Lactation Cookies

What nursing mom doesn't love a good cookie that can help her boost her milk supply?  Or just something that tastes YUMMY!  These cookies are loaded with yummy, nutritional ingredients!  They make awesome cookies even if you aren't nursing and just want a "healthier" cookie!

Makes 4 dz cookies


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour (I used a combination of fresh ground millet, sorghum, and brown rice flour)
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3 tbsp of ground fenugreek (this can leave you with a bitter taste if you eat too many cookies in a row, you can omit) -- I might cut in half for the next batch!  (So after eating at least 8 cookies, I now have a bitter taste in my mouth.  I will leave out for the next batch!!)
4 tbsp brewer's yeast
4 tbsp of ground flaxseed (Fresh ground)
2 tbsp of Chia seeds
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar (I used organic cane sugar)
2 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk (I used coconut milk to make them dairy-free)
6-8oz of dark chocolate chips (I used about 1/2 package)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Soak the steel cut oats in 2 cups VERY hot water for about 15 min.

3. Mix the flour, coconut, baking powder and soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, fenugreek, yeast, ground flaxseed, and chia seeds into a medium mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

4. Beat the butter in the bowl until light and fluffy, about 45 seconds.  Add both sugars and beat on medium speed until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is light and aerated.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla; add the milk and mix briefly to combine. Stir the dry ingredients into the batter with a rubber spatula.  Mix in the chocolate chips!

5. I used THIS tool to get perfect portion sized cookies.  Place the the cookies a baking sheets 1-2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes.

ENJOY!!

Garage Sale season is upon us ...

Hi, I am Allyson and I am a garage sale addict!  I LONG to look through the paper and craig's list on Wednesday night searching and plotting out our treasure map for the next three days!  It is something that we LOVE doing as a family!  Sophia is really getting into it this year!  She always asks "Mommy, when are we going searching for treasures?  Is it today?" 

Thursday morning I spent $12 and found Sophia a Disney Princess scooter, 2 Disney Princess long-sleeve shirts, 1 Disney Princess night gown, almost NEW Colts Cheerleading 2-piece outfit, Jackson 2t gap shirt, praise baby Christmas DVD, gorgeous tutu, and 2 Minnie dress up outfits!  Pretty good deals huh?  

Friday morning I hit the name-brand jackpot ...  $14 for 3 two-piece gymboree outfits, 1 pair stride rite shoes, 2 GAP hoodies, 1 gap dress!  

When I see garage sale signs, I can not help but follow them .... we are usually on our way home and I see one more ... I think to myself ... "ok, just one more ...."  then I see another ... "ok, JUST ONE more ..."  Sounds like a true addict huh??

I LOVE LOVE LOVE garage sale season!  What are some of the best deals you have found?

Sophia's Spring Program!

Sophia had her first Spring Preschool Program last week!  She was amazing up on stage!!  For the most part, she got all the motions correct, and always was singing!  Many of the other kids were fascinated by the bubble machine at the back of the set!  Not Sophia, she kept singing her heart out for Jesus!  Her class sang "Give Your Heart to Jesus" to the tune of the Hokey Pokey!  It was just precious!!!

Sophia's teacher and her husband created the set!!  Awesome huh?

Sweet girl!

"You give your hear to Jesus!"

Cute picture box after the program!

Her buddy Isaiah!

Sweet and Spicy TEA Review

Check out my guest blog post over at What Mama Wants!!

http://what-mama-wants.com/2012/04/good-earth-tea-review/

7 months and FINALLY life is getting a little easier ...

I never thought 7 months would come ... the days and weeks go very slowly, but the months seem to go quickly!  Easter Sunday, Jackson turned 7 months old!  I have really been able to enjoy him much more over the past month!  Some of that *might* be due to the fact he is sleeping better at night!!  Ha!!  Praise the Lord!!

Sitting up ... almost by himself ... still a little wobbly at times!

I forgot how much fun it was making baby food!!  We have been busy trying lots of new foods.  Honestly, I can't seem to keep track of the 4-day wait period between different solids!  Sometimes it is just a day! Oh well, the things that are different with baby #2 compared to the first born!!  No weird rashes yet, ok digestion!

Here is what we have tried ... and the verdict ...

- Avocado (yummy, LOVES it!)

- Sweet Potatoes (who doesn't love these?)

- Pears (YUM!)

- Bananas (He likes them ok, but likes the other fruit better!)

- Organic unsweetened applesauce (yum, yum!)

- Stonyfield Farms Organic Whole Milk PLAIN yogurt (seriously this boy LOVES this stuff!  He could eat it at every meal if I offered it!)

- Organic green beans (major fail ... he won't even eat them when they are mixed with a cube of sweet potatoes!)

- Mango (YUM!!  The more ripe the mango, the sweeter!  If you puree it long enough, you can get an awesome, store quality consistency!)

