DIY Weekend

B and I did a little DIY this last weekend. I have been wanting to make one of these to chart Bryson's growth so we finally had the time and it turned out great. I am oooh 95% perfectionist so the lines took me some time. I can't wait to use this for a photo pro too!

Merry Christmas From My Little Helper

She Eats Truth

My heart is heavy, My time is now, I know what works for ME.

This is my journey of struggles, grace, compassion & forgiveness.

I've struggled with weight gain, weight lose, repeat for so long now its hard to remember the last time I had that feeling of acceptance and feeling alive. In the early stages it never seemed like a struggle but more so filling a void of some kind and just plain boredom eating. She Eats Truth is an ongoing blog post for myself about my personal struggles with food addictions, inner self battles but most of all the love and grace for who I am along the way. Its time to start telling myself the truth.

"Every Diet works, if it fail its because I allowed it to."

I gave myself a time. A time that I just let myself be, except my body for the gift it just gave, be kind to my stretch marks, love my curves and most of all not to worry about me but focus on my Son and his needs for the first year of his life and just really embrace this time. I told myself when Bryson turns one my time is just that, my time. Not the greatest timing around the Holidays but I know if I get through this there is no excuses. Besides there will always be more Holiday fest and this is a promise I made to myself a year ago. I feel like my struggle with food is 50% boredom eating, 30% addicting and 20% its just plain GOOD! I want to drop some lb's to get healthy, I want to be my old self physically and enjoy feeling healthy and more alive. I get stuck in a rut of carbs and junk food. Enough is enough. I know what works for me but I also now what doesn't. This time around I want to try something different. That's were this blog post comes in. I've tried a handful of diets in the past and guess what? They all worked! Yup, Worked. The problem.... Me. Once I was down to a comfortable weight I give in to the 50% boredom eating. This go around the only difference is telling myself the truth about how I feel and except if I fail and need to start over. I want to keep posting about it so I can give myself grace and forgiveness along the way and have support to look back on. I also know when I start this journey I need a jump start diet. I'll fill you guys in on what that is later. The only thing standing in my way is my mouth, mind, boredom eating and all that AMAZING God giving food. Yum... Like I said, I will give myself grace in this process because the only way through this journey is truth, love and forgiveness.

Goal:  Pounds to lose- 50lbs

Week 1...

Fallow along with She Eats Truth Here.

(This is my personal journey. I am no way linked to any diets talked about on my page) 

From Our Family to Yours

Weaning, My Journey

Woot Woot, I have completed ONE year of breastfeeding my little. (high five) I had a year in mind when we started this journey and am so happy that I was able to see it through. Right from the get go Bryson was able to latch on great, I was able to feel comfortable and get a routine down that just worked for us both. I am so so thankful that we had a great experience throughout the year. No clogged/plugged ducts, no mastitis or thrush just some latching pain in the second week, let down pain and engorgement disscumfort. I was a little worried about the weaning process because nursing was so soothing for Bryson and he enjoyed it so I knew the process had to be slow. Two and a half months before the twelve month mark I started the weaning process. We started Bryson on solids when he was 6months old and very slowly added tastings to his day. I mean very slowly like three pureed baby foods a week for a few weeks. I love the benefits to breastfeeding so we focused on that more. I first took away one of the day feedings (lunch) by replacing it with some pureed baby food. I read some great advice "Don't offer, Don't refuse" in the weaning process. Some days He just needed me so I couldn't refuse when he needed comfort. The transition went smooth so we continued it for one week. If everything was going well the next week I took away another nursing and added more pureed baby food. This process continued until the only nursing sessions left were the first morning feeding, the night time feeding and once around 3am. The next feeding that was replaced was the morning feeding that is now oatmeal. So, with about a month to go to our one year Bryson was only nursing at night time and 3am. Now you see Bryson is still not sleeping through the night at this time. I had a hard time choosing what feeding was next to go. B would put Bryson to bed so we could start the complete weaning a week before his one year Birthday. Bryson was ok, He cried a little and then fell asleep. I on the other hand thought I was going to die! It was so hard for me. Way harder on Mama then on Baby. By the end of the week two days before Bryson was one years old he slept through the night and was completely weaned. Bittersweet. I didn't have a "this is it" nursing. Bryson kind of quite at this time on his own. I miss the bond. I miss the quiet moment of patting his back while he fell asleep on my chest. I miss my under one year old. Most of all I miss the connection, but BOY oh BOY does this kid love his food! I honestly don't know where is goes..? If you are eating anything and he see's you from across the room he will b-lines it strait to you and you better share! I will say I Don't miss waking up at night!

