Back to the blog......... after a long break!

It has been so long since I have blogged. I almost don't know where to start. My days have been pleasantly busy and full, raising a family of 9.  I have discovered Facebook and must admit that has taken up some of my time. I feel called back to the slower pace of my blog. I'm not really sure who even stops by my lil' ole blog? It seems I get a lot of traffic but no comments. Maybe I seem boring but I really only blog for ME......as a scrape book. My kiddos and I love to spend the afternoon looking back at what we have done, cooked and seen. Big family love!

This winter has been filled with homemade soups and warm cups of tea. Snuggles and naps with Baby Ian aka B*Ian (bean) now 7 mo. old. Home school for Olivia age 5 and nature walks with family and dog Jasper. We have long cozy story times and play board games. I have 3 teenages known as the Big's 18, 16 (on Monday), 13 and 3 kiddos known as the Little's ages 10,7,5, and then there is our lil'  7mo. old B*Ian.

If you are new to my blog feel free to look around, leave a comment and Follow if you'd like.

Peace+
Georgiann

Breastfeeding : Not going to give up.

I will start this post by saying thank you to those of you keeping Ian and I in your prayers...keep the prayers coming.

I can't believe that its already the middle of August. WOW.

Ian Matthew 6 weeks old.

I love love this boys fuzzy little head.

Thank you God for my sweet baby Ian!

I have a update on my breastfeeding rollicoaster ride.

My sweet Ian weighed only 9.11 at his 8 week check up last week.

 That is a 1 pound weight gain since birth, not good.

 He should weigh a pound or 2 more.

Ian got mildly dehydrated 2X since birth. Once at 3 weeks and another after I reported things were going great! Ian is mostly on formula as of now. I still pump and feed breast milk but my busy life has not let me pump as much as I need to. I must still give formula also for now. Ian uses the breast to pacify and to get to sleep and at times there is milk to feed him. The stimulation is good to increase my milk production.

What I need to do is cut out 1 formula feeding every two days. Replacing it with breast milk,(pumped for now so I can SEE how much he's getting). Going to the breast cold turkey for all feedings like I had been doing, caused him to not be getting enough to eat and ending up dehydrated. My breast can make enough milk but I need to work my way up to it by slowly replacing the formula. I also need to pump every few hours at least if not more to get my milk supply back up.

Ian's ped doc said, I need to be able to pump about 1 oz per hour to have enough for Ian to eat.

My life gets so busy and the time flys so fast. In September I think things will slow down.
As it is now I pump about 3oz total from both breast every 4hrs. (2 oz from one side and 1 oz from the other) There are times when I pump that a get a bit more, like maybe 4 oz total.

I am still taking Fenugreek capsules.

We have had dentist visits X 8 and doctors visits for all sorts of stuff  X10.

Noah needs to get tested for food allergies, but that's for another post.

I will weigh Ian tomorrow while I'm at the doc for Noah.

post edit: 
I weighed Ian today Aug.16 (1 wk after his last weight check) and he is now 10.11 so a 1# gain in 7 days! That's great!  That was an unofficial weight check.
Another weigh in Sept.5 2012  Ian is now  11.15  Dr.'s goal was 13# by Sept. 12.
post post edit: I took Ian in to be checked for whooping cough though I don't think he has it.
and he weighed 10.8 so that is down 3oz from the week before.

We have had three weeks of VBS and a child needing rides to and from summer school (Jun 26- Aug2)

Job interviews to drive my oldest son to and the list goes on and on.

I'm going to keep with it.  My goal is to breastfeed FULL time by the end of September.

 I will not let my baby starve......and I thank God for formula!

(and for my other kiddos for being such great helpers)

Peace+

Georgiann

More on Nursing

Some of you have emailed me with questions about weight gain and such for Ian.
I also forgot to thank ALL of you that have kept Ian and I in your prayers as we have tried to resolve or breast feeding issues.

I will start this post with a BIG thank you.
Your thoughts and prayer have been much appreciated.

Ian was born weighing  8.11
         24 hours old       8.6
         48 hours old       8.1

     1week old              8.4
    3 weeks old            8.10
At his 4week check    9.5

Ian goes in on Aug.12 for his 2mo check.

We have upped his feeding to about 6-9 oz of formula a day, along with breast feeding.
Ian tends to get fussy and teeter on the edge of sleep in the evening and a few ounces of formula helps him sleep.

weekending

Have you ever just sat around on a Saturday and spent most of the day trying to decide what you want to do?

