Kimberly

Nursing Jewell

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:46:27 GMT

I wanted to reflect on the nursing relationship that I had with Jewell, so you can pass this if you want.

It all started on August 27th 2008. After pushing for 4.5 hours and in labor for a total of 13 hours and 1 min. Jewell came into our lives! I had to have an emergency c-section. I saw Jewell and put her to my breast when she was 1 hour old. The nurse that we had in the recovery room, really helped me out a lot. Jewell did great with latching on to my right side. When I went to go put her on my left side awhile later in our room where we were going to be be for the rest of our stay she did not latch on very well. She would scream. And the nurses we had plus the CNA's really tried helping out as much as they could. They called in a lactation nurse to help me out. Also the midwives came to visit and were very supportive and were also giving me ideas. The next day the midwife was looking at my nipples and they were very bruised and dark. She asked to help me out if we could use a nipple sheild. So we went with that. It worked great. She was able to latch. (I have very flat nipples.) Jewell ended up on day 4 having jaundice. She had to be under the lights for 24 hours. The only time she was allowed out from the lights was to eat. The nurses had me pump since my milk was not in fully. So after I would feed Jewell than I would go and pump.

We went home on day 5. I was scared but I knew this had to work. We were at home together for 6 weeks together. I than had to return to work. About 1 week before I went back to work I started to pump once to twice a day to start building up my supply. When I got to work. It was hard for me to pump. Not because I did not react to the pump but my leads and boss were not that nice about giving me time to pump and a place for me to pump. I would pump 3 times a day, in an 8.5 hour shift. I would make sure I would feed Jewell or pump before I left for the day also. I would pump for 15 mins in the morning, 20 mins or so at my lunch time and 15 mins in the afternoon. When I got home Jewell would be hungry by 4ish which was nice because I would be home by 3:45pm. There was also a month that my FIL would bring Jewell to me on my lunch time and I would feed her than. That was very nice of him.

We breastfeed all the way until Jewell was about 6 months old and than introduced some soilds. She did okay with them. But her main source was still mommma's milk. To get pregnant we had to do an IVF. We knew we wanted to have another one sooner rather than later. So in August of 2009 we started treatment for another round. We did not have to stop breastfeeding. She slowly started to wean herself prior to even starting drugs. I was still pumping 3 times a day at work. Jewell did not really want to nurse anymore she would rather drink out of a cup. On August 25th 2009 Jewell refused to latch on all day. She kept moving away. I knew I was pregnant for sure at that time. (confirmed a few days later) I pumped for a little bit more. I have/had so much milk in our deep freezer that I donated 300oz to one of my co-workers who is having a hard time keeping up with her growing now 8 month old. I still have about 250oz downstairs in our freezer waiting to be moved to my co-workers house or somebody else who could use it.

It is bitter sweet that Jewell stopped nursing. I'm very sad and I know some of it was because of me wanting another baby. But really in the end I gave her a year of great mamma's milk and a brother or a sister to play with her and to hopefully be very good friends. I know some people may look at this as being selfish but I do not and that is all that matters.

I think that is it for now, I may add on more later.

It has been almost one month.

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:21:50 GMT

The big news I broke my middle (3rd digit) finger on the left hand friday night. I was getting up from the couch with Jewell on my belly put my hand behind my back to lift me up some and my finger bent all the way back. Lovely I know.

Jewell is doing great. I can't believe she is going to be 6 months next week! I want to say she is around 14 or 15 pounds. but she is sooooo long. Maybe 26 or 27 inches.

We are going to Iowa this coming Saturday to see my family. We are meeting at Grand Harbor Resort for a surprise birthday party for my mom. =P

Adam is back in school and is liking his classes for the most part. I miss him a ton when he is in school since he is working on the days he has off from school. but school does not go on forever I guess.

We are looking into buying another car not sure which one yet but will keep you all posted. =P

alright time for bed, my finger really hurts.

Apple picking ...

