6 Months In

When we first decided to try for baby #1 back in december 2011, we had NO idea how easy it would be. First try and BAM pregnant! It was so exciting. Fast forward a few years. Decide to start trying June 2014. No BAM, nada, nothing. It is now December and 6 cycles in trying we still don't have a BFP (big fat positive). It's disappointing. I do struggle with a deep sense loss each time I take a test and each time it says negative. My periods haven't helped any either, waiting 10 days after they should be there, just to trick me and torment me. Spotting and stopping, making me have a glimmer of hope that maybe, JUST MAYBE, it was rare implantation bleeding. AF (Aunt Flo) always rears her ugly head dashing my dreams of a second child away month after month. It is hard. I struggle with the sadness I feel as I see the age gap between my son and potential sibling grow longer and longer. I know I'm not in it alone, many women struggle with getting pregnant. I do have questions though, was the first time just a lucky shot? Has something changed since then? My next testing day is Christmas. I have my doubts about testing that day, just because I don't want to be depressed even for a second when I should be focusing on making my 2 year olds 3rd Christmas special as can be. Even though I feel nauseated and uncomfortable, I am trying not to read anything into these symptoms. I MUST not get my hopes up. It's so hard month after month getting excited and then nothing. NOTHING. I know many of you feel the same...the journey to conceive is not one to be taken lightly. It's not always easy as I am finding out.


Merry Christmas and I hope my next update will be very POSITIVE :)

Elderberry Syrup Recipe!!

So, I JUST made my first batch of Elderberry Syrup, and I was SO excited! It tastes great even though my husband said it made the whole house smell like an old shoe...HA! I think it smelled sort of like grape juice...SORTA. ;) So, here's some of my own photos and the recipe I used with a few of my tweaks!


Elderberry Syrup

2/3 Cup Dried Elderberries
2 Small pieces of Ginger Root
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon + 1 Stick Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Cloves (I used ground)
3 1/2 Cups Water
1 Cup RAW Honey


Combine all ingredients EXCEPT HONEY in sauce pan on stove. Bring to a boil then simmer for 45 minutes to an hour until reduced to about half the original volume. Let sit until temperature is 110 degrees or below and then stir in the RAW honey! Mix and store in a well sealed container (I used a mason pint jar, it filled it up completely). This will keep in your fridge for about 2 months, of course if it starts to smell funky or get mold or something throw it out! I do 1 teaspoon for kids, and 1-2 for adults. Helps with flu and just keeping your immune system up during the cold season (or anytime really!). It tastes great :) My almost 2 year old LOVED IT! As always, don't serve to babies 1 and under due to botulism risks. Substitute maple syrup instead if you want. You can also use regular honey, but then you miss out on the benefits of RAW honey (natural enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants). Happy cooking!!!!!

I hope yours turned out as well as mine !!! :)

Grandmas don't get to pick their names LMAO

Granny is what my mother always said she wanted to be called when we (her kids) had babies. Well, we do call her that. My toddler is does not. He called her "Moo" which is HILARIOUS. I'm not sure WHY he calls her that, I have a theory that it means "More Fun" with Granny so he says "Mooo!!" for her. It is really adorable but really, really, REALLY funny. I ask him if he wants to "go see Granny Moo" and he nods and gets his shoes and hat & two toys (he's only allowed 2 things to take with him) ready to go. Anyone else out there have a similar situation happen? What are some cute names your babies call their Grandparents? Leave the answers in the comments!! Have a good day!

DIY Child Safety Harness

So, I am PRO Child Safety Harness. I am planning on making my own, because frankly, the ones you can buy online aren't that great (or cute unless you want to spend a bundle). I am going to make one similar to the one pictured here, but I have yet to find DIY patterns/instructions that are any good. When I make mine (in the next week) I will update this post with photos and my own instructions!! (Yaaaay!!) Anyways, why do I think Safety Harnesses are a good thing? I know there are a lot of people out there who think they are "evil" and "inhumane" but I think they are a good thing when used PROPERLY. That means don't drag your kid around with one, don't jerk them around with it, ect. I am going to use one because I feel that my 19 month old doesn't have the reasoning skills to a) not run out in front of cars b) get lost in a big area if they bolted in a zoo/mall ect. I also don't like strapping my child into a stroller all the time (he hates being worn in a carrier...always has) because he likes to walk and explore and I would LOVE to let him do that while I have peace of mind that he can't get away from me. I view Safety Harnesses as a TOOL for keeping my child safe. I am by no means a "couch" parent (or maybe "bench" is more appropriate since benches are outside?? LOL) so I'm already RIGHT THERE with my child. I have taught him to always "hold hands" when we are walking but there's always a chance he could break away. I say, better safe than sorry. So, don't feel ashamed if you use one, and don't feel all uppity if you don't. We are all moms here with safety first (I hope) in mind when it comes to our kids, no matter how we go about it.

