To Wean Or Not To Wean - That Is The Question!

About 6 months ago I posted on night weaning. Honestly, not a lot has changed since then.

Jaron still nurses 3 times a night. Bedtime, around 1am, and between 6 & 8am. (Daytime doesn't start until 9am around our house - result of Jake's typical workday ending at 230am-ish most nights.)

He still nurses before nap.

And he still asks to nurse at least 2 other random times during the day.

I've been trying to semi-wean for weeks now. By semi-wean I mean just cut down on the number of sessions to 2-3 in a 24 hour period. We tried going slow and only cutting out one and it didn't seem to work they weren't scheduled so I never knew when or which to drop. So finally I cut out all of our day sessions except naptime.

Not nursing during the day is going well as long as I can keep him busy. If he gets bored then his demands for milk turn into whining and temper tantrums.

So, fter a few days of things going ok, I tried to cut out our 1am session.

After 2 nights being up from 1am until 3 am, plus the hormonal havoc that was occurring due to weaning and the time of the month, I gave up on trying to change that one!

I figure since he hasn't stopped asking to nurse during the day that maybe we'll just work on getting through that for now. My hormones seem to have stabilized some since deciding that and last night the boys actually slept in their own beds, so I got to get some good quality sleep and that helped my outlook and sanity a TON.

With Aedyn I weaned when I was "supposed" to. Twelve months and we began cutting out sessions, by the time he was 13 months, he was even losing interest in his bedtime nursing. The loss of interest and my ubersensitive nipples from a new pregnancy meant the end of our nursing relationship.

Jaron is 16.5 months and nowhere near that point. I'm pretty sure that him still nursing so much is why #3 isn't on the way just yet. (After everyone I knew telling me how breastfeeding didn't work as birth control, we seem to be doing just fine with it...)

That's a big part of why I'm ready to wean, I don't really want the kids more than 2.5 years apart so waiting more than another 2 months will be cutting it close.

At the same time, I don't want to rush Jaron and I'm not ready to handle the long nights that come with night weaning.

But, I'm also just ready to have a break from breastfeeding. I'm afraid I'm about to open a huge can of worms here.

I love the fact and am proud that I can nourish my child with my body. But breastfeeding in and of itself...I don't enjoy it. I hear people gush about how they love breastfeeding and I'm happy for them, but personally I don't.

To me it's how you feed your baby, it's natural, it's free, it's convenient. (Honestly, it's the way I grew up and what I believe. From the time I was little I've known that a bottle is not the best and formula is the ultimate last resort.) It's what I have expected to do since forever.

But I can't wait to be done. I'm eagerly looking forward to about 6 years from now when hopefully our 4th child will be fully weaned and I can get the breast reduction that I've been waiting on since I was 18. I declined it then because of the risk of not being able to breastfeed.

I'm tired of having to wear clothes that are breastfeeding friendly. At my cup size, it's not easy or discrete to nurse in public; more often than not it requires two hands to arrange everything in a comfortable manner. And I found out that sometimes laying the baby on your lap while you get situated doesn't mean they will stay still and not roll or wiggle off. Awkward.

The clothing difficulties being what they are, I long to just pick up and cuddle Jaron without him fussing for "mnilks" and having to either put him down or deal with the hassle of half undressing myself for him to nurse for 2 minutes and be done. (Although hearing him say "mnilks, peasse" is about the most adorable thing ever!)

So, in truth: I'm ready for Jaron to be weaned, but I'm not ready for the actual process of weaning. He's not ready to wean and I'm not ready to do more than gently encourage. It might take awhile, but we'll figure it out and be all the better for taking our time and not rushing it. At the very least I'll never have to worry that I weaned too soon!

How do you really feel about breastfeeding and weaning? Read the other great posts from the Breastfeeding BlogHop (hosted by The Slacker Mom, The Gnome's Mom, and Happiness Redefined) and link up your own!!

And if you want to hear more about my 2 (not always) sleeping babies and the rest of the family you can follow us on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter!

More Than The Obvious ~ What You Need In Order To Breastfeed

Lets be honest, all you need to breastfeed is a breast and a baby. Simple, right?

