What? This isn't What You Wear to Bed?

She has a style all her own. She lives in that Dora bikini top, its under her clothes or on top of her pjs.

Four Kids One Doc

Over the summer I like to get all the check ups out of the way, then we don't have to worry about missing school to get them done. Last week it was the dentist. All four kids had their teeth cleaned, even Bella! Isaiah needed a filling, but otherwise we were cavity free. We have a fabulous dentist and luckily the appointment was not traumatic.

On Monday we took the boys for their physicals and Bella for an iron recheck. I was a nervous wreck about Bella's iron. Her previous pediatrician WAY overreacted to her being anemic (which was easily explained by the fact that she still nurses a lot and isn't a fan of food) and he ordered a LOT of blood work, including bone marrow function! They gave her iron drops and said if she didn't improve in two months she would need even more testing. We ended up switching back to our old doctor after many issues with the new one. Thank goodness, he only wanted to do a finger poke and said if her levels looked fine that would be the end of it. I was SO relieved her levels were a little high and now we can stop the drops and worrying!

As for the boys, whoa. While it is easier to get everyone done at once, it was confusing. Three preteen boys in their undies crammed into one room, with a yelling toddler and two parents. They asked that we both be there so they could do two rooms, but at the last minute decided to do one. It was very assembly line style. Fingers poked, hearing tests, bp and weight checks, urine..ect. Except that since all three of them look alike, the nurses kept getting confused who was who! Then the doc saw them all one by one. It was like the three little bears; oldest boy is a little heavy, middle is just right, and youngest is small. Overall everyone was healthy and growing like weeds. Though some were told to lay off the ice cream lol.

Next week eye doctor. But then we are done til dental cleanings in December, well and Bella's two year checkup in September (cry 2?!).

I wonder how even bigger families handle all this?

My Breastfeeding Journey: Try, try, again.

With my first son, I was planning on being a working mom, formula all the way. Never even tried to latch him. I would sit with towels packed around my leaking breast and feed him a bottle. It hurts me to think of that now.


With son #2, I actually attempted to nurse him, but being born 5 weeks early landed him in the NICU. They let me latch him, but were very pushy with the bottle. By the time he was home, he wanted nothing to do with my breasts.

Son #3 I put in much more effort, but I lacked confidence and skill. I had no idea how to latch such a tiny baby (5lb 4 oz) on my giant breasts (44L) and no one seemed to know how to help me. I decided to pump, but that was awful! I have no idea how ep moms do it! I gave up. Isaiah quickly grew and I really wanted to try to relactate, I was able to do so, but never got my supply up enough to put the formula away. At six months, I threw in the towel.

When I was pregnant with Kai I was DETERMINED to nurse this time. I researched and planned, but sadly those plans never got to happened. In the years that followed, with every loss, I was losing hope of ever being able to put a baby to my breast.

Bella's pregnancy was scary and even though I wanted to nurse, I wanted her healthy no matter what. Towards the end, when I finally started to believe that we were actually having a baby, I dug out my research and met with a lactation consultant. I WOULD nurse her. I delivered in a very breastfeeding supportive hospital. Within 15 minutes of her birth, she was set on my chest and allowed to nurse. I was over the moon.

But it wasn't easy or perfect! She REALLY loved to nurse, pretty much staying latched for the first 48 hours straight. Wonderful lactation consultants came and helped us find positions that were more comfortable and provided a better latch. At one point me sitting in a recliner next to the bed and her laying in the bed! We called it go go gadget boob. But after 48 hours, by nipples were SCREAMING, and I was crying/begging for a bottle. Thankfully the nurses refused and gently reminded me that I wanted to do this and I needed to stick it out. We saw a lactation consultant almost every day for the first two weeks. She assured me, that Bella was getting enough and I was doing the right thing. By weighing her before and after nursing I knew she was getting enough. And grow she did! She gained a pound a week in the beginning. I have struggled with almost constant clogged ducts and mastitis three times, until I finally discovered soy lecthin, which has helped a lot. If I even miss one dose, back to clogged up ducts. I have received so much support from my Le Leche League group and friends and know I couldn't have gone this long without them.

In the beginning I set the goal of 6 months, then a year, at last I decided to let Bella nurse until she self weaned. We are now at 21.5 months and counting! I never even imagined that we would be here, but I am thrilled. I don't see her ready to wean for quiet a while, since she is still a booby addict. For now, I am relishing in these moments, know all too soon, she will no longer need me.

To all the moms who for what ever reason where not able to nurse their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or even more; it is possible! Don't give up.

Back in the Saddle

I have been feeling the draw to blog again. Though I think there will be some changes in the type of blogging I do. For so long this was where I vented and shared the pain of pregnancy loss and infertility. However my baby making days are behind me now. I am blessed with four amazing kids and will of course share about them, the trials and triumphs of having a large family. I am also planning on sharing money saving tips, since we live on a tiny budget! There will also be an occasional (or more than that) rants about politics and equality. And lastly, I am one of those hippie moms I never imagined I would be...breastfeeding a toddler, organic food, cloth diapers, delayed vaccines, attachment...the whole granola shebang, so there will be elements of that as well. Lets see if I can stick to the plan to write again!

bonus Bella picture!

One Year

A year ago, at 9:59 am, Arabella Zoe entered the world screaming before they even had her out. I remember laying there on the csection table, wondering if they had started, when I heard a cry. I asked is that was the baby and the nurse said no way, it was too fast, but sure enough it got louder. She was literally crying while still inside. All moms are relieved to hear that sound, but after all I had been through, it was the most incredible sound I will ever hear. She was a tiny, perfect, pink bundle. I watched closely as they looked her over, asking repeatedly "is she okay?", the nurse keep assuring me she was perfect. Neil brought her over to me and I just cried watching him in her arms. They wheeled me to recovery (this hospital never takes the baby from your sight, unless there is an issue) and I was shaking so hard. I remember being cold with the boys, but nothing like this, my body was shaking so violently that I was afraid to hold her. They laid her on my chest and instantly my body when still. I held her close and looked over her from head to toe. She was REAL and finally in my arms.

Parts of my heart that I thought would never be filled again, were. People say we have spoiled her because we didn't ever put her down (pfft you can't spoil a baby with love). I wouldn't have done it any other way. While I sit here wondering how a year could go so fast, I also know I savored every moment of it.

I am still nursing her and really have no plans to stop any time soon, she will let me know when she is ready. She isn't quite walking yet, but getting closer everyday. She crawls and cruises fast as lightening and has knack for mischief like her brothers did. She just started dancing this week, which slays us all. She can say momma, daddy, doggy, kitty, touchdown, more, some form of all three boys names, hi, bye, and she tries to copy what ever we say.

I try, but I can't find the words to express how complete and happy she has made our family. I am just as in awe of her as I was a year ago today. She is the light of her daddy's eye and her brothers favorite person. As bittersweet as it is to say goodbye to the baby year, I can't wait to watch her grow and change.

Happy Birthday Arabella.

**party pics and post to follow

Disney On Ice presents Rockin’ Ever After- So much fun!

We were able to attend a pre-show dinner and meet get a behind the scenes peek of the show, as well as meet Merida in person! My kids were thrilled!

The show itself was fantastic, colorful, entertaining, and engaging. It was fun to sing and dance along in the audience!

I am so thankful to Feld Entertainment for the opportunity to see the show! If you are interested (you should be!) in finding out more, check it out here.

And the Winner is.....

The winner of the Lake Buena Vista Factory Store $50 gift card is:

Christina Larsen said...
I think I would spend it in Gap!

August 1, 2012 4:48 PM

Per Random.org

Congrats!!!