World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week was August 1st - 7th. In honor of this week, and as suggested by my husband, I am going to share some of my thoughts on nursing.

• As you probably know, breastfeeding had a rocky start for me and for Sprout. When my little guy was an itty-bitty guy, he probably got just as much formula as he did breast milk. We had latching problems, supply issues, and a lack of confidence. However, fortunately for us, the hospital that we delivered at has lactation consultants. I did not know if our case could be helped or not, but I made an appointment because I really wanted to nurse my baby.



• When Sprout was a little over 2 weeks of age, we had our first appointment. Carla was the lactation consultant who helped us. She weighed Sprout before he nursed, helped both of us learn what we were doing, and weighed him afterwards. Next, she helped us learn how to pump. She spent time encouraging us, teaching us, and letting us know that yes, we could do this. Lastly, she scheduled us for another appointment. I came ready to pay for the services that I received. I could not believe that they were free! What an amazing service to me and to our community.



• We have amazing friends who gave us a pump and vitamins and so much more! Can you believe it?!



• Fortunately, I was able to increase my milk supply. At the same time, Sprout needed less and less formula. My child went from fighting nursing sessions to wanting to do nothing else. Yes, my little guy decided that he would like to nurse ... constantly. Although I enjoyed our time together, I felt like I could get nothing done. I was a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of constant nursing for months to come and I started to doubt my ability to continue. And then, one day, my baby decided that he would put himself on a schedule ... just like that! All of the sudden, we would nurse and then we would do other things for a couple of hours. And Sprout was happy and I was ecstatic and Andrew was amazed at how easy everything had become.



• This brings me to the next point ... the support group. The lactation consultants at the hospital offer a free monthly breastfeeding support group. Here, they weigh your baby before and after feedings. I always have a million questions that I can ask. There are other mothers that have had similar obstacles and they have been amazing source of help and encouragement as well. Lastly, the support group has helped me make and keep monthly goals. During tougher times, I just told myself "You can do this until the next meeting. You can. You can. You can." And, so far, I have. I have. I have.



• Now, here we are, and things have become second nature to us. I am so thankful to the professionals, friends, and family members that have helped us. Our current plan is to continue to breastfeed as long as mommy and baby are happy to do so. :)

A True Story

Once upon a time, there was a mommy who loved her baby very much. She wanted to give him everything that he would ever need ... because in just four short months, he had already given her more than she could have ever asked for. The end.

Cookies and More

Andrew is out of town ... and Sprout and I decided that we would rather not have dinner alone. Where we would go was not even a question in our minds -- we would go to Grammy and Poppy's, of course! Every meal I have ever had there has been absolutely wonderful. Sometimes you just need something that is 100% homemade.



While Debbie was chopping the cabbage for the coleslaw, I spotted something with my eye. There, right in front of me, was a bag of milk chocolate chips. I walked up to the pantry closet, grabbed the bag and said, "Me and Richard were thinking that it might be nice to have some chocolate chip cookies." Even though Richard had not told me that, I knew that he would agree because the two of us share some brain cells. Debbie went on with her cooking -- she is used to this type of behavior. "Probably if make some cookies today, Richard and I would not ask again for awhile," I said nonchalantly. "I really have a hankering for some chocolate chip cookies," Richard agreed. "Well, if you want them, you can make them. Here is a recipe," Debbie responded. Yes! Today was going to end perfectly. Dinner, cookies, bedtime.



After we were finished with dinner, it was time to make the cookies. Debbie helped me get everything out first. As we pulled out the flour, baking powder, coconut, and brown sugar, I smiled at the collection of jars and bowls that held the ingredients. One day, when I keep staples in my house, I am going to keep them eclectic containers as well. I don't want to go out and buy jars, rather I want each container to have a story behind it. By doing that, every time I get my flour out, I will have a memory to go with it.



As I measured and mixed, I used my Julia Childs voice and pretended that I was filming a cooking show. I even put some flour on my cheek for an extra effect. Although I was having a lot of fun, I wished that Andrew was there with me. He would have been my cousin from France who would have voiced random cooking tips throughout my tutorial. All in all, I did a great job (Debbie helped to ensure that). I looked authentic, minus the mess I made on the counter. I can never keep a clean working area while cooking ... I try, but it just doesn't work out for me. However, despite the spilled flour, the end product was wonderful. The cookies were a success.

