But Gregory and I powered through for the first 4 weeks. Then, I started noticing that Gregory wasn’t satisfied when he was done nursing. He was also eating EVEN MORE food than he usually does, only happy once he’d gorged himself. And even then, he was fussy and hungry again an hour later.

Jesse and I came to the agreement/conclusion that perhaps my body wasn’t capable of fully feeding 3 people, all at the same time, especially when the all-day morning sickness took over. I was barely eating a normal day’s worth of food, much less enough to feed two children on top of that!

Side note: I know that the La Leche league is very adamant (even, dare I say it, judgemental?) about the fact that NOTHING gets in the way of breastfeeding, when done properly. Um, can I please meet these people? And tell them they are WRONG? I know my body, and I have worked hard at keeping my milk supply up this long. Sadly, the herbs that work best with my body (ex., Fenugreek) are NOT approved for pregnancy. They can actually cause miscarriage, seeing as they are uterine stimulants. So…do what I need to get my supply up, only to potentially hurt/kill my other baby? No. Sorry, LLL, not gonna risk it.

Anyways, at 10 1/2 months, he also wasn’t ready to start drinking cow’s milk. But every book/article I’ve read firmly states that a kid under the age of one should be getting at least 60% of their calories from milk.

So we decided to start supplementing with formula. It’s made me a bit sad, but mostly due to the fact that my little boy is growing up.

And, wow. He’s been such a different boy since we started supplementing. So much happier, so much sweeter and easier to work with…long and short, I’m very confident that it was the right decision. I’m glad that I’m able to swallow my pride and make the best choice for my baby! I’m glad I didn’t assume he was going through a “cranky phase”, instead recognizing that he was just HUNGRY! Hello, I’d be cranky and waking up all the time if my tummy was growling!

I’m still nursing G 2-3x/day, but I know that it won’t last forever. Everyone’s warned me– once you stop nursing full time, milk production goes waaay down, and quickly. But for now, it’s working. I nurse G in the morning when he wakes up (he’s so sweet and cuddly…:) ), at lunch time, and right before his night-time bottle.

One big downside? Enough formula to get us through just 6 weeks, giving him only 3-4 bottles a day (fulltime would be 6-8) is going to cost $200. YIKES-A-ROONEY!!!. I can’t imagine why parents would willingly opt for formula from the get-go! That’s an extra car payment every month, for something that could be free! Doesn’t make sense to me. That’s around $2,000 for a whole year of formula!

Anyways, done with boob talk. Well, maybe. No promises. If it comes up again, ever so slightly, don’t yak in disgust.

Looks like that day is already arriving! Apparently, they entertained one another for a long time yesterday!

Jesse's the one taking the pic, which is why G is looking at the camera. Jonathan was probably looking at Michael and turned at the last second. How sweet!

watching Topher

Pondering whether or not to eat the car. Notice, G's hand is living up to his nickname, "The Hummingbird".

"WOw, Jonathan! Is eating cars the secret to gaining weight?"

Secret language...apparently, they each got the memo!

Secret handshake

Laughing together, just like their dads!

Big belly vs. skinny arms

Later in the evening (when everyone had a bit to drink:) we all sang along while Jesse and Demetrios played Led Zepplin, Boston, Beatles, Eagles and even Jars of Clay! After a bit of practice in the other room, Jenny, Heather and I also sang three-part harmony to a Wailin’ Jennys song.

Topher learning how to stand

Jason and Jenny...how cute!

I am sure that I’m biased, but Topher just might be the cutest baby in the world.

He looks like such a little man in this one!

Love his facial expression in this one...

Untied shoelaces...love it...

I wonder what he's thinking...

Family Photo

We don’t know when exactly he started playing this game, but it happened recently- usually he just lets Clara lick him until she gets too rough.

But from the looks of this, you might think he’d never met a dog before!

So super cute

Courtney handing Christopher off to me

I am singing hymns to Christopher to prepare him for communion

Demetrios helping out

Apparently, Christ's body and blood tastes a little funny to Topher

Later on, we went out to Panera Bread with the Unruh family. While we were there, Topher woke up from his nap in one of the most cheerful and attentive states I have ever seen him.

This is how he woke up!

A good Christian picture, featuring his new cross and his baptism clothes

Teaching Topher how to pray!

Happy with Mommy

Except for Christopher.

I knew it was trouble when Courtney handed me Christopher and said, “He’s cranky and he hasn’t slept or eaten. Good luck!”

I’ve decided that I am going to write a list of precautions for any future godparents out there. Hopefully these will save you much grief.

Things Not To Do As A Godparent During the Baptism:

1. Don’t light your sweater on fire with your godchild’s candle.

2. Don’t juggle the baby’s pacifier 15 times behind the priest’s back.

3. Don’t let the pacifier get lost in the altar

4. Don’t worry about getting the baby comfortable- he’s nude and being dunked. He’s not going to be happy.

5. Don’t expect to regain your hearing until the next day.

Here are a few pictures.

I'm laughing at Christopher for scratching himself and screaming as a result

The only time Christopher decided to stop screaming was after he became a member of St. Seraphim

I am aware that this looks as though Fr. Joe dropped Christopher- however, this is just Courtney retrieving him after he was churched

The ending prayers