Quick Update

Just a quick update that we had some check-ups for Asa and Becca today. Asa had his 2 week check-up (how can he be 2 weeks old tomorrow??) today with Dr. G. He gained 5 more ounces in 7 days! Way to go, little guy! He has 6 ounces left until he's back at birth weight--he's gained back 2/3 of what he lost. Once he's back to 8 lbs. 3 oz. we can let him sleep at night! Woo hoo! :) We are supposed to go back next week for a weight check. Please be praying he makes that birth weight cut off--so he's growing well, so we're not asked to supplement again, and so we might all get a little more sleep. He has been fussy last night and tonight, so who knows if he'd really sleep if we let him. But he had a few stretches where he went right back to sleep after feeding. I'm pumping after I feed him--just the manual pump for now until we meet with the lactation consultant about the mastitis and a few scabs on some tears he made from pulling off--but that means we're collecting rich hindmilk that we're then feeding him later. We are calling tomorrow to try to see the lactation consultant Tuesday or Wednesday. That's a little daunting to me to be honest, but hopefully it will be someone nice like Holli was last Sunday, and I'm trying to look at it as any improvement in technique or coaching it best for Asa and me, not as though I'm not doing a good job if there's something we can improve.

Then we stopped by the midwives to see if the mastitis is improving. It's definitely not resolved. So, we're still doing warm compresses, massages, another round of antibiotic, one dose of diflucan just to make sure there's no yeast infection brewing, and a new ointment that I am loving so far. It's 10 times better than lansinoh--really richy and creamy and not sticky at all. We have laughed at how many pills I take each day now--my place at the time looks like my own little pharmacy. :) Please pray for the mastitis to clear up! I appreciate the peace of mind of having been checked out, though, and to know that there's no sign of abcess or anything. As a first-timer, it's hard to know what's normal, or at least normal for not normal (since mastitis isn't exactly par for the course). I did read that being anemic is thought to make a person more susceptible to mastitis. Lo and behold, I'm taking iron supplements because I lost quite a bit of blood during delivery and right after. It was like I was a party waiting to happen. :)

So, in short, please pray for Asa to finish gaining his weight back, that he would keep sleeping at night, for the infection to clear up, and for the lactation consultant appointment--that we could figure out how to finish healing these wounds. Nursing will be so different with no wounds and no mastitis! :) I can hardly believe it!

Stay tuned for Asa's 2 week picture tomorrow, and on Wednesday he is having his newborn photo shoot!

Lastly, we are SOOO thankful Mom is here with us this week with so much going on and Matt's first week back at work. Thanks to everyone back home for sharing her with us so graciously. There's no one like a mom, especially your own when you are a mom yourself! :)

Love,
The 3 of us :)