Grows and Gains

I'm feeling all kinds of mommy guilt.
I went back in my blog to read about Kaelynn's first month, because Harlow's a month today.
Kaelynn was having weekly weigh ins from birth and just regained birth weight at a month and a half. At 1 month, she was 6lbs 9oz (7lbs 4oz at birth).
Due to her ties and my hormonal issues (PCOS), she just wasn't gaining fast enough. I didn't know what we could do to fix her. The lactation consultant we had, gave me bad information (same one for Harlow too).
I showed Jake the side by side of Harlow and he said "she looks good, she was too skinny".
I look at Kaelynn's pics and she was too skinny.
The things we know now. If I could, I would go back and fix Kaelynn's mouth too. Obviously, she's fine now..but that would explain why she never slept, constantly nursing and was only semi happy.

15 month check up

     This morning, we had our 15 month well baby check up. It went as well as I expected.
     She did not want to be naked/ weighed/ measured. She did not want to let the doctor look and feel around in her mouth. She put up with the stethoscope.

     When we discussed her teeth, the doctor has to call a pediatric dentist and will be in contact with us. She doesn't know what we really can do, aside from waiting. When I've googled, they can do xrays (but even in Canada, I'd have to pay out of pocket). There was no concern about her not knowing animal noises, but it's something we should work on.

     We decided to vaccinate against chicken pox, and she was a trooper until the end. She was either staring at daddy or the doctor, at one point her arm twitched when the needle was being removed and she started to cry. It didn't last long, and she didn't even need milkies.

     I was making her 18 month appointment (one hour long, bejebus) and daddy was getting her ready, trying to as Kaelynn stared at a babybaby. She came to me with her arms out to put her coat on, I told her to bring her head to daddy for her hat, then she came back to me to do it up. Smart kiddo.

     Even if she's not really stacking blocks, talking up a storm, or entirely knowing her foot from her nose, she is learning useful skills: she tidies her own messes, understands when we want her to bring us stuff (and gets it right sometimes), and is enjoying being a free range baby.

Height: 29"
Weight: 20.7lbs

9 Month Check Ups

     Thursday was a busy day. Kaelynn had 2 doctors appointments. First stop, her 9 month check up.
   
     Her 9 month appointment went well. Everything is going up, and she's healthy.

    Weight: 16.7 lbs 

Height: 67cm

     Next stop was her ultra sound for her neck. The tech was telling us that she had never seen a baby return, until that day. For the one side of her neck, she was asleep. For the good side of her neck, she was awake and having none of it. The tech again, told us what she was seeing on her screen - after she went to talk to her doctor. There is nothing to be worried about, the muscles are slowly loosening and in the words of the doctor "it takes time".

6 month doctor visit

     Yesterday was Kaelynn's 6 month doctor visit. Jake had the day off, so he got to experience his fist immunization and everything else.

     She had fun destroying the paper and just being all out cute. She took her needle like a champ and was fine until she realized what happened. Then the AngryScreamies came out again until we all got home. Everything was fine at her appointment. Even according to her doctor she's had a substantial gain in weight. That makes me so happy.

6 months

Weight- 6.48 KG/14.3lbs (+2.5lbs)

Length- 63cm/24.8in (+1.2 in)

Head circ- 43cm/16.9in (+1 in)

 

4 months

Weight- 5.36 KG/11.8lbs

Length- 60cm/23.6in

Head circ - 40.5cm/15.9in

    

     We've tried some new foods this week. I made her some zucchini, but it just came out watery once removed from the freezer. She didn't like it, so I'm going to try making it over again. I also gave her some avacado. She put it in her mouth, spit it out and then cried. Lastnight, because she didn't like her veggies, I made her up a small bowl of barley cereal. She was just scraping it out of her mouth and was generally unpleased by it.  

4 month doctors visit

 

     Yesterday was Kaelynn's 4 month check up/shots. In 2 months, I think she has gained a lot.

At 2 months she was 8.95lbs (4.06kg)/21.5in (54.5cm) and yesterday she was 11.81lbs (5.36kg)/23in(60cm). She took her oral medicine no problem and was a happy go lucky baby this time around. No banshee screams until her needles, which she took like a champ.

