Mastitis

Life has been really good and being anew breastfeeding mother has been such a joy till last Thursday.

When I woke up that morning my right breast was a bit engorged. I thought nothing about it and just tried to breastfeed Brittannia off of it, but she refused to eat off of it. Again no thoughts about it just went about my day. When we woke up from our 4:00 nap at 5, the breast was extremely sore so I thought okay time for the warm, moist compress. Well Brittannia had to start her fuss time and made it really hard to eat dinner put a warm compress on and feed her. It was about 7:00 when I got the chills, and they came on so fast and suddenly that it almost scared me. What made it even worst was that Brittannia was not getting satisfied with eating, or being held, being put down. Then my thumbs went completely numb and I couldn't feel them. Which made holding my daughter and trying to soothe her even harder. By the time my mother in law came back home. I was shaking uncontrollably, and Brittannia was crying very hard.

She took Brittannia, and I took that time to take a warm shower to help with the chills and try to express some of the milk from the VERY engorged right breast. It didn't help at all. The breast just stayed just as engorged and sore, and the chills came and went. What made it more bearable was that my wonderful in laws were able to get Brittannia to sleep. They were more the willing to watch her so I could try to get warm and some rest. Around 8ish, I started to feel a bit feverish and I looked up mastitis, read the symptoms and was almost sure that was what I had. When at 9:00 my mother on law brought in Brittannia for her feeding, I thought okay I can do this. It took about five minutes of her not eating and just crying, for me to breakdown and cry. I have to admit that was the first time in 5 weeks that felt so hopeless. Knowing what my child wanted and me not being able to give it to her. During this whole time I had been having a very serve headache, and standing made me very lightheaded. So when I wasn't able to stand to and rock Brittannia to help soothe her. It made that hopeless feeling even worse. When my mother in law came in to see if she could help I asked for a thermometer, when I took my temperature I had a fever of 103.4. I told my mother in law that I needed to go the the ER. It was so scary to have a fever and Brittannia was refusing to eat on either breast. I called Robert who was still in Buena Vista told him I was going to the hospital. He started on the 2 hour drive down to Blacksburg. By the time I arrived there my temperature was 104. It really sucked, having such a fever, Brittannia not eating to help relive the pain and fullness of breast, and I couldn't move my right arm because of the pain.

I was taken back to a room and when the doctor came to see me, she noticed the difference between to the two breast right away. The right one so so engorged that it was like 2x as big as the left. Plus it was red and extremely hot to the touch. She was able to get me an electric pump and I was able to pump off the excess milk which helped so much. When I went in, I was a bit dehydrated so they wanted to give my an IV and they also had to take some blood. When they put in the needle for the IV, it was in the crock of my arm and it really hurt. After five minutes of the IV in, the pain didn't go away and my arm felt like it still had on that rubber band thing. my hand was numb and was very painful to move. It also happened that it was time again for Brittannia to nurse again, so I asked that they move the IV so that I could nurse, because it hurt to move my arm. They came in and tried to put the IV in my hand, and because my veins there branch so much the needle wouldn't go in all the way. So they tired my forearm, and the needle kept popping out of the vein. So the nurse went to go get another one and in the mean time found out that they were going to send me home and that the need for the IV went away. From the time that I arrived at the Hospital to the time I was discharged was 3 hours. The shortest time I have ever been at that ER.

It was my first time ever getting an IV and it looks like that I will always need to do a home or birth center birth. Because I couldn't do the IV pain with labor pain. :) in all it wasn't a bad experience being at the hospital. But I still don't like them.

I am now doing a ton better and Brittannia is nursing off of both breast quite well and we are both doing great.

Bath time with Grandma

Before my mother left she gave Brittannia a bath. Every time Robert and I would bathe her she would cry but when grandma did she loved it. I thought it was cute how she would kick her feet and play in the water.
She even smiled and laughed at grandma.

Grandma washing my hair. I love it. :)

I love bath time with my Grammy. She makes is so much fun.

Time with Grandma and Great Grandpa

I have been staying down with Robert's parents and my camera died and I did not bring the right charging cord for it so I am not able to get to the pictures that i took while my mother and grandpa were here. When I get back to my place I will post them. But in the mean time here is a little run down as to what we did while they were here. On the 4th we went into Lexington and walked around the town and I finally found the candle I have been looking for. It is a apple scent but made with beanwax and it smells like an apple orcahrd I just love the way it smells and makes the house smell. Then as mentioned in the last post we went to the Bennett's for fireworks and a BBQ. On Tuesday Robert went into to work with grounds and mom, grandpa and I ran and did errands. We really did not do to much on this day then on Weds, My wonderful friends invited us to go to Cave Mountain Lake, which is in Glasgow.

It was such a blast even though I did not get in the water. Mom was able to play grandma with my firneds older kids while we moms statyed ashore and feed and took care of the little babies. It was so sweet watching her play in the lake water with them. She reminded me of my own grandmother and how she would take all of us grandkids into the lake and play with us. Wether is was just wher our feet got wet or out further it was such a great "flashback" and wondeful memory.

taking a nap

My grandmother was the one who taught most if not all of us kids how to swim, so it was really awesome to watch my own mother out there playing ring around the rosies with the other kids. I think she had a wonderful time playing grandma to them since her own grandchild right now can not get in the water.

