Wednesday Morning

on February 18, 2015

Are you having a nice day? So far â€“ mine is pretty good! I absolutely love our morning routine right now. I wake up with Claire and feed her, and then I go into the bathroom to pump. Henry always hears us moving around and comes sprinting up the stairs to hug his little sister. Itâ€™s so cute.

And Iâ€™m always happy when I have extra milk!

Wahooooo. My goal is to pump enough off so that I can stop breastfeeding in four or five months but still continue to give her breastmilk in the bottle for a long time. I didnâ€™t realize I couldâ€™ve done this with Henry until it was too late to accumulate a lot extra. My current stash is so big that Iâ€™m going to transfer it to a friendâ€™s deep freezer soon. <3 <3 <3

Oh â€“ what else? We just had a â€œbigâ€ ice storm! I use this description lightly because here in the South, we think an inch of snow and a quarter inch of ice is enough to shut the city down for days and days.

Henry thought it was cool (he also thought it meant that Santa was coming again), and we spent yesterday morning sledding down our driveway on top of a diaper box.

This meant there was a school delay (which cracked me up â€“ there was NOTHING on the road by this morning!), so my plan for the morning was to pop the kiddos in gym childcare until Henryâ€™s school opened.

Iâ€™m still on my Vega One smoothie kick. Itâ€™s super good with frozen cherries.

Packed a kiddo lunch while drinking itâ€¦

And then I tried a new â€œcommunication techniqueâ€ with Henry from this weekâ€™s Book a Week (How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk â€“ will do a full review by the end of the week). Weâ€™ve been having a lot of trouble with getting dressed (it becomes this wiggle mess) so I tried the â€˜no punishment conflict resolutionâ€™ technique in the book, which is where you 1) identify how the kid feels (Henry hates getting dressed, it makes him sad); 2) identify how you feel (I get so frustrated when he wonâ€™t stop wiggling); 3) Write down solutions without assessing them; and 4) Decide together which resolutions to try.

Henry really suggested that he should just stay naked and play instead. Hah â€“ obviously, that was later nixed. I suggested a Special No Wiggle Spot in the house, and Kristien suggested a Special No Wiggle Song (Henry said it should be the Wheels on the Bus). Henry also came up with the idea that I could give him a heads-up that itâ€™s getting dressed time. So I tried that combo â€“ and it WORKED. It was magical. Letâ€™s see if it still works tomorrowâ€¦

Off to the gym! But not before I searched the entire house for ONE FREAKING BOBBY PIN. ALL I NEEDED WAS ONE. Could I find it? No.

Ugh.

I did a 20 minute speedwork session (with my bangs in my face the entire time) + ab work. Then I dropped Henry off at school and Claire and I came home.

Guess what I found immediately?

Snack Attack!

I wrote half an article about exercise date ideas (Indoor rock climbing! Roller skating! Laser tag!) while Claire napped. Later, I ate lunch.

Iâ€™m been LOVING Mmmm Sauce (with fresh Cilantro added it â€“ thatâ€™s why itâ€™s green) over white beans, roasted carrots, and roasted parsnips. So good.

Howâ€™s your Wednesday?

