Monkey see, Monkey do....Please

"If a multinational company developed a product that was a nutritionally balanced and delicious food, a wonder drug that both prevented and treated disease, cost almost nothing to produce and could be delivered in quantities controlled by the consumer's needs, the very announcement of their find would send their shares rocketing to the top of the stock market.  The scientists who developed the product would win prizes and the wealth and influence of everyone involved would increase dramatically.  Women have been producing such a miraculous substance, breastmilk, since the beginning of human existence."

~Gabrielle Palmer

Did you know that human beings are the only species that feeds its young milk from other animals?  Every mammal is intended to produce milk for their young, in order to help him or her to continue growing and developing into a mature adult.  The milk we all produce is specifically designed for each individual and their specific needs.  For example, your first child may have been born right in the middle of flu season.  Therefore, your antibodies to fight flu with be at raised levels  in order to protect her health and build her immune system.  However, baby number two may be born during the spring time and an increase in antibodies to fight the flu would not be that beneficial for her.  This is purposeful.  It gives your infant the sustenance and nutrition they need specifically.  

Yes, even elephants!

     The same is true for cows, goats, horses, sheep, dogs, cats, dolphins and even elephants.  Their babies are born with some growing and developing to do as well.  And mothers milk is the perfect food to help them on their way.  However, most other mammals develop a little faster than we humans do, and may require a little different nutrition.  After all, they are expected to stand up and walk in 24 hours, we just want our little ones to wake up!!  It is far more likely that your baby will need antibodies to fight the flu more than they will need them to fight bovine diarrhea.  Likewise, they need the nutrition in mother's milk to help them grow and develop on their schedule, not that designed for babies of other mammals.

Many formula companies use protein from cows milk to make their product.  Now, I am not slamming formula, I am just bringing attention to some things that seem to have been overlooked.  In all actuality, formula was created with the best of intentions.  There were instances when mother and baby weren't able to breastfeed.  If mother wasn't able to make milk, or sometimes not make it through delivery, families were left holding babies with no food source. Even then people wanted these little ones to have something designed to meet their needs more than that of other animals.  The plan, was to take breast milk to the lab, break it down to its basic parts, and duplicate it to create a formula for these infants.  Scientists were trying to come up with something that would sustain these infants and keep them alive.  They were not trying to provide an alternative to breastfeeding so we could maintain the level of convenience we busy mothers have grown accustomed to.  The pros of this plan is that we now had that thing that would help baby to survive the first year.  The cons, however, were that this nutritional substitute could not then and can not now compare to breast milk.  Some ingredients found in breast milk cannot be duplicated and therefore formula is simply missing a lot of the good stuff that our babies need. In fact, while formulas contain a lot of the same things as breast milk like:

Water 

Hang in there!

Protein

Carbohydrates

DHA/ARA

Fat

Vitamins

Minerals

Some formulas even contain prebiotics and/or probiotics

Breast milk contains ALL of the above plus:

Anti-Parasites

Anti-Allergies

Hormones

Disease fighting stem cells

Enzymes

Growth Factors

Anti-Cancer (HAMLET)

Antibodies

Baby needs all of the above ingredients mixed each day, every hour into a recipe designed to sustain their specific health needs.  And Mama, you were designed to make just that!  So hang in there baby, and know you are giving your baby the best that you could give them, to keep them happy, healthy, and whole.

   

Traci

How to get it all done when you're a Mom on the run.....

Do you ever feel overwhelmed??  Okay, okay stop laughing.  I knew it was a silly question when I asked it, but I also knew you needed a laugh today.  The truth is from the minute we saw the positive on the pregnancy test, we began to feel overwhelmed.  You may have asked:
 "Am I ready for this?"
"Will I be a good mom?"
"How will we afford a baby?"
"Where will we put the baby?"  
"What will happen to my body?" 
"Will I ever get to spend time with my husband again?"  
     And then a few months later the baby arrives and all of those questions are answered.  If you are like me you probably replaced those questions with new ones like:
"What did I do with all of my spare time before we had the baby?"
"Why is she changing so fast?"
"How many diapers do I have to change today?"
"When was the last time I ate, slept or had a shower?"
"Will I ever get to spend time with my husband again?"
     (Yes, I know I asked the last question twice, but I really like my husband). The truth is after having a baby, time seems to speed up and it becomes harder and harder to feel like you are getting everything done in a day.  You may not have big plans, but going to the grocery store or visiting Grandma, can sometimes take all of the energy you have to spend.  Keeping that in mind, I have decided to help make your life a little easier with this month's prize basket.  I have put together a few things to make those outings not so stressful.  How would you like a "basket" a.k.a cooler filled with ice packs, a hand pump, nursing pads, nursing cream, sunscreen for baby and information about our next infant feeding classes?  I thought you might!
     Stop by the health center and enter our monthly prize drawing today!  Or of course, you can call, text, email me or just click on the contact us button below or the one in the side bar and I will get you signed up.

