365 New Things-Day 11 &12- Crying It Out

The past two days have been very tough. I've been letting my son cry it out. It tortures me and it really hurts my heart. However, the only reason I continue with this is because I'm seeing progress...lots of progress. The first night I made the mistake of staying in the room as he cried to sleep. First of all that was so hard for me to listen to him screaming at me. I hated it. The second reason that was a bad idea is because he couldn't really relax and fully fall asleep because he felt that at any moment I would disappear. The next night I did a calm down time with him before I put him in his crib, we rocked and read a story. I think this really helped me more than him because it was our little special time before I had to hear his crying. After our calm down time I put him in his crib, give him a hug and a kiss, and then I rub his back for a few seconds before I say good night. Then I leave and the crying starts...BUT...he's only crying for about 5-10 mins before he's out...AND...he's sleeping through his naps and the night. Seriously no waking up after the first night. It was amazing. However, I woke up at 4 am thinking, oh my is he ok, this is the time he usually wakes up, I wonder if he's going to wake up. But he didn't he slept from 8:00pm-7:30am. I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E! He hasn't done that since we transitioned him to the crib. I keep asking myself why I didn't do this earlier...but then I remember that I cherished every night and every moment that I got to hold my baby and comfort him as he slept. That was worth waiting until he was a year old to let him cry it out.

(my son cuddling with his elmo pillow, he's so cute!)

Even though i know so many parents disagree with the cry it out method because of the possible side effects. But it's not like I didn't try all the other methods out there before I did this and I don't let him cry for as long as Feber recommends because I can't handle it and I don't want my son crying for that long. However, I'm grateful that we're going through this experience. I know that this might stress him out for a few minutes but he doesn't cry long enough for me to be worried. I also think that if I wasn't doing this and teaching him how to soothe himself it will be better for him when he gets older. Plus it takes me twice as long to get him to go to sleep if I was having to rock him or sitting there patting his back. I'm going to stick with this and hope that each night it takes less time for him to fall asleep.

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365 New Things-Day 8- The History of Braids

My husband was watching basketball and one of those commercials of the poor children in Africa came on. He said, "This is so fake! Look at her hair, those braids are way too nice." So this lead to a discussion on how I felt that it was definitely real because in Africa there are a lot of women who know how to braid extremely well. He didn't believe me so....this is I figured what the heck I'll learn about it and prove to him that yes it is possible for a poor little girl in Africa to have nice braids.

I'm proud to say that, "I am RIGHT!"

Braiding orginiated in West Africa and the braids were used to signify social status, age groups, and special events. (all the information was found here.)

The women used their time braiding to socialize with each other and teaching their children. I remember my mom would practice for hours on my hair perfecting the french braid. I did the same on my barbies and later on my friends hair.

I'm really liking this challenge I have given myself. I've finished my first week and already so much has happened. I hope to continue learning new and random things. You never know when it will come in handy.

365 New Things-Day 5

My husband and I are trying to have another baby and I have been doing alot of research on the possiblity of delivering the next baby naturally. My first child I had to have an emergency C-Section because he pushed the umblicial chord out before he was and that is potentially a very dangerous situation. So I have done some research on having a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) and I have learned that it can be a tricky scenario. Most people don't advise it and I have to see if my doctor would be willing to see me with that plan in mind.

Hearing that it has kind of discuraged me. However, there is an option to have what's called a trial of labor where I could go into labor naturally and if there becomes any issue then I would have to have another C-section. Now don't get me wrong I don't think there is anything bad with C-sections. It's just that with my first son I had to be put all the way under so I missed the entire birth. I still haven't gotten over that. It makes me sad at time when I think about it but then I look at him and I'm glad he's here. That moment of giving birth is what I was so anxious and excited for and I feel like I ran the marathon and didn't get to cross the finish line. I would love to have that opportunity to have that experience. I just have to remember though that if it's not meant to be it's not meant to be...I just hope it's meant to be. Now to get pregnant and ask my doctor ;)

365 New Things-Day 4

I learned today that I am HORRIBLE at math! I studied and studied for the placement test to hopefully get one class higher in math for college, but I was off by one question. It was so disappointing! I'm now going to have to be in math for an entire year before I can even begin classes for my degree. It's beyond discouraging. I want to quit, but if I quit I won't be able to do something that I truly enjoy.

I am trying to be a better person and today was especially hard. I wasn't in the best mood so everyone seemed to be morons and idiots. I realized every time I said, "ugh drive you idiot!" I was getting farther away from my goal. I was reacting just as bad as I ever have. So I took a deep breath and tried to just ignore all the idiots so I wouldn't have to yell at them. That didn't seem to help, I think I need a little bit more practice on being Christ like. I'll get better isn't the first step admitting the problem? Lets see if I can do better tomorrow.

New Years Resolution 2012

I have put a lot of thought into my new years resolution this year. Just like everyoneI else every year it seems I am trying to get fit and lose weight. Well this year I wanted to do something a little more meaningful. I'm pretty excited about what I came up with since I feel that this is an achievible goal.

