LDS Mamas and Papas #39 - Page 9

[Laurel]

Aw thanks, Ang! I feel very, very inadequate most of the time...and not necessarily because of bf'ing.

P.S. Where's Maggie been lately?

[ABC's&123's]

This is totally off any topic, but I'm going to post it anyway.
I have a new endo now- and I'm SO GLAD I switched. One of the meds I was on, she told me everyone who takes it gains at least 20 lbs (the horror! that's all I need!). I have not gained anything since I started it 6 weeks ao, but I stopped it immediately and in two weeks, which is the halflife of the aforementioned med, I can start Byetta. She says I ought to lose weight every month on it, as well as control my blood glucose.

She said my thyroid is "huge", according to her estimates. She stated that so I need to be on thyroid meds, but first we will have the other endo ultrasound my thyroid to determine the best course of action. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR HER- and she said my previous endo is "crazy or something [I] mean it, he's got to be insane!". She's SUCH a delight, and so supportive and helpful. I haven't been able to figure out what to eat this whole time, so I just try not to eat very much at all. She says I'm right that I need at least 2000 calories a day to lose weight healthily (and keep it off), but since I couldn't figure out what to eat, I haven't been getting nearly that many. So we set up a low carb/low sodium diabetic nutrition class for next week, the day before the thyroid ultrasound.

It's not like I'm thrilled my thyroid is double the normal size or anything- I'm just relieved that someone figured it out and now we can treat it and I can get on with FEELING BETTER. I've grown weary of being tired and achey all the time- I so can't wait to be better!

[LDSmomma6]

What is the med called? Byetta? I am on 137 mcg. Synthoid right now. I felt great while I was pregnant, but now that I have had the baby, I can tell I am slowly beginning to loose it. Same thing happened after I had Lindsey. I can't loose weight either. It's such a struggle. I did good before getting pregnant on South Beach, but I am craving everything, and it's not like I eat a lot, but nothing else is coming off, even though I can fit back into my size 14/16 pants with no problem (I have lost all my pregnancy weight). I am still 70+ heavier then what I was when I got married. I don't look it, but I am.

I think the weight has to do with most of my depression too. I was always the "model" in high school, and even up until I had my 4th child. Since having #5, 6, & 7, I have struggled. My dad is very obese, and I do not want to be like him. I see patterns that I am doing that my dad does...sneaking food, drinking to much caffeine sodas, eating to much in one sitting (I don't eat a lot for breakfast and lunch...it's the dinner that kills me!).

I keep saying tomorrow I am going to start walking, but I never do. AND I HAVE NO FREAKIN' EXCUSE! My MIL will watch the kids for me, and she has told me she will, if I want to start.

I am such a loser. I eat things that I shouldn't with my thyroid problem, and I don't exercise. :

I need to stay away from sugar, bread & caffeine...

ETA: Googled Byetta. It's for Diabetes Type 2. Did not know you had that. My DS uses the Novolog Pen, which is injectable insulin like what I see Byetta is. It's really nice.

[LDSmomma6]

opps

[emma_goldman]

Lighting a candle for you, Stacy.


I didn't mean to offend anyone by posting about exclusive BFing (Laurel, anyone who goes against the odds to give MamaMilk is AMAZING, giving, nurturing and tender). I wanted to throw that out there into the universe for some reason.

Probably because I'm sad that I tried to give my 3 month-old some baby Tylenol when he was having a reaction to his first (and last) vaccines. Poor guy knew better than me and threw it up. I would never do that again -give him something gross like that and let him be vaccinated that young.

And probably because I found out about "open gut" in infants after my first was a year old.

Thus, I'm throwing it out there because I wish I had known this stuff earlier! It's truly a friendly public service announcement.

[emma_goldman]

Originally Posted by alisaterry

We picked up a copy of the Sunstone at the library...

I was fed intellectually and spiritually from the last issue of Sunstone. Amazing stuff. Stuff that the church Correlation Department has (for good enough reason-but this is a whole 'nother issue) homogenized and pasteurized out of the discussion. For instance, there is a "well-known" incident called the "Pelatiah Brown incident" (I wish I'd heard of it before) wherein the Prophet Joseph comes to the defense of a member whose scriptural interpretations he couldn't agree with (and in fact "could not help laughing" at himself) saying he

did not like the old man being called up for erring in doctrine. It looks too much like the Methodist, and not like the LDS. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammelled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.

