OIl Prices Plunge!

Anybody else on the edge of their seats??? The prices fell SIX DOLLARS a barrel today!!! Woopee! Maybe now I can buy Tic Tacs!!! ***groans out of annoyance***

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080715/ap_on_bi_ge/oil_prices;_ylt=Ao_ixbH6Tw6fXffEEI_mPDms0NUE

In 6 Days...

In Six days, Anna will be 20 months old! Oh my gosh, it's a new era! Wow! Her second birthday is just around the corner! I can't believe it!!!

Physical milestones

At 20 months, your child will probably be able to run, though not expertly. He may also go up stairs by himself, but he'll most likely need some help on the way down. He can probably kick a ball, too. Most toddlers at 20 months haven't yet got the hang of jumping or throwing a ball overarm.

Anna runs very well. She loves going up the stairs by herself and recently she goes down the stairs by herself as well with the help of the railing. Every so often she kicks balls, but I haven't seen it too often. She jumps off the ground quite well and yes, she throws overhand...everything. She loves throwing things. I think that's one of those milestones that moms aren't too happy to see lol...

Strong attachments

When you or another important adult leaves, it can be unsettling for your child, who relies on your presence to feel secure. Ease transitions by letting him know beforehand that you're going to leave and that you will be back "after lunch," "before tea," or whatever, and then don't drag out your exit. Give him a quick kiss and be off.

Yup... Anna hates it when I leave and she hates it, really, when anybody leaves the house, even if I'm still in it, but that's more because she wants to go, too!!! LOL!

Aggressive behavior

Small children frequently resort to hitting, pushing, biting, tugging, or any variety of other frowned-upon actions, sometimes to make themselves feel more important, but also to experiment: What happens when I hit Katy? Will the same thing happen when I hit Jamie? Don't overreact to your toddler's behavior. If you retaliate by hitting, it teaches that hitting is acceptable. Calmly make clear that such actions are never acceptable -- no matter how intense his feelings.

I've seen her hitting or throwing her arms around when she throws a fit, but I've never seen her hit, bite, tug, or push another child thankfully! That's another milestone I'm not too excited to see. I think she just doesn't do these things because she isn't around children very often.

Anna and the Piano

I think our little girl will have musical talent when she's older. She drawn to music and instruments. These photos were taken on the 4th of July at Aunt Susanne's.

Hubby's Name Choice...

Paul told me that if we had another daughter that he really likes the name Madeleine. =) Isn't he a sweetie?

Tongue Tied Babies & Breastfeeding

Just to clarify, yes, that was a real memory that I was dreaming about... about Sean and I floating down Canyon Creek and the big snake...

Thursday, July 10, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Infants born with a birth defect that restricts tongue movement may have persistent difficulties with breastfeeding, researchers from Australia report. In such cases, minor surgery usually resolves the problem, leading to better milk intake and less nipple pain for the mother.

Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue tied, is a birth defect in which the mucous membrane that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, limiting tongue movement. Immediately after having a minor surgical procedure called frenulotomy, the tongue can often dramatically extend out of the mouth, which it could not do before. This can allow breastfeeding, help improve speech and promote proper tooth arch development in growing children.

Dr. Donna T. Geddes, at the University of Western Australia in Perth, and her associates evaluated 24 breastfeeding mothers and their "tongue tied" infants (age 4 to 131 days) with persistent breastfeeding difficulties after receiving professional breastfeeding advice.

Ultrasound scans of the infants' mouth while feeding showed that the infants pinched the tip or the base of the mother's nipple and seemed to have trouble getting milk from the breast.

The infants underwent successful complication-free surgery to correct the "tongue tied" birth defect.

When assessed 7 to 29 days after the surgery, average milk production had increased significantly, "inferring that infants were able to remove more milk from the breast" after surgery than before.

Ultrasound showed better attachment to the breast, with less nipple compression in all cases but one, and nipple pain decreased significantly. The mothers continued to breastfeed for up to 24 months.

"This study provides evidence in support of frenulotomy for infants experiencing persistent breastfeeding difficulties despite professional advice."

SOURCE: Pediatrics, July 2008.

Amazingly, Surprsingly,... TOO MUCH Sleep!

