Starting Over Is Not Easy ... Mother Baby Child Blog
I was over 35 when I gave birth to Baby Max. My middle son was 11 years old and my older son had just turned seventeen. It wasn't easy starting over again ... Mother Baby Child is a blog to share parenting experiences, as well as what marriage is like after being a single mom for so many years. Get info on having a baby, raising children, babies, tweens, teens, homeschooling, mom blogs, work at home mom. business marketing, Christian and celebrity moms blog posts.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups oatmeal
1/3 cup applesauce
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
* Can use Cacao, Carob Chips or raisins
Directions:
Turn oven on to 350 and Preheat while mixing all of the healthy cookie ingredients together in a medium bowl. Use table spoon to measure out cookie sizes and flatten with the back of the spoon. Bake 15-20 minutes.
My jaw just about hit the floor when I read that Hilary Hinton a.k.a. ZIG ZIGLAR died this morning. It is was not the shock of death itself as this man has been blessed to live a long 86 years. Although I never met Hilary, I have been reading, watching his videos and quoting Zig Ziglar for years. It felt like the loss of someone I knew. I'm sure other "students" can relate to the sentiment. Zig Ziglar was a legendary motivational sales trainer and Christian.
My heart goes out to his family and friends! May he rest in peace!
My favorite quote from Zig Ziglar:
"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through." Zig Ziglar
One thing I know, No matter where I go, I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks ~ Little Big Town
When you've had the life that I've had, there is beauty and peacefulness ...
it feels like a rebirth; it feels secluded; it feels closer to God!
I want my children to feel closer to God, respect nature and have a sense of
pride that comes from non-materialism opposed to how things used to be ...
Yes, the heat and bugs can be a lot; the frogs and owls are loud at night ...
Yet, there is always something new to explore and appreciate!
We see an average of 5 to 10 different birds each day. I didn't know that
I would learn to appreciate birds so much; I was scared of them before :)
Flowers grow wild in the sandy ground ... A miracle that unfolds before
our eyes and without expectation; just there for all to enjoy
It is springtime in the boondocks ... I'm loving it!
Boondocks Lyrics by Little Big Town
I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks
And I can feel
That muddy water running through my veins
And I can hear that lullaby of the midnight train
And it sings to me and it sounds familiar
I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks
And I can taste that
honeysuckle and it's still so sweet
When it grows wild
On the banks down at old camp creek
Yeah, and it calls to me like a warm wind blowing
I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks
It's where I learned about living It's where I learned about love It's where I learned about working hard and having a little was just enough It's where I learned about Jesus And knowing where I stand You can take it or leave it This is me, this is who I am
Give me a tin roof
a front porch and a gravel road
and that's home to me
feels like home to me
I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know, no matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks
I keep my heart and soul in the boondocks
You get a line, I get a pole
we'll go fishing in the crawfish hole
5 card poker on Saturday night
church on Sunday morning
You get a line, I get a pole
(You get a line, I get a pole)
We'll go fishing
(We'll go fishing in the craw fish hole)
Down in the boondocks
(5 card poker on Saturday night)
Church on Sunday morning
You get a line, I get a pole
(You get a line, I get a pole)
We'll go fishing
(We'll go fishing in the craw fish hole)
Down in the boondocks
(5 card poker on Saturday night)
(Say a little prayer for me)
Church on Sunday morning
You get a line, I get a pole
(You get a line, I get a pole)
We'll go fishing
(We'll go fishing in the craw fish hole)
Down in the boondocks
(5 card poker on Saturday night)
(Say a little prayer for me)
Church on Sunday morning
Going Through Age 13 ... Again! Please Pray For Peace!
