Having a rough day

I feel like I often blog on the day's like today... Sorry.
I am kind of having a rough day. I don't really feel good and I am real tired.
So I have been kind of crabby and have had to try real hard not to let my girls get hurt by it.
BUT>>> in the midst of my crabbiness I was making Lunch. Carol was on her blanket time and Anna was being entertained by her.
I walked around the corner, to be sure all was well. and This is what I found.
A very happy Anna. And I bust out laughing.






OH, the grace I have been given, to make it to nap time. =)

Got Milk?

If I had pictures for this blog it would be of Anna screaming. It started about a month ago. She got real crabby for most of her awake time. She would smile and laugh some times, but you had to work real hard to get one. Then she started pulling at her ears. All the time! She would be in the middle of nursing and pull off screaming and pulling her ears. She had bloody scabs on the back of her head and all on her ears from grabbing them over and over. First I chalked it up to her teeth. Then I thought it was her ears. FINALLY after Dave telling me for a week or so, to "Just take her to the Dr. What have we got to loose?"

So, Tuesday, I started with our Chiropractor, Dr. Mioni. He looked in her ears, to find one just a little red, but no big deal. She got and adjustment and we picked up some baby pro biotic. Then we went to the medical Dr. (Dr. Curran, the best Dr I could ask for) He was totally chill and said how beautiful and healthy she looked. Except for one little thing. She looks really thin. The saggy rolls on her legs and arms are suppose to be full. She has only gained 2 OZ in the past 3 mo, and she has gone from the 90% to the 5th%. He said i should pump, to see how much she is getting and supplement the rest with formula. She should get 6-8 OZ a feeding. I expected to pump 4 oz at the LEAST! I had only 2. =(

The first bottle took about 20min for her to finally latch on and start drinking, but i couldn't force more than 3 OZ in her. The next took about 5 min. And now, after two days, she is still angry, but accepts her fate quickly. I would still be struggling with the idea of formula, except I have my baby back. She is the little happy one she should be. Now she smiles and laughs at the drop of a pin. She is talking and playing much more, it is such a blessing to know she is not suffering any more.

The past few days I have been nursing, then bottle feeding. I have been using Fenugreek and mothers milk tea. I have upped the water and done my best to rest. Anna is still only nursing about 7 min total, before she pulls off angry. I check and I still have milk left, but she just wont eat. She wouldn't eat the bottle either, if i didn't hold her hands and face to force her to eat. After much prayer, i have decided to give up the nursing. I will continue to nurse until i am totally dry, but Dave and I decided yesterday that it is better to have a healthy mommy than her unhealthy milk. If I keep nursing it will mean pumping and supplements all day every day. As if I didn't have a toddler to chase. Now that I have made the decision i feel good about it. But it took allot of prayer and tears.

I am greatful for all of your encouragement, I am blessed to have such wonderful friends!
On the Lighter note.... I decided to go run with a girlfriend this morning. BAD IDEA!~ I have been up since 3 in pain from my decision. carrying gallon jugs and running don't go together!

AND NOW>>>> The Happy Baby!

learning to play

Carol is learning to play by herself. She is really good at it. Some times I just hide and watch her play. It is so entertaining. She is getting to that stage where she pretends. Its so beautiful.

She also loves playing with her cousins! Last weekend Carol got a new trike!~ Her cousins had a great time teaching her to ride it.

Anna is growing right up. She enjoys wearing her purple glasses from grandma. (Actually Carol LOVES to have Anna and her wearing them together.) Anna also enjoys long chats with her cousins, swinging outside, and long warm baths, although her bath tub is getting a bit too small. See her feet sticking out of the sink?

Carol likes brushing her teeth.........

and her teddy bears teeth....
and her doll and her sister and her mommy.....

In these she is also Dancing to the newest Until June CD. (Thank you Kristin)
and Sporting her mommy's shoes.