Breastfeeding Journey with Auggy

 

Where do I even begin with my breastfeeding journey? 

For starters, this journey was completely different with Luca. My breastfeeding journey with luca linked here. 

Yes we still had the same struggles as I did with luca. Auggy had a lip and mouth tie as well. But we did catch it early because I knew exactly what to look for this time. He was 1 month old I believe when we got it fixed. He was having trouble latching because of them and I was having to use a nipple shield again. But instead of waiting three months before getting help by a lactation consultant... I got help ASAP. I wanted to so badly for our breastfeeding journey to be positive, successful, and last longer than I breastfed Luca. (I only was able to exclusively breastfeed Luca for 9 months, exclusively pumped for another month, and then he was on formula for two months). My goal was 1 year. But unfortunately that did not happen. It took a long time for me to be ok mentally with that. Our breastfeeding journey ended completely at 5 months. 

Let me back up a little bit though first. Auggy was born when I was 38 weeks pregnant. My labor experience was so positive, everything moved very quickly. Like a 5 cm to 8.5 cm in a matter of 30 minutes. 😳 I only pushed for total 20 minutes (compared to 2 hours with Luca), and it was half medicated/unmediated. And that was just because the epidural wore off when it was time to push. But that’s a story for another day 🤪 

We were so beyond thrilled & excited to have our sweet baby here. And that I was going to be able to eat dinner at a normal time instead 1 am like last time. But unfortunately, within 30 minutes everything changed. 

Auggy started turning really purple everywhere. He was falling asleep while trying to latch on my breast, and would only turn pink if we would get him angry (ex. Taking his measurements, rubbing his chest etc.). So beyond thankful my best friend who is a nurse practitioner was in there as my birthing coach. She was able to look at stats and know those were not normal. She  instantly went to go get the Nicu team since my nurse didn’t think it was serious yet. Auggy was monitored and then immediately taken to the NICU. 

I instantly broke down. There went my baby. Is he going to make it? How is he having trouble breathing? He was pretty much full term. He wasn’t a premie or had any previous issues while in my belly. Then I thought when will I be able to see him? Could my heart handle seeing him that way? Will  be able to breastfeed him? 

Time when by. Unsure how long, but we finally got to see our little guy. He was on oxygen by a cpap, nose cannula, and ventilator during his stay. He was a very exhausted little guy from all the energy he was putting out while trying to breathe and he still was still having trouble latching. 

So I started exclusively pumping for a month. He would latch on with a nipple shield so I would do that when I could with him and at night when he finally came home. 

Once he got his lip and tongue tie clipped, and we got help from a lactation consultant... he was breastfeeding like a champ. Everything was what I imagined when breastfeeding my baby. And like I said it was going so good. 

Then around 3-4 month postpartum I noticed my anxiety was through the roof while breastfeeding him. And I noticed it was significantly worse when I was breastfeeding him. If you have dealt with anxiety before, you know the feeling where you are filled with straight rage or feel like you need rub your arm or legs really fast to calm down? Just that overwhelming feeling you are succumbed with?  That’s what I was feeling when I was breastfeeding Auggy. This journey turned from beautiful into dread  filling. 

I thought is this normal? Or is something wrong with me? Honestly was thinking how on earth am I going to make it to 1 year of breastfeeding. 

Around 3.5 months I decided to research to see if others have felt this way. Low and behold they have. And it’s called DMER. Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex. It’s where it can cause negative emotions anywhere form 30 seconds to 2 minutes at milk letdown. Read more about it here.

I kept pushing through for a few more weeks and then realized mentally I couldn’t handle it anymore. I couldn’t be the best mama I could be to Auggy and Luca. So I made the decision to start supplementing during the day and breastfeeding only at night if he woke up and early in the morning. It then turned into him just weaning himself. We continued using all the breastmilk that was stock piled in freezer from when he was in the Nicu and supplemented with formula when we needed to. At 6 months old, Auggy was completely on formula. It has taken me until now (he is 7 months old) to talk about it. It really did a number on me emotionally. 

It’s been a really hard decision for me but I know it was the best decision for my babies and myself. Because now my head is clear, I feel like myself again, and I feel like I can give Auggy and luca 100% of me instead of 30%. Which is what it felt like. Like I only had 30% if that of myself to give to my babies, to my husband, to my family, and to my friends for that matter. Auggy is thriving and healthy and that’s all that matters now. 

All in all, I hope this helps someone know you are not alone. Breastfeeding is dang hard. And there can be so many obstacles that come along. But know no matter what decision you make you are the best mommy ever to that little babe or babies. You know what’s best for your babes always. Big hugs all around!

