National Breastfeeding Week

Sorry, no pics of Isaac this blog, although I do wish I had a breastfeeding pic to put up in honor of National Breastfeeding Week which is just winding down. I am so upset with my home state right now, which makes me sad, because you all know I am a true Kentuckian at heart. I just read an article this morning about a woman in Berea, Ky (10 miles from where Steve and I lived in Richmond during college) who was kicked out of a McDonalds for breastfeeding her 4 month old son. This is only about 30 miles from the Lexington Applebees that asked a woman to stop breastfeeding her son a couple of years ago. There is a Kentucky law that protects breastfeeding women against this kind of harassment. How can someone ask a mother to stop feeding her child, or to go to a disgusting public restroom (would you eat your lunch in one?), or her hot car to feed her child???? This baffles me. I can understand people being uncomfortable if a woman is purposefully not being discreet, however most nursing women are quite modest, and very careful to not expose themselves. People get so hung up on breasts being sexual objects rather than a source of nourishment for a child. Kentucky ranks 50th out of the 50 states in breastfeeding initiation. How sad is that? This state is not providing mothers with the education and resources they need to provide their child with the best nourishment there is. Instead, welfare is handing out free formula. Hello, breastfeeding is free too, and scientifically proven over and over again to be healthier! When I think about it, I don't remember ever seeing a woman nursing in public during the majority of my life spent in Kentucky. I don't even think I can think of a single family member or friend who has breastfed. Yet, it always seemed so natural to me, and never occurred to me to do anything else. I am certainly not saying that there is anything wrong at all with feeding your child formula, Isaac had formula his first few days of life, I'm just disappointed that women feel they don't have an option because they are not properly educated and are made to feel scandalous by choosing to breastfeed, like it's something they have to hide. Formula certainly has it's place for women who are not physically able to breastfeed (inadequate supply, incompatible medications, etc) or who work long hours without adequate opportunities to express milk for their child. I hope that I have set a positive example to some woman out there who is contemplating breastfeeding her child by not being ashamed of providing my child with what I feel is best for him, no matter where I am. I wonder if I'll get kicked out of some Kentucky restaurant when I'm home for a visit and my almost 2 year old wants to nurse, haha. I dare someone to try. They will receive quite an education from me.


http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/482335.html

9 Months!

Just 3 months away from his first birthday *tear*, where does the time go???? I know I haven't blogged in ages, but honestly, not a lot of excitement going on around here. Although, just in the last couple of weeks, Isaac has reached some blog worthy milestones.

Nope, no crawling yet, thank the Lord, I am so not ready for a mobile baby. It won't be long though. He can go from sitting to his tummy, up on his knees, but he usually rolls onto his back and cries before he realizes he could go forward. He is attempting to pull himself to his feet with furniture, but isn't quite brave enough to follow through yet. You'll know when he does because all of his pictures will show his black eyes, bumps, and bruises he's sure to get. Probably my favorite new behavior is his newfound adoration for his Mama. Although not entirely a new revelation, he's found new ways for expressing himself. When we've been apart for any length of time, he greets me with the biggest smiles, squeels of glee, and outreached arms, reserved only for Mama. It absolutely melts my heart. Then, when he's in my arms he continues smiling at all around him, as if to say, "See, this is my Mama, and all is right in the world now." He's also learned to hug, which sometimes ends in tears if he is overly zealous and bangs his head on my collar bone in the process. One of the downsides to this adoration however, is when Mama has to leave him, either with Daddy or with daycare, both of which are equally bad in his eyes (sorry Dada). At daycare, when it's time for me to leave, and he knows very well how the routine works, he will keep a hand on my leg or try to crawl into my lap to keep me from moving. And as I go to stand up, the tears start flowing and the arms reaching. It is so hard to walk away from him while he screaming for me to pick him up, it breaks my heart everytime. But I know it is only shortlived. As soon as he sets his eyes on a toy or teether, Mama is momentarily forgotten (that is until he gets hungry and they try to shove this silly bottle into his mouth, what is that about?).

