Okay so breastfeeding did get harder again. I started pumping more and we were doing mostly bottle feedings. I slowly started breastfeeding again and at first Natalie had a hard time because of all the back and forth, but she got it. Now I am breastfeeding her whenever I feed her. But we still use a bottle at night or if I am sleeping for when Sama feeds her. She does great with both. I am now actually enjoying breastfeeding. It is a great bonding experience that I wasn't really feeling before when I was in so much pain.
Natalie is pretty amazing. She is really strong. She rolled over for the first time yesterday! It was amazing. She was really upset at the time because she hates being on her tummy for tummy time, but she did it! She did it twice and once again today. My baby is awesome :)
We are finally starting to get into a schedule. I guess it would have happened sooner, but my mom was here and then my mother-in-law was here so we were getting a lot of help and the routine would change. And then after we were alone again we finally started to get into a rhythm of our own. It feels nice.
Sama is an amazing dad. He is so sweet with Natalie and he helps out with everything. Well, he hasn't helped with her baths but mostly because he is gone when I give them to her. I thought he was afraid too (because I was!) but he says he isn't so maybe next time :) Oh and the great thing is that Natalie LOVES baths. Yay! I kept hearing that almost all babies hate baths, but I guess we are lucky.
I am glad things are starting to feel normal and not quite so overwhelming. Because I really wondered how anyone did this more than once. But now I am feeling a lot better about it! I am sure I will forget how hard it is the next time. But I think it will be much more bearable the second time because I know what to expect. Not that I didn't prepare for Natalie and learn a lot from reading and classes and friends, but that just doesn't even scratch the surface in my opinion :) I am glad I did those things for sure, but I just don't think anything could have completely prepared me.
Sama is back in school now and doing well so far. He has a much easier semester, which is awesome because he gets to spend more time at home. I love it. Sometimes I am jealous of him doing more than staying at home with Natalie. But I don't think I would switch places. I was focusing completely on Natalie and on recovering and that is still pretty much the case, but I feel like I have time for other things now as well. Not a lot of time. Actually just a teeny bit of time, but I can read or work at my job or whatever for a little bit each day.
Well, Natalie needs me so I will try to write again soon.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Natalie
Pictures!
The Birth Story
I think I wrote that I was on bed rest. Well, it didn't really last because on Saturday, December 18th, I was just not feeling well. My blood pressure was really high as well, so I called the doctor. He didn't sound very concerned but he told me I could go to the hospital if I wanted just to make sure everything was okay. Well, Sama was at work, but I really didn't feel right so I called my friend and she came to pick me up and take me to the hospital. And she stayed with me too! I was really grateful for that because I didn't want to be alone. So it turns out that I was right to be worried because my blood pressure was even higher than the readings I had gotten at home. The highest it got was 198 over something (I never really remember the bottom number...) and that was after they had decided I was staying and started giving me medicine to bring my blood pressure down. In case you don't know, normal blood pressure is about 120/80 and they start to get worried in pregnancy if it gets to about 140/90. That's around where I was when I got put on bed rest.
So Monique, my amazing friend, stayed with me for about 4 hours until Sama got to the hospital. I was induced at 6:20 PM and started feeling contractions about 9:00 PM. I thought I was doing really good with all my breathing and relaxation techniques. It started getting pretty painful though at which point I requested the pain medication. About midnight I thought I was going to die. Really. I hadn't wanted an epidural though and so the thought never really crossed my mind. I kept thinking I was still going to be in labor for a long time and that it would just get worse, so I really shouldn't consider any of that yet anyway. Well, it got worse. I can't believe how painful contractions were. I started to push a little after 1:00 AM and that was actually a relief because I couldn't feel the contractions when I was pushing. I only had to push for a few minutes and Natalie was born at 1:28 AM on December 19th.
I decided that if I am induced the next time, I am definitely getting an epidural. If I am not induced I think I will do it naturally again since they say that induced labor contractions are much more painful.
