Oof.

Hello Dear Readers!

Okay remember when I told you that you could remind me of that list of loving being pregnant when I'm all huge and uncomfortable? Well, we're there. And two months to go. I'm uncomfortable and tired and puffy and cranky at random intervals. And if anyone here knows of a visually impaired woman who could teach me how to shave my ankles, I'd be grateful for her advice, 'cause I can't see mine anymore. Except enough to see how puffy they are. That may sound like an insensitive joke, except I'm not kidding. I'm not someone who would enjoy just not shaving for two months, I can't see what I'm doing, and waxing ain't in the budget. Sigh.

But anyway, check this out. We already know that I have it pretty cushy compared to a lot of moms out there. But these ladies are just an absolute, top-notch, inspiration. I'm getting that book, too, I'll let you know if there are good tidbits in there for moms in other workplaces.

So I'm finally signed up for a message checking session with the Nursing Mothers' Counsel. I got all scared. People are going to call me and want answers! On my blog or on Facebook I have all the time I can spare between breadwinning, parenting, householding, and trying to find my ankles to look up answers for mamas. On the phone that would be a lot of awkward dead air. So message checking is a good start. It's next week, wish me luck!

Another mama in my mom friends group on facebook is getting chewed on by her teething little one. Ouch! Lots of moms had lots of suggestions for trying to get the little one to take a bottle. I suggested cold compresses on kiddo's gums before nursing, so she won't want to chew so much (hopefully), plus the old if you bite you get taken off and left to cry for a minute before you get to try again trick. For her ailing nipples I recommended nudity (as legally as possible), coconut oil (because she said the lanolin wasn't helping anymore), and cold compresses after nursing. Anyone else want to chime in? Recall Robert and I got past this because I involuntarily shrieked when he really chomped on me one time. He cried and cried and cried... like the world had ended. But he didn't bite again, or not many times after that. I did the pop him off trick too but I think it was the shriek that did it. This is a dangerous tactic, one might find oneself facing a nursing strike. In my case it was a reflex, not a tactic, and I got lucky in that it only ended that one session and then he was back at it. So I'm not recommending it, more saying, if it happens, it's okay...

I'm looking forward to nursing another little one, but I'm remembering all the ouchie parts and that pumping is a big pain in the fanny. Of course I have my military mamas to inspire me. But I'm also grateful that this time I'll be five blocks away from my little hungry one, rather than 28 miles of LA freeway (ugh). I remember all the moments I literally giggled with glee while nursing my little Robert (who, by the way, is now a big tall toddler who can make sentences and wreak all sorts of havoc - WOW it does go fast. I got so sick of people telling me that, and they were right, which makes it even more annoying that they all told me so many times...) I remember how proud I felt of how long we kept it up and how much mama milk he got, even while I was miles away pretending to be a financial professional. And I remember how sad I was when he weaned, even though it happened just as I had hoped (he chose, on his schedule) and we had gone for 21 months which is plenty. It will be interesting to see how things go with Proto. I hope they will go at least as well. Every kiddo is different, though so I can't assume. And if intra-uterine squirminess is any indication, we have a feisty one on our hands this time!!!

I hope you are all having a lovely summer. Don't get too much sun or you might get cranky and tired. Not that I'm speaking from experience today at my company picnic or anything.

Much love,
Suzi