     She has diaper rash, but it's clearing up and the doctor said that it's not as bad as it could be (I know this because I Google Imaged it). We also think that she could have seasonal allergies like her daddy. She claws at her face on high pollen days, so we were told to give her saline tear drops (the red eye drops are the vaso-constrictors) - easier said than done.

     By the time her appointment was over, she was not impressed. I hit her up with a shot of Camilla to try to help. We had other places to go.



      After making a quick stop to Canadian Tire to pick up English instructions for our Baby Bullet (they were just going to photocopy the whole book, thankfully the guy just  gave it to me or I would have flipped), we went to Montana's for a day late Father's day with my dad. From there it was picture time!
     We went to get her Milestone's picture done at Sears. The lovely Tiffany provided Kaelynn with a new outfit for her pictures. Above are some of the outtakes I took a picture of. She only had one mini melt down. The picture I chose is most adorable, I can't wait to get it in a few weeks.

     This past Sunday was Jake's first Father's day. He got the whole day to do what he wanted -play Xbox and play with baby. I made him French toast dumplings for breakfast and then we had lasagna for dinner. After dinner, we took a walk downtown for some sort of dessert. We chose to go to McCafe for their new frappe drinks. The Vanilla Chai one is amazing.

      Today I have an angry girl. Grunting, crying when put down, fingers jammed in her mouth. The only thing to stop her is boobs, but she can't be latched on all day Feeling her head, she feels kind of warm, probably from her shots - cool bath time & snuggles- then Mama needs to clean, laundry, get the diaper bag ready for swim tomorrow.

4 Months old

     Today is Kaelynn's 4 month birthday. It seems crazy that time has gone SO fast.

     She is now 25 inches long, thats a 6 inch growth from birth. I have been using my house scale to weigh her & I estimate that she is about 12 lbs, we have a doctors appointment on Monday so we will get an accurate weight. She's got a big ol' milk belly.

     She is a little personality. She loves to stick out her tounge, smile and giggle. She has only full out belly laughed a few times. She is a rolling machine, until she gets frustrated and angry. Tummy time has become much smoother now. I trick her with Mirror Baby. She loves looking at herself.
     She's just started to become interested in her books and toys. I have a feeling she is going to be a lefty - she grabs everything with her left. When the books come out, she gets so excited- she wiggles her arms and squeeks.
     She has basically adopted Bandit, or is it the other way around. Whenever possible, Bandit likes to jump on my lap and be around us. Her feeling neglected has turned out well, because she's become used to Kaelynn. She's the kitty that comes the closest. The other day, Bandit was crossing my lap and Kaelynn reached out and huggrabbed her tail. Yesterday,she was sitting on Jake's lap and Kaelynn was petting her/pulling fur. Even when Bandit got punched in the face, she took it.
   
    Wednesday, Daddy and I took her to the Y to go swimming. We showed up early for the Parents  Tots because I can't read the internet. We swam with the bigger kids and than swam with the babies. We spent about an hour in the water before she started to get fussy. She was out like a light afterwards.

     She's not sitting up, but she loves to attempt to stand. She can sometimes sit for about a second, but then falls or gets distracted. I am thinking her Torticollis head tilt isn't helping any either.We're working to improve it. The exercising seems to be helping.

Wait weight

     I stepped on the scale a few days ago and was very disappointed. It said I was 200 lbs. That's really nothing to me, since these past years I have been 180-200lbs. In my first months of pregnancy, I was 180ish lbs. Now I am up again to what I was. I severly dislike it. I am exclusively breast feeding, when people say you lose weight quickly, nothing is happening.
   I aim to walk everywhere that is manageable. This past week, we have been out and about walking downtown, even if it's just to get out (mostly because I've been forgetting things I need to pick up). To get downtown from my house, there are 3 ways. 2 ways you're on flat level and the 3rd, you go up hill. Even though flat level is easiest, I force myself to go up hill. I am developing serious stroller arm muscles. When it's warmer out, and she's a little bigger, I will babywear her (yay "weight training").
     .....If I  could just lose the 20lbs again.

