for 7 days. But that's what I did - hiking all around Mt. Adams, sleeping outside, eating outside, and doing my business ... you guessed it, outside. It's a miracle I survived.

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Outtakes

2011-12-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

My sister snapped a few photos for our Christmas newsletter this past weekend.

These are by far my most favorite outtakes ...

JEMMA BLOWING KISSES!

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13 & 14 Months

2011-11-30T14:57:00.000-08:00

Yikes - I completely missed Jemma's 13 month post. Probably because we were traveling for much of October and early November. We'll consider this a catch up for both months ...

My sweet girl ...
You and I are becoming the very best of friends. Of course, I'll always be your mama first, but spending each day together has brought us so close. We do everything together and it's amazing watching you learn and grow as we make our way through the days. Such a little smartie you are!

You first walked on October 5th (my birthday!), and during November you have become so confident in walking - you only occasionally crawl now. You aren't very speedy, more deliberate and careful with a little waddle - when you walk you kind of resemble a penguin :) You love to carry things around and share with whoever you can. When you are ready to snuggle you'll choose a book and walk yourself right into my lap - ready to read and relax in the crook of my arm.

You are a very quiet, observant girl. When others are around you are silent, just staring, no words or smiles. But when we are at home you babble away - little conversations with yourself, your books, your dolls, whoever will listen :) New words include "uh oh", "meow", "ruff ruff", "dis" (meaning, "what is this?") and "eye".

You greatly dislike laying down for diaper changes, but that is really the only time you fuss. Oh, and when I take a shower - you hate feeling locked out! You enjoy riding in your car seat, playing in the kitchen with your fridge farm, crawling up the stairs, watching the washer and dryer work, taking baths, kissing you dolls and pictures of babies in your books, and unloading drawers, bags, cupboards, bookshelves - anything you can get your hands on! We are practicing putting things away too :)

Food has been an adventure these last few months. You stopped nursing very abruptly at 12 1/2 months, but I have continued to pump so you have mama milk once or twice each day in addition to a plethora of food. Your favorites are Greek yogurt with honey, grapes, blueberries, chicken curry salad, cinnamon raisin toast, Cheerios, meatballs, spaghetti squash and tomato sauce, and lots more. Anything with a sauce seems to be a hit - she tried mango chicken, enchiladas, and chili recently and loved them all!

Nap time are difficult, but we're doing our best to find a good routine that is calm and peaceful for us all. We've started rocking to sleep in the rocking chair while I sing Tender Shepherd, then laying down together in bed. Sometimes I'll nap, but most often that's when I get some computer time for work.

Other fun firsts include your first plane ride (two trips actually) and your first time in pig tails!

Just like every month, this last month has been my favorite. I can't believe how quickly you are growing. How much you are learning. How you have transformed into a beautiful little girl. I love you to pieces dear girl.

Hugs and kisses,
Mama

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Homemade Christmas: Circle Scarves

2011-11-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

Isn't this the most awesome fabric? It's a light weight cotton and I think it's look so boho.
I keep trying to take some self-portraits and the above photo is proof of why it's just not for me. I even set up the tripod I found at a garage sale this summer in an attempt to take a pic without a mirror, but I can't get it to rotate vertical which makes all the pictures super far away in order to see me from head to tow.
I'm still working out the kinks in my circle scarf pattern --- I keep trying different things for a more seamless look, so don't follow my lead. Instead, check out these lovely ladies if you'd like to make your own: Cotton & Curls, The Cottage Home, and Sweet Verbena.

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Sunday Confessional V.2

2011-11-27T14:53:00.000-08:00

Oops, missed a week of Sunday Confessional. Consistency is not my strong point, meh.

11. I'm so happy I didn't chop my hair off after Jemma was born. Having it long has been the ultimate hair-do. I can style it down, knot it on my head, and not wash it for days. It's pretty fabulously versatile.

12. I have visited a fair amount of countries ... Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), Argentina, Brazil, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman Islands. Mexico is my favorite relaxing place for sure!

13. The '98 CRV I drive right now is the newest car I've owned. It beat out the '81 Mercedes 380SL and the '86 BMW 318i.

14. I'm a wee bit obsessed with Tiny Toms - I really want a pair of the "It's a Small World" collection for Miss Jemma.

15. I'm pretty sure I eat more calories when I'm counting them. Therefore, I don't. Ever. Food is too good and I'd rather enjoy it and try to cut back by eating smaller portions or re-inventing healthier versions than go without something.

16. I don't really like ice cream. Although I die for pomegranate fro-yo.

17. I'm not mad at the Duggars for having baby #20. They take good care of those kids, are debt free, and are a great example of a family doing good in the world. I'm betting those kids will turn out much better than a lot of 2-3 kid families featured on TV.

18. Next pregnancy I'm planning to encapsulate my placenta.

19. My favorite colors right now (and yes, they change often) are coral and cream. Preferably together.

20. I'm already starting to think about my 2012 goals ... so far, I want to try out Mama Baby yoga, create a Tastebook of all our family recipes, and open the Etsy shop I keep mentioning.

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Star Worthy V.6

2011-11-26T21:58:00.000-08:00

When you have a spare moment - here's the links that are a must read :)

This mama and I met on Twitter during Jemma's nursing strike/weaning drama - she was such an encouragement and I wanted to share her AWESOME breastfeeding links from her blog
6 Free Alternatives to Vaccines - Um ... I love free, so it makes sense to start here when trying to stay healthy
With a ~~baby~~ toddler, part-time job, 400 part-time hobbies, and a home to keep up, I know I often forget to date my husband. I want to do much better at this ... but it is hard, please say I'm not alone it keeping my priorities in line?
Why NOT to give your little one baby cereal
I'm planning to pick up castor and jojoba oil soon - here I come OIL CLEANSING METHOD!
Speaking of cleansing, when Jemma's current soap is gone I'm going to make the next batch myself! Here's the recipe.
Halloween is over, but every dress-up box needs this!
Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte - YES!

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NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY DAY!

2011-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

As a part of my effort to streamline my life I'm starting a new, little thing around here ...
Instead of individual giveaways each month, I'm going to host one day of giveaways galore! Doesn't that sound fun? So, join us on the 25th of each month for GIVEAWAY DAY!

