I haven't been writing a lot because spring break is here and it is also my pumping break. Instead of pumping three times a day, I've been down to one or none each day this week. My nipples feel great. I've been able to breastfeed and not worry about replenishing the fridge milk supply. It's funny because at my morning pumping sessions, after her early feeding, I've been getting more this week (4 oz instead of 1 oz) than I do regularly during the work week. They say stress plays a roll in milk production; there's your proof.
We've also started solids this weeks. She had 5 days of rice cereal made with breast milk and today she had her first taste of banana. Some days she's liked it more than others. I'd say I've gotten about 5-10 good spoonfuls per time and only one time a day. The mess is incredible. I ordered some plastic bibs so I don't have to use cloth one and launder it each time.
She also rolled over twice today. This happened once before a week and a half ago, but nothing since, till today. I feel like all this new stuff is happening at once. No surprise that she's slept 2 extra long morning naps this week. One was just over three hours and today's was 2 hours and 45 minutes. Crazy.
Here's my early link love:
http://www.babysignlanguage.com/basics/
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Babies rock!
Today was truly a unique experience. Baby girl and I got together with my grad-school friends. Eight years ago, we all met. We were single, childless, optimistic creatures. Today, we're mostly married with children (the oldest is 26 months) or a baby on the way (4.5 months preggo) and ever so optimistic. Life's just a little different than it was, but it's interesting to see how our paths have diverged and converged again over time. The overall consensus of the group was: babies rock. Each of us seems to happy with our situation and the presence of these little humans. It was so refreshing.
Society tells us that our life will never be the same after baby (A.B.) as it was before baby (B.B.) While this is true, it seems like people say that in a bad way. They mean that you'll never get to work out (not true), you won't be able to go out to dinner (also not true), your house will be messy (true sometimes but it was BB too), and overall you'll just be so consumed with babyness that you forget who you are as an adult (not true most of the time). I feel like society had me quivering in fear over what my life would be like AB. Not that we waited a long time BB, but had I known what I know now, I would have started way before. I was afraid for no reason. I love being a mom. So do my friends I saw today.
I do know people though, who make children and babies sound like such a burden. They can't wait to get away from them whether it's for work, for fun, or just for show. They don't want to change a diaper. They warn me of nasty things that may be to come. They're trying to instill that fear in me again. Maybe I'll feel differently someday, but right now I love it and can't get enough of baby girl.
Society tells us that our life will never be the same after baby (A.B.) as it was before baby (B.B.) While this is true, it seems like people say that in a bad way. They mean that you'll never get to work out (not true), you won't be able to go out to dinner (also not true), your house will be messy (true sometimes but it was BB too), and overall you'll just be so consumed with babyness that you forget who you are as an adult (not true most of the time). I feel like society had me quivering in fear over what my life would be like AB. Not that we waited a long time BB, but had I known what I know now, I would have started way before. I was afraid for no reason. I love being a mom. So do my friends I saw today.
I do know people though, who make children and babies sound like such a burden. They can't wait to get away from them whether it's for work, for fun, or just for show. They don't want to change a diaper. They warn me of nasty things that may be to come. They're trying to instill that fear in me again. Maybe I'll feel differently someday, but right now I love it and can't get enough of baby girl.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Growing up fast
You always here people say that children grow up fast. I had no idea. I feel like she gets bigger and develops a new skill in the 8 hours I'm gone Monday thru Friday. Today I came home and she looked like a real baby. Even a few months ago, I went to a friends' baby shower and there was a 6 month old baby there. She was sitting, eating toys, and awake for a 2 hour stretch. Baby girl turns 5 months this weekend and is not too far from that.
We switched her to her big girl, seated stroller. On Saturday, I put her in her bassinet for a walk and she was doing a mini baby an crunch, straining to sit up. While she was far off, I could tell what she wanted. Once sitting up and looking wrong, she was content.
Today in the bath, she did the same thing and wanted to sit instead of swim. She was splashing the water with her hand and actually grabbing her turtle squirter. When she turtle would float away, she would whine and splash more. She's never before reacted to not having her toy. This was only a taste of what's to come, I'm sure. She's sitting better, becoming much more aware, and being more decisive about what she wants.
While I'm glad she's following a normal developmental timeline, I find myself a little sad of the days and weeks that have already passed. She will never be a newborn again. She will never need me to help her latch on. She won't be milk-drunk the same way. She won't wake up for middle of the night feedings. She won't be content just laying together. She doesn't fall asleep on my shoulder anymore. All these are things I already miss. I just hope I remember these wonderful days down the road, and I don't wake up from sleep deprivation to find those memories dimmer.
We switched her to her big girl, seated stroller. On Saturday, I put her in her bassinet for a walk and she was doing a mini baby an crunch, straining to sit up. While she was far off, I could tell what she wanted. Once sitting up and looking wrong, she was content.
