~ * ~ July Beach Bumps ~ * ~

[MrsWez]

Jillian is so precious! What a cute little girl. All these cute babies are making me crave mine even more! Hope BF gets better, BV. I thought of this when you mentioned your boobs

 

[BlueViolet]

LOL! Yeah, that's me but with less bouncing...HAHA! Just to think I started out as modest B. I have no clue what I have now, but they feel gigantic. How are you feeling, Wez? I bet you're counting down the hours until you get to meet Jonathon I bet he'll be a cutie!

 

[MrsWez]

LOL! Yeah, that's me but with less bouncing...HAHA! Just to think I started out as modest B. I have no clue what I have now, but they feel gigantic. How are you feeling, Wez? I bet you're counting down the hours until you get to meet Jonathon I bet he'll be a cutie!

I'm doing good now that I'm getting closer. I have an OB appointment tomorrow morning. He's staying active so that's good. I don't know despite the contractions and pain today, I feel like I have a lot of energy and am very optimistic. So happy for you and SB still. My text buddies have all had their babies!

Are you doing anything for the 4th?

 

[BlueViolet]

Good luck with your appointment. I hope they figure out a way to make things progress as naturally as possible.

As for plans for the 4th, we're enjoying our time without visitors. It's our first day without anyone visiting, which is ironic since it's a big holiday, but it's sooo nice to have some quiet time to cuddle and relax and of course, feed like crazy. My husband is out getting more diapers. I bought a bunch of size 1s, but they're too small, so we need more infant sized ones. I have 12 more min till the next feeding marathon starts.

 

[Sherri81]

Here's some pics. I'm doing this while pumping, lol.

First one is 8 hours old. Second is 11 days.

 

[BlueViolet]

Awww, how cute! He's adorable, Sherri! You're great at multitasking. I'll have to learn...

 

[MrsWez]

It's great you have some alone time, BV. I hope they can get me sorted out too.

 

[mummySS]

Aww BV and SB - you both have gorgeous little girls.

BV I'm glad you managed to find some time to update us. Big kudos to you on the BF battle, sounds like you're doing a fabulous job!

Sherri I read your birth story - Am so pleased Colby is finally home and all is well. You take it easy girl, you've been through loads and need to make sure you let your body recover. Colby is adorable!

Loving the convos about soft drinks. I remain firmly in the cream soda gang

Does anyone remember the advert for Irn Bru in the 80s? "it's not a drink from those crazy yanks, it's made right here and it's tougher than tanks, made in Scotland from girders, unpronounceable too, Irn Bru..." or something like that lol! Curlew bet your husband would know

 

[Sherri81]

BV, the key to pumping and doing other stuff... cup your boob underneath and grasp the boob funnel thingy (very technical here, lol) with the fingers of the same hand. It leaves one hand free and stops the leakage etc that can happen when suction is lost. Don't even try double pumping as you're just asking for a runny mess! I can usually pump myself out in 20 minutes now, thank God. At first it was taking like an hour per session. So I hear you on the time issue. He used to have a 3 hour schedule, so I would go to the NICU, feed him, visit him etc. That was an hour. Make my way back to my room and pump, there's another hour. Then I had 1 hour in betwee to shower, update people, eat etc... Usually I just didn't eat.

I would love it if he would transition to the breast entirely, so I didn't have to do the pumping step in between, but they doubt it will happen now.

Kind of feel like a failure in that respect. Two babies now, and neither one is a breast feeder. They both had breast milk that was expressed; Greg for 4 months, and who knows how long for Colby.

They say Colby has a great rooting reflex, and a good strong jaw, but when they try to latch him, he just falls asleep.

In one respect, I kind of maybe didn't give him the time to transition onto it, but when you can't come home from the hospital until he is ready to take a full oral feed, then there isn't a chance to breastfeed when its taking so long to latch him... We could have stayed in the hospital for another few weeks if I made him stick to strictly breast feeding. By doing bottles, its easier for him, and you can see exactly how much he's taking.

So I feel shitty, but he's still getting breast milk, its just not coming directly from me, in the moment.

