How is Suzy Doing?

That's the big question around here. My answer, is "Way better than I could have dreamed." Of course, we will have to revisit this when all the help is gone and she no longer has one-on-one attention. But for now, I am soaking up some very special times with my two little ones. Suzy continues to be fascinated with poopy diapers. She is actually even somewhat helpful with handing me things. Of course, for every two wipes we use on Andy, she needs a few for her dollies. The way I see it, it's a cheap price for harmony.
She even helped with his cord care. I'm telling you, I see medicine in her career path...
Of course, after Andy's care, she needs a little "lipstick".
"I want to touch him?" is a very common phrase around here. Usually followed by, "Please wait until he is awake!"
"He's so soft." Again, "Please don't wake him!" I'm so grateful he sleeps well for now.
She likes to make sure he has his lovey.
She also likes to hold him while we read stories.
I love how she holds his little head.
Such sweet siblings.

Little Man loves his boobies. I love these pictures of his first days in the hospital. He took a hold of my nursing bra like, "Hey Mommy! Gimmee the Goods!" The next photo below is my view of this same shot. There really is just something sweet about a little nursing baby. I also had to laugh when we came home. Rob's Dad mentioned something to Andy about the Victoria's Secret commercial as he and Rob watched ball. It was right when I needed Little Man so I told PawPop he would have to give the boy up (since he was holding him) for a live show of his own. :) I think it was the first joke I had made since I got home.
I think one of the reasons I love these shots so much is that it reminds me of how dear some of the simplest things can be for some people. You see, nursing is nearly impossible for me. I had a reduction in my 20s when I was told that I would never have children. I literally told the surgeon, "I don't care how much you cut out, just please make me tiny." I wish I would have saved a little more "plumbing" if you know what I mean. So, with Suzy, I armed myself with all kinds of knowledge beforehand and then when we struggled, I consulted at least three different lactation consultants and tried all kinds of remedies both crazy and tested. So, I wasn't extremely blindsided by my troubles this time. But, I was so optimistic for several reasons. First of all, he wasn't as early as Suzy. I also read that with the second child the milk comes in easier. Finally, he's a boy and everyone I know talks about how baby boys love the booby. Which, he did. He latched on like no tomorrow in the hospital and would hang out with great "form" for over an hour. So, I was completely devastated by the third day when the nurses informed me he was loosing too much weight and needed to be suplimented. With Suzy, we did all the "suplimentation techniques" and so I knew what we would be up for this time. It was at this point that Little Man realized the joys of a full belly and wanted nothing more to do with his Mommy. After a few days and some heart wrenching sob sessions, I've decided to just pump what I can for as long as I can and try not to worry so much about it. I owe a special "thank you" to some of my very close friends who prayed with me during these times. Now, he will latch on for a few minutes of tenderness in the middle of the night. But, he still prefers the food to women. Hmmmm.... maybe not a bad thing. :)

So, anyhow, here's a little glimpse into my last two weeks of trying to increase my milk supply. It starts with this industrial sized pump. Oh so fun at $90 per month.
Then, you have to supliment with nasty tasting herbs and such. So, you can quickly see how breast milk for our family is actually MORE expensive than formula. I'm just glad I have such a great and supportive husband. I have, however, promised him that I will most likely only keep this up for a month. I try and pump between 5-7 times per day to increase my supply. I always get more in the morning after a good rest and then it dwindles as the day goes on. My big prizes are when I get over an ounce combined. Most times, it is around 1/2 oz. per pumping session. Hardly enough to fatten a Little Man up.
The bad part, is that I get completely engorged. But, I don't have connections to relieve the ducts. So, I got pro-active. Rather than boo-hoo about problems, I've always been a "doer". Those who know me well know how I love to invent random and odd things. This is going to be one we talk about for many years to come. I took a super-sized bra that was given to me for maternity and lined the back with soft material. Then, I filled it with rice and cut some button holes for the breast pump. I had to do a little adjusting to take out all the metal underwires and clasps so that I could then put it in the microwave to provide some heat to help with let down and swelling. All I can tell you is that when I put this thing on for the first time, I was nothing but... "AAAAHHHHHH NICE". Rob says I should market them except for one problem. When the pump is going and I'm not wearing a sporty shirt like the one below, I look like a FemBot from the Austin Powers movies. It is pretty hysterical actually. But, I've always been more about function than fashion.
In conclusion to my weird booby post, I wanted to share with you my "Big Prize". 1.5 oz. of breast milk. All from one sitting. I was so excited! I liken it to the upcoming olympics. To me, breast feeding is like a sport. In my book, it's about dedication and perseverance. I may not get the gold medal, but I'm definitely in for the bronze. :) Even if I don't get the prize, Rob and I like to joke that my last pump of the night is the appetizer for the late night party that Andy plans for us every night.

The many faces of Robert Andrew
It's funny to me how different he looks at just a week and a half old. He has so many cute little expressions. I believe he will be a really fun little guy to watch as he learns to make all these little faces voluntarily.

This made me smile. It's the same little "swrily" that his Daddy has.


