Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 2

Bella awakens from her transformation from human to vampire, not only keenly aware of her new abilities, but also of changes within the coven as Jacob has imprinted on her child, Renesmee. It also appears that Bella's father, Charlie, has been attempting to contact the Cullens for updates on Bella's illness. They intend to tell him she didn't survive, which requires that they move out of Forks, Washington to protect their identities. Jacob, desperate not to lose Renesmee, tells Charlie that his daughter is in fact alive and well, and explains that Bella has had to change in order to survive.
Several months pass uneventfully, with Carlisle monitoring Renesmee's rapid growth with Bella, Edward, Jacob and the rest of the Cullen family worrying what will become of her with such a rapid growth rate. On an outing in the woods, a bitter Irina sees Renesmee from a distance, as the immortal child (creating one is strictly forbidden because immortal children remained mentally on their transformation age, thus being uncontrollable). Irina decides to go to the Volturi for reporting a supposed crime.
Later Alice sees the Volturi and Irina coming to kill the Cullens, and leaves with Jasper the next day, unnoticed, leaving a note, where she tells them to "gather as many witnesses" as they can before the snow covers the ground because that is when the Volturi will come. The Cullens begin to summon witnesses, including, for example, the Denali family. One of the Denali, Eleazar, later encounters that Bella has a special ability: a powerful mental shield, which she can extend to protect others from mental attacks like Jane and Alec, with practice.
As some of their potential witnesses are attacked and prevented from coming to support the Cullens, Carlisle and Edward finally face the reality that they may have to fight the Volturi despite their efforts to do otherwise. Some witnesses hesitate, but ultimately agree to stand with them in battle.
The Volturi arrive, led by Aro, who is eager to obtain the gifted members of the Cullen coven as part of his guard. Although Aro is persuaded that Renesmee is not an immortal child, he still insists she poses a risk. Alice and Jasper appear to attest to the existence of other children like Renesmee, and Alice shows Aro a vision of the future. In the vision, Alice realizes that Aro will not change his decision, and a battle ensues, during which both sides undergo heavy casualties, with Aro and most of the Volturi dying. After the vision ends, Alice reveals to Aro that the vision will come to pass if Aro will maintain his pursuit of Renesmee. Two more witnesses then arrive: a fully grown vampire-human hybrid and his aunt who have been living peacefully and undetected for 150 years, proving Renesmee is not a threat. For the sake of self-preservation, Aro orders his guards to retreat but not without giving one final glance to Alice and Bella.
Back at the Cullen home, Alice glimpses into the future, seeing Edward and Bella together with Jacob and a fully matured Renesmee. Edward reads Alice's mind and feels happy that Renesmee has Jacob to protect her. Alone in the meadow, Bella finally allows Edward a peek into her thoughts, and as the final lines of the novel read, "And then we continued blissfully into this small but perfect piece of our forever."

The 10 Unspoken Rules of Marriage

I thought that this was a very interesting article. It was sent to my email by a friend. Which I found to be incredibly helpful seeing as how I am a newlywed. Therefore, I thought I would share some of the information with all of you.


Every married person knows to be faithful, stay truthful and be there for her partner through good times and bad--they're in the wedding vows, after all. But most seasoned couples would admit that some unspoken rules are vital for getting past rough patches and growing stronger as a couple. According to experts in this article the 10 less apparent (but equally as important) marriage rules to live by.

1. Don't criticize your partner's parents or friends. You know how it is-your family can tick you off but no one else had dare speak ill of them. That's why you should tread carefully with your in-laws and your husband's dearest friends. "Even when he's venting to you, your contributions can put him on the defensive," explains Leslie Beth Wish, EdD, a Florida-based psychologist and licensed clinical social worker.

 2. Tell your spouse about any ex encounters. Whether you get a Facebook friend request or run into an old flame at your kid's soccer game, keeping the news to yourself could backfire, despite having zero feelings for the ex. "If there's nothing to hide, why hide it?" says Deb Castaldo, PhD, a couples and family therapist and professor at Rutgers University School of Social Work in New Brunswick, NJ. "That leads to an air of secrecy and dishonesty," she says. Just clue in your hubby matter-of-factly.

3. Keep unsolicited advice to yourself. Offer your support, lend your ear, but avoid speaking in an "I know what's best" tone. "We give advice because we're trying to be helpful, but it's seen as criticism when we offer too many corrections," says Harriet Lerner, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up. This goes for everything from your husband's outfit choices to how he deals with a work issue. Give your spouse space to make decisions and gain confidence through trial and error-and ask that he do the same for you, says Dr. Lerner. "What matters in a relationship is not that things get done 'right,' but that two people are dedicated to contributing to each other's happiness." 

