friday's letters

Dear the Bump:

I am nowhere near ready for a second child. I doubt many women with a six-month old are, so you may want to rethink sending those emails.

Dear new desk chair:

I love you. I wish I had you last year when I was WITH CHILD.

Dear coupons:

I wish it were easier to collect and clip you. I would love to save big bucks again.

Dear Bel:

Why must you live so far away? I've missed you a lot.

Dear Memorial Day:

Thank you not only for the day off work, but also for reminding us how fortunate we are to have people to fight for our freedom!

Dear Body:

I know you have been through a lot with bronchitis and an ear infection, but please rebound soon.

Dear Lottery:

Any way to ensure I can become a millionaire? I really really really wanna be a stay at home mom for a few years, and hubby says I can't until the house is paid off. So never. 

Dear Cooper:

You make the sweetest faces while eating! You must have a really short memory, because you'll get so excited to take another bite, only to make a yucky face after you get the taste in your mouth. I think it's just adorable though - of course!

5.24.12

 

Happy weekend!

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Thursday thoughts

• Super Cooper did a great job eating his green beans last night! His face at first taste was priceless. And it did take a bit to get the hang of swallowing. But he finished off all of the cube (I froze in ice cube trays) so I was very impressed. I'll probably begin sending food to the sitter next week if he continues to do well.
• Next up is carrots, and then probably oatmeal.
• My good friend Bel is in for the next few days and I am so excited! I saw her for about 2 hours over Christmas, so I've really been missing her! Last night some of our group of friends got together at our house for pizza. Today we may have a lunch date. And tomorrow night we are hitting the winery.
• I am so, so ready for this three-day weekend! Since the temps are forecast for the mid-90s, I am planning to spend a lot of time playing in the pool with Coop. And those are the only plans I have.
• I've been waffling over whether I will like summer hours at work, and I think I've decided it will stink. Best I can tell, I'll be getting to the office around 7:15 (sitter doesn't open until 7), taking 30-45 minutes for lunch, then leaving at 5:45 or 6 p.m. every night, and depending on hubs to pick up Mister. I think of how cramped our weeknights are now, and am just not thrilled about losing an hour. That and waking up around 5:45 a.m. every day.
• I dressed semi-casual and didn't really fix my hair this morning, and my boss just asked me to attend an afternoon meeting. Sigh.
• When we took our photos a couple weeks ago, we purchased a package that gives us some membership so we can get a free photo session and 8x10 print any time for the next year. So, of course, I'm going to schedule a session for Saturday when we pick up the prints, and only get my 8x10. Duh.
• Hubby has grilled twice this week. Gosh, I love BBQ food. And it makes life so much easier when all I have to worry about for dinner is reheating and sides!
• Since "they" recommend using frozen breastmilk within six months, I've been thawing everything from November through February and using it for bottles, then freezing what I pump. And let me tell you, that crap is for the birds. Way too much work.
• I've been really horrible about drinking enough water here lately. I think I'm just starting to get bored with it. I make it through about three bottles, then I'm done.
• It doesn't help that we have leftover sodas from an event at work so I've been drinking one most every day. 
• Our spare bedroom is an absolute mess. It's mostly because we still haven't bought a file cabinet to replace the storage the desk provided. I'm about to go in there armed with trash bags and do some major clearing out.
• I'm accepting applications for a housekeeper/cook. You will receive free room & board and lots of baby smooches.
• I'm not sure if I've mentioned it yet, and need to do a post, but we have a new dog. Definitely not a replacement for Hank - Coco actually came to live with us two weeks before he went to Heaven. She is very, very sweet and also a chocolate lab. We love her.

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SIX months

AKA half a year ....


From this ....

birthday ... 11.23.11

To this ...

Blows my mind. How has time gone by so quickly?

Every month, I think he just snowballs on his accomplishments from the previous month! In the past weeks, Coop has really mastered the art of sitting up on his own. Sure, he wobbles and falls at times, but he sits up for about 30 minute segments at times, and does a great job of catching himself lots of times, too.

A lot of his toys are so much more fun now that he sits up :)

He impressed the doctor at his six month well check yesterday by sitting up so well. She guesses we'll have him crawling very soon, and walking early as well, based on his upper body strength.

Did much better on shots this time around. Had the oral immunization down in just three squirts :)

Stats are: 17 lbs. 7 ounces - 50th percentile
26.25 inches --- not sure on percentile, she said 26.25 but they figured 50th based on 26 inches
42.5 cm. head circumference

Size 3 dipes, which I think he'll be in for awhile. Clothes are a mix of the 6 month and 6-9 month, and a few 3-6 still fit ... depends on the brand.

