Mommy's milk is best

A lovely December day in Manzanita, OR

Tasty Beach Treats

Tractor riding

Bailey found it was easiest to move the tractor by himself...even if it's backwards.

Other uses for steering wheel...putting his feet up after all that work.

Mmmm....strawberries

We are the NORM

Breastfeeding your child past infancy is NORMAL

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement. It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years. Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection, better social adjustment, and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2008)
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  Breastfeeding children benefit NUTRITIONALLY 

  • In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
    
    • 29% of energy requirements
    • 43% of protein requirements
    • 36% of calcium requirements
    • 75% of vitamin A requirements
    • 76% of folate requirements
    • 94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
    • 60% of vitamin C requirements
    -- Dewey 2001
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    Breastfeeding children are SICK LESS OFTEN

• "Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991). 

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Camping in Lostine

Bees say Buzzzzzzzzzz

Watching the bees. Singing with them.

Cupboards = opportunity to reorganize floor decor

How to sneak into cupboards

How to sneak into cupboards without mom noticing: Close the cupboard door so she can't see you..

Dogs chase cats

Nap buddies

I scream for ice cream.

Oh! That's cold!

But, oh so yummy!

It's okay if you drop it. Grass makes it yummier.

or not.

Garden helper

Labeling plants.

Dumping dirt.

Sprinklers are the BEST!

Until someone turns off the water!

How to dance at a wedding.

Grab a drink or two.

Grab a friend or two.

Had a great time? Time to relax!

Dot, dot, dot

Did you blink? I did.

This cute baby face is gone. 

It has become the face of the guy who fixes my car.

The Chef is in the Kitchen

Bailey has developed a passion for cooking. There are lovely wooden play stoves at school located in the classroom and outside in the cabin. Like every great Chef, Bailey has rules about his stove. It's HIS! Everyone else needs to be OUT of his kitchen. If one daring 2 year old steps in he or she will immediately come face to face with a cute, red faced, unwavering Flash dance (remember the quick step stomping feet) balanced with "no, no, no".

Eating habits

This summer Bailey is attending preschool in the morning. He enjoys the variety of lunches the cook creates. One day I'll introduce him to the cook. ;)

He has taken on a huge interest and zeal for fresh fruits for the summer. Raspberries by the pint, strawberries by the handfuls, oranges by the slice, and blueberries by the bowl.

Momma's boots

Bailey puts on my rain boots.

Milk Fight

Bailey loves his milk, he loves his boobs. Forget a bowl of ice cream, this kid wants his milk. While nursing on one side, he'll admire the other side. Today he thought he'd pull on it. Instead of saying "Moo" I thought I'd play a little, I squirted him. Hmmm...no laugh there, he was surprised and a bit frightened. He asked me to do it again, then got scared. I guess he didn't know they could do that?!

He still loves them.

Naptime

One o'clock rolled around and Bailey came up to me with a big soft blanket in hand. Using gesture he told me to wrap him up and nurse him, he was ready to take a nap. I find that to be such a grown up things to do, except that we would have demanded coffee to be made instead of warm milk. Something to think about next time you find yourself sleepy. Have your office mate throw a blanket on you, rub your eyes, leave a note saying you are on your "coffee break", and curl up for twenty minutes.  :)

Our evening

Eating dinner, checking email, and...zzzzzzzzzzz

What does the (insert animal) say?

Memories

Tasty toes



How do you crawl?

Learning animal sounds.

Learning to Plant Flowers

The last month or two Bailey has been learning to pull weeds with me. He didn't take much interest but when he helps he is sure to make effort, at least vocally. GRUNT!

Today I thought we'd learn how to plant flowers.

Step one: Dig hole

Step two: Take plant out of container and put in hole.

Step three: Fill the rest of the hole with dirt.

Step four: Water plant.

Step five: Pull plant out.

Step six: Repeat step 1-5 until mom gives up. 

"Here" and other words

Bailey has been saying a few words. Not all words are that clear, but being around him you get to know what he is saying. Just a moment ago he said, "HERE" pretty clearly and with all syllables. Grandpa is working on "Chocolate". I'm working on "milk". He's almost got "juice, water, cheese, fish, and peas".

Last nights puddles

Mozart?

Bailey playing over top his previously recorded track.

Gracie and B

Be very very quiet. I'm hunting Rabbit Gracie.

I love my cat!

Butterfly landing

B made all the other mom's jealous. They all wanted butterflies to land on their daughters. B didn't even notice. I won't tell the mom's that one landed on me too.

follow

Moses Bailey leads the people!

Lessons in Seattle

Bailey learns the fine art of making coffee. Grind, press, drip, steam.

Coffee wakes adults, coffee grinder wakes Bailey.