It's going to be so fun to bake cookies with Sprout one day. He's going to love cracking eggs and mixing batter and licking spoons. And yes, I am going to let him lick the spoon despite my tendency to be a bit of a neurotic mommy. We'll use cookbooks, family recipes, and we'll even invent our own culinary creations. We'll store our cookies in oval shaped tin cans that are housed on our bookshelf. That way, right before bedtime, we can grab a story and a cookie to ensure sweet dreams.

Island Cookies

1 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour 1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 tsp. of baking powder 1 egg

1/2 tsp. of baking soda 1 3/4 cups of milk chocolate chips

1/2 tsp. of salt 1 cup of flaked coconut

1 1/2 sticks of softened butter 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar



Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels, coconut, and nuts. Drop by slightly rounded tablespoon onto greased baking sheets.



Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 11 minutes (we baked them for 8) or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen cookies.



Note: This is a Nestle Toll House recipe :-) Thanks guys and good job!

Sprout's Birth Story

Dear Sprout,

Today you are four months old. You love to eat, you love to talk, and you love to stand up (with help) on your bowed legs. You are a big fan of bath tubs but you are not quite sure about showers. Your smile lights up my world. In the four months that you have been here, you have irreversibly changed my life. Here is the story of the day that I held you in my arms for the very first time.

April 22 was a Thursday ... it was the longest day of my life. You, my little friend, decided that you did not want to born any time soon. Your daddy and I were told to be at the hospital by 6:00 p.m. sharp so that I could be induced. I cannot begin to tell how agonizingly patient I had to be that day. We had our suitcases packed for over a week ... and with each passing hour, I added more things to our already stuffed bags. What can I say-- I wanted to be productive. Finally, the time came to take the 20 minute car ride that would change life as we knew it. All of our necessities (and last minute nonessential additions) were placed into my Honda Accord. Needless to say, my sedan was full to the brim. Honestly, it looked like Daddy and I were moving to California.

When we arrived at the hospital, we called your Aunt Tammy. She was already there visiting her Uncle Benny. While I was confined to a bed with an IV in one arm and a blood pressure cuff on the other arm, Aunt Tammy and Daddy brought up our belongings. Daddy gave me a teddy bear that he had as a boy -- I wanted to sleep with it so I would not feel quite as alone in my bed (Dad had to sleep on a couch). I put your little carved cross on the table next to me. The doctor gave me some medicine at 8:00 p.m. Finally, it was time to sleep. However, I could not help staying awake the entire night.

At 6:00 the next morning, I was given a pitocin drip. That stuff is a bit scary to me ... but it certainly did its job! As the amount of medicine gradually increased, my contractions became stronger and more regular. I was a little uncomfortable, but I was okay. When I was between 2 and 3 cm dilated, my water broke and intense pain took its place. I had planned on getting an epidural at 5 cm --but I immediately changed my mind. Let me tell you, hooray for epidurals! From that point on, my labor progressed at a much faster pace. By 9:00 p.m., it was time to push. Poor you got stuck and mama had to work extra hard. A crowd of friends and family members were gathered outside our door, listening intently for your cry. Daddy, a nurse, and a doctor (who looked remarkably like Steve Carrel) were helping me while Dona was seated on the other side of the room, praying us through the entire process. Finally, I heard the words, "Okay, stop pushing. We're going to have a baby!"

The whole thing was surreal. There I was, looking around the room as the bed was broken down. To my left, a nurse was getting ready for you at the baby warmer. In front of me, there was a table stocked full of all kinds of different baby-delivery utensils. This was really happening. I was really going to have a baby. "Okay, one big push. Good. Stop." The doctor turned your head around and suctioned out your mouth and nose. Your daddy watched in amazement as you looked intently around at the outside world for the first time. "Good. Now two little pushes. One. Two. ... Congratulations!" You cried softly. For a second, you were placed on my chest. My baby. Then you were quickly whisked away to the baby warmer. The doctor was working on me as a nurse was working on you. I was looking towards you and then you started crying that loud, healthy baby cry. Relief. I had a baby and he was doing great. I had you.

