Thrift Shop find for August: Pale Yellow and Delicate Details

Found this beautiful top at a Thrift Shop just down from our house this week for only $1.25! It is perfect with a empire waist ribbon accent, just the right amount of lace, little tiny flower print all over, and the perfect shade of yellow. I also love the open back. Who doesn't love vintage baby clothing <3 ?!

~ Adrien

Creations: Painting with Stain

So I tried out a new technique this week painting with stain. Lets just say I was really nervous. One, I have never done this before. Two, what if I screw it up, then ill have to sand it back down or paint over and time will be wasted, gah. How nervous was I? Lets just put it this way I drew out the lotus outline over a month ago.

Well I finally put my big girl pants on and jumped feet first with this idea painting with stain, and guess what, it turned out amazing! I have yet to finish the desk but when I do I promise to post pictures of the project beginning, middle, and end.

(Used pencil to create lotus outline)

(Used Kukui stain from Cede Caldwell toy create the individual petals. So pretty.)

 

I can honestly say I have not done anything nearly this artsy since my mom passed away. I'm not sure if it was because I had more time for art because I was in high school or if it was mainly because most of the things I made were for my mom, either way it was nice to use my art muscle again. It was nice to work beyond vinyl and home decor signs, and really let my creative juices flow.

 

~Adrien

 

 

What do you think? Is this a technique you would use?

6 months & We survived!

 

I can honestly say when I woke up yesterday one of my first thoughts was well we survived the first 6 months ;). Seriously my daughter is happy, healthy, and extremely loved.

Some days it really does feel like I'm just trying to survive. But we did it, we survived the first two teeth, the first cold (which just about broke my heart), being crapped on, peed on, breastfeeding struggle, and the first epic car seat vomit (that was the scariest thing yet, couldn't get her unstrapped fast enough).

Then there are days where its all giggles, squeals, smiles, and sweet moments. Every day is important, every day is a blessing even the hard ones, and it is all worth it. Because at the end of the day I'm this beautiful little girl's momma. So happy 6 months baby girl, it has been an adventure and it went to fast but I'm so looking forward to the little girl you are becoming.

 

~Adrien

Dont Blink!

I have realized something recently as I have watched Lilly learn new skills and as she has also cut her first teeth, these days are numbered. Soon enough her toothless smile I have grown to love more than I could imagine and will do the silliest of things to make appear, will be filled with adorable little teeth.

Soon enough she will no longer be exclusively breastfeed. Eventually she will not breastfeed at all but will eat solid foods like a big girl with us at the table.

Eventually tummy time will turn in to crawling, walking, and running. Before I like to think it, she will be too big to put in her carrier and someday she will not want to be carried. Instead she will want to hold my hand when we go on walks and hikes, then that to will end.

So for now each day I am doing my best to not blink. To not miss a single moment and cherish every single one. Every breastfeeding session, even in the middle of the night when I'm in zombie mode, I will be thankful for it. I'll take as many photos as I can of her smile every day. Lastly, I will hold her close to my heart as long as I can and go on longer walks, because these days are fleeting and I do not want to miss a single second.

She is only this small once,
~Adrien

Fit Friday - Morning Stretch Flow

Check out The Daring Dandelion for Fit Friday post. Today's post is all about stretching and waking up the body. So swing on by and check out the post. Don't forget to leave a comment if you did the stretch.

Here is the link:

http://thedaringdandelion.blogspot.com/2015/08/fit-friday-morning-stretch-flow.html?m=1

(I like to stretch outdoors when weather permits. There is just something about fresh air and being outdoors.)

I hope you all enjoy it 

~Adrien

Disclaimer: Adrien is a Beach Body Coach, however all the moves listed are done at your own risk. Please ensure that your baby can hold their head up on their own before attempting any of these moves. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting any exercise program. The Daring Dandelion along with Freckled & Free assume no responsibility for injuries that may occur while completing the moves utilized in this workout.

Breastfeeding - Natural but not easy

If you couldn't tell already from your Facebook feed it is breastfeeding week. Now to all the momma's out there you do what is right for you and your baby.