I was busy dreaming strange dreams this morning. We were in a tunnel, trying to find our way out... my brother was there. Gosh, I miss my little brother. It's amazing how much I miss him. When he was alive, I really treated him awfully... the annoying little brother, annoyed big sister syndrome... *sigh* But I really do think about the great times we had when we were best friends. Back in the day. We used to spend a lot of our summers together. One summer we were floating down Canyon Creek (we used to walk several miles up CC and then float down on inner tubes that we got for free from Les Schwab)... Anyway, we were floating down and we came across this huge rock that was jutting out of the water. Sean was floating straight toward it and started freaking out. There was a rattle snake sunning itself on the rock. I was always way more calm than him. He tended to freak out like that... Anyway, I told him to stick his leg in the center of the tire, without moving his upper body much, and start kicking like a madman. The water was too deep to touch, then. Yes, he was able to push himself away from the rock without disturbing the snake! Thankfully!
Then Paul woke us up, Anna was still asleep in my arms and it was ELEVEN in the morning! We really REALLY slept in!!!

Sleep... Precious Sleep!

So... the past few days I've tried something new... When Anna wakes up, I don't comfort her or nurse her although she asks and guess what? She goes back to sleep on her own. Before bed, I'll nurse her and then she wakes up at around six and I'll nurse her again and through the day she hasn't been asking for milk, either.

I can get used to this. This is a much better schedule. Especially since I'm becoming reacquainted with a precious thing called SLEEP.

1,2,3... JUMP!

Anna's newest talent: jumping in place and SHE GETS SOME AIR! She actually jumps off the ground! I'm impressed lol... she's onlyl 19 months old!

Family Photo @ 4th of July

Here's our newest family photo taken at our family get-together on the Fourth of July!

Happy 2nd Birthday to The Shape of a Mother

I've written about this wonderful blog before, "The Shape of a Mother"... Today is their Second Birthday! In the last two years, TSOAM has received 600-700+ submissions and has been mentioned in blogs, newspapers, radio shows, newspapers and more. This is such a great site with the goal to change the way that women and mothers are viewed. Go on over and wish TSOAM a happy birthday!

Here's my favorite quote from what was written today:

[W]e ARE beautiful exactly the way we are, thankyouverymuch.

Breastfeeding Update

Well, my daughter is now an active, tall close to 27 pound toddler! And honestly, it's getting harder and harder to nurse her... especially since I'm a 5 foot 1 inch woman. So I am now trying to get her to stop nursing during the day. She still enjoys her midnight snacks. I wish I could wean her from those ones instead of the daytime nursings, but you know how children are with their nighttime rituals. She's nearing 20 months. I can hardly believe it. I'm hoping she will be completely weaned by 2 years old. I originally had no weaning date, but I'm beginning to feel more and more exhausted. I think it has more to do with her being so tall and heavy for her age and me being so small for mine. Nonetheless, when she weans will be a very sad day. I know I'll cry. I enjoy our time we have together. I am so blessed that we have had this time together. So very blessed.

One more thing... My sister Jen is on her way to Denmark today for a missions trip! Say a quick prayer for her. She flew last night (and today) from Oregon to WA DC, to New York. Then from there she left about four hours ago to France. From there she's going to Germany then from there she is going to Copenhagen and then she is taking a three hour train ride to her final destination. She is very excited and text messaged me a couple of images from New York. =)

Breastfeeding & My Son

On the lighter side of things...

Happy Independence Day

Jesus on the 4th of July

We gather ‘round to celebrate
On Independence Day
Pay homage to our country
As the children run and play.

With barbecues and picnics
And fireworks in the air
The flag we own is proudly flown
To show how much we care.

The stars and stripes spell freedom
She waves upon the breeze
While bursts of colors can be seen
Above the towering trees.

This is all quite wonderful
We revel in delight
But God above in divine love
Has brought this day to light.

With just a stroke of liberty
A touch of His great hand
He gave democracy to us
And helped this country stand.

The stripes upon our stately flag
Were touched by His sweet grace
Each star of white that shines so bright
Reflects His loving face.

So as you turn to face the flag
For battles that were fought
Be filled with pride for those who died
And freedoms that were bought.

But don’t forget to thank the One
That gives the bright display
The reason why we paint the sky
On Independence Day

Copyright © Marilyn Ferguson 2003
ferguson@adams.net

Happy 4th of July!

Season 4 Bones Teaser

This is about 7 Seconds of Conversation between Booth & Bones in the ol' SUV...

Booth: "Would you like me better if I was a woman?"

Bones:"I'd be jealous that you might be prettier than I am."

Booth: "I would be too, I'd be Hot!"



Is it September 3rd yet??? (Said the huge Bones fan to the people who really don't care...) hehehe

Wordless Wednesday

One Cool Chica