Friday, September 16, 2011
Please pray for Sara
Please pray for Sara and her family. She is making her journey to Heaven. I was just introduced to her story this morning, and I must tell you; it is amazing.
Breastfeeding...what I wish I had known...
When I found out I was pregnant, I just "knew" I would breastfeed. I didn't really consider not trying to do it. I read things that said it might be hard, but that it would be an amazing bonding experience with my baby. I wanted that amazing bonding experience! I also wanted to give my baby the best thing that I could - and I knew that was my breast milk. That being said, there are a few things that I wish I had known. I decided to write this post today after one of my dearest friends asked me for advice on her breast pump and accessories for her baby registry. I will work on that post tomorrow. I would have appreciated this information, so I hope someone else does too!
Please keep in mind that this is all based on my personal experience. Everyone has a different story and different reasonings when they decide how to nourish their baby. I would never, ever look down upon or judge another mother for making choices different than my own. I don't know what's right or best, I just know what I felt comfortable with and what I felt was best for my family.
Let's start with the truth that no one really tells you -
* It was not natural for me.
It was very important to me to try to breastfeed Jaxson as soon as I could after he was born. I remember thinking that it was taking them so long to get him to me. Then they made me wait until after the doctor was done with the after birth and my repairs before I could breastfeed. I think it was about 45 minutes, but it felt like forever. I imagined this beautiful moment of me holding my new son and feeding him for the first time. Kind of like a post card. This did not happen. Turns out I was so drugged up that I had trouble figuring out exactly what was going on, and I was a little clumsy. And, he was really, really tired from his traumatic journey.
* I needed lots of help.
I ended up using a shield that one of the nurses gave me. Jaxson had a ton of trouble latching on, and when he did, he would move his tongue around and break the latch. I was really upset about not being able to do it naturally, but I still use the shield each and every time I nurse him. I felt lazy at first for not working harder to get the latch right, but I decided that it was more important that I make the experience easier on both of us for fear that I would give up. Now, I'm fine with it. I also needed lots of help from my night nurse. They have you feed the baby every 3 hours those first few weeks, and when the nurse would wake him up in the middle of the night and bring him to me, he wouldn't work for the milk! We tried everything, and it was a little humiliating having her messing with my boobs and squirting formula on them to try to peak his interest, and even worse looking over at my poor husband that was scared to death...but it is just part of the process. It's okay to need help and it's okay be feel uncomfortable. You'll get it.
* A little formula won't hurt the baby.
I remember Cyndi, my sweet nurse saying, "If you can get him to eat for 10 minutes total, I won't have to give him any formula". I could not get through one of the night time feedings for 10 minutes. I could get 5 or 6 at best - and this was after trying for about 30 minutes. So, I cried the first couple of times that she had to supplement. It broke my heart and I was convinced that I was never going to be able to only breastfeed because he had been "ruined" with formula. Yeah, that didn't happen. On day 3 my milk came in full force and he didn't need any more formula. And, he was just fine.
* It's okay to need a break.
There were times that I just needed a break. I needed to be alone for a little while and I did not want to feel like Bessie the cow covered in milk. It's okay. My Mom or Hubby would feed Jaxson pumped milk from a bottle and he was just fine. No nipple confusion, no emotional scars...just a full baby and a happier Mommy. That equals success in my book! And, there are times still where I feed him a pumped bottle. Sometimes I would just rather pump. Judge away...I can take it. It works best for us, and that's okay.
* It hurts, at first.
It took me weeks and weeks for it to stop physically hurting. My nipples were in pain and bled every time he nursed. The worst part was when he would spit up after and it was bloody :( It made me feel so terrible. But, after my body got used to him and the process, some time during month 2, it got much, much better. It doesn't feel great, but it doesn't hurt anymore either. I'll take that.
I can't think of anything else right now...but if I do I'll come back and revise.
What can you share from your experiences? Or do you have any questions?
Please keep in mind that this is all based on my personal experience. Everyone has a different story and different reasonings when they decide how to nourish their baby. I would never, ever look down upon or judge another mother for making choices different than my own. I don't know what's right or best, I just know what I felt comfortable with and what I felt was best for my family.
Let's start with the truth that no one really tells you -
* It was not natural for me.