*****
     Kaelynn is going to her first physio appointment tomorrow, so there will be an update on that. Her ultrasound is moved from May 14 to May 8th. It's bumped up but not by much.

2 month appointmet

Late night stroll with Daddy

     Today was Kae's 2 month doctor's appointment.That means NEEDLES. She was asleep & fine in the waiting room, but once it was time for weighing & consultations, she was screaming like a banshee & there was nothing to soothe her. She took her needles like a pro though, not really a lot of screaming until afterwards- we had to sit around for 20 minutes anyway. While waiting, they tried to up the ultrasound for her neck. Instead of waiting until May 14th, we were given an order to go to the Children's Out-Patient Centre.
     At the COPC, we were too late for the ultrasound office, but we have them calling us for an appointment at an earlier date. We also saw a pediatrician who thinks that the lump on Kaelynn's neck is congenital torticollis. The one doctor at my office thought it could be that as well. For now, we wait for an ortho to call us & I have some minor physio to do at each diaper change, so her neck will go in the other direction (at least she doesn't have flat head yet). The pedi said she's had a good gain since birth, that made me happy since everyone was saying she was 'slow'.

 

WEIGHT

BORN: 3.22KG 7.09LB (there was some discrepancy as the first weign in)

1 WEEK: 3.02KG 6.7LB

2 WEEK: 3.08KG 6.8LB

1 MONTH: 3.43KG 7.6LB

2 MONTH: 4.06KG 8.9LB (3RD percentile)

 

 

     It's going to be a long night, She's fussy from the shots & daddy is mad at FPS games.

 





Happy 2 Months

  

 

     Congrats kiddo! We have kept you alive for two months! Today is your 2 month birthday and you get a fox hat.

    

     Lately, she has been getting a bad case of the Angries and Screamies. I have no idea what to do. It seems like everything we try to do does not work. She's clean and dry. She's not cold or hot. She's been burped. She's been cuddled. She had a bath. She has been bounced. She's been fed. Nothing but screaming. The best part is it comes out of nowhere. There's nothing I can do sometimes but just to put her down and still hold her hand. I am hoping it's a growth spurt. Otherwise, she's a freakishly happy baby. I think it's because she's not napping. She will be awake and just stare, she's even been awake on bus/stroller rides now. Her poor eyes are getting baggy, puffy, and red.

 

     Yesterday, we went to a consignment sale and picked up a Snugli so Daddy can wear her. She doesn't like it yet, because her legs dangle instead of folded in, like with her wrap. With use, I hope she likes it. While there, I noticed a lack of baby hats at the booths. I know baby hats are all over the place, but I would like to think that I could be able to make some extra money by selling some hats. If I could make at least one a day, then by the end of the year, I should have lots. A whole army of hats is my goal. Now, I am seriously wondering if people will buy them.

 

 

     On Thursday, she goes in for her 2 month doctors appointment. I am worried about her height and weight. Hopefully, they look at her neck lump, since her ultrasound is a month away still.

 

     She is a lover of Bath Time, even Emergency Bath Time. She is starting to drool lots. She is starting to become Mrs. Grabbyhands and interested in everything. She is starting to fit in her cloth diapers better, even if some of them have giant leg gaps still. She has super neck control. She is still hating Tummy Time and has not rolled herself over. She won't burp if you try, but leave her alone & she's like a trucker. She's going to be super independant like her mama.

 

 

Blurbs from the Boyfriend

"She's moody because she's a girl. She's just practicing to be a woman"

 





Going for Walkies

     Yesterday, I attempted to cloth diaper Kaelynn. Fail. It was an attempt anyway. I was posting my attempts on Facebook, and some lovely friends helped me. I even went for coffee and Cris showed me how to use the Kawaii diapers (the majority of what I have). We then went for a walk up to Go Green Baby so she could pick up a super hero diaper for her child's Easter present. She then flaunted the pictures of my attempts. I am man enough to know when I need help. Today, she is all cloth to see how she likes it. So far, we've had a poosplosion, but no leaks- she just needed a bath.

