How are you doing?

This is a question I hear often. I don't mind, its just an altered form of "how are you feeling?" that you get when you are pregnant. The fact is, I'm doing great. Better than I had thought I would. After Miss Fabulous was born I was in a lot of pain and, since I had a lot of trouble nursing in addition to the normal changing of hormone levels, I was also extremely emotional almost to the point of not wanting to even see or hold her at all. I worried about everything and tried to do way too much too soon without the help of any medication at all.
When I was told how big Star was, one of my first thoughts was "wow! I'm going to be in a LOT of pain now!" but surprisingly this has not been the case. I had a great epidural during delivery (oh yes, I am a wimp!) and was able to have some simple pain medication afterward. The doctors and nurses also recommended and supplied me with other things to make me more comfortable that I wish I had had with Miss Fabulous. Nursing was still an issue this time, I tried and failed, however I also knew that Star would still grow and I was not a bad mother (as the doctor had implied several times with MF) if I was not able to nurse. It is somewhat of a relief to me to not nurse even though nursing is supposedly better for my babies. What is best for them is to have a mother that is calm and happy rather than a nearly crazed and completely stressed one.
Anyhow. We have been out doing several things like flying kites...

or trying to anyway.

Little Star snoozed right through it all and I tried to get a little farther into the book I've been trying to read for 3+ weeks. Miss Fabulous turned 5! Poor girl didn't get much of a celebration. John took her and a friend (and his dad) to the water park for a "Dive in Movie" (where they show a movie on a screen in the wave pool) but the friend wasn't quite tall enough for the water slides and something went wrong with the screen and the night was cancelled. John took them to a smoothie shop to get smoothies and she accidentally dropped hers on the floor, thankfully daddy gave her his. I never got around to making her a cake and we made her wait all day on her actual birthday to open presents. Its rough being 5, I tell you! I can't even promise her a better one next year since we will have just moved and who knows what will be going on. John represented some of the sports groups at the Hawaiian Cultural Fair that they have for the new-to-the-island Coast Guard. We went down to enjoy the day and they had face painting, balloon animals and a bounce house for the kids. Miss Fabulous sure had fun there! Little Star just snoozed there too. That's what happens when you party all night!
This coming week we have family coming so I probably won't post for a while...then again, I may have more to post so who knows!

Comments

Candace said…
I hear ya LOUD AND CLEAR when it comes to difficulties with nursing!!! It's a shame, to me, that there is so much pressure put on moms to "make it work," at all costs. It only makes those who fail guilty when there's no reason to be. I absolutely agree that the MOST important thing for a baby AND the rest of the family is to have a mom who is relaxed and happy to BE a mom.

I will give nursing a go for this next one but I am going into it with absolutely NO expectations or guilt for whatever happens. My baby will be loved and fed. Period.
23/8/09 17:15
Heffalump said…
Litte Miss Star is a CUTIE!
I thought of you yesterday when we were at the Coast Guard Air Show. I vote you move back here when the time comes!
23/8/09 18:43
Danielle, JK, Kendon & Boston said…
I know how you feel about breast feeding! I only did with Kendon for 3 months and then I stopped because I felt like he was not getting enough and I also felt like my milk was bothering him, but I got a lot of crap for stopping. Everyone said that he needed to be breast fed, but I also felt it was more important for him to have a sane mother, and he has been just fine after being on formula! Star is ADORABLE!!!!
24/8/09 01:28
Karrissa Winward said…
Penny is such a cute baby!! I am glad you are feeling well!
24/8/09 10:28
Jim and Brooke said…
She has changed so much already!
She is beautiful!!
Happy Brithday 5 yr old!!
Miss you!
1/9/09 16:31
Erickson Family said…
She is soooo CUTE! She looks a lot like you, Katie. Great job you guys!!
8/9/09 00:26
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