Pumping Out the Next 2 Weeks

Life here seems to be dragging on here. (It doesn't help that LEL has been showing off her "terrible two's" side quite regularly.) I am 2 weeks away from baby A's arrival and I am getting excited and anxious. I have previously updated you on my shrinking to-do list, so I know I am prepared. One of my last to-do's didn't go as planned though.

I have been researching breast pumps for weeks. I don't want anything too pricey. My hope is A will be a good nurser and I won't need a pump but for special circumstances; but knowing how difficult LEL was, I am not banking on it. My double mastitis diagnosis came just 2 weeks after LEL was born, thought to be because she didn't nurse enough, clogging my ducts and creating an infection. After that awful experience, I kept my pump near by, fearing if I didn't keep things moving, I would end up with another infection. LEL would eat for about 5mins? 10 if I was lucky, and that was with having to wake her up often. Once she stayed awake more I thought she would be better, but then she hated to be tucked under my shirt or blanket. I began pumping more and more so she could have the benefit of my milk from a bottle. Even then, I dried up fast and we were all done with the experience by the end of 4 months.  My pump did break down, sort of. It was a double pump and one side got clogged somehow and stopped working. It was a cheaper brand, so I chalked up the issue to just that- cheap.
This time I was trying not to let the price scare me; but over $300 for a pump? I just can't do that. I decided on a pump that had good reviews (4 out of 5 stars) and wasn't too pricey (around $130). I found it on sale on Amazon, and Chris had a gift card knocking the price down to only $60 (or so). I ordered it. It came a week or so later.

I opened it, set it up and...nothing. Well, ok, not nothing. It did turn on for a few seconds, but then it shut off. I tried again and again with the same results.

"Huh?" I thought. "What am I doing wrong?"

I read the manual cover to cover a couple times. I checked online, watched some demos...and then frustration set in.
I wasn't doing anything wrong. The stupid thing was broken. I remember a couple weeks ago when my other package was delivered. There was no knock, no doorbell, just a loud thud as the box slammed against my front door. Now, in that box, there was a couple stuffed animals and a book. I wasn't happy, but I knew nothing would be damaged. I started thinking about the pump delivery. There was no knock, no doorbell. I didn't hear a thud, but I did nap that day in the back of the house, I could have been out of earshot.

I was not happy. I couldn't prove UPS damaged it, but it was odd this well-respected machine was a bust out of the box. Who knows why it was broken, the only thing I cared about was the fact it was broken, and now I needed a plan B pretty fast.

I read about the return policy and was mad that "personal products" could not be returned. That didn't help my mood. Turns out, you can return them as long as they are marked as "defective." Since the product was dud, I could return it. I was happily surprised how easy Amazon makes it to return items. I print off a barcode and place it in the box, repackage the item, ask UPS to pick it up, and tada: done. It felt too easy, but sure enough, the box disappeared off my porch and replaced with a sticker confirming the pick-up.

Now my plan is to go to Target and pick up a decently priced pump and hope for better luck. If that one breaks, I am getting a manual pump and calling it quits. Seems so silly that something that should be simple turns out to be so complicated. At least I have a couple weeks to correct the bogus purchase.

Here's to the countdown! 14 days!


M.LEWIS

Baby Pink

In just over two weeks from now we should have another baby girl...hence all the pink. Don't worry, it won't stick around too long, as an adult, I am not a "pink person." ;)

M.LEWIS

36 Weeks and Counting

Time keeps passing, but not fast enough if you ask me. I am almost 36 weeks, baby Addy is measuring a week ahead, and my stomach is measuring over 3 weeks ahead. I am ready to be done with pregnancy and want to begin mommyhood with 2 girlies as soon as possible. I, of course, don't want baby Addy to come before she is ready and can take on the world as a healthy baby girl, I just want the time between now and then to pass by quickly.
Induction date is still a go as far as everyone can predict. Things can still change, shift; but as of today I am planning to be pregnant for 3 more weeks. My list of "things to do before Addy comes" is dwindling.

Order a double stroller

Buy a new breast pump

Buy NB diapers

Buy a small supply of formula

Reassemble the cradle

Pull out baby swing

Put up the playyard ---> I decided I had no room for this, and no need, so I am skipping this.

