To Pump or not to Pump

I've spent a significant amount of time pumping in the last 3 months. Josie is quite the aggressive eater so breast feeding was more of a hassle than it was worth. I found that I actually saved time pumping and then feeding her because I didn't have to struggle with her impatience for 45 minutes to an hour.

I usually pump right away in the morning (6 AM), 10:30 AM at work, 2:30 PM at work, 6:00 PM at home, and again before I go to bed (10:30). It doesn't take long, maybe 15 minutes total including clean up, but I find that planning around it and packing/unpacking everything takes a lot of mental energy.

Pros:
-My immune system transfers to Josie
-Costs less (we are saving about half of what we would spend using only formula since I can usually pump 3 bottles and then she eats 2-3 more of formula)
-*Supposedly* I am burning more calories and it helps me with weight loss (not a believer in that at this point)
-When I am at work, it is nice to be able to step away for a bit in the morning and afternoon (what, it's true!)

Cons:
-Time consuming - a major point because not only does it take time throughout the day, but I can't get up and really start my day until it's done (meaning working out is super hard to fit in in the morning). Even in the evenings, I often forget to do it and then remember right when I am about to go to bed... causing me to stay up a lot later than I want and the mornings are more rough. Overall, it's just always pushing something back or causing me to not get something else done.
-Isn't even covering all of Josie's meals
-I feel completely uncomfortable when I need to pump but can't
-Leaking problems (doesn't happen often but is annoying when it does!)
-My job and how busy I am relies on how many customers come in needing me to help them, so when it is super busy I can't just excuse myself and go pump... I have to wait for a break or just not do it. This messes me up for the next couple of days since my body thinks that it made too much and I feel like I am constantly trying to maintain a certain amount (which isn't even enough for her by the way!)
-Mentally, it truly is exhausting. I am thinking about it for 75% of the day and always planning in my head how to make it work for the next time. When people want us to do things or go somewhere with them, I always have to answer based around it. If we are gone for half of a day, we have to bring the pump with which means one more bag on top of everything else.

I can already tell that the Cons are by far outweighing the Pros. I wish it were that easy, but I know that each point on the lists do not weigh the same. Really, her getting my immunity and nutrition from me is a huge point, while me being uncomfortable is a small point. What do you think? I know so many people say that it is my decision, nobody can make it for me, and I shouldn't let others influence me, but I like to hear what others have done. I know people that never pumped or breast fed and were comfortable with that. I know others that did it for 9 months and were so happy to make it that long.

Truthfully, I would love to continue for months and months but I need to be realistic. If I were at home all day or even half the day, it wouldn't even be a question. But being gone most of the day really changes my view.

One more thing to consider is that I spent about $150 on a pump. Did I save that much in formula because I pumped? Probably pretty close since we've gone through at least 1 huge formula container costing $15 and I was able to keep up with Josie for the first 2 months. The other thing to consider is that I will definitely breastfeed/pump with future kids if I can so it will be used again down the road.

In the nude

These beauties have found a new home in my closet:



And I can't even wait to try them out! If you saw my facebook status yesterday then you know that I was on the shoe hunt and was not having any success. I think I put a good 3 hours in shopping for shoes online yesterday after looking in almost every store in town over my lunches the past week. All I wanted was either a nude shoe (wow first I wrote show...nude show is not the topic at hand) or a brown shoe. Plain, work appropriate, high heeled shoes that could go with numerous pairs of pants or skirts and not break the bank (tee hee... work pun). You know how when you want something you can't find it but when you can't get it then it's everywhere? Why oh why does this happen to me so often? But I finally found them and it is true love infatuation. We'll see if love comes along after I've worn them a few times. They are higher than I am used to and the toe cleavage is something fierce. I might love it, might hate it, but either way they are purchased and ready to be modeled.

You can see me walk the catwalk from 9:00-5:30/6:00 M-F.

crazy me

Well I'm going to do what some say is impossible, not worth it, and shooting too high. I am getting a membership at the spendy YMCA and plan on working out before work (wake up at 5:00... what am I thinking can I seriously handle this isitworththemoney) because its the only time of day that I won't feel guilty for being apart from Josie and can sneak away and come back without it messing something up.

