We have all adjusted to our new addition (for the most part). Xavier still has trouble with jealousy sometimes. If he feels that he didn't get enough attention he will poop in his pants, but only if he has his pull-ups on. I try to do activities with him throughout the day, but some days it just isn't enough. He is very helpful with his sister. He loves to help with diaper changes and feeding. If she is being fed with a bottle, Xavier likes to hold the bottle for her. He also likes to give her kisses.
Isobel is a month and a half now (6 weeks). She weighed 9 lbs at her last appt. (2 weeks ago). She is healthy and growing. She is awake more often now and is starting to play. Last week she rolled over from belly to back for the first time. She is starting to reach for toys now too. She is growing and learning so fast. She usually sleeps about 5-6 hours at night.
School started yesterday. It will be a tough semester. There will be a lot of reading and even more studying! I will definitely have to come up with a schedule this semester. Drake is able to stay with the kids while I'm at school. It wasn't as bad yesterday as he thought it would be to be alone with them.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Update 11/23/13-1/1/14
A lot has happened since my last post. We had a mellow Thanksgiving. We stayed home, just the three of us. We made all the fixing on our own for the first time. It was an adventure trying to cook everything at the same time in the same kitchen...it was actually kind of weird. I'm use to only having one or two smells in the house and not smelling all the food until arriving at my grandparents house. We all ate a little too much, so we walked down to the park to let Xavier play. I was also hoping this would help get labor started. (It didn't work).
My due date came and went with no signs of labor. I had my doctor appointment on the third of Dec. At about 4:30 I was dilated to 5. We went home and ate dinner and got Xavier ready to spend the night with Margo. My mom and Drakes family made their way down and got here pretty much as we went to the hospital. We left the house at 2:30 the next morning and at 3:55 we had a little girl. To read the full birth story of Isobel Miller click here.
I took my finals the very next week. It was challenging trying to study and focus on school with a new baby in the house! Luckily my mom stayed to help with that. She was able to keep Xavier busy so I could study while Isobel slept. This helped tremendously!! I got my results a week later- I passed all my classes!! Next semester is a little more laid back. I am taking 3 classes and a lab. I did this so I would have an easier time adjusting to going to school with two babies who need my attention. I was also able to fix my schedule so that I have no classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hopefully this will work with Drake's work schedule so that we won't have to take Isobel to daycare. 6 weeks is too young to be away from home! Drake will be home with the kids all day Mondays and Wednesdays, so my mother-in-law is coming down the first week of school to help us all adjust.
Xavier loves his sister! He still doesn't use her name, he just calls her baby, sister, or baby sister. He always asks to hold her and gives her hugs any chance he gets. He is very helpful too. When she cries, he tries to give her her pacifier, even if I am already picking her up. When I change her diaper, X gets upset if I don't let him get her a diaper. He is still having a little trouble adjusting to the new baby. He doesn't get as much attention as he use to when he was an only child so he acts out. He yells at us and pees his pants. This was getting better, but then we went to visit grandparents and it got bad again. Hopefully it won't take too long for him to get back to his routine.
Isobel is a very attached baby. She loves to be held and cuddled and gets upset when we put her down. She is 4 weeks old today. At her last check up she was healthy and growing ( at her first check the doc said we might have to supplement because she lost a few oz). Luckily we didn't have to supplement and I am able to exclusively breast feed this time around. For tips on keeping up milk production click here.
We spent Christmas at home. Xavier loved opening his gifts! We then spent the next week in Farmington visiting family. We had a good time (mostly). Drake and his dad spent 2 days replacing the radiator in his jeep, so they were pretty frustrated! Other than that the trip went well. We had safe travels both there and back. We got to spend time with our family and we got some good stuff for Christmas. To see pictures and read more about Christmas click here.
Isobel's Birth Story
Isobel's due date was November 28- Thanksgiving day. I was hoping she would come a few days early so I would have most of this week to recover before going back to classes. To my surprise she actually came almost a whole week late. I had my doctor appointment on Tuesday, Dec. 3 around 4PM. My doctor told me I was already at a 5. I thought "wow, 5 cm already?" I had no contractions or any signs of labor all day. We decided to go home and get some rest. If she wasn't here by morning (7:00 to be exact) we were going to go to the hospital and have my doctor break my water.
