Cant wait for christmas eve coming up on saturday!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Mother knows breast
Well, I got my new pump on yesterday. and im very very pleased with it! Im currently pumping right now with the help of my hands free bra, and im happy to say im up to maybe 2 oz more then i was pumping. So im very very excited! Its also so much quicker, so my night pumpings are much easier and i get to go back to bed much quicker which is allllways a plus! Im just happy that production is up! woo hoooooo! Im also coming more at ease that this decision is what is best for our family. yes it is a pain in the neck but i just really want her to have as much breast milk as i possibly can give to her and am willing to continue exclusive pumping until at least a year maybe even more <3
I also pierced her little ears on thursday, she looks adorable! I did it at work and jim held her while i pierced.
Cant wait for christmas eve coming up on saturday!
Cant wait for christmas eve coming up on saturday!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Breast milk is better than any udder milk!
our little zoey is 14 weeks old :) and shes sitting right next to me cracking her little self up :) I love her <3
well, ive given up! Im now joining the ranks of crazy moms who exclusively pump. I will still try to latch her any time she is calm and is willing to work with me, but wont be crying every time she "refuses her mommy" While this isnt the way i really wanted to go, its the path i have to to keep her on breast milk. I have ordered a new breast pump also, the Pump in Style Advanced, the metro bag
Its a better pump then what i have, which is the swing. and hopefully having the double pump will help with the supply some more. When it arrives im planning on taking a power pumping vacation. just sit in bed for days pumping every 2 hours and see where that gets us. Im running out of formula, and yes my container lasted us 2 months, but i swore up and down it would be our last :(
I do though feel incredibly fortunate to have a child who does sleep so very well. She gets swaddled and put to bed awake but sleepy at 11pm, she just goes to sleep rarely fussing and then sleeps all the way till 1030am the next morning. She just cat naps for an hour, 2 or 3 times during the afternoon but its ok with me to have that long span i can get things done in. I do wake up without her several times a night to pump so we do have some for during the day time, and since its only a single it take forever, so im so excited on hopefully making this pumping situation work better for us :) Ive met a lot of moms who dont have the bed time situation as good as we do so it does make me feel better. While breast feeding wasnt fully in the cards for us, at least we can pump and have no bed time struggles.
Heres an article I found on Exclusively Pumping enjoy!
Since few people have experience with exclusively pumping breast milk, it is often difficult for a woman who is exclusively pumping to find understanding and sometimes even acceptance. Women who breastfed without difficulty often do not understand how difficult and emotionally trying it can be when breastfeeding problems are encountered and some may believe a woman who is exclusively pumping did not try hard enough or gave up too early. Women who chose to formula feed often do not understand why a woman who exclusively pumps would not choose to feed formula if breastfeeding is difficult or not possible.
The reality for most women who end up exclusively pumping in order to provide their babies with breast milk is that they experienced difficulty attempting to breastfeed and reached a point where they needed to make a change in the way they fed their babies. Yet, given their strong belief that breast milk is the best food for infants, they dedicated themselves to providing expressed breast milk. Sometimes, there has been a lack of support or access to qualified lactation consultants and this has made a difficult situation even more challenging. But often, women who end up exclusively pumping have consulted and worked with lactation consultants. However, the stress and challenge of a situation often compounds until a change must be made in order to remove the pressure from an increasingly stressful experience. The breaking point for every woman is different, and the challenges are different for every woman.
The option of exclusively pumping as an alternative to formula feeding is one that is usually not discussed in prenatal classes or pregnancy magazines; indeed it is an option that is largely unknown and greatly misunderstood. Yet even though many women make the choice to exclusively pump when breastfeeding has not worked out, women who are exclusively pumping often feel alone and isolated. Feeding expressed breast milk by bottle falls between the two most commonly known methods of feeding an infant -breastfeeding and bottle feeding formula- and therefore leaves mothers who are exclusively pumping between the two groups without a clear source of support or information.
Ways to Support Exclusively Pumping Mothers
· Educate, educate, educate! Women need to be educated about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding needs to become common place, expected, and supported. New mothers need to know others who are breastfeeding or who have breastfed and have the opportunity to watch babies breastfeeding. The best support is to provide the assistance and education necessary to remove the need to exclusively pump for as many women as possible. The vast majority of women who exclusively pump would breastfeed in a heartbeat if it were possible for them.
It is important to let women know that breastfeeding can require work and dedication. While it is normal and natural, it is a learned skill for both mother and baby. All too often, breastfeeding is given cursory attention or the difficulties that can occur are never mentioned to new or expectant mothers. As a result, if a new mother, already tired and likely overwhelmed from having a newborn to care for, faces difficulties trying to establish breastfeeding, she may simply give up under the mistaken belief that breastfeeding is normal and natural and should therefore also be easy, and that somehow, she has failed or isn’t capable of breastfeeding. This education and support needs to be given in both the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Of course there are situations where breastfeeding is just not possible or complications arise which make breastfeeding difficult. In these situations, it is vital that women who must exclusively pump be given accurate information and unwavering support.
· Give credibility to exclusively pumping as an alternative to formula. Share the option of exclusively pumping breast milk with women as an alternative to formula prior to the birth of their baby. Some may be concerned that talking about exclusively pumping as an alternative method to provide breast milk may cause some women to choose it as an alternative to breastfeeding or quickly give up trying to establish breastfeeding if they are having difficulties. This concern is understandable, but with proper education and an honest discussion of the requirements to initiate and maintain lactation with a breast pump very few women will choose to express breast milk instead of breastfeed when breastfeeding is possible. And indeed, without the option presented to women before they experience difficulties, there is the very real risk that new mothers will turn to formula when they experience troubles, diminishing their milk supply, and making it all that more difficult to breastfeed. When presenting the idea of exclusively pumping, it is important that it be discussed as an alternative to formula feeding and not an alternative to breastfeeding. There is absolutely no equal to breastfeeding, but there are far better alternatives to feeding formula.
