I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT TIME FOR THIS BOARD. WE ARE HOME NOW. I AM UPSTAIRS IN BED WITH NATHAN IN THE CO-SLEEPER. MY CROTCH DOESN'T REALLY HURT, BUT MY UTERUS IS CONTRACTING SO BAD WITH THE FEEDING AND THEN MORE ON IT'S OWN THAT IT IS HARD TO WALK. I HAVE SOME VICODIN 500'S, BUT RIGHT NOW IT JUST ISN'T ENOUGH. IF THIS KEEPS UP UNTIL MONDAY, I WILL HAVE TO CALL FOR SOMETHING STRONGER. I AM SO HAPPY YOU CAME BY THE HOSPITAL, THAT WAS A NICE SUPRISE. LEVI IS ADORABLE. I FELT SO SORRY FOR HIM. WITH ALL THE GRUNTING, HE SEEMED SO UNCOMFORTABLE. ANYWAY, I THINK MY MILK IS STARTING TO COME IN. I SURE HOPE SO, NATHAN HAS ONLY PEED ONCE TODAY AND I DON'T WANT THE PEDIATRICIAN TO ASK ME TO SUPPLEMENT. OKAY, I AM EXHAUSTED, AND I HAVE TO PEE, I WILL TALK TO YOU LATER. ↓
Hey, I left you another message. I wanted to talk to you more about the breastfeeding when you called earlier, but a friend of mine was sitting next to me and I felt really akward with her there. ↑
Please call your doctor or contact your local branch of the La Leche League right away. While I understand your desire to breastfeed, your child's health and even life are far more important! I'm saying this because I had supply problems. At our 2 day checkup they almost readmitted her into the hospital because of dehydration. It only a very short time for serious dehydration to set in when they are that young. I had to supplement and now have a healthy happy girl. It scares me to look back and think how I had my priorities all mixed up. Your child's immediate health is the most important thing. ↑
Hey, hope things are going better! Is he peeing any more? Levi seems to be doing better with the grunting - except that he likes to do it for like an hour or so after her eats at 3 or 4am. ugh...Rachel was a bear today - totally naughty. She hit Levi once - only once. :) Daddy was sitting right next to her. :) She's into a hitting stage now. So frustrating!!! Anyways, I'm hanging out watching TV trying to decompress. Hope things are going ok for you!! ↑
I'm better. Nathaniels first pediatric appointment went reallly well, Dr. Hernandez managed to redeem himself and we left happy with how things went. I told him about the issues I am having with breastfeeding and he told me that they actually have an RN who specializes in lactation in the office on Tuesdays. I was able to schedule an appointment with her for tomorrow at 5pm, I am really looking forward to it. I also think I am going to start taking Fenugreek and I will call Dr. Edstrom for a RX for Reglan. Hopefully, this time, the combination of feeding often, pumping and the two medications will be effective. I am hoping we can get together in a couple of weeks. I over did it today and am paying for it now. The sutures are bothering me, and I am very sore. Not to mention the contractions when breastfeed. I can't wait unti I am healed. I am dying to show off our little man. I know Mrs. Kim, the lady who owns the drycleaners would love to see the baby, and I am sure she misses Madalyn. They have become buddies and we haven't been there in a few weeks. Maybe tomorrow we will make a special trip to see her since they are only around the corner. Everyone else- we are doing great. This is our second child, so we have everything under control. Due-in-april. It has been awhile since I have seen you on. If you want to read my birth story, I posted it on the third tri board. How are you and your little girl? I'm sorry, I have forgotten her name. Malica, I would never let my child become dehydrated, and if the pediatrician told me to supplement, I would, without hesitation. As it turns out, I made the decision to supplement on my own and Nathaniel is peeing and pooping up a storm. How old is your little girl? Nathaniel was born on the 17th at 5:50pm. ↑
hey mandi- just letting you know, Levi weighs 14 pounds!!!! I weighed him today and about flipped out. I have a huge baby! 14 pounds at 5 weeks - so funny! My friends son is 3 months older and he was 14 pounds 2 weeks ago. haha...I'm gonna have some muscles from lugging around a 14 pounder along with a 26 pound toddler. :) Good luck at your appointment today - let me know how it goes. We're heading out around 5 as well - once Tim gets home. Maybe we'll end up at Southcenter and try out my favorite Thai rest - Racha - it's new at the mall. MMMM!!! ↑
