11th Anniversary Age of Adaline Date September 30, 2015

In this post: All the details on our Age of Adaline date plus anniversary pictures, and chalkboard door art.

Hello dear ones! I know it’s been a good while since my last post. I promise I haven’t forgotten you. I have so much to share with you and a lot of catching up to do. I wanted to skip ahead and share this extra special date. I hope it inspires you. Here’s how we celebrated our 11th anniversary, our Age of Adaline date (based on the movie).

Lover’s silhouette chalkboard art~ I used the silhouette from a picture of Chris and I. You’ll see the picture on the collage poster board I made. It’s in the middle

Anniversary Collage Poster Board~ I printed out black and white pictures of us throughout the years. I glued pieces of old wall paper I found at Goodwill, onto poster board from The Dollar Tree. I put a poem I had written in the middle.

Here is the poem. You may link to this post, but don’t copy it. Thanks!

The Story of Us” by Amber Dover

“Let everyone see, the rhythm and rhyme of you and me. As we grow old, every storm we can weather. Let us never go cold, because we’re better together. Every kiss is a song, of the sweetest pain. The roses and the thorns; we two remain. I love you.”

My first set for our date.

The set after we went antique shopping.

My Vintage Look

I did as many finger curls on my head as I could. I used a peach lipstick. I added a peach belt to a dress I had to give me that 1940’s style. The big necklace Chris bought me the night before from a street vendor, a lady handmade it.

The Agenda

The night before our Adaline date we got in the vintage mood by listening to jazz live at The Loft in down town. I attempted to put victory curls in my hair but it didn’t turn out quite right.

Me reading to the kids when we got back.

Age of Adaline Date (what I got pictures of)

• Antique shopping

The guys and I went antique “window” shopping (meaning we didn’t buy anything at this place).

Messing around…

We did pay to check out the lunchbox museum.

We finished with lunch at Steak n Shake because it always has a vintage feel. Then my parents got Michael so Chris and I could have some romance.

Here’s my anniversary present: a vintage type writer from either the 1930’s or 1940’s. It works too. We got it at a thrift store.

• Read Braille

• Gigi’s cupcakes~ Wedding Cake is an amazing flavor!

• chili dogs and cream soda

• Romantic photos

• Star gazing

We used the star app on my tablet.

• Speak Portuguese ~We looked up “I love you” and I wrote it on the type writer

• Poetry and slow dancing I didn’t get pictures of

Random funny pic of Leeland partying with us.

God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

Age of Adaline on Pinterest:

More of our Date Nights:

Date ideas on Pinterest:

 

Life with Baby: Super Baby vs. Bat Baby August 18, 2015

Hello dear ones! This Life with Baby post speaks for itself. May you be inspired! God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

Other Life with Baby posts:
Cloth Diapers
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/life-with-baby-cloth-diapers/
Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/life-with-baby-breastfeeding-baby-wearing/
Monthly Pictures
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/life-with-baby-cuteness-overload/
Baby School
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/life-with-baby-baby-school/
Hacks
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/life-with-baby-hacks/

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/life-with-baby-sleep-and-a-birth-shadow-box/

Life with Baby: Sleep and a Birth Shadow Box August 11, 2015

Hello dear ones! Welcome to another Life with Baby post. Today I want to talk about sleep. Then at the end I have a picture of the shadow box I put together of Leeland’s birth and all our hospital memorabilia.

Last time I shared several hacks/ ideas for making baby life easier. You may remember that we side carred our crib to make it a co-sleeper. Here’s a picture of it. You’ll find directions on my previous Life with Baby post.

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/life-with-baby-hacks/

For now let’s talk about the controversy of sleep.

When Michael (my nine year old) was a baby, I knew very little about how babies should sleep. I picked up a little book called “Baby Wise”. Chris and I made up a schedule and by the time Michael was 3 months he was sleeping through the night. He was also on formula though. And Michael had his own room.

