Category: Family & Friends

Relatives in Town

My niece, Maelin, arrived on April 6th, and my mom and my youngest sister, who both live out of state, have been able to come out last week, and this week.

Last week my mom, came in for the weekend, to meet her new granddaughter. We met in a park and had sandwiches, and she got to catch up with her grandsons.

I also got to hold Maelin, who is still very small. She is 6 lbs., 9 oz, and it is fun to hold such a little baby. Ryan was 6 lbs., 15 oz, when he was born, and Cole was 7 lbs. 5 oz. at birth, so I never had a baby that little. Here is the proud aunt, with her sweet niece, and you can see Cole sitting on a towel in the background (he’s still afraid of the grass :-):

My sister arrived yesterday, and she is staying with Maelin and her mom (of course), but they drove up to my house, and we hung out with the kids, nursed, and when Joe came home from work, I got to go out to dinner with my sisters, without the boys. It was a nice break, and Maelin slept the entire time.

As a side note, it was really interesting nursing Cole, and then having my sister nurse Maelin at the same time. I never ever thought about my sisters and I having kids at the same time, and it was one of those things that you probably could never plan, but now that it has happened, it was neat- even though our children are different ages, and she is a new, first time mom, and I have 2 kids, nursing is still a common bond for us. By the way, Maelin and her mom, have totally gotten the hang of nursing, and Maelin is a nursing champ!

Today, the boys and I went on a long walk, with me pushing both of them in the double stroller up hill, for the half the walk. I realized I was pushing 50 lbs, between the two of them, and I was really sweating. I hoped I burned off some of the Mexican food I had last night. 🙂

Tomorrow, Cole and I are going to go meet my sisters for an afternoon of shopping. I am hoping to find a few summer capris and shorts, as I have *almost* lost all my baby weight (10 lbs to go), but sometimes that last 10 lbs., is hard to lose while you are still nursing. I actually can get in to a few of my pre-baby spring clothes, but it is cutting it pretty close. I would like a few outfits, I don’t have to “suck in it” if I want to keep the button from popping off. And of course, I’ll be on the lookout for some summer clothes for Ryan and Cole.

Then my dad is coming over to my sister’s house to make his delicious chili rellenos. My youngest sister loves chili, but where she lives, they don’t really have hot green chili. So I plan to pig out on Mexican again.

On Sunday, the weather is supposed to be beautiful, so we are planning another picnic in the park, for the afternoon, before my sister has to catch her flight home. It is great spending time with everyone and I only wish we could do it more often.

Family & Friends Household Ryan

New Car (finally)!

Joe’s truck was totaled in car accident in late March, after a guy rear-ended him, while Joe was stopped at a red light.

So after weeks of research, test drives, debates, and changing our minds countless times, we finally went and bought our new car today! Drum roll…..We are the proud (hint of sarcasm here) owners of a 2006 Ford Taurus!

I wish I could say we bought something more exciting, like a mini van that I was hoping for, and Joe definitely wanted another truck, but after some extensive soul searching we decided to go the most economical-bang-for-our-buck that we could. First of all, we never wanted to spend any money on a new car. We would have been happy for Joe to keep his truck and drive it into the ground. But, we were forced into this situation, and had to make the best of it.

We were this close to getting a mini van, and then Joe would drive our Jeep Cherokee, but we would have to take on some more debt for a mini van, and after thinking it through, our first priority right now is to get a different house. Taking on more debt would lower our debt to income ratio, and would probably result in a higher mortgage rate when we buy a new house. The same situation applied in getting Joe another truck, and since he also drives so much for work, a truck just wouldn’t get that good of gas mileage. He was just about breaking even with the mile reimbursement his company pays him, so we figured if he could get a more fuel efficient car, then he would actually be making some money to save for repairs to the car, like the reimbursement is meant for. Also, unless we got the fuller size truck, there would be no way both boys could ride in the truck if needed, and the larger trucks are even be more expensive, and get less gas mileage.

So in the end, the Taurus seemed like a good fit. We will not have any debt, and it gets about 32-34 miles per gallon on the highway, (Joe’s previous truck was getting about 22 mpg), both boys can fit easily in the back, and there is room for another person in back as well. It is a program car, meaning it was returned from Hertz as a rental, or a lease from a company, who had it for an employee as a company car. It only has 25,000 miles on it, and comes with a two year warranty. So even though it isn’t very exciting, it was the best car for our situation right now. Here is a stock picture of it (it is a dark silver / light gray color, with light gray interrior):

As our family grows up, and maybe one day expands, then a mini van may be a better fit, but for now we’ll be content with the Taurus. Fortunately, we can still haul things in the Jeep, and Joe’s dad, who lives about 10 minutes from us, has two trucks, so at least Joe will still have access to a truck when needed.

I think the saddest thing in this whole process was Ryan’s reaction. He LOVED going places with Joe in the truck, whether it was just a quick trip to the hardware store, or over to the grandparent’s house. He keeps telling everyone that “Dad’s truck got hurt, (or smashed up).” He also asks “When is Dad’s green truck coming back home?” He looked pretty disappointed when we came back in the Taurus to pick him up from my dad’s house, and we told him it was Dad’s new car. He did climb in the Taurus, and looked around, but he still wanted to know where Dad’s truck was. Maybe one day, we’ll be able to get another truck as well, to keep all the boys around here happy. 🙂

Breastfeeding Family & Friends Parenting

Nursing Triumphs

My sister and her brand new baby, Maelin, (my very first niece) have had somewhat of a slow start breastfeeding. My sister has been amazing, trying to get Maelin started, but she would only latch on for a minute, suck a few times, and then throw herself off the breast. She has done this since day one. So my sister has been pumping and feeding her with a syringe, so she won’t get used to a bottle nipple, and then not take the breast at all.