{ 47 comments }

Cat February 18, 2015, 1:04 pm
Haha the bobby pin scenario made me chuckle – too true! Aw bless your little nudist kiddo – I can only imagine he’ll grow out of it?! I’m intrigues by that sauce so will be checking that out now…
Marie February 18, 2015, 1:05 pm
What do Claire and Henry do while you pump? I have kids around their age and I can never pump because one of them needs me
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 1:20 pm
  Claire sits in her bouncer and Henry runs around upstairs playing or talking to us. I pump pretty quick so it’s not so long. Sometimes I pop Henry in front of the TV.
Bonnie February 18, 2015, 1:41 pm
I took an old ashtray that was never used, rinsed the dust out and so far I’ve been forcing myself to put all of my bobby pins back into it at the end of the night (or whenever I take my hair down) and so far I haven’t lost nearly as many or found them in strange places. You could use any little glass dish really.
Rachel February 18, 2015, 1:46 pm
I’m curious if you’ve thought about potty training yet. He’s getting to that age where everyone thinks you should start. Has his school brought it up?
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 2:09 pm
  No… I think they don’t force the issue until partway through next year (so he’d be three and a half). I am in no real rush. I figure he will do it when he’s ready. He poops on the potty about once or twice a day but we haven’t made the leap out of diapers. I bet it will just click at some point soon!
  - Julie February 19, 2015, 11:56 am
    “He poops on the potty about once or twice a day”… Caitlin, that’s amazing for his age! And generally it’s the pooping part that’s harder for kids to master. I’m not one to rush kids into potty training, either (my daughter was 3), but he does sound ready. Such a smart little boy!
    - Caitlin February 19, 2015, 2:59 pm
      Aw thanks, I appreciate it. I’d love your thoughts on this – he won’t tell me he needs to sit on the potty, I just sit him on it in the morning, before nap and before bed and he’ll poop like, twice out of those times. But he never initiates. It’s also sometimes hard to get him to sit on the potty (i.e. he doesn’t want to). I tried rewards etc but he’s not into it so I haven’t pushed it any further. Thoughts?
Nicole February 18, 2015, 1:54 pm
How much do you plan to store before stopping? I’m currently breast feeding and pumping and have a HUGE freezer stash but don’t know how much I need to quit and just use my freezer supply. Any suggestions?
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 2:15 pm
  My goal is to get to six months and then stop. I really started to hate it by then with Henry and want to stop before I get bitter about it this time. I have a five day trip planned in June and won’t be taking Claire and don’t want to haul my pump so I’ll probably stop right before then. But maybe not! I kind of feel different about the entire process this time so I may hold out longer.
  
  My biggest piece of pumping advice is to store the dirty pieces in a ziplock bag in the fridge between pumps. Then you don’t have to scrub them every time and it prevents bacteria growth!
Nicole February 18, 2015, 1:54 pm
I love that you took Henry out sledding! I’m sure someone somewhere is thinking you should just buy him a sled but in reality, he doesn’t care, what he’ll have memories of is of the big winter adventure he had and it’s all because of awesome parenting!

And I feel ya on the milk supply. Why did I never think of that with my first!? I still don’t pump as much as I should now with my second but my pump is manual and let’s just say, it sucks. Or doesn’t suck. Whatever! LOL

Anyway, my Wednesday involves a lot more snow, that’s for sure! I’m hoping to squeeze in an indoor walking workout before my little one wakes up from her nap!

xx
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 2:08 pm
  Can you get a free pump with your insurance? I could!
  - Nicole February 19, 2015, 10:08 am
    Ya know, I’m not sure! I had looked before and couldn’t but we recently changed insurance companies and I haven’t thought to look. Thanks for the reminder!
Katie February 18, 2015, 2:02 pm
I have to say, having grown up in Texas, I always find it so strange and surprising that people in North Carolina consider that the south! I’m sure it’s southern in culture, but it just seems so far north to me 🙂

I’m now in “Northern California”, which is actually just halfway up California 🙂 Everything is relative, I suppose!
Breanne February 18, 2015, 2:06 pm
I keep a tic tac container of bobby pins in my gym bag and another with my regular toiletries. It has been the greatest hack in my bobby pin life (but no, I don’t always remember to return the bobby pins to their proper location immediately ;)).
Sarah February 18, 2015, 2:12 pm
Can you please share your strategy for pumping after a feeding and when you began that? I would like to do that as well for our LO due in a few weeks, mostly because my husband wants to help with nighttime feedings, and also to build a reserve for my return to work. A location consultant advised that I shouldn’t pump for the first 4 weeks to prevent over supply. What has your experience been with this? Thanks!
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 2:40 pm
  Okay, so I’m going to answer this question in a “I am not a LC” way. So take everything I say with a grain of salt, especially considering that I have never successfully breastfeed 100% either of my kids (Henry was given pumped milk exclusively from several weeks out to 8 months and then formula and Claire actually takes the breast for only like two-three feedings a day now and the rest are bottles. Part of this is because I have some physical things [flat nipples] that make BFing hard without a shield and the other part is that 1) I need to be able to leave them occasionally with my husband, a babysitter, or the gym childcare – either because I need a break or I need to travel for work and 2) I don’t like BFing in public or around certain friends/family members and prefer to bottle feed in those moments.) So I am not a breastfeeding guru. But I am a pumping guru. 🙂 Hah. You know what I mean….
  
