How is/was your weekend? Any new accomplishments, challenges or successes?
QOTD: This one never gets old - what's your favorite thing that your kiddo(s) does right now? Any new hobbies/interests/words/movements/facial expressions?
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
@shelly2314 - Elise and Olivia, born 8/19/14, wife is M
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Re: Parenting Check-In (9/15)
Baby Oliver born 11/27/13
TTC stats with donor sperm...
IUI #1 with trigger, 1/4/13 - BFN
IUI #2 with trigger, 2/1/13 BFN
IUI #3 with tigger, 2/28/12 BFP EDD 11/21/13
Yes, headers everyone (thanks @MWagner25)!
LO: Gabriel, 17 months
We had a really great weekend. Last week was pretty challenging though. I was up with G (bad cough) most of the night Tuesday night, then got the call from daycare late on Wednesday that he had developed a fever and diahrrea. Because of that combo, I had to keep him home Thursday which was great in that I got to spend the whole day with him, but also really difficult because he felt fine and was SUPER active (as was the dog). Anyway, we managed to get to the playground twice and get a haircut, and then Mama S got home and relieved me for a bit.
While it was really cold and gray on Thursday, this weekend was freaking GORGEOUS! We went the playground both days and G was a crazy man. He climbed this all by himself:
Then, he climbed THIS:
Unreal.
On Saturday evening, we got a babysitter who our dog knows and loves, and we went to a wedding. The wedding was great and we had a blast, but the nicest part was being able to come straight home and not have to pick G up at someone else's place. It was awesome.
Then last night we went out to dinner, which we don't do often because G is just so active and it can be a really painful experience. But it was great! He used crayons to color for a while, and then sat and put them in and out of the box for about 10 minutes. Add in a beer, and it was Mommy heaven.
QOTD: I think my favorite thing right now are the things that G says. His first real sentence (not always applied properly, but who cares) is "I did it!" His other favorite word? "Poop." This is, unfortunately, a statement of fact and not a predicition of what is to come. But we're working on it.
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Will is 3 months (14.5 weeks to be exact)!
We had a great weekend. On Saturday we went out to lunch (our first sit down restaurant just the three of us!), then we went and did a big Target trip (a month's supply of formula, diapers, etc.), followed by a trip to the grocery store. When we got home we just hung out mostly, which was nice. Yesterday my mother-in-law came over and we went and did some Fall clothes shopping for Will. She wanted to buy him some clothes in the worst way, but she wanted us to pick out what he needed and what we liked (Thank you, Momma H!). We also went out to lunch while we were out with her. We had fun and Will got some super cute stuff from Baby Gap! We headed home in time for an afternoon nap, and got pumpkin coffee on the way (yum!). Then Will had a super fantastic tummy time. After my mother-in-law left Will took a nap on me, which was awesome, then I did some laundry and a few other chores to get ready for the week. The weekend was great, but it went by super fast. Will was a rock star both days, and enjoyed being out and about with us. No tears -- I continue to be impressed by this kiddo. As long as he has a full tummy, and his Moms to pay attention to when he needs to be held, changed, nap, etc., he just goes with the flow and enjoys the day with us. We are so lucky!
QOTD: Will currently does what I call "singing," when I sing his favorite song (You are My Sunshine) and he is tired. I rock him and sing it on repeat and he vocalizes along with me. It isn't crying... not sure what else to call it really. It is the sweetest thing. I finally captured it on video last night before bed time. Not sure I know how to post a video here (If that is possible), or I would share it...
Me - 30, My wife - 31 , Together for 10 yrs - Married August 2012
5 medicated IUIs w/ RE (March - July 2013) = BFN
Fresh IVF Cycle in September 2013 resulted in 18 mature eggs, 16 fertilized, 12 made it to day 5. Transfer of 2 Grade A blastocysts on 9/15/13, and 10 embryos in the freezer! *****BFP on 9/25/13 - betas: @10dp5dt = 232; @12dp5dt = 465; @15dp5dt = 1,581 *********William George born June 4, 2014*********R is 6 months!
The weekend was alright. I worked Saturday so my wife took R to his first swim class. He was the youngest one there and the most active in the pool. He a LOVED the water and kept splashing the other kids/parents. We are constantly being reminded what an active/alert kid we have. @JGY, I think you said G was this way. I think R is following suit. He's crawling everywhere and is wanting to stand up. It's exhausting keeping an eye on him. I left him alone for 10 sec and I came back in with him holding the fireplace poker!!
No teeth yet but he has been crying at night more than usual so we assume it's teething. I really want those teeth to poke through. We can see 4 "buds" that are swollen. Who knew teething took so darn long. I thought at 4 months he was teething and they'd be in by now.
@shameless370087, we're in the same no sleep boat. It's getting old real fast! I try to be zen about it but it's hard functioning on no sleep.
QOTW: R likes to see his reflection in the dishwasher and it's so cute to watch him kiss himself.
