Day 229: July 12 - Hitting the pool before hitting the road

Katie and I had a nice dip in the pool in the morning. It was slightly chilly first getting in, but once her fat little legs were submerged, she was as content as could be. She absolutely loves the water! We had brunch where cousin Christin works, and Christen made sure to show Katie off to everyone in the restaurant. Katie's face just lights up when she sees cousin Christen!! On the drive home, Katie started fussing quite a bit and would not settle down. I thought she had eaten enough before we headed out, but apparently not. Let's just say, you can actually breastfeed your child going down the interstate if you have enough determination and motivation.

Day 230: July 13 - "Not a friend to the peas"

Katie had quite the story for me this morning. Some of it contained her normal screeching noises, while other parts were a mixture of raspberry-blowing and her new fascination with making smacking sounds. All of this delivered with the most serious facial expression she's got. No, it wasn't her usually goofy smile or her zoned out look, no she was serious this morning as she told me her story. In the afternoon, we had someone deliver some free sand for her ladybug sandbox. With that and her new pool, she's got her own little oasis going.

Also, today's daycare sheet notified us that she's "Not a friend to the peas".

Day 228: July 11 - Pool babe

We had a get together planned at a local lake, but there was kinda an issue of built up toxins, so we decided to pass on that and go see Daddy's family instead. They've got a pool, so naturally Katie was all for it. I've also noticed she LOVES looking at herself in mirrors! You can always calm her down and entertain her by plopping her down in front of a mirror. I'm going to say she gets that vanity from Daddy's side. haha!

Day 227: July 10 - Couldn't get any cuter!

There is just something so adorable about a newly bathed baby, especially with a towel hood on. Her smile is so radiant, and those cheeks, oh to pinch those adorable cheeks!

Day 226: July 9 - A ray of sunshine

Yesterday was a pretty rough day for me, but look at that face. How can you not smile seeing how bright her smile is!

Day 225: July 8 - a dark day for La Leche

Eff my life! 30 min of pumping = 2oz of breastmilk. I HATE when my period is on her way!!! If you remember, I was a total oversupplier, and I got cocky thinking that'd last, so I donated my freezer stash to a little boy whose mother died. When I hit the six month mark though, my period returned and while she's in town, my supply PLUMMITS! I try to overcompensate the other three weeks, but I could only get 1-2 extra bottle's worth. I just wanna cry. Katie's already eating 2 containers of Stage 2 solids [which is probably more than she should have], but I can not seem to produce the 12-16oz she needs for daycare every day. This is going to be a loooong week trying to pull milk out of thin air to feed my baby!

It was a sad sad day for this breastfeeding momma, but I had to break down and buy some formula today. I needed it to supplement Katie's bottles this week until my period comes and goes. I have never been more proud of myself about anything else than I have been about being able to exclusively breasfeed this long. I really had it in my heart to make it a full year exclusively. This was such an important goal for me. It's hard when you have a goal you're working so hard for but you just can't completely achieve. I know everything will be fine and that I'm not "ruining" my child by feeding her "devil's juice". I'm just kinda mourning the end of an era.

Day 224: July 7 - More pool time!

Last night was so fun in the pool that we decided to take another dip tonight. This time we included Katie's "cups", which were a big hit. You can tell she's definitely going to be a little water baby!