Asher's Sprinkle

I have the best friends. So many thoughtful women that support and love me. They are truly like my sisters. Most of them are actually my sorority sisters. Friendships for over 12 years! I'm lucky.

My friend Liz, Danielle, and Kristy decided to throw me a "Sprinkle" to celebrate baby Asher. I didn't want to have a shower since this was my second boy. I didn't need a shower. I have all that I need from Jake. I barely had just put Jake's stuff away... But, my girlfriends came to me and said they wanted to celebrate amongst my best friends. Just to celebrate another beautiful life! So, I of course agreed. How nice is that?

The girls put together such a wonderful afternoon! Good food, yummy dessert, my closest girlfriends, and my grandma was even in town... how perfect was that? I had so much fun! I'm so glad my girlfriends all got together to celebrate Asher! Asher is very lucky to have such wonderful aunties!

 Grant and I were almost going to name Asher, Duke. I actually had some stuff made in that name... But, then... we made a decision on Asher the week before my sprinkle.

 Kristy wasn't able to attend. She was VERY sick. Poor thing! She was missed!

 My grandma! She's tiny... but mighty! I missed my momma though! At least I had one of them there! :)

Asher is 1 month!

I had a baby a month ago? WOWSERS! It goes by even faster with your second baby. My little man is growing so fast. He's a little over 10 lbs and 8 oz, and he's getting bigger everyday! He's been wearing size 1 diapers from the start, and in size 3 month clothes. I never even got a chance for the newborn clothes. I thought because I was having him so early he'd be in some. Nope. ;)

Life has been pretty good over here. He's awake more and more during the day... but, still giving me longer stretches of sleep during the day. However, during the night he's been giving me more 3 hour stretches. He sleeps better in his bassinet than Jake did. I have been contemplating putting Asher in his crib swaddled. So, I might try and start swaddling him again. Jake HATED it, so I stopped... and Asher hasn't been very fond of it either. So, I stopped with him as well. However, I heard to try again and try and put him in his crib. We'll see. I really like him close to me at night. Especially, with all of the feedings.

Here are some pictures I took today:

 I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

 Cutie pie!

It's back...

HYPERLACTATION.

What does that mean?
Hyperlactation

Basically, because I'm hyperlactating (over supply of milk production), I'm causing a little bit of gas for Asher. Luckily, I have been working with the same lactation specialist I did with Jake, and it adjusts in a few weeks.

The worst thing about it, is that my little man gets gas from the over supply and quick release of foremilk. The good thing is that I have so much pumped and saved.

Working with the specialist we came up with a good plan. Looks like Asher is 10 lbs and 8 oz. That's a pretty good gain weight, right? ha ha. Looks like I have another big boy in the making. ;)

The plan is as follows:
From the hours of 5am - 1pm:
Pump 3-4 minutes on the one side I will feed him on (I only have to feed on one side... not both). Then I feed him, change his diaper, tummy time, gas medicine, and then finish feeding him. Then an hour after my first feeding (usually around 6am), I pump both sides for a total of 10-15 minutes. Then I wont express pump before my 2nd feeding.

1pm - until we go to bed:
I just feed him normally and give him gas medicine. I don't express pump.

Overnight:
Just feed. No medicine.

No bottles. I was instructed that that will increase gas and isn't good for babies this young. I can give him a bottle after he's 1 month old... and only 4-5 days. After 2 months old I can increased the bottles of my pumped milk. I know this isn't super practical with our life on the go or when your trying to get an extra few hours of sleep... but, I will do my best to NOT use them if possible. This will be tough.

I then check back next Thursday for a weigh in and check up. Hoping this relieves my little man. I know its a pain, but I really want to breastfeed, and I can't handle the gas the poor baby gets. I know this is a little of a pain, but in the end... it's worth it! I think I only did this for a few weeks with Jake. Hopefully, less gas will have him sleep longer than 3 hours at night! ;)

So, that's the update. I have a few friends that are hyperlactaters too! If you need to see a specialist who is AMAZING... message me! I'll send you her info... she's out of Long Beach, and Torrance.

Here are a couple pics (of course from my cell... I need to take out my DSLR more!). But, I capture the moments as they happen this way.

 My munchkins!

