Lilypadz Reusable Nursing Pad

I feel like I go through nursing pads like you wouldn't believe. I started feeling really bad because it's so not eco-friendly! I mean I went through a 60 pack plus more in less than 3 weeks! Make that 2 weeks and a half! Maybe I just leak too much when I get the "let down?" That's what they call it right? I started using my sisters reusable ones because I ran out of my disposable ones and I ended up leaking through the nursing pad, my bra and then my shirt during a baby shower. At night I wake up soaked. I started going on Amazon and Google trying to see if there were better reusable nursing pads than the ones my sister has. Then I saw this Lilypadz deal. They had really good reviews. There are always a couple bad ones but overall the reviews were positive. I thought about it a lot. Yes, they are pricey. It's $18 dollars for a set, but at the rate I go through disposable nursing pads that's just the cost of about 3 boxes depending on the brand!

At first I was skeptical because Lilypadz are non-absorbent and they stick to your nipples? How would it work if its non-absorbent and you leak milk? Where does it go? I had to make sure that this product was for people who leaked a lot of milk when their milk comes in. The reviews were about how amazing this product was. That it didn't leak and that it was nice because you don't have to wear a bra. You can even go swimming (not that I'm going to) and it keeps your nipples from rubbing on your clothes. We all know how annoying that could be now. I even read that most women can continue to use them even after they're done nursing as like a nipple cover, kind of like a pastey?

So I ordered a pair and I am trying to it out today. So far, it's pretty cool. It's a silicone type material and it just sticks to your boobs without adhesive. Kind of like how window clings, cling to windows? One of the complaints were that it lost its tackiness easily. I guess I'll have to see how long they last. So far I want to say I love it! It's very comfortable, and I haven't leaked! Although, the only downside is that when you take it off to nurse and there is a little bit of milk in the cup..you have to somehow figure out how to get it off without getting the milk everywhere. A lady said that she would just do it over the sink but we all know we don't have that kind of time to stand over a sink when your baby is demanding to be nursed. I feel good about the product right now though and I'm excited to not have to wear a nursing pad since they're bulky and noticable. This will be perfect if I want to go braless for a strapless dress!

Surviving the Third Week and My Postpartum Body Recovery

In a way I can't believe it has been 3 weeks already. Then again I kind of wished that it was the 3rd month. Although, I know later on I'll miss the baby phase. I guess I just don't remember Chase crying so much?

I've made it through yet another week. Except this week Chase's school is closed Thursday and Friday. So yesterday I decided to bring both of the kids to San Diego to visit my work so my coworkers can see the baby. Long car rides are definitely NOT fun with newborns. Once the car stopped moving, the baby started crying. Then I had to do some crazy maneuver to get a pacifier in his mouth while driving. So dangerous I know. That's why I ended up having to exit the freeway just to achieve that. Since I have no been that great about blogging, I decided I'm going to combine my "Surviving and Road to Body Recovery" entries together.

As I left off last time, I've been supplementing with formula at night. That has been working out better for me. I only have to wake up 3 times to feed at night. Between that though I still have issues with getting him to fall asleep soundly. I feel like the moment I put him down he starts wiggling, (even with the Swaddle Me on) and next thing you know I'm out of bed again. Speaking of the which, Trent's crying. I guess he is 20 minutes early for his feeding.

So at night I hear Trent grunt, a lot. I think he's trying to poop or he's trying to fart. I don't know and his grunting keeps both me and him up. It's a little different this time around because once I hear him move around a little bit I immediately wake up and wait for his first cry and I get him. I wish I didn't have to because I don't like the idea of picking him up right away when he cries. I don't want him to get accustomed to it, but I feel bad because I know Brandon will get woken up more or sooner than needed. Before, Chase had his own room. We actually put him in his crib really early on and if his crying wasn't loud enough to wake me then I wouldn't go and get him. I feel like now, every little noise I hear it wakes me up. Overall though, it was better than before. I am even getting to take an hour to two hour nap in the afternoon before I pick up Chase from school. Yesterday and today I'm not going to get to. I'm getting to know him a little bit more now. I know when he's tired and he's crying. His poop smells now too which is nice so I don't have to undress him to check at night.