· Acknowledge the tremendous emotional impact breastfeeding can have on a woman, and even more so, the emotional impact of not breastfeeding. It is often difficult to come to terms with the reality of your experience compared to the expectations you had for it. Many new mothers expect to breastfeed, yet we know that breastfeeding is not always easy and does not always work out as planned. It is important to recognize the emotional toll this lost expectation can have. Comments such as “You just need to keep trying a little longer”, while sometimes true, do not take into account the tremendous emotional load a new mother may be straining under. Simply acknowledging the loss, grief, and disappointment a woman feels can be important. A simple question such as, “How can I help you?” can mean a lot. Validating her feelings and encouraging her abilities are also extremely important. Comments such as “I understand why this is so upsetting for you” and “You are a good mother” can provide the boost that is needed to continue persevering.
Often prior to making the decision to exclusively pump, women are in an unending cycle of breastfeeding, bottle feeding to supplement their baby’s needs, and then expressing their milk with a breast pump. This cycle is exhausting and almost impossible to continue for an indefinite period of time- especially without support. Add onto this cycle the stress of having a premature baby or ill infant, or other complicating factors, and a new mother can easily and quickly become overwhelmed. Be prepared to offer not only a listening ear but to also offer concrete support to assist in all other aspects of her life. Many women who end up exclusively pumping turn to it as a means of self-preservation after becoming overwhelmed with the cycle of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and pumping. Sometimes the emotional price of continually trying to breastfeed and not having the situation improve is enormous and overwhelming; sometimes a woman needs to move on. Support her decision. Recognize it as her decision. Acknowledge the fact that her baby is still receiving breast milk. Provide information and support if breastfeeding is still desired. Again, acknowledgement and support can go a long way.
· Help exclusively pumping women connect with others for support and information. There are numerous internet discussion boards and mailing lists dedicated to exclusively pumping moms and many others available for women who are generally expressing breast milk whether it be exclusively or while they are at work. The benefits of sharing with others who are going through the same experience as you, and feeling the same emotions as you, are enormous. Women who are exclusively pumping often think that they have invented the idea and feel as though they are the only woman in the world doing it, but this is far from the truth.
· Family and friends must provide support and encouragement. The importance of breastfeeding and breast milk must be understood by everyone supporting a new mother. The time requirements and schedule of a woman who is exclusively pumping is extremely challenging and will not only affect the mother, but will affect everyone in the family. Help with the new baby, older children, and household work is often necessary in order for the mother to be able to dedicate the necessary time to milk expression. In addition to practical support, it is also very important that family and friends support the efforts of the woman to provide breast milk for her baby. Questioning the importance of breast milk, suggesting the baby be fed formula or asking why she doesn’t “just breastfeed” undermines a mother’s efforts, does not acknowledge her struggles, and gives her yet another obstacle to overcome.
There is no doubt that the option of exclusively pumping can be a difficult path to choose, but the value and benefits of breast milk are undeniable, and, when breastfeeding is not possible, exclusively pumping breast milk, as the World Health Organization recommends, should be seen as the next viable option for feeding a baby. This alternative can be made much more viable for a new mother with support, understanding, knowledge, and acknowledgement from those who surround her.
well, ive given up! Im now joining the ranks of crazy moms who exclusively pump. I will still try to latch her any time she is calm and is willing to work with me, but wont be crying every time she "refuses her mommy" While this isnt the way i really wanted to go, its the path i have to to keep her on breast milk. I have ordered a new breast pump also, the Pump in Style Advanced, the metro bag
I do though feel incredibly fortunate to have a child who does sleep so very well. She gets swaddled and put to bed awake but sleepy at 11pm, she just goes to sleep rarely fussing and then sleeps all the way till 1030am the next morning. She just cat naps for an hour, 2 or 3 times during the afternoon but its ok with me to have that long span i can get things done in. I do wake up without her several times a night to pump so we do have some for during the day time, and since its only a single it take forever, so im so excited on hopefully making this pumping situation work better for us :) Ive met a lot of moms who dont have the bed time situation as good as we do so it does make me feel better. While breast feeding wasnt fully in the cards for us, at least we can pump and have no bed time struggles.
Heres an article I found on Exclusively Pumping enjoy!
Supporting an Exclusively Pumping Mother
Since few people have experience with exclusively pumping breast milk, it is often difficult for a woman who is exclusively pumping to find understanding and sometimes even acceptance. Women who breastfed without difficulty often do not understand how difficult and emotionally trying it can be when breastfeeding problems are encountered and some may believe a woman who is exclusively pumping did not try hard enough or gave up too early. Women who chose to formula feed often do not understand why a woman who exclusively pumps would not choose to feed formula if breastfeeding is difficult or not possible.
The reality for most women who end up exclusively pumping in order to provide their babies with breast milk is that they experienced difficulty attempting to breastfeed and reached a point where they needed to make a change in the way they fed their babies. Yet, given their strong belief that breast milk is the best food for infants, they dedicated themselves to providing expressed breast milk. Sometimes, there has been a lack of support or access to qualified lactation consultants and this has made a difficult situation even more challenging. But often, women who end up exclusively pumping have consulted and worked with lactation consultants. However, the stress and challenge of a situation often compounds until a change must be made in order to remove the pressure from an increasingly stressful experience. The breaking point for every woman is different, and the challenges are different for every woman.
