Parenting Check In (Sep. 1)

ball.and.chain

Happy Labor Day!

Congrats to @trisholio and @trisholiosboi on the birth of Adalyn!  We hope she is doing well.

How is/was your weekend? Any new accomplishments, challenges or successes?

QOTD: What's something you did not have growing up that you hope your child(ren) will have?

Parenting Roster:

(Please let me know if you would like to be added)

@KH826 – Will born 6/4/14

@ATXmommas – Sebastian (“Ash”) born 11/21/13, other Momma is Z

@Wallace323 – J and L born 8/8/13, surviving triplets born at 31 weeks

@Trisholio – Proud foster parents to M born 2/6/12 and K born 8/22/13; and pregnant expecting a third daughter in September 2014.

@JGY – Gabe born 3/24/13, other Mama is S.

@Stringy813 – M born May 2013

@Filmfanatic82 – Charley born 3/15/14

@Mamosey‌ & @Karlamo‌ – R born 2/25/14

@2brides – G & C born 5/18/06, other Mom is L

@Jrtmom – Henry born 8/15/13, other mama is L

@Sarahtrpt – C born February 2014

@CageyMack – W born 3/16/13

@Themommymonster – C (DS) born 2/18/09

@Clairmeij – Alarico born 6/28/13, other mama is V

@Mystjava – Little Bear (LB) born 3/31/10, other Mummum is Shawn

@winstan1 – J (DS) born 9/10 (currently 3.5 years old)

@newmompeanut – N (DD) born 2/12/13, other Momma is B

@herbabymama‌ – C (DD) born 12/10/13, other Mama is K

@AmandaG47 – Twin girls born 2/22/14, other Mommy is J

@mwagner25 – Oliver born 11/27/13, other parent is L

@jazibel – Kaden born 7/13/12 and Owen born 5/2/14, other parent (Aya) is EV

@redrockmama – M born 6/19/14, other Mama is J

@ball.and.chain – B born 6/28/14

@Flygirl1228 – Twins 7/25/14

@KLeigh1‌ - S born 7/25/14

@2MamazInSeattle‌ - S born 8/21/14

@shameless370087‌ - Anthony and Sati, born 3/9/2014, Other mom is S

ball.and.chain

Ben had his 2m pedi appointment on Friday.  He is up to 9 1/2 lbs; however, he went down in percentiles (from 3rd to 2nd in weight and from 18th to 10th in height).  Our pedi wasn't concerned, but I'd rather those numbers were going in the other direction (or at least stable).  He is healthy and developmentally normal, though.  He got his first round of vaccinations, which wasn't terrible.  He screamed, but didn't take long to be comforted once they were over.  I didn't cry, but I did schedule the 4m appointment for my wife's day off so she can share the joy of watching your child scream in pain.   He was definitely a little under the weather that evening, just extra sleepy and a little fussy and lethargic.  We gave him Tylenol and he slept like a champ (as did we!).

The big development is that we officially took B off the boob.  He had been getting crankier and crankier at feedings; it got so he would hardly nurse for 5 minutes before screaming and I couldn't get him to re-latch with a new position like I had been able to do before.  He didn't seem to be getting enough to eat, he was fussy all the time, and I certainly wasn't enjoying any of it.  Since we'd been supplementing, we knew he took a bottle just fine and was happier afterward.  The fact that he isn't growing very quickly made me feel like he really does need to be eating more than he was getting from me.  Both my OB and B's pedi were not particularly sold on the tongue tie idea.  Both said that LCs seem to be diagnosing "a lot of tongue ties" lately, and his pedi said we could certainly get him clipped if we wanted but it didn't sound to her like it was causing his problem.  Once she examined his mouth, she was even less convinced it was worth doing.  We never bothered to have an ENT examine him, but I was just tired of trouble shooting the situation and concerned that we might have him clipped and still have trouble.  I had conversations about it with two friends who said quitting breastfeeding, while guilt-inducing at the time, was the best thing they ever did; I talked to the pedi about it, and I talked to S about it.  I was just ready to be done.  I am still pumping 2-3 times a day so that he can have a breastmilk bottle a day and I freeze anything that's left over, but otherwise he gets formula.  My nipples are already feeling better.

