First grade here we come!!!

I am so excited my oldest baby girl is going to first grade. Time sure is flying by, before I know it she will be applying to colleges and wanting to leave home. I don't even want to think about that. We have been getting ready and preparing ourselves for this day.

Do you buy your kids a new backpack every year? New clothes, and shoes? It is something that I think is a must. I buy Sariah two backpacks because she is still rough,  and with just one it wouldn't work. I am teaching her how to be careful with her stuff, but it is a work in progress.

This year is special because she is going to be at a new school in a new area, and I want her to feel safe. I want her to be happy and look forward to what is in store for her. First grade is when they really take flight and start to really step into their own. I am so excited.

We have 8 days left and we are 100% ready for the day. She has clothes, shoes, school supplies and a whole lot of accessories. I was hoping that her school was going to be uniform but unfortunately it isn't. So of course you have to spend a little more on their outfits. 

I made sure to get things on sale. This year I did it a little different I allowed her to choose the items that we bought. It so exciting to see her excited about getting ready. I don't remember being into what I was wearing in first grade, but times are definitely changing.

So I am praying for her protection from the ignorance of the world. People that think negatively about life and don't want anything better for those around them. I am asking that Lord you keep your angels around her at all times and allow her to be the best her she can be. I thank you in advance for her placement and her education. First grade her we come. 

Next blog I will post everything we bought. From where as well...

I love you for reading. Talk to you tomorrow!!!

Food to make them grow!!!

"Carrots, num, num, num"!!!

So Logan did great on his apples. I decided that carrots and green beans were both next to make. Of course I wont give him both at the same time. I am so in love with how easy it is to make him his baby food. Nothing is more better than knowing what is going into your babies body.

So the carrots and green beans were just as easy as the apples. The cooking process is exactly the same, except for the length in cooking time. Every fruit and vegetable is going to be different. Some fruits you wont even have to cook. Like bananas, just warm up a little breast milk or formula and add it to your cut up bananas and there you have it. Put in your blender and puree away.

So for the carrots: (please buy organic).
Simply wash them good and cut off your ends and tips. Peel off the tough outer skin and cut into same size pieces. Remember the key is to cut small so they cook faster. The longer you have to cook, the more nutrients you lose. Add water to the pot, just enough to steam, then bring to a rapid boil. Turn
down to low.
After put carrots into your double broiler add lid, and cook for about 15-17 min. It really depends on your stove and how soft you need them to become to blend to a smooth consistency.
Once finished cooking pull off and let cool for just a second or two. Add your liquid. (now some just use the water from the cooking process, but for Logan I wanted it to be smooth and creamy. I warmed up some breast milk and used that for my liquid.

Blend till you get your liking of consistency. Pour into glass container, let cool. About 8-10 min. Stirring every now and again.
Once cooled completely down, spoon into your ice trays, plastic wrap and leave in freezer over night.
Remove and place in freezer safe bags and label.


Green beans: (please buy organic).
Wash them, and snap off the ends. Cut into small equal pieces, wash again. Add water into bottom of pot bring to a rapid boil, place your green beans into the double broiler and put lid on top. Cook for about 10-12 mins, check and see if they are fork tender, if not place lid back on for another 3-5 min. Remove once finished and let cool down.
Place your green beans in to your choice of blender and add your liquid. I used warm breast milk again because I wanted a creamy consistency for little man.
Once you've got the creamy consistency you want, pour into the glass container. Let cool for about 8-10 min. Stirring every now and again.
Once all the way cooled down, spoon into your ice trays, plastic wrap and leave in freezer over night.
Remove and place in freezer safe bags and label.

Now you have two more foods to add to your babies collection of homemade food. Logan loves his apples and now he loves his carrots. I will try his green beans next week and let you know how he likes them.

Hope your babies will enjoy.
Love you for reading.

Baby food crazy!!!

When feeding your baby you always want to give them the best. You want it to be fresh and healthy. With my first kids I didn't really know about anything. I just pretty much did what the pediatricians said or the books told me through reading.

This time around I wanted to make sure that I knew what Logan was eating. If I couldn't read the ingredients and understand them, then he cant have them. Seriously, people all those added ingredients aren't necessary for a baby.

I decided there is nothing better than knowing what's in their food. So I decided that I would make his food this time. I know books and doctors like to say "don't feed them till they are 6 months". I don't agree. My son is always hungry. Breast milk and formula doesn't keep him satisfied. I am not going to shut him up with sticking a bottle in his
mouth every hour. Not happening.

Once Logan turned 4 months I started him on baby cereal. Not a lot, just enough to make sure he would be okay with eating it. Now the key thing to remember, if your baby is not good at being a supported sitter you should not try it yet. Wait until they can sit in their highchair, or bumbo and they aren't falling all over the place.

