On a Roll...

So I've been on a roll... or a groove rather, if you want to call it that, for 2 days now. It's been 2 days of successful breastfeeding (with the occasional bottle when I am out of the house). My milk supply seems to be very sufficient, and I am very happy about that. I don't really have a "stash" but hope to be able to create enough of one, so that I have milk for when we got out - but don't have to pump right before leaving. That would be nice.

Sean's Ocean Wonders crib toy seems to be only half working. Yannick, Jenn's husband installed it on Saturday night while they were over visiting, and we cehcked the batteries - they all tested good. Now, only the music and the lights work, the bubbles and the fish that are supposed to move on a track - don't move. I'm going to have to get Jamie to look at it this weekend, I don't understand why it doesn't work?

I am really worried about Sean's bowel movements. He hasn't had one in almost 24 hours, and if I don't see one soon, I'm going to have to use the thermometer trick that the hospital told me about (when I called shortly after being released from the hospital).

My order from Amazon.ca came last night, wasn't expecting it for another 2 weeks (due to a book that said 10-14 days for shipping) and I received:

- Knit 2 Together by Tracey Ullman & Mel Clark
- Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (They're making this into a movie - Julia Roberts is staring in it! I can't wait!)
- The Wedding Girl: When 'i Do' Gives You Deja Vu It Could Be a Problem... by Madeleine Wickham

Now, as soon as I have some time, I have a bunch of books I want to read, and a bunch of stuff I want to knit. It should be soon that I will start getting into my groove - it's slowly starting, but not quite there yet. Everyone keeps reassuring me it will happen - being a new mother for the first time, I'm slowly learning & getting there! Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I suppose I could read while nursing, instead of surfing the net! (Well - that's technically reading too - right?)

What I Would Look Like As An M&M

Today I had the pleasure of playing around with creating my own M&M character. If I were an M&M - this is what I'd look like: (Pink of course)!


I tried creating my own scene (yes there is a penguin on the beach!!) but for some reason it wouldn't let me save it without these lines around the M&M girl.. Oh well. You get the idea.

Click here to create your own M&M character! How fun!

Took some fun photos this evening:

I love this pillow. I don't know what it's called (perhaps Boppy?) and it;s great for breastfeeding, and we just started using it to hold Sean in sitting positions - which he likes. His favourite spot? Watching The Simpsons on TV.

And of course, our Habs fan!

I found a cleaning lady! My mom's cleaning lady has a friend who can come clean my house this Saturday. I'm sooooo excited for someone else to do a once-over of my entire place. If I like her work then I'll perhaps keep her number incase I need to use her again, but it won't be a regular basis thing. If I had a bigger house, then maybe, but for the regular maintenance stuff as soon as Sean starts sleeping through the night and allowing me more sleep I'll be able to get back ontop of my chores again! But right now, I'm just too tired.

So I want to share some good news! It's now been over 24 hours, I've been breastfeeding the "normal" way. I have NOT pumped a bottle for Sean's feeding in over 24 hours. He did get 1 bottle of formula today, because he was hungry and I needed to get out to the grocery store and pick up stuff for dinner before it got too late, and I didn't have time to start sitting down for a feeding on the boob. So far things are going well, and I hope that it continues that way. I hope that I will be able to start creating a "stash" soon, so that I have supply of breastmilk incase I want to go out and leave Sean with Jamie or whatnot. Or even go out with Sean to places where I wouldn't feel comfortable breastfeeding, etc.

I'm considering going knitting tomorrow night, we'll see how I feel. I have a friend coming over in the afternoon to see us and I'll see how I feel closer to dinner time. I do want to get some knitting time though, and see some friends!

I got my Lorna's Laces in the mail today, that I won from the final SP9 contest that Patty my hostess held. Thank you again Patty! It's awesome. Now I need to find a project to do with it! I have 70g of Shepard Sport Weight in Color 24, Happy Valley. It has purple in it - but honestly, for some reason, that doesn't bother me. I don't think I'm allowing purple back into my life for good, but maybe just this once! Ha!

Alright, must get sleep! It's all I can think about these days.

The Explosion

This morning I had my postpartum apt with my doctor. It went well and he says I have healed very nicely (from my episiotomy). Everyone loved Sean, and I think I perfer my first thing in the morning appointment than a 10 am one. My doctor was so far behind, it took forever for a quick check-up. I thought I was never getting out of there!! Everything though is good and I'm on micronor while I'm breastfeeding.

Today, while preparing lunch, a bowl, that was part of a set that we had on our wedding registry, exploded in the microwave. Now, Jamie & I absolutely HATE these bowls, because they are stamped with MICROWAVE & DISHWASH SAFE on the bottom, yet, they chip in the dishwasher and they heat up in the microwave. Yes, you read that correctly. THEY HEAT UP in the microwave, and the food barely does. So it results in a HOT HOT HOT plate, (I've burned my fingers numerous times) and cold food still on your plate. This explosion in the microwave today was the last straw. I'm calling up the registry department (at the Baie) to get the contact info for the customer service of this company that makes the bowls. I'll see where I get with that.

This afternoon I took some pictures of Sean while killing time at my parent's house before picking up Jamie from the airport:

This angle makes Sean look like he has Chubby Cheeks! He really doesn't! But, it looks like he does! Very cute, I think!

Tonight we have Heroes, 24 and the Habs on TV (They're retiring Ken Drydan's number tonight). So I'm off to go feed Sean, and chill and watch some TV. I am sooo zonked from a weekend of parenthood on my own (I really feel for those mothers whom have to do it on their own all the time, I don't think I would be able to do it). I don't mind if Jamie goes on business once in a while, but with a newborn, it's very demanding waking up in the middle of the night every 2-3 hours. I've been getting no sleep and I'm beyond zonked!

One Month

Sean is one month old today. I cannot believe where time has gone! As I said on Thursday when Sean reached 4 weeks old, I cannot believe it, and it feels like just yesterday that he was born. His own unique personality is starting to be apparent when he's not sleeping. We've been blessed with a fantastic baby, who only fusses when he's hungry or naked during a diaper change. (I wouldn't want to be naked either! It's cold!) My love for this little guy is beyond what words can even describe.

Today I feel better than yesterday. Yesterday I was just beyond tired. I got a bit more sleep today than I did yesterday, but it's hard with Jamie out of town, and I'm doing all the wakings in the middle of the night myself. When Jamie's around, we share the getting up and feeding. Oh, and once I'm up at the 7 ish a.m. feeding, chances are I'm not going back to sleep after that.

I got some knitting done today (and last night) and my Column of Leaves Scarf is starting to take shape. I will photograph it shortly and show it's progress! It's looking snazzy! I love it! It's a lace pattern and not something I could memorize, so I have to follow the pattern VERY carefully. But I'm really enjoying it! Pictures coming soon! Promise!

This evening I had dinner at my parents house, and then my sister is now over and she's spending the night. Last night was kind of freaky in the middle of the night, getting up to feed Sean in the middle of the night, alone. Even with my alarm on the house on, any little noise - even if it was just one of the cats - freaked me out! Tonight I'll sleep easier!

Tomorrow is my postpartum apointment with my OB. I'm sure everything is going well, so it should be a very quick appointment. I'm spending the day with my sister (and Sean of course!), and then Sean and I are off to the airport to pick up Jamie.

Off to go watch TV with my sister. Goodnight!

My Angel

I did not get a good night's sleep last night. I just couldn't sleep comfortably, and had to wake up to feed Sean (obviously) so I only got about 5 hours (max) of sleep. I'm not even sure it was that much.

Today I ran some errands with my mother, and my father watched Sean for me. I got a lot accomplished today, even though I have a ton more errands to run still this weekend, things that I need to cross off my to-do list. I got Sean a bunch of new clothes at Walmart & at Zellers today (thanks to a gift card at Zellers) and I can't wait for this kid to start fitting into things! He's going to make one handsome kid!

Here are some pictures I took of Sean before heading out on those errands today:

Wide awake before a nap...

Fast asleep just before I left...

And here is Sean being watched by Bosco.

These are a pair of mittens my grandmother knitted up for Sean, so that his hands don't get cold in this nasty cold Montreal weather. Aren't they just the sweetest things!

Tonight, my cousin Jenn & her hubby came over to hang out with me and see Sean. Jenn got some baby holding (and practice time) with Sean... (she's due in May with her first baby, a boy also!) We watched the movie Flushed Away (what a great cartoon movie! I loved it!) and Yannick helped me put together this Ocean Wonder's musical thing on Sean's crib. Sean loved it so much at my parents house (my mom has one on her crib) that I finally gave in and had Yannick help me put it on tonight:

So we took a picture of Sean with it!

Yannick also helped me figure out my new humidifier (my house is dry) and also my Safety First Diaper Genie thing. It's not that or too complicated, I'm just overtired and instructions don't mean much to me!

After Jenn & her hubby left, I cleaned up my stuff from the weekend, and then FINALLY opened the two parcels that came for me as I was walking out the door on Friday to my parents house. I WISH I had opened these on Friday, but... just didn't have the time.

I received my amazon.ca order with the Stitchionaries and Knitting for Peace. I can't wait to go through them and start reading them!

And then I got my package from my Secret Pal 9 Angel! It turns out, that Shelley, who I was spoiling - spoiled me back! Wow! That's all I have to say. Look at the amazing stuff that Shelley has sent me. It was too thoughtful of her:


Opal sock yarn (she has an online Opal shop)! I even got a ball of my fave color (the pink one) in 4 ply! Been looking for that like crazy, and Shelley had told me that it's not available (was that a plot to get me to not look for any so she could send me some?

I got gum, I'm a HUGE gum chewer, and some candies (that I love!)

Shelley took the time to knit me Irish Hiking Pattern gauntlets (I love them!) and she also sent a cell phone toy for Sean (which he loves already!)

I got 2 magazines and a journal (I love journals and notebooks!)

She sent along some patterns.... I can't wait to knit them up!

And here is the loot! Beads, cinnamon candles, hot chocolate, more yarn, tea, lipgloss, face masks, bath stuff, Sharpie markers in my fave 2 colours! Air freshner for my car and vanilla soap.

And the last (but not least) two items, that I wanted to show in detail are:

Some awesome stitch markers (I collect stitch marker) and this HANDKNIT by Shelley sock keychain! How awesome is that?!!

Thank you sooo very much Shelley. Everything was thoughtful and you put a lot of work into putting this package together for me. I thank you a million times over! Thanks for being my Secret Pal 9 Angel when my original pal couldn't come through for me. It really means a lot to me that you wanted to do this for me!

Alright, my eyes are starting to close on me. I must get sleep before Sean's next feeding!

I Heart Baby Gap

This morning after dropping off my husband at the airport early morning, I came home, got some meals ready for Sean (meaning I pumped out two bottles) and then headed to spend the day in the west island of Montreal. I first stopped by my old work, and had them do a passport picture for Sean (which now, I've learned, that if you're driving into the USA you do not need a passport, the passport is ONLY if you're flying into the USA) (I'm going to double check this, because I don't want to show up at the border for a wedding we have in the USA in March, to have problems at the border because Sean doesn't have a passport. (I can't get his passport until he gets his birth certificate - which should be soon). Anyhow, my old place of work did a HORRIBLE job with TWO sets of passport photos, that I'm mailing them back to them, and asking for a refund. (It's out of my way to go to them with a baby and being 20-25 minutes from my house - more with traffic). Anyhow, while out at the mall this afternoon with my mom & grandmother, we checked at the passport office, and they were refused. (I knew before even asking, that they'd be refused - I mean come on, I worked there for over a year, and then in another photo store for another 2 years, I know how to take PROPER passport pictures, so I knew that they would be rejected). I don't even know why I left the store and paid for them. I think that was my mistake #1... Ugh.

