(Lena and Breast by Terri Frank)

Happy Breastfeeding Week!!!!!!

Today marks the first day of world breastfeeding week!!!!! I'm in the mood to do a happy dance and celebrate. So excuse me as I do a little fancy footwork........okay, back in my chair.

Although I am no longer breastfeeding I am a happy advocate and fully support the movement. So this is how I'm celebrating this week: I'm going to bring you a bit of awareness each and every day. Great products, books, links & articles plus supplies that help the movement in every little way they can and do.

So on with the show!

DAY 1 Today I am writing to all those Mamas that have just found out they are about to have a little monkey of their own! What to do? What to do? There is so much to do!!

First, I hope that you've met your Doctor. Second, you should have a pile of paper, books and pamphlets that every health professional in the OBGYN's office could possibly load you up with. Well, start reading it. Third, let us get on the subject of BREASTFEEDING!!!! Here are some books to get you edumacated on the subject :-) (Man is my spelling check going to hate that word).

1. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding because "babies are meant to breastfed" by the founding mamas of La Leche League. A really nice, informative and supportive book for all new mothers seeking knowledge and answers to breastfeeding and also childbirth.

2. Although this is a movie it's a must see with natural living and birthing choices plus they do talk about breastfeeding- The Business of Being Born! Loved it! I cried, laughed, got a bit angry yet rejoiced and felt so proud to be a woman after watching it. A Must see!

3. New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding by Joan Younger Meek with Sherill Tippens. Great book with an Anatomy break down and great advice on caring for yoourself in the early days after baby arrives plus more.

4. Happy, Healthy Moms and Babies A Lactations Consultant's advice for Breastfeeding during your hospital stay by Rose deVigne-Jackiewicz. Now, I had the pleasure of being consulted by Rose after the birth of my first baby. After running into her a while back she mentioned that she wrote her own book and I had to get it. After reading it I do have to recommend this book because it is so great. Tips like taking your breastfeeding plan with you to the hospital, keeping baby with you at all times during recovery plus latch and positioning baby on breast are emphasized in the book. Get it and take it with you to the hospital to read while recovering next to your baby.

So that's my post for today. There's some breastfeeding knowledge for you.

Stay tuned for DAY 2!!!!

~Evie

Thumb update


We recently went for our 6 month dental check ups. Everything checked off perfect for all three little monkeys and myself. Our appointment was followed by an orthodontic consultation for both Princess Monkeys and that's where we ran into some dental craze.
Princess Monkey Mia has a tiny bit of overcrowding. Nothing unexpected coming from a family of snaggle toothed crowded mouths (yes, I admit my genetic code will take the credit for that). Princess Monkey Nina on the other hand has the same overcrowding BUT she also has a sucked in upper jaw and a severe cross bite or something like that's caused by her thumb sucking. The doctor informed me if we didn't get her to stop she would eventually have to have an operation. UGH! This thumb sucking is so hard to break. I did have the doctor help me this time though. I mean why not use a total stranger to Princess Monkey Nina to explain to her what could happen if she didn't stop (even if I made him lie a bit). In fact the thumb sucking fiend has actually been a bit better and has been working with me because of what I asked the doctor to tell her. So what were the magic words? I made the doctor explain to her that she had to stop or her face would fall off. So far so good.

~Evie

Mother Earths RAW Minerals

I've never really been into make up. In fact the only necessity I have really ever had is my eyebrow pencil (of course, I hardly have eyebrows) and my eyeliner (to help fill in the eyelash line). Foundation is something I have probably worn on a handful of occasions including my prom, wedding day and possibly a couple of other events I've attended with my hubby.
Well, reaching my wonderful thirties really opened my eyes to the changes in my skin. I'm sure some of you know these changes like the ever so wonderful crow's feet, liver spots, deep skin acne and dry patches. UGH!#$%^ Believe me if you ever spoke to me you would hear only positive things on aging. I refuse to speak harshly on the subject because it's going to happen to every one of us and we need to accept all that comes with it UNTIL I saw myself starting to do it. So when I researched foundations to help cover up some of the stuff sent from God on my face, I hesitated to wear liquid foundation. I wanted natural, non- clogging, earth friendly and natural make up. Also the requirement had to be that it contained no harsh chemicals and because I have a cancer phobia it had to be non carcinogenic. I FOUND IT!
Raw Minerals all natural make up covers my blemished complexion, hides the liver spots (the small ones I'm starting to get), and helps hide the small crow's feet I know are there. What's even better is that it's lightweight and feels like you have absolutely nothing on your face. It's very affordable and the line in extending everyday with foundation powders, eye shadows, blush and more. Yes, I know you've heard of mineral make up but do the ones you know of contain Bismuth? Well, this company makes their mineral make up without Bismuth which is known to irritate the skin. They have a tutorial as well for those of you hesitant to try mineral make up because of the application.
Check it out.

~Evie

PS The company gives away gift packages every month....Register to win some great make up!

Summer update

Well, I'm officially insane! 4 Weeks down and 8 to go until school starts again. The Monkeys have been sick with some wacky virus that kept us in doors for a week and a half so that didn't help out one bit. This week they're feeling better and up to getting out.

~Insane Mom