Today Trent weighed in at 8lbs 14ozs. I went to apply for WIC and they have to weigh the kids. That's a whole pound more than just a week ago! Although here, they leave him clothed and at the doctors office he's undressed so maybe we can take a couple ounces off. But that a good sign that he's gaining weight. I was afraid that when I nurse him, he's not getting enough milk. I just don't feel my milk come in as frequently and I don't feel like my breasts are getting as engorged. They seem almost normal size.

Here's Trent at 3 weeks :) He makes a lot of funny faces and most of them are very serious. Although, he laughs his butt off when he sleeps and it's the cutest thing!

 

 

My Third Week Postpartum (My road to body recovery)

Okay, I have not been wearing my belly wrap thing. It's so uncomfortable because it slides up when I sit and it pushes up under my boobs. I'm trying to wear it more when I'm out because I know I'll be standing more but it's just very uncomfortable. I've been looking into other ones that they sell at the store. I figured maybe it's because this one is free from the hospital? I saw this Belly Bandit, and I don't know I think it's going to be the same. I have to see it in person. The issue I have with mine is that it's too wide so its very uncomfortable. I feel like I should just use some sort of athletic wrap like the ones they used for sprained ankles instead. Maybe that would make it more comfortable. I have lost another 5 lbs since they had to weigh me at WIC today. I weigh 110lbs. Which means I'm 5 lbs away from my original weight. As you can see from the pictures, my stomach still looks the same. There's still a pouch of flabby skin and I think it's going to take exercising for that to go away. It is still sore around the skin under my belly button. I wonder when is that going to go away.

BTW, I forget how many weeks you have to wait until you can have sex again. I want to know honestly, how long do most women wait before they decide to for the first time. How long do they wait until their husbands/boyfriends starts asking. So far it's only been 3 weeks and Brandon swears it's been a lifetime! I'm curious how long do most women really wait?!?

Surviving the Second Week

So I've been having issues with Trent's sleeping pattern. I expected the lack of sleep and waking up every two hours, but this kid has taken it to the extreme. I feel like I have to nurse him every hour and half and sometimes at night, every hour!

The other night starting at 10pm, he woke up at 12, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Yes, he slept in two hour increments then decided to wake up every hour. Between that hour though, he's also up for about 10-15 minutes. It was killing me. I expected lots of waking up in the middle of the night, but it seemed everytime I put him down, 15 minutes later he would wake up. The Swaddle Me worked the first night but it didn't after that. I was starting to think maybe he had a change of mind and decided that he didn't like the restricted feeling. He moves his arms and legs so much in his sleep that he wakes himself up!

I feel like my left boob isn't producing enough milk and my right one is producing too much to a point where he chokes. He also falls asleep so quickly when he nurses. I tried changing his diaper in the middle of his feeding just to wake him up. I've tried tickling him, stroking his cheeks, rubbing his head. I think he just doesn't get enough milk from nursing because he falls in this deep sleep. Then the moment I put him down, he realizes that he's restless because he's full?

So last night, I supplemented with formula for his night time feeding. In a way I felt guilty because I knew I had perfectly good breastmilk. I was desperate to see if there is a difference though. That maybe he just wasn't getting enough to eat which caused him to wake up frequently. He had 2 oz of formula at 9pm and he slept until 2am. It was AMAZING. I also gave him another 2oz when he woke up at 2am and he slept til 6am! I even checked on him in the middle of the night to make sure he was still alive! After that I nursed him in the morning and still am throughout the day. I'm going to try supplementing with formula tonight to see if it works again. I don't know why I feel so guilty for giving him formula. I know it's just because I know I'm capable of breastfeeding. It's just that he drinks the bottle faster so he actually gets the amount of milk he needs before he doze off.

Heres my lil nugget at almost 2 weeks. He's filling out more now and getting less wrinkly. I was worried about how I was going to love another baby as much as I love Chase, but I must say it is not hard especially when Chase has been going through his attitude and defiance! At least this one doesn't talk back lol.