This month a few of our fabulous sponsors sent Jemma and I some treats to review and are also sharing the love with you! Isn't that sweet? Here's what is up for grabs!

- - - - -

Fashion meets function with A Graff Designs diaper and wipe clutches. While we were traveling to Texas I packed it with some wipes and a diaper or two, tossed in my purse, and off we went!
Every mama needs one ... aren't they the cutest?

GIVEAWAY - One clutch of choice

- - - - -

There is something I can't resist about vintage fabrics. Starbugaloo has taken that love and made amazing dresses and bibs. Does it get any better?
Get ready to go shopping ...

GIVEAWAY - one shop item of choice

- - - - -

Jemma has a doll from One White Rabbit and she loves her to pieces. Dolls are quickly becoming our favorite friends! Made with care, these chic little loves have sweet patterns, faces, and will be a part of our family for a long time!
This sweet doll will soon be a part of one of your families ...

GIVEAWAY - Nikita from the Daring Daffodils Collection (US shipping only)

- - - - -

Super Undies are a fabulous choice for little ones on the verge of potty training. I love that they can snap on and off like a diaper OR be used in a pull up fashion. The color choices are great and you can even stuff them for extra absorbancy while running errands or during naps!
Up for grabs is ...

GIVEAWAY - your size and color choice of a pocket or pull-on Super Undies

- - - - -

What mama doesn't love pretty jewelry? Even on our home days I still feel drawn to add a cute pair of earrings of elegant necklace to jazz up a t-shirt or sweater. My Little Bride offers lovely pieces for fancy occasions, like weddings, as well as signature pieces like this Autumn Leaves necklace --- I'm smitten!


GIVEAWAY - One Autumn Leaves necklace shipped from Israel (international shipping can take awhile so if you enter this giveaway please be patient as you wait it's arrival - I promise it's worth it!)

I do apologize that these giveaways are mostly girlie. When I first started blogging everything was super neutral since Jemma was a mystery baby. Now, it's all girl around here. I promise I'll do my bestest to get some more mama and gender neutral items soon!

In the meantime, take a moment to visit each shop - they all have many more AMAZING products in addition to the giveaway items! To enter the giveaways ...

REQUIRED - Leave one comment for each item you would like to win, mention something you like in their shop or something you learned about their product
Heart or Like them on Etsy or Facebook (here's the 2 Facebook links - Super Undies, My Little Bride)
Share this post on Facebook and/or Twitter - Check out November's GIVEAWAY DAY with @ThatMamaG http://thatmamagretchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Reviews%2FGiveaways

That's a total of 13 possible entries. Leave one comment for each entry and a way for me to contact you in at least one comment. Giveaways end December 5th.

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Thankful

2011-11-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

If I get too serious around the holidays I get weepy. I just feel so blessed to be where I am in life with the people who mean the most to me.

This Fall I framed a picture of Miss Jemma and tucked it in my kitchen window.
Thanksgiving 2010 - when she wasn't even 2 months old. How does time go by SO FAST?
This picture has helped me to be thankful each day.
Thankful for our health.
The blessing of Jemma in our life.
And all the little things, like having a window to display pictures and dishes to wash.

Take a moment to note to adorable little owl from my SIL, Tasha and the succulent I haven't killed yet

To lighten the mood and share the fun of thankfulness, here's my Thanksgiving Top Ten ...

Tweezers - God only knows what I would look like without my prized Tweezerman tweezers. Thank the Lord for shaped brows and the elimination of chin hairs.
TiVo - I have no idea what days/times any of my favorite shows are on. They just appear. Like magic.
Google - My dear friend, Google, has come in quite handy with alot of my recent home and work projects - How to correct sewing machine error E4? What county is Lake Tapps in? Coupon code for ___________? Foods to ease constipation? Jemma's, not mine :)
eBay - I couldn't just say internet ... too many faucets to be thankful for. I've done a fair share of Christmas shopping on eBay and I've saved SO MUCH. Second-hand is the new cool. Am I right, or am I right?
White Chocolate Peppermint Creamer - Who needs Starbucks when you can have deliciousness at home in your jammies? Technically, I still need Starbucks - decaf eggnog to be exact - but I'm forcing myself to be a penny pincher and Starbucks costs too many pennies.
Crockpot - Holla!!! Whoever invented crockpots deserves a major award. I think crockpots are right up there with the dishwasher and washing machine/dryer. A pot that cooks dinner for you? It's pure heaven for every homemaker!
Sesame Street - I'd like to think I'm super perfect and never let Jemma watch TV, but it ain't true. A few times a week I park that child in front of the TV and ask Mr. TiVo (see #2) to play an episode of Sesame. Peace and quiet with occasional giggles from Jemma does a mama's heart good. Plus, Sesame isn't even on my radar of "annoying children's shows" - it's too classic.
Sisters - This one is kind of serious. I love my sissies to death. But lately, I love them the most because they are giving me all their hand me down clothes! Hannah just sent me a pair of Gap and Blue Cult jeans. Now I finally have a pair of pants that don't require a belt. Amen to that. I don't think I've mentioned that post pregnancy/breastfeeding made me wither away - I'm way tinier, albeit, squishier, than I used to be. This has presented quite a problem in the clothing department which is why hand me downs have become quite necessarily.
Pandora - I know, back to the whole internet thing. Truly though, who buys CDs anymore? Pandora, especially my Matt Nathanson station, has made the perfect soundtrack to my days at home.
Naps - I've given up on Jemma napping by herself. She's in a phase where she will sleep like an angel if I'm next to her which means I either get to take a nap or work on the laptop while she sleeps twice each day. It's been so good to have a set time to stop buzzing around the house and relax or work without distractions. Naps + Mama + Jemma = AWESOME!

What's one thing you're thankful for this year?

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Simpler Things

2011-11-23T23:06:00.000-08:00

I feel behind in alot of things right now. I'm at a loss as to where the day goes.
Most days I feel like I live in 10 minute increments of snacks, stories, diaper changes, errands, laundry, dishes, picking up ...
Is this what being a stay at home mom is like?
A blur of routine and to do lists.
Late nights and early mornings.
Dirty hair and yoga pants.