Otherwise we are really enjoying 2 months!  He is better about sleeping, better about hanging out somewhere other than our arms (bouncy seat, swing, play mat), more interactive, and very smiley.  I've gotten better at getting out of the house with him, either on walks or on errands or to see people.  Things are good!

QOTD: We always knew our parents loved us, but they were not demonstrative. They did not say "I love you" to us  and I don't remember being hugged or kissed much after we were little. I am going to hug and kiss Ben every day whether he likes it or not!

herbunmyoven

We spent the weekend traveling to see the grandparents. We got super spoiled because A's parents both work for the school district so they were here a ton over the summer. They head back to school tomorrow so this was our last hurrah! M did great in the car and on the ferry and slept like a champ.

Nothing major going on here...moving faster, "talking" more, and ALWAYS teething. A is starting to look into baby gym or tumbling classes for the fall so that should be fun. We were swim lesson drop outs because we started way to early, so hopefully being one of the bigger kids in the class will help.

QOTW:

Our parents were young and poor, but super loving. However, we were both pretty much raised by our grandparents. I just hope that we can find a good balance with more maturity/stability but less family support.

ATXmommas

Holy moly, it's Monday. It's definitely felt like a Sunday around here. We had a decent weekend, except I was kinda sick again. I don't know what's going on, but I started feeling really sore and achey again last Thursday (and my bronchitis has been hanging around for a good three and a half weeks). Anyway, the achiness slows me down, but today I woke up ache free, so yay!

I finally got around to buying Ash some age appropriate toys. We had tons of stuff for a 3-6 month old, but that stuff has been old news for a while. I hit up Craiglist and was pretty pleased with my haul. I bought a musical activity table (teaches English and Spanish), a sit to stand walker, a vtech teach and learn thingy, and a choo choo that moves and pops balls all around all for under $50. Win! I also bought another new toy from target. We had fun this weekend exploring his new stuff. Of course, his favorite thing to play with is still a wire or the remote, but it's progress.

He's balancing 1-2 seconds every now and then and taking several steps with his walker. And speed crawling. Everywhere.

Pumping saga - my pumping output was back to normal last M-W, but back to sucky Th-F. I didn't have to supplement because I was able to pick him up early a couple days and nurse rather than give bottle. Plus, he left some of his third bottle during the beginning of the week, so I reduced a couple of his bottles just a bit. He's eating so much solid food and definitely showing less interest in nursing on days that we're together. ( Makes me sad, but also relieved that I'm not going to have to keep up with his demand too much longer. Any nursing after 12 months will be a bonus for us.

I haven't figured out the art of putting my kid in his crib drowsy and letting him put himself to sleep, so every night I nurse him to sleep, then continue to sit with him for quite a while until I know he's knocked out - that's when I put him in his crib. This takes a good hour (what I'm doing right now). This used to work like a charm, but lately he's waking up and crying within 10-15 minutes of putting him down. Sometimes I'm able to get him back to sleep by sitting by his crib and patting his back (sometimes he's so sleepy that when he sits up, he just falls right back over), or I let Z go in and rock him back to sleep. This whole thing can take a couple hours. Last night Z and I really wanted to rent a movie and watch it together, but it's impossible. He's usually pretty good at napping at daycare, but I have lots of troubles with naps on the weekend. Often, I try to find excuses to be in the car for an hour+ to make sure that he gets a good nap - he always sleeps in the car. Other than his two rockstar nights last week, he's still waking two times usually. Not too bad, but I won't complain if he chooses to STTN again soon!

