Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Baby steps!
No time for a full-length blog, so I'll let the videos do all the talking I mean WALKING!! Enjoy :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Our birthday picnic... indoors!
So wouldn't you know it - the big day finally arrives, and it rained on our parade! Sunny skies prevailed shortly thereafter (OF COURSE), but we got rain during the main event, so we took it inside. Our good friend, Sheppie, made sure that the party went off without a hitch, and I am forever grateful! My house was a disaster zone from all the cooking, so Sheppie was nice enough to offer up her home for the picnic. We had a blast in her living room with a pallet on the floor, and it was even more memorable this way than if we had been in the park. Funny how things work out sometimes, but we made the very best of it with some great friends! Life is good!
The party was a complete success - very intimate and casual - just as expected. Everything was homemade and made with love, and I plan on making each birthday a similar experience - the thoughtfulness that goes into something handmade can't be reproduced in the grocery store, so even if just one thing each birthday is homemade, I will be satisfied. Things start to take on a better meaning and become sentimental when straight from the heart. Ok, enough Oprah talk! Sheesh (blushing..) :)
Even though we weren't able to make it an outdoor affair, we will definitely be recreating this type of party this summer for an excuse to get outside and get together with friends. I have the vintage bottles, handkerchiefs, linens, pitchers, etc to form a nice outdoor get-together, so I am looking forward to the next! Won't you join us??
Check out pics from the party and let me know what you think! It was a day well-spent. Happy first birthday, Naomi! We love you!
 |
| the set up: all from scratch (including the cake) = sweet success! |
 |
| such a sweet "big brother" |
 |
| drink station made it outside with the cute decor |
Check out pics from the party and let me know what you think! It was a day well-spent. Happy first birthday, Naomi! We love you!
 |
| playing with my friend Rose's two sweet boys! |
 |
| pb&j crepes, ceviche, guac., fruit salad, strawberry cake |
 |
| too interested in playing to eat! |
 |
| baby birthday bloomers |
 |
| Deddy showing off the birthday hat from Auntie Sheppie! She spoils Naomi rotten!! :) |
 |
| Another goodie from Auntie Sheppie! This adorable plaid bathing suit with lobster on front! |
 |
| It doesn't get any cuter than this! |
 |
| watching the big kids |
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Birthday Girl!
Let me start this sweet post by saying we feel blessed each and every day (and count our blessings more often than that)!! Today was truly a day to feel and BE blessed! Not only were we celebrating Naomi's birth and very first birthday, but we celebrated our first year as parents and our love and devotion to not only Naomi but to each other too. How fascinating and miraculous it is to actually bring this little life into our lives and to watch her grow! Watching not only from a distance, but gazing in amazement at every little sniffle, laugh, and sneeze that she produces! In an instant, your life changes and you go from taking care of each other to saying, "The heck with each other! It's all about this little one now. She's priority number one." And no matter what, that's how it will stay. Parenting is the most selfless job of all, and I am proud to be called Mama!
The night before her birthday, Andrew and I set up the decorations in the house to make it look festive for when the birthday girl awoke. Balloons hanging from her doorway complete with balloons and a birthday banner in the kitchen, just as my mother always did for us growing up, helped to make it feel festive - even if she didn't quite "get it" yet!
She awoke to us both singing and pointing out balloons, and we all quickly scurried into the living room to show her the other decorations and gifts. No need for wrapping paper or big fancy gifts, most came from Salvation Army, and the big ticket item was a Remo floor drum for her to bang on until her little heart's content. I'm sure Andrew and I will be trading ear muffs for years to come because of this purchase, but we decided it's important to introduce music and have it a large part of her life since it's a large part of ours - even if at such a young age. Start 'em young, right? Especially if we have the next Susan Tedeschi on our hands! :)
Andrew cooked a mean breakfast - Omi's favorite - of pancakes with lots of syrup (she reminds me more and more of Will Ferrell's Elf character), strawberries, and bananas. Starting out the day with lots of sugar, and the sugar rush only continued! A good friend brought cupcakes for lunch and we had cupcakes after dinner, and I'm making a strawberry cake for our picnic this Saturday. We're all going to be in a sugar-induced coma by the end of the weekend, and I'm ok with that! The next excuse for cake and frosting is December 14 - Deddy's 29th birthday, so we've got a while to work off this sugar high, thank goodness!
Jessica, of Sweet Green Tangerine, & her sweet boy Jude met us in the park, and we devoured delicious avocado sandwiches from Brighter Day and finished our afternoon birthday play date with surprise cupcakes from GiGi's cupcakes. Such a sweet ending to a beautiful day of playing in the park with great friends, and I am truly grateful to Jessica for sharing in our special day with us. Jude and Omi are exactly 3 months apart in age, so it is so much fun to get to watch them grow together. Omi tends to be more bold (pull hair, grab noses) while Jude is on the more cautious and wary side of the game right now, but for good reason! I wouldn't want my hair pulled either! Haha..we are having to work on "be gentle" and "easy!!" :)
After a long, much needed crash from all the sugar, we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the backyard with all the pups. Deddy & sweet Unkie Jason joined us after work and grilled Naomi's favorite for dinner: hot dogs! Definitely nothing gourmet, but when you are one, hot dogs are a sweet, sweet delicacy. She can annihilate one in minutes! We finished up the meal with the birthday song and old-fashioned cupcakes from one of my favorite places, Back in the Day Bakery. A special treat for the special birthday girl - wow. We have a one year old. How cool is that?
I will add videos when they are done uploading (fingers crossed it works). Gramama is itching for live videos, and although I've been good about the pics lately, I admit I need to get better in the video department! Gettin' it together.. See yall soon, and love you all!
xoxo, The Lees
 |
| Birthday girl eating a cupcake after dinner |
The night before her birthday, Andrew and I set up the decorations in the house to make it look festive for when the birthday girl awoke. Balloons hanging from her doorway complete with balloons and a birthday banner in the kitchen, just as my mother always did for us growing up, helped to make it feel festive - even if she didn't quite "get it" yet!