Today in the bath, she did the same thing and wanted to sit instead of swim. She was splashing the water with her hand and actually grabbing her turtle squirter. When she turtle would float away, she would whine and splash more. She's never before reacted to not having her toy. This was only a taste of what's to come, I'm sure. She's sitting better, becoming much more aware, and being more decisive about what she wants.
While I'm glad she's following a normal developmental timeline, I find myself a little sad of the days and weeks that have already passed. She will never be a newborn again. She will never need me to help her latch on. She won't be milk-drunk the same way. She won't wake up for middle of the night feedings. She won't be content just laying together. She doesn't fall asleep on my shoulder anymore. All these are things I already miss. I just hope I remember these wonderful days down the road, and I don't wake up from sleep deprivation to find those memories dimmer.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Only 1 hour?!
Seeing my baby girl for 1 hour a day is not enough. I fed her this morning at 6:31. After getting dressed, eating breakfast, pumping, and packing pump parts, I was out the door. After school (I'm a teacher), I got home to feed her again. We played for about 30 minutes after and then it was time to go again. Yes, I love teaching Zumba, but sometimes it'd be easier not to. Lately, the hardest part is just leaving her. Once I'm gone or there, I am fine. I feel good; I'm social and working out. But, the leaving is rough.
Typically, she's been napping while I'm gone and then eating again at about 8:30 pm. Tonight, I got home at 7:15 (that's really fast considering my class ends at 7:00) to daddy saying she'd just eaten. And, total disappointment sets in. Why? It must be that now my expectation of the night has changed. She's asleep, has eaten already, and I may not get to see her awake again tonight. Of course, I should be happy that she was fed when she was hungry. He did the right thing, but I have to talk myself down.
Then comes the readjusting of my plan for the evening. Should I wake her later to feed her again? Do we let her try and sleep till morning? (unlikely) Do I pump now and hope that I produce enough to feed her again in an hour? Do I wake her in an hour, feed her, then pump if there's left over? Will my mission to increase supply be squashed by this evening? Why does it bother me that I'm down one bottle from my stockpile? (there's plenty in there) So, I'm talking myself down by writing. I know that I can't plan and always expect to follow that plan with baby girl around. I have to accept that things will vary. Hopefully I'll get more than one hour tomorrow.
Typically, she's been napping while I'm gone and then eating again at about 8:30 pm. Tonight, I got home at 7:15 (that's really fast considering my class ends at 7:00) to daddy saying she'd just eaten. And, total disappointment sets in. Why? It must be that now my expectation of the night has changed. She's asleep, has eaten already, and I may not get to see her awake again tonight. Of course, I should be happy that she was fed when she was hungry. He did the right thing, but I have to talk myself down.
Then comes the readjusting of my plan for the evening. Should I wake her later to feed her again? Do we let her try and sleep till morning? (unlikely) Do I pump now and hope that I produce enough to feed her again in an hour? Do I wake her in an hour, feed her, then pump if there's left over? Will my mission to increase supply be squashed by this evening? Why does it bother me that I'm down one bottle from my stockpile? (there's plenty in there) So, I'm talking myself down by writing. I know that I can't plan and always expect to follow that plan with baby girl around. I have to accept that things will vary. Hopefully I'll get more than one hour tomorrow.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Baby steps...
No, she's not walking yet. But I've made significant progress in several areas.
#1
I went for my massage today. My husband's been kindly reminding me, since Christmas, that I had a 1 hour massage waiting. He even offered to schedule the appointment for me. After many weekends, I finally succumbed to my hour of relaxation. It was divine.
#2
I've been pumping 5-6 oz at each workday pumping session, instead of the usual 4-5 oz. While it might seem like peanuts to some, every little bit helps. And helps me feel not so bad when I've had to pump and dump. Yes, I know. Challenging, but I know it's the right thing.
#3
Last night, I took my hubby to a birthday dinner. For weeks I was just planning on bringing baby girl along. Figured we go somewhere casual enough with delicious food. After making 3 reservations, 2 for earlier so we could bring her, and one for later without her, I asked my co-workers for advice. They were unanimous in saying without. Mostly, I'm usually just being selfish because I go through withdrawal during the week. I didn't want to give her up on a Friday night. But, on a last minute whim, my sister offered to babysit, so I went for it. We dropped her off and went to dinner. And, I survived. You could even say I allowed myself to have a good time.
Other highlights of this week...
-Got to teach Zumba at an awesome downtown event!
-Shared a bathroom pumping session with a coworker.
-Went to a local baby store mommy appreciation night with a friend and chatted up some other moms.
-Got to see both of my friends' new babies and held them.
