Joaquin is still in the 5th percentile for weight. This despite several months of extra feedings, and purposeful fattening up with cheeses, full fat yogurts, butter covered everything and even some chocolate.
It is beyond frustrating because we know he is perfectly healthy. He is happy, energetic, growing and developing exactly as he should. And, honestly, with the obesity problems so common to kids these days, I'm not so sure I'd want Joaquin in the 50th percentile. But, so long as he remains as skinny as he is, we are forced to return to the pediatrician monthly for weight checks.
The visits are unbearable. Joaquin hates going to the office and screams non-stop the entire time we are there. He starts shaking and just seems generally terrified.
So, as I mentioned earlier, we have started nightly desserts. We have also started Joaquin on whole milk (sometimes even adding some extra cream).
We think it is working. Unfortunately, with all of the extra fatty foods around I think Jay and I are going to end up gaining weight faster than Joaquin!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Jackson Hole Trip
Yes, we took this trip in August. I'm running a little behind on these pictures.
We saw a bear on our hike!
Jay and Mia at the wedding:
On a different hike:
We saw a bear on our hike!
Jay and Mia at the wedding:
On a different hike:
Happy First Birthday Joaquin!
We still can't believe how quickly a year flies by. This has been a challenging and fun year - our best so far. Here are a few pictures from his birday.
Joaquin is Still Too Skinny
According to the pediatrician, Joaquin is still too skinny. It is everything we can do to get him to eat lots of calories. So, we have instituted nightly desert time. I don't think he minds at all!
Halloween Pictures
Joaquin had a hard day on Halloween. He had his one year check up with the pediatrician, which included two vaccinations. He officially hates going to see the doctor now, so he screamed and shook in terror for the entire 45 minute visit. We got some ice cream afterward, so that helped. By the time we got home and got dressed in his costume, he was pooped. Here are some shots:
With his Tita Mia:
With mommy:
Mia and I were dressed as Ketchup and Mustard and Joaquin was a bull (specifically, Ferdinand, for those of you familiar with the book). Together, we were a hamburger :-)
Hopefully next year will involve more smiles.
With his Tita Mia:
With mommy:
Mia and I were dressed as Ketchup and Mustard and Joaquin was a bull (specifically, Ferdinand, for those of you familiar with the book). Together, we were a hamburger :-)
Hopefully next year will involve more smiles.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Blog Traffic Weirdness
Every now and again I will check my blog stats to see how people are finding my blog. It's sort of fun to see what google terms people have used that ultimately led them to the blog and what posts tend to get the most hits.
One strange thing I have noticed is that my 28 week 1 day belly picture post is by far the most popular post on this blog. I have absolutely no idea why that is.
But today I saw something funny: someone found this blog by typing "Orange County stolen banana" into google. I can't even imagine the circumstances under which someone would be googling about a stolen banana in Orange County. Too funny.
UPDATE: Now when you type "Orange County stolen banana" into google my blog pops up first. Ha!
One strange thing I have noticed is that my 28 week 1 day belly picture post is by far the most popular post on this blog. I have absolutely no idea why that is.
But today I saw something funny: someone found this blog by typing "Orange County stolen banana" into google. I can't even imagine the circumstances under which someone would be googling about a stolen banana in Orange County. Too funny.
UPDATE: Now when you type "Orange County stolen banana" into google my blog pops up first. Ha!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
10 Month Stats
Joaquin is 10 months and we had our big check in on Friday to make sure he was gaining weight and growing after his bad appointment last month. Current stats:
Weight: 17 lbs, 9 ounces (5th percentile, up from 3rd)
Height: 30.5 inches (75th percentile, up from 10th!)
Me thinks the last height measurement was wrong. Oh well...
We were so relieved that the numbers were good and our little guy is getting bigger and is healthy. It looks like we will have a string bean on our hands, but there's nothing wrong with that!
Weight: 17 lbs, 9 ounces (5th percentile, up from 3rd)
Height: 30.5 inches (75th percentile, up from 10th!)
Me thinks the last height measurement was wrong. Oh well...
We were so relieved that the numbers were good and our little guy is getting bigger and is healthy. It looks like we will have a string bean on our hands, but there's nothing wrong with that!
Monday, August 22, 2011
We're Back!
Jay and I had a great time in Jackson Hole, but we are sooooo glad to be home with our little boy. We missed him so much!
The trip was filled with hiking, eating and celebrating the wedding of my brother-in-law's sister (got that?). Jackson Hole is a beautiful place and if you have never been there, I highly recommend it. There are wide open spaces, beautiful mountains with glaciers (yup - snow in August) and a glorious national park filled with lakes, hiking trails and all sorts of wildlife. On one of our hikes we even saw a black bear. It was very cool.
