Easter

Emerson had her first road trip this weekend and did great! She slept the whole trip to Conover. We didn't have to stop one time. Here are a few pictures from Easter Sunday. Emerson was precious in her little dress and bonnet. 

Easter Picture Trial

"Mom I don't wanna take pictures!"

The milk coma

Breastfeeding

I was doing a little research on Kellymom.com and came across these statistics. I couldn't believe how low the U.S.'s bfing statistics were in comparison to the rest of the world. Granted they are a little old but still. Its really quite sad how the US went through a period when it was almost non-existent. Even today many turn to formula all too soon. Why would you stop breastfeeding only to have to supplement with something that cannot compare? I was listening to a good podcast the other day that noted formula was created to be used when breastfeeding was not an option, not for the purpose to replace it. It was created by pharmaceutical companies none the less. So why do so many mothers still stop so soon? I at this point do not see how it can be any "easier" to make a bottle than breastfeed. It's such a great bonding experience for mommy and baby and beneficial for them both. 

The World Health Organization and UNICEF have recommended for a decade that mothers breastfeed for at least two years. But most US women who nurse stop before their baby is six months old - and many never start at all. How do other countries stack up?

Breastfeeding Rates Around the World
Country % of mothers who start
Sweden 98
Norway 98
Poland 93
Canada 80
Britain 63
United States 57
Sources: Baby Milk Action, Cambridge, England; Center for Breastfeeding Information, Schaumburg, IL

Mini-Mark?

Is it just me or is Emerson starting to look more and more like Mark? I think its the nose/eye area but I'm not sure. Look I actually made it into a picture?!? 

Growth Spurt

We've hit out 6 week old growth spurt a little early. How do I know this you ask? Feeding Emerson every 30 minutes for the past few days with her yelling at me that's its not enough threw up a red flag.  So for the next week or so I'll apparently be permanently attached to my baby.

Picture of the Day

Paci=Fail

I hadn't wanted to use a pacifier but since Emerson hates her carseat so much I decided to give it a try since she is 5 weeks old. Apparently she didn't think it was a good idea. It turned her pitiful crying to bloody murder screaming. So I guess we'll have to cope a little longer until she can gain some body control and suck her thumb. She gets so tense she can't reach her hands up to her mouth when she is crying.  Maybe one day she will think the carseat is not a torture device. 

Ghetto Cloth Diapering

We've been using disposable diapers for overnight just because its easier for a quick change and to prevent leaks. So last night we were out. I had no other choice but to risk the cloth. Most people use some type of doubler at night for extra absorbency. Since we didn't have anything and I didn't want Emerson to wake up covered in pee I decided to improvise. So I used my old wash cloths to create homemade doublers. As a matter of fact we usually have some small leak with the disposables overnight and we had nothing coming out with the washcloths! So maybe I'm onto something.

Picture Time

Finding her thumb

First Dr. Visit

She wasn't too happy about getting up early

Today Emerson and I had to get up and going a little earlier than usual because she had her 1 month check-up. So around 8 we get up so I can get us ready. First I get dressed and presentable. Then I wash Emerson's hair. While I'm holding her over the sink she decides this is a good time to pee. Lucky for me I got hit on my shirt and pants. Lucky for Mia some hit her water bowl. After I rinse her off I take her to the changing table where she spits up on her newly washed hair. Ugggh. So she gets a brief wash with a baby wipe. haha. We go downstairs and I nurse Emerson afterwards she projectile spits up on me and herself. So having both pee and spit-up on my just picked up outfit I think I might need to change. After we are changed again I nurse Emerson two more times and we are ready to go! 2 hours later. So next time we need to go anywhere allow two hours minimum for the many mishaps that can occur. Anyways Emerson's appointment went great. She now weighs a whopping 7lb 12.5 oz.  Her Dr. said she is very alert and has excellent head control for a baby her age. :) Plus news to us we don't have to use baby soap to bath her. We can just use warm water. Who would've thought that?!?