Kids can be allergic to food so you need to be smart when starting out. The number one fruit that is recommended to start is apples. So I prepared homemade apples for little man, and it did not disappoint him. He loves them.

It took me less than an hour to make them. Not bad. The biggest thing for me was it only cost me $3.71 for 6 apples which would make about 20oz. Cant beat that.  Now I only did 3 apples because I wanted to make sure he was going to like it before I made them all.

Here is what you will need to make your own:

1. Nutri-bullet or any blender
2. 6 organic apples (of your choice)
3. Apple slicers
4. Pairing knife or peeler
5. Glass container
6. Double broiler
7. 2 ice trays
8. Freezer bags
9. Label's
10. Water
11. Plastic wrap
12. Spoon/fork

Wash your apples before you start. Slice the apples with your apple slicer. Remove the unwanted core. Now, you can peel them first with your peeler, but I liked the pairing knife much better. So if you didn't use the peeler first, use the pairing knife to remove the skin. Then dice your apples up in to little squares (all the same size).
Add water to the bottom of your pot (I used a cup) your steaming your product not submerging it. Start on high to bring up to a rapid boil. Now add your apples to the basket of your double broiler and add the lid to cover. Once your water is boiling turn all the way
down to low.
The apples took 11 mins to get to the tenderness you need. Remove the apples and let cool for 2 mins (don't throw out the water. You may need it). Now add your apples to your Nutri-bullet or blender. I added maybe 2 tablespoons of the hot water. Now blend away.
Once it has reached the consistency of what you want for you baby, pour it into the glass container to cool all the way down before putting it in the ice trays.
Once it is completely cooled, spoon the apples into the ice tray (fill them up all the way) and wrap with plastic wrap.
Place in your freezer over night. Pop them out in the morning into the freezer bag and label.

How to label them:
DATE:08/01/2014 CONTENTS: APPLES

Now you can store them in individual bags or in one big freezer bag like I did. For me it is all about saving so no wasting here with individual bags.

I hope your kids enjoy, I know Logan does.
Next either carrots or green beans. I cant wait. I truly enjoyed making these for him.

Note: Mix the food with baby cereal until about 6 months, then you can just do the food alone.

I love you for reading.

"YOU ARE A MOTHER"!!!

From the moment you think "I might be", to the moment you find
out "I am" "You are a mother". Even if you never heard the heart beat "You are a mother". Just because you didn't get to feel their kick "You are a mother". Even though you never will get to take them home, "You are a mother". So what you had to give them up for adoption "You are a mother". If you didn't get the chance to watch them grow because they got their angel wings earlier than expected "You are a mother". Its okay you had to play mommy and daddy. "You are a mother".

"I am looking forward to seeing the kind of person my son will be. His little personality and his little smile. I am a mother".

"I hate the teenager years, the mood swings, the "mad"itudes for no apparent reason. I am a mother".

"They are my motivation to pull through in life. I am a mother".

"I hate that because I have spoiled them rotten that when I say I don't have it, they don't understand. I am a mother".

"I love the unconditional love that each kid gives to me. I am a mother".

"I hate that I cant protect them from the pain and hurt in the world. Having to let them make their own mistakes. I am a mother".

Regardless of your situation "you are a mother". Some say that if you don't
physically have the child you are not. I say other wise. I celebrate each and everyone of you today. "You are a mother".

"I love the thoughtful things my children do/say without being asked. I am a mother".

"I am not looking forward to the dark thoughts I know will come at night. That I am not able to be the mommy I want to be. I am a mother".

"I love that becoming a mother exposed me to the world of holistic health care. I am a mother".

"I hate mommy wars. I am a mother".

"I love the simple joy that my daughter finds in life, like bubbles and flowers. I am a mother".

"I hate the first trimester of pregnancy. All the sickness its awful. I am a mother".

In life we have obstacles. Some that are easy and some that we really have
to work hard to overcome. Becoming pregnant is one of those obstacles. For some there mere thought of a baby gets them pregnant. That isn't the case for everyone. Some may never get to experience the joys of motherhood through the womb., but by adoption. "You are a mother".

"I love the immediate indescribable love you feel for your kids. I feel it most at night while rocking mine to sleep. I am a mother".
"I hate that I cant ever give up. It is especially hard when I have so much going on in life and I cant deal. I am a mother".

"I love seeing my child apply something that I taught. I am a mother".

"I hate that my kids are old enough to make their own decision and I have to accept them, even though I know the are making a mistake. I am a mother".

"I love that when I am down and out and thinking negative thoughts about leaving this place, just thinking about my kids saves me. I am a mother".

"I am not looking forward to my post-partum body. I am a mother".

Being a parent is a different experience for everyone. Sometimes we get pregnant and we don't feel like it is our time to become a mother. We aren't ready. We think about "do I keep it, get rid of it, what am I going to do"? Adoption becomes an answered pray to some family. "You are a mother".

