Breeders

Breeders: Those who have produced or will produce offspring.

I am one.  Some may say I'm a super-breeder because I have produced *GASP* more than two!  The trend seems to be for most families to have two kids (preferably one boy and one girl), and then they stop.  We did not stop at two.  It was not because we didn't have a boy yet.  Honestly, it's because God decided to bless us with another child.  Luke was a surprise blessing, and we are thrilled to have him be a part of our family. 

When I am out with all three kids, I get many looks and comments from passers-by about how full my hands are, and questions about if I'm done or not.  Because, surely I am, right?  I mean, only crazy people have more than 3, right?  And it's perfectly okay for complete strangers to ask me about my procreation plans, right? 

Well here are your answers, folks.  Yes, I'm a breeder, and proud of it!  Yes, we have three kids.  We are not actively planning on having any more, but if God decides to grace us with another child, we will welcome him/her with open arms.  This does not make me crazy.  I love children.  That's why I have chosen the path that I have.  And, no, we are not "done" having kids because we "finally" got a boy.  That's just the pattern that we happened to get - girl, girl, boy.  We are not actively planning a 4th purely because I'm kind of freaked out by the logistics of getting all 4 children to each of their activities as they get older.  That's really it.

So, yes, I'm a breeder.  But I would much rather be a breeder than the alternative... When I taught Nature and Science, we had lots of rats in cages.  They fell into two categories: breeders and feeders.  Hmmm.... What would you rather be?

Breastfeeding

Yep, that's right, I'm thinking about breastfeeding today. This morning I attended a training for Parent Educators (that's me!) on how to support breastfeeding for the families that we serve.  It was very informative!

Now, I have 3 children, all of whom I have breastfed.  In fact, as you can see from my ticker on the right, I am still proudly nursing my youngest.  I thought I knew pretty much all there is to know about breastfeeding.  There are some major benefits that Jerry and I learned about at our "training" back when I was pregnant with Bella (they gave us a list of 100, but I only remember a few):

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  More immunities for baby
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  better bonding for mother and baby
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  It's free! (Jerry's fav. benefit)
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  Helps mom lose weight (one of my favs!)
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  Can't beat the convenience - lift shirt, place baby
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  reduces risk of SIDS
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  decreased ear infections for baby
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  decreased risk of obesity for baby when older

Plus, there's the biologist in me that just looks at breastfeeding as an extremely natural way to feed our young.  It is why we are called MAMmals, by the way.  And, as Mr. Jim Lockard (biology / environmental studies teacher at SME) pointed out to me years ago - it's one of the reasons we have lips!

But - there's always room to learn more!!

Did you know....

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  Research shows that short and long-term illnesses are linked to artificial feeding.
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  American Academy of Pediatrics recommends BF until at LEAST a year.
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  The AAP also recommends waiting until 6 months to introduce ANY other foods if you are breastfeeding.
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  BF reduces mom's risk of osteoporosis.
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  A mom can re-lactate within 6  months of weaning if they change their mind.
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  Breast milk is a living fluid (much like blood), and under a microscope, you can actually see the antibodies killing the viruses and bacteria.  Take that!

As you can see, I'm pretty passionate about breastfeeding.  I know it's not possible for all mothers, and I am by no means putting anyone down. I just want to get across how I personally feel about the importance of breastfeeding.  I'll end with a quote that shares my excitement:

If you had a wonder drug that was safe, effective, readily accessible, engineered for individual needs, environmentally friendly, painless, had immediate onset, offered long term protection, was free, and had, as a side effect, weight loss for the provider, would you use it? 

We have that drug: BREAST MILK!

- Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC

Breastfeeding: Join the Boob-olution!

I'm a little late on this since August is National Breastfeeding Month, and this is the last day in August.  :)

Great Weekend

I'm taking a break from making my kitchen desk an efficient, working family HQ (pics to come when it's done) to write about our eventful weekend.  Friday night, I had the kids all by myself because Jerry was doing stadium supervision at the high school. Not too exciting here at home, but I did get them all to bed without a hitch!

Enjoying some pampering

My mom on top, Laney on right, Me on bottom, and Bella on left.

Saturday was originally going to be a "girls' day" with Ooma, Bella, and me (and Luke since his snacks depend on me!).  Since Jerry missed us so much on Friday -leaving before the kids got up and returning after they'd nodded off for the evening - he decided to join us.  So we ALL headed out for a fun family day! (much better than a girls' day anyday)  After being sick for weeks, I needed a pick-me-up to make me feel whole again.  I got my hair cut, eyebrows waxed, and toes painted.  Bella and Laney got fancy pedicures, too!  Then we all headed over to Town Center for some back-to-school shopping.  Not digging the styles for kids this season.  Plaid - yuck.

Saturday night, we got together with our "book club".  Funny, we haven't read a book for book club in well over a year!  But, it was fun for us all to get together with the kids.  We reflected on when we started our book club just a few years ago (less than 3, I think) - we had 5 kids between the 6 couples.  Now, we have 13 beautiful children from 3 months to 7 years old!  Maybe we should stop drinking the water... er ... wine at book club!

Me (with Luke), Kim (with Lily), Stephanie, and Liz

Luke was comfy cozy with a double stroller all to himself.

This morning started early with the Head for the Cure 5K. We walked for "Team Quiz" in memory of Dan Quisenberry.  I took Luke and he slept nicely the entire time.  I walked, of course, because I refuse to run unless someone is chasing me - or unless I must chase one of my own. 

Now, I'm on organization mode.  Time to get back to that, I guess.  It was a fun-filled weekend.  Looking forward to a relaxing week.