Breast is Best?

Let me first preface this post by saying that I am a breastfeeding supporter, a formula feeding supporter and as one of our fellow bloggers put so perfectly I support feeding babies!! I think that whatever works for you and your family is great.  I have thought a lot about this topic in the past 4 months and I think that this is a huge decision for a family to make and one that should be made without worrying about what other people will think of you.  Being a parent is stressful enough and I for one will be sure to never judge a mother feeding her baby again- boob, bottle or whatever!

When I first decided to give the whole Breastfeeding thing a go I started reading all these books, websites, articles etc. etc. etc. etc. about feeding babies.  It wasn't such a good idea for me and has truly led to a very neurotic mama.  For some reason I am obsessed with ensuring that Lainey gets the absolute best nutritional start possible.  I definitely struggled with breastfeeding in the beginning.  I suffered sore and bleeding nipples, engorgement, latch-on difficulties and a roller-coaster of hormonal emotions.  But somehow we made it through.  We utilized a nipple shield- well actually 5 nipple shields since Boomer decided to eat them when he was jealous of the baby- and lots and lots of trial and error.  At an evening feeding on week 12 Lainey decided that she no longer wanted to use the nipple shield and latched on perfectly for the first time ever.  From that point forward we started feedings without the nipple shield and now she feeds without it at every feeding.  Now that I am back at work I am trying to master the art of producing enough milk, pumping and nursing when I am home.  I honestly believe that this process is an art NOT a science as there doesn't seem to be any magic one step potion that makes this process work.  It is a full-time commitment, a time consuming process and surely makes balancing work and motherhood just a little bit tougher.  But I can say without hesitation that it is something I am committed to doing this for as long as I am possible.  I would love to give a date but at this point I take it week by week and give myself a little pat on the back every Friday when I get home from work.  I have been blessed to be able to produce enough milk- with some diet changes (bring on the oatmeal) and a few extra pumps on days when its just not flowing like it should- and so I have decided that I want to provide my baby with mama milk through the most important months of her development.  I want to formally apologize to all those nursing mama's that I judged prior to starting my own experience.  For a long time I thought you were "weird."   I had no idea how difficult it was and how much a lifestyle commitment it would be.  I am happy to report that I am finally realizing the beauty of this gift and I am grateful for the experience that we have had thus far.

Snow Day!

Lainey's First Snow

Growing up my mother always made a very big deal about the FIRST SNOW of the season.  As far back as I can remember she would make my brother, my sister and I go for a walk during the first snow.  It sounds silly but we all loved this and as soon as the weather turned cold and smell of snow was in the air we would get as excited about our walk as we would about the potential to have a SNOW DAY from school.  I can honestly remember getting woken up in the middle of the night to walk down the street in back just to be sure we didn't miss it!  When I was in college I would call my mom during the first snow if I wasn't with her and she would talk with me as I did a quick walk around campus.  This is one of the traditions that I hope to carry on with Lainey.  We did miss the first few snowfalls because they were short snow showers and by the time I got Lainey all bundled up they had passed.  BUT I was able to get her out there during the first snow that amounted to anything and here is a peak at our very first "walk in the snow"

Thank you Corey for my snow suit!

I made a small snowball and let her take a taste.  MMMM she loved it!!!!

 

 

 

All bundled up and ADORABLE!

As you can see I am also trying out some new designs with the blog and I am hoping that you will stick with me as I try out some new things!!!

Happy New Year!

So as most of you remember Lainey's middle name "EVE" was chosen to represent the first time Aaron and I met- New Years Eve.  This year, like every other year since 2004, Aaron had to work.  Lainey, Boomer and I had our own little mini NYE bash until the two of them wore themselves out and crashed before the ball dropped.  As much as I wanted my little moo to welcome in the new year with us I have to admit that I was happy that the "kids" decided to sleep through the 10 second countdown as Aaron got out of work at 11, was home at 11:30, and was able to pour us some classic cocktails in time for us to celebrate our own special moment.  This was our 6th midnight kiss and it truly gets better each year. 

I tried to explain to Lainey that this was her holiday and that I hope ever New Year's Eve she experiences is as magical, hopeful and exciting as it can possibly be.

Of course there needs to be one of my wide eyed girl!

Getting her NYE groove on!

Boomer wasn't quite as entertained by my antics but reluctantly he did participate!

