Being a confident mom....

If that's not an oxymoron, I don't know what is!! ha!


There's so many choices a mom (and dad) has to choose for a child and it can really mess with one's head and confidence level.

Breast/formula, daycare/stay-at-home (or heck,even which type of day care), traditional shots/delayed shots, paci/no paci, cry it out/not, forward facing/rear facing, organic/non organic......etc etc.

swinging with his future wife

All these decisions have consequences, so of course it's hard as a mom to know which is ultimately the best. I've learned, pretty quickly, that there's no right or wrong in this whole parenting gig.

I'm not sure if it's social media (always the scape goat), or what, but mom wars can get ugly. I know I'm guilty of judging, and have to remind myself that it's none of my business. I often remind myself that "judge not, lest you be judged"!!

I've also decided that I will not "explain" any of our decisions to anyone. It's not a competition and I'm not going to feel bad for anything we're doing for our child(ren).

There are a few things that I'm 100% confident on:

I'm confident he's the cutest future goalie, ever!

1. B and I love Jack more than life itself.
2. We're making decisions for his benefit.
3. We are not perfect and mistakes are okay.
4. When all said and done, we will raise a happy, well-adjusted, law abiding, Jesus loving child.

my baby can read!

I don't think there is any trick to being a confident mom. I try not to take myself to seriously or add any extra pressure by trying to be like others. I pray. A lot. I confide in my mom and others who have been there/done it (and who won't make me feel bad about my decisions). I go with my mom gut. I just do what's best for us and our child. Did I mention that I pray....a lot?!

At the end of the day, that's all you can do....right?!

Gym-bor-eeeee

After months of debating, I finally decided to take Jack to a "Gymboree" class. He's into every.thing, so I figured this would be a good fit. I want him to have a place where it's perfectly safe and okay to climb, throw or roll!

We went Saturday for his preview class and he did so well! This weeks class was focused on ball play, which of course is one of his faves. He climbed, jumped (it's his new trick), walked across the bridge and had a blast.  He sat on a giant ball (like it came up to my chest, giant) while the teacher rolled it, and I was shocked at how well his balance is!  He wasn't a huge fan of the parachute though. Oh well.

after class was over....he took two balls and decided to see them bounce on the trampoline

He met several new friends, but was too busy checking out the place to really socialize. That place is definitely sensory overload. The other moms (and one dad) were really nice too, so that's a plus!

I cannot wait for our Saturday mornings now and to see how much he progresses through these next few months. The owner said it takes about 4 classes before they "get" it. We shall see.

Diet schmiet

(This is long, but it's for our memory!)

Jack has seen the GI since he was 7ish months. The poor child has been on more "diets" than Carter has liver pills (it's an old expression but basically means a lot).

He went to the RD on his birthday and was put on a new diet plan. The RD kept him on his same formula calculations (30 kcal/oz) and increased it an ounce per cup. The formula calculation he was on was equivalent to the regular Pediasure, but had more nutrients. We also were informed to keep introducing foods to him and weaning him off of pureed food. She was in total agreement with us that if he refuses a meal (after we offered several times) to let him skip that meal, versus offering him baby food.

Two weeks ago, we had a follow up with his GI. He grew a full inch in height and is now in the 50%! He only gain a couple ounces, but he did gain. The Doctor was pleased that he did actually go up on his chart. She, of course, wanted to see more though.

trying to keep him entertained....he's into everything!

We met with another RD. This RD (the one on call), completely shattered our original diet. She (and the GI) put him on Pediasure 1.5 (it has 1.5 kcal oz versus 1). Not only does it have more calories/oz it also has more age appropriate vitamins etc (now that he's 13 months). He needs to drink 7 oz, four times per day. Plus foods etc. We're now buttering his crackers and he can now eat peanut butter (starting off small amounts first to be safe).  They gave us some samples and he immediately drank it right up.

We went to order it and almost fell over....$55-70 a case. He'll go through a case in about a week.

We are now working on getting it covered through our insurance since it is considered "medical food". Dealing with an insurance company and their "outsource" company has been a lot of fun. Not.

He will continue on this plan until we go back in 2.5 months. If he hasn't gone up on his chart, the doctor  will schedule him for an upper GI scope. I've had one and they're not fun. I'm hoping he goes up!!


However, I'm almost to the point where I say enough. I will do everything in my power to help him grow and get the FTT label off his charts, but it's crazy. At some point, can we not just agree that this kid isn't going to be a middle linebacker?? He's meeting all his milestones, and to me, that's most important.