Love you mamas, 

Megan 

Tortellini Soup x The Southern Transplants

This recipe is perfect year round, and one of my new favorites. Ashley Youngs from The Southern Transplants  sent this over to me, and I was so thrilled to make this meal for my family. She is the sweetest, and has so many delicious recipes on her website. Follow her on Instagram for photos of her adorable family, more recipes, entertaining tips, and more. Click here for her Instagram, and click here for her website. Click here to watch my IGTV on how I made her recipe for my family. We altered it but not by much. We are picky eaters in our household, so we just left out a few ingredients. Even with the ingredients left out, it was oh so delicious! Even you want to me feature your business next on hedleyfamilyblog.com email me at hedleyfamilyblog@gmail.com or send me direct message on Instagram.

7 Ingredient Crock Pot Tortellini Soup 

Recipe by Ashley Youngs from The Southern Transplants

**Que a cold winter night or a day when you're feeling under the weather…**  

This is one of the EASIEST recipes to whip up and it is so wholesome and hearty!  It's just good for the soul.  I literally make it on repeat October through March and not a single bite gets left behind.  It does make plenty to feed 6, or you can freeze the leftovers! 

Not only is it just 7 ingredients, but you don't have to measure anything, or use ANY spices – can I get an Amen!  It's more or less a one-pot wonder.  Literally not even a shake of salt or pepper is needed!  Don't you hate when you have to buy like ten random spices at $5 a pop just to make a recipe you may not even like!?  Been there!  This is not that recipe.  It is a total staple in our home and I'm sure you will love it as much as we do.  Enjoy – and cheers, y’all!

Here's what you’ll need:

+ 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I swear by Rao’s)

+ 1 box (4.5 c) chicken broth

+ 1 lb. roll of breakfast sausage (browned and drained)

+ 8 oz. cream cheese (cut into blocks)

+ 3 handfuls of kale (roughly chopped)

+ 4 oz. fresh mushrooms (roughly chopped)

+ 12 oz. frozen meat (or cheese) tortellini

+ Shredded parmesan cheese

+ French or sourdough bread

Here's how to do it:

Pour the jar of spaghetti sauce in to the crock pot. Yes, I recommend using your favorite spaghetti sauce as it is the base for the soup broth, so be sure to use one you like!

Add in the box of chicken broth (or sub the low sodium kind, I don't notice a big difference between the two in this recipe)

Brown and drain a roll of sausage, and add that to the crock pot (if you're going for a lighter/healthier version, use 1 lb. of ground turkey instead)

Add the cream cheese, kale, and mushrooms (I don't recommend using low fat or fat free cream cheese as I don't think it melts as well)

Turn the crock pot on high. Cover and cook for 3 hours

10 minutes before you're ready to eat, add the frozen tortellini and cover (I really do recommend meat tortellini, which is sometimes hard to find)

Serve topped with shredded parmesan cheese and warm bread + butter for dipping!

* This freezes really well so if you don't eat the leftovers by the second or third day, throw them in the freezer for up to 6 months!

A must needed staycation//The Tennessean Hotel

Let’s be honest y’all, our life is crazy busy over here, and barely have time to sit down. We have our hand fulls with our little toddler Luca, two pups, building a house, and the list goes on. But even with this busy life we love, it won’t stop us from wanting to have a vacation in any possible way we can. The best option for us  was a staycation in our hometown, Knoxville. We searched high and low for the best place to stay as a family, and y’all the Tennessean hotel did not disappoint. I am so beyond happy we chose to stay there. Thank you again to the Tennessean hotel for hosting us during our stay.

We stayed two nights, and honestly wish we could have stayed more. We ended up not being able to do everything we wanted, since our nephew was born and had to go give him some lovins and meet him of course.  But cuddling in bed with my two boys, and watching movies was probably my favorite thing we did that whole weekend there. It felt like we were away from the hustle and bustle, even though we were not very far from home.

The first night we got there really late, so not much was explored expect for sleeping away in their comfy beds. Y’all seriously their beds are so comfortable, and that’s because they have pillow top mattresses. Best sleep ever! For real though!

When we woke up in the morning, we ordered in room dining and it was so good. We actually put our order on the door hanger the night before, and they picked it up in the morning. That was so nice and convenient because with Luca, the last thing I have time to do is sit down and order food, and wait for it to come. So we picked a time for the food to arrive which was 8:00 am (when Luca eats breakfast), and it came right on time. When Luca is ready to eat.. he’s ready to eat. Haha!

After breakfast, we had to enjoy and take in the beautiful view. Both mornings we stayed at the Tennessean Hotel, we took our time getting ready for the day, and snuggled in bed. This was seriously the best staycation ever. 

