the one where Mila is one month old

Mila Soleil

 

One Month

 

Size:

Little lady is weighing in at 10.5 lbs, 21.25 inches long, percentiles falling in the 60th for both. She is wearing size 0-3 months with a little room. We are loving footie pajamas.

 

Health:

Mila failed her ear screenings twice at the hospital at birth. Both times in her left ear. Doctor said it was common when you deliver a baby quickly because "not all of their fluids get pushed out". I'm a little anxious because we do have to follow up with an audiologist in a couple of weeks. Send us all of your positives vibes, prayers, etc that everything is ok. Other than that, little beeb is healthy!

 

Feeding:

Breastfeeding. How I love and loathe you. Mila is a very efficient eater with nursing sessions only lasting 10 minutes max. Sometimes she eats from both sides.. sometimes only from one. Doctor says its fine, she's gaining weight and thriving. We also (just today actually) got meds for thrush. I have never had it before. The dr says its mild as of right now, so hopefully starting the meds today will clear it up quickly.

 

Sleep:

Mila is a bit of a night owl (like her sister Ava was) and doesn't typically go to sleep until somewhere between 10 and 11. From there she will give me one good stretch of somewhere between 4-6 hours but that varies. As of late, when she wakes up to nurse at 3 or 4 she likes to stay awake and party for a bit before falling back to sleep (about an hour later) and then sleeps until her big sisters get up and wake her.

 

Extras:

-She has started smiling

-Her favorite person is Mommy

-The bigger she gets, the more she looks like Tori

-Naps in her swing throughout the day

-Sisters fight over who loves her the most

-She is really strong and can hold her head up really well and is even getting up on her side in what looks like an attempt to roll over

-Not a fan of her car seat

 

 

the one with breastfeeding the third time around

If you have been around these parts for awhile, you know I have struggled with breastfeeding in the past. With Tori, mastitis 5x in 4 months.. Ava mastitis once.. clogged ducts, cracked and bleeding nipples... you name it, it happened to me. I have also been across the board as far as how I have fed my babies. Tori, pumping exclusively for 4/5 ish months before switching completely to formula.. and to the complete opposite spectrum of nursing Ava for 18 months (and her NEVER taking a bottle). Now, it is Mila's turn to give me a run for my money with the nursing thing.

Lets start at week 1-2:
Latching an infant is NOT EASY. I do NOT understand how or why nurses, movies, social media and other Moms alike try to make it seem like the most simple thing ever. Nope. I have never once had a baby be born and her just camp out on the boob and never have an issue. Mila was the same as Tori and Ava in that it took legit training to get her to latch. The first week or so was terrible. I was in an intense amount of pain and my poor nipples.. oh man, those things took a beating. Cracked. Red. Painful. I couldn't let water touch them in the shower, I didn't like my clothes rubbing on them. I was using Neosporin and nipple cream every minute it felt like. I was NOT going to become a slave to breastfeeding. I was NOT going to make myself nuts with the pressure to make breastfeeding work. I have two other kids for goodness sake. I cant let them suffer with a stressed out Mom all because of breastfeeding. So just like I did with Ava, I turned to the lactation consultants at her pediatrician office (Eden park). And like with Ava, they were lifesavers. I cant describe how much more calm they make you feel. I wasn't crazy. There is nothing wrong with Mila. We just have to learn what works best for us. We also had to get my nipples healed. I had to use a nipple shield on my cracked nipple everyday for a week. I also had to use Neosporin on them to help with the healing process. I tried to avoid bras at all costs and kept the boobies out of the shower lol. After a few days I saw a major difference. Then I had a clogged duct (because you know, one thing after another lol). After a couple of days of massaging etc, it went away. It is so crazy how in the moment, the whole process seems SO HARD and SO PAINFUL. And while it is, you really can (and do) get through it... then all of a sudden, it seems like it was forever ago. I am so happy I didn't quit.