Good Luck!

Traci Volcko, Breastfeeding Consultant
volckt@lpha.mopublic.org
417-326-7250 (health center)
417-315-2135 (helpline)

Breastfeeding Barriers

      Breastfeeding barriers are those things that can stand in the way of successful breastfeeding.  Many times there are real issues that can prevent a mom from breastfeeding such as substance abuse, certain prescribed medications, cancer treatments, and certain illnesses such as herpes simplex virus, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis or Varicella if left untreated.  However, there are times when we think that breastfeeding may not be possible when it actually is perfectly within reach.  Have you ever wondered about those times when breastfeeding doesn't seem like a possibility?  Some mothers who smoke, like to have an occasional drink, or simply cannot give up their caffeine, feel that it would just be too difficult to adjust their lifestyle to be successful at breastfeeding.  



Well girls, it is simply not so!  Many of our perceived barriers are not barriers at all, and in fact sometimes breastfeeding is necessary if your baby is going to be in those environments.     
     

Moms who go back to school are happy to breastfeed! 

Caffeinated Moms are
happy to breastfeed

Moms who return to work are happy to breastfeed.

Join us at the next Infant Feeding Class at the Polk County Health Center as we discuss Breastfeeding Barriers.  Come with questions for our group discussion.  
If you are an old pro at this breastfeeding gig, come with answers, there are many moms in our community who are looking for mentors like you.

Classes on this topic will be held Thursdays:
     August 8th from 9:00 -10:00 am OR
     August 22nd from 1:30 - 2:30 pm

Just click on the Contact us button below to register for the next class by the Wednesday before class so that I can make arrangements for refreshments.  Or you can email, call the help line, call the Polk County Health Center or comment on the blog.

Traci Volcko
Breastfeeding Consultant
417-326-7250
417-315-2135
volckt@lpha.mopublic.org
www.polkcountymilkweeds.blogspot.com

YOLO! (You Only Lactate Often)

Photo courtesy of Jackie Johnson Smith

Did you all see this???!!!!  I am so impressed.  My faith in humanity has been restored.  I can totally see me doing this for some one (just as soon as I see someone breastfeeding some place other than my office or a breast feeding conference)!  Please, please visit the site and read his mom's encouraging story.  
     She and her husband were going out to eat for her birthday.  Though she was a little leery of taking the children to a restaurant downtown, they loaded up the little ones and went out for dinner.  As any of you with several kiddos know, when they get a little restless and bored, they find ways to keep busy.  This mama had her hands full and found a great solution to keep her baby happy.  She breastfed!  She also worried about what others would think or say, but was pleasantly surprised at the end of the night to find out her waitress had paid part of her tab, to say thanks for breastfeeding.  
     I am getting a little excited, but I am pretty sure I felt our culture begin to shift a little.  Did you feel that acceptance of beautiful and natural acts?  Maybe it's just me ~ sometimes I am a little sensitive.  Go check out the thread at Yahoo! shine.  I have embedded a link in the picture above.  Yay Jackie Johnson Smith.  Thank you for breastfeeding!

Congratulations to our June Prize Basket Winner!!

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Congratulations goes to Julie Dobbins as our prize winner this month.  She won the Breastfeeding Survival Basket by entering our monthly drawing and you can too.  It is super simple to get signed up, just fill in a drawing ticket at the Polk County Health Center.  If that doesn't work for you, then please don't hesitate to call me, email me, text me or just click the contact button below and fill in the information there.

Check out next months prize:

Need a boppy? How about a basket full of breastfeeding goodies to go along with it?

Contact me as often as you like to sign up for this awesome goody.

