A Week of Breastfeeding

Josie has been going strong with breastfeeding for almost a week now. She's had NO issues with latching at all, and I am so incredibly happy that she decided to breastfeed without a shield or any other device. So far, her latch has been good and not too painful (unless she pulls away from me without letting go or bites, OUCH!). I'm a little concerned about her weight, since I'm not entirely sure how much she is getting from me. Today was my first day not pumping in the morning or during the day, since I was down to 3 pumps per day and feeding her on demand during the day. I wanted to see how she would do if I only concentrated on feeding her and not pumping. She did really well, and wasn't cranky or seeming hungry at all today, which I hope means that she was eating well! We did give her a bottle before bed, but it was only 2.5 ounces and it was only because she was fussy at the breast and I wanted her to go to bed with a good full stomach so she would sleep better. She is typically a sleeping fiend, and will often sleep for 12 hours straight (and she goes to sleep on her own in her cradle)! I usually pump while she's asleep, and think I will continue to do so since she sleeps SO long (not that I'm complaining)...

So what's new in the world of Josie, you may ask? Not too much. Daddy FINALLY got to see her rollover from her belly to her back last night, and he sounded very happy to see it! She also saw her first whole movie the other day (Fox and the Hound), and she actually watched most of it! TV is not something I normally encourage, but we were having a "nurse-in" day, where we laid around and I nursed her as much and as long as she wanted to help encourage her and to help build my supply back up. It was a good day that provided lots of cuddles for us!

Josie's been spending some time with Aunts Kristine and Sarah, usually so mommy can get some stuff done during the day (and since Kristine will leave for school in the fall and Sarah will be gone for the summer). She's really starting to notice who people are, and was even excited to spend a couple of hours with Grandma Schick last Friday while mommy did some chores! She notices pets, and really enjoys watching the dogs run around the back yard!

Josie also sang the other day! She "talked" to me, then started singing! I sang back at her, and she did it back to me! She's becoming quite the little character!

My little wee one is growing up so fast! I can't believe that she is already 3.5 months old! 

A much overdue update!

Clearly, I'm not keeping up with this blog as much as I would like to. Josie is now 3 months and 4 days old, or 13 weeks, 5 days old. Either way, she's sure a lot older than it feels! She's blossoming into a beautiful little girl more and more each day, and each day I'm reminded of how much I love her and how much of a wonderful blessing she truly is in our lives. After all, who couldn't love this face?

Josie's weight has been very good, she's finally getting some meat on her! I'm so happy about that, since the guilt I've felt about her not eating enough was immense. She's still on the smaller side when compared to her peers, but she's at least growing steadily now! At her last weigh in a week and a half ago, she was 11 pounds, 6 ounces!

Since my last post, Josie has reached a few milestones, some of which we weren't even expecting! Josie can smile, laugh, roll from belly to back, and is working on copying things and controlling her hands. She has copied some faces that I made when I snorted like a pig, and makes a "haa haa haa" sound with deep breaths. Her first time rolling over, we all missed it. I set her down on her belly on her play mat, and turned to flip the light switch on, and when I turned back around she was on her back, much to my surprise! Josie also found her feet for the first time the other day, when Grandma Schick bought her a Bumbo seat!

Other than some awesome milestones, our last few weeks have been rather mellow. Josie got to meet her Great-aunt Kass! Josie was actually content and happy, and Kass loved getting to meet her new Great-niece and holding her!

Josie also got to use her bounce and spin froggy for the first time, and she LOVES it! She has learned how to play music by spinning the frog's eyes (even mommy couldn't figure that out!)!

Josie has also been brushing up on her reading! She's loving her Dr. Suess book that we got from Maryl!

Being the educated and experienced little person Josie is, she even attended her first wedding! Josie went to her uncle Matt and aunt Mary's wedding April 30, and even had an adorable dress to match the bridesmaids! 

And just because I'm sure you all want to see more pictures:

On the greener side of things, Josie is FINALLY getting breastfeeding down. After her hospital stay, I pretty much started exclusively pumping, and occasionally feeding her with a nipple shield. I was exhausted, since my supply had dropped so much and I had to supplement and pump frequently to ensure she got enough and my supply would increase. I made an appointment with the Breastfeeding Resource Center to see a lactation consultant about getting Josie to latch without the shield, since I really was hoping to wean her from the shield and be able to stop pumping. I know breastmilk is best for my baby, and that was what I intended to give her! As it turns out, Josie has what is known as a bubble palate (a high indentation in her front part of the palate), which makes it difficult for her to properly suck. The lactation consultants helped me get Josie to latch, and she got 2.5 ounces from me without the shield, much more than the less than 1 ounce she was getting with it!

I struggled with trying to get Josie to latch on my own, and really gave up. I decided that spending all my time frustrated, feeling rejected, and attached to a pump was not good for either of us. I began dropping pumps, and was down to only 3 or 4 a day. As it turns out, Josie had other plans, as yesterday she latched right on and hasn't stopped since! It hurts, I'm not going to lie, but I am SO incredibly happy that Josie has decided to nurse on her own! Now I just have to get my supply back up, which shouldn't be too hard as much as she wants to eat! I'm so happy I persevered, and the end of the hellish days is finally in sight! WAY TO GO JOSIE!