Happy 1 Month Oliver!
Oliver is 1 month old!
What is more amazing - that Oliver is already 1 month or that I'm actually blogging on his 1 month "birthday"?? (Well - I started...I didn't actually get around to posting it)
So what's new with Oliver? Technically not much has changed in the last week.
Oliver still nurses almost every 2 hours. Nursing is still going great, super easy...however, it's REALLY hard to pump for my "reserves" when I'm feeding every two hours. These means I still need to be around for every one of Oliver's feedings. I did get a night out on Wednesday...but I have to pick my outings carefully...I only have a few remaining frozen ounces on reserve.
For several reasons, we had to switch pediatricians (I won't get into it online) and met with our new ped. on Thursday. Andy and I both agreed this will be a much better relationship. We had a great conversation with Dr. D regarding Oliver's fussiness and gas. My favorite quote was when Dr. D acknowledged that Oliver's gas doesn't concern him from Oliver's standpoint, but more for his concern about us as parents. Oliver will grow out of whatever this is, but our sleep deprivation is real.
Because of Eleanor's previous food allergy and her continued eczema, Dr. D isn't ruling out a food allergy at this time - or at least an intolerance. Of course, comparing Eleanor to Oliver isn't an apples to apples comparison...but it's still a place to start. Our first step is to regularly administer gripe water - 3 times a day. Should we not have success with the gripe water (more natural), we could try straight Simethicone (which is an infant form of "GasX" -- just less natural).
No success with that? Then we'll need to really start reading labels for my dairy free diet. Right now I'm pretty relaxed with milk being in a processed food (i.e. chocolate, cookies). I'm just eliminating dairy in its purest form. I would also elimination of whey and casein. Which sounds like a huge inconvenience - I'd rather go back to my pregnancy diet of alcohol and caffeine elimination v dairy! But if it helps O, then I'm willing to do it. (I do crave a glass of milk!)
I was also willing to start supplementing with formula after 4 weeks. If we want to try formula we are going to go with a hypoallergenic version called Alimentum. At least for the time being. Hopefully, eventually, we'd be able to switch back to a milk based formula...Mostly because the alimentum is going to be expensive (We'll have to buy brand name instead of generic). We could try a soy based formula, but for some reason, I just don't want to be loading O up on soy. (PERSONAL PREFERENCE). Dr. D said he knows a lot of parents that feel that way, but soy has been around forever and is certainly a safe alternative. But, he understands my aversion to soy and thus recommended the Alimentum.
I feel so bad being "annoyed"/"irritated" and slightly inconvenienced by Oliver's suspected intolerance. I mean, some parents are dealing with serious health problems with their infants. This is just a blip on his radar of life. Something that Dr. D is almost certain (that's a medical term) he'll outgrow.
And I feel so bad for O...he's just so obviously uncomfortable at times. I just want him to know we are trying...that he's safe with us and we will do anything for him.
There is more to life than just Oliver's gas! He has gained just over a pound since his birth, so he's growing well! It was so nice to see this and hear this at the doctor's yesterday. He's still just a tiny peanut...but that one pound is a lot when you only have 8 pounds to your name! He is still incredibly strong, pushing up on his arms, in a perfect baby "Cobra" pose. Oliver fakes us out, acting like he's going to roll over...which will be funny when it happens because he certainly prefers his tummy. So rolling over to his back will really just make him mad.
Eleanor continues to remain absolutely smitten with her brother. Oh, I know the fighting will commence at sometime...but I really see this relationship resembling one of my favorite brother/sister relationships of all time. Eleanor is always pulling her chair closer to Oliver's during meal time, "I just want to sit close to him." "Mom, isn't Oliver the cutest baby ever?" "Oh baby Oliver, you are so cute". Oh it just melts my heart. She's always asking to hold him and is quick to grab his nuk if he's fussing. I can't get her to change a diaper yet though!
Andy and I went on a 2 mile walk yesterday. We are going to go again today and then this weekend I want to go at it alone...running every few blocks. I can not WAIT to get back out there. The walk was pretty sad...but it was a start. Today when I was changing my shirt I actually noticed my waist. It's there - under a few extra rolls - thanks to the bagel/cream cheese craving I had...but it's there. I think the baby weight is just about off...and now I'm left with the additional 25 food pounds I put on! Unlike my experience with Eleanor, I do really feel like nursing is helping me lose weight this time. Another reason to keep at it!
And so another day begins...I'm right back to my same ol' position on the couch, continuing my pattern of nursing Oliver, snuggling Oliver and listening to Oliver sleep in the boppy next to me. I see the sun streaming through the dense trees in my backyard, threatening to change each leaf from its dark green hue to a beautiful orange, red, yellow mosaic. Fall is creepin up on us. The seasons change...just as each phase with Oliver will change. And so while things may seem difficult now, I know it's temporary. Before I know what happened, my little guy won't be so little anymore and Andy and I won't even remember what it was like. So I'm just going to stay sitting on the couch, snuggling my sweet, sweet baby.