I think this is one of my favorite pictures yet. He loves to try and find his thumb already. He will also take the pacifier. So, we'll just have to wait and see. Suzy didn't take anything and there were MANY a night I wished she would use some sort of a plug. :)
Look at those pouty little lips....
Such a sweet boy.

Suzy meets her baby brother. She brought him a Lovey that she picked out a few months ago and is very fascinated by him. She is a little hesitant. She says she wants to feed him but then quickly changes her mind. She loves to give him kisses and is very eager to help with poopy diapers. The first thing she asks when she walks in the door is "Where's Mommy?" followed by a very sweet, "Where's Baby Andy?" I really could not have asked for there to be a better beginning to this sibling relationship. I pray that they will grow to really love and support each other as the years progress. One thing that has been very close to my heart right now is how people will come and go in your life, even you parents. But, your siblings are likely to be your best friends for the greatest amount of years you are alive. I treasure all of my siblings and hope that Suzy and Andy experience a strong bond as well.



Suzy likes to "blow kisses" sometimes instead of actual kisses.
I believe this is just one of many, many, many family portraits that will just have to "do for now". It is so hard to get two little ones in a great pose at the same time. Especially when one of the said little ones is a very active toddler....
Suzy's first look at her baby brother.

We had a few visitors at the hospital, but not many. I wasn't much in the mood to be sociable. It's been two weeks almost and I'm just now feeling up to answering the phone. Diana and Tamber and Rob's boss were pretty much the only non-family to make it in. It was good to see everyone and soon maybe we will be up to some visits from home.

Such a sweet little guy.

Aunt "Lola", Laura, came and stayed the weekend. She even spent a few of the rough nights with me at the hospital. I'm so grateful for your presence, Laura! Thank you so much for being such a great big sister!
Grammy has been very helpful as well and she even stayed a night with me in the hospital. Can you tell she might just think this little guy is a cutie pie?
A little father-son moment.
Rob's Godmother and Carol's best friend, Ramona, made a quick trip in to see her new little grand-god son.

The Big Day

Andy's entrance to the world was much less eventful than Suzy's. It was a thankful thing. :) My blood pressure started to eeek up slowly and so I was put on bed rest on Friday and my sister flew down for the Monday evening C-section. The worst part was the fasting while being diabetic. It really messed with my system, even though Laura convinced the nurses to give me some IV fluid sugar. It still made the anesthesia not so fun. I got really sick the night of the surgery and did a little straining on my incision. But, thankfully things are healing well now, just very slowly. Andy's birth was sure a lot easier, but the recovery has been way harder than I remember. I am very grateful for all of the good friends and family who have pitched in to help out and I am SOOOO grateful that Rob has allowed for us to have some neighborhood girls helping out with Suzy for a few weeks until school starts. :)

Here's proud papa as he gets ready to go into surgery with me.

Here's my first view of our new little man.

This picture reminds me of the movie, "Look who's talking" when the little guy says, "PUT ME BACK IN!"
7 lbs, 11.6 oz. If it weren't for the rounding up, we would have had a convenience store baby!

Proud Grammy and Paw Pop as he comes out of the surgery room and into his bath.
A very proud papa indeed! I love how Seton does the little footprints on the Daddy after the birth certificate.

Welcome Baby Andy!
Suzy has a new baby brother!
Robert Andrew Smith (Andy) was born on July 21, 2008. 7 lb 12 oz, 19".
I had some trouble with the anesthesia, so I'll post more when I feel better! Until then, I hope you enjoy our new little Smith!

"Suzy Makes a Mess"

I may have posted this phrase already, but I still get a chuckle out of it. One of Suzy's best little friends, Josh (J-Man), once made a statement to his Mommy, "I make a mess like Suzy!" Yes, my little one is known by her friends as the one most likely to be covered in goo and glop. I don't mind it, and being an OT, I often encourage it. Suzy continues to be a hesitant eater and all my training says let them play with their food. If they will touch it, they will eventually eat it. So far, it seems to be a working philosophy around here. So, tonight we set out peanut butter and apple. The peanut butter quickly found it's way to her hands and then body. She did, however, eat quite a bit in the process and I was able to get some apple in this child as well. So, success! As a reward, for eating her "new foods" she got chocolate pudding. Around here, anything with sugar is like gold and she was THRILLED! I am so proud of her, though. She will share anything, even her coveted pudding. Oh, how I wish I could have taken her up on that offer.... Soon!
I was laughing at her silliness and got the camera out. Then, the show began. Man, does this little girl know how to work a camera and ham it up. It was hysterical to be a part of the process.
I made the possible mistake of laughing really hard and saying things like, "Daddy, are you seeing your messy little girl?" Well, it just egged her on. Soon, it was in the hair.
Then the entire cup when on the head.
And got smeared through all of her hair.
She did her best to clean herself up and I must admit she did a fairly good job unassisted.
However, she still required a full body bath after this night at the dinner table! Sweet Suzy, I hope you keep your spunk for the rest of your life. Your zest for fun is contagious and such a blast to be a part of!