December 2012 Rockstar Mamas - Page 6

[onetwoten]

She was a little bit fishy last week but it only lasted a day or so. The diapers mostly smell like ammonia. They're bad enough just peed in but once they say in a diaper pail for a while it was enough to make you choke! It's not poopy or dirty smelling though. Was a bit sour last week around te same time as her fishy smell-- i think she wasn't getting enough fluids and was bordering infection but t seems to have cleared up.

She's Ina cloth now, well see how it goes! She peed on the potty three times this am, so no wet diapers so I couldn't check the smell! Lpl

[akind1]

Enh; my diapers smell like ammonia once peed in too (especially the overnight one) - once left for a while in the pail, especially. Pee is ammonia.  I am only concerned if they STILL smell after being washed. Wouldn't hurt to up fluids.

And hooray for EC! man, there are times I wish I was gung ho enough to do it. Potty training one at a time is enough though.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by onetwoten 

She was a little bit fishy last week but it only lasted a day or so. The diapers mostly smell like ammonia. They're bad enough just peed in but once they say in a diaper pail for a while it was enough to make you choke!

Can you get Funk Rock?  That stuff completely eliminates the ammonia smell.  One small scoop in every hot wash and no more ammonia.

http://www.diaperjunction.com/rockin-green-funk-rock-ammonia-bouncer.html

Chris won't be home til 1030!  TV and guilt free computer time since I got the kiddos bathed and in bed by 815!!!

[akind1]

Yay for kid free time! whoo!

28 weeks today! I feel fine, I'm tired, but oh well. Sleep is starting to get uncomfortable (I need to bring in more pillows) - only 12-14 more weeks to go!

I am so ready for Christmas to be here!

[AnnieA]

You guys, I'm freaking out over here! I think I have a clog but I don't know how to unclog it w/out a nursling. And WTF, getting a clog after 16 months? My left breast will not empty and there's a red spot. But I can't feel any noticeable lump. Any ideas?
 

[akind1]

sounds like a deep one - pump, heat, massage? IDK if this thread is helpful: http://www.ivillage.com/forums/pregnancy-parenting/babies/exclusively-pumping/exclusively-pumping-intros-chat/blocked-duct-help

[AnnieA]

That did help. Thanks akind1! I'm going to try to hit the breastfeeding clinic after Ava's visit this afternoon to see if they can help as well.
 

[MarineWife]

Annie ~ What Kat said, heat, massage and pump.Drink lots of water/fluids. Do cabbage leaves help with that? I can never remember if that's for a clogged duct or to dry up milk if you are done and engorged. Also, ha! I know it's next to impossible but extra rest.

JJ ~ Ammonia smell is normal with pee, especially once babies start eating foods other than breastmilk. You can try blue Dawn and/or boiling. Do a vinegar rinse every time. Vinegar reacts with the urea in urine to neutralize it and get rid of/prevent that ammonia smell.

Kat ~ Glad you are feeling well.

I'm brand loyal with diapers if I find one I really like. With Ethan and Kellen, I loved Righteous Baby. I guess they went out of business because I couldn't find them anywhere when I was collecting diapers for Dylan and no one recently CDing had heard of them. (That tells you how long I've been CDing. ) I have a bit of a hodge podge now but that's from trying different ones for Dylan. I've settled on Sun Seedlings (I think). I really like them. She uses hemp and they are reasonably priced.

Carrie ~ Is tanning in a tanning bed considered dangerous in the same way as being in the sun is? If so, then it's probably not dangerous at all as long as you don't overdo it. 5-7 minutes a week or whatever is probably fine.

Dylan is sick. He has a fever and is very fussy and clingy.

[Baby_Cakes]

Yes, tanning carries the same dangers as sun exposure, but more concentrated.    It ages the skin more as well, and that's def not something I need.  I'm already seeing wrinkles I don't like!

I got some loose herbs and made tea and it's so delicious.  I'm drinking it iced.  Delicious and hoping it helps my milk supply!

Lauri - hop in the shower - as hot as you can stand it, and massage the sore spot.  Don't attack it or kill it or hurt yourself.  Just massage with the heat from the clog toward the nipple.  If you can express a little, you might be able to see where the clog is and dislodge it.  I was able to do that once, it was like a grain of salt it was so small.  Once i got it out of my nip, milk sprayed out of that hole and my breast immediately softened.  

I've also heard you can rake over the clog with a wide tooth comb.

but don't make the mistake of hurting or bruising yourself.  Most likely it will dislodge itself with time, massage, heat, and pumping.  I've never had a nursling pull a clog out, I've always had to manipulate it myself.

Also, start taking lecithin.  It will help prevent future clogs.