We are growing and very healthy. Doctor says he is absolutely perfect - DUH!

Six month well check - 5.22.12

EXCLUSIVELY breastfed until today! I'm very blessed that I've been able to produce enough to keep him fed and satisfy him, I know lots of babies need that little extra earlier than six months. Tonight, we'll feed him some green beans, and I am very excited!

A few weeks ago I bumped him up to 8 ounce bottles, since he was only nursing four times a day on the weekends I figured he was ready. He did great, then got a little sick and was struggling to finish so we went back to 7 {can't waste that liquid gold!} but are now back at 8 ounce bottles. For the most part, he eats four times a day - around 6:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. After his 8 p.m. feeding, we play until he gets fussy, then he goes to bed, and does a great job of sleeping until at least 6 a.m. We'll begin giving him baby food the minute we get home, around 5:30 p.m. I wish we could do it a bit sooner after that third feeding, but it just won't work with our schedules.

He naps around 9:30 to 11 a.m., 1:30 to 3 p.m., and usually about a 30 minute nap around 7 p.m. Sunday night, we put Mister to bed and about 30 minutes later, heard him crying. Very uncharacteristic. When we went to check, we saw he had rolled from back to belly - first time we know of! For the most part, he's not much of a roller. I don't worry because I know that he can do it, he just has absolutely no interest in it. He is such a happy and content little baby and if he wants to move, it's because he wants to be held.

We're working on motivating him to crawl, although I know life will never be the same once he is mobile.

Other things he really enjoys right now are: playing in the water {bathtub or pool}, giggling for no apparent reason, kisses {receiving and sort of giving}, watching Baby TV, grabbing things {especially drinks}, making noise, looking at himself in the mirror, and getting lots and lots of attention.

Silly, silly boy ...

-----

Dear Cooper,

I never imagined I could love a stinky little boy so much, but you truly have captured my heart and now I don't think I would have a little girl wrapped around my finger the way you are! I have totally become that mom and I don't even care. You smile at me like I am the absolute greatest person in the world and it melts my heart. In the evening, I could care less about watching TV, I would much rather lay on the floor and play with you. In just six months, you have completely changed my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way - although one year ago, I never would have imagined all this!
I love you to the moon and back, my sweet, sweet little love bug!

xoxo,
Mommy



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Laughing guaranteed

If you can watch this without laughing, you must not have a heart.

Kidding. Kind of.



Hubby was working late last night, and at this point, I was sitting on the couch while Coop was in the exersaucer. He all of a sudden just began laughing for no apparent reason, and they would deepen if I said "what's so funny" so after a couple minutes, I grabbed my phone and began recording. This is actually the second video, I swear, he had to giggle off and on like this for at least 10 minutes. Adorbs.

Of course, when hubs got home I showed him both videos. I laughed so hard I cried. Cutest kid ever. And I'm not at all biased :)

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Weekend rewind

This weekend we ...

• Got all gussied up for a work gala.
• Came home to a house that was cleaner than it was when we left {thank you, Mom!}
• Had some great family time shopping and running errands on Saturday morning.
• Played with Coco



5.19.12

• Let the boys have some daddy-Coop time while I volunteered at a crawfish boil Saturday afternoon.
• Got burnt at said crawfish boil, while also drinking four bottles of water in two hours.
• Went to a birthday party for a sweet {almost} 8 year old.



He really loves her ... trying to hold her hand :)

• Passed out on the couch entirely too early, but finally finished off my antibiotic.
• Washed countless loads of dishes on Sunday.
• Made green beans, carrots and apples {baby food} for Baby C.
• C got his first kisses from a "girl" - Miss D
• Barbecued.
• Took C for a swim in the pool until the rain came through.
• Praised the good lord for sending us a nice rain - we needed it! The hail didn't even bother us.
• Finally watched the Criminal Minds season finale. I was up and down the entire show and my tummy was in knots. Felt the same as the finale where Hailey was killed :(

It was the perfect weekend :)

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Friday's letters

Dear Husband:

Thank you for going to Walmart and getting me medicine at 10 p.m. last Friday. But would it kill you to pitch in and help me do the dishes and clean up the kitchen at night?

Dear Laundry:

Please wash, dry and fold yourself.

Dear Mom:

Thank you for giving up your time to come watch my baby tonight. And best of all, telling me to leave a list of any household chores I need done and that you will work on them for me. You are the best.

