Tuesday, March 31, 2015

One step at a time


After we brought our fourth son home from the hospital, I wondered when I would finally feel comfortable enough to leave the house again. Well, today was that day. Eight weeks after our baby was born, I decided it was time. It started out as a typical day in our house. I was woken up by our little ones on the monitor bright and early, changed a number of diapers, and then made breakfast. Where things diverged from the usual routine was when I pulled out their socks and shoes. You would've thought they were going to Disneyland with the amount of excitement they exuded. The hardest part was getting them restrained in the stroller. Their bodies couldn't contain their happiness. It made them difficult to corral. Once everyone was safely strapped in and I was dripping with sweat, we were finally ready to walk out the front door. It was invigorating to leave the comfort of our home and enter the outdoors with all of its endless possibilities and where adventures await. Each step further from my door felt like removing a tightly wrapped band aid. I was insecure, but I kept going one step at a time.   








Friday, March 20, 2015

Six weeks


Our little peanut is six weeks old. He has been going to the doctors for weekly weight checks. We were told he wasn't gaining weight at the preferred rate for a newborn. He weighed 7 lbs 10 oz at birth. He lost about a pound before we went home from the hospital. At his four week check up, he was only 7 lbs 4 oz. I quickly learned that my baby wasn't getting enough calories. He would latch on and then quickly fall asleep at the breast. I was constantly having to wake him to get him to finish his feed. In the meantime, my milk would be all over the place and not in his stomach. After consulting with a lactation specialist, I decided to pump every other feed and give it to him in a bottle in order to monitor his intake. She also taught me new nursing styles and helped me to feel confident and comfortable in those positions. Within a week he had gained one pound. After two weeks he now weighs 9 lbs 4 oz. One thing is certain, it's never too late to learn new tricks. I've nursed four children and none of them have been the same.  

 













Saturday, March 7, 2015

Do you wanna build a snowman?


This winter has been especially tough on our twins. Each day they watch their older brother go out the door with his backpack in tow, while they are stuck in the house. Temperatures have been in the record lows and the snow hasn't stopped. There is something to be said about the winter blues. It's a real thing, even in children. When the sun decided to show her face, we knew what we had to do. My better half spent thirty minutes layering our excited little men in winter appropriate attire. It had been a while since I'd seen the boys this happy. My cheeks hurt watching them celebrate their escape into the wild outdoors. I love my little snowmen.