Breast milk is Breast milk

My daughter is feed breast milk... through a bottle. I don't know why that's such a big deal, but I always feel the need to explain myself to people. They look at me like I am crazy. The way I see it at least she is getting breast milk! Because of her medical conditions (laryngomalacia and Acid Reflux) I want to do all I can to protect her from illness. But I can't keep her in a bubble! She has 2 older siblings, a 2 year old and 3 year old! Neither of which could tell you what a germ is, and proper hygiene to them is a joke! I can't control everything, but I can control what my baby eats and what I eat! So to give her the best start I pump and she eats! I didn't and don't have time to nurse, and my 2 ego centric children didn't understand why baby was getting all mama's attention! So please give me a high five for my efforts not a puzzled look! I deserve that much at least!

our latest pics!

Growing pains

Evie has gone through some major changes over the past month. First she lost her binkie. We had been telling her for a long time to leave it in her bed so she wouldn't lose it. Every time I had to search the house for it I swore it would be the last. Finally one day she lost it and we couldn't find it. So she went without. I found it a few days later, but put it up. She has been binkie free 3 or 4 weeks now. Its been a little bumpy, but not to bad.

She still asks for her binkie every once in a while, and if you ask her if she needs one she will say "yes". However, she no longer cries for it, that only lasted the first day or so. She does talk A LOT! I mean it she talks and talks and talks now. I had no idea she was such a talker. Some nights we can't fall asleep cause all you can hear is her little voice talking away!

She also started throwing tantrums. She had mini ones before, but nothing compared to these new ones. I mean she will kick, scream, cry, and yell. It is horrific. I finally just started putting her into bed every time, and I tell her she can get out when she is done. Usually she is out with in a minute or two and is her normal self. I think some of the crying is because she doesn't sleep as much as before. I think that is because she's adjusting to life without the binkie. She hardly ever takes a nap anymore either.

She has also started wanting to be a baby. She has always worn diapers at night, even though she is potty trained. However, now many times she asks to wear a diaper during the day. She used to take diapers off and use the potty when she was awake, but many times now she just goes in the diaper. She doesn't do it all the time, but when she does she says "I a baby!" She has also started a squeaky talk that she says is her baby talk. Were not giving it to much attention, but it is annoying.

If anyone has any advice on these undesired behaviors I am all ears.

fighting

The fighting between my kids never stops. Many times Evie is simply the victim of Topher's inability to control his impulses, and understand what hurts and what is play. However, on occasion Evie has instigated the fight herself. Whether she is just getting pay back or deciding to take control of a situation herself she has gotten herself into a fair number of scuffles.

For instance tonight I ran to her aide, and quickly grabbed Topher off her back before he had a chance to bite into her. I had to then chase him before I could put him into time out (which doesn't work, but gives Evie the feeling that justice has been served). On my way with him to time out Evie said, "I take his binkie!" Which is a big "No No!" Even for mommy.

I asked, "Why did you take his binkie?"

Her response made me bite my tongue to keep from laughing. She matter of factly said, "I take his binkie. He naughty, I take his binkie!"

I could not believe it, and once I was sure I would not laugh or show her my smile. I very seriously said, "Mommy is the boss. If he is naughty tell mommy, and I will take binkies if they need taking!"

For now I am the boss, but she is so independent I know it won't last for long.