The miracle of mommy's milk

Mother nature is kind to most new moms, after the birth of their baby a few days later full breastmilk comes in. I'm glad society is supportive of it nowadays. For my own mom, she had the three of us in the late 70's- early 80's and nursing was not the norm...some mothers still did. Mom was even given some med to stop her body from producing milk??? Doctors (hers anyway) said it's better to give the baby a bottle. Also, back then mat leave was 17 weeks..not 50 like it is today. Weird thinking back then....all mammals naturally produce milk for their newborn. Some moms are unable to for medical reasons, and they wish they could. It is good to try, and if you have problems get help from a lactation consultant or another mom that has been there. If you are unable to, you can't feel badly for giving your baby formula. It is still perfectly fine, and society needs to support these moms too.

I have a friend that had a preemie and her baby was too tiny to latch on her, so she pumped with the hospital electric pump for the first few months. Another friend had a painful infection, called mastitis and went on antibiotics, perservered through the pain and didn't enjoy nursing. She did it for the first while because she felt that was the best thing for her baby.

I am lucky, because I really enjoy nursing my babies. The first time Anthony was only 45 mins old and he already knew what to do, more than I did. (the doll in the health unit class didn't help much). When he was 4 days old, I went to the breastfeeding clinic and got a lot of tips from a nurse there. For me the most challenging thing was the long nursing sessions in the beginning..sometimes in the middle of the night for 45 mins (it felt longer). Over time it got much easier, and the baby was quicker and more efficient. My goal was to nurse until he was 6 months old and then see from there. I went with the flow, and he nursed until a week before he turned 1. He was more interested in his sippy cup by then. With my second baby she was a pro also right from the start. Her night feedings lasted only up to 15 mins and then she fell right back to sleep. She was also a jaundice baby, so she was extra sleeping, which might have been the difference. Being a bigger baby at 9lbs 1 oz, she only woke twice in the night the first couple months, then she was sleeping a solid 8 hours most nights. I know I'm very lucky, a lot of babies are much older before they sleep solid that long.

My grandmother nursed all four of her babies and she found it easier than bottles (like myself)...I'm not sure if there is a relation, but she told me that when some of the other moms said "oh, but you're tied down" she said "better this than a fussy baby". I find nursing very relaxing and empowering as a mother.

Now this is something I didn't know about mother's milk, until this past summer when Ava had a horrible goopy eye. I put warm washcloths on it to clean it, and only a few minutes later it would goop up again. I made a Doctor's appointment for her, and he wrote a prescription for drops and even said it probably won't help. Eventually it will clear up, but maybe not until her tears ducts are fully formed (maybe when she's 9 mths old). So, I decided I'll ask a group of moms from an online forum. Guess what a bunch of them said. Breastmilk will clear it right up! I thought great, I'll give it a try, can't hurt. The next morning I only nursed her on one side so I could fill up my other side to squirt lots of milk in her eye. Her goopy eye was almost gone by the end of the day. The next day it was all cleared up.

I told my husband that I wanted to tell the doctor the next time I went in. That way he could tell other new moms if they had the same thing happen. He said, I doubt he would pass your experience along being a medical doctor. I've still told a bunch of people myself and they were amazed. Nothing beats mother nature.

Christmas Day

Ava's 1st Christmas. Her Aunt Cynthia gave her this dress for her gift. It was so pretty..only her silver shoes kept falling off. We had a great day. Ava enjoyed getting held by all her family on the Greene side.

Quick snap for all of us to be in the picture. Ed had to chase Anthony around first and hold him down. I'm happy he's making a nice face here (unlike most of the pics I took). He didn't want me to put his tie on at first, but then all his girl cousins told him he looked so handsome and I think he liked the attention.

He was excited to open his big gift from Cynthia and the girls. It's an art easel, with a wipeboard, chalkboard, and magnetic letters and numbers.

