3 Months

I can't believe that E is three months old. It was one year ago this week that I started stimming for E's IVF cycle. I still can't believe how incredibly lucky we have been.  It's so weird. In some ways, I can't believe he's actually here and mine and in other ways I can't even remember what my life was like without him. Every day I am grateful to have him in my life.

E is doing so well. He's a long and skinny little peanut, but he's growing really well. He was 7 pounds 2 ounces at birth and at 12 weeks, he was 11 pounds 12 ounces! He's always "talking" and laughing and lately he's been trying to eat everything that he can get his hands on. We all survived his first cold and his first trip on an airplane! We're all settling into a pretty good routine and things are much less stressful at home.

E's favorite things: playing on his play mat, going for walks with his brothers, riding in his "big boy" stroller, "talking", taking baths, eating (especially in the middle of the night)

E's least favorite things: Hmm. There aren't too many things. He's a pretty happy guy. He doesn't really like it when the person holding him sits down. Doesn't really love tummy time either.

As for me, I'm still breastfeeding! I made it to 3 months, which was my revised goal. We went to the lactation consultant a few weeks ago and she identified a number of potential issues - vasospasms due to Raynaud's phenomenon, a strong letdown which probably caused/causes E to bite down and E has a high arched palate (like his dad). I also saw a dermatologist who confirmed that we do not have a yeast infection. I started treating the vasospasms with heating pads, but that's really all we could do. I think that my letdown/supply must have adjusted or maybe E just got better at handling it as he got bigger because things have really improved. My nipple is still fucked, but it really doesn't hurt that much when I'm nursing. I've been pumping less often so I'm wondering if maybe the pump has been a big part of the problem all along. Who knows? I'm so relieved that I was able to reach my goal. I think that E really enjoys nursing and I'm glad that I didn't have to take that from him (although he takes to the bottle pretty well too). I probably wouldn't have been able to do it if I didn't have such amazing support. Thank you to everyone!