Dear Basement Proofing Systems:

Why are you so expensive?

Dear Boss:

Thank you for getting me out of commencement on Sunday. I really didn't want to work all weekend long with volunteering on Saturday, and I want to go to cousin Tyler's graduation!

Dear Z Pack:

You are making me feel loads better, but I hate that you have given my son a yeast infection. Seriously? Heal quickly, Little Mister!

Dear Walmart guest services lady:

Thank you for being so patient yesterday as I returned over $200 of baby merchandise, in addition to exchanging SIX packages of diapers!

Dear God:

PLEASE let shots be a much more enjoyable experience this time around. Watching C get shots makes me want to take shots.

Dear Friday:

I'm glad you are here. But why did it take you so long?

Dear Employer:

I am very excited about our employee awards gala this evening. Thank you, also, for closing the school at 2 p.m. so I have time to get all fancied up!

Dear Cooper:

Thank you for being such a sweet, lovable child. Mommy loves you so much!

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breastfeeding revisited

If you would have told me how passionate I would be about breastfeeding six months ago, I would have laughed in your face. For reelz.

If you've been around awhile, I really hashed out my feelings in this post. If you are new, check it out.

Although it's getting a bit harder now that Coop has great ears and head control to look around when he wants to be nosy, I still love it! Primarily the closeness {nobody else can do it!} and the beautiful eyes just staring into mine.

With the six-month mark so quickly approaching, in addition to just experiencing some issues with low supply, I thought it was a good time to update.

For the most part, we stay on a great schedule, nursing in the morning and once or twice in the evening. Now that he's up to 8 oz. bottles, it's usually just once, around 8 p.m., then off to bed. I pump after the morning feeding {he only nurses on one side} and two to three times at work - around 10, 1 and 3:30. Sometimes I do just before bed as well, but that all depends on what time C's final nursing session is. On the weekends, I try to nurse exclusively, or only one bottle if needed. Pumping and bottle feeding just seems like such a waste of time and resources. Breastfeeding is SO much easier, and I really detest washing those bottles at night.

Anyhow, last week we had some issues, and I'm pretty sure it's due to the whack schedule I had. On Wednesday, I had a long work day and didn't pump for the first time until 1:30 p.m. During my 12-hour day Thursday, I pumped once, then didn't get to nurse when I got home and pumped again. By Friday, this had all taken its toll, and instead of pumping 5-6 ounces each session, it was more like 4 oz.

Over the weekend, it was no bottles in hopes of boosting my supply. I could tell I wasn't producing as quickly, because C was eating much more frequently - like every three hours, similar to his newborn days.

I'm sure my getting sick didn't help any of this either. Then yesterday, for the first time, I didn't pump enough to feed Coop the next day. No, I didn't have to dip into the freezer stash, as I had some extra in the fridge. But I hated the feeling and it had me terrified I was about to dry up. I went through tons of water and began popping the Fenugreek again. I researched the meds I am on right now to make sure they aren't linked to a dip in supply. In fact, I considered throwing it out, but figured that really wouldn't do any good.

This morning, for the first time in a week, I woke up with my rock-hard boobs again. And I laughed. Who would have thought I'd miss those so much?

What I'm learning about breastfeeding is that, just like anything, it will be filled with ups and downs. It's really basic - drink plenty of water, don't stress too much, and stay around the babe as much as possible.

We are still trucking along rather well, in my opinion. If I had to guess, I'd say that my freezer stash is now around 500 ounces, and next week, I'm going to begin cleaning that out and freezing everything I pump, since it's recommended to use frozen milk within six months.

Right now, I have my eyes on the prize of making it a full year breastfeeding. I feel like we've come so far, and it's just so comfortable on the schedule we have now, which I'm sure is more or less what we'll maintain until he is 1. I am flexible however, and very mindful that my body may decide differently. If so, we aren't opposed to supplementing with formula, but I've decided that I will continue to pump/nurse as much as I can - why do four formula bottles a day if you just need one?

This past week's events make me even more anxious about potentially leaving Coop for a few days for Branson {we still haven't received the letter that we are for-sure going, but it looks very promising!}. But right now is too soon to start worrying about that. Once we get the details, I'll have a talk with our lactation consultant to see what they recommend, and we may look into asking my parents to come down for the weekend as well to keep an eye on Mister and allow me to nurse a couple times a day.

If you are/were a breastfeeding mom, what are your suggestions?

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