Natalie is such a calm, sweet baby. She cries only when she gets a tummy ache. She didn't even cry for more than a second or two right after she was born. Which was a little worrisome to us, but they said she was healthy. Even when they were drawing blood she didn't cry. So the next day when the NICU nurse was taking out IVs and getting her ready to come back downstairs with us, she started to really cry. And Sama's response? He was grinning and so happy! Not because she was in pain but because she was finally crying and that was a sign that things were normal.
Natalie is so patient with us. We are trying to do the best we can for her, but are making mistakes for sure. We are really thankful to our moms who have been here helping us with her so much. My mom was here the end of December and then Sama's mom came and is still here. I think we will be kind of lost without all this help. But it will be okay.
Breastfeeding (possibly TMI...)
So I have always loved kids and been pretty good with them. I figured that being a mom would be tiring but easy. I am so naive. Yes, I know everyone says it's hard, but I really thought I was the exception. Oh well. It is still wonderful and I LOVE this little girl!
The hardest thing is breastfeeding. I read about it, took classes about it, but it is NOT as easy as just following a few simple steps. Well, not for us. We had to supplement with formula in the hospital because Natalie had low blood sugar. When we got home we still had to supplement for a couple days, but FINALLY I had enough milk and so we started exclusively breastfeeding. At first. Because even though I learned about getting a proper latch I guess I still didn't do it right because I was in agonizing pain every time I tried to feed her. I really hated feeding time. Which was of course every two hours. Gahh! So we went to see a lactation specialist. Twice. Things were still painful but getting (slightly) better. And then....no milk. What?! I was producing a lot of milk. Really. A lot. And then nothing? So my husband pointed out that I really hadn't stayed very hydrated that day. I drank tons of water. My mother-in-law made me atole with oatmeal and then I started to get milk again the next day. But still painful. Still agonizing. Because besides being painful, Natalie didn't really eat when she was at my breast. She was just there. So it was taking at least an hour to feed her. Then she was still hungry because of course she hardly ate. I cried. This was really hard. And then...a miracle! I asked Sama to give me a blessing because I was just going crazy. I wanted to give up but I didn't want to feed Natalie any other way either. So I had the blessing, I read the scriptures, and I prayed. I really didn't know what to do but Heavenly Father always does, so that is where I turned. I am so grateful for the gospel. I felt more calm. When Natalie woke up that night for her next feeding I dreaded it as usual. But like I said. A miracle. She latched on and she was eating! Like the whole entire time. I think we finished in about 30 minutes. My breasts were sore after but not in that "I really might die" kind of way. We have now had 3 successful, no tears (mine) feedings in a row! I am really hoping that this trend continues. I just don't know how to handle it any other way. They say it gets better. It has, but I am hoping that it gets still better because there is still some pain. Anyway, it is so much better to enjoy all the time I have with Natalie including when she is eating! Feel free to pray for us. I never knew it was this hard.
I really have no news other than what is going on with my daughter. What else is there right now? She is the best thing in our lives right now and we couldn't be happier to have her.
Christmas!
The smallest dress we could find for her (even some preemie clothes are too big!)
The Birth Story
I think I wrote that I was on bed rest. Well, it didn't really last because on Saturday, December 18th, I was just not feeling well. My blood pressure was really high as well, so I called the doctor. He didn't sound very concerned but he told me I could go to the hospital if I wanted just to make sure everything was okay. Well, Sama was at work, but I really didn't feel right so I called my friend and she came to pick me up and take me to the hospital. And she stayed with me too! I was really grateful for that because I didn't want to be alone. So it turns out that I was right to be worried because my blood pressure was even higher than the readings I had gotten at home. The highest it got was 198 over something (I never really remember the bottom number...) and that was after they had decided I was staying and started giving me medicine to bring my blood pressure down. In case you don't know, normal blood pressure is about 120/80 and they start to get worried in pregnancy if it gets to about 140/90. That's around where I was when I got put on bed rest.
