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B = Breastfeeding

You wouldn't think I would be grateful for this, based on my experience these last 5.5 months, but I am.

Breastfeeding this time around has been much different than it was with The Lime.  Doodlebug started out nursing for about an hour and half each time it was time to eat, which didn't work too well when he had to eat every two hours.  Needless to say, I was feeding him all.the.time!  Then he moved on to latching on, screaming bloody murder, getting off, and repeating the process for the entire time it took him to eat. Was it a growth spurt, was there something wrong with me?  I don't know but it wasn't fun.

Now we've moved on to him requiring me to stand while he nurses.  Either that or he has to be asleep.  My legs get a great workout but my back is beginning to hunch.

So why am I grateful for breastfeeding?  Because I know it's the best thing for his little (yet big) body.  It makes me feel good knowing that I'm able to provide him with everything his body needs to grow and function.  Plus, let's be honest, it helps the baby weight to melt off.

But back to Doodlebug.  He eyes everything we eat and would probably love to join us at the dinner table.  LaVor and The Lime try to give him little tastes of food but I freak out and get crazy on them. Doodlebug will have the rest of his life to eat french fries and pickles but will soon (hopefully not too soon) be done with needing just breast milk.

And do you know the amazing things you can do with breast milk?  I won't go into detail (to spare any humiliation if I ever decide to print my blog as a book) but I will say that Doodlebug isn't the only one benefitting from this liquid gold.

So even though it's been a rough road and doesn't appear to be leveling out anytime soon, I wouldn't change my choice to breastfeed for anything.

Brand new Doodlebug and my trusty nursing cover

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(I look forward to November every year, just so I can do my annual grateful posts!)

A = Apples

When I decided to throw my friend a baby shower in September, I looked up a bunch of theme ideas online.  Since the baby was due in October, I wanted a fall theme but wanted to steer away from pumpkins.  Thanks to Pinterest, I found a bunch of really cute apple ideas and for some reason, red reminds me of Katie (I think it's because of the red Mary Engelbreit t-shirt I gave her for her birthday one year) so I ran with it.

I bought a bunch of apples and put them out to display.  The Granny Smith were especially darling (lime green!) and it made me want to get a bunch of fake ones to be part of my every day decor.

But they aren't just cute, they're delicious!  There's just something about a cold, crisp apple.  It's even better dipped in caramel.  Or warm and soft like applesauce.  Or slightly soft but still has a bite like apple pie.  Or deep fried like an apple fritter.  Or sweet and thick like apple cider from Apple Hill.

I'm crossing my fingers we have a properly working vehicle before Apple Hill closes for the season so I can get my hands on all those yummy treats!

Bad Example

This weekend (actually the last five days) have been busy!  With a new calling (back in Primary after being gone for 4 months), a birthday cake to make and party to attend, a 2 hour practice for the Primary program, and our ward's Trunk or Treat, we've been on the go.

The Lime wanted to be Bo from Dukes of Hazzard but I ran out of time and didn't have a chance to get his costume ready in time for Saturday night.  He was more than willing to dress up as a fireman, which was perfect because we have everything, and Doodlebug was a dalmatian.  Unfortunately, most people thought he was a cow.

There was a great turnout for the dinner, including tons of non-members.  One of which was a girl I went to preschool and high school with.  The world is tiny, I tell ya!  Another attendee was a homeless woman, we think.  We saw her eating dinner and I couldn't tell if she was in costume or not.  When we saw her going to every car, asking for candy, we were certain she was homeless.

And then I made a huge, disappointing mistake - I gave her a look.  It wasn't a nice, warm, friendly look but rather "I can't believe she's asking for candy".  She saw me, I know she did, because she turned back around and quietly said, "I think I'm done."

My heart has been sad ever since.

I had a conversation not too long ago with my sister about this exact situation.  While the signs on our church buildings say "visitors welcome", are they really welcome?  Are we being the examples we should be and showing Christ like love to those we come in contact with?  Are we jumping at the opportunities we have to serve people and help where we're needed?

My answer is no to each of those questions.  I passed her in the hall when I went to feed Doodlebug and that would have been the perfect opportunity to introduce myself and find out a little bit about her. And rather than dirty looks, I could have shared a smile or wave to let her know we were happy she was there.

