Warming Up

I can't believe that I have already hit the one week mark before I return to work from my maternity leave. It's just mind boggling.

On the books for today, Emma and I are venturing out to Babies'R'Us and Freddies for some shopping. First I thought I would throw down some awesome words about the discoveries of late. This is my warm up week before I go back next week, so each morning I am waking up like I would need to for work, getting dressed in real clothes as opposed to sweats and PJs, and I am not snoozing the morning hours away with my wee one on the couch.

Five things I have found I should NOT eat unless I want Emma's butt to be considered a chemical weapon/bio-hazard:
Beans (in excess)
Broccoli (in excess - like more than every other day)
Processed chicken (i.e. McDonalds')
Craisins (raisins be cool, but not the dried cranberries...)
Frozen pizza (specifically DiGiorno)

My conundrum of a child keeps growing in length but she isn't filling out as much. She is almost too long for the three month clothing we have for her, yet she is just now starting to fill out some of them... Not that I want her to be "fat" but I wouldn't mind seeing her a little chubbier... I'm confident she is getting enough to eat since she eats until she is completely full; like spit up the excess full because she is a gluttonous string bean. I figure I will chat with her doctor about it when we are in for her two month appointment this week. Everything I've read on the super wonderful interwebs says it is normal for some babies to just be skinny/lean and as long as they are hitting all the expected milestones it's nothing to be concerned about. But that's the interwebs, I just want confirmation that this is sound from her doctor.

I'd hate to think she is not getting enough nutrients from my milk. I am purposely focusing on taking in healthy fats and proteins along with a balanced amount of complex carbs and fruits and veggies. I personally feel like I am overeating, but anytime I "slack" on my intake my milk supply seems to dip a bit. That has been the biggest frustration for me in the last month.

Which leads me into the biggest dilemma I have been struggling with due to my OCD/controlling demeanor. My plan/goal is to breastfeed for the entire first year. As I learned with her arrival, things won't always go as I want/plan. I have considered the option of switching to formula so I know she definitely is "getting enough to eat". Then I feel like I am cheating/being lazy; this could be from the stigma of the time we live in; breast is best [yep, I know], formula feeding can lead to weight issues in the future, and blah blah blah. I know, I've heard them all. I've sought advice from forums, lactation consultants, and mommy friends who've been there done that, for ways to insure I maintain a steady and growing milk supply. I've been busting my boobies to try and meet this demand.

The biggest test will be next week when I go back to work. If I am not pumping enough to supply her at daycare then I'm not sure what I will do. I dread the idea of supplementing with formula as it can just lead to further drop in supply. Then of course there's the disgustingly high cost of formula. 

Okay, okay. Enough of that crap. Felt good to get it out there though.

In other amazing developments:

Emma has started smiling at us. It is the most beautifully sweet smile I have ever seen (and yes, I realize I am obviously biased). I can't wait to be able to catch it on camera and share it with people! She is also working on her grasping reflex. She also likes feeling things with her adorable little hands. Which can be weird when I am nursing. She will lovingly stroke my boob and then claw her hand across it... Kind of cruel if you ask me since she has little baby razor nails...

Well, now she is awake. So we shall have a quick snack and then it's time for a mommy baby adventure!