So Monique, my amazing friend, stayed with me for about 4 hours until Sama got to the hospital. I was induced at 6:20 PM and started feeling contractions about 9:00 PM. I thought I was doing really good with all my breathing and relaxation techniques. It started getting pretty painful though at which point I requested the pain medication. About midnight I thought I was going to die. Really. I hadn't wanted an epidural though and so the thought never really crossed my mind. I kept thinking I was still going to be in labor for a long time and that it would just get worse, so I really shouldn't consider any of that yet anyway. Well, it got worse. I can't believe how painful contractions were. I started to push a little after 1:00 AM and that was actually a relief because I couldn't feel the contractions when I was pushing. I only had to push for a few minutes and Natalie was born at 1:28 AM on December 19th.
I decided that if I am induced the next time, I am definitely getting an epidural. If I am not induced I think I will do it naturally again since they say that induced labor contractions are much more painful.
Natalie is such a calm, sweet baby. She cries only when she gets a tummy ache. She didn't even cry for more than a second or two right after she was born. Which was a little worrisome to us, but they said she was healthy. Even when they were drawing blood she didn't cry. So the next day when the NICU nurse was taking out IVs and getting her ready to come back downstairs with us, she started to really cry. And Sama's response? He was grinning and so happy! Not because she was in pain but because she was finally crying and that was a sign that things were normal.
Natalie is so patient with us. We are trying to do the best we can for her, but are making mistakes for sure. We are really thankful to our moms who have been here helping us with her so much. My mom was here the end of December and then Sama's mom came and is still here. I think we will be kind of lost without all this help. But it will be okay.
Breastfeeding (possibly TMI...)
So I have always loved kids and been pretty good with them. I figured that being a mom would be tiring but easy. I am so naive. Yes, I know everyone says it's hard, but I really thought I was the exception. Oh well. It is still wonderful and I LOVE this little girl!
The hardest thing is breastfeeding. I read about it, took classes about it, but it is NOT as easy as just following a few simple steps. Well, not for us. We had to supplement with formula in the hospital because Natalie had low blood sugar. When we got home we still had to supplement for a couple days, but FINALLY I had enough milk and so we started exclusively breastfeeding. At first. Because even though I learned about getting a proper latch I guess I still didn't do it right because I was in agonizing pain every time I tried to feed her. I really hated feeding time. Which was of course every two hours. Gahh! So we went to see a lactation specialist. Twice. Things were still painful but getting (slightly) better. And then....no milk. What?! I was producing a lot of milk. Really. A lot. And then nothing? So my husband pointed out that I really hadn't stayed very hydrated that day. I drank tons of water. My mother-in-law made me atole with oatmeal and then I started to get milk again the next day. But still painful. Still agonizing. Because besides being painful, Natalie didn't really eat when she was at my breast. She was just there. So it was taking at least an hour to feed her. Then she was still hungry because of course she hardly ate. I cried. This was really hard. And then...a miracle! I asked Sama to give me a blessing because I was just going crazy. I wanted to give up but I didn't want to feed Natalie any other way either. So I had the blessing, I read the scriptures, and I prayed. I really didn't know what to do but Heavenly Father always does, so that is where I turned. I am so grateful for the gospel. I felt more calm. When Natalie woke up that night for her next feeding I dreaded it as usual. But like I said. A miracle. She latched on and she was eating! Like the whole entire time. I think we finished in about 30 minutes. My breasts were sore after but not in that "I really might die" kind of way. We have now had 3 successful, no tears (mine) feedings in a row! I am really hoping that this trend continues. I just don't know how to handle it any other way. They say it gets better. It has, but I am hoping that it gets still better because there is still some pain. Anyway, it is so much better to enjoy all the time I have with Natalie including when she is eating! Feel free to pray for us. I never knew it was this hard.
