Solid Foods..?!?

So, I have been doing my research on solid foods. When to start them, what to feed him and whether or not to make my own. I know doctors tell you that you can start with Rice Cereal at 4 months but I have read that the American Academy of Pediatrics reccomends that you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of life. I am sort of confused here as to what I should do? I had only planned to breastfeed for about 6 months so should I be introducing all new things to him at once??

I am also considering, when he does start solids, making my own baby food. It actually seems quite easy. All you do is steam or bake the veggies (or fruits, but fruits are easier to just mash up) and puree them with a little water or breast milk then you freeze them into ice cube trays in one ounce servings. I already have a food processor so its not like it would be an expensive start up.

I am just wondering what you other moms out there think of this and what your opinions are, especially on the waiting 6 months for solids topic. Please advise....

I love Skype!

Skype is amazing! It allows me to see my husband through out this year long deployment which has brightened my spirits many times. It is so comforting sometimes just to see his face. I love how even when we have thousands and thousands of miles between us I can tell what he means just by the look on his face. I honestly wonder sometimes how couples did it "back in the old days" when all they had were letters, which took months to get back to their love. But sometimes skype can be a curse...sometimes it leaves me feeling more sad than anything! I guess sometimes just seeing him on a computer screen just isnt enough, and it often makes me realize how long it will actually be until I can see him in person or hold him in my arms again. I guess that is where skype has left me tonight. We just finished talking and I felt so sad when we had to hit that "end" button. But then when I think back on the conversation that we had it makes me smile because I know that we had fun talking to each other. I am very thankful that James and Connor get the chance to see each other (even if Connor doesnt understand yet) since they havent actually got to meet in person yet. I know James enjoys it a lot.

All in all we are good...I know its been a while, I've kinda got my hands full :). I booked mine and Connor's trip to Arkansas for November 12 - January 4...Hope to see you all while we are there!!!

Its been a while...

Wow I havent updated in a long time! Things have been kinda crazy and I honestly never even get the chance to sit down at the computer anymore, unless we are skyping with James. Connor will be 6 weeks on Tuesday, my oh my where did the time go?! He was 5 pounds 11 ounces when he was born and as of yesterday he weighed 9 pounds 10 ounces!! He has really been growing! My family left about a week and a half ago and its just been me and Connor since then. Sometimes it gets really hard being alone. I am thankful for good friends here for me to lean on, but its just not like family. I miss having the help with Connor. I have been blessed with a very good baby, but it is still a little crazy at times. I am just having to get used to how much he can be content on his own and how much he wants to be held...and it differs from day to day. Today he was loving on some mommy!! He just wanted me to hold him ALL day! He would fall asleep in my arms and I would go to lay him down and he would wake up crying. So finally me and him snuggled up on the couch and took a good 45 min nap. It was really sweet :). I really miss James, but the time has seemed to go by fairly fast. We are already about 2 months into this deployment...only about 10 to go! Being a mommy is one of the most wonderful things I have experienced in life. It seems like no matter how my day is going, one smile from him makes everything better. He is just so sweet!!

Connor's first beach trip!

Sittin in the boppy

Hanging out with mommy

Motherhood

Well things have been pretty hectic (obviously, its been forever since I have posted a blog entry!). Being a mom is wonderful...I absolutly LOVE my little boy!! I always wanted to have a little girl, but I have realized having a boy is awesome! It helps that he adores his mommy :)! He is such a good baby, which is great b/c my family will be leaving soon and I dont know how I would handle a cranky baby. I always feared he would have colic or something and fuss all the time, and how would I be able to handle that alone?! Well so far, so good! I feel like I havent been able to slow down with my family here, and my dad comes in 2 days and I know we will really be busy once he gets here. But Im so glad they are here...my mom is trying to convience me to hire her as my nanny ;) haha! Please keep me and Connor in your prayers as pretty soon it will just be the two of us!

James is doing pretty well in Iraq I suppose. One of his friends, another Platoon leader in our Company was killed in action by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) on July 21. That has been pretty difficult. They arent even a month into the deployment and already had the first casuality, and while any casuality is difficult, its even harder when its a friend. Please keep the family of the soldier in your prayers, and all the guys who were serving with him. Also, please keep the soldiers deployed in your prayers for a safe return.

1 month down, 11 to go!

Connor has arrived!!

Connor David Cochran was born on July 13, 2010 at 4:43 pm Pacific time.

He weighed 5 pounds and 11 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long.

We got to come home from the hospital on Thursday July 15. He is a great baby! He is still having issues with sleeping at night but he does not fuss at all. He is such a sweetie..he has definatly stole our hearts already! Stay posted for updates on him...I will do my best to keep the blog updated, but as many of you moms know, we are busy!!

Long day...

Well today was quite a day, it seemed so long but I feel like we barely got anything accomplished. It was the first full day of my family being here. We needed to go to the commissary to get enough food for everyone and needed to go to the PX to get some other stuff. It took entirely too long to get there, and get done. By the time we were done I was very tired, and I'll be honest I was cranky (I blame it on being 38 weeks pregnant lol). So we finally got home and decided the beach wasnt an option today...it was already 3 and we hadnt had anything to eat for lunch. We debated going to babies r us, but the longer we all sat here the more comfy it got!

Tonight Im a little emotional about the fact that James is gone. I guess its just that type of thing where you have your good days and your bad. I just get really sad seeing other dads with their kids/babies...I want him here so bad! But I know I just have to deal with the fact that he isnt..and its not like he doesnt want to be here either. I have to focus on the positive, like the fact that at least I have my family here for me! I also know that no matter where James may be, he is always here for me. We have gotten to talk quite a bit more than we thought we would, so that is nice!

Hopefully we will get a chance to get to the beach soon. Tomorrow night and Thursday night we have Childbirth classes and wednesday we have a doctor appointment!

Happy 4th!

Well I am now 38 weeks pregnant, so I am ready to go into labor at anytime! My mom, mamaw and brother are coming in today and will be here for 6 weeks...and my dad will be here the last 2 weeks of their stay and they will all go home together. I hope I have Connor in the next couple weeks, without having to be induced. I think he is really enjoying his home in my tummy :) he is a momma's boy already (at least thats what Im telling myself lol).
James left about 5 days ago for his year long deployment. He is safe in Kuwait and will head into Iraq soon. We are both doing ok right now...we miss each other a lot but we know we can make it through this. We are very lucky to have phone and internet access (I've always said I dont know how they did it back in the old days of Vietnam and before....no communication AT ALL other than letters!). James said to let everyone know that those of you wanting to send him stuff could go ahead and start sending...I know he gave a lot of people his address but if you need it just let me know and I can get it to you. He said he doesnt really need anything, but Im sure it would lift his spirits if he got a package.