BFF (breastfeeding forever)

I have lots of cute photos from Marley's birthday party on Saturday. Then, there's a video from our dinner at Nancy's on Sunday. But, those will have to wait. The only computer in our house that will let me upload photos and video happens to be Jeff's work computer, which he seems to be using for work all the time (how dare he!). So, you'll just have to settle for my ramblings for now.

I've decided (long ago, actually) that Friday will be my last day of pumping at work. The pump and I have had a long year together, and it's time we parted ways. We've always had a love-hate relationship. I love that I can provide Mars with breast milk, even when I can't be with him. I hate lugging the pump around, finding somewhere private to pump (and the time!), and most hated of all - washing pump parts!

Now that Marley is one, he can begin drinking cow's milk. We need to talk to his doctor (his one year appointment is next week), but I think we will wait to introduce cow's milk until his one year "adjusted birthday" in the beginning of February. In the meantime, he will drink formula during the day. He's already had formula in small quantities.

His breast milk was fortified with formula for the fist two months, meaning we added a small amount of powder to increase the concentration of calories and help him gain weight faster. Then, after about a month back at work, my supply dropped a bit. I only pump once a day and I get about 6-8 oz. Mars drinks about 10 oz, so he gets a couple oz of formula each day. Occasionally, he drinks a bottle of just formula when he and Jeff are out and about during the day. Anyway, it's been such a small amount that the free samples from the hospital have lasted us until just last week.

I'm hoping that my body will adjust to the new schedule over winter break. I still plan to continue breastfeeding in the morning and at night for now. I'm looking forward to having more than ten minutes to eat my lunch!