First of all... I just noticed that my "one month old" post for Kael has seemed to have disappeared... or I just never actually posted it. hmmm.... the brain of a new mom! I guess I will go back and see if I can find it somewhere!
But the real reason I'm posting is because I am so proud of my little (ish) man! Today he is 7 weeks old, and I'm proud to say that he has slept through the night for the past 3 nights in a row!! I can't believe it!
Night 1: 9:45-6:45 (9 hours)
Night 2: 9:15-4:15 (7 hours) ate and went right back to sleep 4:30-8:30 (4 hours) total= 11 hrs.
Night 3: 9:30-7:30 (10 hours)
I am in total shock! Mainly because it felt like it came out of nowhere. It wasn't a gradual increase like what I was expecting. He jumped from sleeping 4 hours at a time with the occasional 5 hours stretch, to all night long!
I know that he went through a growth spurt last week, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. I've also read that once they reach 11 pounds their metabolism starts working more effectively and they are able to hold off longer between feedings. 14 pounds seems to be another magic number I have heard, and he is right between the two. Not to mention, he has totally mastered the art of sucking his thumb! I can hear him trying to find it in the middle of the night... sucking on his hand and arm until he finally gets the thumb. I was really hoping he wouldn't be a thumb sucker, but I guess there isn't much I can do about it now (and thankfully he only seems to do it to help himself fall asleep).
Well, Kael and I have a big day tomorrow and I have a lot to take care of so I better stop procrastinating and get to work while he is napping!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Six Weeks
Where is the time going?? It still blows my mind that it has already been six weeks since I met my little man for the first time. I remember thinking that I would never want more children after how horrible my labor/delivery was, but it is surprising how quickly I have forgotten how bad it really was. And I must say... when Kael looks me straight in the eye and gives me a huge smile, it makes any memory of that horrible pain vanish. I mean, just look at him... how could it have not been worth every ounce of pain??
Well, onto our six week updates!
Kael had an appointment to get his shots at 6 weeks, which apparently was a miscommunication of some sort. The nurse practitioner told me to bring him in at 6 weeks, but when we showed up for our appointment, the doctor told us it was too soon, and to come back at 2 months. But to be honest, I don't mind taking him in so often because I love seeing how much he grows! The nurse we had was my least favorite, and didn't tell us any of his length/head measurements, but I was able to see his weight and he is up to 12 pounds 8 ounces!! I can't believe how much he keeps growing, and it slightly breaks my heart each time I see his weight increase another pound. I love his little changes and the personality he is developing, but I miss his tiny body that would curl into a tiny little rolly polly ball while being held.
And shockingly, Kael is going through a growth spurt as we speak! He was doing awesome with his schedule of eat, play, sleep every 2.5-3 hours and sleeping 4.5-5 hours at night. I was thinking we had it pretty easy, and then BAM! He is starving and wants to eat every 1.5 hours, will only take a 20 minute nap, and is getting up every 2-3 hours at night. I have been so worried that he will not get back on his schedule, but we will just have to wait and see!
As for me, I had my 6 week postnatal appointment today. I LOVE my doctor! We talked about how rough the delivery was and how bad my tear was. She really toned it down in the hospital and is actually referring me to a physical therapist for postnatal care! I am completely healed, but because of the extent of the "repair" she thinks I am the perfect candidate for some physical therapy. She made it sound like it would be similar to a personal trainer helping me get back into shape, and showing me that ideal workouts to get my body back to the way it was. I'm actually REALLY excited! I have wanted to start working out again, but just haven't had the energy, or the know how. My body feels like a stranger to me, and I have been rather nervous about just jumping right back into things. This seems like the perfect answer for me! It will make me accountable since I will be meeting with a professional, and I will be learning the best possible work outs for my post baby body! :)
I also had to face the dreaded scale! I am actually only 8 pounds from my prepregnancy weight, and I'm hoping I can get the rest of that off by the time I go back to work. Kevin and I have actually started doing Weight Watchers online program, and both really like it. They have a program for men and for nursing moms, so it meets both of our needs and helps us to support one another. We are both considered "obese" based on our BMI, so we are really trying to get into that "normal" range. Kevin has about 43 pounds to his goal weight, and I have :cough48cough: It is scary to see that large of a number, but I'm actually really excited about finally committing to losing weight. I want to be healthy for Kael, and I want to feel good about myself. I have fought with my weight for some time, and I would LOVE to finally get it under control! On top of weight watchers, I will be starting a program called "couch to 5k". It is a 9 week running program that starts you off very slowly, and builds you up to run 3 miles in a workout.
