To Breastfeed or Not?

Of course, 99.9% of any one will say, YES! Breastfeed!

With my first baby Megan, I thought "Of course I'll breastfeed." I didn't realize it was really hard to breastfeed.

1. The baby doesn't know what to do.
2. The latching on is the most crucial step. You don't get it right, it'll affect milk supply and how painful it is.
3. The first 2 weeks are awful.
4. Not only is the mom sleep deprived already, breastfeeding is time consuming.
5. You are leaking, your breasts are engorged, and sore nipples.

It took me 10 days. I had to stop. I did not look forward to each feeding and I knew that was bad when I was delaying the nursing. I was still in pain from my labor. I had a perineal tear that had its stitches torn within an hour of my labor. So I was restitched up a 2nd time.

The perineal tear made my recovery longer than most. It took me 10 weeks instead of the usual couple of weeks. From the pain to low milk supply, I was frustrated, in pain, and sad/depressed.

Switching to formula really helped my family.

With Emma, I decided to try breastfeeding again. I felt good! Emma was latching on (not perfectly but adequately) enough to get enough dirty and wet diapers. I was supplementing with formula also. I got through 5 weeks of pain. It was worth it.

But my decision to change to formula was a sad one. I loved the closeness I felt when breastfeeding. As much as I wanted to continue breastfeeding, it was time to go back to work. I had missed a lot of work time because I was put on complete bed rest since of my 31st week of pregnancy.

My doctor recommended me to continue to breastfeed in the morning and at night but I also work from home too. To make ends meet, my time breastfeeding had to stop. Everytime I look at Emma, I feel melancholy that I couldn't do more for her.

I'm glad I breastfed both my kids as much as I could. Circumstances now compared to in the past are different. We're working women and working moms.

Sleeping Battles

Megan is now 2 years old. Along with a new baby in the house, I am struggling to control Megan's behaviors. She had always been a great 1 year old toddler. Well minus her constant urge to get into every nook and crany of everything.

Yeah, so she's a handful.

But recently, (well 5 months ago), she started to have sleeping problems. She would get into bed at 9pm but wouldn't sleep until midnight. Around 20 months, she got the nerve to climb out of bed and walk through the door. We would find her in her play room at midnight. We put her back into bed and she would fall asleep ... an hour later.

We had to sleep by her side. If she wakes in the middle of the night, and one of us is not there, she would burst into tears.

So now at 2 years of age, and with a newborn, we need to make some changes. PRONTO.

I am at wits end when I ran across a parenting advice column. 2 parents recommended "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." I bought it and I'm reading it and already I see some hopeful and helpful tips.

Keep yours fingers cross

Losing the Weight

I gained 28 pounds with this pregnancy. After giving birth, I am now 137 pounds. So 12 more pounds to lose and you know the last 10 are the hardest. It took me 10 months with my last pregnancy to lose the pregnancy weight gain. This time I'm eating a lot healthier early on. I haven't had the go ahead from my OB to exercise but I have been dancing around with my 2 year old. I don't know if that counts as exercise.

A friend gave me a postpartum support band/belt. It's a stetchy material that velcros tightly around your waist. People have sworn by it. Even celebrities like Jessica Alba. But I'm not sure it's right for me. I would wear and it would feel uncomfortable. Laying down in it, using the bathroom, changing.... it's a hassle with it on.

5 Things I Can't Live Without

Taking care of a newborn is hard work. Sleep deprivation can cause a mama to want to cry at the slightest baby resistance. Right now my eyes are barely open, but every flinch, moan, murmur out of Emma's mouth, makes me panic, because I might be able to decipher what she wants.

But thank goodness there are some items out there that can help soothe her...

1. Fisher Price Rainforest Bouncer

It was given as a gift for Megan. She loved it and it seems to also be a favorite of Emma's. Emma falls asleep so much easier when you bounce the chair and the soothing sounds help a lot. When it's play time, the lights just make her alert.

Babies spit up a lot and that's why I like the bouncer. It puts the baby at a sit up position so after I burp her, I would lay her in the bouncer for about 5-10 minutes for her to digest the milk.

