scrapbooking

so i have been trying to learn how to scrapbook online

my first effort....

more good news about breastfeeding

http://www.thestar.com/article/421708

stories like this make the struggle to get breastfeeding established with callum oh so worthwhile

we've joined the small legion of extended breastfeeders having passed the year mark a little while ago.

a bit of the article...
"Children who are breast-fed are smarter than those who aren't. And children who nurse longer and more intensely are smarter still, according to the largest ever study on lactation and intelligence."

yay...now no more asking me when i am going to stop breastfeeding my child...

my laundry soap

this is my recipe...
in a 4 litre pail i add 1c borax, 1c baking soda, 1c castille soap 1/4 tsp tea tree oil and the rest is water. i use 1/2 c per wash and add a few tbsp of vinegar in the fabric softener compartment of my front loader.
i sometimes add a few drops of essential oils - usually grapefruit, sometimes sweet orange or lavender.
takes no time to make it and i give it a quick stir before each use - and obviously no extra stuff in it . oh not only is it gentle environmentally but it is inexpensive to make...
examples
2kg borax at natural food store = 7.99
green baking soda about 1.20 for 1kg
1l of castile soap = 5.29
60ml tea tree oil about 10$
if the clothes are badly stained i wet the stained spots and rub in baking soda before putting them in the wash

because he isn't featured enough...

looking at the past few months on this blog, i kinda realize that callum hasn't made it into too many posts. so i think it's time to get him in here more often...starting now!


i'll start posting some of the early pics of him first.

our failed early attempts on the breast...

still stuck with the gauvage tube in the nicu

buying organic

i can't say we are 100% organic with our food purchases but it definitely is a big percentage of our food budget

there is a really good article about organics - Organics: Are they worth it

in particular, it has a list of must buys, maybe buys and up to you buys in terms of organic produce
here's the lists -
"

Preferably Organic—Most Commonly Contaminated

Peaches

Strawberries

Apples

Spinach

Nectarines

Celery

Pears

Cherries

Potatoes

Bell peppers

Raspberries

Grapes (imported)

If Budget Allows, Buy Organic

Carrots

Green beans

Hot peppers

Oranges

Apricots

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Collard greens

Grapes (domestic)

Turnip greens

Honeydew melon

Lettuce

Kale

Mushrooms

Cantaloupe

Sweet potatoes

Grapefruit

Winter squash

Blueberries

Watermelon

Plums

Tangerines

Cabbage

It's Your Call—Least Commonly Contaminated

Papaya

Kiwi

Bananas

Broccoli

Onions

Asparagus

Peas

Mango

Cauliflower

Pineapple

Avocado

Corn"

and the link - http://food.yahoo.com/articles/eatingwell/20576/organics-are-they-worth-it

my beautiful boy

a few recent pics from picnics and our front steps...1yrs old and counting








staring out at the water...

checking out the ducks and dirt

fun on the front steps















...more pics to come!