The big experiment began on Friday night, the start of an extra long weekend for our family. What was the experiment? Reuniting our two little babies to sleep in the same room. Seems crazy, and very much counter to what I had, from the time I found out we were going to have twins, envisioned, but just because of circumstances, we have alway slept Hailey and Alexandra in different rooms. Whether it was because Hailey was just out of the hospital and on a strict 3 hour schedule, or because Alex could be really loud and we thought there was no way Hailey would sleep through the cacaphony, the biggest reason was that I just didn't want both babies waking each other up all the time, at the same time. This is because I never did succeed at getting them both to breastfeed, and so tandem feeding is not possible, meaning that one of the girls will always have to wait while the other gets her meal, and that just didn't seem like a pleasant way to start our day, ya know? Screaming babies tend to put a damper on the festivities.
So what has happened in the last three nights? Exactly what we predicted - they both get each other up at the same time every morning. And so, today, on the eve of hubby going back to work, I face the reality that starting tomorrow I will be juggling two hungry babies every morning at the same time. Time will tell how that will go, but I guess the babies will eventually just have to learn that life just isn't cushy and gratification isn't instant in our world. A good lesson, I suppose, but a little hairy for Mom to teach.
But. They are together now. They can chat in the morning (eventually) and take comfort in knowing the other is always nearby.
So sweet.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Week Three - Losing it Ottawa
Quick post - down one more pound. No big changes, except to say the weather has finally turned, I think, allowing me to escape forth out of my funk and into an outdoorsy, sunny frame of mind to get MUCH more exercise and feel much more inclined to eat a salad over, say, tonight's insanely delicious Onion Leek soup with Sage and Cheddar a la Jamie Oliver.
I don't know about you, but if the weather is dreary and sleet is falling from the sky, I reach for blubber-generating goodness. 's'all I'm sayin.
Went for a 2 hour jaunt with two other moms of twins today - felt great. More to come, and the Chariot will get used in a big way next week. I promise myself this much!
How are you doing?
I don't know about you, but if the weather is dreary and sleet is falling from the sky, I reach for blubber-generating goodness. 's'all I'm sayin.
Went for a 2 hour jaunt with two other moms of twins today - felt great. More to come, and the Chariot will get used in a big way next week. I promise myself this much!
How are you doing?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Losing it - Week Two (um)
Weeellllll....
Week two of Operation Mummy Tummy is under my belt (what belt? I have a belt that fits? That's news to me!) and it was, uh, um, kinda a step backwards, but you know...slow and steady and all that jazz, right?
There were a couple of "What are we having for dinner" / "Ugh, I dunno...pizza?"-style nights. There were other, jeez I'm tired nights where I just ate whatever. And the weather conspired to make it a very inactive kinda time period.
So, yeah. I gained back a couple of pounds.
However in other news, something strange happened to my already strange 'formerly known as a bellybutton' this week, and I THINK it was a natural repair happened. It has been incredibly sore, but it looks more like it used to, and it feels like there is solid material (like cartilage) behind it. Not sure if this would be caused by the extra workouts/walking I have been doing, or the natural progression of my body's efforts to repair itself post-pregnancy, but I'll take it!
I'm also happy that I chose on one evening to PVR a show in order to head out for a fast walk to the drug store to mail an envelope. It was a good cardio trip, and I even, under the cover of night (absolutely required, I assure you), tried to jog a little bit. It was a heavy, cumbersome shuffle, and little teeny bones in my foot were protesting, as were my knees, but I did a bit of it, in any event. I have a long way to go.
And I know. I sound like I am 500lbs. The picture I paint is gruesome compared to the reality. But honestly? This is how it truly feels to try to jump in the air, jog or whathaveyou. It's CRAZY the effort it feels like it takes to get my feet off the ground. But I'll get there, I really will.
