The norovirus taught me.

If you read my germs post, it seems that we just can't catch a break around here.  What we thought was just a 24 hour bug that Leeland had, turned out to be norovirus.... And we all got it.  Here's a totally TMI list for your entertainment of what the norovirus has taught me.

1. If one person in the family gets it, we all get it.  We would like to think that little Hayden was spared from the virus, but honestly he spits up and poops all the time as it is so how would we know if he had it?
2. We need softer toilet paper.
3. A 3rd crib sheet would be a great investment for times like this when I'm constantly washing messy sheets.
4. I should chew my food more. (Yea, I went there.)
5. In reference to #2, Desitin is not just for babies and works well for adults as well.
6. Sleep is the best healer.
7. When Mom is out of commission, it takes a toddler approximately 15 minutes to completely demolish the living room.
8. You can mix Pedialyte with ANYTHING, including milk should your 2 year old scream and beg for it.
9. Pedialyte is not just for children.
10. Our house is due for a MAJOR disinfect of germs.

Germs.

2 1/2 weeks before Hayden was born, Leeland came down with a pretty terrible cold.  I happen to think that it was one of the worst ones he has had in his short (just under) 2 years.  It lingered around forever.  He passed it to me-- 2 weeks before Hayden's arrival, I was put on antibiotics for a sinus infection.  It was terrible.... Being sick and pregnant.  I can't even describe how miserable I was feeling.  It mostly cleared up in just enough time for Hayden to make his big entrance.  Leeland's cold however was still lingering and by this time, Daniel had caught it himself, and I had a lingering cough.  3 of us sick with a newborn.  It was inevitable for Hayden to get sick.  At 9 days of life, I rushed him to the ER because he was so congested and having a hard time breathing.  He was diagnosed with RSV.  I spent 2 nights in the hospital with him while he (his oxygen mostly) was being monitored.  Once we were released from the hospital, Leeland's cold started to get better. Now it was time for Daniel, Hayden and I to get over it.  Slowly Daniel and I started to get better.  Then Leeland came down with a stomach virus-- thankfully just a 24 hour bug, but there was lots of throwing up, and several loads of laundry done.  The next night (after Leeland was better) Daniel got the stomach bug-- only his was a little more than just throwing up. 

Now Leeland is better, I am all better, Daniel is getting over his stomach bug (but mostly better), and Hayden still has some lingering mucus from his RSV but is doing much better.... It's been hit after hit for a month and a half.  We have NEVER dealt with this many viruses/illnesses.  My only guess is that it has something to do with Leeland being much older and having lots of play dates, and subsequently he is at an age where he is actually playing WITH other children. I'm so exhausted and frustrated with all these germs we keep passing around.  All I have to say is....

Welcome Spring!

Please be kind to us!  

1 month breastfeeding.

www.asustainingbond.org

 Tomorrow marks Hayden being 1 month old! I feel like I want to dance that we've made it a month, because it has been quite the adjustment and then a part of me feels sad that it went by so fast in such a blur.  I will say with great excitement and enthusiasm that breastfeeding this time around has been much easier!

With Leeland we had latch issues.  He would scream and scream and be ready to eat, but we had the absolute hardest time getting him to latch to the breast.  The couple days we spent in the hospital, even the nurses had difficulty getting him to eat.  I was sore, blistered and bruised because even if he had a bad latch, I would leave him, so that he was at least getting something.  Once we got home from the hospital, he went a span of about 8-10 hours without eating.  I called the hospital and because all lactation consultants are anti-anything but the breast, they suggested me pumping a little and giving him breast milk from a medicine dropper.  The boy was starving, it wasn't helping, he was screaming and wanted food.  I made the executive decision to pump a bottle and give it to him.  He was hooked.... hooked on the bottle, and not me.  We exclusively pumped for at least 3-4 weeks and he eventually started heading back to the breast with the help of a "nipple shield."  It was hard work-- a newborn as is, is hard work.  At about 3 months, I was beyond exhausted. I had worn myself out, been with him ALL the time, asked for no help..... I went through Postpartum Depression.  Lost my milk supply and became even more devastated. I mean, I couldn't even feed my own child-- I called myself a horrible mom, I felt embarrassed that I had failed at breastfeeding.  I felt embarrassed that I had depression. I was miserable. 

