mamahood | hello, month fourteen


It's intensely strange to think that nearly fourteen months ago I gave birth to this little person.

Fourteen. Such a big number. She's growing so much and her personality is developing in leaps and bounds, which makes it even harder to remember that this constantly moving and babbling little person used to be a tiny baby. I feel like we've been on a roller coaster since she turned a year, and the time between months 13 to 14 have really been wild! Slow down, little one!


  • Teething. Vicious, disruptive teething. She was getting one tooth in roughly every 4-6 weeks and had four. But suddenly she decided she couldn't wait any longer and they are all popping through (as in, everything besides the 2-year molars). We have reached the point where nothing seems to help on the really awful days. Just lots of mama cuddles and letting her gnaw a bit on some half frozen fruit (we have a handy mesh holder for that--makes it super easy and less mess!). 
  • Her vocabulary is developing immensely. I had no idea she could attempt some of the words she has. And somehow she also figured out how to say "wha dis?" to us. My mom deciphered that one (I still have not mastered the fine ear needed for totally understanding baby talk). Which means now that we know what she's trying to say, she's saying that and pointing at everything to be told what it is. 
  • She suddenly developed a deep love of carrying around purses. Preferably mine. She likes my stripy Target cross-body bag the best (I shorten the strap for her). I think I may need to thrift a small purse just for her.
  • Weaning... I have extremely mixed emotions about this. It's been a tough year. I had no concept of how utterly exhausting nursing a baby for over twelve months would be. There were some problems in there, and I struggled a lot with some feelings on my end about how we handled this relationship and who I took advice from. If there is a next time (meaning another baby), there will be a lot I tweak about my approach. She still nurses 1-2 times in a 24 hour period. But even those have tapered off and she's really lost interest the past few weeks.
  • Food--glorious food! Right now she's enjoying the bounty of the early summertime berries: blueberries are a favorite, with strawberries a close second. She's tried a few other berries as well, but those two I almost always have in my fridge these days.
Wow. Writing all this down puts in perspective just how quickly things do change for babies. Last summer was so laid back in comparison. I miss that quieter time in many ways, but I also longed for more activity last year. The grass is always greener, right? I think we're starting to hit the "fun" point since she's able to express herself more and more. The lesson I think I'm learning is to just enjoy the now. I'm an impatient personality, and sometimes I catch myself daydreaming of the future: when we'll be able to do more independent art activities, when she'll have great command of her vocabulary, etc. And while those things are exciting, I sometimes have to stop and relax a little on how I want time to hurry by. It's a delicate balance that I don't think I'm quite to the point of mastering...

Comments

  1. What an adventure! And that is so cute, her carrying around your purse. She's going to be a miniature of you--so cute. I remember how my younger siblings (I'm significantly older) grew up so quickly. It was always so weird to remember that at one point they were tiny newborns, crying often, having to be handled ever so gently--it just passes SO QUICKLY. It's unbelievable!

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  2. It is amazing how quickly they grow (my two little men are now 4 and 9.....where have the years gone ?!). She is so gorgeous.....such a cutie. And watching them grow and being there to guide them is such an adventure.....enjoy every minute!

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  3. So nice to hear that she is doing so well, very interesting for me, because I am not a mom yet.

    I like your new blog very much!

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  4. With the teething, my little guys like to chew on a clean flannel that had been wet with water then put in the freezer.....cold, and a little bit rough, so they could rub it on their gums

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  5. Mine will be one tomorrow and it is crazy how fast it goes. I went into this planning on doing extended breastfeeding, since I grew up in a circle where that was normal. I have had great support and was fortunate not to really have any problems with it, but after the first several months I really began to realize that I didn't think I could make it much past a year. I decided my goal was to make it 12 months with him, and the last few weeks I started to wean slowly. We've been down to once in 24 hours for a week or so, and I have to say it's been such a relief for me mentally and emotionally. Nursing is hard work, and a major commitment, both physically and emotionally. Good for you for sticking with it this long! (And I've been feeling the same way you are about wanting to be able to do more with him, have him help me in the kitchen, walk around the zoo, etc. when he is more able to participate. It's hard to remember to take it a day at a time sometimes).