Also of note is that this week I was contacted by a woman who was recently certified to train in the Tupler technique mentioned in my last Losing It post. She will be offering a seminar in May, but more than that, she is interested in a before and after shot for her site. I'm definitely contacting her. I need her input to help me get motivated to do these exercises, and I really want to know how to do them properly. Should be interesting. More to come on that soon.
So. Week three beckons. How will I do? Well, we shall see. The weather needs to cooperate, first and foremost.
How are you doing?
Week two of Operation Mummy Tummy is under my belt (what belt? I have a belt that fits? That's news to me!) and it was, uh, um, kinda a step backwards, but you know...slow and steady and all that jazz, right?
There were a couple of "What are we having for dinner" / "Ugh, I dunno...pizza?"-style nights. There were other, jeez I'm tired nights where I just ate whatever. And the weather conspired to make it a very inactive kinda time period.
So, yeah. I gained back a couple of pounds.
However in other news, something strange happened to my already strange 'formerly known as a bellybutton' this week, and I THINK it was a natural repair happened. It has been incredibly sore, but it looks more like it used to, and it feels like there is solid material (like cartilage) behind it. Not sure if this would be caused by the extra workouts/walking I have been doing, or the natural progression of my body's efforts to repair itself post-pregnancy, but I'll take it!
I'm also happy that I chose on one evening to PVR a show in order to head out for a fast walk to the drug store to mail an envelope. It was a good cardio trip, and I even, under the cover of night (absolutely required, I assure you), tried to jog a little bit. It was a heavy, cumbersome shuffle, and little teeny bones in my foot were protesting, as were my knees, but I did a bit of it, in any event. I have a long way to go.
And I know. I sound like I am 500lbs. The picture I paint is gruesome compared to the reality. But honestly? This is how it truly feels to try to jump in the air, jog or whathaveyou. It's CRAZY the effort it feels like it takes to get my feet off the ground. But I'll get there, I really will.
Also of note is that this week I was contacted by a woman who was recently certified to train in the Tupler technique mentioned in my last Losing It post. She will be offering a seminar in May, but more than that, she is interested in a before and after shot for her site. I'm definitely contacting her. I need her input to help me get motivated to do these exercises, and I really want to know how to do them properly. Should be interesting. More to come on that soon.
So. Week three beckons. How will I do? Well, we shall see. The weather needs to cooperate, first and foremost.
How are you doing?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Blog posts from the shadows of a new Mommy mind
The unexpected has happened. Both my girls fell asleep for a nap at the same time today, and given the moodiness of the day (and the fact that Daddy is home today so HE agreed to clean out the tub - I suspect because he wanted to try out our 'Magic Eraser' bought for just such a purpose recently *hmmmm....perhaps this could be a strategy moving forward to solicit more housework from said husband...*), I decided it was once again time to tackle my mountainous list of thank yous to send out. In doing so, I uncovered a list of blog post titles I took the time to jot down in the first days after the twins were born, in the perfectly naive hope that I would ever have the chance to sit down and write them out for posting. I find the list a pretty funny read:
1. Milk - the Mini-Series (featuring the Nipple Ninja)
2. What Gas Leaks are Good Things (I actually wrote this one up - so proud)
3. What the F**k is a Woombie?
4. No two stories are ever the same (stories of CHEO, parenthood, and life)
5. Three! Three GLORIOUS Poopies!!! Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
6. The P-Bomb has detonated, leaving few survivours (still hope to get this one written up someday)
7. Goober, Fussy McFussesalot, Sweet Pea, Cutiepie and Sweetheart
8. Phantom Belly Tales and Other Creepy Things (I reference this in a recent post)
What's in your tomb of unwritten prose? How many blog posts have you conceived of, but not executed? Started but not finished? Wanted to do, but were afraid they were too revealing/personal? And...do you self-edit?