Now, for the biggy - Isaac has said his first word - 2 days ago. Can you guess? Yes, it was "Mama". I've been working with him relentlessly for weeks, and he finally said it. I was handing him over to Daddy, and of course he didn't want to go and started whining. Then, suddenly, as clear as day, he screams, "Mama!" We both heard it, there was no denying it. Now, you may think this was a fluke, that in his panic he was just babbling, and the sound that came out sounded like Mama. I disagree for two reasons. 1) The past couple of days prior to this, he had been showing signs of understanding the meaning behind the word. If Daddy was holding him and said "Mama" to him, he would look around the room until he found me. If I were holding him and said "Mama," he would smile at me and hug me. 2) He has since repeated the word 4 times, each time when he wanted me to pick him up or rescue him from Daddy. Yay! When I first heard it, my thought was - This has got to be the greatest thing that has ever happened in the history of the world. I still believe it is.

Finally, I thought I'd leave you with a couple of pictures commemorating Isaac's 9th month, and how those pictures came to be taken. Isaac decided to play hooky yesterday. He woke me up at 1am with a raging fever. Now, he's is required to be fever-free for 24 hours before he can go to daycare, so this meant, no daycare for the day, and hence, no work for Mommy. I gave him some Tylenol and we went back to sleep. By 7am when I woke up, his fever was gone and he was perfectly fine. All day long, he seemed just fine, no fever, no fussiness, just his usual happy smiling self. So we got to have a day off, with a happy baby, instead of a sickly fussy one. We went by Babies R Us to pick up a few things, and while there, the photographer for their little photo studio was walking by and noticed Isaac's gorgeous blue eyes. She started talking to him, and he just loved her and was smiling, cooing, giggling, and trying to climb out of his stroller to get to her. This is pretty unusual for him. Lately he has been very weary of strangers. She couldn't get over his cuteness, and who could? So, she offered to take a couple of pictures of him and give us a free 5x7. How could I pass that up? Although, in the back of my mind I knew this would sucker me in to buying more prints from them, since I could never pass up cute Isaac pictures for anything. I tell you, this lady has got to be one of the best baby photographers there is. He just LOVED her. He couldn't stop smiling at her. It took us a whole 5 minutes to get these perfect smiling shots, whereas at home we can rarely capture those smiles. He wasn't wearing my favorite outfit, so we decided to strip him down to his cute diaper (I was glad he had a cute diaper on at least). I got my free 5x7 and of course bought a 5x7 of the other one and, yes, I did make sure to get some wallets of each for all you grandparents. Sorry these are fuzzy, they are scanned images.

Happy 9 Months Isaac.

Beach Baby

Isaac loves the beach, no doubt about it. On Memorial Day, while Uncle Joe was visitng, we made a very daring trip to the beach on the first summer holiday weekend. It was insane. Besides the drunken guy that got beat down by the cops for engaging in a brawl only feet from us, it was a wonderful day. Isaac loved dipping his toes in the warm water, and squeeled with glee as the waves washed around his feet. He also very much enjoyed the taste of a fistful of salty sand, mmmm. Is that not the cutest plumber's crack you've ever laid eyes on?

He was ready, but I wasn't

I have been putting off giving Isaac solids for a while now because I wanted him to have only breastmilk and delay solids as long as possible since he is growing so well on it alone. The pediatrician had also said to definitely wait 6 months, but I wanted to go longer. I had done the research, and many people feel it is best to exclusively breastfeed with nothing else as long as possible during the first year, because solid foods aren't really needed until 1 year old. I planned to watch his cues and wait until he was interested or needed the extra nutrition. He hasn't been the least bit interested in solid foods up to this point. But then tonight at dinner, he was watching us eat longingly and started making chewing motions, which he's never done before. I have been contemplating giving him a bite of something soon just to see how he'd respond, since the doc suggested at his 6 month checkup yesterday to think about starting something soon. So, this morning, I made a big batch of steel-cut oats (which are so good) in the crockpot for our breakfasts this week. I took a bit of that, put it in the blender, mixed in some breastmilk and heated it. Now, we fully expected him to thrust that spoon right out of his mouth, make an awful face, and spit the food out.