QOTW: Neither one of my parents were physically active. I never remember them exercising. I want to model physical activity for our kids - show them that it's fun and just a normal part of life. That way maybe it won't seem like such a chore when they are older. OTOH, I totally get why my parents weren't active (in the sense of physical activity). I find it really difficult to workout with my one, and they had the three of us, my step-siblings, and full time jobs. It's hard. I just hope I can eventually make it work.

2MamazInSeattle

My first parenting check-in! Woo-hoo! I hardly know where to start since my entire existence right now is taking care of Simone...

First off, Simone is awesome. Of course I'm biased but she is (I think) a 'good baby' - my doula said "you guys have a gem here." So I'm going with it. She's 11 days old today!

Breastfeeding is going really well - or so it seems. We had a few bumps at the beginning, but thankfully with the help of our doula who coached me a bit and had some good workarounds we got through. Simone was a little jaundiced when we left the hospital so we had to take her to a lab on Day 3 and Day 4 to get her billirubin checked. On Saturday the nurse called and said she needed to poop more to get it out and suggested supplementing with formula since my milk wasn't in yet. We were pretty heart-set on EBF, so I phoned a IRL friend who lives within walking distance who generously brought me 8 oz of fresh breastmilk! We finger fed her with a syringe another friend gave us after they had a similar issue bridging the gap until milk came in. The jaundice ended up being no big deal, but she lost a full pound (more than 10%) at her 4 day appointment... so I started pumping to get my milk in (finally, morning of Day 5!) - and then we'd finger feed that to S to get her going. She was super sleepy at the breast at this point and we were having to wake her to feed every 3 hours...so I'd pump 10 minutes, give her the output (1/2 oz or so) to wet her whistle and get her excited to eat, and then put her on the boob (which the let down already happened so she got instant food, waking her up a bit and keeping her interest). All of these workarounds ended though by Day 6, when she just started spontaneously eating/asking for food and has been in a pretty good 3-hour pattern (give or take an hour) ever since. YAY! I am no fool that things can change at any moment, but right now I'm feeling pretty lucky in the bf dept. I feel like her latch is not great on the left, and may see an LC to get a little help with that - but supply seems good (weight check again on Thursday at our 2-week appt.) based on diaper output. I'm eating 4 lactation cookies a day! Yum.

Sleep hasn't been too bad either. I usually feed around 9 p.m., sleep 2 hours or so and do a midnight feed. Then around 3:30 or 4:00 she wakes up and I take her to the nursery and do that feed alone (letting J get a solid 5 or 6 hours) and then sleep again until her 8 a.m.-ish feed. So all told I'm getting 7ish hours a night and overall feeling pretty good. J is suffering a bit as she is a crappy sleeper to begin with, but she's coping. She's off for 3 weeks, when she goes back we will make some adjustments on nights before when she has to work. We got an in-bed co-sleeper which has been working out great for us. Not what we planned but it's safe and convenient and we like keeping her close.

Otherwise, we decided to do disposable diapers until her cord falls off. It was really hard to negotiate the cloth with her stump, and it hurt her. We may continue to do disposables at night (a friend suggested this) and cloth by day, but we'll see once we get there.

She has a few alert periods, esp. in the evening, most days since Day 6 - lasting 2-3 hours. It's fun to see her aware and active without being upset. She's really pretty and I love looking at her (which is good, since according to my Total Baby app, I'm feeding 4+ hours a day now). She grabbed my hair for the first time today and pulled it! There's not too much else report on a 11-day old I guess.

Oh, we should get our genetic test back early this week confirming (or not...) her Trisomy X. It's hard to imagine there is anything remotely wrong with our baby...she seems absolutely perfect to us. I know if it's confirmed (which is the likely outcome) I will be sad all over again about it; just knowing she may have a harder time that her peers, etc. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. NONE of the common Trisomy X issues showed up at birth (small head, low muscle tone, epicanthic eye folds...) - so hoping that is a good sign, but not all babies have those things.