Anyhow, I spent the afternoon at the mall with my mom, grandmother & Sean. That was fun. I had some gift certificates to Baby Gap, so I spent them, and got Sean a lot of really cute pants, and tops and sweaters, and all kinds of cute articles. Oh, I can't wait for him to grow, so he can find into them! Just a few more pounds for him to gain! Oh, he'll be my handsome little man!

It was fun just walking around the mall, having an ice cream, and no worries on my mind (besides when the next feeding will be, and if he has a dirty diaper)!

This evening I had dinner with my parents, grandmother & sister, and then we tried to watch the movie The Night Listener on DVD and boy, what a CRAPPY movie. It reminded my of an episode of Law & Order: I think SVU. I'm determined to figure out which episode it is - but that will be tomorrow, I'm tired. We never made it to the end of the movie, and it's only an hour and a half movie!

Jamie's working at the Toronto Toy Fair until Monday, so I'm surrounding myself by friends & family this entire weekend! And, I'll also take some relax/chill time for myself. Sounds like a plan!

This morning, as I was walking out the door (literally), the postman delivered my package from Chapters.ca (Stitchionaries!) and also a package from my Secret Pal 9 Angel. I can't wait to open it up, and see what's in there as well as learn who she is! All I know, is she's Canadian, and she's a registered nurse who deals with the elderly. She's a mom, and she knits (duh!). That's all I really know about this amazing person, who has volunteered to be an Angel for SP9. I'll open the package tomorrow - upon returning home from a day of errands!

I took some pictures today, but I'll have to upload them tomorrow - I don't have my card reader with me at my parents house. So do check back tomorrow for those!

Summer Engh - Thanks for tagging me, but I've already been tagged by Barb - and did the Weird Things Meme! Thanks for thinking of me though!

Alright, I have to get up shortly to feed Sean - so more tomorrow!

Knitting Sweater Earrings

My latest creation. I don't know how I had time to bead today. LOL. I plan on listing them tomorrow in my Etsy shop (link on sidebar). I have a few pairs for sale - if anyone is interested before I list them, either leave a comment or email me here. I'm selling them for 12$. Shipping is 1.10$ to Canada and 2.00$ to the USA or local pickup. If you're interested, I'll send a paypal invoice. Aren't they adorable?

Meme: Weird Things

Barb tagged me so here goes :)

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1) I keep a "travel" cap on my toothbrush even in my own bathroom when not travelling. I'm afraid of anything touching my toothbrush and it then going into my mouth. It's the only safe way of knowing nothing will touch the bristles but my toothpaste and my mouth and water when brushing my teeth.

2) I HATE peanuts and peanut butter.

3) I am not a fan of chocolate, I rarely eat it.

4) I am not a coffee drinker.

5) I hate the color purple, and have no explanation for it.

6) I keep a notebook in my purse that I write everything in. Phone Numbers, to do lists, grocery lists, etc... And once it gets too messy (even if the notebook is NOT finished) I re-copy the still to date important stuff or not finished lists into a fresh notebook and start all over again. I like clean notebooks. Weird... I know!

I tag...

Cynthia, Jennifer, Raesha, Lainie, Andrea, Patty, Shelley, Jenny, Kadi, & Marga. (That's more than 6 people, but who cares!) (Let me know if you've done it, I'll tag someone else!)

4 Weeks

I cannot understand where time goes? It's been 4 weeks since Sean's birth (he officially is a month old on Sunday the 28th). It feels like just yesterday I gave birth, but cannot understand that it's been a full 4 weeks. I've seen Sean grow out of his "newborn" face and into his "baby" face in the past 4 weeks and finally gain some weight! We've had sleepless nights, and nights full of sleep, smiles (that are probably gas) and lots of cries too. It's been a challenge, being "first time" new parents and all, but we're getting the hang of it, althought we've been winging it most of the time. We've learned a lot as we've been going along, and learning new things about ourselves and our capabilities. I love being a mother, and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world... even on those nights were I get no sleep!

I took a bunch of photos of Sean today, 4 weeks of being on planet earth:

I love how Sean's starting to be alot alert during the day, and is starting to be curious about things. I love showing him himself in the mirror - it's just too cute. (Like when I do the "self portraits" of the two of us together in the mirror - he's fascinated with what he sees!) I can't wait until he starts playing with things, it's going to be so much fun!

What is it with people and not wanting to give out therir housekeeper/house cleaner's phone number? I've been looking around for someone to come ONCE to our house next weekend to clean our house (do a once-over) since I've been lacking in the housekeeping department since giving birth (and a bit before being 8-9 months pregnant) and it's as if it's a dirty little secret and no one wants to share their cleaning lady! I'm probably going to have to call like Mini-menage or CleanSweepers or something (who send like 4 people at one time) to clean up before Sean's Pidyan Haben (more about that later on, I don't feel like getting into that right now - but if you are curious, you can read up about the tradition here).

Today I had a bit of an "off" day, and told off this guy from Bell Canada when he called. They keep on calling for Jamie's best friend Marc, who owned the phone line when Jamie lived with him for 2 years. That was up until I moved in with Jamie in May of 2003. So, that was almost 4 years ago this spring. They KEEP calling. I KEEP telling them that Marc no longer owns the phone line. I tell them to take the number off the calling list. That I am not interested in their services. If they could offer me cheaper rates and airmiles like Primus does, then maybe I'll consider it. But they can't. And then they keep calling back for Marc. It's goddamn annoying. So today, I finally snapped at the guy on the phone, and you know what it resulted in? Him telling me he's going to call me EVERY friggin' day. I hope that's not the case, because I'll call up Bell Canada Customer Service and give them a piece of my mind....

My package from Chapters.ca didn't arrive today, I'm hoping it comes tomorrow...! Mmmm Stitchionary!!

Lilypadz & Skip Hop Dash

Today while on my way out to do some errands, I saw that gas was at 91.1 cents per liter. The sign looked like 9-1-1 --> as if you'd be calling the police, and I thought it was funny, so while at a red light I managed to snag a photograph... I thought it was pretty funny:

The main purpose of leaving the house today was the fact that I absolutely HATE my diaper bag. It's just not practical for me right now. It probably will be good to go for walks or to the park, but for a full day out on the town - it's just not got enough room. So... I splurged and got myself this new bag by Skip Hop:

I picked out the Olive colored one, with the orange trim, since my stroller is brown. Now, they have a brown one, except it's got a PINK trim, and though I like pink - I have a baby boy. Pink no good for that! Anyhow, it's a pretty snazzy bag, and it even has clips to go on my stroller, so that I do NOT need to put it UNDER the stroller in the stroller basket, which can be used for other stuff... which is great. I really like this new bag. I hope it erally is of good use. I feel really bad, because my grandmother got me the other diaper bag, and I even picked it out - it's the one that matches my stroller (same company, Graco), but how was I to know that it wan't going to be practical (just pretty to match my stoller)? You can check out the company Skip Hop here, and view their other products and read up more on the diaper bag, if you're curious or interested.

While in the store, the owner, who is due herself in March, sold me on this product:

The lilypadz are great for nursing mothers. I plan on trying them as soon as my disposable ones run out (that I already opened the pack). This new product seems great. I'll let you know if it's as great as it sounds! View their site for more information, here.

Tonight, Angela came over, we watched some TV and I got some knitting done. My Column of Leaves scarf has some progress (pictures coming soon!) After returning home from dropping off Angela and doing a quick pharmacy errand, I caught the end of the All Star's hockey game, and I was disappointed to see that the West won. We had some great players playing for us in the East (Huet, Crosby, etc...) and it was just a little disappointing. Oh well - maybe next year. I hope to be able to get tickets to the 2009 All Star's game, they're being played here in Montreal! Jamie & I are VERY VERY excited.

Took some pictures today. In tradition with my "self portraits".... here is one of Sean & I in his mirror in his room:

I just love it!
And I posed my little guy sitting up with his stuffed elephant that his 2nd cousin Jennifer made him. Sean's starting to be a lot more aware of his surroundings these days, and I love that he's starting to be more interested in things - it makes things so much more fun!

Tomorrow consists of laundry (what a surprise!) and a little bit more errands (not far from the house)... but if I don't get those errands done tomorrow - then I'm not going to be upset by it. Chapters.ca has shipped off my Stitchionaries and my Knitting for Peace - so we'll see if that comes in the mail tomorrow - that would be nice!

C'est tous pour maintenant.... Check back tomorrow for more in the life of a stay-at-home mommy & her adorable baby (okay - I'm biased!)

Doctor's Visit

No photos today. Sorry.

I've been getting a lot of wonderful comments on my blog. Thank you to everyone who comments and stops by to see how Sean's doing. I know you don't care how I'm doing - it's all about the kid - right? LOL.

I don't like leaving comments on other people's blogs in response to comments, because it probably has nothing to do with their post - and well - I just like emailing people back... so... I'm looking for these following people to toss me an email at THIS address, so I can add them to my address book!

-ttulizzy
-Maggie (not my Secret Pal 9 Maggie - but Maggie who is a mommy also -leaving me great breastfeeding advice, etc...) (Blogger doesn't allow me to access your profile, so I have no idea who you are!)

I think that's it.

Now... onto other stuff...

Lil-Rose-Thorn is hosting a swap. It's for Softies. I don't have time to make any at this moment - not with a very newborn who takes up all my time - but you can check it out here, if you are interested!

Today, I decided to order some books. They should be shipped within 24 hours, so we'll see how fast it gets here. I've been eyeing these three Vogue Knitting books for a while now... and finally decided to get them!

-Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume One: Knit & Purl: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary
-Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume Two: Cables: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary
-Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume Three: Color Knitting: The Ultimate Stitch Dictionary

and then with a recommendation from a friend to knit with, I ordered this book as well:

Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time.

I'm addicted to knitting.

I got some knitting done tonight, while watching TV. I tried knitting and pumping at the same time with the electric - didn't work out so well.... I'll have to figure it out better next time.

Today was Sean's very first check-up with his new doctor. (And possibly Jamie & I will go see her as well, she's a family practitioner. She seems very nice (and young too) her diploma on her wall is from May 2001. 5 years in the business, almost 6... she can't be that bad, can she?

Sean got weighed.... and I didn't even guess right! (No one who left comments got his weight correctly!) He's been eating like a champ, and on an average, he's been gaining almost 40 grams per day, since his last weigh in.

January 10th he weighed 2390 grams.
Today, he weighed in at 2860 grams.

2860 grams is 6.3 lbs - which is almost 6 lbs and 5 ozs. (2860 grams divided by 454 grams (which is 1 lb), is 6.3 lbs. Jamie estimated that the .3 is about 5 ozs.

So, I'm sooo happy that Sean is way more than his birth weight now, and doing well! Everything else checked out good, and he even peed on the check-up table. (His doctor says she usually gets peed on, so today she's happy it was the table, not her!)

Sean goes back in one month's time for some routine shots. That should be very interesting, and since Jamie has to work that day, my mom is going to come with me to that appointment.

That was our big outing today. Oh, and on our way home from the doctor's office we stopped to pick up a mouse trap, our tenants apparently saw a mouse in her kitchen. We ONCE had a field mouse in our house, click here for that story & the proud cat who caught it. Anyhow, we're giving it til Thursday, for the mouse to go on the trap, and then we'll decide what to do from there. It's things like this - that makes me hate being a landlord, but then things like getting rent on time that make me like being a landlord. I hope this mouse doesn't make it's way into my place... however, I'm sure Zeus wouldn't mind another catch under his belt. I wonder if I should sent Zeus upstairs for a day to try and catch it... he'd like that, I'm sure!

Post Natal Aqua

I got word that my mom's friend in Toronto, who actually co-owns my mom's purebred dane, that one of his girl's had a litter over the weekend. 9 puppies were born, all fawn's - (like scoobydoo in color) except one - a brindle male (who is pictured below this image).

Apparently, this brindle male, was the only pup who DIDN'T mind being weighed. Isn't he just the cutest? I would totally love a Great Dane, but unfortunately, my house isn't big enough for a Great Dane, my cats would be pissed off, and my hubby doesn't want a dog that is any bigger than a golden retriever or labrador. So, there goes my dreams of wanting a Great Dane. (They're just such beautiful dogs).

