Labor Day Fun

Well this past week flew by.  We all had a great Labor Day.  We grilled out with a few friends at our house on Sunday.  Here are a few pictures...  We had a great time and Jake LOVED visiting with everyone and playing with Harrison

On Monday we had a great time with our awesome neighbors: Mary Francis and Steve.  They grilled ribs and had the neighbors on either side over.  It was my first time for ribs and I absolutely loved them.  Usually everyone puts BBQ sauce on ribs so i never try them, but steve cooks them dry it was awesome!  While we were ther Jake had his first dip in the pool.  We couldnt find little swimmers his size so we just put him in up to the diaper but he loved it.  I think he would've been happy to totally jump in.  He was just so happy!  What a great way to spend the Labor Day weekend!

Mommy Mistakes...

It is so easy to see all the wonderful parents out there and assume they've got it all down.  Now I know that isnt true and mistakes happen to everyone, but sometimes it is hard to imagine.  We are definitely not the parents who have it all figured out yet, but we really are trying. 

I realized yesterday that I made my first big mommy mistake and it just tore me up!  We have started supplimenting one bottle of formula each day for Jake because I've been having some milk supply issues.  Well, at first we were using the premixed formula that is easy and ready to go, but in the last few days we switched to powdered formula.  I was so concerned that I would mix it wrong so I ready carefully...so I thought.  I read the side and it says 2 fl oz formula / 2 fl oz water / 1 scoop.  Well I apparently read with sleepy eyes or something and thought it said 2, 2, 2.  So for the last few days Jake has gotten a 4 oz bottle with to much powder!  It is no wonder he was acting hungry afterward.  He was just thirsty for more water.  I figured it out yesterday and we made the fix immediately, but I felt horrible.  Luckily Jake is only getting formula once a day and not all the time so he wasnt dehydrated.

It is just so easy to make a mistake and immediately feel like a failure of a parent.  I have learned my lesson and will be so much more careful in the future!  I'm thankful that Brad was supportive and reassured me that Jake is fine when I started to beat myself up because I could've hurt him.

I just felt so bad!  I'm glad my little man loves me unconditionally and isn't holding it against me. 

Jake likes KidTech...

Well this week was hard to prepare for.  Sunday night I spent so much time getting everything together for Jake at daycare.  I just knew I was going to forget something or I was going to wake up late or something.  Fortunately Monday morning went well.  I got up early to get ready while Brad fed Jake and got him ready.  We planned that Brad will drop him off in the mornings and I will pick him up, but we both went on Monday since it was the first day.  I knew I was going to be "that mom" and I was.  I did ok at first but then I couldnt help it I just started sobbing.  I wanted to make sure she knew everything that Jake needed and it was so hard to leave him. Luckily it wasnt too busy of a day at work so I could come see him during lunch.  When I came in Jake was in the swing asleep.  I was amazed because he will only stay in the swing for short periods of time at home.  Apparently he did great with naps and eating!  I was so proud.

Each day of the week got easier.  I went to see Jake on Tuesday for lunch again and again he was doing great.  Wednesday Brad had a half day so he picked up Jake early and brought hin up to FedEx to meet everyone.  My coworkers have been asking all the time when I was going to bring Jake up.  It was great to show him off to everyone.  And of course they all thought he was just adorable.  :) 

Thursday Aunt Jenn came to visit before her soccer game and then Jake and I went to a Pampered Chef party at Kim and Bugsie Corum's house.  It was fun to get out with Jake and he did gret until he started getting pretty hungry.  Jake was so happy to meet all the new people!  Friday flew by and before we new it it was the weekend!!  Yay! 

My milk supply definitely started to significantly decrease throughout the week.  I think it was a combination of stress from sending Jake to daycare, stress from our crazy dogs having a spat the previous weekend, and the fact that my pump was old and slowing down.  I tried to calm myself to aliviate the stress of daycare.  We worked diligently to walk the dogs each night and run them lots until they were so tired. We also bought a new pump to help with milk collection during the day.  We had to start supplimenting with formula once a day to ensure Jake is getting enough.  I still pump when he gets a bottle so my supply doesnt diminish further but I just wasnt making enough milk for him during the day.  He has started taking 4 oz each time now!  He is a growing boy!

Jake weighs 10lbs 10 oz now!  The fact that he is pushing 11 pounds amazes me!  Each day he smiles and laughes more and becomes increasingly alert.  I just love watching him look at things for teh first time and absorb all the many things around him.  He just LOVES taking walkes around the neighborhood and watching his mommy and daddy.  :)

We are so glad it is the weekend and we can enjoy an extra day off with our family!  We are grilling out with some great friends at the house today and then going to see our awesome neighbors the Hoffman's tomorrow.  Jake might even dip in the pool for the first time!

I"ll post more pictures soon!