Hey, my appointment went well. She gave me some lactation aids, the bottle with the tubing to thread in to her mouth so she gets the formula too, but from the breast and the syringe method fot the same thing. The problem is that I am allergic to the tape I have to use to tape the tubing to my breast. The plastic bottle I have to nestle in between my boobs in my nursing bra is giving me an itchy rash too. It really looks like I am not going to be able to take advantage of either method. She also wants me started on Reglan, but and extended regimine of two weeks instead of one because of my hypothyroidism. I called the nurse to get the script called in but not sure if it is ready yet or not. I am hoping to get it started tomorrow. She said there is a 50/50 chance it will work. I hope it increases my supply. Anyway, what a chunker! 14 pounds! He is definitely a healthy boy. Gotta go, it's time to feed my monkey. ↑
I was thinking that maybe next weekend before Jimmy goes back to work that I may feel good enough to get together. We could make tentative plans to meet at the Super Mall with the boys? I was also hoping that maybe you could show me how you are able to breastfeed in public without showing your boobs to everyone- that has me really nervous. I am pretty modest, and afraid to try it for the first time. What do you use to cover up? I was thinking of buying one of those drape things that goes around your neck and covers everything in front. I can't remember what they are called. Anyway, I have to get up in two hours and 45 minutes to feed Nate at 4am. Do you set an alarm to feed in the night, or do you just let him wake on his own to feed? I would love to just let him wake on his own. I think I would get more sleep that way. I just don't know if that is a good idea at only a week old? Okay, now I am off to bed. Night! ↑
Hi, sorry to butt in on your thread, but I wanted to let mjvdec01 know that I ordered a nursing cover on-line from Bebe Au Lait and it's wonderful! It has nice full coverage but has a firm top lining so that you can still see what you're doing and maintain eye contact with baby while staying totally covered. Just google nursing covers and they're on there. They also sell "Hooter Hiders" so if you click on that it should take you to the same site. Congrats on your son! ↑
hey there! on the booby covers - I heard the hooter hiders are great. someone told me that target carries them for $30 instead of the $40 online but I have never seen them. For me, I just us a blanket. Ituck one corner into my bra strap so it doesn't fall off and then - even though it looks silly, I will pull it over my head or hold it with my teeth to see what's going on while getting him latched. :) Sounds kind of funny but I manage. I don't like whipping it out in public much either but I hate having to sit in the car or searching for a private corner. haha...when Rachel was 3 weeks old we went the the fair in yakima and watched a hynotism show and I had to feed her - sitting in the middle of the crowd. :) That was the worst ever, but where else was I gonna be able to sit down. I managed though. I think next Sat will work - I'll have to make sure Tim is ok watching Rachel. I'm sure he'll be ok since we're going out to the cabin AGAIN this weekend to jeep. HE is jeeping, I am sitting on my butt at the cabin with my step mom and Racehl and Levi. sigh..he wants to go though and I can't say no. :) Levi was a terror the other night and yesterday I was a wreck. I wanted to cry over everything - it was so bad!! My hormones and lack of sleep just got to me I think. This grunting all night thing is killing me - but I think as sashasmama said, it could be my overabundance of milk. Isn't that funny? We SEEM to be on the opposite ends of the spectrum. :) My fire hose of a breast is causing him to get gassy - what a pain. Last night he slept in bed with me from 2:30-5, then I put him in his car seat in his bed.He seemed really congested and was having problems breathing. I see little - or big- boogies in his nose this morning. Wonder what that's all about. Poor baby. I hope you reglan works for you. Kind of a bummer you're allergic to the bottle tape. Keep me posted!! ↑
It is hard having a newborn. That must be really frustrating that Levi is grunting all night. I am very light sleeper, and I know it would keep me awake too. It's not like you can just put in ear plugs- you need to be able to hear him throughout the night. You are kindof stuck, I'm sorry. Yesterday was crying day for me. All the hormones, coupled with the lack of sleep and the added toddler makes things seem unmanageable sometimes. It is great that we have kids so close in age, we are going through the same things. It is nice to have a friend in the same situation as me. I think next saturday will be perfect. I will take it easy until then so I don't ruin it for myself. I am so looking forward to getting out of the house. Tomorrow evening I am going to Babies"R"Us to buy a double stroller. There is no way I can make it without one. I tried Julie's sit and stand, and it isn't going to work. Maddy has too much freedom and wants in and out every 12 seconds. She will just step out as you are walking and be on the floor right under your feet. I do not want to go there. Anyway, I have to feed Nate soon, and get a shower. I am on my own today for awhile with the baby. Jimmy took Madalyn to breakfast and then they are going to the Zoo, but they should be back by 2pm or so. I hope today is better for you. Hey, if you don't really want to go to your cabin, can you send Rachel with Tim and get a break? I feel for you, and I totally understand. ↑