Today I ordered this above book for Sean. Basically it's a photo album but on soft cover, that babies CAN put in their mouth - because that's what babies do. They put things in their mouth. This way, I can put pictures of Sean's family into the album, and he can know who loves him! (Like we don't tell him enough already. I make sure DAILY to tell him that I love him, and that his daddy loves him). My nephew has this fantastic book, and he still to this (I'm pretty sure) day flips through it (he's 4 now).

Jamie and I have been listening to a LOT of Sesame Street (Thank you Lindsay!) and Sharon, Lois & Bram, Baby Einstein, Raffi amongst other children's music. Jamie has this obsession with the Pinball Song. It's the first song on one of the cd's we have, and Jamie found the video from the original Sesame Street broadcast on youtube. Here is it below:

Click here to view.

I went out this afternoon on a few errands, and got to Walmart, but forgot my Walmart bill at home. I did have a few other things to pick up there, but the main reason for going was the return. Have you ever done that? I was soooo mad at myself for doing that. I know I'll be back at Walmart again soon (I feel like there is always something I need there), but still! I had every intention of doing that return today!

Tonight I went to POST-Natal Aqua. Boy it felt great to get back into the water! It's the same class as the pre-natal aqua that I took - and I missed my girlies! One girl, that I made friends with - is almost in her 38th week. WOW! Time flies. And another is almost in her 37th! I remember when these girls still had weeks left to go - and they were admiring my ALMOST baked belly! Now, I get to admire theirs! I shared my stories tonight, I hope I didn't scare any of the girls, but boy did I preach EPIDURAL! Ha ha! It's all about the epidural!

So - someone left a comment last night on my blog about Fenugreek - a herbal remedy that may be able to help with my breastmilk production. I plan on picking up some tomorrow (my local pharmacy that has herbal items was all out - so I'll be in the area of another store tomorrow), but while talking to a herbalist - who was on duty at the pharmacy while I was there - (I didn't know such thing exist), I am trying a liquid called Fenouil - which is from the vegetable Fennel (I love eating this!) and it's supposed to a) help with breastmilk production, and b) help lose weight! I learned something new today. Also - Fenouil has a bunch of calcium and vitamin C and other stuff in it - which is good for Sean as well - to get via my breastmilk. I'll keep you posted on how well it works. I'm starting it tomorrow as well. My production seems to be a little bit better today, and I'm starting to drink a LOT more water - which apparently is key. (I'm a really bad diet coke drinker - and juice drinker as well!) And no - drinking milk doesn't produce milk! (Someone told me to drink more milk today - I was like - "You don't even know what you're talking about, so shut up!" LOL)

I had a garlic dressing tonight on a salad for dinner - I really hope that Sean doesn't reject his middle of the night bottle! I haven't had a problem with onions, he seems to be okay with that (I love onions on everything!) and tonight we're testing garlic!

Tomorrow is Sean's first doctor's appointment. I can't wait to find out how much he currently weighs! My guess is just under 6 lbs. (Somewhere at like 5 lbs 14 or 15 ozs - but that is just my guess! LOL). Let's see if I'm correct! Anyone else with a guess!?? Leave a comment and let me know how much you think he weighs - and maybe there will be a surprise in it for the winner!

Tonight I got some knitting done on my Column of Leaves scarf. Yey for knitting time. I watched Deal or No Deal (I love this show), Heroes & 24 tonight, and while watching TV, I got some knitting time in, as well as pumping time as well with the electric - it seems to be working better these days - I think it was just my frustration the other day that wasn't allowing it to "work" properly.

Alright, that's enough rambling for one night. I better get some sleep before I need to be up for the next feeding!

ps - to all those whom have left me blog comments - I will respond to them tomorrow! (Thanks in advance for all the tips & advice - I really appreciate ALL of it!)

Knitting Time

Did you know that you have to go to kraftdinner.com now to learn how to make Kraft Dinner in the microwave, that the instructions are no longer on the box? They used to be on the box, but not anymore. I had to run downstairs, log online, check the instructions, and then print them (they are now taped to my kitchen pantry door). Now, the whole ordeal would have been easy, but in the middle of printing, my printer lets me know that I'm out of Photo Cyan color. Then it decides that it's out of Magenta. So, I had to dig through my office supplies and find ink. What was supposed to be a two second thing, turned out to be five minutes. All because I had a craving for Kraft Dinner.... which happens like 2 times a year. (I can't even tell you the last time I had kraft dinner was)...

Today we gave Sean a bath. I've actually figured out the PROPER way to use the baby bathtub and now Sean actually enjoys being bathed! What a difference from the last bath, where he was not really thrilled with the fact that he was being bathed.

I won a contest with SP9! Patty my hostess held a contest recently where we had to post why we love or hate snow. I posted, and got entered into the draw. (I never win anything, so this was quite nice!) Anyhow, since my name was drawn first, I got to pick which Lorna's Laces colorway I wanted, and I chose a pastel colorway called Happy Valley! I may be mistaken but I think I've won stitch markers as well? I guess I'll find out when I get the parcel in the mail! Yey for mail! I can't wait to see the postman again sometime soon!

Right now I'm struggling with breast milk production and I'm very depressed about it. I'm struggling with a decision of what to do.... I really wanted to breastfeed and that was the final decision. However, I am dealing with flat nipples, which is making it impossible for Sean to latch. So, that's why I've been pumping. And I don't know what I'm doing wrong, because now I think my production is slowing up... As you can see, I am very frustrated at the moment. I don't know what to do. I'm scared to call the lactation consultant, because she's just going to want to get Sean back on the breast. I'm not so sure I want to, as one experience of him latching this week, doesn't really count for success, but I guess it is the first step. I just don't know what to do.

Today I actually got some knitting time! I am soo happy about that! Here is my progress:

I've been working on my Column of Leaves Scarf - and with NO boo-boos this time! It's coming along great!

Sean's been sleeping in his crib at night, and only in the mornings have we been bringing him into our bed to cuddle with us. This we're okay with. Here's a few pics of my cutie being put down for nap or bed time:

The beautiful elephant blanket is from our friends Lauren & Seth in Philly. It was accompanied with the Eagles Jersey. The blanket, has a matching stuffed Elephant, it's soo cute. I love it! And it's SUPER soft! Here's the set:

They are both just absolutely gorgeous. Thanks again Lauren & Seth!

And I'll leave you with one funny pic and one cute pic of Sean (the funny one is the 2nd one):

Awww, how cute!
Uhm, what's with the finger? (This was NOT posed). I called Jamie in from the other room to take a picture of this. I caught him already swearing and he's not even a month old! I hope he didn't learn that from me! I've been VERY good with my "potty" mouth lately!

Getting Things Accomplished

Last night Sean slept in his crib all night long! It was the first night since bringing home Sean that his mommy & daddy got to sleep alone together! We knew eventually we'd have to break him off the habit of sleeping in our bed, but I do have to admit, I do love sleeping all cuddled up to my little guy. But, I know, that if we don't break this habit now, he'll be 8 years old before we know it, and he'll still be sleeping in the comfort of mommy & daddy's arms.

This afternoon I watched Gene Simmons Family Jewels Marathon, Gene is really funny. What a cool family to live with! Imagine "Kiss" as your dad and a Playboy playmate as your mom?

Today, Sean's been napping in his crib all day. We're trying to get him used to sleeping in his crib for long periods of time. Maybe he just doesn't like the bassinet. That is very possible. However, he's been peeing through all his outfits even in preemie diapers! We're not sure if it's the position that he's laying in (almost on his back, but kinda to the side, and as long as he's NOT on his stomach, we're okay with him being on his side or partly on his side).... whatever keeps him sleeping, right?

This evening, Jamie went to play poker with the boys at a friend's house. So I took a self night, and while Sean was napping, I've been getting things accomplished. Laundry has been getting done (it was overdue to do our laundry - and Sean's laundry got huge since the peeing through outfits every few hours)... and I've been filing paperwork that has been piling up, and taking care of stuff around the house, and organizing even. I wish I could replace this time with knitting, but these are things that needed to get done.

Here is Sean making faces while he sleeps. He also uses his hands while he's dreaming. It's rather cute. Anyhow, I've been trying to document this!

He's just too darn cute!


And, lastly, I leave you with a video of Sean. We always play music when we change his diaper, and when we put him down for a nap, but he's not quite asleep we play music too. Our selections are between Baby Einstein, Raffi, Seseme Street, and a few others. I need to bring up to his room a Sharon, Lois & Bram Cd that I made him, and I just recently downloaded a bunch of Disney Albums from like Aladdin, amongst many other movie soundtracks. I need to get those onto CD-rom though... one of these days when I have time. Anyhow, this video was just after we changed his diaper:

We had fun shaking our sillies out!

Relaxing Day

Today was a relaxing day, nothing at all to report. Slept in, did some of Sean's laundry (the diapers we have a little too big on him, and well, he's leaking - not fun!) Daddy's going to go tomorrow to buy some Pamper's Swaddler's - because well, even those are a little too big (but Huggie's Preemie's are a little too tight!) I am so sure Sean is still not 6 lbs yet, but hopefully close to it. We'll find out Tuesday when we go to his doctor for his very first checkup!

My in-law's came to dinner tonight, and then stayed to play some poker with Jamie and one of his friends. It was a quiet night tonight, everyone seemed to be busy. That's okay. I'm all for a quiet evening.

My father-in-law took this picture of us during dinner (Sean had a bottle while we ate):

I love the way Sean is looking at me! He must love his mommy! (No complaints here!) (We must teach him to look at the camera though!)

And after dinner Mommy & Sean took a nap on the couch. My father-in-law saw this as a photo opportunity, lol! (As usual!)

So, really nothing to report. On the knitting front, I knit 5 rows yesterday while Angela was over, and 1 more row got knitted today. I'm paying more attention (I've been getting more sleep!) to the pattern and no boo-boo's yet in my Column of Leaves Scarf. Once there is more progress I'll photograph it. First, I must get a few pattern repeats accomplished. Hopefully this weekend!!!

Other than that, everyone here is good! Hopefully they'll be more to report tomorrow.

3 Weeks

I cannot believe that Sean is already 3 weeks old. Where does time go, seriously? I am not sure. Days fly by, and really quickly, if you ask me. Now I know what my father means when he told me that once you have kids... time just flies by... I am NOT ready for time to fly by... I need it to go slowly! I keep telling Sean that I want him to stay this small forever... but I know one day he'll be taller than me most probably (hopefully!) and asking for the car keys to go on a date. Yeah, I'm NOT ready for that yet.

My little guy likes to sleep in his swing. I love it when he dreams and moves his arms around while he sleeps, it's too cute. They are usually accompanied by facial expressions too - it's great! Keeps me amused, and boy could I watch him for HOURS!

I missed a package last night while we were out at our belated Xmas dinner for Jamie's work. Anyhow, I picked it up today, and it was from my friend Lauren in Philly. Jamie's fave part of the gift package we got, was this adorable Philadelphia Eagles jersey (which Sean will grow into).... Jamie's FAVE NFL team is the Eagles! It is just TOOO cute. Thank you so much Lauren. (I know you read my blog!) There was a few other gifts with it, I will photograph the awesome stuff Lauren sent, and blog it tomorrow!

So, since the census was that no one could see the wrap on me in yesterday's blog post, because I was wearing a black sweater, and the wrap is black, I took some new photographs today. Some self-portraits, 3 weeks postpartum:



I am telling you - this wrap IS my new fave thing! I just love it. It was a very good investment.

Today I went for lunch with my grandmother, and then spent about 2 hours in Walmart. Went to do a return (and that was it) and walked out 2 hours later with a basket full of items. New garbage cans for the house, some new PJ pants for me (it's all I wear around the house these days.... so I wanted to get some fun ones to be comfortable! What else? A cool collage memory board, one for my office and one for Sean's room (will photograph once they're hanging) and some other things. I love Walmart - the evil corporation that it is!!