Anthony hugging his cousin Morgan when she was leaving after dinner. He was having so much fun playing with his big cousins and all the excitement of the day.

Aunt Carrie cuddling with Ava. I was so lucky that little Ava ate before us (sweet potatoes and carrots) and nursed a bit then fell asleep for 45 mins, just in time for us to sit down and enjoy our dinner.

So far Anthony's favourite gift is his hot wheels race track. Ava loves the laugh and learn kitchen set from Grandma and Grandpa S. Ed got an Ipod touch (with some Christmas money). We also are enjoying our new Nikon Coolpix camera from my parents last week when we visited. It does a lot, so I'm still learning about it.

Cousins Danielle and Ryan holding baby Ava.

Ava is interested in the tree.

Christmas morning Ava received Mickey and Minnie mouse in her stocking. She also got a mesh food holder and a snack cup.

Bright and early Christmas morning (or I should say dark and early---6:15am to be exact). Anthony woke up (I think he heard Ava). Normally he would go back to sleep for another half-hour or so, but he said "Mommy but it's Christmas". I had to give him a big hug and low and behold we all got up. Then Ed and I took turns having a nap. We had a great day. On our way home from Cynthia's; an older lady in our building saw that we looked tired and she said "These are the best days of your lives." I believe her.

Christmas Celebrations

My Brother-in-law David and Louise had a bunch of us to his house in Grand Bend. I love this picture of him holding Ava. Ed took Anthony in the sled and made a snowman that day. After we enjoyed the delicious meal Louise made.

Christmas Village

Christmas party with our playgroup friends. We had a nice potluck, music, crafts and lots of running around, which Anthony loved the best.

Anthony helped me make the pizza cookie for the party.

Anthony wanted to put the star on top of the tree. His daddy gave him a boost.

Ava's Baptism

On December 12th Ava was baptized at Colborne Street United Church. She wore the beautiful gown that her Aunt Cynthia made 20 years ago, for her daughter Morgan. Ava was the eighth daughter or niece to wear it. During her baptism she was content and looked right at the Minister. She fell asleep after the service when my mom took some pictures. We were happy a lot of our family could attend. My parents and sister Corey came from Petrolia. It was good timing because later on Sunday a big snowstorm hit Lambton County and closed the 402. Over 300 people were stranded in their vehicles overnight Monday.

Ava was given a keepsake necklace from Grandma and Grandpa, some money for her resp from Grandma G, Auntie Ruby and Uncle Danny, a baby's first Christmas ornament from Aunt Cynthia and her cousins, a precious moments picture frame from Aunt Carrie and Uncle Cyril and a Children's Bible from the Church. It was a very special day.

Visiting Santa

After watching the Hyde Park Santa Claus Parade on Nov 27th, we took the kids to visit Santa. Anthony was pretty shy at first and Ava just starred at his beard. We went to see him last year too. He was great with the little ones. Anthony finally managed to tell him a few things on his wish list. This is the free photo the local photo place gave us.

LET IT SNOW...Let it snow...

This was taken around 5pm on Sunday December 5th outside our sliding door while the snow went down. I have a new camera on my wish list this year. This camera doesn't have a zoom and is pretty outdated now. I hope you can make out the deer family. Anthony always loves seeing them. From this picture you wouldn't think we lived in the middle of the city.

(picture I found on weather website) WOW SNOW!!!

This snowstorm is not letting up. It started around the noon hour on Sunday and today is Tuesday and there is no end in sight. I'm all for embracing winter, but it's too dip in spots to take a 3 year old and baby out in. I'd be afraid of losing them! Ava had an appointment today but it's cancelled. Anthony's preschool called and they are closed. The teacher said in her thirty years there, this is the first time she has closed two days in a row. We get snowstorms, but it is unusual for them to last so long. I guess it will be another movie and craft day. Ed said maybe after work we can all go swimming. He has been busy snowblowing the sidewalks here, being the assistant building manager. No days off for him.

