Day Zero Project

I just wanted to let everyone know about a project/challenge I am taking on. It is the Day Zero Project where you list 101 things that you want to accomplish in 1001 days. I am still trying to make my list at this point but I wanted to share this with you guys. It is such a great idea. The things can be as simple or as hard as you want. Some of my items are:

Make a coloring book for Grayson to learn his ABC's and 123's
Read the Book of Mormon in 30 days
Do a photographic journal for one week
Teach a FHE on Faith
Make a FHE Book

I have always felt that it is VERY important to continue learning and growing as a person. This is just one way to do that. If you want to take on the challenge go to dayzeroproject.com to make your list. 1001 days is almost 3 years so you have time to complete it. If you decide to do it please let me know as one of my goals is to inspire someone else to take on the project.

Journal To Baby

A gal I go to church with does this and I thought it was a great idea. Some of you may already do this, others may have so many children that it would take FOREVER to do it. But I thought it was a great idea so I wanted to share it.

She keeps a journal for her husband and each child. Including the one she is expecting this December. In it she will write every few days or so when something happens she wants recorded for them. She will also put things like love notes, bowling score sheets, etc in there so that the family member has that to remember that moment by. I really thought this was a great idea. I know there are some things that Grayson has done that I want to be able to tell him about when he gets older that I will probably forget.

So I wanted to share this idea in case anybody else would like to do it. If you get too busy to write in it the exact day an event happens, keep a notepad with dates and a few words to help you remember what you want to put in it. I am going to head out today and find a journal to use for the one I want to do for Grayson.

Omaha and Mount Rushmore

As I mentioned before, Grayson got in his first road trip by 2 months of age. He did quite well and we had a lot of fun. We went with my parents. Originally we were planning a trip that included Nauvoo but when we had Grayson and he had some feeding issues (on top of my supply issues) We decided trying to pack that much more into the trip would not be a good idea. So instead we headed straight to Omaha, NE. My parents served their first mission here. It is where Winter Quarters is.
The first thing we did there was go to the Henry Doorly Zoo. If you have never been to this zoo it is worth the trip to Omaha just to go to it. It is one of the best zoos in the country, if not the best. They have several large "domes" that are themed. We loved the Gorilla Habitat because they had TONS of gorillas and they are so human like in their actions. Just like this guy below.

Grayson loved looking up at the skylights in the domes. He did really well at the zoo. We tried to stay mostly in the domes as they were air conditioned. The temps were "feels like 110" after you factored in humidity. Hot and Sticky!

We loved the Aquarium. It had the tunnel where the fish swim over you. This shark reminded me of the one on "Finding Nemo" ~"Fish are friends, NOT FOOD"~

Ever since my San Antonio Trip in December/January of 2008-09 I have been anxious to get another jellyfish photo. These jellyfish were in a cylinder container that had neon lights making them appear blueish color

After Omaha we headed to Mount Rushmore. We first did the night time but I saved that picture for last. We went back the next day. We took pictures with all of us but we had to stand in the shade for Grayson and it was a really bright day. I didn't trust to give my DSLR camera to the nice lady who offered to take our picture (and she said she wouldn't be able to figure it out) and our small point and shoot was not able to give light to us in the shade. So it will take a lot of editing to see if it is even usable. However, here is one of Mike. It was his first time there as well as Graysons.

And, as I said, the night time picture of Mount Rushmore. It is so wonderful. It was really neat at night they have a whole program telling you about the different presidents on the mount. It was pretty educational. It also taught about the carving of the mountain.

After Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, we headed home. We went through Yellowstone to get to Joyce's and then stayed the night at her house there in Island Park. The next day we headed home but stopped by my grandma's house so she could see Grayson. I posted that picture the day we got back. It was a good trip. Grayson did as well as you could expect. I will not put a 2 month old through 7 straight days in a car again though. At least, that is what I say now.
Our next adventure is camping next week for our family reunion. Then we are heading to Lewiston to pick up Mike's niece for the week. Then we go back up the weekend after to take her home and visit with family. After that we will stay home for a while until we go to Texas in November.

Dr Suess for Nursing Mamas

A friend posted this on a group I belong to. I thought it was really cute and wanted to share.

Dr Suess for Nursing Mamas

Would you nurse him in the park?

Would you nurse him in the dark?

Would you nurse him with a Boppy?

And when your boobs are feeling floppy?

I would nurse him in the park,

I would nurse him in the dark.

I’d nurse with or without a Boppy.

Floppy boobs will never stop me.

Can you nurse with your seat belt on?

Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?

Though he may pinch me,

bite me, pull,

I will nurse him `till he’s full!

Can you nurse and make some soup?

Can you nurse and feed the group?

It makes her healthy strong and smart,

Mommy’s milk is the best start!

Would you nurse him at the game?

Would you nurse him in the rain?

In front of those who dare complain?

I would nurse him at the game.

I would nurse him in the rain.

As for those who protest lactation,

I have the perfect explanation.

