I Love Nursing

Hello!  A few weeks ago (the last Sunday before we moved), I woke up and went in to nurse Jonathan.  He nursed as usual that day.  But the rest of the day, he was just not interested.  And for the next week or two, he only nursed when he first woke up.  Maybe it was a "tender mercy" from God that it just happened so easily.  It was pretty easy after a couple weeks to finally let go and drop that final feeding.

I had planned to wean him at a year.  But with the move, it was just too much to think about.  So the fact that I didn't have to do anything was really great.  And also, that I could enjoy all those last final feedings with him.

I have called him a "breast man".  : )  Maybe it was because I nursed him immediately after he was born,  but Jonathan never did take a bottle or a pacifier.  I used nursing more than I should have probably.  I often nursed him to sleep - which I don't think is the best habit to get into.  But it all worked out okay I guess.

I guess I just wanted to write this post to say that I have loved nursing my babies.  It is so wonderful!!!  From the health benefits to the bonding, I think it is so worth it.

Here are a few pics:  (Don't worry... Nothing too scandalous.  But please do excuse how very unglamorous I look.  That's another thing:  babies don't care if momma is pretty or smelly!  : ))


Don't you love looking down at your sweet baby's face?  Their beautiful skin and EYE LASHES???  Don't you love how happy and peaceful they are next to you?  I always loved when Jonathan would first attach:  Eyes would roll back in relief and happiness and the sounds would change from stress-filled to utter contentment.

Don't you love just looking into their eyes?

Don't you love the games that go on?  Jonathan had several.... putting his hands in my mouth and then I'd nibble them and he'd giggle.  Or he'd push my head one way and pull it back to him.  So cute and fun.

 Don't you love how siblings know how special it is too?

Don't you love things like this?  Mary used to put her hand in the middle of my cleavage.

I know nursing doesn't work out for some women.  We were so blessed to both enjoy nursing!  Look at that sweet smile on Jonathan (this was when he was still pretty new).

Jonathan Turns 1 Year Old!

So I am slowly but surely getting caught up again....

Jonathan turned 1 on June 3rd!  The first year is hard in some ways don't you think?  Mostly for me, it is difficult trying to figure out their signals, not getting great sleep, adjusting to a major life change.... But oh it is so joyful too!!!  My dear, sweet Jonathan has been a joy from the beginning.

He is a happy boy!  Mostly he doesn't cry if he has his needs met.  He IS most definitely a Momma's boy! But if I have to go somewhere, he will cry just for a minute and then he is happy again.

Jonathan is so cute in looks and personality.  I love all his little boy noises he makes - shouts, grunts, etc.  I love how he trills, plays pat-a-cake and peekaboo, and his giggles.  I love how when he crawls he gets his head down as though he is really plowing through and how his hips sway (hard to describe.  It's like they wouldn't sway as much if he would stretch his legs more.  So instead it reminds me of a how a beetle moves or something).  I love how boyish he is - hitting, throwing, grunting ...  Jeff has nicknamed him "The Destroyer" because he is into everything...toilet paper rolls, cabinets, pulling stuff out of drawers (and putting it away too : )), smashing the table, grabbing hair, throwing stuff...  So much fun!

As I write this, he is now walking quite a bit (started at 13 months officially), has started sleeping through the night (almost exactly at 12 months), and he has almost completely weened himself.   Also, at 12 months he had 4 top teeth, and 2 bottom.  Since then he has cut 2 molars and is working on 2 more poor guy.  He is very interested in birds and dogs and says "AH AH!" when he sees them.  He also hears airplanes and fire engines and wonders what they are.  If anyone coughs, he mimics them.  It's pretty cute!

So anyways, his birthday landed right when we were in the throws of showing our home to sell it.  I still wanted to celebrate though - 1 is a big birthday.  My in-laws offered to help us in any way and so I asked them if we could throw a little birthday party for him at their place.  They said yes!  And we had a nice family party.

Here are some pics:

We had a potluck barbeque.  Everyone brought a side dish.  Look at the spread!

 The Guests

Opening Presents

 The Cake!
 My friend Stephanie made this cute rubber ducky cake.

He loved it.

Happy Birthday Beautiful Boy!!!  I just ADORE you!!!

Stephanie and Sigmund Part Deux

So you may remember my post from January about the different outings me and my kids took with our friends Stephanie and Sigmund.  Well.... It has been another six months and we have had even more fun!  Here are some of the things we did:  (WARNING:  LOTS of photos - some being cell pics)

The Zoo Again

The Botanic Gardens

Valentine Play Date at Stephanie's.

She let us play with her bunnies  

The kids decorated cookies.

Swimming - We've gone to a few different places.
Just look at my sweet angel boy!  Ugh!  Eat your heart out.

 Sigmund is a great little swimmer!

 I wish you could see this picture closer...

The Arvada Apex Center - This place is really fun! - There is a great play area with a tree house that is part of the drop off daycare.  But anyone can come play on it.  Then there is also swimming and an ice rink!  We went a couple of times.

 You can kind of get the scope of it in this pic.  Random kids pictured.  : )

 Yea, the ice skating didn't go too well.  But we had fun trying it anyways!

Play date at our house

We had a play date here where we decorated those sugar eggs that you can see into.  It was really fun!  Of course we had to eat some of the candy too.

Lollipop Park

By far, one of the most fun things we've done and discovered is a indoor kiddie amusement park called Lollipop Park.  It is perfect for kids Mary and Sigmund's ages.  We went a couple of times.  Mary had asked and asked to go back.

 The Teacups

The Carousel

Fun House Mirrors

The Train 

A Pretty pic of Mary  : )

The Whip!

 Mary didn't like it at first, but quickly changed her mind.

The Ferris Wheel

Along with all the rides, there is an arcade too.  

Sweet Jonathan having a moment with Stephanie

 More fun pics

 Had to include this oh so sweet series with Jonathan.  He was tired that day and pretty cuddly.

Oh I just adore him!

CASA BONITA

On one of our most recent outings, we went to Casa Bonita.  You know what?  I love that place.  It brings back so many fond memories from childhood.  Sure, it isn't what it used to be.  But there was still fun shows every 15 minutes, a pinata, fun exploration, that wonderful smell, and I even enjoyed the food.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that - but I did.  I must've been pretty hungry that day.  The sopapillas were really delish!  The only part I could've done without was the bum that came up to us outside afterward asking for money.  Glad Stephanie was with me.  Juggling my wallet with two kids with a bum right next to you is not something I think I'll attempt again.  

Skit with the Ape

 Diver (I don't remember the divers being skinny white high school aged boys before.  But whatever.  : ))

 Sigmund sharing his cotton candy with Mary.  Cute aye?  It was her first experience with cotton candy.

 Mary dancing outside by the fountain with her new fairy wand.

 These two sure are great!

Thank you Stephanie and Sigmund!  We had a great time.  Here's to many more adventures!