I e-mailed one of my friends in my parenting group, who happens to be a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who had some good advice, but Maelin still wouldn’t take the breast for more than a few minutes, if even that. Yesterday, my sister was really frustrated and exhausted, so after reading about some things we could try on the La Leche League’s website, the boys and I went up to see if we could help.

My sister was very engorged and after pumping some colostrum out, and having my sister and Maelin, use skin to skin contact, ( this is when the mother’s chest is bare, and the baby is only in her diaper) the second time they tried nursing, Maelin nursed for 15 minutes! My sister said that was the longest she had nursed since she had been born. Maelin had a beautiful latch, and it was wonderful to hear her little sucking and swallowing noises. She reminded me of a tiny, baby bird. My sister was elated Maelin was finally nursing, and it was so special to see that breastfeeding bonding moment, and a happy mama and baby. I left on a positive note, and encouraged my sister to keep doing what was working.

Unfortunately, my sister called later that night and said Maelin had refused to nurse again, for two of her feedings. My sister was crying again, and upset. I felt really helpless- I wished we didn’t live so far apart, and I could have just popped over there, for support, if nothing else. I encouraged her to just keep pumping to relieve the engorgement, and keep supplementing Maelin, so she wouldn’t become dehydrated and not have the strength to suck.

This morning my sister said, it had been a rough night, and Maelin refused a few more sessions, but she finally nursed well again early in the morning, and for a few more times later in the morning, and had not refused so far. My sister had a visit from the nurse that her insurance sent, and they weighed Maelin, and she was actually gaining 2 oz., after she ate, and she hadn’t lost anymore weight, so I am just thrilled for my sister, that it seems like it is finally “clicking” for Maelin. I advised her yesterday, and so did the nurse, to cancel the visitors that they have been having, and don’t answer the phone, until breastfeeding is established. So my sister did that today, and I haven’t heard from her again, so I am assuming this is good news, and her and Maelin are practicing nursing, bonding, and getting the hang of it.

It made me feel good, that I was able to help out in even just a small way. Breast-milk is the best you can give your baby, and the benefits that both mother and baby receive during breastfeeding are invaluable. My sister and her husband have been trying so hard, and feeding her breast-milk from the syringe, which seems to be a time consuming process. I am so proud of my sister (and her hubby for supporting her) for hanging in there, and trying suggestions, and doing what she can to ensure she can get Maelin breastfeeding. I can only imagine how frustrating, stressful, and upset she has felt. Even if they have a few feedings, where Maelin has a setback, I am so happy they seem to be on the upswing. I am keeping my fingers crossed, and sending them “good nursing” vibes.

Family & Friends Ryan

Pictures of My New Niece

I got the “OK” from my sister, to post some pictures of Maelin, so without further adieu, here are some pictures of the little sweetie:

These two pictures I took when I went to visit in the hospital on April 6th (her B-day) Maelin was approximately 11 hours old in these.

Maelin’s mommy took this picture on Sunday- the day she went home from the hospital- so she is two days old here.

My sister and her husband are doing well, as new parents, and are adjusting to a new person in their lives. My sister said, Maelin sleeps really well during the day, but has been awake during the night, but once she does go to sleep, she has been sleeping for 6 hours or so. All and all they are adjusting well.

There are lots of family and friends who live near by, who are bringing home-cooked meals every other night, and I know my sister is very grateful for that! Her husband is off work for two weeks, and they are enjoying this time at home- what I like to call on their Babymoon!

My sister might come up to my town on Thursday for a visit, but if she doesn’t I am sure we will go visit her this week- Ryan has yet to meet his new cousin, and Maelin’s aunt is getting restless, wanting to hold her again. 🙂

Breastfeeding Family & Friends Pregnancy & Birth

Welcome Baby Maelin- I’m An Aunt!

Post author By A Mama's Blog
Post date April 6, 2007
2 Comments on Welcome Baby Maelin- I’m An Aunt!

My sister had her first baby, a girl, this morning at 5:14 am, officially making me an auntie for the first time. Her name is Maelin, and she is very cute, and adorable in my humble opinion. 🙂 Both her, and my sister are doing great. Maelin was sleeping very well this afternoon, only waking for a few minutes to nurse here and there.

I took Cole with me to the hospital, about 30 miles from where we live, and we spent almost four hours there. It was great holding a newborn again, and she weighed less than either Cole or Ryan were when they were born, so it was a treat to hold such a little peanut, weighing in at 6 lbs., 7 oz.

I am not sure how my sister feels about me posting a picture of Maelin, since this is not a private blog, but in the next few days, if she says it is okay, I’ll post a picture of Miss Maelin.

Since this is my first sibling to have a child, I am ecstatic about being an aunt for the first time, and I already love Maelin. I think being an aunt must be like being a grandparent- you get to do the fun things, and share in the special moments, but you don’t have to do all the work and care that involved.

I am so proud of my sister for believing and trusting in herself, and finding the strength she had within her, to bring Maelin into the world. This has been an extremely happy day for our family, and I can’t wait to see Maelin again!

Happy Birthday, Maelin, and to my strong “Birthing Goddess” sister, Happy Birthing Day- I love you both!