Happy World Breastfeeding Week! [Tandem Nursing Pictures]

In honor of world breastfeeding week I decided I would write a blog, so exciting, I know.  Breastfeeding for me has been a long and winding journey, when I gave birth to Lily over eight years ago I had no clue that formula wasn't "just as good" as breast milk and that coupled with excruciating pain from a bad latch or tongue tie our breastfeeding relationship was short and full of grief.

With Jonas I tried again, this time breastfeeding wasn't as painful and I was beginning to know more as a Mother and less willing to listen to good-intentioned advice from people that knew even less than me. But again, breastfeeding just wasn't easy and at that time in my life, attempting to sell a home and moving two young children off of an island and back to California, breastfeeding wasn't the priority I wish it would have been.

Fast forward a few more years and along comes Oliver Crash, my breastfeeding champion!  After Oliver's birth which was incredibly hard both physically and emotionally I began to question my choices as a Mother a little bit more which led me to the great big world of "crunchy" mamas.  Breastfeeding is truly a community effort at times and the love, care and understanding I got from other Mothers is what made me love breastfeeding.  I breastfed Oliver through my pregnancy with Tulip and when she was born I tandem nursed them for over a year.  I decided to wean Oliver at the age of 3, a hard decision but one that I felt right about.  I will forever be grateful for the nourishment and bond I was able to give him.

Little Miss Tulip Bea was born to nurse and our journey has been smooth and primarily easy so far!  For those of you that wonder or didn't know; breastfeeding is like most things in life, lots of good and some bad.  There will be tears, sleepless nights, bite marks on your nipples and a small hand down your shirt most of the time.  But, there will also be sleepy-milky smiles, endless snuggles, the ability to comfort and calm, the power to nourish.

I have been a formula-feeding Mom and I have been a breastfeeding Mom, neither of those define you as a Mother but I can guarantee that one of those will change you. <3

These pictures are courtesy of Lisa Hoang at Simply Baby Photography in Kailua, Hawaii.
I took these last year when Tulip was maybe 9 months and Oliver was 2 1/2.  The Hawaii government was looking for pictures of local looking Moms to use in a new pamphlet for breast pumps.  While I didn't get picked, maybe the green hair? It was still such an honor to be considered and I will forever have these beautiful pictures to remember such an amazing time.

Amber necklace from Half Moon Mothering. :) 

thankfultwenty. [Slow Cooker Beef&&Broccoli]

Nicole's Official Thankful 20.
It's the small things. :)

[Thankful for this crazy kid!] 

1.  Going pee BY MYSELF.  If this ever happens it's a miracle, a joyous miracle. A shower is even more awesome.

2.  When the Wii remotes actually have batteries.  This is a rare and elusive thing.  If they don't have working batteries I then try to rotate the same 6 batteries hoping some combo of 2 will magically work.

3.  Free stuff.  Anything free makes me pretty happy.  Things to do with the kids, free food, free baby-sitting.  I'll take it all.  And the best?  Free coffee of course.

4.  When you get a really good lock screen/wallpaper combo on your cellphone.  Yeah, that makes me happier than it probably should.

5.  Unsolicited advice.  I really love when a stranger tells me something I don't want to hear or care their opinion about.  Oh, the baby's too old to breastfeed?  You don't think my carrier is safe?  Actually that was a joke.  Please leave me alone.

6. Mom time.  I am so grateful to have such an awesome husband that is always encouraging me to take a little time for myself.  Trips to Target, coffee with a friend, a nap.  All awesome.  I love him so much for that.

7. The "ignore" button on my cell phone.  It's not that I'm trying to ignore you, I swear, I mean I acknowledged that you're calling me by hitting ignore. Right? ;)

8. Pacifiers!  Tulip is a pacifier baby, just like her big sister Lily.  Those little inventions have saved many a Mom [&Dad] hours of crying.

9. E-mail.  That way if I have something I need to say to you that's too formal to text but I'm really avoiding having to talk to you about than I can e-mail you!  Problem solved.

10.  Potlucks.  Cook one thing and you magically have a whole meal with lots of options!  Hopefully some of them are semi-decent.

[Thankful for my new Kitchen-Aid!  Thank you Mama!]

11. Coastal.com.  Free glasses?  Yes, please!  Without them I would be rocking 3 year old glasses with a super weak prescription or ripped contacts that I'm sure would be eating my eyes alive.
If you want a pair just use the code: FIRSTPAIRFREE  Your welcome!

