Too too long.

It's been entirely too long since I last posted. I hope all is well with you guys. Things are okay here. We're at about the 7 month mark of time left in the Marine Corps. I am definitely welcoming this new life we're about to have. I give lots of credit to those ladies who deal with this for 10 and even 20 years. I don't even know how they do it! It's definitely taken a toll on me in the last 7 that's for sure. Jacob is going to be 2 at the end of October and I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday he was starting to walk! Now he's running and talking. He's amazing, and I am so beyond thankful for him! We're also in the process of getting our house ready to sell. That should be fun huh? Probably not! It has to be done though. I'm hoping to get back into blogging here. Maybe with more content then before. I appreciate all of those who have stuck with me! Here is a recent picture of my little man at the Children's Museum last Wednesday.

A letter.

My dearest Jacob,
       You're turning 17 months old soon, and I can't believe it. You're such a handsome little man. You're doing so many new things, and say new words all the time. Your favorite thing to do is drag things around behind you and play with sticks! You're a total boy, and mommy is getting used to that. You've taught me so many things about life and love. I'm learning to slow down and enjoy our time together, because you're getting bigger every day. I cannot believe how lucky your daddy and I are to have you in our lives. I hope that you always know we're proud of you, and love you with everything we have. Keep being you Jacob, you're perfect just the way you are.

Breastfeeding Blog Hop - Sweet Support

This weeks topic is sweet support.


I would have to say I found the most support through a few of my friends. I never even thought breastfeeding was an option for me, so I didn't know much about it. I wasn't prepared in any way. So I leaned on my friends both IRL and online. I also started attending La Leche League meetings which not only taught me a lot, but gave me confidence to nurse in public and to stand up to anyone who might think I was doing something "wrong".

My oh my.

How was everyones Valentine's Day? Mine was good. I made a good breakfast for my boys, we hung out and played, then headed out to lunch. We decided against taking Jacob to daycare. I felt bad to leave him to a stranger so we could go out to eat. We didn't do gifts this year, although Jacob made out. We took him to Toys R Us and got him a few toys. Not that he needed them but it's always fun to get something new. The rest of the day we just hung out as a family and played with Jacob. He's the best Valentine ever, but don't tell the hubbs!

I've been getting pretty stressed out about this looming EAS date. Jake's EAS is June of next year. I realize that's still a little over a year away but it's still nervewracking! We have a plan, but we won't know if this plan works until close to that time. We also have a plan B, but I feel like we need a plan C,D,E,F and G! It's so scary going back into the civilian world. And not having the Marine Corps as part of our lives. I have to just keep telling myself that it'll all work out. My biggest stress is getting our house together and actually getting it sold! It's scary thinking that he will get out and we still have a mortgage payment to deal with. Anyone have tips on getting out? Something that you would like to share with me?

Now for pictures.

Books.

Jacob loves to be read to, and recently he's been opening up a book and "reading". It's the cutest thing to hear him going on and on about who knows what! I'm glad he loves books, as it was pretty important to us to start reading to him from day one. We've done pretty good, of course some nights things just happen and we don't.  I love Target's dollar section for these Richard Scarry books. I remember them from when I  was little! Also, if you go to Wendy's or Chic Fil A and ask for the under 3 toy, you get a book! I want to say Sonic does it too but I am not 100% sure. What kind of books do you buy for you kiddos? I also love Dr. Suess books but haven't bought any for Jacob yet. I want to invest in getting them all for him, but that will wait until after he stops chewing on everything!



A highly debated topic; breastfeeding.

I never in my life thought I would be nursing a baby, let alone nursing a toddler. When I got pregnant with Jacob breastfeeding was not something I was interested in, at all. I was repulsed by the idea honestly. When I had Jacob, I decided to give it a shot. Nobody was very helpful at that time. So I gave up and Jacob was given formula. On day 3 of his life my milk came in. All I could think was this was my one shot to try again. So I did. I couldn't get him to latch, so I had to pump, and i did. Around the clock. It was exhausting. Finally I was able to meet with a lacation consultant, and to be honest we never really got latching down. It is what it is.

So here is my rant. Why don't more people TRY breastfeeding? I see so many people who say it's gross, and it's this and that. Their boobs are theirs.. or their husbands.. or their neighbors [lol]. Who knows what they do. Almost everyone says they don't produce [which is pretty rare honestly]. It's just irritating to me. I feel really strongly about breastfeeding as of lately. I just think that if people tried it out for 6 weeks. And went from there. Their minds might change and more babies would be breastfed. I never had a set goal really. I made it to 6 weeks and said lets see how 3 months goes, from there to 6, to 9, and then I said what the heck let's go a year. Jacob is 15 months old now, and I don't really plan to stop anytime soon. I know a lot of people who wean feel "done" with it. I don't feel that at all. Actually the idea of weaning makes me really sad! I've cried a few times at LLL meetings just talking about it! Now, I am not one of those moms who would look down on a mother for formula feeding. I get that you can't force anyone to breastfeed, and in some cases there is a legit reason someone can't. But really. I just don't understand how someone can look at all the benefits for both baby and mom. And yet, not even want to try. Someone please explain this to me!

My poor boy.

Last night while undressing Jacob for his bath we noticed a big red spot on the side of his thigh. I touched it, and there was a huge lump underneath. So I called the Naval Hospital and they said to keep an eye on it. If it started to bother him, felt hot to the touch, or he had a fever to call back for an appointment. So this morning when he woke up I felt it, and it was way hot. He screamed at me, and pushed my hand away. I called and they got me an appointment for 3:30. I decided that I didn't want to wait though, and so I went to the ER.

Turns out my little one has cellulitis.I've always heard of marines getting it and things like that. Never did I think my 15 month old would. I'm not even really sure how he could have got it. I mean I know germs are everywhere, but this just baffles my mind. I feel so bad for him. They gave us antibiotics, which are hell trying to get a 15 month old to take. And some motrin for pain. It looks to me like it might be getting worse, but I will give it until tomorrow to see if the antibiotics do anything. I'm going to make an appointment with his PCM regardless though. If the anti-biotics don't work then they'll have to cut it open and drain it. That will absolutely break my heart. I don't even know how I could handle that. And thinking about how Jacob will feels makes it worse. So if you pray, can you pray that this works and we don't need to do that route. And if you don't, can you keep Jacob in your thoughts. He's still my baby and I hate that he has to deal with this ;/