Hudson's Theme Song

This is Hudson's theme song lol

Babies Got Breasts

It's sung to the tune of "Baby got Back".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



I like milk breasts and I cannot lie
you other babies can't deny
that when a mom walks in with an itty bitty waist and
two round things in your face
you get THURSSSSSS-TEE
cuz you notice her bra is stuffed
she's deep in double d's she wearing
im hooked and i can't stop staring
OH MOMMA i wanna get witcha
and drink your juicy pitchers
Enfamil tried to lure me
but only momma's milk makes me WAY healthy!

Ooo boobie's smooth skin
it always makes me grin,
so feed me, feed me,
cause you know it makes me happy
I see 'em bouncin'
With at least six ounces
It's sweet.
This treat!
Sit down mom, pull up a seat!
I'm tired of magazines,
sayin' formula is the thing
Ask the average baby and they'll say, "Snap!
Give it to me straight from the tap!"

So, Mommas (yeah!)
Mommas (yeah!)
can you NIP without any drama?
(HELL YEAH!)
Then nurse 'em, nurse 'em, nurse 'em, nurse 'em,
nurse your precious babes

Momma's got milk!
(Mom's sweet face over big full boobies)
Momma's got milk!
(Mom's sweet face over big full boobies)

I like 'em round and big
I'm like a little baby pig
I just can't help my self,
I'm eatin' like an animal
Bottles can't hold a candle
I wanna get that booju and slurp,
slurp it up slurp slurp
I ain't talking 'bout Playtex
Cause silicone nips are made for chumps
I like 'em real big and juicy
so give me your big bubbles
boobies don't give me trouble
rarely do I get a gas bubble
I'm lookin' at TLC's baby shows
Oh would you look at that…Oh, NO!
You can keep that mooju.
I'll keep on stickin' with booju.
A word to all you new mommas.
It's no trauma
It's not a big drama
I gotta be straight,
your baby can nurse
til the break of dawn
Now you've got it goin' on
Similac won't like this song
Cause they count on you to try it and quit it,
but you know those breasts make milk
It's not wrong. You're strong
Let's get that lactating on

So babies (squee!)
babies (squee!)
Do you wanna have your thirst sated?
Momma undo your bra, whip it out,
you make this baby shout

Momma's got milk!
(Mom's sweet face over big full boobies)
Momma's got milk!
(Mom's sweet face over big full boobies)

Yeah mommas.
When it comes to breastfeeding?
Size ain't got nothin' to do with your ability.
Bs? Cs? Double Ds?
You've got all your baby needs.

So they gave you a "success bag"
complete with a Nestle tag
But don't think that you always need
to get some free swag
Leave that sample up on the shelf
you can make it yourself
You can have some wine and sushi,
Your babe can have your milk!
Some docs wanna play that hard role
and tell you to supplement.
Momma toss it! Leave it!
The trashman can retrieve it!
So the security guard says, "Stop that!"
Well, I ain't down with that.
Cause my boobs are full
and this baby needs feeding,
It's his needs that I'll be meetin'
Some knuckleheads tried to be snide,
but the law is on my side.
I'm not feeding her in the restroom.
So stop with your doom and gloom.

So momma if your babe needs food
Go ahead and do what's good.
Sit down and feed that baby there
and let your milkies flow
Momma's got milk!

What a Shame

"My husband thinks that my ta-ta's belong only to him and wasn't into sharing, but I think breastfeeding is the right thing to do. So one night I made an attempt, and my son latched right on. I breastfed him for the first three months of his life and kept it a secret the whole time" Toni Combs, West Chester, Ohio.