12. Bobby pins.  Without them I would probably cut my bangs off in a fit of rage one day.

13. Group texts.  When I can't be with my best friends I can at least harass both of them via text about watching Magic Mike at noon on a Tuesday.

14. Airplanes.  Without them I would never get to see my extended family.  At least not without an 8 day boat ride.

15.  Pinterest.  I'm sorry I love it so much, I just do.  I have a rad shirt that says, "Keep Calm and Pin Something" I'm that cool.

16. Tom Hardy.  Especially in Lawless when he's wearing a cardigan.  Yeah, pretty much.

17. That I'm not in The Walking Dead and I don't have to listen to Andrea & Dale every minute of the day.  Two most annoying people EVER.  I hope the walkers get you!

18. Magic erasers.  Otherwise my kid's wouldn't get to use the walls as their own personal coloring pages.  Oh, there not supposed to do that?  Could have fooled me.

19. Cloth diapers. Thank you for saving us ridiculous amounts of money every month & covering cute butts in the process.

20. Breaking Dawn Part II.  Not because it was so good but because I can finally stop making Andy take me to see them and we can do something different for our anniversary than watch the world's most ridiculous love triangle made square.

I know this was supposed to be a Thanksgiving thing but I've been kind of grumpy lately.  Shit has been going wrong, life has been frustrating and hard but I need to remind myself there is SO much to be thankful for.  The big & the little.  Thank you God for it all. <3

And now I leave you with this tasty recipe for.....

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli 

1 cup Beef Broth

2 tbs. Sesame Oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb. sirloin, cut into strips

1 16. oz. package Broccoli Florets

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup Soy Sauce

2 tbs. Corn Starch

White Rice for Serving

[1] In a bowl whisk together beef broth and cornstarch.  Pour into slow cooker.

[2] Add sesame oil, garlic, brown sugar & soy sauce to slow cooker.  Mix well.

[3] Add in sirloin.  Cover and cook on high 6 hours or low 8 hours.

[4] Add broccoli florets, mix and cook an additional 30-40 minutes depending 

on how done you like your broccoli! 

[5] Serve over steamed rice! 

Learning Curve [Brownie Dipped Oreos]

[I'll lead with this.  Hopefully her cuteness will naturally make you like this blog.]
Our Tulip Bea, 7 weeks. <3

10 Things I've learned in the 10 years since I've been 28.

1.  Don't hit.  Violence is not the answer. I tell my kids this ALL THE TIME now.  Especially Jonas & Oliver.  These two know how to throw down.  What I thought was harmless rough housing then or cute playful fun I think might have really been pissing people off.  Especially Andy.
 Sorry babe, I've learned, I promise!

2. Believe me, one day coffee will taste good.  Really good.  At 18 I could never understand how people could like coffee, it's so bitter, gross!  10 years later all the Starbucks baristas in a 5 mile vicinity know my order.  I was such a fool.

3. Never say never.  My rebel 18 year old self was all like "I'll never get married or have kids, that's not who I am."  Obviously I was wrong.  While it has taken me many years to prove my skepticism of marriage wrong I have never felt so right doing anything than I do being a wife to my husband and mother to my four beautiful children. 

4. It's ok to say sorry.  When I was 18 saying sorry was a killer.  I physically could not do it.  I hated/still hate being wrong.  But at least now I know to admit it when I am.

5. You have more money than you think.  This applies to my 4-job working teenage self.  I would get up to help Andy deliver papers at 2 in the morning, get home and go open Jamba Juice, head to either Old Tyme Burrito [r.i.p.] or Mrs. Fields Cookies and close them.  I stretched myself even thinner with school and without knowing how to budget in the slightest still didn't have enough money.  

Oh disposable income, where did you go?

Now I know how to run a family of 6 off a shoestring budget and I enjoy it.  We take pride in spending money we have earned and we don't throw it around lightly.  We feed our family good homemade food,  do things with our children every week and even get to treat ourselves every now and then off of one budget without much stress because of it.  28 year old self now realizes 18 year old self didn't really NEED that $50 pair of bell bottoms from Wet Seal.  Sigh.

6. It really is bad to run the dryer to just make one piece of clothing unwrinkled.

Seriously, do you know how much that costs?!  Use an iron!

