Cucumbers & Basil

I have been following "Grow Food, Not Lawns" on facebook for some time now. Its something that I have always thought would be neat to do since I was a kid. Why have all this grass (or in my yard's case, weeds and sand) and it does no good?
So being inspired, I started small: Basil and cucumbers in pots. Didn't realize that cukes would get so big so fast, so I had to thin them out and plant them in the ground. I had the perfect spot because some years ago I dug up some weeds/mystery plants on the corner of my planter and its been bare ever since. So now I've got 9 cuke plants in the ground, two in a planter. 
My basil is another story. I need to read up on how many can go in each pot and then replant them. I dont have the money to go get good potting soil, so I am trying to make do with the sandy soil already on my property. Learning as I go. Very excited to see how everything turns out :)

Today, I weeded and dug up a 4x3 foot area near my back door. There is an old tree stump on the other side of the fence,  so I knew I would have to dig out all the roots that I could. That was a job! I got probably 20 feet of roots out. There was a small portion that had just too many thick roots, so I left that alone and plan on putting the big ceramic pots on top of the ground/roots . Maybe tomato plants or beans, next year?  I am trying to do this as inexpensively as I can....growing everything from seeds. I am saving my chobani yogurt cups to use for seedlings. The dirt is very sandy and I think it might need some prepping before I can plant anything in it, so for now I'll just put pots on top.  This area gets full sun from about 10am until late afternoon so i think it will be a good spot for veggies. :) 
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow?"

♥

The Benefits of The Breastfed Toddler

When I envisioned myself breastfeeding before I became a mother, I don't think I realized the possibility of me breastfeeding an almost two year old. And yet, here I am... With a 20 month old. It all came about so naturally, there was never a moment where I thought , "OK... He's x old, today he's too old."
Now with all the reading and new friends that are also nursing toddlers, I found out that the reason it came so naturally, was because it Was natural. Now, don't get me wrong.... There has been a few times that I got frustrated and wished that we could be done... But knowing that this was indeed normal to feel that way helped me get thru the more trying times.
I went to Le Leche League meetings just to be around other moms...I never usually have any questions, but I just need to be around other people like me. One of the leaders has a daughter a month older than N and it was always comforting to hear her talk about something her toddler was doing and be able to relate. I highly recommend any breastfeeding mom ( first kid or not) go to a few meetings... Especially if you don't have a strong support system around. I have my mom, who is always the first person I go to about....everything. But I don't have any peers locally, other than the women I have met at the LLL meetings.
So, if you have a toddler you know just how ridiculously  finicky the can be about food. Some days, N will eat like a grown man ...others, particularly when he is teething (which seems like always these days) , N won't eat a dang thing. He has been surviving off of greek yogurt and breastmilk this week. Lol Its just another reason why I am so glad we are still breastfeeding.
And on that note, here's my list:

●Always ready to go, no meal prep.

●One food toddler cannot throw on the floor. Though he can spit it. :-[

●Can never be lost behind the couch for weeks on end (#missingsippycup)

●Perfect for soothing an over tired,  teething grumpotomus to sleep.

● The pressure of "making enough milk" is gone since he's supposed to be eating more dependent on solid food.

●Not sure on the number, but toddler nursing still burns calories.

●Since breastmilk is designed to change with the needs of your baby/toddler, its peace of mind. Toddler is always getting the best. ♥

Are you nursing a toddler? How has it been compared to your first year?
For us, it has been easier...much easier! I was always so worried I wouldn't make enough or suddenly stop producing any milk at all. But now that he is eating real food now, I have noticed I have relaxed considerably.  Also, if you have doing something for a whole year you should have it down pretty good by the second year. *lol*
My advice to moms thinking of breastfeeding beyond a year is to give it a try, but go with what works best for your baby and you.  Know that there are plenty of women behind you and lots of research saying its great for toddlers too!  But don't beat yourself up if you don't always love it. Seriously, it can be tough sometimes... find someone you can talk to. It helps!

Check out these great links:
http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/toddlernursing/
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/why-breast-best

Happy breastfeeding!

Poor man's Nutella

Actually, Jif's chocolate hazelnut spread is pretty expensive too. But I feel good because I found a $1 coupon for it. *any excuse will do*  The toddler is sleeping... and I'm doing what any good mom does these days... browsing Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter whilst listening to Pandora and noshing on graham crackers and "Nutella". I think I should cut myself off at some point... Dear Husband gets home at 1 and I should look like I've been uber busy. Or at least hide the Jif. :)

Anyway. Hello there! Its been a while since I've blogged. I have missed it... but being on toddler time these days, there isn't a whole lot of time to sit uninterrupted at the computer. And even when there is a few precious moments (such as right now), there are always chores and projects I must attend to. But today, my house is 90% clean... and the toddler is sleeping. But if I listen, I can hear my knitting crying out for some attention. ... and I have no clue what to make for dinner (Oh Pinterest, inspire me!). *sigh*

Such is the life of one trying to find balance....