Saturday, October 15, 2011

Life in general

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day across the world. We would like to invite you to take part in the global 'Wave of Light'. Simply light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning for at least 1 hour to join us in remembering all babies that have died during pregnancy, at, during or after birth. 

www.babyloss-awareness.org


I have been in quite a funk lately...
Pumping is continuing to wind down as I approach 31 months. It probably sounds a bit odd to some, but the thought of my love/ hate relationship with my dear pump coming to an end makes me feel very nervous, somewhat guilty and a bit lost. This has been a major part of my day for just over 2 and a half years now- and stopping, especially during the fall / winter months with cold and flu season knocking on our door has me unsettled to say the least. Having said that, even if I was "allowed" to continue, my milk is drying up - as is the natural flow of pregnancy - the norm seems to be to go "completely dry" around 14 weeks. I am approaching 10 (can you believe it?!?!) on Sunday. 


More about that pregnancy: 
Overall, I feel fine...ok, not really, but I don't want to take on a complaining tone on here. I'll list my prego grievances quickly - with the thought that ripping off a Band-Aid all super fast like somehow lessens the pain involved. 


I am having quite a bit of ligament pain associated with moving (especially turning over in bed during the night). I am in between sizes - you know - it's fat time - not ready for maternity clothes, but certainly out of my skinny jeans. Err-go I am in yoga pants and t-shirts the majority of the time. Ok, I wore that the majority of the time before getting pregnant - but now it's actually because absolutely nothing fits.


I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out a good dosing schedule for the multitude of medications and supplements I need to take: nausea related to meds is not my friend and does not do any sort of wonder for me getting through the day taking care of 2 toddlers, 2 dogs, etc. 


I was crying - alot - like in public - spontaneously crying. It was quite awful. Of course with a new pregnancy, the horribles, the awfuls, the unspeakables from the last have cropped up, so some of the crying was well warranted - and quite fruitful. However, this brought new meaning to sad sack. I started an extra B vitamin and it actually seems to be helping. I feel much better. (I started the vitamin this week).


I was having trouble sleeping soundly - or sometimes, at all. I assure you it was not because I wasn't tired - or trying. But, there are no "A's" for effort where insomnia is concerned. Again, after starting the extra B vitamin, I am able to settle down a bit better as well. Weird. I know.


Last: I'M ITCHY. Holy cow. I woke one morning and my leg was actually bleeding from scratching in my sleep (umm - maybe this was also contributing to the insomnia??) I have tweaked my skincare routine -and it has helped - but if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears...excepting anything Neutrogena, or Oil of Olay (I'm allergic)- and if you recommend that damn Aveeno oatmeal BS I might hunt you down and give you a good talking to - with my finger pointed and waving. Yeah - my itchyness laughed at that mess.


Ok list done. 


In other news, I'm enjoying food again (and you know I LOVE to enjoy my food). I am cooking all the time - and am having a bit of fun playing with recipes to reduce or eliminate the sodium content. Cooking is no rocket science - nor does it have to take all day. With a little understanding of spices and the knowledge that anything that comes in a package or especially a can can be cooked from scratch - sometimes without much more effort than opening said can and dumping the contents in the pot - it can be fun to cook. I love that Mary Louise and David have caught on and even though they don't eat everything we cook together, one day they might - and the knowledge that healthy cooking can be so easy that they were able to help at the age of 2 will hopefully carry them through adulthood. It is my theory that everyone strays from their "norms" at some point, but they typically "come home" to food and (some sort of) religion given a good, happy, and strong base in both areas.


Speech is continuing to go well. Mary Louise and David are working hard on learning colors, shapes and numbers as well as how to name various pictures, etc. in their story books. They have also started to "read" to us at times. 


So, October hasn't been the easiest month - and with another ultrasound coming up and cerclage decisions to be made, it will be unsettled for the majority of it's remaining time, but we are all hanging in there. 


First trick or treating this year!!!!


A few photos from Mere and Pops' recent visit:

October 2011



xo,
Heather

5 comments:

  1. Try Grandpa's Pine Tar soap. Has a pleasant smell and relieves many a skin ailment...

    -Erika @ www.survivingtriplets.com

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  2. I love all of the pregnancy updates. Glad everything is going 'OK' as far as the pregnancy goes...but I'm sorry that you're feeling so run down already. I really think you should cut yourself some slack about the pumping (you have done a FABULOUS job preparing them for their last winters...they were eventually going to have to make it through a winter without your breastmilk at some point!) Glad that you're able to eat normally again - sounds like I need to take some lessons from your cooking (I'm one of those can-people!)

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  3. Nice to meet you! and congrats on your pregnancy. we have triplets, 25 weekers, now 5 months actual or 7 weeks adjusted...I admire your dedication to the pump, as Im pumping right now...have you had to supplement with formula? I havent yet but the freezer will eventually run out of frozen milk :(

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  4. Hi Angie!! I gave exclusively breast milk for 14 months then introduced cow and finally soy milk as a compliment to their breasmilk (primary) diets while they tried their hand a eating solids . At about 10 month (actual), I was falling behind in supply and they were demanding more, I started domperidone after trying a number of herbal supplements to go along with a healthy diet and LOADS of water. It did the trick and allowed me to keep a great supply for them. I weaned from it some when Mary Louise and David were about 18 months or so then completely just after their second birthday. I still produced enough (about 8 ounces daily) to give them an immune boost so I was happy. I wish you the very very best of luck with it - hang in there!!! It's definitely possible. Also, they will likely plateau in the amount they are eating for quite some time. Breast milk changes in composition with the aging of the baby so the same amount will continue to satisfy them for quite some time. I would love to help in any way I can - you are more than welcome to email me directly (heatherbowe@gmail.com). Very best wishes!! (and thank you so much for taking the time to read!)

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  5. Hope the pregnancy symptoms get better soon as you get into the 2nd trimester! I was an emotional crazy person when I was pregnant....everything made me cry, and worse, lots of things made me irrationally angry. My poor husband, I would go off about something like a lunatic and the next morning wake up thinking "what was I even upset about? who was that crazy person??" Hang in there and good luck with the cooking!

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