nursing update

I went ahead and started cutting back on feeds. Before I had posted, P had already dropped 1/5 feeds. I dropped another feed every 4-5 days. Pierce has handled them all suprisingly well. He still pulls on my shirt and signs milk when it is time to nurse, but distraction seems to be working. He has only cried 2 times (yesterday and Sunday) and I cried with him. We are now down to nursing just at morning and night. Mark worked with my OB this morning and was able to talk to her. She said that she is from the school of thought that at 13 months, the nutritional value of breast milk is very low and wouldn't want to divert any nutrients from our growing bean. That while she doesn't consider it optimal, it isn't harmful. Mark asked her about keeping the night feed for a while. Again, she said he isn't get much nutritionally from my milk at this age but does see it as a bonding relationship. She is okay with us continuing the night feed. So seriously, how much is our bean really missing out on nutritionally from 1 feed?? Plus, how do I know my bean is okay from the 5 weeks I breastfed 5 times a day?? I just wanna make sure I am doing what is best for both my little ones!!

P's walking!!

Yippee!! I am sooooooooooo proud of my lil' man!! He started standing on his own last Friday and has been taking steps here and there. All day long today he has taken many unassisted steps--as many as 6 in a row!! Just now Mark, my mom (she's watching him while we go on a date), myself, and P were sitting in our living room. P was walking across the living room on his knees (something I have never seen him do before) holding the remote. He then, stood up all on his own (something I haven't seen him do before without pulling up on something) and took about 6 steps toward my mom before loosing his balance!! We all clapped and made such a big deal which scared him. He cried a bit and then laughed. My baby's walking!!

My 1st ob appt

went okay. Not quite sure what to think about some of it. I didn't have to have a pap b/c I recently had one--I just got a complete physical. I didn't miss that part. I have gained 1.5 pounds since getting pregnant. She moved my due date to February 19th based on my LMP. After explaining that I have long cycles (something I should've told her when I was pregnant with P), she said that the ACOG now recommends an early u/s to date the pregnancy anyway, especially when a repeat c-section would be necessary. So, we are having an u/s next Thursday. I'm excited b/c we didn't get to peak in on sweet P until 20 weeks. At the same time, I'm scared b/c when she did my internal she said I didn't feel 9 weeks yet. Not sure what that means, guessing it has something to do with my long cycles. I asked about my iron levels (thinking maybe my headaches are from being slightly anemic--like I was during the last part of my pregnancy with P) and they check that with all the other blood work. She said she'd call if it was low and I needed to supplement. She also didn't seem too upset that P still nurses at bedtime. Lots of ohhhs and ahhhhs about how cute P is and how they can't believe he's 14 months old and lots of congrats too which made me one proud momma!! So next appt is in 4 weeks with my u/s scheduled in a week. At the next appt she will listen for fetal heart tones with the doppler. We are hoping and praying to see it on u/s next week!!

OB says to wean

I'm devastated.............I just spoke with my ob's office and she strongly recommends me wean P now. We're just not ready. We nurse 4-5 times a day. She advised quitting before the end of the week. I am so upset. Don't tell an emotional pregnant woman to wean when they aren't ready...... I feel like I'm letting my Sweet P down.......

P's new shirt!!

I tested and got a positive this morning!! I took a $ tree cheapo and saw a very faint line. Then I took a digital and there is no mistaking the "Pregnant" reading!! I dressed P in his shirt (I commissioned an online friend to make it when we started trying to get pregnant) while Mark was out of the room. It was pretty humorous as P and I struggled to get the shirt on before Mark walked back into the room. Needless to say, we are both thrilled and weren't expecting this at all!! Mark even teared up!! I also have a bib that I will give Mark later today that says "I love my Big Brother"!!

big boy seat & safety gates

We finally got 'em!! We went during BRU big sale this weekend and had a coupon for 10% of everything. We saved almost $50. I need to make an appt with our carseat safety tech for some installation help. I'm a lil' confused by the tethers.
We went with the Britax Boulevard. I can't believe how big my lil' sweet P looks in his new seat!!

We went with these gates: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?p...rentPage=family They are super secure--Mark and I both pulled very hard back and forth on them and they are very sturdy. I love that they have a foot pedal for opening--hands free.

my sweet ticklish boy

I just had to share this.............Pierce has been picking up on signs very quickly over the last few weeks. He started using "all done" when we were in NYC and over the last week he started using "more". (He did those signs randomly months ago, but he is now using them specifically and appropriately). Well, this morning I was tickling him and cuddling him. And when I go to tickle him, he will wave his arms back and forth like I do when I am about to tickle him. He does this b/c he wants more tickles. So anyhow, like I said, I was loving on him and tickling him and he starts waving his arms for more. I said, do you want more and then he signed "more"!! It was so sweet and so special!! Usually he signs for more food, I just love that he wanted more momma cuddles!!

Ack, I hurt P

I was just suctioning P's nose and he moved which caused the bulb syringe to go too high. Now his nose is bleeding!! I called his ped when they opened b/c I was so scared damaged his nasal passages!! They said that the mucous membranes are very vascular and bleed easily especially when they are inflamed from congestion. She said fortunately since it is such a vascular area like your mouth, it heals easily. She said I may see more blood in his snot for the next few days, but that he is perfectly fine!! I still feel like an awfully bad momma though.......

P's 1 year well baby

was this morning and it went great!! We had to postpone it b/c of our flight back from NYC getting canceled and his 1st cold last week. His weight is back on his curve and she was super pleased!! He weighed a lil' more at his visit last week but he had clothes on, today he was nakey babe. His head and height are fantastic and still following his original curve!! He is right on track developmentally!! She said he'll be walking any day. His hgb was back down to 9 but she isn't concerned since his weight is back on track. He received two vaccines (Hep A and pneumococcal conjugate) and we delayed chicken pox and mmr. His doc was extremely supporitve and said many parents choose this. He cried loud and hard for a moment when he received his shots, but stopped immediately after they gave him a toothbrush. He chewed on it almost the whole way home. He didn't even flinch when they pricked his toe to check his hemaglobin. She said we could continue breastfeeding as long as P and I are happy with it. She suggested at least 12-16 ounces of cow's milk a day. I asked her about snacks and she said depending on his morning nap, she recommends a late morning snack around 9:30 or 10:00 am and a late afternoon snack. She also said we could turn his carseat around now, b/c really the guidelines are more for neck and spine muscles and he would be just fine forward face at this age even though he is a precious peanut. I told her we are in no hurry to forward face and will continue to rear face for now. P is still a lil' stuffy from his cold last week. She said it could possibly be seasonal allergies if it persists through next week and gave us a sample of zyrtec if we wanted to try in a few weeks. I explained how his naps are getting shorter and she agreed he is probably transitioning to a 1 nap a day schedule. I had already started pushing his morning nap back in 15 minute increments so that eventually he'll only have an afternoon nap. She said to target a nap around 12-2 pm. She said nothing is off limits as far as food allergies are concerned now that P is one. We celebrated with a trip to the natural food store for supplies for his 1st pb&j sandwich. He ate almost the entire sandwich and a banana for lunch. It was a big hit!! Here are a few pics:



I am so very proud of my lil' man!! His doc couldn't believe he's one already--I told her neither could we!!

His stats:
Weight: 17 pounds 14 ounces (3-5%)
Height: 29 3/4 inches (50-75%)
Head: 18 3/4 inches (75-90%)