The Sprinkle on Top

NOTE: I no longer breastfeed my baby girl due to a dairy and soy allergy, but I feel like I tried it all! I hope some of this advice might help others learning to breastfeed. The hardest part of my recovery from Evie's birth besides the raging hormones trying to balance themselves out was learning alongside my baby the art of breastfeeding. The lack of confidence in what I was doing mixed with the physical pain of nursing made those first few weeks of feedings a nightmare. I sought advice from anyone and everyone: online forums, my doctor, multiple nurses at the hospital, the on call lactation specialist, my mom and siblings…  I received some fantastic advice, but everyone had their own opinion on what would work and that added a level of frustration when I'd try it and come up against another wall. I'm sure other new moms have their own unique struggles to overcome when it comes to nursing a brand new baby so I wanted t...

I always heard that 4 months was the miracle month. At 4 months your baby would start sleeping through the night. At 4 months you can start feeding your baby rice cereal and solids. At 4 months... It's all true and this past month we have seen so many changes (for the better) happen in this little girl's life. Overnight, Evie, you became a big girl and gave up breast milk for formula. The change was not a happy one at first, but oh my the changes were worth every heartbreaking tear as we made the switch. Along with taking the bottle, you actually take a pacifier now, too. When mommy gives you your pacifier before bed or nap, your eyes close and you drift off within minutes when it used to take hours (no exaggeration). You love to suck on your pacifier, and roll it around in your mouth until it falls out. Sometimes you spit it out on purpose to make room for all of your fingers. It's a rare day when we don't catch you sucking on your fingers, mommy's hair...

Let's be honest: Pre-pregnancy me wasn't so good at the whole healthy living thing. I can't tell you how many times Justin and I would stay up until two in the morning watching back-to-back movies and eating frozen pizza, popcorn, and boxes of hostess treats. Yes, I said  boxes.  Plural. Of course we always set goals: Let's watch less TV, eat healthier, exercise more... none of which actually happened once we got back from long days at work and school. Transitioning into regular exercise ( Prenatal Pilates ) and eating a more balanced diet was tricky for me once we found out we were pregnant. Again, I tried. And again I failed. But at least I was getting better at it because now it wasn't just my health at stake, but Evie's. Throughout my pregnancy I gained around 40 lbs. A lot of that was Evie and fluid, and to be expected, but some of it was also proof of my weak-willed nature when it comes to food. (Feed me, Seymour!). With my body once again fully ...

Somehow among the chaos of the long days of diaper changes, rushed showers, quick bites to eat and hoarse voices from singing and telling stories, Evie turned 3 months old. Time is speeding by too fast.  I remember your labor and delivery like it just happened last week so how are you already 3 months old? Well I decided to stop time, right here and now, by permanently putting you on paper (so to speak), immortalizing my little girl. Over the past month our adventures have grown, I wish I could leave them permanently in stone. But that's not an option so I'll do my best here, To relive the wonderful parts of this specific month this year. I wish your morning snuggles would never disappear, The way you cuddle against my chest, your soft hair brushing my ear.  I wish I could keep you snuggled in my arms so tight As I rock you to sleep, back and forth, throughout the night.  Our days have changed drastically as we've figured out routi...

Another month down and my sweet baby girl is already 2 months old. People told me time would pass quickly. I didn't believe them. Over the past four weeks, my baby girl has learned and grown so much. She's reached milestones I crossed my fingers she would and others that I didn't expect. She is alert and attentive often and, for the most part, I suddenly recognize the difference in her cries. It's been such a fun - and stretching - adventure so far.  And oh the things you've done... You stare at the pages of books when I read to you Of princesses and dragons, of farm animals and those in the zoo. But your favorite book is black and white Of bunnies and bears with touchy-feely fur just as light. You cuddle with the stuffed animals I place in your arms And smile as I sing songs of Old McDonald's farm. Without fail "Phantom of the Opera" quiets your cries, And "I Love to See the Temple" sends you off to good night. You ha...

