TWO

My baby is two! My sweet, strong-willed, adventurous, smart, crazy little girl is two. Where did the time go? I look into her beautiful face and I feel like no time has passed since I first laid eyes on her. How have two years passed?

I've been avoiding my blog because I knew writing this post would make me feel all sad and nostalgic. My little bean isn't a bean - she's not an infant, a baby, or even all that little. She's a sharp, witty toddler with likes, dislikes, and a voice. She knows what she wants and she's determined to get it. She amazes me. I wish I could be more like her every single day.

Michelle, at two years and 0 months old, is inquisitive, spunky, funny, so sweet, and fierce. She loves to read, has amazing manners (please, thank you, and bless you!), shows compassion for others, absorbs everything and is eager to learn (especially about animals, numbers, and songs), loves to give and receive kisses, tells jokes, sings, and dances for others, and isn't afraid to give a stern "no!" when she's unhappy.
She's a complex, interesting, amazing little girl, and I'm constantly surprised by how awesome she is.
She likes being naked, hanging out in the dog kennel, climbing things, Mickey Mouse, giving people checkups and watching Doc McStuffins, and monkeys (well, after visiting the zoo on her birthday yesterday, all animals!).

Right now she's decided she's done playing with her toys and that she wants to read a book in bed. I know that means I have about 10 minutes before she is demanding me to turn off the lights and go to bed. Haha! She likes her naps and she likes bedtime. Maybe because those are the only times of day that I let her nurse anymore. YES, we're still nursing (with no end in sight because this kid is strong-willed).

We love you SO much, Monkey. And we can't wait to see what you'll do next.

8 Facts About Michelle - 20 months!

I can't believe Michelle is already 20 months! In 4 short months she's going to be two. TWO! I get all weepy just thinking about it. In honor of my big girl becoming a big girl, and less of my little baby, I thought I would list some Michelle facts!

She is obsessed with Elmo! She calls him Coco, and demands to read her Elmo books every night with Daddy, and plays with her special Elmo for the car. Because of this, her 2nd birthday party is going to be Elmo themed!

Still loves bringing her baby doll everywhere and got a bathtub, stroller, and chair for "Baby" for xmas. ;-)

She is fearless with physical stuff! It's freaky. She climbs on and off of the bed, jumps off of things (eep), rides her little balance bike (with our help, but has zero fear on it), drives her Hummer at Nona and Gramps', practices her somersaults, and swings between the couches. Fearless kiddo!

She loves to dance, and does something we call "rage dances" where she scrunches up her face and starts going crazy. Haha! It's so cute!

Still nursing like a champ - no end in sight. But we are down to nursing only in the morning, nap time, and bedtime. I see molars coming in, so who knows if that will change!

She's super vocal and speaks more and more every day. She even sings! She especially likes Ellie Goulding, which is hilarious because I only have two of her songs downloaded, and her favorite song is only played on a commercial. Lol!

Loves watching football with daddy and does a special touchdown stance :)

Is obsessed with purses and bags. She loves backpacks, clutches, wallets, and more. If she sees a bag, she puts it on her arm or over her shoulder and walks off with a cute little sway to her hips.

Is there a way to slow down time?

Peaceful and Loving Afternoon Photoshoot

Today Michelle decided she wanted to be a model and let me take a bunch of pictures of her. I can't believe she let me keep taking shot after shot while she just smiled and looked on thoughtfully.

I don't know if these pictures even convey her beauty. Sometimes I sit there in awe of how beautiful, intelligent, and curious she is. How could we make something so perfect?
Even with messy hair and a runny nose, this child is just pure wonder.

 Charlie got a little jealous of the attention and jumped in some of the pictures. The lighting in the living room at that moment was just perfect and the two of them were so agreeable!

Such a nice, peaceful afternoon. I love how these pictures aren't forced or posed; they're natural, pure, and show how much we love each other. Look at those beautiful eyes in the nursing picture! Her whole face just says love.
 

Los Cabos!

For the week of Thanksgiving, my little family joined my in-laws for a vacation in Los Cabos, Mexico. We spent the week swimming at beaches, shopping, and eating delicious food. 

Ready to go, Mom and Dad!

Welcome to paradise would have been more accurate ;-)

Michelle has flown before (over the summer on a quick mini-vacation to SoCal), so we weren’t too worried about how she’d be on the plane. Luckily for us, our 100% booked flight had an extra seat, and the woman in our row decided to be the coolest person ever, and give up her seat to Michelle. She offered, and we ended up getting three seats for the price of two! I really hope that nice lady had some positive karma go back to her :) 

Our private row! Lol

Nursing on the plane to pop those ears

Our hotel was in San Jose del Cabo, and it was very beautiful. We roasted marshmallows at the hotel’s fire pit, swam in the pool with a swim-up bar, and lounged in the hot tub. Michelle had so much fun in the water, and loved being able to play with her cousin Nichole. 

Michelle and Nichole sitting by the fire

Roasting mallows

Sitting by the pool - little cuties!

