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xanada101 · #1 July 17th, 2009, 05:11 PM

Sleeping- is interesting. Kerrigan doesn't like sleeping in her crib or bassinet. Soooo against what I always believed we mostly co-sleep. I love it and I hate it at the same time. I love it because of the closeness and it comforts her. I hate it because I do not sleep. I am constantly aware of her and DH. The one place she will sleep besides with me is her swing. So we brought that up into our bedroom and we put her to sleep in that to start out with until she wakes up to be fed. The other night I was sound asleep, but woke with a fright when I sensed Steve starting to roll back onto his back. I thought Kerrigan was still in bed with us, but I quickly realized that I had put her back into the swing after I had fed her. I was surprised that his movements woke me right up... it's so true that your senses are heightened when you become a mom.

Breast Feeding- I always saw this as a functional thing. You know, it saves money and the baby gets your nutrients.... I cannot even begin to express to you how truely beautiful and emotionally bonding it is. It is so sweet to watch her. Countless times have I caught her watching me as she eats. The sweetest moments though is when she eats and lets the milk dribble down her chin... as she lets go she gets a drunken little grin on her face, sighs and then rests her face up against my breast. She looks so incredibly happy and content. On the other hand, I have also started pumping. I have had to feed her from a bottle a couple of times now. I cannot believe how detatched she seems when I've had to do this. There is totally a difference. I am so happy that I decided to breastfeed... for more than the "funtionality" of it.

Umbilical Cord- OK this freaked me right out when it fell off. I wasn't expecting it to fall off because it was still really thick and while it was loose, it was still attached pretty well... or so I thought. I heard it fall to the floor and I had to scoop it up before the dog decided he would make it his tasty treat. Well then it stcuk to me finger and completely grossed me out. I didn't know what her belly button was supposed to look like... so I started freaking out because I could kinda sorta see inside her belly. After sending pictures to my sister... she assured me that it was completely normal looking. Here are the pictures though:

I just cannot believe that she is going to be a month old on Sunday?! Here are some cute pics that are more recent:

~April04~ · #2 July 17th, 2009, 05:24 PM

She is sooo adorable Toni!!!

Lauren S · #3 July 17th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Thanks for sharing, Toni! I'm so glad breastfeeding is going so well for you. I really want it to work for us, so hearing stories like this really encourage me.

I think I would have been freaked out about her belly button too! Good to know it's normal.

She is a total cutie!

Ash · #4 July 17th, 2009, 05:47 PM

She is gorgeous, Toni! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

LaLaRose3 · #5 July 17th, 2009, 06:37 PM

Oh, she is soooo cute!!! And good for you for BFing! I would love to see some BF piccies from you if you aren't too freaked out by sharing, haha. I think they're gorgeous!

I am so glad everything is well. BTW, we co-sleep too, even though we didn't think we would. It just came naturally, kwim?

courtneytcu98 · #6 July 17th, 2009, 07:01 PM

She is just gorgeous, Toni. You sound so balanced and centered. I must admit that I am impressed, because I felt a total mess at the same point you are now. You are right about BF'ing. It is a very bonding thing, despite the stress and initial pain it may cause.

As for the co-sleeping, you gotta do what you need to survive and what works for your baby. We have done some limited co-sleeping, but I just never got quality sleep when E was in bed because I was so paranoid about the covers, if he was sleeping, etc. Now naps are a different story! I love taking naps with my little man when he will allow it.

Thanks for the update. Hugs, mama.

Celry · #7 July 17th, 2009, 07:05 PM

I'm glad things are going well. She's adorable. I think she looks a lot like you in the picture where she's wearing the pink dress.

Thanks for posting the umbilical picture. I've never seen one at that stage and it would have freaked me out too if I didn't know it was normal. Now I do.

