Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving with the Toney family this year, plus my sister-in-law's sweet family. It was so fun with all the kiddos and lots of fabulous food. I made stuffing and it was a huge hit (which is pretty incredible since I am a virgin stuffing maker and I don't even like stuffing!) We watched a lot of football and ate a lot of food. Here is the famous pic!

Update: Cliff's Notes Version

Our lives have changed a ton since my last posting...so here is the very short list of updates.

• new house (actually old house, new remodel)
• moved twice (from old house, to Kaufman, to new house)
• never ending house projects
• Raylee: four teeth, crawling, eating finger foods, walking with support
• visited Missouri for Rachel's shower and bachelorette party.

Here are a couple of new pictures of Raylee

Mourning growing up...

It has been a very long time since I last posted. We are still living in Kaufman while our house is being remodeled, so no pictures. We are hoping to move in November 1st! PRAY!!!! My b-day is November 3rd, and that is all I want.

Anyways, I have been a little sad lately, mourning the inevitable process of my daughter growing up. I know God gives us children to slowly enable them to become independent of their parents and dependent on God, but it stinks. So, a week and a half ago, Raylee began biting me while breastfeeding. As I thought I was getting it under control, my body decided to come down with mastitis (an infection) and stop producing enough milk. I am a huge believer in breast feeding, and I wanted to make it to a year. However, Raylee just hasn't been getting enough, so we have had to start supplementing with formula. I know it isn't the end of the world, and I can keep nursing in the mornings and before bed, but I am a little forlorn thinking of her growing up and not needing me anymore. This feeling of sadness and neediness is probably confounded by the fact that I am a little bored and dissatisfied with living in limbo (without a home...although I am grateful for my in-laws hospitality!) However, I know there will be many instances where I have to give Raylee her independence. I am dreading the first day of Kindergarten...AH!!! So I guess I thought I would slough off my sadness with this post, and try to cherish everyday I have with her. I truly do love each new stage...but you can't help but look back and miss the newborn stages as well.

Proverbs 22: 6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Homemade Baby Food

Well, it has been a long time since I last posted. We are in the 2 month long process of moving. We bought a new house and sold our old house, but the new house isn't ready yet because we are completely remodeling the entire house. Therefore, we are very blessed that Michael's parents are letting us live in their house in Kaufman. Long story, but they have two houses on their property so we are living right next door to them. I don't have access to my computer, so no pictures. However, I did want to post on one of my latest favorite websites. I have been making Raylee's baby food, and I am now a huge proponent of homemade baby food. It is healthier, cheaper, and tastes better (I know...I have tried it!) Anyways, this website called Wholesomebabyfood.com is amazing! It answers all your questions regarding how to make it, how to freeze the food, and in what order to serve certain foods. I love it! So far I have made all these foods:

• sweet potato
• butternut squash
• avocado
• carrots
• green beans
• peas
• pears
• apples
• mango
• banana

While we are displaced from our house I am going on a small hiatus and buying regular baby food, and I have to tell you it has been a bit disappointing. First of all, it is really expensive, and second of all it isn't that great. If you are a mom, I highly recommend you try it. It is a bit time consuming, but once a week I just make a big batch of food and then freeze it. All you need is a food processor. Some people use blenders or mixers, but I find the food processor to work best. Give it a try, and then let me know how it goes!

Play group!

They're holding hands!

I just thought I would post a shout out to my playgroup! I am so thankful for these women and their adorable babies! Every Thursday I really look forward to seeing all these smiling faces! Here are a couple of pictures from last Thursday. Raylee always seems to pee on her cute playgroup outfit, so she is in her "back-up" onesie! HAHA!

Raylee's Six Months Old Today!

Happy half birthday!

Baby Dedication

This past Sunday we dedicated Raylee to our Lord and Savior. It was a beautiful ceremony! Our good friend, JP, led the service, which we had outside with our friends and family. Raylee wore a very special dress that her cousin, Grace (who only lived 7 weeks) was baptized in. My mom flew all the way from Missouri to participate in the ceremony. Thanks to all our friends and family who participated.

