Tummy Time! She doesn't really enjoy it too much.
Michael found a teeny tiny butterfly. Can you seee it??
There it is!
Look who's 4 months old today!
I will have a 4 month post on Allison soon! TGIF!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Photo Overload Friday!
I was cleaning out my camera, and thought I would post some of my favorites from the past week or so!
Tummy Time! She doesn't really enjoy it too much.
Michael found a teeny tiny butterfly. Can you seee it??
There it is!
Look who's 4 months old today!
I will have a 4 month post on Allison soon! TGIF!!
Tummy Time! She doesn't really enjoy it too much.
Michael found a teeny tiny butterfly. Can you seee it??
There it is!
Look who's 4 months old today!
I will have a 4 month post on Allison soon! TGIF!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
It must be tough to be a baby!
Of course I am being sarcastic! I mean, what better life could you ask for?
Hungry? Give out a cry...someone will come running to feed you!
Tired? Give out a cry...someone will come running and cuddle you and rock you to sleep!
Need to go potty? No problem! Go in your pants, give out a cry, and someone will come running to change you, and wipe you. Heck they may even talk sweetly to you while they are at it. Most people seem happy to do it! Especially if you give them a cute smile to reward their efforts!
Bored? You guessed it! Give out a cry...someone will come running to entertain you, maybe even carry you around for a while.
All of these things took place in our house last night, in no particular order, at 11 pm, 12:30 am, 3 am, 4am, and 5am. Yes, I am one tired mommy!
Hungry? Give out a cry...someone will come running to feed you!
Tired? Give out a cry...someone will come running and cuddle you and rock you to sleep!
Need to go potty? No problem! Go in your pants, give out a cry, and someone will come running to change you, and wipe you. Heck they may even talk sweetly to you while they are at it. Most people seem happy to do it! Especially if you give them a cute smile to reward their efforts!
Bored? You guessed it! Give out a cry...someone will come running to entertain you, maybe even carry you around for a while.
All of these things took place in our house last night, in no particular order, at 11 pm, 12:30 am, 3 am, 4am, and 5am. Yes, I am one tired mommy!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Breastfeeding
Yes, as the title indicates, this post is all about breastfeeding. If the the subject of breastfeeding grosses you out (and I know it does gross some people out) or makes you uncomfortable, I suggest you skip this post and come back another day. :)
Let's see...I will start with how breastfeeding went with Michael. I was determined to EBF (exclusively breastfeed) him as long as I could. I was lucky enough to have a nice long maternity leave - 13 weeks - and pumped as much as I could during that time to store up for daycare. But unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to have an over abundance of milk production. When I would pump, I would not have enough to feed Michael when he was hungry, and ended up with a pretty cranky baby. No matter how much I tried, my supply just didn't increase to support doing both. So I was not able to have a huge frozen reserve by the time I went back to work. I think the daycare blew through that in about a week's time.
I would pump while I was at work, but I remember being so busy that I would look at the clock and realize it had been 5 hours since I last pumped. That would happen quite often, and I would end up pumping only twice during my work day. Well, at that pace, my supply would decrease daily. By the third week back to work, I was only pumping 3 ounces a day, in the 8 hours I was there, and by the end of the 4th week, I was pretty much done. I had made it just over 4 months of breastfeeding, even though that last week probably shouldn't even count!
I felt like a failure, and that I didn't commit to it like I should have. I admit also feeling a relief, that I was the sole user of my body again, and I could do to it whatever I wanted. :)
But I still felt guilt.
So here we are, with a new baby, and a second chance. I told Mike that my goal was to EBF for 6 months. I knew this was a pretty unrealistic goal, unless my supply was different this time around. So I did revise it to where I wanted to at least be 50/50 between breast milk and formula until at least 6 months.
I started Allison off better this time around. I had a pretty good reserve built up for her first week of daycare. I actually had some stored breast milk left going into the second week. But by the end of that week, they were having to supplement with formula. I think they were feeding her breast milk most of the day, and would give her maybe 2-3 ounces of formula at the end of the day. So, I was pretty proud that she was getting breast milk 90% of the time, since we were EBF while at home.
But then week 3 of daycare arrived, and my sweet little girl became a pig! LOL! She went from eating 2-3 ounces per feeding to around 4 ounces. Since I was pumping maybe 7 ounces a day at work, that meant the last feeding at daycare was now about 4 ounces of formula. I was still EBF at home, but her formula intake was a little more now.