Fast forward to week 4ish
Mila is nursing AMAZINGLY. I cannot believe that it was only 3 or so weeks of pain and suffering (lol) this time around. Throughout the day shes nursing anywhere from every 2-3 hours.. and overnight shes anywhere from 2-4 hours (depending on how her gas issues are.. man I forgot how fun the first couple of months are LOL). My nipples are 100% healed, there is absolutely ZERO pain when she latches/nurses and I have even braved nursing her outside of our house a few times. She has only just started using a pacifier about a week or so ago so we have been focusing on getting her to use that for comfort (insert: gas discomfort) and then I am pumping here and there so we can introduce her to a bottle. As much as I love nursing her and am desperately holding on to these times (as it is definitely my last go with nursing and this whole infant thing).. I also do not want to be a slave to nursing the way I was with Ava. 18 months of never leaving your baby for more than 3 hours is a LOT. My poor husband lol.

In conclusion:
Breastfeeding (at least for me) absolutely was an easier process to start and stick with this third time around. I feel more confident (in general) with breastfeeding and what I am capable of. I am trusting my body and trusting Mila and together we are moving right on along with this journey.

the one with Mila's birth story

Mila Soleil is here! Oh wait, she has been for almost a month already haha. To say Im a bit behind on the posts is an understatement.

I'm a sucker for a birth story and love reliving mine. So without further delay.. here is my littlest girls' birth story...

Rewind to Friday the 10th. It was around 5pm and I all of a sudden remembered that I couldn't figure out the last time I felt the baby kick. The day was busy, I was running around with the kiddos a lot.. usually her kicks can stop me in my tracks and I couldn't remember it happening. I ate some ice cream or something else sweet (I cant remember what exactly).. and there was maybe one or two kicks.. but not her usual.
I called into the dr who had me go into May Grant after hours to be checked out. The nurses hooked me up to a bunch of machines and did some testing and came to see that the babys heart rate was elevated. Super elevated. 170s/180s (her typical heart rate was around 140). They couldn't figure out what would be causing that and sent me to triage. More tests. More monitoring etc.. babys heart rate was still elevated and with my due date being the following day, they decided to induce me. A baby born on their actual due date, yay! Apparently that only happens like, 3% of the time or something crazy like that.
I was very surprised to find that the third time around, contractions were not kicking my ass the way they did with my first two deliveries. My first two deliveries, I was more than ready for my epidural around 3cm dilated and this third time around.. I was at 6cm dilated before I even really considered the epidural. The nurse told me that if I was considering an epidural, I should order it soon because there is a point of no return where they wouldn't be able to give me one. The idea of pushing a baby out with no epidural was not even an option in my mind so I ordered it at that point. The anesthesiologist came to give me the epidural and I wasn't feeling nervous at all. I remembered with Tori and Avas births that I hardly felt the epidural.. and I came to realize that was because my contractions were so terrible that the epidural needle felt like nothing. I was just desperate for the meds. This time around, with my contractions not being so rough, the epidural was brutal. I felt everything. I had nothing to distract me from the pain and I cried a lot. I was not expecting that at all. I guess that goes with giving birth though, you really don't know what to expect. Once my epidural was all set I started having issues with the epidural. My entire left side (from about my armpit down) was numb. My entire right side I could feel. It was so strange. It took what felt like awhile for the doctor to get everything even. I had to switch to certain positions to get the meds to come into me in different ways, etc. I will say, after all is said and done, I still swear by the epidural lol.
Fast forward (not really so fast because it was about 24 hours total) to pushing. A total breeze. I had to try a couple different positions to find my rhythm but a short ten minutes of pushing later and baby Mila was born. 8lbs 1oz. I do not have small babies when they are full term. She has dark hair and was puffy (not as much as Ava was at birth).. the third time around, was just as sweet as the last two times. She was so beautiful, they laid her on my chest, there were happy tears shed and I kissed her little wet head and smelled that amazing newborn smell and couldn't believe she was finally here. Our third duck. Here to complete our family.

#thererasisters #rerapartyof5

 

 

the one where I am 39 weeks pregnant

Guys, the end is near... it is so close I can taste it. You know, so close, yet so far.
Why do the last 2/3 weeks of pregnancy feel longer than the first 8 months?
I guess its because we have had 8 months of preparing and dreaming and the only thing that makes the whole process worth it is finally meeting your sweet little baby.

