breastfeeding doesn't suck

**Warning: This post is about all things breastfeeding,  so if you don't want to read about it then don't!! 

I've been meaning to do a post on my thoughts and advice on breastfeeding for quite some time now, but I just keep putting it off.  Since we are nearing the half-way mark of my goal {one year} I figured I better get on it!!  This post is all about my experience with breastfeeding and some of my favorite things.  I want to share this so that it can possibly help others to be successful with breastfeeding too!

I thought I would start this post off with a funny video I saw when Pearson was first born!!
My Mom was extremely successful with breastfeeding me and my brothers, so before I was even pregnant I knew I wanted to breastfeed my children someday.  I really wanted it to work for me so I spent lots of time talking to my Mom about it, asking other Mom's questions, reading about it, and going to classes about it.  You would think that since breastfeeding is so natural that it would be easy, but let me tell you......It is not easy!!  It eventually gets easy, but it is very difficult in the beginning.  I had an extremely hard time in the beginning and came across just about every problem you can have with breastfeeding.  I told my Mom multiple times that if I wasn't so passionate about being successful at breastfeeding I would have already quit.  There were lots of times in the first few weeks where I could totally see why people quit breastfeeding so early. I hope that if you are a new Mom or a Mom to be that this post will help you be successful with breastfeeding.  If you have any questions please let me know!!

Here's my 5 pieces advice on breastfeeding......

1.  Educate yourself on breastfeeding.

• Don't be afraid to talk to a nursing Mom about breastfeeding.  I would say most nursing Moms aren't shy about it and actually would love to talk about it. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
• Read books about breastfeeding.  I read Nursing Your Baby By:Karen Pryor & Gale Pryor and on a lighter note I read If Your Boobs Could Talk By: Shannon Payette Siep & Adrienne Hedger {So funny!}
• Go to a breastfeeding class at your hospital and drag your husband to it.  It was a 3 hr night class and we learned so much.  They gave lots of great handouts that I used a ton when I was first breastfeeding. I was glad that Matt walked away knowing all of the same information.  It was helpful in the beginning to have Matt remind me of some of the things we learned in our class.

2.  Invest in good bras.


Towards the end of my pregnancy, I could already tell that my boobs were getting bigger.  I was uncomfortable in my regular bras so I decided to go ahead and invest in nursing bras to wear the remainder of my pregnancy.  I bought 4 bras at Motherhood Maternity and 1 at Target.  I loved the one from Target to sleep in and wear around the house, but it was not a good daily bra.  I decided to wear just one of my Motherhood Maternity bras for daily wear until after I had Pearson, and I'm so glad I only wore one, because I ended up hating it for nursing and took the other 3 back.  All of the Motherhood Maternity bras have underwires, and you aren't supposed to wear underwires while you are nursing.  Also, because they have underwires, they don't unhook and fold down easily which is so annoying when you are trying to nurse.


Here is a list of the nursing wear that I have and love....
The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra {purchased at A Mother's Gift in Plano Presby}
This is my favorite bra, I wear it just about everyday.  It's super comfortable to nurse in, but it looks great under your clothes too.  It has great support and it actually feels like you are wearing a real bra.

The Bliss Nursing Bra {purchased at A Mother's Gift in Plano Presby}
This is my second favorite bra.  I wear this one during the day and in the beginning I wore it at night as well.  It doesn't have as much support as the first bra, but it still okay to wear with clothes as it has privacy pads in it.  It so soft and smooth that it feels fine to sleep in it as well.

Target Nursing Sleep Bra {purchased at Target}
This was the first nursing bra that I bought.  I bought it before I had Pearson to have a bra in the hospital.  It worked great for the hospital, but there is no support and it is very thin.  When I sleep in a bra now, this is usually the bra I wear.

