I feel like a walking GNC. When it comes to increasing your milk supply I feel like I've tried and right now I'm trying it all. And it is stressing me out. That bothers me because I realized I've fallen prey to the opinions of other people.
I always had a 6 month goal for nursing. Then 6 months came and since things were so easy, I decided to just keep it up as long as I could. That lasted through the weekend and we went on vacation. I had a great time on our trip to NOLA and had a hard time pumping as much as I should have. I was also pretty naive to the fact that my supply wouldn't come back as easily as I hoped.
We used almost every bag in the freezer to send enough to daycare for Cooper and he wasn't really helping out by hitting his 6 month growth spurt. I finally realized that I couldn't keep up and even if I got back to pumping the 18oz he needed, I really wasn't holding out hope to increase that to make up for the extra he wanted during the growth spurt.
So we moved into the world of formula. And I was sad. I'm not against formula by any means. I understand that some people can't or don't want to breastfeed. I have no problem with that. If it wouldn't have worked for us, I would have bought the cans of formula and moved forward. But I also feel like I've failed. It's stupid, I know. I've done better than I ever expected to. And I'm glad...but I'm also a little sad that things just aren't working as well anymore. In my opinion, I feel a little worse about this than I would if nursing had never worked.
I also finally realized that I'm putting all of my eggs in one basket. And it seems to be a pretty rickety basket. I started off by trying the power pumping. I've only got one thing to say for it - it sucks. I bought fenugreek and turned into an IHOP special. And I've been drinking the tea three times daily. ((I've also developed a new love for hot tea)) I've drank enough water to float the Titanic. Oh, and I took one for the team and started drinking dark beer. That was a real sacrifice.
Last week I went for the big guns. I did the research online and decided to buy the More Milk Plus. I call it the voodoo drug. It's got a little of everything in it, isn't terribly cheap...and it supposed to work wonders. I'm still waiting!!! So far I've seen no difference. Talk about a bummer. Today I'm going all out. I'm going to combine the tea, More Milk Plus, fenugreek and beer to see what happens.
Cooper, if this works I hope you are hungry.
Moo.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
28 Weeks Old
Finding time to blog is getting harder and harder. This post is almost a full week behind. I hoped to find time this weekend to blog, but since the process of changing the background and header took longer than I anticipated...it just didn't happen.
We're fighting a snotty nose and cough (still). Some days it seems to get better and then the next morning I start to think about calling the pedi. For now, we're running the humidifier at night and that's about it. Really...since there isn't much they can do for him I guess I won't worry about it too much.
Jason and I got this shirt for Cooper either right before he was born or right after. I'm not sure what we were thinking. It's a 6 month size...even if he were wearing 6 month clothes right at 6 months he would be wearing this shirt in June! Like he is. Either way it turned out cute and he looks just like his daddy wearing a long sleeve shirt and shorts.
We're fighting a snotty nose and cough (still). Some days it seems to get better and then the next morning I start to think about calling the pedi. For now, we're running the humidifier at night and that's about it. Really...since there isn't much they can do for him I guess I won't worry about it too much.
Jason and I got this shirt for Cooper either right before he was born or right after. I'm not sure what we were thinking. It's a 6 month size...even if he were wearing 6 month clothes right at 6 months he would be wearing this shirt in June! Like he is. Either way it turned out cute and he looks just like his daddy wearing a long sleeve shirt and shorts.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Happy Father's Day
Cooper got Jason the best gift ever this year for Father's Day - he slept until 6:45. From 9pm. I didn't get that on Mother's Day OR my birthday!! We all three woke up refreshed and ready to enjoy Jason's first Father's Day. Jason went for a run while Cooper and I made banana nut pancakes and bacon for breakfast.
After breakfast we headed into town for an Astros game. We intended on it being the first game for Cooper, but we were given some tickets for a game in May that we couldn't pass up.
The three of us enjoyed most of the game before heading back so Cooper could catch a nap...especially since he was so tired from catching his first ball!
I always knew Jason was a good guy. He's been supportive of a lot of things in my life. He's always thoughtful and giving. After we got married I knew he'd be a good father. He was always good around Jett so I never doubted that he'd be good with his own kids. I never really knew, though, how great he'd be as a father. All I can really say is thank you.
Thank you for listening to me whine about my fat feet, the acid reflux (oh goodness the reflux!), the heartburn, and carrying around a 10lb baby while pregnant. Thank you for changing all of the diapers in the hospital when I couldn't get out of bed. Thank you for making a trip to Target the day we came home with Cooper. Thank you for getting up with me in the middle of the night, even when you couldn't really help feed him. Thank you for being a great dad to a fantastic son.
