Nanny Deprived

Wake Up Baby!

2009-07-13T19:50:00.002-04:00

My world revolves around my daughter's naps. I love the fact that she naps so well and she's on such a great schedule. I shouldn't complain because I know some of my great readers, who have kids who hate to nap are probably putting a hex on me right now. BUT, I hate the fact that I'm stuck at home with my two older kids between the hours of 9-11 and 1:30-3:30. Thankfully I have just enough time to get out for lunch or a trip to the grocery store.

I hated seeing the end of naps for my older kids, but with that sadness came a sense of freedom. I no longer had to drive frantically home from a play date with the windows open and radio blaring (I know you've done it) to keep my toddler awake until we got home for nap time. I could peruse the mall and not care what time it was. We could linger at the grocery store or a friends house.

Not anymore. I've started all over with baby number 3 and what's worse is I'm back to two naps a day with two bored older kids. I know what you are thinking, just let her sleep in the car or stroller. Well, you haven't met "Angry Baby." When my baby gets off her schedule, she reverts to her old nick name. You don't want to feel the wrath of Angry Baby. So, I sit here for four hours a day, stir crazy, entertaining the older kids.

Not Your Average Snack

2009-07-12T20:25:00.006-04:00

I need to give a shout out to the food manufacturing industry. When my first daughter was born Gerber came out with Puffs, the little melt in your mouth snacks for babies. I thought those were the greatest thing in the world and so did she. I used to refer to them as "Baby Crack." Today my youngest daughter bats those away when she sees them. Those are nothing compared to the food that's out there today for babies.

It's wonderful. Gerber has made Melt Aways, little yogurt dried snacks that melt in your mouth. They also have Lil' Cruncher which are almost like a semi-nutritious cheese puff chip. My all time favorite snack are the Mum Mums which are like a puff shaped like a big stick. They are clean, and easy for the baby to hold. I love them.

As a busy mom of three with a very independant baby, I salute you food manufacturers. These snacks have given me time to unload the dishes from the dishwasher, put groceries away and check the occasional email. I love products that make my life a tad easier.

Mediocre Mom

2009-07-03T20:37:00.002-04:00

I got to watch 5 minutes of Oprah today. That's all of the allotted tv time I get these days between Hannah Montana and Noggin. I usually only get to tune in just to see the topic I'm going to miss before all of the complaints come rolling in.

Today they were discussing Motherhood. There were two perfect looking moms talking about the demands of motherhood and how so many moms weren't able to meet those demands and how most moms were not happy with their role.

It made me think about the amount of pressure put on moms these days. So many moms try to have the perfect kids and perfect life. They dress them all up and expect them to be angels. They drive them to every lesson known to man and expect them to succeed. They cook perfectly balanced meals and expect their kids to eat them. They make all the crafts, and have playgroups and playtime. They read all the expected books. But they can never achieve perfection. It's not possible.

I'm not out to be the perfect mom and I think if that's your goal, you're going to fail miserably. Those darn little kids get in the way of being able to be a perfect mom. I'm pretty happy with being a half-ass mom. I do the best I can and I laugh at the parts I'm not good at. For example, my cooking skills. I'm also really bad at reminding my kids to brush their teeth. I could go on and on.

My kids aren't going to be dressed perfectly with matching shoes and accessories. They aren't going to act properly all the time. They aren't going to succeed at every sport, or lesson known to man. They probably won't get perfect grades or always have their homework done on time. Lord knows, I'm not always going to be composed. But they will be loved and will know how to love and I think that's the most important thing I can do for them. They will also have a great sense of humor.

I'm glad I didn't get to see the whole hour of Oprah. I would rather let my kids watch too much tv and be a bad, happy mom than listen to the depressed overachievers who have failed at being perfect. My message for you? Strive for being mediocore mom and be happy. You'll be perfect in your kids eyes.

Why Can't I Finish the Laundry?

2009-06-26T10:25:00.003-04:00

Today I've decided to write about the vicious cycle of - one moment I need to refill some juice.

Where was I? Oh yes, the vicious cycle of laundry. Why is it that I never seem to be able to finish even one load a day? Oopps - hang on, I have a hiney that needs wiping.

I'm back. Sorry for that. Back to my discussion and deep thoughts. Oh wait, I hear the baby up from her nap. She's probably hungry.