  Okay so here are my thoughts:
  
  I held off on introducing the pump until about 10 days with Claire. I was super excited to get this far! However, she had some weight gain issues in the beginning and I freaked out and immediately drove home to pump her a bottle. I was disappointed because I wanted to wait longer, but it worked out. I probably introduced bottles earlier with Henry. I wanted to introduce a bottle pretty early because I need the kids to be able to take them – I know more babies who reject bottles because they were introduced too late than babies who reject the breast because bottles were introduced too early (but that may just be my friends’ experiences and not the norm). However, it sounds like your LC is saying not to pump because it will create oversupply? It definitely will – supply is all about demand, so if you pump after feeding, your breasts will produce more milk. I understand it can be a bad thing (google foremilk) and it can be uncomfortable (it often is) but I **WANT** oversupply because I’m trying to create a stash. So I would talk to your LC about that.
  
  I think especially with your first baby, it’s really important not to sleep through a lot of the initial feedings because that’s how you’re creating your supply. When your baby is born, they will be at your breast all the time. Claire ate every 45 minutes in the hospital on the second night – I was so exhausted! But she was triggering my supply, ya know? If you have your husband feed the baby a bottle every single night instead of breastfeeding, you could just even out (i.e. not have enough for extra bottles). So I would try to breastfeed and pump FOR THE FUTURE as much as possible, not give the baby a bottle of the extra milk, at least at first. Does that make sense? You may need a break every now and then, and that’s fine, but you really want your bottles to go to your stash for work.
  
  Have you read Kelly Mom? There are a lot of great resources on that website, especially stuff about increasing supply.
  
  Does ANY of that make sense? Hah!
  - Sarah February 18, 2015, 3:42 pm
    Thank you for the thoughtful reply! Makes a lot of sense. I too am weary of BFing in public so I may try the Breast feed and then pump strategy to build a reserve for such occasions. I hadn’t heard of kelly I’m but will check it out!
  - olsen.gf@gmail.com February 18, 2015, 4:06 pm
    As someone who exclusively breastfed until my daughter was almost three years old and pumped while at work (starting at 12 weeks) for a year, I second Caitlin’s recommendation of Kellymom – it’s really a phenomenal resource, the most scientifically sound one that’s out there! I started pumping at 6 weeks to start to build a stash for when I returned to work at 12 weeks. I would pump for approx 15-20 minutes after my first morning nursing session ended , and I would get a total of .5-1.5 oz. This is NORMAL and healthy – Caitlin’s ability to pump so much (no offense intended of course! 🙂 ) is really outside the norm because of her extreme oversupply. My pediatrician always said that the human body is designed to respond to a baby, not a machine, so don’t worry if you get a “low” amount pumping because the pump cannot empty a breast like a baby can and may not reflect at all what your baby is getting while nursing. I was worried at first about my “small” output (although I had a perfect supply for my baby!) but by pumping an ounce or so every morning for 6 weeks, I had a respectable 50-60 oz of milk in the freezer when I returned to work. Starting at around 8 weeks my husband would give my daughter a bottle (to replace a feeding – meaning, I pumped while my husband fed my daughter a bottle, I never skipped a session) a day so she would be used to bottles by the time I returned to work. Kellymom has great recommendations for working while exclusively breastfeeding – remember, you only need approx 1 oz for every hour you are gone – and to make sure that your baby isn’t being overfed with bottles (very common, and not healthy for your baby or your milk supply). A dip in pumping both when your menstrual cycle returns and around 9 months is very common, so don’t be dismayed if your pumping output decreases around those times – it can be overcome with additional pumping sessions and nursing “vacations” to boost supply. The single best thing you can do is nurse as often as your baby needs it – be it every 2-3 hours or every 20 minutes during those lovely growth spurts (ie 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months, 9 months, a year). 🙂 It can tough but TOTALLY doable! I loved my nursing relationship with my daughter and found it was one of the most powerful and profound experiences as a mother and as a person. Good luck!
    But even if pumping/breastfeeding doesn’t work out, something to keep in mind – the most recent research shows that the increase in IQ and better bond between mother/child that was found from exclusively breastfeeding actually doesn’t have to do with the milk itself at all – it’s the time spent gazing at each other while you feed your child. Your child’s IQ and emotional capacity and intelligence (and the mother’s emotional connection to the child!) is actually formed by studying each other’s faces, is what the latest research has shown, it’s really powerful. So whether it be nursing, breastmilk in a bottle, or formula, as long as you’re not just sticking your kid in a baby-containment device and a bottle to fend for themselves 😉 your baby will benefit!
    - Caitlin February 18, 2015, 4:12 pm
      good advice and sentiments!
Mabel @ Ma Bella Vita February 18, 2015, 2:15 pm
Your babies are ADORABLE! My morning routine doesnt include gorgeous babies (yet) but I love mine as well. Working from home and doing what I love for a living is such an incredible blessing 🙂
…besides the kids, looks like we have a similar routine. I just came back from the gym, had a quick lunch and back to work!
Dominique February 18, 2015, 2:20 pm
Does Henry pick out his own clothes? That worked wonders with my daughter, until recently when all she wants to wear is a dress-up dress (that is so big it doesn’t fit in the car seat) and tights.
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 2:25 pm
  Hahah that is awesome. I have tried it but he’s not super into it. I was thinking of hanging up three different outfit ideas and then letting him choose – the drawers are kind of overwhelming.
Jen February 18, 2015, 2:23 pm
I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT MMMMM SAUCE!!

