Breastmilk.....

There is no greater struggle as a mother than having a baby girl that thrives on breast milk (bm) and being a mother who can't supply her with what she needs. When she was about 10 weeks old I completely went dry. Just woke up one day and boom no more breast milk. Hardly knew what to do with myself. So I figured we would as we did with my older daughter Tegan and we would mix half formula and half bm until I was totally out and then we would go to straight formula. Well, Laney had a terrible time when we were doing the half and half, she was constipated and spit up every time she ate.


Lucky for me a dear friend told me about bm donation and I was super excited about it except turns out it is extremely hard to find someone that is willing to donate on a regular basis and consistently and with in a close driving range but at this point honestly I am willing to drive anywhere to get a large amount.


that's all for tonight....stressed and exhausted from searching all night for someone to donate some bm to my amazing and beautiful little girl! So if anyone is reading this and knows of someone willing to donate near Mitchellville iowa or really up to 5 hours away ill gladly drive! email me with anything that will help. rahnibrose@yahoo.com

Welcom Laney Jo

On September 24, 2013 we welcomed a beautiful healthy baby girl.

Scheduled C- Section due to baby measuring large

Last picture of pregnant me!!

Daddy is ready to go!

 

Laney Jo Brose
7 pounds 13 ounces
20 inches
12:32pm

Turns out she was a lot littler than we were expecting! But she did have a big chubby face! And some rolls on her legs, you know the kind that you just wanna squeeze, ya that's been a hard thing to fight lately!

And did I mention the hair....Oh the hair!!! The nurses were obsessed with her hair, they kept putting bows in it and anytime she would make a noise they would hurry to pick her up so they could use that as an excuse to pick her up and play with her and her hair! 

And those cheeks....OMG!!!!! Between the cheeks, the rolls, and the hair! It's impossible not to spoil her and squeeze her as much as possible!

 

My mom watched Tegan for us while we were in the hospital (And Aunt Cindy helped too!! Thank God for my family!!!) She waited until the 2nd day we were in the hospital to bring Tegan up to the hospital to visit us and meet her new sister. I was still getting over the surgery and working on getting feeling back in my legs, plus I was in some pain that night so the 2nd day was better.

 

When they met it was adorable. Tegan didn't quite understand what was going on. She wanted us to come home with her which was the hard part, explaining to her that we still had a few days we had to be away from her while mommy healed and they checked out her sister.

 

Tegan couldn't believe the baby had so much hair!

Love at first site and a life long friendship <3

Laney bought Tegan a few presents for their first meeting!





It was so much fun getting to have Laney to play dress up with, that hair and her being so tiny, I changed her outfits and hair bows constantly!!

We stayed our regular 3 days in the hospital for a C-Section. I really wasn't ready to go home, it was so nice being taken care of and having every want or need waited on by someone else. The reality of coming home was a bummer to say the least but, it did mean that I was going to have both my babies under the same roof though (which was the scariest part of all I think!) I snuggled Laney as much as possible at the hospital but definitely enjoyed all the help from the nurses.

 Idk if I'm ready to go home but... I better get ready! :)

 

Slacker

Some serious slacking on my part has been going on. If you can't tell by the lack of posts :-/

This pregnancy has been a roller coaster to say the least. I have had extreme migraines and body aches! I am not all "holistic" or anything by any means but I do SWEAR BY peppermint extract! It has helped so much with the migraines and even little headaches, a little dab on my temples and back of my neck right at the hair line and viola no more headache!! Round ligament pain, a dab on the area and viola no more ache! Lower back pain, a little dab and....well you get the idea! This stuff is absolutely amazing!!

