Breast Feeding

Yesterday I was watching "16 and Pregnant" on MTV. (I know, I know...but it's like watching a car wreck...can't take my eyes off it!) The new mother had her baby home for the first day and was feeding the baby a bottle of formula. She was telling her friends she was having a hard time breastfeeding because she wasn't making enough milk. This REALLY upset me! WHO IS TELLING THIS GIRL THIS?!?

Breastfeeding is a tough thing to do...but if it is ultimately best for the baby...why are mother's not better trained? ESPECIALLY young mothers who would benefit from the CHEAPEST possible way to feed their children? (I'm sure most receive WIC....but wouldn't it benefit tax payers ALSO if all mothers are more educated?)

To my point...the first 2-3 days...NO BREAST creates "milk". You are producing colostrum. It is a clear or yellowish fluid known as "Liquid Gold" because of the very important antibodies and stomach lining nutrients in it. The baby does not get much...because their tummies are TEENY TINY...and they are pretty full with what they received from your umbilical cord..,when it comes to nutrients! Around day 2 your "milk" (the white stuff) begins to come in and by day 3-4 your TRUE milk with fat in it comes in. This is when you are engorged. Sometimes this lasts even longer! The only way to help your milk come in is to feed your baby often! For my kids it was every 2-3 hours. Sometimes it was even more often than that (and this became true again during growth spurts at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 14 weeks, and 16 weeks!) The more your breasts are stimulated...the more milk your breasts create! When mothers try to set a schedule too early by only feeding them every 3 hours...they are in turn...RUINING their supply! If a baby is hungry more often...its the babies cue to your breasts to MAKE MORE MILK! And your breasts WILL DO IT!

It is easy to see why a mother might think she's not producing milk at first...if no one informs her of this info! It just breaks my heart...because I know they don't know any better.

Now...I know some women have true issues...but only 1-3% of women TRULY have supply issues. Sometimes breastfeeding can put women into Post Pardum depression because they feel tied down...or disgusted...and I recommend formula feeding or pumping. Nobody benefits from PPD. I also have friends who have had breast reductions and usually breastfeeding isn't possible (although the surgery is TOTALLY worth it! I have the exact OPPOSITE issue :)). Totally understand that! I mean...their baby MUST eat!

Many mothers like to pump to have a bottle that the dad...or grandma...or someone else can give while they go out...or sleep...whatever. Please keep in mind that every time your baby has a bottle...you should be pumping! Otherwise your supply will dwindle!

Sorry...this is just something I feel so strongly about! NOT just about breastfeeding...I understand that it is not for anybody...and I promise I'm not a breast-snob! :) I feel strongly about women being educated on what is normal for breastfeeding! That way they can make the BEST choice for their child!

12 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 12 weeks
Size of baby: Baby Pierce is the size of a plum!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Last week I weighed less than my starting weight???
Maternity Clothes: when I put on jeans...yes. Wore a few maternity shirts. Not because I really need them, but because i have no comfy shirts for this time of year! for the past 4 years or so I have either been VERY pregnant in fall (9 months or 7 months) or very NOT prego. Nothing in between! So tee-shirts and a few maternity shirts is what you'll catch me in!
Gender: leaning toward a girl. Not because I'm hoping for one. I don't care EITHER way as long as its healthy, but i just feel like that's what it is. :)
Movement: I think the movement I felt last week MUST have been gas. I've felt NOTHING from my nudger this week :( Kind of scary!
Sleep: Sleep has been good!!! Less night time pee breaks and I have even slept all night a few times!!
What I miss: having an endless supply of energy!
Cravings: A bean burrito...don't care where from! Do you know that we have NO fast food taco shops in Childress?! Really...somebody...add one!
Symptoms: Still not much energy...sore boobs :) pimples (bleh!)

"You're My Best Friend Mommy"

This post is dedicated to Cole.