www.asustainingbond.org

Having such a terrible time the 1st go at breastfeeding, I was nervous about how Hayden would do.  So far, Hayden has fed like a champ.  He latched to the breast within 30 minutes of being out of the womb and hasn't stopped much since. (Haha!)  I remember Daniel saying at the hospital that was one of the things he had prayed about-- bless him.  Daniel had such a rough time watching me try and try to feed Leeland, not to mention hearing him scream.  He had even jumped in and was helping me try to get him latched. (Wonderful hubby!)  Praise the Lord, this time has been easier.  The only blister I have gotten this time was sadly from my breast pump (wrong size shield) and was all better within a couple of days.  Hayden has had only 3 bottles since being born (breast milk in them), and he has transitioned back to the breast after having the bottle with great ease.  He is showing some signs of reflux, Leeland had GERD as well when he was young so it wouldn't be surprising, but it could just be since he has been sick.  It has been a much different experience this time!  I still wouldn't venture to say that breastfeeding is easy, but it's nice to know that it can be easier.  I'm loving this special time with the little dude even though it does take a lot out of me right now.  The goal is a year, but I'm trying not to get stuck on it with my past and knowing that anything could happen.  And I'm also being hopeful and optimistic that we could potentially make it over a year.

Our Cloth Diaper Stash.

Since the arrival of our 2nd little dude, our cloth diaper stash has really grown.  Having two kiddos in such a short span of time, 2 little boys under the age of 2, that means 2 tushes that need diapers.  I had hoped to get the potty training train going a little for Leeland prior to Hayden's arrival, but he isn't interested right now.  I hear that little boys take a little longer.... And to be honest, it's probably a blessing, potty training is hard work on a Momma and takes incredible diligence and with a lot of my effort going into a newborn right now, it's one less thing on my plate.  I've been wanting to get some shots of our stash for a while now, but all of the diapers aren't typically clean at once-- so here is the majority of it.....

The following diapers are currently used for Leeland...
22 one-size bumGenius 4.0's
2 one-size Kawaii diapers
2 one-size Bamboo Kawaii diapers
1 one-size diaper without a name
2 one-size Charlie Banana diapers
2 one-size Fuzzibunz

....And these diapers are used for Hayden right now
24 Oso Cozy size small unbleached indian prefolds
5 Thirsties diaper covers (4 are duo size 1's and 1 is an extra small)

Also not pictured we have 2 dozen size medium Green Mountain prefold diapers, along with about 7 size medium and size large covers (combination of Bummis and Thirsties).  These prefolds were purchased when we first started cloth diapering Leeland at 6 months old.  Then he got to moving around a lot, and we upgraded to the one-size pocket diapers so that they were easier to wrestle on him.  Hayden will grown into them soon enough and until then, we tri-fold the prefolds and stuff them into a pocket diaper for night time use for Leeland. 

We also have over 50 cloth wipes, about 85% are handmade from receiving blankets.  And we have 3 wet bags, (a Planet Wise, a Bummis and a Thirsties). 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

From Saint Patrick's Breastplate...

Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ in me
Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right
Christ on my left
Christ where I lie
... Christ where I sit
Christ where I arise
Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of every man
who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me
Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord.

 

 

Hayden's birth announcement.

I discovered a really awesome shop on Etsy.  It's sara luke creative and she sells all kinds of neat invitations and announcements.  We ordered Hayden's birth announcement from her last week, and then loved her stuff so much, we also ordered Leeland's birthday invitations from her.  (Because next month we'll have a 2 year old.)  So I already posted Hayden's cute newborn pictures, so here's the adorable announcement!