2. Playmat (Play Gym)
This mat is amazing! Comes with a mirror and numerous hanging toys. The mat itself has sounds and crinkly material that entertains any newborn.

My 2 year old just rediscovered this play mat and has been hogging it from her baby sis.

3. Gripe Water

Emma started to have colic when she was 3 weeks old. I didn't know what was going on. She kept crying between the hours of 11pm and 3 am. I was going out of my mind. It wasn't hunger, nor a dirty diaper. Why wouldn't she sleep? What was going on?

A friend mention colic and I was like OHHHH.....

If you don't like giving this, there is a home remedy. You'll need: a heating pad, strips of fabric

Heat the strips of fabric between the heating pad and when hot, apply to baby's tummy. Alternate fabric when heat dissipates.

I did that also when I misplaced the gripe water one night and it worked well too.

4. Rocking Chair/Glider with Ottoman

My back would kill me if I didn't have this chair. Actually any comfortable high back chair would work. This is a Dutalier sleigh Glider/ Recliner. Babies R Us carries it.

The ottoman has a slide out footstool that helps with elevating your feet when you need to.

5. Nipple Cream

This nipple cream saved my life. I was able to breastfeed better with it. The pain of bleeding, sore nipples is the worst feeling ever. It made me not want to breastfeed my baby. Every suck felt like she was biting my nipple off.

Mother Love Nipple Cream is all natural made with olive oil and shea butter. That's what I like about it. I slathered the thing on like lip gloss for your breasts.

I know friends who use Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream and they swear by it but I was told some babies are allergic to Lanolin. weird but true. So better to be safe than sorry.

It's Been Awhile...

My last post was in October 2009. I was contemplating a birthday gift for my husband. What I didn't know was a day before my husband's birthday was an OB checkup gone to hell. I had gone in for a monthly prental checkup. I was 31 weeks when I told my OB that I was already feeling contractions and I had some spotting over the weekend.

He immediately checked my cervix and found that I was 2cm dilated. At 31 weeks that meant, I was in preterm labor. Not good because full term is 38 -40 weeks. I was put on complete bedrest. No moving from the bed unless I urgently had to.

I was given medication to control the contractions. These meds made my heart rate increase and made me really jittery. I was not allowed to drive or walk. I endured bed rest for 7 weeks.

Baby Emma arrived full term after her induction on December 21, 2009. At my 38 week checkup, my OB suggested an induction. I was nervous because Megan arrived normally. I didn't know how the induction would progress or would it cause me discomfort. But with Christmas right around the corner, I wanted Emma to arrive at a determined day. I didn't want to have a baby on Christmas day or New Years.

So after a really well rested pregnancy, I scheduled my labor and delivery. At 7:30am, I checked into L&D, had to fill paper work, answer questions regarding my health, and waiting for the good doctor to arrive to get the ball rolling.

I was already 5cm dilated at my last prenatal checkup and about 80% effaced. The doctor arrived at 8:45 and told the nurse to start pitocin. I was already contracting through the night so when pitocin hit my bloodstream, the contractions got stronger almost immediately.

With Megan's birth, the contractions were gradually getting stronger. I could pace my breathing and I knew with each contraction to just endure the pain a little longer.

With Emma's birth, my breathing felt ragged and fast pace. I didn't understand why I wasn't slowly increasing in pain but exponentially jumping from one pain level to the most intense pain level. I was telling myself I was a level 5 pain now I'm at an 8! What is going on?

Well what was going on, is that I was fully dilated at 9:20am and I felt the urge to PUSH! I was frantic and with the nurses trying to hold me back from pushing, made me want to push even more. The doctor was MIA. He had gone back to his office. So at 9:45 he came rushing in. It was the most horrible 20 minutes of my life, not being able to push.

At 10am I had my baby girl. Very little lacerations, thank goodness. And I fully recovered after 2 weeks. With Megan recovery took 10 weeks.

