Thursday, July 28, 2011

Confessions of a New Mom Part III

I'm REALLY REALLY wanting to go to the beach!

Ok, that doesn't have a lot to do with being a new mom, but I would LOVE to take the kids to the beach. Owen is a little young, but Derek would have so much fun! He's constantly asking to go. Maybe next year when Owen is a little bigger.... In the meantime, I will settle myself with sitting in my backyard in the scorching hot sun with ocean sounds playing on my phone. :)

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Confessions of a New Mom Part II

I don't like my seven week old's personality!

I know that babies don't really get their personalities until 3 months or so, but so far, my baby has been nothing but ornery and fussy. He doesn't like to be put down. As a result he hates the swing, the bouncy seat, the play mat, the car seat (therefore the car also), the Ergo carrier, the Moby Wrap, the Baby Bijorn, the stroller.... anything that's not being carried in arms. He also has stopped taking a bottle, and spits out any pacifier you try to give him. Nursing only for this kid. Needless to say this all makes my life very difficult. He has about 5-10 minutes of quiet happy time right after he eats. This is when we play and I get to see his smile. But then he starts fussing and the fussing doesn't stop until he goes to sleep. Thanks to his current sleep strike, that isn't happening very much either. I know that this will soon pass, and I love my baby more than anything, but I really can't wait for that 3 month mark.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Confessions of A New Mom Part I

Welcome to my new series. Confessions of A New Mom. Now, granted, I'm not exactly a new mom, I've been Mom to Derek for a while now, but I'm the mom of a new baby, so that counts. So without further ado, here is Part I...

I Hate Breastfeeding!

I feel like this is something I'm not supposed to hate! So many people talk about how much they love it, but I'm just not feeling it. I breastfed Derek for 7 weeks, and gave up after bad information and formula supplementing depleted my milk supply to nothing. But deep down, I was relieved after I gave it up. I didn't have to worry anymore about wearing clothes I could nurse in easily. I didn't have to worry about sore nipples anymore. I didn't have to deal with engorgement after going on a date with my husband and missing a feeding. It was a little bit of a pain to carry around multiple bottles and formula when we went somewhere, but it was an small inconvenience I was willing to deal with. This time around, things are different. I have much better information. I am more educated about the benefits of and mechanics of breastfeeding. I don't have an excuse for not breastfeeding Owen, so I'm doing it. But I realize I'm doing it begrudgingly. My nipples hurt a lot at first. I have clothes that I packed up and sent into storage because there's no way I can wear them this summer. It would be impossible to nurse in them. I have to bring my pump with me when I go on a date with my husband so I can pump in the car on the way home. It's a pain, but it's what's best for my son. I am determined to do things differently this time around, so I continue nursing. However, I can tell you right now I will not be an EBF-er. One year will be my cut off point. I love my son, but I also want my body back. Plus I want to be able to eat pizza, and lasagna, and ice cream again. :)