Decisions, decisions....

Today I stopped pumping.  I kind of thought there would be more pomp and circumstance surrounding this decision, but it was much more organic than that.  For the past few weeks, my milk supply has been diminishing, but being as stubborn as I am, I wouldn't give it up.  I was still waking up in the middle of the night (although Lily slept pretty much all the way through) to pump, and it wasn't until a friend suggested I just stop that I even considered it.  It was like I needed someone to validate that it was ok. 
Besides the middle of the night pump I was giving up, I still held strong 5-6 times throughout the day, including twice at work.  Work made it extremely easy and flexible for me to continue pumping, but I still had a hard time leaving meetings or excusing myself from work.  The last few weeks, I would end up wasting 20 minutes each session to only get close to half an ounce.  I kept convincing myself that any breast milk was better than none, which is probably true, but then I kept thinking about the time I was missing out on being with Lily.  I only have a couple hours with her in the morning, which usually consists of running around getting us ready for the day and about an hour at the end of the day before she falls asleep.  Wasting any of this time is not an option.  My time is worth more than the output of my pumping sessions.  She was thriving on the formula we were supplementing her with, and I was able to reach the goals I had set for myself: to make it through flu season and/or until she was 6 months old.  I lasted over seven months and am happy to say, she has had a very healthy infancy thus far.  I am not going to feel guilty about this decision, I think know it is the best option for both me and Lily.

5 months

On February 8th, Lily turned five months!!

 

 

-weighs about 15lbs (unconfirmed as we have no dr apt this month)

 

 

-started taking baths in the tub, she pretty much hates it

 

 

-made lots of friends at school, was even caught holding hands with one

 

 

-experimented with naps in her crib

 

 

-played in the snow (though didn't last long)

 

-started eating cereal

 

 

-so close, but still hasn't rolled all the way (can't get over that arm!)

 

 

-new favorite game is "flip my pacifier"

 

 

-got so ticklish!!

 

 



4 Months

On January 8th, Lily turned four months!! 

 

-She weighs 13lb 10oz (40th percentile) and is 25.25 inches long (85th percentile)

 

 

 

-sitting up more, her neck is getting stronger and stronger

 

 

-had lots of snow days with mommy and daddy!

 

 

-painted for the first time

 



 

-celebrated her first Christmas and New Years

 

 

-started using the Jumperoo (with three towels under her so she can reach the floor!)

 

 

-met her new best friend, Fiona

 

 

Baby New Year

Happy 2014!!

Deck the Halls

I started singing Christmas carols to Lily before Halloween was even over.  Erik thought I was crazy, but I just get so excited for the Christmas season, and was especially excited this year. I can not wait to instill in my daughter the sense of excitement and magic that Christmas brings to me.  I want so badly to start traditions that, as a family, we can look forward to every year, just like I had growing up...starting with decorating the tree.

My love for the Christmas season peaks at our annual McDonald Sing-Along, my favorite day of the year.  Some of my first memories are of the family piling into our station wagon to head down to my Aunt Irene's in Marshfield.  All my aunts, uncles and cousins would come together just to sing Christmas carols and celebrate... Santa would even make an appearance!  Over the years, our family has gotten so big that each group of cousins had to break off and continue the sing along on their own.  Luckily my family has continued this tradition (this year at Uncle Mike's in CT) and I was able to introduce this special day to Lily.  

The week before Christmas, Erik and I received our first Christmas gift...Lily's first painting, 

we were so proud!

We also went to meet Santa!

On Christmas Eve, Erik wanted to continue a tradition that he had growing up, watching Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas...I am sure Lily will come to love it, but this year....

Christmas morning was just as fun for Erik and I as it was for Lily (actually probably more!)

Christmas Day, we went to Grammie and Pa's...last Christmas at their house :(

That weekend we headed up to Maine for Christmas #2 with Nana, Grampy and Uncle Andy.

Phew....this season was exhausting!!