They're ready for order!

Remember my post on these wonderful kits last month? I just received email confirmation this morning that orders are ready to be processed at the website!! Here's a little review to bring you up to speed.

Emergency situations can happen anytime, anywhere - even in the comfort of home. Baby MEDBASICS® gives you the tools you need to give your Infant the care he or she needs while help is on the way. Keep Grandma, Grandpa and the babysitter 100% informed with the Baby MEDBASICS® home pack. Our larger, more comprehensive pack designed for home use• Hangs conveniently on a hook or doorknob so you'll always know where to find it.

• Color-coded tabs help you quickly identify each topic.

• Topics include: CPR, Choking, Fever, Bleeding, Burns and Poison

• Spiral binding keeps the pages open while you help your little one.

• Detailed instructions with easy to follow illustrations.

• Instructions for what to include in your baby's medical history.

• A checklist to help you prepare for an emergency.

• A page for your emergency contact information.

• An inside pocket to keep your child's important health documents easily within reach.

For more info on the Home and Travel Packs, check out the Medbasics website.

I've been bitten... something fierce!

So after my love affair with Twilight, I found myself twitching with the need to continue forward in the series, and rather swiftly- patience is not something I have much of. It's been a few days since I completed the series and I'm still feeling just as I did after first meeting dear Edward in Twilight a couple weeks ago. Ridiculously in love with a fictional being is perhaps the most exuberant feeling one can conjure up. And quite convenient for the married woman if I might add. Being head over heels for a character in a novel=no harm done to husband's ego or territorial instincts.

Amidst my uncontrollable love and adoration, I managed to infect a few of my amigas- and all it took was a few sentences for them to fall just as hard, and as fast, as I did. What a lucky 17 year old vampire Edward is :) Girls and Women everywhere can't keep their minds off of him! It's as if the definition of most women's ideal soul mate (even though we didn't know this until we met him) has been created out of words, expressions and thoughts. Flawless... What's most amazing to me, is how the characters of the book, Edward in particular, stay with you. Like a seed is planted, and it lives and grows inside of your brain. Not a day has gone by that I haven't been marvelling at my new found love! Husbands everywhere are screaming "You're such a nerd," at their wives, all while rolling their eyes at the very thought that we could be so involved with a book. Most don't seem intimidated by the thought of Edward, which is comforting- no fighting now boys ;) My own darling husband refers to him as "Frances" because he couldn't remember his name and made something completely ridiculous up to antagonize me.

He's benefiting from this sickness though too- well really, everyone I know is. Either I have infected them and their now living in their own little Edward Cullen loving world, or they are blessed with the new and improved ME. I have discussed this among friends and discovered I am not alone when I say that the books have changed me. As a full time, stay at home Mother raising 2 small boys, owning and operating a business, being the good wifey and still coming up short- you could say a fire escape looks mighty tempting to me. Reading these books, was like jumping out the fire escape for a while, getting some fresh air, resetting my patience and self control, falling in love and then stumbling back inside, dopey grin and all- to resume my duties. Now I can get the same effect by simply reminiscing the words in my mind at any time of day. It's like an instant drug that changes the way I see reality all together. I am stronger, happier, peacefuller, lighter, better... so many things, all good things too, have started emerging from their little hiding places inside of me. Born again, through the will of a vampire. Who would have thought?

So, everyone has my complete recommendation for the Twilight series, for so many reasons! I am attempting to come down from my high just a tad this week to get back into the swing of things and catch up on some neglected and abused areas of my life (the laundry and other miscel chores for example). Will I ever move on from here? Hmmm... hope not :)

What I'm reading... (read, actually)

I get frequent emails from Borders full of new and exciting reads, discounts etc, and had been seeing a lot about this summer's hot release-- Breaking Dawn. Not only was Borders flooding my email with it, I saw it everywhere. Up until this week I had been able to resist it's flurry and temptations. After all, I have a large stack of books I need to catch up on anyways, and put off any interest in this hot item due to lack of free time. Then it arrived.

