Cupid Cutie

It's February! Or at least it will be in a couple of hours. And can I just say? I like Valentine's Day. Some people are haters, but I think it's just fine to celebrate love by eating candy and buying ridiculously hideous stuffed animals for the lovers in your life.

If you want to get more creative, though...

Here are some things I've done in the past. The plans for this year are still in the works, but I thought I'd share with you part of Captain J's VDay surprise just because it's so darn cute.

Are you ready for this?



I couldn't decide which picture to use because there were tons of cute ones to choose from (including one where Baby K was gnawing on the canvas photo) but in the end, I went with the happy smile one. I just can't get enough of that sweet smile.

Wanna pin this photo idea? You can do that here.

XOXO,

Mrs. K

A walk in the park

The Army gave Captain J back for a few weeks! To celebrate, we went to the park for a stroll...



It was nice to be able to have a conversation with my hubby again and I suspect Baby K enjoyed seeing his dad as evidenced by his little smirk! We found all kinds of neat things to look at-



Do all Army towns have something like this sitting around? All the ones I've lived in have.

Equally exciting were the budding flowers we found in our front yard after some much needed hedge trimming.



Spring comes sooner 'round these parts.

I came across this quote:

“In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we’re pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker’s praise without anxiety.” ~A.W. Tozer

And made it my goal today to be pleased in the small things.

Happy Monday, my friends.

~Mrs. K

Project 365- Week 4

Day 22: I sat around and looked at my little man a lot on this day and thought, "Who is this kid who sits up by himself and what has he done with my tiny newborn?" I also wondered when chubby cheeks, arms, and legs stopped being cute because I can't get enough of his!

Day 23: I told my husband I missed him (because he's in the field) and he responded with what I think says, "I miss you, I love you, and I can't wait to buy you diamonds." Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Day 24: I decided to take a Road Trip with my girls at PWOC. Ok, not really...But that's the name of the new devotional we're doing this semester. This Tuesday was a good day. It usually is when I'm at the chapel on post :)

Day 25: It rained. It stormed. And I thought a tornado might get me.

Day 26: Ahh! Love.

Day 27: Baby K slept so great this day-- so great it scared me and I couldn't really enjoy it because I was checking on his breathing every five minutes! My house was spotless, though.

Day 28: Daddy came home so we packed up the truck and went to the park for a nice family walk!

If you're documenting your year in pictures, link up with Laura every Sunday!

silly dreams and funny things

It's 9am and little man is still sleeping in his crib. You would think I would enjoy it, but I can't help but stare at the monitor and wonder if he's feeling okay. I've checked his breathing twice now and I've only been up for an hour ;)

I woke up to a horrible nightmare complete with my bestie and me hanging out with the Duggars. Poor @LFaye23 fell from the rafters of an enormous church in Europe some place and broke her legs. I woke up hysterically and texted her to make sure her legs were intact. They were.

This dream is why I came to google "cartoon legs breaking" this morning. Below are just a few images that popped up:

None of which accurately portrayed what happened in my dream. Even weirder was the random Edward in white photo:

Upon further research, I found that RPat's legs are not the same length. Just FYI.

You're welcome.

Anyway, thank you for sharing your weaning stories yesterday. 'Preciate it. I'm still feeling icky about giving it up, but I think it is what is best for him. I'm going to talk to the doctor about it at his next appointment, too.

Quickly, this post is becoming a miscellany one. I'll go. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Friday. And don't climb to the top of a huge church and lose your footing over the weekend. It ain't pretty.

XOXO,

Mrs. K

Nursing to Formula

Again- Men, you may want to exit the building. I've got more breastfeeding issues to discuss. Which means, women...I'm talking to you today!

I think I've decided to quit breastfeeding. I switched K to soy based formula with cereal added a couple days ago and he has been doing really well with it. His tummy isn't as upset making him (dare I say it?) a little happier, too. He doesn't seem to be in pain as he usually is after feedings, either. I didn't completely quit breastfeeding. I've been pumping and saving during the day as well as nursing him at night. But after a bottle switch (thanks to Amber) and our recent success at feeding time, I'm down to breastfeeding only one time a day. I have mentioned before that I have a lot of milk so the process to getting down to a single feeding has been painful, but manageable.

