I'm done...

I have decided to quit pumping.  This decision has been at least two weeks in the making.  After struggling and many tears over nursing, frequent pain and feeling like I never got a break, we have decided to stop pumping breast milk.  Aaron has had issues with SEVERE gas for the past several weeks and we are attempting to rule out a milk sensitivity as the cause.  Due to this, I am not allowed any dairy in my diet, nor coffee, chocolate, onions, garlic, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, basically anything that may give anyone gas.  By the way, milk is in EVERYTHING!  Not to mention, I felt deprived of everything I usually eat and it made me just want it more!  I ate dairy one day and the poor kid suffered through intense intestinal gas for a day and a half.  I finally swallowed my pride and decided to stop nursing.  It wasn't fair to Aaron for me to continue to feed him breastmilk because, "Dammit, I am going to breast feed."  He was so uncomfortable and I knew that it was my fault that he was feeling so awful.  We've gone exclusively to a soy formula now, which we are hoping makes it easier to discover what is causing him such intense pain.  He's also taking an acid reducer to help with spit up, which seems to work at times and not at others.  This was a tough decision for me, but I know that Aaron will still be a healthy child, even though I wasn't able to nurse him and I, will also be much happier and less stressed knowing that I don't have to try to search for time to pump on top of feeding him during the day, as well as stress about the foods that I am eating and the time it takes to prepare and the cost of buying dairy-free.  I'm hoping that it will allow us more time to bond and cuddle and I won't feel resentment towards him for the extreme diet restriction.  What a horrible feeling!  While I didn't want to make the decision, my mom, husband, and close friend helped me rationalize the benefit of doing so and I am mostly at peace with my decision.
Now I am dealing with attempts to more quickly dry up my milk while being as comfortable as possible. I am pumping about 5 minutes at a time a few times a day to relieve some pressure and taking ibuprofen for swelling.  I've read about using cold cabbage leaves in your bra, as well as sage tea but don't think I'm going to partake in those at this time.  We'll just use ice packs, anti-inflammatory medication, continue to drink fluids and decreasing pumping as I am able.  Not enjoying dealing with leaking and the pain of engorgement but it's gotta happen some time.  Better now than while I'm back at work, I guess.  Anyone else out there got any suggestions for more quickly drying up, or easing the ache?  I'd love to hear it!

Nursing...a full time job.

When I took time off from work for maternity leave, I expected that caring for my child would be a lot of work.  I intended to nurse him as much as possible and expected to get some reading done and movies watched.  I did not realize how time intensive just nursing was going to be, not to mention all of the other cares a newborn needs.  Nursing has proved exceptionally challenging.  For something that is supposed to be natural and my body is made to do it, it sure has rebelled.  Now for the TMI section:  My right breast produces at least 3 ounces less than my left, every time, no matter what.  Strange, yes.  Annoying, hell yes. Not to mention...the latch.  Right, no problem, no pain.  Left, painful!  Some days less so but always uncomfortable.  In addition, nursing exclusively means I am up with him all night to feed, which occurs every two hours if I'm lucky.  No matter what I eat, my milk does not keep the little guy full.  Then there is the spit up and gas.  Aaron spits up...A LOT!  We've tried different formulas, siting upright after eating for more than 15 minutes(which has gotten him used to falling asleep while being held), burping more often, less often, sigh!  As far as gas, we've tried burping more, rubbing his belly, bicycling his legs and Mylicon. Mylicon seems to have helped but now he's constipated.  No poop in 4 days.  We've made trips to the doctor and are now eating a dairy free diet, supplementing soy formula and also taking a $55 acid reducer compounded just for babies.  Which is challenging to give due to timing.  Poor guy isn't sleeping very well either, as gas pains wake him up every 20 minutes and he thinks that he is starving.  We are starting to learn when it is just belly pain or true hunger, but are not always accurate.  So until we get this solved, we are waiting on a poop and bouncing baby to shake out the gas. If you stop by to visit in the near future, parden my selfishness in not sharing the baby for long and asking you to put him down if he falls asleep.  We are looking to get back on routine and its taking some time.  Thanks in advance!

Ringing in the New Year

This year has been a whirlwind like no other!  After our ectopic pregnancy in November of 2009, we were thankful to get pregnant in the Spring of 2010, which helped us to cope with the loss of 2009.  We both spent time with friends and were able to go camping with our families over the Summer.  The most eventful portion of our year has been the past 3 weeks, after our little man was born on 12/8/10.  We are planning on ringing in the new year by staying home and quite possibly a midnight feeding.  While this celebration may not seem very exciting, I know that it's all just a part how our lives have dramatically changed over the past 3 weeks.  Initially, staying home with Aaron, feeding and rocking and changing him made me feel so confined and stuck.  Over the past few weeks, I can't believe how much of a routine we are in and feel much more able to get back to our new "normal."  I was able to make supper the other day and I have only missed taking a shower twice since he arrived!  We've been thankful for lots of help from family and visits from family and friends as well.  As we adjust to our new life and toting Aaron around with us, we are looking forward to the next 12 months!  We plan to keep you updated on Aaron's development, our insights on parenting, and life as we have experienced it.  We look forward to seeing you all in the near future!  Best wishes in 2011!