I really have no news other than what is going on with my daughter. What else is there right now? She is the best thing in our lives right now and we couldn't be happier to have her.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Welcome Natalie Lucia Campos
Born December 19th
5 Lbs 1 0z
17 inches
17 inches
Happy Early Christmas! We got just what we wanted :)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
I want to Clean...?
Okay so I woke up today and I feel like I just HAVE to clean! I am thinking that everything is so dirty and I just need to spend my day cleaning!!!! Ahh. I guess it is nesting, but guess what? I am on bed rest. Oh well for the cleaning. I am having to force myself to sit here in bed.
Things to Do
I have been doing okay with bed rest. It is really good that I am only on it for a couple more weeks at most because it has not even been two whole days and I already feel like I should be done. But I have found a few things to do. I have sewn some more diapers for Natalie and they are super cute! (I am allowed to be sitting and doing things!) And I have made some more flower clips. A lady came and bought three of them, which is great, but I still have too many! Like A LOT! But those things have kept me pretty well entertained. Then I have my computer and spend too much time online, but oh well. I have been working via the internet and that has been pretty good. Other than that I hang out with Sama and watch TV or something. He has been getting everything for me. I feel so ridiculous asking for my computer charger or something that is only across the room. I am not supposed to be getting up and down for those kinds of things. It feels so silly and I feel like some lazy queen commanding him or something! Poor Sama.
School
School is OVER!!!!!!! Well, for the semester! Yay!
Christmas
Change of plans for Christmas. My mom is coming earlier since I am going to be induced if I don't go into labor on my own. It is so nice to know that she will be here! I am really looking forward to it. Our friends who we were going to spend Christmas with decided to go to Mexico last minute. They are in for a really, REALLY long drive, but they are excited to go so that is great. We have a few other friends that will be here and I would really like to invite them for Christmas dinner or something, but I would pretty much be obligating other people to do all the work. Sama asked if we should invite them, so maybe he doesn't mind, but I don't know. I guess we will plan on a quiet Christmas morning with my mom here. I think it will be nice. Well quiet unless Natalie comes before then. Maybe! I honestly would love that.
Things to Do
I have been doing okay with bed rest. It is really good that I am only on it for a couple more weeks at most because it has not even been two whole days and I already feel like I should be done. But I have found a few things to do. I have sewn some more diapers for Natalie and they are super cute! (I am allowed to be sitting and doing things!) And I have made some more flower clips. A lady came and bought three of them, which is great, but I still have too many! Like A LOT! But those things have kept me pretty well entertained. Then I have my computer and spend too much time online, but oh well. I have been working via the internet and that has been pretty good. Other than that I hang out with Sama and watch TV or something. He has been getting everything for me. I feel so ridiculous asking for my computer charger or something that is only across the room. I am not supposed to be getting up and down for those kinds of things. It feels so silly and I feel like some lazy queen commanding him or something! Poor Sama.
School
School is OVER!!!!!!! Well, for the semester! Yay!
Christmas
Change of plans for Christmas. My mom is coming earlier since I am going to be induced if I don't go into labor on my own. It is so nice to know that she will be here! I am really looking forward to it. Our friends who we were going to spend Christmas with decided to go to Mexico last minute. They are in for a really, REALLY long drive, but they are excited to go so that is great. We have a few other friends that will be here and I would really like to invite them for Christmas dinner or something, but I would pretty much be obligating other people to do all the work. Sama asked if we should invite them, so maybe he doesn't mind, but I don't know. I guess we will plan on a quiet Christmas morning with my mom here. I think it will be nice. Well quiet unless Natalie comes before then. Maybe! I honestly would love that.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Natalie in 2010
I am officially on bed rest. It is definitely no fun. I went in to get my blood pressure checked this morning and it was high. Higher than usual that is. So then I had a bunch of other tests, but thankfully those were all normal and Natalie is quite healthy!