 

 

     Today, she is wearing her cow print AMP diapers, after Cris told me how to use all the snaps on the front.
     After Go Green Baby, we went to the Dollar Store & huzzah! I walked away without buying anything. However, I did go into The Rocking Horse and found out that the toy store had Piggy Paint. I picked up a light pink, so it would be less noticable. I did her toes today & you cant even tell she has polish on *sad*. My dad then got me and we went to Canadian Tire for ant killing stuff (stupid bugs in my bathroom) and then Play & Learn so I could see if they had a specific Easter present for a friend of mine's daughter. They did! Huzzah! We went to the Tim Hortons by Jake's work and I told him to come over & we could give him a ride home.

     Easter is this weekend and I wanted to get Kaelynn something for Easter, but then I remembered she is a baby and wouldn't even notice -her nailpolish can count as her present. I did however make her a tutu to wear to Easter dinner in Harrowsmith with Jake's family.

 

     This afternoon we went on another adventure so she could meet her in utero friend Finn. We went for a walk to the dog park to meet up with my old co-worker and her son (about a month ahead of Kaelynn). We sat talking (in some hail) while her dog ran around like a psycho. Due to it being coldish outside, we walked to Tim Hortons and took the babes out of their stroller seats. It was time to say good bye just in time for the bus to take us home. I was going to ride the bus the whole way home, but instead got off downtown and decided to walk. When I was less than a block away from my house, I saw the bus pass me. I would have been no farther ahead & this way I got some extra exercise. C'mon baby weight, I need you off me...even if now it's just Annie weight (since I am thr same size/shape pre pregnancy, but it would be nice to be skinny for once).

Weight gain

     We just got back from her weekly doctors appointment. She's up. She is now 3.31kg or 7.3lbs. She's almost big enough for her cloth diapers. I tried them on her & they're WAY too huge. I also have a feeling that she knows when she has a doctors appointment because the night before she is fussier than normal. We basically just made it to the appointment because I dozed off. It didn't really matter. We were seen at 1030 and the appointment was for 10.
     We saw the lactation counsellor and she asked me about my supplementing. In her paperwork she gave me she said I could do 15-20ml of breast milk or formula at each feeding through the Supplemented Nursing System (feeding tube). I chose to do breast milk instead of formula. Today she commented that she didn't consider breastmilk to be supplementing, just a top up - "but if it works for you, like it has been.". She also asked about the pumping. "Do you feed and then supplement and then pump?". From my understanding, since she gave me an SNS, I was supposed to feed and use the SNS and then pump - which I have been doing. I put what I pump in the fridge to use at the next feeding. I've also been letting her sit on the boob for however long she wants. She's eating, peeing and pooping about every hour, so thats good. And she's no longer jaundice.
     She also has a swollen lymph node on the one side of her neck. *sad* It's going to be looked at on Monday. Basically, we have to keep an eye on it. It could be allergies, hormones, or like if a bug bit her.
     Having a baby is hard.
     Saturday morning was lovely. I had just fed her and she got the hiccups. Nothing unusual there. I was looking at her and she then proceeded to puke right in my face. Gross. I was in shock, so I just wiped it off and sat her upright. Then, like a puke fountain, it just spewed from her, onto the blanket I put under her. Not too bad. She's almost a month old and this is her first real puking (she's had some spit up before). I'm now scared whenever she gets hiccups -after almost every feed. I picked up gripe water and Ovol for her. I have no idea what I am doing as a mom.

    
     She's currently in her vibrating bouncy chair, if I turn it off she SCREAMS. I'm going to make lunch and possibly work on her leg warmers. She's getting solid pink ones.

Doctor's Visit

     Lasr night sucked.

     Kaelynn was crying & fussing. Jake got annoyed so he put her to bed.She was still crying. I went in to try to soothe her. She was fussy for about an hour. I burped, changed, fed, rocked her. I told Jake to go to bed since he worked at 7am. I felt frustrated & started to cry. Around 1:20, I went to put her to bed, since she was passed out across my lap, tired from being latched on for about 2 hours (nursing & soothing). I went to bed, but it only lasted 20 mins. Back to the livingroom. Repeat what I did earlier & latched on again for 2 hours. More crying involved. We both ended up just sleeping in the chair.