So, as we approach the four month mark (next week!), I am reflecting on where I am at now, versus with Michael. I am happy to report that I am still pumping, and getting about 6 ounces a day, with some days going a little more, and it seems that my supply is hanging steady right there. Allison keeps eating around 4 ounces per feeding, so I am guessing she is having maybe 6 ounces of formula at daycare now. I am also now giving her some formula in the evenings, maybe 2-3 ounces, but I am ok with that. She is getting mommy's milk before bed, at the middle-of-the-night feeding, and before going to daycare. I don't think we are 50/50 yet, but it's getting close.
I am pretty proud that I have done this well, considering I went back to work 3 weeks earlier than I did with Michael. But I wonder each week if this will be the last week. I plan to keep doing what I am doing until my body throws in the towel. Will I make it to 6 months? I am not sure. Only time will tell. Wish us luck!
Let's see...I will start with how breastfeeding went with Michael. I was determined to EBF (exclusively breastfeed) him as long as I could. I was lucky enough to have a nice long maternity leave - 13 weeks - and pumped as much as I could during that time to store up for daycare. But unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to have an over abundance of milk production. When I would pump, I would not have enough to feed Michael when he was hungry, and ended up with a pretty cranky baby. No matter how much I tried, my supply just didn't increase to support doing both. So I was not able to have a huge frozen reserve by the time I went back to work. I think the daycare blew through that in about a week's time.
I would pump while I was at work, but I remember being so busy that I would look at the clock and realize it had been 5 hours since I last pumped. That would happen quite often, and I would end up pumping only twice during my work day. Well, at that pace, my supply would decrease daily. By the third week back to work, I was only pumping 3 ounces a day, in the 8 hours I was there, and by the end of the 4th week, I was pretty much done. I had made it just over 4 months of breastfeeding, even though that last week probably shouldn't even count!
I felt like a failure, and that I didn't commit to it like I should have. I admit also feeling a relief, that I was the sole user of my body again, and I could do to it whatever I wanted. :)
But I still felt guilt.
So here we are, with a new baby, and a second chance. I told Mike that my goal was to EBF for 6 months. I knew this was a pretty unrealistic goal, unless my supply was different this time around. So I did revise it to where I wanted to at least be 50/50 between breast milk and formula until at least 6 months.
I started Allison off better this time around. I had a pretty good reserve built up for her first week of daycare. I actually had some stored breast milk left going into the second week. But by the end of that week, they were having to supplement with formula. I think they were feeding her breast milk most of the day, and would give her maybe 2-3 ounces of formula at the end of the day. So, I was pretty proud that she was getting breast milk 90% of the time, since we were EBF while at home.
But then week 3 of daycare arrived, and my sweet little girl became a pig! LOL! She went from eating 2-3 ounces per feeding to around 4 ounces. Since I was pumping maybe 7 ounces a day at work, that meant the last feeding at daycare was now about 4 ounces of formula. I was still EBF at home, but her formula intake was a little more now.
So, as we approach the four month mark (next week!), I am reflecting on where I am at now, versus with Michael. I am happy to report that I am still pumping, and getting about 6 ounces a day, with some days going a little more, and it seems that my supply is hanging steady right there. Allison keeps eating around 4 ounces per feeding, so I am guessing she is having maybe 6 ounces of formula at daycare now. I am also now giving her some formula in the evenings, maybe 2-3 ounces, but I am ok with that. She is getting mommy's milk before bed, at the middle-of-the-night feeding, and before going to daycare. I don't think we are 50/50 yet, but it's getting close.
I am pretty proud that I have done this well, considering I went back to work 3 weeks earlier than I did with Michael. But I wonder each week if this will be the last week. I plan to keep doing what I am doing until my body throws in the towel. Will I make it to 6 months? I am not sure. Only time will tell. Wish us luck!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
First Sleep Over
This weekend, Michael was invited to a birthday/sleepover for a friend from daycare, Ethan. Ethan turned 5, and his parents bravely opened up their home to several of his friends for pizza, movie, and mayhem! LOL!
Although Michael has spent the night away from home many times in the past, this is the first time it was at a friend's house, with a bunch of other kids. But we were pretty confident that we would not be getting a late night phone call from him wanting to come home. He had been to this home before, and Ethan's mom was also his teacher at daycare. She was also his teacher at his previous daycare, so he has known her for over 2 years. We knew he would be quite comfortable with being there.
The only fear we had was that he would miss his "lovey" Blue Bunny. But poor Bunny is in a fragile state, and is not allowed to leave the house. He loves that bunny very much and does not like to sleep without him. But we let him take his second choice, Blue Bear, and I think he was content with that.
