Out and About

Today marks the first of many Zoo trips for AJ.

He was awake all the way to the front entrance!  And then....he fell asleep as soon as we hit the first animal exhibit.  Boo.  Oh well, not like he knew what was going on anyway.  And mommy got to see baby elephant, Lily!

I used to have a lot of anxiety going out with AJ.  You know, cause when he cries, bad things happen.  And by bad things I mean my facets leak like a garden hose.  and by bad things, I mean, you know baby meltdown. haha.  So I'm extra proud today to say that we survived this outing mess and cry-free!

Here's what it usually looks like when I plan a trip out with AJ:

***Start by feeding him as close to our outing as possible (and getting him to be as full as possible to ensure a nice nap)...since it takes ~10 minutes to eat, ~5 minutes to burp, ~10 minutes to change (adjusting for accidents, etc), another ~ 5 minutes for seconds (if he's up for it), and another ~5 minutes to burp, and finally ~5 minutes to get him in a car seat, with ~5 minutes leftover for me to do whatever, we usually start this process about 45 minutes to one hour before we intend to leave the house.

***additional stuff I've started carrying in the diaper bag:  gripe water (for bad bad bad gas), wide brim sun hat, 2 binkies (in case one falls to the ground, as it did 3 days ago), 2 outfits (he tends to explosively poop when we're out), our Beco carrier (on days when he's VERY fussy), and extra boob pads for me.

***offer him his binky before I put in him the car.

***give him his binky if he gets fussy while we're out.

***either limit our trips to 2 hour excursions or have a plan to feed him within 2 hours of leaving (may include escaping to the car, if we're not comfortable)

***knowing that after his first "cry" I have about 15 minutes before it turns into a full on wail if I don't feed him.

***carrying lots of diapering supplies.  I don't trust changing stations (especially after all that talk about norovirus) and therefore always have our portable changing pad in my diaper bag.  Also, it's quite nice that the back of my car, a CRV, serves as an excellent changing station

***location location location:  it's a lot less stressful to bring him out to "baby friendly" places.  Where are these?  Public places.  Parks, the zoo, the mall, outdoors anywhere, and of course, places with drive thrus.  On a side note, I never noticed how many mother-baby pairs there are cruising at the mall on weekdays!

***on another note about shopping.  If there's been a "favorite" place to shop since I've had Austin, it's gotta be hands down, Nordstroms.  The staff are so friendly (no dirty looks for having a crying child), they have accommodating fitting rooms, and a women's lounge that has couches and a flat surface where I can comfortably change and feed him.  I will definitely be going back for some more Nordy's shopping!

There.  That's how we go out.  How about you?

Why you need mom (or new parent) friends

I've never really been for one who makes situational friends.  Or whatever they call that.  You know, like you're getting married and then all of a sudden you hang out with these women who are also getting married cause you're going through the same experience?  Yeah, no.

But I find that motherhood is different.

In short, though it's probably the best thing you've ever done in your life, caring for a newbie is quite....isolating.  There's great people you can surround yourself with - your partner, moms, MILs, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, etc.  Not that they're not important and very valued at this time (PLEASE, stay longer so you can cook my next meal too!).  But they're not always going to want to hear poop or sleeping stories...all day.

Not a lot of my friends have kids.  But a few of my friends have delivered already this year, and there's a couple more to come.  E and I have been friends since college.  We even got married the same summer but I moved across town, so we didn't hang out as much after pharmacy school.  Imagine our excitement when we found out that we were both pregnant, and due in the same month!  E's daughter is 10 days older than AJ.  I remember the first time E and her husband came over to our house to visit AJ, I was SO excited to see them.  I mean, yeah we're friends and all, but never really "let's talk about baby's poop and spit up" type of friends.  Hahaha, for our first visit, we had pizza and talked about ...you guessed it.  Poop.  :)

There's something nice and (safe?) about sharing our daily challenges and milestones with another new mom, who, even if she isn't going through the same thing, can take it in and appreciate it.  There's also something nice about going shopping together and laughing together at the fact that nothing fits anymore (and also having someone to hold your baby while you go to the bathroom!).  A mom friend is someone you can look at for encouragement and motivation.  When I see that things are working out for her, I have faith motherhood really is do-able. and that things can work out for us too. More than anything else for me though, there's something calming about knowing that you're not alone, someone's going through this also, and who knows, maybe she's also looking outside at the moon right now, at 4:30 AM cause her baby also won't got the f*** to sleep.  :)

We're taking the babies to the zoo tomorrow.  I can't wait!