Our journey back was memorable. We arrived at the Jackson airport around noon, mentally prepared for our TWO layover trip home. We were thrilled when we checked in and got the great news that our trip had been changed and we were leaving an hour later, had only one layover and were going to be home 3 hours earlier than we expected. Woot!
Not so fast. An hour later, we realized that we were given SOMEONE ELSE'S PLANE TICKETS. WTF?! Seriously? Don't they ask for your ID's so that, you know, they make sure you are getting the tickets you paid for? By the time we got the ticket issue sorted out, we had missed the flight we were supposed to get on. Then we were told that all of the flights out were booked and we might not be able to get home until Monday. Cue my death stares at the employee that messed up our tickets. When it seemed we were out of hope, I began bawling. I really wanted to get home to see Joaquin and wasn't sure how we would be able to deal with his child care if we didn't make it home.
I ran over to another airline's counter to see if they had anything available. I was just going to pay for the damn tickets and worry about it later. Luckily the crying/death stares had been effective, the new airline found us tickets and the old airline did some sort of trade so we didn't have to pay. We even got a refund on our bag check fees.
With the new itinerary, we hopped on the next flight to Salt Lake City, expecting a 4 hour layover and to land at 9 pm in Long Beach (ugh. taxi cab from Long Beach to Orange County...).
When we got into Salt Lake, I looked at the departing flights and saw one leaving in about 30 minutes directly to Orange County. I though, hey let's just see if we get lucky and can switch flights. Well, we did!!! We landed in Orange County at 5:45 and guess what, our bags even made it.
So, in the end, the day turned out great, and we were so happy to get to spend some extra time with Joaquin when we got home.
The trip was filled with hiking, eating and celebrating the wedding of my brother-in-law's sister (got that?). Jackson Hole is a beautiful place and if you have never been there, I highly recommend it. There are wide open spaces, beautiful mountains with glaciers (yup - snow in August) and a glorious national park filled with lakes, hiking trails and all sorts of wildlife. On one of our hikes we even saw a black bear. It was very cool.
Our journey back was memorable. We arrived at the Jackson airport around noon, mentally prepared for our TWO layover trip home. We were thrilled when we checked in and got the great news that our trip had been changed and we were leaving an hour later, had only one layover and were going to be home 3 hours earlier than we expected. Woot!
Not so fast. An hour later, we realized that we were given SOMEONE ELSE'S PLANE TICKETS. WTF?! Seriously? Don't they ask for your ID's so that, you know, they make sure you are getting the tickets you paid for? By the time we got the ticket issue sorted out, we had missed the flight we were supposed to get on. Then we were told that all of the flights out were booked and we might not be able to get home until Monday. Cue my death stares at the employee that messed up our tickets. When it seemed we were out of hope, I began bawling. I really wanted to get home to see Joaquin and wasn't sure how we would be able to deal with his child care if we didn't make it home.
I ran over to another airline's counter to see if they had anything available. I was just going to pay for the damn tickets and worry about it later. Luckily the crying/death stares had been effective, the new airline found us tickets and the old airline did some sort of trade so we didn't have to pay. We even got a refund on our bag check fees.
With the new itinerary, we hopped on the next flight to Salt Lake City, expecting a 4 hour layover and to land at 9 pm in Long Beach (ugh. taxi cab from Long Beach to Orange County...).
When we got into Salt Lake, I looked at the departing flights and saw one leaving in about 30 minutes directly to Orange County. I though, hey let's just see if we get lucky and can switch flights. Well, we did!!! We landed in Orange County at 5:45 and guess what, our bags even made it.
So, in the end, the day turned out great, and we were so happy to get to spend some extra time with Joaquin when we got home.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Please Just Don't
Joaquin isn't even 10 months old yet.
Seriously, people of the world, don't ask me when I'm going to have another kid. I just finished that whole pregnancy thing and, let me tell you, it'll be a while until I'm even close to ready to doing that again!
Seriously, people of the world, don't ask me when I'm going to have another kid. I just finished that whole pregnancy thing and, let me tell you, it'll be a while until I'm even close to ready to doing that again!
Happy Anniversary!
Yeah, so I'm a bit late on this post.
Our 6th (!!!) wedding anniversary was August 6th. I can't believe it has already been that long. In some ways, it feels like Jay and I have been together forever. I can barely remember what it was like not to be with him. In other ways the last six years have flown by in a blur of law school, early careers and now parenthood.