After getting in, we watched Oprah & Dr. Phil, and I need to remember to watch one of the two on Monday, there is a good show being aired, but now I can't remember which one it was! LOL. I'll probably be pumping at that time, so I'll probably plop myself on the couch!

Angela came over tonight, we had dinner and watched Ugly Betty and then CSI (half of it) and knitted. It was nice to have a friend over, even as zonked as I am.

Alright, I have to go to - you guessed it - pump. It's all I do anymore! LOL. If you want to find me, you know where.... on my couch!

Azure Wraps Rock

Today it took me a long time to get my act together and get to my mom's house. I did manage to stop at Acura and get my car looked at (thank goodness for having a hook-up there, I got my car looked at immediately, and fixed right there on the spot!) For some reason, my automatic car starter never worked. You'd do all the steps to get it working, and it would just choke and choke and never start upon re-starting it. I only need it when I go out - because at home I have a double car garage. But now, with Sean, going out, in the middle of winter (now that we're starting to have normal Montreal winter weather) I'd like to use my car starter. My car starter now works.

Here is a picture of Bosco (in the background) and Piper, my mom's Danes. They are so good together, and with each other! They give each other kisses, it's really cute. I hope my mom's home when Piper goes into heat - or she's going to have puppies!!! (Which would be really cute!)

I just love these two dogs. Piper is on the right, Bosco on the left. They kept standing at the gate, (I was in my parents room) and they just wanted to see the baby!

This is Sean sleeping on my mom's bed, while I was pumping (or rather trying to - I'll get into that in a minute).

On my way to the West Island today, I did stop at the new shop near my house (I missed their grand opening on Monday due to our snow storm). Their website is here. Anyhow, what I wanted to go to them for, is the Azure Wraps. I really wanted one when I saw it at the Mom Show back in November. Anyhow, I got one today, in black, so it matches everything.

I tried it on for the first time at the belated Xmas dinner that my father's company had tonight. It was postponned because my husband was in the hospital with me while I was in labor, and the manager was sick with the flu. (Not just cuz of me in labor - lol). (Or so that's what I think!)


Sean slept on my chest the entire evening during dinner (I managed to eat won ton soup without spilling any on his head since I couldn't lean over the table to eat it!) Sean loved being close to my body in a very womb like position.

The Azure wrap is kinda pricey (55$ CAD plus tax) but honestly, so worth it! I am NOT going to get rid of my Maya Wrap, but keep it for when Sean will be sitting on my hip to be carried. It won't go to waste. (I talked to the Azure Shop owner about the Maya Wrap, since she actually sells them as well!)

Today I thought I was having breastmilk production issues, but I actually think it's my electric pump having a bad day. I will re-read the instruction booklet tomorrow and if need be call the 1-800 number for The First Years. I got home and hand pumped - no problem. I was sooo frustrated, because I thought I wasn't producing enough, as Sean's been eating like a champ. Hand pumping manually - I got enough for 2 full meals. Electrically - not much was coming out. I wonder what I'm doing wrong (after it working beautifully for the last few days??)

I had to resort earlier and give Sean one bottle of formula. I literally thought I wasn't producing enough - Sean didn't spit out the formula. Daddy says that diaper change after that bottle was not so pretty! LOL. And now we know why they say breastfed babies are better! Anyhow, I'm not going to get rid of the formula, I'll definitely keep it for emergency reasons, etc.... like tonight. Sean was hungry, I wasn't going to let him starve, so I gave in and gave him ONE bottle. I'll do it again if I have to. I'm not afraid to anymore. But I really don't want to have to give him formula. His apetite is increasing though.

Another milestone tonight, I got Sean back on the breast! He had one meal being breastfed. I'll still give him breast milk in a bottle in the middle of the night tonight, just so we can all get back to bed quicker, but yeah! I'm very happy about it. I was in the middle of pumping, and Jamie made a joke saying "Let's see for kicks if Sean will latch on..." And he did... and he ate like a champ!

Alright, well now it's my bed time. I'm beyond zonked. Must get some sleep. Still trying to get used to this schedule.

My grandmother is coming over for lunch tomorrow and to spend some time with Sean and I. I have some laundry I'll be able to get done, and maybe even some knitting?!! (Knitting, what's that? LOL. I'm jonesing to even knit ONE stitch!)

Night!

My Two Favorite Guys

I am surrounded by males in my house. My husband, my child, and our two cats. These two guys above are my fave right now. The cats, even though I love them to pieces have been acting weird (obviously) since Sean has been home, and they're kinda on my naughty list. I guess they're just being animals though. Zeus has been trying to get into the baby's room - but has not succeeded. (We have a high gate on the room - so far that's working).

Today was a relaxing day. I did manage to get out of the house for an hour to go to the post office, and pick up some thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts we received for the Brit Milah. Now it's a matter of finding time to write them all out. (Used to be good at mailing those out RIGHT away, but now... we'll see how long it takes me!) (I've got over 50 to write!)

I'm hoping to get to Post-Natal Aqua on Monday night. It's the same class as Pre-Natal Aqua. I miss the instructor and I miss the girls in that class. It was a lot of fun. It was my hour to myself (and Sean when he was in my belly!) It made me feel good! I really want to get back in the water, I'm hoping it works out for Monday!)

Nothing else going on here. I want to find knitting time. Where does my time go? Really? I can't believe another WHOLE day has come and gone.

Tonight Jamie and I flipped between the hockey game (What's going on with the Habs, they're on a bad losing streak - they need some good luck!) and American Idol. The ones that can't sing - they make us laugh. (We only watch the auditions for the ones that can't sing.... then we stop watching. After that - it doesn't interest us anymore). Tonight, there were some pretty funny ones.

Dear Readers

To Nathalia who reads my blog - please email me at graphicdesignchick at hotmail dot com so I can respond to your comments on my blog. For some reason, Blogger isn't allowing me to see your profile. I have no idea who you are, or how to respond to the nice comments you leave me!! So please email me.

To Maggie who reads my blog (that is not my SP8 Pal Maggie - I have been emailing my responses to your emails to my SP8 Pal, thinking it's from her. So I will come check out your blog shortly!)

Thank you for your emails JoFrog & Carrie!!!

I think everyone else I have their email addresses! :)

Oh - and if you're lurking - please leave a message/comment and say hello.

Old Navy Baby

This morning I got a package in the mail (door bell actually startled me), from Marga. She sent Sean some stuff from Old Navy. (At first I totally thought Marga had crochet this doll for Sean, sorry, doll is not an appropriate word to use for a baby boy, so, let me rephrase this... I thought Marga had crochet this stuffed animal for Sean.... but it's actually a set from Old Navy).


It's a stuffed animal, a blankey and a long sleeved tshirt with the matching stuffed animal on it. Thank you Marga, that was really sweet of you, and you shouldn't have! I know you said you couldn't resit - but still! THANK YOU! Sean Thanks You! I hope your recovery from your tonsillectomy is going well. Feel better soon.

Today was a chill day, my mother and sister came over to visit Sean. I took some really cute photos of my cutie:

I wonder what he's thinking about in this picture??


I just love love love every part of him. I love kissing his little toes on his feet. He's starting to react to us kissing him and smiling. I love it. It's either smiles or gas... who knows, and who cares, it's smiles to me, and I love it!

This evening we went to a friend's house to watch the conclusion to the premiere of 24. I hope it's going to be a good season this year.... I'm glued to the edge of my seat already!

Sean's Brit Milah

Today was Sean's Brit Milah. Usually it's done on the 8th day of a Jewish boy's life, but because of Sean's small birth size, it was delayed until he weighed at least 5 lbs 8 oz. In a few days I will be able to weigh him again (borrowing a baby scale from someone) and as of Wednesday he was 5 lbs 4 oz, and he has been gaining about 1 oz a day, so I'm sure that he's at about 5 lbs 8 or 9 oz by today, providing that he's still gaining about an ounce a day!

Brit Milah is considered the sign of a new-born child's entry into the Jewish tradition. It is considered much more than a simple medical procedure. The procedure is extremely quick, and relatively painless. (Apparently!) Sean had a topical anaesthetic cream (EMLA®) which numbed the area. Sean was also "named" today, and his hebrew name is Chaim Dov. Chaim was my late grandfather's name, and Dov means bear. We just liked the two together, and that's how we chose his hebrew name.

You can read more on Brit Milah here. (In case you are curious).

So, today, a very overwhelming day, my son was circumcised. I have not really had time to go through the photos, but here are two photos, just before the circumcision took place.

This is Mohel Spiro, telling everyone what is going on, with us in the background.

And this is Jamie passing Sean off to the Mohel, and we're laughing because the Mohel said that it's usually the father who does the circumcision and Jamie said,
"No that's okay, I trust you'll do a good job, I'll leave that to you...!"

Sean was a VERY good sport. He only let out a small little cry just BEFORE the circumcision took place, and he didn't cry during. He's been a very sleepy baby the rest of the day, thank goodness, and he's handling it like a trooper! I couldn't watch what was going on, but I am glad I was in the room to make sure Sean was doing well. It made me feel better.

This evening Jamie & I watched the premier of 24... looking forward to another good season!

My New Best Friend

This morning I open our door to six newspapers. Jamie stole one to read before I got to snap this shot. We usually get 1 paper, that we pay for. And today, since Sean's birth announcement was in the Gazette, we were told we were getting 4 extra papers, but we got 5! I'm not sure what I will do with 5 (my mom took one copy) but I know I want to put one birth announcement in his baby book, and one in his scrapbook, and keep one paper intact, and that leaves me still with another copy I think. Oh well. I'm sure it will find a use/place! I got compliments today on how well it was written! Due to privacy, I won't be posting it because then I'll have to start erasing everyone's last names, etc... but it was very well written, in my opinion! (Put my enriched English education to use!)

Today, my parents came for lunch, or brunch, whatever you want to call it, and it was nice having them over. We watched the Habs get KILLED by the Ottawa Senators (8-3) I don't even want to talk about it.

This afternoon after they left I ran over to the pharmacy and picked up my new best friend. They just just got it in, and for a very good price I do have to admit:

The First Year's ELECTRIC breast pump. For some reason, I was under the impression that breast pumps were 300-400$. This one was under 100$! And I tested it out this evening - it's indeed my new best friend. What used to take me an hour to an hour and a half to pump.. is now taking me not even 10 minutes. Yes, you read right! Not even 10 minutes!!!! I highly recommend this pump to anyone planning on breastfeeding/pumping.

This evening Jamie's dad, sister and our nephew came over for dinner, and we ordered in Chinese food. It was delicious! Jamie's dad bought us a bottle sterilizer, which is also by The First Years. It's actually this one here. Jamie's sister and our nephew brought Sean a couple of gifts, and I had to show you this:

Sean better be a Habs fan! Cuz his parents sure are!! (the black circle in the kit - is actually a HOCKEY PUCK WRIST RATTLE! How freakin' cool?!!) The rattle won't fit Sean's wrist for a while, it actually fits around my wrist right now!! But this is really cool. We also got some nipples for baby bottles, and also some music cd's for Sean. Thank you!

I got a LITTLE intsy wintsy bit of knitting done today. A whole 4 rows in my 8 row pattern repeat! That's all I had time for. Maybe now, with my ELECTRIC breast pump I'll get more knitting time!

I need to get some sleep. We've got a big day tomorrow. More about that tomorrow.

Froggety Frog

Slept in again this morning (but got up to change and feed Sean, and then we were back in bed). During the night, he's sleeping good 3-4 hour stretches at once. I'll get up when he starts asking for food, change and feed him at the same time (he gets distracted with eating while being changed, so there is less fuss!) (He still doesn't like to be cold, I don't blame him for not wanting to be naked while having his diaper changed!) (Oh, and god bless breast fed babies! The diapers don't smell!)

