Breastfeeding Awareness Week...

I know you're probably thinking, why would I write a post about this since I'm not breastfeeding... Well just because I couldn't breastfeed Benjamin doesn't mean I have thought about everything that goes with breastfeeding.

A little over 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I will most likely be on medication for it for the rest of my life. The 2 medications I am currently taking are Pentasa and Enotocort both were fine to continue taking while pregnant but not safe for the baby while breastfeeding. So my hopes of breastfeeding were denied.

Since we knew that I couldn't breastfeed while I was pregnant it was one of our considering factors to cloth diaper. The cost of formula isn't cheap, so to save ourselves some money we decided to cloth diaper. So it may be more "convenient" (anyone/anywhere can feed him) but it definitely isn't cheap. In the last few weeks the convenience could be argued since we have had to make special trips to the store for formula and the other day we both realized we were out at 11:30pm and Craig had to run to the store so that we would have food for him in the morning.

But the real reason I'm writing this post is lately I have really thought about breastfeeding and part of it is the fact it is Breastfeeding Awareness Week. But the other part of it is sometimes I feel guilty that because I have Crohn's I wasn't able to give Ben nutrition/antibodies from breast milk.

I had thought about talking with my doctor about stopping the medication so I could breastfeed then I realized that if I stopped the meds my digestive system would go completely out of whack and I probably wouldn't absorb the nutrients from the food I'm eating and wouldn't pass them to Ben therefore I would probably not have the best breast milk for my little man.

I guess the biggest thing for me about being a new mom and not breastfeeding is having to explain why I'm not. Whenever someone has asked if he eats formula or breast milk and I say formula, I then sometimes get a look, and I feel like I have to justify my reason for having to formula feed. I think a lot of the reasoning behind it is the idea of "Breast is Best" and if you aren't breastfeeding you are giving your child less beneficial food.

I am happy to report that as a formula fed baby, Ben has yet to be sick *knock on wood*, even while being in daycare. He has gained 9 pounds, he went from the 5th percentile in weight when he was born to 50th in 3 months. He is a very happy HEALTHY baby boy, even while being exclusively formula fed! So for those moms out there who are able to breastfeed- Congratulations! I am excited for you but breastfeeding isn't for everyone (sometimes for very good reasons) and it also isn't your place to place a judgement look on that mom when she tells you she is using formula.

Weekend tidbits volume 2

My weekend tidbits are delayed this week because well it's been a crazy busy week at work and I haven't had time to update.

My mom came to Atlanta to spend time with us and my aunt and cousins.

If you really want to see how much Ben has grown since he was born, check this out...

It's hard to imagine him being so tiny, since he gained weight so quickly.

Here they are again after dinner at Mimi's

Sunday my little man turned 4 months old and once again he has grown so much.

He now weighs 14 pounds 10 ounces (almost 9 pounds over his birthweight!) He is 24.5" long.

On his 4 month birthday he mastered rolling over from his back to his tummy...

Doesn't he look so proud of himself for his big accomplishment!

He now rolls over both ways and is thoroughly enjoying doing it every chance he gets!

We talked to the doctor and we are going to wait on starting baby food until he is 6 months old. I was a little disappointed because I was looking forward to him trying foods but I think it will be better to wait especially since I have digestive issues (Crohn's) lets not push it too early.

2009 Review

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Run a half marathon while pregnant!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I believe my New Year’s Resolutions were run more, stay healthy, and grow savings. So I would say I did a pretty good job of that. With my fastest 10k in memory and a half marathon in the hills of San Francisco while 14.5 weeks pregnant. Build up savings- definitely!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Most of my close friends had their babies at the end of 2008.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit? USA, I don’t even have a passport so it will be a while before I go out of the country.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A healthy baby boy
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 20- Craig’s dad got remarried to a wonderful woman- Carol and they are going to enjoy retirement so much together.
August 6- Found out we were having a baby!November 25- Found out we were having a boy!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting pregnant then following thru on the half marathon I signed up for in March.
9. What was your biggest failure? Making more friends in Atlanta, definitely one of my new year’s resolutions this year.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Had a Crohn’s flare up and pulled something in my neck while moving but other than that not too bad.
11. Something wonderful that you bought? Canon digital SLR, Craig’s car, new mattress, couch, and coffee table
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Lots.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? A few.
14. Where did most of your money go? Probably mortgage and rent.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting to have a baby. :)
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Not sure a lot got added to the ipod but I’m not sure one really sticks out.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, fatter (6 months pregnant will do that to you), and richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Enjoy free time instead of always filling it with another project.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stress and worry over things.
20. How did you spend Christmas? With Craig, low key but we did have Filet Mignon- YUM!
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? Everyday with my husband, growing baby, Peanut Butter, and life!
22. What was your favorite TV program? Florida Football (had to see that coming right?), Psych, Bravo reality, I’ve gotten sucked into General Hospital.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I’m not a hateful person.
24. What did you want and get? A baby.
25. What did you want and not get? I can’t think of anything other than maybe wishing we would’ve had consistent renters in our house in Orlando instead of several month of an empty house after the last bailed on her lease.
26. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 30!! My birthday weekend we went to Flip for burgers and milkshakes with Josh and Blaire and on my birthday Craig and I went to Canyon Burger for lunch! Baby and I love burgers! We went to San Francisco which was our big present to each other.
27. Who did you miss? Janet- Craig’s mom.
28. What’s something important that you learned? That I sometimes need to step back and refocus on what’s important not what others may think is important for me.