Wow! I've been MIA for a long time! I'm not sure what my excuse is...other than pure exhaustion. Between insomnia and MG still waking up a few times at night I feel like I'm going to fall over.
I'm 12 weeks along today. I find that hard to believe. I still haven't totally grasped the fact that I'm pregnant again. This pregnancy is definitely a lot different. For one thing I don't feel like I dwell on it as much as I did with MG. I think that is mostly because I don't have time to think about it. My days are filled with entertaining a demanding 5 month old who doesn't nap and doesn't like to be put down. I'm also not nearly as sick as I was with Peanut. With her I could barely stand up without having to run to the bathroom. I got dehydrated and had to be put on zo.fr.an to help me keep food down. This time around I have spurts of nausea but that's really it. I think I've only thrown up twice and that was several weeks ago. I am thanking God everyday for not being as sick as I was before. That was a huge fear of mine when I found out I was pregnant. How in the world was I going to take care of an infant being that sick. Fortunately that has not been the case.
I had my first appointment back at the beginning of August (my next one is next Tuesday). It went really really well. I was nervous going in. I was expecting some rude comments about this being too soon and that it's not healthy or something like that. I got none of it. I was fortunate to be able to see my favorite doctor Dr. F. I love him. He did chuckle seeing me. He is the doctor I saw for my 6 week follow up. He was super nice and very happy for K and I. He loves MG and spent some extra time with our appointment playing with her. We got to haven an ultrasound and saw our little bean on the screen. Super cute if you ask me. I was happy to have K and MG there with me. We met with the Patient Care Coordinator. She has two children who are a week over a year apart. She said that she loves it. She said the first 6 weeks were really hard but after that it got easier. It was nice talking to someone with a similar experience. I'm going to be honest here. While I am so happy to have this opportunity again I am terrified. The thought of having a baby who isn't quite 1 and an infant is very daunting. I have moments of panic and moments of guilt. Sometimes I feel like it's not fair to MG ( I realize that is a ridiculous feeling). I think I'm just worried about how I'm going to handle it all. I didn't mention this on here but after MG was born I began having trouble with PPD. I was just finally beginning to seek treatment when I found out I was pregnant again. I'm scared of it being worse next time around. I'm scared because I really don't have any help once K goes back to work.
So while this pregnancy is better in the sense that I'm not so sick it definitely hasn't been smooth sailing. They checked my thyroid at my first appointment. I appear to be hyper again. This happened to me with MG. I went to the specialist and since I was nearing the end he decided not to treat until after she was born. Well I never went back and now I'm having issues again. I'm working on getting back in to see him. Its hard though toting a 5 month with you for long doctor appointments. I need it fixed though. I've been cloudier than ever and can't seem to think at all. I also haven't gained any weight...actually I've lost. I would expect that if I was sick but since I'm not I find that strange. The same thing happened at the end of my pregnancy with MG.
I'm also starting to have milk supply issues. While I still have enough to feed MG everyday it seems to be just enough. She used to be satisfied after only eating on one side. Now I definitely have to feed her on both. I've been trying to pump but I don't get much with that. It's not so much that there isn't any milk to pump but more because my body hates the pump. This is definitely where my guilt comes in. I really wanted to feed MG breastmilk until she was at least a year. I'm not sure I will be able to for another 6 1/2 months. If it's already decreasing I can't imagine that it will last until her first birthday. It makes me very sad. I love nursing her. I have never been one to think that formula is "evil." It absolutely serves a purpose. However, I would much rather not have to give MG any. I don't like some of the ingredients, I hate the smell, and I can't stand how expensive it is. Our budget is already tight enough without that added expense. I've looked into a milk bank but that is way out of my price range. I feel horrible putting a cost on things like this but we just can't afford it. I'm not really sure what do do. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
So now for my question...
In a few weeks we'll be starting MG on solids. We'll start her on things like sweet potatoes, avacado, bananas, etc. We will do one food every 4 days to make sure there are no allergies. I've been reading many many websites on the topic but I'm overwhelmed. How often do I feed her solids and for how long? When do I increase? I see that a lot of people feed their little ones yogurt. Is that ok? I thought you weren't supposed to do dairy until a year. Any information or direction any of you can provide would be wonderful. I'm so lost! :)
If you made it through all of this mess you deserve a cookie. :) Have a wonderfully blessed day!
Long overdue final update (such a good one)!
9 months ago
My favorite book about baby food is "Super Baby Food." It was my "baby food Bible"-- I read it almost (ok, maybe more sometimes) than my real Bible... :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Super-Baby-Food-Ruth-Yaron/dp/0965260313
Yogurt is different than drinking cow's milk... even cheese is different. Honestly, I have no idea why, but it is. :)
My biggest advice is to, within the first 3 foods you do, introduce something that relieves constipation (prunes, pears, etc). That way, you can always mix it in with more-constipating foods (sweet potatoes, bananas, etc). I've done the veggies first and the fruits first, and it didn't make a bit of difference. Both of my kids loved almost everything (peas being the exception at first). They literally eat anything now (3 and 1).
There's a chance that your milk supply is decreasing with early pregnancy-- I've had this happen to a few friends, and for all but 1, it came back. I'd ask your doctor if you're worried, and don't feel guilty either way. You can only do your best, and trust God with the rest!
Other advice about starting new foods: don't start them in the evening or on the weekend (or even a Friday). If there's an allergy issue, you wouldn't be able to get to the doctor on a weekday.
You CAN do this!!
