Will you?

Having a baby has changed many things in our life...and I can honestly say for the better. One lady in the store the other day was looking at Briggs and said..."They will change your life"...but her tone was more of a negative twist to that statement. My response..."Yep and it's so much better now" I wonder how she liked that response :)

One major change is, how you think about things, spend money, prepare for the present and the future. I'm making this post to encourage all of our friends, family and any occasional readers of our blog to get your personal matters in order. Since we have had Briggs, one of the top items on our list has been to tackle a living will and testament.

This is obviously not something any of us like to think about...now that we have Briggs it makes me super sad to even think about not being here with him to love him through his precious little life and to be there through all his little moments of growing up. Lord willing, Justin and I will have a long happy life with Briggs and other children to come. But...we both feel very strongly that it's our responsibility as a parent to provide for him if something did happen to us. So, this past week we have been working on our living will and testament. It makes things legal on what would happen with our assets and Briggs (and eventually any future children) if something happened to us simultaneously. We know there are many people in Briggs life who love him and would take care of him, but in the event that something tragic did happen like that, we don't want any question on what our wishes would be. And so there can be a smoother transition for our children without being passed around. I did some research and looked things up on the internet.

What I found looked kind of sketchy. So I asked our Bible study leader, who is also an attorney for some direction. His recommendation was to get an attorney to draw up the papers to make sure they are legit. He put us in touch with Melton & Duncan, L.L.C. who have been a great help. Lori, the attorney we are working with has been great. She emailed us the documents, Justin and I have been working on them (not that they are complicated, it's just a lot to think and pray through), we email them back to her, she drafts the final copy and sends it to us for proofing, then we go in one time to sign the papers.

Now I know that no one likes thinking about all this. I'm not gonna lie...it was some heavy stuff to discuss, who would have our child if something happened to us, how would Briggs and our other children receive money from the trust that's left to him, living will (what happens if you're terminally ill or injured and unable to speak for yourself...). Anyway, we are finally finished. And good news...once it's done, it's done and we don't have to worry about it anymore. So, we encourage all of our friends and family to consider making this step to get things in order for your children.

The Storm Before The Calm

In order to make the update from our first REAL Mother's Day Out experience, I feel like I need to rewind and share about what SHOULD HAVE BEEN our first real MDO experience. To take you through our Tuesday of last week (Briggs' school was closed on Labor Day so he was only going Tuesday of last week, the same day I started work).

I'm all worked up that morning trying to get everybody ready, got up early so I could pack up the house us up, had my sticky notes everywhere so I didn't forget anything, J was even home so he could go with us for Briggs "first day of school". While I'm in the shower, the automated phone thingy calls our house..."school will open at 10 because of a power outage"...LOVELY! I'm trying not to freak more than I already am, but that means I have to do my day in 3 hours, what I was suppose to do in 5!...NOT COOL!

I tell myself..ok..we can do this. I decide to just lay back down in the bed and snuggle with my baby. We get going again that AM and while I'm feeding him, phone rings again. This time it says..."power is still not back up and school is closed". WHAT!?!?!...yeah I really freaked then. I mean, I've been off for 4 months and my first day back I'm suppose to call and say I can't come! To make a long story short, my dear friend Debra called in the middle of all the chaos and so graciously offered to keep Briggs. She lives right by my work. So I brought little buddy over to her house and this is what the rest of our day looked like:

A picture right before I left. Briggs and Mommy are all smiles. I seriously wasn't upset to leave him b/c I love Debra, I know how much she loves Briggs and she is a really good updater during the day :)


I haven't even been gone 30 minutes and I've already got a picture text showing me how happy he is...happy baby = happy mommy.


Then I get this picture text...he yawned 10:48 AM.


Soon after I get this picture...with the text saying something like this..."I hope you're paying attention, I would just be holding him but I'm hoping to babysit again, so I'm trying to keep him on schedule"....hahaha


There were a few more pictures that came while I was gone for only 3 hours. It was cracking me up, but BELIEVE ME, if you have to leave your baby for the first time, that's the way to do it with pics of him coming every 20-30 minutes. Only problem during our day...Briggs refused to take the bottle from her. I mean, she did get about 3 ounces down him, WITH GREAT EFFORT! So that's what gave me the idea for "bottle bootcamp". It's one thing for him to act crazy cry when it's one day with my friend and I can run back and get him. It's another for him to act like that for the people who keep him on a regular basis.

So here is the picture that started our day...Briggs and Mommy at school right before we dropped him off.