     This morning, she had a weigh in. She's not gaining. She's 6.7 lbs from 7.4lbs (or 7.6, depending on which KGH forms used). We were told to supplement 15-20ml each feeding. We could do formula or breast milk. I was given hosing that goes into a bottle to try it that way, it just sneaks into her mouth when she's on the boob. I was also prescribed medication to help with milk production. Apparently, with my hormones, that's what could be hindering me. With supplementing with breast milk, I don't think I even produce that much in a day. She was weighed before & after a feed. When she eats, she gets at least 1oz in her, but thats not enough. We'll do that until Sat and on Monday she goes back to the doctors.
     The doctors also looked at her rash & they think it could be a yeast. I was told to keep using a barrier on it and to make her meds from the ER last for 7 days instead of 10.

     I managed to get photocopies of forms for her Universal Child Benefit & mail things away. I went to Shoppers to get a new botte to use for her supplementing (so I can mark it & damage the nipple to hold the hose). I was going to go to Camera Kingston and print things out, I forgot. I was going to go to City Hall and pick up garbage tags for tonight, I forgot. I did get to the bank to deposit a cheque and the grocery store.  That was an adventure. I was pushing Kaelynn in the stroller and pulling my shopping cart, trying to maneuver around the corners.  I managed to get a whole cart for under $150. This makes me glad since I am still waiting on EI information.

My little T-Rex is curled into a ball on my chest, asleep. It's time to move her to her chair so I can grab some fruit salad & water. I am also cold and need a sweater. Damn you snow storm.

I feel like a bad mom & keep crying now.

First Doctors Appointment

     Today Kaelynn had her first doctor's appointment. I suppose it went well. She's down about a pound (6.6lbs now)(They had some numbers 3.02, I assumed they were kgs and just converted them), but they said that's normal. She is also a tad yellow, but they didn't seem too concerned. We also met with the lactation coach that's at my doctors. She helped and got Kae to suckle from the side she doesn't much like. She also suggested a nipple shield, so I picked one up to try it out. We'll see. Pumping seems to be going well. As much as I don't think I am getting alot, they seemed fine with it: roughly .5-1oz. (My weight: 199lbs)

     I am thankful to Christine (Jake's mom) for our Moses Basket. I put her to bed around 8:30 and she's been in there about an hour. She was fussing after her PJs were put on, as soon as she was plopped in her basket, she was out. It's time to wake her in 20 mins anyway for her feeding before I go to bed too.

     Yesterday I was able to put my ring back on! HURRAY! I was s worried we would have to get it resized. Granted, just now I had to fight to get it off...but we're getting there.

     Anyway, enjoy this picture from the doctor's office.

9 days

     I am sitting here drinking some coconut water with icecubes and I feel like I've never drank anything so delicious. I have decided that I am going to post once a day until she shows up - since I now don't have work.
    
     This morning was a doctor's appointment. I am still 214 lbs. Yay.Here I was expecting to gain about 2 more pounds. The resident confirmed that she's not dropped yet, but her heart beat is good. I had my first membrane sweep and I am 3cm dilated.

"If she doesn't come in the next 9 days, it should be very simple to get things started. It seems favourable."

 

     My next doctors appointment was scheduled for this Thursday, but it was decided that was just too close together. So, my next one is now the 21st, the day after I should deliver.

 

     Afterwards, I went to the library and picked up 2 books while waiting for my mom. We hopped a bus and went to see about filing for maternity EI. I figured if I went in person, I would actually talk to a person. Nope. It's basically still sitting at a computer. I could have done that at home with my mom helping me anyway. Now, onto the waiting period. Waiting for my letter to see if I get it/ the 2 week waiting period.

     We left and went to the Dollarama so I could see if they had a smallish garbage can with a lid. No go. I hate how they used to have things and it gets switched around all the time. I was also looking for a mesh storage hanger thing to hold diapers (I have an old one holding diapers, and picked up a canvas tote. I still feel like there is no room for the inserts). Friday, is Jake's day off and apparently they are doing one last dump run, so I was thinking of sending him to Wal-Mart or CanTire to get something suitable. Next stop, Food Basics to see if they had any Aloe Juice. The food gods were with me, they had one lone bottle, and on sale. MINE! I also got Jake 4 Monsters for cheap.

