Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Chain Gang

Shawnda was in town for a bit and we got together at Liberty park for some summer fun!




































































Skate kids








Alani's 5th Birthday

Happy 5th Birthday Alani!
Rapunzels!
Pin the Nose on Flynn Rider

The girls thought this picture was a RIOT! They laughed and laughed!




A run through the sprinklers is always a good way to end a party.

Another Goodbye

Saying goodbye to more friends is hard. We really enjoyed getting to know the Jackson's and hope they are loving life in Hawaii!




Friday, July 29, 2011

I love books!

This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about your favorite parenting books. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!



The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by by Diane Wiessinger, Diana West and Teresa Pitman ***** Must have for all new moms. If you have a breastfeeding question, it will likely help you out.

How Weaning Happens by Diane Bengson ***** Loved this book. Lots of information on weaning at different ages, and information on baby-led weaning. Helped me decide to continue nursing!

So That's What They're for! by Janet Tamaro***** Pretty great book. Mixes facts and funnies so you can learn stuff and have a good chuckle too. My favorite part is when she says if you're having trouble convincing baby's father you should breastfeed just tell him this: Michal Jordan was breastfed. Michael Jackson was not. Hilarious!

How to Talk so Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish***** Really helpful when dealing with young children. Helps parents help children to make good choices because they want to, not because they have to. Very good.

And if you need a break from parenting and just need to pee your pants laughing read Are You There Vodka? It's me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler. Love that woman!



 
 
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

You can do it!

This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about how you influence others. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
 
 

Being a La Leche League leader I help moms breastfeed on a regular basis. I hope that by just breastfeeding in what I consider a normal fashion I will influence moms to breastfeed. By nursing my babies in the open for others to see I hope to make breastfeeding an ordinary sight and encourage other mothers to do the same.

I have been touched by many women who have made it through rough breastfeeding experiences, but none touched me so much as that of an on line friend. When I was pregnant with my third child, Clarissa, and was involved in an online mothering forum I was contacted by one mother who had just had triplets. She was struggling and persevered like a champion! A year later after she had nursed them all for a year (I am still so proud of her!) she thanked me and that meant the world to me! I was very proud to have been a small part of the reason she continued to breastfeed her babies for so long.

I hope other mothers will also be influenced by me, even if it's only from the friendly smile I give moms who are nursing their babies in public. Just remember breastfeeding is normal and with the right information and support* YOU CAN DO IT!

*Find Support in your area: http://www.llli.org/

 
 
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

I miss the snuggly sling days!

Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!

This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is Wordless Wednesday: Babywearing Photos! Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
 
 












 
 
Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I hope to be like Mama Tutu

My Dad's parents have always been Mama & Papa Tutu to me. My Mama Tutu is a wonderful woman. She's getting older now and not in such good health. I'm not sure if the last time we spoke on the phone will be the last. I feel an urge to see her again, but even if I could there is no guarantee she would know who I am. I feel so lucky to have grown up in the Martinez family. Thank you Mama Tutu for always loving me for who I am. Thank you for being such a fun grandma and sharing so many things with me. If I give my grandchildren half of what you gave me, I will have succeeded. You will always be part of me. I love you.
Mama Tutu and Kurtis in 1997.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Puppets & Pop

It's been nice to have Jeff around to come and enjoy some activities with us girls!