Starting New

As most people know, I am returning to school in just one short week.   

This last month has been nothing but stressful.  Up until yesterday, we did not have an apartment to live in.  We had been looking for months but due to unfortunate circumstances nothing seemed to work out.  This along with many other things, just things were grim.  

I'm not going to lie... I am terrified of returning to school.  I know very few people, and not only am I returning to school, I am doing this in a new town... Far from family and friends.  This will be my 10th home in less than four years.  Not of my own choosing just in many cases I have to move due to job opportunities and schooling.  My last semester at school was hard.  I was very pregnant at the time and the number of glances I got made this point obvious.  

Throughout this past year I have been trying to be optimistic about the move.  I will finally have my Teacher's College portion of school done and over with.  But in the back of my mind from time to time I wonder if it is worth it.  I don't make new friends very easily.   It's not that I am anti-social, it just takes a long time for me to open up to people.  

This along with a new church.  In my first few years of university I church hopped.  ALOT.  I never found a church that welcomed me.  They all had their cliques and it was very difficult to open them up.  The few people who did actually talk to us made it clear they were not interested in getting to know us any better than a simple acquaintance.  I'm praying God places us in a church we can attend without feeling like outsiders. A church where people ask how you are doing and actually care.  

Though I am nervous/terrified, I am thankful that we are making this move as a family.  We are getting our first apartment (though tiny it will be our own place) since we have had Peyton.  In many ways, it will be a fresh start.  

Please keep our little family in your prayers.  God provides and I do think we are going to see this in the near future but I feel like I'm getting ready for my first day of kindergarten all over again.  Taking it all one step at a time, that's all we can do.  

6 Months

Big steps this Month:

Got first tooth ( one day before she turned six months) 

Starting to go up on knees

Taking steps while holding on our hands

First camp experience at day camp 

Likes:

Food

Mother Goose class

Jolly Jumper

Swimming

Animals

Dislikes:

Being put down for naps or just in general

Funny Moments:

Met Uncle Josh for the first time and was not sure what to think of him

One Decision

If you are a parent you realize just how one simple errand can take much longer than before you had kids. 

You have to get them ready, get the diaper bag ready, click them in the carseat, 

get them out of the carseat, ensure they have enough toys to keep them entertained... 

the list goes on and on. 

So often, it seems easier to leave the children in the car for

something we may think only takes a few minutes.

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS.

Unfortunately, there have been 2 deaths within a few weeks nearby here, 

and some near deaths. 

It doesn't take alot to seriously harm a child, 

take the time to bring them in and ensure they are safe. 

Please watch this movie for more information and statistics on this one decision 

that can change your life.

Bre's Story

I'm sure everybody has heard the saying 

Breast is Best

And though it's true, I struggled to breastfeed for a while. 

I'm not going to sugarcoat it- breastfeeding is hard- especially the first few weeks.

I struggled to get Peyton breastfeeding properly while in the hospital.  

She was tongue-tied, and having a C-section I was unable to try the whole thing out until I had woken up from the surgery. 

I pushed and pushed to get her to eat every three hours right on the dot (the nurses ensured I did not miss this time).  

I loathed the feeding time while in the hospital- I felt as though I was hurting her and it always just turned into a crying feast.

My whole time at the hospital, I had to do many of the feedings with half formula half breastmilk, and I felt as though I was failing my daughter and wasn't doing "what women were made to do".  

After much discussion, Wes and I decided to get Peyton's tongue-tie snipped.  It was not enjoyable watching my poor baby in pain, but I knew it was a good step so that we could do this breastfeeding thing (and better get it done when they don't remember than later in life).  

From every mom I've talked to who has decided to breastfeed, there is one feeding in the day four time that is just not fun.  You are tired, you have had no luck with this feeding thing, and it just feels as though nothing is going right. 

I cried. 

I remember Wes telling me that no matter how we fed our daughter, as long as she was healthy and loved, everything would be okay. 

At the time, I felt like he was just saying this to make me happy- and who knows maybe he was. 

But there is truth in his words. 

Luckily, once this feeding was over things started looking up. 

Peyton is now five and a half months old, and I breastfeed her still. 

Every now and again, I feed her formula too. 

As long as she is getting the nutrition she needs, I am happy.  

If you are in that beginning stage- stick with it, it will get better.  

If you are unable to breastfeed and are interested- talk to a lactation consultant.  

If you have decided to formula feed- don't feel guilty, your child is healthy and happy!

Good thing my friends have good humour towards my breastfeeding
Luckily I have since got a cover that makes it easier:) 

Shauna's Story

My son Hunter has been exclusively breastfed his entire 5.5 months of life. 

I chose to breastfeed him because I figured it was the most natural and logically, don't forget CASH FRIENDLY choice of all my options. Breastfeeding wasn't easy for me. I spent many nights up crying, fighting with this little stubborn boy to latch on properly and to nurse effectively. I had many roadbumps with my milk supply when Hunter came down with pneumonia at 5 weeks and went on a nursing strike. I have overcome my shyness of breastfeeding in public, boy, that took a while!

And trying to find a way that worked for both Hunter and I. I think I speak for both of us when I say, we have both really enjoyed our breastfeeding journey. 

It is reassuring that he is getting all his nutrition and immunities from me. And it's neat to think that the 9 pounds he has gained since birth are all thanks to my hardworking body. I am returning to school in September and am disappointed that I have to wean Hunter and start using formula. 

I will miss the bonding time it has given us and the peace it brings to him when he is startled and frantic. I believe breastfeeding is difficult and not for everyone, but in my case, was the right choice. I feel I have given my baby the best start to life that I could. 

Shauna Guthrie 

"Countless women have regained trust in their bodies through nursing their children, even if they weren't sure at first that they could do it. It is an act of female power, and I think of it as feminism in its purest form" - Christine Northrup