It was very important to me to try to breastfeed Jaxson as soon as I could after he was born. I remember thinking that it was taking them so long to get him to me. Then they made me wait until after the doctor was done with the after birth and my repairs before I could breastfeed. I think it was about 45 minutes, but it felt like forever. I imagined this beautiful moment of me holding my new son and feeding him for the first time. Kind of like a post card. This did not happen. Turns out I was so drugged up that I had trouble figuring out exactly what was going on, and I was a little clumsy. And, he was really, really tired from his traumatic journey.
* I needed lots of help.
I ended up using a shield that one of the nurses gave me. Jaxson had a ton of trouble latching on, and when he did, he would move his tongue around and break the latch. I was really upset about not being able to do it naturally, but I still use the shield each and every time I nurse him. I felt lazy at first for not working harder to get the latch right, but I decided that it was more important that I make the experience easier on both of us for fear that I would give up. Now, I'm fine with it. I also needed lots of help from my night nurse. They have you feed the baby every 3 hours those first few weeks, and when the nurse would wake him up in the middle of the night and bring him to me, he wouldn't work for the milk! We tried everything, and it was a little humiliating having her messing with my boobs and squirting formula on them to try to peak his interest, and even worse looking over at my poor husband that was scared to death...but it is just part of the process. It's okay to need help and it's okay be feel uncomfortable. You'll get it.
* A little formula won't hurt the baby.
I remember Cyndi, my sweet nurse saying, "If you can get him to eat for 10 minutes total, I won't have to give him any formula". I could not get through one of the night time feedings for 10 minutes. I could get 5 or 6 at best - and this was after trying for about 30 minutes. So, I cried the first couple of times that she had to supplement. It broke my heart and I was convinced that I was never going to be able to only breastfeed because he had been "ruined" with formula. Yeah, that didn't happen. On day 3 my milk came in full force and he didn't need any more formula. And, he was just fine.
* It's okay to need a break.
There were times that I just needed a break. I needed to be alone for a little while and I did not want to feel like Bessie the cow covered in milk. It's okay. My Mom or Hubby would feed Jaxson pumped milk from a bottle and he was just fine. No nipple confusion, no emotional scars...just a full baby and a happier Mommy. That equals success in my book! And, there are times still where I feed him a pumped bottle. Sometimes I would just rather pump. Judge away...I can take it. It works best for us, and that's okay.
* It hurts, at first.
It took me weeks and weeks for it to stop physically hurting. My nipples were in pain and bled every time he nursed. The worst part was when he would spit up after and it was bloody :( It made me feel so terrible. But, after my body got used to him and the process, some time during month 2, it got much, much better. It doesn't feel great, but it doesn't hurt anymore either. I'll take that.
I can't think of anything else right now...but if I do I'll come back and revise.
What can you share from your experiences? Or do you have any questions?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Prayer Thursday
Hi Ladies!
If you have a request, please put it in the comments below or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!
Please pray for the Olsons. I LOVE following them on their journey. They truly follow God's calling for their lives - and it is amazing to watch. She is in bible study in Missouri and her husband is working 7-10 nights in a row and cannot join her because of his job. Please pray for peace for him and for God to provide the perfect thing for them!
Please please pray for all those suffering from the Wildfires. Texas is on fire y'all, and it is so tragic and so scary. We can smell the fire in the air - I cannot imagine losing my home, or worse, someone that I love to a fire. I cannot stop thinking about people that were not able to get to their animals. I have literally lost sleep thinking about poor little Bandit being in that situation and me not being able to get to him. It is heartbreaking.
My good friend Lindsey emailed me with a prayer request this week. A family friend, Christoper needs lots and lots of prayers. Please, please pray for him and his family. Here is her email -
Owana and Ray's son, Christopher has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer or his esophagus, upper stomach and pancreas. He has been sick for about 2 weeks, had his Gall Bladder removed thinking that was the culprit, but did not improve. After several ultrasounds, MRI's and CT scans he was still sick. An upper GI revealed he has a golf ball sized tumor at the bottom of his esophagus. He is 39, lives in Grand Prairie and he and Trisha have 3 children. I talked to Owana earlier this morning and after a good nights sleep she has her battle armour on. They are devastated and waiting to hear from the Oncologist today. They just received the diagnosis late last night. She said the surgeons words were "he will not survive this" and "this should not happen to an otherwise healthy 39 year old" She said the surgeon wants to get his pain under control so he can go home and spend time with his family before starting his chemotherapy. That is what Owana wants as well, but she said the oncologists may convince them otherwise.
Please pray for Molly & Marshal. Their baby was stillborn at 25 weeks. I cannot imagine the grief and pain that they are experiencing right now.