18 months/3 weeks - Today is Asher's official due date!

Jake has been 18 months old since March 1. I've been a little busy, so I haven't had a chance to blog about that. He's doing great! At his 18 month appointment he didn't have to have any shots, and he of course surpassed all the "normal" growth markers. Smart little cookie! He's in the 93rd percentile for height, and 90th percentile for weight. The doctor said he's starting to even out now. He's tall and solid.

He loves to color, play with his puzzles, play basketball, and he's starting to like soccer as well. Next month I'm signing Jake up for spring swim classes, and may even look back into Gymboree. I like to keep him busy. :)

Jake has been amazing with Asher. He kisses and hugs him all day. I was concerned at first on how he was going to react to having a brother and only being 17 months apart... I didn't think he would fully understand. I was wrong. He totally understands. Anytime Ash cries or makes a sound he runs to him... and rubs him. It seriously the sweetest thing ever. He's just a sweetheart in general.

Ash is doing great! It's crazy to think that today is actual Asher's due date! But, my little munchkin is 3 weeks! He's getting so big already! It looks like I might be hyper lactating again. So, just like with Jake he's a gassy little man. I am producing so much milk! I have about 30 baggies in the freezer already! I blogged about it back when Jake was 3 weeks old (Hyper Lactation). I have been in contact with the same lactation specialist and we are working out a plan with a little gas medicine. If you read my story last time, I had to pump before I fed him... This time I'm just weighing him weekly and giving him gas medicine. With hyper lactation there is a pretty big weight gain, so that's why weighing Ash is involved. I might have to pump before I feed him again. We'll see... I do know that it all gets adjusted with time! I vaguely remember around 8 weeks, Jake's gas started to get better! I can make it! ;)

Asher is very similar to Jake in his sleeping pattern. My little men eat EVERY 2 hours when there newborns! I sometimes get lucky and they'll weight 3 hours... but, they are pretty consistent with that. Breast milk also runs through their little bodies faster, causing more frequent feedings... I know breastfeeding is so important! I breastfed Jake until he was 9 months... let's hope I can go that long with Asher. There are quite a few sleepless nights over here... but, I know that once I can sleep train... I will get that sleep again. It's been great having Jake on his schedule. That way I know that I only have Asher to care for when Jake is down.

There are some stressful moments during the day with these 2 little ones... but, all in all... it's not nearly as scary as some people prepared me for. Jake is smart. When Ash starts to cry, he stands by and watches. The only time it gets a little stressful, is when Grant is working late. The night time routine is a little more of a challenge with out that extra hand. So, I just try and time it right. Timing is usually as follows: feed Asher, get him sleepy so he takes a nap... and then I feed Jake, bathe him, and put him down. Then all my time goes back to Asher. I bathe him, feed him, and snuggle with him.

Being a mommy of 2 is awesome. I can't wait until Asher is a little older and will play with Jake. I just know they're going to be best friends. I'm excited for the day when there playing sports and going to school together. Buds forever! :)

Lastly, to answer the question about how I am doing... I'm good! The VBAC was great! I'm glad I did my own research, and went forward believing that it would be a success. I feel great! I literally do not feel like I had a baby a few weeks ago! The first week after I had Ash was the toughest. But, I right after I had him, I ate a subway sandwich, went to the restroom, and was walking all over. :) The nurses commented on how active I was. My body has bounced back so quickly! I'm back to the same weight I was before I got pregnant with Asher. I have a personal goal to lost another 10 pounds and then I'll be the same weight I was before my wedding. I'm into SOME of my old jeans! However, I have some working out to do once I'm cleared to tone everything back up again! ha! I'm ready for my spin, walking around the beach, and (gulp) eating healthier. I'm a pretty healthy eater... but, this means more salads, and less carbs. I can do it! Goal: bikini for summer? Perhaps! I go to the doctor the first week of April for my 6 week postpartum appointment. I'm ready for excising!

Well, I better run! I hear Ash calling for me! Jake is running towards him! Have a good weekend!

Here are some pictures from the week:

Asher looks more like his mommy! My mom said that he reminded her a little of me. He of course has Grant's dimples (cheeks and chin). Oh! And he has the longest fingers and toes... just like Grant! So, we think that Ash has my blonde hair, eyes, nose, and lips. :) It's really too early to tell. I'll have to post my baby picture to compare! 