Thank God for our chiropractor also! Mitchellville Family Chiropractic is pretty amazing! I swear by Chiropractic visits especially when pregnant! {SIDE NOTE}--When I had Tegan it was amazing to me how easy my pregnancy was after I started going to the chiropractor. And labor....so smooth and easy! The day of Tegan's birth I went into labor at 8A.M., saw the ob and was told I was almost thinned out all the way but still wasn't dilated enough to need to go to the hospital. Ate some greasy McDonald's (I know smart huh!!) and then went to the chiropractor. Yes you heard correct! I was dilated to a 4 90% thinned and having contractions and I went to the chiropractor! Kari Swain (Swain Chiropractic in Altoona, IA) is one of the most amazing women/Dr's I have ever met in my life! She is so insightful and helpful and flat out AMAZING!!! she adjusted me (As well as she could in a standing position) and gave me a couple exercises to do when I got home to help drop baby down into ready, set, go position and to thin me out completely and start the "bringing home baby" process. Came home did these exercises and went back to the ob after an hour. He took 1 look and said to get to the hospital. Once there things changed...hinse having a C-section.. :-(-- Needless to say when I found out I was pregnant this time I instantly called the chiropractor {SIDE NOTE}--Had to start going to Mitchellville Chiropractic due to a change in our insurance and Swain chiropractic doesn't take our new insurance. And paying out of pocket and then fighting the insurance company myself....not happening! So we still love Kari and Alicia and all their staff but had to go within range of our insurance!-- This pregnancy has been by far worse then my first but thanks to the chiro I feel good enough to not want to crawl in bed under my covers and remain in the fetal position for the remainder of this pregnancy!

On another note...We are 31 weeks pregnant today.
Everyone's favorite question: "What are you having"
With Tegan we told instantly even had our parents there with us to find out at the time we did. This time we want to keep it a secret. It has a few family members pretty crabby but honestly that just makes me want to keep it a secret that much more! We were going to do a reveal party but after seeing how bent out of shape people got we decided to keep it a secret until birth. :)

Work out! For the Prego you!

No marathon session necessary — two 15-minute walks on Monday (even if it's to the post office and back), followed by a yoga class on Tuesday, a pregnancy-aerobics tape at home on Wednesday, lather, and repeat.

So excited to start this! Especially now that the weather is getting nicer!!

BIIIG NEWS FOR THE BROSE FAMILY

Well we have known for awhile but we have just told all the family and friends and WORLD!!!

Yep that is right!! Were expecting! And we couldn't be more excited! Now to just get a hold on my to do list before this one arrives! and that list is oh so big!!

A must buy!!

Ok moms! We all know all too well how it is to have a kid that wants to ride on your back or shoulders and how painful it can be! Strains your neck something terrible Right?? Here is the answer you have been looking for!

The Piggyback Rider distributes the weight evenly, and they are strapped to you with a harness so it is also super safe and you will both be comfortable!

It is for kids 2.5 and older and holds 60 pounds!!

Prices range but mainly around $80

you can find it at http://piggybackrider.com/

**Live, Laugh, Love--and ALWAYS kiss me Good night**

Let's talk DAYCARE!!!

I own an In Home Daycare and I am also the mother of a 2 year old. Parents trust me to not only keep their children safe and get them to and from school on time, but also to feed them healthy square meals, to make sure they are not being bullied or being bullies themselves!! But unlike most in home daycare's I offer tutoring for children of all ages, I offer frequent ft days that also teach the kids something along with being fun. But I live in a small town that is out of the way from the "Big Cities" so the number of kids are limited and in my small town there are at least 6 daycare's, all of which are in home as well. Unfortunately for me many have been in business for longer then I have been alive! Or living in this town. So, I may be extremely safe and qualified but I', out voted and over looked and kids are being "watched" not educated or CARED for!! There is a VERY big difference between being cared for and being"watched!!

Even more as a mom I know how picky I am about who I let care for y child, so I know other parents feel the same way and I try to adhere to what they want and need in a daycare provider. The following is excerpts from Parents Magazines Article 'The Child-Care crisis' by Sharlene Johnson You can find the whole article here... http://www.parents.com/baby/childcare/child-care-crisis/

There is nothing more important to a working parent than knowing her child is in a good child-care situation. Good child care often costs more than families can afford. A recent survey of Parents readers who use child care, 84% said that finding affordable, quality care is either a challenge, very hard, or IMPOSSIBLE!! 66% of parents think the lack of access to child care is a serious problem--to which I totally agree!!-- Particularly in this economy, parents face tough choices.

