One month old!!?

    I cannot believe that Austin is one month old! This is crazy. Time is already flying by. He had his appointment today, and he is 9lbs 10oz and 21.5 inches long. So, he has gained 1lb 5 oz (21 ounces) in 2 weeks and grew 1 inch! If you remember, the nurses were concerned that he wasn't gaining fast enough and tried to get me to supplement with formula. Well, I didn't. Instead, I pumped and bottle fed for about a week while finishing the feeding at the breast, and then I slowly started cutting out pumping sessions. Right now I am only pumping at night :) So, Austin gained that weight b/c of MY milk and his eagerness to nurse! I can't even begin to explain how happy that makes me. The nurse walked in and said, "are you putting miracle grow in it? Are you supplementing? Just breastmilk??" haha. No, No, and Yes! Austin is finally eating more efficiently at each nursing session, and I don't feel like I need to top him off with the bottled milk. By the way, I HATE pumping. Ugh, not only is it time consuming and inconvenient, as I sit there and pump my boobs, but it is just uncomfortable. I would much rather put Austin on the boob, which I've been doing all day. I'm actually going to stop pumping so much at night as well. He seems to be more awake when he is hungry now, so I think he will drink efficiently. I have stored 50 oz of breastmilk in the freezer though! So, one good thing that has come out of our struggle is that my supply is up and I'm able to store breastmilk for a rainy day. (Or a 6 pack) ;) I made lactation cookies yesterday (who am I?) and they are delicious. Technically, I only really need like 2 a day, but uhhh, I've been eating way more. woopsy! I am mailing some out to a couple of girlfriends who just had babies too :) Anyway, enough of that. Austin is much more alert and awake during the day. He typically takes a long nap in the afternoon when Connor does. How did I get so lucky? And he sleeps well at night. He is waking up on his own now to eat though about every 3-4 hours. I really cannot complain about that. I feel tired, but drink my 1/2 caff coffee and trudge through the day. His belly button is finally normal and soo cute! He is "looking so great." (the words of his nurse). Connor is still loving his brother, helping me with Austin as much as he can being that he is 2. He tries to help him and keep him from crying by shoving Austin's paci in his mouth, finding a bottle and shoving that in his mouth, or hugging him (squishing the life out of him). Typically it makes Austin cry more, but Connor sure does try, so I just say "aww thanks baby, but he needs to breathe now." I really do love my 2 boys. While the days seem much shorter, I smell like sour milk, my makeup is smeared IF it is even on my face, my hair is a hot mess, and my wardrobe tends to be pajamas and a nursing tank, I wouldn't have it any other way. :) I am learning to make it work with 2 babies, and looking back to the first couple of weeks when I thought Connor hated me and I was seriously struggling, I just smile to myself. We all go through this transition, but once you get out of the first couple of weeks, it is a fun ride. I love my boys! I am about 13 lbs away from pre-pregnancy, but I am going to start walking with the boys as soon as I can. I am finally feeling like myself again, and I'm not being too hard on myself. I know I will get to pre-pregnancy. My goal is by the time Austin is 3 months. I don't think that will be too hard. Nursing makes me hungry!! Anyway, just wanted to update! It is much harder updating every week, so don't expect it ;)