I'm also working from home doing some long-term consulting - so really, I'm a work at home mom with no childcare.
Not easy.
I have some big projects on my plate and in order to stay sane I'm choosing to say "no" to everything that isn't directly family related or work related (which is family related since it helps keep the budget in the black).

Part of me is kind of excited to cut out some busyness. I really like being at home. Days in pajamas where I smell crockpot meals and hear laundry spinning. It give me an odd sense of accomplishment. I feel like I'm home on the prairie.

It's difficult to choose simpler things.
It's hard to say no to things I want to do.

But, for my family's sake and mine - it's the right thing to do now. I need to take some time to re-prioritize and organize. I often worry that the peak of my life is behind me - my education, career, travels, and volunteering. I used to do everything and I loved it. The high of a packed calendar with meetings and projects and social events. Now, I feel more like a 25 year old frump with nothing new in sight. I know that isn't true - it's just how it feels some days.

In reality I'm caring for my family - the biggest blessing I could ever hope for. I spend every day with Jemma --- exploring life, insuring her health and happiness, and basking in snuggles and her latest trick, blowing kisses :) I welcome Dominic home with a warm meal and a happy home (not always clean, but always happy). This is a rich season of my life!

So, as I focus more on home don't be surprised if you hear from me less, take a few days to respond to emails, or am generally unavailable. It's not that I'm completely absent or don't want to participate, I'm just simplifying life by focusing on what really matters.

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November Sponsor Love, Round Two

2011-11-22T09:48:00.000-08:00

Momma B & Baby Boy

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I'm Beth, Mummy to the gorgeous Daniel Kyle & girlfriend to the amazing Colin Michael. I'm crazy in love, these boys are my world & I blog mostly about them, our daily discoveries and adventures, and our new kitten, Milo.

PDX Momma

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Portland OR based photographer and momma to Ozzie. Trying to stay dry, get my kid to eat something other than crackers, stop ME from eating the crackers so I can finally lose some weight. Join us on the brutal honesty ride!

Anadollies
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Hi, welcome to my shop, Anadollies! I'm based in Singapore, a sunny tropical island in Asia. All my products are vegan and made in a smoke-free and pet-free environment. I'm committed to provide you with the lowest shipping charges as possible!

One White Rabbit
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Why do I create? It is almost an addiction. To take an idea from my own little mind and turn it into something tangible, real & beautiful, is immensely gratifying. Sewing is a lovely little escape. While my tween daughter is out socializing with friends, I can relax in my studio, admire all the pretty fabric & watch Magnum P.I. while I sew.
Use code THATMAMA for 10% off!

Camilee Designs
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Camilee Designs offers boutique-style necklace earrings & bracelet designs handmade from semi-precious and precious gemstones and metals and personalized sterling silver and goldfilled necklaces for moms. I also have a blog about handmade businesses, crafts, fashion, and decorating.
Use code THATMAMA for 10% off!

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Homemade Christmas: Rice Cozies

2011-11-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

Rice cozies are a family favorite!
I grew up with rice cozies (also known as warm/cold sacks or therapy sacks) as the perfect solution to whatever ails you.
Cold feet - rice cozy.
Tummy ache - rice cozy.
Bumps and bruises - rice cozy.
You name it, a rice cozy could fix it :)

Why I never thought to make them before, I don't know, but for this Christmas I whipped up a bunch in different sizes and fabrics. I used regular rice from the bulk section scented with essential oil lavender.

I've been warming up one of the zoo animal baby rice cozies for Jemma before we go outside. I wanted her to have something warm to hold on to in her car seat since it takes awhile for the heater the warm up the back seat. She loves it!

I'm eager to try some other scents ... or maybe even a blend of a few. What would you recommend? Also, is there a website where you can find essential oils at a lower price than the natural grocery stores? I'm also going to experiment with buckwheat as the filler. Then the rice cozies will have a cousin --- wheat cozies :)

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Nursing Strike - One Month Later

2011-11-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

It's been exactly one month since Jemma last nursed.
I tried everything I could to overcome her nursing strike.
But, nothing.

If I think about it too much it brings me to tears. I had grand hopes of nursing Jemma until she was at least 2. When she was a wee thing I read a blog, I wish I remembered which one, about a mama who was nursing her 2 or 3 year old. This mama asked her little nursling what mama's milk tasted like and the little girl responded, "Tastes like rainbows and flowers".

When Jemma nursed and gave me her little milk drunk smile I would always wonder if she was dreaming of rainbows and flowers.

My little love might never verbally share about nursing with me. But, by way she looks and acts I know our year of nursing gave her a strong foundation of health. I'm trying to focus on the positive as our relationship evolves.

ALL THE GOOD ...

In the beginning, I hoped to nurse Jemma exclusively for 6 months. I was worried about the 4-6 month range because that was when we needed to adjust to my being back at work. We made it to this mark without a problem. YAY!
We sped on to 1 year and 2 weeks - beyond the year mark that was my next goal. I'm thankful she nursed past her birthday and chose on her terms when to wean.
Jemma is happy and healthy. Even though her weaning schedule wasn't the same as mine, it hasn't affected her negatively. We're getting used to a new routine and she seems happy to snuggle in the mornings with a sippy of mama milk.

During her nursing strike I pumped 4 times each day for the first few days. Then I backed off to 3 times each day. By the beginning of November I moved to a morning pump and a bedtime pump. That's where I'm at now. Jemma drinks about half the milk I pump in a sippy and I scald (due to excess lipase) and freeze the rest. As long as it's manageable, I'm going to continue pumping like this. Just taking it one day at a time. I figure as long as I can make milk for her without it being a stress I might as well.

Last week, my La Leche League leader emailed me to check in. Seriously, if you are nursing and want company/advice/friendship with other nursing mamas La Leche is the place to be. Everyone I've met is so sweet, non-judgemental, and truly supportive of each individual mama's nursing goals.