But now, I don't know how to eliminate it or even if I really want to (cue solitary tear). I enjoy the bond that it has created between us, but I also don't want to continue to do something that is hurting him. Either he is allergic to my milk, which is rare, or he is allergic to something I'm eating and I have no way of locating what that is. With his half a year birthday right around the corner, he'll be trying out vegetables really soon. His reliance upon Mama's milk will decrease as he gets older. I guess it's time for us. We breastfed for almost 6 months so it will be difficult to say goodbye to that way of doing things. And I have a feeling it will be painful, too.

I'm allergic to sulfa so using cabbage leaves for engorgement is not an option for me. Have any of you heard of any other tricks of the trade to get milk to halt production? What was the weaning process like for you in terms of going from nursing to formula? Help! I've never done this before, ya know. :)

Wish I Was There

I just heard tell of two tornados at Ft. Polk.

This means that I have to take cover. I just don't do tornados. My boyfriend in college and I once camped out in a centrally located closet in my garage for hours while our friends went out to the bar because we just knew we were going to blow away. We did not, though and were later ridiculed for our behavior. Whatever.

So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make a little bed in my bathtub for Baby K and me. I've got to search for candles, too. You think I'm kidding, don't you? I'm not.

Until tomorrow (if I make it out of this storm), I'll leave you with a little something else to laugh about.



Just chillin' with my sister- in Maui, you know. Wish I was there right now.

Over and out-

~Terrified in Louisiana

Maybe you didn't know...

You all know my rule: Never acknowledge when K has a good day in writing because it will backfire. Well, I'm going to break it (again) and I'll surely pay later. Yesterday was a good day for him and although he woke up twice last night, Mama and Baby woke up pretty refreshed this a.m. and ready to go to PWOC. I was nervous. It would be the first time I would leave Baby K in watchcare. It would also be the first time I left him in the hands of someone other than family. And by saying "left him", I really just mean the opposite side of the chapel ;)

He did so much better than I thought. I was one proud Mama. They paged me to come get him after about 2.5 hours and I was pleasantly surprised he made it that long. Go Baby K! When I arrived, the other babes his age were sleeping soundly through his screaming. Ha. That's my boy!

He just missed his Mama. He calmed right down after I got him.

He's so sweet. I could just smell his little head forever.



But that's enough about my undying love.

I've been tagged in a cutesy little about me sesh by the lovely Jenna and I'm not one to diappoint. Without further ado, here are some things you may not have known about me...

11 Facts

• I originally thought I wanted to be a pharmacist.


• Then the college made me study plants and I said enough of this, yo.


• Pasta is the reason I'm alive. We eat it far too much around here!


• I only like to cook after the fact. If I didn't burn the house down and it actually tastes good, then it's safe for me to say that yes, indeed I like to cook.


• I'm addicted to games with friends. Words, Scramble, Hanging, or Dice with Buddies- You name it, I'm playin' it. Look me up- I'm KSJD22.


• I lied today in church (because I was required to in a game). I lost (i.e. I'm a terrible liar).


• I can quote entire movies word for word (examples: Clueless, Wayne's World)


• It's hard for me to come up with eleven interesting things about me. I must not be interesting.


• My current socks are neon green.


• I took piano lessons as a young whipper snapper.


• Yesterday I stood on the scale and was apalled at the number until I realized that I was still holding the baby. :)


• I typically listen to Christian music on the radio when given the choice.

11 Questions

1. What is the most expensive piece of makeup you have bought? Was it worth the money?

I bought Kat Von Dee's tattoo concealer (although I'm not tatted up) for my face. It was 30 bucks, I think and yes, it's worth it but I rarely use it.