I guess is has something to do with Alaska, but I feel like my life is finally falling into place. I am proud to say I am officially a Texas A&M graduate, I have a loving husband and perfect son, a good job that I don't hate, and the motivation to take charge of my health. I couldn't ask for more (except to find a church we like)!
And just because I love this little guy, another "6 week" picture of Kael!
Well, onto our six week updates! Kael had an appointment to get his shots at 6 weeks, which apparently was a miscommunication of some sort. The nurse practitioner told me to bring him in at 6 weeks, but when we showed up for our appointment, the doctor told us it was too soon, and to come back at 2 months. But to be honest, I don't mind taking him in so often because I love seeing how much he grows! The nurse we had was my least favorite, and didn't tell us any of his length/head measurements, but I was able to see his weight and he is up to 12 pounds 8 ounces!! I can't believe how much he keeps growing, and it slightly breaks my heart each time I see his weight increase another pound. I love his little changes and the personality he is developing, but I miss his tiny body that would curl into a tiny little rolly polly ball while being held.
And shockingly, Kael is going through a growth spurt as we speak! He was doing awesome with his schedule of eat, play, sleep every 2.5-3 hours and sleeping 4.5-5 hours at night. I was thinking we had it pretty easy, and then BAM! He is starving and wants to eat every 1.5 hours, will only take a 20 minute nap, and is getting up every 2-3 hours at night. I have been so worried that he will not get back on his schedule, but we will just have to wait and see!
As for me, I had my 6 week postnatal appointment today. I LOVE my doctor! We talked about how rough the delivery was and how bad my tear was. She really toned it down in the hospital and is actually referring me to a physical therapist for postnatal care! I am completely healed, but because of the extent of the "repair" she thinks I am the perfect candidate for some physical therapy. She made it sound like it would be similar to a personal trainer helping me get back into shape, and showing me that ideal workouts to get my body back to the way it was. I'm actually REALLY excited! I have wanted to start working out again, but just haven't had the energy, or the know how. My body feels like a stranger to me, and I have been rather nervous about just jumping right back into things. This seems like the perfect answer for me! It will make me accountable since I will be meeting with a professional, and I will be learning the best possible work outs for my post baby body! :)
I also had to face the dreaded scale! I am actually only 8 pounds from my prepregnancy weight, and I'm hoping I can get the rest of that off by the time I go back to work. Kevin and I have actually started doing Weight Watchers online program, and both really like it. They have a program for men and for nursing moms, so it meets both of our needs and helps us to support one another. We are both considered "obese" based on our BMI, so we are really trying to get into that "normal" range. Kevin has about 43 pounds to his goal weight, and I have :cough48cough: It is scary to see that large of a number, but I'm actually really excited about finally committing to losing weight. I want to be healthy for Kael, and I want to feel good about myself. I have fought with my weight for some time, and I would LOVE to finally get it under control! On top of weight watchers, I will be starting a program called "couch to 5k". It is a 9 week running program that starts you off very slowly, and builds you up to run 3 miles in a workout.
I guess is has something to do with Alaska, but I feel like my life is finally falling into place. I am proud to say I am officially a Texas A&M graduate, I have a loving husband and perfect son, a good job that I don't hate, and the motivation to take charge of my health. I couldn't ask for more (except to find a church we like)!
And just because I love this little guy, another "6 week" picture of Kael!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
One Month Old (finally found it!)
When Kael was about a week old, I was walking through the grocery store when a lady stopped to look at my "brand new" baby. She had three kids in tow, and looked at me with a smile and told me, "Enjoy it while it lasts... they don't stay this little for very long" and boy was she right!
2 days old
1 week old
2 weeks old
3 weeks old
One Month Old!!
2 days old
1 week old
2 weeks old
3 weeks old
One Month Old!!In a month, Kael has grown and changed so much. It breaks my heart that he isn't that teeny tiny newborn anymore. Don't get me wrong... I love watching him grow and learning what his personality and temperament are going to be like. He melts my heart with his little smirks, and now that he is staying awake more, I am able to just gaze into his eyes.
His favorite "activities" so far are playing on his floor mat and taking baths. He loves cuddling and just looking around the room. He will follow a toy or my hand with his eyes, and is starting to wiggle around is he is laying on the floor or changing table. He still keeps his little hands in tight fists, but he waves them around all over the place!
We also hit a clothing milestone. The day Kael turned one month old, was the same day we packed up all of his newborn clothes. I shed a few tears as I was reminded that he wouldn't stay this little for very long. He is now wearing 0-3 or 3 month depending on the brand.
Since I have had to rewrite this post 3 times, I sadly don't remember what Kael's weight was at his 1 month appointment, but at his 2 week appointment he was 21 1/2 inches long, and 9lbs 4ozs. I want to say his weight was 10lbs 6ozs, but that is just off the top of my head. Needless to say... he is growing like a weed!