To prepare for the big night, we purchased a sleeping bag, a new backpack, and of course a gift for the birthday boy. However, the gift would not be a surprise to Ethan, because Michael told him what it was the second he walked through their door! I love that he cannot keep a secret. Mommy has been told of many of her gifts before the actual opening, much to Daddy's dismay. Gotta love him!
Here are some pics to commemorate another "first" for Michael.
Chomping at the bit wanting to leave!
I asked him to look over his shoulder, but he instead opted to hide his face!
All ready to go!
We are happy to announce that it was a success! Michael had a blast, and was happy to tell us all about it the next day! It sounds like fun was had by all. I hope the next sleepover goes just as well!
Although Michael has spent the night away from home many times in the past, this is the first time it was at a friend's house, with a bunch of other kids. But we were pretty confident that we would not be getting a late night phone call from him wanting to come home. He had been to this home before, and Ethan's mom was also his teacher at daycare. She was also his teacher at his previous daycare, so he has known her for over 2 years. We knew he would be quite comfortable with being there.
The only fear we had was that he would miss his "lovey" Blue Bunny. But poor Bunny is in a fragile state, and is not allowed to leave the house. He loves that bunny very much and does not like to sleep without him. But we let him take his second choice, Blue Bear, and I think he was content with that.
To prepare for the big night, we purchased a sleeping bag, a new backpack, and of course a gift for the birthday boy. However, the gift would not be a surprise to Ethan, because Michael told him what it was the second he walked through their door! I love that he cannot keep a secret. Mommy has been told of many of her gifts before the actual opening, much to Daddy's dismay. Gotta love him!
Here are some pics to commemorate another "first" for Michael.
Chomping at the bit wanting to leave!
I asked him to look over his shoulder, but he instead opted to hide his face!
All ready to go!
We are happy to announce that it was a success! Michael had a blast, and was happy to tell us all about it the next day! It sounds like fun was had by all. I hope the next sleepover goes just as well!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Easter!
Our day started with looking for our baskets that were left by the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny didn't just leave them out in the open, the kids had to hunt for them.
The baby started fussing, so I was holding her while he was going through his basket. So I didn't get any pictures of that.
Then we got dressed and went to church.
She kept kicking off her cute little shoes.
One of his favorite basket goodies: Harmonica!
After church, we hunted for eggs!
Michael was so funny hunting for eggs. After he found the first egg that had coins in it, he had to shake every one, to see if it made the sound of jingling coins!
Aunt Connie joined us for lunch, and then we relaxed the rest of the day, and Michael played with his new Easter loot. We didn't eat too much candy, so he didn't get that sugar buzz, and we had no problems getting him to bed!
Hope everyone had a great Easter!
The baby started fussing, so I was holding her while he was going through his basket. So I didn't get any pictures of that.
Then we got dressed and went to church.
She kept kicking off her cute little shoes.
One of his favorite basket goodies: Harmonica!
After church, we hunted for eggs!
Michael was so funny hunting for eggs. After he found the first egg that had coins in it, he had to shake every one, to see if it made the sound of jingling coins!
Aunt Connie joined us for lunch, and then we relaxed the rest of the day, and Michael played with his new Easter loot. We didn't eat too much candy, so he didn't get that sugar buzz, and we had no problems getting him to bed!
Hope everyone had a great Easter!
Easter Eve
Saturday morning, we went to our church for their annual egg hunt. It sterted with a yummy pancake breakfast, which we enjoyed with Grandma K.
Then the pastor read a short story about the meaning of Easter before they let the kids loose.
Michael found an egg that looked different then the rest, and he thought he won the special surprise egg! It just had a couple of rolls of Smartees in them, but he thought he won the jackpot!
Later that night, before bedtime, we decorated our Easter Eggs. This year was the first year MJ actually fully participated in this.
He had a lot of fun, but isn't interested one bit in eating any of them!
Then the pastor read a short story about the meaning of Easter before they let the kids loose.
Michael found an egg that looked different then the rest, and he thought he won the special surprise egg! It just had a couple of rolls of Smartees in them, but he thought he won the jackpot!
Later that night, before bedtime, we decorated our Easter Eggs. This year was the first year MJ actually fully participated in this.
He had a lot of fun, but isn't interested one bit in eating any of them!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Allison enjoying the weather
I took some great pictures of Michael today, but I am running out of steam....to be continued tomorrow (or maybe Sunday!)
Three Months
This month was a busy one, and it flew by before I knew it! Let's see...Allison had her 2 month doctor appointment, which resulted in the pediatrician sending us to the eye doctor. Her ped saw a difference in the red eye reflection. He described it to me in the way you get red eye from a camera flash. He can shine a light her eye to get that same reflection, and her left eye didn't seem to have the same reflection as the right. Thankfully the eye doctor found her eyes to be perfectly fine.