Here I am again. Laundry. It's a vicious never-ending cycle that I hate. For some reason, I always forget to put the laundry in the dryer and when I return to it - the next day, it's all moldy smelling. So I normally have to wash it again.

Sorry for the interruption but I need to entertain my BORED kids. Maybe I'll tap dance for them. Geesh.

Alright, deep thoughts on laundry. Dang it - now the kids want lunch. Off to spoon feed the baby just to have her spit it out at me and laugh which creates more laundry.

Back again. I think I'm just going to forget about the laundry for today. And about writing about laundry. It just isn't that important today.

Strage Encounters

2009-06-24T09:25:00.002-04:00

I had two strange encounters with strangers this past week. The first started one morning when I was completely without kids just running a few errands. I decided to go visit my hang out, Dunkin Doughnuts. I bought some doughnuts for the kids, some bagels for myself and my husband and two coffees. I was walking out to my car and a woman stopped me and asked if I needed help.

Most people would be thankful which I was. But I was also shocked that someone stopped to try to help me when I simply had my hands full. I felt like telling her, "I'm a mom of three, this is nothing."

Now last night, I had more than my hands full. I took my kids to IHOP for dinner by myself. Everything went great until we finished and my son told me he needed to go potty. I grabbed the baby and my older daughter and we went to the restroom. Both older kids went into a stall and I just had that feeling in my stomach this was going to end badly. About two minutes later I heard, "Mommy, I pooped. You need to wipe my butt." At that moment, a woman entered the bathroom. I said to her, "Can you hold my baby while I wipe my son's butt?" She was a little taken aback by my rashness but she smiled and held out her arms for my daughter.

It was weird of me. I know that. You normally don't throw your baby at a stranger but desprite times call for desprite measures. It was that or sit my baby down on the floor of the bathroom. What would you have done?

It's strange to have the help of strangers. I almost feel offended when people offer me help and I don't need it yet, I'm so thankful when I find people willing to help out when I do need it. It is nice to know that there are nice, helpful people in the world. Especially for a mom of three with a son with a poopy butt.

Toot My Own Horn

2009-06-21T22:09:00.009-04:00

Not to toot my own horn but I wanted to share some new products Nanny Deprived has just started selling. I think these are ingenious, both invented and produced by moms, of course.

In every playgroup there is one. I like to refer to them as "The Cup Snatcher." You know what I'm talking about. The kid who likes to take a sip out of everyone else's cup. I'm not sure why they do it. Maybe it's curiosity or maybe they just don't know which cup is theirs. If you own a "Cup Snatcher", or are in a playgroup with one, then this product is for you.

These little plastic bands known as BumpyName Orbit Labels by Inchbug, and are engraved with your own personalization and stretch to fit on any baby bottle, sippy cup, sports bottle and anything in between. Fully microwavable and dishwasher safe, they come in four different colors and are only $12.95 for a 4 pack. It's a super idea for kids who go to daycare, playgroups or anywhere there may be other kids around. The bands allow your child to know and recognize their own cup easily.

Our next momtastic product is Reusable Sandwich or Snack Bags by Resnackit. Available in two sizes and many fabric choices, these bags are lined, washable and oh so cute. Great for sandwiches, chips, goldfish, bagels, crayons, small game cartridges, makeup or anything else you would nomally throw in a ziploc bag. Most moms spend over $300 a year on plastic sandwich bags. Save yourself some money and help out the planet by purchasing some reusable bags.

There you have it. Some fantastic products to help every mom be more momtastic! We'll continue to work hard to find more fun and functional products for moms!

Nicadism

2009-06-16T20:28:00.001-04:00

I left a comment on a friends blog today and Nicadism was the "word" I had to enter for the word verification. It left me wondering...what is Nicadism?

Perhaps its a condition where you chronically cut yourself during shaving leaving nics all over. Or maybe it's a medical condition where you have a blockage of brain functions due to watching too much Nickelodeon. Could it be the act of over dosing on Nicoderm gum? I like to think of it as a very quick trip to Nicaragua.

I think I may need to go back to work soon.

Why Do We Do This?

2009-06-14T20:15:00.000-04:00

Going out to eat with three kids is pure hell. I don't know why I continue to put myself through this hell. Come Friday, I want to go out. Come Friday night, I vow to never do it again. It's a vicious cycle I can't break. It reminds me a lot of my drinking binges in college except there is little alcohol involved.

