Content after bath

 

Tonight, we took advantage of the cooler weather and went out for a walk around our block. Sydney rode inside the snuggle pack, riding on daddy's chest. Then, when we got home, mommy ran some bath water so that Sydney could take a bath. (We found that it is easier to have him tag along with an adult in the bathtub instead of attempting to hold him in the kitchen sink.)

Tonight, we braved the elements and went DIAPER-less!!! (Thankfully, no incidents of POO in the water.) Sydney seems to LOVE the bathtub where we float him in the water. We do, however, make sure to keep the "boy parts" under water as much as possible to keep from "extra showers" for everyone involved. In the bathtub, he really likes to try to stand up and kicks his legs. (We're thinking that he will be an active little boy at QUITE an early age!)

Following his bath, Daddy took him downstairs to diaper him and snuggle until mommy was dried off and ready to feed. We have discovered that the pacifier is a great tool to use when he has a sucking fetish when he is tired, but not necessarily hungry. (In this instance, it was keeping him occupied until the dinner bell rang... or should I say, until the COW moo'd.)

Today, Sydney had not had a truly good feeding. All day, he seemed to graze - eating a little every hour OR every hour-and-a-half or so. Not sure if he is going through a growing spurt or if it was because he just got so comfy that he would fall asleep while doing business. (At one point, I had to inform him that this is NOT a bed & breakfast; therefore, it is not a sleep & eat establishment.)

Speaking of bed & breakfast, Sydney has now been fed and has fallen asleep. Hopefully, we'll all have a good night. Until he wakes, I think I will go join daddy and get some much needed sleep.

One Year Anniversary

Thank you for the best year of my life in this incredible journey we call LIFE.

I love you.

Happy 1-month Birthday Little One

Today was Sydney's 1-month birthday!

After watching some of the footage from the hospital (which I did last night while waiting for Mike to get home from work), I am COMPLETELY AMAZED by how much one month, one inch of added length and one pound will change a baby. (He looked SO LITTLE at birth.)

PLUS, now that he is getting good at recognizing voices (especially mom & dad) and smiling more and more, he's moving on to bigger and better things. (He really likes to kick his legs and stands up with assistance. We are CONSTANTLY AMAZED at how strong this little guy is and how well he is holding up his head. I have a feeling that he will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having a walker to get around since he is a busy little boy now.)

Yesterday, he started making a few little noises (cooing) when I was talking to him. We'll keep working on that one... daddy hasn't heard it yet. (I try to talk to him a lot, as well as make expressive faces.)

Also, within the past few days, he was able to push himself over from "tummy time" onto his back. (Granted, some of that is LUCK, but he's done it a few times now. Tonight, Grandpa Lowell was working on him... teaching him how to roll over, which was fun to watch.)

He's starting to sleep in a little bit longer stretches, which is nice for mommy - who has finally started sleeping hard enough to dream a few times now.

He's looking around more and more. (I read that he can clearly see about 12" now, which is QUITE an improvement from the 1" he could see at birth.)

This afternoon, he experienced something new... he was fussing and I blew air into his face. He instantly stopped crying and had NO IDEA what had just happened. (WHOA, where did that light breeze come from?) A minute or so later, I did it again - taking him by surprise all over again. (I'll have to keep it in mind for when he is being fussy.... although, like the boy who cried wolf, he might figure me out. Needless to say, Grandpa Lowell and I had quite a laugh at that one.)

Off to bed for a little while... baby will probably wake  within the hour to eat and then we can shoot for a good night of sleep. (I didn't want to wake him since Grandpa had FINALLY gotten him soundly to sleep.) At least, that is the plan!

Thanks for dinner (and a quick nap)

Dinner was brought by Grandpa Lowell this evening and it was delicious.

While Mike cleaned up dinner and Grandpa Lowell fed Sydney a bottle, I enjoyed a shower. (It is the little things in life that bring such great pleasure these days.) 

Now, as I write this, Grandpa Lowell is holding the sleeping little one while Mike and I attempt to catch a quick nap (before Sydney wakes again). Funny how enticing a 7:30pm bedtime can be, isn't it?