 

[Hann12]

Morning! What lovely photos you have all posted!
BV - well done to you for the breast feeding, it sounds like seriously hard work, I hope I manage with it!! She looks lovely though

Sherri - It sounds like you are doing really well. In my opinion I think the important thing is that he still gets the breast milk rather than how he gets it. With everything that has happened I think you are doing an amazing job! He is totally gorgeous too!

Simmy - I can't remember that advert - I always think of WKD when I think of Irun Bru because that was always the drink at uni they would try and sell off cheap, until they finally developed other flavour ones - the blue wkd, and then vk's. They gave me such a bad stomach, think the sugar literally rotted you from the inside. Nothing to do with the alcohol lol!!

I had another really rubbish nights sleep. Took me forever to get to sleep, then I was waking every hour or so. For a couple of hours I had pains that I can only describe as stomach pains like indigestion coming in waves. They weren't so painful that I thought that they were labour pains, I guess either I had bad indigestion (though I had no dinner) or they were preparing pains. Either way they were sore but I did get back to sleep eventually. The baby was also shifting a lot, not sure if its in a new position, it now feels so big I can't tell what position its in.
I'm glad I'm seeing the Dr today (9.40) and then the MW at 1pm. I originally had the dr booked in but managed to get a mw appointment too so kept both, figured I'd see what they both said!

Hope everyone else had a better nights sleep than me! I'm going to try and rest again now before I have to get up....

 

[gw76]

Ahh BF! it is the toughest part of this whole experience I think. Hailey is a great breast feeder, unlike her older brother. With Cameron I pumped for 2 months and bottle fed him both breast milk and formula. He just wouldn't latch on, no matter what I did! I also had PND and the stress of trying to get him to BF was TOO much!
As for Hailey, she is feeding really well - thank goodness...

Sherri - I am so glad you are home and things are going well - Colby is lovely!

BV - Jillian is beautiful - I love all the cute outfits - very trendy

SB - Katie is too cute in her car seat photo...love the chubby cheeks!

MrsWez - it won't be long now...

I can't remember everything that I read (back a few pages) and I need to get back to bed - Hailey has fed, is sleeping and so should I be!

Hope everyone is doing well

 

[Blue_bear]

Morning ladies, lots of lovely baby pics

Glad to hear your home Sherri.

Hann - I had a crap night too, my hips are so painful its ridiculous.

Need to find something to do today, i cant bear to spend another day sat in the house doing nothing!

 

[caz_hills]

Beth – gorgeous photos of Katie! Thanks for posting them.

Sherri – love the photos of Colby as well! Glad you are home safely.

Wez – rubbish at being pulled over by the police but so glad they let you off with a warning. You’re 9 months pregnant, the last thing you needed was a speeding ticket!!!! Good luck with your appointment today as well.

BV – breastfeeding sounds tough – but I hope it is getting better. Love the photos as well.

Simmy – I don’t remember the Iron Bru advert...... but I do like cream soda as well – anything fizzy for me!!!!

Hann – I hope your appointments go well this morning and that they can tell you how you’re progressing. It all seems so positive and that you’re really going in the right direction – let’s hope it is!!

GW – glad Hailey is feeding well too.

AFM – seeing the doctor again at 8.50 am about my high blood pressure and the results of the urine sample. Fingers crossed everything is ok. Neel has a big meeting today and another on Thursday so isn’t around – wish he could come with me. I know it’s not a big appointment but would like the company and support. But poor him has to work and can’t get out of it. Hmmmmm

Will post shortly and let you know how we get on! x

 

[Hann12]

BB - hopefully today will be the day for you or at least the start if it! I'm glad that my appointments take up most of the day, gives me something to focus on!!
Will keep you updated!

 

[Hann12]

Oh Caz good luck at the dr's - hope the results are okay, will be thinking of you xx

 

[curlew]

SB - katie is gorgeous and looks just like her daddy. Sorry you are havong sore nipples with BF.

BV - glad Jillian is doing well and beautiful pictures. Fingers crossed she will have put on the weight and you can slacken off the BF a bit.

Sherri - glad you and colby are finally home. How is your son taking to being a big brother? Colby is so cute.

Mummyss - cant recall the advert myself but will ask DH when he comes home tonight.

Hann - hope you go and midwife appts go well.

