Can we have a National Formual Feeding Month?

You know how when you have a baby you automatically get tons of emails that give you week by week recaps of where your baby should be.  Well my inbox has been overflowing with all these National Breastfeeding week ideas, stories, and comments on how this is the best thing you can do for your baby.

I understand that breastfeeding is the absolute best nutrition you can offer your child. It is a miracle really. That my body can create life juice for another human being is just amazing and obviously something that is natural and how God intended for things to be. So I understand that breastfeeding is best. But what if you were like me....what if you hated every minute of it????

That's right, I couldn't handle it. Not only could I not handle it...but I really really didn't enjoy it. This week I have read stories about how great breast feeding is for bonding time and cuddles with you and your baby. Really...I would rather not cuddle with my sweet boy at 2 am with him attached to me. It wasn't special for me. What was special is that sometimes at the 2 am feeding my husband could get up and give him some food.

I've also read about the convenience of breastfeeding. You have it available anytime you need it. That was horrible for me. I didn't want to have to be available anytime he needed me. (That really sounds more harsh than I mean...I want to be there anytime he needs me...just not as a source of food) I sure wasn't going to pull up my shirt in the corner of Target to let him chow down. What was convenient for me was that I could take a bottle of water and pour in some food and he could chow down while walking down the aisle at Target if we needed to. (Yes...I have done this once...please don't judge...it was kind of perfect he was happy and fed and I got shopping done. :)

Not to mention that breastfeeding is hard work. Any mom out there knows what I'm talking about, and having a newborn is hard enough and being a food supply on top of that...it was overwhelming for me. I don't know how my friends with more that one kid at home do it...you are amazing! There are other reasons I can think of too, but they may be more personal for a blog. :)

Is breastfeeding best. YES. Was it best for Fletcher and I??? Absolutely not. I still have a little guilt at times, especially during National Breastfeeding week, that I couldn't cut it. But then I remember he is just fine and I am much happier which in turn gave me a happier baby. It took some time for his tummy to adjust, but we are starting foods and it is taking time for his tummy to adjust to that too.

If you are a breastfeeding mom reading this please know I think you are amazing, and a part of me wishes I could do what you are doing, but it just didn't work for us. So I'm thankful for the creation of formula and proud I have a baby that is thriving on this powdery goodness.  So from now on I just delete all the emails that start with breastfeeding and know I'm doing what is best for us. 

So Long Summer...See you next year!

This summer has gotten better everyday. It was full of firsts for David, Fletcher, and I. The first taste of baby food, first swim, first trip with and without baby, and the first time I will go back to school with a 5 month old. I have enjoyed this summer so much, but a small part of me is ready for volleyball season and for the school year. I have struggled this summer with the idea of going back to work. Not because I don't love love love my job, but because volleyball season means less time at home and less time with my little (and big) man. I have also struggled with the fact that I am excited about going back to work, because I love my job. ( Shouldn't I be depressed to leave my baby?) It is a strange balance I am learning to adjust to.   However, this last week I have had such a peace about it all. I know it won't be easy, and there will be days when the only time I will see him is through the baby monitor as he is already asleep when I get home. (Those days will stink).

What I have come to realize is that I have been blessed with a job that is not only a means to an end but a true calling in my life. I struggle because I know I am also called to be a good mom and wife.  I always said if my job gets in the way of that I'm done. However, we are learning how to make my family a part of that calling. (Maybe it is just a way of making me feel a little less guilty for not being at home with Fletcher all the time) But the reality of it is we both need to work, so we will make it work for the benefit of Fletcher, and he will and has already learned how to eat, sleep, and run around in gyms.  Sometimes I can't wrap my head around the fact that  I will spend more time with someone else's child than my own, but the time my family does have together will be that much better.

