Bringing in the New Year

We made it through the Canfield Christmas extravaganza, which is 3 full days of opening presents, eating, and spending time with everyone that Troy is related to. It was fun, but a bit draining. Ian got way more presents than any 9-month-old could ever need.

Ian and I are currently in Illinois with my parents. Troy left for Guatemala a few days ago. Once I go back to Anderson, I'll definitely be ready for him to be home! I'm going to spend New Year's Eve with my parents' small group, which is also what I did last year when Troy was in Mexico. I'm happy Troy can be a world traveler, but a little disappointed that that aspect of my life is on hold for now. On the other hand, I'm glad not to be sleeping on the floor in one big room with 16 college students and taking showers from a large jug while in my bathing suit. I'm also happy not to share my sleeping quarters with rats, mice and scorpions, and I like not having to pee in the middle of the jungle because the outhouse is full to overflowing (that's what happened last time I was in Guatemala!) Call me high maintenance if you'd like.

At Ian's 9 month appointment on Monday the doc said he's in the 97th percentile of height, but only 25-50th percentile of weight. She told me I need to start buttering him up (literally), which I think is a bit ridiculous. Instead, I'lve been feeding him lots of avocado, the world's most perfect food! Luckily, he seems to have his daddy's incredible metabolism and love for being active ALL OF THE TIME!

Here's our long, lean little guy.

I've lost several pounds since he's started solid foods because I can't eat in front of him. He gets mad and starts crying if he sees me eating and can't have any. He has his mommy's love of food! There have been days I've forgotten to eat meals because I've been so busy taking care of him. I don't think I've ever forgotten to eat before...ever. Who said being a stay at home mom is easy???

Hope this isn't annoying. ...

Troy and I just started a new business distributing Shaklee products. While I don't want to use this blog to regularly promote this (because that would be annoying!), I wanted to at least write a bit about what we're doing. Shaklee is a company that sells natural and organic products. While I never thought I'd want to sell this stuff myself, we were really impressed with the products once we used them.

For the past couple of years I've become more aware and concerned about toxins in the environment, and especially in our homes. We started using the Shaklee cleaning products because they are completely organic and non-toxic, especially important now that Ian is crawling all over the place and putting everything in his mouth. You buy the main cleaning solution (Basic H2) in a concentrated form for like 10 bucks, and it makes something like 48 gallons of cleaning solution . . . it's really amazing stuff. There is a whole line of cleaning products since there are harmful chemicals in everything from dish soap, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, and basically everything else we use to clean. You can buy individual products, or the entire line.

So, I'm not going to make a long sales pitch, but those of you who have kids, or who are getting ready to have kids, or those who don't want to inhale any more toxic chemicals from your cleaning products should take a look at our web site, http://canfield.myshaklee.com/us/en/whynow.html, and watch the short video (the statistic about stay at home moms having a 50% higher rate of death from cancer is quite frightening!!) . If you want more info, just ask. There are some great deals going on right now. We have a trial kit of the Get Clean line if you'd like to try the yourselves.

Just know that we NEVER would do something like this unless we truly believed in the products (like most of you, I hate it when people try to sell me stuff I don't need or want!!) They also offer vitamins and a line of baby items if you're interested.
Thanks for reading my spiel!!

the last month

OK, so I always wait to blog until something exciting happens. Then, inevitably, a month or so goes by, and nothing exciting has really happened. I could write about all the cool new things Ian does every day, but that would bore everyone except for us as new parents. So here's the quick Ian update: He's army crawling all over the place. Today he made it to our dog Petey's water bowl and dumped it all over himself. Yum! We must get in gear and baby proof the house. It's amazing how kids are magnets to anything they shouldn't be playing with. He also LOVES to eat. His latest favorites are pumpkin with apples and tofu...Aunt Heidi and uncle Josh are trying to turn him vegetarian. We'll see how that goes.













