First of all, I appreciate all the comments (or should I say complaints) about my posting frequency. Apparently it's not as often as some would like. I appreciate it because at least I know people out there are reading and want to read more...I thought I would bore people if I wrote every day or I wouldn't have something to write about that often. Most days I think it's just business as usual with the little man, but then I go to blog and realize I have a lot I could share. Every day is something new. And every day keeps getting better and better. I love this little nugget that is curled up sleeping on my chest right now more than I could ever imagine or try to put in words. And I love being his mom. It is by far the hardest, most challenging job I have ever had but is also the best and most amazing.
Back to the point...I'll work on up-ing the posts (even if it's at 4 am!)
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Pumping
First of all, there is just sooooo much to learn! It seems like every day I could get out something else that I need to figure out. Or as soon as I think I have things with Rudy figured out, he's already older and now things are different and there is more to learn, read, etc.
I started pumping about a week ago. In order to try and increase my supply, I pump after 2-3 feedings each day. I have been able to get about 2.5 - 4.5 ounces each day (enough for approximately 1 bottle). Its been going pretty well. The whole pumping thing is just bizarre. Talk about feeling like a milk cow hooked up to a machine! The feeling, noises...just weird. And its a pain having to clean all the parts every time. I spend probably 10-15 minutes pumping and 10 minutes cleaning after each of the feedings. Like everything else so far, I am sure it will get easier. The point of pumping so soon is to start giving Rudy 1 bottle a day for the next couple weeks and depending on how that goes, about 3-4 times a week until I go back to work. I am not supposed to be the one to give him the bottle, though. There is a concern for "nipple confusion," Rudy deciding he would rather have the bottle and not return back to me to nurse, or being selective of who he will take a bottle from. Over the next couple weeks, LeeAnn or my mom is going to come over to feed him on the days John works. This will get both of them used to feeding him, Rudy used to taking it from them, and me peace of mind that I can show them how to do it, where everything is, and be around in case Rudy has trouble. Eventually I am going to have to leave Rudy...I don't even like thinking about it!...but I am trying to be prepared enough for it so I don't freak out when that time comes. Anyway, John gave him his first bottle today. They both did great!
At first we gave him 3 ounces. He sucked that down so we gave him 2 more. He seemed content after that so we are going to try for 3-5 ounces each feeding...more on days when he goes longer between feedings, less on days when he is close to the 3 hour schedule. Of course last night he ate every 3 hours and wasn't quick to go back to sleep, but then slept all morning and went 5 hours between. At least John had gotten home and I was able to take a nap.
Speaking of John getting home...he started back to his regular schedule yesterday. I did SOO much better this time. Of course I missed him terribly and wished he could have been home several times during the day, but I wasn't in tears (well...maybe just a couple quick tears).
Here are some more recent pictures of Rudy...he is getting bigger every day! He has started to make noises, beyond the grunting, and makes more facial expressions. I can't wait for him to start smiling at us, not just smiling for reasons we will never know. When he is awake, he seems to always be squirming around. He wiggles so much -- kicking his legs, flinging his arms around, moving his head every which way -- can be pretty adorable! (or annoying if you are trying to hold him -- but mostly cute)
Rufus is getting better with him...as long as its just us. Get any visitors around and it all changes. Some say Rufus is protecting Rudy, others say Rufus is jealous. I tend to side with the jealousy theory. I'm sure it will get better...like everything else.
I started pumping about a week ago. In order to try and increase my supply, I pump after 2-3 feedings each day. I have been able to get about 2.5 - 4.5 ounces each day (enough for approximately 1 bottle). Its been going pretty well. The whole pumping thing is just bizarre. Talk about feeling like a milk cow hooked up to a machine! The feeling, noises...just weird. And its a pain having to clean all the parts every time. I spend probably 10-15 minutes pumping and 10 minutes cleaning after each of the feedings. Like everything else so far, I am sure it will get easier. The point of pumping so soon is to start giving Rudy 1 bottle a day for the next couple weeks and depending on how that goes, about 3-4 times a week until I go back to work. I am not supposed to be the one to give him the bottle, though. There is a concern for "nipple confusion," Rudy deciding he would rather have the bottle and not return back to me to nurse, or being selective of who he will take a bottle from. Over the next couple weeks, LeeAnn or my mom is going to come over to feed him on the days John works. This will get both of them used to feeding him, Rudy used to taking it from them, and me peace of mind that I can show them how to do it, where everything is, and be around in case Rudy has trouble. Eventually I am going to have to leave Rudy...I don't even like thinking about it!...but I am trying to be prepared enough for it so I don't freak out when that time comes. Anyway, John gave him his first bottle today. They both did great!
At first we gave him 3 ounces. He sucked that down so we gave him 2 more. He seemed content after that so we are going to try for 3-5 ounces each feeding...more on days when he goes longer between feedings, less on days when he is close to the 3 hour schedule. Of course last night he ate every 3 hours and wasn't quick to go back to sleep, but then slept all morning and went 5 hours between. At least John had gotten home and I was able to take a nap.
Speaking of John getting home...he started back to his regular schedule yesterday. I did SOO much better this time. Of course I missed him terribly and wished he could have been home several times during the day, but I wasn't in tears (well...maybe just a couple quick tears).