Leeland is a different baby. I am still mainly breastfeeding him at four months and hope to continue for awhile. Also, Leeland sleeps in our room still. We don’t have a separate nursery this time. Its been nine years and I am a different mama. Michael never cried it out for hours, but he did cry some. my eldest has turned out well and I’m not worried about him. We did the best we could as new parents and I think we could’ve done a lot worse.

So…to co-sleep or not to co-sleep? To sleep train or to follow baby’s cues? Cry it out or comfort?
These are big questions and people are passionate on both sides. For me, I want Leeland and myself to both sleep well. My baby is important, but I can’t be a good mom if I can’t function. I’m human. I need sleep. So does he. We needed a compromise.

So I tried to sleep train. Leeland would not self soothe. I could not handle him crying for long, and he could not either. So I did what I didn’t with Michael, I rocked Leeland to sleep. It worked for a bit, but soon I was walking the floor at night. Leeland cried. I may have cried too. It was clear that I was dealing with a different kid. Leeland may look like his bubba, but he is not Michael part 2.

So one night I did what felt natural and the only solution I had for my sanity at the time, I breastfed the baby to sleep. He was happy. I was happy. But I didn’t feel safe having him in the bed. Several of my friends co-sleep with their kids, but it was new to me. If I fell asleep while feeding Leeland, I worried about me or Chris rolling on him. I kept the covers down near my legs, but I still worried the baby would suffocate. Also, it was painful on my back when I had to lift Leeland into his crib. I have scoliosis. If he woke up we’d have to start the process over. Our solution? Side carring the crib to turn it into a co-sleeper.

I love the crib now. It is a safe way to co-sleep for us. I’m able to breastfeed and relax myself. I enjoy having Leeland near. I used to believe that co-sleeping would mess up the marriage bed. It hasn’t. Chris and I still have a romantic relationship. We are probably both more sane, because we are actually getting sleep. I feel like I can keep a good eye on Leeland at night to make sure he is breathing well. I know our solution isn’t for everyone. That’s okay. No parent is alike.

I will say that I’ve learned a lot these last couple of months. I learned that co-sleeping can be safe when using certain guidelines. I learned that co-sleeping is the norm everywhere except North America. Yet, we have the most cases of SIDS…interesting. I also learned that crying it out for many hours can harm a baby’s brain. They go into shock. I learned that there was a major shift in motherhood during the 1800’s…a shift that I believe was bad. Doctors told women that breastfeeding was unclean, that babies should not be held too much, and that babies needed to be in a separate room so they wouldn’t be a bother to parents. Many moms are breaking free from those traditions and embracing natural motherhood.

For balance sake, sometimes a mom does need a break. It’s not that children are a bother, or that moms are selfish. But the baby and the mom both need to be in good health. Sometimes a mom has to do what she has to do to stay sane and to be a good mom. Sometimes babies will cry. It happens. Sometimes you have to walk away and catch your breath. Maybe it is safer in your situation to have the baby in another room. Maybe you have to use formula. I’m not here to judge, and honestly, on the weekends we pull out the disposables, and when I need a break we use formula. Every baby and every mom is different. Give your best with love. That’s what counts.

For me, I needed to be educated on alternative methods. Co-sleeping is a rising trend, but I had many negative and preconceived notions about it. Research showed me that I was wrong. My views on how babies learn to self soothe has changed. You can read more about that in the article below by Psychology Today on Crying It Out. I don’t co-sleep exactly as others do. But our method works for us. Leeland mainly sleeps on his back but he will roll onto his side. I’m very in tune with him at night. I will wake up if he startles.

I have several articles below and some with varying opinions. Judge for yourself what is best for your family. As I lay here typing, my lil one is sound asleep next to me. I like that. My eldest is in his own room, so we don’t have a complete family bed. I still go in Michael’s room and check on him at night. His long legs are usually hanging off the bed. Both of my boys are extremely loved. Life with Baby is different. At 30, I am a different mom than I was at 21. But I am still a loving mom. I’m still a praying mom. I still need Jesus’ guidance. I’m still learning. I’ll never be a perfect mom, and that’s okay.