Crayon on the Wall and I don't care!

So my son is very artistic. He has crayons. Many, many, many crayons. Also chalk. I have beautiful white walls. A perfect canvas for a creative little dude with a nack for drawing circles. Do I care? NOPE!! I LOVE the fact that my son can draw to his little hearts desire on a surface that easily wipes clean with water and a rag and a teeny bit of elbow grease. Sometimes I draw on the walls with him. Daddy also draws on the walls with him. I think its adorable. Many of my friends are "shocked" and say "you are so relaxed!". Basically they think I am nuts. Haha. He knows not to draw anywhere but our house though, he's never tried drawing on walls at anyone else's house. I will say the time he got a hold of the brown crayon and drew what looked like poo piles all over wasn't too pretty. HA! I like the blues and greens and purples that adorn my walls right this moment better.

Going Back to Work & Starting College with a Toddler!

Recently I have started college again & I also have acquired a part time job. I don't want to work, but for right now, it is what is needed. My son is doing great with me working & taking classes. I was really worried about being away from him, after all, I spent 15 months hardly away from his side! I think it might be harder for me than him, since he gets lots of Granny, Auntie, Daddy, and Grandpa time now. He enjoys it I think. I am secretly glad that he is ALWAYS ready for MOMMY time when I get home. He really is a mommy's boy and I am not ashamed to say I covet that! Working is hard, I got so used to being a SAHM (stay at home mom) that returning to work takes a toll on me mentally. I feel like I have two jobs now! I have my full time mommy job and then my part time waitress job. Ironically both jobs involve taking care of people. Gosh. I can't complain too much though, the wages I am making are helping us out and I know this is the right decision for right now. I am also excited for continuing my education and I SHOULD be an RN in about 3 1/2 years...FINGERS CROSSED! That will be GREAT also, since that is a good paying job for where I am. Its all for my family! You have to make sacrifices for your family and I am glad I was able to stay home for the first year of my son's life and then some. I never missed out on anything and I am very thankful for that. I saw every milestone <3

Cheddar Buttons with Pictures & Recipe!!

Recently I took on the task of making my toddler some healthy snacks. I was tired of spending so much money on cheese snacks that I was a little leery of to begin with. SO! I found a super simple and yummy recipe for Cheddar Buttons (or goldfish, I like the buttons because I didn't have a goldfish cookie cutter HA!). It was easy peasy and yielded great results! Though, I will tell you, I burned my last batch because my husband came home and I forgot they were in the oven! Oops!! Haha.

I don't have a food processor so I do it the old fashioned way :)

This is the cheddar dough!

After I rolled it out I used a tip to an icing decorator to make the circles aka "buttons".

All nicely laid out on wax paper ready for the oven!

Cooked to perfection! I was very proud of myself! 

Here is the recipe for any who are interested!! The great thing about this is that the recipe can EASILY be added or changed in MANY different ways! I added broccoli and brussel sprouts to some of the dough (you will need to add a little more flour since the veg is watery!). You could also use any number of cheeses, I used Mild Cheddar, but I think Swiss or Monterey Jack would be interesting! I want to try those next! 

Cheddar Buttons 

Ingredients:

8 ounces Cheddar Cheese, Fine Shredded 4 Tablespoons Butter, Cut Into Cubes Softened 1 cup Flour ¾ teaspoons Salt 2 Tablespoons Cold Water

 Instructions:

Pulse everything (except water) together in the food processor until the dough resembles coarse sand. Pulse in water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove dough from the processor, wrap in plastic, and chill for 20 minutes. Roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes. You can use a toothpick to make the eyes and smile if desired. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until crispy. Makes approximately 7 dozen crackers

ENJOY!!!!!