We came into his room to meet this smiling face. We love Ms. Donna! She scooped little Briggs right up and walked us through the "drop off" routine. I only shed a few tears. Of course Briggs was all smiles. I was actually pretty proud of myself. I wasn't the total mess I had the potential to be.

Then when I came to pick him up...I come in to find this scene that melted my heart. This is Ms. Amy, Briggs' other teacher. We love her too! She was rocking him...and of course he was sound asleep (because that's where he sleeps best is in someone's arms).


They told me as I was walking out with tears rolling down my face..."call as many times as you want". I had to use great self control today and only called one time...I was pretty proud of myself. When I came to pick him up...they filled me in on his day. I was anxious to get the dreaded "bottle report". Much to my surprise....both of his teachers gave him one...they both reported he did beautifully. And by that I mean..he sucked it down without a peep. Ms. Donna told me she tried to stop halfway and burp him and he pitched a fit so she just finished it off and he sucked them both dry! Yay for bottle bootcamp! It really seemed to work. So we shall see what tomorrow brings. Unless I make another post, we can all rest assured that no news is good news :)

So we have officially made it past day one and from what I hear, these things just get easier each time. When I was walking out with Briggs we stopped at the front desk and the director says to us, "You did so good". I assumed she was talking to Briggs...but then she says "and Briggs you did so good too". Ha :)

And a quick sidenote...I had a good time at work. Using my brain for something other than calculating when the next time Briggs needs to eat was really nice. As I mentioned before, my hours are real flexible and just depends on how much work there is. So today I worked 3 hours and had a couple to spare. So I ran a few of errands and even stopped by Sonic to get a drink before I went to pick up my little buddy. So all in all, it was a really good first day.

Tasty Tuesday - Almost Fall Cookies

Almost Fall Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
1 C light brown sugar
1/3 C sugar
2 Large eggs
1 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 C quick oats
10 oz pack Hershey's cinnamon chips (I have only found these at Food Giant in Moody, but have heard they are at Target. I think they are seasonal ?)
1 C golden raisins
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 C pumpkin

Mix butter and sugars. Add 2 eggs and vanilla. Add pumpkin and pumpkin spice. Add flour, baking soda, oats, chips and raisins. Bake 350 for 12-14 minutes

This is another one of those recipes that is so much easier to make with a KitchenAid Mixer. If you bake a lot...it's totally worth the investment. These cookies call for pumpkin, which is also seasonal. That's why I'm sharing this recipe in the fall when pumpkin is more likely to be in the grocery stores.

Tip: When making cookies...you can make up the cookie dough, put in a Ziploc bag, refrigerate and make the cookies as you want. It's helpful if you only need or want a few, or don't have time to make them all at once.

Bottle Bootcamp

The big craze in the workout world lately has been "bootcamp". Not only have we been doing exercise bootcamp around the Poland house (to get rid of this baby weight)...we have initiated "bottle bootcamp" this weekend. I had mentioned earlier that Briggs wasn't taking a bottle. Well, we start Mother's Day Out tomorrow. He will be going two days a week from 8-1. I have been pumping myself up for this day for the past few weeks. Last week was suppose to be his first official day at MDO but b/c of the tropical storm that came through, his school was closed. So a friend kept him (that's another post coming soon). It was officially my first time to leave him with someone and of course...he wouldn't take a bottle...so I'm rushing around trying to get done so I can get back to him and feed him. Besides the overwhelming feeling small amount of anxiety building up to this day...one thing that has added to it, is the fact that Briggs won't take a bottle. Everyone says...he will take it if he gets hungry enough...I agree, but I don't want him screaming every time he goes to MDO and I think it would be different if he was going to be there for longer periods of time. But at this point...I'm thinking he will just be a handful b/c he won't take a bottle and will just cry until I get back...which equals a stressed out, anxious mommy trying to work but worried about her baby.

Anyway...we have been working since Friday to take a bottle and here is how our weekend has gone.


This is the goal...empty bottle in one sitting.


On Friday I was here by myself and implemented the ground rules for bottle bootcamp. There were many tears shed by both parties...but I successfully got 3 bottles down the kid. Saturday Daddy was home and here is a pic of spoiled, high maintenance precious little Briggs taking his bottle peacefully. Just when you think all is good...he is so focused, eye on the prize...


