My new favorite find!

Ok ladies have you heard of this FAB product before? I am so excited about it!!

It’s called the MilkBand…and I hear it’s a lifesaver! Beth Moore’s daughter says it was a lifesaver when it came to breastfeeding. I remember how hard it was to remember how long I nursed and on which side. I used to try to write it down but always seemed to forget. I hoping that this product will put an end to the problem…



Now you know a mom had to invent this! I’m hoping so anyway.. LOL

I’m going to purchase a few extra ones for two girlfriends of mine who are having baby showers soon. I know it will help them on the nursing journey as well. I’ve been reading up on breastfeeding in my pregnancy books. It’s funny how much you forget from one baby to the next. I read a TON and took a breastfeeding class when I was pregnant with my first son. But as time goes on, you seem to forget it all.

My friend Jessica and I were discussing breastfeeding on Saturday. She is about 8 weeks out from having her little girl Allyson Kate! She was telling me that she read how under wire bras can keep a good milk production from developing. I suppose I hadn’t really thought about that. She said she was ditching the wire bras because she doesn’t want anything fighting against her attempt at breastfeeding… I agree with that. It’s hard enough as it is.

So I’ve been reading up on the ‘ol breastfeeding techniques and hoping I can retain all this information. We’ll see. One of the suggestions they made was to let your baby “room in” with you at the hospital. Now, don’t get me wrong, I want to bond with my baby, but I also know how sleep is so important when you have a new baby. I cherish those few days in the hospital when you can turn the baby over to great nurses who take great care of them and then you can just pick up the phone and have your baby right back after a little nap! I’m torn on which I’m going to do. Having two little ones at home already AND having a c-section again, I know I’m going to need my rest. But on the other hand, if I don’t room-in, I might not build a great milk supply those first few days.

I seem to remember with Britton telling them to bring him in every three hours. That seemed to work and he didn’t really have a hard time nursing so maybe that will work for us.

Anyhow, I hit 13 weeks on Sunday! I am feeling so much better these days! Here are some pregnancy stasts at 3 months:

~craving fruit like crazy! Strawberries and grapes are my favorite!
~still getting up at least 3 times in the night for a potty break.. hoping that subsides soon.
~craving water like crazy too! I’ve never been a huge fan of water.. but this go-round I seem to not be able to get enough

I think both the boys have a pretty good understanding of what is going on. They both randomly walk up to me and kiss my belly. It’s so sweet. Britton even says “baby” and it’s so cute. He actually kissed Daddy’s belly the other night and said baby so I think he hasn’t quite understood that the baby is only in Mommy’s belly!

On that note, I had a dream last night that it was a girl! So now, I am totally confused on which I think it is. I’m dead stuck in the middle between both. We’ll see what they say. Either way will be a great surprise!

Me and My Boys!

Prayer Request:
Please continue to keep Abby Grace in your prayers. Her Neuro appointment today revealed that they do need to do surgery which will probably take place next month. It's a scary time but we know God has a plan. If it were one of my boys I know those words wouldn't mean much to me in the midst of it all. So let's keep praying for peace for Amanda, her husband David, and their entire family.
Thanks for the prayers!
Rachel

Needing Mommy Advice

Hi Moms,
I need some input! I want to know what you ladies do on a day to day basis with your kiddos who stay at home and do not yet go to school? What do you do to pass the time? I know going to the park is always an option.. but run me thru your usual schedule.

I get tired of the same old thing. Just want to know if you guys have any creative schedules...day to day routines that work for you.

Momma's Red Velvet Cake!

This was my second post of the day so be sure to scroll down and read the post below!

YUM! We love red velvet cake!! It is so MESSY!

12 weeks! We have arrived!

Yesterday marked 12 weeks on this pregnancy journey! I cannot tell you how glad I am to be here. Mainly because I'm *hoping* this will be the turn of events for me. So far, I have felt pretty good the last three days and haven't had to take a ton of medicine.. well, I have added one new pill to my group...