We went home, called our parents to tell them the news, and then had dinner around 6PM. It was during this time that I began to feel my contractions. They were about 1 minute every half hour or so. We got Xavier all bathed and ready for bed and took him over to our friend Margo's house. We did this so we wouldn't have to wake him in the middle of the night if we had to go in to the hospital. By this time Drake's family and my mom were all on their way down.
I could feel my contractions getting stronger as the evening went on, so at 10PM I decided it was time to try to sleep. I tossed and turned all night, going in and out of sleep. I don't know if it was because of the contractions or because I was excited to finally be meeting my daughter soon. Either way I didn't get much sleep that night. My mom arrived at our house sometime in the middle of the night and went to bed. At 2:30AM I woke up Drake and my mom and told them it was time to go. At this point my contractions were pretty strong and pretty close together. I didn't time it exactly but they were happening every few steps I took.
We were all checked into the hospital room by 2:45. The rest is a little blurry. I remember the nurse asking me a lot of questions. Some I answered myself, the others were answered by my mom and husband. It was hard to think/ talk through the contractions. The doctor came in and was washing her hands right as my water broke. She told me it was time to push. I don't know how long I pushed for, but I know it wasn't very long. At 3:55AM Isobel joined us. I got to hold her right away while they cleaned her and Drake cut the cord. I was able to breastfeed right away. She latched much easier than Xavier did! She came down so quickly that she got bruises around her nose, poor thing!
My mom, and Drake's family were able to visit Isobel in the hospital. My dad and siblings didn't come down until the weekend because of work and school. Xavier couldn't come visit either because of the hospital's policy- no person under age 12 could be in the room during flu season. Drake and I went 2 days without seeing Xavier. This was hard for me to handle! I did get to talk to him on the phone a few times which helped a little.
We went home, called our parents to tell them the news, and then had dinner around 6PM. It was during this time that I began to feel my contractions. They were about 1 minute every half hour or so. We got Xavier all bathed and ready for bed and took him over to our friend Margo's house. We did this so we wouldn't have to wake him in the middle of the night if we had to go in to the hospital. By this time Drake's family and my mom were all on their way down.
I could feel my contractions getting stronger as the evening went on, so at 10PM I decided it was time to try to sleep. I tossed and turned all night, going in and out of sleep. I don't know if it was because of the contractions or because I was excited to finally be meeting my daughter soon. Either way I didn't get much sleep that night. My mom arrived at our house sometime in the middle of the night and went to bed. At 2:30AM I woke up Drake and my mom and told them it was time to go. At this point my contractions were pretty strong and pretty close together. I didn't time it exactly but they were happening every few steps I took.
We were all checked into the hospital room by 2:45. The rest is a little blurry. I remember the nurse asking me a lot of questions. Some I answered myself, the others were answered by my mom and husband. It was hard to think/ talk through the contractions. The doctor came in and was washing her hands right as my water broke. She told me it was time to push. I don't know how long I pushed for, but I know it wasn't very long. At 3:55AM Isobel joined us. I got to hold her right away while they cleaned her and Drake cut the cord. I was able to breastfeed right away. She latched much easier than Xavier did! She came down so quickly that she got bruises around her nose, poor thing!
My mom, and Drake's family were able to visit Isobel in the hospital. My dad and siblings didn't come down until the weekend because of work and school. Xavier couldn't come visit either because of the hospital's policy- no person under age 12 could be in the room during flu season. Drake and I went 2 days without seeing Xavier. This was hard for me to handle! I did get to talk to him on the phone a few times which helped a little.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Increasing/Keeping Up Milk Production
With Xavier I struggled with breastfeeding. I had a very low supply and had to supplement with formula. After 3 months my body stopped producing all together. With Isobel I am able to breastfeed, but still struggle a little bit. Here are the things I have learned about breastfeeding:
1. Fluids and rest are the best things for milk production.
2.Supply and Demand! The more your baby nurses, the more your body will produce. On my off days, Isobel feeds more often (sometimes even every 30 minutes). By the end of the day I have so much milk I don't know what to do with it ( not literally! I pump it and freeze it for future use)
3.Supplementing is horrible for breastfeeding. Don't supplement unless absolutely necessary! If you must supplement always offer formula after you have breast fed.
