funky rut....

So here is the question- How do/did you get out of a funk or rut?

In the past, I was always in a funk or rut. I was one of those Emo girls. Listened to the sad music, never really smiled and was pretty much a downer. Around 2002, I realized that something more was wrong. I would have these crazy mood swings which involved me throwing and breaking things. It would end horribly. I finally got some help. I found out that I had a chemical imbalance that was affecting my moods from one second to the next. I decided to try medication (I know- taboo) and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I started on 10mg of Lexapro and could not believe the difference! Everything got better. I was able to function better and control my moods in a more, umm, civil way.

I met my husband in 2005 and he also was a big factor in me helping to stay in control! Needless to say, we got married in 2009 and had Grace in 2010. I did go off my medication after I had Grace. I took 5mg of Lexapro throughout my pregnancy and everything went great! I can only imagine how ugly it would have been without.

I did go off the medication when I was breastfeeding. 2 months into having Grace, I was finding it hard to do anything, much less take care of a newborn! I called my doctor and he put me on the safest anti-depressant for breastfeeding- Zoloft (50mg). I have been on it since I made the phone call to him that day asking for help. I am so glad that I admitted to myself that I needed the help instead of ignoring the signs and trying to get through. I am not sure if it was PPD or PPA but all I know is I had to do what made me a better mom for my daughter!

Anyway... I kinda went off on a tangent. When I am in a funk/rut, I strap Grace into her Ergo or stroller and go for a walk. Sometimes the air can do wonders for me! I sometimes put on some music and dance like a crazy person. It makes me feel better and makes Grace laugh hysterically! Sometimes, I need time alone. If my mom is around, she might come over and watch Grace while I go for a drive with the windows down and music loud. If Dan is at home, I might go for a walk/run to clear my head. Sometimes I might even blog- go figure!

It is awesome to have was to release and get out of a funky rut! What do you all do??

Inspiration....

I was asked what inspired me to write a blog. I had another blog almost 2 years ago that was all about my wedding- the planning and other fun stuff. My inspiration changed around August 2010. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who changed my life. I decided to blog about what was going on in our lives- hard and easy, good and not so good. Grace is my inspiration along with other things in my life!

There are not many things I need to write a blog. Usually it is a spur of the moment thing. Something happens and I want to get my thoughts down and share. I love to listen to music so music is always on in my house. It does not have to be at a certain time of the day or in a certain room.

Inspiration seems to happen to me at different places and at different times!

summa summa summa time.....

What do I think of I think of Summer? There are a lot of things: water ice, the beach, BBQ's....
Now that I am a Mom some things are still the same and some things have changed. Before Grace, I just get into the car on a really hot day and drive while it cooled down. Now, I put her in the play yard and run out to turn on the air. I would also drive with the windows down jamming out to some music. Now, I keep the windows down but not all the way and I keep the music on but not nearly as loud as before.

I never really worried about putting sunblock on when out in the sun. Now, if Grace and I are going for a walk or to play somewhere, I make sure to later her up! I cannot wait to take her to the beach. Sadly, it might not be this summer but next! She has her own little pool that she is starting to like from time to time but the water has to be warm!

The biggest thing that I think of when I think of summer is Grace's Birthday! I have a summer birthday but now I have Grace in the summer as well!

A Rockin' Review

So I have been doing cloth diapers on Grace since she was about a month old. Wanted to wait because #1- they were HUGE on here and #2- she was pooping all the time for the first month. It somewhat slowed down after that but not by much! No one else I knew with exception of one friend was doing or had done cloth diapers so I really had no idea what I was doing. Month later, I am thinking I have it but was still having somewhat stinky diapers. I found Bac-Out and that helped a ton but I was still thinking my detergent was not cutting it (All Free & Clear). I might have just been me but I wanted to try something different. I asked around to Mommies that I had met and were cloth diapering and a lot of the recommended Rockin' Green- all natural!

I decided to take the plunge and try it. I ordered Mighty Might Marshmallow and Lavender Mint Revival. Both came yesterday and I was really excited to try them. I tried the marshmallow first. There are super easy directions to follow on the back. They also have directions for if you have a lot of build up on the diapers, which I might try this weekend (I will keep you posted). I loved the smell of them when they came out of the wash! I did wash them twice just to get them clean and they really did smell yummy. I was disappointed because I did not get to dry them outside because I thought it was going to rain (of course it didn't). I figure the detergent and the drying outside would make them awesome! I guess I will have to let you know.

As for Grace, I believe she is officially down to 2 solid naps (knock on wood). Today she got up around 6:15 and napped a little after 9. She woke up around 10:30 and went down for her 2nd nap around 2:15. She then woke up around 3:40 and went to be a after 7 (fussing included- around 7:20).

Today was a great day in Graceland! Tomorrow we have to run some more errands and then we have music class at 1PM!

10 months today....

So today is the big day! My baby has hit the double digits when it comes to months! You know what else she did today? She decided that she no longer needed 3 naps and we decided to try 2 today. She woke up a little after 6 (damn early bird) and I put her up in her crib right around 9. She played for a few minutes and then it was quiet until almost 10:30! We went out for awhile, came home, had lunch, destroyed the living room, dining room, and kitchen! I just put her up for a nap. She was talking to her Seahorse friend (sleepy talk) and now it is quiet. I wonder how long she will be asleep for. I also think that it is good she cut out the 3rd nap so she might go to bed a little easier at night. She is not one that screams and cries in her crib (knock on wood) but for the past week, it has taken her awhile to fall asleep. I don't want her to be over tired because that would defeat the whole purpose!

Last Friday, I made my first official call as a Breastfeeding Counselor. Overall, I think it went pretty well! The mom had a few questions about how long she should be nursing a 10 day old. Her biggest complaint was how long it took! I remember those days of 45 minute to hour feedings. I basically had no shirt on the first month! Now if I can get her to nurse for 7-8 minutes, that is a record!

I cannot believe she is 10 months. She is the love of my life. I cannot imagine my life without her. I was the type that liked going out alot and partying. Now, I would rather be at home with my awesome family. Some people do not understand that and it is hard to explain because they are not parents yet themselves.

I love my life and would not do anything to change it, except lose the rest of the baby weight and tone up... LOL!

10 months tomorrow...

So.. here we go again! I am doing a new blog. The first one was pretty much based on my wedding and honeymoon (Pre-Grace). This one I am planning on dedicating to raising Grace with some breastfeeding knowledge sprinkled in.

I am speechless. My baby is going to be 10 months tomorrow. Her turning 10 months also mean her and I have hit the 10 month mark of breastfeeding! No formula, no supplementing! I am really proud that I have made it this far!

As for Grace, she is a crawling machine. She also babbles non-stop and loves to torture our 3 cats- really only the one tolerates her. She has starting pulling herself up on everything so now she loves to stand. She is all over the place and does not stay still for any long period of time. She also acts like she does not want to sleep. She thinks that staying in her crib playing is more important!

She has also started sleeping through the night (knock on wood). I do not have to nurse her anymore. This makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I can sleep for longer periods of time. Sad because this means she is growing up! I do miss nursing her when she was really half asleep because she was not distracted and went right back to sleep when she was done. I still do not sleep well, even though it is Dan that goes in to check on her if she wakes up.

I am hoping that I will keep up with this blog. I plan on giving updates on what she is doing along with her stats when she goes to the doctors. I might share some articles that I find funny, important, or something else!