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Embracing Toddlerhood

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My previous post seemed to have caused quite the shock in some and since comments were disabled I got some comments privately but I just wanted to clarify a misunderstanding that some people seem to have. Yes, I was disappointed I didn’t have him the way it was planned but I knew that plans are made to be broken and the actual birth experience was not traumatic for me. I do not believe that I had an “unnecesarean.”

Speaking of unnecesareans, in my work I come accross many mothers that have the same surgeon that cut me open as their OB, and I started to notice a pattern where they all had cesareans. It became an alarming pattern so for the past 10 days I’ve been keeping an anonymous count of moms that have “delivered” with that doctor and right now the tally stands at 21 cesareans/0 vaginal births, scary huh?  Given that the pattern has been in place for months before I started counting I feel I can safely rule out coincidence as a factor.   

Moving on… no just because he turned one I am not weaning.  That is the answer that I had to give our pediatrician at Shammy’s 1 year appointment.  I really only go to him because I don’t have private insurance to take him to Dr Punger.  He knew to back off when I spoke his language and said “I work as a breastfeeding couselor for the Health Department”, he then knew that there was no point in pressing the matter.  He forgets that the AAP states breastfeeding for 1 year as a MINIMUM and the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 2 years.

A lot of people seemed surprised that I didn’t do the ritual turning around of the car seat on July 30th.  “But he’s legal to face forward now” they say.  Just because it is legal, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe.  The American Academy of Pedriatics recommends that children remain rear facing until 2 years old.  He doesn’t know what he is missing and I have more peace of mind.

A few weeks ago Shammy got his first haircut, it was a bittersweet experience.  I loved his long hair but it was hard to keep it looking groomed.  We got him a mohawk and boy did he look cool.  For his first experience we took him to a kids salon and it was worth it, they had tons of toys, Spongebob Squarepants was there and he got his hair cut while sitting in a police car.  At the end he got a certificate with some of his hair, a balloon and a sticker.  Aside from the McDonald’s drive thru toy in the waiting area I was very satisfied with them and would recommend them.  I miss his hair but love his new look.

First Haircut Accomplished!
Shammy has blossomed into an awesome toddler with the adventures and adjustments that come with it.  He is developing his father’s food preferences and mother’s appetite, the worst of both worlds, lol.  I get a little sad when I think of the baby that was but I am loving the little person that is.Somebody asked “since you survived the first year, what advice would you give a new mom?”

 My answer:
  • Make sure that you get a shower every day, even if just a 1 minute rinse to help you feel human.
  • Listen to the “sleep when baby sleeps” advice.
  • Have a good sling or baby carrier (no crotch danglers).
  • Use breastfeeding support resources available and don’t wait until you’re about to give up to ask for help.
And this would never be complete without a rant, I promise I’ll keep it short….
When it comes to parenting I hate people’s “I turned out just fine” comments to justify choices that are not always optimal.  I was formula fed and I turned out fine, but I can only imagine how much better I would have turned out had I been breastfed.   You say you jumped off a bridge and turned out fine? Sooo I guess I’ll take my son to do that tomorrow too, I mean after all you were “just fine”. Gosh! I wish we could make that ignorant statement disappear forever.

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