Cutie x 2

Isn't this guy a cutie?!


And a little stinker?! When he does hold still long enough for me to take a photo they often end up looking like this. Do you like the shirt he is wearing? It fits him to a "T". Do you want to win one (minus the striped shirt that I layered underneath it)? Leave a comment ( 1 entry per person) under this post to be entered to win a t-shirt from The Shirt Stash. You can choose one from they many designs they offer, the color of the shirt, and the best part is you get to choose the size...child or adult (win a treat for you or your child...or hubby, friend, enemy, or whoever!). For an extra entry into the drawing, become a follower of this blog and leave an additional comment telling me you did so.

Contest ends Monday, the 11th, at noon. Winner will be announced that evening.

*Contest Has Now Ended! Winner posted later!*

Wholesome Wednesday: Breast Is Best

It can't be denied that breastfeeding is far superior than formula feeding. The nutrients of breastmilk are specifically designed for each specific baby, and can not be duplicated in formula ingredients. The health benefits of breastmilk far outweigh those of formula feeding and it is proven that breastfed babies have lower instances of allergies, obesity, ear infections, doctor visits, and illnesses. The IQ of breastfed babies also tend to be higher. God designed the womb to nurture our babies for nine months and designed our breasts to nurture them for months after their birth.



With that said, I am not here to knock mothers who bottlefeed, whether due to being unable to breastfeed or by choice not to. Due to medical reasons there are many mothers who are unable to supply enough milk, babies who have dietary issues that require a special formula, or a mother on a certain medication which would make their breastmilk unsafe for the baby. In those instances it is a must to supply your baby with nourishment and if that involves relying on formula, than so be it. Those who choose not to breastfeed have hopefully researched both the pros and cons of the decision. Because let's face it, while the formula companies want you to believe that their product is just as good as breastmilk, even they must have a disclaimer on their sites stating that breastmilk is best. Too many people out there are afraid to step on toes and try to make it seem as though both methods of feeding an infant are just as good as the other. Which in turn makes breastfeeding vs. formula now a question of preference, rather than one of health. I heard one mother remark "I don't have to breastfeed as formula is free through WIC". As though breastfeeding was a matter of saving money and nothing more.



Besides the health benefits to the newborn, breastfeeding also creates a strong bond between mother and baby. While the same can happen with a bottlefed baby, it is documented that it happens much quicker between a breastfeeding mother and child. There are health benefits to the mother as well. Breastfeeding helps tone the uterus back up after giving birth and also helps the pregnancy weight fall off quicker. For every year that a woman breastfeeds the percentage of possibly getting breast cancer is decreased.



This is not to say that those who are unable to breastfeed or choose not to are going to have sickly, stupid, fat babies with to whom they haven't bonded. But their babies are going to be smart and healthy babies in spite of formula, not because of it. And there are sickly, obese children who were indeed breastfeed. But every study has founded that breastfeeding is the best start for an infant. The majority of bottle fed babies are going to turn out to be healthy little babies with a wonderful relationship with their mother. But for those who choose to bottlefed, whether for convenience of not having to be with baby 24/7, feeling uncomfortable with breastfeeding, zero support, or a whole host of other reasons...one must weigh the pros and cons. Because there are pros - you don't have to be tied down (though one who breastfeeds is just as easily able to leave baby with others by pumping or occasionally supplementing with formula), you don't have to worry about leaking breasts (this subsides within a few weeks though!), breast infections (not everyone gets them, I've nursed three babies and haven't had one yet!). For me, the cons outweigh the pros - the decreased health benefits of formula, the outrageous price, the time it takes to bottle feed (mixing formula, washing and sterilizing bottles and nipples, warming the formula). Again, I do not look down on those who choose not to breastfeed. Everyone has their reasons and everyone has what works for them, but I do not feel it is fair for many parenting magazines to say that formula is just as good for babies when it is a proven fact that it is not. It boils down to the fact that formula is not as healthy as breastfeeding. This is not a debate about whether one is a better mother for breastfeeding (of course not!) but rather of making an informed decision about the nutrition of your infant.



