Mindful Mommy Monday | 1 Year... Round 2

Cheerful Monday parents!!  Remember how you greet the day will determine what you receive from the day. <3 

I have learned to say hello to Monday with a smile on my face, even if I'd like to kick it in the chins. Lol.  So no worries on Monday.  I accomplished exactly what I was supposed to accomplish today and ended up in all places I was needed at the perfect time!

Now that I've gotten that out of the way.  I get to share!  Saturday was Hoot 2's 1st birthday!  My mother and brother came for the weekend and we had a fabulous, slightly chilly, pool party.  Lol.  I am so grateful to everyone that came by and shared in our excitement.  We also were able to celebrate the pending arrival of my God son RJ (just thinking about him makes me so excited)!!

So what does round 2 of year 1 look like?  Sleepless nights.  Breastfeeding weaning (happy Breastfeeding week by the way).  Walking 2 days before 12 months old.  Lots of cuddles.  Super huge smiles.  Stay at home woes.  Falling in love again.  Friends.  Family.  GREAT MEMORIES!

As the days and months pass I have to constantly remind myself that Hoot 1 & 2 are different boys.  They developed differently, their personalities are different, I had different pregnancies, and all around different parenting experiences.  It's been beautiful, trying, and awakening.  I'm so very excited to watch them grow together and learn more and more about them.

Daddy Hoot and I can tell that Hoot 2 is a sports kid and Hoot 1 is an arts kid.  Lol.  Hoot 1 does not really care to watch football or basketball but will draw and write stories for hours.  Hoot 2 won't build with blocks or shapes at all, he'd rather play with cars & motorcycles.  While Hoot 1 still likes to build with his big blocks and even tries to mix his designs with his Legos.  They both fill me with so much joy!  With all of the milestones we've hiked up together, 

I'm happy to say Year 1 .. round 2 .. NAILED IT!   

Since it's Breastfeeding Week I want to share one of the more stressful milestones!  Weaning!  Now, I FULLY support breastfeeding past infancy.  I genuinely believe it helps mommy and baby emotionally and physically.  The closeness you develop with breastfeeding cannot be mimicked by any brand of formula!  So breastfeed with pride and power mommies.  However, if and when you breastfeed - listen to your body, baby, and know what you're comfortable with.  I decided to wean Hoot 2 at 1 year because I felt it was best for both of us.  I had a lot of anxiety about giving him a bottle, let alone formula.



With Hoot 2 my breastfeeding barely made it 3 months.  I went back to work insanely early and got home super late (past 8 PM some nights).  After having an easy peasy bottle all day, Hoot 1 wasn't digging the boob.  It devastated me.  Coupling that with postpartum depression and I was just a mess.  So with Hoot 2 I was determined to breastfeed.  I knew I wanted to and I knew I would AT LEAST make it 1 year.  Well, I did it!  And I'm actually looking forward to having control of my body back until I can talk Daddy Hoot into a little Hoot 3.  Lol.  I started the process at about 10 months by slowly adding the bottle to his routine and finally getting down to only night time nursing.  Around the middle of month 11 - we did away with that and he's been doing well.  He still likes to reach into my (and Daddy Hoot's) shirt, pull on bra straps, and rub but he takes his bottle and sippy cup well.  He's also started sleeping a full night!!! <3 <3 <3


While I made the decision to not breastfeed through toddler years and beyond, I fully support mommies that do!  I am floored with admiration and adoration for\your power and will.  You are beautifully amazing!!  To help you be an even more awesome you I'm going to share a few links that were passed to me by a mommy friend.  They are giving away breastfeeding supplies for FREE, all you have to do is pay shipping.  Hopefully they all work and you're able to get your freebies!

Resources:
Early Moments
Nursing Pillow - Use code BFWEEK13
Seven Slings - Use code BFWEEK13
Udder Covers - Use code BREASTFEEDING2013
Breastfeeding Insurance & Reimbursement 

Happy Breastfeeding Week Mommies!!!  Don't cover up in public.  Don't feel judged for nursing your toddler.  Unsnap your bra with bride!! <3 Kudos to you.  No one will ever understand the demand on you and the BOND you create when nursing.  

