Jan. 21 Earache Schmearache + Lactation Specialists

Gerard weight - 3 lbs. 15-1/2 oz.
This morning we went to the Instacare and the doctor looks into my ear and says, "Oh, that mustn't feel very good." I know! I know! I still have no voice, so a whisper of "NO, it doesn't feel good (after self-medicating with lortab this morning at 6 a.m after pumping). Is there anything that will help?" She looks at me and says she can give me something for the pain, but gathers it's a virus and I'll have to wait it out. ARGH!!!!! When I asked if other folks are coming in with this she just looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Yes, you're part of the in crowd." How fabulous. Just what I want to be at this stage of my life. After discussing new med options and a call to the lactation specialist in the NICU to make sure the new drugs are "safe" we changed my meds yet again. I'm now on the third antibiotic and an antiviral medication that should have been given to me last week to begin with. I know people love to give the lactation specialists a hard time (they are a militant bunch), but the ones I've dealt with have been marvelous. In fact, I typically get a couple of calls a week checking in to make sure I'm "doin' OK" and asking "if I need help with anything." Yes, if any of the pregnancy books would have warned me that pumping was going to take over my life, I wouldn't be so surprised by the time it takes now! Right when I get settled into a nap or some other pleasureable activity (like reading or watching a movie), wouldn't you know it, it's that time again... Poor Michael probably thinks it's my new mantra. Every time he asks me what I'm doing, or if he can get me anything I just say, "time to pump!" I wish I could contract someone else for the task, especially when I can't even see the baby (just kidding). It must be easier when there's someone to actually feed on the other end. Hopefully, I can keep the production going, but the horror stories I read and hear about moms whose milk dries up when she goes home because baby is in the NICU or some other issue just makes me grateful that I can do this one thing for Gerard. And I should probably thank my parents for not allowing me to have breast augmentation when I was younger. I was the subject of much teasing, but ya know what? While I don't have much to speak of, at least they are extremely productive!

Oh yeah, at least another foot of snow fell this morning...Do you see the recurring theme?

Here's a sweet picture that Michael took of Gerard last night in his little sleeping cap. Too cute.