The High Council undertook to censure and correct Elder Brown, because of his teachings in relation to the beasts. Whether they actually corrected him or not, I am a little doubtful, but don't care.

I want to come up into the presence of God, and learn all things; but the creeds set up stakes, and say, "Hitherto shalt thou come and no further;" which I cannot suscribe to.*

So here Prophet Joseph is defending the right of a member to err in doctrine, and even encourage diversity of belief because that is part of the learning process that he saw as being so important to our spiritual growth.

The Church is a totally different animal now. And I like knowing that. The organization of the Church and its history is not black and white, cut and dried but is very complex. Knowing these complexities help me to enjoy the Church as it is so much more. 'Cause my heart and my brain and my soul need and crave info about the stuff that's not cut-and-dried. 'Cause that's what jives with what I experience in the world.

I Sunstone

*This is a quote from the report of Joseph Smith's sermon given by Willard Richards and William Clayton at a conference held 8 April 1843. History of the Church 5:340, 344. This is also found in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 287-94.

[emma_goldman]

Originally Posted by magstphil

Emma- may i ask what sort of spiritual retreat? to me, a mission is just that and the opportunity to bring other's into the fold. share in the wealth of the gospel. i, personally, would not choose one over the other if both options were available. my children might, but i'm not paying for it. truth be told, a mission might not be affordable for us either. they might have to put themselves through that, too. : just curious what sort and why you feel the need to 'think outside the box'? do you not think a mission is spiritually fulfilling for those who serve?

Hi Maggie,

I'm just getting back to this topic. I want my kids to know that I support them in whatever spiritual quest/retreat/journey/service they feel they need (and I'm going to put my money where my mouth is). I don't think it's healthy or fair to put pressure on a youngster to do a mission. I think it should come totally from the heart.

And that's why I'm offering to back them up in every way if they aren't up for doing the standard Mormon Mission thing. I'll do what I can to help them maintain their dignity and self-respect whatever the situation (as you know, there's a lot of cultural pressure surrounding this, and I'm very sensitive to the potential for problems arising from that). I want them to know that the choice is there, and it's non-coercive. For me, it's about unconditional love.

When I say "I'm thinking outside of the box", I mean that I'm not coming from the LDS cultural norm. It's not that I feel that I need to think outside the box. I just do.

Thanks for asking!

[Brisen]

Stacymom. I'm glad you're home now. I hope you can get some help and support while you recuperate.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[ABC's&123's]

Originally Posted by LDSmomma6

I am such a loser. I eat things that I shouldn't with my thyroid problem, and I don't exercise. :

I need to stay away from sugar, bread & caffeine...

ETA: Googled Byetta. It's for Diabetes Type 2. Did not know you had that. My DS uses the Novolog Pen, which is injectable insulin like what I see Byetta is. It's really nice.

Byetta is not insulin though- and I already take Glucophage (metformin), so this will go with it to help insulin sensitization. And I was JUST diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension last November (2006) so it's still fairly new for me as well.

I really doubt that you're a loser! Let's think positive, girls . But I wanted to ask, since I've done precious little research at this point, what foods and such shuould you avoid while on thyroid meds? (I might need to know that! ).

Hope y'all are having a great week!

~Ang.

[Laurel]

[QUOTE=emma_goldman;7500125
I didn't mean to offend anyone by posting about exclusive BFing [/QUOTE]

Sorry for overreacting. It just seemed odd to me because it came from out of nowhere; it didn't relate to any discussion (except the one a few days ago where Heidi said she gave her baby formula to help him sleep), and I thought it was something that people at MDC already knew.

I usually take it all in stride. Especially here at MDC. I read the bf'ing boards all the time and hear it all, and it doesn't bother me.

