Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Fair

Here are a couple shots from the Davis County Fair this year. We are always happy when the fair comes as it is right behind our house and a really fun thing to do in the evening. We are also always equally happy when the fair is over.


Leah plugged her ears the whole time during her first ride on the boats.  She was riding with all boys who rang their bells the whole time. I am surprised she wanted to go on it again!

With Dad on the tilt-a-whirl. There was minimal crying but no second ride.

Starting solids

Kate had only gained two pounds at her last appointment. I think the milk supply situation is getting a bit better.....but slowly. So I am trying to bulk her up a bit with avocado. She did not seem to enjoy it the first time as you will see in the video. But four days in and she loves it. I know it's early for solid food but we think, along with our pediatrician, it's a better alternative than formula until my supply comes back. In the meantime I will continue to nurse until my nipples fall off!


First day of school!

  Today was Leah's first day of school. Dave and I both had to drink last night to calm our nerves. It's such an odd thing how hard it is to drop her off at school. I never understood it until now. I will say that both Leah and I did much better than I expected! Leah did not even blink an eye when it was time for me to leave. WHEW! Let's hope it continues to be such a success.
  Our main reason for starting Leah in school so early was socializing. She has had VERY limited time with other children and gets very anxious around them. The teachers and principle said that she did not play at all today- just stood and watched- for 2 1/2 hours. Looks like we made the right decision! I am sure it won't be long until she finds herself in the group. GO LEAH!




Nesting

Cousin Cameron came for a sleep over again last week. The two of them have so much fun together. I think Cameron spend half the time trying to carry Leah around the house. She very much enjoyed it. This is a nest they built and read books in together.


Way late.

This happened almost two months ago now. Whew, I am late posting. My mom came in for a visit and we tried to get some family photos. I will just say that I had horrid PMS, Leah would not smile, and Kate was about 30 min late for her nap. Made for GREAT picture taking!!!! We will try again soon I hope.





Sunday, August 5, 2012

Bake-off

This is Kate with her second cousin Sam. He is one month younger. Yes, you read right YOUNGER!

Yesterday was the Stireman(Dave's family) bake-off. This is an annual event for a huge family. I spend most of my time on the outskirts. I wonder where Leah gets her social anxiety from????

Milk Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease?


Our family suffered a terrible tragedy a little over a month ago. The dog of some dear friends died while in our care. A bulldog named Gus. And just so you understand the significance of this, these friends will never have children, their two dogs are their children. And Gus is the son of their older female dog Wheezy. They have raised him since birth. 
 Gus died of heatstroke. After doing much research and talking with veterinarians I have found out after the fact that Gus had many things stacked against him. Bulldogs are the most fragile and intolerant breed to heat. The environment we provided him just happen to be the worst possible scenario for his survival. This knowledge does no good to us now but in case you have a bulldog and are reading this, a few things to note:

1. NEVER allow your dog free access to the outdoors when temperatures are above 68 degrees.
2. Never allow you dog free access to play with other dogs no matter what the temperature( they can go into heat stoke just from the body heat generated during play in the winter months).
3. Always keep you dog indoors and sedentary during the hours of 9am to 9pm in summer months.
4. Always have lemon juice and Benadryl on hand as it can make the difference between life and death.
In case you know nothing about our set up here for the dogs, we did the opposite of all of these things. We have a dog door, many other dogs, and the place is far from sedentary. We also had no idea about the Benadryl and lemon juice!

It has taken over a month for me to be able to talk about this with anyone other than my closest friends and David. And still am only barley brushing the surface of the effect it has had. It has created a snowball of loss in my life. The most recent of which is milk supply.  

Kate is such a great nurser. She is my last baby and with her nursing is everything I thought it would be. With Leah we had mastitis, thrush, reflux, clogged ducts, tongue tie and terrible digestive issues. With Kate, everything just works the way it should, I am enjoying it so much. 

In the last month, Kate has lost weight. I am not sure exactly how much yet, I will find out at her appointment on Thursday. I know at least a few ounces and that is a lot when she should be gaining. I keep thinking things will get better with time but they are not. It may be time to…..supplement. So for all of you out there reading this please wish me mental and emotional peace for the sake of milk.