Today, daddy worked again, so it was just Sean and I all morning. We watched some TV together, and then we napped on the couch by the fireplace. I've been trying to sleep whenever he sleeps, but sometimes it's just not possible. Plus, I don't need to sleep 20 hours a day like Sean does.

This afternoon Jamie helped me give Sean a bath, and he didn't cry as much as the first bath, but he still kvetched a bit... afterwards, he looked soooo cute in his bath towel, I had to take some pictures:

And I had to snap a photo of his cute little feet in his Habs socks! You have to see how tiny these things are in real life. They fit on my thumb!

Here is a pic of me with Sean in his mirror in his bedroom. I love it. I think I'm going to start doing more of these self portraits of the two of us more often. Right now it's easy, because I can hold Sean literally with 1 finger (ok, just kidding, with one hand, since he's sooo light! But I know that won't last for long.)

So, I'm really frustrated right now, Sean won't sleep in his bassinet or crib. He only wants to be in our arms, and I cant hold him all day long and all night long, I'm seriously getting nothing done. I need to not only pump so that Sean has what to eat, I have to do other things as well, like allow time for myself to eat (I never have time in the morning to eat breakfast, especially when Jamie is at work, because I don't have two hands to even pour myself a bowl of cereal). Sean just doesn't ever want to be put down. I'm almost about to pull my hair out about it. And I can't stand for him to cry either when we do try to put him down. I let him for a few minutes, to show him that we won't run to him the second he cries (we don't want him to get used to the fact that if he cries we'll pick him up immediately), but I can't stand to have him crying either. So, it's like, what to do?

I finally got my sock blockers in the mail today! Now I just need a pair of socks to put on them!

So the Blue Moon site it up and running again and I paid for my club kit today. I can't wait to get my first package in the mail in February... I'm so excited for my very first skein of Socks that Rock! I'm a STR virgin, it's true. One of two Canadian retailers for STR is in Edmonton and somewhere else. In Edmonton, they carry it at River City Yarns. I know this because Barb just got some there. I am not sure where the second retailer is, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was in Toronto. Definitely it's not Montreal. I've never seen any at Mouline, Effiloche, La Tricoteuse, or The Wool Shop in the West Island.

So.... my Column of Leaves Scarf. I had re-started it. And then after the 8 rows of garter ridge to start, and after 2 pattern repeats....I notice a mistake. So, being overtired and frustrated today, I ripped it back to the end of the garter ridge start, and will re-start the pattern repeat tomorrow, if I have any time at all to knit. We'll see if time permits. Time, what's that? Especially knitting time. What's knitting? (LOL - Just kidding). I just hope that I don't make another mistake, I need to REALLY pay attention to what I'm doing while knitting this scarf.... One small mistake, and it's very frustrating! Maybe I'm just too much of a perfectionist...

This weekend is half laid back and half busy, I'll talk about that later on. I must go pump again. I feel like that's all I do these days.

Happy Due Date To Me

Today was my official due date. I thought I'd wish myself a Happy Due Date, and thank goodness I don't have to put an eviction notice on my belly, Sean graced us with his presence two weeks ago today! Happy Two Weeks to Sean! I can't believe I've been a mother already for 2 weeks.

Today I braved it and cut his nails. They said to wait until he's a month old, incase I cut his skin while snipping, BUT, Sean was born with long long long nails, and they really needed to be cut today. This way, now we can go a few days with no scratch mittens, which he hates, and has figured out how to pull off himself! Smart kid I have here!

He's still sleeping in my arms at night, (and no, I'm not afraid of rolling over on top of him, instinct, I don't think I would, however Jamie's afraid of rolling over him, so he says that he half-sleeps, and he's been getting lowsy sleep because of it lately). Poor guy. I'm hoping Sean will get into his bassinet at night, but he goes in for like half an hour, and then kvetches to be held. Spoiled kid! Honestly.

Today we slept in a little (after getting up and he ate, and I changed him, we crawled back into bed). Daddy has been working all week, so it's just been the two of us (with occasional visitors) all week. We've survived! It's a little tough on my own, but next week Jamie's starting to work from home 2 days a week, so it'll be a little easier for me to get other stuff done as well (our laundry has been neglected, but Sean's gets done, as well as other house chores getting neglected. Kitchen needs to be cleaned, bathroom needs to be cleaned, carpets vaccumed (cat hair build up and I DO NOT want Sean to get any allergies).

This afternoon, after I was done pumping and feeding him, and changing Sean for the millionth time, we headed out the door to do a return to Jean Coutu (I had something that needed to be returned before it was too late), and pick up some more newborn diapers, and then we headed to do a quick return at Walmart, and pick up some items that we needed (like coffee for daddy who was all out of Maxwell House). Mommy wanted to look at some pj pants, but totally forget cuz it was getting late and we didn't want daddy to worry where we were upon his return from work.

This evening upon getting home, Sean gave us a little panic, but we're all okay now. I swear to god, my heart skipped a beat. Sean had a blocked nose (I need to figure out how often I need to clean his nose with the nasal aspirator, which doesn't fit into his nose just yet, because he's still really tiny, it's supposed to go in the nose, right?) and he was probably trying to breathe through is nose, and had too much saliva in his mouth, that he swallowed the saliva and choked on it. It scared the living daylights out of me, because his face turned bright red for a moment. It passed, and we cleaned his nose with the aspirator, but I swear, I've been checking him every few minutes this evening to make sure he's okay. I really got freaked out. And I know that things happen, and I am sure I'll get scared a lot more over the next 18+ years of his life, but as long as he's a baby, depending on his parents for care, and something like this happens, we must remain calm, and not panic. I think we did a very good job this evening in remaining calm. Jamie's first reaction was to breathe into his mouth, to give him some air, just incase, and I'm very impressed with the way Jamie handled himself. I think though, after a small nothing incident like this, I want to pay money to get us both CPR certified for infants & babies/children. I know my pre-natal teacher is certified to teach it. I'm going to email her to inquire about it. You just never know when you may need it for your own family, or someone else's child, to save a life.

I gave Sean a little bit of Infant Tempra just incase it's a little cold or something because his nose was a little runny... I hope it goes away. We're going to stay in for the next couple of days, just in case, I want to make sure he's 100% healthy.

Okay, I have a hungry baby looking for food. And I must change his diaper. Sweet Dreams!

Sean's Birth Story

Before I begin talking about the "play by play" events of my son's birth story, let me begin by saying that it was a long labor. It all started when my water broke at about 8:30pm on Tuesday night Boxing Day, after returning home from Walmart, (after spending an hour and 15 minutes in line at Walmart, because I was bored and it was a zoo there!) All I have to say, is thank god my water didn't break at Walmart! That would have been a horror story! Anyhow, I am at home, and for about 2 hours I have a sharp pressuring pain in my vagina. I called my friend Jennie who is in school to be a nurse, and she suggested I take a shower and see if that helps. If it doesn't she suggested to call the case room at the hospital. I went into a shower. And that's when my water broke. At first I wasn't sure, but then it was just oozing out - I was like "this is not like peeing"... I was still having that pain in my vagina, so I called the case room, and they told me to put a pad in my underwear, and walk around. If it was still leaking, to come in right away or if I wasn't sure. Jamie was at home watching a movie with a friend, and I called him upstairs and was like "I think we have a problem" (as I'm leaking on a towel below me... he went back downstairs, told his friends that it's "GO TIME" and came upstairs and calmly helped me get the rest of the stuff that I needed to take with to the hospital. At first, I didn't really believe what was going on. I wasn't due for another 2 weeks and 2 days. I was 37 full weeks pregnant, and almost at 38 full weeks. Jamie's friend Dave whom was over, gave us a ride to the hospital.

Here is how I progressed:

At 8:55pm on December 26th, I was given cervidil, to ripen my cervix. Because my water broke, they needed to get my son out in about 24 hours or so.

And then I was checked at:

December 26th, 2006 - 21:47 PM
0% Dilated, 60% effaced, -3 Station, Sean is posterior

Jamie and I played crazy eight countdown a few times to kill time in the labor room.

December 27th, 2006 - 1:31 AM
1% Dilated, 70% effaced, -3 Station, Sean is turned to the side

I was put on an IV in the middle of the night. For now it was just a saline solution (with sugar). The nurse checked both my arms twice for a vein, and in the end had to put the IV in my hand, allowing me to NOT knit.

Jamie tries to get some sleep. I couldn't sleep. I was too scared/nervous/anxious about what was going on with my body. I kept thinking "by tomorrow night at some point, I'l be a mother"... (it still hadn't hit me)...

December 27th, 2006 - 4:53 AM
1% Dilated, 70% effaced, -3 Station, Sean is posterior again

Somewhere early morning, I see my doctor. He is on duty for the next 24 hours and comes in to see me. I was relieved to see him, and that he will be the one delivering my son. After seeing my doctor, I was put on a drug called Pitocin (I think that's what it was called) to induce my contractions. I wasn't contracting on my own).

The contractions start becoming heavy. I am put on oxygen mask, because Sean's heart rate keeps dropping here since I've been put on the inducer.

December 27th, 2006 - 9:46 AM
1% Dilated, 80% effaced, -3 Station, Sean is posterior

I tried lasting as long as I could. The pain of the contractions is too much, and is now in my stomach, back and shooting all the way down my legs. I cannot get out of bed due to the pitocin that I'm on, to help me contract. I beg for the epidural. I've lasted as long as I possibly could, and now it's time to give in. I didn't want to be in pain any longer. I had to wait a long time to get the epidural because there was 3 emergency c-sections one after another and the anesthesiologist, couldn't get to me for a while. I keep breathing through my contractions. It is hard. Eventually I am given the epidural, which hurt a lot going in, but was well worth it after it started kicking in. I could now feel the pressure of the contractions, but could not feel them. I was in heaven. I kept telling everyone drugs are good. I even told a nurse that she should try epidural because she was saying that her back hurts her, as she was 15 weeks pregnant, and still working.

December 27th, 2006 - 15:02 PM
1.5% Dilated, 80% effaced, -3 Station, Sean is posterior

December 27th, 2006 - 18:02 PM
2% Dilated, 90% effaced, -1 Station, Sean is posterior

December 27th, 2006 - 21:30 PM
4% Dilated, 100% effaced, -1 Station, Sean is posterior

December 27th, 2006 - 23:39 PM
6% Dilated, 100% effaced, -1 Station, Sean is posterior

Sometime between being 6% and 8% dilated, the chief resident decided to take it upon herself to make the call that I was going to be having a c-section. She said because I was stuck at 6% dilated, and Sean's heart rate kept dropping a little, that she made her decision. My doctor, who was on call, didn't even know about this decision (because he wanted me to have a vaginal birth). He was not concerned about Sean's heart rate, which dropped here and there, but then returned normal again after each time. It was the drug that I was on for inducing my contractions that was causing this drop in his heart rate. I was taken off the Pitocin a few times already for several different reasons, and had the nurse not taken me off the pitocin to prep me for surgery (I was shaved and had all my jewelry removed, etc).... I probably would have had Sean a lot earlier than I did. But, my doctor came in, put me back on the drug, and I had to re-start all over again. The next time that chief resident came into the room, Jamie snapped at her, asking her why she took me off the pitocin, and asked her why she took it upon herself to make the decision for the c-section when my very own doctor was in the hospital on duty, and she left, and that was the last time we saw her - thank goodness. I'll never forget her face, or her name, Dr. S.Reinblatt. I forget her first name. I hope to never run into her again.

December 28th, 2006 - 00:46 AM
8% Dilated, 100% effaced, -1 Station, Sean is posterior

December 28th, 2006 - 02:30 AM
10% Dilated, 100% effaced, -1 Station, Sean is posterior

Somewhere after 3 am, I start to push... it takes me until 4:44 am, with the help of Forceps, since Sean's head was stationed at the -1 position, to deliver Sean. As Sean is being born, the snow is falling ever so beautifully, and it's gorgeous outside.

