B.R. for Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

I purchased the book "Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters" by Meg Meeker MD for Jason's birthday. Since Jason was still very busy with flying, I took the chance to read the book. Meg Meeker is a pediatrician with years of experience working with young girls. Throughout the book she gives fathers pointers based on her experience and from documented research. Offering her own insight on real life issues affecting our society today makes reading this book more interesting and realistic. I often found myself saying "oh wow." I believe that reading the book as a mother also helped me realize how important what we say, how we act, and what we expose our children too is very important. If we allow our children to watch trash on t.v. it will desensitize them to immoral situations. This can range from drinking, cursing, premarital living and so on. I know that I am desensitize to quite a bit and it's definitely from watching t.v. From now on I will make more of a point to shield Ella away from what I know is a lifestyle that I don't want her to model or be okay with. Basically, if I don't want Ella to do or say something I need to make sure she isn't exposed to it. I also learned that I need to begin protecting her from day one and that she needs us to be parents which means sticking to our rules while we build a relationship with her throughout her growing years. This is a packed filled book and is definitely worth reading.

Our new wander mobile

   While I was in Atlanta with Ella, Jason purchased a 1979 Airstream. It took him a few days to tell me about this purchase and send me some photos. Jason has always wanted an airstream so I wasn't too surprised about his choose but I was surprised about the age and shape of our new home. Everyone tells me that it looks better than when he first showed up with it here in Montana. I'm glad I wasn't here to see it! 

Wandering over to Spokane with Ella

     Today we are flying to Portland Oregon where we will have a connecting flight to Spokane. Jason will be waiting for us there. I know that I am ready to see him and I have a strong feeling  that Ella will be very happy as well. We have been Face Timing with Jason these past few weeks. Ella lights up when I tell her we are going to call her papi. She usually stays animated durning the conversation with him. I'm not sure if I could of gone two weeks without being with her. She has been a complete doll during this trip and I am happy she has been able to see so many of my relatives and friends. This past week I decided that I was going to simplify our travels by switching her back to store bought formula. I had everything prepared for our flight and I was so excited about the little prep time and clean up store bought formula requires. Well, Ella decided she didn't want to eat it. So anxiety enters and I begin to fear that she will continue to refuse, throw fits, and worse get sick. She has had an upset tummy for a few days but is behaving normally. I really just think her tummy is adjusting to so many new germs. I decide with just a few minutes before we need to hit the road to make her one last batch of formula to get us threw the day. We are currently in the air and I did not bring the ingredients to make her homemade formula. I'm just praying that she will accept the different formula this evening. I really do not want a melt down or for her to be upset. 

Giving of my time and receiving so much

    I decided to volunteer for the catalyst conference on a complete whim. We usually volunteer for the Missions Conference in Wasilla, Alaska, but we will not be in town for it this year. I was hoping for some quality adult time after months of waiting for baby and then being with our baby. I received so much more than what I had hoped for. I got my quality adult time while meeting some amazing individuals and listening to some inspiring talks, plus I was given a stack of resources that I am eager to dive into. I finished my 30+ hours with a refreshed look on life and a renewed thankfulness for all of our blessings. I felt God's presence and I could feel His happiness with what was being accomplished at the conference. I also feel like He was happy that I was getting out and surrounding myself with fun positive Christians. I want to volunteer again, and honestly the sooner the better. To top off the fabulous three days, I received an audio download of the conference as I was walking out, that I cannot wait to share with Jason and others back home. Then, just the other day I received an email telling me that I won an iPad mini which I do not even remember signing up for at the conference. I just think it's another "thank you" from God. I feel prompted to send some of the resources back home and thus I will be sending a box filled with free books that were given to me at the conference. 

The Time Change

     I'm back home in Atlanta as a first time mom with my little girl Ella. Alaska has it's very own time zone and it varies by four hours to the Eastern Time Zone. The time change has been difficult on Ella, but she is dealing with it as only a baby can. The major change that has occurred is in our relationship. She now has a lack of interest in wanting to nurse. This time change and the change in environment has caused her to begin weaning. Her desire to cuddle has increased and I am thankful for this positive increase. I'm counting that as a blessing. I'm also very thankful for being able to nurse her for 5.5 months even though I never had a full supply. She was able to benefit from me as long as she wanted too. I am thankful for those five and a half months. Nursing my child was one thing I really wanted to do, along with a natural birth,  even before I became pregnant. I pray that we have an easier time with it our next go around. If not, I am prepared to tackle all the issues again and have faith in everything I have learned in such a short time. I've modified my diet and have detoxed several times and I'll continue to read and learn when ever I can. We have experienced many changes in a short amount of time but our relationship continues to grow.