Red, White & Blueberry Cake

Celebrate Memorial Day

Vanilla covered pretzel sticks with red sugar sprinkles and blue York peppermint pieces

Triple Chocolate Cake with a powdered sugar dusting and decorative corners

Blueberry Cake

The Birthday Man

Thank You, God for all the brave soldiers who have served, fought and won battles and wars, giving their time, years, blood, limbs and lives so that we might enjoy some freedom in this country. This includes my husband, Captain Jeramy W. Anderson, who served 9 years in the Air Force, is currently on inactive reserve and who is also celebrating his 33rd Birthday today. Happy Birthday, Honey!

Our First Bean

Here are pictures taken from this week of our garden produce. Everything looks much stronger than last year. Jeramy and I are very pleased with it. The green beans grow a lot just in one day and many of them are already ready to be picked.

10 Reasons Why I'm Still Nursing

Yes, Shiphrah is still nursing. Seven out of 8 feedings I still have to fight her to stay on the breast and to eat a complete meal. It has been very frustrating and some days I can't stand it anymore, but we both have persevered.

I continue to nurse because:

1. It's convenient. I don't have to make bottles in the middle of the night.

2. It's convenient while traveling because I don't have to predict how long we'll be out, how much formula I need, where I need to get water (or bring my own), or how to heat it, etc ad nauseum.

3. It helps me lose weight. It is said that nursing moms burn an extra 500 calories a day to support milk production. Oh yeah, super fast, safe and healthy weight loss is possible. Currently I weigh 15 pounds less than when I got pregnant with Shiphrah. :-D

4. It's an excuse to sit down and be quiet. After running around all day getting chores and errands done, I find that sitting can be quite necessary after a while and I probably wouldn't do it unless I had to nurse.

5. It helps provide protection against feminine cancers: breast, ovarian & uterine. Read this Above Rubies "Preservation" article.

6. It helps establish and boost baby's immune system.

7. It can be a natural contraceptive, when done consistently.

8. I don't have to worry about getting my period while nursing.

9. It helps fill out my clothing.

10. It's the best option when providing my baby nourishment.

Swimsuits Optional

Shiphrah: Nine Months & Counting

Shiphrah turned 9 months old last week and I can hardly believe it! She's still such a cute and happy little baby girl. She is content most of the time and only whines minimally (compared to her sisters). She constantly smiles and enjoys sticking things in her mouth, playing with her feet, pulling hair and twisting her tongue. Her favorite gummy things include paper, cloth and hairballs when she can get them. She does not crawl yet (it could be any day now) and she loves to stand and jump while assisted. She doesn't have any teeth yet, but her gums are nice and swollen. She likes to eat food and be in the middle of her sisters' playtime. She scoops small objects with her whole hands and her world stops when Mama enters the room. :-) She brings a lot of joy to everyone around her.

At her check-up appointment she weighed in at 16 pounds and 14 ounces. She also did very well with receiving 2 immunization shots in her thighs with no horrible repercussions. Remember at her 2 month check-up she screamed like a banche for 8 hours with little to no consolation.

Sleep is still somewhat erratic, but we both get it when we can. She has been going longer at night without feeding, sometimes 5 hours and once even 12 hours! Although it's not at all predictable, I'm very thankful that I'm not feeding her 3 times during the night.