She awoke to us both singing and pointing out balloons, and we all quickly scurried into the living room to show her the other decorations and gifts. No need for wrapping paper or big fancy gifts, most came from Salvation Army, and the big ticket item was a Remo floor drum for her to bang on until her little heart's content. I'm sure Andrew and I will be trading ear muffs for years to come because of this purchase, but we decided it's important to introduce music and have it a large part of her life since it's a large part of ours - even if at such a young age. Start 'em young, right? Especially if we have the next Susan Tedeschi on our hands! :)
Andrew cooked a mean breakfast - Omi's favorite - of pancakes with lots of syrup (she reminds me more and more of Will Ferrell's Elf character), strawberries, and bananas. Starting out the day with lots of sugar, and the sugar rush only continued! A good friend brought cupcakes for lunch and we had cupcakes after dinner, and I'm making a strawberry cake for our picnic this Saturday. We're all going to be in a sugar-induced coma by the end of the weekend, and I'm ok with that! The next excuse for cake and frosting is December 14 - Deddy's 29th birthday, so we've got a while to work off this sugar high, thank goodness!
 |
| Breakfast with Deddy before he had to leave for work |
 |
| Jude and Naomi sharing a cupcake in the park! |
 |
| Back in the Day Bakery is so cute and helped with the perfect ending! |
 |
| unwrapping gift from Unkie Jason - GA Aquarium passes!! Woohoo!! Thanks Unkie Jason! |
 |
| earmuffs! :) I love these things! |
 |
| Practicing walking in the backyard |
xoxo, The Lees
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Favas got the Flavor!
Who doesn't love a cool, crisp salad in the hot months of spring and summer?? I've put together a new one, this time loaded with fava beans from Cha Bella's farmbox deal and other local, organic veggies picked up at the farmers market. Oh the tastes of summer are already here! I'm in fresh food heaven!
This was my first time cooking with these tasty little guys, and it was so easy and only took minutes to prepare! I am most definitely making them a summer staple at our house. Loaded with fiber, protein, and folate, they're really good for you, and they're fresh from the farm these days - mmmmm, it doesn't get any better than that!
Fava Bean Salad -
Shell the beans while you bring water to boil in medium pot. Place fava beans in rapidly boiling water for two minutes, then strain and run cold water over them. Once they're cooled, remove outer shell (should slide right off). Return to pot and blanch (just until they are soft). Place in bowl.
Chop 2 small tomatoes, 1 cucumber, and 1/2 onion and add to bowl. Mince two garlic cloves and add. Add parsley, salt, pepper, and cumin to taste. Add juice of one lemon. Drizzle evoo over all and toss.
Another yummy I made yesterday was this delicious pot of tangy slow-cooked red vidalia onions. Yall, I can't tell you how good these are! They were another added surprise in my delicious brown bag of organic produce from Cha Bella. The red wine vinegar helps draw out the taste of the onions, and they are so good paired with a salad like above or a yummy, fresh seafood dish. Or, you can enjoy them like I do - by themselves! Happy cookin'!
Slow-cooked red vidalia onions -
cut onions in half, leaving a little bit of green on top. add to pot with 2 tsp of evoo, butter, 3oz of water and splash of red wine vinegar, dill and s&p to taste, and juice from half lemon. Bring to a boil, simmer and cover for 20 mins. Voila! Done! :) Aren't spring and summer's fresh veggies just the best?!
This was my first time cooking with these tasty little guys, and it was so easy and only took minutes to prepare! I am most definitely making them a summer staple at our house. Loaded with fiber, protein, and folate, they're really good for you, and they're fresh from the farm these days - mmmmm, it doesn't get any better than that!
Fava Bean Salad -
Shell the beans while you bring water to boil in medium pot. Place fava beans in rapidly boiling water for two minutes, then strain and run cold water over them. Once they're cooled, remove outer shell (should slide right off). Return to pot and blanch (just until they are soft). Place in bowl.
Chop 2 small tomatoes, 1 cucumber, and 1/2 onion and add to bowl. Mince two garlic cloves and add. Add parsley, salt, pepper, and cumin to taste. Add juice of one lemon. Drizzle evoo over all and toss.
 |
| Doesn't this look delicious?? The key ingredients, to me, are cumin and lemon! Mmm mm good! |
Slow-cooked red vidalia onions -
cut onions in half, leaving a little bit of green on top. add to pot with 2 tsp of evoo, butter, 3oz of water and splash of red wine vinegar, dill and s&p to taste, and juice from half lemon. Bring to a boil, simmer and cover for 20 mins. Voila! Done! :) Aren't spring and summer's fresh veggies just the best?!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding version NGL
My plan worked. Naomi is now COMPLETELY independent from breastfeeding and is sleeping through the night again. (and I'm taking it much better than expected!) Maybe it's because weaning took a while and I was able to wean myself or maybe it's because I am stronger than I originally thought :), but no matter what, it has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I can say that with all sincerity.
Before I started the weaning process, I thought it would be tougher on me than for her to give it up because of the nurturing/bonding time I got to spend with her during each feeding - sounds backwards, doesn't it?! We took the weaning process step-by-step together, slowly eliminating one feeding at a time until we got to the "right before bed" milk. I slowly introduced the cup during this time and often got refusal. Naomi would point to my chest and whine - sometimes pulling on my shirt. IMHO, when a little one starts to pull on the shirt, it's time to give it up for good. Once they are old enough to understand, they are old enough for a cup. Not a bottle, not a breast, but a cup.
Naomi started with many different sippy cups at around five or six months old, and out of all of them, the NUK learner cup was the winner. We would give her anything to drink out of it - just so she would get used to the feel of a cup and it wouldn't be so foreign later on. To this day, she still prefers this NUK cup, and I like it because it is spill-proof and she can easily hold it herself. There are many great ones on the market though! It's best to buy a small assortment and see what your child likes the best.
I am so pleased that Omi is gaining more independence from me, but I am also sad as this marks a major milestone in both of our lives. She is growing up and coming into her own, and I am at the end of having my baby stage! She will always be my baby, and this milestone is not sad, but joyous, and maybe bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single aspect of this breastfeeding and nurturing experience - and in essence - keeping my child alive.
So, as I look back, even though it was just moments ago, I weigh the pros and cons and would do it again in a heartbeat. Just when she's ready for the cup, I have to let go!
Pros:
The pros definitely outweigh the cons, obviously, but I'll give it a shot as to why:
The Health Benefits to Baby!
Truth be told, breast milk is nature's medicine or what I like to call, liquid gold. It is effective in healing eye infections, clearing sinuses, and reducing swelling among others. (Breast Milk as Medicine) Our pediatrician is very enthusiastic about the healing natures of breast milk, and after breastfeeding one, I am in total agreement! Dr. Ramos even suggested squirting it in her eye for conjunctivitis! Now THAT is a home remedy if I've ever heard of one! Breast milk also contains everything a baby needs in order to survive for the first few months, and that, in and of itself, is amazing!