Thanks Grandpa Lowell!

062409 Surprise Visit from Uncle Mike

On this past Wednesday, I had JUST gotten Baby Sydney to settle down from his over-tired state of fussiness by putting him into the Moby Wrap when I heard my front door open and heard "HELLO?"

Turns out, it was my twin brother (Sydney's Uncle Mike) who had taken a cab to our house. He had run a truckload to/from Des Moines and needed to shut down for 8 hours; therefore, he shut down in Dubuque so that he could see us!

Immediately, he asked if Sydney was sleeping or eating. Then, when he knew that there were no boobs involved, asked if he could hold the little guy. (Needless to say, I was THRILLED that he was there... because that meant that I would be able to hop into the shower without having to worry about the baby waking/fussing/etc. AND I would finally have a chance to check my email, etc.)

When I went back downstairs, I found Baby Sydney and Uncle Mike (both) napping in the recliner.

It was a wonderful SURPRISE VISIT. Uncle Mike hopes to get that same route again so that he has an excuse to stop by, especially when someone else is paying the gas to get there!

Celebrating Father's Day 2009

We celebrated Father's Day mostly on Saturday (instead of Sunday). Grandma and Grandpa Olson, Uncle Mike and to-be-aunt Karin and Grandpa Lowell all came to town to celebrate.

Grandma Olson was overly-anxious to feed Sydney a bottle; however, Mommy denied her request so that Baby Sydney could breast feed instead (offering Mommy some MUCH NEEDED relief from her discomfort.)

We were guessing that Sydney had a thrush infection in his mouth. Turns out that our guess was confirmed at Monday's appointment and medicine was recommended: anti-fungal suspension drops for Baby and an anti-fungal cream for mommy.

Daddy got a cook book from Baby Sydney.

After everyone had gone home for the weekend, Daddy bonded with Baby Sydney on the couch. Sydney kept lifting his head and looking around the room so, we video-taped him. (He looks a little like a bobble head doll at this point, but demonstrates a lot of strength for only being 3.5 weeks old.)

Sydney continues to want to be held A LOT and is currently hanging partway out of the Moby Wrap while I type. It isn't the best positioning, but he seems happy enough to be sleeping contently there, being supported by my left arm while I type. He also starts to stretch from time to time... offering that precious DRUNK SAILOR LOOK. (He's a funny kid.)

Enjoy the pics and video clip of Baby Sydney at 3.5 weeks old, celebrating Father's Day (while wearing a onesie that says I LOVE DADDY.)

CLICK ON THE TRIANGULAR PLAY BUTTON TO WATCH VIDEO CLIP posted via Blogger.

3 wks: 10 pounds, 22" and first medicine

This was a photo from last week... in WEEK 2. 

At yesterday's 3-week Well Baby check-up, he weighed in at 10 pounds and measured 22". That means that he's  grown an inch and has gone up considerably from his initial weight drop. (Last week Wednesday at the Lactation support meeting, he weighed 9 pounds, 9.4 ounces.)

Sydney does have thrush in his mouth (a yeast infection that is treated with antifungal medicine). So far, he's not a fan of the medicine, as he spits a lot of it out... smart boy.... knows that it is NOT breast milk. Hoping that it will go away soon. Does NOT seem to affect him too terribly much; the pain on my nipples is QUITE another story.

He's really catching on to breast feeding now. AND... has been sleeping in longer stretches, but not regularly enough to plan on yet. (I really SHOULD go nap now since I got him to go down for a nap.... especially since I was awake a lot again last night.)

Birth announcement envelopes are addressed and stamps are on. Need to lick them all shut and throw them in the mail. (Better late than never.)

DARN, baby just squacked.... hoping he will go back to sleep (so I can too!) BETTER RUN!

Feeling like a cow... nothing, but MOO!