2010- The Good and Not so Good

Wow, I can't believe it's already December and we only have a few more weeks until Christmas. This morning we had a good snowfall- so it is making it feel more like Christmas. I know time flies faster as you get older, but I think having little children makes time go even faster. Somedays I look at the clock and it's already 4:00 and it feels like noon. I like to keep busy, driving Anthony and Ava around to meet friends for playgroup, nursery school, music lessons, swimming, parent/ tot skating (only on a day I have lots of patience). I've never been much of a home body. Growing up I remember riding my bike around for a couple hours after dinner or looking for neighbourhood kids to play games with. I figure I'll probably never have this much time off work until I retire years from now or win the lottery....so I better make the most of each day with my two little cuties.

As 2010 draws to an end I wanted to reflect on a few highlights and lowlights.

Highlights

#1: The birth of our beautiful daughter Ava Julianna. She is just a doll I couldn't have imagined a sweeter little baby. Each morning when I pick her up from her crib she gives me her biggest smile. She is so easy-going (maybe some of it's being a 2nd time momma). I feel lucky because she will go anywhere and sleep anywhere; so it makes keeping Anthony busy a lot easier. I think Ava's been to more parks in her 7 months than I was at 10 yrs.

#2: Anthony is a big boy now. He has been using the toilet since June, after a lot of mishaps. The potty dance video helped a lot. He's getting more independant.

#3: Ed and Geoff and the band worked very hard to put together the Elton John Tribute Show in August at The London City Music Theatre. They performed to 230 people and received a standing ovation. The funny thing was because the lights were on Ed (Elton) he didn't realize it until after when he watched the video. I was really proud of Ed, because I know music is his passion. They are putting together a dvd to market themselves for 2011.

#4: Maternity Leave= No work = 55% pay for 1 year= Spending lots of quality time with the kiddies. They will never be this age again, and before I know it they will be in big kid school.

#5: In February I started Insulin Pump therapy for my type 1 diabetes. The government is finally covering the cost of the pump ($7000) for all type 1's and most supplies through the ADP program. This made the last part of my pregnancy so much easier. I normally would inject 4 needles/ day and with pregnancy sometimes 8-9/ day. With the pump I change my infusion site every 3-4 days. So instead of taking 1424 needles/ year, I now take around 118. It is a great piece of technology.

Lowlights

#1: May 14th my Grandmother Louise died. She was the grandparent that I was the closest to. Growing up I enjoyed our one-on-one visits and lunches. She would listen and was very easy to talk to. She was a special Grandma and I have so many good memories to cherish. She was my last surviving grandparent and was a couple months shy of turning 85. She lived a good, full life, but it was still hard to say good-bye. Late March, a couple weeks before I had Ava I went to visit her with my dad at the nursing home. I didn't know if I was carrying a boy or girl and I asked Grammie to guess, and she told me to stand up and turn in a circle. Then with 100% certainty she said "You're having a girl!"

#2: Also there was another loss in our family (mom's aunt). My great aunt Millie died in her sleep. I think she died from a broken heart. Uncle Ken died May 2009 and she missed him and was lonely when we spoke on the phone. We both live in London, so I would visit her every few months and she really appreciated that. My Aunt Lynda gave Ava her first doll. It was a baby Cabbage Patch named "Millie Dianna". That was so thoughtful.

#3: My mother-in-law Freda was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in April. We noticed she was getting more and more forgetful with street names, stores that she's been going to for years. It is really sad to see. She turned 80 in June and she still enjoys tennis every week and golf in the summer. Physically she is a young 80, but her mind is not. The pills she's on seem to help a bit for now anyway.

Dec 2007 & Nov 2010

Anthony was 6 months old then and Ava was 7 months old. Do you think they look like brother and sister???

Fun in the Leaves

I love this one of Ed and Ava. She lights up when she sees her daddy!

Ava couldn't quite sit up by herself....so she just layed in the leaves and Anthony had fun throwing them in the air.