...say hello to my new best friend. Mr. Zantac is going to be a big help to me in the coming days. My friend Heather, (thanks Heataher you rock and you are a lifesaver!) informed me that it quite possibly isn't morning sickness at all.. but heartburn/acid indigestion! I'm so thankful she mentioned it to me! My hubs picked up the Zantac for me last night and I could really tell a difference! It is supposed to help the acid/sour stomach issue I am having.

So here is a look at what Baby #3 looks like this week!



And a little info on Baby:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

I love reading about all the growth. It's amazing the changes that take place in just one week!

Yesterday was a great Father's Day. I am so thankful for my Dad and for my wonderful husband who is the best dad my boys could ever ask for. Church service really rocked. Worship was awesome.. the message really touched my heart and got me thinking. I'm thankful for my Salvation, and that Jesus will never let go of me.

We gave Daddy his pottery that the boys made. He loved his plate that they made. Here are some pictures of the day we painted.. it was pretty funny watching the boys paint.














Have a great day!

A Day Worth Noting

I just need to get on the blog here and throw my hands up towards the heavens and give a big 'ol Thank ya Jesus!"

Today is the very first day, since I was about two weeks pregnant, that I have actually felt good all day! Yippie! This is such a huge deal for me. I was thanking Jesus all day that I felt good "thus far" in the day and here we are at the end of the day and so far so good! As I type this, I can feel him/her moving around in there...such an awesome feeling. I anticipated that the "tummy demons" were going to attack me tonight as they always do.. so I'm slapping them into submission with the pop of a few Tums! ;0)

This morning around 4am Bryce woke up whimpering a bit.. I went into his room and he was burning up.. next thing you know, little brother has fever too. Isn't it the funniest thing--they don't share toys but please, let's share a virus!! I loaded them down with Motrin and they seemed fine the rest of the day.. fever didn't come back so we got out of the house..

Today, the boys, Moggie (my mom) and I ran a few errands. I had to hit Hobby Lobby (don't ya just love that place? I mean, it was made for me) to buy some items for my best friend's baby shower invitations. I can't wait to show them to you...they are GAWGEOUS!! I know she is going to love them. Then I had to head over to the Painted Potter to pick up our pottery..the boys and I went there a couple of weeks ago to paint some pottery for Daddy's father's day gift. I'll have pictures to show you of the pottery on Sunday.

Anyhow, just sitting here, thankful to be feeling alright. Tomorrow might not be this good, but I'll just relish in the goodness of today!

I'll leave you with some random pictures of my kiddos!

Until tomorrow friends! Blessings!

Yummy Dinner!

I wanted to share this recipie with you ladies! I'm sure you've had it before. King Ranch Chicken. It was yumm-o!



I got the recipie info from Kelly's blog.

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 chicken breasts, boiled and cut into bite size pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can rotel
1-2 cups cheddar cheese
Package of corn tortillas (small)

Tear the tortillas into small pieces and line the bottom of a pan. Mix together the soups, rotel and chicken and pour on top. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Seriously - it's that easy!

I served mine with rice. I used 1 cup of the water I boiled the chicken in and added 2 cups of chicken stock to give the rice flavor. It was really good! I also made some yummy corn. 2 cans of regular kernal corn. Drain most of the water from the cans and pour them into a skillet/saucepan. I add 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic salt (just a sprinkle of each) and also add a half teaspoon of olive oil. Trust me, it's good. Then I made some cornbread and there you have it! It was such a good meal.

I'm no Betty Crocker but this was delish if I do say so myself! ;0)

Product Showcase: Bedding has arrived!!

Hey folks! I have done two posts in one day! That's a pretty big deal I'd say. I feel like sometimes I'm too busy to post even once a day so I'm excited to have found time to do two! *If you haven't yet read the post below this one! A great FAB FIND boutique you have to check them out!*

Here is are some pictures of the new bedding sets we are carrying!! These will be available on the website in just a few days!





























I think they are all beautiful! Look for them on the website soon!