-Met my mom and baby girl for a lunch date during work on Wednesday. Special circumstances. Felt spoiled to see her in the middle of the day.
#1
I went for my massage today. My husband's been kindly reminding me, since Christmas, that I had a 1 hour massage waiting. He even offered to schedule the appointment for me. After many weekends, I finally succumbed to my hour of relaxation. It was divine.
#2
I've been pumping 5-6 oz at each workday pumping session, instead of the usual 4-5 oz. While it might seem like peanuts to some, every little bit helps. And helps me feel not so bad when I've had to pump and dump. Yes, I know. Challenging, but I know it's the right thing.
#3
Last night, I took my hubby to a birthday dinner. For weeks I was just planning on bringing baby girl along. Figured we go somewhere casual enough with delicious food. After making 3 reservations, 2 for earlier so we could bring her, and one for later without her, I asked my co-workers for advice. They were unanimous in saying without. Mostly, I'm usually just being selfish because I go through withdrawal during the week. I didn't want to give her up on a Friday night. But, on a last minute whim, my sister offered to babysit, so I went for it. We dropped her off and went to dinner. And, I survived. You could even say I allowed myself to have a good time.
Other highlights of this week...
-Got to teach Zumba at an awesome downtown event!
-Shared a bathroom pumping session with a coworker.
-Went to a local baby store mommy appreciation night with a friend and chatted up some other moms.
-Got to see both of my friends' new babies and held them.
-Met my mom and baby girl for a lunch date during work on Wednesday. Special circumstances. Felt spoiled to see her in the middle of the day.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
To increase breast milk production
To increase me supply. That is my goal. Baby girl has started eating 5-7 oz per bottle feeding. She has two of these a day, but while I'm pumping at work I only get 4-5 oz per pumping session. So, the obvious problem is she's consuming more than I'm producing. We've been delving into the freezer stock for two reasons. First, they say milk should only be frozen for 4-6 months. She's over 4 months old now, so the milk I froze in her first few months needs to be used. Second is this supply problem. While it's not actually a problem yet, I like to be proactive.
Project increase milk supply has begun. I'm drinking extra water. My mom is convinced I might float away and wonders why I'm not up 5 times a night just to use the bathroom. Since I ordered some Mother's Milk tea, I've started drinking at least one cup per day, wondering when I will see some results. My mom told me to start drinking beer at night. I've never been much a beer person, but I'm going to try. Now, I'm instilling an additional evening pumping session on nights I'm home.
On top of all this, she seems to be actually nursing for less time than she was before. Last week I went to breastfeeding support group. I weighed her before and after feeding. She was quick to finish and distracted yet ate over 5 oz in that short time. So, I know I'm producing enough during nursing sessions. I can't help but wonder if I'm only pumping 4-5 oz because I'm at work. It's not the most breast friendly place. I look at pictures of her, read about breastfeeding, breathe deeply, and have even brought her clothing/burp clothes so inspire my breasts. Hopefully I'll get over this hump and be able to continue on.
Project increase milk supply has begun. I'm drinking extra water. My mom is convinced I might float away and wonders why I'm not up 5 times a night just to use the bathroom. Since I ordered some Mother's Milk tea, I've started drinking at least one cup per day, wondering when I will see some results. My mom told me to start drinking beer at night. I've never been much a beer person, but I'm going to try. Now, I'm instilling an additional evening pumping session on nights I'm home.
On top of all this, she seems to be actually nursing for less time than she was before. Last week I went to breastfeeding support group. I weighed her before and after feeding. She was quick to finish and distracted yet ate over 5 oz in that short time. So, I know I'm producing enough during nursing sessions. I can't help but wonder if I'm only pumping 4-5 oz because I'm at work. It's not the most breast friendly place. I look at pictures of her, read about breastfeeding, breathe deeply, and have even brought her clothing/burp clothes so inspire my breasts. Hopefully I'll get over this hump and be able to continue on.
Monday, February 27, 2012
2 new friends
Baby girl got 2 new friends this weekend. It was weird but good hearing about me friends' labors. We went to both hospitals. One was where I delivered. I knew what to expect, but my friend was rooming right next to where I was only 4 months ago. Being back felt good. Familiar. The other hospital was recently remodeled and WOW! It felt like a luxury hotel with swanky lighting. Makes me want to reconsider where I give birth next time if I decide to do it in a hospital again.
What I want to do is lend my friends my ear. I want to be there to listen to them tell and retell their stories. Even though my friends were going through similar things the same weekend, each labor is so unique. I wish them the very best and can't wait to enter this new stage of life together.
What I want to do is lend my friends my ear. I want to be there to listen to them tell and retell their stories. Even though my friends were going through similar things the same weekend, each labor is so unique. I wish them the very best and can't wait to enter this new stage of life together.
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