So we got moved in this weekend. And I don't know if I will ever be done going through, unpacking, and getting rid of our stuff. After living in two small rooms for the past 6 months plus, I have really realized that we don't need halve of the things that we have. We can do with a lot less. So I have been trying to go though and get rid of the things that we don't need. I am really trying to de-junk and organize our lives. And so far? Well its a lot of work. And I haven't made much headway. I have managed to unpack most of the boxes from the kitchen, but there are at least two maybe three boxes that I can't seem to find. I started working on the girls room, but then I had both girls in my lap wanting attention. Crazy!!!
Anyways, I have really enjoyed having our own house again. And my own kitchen. Now only if I can get everything unpacked.
Five years!!! Today is my fifth anniversary. Bennett and I have been married for five years. And it seems like it was just yesterday. I look back at what we have been through the last five years. There has been joy, sorrow, separation, the anticipation of reunion, births of our two girls, laughter and tears. I try to think of what my favorite moment has been? What stands out the most? Too many things fly into my head to mention. I am so blessed!
Wednesday, October 29
Monday, October 20
Breast feeding toddler?!?!?!
Okay, so I got this from a friend. And it was perfect. I had really needed to hear this. A lot of it was stuff that I already knew but its always good to hear it again! Enjoy
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLYAlthough there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues."Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."-- Mandel 2005"Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins." -- Dewey 2001In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:29% of energy requirements43% of protein requirements36% of calcium requirements75% of vitamin A requirements76% of folate requirements94% of vitamin B12 requirements60% of vitamin C requirements-- Dewey 2001Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.-- Persson 1998It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).ReferencesNursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTENThe American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986)."Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]ReferencesNursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIESMany studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point. Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).ReferencesNursing toddlers are SMARTExtensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.ReferencesNursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLYAccording to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law": "Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.ReferencesNursing a toddler is NORMALThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).References [see also position statements supporting breastfeeding]MOTHERS also benefit from nursing past infancyExtended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (References). Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (References).Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet. (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (References).Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women (References).Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier (References).
***********************************************************************
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLYAlthough there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues."Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."-- Mandel 2005"Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins." -- Dewey 2001In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:29% of energy requirements43% of protein requirements36% of calcium requirements75% of vitamin A requirements76% of folate requirements94% of vitamin B12 requirements60% of vitamin C requirements-- Dewey 2001Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.-- Persson 1998It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).ReferencesNursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTENThe American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986)."Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]ReferencesNursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIESMany studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point. Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).ReferencesNursing toddlers are SMARTExtensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.ReferencesNursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLYAccording to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law": "Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.ReferencesNursing a toddler is NORMALThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).References [see also position statements supporting breastfeeding]MOTHERS also benefit from nursing past infancyExtended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (References). Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (References).Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet. (References).Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (References).Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women (References).Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier (References).
Friday, October 17
We did it!!!
After weeks and months of serching and then all the long process of actually buying...we have a house!!! And I am so excited. We will hopefully actually get to move our stuff in by the end of the month. And I couldn't be happier. Its a cute little two bedroom, two bath, and it has so much potential. I can't wait till I get a chance to post some pictures. But that may be for a few days. Busy Busy Busy.
:-)
:-)
Tuesday, October 14
The magical DOOR
Well, we are almost there. Its been a long hard road, but we are almost there. There are so many pieces of me that hate the home buying process. But its fun too. I really enjoy laying in the bed at night, and thinking about my new house, and what I am going to do with it. It is very enjoyable for me. After months and months of not having my "own" house, I am really going to enjoying just being the mommy/wife/everything else and enjoying my home.
We went a couple of weeks ago, and just drove around our new city. It was great fun to just see all the new things that we can do and experience once we are there. One of the silliest things that I think we really enjoyed the most, was looking at restaurants. I know, sounds crazy. My parents live out in the country somewhat, and while it only takes about thirty minutes to get to civilization, its nothing like it was in Hawaii, where food was just around the corner, and on those nights that I really couldn't go on, I was able to order pizza, and they delivered it to the DOOR!!!
Now, I grew up in the country, and it never bothered me. In fact I kind of enjoyed it. I like the fact that there was acres and acres of pasture to explore. But now I am all grown up, and like the food coming to the door thing. :-)
I wonder what other sorts of food I will be able to get to come to the magical DOOR. Asian, greek, ??? In Hawaii, we had a company that would deliver things from lots of others places...ie chili's, KFC, etc. I wonder if they have one of those.
All of this talk of food is making me hungry. Maybe I should walk out my door, into my "magical kitchen" and just make something for lunch...
:-)
We went a couple of weeks ago, and just drove around our new city. It was great fun to just see all the new things that we can do and experience once we are there. One of the silliest things that I think we really enjoyed the most, was looking at restaurants. I know, sounds crazy. My parents live out in the country somewhat, and while it only takes about thirty minutes to get to civilization, its nothing like it was in Hawaii, where food was just around the corner, and on those nights that I really couldn't go on, I was able to order pizza, and they delivered it to the DOOR!!!
Now, I grew up in the country, and it never bothered me. In fact I kind of enjoyed it. I like the fact that there was acres and acres of pasture to explore. But now I am all grown up, and like the food coming to the door thing. :-)
I wonder what other sorts of food I will be able to get to come to the magical DOOR. Asian, greek, ??? In Hawaii, we had a company that would deliver things from lots of others places...ie chili's, KFC, etc. I wonder if they have one of those.
All of this talk of food is making me hungry. Maybe I should walk out my door, into my "magical kitchen" and just make something for lunch...
:-)
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