A Girl's Never Too Young...

For polished toes ; )

PSA: It's That Time Again

For RESOLVE's annual Walk of Hope!!

The Walk of Hope is all about celebrating the family building journey and the thousands of children that are adopted and conceived through medical assistance each year. RESOLVE honors the strength and courage that it takes to deal with infertility and recognizes the special bond that links parents and children no matter how the family was created.

This event is open to all people including those still struggling to build a family. Participants will be walking in support of the 7.3 million Americans dealing with infertility and to help continue the network of support and information that RESOLVE brings to this community.

Since IF is so close to my heart and since I had such a great time volunteering at last years walk, I signed up to volunteer again this year. So if you are in AZ, I encourage you to please register and come out for a good cause!! If not, you can still follow this link and donate to RESOLVE (the national infertility association).

All your support means SO much to those that are still struggling.

And for those of you who are still struggling with IF, please look into your local RESOLVE chapter for support groups, and other events in your area. It's a great resource!

Justice Has Been Served

That's right people! If you all remember from my dramatic birth story, I got pulled over while in labor on the way to the hospital and got a speeding ticket. Jerk! I contested the ticket and requested a hearing to fight it. Well today was the big show down in court and the law was on my side! The judge dropped my fine, congratulated me on my healthy baby, and sent me on my way.

So take that you mean cop : P Because unlike you some people actually have a soul!

Newborn Photos- Better Late Than Never Right?

So I just realized that I never shared the photos from our newborn photo shoot! Our photographer came out to our house when Miss M was a week and a half old to get some of shots of her and the family. So without further ado, here are some of my favs...

8 Great Salads

I LOVE salads; So its really no surprise that I eat a salad every day! Really, everyday! I have been a vegetarian many years of my life pretty easily because of my love for vegetables. These are some salads I have prepared and pictured at home over the last two weeks. I encourage you to try at least one of my delicious salads yourself, I promise they don't disappoint! Bon Appetit!

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, and Balsamic Salad

Ingredients: Baby spring mix lettuce, sliced strawberries, goat cheese crumbles, and balsamic dressing.

Great Add-On: Walnuts or pine nuts (I had neither that day)

Classic Ceasar Salad

Ingredients: Hearts of romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, pepper, and one of my favorite dressings, Ken's Lite Ceasar.

Great Add-On: Grilled chicken or shrimp

Asian BBQ Salmon Salad

Ingredients: Baby spring mix lettuce, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, roma tomatoes, and the star of this salad; pan seared salmon with a asian BBQ sauce I get from Fresh and Easy.

Great Add-On: Edamame!

Italian Style Salad

Ingredients: 1/2 Hearts of romaine lettuce and 1/2 baby spring mix lettuce, sliced mushrooms, black olives, diced red bell pepper, roma tomaotoes, sliced red onion & marinated artichoke hearts.

Great Add-On: Diced mozzarella cheese, croutons & sliced salami (I skipped all of these because I am watching my diet and all these things hike up the calories)

Grilled Vegetable Salad

Ingredients: Spring mix lettuce, and grilled asparagus, red & yellow bell pepper, and zucchini.

Great Add-On: Grilled diced chicken, shaved parmesan cheese, or more veggies (eggplant would be a great one!)

Taco Salad

Ingredients: Shredded ice burg lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, green onions, black beans, black olives, crushed tortilla chips, and salsa as the dressing.

Great Add-On: Ground beef, steak, or chicken & avocado

Cajun Chicken Spinach Salad

Ingredients: Spinach, cajun spiced pan seared chicken breast, black beans, and diced tomatoes.

Great Add-On: Roasted or grilled corn

All American Garden Salad

Ingredients: Ice burg lettuce mix, cucumbers, radishes, red bell pepper, and tomatoes (all sliced thin), and croutons.

Great Add-On: Shredded cheese, egg, & bacon bits

The New Kid in Class

Soooo I hopped on the bandwagon and added my blog to the Top Mommy Blogs directory.

Please click daily to vote for me and my little blog : )

I have been super busy with the kidlets and we are moving our home office so I haven't had much blogging time lately, but I've got some really great posts coming soon...so stay tuned!