Most of the time, I wouldn't want to come face to face with someone I treated so poorly but in this case, I'm hoping I see her again.  I would welcome a second chance to treat her with the respect and love I know she deserves.

Another Milestone

It seems like with Doodlebug, every week brings something new and exciting that he's discovered. He's mastered the art of fake coughing and does it all.the.dang.time.

The Lime, on the other hand, is always learning but his milestones aren't as frequent. Except for last night.

I was making dinner and he said he was going to head outside to play for a bit. He rode his scooter up and down the street, pretending to go 40 mph. After a while, he poked his head in the door and yelled, "Mom! Can I go play baseball with the boys down the street?" I told him sure and when he shut the door, I started to cry.

Yes, I stood in my kitchen, shredding chicken, crying.

I love that we live in such a great neighborhood where everyone watches out for one another and where The Lime has friends to play with. But knowing that this is just the beginning of him being a real big kid (playing outside with friends, going to school, playing on teams, etc) is hard. I know it's going to happen, I'm just not ready!

But can I just say how happy it made me that he came and asked first? Such a sweet, sometimes obedient, boy!

Doodlebug - Tally Mark 5

-No longer stays in one place. I wouldn't necessarily call it crawling, more like maneuvering.
-Still no teeth but lots of drool and chewing.
-Slept a little better a couple nights this last week but has yet to sleep through the night.
-Looks like he's doing an Irish jig when you stand him on his feet.
-Gets compliments of being a happy baby daily.
-Had his first taste of a snow cone (mainly just the ice) on 10/11.
-Likes to be standing while he nurses (especially if he's tired).
-Flirts with everyone.
-Poops more than anyone I know.
-Gets so excited when he sees his reflection.
-Took his shots like a champ on 10/7.
-Is just about done sleeping in the cradle. He's getting too big.
-Loves "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".
-Is a bright, little light in our family.

Brosefs

Doodlebug usually wakes up before The Lime does.  And until he gets up, Doodlebug is looking around for him, anxiously awaiting his Big Bro.

When these two are together, it's nothing but love and lots of cuteness.  Doodlebug can't keep his eyes off The Lime, and The Lime can't keep his hands off Doodlebug.

While we're driving, I'll sneak a peek at them in the mirror and Doodlebug is usually staring at The Lime.  Sometimes The Lime notices and feeds into the attention, other times he's delirious.

The Lime always talks to Doodlebug in a cute voice and offers lots of words of encouragement.  Doodlebug is Brosef, according to The Lime and The Lime is Big Bro.

I can already tell that Doodlebug is always going to want to do everything The Lime does.  I think that's why he's so active, so early.  And I couldn't imagine a better brother to look up to.

Stuffed

We were at the mall on Friday night, specifically the Build A Bear store, when I got an idea.  The Lime inherited my niece's pink cheetah from Build A Bear, when he was a baby, and has loved that thing to death.  So much so, it was beginning to get a little floppy and needed some help.

Let me start from the very beginning, a very good place to start.

The Lime first called the pink cheetah Baby, mainly because I don't think he could say many other words.

Baby went most places with us, as long as LaVor wasn't around.  Then the cat had to stay at home or in the car.

Then The Lime watched Cinderalla and Baby became Lucifer.  Yes, Lucifer.

Imagine the looks we get when people ask The Lime what his cat's name is.  "...Lucifer?" they ask.  "Because of the cat from Cinderella!" I quickly proclaim.  The Lime has asked to bring Lucifer to church but that's where we draw the line.

The Lime can't sleep without Lucifer, he does this lip pucker thing while rubbing his mouth on the cat's back, and finds complete comfort and joy with him...her...we aren't quite sure what it is.

Since The Lime spends so much time with Lucifer, I thought he would enjoy a more plump, snuggly cat.  So we went back to the mall on Saturday and got Lucifer re-stuffed.  He now resembles Randy from A Christmas Story.  "I can't put my arms down!"

The Lime isn't a fan of the stiffness so I told him he'll just have to love him and squeeze him even more to soften him up.  

I think a (much needed) spin in the washing machine might help, too.