Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that causes pain, swelling and redness of the breast. Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding, although in rare circumstances this condition can occur outside of lactation.
Often, mastitis occurs within the first six weeks after birth (postpartum), but it can happen later during breast-feeding. The condition can leave you feeling exhausted and rundown, making it difficult to care for your baby.
Guess who has it???
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Oh Baby Einstein, How I Love Thee
I am not one who supports the parent who just sits their kid in front of a TV all day long, but I will admit that we tried out our first Baby Einstein video today. Things get pretty redundant around here... Everyday we take a walk, both Charlie and I get a bath/shower, Charlie takes his naps, we both get fed, and then Charlie gets rotated from bouncer to swing to mat to bumbo during the times he is awake. So, today I introduced Baby Beethoven and Charlie loved it... he was enthralled with it! He kicked and squealed... it was pretty funny. And, it buys me 28 minutes of "other things I could be doing" time!
All propped up for the show.
Hank loves Baby Einstein also!
All propped up for the show.
Hank loves Baby Einstein also!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thinking about you.
Today is the day that our little friend, Sam, has surgery. Sam, we are thinking of you and your mom and dad today. We know that you will do great and are wishing the best for you and for a speedy recovery!!
Happy 3 mths!
Charlie turned 3 mths. old yesterday! We spent the day having a play date with Charlie's buddy, Dean. Then, Patrick and I took Charlie out to dinner and then to a concert! We went to Symphony in the Park, which is a concert at Flag Pole Hill with the Dallas Symphony. Charlie had a fabulous 3 mth birthday and was honored to be sharing it with Memorial Day. 
Charlie enjoyed the concert!
Charlie being supported by the lion.
Charlie enjoyed the concert!
Charlie being supported by the lion.
Friday, May 22, 2009
What a Week!
Last weekend we went to our friends, Jessica and Ryan's new house to see it and play with baby Olivia. We all LOVED their new house!
On Sunday, the Leclercq's came to stay. Charlie says "HOORAY! My cousins are coming!"
We had a great time at the Arboretum on Monday..JPG)
The Leclercq Sip-n-See was a success.
Cooper and Charlie got to wear their elephants.
And last, but not least, Tiny came to visit Charlie. Tiny was our nanny growing up and started "raising" us when Juls and I were just 6 mths. old!
On Sunday, the Leclercq's came to stay. Charlie says "HOORAY! My cousins are coming!"
We had a great time at the Arboretum on Monday.
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The Leclercq Sip-n-See was a success.
Cooper and Charlie got to wear their elephants.
And last, but not least, Tiny came to visit Charlie. Tiny was our nanny growing up and started "raising" us when Juls and I were just 6 mths. old!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Family Fun
With the extended family, that is. The Leclercq's are here and are staying at our house until Thursday. They came down on Sunday. My mom and Aunt Jennifer watched all 4 babies on Sunday night so that us and Julie and Manny could go grab some dinner and a drink. I can't remember the last time just the 4 of us went to dinner together! It was a nice break.
We have all of the babies set up in Charlie's room. Boys in the crib and girls in a pack n' play. Sunday night I woke up to Charlie screaming at 1:30 am. I look at the monitor and all I can see is two little feet kicking Charlie in the ribs. Bless his heart! Cooper had turned himself in the crib and found a kicking bag.
Yesterday we loaded up all of the kids and went to lunch and then to the Arboretum for an afternoon of fun. We fed all of the babies there, took some pictures with the pretty flowers, and just hung out a bit. Then, last night, Patrick and I watched the babies so that Manny and Juls could go out with their SMU friends. The triplets went down fine... Charlie, on the other hand, not so much. This is his nightly routine... fuss, fuss, fuss until someone comes to feed him his "late" night bottle (which is now at 8:15pm) and then he'll go straight down after that.
Today we are having a Sip and See for the triplets here at our house, so Juls and I are preparing for that all day and just going to hang with the babies. I'll post pics of the foursome soon!
We have all of the babies set up in Charlie's room. Boys in the crib and girls in a pack n' play. Sunday night I woke up to Charlie screaming at 1:30 am. I look at the monitor and all I can see is two little feet kicking Charlie in the ribs. Bless his heart! Cooper had turned himself in the crib and found a kicking bag.
Yesterday we loaded up all of the kids and went to lunch and then to the Arboretum for an afternoon of fun. We fed all of the babies there, took some pictures with the pretty flowers, and just hung out a bit. Then, last night, Patrick and I watched the babies so that Manny and Juls could go out with their SMU friends. The triplets went down fine... Charlie, on the other hand, not so much. This is his nightly routine... fuss, fuss, fuss until someone comes to feed him his "late" night bottle (which is now at 8:15pm) and then he'll go straight down after that.
Today we are having a Sip and See for the triplets here at our house, so Juls and I are preparing for that all day and just going to hang with the babies. I'll post pics of the foursome soon!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Heirlooms
I'm sure that we all inherit some great things from our parents/families when we have children. Here are some of my favorites that Charlie now has.
This is a cute little outfit that my brother had. This is one of three that has been passed down to Charlie.
