Its called Liquid Gold for a reason

Hi yall Im back!!
I figured it was update time, seeing as its been quite a while since I blogged anything. I felt like it was a great time to put pen to paper so to speak, and just talk.

So....Ive been nursing Avery for 5 months. When she was about 2 months old I stopped being able to keep up with her demand....this is called Low Milk Supply. I had similar problems with Eva so now it is called Chronic Low Milk Supply. Ive tried EVERYTHING! I take supplements, drink teas, pump extra, tons of water.....I even took reglan for a few months. But sadly nothing helped. The wonderful Lactation Consultants at For Babies' Sake recommended I see my doctor to have some blood work checked and perhaps find a medical reason why I cant fully meet my baby's food needs. I go in tomorrow for that appointment. But in the meantime, Avery still needs to be fed. And I am anti formula. It has its place. Avery has had it in the past but still.....I am uncomfortable with it, especially given the recent Similac recall.

And with that, I have a confession to make. I have been supplementing Avery with donor mother's milk. Honestly, the difference between when she received formula supplement vs breastmilk supplements is huge! She smells waaay better for one! Secondly, she looks better...its hard to describe but her skin and hair just seem more beautiful and shiny looking. She seems happier. Her digestive system (AKA poop) is waaay better. She has been on donor milk since Thanksgiving and I am SO proud to have a baby who is 5 months old and is 100% breastfed.
But it certainly is not easy. The government is so quick to tell you Breast is Best....but then you are left to your own devices to figure out the rest. At first I considered contacting the milk bank but the demand here is very high. Since Avery is a) not a preemie, and b) not very sick, we would certainly be last in line. Then I would have to get a prescription from the pediatrician, and then it would cost 3-4$ PER OUNCE...if she even got any at all!!! I quickly calculated that Avery ate up to 8 oz extra per day. At 3$ an oz that is 24$ per bottle, 168$ a week, 672$ a month (pssht! thats more than my house payment!!) and a grand total of 8064$ A YEAR! And thats IF her demand didnt go up. You can see why plenty of families turn to formula. But this is important to me so I dug in and started researching. I discussed this with Kyle and right away he wanted to know how safe it was using donor milk. I researched it some more. I saw a video discussing a study done in Africa where HIV+ mommies were taught to express breast milk and then use a home pastuerization technique called flash heating. Most of the antibodies and such were retained, and this killed any bacteria, and the HIV virus!! Countless young lives will be saved by this method (often, mother to child transmission of HIV occurs through breastfeeding). Flash heating is really simple to do, no extra equipment needed. Also, virtually every mom in the US has blood testing done when they are pregnant. Part of the deal with being a donor is that you agree to provide your blood results at the recipients request, or they can also pay for a donor to undergo testing. Another thought to consider is that a donor mom is also feeding her baby the exact same milk you are receiving. And anyone going though the time consuming trouble of pumping extra milk is not likely to be getting high and trashed out every chance they get. I got Kyle on board, though I am sure he was a little weirded out but I felt so relieved to have his support.

Then I made contact with the facebook group Eats on Feets Texas. There are chapters in every state and all over the world. They are groups of mommies donating their extra milk to each other for free! I lurked in the group for a few weeks before I finally worked up the courage to post a request for milk. I admit I cried when I got a response from L. She is a mommy in my area who had a little girl only 2 weeks younger than mine (perfect! milk evolves to suit the aging child so it is ideal to have one close in age to yours). The day before Thanksgiving she gave me about 200 oz! That night in private, I got on my knees and thanked God for bringing this whole thing into my life because I (and Avery) were being blessed beyond measure. Since then I have met two other mommies, S, and M, and they have also blessed my baby. There is no way I could ever repay them back for this gift. I am forever grateful to them and humbled because I have realized it truly does take a village to raise a child.

So why would I talk about such a private, and seemingly bizarre thing? Simple really. Babies deserve mothers milk. It is what is best for them. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastmilk for the first 6 months of life, and continuing until age 2, or later if you want. Well.....I could only provide exclusive breastmilk for 2 months, and I know there are plenty more out there just like me. The demand is so high. Looking through all the posts requesting milk on the webpage, it is about 10 requests to every 1 offer. There just isnt enough to go around.......yet. So I figure if I tell my story, maybe, hopefully, prayerfully, someone out there will realize how truly blessed they can be in giving. Maybe one day we can have a whole huge network where no one has to stress out about giving the best to their baby.

I can only pray. :)

Links:
www.facebook.com/eats-on-feets-texas
www.milkshare.com




Ok you may need to copy and paste the links into your browser......I am not a computer whiz and cannot figure out how to make them active links. =)

Ahhhh time flies by!

So Eva just turned two on April 11th.....she is so independent! Her last birthday, her daddy had just returned home from Iraq 2 days prior, and she still had no hair....wasnt *really* walking yet either. Now she has curly reddish hair, her eyes go from hazel green to brown.....I was hoping she would have my dark green eyes but it looks like it is not to be. :( She bounces from place to place always smiling and excited and just looking for trouble. We have been going to Stroller Strides usually 3 times a week. She is ok with it but does not like to be confined to the stroller.......I am sure NO ONE is surprised by that!

