We're turning Magic 8!!!

I fulfilled the seven months pure breastfeeding so I'm going to rejoice. Then I got a new job. Then my BM went low... so now I have to mix feed. While I am away she will be on formula then direct latch once I get home. It was hard at first to feed her by bottle again after getting used to my breast but because I found a very patient nanny, she made sure that my dear Peanut will be bottle fed once again.

The thing is, its quite heart rendering whenever I get home and little Peanut is waiting on her high chair and once she saw me from the door will give me a joyous expression of glee. As if she's saying "Finally, dede (breast in Tagalog) is back!!!" On a mother's point of view, it was always the best welcome one can get every time I get home in the afternoon.

We are seven days shy before she turns eight months...she is already trying to walk around too much. She's still learning to crawl though. You see, my daughter has a very weird milestones because she learned to sit and walk before crawling or roll over. She can now point out when she doesn't want to eat her food...just look away until the spoon in front of her goes away. She can blink her eyes also called "beautiful eyes"  and make herself look cute when she wants attention. Ah the little one is becoming a toddler fast. 

Food wise, she's a good eater. She can turn broccoli into lollipop and strawberries are her favorite munch. They said its because she was breastfed that's why she's not choosy with food. Today I tasked her "Yaya" (nanny in tagalog) to fed her the blended quinoa and salmon mixed with milk. I am just amazed how fast she can grow in a matter of eight months....seems like yesterday when I first held her in my arms. Everyday I thank God for the opportunity of being her mother.

P.S.
Did I mention she can say "baba" now and "nenny" for me??? 

A Working Mom's Dillema: Time vs Money

I am actively looking for a new job. But this time, there's a big difference. I am a mom now.  

Hello Selfie!!!

When I was single I wanted a job with big salary no matter how long is the working hours, as long it was a high paying job. I used to travel quite a bit back then so if the work requires a lot of traveling, then it was more challenging and fulfilling for me. Time was never an issue. My main worries are much trivial compared to the present time.

It's 360 degrees totally different now. Seeing my Peanut slowly grow up into a bright toddler, time has become more crucial factor in finding a job nowadays. I would rather sacrifice a smaller pay compared to what I had before if I get to spend two days in a week with my daughter. Every minute with her is very precious. I now tend to ignore the social media calls during the times when I am with her. She is my world. She was a gift from God that requires time, patience and understanding. God entrusted me her life and it is my aim to make a better world for her to grow up into. If I can weasel out more time for my growing baby from a new job, I will take that offer. I pray for a company with a motto that "family comes first." I know, God will grant it to me anytime soon. 

Being able to teach and introduce her the way of our world is more important than slaving my life in the office till the early wee hours of the morning. I'd rather be slaving away changing nappies and nursing her till the early rooster welcome the sunrise because motherhood is a personal fulfillment. Knowing that I am investing my time wisely on my little one and providing for her simple needs cannot be compared to any amount even in gold. 

This is my motherhood journey. 

The Power of Boobs

Now that I can hand express 100ml to 150ml of breast milk at one go, I cannot stop being amazed by the power of the boobs. I am totally amazed every time the milk spritz out from my nipples knowing that it contains all the antibodies and nutrients my baby needs. 

I am into my 2 months and 3 weeks breastfeeding journey. It wasn't easy at first, summing up with the bloodied and sore nips, hard as stone engorged breast and a wailing baby on the side. All the time researching how to increase my milk and trying it out each advise to ensure my milk will be more than enough. Although we are mix feeding my Peanut currently (it really pisses me off but I have no choice but increase my milk stash) and being constantly worried how her poop looks like from time to time, we are hoping that she will grow more.

A lot of mothers are unaware that a breastfed baby fats are fully packed inside their body. They might not look like Michelin or Bay Max type of fats but they are lean and packed. My hubby constantly worry that our baby is not growing fast enough, but I strongly have faith in the power of my breast milk. My baby is well nurtured with strong bones (just like last night, she kept raising her head as if wanting to sit at 2.3 months!) and she has strong immune system. 