We didn't go crazy this year and just went out to a nice sushi dinner to celebrate. It was delicious. What a joy it is to be married to someone so perfectly matched that a simple dinner out can be so special.
First Trip Without Baby
On Thursday Jay and I leave for a weekend trip to Jackson Hole to attend a wedding. Most of the events for the weekend are not baby friendly, so we decided to leave Joaquin at home with his grandma rather than bring him and have to hire babysitters we have never met.
And, while I am excited for our trip and for sleeping in, I'm mostly just dreading being away from him for so long. It's going to be torture!
I am sure I'm agonizing over nothing and he will probably be happy as a clam with Elizabeth and grandma fawning all over him all weekend.
I just need to learn to embrace a little extra freedom for the weekend, have fun carrying a normal bag instead of a diaper bag and get over it.
I'll try to take pictures and share them. Jackson was beautiful in the winter and I'm guessing it's equally gorgeous in summer.
And, while I am excited for our trip and for sleeping in, I'm mostly just dreading being away from him for so long. It's going to be torture!
I am sure I'm agonizing over nothing and he will probably be happy as a clam with Elizabeth and grandma fawning all over him all weekend.
I just need to learn to embrace a little extra freedom for the weekend, have fun carrying a normal bag instead of a diaper bag and get over it.
I'll try to take pictures and share them. Jackson was beautiful in the winter and I'm guessing it's equally gorgeous in summer.
Friday, August 5, 2011
More teeth!
We are at 6 teeth now. It is so adorable. I'm always so glad when new teeth finally break through because it means the crying and whining finally stops. Poor baby.
Friday, July 29, 2011
9 Month Check Up; Not Great News
So, Joaquin is only 16 lbs, 12 ounces and is 27 inches tall. He is in the 3rd percentile for weight, which means he is way too skinny. I was really disappoointed, as I thought (based on our home scale) that he was closer to 18 pounds.
Our substitute pediatrician (our regular doctor is out on maternity leave) told me that I needed to start adding in an extra 10-15 ounces of formula a day on top of nursing and to cut down the non-fatty foods we have been giving he (plums, bananas, beans, squash, etc.).
We have to go back in a month to check and make sure Joaquin is beefing up properly.
I am really disappointed. I had hoped to avoid formula all together, but I guess it is just not in the cards for us. I am proud to have made it all the way to 9 months. It is all but impossible to maintain this with working full time.
The working mom guilt is really awful sometimes.
Our substitute pediatrician (our regular doctor is out on maternity leave) told me that I needed to start adding in an extra 10-15 ounces of formula a day on top of nursing and to cut down the non-fatty foods we have been giving he (plums, bananas, beans, squash, etc.).
We have to go back in a month to check and make sure Joaquin is beefing up properly.
I am really disappointed. I had hoped to avoid formula all together, but I guess it is just not in the cards for us. I am proud to have made it all the way to 9 months. It is all but impossible to maintain this with working full time.
The working mom guilt is really awful sometimes.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
9 Months!
Happy 9 month birthday, Joaquin. You are the most amazing little boy I could ever imagine. You are cheerful, humorous and affectionate. Lately, you haven't been happy going to bed without some extra mommy cuddle time, which just melts my heart. I love you more and more each day.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mornings are Lovely
Mornings are my favorite time of day these days, especially now that Joaquin is sleeping through the night.
On most mornings, Joaquin wakes up around 7:00. Jay will get him and bring him into our bed and Joaquin will nurse while Jay and I sort of linger between sleep and wake. When Joaquin is full, we lounge around and play in bed for a while.
Around 7:30, we get the dogs ready and we take the whole family on a walk on the beach.
What a great way to start our days!
On most mornings, Joaquin wakes up around 7:00. Jay will get him and bring him into our bed and Joaquin will nurse while Jay and I sort of linger between sleep and wake. When Joaquin is full, we lounge around and play in bed for a while.
Around 7:30, we get the dogs ready and we take the whole family on a walk on the beach.
What a great way to start our days!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Top Teeth
Joaquin sprouted two top teeth this week, opening the door to all sorts of new chewing experiences to come. So far, he's loving grapes and pineapple. Yum!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Eight Months and Still Nursing (Part 4)
I took a break from my nursing series to over-work myself, but wanted to share the rest of my experiences in case anyone is interested. You can read the older posts here (part 1), here (part 2) and here (part 3).
After the first few weeks of getting used to nursing, attempting to get rest and mentally adjusting to being a full-time mom, things started to get a bit easier.
