Save the Nipples!

The truth about breastfeeding... When I found out I was preggo, I decided to breastfeed.  I read everything I could about the best techniques.  I even took a class that reviewed these techniques.  I had heard that it might be "uncomfortable" for the first couple of days while mom and baby got into a rhythm. While I was at the hospital, I felt like a failure because Noelle wouldn't latch on correctly.  I thought - okay it hurts because we do not have the proper latch.  We did get into sync after a few days.  All I can say is "SAVE THE NIPPLES!"  Wow - I am pretty sure Noelle chewed my nipples off and I had to regrow them.  Whomever says it doesn't hurt has nipples made of steel.  OMG!  I will tell the truth...  think of it this way, you get chapped nipples and then the child latches onto these chapped nipples (starting the healing process all over again).  I had to count to ten every time I had to feed her.  I completely understand why mommies decide to formula feed.  Pain - think of the pain!   I would chose childbirth over the first week of breastfeeding any day.  It took a good couple of weeks for open wounds to heal.  Now I feel like Gumby.

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Brown floaties in the bathtub...

It was bound to happen one day!  Noelle and I were taking a bath tonight.  She kept tooting.  I thought the little bubbles were cute (must of been the carrots).  Then I noticed little brown things floating on top of the water.  I did what any mom would do... called my hubby to scoop them out!  What a nice guy!!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy

Jersey Girls

Life has definitely changed!   As I was on the phone with the pediatrician the other day discussing Noelle's poo (or lack there of), I thought of my old city life.  My clubbing nights have now turned into praying Noelle poops - checking out the color of it when she does.  I am not complaining.  I feel blessed every minute of every day that Noelle entered our lives.  However, sometimes a mama has got to go out!  This weekend we are going to a engagement party (yeah Kelly and Marcus).  We hired our first babysitter.  We will see how long I stay out!

Next week, we are moving out of NYC (it's been a good six year run) and moving to Hoboken, NJ.  Yep - we will officially be Jersey girls.  I don't know if I am more of a Snookie or J-Woww.   Any who...  We are moving into a two bedroom apartment that is so much bigger than our current one bedroom.  The apartment complex also has two dog runs.  Oscar will be so excited.  I thought that if I could train my dog to go "outside," it would be good practice when it's Noelle's turn.

Noelle's milestones:

-She started real food this week!  Sweet potatoes (she loves my cooking).

-She screeches all the time - adds to the conversation.

-She reaches for her toys.

-She laughs all the time - mostly at Oscar the dog and Kosmo the kitty.

Love, 

Noelle's Mommy

Solid Food = Solid Poop!

Wow - I had to light two candles this afternoon after I changed Noelle's diaper!  I thought her "milk" only diapers smelled ripe!!  I am very proud to say we moved into the next milestone - solid foods.  We started giving her rice cereal last week.  I didn't know how she would react to the cereal.  Would she like it?  Would she eat it?  To my surprise she liked the taste, just didn't know how to eat with a spoon.  Noelle kept trying to suck on the spoon like a bottle.  It was so cute.  It only took her two days to figure it out.  She now opens up her mouth and grunts when she is ready for another bite.

Next week...VEGGIES!  The pediatrician recommended bad tasting vegetables first, so she will eat the veggies plus yummy fruits.  Hmmmmm...what ones to start with?  Also - stay tuned... I will be making my own baby food.  Baeba - check, recipes - check.  So excited!  I love being a mommy!

Love,
Noelle's Mommy