I remember when they gave you to me. The moment I had dreamed about for my whole life was finally upon me. I was a mommy holding my baby. I looked at you and you stared into my eyes. You knew exactly who I was. Daddy was by our side. There we were ... a real family! Our loved ones entered the room. Smiling faces, cameras, and i-phones surrounded us. We were a part of a crowd and we were separate from the crowd at the same time. You blended two families together and you created a new one as well. To those in room 202, you were son, grandson, great-grandson, nephew, and little friend. You gave each one of us a new title and a new purpose in life.

On April 23, 2010, at 11:45 p.m., God blessed us all with you.

Love always,

Mommy

I Love It

The baby is fast asleep. He smiles when he sleeps. I love it.

Nursing has been wonderful. There have been several days where I have not had to supplement. For the first time, it feels absolutely natural to me. I love it.

The cat is laying down with all four paws curled underneath her fat body. She is a "kitty loaf." I love it.

I wrote a little story. I am writing once more. I love it.

It is night. Crickets are chirping. Moths are flying in front of the outside lights. I love it.

Andrew is playing his guitar. He and Hayden are working on songs. I can feel Andrew's smile. I love it.

Today is Friday

One Friday later, both of us are still unemployed. Andrew has been helping his dad with a few projects. I have been taking care of baby. Both of us have sought job opportunities ... to no avail. However, this typical Nervous Nellie (aka me) is unusually calm despite the circumstances. We have been praying that God will open and shut doors and that He will guide us through this unfamiliar territory. This week, many of the solutions that I have come up with in my head have become null and void -- but it's okay! I trust Him way more than I trust myself.

Honestly, I never imagined that I would be in the situation that I am currently in. For one thing, I was a professional student throughout my academic career. During that time, I had imagined myself to be a powerful business woman who could take on the world -- and who would always have a paying job. Now, here I am ... my life is so much different than I had envisioned. Thank you, God! I know that many women would say the same thing, but I truly believe that I have the very best husband in the whole entire world. As a result of our love, we have the most amazing baby whom we have the most incredible adoration for. I would have thought that enduring this set of circumstances so early in our marriage would have caused Andrew and I a great deal of stress -- quite the contrary. This week has been wonderful. I believe that it has proved to both of us that we do trust our Father and we will always absolutely love each other ... for better or for worse ... for richer or for poorer ... I am so glad that God is writing the story of our lives and not me. He has done a much more grander job than I ever would have.

Trust

Yesterday I was sitting on my bed with Sprout in my arms. Suddenly, Shimmer jumped off of the blue arm chair and ran to the door. She did not bark, so I immediately knew that a friend was at the door. When I heard the door open, I smiled at that familiar voice that was calling my name. Andrew was home just in time for lunch. My sweet husband has been known to surprise me like this. He entered the room. "You came home for lunch," I said. "No." "You're here to surprise me," I answered back. "Nope." "You were laid off." "Yep." After ten years of working at a local company, Andrew was given a pink slip.

Because of our economy's current state, I knew that this was a possibility. However, for some reason I think that we were both a bit shocked. We looked at each other. A few months earlier, I had given up my job to stay home with Sprout. All of the sudden, there we were in our little house with a little baby -- two homeowners, two parents, no job.

To be quite honest, I am not completely devastated by this news. For one thing, this is an opportunity for Andrew. Although he enjoyed ten successful years at his job, he put other interests "on the side burner," so to speak. Now he can pursue the things that he was too busy to dedicate himself to before. He can turn a passion into a profession. This may be just what he needed.

As for me, I may have to go to work. Part time, half time, full time ... I don't know. I am not sure what jobs are available at this point. I am fine with working and I am a people-person who likes to have opportunities to talk. The only thing that concerns me is my little baby. How I have loved these months with him. Although he is very young, I have raised him with my personal beliefs in mind. I read to him, I sing to him, and I hold him when he cries. If he needs his mama to hold him nonstop for hours, then that is what I do. My heart keeps telling me that my baby needs me. However, I do know that Sprout has a daddy and grandparents who love him just as much as I do. I know that they will give him what he needs, just like I would. Maybe I'll be sad, but he'll be just fine. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And sometimes you have to trust in Someone bigger than yourself ... He will work everything out for the best, I just know He will...

So here we are, a brand new family on a brand new journey. We trust one another and we put our ultimate trust in God. Our lives have been fast paced with new things around every bend. And you know what? We have been blessed by every new adventure that has been placed in our path.