Immunizations and one BIG Baby

Penny went in for her 2 month immunizations this past week at the public health unit.  She got shots for a shit load of things (see record below...too lazy to type them all out!) and man was it painful for her.  She had tears!!! It was heartbreaking, she was screaming and crying and after each needle (3 in total), it just got worse! I didn't know what to do, there was no consoling her so I whipped out my boob and nursed her.  The nurse actually commended me for doing so, she said that breast milk contains oxytocin which is a natural pain reliever.  It must be true because Penny seemed to feel instant relief but the rest of the day was rough.  To say she was fussy would be an understatement; if she wasn't nursing or in her carrier out on walks (Stryker was a happy boy with all the walks) she was crying! The only winks she got in was on our walks and didn't fall asleep till around 11pm.  The next morning was a different story as she was back to her happy smiling self, thank god!!

 

On our visit, the nurse also did Penny's weight, height and head circumference measurements.  What I found out is that Penny is one BIG baby!! She weight 13lbs14oz which is in the 99th percentile, this means that out of 100 two month old babies, there would only be one baby who weighed more than her!  For height, she was in the 62nd percentile growing 3 inches since birth from 19.5" to 22.5".  So overall, combining height and weight she is in the 98th percentile group meaning we got one big baby on our hands.  The nurse did inform us that it is normal for exclusively breastfed babies to gain a significant amount of weight in the first few months but will taper once she becomes mobile (rolling, crawling, jumping, etc.).  There is nothing to worry about as Penny is healthy and growing and that's all that matters. It makes me feel relieved too, all the worrying I did if Penny was getting enough milk was for nothing!

The "Breast" Pesto

In T-Minus 18 days I will be 30.  I thought I would be dreading the dirty thirties like I used to dread final exams in University. But really, I am looking forward to them.  I couldn't be at a happier time in my life, I get to spend the rest of my years watching my beautiful daughter grow up and hopefully bring another rug rat into this world.  This pesto was really born in preparation to forget about being a mom for one night and have some drinks (I am sure I will be loser pissed after 2 drinks) for my 30th birthday. To say it bluntly, I needed to PUMP! The first morning I tried I only got 2oz! To be honest I was pretty upset about it, what I later learned is that my body will start to produce more once it realizes I need those extra ounces in the morning.  Another way to increase production is through certain foods and herbs, the main one being fenugreek.  I picked up a bunch at the grocery store and whipped up this pesto.  The thing about pesto is that you can substitute any type of nuts and any fresh herbs that you have on hand. I had almonds, fenugreek, flat leaf parsley and a bit of basil so that's what I used.

THE "BREAST" PESTO

1 Bunch of Fenugreek

1 Bunch of Italian Flat Leaf Parsley

10 or so Basil Leaves

1/3 cup blanched almonds

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

2 large garlic cloves

1.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp sugar

Approximately 1/4 cup of olive oil or more until smooth

Salt and Pepper

1. Combine the herbs with the almonds, pulse a few times in a food processor. Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese, vinegar and sugar and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

The first night we used the pesto on spaghetti and the next we made pita pizzas with fresh bocconcini and cherry tomatoes cut in slices.

I will warn you...instead of my armpits smelling like B.O. it now smells like sweet garam masala - which is a good thing I guess? I am not exactly sure if it was the fenugreek or if it was my body adapting but after a few days of eating this pesto I was definitely more engorged in the morning and I was able to pump 4 oz even after nursing Penny.