Almost 8 weeks!

I can't believe Jackson is almost 8 weeks old! It's been an amazing 8 weeks...probably no different than for any other new parent. Paul and I are both so taken by this little guy! He can be a BEAST at times, mostly between 8pm and 1am. We struggled with feedings and had a week of trials--first, all formula, then all breast milk, finally ending up where we started: a mix of both. He's been getting a consistant 3 oz. of breast milk, and the amount of formula has increased steadily over time (he's now getting 1.5 oz. of formula mixed with the breast milk).

My issue is now about stopping the breast milk. I've been pumping 4-6 times a day for the past 2 months. I realize most women nurse a lot more than that in a day so I shouldn't complain about my measily 4-6 times. It's been torturous at times for me, having gone through 2 bouts of mastitis (infection in the breast that causes pain, fevers, etc). Luckily, with antibiotics, the infection subsides within a few days but the "best" thing for mastitis is to continue pumping, even at a more frequent rate. When that infection hits, the last thing I want is to have anything anywhere near the boobs! Aside from that, pumping is just plain awful....

...however, thinking about stopping brings on strong guilt in me. I've read and been told that anything Jackson will get nutritionally is in the first 2 months of life, so we're almost at that point. I can tell myself that I don't have to feel bad about this--lots of babies are raised on formula and do just fine--but I feel horrible about stopping! This is the hardest part for me--the GUILT.

My thought has been to stop at the 2 month point (in about a week or so). I really need to figure out how to be confident with that decision and not cave in about renting the pump for another month. Stopping now or in a month, I don't know that that extra month will really truly benefit him. I just don't know.

I'll have another update in a week or so when Jackson hits the 2 month mark! It'll be about HIM, my little prince, and not all about me. ☺

One month later...

WOW! I can't believe how fast this past month has flown. Jackson is growing like a weed! He saw his doctor yesterday for a wellness check-up, and he now weighs 12 lbs. 2 oz. and is 23.2 inches long. He's full of so much personality! I think we're spoiling him by holding him so much, but we can't help it. We're still in that "honeymoon phase." I look at him and still can't believe he's mine!

I've been pumping breastmilk for the past 5 weeks, and supplementing with formula (we just switched to a sensitive formula because he's been so gassy and fussy at times). He now eats 3 oz. breastmilk and 1 oz. formula about every 2.5 to 3 hours. I pump about 4-5 times a day, which is really no fun, but at least I feel he's getting what he needs. Plus, it gives Paul the chance to be a part of feeding him, and it allows me to get sleep when Paul's home. We sleep in shifts--Paul goes to bed later (around midnight) while I go to bed early and am up for the middle-of-the-night feedings. It works out pretty well, provided I can get in a nap at some point!

Jackson has smiled at us and I think he's even laughed a couple times. Not a belly laugh, but a slight giggle. He loves to look at lights and ceiling fans. So far, he's fine with anyone holding him, which works out well since everyone wants a piece of him! He's getting used to baths and doesn't seem to mind them anymore. He's been on several car trips, the first being Christmas eve to see the Baumann's (only an hour away, but still quite a trip!). On his one month birthday, we made the trip to Springfield for my grandma's funeral. We stopped once on the way down and didn't have to stop on the way back, so he does really well in the car!

Jackson will be baptized on January 17th. We had to rush the process because of the 100+ year old dress he'll be wearing (at least we hope he'll wear it!). The dress is fragile and quite small, so there's a small window in which a baby can wear it. It's been worn by most babies in the family for generations, and I'd like to continue that tradition!

There are cute pictures of Jackson on my photo website, so check 'em out! Enjoy!