Breastfeeding Troubles

Lil' man is now almost 11 weeks old!  How time flies....

I had been looking forward to breastfeeding from the moment I knew I was pregnant.  I couldn't wait to share that bond with my baby and I knew it would be the absolute very best for him.  I took a breastfeeding class while I was pregnant and I read articles and blogs and books and any piece of information I could find to gain enough knowledge to try to make breastfeeding successful.  I went in knowing that it can be a very difficult journey for mommy and baby to get things just right.  I went in with an open mind, but still determined to make it work.

Once LM was born, it was time to put it to the test.  My expectations were blown out of the water.  From the minute he was placed on my chest in recovery, he bobbed around and latched on almost immediately.  I couldn't believe it - I had an overachiever and we were going to be just fine!  The next few days and next few weeks, things went wonderfully and couldn't be better.  (OK, that's a lie, whenever he latched on I had to prevent myself from crying and throwing something across the room because of the pain, but it went away shortly after and things were perfect again)  During my maternity leave, I started building up a supply of milk in my freezer.  I heart my Medela pump and my plan to successfully breastfeed (for at least one year) were laid out in front of me.  I felt so very lucky, this was wonderful!  I love the bonding with my guy and knowing that I am able to provide the most basic need a mother can for him.  He went from 9 lbs at birth to over 13 lbs at 2 months!  I had good milk and plenty of it!

Flash forward to seven weeks after LM was born - I started back to work.  The first few weeks of pumping were just fine.  Plenty for the next day and I was still able to build the stash in the freezer. 

This week, things are different.  My supply over the last few days has dropped significantly.  WHY!?  Eating the same, sleeping the same, drinking the same, stress level is the same.  What is going on?  I'm barely (or not even) able to pump enough for the next day which forces us to dip into our freezer stash that's slowly going down.  I'm worried I'm not producing enough to satisfy him in the evenings.  This causes more stress and probably does nothing to help my milk supply. 

Anyone out there have any suggestions?  I'm already pumping three times during the work day and feeding very regularly in the evenings.  LM is sleeping about 6 hours at night though, so feeding less often then.  I know there are products and supplements out there to help increase milk supply but I'm very wary before taking anything. (I'm open to suggestions though) It breaks my heart to think of supplementing with formula.  Anyone have any advice for a struggling mama?

Yippee! I'm in a blogger spotlight....

Jaclyn over at Snap, Crackle, Pop (ya know...the one that's helping me with the shaggy necklace giveaway!) has Does This Baby Make Me Look Fat in a blogger spotlight today!!   Go visit and make sure to check out the giveaway here!!

Superhero in Training

William is over 10 weeks old and obviously loving his cloth!! 

Hands free pumping!

Today, I discovered a trick!!  Hands Free Pumping for free - check it out here: Hands Free Pumping

I know, I know...there are plenty of options for hands free pumping - bustiers, supports, special bras, really expensive pumps.  With hubby and I on a budget for the new year, we are trying to analyze the money we are spending and asking ourselves "Do we really need that?" 

A $40 support to buy so that I can play Angry Birds on my phone or text or read while pumping at work?  I think the ponytail holders will do just fine.  I've tried it several times and it works like a charm.  Now, if you see me covered in milk because this trusty system failed and I then have to make the shameful, wet walk back to my desk....then I might be investing in something else.  HA!

Goodbye Baby Weight - Week 2

One week down on my get healthy plan.  Not a horrible week....not that great either.  Made it to the gym twice - mostly just walking a few miles and a little weight lifting.  Portion sizes weren't too bad but I made the mistake of buying some ice cream and had to indulge for dessert a few times.  Oopsies.  Adam also bought a cookie cake and let's just say it's gone - only took 3 days.  Ouchie.  Needless to say that we need to keep healthier options for sweets instead of ice cream and cookies! 

Week 1 Stats -
Weight Goal - Lose 35 lbs
Last Week's Weight - 205 lbs
This Week's Weight - 202.5 lbs
Progress - -2.5 lbs  I'll take it!

Question of the week -
What's your food weakness? Do I really need to answer this?  It appears sweets have taken hold of me.  I also have a weakness for food that's in front of me - like if someone brings cupcakes to work.  I usually appear to have left my self control somewhere else....

Since I don't like to always hold my breath for the number on the scale, my hope is to start with measurements this week.  Not sure if I will be brave enough to post them yet, but I know it's a great way to track progress. 

Until next week.....

Getting to the gym...

So on my quest to lose the baby weight, I am working to get both sides of the equation started - working out and eating better.  The eating better will just take some self control on my part and some due diligence when it comes to the grocery shopping. 

The working out part is a little trickier.  I'm already waking up at 5am to get ready for work and to feed lil' man, so working out in the morning would require waking up at a time that starts with a '4' and I'm just not OK with that.  HA!  When I get off work, I'm so excited to get home to my lil' man and if it's timed right, will feed him right away.  Then it leads into making and eating dinner and whatever else I need to do and then another feeding and then hopefully (cross my fingers!) it's bedtime.  So I'm pretty much going to have to dust off my Wii Fit to get some at home exercise.  However, the hubby and I made it to the gym twice over the weekend.  We took turns walking William around the indoor track - William in his stroller (lucky!).  Then switched off to do some strength training.  It was perfect as long as lil' man wasn't fussy - he slept pretty much the whole time anyway. 