Birthday Gift Dilemma

My husband's birthday is next week. I have been thinking what I could get him. It's just that he doesn't seem to want anything. Asking him what he wants, doesn't work. He doesn't even know what he wants.

And I don't think I can beat last year's present. I got him tickets to the New Orleans Saints game vs Green Bay, which Saints kicked butt and broke the record for the most points scored in the Superdome by the Saints.

Amazing game, glad we were there.

I thought about getting him football tickets again, but this year is a little harder. Most games are already sold out. And he's been working longer hours than before. So I don't know if he can make it to any of the game dates.

What should I do?

Daycare Hysterics

Megan is starting daycare on Monday. And I'm nervous. I know she'll cry. I know I'll cry. I don't even know if I can leave her in the care of strangers.

I just have to do it. I'm 5 months pregnant, working and grandma is very taxed from watching a growing 19 month old. Megan is stronger, faster now. She's injured grandma on several occasions and is getting very heavy for anyone of us to carry around.

I'm hopeful that we've chosen the right daycare. I was recommended to Primrose School but online reviews give me a bad feeling.

I don't know if I'm making the right decision. Well I know Megan needs to go to daycare to interact better with other kids her age. And she seems to like to play with other kids.

Our plan is to drop her off Monday at 9am or 10am. Play with her a bit and get her situated with the class. We'll probably pick her up at 1pm for several weeks. After several weeks, we'll extend the pickup time to 3pm. The latest we might leave her til is 5pm. But that's very rare.

Cross your fingers for us. I'll keep everyone updated.

Joys of Parenting

My 19th month old baby girl is really growing. She's just sprouting super fast. At her last checkup she was 34.5 inches tall and weighed 26lbs. The doctor was asking how many words she can really say and I was worried that she wasn't talking much. Mostly it was in baby gibberish that 90% of time no one could understand.

She says:
Mom
Dad
Ba - for grandma
Um - pick me up in vietnamese but it's been like 3 months since she said that word.
Where's that?
What's that?
Who's that?

Today she said something new! I had turned on the TV for her and she replied, "Tank You." hehe. I was shocked.

It made me happy and it's kinda promising that I'm doing something right.

Growth Spurt Over?

Wow, it's been a tough couple of months. When Megan turned 16 months, we noticed she began to be more whiny. She made hold her more often even when I told her I was very tired. She threw more temper tantrums when things didn't go her way. And it was awful going out to dinner with her throwing food and refusing to eat!

We were getting very sad and we missed our sweet natured baby.

For the past week, it has been a lot better. Especially going out to dinner last night. She did throw food on the floor but it was an accident. She picked up her bowl a little to swiftly and the contents flew out. She was easily entertained at dinner with sipping ice tea out of a straw and with ice cubes that she could play with. And she readily slurped up her milk without me, pushing the cup at her.

Today was another great day. Great improvement. At 12:30pm she climbed into bed, grabbed a pillow, pulled the covers over herself, babbled for a couple of minutes and now she's asleep. First time in a loonnng time that she was able to do that.

I did notice that 1 of her back molars came in. Maybe the babying was because she was in pain and she just wanted some affection. It is nice to have my sweet girl back. But I'm not looking forward to the other 3 molars though.

Horrible Vietnamese Customer

This vietnamese lady came in our shop with already a bad attitude. She wanted a good deal on a speaker and player. We discussed price. She agreed but with a nasty look on her face. She then was like "how come you don't give Free Speaker Stands? All the other stores give FREE speaker stands. You should too. You're ripping me off if you don't give me FREE speaker stands."

We just had to keep telling her "No. That's only for sale. We already gave you a good price. If you want to purchase Speaker Stands, we can do that at a special price."

Well she starts cursing at us. Saying we're ripping her off. So she left.

What I don't get was an hour later she called back, screaming at us.

It seems like Vietnamese people are the harshest, most awful customers in the world. They have no patience and no understanding of other people's feelings. They just want to hurt you. It's not going to get them anywhere.

Drooling for some NQN

I'm officially about to ransack the city of Houston looking for these delicious treats all because of WALLPAPERS!