My second son turned 13 years old a few weeks ago. He didn't want me to post any pictures of his "special day" nor does he want me taking any pictures of him anymore. These may be my last for a while. This part of 13 is really a drag ... I am sneaking in these pictures of him for Wordless Wednesday today and a few more blog posts about his last few weeks (as soon as I get them written) because this is also a huge part of my life. They are pictures of him at a skate park (parent supervised) and they so project exactly who he is right now. His individuality and being understood have been mastered; now he is fighting for "respect" that struggles to maintain to give. He started fighting with us a few weeks before his 13 birthday. We laughed it off as testosterone kicking in, but ... REALLY ... I think this is on point. Any time I ask him what is wrong with him (when he picks a fight and then apologizes for it), he says "I don't know".
Don't get me wrong! He is still a very sweet boy on most days :) He is just not the same cooperative person that he was at twelve and I can tell that his teen years are going to be hard.
I am going through age 13 again ... it is frightening to me.
The funny thing is we are also going through the "teens" with our 15 month old baby. He has gotten quite "terrible two" lately :)
Quick Slideshow Video | How To Recycle Wood Pallets | DIY
I found this wood pallets video on YouTube and though it would make for an interesting Wordless Wednesday topic. There as so many DIY projects to accomplish by using wood pallets. You can typically find them listed for free on Craigslist ... I was inspired to learn more after seeing a neat wood pallet planter and raised garden ideas on Pinterest.
Have you been using wood pallets for your DIY projects? Please share any ideas that are not shown in this video. Thanks :)
14 months 3 weeks old - He still fits in the baby carrier :)
We were headed for an organic farm tour and decided to pull out the old baby carrier. We were not sure if Max would still fit and like the baby carrier. He did let us ride him in the carrier for quite a while until he wanted to get down to play with the dogs at the farm :) It is so funny to look at this picture and see how big he has gotten; our baby is almost as long as his father's upper body ... WOW!
Doesn't it look like he's thinking, "Mom, REALLY? Are you really putting me in a baby carrier?". That angelic face always says so much :)
I thought this would be a cute Wordless Wednesday picture and short story to share. I do look forward to checking out your image(s), please feel free to share the link in the comments area! Hugs & Blessings!
Helping Moms In Business Does Mean More Than You Think!
My mother posted the little graphic above and it's BIG message really touched my heart. I have been waiting for Wordless Wednesday, so I could share it with you. Isn't this quote so true? This quote makes me feel like emailing everyone in the world; especially CEOs of companies. They have no clue how hard it is for some mothers to establish themselves as virtual assistants, mom business owners, work at home moms, etc. These moms really do have to possess more drive, organization and commitment - than the average person - in order to become successful mom business owners or telecommuting moms - while raising children and managing a household. I know this from experience ... CEOs do not just throw opportunities into mom's laps ... these mothers have to find work they can do at home! This is why so many moms turn to direct marketing companies and / or learning how to market online. Yes, there are some moms that dream of starting a business, but there are even more moms that just need to make money working from home and do whatever they can.
If CEOs REALLY understood this, there would be more onshore telecommute jobs and less struggling moms / mom business owners!
Regardless, I am grateful for how "things" are in comparison to what the Internet was like 13 years ago ... If you did not know computer programming or have a direct marketing business offline (Mary Kay, Avon, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, etc), then your work from home options were very limited. We did not have Google Ads and Facebook networks at that time; there were only a few mommy websites to browse for opportunities and these were very basic HTML sites without Craigslist, Elance and Freelancer feeds because those resources did not exist. Thinking of this reminds me that we are fortunate to have the Internet ... Yet, there are still not enough work at home "jobs" in comparison to work at home opportunities. This is why it is important for more people to support mom business owners opposed to Amazon, Ebay and larger corporations that sell the same types of products. Unfortunately, this is something that has not changed as much as the Internet. People still prefer to shop at Walmart for pink slime meat than support their local farms; they prefer to shop at Bath & Body at the mall opposed to supporting a friend selling Avon.
This really needs to change and this is why I like that little graphic so much. It's huge message made me think towards the sky ... not just "the sky is the limit" ... I looked out the window to the beautiful sky and I prayed. I thanked God for all of the challenges and opportunities; I also prayed for his mercy and change :)
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of Lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters:
for his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
~ Psalms 136.1-9
No matter what our economy or personal situations, we have the love, support and grace of our Lord and he provides the discernment, strength, humbleness, knowledge and motivation to do all that we need to do. We just need to remain faithful and grateful during our life processes. Be thankful for where you are at in your business / work at home experience; also, if possible, help other moms accomplish their goals by assisting them in their work, training them in what they do not know and buying from mom business owners.