Nursing became a wonderful chance to sit and relax and, hopefully, allow Joaquin to drift off to sleep. For the first three months or so, nursing was still a long process that occurred at least 8 times a day, several of which occurred in the wee hours of the night.
The hardest parts about continuing to nurse at this point were:
(1) Hearing stories about friends' babies that were already sleeping through the night on formula;
(2) Wearing atrocious nursing bras all the time;
(3) Wearing even more atrocious nursing pads under those nursing bras; and
(4) (most importantly) Feeling like I could not go anywhere for any extended period of time (read: more than 2 hours) without the baby.
All I can say about these things to those of you contemplating continuing or starting nursing is that, while they are annoying, they are really not that big of a deal compared to the health benefits you will be providing to your baby. Additionally, later on you will really start to enjoy nursing and be glad (for selfish reasons) you stuck with it.
The part about having a two hour "leash" is tough to get used to. Things like going to yoga or spending quality time with friends were put on the back burner. I'm not sure that this was truly necessary though. I was afraid of giving Joaquin a bottle because I didn't want to mess with not-quite-yet-smooth nursing. In retrospect, a bottle hear and there probably would not have done much harm and would have given me a little bit more "me" time.
After the first few weeks of getting used to nursing, attempting to get rest and mentally adjusting to being a full-time mom, things started to get a bit easier.
Nursing became a wonderful chance to sit and relax and, hopefully, allow Joaquin to drift off to sleep. For the first three months or so, nursing was still a long process that occurred at least 8 times a day, several of which occurred in the wee hours of the night.
The hardest parts about continuing to nurse at this point were:
(1) Hearing stories about friends' babies that were already sleeping through the night on formula;
(2) Wearing atrocious nursing bras all the time;
(3) Wearing even more atrocious nursing pads under those nursing bras; and
(4) (most importantly) Feeling like I could not go anywhere for any extended period of time (read: more than 2 hours) without the baby.
All I can say about these things to those of you contemplating continuing or starting nursing is that, while they are annoying, they are really not that big of a deal compared to the health benefits you will be providing to your baby. Additionally, later on you will really start to enjoy nursing and be glad (for selfish reasons) you stuck with it.
The part about having a two hour "leash" is tough to get used to. Things like going to yoga or spending quality time with friends were put on the back burner. I'm not sure that this was truly necessary though. I was afraid of giving Joaquin a bottle because I didn't want to mess with not-quite-yet-smooth nursing. In retrospect, a bottle hear and there probably would not have done much harm and would have given me a little bit more "me" time.
Okay - seriously, you are growing up too fast
When Jay went in to get Joaquin out of bed this morning, Joaquin was STANDING up in his crib.
What the what?!
What the what?!
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joaquin slept through the night the last two nights in a row!
I cannot believe this is finally happening. I hope it continues!
I had forgotten how nice 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep feels. It has been over 8 months since that last happened.
I cannot believe this is finally happening. I hope it continues!
I had forgotten how nice 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep feels. It has been over 8 months since that last happened.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Oh, Elizabeth, I love you so.
We hired a full-time nanny. Her name is Elizabeth and I'm fairly certain she is an angel sent from heaven.
Joaquin was doing really well with Jeremy for a while, but once both Bennett and Joaquin started crawling, I think the task became overwhelming. Plus, Jay was getting overloaded with drop offs and pick ups. So, we decided to take the plunge and hire our own nanny to come to the house.
It was a tough decision though for many reasons. Mostly, nannies are just plain expensive. But, we figured it would be great for Joaquin and hopefully would give Jay some extra time to spend at work and allow him to make more money in the end.
We found Elizabeth very quickly and she started work last Wednesday.
It has been AMAZING. She is so sweet with Joaquin. She reads to him, plays with him, takes him on walks and takes him to the park. He really loves her and I think he also likes being in his own house for the day.
And when Joaquin naps, Elizabeth helps around the house. She cleans, does the laundry and last Friday she even organized my disaster of a pantry. And she makes the bed in some magical sort of way that makes it feel like we have clean sheets every day.
We are so happy to have found Elizabeth and we hope this set up lasts for a long time!
Joaquin was doing really well with Jeremy for a while, but once both Bennett and Joaquin started crawling, I think the task became overwhelming. Plus, Jay was getting overloaded with drop offs and pick ups. So, we decided to take the plunge and hire our own nanny to come to the house.
It was a tough decision though for many reasons. Mostly, nannies are just plain expensive. But, we figured it would be great for Joaquin and hopefully would give Jay some extra time to spend at work and allow him to make more money in the end.
We found Elizabeth very quickly and she started work last Wednesday.