[MarineWife]

Well, I don't believe in all the hype about the "dangers" of sun exposure so, again, I think that a few minutes once a week in a tanning bed for the purpose you are talking about would probably be ok. And, maybe you need to think long and hard about your fear of aging or not being "thin and perfect". There used to be a time when wrinkles signaled wisdom and commanded respect rather than being ugly and a sign of the "I disease of aging."

I've been having the strangest dreams lately. First, I had a dream that dh was cheating on me very blatantly. When I asked him to stop he said he wouldn't because he liked what he was doing and didn't really care about me. I have always periodically had dreams like that. I don't know what they signify because I don't have any fear that he will or is cheating. I guess there is some fear that he will eventually leave me. Then I dreamed that the police came and took Dylan away from me. I can't remember why now but that was a horrible feeling. One night I dreamed I was spitting up clots of blood and choking. Oh, that was after I dreamed that I had a boyfriend who was a lifeguard and didn't mind me hanging out at the pool with my child while he was working. The big feeling from that dream was that the boyfriend didn't mind having me around. Last night I dreamed that I was visiting my dad and there were all these strange people hanging out in his house partying and drinking like crazy. He ended up in a bed sick and helpless and basically unconscious while all these strange people were drinking and vomiting all over his house. My stepsister was there hanging out with all the weirdos. I was scared for myself and my dad. These are continuous scary, bad dreams every night for however many nights that is, at least. I think I've had more but can't remember them all. It's one thing to have a bad dream every once in a while but at least one every night for a week or so? What do you suppose that means?

[akind1]

Are you having a lot of anxiety in general? usually dream meanings are far from literal and more about the emotions. Like with Sean - do you feel like he kind of does what he wants, even if it might hurt you, regardless of your feelings? With your dad, is that a situation you feel sort of helpless in? just throwing out some ideas.

Sun . . . I think yes, too much exposure is not a good thing for our skin (melanoma is a real thing) - but like everything else, I think some people are more predisposed towards it than others. I don't like burning, so unless I'm in a situation that might get me a sun burn, I don't use sunscreen, and I so far have good skin. I think with wrinkles its far more about keeping moisturized than anything else. Stay hydrated and use good oil free moisturizer. I'd do sun if you can before a tanning bed.

Hope the tea helps carrie!

[MarineWife]

There's nothing new going on that is causing me anxiety. I don't feel overly anxious or any more anxious about anything than before. I do think that dh does what he wants regardless of how I feel. I've told him that many, many times. I remember him telling me that he read in a book once that men should let women talk because that would appease them without really having to care about what they are saying. I told him that was BS but, like I said, he doesn't listen to me.

I've read that melanoma usually occurs on parts of the skin that aren't normally exposed to the sun.

[AnnieA]

Ava's appt went fairly well. She was a basketcase at the beginning and I thought we weren't going to be able to finish the EKG. She peed all over the exam table during the EKG because she wouldn't let me put a diaper back on her after her weight check. She calmed down after that was over and even had a good time playing with one of her cardiologists. Her pulmonary arteries are a little too small but they are growing and the pressure in her right ventricle is just a smidge higher than it should be. So we're ok for now. But we will need to go an interventional cath at some point to try to widen her pulmonary arteries to buy us time before the next surgery. Caths involve general anesthesia so never enjoy that. But if it puts off surgery then I guess it's a good thing.

I paged lactation after we were done and met with one of the LCs. As soon as she saw my left breast, she said it was the beginning of mastitis and I need to start abx ASAP. So I texted my GP (Ava's godmother) and she called in a script for me. I hope it helps. My production is SO LOW in my left breast right now. I hope getting the inflammation down will let the milk come out. In the meantime, I bought some of the single serve Horizon vanilla milk containers to see if I can get her to drink that in a bottle. I'm going to use a different bottle and nipple and let her see me pour the milk in so she knows it's not mama milk. Hopefully it won't piss her off too bad.

[akind1]

Horizon vanilla milk was the first non-mama milk Gabe had that he liked. He won't drink any regualar milks - only flavored ones. Which is why he still doesn't drink much milk, because chocolate milk is a treat.

Glad her appointment went all together well, and yeah, anesthesia sucks, but a cath is better than open heart surgery. FX things continue to grow!

MW: I can only speak from personal (well, sort of) experience - all the melanomas I've seen DH's grandpa get have been on his face and arms - the man is always covered in band aids from having another removed. I of course, wouldn't know if he might also have bandaids in places covered by clothes LOL. He's the only one I know that regularly gets them removed, so that's the only experience I have with it.

And yeah, I can see that attitude of his maybe spilling into dreamworld. It's gotta erupt somewhere, and sometimes that's in our dreams.

