Nap Time

The best nap time today. 

My Greatest Accomplishment

DISCLAIMER: If you do not want to read bragging, do not read this. If you do not want to read about breast feeding, do not read this. If you do not want to read about (my) boobs, do not read this. 

As Leah quickly approaches turning one, we have started the process of weaning from breast feeding. It's definitely a bunch of mixed emotions, but I am confident it's the right time. 

Before she was born I knew I wanted to exclusively breast feed and I just hoped it worked! My original goal was to make it six months, although that quickly turned to nine when I realized my boobs needed to fit into a bridesmaid dress that I bought in December and had to fit into in July. 

Early on it wasn't easy. I only fed on demand for about the first two weeks and then pushed for a consistent schedule (which was a lifesaver). I had lactation consultants in the hospital and saw them again twice in Leah's first three weeks (another lifesaver). I had no idea what I was doing and I wanted to make sure we were on the right track early. 

I had a serious oversupply problem- a problem many breast feeding moms would love to have, but a problem nonetheless. But Leah was a good eater and had a good latch, so eventually we figured it out and it was good. Really good. 

Leah was exclusively breast-fed for the first four months before I went back to work when I became highly dependent on my pump. It was a love-hate relationship for sure!  Pumping at work, pumping in the car, trying to keep milk cold in the middle of the Las Vegas summer. Luckily I was able to pump extra- sometimes twice as much as she used- and start a pretty nice freezer stash of milk. We had so much that it was an easy decision to make to donate when a friend had a baby in the NICU who needed breast milk that his mama didn't have yet. It felt so good, like I saved the world!  I didn't want to be thanked, I didn't need to be thanked, of course he could have as much as he needed. But I was so proud of myself and so thankful that it was even a possibility. 

Leah started solids in April so I guess she was no longer exclusively breast fed, but still had not had a drop of formula. 

Starting in July I was getting an itch to dump the pump and cut out a pump session.  Weaning had begun.

It wasn't until four days before Leah turned 11 months that I finally ran out of my freezer stash (the biggest reason being a last minute trip to Houston and not being able to bring pumped milk back with me) and had to supplement. Because she is so close to turning one I didn't want to do formula, so we went straight to cow's milk. For the past three weeks, Leah's been drinking an increasingly larger and larger ratio of cow's milk to breast milk, while still nursing at night and first thing in the morning. Wednesday I pumped for the last time and I'm still not totally sure how I feel about it. 

In the next few weeks we will drop our morning feeding. I will hang on to the bedtime feeding as long as I can, but I don't expect to go much past her birthday. Leah needs her snuggles and kisses and bedtime prayers, but she doesn't need my milk anymore. 

There are so many people to thank as our breast feeding journey comes to an end. Two of my best friends and go-to people for mommy advice didn't have the best breast feeding experiences, but they answered my questions and were (and continue to be) a huge support to me whether they know it or not.

Two of my closest friends in Las Vegas are currently breast feeding, each having her own very different experiences with it, and I am so glad I have been able to share this with them. We help each other. I am just as proud of my ability to give advice and help with their babies as I am of my willingness to ask for their advice and help.

I am also in a Facebook group for breast feeders and while I don't necessarily subscribe to their self-proclaimed crunchy ways, I have appreciated their answers when I asked the questions. 

My mom was there from the very beginning and I could not have gotten through the first rocky weeks without her.

Brian has understood the importance of breast feeding for me and Leah, both physically and emotionally, from the beginning. He assured me it would be ok when things weren't working and shared my pride as each month went by when things were going smoothly. I think he's anxious for me to be done, but has never once pushed me or forced me to move faster with weaning than I wanted to. In fact, it was his idea to stick with the nighttime feeding as long as possible! His patience with me... Wow!

And Leah, I am so thankful for how easy she made it.

I am just so proud of myself. I exclusively breast fed my baby for 11 months and still provide her with "liquid gold" on a daily basis. She is healthy and strong and growing taller and smarter every day. It's pretty incredible to look at her and think, "I did that!" Leah has gained two and a half times her birthweight eating solely from my boobs for six months and mostly for the next five. It blows my mind that my body was able to do that for her. It makes me walk a little taller, smile a little bigger, hug a little tighter when I think about it. The most amazing thing I have ever done is grow this little girl from -9 months to her birth, and continuing to do so for the next almost 12. She is my biggest (and best) accomplishment. 