Maybe not so much. Companies all over are trying to tell you that you need this or that, or that other thing over there. And of course very little of that is cheap.

This week the ladies with the Breastfeeding Blog Hop are talking about tools of the trade. What they needed or found totally useless. So here's my list sorted into children.

Child #1 - Aedyn
Needed - 

• Lansinoh Lanolin (loved this stuff!)
• Nursing Basket - in this I kept nursing pads, a notepad and pen, the remote control, my phone, lanolin, a burp cloth, kleenex, snacks, baby fingernail clippers, nasal aspirator.
• Nursing Cover - Nursing without it was not a possibility with Aedyn

Useless -

• Breastfeeding pillow - I gained so many cup sizes on top of already being terribly "blessed" that Boppies and the like only supported my breasts and there was no room for Aedyn. Pointless. (Nursing Tips & Positions when you have large breasts)
• Nursing Bras - At least the typical kind. Once again, because of my size, I couldn't find a nursing bra that fit. Apparently once you pass a 34M then you're an anomaly. A poor fitting bra can cause blocked ducts and mastitis, so I found a well fitting regular bra and put a hook and eye where the cup and strap meet. (DIY Nursing Bra Tutorial)
• Breastpump - I had an extreme over production of lipase in my milk and couldn't store it for longer than 3 hours (it was so bad that even scalding the milk didn't work).
• Nursing Pads - Never ever leaked. I will admit they helped keep the lace bra from irritating my nipples, but that was it.

Child #2 - Jaron

Needed - 

• Nursing Cover - I didn't have to have it this time, but I was a lot more relaxed and comfortable when I was using one.
• Breastpump - I has massive oversupply this time and had to block feed and pump off some of the milk on the side I wasn't nursing from that day.
• X-Large Flanges - my breast/nipple size had changed and I needed to upsize the flanges on the pump, the size I was using were causing my nipples to swell and bruise. (Florida WIC has a great diagram on how to tell if your flange fits or is too tight.)
• Nursing Pads - I leaked all over the place while I was trying to reduce my supply.
• Disney/Star Wars Movies - to keep my toddler calm and still while I tried to get my highly distractable baby to eat.

Useless - 

• Nursing Basket - my toddler wouldn't stay out of it. I started tucking my phone into my bra and that was it.
• Lanolin - I just didn't need it for my nipples the second time around. However, if you're fingernails/cuticles are dry, this stuff is excellent just for that too!
• Tips on Taking Care of Your Toddler while Nursing Your Baby - I think Aedyn must've read those articles and decided to mess with my head, none of that stuff worked.

So those are my two lists, ask me again in a year or so and I'm sure #3 will have completely changed things up!

If you want to hear more about my 2 (not always) sleeping babies and the rest of the family you can follow us on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter!

Check out some of the other Mama's posts and link up your own here!

Revisiting Nursing In Reverse

Awhile back I wrote a blog about being a 24/7 Milk Bar.

Jaron was a BIG reverse cycler. I even wrote a pretty thorough guest article about reverse cycling and false weaning for Ask The Lactation Consultant while we were in the middle of everything.

Now that he's nearly 15 months old and starting to wean in general the reverse cycling has pretty much stopped. But I'm so glad I didn't rush it. He nurses at bedtime and usually sleeps about 9 hours before he's ready to nurse again, then sleeps another 3, then he'll nurse a time or two or three at different points during the day depending on if we're out or at home.

Three months ago, he nurse ALL. NIGHT. LONG. and rarely during the day. We did it! He did finally stop the all night nursing and I didn't have to force him. It can be done!

Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!

Mama's Milk in 2012

Goals are a great thing to have, setting them however isn't all that fun or easy.

For that reason I trick myself into thinking I don't set goals. I have "ideas" and "expectations."

Ideas are things that I would like to see happen and I'll make some effort to get there, but I'm not going to go too far out of my way. They're extremely flexible and are subject to change at anytime.

Expectations are things that I will do or die trying.

When I first got pregnant I expected to breastfeed for at least a year. Several people told me that that was a lofty goal and I should set smaller, progressive goals, 6 months, 9 months, then a year if I made it to the other two. But to me it wasn't a goal, it was an expectation.

I have now met that expectation twice.

