Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Making the Ultimate Sacrifice

I. Love. Chocolate. So much so that one day, after Jesse and I had been married about a year, he asked me if I could make a dessert that was not chocolate based. I remember standing in the kitchen staring at him and asking, "What do you mean?"

When I think about satisfying my sweet tooth, chocolate of any sort comes to mind. Not pies, not fruit, not even the very accesible candy from the candy stores on every corner here.

My cupboard of American goodies is filled with brownie mixes, chocolate cake mixes, chocolate almond bark, chocolate chips . . . you get the idea. I. Love. Chocolate.


So imagine what went through my mind when I read that chocolate should sometimes be avoided in nursing moms. Psh, I thought. I ate tons of chocolate when nursing Renae, and when I was pregnant with Sammy. Shouldn't have any problems . . .

Then after a few weeks of a very fussy baby, I started to look at my diet. For a few days I'd been eating a brownie before I took a nap and I could never get to sleep. I wondered if the chocolate could affect Sammy too. So that night, I enjoyed an oreo/chocolate syrup ice cream treat for the last time. The next day I avoided (with great difficulty) any kind of chocolate. Twenty four hours after I had my last bite of chocolate, Sammy was a new man. He was happy and content. Gosh darn it.

The secret of the fussy baby had been discovered. I continuted to avoid chocolate that week and each day I saw what a happy baby he was. Usually a happy baby=happy mother. Not so that week as I went through the grieving process of saying good-bye to my beloved chocolate. Just so you know how drastic of a life change this was for me, let me recap what I had been eating during and prior to the very fussy weeks . . .

Brownies (at least 2 a day for 3 days), chocolate chip cookies for an entire weekend when a friend was here, Snickers bars from the candy store across the street (at least a few each week), pieces from a large dark chocolate bar, chocolate milk about every other day, chocolate cereal . . . I would go on if I could remember it all.

Sigh . . . so as you can see, I am making the ultimate sacrifice for my child. Breastfeeding sure saves us a lot of money so I really can't justify my selfish desire to eat a pounds worth of chocolate each week. I guess at least it will be good for my waist line. So think of me when you enjoy that next piece of chocolate, and don't ever take it for granted!

P.S. I also have to avoid peppers, onions, caffeine, and spicy food. Looks like I'm in need of some new recipes!

13 comments:

Senegal Daily said...

That really, really, really stinks. I'm so sorry!

kpjordan said...

Would you like us each to send you a sympathy card? Sounds like you need a support group, too. You ARE funny, Julie. Thanks for the entertainment.

Jenny said...

Oh, Julie! That stinks! I'm sorry!Maybe he'll grow out of it. Either way, it's only for a year...and even though some chocolate is good for you, most isn't so you'll be healthier too. But it's still hard...I remember when I had to give up dairy for Aiden. I didn't realize how much cheese I ate! I had to say goodbye to some favorite recipes and it was HARD! Sammy is worth it, he's cute!

Mandi said...

Sooo... I'm wondering if you could "pump and dump" like moms do when they drink alcohol? ;) Hehe, it's a thought!

Sorry though, I think I would cry! But you're being such a great mama to make this sacrifice :D

Ps the capcha/word verification I had to type in was "upeedi". It made me giggle.

The Massons said...

Oh mandi i would gladly pump and dump . . . however . . . Val Myers told me that caffeine can stay in the milk for up to 4 days!!! And I have had numerous days that prove it's true! I had a Dr. Pepper on Saturday and the next 3 days . . . uffff!

P.S I'm glad you didn't pee . . . corny I know

Christy said...

Oh, Julie, I can TOTALLY relate. And I am sorry!! For Norah it ended up being the dairy in chocolate, vs the chocolate itself...but it sounds like it's the caffeine for Sammy. IF somehow you discover it's the dairy portion, I would HAPPILY send you some of the dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free chocolate chips that have been my lifesaver. :) Seriously. I would do that for you!!

Anonymous said...

BUM-MER!
Have you tried carob?
(sp? karob?)
I have no idea if it is caffenated or not, but it is the health-food substitute for chocolate. Not as good as chocolate, but might make a good substitute if desperate? maybe? :)
-Britt

Keely said...

I heard somewhere once that when one is craving chocolate, raisins are God's healthy substitute. Not chocolate covered raisins- just raisins. Worth a try, right? :)

P_31Girl said...

Wow. I am feeling your pain Julie. I literaly am SAD for you! I, too, am a chocolate lover! I have *TRIED* to cut back some to lose a little weight for the wedding, but I am finding I don't have much will power when it comes to my favorite food group!

alan and steph said...

I am so sorry!!!! (and sorry to have posted about my new favorite treats on our blog!)
You're being such a good momma though :)

Wendi Reger said...

This will be the first of many sacrifices you will make for your son I guarantee it!

Chad & Amy said...

Stink on that! I'm glad Lauren hasn't had any food issues...of course, it might help me shed a few more pounds if she did!

Hopefully, you can find some good substitutes!

Kari said...

Good for you, Julie! You are a good Mommy!