     We bussed back downtown and went out for a cheap lunch. We parted ways and I went to the other Food Basics downtown. I picked up icecream and cinnamon rolls. Yum yum!

     

     Since I've been home, I've putter cleaned the livingroom, did some dishes, and "made" a coat rack. We had a spare piece of 2x4 and I had 6 hooks. I nailed a piece of camo fabric around the wood and hammered the nails in place. Voila: coat rack. I am watching Fringe on Netflix and am going to paint my belly cast white.

 

     More adventures tomorrow!

 

Blurbs from the boyfriend:

"Have you put a plastic sheet or towel on the bed yet incase your water breaks?"

"No?"

"Then, you're buying a whole new mattress. I don't care what you think..that stuff is NOT water"





38 Weeks (almost)

     Tomorrow is 38 weeks, so I thought I would post now since I had a doctors appointment yesterday. Weight: 214lbs. Everything went well, except I was 2 days too soon for a membrane sweep. I have a feeling I will go over and not deliver on February 20th because it feels like nothing has happened yet. She's not even engaged yet. Maybe she's like me and stubborn (which I think because she doesn't kick when others want to feel her). Everything else seems good. She's measuring to term and her heart beat is good. The one thing I am worried about is she will actually be a he. I know I need to trust my gut that said she was a she (and the ultrasound), but it's hard.

     On Sunday afternoon, Cezar, came over and helped me make a belly cast. I had to pick up some more plaster and re-enforce it yesterday in spots (since I had the day off). It needs to possibly be sanded and definately painted. I wish I had painting skills. I have no idea what I want to put on it. I saw some neat ideas on Pintrest. I really liked a zebra print one (she has so much zebra clothing) and there was one that was painted white and just had simple stenciled flowers on it. I want her name, date, weight, etc on it too, but nothing too flashy. I really disliked the casts that had everyone at the baby shower sign it or the information right in the centre.

 

     Saturday, I went out with my dad and he got me belated baby/Christmas presents. I had no idea what I wanted for Christmas, so we just went clothes shopping. I managed to snag a $30 diaper bag for $16. Excellent.

 

     When it comes to her movements, she's been mostly squirmy and hiccupy. Kicking, not so much due to lack of room. She's currently squirming as I write this...or it could be from my Dr. Pepper/yelling at the cats. I have found out she does not like loud noises (ie: if I drop dishes at work or Jake coughs/sneezes). There are random thumps and gurgles down below that I feel and have no idea what's going on. I just pretend she's belching like Barney Gumble. No more BHs, unless I no longer feel them and they happen at work when I'm up and running around. I feel some back contractions when I lay down and go to sleep, no matter what side I sleep on.

 

    I have only 3 more days of work, Friday. Then I plan to focus on organizing the house and her room. The crib is built, and the clothes she will be wearing the most are put in the dresser. Her knit clothes are put in the 3 tiered plastic drawers and her 12-18mth clothes are all put away in a clear storage bag. Her diapers/inserts need to be washed and in a home of some sorts and I need to pick up a container from the Dollarrama to hold her wetbag. The TV in the bedroom needs to be moved and the crib needs to be placed in our room (Yea, I gotta measure that). Is it bad I was thinking of putting the TV in the nursery (swapping it out with the crib), so I will have something to do? Even if I can watch the TV in the livingroom as I nurse etc?? We'll see, since Jake needs to do another dump run at some point. (And as I type this, him and Aaron come through the door with 2 boxes of yarn for me and start to head to the basement to organize and pitch/ditch. I locked all 3 cats up, after fighting with Vodka. Apparently, he knows if a cat goes in the bedroom and the door gets closed, he has to run).

 

     Tiffany put up pictures from the baby shower. I went through and picked some of my favourites from the baby shower, better than putting up all 80something.

 

 

     And since I now have 2 boxes of yarn in my livingroom and a bolt of camo fabric, time to go snoopy...and here I was wondering where I would get $100 to buy the yarn from one of his coworkers. (And I've spent almost an hour writting this rambling).