Well I hope that everyone else is looking forward to 2011 as much as I am.  One of my resolutions is to be a more balance woman.  I hope to better manage my role as Mommy, Wife, Working Woman, and still give something to myself.  I have also made a resolution to blog more.  As much as I wish I was a diary writer, or a scrapbooker I am just no good at either and I am hoping that this will be a great way to not only share our stories and moments with family and friends but also a place to hold all of the memories I want to give Lainey when she is older.

A personality all her own...

Well let me start by saying my whole life I have wished for a child with some spunk....maybe a little bit fresh....not a misbehaved child by any means but I hopes to raise a confident strong young lady...Lucky for me I think we are on this road.  I love love love that Lainey knows what she wants and isn't afraid to give a little squeal to let us know.  She is, in my opinion, absolutely hysterical! She has started exploring some new sounds of late and now we are lucky enough to hear a lot more than just your everyday cooing and have started to hear some shrieks, some laughs, and some gurgles. As she makes these beautiful sounds you can see her little eyes light up as she realizes that SHE did that.  It is truly and amazing thing to see pride in your little one's eyes and it's made me realize that I need her to know how very very proud I am of her.....

Dear Lainey,

You are only 4 months old but your mama is about as proud of you as I can be.  Its funny how as a child myself I always thought that I needed to do something really impressive in order for my parents, your Grammy and Grampy, to be proud of me.  You know, things like graduate from college, buy a house, start a 401K, things like that.  I had no idea that on a random day, for particular great achievement, they could look at me and feel pride.  But now that I am watching you sleep beside me I am overwhelmed with pride.  You are 4 months old and you are so independent, beautiful, playful, caring, generous, snuggly, funny and lovable.  You already have a personality all your own and let me tell you little moo that its wonderful.  I love you so much and though I wish all kids of great achievements come your way you should wake up every morning and go to sleep every night knowing that your mama is so proud of you.

Love,
 Mama

New Years Eve!

I have been trying to convince Lainey all day today that New Years Eve is her holiday and that since her middle name is thanks to this WONDERFUL holiday that she is destined to have fabulous New year's Eve's for many years to come.  By the amount of smiles and silliness she has elicited today I am pretty sure she is in agreement that NYE is AWESOME!! I must say that 2010 has been a fabulous year.  But then I really feel like every year I say this.  2008- I was so excited because we had JUST bought our first home, 2009 we were married and JUST found out we were pregnant 2010 we had our beautiful girl and she JUST found her little toes this we*.  We have a lot to be thankful for here in the Babinski household and we have even more to look forward too.  Bring it on 2011- we are excited! 

I have for about as long as I can remember LOVED when babies eat their own toes.  I think it is adorable and have been waiting for this milestone since I found out I was pregnant!  And this week sure enough Lainey reached down, tugged off her sockies (which is a task she has officially mastered) and inserted her big toe into her mouth.  Her face was absolutely priceless and once again this little angel has melted my heart more than I thought possible.  I was actually telling my mother this week that she seems to think that she is the luckiest baby on earth to have feet.  Sometimes she will take a quick nibble and look at me with her big beautiful eyes and I swear she is giving me a look that says "thank you soooooo much for giving me these feet" I don't want to deny that I am sure God had a hand in creating such a beautiful babe but I can't help but lean in close to my moo and whisper "you're welcome"

4 months!

Today my beautiful baby is 4 months old.  It seems like such a big milestone to me.  3 months has been such a fun age and everyday seems to be getting more exciting and more fun!  Of course we will be sharing some Christmas photos and stories  (probably tomorrow) but I just couldn't let today pass without noting that I am so proud of you you cutie Monkey Moo Moo. 

Annnnddd We're Back!

I know I know! Why has no one said anything to me about what a failure I have been at this blog. Well here are my excuses....1. I am in denial that my little one is getting to be such a big girl. 2. I am horrified at how hard it is to return to work- I have no idea how working mothers have time for anything.... which leads to 3. I didn't want to share my stories because I wanted to keep them all to myself. It's bad enough I have to share her ALL day, 40 hours a week to go to work! and finally 4. We haven't gotten more than about an hour or two of sleep at a time since about mid-November....teething is an evil evil time!

Although I do not feel it is getting any easier to go to work in the morning I do feel as though the little moo is just too darn cute not to share. Instead of backtracking the past two months and blabbering on and on and on and on here is a bunch of pictures of our cutie monkey moo moo. I promise to do better!

And a little video to share just because you've stuck with us! -- Sorry its sideways, someday I will learn the proper way to use technology!