Eating in Public or Milk and Boobs Everywhere

Wednesday, 9 May 2007

Today the Sprout and I did our first attempt at eating in public. Lets just say, not so good. Fortunately it was at our very cool baby massage class (already found the magic way to help with gas), unfortunately for him, there was one dad there. Poor guy, didn't know what he had coming. There are some issues I have, the first is that Sprout really only gets in a good position when in the football hold. Helps her sit up more, which keeps the gas to a minimum. The second is that I have to watch her because she detaches, or will choke. I need to keep her from swollowing as much air as possible. The third is that I've got milk. My nickname in the house is the Milk Machine or Silver King. If I'm not careful, it goes everywhere. All of those issues, no comfy chair to nurse in, and I was flashing the world, and I got milk on my shirt, all over the Sprout, and the stuff I bring with to try and mop it up.
The only good thing to come from it all is that I found out about Hooter Hiders and because she had eaten, I had time to go looking for one. I didn't find one right away, but I did get a Baby O Nursing Cover that seems like it will work ok. The only real issue is that its silk, so it may not go so well with lots of milk. I eventually found the Hooter Hider, and it only took two visits to posh baby stores. Which, btw, is a good way to fall off of my accidental anti consumerism wagon. Especially when you add in a visit to Whole Foods as well. (they carry all kinds of cool baby stuff) Our big find there was a stuffed broccoli. Need I explain why?
Issues aside though, it was a good day. I'm really getting to the point where I miss talking to other adults, (other than ajd that is) and who can resist going out in public and having people tell you how cute your kid is. Speaking of adults, I'm really hoping for the plant sale, it will be a good way to test my Hooter Hider. :)

Its more than the cheese...

Thursday, 3 May 2007

I didn't realize that giving up dairy would be so hard. The worst part is, the Sprout still has major gas issues. Hopefully thats just an issue of time. Dairy is in the cream of mushroom soup I was using to make easy chicken and rice. Its in things like the cool sauce the serve with the sweet potato fries at the restaurant by our house. Thank god it isn't in mayo, or burgers would really taste like crap.
If this works, I'll be happy that the Sprout may actually be able to get some rest. If it doesn't, I'm having a cheese binge like no other. I expect Pusher's help. It will be bad enough that I should set a budget for myself before I go to Surdyks. It will also involve a chocolate malt, a blizzard (yes I know they are almost the same thing) and meat marinated in yogurt (because of course its grilling season and I have a lamb craving).

On another note, other than some online purchases of slings and a breast pump, I've unintentionally become far less of a consumer. Excluding things like diapers and wipes, of course. I really was inspired by Syl. I've bought a pair of capri's because I need something other than sweats to wear out. (I'm really hoping that I can fit in prepreg clothes after 12 weeks) Other than that, I haven't really gotten much of anything. That will change when Sprout outgrows some of her first set of clothes (something thats very close to happening). However, I've managed to save quite a bit of money. I no longer make daily Starbucks runs, I only eat out rarely because I lack the coordination of schedule to shower more than every other day or so. So, less money spent. I will splurge on a good haircut since the long hair just isn't working. Buts thats really not that much. All crafty spending is done because having cleaned out the room of crafts I know what I have, but I don't have the time to do anything with it. Hopefully these are habbits I can keep when I go back to work. Which would be nice, because we'll be bleeding money to day care.

The office chair rocks...

Tuesday, 1 May 2007

Stupid website froze my browser and lost my post.

The office chair rocks like a rocking chair, something that is saving my butt. I know I should use the swanky glider but that puts me to sleep too. Two and a half weeks old, and we're finally having one of those sleepless nights that everyone kept warning us about. So I'll take the opportunity to share some of the more amusing things about the Sprout. Keeps my mind off the screaming.

She may grow up to be a model. She's already has her first look ala Zoolander.

She snorts when she cries. I'm betting that she'll snort when she laughs when she's older. I can't wait to make fun of her. (I know, horrible parent for looking forward to laughing at/with my kid.)

When she smiles, which is mostly involuntary at this point, she already has her dad wrapped around her little finger. Something he willingly admits. I may have to be the one who disciplines.

She just made a noise like Chewbacca. Its one of the many really funny noises she makes. I wonder sometimes if we find them funny to keep her alive and safe. Otherwise, the upset stomach all the time would get really trying.