" I love seeing her every morning and every night just smile at me. I'm finally a real mommy, and it's such a great feeling. I am a mother".

"I hate that he is so far away and there is nothing I can do about it. I never regret my decision to place him for adoption, but sometimes I wish circumstances had been different when he was born so I could have him now. I miss him so much, and there will always be something missing in my heart, but I know I gave him the world. Had I kept him, he probably wouldn't be in my custody now. I am a mother".

"I love watching my son grow. Watching him reach milestones and seeing his personality shine through. I am a mother".

"I hate I feel like I failed my daughter, because I picked a man wouldn't be my husband or a father to her. I am a mother"."

"I am looking forward to breastfeeding. I know it is going to be difficult, but I want to bond/connect and look into her eyes. I am a mother".


"I hate people questioning my parenting especially when I didn't ask for an opinion. I am a mother".

Just because things didn't play out the way you wanted you haven't failed. Sometimes life gets in the way. We do things we aren't proud of, and make choices we soon regret. "You are a mother".

"I love that we will always be a family despite our situation. I am a mother".

"I hate the anxiety that comes with motherhood. I constantly doubt myself, am I doing everything right. I am a mother".

"I love spending time with my daughter, watching her grow and blossom into the young lady she is. I am a mother".

"I hate feeling alone with our kids even though I have a husband home. I am a mother".

"I love that I am able to witness her many talents. She bring joy and
happiness to my heart. I am a mother".

"I hate my pregnancies are so hard that I never get to enjoy them. I am a mother".

     Psalms 127:3 

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

No matter how you were blessed with them, they are your gifts. Love them and cherish the moments you have together. It may get rough, you may lose sleep. But, their are women dying to have the opportunity to become a mother. Don't take it for granted.

No one may ever tell you this but only once a year, and to me that is not enough. We moms are under appreciated. From one mother to the next I will celebrate you and this wonderful thing we get to call motherhood. Lets make a difference in the world. Not judging each other but uplifting one another. I love you all and believe in you. No matter what circumstance you are in or have been in.
                                                             "YOU ARE A MOTHER"!!!

 

 

 

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The best part of my day!!!

The best part of my day is night. Giving all my kids their baths and then choosing the stories that we are going to read for the night. Usually the girls choose a chapter book because they feel older. Anything pleases them at this age. Currently we are reading the Junie B books which are kind of amusing if you ask me.

After the girls have had their books or book read it is milk time and good night (hopefully). Going to sleep is not their favorite part of the day. That will change one day though. For now its like pulling teeth. We say our prayers together and then I hope that they will be quite enough for me to get little man to sleep.

Once I am finished with them, Logan gets his special bath then lotion time. One thing I can say is after a baby has had a bath if you spend time massaging them with a calming lotion, it makes going to bed a lot faster. Just a little tip. Anyways after getting him dressed me and him choose three kid (baby) books (yes I said, me and him). The little ones that are hard pages.

I love seeing his eyes open up so wide when we are reading. I mean this little boy become fixated with the story. So cute I tell you. We either finish bed time with "I love you, goodnight" (which I just picked up and am so in love with) or "Love you forever" (my all time favorite).

Then night light with moving pictures and music is on. I say a prayer with him and rock him back and fourth till he is out. It melts my heart watching my kids sleep. The best feeling in the world is knowing "they are mine, all mine".

It is a reward everyday to me watching them rest so peacefully. Being a mother is such a hard job. One that most get no credit for, nor do we ask for it. Just seeing them in their beds tucked in under the covers lets me know "Kayleigh, you are doing a great job". It is nice to hear those words from time to time, but as long as my kids are alive and healthy I feel accomplished.

I am a blessed women and if all else fails in my life, at least I have my children. They will always love me despite my flaws. I am grateful for them.

A fun place.

Fun activities are a must with the kiddos. No matter where we live we always have fun... Guess what

Los Angeles isn't the only place to have fun with them either.

I don't think kids should be trapped in the house, so find fun things in your area. Some places are free in your local areas and some cost a little bit of money. If the kids really enjoy the places you can always apply the ticket to the season pass. It just has to be purchased that day.

My girls are very into science, animals and the earth. So we go a lot of museums. Which low key, I love too. Today we decided to try out the Nevada Spring Preserve. http://www.springspreserve.org/coming_soon/coming_soon.html

We totally had fun. They have indoor miniature golf, outside animals, fossils. You name it they probably had it. It did cost to get it, but not a lot. We paid $24.95 for all of us. It opens at 10am -6pm.
Which is great for the kids. On site is a dining area, gift shop and library. Winning.

It was very fun. Inside they do a live animal show. Two different hours in the day. So if you miss the first one you can go to the next. They ask for participation too, so that is a plus. Although my kids cried because they didn't get picked. LOL.

