Cheerful Monday parents!! Remember how you greet the day will determine what you receive from the day. <3
Now that I've gotten that out of the way. I get to share! Saturday was Hoot 2's 1st birthday! My mother and brother came for the weekend and we had a fabulous, slightly chilly, pool party. Lol. I am so grateful to everyone that came by and shared in our excitement. We also were able to celebrate the pending arrival of my God son RJ (just thinking about him makes me so excited)!!
So what does round 2 of year 1 look like? Sleepless nights. Breastfeeding weaning (happy Breastfeeding week by the way). Walking 2 days before 12 months old. Lots of cuddles. Super huge smiles. Stay at home woes. Falling in love again. Friends. Family. GREAT MEMORIES!
As the days and months pass I have to constantly remind myself that Hoot 1 & 2 are different boys. They developed differently, their personalities are different, I had different pregnancies, and all around different parenting experiences. It's been beautiful, trying, and awakening. I'm so very excited to watch them grow together and learn more and more about them.
Daddy Hoot and I can tell that Hoot 2 is a sports kid and Hoot 1 is an arts kid. Lol. Hoot 1 does not really care to watch football or basketball but will draw and write stories for hours. Hoot 2 won't build with blocks or shapes at all, he'd rather play with cars & motorcycles. While Hoot 1 still likes to build with his big blocks and even tries to mix his designs with his Legos. They both fill me with so much joy! With all of the milestones we've hiked up together,
I'm happy to say Year 1 .. round 2 .. NAILED IT!
Since it's Breastfeeding Week I want to share one of the more stressful milestones! Weaning! Now, I FULLY support breastfeeding past infancy. I genuinely believe it helps mommy and baby emotionally and physically. The closeness you develop with breastfeeding cannot be mimicked by any brand of formula! So breastfeed with pride and power mommies. However, if and when you breastfeed - listen to your body, baby, and know what you're comfortable with. I decided to wean Hoot 2 at 1 year because I felt it was best for both of us. I had a lot of anxiety about giving him a bottle, let alone formula. 
With Hoot 2 my breastfeeding barely made it 3 months. I went back to work insanely early and got home super late (past 8 PM some nights). After having an easy peasy bottle all day, Hoot 1 wasn't digging the boob. It devastated me. Coupling that with postpartum depression and I was just a mess. So with Hoot 2 I was determined to breastfeed. I knew I wanted to and I knew I would AT LEAST make it 1 year. Well, I did it! And I'm actually looking forward to having control of my body back until I can talk Daddy Hoot into a little Hoot 3. Lol. I started the process at about 10 months by slowly adding the bottle to his routine and finally getting down to only night time nursing. Around the middle of month 11 - we did away with that and he's been doing well. He still likes to reach into my (and Daddy Hoot's) shirt, pull on bra straps, and rub but he takes his bottle and sippy cup well. He's also started sleeping a full night!!! <3 <3 <3 While I made the decision to not breastfeed through toddler years and beyond, I fully support mommies that do! I am floored with admiration and adoration for\your power and will. You are beautifully amazing!! To help you be an even more awesome you I'm going to share a few links that were passed to me by a mommy friend. They are giving away breastfeeding supplies for FREE, all you have to do is pay shipping. Hopefully they all work and you're able to get your freebies!
Resources:
Early Moments
Nursing Pillow - Use code BFWEEK13
Seven Slings - Use code BFWEEK13
Udder Covers - Use code BREASTFEEDING2013
Breastfeeding Insurance & Reimbursement
Happy Breastfeeding Week Mommies!!! Don't cover up in public. Don't feel judged for nursing your toddler. Unsnap your bra with bride!! <3 Kudos to you. No one will ever understand the demand on you and the BOND you create when nursing.
How was your week whipping your routine into shape? The Hoot Family did pretty well and guess what... We made it to Hoot 2's birthday party at the time we said we would!!! We even beat our friends who are using super early!! How super fab is that?! We had a game plan, we got up, we executed, we didn't take no stuff. Lol. And we made it. The birthday went off without a hitch. Sidenote: Thank you SO MUCH Chris and Satina for being as freakn FAB-TABULOUS as you are. Overall, I'm pleased. It showed me that we really are capable of being on time. Lol. We need a plan, be prepared, and get to it! It's possible! |
| Live a FabuLESS Life Archive |
This weeks challenge is Rewarding VS. Bribing. There is a REAL difference here parents. "If you behave in the store, I will buy you 1 snack you want." - BRIBING. "Thank you for behaving in the store. I know how hard it is sometimes to not touch things you may want. Pick 1 treat for yourself." - REWARD. A bribe usually comes from times of frustration. They are screaming and you just really want to finish shopping. Or you're desperately trying to get them to clean their room or do homework. Check in with your motives and intent. Your son earns money for good grades on his report card... bribe or incentive to work hard? If the reward is not consistent in the situation - then chances are it's a bribe. Do you always get your little one a snack from the store when they behave (without being told) or did you only offer it because they were screaming and having a fit? This will let you know if you're bribing or rewarding. This week, break the bribing habit. Check in with yourself before you offer your child something. Make sure this is a consistent reward for work they are doing and not just something you're offering in the moment. What is your intent? To teach them a lesson in life and hard work or get them quiet? GOOD LUCK parents! Join my community on FB or follow me on Twitter & Instagram @dPaPiYON.
I am grateful for your patience with the videos! <3 Until next week parents...
Love, peace, & sanity!
-Mama Hoot
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About Mindful Mommy Monday Blogger
Dominique is an owner of Jane Doe, LLC, a mother of two, wife, and student. She is an experienced Artist Manager, Event Planner, and Branding Consultant. She pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work. Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.
Dominique is an owner of Jane Doe, LLC, a mother of two, wife, and student. She is an experienced Artist Manager, Event Planner, and Branding Consultant. She pushes awareness and mindfulness to the forefront of her work. Her community work is done with mommies and assisting people re-entering the work force.
To contact Dominique email her at: dominiquepap@gmail.com
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