Availabilty & Convenience
Being a SAHM (stay-at-home mama), it is so convenient to have milk supply available 24/7, on demand. On Demand, I sound like our cable company! :) ha. I'm sure it would get trickier if I had to go back to work, but being home with her, fixing a bottle and warming milk is simply not on my long to-do list, and for that, I am grateful! It's also easy to feed her ANYWHERE - the park, airplane, dressing room in stores, beach, restaurants, you name it. Ain't no shame in my game. Baby Girl's got to eat, right?
Weight Loss
This topic is discussed in a previous post, but breast feeding can burn 500 calories a day. I associate much of my weight loss with breastfeeding.
Storage
Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for up to a year! Health benefits that keep on givin'!
All-Natural/No Expensive Formulas
Breast milk is as primitive as it gets, and it's because mother's milk is intended for baby. Supplements in the market these days are not only expensive, but they can get contaminated (just as Similac did less than a year ago). They recalled over 5 million containers for contamination with beetles or larvae. It is scary to think about but it could happen. I understand that many moms have to work or produce little or no milk and need to use formula, and I definitely would too in similar situations, but all I'm saying is if you can, breastfeed.
Cons:
Pain!
In the very early stages and at the very end, things were, let's just say, uncomfortable! No one wants to associate with words like engorgement, leaking, mastitis, blisters. Enough said.
Privacy
Nursing just anywhere can be uncomfortable for mama and the general public. Let's face it. No one wants to see your ta-tas. Seriously. Even before getting pregnant, I would become rather uncomfortable with a nursing mother in the room. It's just not everyday you see that, so that, I guess, is what makes it uncomfortable for me. It's a simple fix though - take a blanket with you and you're set. I would much rather see a blanket covering a baby's head than breast. Plus, I've noticed men, generally older, that STARE. Now that's just weird. For my own comfort and for Naomi's, a blanket solved many privacy issues!
Dependency
This one was the kicker. As Omi got older, she wanted to nurse in the middle of the night, often times more than twice, just for comfort. I know this because she had been sleeping through the night and then stopped. Certainly mama will come in and put me back to sleep, and surely I did. The slightest little whimper would come from her room and I would run in there and nurse for less than 5 minutes. That's not hunger, that's a pacifier!
It was also more than difficult to leave on vacations without my exclusively breastfed baby. She learned to use a cup early on because of this concern. I did not want her to not know how to use a cup, but I did not want her to use a bottle either (I already knew I would need to wean her from the breast - why would I want to wean her from breast and bottle?). It was easier for us to introduce the cup straight from the breast - another suggestion from the ped's office. I heart Dr. Ramon Ramos!!
Lots of pumping!
Breast pumps are for the birds. I can't stand my pump, and maybe I have such strong distaste after having to had pumped over 100oz for my mom's freezer when I went on vacation back in January (for only five days)! In order to keep producing while I was away, I had to lug that thing through security checkpoints all the way to MX and back - and interrupting my vacation at least three times a day to pump. Garsh, I'm getting hives just thinking about it!
It's hard to keep up
I thought for sure after our little vacation that that was the end for me, but Naomi was resilient and very patient, and she knew she was not done. I was happy about that because 1: I wasn't ready either 2. I did not want to pay for expensive formulas if I did not have to. If I had to return to work, I am 90% sure that I would not have lasted this long. It is just too hard to keep the pump alive during a busy day-to-day schedule. My hat is off to you ladies that pump during your work day. My pump has been retired for some time now!
Well, I think I've bored you enough with my personal pros and cons of breastfeeding NGL, and I'm sure every baby will be different, just as they say every pregnancy is different. Situations change, life changes, "you never know what you're gonna get." Breastfeeding has been one of the coolest and most exciting things I have ever experienced in my life, and if you have the opportunity, I would say definitely give it a go even if only for a little while. I'll end you with another classic Forrest Gump quote: "You have to do the best with what God gave you." Ain't that the truth?? :)
Before I started the weaning process, I thought it would be tougher on me than for her to give it up because of the nurturing/bonding time I got to spend with her during each feeding - sounds backwards, doesn't it?! We took the weaning process step-by-step together, slowly eliminating one feeding at a time until we got to the "right before bed" milk. I slowly introduced the cup during this time and often got refusal. Naomi would point to my chest and whine - sometimes pulling on my shirt. IMHO, when a little one starts to pull on the shirt, it's time to give it up for good. Once they are old enough to understand, they are old enough for a cup. Not a bottle, not a breast, but a cup.
Naomi started with many different sippy cups at around five or six months old, and out of all of them, the NUK learner cup was the winner. We would give her anything to drink out of it - just so she would get used to the feel of a cup and it wouldn't be so foreign later on. To this day, she still prefers this NUK cup, and I like it because it is spill-proof and she can easily hold it herself. There are many great ones on the market though! It's best to buy a small assortment and see what your child likes the best.
I am so pleased that Omi is gaining more independence from me, but I am also sad as this marks a major milestone in both of our lives. She is growing up and coming into her own, and I am at the end of having my baby stage! She will always be my baby, and this milestone is not sad, but joyous, and maybe bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single aspect of this breastfeeding and nurturing experience - and in essence - keeping my child alive.
So, as I look back, even though it was just moments ago, I weigh the pros and cons and would do it again in a heartbeat. Just when she's ready for the cup, I have to let go!
 |
| This pic says it all! |
Pros:
The pros definitely outweigh the cons, obviously, but I'll give it a shot as to why:
The Health Benefits to Baby!
 |
| Happy baby! |
Availabilty & Convenience
Being a SAHM (stay-at-home mama), it is so convenient to have milk supply available 24/7, on demand. On Demand, I sound like our cable company! :) ha. I'm sure it would get trickier if I had to go back to work, but being home with her, fixing a bottle and warming milk is simply not on my long to-do list, and for that, I am grateful! It's also easy to feed her ANYWHERE - the park, airplane, dressing room in stores, beach, restaurants, you name it. Ain't no shame in my game. Baby Girl's got to eat, right?
Weight Loss
This topic is discussed in a previous post, but breast feeding can burn 500 calories a day. I associate much of my weight loss with breastfeeding.
Storage
Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for up to a year! Health benefits that keep on givin'!
