on the chopping block

Last Thursday, I was one of around 700 people that was laid off from their job. I feel like God was preparing me to leave Custom Cuts, as I had been looking around at jobs and trying to decided between cosmetology school and babysitting from home. For now, I have decided God wanted me at home for some reason and I am going to try to be the best mom and housewife I can be while I am in this position. First things first: PUREES. When Landen was younger, he loved veggies. Especially sweet potatoes. Around 2 1/2 he stopped eating them, so I started pureeing and hiding them in the food he would eat. Today I decided to start doing this again- and in doing so have myself convinced I can make my own baby food with no problem.

avocado

sweet potatoes.
i put it in the ice tray and freeze.
Then, whenever he eats peanut butter, I pop one out
thaw in the microwave for 10 secs and mix it into the pbutter.
He's never the wiser. and Healthier!

I also attempted a mango puree, which didn't turn out the way i wanted.
I will attempt that again some day.

As for now, I am advertising my services for in-home childcare.
If you know someone or need someone, give me a call!

3 months

Cecilia is 3 months old!

Here are some fun new things she is doing: smiling when she recognizes you! That's the best! She gets really excited when daddy comes home from work and really excited when you get her up from her bed! She is cooing so much too! It's very cute! It even sounds like she is saying "hi"! She also says "mahhhh" when she is hungry and "ohhhnooo" when she needs changed. I thought at first that I was hearing things- but Luke and our friends have heard it too! A few weeks ago I started using formula in addition to breast feeding her. I was trying very hard to keep up my milk supply and I am having a lot of issues with it. Almost every time I fed her last week, she was still starving and needed 2 oz of formula. It is very stressful and in the last few days she hasn't been able to eat much from me at all. I keep wondering what I have done wrong and feeling like a bad mom. Landen was also 3 months when we started mostly formula feeding-and he's never really been sick and is very smart- that makes me feel a little better!

Landen continues to love on her and thanks to her bumbo, he's getting some fun play time in with her!

rockband ::: oh yeah!

apparently, Landen loves ROCKBAND. He's only really played it when he's gone to best buy with Luke. But at Jorjin's birthday he got to play and had a blast.

time flies

Tomorrow is Landen's 4th birthday. These were from a photo session with the Van Horn's for Landen's 4 year old photos and Cecilia's 3 month photos! She'll be 3 months a week from today! I can't believe how fast time goes by!

my baby is almost 4

Today, as I was putting together a video of Landen's 3rd year of life, I realized what an amazing person God is grooming him to be. Landen at this young age has the most amazing ability to encourage. He constantly reminds me to encourage others, especially him and Cecilia. He has an excitement for life and a very independent attitude. He's ready to tackle any project you throw at him and most the time completes it well all by himself. He learns quickly and think he knows everything already. :-) I am so glad God gave me the responsibility of taking care of him. (even on those high energy days!)

When I look at him, I am reminded of the book "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch, "I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

here's to 2009 . . .

a new year. a fresh start.
my past is filled with unsuccessful attempts at new year's resolutions. It's filled with mistakes and short lived passions. It's also filled with second chances. Thanks to the most amazing father anyone could ask for. 2006-2008 were years I don't really look upon fondly. They were years filled with depression, sadness, and misdirection.

My hope for 2009 is simple. To learn to accept and deal with change in a positive manner. Change can be good or bad. It can lead to so many different things. I want to embrace the changes God brings into my life, whether they seem good or bad, and praise Him through out all of them.

I want to extend second chances to people - just as my father in heaven has given them to me.

TOP 5 BEST THINGS FROM 2008:
5. losing 43 lbs as of 12/2008
4.moving to our new house 11/22/2008
3. Meeting for one whole year with Danielle, Ashley & Emily for bible study (sometimes more were there too!)
2.Landen being potty trained 1/2008
1. Cecilia Eve LoChiano born October 17, 2008