My favorite part (hey parents can have fun too) was the flash flood the do. Mimi was so scared, but not Riri or Logey Bear.

All in all it was fun I am glad that we went.

Now I know that for the most part you that most stay in the greater Los Angeles are, so here are a few fun places my girls loved.
In no particular order:

1. Los Angeles Zoo (it was cheaper to buy a pass for my whole family)
2. California Science center ( The Endeavor exhibit is a must see)
3. Brea tar pit (I loved going her when I was a kid)
4. Aquarium of the pacific (not my favorite thing)
5. Long beach library (my girls are simple)
6. Santa Ana Zoo (The park is amazing)

Now there is so much more to do and see, but these are just a few. Hope you enjoy taking your
kiddos out. Let the fun times begin.

How to keep the balance.

I asked for people to name topics that they wanted me to blog about for them to read. Long and behold most actually had the same concerns. Some expressed them on my "daily mom confessions" page and some in boxed me. Either way I automatically knew this is something I want to blog about.

We all handle things differently because we are not built the same. Physically, mentally and emotionally we all run on different levels. What may make me feel unequipped and get me sad and depressed might not even phase you. 

They only way I was able to keep a balance is because I battled with what one would call PPD "postpartum depression". I had a very bad case of it. Now I wasn't affected by this after Sariah, but with Kamille. It knocked me straight on my ass. Everything in me was fighting it, but nothing worked. I didn't know what to do. I ended up in the hospital so many times because I literally thought " I am dying, today is the day. I feel it". PPD is that bad. It causes you to have panic attacks and very bad anxiety. It isn't a joke at all.

Finally I took myself to Mental Health (yes I left by pride at home). They sent me to a psychologist because they said "you don't belong here, your not crazy". Well I sure felt crazy as hell. I started seeing a psychologist but noticed this is not going to work either. He was weird as ever wanting to talk about when I was a baby. Like I remembered that. LOL.

I was so lost and had no one that I could talk to about it. I've learned that a lot of people are afraid to be themselves and be open. I am not. You ask me something and I usually am an open book. What I went through I believe is to help someone else.

I went to my primary care physician and expressed my concerns about what was going on. She recommended Medication. At this point I was willing to try anything to get better. I had two kids depending on me. The first medication she started me on made things worse. I felt like the walls were caving in on me. Yes it is that bad.

Finally we found a medication that actually worked for me. The only problem was now I was sleepy all the time and hating life. I had to figure out what I could do. I decided that I needed to find an outlet to help me.

I knew that I didn't want to be on the medication anymore. I stayed away from excess amounts of coffee, made sure to keep the house bright. Get out of the house and do stuff with the girls. I learned what worked for me. I stopped taking the medication. Now I use to keep it on me just in case, but thank God I never needed it again.


If I felt like I was about to have an attack, I would suck on a hard piece of candy, and it worked.

This is how I learned how to keep the balance.

I was always to fixated on what the girls needed that I forgot about myself. You cant do that it will only make your life miserable. Just because you become a mother doesn't mean that you die. If anything it just starts a new chapter in your book. I mean that's what we are doing here, writing our book. Our stories aren't the same ever because then the book would be boring and not unique.

When the girls take a nap, I get some "Me time in". I watch my shows, surf the web, catch up on YouTube. Things that make me happy. That make me "ME".  I noticed that when I would work I never bought myself anything. I literally got paid and took the girls out shopping. This is a good thing to a certain extent. You have to treat yourself to something. Now don't get me wrong please provide for you children, but if they don't need anything and you do, make sure to choose you this time.

It is hard, I know. I love my kids with all that is in me, but mommy has needs too. Once you stop doing for you, you've already messed with the balance. It can and will have a negative affect on you. My girls know mommy needs space and they try to help I can tell., but remember they are kids don't expect too much. This is were the saying "it takes a village to raise kids" comes in.

Never be afraid to ask for help. If you have great friends and you are loosing it, ask. If you aren't a single parent tell your husband or boyfriend what's going on. Don't bottle it up and keep it in. It isn't healthy at all. No one is going to judge you, and if they do, they aren't any good for you.

Another great way to stay balanced is find other moms with kids around your kids ages. Schedule weekly play dates and let the kids be. While they are playing you and the kids mom can have some adult time. Trust me talking to kids all day, this will do you some good. I love hanging with other moms because they get you and understand certain frustrations.

Find your outlet. It can be writing (which is my favorite), singing, dancing, reading. Anything that allows you to just openly breath and get back to "YOU". You aren't dead, you are very much alive. Becoming a mother is the best thing in this world and also the hardest., but it isn't rocket science.

In staying balanced we are all going to have our own ways. Remember are make ups are different. No two people are the same. Not even twins. I promise you it only gets easier as time progresses and you learn more about yourself and kids.

I hope this helped someone, anyone. I am always here to help talk if need be. Who am I to judge?