Not only was it the best staycation ever, but it is in the best location ever in Knoxville. The Tennessean Hotel is in the heart of downtown Knoxville. Which is in walking distances to many restaurants, attractions, and shopping. If you want to stay like a local, the market square farmer’s market or maple hall bowling alley I highly recommend. It is in close walking distance to market square (which has tons of shopping, bars, and restaurants), gay street, and the old city. The nice part about this hotel is that you can visit with the hotel’s concierge service team to get the best suggestions on eateries in Knoxville. If you are family like us trying to find activities the whole family can enjoy the Muse, McClung Museum, and Museum of Art are just a few minutes away. You can actually walk to the Museum of Art, and there is a wooden play ground across the street from the Museum that is so cool. I remember playing on it when I was little.

 The Smokey mountains are also nearby with less than a 2 hour drive. The University of Tennessee campus is also in walking distance from the hotel. Vol fans, like us, can stay during game day weekend and walk to Neyland Stadium or Thompson Bowling Arena. As being located in the heart of downtown Knoxville, there are many more activities and places to see that are nearby. Their concierge service team would be happy to help suggest activities as well.

And if you are like me, you are constantly looking for great photo op spots, which you are in luck with this hotel's location. There are so many near the hotel. World's fair park is in the hotel's backyard with a bridge that is right over it. That is where we took all of our pictures outside that weekend. Of course there are plenty other photo ops in walking distances as well. 

The Tennessean Hotel has so many wonderful amenities, and their lobby is so beautiful. Even their bathrooms in the lobby are stunning. 

The Tennessean hotel offers a wide range of amenities to suit every guest that stays with them. They offer concierge services, Butler services upon request, turn down service, black car service upon request, in room dining, fitness center, business center, Tesla high power charges, dog friendly, and more. They also offer ADA amenities that are available as well. The Tennessean Hotel is dog friendly and will accommodate dogs up to 50 lbs. A non refundable $100 is required per stay. There is even a dog park next to the parking garage for your furry friend. How cool is that right?

The Tennessean Hotel offers many different packages and deals to best suite each guest that stays with them. The Tennessean is currently ranked #17 best hotel in the South on Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards 2019. Receive 15% savings on any room type through December 30, 2019. Guests can create a unique experience during their stay with Hops and Hearts. The package includes a backstage beer tour of four local Knoxville breweries. The package also includes 15% off their stay, valet parking, and daily breakfast for two in the Drawing Room. John and I are definitely coming back to do the Hops and Hearts package for sure. They sound like such a fun couple staycation "getaway." Many other specials are currently advertised on their website at www.thetennesseanhotel.com. Visit my Instagram for a tour of our room if you missed it, and head to my buzzfeed article explaining how amazing this hotel is in more detail. :) 

Dress for Less: Complete Outfit under $100//American Eagle

This is the second “episode” ,if you will, of my new blog series:  Dress for Less. I happened to walk into American Eagle this past weekend, and just had to try on some outfits for y’all. They are currently having 25% sale going on using code: FALLNEW. The last day to use the code is today, 10/7/19. Without the code one outfit went over $100, but with the code it is well under the price point. Unfortunately, with Americans Eagle they did not have really any shoes to choose from in the store. There are a bunch online, but unfortunately not in the price range. Therefore, this episode is just showing an outfit without shoes. So ladies, go in your closet and find a pair of booties, and they will look so good with any of these outfits I am about to show you. :)

Sweater//Jeans 

Sweater//Skirt 

Top//Skirt 

Dress for Less: Complete outfit under $100// Target

Have ever been on a budget or currently trying to stay on a budget? Raise your hand if you are like me, and always want to be conscious of what you are spending your money on. Well if any of those apply to you... you have came to right spot. This series is brand new on blog, and I will be taking y’all to different stores showing how you can dress for less under a certain amount. Now each week the amount may be different, so follow me on my Instagram page to vote weekly as to what amount y’all want me to find a complete outfit for to show y’all. Last week I asked y’all how much you typically spend on a complete outfit, and most of y’all choose $100 with $75 coming in second. So here we are with find a complete outfit for under $100 at Target.

I have found 5 complete outfits at Target, and I will link every piece that is pictured below the picture. Where should I go next week? I’m thinking Walmart? But let me know on Instagram or comment on this blog post.

Hat//Sweater//Leggings//Booties

Dress//Tee//Booties

Tank//Cardigan//Leggings//Booties

Similar Tanks: Tank 1//Tank 2

Sweater//Jeans//Booties

Sweater//Jeans//Booties

Let me know which outfit is your favorite? I think mine is by far the graphic tee over the cheetah dress :) Stay tuned for next week's post. 

xoxo Megan 

Kentucky Derby Event

Outfit Details//

Dress (similar)/Hat/Shoes

A night out with my East Tennessee Boss Babes, and my hubby was truly a night I won't forget. There was laughter, drinking, good times, and a night of relaxation for all of us that are parents haha! Our event was hosted at the beautiful Dara's Gardens in Knoxville, Tennessee.