Back to my Roots

Well, folks, it's official. I'm a soccer coach again!

God's kinda funny because if you would've told me five years ago that I'd be coaching for my old high school, I would've laughed in your face. I was helping my friend Kendra move into her classroom last week, and the high school principal (who was a teacher when I was there) told me they were looking for a girls' head coach and asked if I wanted to go talk to the athletic director (my old cross country coach).

Um, yes! While I don't miss teaching right now because I'm loving staying at home with my babies, I totally miss coaching. So as of today it's official! I'll be getting paid to spend my afternoons from October through January teaching (and sometimes playing) the greatest sport in the world.

It'll be a little different this time around because I'm used to assistant coaching in a high-quality program with six teams, and now I'll be building a one-team program with a lot of new players.

I'm ready for the challenge though; here's to new adventures!

Baby Must-Haves: Take 2

I wrote my first baby must-haves post when Avery was 3 months old, but I wanted to update the list now that we're in the infant stage again.

You really don't need that much stuff to take care of a baby. They need to be clothed, diapered, fed, and have some place to sleep; the other stuff is just nice to have. This list obviously changes as babies grow, but here's what we're loving these days:

• Aden + Anais blankets: Oh my gosh, I don't know why I just now found out about these. I love the material, and they're so ridiculously versatile. They can be used for swaddling (even with big babies!), burp cloths, car seat covers (when you're out and don't want everybody peeking in at your sleeping baby), or just as a regular blanket. Love. They're a little pricey for a blanket (the Target line is $30 for 4 blankets), but they're totally worth it.
 

• Fisher Price Rock 'n Play: Okay, so maybe this isn't a necessity, but it's definitely a nice bonus. Landon slept in this a lot the first month, and it works nicely as a portable nap bed when I take him to work with me at church.
 

• Burp cloths: We have a spitter. And when you have a spitter, you seriously can't have too many burp cloths. And hey, they can become cleaning rags when you don't need them for spit up anymore. Win. My favorites are the ones are the flannel-backed ones I sew from this tutorial.

• Breast pump
• Electric: I love my Medela Pump in Style Advanced dual electric pump. Love it. Breastfeeding is going really well. So well, in fact, that in the mornings I have to pump after Landon eats just to keep my boobs from exploding. (Nice visual, huh?) Even though I'm not going back to work (which was the reason I got this with Avery), it's already come in handy on multiple occasions, and I anticipate getting even more use out of it in the near future. I'm just glad Landon takes a bottle. :) 

• Manual: I got this Medela Harmony from the hospital when I had Avery, and I only used it a few times when I was nursing her, but this time around it has been a lifesaver (or at least a boob saver anyway) for times that I haven't had access to an electrical outlet. Let's just say I definitely used it in the bathroom stall at the Rangers game last month. It was an emergency, but ew. Not to worry though; I have since learned that they have a nursing area in their first aid room. Good to know, and thanks to Carissa for enlightening me! If you're not exclusively pumping or needing to pump at work, the manual pump might be a good option for you. 

• Breast pads: I learned my lesson the hard way when we were out in public and my shirt suddenly revealed two very lovely wet spots right on the boobies (again with the nice visuals, sorry!). Do NOT leave home without breast pads, y'all! Unless you're not nursing, in which case you would look silly with them. My favorites are the Nuk ultra thins because they don't come individually packaged (so wasteful!), they're the most comfortable, AND they're the cheapest. Wins all around.
• Medela Steam Bags: This might just be my favorite baby product. Cleaning bottles, pump parts, and pacifiers in the microwave in just a minute and a half? Yes, please!

• Lansinoh milk storage bags: I started out with the Medela ones with Avery, but the Lansinoh ones are much cheaper and can be frozen flat, which saves lots of freezer space.