This month Allison has mastered holding her head up on her own. Her favorite way to be held is so she can look over your shoulder and see what is going on back there. She also likes to just sit on your lap. She can sit upright on your thigh, and you just have to support her back a little. She just looks around the room and soaks everything in.
She has also started the belly laugh. Oh my goodness it is the cutest thing. I forgot how much those first baby laughs just melt your heart. Daddy can get her to really laugh. Although one time he was trying to get her to laugh with some peek a boos, and he ended up saying "boo" a little too loud and scared her. She cried, and daddy felt pretty bad.
She has begun this insane drooling. I am not sure why this is happening, since she is way too young to start cutting teeth. The best I can tell is that it is from her sticking her tongue out a lot, and also from sucking on her fingers. But I am not totally convinced of that, because sometimes it just runs down her chin while she is just sitting there doing nothing. It's quite strange, and we have to keep a bib on her a lot to keep her from soaking her shirts. Aunt Connie has nicknamed her "Bubbles" because sometimes her drool forms bubbles on her lips. I told her that sounded too much like a stripper name, and to think of a different nickname! LOL!
She started daycare this month, which I blogged about briefly before. It has been going great. But like what happened with Michael, my milk production is not keeping up with her demand. I am pumping at work, three times a day, but she is eating more than I am pumping during the day. I ran out of my frozen supply in just over 2 weeks. So, she is starting to have 2-3 ounces of formula a day, but still on mommy's milk the rest of the time. I am hoping to keep it up for another month at least. We will see how it goes.
She is still in her 0-3 months clothes, but has grown out of some jammies and onesies in the length. It depends on the brand, because she still has plenty of room in quite a few of her clothes.
Ok, on with the pictures! Since I am back to work, I had to take her 3 month pic when it was getting dark outside. Boy, I miss that great mid-afternoon light that comes through her window!
This month Allison has mastered holding her head up on her own. Her favorite way to be held is so she can look over your shoulder and see what is going on back there. She also likes to just sit on your lap. She can sit upright on your thigh, and you just have to support her back a little. She just looks around the room and soaks everything in.
She has also started the belly laugh. Oh my goodness it is the cutest thing. I forgot how much those first baby laughs just melt your heart. Daddy can get her to really laugh. Although one time he was trying to get her to laugh with some peek a boos, and he ended up saying "boo" a little too loud and scared her. She cried, and daddy felt pretty bad.
She has begun this insane drooling. I am not sure why this is happening, since she is way too young to start cutting teeth. The best I can tell is that it is from her sticking her tongue out a lot, and also from sucking on her fingers. But I am not totally convinced of that, because sometimes it just runs down her chin while she is just sitting there doing nothing. It's quite strange, and we have to keep a bib on her a lot to keep her from soaking her shirts. Aunt Connie has nicknamed her "Bubbles" because sometimes her drool forms bubbles on her lips. I told her that sounded too much like a stripper name, and to think of a different nickname! LOL!
She started daycare this month, which I blogged about briefly before. It has been going great. But like what happened with Michael, my milk production is not keeping up with her demand. I am pumping at work, three times a day, but she is eating more than I am pumping during the day. I ran out of my frozen supply in just over 2 weeks. So, she is starting to have 2-3 ounces of formula a day, but still on mommy's milk the rest of the time. I am hoping to keep it up for another month at least. We will see how it goes.
She is still in her 0-3 months clothes, but has grown out of some jammies and onesies in the length. It depends on the brand, because she still has plenty of room in quite a few of her clothes.
Ok, on with the pictures! Since I am back to work, I had to take her 3 month pic when it was getting dark outside. Boy, I miss that great mid-afternoon light that comes through her window!
Wordless Friday
Yes, I know that on most blogs it is called "Wordless Wednesday" but who knows if I will get a chance to actually update here on a Wednesday. So here it is. Love it!
Oops. I guess I am screwing up the "wordless" part too! LOL!
Oops. I guess I am screwing up the "wordless" part too! LOL!
Spring!
Ok, I am a little behind on this, but I wanted to celebrate Spring with a picture I like to take every year. I love to see the Crocus pop up, because that always means Spring is here!
Four Generations of Marie
Allison's middle name is Marie, and she was given that name to continue the line of women with the middle name of Marie on my side of the family. We recently took a picture of the four Maries. Grandma W, Great-Grandma S, Allison, and Aunt Connie. Maybe someday Allison will have a baby girl, and she will keep the tradition alive.
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