boobie confessions

I wanted to blog about this because I know there are a lot of other women who have gone through it, and want them to know it is OK. I know a lot of people are really judgy when it comes to the breast/bootle debate, and we as moms just need to be supportive of others choices, and be happy they are FEEDING their baby instead of worrying about how.

I have 3 children. With my first, she was jaundice. She wasn't too bad and was born in summer, so to help keep her from the lamp, when we got home we had to take her outside with nothing but a diaper and then suppliment with about an ounce of formula after nursing for her first week. I got some slack for it, and was so worried she would get "nipple confusion" that we fed her that ounce with a cup. Luckily her bili level went down, my milk came in, and we stopped supplimenting. But that week was stressful.

My second was the easiest. She was a total boobie girl.

With Vasili who was born this past Monday, he nursed well the first 12 hours. Then he was taken to the level II nursery for extremely low sugar levels. I was given a pump, and to bring his levels up he was given formula and an IV. I was devistated, because I knew he had to bring his levels up and quickly, and this was the best way. So I pumped on a 2 to 3 hour schedule, and they would bring a teeny syringe and suck up the colostrum (barely 5ml if that) and give it to him. When my milk came in, they would give it to him before the formula. The his bili level went up, and he had to spend time under the lights. He was in the level II nursery for 5 days. I was only allowed to nurse him for 2 of those days, and only twice a day. Everything else for him was formula, and for me it was pumping. I was worried he would not take the breast when we got him home. I like nursing. I know a lot of women who could not nurse because of situations like this. Pumping is aweful. It was bad enough I was a nervous wreck, home without a baby to care for, only able to spend short bursts of time at the hospital with him and not being able to hold him for too long.

When we got home this morning, He nursed pretty much all afternoon. I was lucky, even in the hospital he latched on really well and did nurse. I was greatful that at home he has nursed well, and so far I have not had to suppliment yet. We'll see how the next few days go. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

I will say that nursing is something most of us have to work at, not only with our first child but sometimes with each one of our children, because each child is different. It does take a while to get used to each child's nursing style. I wish I could say it was always easy. I do say I nurse because I am too lazy to fix a bottle :), but the truth is I am glad I have been able to nurse because I enjoy it. When nursing, just like when I am pregnant, I watch what I eat. For me, that says a lot, because I love food, and often love foods that are bad for me. Nursing keeps me in check.

Vasili is here!

What a hectic week! This past Monday our son Vasili was born!

Vasili Robert

January 17, 2011

11:01 pm

7lbs 15oz

21 inches

 

He is doing well, but has been in the Level II nursery because of low blood sugar and jaundice. He is still under the bililight tonite, but will be home tomorrow!!

Both my girls came home with me, this is the first time I have had to leave the hospital without my baby, and it is aweful.

Now to adjust to life with a new baby again! It's been 4 1/2 years since we have had a newborn in the house. The girls are looking forward to being helpers, and having a little brother to boss around. As a baby so far he has been really chill, but we'll see what his little personality is as he grows!

baby sewing

I stocked up a few months ago on flannels when they were on sale at Joanns, buying a few yards of boyish flannels but not knowing what I was going to do with them. Today I made a few things out of one of the yards for Bubba. The set includes a kimono jacket from the Bettsy Kingston Kimono Wrap Pattern

The amazing free pattern takes only about an hour to do, has french seems, and comes in 3 lengths. I did the jacket length, so I can layer it over a onsie and pair with plain pants.

Of course, if I have a jacket, I have to make stardust shoes cloth shoes that match! This has to be one of my all time favorite patterns for babies. I found the tutorial when Rena was a baby, and made her a ton. For this pair, instead of bonded fleece, I quilted the flannel with fleece and the lining to make a thicker, soft bottom.

Of course, I had a few scraps left after doing these two projects, and decided to try my hand at peepee teepees!



These totally make me giggle. I saw them in Motherhood Maternity a while ago and thought, hey, those would  be super easy to do... I might post the tutorial later, but basically I cut out big circles of the flannel, then the same size in felt that I had laying around, cut the circles in half to make cones and, well, here they are!

Baby Wearing

Happy New Year! We are waiting for baby boy's arrival and getting the new year started here. Since I lent out all my baby stuff, I have been searching and sewing for this little one. This week's projects so far have been a ring sling and a mei tai! I made the mei tai from a McCalls Craft pattern

I like it, I usually use a mei tai after they are a few months old. This one was really easy to sew up, and the fabric about $2 a yard at Hancock's.

The ring sling is from the $1 a yard bin at Hancocks. I ordered the rings from etsy, but they seem a bit heavy. I might undo this and order nylon rings if it proves to be too much weight. I usually use the ring sling at the begining, until they can hold their head up.

Other plus size moms who sew had told me to do the hot dog fold because it is more comfortable.

I have a few things cut out for this week if I get a chance, I have to get the sewing room in some kind of order before Saturday when my mom gets here to help with Bubba. Hopefully he at least waits until Sunday to make an appearance!