Flexibility

I originally wrote this on January 31, 2013 but I accidentally deleted it on April 24th, 2013.  Here it is restored.  I wanted to be sure to keep it for my memory and to help others as it is one of my most read blog posts.

So everyone tells you when you become a parent, you need to learn to be more flexible. When asked my plans while I was pregnant I would always say "I plan to X with Jack, we will see how it goes". And yup, I got through almost 8cm of labor without medication. I bedshare with him because he won't sleep alone. I babywear so he feels close. I've yet to cry it out at night. I've had to do some give and take but most has gone the way I hoped. Yet I'm afraid I may have to say otherwise soon.

I may be in the process of weaning from breastfeeding. Something I was, and am, so determined to do, that I enjoy and love despite its huge difficulties and am committed to with every inch of my being, I feel is being ripped from me. For some, this may seem really dramatic. But for me, it is heart wrenching. To say these last few days have been emotional is a complete understatement.

I am going to do the full story here as a type of therapy for myself. I don't really expect anyone to read or understand this but I need to get it off my heart. It's weighing on it heavily. In no way am I saying formula is bad or judging anyone. Breastfeeding, for me, is enjoyable for many reasons, even though it hasn't been an easy road.

I've been determined to breastfeed since before I was pregnant. Te health benefits, the bonding, the cost, the convenience, and the naturalness were all huge factors for me. I read books like "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" and Trevor and I went to a breastfeeding class at the hospital before he was born. I did research, read, did everything I could to prepare.

So Jack came and breastfeeding hurt really bad in the beginning. So bad that I didn't want people to visit because I was in tears, canceled birthday plans (he was born 8 days before my birthday) and I dreaded feeding him. Not only did it hurt a ton but he wouldn't stay latched and would throw up almost all of his meal. So I saw lactation consultant after lactation consultant. They all said his latch was fine. I tried reclined nursing, propping my breast up with a rolled up wash cloth, hand expressing before to alleviate the over active let down and oversupply issues, side laying nursing, different creams, air drying, using gel soothies, and breastmilk as ointment to get through the pain and his fighting and struggles with breastfeeding.

Finally around 6-8 weeks, after an ultrasound to rule out pyloric stenosis and many a dumbfounded lactation consultant (because he was gaining well, had the appropriate diapers and was happy), I gave in and put him on Zantac for reflux and starting using the nipple shield.

Things went well until around December. In December, Jack started having some blood spots and green mucousy poop. So I cut out the little dairy I was eating and soy. I also did 8 hour block nursing to see if my oversupply was causing a foremilk and hindmilk imbalance. It helped for the most part. Then, during Christmas break he started being weird with the shield. So I tried to nurse without the shield and he latched! I was so excited. Only 12 hors later I had blood blisters on my nipples that hurt so bad I had I pump and feed him for 3 days straight because I was in so much pain. Ever since then he has been increasingly refusing to nurse with the shield. I try to nurse without it and it kills. I've tried different latch "tricks" and feeding positions with no luck. I've read practically every article on kellymom.com, the leaky boob and La Leche League's website.

So, I figured the last option I have for fixing whatever pain is being caused is taking Jack to an ENT and seeing if he has a posterior tongue tie or lip tie that is affecting his ability to latch. The doctor this past Monday said he has a very slight posterior tongue tie but that he'd have to put Jack under for a few minutes to clip it and it isn't guaranteed fix and certainly not an instant fix either. Neither Trevor nor I feel comfortable putting him under for a "maybe". Luckily I had a snow day because I cried a lot on Monday. I really was running out of options.

That same day, we went to buy buy baby and babies r us to buy more pumping supplies because it seemed as though I was going to have to pump to feed Jack. This is difficult because in the afternoon and at night I don't pump enough to keep up with his demands and Trevor works. Jack is a snuggly guy so putting him down for 20-30 minutes so I can pump doesn't make him a happy camper. I'm usually babywearing him all night long. In addition, over the last week my supply has really taken a hit. For example, I wanted to pump last night to feed him and I only got 1.5 ounces. He takes 4-5 normally. Right now I just pumped 3.5. I normally pump 5-6 ounces. This is despite eating oatmeal every breakfast for the last 5 months, drinking tons of water, trying different pump flange sizes, eating lactation cookies and taking fenugreek or drinking milkmaid tea.

