I'm a Proud Momma

I just wanted to put these pictures up and brag for a minute.  Lovely Layla.

..Just Some Pictures...

Our 3rd apartment since being married to Mike..small, built in the 70's, and not really taken care of.  Oh well we like it. 

Notice the cloth diapers hanging in the background ;) 

Happy girl just getting up from a nap! 

Playing with cousins, Avery and Grant.

Layla and Avery hit it off.

Doula Certification? Sure, Why Not?

So my calling in church right now is compassionate service over the women who have just given birth to their babes.  All I really do is coordinate and call others who are willing to help with meals, cleaning, and babysitting.  One of the best things about the LDS gospel is that most of the time people are willing to help, although sometimes people are busy and I get to help.  I'm not complaining :) if fact this calling has helped me discover that I want to be a postpartum doula.  I actually want to be a birth doula and postpartum doula.  In case whoever does read this doesn't know what a doula is here is my brief summery: The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a women who serves." Now doula refers to a trained and experienced professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support during and after birth.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and breastfeed easier.

Another Day of Being a Mom

When Layla was born I had a really hard time with breastfeeding.  Some mothers don't have sore nipples at first, but I was one of those new moms that would hold my breath and bit my lip anytime Layla would latch on.  It hurt like crazy!  I was so close to giving it all up.  Luckily I knew it was important for both of us.  So many benefits that comes with bfing; the bond between us, the antibodies, the comfort I can give my baby, the fact that it is FREE...  the list goes on and on. I also had strong support from my husband and my mother.  Thank goodness for them!  

When I was pregnant I was sold on feeding all my infants till 1 year.  My mom breastfed me till my first birthday, so that seemed the most normal for me.  Then looking around on Facebook at this breastfeeding page called the Leaky Boob my mind changed.  This woman fed her babies until the toddler-hood and let them decide when they wanted to stop breastfeeding.  

I thought that was so weird!  Then I started playing with the idea of breastfeeding Layla until a 1.5 since her immune system probably needs help from my milk and antibodies through the winter months.  Then I researched what the World Health Organization and their view for bfing infants.  They said 2-5 years and the American Health Association said 6 months-1 year.  I think it is obvious that our country is not the healthiest.  Along with Monsanto and his corn obsession, I think we have a bad rap for being the fattest country in the world.  Formula (while it does help mothers who are not able to produce their own milk and that is awesome!) tricks mothers to believe that it is close to their milk.  Formula companies make their way into the home.. it's their trick!  Formula is being recalled constantly because of unhealthy reasons while breast milk has never been recalled for billions of years.  ;)  ha ha :) 

Anyway my rant is over.  I'm not going to follow attachment parenting to a T because personally don't agree with some of the parenting methods, but I do like being a somewhat crunchy mom.  I really believe the longer one breastfeeds their babe, the better.  Who cares about judgmental people.  I'm going to do what is best for our family and I am going to keep bfing everywhere, anywhere, and whenever! 

FuzziBunz Photo Contest!

All photos where taken by Jocelyn Larsen
My sister helped me take some pictures of my daughter in FuzziBunz cloth diapers.  It's for a photo contest and the winner gets more diapers and more products from FuzziBunz.  I hope I win! :)  :)
I love these diapers! They are amazing.   Helps me be a semi-crunchy mom.

(I picked this one)

Just Pictures

She loves her bouncer 

Having fun in the sun

Seven Peaks Lazy River

She loved it

She loves eating squash and oatmeal in her high chair

4th of July and Other Fun Stuff!

Layla met Mckoi for the first time.  Mckoi is Saije's baby boy.  He is three months younger than Layla and just as big!  It was great for everyone to see each other.  It's been a long time.
Cherie, Saije, Elyse, and Trace flew into Utah at the first of the month.
It was great to see them.

Mckoi and Layla 

Saije, Mckoi, me, and Layla

Cherie holding Layla for the first time.  

After eating pizza and catching up, my family stopped at Bridal Veil Falls.  We went to the same foot-bridge where Mike proposed!  Crazy to be there 2 years later with a 6 month old baby girl!  

We tried to get all three of us in the picture and as a result..you can't see the bridge.  Oh well.  Layla was passed out in the car seat, so we didn't want to unsettle her slumber. :)