"What are those?," Joaquin asks in absolute uncertainty.

He's not quite sure what those little digits are that I keep calling his toes and dedos de pie. I'm trying to introduce some Spanish here and there. But, finalmente it happened. Another one of Joaquin's milestones has come. Like always, mama and I were talking to one another with Joaqua-Joaqua laying down on the sofa between us. We looked down, and there he was...those little fat feet gripped in his little fat hands. His toes were inches from his drooly lips. Out of frustration he threw his feet back down when he couldn't quite get that big toe in his mouth! :) Yeah, it these things that make me so happy these days, and I can't believe that it's those things that are so significant. I can spend precious minutes watching him get closer and closer to sweet satisfaction...Joaqua getting to suck on his toes. He's not quite sure why, but his toes like everything else now goes right into his mouth.

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month!

How warm this new symbol is. As a new mom, I would like to actually see this in public places around my hometown and places I frequent. It would encourage new breastfeeding moms to get out of the house during the weeks that follow giving birth. Perhaps, it would decrease the rate of postpartum depression and baby blues that sometime plague new mothers. If moms didn't feel like they could not leave the house without having to rush back home in two hours to nurse. I know you can say, well, why don't you express some breastmilk and take that bottle with you? Well, they (the wonderful lactation consultants) tell you not to pump until about what 2-6 weeks after you start to breastfeed. Pumping is a lot of work, ontop of everything else that Mommyhood brings. I pump my breastmilk now that I've returned to work, and that's not something that I would've wanted to tackle 1 week post birth. Not to mention, missing out on the closeness and experience of skin to skin contact with your baby. My experience with this: I'll admit...I didn't like going out in public much, because I didn't want to deal with having to breastfeed Joaquin in view of everyone. Why you say? Well, as a new mom that really doesn't know what she's doing most of the time, insert nervous grin here, you try to attempt to get your kid to latch on underneath a blanket without the inevitable happening (blanket falling down, exposing your, what I now call 'mommies', to everyone). Not to mention, jossling baby Joaquin's squirmy little bitty body underneath a blanket that he loathes! At home, it's a different story. The mommies are in full view of anyone and everyone while he calmly nurses. Joaquin really doesn't like the blanket, and I don't like having to 'hide' him underneath while he nurses naturally. When I discovered that I was pregnant, my goal was to breastfeed. In pregnancy, there is so little one can control. Even with breastfeeding things can be uncertain. However, if it all clicks, and you are able to breastfeed. Well, it is great. It is and has been one good thing that I have been able to do for my son. Breastfeeding not only is good and nutritious for little Joaquin, but it holds be accountable for the foods and drinks I consume. So, seeing that breastfeeding symbol sprinkled around town...well, it would be wonderful.

Here's link to some breastfinding information and health:

http://www.chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/DADD158C-C181-4F5D-92D7-399696CB59FC/0/2007NewsletterIssue11.pdf

Milestones

Everyday there is something new, and smile provoking. :) If I don't pay attention, I might, just might miss something that my little bundle of boy goodness has discovered that he can do. Okay, how could that happen when I'm always in the kid's face?!? Last Saturday, 7/12/08, Joaquin giggled! OUT LOUD! It was so cute, and amazing. I believe I cried a bit. He's wonderful. I was snuggling my nose in his baby scented neck, apparently, he's ticklish, and then it just happened. He started to giggle out loud! It was great. His whole face lit up. His eyes, cheeks, and mouth were all smiling with such excitement. It was wonderful. Even with all the stress that the world gives and hands out free of charge, Joaquin just makes me breathe a lot easier. I love 'em. :) Children are such amazing little gifts that God blesses you with. I'm so extremely thankful for him.

Joaquin has just turned 3 months old! He's reached so many milestones as of late. Joaquin is noticing his little fat feet now. When I change his diaper, he's grabbing at his feet and toes. It'll be just a matter of time before he extends those toes into his mouth! :0 ) I can't wait for that photo op! He's recognizes the touch and voices of his mama and daddy. He also knows his Granny's, Auntie's, and cousin's voices. How do I know that? Well, he greets us all with a big hearty full smile when he hears those familiar voices. It's amazing how much he has grown so quickly, so soon. He coos and talks; kicks his legs and arms; gets really excited at those big bright colors that I try to keep around him; gets excited and pays a bit of attention when I'm reading stories to him; and oh, he can suck his thumb now! So many things!