Weeks 2 and 3.. Quite a blur

The first week of life with a baby seemed so easy.


Then came week two and three.



It all started with finding out Luke was not gaining the weight he was suppose to. Which lead to a crusade to make as much milk as possible. Too bad it just was not so possible.

I spent every minute of every day thinking about milk for the next two weeks. Only to find out in the end that I just was not making enough. First I would feed him for 40 minutes then use a syringe to feed him supplemental formula which took 30 minutes then pump for 15 minutes. Only to do it all over again every 2 and 1/2 hours. So there I sat on my couch, and slept on my couch and really didn't move from my couch for about 5 days.
This really is not the best course of recovery for someone who just had a baby dealing with all the post partum hormones and sleep deprevation. But luckily I have a very supportive husband, friends and family who were here to steep in and help in any way.

After 5 days of this routine- where pumping would yield 10cc (1/2 an ounce) I was advised by my pediatrician that this may just not be happening for me and I need to consider giving up and bottle feeding Luke.
I was so discouraged but relieved at the same time. I just needed someone to tell me either way what to do.
So I came home packed up the pump, put away the supplements and got out the formula.

Now for all of you who do not have babies I am so sorry to bore you with this problem. And for all of you that do have babies please tell me you have been there and know what I am going through.

I never in all my life thought I would not be able to breast feed my baby. In fact for awhile I could not understand why other women did not or could not breast feed. I thought oh anyone can do it you just have to try hard enough.
So let me just say this... I am so so sorry for passing any judgement on any of you who struggled in the breast feeding world as I now join you in the ranks.

But in the end formula is not poison and in the grand scheme of things many babies are formula fed, including myself, and turn out just fine.

Between all the pumping and lactation visits I was also able to spend time with my Mom, Aunt and friend Paulette visiting from Iowa. Unfortunately we were limited in what we could do because of all the pumping but we still managed to have fun.







Luke got to spend the night on Adventure-
He even got to witness his first crime scene.

(Two P. Garcia's on the boat)

My poor mom showed up to the boat only to find someone had broken in and blown a hole in her safe with a shot gun. Very random but no one was hurt and we got to play detective for the first night she was in town.








We also got to watch the Charger game.

Greg was very excited to dress Luke in his Charger gear and watch the season opener with his son.





After a week my mom left and my Aunt Donna stayed to help us out a bit. It was such a blessing as Greg returned to work that same week. She made us dinners, cookies, helped with Luke and allowed me to get a little extra sleep.



It was sad to see her leave.

Now Greg and I are beginning to settle into our routine and having a lot of fun with the little guy. He is so perfect!

The first week home

My First Week Home... It's exhausting being a baby



I made it through my first week.

Mommy and Daddy brought me home on Wednesday and I dont think they quite knew what to do with me. But I quickly showed them I'm not that hard to take care of. All I need are a few things.
1. Boob
2. Boob
3. Boob


Ok well after all that I also like
4. Swinging
5. Sleeping

6. Pooping
7. Having my back rubbed while we dance around the house.
8. Lying on Daddy's chest while we watch football.

9. And just snuggling up close while you talk to me.

Mommy and Daddy even took me to the beach on Friday


They brought along my brother Charger who I think is slowly starting to like me.

He gives me lots of kisses on the head but they don't seem to bother me, in fact I kind of like them. I don't think Charger is too fond of my middle of the night wake ups but he will get use to me eventually.


Daddy takes Charger to the park almost every day so he dosn't get sad.
We have tried to go on walks as a family but I don't really like them yet- So I cry until they turn around and then we go back home.

I also cry when I am hungry. Mom was breastfeeding me every 30" x3-4 hours at a time throughout the day. She didn't think this was quite right so after a little help from the lactation nurse and some reassurance that I was getting enough food she finally surrendered to the pacifer. HELLO... Why didn't you give this to me sooner Mom. I LOVE TO SUCK!!!!

Now I sleep for 3 hours at a time at night allowing Mommy to get a little sleep.


We also had a professional photographer come to the house on Tuesday of last week. I didn't like that too much. Mom and Dad kept trying to take my clothes off for the pictures and I wasn't having it -so I just cried and cried. The photographer was there for 3 hours trying to catch me in the right mood when i wasn't crying. I decided to cooperate a little bit because it seemed to stress out Mommy. I think they were able to get a few good pictures of me and I know they will be excited to show them off when they are done.

My umbilical cord fell off this week and Mommy was very excited to give me my first bath. I liked it a lot- I didn't even cry once. And when it was over I smelled so nice!!










We have many more first's to come but so far this first week has been great
- I am just so happy to be here!
Mommy and Daddy keep telling me how perfect I am and that they love me so so much!

Grandma Holt comes Monday and I am excited to hang out with her.
I also have my next doctor appointment next week so I'm sure Mom and Dad will keep everyone updated.

Love Luke

The Day Finally Came 8/30/2010 Lukes Birthday

Luke's First Birthday.


The day I have been dreaming about for 9 months finally made it's way here on Monday.

I left the house at 7am for our scheduled induction at 7:30- We were a little late but figured they can't start without us. We checked in and shortly after were introduced to Nancy the Nurse.. who rocked! She started the IV and began the pitocin. When I checked in I was at 4-5cm. Around 12 noon the doctor came in and broke my water, which was (at the time) the strangest sensation ever. After that Nancy Nurse suggested i get the epidural as I was about 5-6cm.

The epidural was done and also explained to me that it may not deliver a full block because of my back surgery. Sure enough he was correct. So I endured uncomfortable contractions from about 3pm-6:30 when i was told I had made it to 10cm and it was time to push.
I was not expecting to push for 3 hours... but I did and he was born at 9:30pm. All 9lbs 3oz of him.


Labor was the most intense, amazing experience ever. Greg was an awesome coach and in the end I DID IT!!!
He is so perfect!!

After 2 days in the hospital we made it home and are slowly easing to the transition. Luke takes after his dad as he is a night owl. Too bad Daddy is now a harder sleeper than he use to be.
Luke just seems to be very hungry at night, wanting to eat every 30". I have finally figured out that it may just be sucking that he wants and the pacifier allows me to get an extra hour of sleep or so.



He had his first Dr. appt today and is perfect all around. No issues!! Something i feel so lucky about!

So for now our days are filled with eating, pooping and sleeping. While I just stare at him amazed that he is here and this really happened.
I think he is the most perfect baby and so BEAUTIFUL!!