Lots going on...

You get frustrated a lot right now. You are soooo on the verge of crawling and you know where you want to go, I think you even know how your body is supposed to crawl, it's just the mechanics of it. But you do a lot of belly scooching and then roll to your final destination. Your top two teeth are through and you even have two more coming in. That's also added to the fussiness. You also have gotten to crunch on "puffs" and "rice husks" and it's fun to see your mouth manipulate and do the different movements required of chewing. You are sleeping better though despite all this. We are working on you sleeping in your crib longer at night. So far though I haven't been as "good" about putting you back in there as I should. I tend to keep you with me in bed after the first time you nurse because, well, it's so nice to cuddle you. Even though it means Daddy and I don't sleep very well. That's what is determining the change. I know all three of us would feel a lot better to be getting more sleep and not broken sleep. Besides you are so smart and concious of what is going on I feel we really need to do it now. Shoot, you are almost 9 months! Your Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit you in a couple days and they are so very excited. Also, Daddy got a new job and he'll be starting that soon. He's going to be away ALOT! for training and that part sucks ALOT! So we are going to be doing tons of driving together and also staying with him in a hotel. You are waking from your morning nappy. xoxo

Party time!

So we went to a baby gathering this Wednesday and that was fun. They were all boys and only one girl and it was fun seeing all the differences and similarities amongst y'all. Then tonight we had a playdate/potluck at our house. Your Daddy was here for this one and I think he had a decent time after things got rolling. I'll have to agree with him that it's kinda weird and uncomfortable to meet so many new people all at once. Not to mention he just wishes his current friends that he likes all had kids rather than having to meet new ones. I totally agree, but it just hasn't worked out that way. We are the only ones to have a baby in our passel of friends. Anyway, I keep telling him it's important for you. Not only for interaction time at this age but for forming a network of families with kids your age for the coming years. Babysitting, playdates, outings, adventures. Heck, you'll need buddies for many years before you go to kindergarden. Still, it's so overwhelming. I get all stressed out having events here because I tend to want things to go perfectly. They always go well, I don't know why I worry. You are such a great baby sharing all your toys tonight, your space, your parents. You never fuss around other kids. Your Dad hasn't ever seen you in that kind of setting before tonight so he was proud. Oh, and you tried your first finger food, cereal puffs that just disolve in your mouth. I haven't given you any of that stuff before but one of the other moms gave me some information on a few products that you can definitely handle right now. I'm really excited about going out and getting some. You did enjoy the new texture and activity of eating them, I think anyway. So, it's only 8:30 and you are already in bed. Daddy went to go catch a drink with your Uncle Chris. I'm bored as anything. Might go hop in a toasty bed and read. I love you son. 

Ps. Your top two teeth punched through yesterday. Hooray because they will stop hurting you, yikes as I'm scared regarding nursing you!

Happy 8 months!

So you sit really well and are leaning over to the side to then roll on your tummy. Looks like you are on the verge of crawling with lots of pushups and scooching around on your belly. Lots of times you go backwards. You also get somewhat frustrated with this since you are intentionally trying to get somewhere or something. Your verbalization is expanding. There are now "b's", "g's", "r's", "l's" and your Dad's favorite, of course, "d's" that trail into da da da da. You are so physical and vocal right now, in fact you are laughing hysterically as I write this because I sneezed and now am fake sneezing and you are loosing your mind, thinking it's the funniest thing ever! You two sweet teeth are farther in. You are eating so many different foods too. I must say that peas and regular mashed potatoes are your least favorite. Bananas being number one. You haven't hit the stage where you are scared of strangers yet, in fact you let everyone hold you. Which is good because everyone WANTS to hold you. Time to change you... no time to finish this. I love you son. 

Bath antics...

You love to splash.

You love to kick.

You don't mind water all over your face, 

and that makes Da & I proud.

You whip the washcloth

You chew on the washcloth

You now know the sign language for "bathtime" 

to which you get very excited upon seeing.

Water baby.

Sense of humor...

It's so amazing to see your sense of humor develop. There are not only things you laugh at consistently but things you do to make yourself laugh. You'll also do something silly and then look at Dad or I to verify it's time for everyone to giggle and smile. You are a very happy baby. Everyone is always so amazed at your happy nature. What's not to be happy with? You are SO adored! 

Breast-feeding issues in today's headlines...

I mean I know these people really and truly feel this way, I just can't figure out why. This morning I turn on Good Morning America to find them covering the big story with Facebook, (I'm personally not a member and now certainly never will be). Facebook has outraged tons of moms with removing pics under their profiles of breast-feeding asserting they violate the terms of conditions by being “obscene content”.

