Before I had Logan and Taylor, I read a ton of books about children and parenting. I had all these amazing ideas about how I was going to raise my boys. Surprise! Things don't always turn out the way you expect or want them to. Here are a few things I had to adjust to.
- I thought I would breastfeed exclusively. But Logan and Taylor were born so little and premature that they quickly get tired from feeding on my breasts, and they don't get very much food. So I have to supplement with pumped breast milk. Occasionally I have to supplement with formula.
- I thought I would feed Logan and Taylor at the same time. But with very little head and neck support, I have to hold them both tightly, which is kind of hard to do. So they have been taking turns, which is okay for now because Billy and my mom are here to help. But I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I'm on my own and one baby freaks out while I'm feeding the other.
- I thought the whole feeding process would only take about an hour, giving me two hours to relax. But with Logan and Taylor taking turns, and with the pumping, it often takes an hour and thirty minutes, which only gives me another hour and thirty minutes to shower, eat, and sleep - if I'm lucky, because sometimes they get really hungry after two and a half hours instead of the scheduled three hours.
- I thought I would never give my babies a binkie. I think that some parents use binkies to shut their babies up without looking for the real reason for their baby's cries. I also think that it makes it hard on parents when they have to pop the binkie back in every few minutes because the baby can't hold on to it and later on when they have to wean their baby off of it. But I have to admit that binkies have been very useful, especially in the middle of the night, when Logan or Taylor wakes up after only an hout to eat.
Of course I look forward to longer naps and shorter feedings, but I enjoy every day (and night) spent with my wonderful boys. I love being a mommy and I cannot imagine my life without them.
I am so grateful for Billy, who is not only an amazing husband but also an amazing daddy. He is so good to Logan and Taylor, and they always feel safe in his arms.
5 comments:
i have to pump sometimes too, especially in the beginning for the same reason since parker was born so early too. now he'll breastfed and take a bottle, so i guess it worked out. i hope you can get more sleep soon!!
I always thought I'd never use a binky either, for the same reasons you said. But then I learned about sucking reflexes and all that stuff and it has been such a lifesaver with Hallie...especially during teething. Don't feel guilty for using one!
You look great and the boys look so sweet and precious. You are doing a GREAT job Nathalie!
It was good to see you the other night. You are pretty amazing keeping up with those little guys. We will for sure have to do a girls night for the next fight night.
Thanks for the update Nathalie. I hear all your family has left now. Hang in there! It is totally exhausting, but take help if you can get it! Also, the nursing pillow I have has a slight slope toward your body so the babies are totally supported and can just lay and eat. If you want to give it a try, the offer still stands. I fed my boys separate in the beginning, too, as it was easier when they were little, but by the time they were a month I almost always fed them together on the pillow. No pressure; you do what works for you, but if you want to try the pillow just to see if they do better with it, let me know and I'll get it to someone in Des Moines to give to you. I hope you're feeling good, and not too overwhelmed. It is such an exhausting experience, but so so worth it, as you already know.
The boys look like they are growing so much. What cutie pies.
Oh and I'm sorry I gave you binkys in your baby shower gift, I hadn't realized at the time you didn't want to use them.
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