Breast Milk

So some of you are probably looking at this title and wondering why in the world am I blogging about breast milk. Well, as most of you know Addison had a hard time nursing which led to us being a "pump and feed" pair. Then we discovered that Addison has cow's milk protein intolerance and they told me to cut dairy completely out of my diet or stop nursing. Making the decision to stop pumping was not hard, but the fact that Addison was not going to get my milk was very emotional for me. So here we were with 125 bags of frozen breast milk with 6oz or more in each bag in our freezer that Addison could not have and I refused to throw it all in the trash, after all to me breast milk is "liquid gold" and I had put a lot of sweat and tears into it. I had heard when I was nursing Jackson that you could donate breast milk and there were breast milk banks. I did some research on the Internet and found the International Breast Milk Program that accepted previously collected milk. I went through the doctors releases and a blood and genetic screening and was accepted. It took two specialized coolers and an overnight FedEx shipment and it was gone. Now 25% of my milk will be sent to babies in Africa born with AIDS and Hepatitis and the other 75% will stay here in the USA for extremely ill preemies. I was so happy that I was able to do this. It helps to know that even though my baby could not benefit from my milk, some one else's baby who is in dire need may.

Balance

I have to say that I am sad to see summer ending, but happy to see fall approaching. I say this about every change in the seasons, but I honestly feel this way for many reasons. So far this year has been one of craziness. In January I was approaching my due date with Addison, quiting work, Brad was out of town a lot, and then Addison came and we have been dealing with reflux and milk protein intolerance and supposedly teething since June and Jackson playing baseball and soccer and starting school and I just feel that I can't find a balance in anything. Addison is six months old now and it seems that the days are just not long enough to accomplish everything that I need or want to. I feel like I should have it down packed by now, but I don't. So, I ask to please keep checking and reading our blog, I haven't posted as much as I would like to, but I hope to be more frequent at it and finding the balance that I am so desperately looking for!!

End of Summer

Well, here she is!! Our third child was born on August 8, 2008. (We haven't decided whether to call her our third child or the mistress, Ha Ha Ha!) Brad has really enjoyed having her and I think that it is a way for him to relax and let everyday stresses go. There are different themes that you can have for the accessories and Brad has chosen to have the "Live to Ride, Ride to Live" with the eagle theme. I like his choice. No, I have not been on it, YET. Brad wanted to get comfortable on it himself before he takes any passengers and I would like us both to have helmets. So until that first ride.....

About three weeks ago Brad's brother, Justin, left on a mission for the LDS church. He will be gone for two years teaching the faith that we so strongly believe in, to those who are looking for it. He is serving in Sydney, Australia (which is the same mission that Brad served in, which for two brothers to go to the same place we all feel is pretty unique.) I have to say that the day Justin went into the MTC (Missionary Training Center) was a bittersweet day and a testimony builder for me. We were all so sad to say our good-byes, but happy that he believes in it so much that he wants to preach the gospel and serve the Lord.

We went camping September 5th and 6th at Payson Lakes. We had a really fun time. We tie-dyed shirts, hung around the campfire, the kids had craft time, Jackson took his camera and we have about 300 pictures that I am still deleting, we had BBQ ribs and banana boats (YUM!), Brad went fishing, and we also had the pleasure of listening to the fun campers across the way sing and play one chord on their guitar till 3:00 a.m. both nights. The morning that we left my mom woke up and yelled across the way that she wanted to use the guitar for firewood. We all got a good laugh out of that. Jackson had a good time with his cousins and just being outside. Camping with an infant is nice in some ways and not so fun in others, overall Addison did well, but I feel that next year will be harder with her being mobile. I feel that Nichole said it right camping is a lot of work and is not a poor man's vacation!

Well, Jackson turned 4 on the 9th, what a big kid! We had his birthday party on the 13th (I will post about the party later) so Brad and I decided to give him a couple presents that morning. We gave him a bike helmet and this puzzle. The helmet we initially gave him was a "Cars" the movie helmet, but it did not seem to fit right so we told him we would have to take it back and get one that fits. The sad look on his face was enough to crush any parent with the feeling of failure. That's when we decided to give him this puzzle and everything was fine. Brad went into work a little late and stayed home and helped Jackson put it together. My mom called that morning to wish him a happy birthday and she asked him what he wanted them to get him for his birthday and he said "A helmet that fits." My mom got a good laugh out of it, but it crushed me even more. We also decided to take him anywhere he wanted to go for dinner and he chose Carl's Junior with a playland. Overall it was a fun day.