WE'RE BACK!

So after a much needed break from the pressures of keeping up with this blog WE'RE BACK!
I can't say it was an easy decision either.  I went back and forth "Would anybody still be reading it?" I decided I didn't care!

Then when I heard 5 on Friday was coming back from break and I love writing in lists, I had my own deadline to get back online.  So here is my 5 on Friday to introduce (or reintroduce) us.

1.  The New Blog

Sorry family and friends, you will have to save a new blog address.  A virus or something took ahold of a post.  A very personal and life changing post.  The post I shared Liam's diagnosis, the post that started this whole blog.  And in an irrational, unexplainable way I was hurt.  But by changing the address, the spam comments have stopped!

So take note.  The design is still a work in progress, please bear with me.

And onto the family introductions

2.  Brian



Brian is the sane one in this family.  Just keep him away from golf carts.  Brian is a runner, training for his 5th marathon.  He loves all sports, there is not a season where sports don't grace our television.  A Super-Dad, always up for a game of crush with Liam. 

3. Dawn

I am the voice here.  I chase Liam and Aubrey around everyday, counting down the minutes til Daddy gets home.  During naptimes I keep myself busy creating, crafting and sewing at my home business LCF Threadz.  I have a love/hate relationship with running.  Training for my 4th marathon and hating every minute of it, I just can't quit this addiction!   

4. Liam

Liam is our superhero.  inquisitive.  entertaining.  Loves monster trucks, garbage trucks and rock n roll..  Liam is a big ham, with plenty of experience having his picture taken.  And he loves a good selfie. 

 

An excellent big brother

5. Aubrey

Aubrey is Aubrey :)  I call her difficult from conception.  She loves food, climbing and shoes.  Until recently she was our toothless wonder, only sporting 4 teeth currently (1 on top, 3 on bottom)

Welcome to our wild crazy family. 

 



Five on Friday {v.5}

Last week I began sharing items I enjoy for babies.  We started with sleep items.  This week I thought I would share breastfeeding items.  Amber, who we also went to high school with, is sharing some helpful tips here too.

I am writing this full of mixed feelings.  Breastfeeding is HARD.  You are told it is the more natural thing.  I call it the most unnatural natural thing.  I breastfed Liam until he got sick and stopped eating at 8 months.  We are also coming to an end with Aubrey (I'll share more on why with her 6 month update next week).

{one}
a good breast pump

You will be spending far too much time attached to this machine after you return to work. I actually didn't mind pumping with Liam, it is just time consuming and a pain to wash the parts.  This has been more difficult with Aubrey, just because I also have an almost 4 year old running around.

 

You will also need storage bags, your milk will interfere with your husband's ice cream storage. By pumping in the first few weeks and building up a freezer stash you will have plenty of milk stored away for when you return to work or have a night out.  This is also how I am going to be able to continue giving Aubrey breastmilk for another 2 months.

 

{two}

 

I bet in your breast feeding class you were also told its not painful.  She lied!  It HURTS for the first 2-3 weeks.  You just need to get past that, beyond the initial few weeks it really is painless.  To help you with those first few weeks make sure you get some lanolin cream.

 

 

{three}

 

Okay.  You are going to think I am absolutely crazy for this.  Gel pads that you can keep in the freezer to put on your boobs after you feed.  Wetting a diaper, then freezing it will also work.  Ice on your boobs has never felt so good.

 

{four}

 

bra pads.  Leaky boobs. Enough said.

 

{five}

 

A nursing pillow.  I used a boppy.  I have also heard great things about my breast friend.  Whatever you choose, you want to bring the baby up as close to the food source as possible, keep your posture, your back with thank you.

 

Love you B!  Hope I haven't scared you yet :)



Five on Friday {v.3}

{one} cookies for breakfast.

No I am not above bribing my child into taking his medicine.

{two} Family!
 We just left Michigan last weekend and this weekend we are going to Atlanta to visit Brian's sister.

{three} HOT DATE!

 I get to have lunch with this lovely lady while in Atlanta. She used to be my date when we were working in Asheville.

{four} running.
 I had been running consistently before we went to Michigan, and even managed to get in a run there. It gets hard during the week, but this big guy came this week so I can run at naptime when I won't be able to in the evening.

{five} Sleep

Aubrey slept amazingly in Michigan.  Not so much since we have been home.  I am looking forward to hopefully sleeping sometime in the near future.