So, I am just thinking out loud here. I ran across a post on one of my boards yesterday. It was about a woman who was told to cover up with a blanket if she was going to BF..Here's the story:
http://kentucky.com/454/story/161993.html

And BTW, you can be discreet and not use a blanket. NO one has the right to come up to me and tell me how I should BF, whether it's a blanket or going into another room, just so it'll make you (general you) more comfortable. I will decide whether those things need to be done.


I am SO sick and tired of women being told to cover up or leave while trying to FEED their children. Yes, people, it's feeding a baby. Why does a bottle feeding baby get more rights than a breastfeeding baby? Oh because one might see some skin??? PUHLEEZE. I am so sick and tired of women being accused of having an "agenda" when they stand up for their rights for being asked to leave. All we want is to feed our babies. That is it. We're not there to be an exhibitionist, not there to have "an agenda", or whatever.

In fact, I am going to copy the LAW in TX
http://www.llli.org/Law/Bills36.html

TEXAS

Texas enacted comprehensive laws in 1995 that set forth the benefits of breastfeeding, clarified that women have a right to breastfeed in public, set up standards for employers to advertise themselves as ‘mother-friendly’ if they develop breastfeeding support policies, and set up a demonstration project to determine the feasibility of breastfeeding support policies for all state employees. Texas also has a statute governing human milk banks. There is also a law governing breastfeeding services to mothers discharged early from the hospital; this law is effective April 2005.

Tex. Health & Safety Code § 161.071
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 379, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

MINIMUM GUIDELINES FOR HUMAN DONOR MILK BANKS. The department shall establish minimum guidelines for the procurement, processing, distribution, or use of human milk by donor milk banks.

Tex. Health & Safety Code § 165.001 et seq.
1995 Tex. ALS 600; 1995 Tex. Gen. Laws 600; 1995 Tex. Ch 600; 1995 Tex. HB 359

Chapter 165. Breast-Feeding
Subchapter A. Breast-Feeding Rights and Policies
Sec. 165.001. Legislative Finding
The legislature finds that breast-feeding a baby is an important and basic act of nurture that must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. In compliance with the breast-feeding promotion program established under the Federal Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. section 1771 et seq.), the Legislature recognizes breast-feeding as the best method of infant nutrition.
Sec. 165.002. Right to Breast-Feed
A mother is entitled to breast-feed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.
Sec. 165.003 Business Designation as "Mother-Friendly".
(a) A business may use the designation "mother-friendly" in its promotional materials if the business develops a policy supporting the practice of worksite breast-feeding that addresses the following:
(1) Work schedule flexibility, including scheduling breaks and work patterns to provide time for expression of milk;
(2) The provision of accessible locations allowing privacy;
(3) Access nearby to a clean, safe water source and a sink for washing hands and rinsing out any needed breast-pumping equipment; and
(4) Access to hygienic storage alternatives in the workplace for the mother's breast milk.
(b) The business shall submit its breast-feeding policy to the department. The department shall maintain a list of "mother-friendly" businesses covered under this section and shall make the list available for public inspection.

Section 165.004. Services Provided by State Agencies.
Any state agency that administers a program providing maternal or child health services shall provide information that encourages breast-feeding to program participants who are pregnant women or mothers with infants.

Subchapter B. Demonstration Project.
Section 165.031. Legislative Recognition.
The legislature recognizes a mother's responsibility to both her job and her child when she returns to work and acknowledges that a woman's choice to breast-feed benefits the family, the employer, and society.

Section 165.032. Demonstration Project.
(a) The Department shall establish a demonstration project in Travis County to provide access to worksite breast-feeding for department employees who are mothers with infants.
(b) The department shall administer the demonstration project and shall determine the benefits of, potential barriers to, and potential costs of implementing worksite breast-feeding support policies for state employees.

