3 Years Old

I can't believe that in about 2 weeks Sophie will be 3 years old. It seems like just yesterday Jared and I were watching "House" and my water broke. I think I have finally started to accept that she is indeed growing up and can't stay little forever. 3 years is a very long time. To be honest I feel like year 2 just flew by. It is amazing to see her grow up and watch her changing before my very eyes. She is constantly talking now, and we actually understand her! She is VERY friendly and super active. She will more than likely be our daughter that has to be in some form of sport to release all of her energy (just like daddy). She is very caring and always apologizes for things even if it isn't her fault. She is a very good big sister and is always willing to help even if she is oblivious to her most of the time :).

It seems like just yesterday she was in preemie clothes weighing in at 5lbs 13oz.

Now she weighs in at 26 lbs!

Lactation Cookies

Having supply issues or simply want to UP your supply. Try this yummy recipe for lactation cookies.
Ingredients:

1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 Lg eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C Thick cut oats
1 C Chocolate chips
2 T Brewers Yeast (no substitutions

Preheat oven at 375.

Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs.
Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
Beat until well blended.
Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.
Add butter mix to dry ing.
Stir in the oats and then the choc chips.
Drop on parchmant paper on baking sheet.
Bake 8-12 minutes.       

Line Drying My Cloth Diapers!

Im pretty excited about this. I have been waiting all summer for a decent day to this! My hopes are that the lingering clouds go elsewhere..but other than that I am excited!

If I have a dryer why would I line dry you ask?

Well I have a couple reasons but number one being that it uses less electricity in your house..none! One of my main reasons for cloth diapering is for cost so to prove my point I try to find the ways to actually make it cheaper. When you are washing diapers every other day the cost could possibly add up over the years. Another reason is that it also suns my diapers at the same time. Breastfed babies leave hideous stains on diapers and the sun gets rid of them. I know it sounds crazy but I have done it a couple times already and all the stains are gone. Last but not least....I find it fun. I know that sounds crazy but I enjoy finding ways to be self-sufficient in my home.

A few things..

...That I recommend.

Coconut Oil

A friend recommended this to me as I use cloth diapers and most diaper creams contain zinc which can cause your diapers to repel. It works amazing. I even added a little cocoa butter to it in a jar as well and we never have a raw behind or rash. I also discovered that it really helps Violet's exzema. We put some all over her body after a bath and let it air dry.

Kiss My Face spray on sunscreen

I hate using sunscreen that you have to lather all over a squirmy child. So I prefer a spray..simple and easy. I also like this brand because it is a little more natural than other brands.

Homemade laundry soap!!

Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

I made this recipe back in January for a total of $12..and I havent even used half of it yet. It works great on the clothes as well and makes them smell nice.

Gro-Via Cloth Diapers

Wesoon discovered after Violet was born that we couldnt use cloth diapers with synthetics as itmade her exzema horrible. So we made the switch to natural fibers and decided to go with Gro-Via. We were not as found of their newborn diapers pictured above as they were front snaps and didnt hug as tightly. So she grew a little bit and we put in her their OS side snap diapers and adore them! Way worth the money..especially if you consider how much you save.

The infamous Ergo...

I was hesistant in buying this because Im not a fan of baby carriers..I love my trusty sling and Moby wrap. Within buying this I sold my Moby and sling with 2 weeks it was THAT good. It feels just a great as the Moby and sling..you still get that connection of closenesss with the baby as it holds the baby in a natural position and grows with the baby. The thing I LOVE about it the most is the fit..my back ALWAYS hurt with baby carriers with my oldest Sophie..i can barely feel this one. I have to say out of everything I bought..this is my favorite baby item thus far.

This is how I feel about Facebook pictures..

...because honestly they are all ridiculous.

Violet Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6qC74v-gIM&feature=youtube_gdata

Build a fort!

Sophie only has preschool two days a week for two hours each so we have to get creative on what we do, otherwise she watches way to much T.V.
So today we are going to build a fort!
Pictures to come...