Hey guys, I'm back. I took a bit of a social media fast. I decided I needed to spend more time living life and enjoying Brielle, and less time on my phone, checking up on everyone else's life. It was really nice but I did miss some of my favourite blogs &I their updates. Anyways so so many things have happened. Some stuff with my relationship were super stressful, I won't go into more detail but things are figured out and better then ever and I'm really happy. We also moved! Out of the tiny basement 'suite' (basically a small room with a bathroom and sink) into a much bigger basement suite and I'm so happy! We had to do a ton of renovations and are still not finished with painting and the floors being finished and everything but I'm so excited for everything to be done. Bri is getting huge. She's 8 1/2 months now and started crawling a few weeks ago and literally does not stop moving now. It's crazy. Time is going by so fast 💖

The cuteness you didn't even know you needed. A girl and her puppies.

Had a play date today with our August Momma's group. Joining that group over a year ago was the best thing ever. I almost feel like I know some of the moms I've never even met, and it alleviates boredom, plus any questions I have are answered. I love my August group.

I'm SO done being shamed for having made the decision to formula feed. I tried to breastfeed. I tried my best, and I tried harder then I probably even should have. 2 hour trips weekly to lactation consultants, extra doctors appointments and weigh ins, losing my entire days to feeding, then pumping, then cleaning bottles, then feeding again. Lactation cookies, ovaltine, lactation smoothies, power pumping, skin to skin, more water. I tried everything in my power to breastfeed, and still, my daughter was not gaining weight. We went an entire month without her gaining a single ounce. My daughter was born 8 pounds. She was 80th on the percentile chart. She was 7.6 when we left the hospital. 7.2 3 days later. It took us over a month for her to hit her birth weight again. She weighed 11.4 pounds at her 5 month check up. She had gained less then 4 pounds since birth. And STILL I tried to breastfeed. Until 5 months and 2 weeks, when she had officially dropped off the percentile chart. She was failing to thrive. All her doctors at that point told me she needed formula. Simple as that. So I gave in. I cried, and I felt like the worlds worst mom, and I was sad for days. Until I put her on the scale. She gained almost a pound in 1 week. A month and a half later, and she's 15.8oz. She's gained over 4 pounds in less then 2 months. She's now at the 28th percentile. Did you know that it's estimated that 15% of moms are unable to make enough milk for their babies? Who knows, maybe my milk wasn't 'fatty' enough. But more then likely, I just did. Not. Have. Enough. Milk. Period. That is something that is not my fault, and beyond my control. Because damn I tried. SOCIETY (and other moms!!!!) need to STOP shaming moms for formula feeding. Formula feeding is NOT selfish. Maybe if it wasn't so taboo, so frowned upon, I wouldn't have had such a hard time making the decision to formula feed. Maybe I would have started earlier and she would way even more then she does now. Maybe I wouldn't have cried endlessly and felt like a failure. BREAST IS NOT ALWAYS BEST!!!!!!!

I'm terrible and this is a week late. BUT. My baby turned 6 months old. I'm still trying to figure out how it's already been HALF a year since she was born because it still feels like yesterday. Anyways, 6 month update : Brielle weighs 14.6 lbs!! She's gone from the 1st percentile to the 17th in a month and a half. 26 inches long. She can sit up by herself for a long time and only occasionally 'topples' over/loses her balance. She also started babbling 'dada' like crazy. And she's getting much better at "tummy time" although she still hates it. She likes: Baths. Splashing around and getting water everywhere. Her dogs, her toys, or even better, things she's not supposed to have. (loves my phone, paper, and just any household or random item that is NOT a baby toy. She's just into everything) babbling to herself, playing in her exerciser, Charlie Brown and paw patrol, and being naked. She dislikes: Car rides, unless she's super full and in a great mood. In which case she doesn't mind. Getting dressed, getting out of the bath, (most days) having to wait for a bottle to be ready, laying down on her back, tummy time, being put into her car seat, and having things I'm trying to grab that I shouldn't have taken away (mommys phone, etc)

She's my whole world 💘

"Dada dada"