To Pump, Or Not To Pump?

That is the question..... I have been pregnant or nursing for that last 4 years--non-stop. I am tired of it. But, it is healthy for my babes, it burns me an extra 500 calories to produce milk, and it is FREE! I am very proud of the fact that I work full-time, and neither of my girls ever had to even taste formula. But when should it end? Any sound advice?

Baby Book Stats

I took Avers for her 1-year-well-baby-check today. Here's her stats:

Height: 29 3/4 inches (50%)

Weight: 22 lbs, 2 oz (almost 50%)

Head circumference: 18 3/4 inches (95%)

Our little cupcake is healthy and growing, as expected.

Northwestern People--Employee Spotlights

Northwestern People (featured in Northwestern's weekly newspaper)

Employee Spotlight: Cara Borggren, DC, faculty clinician

How long have you worked for Northwestern?
I have worked for Northwestern for almost three years. I started working here right after I graduated.

What did you do before working at Northwestern?
Before working at Northwestern, I was a student here in the chiropractic college. This was my first "real" job – I was a non-stop student and waitress before that.

What does your job entail?
My job as a resident entails something different each day. It is technically divided into 3 parts – teaching, clinical practice, and independent research. I love the variety!

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the variety, and I love mentoring students. I love being able to really help students and relate because I know what they are going through, being that I was just in their shoes.

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would you choose?
If I could literally live anywhere, I would choose Hawaii. I love the warm climate, non-stop sunlight, and most of all, the fresh fruits! However, realistically, I would choose to live by our parents for a year, so that we could get some of the wholesome grandparent goodness for our kids. Raising our two young daughters without family here has been the hardest thing I have ever done.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?
My favorite outdoor activity is going to the drive-in movie theatre and tail-gating there. We go all summer long.

What are you looking forward to most in the next few months?
I am most looking forward to summer activities with my family. My husband recently started a new job, so he actually has normal hours now and weekends off, so our summer should be filled with fun trips, time on the lake, and everything great about Minnesota summers!

Do you prefer Cold Stone or Dairy Queen for ice cream?
Cold stone; I get chocolate ice cream, with some sort of chocolate candy mixed in, topped with some sort of chocolate fudge topping. I heart chocolate.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spare time – what's that?! I am insanely busy from the time I get up until I go to bed, with my job and my family. I try to prioritize time with friends, and I am always up for a shopping trip. I do make sure that I work out on a regular basis, or I loose my balance and ability to juggle!

If you were a sea creature, what kind of sea creature would you be?
I would definitely be an octopus. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have eight arms?

Thoughts on Vegas.....

1. The city seriously never sleeps. Seriously.
2. I now understand why Britney Spears accidentally got married in Vegas. I get it now.
3. Vegas should consider a no smoking ban citywide, too. Ack.
4. The economy is DEFINITELY not hurting in Vegas. There were no signs of less "tourism."
5. I have the potential for having a slightly addictive personality.
6. Regarding #5, I did come home with more money than I left with. $50, in fact.
7. I preferred staying slightly off of the strip--it allowed me time to walk off my buzz.
8. Flights home from Vegas at midnight are VERY exciting.
9. Anything goes in Vegas. And, what happens in Vegas, DOES stay in Vegas.
10. That's all I have to say about that.

One Smart Cookie!

A friend of mine recently started a tasty business! Grace creates custom homemade treats to your liking. Not only are they delicious and cute, but they are also a "healthy treat," made with organic products. These are the party favors that she created for Eva's cupcake birthday party--aren't they adorable?!?

If you have a need for her unique product, I highly recommend her. She uses only the best ingredients, involves her Christian family in the process, and is very reasonably priced! Call her today @ (763)205.3688.

You will not be disappointed!

I HEART facing forward!

Eva's first experience at a forward-facing carseat! We LOVE turning around to see 4 beautiful eyes! And, our dual-screen DVD player just got better!

Eva's Birthday Party

Eva had no nap the day of her party, and decided, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!"
Sunday Brunch with the famly at Sunset's--yummy!

Emma making her cupcake at the Cupcake Buffet!

Devouring her cake!

Hugs for Joy!

Our Little Cupcake is 1!