This is my rocking chair from when I was a kiddo.
And, this is the Christening gown that has been worn by many Allen family members. In fact, Charlie's great-grandfather wore it 72 years ago! It's a little too fragile to be worn again, but I thought I would snag a couple of quick photos with Charlie in it.
This is a cute little outfit that my brother had. This is one of three that has been passed down to Charlie.
This is my rocking chair from when I was a kiddo.
And, this is the Christening gown that has been worn by many Allen family members. In fact, Charlie's great-grandfather wore it 72 years ago! It's a little too fragile to be worn again, but I thought I would snag a couple of quick photos with Charlie in it.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Play Date
Thanks Amanda for hosting the play date today! Charlie was pooped after all of the fun.
Pictured: Charlie (11 wks); Rhodes Hamilton (10 mths); Dean Williams (5.5 mths)
Pictured: Charlie (11 wks); Rhodes Hamilton (10 mths); Dean Williams (5.5 mths)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
I had a great 1st Mother's Day! Patrick woke me up with homemade Salmon Eggs Benedict and a sweet card and CD from Charlie and Hank. Thanks, babe, for making the day so special.
Charlie also wanted to be sure and say...
Charlie also wanted to be sure and say...
Friday, May 8, 2009
And the winner is...
White Rock North! This is the daycare that Patrick and I have decided on. For one thing, they can guarantee us a spot for August. But, more importantly it will be a great school for the future. They are a private school that starts at 3 mths. and goes to 6th grade! I don't know that we will be there that long, but think it will be a great place for the first few years of Charlie's life. They have their own in-door swimming pool, a skating rink and a barn with a horse! I think Charlie will love it here!
These days, we are loving...
Holding our head up by ourselves... yay Charlie!
Our bouncer... Charlie just stares at it forever
The play mat... Charlie kicks and giggles for hours on that thing
Taking baths in the sink
The Baby Bjorn... hands free is great, especially when you have Hank to handle
Our bouncer... Charlie just stares at it forever
The play mat... Charlie kicks and giggles for hours on that thing
Taking baths in the sink
The Baby Bjorn... hands free is great, especially when you have Hank to handle
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sleeping through the night and CIO
A couple of people have asked me how it is going with sleeping through the night and our crying it out lately, so I figured I'd fill you all in.
Sleeping through the night: All of the books say to wait to put your child on a 4 hr. feeding schedule until he can sleep through the night. Well, we did this backwards. The triplets were put on a 4 hr. feeding schedule before leaving the NICU (at 3.5 wks), so I figured if the preemies can do it than so should the full-term baby. We started the 4 hr. feeding schedule around week 3 with giving Charlie around 4 oz. every 4 hrs. When we took out the 2am feeding (around week 6), I slowly decreased his oz. for that feeding while increasing his oz at all of the other feedings. We are now giving Charlie 6 oz every 4 hrs 5 x's per day. In addition, we are slowly backing up his 10pm feeding to whenever we want his bedtime to be (I think our goal is 7:30pm). I'm doing this by feeding him at 9:45pm for 3 nights, then 9:30pm for 3 nights, etc. Last night he slept from 9:30pm to 6:30am! 9 hr. stretches are great!
CIO- In the week that we have been letting Charlie cry it out he has pretty consistently been crying for 30 min. before losing steam and going to sleep. He has done this 4 out of 6 nights. Thursday night my mom was in town and since she is not on board with crying it out, we didn't do it for that one night (no reason to make company feel uncomfortable). Last night he didn't make a peep when I put him down! No crying at all! I figure that it will be a roller coaster ride every night. But, I now know that he can make himself go to sleep without our help, so I think that the CIO is totally worth it!
Sleeping through the night: All of the books say to wait to put your child on a 4 hr. feeding schedule until he can sleep through the night. Well, we did this backwards. The triplets were put on a 4 hr. feeding schedule before leaving the NICU (at 3.5 wks), so I figured if the preemies can do it than so should the full-term baby. We started the 4 hr. feeding schedule around week 3 with giving Charlie around 4 oz. every 4 hrs. When we took out the 2am feeding (around week 6), I slowly decreased his oz. for that feeding while increasing his oz at all of the other feedings. We are now giving Charlie 6 oz every 4 hrs 5 x's per day. In addition, we are slowly backing up his 10pm feeding to whenever we want his bedtime to be (I think our goal is 7:30pm). I'm doing this by feeding him at 9:45pm for 3 nights, then 9:30pm for 3 nights, etc. Last night he slept from 9:30pm to 6:30am! 9 hr. stretches are great!
CIO- In the week that we have been letting Charlie cry it out he has pretty consistently been crying for 30 min. before losing steam and going to sleep. He has done this 4 out of 6 nights. Thursday night my mom was in town and since she is not on board with crying it out, we didn't do it for that one night (no reason to make company feel uncomfortable). Last night he didn't make a peep when I put him down! No crying at all! I figure that it will be a roller coaster ride every night. But, I now know that he can make himself go to sleep without our help, so I think that the CIO is totally worth it!
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