I figured the one last place I hadn't tried was contacting a La Leche League International leader. I called her on Tuesday morning and she called me later that night. We talked for a good hour before she said "I admire you so much for everything you have done and I really don't know of anything else you could do to try to make this work. You've literally tried everything. I am impressed you've stuck with it for this long on top of working full-time and having a baby that gets up frequently." While it made me feel SO good to know I have tried everything possible and I am not giving up because I don't want to work at it, and that an expert at breastfeeding is impressed by me, I am just astounded that even a LLLI leader is out of ideas for me.

So here I am with an extreme desire to breastfeed and I don't know how much longer it is going to work out. I cry often because of it and my heart hurts. Yeah there are bigger problems in the world, but this is a big one in mine. Yes, Jack will be just fine on formula and will be happy and healthy (just like I was on formula) and wants his mommy to be happy but it is hard to let go of this dream. I had hopes to breastfeed him for a year and then go for two. I can't believe I may be done by the time he is 5 months. It floors me. I look at ingredients in formula and there are things like whey and corn syrup solids and I feel guilty giving them to him because I avoid those myself. How am I suppose to give him something I wouldn't even eat? In "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" it talks about how breastmilk changes for the baby as they get older, if they are sick and what they need. Formula can't do that. I'm grieving our comfy nursing sessions where we would just sit on the couch and snuggle and nurse. Even the late night ones. And even more so for the convenience. I always had the appropriate amount, temperature, and vessel to feed him. I cried a lot yesterday and am today because at this point I just want to make it to 6 months but I don't know if my body will let me. I feel bad because he is always trying to nurse (smashes his head to my boob or sucking on any exposed skin) when hungry but I can't because of the pain and his refusal of the shield. I'm going to keep trying to offer nursing before the bottle but it feels like a loosing battle. And even if I do, it doesn't seem like I am producing as much any more.

So just know I am a range of emotions right now. My wonderful coworker and friend Holly was gracious enough to give me some formula to try with Jack after listening to my struggles. I have it in his cabinet in the kitchen for once my freezer stash is gone because using it makes me feel like I'm admitting defeat. I'm jealous of friends that were able to breastfeed for long periods of time, I am jealous of those that give formula without feeling guilty, I am confused by those that have formula and didn't try to breastfeed, I'm jealous of friends yet to try it that may be more successful than I am. In short, I'm really emotional and hope people understand that the way I feel isn't them, it is all me. And yes Jack will be fine, but I'm struggling right now. I'm struggling to let go of a dream I've had for a long time. I can only hope the next time around will be easier.

So my plan now is to just keep trying to get him to nurse with the shield and hope things change. I'm going to keep trying to increase my supply, do skin to skin contact when home with him, pump at work and home when necessary and perhaps things will change. I'm hopeful but at the same time I am not. There's a breastfeeding clinic at St. John's and I could get a second opinion from a different ENT but I don't know if they would be helpful or hurtful. Hashing through all of this is really difficult. I am not even going to proofread this because typing it out caused enough tears as it is.

So this is my breastfeeding story so far at 4.5 months. I hope we can make it to 6 months when we will start to introduce foods. I hope I can make it a year. But I'm trying to just get by day by day. If anyone reading this ever struggles with breastfeeding, please feel free to ask me for help. As the leader said, I've tried it all. And I just need to make peace with that. I need to let go of the guilt of not making a bigger freezer stash (168 oz is what I had going back to work), block nursing may having affected my supply, not trying a second opinion at the ent, not going to the clinic, not nursing through the extreme pain, not putting him under for the tongue tie clip. Maybe he is just teething and will change his preference for the shield, like it and my supply will rebound. Maybe next week I won't be nursing. I just hope however it happens, next time is easier, Jack feels loved and I can learn to move on.

Edit: the second opinion would put him under.

Jack is 4 Months!

So as we hit the four month mark I really feel like he's becoming less and less baby like. He's hitting milestones left and right and is so curious about the world around him. Being back to work is no easier now but I take solace in knowing that he is really enjoying his time home with Trev. They play all day and really enjoy the time together. That makes Trevor and I working opposite hours easier to take as well (since some days I only see Trev for 30 minutes to an hour).

Anyway, this mamá is tired so I'm going to get right to the point with Jack this month.