Seamless Convertible Strap Nursing Cami {purchased at Motherhood Maternity}
Love, love, love these tanks.  I have one in black and white.  Before breastfeeding I almost always wore a tank over my bra just so you couldn't see my bra through my shirt.  Well, it's kind of annoying to wear a tank and a bra when you are nursing, so this is the perfect tank because it's a nursing tank that feels like a bra. There isn't a ton of support, but it doesn't just feel like you are wearing tank.  You actually feel like you are wearing a bra.  It's great because you can just let it hang out the bottom of your shirts like it's a tank and you can even cross the straps in the back if you want to wear something razor back!  I haven't found a razor back nursing bra, so this was perfect for me this summer!!

**If you live near Plano Presby, you can go to A Mother's Gift and get fitted for nursing bras.  It's best to go after your milk comes in because that is when they can measure your true size. If you are delivering at Plano Presby, you can get 20% off of all their bras.  The ladies that work there are so knowledgable and super helpful.  I highly recommend A Mother's Gift.

3.  Be prepared with breast care supplies.

Lansinoh Lanolin

This stuff works miracles.  Pack it in your hosptial bag and apply it after EVERY.SINGLE.FEEDING whether you think you need it or not.  Trust me you do not want cracked/bleeding nipples.  It's extremely painful.  You don't have to wipe it off for the baby to nurse and just know that it is very greasy and it does stain your bras.  If you don't want to stain your bras be sure to wear nursing pads underneath your bra. 

Lansinoh Nursing Pads

 I used these nursing pads when I was still using lanolin.  They are disposable and very comfortable and discrete. I think most nursing Moms have to wear nursing pads for a while so that they don't leak, but I have never had problems leaking so I don't wear nursing pads.  

Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads

 These little guys are expensive but I highly recommend them. .  When your nipples are extremely sore in the beginning these gel pads feel so good.  They have a cooling effect that really helps take the pain away. You can only reuse them for a day or so, but they are so worth it. 

4. Invest in a pump.

Pump In Style-Advanced Backpack

This is the pump that I have.  I bought it used from a friend and then bought all new parts (about $25).  Sadly it's on it's last leg and isn't very efficient.   But it does work if I need it too. I mainly used my pump in the beginning when I had really sore nipples.  I would feed on one side then pump on the other to give one side a break each feeding.  I also used it when I got clogged milk ducts.  I would feed Pearson then pump and massage my breast to try and get the clog out.  I don't know what I would have done without my pump in the first few weeks.  If you plan on going back to work, I recommend buying one of the nicer pumps.  If you are planning on staying at home, I don't think it is neccesary to have a fancy pump.  If I would have had to purchase a brand new one, I think I would have just bought a single electric pump. I hate pumping, so I rarely use my pump.  It  is just not necessary for me to have a fancy one if I don't even use it.  Also, know that you don't have to buy a pump before you have your baby.  You can rent from the hospital then when you decide if you need one, and if you do need one, whether you need a simple one or a nice one.  I have heard of plenty of people that buy a $350 pump then 6 weeks later quit breastfeeding and have a pump they barely used.

I used these Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage bags.  I used a few other kinds and these were my favorite.  {Just a tip, when you freeze your breastmilk, lay bag down flat like a pancake to freeze.  After it is frozen, you can stack them up easier to store in the freezer than if you freeze it like the picture above.}

5. Don't give up.
Breastfeeding can be very hard in the beginning, but it DOES get easier.  I promise.  It's frustrating when you feel like you don't know what you are doing, your baby doesn't know what they are doing, you are in pain, and you don't even know if your baby is getting enough to eat, but don't quit.  If you can get through the first 4-6 weeks, you'll start to feel like you know what you are doing and after that, it just gets easier and easier.  If you are feeling frustrated or feel like quitting, call someone and get help.  I called my Mom, my friends and the lactation nurses at my hospital plenty of times. Not only is breastfeeding best for your baby, but it's free, convenient and so rewarding.  It's worth trying to stick it out.

If I can help you in anyway, please let me know!!

And I'll leave you with this.....