Grandma at Brittannia at the lake

Grandpa was really fun to watch as he held Brittannia. We did get some cute pictures of her in the sand and a Grandpa holding her in the water.

playing in the sand

On thursday we really didnt too much. just let Grandpa and my mom spend time with Brittannia. On Friday we left to come down to my in laws, and on the way we stopped off at Natural Bridge and walked around, saw the bridge and where George Washington carved his intials into the rock, and the indian village that they recreated there. On Saturday my mom and grandfather left to fly back home. at the lake

It was a wonderful week with my family and so happy that they were able to come out here to see the newest member of our family and enjoy her wonderful spirit. Thanks for coming out here Dad, Mom, Janel, and Grandpa. It was great seeing you all and sharing this precious gift with you.

First Fourth of July

Yesterday was Brittannia's first 4th of July. We first went to Lexington to show Mom and Grandpa the town. Then we went to the Bennett's for a BBQ. We had a lot of fun hanging out, talking and playing the Wii. When it got dark, Corwin and Robert went out and gave us a fireworks show.

Finally fell asleep for a bit.

Playing the Wii, and Corwin was totally schooling Robert. It was so fun to watch.

She was not happy that she was given the pacifier. She really hates it.

Grandpa found anew friend, and Tali was so cute with him. They really hit it off.

Brittannia and Joclee (sorry if her name is misspelled Tatiana). They are only a week apart and look how tiny Brittannia looks.

Nap time with Great Grandpa.

Tali found so many new friends yesterday. Friends that will read to her.

Chilling with her Great Grandpa.

Watching the fireworks done the people of BV.

Looking for more fireworks. She was doing so good and was loving being held by her Great Grandpa.

In all we had a really good time celebrating the independence of America. We spent the day with great friends and family. No better way to spend the day.

A Blessing Day

On Sunday July 3rd, we blessed Brittannia with a name and blessing. It was really special to have my father, mother and grandfather there to share in this special day. After Sacrament meeting we went to get some pictures of the family and Brittannia in her gown. We went to SVU since it is such a wonderful background.

The new family.

Daddy, Grandpa, and Brittannia.

Lounging in the sun, :). When we put her down she out herself in the pose.

Tatianna giving her newest cousin (well only cousin on Robert's side). What was really sweet was both Mickayla and Tatianna kept asking to hold the baby. They already love her.

Great Grandpa and Brittannia.

The four generations. Great Grandpa, Grandma, Mommy, and Brittannia.

We just love how the sun was hitting her. Like the Lord lighting her up. :)

Aunt Lesile, Mommy and Baby.

The Priesthood Circle.

Family picture.

Grandma and Grandpa Moses with Mommy and Daddy.

The cousins. Have to love Nicolai's Face.

Grandma Sue with Mommy and Daddy.

Mommy and Daddy. (I know it doesn't look like I just gave birth 3 weeks ago.)

Nana, Grandpa, and Brittannia. I really love this shot of them.

The whole group.

When we got home, I thought it would be so cute to get a picture of Hershey and Bones with Brittannia. We did get some cute ones.

Standing guard over baby.

Then afterwards, Bones went to investigate the baby, and he licked her and Brittannia smiled. It was so cute and sweet.

But now when I go near Bones with her he runs away, it really is funny.

The Foot Bridge

This has taken me sometime to get up, but I finally have it up. While my father was here I took him and Janel on the Blue Ridge Parkway and showed them and old logging railroad. It has a waterfall, a very small one, that runs by it so we were able to get some really cute pictures up there. Dad fell in love with the area and was just in awe with the views and nature.

Mommy and Baby

Mommy, Nana, and Baby

Mommy, Grandpa, and Baby

I am Baby hear me Roar. :) (dad went behind her and put her as Queen of the rock)

Then after Robert got off work at 7, we went to the James River Foot Bridge. Where dad and Robert jumped off and I did so too. But I only went twice. the second time I hurt the myself and decided that I don't need to prove anything.

Robert and dad doing the swan dive together. They looked real good. and the water wasn't that cold.

Here we are going in stages I went first I am at the bottom of the picture, then dad went, then Robert. It is really cool how my hair is straight up.

And my father being who he is, had to jump from the very top of the bridge.

I just love her face here. It is like she is thinking or contemplating something.

Asleep on grandpa's shoulder.

Grandpa and Brittannia, I just love this picture.

In all we had such a wonderful time with Dad and Nana here. It was so nice and wonderful. On Saturday, we went to some yards sales and dad was able to see more of Buena Vista. He really loves the area and was so happy to see the place I live. Nana and I were able to get some really cute dresses for Brittannia and shoes. Plus I got Brittannia's dress for Nicki's wedding. In all it was a wonderful trip/vacation with them.