These are yummy, yummy wallpapers from NQN Not Quite Nigella.

Anger Management

Today was one of those days that everything pissed me off. I came into the office and the orders that were supposed to be sent out, were not sent out. Orders that we received from Tuesday and Wednesday were all ignored. I felt swamped with work and exhausted with no one to help me out. What upset me the most were the phone calls. I was unindated with calls and yet everyone droned the rings out all day. I kept having to bring the phone to an open person just to get someone to pick the phone up.

I feel like without me working, the business wouldn't run at all. That seriously scares me that no one takes care of duties and that everyone slacks off. And when we were closing up, I was still handling orders and yet still everyone leaves everything to me. At least Kassim closed up the registers for me. Vinh sometimes makes me want to smack him. He's very laid back for a manager that sometimes I think he doesn't want to work at all.

I totally need to calm down. I haven't been this upset in a long time. I wanted to slam doors and stab someone today.

Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries

At eighteen, Charlotte Page made a life-altering mistake. She wronged a man in an impulsive act that she came to deeply regret, though it led her to her present life as Mrs. Charlotte Harris, owner of Mrs. Harris's School for Young Ladies. Unbeknownst to her, that man is now her anonymous benefactor, the mysterious "Cousin Michael." His masquerade began as preparation for a devastating revenge, but became a labor of love. Now Charlotte desperately needs his help. Can he save her from disaster as his real self without revealing the ugly secret behind his charade? Or will the mistakes of both their pasts tear them apart forever?

I'm currently half way reading this novel and I keep thinking David, David, David, you ass, TELL HER!

It's not a mystery who the anonymous benefactor is - Mrs. Jeffries reveals it within the first couple of pages and confirms it in the 2nd chapter. I find David really well liked but I can't help it scream at his "making it more complex than what it actually is" situation. He's got his faults and then he's digging even a bigger hole than he started out with. Charlotte Harris is everything she's been described as - strong will, beautiful, and desirable. It is a good match but I can't help to wanting to nudge these two together already. And I can see the many many obstacles that lay ahead of them.

The future of Charlotte Harris's fi nishing school is in jeopardy when a charming Spaniard -- world-famous magician Diego Montalvo -- arrives to turn the bordering estate into a scandalous pleasure garden. Valiantly ignoring his wicked flirtations, outspoken Lucinda Seton vows to derail his plans and save the school, unaware that Diego's true mission is to spirit the long-lost heiress away to Spain for a handsome reward! But before long Diego's heart is playing tricks on him, and Lucy is falling under the illusionist's spell. How can the Master of Mystery go through with his devilish scheme when all he wants is to make the lovely heiress his own?

I devoured Don't Bargain With the Devil - the 5th book in the School of Heiresses series, which sets up the stage for Wed Him Before You Bed Him. Deigo is HOT and delicious and Lucy just as described, a hoyden. It was a very entertaining read. The mystery of Lucy's birth was convoluted but eventually straightened out. It kept the story going. I always enjoy a Sabrina Jeffries book. I haven't really found a bad one yet. The really funny thing about DBWD was how hard Diego wanted his land back but in the end, he found out that the comforts he was sooo used to was nowhere to be found on his land. It's like me wanting a Starbucks coffee but the closest one is like 20 minutes away.

Family Issues

A friend said, "The older the parent gets, the CRAZIER, they get." I certainly feel that way. My mom has crazy, restrictive norms. Her way of thinking is very outdated and to the point of being strange.

1. No single friend may spend the night in your house.
2. Any female friend, whether single or married, will have sexual urges around your husband.
3. The business is your family. If you want control of your life, take care of the business.

More or less, I understand, men will cheat. So will women. But trust is very important to me. If I don't trust my husband, I wouldn't have married him.

Nalini Singh - Giveaways

Nalini Singh is celebrating the release of her highly anticipated book "Brand By Fire". This novel is about Mercy and Riley two dominant lieutenants to their Changeling groups.

