A little of this and that

Bear with me because this post is probably going to be all over the place for a few reasons... coherent thinking is not my greatest ability these days, my body is pumped full of adrenaline at the moment (more on that in a few) and I'm a little sleep deprived...

P went to the pediatrician twice inside a few days - both times for the same reason, but the first time we didn't see our pediatrician (for reference, that's Dr. L). On Saturday we took P to see Dr. M because he was having some feeding issues - namely choking while eating, gagging, pulling off the bottle crying. Initially we thought it was gas so we started burping him more frequently. This sad cycle lasted for 5 straight feedings prompting our visit with Dr. M. He weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and after a physical exam, we were told that everything checked out a-okay. She asked if we had ever given him a bottle of pure Alimentum (no breastmilk mixed in) and suggested that we do that to see how he responded - I had/have absolutely no intention of doing this. A few minutes later she said some kids just don't like Alimentum (so really, why would I give him an entire 2oz bottle of it?!)

We saw Dr. L on Monday. She also said that everything checked out a-okay. She believes that he is eating too fast or not breathing well enough while eating. Everything she suggested are things that we already do (with the exception of offering him a few sips of Pedialyte before and mid-way through his feeding - not too sure as to what this will solve, so we're not doing this either). We brought in a dirty diaper and he pooped again while we were there - his stool is blood free! We also found out that he will be on Alimentum until he is 6 months old (at the very least). So that means I am on a dairy-free diet as long as I decide to continue breastfeeding. I think almost everything has some form of dairy in it... but it's a small sacrifice and it's only temporary!

Speaking of breastfeeding... the girls are slowly getting better. I am using genetian violet topically for the breast thrush. I just started it today and my milk has a gorgeous lavender hue to it... but according to the literature I've read, you only have to use it for 3-7 days (hoping for 3-4 days!) I think Daddy is going to have a nice laugh tonight when he sees me pumping!

Now, for the reason my body is pulsing with adrenaline... her name is Jillian Michaels and she has this DVD... ... and I started it today... and it has kicked my butt... and I can tell that I am going to H-U-R-T tomorrow... but I need to get skinny again so I guess I have to be pro-active about it :)

Need to run for now... Thing #1 is calling for me :)

the girls, the boys and more

Oh my poor girls... they have been to hell and back with B and now P. Don't get me wrong, my boys are both totally worth the sacrifice but holy gees do the girls hurt! So far (in just 16 short days) I have dealt with double intraductal thrush, mastitis (left), multiple clogged ducts (right) for 12+hours that left me in serious pain and a possible low supply again... history is definitely repeating itself... but like I said, my boys are worth the pain.

On Monday, after the boys picture session, I am going Bosom Babies and seek out a supposedly magical little tincture (More Milk Special Plus) in hopes of boosting my supply. I've been pumping every 3 hours around the clock (with the exception of the other night when I went 5 hours without pumping... end result - lots of clogged ducts = FAIL) and I average about 1-1.75oz total. P eats 2oz every 3 hours - we've been supplementing the rest with formula. We started with Similac Advance EarlyShield.

I took him to the ped's office on Monday (12/28) for a weight check because lactation was concerned about his lack of weight gain. {Side note: we took him to the pediatrician for the first time on 12/22 [4 days old] and he weighed in at 6lbs 9oz} He gained 4oz, weighing in at a whopping 6lbs 13oz - the pediatrician told me that he was growing just fine. While I was there, I fed him and changed 2 poop diapers (one before a feeding and one right after). The second diaper was the problem one - I noticed a sizable amount of blood on his diaper. I pointed this out to the nurse and she took a swab to get a definitive answer as to whether or not it was blood. When Dr. L came out and looked at the swab she said "Ohhh that's not good. He has blood in his stool." She then asked what type of formula we were using to supplement with and she switched us to Similac Alimentum. I also have to cut all dairy out of my diet (I had NO clue how many things have some form of dairy in it... it's been rather challenging but I have to stick with it because I don't want P to suffer and poop out blood).

We're still seeing some blood in his poop but the pediatrician said by next week it should be resolved.

I definitely love being a mommy to the sweetest little boys ever. B is absolutely wonderful with P. On NYE, P's pacifier fell out and he was starting to fuss. B walked up to him, picked the pacifier up and attempted to put in back into P's mouth (love him!) Yesterday, we placed P on B's bed and B was talking to him and rubbing his head and then he wrapped his hands around P's belly and tried to pick him up. B is the sweetest, most affectionate little boy... when I see him acting in this manner, I swear, my heart could burst.

Life is good.