Still pumping

Yesterday I spilled pumped milk TWICE. Today I forgot a bottle so I only had one working pump. I am so over pumping! I'm not even really sure why I continue. I guess I am still afraid I will dry up completely and I'm not quite ready to be done breastfeeding. I love the relationship, and in this way she gets to stay my baby for a little while longer. Plus, I know that breastmilk still has major nutritional value as well, and the more I pump the more milk she will receive. At this point I usually pump 10 or 11oz while at work. If she needs more than that at daycare she gets cow's milk. In the end, it is worth it to me but I won't miss it, that's for sure!

What Mothers Need to Know

More wisdom for ALL new moms from "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding":


"Newborns don’t look like magazine babies.

There are no right answers.

People say things, but they aren’t always trying to be judgmental when they say them.

A dirty house builds extra immunities.

Sometimes motherhood stinks.

Should is a poison word that argues against reality.

It’s important to see other babies so you know what’s really normal.

Sometimes the books are just wrong.

Listen to yourself.

Listen to your baby. Respect him and his intuition. He will tell you what he needs.

Find someone who will listen to you.

You will never achieve an ideal state of motherhood.

Wait long enough and it will change, and the questions and answers will be

different.

Pick your battles.

A dog is an excellent floor cleaner.

Respond to questions with “Why do you ask?”

Receiving blankets have all kinds of uses— a surface for public diaper changes, an extra wrap in a car seat, catching spit- up.

Hold off buying things until you know whether you’re ever going to use them— like a crib or changing table. Don’t get caught up in the consumerism of new parenthood.

The ideal adult- to- baby ratio is about three to one the first week. But if all you have is one mother and one baby, you’ll manage.

When people offer help, say yes.

Join a playgroup. It’s not for the child, it’s for the mother.

After a week or so, get out of the house. The crying doesn’t bother other people as much as you think it does, and even the grocery store can seem like a wonderful adventure.

Step outside when you can, throw your shoulders back, take a deep breath, and look up for at least a few seconds.

Don’t be surprised at how totally bizarre you feel the first week. It’s normal to feel really weird.

You can only do what you can do.

Let go of your expectations and let what is be.

Just because it’s fun doesn’t mean it’s not important."

http://www.llli.org/docs/0000000000000001WAB/WAB_Tear_sheet_Toolkit/13_whatmothersneedtoknow.pdf

Have I mentioned how much I love this book? ;)

The only one I don't like is the "Sometimes, motherhood stinks" statement. Don't get me wrong, I am well aware of the feeling this comment stems from; motherhood can be far from glamorous or "pinteresty", it's definitely stressful, overwhelming and hard sometimes. Yet even in those moments, the lowest of lows, I know how incredibly lucky I am to have this gift so I won't ever say it is anything but the best!

"Expert" Sleep Advice

http://www.today.com/parents/exhausted-new-moms-hilarious-take-expert-sleep-advice-goes-viral-6C9559908

Ages and Stages: 12-14 Months

Lately you have been impressing us very much with all the things you know. You can point and say "eyes", "nose", "mouth", "hair", "teeth", and sometimes "ears". You also know your "toes" "foot" and "hands". You can tell us what a sheep, horse, chicken, cow, kitty, monkey and lion/tiger says. You actually have been able to do the horse and cow for quite a while but you do it so consistently now and you just seem to be learning a new one each day. Last night we were playing with the blocks and while I was building a tower you had picked on up and started saying "puppy", and it was the puppy block, then you pointed to one with a ball and said ball, then you really blew my mind when you said "kitty, meow" and I looked over to you holding a block with the cat picture. It's just amazing to watch you learn!

You have definitely been making progress with your shape sorter toy you got for you birthday. You can put in all the shapes easily by yourself if I show you where to put them. It's so funny, you always pick up the heart and star first when I dump them out, they must be your favorites (you say "heart" too). There are three shape holes on your little red car too, and you have been having fun with those. You can do the circle and square completely by yourself but the triangle is more difficult. You like to say "woah" a lot now and "mmmmm" (even so weird things like a cold bottle or after you have dipped your hand into mommy's tea). Which reminds me, you remember the things we have told you are "hot", like the stove and humidifier, and will say it when you are near them. Also you have started to say "no, no" to things we don't want you to touch like the garbage, but also when you don't want us to do something, like wash your face. Let's see what else do you say? "Art" for paintings/pictures hanging on the wall, "sky" which is always accompanied by a forceful arm thrust towards the sky.; "Nice" when you give hugs and pats on the back; you say "duck"; "bear"(which has a Forest Gump like accent to it); "bird" and "mouse". I'm sure there are others that I can't remember now as well!

You do seem a bit more timid around strangers now, especially the doctors when they try to listen to your heart/lungs, or look in your mouth or ears. You have really hated that the last two times we've gone. You remember your grandparents, but are sometimes shy and timid at first with the extended families. You do love Amanda Getchell though and always want to go to her right when you see her no matter how long it's been since you have seen her last. Last night you were saying her name, something like "Ah-mawn-ya", with a rhythmic emphasis on each syllable.

You are just too cute and make me laugh all the time. It's so funny to see your "skeptical" face, I can only imagine what you must be thinking!  You will dance anytime you hear music now. You love the outdoors and often get frustrated (sometimes extremely frustrated) if you want to go outside but we can't. You "sneak" around, by walking slightly crouched down with a mischievous grin on your face.  You love run down to our bedroom, get on the bed and wait for us to come down and tickle you. You also love to play with your reflection in the mirror. Daddy and I just love your personality!

1st Year Molars (and their evilness)

Right after baby girl's first birthday she started to get her second two bottom teeth. At the same time I noticed that her gums in back seemed swollen like her molars would be coming a long shortly as well. They have been a lot slower to come in, but have brought much more pain than any of the other teeth she has gotten. The bottom gums just seem to be getting more swollen and white, but the actual tooth is resisting to break through. The tops gums on the other hand look a lot different. They never really looked swollen or white and the little ridge of the gum that seems to recede with teething is still very apparent. And yet both teeth have started to pop through; the outside side (if that makes sense) is pretty much completely through and then there is a tiny spec on the other side of the ride where the other side is starting. I can sneak a peak sometimes when she is on my lap throwing her head back laughing. These molars have definitely given her pain since they started to come in. It's not constant pain, just erratic episodes that last for like a day or so. Poor baby girl will be fussy, chew on her hands and drool a lot. It also causes her to wake up a lot more during the night. Sometimes it makes her quite miserable at which point I break down and give her Tylenol. That makes me feel like a failure as a mom because I feel like I should be able to make her feel better and that using medicine is just a cop-out. Logically, I know that pain medication is fine when children are in pain and last night, actually, was a good reminder of how helpful Tylenol can be. Baby girl was so cranky; she wanted to nurse but then didn't, she wouldn't chew on a cold washcloth (she never will anymore), she didn't really want to do anything but cry, the poor baby. So we gave her some Tylenol and a popsicle to hold her over til it kicked in-- and what a world of difference it made! She was so happy after (and perhaps on a sugar rush), playing with her reflection in the mirror. I felt like we made the right decision. But then other times I just keep thinking of someone's post I read online once "I don't like to medicate my child so that I can get sleep at night". Why are moms so mean to each other! Anyway, it feels like she has gotten the most Tylenol ever these past two months and I think we still have another month at least before these suckers are all the way through.