Aunt Rachel's visit
Sleepy baby
Monday, May 21, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Update this week
Greetings Everyone,
We have had the changing of the guard this week, as the Boones headed back to Ohio, and my sister, Rachel, has arrived from Chicago. She has been learning the ropes of being Aunt Rachel (neither one of us had much baby experience before Owen came on the scene) and she has been cooking us yummy meals to help out.
This week with Owen has brought many of the same challenges that the first week brought, and we are only on week number 3! Owen had some unusual changes to his how shall we say, "diaper deposit" along with some spitting up of blood a few days ago that warranted another trip to the pediatrician. This coincided with me having some serious soreness/pain when nursing. So, we had some question as to whether the blood Owen was ingesting (and he was, unfortunately) was coming from me or from his own system. The Pediatrician decided to treat both possibilities, so little O is on a baby dose of Zantac, in case the problem is acid reflux...and I was put on nursing hiatus until I had a chance to heal for a few days. Well, I finally got the boy used to nursing, and denying him that opportunity in the last few days has been an upsetting turn of events as far as he is concerned. There has been many hours of fussy protest about everything.
Today, I went to a support group meeting for new moms. My lactation consultant hosts these meetings twice a month, and offered to give me some extra consulting time after the meeting was over. I found the meeting SO helpful...hearing other mom's concerns and questions that were the same ones on my mind. I also found the meeting rather hysterical; 15 moms and their babies, all making noise, moving around, having individual conversations and one person attempting to present information over all of the chaos. It was a zoo, and I found it impossible to focus on any one thing. -that could be the sleep deprivation too, dunno.
My nursing consultant, Ann, spent time observing my nursing technique, and concluded that I was doing the right stuff, but my dear baby is clamping down on my nipples when I nurse. She assured me that the pain I was experiencing was not the typical dry/cracking skin that most women deal with in the first week or two of nursing...she described it as "crushing" pain, and what a relief to learn that I was not just being a wuss! She said that Owen may outgrow this method of nursing on his own, or that I might consider having some cranial sacral work done to help him release the tension in his jaw. I am going to look into that referral tomorrow.
I am back to nursing on a limited basis. And right now, I've got to go!
We have had the changing of the guard this week, as the Boones headed back to Ohio, and my sister, Rachel, has arrived from Chicago. She has been learning the ropes of being Aunt Rachel (neither one of us had much baby experience before Owen came on the scene) and she has been cooking us yummy meals to help out.
This week with Owen has brought many of the same challenges that the first week brought, and we are only on week number 3! Owen had some unusual changes to his how shall we say, "diaper deposit" along with some spitting up of blood a few days ago that warranted another trip to the pediatrician. This coincided with me having some serious soreness/pain when nursing. So, we had some question as to whether the blood Owen was ingesting (and he was, unfortunately) was coming from me or from his own system. The Pediatrician decided to treat both possibilities, so little O is on a baby dose of Zantac, in case the problem is acid reflux...and I was put on nursing hiatus until I had a chance to heal for a few days. Well, I finally got the boy used to nursing, and denying him that opportunity in the last few days has been an upsetting turn of events as far as he is concerned. There has been many hours of fussy protest about everything.
Today, I went to a support group meeting for new moms. My lactation consultant hosts these meetings twice a month, and offered to give me some extra consulting time after the meeting was over. I found the meeting SO helpful...hearing other mom's concerns and questions that were the same ones on my mind. I also found the meeting rather hysterical; 15 moms and their babies, all making noise, moving around, having individual conversations and one person attempting to present information over all of the chaos. It was a zoo, and I found it impossible to focus on any one thing. -that could be the sleep deprivation too, dunno.
My nursing consultant, Ann, spent time observing my nursing technique, and concluded that I was doing the right stuff, but my dear baby is clamping down on my nipples when I nurse. She assured me that the pain I was experiencing was not the typical dry/cracking skin that most women deal with in the first week or two of nursing...she described it as "crushing" pain, and what a relief to learn that I was not just being a wuss! She said that Owen may outgrow this method of nursing on his own, or that I might consider having some cranial sacral work done to help him release the tension in his jaw. I am going to look into that referral tomorrow.