Many momma's I know have tried to breastfeed and it just does not work for them. That really does happen. I know some people out there believe well you just didn't try hard enough, you wont hear that from me.

I believe as long as baby is healthy, happy, loved, and growing that is all that matters in the end. But for those still fighting the fight to breastfeed I understand your pain.

I always, ALWAYS, wanted to breastfeed since I was a teenager. Yes I thought about those things at a young age, I'm weird, its ok :). But I'm a buxom lady, always have been. I always thought God gave me big boobs for a reason, might as well use them for their intended purpose. Sorry guys they are not for you to just look at.

(7 days old)



So like any good first time pregnant momma-to-be I took my classes to get ready for baby. One of those being the breastfeeding class. All they talked about was how natural it is to breastfeed, along with the different ways to hold a baby to ensure the best latch, what a proper latch should look like, and how it is a beautiful experience.

What they did not say is that its hard to breastfeed.

I'm sure somewhere out there is a magical breastfeeding "unicorn" experience. Where the latch was perfect in the first 24hrs and that momma had more than enough milk for her little ones needs, not to mention for a back stock. This magically breastfeeding "unicorn" momma also has never had clogged milk ducts, this was not my story.

Now I guess I had it coming, I did have the "unicorn" pregnancy, I wore heels most of my pregnancy, was able to keep up my workouts while my belly kept growing. Heck I was still hiking at 28 weeks. I also have the "unicorn" sleeping baby. Disclosure: Sleep deprived moms do not read the next section. Lilly at 2.5 weeks started sleeping 5 solid hours at night, and from 3 weeks on she hss slept a minimum of 7 hours straight outside of growth spurt transitions. She also loves her naps.

So I was due to have something be difficult, because learning to be a momma, everything to one little being isn't hard enough. Breastfeeding has been my biggest struggle as a new mother.

First off Lilly had dropped weight in the couple days after she was born by 10%. By her first appointment 4 days later she had dropped 15% total weight from birth but my milk had just come in so the doctors were waiting before really forcing formula. They wanted us to come back in that Friday. When we got home I looked at Lilly and said, "look little girl we are going to put 8 ounces on you by Friday". By golly come Friday she was up 8 ounces, I was so excited the doctors were to. The excitement was short lived.

(8 days old)

At 3 weeks old Lilly out grew my supply. It wasn't for just a few days as my body adjusted to her new demands, it lasted another month and a half. It broke my heart every time I had to give her formula. I did everything I could to get my supply up. I went to lactation specialists and they said I was doing everything I could. Oatmeal twice a day, Guinness, fenugreek/blessed thistle, hand expressing while nursing, brewers yeast, pumping after every feed, taking prenatal vitamins, and getting up in the middle of the night to pump for extra stimulation. My daughter had a perfect latch and suction, it was my body that was not catching up.

Wanting something so bad and not having it go as planned is horrible but feeling as though your body is failing your child is heart wrenching.

(Nursing Lilly in Aerie's at 6 weeks)

That went on for a month and a half, that entire time we had to supplement with formula. Then I started on Domperidone, it increases prolactin levels, and I also started using essential oil blend my military momma Sheri made for me.

(3 months)

Finally my milk was getting better. We stopped using formula and I was able to build a back stock for emergency. It was starting to look great for our breastfeeding future but then life happened.

I had to get my wisdom teeth removed. I had three total removed. At the time I thankfully had over 40 ounces of pumped breast milk. I figured that would be enough. As soon as I got home from surgery I nursed my daughter (approved by pediatrician) but with the stress of the surgery it was like starting from ground zero again.

My supply dropped quickly. Even with nursing her on demand we went through 40 ounces of supplemented milk. It took another solid month before my supply was back up to the point where I did not need to pump anymore.

To this day we still struggle especially during growth spurt transitions. My body just seems to have a hard time keeping up with her demanding cues. I have to constantly do everything right. I have not hand anything with mint in it since she was 3 weeks old (mint reduces milk supply). I still eat oatmeal everyday, use essential oils everyday, drink more water than I thought possible, take prenatal vitamins, and I have to remind my self to breathe through her fussiness.