The option of exclusively pumping as an alternative to formula feeding is one that is usually not discussed in prenatal classes or pregnancy magazines; indeed it is an option that is largely unknown and greatly misunderstood. Yet even though many women make the choice to exclusively pump when breastfeeding has not worked out, women who are exclusively pumping often feel alone and isolated. Feeding expressed breast milk by bottle falls between the two most commonly known methods of feeding an infant -breastfeeding and bottle feeding formula- and therefore leaves mothers who are exclusively pumping between the two groups without a clear source of support or information.
Ways to Support Exclusively Pumping Mothers
· Educate, educate, educate! Women need to be educated about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding needs to become common place, expected, and supported. New mothers need to know others who are breastfeeding or who have breastfed and have the opportunity to watch babies breastfeeding. The best support is to provide the assistance and education necessary to remove the need to exclusively pump for as many women as possible. The vast majority of women who exclusively pump would breastfeed in a heartbeat if it were possible for them.
It is important to let women know that breastfeeding can require work and dedication. While it is normal and natural, it is a learned skill for both mother and baby. All too often, breastfeeding is given cursory attention or the difficulties that can occur are never mentioned to new or expectant mothers. As a result, if a new mother, already tired and likely overwhelmed from having a newborn to care for, faces difficulties trying to establish breastfeeding, she may simply give up under the mistaken belief that breastfeeding is normal and natural and should therefore also be easy, and that somehow, she has failed or isn’t capable of breastfeeding. This education and support needs to be given in both the prenatal and postpartum periods.
Of course there are situations where breastfeeding is just not possible or complications arise which make breastfeeding difficult. In these situations, it is vital that women who must exclusively pump be given accurate information and unwavering support.
· Give credibility to exclusively pumping as an alternative to formula. Share the option of exclusively pumping breast milk with women as an alternative to formula prior to the birth of their baby. Some may be concerned that talking about exclusively pumping as an alternative method to provide breast milk may cause some women to choose it as an alternative to breastfeeding or quickly give up trying to establish breastfeeding if they are having difficulties. This concern is understandable, but with proper education and an honest discussion of the requirements to initiate and maintain lactation with a breast pump very few women will choose to express breast milk instead of breastfeed when breastfeeding is possible. And indeed, without the option presented to women before they experience difficulties, there is the very real risk that new mothers will turn to formula when they experience troubles, diminishing their milk supply, and making it all that more difficult to breastfeed. When presenting the idea of exclusively pumping, it is important that it be discussed as an alternative to formula feeding and not an alternative to breastfeeding. There is absolutely no equal to breastfeeding, but there are far better alternatives to feeding formula.
· Acknowledge the tremendous emotional impact breastfeeding can have on a woman, and even more so, the emotional impact of not breastfeeding. It is often difficult to come to terms with the reality of your experience compared to the expectations you had for it. Many new mothers expect to breastfeed, yet we know that breastfeeding is not always easy and does not always work out as planned. It is important to recognize the emotional toll this lost expectation can have. Comments such as “You just need to keep trying a little longer”, while sometimes true, do not take into account the tremendous emotional load a new mother may be straining under. Simply acknowledging the loss, grief, and disappointment a woman feels can be important. A simple question such as, “How can I help you?” can mean a lot. Validating her feelings and encouraging her abilities are also extremely important. Comments such as “I understand why this is so upsetting for you” and “You are a good mother” can provide the boost that is needed to continue persevering.
Often prior to making the decision to exclusively pump, women are in an unending cycle of breastfeeding, bottle feeding to supplement their baby’s needs, and then expressing their milk with a breast pump. This cycle is exhausting and almost impossible to continue for an indefinite period of time- especially without support. Add onto this cycle the stress of having a premature baby or ill infant, or other complicating factors, and a new mother can easily and quickly become overwhelmed. Be prepared to offer not only a listening ear but to also offer concrete support to assist in all other aspects of her life. Many women who end up exclusively pumping turn to it as a means of self-preservation after becoming overwhelmed with the cycle of breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and pumping. Sometimes the emotional price of continually trying to breastfeed and not having the situation improve is enormous and overwhelming; sometimes a woman needs to move on. Support her decision. Recognize it as her decision. Acknowledge the fact that her baby is still receiving breast milk. Provide information and support if breastfeeding is still desired. Again, acknowledgement and support can go a long way.
· Help exclusively pumping women connect with others for support and information. There are numerous internet discussion boards and mailing lists dedicated to exclusively pumping moms and many others available for women who are generally expressing breast milk whether it be exclusively or while they are at work. The benefits of sharing with others who are going through the same experience as you, and feeling the same emotions as you, are enormous. Women who are exclusively pumping often think that they have invented the idea and feel as though they are the only woman in the world doing it, but this is far from the truth.
· Family and friends must provide support and encouragement. The importance of breastfeeding and breast milk must be understood by everyone supporting a new mother. The time requirements and schedule of a woman who is exclusively pumping is extremely challenging and will not only affect the mother, but will affect everyone in the family. Help with the new baby, older children, and household work is often necessary in order for the mother to be able to dedicate the necessary time to milk expression. In addition to practical support, it is also very important that family and friends support the efforts of the woman to provide breast milk for her baby. Questioning the importance of breast milk, suggesting the baby be fed formula or asking why she doesn’t “just breastfeed” undermines a mother’s efforts, does not acknowledge her struggles, and gives her yet another obstacle to overcome.
