Pressure

I was looking back at photos from when Catie was first born and it brought back one labour point that I'd forgotten already.

A random fact about me... I HATE having my blood pressure taken. I can't tell you how much I hate it. I have to really concentrate on breathing normally and not holding my breath during the test so it's a semi accurate reading. I hate the feeling of my arm being squeezed to death and the tingling that comes in your fingers. It was bad enough that it was tested every time I went to see the doctor but once I was in labour they had an automatic one that not only stayed on my arm at all times but tested every 15 minutes and it had an extra tight squeeze. You can see that awful arm cuff in the photo.

I complained loudly every time that stupid machine started.
L

Noodle Soup

The other day as an attempt at some sort of normal dinner (I haven't really been cooking so much since Catie came) I whipped up some chicken noodle soup and biscuits. This is normally a meal that Brad and I really enjoy but something about this batch was off and I couldn't put my finger on it. It took me two days to realize that I'd forgotten to put in the chicken! Our noodle soup was very boring and I think the lack of sleep is affecting my brain :)
L

An Update

A feeding decision was finally made and not necessarily made by me.

Thrush killed any breastfeeding attempts and Catie got too used to the bottle. Breastfeeding is done. I'll pump for a while to give her those benefits but it won't be long before she's solely formula fed. It's a disappointment but she didn't leave us much choice.
L

Firsts

Don't be fooled by how cute and innocent she looks, this picture was taken just after her first blowout. Poop all over Daddy and it definitely required a bath.

Yay for firsts?
L

Bad, Bad Day

I expected breastfeeding to be hard, I really did. So when I left the hospital without a breastfeeding baby and a baby that needed formula supplement I wasn't surprised and it was okay. We had some really hard feeds but then we'd have some great feeds and we were making progress... really.

I could handle one problem, one problem at a time maybe even two but these three have really worn me down today.

So I have a baby who doesn't suck all that well, and then I also don't produce enough milk but it was okay, I could handle those two.

And then we developed thrush.

It's hard, I'm frustrated and I hope the medication works quickly, I've got to get rid of one of the three problems quick or I'm giving up.
L

Big Buffet

So far these new motherhood posts have all been sunshine and roses so here's the first to show any frstration.

I feel like my days are one big feeding. Every thought is...
When did I last feed her?
When do I need to feed her next? and
What can I fit in before her next feeding?

I've certainly had my moments where I've considered giving up the breast feeding and switching to a bottle, the time it would save me would be amazing but I'll push through and hope for some progress this week.
L

Photos

I'm sure these repeat Facebook / blog posts are getting annoying to some but Grandma doesn't check Facebook and the tutu photo was taken specifically for her.

There was a Wiebe birthday in Calgary yesterday so Brad and I drove up in the morning, it was fun to show off our Catie and my Sister-in-law took some fun photos.

She's just so beautiful!
L

My Wind is Tougher than Your Wind

I've found one common thread between all people who live down here in Lethbridge and South. They're all preoccupied with the wind. We expected the increase in wind, really but here's where they all make me chuckle.

There will be a day, like today, that is especially windy yet if you comment on it all of them will say the same thing, "Oh this is nothing, it gets much windier than this". Only it's really an especially windy day, it's okay to admit it. You don't have to impress me with the strength of you wind.

I'm not looking forward to the super cold winter wind but so far I've appreciated the wind on hot days.
L

Love

So in case it wasn't obvious from my story, labour was pretty awful but watching Catie as she slept on my chest made me finally realize something... it was worth it.

I'm certainly not saying I'm ready to do it again but it was worth it.
L

Laura Wiebe is discovering that Facebook is useful for a first time Mom

I've given Facebook a bad rep in the past but these days I can definitely see it's value. Being a new Mom I spend a lot of time at home and I don't expect that to change nor do I want it too. I want to be home to feed my baby and I want time to recover but the downside to all this house time is being very socially cut off.

These days Facebook has made me feel a little connected to the outside world. I thought once I quit working and didn't have those random boring times to fill my usage of Facebook would taper off but I'm pretty sure it's going to increase instead.

It's nice to feel connected.
L