So I have to check my blood pressure four times per day and if it gets any higher, then I have to call my doctor and probably go to the hospital. I have an appointment on Monday to see how things are going. But my doctor pretty much guaranteed that Natalie will be born this month.
Sama's mom will be coming earlier than planned because she is no longer going to Canada for Christmas. So she will come a few days early, but probably not until after Christmas.
I am feeling kind of overwhelmed because I know for sure that Natalie is coming in the next two weeks. The house is a mess and I still need to pack for the hospital. To do that I need to do laundry and be able to move around and such. But I can't. Sama was so nice and cleaned up a little for me even though he needs to study. But tomorrow he will be done with school!!!!! Oh and we still need a carseat.....!!! Add to that all the things I would have liked to do for Christmas. I am getting Sama's present online, but I guess I will have to enlist someone's help to get his stocking stuff. Luckily we weren't planning on doing a lot anyway and don't have concrete plans.
So....that is really all that is on my mind right now. I hope everyone is doing well!
So I have to check my blood pressure four times per day and if it gets any higher, then I have to call my doctor and probably go to the hospital. I have an appointment on Monday to see how things are going. But my doctor pretty much guaranteed that Natalie will be born this month.
Sama's mom will be coming earlier than planned because she is no longer going to Canada for Christmas. So she will come a few days early, but probably not until after Christmas.
I am feeling kind of overwhelmed because I know for sure that Natalie is coming in the next two weeks. The house is a mess and I still need to pack for the hospital. To do that I need to do laundry and be able to move around and such. But I can't. Sama was so nice and cleaned up a little for me even though he needs to study. But tomorrow he will be done with school!!!!! Oh and we still need a carseat.....!!! Add to that all the things I would have liked to do for Christmas. I am getting Sama's present online, but I guess I will have to enlist someone's help to get his stocking stuff. Luckily we weren't planning on doing a lot anyway and don't have concrete plans.
So....that is really all that is on my mind right now. I hope everyone is doing well!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
22 Days!
So Natalie is supposed to get here in 22 days. Of course we are hoping it is sooner. As in any time in December would be awesome! Sama's mom is coming the 30th and mine on the 7th. I am especially hoping for my mom's sake that she isn't late/too late. For Sama's mom too, but I think her schedule is slightly more flexible. I will be 37 weeks tomorrow and since that is considered full term, I am hoping for her to come really soon. Maybe that is selfish, but oh well. I want her here and as long as she is healthy I am good. I really don''t want to be induced if I can avoid it though so even if she doesn't come this month I am hoping she will get here before our moms have to leave. But I guess I really have no control. Just writing out what I am hoping for!
Flowers
I have been making those flowers that are so popular for little girls to put in their hair. I love them and didn't want to pay for someone else to do them when they seemed so simple. So I bought some of the supplies and have been having a lot of fun....maybe too much fun! Does anyone want flower clips? Haha. I have too many! I am going to sell some of them at cost on Craigslist I think. I know there is a ton of people selling them, but we will see if I can get some of what I spent back. Natalie doesn't need as many clips as I have made and I still have A LOT more supplies. Haha. I only have one friend with a little girl right now and she just made a bunch of her own too, soooo.....I am kind of stuck. But it is a fun hobby at least! I also have a ton of ribbon, so bows are next :)
Flowers
I have been making those flowers that are so popular for little girls to put in their hair. I love them and didn't want to pay for someone else to do them when they seemed so simple. So I bought some of the supplies and have been having a lot of fun....maybe too much fun! Does anyone want flower clips? Haha. I have too many! I am going to sell some of them at cost on Craigslist I think. I know there is a ton of people selling them, but we will see if I can get some of what I spent back. Natalie doesn't need as many clips as I have made and I still have A LOT more supplies. Haha. I only have one friend with a little girl right now and she just made a bunch of her own too, soooo.....I am kind of stuck. But it is a fun hobby at least! I also have a ton of ribbon, so bows are next :)
little flowers. I like these best :)
I bought too many pink flowers.....
