i need another me

When you're postpartum... handfuls of chocolate covered almonds (or chocolate covered anything) every time you pass by the kitchen  is the best thing ever...and showers. 

I'm still trying to find the best way to handle the morning crazyness of making sure Jeremiah has his lunch (the one I was supposed to make), reminding Audrey to use the potty before leaving the house, not yelling at the dog, feeding baby, getting everyone in the minivan  and getting to school on time. 

Luckily Jeremiah is so good at remembering everything I'm forgetting...

I'm also struggling at giving everyone other than Frank enough of my attention. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just make a copy of ourselves when needed...like when Audrey was making bead necklaces, and might have told me she might have stuck one up her nose "mom what happens when you have a bead up your nose?".... I easily dismissed it... hours later it finally hit me that she really might have a bead up her nose.

she did. 

I freaked out, and Kip got it out...

And why is baby Frank growing so fast?!? Just a couple days ago all his newborn clothing fit him big. And now I'm washing the 3 month stuff... and crying at the same time...( :

our first weeks with baby

Breastfeeding is a lot easier this week. 

The first week I was in complete agony. My breasts were engorged and nipples sore and cracked. Frank refused to feed from one of my breast,  it was SO painfully engorged, making it difficult for him to latch on no matter what we tried. I pumped...only able to express the smallest amount yet feeling like it was about to explode inside. No advice seemed to help. 

I walked around the house with breasts exposed... alternating between Motrin, gel pads and nipple cream. 

Oh, it was awful. Yet, I survived. 

And this week is so much easier and it seems Frank and I are finally learning to breastfeed. 

We have spent most of our first days together resting and feeding. I stare at him a lot, hold him close, look at his eyes, his toes, the facial expressions he makes...

A family of 5 has lots more going on than a family of 4... specially with a newborn. I'm so thankful for Kip, he has been mom and dad most days, preparing meals, shopping trips, running errands and taking care of me (bringing me my vitamins, water, making sure I have enough pillows when I breastfeed).  Audrey has been super helpful and loves to love on Frank whenever she gets a chance. Jeremiah is much more cool about having a newborn at home...yet is pretty quick to make sure everything is ok whenever he hears baby cry. 

The first two weeks have been a lot easier with visits from grandma stopping by to fill our crockpot with meats and veggies for us to have warm dinners in the evenings and friends who have dropped off salads, muffins, and dinners.  I seriously think a nights dinner is the best gift to give a family with a new baby at home. 

Today we are going out for lunch. Kip asked if I wanted to try....I think we'll be just fine...

Here's to a weekend filled with love and family....

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

Very very soon I'll be breastfeeding again. I can feel my breasts getting ready. They are rounder and fuller...preparing for baby. 

Aren't these muñecas from MamAmor perfection? Every single doll (breastfeeding, babywearing, baby birthing....) so sweet and beautiful. 

A sweet week to you!

Time magazine on attachment parenting

I'd have to argue with Time magazine that breastfeeding your three and a half year old is extreme parenting.... and the whole "are you mom enough?" is just plain silly (we are all mom enough to love our children whichever way we parent) yet I applaud  the moms that shared their stories and photographs for taking another step towards normalizing attachment parenting.

Most of you know that I loved baby-wearing Audrey, breastfed her till she was 3 and that she still shares a bed with Kip and I.

I breastfed Jeremiah till he was 2, co slept till he was 6, and really wish I would have known more about baby-wearing then...

It's what feels right for our family. For us, there was never a need to read the benefits of doing this from a book and we definitely wouldn't call Dr. Bill Sears our guru (I don't even think Kip knows who this is). This type of parenting just happened for us. We respect any parenting choice and know that love is really the most important.

When baby arrives we plan to breastfeed, baby-wear and co sleep as well.

What are your thoughts on the cover/article? Personally... I can't wait to pick up a copy.

Wouldn't it be awesome if they would have included a Latina or black mother in their pictures!?

There is a whole series of articles on breastfeeding and attachment parenting on Time magazine ATM....would love to hear your thoughts/comments....

World Breastfeeding Week

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week... 

breastfeeding Art.

Last night (before bed) Audrey asked me for milk in her cup.  When we got in bed we held each other close, she fell asleep never asking to breastfeed. 

This morning I awoke with Audrey asking to breastfeed.  I pulled her in close and closed my eyes, just like she did. 

(sometimes we breastfeed, other days we don't)

We have been breastfeeding for 3 years and one month.

more baby led weaning


*pictures by Katie M. Berggren, you can visit her blog, and buy her art

Lunes

We had a good weekend here.  Audrey used the potty all weekend long... today too!