7. I am beautiful.  It has only taken me having children to realize what a gift from God my body is.  The hatred I have had for my body is taken away when I realize how strong and awesome it is through the act of pregnancy and giving birth.  Even cooler, the ability to my nourish my children in the best way possible through breastfeeding. <3  I still fight this battle tho and some days are better than others, I try to remind myself that I am fearfully & wonderfully made. 

8. High school doesn't matter.  People would tell me this and I couldn't believe that anything would be more important than those four years of people making you feel bad about yourself.  And even more revolutionary?  What other people think DOES NOT matter.  

9.  Believe.  I know it is a process but all those years I lived not knowing God makes me sad for the girl I was then. It is still a constant struggle for me to KNOW God is with me, to believe it, to understand his love is not an easy thing especially for someone that hasn't always loved themself.  I couldn't force my 18 year old self to believe then the same way that I can't do it now.  But my faith grows stronger as I grow older and I pray it continues to do so.

10. Let it go.

You can hold on to every horrible thing someone in this world has done to you.  And it can eat you up, make you bitter and cold and suck the life out of you.  Or, you can let it go.  Understand that you have made mistakes too.  Hope the other person is sorry but even if they aren't, let it go.  

It's only hurting you. And if you see them on the street and want to punch them SO bad in their face, refer to #1.

And now!  For the food!
In these past 10 years I have also learned how to eat better.  I no longer think McDonalds, Sabarro pizza & mall Chinese food are a good combo. But, sometimes I just like something bad for me.
Oh well.

Brownie Dipped Oreos

1 Box Brownie Mix
1 package of Oreos
Sprinkles [Optional]

1.  Prepare brownie mix according to the box.
2. Dip Oreos in batter making sure to coat thoroughly.
3. Drop Oreoes into a greased cupcake pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

*This recipe makes 12-16 Oreos depending on what size mix you get.  My family-sized box made 16.
*Also, sorry to leave you with a lame-ish recipe but I'm tired. 

The Birth of Tulip Bea.

Oh my little Tulip Bea.  

This is my hardest birth story to writet by far, because I just don't know where to begin?

I guess I'll start from what I consider the beginning of labor.  

For at least a few weeks before she was born I started getting pretty consistent contractions.  I would have them for 10 hours straight about 10 minutes apart and then I would just go to sleep or take a shower and they would stop.  The contractions weren't painful, just uncomfortable at the most because I could definitely feel them happening.  

On September 26th I had a midwife appt. and at this point had already been having pretty regular contractions on and off.  My beautiful, awesome, amazing midwife, Selena, checked me and let me know I probably had at least another week.  Not exactly what I wanted to hear but I was ok with it.

For the next week anytime I started having contractions I would do anything I could to get them to turn into "real" labor.  Walking up and down flights of stairs, rubbing my belly with Clary Sage oil, bouncing on my birthing ball, etc. etc.

[One of my last belly pictures.  Obviously things weren't too intense at this point.]

Wednesday the 3rd we went back for another check up and I was 4 cm dilated!  Woo!

I was amazed because with all my other labors I didn't dilate until I was in active labor.  But at this point I still hadn't felt much.  I was 4 cm, 70% effaced and baby was at 0 station.  Hanging out waiting to drop.  Selena let me go home but told me to keep checking in and come back if my water broke because her home in Makaha is about 40 minutes away without traffic, at least an hour and thirty during rush hour and as a 4th time Mom labor could come on quicker than I might expect.  She also did a cervical massage and had me drink Black/Blue Cohosh in attempts to get the contractions going.

Note: Black & Blue Cohosh is disgusting!

Went back home and had another 7-8 hours of contractions.  They still weren't painful so I decided to try and sleep in case labor started soon.  Woke up through the night, lost my mucus plug and then nothing.  The next morning Selena wanted me to come back just in case again.

I took my 2nd Human Development test [got a B!] packed up the car, left the kids with my Stepmom and we headed back to Makaha.  With of course a quick stop at Target to shop and pick up ingredients for Sinigang Soup.

We got to Makaha around 2:30 and she checked me again, 

I was 90% effaced, baby at +1 & 9 cm dilated! 

And then the wait began.  More waiting.  After a check 6 hours later nothing had changed and I still wasn't feeling any pain.  Andy & I walked down to the Turtle Cove and relaxed, checked out the tide pools, messed around with some turtles and hermit crabs and then headed back to the house.

