What is that???

What does my child have on his head??? It is my version of a Moboleez - basically a wide brimmed sun hat, intended for nursing. So, instead of you wearing a nursing cover or shawl, your baby wears this hat and the brim covers you. I made this one (it was very easy to make once I got the measurements right) and he actually handles it better than he does a nursing cover (which he is always trying to grab). The only thing I haven't figured out is how to get myself ready to nurse. Once I am all un-hooked and ready, I can latch him on and he nurses fine, but how do I cover myself while getting un-hooked???

I am still not entirely comfortable nursing in public - even totally covered - but there are some people who have it down!!! While we were in CA, I saw many people nursing on the street with no cover - while I was inside in the corner of a restaurant with a nursing cover and my mother strategically placed to give cover and privacy. I just like to be in the comfort of my own home, or among family while nursing.

Have you seen Michelle Duggar nursing on TV? She is always modestly covered, the baby is never waving it's arm around, and she always looks comfortable and natural. Teaching the kids - nursing, reading at a local school - nursing, shopping - nursing. Maybe I will become this efficient and comfortable with our next child...

Full and happy!!!

Excuse this post - I don't intend to talk about this all the time, I just marvel at how some women are totally comfortable nursing covered and uncovered in public. I love being able to provide my baby with the nutrients he needs, I feel strong that my body can continue to support his life outside the womb, I love the closeness and attachment that I feel to him because of the nursing relationship, but I just am not comfortable doing it in public. But, maybe this hat will be the answer!!!

And we're back again!

A few short days after getting back from CA, we were on the road again to Mobile, AL where we met up with Nathan at his aunt's home. She has a beautiful home, is a wonderful host, and has been nice enoug to put up with us for the past three summers. It is a halfway point between us and Tallahassee where he is working on his masters for six weeks this summer. It was so good to see him! When he picked up H, H just smiled and laughed! It has been funny to see that when I am talking to N on the phone, he will talk to H and he definitely recognizes his Daddy's voice!

Nathan noticed that H has grown a little taller and fuller, that he has grown some more hair, his mouth looks a little bigger, and he is more aware of his surroundings.
Also, somehow my milk supply was totally perfect the whole two weeks we were in CA - but, the four days we were in AL, I was producing too much! I didn't bring a pump, so I was basically leaking and uncomfortable for the whole trip. I'm not sure how that happened....
H has also become a pro at finding his feet, and can roll over from back to tummy and from tummy to back (although he doesn't do these often). We are also teaching him to sign, and while in CA he started to smile really big when I sign 'milk' to him! I have been signing to him for a couple of months now, and was getting a little discouraged because nothing seemed to be happening. Once I saw that he recognizes a sign, I am really excited to sign more! Nathan's aunt - Nanny Dawn - said that N started signing around six months - not too much older than H is now! She said it was really strange to see a baby tell you what he wants!




Taking a bath in the sink at Nanny Dawn's. He usually takes a bath in a baby tub, but there is something so much cuter about a baby in a sink!



Playing on the blanket at Nanny Dawn's that SweetHart gave H in CA. "SweetHart's Garden."


Playing with toes, looking at his daddy!


Playing with GrandMissy. She rode with us on the way there and back, and I could not have done it without her! It made it so that We could make it there without stopping all the time, she played with H, gave him his pacifier, helped him fall asleep, we traded off during bathroom breaks, and, it just would have been impossible without her!


At Nanny Dawn's boat house! It is on a lake/river near the Mobile Bay. H is an outdoor lover, so he was happy to be there all day - enjoy the breeze, seeing people go by on their boats, and being outside!


Being entertained by Daddy.


N and Nanny Dawn were 'crabbing.' This consisted of tying a string to the dock and then tying some meat to the other end of the string, throwing it in the water and waiting! We caught about seven crabs!
When we got home, she boiled them and then showed us how to eat them. The process is very similar to eating crawfish, and they are soooo delicious! I have never eaten crab, so it was a new and delicious experience!


H asleep in the pack and play on the dock.


Swinging with Nanny Dawn and being entertained by GrandMissy. After swinging in the hammock chair for a few minutes, he would look like he was in a sort of trance. This boy does not want to sit... he wants to stand! He would arch his back if he was sitting until you would let him stand! Is he going to skip crawling and go straight to standing/walking?