-Jack is currently in 3-6 month and 6 month clothing. Some footed pjs are 6-9 months.

-He weighs 13 lbs 6 oz (10th percentile) and 24.5in (25th percentile). We have a peanut.

-He is a very happy baby. Lots of talking, giggles, laughs, smiles and TONS of screeching.

-His favorite toy is the oball and he can grab it (and many other things) with both hands now. He is always trying to watch TV but doesn't care for loud flashy toys. They overstimulate him and he freaks out. When he's in his jumperoo (which he loves) we have to turn the lights and sounds off or he melts down.

-Jack enjoys doing Jack airplane, any bouncing motion while saying "daboing" and when dad pats his back while talking to hear how his voice changes.

-Kicking is a ton of fun but now that means bath time is really splashy so the baby tub is in his bathtub now.

-We tried nursing without the shield but he blistered my nipples so were still using it. We have a little but of cradle cap or "dinosaur skin" but it's coming off easily by just combing it in the tub. He no longer screams in the car because Grandma and Grandpa Sheldon got him a DVD player for the car and it entertains him. He's becoming a distracted nurser because he's so curious about the world and is sill getting up every 1.5-2 hours at night. These are our struggles but he is worth every minute of them. One sight of his pout lip and I melt. I won't be letting him cry it out. I don't want to learn that I won't come when he cries. Until he has the words to verbalize why he is crying, I will come because who knows why he is crying? Maybe he's lonely, maybe hungry, maybe scared? Don't you ever wake up from a bad dream and roll over and snuggle your significant other? Waking up to snuggle me is no different. I'm willing to put up with the exhaustion to be there for him. Doesn't make it any easier, though, that's for sure!

-He enjoys grabbing his feet, putting his hands in his mouth, drooling, looking at himself in the mirror, blowing bubbles and raspberries and giving slobbery open mouth kisses. His neck and belly are really ticklish.

-He can't wait to sit up. He's constantly doing baby crunches.

So although he is cleared to start solids, I'm going to try to wait until 6 months. Partly to delay extra steps with cloth diapers and partly to be able to avoid food allergies since my sister and I had a ton when we were younger. I also want to try baby led weaning and skip rice cereal and purées and let him learn to feed himself.

Breastfeeding is draining. Pumping at work takes a lot of time and it takes a while to nurse but it is best with him and I'm committed to it. He's my number one priority and I want to give him the best start possible. Every month that going by and he's exclusively breastfed, I give myself another pat on the back.

As crazy and chaotic as our life is and as sleep deprived as I am, I am loving motherhood. He brings so much joy to my life.

this time last year

At 7:30am 12/31/11 I woke up to Trevor's fire pager going off to announce a retirement for a fellow firefighter. I rolled over and told him I had a very vivid dream (which is typical for me) that I was pregnant with a little girl. We had been trying for a while and in December I received some bad test results so I was kind of bummed by the dream. December was the month I decided to not care so much, nearly impossible. Trev rolled over back to sleep and I laid in bed trying to decide if I should test or not. I had told myself I wasn't going to this month because I want tired of the disappointment. Dreams are a big part of my life (I have the Japanese character tattooed on my right shoulder). I finally decided to, so I snuck quietly to our upstairs bathroom so Trevor wouldn't hear me and call me out. I took it and went to go grab it and throw it out, fully expecting it to be negative like so many others, and it was POSITIVE! So positive for being so early. I wasn't even late yet! I had an OMG moment and then I ran downstairs, threw open our bedroom door and yelled to a sleeping Trevor "OMG, I'm pregnant". The look on his face was disbelief. We typed into a calendar that my due date would be 9.11. His grandpa Jack's birthday (who we always said we would name him after and my little brother Jack) and awesome since Trev was a firefighter.

The rest of that day is a blur to me. Our emotions were running so high. I was excited, nervous, scared, joyful, overwhelmed, and relieved all at the same time. We decided to tell those close to us right away but only those close to us. I packed up an Auntie Anne's pretzel shirt I had emailed the company for when we started trying, knowing that is how I wanted to tell my family, and we headed over to my parents' house. I told Annie I had forgotten one of her Christmas presents and had her open it. I could tell she was less than enthused and after a few minutes it finally clicked for my mom and she said "Are you?!" To which I started crying and said "Yes!" Then she proceeded to give me oodles of boy things she just bought because she had a feeling it'd happen soon. My dad was just in shock. As typical teenagers, Annie and Max just thought it was "cool".