Traci Volcko, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

1317 West Broadway

Bolivar, MO 65613

volckt@lpha.mopublic.org

Polk County Health Center phone: (417)326-7250

Breastfeeding 24 hour helpline (417) 315-2135

June Prize Basket

 

Hannah

 When I was thirty, I found myself sitting in a recliner with a newborn at the breast, a three year old on my lap and a five year old sitting on the arm of the chair beside me.  One arm wrapped around baby with her head in my hand and the other hand holding a story book.  At that time, when Hannah said it was time to eat, my other little girls knew it was story time for them.
     Hannah was (and still is) a cuddley girl.  She wanted to eat at least every two hours, and could see no reason why she couldn't sleep in my arms or at least be held until the next feeding time.  I am not going to say she was needy, but she was over a year old before she walked and I don't believe anyone else was allowed to pick her up or hold her until she was well over 18 months old.  I was a frazzled, tired mess for the next few years after Hannah arrived.
     When you have little kids in the home, you don't stop moving all day long.  From the time your feet hit the floor in the morning, until you finally have them all down for the night, you are in constant motion feeding, bathing, cleaning house, doing laundry, planning meals....the list goes on and on.  And though, I was thankful for the times Hannah required me to sit down and nurse her, it always seemed like there was something I needed that I had forgotten to pick up before I sat down.  Now don't get me wrong, the little girls sitting in the chair with me, loved to be "big helpers" and grab blankets, wipes, diapers, etc. but once the story book was opened they no longer volunteered to help.  It was at this time in my life that I came up with the Breastfeeding Survival Basket.  I cannot tell you how many steps or how much time this basket saved me, but save me it did!  I filled a basket full of diapers, wipes, diaper cream, nursing pads and Lansinoh cream and sat it beside my chair.  Each time Hannah wanted to eat, I grabbed a glass of ice water and my girls grabbed their book of choice.  By the time my fourth baby arrived, the survival basket was a permanent fixture on the side table.  This was probably a good thing, since Hayden didn't mind if we sat in the recliner all day long nursing and rocking.  In those days I think the only time I got out of my chair was to go to the bathroom and feed kids.  
     So, thinking back to those days, gave me an awesome idea for you all.  I have put together a Breastfeeding Survival Basket for this month's prize.  It will help bring a little peace if not organization to the chaos of having a newborn.

Breastfeeding Survival Basket

As always, if you would like to enter the drawing, just let me know.  I just need name, address, phone, email, and due date.

24 hour Breast Feeding Helpline: 417-315-2135

Email: volckt@lpha.mopublic.org

Or stop by the Polk County Health Center.  I would love to talk with you!

Good luck !!

Breastfeeding Vegans and Vegetarians

http://topnews.net.nz

     Recently I was asked if it is safe for moms following a vegan diet to breastfeed.  Apparently there was a couple in France who lived a vegan life and lost their 11 month old to bronchitis.  Many people were angered and ranting blaming the mothers diet for the child's death.  While vegan diets can be low of certain vitamins, which allows higher risks of infection, other factors played into this terrible ordeal.  

     So to take the worry away from my veggie friendly friends I will say this: Of course!  Anyone can breastfeed.  But what we need to remember is that every mother will have to make some adjustments to her diet in order to keep herself and her baby healthy. 

      It is pretty common to be told to eat lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables while you are pregnant.  So, if you continue making good food choices, then the only adjustment that will need to be made when baby arrives, is adding an extra 500 calories to your diet.  Anyone, who is following a vegetarian or vegan diet probably already knows that they have to find alternative ways to meet their protein and vitamin needs. Likewise, they probably realize adjustments will have to be made for baby and can get great advice from their doctor.   But I don't want you to just take my word for it, so I did a little research and this is what I came up with.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

"A special diet is often a healthy diet—in fact, you may maintain a particular diet for health reasons—but it still may not provide all the nutrients you and your baby need while breastfeeding.

If your consumption of any major food group is limited, consider how you will replace the missing elements in your diet, and discuss your plans with your doctor or nutritionist. Breastfeeding women who do not eat meat, for example, must figure out how they will get sufficient protein for their babies and themselves.

As a vegetarian, you may already be familiar with ways to combine plant foods to meet your needs. You may get protein from rice, beans, eggs, nuts and nut butters, and meat substitutes. If you do not know all the healthy ways to compensate for lack of meat in your diet, consult a registered dietitian.

Ask your pediatrician whether you should take a daily vitamin/mineral supplement containing such elements as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. It is essential that strict vegans (who avoid all animal products in their diet) take a vitamin B12 supplement, since this nutrient comes only from animal sources. Keep in mind that you will also need to make sure you consume enough calories to maintain your health—usually between 2,200 and 2,500 per day if you are of average build.