Find places for all these things

CLEAN - mainly master bath

Wash carseat inserts (LEL's & Addy's)

Stock up on meals I can freeze

Oh yeah, BUY A NEW CAR

I added lots of things on my new list, like buying Easter dresses, getting things for Easter baskets/eggs. (Which are both done.) There are also obvious things like packing a hospital bag, installing car seat, etc; but I do feel on top of things. I even have LEL's old baby clothes/blankets/burp clothes unpacked, washed and put away. I do not feel overwhelmed at my list, the major things are done. This makes me happy. I do have to wait to do the deep cleaning, for I want these things to stay clean by the time I get home with the baby. I can handle that procrastination just fine. ;)

Induction date: 23 days
Due date: 30 days

M.LEWIS

Office Corner Complete

My blueprint for a desk area came to life today. I am pretty excited about it, so is Lorelai, and not just because it came with some large boxes she could play in. She loved sitting on the chair and using her coloring book on the desk. Please excuse the grainy quality, I had no energy to dig out my camera and take proper pictures; cell phone worked just fine for this occasion. ;)

Note, Lorelai has already been busy coloring on the floor

Once completed though, she asked to climb up. It was worth it just to hear "Ooooh, thank you!"

Almost 34 weeks along and still assembling furniture, not bad...though, it took longer than it would if I didn't have 30lbs of tummy in my way. :P

This spur-of-the-moment project is now finished. I think the rest of my goals will involve washing and prepping baby things!

M.LEWIS

Birthday Celebration

Well, here I am, now 26. I had a nice, relaxing day. Nothing too involved or ambitious since I have a 2 year old and a 8th pregnant tummy. My day started out with a gift from Chris when I woke up.

A dachshund love mug...too cute

heart-shaped donuts, my favorite flavors

We hung around the house for a while, then got ready for the one thing I wanted to do: shoe shopping. I do enjoy going to the store and picking out something and purchasing it without thinking about it. I never do this, especially for myself. I saw a lot of cute clothes, but since I quite front heavy these days, there is nothing beside maternity clothes that would fit me. I have about a month and a half left, and I would like to avoid buying any more maternity clothes; so I thought shoes would be fun. Hard to look large in shoes...the mirror usually stops at your shins. ;)

We went to several department stores and nothing really stood out to me. 2/3 of their stock were heels anyway, and we all know that's not happening...pregnant or not. We went to DSW after the mall and that's where I found my gift.

Coach sneakers

They are probably the most comfortable shoes I have tried on in some time. This was definitely a splurge purchase. Designer shoes? Far cry from the sale aisle at Target. I do enjoy them greatly.

We then headed off for lunch. Lorelai was not too keen on going to a sit-down restaurant, but I really did not want anymore tacos and burgers. I did some research on menu items the night before and found out the places I would like to go did not have LEL-friendly options. Meaning: no fries, cheese, chips, or chicken nuggets...and I mean nuggets, chicken tenders/chicken strips? Yeah...no way. So, trying to avoid a screaming, wrestling match, I chose a place that had some things I thought Lorelai might eat. Christina's Mexican Restaurant. Turns out she was going to throw a fit either way. I find it annoying when I am clearly struggling with a small child, shouting, kicking, and crying and the waiter/waitress asks "Hi, how are you?" Well, since you can't see, I am not so great right now....thanks. Anyway, LEL did settle down, but only took 2 bites out of her $6 meal. Sheesh. Oh well.

We went home for her nap, which she took well, and I camped out on the couch to watch some tv. I did not want to clean, do laundry,  or go grocery shopping on my birthday...the hard part of this? Not feeling guilty for avoiding those things. Since my feet swelled up the night before due to too much work, I was able to feel pretty decent about my laziness. I did dust and wiped down the tables in the familyroom, but I couldn't relax without doing so. Lorelai did a number on them earlier.

Hours later, we went to my parents' house for dinner, cake, and a few more gifts. All my siblings were there, along with my grandparents. We did miss my SIL, who had to work, but we still had fun. My dad picked up Chick-fil-a nuggets and fries and my mom made a fruit salad. Lorelai approved of this meal, as did I. We also had cheesecake and brownies for dessert. My tummy had a happy day (minus heartburn after lunch) and I am sure the scale will reflect it later...who cares. ;)

I did receive some great gifts from my family. A couple of checks/cash (thank you!) I plan to put towards a double stroller, and the following:

                                  

one red, one white large mugs for soup/oatmeal/post-pregnancy amount of coffee <3

Matryoshka measuring cups, too cute

the final season of ER, I now own ALL the seasons :)

I topped off the evening by watching some ER while snuggling with my puppy dog, then crashing in bed with Chris to watch some Home Improvement. I am apparently more interested in shows that are no longer on the air. ;)

26 starting off pretty well. (I am ignoring we received our emergency room bill for my mysterious abdomen pain that afternoon. Ouch.) This evening Chris and I are going to celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary with dinner and a movie. Our real anniversary is on Wednesday, but since it is in the middle of the week, we thought moving it to the weekend would be better for Chris' schedule and our babysitter's...aka, my mom. I hope I am not too uncomfortable, I am a bit nervous, but I know it will be a long time before I will be able to go the movies again...I want to squeeze in one more time even if I am fidgety. Tonight is also the super bowl, so I am hoping nothing will be too crowded, this will help.

Thanks to all who wished me a happy day!

M.LEWIS