There is no doubt that the option of exclusively pumping can be a difficult path to choose, but the value and benefits of breast milk are undeniable, and, when breastfeeding is not possible, exclusively pumping breast milk, as the World Health Organization recommends, should be seen as the next viable option for feeding a baby. This alternative can be made much more viable for a new mother with support, understanding, knowledge, and acknowledgement from those who surround her.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A week with cloth diapers
The cloth diapers are going sooo well and Im so glad that we switched on over! It really was the best decision we could have made for our little zoey. I do wash every day, though we do have enough to do every other. Im a really stickler when it comes to house work. I like everything neat and clean and in its place at the end of the day or i stay up and it gives me anxiety. like right now, jim did the dishes and the bottles arent put away and i know they are dry....ughhh....
i think i may be done my christmas shopping. i ordered everything from amazon, and if it didnt have prime shipping it didnt get ordered...lol...now to sit and wait for the ups man to deliver it, and maybe i can talk him into wrapping them...lol...
Milk is back down again which im less then excited about. still taking the 12 motilium a day but only getting 3 oz every 4 hours and she eats about 5 oz now. so i have to power pump more now and keep drinking fluids and hopefully get somewhere cause its really getting desperate. i just wished she latched right away, but then again im not sure i was ever going well. like my breasts never changed during my pregnancy which i think its weird. i have a large chest to begin with and everyone said theyd grow, but they didnt at all. sighs....I have stopped leaking but still with the same amount of milk so at least im not wasting any. In my weakest moments i just sit and cry while pumping. or crying trying to get her to latch. while ill never know how much she is really getting, every night she just wants to nurse on her mommy for comfort to sleep which is probably a bad habit but its that closeness i desperately seek. im secretly wishing to give up. im so envious of women who just nurse anytime they want and not have a problem.but i have known women who needed help with the milk supply and nursed other children fine. sighs... but this is the one thing that i can give my daughter that no one else can. and yes i understand formula is not poison, but i have to be totally honest and look down on mothers who use it, myself included. i hate hate hate when i have to. i just really think that formula is a cop out. god blessed you with breasts to feed the infant he gave you, how dare you not even attempt to give your child the best. i guess its why im seeking fulfillment with the cloth diapering. anything i can do in my power to give her a better life is what i will do no matter what the cost. though im sure my husband would think otherwise. he does want me to relax and just give her formula. but im not sure how i could handle the guilt. but if and when i ever give up any breast milk ill certainly know i gave it every ounce of strength that i have. This site has helped some, and i feel grateful that my milk supply is greater then hers started with so there is hope. and there are women who have been in my shoes before.
i think i may be done my christmas shopping. i ordered everything from amazon, and if it didnt have prime shipping it didnt get ordered...lol...now to sit and wait for the ups man to deliver it, and maybe i can talk him into wrapping them...lol...
Milk is back down again which im less then excited about. still taking the 12 motilium a day but only getting 3 oz every 4 hours and she eats about 5 oz now. so i have to power pump more now and keep drinking fluids and hopefully get somewhere cause its really getting desperate. i just wished she latched right away, but then again im not sure i was ever going well. like my breasts never changed during my pregnancy which i think its weird. i have a large chest to begin with and everyone said theyd grow, but they didnt at all. sighs....I have stopped leaking but still with the same amount of milk so at least im not wasting any. In my weakest moments i just sit and cry while pumping. or crying trying to get her to latch. while ill never know how much she is really getting, every night she just wants to nurse on her mommy for comfort to sleep which is probably a bad habit but its that closeness i desperately seek. im secretly wishing to give up. im so envious of women who just nurse anytime they want and not have a problem.but i have known women who needed help with the milk supply and nursed other children fine. sighs... but this is the one thing that i can give my daughter that no one else can. and yes i understand formula is not poison, but i have to be totally honest and look down on mothers who use it, myself included. i hate hate hate when i have to. i just really think that formula is a cop out. god blessed you with breasts to feed the infant he gave you, how dare you not even attempt to give your child the best. i guess its why im seeking fulfillment with the cloth diapering. anything i can do in my power to give her a better life is what i will do no matter what the cost. though im sure my husband would think otherwise. he does want me to relax and just give her formula. but im not sure how i could handle the guilt. but if and when i ever give up any breast milk ill certainly know i gave it every ounce of strength that i have. This site has helped some, and i feel grateful that my milk supply is greater then hers started with so there is hope. and there are women who have been in my shoes before.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Our first day cloth diapering
The diapers were easy enough, though sizing the elastic wasnt easy and im not looking forward to doing the rest. my mom did come over and help me with the sizing so that helped. The diapers each came with 2 liners, a tiny newborn small one, and a med large for when she gets bigger. They also came with an easy to replace elastic sizer. If replacing is like sizing, it may take a little bit, so hopefully they wear fine. The snaps to size the diapers are great, though its taking a bit of trial and error to get them right on zoey, she has a tiny skinny waist and chubby little thighs. It does take a minute to snap but its not that bad. With disposables I had to tape them a couple times on before it was just right, these i know right what snaps to click. They are also hard to unsnap for a child which is great! Hopefully she wont learn to pull them off for a long long time :)
We also got a swim diaper. We are going to a water park on new years day and vacation in february so she needs it to swim like 4 times...lol. then we can get another couple ones for the summer since she will be much bigger and will be in the pool with me every day! I loooooove our inground pool. It was the only thing that saved me during the hot summer and being gigantic and pregnant. Though i did get my butt stuck in a tube a couple times and had to wait till jim came out to rescue me...haha! But back to the diaper, it says to had wash which i can handle but it says the colors may run if it gets wet, are you kidding me its a swim diaper. So i think ill have to write to site and see if thats true cause then its going back. I even paid more to have the snap kind, not the velcro kind so it doesnt stick to my bathing suit. I have a gorgeous juicy couture swim dress, the one and only bathing suit ive ever really really loved. (though i did think the pregnancy swim suits werent bad with lots of belly room so it was cute being fat in one...lol) but its so pretty and wasnt cheap, but you cant do anything in it. like no hot tubs or anything so you have to be really selective where you wear it. so having a velcro diaper stick to me was not in the cards! ick!This is by nooooo means what i look like it it, but its stinking adorable! mine is a darker maroon color.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Our little Zoeys first thanksgiving
Our little zoey had a wonderful thanksgiving. Though I was a bad mom and forgot my camera! ugh! But I hosted another thanksgiving at my house last night, so I will put up some pics when i can.