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:19:01 GMT

We went apple picking last Wed. Well, we went to 3 different places first that does not allow you to pick and than finally on the 4th try they allow you to pick certain apples. We got a lot of apples. Jewell pretty much slept the whole time and we kind of took pics but they are not the best. So after we got 2 boxes of apples. (we are making apple pies... a lot of apple pies.) We went to this hiking area in Eau Claire and took some pics there. It was a lovely day out and it was a lovely day for us. And when we got back home it was time for Adam to go back to school. =( here are some pics of that day and also 2 others from the next day.

Adam and Jewell walking in the woods.

Adam and Jewell... The sun was very bright...

Jewell and I (she was 3 weeks old on these days.)

We like to rock climb and well, Adam wanted a pic of her looking like she was trying to rock climb....=P

Here she is 3 weeks and 1 day..

And again thinking about something ... =P

it was a crazy weekend that just passed ... oh wait tomorrow starts a new one.

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:39:24 GMT

Jewell got baptized on 9/13/08. Which was lovely but at the same time very stressful. Lots of family came in to town. My parents and brother came in on Friday, which was lovely since they got to spend the whole day with Jewell, Adam and myself. My sister, BIL, and all 5 kids came in on Saturday also with my Aunt Ruth. Than at 3:30pm insane broke out. All of my husbands family showed up for the BBQ. And than Jewell had enough of being passed around and started to scream. Took her in the back to nurse her and have her relax and my MIL came back there saying that it is not nice of me to keep her to myself in the back room. It is not like I was just playing with her back there I was nursing her! I told her that we would be back out there in a few mins when she is done eating. She did not like that response and closed the door very hard. (slammed the door) It pretty much all went down hill from there and when church was over I was soooo ready for bed. But it was my parents 40th anniversary and we (sisters family, brother, aunt Ruth, Adam, Jewell and I) all went out to eat. It was a lot nicer and not as crazy since it was a smaller group. (if you want to call 13 eating and 1 baby small.) Well needless to say I was glad when Sunday came, but also sad that my family was leaving and won't see them again until Thanksgiving. =/

Adam, Jewell and I on her baptizmal day

Both sets of Godparents, Pastor, and us

My sister holding Jewell

Jewell not very happy with me

Jewell's cake.

Godparents: left to right: My brother Jeff, my sister Donna, holding Jewell, Adam's cuz wife Lynett and Adam's brother Nate (older one..)

Still here ...

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:22:24 GMT

I'm still here... No baby yet ... (thought I would let you all know)

Having lots of tightening of the stomach ... If you go by what the doctors are saying with my due date up one week I'm 40 weeks and 1 day today if you go by the IVF than I'm 39 weeks and 1 day.. However you look at it I'm ready for her to come .. =P

Doctor appt yesterday

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:44:03 GMT

Yesterday I had my 35ish/36ish doctors appt. Went in feeling fine. Nurse goes to take my weight I was like wow I'm a cow but oh well, than goes and takes my blood pressure. starts to pump it than starts to release it I felt it start right away she stops lets it all the way down starts to take it again same thing starts right away. Says it seems to be high I'm going to let you rest for a bit. I sit there for about 1 min and she takes it on the other arm. It turns out my BP is 152/80. She says she will let the doctor know. Doctor comes in ask what symptoms I'm having. Told her about right about my ribs have been hurting can't sleep on either side, feet are huge, the other day while I was watching TV and not moving I started to see white spots in front of my eyes. She tells me that she is going to do blood work on me and also I get to do the 24 hour urine collection. She checks me out and I'm 1cm dilated. did the group b check. and than I got to sit in a chair for 30 mins while there was monitors on the baby for a stress test. She did well with the stress test. While we were sitting there the doctor went over my birth plan with Adam and I. So, at 5:40pm tonight I'm done with the urine collection than I get to go give it to them. I'm on bed rest until we figure out what is going on. Blood work came back, liver was good, but my hemoglobin was only at a 9.?? Which is really really low. They want it at least a 11 but would love it at a 12 or 13. So my iron sticks. And I'm bored on bedrest. There is nothing I can do really. Because my husband says when he comes home from work and he sees that things have been cleaned he will be upset since I'm supposed to be on bed rest. Not at home cleaning.

