amen for the internet

So as you know we were dealing with some feeding issues with Jason. He had done so well all last week and I was thrilled that we finally figured out for sure that some food (still not certain what) was the culprit for his problems. The weekend rolled around and he was fussier. Still not as bad as he was, but not great. He had stopped napping in the swing or independently in my bed (after nursing) and would only nap with me while nursing. He wanted to be held constantly again, but at least he wasn't screaming for hours. He also started spitting up more and was having green and mucousy diapers (spellcheck does not agree that "mucousy" is a word, but I'm going for it). Tuesday rolled around and he woke up with a diaper that had a little bit of blood in it. I called the doctor immediately and they said that he needed to be seen. Due to lovely insurance issues, they never fit us in until today (his scheduled follow-up), but I'll get back to that.

So I cried and cried my eyes out yesterday realizing that maybe I couldn't do enough dietarily (spellcheck seems to think I make up a lot of words) for my son. I realized that maybe I really should have pressed the bottles a little more to get him on that formula and that maybe my desire to breastfeed had clouded my vision on what was best for him. The guilt was tremendous.

We managed to ALL get a nice long nap yesterday and sleep always makes things better. I woke up and started my research while Jason continued to nap for a bit. Apparently blood in stool can be caused by a few things: slight anal tear (hopefully not), food allergies (uh oh), if mom has a cracked nipple or other bleeding (hello, milk blister!) or "oversupply". I had suspected an oversupply issue a while back, but it had seemed that we had concurred it. Then it occurred to me, I had been pumping like crazy to try to rid my body of the bad foods I had eaten. I had caused my body to think I needed to make more milk. My body finally started to catch up with the demand over the weekend and I started feeling engorged and uncomfortable, which totally coincides with when Jason started getting fussy again. Symptoms of oversupply also include spitting up, fussiness, and green mucousy diapers occasionally with blood. Oversupply. BINGO, we have a winner!

Of course I did bring him to the pediatrician today for his follow-up. He said it was obviously he was not in pain anymore and this doctor (yes, another doctor, my insurance stinks) did not seem too pleased that the other doctor had even suggested the formula. He says he's fine on the breastmilk now and that the milk blister absolutely was very likely the cause of the blood in his stool, as babies can not digest and break down blood so it goes right through to the diaper. Additionally he hasn't had any blood in his diaper since. So, all is good as far as the doctor is concerned. He's put on a good deal of weight since his last appointment, weighing in at 12.4lbs, 22.5 inches, and head circumference of 16.

I didn't even bother sharing my theory on oversupply at this was a general practitioner and I figured it really didn't matter as they were happy with his progress and that there is nothing they can do for an oversupply issue. I was pretty confident that was the cause as it's already being remedied by some positioning techniques I read. We will also be going to a LLL meeting tonight. And for now, NO MORE PUMPING!

Christmas Contest

Oh wait, I meant "concert". Tyler insists on calling it a "contest". LOL.

So tonight was the big night. I knew Tyler was nervous, but he seemed excited too. His previous public singing experiences haven't been too successful. I mean he got up there, but he froze and didn't really sing. Well tonight proved that he really thought it was a "contest". He sung his little heart out! I must admit, the performance was rather pathetic, but adorable nonetheless and Tyler did beautifully!






After the show he told me "I was a little nervous, but now I know that I love the stage". Future thespian? I was just so proud that he got up there without too much anxiety!

We celebrated with a trip to Sonic. Daddy wanted a hot dog, Tyler wanted ice cream, and I wanted a something sweet so a sonic slushy fit the bill of things that I'm allowed to eat. Plus you can eat outside and not worry about bothering people. Can't beat that!

A trip to Disney

Yesterday I decided to meet my friend Melinda in Disney. She was here visiting (from NJ) and I had told her I'd do my best to make it there one day. I seem to always have to cancel, so I made it my mission to follow through. Yesterday seemed to be our best bet. We decided to meet at Disney Hollywood Studio (or MGM as most people still know it).

