In Honor of Valentine's Day

I would just like to take a little time out and give a huge thank you to my wonderful husband. I don't know where I'd be without him. He is my best friend, and I really can't put into words just how much I love him but I'm going to try.

First I'd like to say thank you for sticking it out. I was stubborn and thought I had to experience things, maybe date a few different guys all while knowing I had this great guy right there. But he stuck it out, he waited for me and I can not thank him enough. I always knew once we started dating we'd be together forever. We've had a few bumps along the way but who hasn't?!

My guy is pretty amazing. He gets out of bed everyday and gets ready for work even though he'd much rather stay at home with his girls. It is because of him that I get to stay home with our little girl and I couldn't be more grateful to him for that.

Some of my favorite things about him:

-He makes me laugh, no matter what. He is always the one that no matter what can get me to laugh, if I'm mad or sad he knows how to get me to laugh and I love him for that

-He takes out the garbage (usually without me asking) I mean honestly who likes to take out the garbage, not me! So I love him so much for that.

-He knows his weaknesses and let's me take control in those areas, like money. Even though he makes all the money he allows me to keep track of everything and handle the bills.

-He loves me no matter what. After having a baby your body goes through some changes and although I am still adjusting to this new body he never fails to make me feel pretty and I love him for that. Through his eyes I can still say I'm pretty hot!

-He's gotten me involved in church and baseball which I have come to love (even though my favorite red sox just got traded!) so I love him for that.

-He's gotten me to try new things (food wise) and even though I may not always like then I love him for that.

-He married me and I love him for that! I know that sometimes I am not the easiest person to deal with but he does and he does it great!

-He gave me this most amazing gift that we call Penelope. Without him, she wouldn't be here and I so love him for that.

-He is an amazing dad. Watching him with Nella makes me love him even more than I ever thought possible.

Here's a little timeline through pictures (it's a little long, sorry):

 We started hanging out in 2006, I was a senior in high school

 My birthday in 2007, right before we started dating (We started dating on Nov. 23, 2007)

 Our first New Years together

 Scottie's Birthday

 Our first Valentine's Day together

 May 2008

 One of my favorite pictures of us.

 At my sister's wedding. July 2008

 My 21st birthday. Nov. 2008

 Thanksgiving 2008

 Easter 2008

 

New Years 2009

Trip to Plattsburgh in 2009

 Another favorite picture of us!

 Apple Picking Oct. 2009

 Friends-giving Nov. 2009

Family Thanksgiving 2009

 A fancy show Dec. 2009

 Easter 2010

 Summer 2010

 Thanksgiving 2010

 Christmas 2010

 Easter 2011

 Got engaged on May 17th, 2011

 He pulled me up on stage during one of his concerts & proposed! How amazing is that?!

  My first Red Sox game in the summer of 2011

Wedding August 2011

 Summer 2011

 Our first place! March 2012 And yes we're still here, made some tweaks since this picture and we still love it just as much!

 Easter 2012

 Our wedding day May 20, 2012

 The day was perfect, one of the best days of my life!

 Grandmas's 80th Birthday!

 First Red Sox game as a married couple! Summer 2012

Christmas 2012

 Another wedding! Pregnant with Nella! May 2013

 Summer 2013 (One of my favorite pictures!)

 September 2013

 Nov. 16, 2013. Our baby girl finally arrived

 Our first Christmas as a family of three!

 All dolled up!

And of course following tradition we will by a new movie (we always get a movie that has some sort of love story, or at least a couple in it) and eat ice cream together. We don't buy gifts or spend crazy amounts of money we just spend the night together and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Well that's just a small piece of our journey so far. I still can't believe that this Nov. will mark seven years for us! I can't wait to see what life has in store for us. I just know there are big things to come. I am so grateful to have such a hard working, caring, sweet funny, cute, loving man by my side to navigate through this crazy ride we call life!

And here's a little photo shoot I did with the bean! Enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Breastfeeding

I consider myself very lucky. Nella was a good nurser from the start. As soon as she was born she latched on well and we've really never experienced any problems, and I am so thankful for that. I always said I would give breastfeeding a shot, but I refused to stress myself out about it. I know that it's the best thing for your baby but I knew if it didn't work out formula would be just fine. My mom formula fed all three of us and we turned out fine, so I really wasn't worried. But like I said I didn't stress and it worked out well. (Not sure if that was why it worked well or if Nella just happened to be a good nurser, and caught on quick.)

To be honest breastfeeding was never really on my radar. I know it's the best thing for your baby but I never really saw that many people around me breastfeeding and my mom never did so honestly it was a little weird to me. I would always think I don't want a baby sucking on my boob, but it's really incredible. I'm glad I gave it a shot, because I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Sometimes I do feel bad though. I know that we have a special bond and with that I know that sometimes my husband gets a little jealous. We started her on a bottle at around a month and I strongly encourage him to feed her at least once a day. It gives him a chance to bond with her like I do and it gives my boobs a break. My boobs are pretty broken in by now and they don't hurt anymore but it nice to get a break. She's still eating about every two hours (sometimes a little longer but usually around two), except at night she goes way longer which is great because I get to sleep!

She loves her daddy!

I also pump, in the beginning I pumped right after most feedings to increase my supply but now I pump pretty much just in the mornings and when Scottie's feeding her or if they still feel really full after a feeding. I get the most in the morning (on average about six or seven ounces, I store then in 4 oz incriminates so I'm not searching for a certain amount) and we have a ton in storage so we're doing good.

Love this!

Of course sometimes when she doesn't eat well and I worry. Sometimes she just doesn't want a lot. I worry if she's getting enough because you never can tell how much they are getting. Or I worry that she's not eating a lot because of something I ate. That's also another reason why I like when Scottie feeds her because I can kind of gauge how much she's eating. She's a quick eater, she usually can finish eating with me in around ten or fifteen minutes, with a bottle she takes longer but that's to be expected. I've learned to trust her, I know she'll eat until she gets full. I have to trust her cues and pay attention to her signals. I try not to watch the clock while feeding her because I know she will tell me when she's had enough.

 Judging by those cheeks, I think she's getting plenty! :)

I am so grateful for the whole breastfeeding experience and I hope that it is just as easy with my next babies. I know that not everyone gets to breastfeed because of health issues or because sometimes it just doesn't work out or because they have to go to work and pumping just doesn't work out or they just don't want to and that's fine but I am glad I am able to. I've heard quite a few struggle stories and I give props so those moms who keep going, I'm not sure if I could. So again I'm thankful for our amazing experience, and of course my bargain mentality means we're saving money! I'm hoping we can make it to a year of breastfeeding and then we'll switch to milk.

And just a note: I in no way think that any mother is less of a mother if they chose to formula feed. If breastfeeding didn't go so well I would be formula feeding as well. You have to do what you think is best for you and your baby and if that is formula feeding then so be it. I think the world would be a better place if we stopped judging so much and were more supportive.