Family Camp Out!

We did it!  First camping trip with Charlie Ann - a success!

However, I will admit that I was having some serious regrets/doubts that first night... I was up every 30 minutes afraid she was either freezing to death (the low was 30 that night) or suffocating in the sleeping bag.  Needless to say, this mama did not get a whole lotta rest [and of course Charlie Ann was sleeping great..]  But by the time the second night came, I had a new plan and it worked great.  She just woke up once to nurse around 4am.  Perfect! (That second plan involved sleeping her in that giant pink puffy snow suit instead--she had warm cheeks all night)

There's a lot of photos... it was a well documented trip - ha.

Stuff for Nursing Moms

*****If you are not a nursing mom, this is going to be WAY boring and probably WAY to much information.  You're warned!  Read at your own risk!*****

Oh, nursing.  I really thought I crossed that bridge a while back... I mean, I finally stopped cringing, stamping my feet and holding my breath the first 30 seconds after she latched on.  I was no longer blistered and I wasn't bleeding or cracking.  I could take a shower and actually enjoy it.  I had conquered the awkwardness of nursing pads, nursing tanks and nursing bras.   I could nurse evasively in public.   I thought I was in the clear of everything about nursing.  

Wrong.  About 3 1/2 months into things, I started to think I was not making enough milk.  Boo.  Because I am committed- downright, wholeheartedly, two feet in -committed to exclusively breastfeeding until Little Miss is 6 months old.  (And I'd still like to make it to her first birthday).  So this is quite the point of frustration for me.  I have been back at work for 3 weeks now.  And I am pumping away, trying to make extra to feed her, and yet still keep her belly full daily.  This is a challenge.  I have added in extra "feedings" (also known as pumping) after she goes to bed at nite.. or I get up at some ridiculous hour in the early a.m., to stagger into the kitchen and "swish-suck-swish-suck-swish-suck" for 15 minutes.  And it's sad.  I get a few drops.  Okay, I get more than that, but I really only do get a few ounces.  Quite discouraging.   Because it takes me at least two pumpings to make enough milk for one bottle feeding.  I'm no math whiz, but that clearly isn't good.  

Thankfully, I have lots of support.  Lots of moms have offered their tips and hints.  And it's been SO GREAT.  

Unfortunately, I have a kicker.  Here it is.  Charlie Ann is now not seeming full after a regular nursing session with me.  She gets mad and frustrated and cries and arches her back and wants more.  Well, kiddo, I'm all out.  This is no bueno.  So I have been using some of my stock pile in the freezer for an additional "dessert" for CA.  Sometimes she just wants an extra ounce and two.  And sometimes, like yesterday, she gulped down 5 more ounces.  What?!  So now, I am really nervous about not making enough milk.  I dont know if you can "over feed" on breastmilk or not.. but my little munchie is quite on the small side..  (she just hit 12 pounds and she's 3 1/2 mon old) so I'm not really thinking she's being a little porker, I do think she is genuinely hungry.  I'm hoping its a growth spurt.

Meanwhile, to help (at least ease my conscience) I made these tonight: http://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/major-milk-makin-lactation-cookies.html 

and read this article - http://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/lactation-cookies-recipe-increasing.html I started taking fenugreek capsules about a month ago.  Unfortunately they made me incredibly dizzy and lightheaded.  So those are out.  I have however, picked up this tincture: http://www.motherlove.com/product/530-More-Milk-Plus.html. I just started it yesterday, so the verdict is still out on it's effectiveness.  I do know that a nursing mom needs extra "good" calories (and let me tell you, it's hard not to want to count and cut every one, post-pregnancy) so I made a "fortified" banana bread the other day [packed with bananas, whole wheat flour, flax, yogurt, walnuts, etc.] and cut them into portion sizes and froze them.  Now, I can just take out on, set it on the counter and then I have a great breakfast with zero effort.  

On that note, it's time for a "feeding".  Swish-suck-swish-suck.

Charlie Ann - Month Two Recap

Week 9

Out to Redondo Beach to meet one of Dad's climbing friends for dinner. 

 

I am also a big fan of going on morning walks to Starbucks with Mom and my dog.  I really like Mom's carrier, especially now that she bought me a sunhat so I can look at the palm trees without squinting. 

I am smiling back at Mom and Dad (and sometimes to other people), especially right after I wake up.  I also have found my voice and love to tell Mom stories.  

Week 10

I enjoy my tummy time more than ever, especially on mom's bed.  

Also this week, I got to meet my new friend, Hudson.  Our Mom's talked a lot about how much they love us, especially when we wake up all night wanting to be cuddled.

My friend Gretchen gave me her play mat.  I absolutely love it!  I could lay under it for hours.

I got to take my first big girl bath!  It is probably the most fun part of my day.  If it were up to me, I would like to take four baths a day, one before every nap.  Bath time is just so fun cause I get to kick and splash and look at myself in the mirror.  Then I am so tired and warm, I fall right to sleep.

Mom got me a little lady bug to look at while i ride in the car.  Now I like my car seat a whole lot more.

Week 11

All dressed up to go to dinner in Long Beach.  I look like toy doll for sale!  

The whole family spent a nice hot day at Huntington Dog Beach.  It was so warm and sunny, and so fun.  