I'm still sad when I cradle her in my arms and hold her sippy. It's not what I'm used to and I miss the closeness of her nursing. I miss the ease of nursing in bed. I hate being attached to the pump every day. It's hard to think ahead about meals for her. Nursing was SO easy - milk was always there and ready to go whenever she was hungry.

On the flip side, Jemma has been able to fall asleep easily without nursing. We rock and I sing as she drifts off and I love feeling her little head on my shoulder every night. Nap times have been a struggle though. One thing at a time I suppose. Jemma is learning to hold her own sippy cup, something we never practiced before since we didn't need to. AND, I ordered 2 new, non-nursing bras. That's something to be excited about :)

We're moving upwards and onwards. I'm blessed to have had the amazing breastfeeding experience I did. I hope my sharing the details of lipase, working/pumping, strikes/weaning, and nursing in general has been an encouragement to other mamas. It's not an easy journey to nurse a little one, but it is priceless one. I'm no expert, but if you ever have questions or just want to chat about nursing I'm only an email away :)

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Have you heard ...

2011-11-19T11:42:00.001-08:00

Make a donation - big or small - to our World Vision sheep fund and receive free advertising space on That Mama Gretchen from now through December!

This project was inspired by Wool Week since we all learned how amazing sheep's wool is. Not only does a sheep provide wool, their young can be sold to support a family's budget and the family benefits from their nutritious milk.

We've already pooled together $32 ... only $73 to go!
Would you help bless a family with a sheep this Christmas?
Donation button is located on the top left of the blog.

Once you submit your donation, please email me (thatmamagretchen at gmail dot com) a 150x100 button and you'll be added as a sponsor! Thanks a million!

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25

2011-11-19T10:51:00.000-08:00

With all the bustle of Jemma's 1st birthday, flying to Texas, and the ensuing nursing drama I completely forgot to mention that I turned the big 2-5 on October 5th. A whole quarter century old, I am!

My family was in town for Jemma's party on the 1st so afterwards we celebrated my birthday at my favorite Italian restaurant. This is the only picture I have from my birthday ...

Lovely, isn't it?

I was super blessed with quite a few thoughtful gifts ... a fabric store gift certificate, shopping money for our trip to Texas, this awesome book, this dress, a pair of boat shoes, a tandoori ceramic baking dish, and some matryoshka fabulousness!

Birthdays are great. I pretty much love them :)

What has been one of your most favorite birthdays and/or birthday gifts?

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Q & A: Baby-led Weaning, V. 3

2011-11-18T21:32:00.000-08:00

Birthday breakfast - pancakes, cantaloupe, and sausage - 12 months

Ok, finally back for the final installment of Q & AL Baby-led Weaning. Here's V. 1 and V. 2, in case you want to catch up.

When you gave Jemma whole foods, how long did it take her to stop gagging frequently when eating? With every new texture she tried there was a window of learning. I would say she got used to things within a few tries/days. Most recently, I let her try a very thin corn tortilla chip and she definitely gagged on that. I think the crunchiness threw her off in the beginning.
When and why do you give a baby juice or water? The only time I have given Jemma juice was when she had a rough bout of constipation. I gave her watered down, no sugar added prune juice (1/2 water, 1/2 juice). Water is a great thing for play when they are learning to use sippy cups. Jemma first started trying water around 10 months in the bath tub. I found that many of the "no spill" sippies are actually really hard to drink out of. So, I take out the little stopper and let the bath tub be a messy water time :) I didn't start focusing on water until she stopped nursing. As long as baby is nursing you don't need to worry about extra hydration. They get everything they need from mama.
When is a baby ready for a sippy cup? My baby barely does a bottle, so I won't notice when she can take one since we never practice. I was not diligent with introducing a sippy. Jemma is now 13 months and just becoming self-sufficient with a sippy. Although, she still prefers if I hold/tip it for her. My mom remembers me using a sippy around 9 months - so I was so that's a good age to start practicing. But again, food (and sippies) are just fun until age 1, so don't stress out trying to remember/teach them new things. Sippy knowledge will come when they are ready.
When did you introduce wheat/gluten? Oats? I didn't wait on any specific grains. She probably first had barley teething biscuits (from Earth's Best) around 8 months. Rice puffs have always been a hit too. I avoid alot of packaged baby crackers and cookies even if they are similar to table foods because the ingredient list is mega long. Right now I'd prefer for her to fill up on proteins, veggies, and fruit. Although, I did recently get Jemma some Ezekiel cinnamon raisin spelt bread (spelt because it doesn't have any potato or derivatives). She is OBSESSED with eating toast fingers. Toast fingers = 1 piece of toast cut into 4 long rectangles = easy grabbing and munching :)
When did you introduce eggs and meat? I mixed up the whole egg recommendation and gave her the whites first and left out the yolk. I think the recommend the other way around. Well, after I figured out my mix-up I just went straight for scrambled eggs. This was pretty early - around 8 months. Now she likes scrambled egg with cheese melted on top :) I think it is La Leche League who actually recommends that babies start with meats/proteins as a first food. By their 1 year appointment your pediatrician will most likely want a solely breastfed baby consuming a fair amount of meat (probably 1-2 tablespoons/day). It's related to their iron levels. If they aren't they may want to do a quick blood test to check iron levels and possibly supplement. I've of the thought that it is always best to get nutrients from food rather than supplements so encourage your baby to be a meat lover if you can :) Jemma has tried everything from grilled chicken to pulled pork to tilapia! Right now apple chicken sausage (out of the casing) from Whole Foods is her absolute favorite!

I wanted to add one more thing I thought of ...
Once you feel you are out of allergy zone let your baby be adventurous! They have an amazing amount of taste buds and are ready to try lots of fun things. Doesn't mean they will love it all, but it's always worth trying and re-introducing later if they turn their nose at it the first time. Jemma can be quite particular with what she loves at any given meal, but overall, she seems to have a great appetite!

At 13 months the only thing I haven't given Jemma is nut butters - although, her doctor said it's fine to try that now too. Lately she has enjoyed ...

