Lactation Boosting Protein Balls

Breastfeeding this time around has been totally different from my experience with Georgia.  Some good.  Some bad.  But all around just different.  However there has been one common thread - my supply.  It was an issue with G and continues to be an issue with M.  Luckily, Mrs. Patel's makes some amazing Chai Tea that helped a ton with G and continues to work it's magic this time around with M. And I've recently added the Munch Crunch to my daily menu and it is so yummy!  I made a version Emily Jesser's lactation balls and the recipe is below.  I eat one every morning with my breakfast and one before I got to bed.  I truly believe they help!  And they are delicious.  See below.

Mix 2 TBS of Munch Crunch, 2 TBS of Chia sees + 1 scoop of protein powder (I used a packet of Shakeology Chocolate but you can use anything!).  Then add 2 TBS Honey and 4 TBS of Peanut Butter/Almond Butter/Nutella (I used Vanilla Almond Butter in this batch - AMAZE!).  Mix everything well and divide into about 12 small balls.  Enjoy :)

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what i'm reading these days

this picture was taken in 2012 on our trip to antigua.  i pretend i'm reading on this porch from time to time ;)

I've been reading through some really good books lately in my (lack-of) spare time ;) and I wanted to share.  All are super easy reads so I pick up one of them before bed usually and log 10 or so minutes and that's all it takes.  If you are interested in any of them email me and if you are first, I'll mail you my copy since I'm finished.  Otherwise the links are below too!

1.  Mom Enough - This was recommended by a friend and it is a series of blog posts.  Super easy read.  Super encouraging.  And yes, super convicting at times.  Most recently, these words by Tim Keller spoke to me in chapter 23, "Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive your heart, than your idol.  That is what will replace your counterfeit gods.  If you uproot the idol and fail to 'plant' the love of Christ in it's place, the idol will grow back."  I love this.  Jesus has slowly been revealing some idols in my life and they come in the form of approval of other moms, a "well-behaved" toddler and kids that are never sick.  I'm learning to turn away from those and fill those holes with Jesus.  Link to buy book here.

2.  Moms on Call Series -  I bought all 3 books after a friend recommended these as well.  While I don't agree with everything in the book as far as methods go (especially in the early ages), it is a great read and I love that the authors are believers.  As a mama, I think there is a fine line between information overload and gathering different resources.  In my opinion, this is a good resource though.  I am LOVING the toddler book right now and think they make some excellent points on discipline and my parenting mindset.  Link to buy books here.

3.  French Kids Eat Everything - I read this one last summer as Georgia was starting to really get into all kinds of solid foods.  I love the author's experiences (make you laugh and cry kinda thing) and I love her practical advice.  I've always wanted to raise a kid that tried all kinds of foods and enjoyed vegetables as much as she enjoyed ice cream (well, almost as much!).  Since the beginning Matt and I have both tried to make Georgia a version of what we eat instead of making her own meal of "kid food," (I mean, ain't nobody got time for that anyway!).  I never make her eat anything she doesn't want to eat, but I always encourage her to at least try it.  And if she doesn't like roasted asparagus with salt and pepper than maybe next time I'll try a different method or seasoning (I've found I can usually get her to eat anything cooked in soy sauce!  ha!).  We are not enforcers of the clean plate club at our house either.  I want her to decide when she is full and when she is still hungry.  One thing very early on I decided was that the dinner table was not going to be my battle field either.  I want it to be a place we all look forward to coming to.  I have the BEST memories as a kid of spaghetti dinners around the table with my family and I crave those memories for my children too.  Sounds rosy and peachy right?  Needless to say, this is something we are working towards and sometimes mealtime goes great and others it's a disaster!  But like everything in toddler life, we are working on it.  And this book is GREAT!  Link to buy book here.

4.  Write the Word - This isn't really a book per say, but it leads me to the best book in the world - the Bible!  It's simple and gives you freedom in your quiet time - two things that are essential right now for this tired, scatter-brained mama.  I usually do it while I pump early in the morning before the kiddos are awake.  The journaling part usually looks like a written out prayer, bullet points or a verse written over and over that really spoke to me.  Link to buy book here.