All-Natural/No Expensive Formulas
Breast milk is as primitive as it gets, and it's because mother's milk is intended for baby. Supplements in the market these days are not only expensive, but they can get contaminated (just as Similac did less than a year ago). They recalled over 5 million containers for contamination with beetles or larvae. It is scary to think about but it could happen. I understand that many moms have to work or produce little or no milk and need to use formula, and I definitely would too in similar situations, but all I'm saying is if you can, breastfeed.
 |
| this smiling face is as close as you're getting to a shot of me breastfeeding! |
Pain!
In the very early stages and at the very end, things were, let's just say, uncomfortable! No one wants to associate with words like engorgement, leaking, mastitis, blisters. Enough said.
Privacy
Nursing just anywhere can be uncomfortable for mama and the general public. Let's face it. No one wants to see your ta-tas. Seriously. Even before getting pregnant, I would become rather uncomfortable with a nursing mother in the room. It's just not everyday you see that, so that, I guess, is what makes it uncomfortable for me. It's a simple fix though - take a blanket with you and you're set. I would much rather see a blanket covering a baby's head than breast. Plus, I've noticed men, generally older, that STARE. Now that's just weird. For my own comfort and for Naomi's, a blanket solved many privacy issues!
Dependency
This one was the kicker. As Omi got older, she wanted to nurse in the middle of the night, often times more than twice, just for comfort. I know this because she had been sleeping through the night and then stopped. Certainly mama will come in and put me back to sleep, and surely I did. The slightest little whimper would come from her room and I would run in there and nurse for less than 5 minutes. That's not hunger, that's a pacifier!
It was also more than difficult to leave on vacations without my exclusively breastfed baby. She learned to use a cup early on because of this concern. I did not want her to not know how to use a cup, but I did not want her to use a bottle either (I already knew I would need to wean her from the breast - why would I want to wean her from breast and bottle?). It was easier for us to introduce the cup straight from the breast - another suggestion from the ped's office. I heart Dr. Ramon Ramos!!
Lots of pumping!Breast pumps are for the birds. I can't stand my pump, and maybe I have such strong distaste after having to had pumped over 100oz for my mom's freezer when I went on vacation back in January (for only five days)! In order to keep producing while I was away, I had to lug that thing through security checkpoints all the way to MX and back - and interrupting my vacation at least three times a day to pump. Garsh, I'm getting hives just thinking about it!
 |
| I got a great price on a used Medela pump on eBay. New tubing and sanitizing makes it just like new for a fraction of the price! |
It's hard to keep up
I thought for sure after our little vacation that that was the end for me, but Naomi was resilient and very patient, and she knew she was not done. I was happy about that because 1: I wasn't ready either 2. I did not want to pay for expensive formulas if I did not have to. If I had to return to work, I am 90% sure that I would not have lasted this long. It is just too hard to keep the pump alive during a busy day-to-day schedule. My hat is off to you ladies that pump during your work day. My pump has been retired for some time now!
Well, I think I've bored you enough with my personal pros and cons of breastfeeding NGL, and I'm sure every baby will be different, just as they say every pregnancy is different. Situations change, life changes, "you never know what you're gonna get." Breastfeeding has been one of the coolest and most exciting things I have ever experienced in my life, and if you have the opportunity, I would say definitely give it a go even if only for a little while. I'll end you with another classic Forrest Gump quote: "You have to do the best with what God gave you." Ain't that the truth?? :)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
...There may be bugs on some of you mugs...
but there ain't no bugs on me!!
Yikes. We have had a flea infestation from hell over the past week, and it's all my fault. Well, mine and Andrew's - but if this boat's sinkin', he's goin' down with me! (Cue the wicked witch from the west laugh).
It all started with the cat. You may know that we have a houseful of animals - three dogs, one cat, a hairy husband...JUST KIDDING! No really though, we are usually great about keeping flea-preventative on all the animals, especially since our American Bulldog, Fannie, has skin allergies, but this time we slipped up with the cat.
That darn cat has caused the biggest mess, and today I got a work-out in scrubbing every crevice of this place with Pine-Sol. Pine-Sol, you ask?? Why yes, indeedy! After two failed attempts at a flea-bomb and almost $30 in the hole, I was desperate to get rid of these pesky jumping beans. Fleas on the carpet, fleas on my knees, fleas on my BABY'S BEDDING!!! - you get it. Nothing was working, and before calling a professional exterminator and more hard-earned money lost, I looked toward my high school crush - the one and only Google.
Google led me to the eHow website, and I soon found out that Pine-Sol is a natural, pet and people-friendly way to get rid of them for good. Pine-Sol contains eucalyptus which is a natural repellent for many pests. (see direct link for more info)
Why didn't I think of this before setting off toxic flea bombs?! I'm a little disappointed in myself, but you live and you learn!
I'm hoping that you all don't have to deal with this mess, but from here on out know that Pine-Sol does the trick and does the trick well! (You'll just have to sweat while you scrub!)
Also, a good tip from the vet - many dogs and cats become immune to Frontline after a while so we've switched to K9 Advantix for the dogs (only thing that works for Fannie) and FirstShield for the cat. VidalsPets based in Australia seems to have the best prices for all pet meds, as far as I know. Shipping is $6.00 always, no matter how big the order (just takes a while to get here). Where do yall shop for pet meds, and do you get a good deal? Flea-preventative? Check. Nap and shower? Check. The fleas, the cat, and I have worn myself out. Goodnight, yall!
Yikes. We have had a flea infestation from hell over the past week, and it's all my fault. Well, mine and Andrew's - but if this boat's sinkin', he's goin' down with me! (Cue the wicked witch from the west laugh).
It all started with the cat. You may know that we have a houseful of animals - three dogs, one cat, a hairy husband...JUST KIDDING! No really though, we are usually great about keeping flea-preventative on all the animals, especially since our American Bulldog, Fannie, has skin allergies, but this time we slipped up with the cat.
 |
| Sneaky little booger!! |
 |
| My new favorite obsession. Smells "so fresh and so clean, clean" |
Why didn't I think of this before setting off toxic flea bombs?! I'm a little disappointed in myself, but you live and you learn!
 |
| Oh-so-loving (minus the fleas, of course). |
Also, a good tip from the vet - many dogs and cats become immune to Frontline after a while so we've switched to K9 Advantix for the dogs (only thing that works for Fannie) and FirstShield for the cat. VidalsPets based in Australia seems to have the best prices for all pet meds, as far as I know. Shipping is $6.00 always, no matter how big the order (just takes a while to get here). Where do yall shop for pet meds, and do you get a good deal? Flea-preventative? Check. Nap and shower? Check. The fleas, the cat, and I have worn myself out. Goodnight, yall!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Baby steps!