Bat Wing Swaddling

Today, I'm writing about yet another trick in the book that's been a lifesaver for us.

Bat Wing Swaddling.

This is something I learned from mom's group.  This is a technique taught and founded by our group leader, Kimberly Bepler  who is a very experienced and wise postpartum doula.  Do you have a child who is Houdini and can pretty much break out of any swaddle?  Well, I'd be surprised if a kid can break out of a bat-wing swaddle.  AJ is not one of those kids that can break out very easily, but he does have a very strong startling reflex and unless he's wrapped REALLY tight, he WILL startle himself despite being swaddled.

Basically, the technique is very low-budget.  Got an extra receiving blanket?  Done, you have enough to bat-wing swaddle.  The beauty of it all really is that baby's arms are wrapped up in a receiving blanket which is tucked underneath his torso.  It's impossible for his arms to come out due to the weight of his body laying on the tucked blanket.  After his arms are wrapped, then he is swaddled regularly, and then voila! (see video below).

This is really the "magic" behind the miracle swaddle blanket (which we also have).  I found that AJ doesn't really like the miracle blanket ("really mom, this is way too thin, I like my fleece Halo sleepsack").  IMO, the "arm flaps" are too short on the miracle blanket to achieve a good swaddle.   He'll be swaddled for a short nap, but will almost always wake up within 1/2 hour.

Anyways, it's hard to explain via words how to swaddle with bat wings, so here's a video :)  That's not me, by the way.

What I eat to survive a day caring for my n00b

I've always heard that breastfeeding mothers need to eat an extra 500 calories to sustain their milk production.

Well, I must say, for the first 4 weeks of AJ's life, I was so overwhelmed with learning newborn care that I completely forgot that I needed to feed myself.  Literally, the only food that I ate was the bare minimum - a quick something for breakfast, a breakfast bar or something for lunch, a couple of sips of fluids here and there, whatever my parents brought over for our dinner (and I'd eat like 3 helpings of that!) and then a glass of water, if even that at bedtime.

Now that I'm over the shock and started to get a hang of things (really, it's week 6!) my body has apparently figured out that I've been cheating it of food.  And it's starting to ask for more.  As in, real meals please!  And also I find that randomly want snacks now, and have become much more sensitive to dehydration.

Now before AJ arrived, M and I used to be foodies.  We LOVED cooking.  In fact, I never really viewed cooking as a chore.  I thought of it as a form of release from the stresses of the day.  Not that I don't love cooking anymore, but since AJ's arrived, I feel like that peaceful nap hour I get from him after feedings is a lot like that button on LOST - you've got a perpetual timer before doom happens.  Not so conducive for the kind of cooking used to do.  That, and the fact that there's a good amount of time the little raptor wakes up in a meltdown during his "peaceful" nap...or maybe he just plain won't go down for a nap, and now I'm down one arm holding him.

So, what do I do to feed myself?  Here's some things that have worked for us so far.

1. Pre-package snacks
This doesn't have to come pre-packaged. I'm thinking carrots, snap peas, fruits, etc.  I love these foods but just don't have the time to wash, peel, cut, prepare them to eat....so they rot in the fridge.  New idea. We shop on weekends, so after I buy 'em, I have time (with M's help watching the baby) to prepare them and stick them in serving size bags.  Healthy and convenient.  OK fine, the unhealthy ones get packaged this way too. Win.

2. Do a little every time
After a 9 PM dinner a couple of weeks ago, I decided it was stupid to expect success in preparing and cooking an entire meal during his 7 PM nap.  After all is said and done, the kid is awake, wailing, and demanding food...and my food goes cold. :(  So be smart throughout the day - do a little whenever you get the chance.  9 AM nap - wash all the veggies  12 noon - cut them up  3 PM - marinate the meat.  Etc.  Obviously this doesn't work well if you're back at work, but it doesn't mean the same principles can't be applied the evening also.  Take advantage of some of these when baby goes to bed.

3. Pre-plan meals
The best way to save time is to plan!  I used to do this in college with my roommate - we'd have a board on the fridge with the meals we're planning that week, like a cafetaria schedule.  In fact I did this with M too, when we moved into this house.  A lot of people, including our parents made fun of us, but it just makes sense, especially for grocery shopping - really streamlines the process, and also reduces a lot of stress of figuring out what's for dinner

4. Crock pot
The easiest way I can think of that makes delicious healthy meals.  It's also a huge pot, so it can make multiple meals.

