Dear Molars...

Dear Molars,
We need to talk.  I know you think you are so special with your ability to chew bacon and taffy and steak, but let me tell you, we could probably get by just fine with just our incisors.  Maybe if you came with some sort of rewards or incentive plan - like cash or toys, you would be more fun and we would be more motivated to deal with you.  All we get from you is a ridiculous amount of drool and a screaming, fussy baby.  If you ever been a parent before, molars, you would know that that's not fun AT ALL.  My son is clearly in pain and my mama bear instinct tells me that I must defend my poor, innocent little one.  Maybe if you took after the people who invented the best way to rip off a band aid, you would be better - just make it quick and put my poor son out of his misery.  Is that too much to ask?

Sincerely,
Stephanie aka William's mom

The Dreaded Teething....

Everyone knows it happens - the drool, the crying, the teething rings, infant Tylenol.  All being the tell-tale signs of teething.  It's a new phase of motherhood.  A phase I lovingly have begun to call salt-water-taffy-nipples. 

Recently, during a trip to visit my parents, my mother watched lil' man and commented on how rough he was while taking a bottle - practically chewing on the bottle nipple.  She made a remark about how swollen his gums were and how much that would hurt me.  Umm...yuh-huh....I'm aware. 

I love nursing.  I have exclusively been breastfeeding lil' man since he was born.  It's been amazing.  When I was pregnant I knew teething would come, however I was just considering the long nights of crying....not nipples that become chewing gum for my adorable baby.  Who knew it was possible for nipples to stretch that far?  Yeah....not cool.

I have made it this long nursing;  I am determined to stick this out.  I've made it through all the long nights at the beginning.  I've made it through a bout of mastitis.  I've made it while working full-time, pumping twice (or more) a day.  I've made it through the stage of being soaked in milk in public.  I've given up caffeine and nuts (upset lil' man).  With the exception of a few times, I haven't really drank alcohol in 9 months of pregnancy plus six months since William was born. 

I will make it through this.....nipples intact hopefully.

I'm completely open for any suggestions, mommies out there.