Latest update. Today, I am discouraged. I just don't know if I want to keep doing this nursing. I have had a really hard time the last 3 days.

My nipples hurt almost unbearably, and I can't nurse as often and as much as he wants to eat. I don't know if I should keep going or stop. I wonder if he isn't getting enough of the ariola (sp?) in his mouth but he WILL NOT open it bigger. If babies don't take in enough of you, you will get sores and it will hurt more.

I had a friend who had to bottle feel because her baby's mouth was too small to open big enough. Most babies who are bottle fed have a really hard time going to the breast and a lot of breastfed babies who are started on a bottle wean themselves from the breast. Bottles are just easier to suck on.

So, here I am. So discouraged. Bry thinks I should quit and just bottle feed. He sees how sore I am. I think I will call this lady I talked to before to find out how long it took for her and if she was this sore etc.... I'll let you know what I decide.

Update

I have nothing new really to write about. The nursing is coming along. Little by little the milk is building up and feeling less sore.

Wyatt is so funny. He is used to having a stiff nipple shoved into his mouth. Now, he acts like he is being teased with it being brushed against him but never shoved in! He has to relearn how to do it by going after it which is new to him. He is getting it though and it gets better every day. I love it. I had forgotten what a beautiful experience it is.

People who have a choice and choose not to nurse are really missing out. I have been drilling my boys about it. I tell them to make sure their wives nurse! So many women don't want to ruin their boobs. The Lady who I talked to who adopted 5 and nursed them all just got her first grandchild. He daughter in law isn't going to nurse for that reason. Imagine how she feels about that!

Anyway, if there is a way, breast is best.

I had forgotten how painful it was to start nursing.

I received my little "Lact-Aid" contraption and it is working. We both get a little frustrated though because it is hard to get the nipple and little tube in his mouth at the same time. And to get as much of the nipple area as possible so it doesn't hurt as much. It is exhausting but it is working. My milk is starting to come in. That was fast. Hopefully it will continue quickly to fill up more.

So, we are going to a family party today. I will see my sister in law's new baby they have adopted. A little new born girl. In a couple of months, my little sister will have her baby. How fun. I love it that there will be cousins to grow up with.

Gabe already loves going to her house to play with her son who is his same age. He cries when he has to come home. I can't decide if that is good or not!

I was supposed to go running today but I am too tired. It was a really hard night.

My Piano

The most wonderful thing happened for me this weekend. I had my old piano's keys redone.

The ivories were falling off and it looked and felt terrible. I hadn't played in a long time. It just didn't attract me. I hated how it felt.

This piano has a long history. I feel very blessed to have it. It belonged to my great great aunt originally. She gave it to my Grandma which caused a big fight in her family but she felt that it was the right thing to do. My gram gave all her kids lessons on it and then gave it to my mom.

Oh I forgot to mention. This is a very heavy old upright piano. My Great great aunt's house caught on fire once and she pushed it out of her house by herself to save it. It was the only thing she saved.

Anyway, my Mom then gave it to me. I was a music major, my older sisters had bought pianos when they had married and she could see that I was the most committed to music at the time.

I had it in my room for a long time. It took 5 big Samoan men to carry it up the stairs out of the house when I got married. It has never had to have any strings replaced and it has it's original soundboard in perfect condition. It has a tone to die for. It is no longer a very pretty piano as for as looks go but you'd be hard pressed to find one that sounds as good.

About 5 years ago I had the hammers sanded down so now they sound like they did when they were new. Saturday, I had the ivory redone. It's not real ivory of course. The old ones were though and I kept a few for sentimental reasons, but it looks beautiful.

I can't stop playing it. I love to play. I have given myself a new piano lesson and the sweetest thing of all is this....

Every night, when we put Heidi to bed, she asks Bry to watch a "mobie" (movie) in the other room until she falls asleep. She gets scared all by herself. Last night when I put her to bed, She asked me, "Will you play the piano in the other room?" She said it so sweet. I had played the piano for the last 2 nights just for my own enjoyment after she had gone to bed. It brought tears to my eyes. Bryan has been replaced. It made me so happy that she would rather listen to the piano than the tv. Who wouldn't?

