The Power of Breastfeeding

I am a huge advocate for breastfeeding...for many reasons. Not only does it benefit your baby, but it also benefits YOU!

It started as one of the hardest things I think I've ever done. Hadley latched on well, but the pain....oh the pain for the first two weeks was miserable. I stuck through it though, and it has been an amazing experience.

Because I am a working mom, I've been pumping. Yes, this is a lot more extra work, but it is worth it to me to be able to feed my baby. I am not against Formula at all, I just had the desire to breastfeed/pump, and it has worked well for Hadley and myself.

I pump 5:30am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, sometimes at 6:30pm and then last pump is around 9 -9:30pm. I never pumped in the middle of the night, when Hadley wasn't sleeping through the night, I would just breastfeed her, this was easiest for me. I started giving Hadley Breast milk in a bottle early on, just so she would get use to it for when I went back to work.

My goal is to make it to 6 months, which is only 2 month away....and then from there, I might continue....or I might not. I haven't decided yet. I have a TON frozen, and will feed Hadley that, and would love to make it closer to a year.

Freezing - you will need a LOT of storage space is you are going to go this avenue. Probably your own Deep Freeze, just for the milk.

I gained a good amount of weight through my pregnancy. Breastfeeding has helped me lose most of my baby weight I gained. I have around 5 more pounds to go to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but would love to lose another 15 pounds. I am struggling right now to find time for myself, and getting away long enough to get a work out in.

Additional Tips for Pumping Moms:

• Buy yourself MULTIPLE hands free Bras
• Milk Storage Bags
• Extra Pumping Parts
• Car Outlet Charger for Pump
• Embrace it!
• Relax while you are pumping.
• Drink lots of water.
• Let your spouse care for your baby while you are pumping!

If anyone has any additional questions on my breastfeeding journey, feel free to e-mail me at haley.thygesen@gmail.com.

 

3 month: Hadley Marie

She melts my heart! I can't beleive she is 3 months already. It has been so fun watching her grow. The best part is when it's time for her to get up in the morning, she is laying in the crib with a huge smile on her face.

loves:

SMILING, without a doubt.

Talking

Standing

Sitting like a big girl.

Snuggling

dislikes:
Not getting a bottle right away when she is hungry.
Daisy barking sometimes scares her lately.

We have adjusted well for me going back to work, and Hadley going to "daycare". She gets to spend some of the days with her grandmas and the other with a friend down the street from us. I miss Hadley like crazy during the days!

 

Here are a couple of my favorite photos over the last month!

 

 

 

 

2 Months: Hadley Marie

Hadley is now 2 month old. I can't believe how fast these last two months have gone. It has been amazing being home with her and being able to watch her grow.

Birth Date

March 23rd, 2015

6 lbs 14 oz

20 inches

 

2 Month

10 lbs 9 oz

22.5 inches

 

loves:

taking naps

smiling (she has started to interact with us, and smiles when we tickle her lips, it melts my heart)

moving (when she is awake, she likes to stand or kick her legs)

walks

taking baths

being swaddled

dislikes:
being over tired

shots (she did not like her 2 month vaccinations)

Hadley's neck is very strong, and she is always wanting to be in the position looking over our shoulder. She likes to look around and standing (her legs are always locked, it will be interesting to see if she is an early walker). She is mostly sleeping through the night, and some nights will wake between 3-4 for a snack. She eats around 3 to 4 oz at each feed, sometimes more.

She has been a busy girl in her first two months of life, we've been on numerous walks when the weather permits, she has been to her first family wedding, been out on the golf course multiple times.  Hadley has been able to meet all of her Great Grandparents.

Great Grandpa Russell Morris

Great Grandpa Jay & Great Grandma Jan Hadley

She was so lucky to have meet her Great Grandpa Jay, as he passed away a couple weeks after she was born. We feel very blessed that she was named after their family name.

Great Grandma Lynn Thygesen, unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Hadley with her Great Grandpa Cliff Thygesen.

Great Grandma Joan Barkema & Great Grandpa Roger Barkema.

 

I look forward to spending another month home with my baby girl. Can't wait to share all the changes in the next month!

Here are a few of my favorite photos over the past two months.

 

 

 

33 Week Bumpdate

Weeks: 33 Weeks

Official Due Date: April 3^rd, 2015

 

Trimester: Third

 

Gender: Girl, and still super excited about this!

 

Baby is the Size of a: Honeydew melon (about 19in, 4.5lbs)

 

Cravings: Lots of Sweets, it is bad! I could eat only sweets ALL DAY LONG!

 

How I’m Feeling: I am ready to not be pregnant anymore. I didn't mind it until recently, as I just feel huge. My belly is in my way. I am ready to be back in my normal clothing! Lots of heartburn, so we will see if she comes out with a full head of hair.

 

Movement: Lots of movement. Mostly in the mornings and at night.

 

What I Miss: Wine and fitting into my clothing. I am ready to be back into my normal size clothes. I am praying I get motivated to workout and eat a lot healthier after I give birth.

 

Best Moment: Getting the nursery ready. It is slowly coming together, but I am ready to have it complete soon! YAY!

 

18 Week Bumpdate

Hello ALL! I know I've been MIA. There is no good reason, other than I just haven not had much to blog about. I do finally have some very exciting news, Josh and I are expecting! We could not be more thrilled. As it took us a while, I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy this journey.

Weeks: 18, can’t believe I am almost half way there!

Official Due Date: April 3^rd, 2015

Trimester: Second

Gender: IT’S A GIRL! We were fortunate to have a 16 week ultrasound, and able to find out the sex.

Baby is the Size of a: Sweet Potato

Cravings: No big cravings yet. It makes it much easier to eat food when everything doesn’t make you sick to your stomach, and that is how I felt at the beginning of this pregnancy.

How I’m Feeling: I honestly am feeling pretty good. I was sick at the beginning, but that has come and gone, thank goodness!

Movement: I think I can feel little tiny flutters, usually in the mornings and at night.

What I Miss: The only thing I slightly miss is having a glass of wine here and there, especially on the nights I am snuggled up on the couch watching a movie or TV.

Best Moment: Of course, finding out the sex was amazing. Josh and I both had the feeling we were going to have a girl. After that appointment we went to the grocery store and ordered cupcakes to do a gender reveal with our families. It was so awesome to be able to have everyone over and share our exciting news with them!

Josh continues to make me feel special and beautiful. I am so lucky to have him as my husband, and cannot wait for this precious little girl to join us.

 

 

 

 

Beyond Excited!

4th of July Weekend with the Sissy

The weekends always go by fast, but it goes by even faster when you have one of your favorite visitors in town. My sister came to Iowa for the 4th of July, and today I was SO SAD to see her go back to Florida.

On the 4th, we went up to Clear Lake and had lunch at the Tiki Bar, went golfing and then cruised around town.

It was a beautiful day on the 4th, so we enjoyed spending it outside.

 

The 5th of July we rented a boat on Big Creek in Polk City, the weather was not the best. It was cloudy and a little chilly. Josh and Jason fished while Danielle and I hung out. It was pretty relaxing.

Daisy really enjoyed being on the lake.

One day my sister and I will live closer to each other, I sure miss her already! Thanks for visiting sissy! LOVE YOU!

Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend for the 4th!