biting and screaming? oh my!

My sweet, adorable baby boy has begun something new. And it's not so sweet and adorable; biting and screaming. He mainly bites me out of frustration, and he mainly screams when he's in his highchair and is wanting me to hurry up and give him food.

I'm at a loss at how to handle this. The pediatrician gave me one tip when he's screaming and biting. Well, we've tried that several times today, and all he does is look at me and laugh.  The biting is another thing. He is currently cutting his 1 year molars, so the pediatrician just thinks he's beside himself with his mouth not feeling well. I guess my next step is time outs. It's hard to do time outs sometimes especially when it's nap time.

So for you BTDT mommas, what did you do? He's 12 months old and just as cute as can be, but I feel this is something I need to nip in the bud, especially so he's not biting other kids at church and MOPs.

I got them back!

Yes, after 12.5 months of breastfeeding and 9 months of being pregnant, I got *them* back.  I have to admit, this morning I was a bit sad.  Okay, I may have shed a few tears that this was the end of something special. And the beginning of something new. Today was the first day that I did not breastfeed. Thankfully my little guy snuggled with me as he drank his milk/yogurt combination. So I at least got some snuggles in.

But what's a mom to do now?!

I think a trip to Victoria Secrets is in order. No more nursing bras. YAY.  And for this, I am excited.

Moms, how did you get your snuggles in after weaning?

i did it!

I can't believe it. I did what I set out to do. Lots of hard work and determination have paid off! And I'm quite proud of myself, and my son, that I was able to complete my mission.

My mission when Baby A was born was to breastfeed for a full year. And to be honest, when I first started out, it was hard work. He seemed to be attached to me ALL. THE. TIME.

There were times when I thought my supply was lacking and friends and family did their best to alleviate the stress I was under, by reassuring me that I could formula feed him. The thought of feeding him formula made me cringe, given that I could breastfeed and that he had no issues with it. I really wanted to do my part and for me, my part was providing him the best that I could. Granted, he was never colicky, never had a milk protein intolerance, never had any issues. And I'm so proud of myself that I stuck to what I really wanted. To say I was determined is probably an understatement.

When Baby A was born, we were told that he was moderately tongue tied and that he would benefit from having his tongue clipped. We had hoped to accomplish this before we left the hospital, but given the holiday schedule, no doctors were available. So our first day home, we spent the majority of the day at 2 doctors' offices and were finally squeezed in for the procedure. While I do think it helped him and will help him in the future, that day spent away from the comfort of my home, I believe it didn't set my supply off on the right foot. We were gone from 9-3, and I'm too embarrassed to say how little I was able to feed him. Then the remainder of the week was rather stressful due to some events with my in-laws.

Around the 6 week mark, I really struggled with whether he was getting enough or not. He was never a great sleeper at first. Up every 1-2 hours for the first several months. The thought of bottle feeding crossed my mind and sometimes happened to allow me some sleep. Around the 3 month mark, I remember going to see my lactation consultant to do a feed and weigh and guess what? He was getting plenty!

As my time of breastfeeding Baby A is coming to an end, due to his lack of interest, I'm left with bittersweet feelings. Granted, him biting me when done eating is making the weaning much more easier, I'm a bit sad for the morning moments when I could cuddle with him before the day actually started. He has more interesting things to discover and see! 

Next go around, there are a few things I will change. While Baby A did receive a bottle of formula later into his first year for when my husband would put him to bed, I have other plans for the next kid that hope to remain formula free.

They are:

1. Stay home the entire week in the comfort of my own home, stress-free of certain relatives, and feed on demand.
2. Learn to pump sooner to help build supply and a small stash for those weekend night feeding for my husband to help.
3. See the lactation consultant sooner if I am in question of my supply.
4. Make sure my pediatrician is on board for pro-breastfeeding (granted our first pediatrician never pushed formula on me, but I'd like one who knows more about breastfeeding)

So for those mommas who were able to breastfeed, formulafree, for a year, what tips do you have for those that want to? 

While I had plenty of friends and family who did have to formula feed, everyone must choose the best way for them and their baby. And feeding a growing baby is the #1 goal.

A Whaley Cute Birthday Party!

Happy 1st birthday to my favorite little man! I cannot believe how fast his first year has come and gone. Boy do we have some great memories. :) Being a first time mom, I never knew how sappy of a mom I would be, but I can tell you this, I am one of those moms! Preparing for the party was very bittersweet. I'm excited to see who my little man will become. But I sure do miss the itty bitty baby boy that he once was. I enjoy the baby stage so much. The cuddles and snuggles, 2am feedings (yes, I actually do miss this sometimes!), wondering if I'm ever going to sleep again (and yes, I did), and wondering how long he's actually going to nap at each nap.