It was a rainy Wednesday evening when my husband walked through the door with the package. I'd been waiting for it, though I didn't know what IT was. A relatively new and interesting friend had asked me earlier in the day if I'd received a package yet. Much to my dismay, the doorstep was bare. When husband walked casually through the door holding the box that evening, I attacked him with eager anticipation. I ripped open the box, ignoring his confused expressions and questions- and there it was. The window out which I would be escaping my long, less than stimulating day, into a mesmerizing world of unconditional love and adoration. Twilight had arrived. (Along with an exciting and beautiful book for my boys to enjoy. Perhaps my new friend had sensed I would also need an offering for them to go along with my "I'm sorry Mommy's been preoccupied" apology?)

Immediately after dinner I recessed myself to the couch and dove into what I knew would be a promising adventure. I am drawn to Rosalie (new friend) partly because of her exceptional taste in... well, everything. Being gifted with something that you KNOW will not disappoint you hardly requires any effort to indulge in. And that I did. And it felt wonderful. Yes, felt. My favorite part of reading novels, is when you are forced by intrigue into allowing your mind to fabricate the characters and the scenes from your perception- and then fall madly in love with them.

The story bleeds somewhat of a forbidden love between an utterly attractive, fascinating vampire and a slightly reckless, yet average seventeen year old human- it's mesmerizing. Not only did I guiltlessly live through teenage nostalgia episodes, I also open heartedly indulged in a raging passion for love, and life. Quite the far cry from my average daily routine, that's for sure! I compare this guilty pleasure to say... eating a row of delicious Oreos in a single sitting while the kids are napping. (Which I did!!) It's too hard to stop, and no one is looking, so you don't have to! And I feel all the better for it. In fact, I will be sneaking off to the book section during our weekend shopping trip, to seek out the second of the series- New Moon.

I am so thankful to Rosalie for sharing her obsession, and am beyond eager to continue this mission through the Twilight series, it just feels sooo good!! Go ahead, allow yourself to be tempted- it may be pleasantly surprising. Unlike the countless other surprises you're faced with everyday (a toddler in bowel movement training flying sans diaper this afternoon, for example...). Happy indulging :)

Momma's Bliss- Starter Project!

I LOVE to do anything that involves my children’s development. This varies from driving them to dance practices, participating in the PTA, going to church with them or just hanging out watching movies. Without them I wouldn’t be MOM…they make everyday worth living and are my true JOYS in life. Something as simple as wrapping her little hand around my finger and snuggling in a blanket; following me around the house trying to do everything mommy does, she says "Larissa do it too?" which makes me feel like her hero; coming home from work to her squealing with delight, throwing her arms up for me to pick her up, and saying "Yay Mommy!" Having my son and my husband fight to see who gets to kiss me first and the most! "Mommy get up, baby brother's up and needs me to play." When they show love for each other in any way I know I have succeeded as a mother. An example with Annabella was today on our walk to school she told me what a STOP sign meant and how she knew that it was a STOP sign. With Aiden it's when he laughs in his sleep. When Oliver looks straight into my eyes and blesses me with a drooling toothless grin. This seemingly small gesture melts away any stress that had built up after a poopy diaper blowout or a long crying spell. the small amount of time that I get to be me, not mommy or wife, just me. [My Husband] will force me to leave the new babe with him while I reconnect with the outside world. I love spending time with my children and the look in their eyes when we are all just bonding together! Knowing inside of that little body is a person who loves unconditionally, especially you; to watch a child grow in their culture that we created for them; knowing that they need us as much as we need them; open mouth kisses!; then hugging your neck as tight as they can, not wanting to let go. Mostly, the things you can not see. It has to be when I hear my daughter stand up for herself in a cute-girlie way! I feel so proud to know that when she thinks I'm not watching or listening she can take care of herself and doesn't let anyone guide her! That and when shes asleep she looks like an angel! and Margaritas with the girls is always pure bliss!!!!!!! Hiding behind a book or magazine secretly listening to the conversations my 2 year old has with his Dad when they think I’m not paying attention! Starting every morning with my little boy’s screechy voice-- “Hiiiii Momma, Hiiii Baby!” Waking up on Sundays in my husband’s arms to the sound of our kids squawking on the baby monitor (as long as it’s past 8am!) knowing we get Dadda home to ourselves alll day.