I am back to nursing on a limited basis. And right now, I've got to go!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
The Boones are here!
It is a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and Grandpa Tim and Grandma Jan Boone are here to see their grandson for the first time this weekend. They arrived on Thursday morning, and will be here with us until Tuesday evening. They think Owen is really strong...he can nearly lift the weight of his head on his own already.
Grandpa Tim enjoyed a lovely nap with Owen on Thursday.
Infact, we all enjoyed naps on Thursday, since the Boones had to get up for their flight at 4 am.
Here is the first time Jan held Owen.
We have been keeping busy getting fans and air conditioners installed, since the weather suddenly got hot and muggy. We are all feeling much more comfortable now!
Owen continues to be very sleepy during the daytime, and more wide awake during the middle of the night. He doesn't fuss for long periods of time...maybe only for 1/2 hour or so a day, so really, the nights aren't that hard, other than just missing the usual sleep patterns we are accustomed to. He only gets upset when he is awake, and away from the activity of other people. Who wouldn't complain about that?
Here is a picture of me and Owen post-feeding. He is a sleepy lump, but so soft and sweet!
Grandpa Tim enjoyed a lovely nap with Owen on Thursday.
Infact, we all enjoyed naps on Thursday, since the Boones had to get up for their flight at 4 am.
Here is the first time Jan held Owen.
We have been keeping busy getting fans and air conditioners installed, since the weather suddenly got hot and muggy. We are all feeling much more comfortable now!
Owen continues to be very sleepy during the daytime, and more wide awake during the middle of the night. He doesn't fuss for long periods of time...maybe only for 1/2 hour or so a day, so really, the nights aren't that hard, other than just missing the usual sleep patterns we are accustomed to. He only gets upset when he is awake, and away from the activity of other people. Who wouldn't complain about that?
Here is a picture of me and Owen post-feeding. He is a sleepy lump, but so soft and sweet!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
life at home with Owen
Hello Everyone,
Time for a progress report on the last few days with Owen. Yesterday was the first day that Chris returned to work, and that I was here alone with the baby. I was really nervous on Sunday in anticipation of Monday, but as it turned out, yesterday was quite a good and easy day. Owen and I were able to go out and walk to the train to meet Chris on the way home from work. (okay, he rode in his spiffy carseat and stroller, I walked.) I am feeling so much better these last few days, like my energy is finally returning...and my swelling has subsided too.
Owen is very easy-going so far. He has one hour or so of fussy time per day, and some mild protests when he is getting his clothes changed...but otherwise, he is very amenable to be wherever the people are. He doesn't struggle to fall to sleep, and we are already having a lot of improvement on the nursing front.
I am having to get used to not being able to get much done around the house, but the quiet time with him is really wonderful.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Owen's Log: Day 4, 5, and 6
Monday, Day 4: I had a rough night! I went to my first pediatric appointment, and she was a little worried that I had lost weight, and my skin tone looked a little yellow. She told my parents to take me over to a laboratory in the area to have my blood drawn and checked for jaundice. OUCH...my Dad held me while that lady stuck my foot, and I think he wanted to cry as much as I did!
I was pretty upset after that, and the Doctor wanted my parents to keep me in the area of the hospital when the test results came in, in case I needed to get treatment right away. I took my first trip to starbucks, and it made me feel much better.
The good news was, my test came back with good results, and we were all able to go home.
I had a lot of feedings that night when I got home, but my parents were still worried, because I hadn't pooped or peed the next morning (that was nearly 24 hours after my last wet diaper) I drank a lot of stuff...so where did it all go? My pediatrician wanted to see me right away the next morning when she heard that I hadn't done any business in my diapers. So they put me on that cold scale again, and guess what? I had gained 4 ounces since the day before!...and as a special treat...I peed in my diaper just before the doctor arrived. I showed her!
Today, I had another adventure meeting a lactation consultant, who helped show my parents why I am having some trouble with nursing. It is okay, because Mom and Dad and Grandmas give me really good bottles with milk right now...and Mom and I are working on the breastfeeding in between for practice. That consultant thinks we can figure it out in a little bit of time, and with some patience. I am really close to getting how to do it, and Mom is going to be better at helping me too.
