30 Days of Thankfulness ~ Day 12

When Steven was a newborn, he had to take a bottle for the first 2 weeks of his life. We were having difficulty getting him to nurse so he got pumped milk for the first 2 weeks, and then we figured it out! He was pretty good about taking a bottle because of that until he cut his first tooth at 6 months or so. After that he refused to take a bottle. Sigh. End of date nights for Nathan and I until he was a bit older...like one, since he nursed pretty much every 2 hours until then.

Lesson learned though, Bradley will take a bottle! I was starting to doubt it ever happening though, as he has only had 2 experiences with a bottle since he's been born - one with me (and he took the bottle), and one with Grandma and Grandpa while we were car shopping (no luck that time). That last try was over a month ago. Well, I have plans...not anything big mind you...but plans nonetheless. I would like to go on a date with my hubby some evening and not be on a 2 hr clock from the moment we leave. I'd like to be able to leave the boys with a sitter while I get a hair cut and not be anxious that I'll have to fly out with partially cut hair to rush home and feed a baby. I'd like to maybe (and maybe this is a big plan) go on a weekend getaway with my husband, which would definitely require that Bradley take a bottle (we've never been away from our kids for more than 24 hours...didn't even make it an entire 24 hours...).

Well, yesterday we began the process of getting Bradley to take a bottle. Things did not go well. We had a good half hour of screaming each time before I would finally give in and nurse him. Enter major disappointment [here]. I decided it would be best for all of us if we just took a break from the bottle trying for the rest of the day and wait until today. So we did. This morning, Bradley had taken a nice long nap. I knew he'd be waking up shortly and want to eat, so I got the milk out of the freezer, warmed it in the bottle on the stove and by the time he woke up it was ready for him. I didn't even wait for him to fuss before I offered it to him. I figured starting things out on a happier note might end a little better. And it did! He did it! He drank almost a 5 oz bottle! I see freedom in my future...Grandmas best be ready!!

So, today, I am thankful that Bradley decided to not be stubborn and take a bottle. And I will continue to be thankful with each bottle he continues to take. I'm also thankful that my sweet neighbor loaned me her top of the line pump so that I can keep a handy supply of milk in the freezer for my future escapes.

Now to get back to those plans...