Favorite Hat

This is Maddy's favorite hat at the moment. Jason and I kind of hate it. It matches a super cute Gymboree outfit that she wore in the spring and somehow she got attached to it. We think it looks like Elmer Fudd got in a fight with K-Fed.

She got these pink rainboots from Jason's coworker and thinks they are the hottest thing going. I think she likes them because she can pull them on and off so easily, while her other shoes still take some effort (and a little help from mommy). They are about 2 sizes too big and I think it is the same appeal as wearing my big clunky shoes, she loves to clomp around the house and yard in them.

Following in My Footsteps

Maddy loves to tromp around in my shoes. She trips and falls with such glee. She also makes me feel like a big huge cow with her tiny little feet in my big ol' ridiculously clunky shoes.

She also loves to have her hair in two ponies now. She also loves to immediately take her ponies out and ask for them to be put in again. And again. And again. And again. Until I tell her that if she takes them out again I am done helping her. Then she asks again and I put them in and she takes them out and I walk away and she screams. Sigh. But it is worth it for the times she does leave them in because they are the cutest little ponies that stick straight out.

Water Baby (and a wet t-shirt contest!!)

Here is Maddy helping Grandma in Philomath both inside and outside the house. She loves water and exploring all the different things it can do. Her greatest discovery was what happens when she sticks her finger into the hose opening. Such delight! and kudos to Grandpa for actually getting a picture of her smiling at the camera - a feat I have rarely been able to achieve.

One more FAQ

You're STILL nursing? Isn't that dangerous? How can you do that? You can't possibly nurse TWO babies can you?? (insert other person's eyes bulging and mouth gaping open here)

Yes. No. It's easy. I am sure going to try if the opportunity arises.

Tandem nursing (the "official" term for nursing two children at the same time) is as natural, beautiful and "normal" as breastfeeding itself. It is common and routine in many cultures because it so perfectly satisfies the emotional (and immunological and nutritional and physical) needs of the older baby while completely meeting the needs of your younger baby at the same time. There is a huge list of benefits which include: abundant milk supply, quick fix for engorgement, and a way to connect with your toddler who is adjusting to having a new sibling. Maddy nurses two to however many times she wants a day. She has night weaned (well, mostly night weaned, her ears and teeth have been waking her up the past few nights, but it is nice to have such an easy way to soothe her back to sleep right away) Mostly she asks to nurse when she falls and goes boom, her teeth hurt (those darnnnnnnn two year molars are working their way through), or she gets tired or cranky. It usually lasts about ten seconds to a few minutes at most. I do enjoy nursing her down for her nap and at bedtime (she likes it a lot too). For you doubters out there -- yes she can fall asleep on her own if I am not available. It is a surefire never fail method to help her when she gets overwhelmed by life and it is simply the easiest, most efficient, portable and cheapest "pacifier" I could ever conceive of. It works great for us and I plan to continue our nursing relationship as long as we both continue to benefit from it. When it stops working for one of us, that will be the time to reevaluate.

Here is a link to an article on tandem nursing that I learned a lot from.