No time for a full-length blog, so I'll let the videos do all the talking I mean WALKING!! Enjoy :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Our birthday picnic... indoors!
So wouldn't you know it - the big day finally arrives, and it rained on our parade! Sunny skies prevailed shortly thereafter (OF COURSE), but we got rain during the main event, so we took it inside. Our good friend, Sheppie, made sure that the party went off without a hitch, and I am forever grateful! My house was a disaster zone from all the cooking, so Sheppie was nice enough to offer up her home for the picnic. We had a blast in her living room with a pallet on the floor, and it was even more memorable this way than if we had been in the park. Funny how things work out sometimes, but we made the very best of it with some great friends! Life is good!
The party was a complete success - very intimate and casual - just as expected. Everything was homemade and made with love, and I plan on making each birthday a similar experience - the thoughtfulness that goes into something handmade can't be reproduced in the grocery store, so even if just one thing each birthday is homemade, I will be satisfied. Things start to take on a better meaning and become sentimental when straight from the heart. Ok, enough Oprah talk! Sheesh (blushing..) :)
Even though we weren't able to make it an outdoor affair, we will definitely be recreating this type of party this summer for an excuse to get outside and get together with friends. I have the vintage bottles, handkerchiefs, linens, pitchers, etc to form a nice outdoor get-together, so I am looking forward to the next! Won't you join us??
Check out pics from the party and let me know what you think! It was a day well-spent. Happy first birthday, Naomi! We love you!
|
| the set up: all from scratch (including the cake) = sweet success! |
|
| such a sweet "big brother" |
|
| drink station made it outside with the cute decor |
Check out pics from the party and let me know what you think! It was a day well-spent. Happy first birthday, Naomi! We love you!
|
| playing with my friend Rose's two sweet boys! |
|
| pb&j crepes, ceviche, guac., fruit salad, strawberry cake |
|
| too interested in playing to eat! |
|
| baby birthday bloomers |
|
| Deddy showing off the birthday hat from Auntie Sheppie! She spoils Naomi rotten!! :) |
|
| Another goodie from Auntie Sheppie! This adorable plaid bathing suit with lobster on front! |
|
| It doesn't get any cuter than this! |
|
| watching the big kids |
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Birthday Girl!
Let me start this sweet post by saying we feel blessed each and every day (and count our blessings more often than that)!! Today was truly a day to feel and BE blessed! Not only were we celebrating Naomi's birth and very first birthday, but we celebrated our first year as parents and our love and devotion to not only Naomi but to each other too. How fascinating and miraculous it is to actually bring this little life into our lives and to watch her grow! Watching not only from a distance, but gazing in amazement at every little sniffle, laugh, and sneeze that she produces! In an instant, your life changes and you go from taking care of each other to saying, "The heck with each other! It's all about this little one now. She's priority number one." And no matter what, that's how it will stay. Parenting is the most selfless job of all, and I am proud to be called Mama!
The night before her birthday, Andrew and I set up the decorations in the house to make it look festive for when the birthday girl awoke. Balloons hanging from her doorway complete with balloons and a birthday banner in the kitchen, just as my mother always did for us growing up, helped to make it feel festive - even if she didn't quite "get it" yet!
She awoke to us both singing and pointing out balloons, and we all quickly scurried into the living room to show her the other decorations and gifts. No need for wrapping paper or big fancy gifts, most came from Salvation Army, and the big ticket item was a Remo floor drum for her to bang on until her little heart's content. I'm sure Andrew and I will be trading ear muffs for years to come because of this purchase, but we decided it's important to introduce music and have it a large part of her life since it's a large part of ours - even if at such a young age. Start 'em young, right? Especially if we have the next Susan Tedeschi on our hands! :)
Andrew cooked a mean breakfast - Omi's favorite - of pancakes with lots of syrup (she reminds me more and more of Will Ferrell's Elf character), strawberries, and bananas. Starting out the day with lots of sugar, and the sugar rush only continued! A good friend brought cupcakes for lunch and we had cupcakes after dinner, and I'm making a strawberry cake for our picnic this Saturday. We're all going to be in a sugar-induced coma by the end of the weekend, and I'm ok with that! The next excuse for cake and frosting is December 14 - Deddy's 29th birthday, so we've got a while to work off this sugar high, thank goodness!
Jessica, of Sweet Green Tangerine, & her sweet boy Jude met us in the park, and we devoured delicious avocado sandwiches from Brighter Day and finished our afternoon birthday play date with surprise cupcakes from GiGi's cupcakes. Such a sweet ending to a beautiful day of playing in the park with great friends, and I am truly grateful to Jessica for sharing in our special day with us. Jude and Omi are exactly 3 months apart in age, so it is so much fun to get to watch them grow together. Omi tends to be more bold (pull hair, grab noses) while Jude is on the more cautious and wary side of the game right now, but for good reason! I wouldn't want my hair pulled either! Haha..we are having to work on "be gentle" and "easy!!" :)
After a long, much needed crash from all the sugar, we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the backyard with all the pups. Deddy & sweet Unkie Jason joined us after work and grilled Naomi's favorite for dinner: hot dogs! Definitely nothing gourmet, but when you are one, hot dogs are a sweet, sweet delicacy. She can annihilate one in minutes! We finished up the meal with the birthday song and old-fashioned cupcakes from one of my favorite places, Back in the Day Bakery. A special treat for the special birthday girl - wow. We have a one year old. How cool is that?
I will add videos when they are done uploading (fingers crossed it works). Gramama is itching for live videos, and although I've been good about the pics lately, I admit I need to get better in the video department! Gettin' it together.. See yall soon, and love you all!
xoxo, The Lees
|
| Birthday girl eating a cupcake after dinner |
The night before her birthday, Andrew and I set up the decorations in the house to make it look festive for when the birthday girl awoke. Balloons hanging from her doorway complete with balloons and a birthday banner in the kitchen, just as my mother always did for us growing up, helped to make it feel festive - even if she didn't quite "get it" yet!
