Neglect

If you hadn't read it before, you need to refer to the post I wrote during my pregnancy, Lady in Waiting. At least I could predict that my poor dog, Molly, would likely be neglected once Jane arrived... I wasn't in denial by any means.

Here she is in all her glory... can you tell which end is her face vs. her "you know what". Some days I can't. I finally got around to booking her in for grooming... thankfully, the groomer won't be in yet when we drop her off so we'll avoid the embarrassment and guilt that's sure to come once she looks into our poor pups eyes (if she can find them). ha ha ha.

In truth, Molly and Miko (the devil cat) adjusted really quickly to Jane. Molly is great with her, no jealously or aggression which isn't surprising. Miko ignores her and has become the cat I always dreamed of - independent and never around (only half joking, tee hee hee). :p Although, he risks his life and mine every time I start down the stairs as, never fail, he appears out of nowhere running by my feet in, what I'm sure is, an attempt to take me out!

I'm definitely going to put up a post-grooming picture of Molly for all to enjoy. She's basically going to have to be skinned to get all the mats out of her fur (I tried to brush her but eventually gave up)... at 8 whole pounds, she's going to look like a large rat with a fluffy head! :p It's truly a sin and, despite my humour, I do feel bad... I'm not heartless!

Jen :)

* Note - despite the obvious neglect of her hair-do, Molly is still spoiled rotten and gets lots of walks and snuggles. (I am aware there are some serious people out there who will take this post too literally and I'll probably have the freakin' SPCA knocking on my door tomorrow morning). :p

MOmMy bRaIn Mishap

I just came back inside with Janey after we got a few minutes of fresh air from the patio. As I walked the patio and took in the sun, I noticed nothing different, had no warning signs or "drafts". It wasn't until I got inside, went upstairs and looked at myself in the mirror that I realized my boob was hanging out. Full out of my nursing top, everything exposed! ha ha ha. Awesome.

Bye Bye Bumper Pads

Last night I questioned the existence of the ever controversial bumper pad... my conclusion, the thing is a potential death trap!

When my beautiful baby bedding arrived, during pregnancy, I was surprised to find a huge bumper pad included with my purchase. I mean, in pre-natal class, you're basically told that removing bumper pads/loose blankets is as important as laying your baby on his/her back in preventing SIDS. I never understood why. I even considered, because I have the sleeprite positioners (see picture), putting the bumper pad in, thinking the sleeprites would prevent her from moving around and potentially suffocating in the bumper pad. I decided against this as they also say that bumper pads reduce circulation of air which can increase the SIDS risk.

I woke up last night and looked over at Jane in her cradle. She had somehow wiggled herself so that she was sleeping diagonally with her head almost right against the side of the cradle (which is completely open, similar to the sides of a crib so no worries). All I could think was OH MY GOD, this is why bumper pads are the devil! Had she been in a crib with a bumper pad, she may have suffocated!

I had to pass along this story... I know it was purely a "what if" moment but, as I said, during pregnancy, I had considered leaving the bumper pad in because I thought she'd be immobile! Obviously, it's not worth the risk for a "prettier" nursery!

I'm sure had that stupid bumper pad not been included with my bedding package, I could have saved at least $50... instead that $50 is shoved (miraculously) into my linen closet, taking up a whole shelfs-worth of space! Crappity crappers :p

Hope this saves the moms-to-be out there even the consideration of leaving the bumper pad in their crib!

Jen :)

Burping Machine

I have currently accepted the role of burping machine, a slight demotion from feeding/cleaning machine due to my own bad behavior... so far so good.

After speaking with the lactation specialist yesterday we determined that my current issue (fussy, uncomfortable, constantly hungry baby) is a combo of growth spurt and excess gas. So, I'm now pre-feed burping, burping during the feed and afterward! I'd never heard of pre-feed burping as, like most people, I thought that babies got most of their gas during the feed. However, a lot of gas is created after baby eats during digestion (duh!) so burping before you feed ensures you feeding on top of a bubbling belly! I've also been using some new techniques that I got from this website and they seem to going well. I've got a burping cycle now - I start with the over the shoulder, I switch her to the lap-lying position, then I do the sit up position all with a combo of back-patting and circle motions. I've also been throwing in the bicycle legs move once in a while. :p It's still taking me an hour to feed because of all the burping but right now she's staying on my boob (before she was on and off, on and off), she's not crying when she pulls herself off and she's falling asleep afterward (instead of screaming bloody murder for an hour). YIPEE! I'm praying this isn't a fluke!

