Thoughts on Breastfeeding

I've officially been breastfeeding for over 6 months.

Ellie has been exclusively breastfed up until this point, meaning she hasn't
been eating the typical baby food - until this week.

 

We've just now decided to embark on the baby led weaning journey in which she's eating real, nutritious food rather than the processed baby purees or baby oatmeal/cereal. While I'm really excited to begin introducing food to her, at the same time it's a very bittersweet feeling.

 

I absolutely LOVE nursing Ellie. I have been so fortunate to have stayed home for the past 6 months and been able to easily continue this journey. Although it wasn't all rainbows if you remember, here. Regardless, it's been an amazing journey and I hate thinking that it's coming to an end at some point.

 

My first goal was 6 months and now that I've reached it, my next goal is 12 months. Fortunately, I have a ridiculous amount of frozen breastmilk taking over stashed in my freezer. However, in order to make it to the year, I'll need to continue pumping at work. In the perfect world I'd be able to make it to the year and even if we wean her from the boob, I'd still have frozen milk that she can continue to have beyond the year. Or maybe we'll just cut it down to bedtime nursing sessions at that point. I really don't know at this point. I guess we'll just see...

 

So, back to the year. For me personally, I can't really imagine nursing her after a year. But at the exact same time the thought of no longer nursing her makes me sad. I love the bonding time. I love the little quirks she's developed over time while nursing - first playing with her hair, then rubbing my skin, now playing with my hair. I love all of it!

 

I'd heard of mom's having a tough time stopping and I never really understood it until now. I haven't even reached the stopping point, but I have a feeling it will be tough. It means my baby is growing up. Our private bonding time is over. That breaks my heart.

 

I guess we'll see what happens when that year mark approaches, but I just can't help but think about these things now given the fact I'm back at work and my sweet little tiny 7.5 pound newborn is growing FAR too quickly. I wish I could slow down time.

 

A Half Birthday!

Someone..

Puh-leeeze tell me how it's possible!

 

How on Earth do I have a 6 MONTH OLD?!
 

Toady is Ellie's half birthday!

It also happens to be Grandpa Weide's birthday - Happy Birthday, Grandpa (Dad!)

Wasn't January just, like, yesterday?

 

Our sweet, little (read: not so little) bean is developing into such a little girl. It amazes me not only how quickly time has gone by but how BIG she is! I see pictures of friends that have recently had babies, many bigger than Ellie was and it's hard for me to remember her being that small. It makes me so sad! I don't want those memories to be so far away that they slip my mind.

 

Just look at this sweet princess!

We are so, so lucky.

 

In the past month Ellie....

 

still wakes up twice a night - I'm beginning to think it will never change!

has started the BLW (baby led weaning) process, just last night in fact

likes avocados
loves broccoli!

weighs approximately 19 pounds (her 6 month pediatrician appointment is Monday)

officially has a nanny

loves her nanny!

sits up like a champ

rolls daily, but still only tummy to back

barely has enough hair to wear little bow clips

loves cuddling, especially with mommy

falls asleep while touching/rubbing mommy's face when cuddling

grabs at everyone's faces, especially our noses

gives kisses!!!! :)

likes to twirl mommy's hair while nursing

still jumps like crazy in her jumperoo

is SO BIG that she doesn't need anything underneath the jumperoo in order to touch the ground
enjoys eating reading books

loves to grab (and eat) absolutely e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g

is wearing 6 and 9 month clothes

is wearing size 3 diapers

still takes 3, sometimes 4 naps a day

loves Micky Mouse Clubhouse and her Baby Signing video

has gone on her first vacation

would play in the bath all. day. long. if we'd let her

LOVES splashing (read: making a water mess!)

loves the pool and swimming

really likes sitting outside, even if it's a bazillion degrees outside

 

 

My Little Greenbean,

You continue to amaze us daily and we try not to take even one second for granted. Now that Mama has gone back to work, I can't get enough of you when I get home. If you're napping, it takes every ounce of self control to not wake you up. I just want to soak in every minute I can. It's been (really, really) tough, but you've been so happy to see me when I get home. Thankfully, we're leaving you in great hands each day and it's made the transition easier - for both you and mama us. You seem to be extra happy in the evenings now and it's obviously because you're just so happy to have us home! :) Your little personality is sweet, yet sassy and it's been such a blessing to watch you grow. Thank you for being the happiest, sweetest, silliest, smiliest (a Brittanyism), most perfect baby I know.