My husband was the only one in the delivery room with me. I think they kicked everyone else out because they ended up having to use forceps because Sean was posterior (head down but face up instead of down). I don't think I really wanted anyone else besides Jamie and the doctors in there anyhow. It was really EARLY in the morning, so the only people who stayed were my father in law, my sister and my mother. My dad was at home, flat on his back (pulled it out again) and my step-mother-in-law had to work Thursday, so she couldn't stay til 4 am.


And Sean was born! He's really tiny. I was NOT expecting a little guy. I really thought that I was expecting a big boy! He was born 5 lbs 5 oz, but then lost about 6-7%, and checked out of the hospital at 4 lbs 14 oz. He's doing great, though he is SWIMMING in all the newborn outfits! He did go to Walmart on the Friday we were released from the hospital, before even going home (I needed preemie diapers and some supplies for his bris and wanted to look for preemie outfits, which they were all out of...) And after that, you've all been updated on this blog, as to what's been going on since we've been home from the hospital.

The after birth hospital stay was a disaster in itself as well. It was a zoo while I was there, over packed with births. Whenever I would call for a nurse with my buzzer, it would take 45 minutes to an hour to get someone to actually come to see me. (Even when I was transferred to a private room). At one point, the epidural was still wearing off, and I couldn't walk on my own. Jamie had gone home to shower and take a nap for a few hours, since I thought I was settled in and okay in the hands of the nurses. I had to pee so badly. I called for a nurse. It took way too long, that I had to go to the bathroom in my bed. Thank goodness I was still in the blue birth gown, (a clean one) and not in my own pj's yet. I was absolutely disgusted with the hospital. And also, since I wanted to breastfeed, they literally shoved my boob in my son's mouth and called it breastfeeding. No one came and sat down with me to show me how to get Sean to latch properly. By the time the end of the weekend rolled around, and I was at home, I had nipple damage. Once again, due to the hospital's negligence. All is better now, and I'm glad they only charged me for one day at the hospital, instead of 2 days (technically I was there 2 full days, and 1 night) or I would have opened my mouth. It's unreal, the service I got while there. And the quality of the food, that's a whole other story..... it was nasty. I only ate some of it, and it's nothing to write home about!

The Blue Moon Scam??

Lots of sock knitters, who joined the Blue Moon Fiber Arts 2007 sock club, the creators of Socks That Rock (The yarn I'm dying to try!) have received an email from them yesterday. If you haven't heard, or you aren't part of the club, I'll tell you what's going on, cuz it's absolutely absurd! The first year of the Rockin' Sock Club was so incredibly successful, Blue Moon Fibers decided to do another club kit this year for 2007. And this sign up session was incredibly successful. So much that when payments began to come in, the bank decided that it could not be legitimate - that it just must be a SCAM! The bank was so convinced about this "SCAM" they shut Blue Moon down! They decided that they would refund all the money that was collected. And they did this without so much as an investigation....

Here is the email I received:


Robyn,
SUCCESS IS SWEET . . . SO THEY SAY?!

Please read this for IMPORTANT credit card information.

The sign-up for the Rockin' Sock Club 2007 has been a resounding success. So much so that our bank thinks we are running some type of elaborate yarn scam and is refusing to accept our members' money! So, you know what they are doing? You are not going to believe this. They are sending all of that money back! Unbelievable and astounding!

Here are the details. Within the next ten days, all of you who signed up for the Sock Club by paying either $210.00 (domestic) or $240.00 (international) between December 31 and January 5, will be getting a credit back onto your Mastercard or Visa. It is the Sock Club only, all other yarn orders placed will go through and you will be receiving your yarn soon.

Do not panic!

Everyone affected by this incredible situation is guaranteed their spot through the end of January, including those on the wait list. After you receive your credit, just go to our website and use your same registration number to pay for your Sock Club (yet again). The website is temporarily under construction in order to install the new bank’s (who has guaranteed us they will have no difficulty accepting your money!) system. The site should be back in full swing in the next couple of days. In the meantime, you can view products and place phone orders.

If you have any problems, call or email us and we will gladly help. Keep in mind that there are a lot of you involved! It is going take us some time to sort through the mess the bank has so graciously created for us. Remember, those of you that ordered other products from the Blue Moon website during this period are fine. It does not affect your orders! It is the thought of a Club for knitting socks they cannot get their heads around.

This certainly is NOT how we envisioned starting the New Year, the launch of our website upgrade and the 2007 Rockin' Sock Club! We cannot apologize enough for any inconvenience this causes you. To honor all of your dedication and patience, we are including a coupon in your first shipment to help compensate for this.

So, knitting comrades, we can choose to look at this in many ways (and believe me we have run the gamut on this one). Disbelief, shock, outrage . . . it has been a surreal experience for us. This is not just about us here at Blue Moon. It is about knitters as a group. We are extraordinary people. We have seen our power when rallied . . . large fundraising for great causes, KAL’s across the planet, and standing room only at knitting-related gatherings. Because of this, the Rockin' Sock Club 2007 will prevail! We will have a blast and knit awesome socks that will be the envy of all nonbelievers!

We thank you so very much for your support, and community. There will be more (much more) to say about this saga in the first shipment’s dyer’s notes!

Our socks are still rockin',
Team Blue Moon

I cannot believe that one bank company would actually believe that it was a scam! Unreal! Never would have thought that it would come to this! Anyhow, I'm sititng waiting to pay for my sock kits.... can't wait to get the 2007 sock club started!!

No Faith in Health Care System

This morning I was expecting the CLSC nurse to show up between 9:30 am and 10 am. I got up, got Sean changed and fed, and then we crawled back into my bed (on top of the already made bed) and I decided that I had about 15 - 45 minutes (depending on when the nurse showed up) to close my eyes. We both doze off. At about 5 minutes to noon, my phone rings. It's said nurse. She starts talking to me as if we'd never even spoke yesterday. WTF???! I asked her if she realized that she was supposed to be at my house that morning around 9:30 am. She was silent for a minute. Then she says "Oh, I have 9:30 am marked here, just no date." How dumb could she be? We JUST spoke yesterday. I'm annoyed. She says she has to be at someone's house near mine at about 1:15pm, for 20 minutes and then she'll be over. I call my mom. She was planning on coming this afternoon anyhow, to see Sean and watch him so I could do a few things. The nurse shows up just before 3pm. At this point, I'm annoyed. I did not want to go over breastfeeding with this woman, so I just let her weigh Sean, and then let her talk her spiel, and then pretty much gestured her to the door.

Good news! Before the nurse came, I calculated that Sean should be at about 2360 grams by today, at a 30 gram per day growth in the last 4 days. And he weighed in at 2370 grams, so I pretty much jumped for joy! 2370 grams is just about 5 lbs 4 oz. He'll be tomorrow back at his birth weight of 5 lbs 5 oz, and he's back on track! I DO notice that he's starting to fill out the preemie clothing we've bought for him. I am very happy with his progress.

... and I have no respect right now for free health care services in my area.

This afternoon my grandmother came over as well, and my mom and grandmother held Sean while I pumped, did a few things and then eventually took a nice long hot shower. (I'm still too (not nervous) but not comfortable with showering with him in his crib while I'm alone in the house). I'm sure I'll get over it. I guess Sean's just still "too new" too this world, and I don't feel comfortable leaving him alone, without being able to hear him due to the water running.

This evening I burned dinner (and it was pre-made as well by my mother-in-law! Her homemade lasagna, and I killed it! So disappointed, but it was still okay to eat). Watched TV and dozed on the couch. Hung out a bit with Jamie too.... and now I'm off to pump (routinely scheduled) and off to bed. Tomorrow... another day of sleeping, eating, changing diapers, and pumping. Maybe I'll even get to knit tomorrow? There is that possibility! Oh and maybe even do my own laundry??? (Sean's gets done, it seems to never end, but ours... that's a whole other story!)

What you looking at???

Look What the Mailman Brought!

Today brought on some mail. I received a small package in the mail from my Angel, which was super nice of her. She sent me a copy of Today's Parent magazine, which came with some gum (I love gum) and some tea. Ironically my Today's Parent first subscription issue came in the mail today, but the good news is - it was a different issue than what my Angel sent me!



I also received some mail from Patty. She sent me some beautiful denim jean colored yarn called Demin Daze. It's Alpaca baby, but I am not sure the "brand" of the yarn? (Patty??) She knit up the most cutest booties for Sean - (picture below of him modelling them), and she also sent me some spices, which was supposed to help me kick start labor, but the day she mailed it out - was the day my water broke, (I think) and now I'll just use for regular cooking!

In the mail also came a lot of goodies, (and a few bills as well - blech), but the nicest thing that was sent was a note card stating the a tree has been planted in Israel, in celebration of my son. My friends Lauren & Seth in Philly had one planted for him. Thank you very much Lauren & Seth!

Yesterday, I was talking about some gifties that my friend Leora brought me from Israel. It was these two hand bags:

They're reversable, which is really cool. I had one in blue and orange, but I used it to pieces and I had to replace it. The one I had was given to me by an Israeli soldier, that I'd met. Anyhow, at the end of my trip, I met up with my friend Leora, and she had said that she would pick me up some of these bags in Eilat (where we didn't go on our organized trip unfortunately), and mail them to me. Well, she did pick them up, back in June of 2004, and well - never got to mail them to me. So now, two and a half years later, she is back in Montreal visiting, and has brought me these bags. They're in very simple colors, and I love them. One is black and blue the other black and khaki green!

Today Sean and I hung out. We got a lot accomplished, and even though I felt like I spent most of my day pumping (that's what I feel all I do these days), and eventually late afternoon, we made it out the door to the grocery store, to pick up my photo order (honeymoon pics) and pick up some groceries.

Here are some photos of Sean from today:

Sean modelling his new booties from Patty!

And my little guy snoozing anywhere he can (here he is on his changing table):


And in our den...

Well, I must go pump (again), and go to bed. The nurse is coming tomorrow (instead of today) to weigh Sean, since today she had way too many vaccinations to do at the CLSC, she couldn't leave. Tomorrow, she'll be coming with a nurse who is doing a stage, so it'll be two nurses coming tomorrow, should be interesting. The nurse that I spoke to on the phone today, who will be coming, wants to help me get Sean back on my breast tomorrow, instead of me pumping. We'll see how I feel about that tomorrow.

We Went Shopping. This Mommy Got Shoes!

So, right now Sean sleeping in our bed at night. It is the only thing that is allowing him to sleep at all during the night. During the day it is absolutely no problem at all, to put him in his bassinet or crib, but at night, he doesn't want to go. He kvetches, and lets us know that he'd rather be in bed with us. I don't mind it at all, not one bit... but... I'd rather him in his own sleeping quarters, whether it be the crib, or the bassinet. I don't know what to do about it.... I think my son has his days and nights mixed up! But in an instant, he's quiet and goes to bed once in our arms in our bed. I kid you not. He knows what he likes! Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do about this? Anything to solve this??

Today I went out with my mom and sister to do some errands. We all had to go to the same places so they came along to give me a hand. Extra hands are always needed when you have a newborn and want to go shopping!

My first experience out with the stroller today was a lot of fun!

And as selfish as it is, I love having somewhere to put my purse and coat while shopping (and pushing everything in the stroller!) I love the little basket under the stroller!

This mommy needed some new shoes, so she popped into Payless and got herself not 1, but 2 pairs of shoes. Much needed shoes, I might have to add! I wanted 1 pair of slip in shoes, in black, something that can be casual, and dressy at the same time.... so I picked up these:

And then I saw these, and for no reason at all, I got them for me. These were actually on sale a little bit cheaper than their advertised price, so I was happy about that. This mommy is going to have really cute feet in really cute shoes! Ahh.... shoes! Not my most fave thing (that would be purses) but very very high up there on the list!