ahhh..I had a crying day yesterday too. :) I was so tired and frustrated from Grunter and Screamer. :) Today was much better though. I'd love to use ear plugs but like you said -someone has to hear the baby. Wait, maybe I could ask Tim to wake me up when Levi cries. haha...think he'd go for that?? :) Good luck with the stroller - I would not survive without Rachel being strapped down. The little stinker doesn't sit still if she's not buckled in. Ok...gonna watch my dance show and go to bed. We're going to the cabin tomorrow - I kind of have to since my youngest brother is going and I haven't seen him since Christmas, and it's his birthday. I'd love to send Rachel and stay home but I can't. Tim can't take her on the jeep trails nor would she be good company. Can you imagine DADDA screamed over and over for hours on the trail? :) Then again, welcome to my world! ↑
I am so looking forward to getting together next Saturday. I need to get out of this house, and do something I want to do. The breastfeeding isn't going so good, and it is really upsetting. I pump and only get an ounce combined. I am in tears every time I nurse. I hate that I can't satisfy Nathan. I can't use the nursing aids the lactation nurse gave me because I am allergic to the tubing and the bottle. I got a huge rash, it was awful. I have decided to pump before feedings and mix it with the formula he gets anyway. I figure that as long as he gets what I can produce, that is better than quitting and letting what I have dry up. However, if the Reglan works then I would switch back to breast. I know that would be some work though. I just can't handle the disappointment anymore and watching him struggle. It breaks my heart. My girlfriend Jessica called me today and I made the mistake of telling her all of this and then I had to listen to 20 minutes on why what I was planning to do was all wrong. I finally got angry and told her to lay off. Jess isn't always the most sensitive person. She has a tendency to tell people exactly what she thinks. Her social filter can get a bit clogged at times and she needs a reminder that others have feelings too. It is a touchy subject for me and I upset over it very easily. I am hoping the Reglan works, but it didn't last time. I guess we will see. Well, I hope you have a good time at the cabin! ↑
hey, sorry about the breastfeeding. It can be discouraging for sure when you have trouble. I remember being so upset when Rachel was causing me so much pain -I wanted to BF so bad and I was so close to giving up. But with issues of actual lactation, that's different. There isn't a lot you can do about it. Just don't stress about it - that can make it worse. Because you can't pump out more than an ounce does that really mean you aren't producing?? I don't remember pumping a whole lot out that first week - I know we're different and everything, but I had a hard time getting a lot out at first. Is he getting enough?? I would actually keep BF-ing and if he's still hungry THEN supplement with the formula. I think the stimulation you get from BF-ing vs pumping is better and helps with milk production. Ddi you ever call the La Leche League?? They can provide a lot of support - even if you can't BF for whatever reason. I'd check into it just in case. You never know what tip you'll get. Sorry your friend wasn't so helpful. Some people just don't get it. :( Hang in there though - I know it's hard to watch them struggle but it might be worth it in the end if you can do what you can to keep your milk from drying up. Good luck!!! I got no sleep last night. Levi got up at 3, ate, went back to slepe at 3:30 and then started grunting off and on until 9am. I was os frustrated at 6am that Tim slept on my side of the bed and took care of him - but by then it was time for him to eat again....then Tim got up to run some errands for work and I listened to the little booger grunt till 9am and finally got up. I'm so tired!!!!! I don't know why he's like this. I think I'm going to put him in his own bedroom when we get back from our trip. I have to have some sleep and it's not like he needs anything - it's just grunting and groaning. ugh.. ↑