Must-Have Product Alert!

I got word of this new product via email today and took the time to go check out their website and become further educated. I know I worry about these types of emergencies frequently and I'm quite sure my CPR certification from high school won't hold up in a real situation! Check out the product and sign up on their site to receive news on the product launch. Seeking perfect baby shower gift? This may be it! They also make a convenient travel sized kit for easy transport.

HOME PACK
Your essential what to do guide to infant emergencies.
Emergency situations can happen anytime, anywhere – even in the comfort of home. Baby MEDBASICS® gives you the tools you need to give your Infant the care he or she needs while help is on the way. Keep Grandma, Grandpa and the babysitter 100% informed with the Baby MEDBASICS® home pack.
• Hangs conveniently on a hook or doorknob so you’ll always know where to find it.• Color-coded tabs help you quickly identify each topic.• Topics include: CPR, Choking, Fever, Bleeding, Burns and Poison• Spiral binding keeps the pages open while you help your little one. • Detailed instructions with easy to follow illustrations.
Also includes: • A checklist to help you prepare for an emergency. • A page for your emergency contact information. • An inside pocket to keep your child’s important health documents easily within reach.
Colors: blue, pink, and cream/taupe

To Nurse or Not to Nurse... Part 2

So how long do I plan on keeping up this roller coaster of a ritual? My original goal was 6 months. If I stayed at home with him that long, there should be no reason I couldn't’t reach this goal. I’ve made it 4 months without a drop of formula, and I’m so proud of my accomplishments and how my son is thriving- each successful day gives me strength and will to make it one more tomorrow. Even as I face the obstacle of working outside of the home more often in the near future, I feel confident in my abilities to continue filling him up with the good stuff.

Although I’m beaming with pride today, I know how easily the feeling can turn into distress and what used to be an amicable situation may one day be unmanageable. My first child and I endured the nursing process for his first 4 months. At the time, I was working away from home full time. Spending so much energy and effort pumping milk and being away from him for so long just made the experience less than enjoyable for everyone. I gave up the fight at the right time and eventually tested and decided on the perfect formula and he’s grown into an amazing and delightfully wild toddler. After surviving this weaning process once before, I am better prepared to notice the signs that it’s time to move on. This must be half the battle, the harder half actually. Consistently re-evaluating your own situation is key to success in motherhood, but what are some important guideposts for weaning?

• Consider your own nutrition. How well are you taking care of yourself and ingesting the right nutrients for baby? If you can't keep up with your own health, its probably time to consider a formula- they are designed to keep baby healthy and nourished after all, and that's priority number 1!


• Working outside of the home, spending your evenings at football or ballet with the older child and fulfilling your role of wonderful wifey all at the same time may put you over the limit of reasonable duties. Evaluate your important daily tasks, if you're at your limit and can't eliminate some of them (many families can't), breastfeeding might not be for you. Trying to be Supermom is a great aspiration, but even Supermom knows when to say Yes and No. You're not really flying around gracefully in a cape saving the world if you're so frazzled you forget to put the darn thing on!

Making the decision to feed your baby formula should not cause you to be riddled with guilt! Understanding that there are benefits for yourself, your family and your baby in feeding a formula is important. Here are some guilt-free nourishment tips when you've reached the intersection of "Boobie and Not the Boobie".

• Formula has come a long way in the past years and improvements and varieties are constantly being made on all brands- a healthy happy baby is the goal of everyone, even those companies making a substitute for your own lovingly created milk.


• Saying goodbye to your pump can be extremely liberating and a huge relief. There are multiple inconveniences associated with these machines- sore breasts, time consuming pumping sessions- and many women have trouble getting adequate amounts of milk to reserve causing detrimental damage to their milk supply.


• Formula can be pretty easy to transport. For those less brave souls who don't fancy whipping out a breast in public, a pre-sorted container of powder and some warm water goes a loooong way for comfort.