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  6. My little one is ten weeks now and I too have to remember to just enjoy the moment. When he is crying I wish him to be older, so that we can do some more things together (I am very impatient too). Then I try to relax and think about the moments when he is happy and slowly discovers the world. It is really amazing how fast he is growing. Right now I enjoy the moments when he is awake and looks around. And of course just one smile a day makes me very very happy.

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  7. Having given birth to my second son just 2 weeks ago, I am all too aware of staying in the moment. My nearly 4 year old has grown so quickly, and I've only just realised how much since I now have his little brother as comparison. It's scary how quickly time passes and how fast they grow. Don't be too impatient to move onto the next stage!

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  8. Hard to believe my oldest daughter will be 25 on the 25th, and my youngest daughter will be 21 in August so time certainly does fly by...daughters are so much fun so enjoy. We are starting to plan my oldest wedding! how did that happen?!

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  9. My Little Miss will be fourteen months old on Thursday, so I know how you feel (though our variation is wha des dis?) It's both fun to see them become little people and exhausting!! All of sudden she has so many words and understands things and has (very clear) opinions.

    Mine's still very much interested in nursing these days (I work full time, but we still nurse 3-4 times in the mornings/evenings and on the weekends) - so I imagine it'll still be a while before we start to wean. I don't think I'm ready to give it up myself either, I was however, very glad to give up pumping a few weeks or so after the 12-month mark. That said, I look forward to not having to choose my clothing and bras based on nursing accessibility.

    I definitely had a least three major nursing-related crying jags/melt-downs. It wasn't anything physical, but emotionally it can be really tough - I had some diminished pumping supply in the later months and I felt like I couldn't go anywhere outside of work because I needed to be there to feed her. I knew mentally that she wasn't going to starve, but I got very overwhelmed. It takes a lot of effort not to lose yourself a bit in a baby - especially since it's not always easily to tell a want from a need.

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  10. Just stop and think at least once a week "this is the best stage" and wait to qualify later.

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  11. Wow, it is so much fun to read about Miss A - it gives me an idea of what to expect as mine is about 4 months younger. I applaud you for nursing as long as you have, it is so good for you and your little one. Despite the benefits of nursing, I'm looking forward to weaning as well, I started out with a ton of breastfeeding issues and even the lactation consultant and my own mom told be to give up and switch to formula. Ah, the things we do for our kiddos! Keep enjoying each phase - my mom says they are all wonderful (even into adulthood).

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  12. It's nice that she is weening herself. I always love it when they reach a milestone by theirselves without needing a parent to do anything to usher it along. My daughter is 11 and a few months ago said that she is now too old for out-of-school care (and I agree ). So nice to let her take the lead and tell me what she is ready for, rather than me have to tell her that she can't have something anymore because she is too old.

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  13. Hi Casey, it´s so nice to have you back! I loved Elegant musings (but never posted a comment until today!) and love your new blog. I can relate to what you explain, I have a 20-month old boy and motherhood just changes you... Things need to evolve and it´s a good thing. I´m so looking forward to your posts, have fun with your little one, my boy is really talking now and it is so much fun to be able to communicate! Greetings from Germany, Marie J

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  14. Isn't it amazing how much and how fast they change? And they are so SMART. Piper (my 2nd grand) amazes me with her vocabulary. Her obessions are baby dolls and Lights. She looks up wherever we go and points to the lights and says lights or thatsalight :) Your little one is adorable. So sweet carrying around her purses :)

    I nursed my daughter til she was 13 months old, isn't it sad giving it up? She weaned herself, too. I think it is helpful when they decide they are ready to wean. It is a joy and can be very frustrating, too. When my daughter was born I was the only one of my group of friends, sister in laws, etc who chose to nurse. I remember days I ended up in tears because I had no one to ask questions (and no internet to look up the answers). But we made it through.
    Love the pics.
    Can I tell you again how much I like your new blog?

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  15. Time goes by so quickly with little ones. Mine will be one in a week (not sure how that happened). She looks like she is an awesome little girl and super smart!

    I wish I was still nursing; he lost interest around 10mo. I had been doing a morning feeding until I missed 2 days in a row (thanks work) and dried up. Now I just to morning snuggle times in the nursing chair when we get up.

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  16. I feel like I haven't learned a thing about your motherhood experiences so I am so glad to be able to read this and see an update! How wonderful and so many changes happening!! Teething is quite an experience. I love when babies start speaking!!!!
    +Victoria+

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