Well, now I am bleeding and bruised. This isn't working and I can't take it anymore. The lactation nurse told me that if your breasts don't change in size much or at all during the course of your pregnancy, that it is then they suspect low capacity. On top of that I have the thyroid condition working against me. I have been pumping, feeding him that and then giving him formula after. He is eating about 3-4 ounces every 3-3.5 hours. I wish this was easier for me, but it isn't. I am not going to beat myself up over it this time. Madalyn only had breast milk for the first couple of weeks, and she is no worse for wear. She is healthy, and happy and very very smart. I feel like I am trying everything and nothing is working, and that is okay. Nathan is happy and content and gaining weight, so I am very lucky in that respect. ↑
I am having a really crappy time. I am crying all the time and Nathan is really gassy, and I am having a hard time getting him to sleep. He is also cluster feeding, which is leaving me wondering how I am going to be there for Maddy too, once Jimmy goes back to work?? I am freaking out a bit, thus all the tears. On top of everything, I am still hurting and out of pain pills. I need to call the nurse tomorrow moring and ask for a refill. I am sure he will give it to me. If I stand or walk for more than 5 minutes the pain and aching gets almost unbearable. I don't feel happy at all. I have been losing my patience with Maddy too, and I don't like it. I actually asked Jimmy about his mom coming back. That alone tells you how desperate I am feeling. My mom wants to come back for a few days, but she has a nightmare happening at work, and doesn't know yet if she can. She would be my first choice, but at this point I would take anyone. My sister in law will be here the 18th thru the 30th of August. I am so frazzled. I want to get through the next three months and have some sort of schedule established, and have Nate sleeping through the night. How was your weekend? ↑
Who the hell are you? I am on here talking to a friend of mine and you have the nerve to not only butt in, but you minimize my feelings!! GO TO HELL! ↑
There's my girl! How was your weekend?? I am feeling much better today. I think yesterday was rock bottom for me. Today the pain was much less and we actually took the KIDS out of the house together. We went to lunch, and then to the mall. I ofcourse had to go to Gymboree. They have a new infant line that is blue with little brown monkeys. I spotted it online and had to have it. Does Saturday still work for you? ↑
we're doing ok - I'm wiped out from the weekend and lack of sleep and have been busy entertaining Rachel. I don't have much time right now but I wanted to say hi. I know what you're going through though - it's really hard with a toddler and a newborn. Hang in there and take it one day at a time. I took the pain pills for almost 2 weeks - are you taking any ibuprofin? I took that and the pain pills regularly to manage the pain. If you're not up for shopping next weekend let me know, it's not big deal. :) Ok, I'm gonna finish watching a movie with Tim and try to get to bed. I'll check in tomorrow. ↑
hey - wow, I actually got a decent night of sleep. Levi got up at 3,was back to sleep at 3:30 with no grunting!!! yay!!! he got up again at 6 but Tim was up too so no big deal. He went back to sleep again for me too. Of course, Rachel started out as a handful for me. I just can't win!!! Hey, last night Tim asked her if she wanted to go potty and she said yes - and actually went pee in the toilet! Awesome!!! If I could only get her to poop in there! I hate poopy diapers. :) I need to spend some time potty training here - I think she's ready for it. I was trained at 2 - not that it means she will but it's a nice thought! Yes...still up for Saturday. I have to be home by 4 or so because we have a BBQ to go to in Maple Valley at 5. Hey, I'm going to Yuen Lui tomorrow to get the kids pictures taken. I got a coupon in the mail for an 8x10, a couple of 5x8's and some wallets for $29 so I thought what the heck. I know they take good pictures. I just can't decide what to have them wear. Levi doesn't exactly have "NICE" outfits to wear yet -just baby stuff. I'm thinking of going kind of casual but I'm not sure. Rachel was 9 weeks old when we had hers done at BabiesRus and they were ok. She had some done old fashioned style at 14 months. I just don't know what to do!! So..glad you're feeling better. Your hormones are probably all wacky right now - I know MINE are. One minute I'm pissed off at Tim for stupid stuff, crying because I'm tired or whatever and then I'm happy again. :) I know it's my hormones but it doesn't seem to help much. I feel really PMS ish right now. haha...haven't missed that stuff at all!!! I need to get some clothes too by the way - for ME. We leave for Chelan on the 10th and I don't have a lot of shorts and summer stuff to wear for my fat body. :) I need a bathing suit as well. I have some bikinis that fit but I'm not sure I want to have my belly hang over the edge of the bottoms. Not that I'm all that comfortable in a bathing suit right now but it will be hot - I'll have to suck it up. ↑