[guestmama9911]

Originally Posted by emma_goldman

I was fed intellectually and spiritually from the last issue of Sunstone. Amazing stuff. Stuff that the church Correlation Department has (for good enough reason-but this is a whole 'nother issue) homogenized and pasteurized out of the discussion. For instance, there is a "well-known" incident called the "Pelatiah Brown incident" (I wish I'd heard of it before) wherein the Prophet Joseph comes to the defense of a member whose scriptural interpretations he couldn't agree with (and in fact "could not help laughing" at himself) saying he



So here Prophet Joseph is defending the right of a member to err in doctrine, and even encourage diversity of belief because that is part of the learning process that he saw as being so important to our spiritual growth.

The Church is a totally different animal now. And I like knowing that. The organization of the Church and its history is not black and white, cut and dried but is very complex. Knowing these complexities help me to enjoy the Church as it is so much more. 'Cause my heart and my brain and my soul need and crave info about the stuff that's not cut-and-dried. 'Cause that's what jives with what I experience in the world.

I Sunstone

*This is a quote from the report of Joseph Smith's sermon given by Willard Richards and William Clayton at a conference held 8 April 1843. History of the Church 5:340, 344. This is also found in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 287-94.

I had mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, some things are open to interpretation, as the article claims. Some things, though, Joseph Smith was very clear are evil doctrines that we should not accept, such as the idea of reincarnation.

We also have to remember that th Church itself was very young and revelations were coming frequently. One article in that issue used quotes from Joseph Smith to prove that the Godhead actually has only two members, and that the Holy Ghost is just symbolic, but those references are all before Joseph received his own revelation on the matter. Later in his life Joseph spoke frequently on how the Holy Ghost is a separate being, with a form and a gender, who will one day be born and receive a body.

It's true that early in the church a lot of things were still open, but over the years Prophets and Apostles such as Joseph F Smith, James Talmage, and Ezra Taft benson have been able to make unclear things clear, and in those cases I don't think it is beneficial or enriching to speculate. That's the whole point of having prophets - to make the unclear become clear, to interpret scripture and let us know the true nature of God and His will.

Anyway, that's my take on it. I know several of the ladies here like Sunstone but I felt icky reading it.

[ABC's&123's]

Originally Posted by alisaterry

We also have to remember that th Church itself was very young and revelations were coming frequently. One article in that issue used quotes from Joseph Smith to prove that the Godhead actually has only two members, and that the Holy Ghost is just symbolic, but those references are all before Joseph received his own revelation on the matter. Later in his life Joseph spoke frequently on how the Holy Ghost is a separate being, with a form and a gender, who will one day be born and receive a body.

It's true that early in the church a lot of things were still open, but over the years Prophets and Apostles such as Joseph F Smith, James Talmage, and Ezra Taft benson have been able to make unclear things clear, and in those cases I don't think it is beneficial or enriching to speculate. That's the whole point of having prophets - to make the unclear become clear, to interpret scripture and let us know the true nature of God and His will.

Anyway, that's my take on it. I know several of the ladies here like Sunstone but I felt icky reading it.

I am so glad you posted, and I feel the exact same way, but didn't really know how to word it. Especially since I'm generally rather direct (my mother says I have NO COUTH:P) I don't want to offend everyone. This reminds me of similar experiences, like when friends are asking why the Church used to be so racist or whatever- and I feel like they just hadn't received any enlightenment on it at all yet, early in the organization of the Church, so they just went with what they'd always believed- without having any way of knowing they were in error.

Thanks! ~A.

[RasJane]

Laurel, I think you are totally awesome too! And you know that I also have done the adoptive nursing thing. I think it is a miracle that you get as much milk as you do. I think I made almost nothing. But I got to nurse my babe anyway. In fact, I just got my March issue of Mothering and we made it to the letters! WooHoo! Now y'all can see a topless picture of me. Actually, I almost never nursed G without the lactaid, in this picture, ds1 had just gone to go get one and I was just keeping ds2 happy while he waited for the food.

