Vegan Baby: Weeks Eight and Nine

I have achieved success! It has been two weeks since I have had to use the nipple shield. Hurray! I'm not as drenched in my own milk! That being said, I'm not yet at the level where I can feed without trouble. I still need all my amenities: my bobby, a certain chair or pillows behind my back, and somewhere to lift my legs. Breastfeeding brings focus to her preemie status--feedings take quite a while and she is starving after an hour and a half to two hours. We have only had a couple of instances where straight nursing satiates her for three hours. From what I hear, that is how the nursed newborn rolls. We still offer bottled expressed milk at night, with maybe a scattered nursing session here and there. Honestly, I don't feel completely confident with my nursing skills and the measured bottle assures me she is getting the proper amount of food. Although, I should just trust she'll let me know if she isn't.--and I should be jumping at the chance to get rid of pumping. I'm down to four pumps a day, from eight every two-three hours. We are definitely making some progress!

Tallulah had her two month checkup at the end of November. She was seven pounds and ten ounces, still gaining over an ounce a day. The doctor still supported the Similac formula that they've been pushing and some conventional vitamin--when I told him that she is just drinking milk and I have found my own vitamin, a natural one, he did look slightly surprised. Supposedly, those chemically-produced, animal-sourced ingredients are supposed to make her grow quicker. Yet, she is growing rapidly on the things I have chosen for her, based on my own beliefs and morals. One for vegan baby, zero for corporate medicine. Speaking of, the great vaccine debate. I don't make rash decisions and I have done tons of research, which only leads to more confusion. All the horror stories on either side are anomalies. Not every vaccinated child dies from the side effects and not every non-vaccinated child comes down with some archaic disease. Of course, we don't want to be the exception on either side--but I feel much better not sticking her with artificial ingredients, especially with a preemies compromised immune system. Parenting is full of loaded decisions.

Pandora had to make a visit to her own doctor, too. There is still speculation of hidden kidney issues--apparently, blood work won't show renal concern until less than 75% of her kidneys are functioning. She was losing weight again and had her second UTI in a few months. She was injected with fluids and we are back to twice-weekly B12 shots. Pandora appears to be doing much better, but I'm still concerned. She is definitely the first baby, and I am not ready to face her mortality. Not that I'll ever be, really.

In case you haven't noticed the excessive consumer frenzy and festive decorations spilling over society, the holidays are coming! Tallulah has now had her first Halloween (with maternal Grandpa), and now has had her first Thanksgiving with her paternal Grandma. Thanksgiving can be a vegan nightmare, but also presents several opportunities to show how great vegan food is. Later, this holiday will be perfect for teaching Tallulah our compassionate lifestyle. I have attended Farm Sanctuary's Thanksgiving event with my mom, where you feed the turkeys rather than eating them. I can't wait to take Tallulah to this one day. This year,  Eric's mom made an awesome vegan spread for Thanksgiving. It was nice to just focus on baby and chatting, rather than sweating and stressing in the kitchen. I did prepare dessert, as I can't completely stay out of the kitchen. Those desserts were made with a snuggled baby in the Moby. Baby demands do compromise cooking--again, making Linda's cooking that much more appreciated. Plus, I love it when non-vegan family members support the lifestyle. It's even more awesome when they hail from South Dakota, a state many remember as the one that kicked Joan Jett off the state float for her veganism and its conflict with the ranching industry. We ate all the traditional fixings--including a couple I hadn't had in a few years: from-scratch stuffing and green bean casserole. This breastfeeding mom ate two full plates. Um, making mom-milk burns a lot of calories. Not that my waistband is supporting that notion.

 

Post-partum weight brings me to the non-baby part of motherhood--the mom herself. Life with a new baby means squeezing in showers, eating crackers all day because the baby is on a feed-a-thon and that is all you can reach, and watching your hair fade to a lovely shade of orange swamp. Plus, engorged milk-boobs make it impossible to fit into any old tops. A reality I'll have to face for at least a year. That should spark a shopping spree, but who wants to shops when you weigh some ungodly number? Looks like I'm stuck in leggings and stretchy dresses. The days where I do get to spruce up a bit with a longer shower and a dusting of make-up feel extra special, and help to feel a bit more human. I've still been attending my twice-a-month writing groups, which also fosters my not-mom self. Of course, while I love these groups, I also find myself missing her the whole time. I can't imagine how I'll feel when I go back to work....in 13 DAYS!!?? Yikes. I don't even want to think about it.

During Week Nine, I was able to take Tallulah to a write-in, at The Porch's event. I love writing with her wrapped up. That won't last forever as she'll soon be too awake. Maybe one day we can write at side by side desks. Maybe. :)

Tallulah is now ten weeks and up to size one diapers, with some of her newborn attire getting awfully tight. Craaaaaazzzy.