Having a full-time stay-at-home parent simply isn't a reality for most families anymore. 23% of moms and 3% of dads stay home full-time with their kids, according to the latest U.S Census data. Resulting in nearly 11 MILLION children under 5 years of age being in some type of child care each week. Around 40% of those are in the care of grandparents, or other relatives, or friends. 30% of children attend a child-care center, Head start, or preschool, and 15% go to a in-home Daycare.

No one wants to settle for someone who simply will "watch" their kids, given what we know about the amount of brain development and learning that occurs in the early years.

Early Childcare and Education as one concept?? It is important to have loving caregivers who know how to organize the day so that the children are engaged and excited to be there.
Parents would be shocked to realize that there are no federal standards for quality and safety in child care, only a mishmash of inconsistent state laws.

Cost of child care increased twice as fast as the median income of families since 2000--per Child Care Aware of America.-- annual fees range from $3,900 to $15,000 depending on a child's age--Infant care is more expensive. Even when family/friends help with child care you still pay for it. Fuel, travel, time etc. are all spent when you have relatives, friends care for your children. Nothing is free.

Even when couples need 2 incomes it may not be worth it for both partners to work. The pressures are even greater on single-parent families, and the situation is harder for low-income households. $10 Billion per year is spent by state and federal governments for low-income families through the Child care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), but only about 1 out of 6 kids who qualify for assistance receives it and many states have long waiting lists for vouchers. Funding for child care has never been a national priority!

As much as the cost of care varies, so does the quality!! Most states earned a failing grade in the most recent report. 16 states don't require lead teachers in centers to have a high-school diploma, and only 21 states insist that caregivers have any child-development training. A home daycare can have a dozen children and not need a license. Some states exempt those in churches or other religious building from any oversight.

The ratio of adults to children is important (experts recommend at least 1 adult for every 4 babies or 10 pre-schoolers) But numbers are not the key to quality. Kids need to be in an environment that supports all aspects of their development--social,emotional,intellectual, and physical-- Something as simple as responding to a babbling baby can have a profound impact on his language skills. The facility matters too--Children need space to play and explore.

Despite there critical role child-care workers earn little respect and their paycheck is about $21,000 a year! You can have an amazing staff member who is a natural with kids, but she has to quit because she can't afford to pay her bills on her salary! Staff turnover is hard on your children, they become attached to their caregivers and having them change frequently is harmful to their feelings and learning abilities also.

Experts are increasingly concerned about health and safety issues. It is important for staff to be trained in First-Aid as well as CPR along with safe-sleeping practices, and child-abuse prevention. Only 8 states require that caregivers in licensed centers and family child-care homes have a comprehensive background check, including a fingerprint check against state and FBI records, as well as a check of sex-offender and child-abuse registered. Stricter regulations are being implemented but only AFTER a tragedy occurs. Inspections of these facilities should also be regular and MANDATORY!!

The Child Care and Development Block grant hasn't been updated since 1996! There is limited financial help available for middle-income families, who can not qualify for state or federal assistance and even if they receive the grant it barely offsets a small fraction of the fees parents have to pay! As part of his Fiscal Year 2013 budget, President Obama proposed to increase the amount next year to 35% of qualified expenses up to $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for 2 or more children in a family that makes less than $75,000 a year.

Imagine if all the child care centers closed for a week. EVERYTHING would come to a screeching halt! But you don't hear people talking about us as if we are critical to the functions of society.

**Live, Laugh, Love--and ALWAYS kiss me Good night**

I'm Back in Business!!

Well it has been awhile since the last time I posted anything to my blog.

Lucky for me my amazing husband got me a new computer for Christmas so I am back in business!!

Got a lot to get organized and then I will restart all the postings again!! ( I know you are all sooo excited!!)

I hope everyone has an amazing New Years Eve!!

Happy 2013!!

8 Cold remedies we can count on!!!

**Lack of information...that seems to be where we all sit when it comes to home remedies for our kids and ourselves even. But there are ways of getting your child some relief and household staples have been proven to work and believe it or not proven by science and many doctors!!**

1. Sleep:Sleep and immune functions are 1 in the same! Studies have found people who don't get enough sleep are more susceptible to colds! If your child does get sick keep him home from school and turn off the games and T.V. for awhile. Making sure your child gets enough rest may be the most important thing you can do for him when he's sick, Dr.'s emphasize! It may seem like all a Dr. says when your child is sick is "rest and fluids" but that really is the best thing you can do for your child! Your Dr. isn't always being lazy by saying this. If your still concerned there is nothing wrong with getting a 2nd opinion.