My husband and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at our old favorite restaurant - Bahama Breeze. Having no family nearby or good babysitters on hand, we decided to bring the kids and sit outside near the bar. We thought it would be less formal and easier with the kids. Once my son's slushie hit the ground and burst, I could sense the hate in the room aimed at me and my family. All the happy hour, working class, 20-something kids were staring at us with pure hate. I could tell they wanted our loud kids and screaming baby out of their space.

So, it's back to Fudruckers, Chuck-E-Cheese and on special nights, Chili's for us. Having a video game on the premises is a requirement in our dining establishments. If there are no waitresses or waiters, that's an even bigger plus. The menu must consist of some sort of deep fried chicken and fries or else it's just not within our scope.

Maybe for our 16th anniversary we can try Bahama Breeze again. Without kids. And with lots of alcohol.

The Magic of the Magic Eraser

2009-06-11T12:37:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine mentioned that she needed to clean her baseboards of her house. I had an instant heart attack realizing that you are supposed to do that. For weeks it's been on my mind. One of those things on your to-do list you can't get rid of.

Today my 5 year old started complaining about how she was so bored. There was nothing to do. At that second, a light bulb went off. I showed her the "coolest thing ever" - the Magic Eraser. I told her how it was awesome at cleaning off dirt. I gave her a bucket full of warm water and some cleaning solution and the magic eraser and told her to try it out on the baseboards.

As I type, she's half way around the kitchen talking about how great it works. She has even asked if she can wipe the stains off the pantry door. I'm silently snickering to myself about how gullible she is. She hasn't realized she's been bamboozled into doing my dirty job. It's moments like this you realize how great having kids can be!

100th Post!

2009-06-09T22:36:00.002-04:00

This celebrates my blogs 100th post!

I feel like I should bake a big cake or something like they do on t.v. when series get to their 100th episode. Only thing is I'm too tired to bake or do anything special. I've spent all day pinning my kids down to squirt pink eye drops into their eyes. I also had a fun trip to the vet to pick up my dogs. Nothing like driving down the highway with three kids and two dogs. It's even more fun when one dog jumps in the baby's lap while your driving. Chaos. Pure and simple chaos. But then, that's what my blog is all about.

So, I'll take the easy road and invite you to read some of my favorite posts. Nothing like recapping as an easy way out.

Check these out:

The difference between the first and third baby

My followers

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

Toddler Boot Camp

Naughty Kid Photo Contest Entry Page

2009-06-09T18:20:00.026-04:00

Click here to see the current contest!

We don't want to see your cute kids...we want to see your naughty kids. Show us a time when you were truly "Nanny Deprived"!

HOW TO ENTER: Email one photo of your child during a naughty moment. Please include your name, email, and caption. If your photo is chosen to be in the contest it will stay on the Nanny Deprived Photo Contest page during the duration of the contest. Please email to: nannydeprived (at) gmail.com and write Photo Contest in the subject line.

HOW IT WORKS: A poll will be set up during the set contest time period and viewers will be able to vote for the best "Nanny Deprived" photo. The contestant with the most votes at the end of the contest time will be the winner.

WHAT YOU WIN: The winning parent will get their choice of a Nanny Deprived T-Shirt to properly flaunt the fact that they are indeed, Nanny Deprived. They will also get bragging rights that they have a truly naughty kid.

FINE PRINT: The contest dates will be set once we have enough pictures participating. After you enter, you'll receive an email with more information regarding voting, dates, prizes etc.

This contest will run from June 15th until July 6th. The winner will be the photo with the most votes on July 6th at noon EST (we can't stay up till midnight). The proud owner of the "Naughty Kid" will win their choice of a Nanny Deprived non-bling Mom T-shirt or a custom t-shirt made with the winning picture.

Glass Slippers Ain't so Shiny

2009-06-07T21:28:00.003-04:00

Today I spent 45 minutes digging Georgia clay out of Cinderella's glass slippers.

Before I begin on my tangent I'd like to acknowledge my daughter who thought the plastic shoes would be the perfect foot ware for digging up worms. I'd also like to thank Disney World who decided it would be tons of fun to imprint the Pumpkin Carriage in tedious detail on the bottom of the glass slippers. I just love the hollow cylinders in the heel which are at least an inch deep. The dirt, clay and dog poop just fit in there so perfectly.