Black friday was good, added to my stash. i ordered another mac and cheese,spearmint, butter-cream and grape fuzzi buns. I also got some samples of bumgenius detergent, also got CJ's BUTTer Original Diaper Cream in coconut lime which im soooo excited to try, but i hope she never gets a diaper rash. Zoey is 12 weeks tomorrow and has yet to have a diaper rash, even in disposables. The diapers are out for delivery today and im dying with anticipation. im sitting at the dinning room table with a clear view, waiting patiently. I already cleaned the house decorated for christmas, so writing this will stop me from pacing back and forth watching out of the bay window.
Jim picked up a bunch of tools from lowes on black friday, love having a handy husband :) and they are going to come in extra handy these next couple weeks. Jim is putting up walls in the basement. we have a large basement with 2 dogs, a great dane and black lab. they have a doggy door to the back yard and a twin bed for the dane and a couch for the lab. they live pretty stinking well. haha! but the washer and dryer are down there and if i have to wash more often i want to just run down with out having to entertain them. plus jims man cave of a garage is packed to the top with stuff. We have a pool table, air hockey and ping ping table out there. Plus the ride on mower and bagger and all the patio and pool furniture. Plus his tools, we have a pretty large garage but its getting tight. I go out there and turn right back around. haha! So he will be building an area for the air hockey and ping pong and his gym equipment. so that frees up a lot of garage space. plus makes a nice area for my laundry and maybe a play room in a couple years. We have a laundry shoot but i cant use it since the dogs will walk by and take the clothes out back, cant tell you how many times i had to go collect dirty underwear off my back yard, thank goodness we have a 6 foot privacy fence. lol!
I decorated the house for christmas this morning and i love it! I really have a thing for zebra print, my house is covered in it. and so its only fitting to have that for my christmas. We have a white tree with black, pink, silver and zebra. I mean i dont know anyone else who has white feather boas and black roses decorating their christmas :)
diapers STILL arent here....this is killllllling me! Ill write more when i get them
Black friday was good, added to my stash. i ordered another mac and cheese,spearmint, butter-cream and grape fuzzi buns. I also got some samples of bumgenius detergent, also got CJ's BUTTer Original Diaper Cream in coconut lime which im soooo excited to try, but i hope she never gets a diaper rash. Zoey is 12 weeks tomorrow and has yet to have a diaper rash, even in disposables. The diapers are out for delivery today and im dying with anticipation. im sitting at the dinning room table with a clear view, waiting patiently. I already cleaned the house decorated for christmas, so writing this will stop me from pacing back and forth watching out of the bay window.
Jim picked up a bunch of tools from lowes on black friday, love having a handy husband :) and they are going to come in extra handy these next couple weeks. Jim is putting up walls in the basement. we have a large basement with 2 dogs, a great dane and black lab. they have a doggy door to the back yard and a twin bed for the dane and a couch for the lab. they live pretty stinking well. haha! but the washer and dryer are down there and if i have to wash more often i want to just run down with out having to entertain them. plus jims man cave of a garage is packed to the top with stuff. We have a pool table, air hockey and ping ping table out there. Plus the ride on mower and bagger and all the patio and pool furniture. Plus his tools, we have a pretty large garage but its getting tight. I go out there and turn right back around. haha! So he will be building an area for the air hockey and ping pong and his gym equipment. so that frees up a lot of garage space. plus makes a nice area for my laundry and maybe a play room in a couple years. We have a laundry shoot but i cant use it since the dogs will walk by and take the clothes out back, cant tell you how many times i had to go collect dirty underwear off my back yard, thank goodness we have a 6 foot privacy fence. lol!
I decorated the house for christmas this morning and i love it! I really have a thing for zebra print, my house is covered in it. and so its only fitting to have that for my christmas. We have a white tree with black, pink, silver and zebra. I mean i dont know anyone else who has white feather boas and black roses decorating their christmas :)
diapers STILL arent here....this is killllllling me! Ill write more when i get them
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
I prefer my grocerys in paper and plastic, not my baby
Well Ive decided to go the cloth diapering route. Zoey just started fitting into size one diapers, luckily we were given a bunch for her baby shower. But we did have to buy probably 10-15 packs of newborn for my mini. But I just cant stand to think of how many diapers we will have to buy and just toss. Id love to say im trying to save the earth, but quite frankly its cause i love saving money. im not a cheap skate but hate to toss it away when there is plenty i can do to save it. (plus have you SEEN the new cloth diapers, they are beyond adorable)
Cloth diaper savings calculator - check out what you will be saving :)
So give or take it will take us about 18 weeks to break even and after that were smooth sailing, and never have to buy a diaper for our baby(s) again. Seeings that most people spend about 1-3k on diapering 1 child depending on brand and how long to potty train, the $250 start up wasnt hard to swallow. We are going to be aiming for 3 children but are open to more. So we can pass along to her future siblings. Since Im only working part time now, and do laundry daily, this shouldnt be much of a problem. Though I will have to fight my great dane an extra time a day to get to the washer. I really thought it would be a battle to win my hubby over to the idea, but he was all for it. I think i got him with the its cheaper and less trash to lug down our long driveway line...lol. Im not sure how the rest of the family will feel, but really they have come so far, hopefully it shouldnt be a problem. My one brother and I were raised on old school cloth and we turned out fine, but our mom did diaper the other 3 with disposables... having 10 straight years with kids in diapers!eeks! But they really have come such a long way since then Im happy to hear :)
So we decided to go for the FuzziBunz brand one size fits all, which is fabulous! So they will fit from a newborn up until potty training. Which did i forget to mention does go quicker because they can feel they are wet before its absorbed. :)
I ordered 12 in a rainbow of colors butter cream, choco truffle, grape, light it up blue, mac n cheese, spearmint, tootie fruitie, cotton candy, crushed berries, watermelon and 2 mint.
