You tart!

She loves raw apple

Fall is finally here! Even though it's technically been here for a few weeks the weather is finally cooperating so that I can bake! I have been wanting to do a rustic tart for quite some time, so today I put Baby Fish on the counter and got out everything I needed to make a apple tart from scratch.

To feed or not to feed....

Holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.  Time to start planning the menus from the food you want to serve to deciding between coctails, or mocktails.

Photo from www.myvmc.com/

Facebook Food

Of all of the things on Facebook right now my favorite to see are the various recipes.  I have several friends that love sharing the yummy treats they see...my stomach says yes, my hips say no...I have pinned several of them on my Pinterest boards including the Shepherd's Pie Potato Skins!

Photo from Tip Hero

Because Caaaarbs...

Oh internet, why do you do this to me?  Easy No Knead Bread...Artisan Bread....I want to eat all of the carbs...

Dill weed!

Our garden is doing alright this year, some things are thriving, and others, eh not so much.  One thing that is producing a lot is our cucumbers.  There are some that are super big...

I'm perfect the way I am

One of the things that happens when you're public on social media is that you get contacted by all sorts of people. Since having my daughter I've had a lot of people reach out to me offering it-works wraps, shakes, 21-day fix programs, free coaching. I know is is their job to reach out to people and offer their product. But come on I just had a baby, okay four months ago I had a baby, but it's still a
very delicate time in a woman's life and it doesn't help when people keep asking if I want to lose weight or join their team.

I don't need a quick fix or wraps. I don't want to join your team. I'm perfect the way I am. Asking if I need a personal coach feels like you are saying I'm fat and don't know how to fix it.  I'm perfect the way I am. This body carried my daughter for almost 42 weeks, it is still sustaining her by making milk. I'm perfect the way I am.

And if I don't think I'm perfect, that is for me to decide when to do something about it. Not for some stranger to make me question the way I look.  For the record, no I don't like the weight I am right now, I don't like that I still can't fit into most of my pre-pregnancy clothes.  It took 9 months to put the weight on, it will probably take just as long.  Society makes us feel like we have to get back to "perfect" the moment we pop our baby out.  We need to change the image of "perfection" and take care of our kiddos.

UPDATE: After posting this I was stunned that it was re-posted by a Take Back Postpartum.  I am so blown away by the responses I have received and the positive messages.  I am also stunned that some people are so oblivious...After I said no this is the DM I was getting on Instagram.

There are no words for how pushy these people are.  Just STOP!

I want to eat everything

Wow, I thought I had a hearty appetite when I was pregnant!  Now 3 plus months into breastfeeding I want to eat all the time!!!  And facebook doesn't help matters any.  There are a ton of tasty videos floating around the interwebs with some awesome recipes...mostly desserts...like this one:

More lactation cookies

I've been having great success with the lactation cookies I made back in February. So of course my stock is running low.  I did some research on making a different kind of cookie.  I found a pin on Pinterest that has very vague directions.  So I decided to give it a try.

Oh cloth diapers...

When we I decided to use cloth diapers there were a lot of naysayers.  It's gonna cost us in water/detergent/time etc.  Well yeah stuffing pockets is a time suck, as is the actual laundering of said fluff.  But after a few months in cloth I noticed that our water bill has only gone up  an average of $4 for a month.

Dear fashion industry....

I have one thing to say to you. 

Cream of Whatever

One of the items I tend to stock up on is Cream of Mushroom with Garlic for cooking, and Cream of Chicken with herbs...well I needed a can and guess what?  Yup, no cans of cream of anything...well that wouldn't do because taking the wee one back out just for ONE thing just seemed crazy.  So I did some searching and found a recipe for making cream soup substitute.  And the best thing is I had everything on hand already! Of course I didn't follow the recipe exactly.  Mainly because the recipe I needed the cream soup for was a beef recipe and the original recipe called for chicken stock....so I changed it up a little. As the original recipe states, this makes the equivilant to one 10.75oz can of cream of ______.

I get to do a project!

Hello my readers!  I know it's been a while, but that's how it goes when you have a baby!  She's growing like crazy and changing every day!

If you have followed my blog at all over the last few years you are familiar with my pup Fergus, and his penchant for barking at EVERYTHING.  So much to the point that I've had to put in a window covering to block his view, and unfortunately mine.

