Well I have written several times about my struggles with breastfeeding and the doctors suggestions over the past 3 weeks. At our last appointment she told me to start giving him formula because she was concerned about his weight. I felt torn about this, I formula fed Bailey so it's not like I am 100% against it but I know that I regretted it for a long time for giving up BF so easily with Bailey and I was bound and determined that I was going to give it a real effort this time around. So I decided to go with my gut and I disreguarded what the pediatrician said and stuck it out. I fed him every 2 hours on the dot and I let him nurse until he was finished just as I was doing before. When we went back for his weight check he was right where he needed to be with his weight, I didn't actually see the doctor so I didn't get to tell her that I didn't give him formula but I am proud of myself for sticking with what I felt was right for my child and in the end it is true, mommy knows best!
Now I am needing some advice, so you all know about the family member that I have blogged about several times that has an addiction problem among other things. My mother took her and her children in and bent over backwards to help her turn her life around. In the end it didn't work out and she is no longer living with my mother. My mom had to go to the doctor she has a skin condition that has flared up and according to the doctor it was caused by stress and stress alone. So not only has the family member put my family through emotional stress she has also caused my mother to be physically ill dealing with all her bullshit. My mom would call me every morning just to vent because she didn't know what to do. I can't really go into all the detail on here since it is a public blog but lets just say that this person is the most selfish ungrateful person you could imagine. I don't want to smear her it really is sad , in fact I used to look up to her but I cant say that I have any respect for her left and I dont hate her but I hate what she has done to my mother. ANYWAY she sent me a text message today wanting to see Brock and she said she bought Bailey something. Recently she told a bunch of lies about money being stolen from her and yada yada yada so I have A LOT that i WANT to say to her but I am not sure if I should. I just texted her back that I didn't know if I have plans. I mean I feel like if I dont tell her what I want to say and sit here and play nice to her face and let her visit my kids that would make me fake. However, if I tell her like it really is then it could possibly cause a fight. What do you do? What do you say? And this isn't a situation where I can distance myself from her or ignore her because she is an immediate family member not like an aunt uncle or cousin or someone you wouldn't normally see often. Any advice???
Breastfeeding is TOUGH!
My little man was born at 8lbs 3 ounces, at his 1 week check up he was down to 7lbs 9 oz, and at his 2 week check up he was 7lbs 12 oz. The pediatrician suggested I give him formula. It has only been 2 weeks and I am just not ready to give up just yet. Women have been breastfeeding their babies for thousands and thousands of years, I can't accept that "it just isn't working". I contacted the lactation consultant at the hospital I used and explained everything to her, and she assured me that Brock was getting what he needed and she gave me some suggestions on getting him to put back on the weight. It made me feel a little better but I was still upset that he hasn't reached his birth weight yet. A few hours later I got an email from her and she told me that when Brock was discharged his weight was only 7lbs 5 oz.. which means he is gaining his weight back at a normal rate.
I am happy now that I don't have to give him formula, and I am confident that he will be back to his birth weight soon enough. Breastfeeding is definitely work but I think it has great benefits for both of us and despite the initial pains and sore boobs it has gotten so much better. Had the pediatrician told me to switch to formula last week I may have done it lol but now Brock and I have our own little schedule and routine and my boobs don't hurt at all. In fact it's much easier in my opinion to breastfeed than bottle feed. I don't have to sterilize bottles, when he wakes up in the middle of the night I just slide him over next to me and feed him.. no need to stumble around in the kitchen at those ungodly hours. Yes yes its tough with getting him to latch, knowing if he is eating enough, learning to effectively cover yourself while in public, and leaking through your shirt BUT I feel as if I am gaining special bonding time with my son and I refuse to let anyone or anything discourage me anymore.
It is so easy and tempting to want to give up and get upset when someone basically tells you that your child isn't growing because of the way you are feeding him. I feel like they should be looking at him adn his actions rather than the scale and charts. I mean yeah if he was dropping weight constantly I would understand but hes gaining.. maybe not a whole lot at a time but he is gaining and he is having plenty of messy diapers. I think that those charts and stuff are based on formula fed babies and shouldn't strictly go by that. His pediatrician wants to check his weight again next week and if he still hasn't reached his weight then I will consider supplementing but I feel in my gut and my heart that I am doing right by him and he is just fine. He sleeps well and he hardly ever cries.. if he was starving, you'd think he'd be screaming his head off right?
