My mommy makes milk, what's your super power?

In observance of National Breastfeeding month of August (even though it's almost over)... I wanted to give you a tidbit of information about my feeding source. Did you know that by breastfeeding me, my mommy is helping reduce the risk of me getting CANCER? Yep, that's right... it helps to reduce the risk of Leukemia and Hodgkins Disease... among a million other things. It also helps reduce the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer for my mommy. Here's a list of 101 reasons to breastfeed your children.. 101 reasons to breastfeed your baby. Unfortunately the US is severely lacking in the breastfeeding department. We are so far behind other countries with the number of babies who are breastfed. If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant I hope that you can give your child the same gift that I've gotten from my mommy. The best part about it is that it is FREE!! Give it some thought and consideration. Here are a few more little bits of interesting info for your reading pleasure:

• Formula feeding increases the mother’s risk of breast cancer
• Formula feeding increases a baby girls’ risk of developing breast cancer in later life
• Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby’s immune system
• Breastfeeding satisfies baby’s emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby
• Formula feeding increases mother’s risk of developing ovarian cancer
• The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
• Breastfeeding protects against Crohn’s disease (intestinal disorder)
• Formula feeding increases risk of children developing diabetes
• Breastfeeding baby helps decrease insulin requirements in diabetic mothers
• Breastfeeding may help stabilize progress of maternal endometriosis
• Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
• Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
• Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections
• And on and on and on….

Okay a little bit more that was borrowed from Kristen (Villanueve Trost)... THANKS KRISTEN!

1. The world average for breastfeeding is 4.2 years.
2. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that babies be breastfed for at least 2 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics only recommends 1 year.
3. Only about 12% of babies in the US are exclusively breastfed (no solids or supplementation) for the first 6 months.
4. The % of babies breastfed, for any length of time, in the US is rising.
5. In the US, 39 states have laws with language specifically allowing them to breastfeed in any public or private place. Texas is one of them.
6. 21 states have laws specific to breastfeeding in the workplace. Texas is one of them.
7. 10 states exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty.

It's not easy in the beginning... but it's so worth it and it just gets better and better as time goes on...

Still kickin' butt!

I got my umpteenth conformer yesterday. I actually have lost count! All I know is that I am making some serious progress on my eye socket. When we started with Mr. Wenske the opening to my left eye was probably about 2 centimeters. Now it's very close to being the same as my right eye. What Mr. Wenske has done for me so far is truly amazing. And to think that "they" said that we just couldn't do ANYTHING until I was older! Thank goodness I knew better. Just a reminder to everyone who is reading this, anything is possible! Don't give up just because one or two or even 10 people say that it can't be done! A lot of faith and persistence will get you a long way! (And a great ocularist of course!)

Even though I cry a lot when Mr. Wenske is taking out my old conformers and putting in my new ones, I know it's for the best. I always like to smile at him after we're done and yesterday I even game him a squeeze. I sure hope that he realizes how much I appreciate him! He rocks!

Hook 'Em!

Ok so I am totally excited about this weekend. I'm not sure why at this point, but all I know is that mommy and daddy say that they love watching our Texas Longhorn football team. I haven't quite perfected the "hook 'em" sign, but I'm sure trying. Apparently football is really big in this great state that I live in. I'm pumped to see what all the hoopla is about. I'm wearing some of my longhorn gear today to get ready. Now my mommy just needs to find me a Dallas Cowboys outfit and we'll be set! Apparently we love the Cowboys too!

Yes mom, you need to use the straps!

My mom thought that she didn't need to strap me in my high chair... well look what happened when she didn't! Hopefully I taught her a lesson!
My mom and daddy signed a contract on a new house! They are going to close on September 12... same day that they're closing on our current house. They seem to be a bit stressed out about that, but I don't think it's a big deal. We are moving out into the country. I am so excited! We will now have an acre and a half to play on. There are even big cows that travel right passed our back yard. I wish we were already all moved in, but it will be here soon enough!

More pictures of an Angel...

Prayers needed

Sweet, sweet Abigail has passed away. She had a short, but action-packed and fulfilling life. She was blessed with a fabulous set of parents, who strived to live each day to the fullest. She saw so many things and met so many people in her nearly 3 months here on earth, and will now be a tiny and perfect little angel above.

Her parents are in need of your prayers. Jay (Abigail's daddy) is out of state and so extra prayers are needed for Lauren and Jay to quickly be reunited.

I had the pleasure of having dinner with Abigail (her first girls' night!) and her mamma along with Chelsea on Thursday. She is such a sweet little lady and I feel blessed to have gotten the chance to hold her and meet her. She was an angel the entire time we were at dinner. (And you guys know that we can talk!) Her parents are amazing (and I do mean amazing!!) and will certainly need all of the support that they can have in these trying times. Please remember the Warren family in your thoughts and prayers.

This is not a Yolk!

Like brother, like brother. Well we found out on Wednesday that I am allergic to egg yolks, just like Kayson was. Thank goodness he outgrew it and hopefully I will too. Oh I got to make this extra fun for my mommy! She is good with poop you see, but not so much with vomit. Did I ever break her in! I probably vomited about 8 times all in a row (including on the way to the doctor and also once I arrived there). Then when daddy joined us there I let 'er rip out of the other end! Thank goodness my nana was able to get me right in to see the doctor (she's a nurse you see.) Well I'll tell you what that doctor started talking about suppositories and somehow I was cured! There is no way I want ANYTHING stuck into my hiney! I was fine for the rest of the day, fhew! Well I say fine... after that we went to see Mr. Wenske and we had to put my conformer in and out several times, and I was not happy. We were in San Antonio with him and waiting for my eye to be made for over 4 hours! I was a trooper though, as usual. Then the next evening I started running a fever so we were back at the doctor on Thursday morning.... but she said I just must have a cold, no infection. They tested my tee tee. So I'm feeling much better now! I am also on the verge of having four teeth! Yep my top two teeth are soon to make their debut. Oh and get this... I only weigh 18 lbs. 14 ozs. these days! I guess ever since mommy closed the all night buffet, I've lost a bit of weight, not to mention I'm still a crawlin' everywhere.

Fun in Arkansas!

We had our first long-distance adventure this past weekend. My mommy, Kayson and papa and pamaw loaded up in the Neon, YES Neon and drove to Arkansas. It was a 12-hour drive, and I was a great boy and so was Kayson! I sure missed my daddy though. While we were there I got to sit in a John Deere tractor, on a Harley and I saw my great grandparents' farm for the first time. Kayson had a blast with our cousin Cameron. He is one year older that Kayson, and he showed him the ropes of country living. They got to ride the 4-wheeler and even drive a car. (Don't worry it was on the farm, not on the streets!) We got to be spoiled by our Aunt Mary & Uncle Charles. And we saw our Aunt Shirley and cousins Curtis and Clay too. It was a lot of fun, next time I'm riding the 4-wheeler too! Thank you so much for the great hospitality Aunt Mary and Uncle Charles, everything was perfect!