The above quote is copied from Confession of the Month in the October 2009 issue of BabyTalk magazine. I think it is a downright dirty shame that this actually happened. One, that the father was so selfish, self-centered, and ignorant that he didn't want his child to have the best nature could offer. Two, that he actually believed his wife's breasts were made solely for his benefit. Sorry buddy, but the only reason God gave women breasts is to nourish their children. and three, that this mother would not stand up for her child's birthright and tell the father breastfeeding was how God and nature meant for a child to be fed, and to get over himself. She said she thinks breastfeeding is the right thing to do. So why was she unwillling and unable to stand up for her baby and say this is what is going to happen. I can't imagine my husband being so stupid. For that matter, I can't imagine myself backing down on what I think is in the best interest of my children just because my husband is being stupid!

Favorite Pictures

This is right after Hudson was born. Carlos had just brought him over to me, and the anestesiologist took the picture. It is the first picture of me and Hudson.

 This picture is Connor walking down the beach for the first time. He was 4 and it was his first trip to the beach. He loved it! He called the ocean the "big pool"

This was the first time I got to hold Connor. He was 33 days old. Until that day, he was on an oscillating vent because the conventional vent made his lungs hemmorhage. The oscillator had to be positioned just so, so holding him wasn't an option. I was so happy to be able to finally hold my baby! I got to hold him for 2 hours straight that day.

Hudson's Picture Face

Hudson has started giving a big cheesey grin every time he sees a camera. His picture face is so cute!

Frugal Living

People all over the country are feeling the stress of the economic mess we are in. My family is no different. I have always tried to find ways to save money. I find myself looking for new ways more often these days. I don't really know why, maybe because I grew up poor, but I have always hated spending money. I did go thru a phase when I was in college where I spent every penny I had (especially when I was working at Cedar Point), and never thought twice about it. Now I am always second guessing myself on if I really need what I am buying, will the money be better spent on something else? I feel guilty spending money on myself. I always think I should be spending money on my kids instead.

Some of the things I have always done to save money are:

make cleaning supplies using vinegar, baking soda and water. Most of what I clean with is home made.

Using cloth diapers. I really hate buying a $10 pack of disposables every week! I am really kicking myself for selling all of Connor's cloth diapers after he was potty trained!

Price matching stuff at Wal Mart

Making a lot of the gifts we give. I crochet, cross stitch and do some scrapbooking and paper crafts. I have to toot my own horn and say I make some really great crochet items lol

Start Christmas and birthday shopping EARLY!! I have already started this year's Christmas shopping, and almost have my boys finished. I spend the most on them, so I start in August or September. With Hudson's birthday being December 5, his birthday and Christmas will be extra hard for us. If I didn't start shopping early, we would never be able to afford it.

In the past several months, I have been looking for new ways to save money. These are some of the things I have recently done:

Bundled cable, internet and phone. For less than the combined cost of cable and phone service, we are now getting all three services. And as an added bonus, we only have one bill to pay!

I have started using coupons and store cards, something I have never really done before. Last Thursday when I went grocery shopping I saved about $35 using coupons and the Food Lion MVP card.

Only buying things on sale. Unless it is of the utmost importance that I have a particular item at this moment, I won't buy it unless it is on sale.

Breastfeeding. Saving money had nothing to do with making the decision to breastfeed, but since we are saving a ton of money, it is worth mentioning here. We don't have to spend any money buying an inferior food for the baby, or buying bottles.

So what are you doing to save money? What are some of your favorite frugal tips?

Testing

This is just a test to see how the posting thru email works. Please ignore!

 

 

Insurance Problems

Connor has been on depakote for four years. He takes 250 mg 3 times a day. This medicine is for his seizures. The only times he has had a seizure with it has been when his depakote levels, for whatever reason,  have fallen out of therapeutic range. That usually happens when he hasn't been getting all the doses or he has gone thru a growth spurt and the dose needed to be increased.

We dropped off the prescription to get a refill on Thursday. On Saturday we went to pick it up. When the pharmacist rang it up and told us how much it was, we were like um, no. it's covered under insurance. The only thing we should have to pay is the co-pay. After a long discussion, and the pharmacist calling the insurance company, we find out bceause there is a generic, the brand is no longer covered. The generic came out a while back. When it first came out, they filled it with the generic. We called the neuro, who called the pharmacy and had it changed to the brand. According to the neuro, generic seizure meds just don't work for most kids.

