Star Fruit aka Carambola

Star fruit is new to our house. 

I have been seeing it at the grocery, and decided last night to give it a try. 

You don't peel it, just wash it with cold water, slice it, and enjoy.

Reading more about it in my free time (ha!) turns out it's a great choice too! 

It's a tropical fruit that is rich in Vitamin C, A, fiber, and potassium.

It has a Nu Val score of 100!

(let me just say, I thought an idea just like Nu Val a few years ago, and then these nutritionist and doctors come up with the same thought! Great minds must think alike)

Riley gave it a thumbs up!

Although Raigan's face looks like she could have taken it or left it, she did eat a lot, so I'm assuming that she enjoyed it too!

It's so fun for kids because it's in the shape of a star!

Out of Inspirtation

Our third and final major project in my photography class has me stumped. We are allowed to take photos of anything. Anything at all, no restrictions on the subject matter.

Anything?

At first I thought this was an awesome idea. But now, with no direction my mind doesn't even know which way to wonder.

I tried to go downtown to find inspiration:

But I'm not so happy with the outcome... I'm not sure which direction to go into either. I've been looking at lots of famous photographers and their works, but nothing is striking the proverbial chord.

I love babies. Maybe I'll change gears and take pictures of babies. I'm taking offers if you have babies I can take a picture of. 

Any other ideas?

When you are having a bad day...

Makes me smile every time!

Blue Ribbon

Riley finally did it. She did all the pages in her alphabet book, earned all the stickers to the sticker trail, and after literally months of working hard earned her blue ribbon sticker.

She was so proud of herself! And I am extra proud of her! 

The next day after getting her ribbon she ripped it up, but I guess it was her's to do what she wanted with it. Silly girl.

Babywearing 102: Wraps

So in this post I talked about the benefits of baby wearing.

It makes for happier babies and happier moms.

Like I've said before, when I was first introduced into the world of baby wearing I was overwhelmed to say the least.

So in this post: my attempt at simplifying the types of baby carriers. In my mind (and I try to simplify everything for myself- because so much of my life is not simple), I think of there being 5 categories that carriers fall into.

* Wraps
* Slings
* Pouches
* Asian/ Mei Tais
* Structured Carriers

I also think of them as going in this order too from newborn to toddler even though each can usually be used for all age ranges. I just find it hard to throw a newborn into a Mai Tai or a toddler into a pouch but I put Riley (nearly 30 lbs) into a Moby Wrap last spring when we were in the Smokey Mountains.


WRAPS

Common Brand Names: Anaju, Ellaroo, Moby Wrap, Sleepy Wrap, Storchenwiege


Wraps are basically big long pieces of fabric. Most of the time they are stretchy, but some are woven or mesh (used for swimming). There are about 98359825 ways to wrap your body and baby up like Obi One Kenobi.


Your baby can face forward, outward, on your back, hip, chest, pretty much anywhere. Your baby can be snug or loose and the combination are endless with these wraps.There are about a million You Tube videos on the different ways to use these.


Personally, I love these type of baby carrier. They are so nice for all ranges of babies, are versatile, and are GREAT for you shoulders and back. It can be tricky to get them on sometimes and it's easier to put on before your out and just wear it out of the house.

Friday?! Is that you?!

Five Question Friday





Friday, you could not have came quickly enough. I had a rough week to say the least. I have officially hit the wall with writing papers and this semester. I would like for the next 3 weeks to go by as quickly as possibly and for all my papers that are due to write themselves.

Next Tuesday I will be taking the Pharmacology Hesi. You know it's sad when you have written SO many papers that are you looking forward to a standardized test.

I had plans to up and go to New York City this weekend with my bff, but my car was recalled, so I'm not sure if we will still be going or not. It depends if it will take more than today to fix.

I am off work alllllllllll weekend. I'm not to sure if I will know what to do with myself being off of everything/anything for 2 whole entire days, if I don't got to NYC that is.

Ok, onto the questions...

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?

My periods. Especially before I had my surgeries. Worse than labor, worse than anything. I remember a time when I was about 14 that I begged my mother to take me to the ER because the cramps were intolerable. I later found out I had stage 3 endometriosis. 

2. How much sleep do you get at night?

Not enough. Usually like 6 hours. In an ideal world I would get 12 hours of sleep every night. Some people need sleep and some people can do without, I am one that needs and enjoys lots of sleep.

3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

 I don't think I ever did. I had two older brothers and my parents were terrible at hiding the presents. I have already told Riley that Santa isn't real and we celebrate Christmas for Jesus, but she was so convinced that he is real that she told me I was just "playing a joke on her", so I'll let her believe since she wants to.

4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

One of the Twilight movies, I'm really not even sure which one. I went with my best friend that is a big fan. It was okay, but I don't get the madness. 

5. What do you wear to bed?

Well this is a personal one, huh? I usually wear a t shirt and undies.

My sweet (when she wants to be) firstborn: Riley

My sweet (but is taking notes from her big sister as of late) second born: Raigan

People often try to articulate what it feels like to be a parent, but there are really no words that describe that kind of love. I think about all the children in the world that are lacking the love that I feel for my babies, and wish I could just go scoop them all up and show them love too.