Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

My Hope JarOur Miracle Baby, Uncategorized

Happy New Year everyone! I can’t believe it’s been a month since my last update and Archer is already almost 5 weeks old! I feel like such a delinquent blogger! I actually sat down to write this post so many times, but Archer would need me and I never got around to finishing it. I want to start off by saying a big thank you to everyone for all your love and support. I am completely overwhelmed by all your comments and I just wanted to send you all so much love back! <3  I attempted to reply to all your comments but only half of my responses updated. Please know I wasn’t ignoring you! The WordPress app can be so finicky sometimes! I told myself I wouldn’t let my blog slide after our little miracle was born, but somehow that’s exactly what happened. I feel so bad especially with so much going on with all of you! Please know I am still reading all your posts and even though I haven’t been commenting as often as I usually do, I’m constantly thinking about all of you.

I have no excuse for not writing. Everything is great with Archer and I’m pretty much recovered from my c-section, it’s just that my world has been so busy since our little miracle arrived. He ended up losing a bit too much weight after birth and he slipped below the 10th percentile. He kept falling asleep during feeds and i just thought he was full. I’m told this is pretty common with babies who are born a few weeks early, but it can be problematic for establishing milk supply and making sure babies gain enough weight. So after a few good cries in front of Archer’s pediatrician (who’s amazing and completely understanding of my worries) and several appointments with the lactation consultant, we determined that we needed to wake him up every 1-2 hours to feed (even at night) and we’ve had to supplement with formula. I also have to pump after every feeding to make sure all my milk is being fully expressed. So I pretty much just spend all day feeding and pumping. It’s been a little hard to keep it up, but totally worth it because Archer is now packing on the pounds and doing great. At his last weigh in at 3 weeks and on his actual due date, he was up a pound from his birth weight and had already grown 2 inches in length, and I’m pretty sure he’s up another pound or two since then. It’s such a relief!

We’ll see how long I can keep this up, but breastfeeding is really important to me so I’m determined keep going with it at least for now. I never got to even try breastfeeding with Holdon. I pumped an entire deep freezer full of milk that he never got to drink. They fed it to him a couple times in the NICU through his feeding tube, but he didn’t tolerate it well.  So it’s really important to me that breastfeeding works with Archer. And it has gotten better. He’s now feeding very well and my milk supply is getting better. It’s still not enough for his full feeds yet, but it’s getting better every day.

That’s about it. I have to feed little man again soon so will have to stop here, but hopefully I’ll have some time later in the week to write more. I plan on writing a recap of his birth story at some point before I forget all the details. I promise to get better at updating once we nail down a better routine 🙂

Here are some pics of Archer over the past month…

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Taken on my birthday on Jan 4th 🙂

Archer2Archer1

Archer3 Archer4

ArcherAndMe1 Archer_1mth

47 thoughts on “Time Flies When You're Having Fun!”

  1. I’m so glad he arrived safely and that the three of you have been doing well, Jo. Can’t wait to read more about his birth and all that you’re learning in this new chapter. With heart & blessings, Dani

  3. Love! We had very similar problems with Bella being too sleepy to eat. Happy to report she got through it and i was able to stop the extra pumping! Hoping the same for you 🙂

  4. He is absolutely adorable!! I love the photos, and I love the update. Its great to hear that he’s getting bigger by the day now that you’ve got the feedings sorted out.
    Love to and your wonderful family!!

  5. My comment seems to have gone astray. As i thought I was saying, I am so thrilled to read this glorious update. Archer is so handsome and you are handling the lack of sleep incredibly well by the sound of things! I hope things continue to go well and improve in the coming days and weeks. Much love to all of you!

    1. Thanks hon! Much love back! I hope you’re doing okay and the increased meds has helped your imflammation. Thinking about you often and sending lots of prayers for you and Azulito.

  6. OH girl, you don’t know how happy I am to see this update and all the cute pictures! It’s so much fun to see a half Indian baby and all the hair he has on his arms, thighs, and back! He definitely reminds me of my husband and how hairy he is. i wonder if this is a glimpse of my future when I have a half Indian child. He’s so adorable and perfect! I am happy that little man is gaining some weight back and is growing. You’re doing so great, mama! Keep the updates coming!

    2. ? thanks hon. He really is a hairy little monkey isn’t he? His doctor said most of the hair won’t stay and is because he was born a little early. Thinking about you. I’m so sorry this last cycle was so messed up, but relieved God showed you the way. I think taking a cycle off is a good idea and I’m so hopeful for Feb. I just know your own miracle baby is coming soon.

  9. All babies are miracles but Archer is one thousand times more so and your stories and pictures always make me cry. Another miracle baby was born on Jan. 11th to the daughter of a friend. Now I’m hoping and praying the next miracle baby is our daughter’s. Maybe one day – God knows.
    Archer is just ADORABLE and I am so happy for you.

  10. Guhan was born 37 weeks too and I remember the hard breast feeding days full of pumping and feeding. But when the baby hits about 6-8 weeks a miracle happens. They learn to smile and keep their eyes open while feeding and then you stop pumping.

  13. Ahhh! Somewhere in the midst of life i missed that this little miracle I’ve been waiting for was born! Congratulations on your little man! Xoxoxo!!!!!

  16. He is so adorable 🙂 congrats. I pumped with my daughter. We did the breastfeeding but it didnt work out for us. It was hard but i did the pumping and that was worth it. 🙂

  18. Thank you for this update! I’ve been waiting for it. He’s beautiful, and I’m still jealous of his gorgeous head of hair! So glad to hear you are both doing well.

  19. He really looks like you! Such a sweet little face! Love it! I’m so glad you are doing good too! And have so much respect for working on that every 1-2 hour feeding/pumping! That stuff is wicked hard!

  20. SO great to see an update from you and I am thrilled things are going well, that you are recovering and that your little Archer is eating and growing like a champ. Way to go! I knew that actually having a baby would be amazing, but I didn’t really know HOW amazing.

  21. This never popped up in my reader! I’m so glad to see an update for you and so proud of you for continuing on with your breastfeeding journey through the difficulties! I have so much respect for those mommas who are able to do it! It sounds like Archer is doing just great now and I am so happy for you and your husband! Hard to believe our babies hit the 6 week mark this week – time sure is going fast. It’s truly amazing how much the babies change in 6 weeks and also how much our lives have changed.

  22. I suck! I can’t believe I am just now finding the time to read an update! UGH! But I am so glad you updated! I just loved every single picture! He sure is a doll baby!! xo

  24. So happy for you! Our rainbow son has that exact outfit/sleeper in the first picture. Wow! Our rainbow is 3w6d old today. 4 weeks tomorrow! I too am a HELLP survivor who loss her son too soon.

  25. I’m so happy your sweet man is doing so well! He is absolutely a doll! Owen arrived on January 2nd weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz. I enjoyed sharing our pregnancy together and I know you are enjoying being that darling boy’s mommy because I know I am loving every moment of my sweet Owen. Lots of love and hugs to you!! I can’t wait for the next update and lots of new pics. 🙂

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