4. If supplementation is not necessary, don't even keep formula in the house for those "just in case" moments. If you need the added security of making sure your baby has something to eat if your body fails you, pump after each feeding and keep it accessible. I do this because there are days when my body struggles to produce milk. I let Isobel eat from the breast until she is fed up with it (not to the point where she is inconsolable) and then give her a bottle of pre-pumped milk. I pump on the days when my body decides to go into overdrive and produces more than she eats.
5. Mother's milk tea does not work. I tried drinking this with X to increase my supply and never noticed a difference. It could work different for each person, but I would suggest increasing supply by adding certain foods to your diet. Oatmeal does wonders for milk production! I have oatmeal with ginger (which is also good for supply) every morning to boost my supply for the day.
6. Prenatal vitamins are a must. I notice a big change in my supply if I forget to take my prenatal vitamin. If I don't take my prenatal in the morning I notice a decrease for that day. If I remember it by lunch, my milk production usually comes back up in time for her bedtime feeding.
7. Stay close to your baby. Try not to spend too much time away from your baby. I know this is hard for working and/or school attending moms. When you are home spend as much time with your baby as you can. If you spend too much time away, your body will not produce as much.
8. Nurse as often as you can. Stimulation from your baby suckling is much better than pumping. Try to nurse as much as possible. Again I know this is hard for moms in school or work.
9. Feed your baby as soon as you see signs of hunger. If you wait until your baby is crying and upset it is harder to get them to latch. When you hear your baby cry, your body will "leak" milk. This is not only a waste of your supply, but also makes a mess. It can leak through your shirt.
10. Do your best to offer both breasts at one feeding. This is mostly just for your comfort. If your baby only eats from one breast at a time, your breasts will always be uneven which can feel very uncomfortable.
1. Fluids and rest are the best things for milk production.
2.Supply and Demand! The more your baby nurses, the more your body will produce. On my off days, Isobel feeds more often (sometimes even every 30 minutes). By the end of the day I have so much milk I don't know what to do with it ( not literally! I pump it and freeze it for future use)
3.Supplementing is horrible for breastfeeding. Don't supplement unless absolutely necessary! If you must supplement always offer formula after you have breast fed.
4. If supplementation is not necessary, don't even keep formula in the house for those "just in case" moments. If you need the added security of making sure your baby has something to eat if your body fails you, pump after each feeding and keep it accessible. I do this because there are days when my body struggles to produce milk. I let Isobel eat from the breast until she is fed up with it (not to the point where she is inconsolable) and then give her a bottle of pre-pumped milk. I pump on the days when my body decides to go into overdrive and produces more than she eats.
5. Mother's milk tea does not work. I tried drinking this with X to increase my supply and never noticed a difference. It could work different for each person, but I would suggest increasing supply by adding certain foods to your diet. Oatmeal does wonders for milk production! I have oatmeal with ginger (which is also good for supply) every morning to boost my supply for the day.
6. Prenatal vitamins are a must. I notice a big change in my supply if I forget to take my prenatal vitamin. If I don't take my prenatal in the morning I notice a decrease for that day. If I remember it by lunch, my milk production usually comes back up in time for her bedtime feeding.
7. Stay close to your baby. Try not to spend too much time away from your baby. I know this is hard for working and/or school attending moms. When you are home spend as much time with your baby as you can. If you spend too much time away, your body will not produce as much.
8. Nurse as often as you can. Stimulation from your baby suckling is much better than pumping. Try to nurse as much as possible. Again I know this is hard for moms in school or work.
9. Feed your baby as soon as you see signs of hunger. If you wait until your baby is crying and upset it is harder to get them to latch. When you hear your baby cry, your body will "leak" milk. This is not only a waste of your supply, but also makes a mess. It can leak through your shirt.