There is a sister in my ward who just had a baby (actually we have an epidemic of that!) and she was saying she wished she could find some ways to save money. I flippantly said she could use cloth so I wasn't the only one in the ward. She actually seemed semi interested. I so hope I can convince her. I even offered her my stash of newborn and small diapers to get her started or to try it. I really, really hope I can talk her into without making her feel like I'm talking her into it KWIM?
Another sister that just had a baby had a botched c-cection. Poor thing. The dr sliced through her bladder. So not only does she have the recovery from the c-section, but her bladder has to heal while she is on a catheter until goodness-knows-when. Makes me want to scream. Fortunately the baby is fine.
I found Marsden Wagner's book, Born in the USA, at the library. Just on the shelf! I am reading it and I want to give a copy to every woman I know. I may need to save a bit more money first too.

[ABC's&123's]

Originally Posted by RasJane

Another sister that just had a baby had a botched c-cection. Poor thing. The dr sliced through her bladder. So not only does she have the recovery from the c-section, but her bladder has to heal while she is on a catheter until goodness-knows-when. Makes me want to scream. Fortunately the baby is fine.

OMH, the horror! : I so cannot even imagine- I believe I'd run (not walk!) to a new OB ASAP. That sounds so awful.

Also, I am just so impressed with those of you nursing adoptive children- I don't know if I could do it!? I mean, I hope that I could of course. One of my bet friends and I agreed, back when we were both having loads of trouble conceiving (and I've only had one child that lived since that time) that we'd nurse each other's babies if need be. She said she'd pump for me and nurse my baby when she was around if I had any problem with nursing, and vice versa. Also, there were two sisters in my old ward who were good friends, and the one adopted a son. The other had a newborn of her own, so she went over every day and nursed her friend's baby as well, plus sent over pumped milk for her. I just think that's amazing!

[Laurel]

Originally Posted by RasJane

And you know that I also have done the adoptive nursing thing. I think it is a miracle that you get as much milk as you do. I think I made almost nothing. But I got to nurse my babe anyway.

I feel like I'm making practically nothing. 3-4 ounces is a very liberal estimate. When I pump I get maybe 1/8 oz or less per session. That was back in the days when dd was nursing 10 times a day. So I was estimating based on the idea that she would extract more milk than the pump would. 8 pumping sessions would have gotten me about 1 oz of milk, I figured I could multiply that by at least 3 to estimate how much she'd get nursing. But I honestly have no idea what she's getting. I can only hand express drops now.

I was impressed when you said that you nursed openly in RS with the lact-aid. Up until recently I was warming it, so that meant we had to go out. I'd bring a thermos of hot water in my diaper bag. Now she's taking it cold when need be. But I still have to totally bare myself in order to position the tube and get her latched on. It's quite a process for me, and I definitely haven't been comfortable doing it in the open. How did you do it discreetly?

Angie, there are many days when I honestly do wonder how I am doing this. I get tired and overwhelmed when I think about the possibility of doing it again for another baby. Yet I also can't imagine not nursing the next one. I feel very torn about it at times.

[ABC's&123's]

Originally Posted by Laurel

Angie, there are many days when I honestly do wonder how I am doing this. I get tired and overwhelmed when I think about the possibility of doing it again for another baby. Yet I also can't imagine not nursing the next one. I feel very torn about it at times.

Laurel-
I hate to sound... I dunno, patronizing or something. I know there are women I know personally who "give up" rather easily. Like a friend I've known forever said she had an inverted nipple, and it was just too hard, so she was pumping (fine, whatever). Then she determined that pumping was "just too hard", so she switched to formula already (child isn't 6 mos old yet even). I hate to be judgemental, so I just try to avoid thinking about it altogether. Before I could stop myself though, I'd already thought, "What else have you got to do? You're home all day for heaven sakes, and isn't your child's health a little more important than the inconvenience of pumping?"

With that being said, I really feel like you're in an exceptional situation. We all know that an exhausted, poorly functioning Mommy is not the ideal situation. I wish there were inexpensive milk banks everywhere- heaven knows I make enough milk to donate. I wouldn't even want to be paid- just on an "as you can afford it" basis maybe. Would using the pumps they have at the hospital help any? Does brewer's yeast or anything herbal help produce more milk? I'm not currently lacatating, but sometimes I wonder why we don't still use nursemaids- then at least there would be someone available to provide breastmilk when a mother couldn't (or wouldn't) do it herself.

