My Vlogs Have Returned! Meet Mabel!

I'm back to vlogging! Finally! It was driving me crazy that it had been so long but here's my newest vlog and you get to meet Mabel!

*Don't forget to vote!*

  

There's A Baby In My Bedroom - What Doesn't Belong?

My pristine looking bedroom has now been turned upside down by a baby. Take a look:

 Look at this like one of those pictures in Highlights for Kids that asks to find everything that is wrong (or what people who don't have a kid might be horrified to find in their bedroom, lol):

1. Where's the missing bed skirt?  Hmm, there is no time to put it on when you're washing sheets everyday due to baby spit up.
2. My hoodie and tank top are laying in the bed...only a mom knows how to peel off clothes fast enough to nurse a super hungry, angry, fussy baby.
3. Baby Legs legwarmers up by the pillow...baby clothes end up all over your house.
4. White burp cloths...enough said.
5. Light pink Brest Friend on the bed...I will go to any length to keep Mabel happy and to have a successful nursing session.
6. On the night stand in the background...a breast pump and nursing pads.  Both of which I can't live without currently.
7. A travel pack and play...used as a bassinet.
8. A ghetto rigged Snug a Bunny bouncer in the pack and play.  Now, I don't suggest any of you rig yours like this (and I'll note, we went to great lengths to make sure it's safe how we set it up but of course the directions wouldn't tell you to put it anywhere off the ground).  This set up is the only way that lets me take a shower in our adjoining bathroom and see that she's okay.

 Am I missing anything else?  Oh and stay tuned, I'm hoping to have a new vlog up tonight!

Feel free to click and vote!  Easy peasy!

Today Was Mabel's Due Date

Today was Mabel's due date! I think only a small percentage of babies are actually born on their estimated due dates, and Mabel obviously decided to come early (which is also slightly unusual for first time moms).  It's pretty mind-blowing to think she could still be inside of me...but I have to admit, I'm thankful she's not...not sure my belly or my back could have handled that, lol!  If you're overdue, I feel your pain.  I have no idea how women do it, being that I felt like I was going to explode at 38 weeks!

As of right now, I've lost about 22 pounds...and I had gained 40 (sounds insane but my midwife said it was fine).  So I'm over halfway back to losing what I need to get back to where I started.  When I start getting caught up on my vlogs tomorrow, I will do a postpartum video discussing my weight gain and my plan of attack for getting back to normal.  As of right now, I'll admit I have a little Buddha belly.  If you've been pregnant before, you'll appreciate this:  yesterday I thought I had tightened my abs and when I went to go poke them...they were no where to be found!  Ha!  Surprisingly I'm okay with it...Baby Mabel was the prize...and I can workout in about 4 more weeks to get back to normal (maybe even a little better than before I was pregnant).  Yay for optimism!

*Thanks for everyone who has been voting!  We might have made it to #25 tomorrow!*

  

Sleepless Nights with a Baby - I'm a Walking Zombie

We're all feeling the sleepless nights...and I mean all of us. Take Tater for example:

This is how I feel...

 No one could have prepared me for how tired I would be after being up several times a night to feed baby Mabel.  But, I must admit that I'm surprised that I still seem to be semi-functional...but only in a walking zombie kind of way.  I've learned to change diapers, prepare bottles with breast milk (we use bottles at night since Miss Mabel likes to take forever breastfeeding), and pump all while in a sleepy haze.  My husband is even pulling his part, even if I do have to shove him awake and then a minute later re-wake him since he fell asleep before he could get out of bed to do whatever I needed him to do.  What am I going to do when he goes back to work?  Ahhhh!

Naps are also my best friend.  Whenever Mabel passes out from a milk coma...I jump on the chance for a nap!  Who would have thought?!  Naps are my best friend...

Welcome to Mommyhood!

 
*We're about to break into the top 25...click the link below to help out!  ;)*

  

Meeting With A Lactation Consultant

Breastfeeding has not been a walk in the park for me...or for Mabel. Before she was born I had the idea that it would be easy as pie and something that would come very easily. Well, boy was I wrong!  Sure, most of us have this romantic idea of breastfeeding our babies but a lot of us learn that it's a tad more challenging than we thought.  And these challenges run the gamut of not producing enough milk, baby won't latch, flat or inverted nipples...and the list goes on and on.  So you're probably wondering what my story is and why I had to meet with a lactation consultant...here it is:

Two days after Mabel was born, we had our home visit with a nurse from the birth center we delivered her at.  Shortly after asking to watch Mabel nurse at my breast, the nurse asked to check her sucking since she wasn't latching correctly.  Upon looking in Mabel's mouth, the nurse realized that Mabel was 'tongue tied'.  What's that?  Well, it's when the little flap under your tongue is too tight and restricts movement of your tongue.  This was preventing Mabel from latching and required a visit to the doctor to have tongue frenulum clipped.  It's a very easy procedure but as a momma, the last thing you want to hear is that your child needs any procedure that is going to hurt them.  Luckily, it was done quickly and Mabel was back to herself a minute after it was done.