The happy family

Most of these photos are courtesy of Nanny Dawn - Thank you!

No, we have not fallen off the face of the earth...

We were in CA for two weeks visiting my parents, and then to AL to visit Nathan! SO, we now have a well travelled baby! And, I definately prefer flying with an infant over driving with one!
He did GREAT on the plane! Slept for about 90% of the flights, laughed at/with the seat partners for the other 10% of the time. The only iffy thing was nursing on the plane in close quarters, but I would say we were pretty successful (H got what he needed and I didn't flash anyone!). When we arrived he went right to my Mama like they were old friends - no adjustment time needed! It was great!
I will stop talking now and show some pictures!

Spending a little time with SweetHart.... She had some wonderful friends who let us use some of their grand-kids things - crib, play-mat, stroller, car seat, swing, bouncy seat, baby tub, etc... was all taken care of! We didn't need to worry about anything! I was so thankful for that!


This picture was too cute not to show! Getting his diaper changed on top of the dresser where my parents changed my diaper when I was a baby! Mama put a mirror on the wall and H loooved it! He rolled towards it every time and would smile at himself!


SweetHart tried out the Moby wrap with H while she was watering the flowers. H loves being outside - any time he cries, etc, we take him outside and he immediately stops crying, so he loved the 70ish degree weather and lack of humidity! We spent as much time out there as we could!


After supper, PopHart liked to get H to 'moonwalk.' It was funny, and H liked it!


H's first time at the pool! He was a little unsure of the situation, and kept looking at my Daddy like he was thinking 'will you stop these ladies???' He eventually calmed down and even seemed to like it a little. The next day when we went, he actually fell asleep while I was holding him in the water! The movement of the water either rocked him to sleep or he fell asleep because he wanted to block out the experience....


Daddy's and Grandfathers are good at making babies laugh!


We did a lot of rocking... in the chair that I was rocked in! Although my Daddy said that when he rocked us, we would put our toenails in his belly button. Thankfully H prefers this sleeping position.

Spending some time with AK (Aunt Karen). They had lots of good times playing and talking!


Many days of our visit, Mama and I walked around Osage park and talked a lot!
While the little guy did this:


At Peet's Cafe. He wanted some tea! There just aren't cafe's like this in Monroe, so I enjoyed making a few cafe visits.


At Union Square in SF. I needed to get my big city fix! H with SweetHart and PopHart.


In front of the Irish Bank - our favorite restaurant/pub in SF. We didn't order H a Guiness though - he was very disappointed! We had a very resourceful/inventive experience changing a stinky diaper in the pub bathroom that had no changing table and a very small triangular counter.....

Getting ready to go to the airport with a kiss from AK!

I was very glad to find that the airplanes have changing tables in their bathrooms!!!! I have ready about mothers changing diapers while their babies balance on their laps in the plane bathroom with turbulence... sounds like a bit of a nightmare! But, unfortunately we did not have to experience this!

So, from start to finish, we had a wonderful trip! SweetHart, PopHart, AK - we love and miss you, and can't wait to see you again!

Captured Moments

One of the new things that makes H laugh is coughing. He cracks up if you cough! Especially if you get a coughing fit... he just laughs and laughs. But, he only laughs at coughing once or twice a day - any more than that and I guess it just isn't funny!

Also, just before he gets ready for a nap or bedtime, he usually gets a laughing bug. And then he starts crying and laughing, and then just cries - I guess there is a fine line between happiness and tears! But it is pretty cute when he goes back and forth - like he can't decide if he wants to laugh or cry.

Cuddling with Mama before bedtime.

Snuggling with Daddy during naptime.

Upcoming events: We are about to head west to stay for a couple of weeks with SweetHart and PopHart in CA. I am a little nervous about flying with a baby. I hope that he will be one of those babies who just fly beautifully. My two main worries are nursing on the plane (he still doesn't take a bottle), and the fact that he fights sleep. Any advice?

Well...

When do you decide that your baby just won't take a bottle?

Do you just accept it?
Or keep trying?