First 2 Weeks of Postpartum (Road to body recovery)

So this entry is a little late since it has almost been 2 weeks since I've had baby Trent but I have been procrastinating. I wanted to track my return back to pre-pregnancy body weekly to see if it's really possible to completely bounce back. While I was pregnant with Trent, one of the things I really worried about was getting my post baby body back in shape. I've been told that things are just never quite the same after the second one. My main concern was not losing the fat since I've been blessed with freakishly fast metabolism, but it was more about the skin on my stomach regaining it's elasticity. I mean obviously, it is possible since you see celebrities who has had twins or multiple kids regain their figure and their stomach looks even more awesome than before, but is it possible for us normal folks who does not have the money and time to invest in trainers and tummy tucks.

I didn' really research on it I'm just going to go off on what I think might work. I know it' going to be hard for the skin on my stomach to tighten again since it has been stretched out for the second time and not that long ago since the first time. My last weigh in before I had Trent was 132lbs. Five days after I weighed in at 124lbs since I had to go and get my staples removed. Yesterday I went for my 2 week check-up, although it hasn't quite been two weeks and I weighed 115. That's 8lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. The skin around my car is very tender to the touch, in fact more tender than the actual scar itself. I was curious why and my doctor said it's because when the made the incision, they cut off the scar tissue and insides around it as well and they grab the stomach after the incision and pull it open so the tissue around the incision would be sore. That sounds pretty gross..

Brandon recorded the whole surgery on our FLIP camera. I have yet to see it, but apparently it's pretty brutal. Maybe one of these days I'll watch it but right now I think it's a little bit too new still.

So far I haven't really exactly been watching my diet. I think having a newborn and a two year old definitely gives you less time to eat. However, this week my mom is actually staying with me to cook and make me food and soups that are necessary as part of recovery in our culture. Let me tell you, it consists of pretty much chicken everything. Chicken soup made of a black chicken. Some sort of water that's made from beans. I'm not allowed anything cold. She drank my beer because she didn't want me to drink it because it was cold! It was my first beer! Anyways, as I ramble on...here's a picture of me one week after surgery. I have been wearing my belly support wrap a lot. It is very uncomfortable so at night I don't wear it to sleep. I'm not the best at wearing it religiously because it's uncomfortable to sit down, but I heard that it plays a huge role in getting your stomach to shrink back. For me it's more like it gives me back and abdomen support that I need.

This is the bean water thing my mo is making me drink.

Week 1





 Week 2

 

Hopefully, in 4 more weeks I'll be able to exercise a little bit. Do some crunches and sit ups. I definitely want to get back into vball shape soon!

Surviving the First Week

We made it! It's been a whole 7 days of having baby Trent and we still have a hold of our sanity (barely)!

The scheduled c-section went smoothly and my recovery this time around was much quicker and easier. Although I must admit, it was way more intimidating this time prepping for the surgery. I didn't think that I would get an epidural like shot in my back since I was having a c-section. Actually, it never even crossed my mind! Turns out you do, and to me, this time it hurt even more. Maybe it's the anesthesiologist? My last one gave me the shots and waited a while to make sure I was completly numb. This time they gave me the shot to prep me for the shot and it seemed almost immediately they put the tube down my back. It hurt so bad I yelled and called him every bad name in the book. Turns out he ended up having to give me another numbing shot. I guess I'm "sensitive." It was weird, walking to the O.R and sitting on the operating table on my own and just sitting there while nurses and doctors are busy all around me. The actual experience this time was amazing. I was completely coherent and aware of everything around me. I didn't feel drugged up at all and was fulling capable of holding a conversation. It's a little weid being wide awake and clear minded knowing that you're cut open somewhere down below. The anesthesiologist lifted my head up as the dropped the curtain when they pulled Trent out of my belly. It was the first time I've ever seen a live baby and I remember in my head I went oh my gosh, there he is. I felt overwhelmed with emotions and relief at the same time that it was all over. 39 weeks and 5 days later of carrying a baby inside me, it was all over and it's real. He's here. 7lbs 3 oz and 19 inches. We are now parents of two.

