General Irritation, etc

Well, I was due on the 10th. Here we are 9 days later, and I'm getting rather frustrated. To be fair, the second ultrasound I had said that I could actually be due on the 23rd, but the birth center decided to stick with my original due date. Sooooo, I'm getting antsy. They're getting antsy. Everyone's harassing me to get labor going. It's pretty frustrating since we all know that if it were actually possible for a woman to start labor early, she would! No one likes being pregnant once she gets into the last few weeks.

Interestingly enough, one of the things that is supposed to help with jumpstarting labor is nursing. The slightly annoying part about that is that for whatever reason during this pregnancy (while I've continued doing it), I can't stand having Alexander nursing on me. I've felt terribly guilty about it because I know that it's still providing great benefits for both of us. I have wanted to follow the whole baby-led weaning model since he was born. Then, a few days ago, I read about D-mer (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex). The article made it clear that that was not MY issue; however, it DID mention that the majority of women who nurse toddlers during their pregnancies find themselves feeling an aversion to it. Most likely it's an evolutionary thing that helps our bodies stay focused on protecting the unborn fetus, but I felt so much better about how I had been feeling for the past several months. Have any of you nursed a toddler while pregnant and found herself incredibly annoyed by the aforementioned toddler wanting to nurse?

This is really not a very well put-together post...I've got to get better at this. I suppose that now that I've graduated (and gotten to walk!! :D ) I'll have more time to get my thoughts together for this blog. Of course, there's a newborn coming in the near future who will probably try to keep me from succeeding in that endeavor. Oh well. Here's to hoping! :)

Breastfeeding doll

Every so often someone stumbles upon the infamous "breastfeeding doll" and throws a fit about it. For those of you who don't know, the doll is a baby that makes sucking noises while you nurse it. Any child with a breastfed sibling can attest to the fact that when they were younger, they tried to nurse their dolls, GI Joes, imaginary friends, what have you. I know that my younger sister and I spent many mornings watching cartoons, sitting in our rocking chairs or bean bags, nursing our dolls. It's all about normalization. If you try to make breastfeeding awkward and shameful, your child will grow up thinking that it's a weird, dirty thing to do. Someone I know posted on Facebook that she didn't want her child to ever play with this doll because it would blur the line between when that "act" is appropriate or inappropriate. Fun fact: It is NEVER inappropriate to feed your child. It is NEVER inappropriate to comfort your child. It is NEVER inappropriate to make normal things just that--NORMAL. We aren't supposed to shame our children when they are learning to use the "big boy/girl potty" lest they associate using the toilet with negative feelings. Doesn't it seem like making our children feel weird when they're just trying to feed their babies is ultimately a bad thing? We don't need anymore generations of parents under the impression that formula feeding is as good as breastfeeding. There are studies upon studies upon studies showing the shortcomings of formula and the perfection of breastmilk for babies. If we all know that breastmilk helps prevent all kinds of terrible illnesses and diseases (including diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers), it's time to recognize that the "battle" between breast and formula is unnecessary because it's not a lifestyle choice. This is a public health issue.

Quick tidbits

Hey guys!

So, today's post is going to be very short. I'm trying to figure out a schedule so that I can keep up with this blog a little better, but thus far I'm having difficulty. In between school, house renovations/remodels/decorating/cleaning, caring for Alexander, trying to spend time with my husband, and being pregnant, there doesn't seem to be as much time in the day as there is purported to be!

I guess first things first--I haven't mentioned, yet, that I'm pregnant. Today I'm at 26 weeks 5 days. We're not finding out the sex this time around. So for now I'll just refer to it as Baby. (Sounds a little "Dirty Dancing" ish, huh?)

Next, I'm finishing my final two classes this semester. Thank goodness! Biggest negative to this? I'm due the day before my final exam. So that should be fun..........

Pinterest is awesome! And dangerously addictive.

Due to my Pinteresting, we're exploring cooking once for two weeks (I was scared to try a month to start out with). Today is actually my cook day. When Phillip gets home from work, I'll be locking myself in the kitchen for a couple hours and making 14 meals! Wooohooo!

We took a vacation last weekend for Labor Day weekend to Myrtle Beach, SC with some friends. It was loads of fun. Alexander discovered that he no longer hates sand. He also discovered that his skin is REALLY white...or...it was. :-/

Final note: I'm pregnant. Alexander is still nursing. He will continue to until he decides he's done. It's really just not that hard!

And off I go to change yet another staaaaanky diaper! Have a lovely weekend!

Welcome back!

Hey guys!

Sorry I've been MIA for so long. You know how it is--life and whatnot. Anyway, today is largely a rant. I've been feeling a little irritated with people. So if you get offended, I don't really care, and I don't want to hear anything from you about how offended you are. There are some times when you just have to get your real feelings out, and since this is my blog, I get to do that here.

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) just passed a resolution stating that pediatricians should no longer give out "gift baggies" full of formula, etc. Their reasoning? It might have a negative impact on breastfeeding mothers. Well, no kidding! We all know that breastfeeding is best, but there are times in those first few weeks when we all think how much easier it would be to just formula feed. Giving a struggling mother formula "just in case" pretty much guarantees that she's going to use it. It's like having a pair of nasty tennis shoes in your purse when you've gone out wearing heels to a fancy restaurant. It would be a lot easier for a few minutes...until you realize you've ruined your outfit.

Another thing--I'm really tired of people who think that they are the exception to the rule. Breastfeeding takes a little effort, but it is THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS. The average person is made to breastfeed. You are not special. You were made to breastfeed, too. So was your baby. The sheer number of people who claim "Oh, I tried...it just didn't work..." or "I couldn't make enough milk..." or "My baby didn't like it..." is ridiculous! Don't give some BS excuse because YOU couldn't be bothered. Choosing to breastfeed is about putting your child's needs first. If you don't want to do that, so be it. Don't try to blame some outside force for your decision.

In the effort to be fair, there are some people who have trouble. Most of them can still breastfeed. The percentage of women who actually CANNOT breastfeed is less than 3%. So, again, you're probably not special. It's a pretty small chance that you're going to fall in that category.

Alright, guess I'm done for today. Alexander wants to play.

Have a lovely rest of your day!