Well hubby wanted to drive to the mountains to go see a waterfall and have a picnic with me,the dog and kiddos.

Well the problem with that idea is he could not find exact directions to the falls.

SO I could just picture:

Getting lost

big fight

hungry momma and kiddos

SO we ended up with my plan for now....and hope to get directions to the falls and an earlier start to the day on another weekend.

So what was my plan?

A chicken picnic at the beach.

A walk along the pier with our dog and kiddos!

Then go watch Jarett's baseball game.

Just moment after dressing Ian in his new shorts outfit and taking this picture, he spit up all over it.

I pray you all had a fun and safe weekend!

Peace+

Georgiann

In Love.........

I can't believe its been 6 weeks since Ian was born.

We are all in such complete and utter LOVE with this boy!

Hoping to write his birth story soon??

We have VBS this week and again the 2nd week of August.

So soon is all I can say for now about the birth story!

Here is another favorite picture I have of Ian.......I call this one

Little Man BIG world.

Peace and Joy+

Geogiann

Breastfeeding: The Rough Start!

Ian trying to nursing at 5 days old!

He loves to suck his thumb and keeps getting it in the way.

When most people think of breastfeeding their baby they think you just stick baby on the boob and all will be great!
Nursing is a natural thing right?

WRONG!

Nursing takes learning for BOTH baby and momma.

So this means even a seasoned momma of many can run into bumps in the nursing road!

Some babies have trouble learning what to do!

Even if the momma knows how to get on track..... the days and nights are VERY tiring and long!

Support and encouragement is needed during this very exhausting time!

My Nursing story:

Ian was born into this world in a dimly lite room late in the evening hours.

It was a quick delivery (after a day of being induced but that's another post for another time).

My baby was very alert and ready to nurse. He eagerly latched on and went to town at the breast.....but there was a problem in paradise. My nipples were WAY to BIG for Ian's tiny mouth. After nursing 6 other kiddos into toddler hood they were huge. So Ian tried really hard to eat his milk at first it seemed to be going well.

Remember though, it was late, had been a LONG day and I was floating on LOVE and adrenaline.

I really was not paying attention to whether he was latched on correctly until a few hours later when things settled down a bit.

Just hours old Ian started fussing and was acting hungry.

I tried to put him to the breast again, but he would rear back after only being able to get just a fraction of my nipple in his mouth. The ends of my nipples were already sore and a bit swollen from him trying to nurse right after birth. Poor Ian was fussy on and off all night.

In the morning every time Ian would awake he gurgled up foamy stuff.

The nurse said, he might have swallowed fluid during his quick birth.???

I soon asked the nurse for a breast bump and to speak with the lactation consultant.

I tried to relax as I painfully pumped small amounts of colostrum and fed Ian with a dropper....then switched to a small bottle with a NUK nippy.

(i NEED TO come back and add a few more pictures as my computer is acting up)

The lactation consultant was not real informative.....I think she was intimidated by me?

She was about my age and when she found out I had 7 kids must have figured this momma knows what she's doing. She did not stay long or answer my questions.

I soon was feeding Ian formula along with what I pumped.

On day 2 I asked to speak with lactation again.

The same lady came by and this time listened to my problem.

She suggested I buy a nipple shield when I got home.

Then said, after hesitating......she had some and that she'd go get me one.

I tried it but it just rolled up around little Ian's face. I even tried to stick it down with the lanolin cream.

When it came time to check out of the hospital and go home I should have been reminded I could rent a pump......but instead I headed home on Thursday for a rough night with Ian and having to feed him formula. YUCK I know! I could no longer pump and feed.

Friday afternoon I was back at the hospital renting a pump.

With sore and very swollen nipples (that were rubbing on the flange as I pumped)

I persevered and pushed tough the pain.

It was a challenge to hide in my room and pump every 2 hours with a house full of teen boys and company. At night I was to tired to pump. my pump schedule was quite sporadic.

My milk did not come in until day 6. I would pump when I could but there were times I was out running the kids around.

Week 2 of nursing:

My mom sat me down and told me to focus on just ME and BABY.

Pump EVERY 2 hours and do little else.

She was here to help and hold down the fort.

So I took her advice and really made strides.

I was pumping 6oz out of one side and 2oz from the other. Lopsided I know. lol

I was also putting baby to the breast for some practice time. My nipples were still a bit big for him.

Week 3

My mom had left to fly back home so I was now on my own.

I thought since my milk was now fully in and my nipples not swollen or in pain....I would now only offer Ian the breast! No more formula or pump and feed.

I figured Ian could easily pull the milk down.