QOTW: Well, we're already knocking it out of the park by simply liking each other, much less loving each other. My parents did not love each other - though they did love us - but it was not a loving marriage. So having S feel safe and secure knowing that we all love each other is huge for me. For J, her family had no physical affection at all - no hugs, kisses or saying "i love you." As messed up as aspects of my family were, we hugged and kissed goodnight, piled on top of each other on the couch to watch TV, etc. - so having lots of physical affection is hugely important to J (but totally natural for me).

redrockmama

Hi all, happy labor day. I'm sitting on the couch breastfeeding M. He has been really fussy and cluster feeding this evening. I have a plugged duct too, out of nowhere, boo!

M is 10 weeks old, I can't believe it. He is having more awake happy time, which is soooo nice. I've mentioned that he is a "high crier" and has spent many weeks either crying, nursing or sleeping. Its been fun to see him be happy and smile a lot. He is almost laughing and it's the cutest thing ever. I was clicking my tongue and he copied me, so cool!

J is heading to D.C tomorrow for the rest of the week. I'm terrified to see how it plays out. The nanny is coming a little early every day, but I'll still have to take care of everything and go to work, ahhh!

QOTW: its sad how many people mention the lack of affection, but not surprising based on what patents were told to do starting in like the 50s or so (I think). That would be my #1 as well. I will always kiss and hug and snuggle our babies, even after they are grown. I brought up the lack of affection to ky mom once and asked her why. Her response was "well did you want me to hug and kiss you and tell you I loved you after you were 5?" I wad shocked and had no response really.

Karlamo

We had a busy weekend around here. It started off with R's 6 month appt on Friday. He weighed in at 20.5 lbs and 28.5 inches long. We have a big guy on our hands! The dr told us we need to feed him 3 meals/day which feels overwhelming, but I guess he can't live on bm forever.

Saturday we drove to Maine to visit a great aunt. The trip went really well. R did great on the 4.5 hr drive and got to take his first toe dip in the Atlantic.

Today we surrendered to the fact our baby is growing up too fast and bought him a convertible car seat, lowered the crib mattress, and put away the infant baby tub. It's all going by too quickly.

@2MamazInSeattle‌ sounds like you both are doing great. We used disposables at night and cloth during the day. It was so much easier to handle half asleep.

@Flygirl1228‌ gl at the pedi this week!

QOTW: For me it would be traveling. I came from a big family and we didn't go anywhere on trips. I love to travel and hope to have R share in that too. So far in his first year of life he's been or is going to Indy, Maine,SF, and Texas! I just pray he likes plane rides.

2MamazInSeattle

QOTW: For me it would be traveling. I came from a big family and we didn't go anywhere on trips. I love to travel and hope to have R share in that too. So far in his first year of life he's been or is going to Indy, Maine,SF, and Texas! I just pray he likes plane rides.

Good one @Karlamo‌! We just discussed with Simone all the places she went in utero! Also shows /concerts. We will take her to outdoor festivals and eventually shows.

2brides

We had a great weekend! The kids had their first weekend away - they went to the beach with their BFF and her family and had a BLAST! L and I away for an overnight and then spent the following day seeing movies/going out to dinner. It was weird not having them with us - but we kept getting pictures of all of the fun stuff they were doing and were so happy they were having fun. It was also nice to get a big chunk of 1:1 time with L.

QOTD: We are focused on letting the kids be kids (and not mini adults, as my parents did to me) and allow them to have valid feelings and emotions (vs squashing them, as my parents did to me.) We show them lots of physical and verbal affection (unlike L's parents.) So far, I think we are doing a good job.

KH826

Will will be 3 months old on Thursday! Hard to believe!

We had a great weekend. We went to my in-laws on Saturday for a big cookout and Will met lots of new people and got lots of love and attention. We were there for about 7 hours, and that didn't include the hour in the car each way to get there and then get back home. He did awesome, and he was soooo tired when we got home. He slept straight through for 10 hours on Saturday night. His longest stretch yet!