I called the neuro on Monday and let her know what was going on with his meds. She called the insurance company and got back to us today. The insurance denied her request for the brand. So then I call the insurance company. Still, they deny it. I ask them why they are denying him the medicine he has been on for four years and has proven to work. They really didn't have a good answer for me. I asked who made these decisions, and where did they go to medical school. I've been on the phone off and on all day trying to get his medicine covered, and nothing so far has worked. I was finally told me and the doctor could appeal thier decision, but that could take several weeks. So now, we have to write a letter to the insurance company, and so does his doctor, stating why we disagree with thier decision and why the medicine should be covered.

If Connor takes the generic, he will end up having seizures again. His seizures are always major, lasting at least 5 minutes, and he always ends up in the hospital afterwards. He's going to have to go thru all that just because some jack ass in a suit who has never met him thinks he knows better than Connor's doctor.

Mother's Milk- The Original Happy Meal

My father in law showed me an email titled the original happy meal. The picture in the email was of a nursing infant. It got me thinking of my nursing relationship with Hudson.

Making the decision to breastfeed and offer him the best nutrition was probably one of the best decisions I have made. Our bond is incredible. I love Connor with all my heart, and can't imagine life without him. However, we were never bonded the way me and Hudson are. I really, truely believe it is because Hudson is breastfed.

It's amazing to know I am the reason for how big and healthy he is. It is me who is nourishing him and providing comfort. The bond between us is awesome. I love the way he looks up at me with such trust and love in his eyes as I feed him. Sometimes, he will smile while he is nursing. That is such a precious site!

The first few weeks were hard. I admit, I questioned my ability to produce enough milk. I often thought he must not be getting enough because he seemed to eat all the time. I knew logically this was a stupid thought. I leaked so much milk, I could have fed another baby just from what I leaked. I guess the doubt was because I couldn't see how much he was eating, and couldn't measure it. After the first few weeks, nursing was so much easier than bottle feeding. Especially at night! Hudson sleeps with me, so I have never really woke up at night when he has woke up hungry. He has never really woke up fully, either. When he starts to stir and fuss, I get him latched on and we both go back to sleep.

Hudson is nine months old now, and still nursing almost exclusively. He has never had a drop of formula, and doesn't eat a whole lot of solid foods. I'm very proud of myself for still nursing, and for not having to give him formula.

My Family

Hudson

Hudson

Connor

Connor

Carlos

PTO Drama

Today was the first PTO meeting of the year. I'm excited to have my children go to a school that encourages parent involvement. Last year, the PTO raised enough money to buy new playground equipment, trash cans and benches on the the playground and in front of the school. They are also starting the year out with more than a thousand dollars in the account left over from last year.

There was another mom there who appeared to be new to the school. She was so negative about everything! When the board was talking about what they were able to do with money raised last year, she started making nasty comments about doing things that benefit the kids. She said what good does a trash can or bench do? how often will the kids really use it? Even after it was explained to her those things were included in what they budgeted for the playground equipment, she still was being rude about it.

Then we had a vote about buying a cotton candy machine to be used at the fall festival, spring fling, and ball games, with all money from sales going to the PTO. This woman pitched a fit about "wasting" PTO money on the cotton candy machine, because that wasn't going to do anything to benefit the kids. I was thinking hello moron! That machine will more than pay for itself in the first year, and continue to make money for the PTO to spend on other things for many years to come.

I think the best part was when she was complaining about how much time is allowed for breakfast. She kept going on about how the kids shouldn't be told to hurry up and eat, and they should be allowed to take as long as they wanted. If your kids want to dilly dally over breakfast, feed them before they go to school! They really shouldn't be missing class time.

