Goodbye to Breastfeeding Part 2

Things are going well, much better than expected. The first few nights of going to bed without breastfeeding, Jacob woke up at 5 in the morning wanting me. As I was not willing to wake up at 5 in the morning and also had breasts that felt like they were going to explode, I "gave in" and nursed him and put him back to bed. It helped me with the engorgement (and sleeping). This morning he didn't wake up until 7, so I figured I could get my lazy butt out of bed, too and gave him breakfast and some milk in a sippy cup. He wanted to sit in my lap and cuddle for a bit first. Other than the engorgement and sometimes feeling a little emotional, I'm doing well too. Some tricks I have used to help myself. A long soak in the tub and a heat pack on my chest at bedtime helps out big time. I also went and bought myself a new "regular" bra yesterday, which was a little treat for myself. Hopefully it fits when I deflate.

Goodbye to Breastfeeding

Hey all...tonight is kind of a sad night. Our nighttime routine has ALWAYS included nursing Jacob and then laying him down to sleep. I have been actively weaning and have him down to nursing once a day, very seldom twice. I knew eventually I would try to get him to sleep without nursing. Last night I gave it a try and he bawled and looked at me like I was crazy and I also felt like I could start crying at any moment to, so I scooped him up and nursed him. I think it saved both of our sanities.

So, I gave it another try tonight and he cried for about 10 minutes while I cringed and had to hold myself back from running in and scooping him up again and nursing him. I know I can't nurse him forever and we are taking a trip this summer and he will not be with us, so it had to happen.

It's really really a sad thing....it's hard to just stop something that you've been doing for 14 months, too and feels like we're losing a connection we have had.

Also, does anyone have any ideas for what to do about the engorgement in the next few days? Just live with it? I don't think I should pump b/c then I'll keep producing, right? Any feedback is VERY welcome.

Let's keep talking!!

Hi guys!!
Wondering if anyone is going to the park this week?? Looks
like a beautiful week ahead! LET'S GET OUT!! : )

Question for you guys.........had Gracie's one year appt - that went great!
We are moving to whole milk and sippy cups I guess??
What are you guys doing? I always bottle Gracie for her 2nd nap
and bedtime.......so now what?? Just a drink from the cup and put
her to bed? Just curious as to what you all are doing?
I can't believe our babies are growing so quickly!!
Thanks for your help!
Let me know about any park or SOCIAL activity!!
Megan

little party people

Hey everyone, we're having a birthday party for Alex on the 8th of June, from 2 to 4. Everyone is invited. If you're interested e-mail me by the 25th and I'll send you more information.

This Tuesday (May 13)

Hi All,

Are there any plans to meet up this Tuesday? Ani and I were so sorry to miss everyone last week (we had a photo session that went on much longer than anticipated), and we would love to see you all somewhere this week. If there are no plans yet, let's make some!

Gina

WE ARE ON!! : )

Ok - looks like I have this figured out!!
Gina......what a great idea - THANK YOU!!

Oh Leann........I am so sorry!! I hope you guys are
feeling healthy over there. I want to tell you about
our doctor who I LOVE!! The clinic is called
ALL ABOUT CHILDREN - and our doctor is Angie Busch.
There is another doctor there who we really love too - Erika Malvey.
They are a smaller clinic and I cannot say enough about it!!
They are located in Eden Prairie - close to the EPC.
Check them out out!! allaboutchildren.net

Today is Gracie's first birthday!! YEAH!!
Big celebration tonight - can't wait!!

Hope everyone can make it to the park tomorrow -
thanks Jill!
Have a great day everybody!!
Megan

Sick of Sick!

Ok, so I guess this is somewhere to vent frustrations, so I am going to do so!! Early last weekend, Jacob got a super runny nose (the kind that runs down to the mouth every time they breathe!) and was very crabby and had a low fever. Then, a day or two later, a weird rash started to develop.

So, I brought him to the doctor and they said he had an eczema rash. Now, I've had eczema my whole life and it didn't look like that kind of rash, but we listened to the doctor, went to the pharmacy to get the cream prescribed for the rash and hoped it would help. It was like little blisters on his legs, behind his knees and on his hands. The WORST part was that his left thumb which he sucks at bed and naptime looked like it was going to fall right off it was so rashy and blistery.