She awoke to us both singing and pointing out balloons, and we all quickly scurried into the living room to show her the other decorations and gifts. No need for wrapping paper or big fancy gifts, most came from Salvation Army, and the big ticket item was a Remo floor drum for her to bang on until her little heart's content. I'm sure Andrew and I will be trading ear muffs for years to come because of this purchase, but we decided it's important to introduce music and have it a large part of her life since it's a large part of ours - even if at such a young age. Start 'em young, right? Especially if we have the next Susan Tedeschi on our hands! :)
Andrew cooked a mean breakfast - Omi's favorite - of pancakes with lots of syrup (she reminds me more and more of Will Ferrell's Elf character), strawberries, and bananas. Starting out the day with lots of sugar, and the sugar rush only continued! A good friend brought cupcakes for lunch and we had cupcakes after dinner, and I'm making a strawberry cake for our picnic this Saturday. We're all going to be in a sugar-induced coma by the end of the weekend, and I'm ok with that! The next excuse for cake and frosting is December 14 - Deddy's 29th birthday, so we've got a while to work off this sugar high, thank goodness!
|
| Breakfast with Deddy before he had to leave for work |
|
| Jude and Naomi sharing a cupcake in the park! |
|
| Back in the Day Bakery is so cute and helped with the perfect ending! |
|
| unwrapping gift from Unkie Jason - GA Aquarium passes!! Woohoo!! Thanks Unkie Jason! |
|
| earmuffs! :) I love these things! |
|
| Practicing walking in the backyard |
xoxo, The Lees
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Favas got the Flavor!
Who doesn't love a cool, crisp salad in the hot months of spring and summer?? I've put together a new one, this time loaded with fava beans from Cha Bella's farmbox deal and other local, organic veggies picked up at the farmers market. Oh the tastes of summer are already here! I'm in fresh food heaven!
This was my first time cooking with these tasty little guys, and it was so easy and only took minutes to prepare! I am most definitely making them a summer staple at our house. Loaded with fiber, protein, and folate, they're really good for you, and they're fresh from the farm these days - mmmmm, it doesn't get any better than that!
Fava Bean Salad -
Shell the beans while you bring water to boil in medium pot. Place fava beans in rapidly boiling water for two minutes, then strain and run cold water over them. Once they're cooled, remove outer shell (should slide right off). Return to pot and blanch (just until they are soft). Place in bowl.
Chop 2 small tomatoes, 1 cucumber, and 1/2 onion and add to bowl. Mince two garlic cloves and add. Add parsley, salt, pepper, and cumin to taste. Add juice of one lemon. Drizzle evoo over all and toss.
Another yummy I made yesterday was this delicious pot of tangy slow-cooked red vidalia onions. Yall, I can't tell you how good these are! They were another added surprise in my delicious brown bag of organic produce from Cha Bella. The red wine vinegar helps draw out the taste of the onions, and they are so good paired with a salad like above or a yummy, fresh seafood dish. Or, you can enjoy them like I do - by themselves! Happy cookin'!
Slow-cooked red vidalia onions -
cut onions in half, leaving a little bit of green on top. add to pot with 2 tsp of evoo, butter, 3oz of water and splash of red wine vinegar, dill and s&p to taste, and juice from half lemon. Bring to a boil, simmer and cover for 20 mins. Voila! Done! :) Aren't spring and summer's fresh veggies just the best?!
This was my first time cooking with these tasty little guys, and it was so easy and only took minutes to prepare! I am most definitely making them a summer staple at our house. Loaded with fiber, protein, and folate, they're really good for you, and they're fresh from the farm these days - mmmmm, it doesn't get any better than that!
Fava Bean Salad -
Shell the beans while you bring water to boil in medium pot. Place fava beans in rapidly boiling water for two minutes, then strain and run cold water over them. Once they're cooled, remove outer shell (should slide right off). Return to pot and blanch (just until they are soft). Place in bowl.
Chop 2 small tomatoes, 1 cucumber, and 1/2 onion and add to bowl. Mince two garlic cloves and add. Add parsley, salt, pepper, and cumin to taste. Add juice of one lemon. Drizzle evoo over all and toss.
|
| Doesn't this look delicious?? The key ingredients, to me, are cumin and lemon! Mmm mm good! |
Slow-cooked red vidalia onions -
cut onions in half, leaving a little bit of green on top. add to pot with 2 tsp of evoo, butter, 3oz of water and splash of red wine vinegar, dill and s&p to taste, and juice from half lemon. Bring to a boil, simmer and cover for 20 mins. Voila! Done! :) Aren't spring and summer's fresh veggies just the best?!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding version NGL
My plan worked. Naomi is now COMPLETELY independent from breastfeeding and is sleeping through the night again. (and I'm taking it much better than expected!) Maybe it's because weaning took a while and I was able to wean myself or maybe it's because I am stronger than I originally thought :), but no matter what, it has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I can say that with all sincerity.
Before I started the weaning process, I thought it would be tougher on me than for her to give it up because of the nurturing/bonding time I got to spend with her during each feeding - sounds backwards, doesn't it?! We took the weaning process step-by-step together, slowly eliminating one feeding at a time until we got to the "right before bed" milk. I slowly introduced the cup during this time and often got refusal. Naomi would point to my chest and whine - sometimes pulling on my shirt. IMHO, when a little one starts to pull on the shirt, it's time to give it up for good. Once they are old enough to understand, they are old enough for a cup. Not a bottle, not a breast, but a cup.
Naomi started with many different sippy cups at around five or six months old, and out of all of them, the NUK learner cup was the winner. We would give her anything to drink out of it - just so she would get used to the feel of a cup and it wouldn't be so foreign later on. To this day, she still prefers this NUK cup, and I like it because it is spill-proof and she can easily hold it herself. There are many great ones on the market though! It's best to buy a small assortment and see what your child likes the best.
I am so pleased that Omi is gaining more independence from me, but I am also sad as this marks a major milestone in both of our lives. She is growing up and coming into her own, and I am at the end of having my baby stage! She will always be my baby, and this milestone is not sad, but joyous, and maybe bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single aspect of this breastfeeding and nurturing experience - and in essence - keeping my child alive.
So, as I look back, even though it was just moments ago, I weigh the pros and cons and would do it again in a heartbeat. Just when she's ready for the cup, I have to let go!
Pros:
The pros definitely outweigh the cons, obviously, but I'll give it a shot as to why:
The Health Benefits to Baby!
Truth be told, breast milk is nature's medicine or what I like to call, liquid gold. It is effective in healing eye infections, clearing sinuses, and reducing swelling among others. (Breast Milk as Medicine) Our pediatrician is very enthusiastic about the healing natures of breast milk, and after breastfeeding one, I am in total agreement! Dr. Ramos even suggested squirting it in her eye for conjunctivitis! Now THAT is a home remedy if I've ever heard of one! Breast milk also contains everything a baby needs in order to survive for the first few months, and that, in and of itself, is amazing!
