TriangleMom2Mom's featured mom of the week is Ginger Gorrell, leader of a La Leche League group in Cary. The group is organizing a fun festival this weekend in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. Go here for details.

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Ginger: I've spent most of my life in North Carolina. I grew up in a little town with a big heart - Littleton! I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, which is also where I met my husband, Wil. We have been married for three-and-a-half years, and have a wonderful sixteen-month-old named Annabel. We are due with our second, Clara, around mid-September. I am blessed to be a stay-at-home mom to Annabel, though I don't feel like we stay at home very often!

Besides being a mommy, I work with one of the local La Leche League groups. When I had my daughter, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. What I didn't know was, although I had read every book on nursing, Annabel had not. She did not care about textbook latch, the football hold, or whether or not I had colostrum or mature milk. She just wanted to nurse and I wasn't sure how to help her. I didn't receive much help at the hospital, nor from our pediatrician. They just kind of shook their heads and said she would be fine on formula. I hired a private lactation consultant, who helped us work out our latch. We spent the next four months trying to wean her from a nipple shield.

I wish I had found La Leche League earlier. My lactation consultant mentioned the group as somewhere I could find additional help. I went to my first meeting when my daughter was three weeks. Although we were successfully nursing (with the nipple shield), the support I got was invaluable. Just knowing that other moms had been there, were going through trials, and were still enjoying a great nursing relationship helped me through some tough nights. Even the moms whose child was successfully breastfeeding ten minutes after birth was encouraging me. My daughter self weaned at about fourteen months, probably due in part to my pregnancy. Without the support of La Leche League, I don't think we would have made it that far.

Right now, we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of little Clara. Every mom knows how hard those last few weeks are! Just waiting to meet your new baby, folding her little laundry, and looking at teeny diapers is enough to make your forget the sleepless nights that are coming!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Ginger: Kids Together Park, recently renamed Marla Dorrel Park, in Cary! I love the different play areas for different ages. I like that my toddler can play with kids mostly her size, and that the older children can spend their time playing, instead of worrying about running over a little one.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself in the Triangle?

Ginger: Right now, my bath tub with a magazine.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your child?

Ginger: Oddly enough, it's the AFTER nap routine. My daughter goes down for her nap pretty easily, but when she wakes up, she is a bit grumpy. She takes after mommy. We spend time cuddling in the rocking chair reading books. I love the snuggles, and I love seeing her start to smile, then hop down and run off to play when she is fully awake.

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night?

Ginger: I call it "sausage stuff" and my husband calls it "macaroni and cheese." It's the easiest recipe in the world. Boil a box of macaroni noodles, whole wheat noodles are great. While they are boiling, brown a pound of mild sausage. Mix the noodles, sausage, one 10 ounce package of frozen spinach (thawed and drained) and 16 ounce package of sharp shredded cheddar together. It might sound awful, but it's delicious, and a great way to get kids to eat spinach!

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Ginger: Pedicures! Being nine months pregnant wears out my feet. I love getting a pedicure with reflexology. It makes my feet feel almost normal, and the pretty polish makes my lack of ankles less noticeable.

TriangleMom2Mom features a local mom every Monday. If you'd like to be featured or know somebody we should feature, let me know.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!