6 Weeks

Wednesday I had my 6 week postpartum appointment. It went well, incision healed perfectly, uterus is back to normal, I have lost all but 5 pounds of my pregnancy weight (note: not IF weight, just the weight I gained while I was PG. Still very far from my goal), and best of all....I have been released from all restrictions! That means back to the gym and back in the sack if ya know what I mean ; ) So I jumped right back in the saddle and headed to the gym the next morning and went for my first PP brazilian wax that afternoon. Yes, I am a brave woman. But she was very careful around my incision and I trust her, I mean this woman has seen more of my vag than even I have over the last 5 years.

My first PP workout went great! Mentally I still feel capable of jumping back into my old routine, and I had to keep reminding myself that I did just have a c-section and need to take it sloooow. So that's what I did and it felt GREAT to get my heart pumping and feel the burn again! I biked 5 miles and did some shoulder/back weights. So now I can really focus on getting back into pre-pregnancy shape.

Miss M turned 6 weeks old on Thursday and boy has she grown like a little weed the last 2 weeks it seems!!

-She started wearing size 1 diapers
-Most of her NB cloths are getting too small : (
-She started really smiling, and we LOVE it! So so cute, still haven't been able to capture it with the camera yet...stay tuned for that!
-She rolled over from tummy to back the other day and I was shocked, totally wasn't expecting that one!
-She has more awake time which is fun.
-She is starting to babble and make more vocal noises, I love hearing her "talk" : )

Also, I have been working on putting her to sleep in her pnp awake and having her fall asleep on her own and so far its working out great. The last 3 nights I feed her, cuddle her, lay her down awake but drowsy, turn on her vibration and sound machine (she's sleeping in her newborn napper of her pnp), give her her binky, and within 15 min. or so she's asleep. And sleep she does for 7-8 hours. I dont expect to go this well all the time, but little lady is doing fabulous in the sleep department so far!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Favorite Things: Makeup Edition

I love make up and have a LOT of it. But If I were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring 4 makeup items with me these would be them. These are absolutely my favorite things when it comes to my makeup...my go to's...my cant live withouts!

1.) MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

This is my staple! Everyday even if I am staying at home I put this on. It covers flawlessly and evens out my skin tone without over kill (at least if applied right). I have been using this compact for YEARS. Defiantly cant live without this! NC-35 is the shade I wear. For everyday use I apply this using the sponge applicator, along with my favorite concealer for under the eyes. If I want a heavier coverage, like for pictures or special events, I will use my foundation and then apply this with a powder brush for a lighter coverage.

2.) MAC Springsheen Powder Blush

I use many different colors of blush, but this one is by far my favorite. It is a peach color with a pearl sheer tone shimmer. I get so many complements on my skin, and really half of it is this blush! It gives a dewy, iridescent glow to my cheeks and I love that!

3.) Lancome Hypnose Mascara in Deep Black

I get asked all the time if I am wearing fake eye lashes, and the answer is no! I'm wearing Lancome Hypnose mascara! Yes, it helps that I have been blessed with naturally long lashes, but this mascara works wonders! I have tried many different mascaras through the years; drug store brands, department store brands, you name it. This is by far the best. I continue to thank my friend that introduced it to me a few years ago because I haven't looked back.

4.) MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch

I use many different shades of eyeshadow...and I'm not afraid to mix it up or try new things, but this is my go to eyeshadow. I use this many different ways. On days when I'm in a hurry I will use it as an all over color and just apply with eye liner ans mascara. Or I will use it as a brow bone accent color, or mix with other colors to create different looks. It's very versatile and of course, my fav!

Awwww, I'm Married Again!!

Okay Okay, I've been married all along but today for the first time in 9 months I can acutally wear my wedding ring!! This has made my whole day...and boy did I MISS it!!

Mother of 2

Is a lot harder than being a mother of 1! A lot harder. My time is divided, my attention is divided, and if I thought I had no time before, well I was sadly mistaken because I have much less now. Of course I knew this would be the case before having Miss M, but its one of those things that you don't know exactly how it is going to be until you experience it. I welcome the change, but it is a change and like with all change you have to adjust.

