Kritter's Korner

It is strange how on some days I feel as if there is nothing for me to blog about and then days like today where I have so much material that I feel the need to cram it all into one blog. If I don't cover them today they will be irrelevant in the future, so it is pointless to "save" one of these topics for the future. So, in true OCD fashion, I will outline these topics, and then discuss them--1. Jon and Kate 2. Breast-feeding, 3. Weight loss

1. Jon and Kate

Orignial Jon and Kate photo Pictures, Images and Photos

I know bloggers across America (and the world) are heading to their computers to unleash the fury on the topic of Jon and Kate Gosselin. I am so angry with both of them--it has been blatantly obvious that from the beginning of the show Kate was a domineering head of household type of woman--Jon has been the passive-aggressive do as he was told type of husband. But seriously, did they not know this about one another before they got married? I have a hard time believing that Kate wasn't pushing him around prior to getting married--and besides, with 8 children, SOMEONE needs to take charge and be organized or else nothing will ever be accomplished. Children thrive in organized, scheduled environments. It seems as if Jon just woke up one day and thought, "Hmm...I'm 32 and I don't want to be married, be on this show, or be an active parent anymore." Well, Jon--you really should have considered all of this before brining all 8 of those children into the world. It appears that Kate has fallen victim to the celebrity bug and REALLY enjoys her spotlight. Between his frat-boy partying and her book tours--somewhere they lost sight of their marriage--their commitment to one another and their commitment to their children. It seems that when their roles were reversed and Jon was staying home with the children that the problems emerged. Was he unable to handle the job Kate had been doing for years prior? Did Kate have to go out partying and drinking on the weekends when she was the primary caregiver--or did she stay home with her husband and children on the weekends? Why is it that when she left the home and he became the primary caregiver that he had to "get away" and needed "me time." SELFISH.
Everyone rushed to the side of Susan Boyle when after competing on the talent show--many saying that the show had a responsibility to aid her in processing her newfound celebrity--others saying she is a grown woman, she knew what she was getting into--she shouldn’t have auditioned if she couldn't deal with it. In the case of Jon and Kate--did they fully understand the level of celebrity they would achieve? Once the show sky-rocketed into popularity did TLC take any precautions in helping them cope? No matter which end of the argument you are on the fact remains that the Gosselin children had NO say in their futures. I think whole-heartedly TLC bears a responsibility to aid in the therapy that these children will inevitably require.
I also think Jon and Kate took the easy way out. Anyone can walk away--anyone can say--this is too hard and quit, but it takes character to work things out and seek out solutions to your problems. 10 YEARS OF MARRIAGE--and it seems that so quickly it all melted away. LOOK AT the Duggars! Look how many children they have and they are completely happy in their marriage--if they can make it--then anyone should be able to make it. I look at these 2 families and it becomes wildly apparent that there are obvious differences between these 2 families--but one major difference really sticks out--RELIGION. Think about it.

2. Breastfeeding.

(Seriously, who wouldn't want to feed this little monster? So funny!)
I certainly thought that breastfeeding was going to be a lot easier than it has proven to be. We initially had some latching issues, but thanks to my dear friend Leah, who had given me a breast shield we were able to work through these issues. I feed Addison ever 2 hours and I have been VERY discouraged that in her last several doctors’ appointments that her weight gain has not been significant. The doctor shared with me that Addison is a very active baby and requires more calories than the average baby her age and that my milk supply cannot keep up with her necessary caloric intake. So I have to supplement her with formula. This week I am trying to re-stimulate my milk supply and have done some research on increasing milk and I just hope that I am not too late and that I can increase my supply. Through pumping, it appears that I am only able to get an ounce of milk out (that is both sides) per pumping. So, I am taking Fenugreek herbs, eating oatmeal and yogurt, and drinking raspberry tea. I am hoping that I can build up a decent milk supply so I do not have to use as much formula.

3. Weight loss.

I re-committed to Weight Watchers today. I had a lot of success with this program pre-pregnancy and I hope that I can pick up where I left off. Before my pregnancy had not made my weight loss goal with weight watchers, but I was involved in Women's fitness boot camp and I was in the best shape of my life. During my pregnancy I gained about 60 pounds--30 of which I lost between Addison's birth and my excess fluid problems and edema associated with my pre-eclampsia. So that leaves me with 30 pounds to get back to pre-pregnancy and then I can pick up where I left off to get to my ultimate weight loss goal. I don't even want to think about my ultimate goal right now--I just want to concentrate on getting back to pre-pregnancy. Exercising is going to be a challenge with Jim leaving on deployment. After working an 8 hour day and leaving Addison in daycare--the LAST thing I want to do is drop her off at another daycare so I can go work out. So I have been racking my brain about what to do and BOOM--tonight at my first Weight Watchers meeting the session leader tells me about a walking club that meets at Mt. Trashmore--so I asked if it was stroller friendly--and yes it is! What a great solution--I can work out with Addison and be with other people so we won't be out by ourselves in the evenings--it is perfect! Between my Wii Fit, my mommy and me yoga DVD, and the new walking club I should not have an excuse not to exercise and maybe when Jim gets back from Iraq I can start doing boot camp again, besides, my body needs time to adjust back into exercise--I know there is no way I would make it in boot camp right now! Wish me luck--I will continue to blog about this weight loss journey :o)

Addison Faith and I were released from the hospital on the evening of May 14 under the condition that we have follow-up doctor's appointments. Addison needed to be seen by her pediatrician the day after release to check her weight and I needed to be seen by my doctor the following Monday to have my blood pressure and vitals checked.
Addison's doctor's appointment was a little scary because she had not quite gotten the hang of breastfeeding yet and I knew she was dropping weight. Little did I expect that she would have dropped nearly a pound! She was born weighing 7lbs 2 ozs and in less than 2 days time was down to 6lbs and 3 oz's. We consulted with the doctor, got some advice on breastfeeding and supplementing her while she was learning to adapt to her new food source.

So...after the scary part was over...

During her check-up the doctor put her on her back to listen to her heart and my starving little child completely flips over on her side. MY 2 DAY OLD, STARVING BABY...rolls over. I think the doctor nearly had a coronary. She was equally surprised when she flipped Addison over on her tummy and Addison proceeded to lift her head off the table and push off the table with both of her feet. It was at this point that the doctor turned to me and said..."This is a super baby!" She gave me a very stern look and while pointing her finger at me said, "DO NOT...UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES...LEAVE THIS BABY UNATTENDED. Please bring your husband to the next appointment so I can share this with him as well."

The good news is that super baby is learning to eat. We worked very hard all day yesterday and have continued our work today. I think she is getting the hang of it...she just had to work a little harder at it since she has super baby powers :o)