Documenting Life

Last night we took another leap into full-fledged toddler hood.  We took down the rail on the crib and Macie slept in a 'toddler' bed. 

While she never climbed out of her crib (unless she climbed back in, ha!), she was showing signs that she was ready to.  She would put her foot up to the bar (which when standing was NOT a far way to go). 
I didn't get a picture of her in her bed (I'm sure that will come) but she was SO happy about this bed.  We were nervous she would get out and not sleep, so we connected an old monitor to her room, but she didn't seem to have any problems sleeping.  Now, who knows if this was a one night fluke and now she'll realize that she is free, but for now, we'll call it a success.  Today's nap should be interesting.
I'm figuring there will be a lot of changes in her little life soon.  Mostly just related to growing up!  I intend to see about getting her potty trained by the end of the summer...She'll probably be in the real twin bed by the end of the summer (maybe?!), no more high chairs..?  Sometimes she eats in it, sometimes she doesn't.  Mostly she does. 
So we're working on a lot of changes.  And that doesn't even mention little Penelope.  She is just a darling addition, and some nights she has let me sleep for 4 1/2 hours in a row (which feels glorious).  Last night was not one of those nights, but DH got up in the morning so I was able to sleep from 9pm until 12:45am, again from 1:30 until 4, and then from 4:45 until about 7.  That's actually a lot of sleep.  It's just not very good sleep.  Ha.  But I'll still take it.  She's a full 3 weeks old, AND I should update that at Wednesday's weight check appointment she was 6lbs 14 oz.  If you count, that means she gained 13 oz in just 5 days.  Um, apparently she was hungry.  So we're still breastfeeding and then supplimenting 'round the clock here.  It seems to be going well.  We have another dr. appointment on Monday.  That will tell us if she's still growing well.  Oh, and she was 21 1/4 inches long.  THat put her at 8% for weight and 75% for height.  I have a feeling that in no time she'll have chubby cheeks like her sister, perfect for kissing and squeezing.  I still haven't taken a picture for birth announcements that I love, but I figure I have a few more months before I need to send that stuff out.  We'll do big, professional family pictures in November.
Enjoy the weekend!  We're off to cousin Logan's first birthday party later today.  Should be fun and hopefully lots of pictures.

Easter

 Here is Macie holding Penny.  We had a dress pre-purchased for Penny that was a size 0-3 months, but I'm telling you, she was swimming in it.  So this was a day-before purchased outfit from Carters.

 Can you believe how big she is!  She's practically a grown up!

And here's our family of four.  I'm blown away that Easter of 2010 we were expecting, Easter 2011 Macie was 11 months old and Easter 2012 we have two daughters, 22 months and 1 1/2 weeks.  God's timing is so much better than I could've imagined.
I hope you guys had a great Easter Sunday.  We had lunch with my Aunt and family, but Macie was the only one at the right age to do the Easter egg hunt.  I think she enjoyed the chocolate part though.  She woke up this morning asking for a piece (she only had one piece yesterday by the way).  A girl after my own heart.

Okay, baby is crying (I had about 20 minutes where both girls were asleep), so I'd better go get her. Happy 2012 Spring!

