I wonder if I’ll ever have another post that doesn’t start off by saying, “It’s been a long time, because life is SO busy…” It’s true, though. Life with four young kiddos is busy, and extremely tiring. I’m not complaining, though. We are so blessed.
On to the pictures…
First, a Jaden update. We went back for a check-up six days after his well-child check, and his weight was exactly the same (down to the ounces). The doctor wasn’t happy with that and gave me a script for a supplemental nursing system. I didn’t buy it right away, because I wanted to try a different kind of bottle before investing in it. My friend Stephanie lent me her stash of bottles, and Jaden likes them better than the cheapies I bought at first. Also, I realized that I was making the formula too cool. Apparently, Jaden likes my 98.6-degree milk, and wasn’t too thrilled about cool formula.
Sadly, now that he’s used to the bottle and warm formula, he prefers it. He fusses when I nurse, and then he sucks down the formula. I’ve always tried to nurse 11 months before starting to wean, so this makes me a little sad. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to maintain my milk supply at this rate.
Side note: If you disagree with me supplementing with formula, please don’t spend time telling me I am wrong. I feel bad enough as it is.
He’s still as sweet as ever, despite all this going on. He’s truly a laid-back, happy, oh-so-sweet baby. I can’t get enough of him!
(Picture courtesy of Caleb. Pardon my lack of makeup!)
Homeschooling has been going well! Grace has been doing great with Cursive First and Spell to Write and Read. So far, she knows the sounds of the first 26 phonograms (25 single letters and “qu”), and she can write them in cursive (lowercase). Now we’re working on consonants, vowels, and syllables, and learning some new spelling rules (such as, “A-E-O-U usually say /A-E-O-U/ at the end of a syllable”). Soon we’ll begin spelling lists. To be honest, I have no idea when we’ll begin the multi-letter phonograms.
Tonight I just ordered the kit and manipulatives for Saxon Math 1. I have heard/read great things about this math curriculum, and I’m excited to start more formal training in math, since she loves the little bit of math work we’ve already done. (Maybe she’ll be a math brain like you, Em!)
The kids have been enjoying our beautiful deck! It’s almost done! Luke just has to work on the stair rail spindles (hopefully this weekend). But, it really is beautiful! Here are more pictures of it:
Well, we have declared this month “Say No November,” to see if we could possibly get some time to breathe and relax at home together. Ironically, this week has been SO busy! We had friends over on Monday evening (Jason and Steph were here to work on the deck). Then we had new friends from church over last night. And we had our 4×4 group (basically a small group from our Sunday School class) here tonight! It’s been a fun week of fellowship, and I’m ready for a quiet Saturday.
This is Michelle and her son Jesse, who is in Grace’s class at church. Her daughter wasn’t able to come.
And our friends the Browns. Grace and their daughter Tori are in the same class and get along well. Both of their kids are just so well-behaved. On another note, Casey (the dad) just found out he’s been offered a job after a long time of unemployment. Praise the Lord! Will you pray with me that this job works out? (His start date is Monday, November 16.)
That’s been our lives in a nutshell. This month we look forward to Grace’s 5th birthday (!!! – complete with her very first-ever friend party), a Base Camp leaders’ dinner to discuss next year’s curriculum and theme, a visit with our fun friends the Webbers, Thanksgiving (of course), Black Friday shopping (me, not Luke), and absolutely saying “NO” to everything else! 
Happy November!
So sorry about the nursing issues. I’m sure it’s frustrating and discouraging when you hoped to be able to nurse longer. I had issues nursing Brooklyn in the beginning — she just couldn’t latch on. We had to feed her with a syringe full of pumped milk!:) My mom encouraged me saying “It doesn’t matter how she eats, as long as she eats.” So true. And I’m so grateful that formula exists for those babies who (for whatever reason) cannot get enough breastmilk. Thank goodness for that development!:)
I hope you’re able to keep nursing as much (or as little) as you desire to, even with the supplementing. I know it’s an emotional topic…and I sure hope no one scolds you for supplementing! My goodness…you have to feed your baby!:)
Cara – Thank you for your understanding and encouragement! You’re right – for some reason breastfeeding vs. formula feeding is a very emotional topic. I haven’t gotten negative comments about it, but I did want to nip that in the bud just in case.
So, did Brooklyn end up learning to latch on?