For thanksgiving my family came to stay with us. Since we're all crazy, we decided to make over our family room, which was in desperate repair of a face lift. My sister is amazing and decorating. So here is the before:

































And here is the after:




























We love our new room, and we never would have finished it without the help of my family. And I must add that my sister made all of the artwork herself. She's amazing!Thanks guys!!!

Ian also recently experienced his first Pacers game. He was mesmerized by the crowd, noise and lights.















































I must also add that Ian is doing great sleeping. He sleeps about 11 hours at night, and takes 3 naps a day like clockwork. If you would have told me that 3 months ago, I would have laughed (or maybe cried) and never would have believed you. So anyone out there who has a difficult or colicky baby who you think will never get easier, call me! There is hope!

Coincidence??

Here's me:



































Here's Ian:

































Weird!!

ho hum...

Life has been fairly uneventful, yet surprisingly busy in the last month. We traveled to Nashville, TN (or the REAL Nashville, as you have to call it if you live in Indiana) and spent some time with Troy's parents. We also got to visit my sister and brother-in-law who live down there, which is always a treat. Vacationing with a baby is definitely a different dynamic because you have to schedule everything around nap time. Since Ian still takes 3 naps a day, this gets pretty tricky, but I was more than happy to just relax and spend some quality time in the hot tub! We did have the chance to go hiking. Ian had fun on daddy and grandpa's back:





















We also went to the Opryland Hotel just to walk around. If you've never been there, it's absolutely beautiful. You feel like you're in a huge garden, not a touristy hotel. Here is a picture we took right after I found out I was pregnant. We found the same place to take a family pic while we were there last weekend (15 months later). Crazy how fast time goes by!





















I absolutely love this time of year. The fall leaves make me so happy. Today I was walking outside with Ian and our dog Petey, and I felt so happy. But with daylight savings time coming this weekend, I feel winter looming in the future, and I'm definitely not looking forward to the cold Indiana weather and lack of outdoor time we're going to face. Plus, Ian has been sleeping great at night and waking up around 7 a.m. or a little before. I'm afraid that's going to change to 6 a.m. with the time change. Ugh!!!

Of course, I can't end this post without a cute Halloween pic. He looks like a pro already!













He's a cutie, and I'm not lion!

time flies

When you have a baby, everyone tells you how fast it goes, and to enjoy it. Well, when Ian was colicky I often wished away each day, hoping I could just survive. But all of a sudden, he's six months old, and I'm almost beginning to forget the trauma of the first 4 months (almost...) For the past month or so, I've really enjoyed motherhood. Ian is at such a fun age, and it makes me sad to think of him getting any older. For all of you mothers out there, you should check out Plumb's album, Blink . She wrote all of the songs after she had a child, and a lot of them brought tears to my eyes.

But enough of the sappy stuff, and down to the nitty gritty. At Ian's 6 month appt. he was the 95th percentile in height and head size, but only the 75th in weight (18 lbs 13 oz). The rigorous diet and exercise routine we've put him on must be working. Actually, he's started eating some solids and it's been really fun (and funny!) So far, he loves sweet potatoes and bananas, but isn't as fond of peas or avocados.












Rice Cereal















sweet potatoes














peas

Because we met our ridiculously high deductible, I was able to go to the chiropractor for free. I have pretty bad scoliosis, but I've been dealing with it for so long, I kind of forget about it sometimes. Well, the doctor took some x-rays (the first in 15 years), and I was reminded of how bad my back really was. The doc told me that those were the kind of x-rays he remembers, and he proceeds to tell everyone how crooked my back is every time I'm in. My back is shaped like an S, and it's a bit twisted (yah, it's a lot of fun). Much to my dismay, the doctor told me I shouldn't run anymore. Not that I'm an avid runner, but I was looking forward to breaking out the jogging stroller and looking like a super mom at my top speed pace. I ignored the doctor and when for a couple of runs, and my back definitely felt it. I was kind of surprised b/c I've run 5 half marathons, and I never really noticed any pain. Of course, that was 5-6 years ago, and my 30-year-old body can't take as much now, I guess. I'm one of those weird people who loves working out, and though I walk every day at least once, that just doesn't cut it. I try to slip in a quick 20-30 cardio/weight workout in while Ian takes his morning nap.

