I say that your first official smile was on my daddy's birthday (your GPA) which was November 10th. That was the first day I felt that you were really smiling for us and not just because of gas. You looked right at your mama and smiled and just held it. Your eyes got all sparkly and I couldn't help but squeal in delight. Your daddy and I now spend time each day getting you to smile because we love that sweet toothless grin and can't help but smile back. Here is daddy getting you to laugh and mommy being a distraction with sounds and video camera. We love you and we love your smiles! We can't wait to hear you laugh!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Got Milk?
Well the title says it all... I feel like a walking milk machine or better yet.. a cow!
I have been lucky enough to nurse Jensen from day one with very little hiccups. Since I was in the hospital for so long my milk came in while I was there which was a huge help. They showed me different feeding positions, a proper latch (not just making me watch a movie), and how I would know if he is getting enough milk. They also taught me how to pump, and what to do when I get too engouraged. The nurses were great and because of their help I am successful at feeding my son.
Nursing has ups and downs... like when my milk is really low on one side for no reason or Mastisis - which is awful and painful! I love being able to breastfeed though and I know that he likes it too. I think we both like the bond it provides and I know he is getting the antibodies he needs. I was sick yesterday but instructed to continue nursing which I did. He didn't get sick and I got better. Funny how that worked.
I would love to nurse him through his sixth month if possible. I am pumping and storing milk every day at least 4 or 5 ounces (each day) to start stocking it for when I go back to work. I don't want to feel like I don't have enough milk to give him when I go back. I figured if I pump and store at least once a day that it should put me in a pretty good place when I go back. I will pump 3 times a day when I am back a work (in the morning, at lunch, and early afternoon) and I will freeze all of that. I will still be able to breastfeed him when I get home from work and all through the night and the first feeding or two in the morning.
I plan to wean him off the breast when he can eat more than rice cereal. I want to make his rice cereal with breastmilk so that his tummy handles food better. I also want to learn how to make my own baby food so that he isn't eating all the preservatives in canned food. I know that you can make a lot of freeze it so I will have to check into it! Hopefully he likes what I make. I know it is a time commitment but I won't be nursing and I will be done with school (or about done) by then so I am sure I will have plenty of time. Plus, it will be probably be more affordable. I am sure buying everything each time seems expensive, but it probably goes a long way... or I would hope. I want to give it a shot though.
Anyway, nursing is great and I am getting the bond that I never expected to get and didn't think I would like. However for those who say breastfeeding is free ($$) they are SO wrong! You get way too full so you have to pump which means you have to buy a pump, the parts, bottles, bottle brushes, warmer, etc. It is definitely worth it though! I am not giving up any time soon!
Okay, I should be doing homework and Jensen is getting fussy. Signing off for the night....
I have been lucky enough to nurse Jensen from day one with very little hiccups. Since I was in the hospital for so long my milk came in while I was there which was a huge help. They showed me different feeding positions, a proper latch (not just making me watch a movie), and how I would know if he is getting enough milk. They also taught me how to pump, and what to do when I get too engouraged. The nurses were great and because of their help I am successful at feeding my son.
Nursing has ups and downs... like when my milk is really low on one side for no reason or Mastisis - which is awful and painful! I love being able to breastfeed though and I know that he likes it too. I think we both like the bond it provides and I know he is getting the antibodies he needs. I was sick yesterday but instructed to continue nursing which I did. He didn't get sick and I got better. Funny how that worked.
I would love to nurse him through his sixth month if possible. I am pumping and storing milk every day at least 4 or 5 ounces (each day) to start stocking it for when I go back to work. I don't want to feel like I don't have enough milk to give him when I go back. I figured if I pump and store at least once a day that it should put me in a pretty good place when I go back. I will pump 3 times a day when I am back a work (in the morning, at lunch, and early afternoon) and I will freeze all of that. I will still be able to breastfeed him when I get home from work and all through the night and the first feeding or two in the morning.
I plan to wean him off the breast when he can eat more than rice cereal. I want to make his rice cereal with breastmilk so that his tummy handles food better. I also want to learn how to make my own baby food so that he isn't eating all the preservatives in canned food. I know that you can make a lot of freeze it so I will have to check into it! Hopefully he likes what I make. I know it is a time commitment but I won't be nursing and I will be done with school (or about done) by then so I am sure I will have plenty of time. Plus, it will be probably be more affordable. I am sure buying everything each time seems expensive, but it probably goes a long way... or I would hope. I want to give it a shot though.