On another note: brittany leaves on Friday. She called her mom yesterday saying that we have no food in the house for her to eat. My sister calls me at work asking me what we have in the house. I said lots of good food and there are like 2 different left overs in the fridge. Donna calls Brittany back and says that, Donna calls me back and says but you have no junk food or pop in the house. WOW, I guess we are always supposed to have pop and junk food in the house at all times. My mom, calls me today saying that I know you and Adam don't like to eat junk food and pop all the time but you know when your child gets older you will have to have that stuff in the house. I don't think I do and neither does Adam. But what do we know.

Ouch

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:42:26 GMT

So , this might be TMI... but my right boob is leaking while I'm sleeping. I have only seen it than. My left one has done nothing. and nothing happens in the day at least so far. This was the second time. The first time was a couple of nights ago and than this morning I woke up and it was leaking. Kind of odd.

Can't sleep what so ever... I woke up crying like a million times last night because my hips, and ribs hurt to lay on them and it hurts to lay on my back or to sit up.

I'm already for this week to be over with. Brittany leaves on Friday.

Better get back to work.

Who wants me to interview them?

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 08:36:58 GMT

Comment and I will interview you.

I'll ask you 5 questions.

Answer them either in your own journal or here in my comments, whatever you prefer.

Repost asking your friends if they want to be interviewed, if you haven't already done so.

on edge!

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 21:23:24 GMT

So Adam and I have been fighting off and on this whole weekend. Well, since Thursday. I really can't pin-point reasons but just getting mad at each other and then I end up just pissed off Adam yells and walks out the door for a run or for a drive. Or as right now he came home for 30 mins and was saying that he will get his Aunt to write him a doctors note so then he can call in sick the day after Thanksgiving from work and we will be in Eau Claire, WI and he will be hunting. Well, he was supposed to have it off but they told him early in the week they could not give it to him since they need him. Jessy (SIL) works for the general office and I called her asking what Adam can do and she said nothing he has to work it or he will be fired. I don't think hunting gives you a reason for getting fired! I asked Adam nicely if we could just travel to Eau Claire, WI the night before Thanksgiving (after my bio lab) and then he will be able to go hunting on Thanksgiving with his brothers and dad and other family. Then we will have Thanksgiving dinner and leave at around 7am next day so then he can get back by 1:30pm to be at work at 2pm. I even said I will drive both ways so he can sleep. I think that it will be somewhat pointless but if he wants to go hunting so bad with his family then it works. He got mad at me and said that I'm not thinking of his family... and I asked how am I not thinking of his family. He said because why can't I take off from school one Saturday well because I only have Math class one day a week. Sorry for the vent but just had to let it all out. Needless to say he got upset and left back to work without saying goodbye. Back to studying.

Yummy....

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 21:30:00 GMT

I love starbucks on any day (when I can afford it) but today it just hit the spot! When it is cold outside, you are sleepy and you know you have a long night ahead of you! A Vanilla Skim Latte X-hot just hits the spot!

Back to me inputting stupid things and of course sipping my Latte! =P

one more thing

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:54:50 GMT

I'm trying to make my website friends only since I do want to write somethings in here that are about Adam and I and I don't want others snooping around ... if anybody can help me with this that would be great!!

2nd time

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:37:34 GMT

So Today is my 2nd entry and lets see I just joined 3 groups ... One group I love is Making_babies!The girls there are very nice I'm going tonight to go get the book Taking Charge of your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It is supposed to be a very good book... Adam went out last night and came back with a baby book! I told him are you jumping the gun a little... he said no we need to keep all things open in this time. We also started to talk about who the godparents are going to be ... we think his brother Josh (younger brother) and my neice who is (13 years old) even though she is very young well i guess not that young (my sister is a lot older then me) but she would be a great Godmother! I think that is all we talked about so I better get going making dinner ...

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 21:49:15 GMT

Well, this is my first one... and lets see I'm 22 years old and have benn married to Adam for almost 2 months. We are doing well.. .nothing has changed ... execpt that we are wanting to start a family ... we have been trying for about 2 months now ... yes before the wedding ... I know we are bad ... but I guess this is it for now ... I just joined a group ... Making babies.. and I hope i get in! talk to you soon