Also, I realized that I basically have Jane is my arms 24-7 and when I put her down to get things done, I put her in her swing. So, she's not getting any chance to move her own gas by moving around much (stupid mommy). So, I've put out the activity gym - she's currently awake, lying on it, and kicking up a storm... much better for moving gas then being stuck in a swing! I'm learning, slowly, but learning. This mommy brain crap is truly phenomenal as I have literally lost every bit of common sense I had.

Lastly, my mom's friend, Lisa, recommended this product "Bio-Gaia", a probiotic drop that can be given to babies, that apparently reduces colic/gas. I couldn't find it at my pharmacy (it's over the counter) so they have ordered it in for me, I will keep you posted on how it goes. Can't hurt! I've also been using Kolic drops (@ Walmart) when she gets uncomfortable and it seems to help relieve some of the pain within 30 mins or so.

Well that's it for today - I know, a lot about gas lately, kind of boring, but this is my life right now. My life has been consumed by gas, poop and burping. Perhaps next week I will be so lucky as to get upgrade to reflux and vomiting! WOOHOO! As I always say, 100% worth it for my little lady.

Jen :)

PS - Ordered my birth announcements - thanks to the poll-voters! I went with the basket pic as recommended!

Grouchy, Gas-y, Girl

So I screwed up breastfeeding for "a minute". Thankfully I have quickly repaired my stupid mistake...

Three days ago, I noticed Jane's poop (yes, you WILL start worrying about poop) had changed from it's yellow colour (good) to a green colour (not so good). I called our nurse yesterday to check it out as some of the online info I found said it was fine and some said it could be a bf-ing issue. Well the latter was right...

Initially when I started bf-ing, if Jane only fed on one boob for a short time, I'd go back to that boob for the next feed so that she would get the hindmilk (the good, fatty stuff in the second half of your milk). During her visit, the nurse told me to offer the first boob twice, switching to the next boob if Jane pulled herself off boob #1 twice. I started doing this but obviously it doesn't work for me. Jane often feeds for 5-10mins and pulls herself off because my milk flows so quickly that she needs a breather! So if I switched to the next boob after two pull-offs, she hadn't gotten the hindmilk from boob #1. Apparently the result is green poop, and a gas-y, grouchy baby. For the last two days, Jane was not herself - feeding for short periods, more frequently (equals less sleep), super gas-y, and crying for what seemed like no reason. It was a hard couple of days as I didn't realize something was wrong, I just thought this was life with a newborn! The hardest part is that you get frustrated with the baby and then you inevitably feel intense guilt 5 seconds later for feeling frustrated with your sweet baby!

Anyways, long story short - yesterday, I went back to my old method. If she only has a quick feed, I return to that boob for the next feed until it feels empty. Already, her poop is turning yellow again (YIPEE for yellow poop!) and she is sleeping regularly again and, thankfully, not fussy! HALLELUJAH!

So, there ya go, my first new-mommy screw up - many more to come I'm sure! How bad did I feel when I realized that it was my fault that she was so uncomfortable with an upset tummy?!?!

Jen :)

PS - Anybody watching the Bachelorette (guilty pleasure)? I love Jillian but, seriously, she's an idiot - Jake was the best! Why do these chicks go on these shows and let go of the guys who would be "dream" hubbies! Come on people! Yes, you may have more "chemistry" with the bad ass dude, but he's an idiot, and you're gonna regret your decision in 6 months when the "lust" stage ends and you're stuck with an "effin" loser! :p The previews suggest that Jake returns (love a man in uniform), but guaranteed she's going to end up with the annoying, sleazy Wes - YEEHAW and YUCK! :p