Life after baby

Wow, time has flown by!  It seems like yesterday that I was posting about being pregnant, and then she was here!  It's hard to believe my little baby is almost 2 months old already!

My Sleeping Beauty

Looking back I can see how much my life has changed...for the better...or worse!

It's not always pretty

Parenting isn't always pretty. It's changing a diaper only to have to change it again before you even have it fastened. But you smile because your little one is giving you that gummy smile. 

It's stacks of clean laundry that never get put away because your baby doesn't want you to put them down. But you are proud you at least got it clean.

It's holding a screaming infant, not knowing why they are screaming or how to fix it other than whispering over and over "it's okay" and "Mama loves you" and kissing the top of their head when they finally tire out and fall asleep on your chest.

No, parenting isn't always pretty, but it's worth it!

Nobody told me...

Nobody told me that labor would be so hard. 

I wanted to run away and call it quits. 

But I didn't.

Nobody told me that being responsible for a newborn would be so hard. 

Where's my white flag? I can't do this! 

But I can.

Nobody told me that hearing your baby cry would rip your heart out. 

Why can't I make it stop? Why can't I fix it? 

But I try.

Nobody told me I would look at my husband, and fall for him all over again when he is saying silly things to our baby. 

But I did.

Nobody told me I would love that little human more than life itself.

But I do.

Nobody told me I would question myself every day. 

Am I a good mother? Am I doing this right? 

But I AM.

Photo Challenge 2016

As I stated on my last post of my 2015 Photo Challenge I am going to only post my daily photo on my Instagram account which will also post to Twitter and Facebook.  So if you'd like to follow along, here is the list for this year!  You can also use the links provided above to follow me on Instagram or Twitter.  If you want to participate I am starting a new hashtag, #MsFishsPhotoChallenge2016 so all of the daily photos are linked!!!

I am also attaching the calendar I am using for this year's challenge,  I am starting with my first photo on June 1st, and this will go through the end of August, skipping weekends and the 4th of July. For a total of 65 days, and 65 photos!!!

Hope you decide to have fun with me this summer!

I will never...

When we discovered we were pregnant I had a list of things I was never going to do. Baby fish was never going to sleep in our room...

The first several days home guess where she was...Yup, our room, she now sleeps in her own room across the hall, in a swing because she's still refusing to sleep in her crib.

I was also never going to give her a pacifier...

Yeah, this week all she wants to do is stay attached to me...which isn't bad, but she chokes on booby juice and/or ends up completely emptying her stomach all over herself and me...so a paci on occasion is better than the alternative!

There were several other things I said I was NOT going to do.  Like leaving the house during the first two weeks, or allowing anyone other than family to hold her. Two days after we left the hospital I was in public, and went shopping after our first Dr's Appointment.  I was out and about visiting people and allowing them to hold her...and go figure at 1 month old she is perfectly fine, nothing bad happened by doing the things I never thought I would!

1 month old and still so tiny!

Team no sleep...

It's no joke when a new mom refers to herself as a "Mombie"...after the first three and a half weeks of mom-life my little Baby Fish has started having a witching hour, or two or three...it starts around 4:30 or 5:00 pm.  She fights sleep, and does not want to be put down, and there are very few things that will calm her. The boob always helps, but after our exorcist moment the other evening I am hesitant to offer it to her for comfort.  Another of the things that may help is "the hold" although that doesn't always work...

Breastfeeding

Guppy is doing such a good job breastfeeding!!!  And now that we are out and about more and more I have fed her in public several times.  Fortunately I have not had to deal with people that think I should go to the bathroom....even so, consider this a PSA...(with some foul language...)

Breast feeding ..... people piss me off
Posted by Ashley Osman on Thursday, January 28, 2016

Where has the time gone?!?

I meant to write my birth story out.  Well from the moment my daughter came into this world the internet and social media (with the exception on Instagram) just faded to the background!  My mom did a blog post about my labor on her blog, and you can find it HERE!  But, I want to say a few things about it from my perspective.  I woke up at 4:30 am having contractions, and went back to sleep for a little longer.  When I got up I sent my mom a message via Facebook Messenger so I didn't wake my dad up.

Introducing...

She's here!  Our darling daughter made her appearance on April 18 at 2:19pm!  She is 6 pounds 15 ounces and 19 inches long.  Both mama and baby are doing great! We will let everyone know when we are ready for visitors!

Week 41!

