Pumpkin Patch!!

We took Aiden to the pumpkin patch yesterday and we had a blast! He wasn't super excited about it, as you can imagine, but I sure found it fun. There isn't much to talk about, we went, we took pictures....and now I will share some of those with you. Enjoy them!

Kris' Family Visit With Aiden

We went to Kris' Lola's house yesterday. Lola is grandma, so this is Aiden's great Lola! We got pictures of Lola holding Aiden and also his Aunt Chita. His other aunt was out of town. I will also include pictures of Kris' parents holding him since I have yet to share those with you. Here they are...

Breastfeeding SUCKS!

Seriously, this is the hardest thing I've ever done. I mean the 2hrs of crappy contractions were bad, but they stopped after 2hrs. Breastfeeding isn't stopping. Since day 1 - he doesn't like to latch onto my nipple so we have been using a breast shield since the hospital. It's not such a big deal to me, but it would be easier if he could just hop on the teet. Some people say that I need to stop using it, and I haven't given up trying tricks like sneaking it out mid feeding, but my thoughts are any way I can feed him is better than no boob at all!

Then came engorgement. THAT was awful! I took a picture of my boobs, but of course I won't share that here. My size 42dd boobs were even bigger and the most painful things ever. That passed after a day or 2 and I thought we were done with pain. WRONG. I have had cracked and sore nipples because they haven't "toughened up" yet. That wasn't SOO bad. Then I came down with Mastitis our first week home. My breasts became hard and were so heavy. My left one turned bright red too, my husband sure found THAT attractive! The dr. gave me an antibiotic for that little painful infection, which I am still taking. That has been a pain in the butt in itself... 4 times a day for 10 days taken on an empty stomach. Anyway, so I thought for sure that would be the end of my breast troubles...WRONG AGAIN.

As of yesterday my left breast was hurting A LOT and was getting hard again. I couldn't believe this was happening. By the time I woke up this morning it was clear what the problem is... I have a milk blister now. For those who need explanation (I know I did...) it's a clogged duct on my nipple itself that looks like white blisters. Since it's clogged the milk can't come out and so my breast is just getting filled with milk therefore getting nice and hard again. I've read online remedies to this and I have spent my entire morning with a heating pad on my breast and then pumping milk as soon as the blisters clear a bit. Oh it's awful, but I think I'm finally getting the clog out. Poor Aiden, he's stuck eating off only the right boob. What a sad story.

So there you have it, my struggle so far with breastfeeding and it's been 2 weeks and 2 days. I've read and keep being told that it really DOES get better... but it's taking too long to get there. I keep crying to Kris because I feel like giving up. I don't know if I can go another month waiting for this to improve. I almost dread some feedings just because I know how bad it will hurt to get started. I will stick with it though, I have to for Aiden. It's by far the best option for us as a family. I know how good it is for Aiden (I was a formula baby so I know formula isn't bad at all for babies...i'm just saying...) and because it's free and we are poor it for sure is worth sticking with it. Think of how much money we will save if I get past this hard part and can exclusively breastfeed him for 6 months or longer. I just had to vent, and share my struggle. I know a lot of my readers are moms and will understand. I love Aiden dearly and will go through any pain for him, and the boob troubles are just trial number 1 for him.

Now, back to my heating pad... another feeding in 2 hours....

I wish I had things to say

It seems like everytime I sit down to actually have some time online I go looking up Breastfeeding info, or I go reading more info about newborn behaviors. For example this week I learned that at 1 week old Aiden can mimic me if I stick my tongue out. Now I didn't believe it, but I tried it. You wait until they are alert but not hungry or fussy and stick your tongue out and just wait. Sure enough within a minute he had this confused look on his face and stuck his tongue out in response. He has done this over and over for me. It's more than adorable. Who knew they could do these things soo early? Online said that they see themselves as similar to you and since he uses his tongue for feeding he has learned to control it and can try to do what you do. Neat huh?

I wish I had things to say that were non baby related. I mean I love talking about Aiden and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I love you ladies being so sweet in your comments to me. However, I feel like a bad blogger! It sure doesn't help that today's Seven Clown Circus and tomorrow's Mama Kat's posts are all about being a mom. Those were not my fault! lol

Please stick around with me and I promise I'll try to get back to my normal bloggy blurbing fun. I do have one non Aiden related thing to share. Kris has been home with me still (this was not the plan but his work has been SOO slow he doesn't even go in - please pray for us that this changes VERY SOON!!) but he has been working on his online Auto coursework. As of today he finally finished and he should be getting his certificate soon. With his certificate he will be able to go and take the official Auto Mechanic Licensing test and once certified he can legally collect money for working on cars. This is his passion so I am very proud and excited for him. Cheers to my hubby. Plus it's been really nice him being home and extra week with us!