What is more amazing - that Oliver is already 1 month or that I'm actually blogging on his 1 month "birthday"?? (Well - I started...I didn't actually get around to posting it)
 |
| Peanut Eleanor at 1 Month (January 24, 2009) |
Oliver still nurses almost every 2 hours. Nursing is still going great, super easy...however, it's REALLY hard to pump for my "reserves" when I'm feeding every two hours. These means I still need to be around for every one of Oliver's feedings. I did get a night out on Wednesday...but I have to pick my outings carefully...I only have a few remaining frozen ounces on reserve.
For several reasons, we had to switch pediatricians (I won't get into it online) and met with our new ped. on Thursday. Andy and I both agreed this will be a much better relationship. We had a great conversation with Dr. D regarding Oliver's fussiness and gas. My favorite quote was when Dr. D acknowledged that Oliver's gas doesn't concern him from Oliver's standpoint, but more for his concern about us as parents. Oliver will grow out of whatever this is, but our sleep deprivation is real.
Because of Eleanor's previous food allergy and her continued eczema, Dr. D isn't ruling out a food allergy at this time - or at least an intolerance. Of course, comparing Eleanor to Oliver isn't an apples to apples comparison...but it's still a place to start. Our first step is to regularly administer gripe water - 3 times a day. Should we not have success with the gripe water (more natural), we could try straight Simethicone (which is an infant form of "GasX" -- just less natural).
No success with that? Then we'll need to really start reading labels for my dairy free diet. Right now I'm pretty relaxed with milk being in a processed food (i.e. chocolate, cookies). I'm just eliminating dairy in its purest form. I would also elimination of whey and casein. Which sounds like a huge inconvenience - I'd rather go back to my pregnancy diet of alcohol and caffeine elimination v dairy! But if it helps O, then I'm willing to do it. (I do crave a glass of milk!)
I was also willing to start supplementing with formula after 4 weeks. If we want to try formula we are going to go with a hypoallergenic version called Alimentum. At least for the time being. Hopefully, eventually, we'd be able to switch back to a milk based formula...Mostly because the alimentum is going to be expensive (We'll have to buy brand name instead of generic). We could try a soy based formula, but for some reason, I just don't want to be loading O up on soy. (PERSONAL PREFERENCE). Dr. D said he knows a lot of parents that feel that way, but soy has been around forever and is certainly a safe alternative. But, he understands my aversion to soy and thus recommended the Alimentum.
I feel so bad being "annoyed"/"irritated" and slightly inconvenienced by Oliver's suspected intolerance. I mean, some parents are dealing with serious health problems with their infants. This is just a blip on his radar of life. Something that Dr. D is almost certain (that's a medical term) he'll outgrow.
And I feel so bad for O...he's just so obviously uncomfortable at times. I just want him to know we are trying...that he's safe with us and we will do anything for him.
There is more to life than just Oliver's gas! He has gained just over a pound since his birth, so he's growing well! It was so nice to see this and hear this at the doctor's yesterday. He's still just a tiny peanut...but that one pound is a lot when you only have 8 pounds to your name! He is still incredibly strong, pushing up on his arms, in a perfect baby "Cobra" pose. Oliver fakes us out, acting like he's going to roll over...which will be funny when it happens because he certainly prefers his tummy. So rolling over to his back will really just make him mad.
Eleanor continues to remain absolutely smitten with her brother. Oh, I know the fighting will commence at sometime...but I really see this relationship resembling one of my favorite brother/sister relationships of all time. Eleanor is always pulling her chair closer to Oliver's during meal time, "I just want to sit close to him." "Mom, isn't Oliver the cutest baby ever?" "Oh baby Oliver, you are so cute". Oh it just melts my heart. She's always asking to hold him and is quick to grab his nuk if he's fussing. I can't get her to change a diaper yet though!
 |
| Taking over the chair picture! |
Andy and I went on a 2 mile walk yesterday. We are going to go again today and then this weekend I want to go at it alone...running every few blocks. I can not WAIT to get back out there. The walk was pretty sad...but it was a start. Today when I was changing my shirt I actually noticed my waist. It's there - under a few extra rolls - thanks to the bagel/cream cheese craving I had...but it's there. I think the baby weight is just about off...and now I'm left with the additional 25 food pounds I put on! Unlike my experience with Eleanor, I do really feel like nursing is helping me lose weight this time. Another reason to keep at it!
And so another day begins...I'm right back to my same ol' position on the couch, continuing my pattern of nursing Oliver, snuggling Oliver and listening to Oliver sleep in the boppy next to me. I see the sun streaming through the dense trees in my backyard, threatening to change each leaf from its dark green hue to a beautiful orange, red, yellow mosaic. Fall is creepin up on us. The seasons change...just as each phase with Oliver will change. And so while things may seem difficult now, I know it's temporary. Before I know what happened, my little guy won't be so little anymore and Andy and I won't even remember what it was like. So I'm just going to stay sitting on the couch, snuggling my sweet, sweet baby.
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