I feel bad saying it, because socially it is not acceptable to ever say anything other than "THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!"... but yes, I am over being pregnant.
I didn't have a bad or negative pregnancy in any way. Very healthy, "textbook" if you will.. and for that, I am thankful. The weight gain, the no alcohol, the terrible heartburn, the overall lack of energy, the not looking cute, the irritability, the heat flashes, the not fitting into my shoes, the missing out on parties/events... and most of all: not feeling like I am myself and able to be the best mom to Tori and Ava that I can be, have all caught up to me. The waiting game is making me crazy. I have had contractions every night for a week.. they come and I get excited.. and then they go! Contractions, my water breaking.. Ill take anything!! Lets get this party started!

Mila, the whole family cannot wait to meet you. Stop teasing us with the fake contractions. COME OUT!

How far along: 39 weeks!
Total weight gain: 40 ish lbs
Maternity clothes: Maternity leggings and over sized shirts/sweaters
Stretch marks: N/A
Sleep: Contractions keep me up most of the night right now
Best moment of this week: Car seat and bassinet are ready!
Miss anything: Alcohol, comfortably laying on my back, sleep, not getting winded from walking up the stairs....
Movement: A ton! I will miss that once she is here
Food cravings: I have been losing weight in the last week or so... I am out of room
Anything making you queasy or sick: Humidity, getting over heated
Have you started to show yet: See: weight gained lol
Gender: Girl mom for life! Our sweet Mila (still not positive about middle name)
Labor signs: Braxton hicks
Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding rings on or off: Off
Happy or moody most of the time: Irritable...
Looking forward to: MEETING HER!

the one where I am 37 weeks along

I'm just a few days late on posting this one. 37 weeks, full term.. aka.. if you go into labor- the doctors don't stop it! Go time. Lets get this girl moving! I am feeling a lot of different things about the fact that she could come any day. I don't feel optimistic that she will be early. On the other side, I feel nervous that today could be the day. I still didn't set the girls car seats up... that is on the list of to-dos for this weekend. I still didn't pick up the bassinet shell be sleeping in for the first few months. No, Mila will not have her own room right off the bat. Our house is a 4 bedroom but the 4th is on the first floor which we currently use as a playroom. Tori and Ava sleep somewhere between 10-12 hours a night and I have no interest in messing with that until the baby is sleeping ok. Then the plan is Tori and Ava in a bedroom together, bunk beds and all- every kids dream! I have her clothing washed, diapers ready.. the swing isn't out yet, because I'm trying to push back the time frame of all things baby taking over our house.. but its ready. I'm feeling large. I'm very front heavy and lose my balance easily. I have also had regular headaches which after being tested for pre-e (twice) was found it is not pre-e. Maybe just caffeine headaches or something of the sort.

How far along: 37 weeks!
Total weight gain: 40 ish lbs
Maternity clothes: Maternity leggings and over sized shirts/sweaters
Stretch marks: N/A
Sleep: I miss it
Best moment of this week: Watching how intense her movements are. Dan and I always joke that it looks like she is trying to bust out!
Miss anything: Alcohol, comfortably laying on my back, sleep..
Movement: A ton! My fav thing ever!
Food cravings: I have taken an intense liking to Pine View Dairys chocolate milk
Anything making you queasy or sick: Humidity, getting over heated
Have you started to show yet: See: weight gained lol
Gender: Girl mom for life! Our sweet Mila (still not positive about middle name)
Labor signs: Occasional Braxton hicks
Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding rings on or off: Off
Happy or moody most of the time: Physically drained.
Looking forward to: Going into labor!

the one where I am 34 weeks along

Pregnancy update!

