Breastfeeding

So some of you know my recent struggles with breastfeeding.  In the beginning it was great, Inoke latched on right away, my milk was abundant and we both were very happy.  I started back to work when Inoke was about 8 weeks, but only 2 days a week.  So at first pumping was just fine and I seem to be pumping enough to replenish what Sione was using while I was gone without any problems. Well that didn't last very long.. These last 2 months have been torture.  I haven't been able to pump very much at work.  It takes me about 25-30 mins just to get barely 3 ounces.  BOOOO.  So needless to say I have been very frustrated.  Inoke has also seemed to be getting frustrated.  He doesn't seem to be getting enough to eat.  Doesn't seem satisfied after eating and has been really whiney ;(.

I talked with my sister in law Adrian who works up at Primary Childrens and she asked the Lactation Lady what I should do to get some more milk flow.  Here is the regimen: 1 week of Fenugreek pills.  These are nasty, and I had to take 2 three times a day, blech, then 1 week of Milk Thistle pills, which called for 1 pill three times a day, also a gross tasting pill.  So there was hope, I was envisioning after I was done with this that I would have milk flowing and leaking and filling up bottles, so much I would have to sell some of it on KSL or something.  

No, my dreams did not come true.  I was still not producing very much and just as frustrated as before, so was Inoke.  I had to come to terms that I was "drying" up.  How??? My boobs were and are still huge, WHAT is in there, sheesh.

In the middle of all of that we decided to introduce formula to the little guy.  Well no one told me you should mix some breast milk with the formula the first time you give it to the baby.  It was probably the most dramatic thing I have ever seen from him.  I cradled the little guy got comfy and gave him the bottle.  You would have thought I was giving him poison! Oh man he gagged, coughed, spit, cried, yelled and stared at me like "hello, what were you thinking? Are you trying to kill me??".  Well that was a bust.  

However the next time, about a week later, 2 ounces breast milk 2 ounces formula, this kid sucked it down like a champ!!! So there was hope, my baby was getting nourishment and getting full belly! 

I have officially stopped breastfeeding and this little guy is loving the formula.  He's up to 5-6 ounces a feeding and still eating his carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, and rice cereal.  

My boobs feel so much better, I think they are shrinking,  I hope.

I want everyone to know that I loved breastfeeding and I will do it again, however now I am better prepared to know what's to come and I won't be as frustrated and sad as I was this go round.  I do love being able to give Inoke a bottle whenever, wherever and not having to worry about a place to hide or having to "cover up".  I do not love however the night feedings, it is so much easier to just whip it out, feed him and go back to bed.  

So there are many pros and cons to both ways, and I have tried both and think I have found a happy medium.  Inoke and I are both happy and no longer crying and being frustrated with each other! 

HAPPY DAY! 

FOOD!

Inoke has been the best eater! YAY! Let's it continues and he doesn't get sick of me shoving mushy, bland food in his mouth.  

CARROTS

PEAS

We've also tried green beans and sweet potatoes.  Such a trooper.  His dad is also teaching him how to hold his own bottle.  I say it's too soon, I want to have him still be little and depend on me! 

Thanksgiving Point

Danny's bestest friend Randy came into town a couple weeks ago, it was really fun.  I have known Randy since he was 3 years old! Now he's all grown up and has 3 kids of his own... CRAZY!  We went up to the dinosaur museum, such a great time, love those little kiddos.  Randy's wife April is a riot! She kept me laughing, love that lady!

FINGERS

Inoke not only has found his fingers, but he's found others fingers too.  His poor little mouth, I can tell it bothers him a lot, but I can't feel and teeth coming through, just still gummy in there!

Football!

Inoke's first football game, hooray!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

Look who's figured out how to roll!! yippee .... since this video, Inoke has now been able to figure out back to front then back to front to back ... so fun to watch!

San Diego visit

I'm posting a bunch of stuff all at once because our internet is finally working... for now....

Over Labor Day weekend I went out to San Diego to visit my friends, and have a little "sprinkle".  Dani, Cori and Debbie put together a little luncheon for Inoke so everyone out there could meet this handsome devil.

I was so so nervous for the flight.  It was only an hour and a half, but shoot that's an eternity when you have an inconsolable screaming baby! Plus I do believe this little guy is teething, he had a runny nose and slight little cough, so I was afraid the air pressure in the cabin was going to do us in! Sione took us up to the airport bright and early, 4 am bright and early ;) .... Inoke was still snoozing so that was a relief.  We got checked in, I checked the car seat, stroller and suitcase, transferred Inoke into the baby Bjorn, where he continued to snooze, and we were off to the gate.  Sione was allowed to go to the gate with us, thank goodness because man I was a nervous wreck.  We said our goodbyes, well I cried my goodbye, and headed down the jetway.   I got myself together and gave myself a pep talk, I can do this, I am an expert flyer, I love flying and so will Inoke!!! Dang it!!! Equipped with extra bottle, toys, books, blanket and whatever else I could shove into his diaper bag, we took our seat and prepared ourselves for the most enjoyable flight ever! Well here is a picture from our flight ......

It's really the only good one I could get.  He slept for all but 15mins of the flight!!! Yee Haw, he's the greatest baby!! He woke up just as we were starting to descend to say hello to everyone, then went back to sleep when I was walking to baggage claim.  What a gem!

So note to self always take the earliest flight out!

                                                                   John, Addie, and Inoke

Cori, Gavin, and Inoke

My SDPD friends

Here is a silly little video of my guy, please ignore the obnoxious adult lady voice

Such a great trip, we had a great time! Thanks Jacksons, Queens and Reschs

4 months

Look who's 4 months and loving it!

STATS:  Weight 14.5 lbs - 50%
                Height 26 inches - 90%
                Head 16.5 inches - 50%
It was a great appointment, Inoke got his second round of shots and did really well, of course he cried, but as soon as I picked him up he calmed down and slept for about 2 hours! Inoke is doing so awesome, he's holding his head up so well, sitting up in the bumbo chair, and such strong legs always pushing and wanting to stand! So curious about everything.  He is reaching and grabbing for things.  He is even figuring out what that pacifier is all about, so funny to watch his curious little mind and body figure things out.

I have been having some issues lately with pumping and not getting enough milk to replenish what Sione uses while I am at work, so I talked to Dr. Savage about my options and she suggested that if I think Inoke isn't getting enough milk from me, start him on rice cereal and add it to a bottle, or start feeding it to him after a bottle or nursing feeding.  So guess what, that's just what we did, and Inoke loves it!!! 

So now that we're trying rice cereal and liking it, maybe in the next couple weeks we'll, try some veggies..... stay tuned