It's really weird how it happened.  I had kind of let go of the whole potty training thing.. just way too hard and I kept feeling like she was just not ready. 

Anyway, this weekend, she just did, I didn't have to sit her on the potty like every 2 minutes or leave her without pants all day long.  

She just did. 

She just runs over, hands between her legs, I need to potty, I need to potty. 

Which makes me wonder if there is even such a thing as potty training?  And if there is, is it even worth the trouble... why not just wait till she decides and is obviously ready?

Speaking of readiness.. she is so not ready to stop breastfeeding.   Although it's the last thing I want to do sometimes, once I start, it always feels like I'm exactly where I should be doing exactly what I should. 

I know that is exactly how she feels also. 

Mother's Day...

Kip took the kids out to a movie and shopping this morning so I could get some much needed uninterrupted sleep ( I worked last night).

I slept... and slept some more when Audrey got in bed to cuddle with me upon their return.  She asked to breastfeed.  I said yes, and we fell asleep together some more. 

I woke up to a new (and much needed) wallet!  And they brought dinner home too!  And Iv'e been catching up on lots of Mothers Day texts from friends and family!

I am happy and in love. 

I hope my mother feels happy and in love today too!

And hope all mother's feel happy and loved!

Giveaway:

In celebration of Mother's Day and La Leche League International's new slogan campaign... got breastmilk? I have a copy of their new book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and a travel mug to give away to one of you!

Just leave any comment on this post (US only) and I will randomly pick a winner on May 18th.  

I hope you love this giveaway as much as I do, this is such a great book to give as a gift or keep in your library to share with friends and family!

*got milk? sent me the same package they are sending one of you.  No other compensation was given. 

Painting Motherhood

As soon as I saw these, I was filled with love inside.  Katie M. Berggren paints the most intimate motherhood moments. 

I'm not quite sure which is my favorite.  I seriously love them all.

Connection

Wrap 2

Golden Moment

Visit her site to see more of her beautiful work and read about what inspires her on her blog. 

we just hung around

Audrey and I just got home from the park.  Lot's of hide and seek.

We were in desperate need of some sun and cool breeze.

We've been in the house all day.  Jeremiah home from school with a stomach bug (the same bug that had Audrey down for the weekend).  I think this kind of threw us all off.  We just hung around not doing much at all.

I seriously didn't get anything productive done till after one in the afternoon, that is, if you call doing two loads of laundry a productive day.
Laundry from kids throwing up all over the house.   I am serious when I say... all over the house.

Audrey has been extra needy, she's been on my breasts for what seems all weekend long.  And I have to admit my boobies are tired.

She is in no hurry to wean.  And as often as I think that she's had enough, iv'e had enough.... this weekend put lots into perspective...

The only thing she was able keep in her belly while being sick was breastmilk.  Everything else upset her stomach.

This says a lot.  I think.

got breastmilk?

The got milk? people have signed a licensing agreement giving La Leche League International permission to use the slogan got breastmilk?.

I really really love this.

From CMPB Steve James:

 “GOT MILK? and La Leche League care for the health and wellbeing of moms and babies alike.  Both organizations believe that breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of satisfying the needs of the baby."


(smart man)


I can't wait to get Audrey a got breastmilk? toddler shirt and I am most definitely getting myself a travel mug to take to work ( :

*photo credit  La Leche League International

Breastfeeding, Facebook, and some very awesome mamas

Facebook recently closed Chilean Leslie Power's account for posting a beautiful picture of her breastfeeding her baby.  You can read more here.

A great group of attachment parenting mamás have gotten together to hold a virtual nurse-in.  Upload a breastfeeding picture to your account ( I am!!) and join this great group of women.

The nurse-in is tomorrow!!! Hurry mamas!!

Attachment parenting mommy Kourtney Kardashian

Last night at work I enjoyed strawberry herbal tea as I flipped through the new issue of Parenting magazine.

I have never been a fan of the Kardashians, their shows, some of their behaviors or some of the things certain ones say....

Yet, I have to admit... Kourtney has my thoughts of her changing after reading the article where she shares that she is still breastfeeding her 1 year old and that she co sleeps!

Very cool.

I also love how natural and how much like a real mom she looks.

Not made up.  

She kept it real in this interview.

She and baby look beautiful.

welcome little one

Over the weekend we visited a brand new family member.


A small tiny one.

It kind of gave me that itch.  You know.  The one for another baby. 

Audrey is used to being center.  So the extra cheesy smiles came out every time we wanted to photograph baby.  And I obliged, to her photo requests. 

And as I held baby, Audrey asked me to hold her and breastfeed her.  I gave baby back to mom and held her in my arms and whispered...your my baby. 

