12 Days of Christmas [Day #3]

Good Morning - and WELCOME to Day #3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Photo Challenge. If this is your first time hearing about this, click here to get the whole scoop [it's not too late]!

Day #3's assignment is: 

Picture of your favorite holiday beverage

You have until 11:59pm today to post your picture either on Facebook [post on our TTH wall please], your own blog or Instagram [using hashtag #TTH12days AND tag @tinytreehugger] to get your final entry for this week's prize.

Make sure to check back on Monday for Day #4's assignment! 

12 Day of Christmas [Day #2]

Good Morning - and WELCOME to Day #2 of the 12 Days of Christmas Photo Challenge. If this is your first time hearing about this, click here to get the whole scoop [it's not too late]!

Day #2's assignment is: 

Picture of your family [Don't forget to get yourself in the shot too!]

You have until 11:59pm today to post your picture either on Facebook [on our TTH wall please], your own blog or Instagram [using hashtag #TTH12days AND tag @tinytreehugger] to get an entry for this week's prize.

Make sure to check back on Friday for Day #3's assignment! 

Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!

We had a great start to our 12 Days of Christmas Photo Challenge yesterday - thanks to all of those who participated! It's not too late to join in, so check back on Wednesday for Day #2's challenge!

Some of you have been wondering about the prizes that are up for grabs so here is the list:

Week 1: $15 Gift Certificate to our Tiny TreeHugger shop
Week 2: Skin Care Gift Package worth $25
Week 3: $15 Gift Certificate to our Tiny TreeHugger shop

Week 4: Litterless Lunch Package worth $30

And our GRAND PRIZE: $75 Gift Certificate to our Tiny TreeHugger shop!

Every time you participate it earns you extra entries so stay with us to increase your chances of winnings.

AND DON'T FORGET: For every $20 that you spend at our shop, you also earn extra entries - so get your Christmas shopping done with us!

12 Days of Christmas [Day #1]

Good Morning - and WELCOME to Day #1 of the 12 Days of Christmas Photo Challenge. If this is your first time hearing about this, click here to get the whole scoop!

Day #1's assignment is: 

Picture of an outdoor winter scene. 

You have until 11:59pm today to post your picture either on Facebook [please post on our TTH wall], your own blog or Instagram [please use hashtag #TTH12days AND tag @tinytreehugger] to get your first entry for this week's prize.

Make sure to check back on Wednesday for Day #2's assignment!

About Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is natural so it should come easy, right?

WRONG!!

Yes, our bodies naturally prepare for breastfeeding when we have a baby [some in different capacities than others] but that doesn't mean that it comes easily for everybody.

It didn't for me. At least not with my first daughter.

Between the two of us, we just couldn't figure it out. After a few days of pure torture, I went to visit a lactation consultant who gave me a few tips and I had renewed hope that this was going to work. However, upon returning home and trying it on my own - without the lactation consultant's help - it once again proved to be a failure.

At the risk of getting a bit graphic...my daughter had literally ripped my nipples to shreds and every single second of every single feeding was extremely painful. And since the feedings were l-o-n-g, the torture seemed never-ending. She cried the entire time, I cried the entire time...and just when I thought I could have a break from it, it was time for the next feeding. My first experiences of being a Mom brought nothing but bitterness. My troubles with nursing my daughter was having a negative impact on me bonding with her and there were times when I literally didn't want to be anywhere near her.

Hard to admit, but it was true.

After a repeat visit to the lactation consultant, I was advised to take a week off from nursing to allow my destroyed nipples to heal. So we rented an electric pump and that was my life for the next week. Pumping and bottle-feeding. Pumping and bottle-feeding...and oh yeah, lots of crying.

At the end of that week, back to the consultant I went and she helped me get my baby latched back on. But after a week of being bottle-fed, she had now had the bottle just as long as she had my breast and it was clear pretty early on that this was not going to have a successful turnout.

I did try again when I got home, but the immediate pain that once again ensued was enough to drive me to a mental breakdown. And I knew that I could not be the mother that my baby needed if I continued to breastfeed her. The bond I had made with her right after her birth was dwindling right before my eyes and it was heart-breaking to not feel towards her the way I knew I should be feeling.

So with gut-wrenching sobs, with my daughter only 2 weeks old, I made the decision to switch to formula. And instantaneously I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I felt my bitterness towards my child melt away and I was filled with nothing but love for my bundle of joy.

And I did not regret making that decision. Not for one single second.

Did I feel judged? Sometimes. Did I get comments that I should try it again; that it often takes up to 6 weeks to get the hang of it? Did I feel like people thought I gave up too quickly? Yup, sure did. Did I care? Nope, not at all. I was a much happier, relaxed Mom and my daughter was now getting something more important from me than my breastmilk.