Throughout our struggles with miscarriage and infertility, I fervently prayed for a child. Then when we did get pregnant we had many ups and downs as Raylee was again and again diagnosed with multiple health issues. On Sunday, we praised God that he healed her in so many ways before she was even born, and we symbolically gave her back to the Lord. For she is merely on loan to us; she is always in the hands of God. I have included some of the scripture that spoke to me during this process.

In 1 Samuel 2 Hannah says to God “As surely as you live, my Lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give this child to the Lord, for her whole life will be given over to the Lord.”

Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Here are some pictures from Sunday.

Patsy Aiken Trunk Show

Hey friends, with children, grandchildren, neices, friends with children! I am hosting a trunk show at my house on Saturday from 4-6! Patsy Aiken has adorable clothes for boys and girls! There will be fun, food, fellowship....and of course clothes! Please feel free to stop by with your kiddos, and bring your friends. If you want to come, please let me know at erikatoney@gmail.com, so I can prepare food. You can check out the cute clothes at www.patsyaiken.com.

List of Fun Summer Activities for Moms and Babies

As a stay at home mom I am always looking for fun ways to interact with Raylee and stay busy! I am not the kind of mom who can sit at home all day every day...I would go crazy. I have, however, learned that some moms find "outings" to be very stressful (and I have learned to never judge these women because they are most likely fantastic mothers) but for my own sanity I need to get out sometimes! Here is a list of fun Dallas activities (many of them free!) that my church put together. I thought I would share them!

1. Rattle and Reel-Landmark Magnolia Theatre-3699 McKinney Ave Dallas 75204
The Magnolia’s Rattle and Reel program offers parents of infants a chance to see first-run movies with their babies. ongoing each Monday. Ages 0-3 at 11:00am cost is $6.50; infants are free
214.764.9106 for movie titles

2. Kids Train Museum-Museum of the American Railroad-1105 Washington St Dallas
Model train layout, steam whistle demos…all ages open from 11am-4pm…cost is $3-6

3. Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse-Galleria of Dallas-13340 Dallas Pkwy Dallas 75240
A marionette performance-ongoing each Friday @10:30 / Saturday @10:30 or 1pm / Sunday @ 2pm. Age is 3-12 Cost: Adult -$9 & child $8.

4. Dallas Children’s Theater-5938 Skillman St Dallas 75231
Ongoing productions Friday @ 7:30pm / Saturday @1:30pm / Sunday @ 1:30 & 4pm
Cost is $12-$22 Call for performances (214) 978-0110or www.dct.org

5. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo-121 E. Exchange Ave Fort Worth 76106
Buckin’ Broncos, calf roping, bareback riding & more
Ongoing each Friday and Saturday @8pm-all ages…Cost: adults $9.50 children $6
Contact 817.625.1025 or www.cowtowncoliseum.com

6. Pottery Barn Kids-3228 Knox Street Dallas 75205
Storytime Tuesdays ongoing @ 11am. Cost is Free. Ages 0-5. 5 visits and you get a free $10 gift card to use in the store.
Contact: 214.522.4845

7. Dallas Library Activity Series-Northpark Mall
The Dallas Public Library's offers story time and music for small ones.
Located underneath the AMC theatre by Forever 21
Baby Bounce: Mondays/Thursdays 12:30 Cost is Free... Ages birth-2
214.361.6345

8. Quiggly’s Clayhouse-1344 E. Beltline Rd, Richardson 75081
Painting pottery. All ages… cost is relative to pottery piece you buy.
Contact # 972.234.2644

