Congratulations to our winner, and a huge Thank You to all who entered!!
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
13 March 2017
25 February 2017
Reflections On Breastfeeding + Giveaway!
When I first became a mother it was my goal to nurse for at least a year. I hadn't expected it to be so hard starting out. Those first few weeks with my oldest were downright miserable. I was in so much pain and dreaded sitting down to nurse. I did it because it was something that was really important to me, but for a while I hated it. I would bleed, and nursing pads would stick to the forming scabs, making them painful to remove, to say nothing of the actual nursing sessions. I had my mom come over and shove the baby onto my breast while I white-knuckle gripped the arms of my chair as she tried to help me accomplish a correct latch.
Eventually, it got easier, the pain subsided, the wounds healed, and breastfeeding became so much more pleasant. When I got pregnant 6 months after my 1st was born, I had hopes of nursing through the pregnancy, and later tandem nursing my two babies. But it quickly became apparent that it wouldn't work out that way. Only a few short weeks into my pregnancy and my milk began to dry up. On top of that, nursing had become excruciatingly painful, not quite to the extent of our first weeks together, but painful enough that I dreaded the idea of continuing. By 9 months, my boy was totally and completely weaned. I was sad about “failing” to reach my goal of one year, but I did what I could and learned a bit along the way.
The first few weeks of nursing my 2nd weren't much better than with my first. I still hurt, still bled, though not quite as badly as before. There were so many times I was terrified to nurse, I'd sit down with a sense of dread and fake my poor, hungry baby out as I went to put her on the breast only to pull her away at the last second, in fear of the pain.
But, just like the first time, it eventually got easier and better. Aside from a case of mastitis, there were no problems nursing my daughter. She was 11 months and still nursing when I became pregnant again. Just like when I became pregnant with her, within a few weeks it hurt to nurse and my milk began to dry up. Within 3 months of discovering my pregnancy, she was officially weaned. But I felt good about it, I'd made it past a year this time, and was proud of myself for doing so.
With my 3rd, things were even better. There was still some pain during the first weeks, but nowhere near as bad as with the first two. That boy was such a great eater from the start, and by 4 months old had reached 19 lbs, 3 lbs more than my oldest had weighed at one year. I was feeling extremely proud of myself, so it was a huge blow to my ego when, for no obvious reason, nursing began to be painful and my milk supply seemed to be dwindling. I took so many pregnancy tests because it was so similar to what happened the last two times I'd gotten pregnant while nursing, but they were all negative.
By 6 months, I officially cut my losses and switched to formula. I felt like a failure (more about that here & here). And I hate that I felt that way. I hate that any mom feels badly when they have trouble nursing, or who are unable to or choose not to breastfeed, and instead feed their babies with formula. Why is this wrong? Prior to my own experience, I admit, I was more judgmental of those who chose not to breastfeed, but my eyes were opened and I see now how ridiculous it is to judge a mother regarding how they feed their babies. What does it matter how we feed our babies, as long as they're being fed?
By the time I discovered I was pregnant with my 4th, I had been able to see more of why my milk supply had dwindled, and decided early on that I was going to do everything I could to promote bonding and a good supply with this new baby. With all my babies so far, I had already been nursing on demand as well as bed-sharing, but I planned to add more skin-to-skin contact and baby-wearing on top of that. It actually ended up being a really good thing that I'd already intended to do those things, since bonding didn't come as easily after his somewhat traumatic birth.
I guess what I did really worked because, for the first time, I didn't experience tenderness or a drop in my supply when I became pregnant again. For the first time, I nursed through a pregnancy. I finally got the chance to tandem nurse, like I'd hoped, but had been unable, to do with my first and second babes.
I ended up having a bit of a love-hate relationship with nursing two, it was so physically draining. But every time my toddler would get sick or hurt, I was grateful for the ability to easily soothe him. In the end, I nursed him until he was just over 3. Since then, I've nursed through another pregnancy, and am, once again, nursing a baby and toddler. Nursing two the second time around is still super draining, but feels a little easier this time. Maybe because I've done it before. I really liked this article about tandem nursing, which includes some tips for making it a little easier, if you choose to tandem nurse.
I've been pregnant or breastfeeding for the better part of the last 11 years. In thinking about it and figured out that I've been nursing a total of 6 ¾ years, almost 4 ½ of which has been consecutive, between the birth of my 4th to now!