At this point Selena wanted me to stay and I agreed, I was close enough [I hoped!] that going back to Waipahu wasn't a good idea.  More cervical massage, walked up and down the stairs, bounced on the ball, MORE Black & Blue Cohosh, and Andy cooked a big pot of Sinigang Soup for everyone to share.

[Laboring by the sea at the Turtle Cove behind my midwife's house.]

Finally around 10pm I gave in again and decided just to rest.  I had gotten in and out of the birthing tub a few times to try it out but because labor was taking so long it kept cooling down to a lukewarm, icky feeling [to me] temperature so I didn't like it as much as I was anticipating.

Fell asleep and woke up around 1:30 when Grace, my midwife asst./doula, was doing some fetal heart checks.  Started feeling contractions a little at this point and they seemed like they MIGHT be getting stronger so I decided to stay awake and see what happened.  

Took a hot bath, which made my contractions stop completely so I got out.  Around 3:30am I FINALLY started feeling them!  At this point I was so tired of waiting and wondering and somehow even doubting that this baby would ever come out that I was glad to be feeling something! 

Around 4:30 the contractions started getting to the unbearable point and I asked to be checked so I could gauge how much time I thought I might have left.  Surprise, it was time to push!  Heck yeah.

The first few pushes felt awesome as opposed to the pain of contractions but for some reason the contractions after that were excruciating.  At this point I was super tired after 3 days of not much sleep and despite me thinking I would want to be in the tub or in a different position the most comfortable thing for me was laying down propped up on pillows.

[Our newest squishy.  Sweetheart Tulip Bea. <3]

My midwife was super calming and gentle and I had a great support system with Grace and Andy reassuring me that I could do it when I was literally screaming that I couldn't do it anymore.

I pushed opposite of my contractions for awhile because it was the only thing I could do and I pushed when I felt like it, I got to watch in the mirror and could see Tulip making her way down.

At this point my water still hadn't broken and we were wondering if we might get one of those cool babies born in the caul.  The next contraction I was able to push with and my water bag popped and Andy & Selena were quick enough to jump out of the way!

A few pushes after that she was crowning and I could definitely feel this little girl had a big head!  

Selena tried to slow me down but at this point I wasn't in the mood to listen to anybody and pushed anyways.  Tulip came out with her hand next to her face [nuchal hand] which I have now researched can "cause intense pain."  Sounds about right.  

Born right into her Daddy's arms. <3

[Just born. <3]

She was born at 5:19am on October 5th, 2012.

8 lbs. 2 oz. 18 inches long.

Our little pumpkin.  Our shortest and chubbiest baby yet!

I don't know if your labor and birth have anything to do with a baby's personality but Tulip Bea is definitely a sweetheart.  She had a gentle slow calm journey into this world and is such a peaceful baby.

Her name definitely suits her, she is our Forgiveness baby, reminding us we all need forgiveness.

Bea means blessed & she who brings happiness.  She is such a blessing to us and I cannot stop kissing her fat little cheeks.

I am so thankful for the way she was brought into this world, that I had such a safe and comforting place to give birth.  That I had such supportive people with me for the end of this pregnancy journey and I'm still just amazed at all of it. 

Nesting, nesting.....1,2,3.

Oh the joys of being a mother, the things that once would have been a burden are now my "guilty pleasures."  One of those things is cleaning a house in peace!  Yes, I love it.  

It seems weird but there is nothing more relaxing to me than cleaning the house in peace & quiet.  Well kidless, peace and quiet.  Some music on, today's pick is the Death Cab for Cutie Pandora station to get myself pumped up for the concert next week. [!] Maybe some iced coffee if I'm lucky, feeling a little shaky today so trying to stick to iced water.  All in all, the ability to actually finish something is great for my list making, task buster self.  

I realized today that Tulip is due in just 40 or so days!  Yikes!  While I'm all ready to snuggle my newborn babe I am NOT ready housewise.  My nesting instinct has kicked in full force since our visitors left and as I type I just pulled Marshmallow Blondies out of the oven and am washing a load of cloth diapers.   But still, there is more to do.  This blog is probably for myself more than anything, but then again aren't they all?  But I figured with that little time left I better make a list of what I'd like to accomplish.  Hopefully I can fit in everything I would like cleaned and organized among school for the kids, school for me, midwife appts, birthday parties, church, weddings, and relaxing.

