Update: Mommy & Baby

Hey guys! So, I apologize and realize it has been wayyyyy too long since I have blogged about our sweet bundle of joy! Obviously, I do not have nearly hardly any time to blog anymore, but I will try to do better. Camden is absolutely the sweetest baby I have ever met. Ok, I know I'm SUPPOSED to say that because I'm his mama.. but really! He is an angel. I can't believe how quickly time is flying by. He turned 5 weeks old yesterday.. and I return to work in exactly one month. Bittersweet. I absolutely love my job.. but I love my boy(s) more. I have been so blessed with such a wonderful and supportive husband. He is the best daddy little Camden could have and the biggest help for me. We are loving every minute of learning how to be parents and falling more in love with him (and each other) daily. I had my post-partum checkup yesterday (completely healed-- YAY!) and Camden has already had one checkup (2 weeks) and will get his first set of vaccinations November 5. I don't care if I'm a nurse and accustomed to giving babies/children shots.. I am DREADING this day and the tears that will come with it. On a happier note, here's a quick little survey to fill you in on Camden and mommy.

Camden
How old: 5 weeks!
Weight: At his 2 week checkup, he was back to his birth weight of 6lb8oz.. But, being the curious mommy I am, I weighed him the other day and he was weighing in at a little over 8lbs! Growing :) 
Height: 21 inches last time we measured him
Hair color: blonde :)
Eyes: big, bright, and blue!
Favorite food: breast milk :-)
Movement: Wiggle WORM. He loves to flail his arms and kick his legs. He looks like he's dancing most of the time!
Favorite "words": I don't think he has starting "cooing" yet.. but he loves to grunt and go "eeeeeeeee"
Favorite toy: activity mat (unless we're using it for tummy time)
Favorite clothes: anything! He loves getting dressed!
Diaper size: newborn
Clothes size: newborn and some 0-3mo
Shoe size: Haven't even put shoes on him yet
Likes: baths, cuddling, nursing, being tickled by daddy, car rides, and being outside 
Dislikes: he hates his bouncy seat now :( , tummy time, losing his paci!
Who does he favor? That depends on who you ask! ha! Some say Matt, some say me. We think he is a good mix. One things for sure, he has mommy's eyes and daddy's hair line (haha!).

Mommy
Total weight loss since birth (Mommy): Down 18 pounds-- 8 more to go!
Maternity clothes? Nope-- but I did have to buy a pair of jeans one size up.. but I WILL be back in my pre-pregnancy pants by the end of the year!
Stretch marks? Never got any, and so very thankful.
Sleep: Hopefully I won't jinx us. Camden is doing really well. This past week, he has only woke me up once during the night to nurse. By the time he wakes up to nurse a second time, it's time for us to get up anyway. We are so thankful, especially me!
Miss Anything? I miss yesterdays. I know they are days we will NEVER get back. As much as I look forward to the things to come, I realize each yesterday is in the past and we won't get to relive anything about that day, so we are trying to savor every little moment.
Food cravings: Not craving any food, but I drink water ALL of the time. And nursing has given me an excuse for my hefty appetite ;) 
Belly Button: In again!
Wedding Rings: On
Happy or Moody: Happy, happy, happy. I had a few moments of "the blues" the week we were home, but it doesn't compare to the amount of joy I experience from being this boy's mama! 
Looking Forward to: Continuing to learn how to be the best mommy Camden can have. Looking forward to experiencing all of his "firsts". First holidays, first words, rolling over, etc.

Camden with Dr. Reeves. If it weren't for her, I would not have had such a wonderful experience being pregnant and delivering our son. We could not ask for a better doctor to work alongside the past 9 months.

Nursing: What Keeps Me Going

Disclosure: This post is dedicated solely to breastfeeding. If this topic offends you/weirds you out, I suggest you quit reading right about... now. 
While not the most popular form (or easiest) of feeding your child, and definitely one that is (unfortunately) usually frowned upon, I am a firm believer in the benefits (for both mom and baby) of breastfeeding. From the time we found out we were expecting, I had my mind set on breastfeeding. However, I wasn't aware just how challenging it would be during those first few weeks. Camden and I had to overcome some bumps in the road, (thank God for friends who walked this path before me and a very supportive husband) but we stuck it out and I could not be happier. Don't get me wrong, I do realize there are a certain percent of mothers that simply cannot breastfeed (or choose not to), so I am not saying it is always the best choice for everyone, but for me, it is/was. Although it is tiring and drains me physically, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I stole this list from a sweet friend, but here are several reasons that keep me going/will keep me going. 