If you have any special concerns about your diet, your pediatrician may suggest you consult with a registered dietitian."

According to the Le Leche League:

Can I eat a vegetarian diet while I am breastfeeding?

"A vegetarian diet that contains some animal derived food, such as milk, milk derivatives, or eggs is usually complete. Women who don’t eat meat, but consume dairy or eggs usually do not have problems breastfeeding. When a diet does not contain any of these foods (such as in the case of vegan and some macrobiotic diets), a mother needs to sure to include vitamin B12 into her diet in some way. Many vegetarians use a supplement for their vitamin B12 intake.

Research has shown that milk produced by vegetarian women has lower levels of environmental contaminants (such as PCBs) than that of other women. These substances are stored principally in the fatty tissues of the body, and vegetarian diets tend to contain less fats than diets with more animal products."

     So when I think of the attacks on the parents of that little girl that passed I hate to see breastfeeding take a bad rap.  I guess the moral of the story is guns don’t kill people, people kill people.  In other words, the choices we make lead to the reward or consequences that life hands us. The vegan diet is lacking, but the mother should have adapted her diet/supplements to meet babies needs.  This should have been discussed with her doctor and I am sure as a vegan who is careful with her diet, she surely researched the effects it can have while nursing.  So did her diet kill the baby?  Don’t know, but it seems like even a vegan diet with the added calories needed to breastfeed and a b12 supplement everyone should have been okay. 

Plenty of babies survive in the homes of chain smoking, alcoholics who’s diet consists of snickers bars and big gulp sodas so if people need someone to attack and complain about, I’d prefer they didn’t go after the mother who’s whole world just came crashing down because she lost her baby.

Just my take on things,

Traci

They've got an app for that!

     In this day and age, everywhere you look people have phones in their hands.  Phones have replaced cameras, watches and clocks, calendars and planners, even gaming systems and you can text and talk on them too!! Some of us still use the basic cell phone, and it surely serves the purpose for which it was intended. But more and more of the time, I see smart phones in the hands of old and young alike.  These tiny computers are amazing tools and I for one, love that I can use it for work, playing games when I am bored and waiting for kids after school, keeping my appointments and remembering important holidays like Mother's day and the kids birthdays! 
     You may be wondering,"What does any of this have to do with pregnancy and breastfeeding?"  Well, I will tell you!  I found some awesome apps that do everything from sends texts during pregnancy to ease a mother's worries to keeping track of diapers in those foggy days of "newbornhood".  Check them out.




 Sign up for the text4baby program and receive free text messages throughout your pregnancy and for baby's first year.  These tips and tricks will make being a new parent simpler and help put your mind at ease on some issues that you may have questions about.

I'm Expecting app is kind of amazing.  It will help you keep track of everything that is going on with you and baby. Get prepared for your baby’s birth. Get weekly updates of your baby's growth, track your symptoms and compare them to other pregnant moms to see how common they are, share info with your doctor, add doctor appointments, get answers to your questions and more! Simply enter your baby’s due date and get started for free today with this pregnancy tracker from Google play.

My Pregnancy Today app.  Simply enter your baby’s due date and My Pregnancy Today turns your Android into an expert guide for your exact day of pregnancy. Free from Google play.
My Pregnancy Today features: 
✔ Your pregnancy day by day: Learn how your body’s changing, what’s ahead, and how to cope
✔ Fetal development images: See what your baby looks like each week
✔ Pregnancy checklist: Reminders to keep you on track with decisions, appointments, and more
✔ Award-winning videos: Watch your baby grow in the womb, and witness moms giving birth
✔ Birth clubs: Connect with other women due at the same time
✔ Due date calculator: Quickly find your due date 
✔ Nutrition guide: Manage your weight gain with tips and recipes to help you eat well 
✔ Track your progress: Countdown to your big day with weekly notifications
Baby Time is an app to help you keep track of baby's last feeding, diaper change and sleep as well as a left right toggle to help you remember the breast baby last fed on.  This is a free app for your windows phone.

EatSleep is an app that tracks when baby eats, sleeps and has a diaper change. It is available for free on itunes.

The Breast Feeding Tabulator is another app designed to help you keep track of baby's feeding frequency and amount of time spent at the breast.  This one is for Android and is free from Google play.

Another one for Android.  Baby Care Plus tracks baby's feeds, sleep, and diapers and is $1.99 on Google play.