Next we went to his parents' rental house they were staying in because of their house fire. Trev started a conversation with them about how terrible 2011 had been for them since their house burnt down and Laurie lost her brother. Then he said "Well 2012 will be better because you will be grandparents and get your updated house". It took Laurie a second and then she started crying and was so happy. Harry proceeded to say he wondered if I was because I started to look it. I guess at 11 days pregnant I was already starting to gain those 55 lbs lol.

A few hours later we called my sister, brother and sister in law who were all out to dinner in Traverse City. They were shocked. I don't even know that they knew we were trying!

Later that night we went bowling with his parents and cousin Autumn and Mark. We didn't tell them but I bowled a 119 (911 backwards) and at the same time the song "Hit the road, Jack" played. And I noticed, for the first time, that my jacket was by the company Jack.

After bowling we went to Heather and Seth's to see them and Erich and Michelle. We got there and I pulled out of a shopping bag my drink for the night, sparkling juice. The girls screamed and Heather started getting teary eyed. It was awesome. At midnight Trevor and I kissed and celebrated 2012 being the year we would become parents.

I look back to last New Year's Eve and while the memories are still fresh in my head, it feels like forever ago. I feel like I'm a completely different person from that day, and maybe I am. As Trevor and I were laying in bed last night reliving these memories, I told him "This time last year was the last time I thought about myself". Life is crazy, exhausting and chaotic now and I never get enough sleep or have enough time to get done all the things I'd like but boy is it 100x better. 2012 was an amazing year. I carried and had my first child and we became parents. He brings us so much joy and laughter and has really changed our marriage. Being a mom has really made me look at myself and the kind of person I want to be. I can only imagine how wonderful 2013 is going to be because of our Jack.

Jack is 3 Months Old!

How is my little bubba getting to be so big? I can't believe how interactive he is becoming! He's such a little person now and not that much of a baby blob. :)

So this is what Jack is up to now:

-he loves making spit bubbles
-he can grab some things and bring them to his mouth but he prefers trying to cram his whole fist in!
-he likes to raise his left arm up the entire time he lays on the changing table (that he loves being on).
-he is fascinated by his feet and tries hard to grab them.
-he's wearing 3-6 month and 6 month clothing because he is long limbed (not like his mama)!
-he has a little cradle cap that were working on.
-he takes amazing naps for Dad during the day but still likes waking up often to eat at night (now that Mom is back to work she's enjoying the extra cuddles).
-on 12.10.12 he rolled over onto his back from his belly-silly boy did it on Dad's first day watching him.
-he has really found his voice. He will talk forever if you say "ow" to him (kind of like the MN Vikings horn sound if you watch football). He's also starting to develop a belly laugh and a shriek! One day we thought he said dad and thank you!
-at night we have to swaddle him (he enjoys this now) and walk around in a dark room (bathroom) with the fan going and patting his butt while he falls asleep (but he is sleeping in his rock 'n play more-I think he's less restless this way).
-his neck is SO ticklish and he laughs and squirms when you kiss it. Sometimes his belly, too!
-he likes patty cake still but also when we have him dance "Gangnam Style" and sing "Heyyy, sexy baby" (instead of lady). Lol, poor kid!
-when he's fussy we call him "fuss pants".

I am down to 119lbs, so only 4 lbs to go. I'm going to try hard to keep cooking my own healthy vegan meals but it is hard when I want to spend my time with Jack after work (usually babywearing him for extra snuggles) and Trev works most evenings-so I'm solo. I'll stay vegan for sure but probably with some help from Trader Joe's frozen section.

I went back to work yesterday and its really hard. Hard because I miss Jack SO SO much (luckily Trev texts me pictures, videos and updates of their day) but hard also from not having started the year with my students. I hear it all takes time but it is painful in the meantime. I can't wait for Christmas break soon.