Hugs & blessings to all mom business owners, mom bloggers, mom marketers and virtual assistants that are "doing your thing" to contribute to your household ... while raising children and handling all that is involved with having a family.
We haven't taken our baby out to a restaurant in 6 months. 1st because I get all freaked out that he's going to get sick from touching and trying to eat everything he touches. 2nd because there are no organic food restaurants where we live and 3rd because I worry about how the food is cooked ... I was outnumbered this time and ended up giving into my husband and 12 year old! We took the baby to have his 1st Chinese restaurant experience (scrubbed the table and chair with Purell). He loved it and was such a good baby!
Wordless Wednesday pictures of our 14 month old eating his first ice cream cone (well, it was really frozen yogurt). We enjoyed watching him!
Mama, what is this?
Ice cream? I'll just give it a little lick, ok?
Can I use it as a microphone ... "La La La"?
That is what cold is ...? This is a brain freeze?
OK, I'm gonna slow down and use my finger as a spoon :)
I was amazed by how well he did (he is a very active toddler after all). He was open to trying a variety of foods, though did not like and threw the Chinese donut first (both of his brothers always liked them best). This is the first time that he did not throw his plate of food (as he does at home). He actually ate off of a plate for the entire meal. He did make a little mess on the floor and his face, but no food on his clothes. I could not believe it! I was extremely proud that he DID NOT want to get down and run all over the restaurant.
It's been raining in Florida - On & Off Rain ... Very Warm Winter
Family up north has been explaining what a calm winter it's been for them. It has been the same here in Central Florida with just a little rain and sunshine soon after. This makes for very tropical feeling / warm weather. It feels like it's going to be a scorcher this summer. The funny thing is that people from the North visit Florida during Christmas and January (lots from Canada). They spend time at the beaches and even let their children swim. We find it far too cold to brave the waters at that time of year and the beach water is in the 90s during the summer time (like a bath and not refreshing at all). They come from the North and swim then, too. I would have never thought these the worst times to visit Florida when I lived in the North and dreamed of vacationing in Florida during the Winter or Summer months. I think the best time to visit is mid-March through June. The weather is like summer in the north and you miss all of the congestion during the months that people typically visit.
OK, I wasn't going to do a Wordless Wednesday until I saw this picture ...
Would you buy your daughter a pregnant Barbie doll?
How about the breastfeeding doll? Think these teach the norm or not?
BTW, here is the link to Barbie Midge Happy Family that sells for $110 to $125 (thanks to Nicole Searfoss for sharing the info this doll) - Pregnant Midge she has a magnetic belly and promotes family. Unfortunately, they took this one out of production in 2002 and replaced with this $69 Barbie Midge Happy Family in 2003 and also Barbie Nikki Happy Family because people complained that it promoted "teen pregnancy". The replacements came with the baby instead of the pregnant mommy doll.
Would you think the same if you saw a child with this doll?
Maybe I should start calling these "Wordy Wednesday" blog posts :)
BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY POEM by Lea Hunt
Baby runs laps in the living room; every pillow and blanket ends up spread around. White teeth while smiling and laughing, "Hi Mama", "Hi Dada", "Hi Ra Ra" (brother) ... mornings are filled with beautiful baby sounds.
Baby playing with his favorite toys; scattered on the floor with such finesse. Cars, Percy and Thomas the Tank Engine; chewed cardboard books, 123s and ABCs ... afternoons are such a beautiful baby mess.
Lots of hugs and kisses, climbing mom like a little monkey, taking walks on sunny days, cheerios and cracker snacks, yoga with Nina, dancing with DJ Lance and Angelina ... late afternoons and evenings of beautiful baby play.