 I know everything will be ok even if I can't get it all done, which I know in reality, I can't.  Especially with 3 young kids, I can't even keep 1 room clean for a whole day let alone our whole house!  Before this might have driven me to the brink, panic attacks and anxiety abound.  But now, ahh that peace.
  I really have been loving it.
It is such a release to know that regardless of what happens a clean house and a finished list are not the goals of this life, although my Type A personality will still beg to differ.

1.  Kitchen:  Clean under sink.  Organize under oven.  Deep clean fridge & freezer.  Clean windows. 

2.  Laundry Room:  Set up light/colored baskets.  

     Get rid of random crap that's not supposed to be in there.

3.  Pantry:  Organize drawers, move foil etc. to bench storage in dining room.  Purge Tupperware.                   

     Organize snacks.  Make list of things to stock up on.  Figure out what to make with all those dried  

     beans?  Sweep whole back room. 

4.  Back storage room:  Get rid of stuff!  Put together baby swing.  Take out all baby related items.

     Sort Christmas presents & make list of who we still need to shop for.  Label all boxes.

5.  Front storage room:  Clean out, get rid of useless stuff.  Rotate kid's clothes, put clothes too big for  

     now in storage.  Store ice chest & folding chairs.

6.  Bathroom:  Organize all pull-out cubicles.  Deep clean!!!  Make Dawn shower cleaner.  Get shower 

     bar for kid's toys. Clean windows. 

7.  Dining Room/Front Pantry:  Organize!  Clean all shelves.  Fill dry goods jars.  Make grocery list.

     Get rid of least used cook books.  Sort kid's book toybox.  Fold kitchen towels. Wood polish table.

     Clean ceiling fan & adjacent wall. 

8.  Living Room:  Clean/Organize white bookshelf.  Get rid of at least 5 things on it.  Put up last 2 big 

     picture frames, worry about printing new pictures later.  Clean entertainment center drawers.  

     Febreeze couch & carpets.  Wipe down walls.

9.  Tulip's Area [Front Room]:  Set up crib.  Put on new bedding.  Hang up circus tent.  Get white  

     shelving unit for clothes.  Organize/sort clothes.  Prep newborn diapers.

10. Bedroom:  Finish building closet walls.  Finish wall between our room & kid's room.  Organize 

      closet.  Get rid of AT LEAST 15 pieces of clothing and/or pairs of shoes, purses.  Finish organizing

      desk area.  Deep-clean mattress.  Clean white fan & move it to pantry. 

11. Kid's Room:  Get rid of stuff!  Finish sorting kid's clothes.  Clean ceiling & floor fans. Wipe walls. 

      Febreeze beds & carpets.  Organize dress-up stuff.  Set up table for art? Hook up DVD player. 

12. Van:  Get all crap out!  Vacuum SUPER good.  Re-arrange car seats.  Get new tires & oil change.

      Febreeze.  Get right sized bin for beach/outdoor stuff to store under Lily's seat.  Clean & install    

      Tulip's car seat.

13.  Downstairs back lanai:  Get all of our stuff moved to storage unit.  Put clothesline stuff in a 

       clean/organized area.  Fix tire on Phil & Ted's stroller. 

14.  Kid's classroom:  Organize!  Work on curriculum for rest of 2012.  Get girl's AHG badge binders  

       started.  Put together a Take it to the Streets binder for Lily & Jonas.  Prep Sunday school 

       curriculum for rest of 2012. 

15.  Misc.:  Return disposable diapers to Costco.  Exchange Diaper Genie and baby gate at Babies R' 

       Us.  Turn off Netflix subscription.   

This blog should probably come with a disclaimer that says something like....

 "Andy, do not read this blog."  

I have really high hopes that I can get all of this stuff done, and I love love love my lists.  I figure if I don't take any breaks, rest or breathe I can take two days to get each thing on my list done and still have a few days of rest before Miss Tulip arrives!  Not to mention that I have a creeping sensation she might be a little early, but we'll have to see if that one is right!

So here's a recipe for those Marshmallow Blondies!  They are so sweet but seriously so good.
Sometimes I'm just craving something not healthy & delicious and these just so happen to fit the bill.

Disappearing Marshmallow Blondies
from www.bakedperfection.com

1 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.  Melt the butterscotch chips & butter over low-medium heat in saucepan.  Whisk constantly until smooth, don't leave this or it will end up badly!  When it's done pour into a stand mixer bowl.  Turn on low.

