Asking for Help

I'm definitely an independent person. I always have been. I spent a lot of time alone growing up. I was always keen to travel and take adventures. I'm not necessarily a risk taker... I just like to be able to handle things on my own.

That's my approach to motherhood a lot of times too. I know that I have the capacity to do what I need to do to take care of my little boy. I want to be assured of that.

At the same time, while I'm very confident in that, I've also decided that I really like to hear other peoples' experiences. I like to hear their ideas and what worked for them. I know that their choice may not work for me because their child, family and circumstances are different from mine, but I often find I get some great tips hearing from other mums.

Today I took a big step. I went and saw a lactation consultant. I went with this mentality: "I am fully capable of taking care of my son. He is healthy and he is thriving and that is good. BUT, there might be something more I can learn. There might be a way that I could do this better."

Thanks to the Australian government (Hey you Americans, the right national health care MIGHT not be as bad as you think... I'm just sayin'...), I was able to see a lactation consultant at an Infant and Parent Management Service totally free. The nurse I saw was very sweet. I took my son at a time when I was sure he'd be ready to eat and we just chatted.

Do you know what I learned today? My gut was right. He IS healthy and thriving.

• I said: He generally only eats for around 10 minutes at a time.
• She said: He is a very efficient eater. (She could hear him chugging away!)
  

• I said: He still takes feeds during the night... sometimes 2-3 times!
• She said: Is he always this active? (Yes.) Because he is always on the go, he needs more calories than babies who are content to just sit quietly.

Am I disappointed I went? No. I thought that these might be the answers I'd get. But I am really proud of myself for asking for help. For understanding that there MIGHT be a better way but there also MIGHT NOT for now. I am happy that I was open to the possibility and even happier that - as exhausted as I am - my boy and I are doing just fine!

From one vulnerable mum to another,

The Wall.

I hit the wall today. Okay, maybe not THE wall. There are so many walls to hit in motherhood, aren't there? And then somehow we keep going again!

I didn't mind today's wall so much. The emotional wall, now that is a spooky wall to hit! Today I hit the physical wall. I just got to the point where I didn't think I could physically keep my eyes open anymore.

So I grabbed baby boy and even though he wasn't tired, we rested together on my bed. Him, babbling away to the lines on our wood-paneled ceiling and me, content to smell dried up spit up as I nuzzled into his cozy neck rolls.

Is it possible to be THIS tired and yet THIS fulfilled all at once? Ah, motherhood.

Is there anything better than a laughing baby?

I don't think there is anything better than a laughing baby. Aside from Hamish and Andy, there is not a lot that can make me laugh out loud... but a laughing baby? Now, that is the exception.

I've always love the sound of a laughing baby, but I don't think there's anything that could've prepared me for the sound of my own little boy laughing.

Weeks and weeks ago, I didn't even recognise his laugh. There were these tiny girgles as he smiled but slowly but surely the gurgles started to get longer until one day I thought to myself, "Wow! He has been laughing!"

These days, my little man is FULL of laughs and I feel like the funniest person of the world. Isn't it fun to make people laugh!? And especially so you own little one!?

We have had lots of giggle session lately (admittedly, some of them when I'm supposed to be setting the tone for bed time... I'm a sucker, I know!). I finally captured one on video and just had to share because I know that a good baby laugh is always guaranteed to brighten my day.

I hope this one brightens yours!

Protect Your Kids in the Sun! (GIVE AWAY)

When I first visited Australia, I got sunburned TERRIBLY in my first weekend. I was so naive, thinking that one dose of sunscreen would be enough. I burned horribly - to the point of blistering and everything. It was miserable.

Now that I have a little Aussie boy, I want to make sure that his skin is always protected. I'm very careful about this and now that we're going into the water with him and to the beach more, I've had my eye out for some great swimwear.

One Bored Mommy has an awesome option from Sun Protection Zone. You can visit her blog site and enter to win one of these short sleeve rash guards for your son or daughter.