And lets face it...there is no way I could do what I love to do without the support of my loving, understanding, and selfless husband. Those nights that I have cried because I'm scared my son will forget who I am, he reassures me that everything is going to be just fine...not easy...but will be fine. And those nights I am excited about getting back, he celebrates that with me.  He knows how to comfort me without sugar coating anything, and is a dad that loves being with his boy. He sacrifices time to himself to be with his boy and told me he will do his best to make sure Fletcher gets to as many games as possible. We both believe it is important for him to see us working and doing what we love.

So am I ready? I am. I will find ways to make our time together that much more special...summer times will be full of playtime...and my boy will probably get rocked to sleep more than he should. (don't tell babywise. :)

And if we get too busy we will just leave Fletcher with the dogs. :)

Why 3???

A couple of years ago David and I were sitting in his brothers living room, and his older ,wiser, yet much smaller big brother :) said something about starting to try for number 3. David and I glanced at each other and I so kindly blurted out WHY? It really wasn't meant as a why...you can barley handle the two you have...but more of a why would you want a third your other two children are perfect. You have a boy and a girl that are cute, well behaved, intelligent...why mess that streak up? I mean really. It was beyond me why anyone would want more children than they have bedrooms in their house. (John and Molly please keep reading...it gets better)

Fast forward to May 2, 2011. The world is graced with Miss Sunny Hunt. A tiny little thing compared to my huge headed rolly polly born just two months before. So now the older Hunt brother has a four year old, three year old, and a newborn. WOW! Still I'm thinking this is stressful....Why?

Well the passed few weeks I've been able to hang out with the other Hunts more...and I'll tell you Why? They were made for this! They should totally be a family of 5...there is no doubt in my mind now. Stressful?... at times....Painful?...only when all three plus mine are screaming at the same time...Fun?...absolutely....just think of the fun those three will have in just a year. Molly is a fantastic mom of three and balances a fussy newborn plus two little ones all day long.(I could never do that) I mean there is chaos...don't get me wrong. But when I've been around it is such fun chaos. I love dinner time at the Hunt  house, playing with the big kids while I try to keep my baby awake, and they try to make their baby go to sleep. That is the best chaos I've ever been a part of!

So to John and Molly...sorry I doubted...you two were made for this. Now will David and I ever be a family of 5....don't hold your breath. :) But we don't need to be; Fletcher can just grow up pretending Miles, Lucy, and Sunny are his siblings. :)

What are you doing this summer?

The first question most people ask this time of year is "What are you doing this summer?" My response is usually about a little vacation David and I are taking or how I'm catching up on all the "stuff" I didn't accomplish during the school year. I usually have a project for the house or make myself plant some flowers (that usually die a week later.) I spend some time in the gym and a little time laying by the pool catching up on some reading I didn't have time for. This summer is a little bit different. I am spending it with a little boy. So when people ask what I'm doing...here you go...

1. Learning how to nap in a crib. :) He does great at night...but naps are a differnt story. (I guess I shouldn't complain much because he sleeps at night. :) Most of the time anyway)
2. Trying some rice cereal. I hear this will eventually lead to a more sophisticated palette. :)
3.  Those trips we make to the pool will be much shorter than I'm used to and I learned today are followed by a soggy poopy diaper. :)
4. I'm learning how to occupy a baby in a grocery store, shopping mall, or sing loudly enough it will confuse him into stop crying in the car.


My summers until this point have been catching up on relaxing and keeping my house much cleaner than during the school year. But...there is not much relaxing with an infant and my house definitely is not cleaner and projects have gone out the window :) But we are having fun.

Here is a glimps into some of our summer fun so far..

Loves Bath time

 Sometimes we bounce for ever just to get a smile.

Watching the Mavs before bed

Thinks the pool is okay

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8 Weeks 3 Days

I have a little boy that is 8 weeks and 3 days old...that is amazing to me. There are days it seems like he has been around a year, and other days I pick him up and can't believe that he barley fits in my arms. Or when I strap him in the baby carrier he is a little bit heavier than the last time. I'm becoming increasingly thankful for the hard days, becuase those have brought an appreciation for parenting and my little boy that I can't even express in words. Thanks Fletcher James for the things you are teaching your mom and dad. God knew what he was doing when he sent you to us. There are so many words that use to define me and even my relationship with David, but those do not seem as important now. What is important is this heart aching unconditional love I feel for you. What is important is how you have brought your dad and I closer and more appreciative of each other. What is important is how I relay the love of Christ to you. It is a big and scary job...but I am so blessed that God has allowed me to be your mom.