10 reasons why breastfeeding doesn't suck.

{via The Bump}

1. You'll feel far less crazy (we promise!)
A study of postpartum mamas found that those who breastfed their babies showed far less anxiety and more mutuality at one month postpartum than those who didn't.

2. It lowers the risk of childhood cancers
One study found the risk of childhood cancer in formula-fed children was 2-8 times that of long-term breastfed children. The risk for short-term formula feeders was 1-9 times that of long-term breast feeders.

3. ...And breast cancer in mamas!
Get this: If women who breast fed for less than 3 months were to stick it out for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduce by 11%. And if they stayed with it for 24 months or longer, those risks could be reduced by nearly 25%.

4. Smart kids rule
Studies show that breastfed babies have significantly higher IQs by 8 years old than babies who didn't breastfeed -- even after adjusting the stats for differences between groups and Mom's educational and social class.

5. You could save on braces
The longer you breastfeed, the lower the liklihood that baby will suffer from malocclusion -- aka a fancy word for misalignment of the teeth and dental arches.

6. It cuts down on childhood obesity
Breastfeeding has long been tied with reducing the rate of childhood obesity, regardless of Mom's diabetes or weight status.

7. Allergies and ailments are no biggie
Respiratory wheezing, influenza, diarrhea, allergies, and eczema are way less common in breastfed babies -- think about all those trips to the doc you won't have to make!

8. It saves lives -- and government money!
If just 90% of US mamas breastfed exclusively for 6 months, not only would an estimated 900 babies live, but the United States would save $13 billion per year. (Yep, $13 BILLION.)

9. Oh, and it'll save you a ton of cash, too
Believe it or not, formula supplies for just six months can cost upwards of $1,000.

10. You'll fit into your skinny jeans faster!
Breastfeeding burns an average of 500 calories a day. Yes, really. Need we say more?

**If you are/were a nursing Mom, feel free to chime in your advice in the comments!! I'm sure new Moms and Moms to be would love the advice!

my funny boy

Oh my goodness, Pearson is getting so fun!!

Now that he can sit up on his own, he is so content to sit on the floor and play with his toys.  For the past few days he has gone to the same toy and does the same thing with it every time.

It just cracks me up, so I had to get it on video!! 

Pardon all the crummy iPhone videos lately.  It's all we have.

I think it is time that we invest in a real video camera.  

{Hint, hint, wink wink....honey!!}

bananas & sweet potatoes

A few weeks ago Pearson had his first taste of rice cereal. He loved it and he has loved everything else we have given him since then.   He has also had oatmeal, barley, and mixed grain cereal.  On Saturday he tasted bananas for the first time.  I mixed it with his rice cereal.  He loved it!!

Here is a video of him eating his rice and bananas.  

**Warning: This video is a little long.  I just thought grandparents might like to see it!!

Tonight I gave him sweet potatoes that I made with my Beaba!!

He got quite a bit on his face, but most of it went in his mouth.  I think he liked them. 

Here's a video of his first taste of sweet potatoes.

 I think he is going to be a good eater and like everything, just like his Daddy.  

 I'm looking forward to letting him try lots of new foods in the coming weeks.  

I've got homemade apples, pears, carrots, zuchinni, squash and peas waiting in the freezer.  And I've also got store bought prunes, peaches, apricots and mangos to try.

Yummy!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Roast Beef Sandwiches & Tator Tots

Tuesday: King Ranch Casserole & Spicy Cornbread

Wednesday: Spaghetti & Meatsauce, Garlic Toast, Green Beans

Thursday: Dinner w/ Cinnamon

Friday: Leftover King Ranch Casserole

Saturday Breakfast: Sausage Balls

Saturday Lunch: Urban Eats w/ friends

Saturday Dinner: Chicken & Dumplings

Sunday Lunch: Last Sunday Lunch

Sunday Dinner: Pizza

merry "tacky" christmas

We had our ABF Christmas party last night.  Before heading to the party, we dropped the little man off at Matt's sister's house.  We are so thankful to have family close by to watch him when we have things to go to!! Can you tell he was just about ready for bed?!?!