1. Milk - the Mini-Series (featuring the Nipple Ninja)
2. What Gas Leaks are Good Things (I actually wrote this one up - so proud)
3. What the F**k is a Woombie?
4. No two stories are ever the same (stories of CHEO, parenthood, and life)
5. Three! Three GLORIOUS Poopies!!! Bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
6. The P-Bomb has detonated, leaving few survivours (still hope to get this one written up someday)
7. Goober, Fussy McFussesalot, Sweet Pea, Cutiepie and Sweetheart
8. Phantom Belly Tales and Other Creepy Things (I reference this in a recent post)
What's in your tomb of unwritten prose? How many blog posts have you conceived of, but not executed? Started but not finished? Wanted to do, but were afraid they were too revealing/personal? And...do you self-edit?
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Losing it - Week One
First, let's just chat briefly about how awesome it is to have grandma and grandpa living for the next 7/8 months here in town. It's so great. So very wonderful. They love it, the babies love it, and this Momma loves it. 'Nuff said.
Movin' on.
This past week (the first after my first 39th birthday) was week one of my Losing it in Ottawa / Mummy Tummy extravaganza. How did I do? Well, I lost about 5 lbs, and, it seems, already a few inches! My starting weight of 215 or so was down to 208. My bust down from 45 to 44", my waist down from 47 to 45.5", and hips down .5" to 45.5. Still a ways away from a lovely hourglass figure, but a start, nonetheless.
Also, it must be said, I am still breastfeeding. Why does that matter? Well, given my supply issues (we all know them by now, right? If not, you can see this post, or this one, or even this one for some details), and the fact that they say you 'burn' an extra 500 calories a day per baby while breastfeeding, I figure I can't drop my eating down by much, because I will then risk reducing my milk production. Actually, I have to say that I did notice a decrease this past week, and so I may have to bump it back up a bit to be sure that I don't sacrifice what's more important at this particular moment. I have many more months to come when I am not breastfeeding to get back to a small portioned grazing routine again. And before anyone asks, no, I don`t know yet when I will be weaning and stopping breastfeeding. I just know I`m not ready to stop yet. And that`s just fine for now...
My Diet
So what have I done about my eating? Well, cut out most of the refined sugar, for one. That wasn't helping anything, except my mood, somewhat perceptively, for a small period of time, multiple times a day. I never had a sweet tooth before the babies, but they say that breastfeeding stimulates the desire for sugar. Who knew?
Also, meals became less processed immediately, more about meat and veggies (protein and vitamins) and sauces reduced. All of a sudden last minute meal ideas no longer included Gabriel's Pizza, where our account must be flagged as 'frequent customers' because we often get free, unexpected drinks with our orders?!? Uh...oops.
Snacktime was the most drastically altered, though. Gone were the chips and fatty dips to be replaced with my favourite substitute, Roasted Red Pepper Dip and homemade, unoiled whole wheat pita chips. Want the recipe? Here it is:
Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip
2 Large Sweet Red Peppers
¾ cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
2 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
Pinch each of white sugar & cayenne pepper
Place peppers on greased grill over medium-high heat (or in oven approx. 375/400 degrees) until roasted and skin is charred and coming off. I spray the peppers with oil to assist. Let cool and peel off skin (another tip is to cover with plastic to sweat the peppers – skin peels easier).
In food processor (or blender if necessary), puree together all ingredients.
Refrigerate for up to a week, let stand for 30 minutes before serving for best results. Serve with toasted pita chips.
----------
Exercise was simply getting out of the house for some good, old fashioned walking. In the new warmth. With babies. And friends. That, and just a smattering of Tupler technique breathing clenchy thingies. No, I don't like them. No, I still don't get many done in a sitting, and I certainly have a LONG way to go to get to the FIRST stage of 3x100 of them, 3 times a day. Sigh. Oh well, right? Baby steps (literally).
That is all. Week two, here we go. Onwards and upwards. How are the rest of y'all doin'?
Movin' on.