I picked up Tyler a little early from school and informed him of our exciting plans. I've never seen him get in his car seat any quicker! Our drive there was peaceful. Tyler ate his lunch (as did I) and Jason fell asleep fairly quickly. Tyler talked on my phone to my mom for a while and the he "rested". We got there and managed to somehow (I honestly don't know how) end up in handicapped parking and they let us stay because "it looks like you have your hands full" (so sometimes a screaming baby, coupled with a 4-year-old, can work to your benefit). That was a huge help because I didn't have to worry about tackling the tram with a baby, preschooler, bag, and stroller!

We got to the park and got in fairly easily. We enjoyed looking at the lights and decorations as we waited for my friend to arrive from her hotel (she waited 30 minutes for her bus and then they closed down the gates due to a computer glitch). They finally arrived and Tyler was so excited to see his friend Scarlett. They met when Tyler was maybe 6-9 months old and they've been friends since.

We first checked out the Playhouse Disney show. Tyler tried this once at about 18 months old and decided it was "scary" and there's been no getting him back in there since. It's amazing what peer pressure can do. He LOVED it!. This stood true for the Muppets 3D show as well. Unfortunately our luck ran out for the Voyage of the Litte Mermaid. This is still classified as "scary". Jason enjoyed the shows too, for different reasons. He got to eat during each of them and then enjoyed the large screens!






We also spent some time at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids "playground". It was packed. After nearly losing both kids we called it quits.

We ate some food too and saw some characters, before the grand finale. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. As expected, Tyler and Scarlett had a grand time, as did we all. If you ever get the chance to go, it is truly amazing!

getting ready

Yesterday Al put up the Christmas lights outside with Tyler's assistance (okay, he spent most of the time throwing a ball). Later Tyler and I decorated inside. That evening we watched as Tyler decorated the tree "all by myself". Please don't laugh at our pathetic little tree. We won't be here for Christmas so this is just gonna have to do for here!

Last night Al ran out to Walmart to buy some groceries that we needed and also picked up a little live tree for Tyler's nightstand. He was quite excited when he woke up!

lessons

4 things I've learned recently about breastfeeding

1. Milk blisters are cruel and unusual punishment.
2. A restricted diet sucks.
3. There is never enough good TV on to occupy you during endless feedings.
4. When you see your baby stop nursing for a second to look up at you and smile it is ALL worth it.

my confession

Did you ever see something and say "I will NEVER wear that"? Well, I did. That statement was referring to crocs. I am sorry if this is offensive to anyone, but I think they are ugly. Very ugly. Tyler owns them because I grew to think they were slightly cute on kids, and my mom found ones with Mickey heads and I caved. And Tyler fell in love. He and his crocs get along very well. He's now on his 3rd pair and they've all been well loved.

As you know my mom broke her knee and had surgery. She bought the lined crocs so that she could have something comfortable, safe, and warm to wear during her recovery. While I was there visiting last month I slipped them on my feet during one of my countless trips through the house while pacing with Jason. They were admittedly pretty comfy. When we got back to FL I noticed my feet hurting even more while paced, especially on our tile. I decided to buy a pair. I found a GREAT deal on shoebuy.com (I highly recommend it if you've never checked them out). Unfortunately, since it was such a great deal, they only had 2 colors left in my size. I settled for this hideous color of baby blue.

So, I am now the proud owner of the ugliest, but most comfortable, shoes out there. There hasn't been a day that passed since they arrived that I have not worn them.

I vow to NEVER wear the jeans that taper at the ankles though. Absolutely not. I will stand firm on this issue. It's bad enough that I wear clown shoes.

crisis avoided

Apparently I had acquired a nasty virus, because Tyler checked my temperature during a tea party (don't ask) and I had spiked a fever of "430 cents". According to Tyler this is quite a problem because "anything over 10 means you are very, very sick". After some rest time on the "sleeping and eating car in the train" my temperature returned to a normal rate of "1 degrees". Phew.