Okay, I'm not sure how this blog turned into talking about my workout routine. Ian attended his first AU football and volleyball games, both of which we lost. But here's a pic with daddy.














Go Ravens!

You were all right!!

To everyone who told me having a baby would get easier...you were right! It might have taken a bit longer with Ian than for other babies, but life is definitely getting easier, and we're starting to fall into somewhat of a routine. He's been sleeping 10+ hours a night for the past few weeks, and he's taking naps a bit easier than before. Thank you Lord! He's at a really fun age where he giggles and smiles a lot, he interacts with us, and notices what we're doing. He's also been noticing Petey (our dog), which is funny. We love going on family walks through the neighborhood every day, and I'm getting ready to break out the jogging stroller. We got it from a garage sale (surprise, surprise), so it needs to be tweaked a bit. I'll also need to be tweaked a bit before I can run more than a mile or two without passing out.

I've officially begun a part time job at our church. I'm the new worship assistant, which means I'm helping our worship minister in planning worship each week. I get to be a part of the creative side as well as the technical behind the scenes stuff, so I'll be able to use my music and PR degrees at the same time (who knew that random combo would come in handy??). It'll be about 10-15 hours a week, and I can do a few of these from home. Troy's mom is going to watch Ian two afternoons a week for us, so it'll be a great situation. Though it will be a bit stressful coordinating schedules and feedings, I think it will be good for me emotionally to be away for a few hours each week.

My family is coming this weekend, so I'm super pumped! Happy labor day!

Nashville, etc...

We spent a long weekend in Nashville, TN with my fam. My sis and brother in law live there, and it's always a fun city to visit. We had fun hanging out at the pool and relaxing. We even tried hiking. Here is how we began, Ian on daddy's back:




















But Ian got tired and couldn't fall asleep in the pack, so this is how he ended the hike, in grandpa's arms:




















At home, we've had fun eating the tomatoes, zucchini, and peppers from our garden. I think Ian has enjoyed them too:






























We got Ian an exersaucer at a garage sale, and he was pretty excited:















He's also enjoyed swinging:















And he met some new friends: Our friends Allan and Melody Carr had twins about a month ago. Brynna is about 4 lbs, and Selah is about 7. Ian was gigantic compared to them:















We've also been practicing holding his head up (well, he practices--I just force him to be on his tummy!)















So, since all of our excitement revolves mostly around our baby, that's all I've got for now!

Big Boy and World Breastfeeding Week

Ian had his 4 month appointment last Monday. He weighed 17 lbs (90th percentile) and was 26.5 inches tall (95th percentile). He's a rather large baby, but at least he's proportionate. And he owes it all to...(segue here)...

Breastfeeding! I'd like to wish everyone a happy World Breastfeeding Week. And now is the time to stop reading if you don't want to hear my thoughts on breastfeeding...but maybe you should anyways!

Maybe it's weird to write a blog about breastfeeding, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately. When I first began breastfeeding Ian right after he was born, I was a little overwhelmed. He caught on pretty quickly, but the thought of doing it every 2-3 hours around the clock was very tiring, especially since it takes him about 30 minutes every time he eats. It was, and still is, tiring sometimes--especially the middle of the night feedings. Sometimes it would be nice if Troy could just grab a bottle and I could keep sleeping. But the bond I've developed with my son because of it is indescribable. I truly feel like I'm giving him a gift that will benefit him for his whole life.