He sure surprised us! He knew just exactly what to do with that spoon. By the third bite he was opening his mouth in anticipation and trying to pull the spoon to his mouth. He loved it. I only gave him 7 or 8 bites and he would have taken more. I haven't even researched how to make my own baby food yet, which is what I want to do. I don't even know how much or how often to feed him. I thought I had much more time, but he is obviously ready. I am so proud of him, but a little sad too. My baby is growing up.

So, over the next few weeks, I will be starting him off by giving him little tastes of whatever veggie we happen to be eating that day, mashed up and unseasoned of course (the doc suggested squash, peas, and green beans). We're going to take it slow for sure, but he sure seems excited about it, even if I'm not so much.

Half a Year!!!

6 Months ago today, Isaac unexpectadely entered my world. I remember that day so well, and I've been reflecting all morning. After getting permission to toss the terbutaline pills and pump the day before and being told the 15 painless contractions I was having every hour didn't appear to be doing anything to my cervix, after 2 long months of strict bed rest, I was sure I was in the clear for at least another 3 weeks, idiot that I was. So, what did I do? I slipped up. I started walking around, went to Wal-Mart, met Steve for lunch, ended up in L&D that night, only to be sent home that morning. Within hours, we are back in the hospital and I end up going into active labor, dialating from a 2-10cm, and delivering tiny little 4lb 15oz Isaac Lee all within 3 hours with no meds whatsoever!! Not the way I expected that day to end. It was the scariest day of my life. It was 4 excruciating hours after his birth before we saw him or knew anything at all about how he was doing. But God was watching over him and protecting him all the time.

Now, just 6 months later, he is a whopping 17+ pounds - all breastmilk except for the high-cal formula he got those first few days in the hospital. Breastfeeding was such an incredible struggle in the beginning, and I faced just about every hurdle imaginable. Now we are going strong on 6 months and loving every moment of it, and I am so thankful that God gave me the strength I needed to push through the rough spots. He is able to sit on his own just about, loves to stand, smiles and giggles, and is the sweetest most precious thing in my entire life. He is in my thoughts every minute while I am at work. The last 6 months have gone by like a whirlwind, and he looks so different and has learned so much. But he is still my sweet baby boy.

1 day old

One of the perks of working on an island

After work yesterday, I picked up Isaac and Steve, and we were about to drive home, when we decided to stop by the beach. It was a gorgeous warm sunny day. So, we swung by the beach to let Isaac dip his toes into the water and bury them in the sand for the very first time. He seemed to really like it. He loves being outside and he loves water, so this was right up his alley. Then, afterwards, we stopped by a restaurant and had fresh fish and calamari on a patio over looking the ocean. It seriously felt like we had stepped out of our real lives and were on vacation for a moment.

By the way, his shirt says "Lock up your Daughters"

The last pic is of me nursing him on the seawall - I seriously have no qualms about breastfeeding him anywhere at anytime, modesty has gone out the window for me (I do wear discreet nursing tops or use a cover most times of course).

I'm published!!!

My first published article - http://www.jimmunol.org/cgi/content/full/180/5/3038, not that anyone will find this remotely interesting unless you are researching immune responses following burn injury...

Ok, the honest truth, Tracy, my mentor wrote most of this and did most of the research behind it, but having a student (me) be first author would be beneficial to her credentials, so we both got to benefit from stamping my name on this one. We are submitting another one next month that I am currently writing on as you read this that better warrants my name first.

It's funny, I was just doing some background research online for this current paper and came across an article whose title peaked my interest, as it sounded very similar to what I am writing. I click on the link, and lo and behold, there is my name!! It was my paper! I had completely forgotten that it came out last month.

Now I'm a real scientist!! Woohoo!!

* I am aware that you have to subscribe in order to read the paper, but I absolutely do not expect anyone to read it anyway, as it puts even me to sleep and you'd have to be in the field to be at all interested.