As a new mom I am now in this alternate universe I knew nothing about before we had our Darling Son (DS). I find my self in a constant state of disbelief and shock at people's ability to give their opinion (read pass judgment) on other mothers/parents/families so blindly. Regarding the issue of breast-feeding, the debate centers around private or public?

There are unfortunately so many people in this country who have a very sexualized and negative view of the female body, nevermind whilst doing what the Creator intended it to do. They do not want to see. They do not want to think about it. Keep the act of nourishment and nurturing behind closed doors! They feel "put upon", that womyn who breast-feed in public are forcing them to look at it, and by that, forcing them to feel what they feel from the experience. Make no mistake, when I feed my DS I am not bearing in mind what every possible passer-by might feel. I don’t feel it my duty to hide away so that your own uncomfortable feelings about breasts don’t surface. I have too great of weight on my shoulders as it is. My concern is the health and happiness of my sweet child. It never enters my mind that others may feel awkward with their own sexuality and there by have a negative reaction to this sacred act.

I find it humorous that the people who pass judgment so easily, in the negative, seem to be the least informed. Not even that. Okay, so maybe they haven't read the research by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending breast-feeding is best for our nation's children at least to one year of age, and if possible, longer. Likewise they haven't studied the World Health Organizations findings from around the world that not only concluded breast-feeding is in the majority but also finally on the rise again in the US.

But what gets me is the lack of just simple "common sense" on the issue.  How do you suppose we all got here, to this century in the first place? Don't you think for the thousands of years before this, as a mammalian species we were nursing our offspring? Do you really think up until just a couple decades ago womyn where always in hiding with this? Do they not realize moms are very busy, both in the past and today, how would everything get done... "wait folks, I can't skin the deer, cook dinner, re-thatch the hut, take care of the other kids, I need to go hide behind a bush somewhere to nurse". Really? The argument that I need to remove myself, ha, honestly I don't have the time for that. When my kid is hungry, that's my task at hand. Moreover, the simple acceptance that formula just magically became the thing to feed babies in the era that advertising began, coincidence?  The notion that someone could make money off what was free. The saddening, more like sickening, idea that over the years companies could get away with making womyn think there was something lacking, that their bodies couldn't produce the nutritional equivalent of what powders made in a factory could. Someone stands to gain from perpetuating these thoughts, and it isn't our children.

I have always been aghast when people will let themselves believe they can improve on nature or that everything leading up to this past century was in err. I’m supposed to nurse my children. That’s what ta-tas are meant for. We should feel pretty ho-hum about womyn’s breast. Bu, they were confiscated by the marketing department long ago and it’s a fierce battle to win them back.

I guess in part I'm happy there is controversy right now. It means more and more womyn are not only returning to natural feeding, but feeling comfortable in doing so, and also celebrating their God-given ability. Yes, celebrating by posting pictures of them nursing for their friends and family to share in.  Social networking sites have these two truths. The people you are connected with I assume you know/like/love... so seeing a loved one’s boob shouldn't bother you (probably the kid connected to that boob is someone you adore). Second, if you are trawling through profiles looking for random people to meet, then what you come across is your doing. So on that note, what happened to our ability as adults to just not look at things we don't like? Don't look at the pictures. Don't watch me nurse my DS in a restaurant. Just like the kid down the street you aren't fond of your children playing with, that other kid will still be who they are, but YOU don't have to let your child go play at their house. Redirect people, you have that ability.

The notion from Facebook, or any other source that labels breast-feeding as "Obscene" is not anything I want a part of. I pray there will come a day when we can be a true community, together raising children, having the kindness to acknowledge each parent is making decisions they feel are in the best interests of our children. We will be supportive. Womyn will impart technique and wisdom to each other openly and honestly. Men will view their womyn as strong, self-sacrificing and hold them in the utmost respect for giving their children this special start in life.

Before becoming a mom, and a nursing mom, I never had a negative outlook on the whole thing. In fact, working in a restaurant, I've seen my fair share of womyn nursing in public. I guess the difference for me is I've always had a positive association with all things female and have been very proud and amazed at what we are capable off. While it's not something I had experienced I still looked on it reverently as one womyn to another. A sacred and special act. A gift. I plan on taking action in my own life. If there is something I'm not keen on the only thing I can control is how I respond to it.

I will continue to nurse in public. I will post breast-feeding pictures. I will let it be normal and no big deal with my entire family. Let’s make a pact, don’t label parts of my life “obscene” and I won’t label yours…