3.28.2012

Done and DONE!

Sorry if this post is TMI for anyone, but I wanted to document it...

I have been working on weaning Tanner off of breast milk since his birthday and have FINALLY gotten to the point that he is completely on whole milk and I can stop nursing and pumping!

At the beginning I was pumping every 2 hours around the clock. I didn't take breaks at night and would be up either nursing or pumping. Every. Two. Hours. That sucked, but I was willing to do what needed to be done to make sure Tanner was getting the nourishment he needed to gain weight and recover from his surgery.

Then probably around 4 or 5 months old I started taking breaks at night. Only nursed him at night when he would happen to wake up, but no pumping. I would still try to pump or nurse as close to every 2-4 hours during the day. This lasted until he was one.

Once he turned one I started mixing in whole milk with breast milk. In 5oz bottles I started with 4oz of breast milk and 1oz of whole milk for about a week at a time. Then I would add one more oz of whole milk and less breast milk. Also still nursing at night.

For the past few weeks I was still producing enough for what was needed that I was able to eventually drop down to only pumping once a day! That was nice. (and still nursing at night)

Last week we had finally gotten to 1 oz of breast milk and 4oz of whole milk. So on Sunday I made the decision to stop pumping and nursing.

Tanner has done great! It's not like he has even noticed a difference. The only thing I've noticed is him waking up a little more often at night because I'm sure the whole milk isn't filling him up as much as the breast milk. But that's it!

All day Sunday I did great. No engorgement and no pain. Until about midnight. I was up late reading a book and all the sudden realized that my left side was pretty sore... and huge.

So I pumped for 1/2 the time that I usually would just to alleviate the pain. (I used to pump for 10 minutes at a time, and now pumped for 5) It worked and I felt much better.

The next morning, however, I was pretty sore and engorged again. So I pumped for 1/2 the time again and it relieved a little bit but there was still a dull soreness the entire day. (it really wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be or how it had been in the past, so I could deal)

A couple of my friends from my heart group also suggested to take Benadryl and that would help. That stuff always knocks me out, so I waited to take it until Tanner was going to go down for his name. It was nice. The little pain that I was feeling seemed to subside and I was able to get a good nap in!

After the Benadryl wore off I remember hearing somewhere that cabbage helps as well if you put chilled cabbage leaves in your bra. Sure enough, a few of the heart moms also were suggesting this and it worked for them.

I called Kollin and asked him to pick up some cabbage for me on his way home from work. It was a pretty funny conversation, but he went along with me and got it. I love him!

I have to say that stuff was what I believe helped the most. The cold leaves felt so good and I don't know what is in that stuff, but it also helped with the pain and engorgement.

Now today (Wednesday) I am feeling pretty much back to normal! I took out the cabbage last night when I showered and haven't replaced it. I feel no pain! I am also pretty full right now (no pain or hardness, just... big). Kind of hoping it stays that way, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to deflate in a little while. phooey.

I loved being able to provide for my little Tanner in this way. But I am also happy that I'm done! I never minded the nursing, but the pumping got pretty old.

I will definitely miss the nursing part of it. I am so happy and proud of myself that I was able to go almost 14 months (my goal was 1 year) and had that bonding time with my buddy.

3.24.2012

Heart Play Date

I just can't get enough of all of these wonderful heart families!
To commemorate the end of "winter lockdown" (winter months where you cannot go ANYWHERE to keep germs at bay) a bunch of us got together at a park with our kiddos and played to our hearts content.
 Tanner had a blast digging in the wood chips.
 He was the smallest one there that was able to walk around and try to play. The bigger kids were so sweet to play with him!

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I am so thankful to know these beautiful families!
Can't wait til next time!

3.22.2012

Warrior: The Build-a-Bear

I have always wanted to get Tanner a bear with a zipper on its chest so it would match him.

Today we finally went to Build a Bear and made one! They couldn't do a zipper since you would have access to the stuffing, but they did stitching for us.

We also did stitching on the heart we put in him but I forgot to get a picture before he was all sewn up.

We named him Warrior. He is so cute and I know Tanner will just love that he is just like him.


3.15.2012

3.10.2012

I'll take the floor.

This little guy woke up and as I was getting him a bottle he crashed back out on my side of the bed.
At least he's sleeping!
I'll be on the floor tonight.
I love these two SO much.


3.05.2012

Words

I wanted to hurry and write down some "words" that Tanner has been using lately before I forget when and what they were. So here ya go!

"Whassa" = what's that. when pointing at something
"Ya"
"Woaw" = this is said when he turfs it or drops something
"Da" or "Sa" = that. also when pointing at something
"Wat" = what

and others I have't been able to figure out what he's meaning, but he says a lot:
"Ada"
"........ ok, so he's not doing anymore at the moment and I can't think. Will fill in later!

And of course the ever popular "mama," "mom," "ma," "dada" and he has even said "daddy" a couple times.

3.01.2012

Heart Lunch at In n Out

Today Tanner and I got to go to lunch with a bunch of heart moms and their kids.
I love being able to go to these little activities and meeting more wonderful women each time.



 What beautiful HEART babies!
I'm sure Tanner can't wait until he is old enough to be able to run around with all these boys. He loved watching them play and would get down and inch towards them, but not all the way! My silly little cautious bugger.
Can't wait for next time!