UPDATE: insurance will NOT cover the pediasure. Ugh. The GI clinic will give us samples when needed and my mom's friend (an RD) got us a case from the Abbott rep. Every bit helps.

what a week

and it's only just beginning....

1. My dad was admitted to the hospital yesterday. He's having issues with his gallbladder and they found out he has pneumonia and his WBC was high. Needless to say, he hasn't been feeling well. He can't have the surgery on his gallbladder until everything else is cleared. He was thankfully discharged later today, with a script for the pneumonia.

2. Work is crazy this time of year.  I've debated (with myself) whether or not I want to just quit and do something else totally different. Some days I just don't want the stress of responsibility! This adult thing is for the birds.

3. Jack is sick. He hasn't been quite his normal happy self for a couple of weeks. He is getting a tooth, so I kinda chopped it up to that.

A lot of kiddos have been getting a random/fast fever and today was his day. It wasn't a high fever, but I knew something was up because he refused his PM cup yesterday and he has never in his life refused his "bedtime" nurse/bottle/cup. Plus he's been extra cranky and sleepy. Not him at all.

Took him to the doctor and his throat is really red and he has the dreaded virus. Poor guy.

So yeah, I'm ready for this week to be over.

Mother's day

This day has always been special to me, because it's one day that is all about my Momma! She does so much for so many and rarely asks for anything. It's nice to do something just for her. I remember making her breakfast in bed and trying my hardest to cook something she would actually eat! Toast always seemed to be a good choice. I remember making loads of cute cards for her and/or buying her the fanciest Hallmark card (and I always signed my full name...like she didn't know it!) , and I always picked out the best gift.

Little did I know that those things really didn't amount to a hill of beans.

Now that I am fortuante to be a mother, I realize just how silly perfect gifts and fancy Hallmark cards are! Granted, they're nice and appreciated.

The greatest gift in the entire world is simply being with those who made you a Momma (and your momma too)!

Today was my second Mother's day and it was a day I will always remember. There weren't any major parades in my honor or fancy dinners consumed. It was just a day spent with {almost} all of my favorite people!

We talked, we played, we ate and we tried our hardest to keep up with a very active 13 month old who may or may not have accidentally broken a lamp.

I simply had a fantastic Mother's day. Being with my mom and son (and dad, husband, brother, SIL, nephews)....what could be better?!

jumping in the trampoline....

he loves his Millie

awww!

riding his trike with his Millie

my boy!

ignore the fact that i look 9 months pregnant!

I hope you all had a fantastic Mother's day!

Dream cruise!

A blogger I've read for a few years now is having a wonderful giveaway from Norwegian Cruise Lines! My parents have cruise on NCL and I've known several people who enjoy them.

It's for....get this....a cruise for 4! Um...yeah! I'd love to cruise around Italy, Greece and Spain!!!

I {heart} cruising, so I'm all about this!

cruise Oct 10

on another line

If you want to enter, go to her blog!!

Cruise Oct 11 (15ish wks preg)

Good luck!


(I'm receiving an extra entry for this post!)

Here Comes the Sun...

Saturday our friends Taylor and Susan were married in a beautiful wedding (in spite of the rain)! Ben met Taylor while they were in the academy together, and they formed an instant bond. It was only natural that Susan and I met and clicked. We don't get to hang out often due to work conflicts, but they're great people and friends.

Taylor asked B and a few other guys from their class, to be ushers. Unlike the ushers in our wedding, it was quite a big deal. He had to rent a tux, rehearse and show up extra early! I must have been too easy on our ushers b/c they wore their own suit, showed up like 10 mins til and didn't have to rehearse!

Anyways, their wedding was set to be outdoors at the gorgeous Cheekwood garden. It rained like crazy that weekend, so they had to quickly move it into the tent that was set up for their reception. I loved her choice in entrance music. She chose "Here comes the sun" and it was perfect!

It was beautiful. She was beautiful. My husband looked especially handsome in his tux! The food was great. The company was fun. The music was awesome (live band). The drinks were plentiful. The dancing was fun. Did I mention the drinks were plentiful?!

pre-wedding in the Cheekwood Mansion

friends!

enjoying cocktail hour

the ushers

Mr. and Mrs. J!

dancing the night away...again, too many signature drinks!!

his cute "cake"

All in all, it was a great night!