Growing Boy

Aaron has his two week well-baby check today!  Boy is he growing already!  He now weighs 9 pounds, 1 ounce, 21 1/2 inches long and his head circumference is 14 1/2.  That means he's grown 1/2 an inch, his head has gotten 1/2 an inch bigger and he's gained almost a full pound from his birth weight.  He's gained a pound and 3 ounces if you look at his weight when he left the hospital!  I'm just shocked at how fast he has grown...and can't believe how fast time passes!  We haven't taken very many pictures this past week.  We've been attempting to keep caught up on bottles and laundry and feeding and napping ourselves.  We've been going to be around 7:30 or 8:30 every night...whenever Aaron goes down to get a few more hours before the next feeding.  He's been doing a great job and sleeping up to 3 hours or so after a feeding. We are getting into more of a routine and mommy is feeling more confident and capable.  Very important now that daddy has gone back to work.  We liked having him around for a week and half and miss him lots during the day.  Mommy gave Aaron his bath today all by herself.  Which was not easy, but we got it done.  We are planning on traveling up to LeMars over the Christmas weekend, Thursday through Sunday, but are keeping an eye on the weather.  Don't want to take any unnecessary risks and our first big travel trip will likely be stressful enough without weather to deal with also.  More updates to come as our family continues to adjust to the new life within it.

No one ever told me...

Things no one ever told me about having a child...
-I would get so teary-eyed over the silliest things.  My professor was so understanding and supportive letting me turn in my final paper late and asking to see pictures.  I am so grateful for such a great teacher!
-I would get distracted by 50 different things only to drop them all when my baby squirmed in his sleep.
-I would wake up every 15 minutes, worried he wasn't breathing or might choke.
-I would be excited about poop.
-I would wash bottles 4 times per day.
-I would turn the heat up and down constantly to make sure my baby was warm enough, cool enough, comfortable enough.
-I wouldn't care about spit up on my clothes, but I would rush to change my baby at the slightest drop on his clothing.
-I would stay home for days in a row and be perfectly happy about it.
-I wouldn't have time to eat, empty the dishwasher, brush my teeth, take a shower, read my email.

I'm sure there are many more things that we didn't know, but are continuing to learn along the way.  Like, it's okay if that load of laundry lays on the floor for a day...or two.  It's okay to snuggle and go back to bed until 10am.  A baby spits up... A LOT, but they will not starve to death.  Projectile spit up doesn't concern a baby.  They will go right back to sleep.
Our blog is likely to be very different now that Aaron has arrived.  I have not cooked a meal in over a week, which is strange and not like me.  I feel like I've lost a little bit of myself, at least temporarily, until we can establish a routine and figure out how to change our lives to fit everything else back into it.  Slowly but surely, we are getting there.  We've been able to take a shower every day so far.  HUGE accomplishment.  Today, I got to make coffee for myself, and I got to drink it before it got cold!  In short, we welcome you to our baby chronicles.  Hope you enjoy!

Aaron Tyler Haylett

After 13 hours of labor, Aaron Tyler Haylett arrived on 12/8/2010 at 9:33pm.  He was 8lbs 5oz and 21 inches long!  It was strange to see our new little man and recognize him from our sonogram!  So handsome and healthy!  His Apgar scores were 8 and 9 and he is soooo handsome!  We are absolutely smitten with him and can't wait to show him off to everyone.  Once we get settled we plan to put out the invite for the meet and greets to begin.  Should be soon!  Until then, here are a few pictures to tide you over!  http://gallery.me.com/bhaylett/

Best Laid Plans

So...we had our last doctor appointment today.  I say last because they plan on inducing me on Wednesday, December 8th, assuming that I do not go into labor between now and then.  They decided that if we go until due date or after, baby will be getting "too big."  At our appointment today, it was determined that baby is approximately 8lbs10oz, plus or minus a pound based on the ultrasound.  Heartrate was around 140 and everything seems to be growing well, with 3cm of dilation and good thinning of the cervix.  Yes, TMI, but you know you wanted to ask.  Since there is a possibility that this kiddo could be near 10 pounds next week already, they are giving me a choice:  Schedule a c-section or schedule an induction.  As our preference was neither, we went for the most natural, inducing.  We go in on Wednesday, December 8th at 6:30am for our Pitocin drip to start labor.  Assuming all goes well with that, we will meet our little one within the day or shortly into the next day!  I wasn't nervous until they gave us an exact date.  While I'm more nervous and excited, I also feel like I have a day to work up to, instead of leaving the office each day saying, "Well, maybe I'll see you tomorrow!"  I feel like I can plan coverage and concerns for my caseload and be "prepared."  As prepared as one can be...right?  I have a few things to finish up for class, but now I know my deadline and have talked with my teachers who are understanding and flexible in working with me for due dates and deadlines.  Okay...now back to finishing up my work!  Just wanted to update the blogosphere for those who have been anxiously awaiting the news!