Crista Acosta Photography »

Yesterday I read an article in a parenting magazine that was entitled “Tips to get your husband involved” and centered around sneaky little ways to convince your husband to attend your baby’s doctor’s appointments. It included such tidbits as “barter the time with the promise of doing something he wants to do at another date” and “encourage his attendance by stressing the importance of the baby’s health and developmental milestones”.

Really?

I had to actually double check the print date on the magazine and was appalled to see that it came into circulation just 6 short months ago. Am I missing something or are fathers just not interested in the upbringing of their children in America? It really amazes me that today, in 2008, there is still the assumption that men are living under a rock.

Maybe they are – some of them anyway – and maybe I’m bragging a little here, but my husband is 100 percent a part of every doctor visit that L.A. has had. In fact, if I’m being honest, perhaps more so than I am, because it breaks my heart to hold the baby when he gets his shots. Despite the fact that C gets weak at the knees at the very sight of needles, he is always the one to comfort L.A. in his strong arms when it’s time for vaccinations.

C and I are polar opposites on almost all levels, but the one thing that we do try very hard (at times more successful than others) is to meet in the middle and lean on each other’s strengths when it comes to parenting. So today, I’m celebrating my partner and the fact that I know I’ll never have to bribe him to be a part of our children(s) lives.

whatcha got there Daddy?

Nothing earth shattering, just random thoughts from me today.

1. I’ve recently discovered that Banana Walnut muffins from Dunkin Donuts are da bomb. Damn I sound white. Seriously though, you have to try one if you haven’t already. I have no desire to know the amount of calories in one of those things, but they’re friggen delicious.

2. I’m suffering from a severe case of spring fever. I dreamt about our lawn turning that lovely emerald green that only happens right when it starts to grow at the beginning of the spring. I’m really looking forward to C and I being able to take L.A. out for walks after dinner. Poor little guy has been cooped up inside pretty much his whole life.

3. Formula diapers are WAY more disgusting that breastfed diapers. We gave L.A. a teeny bit of formula last night just to see if he would take it (which of course little piglet gobbled right down) and the smell that came from that baby’s butt this morning nearly knocked me off my feet. Great – I’ve now become one of those moms that blogs about their baby’s diapers.

4. Perfect for #4 – I think I’m officially back into my size 4’s. I’ve rocked a few pairs here and there, (even when I probably shouldn’t have) but this morning I put on a pair of pants, and I double triple checked for muffin top, and I think I’m good to go! Yeah for breastfeeding, because I certainly haven’t had the energy or time to get my lazy butt to the gym.

5. This really should have been number 1. I’ve realized that L.A.’s laugh has quickly become my favorite sound, and I’ll go to all sorts of ridiculous lengths making myself look like a fool just to hear his little giggle.

6. One of my very oldest friends that I haven’t seen or talked to in ages contacted me, and I think we’re gonna get together so she can meet L.A. It was such a sweet surprise, and I’m really excited about it.

That’s about all for now… I’ll try for something a bit more philosophical next time.

Though it seems like a whole different life now, there was a time when the reference of 40 oz meant a wild (though cheap, and slightly ghetto) night of partying and a hazy recollection of the night before. Interestingly enough, today’s meaning also includes a hazy recollection of the night before, but for a completely different reason.

It occured to me last night as I was up for the 3rd time with L.A. and feeling completely tapped out that this boy is consuming nearly 40 oz. of milk a day. For the record, that’s ridiculous at just a little over 3 months. I sat there bleary eyed with this child attached to me counting his feedings and figuring that he averages about 4 oz. per feeding, and it in fact comes out to around 40 oz. a day.

For the past week or so I’ve really been having an internal struggle with the idea of supplementing L.A.’s diet with formula, since I had set out with the intention of nursing exclusively until 6 months. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those “holier than though” breastfeeding moms, nor do I think formula is rat poison. I just like to accomplish the goals I set, and this was a very important one to me. It became apparent last week though that more than likely this was not going to happen as L.A. is consuming more milk than I’m producing and we’re quickly burning through the freezer stash I had built. The realization of this has honestly left me feeling a bit defeated and quite sad.

As a new mom I think I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to do everything “right” and live up to the things I envisioned before L.A.’s arrival. What I’ve come to see though is that it doesn’t always work out like that, and more than anything L.A. needs a happy mom. So rather than beat myself up over the fact that I can’t physically sustain him completely anymore, I’m going to do the best I can until we go in for his 4 month appointment and then embrace the idea of giving him some solids, and probably supplementing some feedings with formula.

If nothing else, it might afford me the opportunity to have a nice big glass of wine!