2. What is your favorite book you have ever read? Too hard. Harry Potter has a special place in my heart, though.

3. If you could be on any reality show which would it be? Biggest Loser or the Amazing Race

4. If you could take any tv show off the air, which would it be? Jersey Shore probably. It's a train wreck that sucks you in...and I'm pretty sure it's ruining the world.

5. What is the nicest thing someone said to you recently that wasn't in your family? "He's yours? You don't look like you've had a baby!" And just like that- instant friends.

6. Which would you choose to have with you full time and why: personal chef, personal trainer, beauty team, or maid. Personal chef, duh.

7. What is the Best Disney movie of all time? The Little Mermaid

8. Complete the sentence. My perfect date night would be... one where hubby thoughfully planned out our evening and made me feel special.

9. Name 5 superficial things you couldn't live without. I don't think I have five. I really love and use my phone and all its apps entirely too much so probably that

10. What toy from your childhood would you most want your child to have? Hmm...a giga pet? Freakin' loved that thing.

11. If you could only have one lipstick, lip gloss, foundation, blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow palette to use for the rest of your life what would they be? I don't pay attention to all that stuff. I just use what my Mom buys me or passes down to me. Rarely do I ever buy makeup.

I'm not good at following the rules so I'm not going to post them or tag anyone. Rebel, I know. Instead comment with one completely random fact about you that you don't mind the whole world knowing. Please?

(P.S. - Sorry for all the bad grammar and punctuation. I'm not talking in full sentences today.)

Book Suggestions

Hi, y'all! Short and sweet today. Mondays leave lots for me to do!

First of all, I just wanted to say thank you to those of you who responded to my last post and responded in an encouraging and helpful manner. For the most part, all of you who emailed me really made me feel better in knowing I'm not alone. That being said, I have made the post password protected because some of you responded in most unhelpful (and hurtful!) ways when all I was trying to do was vent to someone, anyone who could listen. I will never apologize for something I write here that I feel doesn't need an apology and the post last night definitely does not. It's difficult being a mom regardless, but when you're also isolated in a new state with a colicky baby and your husband is working twenty four hours a day and off ten (if we're lucky) then it's just that more taxing. I make no apologies for my last vent session. I love my little boy more than anything in this entire world- that's something that is never in question. If something I say here bothers you, please simply quit reading. This is my space.

Whew! Let's get something lighter going on around here, ehh?

What are you reading these days?

I'm reading two books- both of which I recommend:

I read about two chapters of this one night and woke up the next morning and gathered two trashbags full of stuff that was cluttering my life. I don't miss it one bit! I look forward to more purging in 2012. This book is all about simplifying your life and I'm all about that these days! You needn't worry- it's not too granola! ;)

The second?

LOVE! This is the next big series, right? I'm not going to give a review because I'm probably way behind on the times and you have likely already read it, but if you havent- you should. You'll want to read it before March (when the movie comes out).

That's it for today.

XOXO,

Mrs. K

Cathartic Venting

When your kid is screaming their head off going on 12 hours of no sleep, it's easy to slip into the no one understands and I'm the only one who has ever gone through this attitude.

And when I say your kid, I actually mean mine, ya know.

I wouldn't trade my sweet boy for anything in the world, but he really is very difficult. Maybe that's my fault- I don't know. I just know that nothing makes him happy. In the last 5.5 months I remember one week that I looked back on and thought 'he had a good week'. One. The rest? Not so much. He cries most of the day unless I'm holding him constantly, but sometimes that doesn't work either. He rarely naps. Baby K getting shut-eye is about as likely as the stars aligning.

This "It's colic" explanation isn't acceptable to me. Colic is supposed to be gone by now. He's unhappy. And it's probably because he's overly tired or has reflux or gas. Who in the world knows?

But nothing seems to work. I spend most of my day attempting to get him to sleep. Then, he sleeps for ten minutes, wakes up, and I have to start the process all over again. I'm going crazy here. I have no life outside of desperately wishing and praying that he'll sleep for just thirty minutes. The books say he should be sleeping for hour stretches at a time, multiple times a day. Sure, all kids are different, but I doubt there's a five month old around that doesn't need a nap. I can see it in his droopy, exhausted eyes. He needs his sleep.