There have been a few things that have helped me along the way. In the beginning, it was the example my mom had set, nursing my 3 youngest siblings. Because of that breastfeeding was always very normal and natural in my mind. Because of my mother's example, I became determined to breastfeed my own babies.
Not only did I have her example, I also had her physical help and support.
I think having a supportive spouse does wonders to encourage a new mom to stick with the first few difficult weeks of breastfeeding, not that it guarantees success, but it can help. Mr. Boss wasn't unsupportive, but he wasn't necessarily supportive, either. If I had been less determined, I think his indifference about whether I breastfed or not would have made it much harder for me to stick with it.
Another thing that has helped has been baby-wearing. Having my baby so close helped with bonding, which in turn helped my milk supply. Learning to nurse while wearing different wraps and carriers, though, has been a game changer. I've heard some people talk about how compared to bottle feeding, nursing can seem inconvenient, and vice versa. For me, especially since learning how to nurse while wearing my babies, it has been super convenient. I can grocery shop, or take the older kids on a walk, and nurse at the same time, hands-free.
24 November 2009
un año (& a contest)
Sorry for being lame, and not really posting lately (aside from the gratitude posts, that is.) Things have been busy lately. I started working last week, at my old stomping grounds, (the chocolate place.) I'm helping out with packing boxes in the evening, after closing. I don't really like to work, because I'm pretty lazy, but the ladies I work with are awesome. I'm usually laughing 80-90% of the time that I'm there. Plus the chocolate. It's like a buffet. (I'll eat you...and you...oh, and you!)
Now, aside from that, things really aren't that busy. I'm just lazy, and this little fetus makes me very tired. I go through most days on auto-pilot, usually until about 4 pm. It's pretty pathetic, but it's all worth it.
Anyway, the reason I made myself post today is because it's kind of a special day. See, one year ago I started this here bloggity-blog. (Back then I was about 6 weeks post-partum, and loving my new baby girl. I was also staying up way too late, and needed something to make me feel a little bit productive on those late nights. And who'd have thought that, a year later, I'd be all pregnanty again?)
A year later and I'm working on posting frequently (except for lately.) But I still don't really know how I want my little space in this great blogosphere to be. A piece of me, I guess.
Happy blogiversary to me.
In celebration of my blogiversary, I want to offer an 8x10 print to 3 random comments.
The lucky 3 will get to choose which piece they'd like a print of, (please visit my project blog to see my work,) and the print of your choosing will be mailed, to you from me.
Tell me in your comment which piece you'd like. (Anything goes, anything.)
Comments will be open until Sunday night, 11:59 pm MST) and the winners will be announced next week.
Non-bloggers, please leave your email.
Now, aside from that, things really aren't that busy. I'm just lazy, and this little fetus makes me very tired. I go through most days on auto-pilot, usually until about 4 pm. It's pretty pathetic, but it's all worth it.
Anyway, the reason I made myself post today is because it's kind of a special day. See, one year ago I started this here bloggity-blog. (Back then I was about 6 weeks post-partum, and loving my new baby girl. I was also staying up way too late, and needed something to make me feel a little bit productive on those late nights. And who'd have thought that, a year later, I'd be all pregnanty again?)
A year later and I'm working on posting frequently (except for lately.) But I still don't really know how I want my little space in this great blogosphere to be. A piece of me, I guess.
Happy blogiversary to me.
In celebration of my blogiversary, I want to offer an 8x10 print to 3 random comments.
The lucky 3 will get to choose which piece they'd like a print of, (please visit my project blog to see my work,) and the print of your choosing will be mailed, to you from me.
Tell me in your comment which piece you'd like. (Anything goes, anything.)
Comments will be open until Sunday night, 11:59 pm MST) and the winners will be announced next week.
Non-bloggers, please leave your email.
23 June 2009
the giveaway project.
I just held a giveaway, to celebrate my 100th post. Now that it is all said and done, and I've announced the winner, I thought I would tell about my inspiration for the prize.
Truth be told, when I decided to do a giveaway I didn't know what I would offer to the winner. I thought about it as a was laying in bed Saturday night, trying to figure out what I could make. And then it came to me.