I love the candid ones Lynette took.

Anthony is happy boy (here anyways)

Fall Family of Four

Our energetic three year old big boy.

Our sweet six month old baby girl.

Our first family of four picture.

Anthony's got Mommy and Daddy's hands.

Halloween

Grandma Greene, Ava, Anthony, cousin Morgan

Singing his ABC's

This was taken in August at Pinefore Park in St. Thomas, in the band shell. Anthony is 3 yrs, 2 mths. We just used the digital camera to capture this (we didn't bring the video camera).

Ava all dressed up!

Ava trying on her new orange tutu, to go with her Halloween onesie.

First time in the baby swing ~ 6 months old~ Thanksgiving weekend in Petrolia.

Anthony wanted to go for a walk to the big Water Tower. He was a bit disappointed that was as close as we could get. (What will he think when he sees the CN Tower).

Ava wearing the pretty pink dress that Mom had for me as a baby. She thinks I didn't wear it, but Corey did. (I was too small that first winter, being a November baby).

Fun in the Fall

Anthony loved driving the big truck at the Western Fair.

Anthony riding a real pony.

Lil' sister Ava just adores Big Brother Anthony.

Apple picking with our playgroup friends at Appleland Station.

Looking at the scarecrows in Petrolia.

Colin and Megan's Wedding

Anthony was the handsome ringbearer. He managed to hand the rings to my cousin Colin, but he didn't want to stand at the front. He made everyone laugh though when he jumped off the
gazebo and slide on the grass and said ouw really loudly.

Enjoying the firetruck cookie that Aunt Susan bought for him.

Dale, Jeff, Ed and Anthony at our table

Auntie Corey and baby Ava 3.5 months old.

Summer time fun with our family

I took the kids downtown to Victoria park for the Home County Folk Festival, when Ed was working.

In July we also went blueberry picking with Forest City Friends Playgroup. The little buckets are so cute.

Taken in August. Anthony is 3 and Ava is 4.5 months here. Anthony has grown so much this past summer. I think he grew 4 inches since last summer and he weighs 34.5lbs. I am happy he has finally warmed up to his baby sister. I love seeing their relationship form. Ava has the biggest smiles for Anthony. She adores him. He calms her down by singing rockabye baby to her. I just love seeing that.

Ava Julianna is 4 months old, August 8, 2010. She is such a happy delightful little baby.

We had a packed a nice picnic lunch to Pinefore Park on our 6th Anniversary August 7th. It was a beautiful day.

Ed as Elton John

On August 27th Ed and his band performed an Elton John Tribute show "Captain Fantastic" at the London City Music Theatre. Ed did four costume changes. His sister Cynthia made his costumes. The audience of 230 enjoyed the musical show. They had a standing ovation at the end, but because the lights were on Ed he didn't realize it until he saw the video after. Ed is very passionate about music, so I was proud to see him work so hard and successfully accomplish such a big show. Currently they are putting a DVD together to market to other theatres in Ontario.

Welcome Baby Ava

On April 8, 2010 our daughter Ava Julianna arrived, weighing 9lbs 1 oz. She has a full head of black hair and big chubby cheeks. She was due on April 26, but I was induced early because of my type 1 diabetes and my pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure). This pregnancy was a lot harder than with Anthony, so I was more than happy to have our baby girl a bit early. She is a wonderful baby. Even right away she was only waking 2-3 times to nurse, and she normally goes right back to sleep.

She started breastfeeding right away (30 mins after birth). She knew what to do, also like her brother. I feel so lucky. I was on some bp medication even once I left the hospital. Now the doctor has reduced it, and my bp is leveling off nicely. At 1 month she weighed 10lbs 4 oz. Anthony is still adjusting to having her with us. He will play his guitar for her and often puts on of his little cars in her hands. I'm sure he will enjoy her more once he can make her smile and laugh. It will be nice to see them interact.