It has been AMAZING. She is so sweet with Joaquin. She reads to him, plays with him, takes him on walks and takes him to the park. He really loves her and I think he also likes being in his own house for the day.
And when Joaquin naps, Elizabeth helps around the house. She cleans, does the laundry and last Friday she even organized my disaster of a pantry. And she makes the bed in some magical sort of way that makes it feel like we have clean sheets every day.
We are so happy to have found Elizabeth and we hope this set up lasts for a long time!
Crawling!
As of about two weeks ago, Joaquin started crawling. We were not at all prepared for how quickly that happened. All of the sudden, we have to be very careful about leaving Joaquin on the bed or the floor. Before we know it, he can dash off to the edge of the bed or out into the hallway.
It is so fun to watch as he explores his world and plays with his new-found freedoms. But, we really need to get on the baby-proofing!
It is so fun to watch as he explores his world and plays with his new-found freedoms. But, we really need to get on the baby-proofing!
Happy 8 Months Joaquin
You turned 8 months old this week! I cannot believe you are 2/3 of a year old already! Every month you turn into more of your own person. You love to make funny noises. You love to explore new toys and foods. You love to laugh at our silly looking dogs. It is so much fun for us to watch as you learn and grow before our very eyes.
I've been a bad blogger
Sorry to my readers (if any of you are even still around!). I have been a bad blogger lately.
I will just say that in the month of June I billed over 250 hours at work. That is my only excuse.
I have many updates and will work on them starting now!
I will just say that in the month of June I billed over 250 hours at work. That is my only excuse.
I have many updates and will work on them starting now!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Happy 7 Months Joaquin!
I can't believe how quickly that happened! Joaquin, you are the most amazing, charming, lovable little guy I know. Last night, we started a giggle fit that lasted several minutes and it was probably the most fun I've had in months. It is such an amazing treat watching you grow, learn and explore your world. I'm a lucky momma.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Six Months and Still Nursing (Part 3)
As some of you may remember, we came home from the hospital with our bundle of joy, and also a set of bili lights for his jaundice. We were not told we had to feed Joaquin formula just yet, but that it would be a possibility if his bili levels did not go down quickly.
On our first full day back home, I took Joaquin to the local police department to get his car seat inspected. I had made the appointment a month earlier and thought that I had made it early enough to get it done before Joaquin was born. Oops.
On the drive back, I started to notice that something felt different. I was in pain. We had to stop at a lab to get Joaquin's blood taken and when we parked I noticed that I had completed soaked through my shirt. Great. I guess my milk came in. Fortunately, I had a big cardigan to cover use as a cover up.
For the next couple of days, nursing went well even though it seemed like I spent the majority of my (many) waking hours sitting on the couch nursing. Each meal took about 45 minutes and he ate about 10 times per day. It was a lot of sitting. I took to playing spider solitaire on my laptop while nursing, as it was something I could easily do with only one free hand.
Then we got Joaquin's bili level results and found out they had gone up. We were instructed to feed him formula only for 4 days. I freaked out and thought that this would ruin my attempts to get him to latch. I had read a ton about nipple confusion and was so worried that he would never go back to nursing after four days with bottles. But, we had to do it. So, Jay took on the task of bottle feeding while I pumped.
When we were finally given the go ahead to re-start nursing by Joaquin's pediatrician, I was nervous that it was going to be difficult to get Joaquin to eat. It took a little bit of patience, as Joaquin got frustrated at first with having to work harder for his meals. But, he got the hang of it again quickly.
So, here are my tips for the early weeks of nursing:
1. Don't let all of the nipple confusion talk freak you out. A bottle or pacifier here and there is not a big deal (and may actually be a good thing, which I will discuss in a later post). Babies have a sucking reflex that is very strong especially when they are brand new.
2. Be patient - you will spend a lot of time sitting. Think of it as forced healing time for your body.
3. If you can afford it, buy a Kindle or something similar. You won't be able to hold a book open while nursing and computer games get very old, very quick. I don't recommend TV while nursing either, as it may distract the baby from the task at hand.
4. Be prepared for your milk to come in. You will get a hint when you start to feel sore. Stock up on nursing pads while you are pregnant and keep some in your purse to avoid any embarrassing situations.
5. Buy a pump while you are pregnant. You never know when you will need it. Plus, sometimes you might need to pump just to relieve pressure. Read all of the directions and clean all of the parts before your baby is born. You will be too tired to figure all of it out after your baby is born.
On our first full day back home, I took Joaquin to the local police department to get his car seat inspected. I had made the appointment a month earlier and thought that I had made it early enough to get it done before Joaquin was born. Oops.