Even with breast feeding and eating relatively good, the weight is not coming off. I am 90% sure that it is because I am not burning hardly any calories all day, and I think my metabolism needs a kick in the pants. I will beat you, food addiction and chubby body.

Let's all just hope I can survive the first two weeks and that my body doesn't freak out and give up... :)

Camp wedding

I went to a wedding this weekend of a good friend of mine's (remember this Bachelorette party? Yep, hers) and we had a wonderful time (met all expectations, can't ask for more).

Here's the group we started out with at the wedding.

I would definitely love to have these. So elegant and sparkley. This was at the "guestbook" table. I say "guestbook" in quotes because it was not your typical guestbook.

What a great idea! A book with pictures of them and fun colored markers to write your congrats all over it. Definitely more fun to look at then a boring old traditional guestbook. (Thank you Jerri for being my personal hand model)

As we walked in hearing the lovely piano and violin combo, I realized I knew the piano player! It is a friend of mine's mom, who I didn't even know could play piano. I like pleasant surprises, and they sounded wonderful. Very professional and elegant (get used to that word, the whole wedding was beautiful and "elegant" describes it best).

The reception was at the Plain's Art Museum, a place I've never been, and I was impressed with the entire atmosphere (dare I say it? yep. elegant). These two seemed happy to be reunited. 

Aren't they fancy with their sparkling cider? Food was top notch with numerous courses and vegetarian options (I tried it, and it was good! I'll have to make it myself. Some kind of spicy mushroom quinoa which I've never made before)

Here's Leah from http://leah-thisismysong.blogspot.com/. First time meeting Josie and I think they're friends.

Beautiful flowers (why do I love centerpieces so much?) with Steph posing nicely in the background.

Here we are, the old married couple with the kid and 2 years under our belt!

Another "old" couple. They got married 2 months and 2 days before us. Wish they still lived in town because we hardly ever get to see them anymore. :(

One complaint about the Plain's Art Museum. The bathrooms were only one stall so there was a constant line. Once we made it into the bathroom, there wasn't a changing table so classy as we Deyle's are, Josie got herself all situated right on the floor. She didn't cry, so I'd rate it a success. 

There they are! First dance, which must have been rehearsed because they were too good. They didn't just sway back and forth. There was more, and we were impressed.

 See what I'm saying? No flaws, just perfection.

Bride and Groom don't like cake all that much, so they opted for Coldstone Creamery to cater. Great idea! It was so good although hard to enjoy when all we wanted to do was dance... :)

 I feel like Mike really looks like James McAvoy (which I always thought was pronounced Mc Avoy but is really Mac ah voy... lame) agree or disagree?

 Fancy new dress for the fancy little lady... she was so well behaved it was ridiculous. No crying, lots of staring at the dancers and flashing lights, and lots of laughing and smiling at anyone and everyone. 

When the bouquet tossing was about to happen, these three ran out and stood there (alone) ready in anticipation for like 5 minutes.

 Worth it though! Steph caught the bouquet without having to hurt anyone, so we'll see if the saying stands true.

 Real flowers in a bouquet means beautiful, but also means petals everywhere after flying through the air.

Typical shot of me, eating ice cream... :) It's so goood though. So good.

Leah and super photogenic bride 

Me and super photogenic bride

I was going for a shot of the bride hugging her new father-in-law but got this even better shot of the groom posing randomly in the background. Nice work, Tony.

Emily (all the way from Virginia!) and the (super photogenic, can't you tell in every. single. picture?) bride

"Next bride" (remember the bouquet toss?) Steph claimed Josie making her the self proclaimed babysitter of the night 

Mom. I'm tired but I can't stop watching. So. many. lights!

Such a good sport for someone not feeling very well. I got him this delicious Sprite Zero to make his tummy feel better, but I don't think it worked.

He still put on a happy (mid yawning) face and even danced with me on all of the slow songs and a few of the faster country songs. Best part of the night!

Here we are (the ladies, anyway minus Josie who was sleeping by this point)!

Congratulations, Tony and Chelsie!! Beautiful wedding and we're so excited to watch God work through you guys. We can't wait to see you help each other grow and truly start your lives together.

get to it!