I also picked up a bunch of things for the house, at another store, where I also got a swing for Sean. I honestly thing this swing will keep Sean happy and mommy & daddy sane! (Sean loves to be rocked, and well, our arms can only rock so much!)

I picked up the Ocean Wonder's swing by Fisher Price. It's my new best friend! (And Sean's too)

Here is Sean enjoying his swing.... decked out in his scratch mittens. (Mommy love the scratch mittens as she was told to wait about a month to cut Sean's nails, and well, she doesn't want Sean scratching his face or eyes!).

This evening my friend Leora came over. Leora made aliyah (term widely used to mean Jewish immigration to the Land of Israel) a few years ago, and is currently back in Montreal visiting. It was really good to see her. She even brought me something that I had given her money for (in shekels - Israeli currency), two and a half years ago, when I was in Israel (June 2004), which I had asked her to get for me, and mail for me. I had totally forgotten about what I had asked her to get, and she surprised me. (Photos coming tomorrow - I''ll keep you in suspense until then - but just a clue - it's one of my fave things in the world!) And I could only find ones exactly like this - in Israel...! (One was given to me by an Israeli soldier, in a trade for something I had that was Canadian that she wanted and I loved it and used it so much that it got destroyed, so I wanted to have another one (or two which she got me!) of my own!

I got to hang out with Leora for a couple of hours, she got to meet Sean, and see my house, and have dinner with me.

Sean got mail again today - from my friend Sherrie in Boston. She sent him some books from Chapters.ca. He received : Dr. Seuss's ABC, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, Make Way for Ducklings, and Three Little Pigs. I wonder if there was any reason these books were selected, I'm going to email Sherrie to ask her (and thank her!).

I got a lot accomplished today, and I'm very happy about that. Sean even got to go out today and go shopping for the very first time (I don't count stopping at Walmart on the way home from the hospital shopping, I just needed some newborn preemie diapers, since the ones I had were WAY too big for him!)

Tomorrow, I'm hoping the nurse from the CLSC comes back to weigh Sean - need to make sure he's been gaining between 25-35 grams per day. He needs to be at 5 and a half pounds or more by Sunday. That's our goal right now, in order for him to be circumcised. But at the rate the he has been progressing so far, I'm sure that will be not a concern. Tomorrow we'll find out how much he's gained since Saturday (when the nurse from McGill weighed him at 5 lbs exactly).

The Hiccups

Today was a nice day, a very peaceful day, actually, as we got to spend it just the three of us. Well, sort of. Jamie watched football and hockey (Habs game mid-afternoon as well as an Eagles game on as well) and we kinda just did our own thing today, sharing the responsibilities of caring for and cuddling with Sean.

This afternoon I took care of a bunch of things around my office that needed looking after, and finally sat down and went through the 1600+ digital photos that I took on my honeymoon and chose about 300 to print. Today was the last day for 2 for 1 prints with the photolab I go to, so I made sure to sit down and get that done. It was hard choosing and then a lot of work editing color and cropping, etc. I can't wait to go tomorrow and pick up my photos!

Tomorrow is errand day, I have so much to do. It will be my first day out of the house with Sean, to do errands. It'll be my first time using the stroller - I am very excited about that too (I just need to first figure out how it folds down to stick it in my trunk!) My to do list has been growing and I am very excited to get out of the house. I haven't left the house in a couple of days!

Pumping has been taking up a lot of my energy. I hope that I can either continue to pump or to have Sean latch back on again, I'm almost healed, so I will see in the next few days how it goes.

It seems as though Sean's umbilical cord will fall off any moment now. It's kind of on it's way there now, and I can see it will need some cleaning on his belly button once it falls off, so I hope that I catch everything and one of his outfits doesn't get ruined because of it.

The hiccups.. Sean has been having them almost every time after eating. I wonder what is causing them, I've never even had the hiccups this much in my life! Anyone have any information on why he's getting the hiccups after eating, and what I can do to eitehr prevent it, or help them go away (and stay away??) Has anyone else experienced this?

Alright, I must get to sleep. Even though Sean and I took a 3 hour nap before Desperate Housewives was on this evening, it's now bed time. I want to be able to function tomorrow!

Gaining Weight & Losing Weight

Today, I slept in a little bit with Sean in my arms. I think Sean has his nights and days mixed up. He'll sleep NO problem during the day in his crib or in his basinette - but when it comes to night, he refuses! He kevetches, and cries (doesn't scream), to be with us. As soon as he's in one of our arms, feeling our warmth - he stops kevetching. The second you try to put him back in the basinette - even after he has fallen asleep - it's as if he knows, and is woken up. I personally don't mind him sleeping with me, I love feeling the warmth off his body as well, but I don't want it to become routine or anything, because then we'll have problems later on getting him to sleep on his own at night.

This early afternoon two of Jamie's friends came over to see Sean, and instead of bringing Sean a gift, they brought me a gift. That was super nice of them. They brought me a gift certificate to this fancy spa near my house, for a 30 minute massage. Wow - how'd they know I have been dying to go for a massage? That will be a very nice treat! I can't wait.

Mid afternoon, Jamie started watching the Habs game, which had a 3pm start, but unfortunately I didn't know that it was a mid-afternoon start, and I scheduled a research nurse from McGill to come and ask me questions, for that research study I volunteered to do. I did one questionnaire in the hospital, and made 10$ for Sean, and then they come back after about a week for a second questionnaire for 20$ for your time. Then, they come back again at 4 months (so she'll come back at the end of April), for a last questionnaire, for another 20$ for your time. (So all in all, they pay you 50$ to answer questions about you, the baby, both of your health, and your support system, about government services in health care, and that sort of thing). The nice nurse brought along her baby scale, and we were able to weigh Sean again. He's gained about 50 grams since two days ago when he was weighed last, and now he's above his weight that he was when he was discharged from the hospital. He's now back at the 5 lb mark. (He was discharged from the hospital at 4 lbs 14 oz. and then dropped a bit more, which can be normal in the baby's first week of life and then since that final drop, he's been climbing back up the scale slowly). And we're waiting to do the Brit Milah, until he's at least 5 lbs 8 oz (5 and a half pounds). Health is more important, so if it's not done on the 8th day, it's done when the baby is healthy enough to do so. Sean is a very healthy baby, it's his weight that wasn't just right yet. That's okay though, we're back on track! We're making sure he's eating like a champ! We've been aiming for a 30-35 gram weight gain per day.

And with Sean's weight gain, comes my weight loss! I'm doing great so far. I know it goes slowly, but every time I go on the scale (I've checked 2 or 3 times this week), the scale keeps going down in numbers. I'm loving this breastfeeding/pumping business. It's really helped my uterus go back to it's original size, and the belly bump I once had is almost gone, no where to be seen. I have a bit to go before going back into my pre-pregnancy clothes, but I've rejoined the Y and plan on getting back into the water for post-natal aqua, as well as seeing what other classes are offered. Maybe some Yoga? I've always wanted to try yoga. Maybe some "mommy & me" classes? I'll have to look into what's being offered. I hope by my birthday in June to be somewhere back on track. I think that's a reasonable time frame - 6 months. (I didn't say lose all the weight by then, just back on a very good road to it!) I've done it before, in 2005, when I lost 25 lbs by my wedding, and kept it off until I got pregnant.... so I know I have the will power and the motivation to do it.

This evening, Jamie's best friend Daniel came over with his girlfriend Francesca. It's the second time they've come over, and I really like Francesca. We had dinner, watched some hockey (the Toronto game) and then we watched the Seattle Seahawks game (NFL) because Daniel is a huge Seahawks Fan. Last night, by luck, the Seahawks won.

Every night I pump enough for all the middle of the night feedings, and then go to bed. I must go do that now, so that I don't have to pump in the middle of the night. That would be nice. (The more sleep I get - the better) I leave you with this sweet picture of me falling asleep with Sean in my arms.

Bottle or No Bottle?

Exhibit A:

My fave pair of boots...

Exhibit B:

The Culprit? My cat Jazz (the only one with claws). I went to wear my fave pair of boots... but they seem to have been... what's the word... used as a CAT STRATCHING POST! Damn it!

I am soooooooooooooo mad about my fave pair of boots... they're pretty much good for garbage now. This damage is not cool. I wonder if I could still wear them with a long enough pair of pants, that would cover the damaged area. I wonder if it's even worth it??

Two pairs of earrings that I made for myself. I heart pink!

The stitch markers from the swap that I hosted, from Lainie. Thanks Lainie - I love them!

Here is the package that we won from CJAD for the special delivery of the day!



I received this water color from my friend Jennie. I love it so much.
I need to find a frame for it, I want to hang it in his room. It's so special.



Yesterday, while the nurse was over from the CLSC, I got a doorbell ring... it was Purolator, with a package for Sean. I couldn't believe he was receiving mail already. (Winning radio contest and receiving mail!) Anyhow, my friend Sherrie in Boston sent over this Boston Red Socks outfit, to bug Jamie. You see, Jamie's a HUGE Yankee's fan - and Sherrie - a native from Boston - a Sox Fan. I think we're going to have a problem here, I don't know if Jamie will allow Sean to wear it!

The outfit also came with a cute hat:

So those are all the photos I've been meaning to blog in the last few days, just hadn't had time to post! Ah, life with a newborn!

Seapking of which, Sean certainly sleeps a lot, which I try to sleep at the same time, but sometimes, by the time I fall asleep, it's time to get up again to feed him! So my mind almost thinks "what's the point of falling asleep, if you need to get up shortly again". It's a bad way to think, but I force myself to get some shut eye. It's really hard though... especially since I'm used to sleeping for 12 hours straight by the end of the pregnancy. (But BOY does it feel GREAT to sleep on my tummy again! I'm a stomach sleeper).

The nursing is going okay, but because I left the hospital with damage from not feeding Sean properly, due to the reason that the hospital didn't teach me how to breastfeed properly, when I thought I was, I have been pumping lately, to ease up the pain and allow some heeling time. To be honest, I discussed it with Jamie, and we both agreed that as long as Sean's getting my milk, that we don't really care how he is getting it (from me vs. the bottle). Also - because of the pumping, this allows us to feed Sean (either me or daddy) in the middle of the night in less time than it was taking if I was nursing him from my boob. This allows for getting back to sleep sooner, and allowing us to get more sleep. I am very happy about this! It makes for such a happier baby and a happier mommy & daddy! We both actually got a really good night's sleep last night, which is fantastic compared to the amount of sleep we've been getting lately. It's been really tough getting that sleep, and now that we sort of are starting upon a routine, it's getting better. Much better!

Today we got out of the house for lunch, joining Jamie's ex coworkers for some souvlaki. Sean was of course spoiled yet again, with a few more toys just for him, and some outfits and an awesome fleece Winnie the Pooh blanket.

This evening Jamie had the boy's over for poker, and I had Vera over, who fell in love with Sean and held him and even got to try feeding him (she's never fed a baby before, so I think it's been a cool experience for her). I want Sean to get used to being passed around to people, so that he's not freaked out when other people hold him as he gets older. He needs to be a social kid! So we're starting him young, being held and even fed or diaper changed (if the person is willing) by other people.

This weekend brings upon more visitors coming to see Sean, and we have a nurse from McGill coming tomorrow to do Part 2 of a 3 participation study for research. (Sean made 10$ in the hospital for me answering a few questions to a girl from McGill, and this visit tomorrow earns Sean another 20$. There is a last part, I think when Sean is a month old, and that will earn him another 20$). This kid will be a month old, and he'll have already earned himself 50$! And he didn't even have to leave the house! I'm really hoping that the nurse from the research study at McGill brings with her a scale, so that I can weigh him, to make sure he's making progress in his weight gain. I am sure he's doing well - but I don't have a baby scale, so I can't measure him accurately. I tried with my yarn scale, but he was too figidty, I wasn't able to get an accurate reading, which is too bad. My yarn scale actually can measure the weight of a baby - it's just too bad that it wasn't stable for him to stay on if he was moving around.

