Weaning: What's The Rush?

Photo Credit: The Unperfect Mummy

 "Once they can ask for it, they are too old to get it."

"You're still doing that?!"

"If you don't wean that kid soon they are going to still be on the boob in college."

Really? Really?!

These are clearly ridiculous statements.

Breastfeeding Support: It's More Than Just A Good Bra

Find us on Facebook

While every breastfeeding mum should have a comfortable supportive bra, the need for support doesn't end there. Mums need emotional support from friends and family (or even strangers--hopefully non-creepy ones) to start or continue doing one of the hardest jobs they will have as a parent.

Nursing Gymnastics

Photo credit: Happiness Redefined

Hello, my name is Shawna, and I am nursing my toddler. (This is your cue to say "Hello, Shawna")

Even in the United States where breastfeeding rates are significantly higher than in the UK, it is still considered strange and unusual to breastfeed past 12 months. Sadly, a lot of babies are weaned once solids are introduced or teeth start popping up. Neither of these things should signal the end of your breastfeeding relationship though. In fact, breastfeeding can be the best soother for transitional times in your baby's life such as new foods and painful teeth.

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to see where it all started.

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to see how it all started.

I Must Be Crazy

If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything, is ready, we shall never begin.- Ivan Turgenev, novelist, poet, playwright

This quote spoke to me on a number of levels. As a writer, it reminded me that I need to just sit down and write, or I'll never get my stories out of my head. As a mother, it reminded that life isn't going to wait, it's going to carry on with or without me. 

Yesterday, I was cleaning out Danger Baby's closet, packing up the outfits she has finally out-grown, and getting some of the warmer clothes moved to the front to prepare for the shifting seasons. As I sifted through the tiny dresses hanging in her closet, I came across the one her sister wore home from the hospital more than seven years ago. 

A white and pink sleeveless dress with little tiny pink rosebuds embroidered on it. I remembered waiting in my hospital room for my husband to return from the store with something for our little girl to wear. His mother was concerned that I was letting him chose our daughter's outfit, but I had complete faith in him. He didn't let me down. The Angry Midget had her hospital mugshot taken in that dress, and wore it several times once she was home as well. Fast forward a few years, and I had another little girl to share that dress with. Danger Baby wore it a handful of times and looked just as cute in it as her sister did all those years before.

When I packed that dress up the first time, I was a little sad because my baby was growing up, but I carefully put it away with the intention of getting it back out in a few years for my next baby. When I folded up that little pink and white dress yesterday, it was with a much heavier heart. I didn't pack it away with the intention of seeing it again in a few years, I packed it away in a special box for long term storage. 

When The Angry Midget was little, every milestone was greeted with joy and excitement. I was a little sad that my baby was growing up, but I knew that there would be more babies, and that I would get to enjoy the stages that were being left behind all over again with another little person some day. After six years had passed, and we were still a one child home, I brought myself to terms with the fact that that was all the more we were ever going to have. Relief was among my primary emotions at this realization. The birth didn't go well, and I was, quite frankly, not looking forward to ever going through that again. 

I had a hard time with Midget's first day of Kindergarten. She really wasn't my baby any more. I had a pang of regret that I hadn't focused more on her milestones, and really enjoyed and reveled in them. I regretted my "First of Many" attitude. Even if we would have had more, each child is different.

Then in March of last year everything was turned on its ear. I was pregnant again, and I was less than thrilled about it. Eventually, I came around and now I have not one but two beautiful little girls that I talk about all the time. That pregnancy was the best worst thing that ever could have happened. It brought my husband and I closer together. It strengthened our relationship. It helped him realize that I needed him to step up his parenting game and help me out a lot more. 

The birth of my second daughter also helped heal some of my own wounds from my first daughter's birth. It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't exactly how I wanted it to be, but it was still wonderful and I'm glad I had the chance to try again. I'm also very sure that I don't ever want to go through that process again. So sure in fact, that R and I have been discussing permanent pregnancy prevention (I'm of the opinion that since I've had two surgeries, it's his turn, but he's not convinced yet.) 


At lest I thought I was sure.

Now that Danger Baby is growing up, and reaching all her milestones, I'm trying to just live in the moment and enjoy every stage as she masters it. Unlike last time, I know this time that she is our last baby, and I'm really sad about that. So sad, that I'm actually considering another baby. 


Yes, I think I may in fact be crazy. I'm considering another baby. But if we have another, I would want to wait about four more years. This poses a lot of problems. My age as well as R's age primarily. Four years from now I will be 37 and R will be 49. That's pretty old to be having a baby. Of course, it's probably just hormones making me think I want another baby, and who knows how I'll feel next month or next year, much less four years from now. 