Caz - glad you had a nice evening out with your work colleagues. Sticky toffee pudding - yum may have to go get one for tonights tea. Good luck at the doctors, hope BP is okay.

wez - thats rubbish getting pulled over when you weren't even speeding. Good luck for your OB appt tomorrow.

GW - glad Hailey has taken to BF and that you are both doing well.

BB - hope you find something to do today so you dont get too bored.

AFM - have done 2 loads of washing and made flapjacks so far and am now off out with a friend and her two boys so that DS can play for a while.

 

[caz_hills]

Curlew - wow, so much done already and it's only 9.10 am!!!

Hann - good luck today at both appointments, will be thinking of you and hope to hear great news!

So back from doctors now - urine sample came back fine, blood pressure is same as last time - higher than my normal reading but no higher (and still in 'normal' region). So they just want me to see the MW again next Tuesday as a check up but don't seem worried.

But am sitting here in tears as it took her ages to find the heartbeat. I was so worried - I've been rushing around this morning getting ready for the appointment that I hadn't felt any real movement. So panicked when she couldn't find it. But she was looking for it on the right side when the baby lies on the left so not sure if it was her fault or not - but she did get it once I pointed this out. She also said that she can't tell whether baby is engaged or not - I was really disappointed as I've been walking and swimming loads and it's been moving further in, now she can't tell.

Am soooo hormonal at the moment - just keep worrying that baby is ok and have I felt enough movements even though yesterday baby was going crazy! Am going to have a little lie down with a cold drink and hopefully baby will move about and reassure me.

Sorry for the moan and whinge.... I'll have a little word with myself and come back feeling better xxx

 

[Annamumof2]

sorry i havent been able to keep you guys up to date and thank you Hannah for updating people :-D

i had Flynn on the 21st June 2011 @ 11:04pm GMT weighing at 7lb 1oz it all started when i was told to go in on the 20th to be induced well i went in that day and they told me they wasnt going to start me off because they was very busy... anyways by the 21st in the afternoon i got told that i can do to the delivary suite and they will begin the induction.... got down there and i was so nervous i wanted to cry and i didnt know why i was just so over welmed about it all happening.. so anyway i got told to lay on the bed and they said they will check to see if i was dilated so i laied down and the midwife gave me the gas and air because she said that she will brake my waters and it might hurt... soooo i sucked on that and felt her feel around and she said i was 1cm and by the time she broke my water i went up a cm... i was shocked how that happend but anyway they told me if nothing kicked in after an hour they will put me on a hormone drip so they put the femflong (needle in hand) in and attached me to the drip and was uping it every half hour i believe it was...
they left me for a while and they said that they will check how dilated i am about 10pm anyway i was ready to push by 10:30pm i think it was, im not good at remembering well at the moment but i got checked and they told me i was only 7cm but i wouldnt listen and when i went to go and push i went from 7cm to 10cm so quick that he was ready to come out, well by the time i poped him out i was just on very little gas and air and he was placed stright on to me skin to skin.... it took him 2hrs and 35mins from start to finish and he is 2 weeks old today
he is being boobie fed and forumla also and is a happy lad.

this was took about an hour after he was born and dressed


this was his going home outfit... he still cant fit in it as hes so tiny


this was took yesterday at my mums in his swing


this is Skye feeding Flynn


this one is Jason feeding Flynn

 

[Hann12]

Lovely photos Anna and glad Flynn is doing well!

Curlew - you are truly super woman!!

Caz - big okay so firstly good news that the urine sample is fine. Secondly don't worry about the blood pressure, its normal so its not posing a risk to the baby, and also it may be slightly elevated because you were so worried about the appointment.
Now as for GP's and finding babies heart beats, I really think they are all rubbish. My friend had the same thing last week except the GP didn't find the heart beat and she was rushed to hospital where of course a mid wife found it instantly. And the same goes for the baby being engaged - its not their area of expertise so I really don't reckon they know what they are feeling for so she is probably veering on the side of caution by saying she isn't sure. I bet it is engaged - have you seen your bump drop?
The mid wife will tell you for sure next week but in the mean time just keep doing what you've been doing and that baby will be fine and get into the correct position to come out. At least its on the left side