She's given away Hidden Currents by Christine Feehan, Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks, and Witch Fury by Anya Bast. To ENTER, you just have to answer her daily question at http://nalinisingh.blogspot.com/ and she'll pick a winner. Check back the next day to see if you have won.

I had preordered my copy of "Branded By Fire", so BN said they had shipped it last Wednesday. It should arrive today! YAY! I can't wait.

Smooth Talking Stranger

Lisa Kleypas' Smooth Talking Stranger was a surprise for me. Her third contemporary romance novel featuring Jack Travis was a thrill for me to read. I loved reading about Gage Travis in her first contemp novel, Sugar Daddy, a couple of years back. Blue Eyed Devil, the 2nd book with Haven Travis was good but not as memorable. I was very glad to meet Jack Travis and seen that even though he acted as a playboy in the previous book, he was just trying to find the right woman for him.

Ella Varner is the heroine and she just twists Jack in all different knots. It's good to see someone not falling all over Jack because he's handsome and rich.

Delightful fantasy to read about. Considering I live probably 20 minutes from the book's setting.

In Need of Therapy

I want to go to a shrink. I feel like I need an hour or so to vent my frustrations. Because my husband is not a very good "therapist" (listener).

I thought a husband will listen and help solve my issues. But no, my husband does not have the knack for that. He just lets shit pile on and on until I am way too stressed.

I need to refocus and gain my balance back. I cannot plan my business actions like I used to. It has taken me so long to do just one single task on my To Do List that it's starting to scare me. I'm not in a rut. Alright, alright. I'm in a rut.

Managing business rut.

But I know the root of all my problems. My crazy mother.

Treadmill Determination

I was planning to name this entry "Treadmill ACTION" but I thought Determination was a better word. Determination all in all motivates me to ACT. I hate exercising... well who doesn't but, it is sooo good for me. It's hard to make excuses.

It has been 4-5 months since I stepped on a treadmill. That last time was a week before a wedding in January. I had to fit my dress. Unfortunately, by the time the wedding rolled by, I could barely fit. So after a 20 minute treadmill workout, I was exhausted. My body was achy, sweaty, and I felt like crap.

My sides hurt, my back and shoulders felt like it was in tatters... like someone shredded my tendons and ligaments and pulled my limbs from its sockets. 20 minutes and yet my entire being was about to shut down.

I drowned myself in waterto hydrate myself. The aches subsided and by the end of the day I was myself again. I feel better after the workout. I think I'm at a stage in my life where I can make free time for myself.

The baby is getting older. She's more independent. Later she'll be in pre school most of the day. I need to start a tight schedule. I really awful with schedules. I want to fit in a couple of different classes, such as Spanish classes, maybe MBA classes, and even hiphop dance classes. Maybe I'll pick up Violin lessons again.

Boa - Eien "Eternity"

EIEN ” Eternity “ - BoA

Translation:

I’m certain that my fingers were made

for touching your cheek

for touching your cheek

I’m certain that the shining moon is there

for me and you to look at it

it was only for me and you to look at it

whenever i felt down

you were always there by my side

you always smile for me

but now you are gone

from the deepest part of my hands

my sadness pours out in large drops, MY LOVE

in this town, Tonight

I think I’m the one who is crying all the time

Because you loved me

I am who I am now

the time that’s carried by the wind

it brings back the eternity of that day

Bye bye bye

Why did you say bye bye

why did you say bye bye

At that time, about that song we always listen to

it came on while we were standing at the farther corner

and we shared our phones together

and then suddenly you pull away

and the phone comes out of my ear

and I pretend to get mad

our eyes eyes would meet suddenly

our lips would press together

you said that you will always protect me

I try to reach up the navy blue sky

I feel like my heart is about to explode

Just hold me, one more time

If I could have been honest with you

This never would have happened

When i wake up, everything will be a dream

And then you will say bye bye bye

why did you say bye bye

why did you say bye bye

I was looking destructed at the people on the street

while walking with you, the roads with green trees

you told me, make pasta for me next time

and that you will always protect me… but

from the deepest part of my hands

my sadness pours out in large drops, MY LOVE

in this town, Tonight

I think I’m the one who is crying all the time

Because you loved me

I am who I am now

the time that’s carried by the wind

it brings back the eternity of that day

I try to reach up the navy blue sky

I feel like my heart is about to explode

Just hold me, one more time

If I could have been honest with you

This never would have happened

When i wake up, everything will be a dream

And then you will say bye bye bye

why did you say bye bye

why did you say bye bye

bye bye bye

why did you say bye bye

why did you say bye bye

Romanji:

Watashi no yubi wa kitto

kimi no hoho ni sotto

fureru tame dake ni atte

fureru tame dake ni atte

kagayaku tsuki wa kitto

kimi to isshoni zutto

miageru tame dake ni atte

miageru tame daki ni attano

kujikesou na toki ni itsumo tonari ni ite

waratte kureta kimi wa mou inai nda

poroporo te no hira kara koboreru kanashimi My Love

konya kono machi de tabun watashi ga ichiban naiteiru

kimi ni aisareta kara watashi wa watashi ni nareta

toki wo hakobu kaze yo douka ano hi no eien wo kaeshite

Bye Bye Bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Ano koro futari itsumo kiiteta kyoku ga

futo machikado ni nagareteru

iyafon katahou zutsu de

kimi ga totsuzen tsuyoku hipparu kara ne

chotto mimi kara hazurechatte

watashi ga okoru to fuzakete

fui ni kimi to me ga atte kuchibiru wo kasaneta

zutto watashi wo mamoru tte itta noni

Neibii buruu no sora sotto te wo nobashite miru

harisakersou na mune mou ichido tada dakishimete

ano toki sunao ni nareba konna koto ni naranakatta

mezametara subete ga yume de atteyo

soshite mata fuzakete

Bye Bye Bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Michi iku hito wo bonyari miteita

kimi to aruita puratanasu namiki

kondo pasuta tsukutte tte

rainenn ryokou shiyou tte

zutto watashi wo mamoru tte itta noni

poroporo te no hira kara koboreru kanashimi My Love

konya kono machi de tabun watashi ga ichiban naiteiru

kimi ni aisareta kara watashi wa watashi ni nareta

toki wo hakobu kaze yo douka ano hi no eien wo

Neibii buruu no sora sotto te wo nobashite miru

harisakersou na mune mou ichido tada dakishimete

ano toki sunao ni nareba konna koto ni naranakatta

mezametara subete ga yume de atteyo

soshite mata fuzakete

Bye Bye Bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Bye Bye Bye

Why did you say bye bye bye

Why did you say bye bye bye


credit One Single Tear

Printplace.com - Yes or No?

Printplace.com is located in Arlington, TX and offers catalog, brochure, business cards and so much more printing options, it's unbelievable. Amazingly, their prices are beyond comparison with the other online print companies.

Last year was the first time I've heard of printplace.com. I was looking for a place to print short run business cards but didn't want to pay an arm and a leg. I found printplace.com also printed catalogs which I also needed.

But after hearing really bad reviews about Printplace.com I decided to use my old printer who was more reliable. I just didn't want to deal with a horrible print job.

A couple of months later, around November 2008, I was looking to make door hangers for an event I was planning. Printplace.com once came up with great prices that I couldn't pass up the offer. I also found an online coupon for 20% off my print purchase of any amount!

Totally good deal. The door hangers were amazing! I also used the 20% off to send out a brochure of our black friday deals and our Black Friday event was also a success.

This year I decided to give Printplace.com another job order. 2 print catalogs and they exceeded my expectations.

Compare these prices:

Old Printing Co Printplace.com
1,000 catalogs $2,300 + shipping $1,900 with shipping and tax
2,000 catalogs $2,900 + shipping $2,400 with shipping and tax
3,000 catalogs $3,300 + shipping $2,900 with shipping and tax

We're in Houston, TX so we had to pay tax but it's still cheaper.

We're thinking of other business opportunities that we could use printplace.com. I love that everything is received Next Day just because we're in Texas. I wish they would have more promotion codes. I can't find any more of those codes.