Please pray for Lianna and her husband. They suffered a miscarriage. Please pray for their comfort and healing.
Could you please pray for Christina, my coworkers cousin? She has cancer and has 18 months of chemo left. Please pray for her healing and her spirits - she is understandably having a very difficult time.
Could you please pray for our friend Jim? His Dad has cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. He is losing weight every day. Please pray for his healing and his doctors. Jim is about to move to Hong Kong to be with his family during this difficult time.
Could you please pray for my Grandparents? They are living home alone right now with the help of nurses. It is very, very difficult. Please pray that they will let God guide them in their decisions for their futures and their care. This is so hard on them and on my parents and it hurts to watch everyone go through this. PRAISE - My Edaddy is able to drive again, and should be able to walk soon! I am so proud of him and so thankful to God!
Please say a quick prayer for all the women waiting for God to bless them with husbands or babies.
Remember how I asked you to please pray for a big work decision? Thank you! I have a huge praise - I was offered an incredible position with a new company. More money, closer to home, less hours. It will be hard and probably stressful - but I truly felt like it was an answer to prayers and the best thing for my little family. I just gave my notice to my job yesterday and it was so so hard. I've been here six years and these people are my family. They watched me fall in love with hubby, marry him, and have our first baby. I've grown up so much here!
Could you please also pray for our trip? Hubby leaves Sunday for the Bahamas and I join him on Wednesday. I am scared to death to be away from little Jaxson for that long. I can't even think about it without tearing up. (I know, I know, I have a problem-haha!). Please pray that he is fine without me and isn't sad that I am gone.
Thank you so very much for all of your prayers! Please let me know if we can pray for you!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
It's OK Thursday
Prayer Thursday
Hi Ladies!
If you have a request, please put it in the comments below or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!
Please please pray for all those suffering from the Wildfires. Texas is on fire y'all, and it is so tragic and so scary. We can smell the fire in the air - I cannot imagine losing my home, or worse, someone that I love to a fire. I cannot stop thinking about people that were not able to get to their animals. I have literally lost sleep thinking about poor little Bandit being in that situation and me not being able to get to him. It is heartbreaking.
My good friend Lindsey emailed me with a prayer request this week. A family friend, Christoper needs lots and lots of prayers. Please, please pray for him and his family. Here is her email -
Owana and Ray's son, Christopher has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer or his esophagus, upper stomach and pancreas. He has been sick for about 2 weeks, had his Gall Bladder removed thinking that was the culprit, but did not improve. After several ultrasounds, MRI's and CT scans he was still sick. An upper GI revealed he has a golf ball sized tumor at the bottom of his esophagus. He is 39, lives in Grand Prairie and he and Trisha have 3 children. I talked to Owana earlier this morning and after a good nights sleep she has her battle armour on. They are devastated and waiting to hear from the Oncologist today. They just received the diagnosis late last night. She said the surgeons words were "he will not survive this" and "this should not happen to an otherwise healthy 39 year old" She said the surgeon wants to get his pain under control so he can go home and spend time with his family before starting his chemotherapy. That is what Owana wants as well, but she said the oncologists may convince them otherwise.
Please pray for Molly & Marshal. Their baby was stillborn at 25 weeks. I cannot imagine the grief and pain that they are experiencing right now.
Please pray for Lianna and her husband. They suffered a miscarriage. Please pray for their comfort and healing.
Could you please pray for Christina, my coworkers cousin? She has cancer and has 18 months of chemo left. Please pray for her healing and her spirits - she is understandably having a very difficult time.
Could you please pray for our friend Jim? His Dad has cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. He is losing weight every day. Please pray for his healing and his doctors. Jim is about to move to Hong Kong to be with his family during this difficult time.
Could you please pray for my Grandparents? They are living home alone right now with the help of nurses. It is very, very difficult. Please pray that they will let God guide them in their decisions for their futures and their care. This is so hard on them and on my parents and it hurts to watch everyone go through this. PRAISE - My Edaddy is able to drive again, and should be able to walk soon! I am so proud of him and so thankful to God!
Please say a quick prayer for all the women waiting for God to bless them with husbands or babies.
I have two prayer requests this week. I am making a pretty big decision with my career very soon and need some guidance from God as to what will be best for our family. Please pray that he will guide me and that I will listen! And, we are trying to decide what to do about Jaxson's baptism...please pray that we make the perfect decision on what to do. I'll share more later.