I am pleased to report that the pregnancy weight is coming off rather quickly. (Mike and I stopped in the hallway by the scale the other day at the doctor's office... for curiosity's sake.) I left the hospital wearing a maternity shirt and looking 5 months pregnant. Now, two weeks post-baby, my stomach has shrunk considerably and I even managed to squeeze into a pair of pre-pregnant capri pants the other day. (One week post-baby was do-able, but obscenely tight... two weeks post-baby is breathable and less obscene, but still a little tight for my liking.)

So, about this whole "feeling like a cow-thing".... well, it is NOT my weight! It is the fact that ALL I EVER DO IS pump or breastfeed!!! I feel like that is the majority of my day!

Today is my first day alone with baby. It is nearly 6pm and I have been wishing for a shower most of the day and am starting to get hungry again. Baby just ate and is asleep in his baby swing... I have been meaning to pump ever since I fed him last... did not get a nap in yet today so, am hoping for a good night of sleep tonight (knock on wood)...

I feel like I always need to hurry up to eat... wish I could relax a little and enjoy my food.

So, I am hoping that some sense of normalcy will return to my life.... or at least a little bit of a routine.

Pumping is winning out over a shower... DUTY CALLS. (I guess I can look forward to a shower once Mike gets home tonight.)

BIG FOOT

Baby Sydney has some BIG FEET!!! He has wide, broad hands as well.

Wishing I had more hours in the day... feel as if I am missing out on blogging and other fun life activities. (Feeling like MOST of my day is spent breast feeding or pumping. Mike informed me that 1/3 of my day IS spent doing those activities.) Thankfully, Mike spent the week (on vacation) home with us.

Hoping to develop some routine in our daily lives. Hoping that Sydney will STOP BITING and will continue to nurse well. 

It's a learning curve for everyone.... we'll get the hang of it (eventually).

Not enough time in the day

I am finding that having a baby is EXHAUSTING... especially when that baby doesn't quite grasp breast-feeding. It seems that all we do is pump, feed and sleep... of course, with some diaper changing in there as well.

I am finding that my twice-daily mandatory bathtub soaks (for healing) are my only REAL time to talk on the phone. Otherwise, I manage to find VERY LITTE TIME in the day. 

There are SO MANY things I would like to be doing:

• SLEEPING

• snuggling with Mike (or with the cats)

• finishing up the birth announcement cards that I want to have printed

• journaling or blogging

• taking pictures

My bath water is ready and Mike is in bed. Baby is sleeping in his crib... hopefully for quite a while. (It seems that he required LOTS of holding today in order to keep him happy.) Mike was busy with domestic duties today while I pumped, ate and napped. (Although, we did put Sydney in the Moby Wrap and enjoyed a short walk in the afternoon sunshine following my afternoon nap.)

Tomorrow, we plan to call the pediatrician's office since Baby Sydney has GOOP in his one eye that is gluing it shut despite MULTIPLE attempts to clean it with warm water and cotton balls.

Hoping for a good night... and some MUCH NEEDED sleep!

What a nice surprise!

Yesterday morning, mom drew me a bath and woke me up. Then, as I was getting dressed – she informed me that I had better go get some pants on because I had company. Lo and behold – within a minute, I heard footsteps inside my house....

...up the creaky stairs came Aunt Sue and Kristen!

It was SUCH a nice surprise, as well as a BEAUTIFUL DAY! We were able to sit outside on the deck, soaking up the sunshine, as well as allowing the neglected cats to eat some grass while Aunt Sue and Kristen enjoyed holding Baby Sydney. (Poor woogies have been waiting to go outside to eat grass for such a long time, but the baby has been occupying every minute.)

When Mike got home from work, exhausted, he announced "I never imagined that EIGHT POUNDS would be able to kick my butt, but HE has!"

Sitting in the sunshine, I ACTUALLY felt alert for the first time in a week. I finally felt like my tired eyes were open wide, instead of the medicine-head sleep-walking state that had previously taken over my body.