Lastly, here’s the photo collage/shadow box of Leeland’s birth and hospital memorabilia. I used duct tape but I should’ve used glue. It’s coming a part now that it is hung up. I’ll probably have to fix it.

Well, sweet dreams :). God bless & remember the High King lives! ~ Amber Dover

Helpful articles on both sides:

http://www.babywiseandbeyond.com/2014/02/babywise-schedule-sample-schedules.html

http://www.sleepbabylove.com/free-sleep-expectations-guide-newborns-to-age-5/

http://www.clarkscondensed.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/crying-it-out-alternatives/

http://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/2013/04/19/the-breastfeeding-and-co-sleeping-relationship/

http://cosleeping.nd.edu/safe-co-sleeping-guidelines/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201303/normal-infant-sleep-night-nursings-importance

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out

Other Life with Baby posts:
Cloth Diapers
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/life-with-baby-cloth-diapers/
Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/life-with-baby-breastfeeding-baby-wearing/
Monthly Pictures
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/life-with-baby-cuteness-overload/
Baby School
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/life-with-baby-baby-school/
Hacks
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/life-with-baby-hacks/

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/08/18/life-with-baby-super-baby-vs-bat-baby/

Downtown Date Night August 10, 2015

Date Night Challenge: Tour your downtown and tell me about your experience in the comments.

Hello dear ones! Chris and I have lived in this area for almost eleven years, but recently had our first date in downtown. It was magical.

We walked the streets and listened to different musicians.

Here’s a talented band playing outside of Iron Bank Coffee.

We went inside my favorite writing spot for some pictures…

and some sweets.

We ran into our music minister playing at Picasso’s Pizza.

Then we took a carriage ride with a guy who looks like Apollo from Brain Games. He shared some of the history of the downtown buildings…like how the Springer Opera House is supposed to be haunted.

This was our last date in Chris’ Jeep. Sadly, he had to trade it in. My hubby’s knees were making it hard for him to drive stick. Now he has a truck. Someone bought the Jeep already. Hopefully they will take care of “Sponge Bob” for us.

Last wash…

God bless and remember the High King lives! ~ Amber Dover

Other dates on this blog:

Date ideas on Pinterest:

Minions Movie Night July 31, 2015

Hello dear ones! A couple weeks ago my family and I went to see the Minions movie. This is how we had fun. Also, I’ll review the movie. Please come hang out :).

I drew a minion on our chalkboard door to get everyone excited.

 

I bought a Minions coloring book for a dollar. I also found sugar cookies and fruit snacks that are Minion themed. I found the Minion bead kit at Michael’s Craft Store.

 

Chris and Michael made a Minion bookmark.

 

Michael drew a Minion based on a tutorial.

Here are toilet paper roll Minions.

Now my review:

My family and I really loved the Despicable Me movies. Underneath the craziness they were about family and love. They gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. But Minions was a disappointment. There were way too many innuendos. The plot was flat. The Minions couldn’t fill Gru’s shoes as main characters. They are hilarious for shorts, but in my opinion they can’t carry a whole movie. The best part of the movie for me, was the end…when Gru showed up. In conclusion, although there are spots of funny, the smut and lack of a decent plot and strong characters, ruined it for me. This felt way more adult than childlike.

God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

You can find more ideas here:

Annabelle’s Birthday and Doggy Daycare July 30, 2015

Hello dear ones! Our French bulldog, Annabelle Antoinette, turned two this July. She’s also started going to doggy daycare every now and then. I can’t give her the full attention she needs, since the baby was born. Plus she loves socializing with other doggies. Here are some pictures from Annabelle’s experiences. Enjoy!

I bought Annabelle’s dress, stuffed turtle, and doggy cake at Petsmart.

I got the pink decorations at the Dollar Tree. I bought cupcakes for us humans.