So any of you breastfeeding mamas out there got any advice or encouragement for me???
I am happy now that I don't have to give him formula, and I am confident that he will be back to his birth weight soon enough. Breastfeeding is definitely work but I think it has great benefits for both of us and despite the initial pains and sore boobs it has gotten so much better. Had the pediatrician told me to switch to formula last week I may have done it lol but now Brock and I have our own little schedule and routine and my boobs don't hurt at all. In fact it's much easier in my opinion to breastfeed than bottle feed. I don't have to sterilize bottles, when he wakes up in the middle of the night I just slide him over next to me and feed him.. no need to stumble around in the kitchen at those ungodly hours. Yes yes its tough with getting him to latch, knowing if he is eating enough, learning to effectively cover yourself while in public, and leaking through your shirt BUT I feel as if I am gaining special bonding time with my son and I refuse to let anyone or anything discourage me anymore.
It is so easy and tempting to want to give up and get upset when someone basically tells you that your child isn't growing because of the way you are feeding him. I feel like they should be looking at him adn his actions rather than the scale and charts. I mean yeah if he was dropping weight constantly I would understand but hes gaining.. maybe not a whole lot at a time but he is gaining and he is having plenty of messy diapers. I think that those charts and stuff are based on formula fed babies and shouldn't strictly go by that. His pediatrician wants to check his weight again next week and if he still hasn't reached his weight then I will consider supplementing but I feel in my gut and my heart that I am doing right by him and he is just fine. He sleeps well and he hardly ever cries.. if he was starving, you'd think he'd be screaming his head off right?
So any of you breastfeeding mamas out there got any advice or encouragement for me???
insert intriguing title here
Wow I just have no time for this blog anymore but I can't seem to part ways with it. I used to have so much I wanted to write about but not so much anymore. I guess my writer's block will go away someday. If you are friends with me on facebook you know I have plenty to rant about but nothing really worth a blog post I guess. Tomorrow Brock will be 2 weeks old.. time is flying by already I wish it would slow down. I am meeting with my adviser at college in the morning to start getting my schedule for next semester. On the bright side I only have 4 classes plus my internship left and I will be done. So excited about that. I know that going back to school so soon is going to be hard but I know I can do it. I just have to pace myself and not get overwhelmed, if that is possible.
In other news, my baby brother is getting married. His fiance' asked me to be in their wedding and I bought my dress today. I wish I knew her better but I guess we will have plenty of time to become acquainted. He has only been dating her for a few short months but they seem to be happy and they are getting married THIS month. I was a little shocked that they are rushing it but I guess if you know you know. I support him 100% I just hope he knows that marriage is hard and takes work. Im sure he knows that but you know I am just big sister trying to look out for my kid brother! Anyway they are getting married in 20 days.. looks like I got 20 days to try and lose some more weight. I really can't work out to strenuously right now but I am going to try. I have lost a considerable amount in the last 2 weeks, I am already 13 lbs less than my beginning pre pregnancy weight so I am thrilled about that :) Breastfeeding has it's benefits for mama too lol.
Just an FYI it is very rude and ignorant of a person to attack you and judge you for taking meds that the doctor prescribed you and start saying that my baby will be harmed by it. Excuse me but Im pretty sure there is a reason my doctor went through 8 years of school to do what he is doing. I guess people think it is perfectly acceptable to start giving out medical advice and other tips and tricks when you have a baby, really it just pisses me off. Brock and Bailey are doing great, Brock sleeps all the time and Bailey is being such a big boy. Other than my annoyances with people on facebook life is great and we are all well :D
In other news, my baby brother is getting married. His fiance' asked me to be in their wedding and I bought my dress today. I wish I knew her better but I guess we will have plenty of time to become acquainted. He has only been dating her for a few short months but they seem to be happy and they are getting married THIS month. I was a little shocked that they are rushing it but I guess if you know you know. I support him 100% I just hope he knows that marriage is hard and takes work. Im sure he knows that but you know I am just big sister trying to look out for my kid brother! Anyway they are getting married in 20 days.. looks like I got 20 days to try and lose some more weight. I really can't work out to strenuously right now but I am going to try. I have lost a considerable amount in the last 2 weeks, I am already 13 lbs less than my beginning pre pregnancy weight so I am thrilled about that :) Breastfeeding has it's benefits for mama too lol.