Here are some more recent pictures of Rudy...he is getting bigger every day! He has started to make noises, beyond the grunting, and makes more facial expressions. I can't wait for him to start smiling at us, not just smiling for reasons we will never know. When he is awake, he seems to always be squirming around. He wiggles so much -- kicking his legs, flinging his arms around, moving his head every which way -- can be pretty adorable! (or annoying if you are trying to hold him -- but mostly cute)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Mommy Support Group
Rudy and I had a solo outing yesterday to go to a "Mommy Support Group" at Memorial Hospital. The group is led by their lactation consultant who is also a nurse. There were several moms and their babies there yesterday. It was pretty unorganized but between Barb (the lactation lady) and the other moms, I was able to get all my questions answered that I had written down. Of course when I got home John said, "did you ask about this? Did you ask about that? Etc"...so I already have a list going for next week! One huge relief was that Barb said I could feed on Rudy's schedule now that he is over 2 weeks old...basically, just feed when he is hungry. Even though this could still be every 2 hours, its nice to not have to worry about waking him up - especially at night!
Rudy did really well. I think he likes the stroller and car seat a lot (as long as he's not hungry). He was alert and happy the whole way there and for ab the first 20 min of class. Then he fell asleep the rest of the time. I was able to weigh him and he was 9 lbs, 5 oz...so almost a whole pound since we went home!
Rudy has been realllllllly needy lately! He likes to be held and bounced around when he's awake...and that's about all he will settle for. And to sleep, we are lucky if he will stay asleep in his bassinet. He sleeps so much better either laying on John or I's chest or right next to one of us, which makes nap times not so productive! About half of the time he will stay awake after being fed. Which is fine except when those awake times are after a night feeding! John stayed up with him the other night from about 4 am to 7 am before he had to go do tree work with Dad. But last night he slept 4.5 hours twice...I fed at 8 pm, 12:30 am and then 5 am -- all of which he fell asleep pretty soon after (of course one sleep time was on my chest and the other was next to me). I was really against the whole co-sleeping thing, but if it gets all of us some sleep and everything I read suggests its "the best"...well its another thing to add to my list I never thought I'd do until lack of sleep thinking took over! I am going to get out the Moby wrap and see if I can figure that out. Maybe he will like that and I'll be able to do more while he is being needy. I'll let you know how it goes!
Other than that, everything is great! Rudy is growing and changing so fast. He is starting to have more distinguished characteristics and I love it. He is just as cute as can be! I feel like a broken record, but "I can't believe its been..." almost 3 weeks.
Rudy did really well. I think he likes the stroller and car seat a lot (as long as he's not hungry). He was alert and happy the whole way there and for ab the first 20 min of class. Then he fell asleep the rest of the time. I was able to weigh him and he was 9 lbs, 5 oz...so almost a whole pound since we went home!
Rudy has been realllllllly needy lately! He likes to be held and bounced around when he's awake...and that's about all he will settle for. And to sleep, we are lucky if he will stay asleep in his bassinet. He sleeps so much better either laying on John or I's chest or right next to one of us, which makes nap times not so productive! About half of the time he will stay awake after being fed. Which is fine except when those awake times are after a night feeding! John stayed up with him the other night from about 4 am to 7 am before he had to go do tree work with Dad. But last night he slept 4.5 hours twice...I fed at 8 pm, 12:30 am and then 5 am -- all of which he fell asleep pretty soon after (of course one sleep time was on my chest and the other was next to me). I was really against the whole co-sleeping thing, but if it gets all of us some sleep and everything I read suggests its "the best"...well its another thing to add to my list I never thought I'd do until lack of sleep thinking took over! I am going to get out the Moby wrap and see if I can figure that out. Maybe he will like that and I'll be able to do more while he is being needy. I'll let you know how it goes!
Other than that, everything is great! Rudy is growing and changing so fast. He is starting to have more distinguished characteristics and I love it. He is just as cute as can be! I feel like a broken record, but "I can't believe its been..." almost 3 weeks.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Can you tell what is different???
12 days old and so long umbilical cord! Rudy was being really fussy when we got home. Gran tried changing him...again...and that's when she noticed it wasn't there anymore. For awhile we couldn't find it in his sleeper. I thought for sure Rufus was going to find it and I was going to have to remove it from his mouth. We gave up looking and went to put his clothes back on and there it was! Phew! My little baby isn't so baby baby anymore...he has a belly button in full view.
I happened to get this shot right after feeding him when we got home...so content and lots of personality
Then he went right to sleep and has been that way since. He's so sweet.
Rudy's first visit to the Fire House
We couldn't stand it any longer...we had to go visit John at work. Gran and I loaded up Rudy and all his things and off we went. We took the house a big bag of Dell's Popcorn (I had every intention of baking something but then my needy baby made that impossible) and got to spend some time with John. I put Rudy in his onesie with a fire truck on it (even though you can't tell in the pictures) and today was his first day wearing pants. He looked so big! John gave me a hard time about his black socks. I thought they matched...apparently John says those are his "business socks" ...so now I know. Black socks are not Rudy's every day wear. Another reason I need John at home!
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