My sweet Coley-ole-O...oh how I love you!!! For the past few months he has been a Mommy's boy...and I've got to say...I love it! For the first 2 years of his life...he was a Daddy's boy! A few weeks ago he came up to me and said, "Mommy...you're my best friend." Now he reminds me of it every day! He tells me I'm pretty and gives the baby kisses on my tummy...just a sweetie pie!

He is also a VERY big helper! Anything I need...I just have to ask him and he get it for me...or do it for me...give me the remote...put this poopie diaper in the garage....etc. (Hey...I'm prego...he can help a little! lol)

He is doing soooo good in preschool! I never would have though he would love it as much as he does. When we went school shopping for him this summer...he picked out certain shirts. Now...those are the only shirts he likes to wear to preschool...and don't ask him to wear those shirts outside of school...they are special school shirts :)

Cole has such a tender heart that melts me everyday! He shares his "friends" stuffed animals with me and Natalie...he likes to go "camping" on his bed everyday too. His latest fascination is the plane Earth and the moon. He just wants to understand EVERYTHING about it! he doesnt' quite grasp that the big blue circle we look at is what we are living on...but he's trying! haha!

He does NOT like "girly things" (that's his word for it). So...NO pink ANYTHING, no princess things...and do NOT call him a prince!

He is also potty trained 99%! The remaining 1% is because he still wets the bed at night...but some boys (including his daddy) take a really long time at that. I'm so relieved that I don't have to deal with pull ups during the day! He just goes to the potty when he needs to on his own :)

He still loves his trains..but also enjoys "hunting" and race cars :) Oh yes...and he still loves Taylor Swift. His daddy hung her picture up on his desk and he points her out everyday. He also loves hearing her on the radio, "Is that my girlfriend Taylor Swift?"...and 99% of the time he's right! haha!

Cole is the kind of kiddo that just melts your heart everyday. He is very considerate and is just so loving and CUTE! I love you buddy...and I hope I can always be your best friend!

10 weeks 4 days

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 10 weeks 4 days
Size of baby: Baby Pierce is the size of a strawberry!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: don't know don't care :)
Maternity Clothes: when I put on jeans...yes. Not wearing any maternity shirts, just a lot of t-shirts.
Gender: No clue....
Movement: Hmm...sometimes I think I feel a teeny, tiny nudge. I know it's probably too early...but when you've done this three times...you kind of know what it feels like. COULD be gas...but I think it's my little nudger :) (What book is that from??????)
Sleep: Starting to get better sleep! I got a new Snoogle pillow...and it helps me get to sleep quickly. HOWEVER, it also requires a lot of moving of it if you want to change positions and this sometimes make me lie awake awhile. I wake up at least once to go potty too...sometimes twice.
What I miss: a pretty waistline
Cravings: Cutie oranges?
Symptoms: Tired, peeing a lot, that's about it! Lazy...typical :)

Natalie Ann is TWO!

I'm a bad mom and just realized I never did her OFFICIAL birthday post!

Natalie you are TWO YEARS OLD!!! You weigh about 26 lbs and are pretty tall for a girl I think (haven't measure her lately! lol). You wear 24 months and 2t clothing. You can still fit into some 18 month clothes but they are too short...haha! You wear a size 6 or 7 shoe and a size 5 diaper :)

You definitely are a character! I love hearing you carry on conversation with people! Usually you are talking or arguing with Bubba...who you usually call Cole Thomas Pierce. You absolutely personify the PRINCESS personality! You LOVE princesses and dress up! You also love lipstick and have your own new set!

Yes...you still suck your fingers. When we try to tell you to stop...you cry and say you want them. I don't have the heart to make you stop. It's very comforting for you. Right now you are watching Beauty and the Beast all curled up on the recliner and sucking those fingers.

Recently you decided that since Taylor Swift was Bubba's girlfriend...she would be your girlfriend too. I didn't really like that idea...so I told you Taylor Lautner could be your boyfriend and after looking at his picture...you agreed! Now when anyone asks youwho your boyfriend is, you say, "Taylor Otner" sooooo cute!

