Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Christmas Shopping

I'm not going to lie, this is the first year in about, oh, 15 years that I've been excited for Christmas.  How can I not be?  It's Boo's first Christmas...and that's a big deal for me.  Yes, this year is more for Greg and I to celebrate...but it's still going to be a good year. 

Although I'm so excited for Christmas to come...I hate Christmas shopping.  And what exactly do you get a then 4 month old?  Yea...no clue.  We already got him a bumbo seat...which I'm sure he's going to love.  But other than that...what to get him?  Clothes?  Diapers?  

I'm clueless. 

His dad however...has NO shortage of a Christmas list for me.  Everything from gift cards to a tattoo to an air brush with an air compressor.  Pretty much he wants stuff that he can say "oooo look what I got" then not to mess with it again. 

'Cause that's the kind of man he can be.  No doubt, both of my men are going to make out like bandits..even if it breaks the bank slightly.   What can I say...they deserve the best.  No...I don't want to blow all of our money on material things because that's not what Christmas is about.  However, Greg gave up a lot this past year...and if I wanna spoil Jaden a little...that's my choice.

For me, I don't want anything.  I just want Jaden and Greg to have a good day.  I did want a moby wrap, but I don't want anyone to spend the money on it.  I think it's too much, and way too "lavish" for me.

Well, the kiddo is waking up.  Gotta wrap this up.

Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Oh Noes...I use my breasts for what??? *slight TMI*

I do not claim to be a "lactivist" by any definition of the word.  I do not want to be critical of how any mother plans to feed their child.  But, I have to say this.



*Stands on soapbox*
I know that some women do not want to be bothered with the demand/ stress/ some times painful process of breastfeeding.  Honestly, I could give two shits if you want to give your child artificial milk, pumped breast milk, or milk "straight from the tap".  Breast is best.  *Added:  If you are doing meth, maybe you shouldn't breastfeed.*  It's proven.  However, I know that it's not for everyone.  Again...I don't care what you do with your child. 


For me, I prefer to give my son the "boobie milk".  And no, I don't want to be bothered with bottles.  I'm lazy.  Who wants to get a clean bottle, make sure the formula is mixed properly, warm (but not too warm) and then clean a bottle once baby is done?  Pshhh In the middle of the night all I have to do is pull out my breast and stick it in his mouth.  That's ultimate convince.

I didn't always feel this way.  I was brought up that babies get bottles...and that breasts were for sex.  As a mother, I see things completely different.  However, I am still amazed at some people's ignorance on breastfeeding.  Now, I am not an expert by any means.  Yes, I've only been breastfeeding for 75 days but that's still longer than some women.  (Again, I'm not trying to dismiss any women's choice on how they feed their children.)

The other day I was at the local flea market and we stopped for milkshakes.  The stand is run by a woman and her daughter usually is there also.  The woman (who we saw very often while I was pregnant) asked if she could hold the baby.  I didn't mind.  Her granddaughter (6) came up and asked "Nana, are you keeping that baby?"  To which she replied "No honey, I don't have any formula."  Her daughter then wrinkled her nose (as did I) as her granddaughter asked "What's that?"  I won't lie, it made me feel good.  That question should be asked more often.  Later on in the day though, I got looks when I openly nursed Jaden.  I try to be modest.  I go into the bathroom to latch him on.  And I try to keep a blanket over my bare breast.  It doesn't always work, since little man loathes a cover.  (Who can blame him?  I wouldn't want a blanket over my head/ food while I ate.)  I still get looks.  I still see the thought pop into people's heads "What is she doing?"

Even tonight:  We were out to dinner with Greg's family.  Jaden was SO good though the whole meal until close to the end.  He was hungry.  I went to the bathroom, latched him on and came back out.  His Aunt Rachael questioned if I should just feed him in the bathroom since there was a lot of teenage boys in the restaurant.  I simply said "Nope.  I'm not ashamed of what I'm doing."  And I'm not.  Nothing was showing.  I practically had my head under the blanket too so Jaden wouldn't pull the blanket off.  Once he fell asleep, I unlatched him and held him.  (He ate for a total of 5 minutes.) And all without showing a hint of nipple.