I don't post photos of Baby A on Facebook for various reasons, but wanted to share some photos from his party for family and close friends to see. We went with the "whale" theme given a onesie he had at 3 months that said "I'm whaley cute". And I think whales are just too cute to use for a little man's birthday party!

 

 

So without further adieu, Baby A's first whaley cute birthday party:

I made this door sign using Photoshop along with a few downloads from Etsy.

Our entry table hosted photos of Baby A from the past year and included this little whale picture that I created on Photoshop using the same graphics I purchased on Etsy. 

  

My favorite was our mantel. Each month I took a photo of him in a white onesie with a month sticker on it. I then had them printed out from Mpix and strung them with a thick string.

 

 

I created this banner also on Photoshop (I love Photoshop). The sign said "Happy 1st Birthday Austin". 

I created the "austin is 1" sign with my new Silhouette Cameo. 

Baby A's party hat that he had no interest in wearing. I also made the sign below that says "i am 1". Yes, again, Photoshop (smile).

 

When we had our gender reveal party back in July 2011, a local bakery created the cake for us. The cake turned out so cute and was delicious that we had to use them again for his 1st birthday. They created this smash cake with a whale fin on it. 

 

And here is the "big" cake that was layered on the inside in blue and green. The whale was made out of fondant icing. 

 

Baby A  getting ready to smash his cake!

 

And he loved it! We only let him have a few bites before taking it away. But he thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

 

And what party wouldn't be complete without opening a few presents? Baby A is greatly blessed and received so many fun toys and clothes! 

Thankful Day 8

 Today I'm thankful for a new group that I'm apart of: MOPS. It's been so much fun to meet other moms and have things to do just about every week. The group I'm apart of is very laid back but filled with other moms that I have things in common. A few of us even have kids within a few months of each other.

I'm excited to make new friends, as getting older, making new friends seems harder and the effort is that much more. Some days I don't want to put forth the effort to make new friends, but going to MOPS and attending their weekly activities forces me to build on the relationships.

Baby Awesome loves going to Moppets most days. The past 2 times now he's cried when I've dropped him. Today he was even crying when I picked him up. Poor guy was so tired from missing his morning nap. But he always seems to pass out before we can even get out of the parking lot! The above photo was taken at Baby A's first day with one of his teachers.

Thanks - Day #4

We've had more fussiness in our house over the past few days. Baby Awesome hasn't been feeling so awesome. And today I'm thankful for modern medicine. While I don't remember what it's like to have teeth coming in, I have no doubt that it's extremely painful! But thankfully for modern medicine, we can help them out while in their time of need!

While he's teething, our regime that has helped is this:

1. Hyland's Teething Tablets - Oh where would we be without you?

2. Infant Tylenol - Okay, so it's the generic version. But man, this has been a lifesaver over the past few days.

3. Stretchy Puppy - I love this little guy and so does my little man! He loves to chew on it's nose.

4. Sleep - Lots of it!

Thanks! Day 3

Today, I'll admit, I'm feeling a little grouchy! You should be grouchy, it's Saturday, you say! But I am, nonetheless. And I wish I wasn't. My little man has been under the weather this week which leads to 2 things: fussiness and cabin fever. While his temperature has come down, his fussiness is still around. I am going with the notion that he is teething.

And even while he's fussy, I still love my little man. I am so thankful that he has been such an easy baby to have! He loves to laugh and smile at me. I really can't have a bad day when he's around because he just makes me feel better. And while I'm writing this, he's taking his long (wishful thinking) afternoon nap. I'm praying to the nap gods that he will get a nice little nap this afternoon. Momma wants to go Christmas decor shopping!

Thanks #1

It's November! Can you believe it? This year has flown by all thanks to my new little man.

2 years ago at this time, I was on my fabulous honeymoon on the impressive World Ship.

1 year ago, we were taking our maternity photos back at Horseshoe Bay where we were married and preparing the arrival of Baby Awesome.

This year I'm at home, taking care of my 10 month old son who isn't feeling very well. Amazing how life changes, huh?

And speaking of November 1st and this little guy, for my first day of thanks, I'm thankful for the opportunity to stay home with my little man. I take for granted the opportunity to be home with him every day and get a chance to watch him grow up. My husband has given me the opportunity to do so by working so hard to provide for us, and I'm so thankful. I know that there are many days that he'd rather stay home and play with Baby Awesome than go to work! But I appreciate and am thankful for the fact that I am given this chance and opportunity.

only because...

He's just so darn cute. One day he'll see this photo and say, "Mom, you're embarrassing me." But until then...