Of course I couldn't throw out the shoes which is what I really wanted to do. I know I probably was suckered into spending an arm and a leg for them. Of course we had to buy them to match the dress, tiara, earrings, and wand. No princess outfit is complete without them. And with a second daughter soon to be infatuated with Princesses I knew I had to keep digging away.

And so there I stood, with my tiny screwdriver and hot water, cursing myself for buying them and shooting dirty looks at my daughter who was oblivious. At least they are all shiny and ready for the next worm adventure.

Mommy Math

2009-05-29T20:12:00.002-04:00

Some Mommy Equations for your enjoyment:

5 hours at the pool = 3 kids asleep before 6 pm.

3 kids + 2 dogs + 1 traveling husband = 1 exhausted mommy

3 meals a day X (1 baby + 1 toddler who eats anything + 1 Kindergartner who won't eat anything + 1 mom trying to loose weight + 1 dad trying to gain weight) = 15 separate meals a day cooked.

3 kids each wear an average of 2 outfits a day. 1 mommy wears two outfits a day due to babyspit. 1 Daddy wears 2 outfits a day. How many loads of laundry must be done a day to keep up? Answer: 14

If each of three kids can get out 1 toy every three minutes, how many toys are out after and hour? I can't answer because I'm too busy cleaning up toys.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

2009-05-24T19:47:00.004-04:00

I've been awarded the One Fine Blog Award by these fine blogs:
Popular Baby Products
Marielynne Boutique Blog
Little Miss Julia Blog
Cool Stuff for Dads (I like to think of this website as my website's other half!)

I thank them for their generosity in thinking of me and my humble blog.

I'd like to take a moment to thank my super crazy kids for the motivation in my writing. I'd like to thank my husband for knocking me up to produce those kids who are the motivation of my writing. I'd like to thank my Dad for sending me to college where I met my husband who knocked me up and gave me my kids which are my motivation. I'll just stop there.

I would also like to thank my 38 followers! WOOT! I still have a special place in my heart for my original 6 who were there with me through thick and thin after my blog make-over recovery. It was a tough time and they were the most supportive group of strangers I'll ever not know. But I'm very pleased with all the great comments that fill my inbox from my followers. You all give me a chuckle every day!

I'm off to go think of something to write about. I feel a little haiku coming on...

Nanny Deprived Photo Contest

2009-05-20T11:00:00.020-04:00

We are tired of cute kids plastered everywhere. We want to see the disgusting, naughty, angry and ugly kids. That's what being Nanny Deprived is all about.

This contest will run from June 15th until July 6th. The winner will be the photo with the most votes on July 6th at noon EST (we can't stay up till midnight). The proud owner of the "Naughty Kid" will win their choice of a Nanny Deprived non-bling Mom T-shirt or a custom t-shirt made with the winning picture.

Congratulations to Entry #3! The first winner of our contest! We will contact you shortly about your prize.

If you have a naughty kid picture and want to enter the next contest, please find all of the information here.

This contest is now over. Entry #3 was the winner with 75 votes!

Entry #1 Emily "I just hit the formula JACKPOT!"

Entry #2 Mackenzie "I don't see any paint."

Entry #3 Sarai "Ice cream makes great hair gel!"

Entry #4 Gum wrapped around neck! "I waited 4 years for this!"

Entry #5 Laura Mae "Self Haircut"

Entry #6 "Look Mama - Santa brought me a Sharpie for Christmas."

Entry #7 Logan "Caught Red Handed!"

Entry #8 "I just finished the laundry for you."

Feel free to vote daily! Be sure to enter your own picture here !

Help us promote our Naughty Kid Photo Contest by clicking below!

I'm Exhausted

2009-05-18T13:20:00.002-04:00

This past week I've gone through preschool pirate parties, park field trips, field day, teacher gifts, snack duty for the end of the year party and one last soccer party. I'm going to throw a "The Parties are over Party". That's something to be excited about.

It's a good thing summer break is coming so I can sit and do nothing. I wish.

My Mommy Nemesis

2009-05-13T20:38:00.003-04:00

If there is one thing I hate more than anything about my job as mommy, it's juice box straw wrappers. Those little plastic wrappers that go around the straws plague me. First of all, they are impossible to get the straw out of. Second, I find them everywhere. I've found them in the washing machine, my bed, my shoes and always in my pockets. The strange thing is that I rarely give my kids juice boxes. Every time I turn around one is staring at me from some random place. Somehow they never make it to the garbage and end up taking over my life. I'll be so happy when my kids are done with juice boxes and on to guzzling soda just so I won't have to scrape those wrappers off of the lint screen in the dryer.