This past week (the first after my first 39th birthday) was week one of my Losing it in Ottawa / Mummy Tummy extravaganza. How did I do? Well, I lost about 5 lbs, and, it seems, already a few inches! My starting weight of 215 or so was down to 208. My bust down from 45 to 44", my waist down from 47 to 45.5", and hips down .5" to 45.5. Still a ways away from a lovely hourglass figure, but a start, nonetheless.
Also, it must be said, I am still breastfeeding. Why does that matter? Well, given my supply issues (we all know them by now, right? If not, you can see this post, or this one, or even this one for some details), and the fact that they say you 'burn' an extra 500 calories a day per baby while breastfeeding, I figure I can't drop my eating down by much, because I will then risk reducing my milk production. Actually, I have to say that I did notice a decrease this past week, and so I may have to bump it back up a bit to be sure that I don't sacrifice what's more important at this particular moment. I have many more months to come when I am not breastfeeding to get back to a small portioned grazing routine again. And before anyone asks, no, I don`t know yet when I will be weaning and stopping breastfeeding. I just know I`m not ready to stop yet. And that`s just fine for now...
My Diet
So what have I done about my eating? Well, cut out most of the refined sugar, for one. That wasn't helping anything, except my mood, somewhat perceptively, for a small period of time, multiple times a day. I never had a sweet tooth before the babies, but they say that breastfeeding stimulates the desire for sugar. Who knew?
Also, meals became less processed immediately, more about meat and veggies (protein and vitamins) and sauces reduced. All of a sudden last minute meal ideas no longer included Gabriel's Pizza, where our account must be flagged as 'frequent customers' because we often get free, unexpected drinks with our orders?!? Uh...oops.
Snacktime was the most drastically altered, though. Gone were the chips and fatty dips to be replaced with my favourite substitute, Roasted Red Pepper Dip and homemade, unoiled whole wheat pita chips. Want the recipe? Here it is:
Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip
2 Large Sweet Red Peppers
¾ cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
2 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
Pinch each of white sugar & cayenne pepper
Place peppers on greased grill over medium-high heat (or in oven approx. 375/400 degrees) until roasted and skin is charred and coming off. I spray the peppers with oil to assist. Let cool and peel off skin (another tip is to cover with plastic to sweat the peppers – skin peels easier).
In food processor (or blender if necessary), puree together all ingredients.
Refrigerate for up to a week, let stand for 30 minutes before serving for best results. Serve with toasted pita chips.
----------
Exercise was simply getting out of the house for some good, old fashioned walking. In the new warmth. With babies. And friends. That, and just a smattering of Tupler technique breathing clenchy thingies. No, I don't like them. No, I still don't get many done in a sitting, and I certainly have a LONG way to go to get to the FIRST stage of 3x100 of them, 3 times a day. Sigh. Oh well, right? Baby steps (literally).
That is all. Week two, here we go. Onwards and upwards. How are the rest of y'all doin'?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The booby experiment
So this Saturday I decided to head out all day to a friend's bachelorette party. It was bliss. Limo to the Nordik Spa, R&R there, then limo to Fresco's for dinner. Thought I would be out until 8 or so, given a nice leisurely dinner. 9:30 hit and we had barely placed our food orders yet.
What this meant was that from the time I left the house (12:30) until I got home (10:30) I didn't breastfeed or pump. Well, that last part isn't entirely true - more to come on that later. Call it an experiment to see how 'normal' my poorly producing boobies were, since I hadn't gone any big length of time without at least pumping since the babies arrived.
Here's what happened.
First, the spa was great. Soooo great. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the girlfriends were hilarious - it was great to be out acting like an adult again (well, maybe I was. I'll let my other girlfriends speak for themselves. I'll just say this about that. There were penis cupcakes.) Hot baths and saunas, cold waterfalls, green tea by the fireside....ahhhhh! All was well.
