It's been way too long since I posted!  Life has been full of distractions...and that is my excuse. Abigail is changing every day as she has passed her one year mark.  She is walking, talking (not that I understand her actual words except for the 4 that really mean something), and exploring everything around her. It's amazing that though her vocabulary hasn't blossomed quite yet, she makes it so clear what she wants, how she feels, what her needs are, and showers us with affection.  There is nothing like feeling two little bare arms wrapped around your neck for an I-love-you hug first thing in the morning. She is my little shadow and immitates everything. She is very trusting of others and will hug almost any child she sees at the park who is under 4 feet tall, which is returned about 70% of the time.  She loves being out and about, meeting new people, and experiencing new things.

I can't believe in less than 4 months, we will have an infant all over again. Oh the sleep deprevation, tiny diapers that multiply, baby coos, and even more laundry! We are so excited for Abigail to have a sibling (which we found out will be a boy!) but also know those first few weeks are going to be tough. I love that Abigail has become more independent. It's the little things like how she will walk up the walkway with me after grocery shopping, instead of me having to carry her every time. How she can sit on the couch to watch Sesame Street sing-a-long sings and I know she's not going to fall off the edge.  I love how she can climb up steps alone...and waits for me to help her down and how she handed me all the silverware to put away when the dishwasher cycle was all clean.  It's these little milestones that assure me she will be even more self sufficient when baby arrives. Yet, a part of me doesn't want her to grow up too fast! She is our little girl and we don't want to miss a thing.

I am also starting to feel a bit anxious about my birth. My husband and I have chosen to use a midwives group that is an hour drive away. Reason being if you read my blogs from the past, my midwives group no longer has access to deliver at local hospitals near us.  Therefore we did a LOT of research to find the closest group with the best reputation. It was Hackettsown Midwives.  After our consultation we were sold on the group since it has the same philosophies as the midwives I used for Abigail..not to mention they used to work together. The hospital is right across the street from them...so it's very convenient in getting checked and heading if/when ready.  However an hour is still an hour and this is our 2nd.

As crazy as it sounds, I would rather drive an hour during early labor...and be in the hands of people I truly trust every step of the way..then go to my local hospital and use a group that I am not comfortable with.  I had an amazing experience with Abigail as you may recall. Yes it was a long labor...but I was allowed to stay home until I was further along...and at the time of birth...the midwives were able to assist it changing my position so that Abigail was no longer postier. I was allowed to walk around, drink fluids, and snack if hungry. Once it came time for delivery...things moved VERY quickly. I am lucky to have had no tearing, thanks to the support in those final moments and guidance, not to mention the preparation I was told to do in advance.  I was in very good hands...and have heard nightmare stories from friends who have been rushed through the process, jump the gun on intervention, push things to progress etc. While I had everything at my fingertips if needed, it was nice that I was able to help make decisions and that my body was allowed the time to progress naturally as I chose since I had no complications.

Soooo with that...we decided to stick with the methods we were comfortable with the first round.

It's an exciting summer as we watch our daughter become a toddler and prepare another room to move her into as my belly continues to expand with life. The funny thing is I wonder if she thinks her mom is just an awkward shape and getting bigger. Reminds me when I worked with 1st graders my first pregnancy and when I was at least 7 months along, one of the students motioned me over to whisper in my ear, "I think you are growing a baby." People ask if she knows and I think she has no clue what's to come.  We just know that with time, once the adjustment takes place, she will be thrilled to have a playmate, even on rainy days and during snow storms.  Even now she is fascinated with other kids and thoroughly enjoys them. To think that we will soon have another member of the family, a son, who will also be an all-weather companion for her, is hard to believe. But the weeks are flying, reality is setting in, and we try to not take a moment or blessing for granted.

A few months have passed since my last post. TOO LONG! Life has been busy with many changes. I weaned Abigail by her first birthday, which we just celebrated last week. My goal was to nurse, if able, until she was one. I cut her final session the day before her one year mark.

(photo compliments of sierraclubgreenhome.com)

Not only was that my goal, but the fact that we are expecting our 2nd baby in September gave me even more motive to stick to the plan.  First, I want to give my body a break before the next arrives. Second, I don't want Abigail to associate me with nursing when I hold her new brother or sister for obvious reasons.

The next issue was what to replace me with. Milk is recommended well into the 1st year. Abigail never took to formula as a baby...and I am not a huge fan of standard cow's milk from the store.  We use organic, but to go from breast milk to that seems to be skipping a step. I felt after nursing a whole year in order to give nothing but the best, I could do better. I did some, ok a lot, of research as I was debating where to get milk even purer and fresher from a local farm...and read some great things on the benefits of goat's milk such as how easily it's digested, less prone to allergic reaction, higher calcium...etc. (If interested, send me an email and I'll send you some neat links.) Long story short...I did a lot of research and phone calls and found a local, PA licensed farm that uses no fillers or additives in their goat milk and have a wholistic approach.  I personally spoke to the owner who was incredibly knowledgable about her home-grown goods. I was sold. She takes much pride in what she offers and treats her animals with the same respect and quality. She used to show her goats and had an immaculate farm. She has such demand that she heads to NYC once a week where she sells her milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Abigail took to the bottle of goat's milk with no complaints at all! Since I was down to 4 nursings a day around her meals and snacks, and my doctor suggested she get 16-20 ounces of milk a day, she in turn gets a bottle when waking, one before morning nap, afternoon nap, and before bed at night. It is so nice that my husband can equally take part in the night routine without me feeling I have to step in. (She is now starting to transition from 2 naps a day to just 1...but that is another story!)

I was more worried about my body adjusting to weaning than hers..but since I spaced it out by a week at a time, thank goodness I was fine, with little discomfort, and also benefited from more energy. Some people say they cry when they have their final session. Being that I know I have 6 months to go before I start the process all over again, it did not hit me like that. I was glad we had made it this far and that she was still a happy camper. I am just as happy to give her a bottle and have her on my lap and enjoy quiet time together. Personally, I think she loves how much milk she gets from the bottle as well ha...even if it is only 3-5 ounces. I also do warm it since it's still cool out...as warmer weather approaches...she will get used to having it at room temp or even chilled.

Some asked if she takes it from a sippy cup. While she uses a sippy cup during the day, I decided to use the bottle to transition her so that it was something still as comfort yet different. In a few months we'll make the switch to the sippy cup as we cut back on the amount of milk she takes a day. One step at a time...but we're doing well...and it's a first-time learning process for me.

Another milestone for another time is she also mastered walking in time for her birthday. She keeps busy in the house when we are home...and with spring around the corner..is juuust starting to explore the outside world from her own baby-steps perspective. Life is exciting.