Breast is Best!

I just wanted to take the opportunity to wish all of you a Happy World Breastfeeding Day! Technically, it was yesterday, but what are you going to do?

I guess I was an advocate for breastfeeding before it was ever an option for me - attending a political "nurse-in" as a supporter and in solidarity when I was on the Hill (Go political moms!) and always being vocally supportive of women who breastfeed in public (would you want to eat in the bathroom?). I consider it a woman's issue and get very angry, very quickly when people get squeamish about breasts or breastfeeding. It's fine to objectify women and their bodies for your own enjoyment, plastering their scantily clad, cleavage-heaving flesh on the front of every magazine, poster, billboard, and television ad. But when a boob is doing what it was created for - a beautiful, life-giving act - THEN we act prudish?? Give me a break. My body is not gross. It's awesome.

But as I became pregnant myself, I was lucky to be surrounded with some wonderful women in my life and was lucky to read some wonderful books during pregnancy that helped me understand how crucial it is for the physical, emotional, and psychological health of your baby (not to mention mom).

I never realized how hard it would be - and it has been harder than I thought. It was difficult in the beginning, and we've had some hiccups here and there along the way. It's demanding on mothers' bodies, their time, and their psyches. They are biologically "on the hook," as I say, for round the clock feedings, and neither your body nor your time are your own. (There are infinitely more benefits than there are drawbacks, but I'll save that for another post)

But I was very, very lucky to have great resources to depend on. I am so grateful for the lactation consultants during my hospital stay, as well as at their weekly breastfeeding support group thereafter. I'm grateful for Allison and her willingness to talk me through any challenges or worries I faced. I'm grateful for my family and friends - all of them - who have accepted our nursing whenever and wherever we need to do that. I would have done it anyway, but I appreciate your support! :o)

So I won't lecture anyone today - despite my many rants, that's not really my style (well, I'll rant about formula companies and their deceptive advertising practices, but I don't rant about women and their choices). I will just congratulate all the women out there who have been able to breastfeed, who have made the best possible choice for their babies, and who have sacrificed their bodies in order to do so. I would encourage any of you who have the opportunity to do it, and to reach out for all the available resources to help you get through the tough times (and there will be tough times!). Find a nursing support group, use the lactation consultants provided by the hospital, find a La Leche League near you, read all you can, and call me if you need anything!! If I don't know, I'll call Allison!

I'm proud that Cora and I are still going strong, almost 14 months in. And I commit myself to continuing to fight to make sure it's easy for women everywhere to make the same choice - whether that's advocating for lactation rooms in the workplace, choosing to nurse in public so that other women don't have to feel ashamed, or whatever else it might take until we support nursing moms everywhere and we can all see women's bodies as the beautiful and nourishing vessels they were created to be.

Cora and Friends: Part III, Uncle Shane

I don't really look like anyone in my family. At least I haven't up until now. I may be starting to resemble my mother... I found one picture that seems to point to this, but I'm waiting to see if that's the case. (side note: this is no cause for lament, my mom's hot) However, I have longed to look like someone my whole life, and thought - maybe, just maybe - I'd look like one of my kids.

I think I'll have to wait for the next one.

Most people who have hazarded a guess up until now have said that Cora looks like Coleman. I get a few pity votes, or people who point to specific features ("she totally has your mouth"), or people who think her expressions are mine (even if her face isn't), but almost no one looks at her and says, "Oh, that's your daughter alright!"

The newest wrinkle in all of this is that my family is starting to converge around the theory that she looks...not like me, not like Coleman, but like my brother (who already looks like other members of the family. Not. Fair.). I'll let you all be the judge of that.



In all fairness, Cora and Shane do seem to get along great together. They have lots of fun.




I think she can sense all the trouble he's going to help her get into.

Nonetheless, I've posted some pics here so you can tell me if you concur with the new theory. Let me know what you think!




Now, I ask you - are these two trouble or what??

Bluebonnets

Having your picture taken in bluebonnets is a Texas rite of passage. Every spring you see cars pulled over all along Texas highways and people crawling up purple embankments to get some good shots. Often, if you pay attention, you can see people- and family-sized holes in particularly thick sections, where all the flowers have been flattened by people sitting and crouching for their photo op.

Here are a few good ones from Cora's first bluebonnet experience.





She was so calm and happy the whole time. We had her out there for quite awhile, and she just sat there, posing, inspecting the flowers, and generally being her sunny, well-mannered self. We had a tougher time getting her to actually smile, but other than that, the kid is pure sunshine. I have a great video documenting this sweetness in action, but it won't upload correctly. Maybe next time.