Wow, I’m telling ya, I don’t remember the last time I experienced a summer that just wasn’t summery. Around these parts it usually warms up mid June. By July, it’s hot, but not too hot. We peak at an average of 85 degrees throughout July I’d say. Sometimes hotter, sometimes a little cooler. This summer has been more cooler, all summer. Sure we’ve had a handful, literally not more than several, hot days. Not enough to spend quality time at the beach or on the boat.

Alas though, now that we’re headed for the middle of August and summer is nearing it’s end, we get two hot days in a row. That’s right folks. So, we went to the beach both days. My house is a disaster, but I’m not taking any chances because it would be just my luck for it to dip down to being too cool again tomorrow. Now that I’ve shared my sob story with you all, here are some beachy pictures!
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It has been brought to my attention that this week, August 1-7, is National Breastfeeding Week. It seems that since I have been a breastfeeding mama 2 times around I should have known such a thing, but I did not, so thank you Cat! Not only is this week Breastfeeding Week worldwide, August has been named Breastfeeding awareness month.

I know that breastfeeding is a choice that needs to be made between a mother and her child, it is a very personal decision. I am not here to tell you that you should breastfeed or not, I just would like to share my story with you.

My first baby was born when I was just 1 month shy of 19 years old. I was so young, and had no idea what to do to prepare.  I babysat most of my way through high school, but preparing for your own child is completely different. I took the classes and read the books. My mom encouraged me to breastfeed, as she did my brother and I. She swears that is why we’re both so healthy and always have been. So I decided to try. Rob and I decided before I gave birth to Ryan that I would stay home with him for at least the first 6 months and that I would try to breastfeed that long as well, without pressure. When Ryan was born it was clear that he and I were naturals at this. While it was very very excruciating painful those first couple weeks, I made it through without supplementing with any bottles whatsoever, as that is what the nurses told me, “No bottles!” By the time 3 weeks had rolled by we decided it was time to try a bottle, just to see how he does. It was a no go, he would not take the bottle. Who knew that babies could potentially not want a bottle? This happened over and over again no matter how we tried to give it to him. I bought every bottle and nipple on the market, filled it formula, breast milk or a mix of the two, and had numerous others try feeding it to him. Continue Reading