I can’t believe all the things you have going in saying “No November.” You are so busy. I love the updates on Grace’s school – such a smartie! I would love to hear her tell us what she is learning. Jaden is so cute – sitting in a high chair – how? He was just born yesterday! Sorry about the nursing problems – been there, done that. Yes, I got LOTS of negative comments. The doctor even said I wasn’t a fit mother when I had issues with Luke. For me, it was a “guy” thing. Both boys had issues. Especially Zachary. We won’t go there – such a sad story, but such a miracle. Wish we were closer, would love to watch your friends while you slept, shopped or just took a break. You are an amazing mother, wife, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law and child of God. You are doing GREAT!
I agree with Cara. I had trouble with Finnegan and now with Penelope, only 6 weeks in!! What a blessing formula is!! Currently, I’m pumping my breast milk and giving it to Penelope. Is this an option for Jaden, at least to keep your supply up and continue feeding a bit of your antibodies to him? I really struggled with the reality of not being able to breastfeed full time with both kids. I had such an expectation on myself. It was hard to get over, but like Cara said, as long as the kids are eating… But the transition can be hard. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Every child is different, as you already know!
Thanks for encouraging me with the “No November”. I think it’s a great idea, especially right before the holiday season!!
Both my kids were switched over to formula by 7 weeks (Ellie at 5 weeks) and I had some not-so-kind responses from people – although there were many supportive as well. Sometimes you really just cannot help it. In my case, both my kids were allergic to dairy and Ellie also to soy. Anyways, I don’t know if you remember Kelly (Kay) Baker from C-Stone but she had the same problem with her second child. She was not putting on weight well and Kelly said she had a hard time when she started supplementing with formula because Silvia preferred the formula and bottle to Kelly. She continued nursing and then doing the bottle for as long as Silv would let her.
I don’t think anything awful of you having to do formual supplement. Whatever keeps Jaden healthy is important, right? If he likes the formula, he probably needs it. You sound like you are doing an awesome job with Grace’s school. I am tutoring some Kinders in reading and it is tough some days. Most of them FINALLY know their letter sounds but some of their classmates already read whole sentences… the joys of public school.
I taught saxon to my 6th graders… I liked it. Straight forward and to the point. Also make sure she knows how many fingers she has… the kids i have tutored in math don’t know that and once they get that, they grow like crazy… sad to think some kids don’t know that by 6 years old, but some dont…I am guessing Grace already knows that though. The deck looks great. I love how BIG your yard is! Off to read your next post… this was a long comment… yikes!
I am a HUGE proponent of breastfeeding and think it’s something every woman should try to do…however, it doesn’t always work! And that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I went into knowing that I might have problems — I went into it knowing “I’m gonna give it my best, but it might not work, and I won’t feel guilty about that.” And yet, when Brooklyn’s weight dropped the maximum acceptable amount in her first week, and the doctor said “If she doesn’t pee and poop x number of times today, you have to start formula tonight” I went home and bawled. I never imagined I’d feel so emotional about it.
Anyway, in answer to your question, yes, she did finally learn to latch on. On about day 4 or so, I started using a nipple shield — unbelievably painful for me, but I didn’t know any better:) And she ate that way, wonderfully.
My friend kept encouraging me to go see a lactation consultant, but in those early days, it’s hard to work up motivation to go anywhere like that…finally when she was 10 days old, I did.
She said “Well, let’s just see what happens without the shield first” — she helped me situate her, gave me very specific tips, and voila! She latched on for the first time ever. Amazing…and the reason I’m seriously considering being a lactation consultant one day. I felt like she was a miracle worker:)
It still took a while to have her latch on easily and pain-free — I had to sit with a nursing stool in a very specific position and hold her in a very particular way. But eventually, it was so easy — I can nurse anywhere now, standing, sitting, lying down, whatever.
I’m just so grateful that it worked out…but I know she would have been just fine if it hadn’t:) And Jaden will be fine too, no matter what!
That picture of Jaden is so sweet! I agree with all the comments about breastfeeding. I have no experience (someday hopefully!), but I think you are a wonderful mom. You have to make tough decisions sometimes, but Jaden health is the priority. He will be just fine if he is fed formula until he is weaned.
Love you guys! We need to get together, but we’ll wait until December to ask.
Wow. Your “no” November sounds a tad busy.
Life must be a whirlwind up there.
You are a fantastic mother; Jaden looks incredibly healthy; and kudos to you for even trying to keep the breastfeeding going when he prefers the formula. That’s got to be tough!
The deck looks GORGEOUS! I was just showing Tobin the pictures. It’s HUGE! I love it and it’s beautiful. A great selling point, too, might I add. Love you guys! Gotta go read your other post.