...on friday

I am so glad it is friday.  That's pretty much all I have to say.  This mommy is tuckered out.  It is finally the weekend and Adam and I get to have a date night tomorrow!  I think we will go see Harry Potter.  It's funny, because I think the last movie we saw in theaters was Harry Potter.  That was back in November and Jack was still in the NICU.  How strange.

Well, we finally ordered Jackson a big boy car seat and I think I am about one item away from being that person....let me explain.  Our name, Baca, means a lot of different things in different languages but in Spanish, it means cow.  You can imagine how that could potentially translate into buying anything and everything "cow" that has ever been made.  It's not even that I like cows all that much it's just, you know, Baca, Cow, we might need that-get what I'm saying.  So while browsing the internet for car seats, I happened to come across a cow print car seat.  I thought to myself, "you can NOT get that, then you would be that crazy cow lady", but then I thought, "it's just a car seat!".  You can see for yourself what happened.

I do not regret my decision at all!  I think it is the most adorable thing ever!  And just for the record, I do not have cow things all over my house-I promise.  But a car seat?!  Come on...I really did have to get it!

...on thursday threads

You like that? Yeah, I've had that one in the works for a while.  I have decided that thursdays will from here on out be posts about crafty things.  There are two reasons for this:  1, I always love when people have a "thing" on their blogs.  Like, this photographer who adam loves does a thing called kisses and disses on her blog...I just think it is fun, and 2, I feel like this will give me a reason to continue in my sewing adventures.  I'd like to post something every thursday but we'll test it out here and see how it goes.  I make no guarantees but I'll sure do my best.

For my very first thursday threads post I would like to share with you.......

...my pin cushion!  Yay!  Isn't it adorable?  I had some scraps from my fabulous SAS fabric and I have been meaning to get/make a pin cushion for a while now.  I looked up some tutorials online and then just kind of went for it.  I LOVE it and am actually quite proud.  If you want to make one of your own I would suggest looking up tutorials online.  I thought about doing one but I'm what you might call, "scrappy", when it comes to projects and I think a tutorial by me might not be the most helpful.  Also, I am still completely a beginner so It would kind of be like the blind leading the blind.  

...on snacks

I thought I'd take a minute or two to share with you all what kinds of things I have been snacking on throughout these 30 days.  Many of you know that I love to eat and I am a really big snacker.  When I first started out doing my 30 days I'm pretty sure that I was eating all the time.  Things have kind of tapered off but here are some of my favorite snacky things.

#1.  Sun Butter

I love me some sun butter.  Peanuts are a no no on the paleo diet because they are considered a legume.  So sad, but I have found that sun butter is a pleasant alternative (especially the kind from Trader Joe's!).  It has a similar consistency to peanut butter and the price is right-only 3.99 a jar!  Which is great for us because we go through at least one in a week, sometimes two.  I told you, I like to eat.  *give it a go with a banana or an apple.  You won't regret it!  Or perhaps a little "ants on a log" action-it'll make you feel like a kid again!

#2.  Nuts

Now, I know that nuts are probably not the best snack in the entire world but when you take away all sweets, grain, etc., these are a great alternative.

#3.  Coconut Flakes

Say what!?  I know, now I sound completely granola.  Trust me, I'm not.  I'm just a girl who is trying to eat healthy while maintaining my milk supply for my little one.  Coconut flakes translate into good fat in my diet which translates into milk.  *try a couple of almonds with a couple of coconut flakes.  It's kind of like an almond joy without the chocolate.

#4.  Dark Chocolate

My personal favorites are Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar with almonds and Sunflower Market's Dark chocolate with espresso....so, so tasty!

#5.  Fruit

If your goal in dieting or eating healthy is to lose weight, then I would take it easy on the fruit (because of the sugar).  For me, I don't really care as much about losing weight as I do about trying to be more healthy and I don't particularly enjoy snacking on veggies.  I figure it is better for me to snack on a piece of fruit than on a half dozen cookies.  Know what I mean?

#6.  Coffee

I guess this one doesn't really count as a snack but sometimes I just need a pick-me-up and coffee seems to do just the trick!  I used to be a tried and true Mocha fan-venti for that matter.  Now, I have transitioned over into the land of Americanos!  Espresso diluted with water, and I always add heavy cream just to sweeten the deal.