Section 165.033. Breast-Feeding Policy.
The Department shall develop recommendations supporting the practice of worksite breast-feeding that address the following:
(1) Work schedule flexibility, including scheduling breaks and work patterns to provide time for expression of milk;
(2) The provision of accessible locations allowing privacy;
(3) Access nearby to a clean, safe water source and a sink for washing hands and rinsing out any needed breast-pumping equipment; and
(4) Access to hygienic storage alternatives in the workplace for the mother's breast milk.

Texas Insurance Code § 1366.051 et seq.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, § 3.

This law provides that the health insurer of a maternity patient discharged before that statutory minimum stay must be provided post delivery services including assistance and training in breast-feeding. Currently, this law is part of Chapter 21, Article 21.53F, Section 5, Coverage for Minimum Inpatient Stay in Health Care Facility and Postdelivery Care Following Birth of Child; it will be recodified at § 1366.051 et seq., effective April 2005.


Breastfeeding moms need to know their rights for their state. We need to stand up for our rights. It's so frustrating because we can't go up to people who are offending us, but doing something that is legal, and ask them to leave. I can't go up to a fat dude in a speedo at a pool and ask him to leave because he's offending me. I can't go up to someone who's chewing loudly or grossly to leave because they're offending me. Why do people think that they can do that to a breast feeding mother???

And please, before I hear the "this lady who whipped out her boob", that is NOT common. I assure you, most nursing mothers do not want their boobs to be shown to the world.

Evening!!

We had a little rough start this morning when I took her to class. She didn't want me to go. But the teacher handled it nicely and I was able to leave. She had a better day today! No time out! I am sure this is an adjustment for her, so it'll probably take some time.

It's been nice to be honest. It's acutally QUIET! It's funny when people look at the twins and say "You sure have your hands full!" To be honest, Kalynn's more of a handful than the boys put together!! I'm SURE that will change when they get older.

This evening we went to my boobie meeting. I weighed the boys there. Ronin is almost 17 lbs. Just a couple of oz short. Ryker hasn't gained anything. Mellanie assured me that this is normal for bf'ed babies. As long as he's having wet diapers and is active (which he is) that it's normal. I remembered the moms saying that their babies didn't gain much weight after 6 months either.

We also learned about infant massage which was nice! I asked her what I could do for Ryker's issues (he has muscle tightness in his legs and hips) so she showed me things to do for him. Ronin wanted NOTHING to do with it. He was happy crawling around taking other babies' toys. Silly boy.

Anyway, tomorrow the boys have therapy. I better get to bed since I have to wake up at 6:30am.

Before school:






At school



Her teacher:


At her desk:

Kalynn's first day of Kindergarten

Well, Kalynn officially started Kindergarten today!!

I walked her to her class and we were allowed to stay for a bit. I went ahead and left soon thereafter because Kalynn was starting to cry. I didn't want to make it any worse.

I got home, and fed the boys their breakfast. Then I went to have breakfast with some moms from my SAHM group here in town. Rushed home and the boys had therapy.

Left here around 2:15 to go pick up Kalynn. At first, they couldn't find her which freaked me out. But they found her, she wasn't paying attention. I asked her how her day went and apparently, she was already sent to time out for interruppting.. Uggh. I hope that this is just an adjustment and by about a month, she will do better.

Anyway, I am going to post some pics.

Pics!



Ronin standing up like a big boy! He's in his new BumGenius 2.0 diapers


Ryker


Kalynn being goofy



Ronin looking through the gate thingy

Morning!! It was an ok night. Ronin woke up twice and Ryker woke up once.

We got a camara!!! Kalynn broke the other one, and Bill tried to fix it but ended up making it worse. So we went ahead and got another one. I have a few pics I'll share!

Tomorrow, Kalynn is going to school!! I am still unclear about the procedures for drop off. They can enter the school at 7:37am and school starts at 7:45am. The principal will allow parents of kindergarteners to walk them to class the first week or so. If they get there before 7:37, they have to go to the cafeteria..By herself??? Will a teacher be there??? Will someone help her get to class? What about after school? Will someone help her find me? Yes, I know, I'm freaked out here.. I'm sure I'll figure it out..I'll probably end up putting her on the bus.