I can honestly say that we are very blessed with such a happy baby. He rarely cries, and for the most part that is only when he is hungry and getting sleepy. We have only had 3 nights where he screamed and wouldn't stop crying. It went on for 30 minutes to an hour, and I cried right along with him! He is on a very good schedule (we are using the book Baby Wise) of eat, play, sleep every 2.5-3 hours. He usually sticks right around the 2.5 hour mark during the day, and 4 hours at night.
Well, the little booger is waking up from his nap... better go!
His favorite "activities" so far are playing on his floor mat and taking baths. He loves cuddling and just looking around the room. He will follow a toy or my hand with his eyes, and is starting to wiggle around is he is laying on the floor or changing table. He still keeps his little hands in tight fists, but he waves them around all over the place!
We also hit a clothing milestone. The day Kael turned one month old, was the same day we packed up all of his newborn clothes. I shed a few tears as I was reminded that he wouldn't stay this little for very long. He is now wearing 0-3 or 3 month depending on the brand.
Since I have had to rewrite this post 3 times, I sadly don't remember what Kael's weight was at his 1 month appointment, but at his 2 week appointment he was 21 1/2 inches long, and 9lbs 4ozs. I want to say his weight was 10lbs 6ozs, but that is just off the top of my head. Needless to say... he is growing like a weed!
I can honestly say that we are very blessed with such a happy baby. He rarely cries, and for the most part that is only when he is hungry and getting sleepy. We have only had 3 nights where he screamed and wouldn't stop crying. It went on for 30 minutes to an hour, and I cried right along with him! He is on a very good schedule (we are using the book Baby Wise) of eat, play, sleep every 2.5-3 hours. He usually sticks right around the 2.5 hour mark during the day, and 4 hours at night.
Well, the little booger is waking up from his nap... better go!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
4 Weeks Post Partum
Seriously?!? How in the world has it been 4 weeks already? Since Kael wont technically be 1 month old until the 3rd, I decided I would do a post on me (shocking I know!).
First of all, I don't have any pictures of myself to upload. This is because any picture that is taken of me that shows below my chest typically gets deleted since they make me want to barf. I have lost 20-25 pounds of the 35 that I gained. It all sort of melted it off around the 2 week mark. I remember being overjoyed when I got on the scale and saw that- I figured losing the baby weight and getting my body back would be a breeze! Well... another 2 weeks have gone by, and not a pound has come off. I don't understand it to be honest. I don't eat much (it's pretty tough when every time I sit down to have a meal, Kael starts to cry) and I'm drinking tons and tons of water since breast feeding seems to really dehydrate me. But more than the scale, it is my body as a whole. Although I have lost weight, I feel as though I still look pregnant (in clothes). But as soon as I lift my shirt, it looks like something straight out of a horror movie! A big saggy blob that is supposed to be my stomach just hangs there. It is covered in dark stretch marks that look like scars, and I seem to have widened. Any waistline that I had before is now non-existent and don't get me started of my hips, thighs, or ass! Don't get me wrong... I would live with my body like this forever if it meant having my baby boy, but it can get tough on a girl's self esteem. I know I just had a baby...I know it takes time...I know I'm still beautiful, but when you have an abundance of hormones still racing through your body you can't help but get a little frustrated.
On the other hand... let me tell you about these boobs! I now know what it would feel like if I had fake boobs that are hard and perky and don't require you to wear a bra! I feel like I could give Dolly Parton or Pamela Anderson some competition with these ta-tas. But they aren't all fun and games. I have worn a bra every minute of every day (besides in the shower) since Kael was born. They hurt otherwise- mainly being sore from breast feeding, but also I have to wear nursing pads to help with any leaking. Thankfully I haven't had any embarrassing moments on that front yet. Breast feeding is actually going really well. Kael latched on like a pro, and I never had sore or cracked nipples. My milk came in around day 4, and I have felt like a milk cow since then! I actually had to deal with engorgement for 3-4 days rather than pump to help decrease my supply. It seems to have evened out, and is producing the perfect amount for Kael. It is so amazing how our bodies work! I have about 50 bags of frozen milk to use once I go back to work, and will hopefully be increasing that supply soon. I haven't pumped in about 2 weeks, but we plan on introducing bottles within the week, so I will start pumping once a day again(a bottle for Kael, and a bottle to freeze). I'm excited to have Kevin help with the feedings and to give him the opportunity to bond with Kael, but at the same time I can feel my heart breaking just a little thinking about missing out on that time with him. I know I have to get him used to bottles for when I go back to work, but I love the time we have when he nurses.