But after 4 days of just eating from the breast I spotted what I thought was blood in his diaper.

It turns out after a quick search on the Internet, that little Ian had brick dust in his diaper (not blood). Cause was being dehydrated. (Brick dust is concentrated urine crystals)

Ian had not been overly fussy and slept fine during the four days. I was shocked when I counted his only 10 wet cloth diapers for those days and zero poos!

Week4

 I was back to pumping and feeding......when I did so I was now only pumping 1 oz from my good side and just drops from my weak side. So I started taking Fenugreek supplements and drinking Mother's Milk Tea to help increase my milk supply. My doctor suggested putting baby on the breast for at least 5 minutes each side then pumping them. Baby will causes a better let down and is better at the pump at getting the milk out. He said, I could top the feeding off with a small amount of formula or pumped milk until my supply is back up to par.

 

I'm happy to report that we are now into week 5 and things are going well!

He feeds from the breast for the most part but is given 2 oz of formula or pumped milk from a bottle once a day for safe measure. And my girls love to help feed him and its nice for the car. Also if we are out running errands its nice to have a bottle handy..... with pumped milk of course.

I think I will rent the pump for another month and see if I can get ahead and store some milk for use in September????

Remember to eat healthy food, drink lots of water and get as much rest as you can!

Have any of you had any breastfeeding woo's?

Feel free to share them with me in my comments box!

Peace+

Georgiann

I'd like you to meet a little someone........

Ian Matthew

June 12 2012   9:34pm

8#11oz   21in.

Thank you for all your prayers.

We are having some major nursing issues.

I hope to resolve them over the next month.

Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks!

Peace+

Georgiann

Pregnancy update: 37 weeks

I have good news!

After a long week of sitting with better posture on my birthing ball, wearing my belly band and

being on all fours with my rump in the air some of the time......

our dear sweet baby has decided to get into the head down birthing position!

I felt him/her flip down at 6am the morning of my appointment yesterday while I was laying in bed!

I read a lot of helpful info. on Spinning Babies. com to get this baby to turn!

With Hubby and Olivia there, Dr. E gave me an ultrasound and guesstimates this baby at about 7 lbs. as of now,

 so at full turn maybe 8 1/2 lbs???

Dr.E still plans to induce me (the date has not been picked yet)  because of my being on blood thinners. I will need to stop taking them a day or 2 before I have baby. If we wait for labor to start on its own

(thou that is still MY hope) I most likely will have blood thinner in my system.

I have stopped taking my progesterone as of last night.

So it is my hope to go into labor early on my own?

I love for baby to pick their own birthday.....and all the drama that goes with the words:

ITS TIME !!!!!

Dr. E says, I am 50% effaced and 1cm dilated.

That doesn't really mean to much, because, I know one can walk around for a month at 3cm an be waiting for labor to start! But it is exciting to know things are happening!

I have been getting a lot of braxtons this past week!

I have only gained 1 lb this since my last visit!

For the past month I did not gain any!

That makes only 21 lbs total for this pregnancy!

My blood pressure is awesome 115/75

My diabets is under contol and we are growing a smaller baby!

I have been drinking about 4 cups of Red Raspberry Leaf tea a day!

My to do list before baby arrives:

Have the girls help me clean out my car.

Clean out the fridge.

Wash up the baby swing and make a spot in the living room for it.

Set up the play pen/bassinet in the living room.

Get my camcorder ready....check batteries and film.

Wash my bedding and vacuum my room.

Double check what I packed in my baby bag since its been 2 months since I packed it!!! LOL

Get a pedicure and a massage (with my gift card)

Since we do not know weather we will be having a girl or a boy I am ready for either.

I will have to do some washing when I get home from the hospital with baby, because much of the clothes still have the tags on.

I will be making some returns on the things I won't be needing!

Peace+

Georgiann

More Diaper Stash Pictures!

All these diapers are adjust to fit pocket diapers!

These Econobum diaper covers each came with an unbleached Indian prefold and are adjust to fit. They ended up costing $4.50 for each set (BOGO)

I also got some double thick terri wash clothes by Momma something another?????

My stash also includes 2 organic hemp doubler's

 5 adjust to fit pocket diapers in white by Hugabuns ($5.00 each)

 Bummis Original Whisper Wrap and a Knickernappies 2G Pocket Diaper in Melon (small),

 a Bumkins stuff it diaper in butterfly print adjust to fit pocket diaper

 3 small DreamEZE AIO's 2 in blackberry, 1 in mandarin and lastly a Sugar Peas wool snap in diaper.

