Organically Growing

The offical blog of HappyGreenBaby.com

My Breasts Runneth Over June 26, 2009

Filed under: Breastfeeding — happygreenbaby @ 2:09 am

Wowza, I don’t know if it was the change in cabin presure on the plane, now that I’m staying at altitutde, or the fact that Ryder ate a bottle on the plane instead of nursing, but my boobs are so full of milk, I might as well be a Holstein heiffer. My the end of the flight on Tuesday, my shirt was completely soaked – I mean, a bottle just dumped on my shirt soaked. But I figured I would get the boy to eat dinner and all would equal out. Not so.

The next day and my boobs are still rock hard and dripping all over everything. I had to break down and buy a “cheap” ($35) manual breast pump at Babies R Us because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to manage 10 days away from the Pump in Style.

The rock hard boobs and pressurized milk made for very difficult eating for a couple days, so I starting the manual pump process (which worked surprisingly well, btw). I got a whopping 5 oz. out of the left jug in just 10 minutes of pumping. I was psyched!

So, I’ve spent the last couple of days pumping at least once a day to get the boobs down to a normal size and Ryder is munching happily on his 3 hour schedule. I think we are finally back on track (3 days later).

 

Have Baby, Will Travel June 24, 2009

Filed under: Travel — happygreenbaby @ 2:14 am

Ryder and I took on uncharted territory yesterday and boarded a United Flight from Seattle to Denver to visit the fam. I was worried about gear management, so went minimalist in the airport: Self, Diaper Bag, Baby, Carseat and Snap ‘n Go stroller. Security wasn’t too bad – there’s a special line for families and the security folks were super helpful in breaking down (and setting back up) the stroller thing. Ryder was settled in his polka dot jammies and didn’t fuss a whole heck of a lot.

I got to my seat at the way back of the plane (but in an aisle, thank god) to a nice woman and her daughter who immediately said, “oh we get to sit next to the cute baby!” Score! Top it off that she was so sweet she stowed my bag for me and even helped me get my belt on!

Ryder sucked on a bottle during take off (I was too cramped and intimidated to try breastfeeding), then zonked out for the next two hours. I even managed to doze off for a few minutes (ok, maybe it was closer to an hour, I don’t know). During the descent, he woke up and flashed a smile around the plane so everyone would exclaim, “What a cute baby!” (even though you know they were shooting me the evil eye as we walked down the aisle).

Once in the terminal, I tucked into a quiet corner, nursed and changed the boy and we headed down to baggage claim! All in all, a pleasant experience. Return flight details to come.

 

Mom Confesesion: PO’d June 19, 2009

Filed under: Mom Confessions — happygreenbaby @ 5:21 pm

Sometimes if Ryder’s diaper leaks pee on my shirt or pants, I just let it dry and don’t change. I mean, if I’m going out in public I’ll change … but to just be at the house, it seems like a waste of laundry.

Of course, if HIS outfit is the slightest bit damp, it requires a full wardrobe change.

 

A Few of My Favorite Green Baby Things June 16, 2009

Filed under: Baby Clothes — happygreenbaby @ 7:03 pm

Now that we’re two months in to this parenting thing, I feel like I am qualified to offer up a few of my favorite things for making life with a newborn easier.

1. Forget all those cutesy outfits.
Baby pees through so many clothes, opt for items that are easy to get on/off and wash/dry quickly.

I fell in love with the Bamboosa Kimono Wrap Bodysuits because they are super easy to get on (don’t have to pull it over the head) and they are so buttery soft, you’ll feel good putting it on baby’s skin. Kate Quinn’s organic cotton Kimono Bodysuit is fab too, and comes is fun colors for summer.

2. Gowns or Infant Sacques are your best friend when you are changing soggy diapers at 2am.
I thought it seemed weird to put our little boy in the gown, but I’m telling you, it was comfy for him and easy on the late night diaper patrol. Check out Kate Quinn’s Organic Cotton Infant Sacque. It’s long sleeve, which is nice as we head into air conditioner season.

3. Make your own diaper wipes.
I used disposable wipes for the first few weeks and it’s incredible how many of those little things you can go through. I have about 20 of the Bamboosa Bamboo Washcloths that I keep in a wipe warmer with a little bit of water. I just wash ‘em up when I do a load of laundry and refill as needed. Even if you’re using disposable diapers, opt to reuse wipes. They seem to be softer on baby’s bum.