After breakfast we headed into town for an Astros game. We intended on it being the first game for Cooper, but we were given some tickets for a game in May that we couldn't pass up.
The three of us enjoyed most of the game before heading back so Cooper could catch a nap...especially since he was so tired from catching his first ball!
I always knew Jason was a good guy. He's been supportive of a lot of things in my life. He's always thoughtful and giving. After we got married I knew he'd be a good father. He was always good around Jett so I never doubted that he'd be good with his own kids. I never really knew, though, how great he'd be as a father. All I can really say is thank you.
Thank you for listening to me whine about my fat feet, the acid reflux (oh goodness the reflux!), the heartburn, and carrying around a 10lb baby while pregnant. Thank you for changing all of the diapers in the hospital when I couldn't get out of bed. Thank you for making a trip to Target the day we came home with Cooper. Thank you for getting up with me in the middle of the night, even when you couldn't really help feed him. Thank you for being a great dad to a fantastic son.
6 month stats
Still a big boy. Don't look so surprised.
Last Thursday I took Cooper to the pedi for his 6 month check up. He's doing well, of course. I was so happy to be able to check "yes" on the 6 month questionnaire. Especially the sitting up part. He's gotten so good at it overnight! I swear on Monday he'd sit up for a few minutes and now he lasts a good 5-10 minutes before falling over. It's like a whole new world for him. I also have a few new toys I'm going to bring out since he's sitting up. And I'll probably pack the swing away soon...which makes me sad.
Anyway, back to the doctor. Cooper had the time of his life playing with the paper on the table and checking out that other nekkid kid in the mirror.
We talked about Cooper's cough that's been with him for a few weeks. Dr. K doesn't seem like it's a huge concern. He feels as if it is snot draining down the back instead of out of the nose (less fights with the snot-sucker!) and that we could just give him a little water to help out. He also thought running the humidifier was ok.
Then we talked about food. Cooper's favorite subject. I've been concerned recently that he's not getting enough to eat. He is hungry. All.the.time. I'm not worried I'm starving him by any means, I just think he wants more than he's been getting. Dr. K said that we should really just follow Cooper's hunger cues. That he won't overeat and we can feed him when he's hungry. Honestly I wanted a little more - like "he needs Xoz per day" or something. I didn't really get that so I left a little...confused. I think Cooper wants more. He hit the 6 month growth spurt and I just don't feel like my body did anything to try and keep up. I kept sending the same 18oz that we've been sending since day one. The problem is that I also blew through everything in the freezer while on vacation, I skipped a few pumping sessions while we were gone and that really hit me hard.
I spent quite a bit of time last week thinking about what we were going to do. Not only was I struggling to keep up with his appetite but I also felt like I needed to find a little more. We decided to add in a little formula to his daily intake. For now my goal is to try to send the same 18oz plus 6oz in formula each day. We gave him a bit this past weekend and he never really batted an eye. Dr. K also said we could go to 3 solid food meals a day and I'm sure Cooper won't mind.
Stats:
Weight: 19lbs 7.5oz
Height: 28 3/4"
Last Thursday I took Cooper to the pedi for his 6 month check up. He's doing well, of course. I was so happy to be able to check "yes" on the 6 month questionnaire. Especially the sitting up part. He's gotten so good at it overnight! I swear on Monday he'd sit up for a few minutes and now he lasts a good 5-10 minutes before falling over. It's like a whole new world for him. I also have a few new toys I'm going to bring out since he's sitting up. And I'll probably pack the swing away soon...which makes me sad.
Anyway, back to the doctor. Cooper had the time of his life playing with the paper on the table and checking out that other nekkid kid in the mirror.
Then we talked about food. Cooper's favorite subject. I've been concerned recently that he's not getting enough to eat. He is hungry. All.the.time. I'm not worried I'm starving him by any means, I just think he wants more than he's been getting. Dr. K said that we should really just follow Cooper's hunger cues. That he won't overeat and we can feed him when he's hungry. Honestly I wanted a little more - like "he needs Xoz per day" or something. I didn't really get that so I left a little...confused. I think Cooper wants more. He hit the 6 month growth spurt and I just don't feel like my body did anything to try and keep up. I kept sending the same 18oz that we've been sending since day one. The problem is that I also blew through everything in the freezer while on vacation, I skipped a few pumping sessions while we were gone and that really hit me hard.
I spent quite a bit of time last week thinking about what we were going to do. Not only was I struggling to keep up with his appetite but I also felt like I needed to find a little more. We decided to add in a little formula to his daily intake. For now my goal is to try to send the same 18oz plus 6oz in formula each day. We gave him a bit this past weekend and he never really batted an eye. Dr. K also said we could go to 3 solid food meals a day and I'm sure Cooper won't mind.
