Day 14: Dec 9 - Getting help with our feeding issues

It was a pretty rough weekend, feeding wise. My milk jugs are so tender and sore, and so I’ve reverted to giving her some meals with bottles. The downside of that is that then the bottle nipples get her into bad latch habits, which makes the next BFing session more painful.

We limped through the weekend with feedings, and today we drove over to Clayton to meet with a Lactation Consultant. When she came in and did our first attempt at feeding, Katie had never latched or fed so well in her life!! It was 20 minutes of model feeding. I was actually kind of discouraged, because we had driven all this way, and the LC wasn’t getting a chance to see the bad habits Katie had actually formed in order to help us.

She left the room after our appointment, and since I was so engorged, and she had asked me to bring my breast pump, and it was their lunch time so they wouldn’t need the room, I decided to pump for a few minutes to relieve the pressure. Well thank goodness I did! No sooner had Grandma gotten her in her car seat, but she started screaming. A few minutes later, the nurse came in to see if that was in fact Katie crying, and I explained to her what was going on. She wanted to try feeding her some more, so we got to it. Luckily Katie started doing her bad habits and the LC got to witness it. This second session was so productive, because she was able to observe and give some great recommendations.

We ended up having her come in a third time, because she started witnessing some behaviors that indicated reflux. The doc wasn’t willing to prescribe any meds just yet, and she wanted us to try some other techniques first to see if they helped.

The appointment was so worth the 40 minute drive! We also found out Katie is finally starting to gain her weight back, just not as fast as she should be. She’s now 7lb 11 oz, but the doc had hoped she’d be further along. We have another appointment coming up, so our goal is to continue working on feeding her adequately [and now correctly].

Day 13: Dec 8 - My little pink burrito

Today was another chill day at home. Lots and lots of snuggling ensued. We even tried out our swing, which went pretty well. I still don’t see a huge resemblance to either Daddy or I, but I see she definitely has Daddy’s hairline, especially the back of the head swirl.

Day 12: Dec 7 - Aunt Jane comes to visit!!!

Aunt Jane came to visit today! She also brought some much needed diapers and wipes. You really do go through a ton of those things!!!! Daddy and Aunt Jane went shopping in town while Katie and I took some afternoon cat naps, especially since mommy has picked up a bad cough.

jane

Day 11: Dec 6 - Our first visitors and Mommy's first meltdown

We opened our gift from Laura and her family [including Toby]. It was an adorable nativity set! What was even more special is that amongst all of the barn animals, there was also a black and white cat! Aww, even Packer was represented.

We also had our first visitors today! Lisa and her daughter Kristen from across the street came over to visit and bring Katie a gift. I gotta say, I’m not sure I could have handled visitors before this point. I’m tired, very sore, and did I mention, tired? Not sure I would have been good company before today.

I had my first major melt down today. All I could think was that I'm a complete failure as a mother! I don't feel like I'm getting to enjoy my little girl because I'm either trying to catch up on sleep and her Dad and Grandma get her quality time or I'm sitting there in pain with her BFing. I can't believe she's 10 days old and I don't feel like I've gotten to spend good time with her. I HATE this! I can't stop crying because I'm tired, I'm sore, my baby is crying and I can't seem to fix it. I can't wait for this to get better!

Day 10: Dec 5 - Katie, up close and personal

We tried another photo shoot today, but it was even worse than the first time around, so it just reconfirms my decision to book a professional photographer! They’ll even come to our house to do it, which will be so helpful!

I did manage to get a few good shots taken today though. It helps when you have such a cute subject to photograph!

Day 9: Dec 4 - Grandma starts Katie's training

Katie got to visit her first second hand store today. Grandma wanted to make sure and break her in early. She ended up getting two more blankets, a pair of tights for her Christmas dress and a crab b athtub thermometer. Not bad for her first trip out!

Day 8: Dec 3 - HAPPY ONE WEEK ANNIVERSARY, BABY GIRL

Grandma and I took Katie in to the pedi for another weight check. She's up only .5 of an ounce to 7lb 9.5oz, but hey, at least it's forward momentum. She's looking and feeling much better, so the doctor isn't too worried. We just need to concentrate on feeding her often enough. Who-da thunk that my baby would have problems gaining weight! ;-)

I bought some fabric at Joann’s the other day to do my own photo shoot. It did NOT go well, so after I got Katie back to sleep, I booked a professional shoot with the gals from Lux Photography. http://luxphotographync.com/

I started having second thoughts about the breast pump I bought, so I sent Daddy out tonight to drive 30 minutes to BRU to exchange it. What a sweet man to give in to the whims of a new mother [which appears to be more erratic than a pregnant woman!] Then I made him scurry back home in time to be here for 8:41pm and Katie’s one week birthaversary. ;-)