Availabilty & Convenience
Being a SAHM (stay-at-home mama), it is so convenient to have milk supply available 24/7, on demand. On Demand, I sound like our cable company! :) ha. I'm sure it would get trickier if I had to go back to work, but being home with her, fixing a bottle and warming milk is simply not on my long to-do list, and for that, I am grateful! It's also easy to feed her ANYWHERE - the park, airplane, dressing room in stores, beach, restaurants, you name it. Ain't no shame in my game. Baby Girl's got to eat, right?
Weight Loss
This topic is discussed in a previous post, but breast feeding can burn 500 calories a day. I associate much of my weight loss with breastfeeding.
Storage
Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for up to a year! Health benefits that keep on givin'!
All-Natural/No Expensive Formulas
Breast milk is as primitive as it gets, and it's because mother's milk is intended for baby. Supplements in the market these days are not only expensive, but they can get contaminated (just as Similac did less than a year ago). They recalled over 5 million containers for contamination with beetles or larvae. It is scary to think about but it could happen. I understand that many moms have to work or produce little or no milk and need to use formula, and I definitely would too in similar situations, but all I'm saying is if you can, breastfeed.
Cons:
Pain!
In the very early stages and at the very end, things were, let's just say, uncomfortable! No one wants to associate with words like engorgement, leaking, mastitis, blisters. Enough said.
Privacy
Nursing just anywhere can be uncomfortable for mama and the general public. Let's face it. No one wants to see your ta-tas. Seriously. Even before getting pregnant, I would become rather uncomfortable with a nursing mother in the room. It's just not everyday you see that, so that, I guess, is what makes it uncomfortable for me. It's a simple fix though - take a blanket with you and you're set. I would much rather see a blanket covering a baby's head than breast. Plus, I've noticed men, generally older, that STARE. Now that's just weird. For my own comfort and for Naomi's, a blanket solved many privacy issues!
Dependency
This one was the kicker. As Omi got older, she wanted to nurse in the middle of the night, often times more than twice, just for comfort. I know this because she had been sleeping through the night and then stopped. Certainly mama will come in and put me back to sleep, and surely I did. The slightest little whimper would come from her room and I would run in there and nurse for less than 5 minutes. That's not hunger, that's a pacifier!
It was also more than difficult to leave on vacations without my exclusively breastfed baby. She learned to use a cup early on because of this concern. I did not want her to not know how to use a cup, but I did not want her to use a bottle either (I already knew I would need to wean her from the breast - why would I want to wean her from breast and bottle?). It was easier for us to introduce the cup straight from the breast - another suggestion from the ped's office. I heart Dr. Ramon Ramos!!
Lots of pumping!
Breast pumps are for the birds. I can't stand my pump, and maybe I have such strong distaste after having to had pumped over 100oz for my mom's freezer when I went on vacation back in January (for only five days)! In order to keep producing while I was away, I had to lug that thing through security checkpoints all the way to MX and back - and interrupting my vacation at least three times a day to pump. Garsh, I'm getting hives just thinking about it!
It's hard to keep up
I thought for sure after our little vacation that that was the end for me, but Naomi was resilient and very patient, and she knew she was not done. I was happy about that because 1: I wasn't ready either 2. I did not want to pay for expensive formulas if I did not have to. If I had to return to work, I am 90% sure that I would not have lasted this long. It is just too hard to keep the pump alive during a busy day-to-day schedule. My hat is off to you ladies that pump during your work day. My pump has been retired for some time now!
Well, I think I've bored you enough with my personal pros and cons of breastfeeding NGL, and I'm sure every baby will be different, just as they say every pregnancy is different. Situations change, life changes, "you never know what you're gonna get." Breastfeeding has been one of the coolest and most exciting things I have ever experienced in my life, and if you have the opportunity, I would say definitely give it a go even if only for a little while. I'll end you with another classic Forrest Gump quote: "You have to do the best with what God gave you." Ain't that the truth?? :)
Before I started the weaning process, I thought it would be tougher on me than for her to give it up because of the nurturing/bonding time I got to spend with her during each feeding - sounds backwards, doesn't it?! We took the weaning process step-by-step together, slowly eliminating one feeding at a time until we got to the "right before bed" milk. I slowly introduced the cup during this time and often got refusal. Naomi would point to my chest and whine - sometimes pulling on my shirt. IMHO, when a little one starts to pull on the shirt, it's time to give it up for good. Once they are old enough to understand, they are old enough for a cup. Not a bottle, not a breast, but a cup.
Naomi started with many different sippy cups at around five or six months old, and out of all of them, the NUK learner cup was the winner. We would give her anything to drink out of it - just so she would get used to the feel of a cup and it wouldn't be so foreign later on. To this day, she still prefers this NUK cup, and I like it because it is spill-proof and she can easily hold it herself. There are many great ones on the market though! It's best to buy a small assortment and see what your child likes the best.
I am so pleased that Omi is gaining more independence from me, but I am also sad as this marks a major milestone in both of our lives. She is growing up and coming into her own, and I am at the end of having my baby stage! She will always be my baby, and this milestone is not sad, but joyous, and maybe bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single aspect of this breastfeeding and nurturing experience - and in essence - keeping my child alive.
So, as I look back, even though it was just moments ago, I weigh the pros and cons and would do it again in a heartbeat. Just when she's ready for the cup, I have to let go!
|
| This pic says it all! |
Pros:
The pros definitely outweigh the cons, obviously, but I'll give it a shot as to why:
The Health Benefits to Baby!
|
| Happy baby! |
Availabilty & Convenience
Being a SAHM (stay-at-home mama), it is so convenient to have milk supply available 24/7, on demand. On Demand, I sound like our cable company! :) ha. I'm sure it would get trickier if I had to go back to work, but being home with her, fixing a bottle and warming milk is simply not on my long to-do list, and for that, I am grateful! It's also easy to feed her ANYWHERE - the park, airplane, dressing room in stores, beach, restaurants, you name it. Ain't no shame in my game. Baby Girl's got to eat, right?
Weight Loss
This topic is discussed in a previous post, but breast feeding can burn 500 calories a day. I associate much of my weight loss with breastfeeding.
Storage
Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for up to a year! Health benefits that keep on givin'!
