I kindof live for moments like this....

I just realized with a post title like that, I should be talking about something precious my children did/said. Or a snuggle moment or something.
But I'm actually referring to an email I just received from a Grandma who called me, as a La Leche League Leader, for help for her daughter and 2 day old baby. Normally we like to talk to the MOM, not relay info through any third party, even a husband. But the mom wasn't available, so I had a brief conversation with Grandma about the problem, offered some suggestions, emailed info and diagrams showing some specific techniques, then didn't hear from them again.  Which I always try to assume is a good thing, though it could also mean they gave up and don't want to talk to me anymore.  But today I got this:  "Chelsea,Thank you so much for your time and resources. We had been trying to pump, but did manual expression as you suggested and stopped the pacifier use.  We fed baby the expressed milk with an eyedropper, at the breast, instead of the bottle.  It was a rough couple days and a lot of prayers, but now it's clicked and she's a great nurser!  I think you were right and the skin-to-skin helped the milk come in more. We appreciate your time and advice so much!  Sincerely,  Happy Grandma and even happier [mom's name] and baby :)" 

Annnddd.... now I shall enjoy the "lactation helper's high" for the rest of the day :) This is the best volunteer-gig ever.

Because I like to include a picture with every post, here's one.  My first reaction to seeing this and reading the story behind the trans-dude "breastfeeding" was the same that much of America gave to the cover of the TIME mag with the mom nursing her 4 yr old.  "Umm, NO.  [shaking head] Mm-mmm. No. Nope."  But of course, I'm totally on Team Normal-Nursing-Duration, and see nothing wrong and everything right with the concept behind the (awkwardly posed) TIME photo. So I can't be one to judge the right/wrongness of THIS guy.  He's likely motivated by love and desire to give what's best and "normal" (ironically) to the baby. It's definitely NOT the plan. But since I can't do anything but blog about it.....let's focus on that fact that he got Dr. Jack Newman as his lactation helper! Lucky wannabe-mom-dude!  If only I could have Newman's skillz, I could easily fulfill my dream of becoming a bonafide IBCLC.

To Girl Scout or Not to Girl Scout....

Last weekend we went to a fundraiser for my friend's daughter's troop. A babysitting night! So great. $25 bucks for all 3 to do crafts, games, dinner, etc with a bunch of cute 12 yr old scouts. Brian and I enjoyed our first temple trip together in a really long time. First trip to the S. Jordan temple too!

They told me Brianna can start GS next year! Daisy Scouts!
Kinda blows my mind that my baby is almost ready for that.
If we want to do it.
I want to be very selective with extracurriculars.  Sports and music take first priority in my mind.
And I detest the idea of peddling those cookies every year.
Also, Brian thinks Girl Scouts are more likely to be lesbians. Totally logical.

So we'll see if Brianna gets to don that cute uniform someday and do the little pledge I remember reciting for many years during my time as a Girl Scout.

Brianna-style

I love how she dresses herself everyday.
She comes up with the cutest combos.
Sometimes weirdest combos.
But a 5 yr old girl can get away with just about anything.

She definitely didn't get her love of fashion from her parents!

Homework (!)

Brianna's getting her first taste of homework. Every Tuesday her preschool teacher sends home a packet with some sort of learning game. We love it! It's fun doing these activities together and seeing her get excited about it. Brianna's working on the "re-coding" stage of reading, so I'm told. Her teacher also conducts regular formal assessments and parent-teacher conferences. Kindof made my jaw drop at first, but she's loving it and doing well. I'm glad we sprung for the more expensive preschool! Made me cringe initially but it's been worth every penny.

Ipad

This new invention called an ipad just came out, so we thought we'd get all tech-trendy and be the first to get one.

And yes... Brianna still sucks her thumb. Not sure what to do about that, but it's passive sucking, so no jaw orthodontic damage.

Brian's hat: gets a lot of mixed reactions!  A RED "Y" ?!  Huh??
He has to explain:  it's NOT a cross between the U and BYU.
It's BYU-Hawaii.
GO Seasiders!!  :)

Brianna's dinner party

 

story of my life....

 

High school rolling

This is a photo of my children rolling down the hall of Woods Cross High School.  Minutes before, they humiliated me with some serious public clothing removal. I'm really good at controlling my kids.





update:  I posted the story on Facebook, and got like 135 "Likes" on it.  That's crazy!  A new record.  Glad I could entertain everyone with my rockstar life.

another update:  The reason we were at Woods Cross HS was to buy tickets for their Little Mermaid production.  I took Grandma and Brianna to it today.  WOW!! So incredible. I was amazing that a high school play could be so awesome. Loved it.  (and loved bringing Grandma to something she enjoys!)

Nonny had fun shopping

Thanks Mom! Brianna loves her new clothes! She's a happy birthday girl.

 

You put ALMONDS in my chocolate milk??!!!

Brianna spotted this gem in our pantry and begged for some chocolate milk.
I poured her a cup and she drank it happily.
Then I told her that her drink wasn't made from cow's milk, it was made out of almonds.
You'd think I just told her there was little leprechaun men dancing around the room.
She was shocked and offended.

Good thing I didn't tell her that the chocolate is made out of a BEAN !

The opposite of paranoid is....

Me. I'm the opposite of paranoid. And I'm not sure that's totally a good thing or a very bad thing. I just wonder if I'm the only one who feels this way?
I'm talking about posting pictures online of my kids. Even ones like this, in the bathtub, half nekked. It doesn't concern me in the least. Even when I see hits on my blog from weird countries. Doesn't bother me. I'm pretty sure here on my public blog somewhere, there'd be enough information for someone to figure out where we live, if they really wanted to. Or at least places we go everyday. And I'm still not concerned. Statistically, like 98.7% of bad things that happen to children are at the hands of relatives, not strangers. Plus there are 8.9 million blogs out there, so the chances of anything bad happening to my children as a result of this tub pic are pretty remote. They're literally more likely to get hit on the head by a coconut on our next trip to Hawaii. And if all else fails, we're proud gun owners here. Yay 2nd Amendment!
But seriously, I totally understand moms who don't feel this way. Who feel the opposite. The ones who never post their children's names or pictures anywhere online and strive to do what they think will be helpful in protecting them from the crazies of the world. I get it. I'm not judging - saying one way or another is right. We all gotta trust our mama instinct and do what we feel makes the most sense.

I miss my Ninsy!

We had such a good time together in AZ. It was so fun. I miss her. And Meredith. And Sammy. WHY CAN'T I LIVE NEAR MY SISTERS?!?!

 

Friends in black

When my dear friend Mindy and I realized we showed up at church matchy-matchy, we had to take a pic. This is post-Relief Society, also known as RS Rush Hour. When all the wild children have been released from their Primary classes and go on a mad search for their mothers, banging on the RS doors as the teacher is inevitably going way over time but no one can make her stop because she's totally bawling over something. Then they still insist on the full closing song, even though the doors keep getting opened and closed by tiny hands.
Anyways.... so black clothes. Lots of black. Looks a little morbid.  I shall wear bright yellow and pink to make up for it next week.  Like Brianna :)

Speaking of Brianna... she was over-the-moon about being sung to in Primary for her birthday.