Bryson's first sentence will probably be "Mom whats for dinner." :)

{This Moment}

{this moment} –A single photo – capturing a moment. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  

My year as a First

I didn't want to believe it, but its so true. Where did that time go? My sweet baby boy is already a year old. Bitter sweet. I remember it all. I want to always remember it. The long labor, the late nights, the easy breastfeeding, the nightly peeing all over, the smiles, baby farts, laughter, everything. Its this first year that I became what I was born to do Love. Its the hardest most rewarding love I have ever, ever had to give and its worth it.  Nothing could have ever prepare me to be a Mom, but my heart knew. My heart had more love then I ever knew existed.

Whoever said "Your first year of marriage is the hardest" obviously NEVER had kids!

I never knew I could do so much with such little sleep. B was great and helped when needed and then some. I don't think I could have got through the first year of being a Mom, doing so, with patience and love if my marriage wasn't stable. I remember talking to B one night after having Bryson and we both agreed its a lot harder then we both could have imagined. If I didn't have B's help and support for the unknown my patience for a crying colic baby would have been very short if any at all. 

Six weeks after Bryson was home I was exhausted. I wasn't quite sure what happened to my world and my brain was waiting to go back to work. At that six week mark my heart was changed forever. I had this little ten pound baby smile back at me, his Mom. It was THAT moment that I felt the true meaning of being a Mom. That moment that I knew I would do anything to keep this little being safe and love forever. I knew my life was worth more now then ever before.

 Thank goodness for Motherly instincts because I am a horrible plant owner!

I never had a "this is my favorite moment in age" I loved every growth spurt and am amazed at how fast the mind and body grow. Its a true beauty of God. I always looked forward to the 3,6,9 months of growth spurts because I couldn't wait to see who this little mini would be but also how I as a Mom would grow with him.

So here it is Bryson's big 01. I'm not going to lie when we sang him his first ever Happy Birthday song I did get a little teary eyed. Man after having a kid this whole new emotional side has came out. I kind of like it, it makes me feel real feelings, real moments, real love.

I love love love to plan for events, parties, vacations you name it so being a Mom and having Holidays, Birthdays & vacations I'm an A++ Mom when it comes to this. Yup, I am a sucker for all those Old Navy holiday shirts too! So, needles to say his Birthday was kind of a big deal. Even those he is only One I'm putting some points on my Mom board. Hoorah!

Happy birthday bryson

Oh My ONE YEAR!
Smash Cake, Yum

Loves when you walk him around the room holding hands

Weight-20lbs

Height-28.5

Loves to eat

Just started to sleep through the night!!! AMEN
Two naps a day

Went to Anchorage

Says: Haat (hot), Ma, Da, Yum, Baoon (Ballon)

Holds his hand out to the stove and says "Haat" 

Catching on so fast
This boy can eat a horse and still be hungry!!

I love this Mr. more every day
Hide and seek with Daddy is fun
Spoiled with Love
Favorite food: Fruits
Took 5-6 steps!
Bath time is awesome
"Bryson, Where did your food go?" He points to his belly
Shake it-shake it, likes to dance
Has so many funny faces
I think we are weaned (Happy/Sad)
Thinks the window is his drum

  B got all the Out Of Town family in on this action, Amen for Skype.

This is what makes life worth living. Happy Birthday Bryson you my boy have forever changed our hearts!

Bow Tie and Suspenders by- Petite Peanut Boutique 

Bryson Whale1 Onesize from- Gigiez Lil Creations
Smash Cake - Misty's Cake Bar 

My favorite time of the season's

Our second annual wreath party! I love these so much. Fresh cedar and bull pine branches, orange apple cider and pumpkin dip. Nothing brings the holidays together like these moments.

Gift for the little

I love LOVE personalized gifts for my little. I try to make most of them but some of my time and talent doesn't stretch as far as I wish. With lots of searching and browsing for holiday gifts this is by far my favorite and I wanted to share it with you all so you can get it for your little's.

Start personalizing your book! 


 Happy Holiday Shopping!