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! 

all the fussiness is worth it!

Poor little guy! He cut both teeth, one day apart. He's not normally a fussy guy, except when he's overly tired. So this past week, he was real fussy, not sleeping great and just hard to please. Friday, woke up with his first tooth! Followed by Saturday morning and here's what we are dealing with.

His first two teeth!