This makes me mad.  I'm sorry but if it was a bottle I wouldn't be stared at.  But since I have a child basically attached to me, I'm doing something "dirty."  I don't sit with my boob out; nor do I try to bring extra attention to myself and what I'm doing.  No, I don't think that there are "perverts" out there who are watching me nursing my son and getting sick ideas in their head.  Because if I did, that just further fuels the misconception that what I'm doing is a "sexual" act. 

*Jumps off soapbox*

Maybe, I'm a lactivist after all.

Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee

Friday, November 12, 2010

I hate shots.

Jaden had his 2 month appointment on Tuesday.  He's now a whopping 14lbs 13oz.  He is 25 inches long and his head is 16 and 1/4 inches big.  I cannot believe how huge he is.  I guess that "momma's milk" is helping.  He is doing perfect.  The doctor told me that he is meeting all of his milestones and is "right on track".  No teethers yet...and definitely NO thrush!  YAY!

And then...he got shots.

OH LORD!  I cried more than he did!  But he did well...until that afternoon.  He woke up from his "drug" induced nap and screamed.  He didn't want to be held, or layed down, or standing up (on his legs), or walked around.  He wasn't wet, he didn't have gas, no interest in eating, or sleeping.   He was just miserable.  Finally, he calmed down enough for me to nurse him for about 30 seconds until he passed out. 

It wasn't fun, let me tell you.

That's all for my quick update.  Now it's off to do some tummy time and play. 

...Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this job?!?  It's seriously the best.

Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee

Friday, November 5, 2010

Teething already?!

There is new found evidence that my son isn't really a newborn.  He is, in fact, a very (okay, maybe not so tiny) toddler.  Most newborns love to cuddle.  Nope...not my little porker.  He likes to stand on Mommy's belly and blow raspberries.  (Which is ADORABLE!)  He tries to talk.  And if you don't talk to him, watch out.  He will get mad and scream.  The latest in my reasoning for not believing I have a "itty bitty baby" is the fact that he may be teething!  Good grief!  I can't handle this.  Where's my little baby?

Oh, that's right...I have born to an infant...not a newborn.  How could I have forgotten?

While most people think I'm insane for saying my son is teething:  I do have my reasons.  We have been successfully breastfeeding for 8...yes..EIGHT...weeks now!  I know that there is a little pain associated with breastfeeding, but not this far in the game.  Nor, will it suddenly happen after the pain being gone for weeks.  He has a new found habit of biting on my nipple (Sorry, TMI)  and then RIPPING his mouth away.  Yes, it's a tiny bit painful.  Not only that, but he has discovered his hands and proceeds to bite on them.  Plus, a low grade fever.   Plus, excessive drooling.  Plus, he is fussy.  PLUS, tugging on his ears.  I am almost 100% sure that my little man...at 8 weeks old...is teething. (I'm only unsure because there is a possiblity that it could be thrush...and i'm not sure which I'd prefer.)

He's growing up too fast.  :(

But other than that...he's too perfect. 

Over the past few weeks his personality is showing a lot more.  He's very laid back.  And nosey.  He can be content hanging out by himself, but he perfers to be talked to.  Jaden likes to be vocal...and if you are paying attention to something other than him...he'll let you know.  Not only that, he's exploring his world in ways he can.  I must say, it makes me proud as a Momma.

Lots of firsts have already happened.   First trick or treat night.  First giggle.  First raspberry blown.  First smile.  Many more to come.  :D 

Happy Early Two Month Birthday, Jaden!



Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee

Friday, October 15, 2010

Gas drops, smiles and co-sleeping.