5. Batch foods
Crock pot goodies, lasagnas, etc. The more the merrier!  Actually, the more the less work :)

6. Save leftovers for lunch
We've always done this for work, but I find that this is now crucial.  Cause when there's nothing to eat, I tend to reach for things like breakfast bars.  No good.  Just cook a little more dinner than needed and you'll have leftovers.  Plus, I've always found that it's easier to cook for 4, than for 2.

7. Grown-up sippy cups
Sounds silly, but sometimes, reaching for that glass of water can be hazardous with a flailing newborn! Cups with straws or water bottles encourage me to drink more water, and also prevents spills!

8. Foods that you can eat with one hand, in several bites
Every day for breakfast, I eat a muffin.  Not cause it's super healthy (it's a chocolate one by the way), but because I can polish it off in 4 bites without creating extra dishes to wash.  I know this is not the best breakfast food, but the reality is, if there's not something "easy" to eat, or if someone isn't making breakfast for me, then the most likely scenario is, I'd skip breakfast.  We do what we can.


Hopefully that is helpful to all the other new moms finding creative ways to feed themselves :)

You're doing ok, mom

For those days (or nights) when you feel like you're at your wit's end and seriously doubting if you're right for this mom job or not.

You're doing ok, mom.

Running on...gas

These last few days have got to be some of the darkest so far.

For a variety of reasons (1. immature GI system 2. mom's overactive letdown  3. maybe something in mom's food 4. him eating like a barracuda when he does eat) AJ has some pretty bad gas pains.  I mean bad as in, he wakes himself up in the middle of the night (despite being swaddled as tight as possible) crying like a bee's stung him.

He's been waking up hour, angry and in pain.

As far as I know (from both research on the internet and also talking to people), there's a few things you can do to prevent it, but once he's got gas pains, the main thing is time passing so he can pass the gas.

So here's what we've tried, and will keep trying:

1. Feeding when he's calm
Pretty straightforward. The less he's fretting when he's eating, the less gas he will swallow. I'm going to try to give him a pacifier right beforehand for a minute or so if he's already crying to calm him down.

2. Better positioning
Using gravity to make sure that milk goes down in the gullet while gas remains up.  I loathe the football hold position, so I think our best bet here is trying to elevate his head while we do our usual cross cradle position.

3. Better burping
more frequently and immediately after feeding (which we already do), not giving up so easily, and hopefully #2 will help these burps come out more easily.

4. Keeping upright x 30 minutes after eating
I honestly don't think I can commit to this at night.  But during the day, I will commit to this!  This means playing with him, or doing something to keep him upright.  If he falls asleep immediately afterward, resist the temptation to put him in the bassinet - let him sleep on me upright so gas can separate!

5. Baby wearing
Keeps baby upright, thus allowing gas to pass.  I will commit to wearing him at least once a day. He currently really likes the Moby vs. the Beco, so we'll go with the Moby for now.

6. warm bath at bedtime
The warmness, especially over his belly, is supposed to help expel gas. This is something new that we haven't done.  We've been bathing him about every 3 days or so.  But it's probably worth trying anyways.  Plus, we wanted to get this in our routine.

7. Simethicone drops
Helps consolidate small gas bubbles so they can be easily passed. Already doing this with AJ.  Will continue.  Seems to make enough of a difference when I forget to dose him. NEED to remember!

8. bicycle baby legs
This is now at "relief" vs. prevention.  Helps expel gas and/or makes him more comfortable.

9. belly-down patting
Another burp method actually (laying him across your lap and pat his back gently). Can aim his bottom upwards to promote gas leaving via that exit.

10. flexing legs towards face
Similar to the bicycle legs.  Flex his legs and push them upwards, towards his face.

11. tummy massage
clockwise massage to help expel gas.

12. Diligently avoiding gas-causing foods (me)
cruciferous veggies and dairy are the main things, but really anything else that causes maternal gas I'm avoiding also.

13. Asking for help
when I'm too tired and have gone through this laundry list and he's still crying/fussy, it's time to wake the husband and have him help too.

14. time
Realizing that immature bellies are also a primary reason for gas.  Knowing that this too will pass, and trying my best to keep my eyes on the prize.  Don't be too hard on myself.  Know that when I'm stressed, AJ will sense it and get stressed himself too, which is opposite of what I want.

New Mom Group

Today, I'm writing about one of the things that has been the most helpful during the last few weeks of our postpartum adventure.  New Mom's Group.