Pasta Fagoli soup from Olive Garden - I picked out pieces of beef, noodles, kidney bean, and celery for her to nibble on
Chicken Picante - a baked chicken dish with shredded chicken, corn tortillas, cheese, and mild salsa
Chicken noodle soup - I helped with this one, but she slurped down spoonfuls of noodles, broth, chicken, and carrots
Red Pepper Alfredo Baked Rotini from PDX Momma - Jemma loved the turkey, rotini, and the sauce even though you could definitely taste the peppers
Plain Greek yogurt with a squirt of honey
Cheese of all kinds - they had samples of a white cheddar with cranberry pieces in it at Whole Foods and Jemma had a dozen pieces (it was a sample dish with no attendant so I didn't feel bad going back from seconds, er, twelvefths)
Bites of hamburger patty - We buy a portion of a cow each year, and it is seriously the cheapest, best way to get organic beef
Fruit smoothie - a blend of orange, nectarine, banana, and ice

Obsessed with grapes, she will eat 20+ at a sitting if I let her! - quartered grapes - 12 months

The two-handed quesadilla eater - corn tortilla with cheese and a side of apple - 12 months

And then she decided she wanted some enchilada sauce from my Trader Joe's meal - That's when it got messy ... and fun :) This awkward face is the smile she gives me when I hold up the camera! Too cute I tell ya!

Please take a moment and share what your baby eats - whether baby-led weaning or not, I'd love to get ideas on new foods/flavors that your little one enjoys!

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From the Archives, a letter to my baby about her Daddy

2011-11-17T20:52:00.000-08:00

I found this letter from May 2010. It has been saved in my drafts all this time and it finally felt like the right time to share. When I wrote this I was halfway through my pregnancy, Dominic was unemployed, and we were packing to move into a new house. So much transition and emotion for an expecting mama! These words are more true than ever. Jemma and I are the luckiest girls to have Dominic as our husband and Daddy.

Dearest Baby ...

Your Dad is in an interview right now. I'm a nervous wreck ... because I do that, I worry. I worry about you everyday, and now I'm worrying about your Dad. In these worrying times I usually choose to do one things. I choose to give all my worry to the Lord, because He's truly the only one who has control over the situation. I'm sure you will hear me say this many times in your life. I say it because it is true and sometimes it helps to think it, write it, and say it. Just to have the full reminder of what's what.

Since I'm worrying like crazy I decided to channel my energy into telling you about how awesome your Dad is. Because it's true, he's a pretty awesome guy ...

Your Dad is the best EVER! God put him in our family, because he knew he was exactly the husband and dad we needed. He gives the best bear hugs ... hugs when you are happy, when you are sad, and hugs just because. I know you are going to love these hugs just as much as I do. Plus, he always knows the right things to say when he is hugging you. Sometimes it is nothing, sometimes it is "I love you" and sometimes it is many words. His hugs and words make the world feel ok.

He never forgets the important things. He'll forget to take out the trash or schedule his dentist appointment, but he'll never forget the day we found out you will be joining our family, or Mother's Day, or your birthday. When he knows something is important he remembers. So, if he forgets to do something little you'll have to let it go, because he remembers the things that really matter and that is what makes him great.

Your Dad is the foundation of our family. He was the one who knew it was right for me and him to get married. He is the one who has made sure our finances are organized so I can choose to stay home with you. We didn't know when you were coming, but he knew we needed to be prepared. He knows how to take care of our family. He is the one who said he will become a pizza delivery man if that's what it takes to get you all the things you need.

He trusts Jesus the best and He knows not to worry about the little things like I do. He knows that as long as we are all together everything will be perfect. He might not have a job yet and we might not know where we are going to live, but he has it all in control, because he has chosen to put his faith in the Lord. We can't ask for a better Dad ... a Dad who knows and follows Jesus is priceless. You'll probably have a hard time believing this because it will seem so normal to you, but I know many other dads and have heard many stories. There are many dads who don't understand that you can only be a great husband, father, employee, etc. when you are following the Lord. God is the one who sets our path straight, and without that knowledge life can be very bumpy and unhappy. We will never know this, because your Dad is leading our family in the way of the Lord. Because of this, we will be blessed beyond measure. Our home will be happy and filled with love; you will grow up in the joy of the Lord, because your Dad has created a home built on such.

These are only some of the reasons why your Dad is perfect for us ... I could go on for days with stories and conversations of the last 3 1/2 years, but you'll see soon enough. When your Dad catches you on your birthday you'll see what I see and know you are very blessed to have him as your Dad.

And yes, your mama is now crying buckets at her desk at work.

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Wedding Love

2011-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

While Danielle from Danfredo Rivera is off getting herself married I'm blogsitting with a pretty fun post. Hop on over and check it out!

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Homemade Christmas: R2D2 Inspired Softie

2011-11-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

I stink at surprises - that's why I'm sharing Christmas presents before Christmas. Oops :)

This awesome little monster softie was inspired by R2D2. Isn't he rad!?!? I'm not a Star Wars junkie by any means - I think I've seen all the movies. One was even in the theater. There are 4, right? Totally not a Star Wars expert.

Anyways, I found the onesie first for my littlest nephew and I knew I wanted to make something to keep the theme going. I obviously needed an easy shape.
First idea was Jaba the Hut, but he's such a gross slug thing and I wanted something cuter.
Chewbaca might have been possible, but I'm a beginning craft sewer and Chewbaca has eyes and limbs.
R2D2 seemed like a better fit.

So, here he is - R2D2 in all his glory. Not accurate, but cute enough and ready for lots of lovin'!

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Q & A: Baby-led Weaning, V. 2

2011-11-14T09:31:00.000-08:00

Teething and tasting - apple - 7 months

I'm back for more food fun! Check out V. 1 here.