-The way that God designed a mother's body to nurture her child is mind blowing. As if I needed MORE proof that God exists, BF proves it over and over :)
-Looking in your babies eyes.
-Holding your sweet little one.
-Getting a BREAK to sit down with a super good excuse.
-Makes you feel relaxed.
-It really is easier in the long run.
-Even after a busy, crazy, day with a baby and a bunch of other people/visitors, you can look back and know that you held your baby a few times that day.
-Getting an extra hour of sleep after the morning wake up when you nurse them back to sleep.
-Being the person who feeds your baby skin to skin is a good feeling. It is like you and only you fed somebody and helped them grow. Amazing.
-You know when you are nursing a baby that you were productive that day even if the dishes need doing.
-It magically makes them stay babies. For real.
-Babies are quiet when they nurse.
-Fixing sadness.
-Portable.
-No runs to the store.
-Breasts are easy to clean, and don’t usually need to be sanitized. (I am just kidding. I never sanitize mine.)
-La Leche League- cool ladies, great friends.
-It just makes sense.
-Sneaking out of church to go to the mother’s room where it is quiet, but you can still hear the sermon.
-No getting up to prep anything in the middle of the night- it is a self-serve system!
-Lactating breasts are like a free pharmacy for the whole family! Ear infection, gooey eye, runny nose- NO PROBLEM! A little milk can fix it up.
-Unoffensive poo.
-Liquid diet for sickies means they still get nourishment when they are sick.
-Milk sharing. It just makes a mama feel like she is helping someone when she can share milk with a friend who really needs it for their baby.
-One less thing to buy.
-Seems to magically calm the whole house.
-Gives you time to read a little (before they are grabby) which is just so NICE when you are a busy mom.
-A meal that requires NO DISHES!!!!
-A meal that requires no preparation!
-A meal that requires no shopping!
-One less thing in the diaper bag.
-MONEY- it is saved.
-The little games they play that only you see while they nurse.
-Sweet nursing noises. Nothing like a slurping baby.
-Getting thin faster.
-Of course, there is also the added bonus of being able to say, “I’m nursing, I need the extra 500 calories,” as you mainline donuts. Though admittedly, this may interfere with previous reason.
-Perspective. It teaches you what your body is capable of.
-Milk drunk babies.
-Milky drool. Cute.
-Sleepy milky smiles.
-Putting a baby to sleep with your body is really pretty special.
-Legal protection to nurse most anywhere.
-It ticks off Barbra Walters.
-Such HEALTHY babies! The nursing baby is the healthiest person in the house.
-Calmer baby
-You can travel light! Baby, mama, diaper- GO!
-Sisterhood.
-It is fabulous to do something for your baby that nobody else can do.
-Feeling fabulous about something after you just had a baby can be a big bonus when your hormones are going wacko.
-NO AUNT FLOW!!!!!!!!!
-A quiet phone call (while they nurse.)
-Makes you love them more.
-Slows you down for a minute.
-Oxytocin.
-Builds confidence.
-Hello- you grew a baby- and now you are feeding one!
-Bonding.
-Never forget a snack.
-It is nice to be somebodies favorite person for a while.
-The original COMFORT food.
-Guilt free comfort food.
-At the end of the day, after all the mistakes, I know at least I did one thing right.
-Teaches you about your baby.
-Gives you your first chance to teach your baby and work together towards a common goal.
-Builds a relationship without words.
-Strangely makes me feel like a feminist.
-Feels very feminine also.
-Snuggles.
-A little person who loves you and doesn’t see chub or fluff, they just see a warm, soft, pillow.
-Memories for later.
-No leftovers.
-No waste.
-Self satisfaction of knowing you did your part to save the ozone.
-"I'm nursing"- always a good answer!
-Self regulating.
-It is just cool when your milk lets down and then the baby wakes up. Being totally in sync with another human is amazing.
-Increases and decreases as needed.
-Healthier mama.
-Happier mama.
-Being needed.
-Needing somebody else.
-Dad can do so many things I can’t do, it is nice to have something that I can do special our baby.
-Breastfed baby smell.
-Breastfed baby skin.
-I might not look that good in tights, but making milk is a superpower!
-Chatting with moms about nursing- it just is awesome to be able to share and learn and teach each other.
-Sometimes you just need a good reason to buy a new bra.
-LOVE