Now I've moved on to my idea that I'll breastfeed Jaron til around 18 months. Some days I don't think we'll make it to 15, others I'm sure we'll go to 24. And I have no clue if that age is when I'll start weaning, or by when he'll be fully weaned. It's just an idea.

This week that topic for the Breastfeeding Blog Hop is Breastfeeding Goals, what are some of your goals, or ideas, or expectations? Did you make them beforehand or do you just make them up as you go? Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!

We've Made It Through...

2 Thanksgivings,

2 Christmases,

Almost 2 New Years,

Groundhog's Day,

President's Day,

Valentine's Day,

Memorial Day,

The Fourth of July,

Veteran's Day...

14 months and going strong.

Through headbutts, pinching, gym-nurse-tics, scratching, biting, too much milk, reverse cycling, all nighters, 14 hour car trips...

Snuggling, cuddling, comforting, snoozing, laughing...

We've made it over a year. It's the one-year anniversary of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop and the support from the other ladies participating had been invaluable. Even though I may not comment on their posts as often as I want to, reading about their experiences and knowing I'm not alone has been a wonderful encouragement! I'm looking forward to a great second year of the Blog Hop!

Check out to the hosts Erin -The Slacker Mom, Marah - Diary of  Devil Dog Wife, send some love to Jen - Life with Levi as she steps down as a host, and say a great big hello to Lori -The Gnome's Mom who'll be stepping up! And be sure to check out all th e other Breastfeeding Blog Hop Posts linked up on their pages!

Share your own stories and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter!

Forgive Me La Leche, For I Have Sinned...

Forgive me La Leche, for I have sinned...

I gave both my babies pacifiers starting in the hospital (in all honesty, they didn't use them often or at all past 3 or 6 months old)

I drink caffeine. Everyday.

I let Jaron start solids at 4.5 months. When I found out that Aedyn was sneaking him bites of things like Oreos, Lucky Charms, and Loaded Mashed Potatoes.

I encourage moms to feel okay if the have to supplement, a little breastmilk is better than turning Mom off breastfeeding all together.

I encourage mom to remember that she is part of the "mutual" desire. If she's done, it's ok to gently encourage baby to be done. (That goes for night nursing or weaning altogether.)

If I'm tired or busy, I don't offer, but don't refuse. Not everyday or all the time, but on occasion. Sometimes I just need a break.

I wing it. Every baby is different. Even if I don't follow the "RULES" I know I'm doing what's best for me and my baby.

Add your own confessions and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter!

This post is part the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by

Life With Levi

The Slacker Mom & Diary Of A Devil Dog Wife

be sure to check out their and others great posts about Breaking Breastfeeding Rules!

Nursing Stories ~ This Too Shall Pass

Clenching pillows, gritting teeth, nursing a tongue tied baby...this too shall pass.

Sitting with my baby in my lap watching him drift off to sleep as he nurses...this too shall pass.

Crying because I have too much foremilk and it's hurting my baby's tummy...this too shall pass.

Watching my 13 month old squeal with a huge grin and coming running across the room as I lift my shirt...this too shall pass (ok, that might come back in a few years, but not in regard to me...)

Frustration with my baby being distracted and not eating enough...this too shall pass.

Calming every tear with cuddles and Mama's milk...this too shall pass.

Being the only thing my baby needs to survive...this too shall pass.

Being the only one who my baby will let put him to sleep...this too shall pass.

Waking 6 times in 8 hours to night nurse a baby who's reverse cycling...this too shall pass.

Waking to see my baby unlatch and roll over to cuddle into his Papa's arm...this too shall pass.

Holding my breath at each doctor's appointment to see if he's gaining weight...this too shall pass.

Being forced/able to rest every few hours as my newborn and I figure this nursing thing out...this too shall pass.

Watching milk go everywhere as I make my baby laugh while he's nursing...this too shall pass.

Sore nipples, feeling "touched out"...this too shall pass

Memories, relationship, knowing you're doing what's best for your baby...now that will never pass.

Hold on to each wonderful moment, it will go too quickly. Hang in there through each challenge, it won't last forever.


Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter!

This was written as a part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Life With Levi, The Slacker Mom, & Diary Of A Devil Dog Wife. Check out the other great posts and link up!

