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?

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!

It's OK Thursday

I love "It's Ok" Thursdays.  The people that link up with It's A Complete Waste of Make-Up are so funny!
Here we go...
It's Okay...
That I spent most of the day sleeping...
That it was almost a relief to call in sick to work today...
That besides the fear that I will give Jaxson my cold, it's almost nice to take a break and take care of myself...I guess I needed to be sick to do that!
That I have worked out NOT ONE TIME this whole week...
That I cannot.stop.watching Toddlers and Tiaras.  It is like a train wreck that I can't turn away from!

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!

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!

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 :)

Baby Rabies is written by Jill, whom I had the pleasure of meeting through a dear friend of mine.  She is a mom of two and quite possibly the funniest person I have ever met.  If you are a mom and her posts don't speak the God honest truth and crack you up at the same time, you must be made of stone - haha! Enjoying the Small Things is another one of my favorites.  Kelle Hampton is a mom of two little girls, one with special needs.  Her story and outlook on life are beyond beautiful. I spend hours way too much time looking at beautiful parties and get togethers on Celebrations at Home.  I envision myself as an amazing hostess that can do anything, and then when it comes down to it, nothing works out quite right.  Would you judge me if I told you I was already looking for a theme for Jaxson's 1st birthday party? ha! Newlyweds Next door is another blog that I truly enjoy reading.  They are an adorable couple that loves to travel and has all kinds of fun goals.  A lot of her posts make me smile! Life with the Beverly's is another favorite of mine.  Nicole is a beautiful, sweet, precious new wife.  I enjoyed reading through her engagement, her first home, and now her first year of marriage. What are some of your favorite blogs?   Link up to Kelly's Korner and share!

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 -

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???

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!

Wordless Wednesday

It's so hard to leave this sweet little face every morning!

Happy Wednesday!

A Weekend Away...

We had our first night away as parents!

I was so scared to leave Jaxson, but it was just fine.  I cried when we left, and for a little while in the car, but after we were well into our road trip, I was good to go.  I really enjoyed being with hubby and being able to be just "just us" for 24 hours.

One of hubby's fraternity brothers was planning on proposing to his girlfriend.  We just adore her!  So, we couldn't miss this fun event.  He planned on proposing in Gruene, TX - which is only about 3 hours away from where we live.  It was the perfect distance for our first over night trip.

We even drove the little car, and rode all the way there with the top down!  It was so fun.

We stayed in the cutest bed and breakfast!  We had never stayed in one before, and now I'm hooked!  It was such a great experience.  We stayed in this little cottage house.

It was too adorable!  The best part - they only had a huge bathtub, not a shower.  Watching hubby try to take a bath in there to get ready to go out was one of the top five funniest moments of our marriage.  We were both cracking up.  That alone was worth the trip!   Watching his over 6 FT frame try to wash his hair under that faucet while his feet were slipping out while he was muttering about why on earth anyone would want to take a bath because part of your body is always cold was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.  I'm pretty sure that was his first bath since he was about, oh 5 or 6 years old - haha!

This was us on our front porch.  Yes, I swang on the swing!

What do you think about my hat?  I'm not a hat person AT ALL, but I think they are so cute and I want to start wearing them.  Plus, hubby likes them.

My sweet friend, Britany.  She is pregnant, and was such a trooper!  It was SO hot, but she never, ever complained!

We had such a great time with our friends, and Jaxson survived being left!  And, I decided that I want to move the Gruene, TX and open my own little store :)  We even went and shopped at an antique store.  It was so fun!

Weekend Wrap Up...photoshoot and a playdate!

Did you have a good weekend?  We did!

On Saturday, we went to JC Penny for Jaxson's 3 month pictures.  I had never been to JC Penny's for pictures before, so I wasn't sure what we were going to get, but they turned out really cute!  You can see them here if you want to.  And, I had a coupon, so I got all the prints that I wanted and ending up only
spending around $60!  Can't beat that!  He was in a great mood and didn't cry once.  I was so glad!

On Sunday, we had our first playdate!  We went to see our friends, Justin & Cynthia.  They had their son, James (aka peanut!) the day that I went on bedrest!  We have been wanting them to get together forever, so we finally pickd a day and did it!  I think Cynthia and I had more fun than the boys did - haha!  It will be the first of many more playdates!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!!!

3 Months Old!

My Sweet, Precious Jaxson, YOU are 3 Months Old!

How did this happen so quickly?

You are the most amazing thing I've ever done.  Ever.

You weigh 15.5 lbs and are 25 inches long, from my measurements.  No Dr. appointment this month :)

You have been sleeping through the night since you were two months old.  7-9 hours at a time!  It is amazing!

You are eating like a champ!  You eat about 48 ounces of breastmilk each day!  Usually about 6oz when I feed you from a bottle.  You are so good, and go from breast to bottle like it is the most natural thing ever.  Two weeks ago, I started giving you one bottle of formula in the afternoon to get your little system used to it for when I went back to work.  You do great with it!  I feel so lucky that you are so easy going with your food.  But - I decided to keep breast feeding you for now, so you are still just getting the one serving of formula each day.  We also started giving you 1/2 tbsp. of rice cereal in your bottle for your last feeding each evening.  You love it!

We have a bedtime routine now.  After your 8PM feeding, we sit on the couch for about half an hour and relax while your food settles.  Then, we have your bath in your blue bathtub in the kitchen sink. You LOVE your bathtime!  We use lavendar scented soap, and it is so nice and calming.  You love to grab the washcloth when I drape it over the faucet - you never tire of that game!  After that, you get all lotioned up and dressed in your pajamas.  Then we have your rice cereal bottle and read a story.  We have been reading The Cat in The Hat, and One Fish Two Fish.  You like to stare at the pictures while I read and you relax with your paci.

You are sitting in your Bumbo chair!  It's wonderful - we put you in there on the kitchen counter while we cook dinner and wash dishes. You love watching us!

You started playing in your jump jump too!  You love grabbing all of the toys and the sounds that it makes.

You also love sitting in your rainforest bouncing chair.  You smile and smile at the waterfall and the monkey on there.  It is the sweetest thing.  You are so tall that I am worried you might outgrow it!  Your little legs hang over the edge!

You are starting to look more and more like a little baby and not an infant.  I can't believe it is happening so fast.

You play with toys!  You love toys and try to grab them.  Most of the time you are successful!  They go straight into your mouth.

You love to chew on our hands.  It makes me wonder if you aren't teething already?  You drool like a leaky faucet.  We go through lots of bibs.

You are still in a size 1 diaper, but I have a feeling those days are running out.

You are wearing all kinds of sizes of clothes, it just depends on what it is.  You can wear some things that are 0-3, all your 3 month, and some that are 3-6 months.  You are so tall that you can't straighten your legs out in your 3 month sleepers.

Your little smile lights up my world.  Truly. You have started to recognize faces. You know my face and Daddy's face for sure.  You are not scared of strangers and you will let anyone hold you or feed you.  You love everyone.

I thank God for you each and every day.  I am so thankful that you are such a happy, healthy baby.