Breastfeeding 8 months later...

I'm so surprised that I've stuck it out this long (no pun intended)!  In the beginning my goal was a year, but when I actually started doing it and experienced the pain and hard work that came along with it.  I set a 6 month goal that I felt was more realistic.

As a 1st time mom I felt that I put a lot of pressure on myself by just feeding him breast milk, but in reality with work and life it just was not feasible for me.  Ya, I was sad the first time I introduced Brandon to formula, but it had to be done.  I wasn't pumping enough milk for his demands and I really really REALLY hated pumping and still do!!  Pumping to me was and is still super discouraging because I never pumped as much as I would like.  I always thought that I should be producing the same amount of milk as he would normally drink formula wise.  When I wouldn't I'd double guess whether or not if I was producing enough for him.  I did the fenugreek for about a month and stopped because I was getting engorged way too quickly and having to pump more often, which was just hard!  I just didn't have enough time at work to pump, so I would just be in pain.  I'm sure it helped with the tips, but no thanks!  Fenugreek does work and it helped with my milk production (about an extra ounce at most) but it was just was not worth the pain and time for me.  So I quite taking it and decided that I should just trust my body and if I run out of juice, then I will accept it and move on.

Brandon has been eating solids about 3x's a day now, so my breastfeeding has cut down tremendously.  Before he was eating solids, he would feed about 6-7x's a day, now it's about 4-5.  I have also noticed that he has cut down his time during feeding sessions.  He only feeds about 15 minutes max!  I was worried that he wasn't getting enough milk, but he seems to be fine and happy after.  I guess he's just a quick eater, just like his mommy.

Sometimes I have a feeling that my breast feeding may be coming to an end soon.  I haven't fully decided on how I would feel if I were to dry up right now.  I would be happy that I lasted this long, but know that I'd really miss having that bonding time with him.  Although I feel like as long as he and I enjoy it then the milk will continue to come...

7 months

Brandon is developing to be such a character!  This month he has been really taking advantage of learning to crawl.  It seems like everyday he seems to crawl further and further. With that being said he loves to explore around the living room.  We have officially re-aranged the living to be a crawling zone.    We moved the coffee table off to the side and put up a pillow barricade around our entertainment system.  I'm sure it will only be a matter of time until we will have to put corner guards on our tables.

He has grown to really love his toys.  When we take him to his grandparents house we now pack a sack filled with his favorite toys.  His new favorite is his blue car that we got from his citrus lane box.  He loves pushing it around and spinning the wheels.  It's so cute to watch him play like a boy with it!  Speaking of which, Josh and I realized that he plays with his toy pretty rough.  He usually puts it in his mouth first and then he bangs on them after.  We think that it's just the way he tries to figure out how they work?  Or he may just be figuring out that certain toys make different sounds.  What a silly little boy!

Well other than crawling he has really aced going from crawling to sitting up.  Now he is trying to figure out how to pull himself up on things.  When Josh and I are laying on the floor he can usually crawl up on us to stand up. It's so amazing how much he has developed over the last month.  It's so rewarding to see him learn to figure things out on his own.  

He is such a little busy body now and I'm sure that this is just the beginning of what it will be like.  When we carry him he moves so much!  He is constantly turning his head and body to look at things and waving his arms.  It's like trying to hold a wiggly worm!  He also loves giving hugs, but we have to watch out cause there are times where he will pinch the back of your arms! He has given both his grandma's matching bruises!

He's doing well with his solids still!  There will be days when we only feed him once a day, but he is usually on a 2x's a day solid food schedule.  I still make his food, but we have also been introducing him with table food. Rice has been his new favorite (no surprise there!)  We try to mix it in with mild entrees like Nilaga or menudo.  He loves both of those!  He is also loving drinking out of sippy cups!  We give him water out of it after he eats solids.  

He officially has 2 teeth.  His second one cut through on wednesday! He was a bit cranky with the second tooth.  Poor Russy is missing a chunk of fur because of it!  Breast feeding has become a bit sore as well. Thank goodness he started to take his pacifier, so it's been nice to have a break!

His personality has really taken shape and it's been so much fun to watch.  I can't wait to see what the 8th month will bring.

Our 2 toothed monster!

Brandon has been super winey all morning. He's usually pretty content playing in the living room with his toys while I get some things done around the apartment, but today he hasn't let me stray too far. While I was feeding him I could feel his tooth a lot more than usual, so I got a little curious and just checked, and there it was tooth #2 peeking through! My poor little dude!

Sleep? Who needs it...

The last 2 nights have been a little rough. With Brandon teething and this ridiculously warm weather. He has been having a hard time getting a good nights sleep. In our room we have 3 fans going, 2 which are pointing directly at Brandon. He definitely gets his warm bloodedness from his daddy! Poor little guy! We tried not swaddling him a few times so that he's not so warm, but he wakes himself up without it. Thank God we have a thinner one and that's helped a good amount. Oh, lord this mommy is so
tired! I hope that tonight will be better!