Stats:
Weight: 19lbs 7.5oz
Height: 28 3/4"
Sunday, June 20, 2010
27 Weeks Old
Wednesday was pretty quiet and there isn't much to report...other than the fact that we have a sitter! Monday Coop was sitting up for a few minutes before falling over...and by the end of the week he was sitting for 10-15 minutes before doing a face plant into the carpet. Bonus: he loves it. It's like a whole new world out there. Double bonus: I love it. I can plop him in the crib with a toy and he's happy while I get his clothes. I can sit him on the floor in the living room and the play gym has a whole new meaning. I love his new trick.
I love Mortimer
Hey...it's my best friend!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Big 3-0
That's right...I'm 30. Last weekend was pretty big around our house. Cooper spent his first weekend away (at The Ranch) and I had a small birthday celebration.
Yeah...right.
As far as Cooper is concerned, he did great. My mom came into town Thursday and headed back with him Friday morning. She said he ate well (like you though he wouldn't?) and slept pretty well and boy did he play! He played with his Uncle Z and all sorts of new toys. I also think he may have missed Jason and I a few times but only when he wasn't eating, sleeping or playing.
As for me and my birthday, well...let's just say Jason does a pretty good job at celebrating things. He told me a month ago that we were going out of town. He wanted me mentally prepared and I needed to stock the freezer for Cooper. He also might have let it slip where we were going. But that was ok. I was excited for a weekend filled with good food, a few drinks and relaxation in New Orleans.
Boy was I wrong! The two of us headed out early Friday morning and took a slight detour in Lake Charles to check out L'Auberge du Lac. Bear talks about this place all.the.time. Jason suggested seeing what it was all about and I didn't care because I needed a bathroom break. Then we pulled in the drive to find a few hitchhikers! Bear & Bridget were waiting by the door with their luggage! I was so excited...only to run inside and right into my sister in the lobby! With Adam right behind her. Jason is such a sneak.
((oh, and if you know them be sure to ask them about Carlos))
From there we got back on the road for NOLA stopping in Baton Rouge for a late lunch at The Chimes a la two years back. Finally we arrived in NOLA and checked into our hotels. The guys headed to Harrah's to park the car and gamble while the ladies freshened up a bit. Jason started with $50 and left the table with just that. Then I sat down and increased our winnings to $75 over! Not only was I super excited to be winning but some woman tapped me on the shoulder looking for room at our table and I turned around to see...Jess & Jason! Like I said, Jason is such a sneak!! I would never have guessed they were coming.
From there we went to dinner at Crescent City Brewery. The food was awesome! I think everyone loved what they ordered, and a few things off of the other plates.
We lived the High Life at the Chart room...
Met some pub crawlers...who sang to me for my birthday.
The girls took some shots...but I'm smarter than that so I passed. Friday night at least. We won't talk about Saturday night.
We hit up Bourbon Street...then came back down to Cafe Du Monde for beignets before crashing back at our hotels.
Saturday we all slept in a bit (well, except Jess. She's crazy and went for a run). We then met up a Chartres House Cafe for Bloody Mary's.
The guys headed off to do...what guys do. Honestly, I'm not sure what that entailed but I think it was a little more of Bourbon Street, jambalaya and Harrah's. Us girls took the street car over to the Garden District for some shopping and a late lunch at Joey K's (a Triple-D feature) complete with cheap (big) margaritas.
After sweating off about 10 pounds each we made our way back to the Quarter so I could stop at the hotel and the girls could do a little more shopping. Lin was on a mission to find a newtu-tu fluffy skirt. We all caught back up for a few minutes before heading off to freshen up for dinner. Without me knowing, Jess & Lin scoured NOLA for some cupcakes...only to arrive 5 minutes after they closed!!
Saturday night we dined on appetizers at Acme Oyster House. We sampled a few oysters (obviously), some craw-puppies and everyone's favorite - Boo Fries. (yes, I ate oysters...they were cooked though)
From there we took our two ballerinas over to Bourbon for a little karaoke. The other Jason wanted to sing and picked a great song - I Touch Myself. I think he was the only guy who knew the words! The other three were just there for decoration.
We made our way down Bourbon for what turned out to be a really short stop. (long story - ask me in person) And then went back to the Chart Room Bar for some more High Life. And for some reason we all tromped back over to Cafe du Monde for a later dinner snack breakfast. Something. The problem - that place was blocks from our hotel.
Sunday came way too early and for the first time all weekend I felt 30. I'm pretty sure I looked 30! We met up for breakfast at Mother's (a NOLA staple) before going our separate ways.