The 1-year-olds!
Richard & Shirley, Josh & Eva, Aaron & Natalie

Emma helping open Eva's pile!

Family photo--again, the Birthday Girl is exhausted.

Vegas!

Tomorrow I am leaving for a business trip to Vegas for 3 days. I am attending a conference at the Tuscany Las Vegas. Having just celebrated Eva's 1st birthday, I am quickly reminded of this very conference last year in Washington D.C......

I was presenting a research project that I had completed the prior year to important leaders in the chiropractic profession. I knew when I agreed to present that I was going to be "cutting it close," being that I was due with Eva in February, and the conference was the beginning of March. Little did I know, Eva would arrive 10 days late, and I would be flying to D.C. with a new baby 9 days post-partum, and presenting at a very important conference 10 days post-partum. I had no choice, however, and this presentation meant alot to me, my profession, and my future career. So, we left Emma at my parents' house (her first long overnight trip), and Josh, new Eva and I flew to D.C.

The whole trip is a fog to me, but all in all, it went well. Besides the looks from everyone of 'what kind of parent brings a new baby on a trip of this nature,' it was a fun trip. Josh took Eva one of the days in her seat, and walked to the capitol for miles and miles and miles. She did great on the flights, slept most of the trip, and Josh and I actually had fun.

As I leave tomorrow, I will remember that great event in my life, but I am relieved that this year's trip is me and my electric breastpump.

Professional Birthday Photos!

Emma: 3 years old
Eva's 1st Birthday & 1st cake!

"Sister's Birthday Party"

Birthday Girl!

Joy took the girls to the museum for a fun, birthday outing!

Hey, everyone! I am 1!
Emma gave Eva a baby with a cupcake!

Hugs for the birthday girl!



Lovies!

My Sweet Cupcake!

Eva's favorite birthday present! Her OWN baby doll!

Trying to eat the "cupcake!"

Eating an olive and breadstick at her birthday dinner!

Mac and Cheese (Eva's favorite) at Olive Garden!

Eva playing babies.....

What a fun birthday! Joy spent the day doing fun things out with the girls while Mommy and Daddy worked. Josh thought that Eva would enjoy Olive Garden, so we went there for a birthday dinner. Now we are all stuffed, ready for bed, and looking forward to a Cupcake Birthday Party this weekend!

Happy Birthday [tomorrow], My Sweet Cupcake!

Dearest Eva Rose,

How can you possibly be one already? The year has flown by, as you have taught us to cherish your giggles and bright blue eyes, squeeze your squishy cheeks, and savor every perfect moment with you. You bring so much love, happiness, squish, and meaning to our days.

You complete us.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Cupcake.

Mommy, Daddy & Emma

XOXO

Squish Hearts Food!

Lasagna mess, I mean fun!
Lasagna hair. "Lasagna-hawk?"

Ew.

Breakfast Banana.

Yummy.

Home Improvements

Now that Josh has weekends off, we have been spending the last few weekends working on some home improvements. With Josh's new job taking him to Burnsville, and my job already in progress in Bloomington, it seems that a move south will be in our future, when the time is right. In order to prepare, we have been busy the last couple of weekends swapping rooms, rearranging furniture, hanging curtains, painting the bathrooms, organizing closets and throwing out vast amounts of useless crap, installing hardware on our cabinets, and such.

Come check out our improvements, and send a qualified buyer or renter our way! ;)

Selfish Reward?

I made a vow to myself when I decided to subject myself to 2 baby deliveries without drugs or other medical interventions, that every year around my kids' birthdays, I would indulge in a massage to commemorate the physical strife I put myself under, in order to avoid medical mishaps that occur with epidurals and drug intervention, to experience the all-natural delivery. Eva's birthday is tomorrow, so my body is preparing for some upcoming relaxation.....

Is this selfish?

The nice part is that because of where I work, I can enjoy a 1-hour massage for $20, and it can be formatted to fit my work-day! I can't wait.

Hicks?

Josh: Emma, you and Eva look like twins today!
Emma: We're not Twins, we are Bears, ya hick!

Later on.....

Cara: Emma, tomorrow [today] is Papa's birthday!
Emma: It's not Papa's birthday, it's my birthday, ya hick!


Seriously, where do they pick these things up?!?!