Speaking of yarn... that brings me to knitting. I frogged my Column of Leaves scarf tonight. The mistake that I was making was with a Purl 2 Together Through Back Loop... I wasn't doing it properly, and it was creating a bump on the wrong side of the project. I've done some Knit 2 Together Through Back Loop before, but never Purling. But now that I've fixed that problem, I'm back on track. While Vera held Sean tonight, while the boy's played poker, I got some knitting time in! While watching What Not To Wear on TLC. (I'm starting to love this show!)

Here are some precious pictures of Sean, that I leave you with tonight:

I love the way he cuddles with his hands.... make me feel good that he's comfy!

He gives us these smiles while he sleeps.
I just love it!
I'm glad I captured this moment on film!

I Actually Knitted Today!

This afternoon, a nurse from the CLSC came over to go over a few things with me, and was able to bring me some English paperwork that I needed (which the hospital only supplied to me in French. Those buggers!) Anyhow, she weighed Sean, and he has gained 70 grams in the last 2 days, which is good! He needs to keep up this 35g/day weight gain and he'll be back at his birth weight in no time! We need to get over that hump first before thinking about anything further. This nurse, or her colleague, will be coming by on Tuesday to weigh him again. I love this service I am getting. I don't even have to leave my house! My mom came by today to be here when the nurse weighed him and checked him out. That little hint of jaundice that Sean had on Tuesday when the lactation consultant came by, is now gone! Phew! As soon as Sean started eating properly by breastfeeding, I knew it would go away. She even put him on his stomach to see his reflexes, and Sean is a very strong boy for a week old. I can't believe he's a week old already! Where does time go??

Kadi came over this afternoon, bringing along a quich with her, as a gift. It was DELICIOUS. Jamie and I had some for dinner. Thank you Kadi, it was super sweet of you!

Kadi took this picture of Sean and I today. Ignore my loungy pj's!
It's what I've been living in!


Tonight I caught Jamie on the couch with Sean fast asleep.
Awww, how sweet! I love this picture!

And I had to snap a picture of my son sleeping alone.
He's just too cute I want to eat him up!

This breastpump kit by Avent has been a lifesaver for me. Sean (because he's a little on the small side) has been having a tough time sometimes staying latched on to my boob, so I've been pumping for those frustrating times, so I can just give him a bottle and get him satisfied, rather than both of us getting frustrated. I also decided that during the day I'll pump enough feedings for the night, this way, we all can get the maximum amount of sleep. I thought this was a genius idea! Tonight we watched the Habs get killed by Washington, I don't even want to talk about it. It's a manual pump, but I've got a very good let down and I'm very happy with this pump so far!

Tomorrow we're going out for lunch, with some of Jamie's ex-co-workers. Ah! To be able to get out of the house! We'll also probably go by Zellers and see if we can get a swing for Sean. He likes to be rocked and falls asleep that way! Maybe a swing will be a good thing! This weekend we have friends coming over to see Sean, and other than that we'll take it easy.

So as my title of this post reads, I ACTUALLY got to knit today. I got to knit a bit while Kadi was over, and then again this evening while Sean slept in my lap, and I watched CSI which was on TV. I was so happy to get some knitting time in. However, I noticed a mistake I am doing in my scarf, and since I've only done about 4 pattern repeats, I'm thinking about frogging it and starting over.... I dono... debating it.... it's noticeable to me, now that I know about it - and I think it will bother me. (Damn being a perfectionist!) I'll sleep on it!

Alright, sleep time. I need to get back up soon to feed Sean! I feel like all I am lately is a boob!

Sean Went Knitting

Today was a really relaxing day. I had a few hours to myself this morning when Sean napped after a feeding (which is going SOOO much better now that I know what I'm actually doing!) and then after lunch, my grandmother came over to hold Sean, while I got to shower, do some laundry, and even answer a few emails.

This afternoon I got a call from our local CLSC and an English speaking nurse will be coming over tomorrow to weigh Sean and check in with me. I am very happy she's coming over, I have some questions for her, and I am glad that she will be able to weigh Sean. I hope there is some progress in his weight. I'm hoping that all the feedings that I've been now doing properly, that Sean is gaining weight. Even just a few ounces, I'll be very happy. I don't know how fast he could be gaining weight, but I hope it's enough. My mother will come over tomorrow to be here while the nurse comes. My family can't get enough of Sean! (Which is good!) The breastfeeding, now that I know what I'm actually doing, is beautiful. I enjoy the bond between mother and child. It's something my hubby will never understand. And it's a bond that I will have to eventually have to learn to let go. My right breast nurses beautifully, and my left breast right now is a little sore from mal-feedings in the past. It'll heel and it will all be just beautiful. It's such an amazing gift, to be able to breastfeed. Plus there are no hassles of bottles and formulas and preparations. I like just being able to feed wherever.... whenever.... you know?

This evening, I went knitting with Montreal Knits - and we were a full group! (Picture below of some of the knitters!) I don't even know how many we were, but I'm guessing it was somewhere around 17 or 18 knitters. Really! It was a nice huge group. Lots of new faces as well.

Here is Sean and I at the Stitch N Bitch.


And I actually got some knitting done. Just a few rows, but this is a pattern I really need to concentrate on, so that's okay! I am really happy with the way it's coming out.

Oh - by the way, Ariadne Knits is now online! The site looks fantastic! Mazel Tov again to Mary & Molly Ann!

Before my son gets too big, I decided that I should take a picture of him next to this silly huge dog that my mom got for Sean on behalf of her dog (it was a present from Bosco).

A little difference in size, don't you say?? Just too cute!!!
(Some more on my FLICKR account - See my sidebar)

I ordered some yarn today from a woman who was de-stashing. The color is absolutely fab. I will be getting 12 skeins, and it's Bramble Rowan's Soft Tweed. I got it all for a great price. I'm thinking a sweater or something fun like that. I love the color, so much fun! It's coming from Ottawa, Ontario, so it shoud get here early next week, she's mailing it out tomorrow!

My in-law's brought over tonight my CJAD gift basket that I won. There were 4 Safety First products. I will post a picture tomorrow, but I got some pretty neat stuff. I couldn't believe what I was receiving! Sean has been super lucky so far in his life! Winning contests and making money!

Sean Won A Contest!

Jamie's step mom entered Sean into the Special Delivery of the Day contest at the local radio station! Sean won a gift basket!

Here's the email they got!

Hi,

The couple you've submitted have won CJAD's Special Delivery for tomorrow morning at 6:50 AM!

Let them know it will be announced on the CJAD morning show with Andrew Carter.

Thanks for listening.....Happy New Year!

Lisa Fuoco

Promotions Director/Entertainment

Montreal's News Talk Leader CJAD 800

Last night I had a really rough night. I had previous rough feedings, but this morning at 4 something in the morning, he just fought my breast off, and wouldn't eat. The other time it happened, after a one hour scream fit (I'm not talking crying, I'm talking screaming), he finally latched and ate. But today, early morning, he just wouldn't. It's frustrating.

... very frustrating.

To the point of crying on my behalf. It's been a very emotional last 24 hours.

I let him fall back asleep and he didn't have that feeding. I felt really guilty. I almost prepared formula for him, which I DIDN'T want to have to do. I am really for this breastfeeding business.

So I called a lady on the Consultant's list that the hospital gave me. I spoke to her late this afternoon, and she listened to me, asked questions, and then decided it was best for her to come tonight.

It was the best 80$ I have spent in a long time.

She weighed the baby, checked the baby, and he has dropped a few more ounces. Nothing to worry about, or she would have sent us to the hospital. He does have a slight tint of jaundice, but that will go away, now that she has shown me how to breastfeed properly. I feel soooo much more confident now about feeding my son. I was NOT doing it properly. Not at all. He was getting food, just not enough. And it was painful. The nurses at the hospital during my stay were useless. One nurse shoved my boob in my son's face and then left. The service was horrible while I was there, when it came to the nurses. I think it's because they were CRAZY busy, and overwhelmed.

I am so happy that she came over tonight. I think I can sleep easier knowing that my son will get to eat properly from now on, and I know how to give him my breast, and how for him to latch on properly, so that it's not painful for me, or for him. I hope this will result in less screaming fits on his behalf!



She had this really cool "prop" with her, it was a knitted boob! You heard me correctly - a knitted breast! It was so she could show me how to squeeze and hold my breast, and all that jazz. It actually really did look like this breast in the picture to the left. I asked her if she had made it herself, and she told me that she occasionally knits. Tres cool! I was very impressed. I never have seen something THIS creative before! (I googled online, you can actually find patterns to knit a breast!) (Not that I'll ever need to! HA HA!)


I have a lot of learning to do - but I think that it will all come in due time!

It never fails - getting peed on while changing the diaper! Why do babies wait until you take off their dirty one to pee??

{To anyone I owe an email or comment back to - I will get to it tomorrow while Sean naps. I will have some time to do that then! Until then, I am going to go feed my son, and then go to sleep - I need it!}

Bath Time Is So Much Fun.... Rubber Duckie....

My milk finally came in today and I realized this when my shirt was leaked on! Now I can feel that I'm adequately feeding my son, because I've been soo worried and nervous that the colostrum was not enough, but he's been eating like a champ!

I called the postpartum about the lack of my son's bowel movements today. The nurse I spoke to told me that since I'm breastfeeding, it could be normal. That usually only formula fed babies can get constipation. She suggested that if I wanted, to take a thermometer, put some vasoline on it, and insert it into his bum and the push it in and out a few times gently and softly to stimulate anything that was blocked, if there was. A little bit of poop came out, but it wasn't the same consistency that was his usual poops, so I knew something was blocked. After that, he had a feeding, and then the moyal (rabbi) who will be doing his circumsicion this weekend came by to visit to check the weight of the baby, and when we opened his diaper, he had a FULL one.... everything that was blocked up now came out. I felt so relieved. Then he's had bowel movements since. I now know that his crabbiness the last two days, the constant crying, etc, was due to constipation. Ever since this relief in his bum, he's been a completely different baby. I feel so much better now!

This afternoon my grandmother and my parents came over to visit with Sean (I'm not important anymore!) and my mother helped me give Sean his first bath at home!

As you can see - Sean didn't really take a liking to the bath idea.... hopefully next time it will get easier. And thank goodness, he did NOT pee on me while I bathed him.

Tonight I took care of some paper work after feeding him and Jamie watched him while I did some work. My desk is clean now, and I can actually see what's what! I took care of some cleaning in the house today too, garbage day should still happen tomorrow (unless it's a legal holiday, which apparently it might be), and cleaned the bathroom. (The laundry never ends, especially not Sean's!)

I'd like to get some knitting done, I'm jonesing to knit. Maybe once I get more comfortable with nursing, it'll come easier for me, and I'll be able to knit. I want to contact a lactation consultant, to come help me out, maybe I can get some tips or something to make breastfeeding coming easier for me and Sean.

I got accepted (I was on the waiting list) for SOCKS THAT ROCK: SOCK OF THE MONTH CLUB! I am soooo excited. I just need to pay for my membership, (which I'll take care of that shortly) and I'm super excited!! I'll get 6 kits in the mail to knit socks with throughout 2007. How cool is that???

Tomorrow I have plans with my sister, I hope some shops that I want to go to are open, if so, we'll do some errands together. Wednesday night I'm planning on going knitting with the Montreal Knits, to get out of the house. Sean is coming with me, to meet the ladies!

Almost done typing up my birth story... so stay tuned!

Why I Love Snow...SP9 Final Contest

Why do I love snow?

• Living in a city that has a long winter, you have to like snow
• I don't ever have to shovel it (snow removal guy does that)
• You can make snow angels in snow
• You can make snow men, and use carrots for their nose
• I've been skiing since I was able to walk, and that's a snow sport!
• It started to snow as I was ready to push my son out to be born. I will always remember the snow falling so delicately outside the window of the labor room, and how it looked so peaceful and soft compared to what I was going through!