Week 12

I had my first appointment with my new pediatrician.  She was so sweet to me.  She said I am very skinny, only 9lb 9oz, but I am very long, 24 1/2 in!  But she wasn't worried.  I also got 3 shots and a liquid vaccine.  I cried quite a bit, but calmed down quickly.  For the next three days, I slept a lot!  I am also a big fan of infant's tylenol.  It helped so much.

Mom went back to work this week, but thankfully it's only two days a week.  And those two days when she is gone, I get to spend all day with Dad.  I was pretty upset when Dad tried to feed me with a bottle.  I was so mad about it, I decided to take a nap instead of eat.  But when lunchtime came around, the bottle sounded like a good idea.  I am very good girl for Dad.

I am finally in size 1 diapers.  I still easily fit in newborns, but Mom is ready to start using the 8 boxes of 1's we already have.  Let me tell you, I love having the top of my diapers in my armpits.  I am long enough for my 0-3 months clothes, but I definitely have room for two of me in width.   So many of my older friends have been giving me their clothes cause they are growing out of them, I just keep hoping one day I can wear them!

I am getting a lot better at sleeping on my own during the day.  I used to have to be held to take any kind of daytime nap.  But now, if I sleep on my side, wedged between two warm pillows, I am good to go!  

I also like to be home at nite.  Unfortunately, Mom and Dad still tote me around everywhere past 6:30pm.  I like to look around and take in all the sights, so it's very hard for me to go to sleep with all this newness happening! 

And now on to fun stuff of being a 3 month old...   

Busy Day Cake

Tonight we're attending a friend's birthday party.  I am making dessert.  I have a three month old that doesn't like nap without being held.  This is quite a conundrum when responsible for that thing I mentioned in sentence two.  However, my friend Lani to the rescue!  She has shared her great recipe for just my situation.

Well, the proof is in the pudding cake.  See image below from this morning. I doubled the recipe and baked in an angel food cake pan for a little shwing.

Busy Day Cake

Prep: 25 min.   Bake: 30 min.   Oven: 350 F

Cool: 30 min.   Makes: 8 servings

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups assorted fresh berries

whipped cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8 x 1 1/2-inch round cake pan; set the pan aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add milk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Spread into the prepared pan.

3. Bake about 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack about 30 minutes. Serve warm with berries and, if desired, whipped cream.

(Busy-Day Cake with Broiled Coconut Topping:)

Prepare as above, except omit berries and whipped cream. While cake is baking, mix 1/4 cup packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons softened butter. Stir in 1 tablespoon milk. Stir in 1/2 cup coconut and, if desired, 1/4 cup chopped nuts. Spread over warm cake. Broil 4 inches from heat 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire rack 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Nephew 2 is here!

My newest nephew is here!  He belongs to the bravest mother I know.  Amy, what a birth story you have.  Hip hip hooray to healthy boy!!

Welcome 

Asher Mark Kelley

8lb 4oz

20 1/2 in

January 19th, 2012

Nephew 1 is here!

So both of my sister in laws are expecting babies in January..  and well Baby Garrett is finally here!!

Welcome 

A.J. Garrett

6lb 3oz

19 in

January 8th, 2012

8 weeks, Charlie Bug

Little Charlie Ann is 8 weeks old today.  It goes so quickly!  I
 have already posted pictures of her first and second weeks... so here is the newest:

Week 3

My debut week in Springfield, Missouri. Everyone is wanting to come visit and hold me.  I definitely got passed around for 6 hours on Thanksgiving Day to every aunt, uncle, cousin and every great aunt, great uncle and second cousins, and of course passed to all the great grandparents too.  I was pretty much the hit of the party, although I don't remember a thing because I slept ALL day.  Also this week, I met my dad's side of the family, watched my grandma run a 5k, met my great-great grandma and did a lot of Christmas shopping in the mall.  I am really loved by everybody!
Grandma's house was super ready for me, I had a pack-n-play, a bassinet, a bouncer, a swing, diapers, wipes, a dresser, a boppy, a carseat, a stroller and new clothes.  A girl could get used to this kind of treatment!  But, I am a big fussypants at night and don't want to go to sleep before 11:30pm/12am.  But after I get walked and rocked and everyone knows I am here, I usually give in and go to sleep til around 3am.

  

Week 4

This week I started to make a few tiny, little sweet sounds if someone talks to me.  I am also going to bed closer to 10:30 and waking up at 5am for breakfast!  Mom is happy to get some extended sleep, and I am too.
This week I met a lot of Mom's friends and we went on some big shopping trips, but I dont mind cause I get to be carried in a sling!

Week 5

I am getting better and better at sleeping through the nite, and after my 5am breakfast, I go right back to sleep until second breakfast at 8am.  Everyone is happy about this!  I am also cracking tiny little grins to Mom and Grandma and Gabby and few lucky others.

Week 6

Dad came this week!  I have missed him the last month.  He doesn't let anyone else hold me, and that's okay... we have a lot of catching up to do.  I am celebrating Christmas and phew, another l-o-n-g day of being held and passed around to all of Mom's relatives.  So fun, but so exhausting!

Week 7

All I remember about this week is.. THE  CARSEAT!  We drove for three days from Missouri all the way to Southern California.  Where I slept in a drawer, a chair and a king sized bed, but I did not sleep in my carseat.

8 Weeks Today!

Hello again, SoCal.  I am so loving this warm weather here.  I get to wear dresses, take lots of walks outside and enjoy the sunshine.