Anyway, nursing is great and I am getting the bond that I never expected to get and didn't think I would like. However for those who say breastfeeding is free ($$) they are SO wrong! You get way too full so you have to pump which means you have to buy a pump, the parts, bottles, bottle brushes, warmer, etc. It is definitely worth it though! I am not giving up any time soon!
Okay, I should be doing homework and Jensen is getting fussy. Signing off for the night....
Where has time gone?
I can't believe that my last post was over a month ago and it was about the first week with baby Jensen. He is going to be 7 weeks in just two more days! Nuts! So... let me catch you up on those six weeks....
Jensen is growing like a weed! By his two week appt he was already well past his birth weight and getting longer. They did the heal prick for blood but no shots yet. I love his doctor (Dr. Terri Omura) and the office and staff. Hopefully as Jensen gets older we all continue to like it there.
Jensen sleeps pretty well now. I get one good 3.5 - 4 hour stretch of sleep each night. Some nights are better and some are worse, but I am taking what I can get! He is a great baby and I absolutely love him to death! He spits up a lot and gets really bad gas that has been bad since he was two weeks old. The doctor said to give him gas drops but that didn't seem to do anything. He then gave him medicine for acid reflex to calm acid in his stomach but I couldn't get him to take it. Anything I could get it in his mouth he spit right back up. I am trying other techniques like baby massage though and hopefully that will help. They say it is colic but I disagree. Only time will tell I guess.
His first holiday was Halloween and he had a skeleton glow-in-the-dark costume, but he never wore it. I was too exhausted and he was pretty fussy that day so we didn't put it on even for pictures! I better do that though for scrapbooking. His second holiday is in just two days- Thanksgiving! We are going to my mom's at 1 and then Corey's grandma's house at 4. It is going to be a good day full of yummy food and our awesome families. I can't wait.
My birthday was just over a week ago and it was the best one yet because I have Jensen to share it with (and the rest of the family of course). It was a 3 day celebration which was awesome! Saturday night Corey's parents came over and they brought Texas Roadhouse (YUMMY!) and gave me a cute sweater dress, new sheets for our big bed, and a cute jacket for Jensen. Saturday we went to my mom's and got Training Table (YUMMY too!) and I got jewelry, my awesome new boots, a super cute hat, and Jensen's first Christmas ornaments. Oh and diapers. Yes, some gifts were for him but we need them! Monday which was actually my birthday my mom came over after work and Corey took me to Ichiban for sushi! My favorite place with my favorite man! It was a great way to turn 26!
My dad's birthday was the 10th and I finally went to see him. I don't feel like he is in the ground (or wall...) but I felt I needed to go there and see the marker that my mom had done. I should have taken flowers but I had Jensen and I was short on time. I went to see a house for sale in Sandy but it was awful! I don't know if I am ready to start the housing search again but we are going to have to figure out something soon. I don't want to renew our lease here for another year and it is up in June. Either we will rent a house or we will buy. I miss my dad every day and still can't believe he is gone. I guess I feel that he is still with me every day and watching over me and my family.
I started school over a month ago and so far, so good. I am taking a nutrition and math class. Surprisingly I think my math class is going better than my science/nutrition course. It is nice not having to write huge papers every week. In math we take weekly quizzes instead. Just a huge time saver! I will get a "winter break" December 19th to the 1st of January and so I plan to return to work on the 19th. It isn't going to be easy leaving Jensen but I know it is for the best. I have to work to provide insurance for my family and of course we need the second income. It would be nice to stay at home, at least part time while he is this little. I am already getting anxiety about returning to work.
Other anxiety- money! I have only been getting 60% of my income from short term disability and I already used that money for bills. I have absolutely no money for bills and it's freaking me out. What is worse is Christmas is just around the corner. Hopefully Corey and I can work it out so that he can pay rent and the other bills this month. He knew this was coming but he seems mad or something that I don't have any money. I have been telling him I don't have money and I wasn't joking - I was crying when I said it. Hopefully everything will work out. I should get a check from work just before returning since people have gifted me PTO. I think I got over 60 hours of PTO gifted to me between my mom and a girl in A/R who asked who needed time gifted. I am thankful for her for sure! It would be nice if I could get that money now though.
Oh and the other anxiety - I have a TON of medical bills to pay that are all going to have to be on payment plans since I won't really be making any money until January. Who knew having a c-section would be so expensive? I got a price quoted to me of about $700 for a vaginal delivery, but it is over double that for a c-section... who knew?