For my resolution this year I have decided to devote the year of 2012 to learning about new things and experiencing new things. My focus is going to be specifically on service and helping others. I am very selfish of my time and I can be very lazy in the comfort of my home. The first thing I'd like to do is become a volunteer for the children's hospital I just need to find the perfect fit. I'm keeping an open mind so it shouldn't be too hard.

The other part of my goal will be to try and learn one new thing. It might come from an experience or something I read all but I want to try and learn at least 365 new things.

Of course I still have my goal to get back in shape like I was pre-baby. So I've set myself another realistic goal. I want to finish Insanity. 2 months of working out should be easy but when its cold outside I have a hard time convincing myself to do any sort of physical activity that requires me to go outside (I have to workout in our garage). So hopefully starting tomorrow I will be on my way to completing one goal. Wish me luck!

Happy New Years!!!!

Walk for MS

Yesterday was my first time walking for a charitable event. It was so touching for me to be a part of this and it was even more touching that my husband tagged along to support me in this experience.

The volunteers there were so kind and the atmosphere was filled with positive emotions. I loved reading each and everyone's badge to see who they were walking for. Some were for themselves and others were family memebers or friends. Being a part of this really has just reinforced my goal to become a neuroscientist. I really want to help and study this problem to see if I can help find any relief for those individuals with MS.

I made a little onesie for my little man

Me walking for my grandpa!

This was the back of my shirt

Me and little man with our awesome shirts!

My support group! My dogs came with us!

I am so grateful that I did this I am definitely going to make this a tradition for my family and me. Next year I hope I can get a group together to help

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Made My Own Hair Clip

I never thought I was talented enough to really make my own hair clip but one thing lead to another and before I knew it I had a new hair clip that wasn't all that shabby looking.

I had bought some hair clips last year and they had some cheesey looking flowers on them but they had these pretty feathers. I started cutting the flower off and separating the feathers. I reused the clip that the flowers came on as my "new" clip. The feathers from the flower clip were a little small so I found some other feathers from a halloween mask I bought at the dollar store a long time ago.

After pulling and getting all the feathers I wanted I lined them up how I wanted to have the hair clip and I superglued them to a small fabric on top of the clip.

Once that was done I was able to wear it in my hair for the entire day. It held up strong and I didn't have to adjust anything or reglue it.


This was so easy I'm thinking I might just have to start making my own more often.

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Today Marks the Day

Today my husband starts back up in school after a few weeks off, today is also my first Monday as a stay at home mom, it definitely feels official now. This past week just felt like a nice vacation but now that I have my whole week to accomplish things I feel like I truly am going to enjoy this being at home thing. Today marks the day for a few changes that are going to happen in my daily routines.

Change #1: SLEEP TRAINING! That's right I'm going to finally get my little guy used to sleeping in his crib and learning to put himself to sleep by using a mix of the cry it out method and my own method. I am going to try to let him cry for only a few minutes at a time, go in and check on him (without picking him up) then leaving him for a few minutes longer. After 10-15 mins I'll pick him up and calm him down a bit then put him back. After 20 mins I'll just take him out and let him play with his toys to get him even more tired. Once he start fussing more then back to the crib and start the whole process over again...except I won't take him out this time I'll just pat his back for a few minutes to keep him calmed down.

* So this is what I've done for his first nap...I think the first few minutes are heart breaking but then once the 20 minute mark rolls around it's more of him annoying the crap out of me! Why won't he just go to sleep?! I know consistency is going to be important for this situation and know that I have the time I know it will be consistent. I just hope that my lack of patience won't get the best of me because when he reaches that 20-30 minute point it's so easy for him to go to sleep if I just take a few minutes to bounce him and pat his back. It's fast and less annoying...BUT I know that if I want my sanity I have to stick with this. I'm proud to say he is now sleeping calm and in his crib.

Change #2: MY EXERCISE ROUTINE!

My exercise routine has been out of whack with my work schedule and Scout's schedule so now that I have all morning while my husband is at school that means that I get all that time to concentrate on myself while Scout hangs out and tags along with me. A dear friend of mine was nice enough to give me her old elliptical machine and so my goal is to do at least 20-30 mins on that daily and then run right after.

I've been having issues with my shins and hamstring cramping on me cutting off all the circulation to my feet making it uncomfortable and painful to run. It's been very frustrating for me especially trying to lose this baby weight. (check out
LoseThatBellyBump.com to see my progress)

After my morning workout I plan on just doing one more run at night to help me get in my miles so I can get better prepared for this half marathon I have signed up for in 3 weeks.

Change #3: MY DIET!!

Since I will be home the majority of the day that means I'll have the time to prepare meals ahead of time and to make foods that are healthy for me. I figure if I want Scout to eat all natural and healthy foods to avoid obesity then why shouldn't I do that for myself? Besides I always feel 10x better when I'm eating healthy, junk food tastes delicious but it sure makes me sleepy and lazy. I'm really looking forward to getting better recipes and cooking better food for myself.


Those are my personal goals to accomplish this month I hope I can be consistent and see results!

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