Mommy’s milk is tailor made

It’s the perfect food,

you need no aid.

Some may scoff and some may wriggle,

Avert their eyes or even giggle.

To those who can be cruel and rude,

Remind them breast’s the perfect food!

I would never scoff or giggle,

Roll my eyes or even wiggle!

I would not be so crass or crude,

I KNOW that this milk’s the perfect food!

We make the amount we need

The perfect temp for every feed.

There’s no compare to milk from breast-

The perfect food, above the rest.

Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,

Mommy’s milk is such a treat.

Human milk just can’t be beat.

I will nurse, in any case,

On the street or in your face.

I will not let my baby cry,

I’ll meet his needs,

I’ll always try.

It’s not about what’s good for you,

It’s best for babies, through and through.

I will nurse him in my home,

I will nurse him when I roam.

Leave me be lads and ma’am.

I will nurse her,

Mom I am.

Grayson is 2 Months Old!

Grayson is 2 months old today! Time has just flown by. There are times I feel like he has not grown at all since most of his 0-3 month clothing is still too big, but then times I realize how much bigger he is now.


Today he met his Great-Grandma Farrar. Here is a picture.

Some things to note:
This last week, Grayson went on a road trip with us and my parents and has now been in 7 states...WOW! In 7 days none the less. He visited Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Winter Quarters and family as well as a few other sites in cities along the way. He did pretty good although I think he will hate the car seat for a LONG time.

Grayson weighed 9 lb 15 oz when he was weighed tonight before his bath (we have an infant scale to weigh for his feedings). When he had his doctor appointment on the 6th he measured 23 1/4 inches.
Grayson smiles TONS now.
He holds his head up and prefers to be carried looking over your shoulder or facing out so he can see things around him.
He will tell you a story but only if he wants to.
He has started having some little giggle sounds.
He drools like none other!
He has started grabbing things and putting them in his mouth...mostly fingers. He will help hold a bottle, he will pull out his soothie (pacifier).
He loves seeing cartoons with big shapes on the TV.
He almost sleeps through the night. He will sleep from 9:30 pm to 3:30 or 4:00 am and then eat and sleep again until almost 8:00. (Although the trip may have ruined that)
He will not nap well though.

As far as motherhood, I unfortunately am still having to supplement with formula some. I took this trip as a chance to work on that and nursed/pumped quite often to increase my supply. I have spent a lot of time the last month or so educating myself about low supply and PCOS and other issues. I feel like I will do much better if we are blessed with a second child. It has also made me realize that the education on breastfeeding that is available is not keeping up with the times. There is such an increase in hormonal problems and that in turn effects nursing...but the education has not yet realized how many women have problems with supply, etc. But, that is a whole other post.

I will post pictures and stuff from our trip later. I have a lot of laundry and unpacking to do but wanted to post on Grayson being 2 months on the day it happened.

Mike and the Moby

Just thought I would share a picture of Mike wearing Grayson in the Moby Wrap. We are going to really give baby wearing a big try (read- long periods of wearing while walking) when we go on vacation this week.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I shared this a few days ago on facebook and some friends have also posted it on their blogs, etc. As a new mother this put me in tears. As someone who tried so long to have a child, felt like I must not be worthy of this sacred duty, I know how both the mother and the one trying feel. I hope that every woman knows that in some way she helps to nurture and teach the children around her and that she is a mother. We, as women really do have a sacred calling and partnership with our Father in Heaven.

Grayson's blessing was on Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Yesterday was Grayson's blessing. We chose to do a blessing in the evening due to family schedules and we already had 2 other babies being blessed in Sacrament meeting that day.

For those who do not know, Mike was not active when we met and married. He has come very far but was very nervous about the blessing. However, he did great. The blessing was beautiful and the Spirit was so strong. It was nice to have an intimate blessing. We went to the church house and had it in the Relief Society Room since our apartment is too small to have fit everyone.

I am not a fan of the fancy blessing outfits that look like the baby is in a wedding or going to prom. However, we were able to find some white pants and then we also bought an outfit that had this shirt under some coveralls. Grayson looked so handsome in it. His hair was still CRAZY as we can not get it to go any other way.

These are the wonderful men (minus the Bishop) that were able to be a part of this blessing. I am so grateful for men like them that live their lives in a manner that makes them worthy to hold the Priesthood and bless the lives of their loved ones.

(I LOVE camera remotes!)

Here is a picture of the entire group that attended. We were happy so many were able to make it seeing as it was a Holiday weekend. We are especially grateful that Mike's Aunt, uncle, and cousin (and his girlfriend) were able to make it down from Lewiston. It was a very special occasion. Having his blessing on Independence Day reminded me how lucky I am to live in a country that allows us the freedoms we have. Especially the freedom to worship as we please so that we may have the Gospel in our lives. A country, established to bring forth the Gospel in these last days. I know the founding father's were led by the Spirit as they established this country and wrote the Constitution. I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July and that you were able to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in this great country.