Sorry for yelling, it’s just been a long time since I made it and I need to add it back into the mix!

My Wednesday has been okay. Over here in Western NC we’re getting some snow, and being housebound with a nine month old is not as fun as it sounds. Ha.

I can’t wait to read your book review. You’ve been giving me lots of ideas for what to read and how to get it read. (I finished All Joy & No Fun and have Unbroken on hold; I’ve started reading while breastfeeding instead of playing on my iPhone or watching Friends on Netflix!) Thanks!
Nancy February 18, 2015, 3:38 pm
Ah where’s the indoor rock climbing article going to be published? I love reading about that sort of stuff (I’ve been climbing for 20 years! lol)
Reenie February 18, 2015, 4:13 pm
OMG… that pic of Henry hugging Claire and the look on her face…. absolutely adorable!! Framable 🙂

” Henry also came up with the idea that I could give him a heads-up that itâ€™s getting dressed time. ” What a smart lil boy. I can’t believe how much he has grown up!!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul February 18, 2015, 4:50 pm
I love that elephant backpack! And the sibling hugs!
amelia February 18, 2015, 6:53 pm
That is so true about the bobby pins!
Those two are so cute. I mean, how darling for a little boy to love on his baby sis? ðŸ˜Š
Question: would you consider doing a day of eats for breastfeeding? I am currently exclusively breastfeeding and also pump after EVERY feeding for 10-20 min to get any extra off for stash. When I first have birth, I dropped an initial 15#, my pants fit, etc. Now Im here 3 mo post partum and my weight has gone up 7# and my pants are tight. I am eating about the same, give or take a couple snacks depending on the day and if I workout. Which brings me to my next item of concern…the scale started gaining when I had returned to working out after about a month. What gives? I’m so frustrated!
You always seem to have a great balance and know what you’re doing. I just can’t figure out how so many blogger moms and other moms I know can return to pp weight so easily and yet I’m drowning. Thanks for any insight you have! ðŸ˜Š
- Caitlin February 18, 2015, 7:10 pm
  My first thought is have you had your thyroid checked? Post-pregnancy can make your thyroid do some CRAZY things. Also – are you sure you’re eating what you think you’re eating? It’s so easy to overeat with kids – I eat so much food off Henry’s plate if I’m not careful.
  