All in all it wasn't the 'relaxing catch up on your sleep baby free' weekend I thought we were headed to, but I had a great time! I'm so glad Jason surprised me with the trip and that he was thoughtful enough to invite some great friends. I wouldn't have had it any other way!! Also, thank you to my friends who took the time to celebrate with me. Thank goodness I only turn 30 once. I don't know if we could do it again...at least not for another year. It was a pretty quiet trip back to Houston.
Yeah...right.
As far as Cooper is concerned, he did great. My mom came into town Thursday and headed back with him Friday morning. She said he ate well (like you though he wouldn't?) and slept pretty well and boy did he play! He played with his Uncle Z and all sorts of new toys. I also think he may have missed Jason and I a few times but only when he wasn't eating, sleeping or playing.
As for me and my birthday, well...let's just say Jason does a pretty good job at celebrating things. He told me a month ago that we were going out of town. He wanted me mentally prepared and I needed to stock the freezer for Cooper. He also might have let it slip where we were going. But that was ok. I was excited for a weekend filled with good food, a few drinks and relaxation in New Orleans.
Boy was I wrong! The two of us headed out early Friday morning and took a slight detour in Lake Charles to check out L'Auberge du Lac. Bear talks about this place all.the.time. Jason suggested seeing what it was all about and I didn't care because I needed a bathroom break. Then we pulled in the drive to find a few hitchhikers! Bear & Bridget were waiting by the door with their luggage! I was so excited...only to run inside and right into my sister in the lobby! With Adam right behind her. Jason is such a sneak.
((oh, and if you know them be sure to ask them about Carlos))
From there we got back on the road for NOLA stopping in Baton Rouge for a late lunch at The Chimes a la two years back. Finally we arrived in NOLA and checked into our hotels. The guys headed to Harrah's to park the car and gamble while the ladies freshened up a bit. Jason started with $50 and left the table with just that. Then I sat down and increased our winnings to $75 over! Not only was I super excited to be winning but some woman tapped me on the shoulder looking for room at our table and I turned around to see...Jess & Jason! Like I said, Jason is such a sneak!! I would never have guessed they were coming.
From there we went to dinner at Crescent City Brewery. The food was awesome! I think everyone loved what they ordered, and a few things off of the other plates.
Met some pub crawlers...who sang to me for my birthday.
The girls took some shots...but I'm smarter than that so I passed. Friday night at least. We won't talk about Saturday night.
After sweating off about 10 pounds each we made our way back to the Quarter so I could stop at the hotel and the girls could do a little more shopping. Lin was on a mission to find a new
Saturday night we dined on appetizers at Acme Oyster House. We sampled a few oysters (obviously), some craw-puppies and everyone's favorite - Boo Fries. (yes, I ate oysters...they were cooked though)
From there we took our two ballerinas over to Bourbon for a little karaoke. The other Jason wanted to sing and picked a great song - I Touch Myself. I think he was the only guy who knew the words! The other three were just there for decoration.
Sunday came way too early and for the first time all weekend I felt 30. I'm pretty sure I looked 30! We met up for breakfast at Mother's (a NOLA staple) before going our separate ways.
All in all it wasn't the 'relaxing catch up on your sleep baby free' weekend I thought we were headed to, but I had a great time! I'm so glad Jason surprised me with the trip and that he was thoughtful enough to invite some great friends. I wouldn't have had it any other way!! Also, thank you to my friends who took the time to celebrate with me. Thank goodness I only turn 30 once. I don't know if we could do it again...at least not for another year. It was a pretty quiet trip back to Houston.
Monday, June 14, 2010
A carnivorous habit
It's no question that Cooper like to eat. Not sure if you believe me? Check out old photos of his thighs. We've been giving him solid food for a while now and he loves it. When I get close with that spoon he squeals, kicks, cranes his neck, and wiggles until he gets that bite. Then...he does it all over again. That is, until the spoon is empty and well...that usually results in tears.
I have below proof that my child will not be a vegetarian. He's going to be a full on meat & potatoes kind of guy. The poor moose - Mortimer doesn't stand a chance against Coop.
More fun
Just a few more pics from the fancy camera.
Look ma, no hands!
We are so going to have to lower the mattress soon...
Check out my skillz
I'm a week behind, but last Sunday we went out to my mom's house to pick up a few things and take our first official dip in the pool! Plus, I used the opportunity to let Coop show off his swimming skills.
We still had Kelly's fancy camera and boy does that water look blue! Makes me want to go back for another swim. Think anyone will miss me at work?
Cooper & his Uncle Z
Kick kick kick!
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