Yes, I really do want to get together this Saturday. In need out of here for a bit. How about we plan on meeting at 11am at the Supermall? Maybe you could find something at the Gymboree outlet for the kids to wear for photos? Hey, if you want a great photographer for pretty inexpensive, I could hook you up with ours. Brandystonephotography dot com. Her session fee is like $54, but her photos are only $18 a unit. $18 for 1-8x10, 2-5x7's, 4-4x6's, or 8-wallets, if each unit is of the same pose, then it is even cheaper. She has the studio at her home, and a great yard where she takes outdoor photos as well. If you want to see her work you can check out the last photos she took of us on her website. Go to brandystonephotography dot com, click on proofs,and our password is venable. She is a bit hard to get ahold of, but well worth it. I will be ordering from here soon, so if you are interested let me know and I can help you to get ahold of her. The way you are feeling with the hormones is exactly how I am feeing. As far as finding a bathing suit and cut simmer clothes... you are braver than I!! Right now I would rather wear a moo moo that hid everything, than wear something that tight. That is nice that you are going to Chelan. I don't think I could take a trip right now. You will have a good time I am sure. Okay, Nathan is awake and wants to eat. I'll check back later. ↑
hey there - my dad rented a house, boat and jetskis for the week in Chelan for our family. My sister and two brothers and us - as well as my dad and family. Any chance to get out of the house is fine with me! It's not like I have to pack a whole lot other than clothes and diapers :) I can't wait!!! Then again, sometimes being away from home is more work. My house is pretty safety proofed for us - other places can be a lot of work. Oh well - there will be lots of people there and my niece to keep Rachel occupied. Hey - if you want to get out of the house, Monday the 4th I'm having a little pampered chef party at my house, just a couple of friends. The lady who does the party is a friend too - no pressure. I just love get togethers that involve food and cooking.:) You could come over early if you wanted with the kids and I can make some chicken nuggets for them - and my new favorite recipe which is what I like to call mexican lasagna. :) MMM! Anyways - no pressure. I know it's hard to get out but you might have fun. My friend with her 4 month old will be here too. Let me know. :) ↑
That is this coming Monday isn't it? That sounds great. What time is the party? If I don't stick to Maddy's bedtime it makes it hell for me the next morning. Right now I have pain again. I haven't taken any ibuprophen yet today, but I will. The only thing that would keep me from coming is if the pain is too bad. Thanks for thinking of me. Your trip sounds like fun. It is nice that there will be so many people there to help with the kids if you need a break, which I am sure you will. My family isn't as close as yours. Ofcourse I am close with my mom and one of my aunts, and I guess you could add my brother, but the rest of us, not so much. ↑
so just to make my day brighter, Tim's stock bonus Boeing gave - well half of it got cashed out and sent to his ex because she is saying he owes about 4K in back support which was actually paid but there is no record of it since it was before the state of kansas started to their witholding process from the employers. Tim paid it of course, but this was 13 years ago!! He can't get bank records because they only go back 7 years. Can you believe that? I may have already told you about this but it pissed me off so bad!!! How can somebody be that evil?? Someone who didn't want to be married and was cheating and didn't think Tim was good enough suddenly wants to be a bitter old hag?? Ridiculous. So now we have to pay taxes on this money - and get a lawyer to fight it which basically eats away at whatever money we should have gotten out of it. Tim is pissed and is fighting in on principal alone. It's just not right. We'll lose in court for sure - men never win - so whatever. I just had to vent. :) I think I'm going