Post- morning nursing session. All smiles!

5775

5774 started with a birthday (mine!), ended with new floors, and was filled with the most amazing and wonderful moments in between.

Shanah Tovah my friends.  Here's hoping for a 5775 that is just as fabulous!

Big Helper

Helping Daddy with the new floor.

Pictures of the final product coming soon!

School Pictures

Leah's cute and she knows it. 

 

The school picture people know it too, and they are going to get us every. six. months. 

Best Friends

Presley came to play for a few hours on Saturday. The girls had so much fun chasing each other, hitting each other in the face, riding in laundry baskets, etc...

So glad you are our friend, Presley!

Refrigerator

I love it when my fridge is filled with weddings, new babies, my baby, and big kindergarteners! (And high holy day tickets?)

Who needs food? Fill a fridge with this!

These Shoes Were Made for Walkin'

(Not actually walking, just standing... Don't worry, there will be video when the walking actually begins!)

11 Months

Not our best photo shoot, but pretty much sums up Leah's curiosity, her need to taste everything, and her inability to sit still!

Eleven months: pulling up on everything and standing for about ten seconds on her own; cruising around furniture; walking with push toys; transitioning to whole cow's milk; and imitating lots of good stuff (you know, like Brian's spitting). 

The countdown to 1 is on!

Football

Saturday-

Sunday-

30!

Best birthday ever! You only turn 30 once, and so many people helped make it special!

Brian and I took the day off together. He made me pancakes, we saw a movie (yes, in theaters!), and went to the strip for the largest , most delicious slice of funfetti cake I have ever had!

That evening Brian grilled some steak and we just hung out together- everything was perfect!

Saturday, some amazing friends I have met here got together at one of their homes for a little birthday dinner/ get-together. I am so lucky to have met such wonderful people since moving here- friends who think my birthday is as great as I do :~)

Presley and Leah. Henry was there too, but he's taking the picture!

Sunday, Leah hung with more friends at home while Brian and I went to dinner and saw Beatles LOVE- the cirque du soleil show. It was good, and I definitely enjoyed it, but I don't think it quite met my expectations of wonderful like I keep hearing from everyone else. Lots of great music, just not as acrobatic as I expect a cirque show to be! It was a wonderful night to spend with Brian to celebrate the end of birthday weekend!

Playroom

Looks like the temporary playroom has moved from the living room to INSIDE the suitcase!

In other news, playroom is just awaiting a new fan, new blinds, and new baseboards. So close!

Last Day

Today, my last day in my twenties, I spent lunch at a dentist appointment, after work at a committee meeting at our synagogue, and mostly none of the day thinking about my impending age increase. I'd say that makes me a grown up... Somewhere right around like 30ish. 

Gateway Center

I started my new job today! I am officially the Director of ABA Services at the Gateway Center. Looking forward to getting things started!

First day of work selfie

http://gatewaycenterlasvegas.com

Fast Forward

So I have like six drafts waiting to be posted- some just a title, some waiting pictures, some don't even make sense anymore. I've pretty much sucked at blogging and could definitely use some encouragement from all you blog readers out there!

Leah does new things ALL THE TIME that I want to document. We go places and do things that I want to remember. I guess those are the things that I am busy doing instead of blogging about those things!

So, since I'm significantly behind, here are the last two months in fast forward-

On the way to Sara and Joe's rehearsal dinner in Houston

Sara's wedding

Love these two! Such a fantastic wedding!

Leah at school

Sara gets engaged! I surprised her in Houston 

Leah stayed home with Johnny and Daddy

And learned to stand on her own

Then our house flooded

But we went to Phoenix anyways and Leah and Allie played (made a mess) together in the Charnofsky's kitchen

Jack and Noa were there too!

Boys and their babies

Leah went to her first D'Backs game

She cheered and they won!

Fun play dates

Silly faces

And smashed fingers

A trip to the aquarium with Henry

Snuggles with Daddy

New floor in the playroom to replace the flooded carpet- I am sooooo excited about this!

It's been an awesome two months. I can't believe it's September already! Coming up: new job (yup!), birthday, Leah turns 11 months, the holidays, and that's just this month!