Yesterday was a little tough though... poor little guy is teething, and yesterday was just a tough day for his little gums. We ended up giving him teething tablets three separate times yesterday, and we also broke out the freezer rings for him to chew on - he loved those! He also now loves to chew on his blankie and also on our fingers. Yesterday there was baby slobber all over us and everything we all touched. Fun!

He really isn't digging tummy time, and we hate to just let him cry, so he hasn't spent a lot of time on his tummy consistently. I am starting to feel badly about that. His head control is great, and we do other things to help him work on upper body strength... but this kid is never going to roll over until he learns to not freak out every time we put him on his belly for more than 5 mins. I know it will happen when he is ready, but I am just being anxious about it. Because I'm crazy like that.

Other than that, life is good. Will is so much fun, and such a lovable, cuddly little guy. I just can't get enough of him. I had a harder time leaving for work thing morning. I said goodbye about 17 times... my wife just gave me this look like "Aren't you gone yet?" HAHA... I just remind myself that I can't come home to my family at night unless I leave in the morning... so out the door I go!

QOTW: Parents who stay together and actually love each other! This would have been a novel concept in my house growing up. My parents divorced when I was 2 yrs old, and I don't actually have a single memory of us ever being a family. I don't remember what life was like when my parents were together. My mom and I lived with my grandparents from the time I was 2 until I was 6 yrs old. Then when I was 6, my mom re-married. Her second marriage (which resulted in my two sisters and my brother) was highly dysfunctional, and I honestly didn't know what love was supposed to look and feel like (other than the movies) until I met my wife. I know that sounds pathetic. At any rate, I want our kids to know what life is like with parents who love each other and are together. I want us all to make memories together that don't involve custody disputes, child support arguments, sharing holidays, and shuttling kids back and forth between houses/families. I know plenty of people who have divorced parents who co-parented well and made it work for the kids. My parents just weren't those people. So I am not saying it is impossible, or that divorce = a bad childhood, I personally am just very excited about my little family having two loving parents at home!

ATXmommas

@stringy813‌ - thanks for the article. Great read! His sleep patterns, though not ideal, are doable about 80% of the time. It's nights like last night (woke 3x) that make me crazy (and cranky and tired). I don't think it's a coincidence that the two nights he slept really well were nights that we had a window a/c unit in his room while our central unit was bring replaced. It was only meant to be temporary, but I was seriously considering putting it back in until I got a nasty note from my HOA telling me I couldn't. Boo. We haven't tried a sound machine - maybe that's the next thing we'll try.

2MamazInSeattle

@ATXmommas‌ we just downloaded a white noise app on J's iPhone, or use a Spotify playlist called "white noise"... We had a few machines (J is a bad sleeper) but they all pooped out. I wonder if it was the cool air, or the sound of the a/c unit...? Anyhow just a cheap/easy/instant solution idea!

2brides

If you are looking for a good white noise machine (our kids still use it since our house isn't very big and their room is right across from ours) - get the one from Brookstone. 8 years plus and it is still going strong. We have the white noise app for travel too.

KH826

ATXmommas said:

@stringy813‌ - thanks for the article. Great read! His sleep patterns, though not ideal, are doable about 80% of the time. It's nights like last night (woke 3x) that make me crazy (and cranky and tired). I don't think it's a coincidence that the two nights he slept really well were nights that we had a window a/c unit in his room while our central unit was bring replaced. It was only meant to be temporary, but I was seriously considering putting it back in until I got a nasty note from my HOA telling me I couldn't. Boo. We haven't tried a sound machine - maybe that's the next thing we'll try.