We played “doggy” music found at this link:

http://www.whenpoochcomestoshove.com/dog-party-ideas-puppy-pawty-music/

Then we told dog jokes:

http://www.ducksters.com/jokesforkids/dogs.php

The cat was not invited, but Tessa, our other dog, did get some cake.

Annabelle’s dress which she wore to daycare that day.

Annabelle hanging with her buddies at daycare.

For more posts about Annabelle, go to the category called Annabelle on the right side of my
blog.

God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

Life with Baby: Hacks July 23, 2015

Hello dear ones! Welcome to another Life with Baby post. So I’ve tried out several hacks or tricks if you will when it comes to baby care. Some of these ideas I found on Pinterest; others I thought of myself but later found on Pinterest. There’s nothing new under the sun, right? I hope these help you!

Pool noodles~ These things are great for loads of stuff. Who knew they could help with baby too! I actually thought of this and then found it online as well. I used pool noodles to keep Leeland from scooting off the bed when I changed him. Now that he’s older and starting to flip over, I just change him in his crib (which is super easy now that it’s a co-sleeper. See below). Why take up space and buy an expensive changing table?

Wipes container ~ You can reuse a wipes container to store all the small baby items like pacifiers, grooming tools, and medicine.

Diaper station~ I found this cart at Walmart back near the laundry department. It’s small and it rolls. I put diapers and burp cloths in the drawers. I have my homemade wipes on top. I keep the solution in a wipes warmer and I keep the cloths in a mesh bag. I have my wet bag for cloth diapers hanging nearby. I just changed the room around so it looks a little different than this picture. Still it’s similar. I keep a small trashcan nearby for disposable diapers (yes, we still use those at times…especially the weekends).

Finding space for baby’s clothes~ I use these rolling plastic tubs and just roll them under the crib. I have two. One for current clothes and another for diapers and clothes Leeland will be able to wear months later.

Mesh bag for bibs, cloth baby wipes, and blankets. The pack of bags comes in three sizes. I have these bibs hanging on a chair in the kitchen. That works well for us since we have no more drawer space in there.

A plastic tub in the bathroom for the baby’s towels and rags. 

Turning our crib into a co-sleeper~ I’ll do a whole ‘nuther post on sleep at another time (Lord willing). But for now here is the link we used to do this. I found it and my husband did most of the work. Sleep is so much easier this way and it’s safe. You can kind of see another rolling cart behind the crib. I keep baby bedding in that one. I can actually walk behind the crib now. You can see that we keep Leeland’s stuffed animals hanging above. I can just turn on his little turtle light above him and it fills the ceiling with stars. I don’t worry about him smothering.

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/turn-your-crib-into-cosleeper.html

One last hack and it is soooo helpful. Plastic linky rings. These things are awesome! I can hook the rings to anything…Leeland’s stroller, car seat, crib, play mat, or his bouncy seat. I can then hook toys to the rings. I like to hook foam letters for Leeland to chew on. You can see them in the picture above, attached to the crib.

Well God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

Pinterest ideas:   https://www.pinterest.com/doverette/all-baby/

Other Life with Baby posts:

Cloth Diapers
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/life-with-baby-cloth-diapers/

Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/life-with-baby-breastfeeding-baby-wearing/

Monthly Pictures

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/life-with-baby-cuteness-overload/

Baby School

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/life-with-baby-baby-school/

Sleep

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/life-with-baby-sleep-and-a-birth-shadow-box/

Fourth of July Crafts and Our Second Family Olympics 2015 July 17, 2015

Hello dear ones, I hope you are well. Two years ago we had our first Family Olympics. You can find the link here: https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/my-family-rocks-sunday-2013-family-olympics/

This year we spent Independence Day having our second Family Olympics. I also have July 4th crafts to share with you. Here we go :).

We made 4th of July T-shirts.

 

Michael and Chris tie dyed a red, white, and blue shirt.

