I decided to start donating  my  breastmilk when Claire was about 5 months old, Milk Sharing, I had a pretty huge oversupply and I also was a crazy pumper. I pumped every two hours just to make sure I would have enough for work and then when my freezer started to overflow I looking into donating. I had never heard about it but I knew lots of moms [via BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT FOR LB AREA MOMS] who could use some and I might be able to help. I posted on the group that I had extra to share and the response was pretty amazing. Lots of moms needed something that I could help with, this made me feel like I was not only doing a great deed for my child but would be able to help mamas and need, really what more could you ask for. Over the past year or so I have donated around 700 ounces of breastmilk. I have donated to friends, to strangers, to women dealing with cancer and to moms that just needed a little extra to get their baby throuhg the day. Some moms supplimented with only breastmilk and others incorporated formula, but all of them were fierce loving moms doing everything they could to make sure they gave their children their all. It was an inspiration to meet these moms, to giggle with their children and it was also great when my husband was able to get involved with helping me get these donations out.
This past Saturday there was a donor milk drive put on by some amazing women here in Long Beach, I am so thankful I found this tribe to call my own. At the event mothers brought milk for other moms, there were raffles and even a wall where people could leave love notes for other moms. It was awesome! I am able to lean on them and help where I can it has been pretty awesome, if you want to donate milk reach out to me and I will help you find a local mom in need! 

Also, Celine & Maricela want to do even more good for the community by going to the Breastfeeding & Feminism Internation Conference! You can help get there there by donating - LB Moms To Breastfeeding Conference :)

4 years and one month ago, Ryan & I moved into our first place together. We found a beautiful spot with a huge living area, tons of parking and it was just perfect. We slowly built our lives in there, we added more bookshelves, more art work and eventually a baby lady. I cannot count the amount of parties we threw, the dinners we served, the drunken friends we housed. It was such a great run. Below are just a few pictures of the first year we lived there: 2011

I am not the most nostalgic person but all day today I have been looking throw old photos, remembering all the fun we had in this apartment. This was the first place that Ryan and I made a home, we laid on the futon floor and planned a trip to Italy, we cuddled in bed and decided to have a baby, then I rolled around for days with contractions on the floor of that apartment, this is where we brought our daughter after the hospital and tomorrow we get to pick up the keys to our new home. I know we will make the most of it and the memories we create there will be just as wonderful.

Thank you friends and family for helping us make this two bedroom one bath a cozy home, so excited to have you over to our new place.

In the name of my detour down memory lane, please share a fun time you had with us at our Hathaway apartment

xoxo
Nikol