We don't have central air (200 yr old house with old duct work), so we rely on a window unit in our bedroom. It has been on every night of Will's life EXCEPT for last Thursday when we lost power (see my TTT post). I was terrified that he wouldn't be able to sleep without the noise and the cool temperature. He surprised us and did pretty well, though we did have the window open letting in a slight breeze and a lot of street noise (we live in the city). At any rate, I am a little worried that in the Fall and Winter when the A/C unit gets shut off for good and we aren't sleeping with the window open that he won't sleep as well. I think we will definitely be purchasing a sound machine, and may have to sleep with the ceiling fan on, even in the winter. He kicks his blanket off every night even though we sleep him in just a onesie and it is nice and chilly in our room with the A/C blowing.

At any rate, I think the noise and the cold air definitely help with sleep. That is my working theory anyway. I will let you know how we do in the Fall... it may not be pretty!

Jazibel

I just put both kids down for a nap - let's see how much I can cross off my to do list in that time (after bumping of course!!!) We had a good weekend, the boys got to meet their other grandmother which went well, or as well as can be expected. We went out to breakfast, to the beach and to a playground at Golden gate park. It was a really warm and sunny day in San Francisco and I was so glad to be enjoying it outdoors. Owen turns 4 months old today!!! Eeeek where has the time gone? He's graduated to back carry in the ergo which is so much more comfortable. He and Kaden actually interact now. They play little games such as Kaden copying Owen's sounds, movements and facial expressions. Owen reaching for his brothers face or hair and Kaden playing keep away. Or Kaden bringing Owen toys. Its the best. Developmentally we're still potty training, still co-sleeping. Owens definitely more and more alert and interactive. He just a really jolly baby. Kaden's having occasional temper tantrums but for the most part our "positive parenting" techniques of distraction, empathy, etc. seems to be working (for now). QOTD: my parents weren't very demonstrative or verbal with their Affection & praise. I want our kids to grow up with lots of hugs and kisses and tons of support and demonstrations of love.

ATXmommas

Loved reading everyone's check in as always! And thanks for all the feedback on the noise machine. I'm sold on the idea. Will report back!

shelly2314

I would like to be added! I had her lovely twin girls, Elise and Oliva on Aug 19th via c-section. Other mom is M

shelly2314

First time on the parenting board!

How is/was your weekend? Any new accomplishments, challenges or successes? the weekend, well- we got to bring our girls home from the NICU so that was powerful for the both of us. That being said, the entire weekend has been a challenge. We are trying to learn the girls and how to be mommies and they are trying to learn us. Very stressful. On top of that, my hormones are raging and sleep is elusive so there have been many trying moments

QOTD: What's something you did not have growing up that you hope your child(ren) will have? there really isn't anything I didn't have that I needed. I was so beyond lucky. I want my girls to have all that I had, but I want them to know unconditional acceptance as well

mwagner25

Welcome to all the new parents! I have not been posting all that much lately but decided to check in this week, even if I am a day late.  I was a bit worried to say anything on here for fear of judgement but in light of our recent honest approach to the parenting check in I decided I should update.  

We have a big week this week because Oliver has outpatient surgery tomorrow.  He was born with a pre-auricular skin tag, it is moderately sized but flesh colored so I bet most people on here haven't noticed it on pictures.  To have it removed is an elective, cosmetic procedure.  The plastic surgeon who is doing the procedure does them before the child is 1 year with anesthesia or when the child is 8-10 and can hold still in the office to have local anesthesia.  We decided to have it removed now, before he gets school aged and possibly teased about it.  It has not been an easy decision given the risks of anesthesia and the fact that the surgery isn't nessecary.  I am still sitting here tonight drinking a glass of wine with a knot in my stomach wondering if it is the right decision.  I know that it likely is, but there is just that worry in the back of my head.  Please if you have any judgements about this please just wait until tomorrow afternoon (once his surgery is over) to post them. TIA. 

Other than that everything is pretty darn good right now.  Oliver is moving all over the place and developing preferences for food.  For example, anything green ends up tossed off of his high chair while every single blueberry seems to make it into his mouth.  He is also starting to have a little stranger anxiety and is less redirectable when he wants something.  I am sure this is only a glimpse of what's to come when he is a toddler.   