Breastfeeding has been the hardest part for me as a new momma but I would not trade it. So for you moms out there still fighting to breastfeed it took me 3 months for it to be good. So keep going it will get better. If it doesn't, give yourself some grace and keep breastfeeding what you are able. Even if you have to supplement with formula at least you are still breastfeeding and having that bonding time. I know its hard. Just keep trying. For those that breastfeeding just never happens, remember your love is enough.

To the spouses out there helping us moms keep up breastfeeding, THANK YOU. My husband has been my cheering squad. Without him and I am certain I would have given up along time ago. Thank you Billy for always encouraging me, bringing me water and food during feeds, and being the hug I needed after all the hard nursing sessions, THANK YOU!

The proof is in the baby. I'm am proud to say that at Lilly's 4 month appointment the doctors said she is 26" inches tall (90th percentile), has a bog ol' noggin at 16" (88th percentile), and weighed in at 14.96lbs going up 3 percentile in weight to 50th percentile.

My momma's heart is healed, my baby is happy and growing. I could not ask for more.

-Adrien

My Fitness Journey

My life and FITNESS, I was never the thin teenager or the jock. Honestly I went through so much at such a young and I internalized it like the best, or the worst. That's another post for another time.

When I was in elementary school I was a very thin child but by the time I graduated high school I was well over 250lbs. At only 5'3.25", trust me that quarter counts (short girls understand), its a lot on this body. Hard to believe if you met me now.

 

(2007)

One year in to my marriage, 2008, I decided to take back control of my health.

Side story: My mom Kriselise had breast cancer. During her battle she would say, "I wonder what it would be like to run again, I wonder if I'll be running in heaven". My mom was my WHY. Why I started running. I ran for her because at the end of her life she could not. Every race I have done has and is in her memory.

It was slow going at best but I had a goal of running in races someday. I started walking blocks. That turned in to running a block at a time.

Over the course of 3 years I slowly worked my way to being able to run my first 5k, a Turkey Trot. With my husband, brother, and sister in-law. Seriously the hardest run of my life but maybe that is how most view their first run. All I kept thinking was just keep moving. Who cares if your lunges feel like they are fire, just keep going. I felt a little bit like Dori, "just keep swimming, swimming, swimming". The best thing though, I made it to the finish line ALIVE. My husband, brother, and sister inlaw all finished before me but my hubs had turned around and found me heading towards the finish. He cheered me on. Gah, it makes me tear up thinking about it. But when you work so hard for something to finally have it happen, tears are acceptable.


(First race 2011 Turkey Trot)

Just saying, I'm totally that runner that cries at the end not because my body hurts. Which it does. I cry because its another goal achieved. Well I kept running and started doing Beachbody workouts at home, Insanity, Les Mills Combat, and 21 Day Fix are my favorites so far. I kept making new goals, using races as my motivation.

(First Great Aloha Race)

Since my first 5k I have completed 13 races; 2 Warrior Dashes, 1 Spartan, 2 Great Aloha races, 1 Ford Island run, 1 4th of July race, 1 Mango Run, 1 Turkey Trot, 1 Color run, 1 Color Vibe, 1 Glow Run, and 1 Jingle Rock race.

The best thing about all these goals achieved is that I did them with friends and family. Every single one I ran was with either a family member or a friend. They are some of the best memories I have.

Living a life of fitness has given me so much. Besides better health it has given me confidence, strength, courage to do something new, step out of my comfort zone, create memories, and make new friends.

I would not trade it for the world. Now that I am postpartum I get to create new memories and hopefully make new friends during my journey to being the healthiest momma I can be.

I am doing this for my mom, for my family, and for me because I can.

~Adrien

P.s. If you are wondering, my ultimate goal is to complete a Tough Mudder Race. Don't know what that is check out this link www.toughmudder.com. Yes, I'm a bit crazy ;).