Review~ Anti-Aging Moisturizing Cream

I've been bad about taking care of my skin in the past.  I wear sunscreen in the summer (I know I should do it year round) and if I wear makeup I wash my face before bed and that's about it.  

I'm going to be 30 later this year.  Although I don't feel like I'm almost 30, I also don't want to look like I'm almost 30 either and knew it was time to take better care of my skin.  

So when the opportunity to review Adeline anti-aging moisturizer came around I knew it would be a great idea.

Handmade in the USA Adeline products are free of parabens, SLS and other petrochemical derivatives and have no extra additives or fillers.    

The anti-aging mosturizer contains Matrixyl, Witch Hazel, Hyalyronic Acid, Vitamic C & Vitamin E which help fight wrinkles and rejuvinate your skin.

I've been using it for almost two weeks and while I'm not sure I look younger, I feel better.  I'm not sure if it's a combination of all the ingredients, or something else, but I will continue to use this.  It's forced me to take better care of my face (I wash and use this twice a day) and so I feel better just because of that.

Before & After Shots

Before & After

You can buy on Amazon for around $35, but they offer some great sales and deals on this and other products as well. From the looking around I've done it seems a good price and it's ingredient list eliminates the need for multiple creams.

Are we ready to wean?

Short answer: no

Long answer: no way

Every parent does things differently and makes choices based on what works for their family.  This includes the choice to bottle feed vs. breast feed.  That's fine and I'm not intending to start any sort of debate on what is better (just feed your baby please) .  The one debatable exception would be car seat safety issues since those are proven statistics.  But anyway...

The subject of weaning....


I know this is a highly personal choice and I have major conflicting feelings about it.   Some days I can't imagine it ever ending and some days I think I feel like I have to do it because she's 16 months and our society doesn't like nursing past one (and honestly I'm sure that's pushing it for some).

A sweet shot from last week.  

Actually this (pressure from others) is a real reason.  I know that children around the world nurse for much longer than in the United States.  I know the benefits of it for Eleanor (in 16 months only a few cases of sniffles and mild colds, but that it's and breastfeeding is a big reason), as well as for myself (lower risks of certain cancers for example).  Knowing all these things (scientifically proven things) it's confusing why there is not more acceptance.



Also there is that whole bonding thing and that's real.  If you follow my instagram account  you will see me post pictures of me holding a sleeping Eleanor post bedtime nursing session.  There is something so perfect about a sweet innocent toddler falling asleep nursing.   It's the calm after a busy day.

Currently I've been working on dropping the afternoon nursing session leaving us with 3 most days - morning, before nap and before bedtime as well.  Occasionally there is a middle of the night session and some days there might be an extra session if she is a totally wreck and that's the only thing that will calm her down.

She will often come up to me during the day and sign milk or try to pull down my shirt.  I try to redirect her with a book or a snack or something, but doing so results in guilt usually (on my part).  Why am I depriving her of something she wants?  I do say no when she wants to stick a lotion bottle in her mouth or have a sip of my soda, but why am I saying no to this?   This is good for her. Again, it all comes down to society here and me feeling like it's 'wrong' to do this- this being nursing past one.



But it's stupid because I'm extremely proud of the fact that I have nursed her for 16 months.  It's a huge commitment.



Pumping isn't easy for me (and even if it was she won't take pumped milk) so I can't be away from Eleanor for too long.  I've never had a night away, and I don't think I've ever been apart from her for more than 10 or so hours.

Then there is the fact that I really want to have another baby at some point but I still haven't had a postpartum period.  I know that you can get pregnant while nursing and before getting a period but I think that beginning the weaning process could kick start that and help with getting pregnant again.

The thought of it makes me really anxious though so  for now I'll continue on the path we are on and re-evaluate in a few months.

At what point did you wean?  Was it initiated by you or the child?

16 months ~ The Eleanor Update

Word List

What's this

Where'd it go?  (It can be baby, ball, etc...)
Oh no

Baby- I hear "the baby" all the time

Sydney (the name of the baby I watch)

Hi

Bye

Ball

Sock

Cup

Shoe

Mama

Dada

Night Night (ni ni)

Teeth (she says this teef when she sees her toothbrush)
Nose
Dance
Two (but only two)
Cheese
Please (which also sounds likes cheese)
I love you (and I melted when she said this)

She knows some body parts: nose, ears, belly, mouth, feet, and she can point to her eyes most of the time. 

She can tell you what noise a horse, cow, snake, dog (her favorite), a monkey, a cat, and a rooster make. 

She is constantly amazing me with her memory lately.  The other day she pulled out these wooden animal card things, and walked down the hall to my room, pushed open the door and grabbed the cow one that was there, all the while saying "booo" (which is how she says moo).  I was impressed she remembered.  

She will clap her hands when you sing "if your happy and you know it"

She's learned how to climb up into the rocking chair, and on the ottomans.  She can't climb on the couch, but can get down from it. 

She loves her baby doll and says baby all day long. 

Sleep has gotten better.  She sleeps through the night (until 5:30/6 am) most nights, although those early wake up calls are killing me.   Naps are even getting better.  She can put herself to sleep half the time (she usually plays for a while but I don't care).

She's still breastfeeding and not ready to wean at all.  Truthfully I'm not either.  I've been trying to go to 3 (4 if there is a middle of the night) sessions.  We nurse when she wakes up in the morning, before nap and before bed.

New favorite foods are eggs and cheese sticks.  

Photo dump!

As promised here are some recent photos from December & January.