Having to mess around with the electric breast pump has been taking away SO MUCH TIME from my day, while leaving me feel like THE COW who provides the milk while everyone else gets to hold and feed the baby. (I keep hoping... DESPERATELY... that we will be able to wean him back onto the breast, which would make LIFE MUCH EASIER and allow for more sleep!)

Aunt Sue and Kristen, declaring themselves "the Nanny Squad", took Baby Sydney for a walk in his stroller so that Mike and I could nap in the afternoon. Turns out, the little guy HATED his stroller, but liked the snuggle pack. (Makes me wonder what he hates more... breastfeeding or his stroller?!?)

Mike's week of vacation starts at 2pm today. During Mike's vacation, we're hoping that we'll be able to work with Sydney to encourage him back onto my breast... hopefully SOONER rather than later. (Mike offered to show him BOOBS on the internet in an attempt to convince them that "they're a good thing".)

Grandma Olson plans to go home tomorrow. (SIGH.... with a frown.) We don't know WHAT we would have done without her here! She's allowed us to sleep as much as possible, while depriving herself of much-needed sleep. Her knuckles are bleeding and cracked from all of the dish-washing and kitchen duties she's done. Starting tomorrow, we're on our own again! (At least Sydney is sleeping better now that he's well-nourished so, that helps A LOT!)

Going to go eat lunch with Grandma Olson... out in the sunshine... then, plan to pump and nap. Hopefully, Sydney cooperates with our plans as well!

Thanks (everyone) for visiting us in Dubuque!

6 days old_060309 (with video)

Sydney weighed in at 8 pound 1.2 ounces this afternoon... a gain of 5.2 ounces in 2 days (due to force feedings). So, as you can imagine... I am feeling like a cow... providing milk via breast pump while Grandma and Daddy take turns feeding Sydney with a bottle. His bottles have a special nipple on them, intended to teach him how to manipulate his mouth in order to suck and swallow as he will need to at breast. We are HOPING that he will forget how angry he is at my breasts and will eventually return to them as pumping adds extra steps and takes away from time to sleep.

Last night, Grandma Olson convinced us to shut our bedroom door and attempt to sleep until it was time to get up to pump again. That way, Mike and I were able to get sleep uninterrupted. However, Grandma was looking pretty tired this morning and she, herself, did not turn down a nap. (She had been up with him like clockwork last night because he was hungry.) Also, diapers have increased at last... wet ones, as well as POO that appears to be from breastmilk (instead of from meconium).

At this time, after walking from the parking ramp to the hospital and up to the breasteeding support group for a weigh-in, I am feeling like my bottom is ready to fall out and I am tired; therefore, time for a nap. I'm trying to make a deal with Sydney that 7:30pm is bedtime tonight, but not sure if he will cooperate. Also, think tonight is time for another baby bath – with Mommy – since I have to soak at least twice daily anyways. (Mike just caught me on the computer and asked WHY I am not napping yet.) So, with that, time to go catch some ZZZZ's.

Sydney video 5days old, perky 2:35am

We've had a rough couple of days... it's been VERY CHALLENGING! We'd been having problems since birth, but did not know it; eventually, it escalated into a VERY FUSSY BABY!

Since birth, I had been nursing... and we were thinking that he was getting enough nutrition because he would latch on for long periods of time and was a very happy baby. Following nursing, I would pump and still get quite a bit of milk so, we assumed that he was getting milk from me. When he left the hospital, he had been down 7% of his body weight so, they wanted us to bring him back the next day for a weight check. Turns out, he had lost more than 10% of his body weight, being down A POUND! 

When we took him back for the weigh-in, the nurse there was VERY RUDE! In fact, she said kept saying "you should have known...", "you should have supplemented his diet with formula" and the real kicker that I found most upsetting was "YOU ARE STARVING YOUR BABY!" (This one brought me to tears since I have been doing EVERYTHING I could to satisfy and nourish him; how was I to know that he was not getting anything following hours upon hours of nursing?!?) We explained that he was ordinarily happy and a good sleeper. She then, told me that it was probably because he was "malnourished because I was starving him".