AFM - just got back too. Great appointment - ha ha I'm joking! So saw a doctor who is due 4 weeks after me. She didn't do a 38 week check so I'm glad I have a midwife appointment today. I told her all about the UTI thing and showed her the 'prescription' and she told me that I shouldn't have been given those antibiotics (great already taken 4 days worth) as she doesn't think they are very safe, and that they have given me the incorrect dosage - should have been 3 days not 7. Anyway I did another sample and she said it would be back in tomorrow so if anything shows up they can tell me and tell me what to take. So we shall see.
I told her what symptoms I've been having but she's obviously a new doctor (as in inexperienced) and she's going through stuff herself so she just said that even though I'm getting signs she still thinks I'll be late as first babies nearly always are.
She did say that she couldn't believe my bump was full term. I think maybe it looks smaller now its dropped.
I'm attaching a photo:


I don't think it looks small but its definitely changed shape (more teardrop).
Anyway I'm now going to bounce on my ball until my midwife appointment because baby feels low today and I want it to stay low so that she tells me its engaged! The other times I've had appointments its bobbed back up just before....
Will keep you all posted

 

[Aaisrie]

I finally got a free minute. It's been a feeding marathon since we got back from the hospital Friday night. We've been trying to fatten Jillian up, so every two hours I've been feeding regardless whether she's hungry or not. I'm loving all the cuddles, but it's been driving me nuts. My nipples are being used for about 1.5hrs out of every 2hrs, which is completely crazy (I get slightly longer in between feedings at night). I'm trying to avoid formula supplements, so I've been supplementing her feeding with pumped milk. We have an appointment tomorrow morning for another weight check and then hopefully we can ease up. Poor girl had a tough time latching because she's been so sleepy. I wish I could let her work up an appetite on her own. When she's hungry she does great, so there's a plus. I've been using Lansinoh lanolin and the gel pads that you put in the fridge and I'm surviving all the nipple torture. Meanwhile, I feel like a regular MOO cow. I dripped down my torso and leg earlier and it was absolutely nuts. My boobs are out of control.

Eve, thanks for the BF advice. I've been trying to do just one boob at a time. Either way, both get pumped every few hours so I can supplement with breast milk instead of formula. I feel like it's a battle, but I'm winning. I can't wait to toss out or donate the rest of the formula

BV I seriously cannot tell you how well you are doing!!! BF is so much harder than labour as I said to you guys months ago. I would say it takes a good 6w to be established and not in pain!! It seems for most people they hit 6w and everything just slots into place, it took me about 3mo with Saraya because I got nipple thrush on day 3 and though I was dying LOL I was worried when I was saying about not switching etc because I don't want anyone to feel like I'm shoving stuff down their throats if it's not what they want to do!!! If you need any advice or have any questions feel free to shoot me a pm or like I said grab me on FB or grab Imogen O'Reilly off my FB friends list. She said she's happy to hear from anyone of you girls at any time, day or night! She taught me everything I know about BF!

I would love it if he would transition to the breast entirely, so I didn't have to do the pumping step in between, but they doubt it will happen now.

Kind of feel like a failure in that respect. Two babies now, and neither one is a breast feeder. They both had breast milk that was expressed; Greg for 4 months, and who knows how long for Colby.

So I feel shitty, but he's still getting breast milk, its just not coming directly from me, in the moment.

Sherri you have NO IDEA how much harder it is to pump feed than to BF! You have SUCH strength. You are like the total OPPOSITE of failure!! You are a champion of women to go through all the pumping to feed your child. I know people who pump feed and do so for a good yr + I'm not really up on pump feeding but Imogen knows more so like I said to BV feel free to shoot her a line on FB she's more than happy to answer questions or give advice on how to get him onto the breast if that's what YOU want to do or how to keep pumping for longer if you want to go down that path!! She actually gave me advice with Saraya about getting her back on the breast but I had social services on my back and all sorts back then so I can't really remember!!! Even women whose milk has dried up have gotten babies back onto the breast with a little work so it's definitely possible if it's the route you want to go down!

AFM - I won a pair or Sony headphones in the Coca Cola draw!! They arrived this morning, I'd only entered 2 codes and they said they'd email if you'd won so when I didn't get an email I thought I'd lost!! I feel so chuffed, especially as I use headphones a lot to watch stuff on my laptop if Saraya or Chris are watching something on TV! :]