4. Don't take charge all the time. Whether you fold all the laundry because you don't like how your husband does it or you manage the finances because you don't think he's as careful, you may feel more at ease doing all the work. But stop! "The spouse who does the rescuing can become tired of that role," says Dr. Wish--and resentful that everything is on her shoulders, even if she volunteered for that burden. Get in the habit of asking your partner, "What do you think works best here?" or telling him, "I could use a hand cleaning out the pantry." These requests will foster the idea that you're teammates.

5. Don't bring up past arguments. Or at least put a statute of limitations on them. "People repeat ancient disagreements because they haven't resolved the problem," says Dr. Castaldo. Letting things fester often causes marriages to break down, she says. It's important to address issues as they happen and come to some sort of resolution--agreeing to disagree counts. "Leave it there, and respect each other's opinion," she says.

6. Choose your battles, but don't stifle your feelings. "There's going to be toothpaste globs here and Post-it notes there; that's human nature," says Dr. Wish. "You have to be able to say, 'this isn't important.'" Or if it is, speak up. "Tell your partner why it bothers you and that you'd like to work on a solution," suggests Dr. Wish. You'd be surprised what you could learn about each other.  A simple request like: "Honey, it'd be great if you could pick up the dry cleaning while you're out" beats getting mad that he didn't offer to help with errands. 

7. Don't post private thoughts or photos publicly. You may not want to be tagged in a politically charged rant he starts or he may not want you to share photos of the kids. And you each deserve the other person's respect for those wishes. "Discuss the ground rules regarding posting about yourself, as a couple and about the other person," says Dr. Castaldo. And no matter what, don't take your grievances with your husband to the masses for support.

8. Log off. When your attention is focused elsewhere, your spouse is bound to feel unimportant. So make quality time a top priority and restrict tech gadget use if necessary, says Dr. Wish. "Pay attention to the concept of ratio: How much time am I spending doing this compared to how much time I'm spending with my family?" she says. Create a rule that works for your household and stick to it.

9. Don't use the "D" word (divorce, that is). Even in the heat of an argument, avoid threatening to pack your bags or head to the lawyer's office. Besides the "D" word being downright hurtful, repeated warnings may result in a spouse calling the other's bluff. "We act as if the intensity of our anger gives us license to say or do anything," says Dr. Lerner. "But threatening divorce is never useful, and it only makes the probability of separation more likely." 

10. Be each other's number one. In other words, be wary of outsider influence, like a friend putting relationship-threatening ideas in your head or work or hobbies competing for your attention. "Happy couples have just as much conflict as those who divorce, but they know ways to get through it," says Dr. Castaldo. "A couple has to have a strong boundary around themselves and they can't allow anybody to get in between."

To read more on this article go to http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/10-unspoken-marriage-rules-must-182400206.html

The 10 Best Foods For Your Baby

There are lots of healthy, baby-friendly foods out there, but some stand out from the pack. These ten culinary superheroes are loaded with essential nutrients, reasonably priced, easy to prepare, and delicious. These top 10 foods for babies are listed as squash, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, blueberries, avocados, meat, prunes, garbanzo beans, and mandarin oranges. As a mother I found some of the items on the list to be a bit of a surprise. Many parents are surprised to discover that their babies really enjoy these foods, either from the very first bite or after a few exposures, according to the Baby Center Medical Board. After introducing any new food, wait three days before moving on to the next new food to identify any possible allergic reaction. If your baby's still a beginner at eating solids, grind or puree the food as needed.(Find out more about preparing homemade baby food.)

Squash

Squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, is naturally sweet, and has a pleasing, creamy texture.

Lentils

Crammed with protein and fiber, lentils pack a powerful nutritional punch. They're also one of the cheapest healthy foods you can buy.

Dark green leafy vegetables

Leafy greens boast high amounts of iron and folate. While spinach is perhaps the best known of this group, there are many other varieties, including kale, chard, and collard greens.

Broccoli

Brimming with folate, fiber, and calcium, broccoli is also known for its cancer-fighting properties, says dietitian Kate Geagan, author of Go Green, Get Lean. And thanks to its sulfur compounds, it has a unique flavor that can help expand your baby's tastes.

Blueberries

The deep, brilliant blue of these berries comes from flavonoids called anthocyanins, which are good for your baby's eyes, brain, and even urinary tract, says Stephen Gass, co-author of Mix and Mash: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby and You.