How can I help him get it? I have no idea.

I've tried relaxed schedules, swaddling, noise machines, rocking him, crying it out. You name it, I've probably done it. Nothing seems to work and it only succeeds in making me mad. Mad that I have a bachelor's of science degree in psychology, much of which is focused on childhood development, and I can't teach a five month old how to sleep. Mad that I have hours and hours of credit toward a counseling degree and a tiny, screaming child defeats me. It's ridiculous.

Cathartic vent end.

Project 365- Week 3

If you'd like to play along, link up on Sundays with the lovely, Laura at Between the Lines:

Day 15:

Day 16: Baby K and I decided to discover the Louisiana Winter . We ventured outside in our tshirts because here the dead of winter is 70 degrees. We walked around our huge backyard, trying to discover new things.

Day 17: I decided to start making an effort to get dressed during the day so my hubby can come home to something other than a hot mess. This is a glimpse at one of the accessories I chose to put on. It's all in the details!

Day 18: The following picure could describe my day-to-day any ole day of the year-

Day 19: I had a teething child. This is why I have a poor quality photo. This is also why the school books are on the shelf and their words aren't floating through my brain! It's also why I didn't leave my sweats as promised a couple posts ago. Motherhood calls.

Day 20: I kept getting the following error message and considered deleting this entire blog out of frustration!

Day 21: My little McDreamy woke up happy, but he did NOT go to sleep very happy. Rough day.

I get by with a little help from my friends

I haven't always had trouble making friends. When I was in high school it was easy for me and I think I was pretty well-liked, enough to get a few superlatives my senior year- although I don't remember what they were. Friendliest, maybe?

I am nice, I swear it.

The point is- I had many friends in my school and neighboring schools and I never really felt like I was missing out.

When I got to college, it took me a while longer to connect with people. I even had a couple people tell me they thought I was a bee i tee cee aich- that I was stuck up the first time they met me. I don't know if it's my quiet demeanor, my follower mentality, or the observer in me, but people often take me the wrong way. They equate shyness with something unlikeable.

Eventually, I was able to open up more and make a wonderful group of friends in college, many of which I consider my bestests.

[caption id="attachment_3990" align="alignnone" width="604" caption="here are a few from graduate school"][/caption]

Obviously, I'm not incapable. I just have a harder time connecting with women. I spent much of my undergrad hanging out with guys because I found them easier to talk to. When I got married, I distanced myself from those relationships out of respect for my husband (this is not a time for a lecture in choosing my own friends despite gender) and my own comfort level.

But this shyness or whatever it is has followed me into my adult life. Because of the Army (and having to pick up roots quite often and move), I am reminded of my handicap! It took me forever to establish a good group of friends at our first duty station.





Now, here I am at our third and my sole source of interaction is with my 5.5 month old! Perhaps that's why I blog so much. I feel the need to connect.

I really appreciate all of you who leave comments, send emails, tweet, and leave me facebook love each time I write. It helps me to not feel totally alone throughout the day!

It's tough to not have a job or opportunities to meet other people and get out and socialize especially for someone like me who has to step outside of her comforting box in order to try and meet new friends. If there's one thing I've learned in life it's that a girl needs her girlfriends!

To my friends past and present- love you, mean it.

~Mrs. K

The Sitting Swing

This may very well be the best memoir I've read to date.



Irene Watson's story begins to unfold as she tells her dark and sometimes uncomfortable recollection of her homelife. There were so many points that hit home for me in this book that I'm just not sure where to start.

I suppose I'll start with the one that was truest for me-

"There's not a person in this world who can keep his own, personal ambitions and still give his will over to God. Not one person. If God has ambitions for you, that's fine. But let them be God's ambitions."

