Maternity Leave is Going Fast

I go back to work two weeks from yesterday. I can't believe it is almost over. However, I am ready to go back. Being a stay at home mom is something that I think you are made to do or not made to do, and I am not someone who could do this full time. I love being with Matthew all day. I love seeing his smiles, and changes, but I am stir crazy! Alone time is something I've always cherished - and staying at home with a baby requires very little alone time. I'm ready to get back to being me, and not just mommy.

While I've been home I've been working on freezing milk for when I go back to work. I didn't realize how much milk I actually do make. I took Matthew to daycare last week so a friend and I could enjoy some mommy-free time at the spa, so we had to pump in the car while we were out. I filled up two five ounce bottles in less than 6 minutes and still had more to pump off. Do any of you who have PCOS find that you make a ridiculous amount of milk? I had to buy 8oz bottles to pump into for when I go back to work.

Also, for those of you pumping to store milk for when you return back to work the Target brand (up and up) freezer storage bags are awesome!! 50 bags for $7.99! They freeze nice and flat, with a double zip lock. I went out and bought 3 packages of them yesterday.

Love all your posts about your little ones. It is so fun to see them all grow and hear about different adventures in mommy-hood from everyone!

Exclusively Pumping

I think I'm switching over to exclusively pumping to feed my chunky monkey. I have been using the nipple shields and they are such a pain in the butt. Matthew knocks them off, sometimes they don't stay in place, they fill up with milk and when Matt knocks them off milk goes everywhere. The biggest thing is not being able to feed him in public. I would have to take every nipple shield with me in case he knocks it on the floor. They are just a hassle. I've been trying to get him to latch without them, and there just isn't enough of me to get in his mouth. I am finding it so much more enjoyable to give him a bottle. He also seems way more content and full when he's finished with the bottle. I am not giving up the before bed feeding and middle of the night feedings though. I enjoy the bond with him before bed, and let's be honest, who wants to deal with a crying baby at 4:30 AM while they heat up a bottle? Luckily Matt is not picky about the temperature of his milk - he'll take it any way it's given. I've never given it cold, but have given it to him when it's cooler. I've been researching some pumping tips and feel up for the challenge of pumping every 2 hours. I already have a pretty good frozen supply going so I'm going to keep up with that. I'm also going to drink the mother's milk tea for any benefit that it will give me for keeping up my supply. I am still not sure if Matt has an allergy to milk. His poop was a bit more yellow this morning, but very very watery - hope it's not diarrhea! If he does have an allergy to milk then I guess my whole frozen supply is null and void! UGH! Called the pediatrician yesterday to ask about his green poop issue, but she hasn't called me back yet.

Happy pumping to me, and nursing to all of you!

Green Poop

Little man, Cheeks, has been having consistently green poops for over a week now and they are starting to look like they contain mucous in them as well. Every where I've read says that poop with mucous means that baby might have an allergy. I've also read that green poops here and there are normal, but consistent green poop could mean multiple things. 1. Your diet is rich in iron. 2. Baby is getting too much fore-milk not enough hind-milk. 3. Baby might have a lactose/milk allergy. I'm thinking baby Cheeks might be having a combination of #2 and #3. When I pump in the mornings, the majority of what I pump out is very watery milk. After I put it in the fridge for awhile, and the fat separates, there is very little fatty  milk in the bottles (see pic below). I need to figure out what I need to do to ensure that this little guy is getting his fatty hind-milk since I apparently have a super-supply. Today I've had him feed off of one side exclusively for each feeding. Next, I'm going to try cutting milk and milk products out of my diet. This is going to be tough because I eat a lot of milk products. My snacks are usually string mozzarella cheese and greek yogurt. I also eat cheese frequently in meals, and sour cream on my mexican items (we eat a lot of mexican, too!). Ugh and ranch dressing! I hope by making these changes this little guy will go back to being a normal, yellow, seedy pooper! = )

Do you ever feel like your life now revolves around 2 hour schedules, colors of poop, how long the baby slept, and what breast you fed off of last? I think that is all I think about any more! But, it is SOOOO worth it!

(This is off of one boob, see how there is only a little bit of fatty milk?)

Boobs

I had big boobs before I got pregnant and started breast feeding. Now they are huge! I'm going to complain a bit here because on top of being extremely exhausted, my back seriously hurts and aches. Today was a rough day, and it's all piling up and I need to vent. I cannot find a bra in any local store that fits my chest for nursing, so therefore I'm left with unsupportive bras. These bras are doing a number on my back. I know that the band underneath my chest should fit right under my shoulder blades, but every bra I've bought gets pulled up because the weight of my chest is so much. Every nursing tank also gets pulled up and fits horribly because of the weight of my chest. On top of my hefty ladies, carrying the baby adds to the soreness/aching of my back. Once we are done with having kids (hopefully number 2 comes without as much trouble as the first did), I'm having a reduction. End of story. Hopefully insurance covers it because I've about had it with my back hurting! I half want to stop nursing so they won't be as hefty and big, but that is a poor excuse for feeding my child for free, so I will keep on keepin' on - only 8 more months to go!

Mom Moves I'm Happy I Made/Am Making

1. I'm happy I followed the advice of keeping my house bright and loud during the days and quiet and calm during the evenings so Matthew could get his days and nights straight. I read that babies have a hard time getting used to day and night, and everything said to try this tactic. I started it in the hospital after he was born. I opened the windows, had the lights on full blast, and tv on during the day and the night was quiet and dark. Because of this, Matthew is very drowsy at night (at least until after his 4:00 feeding!).

2. Having him nap in the crib before I put him in the crib for an entire night. The first nights he slept in the crib where flawless. He went down easily, fussed a bit while he put himself to sleep, and slept for his 6.5 hours! I fully expected the first night to be up and down every few hours getting him to fall back asleep. I actually think he slept better in his crib rather than in the rocker next to our bed.

3. Trying not to push the pacifier. I really don't want him to be hooked on the paci. It is great to soothe him, but I'm trying not to push it at bed time to calm him down. He's been doing a great job of soothing himself to sleep without it and I hope to keep it that way.

4. Putting him to sleep drowsy, but not asleep. Hoping this pays off in the long run!

Now if only I could get him interested in going BACK to sleep after he eats at 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning that would be phenomenal!