Rolled Up Pretty: August 2012

Friday, August 31, 2012

Look What She Made

I have to brag about my mom for a moment...

At every shower I had, she would come bearing these adorable homemade gifts for Radcliff.

I can't believe how cute they are!

Take a look...

She made me this adorable blanket...

It is so soft.

A diaper bag...

How awesome are these pockets? Awesome...

She even made a matching wipe case...

I love it!

And then a car seat cover to boot...

How cute is everything?

Everywhere I go, people comment on her stuff. I keep telling her she needs to start selling it. Don't you think?!

There is also one more big blue and white polka dot diaper bag she just made so I can switch out diaper bags sometimes that is not shown here.

Pictures to come soon because that one is super cute too!

I've got one nice mommy!

Thanks mom! :)

Thursday, August 30, 2012

A couple months back I had posted a picture of juice we had made and I received a comment from someone wanting to know our favorite kinds of juice to make. Sorry it took me so long to respond, but here it is! I call it our green juice. It consists of green grapes, green apples, celery, green pears, and one lemon. It is so delicious and has a little zing to it.

Ever since my parents gave us their juicer, Wren and I have become really fond of juicing. Not only is it refreshing and tasty, it's the easiest way for us to get our fruits and veggies in for the day and feel energized.

See look, even Radcliff likes to help!

Do any of you juice? If so, what's your favorite juice to make?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

6 Weeks and Gold Glasses + Link Up

Well Radcliff is six weeks old as of this last Sunday. What a funny little dude he is turning into. I promise you he could sit at my chest for a full 24 hours eating and it would never get old for him. My little piggy. I have been feeling quite popular as of late. No matter where I go, Wren and Rad are on my 6:00, following me wherever I go even into the bathroom. Privacy is something that I am slowly forgetting. Rad wants my milk, Wren has ulterior motives if you catch my drift.

My two, crazy, stage five clinger boyz.

Speaking of these awesome gold glasses we're wearing (we weren't) Firmoo.com gifted them to us. Wren and I can wear the same prescription so I decided to choose a pair that worked for both of us.

How I love them so, especially on Wren. That sexy man ;) What do you guys think? Do you like the gold

Go check out their glasses here. They've got some cute ones!

Now it's...

Link WHATEVER, WHENEVER up!

As long as it's cool ;)

Just have it be a specific blog post link.

I want to see what you've created, done, eaten, made, worn, or just think is awesome enough you have to share!

Please visit a couple others who have linked up as well.

We all love some comments right?

Link away....

Happy Birthday McKinley! 10 Reasons Why...

Many of you have seen the posts on Wren's brother McKinley here and here.

Well yesterday was his first day student teaching for his high school class and, well, he was excited...

It's also McKinley's birthday today! Can hardly believe that prepubescent boy I first met ten years ago is turning 24. Where does time go?

I don't know if you remember this list McKinley wrote for me last month, but here is my list of the ten reasons why McKinley is SO incredible:

1. He doesn't care what people think about him. He'll do anything, anywhere.

2. He is charitable, kind, and understanding. He realizes that people are born into their circumstances and not everyone is as fortunate as we are. Read his post here (he is also an amazing writer).

3. He's got style, he's got swag, he's a hairy beast. He will make one woman very happy one day.

4. He's a great conversationalist. He's good at listening. He's good at talking. He has strong opinions about things which I like.

5. He is a deep thinker. His theories are fun to listen to.

6. He is smart... book smart and street smart. He's always gotten straight A's and is knowledgeable about so many different things.

7. He is extremely dedicated to his family, his church, and school. He is so good about coming to family events, he served a two year mission and I don't know if I've ever seen him miss a day of church in his life, and he just graduated from BYU and is finishing up his student teaching. He is a great example to us and is going to be very successful.

8. He is a responsible and hard worker. He knows how to show up to work and get the job done.

9. Our niece and nephew love him. He always gets them rowelled up and laughing and well, Wren, you need to step up your game. McKinley's well on his way to becoming favorite uncle ;)

He'll make a great father one day!

10. He is hilarious. Clearly. He always has everyone laughing. But most importantly, he has always found me ridiculously funny. Who doesn't like someone who laughs at everything they say?

I hope you have a great birthday Mankinley! You deserve it!

Just marry Rachael already k? Then you can be my brother-in-law on both sides.

See you at Mountain Mikes on Saturday. Be there or be square!

Monday, August 27, 2012

A Family Affair

My brother Ty arrived home from his mission last week so on Sunday we threw his homecoming party. It was filled with way too many cream puffs, catching up with family, taking pictures, and a grunting baby who awed the cousins and had a major blowout (hence the outfit change).