Jaden is growing like a weed!  At his one month check up (OMG!) he weighed in at 12 pounds, 10 ounces and grew almost 2 inches.  PLUS his head grew an inch.  Whoever said breastfed babies are tiny were mistaken.  He is in the 95th precentile for height and weight...and even the nurses say he's not chunky he's perfect. 

The only problem we have is that he's a very gassy baby.  I have practically cut out every gas causing food from my diet, but it doesn't seem to be enough.  And since his little belly "sounds like a bass drum" we have now started to give him gas drops.  Everyone says they are a life saver but since we started using them he refuses to nap for me during the day.  Although he's still a very happy baby, I can tell that he's going to be very vocial.

He is starting to show off his personality.  And with that, he's smiling more.  Which makes me smile.  And he's cooing...awww melts my heart.

Since I'm starting to heal a little better (On Monday I'm giving my pump back) we have transitioned into different sleeping postions.  At first he slept on me or on the floor in his bouncer with daddy.  We are now offically co-sleeping.  And once I am able to get up out of bed a little easier, he will be in his crib.  I'll be able to use my glider (that I couldn't fit in because of the extra fluid)  and get him into a sleep routine.  Jaden is already doing well with night time feedings...he just needs to learn that mommy's boobies aren't his pillows. 

As for me, I'm physically healing...slowly.  Mentaly, I'm healing too.  My OB is really amazing...he "perscribed" me to talk about me for a half an hour a day to anyone.  He doesn't believe I have PPD, but I need to talk things out so I don't get overwhelmed.  It's helping...I no longer want to kill my dear Greg.

Well that's it for now!

Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Sleep when the baby sleeps...

..Pretty much every experienced mother gave me that advice.  It sounds simple enough.  Whenever the baby sleeps, you nap.  Don't worry about cleaning or getting much done...you have a newborn to take care of!  Hmmm yea...easier said then done.  I can't sleep knowing that there is a chance that Jaden will stop breathing.  I literally watch his chest rise and fall.  I'm pretty sure this is unhealthy.  Especially since now I've been having nightmares when I do fall asleep.

I'm so jealous of Greg because he can sleep.  He doesn't have nightmares.  Just me.  And it's to the point where it's starting to effect me.  The headaches, the general bitchyness and that groggy feeling.

I just may never sleep again.

And although, in the end, just seeing Jaden's face makes things all better...it would be even nicer if didn't fight napping now.  My once quiet, sleeping little angel is now awake all morning and refuses anything but boob.  He sleeps well during the night, but, during the day is a different story.

What is he doing now?  Sleeping.  What am I doing?  Wishing I was sleeping.  What's Greg doing?  Yelling at me to come to bed.  Cause we both know it's gonna be a long night again tonight.

Upside...next weekend...as long as the Vertis Gods work with us...we will be in my hometown. <3.  This whole "having a baby thing" makes me miss my family. :(

Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee

Friday, October 1, 2010

A quick update while the baby is entertained.

Basically in the past few weeks I have become a mother, a cow, a pacifier, a pillow and of course, a lovie.  Let me just say this...my boy is definitely my fiance's son.  He LOVES to eat (a.k.a. boobs) and he is super nosey.  If he can't look around, he gets pissed.

He's growing like a weed though.  Whoever said: "they don't stay little for long" was so right.  Even in three weeks, he looks completely different and I can tell he's going to grow up way too fast.  Now if only he will sleep in his crib.  One day it'll happen.

As far as me, I'm still healing.  When they removed my staples from my incision, my wound opened up.  For a week or so they were packing it (basically stuffing it with a medical "ribbon") but the doctor decided she wanted it closed...NOW.  I now have a wound VAC and I cannot wait to get it removed.  It's bulky, it gets in the way, and the alarms are LOUD.  It's supposed to help close faster, but only time will tell.

Well the baby is starting to get fussy.  I'm pretty sure he wants to eat again. :) 

Until Next Time:
~MommyToBee