Breastfeeding is making a slow comeback. A hundred years ago it was basically what everyone did unless there was a medical reason they were unable to do, and then it was often done by a wet nurse or strange formulas were made up. Then, was it in the 40's?, that the formula companies and doctors started pushing the fact that formula was better than breastmilk and many women were discouraged to breastfeed. Then we had women leaving the home and going to the workplace and breastfeeding and working didn't seem to coexist. Now we are starting to get on even playing ground again. Many women who work are able to breastfeed for their six week postpartum leave, and then pump when they return to work. Studies are coming out every day providing us with the facts of how breastfeeding is the healthiest form of nourishment for an infant.

We do still have a long way to go to go as many women give up breastfeeding altogether for the sole reason of not feeling comfortable around others while breastfeeding. One could pump and offer the infant a bottle while in public to be more comfortable, but feeding our baby in public should not be frowned upon any more than feeding our baby a bottle in public should be. I grew up in a breastfeeding household and had many relatives who also breastfed so I was never uncomfortable around breastfeeding mothers and have adjusted well to feeding my own children in public. We must admit that it is rare to see a mother breastfeeding in public and so women contemplating breastfeeding don't have much to go on, unless they join their nearest Le Leche League group (highly recommended, I wish there was one near here). There are some who find it disgusting that a woman would breastfeed in public, as though it is a peep show that they may run across. Actually, breastfeeding is done conspicuously and usually baby is under a blanket so the majority of passersby don't even realize what a mother is doing and the other ones don't catch a glimpse of anything but a baby. There are many companies that make nursing clothing which makes it even easier to nurse without pulling your shirt up at all. If you choose to breastfed, do not be embarrassed at feeding your baby when he/she is hungry. Who knows, maybe you can be a breastfeeding advocate just by allowing others to see a breastfeeding mother!

How were your children fed? What was the major factor in your decision?

More Bits & Pieces

Ready for another completely random post? Ready or not...here it comes!

It has continued to stay frigid here this week. The next seven day forecast doesn't show any warm up so we are stuck with this weather for the time being. Today is just around 6 degrees with a much lower windchill. I hadn't been out of the house since Friday afternoon so while it took time to bundle everyone up this morning for Jacob's speech therapy it did feel good to get out and see people again! I have been accomplishing a lot while being stuck inside and will be featuring a few decluttering and organizing posts in the future.

Remember here where I explained about signing up for freebies? Today I received proof that it works and that you can get cool stuff for yourself or gifts. I received this in the mail:

A full size bottle of shampoo! While this probably would have cost me less than $1.50 in the store I also probably wouldn't have decided on this shampoo but let me tell you that it smells delicious and I can't wait to see what it does for my hair! Receiving samples like this lets you try products that you probably would have passed over in the store and you either 1. didn't waste money by buying a product that you end up not liking or 2. end up finding a favorite beauty product by trying the sample. Or you have a nice product to add to a gift basket! I also received a sample of puppy housebreaking pads in the mail yesterday. Once again, I recommend Hip2Save as one of the best places to learn about free samples.

Don't miss the contest that I will be hosting later this week!

Not Me! Monday

This past weekend when it was so terribly cold I did not cop out of going anywhere (even church!). I did not instead stay at home all weekend and laze about. It was not I who watched a couple episodes of Big Love on the computer, because not only would that be a waste of a weekend but that show is also just like one big soap opera and a complete waste of time.

When the kids did not pick up their toys after me reminding them over and over again I did not get mad. I did not get a huge box from the basement and put every single toy that I found in the living room, office, and dining room into that box and store that box in the basement. I was not overjoyed at how much cleaner my house is now and would never be considering donating that whole box to Goodwill just to be rid of all that clutter. I also didn't come to the conclusion that I need to sit down and have a talk with the two eldest children about respect and caring for their things. (And this will be something we will be working on these next several months, any tips on that?)

I did not order a special present for my in-laws for their anniversary and tell them in a card that it would be arriving soon in the mail, only to hear the next day that the item is now out of stock and my order was canceled. So now I do not have to explain that goof to them and also figure out something else to get them.

Thanks, Aunt Julie!

Since my Energizer Baby never sits still for long this was the best photo I was able to get. Becca and Joe are both wearing the adorable outfits that their Great-Aunt Julie (also their godmother) got them for Christmas!

