After days at work, we try to spend some quality time with Emerald – we happened to be babysitting A too while her parent’s went out to dinner!
Author Archives: vanessawyler
Petting Zoo & Dinner at the Beach
A fun summer day includes heading to the petting zoo with Grammy and the cousins and then dinner at the beach with Nana.
5th Anniversary Weekend Away
This past weekend Drew and I got a chance to get away for the weekend (thanks mom & dad)! The main thing we wanted to do was head to Devil’s Lake and hike and kayak – so we stayed in Madison for two nights, since it was close and meant there would be other things to do there for the remainder of the weekend.
I left my big girl camera at home this trip, which I’m glad I did, it would not have been fun carrying that around Devil’s Lake.
Devil’s Lake was a lot of fun, despite how hot it was out – we were dripping in sweat the entire time. We hiked around the entire lake, and one of the trails was the more difficult one that takes you up to the “Balanced Rock”. To cool down afterwards, kayaking and relaxing in the super calm lake was awesome.
Even though it was similar to a staycation, it was so nice to do non-parent things also… like seeing a movie, I’m not sure the last time I saw one. PS we saw Jurassic World and I was terrified during about 95% of the movie. We also stayed out later than 7:30, ha… we went shopping, to the State Capitol and the Madison Farmer’s Market and just tried to relax a bit.
As hard as it is to leave your baby sometimes, we know how important 1 on 1 time is with each other and how needed it is! After 2 nights being away, even Drew was saying how much he missed Em.
Project 365 // Week 29
Project 365 // Week 28
Weaned
After exactly 400 days of nursing this little baby girl, we’re officially weaned. I couldn’t help but feel a little sad tonight knowing it was the last time. I realize it’s just another part of growing up and that she can’t stay my baby forever.
Breastfeeding was definitely a learning curve at the beginning, but thankful we stuck it out in the long run. There were days where I would think, wow it would be so much easier if I wasn’t breastfeeding… pumping at work, the witching hour(s) in the first few months and growth spurts, keeping up milk production, having to nurse in a private spot most of the time, and so on. However it did have it’s perks, I didn’t have to worry about carrying bottles, formula, milk around with me. I had everything I needed to feed my baby if she got hungry. That part is amazing, and became so convienent. It’s amazing how awesome our bodies are – growing a baby inside our bodies for 9 months, and then how we nourish them on the outside too.
I’m so thankful for the bond between us during those 400 days, but I will also be glad for a little bit of freedom. At the beginning you think, wow, every 3 hours I have to feed her and you feel so “needed” – but now those specific “needed” days are over you realize how it feels to feel needed, but I’ll know she’ll still need me in other ways. Speaking of freedom… it will be nice to getaway with Drew this weekend, I can wear dresses that don’t have button and normal bras, my hair is starting to grow back – can I get an amen. But then on the other hand, I know have to watch what I’m eating and start working out, boo.
Bedtime won’t be quite the same anymore, but I know there will still be plenty of time for cuddling – and now Drew can experience bedtime more often. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day.
Not the normal post, but trying to document it all….I’ll always remember the way she crossed her feet and more recently would play with them while she nursed, or rub her blanket through her fingers…
80 Degrees + The Beach
Our summer has been so mild that we haven’t had many good days to get to the beach and enjoy playing in the water (usually just the sand). But finally an 80 degress and sunny Sunday meant we were heading there – and so was the rest of Pewaukee!
And because of the mild summer we’ve had the lake temperature was still pretty chilly, though it felt good for a whole minute just to cool off! Em was a fan of just sitting and splashing while the waves rolled in, not so much going out in the deep water with dad.
Project 365 // Week 27
Beach Nights
After we all have long days at work, we like to make sure we spend some good, quality time with Emerald – even if its quick because bedtime is about 7:45. So to the beach we headed (where else would we go anyways)…
Also, so thankful Drew puts up with me when I want to take my camera everywhere and even will gladly take some shots with me in them as well. He’s the best – and he’s getting pretty good at taking shots too!!
Zoo Day & Feeding the Giraffes
Emerald isn’t too thrilled with the zoo yet, she definitely notices some of the animals, but it was fun getting to get up close and personal, ha with the giraffes since you now can feed them a snack! For the first time I just fed them and Emerald watched, maybe next time she can feed the giraffes herself!