Then, a funny thing happened. All of a sudden *whoosh*. I could feel the tingling and throbbing reminding me quite aggressively that I was supposed to be tied to my child or a pump by now. It came, then went, then came again. And it started to get very uncomfortable.
All very much what I expected.
We went from the spa to Fresco's on Elgin street, but didn't get there until after 9pm. By then, I was participating in the conversation with half a mind, distracted as I was by my big, bloated boobies. And midway through a conversation over bread (and a little wine - I'm not dead, ya know!), I felt it. Wet stickiness under my right upper arm as I reached to dip a piece into our fancy vinegar/oil plate. Uh...okay.
The padded bra and shirt were no match, it seemed, for the river of liquid that was starting to escape from my left boob. This, by the way, is the 'good' boob. We like this boob because it produces the most milk, you see. So it would stand to reason that the confines of my size F boob would not be enough to contain what was now a deluge of milk.
So, what does one do? Time to head off to the bathroom to figure something out.
Women's washroom in use. No one in the single washroom designated for men (so just a normal toilet loo, ya know? Not like I was over a urinal or something), and so I went in. Because it was a single toilet room, I thought to myself, "NOW is the chance to try manual expression of breastmilk. I can do it in the sink. Wonder how this goes?"
And so I stripped of my shirt and lowered my non-nursing bra (another mistake - just because you aren't opening your bra for a baby doesn't mean you won't have to do so for other reasons) and squeezed, rubbed and worked the milk down to the nipple, as I have been told you do. It started as a drop or two. Then...it happened.
Holy hose with leaks out the side batman! Milk on the faucet, milk on the mirror, milk on the floor! I had some cleaning to do. Ah....that felt better, but wait! I nearly jumped out of my skin: someone was pounding on the door. Shit. Now what? Well, they would just have to wait. I had just started to relieve some pressure, and had far to go. Ok. Back to it. More squeezing. More random milkiness. Fun times. Another loud knock. Damn. Ok. What can I do? Well, I got rid of a bit of it. Why don't I just fold a bunch of toilet paper and stick it into my bra and then sop up as much as I can from the wet bra and top? (Note: The only smart move of the day was wearing a VERY busy patterned top). Done.
And I'm out. Walk past a small crowd of men wondering what the hell? and keep moving.
Eat dinner. Try make conversation while focusing on engorged boobs. Leave. Walk through the door and make beeline for pump, shedding top and bra in the process.
The toilet paper was sodden, sticking randomly all over my boob and nipple. Take time to peel and rub this off. Put on nursing bra and top. Aaand...
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Relief!
What comes next? I pump more than I've ever pumped before. And thank gawd, because you know what? The experiment proved my fears...sure enough my milk supply went down IMMEDIATELY that night and the next two days until such time as I was able to eat more oatmeal, get back on the pump, and drink my prolactation tea (as well as take my domperidone). Good times.
Such was my experiment. Won't be trying THAT again anytime soon.
What this meant was that from the time I left the house (12:30) until I got home (10:30) I didn't breastfeed or pump. Well, that last part isn't entirely true - more to come on that later. Call it an experiment to see how 'normal' my poorly producing boobies were, since I hadn't gone any big length of time without at least pumping since the babies arrived.
Here's what happened.
First, the spa was great. Soooo great. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the girlfriends were hilarious - it was great to be out acting like an adult again (well, maybe I was. I'll let my other girlfriends speak for themselves. I'll just say this about that. There were penis cupcakes.) Hot baths and saunas, cold waterfalls, green tea by the fireside....ahhhhh! All was well.
Then, a funny thing happened. All of a sudden *whoosh*. I could feel the tingling and throbbing reminding me quite aggressively that I was supposed to be tied to my child or a pump by now. It came, then went, then came again. And it started to get very uncomfortable.
All very much what I expected.