On the drive back, I started to notice that something felt different. I was in pain. We had to stop at a lab to get Joaquin's blood taken and when we parked I noticed that I had completed soaked through my shirt. Great. I guess my milk came in. Fortunately, I had a big cardigan to cover use as a cover up.
For the next couple of days, nursing went well even though it seemed like I spent the majority of my (many) waking hours sitting on the couch nursing. Each meal took about 45 minutes and he ate about 10 times per day. It was a lot of sitting. I took to playing spider solitaire on my laptop while nursing, as it was something I could easily do with only one free hand.
Then we got Joaquin's bili level results and found out they had gone up. We were instructed to feed him formula only for 4 days. I freaked out and thought that this would ruin my attempts to get him to latch. I had read a ton about nipple confusion and was so worried that he would never go back to nursing after four days with bottles. But, we had to do it. So, Jay took on the task of bottle feeding while I pumped.
When we were finally given the go ahead to re-start nursing by Joaquin's pediatrician, I was nervous that it was going to be difficult to get Joaquin to eat. It took a little bit of patience, as Joaquin got frustrated at first with having to work harder for his meals. But, he got the hang of it again quickly.
So, here are my tips for the early weeks of nursing:
1. Don't let all of the nipple confusion talk freak you out. A bottle or pacifier here and there is not a big deal (and may actually be a good thing, which I will discuss in a later post). Babies have a sucking reflex that is very strong especially when they are brand new.
2. Be patient - you will spend a lot of time sitting. Think of it as forced healing time for your body.
3. If you can afford it, buy a Kindle or something similar. You won't be able to hold a book open while nursing and computer games get very old, very quick. I don't recommend TV while nursing either, as it may distract the baby from the task at hand.
4. Be prepared for your milk to come in. You will get a hint when you start to feel sore. Stock up on nursing pads while you are pregnant and keep some in your purse to avoid any embarrassing situations.
5. Buy a pump while you are pregnant. You never know when you will need it. Plus, sometimes you might need to pump just to relieve pressure. Read all of the directions and clean all of the parts before your baby is born. You will be too tired to figure all of it out after your baby is born.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Six Months and Still Nursing (Part 2)
Immediately after Joaquin's birth, I was able to nurse him. It was amazing. I was thrilled to have the experience so many women have shared - that first moment of cuddling and nursing your newborn. This is one of the many reasons I am so thankful that I did not have a c-section.
The next few days at the hospital were not as easy as that first moment.
The hospital pillows were crap and I had forgotten my nursing pillow - the "My Brest Friend" (yup, that's what it's called). Newborns are tiny, especially when they are preemies, and a good nursing pillow makes a huge difference.
We were able to manage without the special pillow, although it took a toll on my back for a few days. The lactation consultants and nurses provided by the hospital were, well, less than helpful. I'm not even sure if they were well-intentioned, to be honest. They used a lot of fear tactics and gave vague instructions, all the while seeming perfectly comfortable man-handling my breasts. It didn't help that the hospital procedure for preemies was to test blood sugar every 4 hours with a foot prick (ouch!). If he failed the test, they would force me to feed Joaquin formula - something I was reminded of so much I almost wondered if they wanted that outcome. Luckily Joaquin passed all of these tests and we didn't have to feed him formula at the hospital.
By day three, we were starting to get the hang of nursing. Each meal took at least 40 minutes, which was a bit draining on both of us, but I knew it would get easier eventually.
As some of you may know, for the first 72ish hours after a baby is born, the mother produces colostrum, rather than milk.
Tomorrow I will discuss the adventures in nursing at home, the experience of having your milk "come in" and why we had to feed Joaquin formula for almost a week.
For now - here are my nursing tips for the hospital:
1. BRING YOUR NURSING PILLOW! I recommend the Brest Friend over the boppy because it is a flat surface and the boppy is rounded, allowing tiny newborns to slip too low. Plus, the brest friend provides much needed back support. Later on, you will also enjoy it's ability to snap around your waist, allowing standing and nursing.
2. Read a book on nursing and attend a class on nursing before giving birth.
3. Make the nurses/lactation consultants work on your schedule. Do not allow them to wake your baby up to teach you how to nurse. YOU are paying for their services. They work for you.
4. If you are committed to nursing, do not feel pressured to feed your newborn formula at the hospital if he/she has lost a little weight or has low blood sugar unless your pediatrician says it is absolutely necessary. You DO NOT have to listen to the nurses.
5. Don't freak out if your milk hasn't come in by the time you leave the hospital. This is normal. Your baby is fine with colostrum until your milk comes in.