Oh, and one more...I am sick as a dog! I stayed home from work today and probably will again tomorrow. It killed me to send Jaxson to day care today while I stayed home, but I am so scared that I am going to get him sick. Please pray that I don't get my sweet baby sick :)
Thank you so very much for all of your prayers! Please let me know if we can pray for you!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Fantasy Football - I need a name!
Do any of you ladies play fantasy football?
Hubby and I played in a couple's league last year and had so much fun! Since half of those couples had babies this year (I'm telling you - there has been something in the water!!), we are all taking a year off. But, my girlfriends are having one - Every Girls Fantasy! hahaha!
I need a great, fun name for my team. I am having the hardest time coming up with one! I tried to google some fun names, and man, you can totally tell this is a man's game. Lots of the names are D-I-R-T-Y! So, I need help with a good team name for my team; and I KNOW some of you ladies are much more creative than I am!
Help me please :) I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Hubby and I played in a couple's league last year and had so much fun! Since half of those couples had babies this year (I'm telling you - there has been something in the water!!), we are all taking a year off. But, my girlfriends are having one - Every Girls Fantasy! hahaha!
I need a great, fun name for my team. I am having the hardest time coming up with one! I tried to google some fun names, and man, you can totally tell this is a man's game. Lots of the names are D-I-R-T-Y! So, I need help with a good team name for my team; and I KNOW some of you ladies are much more creative than I am!
Help me please :) I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Friday, September 2, 2011
My favorite Blogs! Show Us Your Life
This week's Show Us Your Life at Kelly's Korner is all about our favorite blogs! I'm so excited to share some of my faves!
There are so many that I truly adore reading and look forward to each day. I couldn't include all of them, so I decided to just pick 5 :)
There are so many that I truly adore reading and look forward to each day. I couldn't include all of them, so I decided to just pick 5 :)
It's HOT!
It's been a very warm summer here in Houston, Texas. Too hot. We have had like, 28 days or something like that over 100 degrees. Oh my gracious that's hot. How hot you ask? Hot enough to do this -
You see, dear hubby will not swallow vitamins. He doesn't like them. So, to entice him to get his daily intake, I started buying him gummy ones. He loves them! These are his particular favorite -
Sundown, Marvel Heroes Gummie Multi-Vitamins, 180-Count
So, when I ran to Target this week on my lunch break, I bought him a huge bottle for like, $15. When I got home, we unloaded the Target bags, and this is what we saw -
You see, dear hubby will not swallow vitamins. He doesn't like them. So, to entice him to get his daily intake, I started buying him gummy ones. He loves them! These are his particular favorite -
Sundown, Marvel Heroes Gummie Multi-Vitamins, 180-Count
So, when I ran to Target this week on my lunch break, I bought him a huge bottle for like, $15. When I got home, we unloaded the Target bags, and this is what we saw -
EEWWWWW
One big sticky gummy vitamin. Gross. It smelled horrible.
So, learn from my mistake...when it is 100+ degrees outside, don't leave ANYTHING that isn't a paper product in your car.
Is it ever going to cool off???
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Prayer Thursday
Hi Ladies!
If you have a request, please put it in the comments below or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!
Please pray for Molly & Marshal. Their baby was stillborn at 25 weeks. I cannot imagine the grief and pain that they are experiencing right now.
Please pray for Lianna and her husband. They suffered a miscarriage. Please pray for their comfort and healing.
Could you please pray for Christina, my coworkers cousin? She has cancer and has 18 months of chemo left. Please pray for her healing and her spirits - she is understandably having a very difficult time.
Could you please pray for our friend Jim? His Dad has cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. He is losing weight every day. Please pray for his healing and his doctors. Jim is about to move to Hong Kong to be with his family during this difficult time.
Could you please pray for my Grandparents? They are living home alone right now with the help of nurses. It is very, very difficult. Please pray that they will let God guide them in their decisions for their futures and their care. This is so hard on them and on my parents and it hurts to watch everyone go through this. PRAISE - My Edaddy is able to drive again, and should be able to walk soon! I am so proud of him and so thankful to God!
Please say a quick prayer for all the women waiting for God to bless them with husbands or babies.
I have two prayer requests this week. I am making a pretty big decision with my career very soon and need some guidance from God as to what will be best for our family. Please pray that he will guide me and that I will listen! And, we are trying to decide what to do about Jaxson's baptism...please pray that we make the perfect decision on what to do. I'll share more later.
Thank you so very much for all of your prayers! Please let me know if we can pray for you!
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