Jazibel

@mwagner25‌ - sending you and Oliver huge hugs and positive thoughts for tomorrow. (Btw - I know it must have been a hard decision, but I'd likely have made the same one. We all do what's best for our kids, even when those are tough choices). I hope you enjoy your wine and some good sleep tonight!

ball.and.chain

Jazibel said:

@mwagner25‌ - sending you and Oliver huge hugs and positive thoughts for tomorrow. (Btw - I know it must have been a hard decision, but I'd likely have made the same one. We all do what's best for our kids, even when those are tough choices). I hope you enjoy your wine and some good sleep tonight!

What @Jazibel said!

ATXmommas

@mwagner25‌ - thinking about you and O! I hope the procedure is quick and easy and you get loads of snuggles afterwards!

KH826

@mwagner25 - Good luck! I will be thinking about your family. Please keep us updated!

JGY

Good luck today, @mwagner25!  Please let us know how the procedure goes.

2MamazInSeattle

Thinking of you and little Oliver today, @mwagner25‌! Ditto on pp, I think I'd do the same thing. Hope it all goes well!!

mwagner25

Thanks everyone! We are back home relaxing. Everything went great. Here is Oliver before going into the OR. <img

Jazibel

@mwagner25 - glad to hear all is well. We have the wubanub too and Owen loves it.

Such a cute pic, love the mini garb ;-)

2momsinCA

@mwagner25‌ good luck to lil Oliver! I'm sure everything will go fine and I would totally do the same for my guys too.

I started this as a TTT post but it really goes here... I guess I'm ready to join the parenting team, along with all the other newbies this week.

B & O (boys) were born on 5/27/14. They are 14 weeks actual and 2 weeks adjusted since they were so preemie. Developmentally they are somewhere in the middle, hard to say. My wife is K.

We had a GI appt yesterday (reflux management) and both boys are gaining weight well. B is 8 lbs and O is 7.5 lbs. sounds awful tiny for 3 month olds, right? But having been born at 2lbs 10oz each, and their due date just past two weeks ago it's actually awesome.

My dad and his wife (and their 2 dogs!!) have been staying with us since Saturday and are leaving this morning. They have been a huge help with the boys but they need to go now. This cannot be a 4 dog household. Also my step mom always has really dirty feet as she spends most of her time barefoot and I cringe as I see her put them up on my coffee table. As soon as they go to bed the disinfectant wipes come out in force.

We had a beautiful set of 46 newborn lil joeys and grovia aio cloth diapers that we just sold on craigslist. We were so proud of that stash but it did not work out for us- both brands leaked on their first try (the boys are heavy wetters) and we have a mountain of laundry every day as it is without adding cd's in the mix. We have a formidable one size aio and pocket diaper collection for later when we are ready... I admire all the cd twin mamas out there!

The house is a total mess. K is currently working hard cleaning it while I lay here with the boys. It's a treat.

Contrary to expectations my milk supply has not increased since the boys came home a month ago. They are primarily bottle fed pumped milk so we can watch many ml they are taking (weight gain), and I just don't have as much time to pump. I'm breast feeding too, especially in the evening for their cluster feeding frenzy. It's just sad to pump now and get 4oz as opposed to the former 8. Beyond fenugreek and lactation cookies any suggestions?

Karlamo

Welcome @2MomsinCA1 You're right those weights are amazing for being born at 2lbs!  They quadrupled their weight since birth!

As for the milk supply, I'm using Motherlove more milk plus.  It's contains goats rue and other herbs mixed in.  It's working for me.

 Skin to Skin does wonders for increasing mild supply too.

Have you tried doing power pumping sessions?  You pump for 20min then break for 10 then pump again for 10 then break then pump etc... That might help give you more stimulation at the breast.  That's all the tricks I've got up my sleeve.  Good luck!

 

Karlamo

@mwagner25, glad he's ok.  he is so cute in that gown!