My Newest Obsession

I have just been introduced to the wonderful world of Cloth Diapers (aka, CDs). Now, I know what most of you are thinking, probably the same thing I would have thought a couple weeks ago when hearing reference to cloth diapers. You're picturing those rectangular thin pieces of cloth that your grandmother still uses as dish cloths that you have to pin to your baby using sharp pointy pins that become dangerous instruments when mixed with a squiggly little baby with paper thin skin; also the thought of endless laundry of stinky poopy diapers and leaky thin cloth leading to wet clothes and unhappy baby. Well, cloth diapers have come a looooooong way since then, and are actually as convenient as disposables (aka, sposies) these days. Just check out this site - Cotton Babies. What first led me on my newest quest for cloth? Well, as many of you know, I am a member of an online community of women, all of whom had babies due the same month Isaac was due. We have been friends for about a year now and have shared many great tips, advice, and experiences with each other from pregnancy, to breastfeeding, to raising our little ones. Well, one of my friends on this board recently noticed when she changed her baby's disposable diaper, there were chunks of gel all over her his skin, so she asked if any of the rest of us girls had seen this and knew what it was. Well, many other girls had noticed this too. After some research, we discovered that this gel is actually a high absorbency gel that all sposies have in them that can hold 100 times it's weight in liquid. This is what makes sposies so incredibly absorbent. However, this gel is made from a combination of toxins, one of which, dioxin, is one of the most cancer causing toxins there is. This toxin is actually banned in many countries, but not the US. Here is one of many links listing some of it's dangers - http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=question207.htm&url=http://www.thediaperhyena.com/diaper_drama_scene3_health.htm. I don't want this on my baby, he's already exposed to plenty of things everyday that are harmful (a recent study was published showing that many of the baby bath and lotion products such as Johnson and Johnson contain extremely high levels of carcinogenic toxins, but that's a whole other story), and I know I can't protect him from everything, but this is something he is constantly in contact with. Then, there is the fact that sposies cost us $22 for a 2 week supply, which is outrageous, and that cost will go up a few $'s with each size up he goes until he is potty trained. So, I began my research on CDs, with the help of several friends who only use cloth. I was amazed at what I found. CDs are so much more convenient than they used to be, and almost just as important, they are very fashionable, and are just as cute as can be!! They are many different kinds, and so, of course, I wanted to start out by trying out several different kinds. There are All in Ones (AIOs), which are just like a disposable, they have a thick absorbent layer built right into a cute waterproof cover. There are pockets, which have an absorbent insert (think giant maxi pad) that stuffs into a pocket built into a cute waterproof cover. Many pocket diapers also come in One Size with adjustable snaps so that you won't have to buy different sizes as your baby grows, saving you tons of money. There are fitteds, which are basically a clothe diaper in the shape of a disposable, with snaps or velcro, that you cover with your choice of many adorable waterproof covers. And finally, the cheapest option are prefolds, which are similar to the old fashioned rectangular cloths that have a thick middle layer, and you fold them and hold them together with a snappi (which is a plastic little clip that replaces the old fashioned sharp pins), and then you fashion it with an adorable cover. And you can also use woolies as covers, which are, you guessed it, knitted wool covers! Another whole new window of knitting opportunities!!! Now, many of these diapers are extremely pricey, we're talking as cheap as $1 a piece for prefolds and $12 for their covers up to $35 for a single custom made diaper that can have your babies name embroidered on it along with your favorite team's logo. People have gotten incredibly creative with these things. Many work-at-home moms make and sell customizable diapers from their homes. While the initial investment may be high, these diapers never have to be replaced, can be used over and over, sometimes will fit your baby from infant through potty training (if they are one sized), can be used on future children, and then there are thousands of diaper swapper communities online where you can sell your clean, gently used diapers and cover. I have begun my journey by trying out some of these gently used diapers as well as some brand spankin’ new ones. As for the extra laundry, I find I spend maybe 15 minutes extra a week on diaper laundry - you just have to toss them in, turn on the washer, add in a tiny bit of dish soap, and dry them. You never even have to touch them if you put them in a washable laundry bag - just dump them and bag all into wash. And with breastfed poop (sorry if this sounds gross), it is completely water soluble and the washing machine will just wash it away (once he starts eating solids, it may be more beneficial to dump in the toilet first, but we aren't there yet). Also, many of the new CDs out there have fleece linings which wicks away the moisture from babies skin and significantly reduces the incidence of diaper rashes when compared to sposies. But to top it all off, oh my goodness, these things are so much fun to buy!! There are soooo many cute ones out there (just google bum genius, fuzzy bunz, kissaluvs, to see a few). I have begun dipping into my yarn budget for these, they are seriously as much fun as yarn!