What's your "Mommy Nemesis"?

Crusing with Kids

2009-05-09T20:21:00.003-04:00

I am both the pilot and stewardess of my minivan. Not only do I navigate U-turns but I'm often opening a bag of chips at the very same time. I amaze myself. I have mastered changing the DVD for inflight viewing in the exact amount of time it takes to sit at a red light. I can mix up a sippy cup full of strawberry milk while merging onto the interstate. Everyone has their proper beverage, snack and entertainment in my car. Only happy passengers here.

Dangerous you say? Survival I say. Dangerous is driving with kids screaming behind you. I'm all about making them happy while I'm driving. I have my own little beverage cart set up in the passenger seat with drinks, snacks and anything else that will keep them happy for the amount of time I need to drive. I can throw back a snack with percise accuracy. Even the baby has a mountain of toys and pacifiers attached to her car seat. Happy passengers equals happy pilots.

I Sleep Around

2009-05-04T20:04:00.000-04:00

Around my house that is. I frequently bed hop at night hitting a few rooms for a few hours. It's a great party consisting of being startled awake, being kicked in the stomach, rubbing backs, and the occasional vomit. I never know where I'm going to wake up. It's my occupational hazard.

After baby one, hubby and I decided to not allow kids in our bed. Instead our kids have large beds where we can lay with them and comfort them if they need it. You put a three year old with growing pains and a horrible fear that the house will be sucked into outer space, a five year old with school anxiety, and a newborn together and you get many sleepless nights. It's the old musical beds here. Gotta love it!

My Secret Papers

2009-04-27T08:29:00.000-04:00

I have a stash of secret papers. They are beautiful multi-colored papers folded in half hidden in the last months of my calendar. Once in awhile I feel compelled to just get up and go look at them, maybe caress them a little. I'm like a distressed cougar whenever anyone gets too close. I'm ready to strike at a moments notice. What are these papers you are wondering? They are all the summer camp flyers that have been sent home this past month.

I have the county parks summer camp schedule always minimized on my computer. I pull it up occasionally just to check the openings at the camps my kids are going to go to. Just making sure there is still availability. I'm just waiting for everything to fall into place before registering them. I need to have the right amount of money, friends enrolled for carpool etc. Soon, any day now, my kids will be registered at as many camps as I can find and afford. Sanity.

A Trip to the Dr.'s Office

2009-04-24T14:45:00.008-04:00

It's that time again. Time for a well visit for my baby. I loathe going to the Dr. There is something about being closed in a tiny room with my kids that makes me sweat just thinking about it.

Somehow I always manage to schedule appointments right smack dab in the middle of naptime or when the baby should be hungry. Even with my gigantic Mary Poppins magic diaper bag stocked full of everything ever needed for a baby and a toddler, something always seems to go wrong.

I was that parent in the waiting room that everyone likes to stare at with the screaming baby and insanely loud toddler asking strange questions. You know that parent. There's always one there that seems to be the entertainment for the rest. I was her.

My son kept asking why we couldn't go into the sick side of the waiting room. I'd quietly explain and then he'd point at the people over there and say very loudly (the only way he can talk) "Those people are sick and have germs." I immediately began thinking, "where the hell is the nurse?" "We've been here for 20 minutes."

Of course by now the baby is full on screaming because she's hungry but I'm not about to whip it out in front of my audience. So I continue to try to bounce the baby and distract my pointing son. I start pulling out video games, snacks and pacifiers which is right when the nurse comes to call us. Of course.

And so we go to that forbidden room. They shut the door with a, "The Dr. will be right in." Yeah, and my name is Mary Poppins. I start reading the same ripped book that was there last time I came, 3 months ago. That poor book. I bet it's been read out of desperation so many times.

I hear the Dr outside and I decide to use my emergency plan and shove a sucker in my son's mouth so he won't talk. The plan worked like a charm. Score one for mommy.

Meanwhile I've got the now hysterically tired and hungry baby. The Dr. comes in and tries to examine her while making shushing noises which I know isn't going to work. She eventually stops the noises and her attempts to quiet the baby and starts examining her at lightning speed. All is well. Now we wait for the shots. Good fun.

Fifty five minutes, two suckers, and three shots later I run out of the office safe for another three months.