Briggs starts THROWING A FIT...spitting, crying, choking on milk...it's not pretty. So, we stop and give him his paci, only to start again a few minutes later


Well...I can proudly say, with a hesitant smile on my face, I think bottle bootcamp has been a success for the weekend. We will see how things go tomorrow, but Briggs has become more consistent with each bottle feeding. I'm hoping he will quickly associate a bottle with MDO and realize he has to take one there like a good little boy and to not throw a fit for them like he did us. So let's all say a little prayer that mommy is strong and brave to leave baby Briggs AND that Briggs shows his sweet teachers what he has learned this weekend. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they get all smiles tomorrow :)

Moby Wrap

I would like to introduce all of you to the Moby Wrap. It is another contraption that has revolutionized our lives in the Poland house. I'm sure you have all seen in my previous postings about our dilemma in the grocery store with Briggs' carseat not fitting in the buggy. Solution... we got a carrier for me to wear him while shopping...problem solved! ...UNTIL little buddy started packing on the pounds every week and mommy can't keep up. So I have been having some serious back pain b/c the first carrier just strapped over my shoulders with no lower back support.

Well...my sweet neighbor just gave us this new fun toy. It's called the Moby Wrap and it's the longest piece of fabric I have ever seen! It wraps around your body in all directions, stick your baby in it...and you're ready to go. I'm in love with this thing and so is Briggs. It supports your back (upper and lower) with the way it wraps around you. So all the baby's weight isn't just hanging on your shoulders.

Here is a pic of Briggs facing outward. He thinks it's fun. The only thing is..he usually falls asleep in it and this position isn't the best when he is sleeping so I usually turn him toward me.


Briggs is all snuggled in...we went and had a picnic with Justin at work. Briggs was cold and tired...so I tucked him all in the wrap and he went strait to sleep...so sweet!


Here is a demonstration of how much fabric this wrap is...we were at my aunt and uncle's lake house so I am standing on the second story and this puppy stretches...well you can see for yourself.


And now you can see...he is having a good time with mommy. We had forgotten to put the stroller back in the car after our last trip so he got to ride in the mall with mommy :)


I will say...it's an awesome way to tote your baby around. Briggs falls asleep in it all the time and I just tuck his head in the fabric and we keep on moving. I can bend over and do what I need to do at home with him in this thing. I feel like he is completely secure and I'm not at all worried about him falling out of it. And the fact that it's all fabric...you just throw it in the wash to clean it which is nice. The one negative side...it's a lot of fabric and...so it's kind of hard to get on in the car...but I've done it. I usually just put it on at home before we go to the store and strap him in once we get there.

I don't know that I ever would have bought one of these on my own, but I'm so thankful to my neighbor for buying it for me. What a great gift and we have already gotten her money's worth :)

Tasty Tuesday - Teryaki Turkey Burgers

Teryaki Turkey Burgers

1 lb ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 C bread crumbs
1 packet lipton onion soup mix
1/4 C finely chopped red pepper
1/4 C finely chopped green onion
1/2 C grated carrots
1/2 C teryaki sauce (can half, to cut the salt)
1 tsp crushed garlic
1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Form 6 burger patties. I grilled mine on George Foreman Grill..and they turned out yummy. Below is a picture of what they look like. I did stewed potatoes and green beans with ours.

Organize

When was the last time you went through your spices or pantry to see what you have hidden deep in the back of that shelf or cabinet? I guess I started "nesting" this week, if that's what you want to call it (since I didn't get to do it before Briggs got here b/c I was on bedrest).

Anyway, how many times have you bought a spice for one recipe and it calls for a teaspoon... then you never use it again until a year later when you make that same recipe? Here is a perfect example of that very thing and how many spices were expired when I really started looking..yikes!


And this is what my pantry looked like before I got into organize mode. I'm sure none of you have a pantry that looks this bad...

And this is what it looked like after I organized and cleaned out. It's amazing what kinds of things you can find and what you can be inspired to do with the food you already have.


Here is a better picture of the door organizer...sorry it's a little blurry, but was taken on my phone. I also moved the spices to this door. Someone once told me, you shouldn't have spices by your stove (which is where mine were) b/c the steam can cause them to become moist and lose their freshness.


I wanted to share another organizing tip. We had to move our office into our bedroom once Briggs came...so I hung an extra shoe wrack we had on the back of the door and put envelopes, extra pens and pencils, stationary, and other office supplies in the holes

And here is our hall closet..this is also a shoe organizer but is mesh so you can see what is in it. So in this one we have extra batteries, some of my craft stuff...you name it, it's probably in there.


It's hard to make the shoe hangers look all nice and neat...but you get the idea...it's much better than having all that stuff piled up in a drawer somewhere that you can't get to or use.

Hope some of these organizing tips helped somebody...they sure have made our life easier and helps us to see and use what we have.