There you have it!  My two cents on snacking healthy.  I'm sure there are some crazy granola-y health nut paleo people who will read this and think that I have completely missed the boat but that's ok.  Honestly, I am no expert but I'm always looking for new ideas of things to snack on so hopefully this will be helpful to someone out there.  Actually, if anyone has a snack that they love please do share!

...on week three and other things

Three weeks down, one to go.  I feel as though I am at the point now where I am just used to this diet.  It doesn't seem that hard anymore and I don't feel like I am eating all the time although I am still eating a lot.  I think one of the smartest things I have done in this challenge is make it attainable.  I feel like I was extremely reasonable in knowing what I could and couldn't do.  For example, I know that I love chocolate and coffee with cream so, I allowed my self dark chocolate and cream.  I don't feel guilty about it and I am very proud to report that I haven't cheated once.  I will say that something very bad happened the other day involving me and a dark chocolate candy bar from Trader Joe's.  So one week left!  I'm feeling pretty good and am trying to work out in my mind how this new found healthy eating will translate into my normal diet.  Really, Adam and I have been eating this way for a while (just not as strict) so hopefully it shouldn't be too hard.  I am also curious to see how my body responds to grain once I eat it again.  Who knows?

Ok, so who needs some cheering up today?!  I know I do!  This has been SUCH a long week already and it's only tuesday, right?  Oh my.  I was at Target yesterday and I found these adorable sun glasses for Jackson (on sale).  I just couldn't resist.  Here is little man strikin' a pose...

I think what he is really trying to do is take off the glasses!  And one more...ok, two more...

Sometimes this is how Jackson eats.  Toes all curled up under his tray...

And finally, saving it for later!  He pretty much always leaves a meal with puffs stuck somewhere on his person.  My personal favorite was when he had one stuck in the palm of each hand.  

...on fabulous fabrics

The last couple times I have visited Phoenix, I made it a point to visit SAS-the most fantastically ghetto fabulous fabric store you will ever see!  Ghetto because it is in a fairly sketchy part of town and is not exactly the most organized or luxurious store.  Fabulous because you can get fantastic designer fabrics for not that much.  I would equate it to the savers/marshalls/ross, of fabric stores.  Also known as Adam's worst nightmare but, of course, right up my alley!  I left Jack with Adam and dug through piles, and piles, and piles, of fabric!  It's seriously like a treasure hunt!  Here is what I came up with.

There were a bunch more that I wanted but I was really trying to find little boy fabric.  I will be going back to Phoenix in a couple of weeks so I figure I'll give it another go then!  Honestly, if you are at all into sewing (and don't mind digging around!) and are making a trip out to PHX, this place is a must go.  

In other exciting news, we are in the process of cramming a little sewing space into our guest room!  I'm so excited as my sewing space right now is our dining room table.  It's great because the table is large but a huge pain because, if my sewing stuff is out, our entire great room looks like a disaster.  We are not doing anything major or fancy, just moved the bed against the wall and will add a table.  I'll post some pictures once it's all finished.  

Also, I washed my hair with body wash this morning.  It was pretty awesome.  

...on swimming

I took Jackson to the pool for the first time a couple of weeks ago.  He LOVED it!  Seriously, I think he was in the pool for an hour the first time we went.  Happy as a little clam!  When we went to Phoenix we were able to take him swimming in my parent's pool but not before we drove all over town looking for a certain floaty thing.  We finally found what we were looking for but the store only had one and it was green with a big pink flower on it.  We figured that Jack is secure enough in his masculinity to float around in a girly float but we turned it upside down anyway.  Once again, he loved the water and this time Adam got to swim with us!  Below you will see a bunch of pictures of splashing but I thought we'd start it off with a couple photos of what I like to call...sunscreen hair.  Incredible.  

I think that concludes my binge blogging for now.  I still need to post on my fabulous fabrics that I found at SAS.  I can't wait to go back!

...on cousins and family

Our trip to Minnesota was such a fun time with family and cousins.  Caroline got to hang out with baby Jackson and show him the ropes.  She was so sweet to him especially when she kindly informed me that Jack was done swinging by saying, "he all done."  Translated "I would like a turn, please".  So precious.

...on eight months

Finally!!  I am ready to start my binge posting...complete with pictures and everything!  We'll start off with the eight month post (two weeks late).  Here is our little or really, not so little, eight month old.