10. Do your best to offer both breasts at one feeding. This is mostly just for your comfort. If your baby only eats from one breast at a time, your breasts will always be uneven which can feel very uncomfortable.
Christmas/New Year
I love Christmas! It is my favorite time of the year. In the past we have always spent it with our families. This year, however, we stayed home and had Christmas with just our family. Xavier got to help decorate the tree and put up the stockings. On Christmas Eve we opened our gifts that were sent from Grandma Soosa. I got a mandolin slicer. Drake got some slippers, or "house shoes" as he calls them and a turtle hand puppet thing. Xavier got a lego train set that he absolutely loves! On Christmas morning, we all came downstairs to see what santa had brought us. The first thing we saw under the tree was a bike for X (it has Thomas on it). He saw it, but was confused. He stood there staring at it not sure if it was for him or what to do. We told him it was his and he got excited and sat on it, scooting it around the house. We tried to help him pedal, but it is just a little too big for him right now. We got him some puzzles, play dough, and a Thomas Christmas book that came with watercolors. He got candy and a hot wheels car in his stocking. Santa left Isobel some little ball rattles that have Finding Nemo characters on/in them. In her stocking she got a book, a little pig rattle and a lady bug pull down toy for her car seat. We wrapped a puzzle for her as well. Drake and I both got candy in our stockings. I got him a Game of Thrones t-shirt and he made me some gauges for my ears.
On the 26th we drove up to Farmington to see our families where we got even more gifts. I got pajamas, a snuggie, clothes, some scarves, more earings, a bracelet, a pressure cooker, a large mixing bowl, a rolling pin, a sifter, a moby wrap, and a heating pad. Drake got some clothes, pajama pants, a panini maker/ grill, a brita water filter, and a tent. Xavier got a wagon, clothes, toys, more tacks for his trains, a train puzzle that makes train noises, and a helmet and knee pads for his bike. Isobel got some babies, a mobile that makes calming sounds, clothes, shoes, and hair accessories. We all got gift cards, money and ornaments as well.
I made all of our gifts that we gave this year. I crocheted a scarf for my mom and a deadmau5 hat for my brother-in-law. I made a welcome mat for my dad and a couple of pot holders for my mother-in-law. My brother got a bracelet, my sister got a necklace, and my father-in-law got a belt- all made out of paracord. For our parents and grandparents I helped the kids make ornaments- a handprint from Xavier and a footprint from Isobel.
We drove back home on the 31st. We got back at 8, got the kids to bed by 9 and went to bed at 10:30. Drake had to be at work at 6 this morning and we were both tired so we didn't try to stay up. We were both up at midnight because Isobel woke up and needed to eat so we still got to celebrate the new year together.
Thanksgiving
For Thanksgiving we stayed home and had a big dinner for the 3 of us. We made a turkey, stuffing, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a pumpkin pie. We also had cranberry sauce and sparkling cider with our dinner. It was a very mellow, laid back Thanksgiving, which was weird. Neither of us have had a calm Thanksgiving before. It was kind of nice, but kind of lonely too. We all ate way too much so we went for a walk to the park. This got us out of the house, and Xavier got to play and get some energy out. I was also hoping to start labor since this was the due date, but it didn't work.
Tortilla Pizza
Tortilla pizzas are Drake's specialty. His dad made them all the time and now he makes them all the time too. Xavier loves them and they are easy to make. They work for lunch or dinner. They are great for those times when you don't have a lot of time to cook or sit and eat a big meal.
Materials:
Tortillas (one per pizza)
Pizza sauce
Shredded cheese of your choice
Pepperoni (4-5 slices per pizza)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Place a tortilla onto a cookie sheet (you can also use a piece of tin foil, as Drake does)
Spread about 2 spoonfuls of pizza sauce onto the tortilla
Next spread some cheese on the sauce (I usually do about 2 handfuls, Drake does about 3 or 4)
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| My little helper |
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| This is what 2 handfuls looks like |
Place about 4-5 pepperoni slices onto the cheese
Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges are crispy
Cut and serve
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