How do you manage clean up after every meal? This is probably my least favorite part of Jemma eating. It's such a mess! From the very beginning I've been clear with her that food stays on her tray. We don't toss it over the side. I know, I'm no fun at all :) After she is done eating, I use a wash cloth (I made some simple mini ones out of fabric and terry cloth) to wipe her hands and face. Then, she is free to play and I scrub off her tray and let it air dry while waiting for the next meal adventure!
How did eating food affect your breastfeeding 'schedule' or feedings? Increase? Decrease? Replace? Until Jemma turned one I always nursed her before we ate. Food was a supplemental treat. After one, I started allowing her to just nurse in the morning, before her two naps, and bedtime. During meals she sat with us and enjoyed table food. Normally, I think the nursing to all food transition is really gradual. Obviously, Jemma and her strike/weaning at 12.5 months is rare and one day she went from nursing 4 times/day to all food, but I wouldn't expect that from all babies.
Do you use baby sign for 'food' 'more' and 'all done'? When did Jemma start using sign herself? We've signed more and all done from the beginning, although not too consistently. At 13 months she signed more on her own and we've been practicing that a lot lately. No luck with all done yet ...
Do you mash food? Puree? Cut it? Or give it to Jemma whole? The goal with baby-led weaning is to give them control so I don't normally mash or puree things. I do cut alot though into manageable pieces. For example, she can easily hold 1/2 a banana, apple/pear/mango slices, and waffle squares. I give her other things whole like toast. I also cut olives, grapes, and sausage for safety.
Did you ever just use canned baby food sometimes? I keep baby food pouches on hand for back-up and meals when I can't think of something good for her to have. I prefer to buy organic options like Plum or Ella's Kitchen. I've tried so hard to give Jemma a quality start with nursing, I feel it's worth the little extra to make sure the food she eats is the best quality. Plus, they go on great sales so find out what your baby likes and then stock up :)
When did you give Jemma Cheerios or other organic baby treats? We don't do Cherrios very often because they have a potato derivative in them and Jemma's food intolerance is potatoes :( But, I've found that puffed rice and puffed wheat are great alternatives. Plus, they are WAY cheaper. We started with puffed treats around 7-8 months. As soon as you see then doing little pincher fingers to pick things up, it's time!

Learning to eat is messy - blueberry banana oatmeal balls - 8 months

Last round of questions tomorrow ... again, feel free to add or ask other questions!

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Sunday Confessional V.1

2011-11-13T10:14:00.001-08:00

I'm joining the awesome Deanna in her Sunday Confessional series, hope you enjoy!

1. For my 7th birthday all I wanted was a perm ... and that's what I got! I'm going to try and hunt down a picture for ya'll. If I find one I'll post it next week :)

2. In college I majored in Administration of Non-Profit Organizations. Now, I don't think I'll ever work for a NPO. Funny what we choose to do with our lives at 18. If I did it all over again I would go into a more artistic field - maybe graphic or textile design.

3. When Dominic and I started dating he was roommates with the ex-boyfriend. To say the least, that roommate situation didn't last long.

4. The only diet I have ever stuck to was the 3-day Hollywood juice fast. It was right before my high school graduation and I really wanted to wear a pair of black capris under my cap and gown. They were a bit too tight so for 3 days I drank a bottle of $20 juice from Walgreens and water. I have never felt so hungry in my life.

5. I totaled my first car when I hit black ice one morning on the way to school. It spin and flipped into a ditch about 300 yards from my driveaway. The first person who stopped was a retired firefighter and he helped my sister and I crawl out the backseat window. We weren't hurt at all - praise the Lord - but my sweet, little '83 BMW went to heaven.

6. Most days Jemma and I stay in our pajamas until after her morning nap. Then we get ready and officially begin the day.

7. Yoga pants are my favorite pants and I'm not afraid to say it. Nothing beats a pair of yoga pants, especially when they have nothing to do with yoga.

8. This is the first year of our marriage that Dominic and I haven't moved. It felt SO NICE to not be packing this past summer. But, next summer we'll be on the move again!

9. When I was pregnant with Jemma I didn't care if I had a boy or girl. Next baby though, I really want a girl. I've loved having sisters and I want Jemma to have one so bad! If I chose right now her name would be Story Katherine. Katherine in honor of my sister who is second born in my family since Story would be second born in ours.

10. We go to a pretty contemporary church, and the praise and worship is great. But, I love singing hymns most of all. "Be Thou My Vision" and "It Is Well With My Soul" are my two favorites.

Are you writing your own Sunday Confessionals? If so, comment with the link - I want to read them!

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Wool Week - New Winners

2011-11-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

I didn't hear from a few winners of Wool Week :( This morning I re-drew with random.org and here's the new winners!

Milk Made Momma

debbie m

Three Happy Trees

hobomama

Winners - please check out the details of your winnings and email me at thatmamagretchen {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your prize within 48 hours.

And, a sheep update ...
So far the readers of That Mama Gretchen have raised $20 towards our sheep through World Vision! If you haven't had a chance to pitch in your dollar or two to the cause please click the easy Paypal button on the top left of the blog!

For all donations, I'm offering a FREE ad spot on the right sidebar from the point of your donation through December (valued at $5-$10). Please consider helping my effort to buy a sheep for a family, I'd love to feature you as a sponsor!

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Q & A: Baby-led Weaning, V. 1

2011-11-12T21:11:00.000-08:00

First food, more playing than eating - avocado - 6 months

Jamie from Lucy & Co. and I were recently chatting about baby-led weaning and she had some great questions! I figured I could answer most of the questions here to pass on the goodness of our baby-led weaning journey. Of course, this is all unique to Jemma, so keep that in mind. Without further ado ...

Before I get started ... baby-led weaning is the idea that babies lead the way when it comes to food. This means that when your little one shows interest in food, that's when you start offering. Pretty much, ignore the "6 months do this" and "8 months add that". Mamas know their babies best and books are only supposed to be a guide when it comes to food.

Baby-led weaning encourages table foods rather than purees. You might think that table foods equate to choking, but I've seen first hand how table foods actually help babies learn to eat. It's pretty amazing ... you see, purees teach babies to taste and swallow everything in their mouth. On the other hand, table foods teach babies to taste food, feel the texture, use their tongue to toss it around and allow the food to disintegrate, and THEN swallow.

As soon as babies add something besides milk into their diet, they begin the process of weaning. In the US weaning is usually seen as the process cutting back milk. In other countries, weaning is referred to the process of adding foods. Keep that in mind when you read about baby-led weaning --- it really through me off in the beginning.

