I Will Not Forget

This week, April 21st-April 27th is National Infertility Awareness Week.  This is an important week for recognizing and bringing awareness to infertility.  A cause that as you know, I hold near and dear to my heart.

It wasn't that long ago that I was writing about the pain and struggle I was experiencing on my journey through infertility.  I remember the tears, the heart break and the sadness...I was devastated that the one thing I wanted the most was the one thing that I couldn't have.  It was an isolating experience and I had moments of doubt and anguish...maybe I just wasn't meant to be a mom....

But, luckily for me, I sought help because I wanted answers to my questions...and for some reason, I just knew that I was supposed to be a mom.  I found an amazing doctor (after a little trial and error...see my earlier blogs about that), I tried acupuncture and meditation, and I gathered all of the support of my friends and family.  The combination of all of these things plus the handiwork of the good Man upstairs is what I believe, led to the creation of our little miracle.

So, during this week, I wanted to take some time to reflect.  To let myself not forget about the journey that got me to where I am today.  To appreciate every day with my darling bundle...even on the really tough days...because she, I believe is the reason I exist...I was put here especially for her...and she was put here especially for me.  Bless you little bundle!!!

Please check out the Resolve website to learn more about infertility and this amazing week!

www.resolve.org

Breastfeeding is Not for the Faint of Heart

Before the bundle was born I spent hours worrying about breastfeeding.  How would I know if I was doing it right?  What if I couldn't breastfeed for some reason?  Which positions worked best....football hold (really, holding your baby like a football?) or laying down (seems nice...)?  Will I know if she's "latched-on" properly?  I seriously spent way too much time thinking about all of this.  I read the books and still felt completely overwhelmed.

In the beginning, the bundle was a horrible feeder.  She would constantly fall asleep mid-meal...so much so that we had to force her to stay awake.  The husband's duty during those early days of feeding was to make sure she was awake...tugging gently on her little arm, tickling her ear or chin, patting her neck with a damp washcloth...really, it was hilarious...not at the time of course...but now it's hilarious.  I was so confused and worried, that I eventually called in a lactation consultant.  She was awesome and basically told me I was doing everything right...which was really all I needed to hear.

Flash forward a few months and everything has changed.  I should first note that when I had envisioned breastfeeding my little bundle, warm fuzzy pictures of a docile, cooing baby in my arms came to mind.  You know, like the images you see in books and movies.  Um...not the case with my bundle.  She is anything but docile during feeds.  If she's not swinging her legs or arms, she's pulling her ear or face.  And recently she's been pulling on my hair or pinching the back of my arm...so sweet and loving...geez.  But, that's just her and I wouldn't want her any other way.

So, I won't worry about those bruises on the backs of my arms or the bald patches that may start forming on my head soon.  Nope, I'll just be grateful that my little bundle is getting the nutrition she needs to power that strong and willful body of hers.

What a Funny Bundle!

I have noticed recently that the bundle has become increasingly hilarious and entertaining.  Every day something new happens that makes me laugh.  Whether it's a new face (has she really learned to raise one eye brow?) or a new sound...this girl has got me in stitches!

New funny things...not in any particular of course....

1.  The bundle loves tags.  If any clothing or toy has a tag, she wants it and is going to put it in her mouth.  Because of this, I bought her a toy made specifically for this purpose...apparently all babies love tags as much as my bundle?  The book is called Taggies and it's a soft cloth book with little ribbon tags around the sides.  "Perfect," I thought, "she'll love this!"  So I gave her the new book and you know what...the only tag she likes on the book is the manufacturer's tag!  Hilarious...no, she isn't interested in the pretty colored ribbons...just the boring big black and white tag with the washing information.

2.  The bundle loves books...especially ones where songs are involved.  I bought this book that she loves called Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton.  If you don't own it, go and get it...it's worth every penny of the 6.99 I spent.  She loves it and lights up every time we read/sing it to her.

3.  The bundle thinks she's pretty funny.  She really does.  Once she does something that makes you laugh, she'll keep on doing it.

4.  The bundle is infatuated with the "Where's the Bundle?" game that involves covering her face with a cloth and then uncovering it to hear her parents say "There she is!"  We have played this game a million times...and I feel like we'll be playing it for at least the next 6 years!

5.  The bundle is an active sleeper!  Oh my, she gets a workout in that crib.  Good thing we bought the sturdiest one we could find....we must have known she would be a gymnast.  Let's just say that we seldom find her in the morning or after a nap in the same place we left her.  Most often she ends up in a corner somewhere with her noggin up against the rails...I cannot figure out how that is a comfortable way to sleep.

Thank you bundle for being so hilarious.  You are one awesome and amazing lady!    

Eat Your Green Beans!

This is it, I thought, it's time for the bundle to try her first real food...no more of that baby cereal...the real stuff...we're talking vegetables people!

I was convinced, that as a healthy, vegetable-loving dietitian, my daughter would love vegetables.  That the sight and smell of the yummy organic green beans that I had so lovingly steamed and pureed for her would make her squeal in delight.  Cue the laughter from parents everywhere please.

Yes, I was mistaken.  My love for green beans has not (yet) made it's way into my daughter's list of favorite foods.  Nope...she scrunched her face up hard when I put that first little dabble on her lips.  The spoonful of green beans was even worse...upon entering her mouth she promptly stuck out her tongue and gagged.  I didn't know a 6 month old was capable of the distaste she seemed to be experiencing.  Hilarious.

So, we'll keep trying those green beans...they say it takes 8-10 days...we'll see if the bundle has patience for that.

In the meantime, thank goodness for breast milk and baby cereal.

Bon Appetit Bundle!