 Obviously you can see by our attire that it was a Tacky Christmas Party!!  The Crumley's (who I forgot to take a picture of) hosted our party and catered some delicious Mexican food. We also had a white elephant gift exchange.  Good times!! It was definitely a fun night!!

{The Zellners}

{The Hjertstedts}

who announced they are having a baby due July 4th

{The Hutchisons}

 {The Kennedys}

 {The Hanks}

 {The Hares}

 {The Henrys}

 {The Jones'}

 {The Goodings}

 {The Hoopers}

 {The Bledsoes}

and Baby Boy Bledsoe coming in March!!

 {The Hammetts}

 {The Depues} 

{The Janes}

{The Davis'}

{Julie & Sam}

the single ladies.....their husbands had to work :(

**not pictured: {The Howards} and Baby Howard due July 9th

Can you tell that our class is having a baby boom?  We have 2 baby boys here {Pearson & Brody}, a baby boy and baby girl on the way, and 3 unknown genders on the way!!  Yay, for lots of little friends for Pearson!! Who's next????

And just in case you were wondering......Matt is wearing a women's sweater and I am wearing button covers!! Awesome huh?

Merry "tacky" Christmas!!

our first santa experience

Growing up I never went to see Santa.  

I know, I know........it sounds terrible.  

But it's not, because.....

Santa always came and saw us at our house!!!

{my 2nd Christmas}

My parents had a friend that dressed up like Santa and he would come to our house every Christmas.  We would have no idea that he was coming and all of the sudden we would hear jingle bells and a loud Ho! Ho! Ho! in our front yard.  Not only did Santa come, but Mrs. Clause came too!  They were SO real to us.  We loved them. We got to sit in our own chair at our house and tell Santa want we wanted.  We got to spend all the time we wanted with him and my Mom and Dad could take as many pictures as they wanted.  Santa even brought his toy bag and had it filled with Tootsie Pops.  We got to pick one out before he left.  I always remember when Santa came it just felt so magical.  So when it was time to think about taking Pearson to see Santa, I didn't really know what to do or where to go.

 I really wanted it to be a family experience, but after we missed the first two Saturdays I realized it was probably going to be easier to just go without Matt on a weekday.  I was originally going to take him to the mall in Fairview because I had heard great things about the Santa there.  I loved that there was a virtual line you could wait in and they text you when it's almost your turn.  The down side was that you couldn't take your own pictures.  I really didn't want to have to pay the $15 to get one stinkin' picture with Santa.  

My sister-in-law, was taking her kids to see Santa at Northpark yesterday, so I decided to just tag along, and I'm so glad I did.  

Here's my 2 cents {or 7 cents} of advice on going to see Santa.....

1.  If you are a stay at home mom, go on a weekday, before big kids get out of school.  It was pretty busy yesterday, so I can't imagine what it would be like on a Saturday or Sunday. 

 2.  Be prepared to wait. Thankfully they have a pretty good system at Northpark, but you still have to spin your wheels for about 2 hrs.  You can start getting tickets at 9am, but Santa doesn't start taking pictures until 11am.  I got there at 9:35 and got ticket number 53.  They said we would see Santa at around 12:30 or 12:45.  So whether you get their early to get a ticket or come in the middle of the day, you are going to have to wait.

 3.  Have a plan for while you wait. You can obviously shop while you wait.  You could go eat breakfast, run errands around the mall, take your kids to the trains, go to Santa's story time, etc.  We completely left the mall and went and took Daddy lunch!!  I think this will definitely be our annual tradition, because we are so close to his office when we go to Northpark!

 4.  Go with somebody.  If your husband can't go with you, find a grandma, friend, sister, or sister in law to go with you.  We found it very helpful to have one person handing the baby to Santa and one person clicking away with the camera.  Santa doesn't really take any time to talk to the babies so it's fast and furious trying to get their picture.  At one point I was still clicking away, and Santa said, "Okay, someone come get this baby!!" Ha!!