I know it's got to be so exhausting for y'all! Just be sure to take good care of yourself, and if you can't do it to the extent that you'd like to- that's okay. I think Heavenly Father knows your intentions are good, and I don't think your child(ren) will suffer when you've done all that you can. And DON'T WORRY YOURSELF ABOUT IT!!

[canadiannancy]

I just "quit" pumping after 6 monthes of exclusive pumping. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made and I still feel extremely bad about it. But I have a high needs 20 month old dd and a 6 month old dd who needs me to function, my Dh just went back to work after complications from pneumonia and collapsed lung, we just moved this week to a new to us townhouse, I am dealing with reg depression couplled with ppd and I could not cope with pumping around the clock to deal with the needs of my beautiful daughter who has for some reason slept thru the night since 3 weeks old.

You might want to give your friend who gave up to0 easily a kinder thought or prayer, because exclusive pumping is hard, and one of the only reasons I was able to stop pumping for both my girls was because a wonderful sister in visit teaching said the church could help get me formula for the youngest and milk for the oldest, not that there is any comparison for which is better for the girls' mama milk is of course, but an alive and functioning mama is too.

[LDSmomma6]

Originally Posted by Laurel

except the one a few days ago where Heidi said she gave her baby formula to help him sleep

Yeah, whatever! Only helped those 2 nights! And it was probably just a fluke! He has also been sick, and I know the formula hurt his tummy, so I tossed it. I did put him in his crib in the room with his big brother. I think it has helped me because I am not hearing him all night long with his cute little noises and all. Last night I didn't hear him until 3am. I latched him on in the bed with me, and we were both out. The first night he slept in there from 9p-5a! But that was also the night I gave him formula, so I don't know. Last night he went to bed at 9p too.

He is getting better some, but I am still tired all the time. I need to go to the doctor about my thyroid too. Such a pain having to find a new one. :

DH is looking into a new job. The job he has now, which is 5 hrs away, and he stays in a tiny apt. is an awesome job, and he is making lots of $$, but it's taking a toll on him and me. He hates it because he is gone all the time, it seems, even though he is home a week, gone a week, etc... Taking a toll on me because then I am stuck with 7 kids myself the week he is gone. I may be a super mom, but I'm not SUPERMOM! I loose patience. I admit! I absolutely cannot stand my kids after 5-6 days having them by myself 24 hrs a day! AND THEY ARE GREAT KIDS!! I am just stressed out with the whole thing.

Anyway, he is looking at a new job 1.25 hrs away from here. He will drive it daily (3- 12 hr shifts). We are not doing another apt thing. Insurance is good, like his job now. Pay is about the same, but $1-2 less, which is fine. We are hoping he will know within the next few weeks if he gets it. His lease is up May 15th, so we have to let the apt complex know by Apr. 15th if he is resigning or not. Always scary looking for a new job!!

[canadiannancy]

One a happier note, DH is giving his first talk on Sunday, about his conversion. We are both really excited about it, I think I will wind up just starting off in the mothers lounge this week so I don't have to miss any of it if Kyra decides she needs to leave the chapel.

[RasJane]

Laurel, I am trying to remember just how I did do that. I think I was only is RS once or twice cuz I was in primary at that point. I never wore bras and I wear the plain chemise tops. So I think I just tucked the lactaid under my shirt, pulled the g neck down and stuffed the tube in his mouth with the nipple. It was never easy and he never stayed latched on. I seem to recall that some nursing shirts that I loved with Michael actually made it harder to nurse with the lactaid. Yeah, the easiest was to just strip. Very hard to be modest with a lact aid, that's for sure! And I think I only got better at it when G was much older and we'd had all that practise. But then we switched completely to bottles at 9 months. I was just burned out at that point. Oh, I ds learned early on to take it cold. Lazy mom and very hungry baby makes for cold lact aids. I used to hold a spit rag under my shirt to deal with the shock of that fresh-from-the-fridge-chill.
Heidi, I hope your dh gets a great new job. I don't think I could function with my dh gone for a whole week every other week! I have a hard time when he comes home late and I have to put the kids to bed by myself after all day with them. I suppose you find a way to cope, huh?