During the time while waiting for Mabel to get her tongue clipped we had to find other ways to make sure she was getting the milk she needed.  I pumped like crazy to keep up my supply (I've been lucky and am actually over producing).  Mabel had been fed by bottles and a feeding tube (not a feeding tube through your tummy but it's a little syringe that pushes breast milk through a tube into your baby's mouth).  Basically you put the tube on your pinky finger, stick it in Baby's mouth, and Baby will suck it like she's sucking on a nipple...it's supposed to cause less nipple confusion.

Mabel still wasn't latching...the tongue clipping wasn't a magic fix.  So in order to correct this problem I scheduled a meeting with the lactation consultant at our birth center.  Our insurance through the military doesn't cover the whole visit but we figured it would be well worth the cost we would have to pay ourselves.  Shortly after the meeting started it was determined that Mabel has nipple confusion.  It's nothing that can't be corrected but it's something that will take a lot of practice and patience on my part (and Mabel's part too!).

So...what goes on during a lactation consultant meeting?  Well, both me and my husband went to the appointment.  The lactation consultant started out by having me remove my shirt and put on a Brest Friend (if you haven't seen one of these, you must check into them!).  We have a Boppy at home but it's always been awkward and wouldn't hold Mabel correctly.  She then had me show her how I would attempt to nurse Mabel at home.  We then went over better positioning of Mabel and ways to get her to the nipple, how to not force her to the nipple, and how to use a nipple shield.  After a bit of a trial...we had success!  The consultant was able to get Mabel to latch correctly on both breasts.  Now, I'll admit she made it seem easy...but at least I can see that it can be done.

If you need help with breastfeeding, I highly suggest finding your local lactation consultant and making in appointment.  It's very educational and I learned a whole bunch that I would never have figured out on my own!

I've tried breastfeeding once since we got home = epic fail.  Mabel was pretty much starving when we got home and pretty much fought the whole process of trying to nurse.  The consultant told us this can happen if she's very hungry since it'll make her easily frustrated.  We tried, like we were instructed for about 10 minutes and then just moved on to the bottle for that feeding.  I'll admit, I was upset afterwards and I think that's only natural.  The consultant made everything look so easy but my husband just assured me it's going to take time.  I'll push on and try again.  Wish me luck...cause I need it!  :)  I'll keep you all posted on this journey.

*vote!*

Mabel is 1 Week Old - Breast Feeding is Challenging!

Time flies when you're having fun (or a walking zombie due to the lack of sleep!)  Mabel is officially one week old today and I can't believe it!  She's been a really well behaved baby so far even though we are having a tad bit difficulty when it comes to breast feeding.  I thought it would be a breeze, but surprisingly it can be fairly difficult for a lot of women.  I have a lactation consult meeting tomorrow along with our 1 week checkup at our birth center tomorrow.  I'm excited to receive some much needed help on getting this little girl to latch!  I will post tomorrow more in depth on our journey of  beginning breast feeding, issues we've faced and what I learn at my appointment.  I figure I can share the wealth with some other mommies or soon to be mommies!

Anyway, here are some pics for you all!  :)

Mabel at 1 week old!

Me and Mabel

 

 

I Had a Valentine's Day Baby - Mabel Has Landed

As you may or may not know...I went into labor on Valentine's Day! I had absolutely no idea that Mabel was going to come early...but she apparently had other plans!  I plan on posting my birth story soon (and yes I was able to have her naturally, just not a water birth as I had planned) but just wanted you all to know if you've sent me an email or post, I will be replying to them as soon as possible.  I couldn't imagine how hectic life could be but I'm loving every crazy minute of being a new momma.

Some of you may have already seen these pics on Facebook, but for those who have not, here they are:

Mabel's First Moments!

Me and Baby Mabel...she almost has as much hair as I do!

 More pictures will be added soon!

*Help a new momma out and click to vote*