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Nothing new to report. Except my pumkin STTN again on Friday night! Z woke up super early to go run and suggested that I go ahead and feed him in hope that he would sleep in. So, I gave him a dream feed at 4:30am and sweet boy went back to sleep until 8:30am. It was amazing! We've been back to multiple night wakings in the couple nights since then, but I'll take what I can get!
In other news, I noticed one of his ears is draining again. Ugh. Poor boy and his ear infections. At least with the tubes he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.
I also only pumped one ounce during my first pump of the day. WTF? I had to fast this morning because I had my annual physical and had my blood drawn. Hopefully that was the reason. My pumping has been decent - along with decreasing his daytime bottles by 1.5 ounces total (.5/bottle), I've been able to mostly keep up. I only used one bag of donor milk all last week. It's times like this morning that make me want to hang my hat up on this pumping business. But then I try to remember that I can't make a decision based on one bad pump. Darn, this stuff is stressful! Getting closer to the 1 year mark, though, and for that I am grateful.
QOTD: I get the biggest kick out if watching him eat. He loves to feed himself and this boy LOVES to eat! He has a healthy appetite like his mommas. And liked all the foods like his mommas. And his laugh. Oh my goodness, he has a sweet laugh. We have a game we play before bedtime sometimes. I put him in his crib and we kiss between the bars. By kiss, I mean he opens his mouth up wide while I give him an actual kiss. I exaggerate and making the kissing noise really loudly. He thinks it is the funniest thing in the world.
Hey @kleigh1, how is your son liking college? He's playing BBall, right? How's that going?
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
CageyMack
37, married to my favorite person in the world, DW! One darling surfer-girl (12) and one darling, sweet boy born 3/16/13.
5/2013 Started TTC #3, DW's turn: 5/2013: Diagnostics (shg) and surgery (polyp rem.) for best chances. July-Oct: IUI # 1-4, medicated, monitored, triggered. All BFN. IVF in Jan May. Sheesh. Whoop! IVF#1 cycle started 4/2/14. 5/1: 19 eggs retrieved, 8 matured, ICSI'd. 4 fertilized. Only 2 to transfer/freeze stage. 5/6: Two embryos transferred. 5/15: Beta #1 9dp5dt is 134! BFP! 5/19: Beta #2 13dp5dt is 672! B'erFP! 5/21: Beta #3 15dp5dt is 1853. Yay!
"Things separate from their stories have no meaning. They are only shapes. Of a certain size and color. A certain weight. When their meaning has become lost to us they no longer have even a name. The story on the other hand can never be lost from its place in the world for it is that place.” ― Cormac McCarthy, The Crossing
The only thing I might suggest is to pump one side while nursing on the other. Even if O nurses on both sides, he should still be able to get milk from the side you just pumped. At least for me, Ash seems happy with nursing even if I recently pumped, though if I tried to pump shortly after I nursed, I wouldn't be able to pump that much. The babies are so much more effective at getting milk out than the pump.
Also, I would think that 5oz is plenty of milk for the timeframe you were gone. Does E know about paced feeding? Kellymom has good resources on it. That might help.
The big news is that B had a trial run for daycare today. The woman who runs the daycare suggested it, and I think it was a great idea. He went in from 8 am to 10 am, and we all did fine. The minute we walked in, the daycare provider's elderly mom (who helps out but is not part of the teacher ratio) took him in her arms and cuddled him and he was perfectly content. They told us she looooves little babies and I suspect she didn't put him down most of the time which is fine by me! I was worried about the fact that he really doesn't like to lie down to sleep by himself -- he wants to be held all the time -- but our daycare provider just said some babies are like that and he is still too little to change it. He goes back next Monday for three hours, then the following Monday I go back to work and he goes for full days. Yikes!
Otherwise, he is doing well. He was 9.5 lbs at his 2m appointment, which is when I stopped bfing and put him on formula for all but one bottle a day. I've weighed him a couple of times since then and I'm pretty sure he's nearing 11 lbs which is great! We fully intend to sleep train when he is old enough, so I've started reading up on various methods. So far I've realized he's probably not getting enough sleep during the day. Since he mostly only sleeps on us, and is a light sleeper, he wakes up when: we sneeze or cough, or he gets passed from one person to the other, or we reposition ourselves, or something loud happens, etc. So instead of getting solid 1-2 hour naps, he gets little 20 minute naps here and there -- and it doesn't add up to much.
QOTW: His smiles still get me!
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
@ATXmommas- I spilled 2 oz yesterday and really beat myself up over it. I felt so clumsy and awful.
@jazibel- I built my freezer supply before the boys came home and now I just use it up but if I were ever to add to it again I would add at least two pumps a day, (for me it would mean) pumping about every 2 hours (I do every 3 now) or so during waking hours and every 4 at night. Also pumping after you breast feed helps with production. I wish I could do that. I have to hold the babies up right after every feed. Even if there's very little left to pump out after Owen feeds it's the concept that extra pumping today is "putting in an order" for more milk tomorrow. It also helps you get to the second let down like @jrtmom mentioned.
