LMP

It's hard to believe that one year ago this week I was having my all important "last menstrual period". Little did I know that it would really be my last period for a long while, that a pregnancy would result from my hail Mary attempt at IVF with my eggs, and that I'd be sitting here today with such a beautiful daughter in my arms. OK, I'm tearing up now. What a difference a year makes. Last year on the 29th of March I was at the clinic having a day 2 ultrasound to size up my ovaries for their IVF potential, and it was decided we'd go ahead with the cycle with just an antral follicle count of 4 between the two sides. This year I'll be boarding a plane for a month long trip to Europe with my own little family.

It's got me wondering how long I will get to enjoy this time without my monthly visit from my trusty aunt flo? Some women who exclusively breastfeed don't get their periods back until they wean, while others seem to kick back in at some point. I'd be happy to go without for as long as possible. Hmmm... I guess I better pack a few pads in my suitcase just in case I'm not so lucky and AF decides to join us on our holiday.

My packing list is growing. It's quite a challenge to cover 3 different climates, and a rapidly growing baby and slimming down mommy. Maybe this means I'll have to purchase some new clothes as I go. On our agenda -the Swiss/French Alps, Germany, Mediterranean coast of Spain, and Southern Wales. Bon Voyage, Gute Reise, Buen Viaje, Siwrne Saff, Happy Journey!

Thrush update

I dropped into the breast feeding clinic and saw my public health nurse. We have a plan of attack on the thrush monster. I am to try gentian violet again in combination with my prescription nipple cream. We are also both going to start on a super duper probiotic, and Anika will have her tongue brushed with a rubber finger brush after feedings. I need to continue with my sterilizing of all clothes and towels that come into contact with milk, pee, or spit up (pretty much everything). I also will have to bring home a Swiss chocolate bar to put in the freezer because the nurse felt I should avoid all sugar until Anika is 6 months old. Topless sunbathing is also strongly encouraged. Thank goodness we are traveling to Europe and not the middle east. LOL. I am writing this from the floor of my living room lying in the patch of sun coming in from the window. There's some light at the end of the tunnel. I'm also going to be back to my pre-IF weight in short order! If breast feeding wasn't enough, dropping all the yummy stuff from my diet and living off quinoa and veggies sure does the trick. It's worth it not to feel itchy and raw all the time. Anyway my 15 minutes of sunbathing seems to have been cut short by a rainy spell -such is Vancouver Island in March.

Yeast Monster Lingers

This thrush is sure a persistent monster. We've been battling it since Anika was just a week old. She's now a little over 10 weeks old. It seems to be resistant to nystatin, miconozole, and gentian violet, Sigh...

She finished her second round of Nystatin yesterday. The first round of it seemed to clear the thrush at least temporarily, but that was not the case this time. There is still a white carpet on the back of her tongue. Now she's also got a wicked red diaper rash that I'm quite sure is yeast too, so I've started putting Monostat cream on that.

I'm still using the prescription nipple cream. It seems to keep it from spreading deep into my ducts, but I still feel itchy and raw on my nipples on and off. I work hard at making sure she latches deep enough every feed and this seems to make breastfeeding more comfortable. If she pulls off, or slides into a more shallow latch it can be really painful and damaging to my already tender nips.

I feel like we are running out of options. I've stopped eating all sugar, honey & fruits to try to give the yeast monster less lunch. I'm taking grapefruit seed extract caspules orally, and using a diluted solution of it on my breasts after each feed. I've been giving both of us acidophilus. All of our laundry gets treated with vinegar and done on a hot cycle. I'm washing my hands frequently and any toys she mouths.

It is exhausting keeping up with this, and it doesn't seem to be ridding us of this beast. We leave for Europe in 10 days time. How on earth am I going to do all of this while traveling??? I'd also really like to sample some Swiss chocolate, French bread, and local wine but fear this may cause more agony than it is worth.

I will have to get back to the doctor again I guess and see if there are any other options. I really hate to take Diflucan, or give it to her, but we've tried everything else.

Girl's Weekend

Anika and I are having a girl's weekend together while DH is out of town for a few days. So far it's gone well. We've been able to get outside for walks each day, and today it was even sunny and warm enough to get some clean up done in the garden while Anika napped/watched me from her stroller.

There was a big sale at the fabric store and I picked up a whole bunch of zippers, threads etc. I was drooling over some fabric, but it was busy in the store and Anika was not going to tolerate waiting. She obviously knew I should get making things with my current stock of fabrics before buying more. Sigh...

I have managed to get a few projects done, quite slowly, but they are done. Since Anika has graduated into the next size of cloth diaper, I made her these colourful diaper covers out of this super cute Babyville PUL fabric. They work well ie: no leaks! I'm still working on some wet bags out of the same prints.

