one year old!

in the past year, i haven't slept for more than 4 hours at a time.  i have been barfed on, peed on, sneezed on and even pooed on.  i have done more laundry than the rest of my life combined.

more importantly, though, i have experienced a type of love that i never knew was even possible.  this little person brings out so much good in everyone she meets.  she always makes me smile, even when i am going into her room for the 15th time that night.  she has a great sense of humour and is so loveable.  this year has been better than i ever imagined, and she just keeps getting cuter every day.  i can't wait for the rest of our adventures.

I've always liked a good challenge....

Let's see.....
I have:
4 papers due in the next 2 weeks.
0 papers done.
1 husband who is out of the country.
1 sick baby.

remember that time i had a blog?

Wow, I haven't updated this thinger in a long time.  I really wish i kept up with it.  New year's resolution?

Anyways, here are some things:
a.  School is crazy.  I like it, but it's a crazy balance.
2.  I decided not to use formula. Pickles is still exclusively breastfed (except for all of the foods she enjoys, of course).
d.  All of the babies at Pickles' daycare got a horrible stomach flu.  Then we got it.  Then, all of our friends got it.  Guess who didn't get it?  Pickles.  Breastfeeding is amazing.
iv. My contest entering has slowed, so I haven't won any good prizes lately.

That's all for now.  I have 4 essays to write.

reflections on mat leave (in haiku)

one and a half weeks
are left before i start school
it's gone by so fast!

these past seven months
have given me so much time
to get to know her.

we've bonded so well
breastfeeding's second nature
no formula here!

i cook all her food
nothing comes out of a jar
beets on the stove now.

i've also had time
to enter contests online
i've won many things!

four kinds of diapers
designer sunglasses, too
books and household things.

at first i thought that
daycare would give formula
i will pump instead.

leaving will be hard
harder for me than for her
but, we'll be ok.

guest post: Nava Leah

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World Breastfeeding Week

I have been dreading today.  Today is the day I start eliminating nursing sessions so Pickles can get used to having formula, and so my body can get used to less feedings.  I really don't want to do it and I've been putting it off.  And off.  And off.

But now I have to do it.  I'm going back to school in a month, and I need to eliminate 3 nursing sessions.  I've read that it will take about a week for my body to adjust to each eliminated feeding.  So, it's time.

I never thought I would like breastfeeding so much.  I figured I would do it because it's good for the baby, but I would be flexible, and use formula. Like most women, I didn't love it at first.  I felt like I was nursing all.  The.  Time.  I also didn't like that I had to think about what I could wear in order to be able to breastfeed (silly, I know).  But, here we are 6 months later (and in World Breastfeeding Week) and I don't want to stop.

There are so many reasons why I value breastfeeding:
1.  It's best for Pickles.
2.  There are health benefits for me, too.
3.  It's free!
4.  I don't have to shlep formula with me when I go out.
5.  No sterilising bottles.
6.  No preparing bottles.  When she's hungry, the food is always ready.  And it's always the right amount and right temperature.
7.  Her little hand over my heart while she eats (I *had* to add something mushy).

As much as I love and value breastfeeding, I don't want to pump while I am at school.  That would be much too complicated and I don't enjoy feeling like a cow.  I will still nurse in the morning, evening and night.

Ok, the time has come.  Did I mention she doesn't take a bottle?  Here we go....

All the Single Ladies....er.....Parents

I've developed a major appreciation for single parents.  Pickles and I have been on our own for a just over a week now, and it ain't easy.  When she gets stuck on her tummy at night, I have to go and roll her back over (this is a new thing).  If I get thirsty while nursing, too bad for me.  If I have a naked baby on the change table, and I realise that all the diapers are in the dryer, I have to carry her downstairs and risk getting peed on.  When she wakes up every single hour at night, I have to be the one to go in every time. I even have to take the garbage out.

But there is obviously more than just the practical.  A partner is much more than a centipede-killer (I've already had to kill two since we've been alone!).   I am very lucky to have an amazing support system, but nothing compares to the support you get from a partner.

At least there is an end in sight.  I really admire people who do it on their own every day, all days.