Saturday, April 10, 2010

Not a lot of Knitting in Ptown

I have so much to say, and no idea where to begin. So I will write a little today, and maybe I'll feel a little better.

I finished the race last month! My goal was to finish it before they closed the course, and I succeeded. In fact, I completed 13.1 miles in a little under 3 hours. (Just for fun: they close the course after 4 hours.) Then, I thought I was going to die. For about 7 hours, I wanted to throw up. I felt like I had the flu. In the meantime, I was throwing a party for my four year old. I was fun that evening. Finally, I managed to eat some birthday cake and I was healed! Guess a little sugar can go a long way.

HokieBabyGirl hasn't been gaining weight these past two months. At her 4 month checkup, she was 10# 2oz and just below the bottom 3% curve. That was about where she had been all along. At 6 months and 2 weeks, she was 10# 4oz. She fell not only off her curve, but off the chart. She gained 2 ounces in 2 1/2 months. Not good. Her pediatrician wants me to supplement with formula and come back for a weight check. I am working with a Lactation Consultant, supplementing my diet, pumping frequently, and supplementing HBG with pumped milk, formula, and fatty solids. Turns out, she kind of likes avocado mixed with rice cereal and formula.

I'm a little stressed out about it. I'm trying not to post anything about it on facebook. My mom and dad follow my facebook page, and I think my mom is mad at me for not just putting HBG on formula and getting over it. I don't like formula. I nursed two babies successfully for a year after rough starts and I'm not giving up on this one. I can do this. I have the desire, the support of my husband, professional assistance, and time at home to do this. What I don't need is to hear things like, "formula isn't that bad; I agonized over it for you and your sister; it's come a long way in 30 years." The bottom line is this: I want what is best for my baby, and I believe with all my heart that breastmilk is best. If I cannot bring my milk supply back to where it must be to feed my daughter, then I will do what needs to be done for her to thrive.

Needless to say, there is not a lot of knitting going on around here. Oh well.

3 comments:

JessicaRose said...

I know you can do this. you are an awesome mom. You have a fabulously supportive husband. You two know whats best for your babies. Sometimes extended family just doesn't know when to back off.

I know that if it comes down to the hard choices you'll be able to make them. But you'll always regret if you make them first. Its giving up. And its just not in your nature.

love you girlie!

Jen said...

Hi Val. Just dropping by to offer some supportive words. You can do it!! Also, I'm sure that you have seen this already, but on kellymom.com there are some articles on techniques to increase your supply. Thinking of you!

OLLIE MCKAY'S ~ A Chic Boutique said...

Love that your family is all Little Hokies!! :)) Our daughter was and always will be a Hokie!! (Although she graduated elsewhere from Nursing school!!) Sounds like you have a grand family! Keep up the good work! Think you're in Portsmouth?? I'm in Williamsburg! Haven't been over your way for a few months - How's the "Old Towne" area doing?