These are just a few apps that I found, but I have to admit, if I were expecting again, I would certainly have several of them on my phone.  Check them out or do some research and see what you can find that suits your needs.  Let me know if you find some great ones, I would love the input and I always love hearing from you.

April Prize Basket Winner

April Prize Basket Winner

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Jessica Crouch is our Diaper Cake Winner!!

Jessica Crouch

It is not too late to enter the prize drawings.  I will be putting a new basket together every month.  The May basket is still underway, but watch the blog to get the first glimpse of the latest goodies.  As always, if you would like to enter the drawing, just let me know.  I just need name, address, phone, email, and due date.

24 hour Breast Feeding Helpline: 417-315-2135

Email: volckt@lpha.mopublic.org

Or stop by the Polk County Health Center.  I would love to talk with you!

Good luck and again congratulations go out to Jessica.

How can I tell if I'm not producing enough?

"How can I tell if I'm not producing enough? It felt like I wasn't producing milk or at least not very much milk over the weekend, my breast were not very heavy and [my baby] was constantly wanting to eat and she was very cranky. Do you think that was the problem?"

It sounds like you had a rough weekend and it may be stressing you out a little still.    But don’t worry this actually sounds like a growth spurt to me, and it is completely normal. 

     Around 3 weeks of age, baby will suddenly go through a growth spurt.  They may become cranky and it will feel like they just want to eat all of the time, especially during the hours of 6pm – 8pm.  You will probably not feel engorged.  Many moms have come to me in this situation with concerns that their milk is drying up.  I promise that that is not what is happening.  The best thing to do in this situation is just sit back and nurse.  The worst thing to do in this situation is to give baby a bottle of formula.  Right now baby is telling your body to increase the milk supply.  Every time she removes milk,  your body makes that much, plus a little more, to make sure there is enough milk for her as her appetite grows.  If you give her formula, her tummy gets full, but your body does not know she needs more milk and your milk supply will slowly decrease.  You should notice that the fussiness and constant nursing goes away in a few days and the two of you will get back on her normal schedule.  If you feel like you are still not making enough, start pumping about 30 minutes after a feeding and that will help increase your supply as well.  It is important to put baby to the breast first and always nurse more often than you pump in order to keep your supply up.  Also, don’t worry if you notice this happening again in a couple of weeks because babies often go through growth spurts at 6 weeks of age as well.  And then again at 3 months and 6 months.  It will be okay, I promise.  I hope  this answers your questions and gives you some peace.  If you need to call me, feel free the number is 417-315-2135.  And if it would make you feel better to come by and weigh her that is perfectly fine as well.  You don’t need an appointment, just drop by and the nurses or I will weigh her and show you how much she is gaining.

Luvs - Breastfeeding

I LOVE this Luvs commercial!!!!

Have you seen this one?  I don't have TV at my house so I miss out on a lot of the really funny commercials ( I also miss a lot of the crazy, sad, inappropriate stuff that seems to overwhelm the air ways - thus the no TV.  I am not a weirdo, I just choose to raise my kids in a world with as few bad examples as possible).  Anyway, someone shared this commercial with me the other day and it made me giggle.  Hopefully, you will get a kick out of it too.  Enjoy!

Bosom Beanies

Check out her Facebook page Bosom Beanies

Local Mom, Laura Reynolds has been hard at work making the cutest little hats for baby.  After all you wouldn't want their little heads to get cold.

Laura sells the hats for $15.00 and can make them in sizes ranging from newborn to toddler.  So they are not only adorable but also affordable.

Look for one of these to "Spring" up in the prize basket for April. 

Let me know what ya think.  Would you put one of these hats on your baby?  In a baby shower gift?

Pumping isn't the same as breastfeeding. Really?

 I don't own a citrus orchard.  If I need an orange, I cannot just go out to the back yard and pick one off of the tree.  So what is a girl to do when that craving hits?  When my body needs sweet, juicy, fiber rich, vitamin C, what can I possibly do?  You are probably thinking, "Go to the grocery store and buy some oranges, idiot!"  And you would be right.  But how appalled would you be if the produce manager at the store told me I didn't need oranges and instead sold me orange flavored gelatin and a vitamin C supplement?  You had better be pretty darn mad!

