For some reason I feel like blogging about something personal. I have other posts to write about all of the awesome family we've had in town but since I have to upload pictures first, I'll blog about what's been on my mind today and since before Jason was born.
Before Max was born, I was given several books to read about labor, birth, breastfeeding, raising kids, etc. The two books about breast feeding were, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" compiled by La Leche League and "So That's What They're For" (hilarious) by Janet Tamaro. both books were helpful and I am a proponent of breastfeeding so I felt educated and informed before I gave birth to Max. Well parenthood is all about surprises and the unexpected and little did I know that I would have milk supply issues as in not enough and I'd have to supplement with formula. I have hypothyroidism so I had my thyroid levels checked, I took a medicine, I took herbs, I drank herbal teas, I tried supplemental nursing systems, I pumped. Feeding Max, weighing him and pumping him became my life. It finally settled into a little routine until I went back to work and he refused to breastfeed anymore. Well the bottle is much easier so that's all he wanted. I grieved not being able to give my baby his basic needs but I was grateful for a healthy baby and I pumped what little I could for the first 8 months and supplemented the rest. I thought maybe it would be different with Ryan but it wasn't. I hoped it would be different with Jason and it has been (a bit). I had some hormone levels checked and found out I was anemic and Vit D deficient. So I have been taking supplements. I read this great book called, "Making More Milk" . When Jason was in the NICU, the one benefit was I had around the clock help from nurses or lactation consultants. I tried the supplemental nursing system and nipple shields. They also had me use Dr. Brown's bottles which have a slow release. All of these things have helped Jason nurse at the breast and take the bottle. I've overcome a few nursing hurdles along the way and was feeling more confident in nursing. Then Jase started being reluctant to nurse on one side but was still great on the other side. I continued to pump. Now he's starting to refuse both sides. I'm going to keep trying a little longer, but it's hard because I would love so much to give my baby something that is so natural and creates a beautiful bond between mother and child. "Making More Milk" talks about some of the feelings that mothers with breastfeeding issues go through and every feeling they describe is something I've felt before. It also gives a website called,
Mothers Overcoming Breastfeeding Issues (Mobi Motherhood).
Whether or not we're completely at the stage of just pumping and bottle feeding or whether Jase will nurse a little longer, I don't know. But I'm grateful for 7 1/2 weeks of nursing. I know that I've done everything I can and will continue to try unless he completely refuses. I've said many prayers during the different breastfeeding hurdles. I'm grateful for the help I've had in overcoming a few of the hurdles, for the blessing of being able to nurse my baby and that he's healthy.
I know this isn't a blog for the masses, but if any of my friends and family know anyone with breastfeeding issues, these books and the website are great resources.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
A Zoo Adventure
We met up with the fantastic Straub family to visit the Tacoma zoo last Saturday. We started out by watching a show at the outdoor theatre.
We climbed and played.
We visited the aquarium.
Action shot!
And afterwards we played at the splash pad to cool off. Again, not being a good photographer, I was too busy chatting with Becky and herding cats to get a shot of the tiger, the monkeys, etc. but they were there too, I promise.
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| From July 2012 |
We climbed and played.
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| From July 2012 |
We visited the aquarium.
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| From July 2012 |
Action shot!
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| From July 2012 |
And afterwards we played at the splash pad to cool off. Again, not being a good photographer, I was too busy chatting with Becky and herding cats to get a shot of the tiger, the monkeys, etc. but they were there too, I promise.
A Few Random Pics
I haven't been good at taking pics. I feel like I have a really good reason, but I do want the boys to be able to look back at their lives and see what they were up to. Here are a few pics when I remembered to pull the camera out.
The boys love to help water the plants and I love it when they help (even though my lavender don't need water). Max actually waters our garden by himself. There's only 9 plants but he does it.
And they love to pick blueberries.
Playing with friends in a sprinkler. They've also slip and slided several times. Ryan likes to drive cars across the slip and slide and call it a car wash.
Making mommy laugh while she nurses Jase.
