Trying Not to FREAK OUT!

Doesn't our boy have the most fabulous smile? He really is a good looking kid.

What? Does he look a little swollen? That's because he is!

He was running to give the statue of Curious George a hug at Strong Museum and tripped and face planted into George instead. He cut his lip in several places and pushed two of his teeth back. Scott brought him home and we called the pediatrician. We were told to take him to the dentist. The problem is that the pediatric dentist at our practice was out of the office for the day. So, we got the distinct privilege of going to the emergency pediatric dentist at the hospital. That's another whole experience.

They took X-rays and basically scarred my son so that he will never willingly go to the dentist. Three different dentists looked at him (traumatizing him each time) only to tell us that they disagree, but that the decision was to not pull the tooth (thank goodness). They told us that, best case, the teeth will resume their original position and heal fine or, worst case, his front tooth will "fail" and eventually discolor and/or fall out. So, is it vain to want to know if there is such a thing as cosmetic dentistry for kids? I can't imagine my child walking around for years without a front tooth. I've seen kids like that...and I totally judged their parents. So, try not to gasp, but this was what Adam looked like before bed:


The dentist warned us that he will probably look worse tomorrow. Oh, and he also said that Adam had "an impressive hematoma" (you can't see that it is dark purple and really swollen on the underside of his upper lip). So, when you see us out and about, don't judge me. My child brushes his teeth, I don't put him to bed with a bottle of juice, we're not white trash. We just look that way.

Another Scottism

Remember when I found that Scott was researching "pork rind nutrition"? Well, when I sat down to his computer to check my e-mail, I found this. While it looks like heart attack waiting to happen, I have to admit I'm a little intrigued...

The Best Big Brother

I'll admit I was worried about how Adam would react to having a new baby in the house and, therefore, competition for his parent's time and attention. I am happy to report that, "so far, so good". He really doesn't see her as competition, more as a new plaything, or a pet. He loves to give her kisses and we will often find him with his head resting on her in a very sweet non-crushing way.

The other day he grabbed one of his books and said to me, "Share book, Jane?" I said that he could certainly share his book with Jane. He then took it to her, laid it on her and proceeded to "read" it to her.

Another "pro" of pumping that I didn't anticipate was that Adam can be an active participant in feeding his sister. This is an improvement from when I was nursing and he would try to crawl onto my lap while I was trying to feed Jane, not comfortable.

So, all in all, I'm happy with his adjustment to his new sister. He loves her dearly. And honestly? Who wouldn't:

Pumping vs. Nursing

As many of you know, I pumped exclusively with Adam from the time he was about three weeks until he was 8 months. Nursing does not come easily for me. You know you're in a tight spot when the lactation nurse, after looking at you breasts, says, "Hmm, this is going to be difficult."

Despite all that, I decided to give it the ol' college try with Jane, mostly because I like the idea of nursing. I love having her close to me, knowing that I'm all that she needs. It just seems natural to me. I've been thinking a lot about what's important and have come up with some lists. So here is my "pros" list of each pumping and nursing.

Nursing:
1. Convenience- It's there, it's the right temperature.
2. No bottles to wash.
3. Bonding and closeness (although this is negated when I'm in pain)
4. I am told that once they get the hang of it, it is pretty fast. I nursed Adam for 3 weeks and we never got to that point.

Pumping:
1. It's not painful
2. I know she's getting enough.
3. In a month I will only have to pump 3x/day to keep up with her.
4. I can spend time holding/snuggling her instead of both of us crying while she's trying to latch on.
5. Scott can feed her (he really likes to do this).
6. I can more easily leave her with others.

After considering all of the pros and cons, I made a decision. I decided to pump. I took a shower, put on a shirt (I'd been walking around topless for a week) and felt like a new person. I won't make the assumption that nursing is harder for me than for everyone else, but seriously pictures like this make me wonder:

Because, when I am nursing, my eyes are squeezed tight and my toes curled in pain. Oh, and when she's done nursing I have a nice blood blister to show for it (and don't give me the "latch" stuff, the lactation nurse said, "Yup, that's a good latch."). So, I guess I just needed to justify my decision to all of my friends who have been so supportive of me since I had Jane and started nursing. I didn't try it for 3 weeks like I said I would, but since I made the decision to pump, I have felt very peaceful about that decision. Feeding Jane is a joy and pumping isn't half bad either when you can play Settlers of Catan online:)

Oh, and sorry to Wade and Conrad and any other men who read this blog. I promise not to talk about breasts anymore.

Birth Announcement

We did one of these when we had Adam. I still pull his up occasionally to watch. Scott just finished Jane's . Enjoy...



In case you never saw Adam's, here is his as well:

We're Home!

We left the hospital at around 2 p.m. today. We could've stayed until Friday morning, but Jane was doing well and I was feeling good, so we decided to come home.

I fed Jane right before we left, so she was pretty content to be bundled in her carseat.

Our friend, Deborah was watching Adam for us and was ready with her camera when we walked in the door.

I was more than happy to cut off our hospital bands. I hate wearing them and Jane's legs were all scratched up from hers.
Deborah did an impromptu photo shoot of Jane's first day home. I think she got some winners...

Jane will be sleeping in our room until she's ready to share a room with her brother. Our friend, Suzy, gave us this bedside bassinnette when I had Adam and I love it. All the convenience of her sleeping in the bed with you, but you don't have to worry about squashing her.

Adam was very sweet with his new sister. It could have something to do with the fact that Jane had a package of fruit snacks in her bed to give him as a peace offering. Or it could just be that he's a sweetie. He kept getting really close to her face and saying "Hi Jane!"

My happy little family...

She's Here!

Jane arrived at 2:50 this morning (December 3rd). She made an abrupt entrance after only about 10 minutes of pushing! She weighed in at 7 pounds 14.6 ounces and 20.5 inches long. She has big, juicy cheeks and a head of fuzzy/curly dark hair.

She's a champion nurser. I fed her shortly after she was born and...

after a bath and a stay under the warmer, she promptly fell asleep for 5 hours. She then woke up, ate and is sleeping like the proverbial baby.

Look at these cheeks!

Non-Christmas Miracle, continued...

My water broke this morning at 4 a.m. We went into the doctor and after a non-stress test and much conferring, it was determined that I would go in to be induced tonight. I am not having any contractions on my own, so we'll go the Pitocin route again. Check back soon to meet Jane!