Just an FYI it is very rude and ignorant of a person to attack you and judge you for taking meds that the doctor prescribed you and start saying that my baby will be harmed by it. Excuse me but Im pretty sure there is a reason my doctor went through 8 years of school to do what he is doing. I guess people think it is perfectly acceptable to start giving out medical advice and other tips and tricks when you have a baby, really it just pisses me off. Brock and Bailey are doing great, Brock sleeps all the time and Bailey is being such a big boy. Other than my annoyances with people on facebook life is great and we are all well :D
complete happiness!
Its been 9 days since our newest addition made his appearance. I am completely in love and it's almost like I've been walking around in a daze lately. I cant get enough cuddles and kisses, I've waited so long for him :)
I think I have a little bit of post partum, I cry over everything but the doctor says that it's normal lol but other than that things are going great. Breastfeeding is hard... really hard... but I am not giving up. I did break down and give him a bottle just so I could get some sleep and that little break was much needed and we are back on track now. I never thought that something so natural would be so difficult. Its so tempting to give up but I have committed myself to this and I think I will be able to keep it up. It will be much easier when I can get a pump and the feeding duties can be shared.
Bailey is an amazing big brother. I really thought he was going to be jealous and withdrawn but he's been quite the opposite. He makes sure his brother is covered up, has his paci, and is often giving him hugs and kisses. Seeing my two kids together just makes my heart melt. They are my reason for breathing. (yes I am in complete mush mode).
Monday I have a meeting with my adviser to make my schedule for school. This makes me sad because I really don't want to go back, in fact I don't even know if I want to work anymore. I would love nothing more than to stay at home full time with my babies. However I have taken out too many loans to make that choice so looks like when I graduate next year I will be going back to work after being a stay at home mom for the last 5 years. However I can't promise that I will stay working once I get those loans paid off (if I ever get them paid off lol).
Well I really wrote this to thank all of you for the sweet comments and congratulations, I haven't really had time to email back individually. Little man eats every 2 hours and I try to get my rest when I can. So thank you all it meant a lot to me and I am glad I got to share this joyous time of my life with you all :)
I think I have a little bit of post partum, I cry over everything but the doctor says that it's normal lol but other than that things are going great. Breastfeeding is hard... really hard... but I am not giving up. I did break down and give him a bottle just so I could get some sleep and that little break was much needed and we are back on track now. I never thought that something so natural would be so difficult. Its so tempting to give up but I have committed myself to this and I think I will be able to keep it up. It will be much easier when I can get a pump and the feeding duties can be shared.
Bailey is an amazing big brother. I really thought he was going to be jealous and withdrawn but he's been quite the opposite. He makes sure his brother is covered up, has his paci, and is often giving him hugs and kisses. Seeing my two kids together just makes my heart melt. They are my reason for breathing. (yes I am in complete mush mode).
Monday I have a meeting with my adviser to make my schedule for school. This makes me sad because I really don't want to go back, in fact I don't even know if I want to work anymore. I would love nothing more than to stay at home full time with my babies. However I have taken out too many loans to make that choice so looks like when I graduate next year I will be going back to work after being a stay at home mom for the last 5 years. However I can't promise that I will stay working once I get those loans paid off (if I ever get them paid off lol).
Well I really wrote this to thank all of you for the sweet comments and congratulations, I haven't really had time to email back individually. Little man eats every 2 hours and I try to get my rest when I can. So thank you all it meant a lot to me and I am glad I got to share this joyous time of my life with you all :)
introducing...