5.  Pack their clothes. If your child is like mine, they always poop or spit up when they are all dressed and ready to go!! I put Pearson in some Christmas clothes for the day, but packed his "Santa outift" to change into right before the picture.  If something happened in his "Santa outfit" he could have still worn his original clothes because they were Christmas-y too!

6.  Take lots of pictures. Just click away and get as many of those cute little expressions as you can.  I'm glad I had my camera and I'm glad I got lots of out takes!!

7.  Give in a buy one of the professional pictures!! {see picture above}I said I wasn't going to buy one because they were $15.95 plus tax just for one measly old 5x7, but their picture was SO much better than mine.  Their priority is not for you to get a picture of your child with Santa.  They want to get the best picture so you feel like you have to buy.  The photographer stands right in the way of you taking pictures and Santa is always looking at the photographer.  Kids are always going to look at the photographer with the fun toys and the big flash, so the photographer always get the better pictures.  I think they also make sure they get atleast one good one.  I'm glad I bought it.  I still take my camera every year to catch the out takes, but I think I'll just plan on forkin' over $15.95 for the professional picture each year.

And on a side note......

I know that Santa is not the reason that we celebrate Christmas, but we are going to do Santa at our house.  It definitely won't be our focus and if Pearson ever questions if he is real or not, I'm not going to go out of my way to keep him believing.  I think Santa is a fun little tradition to do while you children are young, but Jesus' birth will be our focus and reason we celebrate the season.  I'm looking forward to Christmas' in the future where I can really do lots of Advent activites with Pearson.

dear santa.....

Dear Santa-

I've been a really good boy this year.  Well, technically it's just been 5 months and 3 weeks, but I've been good for all of the days I've been here.  Next year I'll be good for the entire year!! 

Here's what is on my Christmas list this year......

1. I'd like anything handmade by my Lolly.  I'll take anything, bibs, burp clothes, re-usable snack bags, onesies, leg warmers, you name it, but I really want a new diaper bag with sports on it.  My Daddy loves sports so I think he wouldn't mind carrying a sports diaper bag!

2.  I'd like some Baby Einstein Videos.  My cousin Ethan loves these and he said I would love them too.  

3.  I need some board books.  I don't have very many.  I would love this First 100 Words book.  My Mom used to be a Kindergarten teacher so she really wants me to like books! She says you can never have too many books. 

4. I need some new footy PJ's.  I'm growing so fast that I already need the 9 month size.  But don't get the kind with snaps, it takes my Daddy forever to put those PJ's on.  I only like the zipper kind!

5. I would love a Fisher Price Swing.  We have the perfect place to swing on our patio!!

6. I love to listen to music so I would love some Praise Baby DVD's.

7. These trumpette socks are my favorite.  They are some of the few socks that actually stay on my feet, but all the ones I have are for little babies.  I need these in the 0-12 month size.

8. Now that I can sit up I'm ready get out of the baby bathtub.  I could really use a seat for my bathtub so I can sit up and play.

9. Speaking of playing in the bathtub.  I really need some toys for the tub, I don't have any! Oh and I wouldn't mind one of those Ladybug bath caddies.....except they make a frog one for boys!!

10. My Mom says every baby needs one of these toys.  It looks pretty fun to me!!

11. I really want an iPhone, but I have a feeling my Mom & Dad are going to tell you I'm too young for one, so I suppose this will do.  

I think that is it, Santa.  

Oh wait, don't tell my Mom, but I saw a few of my Christmas presents in her bedroom.  I wasn't snooping.  She just had them laying out.  I thought I would tell you so you wouldn't get the same thing for me!! I got some new 9 month winter clothes and this puppy and this tool bench!!

It was good to finally meet you today, Santa!!

Love-

Pearson