Chat Thread February 1 - ?? - Page 5 « Back to Group Discussions

[LaBruja]

Thanks so much for all the support...you mamas must have good mojo, because my mom's condition has improved. She is still on a ventilator (and expected to remain so for at least the next week, or even two or three) but the oxygen is down to 70 (it was at 100% the first day), her blood pressure is high enough that they stopped the medication for it, and her heart rate is slowly coming down (it was in the 120 bpm range for the first few days). Her chest x-rays are pretty awful, but yesterday they did an operation to drain the fluid around her lungs and that has improved her lung function. Now that her blood pressure is better and her kidneys have resumed functioning on their own, they are no longer giving her a high volume of fluids, so the massive edema that she has should start to subside as well. It's going to be a long haul, but it appears that she really is going to make it and eventually get better.

I know AmyMay has been giving her mom breastmilk, but does anyone know if breastmilk would also be helpful in recovering from severe pneumonia+complications? I pump much more than DD eats, so I'm thinking about giving my mom the extra if it would help her at all (although I'm not positive that she would drink it. I offered her some of my placenta for her menopause symptoms, but she didn't take me up on it...can't think why).

Lifeguard: congrats on the house! That has been a long time coming...hooray for finally having that load off your shoulders!

Rosemary and Sue: I hope the allergy testing goes well and you both have some answers soon.

I hope everyone is doing well...please mamas, remember to take as good care of yourselves as you do of everyone around you! And really, thanks again for the support...this has been so hard, and even though I don't know any of you IRL, it really means a lot. Hugs mamas!

[RosemaryS-F]

That's good news, la bruja. I hope that she keeps up her recovery. I don't know anything about your question, though.

[livacreature]

I'm so glad she is doing better!

[Amy May]

LaBruja, so glad to hear your mom is doing better- we hope she continues to improve, and I hope you are all feeling support. As for breastmilk, clearly I am a fan... one of the reasons it has been so beneficial to my mom during chemo (which she just finished, and will start radiation in another month), is that the treatment really suppresses your immune system and lowers white blood cell count, which makes her vulnerable to infections and illness.  Right now, her body is basically rebuilding everything, so she has to work really hard at maintaining her weight.  She makes smoothies every day, and it has been such a blessing to have extra supply.  For your mom, I can't see any reason why you couldn't offer her as well. She is also at increased risk of infection, and BM is so full of antibodies and immune-boosting white blood cells, not to mention all the good nutrients that are helpful in any recovery.  So, maybe it makes a huge positive difference, maybe it makes no difference at all, but it certainly isn't harmful.  Also, with my mom, it has been healing in other ways as well, it is special for my mom and Palesa that they share something now, and for me to get to nourish my own mother (who BF me) is a blessing.  Anyway, I hope she continues to recover.

Lifeguard- woo hoo, congrats on the house!  That has been a long time coming, and I hope you all feel a tremendous amount of relief!

AFU- DH had a first round interview this week, and they are bringing him in for 2nd round next week.  He also has another company "courting" him as well.  Our fingers are crossed.  Our stuff is all unloaded in storage now- we were able to do it a day earlier and beat the snowstorm.  

Now, DH is helping me with my business plan (for doula business, as well as finding a midwifery apprenticeship), which is exciting.  I'm thankful he is so organized and smart about guiding me- I wouldn't have thought a vision/mission/spreadsheet of objectives with a timeline would be all that necessary.  

Yesterday, we had a playdate with 2 other moms I went to high school with.  I wasn't close with either of them, but since we all have babies the same age, it is nice to suddenly have something big in common!  We had a nice time and made valentines for the grandparents- we dipped our babies feet in non-toxic paint, and then put them on construction paper.  So simple yet so cute when finished!

[tank]

Originally Posted by livacreature 

Score!  I found something to keep baby from having to pull my hair when she nurses!  My mom brought up a raggedy ann doll that she made me when I was little.  The yarn hair is an acceptable substitute.  I'm going to make a miniature to carry with me since she only will nurse in the morning and when we are out in about because this one is about two feet long.  My follicles rejoice!  

thats funny.  my dad recently brought me my raggedy ann doll from when I was a baby that my grandma made me.  I gave it to wolverine.

[dollyanna]

LaBruja - so glad your mom is doing better.  Sending her more healing vibes.

AFU -- guess who's baby gained 21 ounces in 22 days?  Mine did!