For now, I'll just try to enjoy every moment with Danger Baby and The Angry Midget, because as I've already learned, you never really know where life is going to take you, or what it's going to give you along the way.

The Man, The Angry Midget and Danger Baby

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to find out and see more Silent Sundays.

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to find out.

Please note: the linky is down this week as Jay is on holiday, but you can still learn all about Silent Sunday, do your own Silent Sunday post, and join the fun when it's back up next week. Cheers!

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to find out and see more Silent Sundays.

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to find out and see more Silent Sundays.

Chasing Rabbits And Herding Cats

If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.
- Unknown Author

This has been the story of my life the past few weeks. I've written about it on here before, and thankfully things have slowed down quite a bit since that morning when I drove off without my daughter.

Sadly, I realized the other day that Little W is 6 months old. Six months. Half of her first year of life has already passed me by. The time when she will change the most, grow the most, has already happened. It went so quickly, and I don't feel like I really got the chance to enjoy it.

I desperately want to roll the clock back and trade all those stupid PTA meetings and events for more time with her. All the waisted hours making phone calls instead of just sitting and enjoying nursing her or just holding her.

I knew it would go fast. I knew I wouldn't remember everything, and yet, I still didn't manage to find the time to take more pictures or videos of her. Other than a few very dark pictures from the day she was born, I really don't have any pictures of her and I together as a newborn.

I feel pretty lucky that this time around I've managed to hold the PPD at bay, but I find myself wondering if it isn't starting to creep in. I also wonder if my heart is trying to talk my brain into a third baby, something that just isn't in the cards.

I think I'm having such a hard time with Little W growing up because I know that she will be the last baby I nurse, the last baby I snuggle and coo to that is just mine. Someday I'll have grandbabies (probably), but that's different.

I had difficulty coming to terms with my pregnancy when I was carrying Little W. I found myself wishing everything away. I was so busy worrying about how it was all going to work out that I missed out on the joy. I didn't take the time to just stop and enjoy the feeling of life growing inside me. Now I look back and think, "What I wouldn't give to have just one more day of my pregnancy back."

This is all new emotional ground for me. With The Angry Midget, I didn't have all these regrets, I didn't have the sense of loss as she grew older. For a long time I planned to have more children, and I figured that if I missed something, there was always the next one. I think some of that might have been the PPD talking. It made it hard for me to connect with The Angry Midget, and it made it really hard to feel anything in general.

Now I know that this is my last shot, and I don't want to miss anything.

But I've already missed six months.

Silent Sunday

What is Silent Sunday? Click the badge to find out and see more Silent Sundays.

Survival

Well, I did it. I drove half way across the country, and back, with a baby and a first grader, and I lived to tell about it.

It wasn't easy and, quite honestly, by the last day I didn't like M very much, and I know she really didn't like me either.

The part that I was worried about most, cloth diapering and breastfeeding the baby on the road, ended up being the easiest part of the trip. At four months, Little W was a great passenger and slept most of the time in the car. Sure she had her moments where she cried because she woke up and had to wait a while before I could find a safe place to pull over to take care of her, or because she needed to nap but was fighting sleep. Over all though, she was really easy to travel with.

Her sister really wasn't that bad either, but when you're asked for the 15th time on the first leg of a two day car ride if we are in Iowa yet, you get a little frustrated, and more than a little tired of answering, "We won't be in Iowa until tomorrow."

On a completely separate note, I had a package waiting for me when I returned. My Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers and wipe water sample pack were waiting for me. I couldn't wait to smell the four new scents, or try out the diapers. The scents are great, and I'm waiting for my chance to use them (I have a full bottle of the vanilla lavender mixed right now that I have to use first.) The diapers had to be washed before I could give them a test drive on Little W's bottom, but I'm happy to report that they have been laundered and three of the four have been driven around the block. Look for a review on here very soon.

Until then, remember to hug your kids, kiss your spouse, and tell someone that you care about just what they mean to you. You never know if you'll have that chance again.

Be well, lovelies!

Our Cloth Diaper Journey--The First Test

Hello Lovelies!



Well, I don’t know how many of you know this, but R and I have made the decision to do cloth diapers with our second daughter W. I had really wanted to do cloth with our first, but we just couldn’t manage to make the initial cost work with our budget. This time, tax season came at just the right time, and helped us take the plunge.


We have been in cloth for about three weeks now, maybe four, and so far so good. One of the last days in disposables resulted in not one but two outfit changes for little W because her diaper blew out all down her leg. I can honestly say that she has not had to change an outfit because of a blow out, and I have not had to soak any of her clothes to make sure they don’t stain, and trust me, her output amount has not changed.