There you have it!  Apparently he wasn't too smiley on the day that we took those pictures.  He's really starting to look like a little man, I can't believe it.  

...on poop and ants

My sweet eight month old has decided that he is going to have one of his daily BMs at nap time.  This translates into 30 minute afternoon naps.  Bet you wanted to know that, huh?

Ok, so we have been having an ant problem in our house over the last month or so.  Just to clarify, bugs don't generally creep me out too much but there are two things I despise-fruit flies, and ants.  I had the pest control guy come out two weeks ago and he sprayed then gave me some poison traps for the ants.  Of course, they are made out of peanut butter which chloe has a super sniffer for!  She found those right away so they had to be put up out of her reach.  I hadn't noticed any ants since he came and was so glad to be rid of them....so I thought.  Last night I started to run the bath water for Jack's bath and guess what was in the tub....ANTS!  What?!  He gets a bath every night so either I haven't noticed them and have been bathing my son in a tub full of ants (very unlikely) or these are new ants.  Needless to say, bath time last night was kind of a disaster.  Not wanting to call Preventive Pest Control again ( and spend another $75), I went and got one of the ant poison things.  I just went to check on the ant situation in the bathroom and wouldn't you know it-there are dead ant bodies everywhere!!  I was totally disgusted but also felt a little victorious!  I still wonder where on earth they are coming from and why they are here.  I mean, the other ants I can understand as they were mainly in the kitchen and after food, chloe's food (that dog is not exactly a dainty eater).  But ants in a bathroom?  Unless Jack or Adam is getting up at night snacking in the bath tub then I honestly have no idea why they are congregating in there.  Hopefully the problem is solved.

P.S.  Jack is STILL awake (I put him down a little after 1)  I bet he pooped again.
P.P.S  Life is pretty good when the things you worry about in a day are ants and poop, huh?  (That wasn't sarcasm)

...on week two

Two weeks down, two to go.  Tonight all I want to do is eat.  Today totally would have been a chocolate chip cookie baking day.  I am determined not to quit.

(still working on pictures...coming soon, I promise)

...on binge blogging

I am generally not a fan of what I like to call "binge" blogging, but I fear I have no choice as there is much to blog about!  I keep on wanting to post blogs but I can't upload any pictures at the moment so I am way behind!  Be on the look out for several new posts this week.  I am in a bit of a transition time with my computer so hopefully I'll have some pictures up in the next couple of days.  Things to look forward to:  new fabric (yay!), Jack swimming, and his 8 month photo shoot.

On a much more somber note, those of you who were following James on his journey to beat the tumor, if you have not heard, he did-he beat it.  He passed away and is up in Heaven with his perfect body and a completely amazing head of hair.  What a precious boy.  I am amazed to see how much his life touch so many people in a very deep and meaningful way, including me.  Here is the link to his parent's blog.  Please continue to pray for them.

http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/2011/07/empty.html?spref=fb

...on praying for a miracle

I felt compelled to share this with all of you.  A girl that I knew in college, Kara, has just taken her son home from the hospital with a brain tumor.  She and her husband have taken him home to be with him and love on him as he waits to meet out Lord.  But you know what?  I think we should all keep praying for a miracle.  Our God is one of Miracles, he is the great healer.  Science has said that James can not be healed from this, but I say we toss this one up to our God in Heaven.  Please join me in praying that, Lord willing, James would be healed of this tumor, defy all odds, all rational thought, all science, and bring a whole boat load of glory to God!  The link to their blog is here:

http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-twenty-one.html?spref=fb

I did not know Kara well, in fact, I don't even know that she would remember me but her sweet boy has touched a place in my heart as well as many others.  Please join me in praying fervently for a big, huge miracle in James' life.

...on week one

Alright people, week one of the 30 day challenge is officially complete!   Days 3 and 4 were quite hard but once I got over that hump things started to become somewhat easier.  The most challenging thing right now is fat, believe it or not.  Think about it...my diet consists primarily of lean meats, veggies, and fruit.  There is not a lot of fat in there which poses a problem for me as I am still nursing.  I do not want to lose my milk supply but I also do not want to fail my challenge.  I have found myself starting to supplement with protein smoothies, at least a whole avocado a day, coconut flakes, and cooking everything in coconut oil.  It is safe to say that my thoughts about food have already started to change.  I mean, what percentage of the population is thinking about ways to ADD fat into their diet?  Also, I can not be concerned with gaining or losing weight right now as my main priority is to maintain my milk supply for our little man.  Interesting, huh?  I think so.  I know I promised a before picture but honestly, I can't bring myself to post it just yet.  I will eventually, I promise.