I never in a million years thought I would be posting a week 41 update...But the average first pregnancy lasts to 41+5...so I may be pregnant for another 5 days!  YIKES!  Today however I will be visiting the doctor's office for a non stress test (NST) and an ultrasound to make sure everything is still looking good and blood flow is as it should be.  If all goes well my doctors will probably let me continue to carry Guppy until next Friday which would be 42 weeks...and if I hit that point, then I fear it could be the Devil's juice (pitocin) for me!

Nooooo Devil's Juice!!!!!!

The letdown of a due date gone by...

Well April 8th has come and gone, and Guppy is still firmly ensconced within my body...It's hard to not be disappointed.  I knew going in that my "due date" was just an estimate, and has a 2 week buffer on each side...so I could technically not have her till late April.  Oy.  It feels like...

Week 40...my Estimated Due Date!

They say good things come to those who wait.  I'm still waiting!!!  Guppy has yet to make an appearance, but that is completely normal for a first time mom!!  By now Baby Fish is between 6-9 lbs, and is between 19-22 inches long.  Half of all pregnancies go past the 40 week mark.

Photo from babycenter.com

Just walk it out!

There is a time during pregnancy when time seems to creep by soooo slowly.  When it seems like you are trapped in the movie "Groundhog Day" and the day will just never end.

Let's be real for a minute

So, for those that have been following me for a while now, bear with me...for those that are just seeing my blog, maybe for the first time let me give a bit of backstory...

Since Mr. Fish and I got married we have been trying to start our family....this May will be 4 years happily married!

Week 39, I'm full term!!!!

It's a slow week for Baby Fish, she has likely reached her final height, and her weight gain has most likely slowed down or stopped (for now).  Average babies are between 7-8 lbs at this point.  Her brain on the other hand keeps developing rapidly and will keep this pace for the first year of her life. 

picture from pregnology.com

Front door sign

I saw a really cute sign on Pinterest.  And I knew that I could, or my bestie could create this sign for me.  So I bought a wooden plaque...

Stained it, and came up with the font I wanted to use.  And Leslie used her handy Silhouette machine to cut out the saying, and a decorative border! Once the vinyl was in place and rubbed on good I put a coat (or four) of Modge Podge on it so it was "weather proof"

I can't wait to hang it on my front door!!!

Week 38!

As I get closer to my due date, and could technically deliver any day now...most babies are born between week 38 and week 40, although a first time mom, like me, can go over 41 weeks

Week 37! I'm pre-term...

If I were to go into labor after today the dr's would not stop it!!  That being said, hubbs has asked that I NOT post it on social media that we are headed to the hospital, pushing etc until much later.  I respect his feelings, so I will have him, and our labor coach, help me keep track of a timeline of events so I can document it later!  As I've said in my post last week, we are going to keep visitors to a minimum at first...

Week 36! 9 months...

Well I can no longer fly on an airplane...which is quite alright with me.  We are also not planning any trips far away.  Baby Fish was still head down as of yesterday, and may be engaged at this point, and once that happens there is no turning for her!  Movements will be less because she is waaaay out of room.  Average babies are right around 6 lbs now, and she would be considered pre-term if she were to be born now.

Photo from babycenter.com

But it is my circus! And it's my monkey!

With Baby Fish's debut about a month away I just wanted to take a moment and blog about something that has been on my mind for most of my pregnancy.  My due date...and everything that comes after.

Week 35!

Ah the home stretch, 5 short weeks left to go (ish)!  Guppy is around 5.5 lbs now and is about as long as she's going to get, which is great as she is totally scrunched up in my belly and enjoys kicking and pushing on my ribs.  Half of my belly button has "popped" out although over all it's still an innie...which is really funny to see especially when I laugh because it pops more!  My little girl is head down, and we have entered the home stretch!

Photo from Pregnology.com

Lactation Cookies

With 6-ish weeks left till Guppy makes her grand appearance I knew it was time to make some lactation cookies to help my milk supply!  So I went to a speciality store to get some of the ingredients and then went to mom's house to make some cookies!  We started by gathering the ingredients.

not pictured?  Sugars...brown and white...whoopsie!

Week 34!