I have to say... that last picture? That's a good lookin family there ;)

Love them.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Busy Due To...

Sorry I have been MIA lately.

It's been due to fun things like...

My brother Ty getting home from his mission this week. We have been doing family stuff and it's so great to have him back!

Bringing it upon myself to buy a table and chairs off KSL to redo for our backyard. Excited it's almost done, it's been a LOT of work!

And then of course caring for this little monkey. Wren has been calling him Beethoven's Ghost. I know, no one gets it, and there's nothing to get. Just laugh. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
More to come next week!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Why I Did Placenta Encapsulation + Link Up

Some of you may know that I had my placenta dehydrated and put into capsules. I just wanted to share with you my experience in doing this. Obviously it is hard to compare it to anything since Radcliff is my first child, but I really haven't had any of the negative post pregnancy symptoms, that you hear about, since giving birth to him. Some of the things placenta encapsulation is supposed to help with is balancing your hormones, enhancing your milk supply, increasing your energy, and shrinking your uterus. We are one of the only species that does not eat their placenta after giving birth so that's got to mean something right? In fact, throughout the years some women have even cooked their placenta and eaten it. I'm not that brave... I have been taking these pills since I gave birth to Radcliff almost six weeks ago (sad, where is the time going!?) and have almost finished them (normally you would only get a month supply, but apparently I had the biggest uterus she's seen so I got a six week supply, hilarious I know). So, how have they affected me? I have not felt my hormones crash since giving birth. I was worried about getting the baby blues so it's been great ( and relieving) basically feeling the same (mind wise) as I did while I was pregnant. My mom was not able to nurse the first three children (me included) so that was also another thing I have always worried about. But I have had lots and lots of milk which has been so nice. I have not felt a loss of energy and have had enough of it to do and enjoy my baby. My midwife also said my uterus shrunk extremely fast (I think the Belly Bandit helped too). Again, I cannot say that I wouldn't have felt this way without placenta encapsulation, but since my midwife said there is no harm in taking it, I figured for $100, why wouldn't I? And now for the funny part of the story, because I get it, it's funny I did this. My dad, bless his heart, drove my placenta to the doula who encapsulated it for me. I had texted him a couple weeks prior to having Radcliff, that if on the day I had my baby, he could run my placenta to her. He replied, "Sure!", like it wasn't the weirdest question I could ever have asked him. The night I had Radcliff, my dad came in, held the baby, and then went up to the nurse and asked for my placenta. My in-laws probably wanted to die! It was pretty hilarious. I've got a sweet dad I have to say. Anyway, I hope this was interesting (funny) to you. If you would like the name and number of the doula who did this for me, let me know and I will get you her info! And speaking of doulas, a cute girl named Katie reached out to me and wondered if I could post this article on doulas and the incredible support that they can be. If I was rich, I would have loved to have one!

Wouldn't you like to have some extra help after the birth of your baby? Consider hiring a doula! Doulas are professional birthing and mothering assistant that help you in the home during pregnancy, delivery and the first weeks of motherhood. They clean and cook plus give you time for a much needed break from infant demands. Doulas give emotional support when you feel overwhelmed with caring for your baby. They also provide you with information and assistance in preparing for delivery and motherhood.

Doula is a Greek word, which means “women's servant”. These women have served other women for centuries. Doulas are trained to assist mothers with mother-baby bonding, physical and emotional recovery from birth, infant soothing and feeding, and basic care. She is there to support the mother during this difficult time and nurtures the entire family during this transitional time of life with an infant. A doula will run errands, provide sibling care if needed, and refer mothers to local resources such as pediatricians, parenting classes, and lactation support groups. Doulas provide individualized care geared toward your needs as a new mother.

If a doula is hired before delivery, a mother should use them primarily as an educational resource. A mother should ask about all of her delivery concerns, such as what labor signs to watch for, which pain management methods to use and the benefits of cord blood banking.

As a new mother, you need to decide what your needs are and how much help you will need. Doulas are especially helpful for new mothers with little to no family support living nearby. Doula services could even be given as a shower or baby gift from friends or family members.

Most parenting support groups, birth doulas or childbirth educators can refer you to a local postpartum doula. Organizations such as DONA International and Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) can also provide you with referrals. You may want to talk with friends or family members who have used a doula. You will need to check on the doula's training background, why they became a doula, and what services they can provide.

Research has shown that mothers who used doulas showed more confidence in caring for their babies six weeks after birth. They were less depressed, anxious and more likely to breastfeed their babies. With all of the assistance and education that they can provide, doulas continue to be an important part of pre- and post-natal care.

This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.