...on shorts

 I did something today that I swore to myself I would never, ever, ever, ever do.  I'm not proud of it.  I still feel a little bit bad.  I am wearing.......maternity shorts!  Yes, it's true.  I swore to myself that after I had Jack (and fit back into my clothes) I would not wear my maternity clothes anymore.  And I haven't...until right now, about ten minutes ago.  See the thing is that it's hot here, and I have two pairs of shorts, both of which are dirty, so I dug down to the bottom of my drawer and there they were-my cute little black linen maternity shorts.  They do NOT have a band on the waist, they are the kind that button low, below the belly, so it's really not too obvious that they are maternity...I don't think.  NO,  I am not pregnant again, and  YES, I can fit into my clothes, these just looked pretty comfy...and clean.  So there you have it...Maternity shorts.

...on things that make you go....

....really??  

I was driving down the road last week and an suv turned just ahead of me.  I noticed something that has always bothered me-stickers!  There were at least two dozen stickers stuck on the inside of the passenger window.  Someone please explain this to me?  I feel like it is not ok for any child to deface a car in such a tacky way.  For that matter, does your child really need to have the added entertainment of stickers on the window while they are in the car?  Isn't it far more fun and educational to look out the window at an unobstructed view of your surroundings?  Seriously, someone please explain this to me, am I missing something?  

Also, how do we all feel about 10 year old kids out by themselves at 9:30 at night, drinking frappuccinos, then taking their scooters across an extremely busy street (not at a crosswalk, I might add) going in a direction that is away from any houses.  I mean, I feel like i'm getting old here but I just don't think that is very safe.  Maybe Dr. James Dobson is getting in my head as I am reading his book "bringing up boys".  

Ok, enough of that but really, someone please get back to me on the stickers.  I just don't get it.  

...on mini adam

Everyone we see says that Jack looks exactly like a miniature Adam.  I'm beginning to see it more but to me he is just Jack.  In the hospital, right after Jackson was born, Adam was not allowed to follow him to the NICU.  I kind of had this (tiny) fear that he would somehow get mixed up with another baby.  For real, I think there is even some tv show on about that now!  Anyways, I think it's safe to say that Jack is, in fact, a Baca.  What do you think?

Adam

Jackson

...on day one

And so it begins.  Today was the first day in my 30 day challenge.  So I know I have really stressed that this whole thing is about food but I think that I am wanting to make it more about discipline in general.  Simple things like getting up early to do my quiet time, keeping things organized, spending my time wisely, etc.  Kind of like an extreme makeover life edition!  Yeah, I like that.  Let's call it EMLE for short.  Ok.

So, EMLE day one.  How was it?  Not too bad, actually.  I do have some left over banana pudding in my fridge that I resisted all day long!  I wasn't really tempted to eat anything bad until this afternoon.  Let me paint you a little picture, mmmk?

Jack falls asleep in the car seat at 12:00 and doesn't wake up until 12:45-there is no way he will go down for a 1:00 nap.  1:30-I put jack down for his nap thinking that surely he will sleep, he was up three times last night, after all.  He finally falls asleep at 2:00.  2:30-Jack wakes up so I feed him a little and lay him back down asleep.  2:45-jack is awake again-poopy.  New diaper, mobile on, sleepy baby?  No.  3:00-jack is awake-poopy.  New diaper, mobile on, sleepy baby?  No.  3:20-Jack is awake-I decide to take him to the store.  Put him in the car seat-poopy.  New diaper and off to the store we go.  I'm not sure if you are keeping track but that is a lot of poopy diapers and not a whole lot of sleep!  Temptation #1:  a glass of wine.  Don't worry, I resisted!

Ok, on a completely different note...check out this precious little bundle of cuteness...

The little man tried out his pool for the first time today!  It was a big hit!  Ok, day two...here we go!

