Eric and I have been disc golfing together since we met. When we first started dating, we’d drive to Dexter State Park and play a round, flirting between throws.
Now that we’ve been married for six years and have a toddler, disc golfing looks a little different: I skip most holes because I’m too busy chasing Peeper and preventing her from eating rocks, sticks and hunks of dirt. But one thing hasn’t changed—I still call “mulligan” when I hit a tree with my drive. I don’t keep score anyway, so what’s the harm in a little do-over?
I was recently interviewed by friend and former colleague Lee Walker Helland about motherhood mulligans—the things we wish we could have done differently. Her story, First-Year Do-Overs, just ran in American Baby. (Take a peek to read my interview and hear what other moms would have changed about getting out of the house, accepting help and sleep training.)
I talked, of course, about breastfeeding. If you want to catch up on our BFing journey, you can read about it here, here and here, or just read a good summary here. Thankfully, our story has a good ending: Peeper is still breastfeeding, and I’m so grateful to have been able to nurse her this long on my terms.
Is there anything you would have done differently in parenthood?
We haven’t frolfed in so long!
I’m still pumping around the clock for M, but she no longer seems interested in nursing. I’m okay with that since it’s her choice, and my plan is to pump (even in the middle of the night) until she’s at least 1 1/2 so that I can see her through the next flu season.
That said, my mulligan would be that I wish I’d worked harder at really developing my supply in those early months. I don’t think I was as disciplined about it all as, in hindsight, I should have been. She wasn’t gaining weight early on and, at the recommendation of her doc, we introduced formula. It impacted my supply and I’m still sad over that
To add, I’m definitely NOT against formula. Obviously our daughter’s health is of utmost priority and we listened to our doc. I just wonder if there was something more I could have done in that situation.
It’s so easy to second guess ourselves! I wonder, too, if we should have introduced formula… Peeper has always been on the small side. But like my sister-in-law says, some people make greyhounds, and some people make chihuahuas!
Also, I admire your dedication to pumping. Last week I pumped for the first time in 6 months but only because I was away from Peeper all day for work. I was so glad when I gave it up!
I love “folfing” !! I went to college in Montana and we used to play almost everyday.
Agreed! We don’t play nearly as often as we used to (well, my husband still goes 1-2 times a week, but I don’t), but it’s still a blast when we make it.
this is hilarious! i’d call a mulligan myself
ladies in navy