1 lb 6 oz

Is how much Dixon has gained since starting him on formula a week ago! I had to run over to Logan to Walmart to get more bottles and formula so we stopped at D's dr. and had him weighed. No doubt in my mind that switching to formula was a good idea.

It's Official. . .

WARNING: This post contains words like lactating and period (not the punctuation) it also contains my bra preference. If any of these things make you uncomfortable I suggest not reading this post.
I am no longer a lactating member of Society! I made the switch to formula yesterday and luckily for me Dixon loves it. The reason I switched to formula is because D has not gained any weight for about 3 months. He has grown longer and and his head has grown, but no weight gain. D's Dr. recommend supplementing with formula, but I decided to completely switch over. FREEDOM!!!
Now looking back I think my milk supply started to diminish when I started him on solids. He started rice cereal at 4 months, veggies at 5 months, and a few weeks later fruits. Once he started eating solids he wouldn't nurse very long. I still nursed him in the morning yesterday and today because that was the only time I was feeling engorged. I plan on nursing him in the mornings for as long as it takes me to dry up.
Ever since I decided to switch to formula I have been making a Pro/Con list in my head. And now I will share it with you.
Pros

• No longer worrying about what I can wear in public that will allow me to nurse modestly



• Someone besides me can feed him (now that D is eating formula it would be the prime time for Kamas to feed him, too bad he is gone for the next 6 months)



• I can now leave him with a babysitter and not have to worry if I pumped enough milk for him



• I don't have to pump anymore



• Goodbye nursing bra, Hello new Victoria Secret Very Sexy Push Up Bra (TMI? )



• I don't have to worry about him not taking a bottle from someone else (when he was nursing he would only take a bottle from me most of the time)



• I can wear what ever dress I want to church


• I can wear layers without worrying how I am going to nurse with 3 shirts on



• and once again FREEDOM! (the thought just occurred to me that I could now leave D for days at a time without a ton of preparation, not that I would, OK some days that sounds appealing, but I wouldn't do that, probably)

Cons

• I now have to buy formula and it is expensive



• I had to buy bottles because I only had one



• I now have to wash bottles



• I no longer get 7 extra points for Weight Watchers



• I have to make sure that I have a bottle and formula in my diaper bag when I leave the house



• When D eats his bottle he makes a huge mess



• I don't really know how much D will drink at meal times so that sometimes leads to wasted formula



• No more nursing covers



• Formula spit up is way more smelly


• The return of Aunt Flo, seriously the day I decided to give D a bottle I got my period, for the first time in over a year (once again, TMI? )

I guess it is a little bitter sweet that Dixon is done nursing, but honestly I am surprised I lasted this long. If I knew that Dixon loved formula I probably would have made the switch sooner. Mostly I am happy to be done nursing, but I am glad that I nursed D for 7 months.

Update

Here is a little update. I don't want to take the time or have the mental capability (last night D hit a new record on how many times a 7 month old baby will wake up-7) to write cohesive paragraphs so I will use bullet points.

• I started Weight Watchers last night. I'm excited for it but you can't take kids to the meetings so I'm going to have to figure out what to do with D on Thursday nights.


• Both of D's ears are infected and he is teething and that is what is making him a dragon baby. But I think he is starting to feel better


• Kamas called and I got to talk to him for about 15 min.


• My very awesome sister booked me a hot rock massage today and she is going to watch D.


• Part of the reason D woke up so many times last night is because he would wiggle into weird positions and wake himself up


• I can't wait for summer to get here because we have a lot of fun things planned

That's all I can think of right now and D is trying to help me type.

Hard

Today I should be doing a million and one things besides this. I should be doing laundry, picking up my room, doing dishes, doing homework. But I can't seem to make myself do any of it. D is sleeping (hallelujah!) This past week he has been hard. He has been one fussy baby for the past week. He has an ear infection but it doesn't seem to be getting any better, so we are going to the Dr. again tomorrow. But this time we are going to Logan to see D's pediatrician. I hope the Dr. can give me some answers because I feel a little (a lot) helpless right now. So far this deployment has been hard, harder than the other two. Partly because I now have D to take care of and partly because In the 3 weeks Kamas has been gone I have yet to talk to him on the phone for longer than a few minutes. The last 2 times Kamas was deployed he had access to a phone everyday and we were able to video chat almost everyday. I took it for granted. I keep waiting for the weeks to go by so I can look back and say, wow that went fast. So far all I can say is, wow this is taking forever. I miss him. And I hate the fact that he is missing D learn new things. I hate the fact that when D says Dada I have to show him a picture of his dad, and I hate the fact the Kamas hasn't heard him say Dada. But I love that Kamas has a job he loves and is proud of. I love that he takes his responsibility to his troops very seriously. I love that he loves me and D and is able to provide for us. Mostly I love him. Being a military wife is hard and lonely, and so very worth it.

Military Spouse Survay

1. How long have you been a Military Wife? 3 and a half years


2. What branch of Service is you husband in? USMC (Marine Corps)


3. Active/Reserve? Active


4. Whats his job? Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Crewman


5. How many deployments have you gone through? Just started our 3rd


6. Camo or dress uniforms on your man? Cammies because he looks like a bad ass :)


7. What do you like about being a military wife? I like that I am proud of the job my husband does.


8. Do you live on base? Never have, but we will when he gets back.


9. What is your favorite base so far? Camp Pendleton


10. What is the hardest part of military life? Long separations, hurry up and wait, learning the acronyms (it is seriously a whole other language), and learning military time (after almost 4 years of military life you would think I could figure it out, but I can't)


11. Do you go to the grocery store of the commissary? Both


12. Do you work or stay at home? Stay at home and I'm going to school


13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? Not a lot, but some


14. Do you prefer walmart or the MCX? MCX (Marine Corps Exchange) but walmart was closer to our house


15. How did your husband propose? (if you are my parents don't read this answer)The first time we were in his truck making out before he went to boot camp. The next time it was in his parents living room and this time he had a ring. I said yes both times.


16. Did you marry him after or before he joined? After, but we were dating before he enlisted


17. How long have you been together? We started "hanging out" in May of 2006 but weren't "official" until June of 2006


18. Any kids? One, Dixon, who is being so helpful while I type


19. Any kids yet to come? Eventually


20. Is your husband one of those "I am a soldier hear me HOOAH" types? No because he is a Marine :) but no he is not super Moto (motivated)


21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband? Not really sure what combatives are, if it is like MCMAP, than no. He is way bigger than me and does not know how to play soft :)


22. How many base have you lived at? I have lived at 2 and Kam has lived at 3


23. If you could change one thing about the military? Organization


24. Do you like military balls? They are alright but it is sooo hard to find a modest dress


25. Where does your family live? Idaho


26. What do you do for a job? Take care of D and go to school and be the most awesome wife ever


27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCOs wife? nope


28. Name one thing you do while your husband is gone? hang out with family and lose some weight (hopefully)


29. Do you think other wive do that to? Most def