The hardest thing...

BREASTFEEDING!

I knew that breastfeeding would be a challenge. I had heard the horror stories of pain and I knew it would be difficult when you wanted to go out. I did know. I just didn't know how difficult it would be. There are challenges I never expected.

We were doing alright until that last appointment when she was underweight. At that point I had to start pumping everything and quantifying everything she ate. That is where it started to go down hill.

Since then I have tried to breastfeed once and she wanted nothing to do with it. She has gotten used to the bottle. It makes me sad to say the least.

Pumping is more painful than I thought it would be or should be. Maybe I am doing it wrong?

My supply is also still very low. I have not been able to get it up through pumping or these supplements I have started taking. It is very discouraging. I have thought about giving up since I am unable to produce what she needs, but I know every bit helps.

I am thinking about calling and meeting with the lactation specialist about all of my "issues". If we could work out the supply I think I would be more encouraged to work through the pain or try to wean her off the bottle.

Prayers in this area would be much appreciated. This is where I am struggling the most.


In other areas...Life with a 3.5 week old....

She sleeps! She wakes every 3 hours for a feeding. Craig will warm her bottle, change her, and feed her. I go pump while she eats.

Her belly button fell off Friday night (10/14) while pawpaw and nana were babysitting. To say I was sad is an understatement. I feel like I missed her first milestone.

Sunday (10/16) we gave her a real bath for the first time. She absolutely LOVED it. With the sponge baths she would cry while we bathed her. She was cold. When we went to give her this bath she whimpered while we undressed her, but as soon as we sat her in the warm water she was completely relaxed and content. She sat there and let me bathe her. She loves her hair washed. It was a great experience.

Craig and I had our fist date night on the 14th. We ate at Chuy's and saw Courageous GREAT movie! Pawpaw and nana had a great time babysitting Peyton. We did miss her, but we didn't call to check on her! So proud :)

Peyton took her first road trip to Huntsville on Sunday. We went to church and lunch with the family. They loved showing her off. Everyone loves our baby girl!

She is changing so much. It is exciting to watch and sad all at the same time. She is getting so big. She is so alert. She loves to look right at us. If you talk she will turn her head towards you. She definitely knows mommy and daddy.

Her last weights were...10/11 6lbs 14.5oz and yesterday 10/17 we weighted her at Dr Mitchell's and she was 7lbs 11oz! She is going to be a chunky monkey at this rate :)

She loves to lay out and stretch and squirm. I let her do it several times a day and it will last about an hr before she is tired of it.

She went to the race for the cure Saturday! She was such a good girl! We didn't do the race, but we had a great time. Next year we will participate. This year we need a little more healing time so that we do not over do it.

We fall more in love with her every day. I am excited to watch her grow!