When my second daughter came along two years later, I was terrified that I was going to have to go through the same experience. And, in fact, anytime I thought about it during the last weeks of pregnancy leading up to her birth, I could literally feel the pain in my nipples again. Thankfully, however, things had a much different turnout and I'm happy to say I was able to exclusively breastfeed my youngest daughter until she weaned herself off at around 10 1/2 months.

"Breast is best" is a phrase that we have all heard many times. And I agree - it IS best...if it works.

YES, breastfeeding rocks. It's a wonderful experience and I wish all women would know what it's like. But as a Mom who has experienced both extremes, I want to encourage those of you who are struggling with it that only you as the mother can make this decision. You know what is best for your child - to keep plugging through, or to make the switch. And regardless which option you choose, make sure you have someone supporting you along the way.

~Andi

*************************************************

Do you have questions about breastfeeding? Here is a link to an article I found that might have some of the answers you are looking for.

And if you're looking for some nursing products - look no further! Tiny TreeHugger has washable nursing pads (AppleCheeks and Knickernappies ones), Delish Naturals Nipple Soothe Balm, nursing necklaces and of course Udder Covers Nursing Covers.

12 Days of Christmas [Photo Challenge]

Who's ready for a Christmas Extravaganza...Tiny TreeHugger style? It officially begins in a week and a half [but be sure to read right to the end of this point, 'cause part of it begins TODAY!] so grab your camera - and your creativity - and get ready for Tiny TreeHugger's 12 Days of Christmas Photo Challenge!

It's pretty simple to participate - and there are prizes up for grabs too!

Here's the scoop: For four weeks - starting Monday, November 26th - you will have 12 chances to participate - each time giving your name another entry in the weekly prize giveaway AND the grand prize giveaway. The specifics are as follows:

1. The entire photo challenge will be posted at the bottom of this post BUT the photo-of-the-day assignment will also be posted both on our Facebook page [so make sure to head on over and "like" us] and right here on the Tiny TreeHugger blog on the day of the assignment. So make sure to check in either place for the day's challenge.

2. The day's assignment will be posted by 6am and pictures for that day are accepted anytime after that until 11:59pm that same day.

3. Post your pictures on Facebook [on our TTH wall], your own blog or even Instagram within that time frame.

4. Then you must come back to THAT DAY'S Facebook post or blog post to give a link to your picture so we can easily follow your entry [and please use hashtag #TTH12days if AND tag @tinytreehugger if using Instagram].

5. One picture per day per person.

6. Every day you post a picture earns you one entry into that week's draw. After that week is over, all entries are kept for the GRAND PRIZE draw but do not continue on into the following week's draw. This translates into you getting a maximum of 3 entries for each weekly draw, and a total of 12 entries for the GRAND PRIZE draw. BUT...if you participate in all 12 days of pictures you gain an extra 5 entries giving you 17 entries for the GRAND PRIZE draw.

7. There will be 3 picture assignments per week - all on Mon/Wed/Fri except for the last week where it will be Mon/Wed/Thurs.

8. Pictures have to be taken by YOU.

9. And an extra bonus: The photo challenge only begins Monday, November 26th but starting TODAY, Thursday, November 15th and going until Thursday, December 20th, for every $20 [before taxes and delivery charges] that you spend at Tiny TreeHugger you will receive an additional 5 entries for the GRAND PRIZE draw. What a perfect way to get some of your Christmas shopping done!

Okay, ready to see the list of pictures you will be assigned?

Week #1 [Days 1-3] :
Nov 26 - Picture of an outdoor winter scene
Nov 28 - Picture of your family [don't forget to get in the shot yourself!]
Nov 30 - Picture of your favorite holiday beverage

[Dec 1 - Draw for the first prize]*

Week #2 [Days 4-6]:
Dec 3 - Picture representing your favorite Christmas song [be sure to state what it is!]
Dec 5 - Picture of a Christmas decoration [NOT a Christmas tree...that comes later]
Dec 7 - Picture of Christmas wrapping paper

[Dec 8 - Draw for the second prize]*

Week #3 [Days 7-9]:
Dec 10 - Picture of your Christmas tree [they should all be up by now!]
Dec 12 - Picture of Christmas baking
Dec 14 - Picture of a gift [unwrapped] that you bought or made for someone. Make sure it's for someone who won't see this picture!

[Dec 15 - Draw for the third prize]*

Week #4 [Days 10-12]:
Dec 17 - Picture of your kids OR significant other OR family pet with a Christmas accessory [be creative]
Dec 19 - Picture of Santa Claus
Dec 20 - Picture of what Christmas means to you

[Dec 21 - Draw for the fourth prize]*

[Dec 22 - Draw for the GRAND PRIZE]*

*Winners of all draws will have 24 hours to contact us otherwise a new winner will be chosen

So there you have it! Have fun and be creative! We look forward to seeing everyone's pictures in the coming weeks...