What were Jemma's first foods? Avocado, sweet potatoes, mangoes, and green beans
When did you introduce mixed foods or 'table' food? Pretty early. I discovered baby-led weaning shortly after I made a whole bunch of purees for the freezer. We used those up and then moved on to table foods. After I introduced a food by itself with no reaction, I allowed it in mixed foods. But, with table foods, most things are single foods rather than the crazy mixes available in jarred food.
Did you wait several days with each new food? I tried to be careful with higher allergens like eggs and strawberries, but didn't wait too long between foods.
How did her diet changes affect her bowel movements, poo or gas? Poo definitely thickens up with table foods. It turns more nugget like, but still soft. I haven't noticed anything crazy with gas. We did find out that Jemma is intolerant to potatoes. Nothing serious, but she does get constipated with those. Like everything, just pay attention to how your baby reacts to different things and if you notice something weird, cut it out for a bit and see if that helps.
When do you introduce no-no breastfeeding foods like broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, onions? I didn't cut out any of these things while breastfeeding and therefore, didn't worry about them when introducing foods.
When did you introduce dairy of any kind? We still haven't done regular milk. I introduced cheese first on things like enchiladas and lasagna, now she loves cheese slices because she can hold them in her little fists. Around the same time I introduced no sugar yogurt --- plain Greek with a drizzle of honey is her favorite. Cheese and yogurt started around 10 or 11 months. I didn't add the honey until after a year.
How many meals did you start with? From 6-9 months, Jemma had a meal in her high chair about every other day. She was nursing 6+ times each day and I focused on food being fun (and when it was convenient for me). By 9 months she was really showing interest in food, before it was like eh, whatever, if you really want me to eat I will, but I'm not hungry because I have mama milk. She ate once with her nanny and dinner with us during 10-12 months. Then the nursing strike/sudden weaning happened at 12.5 months and she now eats 3 times/day plus a snack or two.
How did you know to increase the food? I really enjoyed the motto "Food for fun, until age one". Since we focused on table foods, I would offer something of everything I was having. She made it pretty clear when she wanted more. As long as they are breastfeeding, you don't really need to worry about calories and such. It's more about introducing new, fun flavors to their palate. Jemma started signing "more" recently and now she tells me when she is still hungry :) That's the best!

The beginning of baby-led weaning, holding and inspecting table food - banana - 6 1/2 months

Alrighty ... that's a good start to things. I'll be back with more Q&A later! If you have something to add ... just leave a comment. I love learning from other mamas and welcome any questions that come to mind!

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We've bought a sheep leg so far ...

2011-11-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

I've heard from a few of you about buying a sheep together through World Vision's Christmas Gift Catalog! Thank you! I'm seriously so excited to be doing this together!!!

We've got $15 donated so far and from the sound of it a few more donations will be trickling in over the weekend. Have you had a chance to donate yet?
Here's the simple Paypal button ...

I've only ever had animals around for companionship. It's humbly to me to think about all the families who's animals are part of their survival. Can you imagine?

Sheep provide nutritious milk for the whole family.

Offer their wool as material for all-weather clothing.

Provide their lambs as extra income when sold at the market.

Our small sacrifice means health, warmth, and stability for someone a world away.

Someone that matters a great deal even though we might never see their face or here their story.

So, gather the change that's hiding in the couch cushions or skip or latte today and pass on a few dollars to a family who's life will literally change with the addition of a sheep. Read more about how a sheep makes a huge impact here.

AND, as a special treat - anyone who makes a donation will have the opportunity to have their shop or blog button (150x100) added to the sidebar for FREE through the end of December! Nothing like sharing the woolie love and getting some free advertising, right?

Linking up with Friendly Friday over at O My Family!

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Christmas Shopping with Kat & Company

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

I hate to talk about Christmas before Thanksgiving, but have you seen the stores? They are brimming with all the flashy goodness of the holidays! It gets me so excited for the winter weather, family get togethers, and sweet treats. Oh, and gifts ...

I ~~like~~ love gifts just as much as the next girl, but, on the gift front we're toning down it down. In the conventional sense at least. We're going a bit more traditional and homemade. More thoughtful and eco-friendly.

All those things lead to PLANNING AHEAD. Which, I get, is tough with little ones and work and life's other demands. But, it is totally worth it. I'm doing my best to whip up a number of projects in the coming weeks, keep your eye out for Homemade Christmas posts. But, I'm also doing a fair share of my shopping through Etsy. Because if you can't make homemade, the next best thing is to buy it!

One of my favorite new shops is Kat and Company. The shop is full of wood and fabric teethers, wood play food and kitchen supplies, and Waldorf dolls. Jemma has been chewing on her teether for a few weeks now and she loves it!

Here's a little about Sara, the owner of Kat and Company ...

I'm a stay at home with 3 kiddos under the age of 5. They are my inspiration for everything I create. I made my first Waldorf doll for my daughter almost 5 years ago and fell in love with their simple sweetness and the imagination they inspire in children. There is nothing more wonderful than a natural toy, one of a kind and handcrafted with love.

Sara is offering up a $10 shop credit as a fun giveaway to help get your Christmas shopping started! To enter, show some love for Kat and Company on Facebook by liking the page or heart the shop on Etsy. Leave up to 2 comments, 1 for each, as your entry. Giveaway ends on on November 30th!

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November Sponsor Love, Round One

2011-11-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

The Silver Lining
Shop - Facebook - Twitter

Revisions Design Studio is the product design team of Michele Dugree, Janna Fox, and Torrey Dupras of Marquette, Michigan. Revisions was created as a way of bringing together designers from differing technical backgrounds in order to collaborate in a multi-disiplinary way. Our objective is to create everyday pieces of functional art. Each of our designs are handcrafted in limited production batches in-house by us! We love being able to take a break from our desks to get our hands dirty!
Use code THATMAMA for 10% off!

Home is With You
Blog - Shop - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram: mallorieowens

I'm a musician's wife who blogs about our life as a married couple. On my blog you can also find lots of recipes and some random thoughts I have on life, love, and everything in between...I also have my own etsy shop where I sell hippie headbands :)

Danfredo Rivera
Blog - Facebook - Twitter- Pinterest

My name is Danielle. That's Wil. We're getting married on my birthday. We dance. We laugh. We eat (a lot). We have lots of adventures. We share them all here. We hope you stay awhile.