About 3 weeks ago, I met a neighbor in the park outside of our house who has two girls, a 3 year old and a 6 month old.  She saw that I was carrying AJ around and wondered if I gave birth within the Providence Health System.  I did.  She told me about this wonderful new mom's group that met once a week to share and discuss new moms' experiences.  I'd heard about it before, but in my head it sounded kind of cheesy at first - who'd need a support group for having a baby right?

Wrong.  For those of you who have yet to know the joy of babies, being a new mother is probably one of the most isolating experiences I've ever had in my life. No offense to my wonderful husband here, who is a wonderful companion and a necessary partner in this adventure.  But when he's at work... there are some very dark moments where the baby is crying and crying and crying and all I can think about is how unsuited I am for this job, and how little control I had over...well anything.

Enter New Mom's Group. They meet once a week and we sit in a circle on the floor with our babies and everyone gets an opportunity to share what's going on with them this week, and we help each other problem solve.  My baby's gassy this week, any ideas fellow moms?  The group leader is awesome, she's a postpartum doula who's also a mother, and is so helpful.  And she'll even hold your baby while you go pee. A place where babies (and moms) are welcome to cry, ideas are collected, no make-up is required, what more can I ask for?  Sometimes you get answers, sometimes it's just good to be surrounded by people who are experiencing similar things, or actually want to listen to you talk about infant poo.  Also it's nice to say that you have some sort of social life (sort of).  For those of us with really fussy babies, this may be the only chance we allow ourselves to go out and meet the world again.

For anyone who's even considering it, DO IT.  I highly recommend finding a mom's group in your area. I'm so glad I did. Mondays at 12 is my favorite time of the week now :)

Breastfeeding resources

So I was just telling a friend today how I was severely underprepared for breastfeeding.  I probably should have read up on it - well at least the basics.  The problem with advice out there (this is true with everything baby-related, not just breastfeeding), is the quality of information that is presented.

Some resources sites that I found were very helpful:

The La Leche League - 

llli.org

the format of their website is sometimes confusing - it's organized in answer pages, so you gotta know what you're looking for.  Though, the forums are interesting too, as individual problems are addressed there and you can also pose your own questions.  I also ordered the book, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" to supplement my learning.  This book is fairly helpful, and organized in chronological fashion (chapters based on your infant's age) so reading from front to back should give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.  There's one chapter specifically on problems, or "tech support" which I found helpful.  Note though, their attitude towards breastfeeding (maybe rightfully so) is very "laid back."  Not sure if this is helpful to the mothers who prefer straight up answers. 

Baby Center - 

http://www.babycenter.com/

Very basic website that gives you nice overviews of what to expect.  It's very basic though and I wouldn't expect much detail out of these.  Really just to "prep" you.

Alpha Parent

http://www.thealphaparent.com/2011/12/timeline-of-breastfed-baby.html

This particular page has a real helpful timeline of what to expect in the early days, weeks, and months of breastfeeding.  It's a low key read that is really informative, and I wish I got my hands on this before he was born...

He's fussing now so I'll have to finish this post later with more resources!

Overwhelmed and admitting it

It's not been an easy week.  And that's an exaggeration!  My grandmother-in-law passed away last week, so things have been hectic in the family.

Meanwhile, AJ went through a growth spurt and ate like a madman for several days.  Sometime during that growth spurt, we developed thrush.  At first, I was just convinced that the pain I was experiencing (read: burning like a bad bad bad sunburn) was related to a poor latch.  But then I realized that his latch had not changed at all!  After some research on the internet, I found out that I was experiencing some pretty typical symptoms of thrush :(  So now we're on a treatment - AJ for 7 days, me for 10.  Adding feeding a newborn medicine to the list of things we need to do everyday...has not exactly been easy. 

Did I mention he has crazy explosive gas?  You guessed it, from the oversupply issue.  Makes sense, when you're eating like a barracuda and gulping down gas with every inhale, you'd be gassy too.  Result? We spend hours on end every day soothing his tummy troubles.  Hours is probably generous.  Whatever, it seems like more time than I actually feed him.

Today, after 6 diapers, 2 soiled outfits, multiple dirtied burp cloths, and an infant who wouldn't stop crying non-stop for an hour later, I surrender.  No more expectations.  Let's just try to get through the day.  And count our blessings.  So here's the things I was able to do today that I am super proud of:

1) getting time to eat a snack (polished off some delicious mango salsa)

2) getting my baby to nap twice (and making peace with the idea of finally giving my baby the pacifier, at 4 weeks). 