I dreamt last night of coffee. Big surprise there.

I slept  well last night and seem rested, which is wonderful. Need more nights like that. Really, my nights are rarely interrupted anymore - DH usually will go lay with whichever kid wakes up at night, if one does - it's just only sleeping 5-6 hours a night is not enough. So last night I went to bed at 11:30, woke up when Norah did around 5, laid back down with her until 7. Not bad.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

Ava's appt went fairly well. She was a basketcase at the beginning and I thought we weren't going to be able to finish the EKG. She peed all over the exam table during the EKG because she wouldn't let me put a diaper back on her after her weight check. She calmed down after that was over and even had a good time playing with one of her cardiologists. Her pulmonary arteries are a little too small but they are growing and the pressure in her right ventricle is just a smidge higher than it should be. So we're ok for now. But we will need to go an interventional cath at some point to try to widen her pulmonary arteries to buy us time before the next surgery. Caths involve general anesthesia so never enjoy that. But if it puts off surgery then I guess it's a good thing.

I paged lactation after we were done and met with one of the LCs. As soon as she saw my left breast, she said it was the beginning of mastitis and I need to start abx ASAP. So I texted my GP (Ava's godmother) and she called in a script for me. I hope it helps. My production is SO LOW in my left breast right now. I hope getting the inflammation down will let the milk come out. In the meantime, I bought some of the single serve Horizon vanilla milk containers to see if I can get her to drink that in a bottle. I'm going to use a different bottle and nipple and let her see me pour the milk in so she knows it's not mama milk. Hopefully it won't piss her off too bad.

Glad her appt went well (besides the pee!  ooof!) and that there is time before the next surgery.  ((hugs)) for getting thru it!   

Glad too you can get on abx quickly.  It's terrifying to be on the verge of mastitis -- you probably could knock it out with Poke Root if you wanted to try that.  Watch out for thrush once you're on the abx.  It can happen b/w you and the pump so make sure everything gets cleaned and dried thoroughly!  I hope she takes the cows milk easily.  I find that Finn accepts the soymilk if I make sure to say SOY milk instead of just "milk" and hand it to him.  I also do the sign for "drink" instead of the one for milk when I say soymilk.  He equates the "milk" sign with boob.

Originally Posted by akind1 

I dreamt last night of coffee. Big surprise there.

I slept  well last night and seem rested, which is wonderful. Need more nights like that. Really, my nights are rarely interrupted anymore - DH usually will go lay with whichever kid wakes up at night, if one does - it's just only sleeping 5-6 hours a night is not enough. So last night I went to bed at 11:30, woke up when Norah did around 5, laid back down with her until 7. Not bad.

LOL coffee!

Thats some decent sleep!  I hope it keeps up.  Do you usually get insomnia in the 3rd tri?  I do.  Bad.  

[AnnieA]

The Horizon vanilla milk was a big hit! I let her watch me open it and had her taste it from the straw first. She took a long draw on the straw and said "Yum!" Kind of makes me sad but I happy to have a substitute if needed. I put it in a bottle with a different nipple and she drank 2 oz and brought to me for more. Of course, after 2 doses of abx, my production is back up so I'm not going to push the cow's milk but again, nice to know we have it for a pinch.

[akind1]

I am not usually prone to insomnia, just need to pee alot at night. I'm good if I only wake once a night to pee.

Gabe is starting to draw things and tell us what they are. Mostly mountains, faces, kites and helicopters. Granted, I don't know they look representational yet. But it's something!

Lauri - hooray on liking the milk - it's also nice to have something ready you can hand her with a straw. or if you are out and about and forget to bring stuff with you (maybe you are not as prone to that as I am) - but a lot of places carry the Horizon milk boxes.

Norah is pulling down my shirt alot lately just to poke my nipples. doesn't want to try to nurse again, just poke and pinch. Nursing would be ok. pinching, not so much.

[MarineWife]

Annie ~ Glad the appointment went well. What goes into getting a catheter? Glad your supply is back up, too. Everything seems to be working out ok.

I had another scary dream last night. I was taking my kids and one other in my car. I got everyone but Kellen in their car seats. I had to reposition Kellen's. As I was doing that the car took off. I didn't notice we were moving at first. We were on a steep mountain road going downhill very fast and flew into a bunch of trees. I vaguely remember thinking or feeling that Kellen and I were thrown from the car but I think I woke up then. Gah! I am not liking these dreams. Oh, but then I had a sex dream when I fell back to sleep. hehe

[onetwoten]

I think with melanoma, the link between it being found in places where sun isn't normally exposed, isn't that actually related to tanning beds? ie your skin isn't used to dealing with sun on your bare breasts or your bum, so it's more susceptible to the burns etc that allow the cells to start changing? 