weight check woes

Yesterday we took Penny for her 2 week appointment.  I have been exclusively breastfeeding, and unlike last time, I thought things were going well.  One week after she was born she weighed 6lb 3 oz.  At yesterday's doctor appointment she should've been back to her birthweight (6lb 10oz).  So at her appointment when she weighed 6lb 1oz, we all freaked out.
Do you guys see that?  She was way below where she should've been.  This put Penny in the 3% for weight.  This is not good. 
When the nurse weighed her, DH and I instantly knew this was going to be a problem and a big deal.  After the nurse left but before the doctor came in I nursed Penny (it always takes a while for the pediatrician, but she's really good and worth the wait).  When she came in she was her usual fast talking self, and when she looked at the chart electronically and saw her weight, she became very serious.  She thought it was good that I was feeding her, we could weigh her when I was done and see what she took from me. 
The Doctor gave Penny the full check up and besides her weight, everything was good.
So we weighed her after I fed her.  How much did she gain?  Half and ounce.  Half.An.Ounce.
So as we are getting ready to go, the nurse who weighed her stepped out and told the doctor.  The doctor was so concerned that she instructed the nurse to get a bottle and have us feed Penny right then and there.  The Doctor came back in with a whole new set of instructions.  She was very concerned that we don't have a lot of wiggle room to figure out Penny's weight situation.  She gave me detailed instructions about feeding Penny for 5 minutes on each side, and then pumping (to increase my supply) while DH or someone gives her a bottle of however much she'll take. 
I felt awful.  Now, I've been through this before, with Macie.  But I just thought that since Penny's diapers were looking normal (lots of pees and poops.  Macie had gotten to the point where she had crystals in her diapers and a brick dust looking type of output), that she was doing fine.  I had just gotten used to the idea that Penny was going to be dependent on me, solely, for her food.  I liked leaving the house and not taking anything other than the hooter hider.  I was really sad, and almost lost it a few times in the dr. office, but I was able to hold it together until we got to the car.
And here's the thing with pumping to increase my supply.  I spent 3 months doing that with Macie, and it just.didn't.work.  I hated it.  I spent hours hooked up like a cow while other people cuddled my sweet baby.  I don't want to do that again. 
Just to see, I skipped a feeding yesterday while Penny had a bottle and I pumped.  Combined?  I got less than one full ounce. 
So, where does that leave us?
I am going to continue breastfeeding.  I am going to give Penny all the milk I have.  5 minutes on each side.  Then, I am going to give her a bottle.  however much she'll take.  And that will be all.  In addition to how I feel about pumping, DH is going back to work on monday, and I don't see how I can take care of a toddler and baby while pumping.  One time would be fine, but that just made it a 40 minute feeding session each time.  So I don't logistically think I could pump every time even if I wanted to.
We are going back on Wednesday for a weight check, and then the following Monday to see the dr. again and evaluate her weight gain. 
This is scary.  I hate feeling like I'm not enough, BUT, I love knowing that at least now she's going to eat everything she needs.  I just want her to be healthy no matter what.  And I'm not stopping breastfeeding.  I'm simply supplimenting with formula. 

Completely un-realated.  Happy Easter.  We had our Good Friday service last night and I'm blown away by Christ's sacrifice.  If you haven't made plans for tomorrow morning, find your local church and stop by.  You won't be sorry you did.

How it's going...

Honestly, it's going great.  Having 2 kids has been fun so far.  My oldest is almost 23 months, and I'll tell ya, she looks like a GIANT.  Not that she is one, but she just looks like one.  Her face and head look so.big.  Comparing the two of them on the changing table just cracks me up.  We've certainly got to start potty training soon because when I see Macie's diapers after seeing Penny's diapers, Macie's seem a lot less cute.  Ha.  Not that poop is ever cute, but it definately gets more gross as the kids eat real food.
So far, breastfeeding is going well, but Penny's two week dr. appointment is on Friday.  I need to make sure she is back up to her birthweight by then.  I'm thinking she's doing okay because her output is good.  Lots of wet and stinky diapers, so that's good.  I'm hopeful for good weight news at her appointment.
I haven't lost much weight yet.  Probably about 10 pounds.  I've got at least 25 more to go, and I'd like to weigh even less than what I started at.  But I don't want to start dieting quite yet either - not until I have a firm grasp on my milk.  I'll start exercising (lightly) in a few weeks, but until then, walking around the mall is one of my ways of getting out and about.

Dh has been home ever since Penny was born, and it's been wonderful.  On Monday he goes back to work, and I'm thinking that is when the true test will be of how I'm doing.  Can I honestly get two kids through the day by myself? I'll soon find out!
Sleep hasn't been too bad.  I go to bed as soon as Penny does.  So between 8 and 9 (whenever she feeds) I put her in her crib and go to bed myself.  Last night she slept from about 10 until 2:15 (woo hoo!) and then from about 2:45 until 6 (Double Woo Hoo!).  So that felt so decadent.  That's almost 2 four hour stretches.  Exactly all I could hope for. I'm hoping for a repeat performance tonight...we'll see.
That's all for now.  I hope it's an amazing Easter for everyone.  He is Risen!