My experience at Saddleback hospital was amazing. Although I only stayed 2 days and all the nurses and doctors were shocked and thought I was crazy for wanting to leave the hospital after 2 days. My OB gave the okay since I was completely mobile and capable of getting around and meeting all of my requirements to leave. I must say my recovery this time was shockingly fast. I was able to walk after 8 hours and use the restroom. I was still very nausea anytime I moved my head too much from the anesthesia. I was only on 1 Norco and advil after 24 hours of my surgery and I even cleaned the hospital room a little bit. I know right, I'm crazy. I can't help it. Chase got to see us everyday at the hospital for at least an hour or two. Thank goodness to close friends and being so close to home that it was possible. I didn't want Chase to not see us for a couple days and wonder what the hell happened. Although I must admit that the first time he saw me on that bed, he gave me a weird look. After a couple snacks I had saved from the hospital I bribed him to come sit on the bed with me and watch cartoons.

Chase has been the most AMAZING big brother. He definitely surpassed all of my expectations, BUT in return he has been stubbornly defiant towards me and Brandon with his constant NO's and getting upset at just about everything. But we stand firm on our ways of discipline and no tolerance rule. I can tell he really misses me holding him or carrying him because any chance he gets he tries to climb on me and cling on like a koala. I feel bad but physically I'm not suppose to yet. Although I feel like I've almost returned to full health I know I can't just do things because I feel like I can. I need to take it easy.

Brandon has been...how can I put it. He's been so supportive, loving, helpful. I almost feel like besides just giving birth to baby Trent, we gave birth to a new relationship. I have never seen this side of him before but it makes me want to give him more affection to show my appreciation. He's trying so hard to do things for me and make sure I take it easy. Because it's hard for me to get out of bed in our room, we were sleeping seperately. Me in the living room and him in the bedroom because eventually I just go in the livingroom in the rocking chair and I just end up staying out there. Last night, we laid blankets on the floor and slept in the living room together falling asleep to Shark Week. It feels like a completely new rebirth of our relationship and we are stronger than ever. I don't know if it's the hormones but I even missed him when he left to go somewhere and it wasn't for very long. I just hope this keeps up but I need to remind myself that even if it was months later and I get mad at him for something. I need to remember how I feel right now in this moment and his effort. The love I feel for him now. I think that's the common problem. In a relationship when a couple hits a rough patch, they often forget the love. They're so consumed by the anger and I just need to stop and remind myself of times like this where I feel 100% in love with him.

He told me while we were in the hospital and we had to watch a video about paternity rights because we are having a baby and we're not married. He tells me he's down to get married on paper right now. So who knows, maybe we'll elope :)

I don't know if Trent is just that nocturnal or if I just forgot what it was like when Chase was a baby. But I feel like Trent's a lot more needy and cries a lot more. Maybe we're just not use to it, after all it has been two years. I remember Chase being so easy going and just waking up every 2 hours. I swear with Trent, at night I wake up every 30 minutes because technically he wakes up every hour, nurses for 20 minutes then goes to sleep and wakes up again 30 minutes later. It's been tough, especially having such an energetic 2 year old. I swear the other night Trent would not go to sleep until 2am. Every time we set him down, he would cry 15 minutes later. That continued until 1:30am. Then he woke up every 30 minutes. By the time it was 5:45 Chase was in his bed yelling fo mama for some reason. I went to lay down in bed with him for a it and when I came back out Trent was crying.

Baby Trent is a week old already. He is the cutest thing..maybe even cuter than Chase when he was a baby. Well when he's not crying at least :) He snorts a lot. I think the airway in his nose is too narrow. He is also a very strong little baby.and poops at every hour. I can't wait til he's just a little bit older or maybe when we get to know the little guy better so it gets a little easier!

 

The day we left the hospital. Btw, we got really luck and got to stay in the labor and delivery room the whole time instead of the post partum room which is much smaller!

Last Post as a Mother of One...