I made my own flower petals from fabric! I am pleased with myself about this. Sama got excited thinking they were potato chips though....Sorry to disappoint!
Feeling Better (for the moment)
I woke up feeling motivated to get a lot done. I kind of started being productive, but it just didn't last. Then I was feeling tired/not that great so I slept for awhile. I think I just needed to eat a regular meal instead of the mini snacks I had been because when I woke up and finally ate I felt so much better. Thanks Sama for helping me with dinner!
Two More Days!
Just two more days of finals. I am so happy!!!!! Like really, REALLY happy that this semester will be over! Sama will be working more, but I think that is a good thing. Work is so much less stressful than school :) Then on Friday we will be getting together with our friends, who I think are quite stressed and might be happier than I am that school is almost over for awhile. So school is ending, we will get to relax and do fun holiday things, and Natalie can come at any time. Yay!
Progressive Dinner
Thanks to my new neighbor (new as in I just met her for the first time last week) for planning a fun night for us last Sunday. We got together with our neighbors and had a really good night getting to know each other and then we played games at the end. It was a nice night and I have some new friends :)
I think that is all for now. Happy Tuesday everyone!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Snoring
So Sama has been moving from our bed to the bed in the baby's room some nights because I have been snoring! I don't normally snore, and the way he told me about it I thought it was some loud and horrible, obnoxious snoring! So I looked it up and saw that while it can be normal in pregnancy because of congestion and weight gain that it could also indicate gestational diabetes or sleep apnea and that I should tell my doctor. So I told this to my husband but apparently I only snore a tiny bit and it is just that he is such a light sleeper. Crazy. I am glad it is not the wake up the whole neighborhood kind, but I will probably still mention it to our doctor at our appointment this week. Just to be sure :)
Girl's Night
I got together with an old friend and some of her friends that I hadn't met for a girl's night on Saturday. We visited while making chocolate-covered pretzels and then took them with us to give away when we went Christmas caroling. It was so fun to see how people reacted to us. There was one elderly man who was my favorite. He lives alone and was so incredibly grateful to us. He invited us in and showed us his Christmas tree and what he used to do for work at the local university. I loved it! I honestly think I will visit him again.
Work
My job is going well and I am really enjoying it! I have continued to get to know great people and am learning a lot. I should be pretty well established by the time Natalie arrives! I am starting to get a little bit impatient about the time I still have to wait, but I know it will go by fast and I will wonder where the time went later on.
Christmas
We are staying here and doing Christmas with friends. I have had some invitations from other friends for fun outings and activities. Often we are gone before we get to do all the local parties and the place where we go has already had all of those parties already. Anyway, it will be a different Christmas, but I think a really good one! What are everyone's plans this year? I hope all your Christmases are wonderful!
Girl's Night
I got together with an old friend and some of her friends that I hadn't met for a girl's night on Saturday. We visited while making chocolate-covered pretzels and then took them with us to give away when we went Christmas caroling. It was so fun to see how people reacted to us. There was one elderly man who was my favorite. He lives alone and was so incredibly grateful to us. He invited us in and showed us his Christmas tree and what he used to do for work at the local university. I loved it! I honestly think I will visit him again.
Work
My job is going well and I am really enjoying it! I have continued to get to know great people and am learning a lot. I should be pretty well established by the time Natalie arrives! I am starting to get a little bit impatient about the time I still have to wait, but I know it will go by fast and I will wonder where the time went later on.
Christmas
We are staying here and doing Christmas with friends. I have had some invitations from other friends for fun outings and activities. Often we are gone before we get to do all the local parties and the place where we go has already had all of those parties already. Anyway, it will be a different Christmas, but I think a really good one! What are everyone's plans this year? I hope all your Christmases are wonderful!
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