Catching up

Cooper is 11 months now... Where does the time go? I'm sad that I didn't keep up with the blog after he was three months. I'm also sad that when I read back what I did write, it seems impersonal. So I'm going to try and be better - and be more honest. Because I need to be, and this is ultimately for Cooper to read one day.

So. My thoughts. Since becoming a mother I feel like I have really changed. Things that used to be important are no longer important (or not AS important) and things I never thought about before are constantly on my mind. I feel complete. As cliche as that sounds, it's true. I love being a mother, making a home for my family, cooking for my family, and all that goes along with it. At times I feel I should be earning money, mainly because we really need it. But I am trying to do what I can to minimize our spending and aside from getting a job and putting Cooper in daycare (which is not something either Dan or I want) this is all I can do. I've come to realize that alot of my preconceived notions of what is "necessary" to clean the house all comes from the advertising that I see on TV. I use vinegar for most things now. Turns out it cleans better than anything else, and its safer and cheaper. Who knew?

Since I had to go off dairy due to Cooper's allergy to cow's milk, I've learned to cook mostly whole foods. This has somewhat become a passion now, and I love trying new recipes and coming home from the shops with all fresh foods. And not to mention a much cheaper grocery bill.

I have made some lifelong friends in the last year. It's made me realize how closed off I really was, and how lonely I felt as well. I have always had Dan yes, but that female companionship wasn't there. And every female knows how important that is to have. Anyway, I have been blessed with quality friendships this year and it's so nice to have someone to call and talk to for hours about anything.

I've had thoughts lately about having another baby.... Luckily I'm not ovulating due to the nonstop breastfeeding going on but I crave the newborn stage again. I'm probably not really ready, so I'm just going to let my body decide when it's time. Dan will never say he's ready (whether he is or not) so there's no sense waiting for him to tell me! Part of me thinks I should wait until Cooper is 2 to start trying. But we will see.

Breastfeeding. It's still going. Most of time I love it. Probably 90% of the time. The other 10% is usually when I'd like to have some wine (and can't be bothered to express), or when it's the 4th time at night that he's woken up to nurse. But it's one of those things that I have become pretty passionate about that I never even knew about before. So much so that I've often thought about volunteering as a breastfeeding counselor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association and/or one day becoming a lactation consultant. We shall see.

More musings to come later - I should probably sleep while I can :)