 
We watched a chic flick last night about the royal family -something DH would have no interest in. On the subject of the royal family, I wonder what's happening with Kate and Will -one year into marriage and no pregnancy yet? Hmmm... could it be infertility?

We've enjoyed lots of playtime too. She's made some big developmental leaps -batting and grasping toys and holding her chest off the floor during tummy time. 

I was nervous about being on my own with her, but it was fine. We'll be glad to have daddy home though.

2 Month Immunizations

Anika is now 2 months old and had her first round of immunizations yesterday. DH came along to the appointment and it was nice to have the extra hands.

First came the weigh in. Anika is now 12lbs 11 oz, and 23 1/2 " long. She's right on the average curve, even a bit on the tall side. I have no idea where she gets her height from because I'm 5'2", and DH is just 5'6" with shoes on ;). She also christened the scale with her pee pee LOL!

From there we went into a smaller room with the nurse. She reviewed all of the information about the immunizations and we consented to getting the full meal deal.  This involved 3 needles in her thighs and an oral solution. The nurse seemed to take forever to administer the round, and kept telling me how badly she felt about hurting a small baby. Get over it lady and get er done! I breastfed her while she got the shots, and while she did cry (loudly) after each one, she calmed fairly quickly and continued feeding. Hey kid, mommy took a lot of needles to have you, so put on your big baby pants and suck it up.

Next came the developmental screening. I've come to speak to the nurses on several occasions about infant development and they always remember me from that context, so she asked if I wanted to skip the screening. No, just treat me the same as everyone else. I'm glad DH was there because she explained more to him than she did to me. We went through the checklist and Anika passed with flying colours. DH and I on the other hand need to get a bit more diligent with brushing/wiping her gums, and reading her story books. We do these things now and again, but not every day.

I also had to answer a questionnaire about Post-Partum Depression. I can honestly say I haven't had any of these symptoms. Quite the contrary actually, I haven't been this happy or relaxed since we started TTC. Now if there was such a thing as Pre-Partum Depression about this time last year, I'm sure I would have failed that one big time.

Anika was fine right after the needles, but had a freak out session later in the afternoon. I've never seen her so unhappy and inconsolable even with nursing. This was the hardest part for me to not be able to comfort her. She didn't have a fever, but I gave her some Tylenol anyway.  The rest of the evening and night was fine, so I hope today there will be no lingering effects and she's back to the happy baby she usually is.

Skiing

It's 7:15am, and amazingly Anika is still sleeping. Hmmm... what to do with myself? Ah ha, post some photos of our recent ski trip to Mt. Cain. This is a place that we go every winter at least once. It's about a 4 hour drive each direction, and has just 2 T-bars, but is well worth it. This year we decided to rent a cabin there with a group of friends. It had no electricity or running water, but was well equipped with a propane stove and marine toilet. It also happened to be steps from the main ski lift, and had stunning mountain views.


Mt. Cain is primarily run by volunteers, and is only open on weekends. That means that any snow that falls during the week is untouched until Saturday morning. We hit upon a good week with 1.5 m of fresh snow, and more coming in on Saturday during the day. Sunday we awoke to a totally clear blue sky! 


Anika and I held down the fort while daddy went skiing. I did manage to get out each day for a few ski runs myself. I could have hugged the man I rode the t-bar up with on one of my runs when I told him I was just skiing a few runs because I had a 7 week old baby in the cabin, and he replied "wow, you don't look like you just had a baby!" Anyway, the handful of runs on groomed trails was enough for my quads.

Anika and I did get outside for a couple of walks. She wasn't too sure about the snowsuit, or the bright sunshine, but settled in eventually against my chest in the baby carrier. She was a rockstar on the trip up and back, stopping at the half way mark for feedings, but otherwise sleeping the whole way. During our stay she loved socializing with the people we stayed with and hardly made a peep or a fuss.

We will definitely be booking this cabin again next year... with a toddler in tow.

Chubby Bubby

Anika had her 8 week check up yesterday and is now a whopping 5.5kg (12 lbs 3oz). She's got thigh rolls and a double chin. I must have supersonic milk. Maybe she will suck the fat right off of me? Gosh I sure hope so.

I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight now, but still have about 25 lbs of fertility med pudge to work off. Dieting has never worked for me, I find the key is eating healthy and upping the exercise. I joined a stroller bootcamp class last week. Well. Anika only lasts for part of the class in her stroller and then I have to carry her while pushing the empty stroller. She must know I need the added workout. I 've also managed to make it to the pool a couple of times. I have my mom watch Anika at the poolside while I swim. I'm still in the oversized suit I bought during the pregnancy because my regular one does not accommodate F sized tatas. Of course there is walking too, we usually get out each day at some point either with the stroller or baby carrier.

Onward!