Okay, I am trying not to stress, get upset, or be a Debbie-downer, so I should go. I know that everything will work out, but it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel right now. Thankfully I have a beautiful, healthy boy who puts it all into perspective for me each time he smiles at me. I love you Jensen and I wouldn't trade one minute with you for anything else in this world.
Jensen is growing like a weed! By his two week appt he was already well past his birth weight and getting longer. They did the heal prick for blood but no shots yet. I love his doctor (Dr. Terri Omura) and the office and staff. Hopefully as Jensen gets older we all continue to like it there.
Jensen sleeps pretty well now. I get one good 3.5 - 4 hour stretch of sleep each night. Some nights are better and some are worse, but I am taking what I can get! He is a great baby and I absolutely love him to death! He spits up a lot and gets really bad gas that has been bad since he was two weeks old. The doctor said to give him gas drops but that didn't seem to do anything. He then gave him medicine for acid reflex to calm acid in his stomach but I couldn't get him to take it. Anything I could get it in his mouth he spit right back up. I am trying other techniques like baby massage though and hopefully that will help. They say it is colic but I disagree. Only time will tell I guess.
His first holiday was Halloween and he had a skeleton glow-in-the-dark costume, but he never wore it. I was too exhausted and he was pretty fussy that day so we didn't put it on even for pictures! I better do that though for scrapbooking. His second holiday is in just two days- Thanksgiving! We are going to my mom's at 1 and then Corey's grandma's house at 4. It is going to be a good day full of yummy food and our awesome families. I can't wait.
My birthday was just over a week ago and it was the best one yet because I have Jensen to share it with (and the rest of the family of course). It was a 3 day celebration which was awesome! Saturday night Corey's parents came over and they brought Texas Roadhouse (YUMMY!) and gave me a cute sweater dress, new sheets for our big bed, and a cute jacket for Jensen. Saturday we went to my mom's and got Training Table (YUMMY too!) and I got jewelry, my awesome new boots, a super cute hat, and Jensen's first Christmas ornaments. Oh and diapers. Yes, some gifts were for him but we need them! Monday which was actually my birthday my mom came over after work and Corey took me to Ichiban for sushi! My favorite place with my favorite man! It was a great way to turn 26!
My dad's birthday was the 10th and I finally went to see him. I don't feel like he is in the ground (or wall...) but I felt I needed to go there and see the marker that my mom had done. I should have taken flowers but I had Jensen and I was short on time. I went to see a house for sale in Sandy but it was awful! I don't know if I am ready to start the housing search again but we are going to have to figure out something soon. I don't want to renew our lease here for another year and it is up in June. Either we will rent a house or we will buy. I miss my dad every day and still can't believe he is gone. I guess I feel that he is still with me every day and watching over me and my family.
I started school over a month ago and so far, so good. I am taking a nutrition and math class. Surprisingly I think my math class is going better than my science/nutrition course. It is nice not having to write huge papers every week. In math we take weekly quizzes instead. Just a huge time saver! I will get a "winter break" December 19th to the 1st of January and so I plan to return to work on the 19th. It isn't going to be easy leaving Jensen but I know it is for the best. I have to work to provide insurance for my family and of course we need the second income. It would be nice to stay at home, at least part time while he is this little. I am already getting anxiety about returning to work.
Other anxiety- money! I have only been getting 60% of my income from short term disability and I already used that money for bills. I have absolutely no money for bills and it's freaking me out. What is worse is Christmas is just around the corner. Hopefully Corey and I can work it out so that he can pay rent and the other bills this month. He knew this was coming but he seems mad or something that I don't have any money. I have been telling him I don't have money and I wasn't joking - I was crying when I said it. Hopefully everything will work out. I should get a check from work just before returning since people have gifted me PTO. I think I got over 60 hours of PTO gifted to me between my mom and a girl in A/R who asked who needed time gifted. I am thankful for her for sure! It would be nice if I could get that money now though.
Oh and the other anxiety - I have a TON of medical bills to pay that are all going to have to be on payment plans since I won't really be making any money until January. Who knew having a c-section would be so expensive? I got a price quoted to me of about $700 for a vaginal delivery, but it is over double that for a c-section... who knew?
Okay, I am trying not to stress, get upset, or be a Debbie-downer, so I should go. I know that everything will work out, but it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel right now. Thankfully I have a beautiful, healthy boy who puts it all into perspective for me each time he smiles at me. I love you Jensen and I wouldn't trade one minute with you for anything else in this world.
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