I'm ok with the sun, and I don't put sunscreen on unless I'm going to be out for a while or it's pretty hot, but I can't bring myself to do the tanning beds anymore. I lost a girl I went to school with to melanoma. She left behind her year old daughter and husband. I just can't imagine. I used to be ok with the risk-- the boost to my emotional well being was worth the increased risk, but not anymore. 

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

Ava's appt went fairly well. She was a basketcase at the beginning and I thought we weren't going to be able to finish the EKG. She peed all over the exam table during the EKG because she wouldn't let me put a diaper back on her after her weight check. She calmed down after that was over and even had a good time playing with one of her cardiologists. Her pulmonary arteries are a little too small but they are growing and the pressure in her right ventricle is just a smidge higher than it should be. So we're ok for now. But we will need to go an interventional cath at some point to try to widen her pulmonary arteries to buy us time before the next surgery. Caths involve general anesthesia so never enjoy that. But if it puts off surgery then I guess it's a good thing.

I paged lactation after we were done and met with one of the LCs. As soon as she saw my left breast, she said it was the beginning of mastitis and I need to start abx ASAP. So I texted my GP (Ava's godmother) and she called in a script for me. I hope it helps. My production is SO LOW in my left breast right now. I hope getting the inflammation down will let the milk come out. In the meantime, I bought some of the single serve Horizon vanilla milk containers to see if I can get her to drink that in a bottle. I'm going to use a different bottle and nipple and let her see me pour the milk in so she knows it's not mama milk. Hopefully it won't piss her off too bad.

Oh I'm so glad it went well! I've been thinking of you guys!

 

 

Tenley is kind of the same with accepting milk as long as it's presented as being different. She gets almond milk when I'm not home and it's not bedtime/naptime. Well last night Rob grabbed the wrong bottle, and heated up almond milk for her at bed. She took a couple sips and then made faces and threw it back at him. |He realized what he'd done, and went and warmed the breastmilk instead. He said he had to practically force her to take the nipple in her mouth, and then she finally did-- her face lit up, she squealed, and started frantically signing milk!!!!! And then she grabbed the bottle and downed the whole thing.  So yeah... she likes almond milk, but not if it's trying to be passed off as real milk. lol

 

I'm off now until Monday. Need this so bad!! THe house isn't terribly dirty, so I'm going to do a quick clean today to keep things in order, and then we should have lots of family time and productive time this weekend <3. I think I'm going to try to convince DH to go to Ikea tonight for shopping playing and maybe dinner too. 

 

Oh, we talked about his "surprise" he other day. He felt horrible and said he totally understand how I felt, and how it seemed like he was not listening to me. He said that we had talked about it in the past and I had not specifically shot down "that one/that kind" so he thought that was ok. I was like well no... I didn't reaize I had to say no to each and every toy available! lol Anyways, so we had a really good talk. And he spent two days bringing me home nice treats like donuts, and cooking breakfast for me, and rubbing my back. So it's all good!! lol

 

So... Tenley is a master gift opener, and upset I won't let her open all the gifts under the tree. 

 

 

Good thoughts and prayers! Rob got a call back for an EMS dispatch job. He does the testing next Friday. I feel like I'm a basketcase waiting. It would be such a blessing for soooo many reasons. Increase in pay, better location in terms of getting to work (he could even bike in the summer), it's in his actual field, and I think he'd be so much happier there. Plus the company he works for now is so about to go under, because they suck. 

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by onetwoten 

I think with melanoma, the link between it being found in places where sun isn't normally exposed, isn't that actually related to tanning beds? ie your skin isn't used to dealing with sun on your bare breasts or your bum, so it's more susceptible to the burns etc that allow the cells to start changing? 

I'm ok with the sun, and I don't put sunscreen on unless I'm going to be out for a while or it's pretty hot, but I can't bring myself to do the tanning beds anymore. I lost a girl I went to school with to melanoma. She left behind her year old daughter and husband. I just can't imagine. I used to be ok with the risk-- the boost to my emotional well being was worth the increased risk, but not anymore. 

I don't really know what the thing was with melanoma in areas not usually exposed to the skin but I don't recall any mention of tanning beds in the article I read. Is 5 minutes in a tanning bed once a week as risky as using one regularly the way most people do? I don't know. I haven't used a tanning bed for probably around 20 years so I don't really keep up on the news about them. When I did use one I think I was in it for 20-30 minutes at a time once I got used to it. I don't burn easily, though, so maybe I could handle it for longer periods that most people.

The only time I ever wear sunscreen is if I'm going to be in the sun for several hours.