Well that's all for this month. I have a .25 year old that needs some extra snuggles! :)

Cookbook Winner

Jianna won (second to comment on my FB update this morning due to posting troubles yesterday). Thanks to everyone who read the post and commented. I really enjoyed reading your responses and hope you all consider purchasing HHA! :)

Drawing Update

I've had a few people say their comments didn't go through on my blog. Check and see and if it didn't, post it on my Facebook before 2PM when I will chose the winner. There are 8 comments right now. The first one on FB will be #9, then #10, etc. (for drawing purposes).

Happy Herbivore Abroad Interview, Review & Giveaway!

I have to say I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of Lindsay's book tour for her new book, Happy Herbivore Abroad.  You can read about my journey to veganism here, but at the end of the day what is most important is that Lindsay is my favorite cookbook author.  When I was first vegan I would get very overwhelmed by the random ingredients in recipes, the amount of time and effort they took and how unhealthy a supposedly healthy recipe could be!  When my co-worker introduced me to Happy Herbivore, I was hooked.  Her recipes were easy, healthy and quick--something I appreciate even more now that I am a working mom of a new baby boy.   

I own both Happy Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore (and enjoy her meal plans that have helped me lose 50 of my 55lbs of pregnancy weight in a healthy fashion!) but I have to say that Happy Herbivore Abroad is my absolute favorite of the three cookbooks.  I don't know if it is the traveler and Spanish teacher in me, but I really enjoy the flavors and variety in these recipes!  I absolutely love the amount of European recipes, specifically the Spanish recipes, throughout the cookbook.  I'm also impressed by the new layout and font.  It is really easy for me to understand how many people each recipes serves and the nutritional information for it.  Additionally, the recipes all call for ingredients that are easy to find, don't cost a lot and are probably already in my pantry.  It is completely accessible cooking for everyone--something that is usually not typical with cooking food from around the world.  As a travel junkie, I adore the stories she has behind each of the recipes and the pronunciation tips for foreign words.  Not only is this a cookbook but also a travelogue of her extensive adventures.  I found myself reliving many of my favorite travel memories through hers.  While nursing one night I sat down and read the cookbook as if it was an actual book and was really entertained.  She has surpassed my expectations with this cookbook--and I have to admit--I had really high ones given my travel experiences. 

Probably more exciting than receiving Happy Herbivore Abroad was my chance to interview Lindsay about the cookbook!  I was definitely a little star-struck to get this opportunity.  Hearing her take on her new book was very cool:

Ashley:  As a Spanish teacher, I love to travel as well. I find that when I do, I discover almost more about myself than I do about my destination. Have you had a similar experience?

Lindsay:  Yes! I have a story in Abroad about exactly that! Actually, two of the stories in there could fit this description...

 

Ashley:  Being vegan on my most recent trip to Spain forced me to try new foods that I wouldn't have otherwise. What advantages and disadvantages does being vegan while traveling pose for you?

Lindsay:  Like you, I find eating a plant-based diet encourages me to try foods I wouldn't have normally tried. I always like tell people that my diet is much more varied now on a plant-based (vegan) diet than it ever was when I was an omnivore. Being plant-based has opened me up to so many foods, ingredients and cuisines I would have never tried as an omnivore. The only disadvantage is that it's not always convenient -- but that's true no matter if you're in small town U.S.A. or Rome. Eating a plant-based diet takes patience and creativity at times, especially when you're abroad, but I've always been able to find food. I've found Spain to be one of the easiest and most accommodating countries!   

 

Ashley:  I see you've been to many countries where you don't speak the native language. How do you manage staying plant strong and communicating your needs?  Any tips?

Lindsay:  I speak Spanish, French and some German -- enough to get by and communicate my needs. In other countries, where I don't speak the language at all, I always take notes with me -- food words, how to explain my dietary preferences in their native language. I'll get a phrase book, etc. so I still can communicate, just not well. I've also noticed that English has become more widespread throughout Europe, especially in the bigger cities because of tourism, and many restaurants offer English menus.  

 

Ashley:  What is the craziest meal you've tried while traveling?  Did you enjoy it?  Will we see a recipe in Happy Herbivore Abroad?

Lindsay:  I'm not terribly adventurous with my food -- but I did eat a fruit once that looked, and, in my opinion, tasted like an eyeball. I was assured it was not an eyeball...  

 

Ashley:  While in Spain last year I saw a TON of vegan graffiti and support for the first time. Do you feel like you've noticed in your travels that the plant strong community is getting bigger throughout the world?