Arent they adorable? During the summer we wont even have to bother with a diaper cover when she wears her little dresses, or even *gasp* she can run around just in her diaper and look stinking cute. Not even mentioning her photos will be cuter without some ugly disposable diaper.
We also ordered 2 Diaper tire wet bags for holding diapers on the go and a diaper pail liner to hold them. We also got a diaper sprayer so we can just rinse away the messes without touching them or the old fashioned swish in the toliet....ick...
So I cant cant wait to get them in the mail, probably next week, which they better cause if not shes gonna be in sad shape since im not buying any more diapers...lol... Woo Hoo!!!!
So give or take it will take us about 18 weeks to break even and after that were smooth sailing, and never have to buy a diaper for our baby(s) again. Seeings that most people spend about 1-3k on diapering 1 child depending on brand and how long to potty train, the $250 start up wasnt hard to swallow. We are going to be aiming for 3 children but are open to more. So we can pass along to her future siblings. Since Im only working part time now, and do laundry daily, this shouldnt be much of a problem. Though I will have to fight my great dane an extra time a day to get to the washer. I really thought it would be a battle to win my hubby over to the idea, but he was all for it. I think i got him with the its cheaper and less trash to lug down our long driveway line...lol. Im not sure how the rest of the family will feel, but really they have come so far, hopefully it shouldnt be a problem. My one brother and I were raised on old school cloth and we turned out fine, but our mom did diaper the other 3 with disposables... having 10 straight years with kids in diapers!eeks! But they really have come such a long way since then Im happy to hear :)
So we decided to go for the FuzziBunz brand one size fits all, which is fabulous! So they will fit from a newborn up until potty training. Which did i forget to mention does go quicker because they can feel they are wet before its absorbed. :)
I ordered 12 in a rainbow of colors butter cream, choco truffle, grape, light it up blue, mac n cheese, spearmint, tootie fruitie, cotton candy, crushed berries, watermelon and 2 mint.
Arent they adorable? During the summer we wont even have to bother with a diaper cover when she wears her little dresses, or even *gasp* she can run around just in her diaper and look stinking cute. Not even mentioning her photos will be cuter without some ugly disposable diaper.
We also ordered 2 Diaper tire wet bags for holding diapers on the go and a diaper pail liner to hold them. We also got a diaper sprayer so we can just rinse away the messes without touching them or the old fashioned swish in the toliet....ick...
So I cant cant wait to get them in the mail, probably next week, which they better cause if not shes gonna be in sad shape since im not buying any more diapers...lol... Woo Hoo!!!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thanks for the mammeries
Ok now onto the current breast feeding situation. It has since improved I am happy to say :)
My sweet zoey jane has yet to fully latch correctly but she is doing much better. With her getting bigger it has really seemed to help. We are using the shield maybe half the time now. As much as I long to have her skin to skin with me, I really would never have been able to make it this far without it.
She is 11 weeks old now and has been sleeping through the night since maybe 8 weeks which has been more then a blessing for this sleepy mama. She sleeps from about 1130 to 10 the next morning. I still have to wake up and pump but thats ok with me.
Supply is up with the help of motilium, a prescription for stomach conditions, and milk supply. Its been more then a blessing for me. Ive struggled with stomach problems since I was in 8th grade. Not only has it fixed my stomach issues milk production is up. Ive increased to about 4-5 oz. when pumping, so its not up completely but its better then empty :) Zoey does get supplements of formula when I have to. But I really try not to, thus why I wake up at 430 every morning to pump extra, while the princess is still sleeping. Jim just ordered me some more so Im going to try increasing the dose and see where that gets us. Until then we have been incredibly fortunate to have a milk gift from my aunt whos baby is no longer able to have breast milk. There is no greater gift then that, and for that I will forever be thankful. I highly recommend having a pregnancy with family due the same time as you :)
This journey of breastfeeding has been so much more difficult than i could have ever imagined. They are right it does not come naturally, it takes a lot of dedication and work and plenty of blood sweat and tears. And i just marvel at women who nurse exclusively. While its hard for me to accept that formula is not poison, I know that my daughters nutrition is more important then my hang ups. Im just thankful for every tiny drop im able to provide her, no matter how many times i have to wake up and pump. sleep is over rated anyway.
My sweet zoey jane has yet to fully latch correctly but she is doing much better. With her getting bigger it has really seemed to help. We are using the shield maybe half the time now. As much as I long to have her skin to skin with me, I really would never have been able to make it this far without it.
She is 11 weeks old now and has been sleeping through the night since maybe 8 weeks which has been more then a blessing for this sleepy mama. She sleeps from about 1130 to 10 the next morning. I still have to wake up and pump but thats ok with me.