  Also I tend to eat more when I’m tired. There’s not much you can do about the tiredness but it may be helpful to ask yourself if you’re eating because you’re hungry or if you’re just tired (or thirsty! often i’m actually thirsty!).
  - amelia February 20, 2015, 4:37 pm
    I’ve been tracking in my fitness pal. I hate doing this/counting but I know I need it at this point. I’m eating the correct calorie range, but nothing. If I go up its the same, if I restrict calories it’s the same. I’ll have to get my thyroid checked. That didn’t even cross my mind. Thank you!
    Oh yes, the thirst is real. I drink so much!!
- Kem February 20, 2015, 4:14 am
  Just an idea, but have you thought about trying a diet similar to what is prescribed for women with gestational diabetes? Lots of women either maintain or lose weight on the diet because it reduces / eliminates the empty calories from simple carbs and excess sugar. It’s basically about consuming a good mix of protein, fat and complex carbs (low-gi, whole grains etc) and spreading them out across the day. You could probably follow the diet 75-80% of the time and still get results! I currently have GD and eat a combo of oatmeal for breakfast, wholegrain sandwiches or omelettes for lunch, meat and veg for dinner, and yoghurt, wholegrain fruitbread, crackers with cheese or fruit for snacks, and haven’t gained any weight for six weeks.
  - amelia February 20, 2015, 4:42 pm
    Hey, yes I’ve been careful about empty calories/simple sugars. I actually eat very close to a paleo diet right now simply because dairy bothers my daughter. I am also gluten and soy free. I might get my thyroid tested like Caitlin suggested. Thanks for the extra input. ðŸ˜Š
Lynne February 18, 2015, 9:15 pm
I can’t imagine running around in only a diaper when it’s so cold outside! How warm do you keep your house? I have to have layers on to afford our heating bills! Henry makes me want to put on another layer of clothing. 🙂

I don’t have kids so I can’t really relate, but can you honestly negotiate with a 2+ year old? 😉 Kudos to you if it works!
- Caitlin February 19, 2015, 7:25 am
  It’s amazing but you can! Henry is super verbal which helps. I know I made the mistake if thinking little kids don’t understand anything but that’s so untrue.
Liz@NovelRunner February 18, 2015, 10:48 pm
You have the most beautiful kids. I’ve been following your blog since before either of them existed, which is crazy – because they seem to totally complete you! I’ve also gone through 1000000000 hair ties/bobby pins in my lifetime. One time, when I was stranded at the gym with no hair accessories, I used a shredded piece of a grocery bag to tie my hair back. It was pathetic but it did the trick. 🙂
- Caitlin February 19, 2015, 7:24 am
  Thank you sweetie!
- Julie February 19, 2015, 11:46 am
  I borrowed a regular rubber band from the front desk one time!
Janelle @Wholly Healthy February 19, 2015, 2:42 am
That picture of Henry and Claire is so precious!
Kate February 19, 2015, 6:38 am
Just curious…How much milk are you trying to store up? I’m 6 months in and building up a stash, and am not sure how much I want to build up before I stop (I’m ready to be done).
- Caitlin February 19, 2015, 7:23 am
  As much as I can!!
  - Courtney February 19, 2015, 1:28 pm
    Hi Caitlin, I am new here and have a question- doesn’t your breast milk change in nutritional content as the child ages? So, the breast milk you store at 3 months will be what she needs when she’s 3 months, but if she’s 6 months, she needs the milk you’d produce at the 6 month mark. I’m not a mom so I could be wrong, but this is just some “food” (hah!) for thought.
    - Caitlin February 19, 2015, 2:58 pm
      I’ve heard that too – So my plan is to kind of start swapping out the frozen milk for freshly pumped milk and then freeze that (so like, in a month, I’ll start giving her pumped milk from two months ago and refreezing milk to keep the stash as new as possible.
Ash Diamond February 19, 2015, 6:53 am
I’ve started keeping a hair tie and sparkly soul band in my wallet AND in my typical gym bag. I almost always have one of the two. 🙂
Sara February 19, 2015, 9:10 am
I hate having my bangs in my face when exercising too (or sleeping)! I feel you! I keep a huge stash of bobby pins and I always find them all over the place. I always keep a hair tie and a bobby pin in my pocket. Never know when I’ll need them! PS your MMm Sauce reference made me think of Mama Pea who I miss so much.
Julie February 19, 2015, 11:44 am
I gasped out loud when I saw that pic of Henry hugging Claire – OMG too cute!!! I also cracked up that he thought the snow meant Santa was coming back. And his suggestions to cure the wiggling! He’s friggin’ adorable!
Kelly February 19, 2015, 5:01 pm
Aw, mmmm sauce!! Makes me miss Mama Pea so much! If you talk to her, I hope she’s doing well! (of course I know her as well as I know you [not at all] but I loooooved her blog so much!)
- Caitlin February 20, 2015, 7:24 am
  I talk to her on FB and she is doing great!!!

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