Next on my reading list:
Out of the Spin Cycle
Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood
Boys should be Boys
Make it Happen

What are you reading?  Any books I should add to my list?

xox

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updates on life around these parts

my babies

Hi there!  It's me, Denise :)  I'm still alive and I still have a blog - just a lot of happenings going on around here ya know?  Soooo I have a one month old son!  What?!?!  He's the sweetest, cuddliest and most relaxed little man there ever was.  He's got a pair of lungs on him now, don't get me wrong.  But he's purely delicious I tell ya.  And a decent sleeper these days (thank you jesus!).  I also have a 2 year old!  What again?!?!  She's spunky, hilarious and so so loving.  They are mostly responsible for my lack of blogging, but hey!  Cuddles over computers. Always.

Oh and speaking of my babies... breastfeeding y'all!  The struggle is real.  I've had to work really hard to get my supply up and recently came down with mastitis only to watch it drop again.  But we are on the mend and building that supply back up for my little chunkster thanks to the help of my amazinggggg lactation nurse.  She's the best.  If you're in Wilmington and need one, let me know because Lindsay is the bees knees!  And also thanks to my sweeeeeet breastfeeding support group/ aka sarah tucker!  this post was so so helpful and poor sarah has had to endure my breastfeeding text questions 24/7.

We are also in the process of getting our house ready to put on the market.  That's right, I am going to try and sell my house while living with two in diapers.  Prayers appreciated.  We also bought a lot to build a new house with Matthew was 2 weeks old.  So hey!  Like I said, lots going on around here.

I am wayyyyy behind on thank you notes.  If you have sent a meal or a gift, I promise I am forever grateful for your kindness and there is a note coming!  And once those are finished, on to the Birth Announcements!

I received these amazing 3D Fiber Lashes in the mail and I cannot wait to play with them this weekend!  Anything to help this mama look more awake is much appreciated.

On that note, I reaaaaallllly need to get out of my yoga pants.  It's been almost 5 weeks since the babe and I just can't. take. them. off.  I have been shopping the Anthropolgie sale though and just picked up this (great for nursing too!) and this and this cute top!

Which leads me to another shopping point.  Have y'all ever heard of Coco and Ginger?!?!  I die.  No really.  I found them on instagram and am in love with each of their pieces.  Completely in love.  I usually don't spend that much on Georgia's clothes but I am going to have to splurge and get her something for next summer from that line.  Maybe for Christmas?  I'm in love with everything they make.  I want it in my size too please!

And then my last shopping point.  (disclaimer - I've been pregnant and haven't bought clothes in a long time!  I didn't really buy any maternity clothes either because I wore what I had from Georgia's pregnancy.  So there!  That is my excuse for this shopping nonsense.)  Back to my last point.  I want some boots!  For fall!  I'm deciding between these and these (in the grey suede).  Thoughts?

OK - both babies are sleeping so I mist shower and put on real clothes before the hubby comes home.  I. Can. Do. It.

PS - Promise to have Matthew's one month post up next week!

xox

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my 2 year old!

A week ago the baby that made me a mommy turn TWO!  I don't know where time goes, honestly.  There was no big shindig this year but I made SURE my little lady felt special.  She had one request this year - a Big Bird cake.  Considering she didn't even have a sugar cake last year I felt it only necessary to get her very own 8 inch Big Bird cake.  She didn't leave much for the rest of us (likely we had cupcakes too!).  We celebrated at home on Thursday night (the birthday night) and then headed to my parents' house Saturday for more spoiling and more celebrating.  Sunday night my in-laws stopped by for even more birthday surprises.  Spoiled rotten and loved unconditionally... I'd say it was a good birthday!

**PS - I appologize for the quality of these iPhone photos but a 2 week old + sleepy mama = I tried my best ok?

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