This is the first time in her life that she's actually gained a normal amount of weight.  She's been on reflux meds for the last 3 weeks.  First we tried zantac and it didn't seem to help much. Switched her to prilosec last week.  I can't say I've noticed too much difference in how much she's eating, but I guess it's enough extra to FINALLY put some more weight on her.  Maybe she'll get back on the weight-for-height curve by her 4 month checkup in 2 weeks. I'm so glad this seems to be working. The next stop was going to be a GI specialist. 

[lifeguard]

dollyanna - that's fabulous news!!!!

[AKislandgirl]

Great news Dollyanna!

[cbeclipse]

Dollyanna- That is great news!!

LaBruja- I am so happy that your mom is doing better! I hope she continues to improve and feel better.

Sue and Rosemary- I hope that you can figure out the allergy stuff with your kids. We put Nate (6 year old boy I am a nanny for) on some diet to help him with his ADHD issues. It's hard to have a child who can't have certain things, but it's totally worth it if it helps them out.

AFU- I'm so happy it's Friday!!!

Landon has decided that he no long wants to nurse :( with the exception of when he wakes up around 2/3am to eat) He screams whenever I try to nurse him during the day, and even when he wakes up around 5am he won't latch on and screams. Makes me sad. I'm not ready to be done. With him only nursing once a day won't my milk dry up? I have been pumping once or twice a day the past few days, just so that my boobs are getting some action. But, I really do hate pumping, and I don't get much out when I do. I don't know what I'm going to do.

Dp and I got into a huge argument the other night. Times like that make me really wonder if we should be together. He has such a quick temper and runs his mouth like crazy when he gets mad. I do not want Landon to be around someone like that.

Landon HATES when I put him on his tummy. But, I feel like he needs to do it sometimes, because he seems to be lacking neck muscle strength. When I put him down this morning he just lays there with his head to one side, sometimes lifting his head up, but not often, and hated every second of it. I don't wear him because he hates it, but maybe I will try it out again, he might like it more now that he is older.

[theboysmama]

chelsea- your milk shouldn't dry up if it is still utilized no matter how little. Sorry he seems to prefer the bottle. If you are able to hand expred to get the milk squirting out and then stick the nipple in his mouth, that might help with his desire a bit.

sorry you are struggling with dp but listen to the signs they are important.

Tummy time_ have you tried laying on your back with him on your tummy. my babies love that. they typically lift their head to look at me. It is great!

AFU- I am feeling crummy like af is coming but it has been a few days and no sign. Hoping I get a reprieve of a year like usual. Not sure what is going on.

We are doing mommy baby yoga on wed/ and love it.

saphira is doing well. A good sleeper and a fun baby.

I went out witha  friend last night and forgot my diaper bag again. Ugggg. I need a new system. She did well though.

[cbeclipse]

I have tried getting milk out and then shoving it into his mouth, but he still screams. I guess we will just be nursing once a day for now, hopefully he will still do that. I am afraid he will start to reject that too.
I'm going to see how this weekend with dp goes. We are spending the whole weekend together.
I will try laying on my back with him on my belly and see if he likes it. Thanks for the idea.

Nicole, hope af isn't coming! It sucks! Mine just started last week.

[LaBruja]

Dollyanna: wonderful news! Congrats to your DD:)

Amy: thanks for the input. I think I'm definitely going to offer it to her, not sure if she'll drink it or not. Goods news on the job search, and hooray for progress with your doula business.

Chelsea: sorry you are having a rough time. Is there anything different in your diet recently that could be affecting the taste of your milk?

Nicole: ugh. I hope it's not AF!

AFU: my mom is continuing to improve...her oxygen is down to 50%, and the ventilator pressure is at 10...when she reaches 40% and 5, they will take her off the ventilator and she will get to move out of critical care!

 DD is doing great...her thighs are bigger around than my biceps, although I'm not sure if this is mostly due to her being a chunk or me being a weakling.

[lifeguard]

labruja - yeah for your mom! And your description of dd's thighs has me giggling.

Dd is lying on the floor beside me shrieking & flailing about. If I take out the camera she immediately stops & looks at me. Very cute. Ds is having a hard time falling asleep nowadays. He's generally good about staying in his room & playing quietly but the past 2 nights he's been calling out or coming out a LOT. I find it frustrating just 'cause it cuts into the little bit of somewhat quiet time I get in a day & I just don't feel like answering any more questions.