- Summer Squash (only likes it when it is with 1 cube of sweet potatoes!)

- Steel Cut Oat/Millet/Raisin homemade cereal (grind equal parts oats/millet, add powder to appropriate amount of boiling water, in the mean time, soak 1/2 cup - 2/3 cup organic raisins in very hot water, then puree, mix together!)  YUM!!

- Peas (steamed like normal, then pushed through a mesh strainer to leave the "skins" behind!  He enjoyed them with a splash of breast milk and a bit of applesauce!)

- Prunes (These are a HUGE hit!) - I never knew you could make these until I found a great recipe.  I read that plums were one of the least sprayed fruits, so it wasn't as big of a deal to purchase organic.  I found some Sunset D'Noir (preservative free) dried prunes/plums, steamed them, then pureed them.  I had to add a LOT of water (probably at least a whole cup to improve the consistency.  It was very sticky!  They are sooooo good!!  I even enjoy them!!

- Peaches (steamed organic frozen peaches, took out excessive water, pureed!)

- Next on the list ... zucchini and butternut squash!

Figured out the "dropsy" game rather quickly!

For the past 10-12 days, Jackson has been giving me at least an 8-10 hour stretch off the bat, followed by an early AM feeding (5/6am), then back to bed till 8am!! :)  I can get used to this!!  I feel like a new woman and have so much more patience!! Ha!!  At least the first 5 out of those 10 days, he was waking up around 1 or 2am, I went in to his room, re-positioned him in the crib, then left, he only cried about 10-15 min each time.  Now, he usually doesn't wake up till 5 or 6am!!

My daddy is HILARIOUS!

Sweet BOY!

Love my pop-n-pal Elmo version!

Any fun foods your baby likes that you think I should try making??  I am always up for new recipes and suggestions!!

Thanks also for your prayers!  I know many of you have prayed for direction and wisdom with his sleeping issues!  I covet those prayers!!!

Easter Memories

It seems like the month of April has just flown by!  I can not believe it is already the 17th!!  Whew!!

Sophia and I had a blast coloring eggs!  I used a recipe on from Pinterest for my hard-boiled eggs and I won’t do it any other way in the future!  Thank you Alton Brown!  As you see in the picture, place all the eggs on the racks in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.  Transfer them immediately into a cold water bath.  The eggs were perfect and took absolutely NO effort on my part!  I also learned that 6 eggs was PLENTY for a 3 year old, plus it only cost me $0.80!  I bought the kit last year on clearance for $0.50!  A very cheap, yet fun activity for Sophia and I to do during Jackson’s nap time!

We had a busy Easter weekend this year!  Saturday morning we had a great time at the Easter Egg Hunt at a park near our house!  Sophia was much more into it this year compared to last year!  It is amazing the difference 1 year makes in a little kids life!  We celebrate Resurrection Sunday at church bright and early, came home for Jackson’s nap, then headed down to the g-wood to visit my parents!  We had a WONDERFUL meal, the kids too awesome naps, and we finished with another Easter Egg Hunt in Mimi and Papi’s yard!  Sophia was a little bummed the eggs were empty, but still enjoyed finding them all over the yard.  Next year Hannah is going to give Sophia a run for her money!  I am excited to see how Jackson does next year as well! :)  My cousin Lori and her husband Chuck also joined us and we had a great time reconnecting with them!

Two of my FAVORITE people!!

Hannah and Sophia at Mimi and Papi's!

Cousin Lori!

Time to eat!

This past weekend we were able to celebrate my sister's 29th birthday!  I keep teasing her she has to enjoy this last year in her 20's before the big 3-0!!  We had a WONDERFUL meal thanks to my mom's awesome cooking as well as a Dairy Queen ice cream cake!  Sarah always requests one every year!!

Mimi and her girls!

Papi and Jackson!!  

Toss the clock?

A friend of mine shared a WONDERFUL blog post with me yesterday after she read my "Raw Confessions" blog on sleep!!  I am a firm believer that God places specific people in your life at specific times to share wisdom to help you along in your journey! I hope you will pause reading this blog, head over HERE and read "Counting the Hours," then come back to read my thoughts and reflections!


Here are a few excerpts that were especially meaningful in the midst of my current trials!! (Yes, I say current because after writing Raw Confessions, we are back to horrible sleep for the past two nights.  I am hoping I can blame it on a new cold, but scared about the possibility of that not being it!)


"When I was a younger mom, I used to count the hours.  I counted the meager number of hours I slept each night, the number of hours I spent rocking a screaming baby, and the number of hours I spent nursing.  I counted the number of hours I spent making meals and cleaning up the kitchen, the number of hours spent folding laundry and vacuuming.  I counted the number of hours my boss was late in picking up her son, and how many hours I spent in traffic trying to get home.  I counted the number of hours I spent editing my husband’s papers and the hours he spent away at class each day.  I counted the hours until he came home. With all the hours counted, I knew just how tired I could be, or irritated, or unproductive.  I knew how much to require of other people and how much to coddle myself.   I knew what I could or could not do."  