We also went to the Arlington Fly-In. Tony got tickets through school and got to go on a school day in lieu of his classroom. He had to complete an assignment while he was there but it was fun all the same.
The boys love to help water the plants and I love it when they help (even though my lavender don't need water). Max actually waters our garden by himself. There's only 9 plants but he does it.
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| From July 2012 |
And they love to pick blueberries.
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| From July 2012 |
Playing with friends in a sprinkler. They've also slip and slided several times. Ryan likes to drive cars across the slip and slide and call it a car wash.
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| From July 2012 |
Making mommy laugh while she nurses Jase.
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| From July 2012 |
We also went to the Arlington Fly-In. Tony got tickets through school and got to go on a school day in lieu of his classroom. He had to complete an assignment while he was there but it was fun all the same.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Some More Cute Pics!
Jase saw the doc yesterday for his thrush and he weighed in at 8.5 pounds. At 4 and a half weeks he still weighs less than both big boys did when they were born. He is a sweet little baby.
Jase is looking thrilled at the attention. ; )
Sweet brothers. All so different but all so wonderful. Jase is looking like he'll keep his blue eyes. His hair has brown, blond and reddish hues so only time will tell how it turns out.
Here's Jase looking like a kung fu master.
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| From July 2012 |
Jase is looking thrilled at the attention. ; )
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| From July 2012 |
Sweet brothers. All so different but all so wonderful. Jase is looking like he'll keep his blue eyes. His hair has brown, blond and reddish hues so only time will tell how it turns out.
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| From July 2012 |
Here's Jase looking like a kung fu master.
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
Monday, July 9, 2012
Memories Made: Max's First Flight in a Small Plane!
Max is always wishing to fly and last Saturday he finally got his wish. We've been trying to make this happen for awhile but with Tony's schedule, the flight instructor's schedule and weather all playing into the mix, it took awhile. Tony had to do his biannual flight review and our friend, Eric West was his fight instructor. Max was VERY EXCITEDD!
Doing the pre-flight check on the Cessna 172.
And posing!
While we waited for Tony to get through the testing portion, Max took some pics.
Eric had a real headset and sunglasses that Max could borrow. He thought this was much better than his earphones and Captain America sunglasses.
Lulled to sleep by the airplane engine.
But he saw most of it and he loved every second. He was a very happy boy!
Grandma Kate, Ryan, Jase and I had the radio on so we could listen for Tony's voice and airplane number to know when they were landing. There's this perfect spot to watch airplanes by the Renton airport and Lake Washington. We relaxed in the sun, listened to air traffic control, watched planes taking off and landing (including floater planes) and met up with the happy pilots after their flight.
Doing the pre-flight check on the Cessna 172.
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
And posing!
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| From July 2012 |
While we waited for Tony to get through the testing portion, Max took some pics.
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| From July 2012 |
Eric had a real headset and sunglasses that Max could borrow. He thought this was much better than his earphones and Captain America sunglasses.
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| From July 2012 |
Lulled to sleep by the airplane engine.
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| From July 2012 |
But he saw most of it and he loved every second. He was a very happy boy!
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| From July 2012 |
Grandma Kate, Ryan, Jase and I had the radio on so we could listen for Tony's voice and airplane number to know when they were landing. There's this perfect spot to watch airplanes by the Renton airport and Lake Washington. We relaxed in the sun, listened to air traffic control, watched planes taking off and landing (including floater planes) and met up with the happy pilots after their flight.
It's Party Time!
Max's first friend party was airplane themed. Grandma helped out by holding Jase!
We played "Pin the propeller on the airplane". Grandma Kate made the airplane and we were going to have kids hold it with their head through the hole for a cute pic but we never got around to that.
The kids wore pilot goggles with paper over the eyes.
Instead of duck, duck, goose, we played airplane, airplane, helicopter.
We also played a relay where you pack up your suitcase and pass it off to the next person. We made paper airplanes and threw them and straw/circle airplanes. Max wanted another airplane cake.