9. Dallas Museum of Arts
First Tuesday of the month is free for child and adult. Crafts and storytime.

10. Dallas Nature and Science Museum-3535 Grand Ave Dallas 75210
They have an interactive children’s museum(ages 0-7) along with IMAX and Planetarium. Open all week 10-5pm. Cost varies based on what exhibits you want to do. Tickets are less than $10.
Contact: 214.428.5555

11. Thunder bird stroller-skating
Thursdays @9am
3200 Thunderbird Ln Plano 972-422-4447

12. Destination Maternity has free Mommy and Me Yoga. Check out their website for times.
http://www.destinationmaternity.com/

13. Dallas Aquarium or Dallas Zoo

14. Dallas Arboretum

15. Dallas Splash Parks

NYC

Michael and I went to NYC last weekend and we had a blast. We went with our friends, the Rowlings, and it was great to have some much needed "adult" time, although we really missed our little Raylee bug! We went to see Chicago (the musical...not the city), walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, ate amazing food, and the list goes on! Here are some pics from the weekend!

Times Square at night
Brooklyn Bridge

Chicago!

Most amazing candy store ever!

We had brunch at the famous Plaza Hotel

Statue of Liberty from the Brooklyn Bridge

Central Park

Omni Hotel...fabulous!

It rained a lot, but we made it fun!

China Grill
Rockefeller Center This is what we got to come home to! We bought her this New York Princess onesie on Canal Street!

A MUST READ for NEW MOMS!

Lately, I find myself wondering why no one told me how the Back to Sleep Campaign, trendy new baby toys, and cradling my baby could cause her to develop plagiocephaly and torticollis...I thought all these were good things. No, I am not encouraging babies to sleep on their tummies, but I had no idea that there were negative consequences to having my daughter sleep on her back. After buying the swing, the bouncer, the saucer, and many other fun baby items, I have been told the best position for baby's playtime is ON THE FLOOR! Wow, I could have saved a lot of money! If you are confused, tune in! Apparently there has been a significant increase in the incidence of plagiocephaly (basically misshapen head syndrome) and torticollis (literally means "twisted neck"). Many times babies are born with a slightly misshapen head due to cramped quarters in the uterus, or a small birth canal mixed with a large head. Often times, if parents aren't overly conscientious, the baby takes the path of least resistance and exacerbates the problem by turning the head to accommodate the issue. Some babies are simply on their backs so much that their head becomes flat. Raylee's problem started because she had a tight neck, and would tend to always roll to the same side. This caused one side of her head to become flatter, and the cycle continued. This caused her to have some slight facial asymmetry, which really frightened me. After being told we were a candidate for the DOC band (a helmet which runs about $3600!), we then sought a second opinion. The physical therapist said that she had a very minor case, and everyone has some sort of asymmetry. She recommended we take an aggressive approach to repositioning and stretching for 6 weeks. Therefore, we have discarded any toy that causes her to put pressure on the back of her head. We have to hold her upright or with the football hold, and she has to have tons of "tummy time." We also have to do a series of neck stretches 4-5 times a day. Whew! All of this is a much better alternative to the helmet, but it is a little exhausting policing how everyone holds and positions her.

If you want more information, read this article! http://www.mybreastfeeding.com/index_files/Torticollis.htm

Great article on the support and importance of breastfeeding!

http://www.phdinparenting.com/2009/07/19/can-breastfeeding-promotion-learn-something-from-drunk-driving-ads/

Trip to Missouri!

The three of us fought the crowds at the airport to fly home for Fourth of July and my cousin, Chelsi's wedding. We had a great time! My aunt from Chicago flew in for about 24 hours to meet Raylee! I think Raylee was a little overwhelmed with all the new faces and the busy weekend, but it was well worth it. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Wedding in Colorado Springs!

I recently went to Colorado Springs for my high school friend Meghan's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful, and I had a blast getting to know her friends and new husband! I felt a little silly due to the fact that both Meghan and her husband (plus all their friends) are in med school, but hopefully I was able to exude happiness about being a new mom and sacraficing my career for my family. Here are some pictures!