A couple of days ago I had seen a fun looking project done by Merrilee at mer mag. She called it "cookie cutter art" and it was a terribly wonderful idea.
Then I remembered I had and 8x10 canvas that I'd painted pink several weeks ago, as a way to not waste some paint. I had already screwed four holes into it, because I was intending to produce another one of my key-hang projects for my etsy. That pink canvas would become the prize.
I wanted to try the cookie cutter art, but instead of x and o cutters I wanted to use hearts. My only problem was that I don't have any heart cookie cutters. But I'm pretty awesome, and came up with a sweet solution. I made my own. I cut a couple of sheets of aluminum and folded them into strips. Then I shaped them, the first into a larger heart and the second I made look like a tiny heart with a bigger one around it.
I poured out some dark red and some white paint and started marking the canvas.
Once I had all the hearts where I wanted them I left it to dry overnight.
But I wanted more than the paint hearts. I wanted some fabric ones. I really like the idea of sewing scraps and buttons onto paintings, so it was only natural that I would want to do so on this. The next morning was Monday, the day I said I'd announce my winner, but I didn't want to do that until the prize was completed.
During the kids naps I took the canvas out to spray it with a protective coating. While that dried I collected my sewing gear and the pieces of fabric that I'd cut into heart shapes the night before. Then I had to figure out where I wanted the hearts to lay on the canvas. Once I had a general idea of where they would go I started sewing.
It was surprisingly quick work, and I had the pieces most of the way sewn by the time the kids were waking up. I probably only worked on it for half an hour. As I looked at my work it seemed to me that it was still missing something. A button had not been in my original plan for this project, but it seemed like just the thing to finish it.
I found the perfect button, a small, pink, heart-shaped one. Then I embroidered some heart shapes around it with a darker pink embroidery thread.
With that accomplished I was able to add the screws into the bottom, completing my project.
Signed and ready, I took some pictures and then announced my winner. Congratulations again to Jenny. I really hope you like your surprize.
Truth be told, when I decided to do a giveaway I didn't know what I would offer to the winner. I thought about it as a was laying in bed Saturday night, trying to figure out what I could make. And then it came to me.
A couple of days ago I had seen a fun looking project done by Merrilee at mer mag. She called it "cookie cutter art" and it was a terribly wonderful idea.
Then I remembered I had and 8x10 canvas that I'd painted pink several weeks ago, as a way to not waste some paint. I had already screwed four holes into it, because I was intending to produce another one of my key-hang projects for my etsy. That pink canvas would become the prize.I wanted to try the cookie cutter art, but instead of x and o cutters I wanted to use hearts. My only problem was that I don't have any heart cookie cutters. But I'm pretty awesome, and came up with a sweet solution. I made my own. I cut a couple of sheets of aluminum and folded them into strips. Then I shaped them, the first into a larger heart and the second I made look like a tiny heart with a bigger one around it.
I poured out some dark red and some white paint and started marking the canvas.
Once I had all the hearts where I wanted them I left it to dry overnight.But I wanted more than the paint hearts. I wanted some fabric ones. I really like the idea of sewing scraps and buttons onto paintings, so it was only natural that I would want to do so on this. The next morning was Monday, the day I said I'd announce my winner, but I didn't want to do that until the prize was completed.
During the kids naps I took the canvas out to spray it with a protective coating. While that dried I collected my sewing gear and the pieces of fabric that I'd cut into heart shapes the night before. Then I had to figure out where I wanted the hearts to lay on the canvas. Once I had a general idea of where they would go I started sewing.
It was surprisingly quick work, and I had the pieces most of the way sewn by the time the kids were waking up. I probably only worked on it for half an hour. As I looked at my work it seemed to me that it was still missing something. A button had not been in my original plan for this project, but it seemed like just the thing to finish it.I found the perfect button, a small, pink, heart-shaped one. Then I embroidered some heart shapes around it with a darker pink embroidery thread.
With that accomplished I was able to add the screws into the bottom, completing my project.
Signed and ready, I took some pictures and then announced my winner. Congratulations again to Jenny. I really hope you like your surprize.
22 June 2009
And the winner is...
Jenny, who said: "We like to go to Grandma's house and hang out with all the cousins!! Nothing better than sitting outside watching the kids actually getting along and shooting each other with squirt guns!!"
Ready to see your prize?