Defensive Much?

I hate confrontation, I don't handle criticism well, you can ask pretty much anyone in my family. Even the slightest tone that I perceive as critical upsets me for awhile. And outright criticism or questioning of my decisions can set off a spiral that lasts all day or even several days. Or something I come back to fume over later.

I'm not proud of it and I'm working on getting over what people think. I don't let other opinions interfere with what I know and believe is right for me and my family, but it does hurt and it does get me defensive when I feel like other are insinuating that I don't know what I'm doing or I'm incompetent. (Come on, who can say that statements to that effect don't upset them on some level?)

So when it comes to areas that I know I'm likely to receive criticism I create buffers. Statements and ideas that I insert into conversations when they first take a turn into hot topic zones. Buffers that put my opinions out there in such away that the person I'm talking to has no doubt on my opinion before we get too deep into the conversation. Unless it's a person who loves confrontation and arguing it works pretty well. I've found that it also can lead to some actual informative conversations with people who don't know much about the topic or who are truly interested in gathering information and opinions.

So what am I really saying?

Have a conversation with me about breastfeeding. You'll know before we get too far into it that current worldwide medical advice recommends breastfeeding at least a full two years; that American doctors recommend whole cows milk or a toddler formula if breastfeeding isn't continued after the child's 1st birthday because baby & toddler brains need a lot of fat to develop; and that Jaron is only in the 3rd percentile for weight and therefore needs the extra calories and nutrients in breastmilk for as long as possible.

Buffer.

I can honestly say that I have never received any criticism that I remember about breastfeeding either of my boys. Is it my buffer defense? Maybe. Or maybe I'm just underestimating those around me... Who knows?

Do you have any defense mechanisms or other ways to avoid criticism?

Share your thoughts and come join me on Facebook and Twitter!

This post is part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Life With Levi and co-hosted by The Slacker Mom and Diary of a Devil Dog Wife. Check out the other great posts and link up!

Would You Like Some Cookies With That Breastmilk?

Best Non-Home-Made Cookies Ever!

Thanksgiving is a week away and the day after...well, the cookies, candy, treats, and chaos don't stop until New Years...or Valentine's Day.

I haven't even started thinking about how I'm going to deal with it this year...but I'll probably allow the boys way too many sweets. But they're only kids once, and how can I tell them "no" when I'm sneaking cookies behind their backs? Like everything else, we'll just have to figure out a balance.

While I really enjoy the Christmas season, it is stressful. Not necessarily a bad stress, but a different pace from the rest of our year. With us just having moved the boys have dealt with a lot of stress and change. About the time they get used to the new house, the holidays will be upon us and off we go again.

For Aedyn that means a TON of extra patience and cuddles. And trying to remember that all two-year-olds are just tiny lunatics. (Tonight he flipped out when I asked my dad to drive, then want to guess what happened when I sat down in the driver's seat? Yup, tantrum because T-COM wasn't driving.)

With Jaron I have a secret weapon. Mama Milk. I don't know what I would do if he weren't still nursing. When he's overstimulated from all the shopping or parties or just people. When he just needs some extra cuddle time. When he's cranky and nothing else Pleases him. When he's having a temper tantrum. And as a bonus, nursing him gives me a good excuse to sit down and take a break myself.

I've heard a lot of mention about accidental weaning over the holiday from the stress and business, but I really don't think that will be an issue for us, we'll just serve up Jaron's cookies with a chaser of Mama Milk!

Do you have any tips or ideas about what you'll do over the holiday season with your kids to make the craziness a little less crazy? What do yo serve your Christmas cookies with?

This post is part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Life With Levi, Diary of  a Devil Dog Wife, and The Slacker Mom, read more posts about holiday breastfeeding and link up here!

When A Lightsaber Is Not Enough

A couple weeks ago I wrote Breastfeeding by Star Wars.

While it's a good description of what often happened, it's not the whole story, sometimes a lightsaber just isn't enough.

Truth is, how Aedyn works into mine and Jaron's nursing relationship has changed and changed and changed again.

At first Aedyn didn't really seem to notice. He'd play and I'd make sure that he had a cup of something to drink.

"Jaron eat me?"