Avocados

"Avocados are a rich source of unsaturated fats," says nutritionist Leanne Cooper, author of What Do I Feed My Baby: A Step-by-Step Guide to Solids. "In fact, the fat composition is somewhat similar to that of breast milk." Concerned about your baby eating fatty food? Don't be. "Unsaturated fat is the good kind of fat, and babies need it for brain development," says pediatrician Ari Brown, co-author of Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year.

Meat

Many of us don't think of meat as a typical baby food, but it's one of Brown's top choices. "Meat is a great source of zinc and iron," she explains.

Prunes

Prunes have lots of fiber and can help relieve constipation – which, notes Brown, your baby may experience after you introduce solids.

Garbanzo beans

Like lentils and other beans, garbanzos are rich in protein and fiber, says Geagan. They're also inexpensive and versatile.

Mandarin oranges

High in vitamin C and antioxidants, mandarin oranges are a supreme finger food. "Babies really love the flavor," says Hosenfeld.

This article came with different serving suggestions. This article and those suggestions I just mentioned can be found  at http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-ten-best-foods-for-babies_10320505.bc?page=2 for your reading pleasure. I suggest sweet potatoes, peas, applesauce and cream corn as well due to the fact that my son loved them. I also recommend if you can getting either a food processor or a blender and making your child's food.  This let's you know exactly what is going into your child's food and belly.

Crib or Bassinet? Which is better?

I have had a lot of my girl friends having children lately? Sereval of them have asked me which do I think is better. When you kids are younger I recommend going with a bassinet. This gives the child a more secure feeling because he or she was used to being inside a tight living quarter for the last nine months. I have also figured out that when you swaddle your child and lay him on his back to sleep in a bassinet there is less room for him to move in. Therefore reducing the likelyhood of a SIDS related death. If you choose to go with a bassinet I strongly recommend the Safety 1st Nod A Way Baby Bassinet. I loved it. It was an excellent product. The built in viberates helped to sooth and lull my son the sleep.

However, if you decide to go with a crib I recommend the Graco Lauren 4-in-1 Crib n Changer Combo. It is amazing. The crib can convert to toddler, daybed, and full-size bed when needed. It was super easy to assemble and it is easy to clean. Now I will admit that this crib is a bit pricey, $429.99, so you know. However it is well worth it. My son is five now. We had gotten both the crib and the bassinet before he was born. My son still has this bed. It is converted ito a Toddler bed at the moment. This beautiful crib surprisingly still looks as gorgeous as it did the day we got it home. 

Disclaimer: I am just a mother that has used these products before with my kids. I am not a paid spokesperson for these companies and have not recieved any money for my opinions about these products

Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

As we all know, the season for colds and flus are upon us. As I write this blog, I actually have the flu. Therefore, I thought you might like to know how you can naturally combat a cold or flu.However, I should state that if you have a cold that last longer then a week or continues to get worse please go see a doctor. These are some of the things I do when I get sick:

1.Staying Rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your immune system with the battle. As we all know having the flu can be exhausting and draining. Therefore, it is okay to sleep.

2. Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, you can try an astringent gargle -- such as tea that contains tannin -- to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey or a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar, which is a popular folk remedy. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water and mix in one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling. Just so all the parents know, you should should never give honey to children less than 1 year old.

3. Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids can relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. My personal favorite hot drink is a cup of green tea with andioxidants that has a little bit of honey and lemon juice in it.

4. Steamy Showers
The steam from the shower helps to moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, you can still run a steamy shower, but it is best that you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath. This prevents the likelihood of you slipping or even falling in the shower.

5. Vitamin C
I strongly recommend vitamin c even when you are not sick. It helps strengthen your immune system. This way your body is better equiped to combat illnesses. If like me you do not like orange juice, you can get vitamin c in pills or apple juice. If you decide to go with pills a recommend the 500mg chewables. The reason behind that is the other pills can leave a bit of an after taste in your mouth that is not too pleasant. You need to take two pills twice daily while you have the crud

6. Hot Toddy
I have a friend tell my parents about this. I do not know why but it works.  You mix1 shot glass of whiskey, 2 - 3 tablespoons honey and 1 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice.Combine the honey, whiskey, and lemon juice in a coffee cup and microwave just until it is hot around 30 seconds (but not too hot, you do not want to lose the alcohol in the whiskey!)" The first one you drink slowly, then make a second one and drink it fast then go to bed, cover up, and sweat it out! It sounds crazy but it works!

7. Ginger & Garlic
Ginger and garlic both clear up congestion and while helping to build up immunity. Both of these can be found in pill forms. I strongly recommend the odorless garlic. I get the 550mg of ginger root and 1000mg odorless garlic from my local health store, Jacks Natural Foods. I recommend taking 1 ginger and two garlic twice daily while you are sick.