2.Vitamin D:Is an important infection fighter, most children dont get enough of it, while many kids are exposed to enough sunlight in the summer to get enough. It is hard to get enough from the sun in the winter time, check your childs vitamin D levels, discuss a supplement with your dr. The AAP recommends 300 IU per day. An eight-ounce glass of milk is about 100 IU.


3.Salt: The International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology found thhis natural anti-inflammatory helps release mucus and ease breathing, as well as sooth sore throats and coughs. For congestion, make a saline rinse with a half to a full teaspoon of salt per pint of warm water, then administer it with a dropper. To treat a sore throat or cough teach your child to gargle with the same warm saltwater solution. if you do not feel comfortable mixing your own saltwater solution at home there are many cheep and easily accessible over the counter saline solutions to be bought in just about any store with medicine for sale!


4.Probiotics: Research suggests the bacteria found in yogurt may help prevent respiratory infections. One study shows kids ages 3-5 who consumed active lactobacillus cultures daily for 6 months during cold season were less likely to get sick and when they did their colds lasted a shorter time!!

**PROBIOTICS--A daily dose of this good bacteria can help you or your kiddo fight off infection!! It also comes in handy for girls little and big a like to use yogurt with live cultures whenever you are prescribed an antibiotic! it will help fight yeast infections and UTI's!

5.Relaxation: This means YOU MOM!!! Parents stress when their children are sick. Meanwhile their icky sicky kiddo is playing away with a minor cough and a snotty nose like nothing is wrong. They often feel better then we do when we are sick. If your child develops a fever or his symptoms seem to worsen, consult your pediatrician; your little guy may have developed a secondary infection (ear or sinus for example) and that will require an antibiotic to get over. When all else fails try to remember that a normal cold will run its course in about a week or so! NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO!!! If you treat it your child will get better, if you dont, your child will get better!!

6.Moist Air: A cool-mist humidifier or a warm vaporizer in your chil's bedroom can help nasal passage and reduces congestion. Remember to keep whichever method you go with out of reach of children and atleast 2 feet off the floor, also check to make sure that you are cleaning the model frequently and refilling it when it is empty or dumping it out when necessary!! You can also steam up your bathroom, it is like a little homemade sauna for your icky sicky kiddo!!!

7.Honey:A study in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found hone at bedtime was more effective with quieting coughs then any honey flavored cough medicine! The dose of just honey is pretty much the same as that of the over-the-counter cold medicines. 1/2 teaspoon for kids 1-5, 1full teaspoon for kids 6-11 and 2 teaspoons for children 12 and up. Please remember it is unsafe and strongly urged against to give a child under the age of 1 any honey of any kind or dose! It could cause a rare but very serious bacterial illness known as botulism in babies!!

8.Chicken Soup: The go-to get-well meal research shows that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory powers that stimulate the release of mucus,reducing congestion. Who knew a tasty soup was so helpful when you or your kids are sick?!

**Sleep: Getting enough rest when you're fighting a bug of any kind may be the most important thing you or your kiddo can do!!

Benefits of a Healthy Marriage...

A healthy, stale marriage brings long-lasting benefits to men, women, and children regardless of income, race, age or location. The benefits to both partners increase over time as long as the marriage remains healthy.

Happy-Healthy marriage creates:
*Longer life spans
*Less depression and a better ability to handle stress
*Steady employment and household income-up to twice as much as a non married household!
*Couples tend to exercise more often and eat properly
*Serious sicknesses happen less often and when they do occur couples tend to recover faster
*Shorter hospital visits and a less likely hood of needing a nursing home later on in life

Children who grow up in a healthy/happy marriage:
*Tend to live longer as adults and are more likely to reach 85 years of age
*Are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
*Are more likely to have a stable marriage in which to raise their own children
*Tend to achieve higher academic success and economic stability as adults
*Are healthier as adults with fewer acute or chronic illnesses.