NEWS: We are having aother baby GIRL!!!! :D Today marks 5.5 months into the pregnancy. We are both doing well. Eva is so sweet....she will point to my belly and say Sissy! She also likes to kiss and pat Sissy....but still steps on me or kicks me when she is getting rambunctious. Eva and her sister will be about 2.5 years apart....everyone tells me its perfect but I think that can only be so once we get potty trained :) Speaking of potty training.....we went to the potty yesterday!!! It is still very hit or miss. Sometimes she can tell me if she needs new drawers but most of the time she cant be bothered. We have bought the toddler underwear....I beleive we will crack those out when nap time is over.

As for me, I am still working in the ER but maybe one or two afternoons a week. My main function is to stay with Eva. I imagine it will be even harder to get to work once the new baby gets here.....poor thing still doesnt have a name....but we have time lol.

Please say a prayer for my FIL Larry Hankins....he needs some healing. Love to all!

Hey kids

So.....Eva is 13 months old now. She is 25ish pounds and is at least 30 inches....but I think she has grown a couple since out checkup in April. :D

Kyle got back from Iraq on April 9th. Eva and I went to the base and got to watch the plane land and see Daddy get off and walk to us. It was really nice. She wasn't too sure about him that night but the next day they were bestest buddies again. :D We had a very small birthday party for her on Saturday April 11....which was her birthday. She wasnt feeling too good but she still had a good time. I kept it small on purpose because a) she was sick, and b) Kyle had JUST gotten back home.....I realize I may have overlooked some folks and I sincerely apologize for that. We did have A LOT going on though! :S But anyway we are so glad to have Daddy back home!! YAY!!

Monday we drove to Corpus Christi. We went during the day and E did NOT enjoy it at all. What should have taken 7 hours took closer to 10. We had a good time together....it was overcast but the temp was great. We drove out to South Padre one day....it was a little cool for it I guess because the waves washed up on our feet and it was BRRRR!! E decided she hated the ocean right then and there and screamed bloody murder until she was safely packed up in her carseat. Later that day it warmed up and we were feeling brave and took her to Corpus Christi beach. We got her changed, sunblocked, and set her down on the sand (which was NOT hot BTW) and she screamed bloody murder then too......hence, she is not a beach baby....Im so sad! But we maaaay have gotten sunscreen in her eye so that might have been a factor. Mommy has since upgraded to stick sunblock. YAY!!! We also went to the Texas State Aqaurium....this was the highlight of our trip. E loved all the critters and we had a good time too. Neither of us had ever been. Very cool! Highly recommended!! Bonus.....they have sweet deals for military....even deeper if you go to the NAS in Corpus and pick up your tickets at the ITT office. Another place we went to was the USS Lexington. Very educational but TOO HOT and TOO LONG....also, NOT very stroller friendly, just FYI.

Question: How do you get a baby to wear a hat when she flat out refuses to do so? I cant get Eva to wear one to save her life.....and Im concerned with the Texas sun coming out like it is.

I will get some pics of Corpus Christi up soon.......in the meantime, it is EMT week and I am baking cookies for all my medics. Have a blessed day!

been a while!

Ok I havent updated since January....sorry....but not a whole lot of people read this anyway so Im not going to feel too bad for long, lol. Anyway, Eva is doing fabulous. Beautiful and funny as all get out! Starting to walk....starting to get some attitude. She is the dog's best friend....mainly because off all the food that ends up on the floor. lol

Kyle is doig good. He is really excited to come home next month and play with his baby. He really misses her. Last night at church someone said Eva was starting to look more like a little girl and less like a baby and that breaks my heart! :( I just hope he doesnt think Jeez Ive missed so much, ya know?

But hey we are happy, healthy, productive. We both have great jobs....actually I have two jobs lol.......My most important job is a stay at home mom. And my nursing job which is just a few days a month....and mostly for my spending money. heh

On the job front, Kyle was offered a job in extrusion at the south plant where he first began working.....and is MUUUUCH closer to home!!! He talked about getting into the extrusion side of the business when he first started working there....he told me if he could learn that aspect of the business he could write his own ticket anywhere.....we'll see.....cuz mama sure wants to go to CO, or FL....or who knows where! Anyway, now he has been offered this opportunity and I am so happy for him. :D New boss, new job, new money lol sorry I couldnt help it! Hopefully he will be happy there, because that is all I want for him.

WEll, I must get going......I need to finish dishes before bed.....must.......be......productive!!!

9 month visit

Yesterday we went to Eva's 9 month checkup! She did very well. 23 pounds 5 ounces and 28.5 inches long. She did have to get a couple of pokes though. They tested her iron and she got a polio shot (apparently no more oral polio.....it was a live virus....eeep!) The iron test involved a toe poke. It bled for a long time so her doc put two bandaids on it and we went on with the visit. He thinks her top teeth are going to pop any minute now....but anymore bottom teeth are still a ways off. He ear has cleared up beautifully.