I also still have a bunch of other stuff from years gone by.....and some other new stuff but for an older baby!

Whats in your stash?

If you feel like sharing and/or want to link up to your diaper stash post, do so in the comments box!

I'd love to see your stuff! :)

Peace+

Georgiann

New Cloth Diaper Stash! and link up!

I bought these ECONOBUM's from Kelly's Closet

They were BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

So for $9.95 I got 2! I was pleasantly surprised that they each came with a unbleached Indian pre-fold in it!

What a deal so they were basically $2.50 for each piece!

Oh and the best part is they are one size and grow with baby, just let out the snaps!

I also bought 12 Mother Ease wipes for $2.00 each

They are double thick terricloth!

These are Dream EZE All In Ones in

Blackberry and Mandarin size small (6#-15#)

The inserts are sewn in...and there are 2!

I plan to use these at night....hence the name Dream EZE!

I ordered some of my stash from Punkernoodle but most of the stuff I ordered was OUT OF STOCK!

It took almost 3 weeks to get my stuff! The owner did send me a FREE Dream EZE thats why I have 2 in Blackberry! She has not updated her website or called me back!

I wanted to know if it was safe to order more things from her website!

So beware!

I got these HUGGABUNS one size pocket diapers at

Maine Cloth Diaper CO. for $5.50 each on sale (I bought 5)

Normal price was listed as $14.50.

The flannel in this diaper is very thin but priced at $5.00 it is a good deal!

I plan to stuff my pockets with unbleached Indian pre-folds I have had for years!

($24.00 per dozen.....I have 2 dozen!)

I also got 

1 White Bummis Original Whisper Wrap (small) $9.00

Sugar Peas organic wool snap in diaper (small) $6.00

(I want to get a red wool wrap for my Sugar Pea to snap into but it is $29.00)

 For now the spending is on hold but when I do get one I will get a Med!

Knickernappies 2G Pocket Diaper in Melon (small) $8.00

Bumkins one size Stuff it Cloth Diaper - Butterfly print $14.95

Happy Hieny's Hemp Stuffins (med.) $9.50

 It came with a smaller insert as well, but I thought I was going to get a pack of 6 but there was just 1!

I also got another ECONOBUM one size wrap from Thanks Mama but it did not come with a Indian per-fold and it cost me $8.95! So watch out! The BOGO is the best deal doing now!

I also bought some Imse Vimse Organic Wipes 12pk in Rose for $11.85

I'm still waiting on my order from Nicki's Diapers!

3 Bummis one size pocket diapers

4 Happy Heinys one size pocket diapers some with snaps some velcro

10pk flannel wipes!

Fun prints! I can't wait to share them with you when they get here!

I also have some other stuff from my past years of cloth diapering I will share at a later time!

What's in your stash?

Leave a link in my comments so myself and others can see your what you got!

Happy Diapering!

I have to wait 7 more months to try mine out!

Peace+

Georgiann

Most Precious Gifts......

are my children and time with them!

One of the most precious gift I received this mothers day was........a bouquet of dandelion stems.
It seems they had already been wished upon.
My 3yr old Olivia handed them to me with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.
She said, "mom I wished God would give us a bunch more babies!"
She has been giving me wished on stems all last week! I love it! (sadly no baby on the way as of yet!)
Keep us in your prayers!

Another gift I received was time with my son Jarett.

My oldest son Jarett just got his learners permit last week.

He is enrolled in drivers class and needs to get 50 hours of driving in

with either me or hubby. That equals about 1 hour a day! So anytime the other kiddos have to go some place

Jarett is our chauffeur!

It has been nice to spent so much time with him!

He will be a Senior in High School next year! :( sigh***

On Friday my 3 youngest kiddos and I went to daily Mass, Benediction, Adoration, Anointing Of The Sick and

to meet a Nun from the St. Faustina order of the Divine Mercy.

We had and veneration of a relic.....it was very cool! :)

Jackie, Olivia and Noah

(My youngest 3)

My oldest son Jarett was confirmed last Thursday......

He is pictured here with Arch Bishop Peter Sartin.

Another gift I received the last few months is more time with my son Jacob!

You see Jacob has a girlfriend....but our rules are that  he can NOT stay home alone with her.

And they both also had to stay in the living room or on the yard when she is over.

No privacy!

So the both of them are often with me as I run the younger kiddos around.

I love this precious time with my son and his girlfriend (both 14)

He and his girlfriend go every where with me and the younger kiddos.

Before he had a girlfriend he would just stay home in his room.

