Family Photo

I had the itch to take a family photo today and we were going to head out into the country to search for an old barn until I stepped outside and realized it was waay too hot to take Charlie out, even if we survived, the odds of getting a good picture wouldn't have been the great, so I decided to do the shoot in a place where I knew we'd all be comfy- Our bed! :) I'm thrilled with the pictures and it inspired us to do the entire family- including grandparents for our holiday photo, I can't wait!

pixie cut :)

So I've been entertaining the idea of a pixie for over a year now, I've maintained a short bob and it kept getting shorter and shorter until I finally decided I either wanted to grow it out or cut it all off... after much researching of the process of growing it out and choosing photos of my favorite cuts, I went ahead and did it! I could not be happier with my hair, its super easy and fun and most importantly its cute...my husband loves it (just like with tattoos or piercings you have to be prepared for a lot of haters too) I know certain people just hate short hair on girls but they can kiss my cute pixied ass.

The City

We are lucky enough to live near to San Francisco, allowing us to take totally spontaneous trips there on my husband's day off- This was Charlie's first time on the Bart and in the city and she did really well, we window shopped, explored and ate good food!

Benefits to Breastfeeding

I just want to take a second to educate anybody who doesn't already know about a subject that I am quite familiar with-Breastfeeding. I chose to breastfeed Charlie because it seemed the most natural to me and because I knew it was good for you, at 13 months she's still getting most of her nourishment from nursing and I don't see any end in sight. I am always shocked at how many women choose NOT to breastfeed their kids even though they are perfectly able to (i.e. they think its gross, inconvenient, etc.) so I just want to remind you all of a FEW of the benefits to breastfeeding your infants and toddlers..enjoy!

benefits to the baby include:

• Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies

• The varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs

• Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea in the US (20-35 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under the age of 5, resulting in over 200,000 hospitalizations and 400-500 deaths in the U.S.)

• Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis

• Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets

• Reduced risk of childhood diabetes

• Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning),

• Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease

• Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.

• Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits

• Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)

• Nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter teeth and enhances vision.

• Breastfed infants develop higher IQ's, and have improved brain and nervous system development; IQ advantage of 10-12 points studied at ages 8, 12, and 18. (Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development...there are specific proteins in human milk that promote brain development))

• Reduced risk of heart disease later in life

• Increased bone density

• Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies

• Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with their mothers

• Antibody response to vaccines are higher

• Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life

• The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood

• Decreased risk for vitamin E and Iron deficiency anemia

• Decreased risk for acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia, pyloric stenosis

• There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus....and many others

• Less risk of childhood obesity

Benefits to the mother include:

• Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers

• Reduced risk of anemia

• Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life

• Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation

• Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day.

• Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies

• Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child

• Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)

• Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations

• Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesses

• Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding

I mentioned camping in Half Moon Bay earlier, we found a pretty cool campsite right on the beach, the only downside was no privacy from other campers but it was nice to be within 50 yards of the beach....we've all been craving the smell of a campfire lately! Charlie had a blast with her friend Sophia in the sand and it was fun to stick her in some cozy footsy pajamas....its way too hot for that in the valley right now!

One Year!

Charlie Mae, my beautiful daughter turned one year old on August 28th 2009. We celebrated her birthday while camping at the beach in Half Moon Bay and then had her party the next day, my awesome sister and I handmade about 60 cupcakes and then customized the frosting colors to our liking (inspired by Martha, of course) we had take 'n' bake pizza and homemade vanilla ice cream-our specialty! Charlie was an angel throughout the whole party, you could tell she knew it was her special day! Thanks to our amazing friends and family for the gifts and fun!

(videos to come once i figure out how to edit them)