Have you done that?  Do you count the hours??  I do this every day, all day LONG! I start my Itzbeen timer for naps, night sleep, etc.  I start, check, reset, start, check, check, check!  I never thought how mentally taxing that could be on a mama?  Or how it could really work against you throughout the day!  Until reading this blog post, I thought of it as "collecting data," but now, it seems like a very self-centered practice!!  It was so convicting when she said, "I knew what I could or could not do."  YIKES!  She put into words what I have been thinking!


Here is a final excerpt that really spoke to me ...


"I couldn’t even handle two.
“The first two are the hardest,” Bryn said apologetically, as if she could read my mind.  The cry room had emptied out and we were alone.

Her words melted me.  Stupid super-powers.

“How do you do it?”  I blurted out, even though I didn’t really mean to.  “When was the last time you got any sleep?”

Bryn brushed a wisp of long hair behind her ear thoughtfully.  “I don’t know.  I’ve never really worried about that,” she said quietly as she rocked her baby back and forth.  “I figure God is big enough to give me just what I need for each day.  Maybe it’s not as much as I would like or as much as I think I need, but I have to believe that it’s sufficient for the moment.  He promises that, you know?”

Once again, I am learning that He is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning!  I have to admit it is hard not setting the clock.  Out of habit, I did it today for an afternoon nap, but quickly remembered this most meaningful blog post!  I think it is time to return my Itzbeen timer to my dear friend Jenn so that I do not have the temptation.  I also need to put the clock in my drawer, and forget about how long of a stretch I get from Jackson, and dwell on the fact I am ONE VERY BLESSED mama that has the privilege to get up with a healthy baby boy at night!  

If you haven't done so yet, please head over to "Five In Tow" and read her whole post!  You will be blessed!  It is so beautiful and please make sure to have some tissues for the end!!  It is a tear-jearker!!

Trying to be more like Jesus

I am quickly learning how God has an awesome way of humbling us through the innocence of our kids.  Many of you probably read my previous blog post Raw Confessions.  I mentioned I have been really short on patience over the past two months.  It seems that Sophia always knows what buttons to push at that perfect time!  I am sure your children probably know your "zero to very hot" buttons to push as well!  I have been so disappointed in myself on how I am handling her "button-pushing."  I know I have been short with her, which then leads to many tears and frustrations!  Nevertheless, I am fighting clear disobedience and disrespect, both of which need addressed, but in a better manner.

I can't remember what she did (or didn't do) yesterday that irritated me, but I told her she needed to go sit in her bed for a reflection time.  A dear friend of mine shared with me that she uses the word reflection time, but she wants her daughter to reflect on what she SHOULD be doing, instead of what she did that was wrong.  She said that she felt reflection time provided for learning and growth.  I told Sophia she was to pray to ask God to help her to be more respectful and obedient to her mommy!  I always tell her that she can get out of her bed when she can come out and show me a happy heart.  She honestly will sit in her bed until she can come out with a happy heart (= a huge smile).  It is hard to be in a bad mood when you are forced to smile!

She had been back in her room for awhile and I went back there, peeked my head around the corner, and found her praying to God that she would be more obedient!  It just melted my heart.  I gave her another 10 minutes, then asked her if she had a happy heart.  She said "No mommy I don't have a happy heart yet.  Can I please get my bible and bring it into my bed so that I can learn how to be more like Jesus."  I was so humbled by my 3 year old.  I told her she could read her bible in her bed and she came out 20 minutes later with a delightful attitude and very happy heart!

Wow, if only I took the time to search myself and have a happy heart when I am frustrated with my day/situation/life.  I need to take my 3 year old daughters advice and learn how to be more like Jesus!
 

Playing babies and acting like the mommy!

Has God used your children to humble you?

Spring has sprung and more fun ...

How about some fun pictures after such a long, raw blog post?

Mom and Cousin Lori at Hannah's 1st birthday party.  Jax loved meeting cousin Lori

Ummm ... I have to be done eating my cake? 

Sophia loved the cake and ice cream!

Sophia realized how much fun it could be to smash her face against  the shower glass door and look like a PIG!

My sweet friend Erin!!  We went to BRus and registered for her lil one on the way!
We had such a wonderful time catching up and laughing!!  What we do best ... laugh and talk!

We have been close friends since we first met during a Campus Crusade Summer Project!  VA BEACH 2000

My sweet baby girl is getting so big!!  

She loves giving every single one of her babies shots!!  I wonder if I should be worried!