How was your week whipping your routine into shape?  The Hoot Family did pretty well and guess what... We made it to Hoot 2's birthday party at the time we said we would!!!  We even beat our friends who are using super early!!  How super fab is that?!  We had a game plan, we got up, we executed, we didn't take no stuff.  Lol.  And we made it.  The birthday went off without a hitch.  Sidenote: Thank you SO MUCH Chris and Satina for being as freakn FAB-TABULOUS as you are.  Overall, I'm pleased.  It showed me that we really are capable of being on time.  Lol.  We need a plan, be prepared, and get to it!  It's possible!

Live a FabuLESS Life Archive

This weeks challenge is Rewarding VS. Bribing.  There is a REAL difference here parents.  "If you behave in the store, I will buy you 1 snack you want." - BRIBING.  "Thank you for behaving in the store.  I know how hard it is sometimes to not touch things you may want.  Pick 1 treat for yourself." - REWARD.  A bribe usually comes from times of frustration.  They are screaming and you just really want to finish shopping.  Or you're desperately trying to get them to clean their room or do homework.  Check in with your motives and intent.  Your son earns money for good grades on his report card... bribe or incentive to work hard?  If the reward is not consistent in the situation - then chances are it's a bribe.  Do you always get your little one a snack from the store when they behave (without being told) or did you only offer it because they were screaming and having a fit?  This will let you know if you're bribing or rewarding.  This week, break the bribing habit.  Check in with yourself before you offer your child something.  Make sure this is a consistent reward for work they are doing and not just something you're offering in the moment.  What is your intent?  To teach them a lesson in life and hard work or get them quiet?  GOOD LUCK parents!  Join my community on FB or follow me on Twitter & Instagram @dPaPiYON.

I am grateful for your patience with the videos! <3 Until next week parents...

Love, peace, & sanity!

-Mama Hoot

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About Mindful Mommy Monday Blogger

Dominique is an owner of Jane Doe, LLC, a mother of two, wife, and student.  She is an experienced  Artist Manager, Event Planner, and Branding Consultant.  She pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work.  Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.  

To contact Dominique email her at: dominiquepap@gmail.com

IG: @dPaPiYON | FB: Dominique PapillionHerr | Twitter: @dPaPiYON

www.dPaPiYON.com

Mindful Mommy Monday | Punch. Kick. SMACK!

Happy days parents!

You may be able to guess what I talk about this week... Punch.  Kick.  SMACK!

Let me start by saying that Hoot 2 is an absolute gem!  He's is so amazing to be around.  People rave about him constantly.  He is funny, full of laughter, super sweet with insanely huge dimples, and so loving.  Oh but beware, this baby has a dark side.  I know, you're going "NNNOOO!!!  Hoot 2 is a sweetie."  -___- BE-WARE of the tricky baby!  Hoot 2 is a hitter (and a bitter at times).  

I can't even count how many times we've been jolted out of our sleep by a heavy handed smack in the face, followed by intense laughter, as we scream grunt and groan.  Or a seemingly innocent play session can go violent as he draws his hand back to give you a good wack across the cheek.  What in the world!!! When they're infants and hands are just kinda flying willy nilly, it's one thing.  When he's a 1 yr old hitting then cracking up, we have a problem.

Now, regulating his hitting wouldn't be so hard if he didn't have a super hero, action figure wanna be, captain save the day as a big brother.  Hoot 1 thinks his baby brother popping him upside the head is hilarious.  He leans in for more, giggling just as hard as Hoot 2 when he gets a one two smack!  All of which is followed up by a "Hitting is not funny! CUT IT OUT!" .. Lol.  And they both look wide eyed O_O... probably thinking, "But it's fun!" 


I am grateful that my newly 1 year old is not hitting from anger, frustration, or any emotional distress.  He simply thinks it's funny.  When dealing with hitting it's crucial to look into WHY your child is hitting.  This will help you tackle the hurdle.  I've learned that 1 year old go through a hitting phase.  They don't have words to express frustration and their everyday life consists of trying to learn new things and interact in situations that aren't easy for them.  Lashing out and punishing them (or even hitting them back) for hitting only affirms the behavior they are showing you.