 

I used Leeland’s hand print and craft sticks to make this  U.S. flag onesie.

Michael did a lapbook on the U.S. flag. Link here:

 

http://www.currclick.com/product/72074/United-States-Flag–Speedy-Lapbook

Then Michael made me a red, white, and blue necklace out of beads.

We also did a state lapbook. Link here: http://www.currclick.com/product/76669/United-States-Alabama–Speedy-Lapbook

Then my mom came over for…

 

Family Olympics

 

I really love this event and I can’t wait until the next one. We should really have winter Olympics as well. We began by making our personal flags to represent us in the games.

We used index cards to keep score. Here are the events:

• Archery

Michael

My Step Dad Kim

Mom

Chris

Me

Leeland

• Foam Sword fighting

Me and Mom~ This was fun, but a word to the wise…make sure you zip up the trampoline if you use it. When Michael and I were sword fighting he actually fell through the unzipped part of the trampoline screen. Thankfully he didn’t hit his head too hard. It was scary though.

• Airplane Toss

• Egg Race

• Sac Race

Then just for fun:

• Parachute games

• Michael’s 4th grade piano recital. He played The Star Spangled Banner and Amazing Grace.

 

All of us won at least one medal, but Kim won the trophy.

God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

More ideas:

 

Father’s Day Crafts & Our Trip to Jesup 2015

Hello dear ones! This past Father’s Day we visited our hometown and everyone got to meet the new baby. Leeland and Michael also made homemade crafts for Chris. It was a special Father’s Day. Here’s what we did:

I printed out a Father’s Day poem from here:

Then I put the boys’ foot prints on it. I also printed out a Darth Vader poster.

I helped the boys make Father’s Day books.

I stapled Daddy surveys to the back of the books. Here’s the link:

So we visited our hometown and saw our families. We saw Chris’ dad…

and we visited where my Dad is buried.

We visited my Granny.

My family didn’t want to let Leeland go.

Granny

My Uncle

My Aunt

My other grandparents

I loved playing with this Chess set as a kid.

Chris’ mom playing with Leeland

Chris’ older brother and Michael trying out his 3D plastic making pen.

Well, God bless & remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

Life with Baby: Baby School July 16, 2015

Hello dear ones! I’ve got another Life with Baby post for you. Don’t worry. I’m not trying to teach Leeland how to read already ;). Basically, there are different games you can do with babies to help their development and just to have fun. I get weekly updates from Baby Center: http://www.babycenter.com/baby . Anywho, they suggest games that go along with the baby’s development. They’re simple games like peek a boo and bicycling baby’s legs.

I set toys out. Leeland started grabbing things several weeks ago. So I offer him rattles and I attach chew-able items on connectable rings. I read baby books to him and I sing songs. I clap his hands together and play Patty Cake. I sing songs like Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, and He’s got the Whole World in His Hands.

I put Leeland on his Boppy or a play mat for tummy time. He’s at the age where I can roll him back and forth to encourage rolling over. Anywho, this is normal baby play but I call it baby school because I have to remind myself to do these things. It’s been so long since I’ve had a little one. I wouldn’t have naturally thought to do some of these games. Here’s a good example: talking through a toilet paper tube in funny voices. I would’ve never thought of that on my own.

Oh, and we can’t forget nap time. That’s the best part of the day!

Here are some more pics of “Baby School”:

Don’t forget field trips!

Big Bubba likes to read to the baby.

Leeland likes talking to the baby in the mirror.

How do you play with your infant? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comment section :). God bless and remember the High King lives! ~Amber Dover

More Life with Baby posts:

Cloth Diapers
https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/life-with-baby-cloth-diapers/

Breastfeeding and Baby Wearing

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/life-with-baby-breastfeeding-baby-wearing/

Monthly Pictures

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/life-with-baby-cuteness-overload/

Hacks

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/life-with-baby-hacks/

Sleep

https://amberdover.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/life-with-baby-sleep-and-a-birth-shadow-box/