The sandwiches were little airplanes and stars. It was a lot of work and I'm glad I had good friends who just jumped in to help at various times. Felix saved the pinata and Kate, Jennica and Tallie helped with the games/kids.
We're singing to Max while guarding the flames because there was a breeze.
Max was a very happy boy with all of his friends.
Max got to play with his friend Elena afterwards.
And their dads got to hang out for a bit and practice contact juggling.
It was a tiring but fun day! Thanks again Grandma Kate for helping make the party possible! Thanks again to our friends who helped make it fun!
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| From July 2012 |
We played "Pin the propeller on the airplane". Grandma Kate made the airplane and we were going to have kids hold it with their head through the hole for a cute pic but we never got around to that.
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| From July 2012 |
The kids wore pilot goggles with paper over the eyes.
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| From July 2012 |
Instead of duck, duck, goose, we played airplane, airplane, helicopter.
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| From July 2012 |
We also played a relay where you pack up your suitcase and pass it off to the next person. We made paper airplanes and threw them and straw/circle airplanes. Max wanted another airplane cake.
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| From July 2012 |
We're singing to Max while guarding the flames because there was a breeze.
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| From July 2012 |
Max was a very happy boy with all of his friends.
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
Max got to play with his friend Elena afterwards.
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| From July 2012 |
And their dads got to hang out for a bit and practice contact juggling.
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| From July 2012 |
It was a tiring but fun day! Thanks again Grandma Kate for helping make the party possible! Thanks again to our friends who helped make it fun!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Another Flight Museum Adventure
Ryan's favorite plane is the Corsair which has bent wings. He's showing the wings when they're folded up.
Max is taking over Air Traffic Control
Our mission was to find the name of this biplane that Max is holding. We looked all over the WWI exhibit and couldn't find it. At the end of our time there, we asked several people who worked there. One of the gentlemen told us it was a SPAD, but that's actually a French plane and we have a British one. Oh well, we'll find out someday.
Another fun trip!
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| From July 2012 |
Max is taking over Air Traffic Control
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| From July 2012 |
Our mission was to find the name of this biplane that Max is holding. We looked all over the WWI exhibit and couldn't find it. At the end of our time there, we asked several people who worked there. One of the gentlemen told us it was a SPAD, but that's actually a French plane and we have a British one. Oh well, we'll find out someday.
Another fun trip!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Grandma and Baby Jase
Going from 2 to 3 boys is a big transition and I'll admit that I'm in over my head. I was blessed to have my parents here, I floundered for a week and now I'm overjoyed to have my mother-in-law here. Yay! The kid to adult ratio is closer to even. Sorry, Tony, I can't count you because you're gone all the time. I honestly don't know how single moms do it or moms whose husband is away all the time, deployed, etc. My hats are off to them because I'm just anxious for Tony to be done with school so I can have him home a portion of the day! Anyhoo ; )
Grandma Kate came. YAY! Again, YAY!
Here she is snuggling Jase
We took the boys to a show at the library. It was the Starlight Circus--Alex ZerbeI didn't have my camera but here is a video of him. He was very funny and Max really enjoyed it. I think Ryan was a little tired.
The Issaquah library was across the street from the Salmon hatchery so we stopped by there. And Grandma and the boys played outside while Jase slept and I got tons of office work done. It was fabulous.
And just to finish up the great day, here is my cutie patootie with the cute turtle Grandma gave him and one of the cute turtle blankets she made him.
So cute!
Grandma Kate came. YAY! Again, YAY!
Here she is snuggling Jase
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| From July 2012 |
We took the boys to a show at the library. It was the Starlight Circus--Alex ZerbeI didn't have my camera but here is a video of him. He was very funny and Max really enjoyed it. I think Ryan was a little tired.
The Issaquah library was across the street from the Salmon hatchery so we stopped by there. And Grandma and the boys played outside while Jase slept and I got tons of office work done. It was fabulous.
And just to finish up the great day, here is my cutie patootie with the cute turtle Grandma gave him and one of the cute turtle blankets she made him.
So cute!
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| From July 2012 |
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| From July 2012 |
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