All-Natural/No Expensive Formulas
Breast milk is as primitive as it gets, and it's because mother's milk is intended for baby. Supplements in the market these days are not only expensive, but they can get contaminated (just as Similac did less than a year ago). They recalled over 5 million containers for contamination with beetles or larvae. It is scary to think about but it could happen. I understand that many moms have to work or produce little or no milk and need to use formula, and I definitely would too in similar situations, but all I'm saying is if you can, breastfeed.
|
| this smiling face is as close as you're getting to a shot of me breastfeeding! |
Pain!
In the very early stages and at the very end, things were, let's just say, uncomfortable! No one wants to associate with words like engorgement, leaking, mastitis, blisters. Enough said.
Privacy
Nursing just anywhere can be uncomfortable for mama and the general public. Let's face it. No one wants to see your ta-tas. Seriously. Even before getting pregnant, I would become rather uncomfortable with a nursing mother in the room. It's just not everyday you see that, so that, I guess, is what makes it uncomfortable for me. It's a simple fix though - take a blanket with you and you're set. I would much rather see a blanket covering a baby's head than breast. Plus, I've noticed men, generally older, that STARE. Now that's just weird. For my own comfort and for Naomi's, a blanket solved many privacy issues!
Dependency
This one was the kicker. As Omi got older, she wanted to nurse in the middle of the night, often times more than twice, just for comfort. I know this because she had been sleeping through the night and then stopped. Certainly mama will come in and put me back to sleep, and surely I did. The slightest little whimper would come from her room and I would run in there and nurse for less than 5 minutes. That's not hunger, that's a pacifier!
It was also more than difficult to leave on vacations without my exclusively breastfed baby. She learned to use a cup early on because of this concern. I did not want her to not know how to use a cup, but I did not want her to use a bottle either (I already knew I would need to wean her from the breast - why would I want to wean her from breast and bottle?). It was easier for us to introduce the cup straight from the breast - another suggestion from the ped's office. I heart Dr. Ramon Ramos!!
Lots of pumping!Breast pumps are for the birds. I can't stand my pump, and maybe I have such strong distaste after having to had pumped over 100oz for my mom's freezer when I went on vacation back in January (for only five days)! In order to keep producing while I was away, I had to lug that thing through security checkpoints all the way to MX and back - and interrupting my vacation at least three times a day to pump. Garsh, I'm getting hives just thinking about it!
|
| I got a great price on a used Medela pump on eBay. New tubing and sanitizing makes it just like new for a fraction of the price! |
It's hard to keep up
I thought for sure after our little vacation that that was the end for me, but Naomi was resilient and very patient, and she knew she was not done. I was happy about that because 1: I wasn't ready either 2. I did not want to pay for expensive formulas if I did not have to. If I had to return to work, I am 90% sure that I would not have lasted this long. It is just too hard to keep the pump alive during a busy day-to-day schedule. My hat is off to you ladies that pump during your work day. My pump has been retired for some time now!
Well, I think I've bored you enough with my personal pros and cons of breastfeeding NGL, and I'm sure every baby will be different, just as they say every pregnancy is different. Situations change, life changes, "you never know what you're gonna get." Breastfeeding has been one of the coolest and most exciting things I have ever experienced in my life, and if you have the opportunity, I would say definitely give it a go even if only for a little while. I'll end you with another classic Forrest Gump quote: "You have to do the best with what God gave you." Ain't that the truth?? :)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
...There may be bugs on some of you mugs...
but there ain't no bugs on me!!
Yikes. We have had a flea infestation from hell over the past week, and it's all my fault. Well, mine and Andrew's - but if this boat's sinkin', he's goin' down with me! (Cue the wicked witch from the west laugh).
It all started with the cat. You may know that we have a houseful of animals - three dogs, one cat, a hairy husband...JUST KIDDING! No really though, we are usually great about keeping flea-preventative on all the animals, especially since our American Bulldog, Fannie, has skin allergies, but this time we slipped up with the cat.
That darn cat has caused the biggest mess, and today I got a work-out in scrubbing every crevice of this place with Pine-Sol. Pine-Sol, you ask?? Why yes, indeedy! After two failed attempts at a flea-bomb and almost $30 in the hole, I was desperate to get rid of these pesky jumping beans. Fleas on the carpet, fleas on my knees, fleas on my BABY'S BEDDING!!! - you get it. Nothing was working, and before calling a professional exterminator and more hard-earned money lost, I looked toward my high school crush - the one and only Google.
Google led me to the eHow website, and I soon found out that Pine-Sol is a natural, pet and people-friendly way to get rid of them for good. Pine-Sol contains eucalyptus which is a natural repellent for many pests. (see direct link for more info)
Why didn't I think of this before setting off toxic flea bombs?! I'm a little disappointed in myself, but you live and you learn!
I'm hoping that you all don't have to deal with this mess, but from here on out know that Pine-Sol does the trick and does the trick well! (You'll just have to sweat while you scrub!)
Also, a good tip from the vet - many dogs and cats become immune to Frontline after a while so we've switched to K9 Advantix for the dogs (only thing that works for Fannie) and FirstShield for the cat. VidalsPets based in Australia seems to have the best prices for all pet meds, as far as I know. Shipping is $6.00 always, no matter how big the order (just takes a while to get here). Where do yall shop for pet meds, and do you get a good deal? Flea-preventative? Check. Nap and shower? Check. The fleas, the cat, and I have worn myself out. Goodnight, yall!
Yikes. We have had a flea infestation from hell over the past week, and it's all my fault. Well, mine and Andrew's - but if this boat's sinkin', he's goin' down with me! (Cue the wicked witch from the west laugh).
It all started with the cat. You may know that we have a houseful of animals - three dogs, one cat, a hairy husband...JUST KIDDING! No really though, we are usually great about keeping flea-preventative on all the animals, especially since our American Bulldog, Fannie, has skin allergies, but this time we slipped up with the cat.
|
| Sneaky little booger!! |
|
| My new favorite obsession. Smells "so fresh and so clean, clean" |
Why didn't I think of this before setting off toxic flea bombs?! I'm a little disappointed in myself, but you live and you learn!
|
| Oh-so-loving (minus the fleas, of course). |
Also, a good tip from the vet - many dogs and cats become immune to Frontline after a while so we've switched to K9 Advantix for the dogs (only thing that works for Fannie) and FirstShield for the cat. VidalsPets based in Australia seems to have the best prices for all pet meds, as far as I know. Shipping is $6.00 always, no matter how big the order (just takes a while to get here). Where do yall shop for pet meds, and do you get a good deal? Flea-preventative? Check. Nap and shower? Check. The fleas, the cat, and I have worn myself out. Goodnight, yall!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)