Then for a little while he wanted to nurse again too, but he couldn't remember how to latch, so that was a no go. But he decided that he would "help" and hold my breast for Jaron to nurse from. That was so cute and sweet! But then he started trying to dictate when Jaron was "all done."

Of course phases of "helping" tended to alternate with times where every. time. I. sat. down. to. nurse. Jaron. Aedyn would have a potty training "accident" or would do something else off limits that he never tried or did when I wasn't nursing. It was those times that reminded me to give him a bit more attention during Jaron's naptimes. Fortunately that phase passed with the help of Star Wars and completing potty training.

As Jaron got older and more distractable, I had to change things around a bit. He was too distracted to nurse enough (to few wet diapers) during the day so Aedyn wasn't allowed to be around. Jaron needed to focus. Ultimately that led to the crutch of the electronic babysitters by the name of Disney and George Lucas (Star Wars).

Now Jaron primarily night nurses and is mostly weaned during the day so there's not to much issue. Aedyn sees Jaron nursing for hunger and comfort and on occasion will lift his shirt and try to get Jaron to nurse from him if he thinks Jaron is scared or hungry.

We've had to talk about girls and boys, and who can make milk because of that. I'll be honest, I'm kind of afraid that Jaron will take him up on the offer and then bite because there's nothing there! Can't even imagine what kind of chaos that would cause!

Brothers

Jaron will be 1 in a week (AHHH!) and I'm starting to think about our next baby and how far away that will be. I'm not sure if I will tandem nurse or not. Depends on supply and how Jaron handles the change in taste/consistency. I'm hoping that Aedyn will prove to be a distraction and buddy for Jaron once I'm nursing #3 and that will make the transition and process easier for him.

Or maybe I'll just have to nurse hands free all the time so I can have a lightsaber battle going on both sides of me...

Who knows? Anyone have advice for nursing #3 and keeping a toddler and preschooler occupied at the same time? Share your thoughts here and link up your own posts on nursing #2, #3, or more with the Breastfeeding Blog Hop!

It's a Good Thing...

...that I didn't schedule this post.

Because the story you would have heard up until 3 days ago is entirely different from the one you would hear today.

Three days ago my almost 1 year-old was only nursing at night. Except for an occasional snack in the mid-afternoon he was completely day-weaned. The fact that his snack was occasional was making me pretty uncomfortable on the days he skipped it, so I tweeted to my #BFCafe ladies for opinions and advice. Should I make an effort to cut out the snack completely or make an effort to have him nurse mid-afternoon every day?

I got the answer I knew what I would get, do what feels right for you. There is no right answer, do what you want to do.

Then yesterday happened. Jaron and I are both down with some sort of allergy thing. Just very runny noses, no infection, just annoyance. And he is NURSING. A LOT.

Soooo. I don't know where we are and I'm not likely to figure it out until he is feeling and breathing better.

Maybe he'll go back to being day weaned, maybe not. Either way he'll still be nursing at night for awhile yet.

My goal with both boys has always been at least 18 months before fully weaning them. So we've got another 6 months to go, at least.

Some days I feel so burnt out by the end of the day I'm just ready to be done now...but I know I'll regret forcing him before he's ready. So we'll keep truckin'.

And this is me, checking in with all the others at the weekly Breastfeeding Blog Hop. How are you doing? Are you just getting started? Finished awhile ago? Somewhere in the middle? Share your story!!

Does It Take a Village to Breastfeed?

I'm a soloist. Always have been really. I like to do things myself, my own way, in my own time. It may or may not be the "popular" thing but it's me and it's what I do.

SIDENOTE: And I wonder where Aedyn gets it from!?!?!

I am also an information addict. I would be enrolled in some form of class or program all the time if I had the money and enough hours in the day.

So you might guess that I'm not the biggest support group type person. I tend to get frustrated easily with people who have pat or textbook answers to questions and I get impatient trying to hold back all the knowledge and tidbits I've absorbed in all my research, reading, and Googling.

I admit I don't know everything. And honestly, that's why I go to La Leche League. I rarely go with questions because I've killed the internet looking for answers. I go to hear other mom's stories. To pick up on things that might help someone on Twitter or Facebook and conversely things I learn from my tweeps and blogs I pass on in real life.