You all must know by now that I struggle with this. I look back on leaving graduate school and a budding career to move to Alaska to support my husband the soldier and I wouldn't change a thing. Yet, sometimes I wonder if I should be working instead of staying home because of these goals I made for myself years ago. I find comfort in reading the reminder that I should put my trust in my higher power and follow His instruction in my life.

I digress, though. I was going to give a book review, wasn't I? :)

The Sitting Swing tells the powerful story of a child turned adult who endured a rough upbringing. Her early influences in life shaped her into a person she didn't seem to want to be, one that landed her in what she thought to be a controlling marriage. As a child, Irene grew up in a small town, the second (but only surviving) child to her parents. Her mother kept a close, judgemental eye on her from the very beginning which began to seep into everything Irene knew and understood about life.

The book discusses her difficult childhood, going into details of the abuse she suffered and the guilt she carried with her over the years. Then, Irene seeks treatment and the book takes a different path. The reader is put into the shoes of an older Irene who is dealing with the process of therapy and hoping for a way out of the crisis her life has become.

The best aspect of the book is the emphasis of something that I've studied most of my adult life- the ability to change despite poor circumstance, age, or adversity.

I know my counselor friends will enjoy reading this book and I suspect the rest of you will as well.

The Sitting Swing is available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble. Both have to option of an ebook download as well. Check it out!

(Note: I received a free copy from the author and was compensated for this review. Despite this, all opinions given are my own.)

Chicken, Cow Patties, and Cuteness

My car is fixed...hooray! Some handsome hunk-a-man worked on it late one night and after blood (literally), sweat, and tears--it's driving Mrs. K around again.

And by handsome hunk-a-man, I mean my husband of course. He has been able to come home from the field at night for the past two nights. It has been nice! He'll be leaving again shortly so I'm enjoying it while I can.

I thought I'd share what I made for dinner last night because it was easy and tasty and those are my kinda recipes!

Mushroom Chicken 

You'll need:

2 eggs beaten

4 chicken breast halves (although Captain wanted more)

bread crumbs

mushrooms

3 tbsp butter

mozzerella cheese

3/4 cup chicken broth

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Wash Chicken (duh). Dip in beaten eggs and roll in bread crumbs.

2. Melt butter in skillet/pan. Brown both sides of the chicken.

3. Sprinkle bottom of a casserole dish (I used 9x13) with mushrooms and add chicken halves on top.

4. Arrange more mushrooms over the chicken and pour chicken broth on and around the chicken.

5. Add cheese and stick it in the oven for about 35 minutes.

I love easy, don't you? I made some veggies to go along with this.

And then for my favorite part of the meal. Hello, dessert!

I made no-bake cookies which I prefer to affectionately call- cow patties. It is my desire that people will be so grossed out by that thought that they'll leave all the yummy goodness for me! It doesn't really work, though. I used this pin for the recipe.

You're welcome.

Also, don't spill the milk.

But if you do, don't cry.

Unless it's breast milk. That's reason to shed a few! ;)

All in all, yesterday was a happy day for all of us. Baby K has discovered his feet. He is also enjoying trying to sit up like a big boy. Mama is so proud!

He's cute even with slobber galore and a weird toe. Of course, I could be biased.

Happy Thursday to you, my friends!

What happened to...

Chivalry?

or

Going down with the ship?

I'll admit I always thought the latter was rather silly until I heard of it playing out in real life. I was of the attitude- why would the captain go down with his ship if there was an option to be saved? Why wouldn't he make sure everyone was safe first and then grab a boat/life vest of his own?

Captain Obvious.



But good grief. The entire Costa Concordia cruise ship seems negligent. The Captain, however, should have definitely made more of an effort to get his hands dirty and help the thousands of passengers out instead of "coordinating" the evacuation safely from afar.

Chivalry is dead. Those poor women and children ;)



There's no good reason I can think of in this day and age that everyone shouldn't have been escorted safely off this boat. Think of all the technology! No doubt someone on Twitter or Facebook knew she was sinking before some of the passengers were aware because of that one guy who shares everything on his social networking sites. Where was the organization? Did the staff just wad up the evacuation plan and toss it in Davy Jones Locker?