Over the past month as I've sat with Evie for countless hours mornings and nights nursing, rocking, burping, diapering, and singing lullabies, I'm amazed at how there's no end to the things I love about her. And I'm always finding more. So I wanted to write them down for her to have on her "one month birthday". I love the way you growl  when you eat, The sound of your soft snores  when you sleep. Your gassy smiles  and tickle  spots, Your burps and toots  that squirt daddy lots. Your thick, dark hair and matching eyes , Your long fingers  and toes  and overall size . You let Lucy lick your fingers and toes, And don't often cry when she gets your nose. I love the way your whole hand curls To wrap around a single finger . I love your heavy eyelids as you fight to keep off sleep, And your total dead weight when at last you give up in defeat. I love your soft coos and when you listen to me sing, I love the love in your eyes when I ...

After 19 hours of labor on August 2, our family of three (we count Lucy) turned into a family of four when Evie Rae Benson made her big debut at 8:49 AM. It's been a rough few weeks waiting for our little girl to come. For three weeks prior to her due date, Justin and I anxiously awaited her arrival every night only to have the excitement stamped out when we awoke the next morning having slept fantastic... and still pregnant. Then Evie's due date came and went. Either I made a very comfortable home that she just did not want to leave or she's coming out with attitude. I think it's the former.  Physically, my body could do this for another month. Evie has been such a smooth pregnancy with only mild aches and pains along the way - signs that things are progressing and that there really is a baby in there. Mentally, I gave up a while ago. The mental exhaustion of waiting for the sign that I need to rush to the hospital was driving us insane.  On August ...

Nine months of pregnancy seems like a long time, but actually flies by when you're waiting for your bundle of joy to arrive. Within that seemingly short time frame, there are a lot of things to consider: taking care of the baby inside and outside of the womb, taking care of yourself during and after the pregnancy, collecting all of the gear needed to help this little one survive, and among it all, financially affording this new adventure. Justin and I really wanted to go all out stocking up on supplies and building Evie's nursery , but that's easier said than done when you are financially preparing for a baby plus paying off a huge student loan.  The theme of our nursery was PINK and GOLD. Everything and anything was some shade of pink or gold which made it really easy because we didn't have to match specific hues or anything. If it was pink or gold, it belonged in her room.  We were able to do a few easy DIY projects that really made the nursery stand out a...

When entering the unknown landscape of your first pregnancy, it can be hard to know what you should and should not eat (goodbye hot dogs and sausage), what you should and should not feel (hello morning sickness), and what you should and should not do. From the end of my first trimester until now (week 38) I have participated in a prenatal Pilates series that is safe for moms to do throughout all three trimesters. Of course, before beginning any exercise routine you should consult your doctor especially if you did not previously participate in that type of exercise prior to your pregnancy. The Pilates series I participated in came from The Balanced Life with Robin Long . Review:  I've participated in Pilates for 5 years now and have gone through a number of Pilates instructors (in person and online) and Robin has been one of my favorites so far. Each exercise program walks you through exactly how to get yourself into the shown position and offers alternatives if the ...

With our weekends quickly disappearing, Justin and I have made some big plans to make the most of these lazy days of summer.  Often our plans are fluid and flexible and what starts as a fun game night plan turns into a weekend getaway or vice versa. With just the two of us - and Lucy - it's easy to be flexible. A few weekends ago, we planned an overnight camping trip to Skull Creek Campground up near Flaming Gorge. It's a cute little campground with a small creek running through it - the perfect place to relax, enjoy beautiful nature and a babbling brook, and let Lucy roam free... well, free-ish. Within a week our overnight trip turned into a day trip to Skull Creek where we could still play in the creek, light a fire, and make a dutch oven meal. All of the fun without sleeping on the ground 33 weeks pregnant. A few days later our plan changed into just going up for lunch, hiking, and exploring. And on the day of, we scratched the idea of driving 1.5 hours to eat a s...

For the past 6-7 weeks, Justin and I have participated in a Self-Reliance course held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each lesson includes a "My Foundation" principle which links an aspect of self-reliance back to the gospel principles. This week as we discussed managing our time, I was inspired to include service in my daily to-do list. It's an idea that I haven't been able to shake and have tried to include in my daily life throughout this week. Well, this was especially on my mind this morning as I studied my scriptures. I began by reading 1 Nephi 2 where Lehi is commanded to leave Jerusalem with his family.  I thought what a sacrifice this likely was for Lehi and his family to leave behind all of their belongings, their friends, their lives and immediately obey the commandment from the Lord. Then I thought, what a service Lehi did in directing his family away from Jerusalem, which was soon to be destroyed.  Often times servic...