...on going out with a bang

No, I am not talking about fireworks.  Today was my last day to eat junky foods so eat junky foods, I did!  Tomorrow I begin my 30 day "challenge", if you will, in order to gain a healthier relationship with food.  I am both excited and kind of dreading the next 30 days which is pretty ridiculous if you think about it.  It really shouldn't be that hard to eat yummy meats, fruits, and veggies for thirty days.  I mean, how awful does that sound to complain about having to eat good food.  So back to the junk food...we had some friends over tonight for the 4th of July.  We had hamburgers, salad, banana pudding, cake, and cookies.  I tried a little of everything which is what we in the Baca family refer to as a "sampler".  I think that I might be sugar drunk, if that is even possible.  We had a great time and I think it's safe to say that I got my fix of sweets for the next 30 days!

...on coming home

I seriously had anxiety last night thinking about traveling with a baby by myself.  If you don't know this about me, I kind of have an issue with airport security-it makes me feel very feisty and on edge.  I could already feel my anger rise up when the people in front of me at the ticketing line were forced to move clothes from one suitcase to another because one was too heavy.  I ask you, what does it matter if 1lb of t-shirts are in his suitcase or her suitcase, they are all going on the plane, right?  I suppose they could go in the carry on but oh yeah, that goes on the plane too!  My turn came up and BAM 49lbs!  I'm so thankful that I wasn't over because I don't know what I would have done.  Next we headed off to security where I was praying that they didn't have body scanners-I have never been in one and never will go through one.  Answered prayer, no body scanners.  Then, the man at the security line seemed like a complete stickler.  Like the person who is completely condescending to you coming through the line, "take out everything in your pockets, absolutely everything!  No Shoes!  No Liquids!  I have the power!  Muah ha ha!"  Ok, well maybe not that bad, but you get the picture.  The lady in front of me had to go check her bag because she had oodles of liquids and aerosols, etc.  My turn came around and man, that guy was so nice!  He even said hi to Jack and was super helpful!  Everyone was, for that matter.  I still felt a little frazzled getting through it all but I made it through without a hitch!  Next on the agenda, coffee, then breakfast for me and Jack.  We both ate, I got him a clean diaper, and it was time to board the plane.  We got on the plane and, of course, little man had waited for a clean diaper to poop in so I frantically changed him on the seat next to me before someone came and sat down.  Again, I am so thankful that he pooped before we took off and not after!  I fed him a little on the way up and he passed out asleep for about an hour and a half.  The flight was fairly uneventful.  We switched planes in Phoenix and the only snag was that I left my sweater on board.  Thankfully, I noticed it was missing before I got too far and was able to re board the plane and rescue it!  The flight to Albuquerque went something like this-Jack fell asleep during take off and woke up after we landed.  My Hero.

Overall, flying by myself with a little one was not that bad.  Flying with two little ones?  I can't even imagine.  Kudos to all of you out there who have braved the airplanes with multiple children.  We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.  For now, I'm just happy to be home.

...on tiny travels

In one of my last posts I mentioned that Adam and I traveled up to Minnesota to visit our newest nephew.  Adam flew home yesterday but Jack and I will stay here through Sunday.  Jackson is doing great during the day with the hustle and bustle of new people, new places, new sounds, new smells, etc.  He has also started LOVING food (I hope he isn't stress eating, oh dear!)  The night time, however, is a completely different story.  Last night he woke up at 9:30, 11:30, 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00.  This, my friends, is not normal.  He gave up sleeping through the night about two months ago so I am used to him waking up at least once or twice.  I just hate that he is having such a hard time sleeping!  I don't know if I should blame it on the changes or on his new teeth.  Either way, poor baby is so tired and so am I.

All that aside, we have been having a good time visiting with Joshua.  He is such a good baby and oh, what a cutie!  We have all been doing our best to keep Caroline entertained, as well.  A few days ago, Jackson, Caroline, and I played outside.  I pulled out some of my toddler songs from school (I knew those would come in handy some day!) and Caroline and I danced, and danced, and danced!  Jack was a trooper and hung out in the swing.  I so wish that we had room to put one of these swings in our back yard!

Dr. Caroline taking Jack's blood pressure

Jackson and I come home on Sunday which, I'm sure, will be an adventure of its own!  We fly from Minneapolis to Phoenix (about 3 hours) then from Phoenix to Albuquerque.  I'm a little nervous as the only time I have flown with Jack it was a quick, direct flight with five other people that I knew.  I'll post more pictures soon but my computer is still close to death so I'm trying not to overload it with too much stuff.