First off, I am trying to get used to having to pack and load up the whole house again before I leave. I seriously feel like I am leaving the house for a week long trip every time I leave. Big huge beautiful purse, Check! (notice that this is first on my list ;) Big huge beautiful diaper bag, Check! Big, huge, and very heavy car seat, Check! The baby in it, Check! The big sister, Check! And all her goodies, Check! Whew...I remember feeling the same way when I first had Kay, but with 2 its harder. It takes twice as long to get in and out of the car, then I have Kay arguing with me about who I am going to get out first (she still rides in a 5 point harness car seat, the mother of all car seats if you will).

Really it boils down to time, managing it, and realizing that things are just going to take longer. Twice as long. Sometimes I will only be able to feed Miss M half her bottle at a time because Kay needs something, I have to juggle bath times now, I have to shove my food in my face at the speed of light because Miss M always knows when Mommy sits down to eat, and I am back to running my day to day schedule based off nap times and feeding schedules, school pick up and drop off times, and not to mention work! Poor work always gets neglected now. It is nice that Kay is big enough to do somethings for her self now, which makes it even harder to understand how people have a newborn AND a toddler! I guess you only know what you have and if I did, I would be adjusting to that too. They have different needs at different times and its my job to fulfil those- simotaniously! Its a juggling act and one that we all have to do as mothers.

Being a Mom is a JOB! and a full time-never ending-no time off job whether or not you have 1 kid, 2 kids, or 5 kids. Whether or not you are a stay at home, work at home mom, or work outside of the home mom. We all have households to manage, boogers and butts to wipe, and husbands to take care of. Notice this leaves little "me" time, but that's important too! I am still finding my way through being a mother of 2 and enjoying all the trails and tribulations that go along with it. Yes I am a mom, and yes I have done all this before, but I have never been a mother of 2! This is a whole new world to me. I look forward to learning new things, experiencing new things, being the best mom (of 2!) I can.

Ask Me Anything: Your Answers

Ashely asked: Are you a stay at home mom, now? Were you before? If not, what did you do for work?

I am a work at home mom! My DH owns a business, so when I met him and moved in with Kay I started working for the business. I handle all of our HR, bookkeeping, payroll, taxes, etc. I would work while Kay was in preschool/school. It has worked out nicely except it is very very easy to get behind because its so easy to put things off. I work as much as I can daily, which sometimes isn't much at all, others times a few hours a day. I am very lucky to have the best of both worlds!

Looking 4 # 3 asked: Was Kay's (biological) father ever involved in her life? Did you return to eating vegetarian or are you planning on going back to it? and What is the age difference between you and your hubby?

Kay's bio father was a part of her life, but only actively for the first year. After we split, it was like out of sight out of mind, which is sad. He still keeps contact, although it is very rarely and he has even gone 8 months without calling. She doesn't ask about him often, but when she does I answer her questions the best I can and if she ever wants to call (which is never) I let her. I don't want to ever stand in the way of her and her bio father, but I also want to protect her. It is a very hard situation for me and it weighs heavily on my mind at times. I am just so grateful that she has a great father figure in my husband. He is her dad!

I have not gone back completely veg yet, although I don't eat a lot of meat. I have been eating turkey lately, but I can go days and days without touching meat! I am a big vegetable eater, and that has always been my main staple. I was never a vegetarian because I didn't like meat, it was always an ethical issue for me. For now, when I do eat meat I make sure it is all organic/free range/hormone free/friendly meat and I encourage those of you who do eat meat to do the same :)

Me and my DH are 22 year apart, shocking I know. But it works! I have always dated men older than me, although this is by far the biggest age gap. He doesn't look his age at all and we are very happy!

Alyssa asked: Was it very difficult going through all the treatments when you had a child to take care of already? Were you on a roller coaster with emotions from the medication and hopes?

Yes, it was difficult at times. With all the Dr. visits I had a hard time finding people to babysit. And as you know..there are a LOT of appointments and most of them at only a day or two's notice. I even ended up having to bring her to a few (although I felt TERRIBLE about that) My advise, get a few people who you can call at a moments notice that you trust to watch your LO.

