Dear blog,

I miss you, but my weird internet does not let me through to Blogspot very often anymore. I'm thinking of moving here.

To be continued.

any saturday

Milestones

A week or so ago Leo's nursing routine got all crazy for a couple of days, then back on track again while (and after) we were in Texas. I'm pretty sure it was another little growth spurt, as he seems to have gotten huger in the past week and I'm having to drag out the 6-month clothes.

He has started belly laughing. It's the most wonderful sound. He has also started reaching for things, grasping them (with my help) and pulling them to his mouth.

I feel like I'm over the major early-breastfeeding hurdles. I realized this week that I'm really enjoying nursing him, and really proud of the fact that I'm doing it, and hoping/aiming to continue at least till he is a year old. The beginning was so hard. Now I feel like I've really "gotten" it and I love the closeness with my baby.

I will never judge another mama for how she chooses to feed her child. Nursing is hard, and not easy (or possible) for everyone. But for me, it is a real accomplishment, and the best choice.

Get up and go.

At twelve weeks old, Leo is getting to be a lot of fun. He's very conversant. He has a lot to say.

But the best development is that he's suddenly a lot more easygoing. Today we took him in the car all the way up to Burbank to visit his great-uncle and -auntie, and he did great. He didn't fuss one time.

I think the truth is that it's his parents who have become more laid-back...now that we know his routines and his moods, it's easier to know when we'll have the best shot at a happy car ride, the best time to meet new people, the best time to take a ride in the stroller.

It's really, really great. We like to go and do and be out. I'm happy that he is happy to come along.

Now, keeping my fingers crossed for an easy trip to Texas next weekend.

Today I got to enjoy a pedicure.

But don't be too jealous. My feet were disgusting.

After having Leo I (A) developed even drier skin than ever (no small feat - I had extremely dry skin to begin with) and (B) got too lazy to put lotion on my feet, so they got super dried out. They looked like little hooves. My toenails were all long and nasty, the last coat of polish long gone. The heels were cracking. If doctors could prescribe pedicures for nasty feet, mine would have certainly qualified.

The poor pedicurist sanded and sanded my heels down to real skin. Hooray! She almost broke a sweat. I tipped her well.

When I got home, Matt asked, "Were they able to fix your feet?"

They were, my dear. They were.

Dear pre-Leo self: You didn't know what sleep deprivation was.

I want to kick this girl's ass.

On breastfeeding

I know that it's nothing new or amazing. It's a normal physiological process and women have been doing it for thousands of years. I'm not the first and won't be the last.

But I am incredibly f-ing proud that my baby has gone from this



to this

on my breastmilk alone. In just under three months.

I am a bad ass. With a larger-than-ever bra size.