Baby Blogs and Too Much Information

Do mommy bloggers have a right to share their children's stories? MSNBC ran an article. I identified with that. While my little dumpling has her fair share of adventures, I don't want her to be embarrassed by what gets posted on internet. 

However, that won't stop me from dishing about our latest breastfeeding incident. Usually, nursing is a very pleasant and snugly experience. Imagine my horror when she used her two new teeth to bite me. It really hurt. She did it four more times throughout the day. Each time I popped her off of the breast, told her no, and put the buffet away. She fussed, and I let her nurse after a few minutes. She's a smart one because she has been very gentle ever since then. 

My mother smirked and reported that I used to bite her, lean back and smile at her. That was when she decided twelve months was enough nursing for me. Until I personally experienced a nip-- hey, it still smarts days after the fact--I thought she was exaggerating. The dumpling seems to understand the manners required to continue nursing. I hope to continue until she's at least a year old. 

She's so worth it. Yesterday she gave me two kisses when I picked her up from daycare. 

Baby's Babbling!

Having a baby is one of the best things I've done. It is a true joy. Maybe the sacrifices haven't seemed like sacrifices because I was ready to make them. Staying home most evenings to play with the kidlet is a delight.

For those who wonder if she's asking about her father yet, she has started to chant "da-da-da-da". Mothers whose babies said Dada first are now vindicated.

Baby Likes Bookstores

Being an avid reader myself, I hope to share this interest with my daughter. We read Goodnight Moon or The Runaway Bunny. She bats at the pages or snuggles with me. Frankly, she's less than attentive. I've started sneaking in a few pages of Leaves of Grass when I've read her a book or two. She doesn't seem to know the difference yet, which is good because Uncle Walt is racier than I remembered. As to the baby, perhaps she will have pleasant associations with the site and smell of a book -- if only it is because when we sit down together.

I'd been avoiding bookstores so the customers aren't offended and the baby isn't cranky. A trip to the bookstore this weekend went very well. She sat in her sling and looked at the colorful book spines while I browsed. Of course, we made new friends with the staff and the customers. Baby smiles and flirts with everyone. I had no idea how much people love babies. I'd only heard horror stories about rude comments from strangers. Nearly six months into the game, we haven't had any encounters. I have a whole new appreciation for my fellow humans.

I still have to pinch myself each time I realize that I have a baby who I love and who loves me right back. I'm not dreaming. It's the real deal.

Wondering, Dreaming

The days feel autumnal. The sky took on the rich blue hue and the sun is yellower. It gets dark earlier, and I've had to dig out my sweater. The garden chores to get the garden ready for winter are beginning, and I really enjoy it.

I'm wondering what it will be like at this time next year. The baby will be seven months old. Will I have to sneak outside? Will the little one want to help? I feel as if I'm leaving all of this behind, and I don't have any regrets. In my experience, people who don't have any fears about the unknown are completely ignorant. I hope my education will be kind.