This makes me wonder... is Audrey ready to be big sister?

maybe?  

We took mom two bags full of groceries.  Fresh and Easy dinners, fruit, organic whole fruit juice, dessert and flowers.  

I filled her fridge while she breastfed, and shared advice on why it's not good to supplement with formula, and how important it is to hold baby (like all the time), 

and asked if she had a sling.... 

and the more I talked, and the more I write 

the more I itch. 

How many kids do you have?  Do you plan to have more?

*I wasn't compensated for shopping and mentioning Fresh and Easy.  It was my choice and my money ( :

Madres by Alejandra Oseguera

These beautiful breastfeeding and babywearing pieces are by Alejandra Oseguera, a very talented Latina artist.   I fell in love as soon as I saw them.  

You can visit Alejandra's website or Etsy shop to see more beautiful Latina inspired art. 

Her Day of the Dead paintings are perfect.

Breastfeeding Toddler

Audrey is now 2 years and 3 months old.  I still breastfeed.   

I do because it's what feels right, it's our time together, when we are both at peace, together.
Sometimes I don't think very much milk at all comes out.  Other times I feel so fortunate I can offer my daughter this great drink.  

Some days, I really don't feel like it, I wish I didn't have her pulling on my shirt or TELLING me how she HAS TO HAVE IT...NOW.

Breastfeeding @ the San Diego Zoo

And somedays I think I look forward to this time just as much as she does.

Breastfeeding a toddler gets lot's of attention sometimes.

"when are you going to stop?", "what about your husband?", "what about your breasts?", "you must be doing it for birth control?"
"don't you think she's a little too old for it?"

Sometimes these comments make me MAD, sometimes I worry what others might think.
This passes, because people will always have comments...no matter what.   I am doing what's best for our family.

I also have found that a smart reply helps too....

"I do what's best for our family, what feels natural to us, and not what others tell us to do".

An artist that inspires...

Inspired by seeing his wife and baby.... Simon Silva paints motherhood perfectly. 

Scroll through his art gallery and find his piece "Amor Materno" (Mother's Love).

It's a perfect breastfeeding shot. 

It's time for me and you

To escape.

We get in bed.  The two of us.  Quiet time.

To feed. To love.


We both fall asleep.  I feel peaceful.

She is 2.  Sometimes I'm ready to stop.  Then, I realize how much I love it.

Breastfeeding her.

It's World Breastfeeding Week.

Soothing

She has been on my breast all day.  Her fever isn't letting her be Audrey.  She's down and tired and sleepy and not in a good mood.
Can I be sick instead of her?

In the middle of the night, I awoke to Kip getting back in bed after getting some tylenol for Audrey.  He could feel how hot she was, next to her in bed.  He didn't wake me.  He just got up to take care of her.
Makes me realize how much more grateful I should be, not just on Father's day.

I still have Buzz Light Year singing to spanish in my head.   I had no idea he was bilingual until I saw the movie  yesterday. ( :

We had a good time at the show, thanks Gaby for babysitting.  The walk up the street to the Salvadoran restaurant (pupusas and yuca frita) was a good way to finish the afternoon.  Audrey enjoyed the stroller ride.
Kip has played with his gift, well, since he got it.

Tonight, it's back to work for me.  Audrey has been nibbling, much like a little mouse, throughout the day. I'm thankful I breastfeed, I feel so needed and useful, and soothing during times like this, when the babies are sick.

For all you baby led weaners...

A beautiful breastfeeding video made in Puerto Rico. Just watch. You will love it.
Thank you Yara for sending this to me!

Breastmilk or Donuts?

There were no tantrums at bible study this weekend.

She took her shoes off, sat with her toys in the middle of our circle and quietly played with the other toddlers.

Then, she needed to breastfeed.  As she often likes to do.

I tried to switch her attention to something else, like toy's, water, crackers in my bag.

She needed to breastfeed.

I looked around, a little worried wondering if anyone would feel uncomfortable if I breastfed there.

Audrey is almost two years old after all, and I wondered if anyone would think that two is too old to be on mama's boob.

I looked around again. One of the other toddler's was keeping busy eating a donut.

I realized how silly of me.   No one was bothered by a toddler eating a DONUT, why would they be bothered by a toddler breastfeeding?

It's funny how society has made breastfeeding seem uncomfortable for the people around.  Sad, how I a big supporter of breastfeeding was still having some of those feelings.


Those feelings went away after seeing a donut.

I quickly put her to my breast, and if anyone was looking, was bothered or uncomfortable, I really don't care.

I choose to feed my daughter breastmilk.