Maybe that's why it's a support group and not a class. It's not all about learning new things and answering questions (even though that is part of it), it's about being there for each other, hearing stories, venting frustrations, and celebrating successes. Finding strangers who may become friends, smiling faces that are willing to listen and to talk.

Do you need a village then? On a physical level, maybe yes, maybe no. I successfully nursed Aedyn through problems without any sort of group, although I wonder if I had been in a support group it might have gone smoother at the beginning. But emotionally...

Emotionally, I really do think a village is vital. Maybe it's family members, maybe anybody but family members. A general breastfeeding support group, or a La Leche League group. Find someone who helps you feel sane, who reminds you that even though it may be difficult and frustrating, this too shall pass. You'll both be better for it.

Your local hospital may have contact information for Breastfeeding Support Groups in your area. You can visit La Leche League International for a directory of meetings in your area.

Where's your favorite place to get support? Facebook, Twitter, Family, Groups?

This is part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Life with Levi, The Slacker Mom, and Diary of a Devil Dog Wife. Check out some of the other posts in the hop and link up your own!



While you're here, check out and enter the FuzziBunz OS Cloth Diaper Giveaway ending Oct 18!

Breastfeeding by Star Wars

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

A young Jedi was completely dependent upon the Force. However, a Dark Lord of the Sith saw this dependence and was jealous. So he devised a plot and through his dark powers became aware of every moment that the young Jedi would commune with the Force. The Sith Lord would then descend , lightsaber in hand, mind set on reclaiming the attention of the of the young Jedi’s Master. The master dutifully fought of every attack and learned never to allow the young Jedi to drink in the Force without a lightsaber close at hand. She became quite skilled in battling the Sith while protecting her young student and his absorption of the life-giving force. Eventually the Dark Lord gave up, he learned the power of the Jedi Master and her lightsaber skills and began to plot other ways of attack when the Jedi Master was not present…but the young Jedi shall prevail, the Force is strong in him!

[Translation to Non-Geek: For awhile Aedyn would attack us with a lightsaber while Jaron was nursing, I would keep another lightsaber close by and we would battle while Jaron finished eating. ]

This is nursing multitasking with boys! I can also have a lightsaber battle while pumping…not that is strong in the Force!

Check out the other Multitasking Posts in the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Life with Levi!

Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!

The 24/7 Milk Bar

Those two dreaded words. Night. Weaning. Ugh.

Yes, my clock is multi-colored, if I'm going to see these
numbers, they should be as fun as possible, right?

Some moms get lucky, their little one just starts sleeping through the night and night weans himself.

Lucky them.

In my La Leche League group this past week we were discussing night weaning. There's just no magic formula. It's as normal for a baby to night wean themselves as it is for it to take four months or more.

Aedyn night weaned himself for a couple of months and then reverse cycled at 6 months and night nursed until I initiated night weaning when he was about 11 months old. It took around 2 months all told. We simply replaced each of the 2 or 3 night nursing sessions, one at a time, with cuddling. But even once he stopped nursing at night he still woke up around 5am to come cuddle and sleep in our bed until 8 or 9. (Something even at 2.5 years old, he still does on occasion  most nights.)

Yes, there was crying. Yes, there were long nights. But he wasn't alone crying on those long nights. He kept his bedtime nursing for a couple months after that until, much to my sadness, he completely weaned.

It was a good thing after all, I guess, since I got pregnant again right after that. Of course, I'm pretty sure that I have Aedyn's night weaning to thank for Jaron!

Speaking of Jaron. He'll be 11 months on Monday. He still nurses 3 - 5 times between his bedtime nursing and when he gets up for the day. And I'm ok with that. He's so distractable during the day that he needs his nighttime calories. I did try for awhile to night wean and cut down distractions during the day, but it was miserable for the whole family. As long as Jake's ok with sharing the bed with a 24/7 milk bar, well, I guess that's what we'll do and I won't think about using those two dreaded words for awhile longer.

Share your thoughts or night weaning, sleep, and weaning in general and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter.
*This post is part of the Breastfeeding BlogHop hosted by Life With Levi, The Slacker Mom & Diary Of A Devil Dog Wife