The nerve.

(Image Credit)

P.S. For those of you who don't know, today is blackout day on the net. Various websites are going down for 24 hours to oppose the SOPA and PIPA acts that would allow the U.S. to censor the Internet. Obviously, I couldn't leave my readers without full functionality of my site ;) but if this is something you oppose, go tell someone about it, will ya?

I am with you

I have been so tempted to complain today, but I won't. I'm sure you're all very tired of hearing about my minor issues. I really wanted to go to PWOC today, but I had (more) car trouble and wasn't able to make it. Instead I gave my kitchen a good cleaning and I'm okay with that. I don't think K would have allowed an excursion anyway. Nothing seems to make him happy this week.

Wait, I wasn't going to complain, right?

Yesterday I came across Isaiah 41:10:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

And I literally had to keep repeating the words in my head.

He will strengthen me. He will help me.

He will strengthen me. He will help me.

It was one of those days, but you know what? At the end of the day, I knew I wasn't alone. I recognized that I could have it way worse than I do. No matter how much Baby K is unhappy, whiney, and/or crying I have the comfort that 'this too shall pass'. I have the blessing of a healthy baby and I'm forever grateful there's nothing too serious going on.

My back feels like it's breaking because he won't let me put him down.

But one day, he's not going to want me to pick him up.

I guess I'll just focus on that. And until then God is whispering in my ear, "I am with you."

Happy Tuesday!

- Mrs. K

I have arrived!

Did you have a good weekend? I did. {This is me being positive...and only slightly facetious}

My weekend was actually pretty rough. But I won't complain. One happy thing did result from the last few days, though. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but a fluff delivery lifted my spirits.

Yes, I'm officially a mom blogger because diapers in my mailbox thrill me. I have arrived!

Anyway, I ordered two new diapers from Trisha over at Simple Additions.

Her diapers are my favorite cloth diapers I have found to date. I now have three of them and they have never, ever leaked. I can't say the same for most of the popular name brand cloth diapers I have. Maybe I'm overstuffing them? Understuffing them? Who knows...but I haven't had much success with the one size pocket diapers that everyone seems to love.

They're ok, but I prefer the ease and absorbtion of Trisha's One Size All-in-Two diapers.



They have a snap-in insert for extra protection and the insert comes with the purchase of this diaper type. Not only does this diaper never leak, but it's also one of the easiest to wash. You just have to throw it in the washer- no digging out wet, stinky inserts like you have to do with pocket diapers. I think I might appreciate this characteristic most!

Here's a peek inside:



I plan on learning how to make my own diapers if I can ever find more than a couple minutes of free time, but until then I'll be using these because they're great. No complaints. Love them.

She also threw in two bamboo wipes/washcloths, too. She's really great!



K doesn't look too excited about these dipes but I'm positive he was after I put them on his little tush. ;) I love how he always crosses his legs when I put him down on the couch.

Too flippin' cute.

Anyway, if you're a cloth diapering fam--check out Trisha's ETSY!

(Note: I was not compensated in any way for this review)

Project 365- Week 2

A picture a day, a post {of pictures} a week--for a year. Think I can do it? I'm going to try. Do you want to play along? If so, link up here:



Day One: Baby K is happy to cheer on the Steelers in a little Sunday night football!



Day Two: He was happy to cheer on Bama in the BCS National Championship, but I didn't take photos of that. I did capture bathtime, though. What a sweet baby-



Day Three: He turned five months old!



Day Four: Blogging while under the influence of chocolate.



Day Five: Daddy getting his last minute hugs in before he hits the salt mines goes off to play Army.



Day Six: Friday we did some reading. Baby K sure loves his newest books! He sat quietly and listened to all three of them.



Day Seven: The Babe is so smart. Here he is trying to decide who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election.



P.S.- It has been brought to my attention that this year is a leap year so you'll actually get 366 pictures from yours truly. Lucky you.