Adventures in Tandem Nursing

Well, the HUGE news now is that I'm pregnant -- about 14 weeks along. It's so funny to me how I followed my pregnancy numbers so meticulously with Kapono and now with our second, everything is guess-timated. I'm *about* 14 weeks along, due *around* late September, and the baby is *about* the size of an apple these days (I think -- I knew this stuff down to the centimeter with the K-man!)

Anyway, I decided to start up this blog again because I wanted a venue to share some of my adventures in tandem nursing (breastfeeding during pregnancy). The reason for this is because of the general lack of awareness (and accuracy!) and support from mainstream culture for breastfeeding, let alone encouragement to continue breastfeeding beyond infancy and into subsequent pregnancies. When we found out that we were expecting, I had decided that I would wean Kapono because I kind of felt like that was what I had to do, like that was just what mothers did. I hadn't *planned* to get pregnant while still nursing, but after a little bit of trial and error with the parent-led (vs child-led) weaning, I further investigated tandem nursing and made the much more informed decision to continue nursing during this second pregnancy. Since making that decision, I feel happier and Kapono feels happier which also makes Emiliano (and baby) happier :-)

The American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Policy recommends "Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child."

The American Academy of Family Physicians has an identical recommendation that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired."

And the World Health Organization advises "continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond."

Even before getting pregnant with our second, people started to question our decision to continue breastfeeding Kapono, who turned two last month. I really wonder why so many people feel so affronted by continued breastfeeding? That being said, I also need to acknowledge the many people who have supported (and praised) our decision and/or, even if they were unfamiliar with tandem nursing, were very open-minded and, what I most especially appreciate, willing to learn something new.

HUGE NEWS

I can't actually post my *HUGE NEWS* (not pregnant) yet because not all parties who should be informed have been informed, but I am joining the Baha'i House of Worship choir -- which isn't on the magnitude of *HUGE*, maybe more along the lines of *BIG*, but it's news, right? Kapono is 19 months-ish, Emiliano is plugging away at work and school (transferred this term to Northeastern Illinois University) and I am plugging away at the whole raising a child thing!

What I Learned This Past Year

In reflecting on what I learned this past academic year, I realized that it could be summed up briefly, and yet still accurately, in a few sentences:

1. Chemistry is all about electrons. Period.
2. Physics is about rules -- basically, how anything that exists as matter or energy is governed by rules.

Unless you're traveling at or near the speed of light. Then you need a new set of rules (which we have, thanks to Einstein).

Yep, that really does just about sum it all up.

I Did It!

I did it...I survived my first year pre-med. I didn't tell very many people this, if anyone (other than Emiliano and my siblings), but after my first week of chemistry and physics at Northwestern, I actually called the school to get the details on withdrawing from the program. It was just so daunting and intimidating and, well, really, really hard. I sort of breezed through school before (back in the day, right?) but this past year, I found myself really struggling academically and my confidence was shaken. But I did it!

Even though I am totally reconsidering the pre-med track, I am so proud of myself for having accomplished what I did -- succeeding in school as a new mom. I had no idea how challenging it would be and I have a newfound, profound respect for anyone studying and/or pursuing a career in the sciences (especially women and especially moms!) Although at times I felt like collapsing from exhaustion and frustration, I'm excited that I've learned a little bit more about our world and how it all works -- like, quarks and nucleons and why we *know* the universe is expanding and that the sun will eventually burn itself up (in 5 billion years or so).

I told Emiliano that I don't know what to do with myself now...it's still surreal that I don't have gobs of homework to agonize over and massive amounts of information to cram into my brain. I only just finished my last final this evening and it hasn't sunk in that I am a free woman. When I asked my friend, Rachel, what I should do over the summer, she said, "Have fun?" -- so, one of my goals is to take her advice!

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

I miss you. I'm sorry for neglecting you for so long. Between being a mom, pre-med studies, and life, in general, I just haven't been able to keep up. I will keep trying. Love, Kim

Do Fish Sleep?

We bought Kapono a betta for his birthday and since it's definitely past my bedtime, I've been looking at our new pet and wondering if it might be past his bedtime, too.

On my "to do" list (after ace-ing my finals next week) is to catch up on my blog. The most significant recent events were Kapono's first and my thirty-first (!) birthdays. Kapono turned 1 on February 9 and I turned 31 on March 9. (When I was in 9th grade, I decided on 9 as my favorite number for no apparent reason that I can recall).

More photos to come of Kapono in his glorious traditional Korean birthday gear (along with details of the ceremony, i.e. how my son is destined to have nice handwriting and become an emcee), but in the meantime, visit new momma Liza Bean's site for some beautiful pictures.

Why Do We Live in Chicago Again?

I ask myself this question every time we go home (Arizona) and during every winter season ever since we moved here 4+ (!) years ago. I just looked at the forecast for the week and every day is more than ten BELOW ZERO DEGREES. So, I'm asking myself and my husband, why? Why do we live in Chicago? Remind me please.