week 3....getting into a routine

Things are going well. Alyssa's due date was this past Monday. I couldn't imagine being pregnant that long. Nursing still isn't going well. We went back to Breastfeeding Medicine on Monday and Alyssa nursed the best she ever has (about 20 min), and she only got 20ml's from me. I talked to the doctor and we came up with a plan. I am going to stop nursing her. It's a struggle, she's not getting enough from me, and there is nothing bonding about it. I will continue to pump, but will decrease it to 4-5 times a day to make it work with Gabe's schedule. I learned I can't be hooked up to the pump, while feeding a baby, and chasing after Gabe. So, we will have to supplement, but at least she'll be getting something from me. Alyssa has also been very gassy. Not just typical baby gas...twisting, back arching, grunting most of the night. After consulting with the doctor, I am starting to try to make her more comfortable by eliminating dairy from my diet. Gabe had a milk protein sensitivity, so we are wondering if she is having a little bit too. After thinking about it some, I have been drinking a ton of milk. It's weird, but I've been craving it since having Alyssa. I've been drinking 2-3 glasses of milk between dinner and bedtime. Alyssa is the most uncomfortable in the middle of the night, so hopefully eliminating the dairy will fix it. Let me just say I love dairy, but I would definitely give up ice cream for a good night sleep. Alyssa has seemed much more comfortable the past 24 hours. She woke up at 12 am, 2am, 5am, and 7am to eat, but went right back to bed afterwards, so I am feeling pretty good today. I had a fever on Friday and Saturday. It was weird because I had no other symptom. I was a little worried about mastitis. Lactation couldn't find anything, but said I may have had some infection and inflammation that worked itself out. Who knows, but I'm glad I'm feeling better now.

Alyssa is getting big. I can tell her face is filling out and her belly sticks out some. She weighed 7lbs 5oz on Monday which is a great weight gain. She very strong. She has actually rolled over from front to back 6 times.

Gabe is doing well. If we distract him enough, he'll stand on his own for a little while. He also cruised some around the coffee table yesterday. Little stinker could totally stand and walk if he wanted to...he's just that stubborn and we have to trick him into doing things on his own so he doesn't realize he's doing it.

I stayed home with Alyssa for Thanksgiving (she's still pretty tiny to be around a ton of people). Justin took Gabe to his cousin's house. I thoroughly enjoyed my take-home plate. Bring on Christmas time!