"My baby ate my homework."

It's official...being a full-time student, GQ's mommy, a doting fiancé, a loving daughter & a conscientious friend is time consuming...AND I LOVE IT. It's taken me a few weeks to get settled into my new routine, but now that I know I can get everything accomplished I feel relieved. I've always had a knack for time management, but balancing life as an adult is totally different than balancing life as a teen or 20-something. Reviewing flashcards in between naps or loads of laundry is my new favorite pastime. Studying for an exam or taking a practice test while breastfeeding is an experience that I am embracing as my new normal. It's also very empowering to know that I have an amazing support system in place. My fiancé has been amazing...even more than usual...by changing his schedule to accommodate my early class schedule & allowing for one-on-one time w/GQ. They love sleeping in & daddy/son playtime...& I love that they're bonding. My mom has also opened her schedule and watches our little human on my other two class days. I'm not blind to the fact that she LOVES spending all this time with him, but it's a commitment that I will forever be grateful to her for. Bottom line...I'm confident I got this whole school thing down & it's because I'm not doing it alone. 

"My baby ate my homework." 

Babywearing for the win.

In honor of International Babywearing Week I would like to share why I love babywearing. The reasons are plentiful, so I'll limit it to 4:

1. Proximity. I love having my favorite lil'human as close as possible. Whether in our Ergo or wrapped up in the Ellaroo, he's close enough to kiss, nuzzle, whisper to, makes faces at, hug, dance around with...in short - enjoy life. Even when he's in a back carry, he can see what's going on and be included in whatever I'm doing. 

2. Hands-free. I honesty don't know what I'd do without babywearing for this reason alone. I can breastfeed, cook, pickup around the house, fold laundry & now do homework all thanks to babywearing. GQ is super content and so am I. Nevermind the fact that I usually just bounce and sway while talking to him. 

3. Meals on heels. Breastfeeding while wearing GQ has become second nature and normalizing breastfeeding is just a silent bonus. Without speaking a word...we're making a statement. We've mastered the art of nursing in public and even though I don't mind if we're covered or not, babywearing has made our nursing journey a very discrete experience. Whether shopping at the grocery store or outside for a walk, GQ can nurse and no one is the wiser. It brings me great joy knowing that my son is full-bellied & smiley all because his next meal is only a simple "tug of my shirt" away. 

4. 100% stroller-free. (When we want to be.) I love that we hardly ever have to worry about including this piece of baby equipment. In the 9+ months since GQ has arrived, I've brought his stroller with us a total of 0 (yes ZERO) times. In fact, it sat unused in our garage until last week when I brought it to my parent's house.  They plan on taking GQ on "walking adventures" while I'm at school and I think that's an excellent reason to use a stroller. Our jogging stroller on the other hand, gets used almost daily. Whether on a brisk walk or jog, GQ loves rolling along in his Schwinn. *Babywearing is NOT suggested for jogging because the bouncing motion causes unwanted stress to a babies joints, neck & back. 

Like I said, the reasons I love babywearing are plentiful...but those are just a few for now. I'm looking forward to all the babywearing adventures the future has in store for us. Just like our breastfeeding journey, I don't see an end in sight and for that I say "Babywearing for the win!"

Lysol and coffee don't mix.

As the clock ticks down to my first day of school (less than 48 hours,) we're navigating GQ's first bout with sickness. After a long night of fighting a fever and an early morning waking up to a runny nose and a cough, the doctor gave us the diagnosis. Our poor little human contracted RSV (*respiratory syncytial virus) over the weekend and it's absolutely heartbreaking to feel this helpless. The good news is that he's an exclusively breastfed baby, therefore shortening the duration he'll have to deal with this nasty virus. ** Breastfeeding for the win. Even better news is that I only have one lab class this week and will only have to be apart from him for 3 hours. I'm saddened just thinking about it, but I know we'll both survive. It could always be worse, he could have the flu.

I'd like to share a tidbit of advice though...Lysol and coffee don't mix. (You're welcome.) Immediately upon returning home from the pediatricians, I covered every surface in our house w/a layer of disinfectant. The dogs look pissed, but I'm confident I've killed any remnant of "daddy's" funk. Keeping our little human hydrated and as comfy as possible is all I'm focused on today. Lots of snuggles and naps, doctor's orders. 

Sweet dreams and healing vibes...

* http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/rsv.html

** http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1442-200X.2009.02877.x/abstract;jsessionid=FC434EB659DD2BD68E86671D65674511.f04t03?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false