Splashing in the bathtub, pajama wrestling, reading and rocking the night away, mama singing your favorite lullaby, sighing, deep breathing and slight snores ... beautiful baby sleeps sound after another busy day.
Lennon comes to mind and heart as I pick up crumbs, blankets, pillows and toys, I would not wish it to be any other way; especially as the grateful mother of three sons ... this is my last beautiful baby boy!
"Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running!" ~ Forrest Gump
Spreading his wings and keeping balance. Our baby is no longer an infant, but a toddler boy and establishing his independence. He loves the world; family, nature, family, toys, milk bottles and snuggling with mama, daddy and brother. This was his first long walk outside. He walked a bit and then ran ... He did a total of about 1/4 of a mile on 1-10-2012; this was his first long walk outside. This was also the first time that he kept shoes on for ANY length of time :)
Our baby was supposed to walk with his brother, but he turned and started running the way he wanted to go instead of forward :) He is an individual!
We visited this mailbox like 10 times ... he must like blue or that red flag.
Baby walking towards the trees. They consumed his interest for quite a while.
Checking out this really cool tree ... it had a florescent green and lacey appeal.
Baby walking with his big brother so long as he bounced the basketball :)
Baby walking forward as brother walks backwards - long walk ahead :)
Baby running outside for the first time. He ran so hard that I had to catch him to stop (I will post the video) and he just cried from exhaustion. It hurt me to see him so frustrated, but I also felt proud ... maybe he will run track?
Our baby walking video: Age 1 year old (Jnauary 2012)
"I cannot explain what it is like to be over 35 years old and pregnant EXCEPT that it has been quite an experience" ~ LC Hunt :)
Hello, my name is Lea and I am the CWAHM (Christian Work At Home Mom) of a teen and a tween. I am expecting my 3rd child in just a few weeks and am feeling extremely nervous because I am an older mommy (age 38) and feeling really heavy right about now.
Although this is my 3rd child, I am extremely nervous about this pregnancy. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors missed something and our baby is not born healthy? What if something happens to me? Both of my older sons insist on being in the room while I am in labor
... Is this a good idea?
WHAT WAS I THINKING?
These are some of the things going through my mind this month. Meanwhile, our baby is due the first week of January ... The excitement is more than we can bare, though their is always an overshadow of nervousness that my body is too old to have a baby. I do have to admit that this was the best pregnancy I've had -well until the end when it felt like the baby would drop out - but I am hearing the same things from 1st time moms. Maybe that is not an age issue, but that babies are heavier or our bodies are different. Here is a list of what I experienced during my pregnancy:
I developed high blood pressure with this pregnancy.
I was rather fit before pregnancy, but put on about 30 pounds in my 1st trimester. My over all weight gain was more than I would have liked it to be, but I am always a fat pregnancy lady :)
The nurses and staff treated me differently because I was an older mommy to be. I was considered high risk and always had to answer the same questions over and over again. Additionally, it was hard to find a new OB / GYN when we moved and I needed to find a doctor that was closer. Thank God, I found one that treated me like gold.
I was really tired the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. This is more than I was used to being with my 1st two sons.
I started growing grey hairs like crazy.
I was always so hot. I could barely wear PJs or a gown at night.
My water retention was more than it was in previous pregnancies.
All-in-all, being pregnant over 35 was ok; not much worse then when I was 21 and 25 years old except towards the end when it felt like the baby was falling out of me when I walked a lot.
Being almost 40 and pregnant does have it's risks, advantages and disadvantages. Can you relate? If you were over 35 and pregnant, share your experience in the comment section below.
UPDATE: I was induced and had our baby on December 27th while my family was in town for Christmas. It was an incredible experience of minimal pain and lots of family support. My older son got to cut the cord and - little did I know - my 11 year old son was at my side and dispensed the epidural when I needed it. My mother and husband were also by my side. Praise the Lord for this wonderful blessing of having a baby over 35, my husband and loving family. We named our baby Maxwell. He was a healthy 7.7 lb baby boy that had no complications (my other two boys did have complications during labor).