Personal Hygene

2009-04-23T20:02:00.003-04:00

I'm beginning to rethink my personal hygene schedule. I've always showered in the morning to begin my day. But as I sit here after putting all the kids to bed I'm starting to wonder why it is I do that.

Right now I'm covered in regurgitated blueberries and apples all over my shirt. I have actual splatter marks on my sweat pants from where the baby threw up while I was standing up holding her. I was so impressed with the babies power I showed my husband who just looked at me in astonisment trying to figure out why I was showing him that.

I'm pretty sure I have poop in my hair too. I moved some hair out of my face while changing the baby only to notice minutes later my hands were dirty. I've also got some blood on my hands from where I covered up my son's road rash while carrying him inside after crashing on the pavement.

Yeah, I'm going to take a shower now.

I'm So, So Sorry Little Catapillars!

2009-04-20T16:51:00.003-04:00

My kids have adopted about 4 caterpillars they have found. They feel they need to "raise" them. I have great caterpillar guilt. I know what's going to eventually happen to those poor little creatures yet they are keeping my kids so entertained. Do I set them free tonight after the kids go to bed or let them succumb to their inevitable fate? One is already "sleeping". He may be a gonner already. What to do?

Cupcakes

2009-04-18T22:10:00.004-04:00

I've had a cupcake filled weekend already. As I just polished off one last cupcake a friend made me take home, I decided that I need to work on making better cupcakes. I think that's in the Mom Code somewhere. "Every mom needs to make extraordinary cupcakes for all major events and school functions". The Mom Code also states every mom must shop at Target on Fridays. One of these days I'll get around to writing down the Mom Code.

Anyway, one of my friends had this handy little cupcake carrier with an awesome lid and room to fit 24 cupcakes in it. It had a handle on the lid and everything. I was envious. I've also seen a book, at Target no less, on how to decorate cupcakes into almost anything. I'm putting that book and that cupcake carrier on my list for next Friday and I'm going to bake the craziest batch of cupcakes that book has in it. I'll also be wearing my cupcake apron from my store! I'm going to do this mom thing right, damn it.

The Stages of Breastfeeding

2009-04-14T08:19:00.000-04:00

I'm by no means an expert on breastfeeding. I failed miserably with my first baby. My second breastfed for 14 months and I'm currently breastfeeding my 5 month old. I don't judge those who choose not to breastfeed. I totally understand.

From my experiences here are the stages of breastfeeding.

Stage 1 - OUCH - This stage occurs during the first two weeks of babies life. If you can make it through this stage, you can do anything humanly possible. Putting an extremely sensitive part of your body into a sucking machine is not fun. I won't go into the gross things that can happen but think blisters.

Stage 2 - DOUBT - I believe every nursing mom goes through this stage. Your baby will go through a growth spurt and be fussy and crazy demanding milk. You'll doubt your supply, start googling like crazy and buying Feengreek and Mother's Milk Tea (which is actually pretty tasty), and trying other really crazy things to increase your supply. By the time you start consuming all of this stuff, you body will be producing enough milk to keep baby happy through the growth spurt.

Stage 3 -SLEEP - It's a memorable night. You lay awake waiting and wondering. "What's going on?" "Has something happened?" You crank the monitor up listening for breathing or any little noise. You're breasts are so full you won't chance moving because you're afraid you'll spray milk across the room. Your baby has slept all night without breastfeeding.

Stage 4 - ALERT - You'll be nursing away and suddenly the baby will turn his/her head to see something going on, forgetting to let go of your breast, yanking it around. Your baby starts to take interest to the world around him while nursing. The baby will continue to do this over and over causing pain and much frustration. This is especially fun while trying to nurse discreetly in public.

Stage 5 - TEETH - Back to ouch. I think every baby just wants to test that new tooth out at least once. One good chomp is all it takes to make you really doubt this whole breastfeeding thing. But yet, time after time, we, as moms continue to keep putting our breast back into those gangly tooth covered mouths bite marks and all.

Stage 6 - WEANING- I'm not sure who this is harder for. Mom's have endured the above stages and even after all of that have enjoyed the experience of breastfeeding. After all the tears from plug ducts, mastitis, and bite marks; and the hours of laying awake resenting your husband for not lactating you find it hard to stop.

There must be something really magical and special about breastfeeding to make woman endure it for months, a year or even longer. That or in my case, I just really hate washing bottles. :)