KCMomma · #8 July 17th, 2009, 07:37 PM

Toni, I'm so glad to see some updates from you. I hear ya on the sleeping is interesting part. I agree with Courtney that you have to do what you have to do. Whatever is comfortable for you and allows you and her to get some sleep. We have resorted to her sleeping in her carseat!!! As for breastfeeding you totally took the words right out of my mouth. I too desperately wanted to breastfeed because it was better for her and me and all that, but I truly LOVE the bonding time we get. I used to think "well if BF doesn't work then I'll just pump. who cares about the whole "bonding" thing" I totally take all that back now. One night she just absolutely wouldn't latch on so we gave her a bottle and I just cried because I felt so rejected. Now I'm ok because we give her a bottle here and there but it's on our terms. Anyway, I know exactly what you mean about those moments with her and her faces. Couldn't have said it any better. Oh and I agree that she looks just like you!!!!! TFS all the pics and update!!!

Jarheadwed · #9 July 17th, 2009, 07:46 PM

She is so cute!

..Christine.. · #10 July 17th, 2009, 07:49 PM

awwwww what a beautiful little girl!!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences- what you said about BFing really touched me- I can't wait to experience it!!!

snsgirl336 · #11 July 17th, 2009, 08:25 PM

You already know I'm in love with your little lady!

I'm so glad that you guys are doing so well! She is just so precious!

xanada101 · #12 July 17th, 2009, 08:39 PM

I am really glad that this may have helped some of you mommies in waiting. I was just trying to think of some things that I didn't really expect that you may not either.

I have to get some pics of me when I was a baby... because she totally looks like me... especially in that dress. She gets a look on her face that I had when I was a baby. Oh and even though her hair is really dark, she has red highlights....

Oh I forgot one other thing.... I am now a size G.... seriously.

Oreobaby · #13 July 17th, 2009, 09:01 PM

She is totally adorable...

I am glad you posted pictures of the belly button thing, because now at least I know what it is kinda supposed to look like...I would have had no idea otherwise!!

SassyMama · #14 July 17th, 2009, 09:44 PM

She's so gorgeous Toni!!

downunderchick · #15 July 18th, 2009, 01:50 AM

thanks for the update Toni, Really good to hear about the breastfeeding and the bonding side of it. Like you part of reason for choosing b/f is conveniece good for the baby etc,def looking forward to the bonding side of it. Also thanks for posting the piccies of her belly button,i would have been feaked too. nice to know thats normal, i wouldnt know what its meant to look like when it falls off.
and WOW! a month already.

samspain · #16 July 18th, 2009, 02:31 AM

She is so cute, where has the month gone to? and I totally agree with the breastfeeding, I love it when she catches my eye and smiles and the milk drips out the side

. I would have freaked at that belly button too, Ana�s was burnt off because it was a bit infected, but it was proper skin when it happened, no gooey or bloody bits.
As for sleep, she has always preferred her bassinette to our bed (me too, the times I fell asleep feeding just scared me so much). But as long as they are sleeping and you are happy, go for it!

Christine-MA · #17 July 18th, 2009, 07:22 AM

She is so beautiful! I loved reading about your BF experience because I'm starting to get nervous about it. I just bought two books and plan to take a class, but I'll admit I'm doing it mostly because of all the benefits, I just hope the bonding comes naturally!

Boo · #18 July 18th, 2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samspain

Ana�s was burnt off because it was a bit infected, but it was proper skin when it happened, no gooey or bloody bits.

Same here, minus being burnt off. Did Kerrigan's fall off prematurely and that's why it's still 'open' and gooey?

She's beautiful!!! Thanks for the update!

Gray_baby · #19 July 18th, 2009, 08:32 AM

She's adorable! I'm so happy to hear that breastfeeding is going well for you, I hope it works out for me as well. Thanks for sharing your pics and your update.

xanada101 · #20 July 18th, 2009, 09:21 AM

I really hope that BF goes well for all of you. Even if you only do it for a little while... it is something that you will never forget. I almost gave up... not because it wasn't going well... because it was going too well and I wasn't getting any sleep. I was starting to lose it. I don't know what changed, I think I had finally gotten one good nights sleep and it made all the difference. It is definitely hard at first because your DH can't help with the feedings, but it gets easier.

As for her umbilical cord- I don't think it fell off too early. It was about 2 1/2 weeks when it did. My sister has 3 kids and she said that it looked normal.... so I think that is what it really is supposed to look like.