My sassy girl, posing on the beach at the hotel

We went to Chileno Beach a few times, and it was by far my favorite spot! The waves were high, but gentle enough to swim in, and there were SO many fish. Michelle’s Nona held her the whole time in the ocean, so Michael and I were able to play in the waves. It was awesome!

Swimming with Nona

Mama and Mish

Gorgeous!

Watching the waves

Move over Coppertone Baby! There's a new cutie in town!

 

On Thanksgiving day, we had a fish dinner that the men caught, and Michelle and Nichole wore matching dresses (a gift from Diann, Michelle’s Nona!). 

Michael, his uncle John, and dad (Gramps)

Festive girls!

All in all, we had a great time, and we are forever grateful for the generosity we experienced. Michael’s family likes to take care of each other :)

Kisses and cuddles from Nona and Grandpa

We had a whole day layover in Dallas Texas, so we thought we’d make a mini-vacation out of our home trip. Well, it was horrible and Texas left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to visit – it was dirty, ghetto, and frustrating in the town we were in. We tried to make a trip to downtown Dallas to shop, but we experienced a horrible cab ride and things kept preventing it. Boo. We had high hopes, but it was a bust. Thankfully we had such a fun time in Mexico! The Texas trip can fade into the ether. Lol

Five Facts About Michelle

5 Random Facts About Michelle

1. She was born with a head full of hair.
It was beautiful. I loved to brush it and swipe it across her head.
Somehow, this angered the hair-gods and she slowly lost it, starting on her forehead and moving back. During these dark times I called her Ira because she looked like a little balding Jewish New Yorker. I don't know. It seemed funny at the time.

2. She looks just like her dad. She may have bit and pieces of me, and makes faces that look just like my dad, younger sister, and oldest niece, but she's a white version of her dad. Ok, a bald white version of her dad. Ok, a mini, female, bald, white version of her dad.
It's okay, I think he's pretty good-looking. And I think she's the cutest thing in the world.
But seriously, it's scary how much she looks like my husband.

3. She takes after me in temperament.
Patience? What's that?
And don't let her get hungry or tired...she gets grouchy. What can I say? We know what we want.

4. She has a birthmark that resembles a suspension bridge. It's the cutest mark I've ever seen on a body. Cindy Crawford, eat your heart out.

5. She's only eaten from a bottle once: on my graduation. Other than that, this kid drinks straight from the tap. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself. Now how do I get her to sleep without my breasts as a pacifier? Ah, the mysteries of motherhood.

xoxo, Jess

Breastfeeding!

Today I got a newletter in my inbox, from a natural mother website, about breastfeeding. This newsletter said that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least one year, and the World Health Organization says at least two. Then, it goes on to say this "in the United States, most mothers do not breastfeed their babies past 6 months, and only 5% are still breastfeeding at 18 months."

Today I want to talk about breastfeeding. My mom said that I was breastfed the longest out of my sister and me...3 (to 6?) months. My younger sister had horrible colic, and the only thing she could hold down was soy milk. God willing, I plan on breastfeeding my children until they are at least one. This is very important to me, as there are so many benefits to breastfeeding. The merits are way too long to list, here are some links to the awesomeness of the teat! Benefits and merits!

Michael and I have talked about breastfeeding until one, and it's something we both agree on, and think is beneficial. I am so lucky to have a partner that will stand up for me and the choices we make. I definitely need a strong support system, as many people find breastfeeding distasteful, embarrassing, gross, or something to be ashamed of. People often link breastfeeding to sex; which is creepy and disturbing. Yes, my breasts are sexy, but they have an original, natural purpose, and it is to sustain life! I think that trumps sex any day. Anyways, having Michael stand by my side will help when I hear things like "you still breastfeed!?" when my kid is 9 months, or "ew, that's gross" when breasts are MADE for this job. 

I guess getting that article sparked something in my mind. I have always known I would breastfeed, but hearing how little "popularity" it has in the US scares me. I don't want to feel like I  have to hide when I feed my child (I plan on wearing nursing covers, not just whipping out my nips in public) somewhere people are around. Shoot.

Many people say things about what it means to be a woman, like wearing sexy clothes, or gossip, or being sensitive..but honestly, the most womanly thing I can think of is having a baby (which only a woman can do) and breastfeeding it (again, only a woman can do). Our society has become to obsessed with sex and the ideas of to whom a vagina or breast belongs, that our most natural and instinctive acts become a gross misuse of part/product. I, for one, am proud to be a woman, and I will use my parts for their intended purpose without shame or embarrassment. 

This all being said, some mothers can't breastfeed, and some babies wont latch on or can't handle their mother's milk. Those woman are no less womanly or awesome..sometimes life just doesn't work out in the ways we want/expect. Those mothers still do awesome things to bond with their children and give them the BEST nutritional options available. They should never feel guilty either, nature is nature, and sometimes a baby cannot naturally handle/take the teat.

Here ends my random, liberal rant for the day. Sorry if I offended; but honestly, if I did offend, you need to reread this blog and get the point. It's natural!

Wooooo boobies!