Breastfeeding

In case you haven't heard there was a woman kicked off of a flight in Vermont for breastfeeding her 22-month old daughter. The woman was sitting next to the window in the next to the last row of a Freedom Airlines (Delta) flight. Her husband was sitting on the aisle seat. A flight attendant offered her a blanket to cover up her nursing daughter saying she (the flight attendant) was offended. The mother refused to cover up saying she had the right to breastfeed her baby. The flight attendant had the woman removed from the flight. The woman has filed a complaint with the VT Human Rights Commission. Across the country last week women (and there supportive family and friends) staged 'nurse-ins' at Delta ticket counters.

I am proud to be a breastfeeding mother. I am glad that I have been able to continue to breastfeed Spencer for the past 10 months even though I work full-time. I am proud that Spencer has never been supplemented with formula. I breastfeed in public, and I feel self conscious about it. I never know if the people whispering are commending me or criticising me. I always wonder, and it makes me hesitate. But I continue to breastfeed in public. Luckily I have never had a negative experience...I even got a thumbs up from a fellow diner at a restaurant for breastfeeding Spencer while waiting for my food. It is sad that I feel self conscious every time I do something so natural, so normal, and so healthy and beneficial for both Spencer and myself.

This country needs to get over it and learn that not all things breast-related are sexual or offensive. Get a grip, people.

For more information on this news story:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061115/NEWS01/61115010

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15720339/?from=ET

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/21/AR2006112101316.html

First blog post!

Hello family and friends! This is the first blog on Spencer's new blog site. We thought this would be a good way for you all to keep in touch with Spencer. He is growing and changing so quickly...we really should have done this months ago! I'm not much of a blog reader or blog writer though, so this is really sort of a test and we'll see how it goes.

Spencer was born on February 1st, 2006. He was 9 lbs, 13 oz and 23.5 inches long. Now, at nearly 10 months old, he is approximately 22 lbs and 30 inches long/tall. Spencer is not crawling yet, but is rolling, sitting, standing, and walks holding our hands. He is eating solid foods, mashed and pureed stuff but also finger foods such as cheerios and stewed/steamed vegetables and finely chopped poultry and fruit (he loves bananas!). He is still breastfeeding (and takes breastmilk bottles while I'm at work). He sleeps through the night most nights. Spencer has 7 teeth, 4 on top and 3 on bottom...and some recent restless nights indicate that number 8 may be on its way.

Spencer's 'Nana' (paternal grandmother) takes care of him during the day. It's been so great having a family member take care of Spencer. He loves it, we love it, and we hope Nana loves it! Spencer was in daycare from 3-7 months of age. It was fine, but we're much happier with the present situation.

Well, that's about it for now. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Newborn baby Spencer!

Spencer (~2 months old) and Daddy

Hanging out (~6 months old) Spencer's first Halloween!

Spencer (~9.5 months old) and Mommy