After our first night home... A HORRIBLE NIGHT with hours upon hours of screaming and only 1.5 hours of sleep for me/3 for mom and a little more for Mike... we were visited by the traveling in-home nurse where it was determined that although he sucked for long periods of time, he was not latching properly so, the breasts were not releasing enough milk supply for him at all. So, despite all of the sucking... he was getting VERY LITTLE; hence, the weight loss, dehydration and VERY FUSSY BABY!

Sydney has a short tongue and he does not curl it when he attempts to suck; Instead, he uses it to PUSH instead of suck and has developed an angry habit of BITING in frustration because he isn't getting milk fast enough. (We had to resort to having him suck on our fingers and had to shoot milk QUICKLY into his mouth with a syringe or a feeding tube, either of which run along the side of our finger. This, in turn, caused him to become a BABY BIRD who just opened his mouth, waiting for food to be quickly dropped in. OR... when VERY HUNGRY... he would slurp it directly from the syringe as if we couldn't get it to him fast enough.

Our remedy now is a special nipple for bottle feeding him. It is intended to make him learn to suck properly and curl his tongue. By learning how to suck properly from this nipple, he will soon be able to return to breast and will not be so angry at it... and HOPEFULLY will not gnaw on it angrily like he had been.

Still suffering from EXHAUSTION... having had VERY LITTLE SLEEP, I have missed blogging and functioning with day-to-day activities. I would have loved to post his "birth story" and all kinds of photos, etc, but we have been SO BUSY. The process of nursing, pumping, feeding, etc. has been taking the better part of TWO HOURS and then, would be repeated again within the hour; not leaving a lot of time for sleep (or anything else, for that matter). I am told to take a bath at least twice daily, but have a difficult time fitting that in; it will help dissolve my stitches.

I feel badly that I never got a chance to call ANYONE to tell them about the birth of the baby or how we are doing. Thankfully, when my mom was talking to my dad the one day near the end of our hospital stay, I was able to say HELLO and apologize for not having talked to him at all after Sydney's birth. I would LOVE to tell everyone all about this adorable little guy, but we barely have time in the day to function. Still trying to catch up on sleep and hoping that one of these days, we will be able to go for a walk because I am not used to so much sitting; at this time, SLEEP is much more essential. 

I find that while I am laying in the bathtub, if we aren't bathing Sydney at the same time, I was able to finally call my neighbor (Kate) and talk to her about some of my frustrations and breastfeeding questions. I think SHE will be a HUGE ASSET to have and hope for a strong friendship there. (She stopped by and talked to mom while I was bathing yesterday morning and had offered for us to drop Sydney off over there so that we could all catch a nap. Very thoughtful of her, but we did not take her up on the offer.)

Mom and I keep trying to care for Sydney so that Mike can sleep and still function at work. Sadly, Grandma Olson is the one who keeps sacrificing her sleep for mine. (P.S. Thank you for that!) I keep telling Mike that I have NO IDEA what would have happened if my mom wasn't here for us right now because I truly could NOT handle it all on my own.

Currently, I am waiting to call my doctor. My breasts are ROCK HARD and EXTREMELY PAINFUL and we've found that my milk supply when pumping has diminished to a trickle compared to a few days ago. So, not sure if I have an infection or if this is what they call ENGORGEMENT? 

After a full day of bottle feeding with the special nipple, Sydney has been MUCH HAPPIER AGAIN and is sleeping better; although, still likes to snuggle some during the night. (We started using his baby swing's heartbeat sound as background noise in his room to keep him sleeping on his own which seems to have helped a lot. He is more alert during the day now and is happy most of the time. We're thinking that once this latch problem works itself out, I will be able to nurse and he will remain a VERY HAPPY BABY. (He LOVES the sound of our voices and to be sang to.)

I have to go take these MAMMOTH-sized breasts and try to pump again.... HOPING DESPERATELY this time to get more out. (Last pump totaled only 2/3 of an ounce TOTAL from both breasts when added together; while I had normally gotten more than that out of the poorer producing side alone.)

Hoping for relief... and a happy, healthy baby!