A Graff Designs
Shop

I am the mother of 2 (2.5 years and 11 months - boy and girl) and work full time (Registered Dietitian). Sewing is my "me" time. My escape. I really love taking a beautiful piece of fabric and turning it into something usable (and beautiful). I have been sewing for ~10 years off and on but started sewing more a couple years ago. Many of my family and friends were having babies and I wanted to give them a gift that was both practical and fashionable. My favorite baby gifts were ones that I could actually use, but I didn't always love having everything in my house scream "baby" (afterall, don't we all have enough "screaming babies" hehe ). So the gifts that I started making for my friends and family used fabrics that I thought they would love (not necessarily a baby print).
I started selling my items on Etsy the beginning of 2011 after getting requests from family and friends to to make something for them so they could give it as a gift. I really enjoy creating and helping to make moms' lives a little easier all while keeping a little bit of their own identity!

Little Blooms Handmade
Shop - Facebook

Little Blooms is your source for unique and whimsical handcrafted accessories for girls of all ages! Everything follows a floral theme and wool felt, satin, organza, vintage fabrics and resin cabochons are just a few of the materials I work with to create beautiful flower accessories that you will love to wear! I love custom orders and I am constantly adding new styles to the shop!

The Peanut Gallery
Blog - Shop - Facebook - Twitter

I'm Ashley and I'm 23. Right now I'm planning my September 2012 wedding, raising a two year old ball of fire, and day dreaming about owning my own vintage inspired shop one day.I started my blog as a pregnancy journal for friends and family to keep updated on Peyton and her development/birth while I was away at school. That was almost 3 years ago, now it’s a hodge podge baby book of her day to day life, my wedding plans, fashion posts, and whatever else pops into my head at the time!

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Tips for Baby Feeding Magic

2011-11-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what's for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens!

Jemma has always had a mind of her own when it comes to meals. You could call her ... particular.
Last week she loved apples and oatmeal.
This week, it's grapes and meatballs.
What's a mama to do?

Over our 7 months of trying different foods, I've developed a bit of a food mantra to make meal time more YUM than yuck :)

Start Fresh. Have you ever smelled jarred baby foods? Even worse, tasted it? If I were a little one ready to embark on a life long journey with food I would want to start with the best. No pureed casseroles for me! I'd want the season's freshest fruits, veggies, organic meats, and soft spices. So, that's where we started. Jemma turned 6 months last April and she was loving food by summertime. Perfect timing for fresh produce! In the beginning I pureed foods, but we quickly switched to a baby-led weaning approach and steamed or baked versions of our favorites produce were introduced to Jemma.
Stay Simple. Baby-led weaning is the simple way. Jemma eats what we eat ... or a similar version. That's it. For example, when we have Italian food I'll make whole wheat penne pasta with a sauce and add meatballs. Jemma loves picking up pasta pieces (penne and rotini seem to be the easiest shapes for her tiny pinchers), licking off the sauce, and quickly following with a Cheerio size piece of meatball. YUM! By eating what we eat I don't have to always plan two meals - what a win-win! Of course, if my particular girlie is not feeling the family meal I always have a back-up plan - leftovers or a nifty container of an pre-made organic option, much like Plum Organics offers. Prunes and peaches are her favorite Plum treats!
Stick With It. Jemma doesn't enjoy every thing I offer to her. For some reason she doesn't yet understand that mama knows best??? Always. Period. I've found that the key is to keep trying! On more than one occasional she'll try something on Wednesday and hate it. Then, I pass it her way again on Sunday and she is pounding on her highchair tray for more, more, MORE :) Persistence pays off with those little taste buds.

Bottom line --- if I'll eat it, I'm willing to let Jemma give it a try. This adorable video totally hones in on the yum/yuck factor of finding quality food for your wee one. Enjoy!

And, a quick hello from the Queen of Yum herself ...

Exploring the pantry ... so many choices!

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about Plum Organics, visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PlumOrganics.

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Wool Week Winners and something to consider ...

2011-11-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support during Wool Week! I hope you all had as much fun as I did learning about wool!

I used random.org to select each of the Wool Week giveaway winners ... here they are!

Paper Bag Owl Company

Amy Reiswig

Nana's Knickers

Scott and Jamie Durham

Cara Shrum

BoCoMama

Cassandra Roy

Mummytocharis

Kathy

Clacklackgorilla

Natalie Blanch

Winners - please check out the details of your winnings and email me at thatmamagretchen {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your prize. If I don't here from you by Thursday night, I'll need to draw a new winner. If applicable, please include your selection and mailing address.

And, something to consider ...
I'm going to take a step of faith and share something the Lord has laid on my heart. It seems to fit perfectly with Wool Week which is why I'm including it here.

Have you had a chance to peruse World Vision's Gift Catalog this year?

Last night, I was reading it in the bath and this page jumped out at me. It's about a sheep and how it can change a family's life. Here's a look at how a sheep impacted one family ...
This past week, we all learned about the amazing benefits of wool - just one product that a sheep provides. I'm hopeful that we can join together and purchase one sheep for a family this Christmas.
There were close to 1,000 entries in the Wool Week giveaways and if each of those entries equaled $1 - we could buy 10 sheep!!! My hope is that together we can purchase just one.

If you were a part of Wool Week, or even if you weren't, would you consider making a small donation toward a sheep this Christmas?

The total cost for one sheep is $105 and I've set up a donate button through Paypal so it is safe and easy to join in the continuing wool fun!

If you're catching up through a reader and can't see the donate button here, visit the blog and it's in the top left corner as well as in this post :)

I'm hoping to send off our donation the first week of December, so consider how much you can give ($1, $2, $5, $10 ... whatever you can spare) and share with others on Facebook, Twitter, and your blog. I'll keep a running total in the top left of the ol' blog and post about it each week as well so we can watch the progress together!

Thank you again for your participation in Wool Week - I'm hoping this final addition of BUYING A SHEEP will be the best part of all!!!