My parents used to love to lay in bed and listen to me practice late at night. At least that was what my mom told me!

So, I love my "new" piano. It is my baby even still and I love to see it taken care of. It kills me to see people mistreat musical instruments. For me, they have souls and know when they aren't loved! Sounds weird I know, but I am a little weird. Just ask Lisa!

I have not been running. In fact, it has been the whole summer that I have not run. I had ordered some new insoles that would keep my left heel from leaning, thus keeping my foot from hurting so bad.

There were problems and the ones I got were wrong, had to wait for them to make new ones, then they were on back order yada yada yada.

So they finally came. I think they do help but I have found a bunch a little knots over that area of my foot that don't want to leave. It is the tendons there now that I have to train or fix. SO.......I ran a mile on Sat. No, let me clarify, I ran the first half and walked the last half. It felt pretty good.

Today, I did a mile again and it was super hard. I couldn't wait for it to be over. It was an eye opener. It can be so hard to start over. The foot is bothering me a little but not bad. I put ice on it and that helps. I think if I keep icing it and rubbing out those knots that it will get better. Let's hope.

So, We have chosen a name for our baby that we finally agree on. It has been quite the challenge because Bry only likes stupid names!! Not to be rude but it is true. Ask Lisa. So anyway, We have both agreed on "Wyatt". It is the first name that has felt like it fits him. Bry loves it because it is a cowboy name. I don't know why I like it because I didn't used to. It has grown on me.

So, there it is. It is starting out to be a good day! Hope yours is pretty great too!

O.K., here's what's new for me. I have decided to nurse my new little bundle of fun. I always wished I had with Gabe. I've talked to doctors and others about it and they all look at me like I am an idiot.

I admit to falling prey to their opinions. Yet there was always that side that wished. I went to my chiropractor yesterday. I just adore him. Anyway, he asked if I were thinking of that because he has another patient who adopted 5 kids and breast fed them all!!!

He gave me her number and I called her this morning. She used the Lact-Aid method. It is a little tube that goes into their mouth along with your nipple so they are getting their formula until your milk comes in. She said hers always came in withing about a week.

So, I am going to try it. I always loved nursing. I also think at this time of year, when he really needs the antibodies, he deserves to be getting them. It is not his fault that his birth mom screwed up. She was actually intending to breast feed. I really feel he deserves to be as healthy as possible. Anyway, it doesn't hurt to try.

So, If any of you out there have negative opinions about this, I don't want to hear it. On the other hand, if you want to be encouraging and supportive, feel free to say so!

THIS WAS FUN. I LOVED THIS BOOK AND I DON'T MIND BEING COMPARED TO ESME. Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Esme Cullen - Your maternal instinct to take care of people and be kind draw people towards you. You're compassionate and loving, yet firm when you need to be. You appreciate hard work and value the beautiful results of your dedication to any project. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

New Fun MEME

Funny MEME I stole from Lisa, who stole it from Chronicler.....

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Tike villager

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Vanilla chip

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) M-Cun

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Lavender pony

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Judith Eugene

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Cun-me (that's bad)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Green Water

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Joseph Raymond

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),
G Symphony (yea, I like that one)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Lee Don

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Flegal Fillmore

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Autumn Rose

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
watermelon underpants (i'm related to squarepants)

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),

Mcmuffin Pine

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Warcraft Thunder Tour

Now this was fun!

A new kid on the block

I want to introduce my sweet niece who I adore! Her name is Jennifer! She is on "My Space" which I am trying to figure out how to use so I can communicate with her. It is a little different than blogspot but I added her to my blog roll. You ought to check out her page. It is absolutley beautiful! I would love a page like hers!

She is married, has 2 little girls and just moved to Oklahoma. Her husband was just stationed there at the military prison. He is a prison guard there.

Anyway, I adore her and want to give her a warm welcome to the blogging world. If you want to post a comment, it will say where that is available on the right side of her page. It was a little tricky for me but I don' t get enough sleep!
Jenny's space

Peach Days

This is one of the best times of the year. Peaches, among other fruits are falling off the trees.

Northern Utah, mainly Box Elder County, is famous for Peach days. It is a 3 day celebration with booths, rides, food, a car show (that we never miss) and above all, peach cobbler!