What is a "Healthy Marriage?"
A relationship that is mutually satisfying, where both spouses have a deep respect for each other and is beneficial to all members of the family. It is a relationship that is committed to ongoing growth, the use of effective communication skills and the use of successful conflict management skills.

This information is from:
The Effects of Marriage on health: A synthesis of Recent Research Evidence by Mathematical Policy Research, Inc.., July 2007
Iowa Department of Human Services
TANF
USDA
yesfoodiowa.gov

Walking Lil Mama!!!

That is right we are finally walking nearly everywhere we are going now!!! We had a really rough time getting here. We found out she is double jointed in her hips so she had to adjust to walking differently then most other kids. But she will grow out of it and I guess we just look to the future and right now i am seeing a little gymnast!!

On another note who else is having a rough time dealing with attitudes and changes in their marriage, and kids, jobs and themselves!!???? Around here my daycare kids have been throwing crazy attitude's all over the place, not minding, not listening, doing the COMPLETE opposite as what they know they are suppose to be doing!!! And as far as husbands go...well lets see here.. mine has had this attitude from hell lately. it comes and goes like a male version of PMS which is SOOOOOOO much worse then women's PMS!!!! I'm not saying that i am totally in the clear here but i am just hoping that as soon as the weather gets warmer and the daylight starts sticking around more each day then moods will stay sunnier too!!

Happy Valentines day all

I want to start off by saying that I think this is the oddest holiday out of all of the other holidays all year long!! I do not understand why there has to be a certain day designated out of the year to tell your loved ones that you love them. Isn't everyday a holiday then??

Anywho i thought i would share some Valentines day tips so you don't break the bank but can still show that special someone you love them!!

1. Make dinner at home TOGETHER!! Turn the lights down low, use a few candles, and even if it is mac-n-cheese it will be special because you will be celebrating your love!!
2. Instead of going out to eat ON Valentines day try going out another night, this will save you from all the balloons,confetti and even more importantly it will save you money!! Go out this weekend instead of tonight!!
3.Don't buy presents,fancy dinners,flowers etc for a few years and then go out of town on a mini vacation with the money you have saved from the years spent at home!!!

Ladies men are EASY!!! They just want a little "lovin" ;) and maybe a video game or alone time with their boys etc.

Men--LADIES ARE HARD!!!!! They expect your to show them all the ways you love them and unfortunately they want you to out do what their friends lovers have done!! Try the usual-Chocolates, flowers and a card that says all the ways you feel without you actually having to say it!! I know men have a hell of a time putting their feelings in to verbal words that is why Hallmark makes it easy on them!! What women really would love is for you to give them a "staycation" You clean the house and watch the kids and make the meals and let them sit in bed all day some saturday!! All my moms out there will agree!!

I hope you all have an amazingly romantic, loving, special Valentines day!!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!! Spend lots of time with loved ones and enjoy the loving feelings that come with this holiday!! :)

Missing you

Well there has not been much to tell that would be why there has not been any updates lately!! Tegan has been spending the week at my husband's sister's house (Aunt Charlie)! So this house has never been cleaner,lazier,quieter, or less crazy but..[.and a BIG BUTT ;) ] This house has never been less loving!! Eddie and I have NO idea what to do with ourselves without our little rugrat here!! I miss her like crazy and the worst part is that i saw her Tuesday when we got her Christmas pictures taken with her cousins last night!! (Which did not go as well as hoped but still when you have cute kids its easy to get a few good ones even when they are being naughty)

 See I told ya they turned out pretty adorable!! And it is so weird she looks just like her mama and her daddy!! :)

I had a rough start of the week. I just didn't feel like myself :( I guess it was the weather (or lack there of) because i LOVE snow around Christmas, and honestly I can't even stand to listen to Christmas music, even on Christmas day, without snow. It just doesn't feel right. I grew up in Iowa and every year we always have had snow for Christmas, maybe not falling but atleast on the ground!! I am really feeling and hating the effects of global warming!!! Almost enough to make me not use hairspray anymore!!! ALMOST!!!!! :/

Our house is really beginning to look a lot like Christmas though(The inside anyways)!! Finally the presents are wrapped and under the tree(which is a plus to Tegan not being home this week--lets see how long they stay nice and wrapped after she gets home tomorrow afternoon) The house is all decorated and i am seriously considering getting some of that spray window foam/frost (W/E) to spray on my windows so that it looks like it has snowed!!! As far as the outside we totally look like the Scrooge family!! I didn't have Eddie put the lights on the house this year because he has been working every weekend and lots of OT so by the time he could have and by the time i remembered it was a week ago so whats the point?? I hate when people leave the lights on their house after Christmas!! No tree before Thanksgiving night and No lights after Christmas day!!!! That is the unwritten rule of the Holiday's!!!

