We also got word of some BIG changes about to happen in our lives (No, Mom, I'm not pregnant), so stay tuned for updates on that, which will come as soon as I know that it for sure isn't going to fall through!
In other news, my precious little girl is a whopping 10 months old! Holy Moly, where did time go?! She is SOOO close to walking! The other day while we were walking around a store she let go of my hand and walked away...Yup, I got teary eyed. Who wouldn't!? It's almost like my precious girl doesn't need me anymore (OK, I'm being dramatic, but still!). She waves, nods and shakes her head "yes" and "no", signs "more", claps, and now almost walks. Oh, she also has a tooth that's all the way through the gums, and probably two more about to pop through...yikes!
The weather has been absolutely GORGEOUS lately so Jo and I have been able to take wonderful walks, a few jogs, and go to the park. So much fun! There's nothing cuter than a baby playing at the park <3
I'm pretty proud that I've managed to continue breastfeeding this long. I wish I had known more going into it (it probably would have made things ALOT easier), but now I know and am better prepared for babies (yup, plural) to come. But in the interest of trying to be helpful, here's what I learned:
1-It's not going to be easy starting out, and if it is, count your blessings! It's a learning experience for you AND baby, so be patient! It's the most natural way to feed your baby, and it WILL work if you keep at it! Jo was 3 days old before we got the hang of it. For the first month I'm pretty sure she was almost constantly latched. Schedule schmedule. Breastmilk is digested MUCH faster than formula, so newborn babies are ALWAYS hungry... so feed them...alot! Jo has not (and will not!) had a single sip of formula.
2-A good pump is necessary. Don't waste your money on a cheap one, even if you are planning on pumping rarely. My first one broke, and my second one has been my best friend, even if I haven't used it that much.
3-Bottles are over-rated. I was SO concerned with making people uncomfortable that I tried to force Jo to take bottles in public. She has had MAYBE 8. Maybe. She made the decision for me that she did not WANT a bottle. So we don't really worry about making people uncomfortable anymore. We have our cover, and we use it. If there's a place to go nurse, we go there. But I also fed her in a PACKED Bryant Denny stadium. I don't think anyone even noticed...but if they did, so what?! (She also never took a pacifier...she sucks her fingers instead...it's what works for us!)
4-Probably the most important thing I learned is that you can listen to other people's advice, but do what works for you. And it may not be what "everyone else" does... but that's why you aren't everyone else!
5-It's SOOOO worth it! We haven't bought a single can/bottle of formula, so we saved HUNDREDS of dollars. All we have to pack in our diaper bag for feeding is a cover (and now that she is eating solids, snacks) The time you spend with your baby is priceless. For a few minutes every few hours, it's just you and the baby-bonding time you should cherish <3
While breastfeeding has been a wonderful experience, I'm also pretty excited that it's almost over. After 19 months of considering everything I eat and drink and every medication I've not been able to take, I'm going to enjoy having my body back (at least until we decide to have another babe).
Ok. I'm done. Here's some recent (adorable) pics! Enjoy!
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| Playtime at the park! |
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| We go for alot of walks now |
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| Family photo! |
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| I'm going through a boots phase-but this is when we went out for our Anniversary dinner, and of course Jo came with! |
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