It is the best peach cobbler you will ever eat.

The day started out with the parade. The kids rode on a little cart with our adopted grandpa (a man in our ward who we love) and me, my sister, nephew and baby watched. I sat with Lisa for a while too as she was in the shade and we weren't.

It was a 2 1/2 hour parade as usual. My favorite part is watching the runners who are finishing the 10k run past before the parade starts. That part actually brings tears to my eyes. I wish I could do it. Maybe next year.

That evening, Bry and I went on our date night to Peach Days. I ate a Navajo taco and of course, peach cobbler which had a wonderful dip of vanilla ice cream on top. WAY fattening but irresistible. You can't go to Peach Days and not have cobbler. I couldn't even finish mine! But it was SO tasty and hot with that cold ice cream on top. My mouth waters now just thinking of it.

We saw Gus's Grandma there with his older brother who is being taken care of by her son and daughter in law. They would love to adopt their nephew but who knows?

All in all, it was so much fun and a great date! I am now sad that it is over.

I wonder if they will keep celebrating peach days when there are no more orchards that grow peaches. It is an issue that is killing me. These old farmers are dying and their kids just want the money from the property. More and more orchards are being hewn down. Where do people think our food in the stores comes from? Don't people realize if we wipe out corn fields, orchards, and other food sources, that it won't just appear of the grocery shelf miraculously? I hate every field I drive by that is blue staked. I am disgusted by it. My husband would give anything to be a farmer if we had the money to buy the land, but here in Honeyville, a 5 acre lots is going for over 200 thousand.

Life is not fair. But let me tell you, this is why you need a food storage. We are paving paradise and putting up parking lots!

Good Bye, Luciano

I was a vocal major. I grew up in a family of singers. I was not fabulous but I was good. I was better then than I am now because I practiced more but a vocalist doesn't come in to their true voice until their 30's.

I studied mostly classical, which is pretty typical for most who study. The point is, I can listen to a great opera singer and truly appreciate the sound. I recently went to see "Show Boat" with the Opera company in Logan. It was wonderful and it was all opera. My sister came with and really enjoyed it but does not love the "opera" sound.

It is interesting the different tastes we all have. I listened to it, all the while, melting in my chair.

I saw on the news that Luciano Pavarotti has died. My heart goes out. I am sitting here now, typing to his beautiful voice. It moves me like few do. How sad that a light has gone out that did so much for the appreciation of opera music. He was the first to really bring it to the masses. It is because of him that so many popular opera songs are so well known now.

The heavens have received a valuable tenor to their choir and he will be greatly miss by us here left behind.

Thank you, Luciano, for affecting my life in a way that I did not realize, until you had gone.

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything. I got this from Yolanda. Thought it was fun! It sounded a lot like me.

Can I just say how tired I am right off the bat. This lack of sleep is making me more of a nut than I already am! They say to sleep when your baby does but that just isn't really realistic now is it?

We had a huge thunderstorm last night. I LOVE thunderstorms. I love to see the lightening cracking across the sky. I love the summer rain and the smell of ozone. I love how the wind picks up and slams the rain into the windows.

I love to hear the thunder rolling over the mountains. How it almost makes the earth shake. I have never been afraid of a storm. They have always fascinated me. It lets me know that there is something out there more powerful than any human on earth. That is something to respect.

If I were on the receiving end to any kind of devastation, I may not love it like I do but so far, I have been lucky. I can still appreciate the perfect storm.

Well, Lisa is right. I have caught the bug. I just finished the second book in the "Twilight" series. In fact, I read the second one in one day. Yes, I loved it. It does amaze me thought, they LDS book stores are selling it.

Just because it is written by a brilliant LDS woman, doesn't mean they should sell all things written by LDS people. Not that it bothers me much. It just surprised me that they would sell a book about vampires. Weird.

I read stories like this and wonder how they can make them up so well. It is my dream to write like that and have a book actually sweep the nation. That seems like a far off dream to me. But man, the people who can do it. That is enviable.

I loved the story line and all the twists and turns. It was so well done. I love losing myself in fantasy land. I hate it when I start a book that I can't lay down though! I don't have time for that!

Thanks Lisa! Good book!