Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Happy Blogaversary

Geez, long time no post, eh? You'd think I had a new baby around the house or something.


First off, let me say a belated Happy Blogaversary to me! It was on May 30th and I would have completely missed it if Susan hadn't mentioned it in a comment on my last post. How she knew is way beyond me, I've even convinced myself at this point that she must have thought she was commenting on someone else's blog. :-)

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Farah on the arrival of Austin (aka Mini Vann). We're so excited he's here, safe and sound!

Things are good here. Liam is still not so interested in nursing, only latching on with the nipple shield. And I only try that sporadically. Mostly because when he isn't in the mood, he starts screaming like I'm snapping his little chicken legs off and beating him with them. That makes both of us agitated, hot and sweaty. That sucks since it's been about 6 bazillion degrees in Maryland lately (I'm not exaggerating), and a not-so-balmy 80 degrees or so inside my house despite the air conditioning trying so hard it's about to kill itself. So I haven't even tried much lately, but I will in earnest when the heat wave breaks. Plus, I love, love, love the freedom of having him drink from a bottle. Anyone can feed him -- and I mean anyone, hell, the UPS man could probably feed him and Liam wouldn't care. I did so love breastfeeding Megan, but felt trapped and tethered sometimes.

What I don't love? Pumping. A million times a day. I've been pumping every 3 - 4 hours during the day and going a 6 hour stretch at night. I've managed to provide everything he needs to eat (he takes 3 - 4 oz every 3 hours or so), and I tallied up my frozen stash last night. In addition to feeding him, I've managed to freeze almost 150 ounces. Not to shabby for just over 2 weeks of pumping. But I can't keep up this pace. I'm going to drop to pumping 4x a day, every 6 hours. We'll see what that does to my supply. Who the hell knows.

Liam is doing great, he's a good baby. He's developed his fussy period at night, about an hour and a half around 8 or 9pm. It's not too bad (Megan was a million times worse), but it's inconvenient because that's when we are putting Megan to bed. I just hope it doesn't get worse because right now -- despite the fact he's shrieking for no good reason during that time -- it's manageable. I'm looking forward to him sleeping longer than 3 hours at night, but that will come. At his 2 week appt he was exactly 8 lbs (a full pound above his birthweight!), so he's certainly not having any issues with eating or weight gain. That's a relief.

Megan's adjustment issues are getting better. We're far from out of the woods, but we can at least recognize progress.

That's it for now. I'm heading to bed in the hopes that this splitting headache disappears soon. Before I go, I'd like to ask you to head over and show some love to two of my favorite blog buddies who are having a rough time right now. LJ and Bean -- I love you two ladies, I wish I could sprinkle some pixie dust on you both and make everything magically better.

9 comments:

seussgirl said...

WoW, good job on the pumped supply:; I'm jealous! I've used almost my entire backlog from their nicu time already.

Alison said...

Happy Blogoversary! You sound like such a confident mommy. I love it!

Cajun Cutie said...

Glad Liam is still thriving. Glad you are well. Sorry the breast feeding isn't going as well as you would like. You truly are super woman.

MissNoAngel (find me on Twitter) said...

I'm a bit nervous about breatfeeding myself. I want to do it so badly, but I know it's not as easy as it's cracked up to be (as you've pointed out). Kudos to you for making it work!

Erin said...

Happy Belated Blogaversary!

Sorry about Liam's lack of interest in the boob, but you're right about that tethered feeling. Enjoy the freedom while you've got it! You are a pumping MACHINE! What a great supply. I am so bad about it. I should really do it more often. You've inspired me!

nancy said...

Good job at pumping!!! I thought I was badass the first time and had a huge frozen stash and then didn't work at it with the second baby and boy, did I end up suffering for it. This time, I'm going to start pumping before I even give birth (okay, so I'm exaggerating a teensy bit!)

Mindy said...

Hey stranger -- in a not at all veiled attempt to get you to write something :) I'm tagging you -- you're it!

Meghan said...

Happy Blogaversary!! a little belated.

Hoping little Liam is getting less fussy at night, glad to hear Megan's doing better.

And we're all ready for another update...maybe a picture or two???

LJ said...

HAPPY BELATED BLOGOVERSARY!