The benefits of first born...

Thursday, 26 April 2007

... are that your parents are obessively taking pictures of you. Especially when your mom got a 2 GB card for her camera and hasn't even filled a fraction of it. So you manage to get lots of pictures taken of you. And every so often, you get a gem like this. I seriously don't know how it happened, but we hit the genetic jackpot with the Sprout. And she makes the oddest and cutest faces, and the sounds that go with them are priceless. When those noises start meaning more than just I have gas, its going to be a hoot. Oh, and being the first born also means that your mom gushes about your on her blog, while begging the forgiveness of her friends for going so overboard. I just still find it amazing that I had any part on her. I may have pushed her out, but it still seems like a really good dream I am bound to wake up from.

All that worry for...

Wednesday, 25 April 2007

She gained a pound in a week.

And, I love our pediatrician. We picked her because she's a published sci-fi fantasy author. (Ok, I realize that its an odd reason to pick a Doc, but we thought something in common would be a good starting point) Turns out she's totally cool, understood everything thats going on with the Sprout. I've got an agressive letdown, she's getting too much air. However, she's gaining weight, and as long as the fussyness doesn't bother us too much, we wait it out. If gets to be too much, or she doesn't figure out how to burp better, then we talk medication for reflux. Something I'm sure Syl can help fill me in on if it comes to that. Its also been suggested that I cut back on the milk. It will be hard, but I think I'll survive. Soy lattes here I come.
The other thing she's a fan of is co-sleeping. Something we did because Sprout had her days a little mixed up, and I wasn't willing to let her cry it out. Turns out its good for everyones sleep. Its also something that seems to bother the MIL so much that she told GMIL and she had to call us and express her concern that we'll smother the baby. They can bite me, the Dr. thinks its a good thing.

Wouldn't it be great if boobs had gas gauges...

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

This is a breastfeeding post, just to warn anyone who wasn't prepared. Seems to be my whole life revolves around breastfeeding these days. Not that its bad, its really quite good.

If you bottle feed your kid, you get a nice gauge of how much they're eating. You still need to count what comes out of them, but not nearly as obsessively as if you're breastfeeding. If you're breastfeeding, you have no way of actually knowing how much food your kid is getting. The only measure you have is how much they poop and pee, and how much weight they gain. So, unless they have the worlds most regular bowels, and you have scale, some of it is guessing. You could have a kid who lounges at the boob, or you could have a power feeder, or you could have my kid, who takes turn being both. I know she's growing because of our previous weight gain, but its been a little over a week since my milk came in, and while she's outgrown a size of diapers, I have no idea how good she's doing. We have a pediatrician visit tomorrow, and frankly I'm nervous. She doesn't feed as much as some of the stuff says she should. I don't ignore her when she's hungry, but there is no forcing the Sprout to eat when she doesn't want to. To make matters worse, we've thrown up a few times in the past week. (no, I don't mean spit up, I mean puked) Nothing apparently to be too worried about, but enough to make me call the on call number for the pediatrician. They're not worried, but has that ever stopped me. I'm am the queen of worry. So tomorrow we find if she's growing at an expected rate. Not that it will stop me from worrying. In the mean time, I found this: Baby Scale

Dear Sprout, Today you are one week old.

Thursday, 19 April 2007

Today you turned one week old. Its hard to believe that that much time has already passed. I feel like I blinked, and its been a week. In your first week, you've already had what I am sure will not be the first health issue. However, you have been a very very good baby. You are growing like a weed (or rather a well fed Sprout). I know I may pay for it later, but I can't ever seem to want to set you down. If I do, I want your dad to be the one holding you. 10 minutes of looking at yourself in your crib mirror while I did laundry seems like it was too long to leave you alone. I obviously have some issues to work out before daycare, let alone college.
You are a squirmer, something I knew as soon as I could feel you kick. It drives you dad crazy when he's changing you. You like to suck on you fingers, even if you just ate. You have the longest fingers, and toes, and your parents flipper like feet. You have my sideburns. I'm going to have to start saving for laser hair removal now.
You are beautiful, and I am amazed that I had any part in your sprouting up. Today Sprout, you are one week old, and you are perfect.