If I win, I'd get the brown and white short sleeve rash guard.
I also really like the long sleeve suit. This one is cute, don't you think? Not only does it have the standard UV protection of all Sun Protection Zone's products, it even has a nappy changing snap at the bottom! How perfect!

Enjoying the sun,

My Baby Clothes Boutique Giveaway

The Babywise Mom is at it again with a fabulous giveaway for $25 at My Baby Clothes Boutique. They have some fabulous little outfits which the Babywise Mom will tell you more about.

My personal favourite for our little boy? These little vest outfits... perfect as we head into winter!

Just picturing my little man playing in this one...

This is my absolute favourite!

By the way, if you REALLY want to up your chances to win, check out the Meg's A Mommy blog for even more chances!

Hoping for a great winner!

Breastfeeding in Public Just Improved Dramatically

I remember my first experience breastfeeding in public. My mom was visiting from America the week after our son was born and despite the fact that I had had a bit of a hectic delivery (read: tearing an artery without drugs and requiring three bags of blood!), we decided to go for a hike to enjoy dinner with a view. It was a cool and windy evening and our baby needed a feed while we were out. Despite the beautiful sunset view, there I was with a muslin wrap trying to keep him latched on and not flash the world. I know some mums are cool with this and even though I'm happy to feed in public, I like to stay a little bit modest.

The next day my mom insisted on buying me a breastfeeding cover but we could only find one in town and it was $60 for this piece of square fabric. I was not impressed!

Instead, I hopped on etsy and found a wonderful seller - Lilacs & Lollipops. They had heaps of HideAway breastfeeding covers in beautiful fabrics with very reasonable prices!

Lilacs and Lollipops were great to work with. When my HideAway breastfeeding cover arrived, I was so impressed with the quick shipping and I don't know what they scented the cover with, but it had the most beautiful (but subtle) scent for the next few washes!!

It is so easy to feed in public with this cover. It fits right around my neck with a little pop out top so I can see my little man. Its also perfect to wear over his Baby Bjorn. He is one of those super stimulatable kids who is just always curious. Whenever he's tired and I pop the breastfeeding cover over his carrier, he falls asleep literally in about 30 seconds! Its breathable and I can peek down at him. PERFECT!

If you're a breastfeeding mom, i definitely recommend picking up one of these HideAway covers. It will seriously change your breastfeeding life!

Miracle Stain Remover

My baby happens to be a champion pooper. It generally happens about 7 minutes into his feed. He starts getting a big agitated at the breast and then pulls off entirely with this incredibly determined look.

Its then I know what's about to happen... and I wonder... how big will it be? Will my clothes be stained?

The rumble begins and can go for minutes and can be heard within a 10 metre radius at least. It can also be heard over the phone. I know because a vendor I was on the phone with commented on how loud it was. Embarrassing!? YES!

I hear about kids that store up their poops for days and then have these rippers. Well my son seems to have these rippers MULTIPLE times every day! And for a while there when he hit the 5 kilo mark, he seemed to be between nappy sizes and I was the victim of blowouts several times every day!

Now, when I find myself covered in the yummy yellow mustard sauce courtesy of my son, I am so diligent to soak it in nappy san immediately and then put it in the wash. Unfortunately, we have still succumbed to some stains. I thought all was a loss until my girlfriend heard about our misfortune and offered me her "EXIT" stick to borrow.

This little stick looks very humble and almost homemade. But let me tell you, it is a miracle worker! My yellow clothes suddenly turned back to their beautiful shades of blue, green, gray, and yes, even white in under 60 seconds.

According to their website, "EXIT INSTANT STAIN REMOVER is 100 % biodegradable, compact and portable, and is a safe and very effective mutli-purpose stain remover suitable for a wide range of stains made by blood, biro, boot polish, grease, lipstick, red wine and many other household stains.

The active ingredient is a by-product of the citrus juice industry and is a natural substitute for most other organic solvents, this results in a safe yet very effective stain removing soap."

Exit Soap is a new must-have in my house and I recommend it for yours too!

From one pooped out mommy to another,