So this is it, tomorrow is the big day. My scheduled c-section. I can't believe it has been 40 weeks already. I must say this pregnancy flew by. I kept hoping every night for the last couple nights that I would go into labor but it never happened. I think I'm ready..I cut it pretty close to the wire, but the house is clean, stuff for Trent is ready. Crap, I just realized I forgot to get batteries for the swing and wash the new bouncer chair we got from the baby shower. Oops, I guess I'm not completely on my game but I must admit for someone that went full term, I accomplished more in the last 2 weeks than I could've imagined. Maybe it was a good thing to save all the manual labor for the last 2 weeks. It helped the time fly by and keep my mind off the date.

How do I feel right now? A little nervous, maybe even a little emotional. I'm nervous because I know I'm going to go in for surgery. Last time, when I went in to get induced I thought I was going to deliver the baby naturally. That didn't scare me. Knowing that I'm going in tomorrow to have SURGERY. To get operated on, cut open...that's a little nerve wrecking. I mean who isn't nervous the day before surgery. I'm a little emotional this time, I think more so than I was with Chase. It's weird, because you would think I should be more emotional with my first born. However, I think it's because I already have Chase and know how wonderful it is, that the anticipation of the new little guy is actually....more touching? Maybe that's why the younger sibling is more spoiled. You realize how fast the first one grew up, that it makes you want to cherish the second one more. That's just my theory. I think I'm also a little emotional because of Chase? I feel nervous for him and knowing that I'm not going to be spending the next 2-3 days with him makes me a little sad. No matter how annoyed I have been with Chase lately, the moment I think about spending time away from him I miss him already.

I can't belive that Trent is going to be here in less than 24 hours. I went to my appointment today. Hungry. I only weighed 132. Which means my total weight gain for this pregnancy is exactly 25lbs. The doctor said I'm measuring a little bit big so maybe expect Trent to be about the same size as Chase? Except, this time Trent is facing up. He's "sunnyside up." Thank goodness I'm having a c-section then! I went to my pre-admission collaborative today and actually going through this stuff with the hospital is making me feel more comfortable about having another c-section. It's making me a little more excited for the experience. With my first one, I felt like it wasn't intimate at all. They told me that this time, they will actually lower the curtain and lift my head up when they are about to pull the baby out so I can actually witness the birth of Trent! Something I didn't get to do with Chase and I was pretty bummed about. Although, I wonder how am I not going to see my own guts? That would be kinda crazy if you could see your on insides don't you think? They told me that I woud get to hold Trent while I'm still in the O.R and I would be able to witness everything, including the cutting of the umbilical cord. This sounds pretty good so far so we'll have to see how it goes.

I can't believe it, I think I am starting to trip out a little bit. I can't believe I'm having another baby and that the day has finally come. Once again our lives will be changed forever. Brandon and I were watching videos of when Chase was a baby. He was so cute, so chubby. Now he's this active skinny toddler. I'm looking forward to experiencing that again.

It's going to be weird having two kids. Having to share the love. It seems near impossible to even imagine loving anyone else as much as we love Chase.

It's almost 10pm and my cut off for any liquids and food is 12 am. Last time I remember being so hungry and thirsty I am definitely taking advantage of that.

Tomorrow at 6:00am we have to be at the hospital and at 7:25 I will be in the operating room. Who knows, maybe Trent will be born at 8:08am :)

Can't believe we're going to be parents again. I know that doesn't make sense because we never stopped being parents, but I just feel like we're parents AGAIN because we're doing this all over again!!

Mini Target Haul

Actually, it's not even a haul because I only got 4 things from there. I couldn't resist.

One of the things I picked up was this glittery nail polish but I haven't gotten around to using it yet. However, I did pick up a new lipstick that I just absolutely love!

Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in "Coral Lustre"

I am actually satisfied with the color! That usually never happens but luckily I got to do a lil swatch on my hand while I was at Target. It glides on and is a glossy high shine kind of color. It's subtle and fun at the same time. Perfect for just a little coral on your pout that's not so orange. I think my issue with coral colored with lipstick is that it always ends up being more bright red/orange.