3) putting him in moby, giving him the pacifier, and taking him out to a walk in the neighborhood

4) found some encouragement on the internet to keep me from bawling my eyes out when he was bawling his eyes out http://simplemom.net/an-open-letter-to-first-time-mamas-of-newborns/

5) making it 7 hours so far without calling my husband and begging him to come home to help.

I need to remind myself that I'm doing a good job, I really do.  I can do this, cause I know that many other moms out there have.  My house may not be perfect anymore.  My newborn may have spit up stains on him still, but WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!!!!

To all other new moms out there, I'm right there with you, you guys can do it too!  

How I knew I became a mother

The media always ruins things...by getting it wrong.

No, you don't always fall in love with your newborn.  Not when he's brand new, greyish colored, wrinkly, and laying on your chest smelling like...well... what the you smelled like for the last 36 hours cause you were leaking his amniotic fluid.

No, that's not how you know you're a mother.  Yes, I mean technically that's the precise moment you've become a mother.  But my words to describe that moment?  It's not love, and I'm a little embarrassed to say it.  Proud? yes.  Exhausted? yes.  Excited? yes.  In awe? absolutely.  But love?  Not immediately.   It really felt like it was just an event that happened - one minute he was kicking inside of me, the next, he's this grey wrinkly thing on my chest.

So, when DID I realize I was a mother?  It's a gradual thing really.  It builds day by day.  Moment by moment.  cry by cry.  The precise moment I think was when I watched this horrible commercial on TV about planning your funeral so your children won't have to.  Somehow, that struck some sort of note in my head - that I've created this little creature now, and I'm responsible for him - and whatever I do...I CAN'T DIE NOW!!!  I know this is somewhat comical, but it's true - that's when I knew I was a mother - realizing that something is utterly and completely dependent upon you for sustenance, happiness, warmth, and love.

Also, on another note.  It's a strange reflex but it's true.  When you become a parent, you're not just a parent to your child.  You're a PARENT.  When stuff comes on in the news about lost children, separated families, tragedies etc., you get REALLY sad, and all you want to do is hold your child nearby and hug him.

Day 20 in adventures of breastfeeding

OMG.

Strike my last post.  I STILL haven't gotten a hang of this breastfeeding thing.  If it's not one thing, then its another.  Here's documentation of my last 10 days of my breastfeeding adventures.  Every day has its own theme/problem. LOL.


April 28th (day 11): GETTING A HANG OF THIS, FINALLY?
Today's pretty good, I must admit.  We've gotten pretty good at this routine of getting up in the middle of the night to feed.  Now, the only thing is, still need to get a hang of this nipple pain issue.  I think it's getting better, but not all gone yet.

Day 12: NEWBORN PHOTOS!
First day using a bottle today, cause I'm a big boy who goes to take naked baby pictures :) So proud of myself - I was able to pump out 4 ounces of milk for him!  We'll see how this goes.  I hope he likes these bottles.  We got the Como Tomo bottles which are supposed to be awesome cause they're "shaped like mom."  He's gotten a couple of pacifiers so far, but hasn't seemed to exhibit any signs of nipple confusion.

Day 13: UNEVEN BOOBS
My fault for thinking I knew what I was doing.  So yesterday, when we went on our outing to Salem, I pumped out 4 ounces of fresh milk (over a whole day) to facilitate easier feeds.  As a result, AJ went about 6 hours without eating from the left boob, and about 9 hours without eating from the right one.  Ummmmm... BIG mistake. What was I thinking?  It's a simple rule of supply and demand that I should have remembered from ECON 101.  No even simpler, PHYSICS 101 - for every action there's an equal but opposite consequence.   If he doesn't eat, the milk doesn't disappear, it BUILDS --> ENGORGEMENT   :(  I should have known that I needed to pump out that extra milk if he wasn't going to eat it.  Now I have one boob that's huge and one that's normal :(

Day 14: MY FIRST WORLD PROBLEM: OVERSUPPLY?
I'm pretty sure I'm making too much milk.  It sometimes sprays out at him when he pulls off of my boob.  My mom says she had the same problem when she was breastfeeding me.  She often had to "catch" the extra milk with a bowl since it'd come out too fast! I've been doing some research, and I wanna try block feeding to reduce my supply. Does sound uncomfortable going several hours without feeding on one breast - but who knows, maybe this will work?


Day 15: COULD THIS BE MASTITIS?
There's a huge red spot on my right boob, it's tender, and warm.  Oh no.  I called my doc today and they issued some clindamycin to have on hand.  She's pretty sure this will just pass with frequent feeding though (I haven't experienced any fever or flu-like symptoms, so it's suspicious whether or not this is truly mastitis).  Wish me luck.