AS for food - we always feed the new baby food when we eat (not the same food, but you know, at normal food times to get the body used to it)
ReplyDeleteAnd, Girl - stop over to my blog and read some back posts. I have 2 daughters who are 12 months and 2 weeks apart. Was is hard - yes. The first year was hard. Not really bad, AT ALL - but some hard times. For me, the worst part was I didn't really go anywhere for teh first few months because Tessa wasn't walking enough yet where I could hold her hand and carry the car seat if we were to have to walk from say, the car to the store. But, I have some tips for that now.
Now they are 3 and 2 years old (and we have a newborn) They are the best of friends (even though they are night and day in personality) i can't even tell you how happy I am that they are so bonded for life. It is almost a stronger bond than another brother or sister, almost like twins, because really, that is how they are being raised. They learn everything together.
This is a huge blessing and you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE having kids this close. Yes, it is hard. So, don't worry about not having enough love, that is not the case, I promise. The gift your daughter will be getting in having someone by her side (knowing what she is going through because they are in the same place) FAR outweighs having to give up mama's full attention a few months sooner than "normal" spacing.
Sorry for this really long comment. I just really want to encourage you and tell you that you are in for the BEST ride!
One more thought: Are you getting enough water? That could be an issue with the breastfeeding. Your body needs SO MUCH more water when you're pregnant already, and you're likely still pretty fatigued at this point... you may just need to consciously up your water that you're drinking each day.
ReplyDeleteI love the wholesomebabyfood.com site, as well as Tridentine Wife. That's a good one.
I get a cookie!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to read an update- we've missed you! I've wondered what you've been up to.
SO glad you're feeling better with this pregnancy!!! THat is WONDERFUL!! Praise God for such blessings- and hope this is a sign of things to come. My dear friend and I were talking yesterday about how crazy it would have been if our adoption had gone through last week. She has 4 that range from 1-5 (just turned five) and she says she always freaks out about it- but somehow it works. She says you can't imagine it until you do it- and even looking back you wonder how you did it! :)
Baby food: I was so overwhelmed, too! This is my go-to: http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/317-nourishing-a-growing-baby?qh=YTo0OntpOjA7czo0OiJiYWJ5IjtpOjE7czo0OiJmb29kIjtpOjI7czo1OiJmb29kcyI7aTozO3M6OToiYmFieSBmb29kIjt9
When I don't take their advice- I can totally tell a difference. Abigail digests food SO much better when I follow their guidelines!
I've missed you! Pictures of that sweet girl please!
ReplyDeleteI'm no help with baby food-we really haven't started Hannah on solids yet. Her little tummy just isn't ready.
You never know when MG could just be hitting a growth spurt and making it seem like your supply is decreased. If it does drop too low though, you could always start nursing her again when the new baby gets here. Although, then someone might think you're a cow ;)
I'm sure you've seen this-but just in case you haven't:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/tandem/links-nursingpregnant.html
Hello! Not sure I've ever commented before but congratulations on your baby and pregnancy! I did nurse through both of my last two pregnancies. The last one I nursed until I was 8 months pregnant, and my son was 17 months old. It worked out fine. sometimes I wish I wouldn't have weaned him and tried tandem. Maybe next time ;)
ReplyDeleteMy 8 month old doesn't eat much. One day I give him a vegetable mixed with either a hard boiled egg yolk or homemade brown rice cereal and the next day I give him fruit and whole milk, plain yogurt. Since he's getting older we will start adding in some more things soon.
You know, I just totally wing it with the solids. MG will be your guide as to how much. :) But I start with simply one meal a day (but it may only be a spoonful or two the first time, till she gets the hang of it). Then, increase at your leisure. She'll let you know if she wants more!
ReplyDeleteI had meds for PPD for the last two babies. You can do this!!
I am so excited for you. They will be best friends for life.
Ha! I was going to say "ask Beth Pack" since she nursed while preggers:)
ReplyDeleteEverything these ladies have said could be the case. Too little water, a temp increase while prego, growth spurt, etc. And more than likely, it's just the body naturally evening out since she probably isn't eating the way she did 2 months ago, you know? And as you start solids, you'll notice she nurses less frequently. My supply dropped a lot since starting N on solids.
If you really want to boost it up and do some pumping for later when supply really is low or you want to stop bf'ing and do bottles, I recommend fenugreek or a combo of fen, blessed thistle. Whole foods has a great brand called Motherlove. It's pricey, but still not as expensive as formula:) It comes in a tincture and I bought empty gelcaps also at WF and filled my own b/c it tastes horrible:) Major increase in supply!
wholesome baby food site is great! start small, she might only eat a few spoonfulls. in the beginning, it's about learning and exploring, not getting full. dr. sears has a great section on feeding if you are into reading (some folks aren't). i ditto starting with "easy" foods on the tummy like prunes or pears too. have fun!
I think fenegreek causes contractions and you can't take it pregnant...But I'm not sure....? sew
ReplyDeleteyeah! no fenugreek while pregnant. just extra pumping.
ReplyDeleteFenugreek helped me with supply. YOu could see if it is safe. I think your pregnancy is news to me (been in a tired haze) so congratulations! I have to say, I think it is awesome! As I know you know, there is no ideal time to have to little ones. Charlie was 2 when we had AJ and at 2 1/2 he became much more difficult and we were potty training and AJ started getting mobile. And yet, they are the best of friends already so there are pros and cons with every possibility. So very happy for you!-wheelbarrow
ReplyDeletedidn't know that about the fenugreek. Well heck....
ReplyDeleteWOW! I'm so behind!!!! I completely missed your amazing announcement!!! AHHHHHH! So happy for you!
ReplyDeletePraying that you continue to feel good, and I pray that your milk supply goes back up! Also, I promise to write you back on Facebook. Sorry it has taken me so long!