I sort of feel like this is going fast and sort of feel like its going slow. I thought for SURE I was 35 weeks pregnant this week. And then I opened up my app and it said "34 weeks" and I had to count down the final weeks to see and what do ya know? I am in fact, 34 weeks along. The end is near. They say full term is 37 weeks so as far as I'm concerned, 3 more weeks and she can come anytime after that!
On Wednesday/Thursday I was having a lot of dizziness and an on and off headache for about two days. It was awful, I couldn't even roll onto my side in the middle of the night without getting really dizzy/nauseous. I called the dr and they had me go in on Thursday night to get checked out due to my history with pre eclampsia. I had pre-e with Tori and not with Ava, I was REALLY hoping to not go through that again this time. They checked me out (blood work/labs) and figured out I am not suffering from pre-e, the Dr said its just typical end of pregnancy stuff and that I need to "take it easy" for a few days. "Take it easy"... you know, with work, two kids, a husband and house, no big deal- easy peasy! -insert eye roll-.

How far along: 34 weeks!
Total weight gain: 35 lbs and going strong, hoping its all baby haha
Maternity clothes: Now that the cooler weather is hopefully here to stay, I plan on leggings on leggings on leggings to get me through these last 3-6 weeks. I HATE maternity pants so I am going to try to avoid maternity jeans as much as possible.
Stretch marks: N/A
Sleep: Non existent. I cannot wait for a non pregnant sleep. I have had to take naps here and there when I can because I am just not sleeping at night. It sucks.
Best moment of this week: Got to hear babys heartbeat on Thursday night, she has been steady 130's. Sounds great. I love listening to her heartbeat. Such a sweet sound.
Miss anything: Alcohol, comfortably laying on my back, sleep..
Movement: A ton! My fav thing ever!
Food cravings: No, more food aversions than anything else.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Humidity, getting over heated
Have you started to show yet: See: weight gained lol
Gender: Girl mom for life!
Labor signs: Thankfully no!
Belly button in or out: Out!
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or moody most of the time: Irritable.
Looking forward to: Finally deciding on a middle name! First name is set!

the one where Tori starts pre k!

I would like to preface this post saying, I for one really hate the corny cliché.. "where did the time go?"... and every other Mom comment you can think of. But seriously guys, its true. I have yet to meet a mother who has older kids that doesn't tell me they would do anything to go back in time to babyhood or toddlerhood with their children. That it went faster than they could keep up with. That they hardly remember it because it was such a blur.

Going from 0 to 1 child was hard. Everyone tells you your life is about to change but you have NO idea just how much it is going to change until the baby is finally here. Enter: Tori. Breastfeeding was hard, not sleeping was hard, missing out on events was hard, going to events but not being able to get her out of my head was hard, questioning my every decision was hard. I'm in love with her in a way that I can only describe as an obsession. She changed everything about my life and saved me in ways that I didn't know I needed to be saved.

Obsession; an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a persons mind.

That is my Tori since the day she was born. I eat, sleep, breathe her. And now, here we are.. shes 4.5 years old and in pre-k! Meaning the school year you go to-to prepare you for KINDERGARTEN... aka the school year that will take her away from me for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months a year. And once it starts, there is no end in sight until she graduates high school. Excuse me while I take some deep breathes and try not to vom all over myself. Since she has been born, shes been my little shadow- everywhere Mom goes, Tori goes. She has never spent a day in daycare. She has only spent two nights in a row away from me ONCE in her 4.5 years.. any other time has been a sporadic one night here and there. Its very hard for me to think of any other person getting this time with her that I'm not. That someone else is going to see her figure something out, start having an interest in something, be a friend to someone who needs one.

All this to be said is just leading to what has been very clear to Dan and I since she turned four: she is SO ready for more school. For more time away. She is not scared. She is confident. She is VERY aware of those around her. Of others' feelings. She is always watching. She is always taking everything in. She asks questions. She figures things out. She can be shy at first, mostly because shes always trying to figure everyone out.. and then she is a total lover. She wants to be friends with everyone. She wants everyone to be happy. She wishes so hard she was older and bigger!

So to my oh so sassy, smart, vibrant, beautiful, hilarious Tori: YAY for Pre-K! I know you will do fabulous and have so much fun. I love you.

 

And because Ava needed in on the photoshoot today: