An update.

It's been two and a half months since my last post, and some things are the same and some things are different.  First, for my milk-making update.

About the time I posted last, I made the switch from pumping/nursing to exclusively pumping.  Ep'ing is pretty much the worst of both worlds.  I can't nurse on demand if my baby is upset or hungry, nor can I make a bottle "on the run" like is possible when using formula.  Sooooo...I decided if I was going to take this route, I had to make it work for me.

I started pumping 7 times a day, did that for 3 weeks, and then dropped to 6, 5, and 4 in a very short amount of time.  I'm on a FB pumping group and got a lot of flack for only pumping 4 times a day before the 12-week mark when supply is established.  But I just could not hook up that many times a day, and I've been very lucky that I have only experienced a slight increase, not a decrease, in my supply.  I make enough for Emma to eat every day and freeze about 10 oz. per day.  I have about 450-500 oz. stored in my deep freeze, and while I used to think people were nuts when they talked about investing in 2 deep freezers, I now see how it could be possible.  I don't plan on getting to that point.

Luckily, the pain subsided after about 3 weeks.  I have pumped approximately 114 hours since this journey began.  I get excited when I need to buy new pump parts or supplements, and I get even more excited when I FIND OUT about new and different kinds of pump parts.  I track every ounce and am happy when I have a high-output day and get sad when I have a low-output day.  But.  Do I wish I had the courage to give my baby formula so I could stop all this madness?Yes, I do.

The #1 question I get asked: "Are you still pumping?"  And the #2 question is, "How long do you plan on pumping?"  No idea.  My first goal was 2 weeks of breastfeeding.  My 2nd was a month.  My 3rd was 3 months of pumping.  Passed that.  I'm hoping to make it to 6 months and quit.  I think it'd be a nice birthday present to myself and my family.  We'll see.  Of course, I'll probably have 2+ more months of breast milk stored in the freezer by then, and Emma will be knee-deep in table food at that time, so I would hope I'd feel less guilty for quitting.

I still don't know how to answer the questions, "Are you breastfeeding?"  And I've decided never to ask a mom that question.  I get looks all around when I whip out Emma's bottle.  If they only knew what was in it...

In other news, I worked my last day at the job I've been at for the past 7 years.  My kids are at Grandma and Grandpa's for a week, and I'm breathing some fresh air - something I don't feel I've been able to do in quite some time.  My goals for this week are to read a book (Unbroken), do a different workout routine every day, play with my baby, and mentally prepare for the school year ahead of us.

I also decided to join my friends and do Whole30 for the month of August.  Basically, it's a glorified Paleo regiment, and although I want to lose the last few pounds if possible while still pumping, I really need a system detox.  I plan on blogging through this cleanse, because, well, I'm going to have a lot of pent up anger and emotion without sugar and carbs.  And alcohol.  Don't worry, Mom, I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize my caloric intake - I'm going to eat A LOT of everything healthy.

Bring on the meat!