As for us, it's hot. So hot we don't leave the house during the day. In the evening we've been trying to go for walks around the marina with the boys in their carriers, which they prefer to the stroller. But it's even too hot for that tonight. The boys are doing well, staying awake for fairly long stretches and sleeping for long stretches- typically about 6 hours at night which is wonderful. The weekend was quiet, my mom came over and was extremely helpful and great with the boys. My dad and his wife are coming tomorrow, also huge helpers when they are here.
QOTD: orienting to toys and O is very smiley. B smiles when he feels like it, but his engagement with toys and eye contact and gaze following objects is very good.
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
During the day they typically take 3-4oz of expressed milk every 3-4 hours with breast feeding snacks whenever they want, and O always wants. When I've tried to EBF with O (B prefers his bottles) he gets hungry sooner- he just doesn't get as much milk as quickly with as little effort (expending calories) from my boob as he does from a bottle.
A & K, married 7/1/13.
After 10 months of ttc via medicated IUIs and two early losses, we finally got our boys- Perfect premie twins born 5/27/14.
We started 3 meals a day about a week ago, but Ash is very interested in food. Have you tried finger foods and spoon feeding? My friend's daughter goes through spells of wanting purées and then wanting finger foods. Ash loves beans, tomatoes, veggie patties, hummus, and just about all fruit. We give him the sprouted whole grain bred that we eat and he gobbles that up too.
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Well our top story continues to be breastfeeding/feeding in general. However, I'll start by saying things are going much better and as of two days ago, Simone is back to birth weight! (At 25 days old...she was 8 lb,14 oz!)). We rented a scale from the newborn center at our hospital and that was the best decision ever. It's allowed me to feed from the breast instead of having to pump to see how much she's getting, and for us to keep really good track. And, it seems my production is up a bit to about 2 oz per feed! Thanks, oatmeal and fenugreek. We aim for 3 oz a feed, so we supplement about 1 oz of formula or pumped breastmilk (paced feeding w/bottle) to get her a full feed. It's working out great! We have a system for night, where J takes the 3 a.m. feed and does formula only. I just pump (much less time!) and then use that milk to supplement her next two feeds - so she gets a few EBM feeds in a row. All up, according to the Total Baby app (which is a lifesaver), I'm doing over 60% breast milk - usually closer to 2/3! Sometimes I pump after I feed to just get what I can out and keep stimulating production.
Thanks to everyone for all the great advice last week! You know, I always have read the parenting check-in (TTC, while pregnant, etc.) and I watched so many of you struggled with breastfeeding - particularly @ATXMommas, @JGY and @KH826 - and looking at how one of you was able to EBF, one combo fed and one EFF - it was great going into feeding my baby knowing there were lots of viable options. Thank you all for sharing during your early days, and it helped me in mine!!
Otherwise, Simone is cooking along. She's more animated, grasping a lot harder/more often, and a bit fussier but her brain is growing and well, it's hard to be a baby! I called our cloth diaper service to say we were struggling with the diapering. The (crabby) lady asked how much she weighed and I said she was over 8 lbs - and she scolded me "well, those are to small then." Uh, you sent them to me, lady! Anyhow, they sent a new batch of properly-sized cloth diapers (bigger) and wow, what a difference! We are good with the cloth diapers now, but still will likely use disposable at night. We have about 4-5 months of diapers paid for, after that we'll re-evaluate. @jrtmom came over to meet Simone today (yay!) and brought me a g-diaper to try once she porks up to 13 lbs. They seem like a great option for if we don't want to do the service once we're out of credit.
J and I are doing pretty well. We are back to feeding about every three hours which is quite civilized if you ask me. Trading off that one night feed has been huge! I get 8 hours a night - in chunks of 2, 3 and 3 - but it's working. J worked one day this week and next week is back to 4 in her shop so that'll be different for sure. Fortunately we can go hang out at her shop and see her! We did that this week which was really nice for all of us. I feel pretty good but still don't feel 100% healed up down there...however I do plan to start walking and going to yoga again this week. I'm two weeks from being able to start dieting and want to be physically moving a bit before then.
Current top hits:
- The Total Baby app for tracking diapers and feeding
- Spotify's White Noise playlist - lifesaver when going through the 5 S's!
- The Fisher Price soother - She is mesmerized by that thing! It's our 6th "s"
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
Oh, and about down there, I would say that I was healed in a decent amount of time, but I felt unpleasant pressure for months that became more pronounced when I ran or had to pee. Thankfully, it's all back to normal now, but it took some time for me.
@jgy...I'd like to be added Elise and Olivia born 8/19/14 with wife M
I haven't been on boards lately due to sheer exhaustion with our girls. Breastfeeding and pumping takes up most of my day lol
They are starting to be much more aware which is adorable. Else is sticking out her tongue and making raspberry sounds and Olivia just grunts all the time lol
Pumping is difficult with two growing girls. We changed two bf out to supplementing with formula bc the girls are so hungry and I can't seem to keep up. I pump during those two times. This also helps me add to a stockpile for when I go back to work (that way my wife has breast milk to give girls)
Married to M and proud mothers to Olivia and Elise (8/19/2014) and to our fur-babies: Capone (pitbull), Jax and Atticus (cats)
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!