Beyond the Sling

I recently read 'Beyond The Sling' by Mayim Bialik...and here is my review: if you are pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant, a parent, thinking of becoming a parent...or a person...you should realllllly read this book! It was a quick, easy read with a LOT of great information/pointers! I loved it!

Three of my favorite parts...in Ms. Bialik's words...

"There are reasons why women choose natural birth, and it's not to be a martyr or be able to brag about it. Natural birth is an amazing and transformative experience that stays with you and your baby forever and just think: you already know exactly how to do it perfectly."

On peer pressure: "Trust yourself. Trust your child. Trust your intuition. Don't give in to peer pressure. There is no contest to win, no gold seal you get from the universe when your kid is the 'best'. Reduce the conflict with your children when they are behaving appropriately, and learn from their intensity, their desires, and their specialness."

On being gentle with yourself: "Part of our journey on this earth for the short time that we are here is to do our best to make the world a better place. As parents, we get to pursue this task as we try to help our children reach their potential, while learning how to make ourselves better people at the same time. No one expects you or your children to be perfect, and being hard on yourself only weakens your abilities to help your children achieve their potential in their lives."

The only thing I didn't like about this book...I feel like she used the word 'implore' too much! haha

Covers

It doesn't get much better than this...

My life is pretty great - I LOVE it...but if I had to choose to be anywhere else, it would be on this roof with Gavin! ;)

This is pretty cool too...

It's that time of year!

Happiness is...biting into a Cadbury cream egg and actually getting a gooey, creamy egg.

Sadness is...biting into that egg and getting a gross, hard, gritty filling...has that egg been sitting somewhere since last year!?

Exciting news!

The Murphy family is expanding! We've waited a little longer than normal to spread the news, but we are so excited to tell everyone that Sloan will be a big sister come August!

Sarah has graciously offered to do a maternity series shoot for us and I am SO looking forward to our weekly shots! We met today for the first time and here is the outcome, along with the letter I wrote to our Little One:

Dear Little One, your Daddy, big sister and I are all so excited to add you to our family – we already know you’ll be a great addition. Sloan can’t wait to meet you and kisses you through my belly daily. We’ve decided to wait until your birthday to find out if you are a boy or girl, but Sloan is adamant that you are a tiny baby boy! You are the size of a lemon this week...but seeing as your sister already stretched things out in there for you, it looks to me like you are the size of a melon with the way my belly has grown so far! I think I’ve felt you move a few times already – I love that feeling and can’t wait until it becomes a regular thing! The middle of the night trips to the bathroom have started already, but the need to nap daily has passed thankfully! We love you so much already Little One!

xoMummy

The End.

Sloan is done nursing. It was a gradual process, but it's done now. 25 months and a handful of days and she is done. I wasn't sure how it would make me feel, but it mostly makes me sad. It means she is that much more grown up. :(

Luckily it was a very gradual process and I didn't have any discomfort, or need to pump or anything. Since moving into the spare room she has nursed less and less and wasn't asking for it anymore so I just stopped offering. The other day I tried to nurse her because I felt a little engorged on one side after 3 days of not nursing and she acted like I was crazy...so ya...she's done, and luckily that feeling just went away.

I loved the bond we created and the ease of leaving the house with a baby and a few diapers and just my boobs! I will miss it for sure!

xo JBM

Winter!

Winter has finally arrived! Sloan, Toby and I ventured out for a big walk in the fresh fluffy snow yesterday (Daddy was working). Sloan was up to her knees in fresh snow! I took my new camera along to take a few pics...

On a mission to get to the park!

Lots of little Sloan tracks beside mine...no wonder she was tired after!

xo JBM

Tewwwwww!

Better late than never...