Taco Salad

While this recipe isn't the healthiest with some processed ingredients, it is a good way to get lettuce, beans, and other healthy vegetables into your children. All three kids enjoy it and it is one of the adults favorite salads as well!

Brown 1/2 lb. ground beef and 1/2 c. onions. Once browned, add 2tsp. chili powder, 1/4tsp. salt, and one can kidney beans, drained. Heat.

In bowl add 1 head lettuce, chopped (we use bagged salad most of the time). 1 c. tomatoes, diced, several small squares of Velveeta cheese, 1/2 c. Catalina dressing (we find that we prefer Western dressing better), and 4 c. crushed Doroitos.

Add warm ingredients into bowl and toss. Eat while still warm. Yummy!

Happy New Year - Frugal Friday!

Happy 2010! Many New Year's Resolutions revolve around money, whether it is paying off debt or vowing to save more money. I hope that each Friday (Frugal Friday) you will be inspired in little ways to save big.

I wanted to mention something today that ties in with holidays; which is gifts. Gifts can add up, especially when there is a husband, children, grandparents, parents, siblings, and friends to buy for when it comes to birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, and Christmas. Sometimes the sheer amount of those who we would like to buy for can become overwhelming and more of a hassle than a gift given in love.

After Christmas sales are some of the best ways to get nice gifts for 50% off or more. Stores discount their excess toys so that is the perfect time to stock up on gifts for children. Other stores cut prices on bath sets, fragrances, clothing, and more that would be perfect for gifts for adults. Get a box or rubbermaid bin and start buying gifts now and storing them away. It is a wonderful feeling to know that you have gifts already bought and stored away for that next birthday party without having to run to the store and pay full price. You are saving both money and time.

Garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops are another wonderful place to get gifts at wonderful prices. Who says that a gift has to be something new? An old copy of a favorite book is a treasured item for a bookworms bookshelf, a pile of DVD's stuck in a basket with other "movie themed" items is an awesome gift and previously viewed DVDs play just as well as brand new ones. A box of gently used baby clothes is far more useful (and often times cheaper!) than one brand new outfit. The list goes on and on but the treasures that can be found at these places are endless. Think outside of the box when it comes to gift giving.

One site that I have to recommend checking often is Hip2Save. This site is updated daily with several wonderful deals from online stores. It also highlights coupons and has detailed instructions on how to pair up coupons with current sales happening at different retailers. My biggest point in using that site is to sign up for all the free samples that she lists. Sometimes you sign up for a freebie that never arrives, but most of the time they will mail it out and you can score some wonderful free things this way. At times the free samples actually end up being full size products or coupons for a free product in-store. Receiving free samples in the mail is a nice way to try out a product that you have wanted to try. I like to sign up for the health and beauty products (shampoo, feminine products, soap, makeup, perfume) and then store them in a little basket in the bathroom cupboard. It's nice to pamper myself with a new product from time to time so I will ruffle through the basket and find something that fits my mood for that day. Collecting the samples and making mini gift baskets as gifts is a perfect idea. Health and beauty samples for a mother's day, birthday, or Christmas gift. Baby samples for a baby shower or "welcome home baby" gift. Kitchen and cleaning samples for a housewarming party. These baskets of assorted items can look very impressive when wrapped up prettily. I plan on saving many of these odds and ends for stocking stuffers for this coming Christmas. I received a few coffee samples right before Christmas this year and stuck them in my husband's stocking and he had a blast trying out all the different flavors. One of my thrifty goals this year is to order as many samples as I see listed and make little gifts out of them.

If you are crafty it saves a lot of money when you can make your own gifts. Some of my favorite gifts were when my friend made me an apron, or made the kids fleece hats. When my aunt made my son (her godson) a crocheted blanket. When my Grandma made each of my children a crazy quilt blanket. These gifts not only are useful things, but also give me a warm cozy feeling when I see them because they remind me of that friend/relative and all the work that went into making that item.

Gift giving should be fun, not a drag. Even with a limited budget there are so many possibilities of wonderful gifts that can be put together. Be creative when it comes to gift giving! What is one of the best presents that you have ever received?