Your favorite toy is still Kitty. She goes everywhere with you. Now that we know she's safe in the washer, she gets regular baths and looks pretty again! You also love BIG teddy bears! You roll on the ground with them until you get tired of them and say, "You're a big ole BULLY" Not sure why you think that? For your birthday you got 2 Doras and you love them too.

Going to sleep is getting better for you again FINALLY! You still wake up saying you're scared of the worms, but then you say, "They live far, far away...outside!" One of your Doras is a night time dora and that has made it better for you going to sleep.

Your hair is curly, curly! Most days it's kinky, but on humid days...it's GORGEOUS! PERFECT ringlets... Hopefully I'll figure out how to work curly hair! Most days you wear it in a little ponytail on the side of your head (halfway up). I HAVE to spray it with detangler and/or water to even comb it...even if you've just had a bath! However...it is beautiful and you get lots of compliments on it!

You are also a big Grandpa's girl! When we are around Grandpa you want to be with him more than anyone else (especially if Cole is with Grandma). That's sweet because I L.O.V.E.D. my grandpa so much too!

Your favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese and oranges. Which is not surprising since I craved oranges when I was pregnant with you! Overall...you eat just about anything! Your favorite drink is chocolate milk (milk with ovaltine). Actually...you pretty much refuse any other drink. I get some water in before nap and night night...but thats it! You prefer milk above all else!

Natalie Ann, you are the sweetest and most loving girl I could have ever asked for! Your smile is ever present and you live to make us laugh! I know you will be the BEST big sister the new baby could ask for...Cole thinks you are the best LITTLE sister so far! You give your Daddy and me the bEST hugs. We love you little princess!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Natalie's Birthday and Halloween

We celebrated Natalie's birthday with a Princess party on Saturday (10/30). If you didn't get an invite...don't feel bad...I didn't mail ANY out! I know, I know...bad. I'm going to try and send out photos with the thank you cards! Anyway...she had a great time! She CRIED as we sang happy birthday to her...but later had fun! she got too many presents and ate too much cake, but she had a wonderful time! For Halloween we went trick or treating downtown. Cole was woody and Natalie was Cinderella! Enjoy the pics!

2 cinderellas, Snow White and Woody :)

Snow White. This was during her party. She LOVES dress up! Definitely a girly girl!

She got a Strawberry shortcake and 2 Doras! (among many other things!)

Disney princess shoes aunt Nini got her!

The box full of Disney Princess dress up clothes from Grandma & grandpa! (Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty...who she calls Briar Rose)

Crying for her birthday song! She kept saying, "STOP" And look at the cake! It's BEAUTIFUL! Justin's mom always orders their cakes from Rita, a family friend and she always does an amazing job!

Trying to blow out the candles!

9 weeks 4 days

(don't worry...I'll post halloween and Natalie b-day party pics soon!)
Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 9 weeks 4 days
Size of baby: Baby Pierce is the size of a large grape or olive!
Total Weight Gain/Loss: total..2 lbs (no weight gain! yay!)
Maternity Clothes: hehe...YES! Justin got out my tub and I've never been so happy to see them! I LOVE my maternity clothes! I'm a much better dresser prego than not! I don't need them all the time...but the pants are sooo nice to have!! My jeans were all getting too tight and I'm not big on the rubber band trick anymore. :)
Gender: No clue....
Movement: Nada! unless you count gas bubbles!
Sleep: Starting to get better sleep! I wake up at least once to go potty...sometimes twice.
What I miss: running. 'nuff said.
Cravings: Taco Villa
Symptoms: Tired, peeing a lot, that's about it! My nausea has been absent this week and I'm STARTING TO HAVE GOOD DAYS! Not a TON of energy...but...I've taken a shower before the girls get here in the morning...so that's a plus!! (ok...only twice this week...but still!)
Best Moment this week: Doctor's visit TODAY! We weren't sure if we would get to hear the heartbeat with the doppler, but good ole Dr. Henderson found it! What a relief...thank GOD for blessing me with this sweet little baby!!