      Now you may be thinking, "Why on Earth is the Lactation Liaison talking about oranges on the breast feeding blog?"  Simply because I wanted to make a clear comparison to help folks better understand my views on formula vs breast milk.  (You see, you are the citrus orchard, the baby is the consumer, and the breast pump is the store). Breast milk is designed specifically to meet the nutritional and developmental needs of your baby.  The milk you produce varies from hour to hour, month to month, and even child to child.  It is not the same all of the time but it is exactly right.  There are over 200 things found in breast milk that cannot be duplicated.  So when your produce manager, (ahem, Doctor,nurse, friend, etc.) tells you formula is just as good as breast milk, you may want to do a little research. 

     So, what if I can't breast feed? I do understand that putting baby to the breast is not always an option. Babies are sometimes born with cleft palette. Milk supply can be affected by thyroid disorders, diabetes, smoking, etc.  Sometimes getting the latch-on just right, just doesn't happen.  Well girls, if you can't walk to the orchard, let's find another way to get the wholesomeness of oranges to you.  

Pumping is a great way to get breast milk to your baby.  I have heard the comment, "pumping isn't really breast feeding".  Really?  Well, I don't know what their goal in breast feeding was, but mine was to give my babies the best nutrition, vitamins, minerals that I could.  Pumping allows Mom to feed her baby a substance designed to meet the developmental needs of baby, even if it comes from a bottle.  If milk supply isn't enough to fill baby's tummy, you can always add breast milk to formula.  This will allow baby to get antibodies and the calories he needs.  Pumping can even help increase milk supply to a satisfying level for baby.  Remember, exclusively breast feeding baby is defined as baby receiving no other foods but breast milk.  Pumping is a great way to exclusively breast feed and is much less stressful than dealing with all the side effects of formula feeding.

March Prize

Need a boppy?  How about a cute little hat and bootie set?  Maybe you are looking for a nursing cover up so you can breast feed your baby whenever he is hungry and still maintain some discretion.  Well it is all included in this months prize basket along with some other goodies.  If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding Mom in the area, and would like to sign up for this months drawing, call me, text me, email me, comment on the blog, or just drop by the office.  We would love to see you and get you signed up.  Email: volckt@lpha.mopublic.org, BF Helpline: 417-315-2135 - Just let me know your name, address, phone number and due date.  Thanks and good luck!

What do Milkweeds have to do with breastfeeding?

Milkweeds belong to the family Asclepiadaceae, derived from Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine and healing.  Monarch butterflies are attracted to the plants and lay their eggs there.  The larvae  feed exclusively on milkweeds although it is poisonous to most other insects and animals.  As they grow, the plump, zebra striped caterpillars gorge themselves on the milkweed sap which, in turn, makes them poisonous to birds.  It was designed this way on purpose.

Breast feeding is designed to help baby grow and develop, in a protected safe environment.  Much like the milkweed, breast milk provides nourishment that baby couldn't get from any better source.  The antibodies in breast milk are similar to the protective properties the milkweeds sap offers caterpillars against being eaten by birds.  They help fight against colds, flu, ear infections, etc and many times Mom will not even know baby was about to be attacked by some kind of sickness because her antibodies have passed through the breast milk keeping baby happy healthy and whole. It was designed that way on purpose.

All this talk about caterpillars reminds me of a funny story that happened when my oldest daughter was about two years old. I hope you will get a kick out of it as well.

My Caterpillar

       It had been a long cold winter that year as a stay at home mom, I had begun to develop a serious case of cabin fever.  I was busy, but hadn't had the opportunity to get out and exercise like normal.  I always took a walk everyday and had really started to miss it.  I decided that Miss Abigail and I could go for a walk inside the local Wal-Mart store.  I bundled up my baby girl, jumped in the car and headed to the store.  

My Beautiful Butterfly

      I placed Abbi in the shopping cart and began walking a steady path around the perimeter of the store.  It wasn't long until she began complaining about sitting in the cart and begging to get down and walk too.  I tried distraction, bribery, and reasoning but nothing satisfied her. "Please Mama, let me walk.  I will go real fast.  I want to get down and walk too!!!"  Finally, I stopped the cart, took a deep breath and explained that she was just too little to get down and walk with Mama.  I explained that I was much bigger than she, and I would be walking too fast for her to keep up.  I ended the conversation by saying, " You are are going to have to grow a couple of feet before you can get down and walk beside Mama."  My darling girl looked up at me wide-eyed and a little afraid and said, "Am I going to be a caterpillar?"

Check out my Pinterest Board also named Milk Weeds.