To answer your second question, YES! I was very emotional. Some days I would even question what I was doing, I would ask myself if I was making the right choice. I would say "I have a child who is healthy, should I just be grateful for what I have?" but ultimately I knew that a sibling could give her things I never could, and I desperately wanted another child. All the hormones did take a toll on me, it is a very intense process and can be stressful at times. Not to mention the let down after a cycle with treatments that resulted in a BFN, knowing it was all for nothing. Just keep your eye on the prize, a positive attitude (easier said than done with IF I know), keep open communication with your husband, and take it one day at a time!

Jamie asked: Did you go back to being a vegetarian once M was born?

See above

My New Life as a Borin asked: What does your tattoo stand for and when did you get it?

It means Friendship in Chinese. I got it with my BFF when I was 17.

Anonymous asked: I would like to know if you have some sort of system getting your baby to sleep for 6 to 8 hours a night?

I wish I had a better answer for you, but no, not really. Truth is that Miss M has been a great sleeper from the start (and she is formula fed). We do however roughly stick to the same routine everyday, which I believe is a HUGE help even at this age. She wakes from 6:30-8 every morning eats, we get changed for the day, we play and have tummy time, then she will sleep/eat every 4 hours or so through out the rest of the day. Then from 7- 10/11pm she is awake and we have a bath (if its bath night), and do quite play and hang out with Daddy. Although lately she has been fussy at night so I have been doing anything to try and soothe her. Once she has her last bottle at 9-10:30, she is out for the night or at least for 6-8 hours.

I realize this is not the norm. When Kay was born, we were up every 2 hours for the first few weeks. Then around 3-4 weeks (once she started on formula coincidentally) she started sleeping 5-6 hour stretches. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying in any way that formula is the answer, but fact is it keeps them fuller because it takes their bodies longer to digest so I think that's part of it. I am all for breast feeding, and tired desperately to BF Kay but it didn't work out. We went straight to bottle with Miss M because of my difficulties the first time around. But ultimately I really think Miss M just loves her sleep!!

1 Month

Sunday Miss M turned 1 month old! Can you believe it?! It really is amazing how fast time flies...especially when your so busy and having so much fun : ) We took a trip to the pedi's for her one month check up yesterday and she now weighs 9lbs. 2 oz. and is 21 1/2 inches long. She has gained almost 2 pounds and grew a inch and a half  in the last month!

She's kinda mean muggin here...lol..and the poor thing kept falling over while I was trying to take her pic.

Some other fun facts about Miss M right now are:

-She sleeps anywhere from 6-8 hours straight at night! **We are so so lucky**

-She eats about 4 oz. every 4 hours during the day.

-She loves: being held, her swing, tummy time, and  bath time.

-She hates: getting her boogers sucked out, when you stop feeding her to burp her (she starts growling at me hahaha), and getting strapped into her car seat, although once we are in the car she is fine.

She is a very calm happy baby all day long, but the last couple nights from 8-10/11 before she goes down for the night she is fussy. Not to a colic extent, but just fussy. Her Dr. said this is normal behavior and I can recall this exact thing going on for a few weeks with Kay when she was the same age. It can get draining trying to figure out how to soothe her during this time, but even when I have been tested I still find myself just staring at her beautiful face and thanking god for giving us such a blessing. I think one of the positive things I got out of struggling from infertility was truly being grateful to experience motherhood. I used to think it was a given right as a woman, now I realize it is a gift. And a gift she is. She has filled the gaps and our home with so much more love and we are so so lucky to have her. I still find it so amazing that Kay calls her "Miss Miracle", because that's exactly what she is.

Ask Me Anything!

I feel like I am pretty open with my readers, but here's your chance to ask me anything! Is there something you have always wanted to know about me or ask me? Or is there something you want to know more about? Leave me a comment and at the end of the week I will answers all your questions. This is going to be fun : )

Oh and just a forewarning...I will not tell you my daughters' names, sorry : P!

Meal Planning Mondays

I haven't been posting too many of these lately...but I've been kinda busy ; ) So here goes...this week's meal plan:

• Chicken Teriyaki Sandwichs with Grilled Pineapple (on Sandwhich Thins)& Sweet Potato Fries
• Taco Bar, Kay loves to build her own!
• Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Shells with a Garden Salad
• Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Breasts with Veggies & a Baked Potato
• French Onion Soup and Grilled Cheeses

If you would like any of these recipes or how to's, just drop a comment!