• Pack 'n Play: They have so many fancy Pack 'n Plays now. What makes it a must-have for us is that we use it as a bassinet in our room. I love that it has a changing station on it, and it's so portable and handy for traveling.
• Kirkland's diapers and wipes: Yay for Costco! They win the diapers/wipes category for me. I've also heard good things about Amazon Mom, but this option is really convenient and affordable for us. (Plus the quality is my favorite.)
• Munchkin Diaper Bag Dispenser: I don't go anywhere without this attached to the diaper bag. It's perfect for nasty diaper changes in the car (um, I hate public changing tables), and it also works for clothes that have been spit up or pooped on.

• Snap 'n Go stroller: We didn't get one of these when Avery was a baby, but the travel system was just too much to lug around with two kids. The Snap 'n Go is so lightweight and is perfect for quick outings.

We also really love our Fisher Price bouncer, Carter's clothes, Graco Snugride 32 car seat, and Graco Sweet Peace Soother Swing. And we're huge advocates of Craigslist and garage sales for gently-used gear (just not car seats). Never pay full price!

I'm sure I've left something off of this list, but I hope it's helpful!

Bloys Campmeeting 2011

So I'm a week late, but I have to post these pictures because we had the best week at campmeeting. I just love my family, and I love that I can spend a whole week with them and not want to kill them (my, how times have changed, haha).

If you want to read my previous explanation of what campmeeting is, check out this post from last year. If you want to see some gorgeous pictures from this year, check out my sister's post. If you want to see our week in amateur pictures complete with commentary from yours truly, proceed below...

We left at 4:30 in the morning! Matt wanted to leave that early because that meant we'd have a longer kids-asleep time for the 10.5 hour drive. Oh I was SO sleepy! This picture was after our 7 am McDonald's breakfast stop. Avery was happy! Landon wasn't so much a fan of his carseat. That made for a long trip.

When we finally got to the cabin around 3:00, Avery wasted no time getting Brittany (my brother Nick's girlfriend) to read to her.

This was A's favorite mode of transportation this week

"The Tree" (we used to LOVE climbing this tree after meals since it's right outside our cookshed)

I just love this smiley little boy!

Grandma snuggles!

We loved spending lots of time with Aaron and Chelsea this week!

Don't let this sweet girl fool you. Naptimes were a nightmare this week. Between the heat and noise, it was a nearly impossible feat to get her to go to sleep. This picture was a rare moment. :) 

More reading! This time Amy was recruited :)

I admit that I mostly took this picture because I LOVE this onesie my friend Sarah made. But check out those cheeks!!

In line with Allison at the cookshed (this girl just doesn't get any attention!)

One of the things I love about campmeeting is hearing stories from older generations (this is our great aunt)

Avery loves corn on the cob (except that she calls it popcorn and I don't have the heart to correct her because it's adorable)

Allison loves camp food!

I love everything about this picture (Great Aunt Nettie, Nana, and Aunt Cristi)

Avery got to hike the mountain this year!

With a little help of course (I was a nervous wreck!)

We only made it halfway up this year

I love these people :)

Me and Brittany

This is pretty typical campmeeting...

It was so nice to be somewhere cool enough for Avery to actually play outside!

Amy's new friend, Wendi

How could this face not make you smile?!?

My little man :)

Matt and Aaron sang in the evening service on Thursday and it was beautiful. I'd post the video if I had it in my possession. But I don't.

This might just be the sweetest picture ever.

And Allison decided that she likes Landon after all

Sisters!

Annual family picture at the cross

Nana's sweet ride

Trek to the Ft. Davis Drugstore for some ice cream!

Avery discovered a love of milkshakes

Our little family

Did I mention that she liked the milkshakes??

Chelsea, Aaron, and Allison

Avery decided she likes Aaron!

Silly bedtime

Snoozin' on Grandaddy before we left

Well that's pretty much it! I always hate when we get home because it means we have to wait a whole year until the next campmeeting, but we had a great time while it lasted, and I love knowing that my kids get to grow up with the same memories that I did.