Saturday, May 24, 2008

What a difference a day makes

As bad as Thursday night/Friday morning was, that's how good it's been since. Remember how I said I was only going to give Liam a couple of days of these non-breastfeeding shenanigans before I moved to pumping and bottle feeding? Well apparently I meant a couple of hours. By 1pm yesterday, I had pumped and he'd eaten from a bottle. What changed my mind? While on the phone with the LC from the hospital (as I explained that even the nipple shield didn't work), she said something that made my blood run cold: SNS. I knew that if that was my next option, we were doomed. So off to pump and bottles for us.

It's been straight uphill since then. He's had several more bottles, and by this morning even has the hang of eating from it without the obligatory 5 minutes of confused crying at the beginning. He's sleeping like an angel and was great at the doctor this morning. Things are really looking up.

I will definitely try breastfeeding again after this weekend. We want to get the rest of the bilirubin out of him and get him back to his birthweight, then I'll try it again. Also, in an incredibly sexy twist on things, my nipples have scabbed over. Nice, huh? He abused them so badly in the hospital that they are literally scabbed over. So no doubt breastfeeding wouldn't be much fun for him either.

He was born at 7lbs, weighed 6lbs 12oz the next day, and 6 lbs 11oz when we were discharged on Thursday. Today, just 2 days later, he weighed 6lbs 13.5oz. I'm not sure how he managed to gain 2.5oz while also missing essentially 3 meals yesterday, but I'll take it!

Megan? Doing about the same. Still unreasonable. Still refuses to nap (3rd day in a row). Still refuses to go to bed early (just lays up there and sings for an hour instead of falling asleep). Still pure evil. She's a bit less obnoxious with Liam, but has now turned on her beloved Grandparents. Which is sad, but we all understand what is going on. To ease things, we tried giving her a little 1-on-1 time today. After the doctor (where she was VERY helpful), we came home. I pumped, we packed up some food, and headed out the door. Grandma and Grandpa stayed home to take care of Liam while Kevin, Megan and I had a picnic at the park. It was really nice. Although both Kevin and I already felt that there was someone missing. Amazing! Now she's upstairs crying, refusing to nap, being generally evil.

I am going to pump and then nap myself. Hopefully when I get up the little boy will be awake so we can snuggle for a bit. All in all, things are good today. Thanks for your words of support and encouragement, I really appreciate it.

18 comments:

buggsmommy said...

Sounds like you're doing a great job. Hang in there my friend. Liam is an absolute doll. :) I'll keep checking in.

Kate said...

I'm glad things are going a little better!

Samantha said...

I'm just catching up! Welcome to Liam! I'm glad the feeding is going a little better, and I hope that Megan starts to come around soon too. It's a big transition.

My husband was so mad when his parents brought him a girl instead of a boy (he really wanted a brother) that he refused to address her by her name, but insisted on calling her Matthew!

Mindy said...

Hey there! Glad to hear things are improving with little Liam. I hope Megan will adjust sooner rather than later for you. I'm sure this too will pass -- probably just not as fast as you would like! ;)

AwkwardMoments said...

poor megan - her world has ben dumped upside down. thinking of you guys

Lea Bee said...

so glad things are going better.
lotsa love.

Unknown said...

What a nice idea to take M to the park for a picnic, just the three of you. I hope she settles down soon, once the novelty wears off and she realizes that Spidey is here to stay!!

Kami said...

Just catching up . . . what a ride! Hope things continue to go up hill for everyone.

Shelby said...

SO glad that things have been going better. It's so nice that you were able to spend some good quality time with Megan! I'm sure she loved it, considering you just brought a creature home who isn't leaving! ;)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like it would be hard to find a spare moment of sanity. Although, I'm sure you are handling it like a champ. Hopefully Megan decides to stop her napping srike soon.

He truly is a handsome little guy!

Kristen said...

I'm sorry Megan is being a pill. I guess that is to be expected but I hope she adapts quickly.

Thinking of you and praying for you always! XOXO

astral said...

Happy Blogaversary to you!! And many more!!!!!!

Meghan said...

I can't believe how much I suck and that I'm just now getting to check out your blog! Congrats yet again on little Liam, he looks just perfect. And I'm glad things are going better (hopefully they still are). I know I was a complete bitch when my younger brother was born and since we share a name....Hoping she's starting to come around and getting used to the idea that he's sticking around (I told my mom to return him)

dmarie said...

Glad things are going better for you. He's sooo adorable!

Grad3 said...

He is adorable!!! Sorry it took me so long to get here but I have been thinking about you... I hope that Megan adjusts soon, it's gotta be hard for her to understand.

I am glad that things are on the up swing- we did the bottle the other day w/ breast milk. After introducing it the 3rd time Lil' P got it! We will be attempting formula soon. I am not sure I could have attempted it without your encouragement... thank you so much, really.

Mindy said...

Hey dearie - thanks for visiting! Seeing your name always makes me smile. Hope things are well with Liam and Megan (and their parents!).

Somewhat Ordinary said...

I'm just catching up and want to say congrats. I love the name (especially the middle name since that is my son's name). I'm glad to hear things are getting better. Breast feeding isn't as easy as one would think...

Tam said...

Where'd you go?? Liam is just adorable! I hope that everything is going well with all of you!

Big hugs xxx