• Baby will likely get more bonding experience with friends and family when formula is used for feedings. Until this point you may have a Momma's boy/girl (and who wouldn't be?). Introducing an easy bottle fed dinner from Daddy will not only give you some extra time and freedom, it will give Dad a chance to google and gaga with Baby in your place- which he has been secretly jealous of for a while now :)


• Goodbye engorged breasts, helllllloooo dinner and a movie with your husband! Or how about a day trip to a nearby lake or beach with friends. No pumping or discomfort required. Can you imagine it? What about that weekend conference on the coast next spring? Your friend's wedding across the state? How about a cruise to the Bahamas to celebrate your anniversary? All of these things become possible when baby can be safely left with good nutrition and loving caretakers!

I've found that starting out with supplemental bottles worked best for us. The more he started eating each day, the less my body could keep up while I was working. We introduced formula bottles usually with solid food feedings, and saved the breastmilk for our time together. With my second son, I plan on introducing the formula mixed with the rice cereal. My breasts don't respond favorably to frequent pumping therefore it's difficult for me to keep up his normal feeding supply, plus reserves for mixing with cereals. Being the best Mother to my children isn't always easy but with the support of my friends and family and the guidance of my doctor and our boys' pediatrician, I haven't had to sacrifice my confidence along the way!

*My boys Noah 2 mo., Shane 23 mo. June 2008

To Nurse or Not to Nurse... Part 1

As I assume most women do, there are many days in which I question and re-evaluate why I am nursing my baby. Why am I allowing this infant to inflict such pain on me sometimes? Why do I insist on being physically attached to him no less than every 4 hours of the day? Why am I so selfish as to not let anyone else have the great opportunity to feed the little guy (while I sleep a few minutes longer!)? Why do I continue to put myself through humiliation for the sake of feeding him in public? Do I really like the thought of my poor overworked boobs and what will become of them when this is all said and done? The lack of freedom and opportunity? WHAT AM I DOING?!?!? In my moments of weakness, I remind myself of the reasons I started off nursing in the first place and manage to make it through another day on the path I set out to follow.

Why do it?

1.) In the hard economic times we are living in, especially when your family is living off of one income- the cash you don't spend on formula each week could probably pay your mortgage. (Slight exaggeration, just slight though)

2.) The overnight feeder is best satisfied by a quick hook up to the boobie. Instant gratification for him, not much effort required for Mom. In fact, I think I've slept through a few feedings even. No bottles to warm or wash or find under the bed weeks later!

3.) One on One time- Guaranteed! My favorite excuse for escaping unfavorable situations involving family and/or friends- "Baby's got to eat, please excuse us!" There's nothing better than escaping the yearly family argument after Christmas dinner or Grandma's old fashioned (horrible) ideas for raising your child for a little bit of peace and quiet!

4.) Healthy, Happy Baby! There's no better food for him than what I'm cooking up on a consistent basis. He's getting exactly what he needs, nothing more, nothing less! I'm confident he is growing with the best chances at health and comfort. There's no confusion or decisions in the baby formula aisle for us! No trial and error to find what works best.

5.) Breast milk Spit-up smells like roses in comparison to that of formula based spit up. It also doesn't stain clothing like formula does. My son's poop rarely has much smell to it at all-his gas is another story, but the actual bowel movement is rather unoffensive!

6.) Did you know the longer you breastfeed your children, the better your odds are of not being faced with breast cancer?

7.) Personal Diet Benefits- Nursing calls for a women to be at her healthiest to provide baby with the right vitamins and nutrients. This means continuing the pregnancy diet for the most part and keeping your own body healthy and happy - which it will thank you for dearly after all the stress of pregnancy, labor and delivery! In most cases, women see better results where their post-par tum goals are concerned if they breastfeed their babies. (I've already made it within 2 lbs of my prepreg weight, with very little effort on my part!) Plus pre-natal vitamins are recommended for nursing Mom's as well, which is another great way to keep your own health up to par.

8.) Feeling Guilt Free!- Every time I consider weaning my son I get sick with guilt. After all, research shows how powerful the choice to breastfeed really is, how could I take that away from him for my own benefit? My own mood lifts just knowing that I'm able to provide him with the top of the line meals, every time. This is particularly warming to me since there isn't much else "top of the line" (Ralph Lauren baby clothes, $350 stroller I'm dying to have, his own nursery furniture set... the list goes on!) that I'll be able to give to him.