We went from the spa to Fresco's on Elgin street, but didn't get there until after 9pm. By then, I was participating in the conversation with half a mind, distracted as I was by my big, bloated boobies. And midway through a conversation over bread (and a little wine - I'm not dead, ya know!), I felt it. Wet stickiness under my right upper arm as I reached to dip a piece into our fancy vinegar/oil plate. Uh...okay.
The padded bra and shirt were no match, it seemed, for the river of liquid that was starting to escape from my left boob. This, by the way, is the 'good' boob. We like this boob because it produces the most milk, you see. So it would stand to reason that the confines of my size F boob would not be enough to contain what was now a deluge of milk.
So, what does one do? Time to head off to the bathroom to figure something out.
Women's washroom in use. No one in the single washroom designated for men (so just a normal toilet loo, ya know? Not like I was over a urinal or something), and so I went in. Because it was a single toilet room, I thought to myself, "NOW is the chance to try manual expression of breastmilk. I can do it in the sink. Wonder how this goes?"
And so I stripped of my shirt and lowered my non-nursing bra (another mistake - just because you aren't opening your bra for a baby doesn't mean you won't have to do so for other reasons) and squeezed, rubbed and worked the milk down to the nipple, as I have been told you do. It started as a drop or two. Then...it happened.
Holy hose with leaks out the side batman! Milk on the faucet, milk on the mirror, milk on the floor! I had some cleaning to do. Ah....that felt better, but wait! I nearly jumped out of my skin: someone was pounding on the door. Shit. Now what? Well, they would just have to wait. I had just started to relieve some pressure, and had far to go. Ok. Back to it. More squeezing. More random milkiness. Fun times. Another loud knock. Damn. Ok. What can I do? Well, I got rid of a bit of it. Why don't I just fold a bunch of toilet paper and stick it into my bra and then sop up as much as I can from the wet bra and top? (Note: The only smart move of the day was wearing a VERY busy patterned top). Done.
And I'm out. Walk past a small crowd of men wondering what the hell? and keep moving.
Eat dinner. Try make conversation while focusing on engorged boobs. Leave. Walk through the door and make beeline for pump, shedding top and bra in the process.
The toilet paper was sodden, sticking randomly all over my boob and nipple. Take time to peel and rub this off. Put on nursing bra and top. Aaand...
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Relief!
What comes next? I pump more than I've ever pumped before. And thank gawd, because you know what? The experiment proved my fears...sure enough my milk supply went down IMMEDIATELY that night and the next two days until such time as I was able to eat more oatmeal, get back on the pump, and drink my prolactation tea (as well as take my domperidone). Good times.
Such was my experiment. Won't be trying THAT again anytime soon.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day and Week One of project Mummy's Tummy
So here we go. Is it a grandios launch? No. Just a stroll with the kidlets with other twin mommies and a bit more health-concious eating, but it's a start. Tonight, I will try to do a few simple ab exercises and see how those go.
Project Mummy's Tummy has now launched.
Opening stats:
Weight (a deceptive) 215 lbs
Bust 45 inches
Waist 47 inches
Hips 46 inches
Upper thigh 27 1/2 lbs
For the record, I plan to take 'before' photos of my bellybutton, my granny panties, and yeah, a full body shot in a bikini (the boundaries are pretty loose in my world, but they are still there!) to post at some point, but I think I'll hold onto them for a little while - until I have an awesome 'after' shot to go with it and save a bit of face.
Until then? That full body shot may end up on the fridge...
Project Mummy's Tummy has now launched.
Opening stats:
Weight (a deceptive) 215 lbs
Bust 45 inches
Waist 47 inches
Hips 46 inches
Upper thigh 27 1/2 lbs
For the record, I plan to take 'before' photos of my bellybutton, my granny panties, and yeah, a full body shot in a bikini (the boundaries are pretty loose in my world, but they are still there!) to post at some point, but I think I'll hold onto them for a little while - until I have an awesome 'after' shot to go with it and save a bit of face.
Until then? That full body shot may end up on the fridge...
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