Beginning of the End

It's the beginning of the end for nursing I suspect. Really though, nursing stopped a while ago, Dani just stopped. But, I managed to pump religiously for her to make sure she had as much milk as she needed. Now it seems, from a combination of stress and lack of nursing that pumping will be coming to an end.

Honestly, I'm sitting here crying about this as I write. I had a goal of one year and I feel like I'm letting Dano down by not making it there. It's the one thing that I, and only I can give to her that has so many benefits. It's like health in a bottle.

I've told myself that I need to at least make it to 9 months, I can do this...and now I sit here with tears rolling down my cheek wondering if I really can?! That's two weeks away, but the supply is dwindling fast! I have made a deal with myself that I will stop pumping when I have one continuous week of producing less than she consumes in a day.

I never thought this would be so heart breaking for me.

Cheerio Monster

For some time, since about when Dani started her stage 2 foods, I've given her a small amount of Cheerios to play with at the table. She has on occasion gotten one or two in her mouth which she played with, swishing it around in her mouth and gumming it. I like to let her feed herself, she learns by doing this, is entertained by doing this, and frankly, the dogs love the food falling to the floor. Tonight was different. Night after night I've watched Dani drop most of the Cheerios to the floor, pick one up (maybe) and get it in her mouth. Tonight she ate 14. She picked them up with her pincer grip, plopped them in, gummed them up, swallowed them down, and went for more! Fourteen, can you believe it?

I guess I should have by this point, she's become skilled at munching down baby biscuits too. Oh the joy!!

Momma?

It's hard to tell for sure, but while Dani was throwing a fit, I'm fairly certain she cried "momma" and when I didn't immediately respond, she did it again. That of course got me over there and picking her up!

More?

I can't be certain, but have convinced myself that Dani has figured out "more" in sign language. Typically one would take modified "o" hands and tap fingertips together to sign "more". While eating dinner at the table Dani was getting a sampling of cheerios and mashed potatoes. When instead of feeding her I fed myself, I'd catch her sort of patting her hands together in the air while looking at me longingly. Thinking it was just a fluke, I tried a couple more times and she did the same thing. Maybe she is just really patting her hands in the air, but I like to think she has learned to say "more" in sign language.

Dani is 8 Months Old

Dani is 8 months old today. Thought I'd share some pictures from the morning routine!

Dani Sleeping

Dani Waking

Dani sort of awake

Dani realizing I am taking pictures

Dani wondering why I'm still taking pictures

Dani ready for the day

Thanks to Aunt Eva for the pirate shirt!

New Things

A few new things...

First graham cracker...it was a honey graham cracker which I learned was a no-no (I knew that babies can't have pure honey, I thought baked would be okay...learned otherwise)

Dani experienced her first round of fireworks, of which she slept through.  Dad held her and covered her ears while she slept.  She woke for the finale and promptly went back to sleep.

She had her first banana (whole banana chunk she got to hold and basically slobber).

Fireworks

I had worried about fireworks on the 4th of July being too scary for Banani.  She loves to be spooked and lights are cool, so I didn't think she'd mind them, but would they be too loud?  I got some recommendations from Facebook and didn't use any of them.  Instead, we let Dani sleep through the fireworks in daddy's arms until she woke up sometime around the finale to see them through half slit sleepy eyes.  Dad did cover her ears though, just so you knew we weren't completely horrible parents.  Many thanks to the Coons family for having connections and using what you got to go over the top!!!