Supply is up with the help of motilium, a prescription for stomach conditions, and milk supply. Its been more then a blessing for me. Ive struggled with stomach problems since I was in 8th grade. Not only has it fixed my stomach issues milk production is up. Ive increased to about 4-5 oz. when pumping, so its not up completely but its better then empty :) Zoey does get supplements of formula when I have to. But I really try not to, thus why I wake up at 430 every morning to pump extra, while the princess is still sleeping. Jim just ordered me some more so Im going to try increasing the dose and see where that gets us. Until then we have been incredibly fortunate to have a milk gift from my aunt whos baby is no longer able to have breast milk. There is no greater gift then that, and for that I will forever be thankful. I highly recommend having a pregnancy with family due the same time as you :)
This journey of breastfeeding has been so much more difficult than i could have ever imagined. They are right it does not come naturally, it takes a lot of dedication and work and plenty of blood sweat and tears. And i just marvel at women who nurse exclusively. While its hard for me to accept that formula is not poison, I know that my daughters nutrition is more important then my hang ups. Im just thankful for every tiny drop im able to provide her, no matter how many times i have to wake up and pump. sleep is over rated anyway.
past breastfeeding struggles
To catch up to this point, this is some of my earlier breast feeding struggles...
ugh! im so frustrated with the breastfeeding.
it all started in the hosp. zoey wouldnt latch on so the lactation consultants and nurses had me on the nipple shield, which is used for inverted nipples, which i dont have. she really wanted nothing to do with nursing and just slept and we had to keep waking her up. they had me trying to nurse for 30 mins at a time every 2 hours with this stupid shield. my nipples were raw and started bleeding. the day we left they said she was jaundice and had us return for her tests everyday for almost a week. meanwhile she had brick stains in her diaper at this point, which is dehydration. so the pediatrician was concerned and said after every feeding i had to supplement her with the formula and we had to keep going back for weigh ins. she made her weigh in and i told her i was having trouble and she said just to keep trying. but she didnt want me nursing so long so often because she was comfort sucking and causing me pain.
so by now my nipples are beyond hurt and i swear i cried more then she did. so i decided i was going to pump. i had very little milk. looked up nipple shield online and it said yea it will lesson the supply because im not being stimulated enough.
so the supplementation continues, i try the herb fenugreek to help increase supply to not find it much help. it makes me smell like syrup and sweat like a man. pumping is at 2 oz a session now. trying to wean off the shield, efforts are met with screaming.
but now thats not enough. she needs more, way more, she was able to consume 8 oz without vomiting, in this tiny little body. i felt like a horrible mom who cant make enough. but shes not suppose to have that much yet, so shes still comfort sucking, which i now desperately need her to do to me so i can have a supply.
so currently she is off the shield, thank goodness. but she still cant latch right. i nurse her for around 20 mins total now and then give her a pacifier and she seems content. my nipple hurts still and comes out of her mouth looking like a new tube of lipstick, which means shes not taking it far enough in. ive been feeding all hours of the day and night and met with screams of who knows what. either hunger or comfort me.
i just feel like i was doomed from the beginning. it was labor day weekend when we were there and i felt like everyone had a place to be and didnt want to take time to really sit there and help us. they just gave me the shield and that was that. i kinda feel the dr is also more for formula anyway. or maybe not educated enough in breastfeeding. i just feel like every time i talk to her she pushes me to the bottle. maybe she just senses my frustration. and its a shame cause i really like her. my mom has tried to help me, she nursed, and she cant get her to latch on me either. (do you have any idea how many peoples hands of been on my nipple shoving it in zoeys mouth...lol)
i know that no pump can get out what a baby can, but clearly my baby cant either...ugh... but i currently can only get 1.5 out of my left and barely a .5 out of the right. I want to go on medication for increase supply but feel like more nursing correctly is the better way to go, i just hope its not too late. but with work coming up in 2 weeks i dont have much time to start getting a system down and some tiny supply for the freezer.
hopefully i can get a little more insight tomorrow from the dr. and zoey starts catching on. i just need her to open alittle wider. i just feel like this is a losing battle but i so desperately want her solely on breast milk. but she will be eating solids before we get the hang of this...sighs...
any insight is more then welcomed.
ugh! im so frustrated with the breastfeeding.
it all started in the hosp. zoey wouldnt latch on so the lactation consultants and nurses had me on the nipple shield, which is used for inverted nipples, which i dont have. she really wanted nothing to do with nursing and just slept and we had to keep waking her up. they had me trying to nurse for 30 mins at a time every 2 hours with this stupid shield. my nipples were raw and started bleeding. the day we left they said she was jaundice and had us return for her tests everyday for almost a week. meanwhile she had brick stains in her diaper at this point, which is dehydration. so the pediatrician was concerned and said after every feeding i had to supplement her with the formula and we had to keep going back for weigh ins. she made her weigh in and i told her i was having trouble and she said just to keep trying. but she didnt want me nursing so long so often because she was comfort sucking and causing me pain.
so by now my nipples are beyond hurt and i swear i cried more then she did. so i decided i was going to pump. i had very little milk. looked up nipple shield online and it said yea it will lesson the supply because im not being stimulated enough.
so the supplementation continues, i try the herb fenugreek to help increase supply to not find it much help. it makes me smell like syrup and sweat like a man. pumping is at 2 oz a session now. trying to wean off the shield, efforts are met with screaming.
but now thats not enough. she needs more, way more, she was able to consume 8 oz without vomiting, in this tiny little body. i felt like a horrible mom who cant make enough. but shes not suppose to have that much yet, so shes still comfort sucking, which i now desperately need her to do to me so i can have a supply.
so currently she is off the shield, thank goodness. but she still cant latch right. i nurse her for around 20 mins total now and then give her a pacifier and she seems content. my nipple hurts still and comes out of her mouth looking like a new tube of lipstick, which means shes not taking it far enough in. ive been feeding all hours of the day and night and met with screams of who knows what. either hunger or comfort me.