Love this face!

Painting my friend Isaiah a picture!

Best buds!

6 months ALREADY!!  

My hands are always in my mouth or around my face!!

Jackson's first wagon ride EVER!  Sophia had a really good time with him!
She sang to him the whole way around the block!

Awww ... love that boy!  Love him MORE when he sleeps long stretches!

"I love eating ... well, most days and when mommy feeds me!"

Laughing at sissy ... she is so funny!

Finally at 6 1/2 months, I am learning to sleep better ...
 I am free of my swaddle, no longer freak out b/c I don't know what to
 do with my arms/hands, plus learned to sleep on my side and tummy!

Love this face!!

 and one final picture .... who can resist a SWEET POTATO SMILE?

Sweet potato smile!

RAW confessions

SLEEP ... it is what this child of ours does so well ... now her brother on the other  hand ....
NOT SO MUCH! 

I have been trying to write a blog post for seriously 2 weeks now ... other things seem to get in the way ... life just happens.  I look at the blog as a time that I can sit down and journal.  It is quite therapeutic for me, and maybe, just maybe, it helps someone out there in blogger world.

The month of February into the first few weeks of March were extremely hard for us.  Jackson's sleep was worse than it had been the previous month, I was exhausted, my patience level was nil, and I wasn't enjoying life.  I have learned sleep deprivation can literally sap the love of life right out of a person.  A mom can handle it for those first few months, but when it keeps dragging on for 6 or more months, it begins to really ware on you.

Two weeks ago, after Jackson's dedication, I felt like I really hit rock bottom.  I was an emotional mess due mostly to lack of sleep!  (Thank you son!)  I broke down that Sunday afternoon and felt like my life was determined by Jackson's sleep or lack there of.  The tears just kept coming!  (Crying is so exhausting!)  I went to bed every night not knowing what time I would be getting up, thus I always tried to hit the sack early (I am talking 8:30-9:15pm).  Nap times never seemed to be synchronized any more, so I couldn't count on a personal nap!  I wasn't able to spend quality time with Nate because I was in such deep need for sleep.  Obviously without quality time put into your marriage, your marriage feels the weight and stress of your current situation.  The thing was I knew Jackson could sleep longer stretches because he had showed it many times in the past. (Heck, the kid was sleeping better during months 3 and 4 than he was at 6 months!) I think that was the most frustrating part.  His sleep was getting worse instead of better! :(  Also, I could never count on a good nap from him.  I would literally spend 30 minutes trying to get him to sleep and he would wake up 30-45 minutes later.  All of this being said, that Sunday afternoon I KNEW something had to change or I was going to go insane!!  I know lack of sleep doesn't bother many people, but I am a 8-9hr/night kind of girl.  If I don't have that much sleep, I am very cranky and honestly don't do very well.  All of this being said, you can understand why 6 months of poor, broken sleep literally BROKE me!

My parents took Sophia for 4 days and I knew I had to tackle this huge problem!!  I spent a lot of time in prayer on Sunday night and throughout the next week.  I realize now those 4 days without Sophia were a breath of fresh air.  I could concentrate 100% on Jackson and give him every ounce of energy I had.  I was able to make headway with his sleeping, specifically his naps, which then began to help at night.  We had to (a) break him of the swaddle (b) teach him to go to sleep on his own for every nap/bed (c) teach him to go back to sleep after wake up's (d) disassociate nursing and sleep.  The first week was a lot of work, but I (through God's grace) began to see results faster than I anticipated.  Naps seemed to get more consistent, scheduled, and "easier" all around after a week.  We have had a few good nights of sleep in a row this week, so maybe, just maybe, we are on the right track!


I am so thankful for my parents and in-laws who came to the rescue in a very critical time!!  They were all so giving of their time and energy helping out!


After going through that really difficult time, I felt the presence of God like no other!  It was truly amazing!  I know what Paul meant by this verse in 2 Cor 12:9 "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."   I had to rely on God's grace to get me through.  I couldn't solve this problem in the power of my own strength!  Looking back, I also learned that God truly does care about the "small things" in life.  The past few nights have been wonderful and I feel like a new person.  I hope we are on our way to a better place, but if we regress, I pray that I will remember His mercies are new EVERY morning and that His grace is sufficient!  

I know sleep is the beginning of the parent struggles we will have with Jackson, but what an amazing lesson in trust, faith, and obedience to get us refocused and remember God will be the one to guide us in raising our children!  Goodness knows we NEED His help!


I hope you will seek the peace and guidance of a very powerful God in your daily struggles!  It is the only thing that can give you true comfort in the midst of chaos!

Isn't it hard to believe an adorable lil guy with that beautiful
 smile could cause such joy and grief at the same time?

Have you ever had any times during life where you began to understand Paul's message that God's grace is sufficient?