Jacob, Jarett and Nick!

(My oldest 3)

This weekend my girls got to learn about horses all day at a local horse ranch!

I will save those pictures and that post for tomorrow. :)

Or so is my plan today! hee hee!

I pray you all had a wonderful Mothers Day!

Peace and Love,

Georgiann

Part of my girls night time routine::



Our night time routine for getting ready for bed is not set in stone....we are not a scheduled family.

But more a routine or habit family....we don't have a set time to start our routine for bed time.
Depending on what we are doing that day dictates our bedtime and choice of activity.

We start heading up stairs any where from 8:30-9:30pm. in the winter months...much later in the summer.

The kitchen is closed up, doors get locked.....and lights get turned out on the ground level of our house.

I know it sounds late for my Little's to be up so late.....but my Little's get to sleep in.

Most days not waking until 10:00 or so.

As summer time hits and days get longer they will stay up even later and sleep in til a bit longer.

The sun peaking in the windows will beckon them to rise earlier than the winter months!

Part of my girls night time routine is to either put on PJ's or clean comfy clothes that will be worn the next day. Brush teeth and then decide.....will we watch a movie,do art, or read books and stories?

Bath time here takes place in the afternoons. Our evenings have a different rhythm to them.
As a family of 8 there is a bit of hustle and bustle getting every one settled in.

Once we head up to bed........

There is usually some sort of teeth brushing/bathroom drama. One that puzzles me is when they can't find there tooth brush!???  Did they not have it the night before and in the morning?

Some nights Olivia (3yr old) decides she wants to play in the sink and make a water mess. That usually happens after she has gone potty in private and is washing her hands!

Some nights Jackie feels called to wear the night gown that can't be found! hee hee! Some nights Noah thinks its funny to bother his sisters......making them both squeal! So once the drama that seems to be a natural part of our large family routine settles down....its on to relaxing and unwinding!

Bedtime Prayers::

We all then hold hands and pray together.... 
giving God praise and thanksgiving.

We pray for our friends,relatives and other special intentions.

Then pick our bedtime activity.

Doing art in bed at night started when I was pregnant with Olivia (now 3yrs old). I would relax to music and draw what ever came to mind......doodles and sketches. Bonding with my baby within. As labor got near I would draw things that bring me peace.  After baby Olivia was born I stopped......I had a new baby to take care of!

When I found out I was pregnant this past Christmas I started drawing at night again....... but abruptly stopped when I miscarried Christian Alexander in January of this year (2011). at 8weeks 4 days.

My daughters would draw at this time as well but stopped when I did.
They very much enjoyed the bonding it gave us. I did too.
But after losing Christian I did not feel like doing my bedtime drawings.

Last month when I was at Borders looking for miscarriage grief books (none to be found in the store)

I bumped into my best friend....she was meeting another of her friends there for coffee.

We talked and got caught up on things.

At Borders I saw a coloring kit with markers and decided to get it for Jackie......Noah and Olivia had each already talked me in to getting them a toy. Noah asked for Lego helicopter and Olivia wanted a Olivia the Pig doll. You would have thought it was Christmas or something.

Notice the broken lampshade....sometimes my girls routine includes jumping on my bed and knocking
my lamp and books every place! ***sigh!

So as part of my girls bed time routine lately Jackie colors at one end of her book and Olivia draws at the other end. During the day Noah can be found coloring the pages Jackie has rejected and gave him permission to color!! lol

 I on the other hand am usually reading a book or novel and sipping herbal tea in the bed just beside them.

 Sometimes we play soft music, sometimes we just have it quiet, sometimes we start the fountain.

Some nights we quietly read from our own books or watch a movie together. It seems we always talk during the activities....even the movie!
 Some nights my novel reading happens at a snails pace as I answer question about life,friendships and God from, my three Littles. Talking and listening to my children is so important and
I will always cherish these nights as we share our family bed!

Soon the day will come when my kiddos want to sleep in there own bed. :(

Some nights I get a head start and head to bed at 8:00pm some nights sooner. (before the girls come up)
On these nights I eat cake or a sweet treat and sip tea in quiet, then read from one of many books.....have I told you I'm a book hound? We will soon be adding more book shelves......***sigh!
 The girls are usually downstairs getting read to by daddy before coming up.

My Scentsy warmer is always going so my room and smells so good! Aroma therapy!

Our bedtimes are for the most part peaceful, relaxing and full of love!

What does your night time routine/schedule look like?

Are you a scheduling family or a routine family?

Peace and Love,

Georgiann