 

Happy Half Birthday, Sweetheart!

 

Love, Mama
 

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The Friday Baby Shower

Chicco Liteway Review

We've been using the Chicco Keyfit travel system since Ellie was born. The car seat has been awesome and we're getting ready to move to a convertible here within the next couple of months. The stroller is great.... to keep at home. It's big, bulky, heavy, and takes up most of my trunk and I have an SUV.

 

So, when heading out of town (for our first getaway with the bean!) for the 4th of July (recap here), we decided it was time to buy a new one. I wanted one that was light, much smaller, convenient, and wouldn't require us to pack our car like a 1,000 piece puzzle. I did some research and debated between the Chicco Liteway and Uppababy G-lite. I was still torn. I needed to test them out.

 

I went to Buy Buy Baby and immediately fell in love with the Liteway. It was light and compactible. It easily folded into ready and store positions. It had a huge sun shade that could basically cover Ellie's whole body if I wanted to. It had an almost straight up seat position, then could recline all the way back down to a sleep-like position. There was still storage room on the bottom. And my favorite part? It came with a cup holder for my red solo cup filled with wine water bottle.

 

SOLD!

 

 

 

The new stroller was perfect for our weekend of festivities. Ellie loved it. We loved it.

Everyone was happy!

 

This stroller stays in my car. We keep the big stroller at home for our evening walks.

 

Now, onto a much harder decision, picking out a convertible car seat!

--Suggestions Welcome-

 

 

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Friday Baby Shower

Fourth Recrap

We had an amazing Fourth of July weekend long celebration. It was hands down

THE BEST 4th I've ever had and I'm pretty sure we can thank our sweet girl for that.

It's true what they say -- holidays are so much more fun with kids! :)

 

We began celebrating the day before with the cutest most festive ruffle outfit ever.

Hence, the mini photoshoot.

Seriously, I die.

 

Don't mine her 13 layers of double chin.

Sitting like a pro these days... just don't ask her to roll on the reg.

 

 

 We spent the weekend up North in the MUCH cooler Flagstaff. My in-laws have a cabin up there so we usually try to make it up a few times each year. We hadn't been since last summer, so a trip was long overdue. It also happened to be Ellie's first ever roadtrip!

 

 And we're off (with Ellie's entire nursery in tow).

 

The cabin is on the golf course near the Country Club. So, we spent the Fourth celebrating VIP style at the Country Club. While it rained for the first 30-45 minutes or so, it soon cleared up and the rest of the afternoon/night were perfect! Cool weather + amazing food + unlimited bar + the best seats in the house + my little family = recipe for the best celebration a girl could ask for.

 

 

Loving her fingers Daddy.

 

She obviously had to try watermelon for the first time!

For you Phoenix folks, I can assure you rain still does exist.

 Loved spending the holiday with Grandma and Grandpa!

Oh, Ellie. What is up with these facial expressions you've got goin' on?!

The view! It couldn't have been more beautiful!

 

 

 

Stop it right now! I. can't. even. handle. it.

 

We had the pleasure of a lighting show in between the fireworks.

 

This little lucky duck loved being outside and basking in the sun each morning.

We spent Friday walking around downtown, shopping, going to an art festival, and we
stopped in a little café for lunch!

Yes, please (to both!).

 

Ellie's latest - refusing to smile for pictures rolling her tongue in every which direction.

Makes for a fantastic family picture, don't ya think?

More tongue action.                             Shopping with Grandma!

 Me and mah girls!
 



Brunch at the ever so infamous Beaver Street Brewery - our fav!

 

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend full of lots of family time. It was tough coming back down to the heat, but we have lots of fun events and things coming up to keep us busy!

 

Until next time.

xxoo

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