I think the principle was really getting annoyed with this lady. I know I was, and so were several other people. As I looked around the room, I noticed several people rolling thier eyes at her. There's a way to register your complaints in a productive manner, and this lady just wasn't doing it.

Why I Left My Sons Intact

I am what some refer to as an intactivist. When I was pregnant with Connor, I thought I would have him circumcised. Because of his prematurity, it couldn't be done in the hospital. I thank God for that. Had they been able to do it before Connor was discharged, I wouldn't have made an educated decision. When I was pregnant, I was going to do it just because that's what everybody did. I wasn't educated on the facts of circ, didn't know how it was done, and never gave a second thought to how it would affect my child.

Thankfully, I was able to educate myself in the months between his birth, and when he was big enough and stable enough to have this barbaric procedure performed on him.

82% of the world's living men are intact. If being intact is such a bad thing, then why are only 18% of men circed? Logic tells us if being intact is such a horrible thing, and leads to cancer, UTI's and other infections, the statistics would be reversed. Additionally, circumcision was started in the United States as a deterrent to masturbation. The thinking was the pre-pubescent and adolescent male would remember the pain of his circ and therefore be less likely to masturbate. Routine infant circumcision (RIC) is not performed in most medically advanced nations.

The foreskin is not just a useless peice of skin.  In the extremely rare occasions when an infant is born without a foreskin, it is reported as a birth defect. Donn't you find it diconcerting that we force this birth defect on our sons? The foreskin does have a purpose. There are at least 12 known functions of the foreskin. These functions include protecting the infants glans from feces and ammonia in diapers, to protect the glans from friction and abrasion through out life, and as an aid for penetration.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING CIRCUMCISION
When the baby is brought into the room to have part of his penis cut off, he is strapped down to a device called a circumstraint. It has vecro straps to restrain his arms and legs so he can not move. Then the penis is disinfected with betadine and draped with a sterile drape.

The penile opening in an infant is small in order to protect the penis from foreign substances. The first thing the doctor does is grab the foreskin with forceps and widen the opening.  Then the foreskin is ripped away from the glans, which it is fused to and is not made to be retractable for several years.

The foreskin is then clamped and a slit is made on the dorsal side. The slit is then seperated and the foreskin is laid back, exposing the raw and bleeding glans. A plastibell is then laid over the glans and the foreskin laid over it. Then the doctor ties a ligature around the foreskin as tight as possible. After a couple minutes, the foreskin is cut off using a knife or scissors. The doctor cuts as much skin off as possible to reduce the amount of necrotic skin and the risk of infection. On average, one third of the penile skin is removed during circumcision.

I will never understand how a parent can let thier baby boy go thru this terrible procedure. How can a mother not research and make an educated decision? How can a mother who knows what happens during circumcision allow it to happen? I think everybody who thinks they will have their son circed should have to watch a video of the procedure before hand. If they still want their son circed, they should then have to be the one who holds down thier screaming newborn baby boy while part of his penis is amputated.

Circumcision is a barbaric practice. The owner of the penis is the one who should be making the decisions on what type of cosmetic surgery is performed. A newborn infant is incapable of making those decisions. I hear the arguement of at least he won't remember it being done. So what? Who are you to take away your sons right to bodily integrity? At least if your son makes the decision to be circed as an adult, he will have pain medication before and after the procedure, and the open wound will not be constantly exposed to feces and urine.

CIRCUMCISION MYTHS

There are many myths surrounding circumcision. A popular one is an intact penis is more likely to develop cancer or contract an STD. I ask you this: what do any of those things have to do with an infant boy? Nothing!! An infant is not at risk for cancer or STDs. This myth isn't even true, no matter the age of the male. He does not have a higher or lower risk of penile cancer based on if his penis is left the way it was designed or not. A circumsized penis is not any more or less likely to contract/spread STDs.