2.  Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla & eggs.  The mixture will look weird at times, don't worry keep adding and mixing.  

3.  When it creates a thick batter turn off the mixer and fold in the marshmallows and chocolate chips.

4.  Pour batter into a greased 9x13 pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

5.  Let cool for at least a few hours otherwise they will be impossible to cut!  Our house is so hot right now they never really set all the way so I think I will put them in the fridge tomorrow.

A baby sprinkle turned pouring rain!

Oh pregnancy, you magical body crushing miracle you.

I've finally hit my uncomfortable point.  I'm pretty proud I've made it so far!

Saturday I will be 34 weeks, I really can't believe how fast time has flown and I'm still trying to accept the fact that this is most likely the last time I get to experience the joys [and pains] of being pregnant.

I am almost ashamed to admit that I am one of those women that love pregnancy.  I never throw up, I don't get hemorrhoids or swollen feet.  I do what I want and keep going.  Maybe since after having my first baby you don't really get a choice!  I feel the most beautiful when I'm pregnant, like my body has purpose and those extra rolls of skin are just baby love and that's ok. ;)

One of my favorite parts of being pregnant is having a shower!  I know, you're not really supposed to have a shower after the first baby especially if you've had 3 and already have both sexes of children but darn it I love a good party!  I also am constantly moving so there is really nothing that has made it from child #1 to child #4 despite the fact that they're only 6 years apart. 

So this time for Miss Tulip Bea I thought it would be appropriate to have a "sprinkle" or as I've seen them called.  My Mom and sister came in from California to help celebrate and I just really wanted an excuse to celebrate this new life with all my new found friends here on the island.  

<--------------- Dark Chocolate/Strawberry Cupcakes made by my sister, Jordan! 

 I should have known that my Mom, friends, and family would spoil me beyond belief.  And Tulip Bea is seriously set!  We had a great time just being together, enjoying the weather and getting ready for our little girl's arrival.  Which after the birth of my friend Bree's baby last week I am seriously getting so excited for, ahh newborns. <3

[My "sprinkle" had the cutest pink/jungle theme!  Pink. Zebra. Cheetah. Adorable.]

I am continually blessed and amazed by everything that was given to us for Tulip.  I have such talented caring friends and got so many beautiful home made gifts I loved it!  A new bow holder for Tulip?  Check.  A handmade Christmas pillow dress? Check. Lots of bows? Check.  A personalized cloth diaper and wet bag?  That too.  Seriously awesome.  Presents even came from afar with my biff from California spoiling me like she always does with a Bath Pod, bags of Rockin Green marshmallow scented cloth diaper detergent, The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears and a Boba Wrap! 

[A cloth diaper cake made by my friend Dawn.  She made it with Oso Cozy prefolds & a Thirsties cover!  I am a lucky girl.]

I had so much fun and was so relaxed just enjoying the company, I know I keep saying it but I just feel so lucky to have friends that encouraged me to relax, to sit down, to eat all things I need reminded to do!  

Even the games were fun, but then again I love shower games in general.  I'm a competitive person so any chance to win prizes I'm down for.  This time I just had to observe but watching everyone play games and win prizes was a blast.  

I wonder if it's bad that we did a Who Knows Mommy Best? game and the question was "What has Nicole been craving this pregnancy?" and everyone answered coffee & Dr. Pepper. :/

Just don't tell my midwife!

And of course Noni [my Mom] spoils her grandchildren that are already born so she had to give Tulip some love too!  New cloth diapers, a diaper sprayer [Thank God!], and a Nosefrida she knit me a boobie hat and got me a Beco Gemini carrier.  I'm pretty much in baby heaven.  Now I just need the baby!

So no I'm not lucky, I'm blessed [yes!]

By so many people that I adore and can't wait to introduce Tulip too.  A successful baby "sprinkle" if I do say so myself!

Check out my friend's Facebook stores! 

https://www.facebook.com/ArianasAccessories

[For family date timelines, pillow dresses, home made bows & wipe cases and more!]

https://www.facebook.com/BanginBabyBritches

[For WAHM cloth diapers & wet bags!]

Support your work at home Mommies! <3

[My BIG girl having fun at her sister's shower!  Doing it Mother/Daughter was so fun. :)]

Tulip: A flower symbolizing forgiveness.

Bea: Blessed, she who brings happiness. 

Aloha & Cupcakes!

Welcome to Hawaii!  The land of Aloha.