Lindsay:  I saw a huge difference on this last trip, compared to five years earlier. I saw a lot of vegan graffiti, stickers and other posters about being vegan. I ran into an Italian animal rights group demonstrating at fashion week in Milan and they were so excited that I was plant-based. I've also noticed more and more restaurants, bars, etc. offering clearly marked vegan and vegetarian meals in the bigger cities.  

 

Ashley:  What's your favorite recipe in Happy Herbivore Abroad?

Lindsay:  Asking a chef to pick their favorite recipe is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child :)  

 

Ashley:  Do any of your recipes hold special memories from your adventures?

Lindsay:  Most of them! There's a story attached to nearly every recipe in the book.   

 

Ashley:  Are these recipes as accessible to the everyday cook since they have an international flair?

Lindsay:  Yep! That was my main goal -- international flavor, using everyday ingredients we all have in our pantry.  

 

Ashley:  What are you most proud of with this new book?

Lindsay:  There's so much of me in this book. It's very personal, especially with all the memoir bits. It's not easy to brave your soul to the presses! I'm really proud of this book. It's a beautiful book.

 

 

So if you still aren't sure of how awesome this book is, let me show you a few recipes I have made!  Keep in mind that these pictures were taken from my iPhone and I am not a good photographer.  First, I had to try the paella!

At first I wasn't sure how I would like it since it doesn't have saffron in it, but it was amazing.  Besides a quick whiz of my food processor, this is pretty much a one pot meal that doesn't need a lot of fuss-great for a week night meal.  I loved the al dente taste of the rice...just like the paella I've had in Spain many times!

Since I can't really go to Spain right now because of our newest addition, I wanted to have a tapas night in.

I made Patatas Bravas, Tostada con Tomate, and "Cheater" Romesco Sauce.  I added a few olives on the side, per Spanish tapas tradition, and washed it down with the Tinto de Verano recipe.  The sauce for the patatas bravas was great and really easy!  I did have to cook my potatoes longer than the recipe states but that is ALWAYS the case for me...maybe I chop mine too big?  Since it is so cold out I broiled my zucchini instead of grilling it and it was delicious with the romesco sauce.  Tastes just like when I last had it in Toledo in a cool restaurant that was somewhat underground/cave like when out celebrating my co-worker's surprise engagement that I helped with!  The tostada con tomate (which is usually for breakfast but I love so much and can't resist) was amazing.  I didn't have a cheese grater so I had to use a microplane.  That took quite a bit more effort but the result was delicious and very authentic!  And the tinto...so good.  Reminds me of the Kalimotxos I used to drink when I studied abroad.  Now if only I could get Fanta Limón here in the states as well...

To keep things well balanced among my Spanish-speaking countries I made the Quick Mole Chili and Morir Soñando for lunch.

The chili was unbelievably easy and quick, as was the drink.  I love the name of the juice drink...to die dreaming...since I have the Japanese character for "dream" tattooed on my shoulder for my habit to constantly dream.  My oranges weren't that sweet so I did have to add some agave but I can only imagine how much better it would taste with really good oranges.  The chili had a nice subtle chocolate flavor without being sweet...the perfect mole taste. 

Lastly, I made the Stuffed Acorn Squash because it is getting chilly here in Michigan and I wanted some warm comfort food.

I really liked the spices and raisins in the stuffing.  I don't think I would have thought to use them in a stuffing before.  I also enjoyed the use of quinoa instead of rice because I love how quinoa adds protein and is super quick to cook.  It was a very easy recipe and one I will make many times again...besides the acorn squash I almost always have all of the ingredients in my house!

Well, if this post hasn't sold you on how awesome Happy Herbivore Abroad is then I don't know what will!  I really can not sing enough praises for it.  For more reviews, follow the Twitter hashtag #HHATour. 

Happy Herbivore Abroad is available now on Amazon but I am lucky enough to give away one copy to a reader!  To enter, leave a comment below (I have to approve comments before they post, just FYI when you post them) telling me either what your favorite travel memory is or what your favorite food while traveling has been.  Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.  The giveaway will end Saturday night, 12/1/12 at 11:59PM.  I will post the winner on Sunday and choose the person by using http://www.random.org/integers/.  The giveaway is only open to those in the USA and Canada.  Good luck!  :)