I remember being a little kid, I couldn't wait for Christmas morning!! The anticipation of maybe catching a peek of Santa or his Reindeer!!! The wonder of if Santa was going to not only eat but enjoy your cookies?!! And not only if he would enjoy them but secretly I always wanted to know if he liked my cookies and milk better then all the other kids! I figured he must have because he always left me the most amazing presents!! :) [Thank's Mom, & Grandpa] And now that i am a mom I am super duper excited to experience the other side of things with my daughter and my other children to come :)

Happy Holidays!! Hubby just got home with my Christmas presents that I get to wrap (YIPPEE!!!) And this is our last night alone without T-Baby so We are going to enjoy a relaxing night :)

Long Thanksgiving

Well this year Eddie went to Georgia (carnsville) again to race for G-man. Tegan and I stayed home this year so we didn't have to have Hardee's for Thanksgiving Dinner again!! Don't get me wrong I LOVE Hardee's but not for Thanksgiving! Not to mention the LOOOONNNGGG!!! Drive!!

Eddie had a rough weekend racing but Tegan and I had a great family Thanksgiving!! My mom cooked at my house and my sister and nephew came over! It was the 1st time we have had Thanksgiving dinner in our house! It was fantastic!!! Tegan made such a huge mess she had to have a bath after eating but she tried EVERYTHING on the table including Cranberry's and she loved them (yuck :p)

Then Monday we started the week with a new daycare kid! Jameson! He is here most of the day so it keeps Tegan and I busy and home bound!! Which this time of year is a great thing!! neither one of us do the cold very well. We put up the tree Monday and lets just say that this year is going to be a lot of chasing Tegan around! Last year she wasn't mobile at all and this year she doesn't sit still!! she attacks the tree and the presents so wish us luck :)

Eddie got home super early morning Monday and we are all still really exhausted from the lack of sleep the weekend brought! lazy weekend for us all! :)

Who is ready for some helpful hints to get the holiday season started?!?!?!

1st off is a helpful hint for baking cookies!! And we all know that we will be baking lots of them with Thanksgiving just a few days away and Christmas not far behind that the ovens will be getting a great workout :)
When we put the cookies in to bake set your timer for half the time required on the recipe and rotate the baking sheet half way. Your cookies are done to perfection when the edges are golden brown and the center is still soft. Let them cook on the baking sheet them move them to a wire cooling rack for best results...Make cookies ahead of time. After cooling completely place cookies in an airtight container and store them for up to 5 days!! And they will still taste fresh as the day you baked them :)


We ALL want hints on new ways to use something we have had forever!! And i have found the perfect website with hints on how to reuse just about anything you can think of!!
www.realsimple.com/new-uses-for-old-things/
Their are a ton of great reuses for items along the left side my favorite is the new uses for kitchen items!! Who knew aluminum foil could be used is so many amazing ways!!!!


Another great Tip we all need this time of year are quick, easy and efficent ways to clean your house! Because we all know there are going to be those guests that have a comment about everything! Why not shorten their list :)

http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-home-pictures/8-easy-ways-to-clean-your-home.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthChildrensHealth_20111008#/slide-1

One more site to check out that i found to be VERY helpful is below. It is 101 cleaning made simple!! love it!! Hopefully you will too!!
http://www.myhomeideas.com/healthy-home/organizing-cleaning/cleaning-basics-00415000067491/

Please feel free to share how this blog helped you or could have been better!! Or if you have some helpful hints to share too!! :) Thanks so much!!!

More helpful hints to come!! Everyone have a wonderful Holiday!!

Peace, Love, and Family :)