To do:

• Get those halloween decorations up!! Wait, it's not October yet? Ok nevermind.
• Wrap the wedding presents I need to give today. What the what have I been waiting for??
• Clean the whole house Get one part of one room clean
• Find shoes for the wedding tonight. Again, seriously with the procrastination.
• Find a dress for Miss Josie for the wedding tonight.
• Drink a lot of coffee. A lot. I need you in my tummy now.
• Spend some quality time on Pinterest with my hubby before the crazy work week begins again
• Get saving on the PTO at work since I have zip zero zilch from maternity leave. How am I supposed to plan a wonderful getaway if I'm not being paid to go?

Looks like I need to get crackin'.

Don't all of the dots in between each item make me look like I have sooo much to do?

To my friend Denise who also has a blog but rarely uses it:

I could not comment on your blog and was getting mad. So instead I'll comment on my blog and insist you read it.

Why is this the only post thus far.


Whenever I see that someone from Savannah, GA has viewed my blog my heart skips a little. That's what you do to me.

Is it time for you to come and visit yet????

You should change your comments settings to anonymous so people without blogs can comment. Most people would still put their name at the end anyways...\
 

New clothes

I can't get the picture to turn...
Here are the new clothes for autumn/winter! It is way too fun to shop for her. I can see her wardrobe becoming massive sometime in the near future.

I think she likes them too.

Jailbird

Seriously. How ridiculous is this outfit??

Turbo Tuesday

Whew what a day!

• I got done with work early today and got to hang out with J bean all afternoon. She must be getting over a bug or something because she slept for most of the morning and most of the later afternoon. 
• I got some cooking done ahead of time (broccoli salad... one thing but better than nothing) so I am that much more "free" tomorrow night. 
• Laundry is almost done... one thing less to do this weekend which is going to be ca-razy!! So many friends in town and so little time. What is a girl to do?
• This happened this weekend:

What a super baby.

• I heard the song "You and I" by Lady Gaga on my way to work this morning and was immediately annoyed by her grammar. It should be "You and Me" according to what I learned in school, and its annoying that her grammar is poor just because she wants it to rhyme.
• The only show I made a priority to watch is "Parenthood" and its so great. So great.
• Here are some snapshots of my girly girl today... enjoy!

 

Tee hee...

I made that awkward mobile... more on that later.

Goodnight bloggy world. :)

Nursery view

I finally took some pictures of Josie's room. Ignore the random clutter and focus on all the cutesy things please!

View from the door. I made the curtains and the crib sheet when I was pregnant. We had an old fashioned rocking chair in there but it was so impractical. We just traded this chair (which reclines and turns) from the living room and haven't regretted that choice at all.

To the right of the door, I did not clean up the changing table at all so you could see what it looks like on an average day. I painted the letters and Mike put up the tree decal. We got the crib and the changing table (Pottery Barn) from a cousin who had just finished using it with her son. We were so excited to get them because they were way nicer than what we could afford right now!

Crib (in desperate need of some bumpers with that roly poly baby:

The horse was made for Mike by his mom. I realize his "saddle" does not match the room at all, but that is where I keep the sling since I use it often enough to keep it out.

I'm going to have to do something different with the shelf since those tea cups are way too small and the rest is completely random but for now they work til I find what I want (could take until Josie is 18... lets hope not).

The two bags by the garbage are for the dirty diapers. I do have to admit that this looks a lot messier from this angle, which is never where you would stand. Thank God for that! The more popular angle is looking from the top down which means the clutter is hidden from view...

My favorite corner. It's so cozy and holds all of her books, which someday she will be so excited to read!

These were given to her by Aunt Elizabeth. They match so perfectly, I couldn't believe it!

Isn't that MP3 player just lovely? But it is truly a life saver when J isn't quite as sleepy at bedtime. I think that the giraffe needs to be put away... not too pretty although fun to play with (when she's older and actually knows how to use her hands).

I found these bins at Target for $3 each. So nice to be able to use all that space up there and the junk is hidden from view for the most part.

All that left side is sadly too summery now. I'll have to go through and see what we are missing and put those away until the next child. I think the closet will look a little bare after that. Guess we'll have to go shopping!

I realize how awkward this angle is, but I wanted you to see the rest of the wall decals. We had these left over and didn't want to just not use them since they weren't all that cheap. I like how it brings back the theme of outdoorsy/leaves and blue birds.

There you go! We like it... I still would like to put a colored mirror above the crib but I haven't been able to find anything I really like.