Here are some pics of Mr. Isaac's fluffy butt sporting his new CDs (some of the covers are a bit big and bulky, but are still perfectly functional and he will grow into them, and they should fit him up to potty training). I've found the pocket diapers to be the most convenient, once you stuff the insert in the pocket (takes a couple seconds), it goes on just like a disposable in one step. We have some of the bum genius one size pocket diapers, pictured above, coming in today or tomorrow - I'm soooo excited!! I never in a million years thought I'd be a clothe diapering mommy.

Here he is wearing a fitted with clouds before the cover was put on

Here he is wearing a prefold held with a snappi before the cover was put on

Here is is wearing a cute cover with jungle animals over a fitted or prefold

Here is wearing my fave, a cover with froggies over prefold

Here he's wearing a Swaddlebees pocket diaper, looking very pleased

Here, he's wearing another Swaddlebees pocket

Woh, we're twins!

Check this out. This is me the day I was born versus Isaac last Saturday at 4 months old. I was as big, if not bigger, the day I was born as my 4 month old son!

This is it, after 167 days; and a home for my milk :)

Today is my official last day of maternity leave. I've been out of work since August 1, when I went on bedrest. I start back tomorrow part-time, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-1:30 until Isaac gets a spot in the daycare at my school. So, at least I get to ease back into it. But I am terrified about leaving my little boy with strangers. The part-time daycare we've choses seems great, the people already love him. He will be the youngest baby they have. He'll be loved and held and spoiled, but he won't be with me :( I know it will get easier, but my heart is just breaking. I am so conflicted. I no I don't want to be a stay-at-home-mom, all I do is sit in front of the tv all day long, and I do miss my work. But I hate missing out on anything in his life, and I hate that someone else will be there for him besides his mommy. I guess one of my biggest fears is that he's going to love it and end up liking his caregiver more than his mommy. I know that won't happen, and by choosing to breastfeed and continuing to after I go back to work, I know that I have taken a wonderful step in establishing a powerful bond between us that cannot be easily broken. Only Mommy can provide that kind of love and nourishment. We will always have special moments each day where we can completely focus on each other, even after spending hours apart. But man, I'm going to miss my little man so much.

Another bit of news that I'm really excited about: I'm going to become a milk donor! I have 90+ bags of breastmilk in my freezer with anywhere from 3-8oz in each. Whew, that's a lot of milk! The reason I have so much is because Isaac was a premmie, I was told to pump after I nursed him each and every time for the first month to help establish and maintain my milk production, since he was too small to eat enough to keep it up. Well, turns out I am a great lactater and began overproducing big time. It's under control now, but as a result I have a surplus of milk that I could never use up before it goes bad. There is a mother's milk bank that accepts donated milk to give to babies, many premature like Isaac, whose mother's are not able to breastfeed, either because of hospitalization or lack of sufficient milk production. As an immunologist, I am well aware that breastmilk is BY FAR the best nourishment an infant can receive, when possible (decreases risk of illness/infection, greatly enhances brain development, easier to digest than formula), and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to help out other little ones in need of this liquid gold. See, God had a plan!! I have been blessed with the ability to provide for not only my own child, but for others as well. I worked so hard pumping that milk day and night and suffered many uncomfortbale symptoms that an oversupply can cause, and it will not have to go down the drain. Just look how healthy Isaac looks - those chubby little cheeks, gaining a pound a week - now another baby will have the same opportunity. I may even continue to become an ongoing donor throught the next year or more until Isaac is weaned. Check out all this milk! (I finally figured out how to freeze the bags flat to save space.