Day 16: OUCH OUCH OUCH
Not exactly sure if this is mastitis or not, but damn those nips hurt like they're on fire! The engorgement is very real now. Lanolin no longer helps the nips - in fact, I'm pretty sure it's making it worse by keeping it moist.  Also finished my box of Lansinoh pads so switching to the Medela ones.  So far, I'm not a fan.  There's a very papery feel at the edges that just cuts into the nipples.  Not exactly what I need right now.


Day 17: RUNNING ON E...SO SCREW THE SCHEDULE!
So mentally frustrated by this nursing business.  Boobs are still on fire (wait...boobs or nips? Not sure anymore).  In laws are coming over for a BBQ today, which is a nice change of scenery.  There'll be lots of people hold and playing with AJ.  I've also decided to throw out this ludicrous schedule of feeding him every 2-3 hours (even though out loud I say it's on demand).  If he wants to eat, I'll feed him...even if its only been 30 minutes.  This should also help my boob pain!

Day 18: THE CALM (BEFORE THE STORM)
It worked!  The on-demand feeding relieved A LOT. Hmmm... even the nips hurt less when the boobs are less full.  Didn't see that coming. I didn't pump this morning, my boobs are finally feeling less like rocks!  Though I am eating ibuprofens like candy (not getting rid of that until this all blows over).  He seemed pretty content this morning.  He ate then napped on me for an hour, ate again, then we went to Providence mom's group (our first time!).  It was awesome - I love the format- Q&A around the circle.  Met lots of new moms.  AJ was by far the youngest, but it was good to get advice from experienced moms. I'll have to pay it forward when he gets older.  Also, need to tell my pregnant neighbor, Amy about this awesome resource.  Was also told the good news that I don't have to set an alarm anymore at night to feed AJ.  WOOHOO!  But let's see how often he DOES wake me up....hope today goes just as well as mom's group...though I must say, he's getting kind of fussy during nursing...

Day 19:  MOM! I'M SO HUNGRY! AND ANGRY! AND GASSY!
This child has an appetite of 4 grown men.  I kid you not, he WILL NOT STOP NURSING.  And the worse part is, he's now SCREAMING as soon as he latches on. He's also extremely gassy and needs to burp ALL THE TIME.  He pulled off one time long enough for me to see that there's milk spraying at him and tons of residual milk left in his mouth even after he pulls away.  Could I really be making too much milk?  Or is it just an overactive letdown issue?  I called our lactation nurse who gave me some helpful hints - try nursing with him sitting up (babies handle heavy milk flow better when they're upright...you would too!) and try expressing some milk right before you give him the boob (bypass the most forceful part of letdown). On a side note, even though he's super hungry during the day, his nighttime patterns remain about the same even though I don't wake him (wakes up on his own about every 2.5 hours).

Day 20:  READY SET, RE-SET!
Today, I've had it!  After 2.5 days of blood curdling screams while nursing, chomping down on my nipples, trying to master hard up-right nursing positions, and just general desperate seeking of advice, I'd decided to retry block nursing.  I'm convinced that this overactive let-down is related to oversupply.  So I'm refocusing efforts at reducing my supply. At 10 AM, I completely drained both boobs and have just fed him (he's asleep now, and didn't cry during his session!)  We'll see where this takes us.  I'm leery of all the pitfalls we've come across already and will make sure not to fall prey to those again. CROSS MY FINGERS! On a side note, I ordered some Bamboozies.  Maybe those will feel better than these nursing pads!

Google Task Manager App

Some of you may know that my husband is a application developer.  I tell people this and the response is usually something like "so he makes apps for iPhones?"  Ummmm...no.  His job is....well....I wish I could explain exactly what he does....but embarrassingly enough, I can't :(

Anyhoo, about a year and a half ago, he decided he wanted to start looking into mobile development (yes, that DOES mean developing apps).  We're both Android supporters so he decided to focus on that market.  One thing he's always wanted to create for himself is an application that works with Google Tasks for his phone.  

A year and a half of nighttime extracurricular programing later, he finally released his first app, a Google Tasks management application called Do It!  

For the mommies out there, this is nice cause, hey, let's admit it, which one of us doesn't need help with organizing our lives?  Try it out!  Any feedback, ratings, and/or comments on Google Play would be greatly appreciated!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.molosw.doit.lite&referrer=utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dtina