So, let's first accept this; you cannot change that your 1 year old may hit (if they already haven't) but you can have a game plan for when/if they do.  I found great starter tips here.  When your little gal/guy hits let do not laugh or scream.  Be calm and collected.  Let them know hitting is not nice then attend to the person hit.  Got it.  But what do you do when the person hit laughs (like in the case of my Hoot Boys).  I am going to have to have a chat with Hoot 1 about why we must not laugh when Hoot 2 hits and exactly what we are trying to teach him.  Hoot 1 is an amazing big brother and expresses great pride in his little guy.  So I anticipate he will be receptive to making sure his brother is learning the proper lessons for life, wish me luck!  

Resources: 
Help for Hitting 
Biting and Hitting: 16 Ways to Stop It

Another area of concern if your little one is hitting, hitting in other areas of the family.  The little guy seeing spankings, family members that are very physical (even if it's in laughter - this is a problem for us), and fighting on TV/videos/etc.  Personally, I am VERY physical.  When someone says something really funny I hit.  When Daddy Hoot and I are playing or talking slick to each other, I hit.  It's what I've always done.  Which has in turn, been exposed to Hoot 2 as an action you do in fun.  Tsk tsk Mama Hoot.  Daddy Hoot and I are working diligently with both of the boys to nip this hitting in the bud.  

Share any tips or advice you may have!

How is Mommy Challenge going?!  Well I hope.  Last week our goal was to increase the hugging.  How did you do?  I made a point to share love through touch and hugging more with both of the boys.  Hoot 1 has started to need two hugs and kisses before I leave him at camp.  Even though I hug and kiss him before I leave the building, he comes running up to me as I walk out of the door for another round.  At first I was thinking, what in the world!  But then it hit me, I've been increasing hugs and kisses.  He's been so receptive.  Hoot 1 speaks Daddy Hoot and I's love languages very well and never hesitates to give give give.  Week 12 was absolutely fabulous!

Live a Fabuless Live Archive

Week 13 is up and it mommies!  De-stress the Mornings!  How perfect was this for last weeks post?  I mean really.  Hoot 1 is going into Kindergarten this year and I need to whip our morning routines into shape.  So I will be hitting the ground like an elephant stampede with this weeks challenge.  So, de-stress your morning routine.  

A few suggested tips: 1) A good nights rest.  Make sure your little one is getting age appropriate amounts of sleep.  2) Plan ahead.  Get school clothes, lunches, papers signed, and back packs packed the night before.  3) Fix breakfast in advance.  Prepare waffles, french toast, breakfast burritos, etc and freeze them.  4) Set you alarm clock ten minutes early.  Then actually training yourself to get up the first time your hear it.  By starting off your morning in gear it sets the tone for the rest of your day.  5) Put everything you need to walk out of the house with by the door.  Back packs, laptop bags, purses, shoes, coats, and everything else.  

All of these things should try to get us on a more streamline morning and make the hiccups (lost shoes, help with tying ties, holey socks, and forgotten permission letter) a little less detrimental to the schedule.  Good luck this mommies (I know I'll need it)! Lol. 

Admittedly, I am very behind on videos.  I am working on a better camera.  I thought it would be better to wait until I got a better camera than to upload videos that I'm not happy with.  HOWEVER, I will be getting videos up over the weekend - I won't make you wait any longer.  So look out for the videos here.

Love, peace, & sanity!

-Mama Hoot

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About Mindful Mommy Monday Blogger

Dominique is an owner of Jane Doe, LLC, a mother of two, wife, and student.  She is an experienced  Artist Manager, Event Planner, and Branding Consultant.  She pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work.  Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.  

To contact Dominique email her at: dominiquepap@gmail.com

IG: @dPaPiYON | FB: Dominique Papillion-Herr | Twitter: @dPaPiYON

www.dPaPiYON.com