16th December 2008

Who Knew (Baby) Weight Gain Would Become So Important? 1 reply

Melina gained weight!  Yippee!  We got a good report card at the pediatrician today.  She is now 6 lbs, 11.5 ounces - and has gained enough weight that the doctor is pleased.  It took 3 weeks to surpass her birth weight.  It’s normal to go down up to 10 percent while in the hospital, but you have two weeks to regain that weight, based on my pediatrician recommendations.  Last week, she had only gained 4.5 ounces, so today was a big goal to have gained up to the birth weight.  She did just that, and exceeded by 1/2 ounce.  She’s now in fact the same weight I was when I was born 40 years ago.  I was 6 lbs, 11.5 ounces, 20 inches, as Melina is today.  I wonder how much that week and a half early affected Melina’s weight and jaundice, or if she’s just a sweet late bloomer.  Anyway, doc’s happy, I’m happy.  That means that the breastfeeding, pumping thing is working well enough.   This is the only time you will go to the doctor and feel elated that you’ve had weight ‘gain’, and that you’ve actually “met” gain requirements - so enjoy it. 

Melina Taking in a Deep Yoga Breath - She Often Does This
Melina Doing Her Deep Breathing Exercises
She’s Been Doing This Since Day 1
Reminder to Mommy: Breathe, Mom - it’s just a diaper change!

A couple of quick pregnancy brain moments to share with you - Monday - I had scheduled someone to come to my house to work on a couple of computers, but completely forgot it about it.  It’s amazing how a trip to the doctor can take your entire afternoon.  I had just returned from the pediatrician’s office, and run three short errands.  The all important Starbucks that Moms must live by (a little egg nog latte will make you forget your lack of sleep and pack another 1,000 calories your butt does not need after pregnancy).  I had food (Outback Steak for iron pumping) to eat, Melina of course, and a CVS grocery bag for those all important things you need right here, right now. 

I had to let the dog out after I got Melina settled, who was patiently waiting for me on the steps.  I opened the door to see a man in a black overcoat standing at my front door.  He hadn’t knocked - he was just there.  He reminded me of one of those Seventh Day Adventist people with his curly hair, glasses and black overcoat.  It took me by surprise.  He told me his name was Phillip - didn’t ring a bell with me.  He told me we had talked on the phone - he even verified that this was my address.  I was becoming increasingly impatient as I thought of my daughter and all the things that had happened in our town recently.  How did I not know this was some scam?  I was quick to send him on his way.  He walked away puzzled and began texting someone in my yard, and checking his phone.  I peeked at him through the window and my little mental alarm bells were arming.  I set my actual security alarm and thought of calling my neighbors to alert them to some “strange man” in my yard. By the way, he was probably calling me, but that phone was on buzz buried in my purse, which I could not hear or notice at this moment.

About a half an hour later, I was catching up on some business with my office and all of a sudden it occurred to me who this man was - yep - the computer repair guy.  Whoops!  I was mortified.  Anyway, called him and apologized and he was nice enough to come back and help out.

 At the nearly 5 a.m. feeding this morning, I was half comatose.  I like how when you get on a schedule, your breasts could literally tell you what time it is.  It’s like a spicket - it turns on, full blast (TMI - sorry - don’t read on ;-)  if you’re offended) of course while I’m already feeding Melina, formula I might add, ’cause I’m too wiped to pump right now.  I’m near the breast pump - I don’t have the lights on - so I stick one of those pumps under my boob hoping to catch what’s called “liquid gold” by breastfeeders and lactation consultants.  There is nothing worse than leaking such precious milk out on to your top, but as you soon learn from breastfeeding that you literally drench a top in a few seconds. 

I soon realize that the breast shield lacked one important ingredient - the bottle to catch the pumped milk.  I’m extraordinarily annoyed at my idiocy, and toss the shield on the desk and grab the other one.  As soon as I get the one going, then the other boob starts to drench my top from the other side.  Doggone it - of course, Melina is happily sucking down formula and I haven’t enough hands to do all my work here.  Some of you would say - I should have just breastfed, instead of feeding her formula.  You’re right but that seemed easier somehow when I woke up.  The light turns on - Melina will have to wait in my arm for more formula, and I capture 2 ounces of milk while she wiggles around in my arm.  It’s multi-tasking and simultaneous exhaustion at its best.  What an idiot I can be sometimes!

;-)

Okay, she’s gurgling and dropping her pacifier a few times in her crib - - I’ve pumped, stockpiled for later today, fed her formula, held her so she doesn’t spit it back up, burped her, and it’s past 5:30 a.m.  I’ve eaten a protein bar while I fed her, gotten ice water, let the dog out and would love to go right back to sleep.  I’ve had four hours of interrupted sleep, already having fed her once around 2 a.m. or something.  My net sleep is likely 2.5 hours.  My stitches are bothering me today - that tape thing - can’t I take that thing off yet?  It’s feeling funny today, uncomfortable.  I’m ready for the tape to come off.  I’m mentally ready to increase my physical activity level, yet the body isn’t quite there yet.  The doc says not to pull the tape off, that I should let it fall off - right!

Okay, I’m returning to slumberland.  All this thinking can wait, as there is much to do in a few hours - and since you’ve noted the strong brain activity above in my idiocy, it’s clear I need more sleep. 

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11 p.m. same day

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That was the most productive part of my day, despite the obvious idiocy.  Somehow we got off our schedule and Melina needed more feedings throughout the day, she was awake more at times she wasn’t before (curve ball, eh?)  Anyway, it’s amazing how determined I became to get one good half hour of uninterrupted sleep today - and no matter what, Murphy’s Law perhaps, I’d lay down finally and try to sleep.  Invariably, she’d scream bloody murder only to go right back to sleep again.  It’s funny - how she does that - I go over and look at her in the crib or wherever she’s at - and half the time, she’s just fine.  The other half of the time, something has happened (formula has exited through her nose and she’s not happy about it, or she just oopsed her diaper or she can’t get her binky back) - and thus, the exhaustion continues.  I’m hoping for an easier day tomorrow.

One Response to “Who Knew (Baby) Weight Gain Would Become So Important?”

  1. Kristi says:
    December 16th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    This was hilarious :) You will read this later and giggle madly at yourself! haha :)

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