 Precious!

 Loving on my baby!

 Out for a walk with the new stroller! 

 Walked into the kitchen and found this banana. Jake is so tall he grabbed it, took a bite, and put it back. He ate right from the skin! I peeled it and gave it right back to him. He LOVES bananas!

 Jake likes to rock Asher back to sleep. 

 I have a great life! 

2 weeks old (March 9)

These last 2 weeks have been great. My mom left last week, so this was my first week home alone with my two boys. It's been awesome. And you really feel accomplished when both are fed, napping, happy and your all showered and relaxing. ;)

I feel great! The VBAC was the best thing I could have done. The first week was the toughest, but I still felt good overall! I was able to do anything and everything I wanted. I had to have reminders to slow down because I tend to push myself. My body is naturally going back to its "normal" shape. I know breastfeeding helps as well. But, not being cut into has been a faster healing process. Exactly why I did it. Lots of people thought I was crazy to do it. But, the success rate it quite high. And the end result is what is happening to me currently. I hope more women try to attempt a VBAC, especially if they NEVER wanted a c section. 

Jake is adjusting so well to his little brother. He loves on, kisses, and rubs him. I try not to make anything a big deal. Jake still gets lots of my time. I put Ash down once he falls to sleep and immediately pick up Jake, or play with him. He isn't even affected by it. At first he would try to lay on me while Ash was... but, I put him next to me and rub him too. Grant and I really make sure that Jake is happy and adjusting.

I'm so happy. I love my boys so much! I feel so loved, and I have so much love to give. Being a wife and a mother has truly been a blessing. I thank God everyday for my life. I just feel so lucky to be able to stay home and take care of the people that matter most to me. I am also well taken care of. Grant is so helpful! He helps me when I'm tired and not feeling well. This past week I got sick and have been struggling a little with that. Grant picks up the slack with Jake when he's home from work, and help with Asher in the middle of the night. These boys have such a great role model to look up to. :)

Asher has been eating every 2-3 hours. During the day this is good... but, at night this does get a little tiring. Jake was the same way. Last night Asher slept well. His longest stretch was from 3:30 until 7:30am. And he woke up STARVING! ;)

Last weekend we took some family photos, and had Asher's newborn photos taken as well. Jake and Asher did great! I can't wait to see them all! Here is a sneak peek that we got from our photographer! I warn you... Asher is quite the model! He's so pretty... I mean handsome. :)

 Hope you have a great Sunday!

1 week old (March 2nd)

It's hard to believe that I had Asher a week ago! He is so cute. I can't stop kissing him! I want to hold him all the time and hug on him. I feel so incredibly lucky to have another son. Jake has been great through the whole process. I don't think he really knows what to make of it. I ask him where his brother is and he'll point to him. Yesterday he gave him a kiss and a hug. It was really sweet. Now I ask him where his brother is and he points at him. I ask him to kiss his brother every chance their together. Nothings sweeter to me. Brotherly love.

Here are some pics from over the week:

 Then on Wednesday I took him to his first check up with my mom. He's doing great! He's gaining weight, and getting big... already! He was born at 7 lbs and 9oz, and we left the hospital at 7 lbs and 2 oz. On Wednesday he was 7 lbs and 6 oz. So, everything is on track. I'm sure much like Jake he'll be gaining weight like crazy now that we are home! He sleeps great during the day. I feed him every 2-3 hours and he takes close to 2 oz. I'm only breast feeding yet again. I already have about 8 packs of milk stored in the freezer. So, it looks like all is well in that department. He sleeps OK at night. He still wakes up every 2-3 hours for feedings. He's a hungry little guy!

 Grant hanging with his sons. Melts my heart. I LOVE THIS PICTURE. Grant is such a good daddy! :)

 My first glass! Yum Yum Yummy!!

And here is a quick collage I made of Jake vs. Asher at the same age. Jake's pictures are to the left, and Asher's pictures are to the right. One from the hospital, and one smiling pic. I think that Jake looks a lot like his daddy... and I think that Asher might just look like his mommy! :)

Enjoy your weekend!