i just feel like i was doomed from the beginning. it was labor day weekend when we were there and i felt like everyone had a place to be and didnt want to take time to really sit there and help us. they just gave me the shield and that was that. i kinda feel the dr is also more for formula anyway. or maybe not educated enough in breastfeeding. i just feel like every time i talk to her she pushes me to the bottle. maybe she just senses my frustration. and its a shame cause i really like her. my mom has tried to help me, she nursed, and she cant get her to latch on me either. (do you have any idea how many peoples hands of been on my nipple shoving it in zoeys mouth...lol)
i know that no pump can get out what a baby can, but clearly my baby cant either...ugh... but i currently can only get 1.5 out of my left and barely a .5 out of the right. I want to go on medication for increase supply but feel like more nursing correctly is the better way to go, i just hope its not too late. but with work coming up in 2 weeks i dont have much time to start getting a system down and some tiny supply for the freezer.
hopefully i can get a little more insight tomorrow from the dr. and zoey starts catching on. i just need her to open alittle wider. i just feel like this is a losing battle but i so desperately want her solely on breast milk. but she will be eating solids before we get the hang of this...sighs...
any insight is more then welcomed.
Humble beginnings
Well finally decided I should begin a blog about my adventures, struggles and many blessings of being a newly wed and newly mom :) But first a little bit about me and how I got to this fabulous point in my life :)
Im 26 years old and was married on September 26, 2010 to the love of my life to my tall dark and handsome husband James. We started dating in June 2005 and plan on living happily ever after with many little ones in tow
Our wedding...
My Pregnancy and delivery
To some up my pregnancy in some FAQs...
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? yes!!
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? yes, for only 3 months :)
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? i was ecstatic! jim was a little nervous
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? nada
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 26
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? well, since we were trying to have a baby waiting to test was the longest 2 weeks of my life i swore up and down i was pregnant, i tested and got a negative and was devastated. i was a wreck, thats all I wanted for christmas. after a miserable and exhausting christmas and new years, on january 2nd I made Jim drive me to walmart in the middle of the night for a test, and sure enough +
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? jim and our family
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? no way! it was soooo much fun to not have any idea. but then again after delivery i was told it was a boy and shes a girl...lol...not sure how you mix that up...haha
9. DUE DATE? 9-5-11 was my first due date, but during the first visit they couldnt find the baby so they did an ultra sound and found her. but they decided to move my due date to 9-18, but i knew they were wrong, but all the sizes matched up with her time after time. well guess who made her appearance right when i said she would...lol
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? yup for 7 months and heart burn like i was on fire!
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? big macs and i hadnt had mcdonalds in prob 5-6 years and havent since. and hard boiled eggs
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? almost everything...but i was a house cleaning maniac.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? i wanted a girl soooo bad but swore i was having a boy.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? i think i peaked around 18 lbs!!! 1 week 1 day i was back to normal and today 10 weeks after im less then where i started, what a diet!
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? yes...a huge baby q pool party :)
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? it was at my house so i knew, i loooove planning parties
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? not till the end when they thought shed get stuck and to do a c section. im so glad i didnt she was so tiny
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? new virtua Hospital, which is fabulous
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 19 hours, pushed 45 mins
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? jim. he went to work and i had a dream with horrible pain and woke up, tried to waddle and go to the bathroom, but stood up and my water broke. i called him in a panic and he had to take a taxi to get home in time. he drove like a mad man...lol
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? jim, my mom and rachel
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? epidural baby, i wasnt winning any mommy of the year award that day
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6lbs 13 oz
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? 2 days or 2 weeks early... september 3rd 2011
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Zoey Jane
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 10 weeks old
Im 26 years old and was married on September 26, 2010 to the love of my life to my tall dark and handsome husband James. We started dating in June 2005 and plan on living happily ever after with many little ones in tow
Our wedding...
My Pregnancy and delivery
To some up my pregnancy in some FAQs...
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? yes!!
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? yes, for only 3 months :)
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? i was ecstatic! jim was a little nervous
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? nada
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 26
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? well, since we were trying to have a baby waiting to test was the longest 2 weeks of my life i swore up and down i was pregnant, i tested and got a negative and was devastated. i was a wreck, thats all I wanted for christmas. after a miserable and exhausting christmas and new years, on january 2nd I made Jim drive me to walmart in the middle of the night for a test, and sure enough +
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? jim and our family
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? no way! it was soooo much fun to not have any idea. but then again after delivery i was told it was a boy and shes a girl...lol...not sure how you mix that up...haha
9. DUE DATE? 9-5-11 was my first due date, but during the first visit they couldnt find the baby so they did an ultra sound and found her. but they decided to move my due date to 9-18, but i knew they were wrong, but all the sizes matched up with her time after time. well guess who made her appearance right when i said she would...lol
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? yup for 7 months and heart burn like i was on fire!
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? big macs and i hadnt had mcdonalds in prob 5-6 years and havent since. and hard boiled eggs
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? almost everything...but i was a house cleaning maniac.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? i wanted a girl soooo bad but swore i was having a boy.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? i think i peaked around 18 lbs!!! 1 week 1 day i was back to normal and today 10 weeks after im less then where i started, what a diet!
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? yes...a huge baby q pool party :)
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? it was at my house so i knew, i loooove planning parties
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? not till the end when they thought shed get stuck and to do a c section. im so glad i didnt she was so tiny
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? new virtua Hospital, which is fabulous
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 19 hours, pushed 45 mins
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? jim. he went to work and i had a dream with horrible pain and woke up, tried to waddle and go to the bathroom, but stood up and my water broke. i called him in a panic and he had to take a taxi to get home in time. he drove like a mad man...lol
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? jim, my mom and rachel
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? epidural baby, i wasnt winning any mommy of the year award that day
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6lbs 13 oz
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? 2 days or 2 weeks early... september 3rd 2011
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Zoey Jane
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 10 weeks old
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