Hygiene- an intact penis is self cleaning. Until the foreskin is retractable, there is no need to do anything special or different. Once the foreskin is retractable, the male only needs to pull the foreskin back and rinse with water.

It will be inevitable later in life- not so! As long as you teach your son proper hygiene practices, there is nothing to worry about. You teach your child how to wash the rest of his body, how to brush his teeth, how to clean himself after using the bathroom. Do you really think it is that hard to teach him how to take care of his penis?

It doesn't hurt- evidence has shown over and over that infants feel pain more accutely than adults.  Many babies have actually passed out from the shock and pain of being circumsized. Thier parents mistakenly believe they are being brought back to them asleep, when they are really passed out.

Increased risk of UTI- the increased chance of a UTI in an intact male is statistically insignificant.

Wall paper

We bought a new house a few months ago, and moved in in July. We didn't HAVE to do any work to the house, but there are things we just want to do. First on the list is painting. So far, we have painted the hallway and half of the living room. I'm hoping to finish the living room tonight. But I digress.

The next room I am going to paint is Connor's room. I plan to buy the paint on Thursday when I do my weekly shopping. Before I can paint his room, I have to get it ready to paint. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal. I mean, how hard is it to fill in holes from nails, or fix other minor imperfections in the wall? It's not hard at all. I think a monkey could do it lol. BUT, Connor's room has wall paper on one complete side, floor to ceiling, and a border going across the middle of the room on all the other walls. I hate wall paper! I think the inventor of wall paper needs to be taken out back and shot. I think it is just tacky, and stupid, and why would you want to put paper on your walls?

Today, I started getting Connor's room ready to paint. I want to have it ready by Friday so I can paint it while he spends the night at his grandparents' house. The rate I'm going with removing the wall paper, I won't be able to paint until next year! The lady we bought the house from couldn't put up plain wall paper that I could just paint over. Oh, no. That would just be too easy. Instead, she put up a textured wall paper. So I have no choice but to take it down before I can paint. It is a giant pain in my butt! It is so hard to get off.

And then, to make matters worse behind the wall paper isn't even a normal wall. The wall isn't drywall. It is some kind of wood. It looks like whoever built the room (house?) decided not to finish the job, or to just do it as cheap as possible. I don't know if we can work with what is there, or if we will have to hang dry wall before I can paint. I'm going to have my father in law come over tonight to advise us on the best way to proceed.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I am new at this, so bear with me while I learn the ropes! I am a domestic diva. I do it all: cooking, cleaning, organizing, childcare, laundry, shopping, manage the family finances, make boo boos feel better. If it is something a wife or mother does, it falls under my job description!

My first child is Connor. He was born at 27 weeks, and spent 110 days in the NICU. He has faced many challenges in his young life, and for a long time had to fight just to stay alive. He is now 6 years old and in first grade. He has autism, mild spastic cerebal palsey and seizures.

Hudson is the baby. He is 9 months old now, and into everything! He is crawling, climbing, sitting, pulling up, cruising, trying to walk, and says four words: mama, dada, hi and no. Before I got pregnant with him, I was told I could never carry a baby to term. I had a perfect pregnancy with him!

Carlos is my wonderful husband. He works hard as an autobody technician. He works hard so I can stay home and raise our kids without having to rely on babysitters and daycares. Carlos is a great provider, wonderful husband, and awesome father and I am extremely blessed to have him in my life.

I am a stay at home mom by choice, and teacher by trade. However, I have no intentions of going back to teaching once my kids are in school. I practice attachment parenting. The aspects of AP we follow are no crying it out, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, anti-circumcision, and non-spanking. We used cloth diapers for Connor, and started out using cloth with Hudson. Unfortunately, Hudson has outgrown all the cloth diapers we have, and we don't have the money to buy new ones right now. So, for the time being Hudson is wearing disposable diapers.

This blog is to document what is going on in all of our lives, and also for me to share my thoughts on various things. I hope you enjoy reading our adventures!