Johnathan Brock McLain
2-20-12
7:51AM
8lbs 3oz
20.5"
2-20-12
7:51AM
8lbs 3oz
20.5"
I went in at 5:3o as scheduled and had my beautiful baby boy at 7:51. I was so very nervous about the c-section but once I was able to hold him nothing that mattered before seemed to matter anymore. He is so absolutely perfect and I cant even express how blessed I feel. I have two beautiful boys :)
Its getting some taking used to waking up with a newborn and I am also breast feeding him which I did not do with Bailey so it's a learning process. Today is the 4th day and I can say its definitely getting easier and I am proud that I am doing it. I have every intention on continuing to do so until I go back to school.
I wasn't too sure how Bailey was going to react to Brock but so far so good. He is wanting to help take care of him and give him kisses. He keeps his distance but he's not showing any signs of jealously or anything like that. I am proud of my big boy as well.
I seriously am on cloud 9 and nothing can bring me down right now.
This is it!
There ya have it! 9 months of belly pictures. Tomorrow is the big day, at 7:30 am I will be rolled back to the operating room and my baby boy will be in my arms shortly after.
So here is my last pregnancy journal entry:
How far along: 39 weeks
Gender: Its a boy *Brock*
Pregnancy Symptoms: Emotional and uncomfortable & everything just aches :)
Maternity Clothes: I am in that stage where nothing fits maternity or not
Movement: Every now and then, I see his little foot or hand stick out but the movements have slowed waaaay down.
Best Moment of the Week: Had my very last doctor appointment this week and I am having my baby TOMORROW!
Food Cravings: ice... lots and lots of ice!
What I miss: Being comfortable... my body!!!
So I've gained 15lbs and 1 stretch mark and my teeth have been put through hell during this pregnancy but all that will mean nothing to me in the morning! I am so excited to meet my little boy and finally hold him in my arms <3 The emotions are just every where right now from excitement, nervousness, anxious, scared... you name it I have it.
Well here's to the last day of being a family of 3 and tomorrow starts a whole new journey with my little family!!!
my bags are packed & I'm ready to go!!!
5 days left! Everything is ready, my bags are in the car, his nursery is finished, and his big brother is FINALLY excited about his arrival. All there is left to do now it patiently wait on Johnathan Brock <3 I am so excited. I have been an emotional wreck this week as well though, in a weird way it makes me sad that Bailey will no longer be my baby but my little boy with big brother duty! Our family will go from 3 to 4 in a matter of days. It's a big change and although I am more than ready it still sort of scares me.
My anxiety is killing me so I've been trying to find things to do to occupy my time.. since obviously I am not getting any sleep (contractions ever hour or so throughout the night.. never close enough to do anything but aggravate me). I decided to attempt to make a door wreath for the hospital and I am not a crafty person... I can bake up a storm but my "craft" projects never come out the way I imagine them in my head. However I am actually proud of my wreath.. it doesn't look perfect but it's not a disaster :D
Total the project cost me 19$ I bought a green styrofoam circle and wrapped it with 2 spools of blue ribbon (hot gluing every so often so it wouldn't come unraveled) Then I painted 2 square pieces of wood blue (go me for matching the paint perfectly haha) then I used a white paint pen to write the name and details on it. Next I hot glued ribbon to the back of the boards and to the wreath and voila :) Im not sure if I want to add to it or leave it how it is but for my very first DIY wreath I am happy!!!
Now I am off to do something else to occupy my time; 5 days can seem like a lifetime at this point!
My anxiety is killing me so I've been trying to find things to do to occupy my time.. since obviously I am not getting any sleep (contractions ever hour or so throughout the night.. never close enough to do anything but aggravate me). I decided to attempt to make a door wreath for the hospital and I am not a crafty person... I can bake up a storm but my "craft" projects never come out the way I imagine them in my head. However I am actually proud of my wreath.. it doesn't look perfect but it's not a disaster :D
Total the project cost me 19$ I bought a green styrofoam circle and wrapped it with 2 spools of blue ribbon (hot gluing every so often so it wouldn't come unraveled) Then I painted 2 square pieces of wood blue (go me for matching the paint perfectly haha) then I used a white paint pen to write the name and details on it. Next I hot glued ribbon to the back of the boards and to the wreath and voila :) Im not sure if I want to add to it or leave it how it is but for my very first DIY wreath I am happy!!!
Now I am off to do something else to occupy my time; 5 days can seem like a lifetime at this point!
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