The Difference in the Second Child

It's been a week already since we had our daughter. We are blessed to have had a boy and then a girl. Once I got pregnant, I felt inside of me that I would only have the two children. I think it is the right number for me to stay sane and give my kids the very best of life. It has been hard this last week though, to look into her eyes and think... this is the last time I will do this.

On the one hand though, I am finding I am so much more involved in just enjoying her presence. I was very much into my son during this stage (and pretty much every other stage) but I have begun to realize that with my first child, I worried more than perhaps I enjoyed. I was so obsessed with making everything perfect. ONLY breast milk, no chemicals, wash your hands first and constantly, make sure everyone else gets to see him when they want to, etc etc. I spent a lot of time worrying about what others felt about me and my parenting. I worried all the time about doing things right with him, and I even got into many fights with my husband when things didn't turn out perfect.

What I have since learned in the 2+ years our son has been in our world, is that it's OK to relax. Your children will still turn out fine if they are exposed to a little dirt or germs. They will still love you more than anyone else, even if you let them spend lots of time with other people. They will still listen to and copy your own words and actions no matter what anyone else says to them or teaches them. And if for some reason you have to feed them formula, let them cry, or you don't read their favorite book before bed.... they will be just fine and still love you. This time around I am far more relaxed (starting with the pregnancy) and so I feel I am more in the now and able to watch her grow and change. I can appreciate it all instead of worry about it all.

I also have an issue with needing the whole house to be clean all the time. I am learning to let go of that and allow my husband to help out whenever he can. I am learning to not be in control of everything, and allow my son to make a mess with his toys. I think I have learned to calm down enough to focus on the special parts of life, instead of the mundane tasks. Also, knowing this is the last time I plan to have a child, I think I am in a better mental state to stop and sit down to enjoy my kids instead of saying, "Chores then love".

Overall, what this baby has brought me is true balance. I feel complete, I feel loved, and I feel like I am right where I should be mentally and emotionally, in order to give my kids, myself and my husband the best life possible.


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Finding a Good Breast Pump

Life with our new baby is absolutely beautiful. I have been enjoying the peaceful moments in the morning where our son says the sweetest things about the baby. All throughout the day, he consoles her when she cries, talks to her, and makes sure to introduce her first thing when anyone walks through our door. It's been so amazing to watch.

I have learned something useful about products. This time it has been breast pump products in particular. When I had my son, I was prepared with a manual breast pump by Avent. Turns out it worked great that I had one, since the hospital started me pumping due to needing to monitor exactly how much my son ate. We had to keep it up at home until we were certain he was eating enough. Yes, I wanted to do the contact breastfeeding, however, this was a health issue with my son and we were just happy he was still getting my milk and nothing else. The problem with this pump, was that it's suction mechanism kept popping mid pump session causing much stress and anxiety. Eventually, it led to the end of me pumping and therefore, breastfeeding. We also had trouble with our Avent bottles leaking, ugh. Avent is made by Philips, the people who make lighting and electronic machines.

To get prepared for our newest addition, I had acquired a new manual breast pump. I had found it at Big Lots for only $10, but seeing it was "The First Years" brand, I thought I could trust it. Now, I know the saying goes, "You get what you pay for", but still.... it was The First Years. Day one, I sit down to pump and it pops. NOOOO!!!! The design was totally different, and yet this still happened. I was devastated. I quickly realized that although The First Years might be a trustworthy brand, they make EVERYTHING, so how could they perfect any of their items?

Off to Target to pick up a new pump, (and a new bottle brush which broke on day two) I was determined to buy a good working pump. What I figured out when I got there was that I should be buying a pump from someone who knows what they are doing. A brand that has a main focus of pumping/breastfeeding. Maybe even a brand so trusted that hospitals and lactation centers use it. Above all, a brand that would not disappoint me. What did that point do? Duh, Medela. I felt almost dumb I didn't realize this before, but then again how do you learn if not through trial and error?

I've been using my handy dandy Medela manual pump (which also helped by giving me the parts needed for the hand me down electric one I have) and I haven't had any trouble yet. The design looks positively ingenious, just like it cannot have happen what my last two pumps did. I am thrilled. I hope it lasts.



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All these opinions are my own. I was not paid or compensated in any way for writing a positive review, nor was I required to write one for any reason.

Contest Winner! AND WELCOME NEW BABY! (updated)

First, since it is June 1st, I'd like to announce the winner of the first Organic Parenthood blog contest. Only 5 entries, and I know it takes time to build readers, but I am happy with the outcome. Thank you to everyone who participated, I really appreciate it. With that said, congratulations to lucky number 2 -- 5! (a new winner was chosen when the first didn't respond)





Brandy said... everythingbrandy@comcast.net =)

You've won the baby wipes case from Hailey's Nursery. I am going to contact you by e-mail for information on where you would like me to send it. I hope you enjoy it, and find it useful!




Aside from the fun contest news, THE BABY FINALLY CAME!



It was a long wait through a very uncomfortable pregnancy. Due date came and went on Sunday the 23rd of May. Thursday the 27th the doctor monitored the baby's heart rate and announced I had had one contraction. Turns out that tight feeling I had felt the past couple months was a contraction. I thought it was just her pressing against me, as it felt nothing like with my son. That day, many more non painful ones followed.

Friday the 28th around 11 am, they started to get painful. I went all day waiting for more pain, like I felt with my son. Even went out to lunch with family, drove there and back. It was very uncomfortable, yet still not fully painful. I timed them. Home from lunch I took a hot shower and was timing them around 6-7 minutes. Right after the shower, 2-3. But not that extreme pain. Still, at that timing I thought it was time to go. Announced to my husband (who was eating lunch) that right when he was done we should go. That's when some blood came out and I got scared things were farther than I thought. Could we make it to the hospital? This was Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend.

We decided to go for it, as there wasn't any hospital much closer and we knew our insurance was accepted at ours, obviously. I felt better in the car, and we made it to the hospital. I had been planning and practicing the whole pregnancy to deal with my labor far better than I did with my son. I had hoped when I got there I'd be far enough ahead that I could feel confident to make it without meds. I was THRILLED when the nurse checked me in, and announced I was at 8 1/2 cm. She was scared, no one else was there and she wondered why I waited so long. I told her I was waiting for pain that never came haha.

Anyway, I thought I could make it without meds, then when I hit 9 or maybe just over, they got a lot more intense and I got worried about 10 and delivery so I took the epidural. I was thankful the doctor still gave it that far along. It was good for me though because it allowed me to focus on the delivery instead of the pain.

3 and 1/2 hours after we had arrived at the hospital, I popped out a 9 lbs 10 ounce beautiful and healthy baby girl name Ivy Lolita. She certainly felt bigger coming out than my son did, yet I was amazingly blessed without any cuts or tears. Having the epidural for a lot less time (and with only the initial shot which started to wear off just as she was coming out) I was so much more alert and able to really be there for the experience. Although I will confess, I was so consumed with the glorious thought of no longer being pregnant, I almost didn't realize when they put her on my chest.

The next day my wonderful doctor released us to go home at the 24 hours mark due to the holiday weekend. We were both doing great and he said we should be with our family. What a guy! One day spent there was long enough, especially with one of the worlds worst nurses... ugh. Home Saturday night left Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday to enjoy with my husband, son and daughter, before hubby had to go back to work. She may have waited a long time to come out, but she really did choose the BEST time possible. Yay Ivy!

Now onto my favorite parts.... breast feeding, cloth diapering, and hugging a sweet lovable new baby girl.








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