In Honor Of World Breastfeeding Week

This was originally posted 8/1/2009. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week I am posting it again. I breastfeed a total of 2 years.

I was reflecting on how very lucky I have been to nurse Joaquin. Realizing there are those that are unable or unwilling to breastfeed their babies, I feel blessed. For those that are simply unwilling I am frustrated and bewildered. For those that are unable I am so very sorry. Today Joaquin and I were lying on the soft cozy bed in our spare room looking at each other and enjoying just being close as he nursed. He will touch my nose, my face, my shirt and gentle feels my hair with his fingers spread wide open. Sometimes he will stop eating to coo and baby talk a moment, turn away to look for his dad who he can hear talking to me. Then he quickly turns back and starts eating again. No one else will share this closeness with Joaquin and I know that soon he will nurse less and less and maybe that is why I am thinking of how special it is now. I want to remember these moments forever. When he is grown or not so grown(but thinks he is)...I want to remember.

***

I’m celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with Natural Parents Network!

You can, too — link up your breastfeeding posts from August 1-7 in the linky below, and enjoy reading, commenting on, and sharing the posts collected here and on Natural Parents Network.

(Visit NPN for the code to place on your blog.)

Una Buena Aventura

My husband has been ill off and on now for more than a month. After multiple tests, scans, labs y mas we still do not know what is wrong but are hopeful to have a resolution soon. We thought he was well enough to take a quick trip to Los Angeles so that his family could meet Miss Stella but after just a day we decided to turn back and head home. It is about an eight hour drive and we knew we had to make regular stops to let Joaquin run and stretch and so that I could nurse the baby. We decided to take "El Camino Real" north (IE HWY 1) along the ocean for a few reasons. I had desperately wanted to visit the ocean at some point during our trip south and seeing as I would be the one driving....

We stopped just outside Ventura, our old stomping ground and somewhere I am still totally in love with. Joaquin ran and played for a bit. Henry got some fresh air and I introduced Stella to the beach!

Because it was already late afternoon when we left L.A. we made it as far as Pismo Beach and ended up staying in a fabulous beach side resort there for the night. So although my husband was/is ill I think he was able to enjoy himself a little or at least be pleased that the babies and I were not totally bummed about cutting our trip short.

Post Partum Baby Bliss!!

Stella is one week old today! She is so sweet and tiny... the reality of this precious gift is still sinking in. We aced our first outing on Saturday to the Farmers Market. Can you believe she slept the entire time! She is a totally different baby than big brother Joaquin. Which makes sense as my pregnancy, labor and delivery where all different with this second baby.

She is sleeping a lot! three or four hours at night which honestly sort of freaked me out at first but my Mom says to enjoy it now( as it may change!) so..... I am. My labor was incredibly short and required less effort than my first. I hate to say it was easy because frankly giving birth just isn't but to save you all the minor details once my water broke Stella was born with two pushes. My water broke at 7:05am and she was born at 7:12am. I woke with moderate contractions at 3 am. We dropped a very asleep Joaquin off at my parents house and headed up the hill to Feather River Hospital by 3:45am. My midwife, whom I like very much had "lectured" me that this labor could go very fast and to be prepared. She even mentioned that I may not have enough time to make the drive to Paradise and suggested that I may have to go directly to Enloe.

Anyway we DID make the 30 minute drive to Paradise safely, arriving around 4am. We got into a room and as soon as the nurse checked me I was 8cm dilated. Everyone sort of started scattering while I walked around the room and leaned over the bed to make myself comfortable. The midwife arrived and the rest is history!!

I am feeling well, trying to balance being a Mom to two has been most challenging. Joaquin smiles and giggles at his little sister and has given her a few kisses on the head. He has also tried giving her a hug which is hard to explain to a 17 month old!!! I have a lot of help and a loving family and husband who have all been priceless in helping and welcoming baby Stella to the family.

Decorating The Nursery

While I was away my family painted the nursery. How sweet right!! So when I arrived home and saw the perfect shade of tarragon and avocado I was inspired to get decorating immediately. For the most part I moved my existing items around and hung paintings, wall stickers etc and added a bit of red for baby girl.  The nursery items we had like the crib bedding etc are all sort of gender nuetral (in a good way) so I am reusing them. The one item that the nursery is missing is a bed for Joaquin and this is why...
We are currently making the transition from cosleeping to sleeping independently.  I have been reading an amazing book called The No-Cry Sleep Solution For Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elizabeth Pantley. So at the moment Joaquin's crib mattress is next to mine in the master bedroom, baby steps people!!! I have ordered Joaquin a toddler bed which should arrive early next month and it will go in the nursery and so will he, I hope.

Fall Leaves

As always I am loving the change in season especially this time of year, Fall. The leaves have finally started to turn in color and fall. The air is cold and breezy and I think I smelled a chimney going today too! Apple, pears, pumpkin and squash are at the market and baking is on the brain. Funny how that happens!! Joaquin is loving the changes outside. These past few mornings in the park he is bundled with a knit hat and gloves and he doesn't seem to mind them. He wiggles his toes and plays with the bright orange leaves. My husband blew all the leaves in the backyard into a nice pile the other day and I could not resist plopping Joaquin down in the middle and taking some photos. He loved it. Picking up the leaves one at a time and turning it in his hand. He is so precise and interested in small details it amazes me. He is so busy these days it doesn't seem like I have time for much else. We play a lot. When we are not playing we are eating or sleeping or bathing and even then...we make it a game. He is down to one nap a day now and still wakes once during the night to nurse. I have a feeling by the time spring rolls around my baby will be walking, ..or running! Happy Halloween everyone!

Breast Is Best

I was reflecting on how very lucky I have been to nurse Joaquin. Realizing there are those that are unable or unwilling to breastfeed their babies, I feel blessed. For those that are simply unwilling I am frustrated and bewildered. For those that are unable I am so very sorry. Today Joaquin and I were lying on the soft cozy bed in our spare room looking at each other and enjoying just being close as he nursed. He will touch my nose, my face, my shirt and gentle feels my hair with his fingers spread wide open. Sometimes he will stop eating to coo and baby talk a moment, turn away to look for his dad who he can hear talking to me. Then he quickly turns back and starts eating again. No one else will share this closeness with Joaquin and I know that soon he will nurse less and less and maybe that is why I am thinking of how special it is now. I want to remember these moments forever. When he is grown or not so grown(but thinks he is)...I want to remember.