The last eight weeks have seemed like a whirlwind and have not been like anything I expected them to be. I expected a baby that fit all the books I read; I was blessed with a baby that has such a strong (it seems independent personality...yes I think this at 8 weeks old) that loves to be entertained non-stop and might sleep a little here and there. :) I have been blessed by a baby that is ok with pretty much anyone who holds him, which is good as he will grow up being passed around in loud gyms. :) Without my family and friends at work, the transition back to work would not have been as smooth. I'm so thankful that so many people are willing to support David and I as we learn how to raise our little boy.

We have had several good friends that have all had babies within the last two months, and I'm so excited for the day we can get all the sweet babies together. (Yes...Carter, Jude, and Sunny...I believe you three may rule the world along with Fletcher one day!) It has been a great first mother's day, and I'm so thankful that I got to spend it with my family and the most precious little boy.

1 month

Fletcher is 1 month old today. I can't believe we have a one month old. It has been challenging and one of the biggest blessings ever given to us. Just when I think I can't do it anymore, he will grab my finger or look at me with his big blue eyes and I fall in love a little bit more. Fletcher you are a gift and you definitley were sent to us at exactly the right time. Thank you God for the love and lessons we are experiencing as a family.

Check out the size difference from one of his first baths to his bath last night. He actually enjoyed the bath last night.

About 2 Weeks Old...and hating it!

1 month old and enjoying bath time

There are days that you give us fits and we can't stop you're crying... but we do the best we can.

There are lots of people (and animals) that love you so much. You're mom and dad are very thankful for the community of support we have in raising you.

Lots of Grandparent love

Aunt Rosie and Uncle T-Bill can't wait to keep you. :)

Olive wants to play

So many babysitters to choose from

Penny wants to kiss you all the time

Uncle John, Aunt Molly, Miles, Lucy and Sunny are going to be so much fun to play with!

Happy 1 Month Fletcher James Hunt. We can't wait to see what the next month brings.

Oh The Conversations We Have

I think one of the biggest changes for David and I have been the conversations we have had for the past three weeks. It makes me laugh thinking about it. :) What use to be questions about our day, the students we worked with, or where we want to grab dinner that night has changed to questions about how is the formula working out, how fussy was he today, or most recently has he pooped yet. Yes, it seems that the last two days have been a constant search for that looming monstrous poop we know is coming that just hasn't happened yet. Our poor little guy is backed up.

Not only have conversations changed, but our fun weekend outings are much different now.Weekends use to be marked by sleeping a little later, maybe a motorcycle ride, and some small chores, but we sold the motorcycle in preparation for Fletcher, and this weekend we actually went to three different stores to price diapers and formula. Yes, that is what we did to get out of the house. We also had lunch at the park today...which was nice...but probably too windy for a three week old. :) Oh the things we learn as we go. :)

Tonight as I sat holding my little man and watching aTm beat Stanford in the Women's Final Four, I didn't find myself mourning what was lost but thanking God for what we've gained. Instead of trying to find something to do on the weekends, we now experience the same old stuff we use to do but with a fresh outlook because we are experiencing it for the first time with Fletcher. Even though he has been fussy today because he has a tummy ache...we are experiencing it together as a first.

Not to say I won't wish for some peace and quiet every now and then, but then I'm reminded that this is a great experience because it is a first with Fletcher. So, whether it is lunch at the park on a windy day or trying to pray for that big poop through my son's tears of discomfort...I thank God for these sweet first times, and I pray that I continue to cherish these memories with our family,  because I won't get to have them with anyone else.