Hence the reason we missed ECFE on Tuesday...we were very sad to miss the last class :( We went back to a different doctor on Wednesday since I was pretty sure at this point that it was not eczema and had heard that George had hand foot and mouth virus and it had all the same symptoms. Then it turned out, not only did he have a viral rash (most likely the HFM virus) but also an ear infection and was put on Amoxicillin for 10 days. Our whole week was filled with snotty nose, sleepless nights, constant whining, no appetite and on and on! I was pretty sure I was going to lose my mind.

Then on Thursday night, his fever spiked to 103 so we again brought him to the doctor and they said he was fine. Outlook is good at this point. We think we're getting over the crud and about to get back to normal...

Then Saturday came and my husband developed a fever of 103 and as we all know, nothing is worse than a man who is sick (sometimes even worse than a sick baby :) and thinking he has strep!! AND now Jacob has hives on his whole chest and belly. So, it's back to the doctor tomorrow morning for Daddy's throat culture and Jacob to check and see if it's an allergic reaction to the Amoxicillin (I am allergic to Penicillin, so chances are good).

SO...that was our week. Eeks...I feel like health is never going to back to normal and after a week and a few days of caring for sick men and boys, can someone take care of me?! Do any of you ever feel this way? When do moms get to be sick or be taken care of like we care for our honeys?? Does the exhaustion ever end?

So thanks for letting me get this off my chest. It's just been such a long and draining week.

This also brings me to ask you all who you use as your babys' doctors? We go to Park Nicollet Hopkins Clinic and see a family practicioner, but I am thinking it would be nice to go to a pediatrician instead. Maybe we'd get better care. Any ideas? Thanks ladies!! And, STAY HEALTHY :)

Tuesday at the park?

First of all, Thank you Gina for setting this up!
Calvin and I are going to Junction Park this Tuesday at 11:00 or so, and we are wondering if anyone cares to join us? He is planning on eating woodchips and swinging in the swing, and would love some company! I will send out an email too, in case not everyone is up to speed with the blog.

Thanks Gina!

Thanks so much for getting this all set up for us! What a great idea. It'll be a such a great way for us moms to vent a little and celebrate our babes. I also want to thank you all for being so wecoming to Chaz and I. When I walked into the room that first day, I felt like I was starting MY first day of school, and you all were so warm and welcoming. Thank you. Even though I just got in on the last month, we really loved it & can't wait until the fall class. Hope you all have a GREAT weekend. I must go now as Chaz is pulling files & papers off my desk. You all know how that goes. : )

Upcoming Events for Moms and Families

I know we are all busy moms but always looking for fun things to do with our babes and families.  Here are some upcoming events and fun things to do!!  Please add anything you know about!!

Bartholomew's Big Barn Sale - Fabulous Antiques & Primitives

Rain or Shine (all outdoors, though)

Friday, May 2 8am-5pm  

Saturday May 3rd 9am-5pm

13630 Yale Ave, Hamburg, MN (45 min west of the Twin Cities)

Welcome

Hi, All, and welcome to our blog. The title was suggested by Candace; if you don't like it, tough. Just kidding. I had to have something to get us started, but we can change the title at any point (changing the url would be a bit more work). The "description" under the title is the best I could do right now. Again, please make suggestions, I am happy to change it or to scrap it all together. As for the poll on the left, I just wanted to check this feature out. Please make suggestions for future polls.

If you are reading this, then I assume you got the "invitation" to be an author. Once you have created your account, you can create new posts at any time and reply to posts by others. Picture posting is encouraged!

Could someone please email me (or post as a comment) email addresses for Amy Brookins and Melissa Sullivan. I left class today without getting a copy of the updated class list.

Oh yes! I must share a joy... Anneke went to bed without a big fight tonight. Hence I had the time to get this up and going.

I look forward to hearing from everyone all summer long (assuming that summer must, eventually, come to Minnesota), and I hope to see you all in the real world as well.

Gina