2-week check up

I took little Eddie to the pediatrician today for his 2-week check up and he did GREAT! I took him to the pediatrician, Dr. Laycob, when he was 5 days old because he wasn't getting any food because I wasn't breast feeding him correctly. His weight then was 6 lb. and 6 oz. We got the breast feeding back on track (after 4 days of exclusive pumping and bottle feeding expressed breast milk with some formula supplements) and we were hoping that little Eddie would be back to his original birth weight, which was 6 lb. and 14 oz. Well, he weighed 7 lb. and 10 oz.!!!! The dr. and I were THRILLED that he really seems to be thriving. He really has been eating well, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. His little thighs are starting to put on some fat and his "chicken legs" are filling out. He's also 20.75" long, so he gained a .25" in the last 2 weeks. I actually think he's growing up too fast!!

I'm going to back track for a second and fill everyone in on the days following little Eddie's birth. I delivered him on Monday morning, Dec. 10 and we went home on Wednesday morning, Dec. 12. I was really having a tough time with breast feeding, and we learned (a little too late) that he was latching on incorrectly. Well, this completely tore me up...literally. I was cracked, bleeding, and in a lot of pain every time he tried to nurse. I spoke with the lactation consultants and they told me to take him off the breast, pump exclusively until I was healed, and feed him breast milk in a bottle. I started this process on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 13, after a looooong and sleepless night of little Eddie screaming. We didn't know it at the time, but he was crying because he wasn't latching on correctly, and therefore, not getting anything to eat. I was literally starving my child and I didn't know it. Once we realized he wasn't producing any wet diapers, we knew something was wrong, so that's when I spoke with the lactation consultant. Everything was fine after I started pumping for him.

My friend, Jen, had given me her pump, but it broke as soon as I started using it. I had to send big Eddie out to buy me a new one, but I'm REALLY glad that I did. He went to a store that has lactation consultants and La Leche League personnel on staff. Eddie told them what was going on and they recommended a breast feeding support group that meets once a week. I continued to pump all weekend long and decided on Monday, Dec. 17 that I wanted to try and breast feed again. I decided to go by the shop where Eddie had bought the pump and get them to show me how to feed little Eddie correctly. I'm SO glad I went....We were there for 3 1/2 hours, but we finally got little Eddie latched on correctly and I have been exclusively breast feeding ever since!

My mom came up to St. Louis on the day Eddie was born and she stayed for a whole week. She was an absolute life-saver and I wouldn't have survived without her. Big Eddie got sick with a cold as soon as we got home from the hospital, so he couldn't have any contact with little Eddie for 3 days. My mom was the one who was getting up with me in the middle of the night to help with feedings. She also cooked a TON of food, which was a big help, too. I cried like a baby when she left. :(

Christmas was a nice and quiet family affair. I cooked rack of lamb with roasted potatoes and salad on Christmas Eve. We slept in on Christmas morning until 8:00 and then I got up and started getting our traditional pancakes and mimosas ready. Little Eddie had his breakfast first, and then big Eddie and I ate. We all then opened our presents from Santa and family members. Little Eddie definitely did well this Christmas!! For dinner, Eddie smoked a beef tenderloin and I made mashed potatoes, asparagus, and sugar cookies. Dr. Ed came over and joined us for dinner, so it was a nice quiet evening.

We are now winding down from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and adjusting to our new life with little Eddie. I fall more in love with him every day and I still can't believe that he's here. He really is our miracle child!