[RosemaryS-F]

chelsea, iona screams before nursing, too, and i pacify her with my pinky until she's calm and is quite ready to accept. this can take awhile--and she hasn't had a bottle before.

on a weird whim i weighed my breast pads last night to see what i had leaked. over 4 ounces, not with the weight of the pads. yuck.

[theboysmama]

no af but still feeling funky. Who knows what this is.

labruja- the thigh description cracks me up. hope your mom continues to recover quickly.

lifeguard- that is so hard when your quiet time gets cut into. My older kids take turns sitting with the little ones at bed time. then i only have to get the baby settled. i remember how terribly hard it was with my first 2.

rosemary- 4 oz leaked, wowzers.

[lifeguard]

theboysmama - I love it when moms of many say it's easier that way! I often think having more around would be easier in a lot of ways.

[theboysmama]

it really is a lot easier as when you have more babies the older kids keep getting bigger it isn't like when the first couple were born and EVERYONE needed me. It is a lot different now although the more kids the more mess the more laundry, etc. Teaching them to be responsible for their share is really hard but worth it.

[lifeguard]

So, does anyone else feel like their dp is just living a very different life than them? I love my life & dh is pretty great but sometimes it's like he just doesn't get it. I have both lo's by myself most of the time. Dd is with me 99% of the time. It gets exhausting sometimes & I just want a little bit of alone time some days. But he just doesn't seem to understand how much I am needing that right now. Today I said I would go to the grocery store if I could go alone. I had just nursed her & I was gone exactly an hour. Apparently she cried the last 15 minutes but by his level of grumpiness you'd think I'd dumped her on him unexpectedly for half a day with no milk (there's lots pumped). Yeesh! An hour driving/grocery shopping is what I have to resort to for alone time & then when I get back he makes the distress level not even worth it. Whine over.

[Katico]

Girl, you are singing my song.  

Groceries have become my one and only me time.  And every week it's this giant ordeal to get him pinned down and agreeable to let me go.

I always, always took DD1 grocery shopping with me, even hugely pregnant.  And I took both girls with me for a couple of months.  But then Claire got sick and fussy and DD1 potty trained (nervous about scrambling for the bathroom in the store) and suddenly it was just way too much work to take them with me.  So I ask please, DH, please just keep them for an hour while I shop.

And he'll offer any other arrangement to try and get out of it.  He'll want to go get the groceries (he doesn't cook so he never gets the right things despite detailed lists, and I often sub produce etc depending on what looks good).  Or (my fave) Why don't we all go together?!  Um, because it solves none of my problems and takes longer??  None of these things take any less of his time but he doesn't have to change diapers or feed anyone if we do it that way 

So, I keep telling him that groceries are the only time I get out of this house and usually the only time I get an hour alone all week and I am not giving it up,  So suck it up, buttercup and hang out with your kids for an hour!

But then, it's always more work anyway -I came home yesterday to a crazy mess, toddler covered in food and markers and baby half dressed in a milk soaked shirt, no pants and nothing on her feet in the cold house/wet diaper hanging off her....and as soon as he retreated they were suddenly, instantly starved and both screamed at me for an hour.  

Pretty sad.  And yet, even though it's only an hour and it's only grocery shopping I at least come back with a bit more patience, feeling like I had a break.  Absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder.  

AFM  If DD1 ever goes to bed tonight I am doing a major toy declutter.  We are low key with toys but we still get overwhelmed with stuff sometimes - it's all the papers and stickers and bags and random flotsom she has incorporated into her stuff.  

It's so flipping cold here!  It's only -9 but it feels so much colder!  Raw and windy.  I went out to buy some salt for the sidewalk today and when I got back (10 min, max) my fingers were so cold I couldn't turn my key in the door!

What are you all eating lately?  Anything yum?  Rosemary?  I know you have something good cooking at your house

FB group  So, we'd still love to have any of you stragglers over in the FB group - lots of great pictures being shared and some good discussion.  A point was raised this week though that is worth sharing here - the group isn't comfortable with folks joining under an alias or fake FB profile. It's a pretty big disclosure of our personal information in our FB lives and we'd appreciate at least the real names of everyone joining us.   If you want to join us but don't have an account, you can create an account with strict privacy settings that don't allow others to search for your name, I believe.  Let me know if you have questions or want to join!

[lifeguard]

random flotsom - awesome description!!!