E.L.F Studio Blush in "Twinkle Pink"

I'm always up for a new blush here and there. I always use the same one since I don't find a need for really dramatic blush. Plus I don't really don't feel like spending so much money on blush. Btw, everything from E.L.F's studio collection is only $3. Yeah, that's my kind of budget.

The sparkle really caught my eye. The color is definitely a fun spring/summer color. It's also very pigmented. The picture on the right is literally a dab of my blush brush and look at how much color it picked up. It could be a good and bad thing. You don't want to overdo the blush so you always gotta shake off the excess.

E.L.F  Liquid Liner in "Copper"

Okay, I know that's more gold than copper. It's only a dollar and I was looking for something that I could just put on top of my normal liner for a little shimmer. It does what I'm looking for it to do. Don't expect a gold glittery line, it's just going to have specks of it. Nothing dramatic. Kind of subtle.

Here's a picture of me with the blush and the glitter liner on.





One Week Left Until Baby Trent is Here!

So technically I'm only 38 1/2 weeks because my due date is originally August 11th. Since, I'm having a scheduled c-section I have to schedule it prior to my due date but within my 39th week of pregnancy. So by this time next week, baby Trent will be here. My scheduled time is at 7:30am, which means I'll probably be done by 10:30. Although, I'm not sure how long I'll be in recovery from.

So far, I weigh 134 lbs, which means this pregnancy I have a total weight gain of 27 lbs. That's actually pretty darn close to my last one. I believe my last pregnancy I gained a total of 28 lbs. Although, I did gain a total of 4 lbs in the last week! Personally, I think it's because I actually ate a decent breakfast before my doctors appointment this time and the last time I went there starved. My doctor wasn't even going to check if I was dilated. He said there's no point since it's not going to affect the fact that I'm going in for c-section on a scheduled day and unless I go into labor, that's not going to change. I told him I would still like to know so I can get an idea if I might go into labor and if I'm even having contractions! Last time, I couldn't tell when I was having contractions and I ended up being 4 cm dilated. So far he said I'm 1 cm dilated and the baby is very low. Baby being really low doesn't really mean anything to me anymore because Chase was also "really low" but turns out he was just out of room.

I think I've actually been having contractions but...I'm not sure if they're braxton hicks. They don't hurt and it's not really that uncomfortable for me maybe that's why? From people's description, I kind of thought it would be really really painful and maybe that's what I'm looking for? Even when I was in labor and they gave me pytocin and I was having contractions every 3 minutes without an epidural it didn't seem painful but they were definitely more intense versions of braxton hicks. I kind of really hope I go into labor :) I think it would be exciting.

I read that I can have "demands" for my planned c-section. For instance, I could request that they lower the curtain a little so I can see the baby. I think I might ask for that, but I don't think I want to be able to see my own insides. I guess I just really feel like I missed out on my first birthing experience and I don't want to have the same thing happen the second time. I'm hoping that since this is a scheduled c-section, I'll be less drugged up and actually be capable of emotions when I see Trent for the first time. Actually, I would even be happy if I could see Trent right away. I don't really recall much of anything especially seeing Chase when he still had the umbilical cord. By the time I saw him, he was wrapped up in a blanket and we were leaving the O.R.

So far, I still don't think I have any signs of stretch marks in my tummy. Now I just have to worry about getting the elascity back in my skin post partum. I'm still kind of..what's the word. I'm drawing a blank.. I'm neither excited or nervous. I guess that's kind of how I was with Chase too. I'm just taking it day by day. I feel like there's still so much I need to do around the house.

So far at almost 39 weeks of my pregnancy it hasn't really slowed me down. I still carry Chase up and down a flight of stairs. I still cook, clean, give Chase a bath, go outside and play with him, assemble furniture, vaccum. I think I should slow down and relax..but let's face it shit's not gonna get done. Yes, now when I go up a flight of stairs even alone my legs feels like jelly. Yes, my back hurts when I give Chase a bath and get him dressed since I'm bent over on the bed and the tub. My feet does hurt and feel sore after walking and standing for a long time. But, it's do-able.

Here is me one week before my "due date."

This was me the week before. I don't really feel like the bump has gained 4 lbs!