to go back to school and get a law degree and start defending all these screwed over men. If there's one there are thousands of others out there. sigh...Levi was not so good last night. He was sound asleep at 10:30 when I usually feed him and I didn't want to wake him - so he woke ME at 1:30 am and 4:30. :) the last feeding he wouldn't go back to sleep, kept grunting - so I put him in his car seat in the spare room with the door open and went back to bed. I could hear him making noise for a while but he was never upset, and went to sleep - and so did I. :) Much better than having him right next to me the whole time! We had the kids pictures taken today - it was a disaster. Rachel wouldn't sit still, kept running around getting into things and Levi started to get upset and cry from all the man handling. Some of the pics are ok - but I'm glad I didn't s pend a lot of money on it. I think next year will be better - and I'll have to get them photos by themselves. Trying to get Rachel to sit next to Levi was next to impossible. I ended up taking her to the KidsQuest museum in Factoria and to Red Robin and now they are both sleeping peacefully. I took the single stroller -big mistake. Had to carry Rachel for a while - then I put HER in the stroller and carried Levi in his car seat. She is such a wiggle worm. Did you get your double stroller yet?Have you checked Craigslist yet?? I didn't buy a new one, but it's like new! Got it from the big consignment sale at Bellevue Community College last spring. How are you doing? Things any better? Hope you can make it Monday, it would be fun. You can come earlier too and just hang out with us. Keep in mind, my house is older and under "construction". :) Which means, we have lots of unfinished projects. :) tim gets distracted easily. haha...My kitchen has two kinds of knobs - the store didn't have enough so we're in limbo, I have 3 colors of paint in my kitchen since I don't know what to use, exposed drywall and beams because Tim hasn't finished that project - and I can't finish the kitchen/dining are until he does, no baseboards because we need to finish designing our kitchen/dining area...one gutted bathroom and a fireplace mantle/stair rail that are primed and have a coat or two of paint but not done yet. And the list goes on......... :) Once we had Rachel everything slowed WAY down - and with two, it got even slower. ↑
sounds like you have had a hard time. I am deeling a bit better. Jimmy goes back to work on Friday and I am not looking forward to it. I can't stay for the party on Monday because I will have Madalyn with me, and Jimmy won't be home until around 7:30pm from work. Her bedtime is between 7:30 and 8pm, and I have to stick to it. I could probably come in the afternoon for awhile depending on how stressed I am. I told my friend Julie I was invited to a Pampered Chefs party and she has asked for a catalog. Anyway, I was left alone with both kids for just over and hour today and all hell broke lose. I think I want to see how Friday goes first and see how I do by myself. I still and very sore and now these damn pads for the bleeding are chaffing like crazy. Yes, I did buy a double stroller. I think Maddy likes it. Well, Jimmy wants me to watch a movie with him, so I'd better go. Have a good night!! ↑
hi there - sorry you can't stay for the party, :( I know what you mean about bed times though. Don't worry about it if you can't make it - it's no big deal. I'll be sure to bring you a catalog on Saturday for Julie. I love their stuff - I'm kind of an addict. :) I think I have most of the stuff from them that I need. Anyways - I feel better today - yesterday all the legal crap got to me. Every now and then I need to vent and I hate venting to Tim because he of course, feels bad enough about it all -especially not seeing his kids for nearly 3 years. Poor thing. I'd freak if someone took my kids like that. So Levi is doing better sleeping thank goodness. I put him in the other room again at 4am - he was way too noisy. It's working out great! I need to get a full size mattress for Rachel - we decided not to convert her bed to a toddler - but to go right to the full size. I need to give back my friends crib soon enough so I thought it would be dumb to buy another crib mattress for Levi when he can use Rachels and she can just get a bigger mattress and go for the full size bed. I'm actually starting to wonder if I should have put them in their own rooms now. He is so noisy and I wonder how I'm going to deal with that at night. Or when he's in bed earlier than Rachel and she goes to bed (she likes to play and scream sometimes for a while). I'll figure it out...I like having a guest room for the moment. ↑