Tomorrow will be the beginning of the first real test of my cloth diapering skills though. Tomorrow, M, W, and I will all be heading out to my Mum’s house in PA. That’s a 13 hour trip by car stretched out over two days. Just me, a six year old, and a 4 month old, in a car for two days. Lord help me.


Now, you may be asking yourself: Why is she doing a blog post at 1:40 AM when she has a huge road trip ahead of her? Good question. I would like to take this opportunity to suggest that you not get sick with massive infections in your ears, sinuses, eye and throat the week before you plan to leave town on a road trip. It really messes up your schedule. Add to that the fact that I have once again over extended myself with my PTA commitments and a fundraiser that while hugely successful, is also hugely time consuming, and that’s how I am still up at nearly 2 AM waiting on laundry.


*Sigh*


So.


Yeah.


So far, our cloth journey has been great. I’ve found some great diapers that I really like, and some that I don’t really care for (unfortunately, I bought two of those before I realized that I don’t really like them.)


I’m currently waiting on an order form Blissful Booty Cloth Diapers (you can go to their store here and find them on Facebook here.) I was hoping that they would arrive before we had to leave, but sadly they are not here yet (the package will probably arrive tomorrow afternoon.) I look forward to trying those out especially since they have some of my favorite features. Watch for a review in the next two weeks.


I’ll also be doing reviews of the diapers I’ve tried so far (good and bad, or maybe I should say ones I liked, and ones that weren’t what I needed or was looking for.)


I think I just heard the washer buzz, so I’ll end it here for now.


I’ll update tomorrow on how the first day on the road went.


Wish me luck. I’ll need it.

Silent Sunday

Flower It Is

On November 17th after 36 hours of labor followed by a C-section, we welcomed a second beautiful little girl into our family. Her name is very special to our family, and to me especially. She was named in honor of the two people who were there with me through all 36 of those hours, as well as the months leading up to those last moments before she made her grand entrance.

We are doing things a little different this time, more on that in an upcoming post (hopefully soon).

Why I love Fall (Orig Post Date 10/19/10)

As the sticky heat of summer surrenders to the refreshing cool of fall, my favorite season begins.

 From spring to summer, the only real change is more heat and less rain. But the slide of summer into fall means crisp nights that are perfect for sweatshirts and hot cocoa; beautiful fiery leaves clinging to trees lining the roads and peeking out from behind houses; and frost sparkling in the bright morning sun.


Fall is also when some of my favorite activities happen. Back to school, National Novel Writing Month, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and my birthday all happen in the fall (though back to school seems to be creeping farther and farther into the summer). Then there’s apple picking, pumpkin hunting and carving, and hay rack rides with hot apple cider.

The view from by grandma's back porch in Penn.

I look forward to fall every year, but this year I have a few new reasons. With the baby due soon, I’ll have another birthday to celebrate as the days grow short and the nights get chilly. I love birthdays and having parties just to celebrate another year of life. I also love to make birthday cakes. My daughter has had at least one every year, everything from butterflies to mermaids and horses. Invariably, my daughter will walk into the kitchen when her cake is half done and tell me: “It doesn’t look very good” or “I don’t think that’s going to work” or (my personal favorite) “That’s not what I wanted at all,” but once I pipe that last flower, sea urchin, or rosette she is able to see the grand plan, and suddenly I’m the hero of the day. (If only I could get her to remember that from year to year.)


This year, the best part of moving from summer to fall has been the return of my ankles. With my daughter, I was at my most pregnant in early July, so it was hot, but not the infamous “State Fair Hot” that all Iowans are familiar with. My feet would swell daily and I lived in flip-flops, but thankfully it was only for the last few weeks. This time, things were a little different. There was a stretch of about six to eight weeks where my poor feet were unrecognizable as feet. If I slept with them elevated, they looked a little better for a few hours in the morning, but it rarely lasted past 10 am.


Then the weather started to cool and the humidity dropped off, and suddenly I had my feet back. I could wear shoes again! Putting socks on and getting the shoes tied is still quite a production, but I’m managing.


So, while the highlight of the seasonal shift this year is the return of my feet and ankles, I know that that is only temporary, and soon will be eclipsed by the joy I’ll feel as I hold this perfect new person for the first time. I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving (mere days after the baby should arrive) when I’ll have one more thing to be thankful for, and I’m even looking on to next year when I’ll have another life to celebrate, another cake to bake. I can’t wait to find out if it will be a flower or a fire truck.