So this morning.......the bandaids were gone. Not in the crib either....or on the floor. It didn't smack in the face until this afternoon that HEY she probably swallowed them you dummy!! I called up her doctor with visions of a bowel obstruction/perforation swimming around in my head and that would have been ALL MY FAULT! I really have no clue if bandaids can obstruct the intestines. (This is not something typically taught in nursing school lol) Anyway, they told me as long as she is having no respiratory issues, she should pass them. WHEW!!!!! So for now, I guess that means I'm on poop watch!

Christmas goodies!!




Well I guess that aught to wrap us up! Hope you guys are doing well!!

Love,
Us

Updates Galore....

hear ye hear ye!!!

So, Kyle left for Iraq yesterday. :( They went to Miami but left tonight for somewheres in Europe......well, I know where but I don't want to blurt it out all over the internet....sorry. Feel free to hollar at me for more info.

So after literally YEARS of college, I have finally completed my BS in Nursing. I am done for a while but I plan on going back for my Masters (once Kyle gets done with his BS in Engineering.) :D This does not mean more $$$.....at least not right away. But I do need it to advance in hospital land. :D

Eva is getting big! She weighed in at 23 pounds 2 ounces the other day. She is getting over a cold and an ear infection. I feel so bad! She started getting sick right before Christmas (and I darn near got fired for missing work on Christmas Eve to stay home with her!). Thought it was just a cold so we went on our planned vacation with plenty of tylenol and motrin. She was up all night every night so we got VERY little sleep! Got back and I started counting the days and decided to take her to the docs and get her looked at.....last time she was this sick it was bronchitis. But it turns out she is taking after me with a big fat ear infection!......so now we are experiencing the joys of amoxicillin. She is doing so much better now....back to sleeping through the night again!!! Woot!!

So....for our vacation, we went to Palo Duro Canyon. VERY pretty!!! It isn't as big as grand canyon but it is still very nice....I really enjoyed learning about the history of the canyon too.

Well....I worked a 12 hour shift today and I am so tired I can barely see strait so I better get to bed. Hope all is well with you.....bookmark us for updates!!

And now for Kyle's news. So

Done........

1. Started your own blog. Check!
2. Slept under the stars. Can’t tell you how many times I have been camping!
3. Played in a band. I sang.
4. Visited Hawaii. LOVE it there!!!
5. Watched a meteor shower. Kyle was in the astronomy club at Mountainview.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain. Once or twice
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. Oh yeah
11. Bungee jumped...yep....dont recommend it either
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.....does hubby count??
16. Had food poisoning. Hasn’t everyone had food poisoning?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables....yeah but its been a while...I would like to do it again though
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train....been on the night bus to/from Mexico....that should count.
21. Had a pillow fight. good times
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. I have had a case of the Friday flu before.
24. Built a snow fort.....snow????
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. I dont skinny dip....I chunky dunk!
27. Run a Marathon (HAAA!! Yeah right!).
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse....sun or moon?
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset....if you havent done this you are a goober!
31. Hit a home run. Once or twice.
32. Been on a cruise. Can't wait!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. No but would like to....I understand they are from Colgne
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.....still learning Spanish.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. Yep....the trick is just being happy with what you have.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing....we used to go all the time
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke. Unfortunately yes.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt....yes, last summer...beautiful!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant. yep
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.....yeah....in Galveston with the hubby.
46. Been transported in an ambulance...yes I was in a bad wreck at 18.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.......snorkeling in Mexico.
52. Kissed in the rain....yep....love it!
53. Played in the mud. Ha.....ask Krysie....or my mom...I think she hosed us off
54. Gone to a drive-in theater....yep there is one in Ennis
55. Been in a movie. uhhh not that I know of
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. Not a successful one. LOL
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen......we used to go to a street corner in Dallas and pass out food on Sundays after church
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies....yep.
62. Gone whale watching.....no....dolphin watching
63. Got flowers for no reason....I think maybe once or twice.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. I have donated blood before....I am O+....they love me. 65. Gone sky diving. Negative ghost rider….who wants to jump out of a perfectly good plane?
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check. Anyone who says they haven’t is lying! LOL Or maybe I am just forgetful!
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. Still have a few.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job. Yep.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone. Nope.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. My hubby and I would ride around everywhere!!!
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person...oh yeah it is AMAZING!!
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car. Actually, never have bought a new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. a few times.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. do fish count?
88. Had chickenpox. Yes
89. Saved someone’s life.....part of my job.
90. Sat on a jury. (no, thank god!)
91. Met someone famous. Nolan Ryan
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one. A couple.
94. Had a baby.......Miss Eva came April 2008
95. Seen the Alamo in person. I think it is required to live in Texas.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit. Nope….thankfully. That has to be scary!
98. Owned a cell phone. Who doesn’t own one these days. 8 year olds carry them!
99. Been stung by a bee. Never a bee but I took a wasp in the face when I was like 8.