If you're a bird, I'm a bird

Parents, especially mothers, have to be careful not to compare your children with others. Especially as they start developing and reaching milestones. It's easy to put pressure on your child or think something is wrong if they are not at the same point as their peers. Many times a child that is younger than yours will do things first and that competitive nature comes out. Anytime you are comparing yours with another, that behavior can be dangerous. We compare hair growth, their weight/size, how well they eat, when they get teeth and how many, when they sit up and which ways they roll over. We also compare how long they sleep at night, their overall looks, personality, temperment, and athletic abilities. I write this because I am guilty of it and I know other mothers who are too. When that competive spirit creaps in, I have to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with Lincoln and babies develop differently. Ultimately, putting pressure on Lincoln isn't healthy or fair. An

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to the age of 6 months. My frozen milk supply started dwindling in January. Some days I would come home from work after double pumping three times with not quite 12 ounces of milk so we would have to thaw some for the next day. Eventually, there was one bag with 6 ounces left in the freezer. Around this time, Lincoln was turning 4 months. We went to the pediatrician and she said that anytime between 4 -6 months, we could introduce solids. My original plan was to only breastfeed for 6 months. Since frozen supply was low, Joe and I were contemplating supplementing with formula for a couple weeks so I could build up my supply. I couldn't bring myself to open a can of formula. So if I had to choose between solids or formula, I was more comfortable introducing solids early than feeding him formula. We waited until 4 months and 1 week to introduce Lincoln to solids. We purchased an organic rice cereal from EarthFare

I had a goal of breastfeeding in public sometime soon. The reason BIP is negatively received is because it is not seen enough. Our society views bf as nudity and breasts are only sexual. They are sexual, but were first used for feeding. I usually feed Lincoln before we leave the house, nurse him in the van, or in the nursing room at church. We have been out on weekends and it would have been more convenient to BIP instead of having to leave to go to the van. One weekend we were at the Botanical Gardens on a park bench and another time we were at the Athens Kid's Expo at the Classic Center. Lincoln can go 2-3 hours before he needs to eat so we are not confined to our house as much as we used to. Both times I suggested BIP, Joe wasn't supportive. I'm not sure of his reasoning. I'm not sure if it is his discomfort with me doing something private in public or his fear of other's reaction to it. Well, on Saturday Lincoln and I went to Bishop Park for the afternoon since

So I have ten days off for spring break. Two days have already passed. Those days were beautiful so Lincoln and I went to the park for a walk and some blanket time. We soaked in some natural vitamin D. Joe had to get some hours so he was in Atlanta working. This is what I have planned for the rest of the break: Sew wool soakers so I can sell them at reBlossom Mama & Baby Shop Clean out the cars by shaking off mats and cleaning the interior Blog about some topics I am passionate about Write my birth story for my midwife who wants to publish it in an informational booklet for the women of Toccoa Buy some picture frames and photos for Lincoln's baby book Attend an ICAN meeting Lincoln will be 6-months on Tuesday so I will keep him home from school so we can spend the day together. I'll probably take him to school a few days next week so I can get the above accomplished.