My recovery has been pretty easy considering what a horrible delivery I had. I never took anything stronger than 800 mg of motrin, and after about 10 days I stopped taking it. my biggest complaint is that I'm ready for these stitches to dissolve already! I can feel them sort of pull when I do certain things. I am also still bleeding (sorry for the TMI). I am so sick of it, and REALLY hope it stops soon. It has been like having a period for a month straight... not fun! Other than that, I feel like I am recovering pretty quickly. Kevin and I actually went out and did alot with Kael pretty early on. We have taken several walks with the stroller, I have used the carrier once, and I actually just got the Ergo baby carrier which I'm really excited to try out!
I'm slowly starting to get more sleep at night. It still isn't much, but a big improvement from the 1.5-2 hours I was getting the first 2 weeks. I just keep telling myself it will get better, and I'm really working to get Kael on a good schedule that will hopefully help him sleep through the night by 2 months old.
But of coarse the best part of being 4 weeks post partum is my sweet baby boy! I can't wait to do his 1 month old post! Keep a look out, I will be posting it on Tuesday.
First of all, I don't have any pictures of myself to upload. This is because any picture that is taken of me that shows below my chest typically gets deleted since they make me want to barf. I have lost 20-25 pounds of the 35 that I gained. It all sort of melted it off around the 2 week mark. I remember being overjoyed when I got on the scale and saw that- I figured losing the baby weight and getting my body back would be a breeze! Well... another 2 weeks have gone by, and not a pound has come off. I don't understand it to be honest. I don't eat much (it's pretty tough when every time I sit down to have a meal, Kael starts to cry) and I'm drinking tons and tons of water since breast feeding seems to really dehydrate me. But more than the scale, it is my body as a whole. Although I have lost weight, I feel as though I still look pregnant (in clothes). But as soon as I lift my shirt, it looks like something straight out of a horror movie! A big saggy blob that is supposed to be my stomach just hangs there. It is covered in dark stretch marks that look like scars, and I seem to have widened. Any waistline that I had before is now non-existent and don't get me started of my hips, thighs, or ass! Don't get me wrong... I would live with my body like this forever if it meant having my baby boy, but it can get tough on a girl's self esteem. I know I just had a baby...I know it takes time...I know I'm still beautiful, but when you have an abundance of hormones still racing through your body you can't help but get a little frustrated.
On the other hand... let me tell you about these boobs! I now know what it would feel like if I had fake boobs that are hard and perky and don't require you to wear a bra! I feel like I could give Dolly Parton or Pamela Anderson some competition with these ta-tas. But they aren't all fun and games. I have worn a bra every minute of every day (besides in the shower) since Kael was born. They hurt otherwise- mainly being sore from breast feeding, but also I have to wear nursing pads to help with any leaking. Thankfully I haven't had any embarrassing moments on that front yet. Breast feeding is actually going really well. Kael latched on like a pro, and I never had sore or cracked nipples. My milk came in around day 4, and I have felt like a milk cow since then! I actually had to deal with engorgement for 3-4 days rather than pump to help decrease my supply. It seems to have evened out, and is producing the perfect amount for Kael. It is so amazing how our bodies work! I have about 50 bags of frozen milk to use once I go back to work, and will hopefully be increasing that supply soon. I haven't pumped in about 2 weeks, but we plan on introducing bottles within the week, so I will start pumping once a day again(a bottle for Kael, and a bottle to freeze). I'm excited to have Kevin help with the feedings and to give him the opportunity to bond with Kael, but at the same time I can feel my heart breaking just a little thinking about missing out on that time with him. I know I have to get him used to bottles for when I go back to work, but I love the time we have when he nurses.
My recovery has been pretty easy considering what a horrible delivery I had. I never took anything stronger than 800 mg of motrin, and after about 10 days I stopped taking it. my biggest complaint is that I'm ready for these stitches to dissolve already! I can feel them sort of pull when I do certain things. I am also still bleeding (sorry for the TMI). I am so sick of it, and REALLY hope it stops soon. It has been like having a period for a month straight... not fun! Other than that, I feel like I am recovering pretty quickly. Kevin and I actually went out and did alot with Kael pretty early on. We have taken several walks with the stroller, I have used the carrier once, and I actually just got the Ergo baby carrier which I'm really excited to try out!
I'm slowly starting to get more sleep at night. It still isn't much, but a big improvement from the 1.5-2 hours I was getting the first 2 weeks. I just keep telling myself it will get better, and I'm really working to get Kael on a good schedule that will hopefully help him sleep through the night by 2 months old.
But of coarse the best part of being 4 weeks post partum is my sweet baby boy! I can't wait to do his 1 month old post! Keep a look out, I will be posting it on Tuesday.
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