I can continue all day and night highlighting all the benefits and wonders of breast milk  and how it is the best among all baby food but I guess, all mothers knows this. I do not condemn those mothers who choose to formula fed their babies because each mother knows whats best for their own babies. As long as the baby gets fed on time, poops properly, sleep properly then all is well. Each mom has their own way nurturing their babies and as for me, I will do my best to drink, eat and increase my milk for my beloved Peanut!

Hand Expressing the Milk

It was quite unfortunate that I was laid off on my first day back from maternity. However, I am the type of person who is positive most of the time. Because that day, my milk output increased to 300ml...which was a first.

So instead of feeling bad about losing my job, I was quite happy to see the increase of my supply. I followed all the advice on Breastfeeding Pinay and indeed, it truly worked. Nowadays, I do hand express more than the pump to totally drain out my liquid gold. Somehow I am amazed every time I see my milk soaring out of my nipples. Expressing a 100ml to 150ml each time was quite an achievement. A woman who never breastfeed her baby would never appreciate the liquid gold and the amazing things a woman's body can do to feed her child.

Truly God is good...all the time!

The Not So Newborn Peanut

I should stop calling her Peanut... well, habits die hard. 

She's almost two months on March 12...and unfortunately due to some unavoidable circumstances I might leave her for two days to personally do some stuff in my home country. It will be hard because I am breastfeeding her and she developed this crying attitude when she could not feel my presence...even if I was seating 3 feet away from her...what more so if I am on another side of planet? Thus, hubby will be feeding her formula...as much as I hate it. Because I dont have a stash of breastmilk enough to last her for two days. On the lighter side, she and her daddy will have two days of bonding. 

Time pass by so quickly that my Sophia is growing and getting more interactive. She likes...no...she loves listening...either it is from people having conversation or music from the pc. She also had been skyping with her grandma and uncle and she was attentive and giving them her adorable, toothless smile. 

She's making her own milestones like controlling her head up and trying to roll on her side... which is too advance for her age...she's not yet even two months. She started her gurgling communication and I strongly wish she will be able to develop her language skills anytime soon. 

For now, I'm enjoying my maternity leave changing nappies, nursing, and putting her to sleep...and there it goes...time's up...she's bellowing me now to come to the rescue....ciao for now!!!! 

Motherhood Journey

I delivered a healthy baby girl at 8:32am on 12th of January 2016 via CS. It was the most amazing moment of my life when I heard her loud cry.

I wanted to exclusively breastfeed her but on day 2 of my post partum she developed jaundice.  The doctor said that she didn't get enough milk from me so we decided to mixed feed her with formula on the 3rd day since my breast milk is still low in supply.

For the first time in my life... me and my husband were grateful for a 2 hours full sleep. I experienced feeding her while my head was bobbing sleepily (almost snapped my neck). I suffered post partum depression due to the hormonal changes. I was literally tearful most of the time and yes... crazy too.

But despite all the hardship and sleepless nights...journey to motherhood begins now.

Breastfeeding is Best for Babies...but its not easy!

This is a warning to all mothers out there who plans to breastfeed their newborns. It is not easy but it is important that you are committed to the cause.  I once heard that breastfeeding is fun and easy...and whoever said that is a liar.

I was adamant to exclusively breastfeed my newborn... until on the 3rd day she started developing jaundice and my nipples are sore and cracked. It was so frustrating on the 2nd day when she cannot stop crying. I made her hungry since my I cannot produce enough milk. She lost weight gram by gram until my loving husband suggested to mix up the milk formula and my breast milk so our Peanut can cope up. 

I was committed to the new cause, in favor of ensuring that my newborn already sucked the colostrum out of me. On the day we were discharged from the hospital, she finished a combination of formula and my  milk that total to 100ml. Wow...she was THAT hungry. As per the doctor's advice, we let her feed as long as she wants. Her poo definitely showed that her intestines are working properly.

As for me, I express my milk (yes...im a human milking cow!) until my nipples heal properly. Then I plan to breastfeed my newborn to ensure that the flow of milk will never stop. And I think, that's called a commitment for a healthy bouncing baby. 