It's crazy that in a world that is so desensitized to sex because we see it so often that breastfeeding could even be slightly offensive. Our country should celebrate when moms are using their parts in a way that God intended. When we lived in Clarkston last year, a Sudanese Muslim popped out her boob in front of Troy and our other male housemates to nurse her son. We were all shocked that in such a modest culture, breastfeeding would be so nonchalant. While I'm not all for baring naked breasts in public, my view of breastfeeding has certainly changed since I've been doing it. It's truly a miracle that Ian has doubled his birth weight in 4 months, simply by eating mommy's milk. When I'm in public, I try to nurse as discretely as possible. I've nursed in restaurants, bathrooms, malls, at softball games, in the car, at friends' homes, and I'm sure I'll nurse in many more interesting places in the months to come. I haven't received any dirty looks that I've noticed, so I don't think I've flashed anyone too blatantly.

Since I had Ian, I've been attending a weekly breastfeeding support group at St. John's. It's a time where new mom's can sit around and nurse our babies, ooooh and aaah about how big our babies are getting, share stories about lack of sleep and poopy diapers, and just get away from the daily grind for an hour or two. Wednesday night we're having a party in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. It should be fun :)

So hopefully you don't think I'm a hippie now that I've written a blog about breastfeeding (not that being a hippie is bad--I could just never pull it off!). I almost didn't post this, but I decided to share since I spend a good portion of my time doing it nowadays and because it truly is a miracle. Now, here are a few pics of me breastfeeding Ian...









...just kidding!




Thanks for the milk, mommy!

A couple of summer pics

Here are just a few pics from our summer thus far:














First time in a pool.














Chillin'



















Relaxing in the hammock with daddy














Thumb sucker



















Going on a walk with grandpa Petre














Napping with aunt Heidi














So excited to hang with uncle Josh



















A pic with mommy!















Future Raven??














Sleepy face














Lovin' kisses from grandpa Canfield



















What a stud!

3 months of parenting: the honest truth

The past 3 months have gone by so quickly. It's hard to believe I've survived so long without getting a good night's sleep. Ian has slept 9 hour stretches a handful of times, but it hasn't been consistent. Plus, even when he sleeps longer stretches, my mind is still trained to wake up every few hours throughout the night. Annoying!

Ian has brought a lot of joy to our lives, but he's also been a pretty difficult baby. I don't want to be a big complainer, and I know all babies are a lot of work, but from what I'm finding from being around other babies his age is that he's extra difficult. I've had friends with several kids ask me "is he always like that?" Not very comforting. The doctor called it colic, books call it being "high needs", or "spirited", but I call it very stressful and draining. He has a hard time going to sleep during the day, and some days he literally cries all day and won't take a nap. And he's recently learned how to scream, so that adds some wonderful color. Of course, then I'm crying all day and at my wits end trying to figure out what to do and not lose my mind. It's easy to feel like a bad parent, though I know it's not my fault. I've heard a million times from a million people that it will get better, and that usually around the 3 month mark is when colic goes away. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Ian has Troy's temperament in that his arms and legs are moving nonstop when he's awake, and he's always looking around and can't sit still. Unfortunately, he inherited the colic from me...it's weird venting to my mom and having her relate to me because I was such a difficult baby...sorry mom! I'd like to think I turned out to be a relatively decent human being, so there's hope!

It's easy to lose my perspective when I'm home alone all day trying to get a screaming baby to take a nap. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a job so I could leave and not deal with him during the day. But I know this is what the Lord has for me right now. I'm thankful for even having the option to not be employed (BTW, stay at home mom has such a negative connotation sometimes...can we think of a better adjective?? Maybe, sacrificing a rewarding career to raise a child mom?) And with many friends we have struggling with infertility, I am thankful we are blessed to have a child at all.

So again, I hate to be a complainer, but I also hate to say things are wonderful and rewarding and I wouldn't change anything when I don't feel like that most days. Maybe I'll be able to say that in a few months! Right now it's one day at a time. At least he's cute!!