How could I not be motivated looking at this face while working out! 

100 Followers Giveaway! [CLOSED]

I made it to 100 followers!  Thanks everyone for your support!

To celebrate, I think it's time for a "pretty things" giveaway!  I have teamed up with Jaclyn at Snap, Crackle, Pop for a great, personalized giveaway!!  Jaclyn is the seller behind Jaclyn1423 on Etsy where you can find completely unique and often upcycled jewelry.  There are so many things to choose from and possibilities to personalize.  Check out one of her best sellers - her best friend Rocks, Paper, Sissor necklaces set -

She also makes gorgeous, customized bridesmaids jewelry!! 

These were the necklaces for the girls in my wedding!!

Or something that decorates my neck quite regularly, my "Mommy Necklace"!

For this giveaway, Jaclyn is offering a personalized "shaggy" necklace.  You might have remembered me talking about how excited I was for my own - my personalized shaggy necklace! 

What is up for grabs?:

One, customized, shaggy necklace from Jaclyn1423.  The winner will get to choose color scheme.

Mandatory Entries:

[These count as single entry]

Must be public follower of this blog via GFC.

Visit Jaclyn1423 and comment below with the item you would love to give someone.  Who would you give it to?

Additional Entries:

• Fan Jaclyn1423 on Facebook  [1 entry]
• Sign up for email updates on Snap, Crackle, Pop [2 entries]
• Blog about this giveaway and provide link [3 entries]

Please make sure to leave seperate comments for each entry that includes your email address so I can contact you if you win!!  Giveaway ends January 31st at 11:59pm CST.  A winner will be chosen using random.org.  Thanks!!

Our Saturday Morning

Before I became a mother, I would always look forward to the weekend.  This was when I could sleep in as late as I wanted and be able to take my time in getting the things done that I didn't have time to do during the week....and really, just being able to be lazy.  Since William has come into the picture, I still look forward to the weekends.  The days of sleeping in are long gone and I am just fine with that.  After being back to work for only two weeks, I work to get things done in the evenings instead of taking that time to relax.  That way, weekends are for fun and spending time with the family!

Spent the morning playing with William and Tressel and now hubby is napping on the couch (I know, even though we practically just woke up) with lil' man sleeping on his chest.  It's not even noon and I am loving this day! 

First time playing with the activity mat from Uncle Patrick and Aunt Ariana!

I love that he's starting to notice things all around him!!

Playing with mommy

Tressel wants to play too!

I spy a funny octopus!

They are spent.....

.....I may be speaking too soon....once lil' man wakes up and eats, we are heading the gym ...first time in over five months!!  Yikes!  Part of the "Lose Baby Weight 2011" plan!  Wish me luck!

2 months in the blink of an eye....

Wasn't I just pregnant five minutes ago?  Didn't my water just break and Adam just rush me to the hospital?  Didn't I just hear my baby's cry for the first time?  Weren't we just coming home from the hospital with our new bundle of joy?  How is my baby boy two months old already? 

William is growing!! -

• He's now smiling regularly - daddy is really good at making him laugh
• He's starting to notice sounds and things in front of him - we finally hung the music mobile in his crib and the toy bar on his car seat because he's finally paying attention to them
• He can hold his head up so well now!
• He can follow things with his eyes
• He still sleeps with his arms above his head
• Diaper change needed?  He will always grunt to tell us so!
• Speaking of diapers - he's finally in cloth full time!
• Still not really sure what the heck to do with that pacifier....I think he'd rather have mommy
• Those 0-3 month clothes?  Those are long stored away
• Are those acorns in his cheeks?  hehe
• He still loves his baths!

Goodbye Baby Weight - Week 1

OK....it's time....

William is now two months old.  I have fully recovered from the c-section.  I've returned to work.  Now it's time to be that cliche - I need to lose the baby weight.  I'm not planning anything drastic - baby steps should do the trick to losing the extra weight and getting healthy.  A few weeks ago when I limited my food intake too much, I noticed my milk supply went WAY down....so slowly but surely will be my motto.

Starting Point:
I'm horrified to admit that I gained a ton of weight during pregnancy and am now at.....[choke] 205 pounds.  This is the absolute heaviest I've ever been (never even been this close before!) and changes must be made!

Overall Goals:

1. I try not to be too obsessed with the numbers....however, my first goal is to get rid of that dang "2" in front of my weight.  I will have none of that!! 
2. I don't have a final goal in mind, I would like to lose around 35 lbs as my initial goal. 
3. Mostly I would like to get in shape (no matter what the number ends up being).  Last year I was training for a triathlon sprint and that's another goal that I would love to meet, if not this year then next.
4. I want to minimize (I mean really limit) the eating out we do.  This is hurting our health and our wallets!

This Week's Goals:

• No fast food
• Get to the gym at least once (baby steps...it's been a LONG time and Adam and I still haven't figured out how to fit this into our schedules with William)
• Watch portion sizes
• Focus on drinking plenty of water and eating fruits and veggies

Let the journey begin!