4. Swaddling will cure anything.
When Ryder is fussin’ and fightin’ after eating and activity time, I know it’s time to rest. Wrapping him up in a tight swaddle guarantees he’s off to dreamland right away. The Pixel Organics SwaddleMe Blanket was great when he was smaller, but now that he’s pushing 15 lb. I am loving the aden + anais Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Wrap blanket. It’s a massive 47″ square that will fit him for months. The light fabric is great for summer and a variety of sun-shielding needs.

 

I Hate My Boobs June 15, 2009

Filed under: Fitness — happygreenbaby @ 7:03 pm

Exercising with big(ger) boobs sucks. I bought some new sports bras from Sierra Trading Post to accomodate my new chest that are supposed to be for “high impact sports”, but there is always going to be a certain amount of bounce when I power walk or jog up the stairs at Golden Gardens Park, that I had never experienced with my small chested body.

I’m afraid to start running. It seems like it will hurt.

 

I (heart) My Boobs June 8, 2009

Filed under: Breastfeeding — happygreenbaby @ 4:32 pm

I’m not going to lie – I’ve been a small-chested gal my entire life. I’m not talking so flat I can go without a bra, but even when I was pudgy in my college days I was never larger than a 34B. With my milk production in high gear, I’m now proud to sport a whopping 38C. Not so large to be uncomfortable or require a special-order bra, but busty enough to offer some delightful cleavage in my new summer dresses. I’ve even gone so far as to say that I might have to get a boob job after this breastfeeding gig is over to keep the girls looking plump. Kidding of course (or am I?)!

Number 2 reason I am loving my boobs is the magical way they are producing so much milk everyday! Sure, the leaking through my dress at dinner the other night was embarrassing, and yes, a spontaneous eruption did ruin my new hoodie last week … but it never ceases to amaze me at how the milk just keeps on flowing. About an hour after Ryder’s second morning feeding, I’ll typically pump for 5-10 minutes just to get the girls a bit more comfortable. In this amount of time, I am getting 5-6oz. of milk. While I know Ryder is drinking that much during his feedings (maybe more!), there’s something about seeing it build up in the Medela bpa-free storage bottles. It’s so satisfying!

 

Finding Time to Eat Right June 1, 2009

Filed under: Green Eating — happygreenbaby @ 11:01 pm
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When I was pregnant, I took pride in the fact that my cravings were for yogurt, instead of banana splits (ala the summer my mom was pregnant with my brother, eating one nearly every day and thusly gaining nearly 60lbs on her 5′3″ frame). It felt good to eat well, take my vitamins and go for daily walks – knowing that my baby boy was benefiting from every morsel I took in.

Now, with the days broken up into 3 hour increments (when will Ryder need to eat next?), cuddling, rocking, soothing and playing – I’m finding it challenging to fit in the 20 minutes of “tummy time” he needs … let alone making myself a proper lunch! But I know that eating right – including as much organic as possible – will continue to feed him (and me) with optimal nutrition.

I start each day with the best intentions and a bowl of organic instant oatmeal made with organic milk and some bit of fruit (berries, chopped apple, fresh peaches) and a squirt of flax seed oil. Even if Marc is well out the door before I can get to my breakfast, it’s a meal that is easily prepared one-handed and within about 2 minutes time.

But oftentimes, that’s where my healthy day ends! I find the days are zooming by me and I’ll look at the clock, amazed that it’s 3pm already and wonder if it’s really worth having lunch anymore… but I know I have to continue to eat well, to give Ryder the yummy milkshakes he needs.

Right now, I’m munching on anything that can be done with one hand and doesn’t require a knife (I can’t be trusted wielding a sharp knife to dice a peach while Ryder’s cute little pigs hang precariously near by). For example:

  1. Sandwich made with whole wheat organic bread, tofurkey slices and provolone cheese
  2. Any variety of fruit including apples, peaches, bananas, strawberries
  3. Yogurt + granola
  4. Frozen veggie + tofu bowls with brown rice (I made some during my freezer meal days, so I can avoid all the high salt versions at the store)
  5. Super Easy Energy Bars that I make about every week for both Marc and I to enjoy. It’s like a cookie but healthy. http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=634844
  6. Cottage cheese

Things I have determined that need to be kept out of our pantry include any sort of simple, refined carbs that come in a box. While Pirate’s Booty and Organic Wheat Crackers seems like a healthy option, I found myself snacking on handfuls of crackers throughout the day which are basically devoid of any nutrition and just made me thirstier than ever.

So, everyday is an adventure and now 7 weeks in, I’m starting to rediscover my own needs and finding ways to fit that in, all while not missing a moment of Ryder’s new skill: smiling.