The Chronicles of a Breastfeeding Mother

So, I know I haven’t posted for a while. I know my posts were something to look forward to. My Nonna came to town and the holidays were pretty insane. So many things have evolved since the last time I wrote. Work has been steady. I truly love the team that I work with. They are a bunch of well rounded individuals with diverse passions and integrities. My main drive has always led to writing. A simple pencil and paper have always allowed me to express things I have never been able to word. I have always won people over with my words. I have made them cry, laugh, and feel. That is what dreams are made of. If something brings a smile to your innermost being, don’t ever give up on it. Life is full of wasted opportunities. I know I should have quoted the previous sentence. I do not want to become someone that decided to lose a dream. I want to strive for  the purpose of it all. I want to create a legacy to follow. I can write about this each and every day. I absolutely love writing! W...

At 7:00 a.m., my alarm clock went off and it was time to hop in the shower. My day initiated very well. Giulietta woke up at 7:30 a.m. and jumped up to get ready for school. I dressed her up in her sweet, sassy, and southern outfit. She looked super fashionable. It was show and tell day at school, so she had a convertible car for the letter of the week, “c.” She as great at show and tell. She came home with beautiful hand prints that she created for thanksgiving. Giovanni missed Mommy so much at work.. Joey tried every bottle known to man that we have in the house, but he fought with Daddy and drank slowly. He took two ounces after kicking and screaming with his father and then another ounce an hour later. It was nice to see old customers at my job. They were very generous. It was a little weird to pump so often. Honestly, it felt as if I never stopped. One of my co-workers told me that I don’t need to pump after 6 months. If you educate yourself on breastfeeding, you need to pump for...

So, we’re up  at 6 a.m.  again. I am feeling a bit sad that I have to return to work tomorrow. My husband said that it was more like a “tease.” I work tomorrow and then have the weekend off. My days are super busy with 2 kids. I know I have to work Thanksgiving, but it’s one of my favorite holidays. I thoroughly enjoy all of the food. Usually, if I am working the poker floor, I get to go home early. If I did my calculations right, I will be upstairs in poker. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I am falling apart about going back to work. I did it with Giulietta, but this time, I did not miss my job at all. It was definitely great to be with my children. I soaked up every single moment.  At 9:20 a.m. Giovanni and I headed to a La Leche League meeting. It’s wonderful to meet other breastfeeding mothers and listen to their stories. One woman had a 7 month old and experienced many of the same struggles I did with Giulietta. I had bleeding and cracked nipples, sore...

So, Giulietta seems to think that her new wardrobe is dress up clothes. I am going to have to sneak them out of the way and wash them. Maybe when she falls asleep. If that ever happens (Fingers Crossed). Giovanni woke up smiling and cooing today. I guess the tantrum was short lived. I dislike having Giulietta watch t.v. all day. I guess I am a bad example because there are days I binge watch episodes of my favorite shows. Some of my favorite are JANE THE VIRGIN, EAST LOS HIGH, DEVIOUS MAIDS, FINDING CARTER, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, etc. Giulietta is super cranky today. She has already thrown things at me, woken up her brother from his nap, and screamed at the top of her lungs. These are all attention getting mechanisms. I try very hard to give equal attention to both of my children. When Giovanni is resting, I give all of my attention to Giulietta. My goal is that she uses her creativity wisely. I love watching her mind work. Today she lined up all of her barbies and baby dolls. She covere...

So, if you know anything about my life, you know about Giulietta’s battles with bedtime. I always see those parents that have it so easy to get their kids in bed by 7 pm. I wish it was that practical for us. The main problem for us is my insane work schedule. She will accommodate her hours of sleep to mine, which was not an issue when she wasn’t in school. We do our very best to ensure that she is in bed by at least 10 p.m. Since we started doing that, she is usually getting sleepy around that time. I have been on maternity leave for the past 2 1/2 months, so it hasn’t been a battle. I was able to accompany her to sleep, which made it all ideal. Friday, I go back to work, so this will be the last week of our average routine. It is going to be a nightmare for her father to have her asleep. The only reason I know this is because she isn’t comfortable going to bed without both of us in the house. The struggle is our reality. She will fight until the last minute. She even talks to avoid sl...

If you have ever fed a baby breast milk, then you know about the poop explosions. Giovanni has been backed up since he got his 2 month shots Monday. He had the first dose of the oral rotavirus and the DTAP. I am super pro shots, but I prefer to do one shot at a time. The nurses look at me and think I’m a bitch mom for doing it that way, but it’s my child and my decision. Giulietta received a vaccine every two weeks and NEVER had an adverse reaction or a fever. One reason is because I am a working mom. I cannot afford to stay home from work if my child has a fever. Another reason is because I have had one friend who’s son had an adverse reaction to a vaccine and developed permanent brain damage. He also gets seizures every so often. It’s the most horrendous thing to watch. Another acquaintance had a child who developed an adverse reaction to the combination of 4 month shots. That child became extremely ill and suffered various seizures. Eventually, that child was placed on a feeding tub...

My mornings with Giovanni usually start off pretty peaceful. Overall, he is a happy baby. He barely ever gets fussy and when he does it's usually related to my oversupply problem. Whoever said that breastfed babies do not have to burp, LIED! If Giovanni doesn't burp, he may very well spit up or projectile vomit all over me. We are co-sleeping, which makes my life soo much easier! It is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics because the risk of SIDS may increase. Honestly, SIDS can happen at any time. If you are anything like me, you are an extremely light sleeper with obsessive compulsive disorder. If my son is not lying in the middle of my arm, I cannot sleep through the night. I have terrible dreams and am constantly waking up to check if he is breathing. I did the same thing with my daughter. What can I say? I am paranoid. He has a beautiful wooden bassinet and crib in the other room that I have never used. When I return to work next friday, he will most likel...

So, I guess you can say that I have become that "mother." The one who writes and shares experiences about her children. Honestly, I don't care what others think. These babies have become my life. I no longer wake up and care about what I look like in the morning. My main priorities revolve around their lives. These little creatures have taken up my whole being. When I first became a mother, I had no idea what I was getting involved in. I never researched breastfeeding or any of the pros and cons. I never asked questions about childbirth or the process or took any classes. I let my maternal instincts take over and allowed my body to lead my choices. Three months before my daughter, Giulietta was born, I watched my little sister breastfeed her first baby. She told me that I should do it as well; for at least the first three months of my daughters life. I was like, "Okay, I will do it." When my daughter was born, she came out and looked at me with one eye open. It ...