The next few days at the hospital were not as easy as that first moment.
The hospital pillows were crap and I had forgotten my nursing pillow - the "My Brest Friend" (yup, that's what it's called). Newborns are tiny, especially when they are preemies, and a good nursing pillow makes a huge difference.
We were able to manage without the special pillow, although it took a toll on my back for a few days. The lactation consultants and nurses provided by the hospital were, well, less than helpful. I'm not even sure if they were well-intentioned, to be honest. They used a lot of fear tactics and gave vague instructions, all the while seeming perfectly comfortable man-handling my breasts. It didn't help that the hospital procedure for preemies was to test blood sugar every 4 hours with a foot prick (ouch!). If he failed the test, they would force me to feed Joaquin formula - something I was reminded of so much I almost wondered if they wanted that outcome. Luckily Joaquin passed all of these tests and we didn't have to feed him formula at the hospital.
By day three, we were starting to get the hang of nursing. Each meal took at least 40 minutes, which was a bit draining on both of us, but I knew it would get easier eventually.
As some of you may know, for the first 72ish hours after a baby is born, the mother produces colostrum, rather than milk.
Tomorrow I will discuss the adventures in nursing at home, the experience of having your milk "come in" and why we had to feed Joaquin formula for almost a week.
For now - here are my nursing tips for the hospital:
1. BRING YOUR NURSING PILLOW! I recommend the Brest Friend over the boppy because it is a flat surface and the boppy is rounded, allowing tiny newborns to slip too low. Plus, the brest friend provides much needed back support. Later on, you will also enjoy it's ability to snap around your waist, allowing standing and nursing.
2. Read a book on nursing and attend a class on nursing before giving birth.
3. Make the nurses/lactation consultants work on your schedule. Do not allow them to wake your baby up to teach you how to nurse. YOU are paying for their services. They work for you.
4. If you are committed to nursing, do not feel pressured to feed your newborn formula at the hospital if he/she has lost a little weight or has low blood sugar unless your pediatrician says it is absolutely necessary. You DO NOT have to listen to the nurses.
5. Don't freak out if your milk hasn't come in by the time you leave the hospital. This is normal. Your baby is fine with colostrum until your milk comes in.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Six Months and Still Nursing! (Part 1)
I haven't talked a lot about nursing on the blog. So I am going to start because, honestly, it's a big deal.
I have felt very strongly about breast feeding ever since I was pregnant. I didn't want to sound preachy while I was pregnant though because there is nothing more obnoxious than someone talking about something they know nothing about.
But it's been over six months now and I definitely know what I am talking about when it comes to nursing.
So first, let me start with an up front disclosure: I firmly believe that nursing is the healthier choice for Joaquin. I understand that many women choose not to nurse for various reasons and respect that it is a personal choice. But I chose to nurse (and will continue to nurse) because I think formula is not as healthy for Joaquin. So that's that.
So, that being out of the way, I wanted to share my experience and thoughts on the topic.
I started my adventure in nursing when I was pregnant. I knew I wanted to breast feed and I also knew that despite being something completely "natural", nursing wasn't always easy. So (and this shouldn't come as surprise to those of you who know me), I bought a book (ha!). I read The Nursing Mother's Companion and it was a great resource, despite the incredibly unimpressive cover. Jay and I also went to a class at our hospital on breast feeding while I was pregnant, which nicely reinforced what I had learned from the book. For any pregnant readers, I suggest encouraging (or forcing) your significant other to attend such a class with you. It is important that both parents are informed and supportive.
Armed with information and determination, I felt ready to start nursing as soon as Joaquin was born.
Check back tomorrow (hopefully!) as I describe the first days and months of my experience nursing and give some tips I wish someone had shared with me.
I have felt very strongly about breast feeding ever since I was pregnant. I didn't want to sound preachy while I was pregnant though because there is nothing more obnoxious than someone talking about something they know nothing about.
But it's been over six months now and I definitely know what I am talking about when it comes to nursing.
So first, let me start with an up front disclosure: I firmly believe that nursing is the healthier choice for Joaquin. I understand that many women choose not to nurse for various reasons and respect that it is a personal choice. But I chose to nurse (and will continue to nurse) because I think formula is not as healthy for Joaquin. So that's that.
So, that being out of the way, I wanted to share my experience and thoughts on the topic.
