Of all the things Jack could have inherited from me,

Why did he have to get my rhythm?

It's your party and you'll cry/get a fever if you want to...

Holy hell, the little man turned 1 and had a big boy party! How did my teeny little baby boy become a toddler?

He started getting ready for his party the night before by coming down with a 102.5 temperature. Motrin and Tylenol made it manageable until after his party when it shot up to 103.7. Troy took him to the doc on Monday, and lo and behold, a double ear infection. Poor birthday boy!

Anyhoo, despite the ear infection, Jack's party this weekend was a blast, and I think everyone had a great time. And yes, he is wearing a Chewbacca shirt.

Jack getting a birthday hug from cousin Ashlyn:

Jack getting a birthday KISS from cousin Ashlyn:

My cupcakes.

These things were my pride and joy.

I am by NO means a crafty person, so if I could make these, you can make these! The inspiration came from here kick ass cupcakes. I used a gluten, dairy, and sugar free cupcake recipe (relax, they're tasty) from Baby Cakes NYC's cookbook.

For the "fur", I took a plastic container and put about 15 drops of blue food coloring in the bottom. Put the lid on tightly, and shake. Then add coconut, put the lid back on and shake until you get the desired color. Add more food coloring to the side of the tub and shake again if you want it darker.

Frost cupcakes with blue frosting, and then dip in coconut "fur". Top with a mini Chips Ahoy, and white chocolate melting candies with brown M&M's glued on with white frosting. Not sure what happened with ole one-eye up there.

Jack enjoyed his cupcake after a few initial tentative bites (around 15 seconds he spits it out):




Then it was time to open his $35,671 worth of new noisy toys, clothes, and books:

Jack received so many gifts, but perhaps the coolest was a sock monkey quilt and pillow set from my mother-in-law's best friend. Seriously, how cool is this:

The aftermath:

All in all, it was a great day, and Jack was so blessed to be surrounded by people who love and care about him.

A proud parenting moment for Troy and me

After bath time, Jack always gets some nudie time in the living room. It's fun for him, and helps his skin to be diaper free for 10 or 15 minutes. Occasionally, he'll pee, but hey, we have hardwood floors so it's an easy clean up.

Well, last night Jack was standing up playing and peed (we totally didn't notice because he was in a corner). He then slipped on the puddle of pee and hit his head on a toy.

We kept him alive for a year, I guess he's on his own now!

May I have your attention please?

After 1 year, 5 days, 12 hours, and 35 minutes (give or take) I am DONE PUMPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been pumping 4 times a day, and feeding Jack from the tap 3-4 times a day since he was born. I'm still going to breastfeed him morning and night until he's 2 or weans himself, but I don't have to drag my stupid pump with me to work anymore!

It has been a very long and very tough road, but I did it and I'm pretty damn proud of myself, and don't mind saying so. It's worked well enough for me that I never had to open the emergency can of formula the hospital sends home with you.

In the last 12 months, I have survived the following:
1) a kid with an extremely powerful latch. We're talking the Incredible Hulk of breastfeeding. In the hospital the lactation consultant couldn't figure out why his latch hurt so much because everything was correct. He was laying in his bassinet next to the bed, so she put her finger in his mouth to test the latch. She went to take it out and ended up dragging him to the other end of the bassinet because he wouldn't let go. O-U-C-H
2) flat nips. I had to use a nipple shield for 9 weeks
3) weaning off the nipple shield. So frustrating
4) A baby with GERD which means I constantly had vomit on my nips, and had to keep him upright for 30 minutes after he ate.
5) Mastitis, countless clogged ducts, and 2 milk blisters which caused me to pump blood and almost throw up from the pain.
6) A dairy-free diet for 7 months (and counting) because of Jack's dairy allergy
7) A painful over supply that led to 300 oz being stored in my freezer
8) 6 months of a dwindling supply which was made worse by 300 oz in my freezer that I couldn't use because it contained dairy
9) A nursing strike
10) Pretty funny baby torture
11) Trying to find non-disgusting places to pump in while at meetings and conferences for work.

Through all the tough times, I pushed through and made it the full year. Troy has always been supportive and would hold my hand when I would almost puke from the pain of the initial latch.
Thanks for all your help babe. And thanks for playing "find the nipple shield in the sheets" with me at 3 am many many mornings.

For those just beginning their nursing career, I'll tell you truthfully that it's one of the hardest things you'll ever do. But, if it wasn't worth it to me, I wouldn't have made it this far. A few pieces of advice: you're not always going to like it, but never quit on a bad day. Take it one feeding at a time, and make sure you have a lot of support from family.

Thanks girls, you've done me proud

Mmmmm, Jack snacks

Jack and Grandpa C cooking up something tasty!

Happy first birthday Jack! You've come a long way baby!

Sorry I'm a terrible mom and am posting this a day late, but I hope you'll forgive me.

Before you were in this world, you were a wiggly little man in my belly. You haven't changed much since you were born, and you make me laugh with your constant need to explore and move, and to look at everything. Your curiosity and love of life has changed the way I look at everything: cardboard boxes, birds, and mirrors are all things I never truly appreciated for being fascinating.

When your dad and I were talking about having a kid, it was hard to picture how our lives would adjust to having another little being in it. Now, I can't imagine that you haven't been here all along. Some days you are the only thing in my world that makes sense.

The next few years will be about learning and gaining your independence, and I can't wait to see things through your eyes. Thank you for being my son.

Momma.