To those of you who didn't win: Thanks for participating, and don't worry, I really enjoyed doing this giveaway, and plan to do more in the future.
Ready to see your prize?
To those of you who didn't win: Thanks for participating, and don't worry, I really enjoyed doing this giveaway, and plan to do more in the future.17 June 2009
100th Post and a Giveaway!
Remember back in April when I told you about visiting Justin Hackworth, wedding photographer extraordinaire, in Provo to participate in his 30 Strangers project?
It was this awesome project where he got to meet 30 complete strangers, plus their daughters, mothers, grandmothers. It was a really great experience. I got to go with my own grandmother, mother, and baby daughter, and we got some awesome pictures from our session that will be treasured forever. Justin was such a nice guy, he was funny and I could tell by watching him in action that he really enjoys what he does, and if there is anything that I admire about a person it is that they're making a living doing something they truly enjoy.
But I think the best part about the whole thing was that it was for a good cause. You see, instead of charging his strangers a sitting fee he instead asked us to donate $25 to the Center for Women and Children in Crisis.
Now that April has come and gone, and his project has been completed, he's decided it was time for a gallery showing, an exhibit showcasing all of the wonderful strangers he met throughout the month.
Along with the awesome exhibit he's doing another fundraiser for the CWCIC and offering a great deal to anyone who attends. For one night only anyone who makes a $25 donation to the CWCIC will receive their own mother/daughter portrait session! Want your whole family photographed? For a $75 donation you can get a free family portrait session.
Interested in coming? Here's the 411:
The Opening Reception:
Thursday, July 2, 6-9 pm
1 e. Center Street #215 in Provo
The reception on Thursday night is the party. All of the "Stranger" participants were sent a button to wear, so you'll be able to see who they are.
If you just can't make it on Thursday, the gallery will also be open on Friday night from 5-9 pm. Minus the party and opening night sizzle, you'll still get to enjoy a great exhibit.
{johannesen}
Now for some 100th post celebrations.
In honor of this post I have decided to offer a giveaway!
Leave me a comment and you will be eligible to win a special surprise,
hand-crafted by yours truly.
No anonymous comments, please.
If you don't have a blog, or your blog is private, leave an email address in your comment.
{Tell me your favorite summer weekend activity.}
The contest is open until Saturday, June 20, 11:59pm MDT.
The winner will be announced Monday, June 22.
Good Luck!
{finbar!}
It was this awesome project where he got to meet 30 complete strangers, plus their daughters, mothers, grandmothers. It was a really great experience. I got to go with my own grandmother, mother, and baby daughter, and we got some awesome pictures from our session that will be treasured forever. Justin was such a nice guy, he was funny and I could tell by watching him in action that he really enjoys what he does, and if there is anything that I admire about a person it is that they're making a living doing something they truly enjoy.
But I think the best part about the whole thing was that it was for a good cause. You see, instead of charging his strangers a sitting fee he instead asked us to donate $25 to the Center for Women and Children in Crisis.
Now that April has come and gone, and his project has been completed, he's decided it was time for a gallery showing, an exhibit showcasing all of the wonderful strangers he met throughout the month.
Along with the awesome exhibit he's doing another fundraiser for the CWCIC and offering a great deal to anyone who attends. For one night only anyone who makes a $25 donation to the CWCIC will receive their own mother/daughter portrait session! Want your whole family photographed? For a $75 donation you can get a free family portrait session.
Interested in coming? Here's the 411:
The Opening Reception:
Thursday, July 2, 6-9 pm
1 e. Center Street #215 in Provo
The reception on Thursday night is the party. All of the "Stranger" participants were sent a button to wear, so you'll be able to see who they are.
If you just can't make it on Thursday, the gallery will also be open on Friday night from 5-9 pm. Minus the party and opening night sizzle, you'll still get to enjoy a great exhibit.
* * * * *
{johannesen}Now for some 100th post celebrations.
In honor of this post I have decided to offer a giveaway!
Leave me a comment and you will be eligible to win a special surprise,
hand-crafted by yours truly.
No anonymous comments, please.
If you don't have a blog, or your blog is private, leave an email address in your comment.
{Tell me your favorite summer weekend activity.}
The contest is open until Saturday, June 20, 11:59pm MDT.
The winner will be announced Monday, June 22.
Good Luck!
{finbar!}
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