I started my adventure in nursing when I was pregnant. I knew I wanted to breast feed and I also knew that despite being something completely "natural", nursing wasn't always easy. So (and this shouldn't come as surprise to those of you who know me), I bought a book (ha!). I read The Nursing Mother's Companion and it was a great resource, despite the incredibly unimpressive cover. Jay and I also went to a class at our hospital on breast feeding while I was pregnant, which nicely reinforced what I had learned from the book. For any pregnant readers, I suggest encouraging (or forcing) your significant other to attend such a class with you. It is important that both parents are informed and supportive.
Armed with information and determination, I felt ready to start nursing as soon as Joaquin was born.
Check back tomorrow (hopefully!) as I describe the first days and months of my experience nursing and give some tips I wish someone had shared with me.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day 2011
Mother's Day 2011 was wonderful. I am a very, very lucky woman.
Jay and I had a lovely day with Joaquin. We enjoyed a delicious brunch and took Joaquin to the Long Beach Acquarium, where we had a fabulous time watching Joaquin get excited about all of the new sights and sounds around him. There is something magical about watching your child experience something for the first time. It is almost like reliving your first experience all over again. He couldn't tell us how exciting it was to see little fish swimming by, but his little kicking legs told us he had a lot of fun.
Jay also went above and beyond with gifts and flowers, and a beautiful card. He is such a wonderful husband.
But being a mother is the best gift of all. I know that sounds like a sound bite - like something that a lot of people just sort of say. But I am reminded constantly of how true it is. Some of my dear friends have gone through hell trying to have children. They are true heroes. I wish there was a way to make it easier for them or make life more fair. Sometimes it seems like all I can do is truly appreciate what I have, to never take how lucky I am for granted.
So, a belated happy Mother's Day to all of the women reading this who have fought, and are fighting, to finally bring home a baby. You may not have a child in your arms yet, but you are all mothers who deserve to be celebrated. And your babies, whether they are not yet born or are resting peacefully, are lucky to have you as their mothers. Hugs.
Jay and I had a lovely day with Joaquin. We enjoyed a delicious brunch and took Joaquin to the Long Beach Acquarium, where we had a fabulous time watching Joaquin get excited about all of the new sights and sounds around him. There is something magical about watching your child experience something for the first time. It is almost like reliving your first experience all over again. He couldn't tell us how exciting it was to see little fish swimming by, but his little kicking legs told us he had a lot of fun.
Jay also went above and beyond with gifts and flowers, and a beautiful card. He is such a wonderful husband.
But being a mother is the best gift of all. I know that sounds like a sound bite - like something that a lot of people just sort of say. But I am reminded constantly of how true it is. Some of my dear friends have gone through hell trying to have children. They are true heroes. I wish there was a way to make it easier for them or make life more fair. Sometimes it seems like all I can do is truly appreciate what I have, to never take how lucky I am for granted.
So, a belated happy Mother's Day to all of the women reading this who have fought, and are fighting, to finally bring home a baby. You may not have a child in your arms yet, but you are all mothers who deserve to be celebrated. And your babies, whether they are not yet born or are resting peacefully, are lucky to have you as their mothers. Hugs.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
My favorite newborn photos of Joaquin
Here he is with an adorable grin:
An here he is looking like a little angel:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
On our eighth day of bliss
We took amazing newborn pictures when Joaquin was 8 days old. Here is a gorgeous shot of our elated family.
Milestone!
Joaquin hit a major milestone today - his first teeth!
When he came to work for his afternoon snack today, he started nibbling on my finger and I thought, "Hmmm.. that feels different." I took a look and saw his two tiny front lower teeth.
My little guy is growing up!
When he came to work for his afternoon snack today, he started nibbling on my finger and I thought, "Hmmm.. that feels different." I took a look and saw his two tiny front lower teeth.
My little guy is growing up!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
6 Month Stats
Yesterday was Joaquin's half birthday! We celebrated with a trip to his pediatrician and found out that Joaquin is a string bean. He is 15 pounds, 2 ounces (in the 10th percentile for weight) and 26 inches tall (the 50th percentile for height). Tall and skinny seems to run in the family.
Otherwise, the doctor diagnosed him as "perfect." I couldn't agree more.
Otherwise, the doctor diagnosed him as "perfect." I couldn't agree more.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are all going to enjoy a beautiful, relaxing day today!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Jogging a 5K on May 1st - Please Donate!
On May 1st, Joaquin and I will be jogging a 5K. The charity we are jogging for is called SHORTSTOP, and is a juvenile crime diversion program supported by the Orange County Bar Association.
If you would like to support us, please donate here. Thank you!
If you would like to support us, please donate here. Thank you!
Old Picture of the Pups
I saw this picture of Bananas and our old doggy, Lupas, on my computer and it made me smile. Enjoy!