Guppy can be here as early as 3 weeks (eek) or as late as 8 weeks....it's totally normal!  My Dr doesn't stop labor once you hit 37 weeks, and won't talk induction till after 41 weeks.  Most first time mom's deliver after their estimated due date (6 more weeks for me)...we shall see as things progress!  This week my little one is around 5 pounds give or take. And somewhere between 19-22 inches long.  Her kidneys are fully developed and can function on their own, and her little lungs are almost fully ready for her first breath.  99% of babies born at this point can survive without much help.

picture from babycenter.com

One last nursery project

The nursery is almost done, I just had one more project I wanted to get done before Guppy gets here. I wanted to paint a triptych of the Three Wise Monkeys; hear no evil - kikazaru (聞か猿), speak no evil - iwazaru (言わ猿) and see no evil - mizaru (見猿), as sock monkeys.  These monkeys are part of the Koshin belief to try to live a life without any evil. I started by drawing up a half a monkey...

Week 33!

As the weeks go by this month Guppy will be gaining about a half a pound a week, so she's at about 4-1/2 lbs right now...or at least this is the average. And this number can almost double by d-day. She can grow about another inch this week alone so she could be close to 20 inches, which is the average height of a full term baby.  We know from earlier ultrasounds that she has long legs, so we will see how that correlates to her overall height at birth.  Speaking of birth, if Guppy made an appearance now there wouldn't be a ton of problems, of course we want her to "bake"  a few weeks longer, how much longer?  Anywhere from 5-9 weeks!

photo from pregnology.com

What to do about vaccinations

I was vaccinated as an infant, and a child, and I never had a bad reaction (that I can remember).  Nor has my mother told me that I had a reaction to a vaccination.  I was raised to trust doctors, they are the ones that went to medical school, they have the most current information etc.  Not that it has stopped me from doing my own research on the matter.

Week 32! 8 Months...

Another week closer to meeting Guppy!!!  This week she is close to 19 inches (give or take of course) and almost 4 pounds!!!  That explains why my back tends to hurt after being on my feet and active all day long! She is still kicking and moving, enough that I have finally gotten her on video a few times, it really does look like there is an alien in my stomach!  Surfactant is being released to help keep those little air sacs open and the lungs working.

Picture from pregnology.com

I am assuming that Guppy is in fact head down as she has been during the last two ultrasounds we had.  I feel a hard bump near the top of my belly that has to be her cute little (and bony) rump, and her kicks are above my belly button, the heartbeat is below my belly button,  there is a fun article (click here) that explains how to guess the baby's position, just note that babies move around a LOT, and will change position often.  I still have more time (about 4 more weeks) before the OB will take a guess, or even start to worry about it.  If they aren't worried, then I'm not either.

Later this week we get to do our pre-registry with the hospital!  And another thing checked off our to-do list!

Side Table

I have been on the hunt for a small side table that I can paint teal to sit next to the glider in the nursery.  It had to have a at least one drawer so I could hide snacks and supplies in it so the dogs wouldn't be able to get into it.  After searching and searching I found a super cute one at At Home....but it was all beat up, and they wanted $60 for it...it was super cheap materials so I passed on it, and kept looking.  Fast forward a few days and I saw a post on one of my Facebook swaps and there in a picture I found THE ONE!

Crib Mobile

Finding a mobile to go with my sock monkey theme has proven difficult....well maybe not difficult but everything out there is super expensive....like $90 and up...So I'm going to create my OWN mobile.  I got the inside of an embroidery hoop, felt, a garland I found at the Goodwill Outlet, stuffing, glue, embroidery floss, my 504 spray, good scissors...yarn...oh and a pattern!

I found a used mobile with the music box at a local consignment store for $7.  So that will be my base.

I took all of the old decorations off of the mobile, including the pink arm sleeve, so I could start fresh.  I started by covering the entire hoop in blue yarn

Leslie did a quick AutoCAD design for the sock monkey pattern, so she could send the file to her Silhouette machine...P.S. That thing is amazing!  And we she sent the file to cut

We did have to trim each piece out because it's not really made to cut felt, but it did an awesome job, better than me cutting each piece out by hand from scratch!  We then glued the details on.

The next step is sewing the buttons on, then stitching around each one and stuffing it so it puffs out.

Once each of the four monkeys are done they get attached to the hoop with a blue yarn each with their own little ball from the garland I deconstructed.  Then I strung the hoop up with more blue yarn, topped with another ball and hooked it to the music box!  The sleeve that goes over the arm is made out of the same material I will be using to make the crib skirt.

All of the monkeys are looking down so Guppy can look up at them!  I think it turned out quite nice!  One more thing done and checked off my to-do list!!