I also took Galactivot and ate a lot of malunggay, soup and other veggies that helps produce milk faster. On the 5th day, I was able to express 60ml in one go... so a little more patience and effort is required from me. With prayers, feedings and morning sunbathing with my little one, we get to reduce her jaundice from 10.5 to 7.2. 

The Quick Delivery

So we finally met our Peanut on the 12th of January 2016...and I can clearly remember every details of the delivery. We went to the hospital around 6:40am at the emergency department and I was admitted directly to the Maternity Unit. It was decided that CS is the best and safest way due to some infection and from there, everything was quick as a lightning.

I was brought to the CS Operating Room, given lower back anesthesia and even requested the doctor to have some staff take pictures since my hubby is not allowed in the operating room. I was actually smiling and observing the fast action going on around me. Maybe Im morbidly curious but I was watching a CS operation on Youtube two days back....I was kinda hoping they will allow me to see the operation but of course that will be too much. Medical staff might probably think I'm some kinda weirdo. 

By 8:32am, my whole world had changed when I hear a small cry of a baby for the first time. I was slowly digesting the fact that the baby I carried for 39 weeks is now out in the world. I was waiting for the bonding feeling...some sort of emotional overload that didnt come. When the anesthesiologist informed me that the baby is out... I was almost on the verge of crying. But the moment was ruined when he commented "My God, your baby was loud!" after my newborn daughter started bellowing with all her might. That made me smile...Ah! she's my daughter after all.... I'm apparently loud myself you see, so the crying thing never happened. 

A minute passed by and my 3.38kg bundle of joy was presented to me crying, but she stopped when she heard me calling her name. She turned her head to my face and looked at me weirdly. And off she goes to be cleaned and tested.

Around 9:30am, I was brought to my recuperating room and slowly trying to recover the feeling from my legs. My newborn was brought to my room and her father thinks that he had never seen pink skin until now. Therefore, for the rest of our lives, January 12 is our New Year. 

Pineapple is my Bestfriend

Six months back while I was on my 4th month and had a bleeding episode, I was dearly advised to avoid eating pineapple, papaya, eggplant and parsley as it can cause miscarriage. But since I'm on my 38 weeks going 39, my OB suggested that I should start eating pineapple to naturally induce my labor. 

She told us the baby is already ripe enough added to the fact that I started my ML waiting for my baby Peanut. I am quite enjoying the movements she is making. Sometimes I tried to capture it in video but she knows when she was on cam because she stops moving until I close the video again. But oh boy, how she got the moves! During one prenatal checkup my husband saw her full leg rising up from my tummy. Well, he looks amazed and scared at the same time. I'm pretty sure that I will definitely miss these moments once the baby is out and about. 

For now, I have drank 3 cans of pineapple juice but I am not sure how long will it take effect. But then again, whenever Peanut is ready, I believe she will make her debut to the world. For now, I have to contain the acid reflux that keeps me awake at night. 

xoxo,

 Momma C

Maternity Leave

I will finally take a bow from my site works officially on 10th of January. It's not because I'm giving birth anytime soon, but it seems that I have been gorging myself with a lot...and I mean a LOT of food recently which made me reached 71.1kg in a matter of weeks...that's almost additional 6kg from my weight in December 2015. 

Thus, going up and down my site office stairs is becoming a feat for little old me. Added to the fact that my beautiful and strong Peanut is moving around any crevasses she can find around my ribs even if she already dropped down quite a lot. I can feel fluttery fingers on both side of my pelvic areas and more stretching (and  stretchmarks too...)! Night time sleep is a challenge too as acid reflux and a heart burns are the norms at these times. I tried sleeping half sitting and cold milk to keep it all away but I guess, this is one of the sacrifices a mother has to go through.

For the first time in my whole 35 years in this world, I am taking a leave of absence from work that will define my bonding moments with my soon-to-come little princess. I feel a bit guilty because I cant feel the excitement that much but they said I will feel it once I saw her. I'm holding on to that thought tightly. I do not want to have any post-partum grievances and will try to avoid it. 

Coming next week, I'll probably start nesting as I was freaking out that everything is still haphazard in our house. Too many stuff still floating around and not in place. Oh well, must do some planning for this well-deserved leave then!