I was mowing my mom's yard today and I immediately was brought back to my younger days. I remembered how familiar making those rounds in the yard (her yard is huge) over and over again were. I remembered wearing short shorts, listening to music and watching my mom and dad rake grass or sweep the sidewalk. It was a nice, but a little sad to think that those days are long gone as I approach 40 next month.

It was nice though to be there now with my kids running around the yard, my husband of many years cutting the front while I cut the back, and now, my mom sitting alone watching us take care of it for her.

I miss my dad, but I thank God for blessing me with such a lovely family to continue working on something he established so many years ago. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here to take care of  her at this time in her life and that she is here in mine. Forty years ago, she was much like me, taking care of lots of kids, a home and a husband and had a lifetime in front of her.

I'm sure before I know it, I will be the one sitting there watching my kids and grandkids run in the yard, waiting for me to give them a piece of candy that i've stashed up high in my secret hiding place!

I'm grateful for my mom, my dad who I miss terribly, my family and most of all my life.

Gonna try this thing again..........

It's again been almost 2 years since i've written or even looked at this blog! I started thinking about doing this a few weeks ago and think i'm gonna give it a try again. Mainly what i'd like to accomplish with this is to provide a resource for breastfeeding information for people who might be in areas that don't have access or know what resources are out there for them. There are so many interesting breastfeeding initiatives that are going on right now on the federal and state level. Many of the healthcare professionals  and just regular moms out aren't aware of the resources that are out there-so hopefully you'll find something here that you can use.
Moms, it is so important to make the decision to breastfeed. I cannot stress it enough. It simply isn't something we should casually consider- am I or aren't I? The impact in benefits for yourself and your child are immeasurable and it should be weighed as carefully as the decision to buckle that kiddo up in an age appropriate car seat. I don't really want to sound preachy. This, by no means is something that is easy. Breastfeeding can be challenging. Really, really challenging. Believe me, I understand. But who starts out at anything like a pro? Why when we begin any other new challenge in life, like a new job or learning a new activity, do we afford ourselves time to learn? Breastfeeding is not something that can be accomplished by watching a few DVD's or classes or books. It takes practice. It takes time. It takes commitment. It is a dance- between two new partners and if you watch Dancing with the Stars, like I do, you know that not every professional dancer gets a successful celebrity! After putting in the work and time, you will find so many rewards, some you can't even see today. One that you can see though relatively quickly is the smiling infant that adores being near you and thrives when they get the opportunity to nourish themselves with something only you can provide.
Health care professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) it is your responsibility to provide evidence-based information when helping a mother that is looking to you for answers. Don't pacify her by telling her to "give breastfeeding a break". You are not alleviating anything by doing this. You are not helping the real issue which is she is not able to complete something that will stay with her for a lifetime if she is not successful. Don't act like you know the information if you truly do not. Refer her to someone that can appropriately help her. Most importantly, educate yourself. It is a part of the oath you took, some of you many years ago, to "do no harm". After years of seeing mothers that come to me after someone in the healthcare world told them something ridiculous, I did have to get on my soapbox here for a moment-please excuse me!
Any way, my own little birdies are calling (rather loudly I might add) for my attention, so that's it for tonight!