I have been pooping and peeing like a champion, even in the car when Mom and Dad have forgotten to bring all the right stuff in my diaper bag. Oops...they better learn fast!
Well, now it is time for me to be cute some more and entertain everyone. Here's a picture of me and Grandma Crystal:
Here is a picture of me and Grandma Retta.
I was pretty upset after that, and the Doctor wanted my parents to keep me in the area of the hospital when the test results came in, in case I needed to get treatment right away. I took my first trip to starbucks, and it made me feel much better.
The good news was, my test came back with good results, and we were all able to go home.
I had a lot of feedings that night when I got home, but my parents were still worried, because I hadn't pooped or peed the next morning (that was nearly 24 hours after my last wet diaper) I drank a lot of stuff...so where did it all go? My pediatrician wanted to see me right away the next morning when she heard that I hadn't done any business in my diapers. So they put me on that cold scale again, and guess what? I had gained 4 ounces since the day before!...and as a special treat...I peed in my diaper just before the doctor arrived. I showed her!
Today, I had another adventure meeting a lactation consultant, who helped show my parents why I am having some trouble with nursing. It is okay, because Mom and Dad and Grandmas give me really good bottles with milk right now...and Mom and I are working on the breastfeeding in between for practice. That consultant thinks we can figure it out in a little bit of time, and with some patience. I am really close to getting how to do it, and Mom is going to be better at helping me too.
I have been pooping and peeing like a champion, even in the car when Mom and Dad have forgotten to bring all the right stuff in my diaper bag. Oops...they better learn fast!
Well, now it is time for me to be cute some more and entertain everyone. Here's a picture of me and Grandma Crystal:
Here is a picture of me and Grandma Retta.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Owen Christopher Boone was Born!
Hello Everyone,
We are so happy to announce the birthday of Owen Christopher Boone, on April 26th, at 9pm.
Owen weighed 7 pounds and 15 ounces, and measured 20 inches. He was strong as an ox through the whole labor, and his mom was no slouch either. It was a long day...after a very bumpy car ride to the doctor's office (I kept my eyes closed to manage my contractions with breathing exercises while Chris drove us efficiently to our appointment) the doctor said I was already 6 centimeters dilated, and sent me directly next door to the hospital, around 10 am. Owen was born at 9pm. We had several twists and turns, but in the end, everybody did what was needed to get the job done. I have new appreciation for all of the mothers I know; it was the hardest day I will never regret!
I will write more in the near future...for now, we have our hands full with trying to teach him to nurse. Tonight, we had our first major success!
We will post some pictures of our new sweetie as soon as this blog site will allow (it doesn't seem to be working tonight, unfortunately.)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Still home for now...but maybe not for long!
It is just after 3am, and I have been up since 1am. I was having steady but short contractions (every 15 minutes, lasting for only 15-20sec.) up until we went to bed at 10:30. Chris got home fine from Connecticut, but was really tired from the crazy hours he had to keep the last few days. I was able to sleep until around midnight, and then still able to rest in bed until I got up at 1am. Sitting up, watching some TV and snuggling with the squirrels is helping to pass the time. My contractions are moving into the 10-12 minutes apart, and now they are lasting nearly a minute. Oh boy!
*that was another one*
So, the rule of thumb is that I don't go to the hospital until contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting for a minute, consistently for at least 1 hour. I actually have an appointment at my Doctor's office at 9am, so the questions is, will things progress slowly enough that I will just go to the doctor's or will I be walking next door directly into the hospital? Only time will tell.
I won't be posting any pictures...Jessie, you will just have to use your creative imagination!
*that was another one*
So, the rule of thumb is that I don't go to the hospital until contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting for a minute, consistently for at least 1 hour. I actually have an appointment at my Doctor's office at 9am, so the questions is, will things progress slowly enough that I will just go to the doctor's or will I be walking next door directly into the hospital? Only time will tell.
I won't be posting any pictures...Jessie, you will just have to use your creative imagination!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