WW's continues to go well! My first weigh in, I lost 3.5 lbs!! Woohoo!

OK, pics next

Had to write this down before I forget.

So I mentioned a few months ago that I dream about grandma every month. Well, I hadn't yet. But last night I did! It was weird..

I dreamt that I was in the 30's but from the future. I had to show my drivers license to some guy (not sure why). I was interacting with Grandma but then stopped. I said "Grandma!!! I missed you! Why didn't you come see me?" I gave her a huge hug and then kept on doing what I was doing.

I got outside and mom was at a picnic table. I said "Grandma! You need to go see Mom!" Then she said that there was some Sunkist sodas in her toilet LOL

So, anyway, it was just weird.

Awww!! I just had to show off my niece and nephew..

This is my dad's blog:
http://www.garmez56.blogspot.com/

Today was meet the teacher night! It was neat. But it's getting closer to the day where my baby girl starts her first day of school. She's growing up! To be honest, I have been dreading this day since she was born. On one hand, I'm sad but on the other hand, it'll be nice to be "just" the boys. Sometimes, she's more of a handful than the boys are.

It was neat seeing where her class was and meeting her teacher. Looks like I will be having to take her and pick her up. I need to talk to the teacher to see if I need to, get her on the bus if it gets to be too much. I am kinda of hesitant to put her on the bus since there will be older kids on there.

Ronin and Ryker were being too cute today! I was doing laundry and they were in their play area. Ryker was banging on the toy xylophone and Ronin was "clapping". It was SO cute! i hate that I don't have a camara anymore..I need to see if I can borrow one, especially for Kalynn's first day of school

Anyway, I guess I better jet..Bedtime.

Yesterday was my boobie meeting. It was good, it's nice to hang out with other moms who breastfeed. It was my turn to bring snacks, and I thought about getting cookies. But since I am trying to do better with my eating, I chose to get fruit. The good thing was everyone liked it! It was about gone by the end of the meeting.

Today Kalynn had her Dr's appt. I can't believe how much planning and preparation it takes to get them ready!! I started at 8:00am. Got the boys up, nursed, fed them breakfast, got Kalynn up, she got breakfast. Then got eveyrone dressed. Loaded everyone in the car. By the time everything got done, I was finally on the road at 9:40.

The Dr's appt went well. She is 38 lbs (50th percentile) and 44" (75th percentile). She does have some weakness in her legs and the Dr thinks that it MAY have to do with the NF. I have decided that if Kalynn needs meds before the end of the school year, that I will have the Dr manage her meds. She agrees with my plan to go ahead and see how she does during the school year.

I LOVE my pediatrician. I said that I was going to nurse and she was very accommodating. She said she loves it when moms nurse their babies. She said she wishes more moms would and knows that society tends to look down on it (along with bad misinformation from Dr's and lack of support).

After that we went to BK. That pretty much took a chunk of my WW's points. I gotta really watch it with snacks and dinner. I need to go run tonight. I'm going to try to get 5x's a week. I have already run Sunday and Monday (my week starts on Sunday for WW's)

Yesterday, Ryker cracked me up! He loves to growl. You growl at him and he'll growl back. I was holding him and he HISSED at the dog LOL!

Anyway, I better get the boys down for a nap.

Last night sucked beans. Seemed like they were up every hour. It got to the point that I didn't remember that I had a baby in my bed and then coudln't remember which baby it was!

Since Bill's first day back was today, I thought we'd go somewhere, just to pass the time away. Kalynn got a gift card for Target so we went there. I wasn't sure how I was going to get the kids situated but I figured it out. I had Ryker in my Hotsling, Ronin was sitting in the little seat in the cart and Kalynn walked. Made it out alive! Kalynn got a Rescue pet Epet thingy and a small carebear. I found some workout shirts on clearance.

After that, I got Kalynn's hair cut. It's about shoulder length. I like it!

While I was at Target, I was having one of those moments where I couldn't believe that I had 3 kids! Twins at that!! I forgot to mention that a few days ago, we went to Fire Moutain. Decided to go to BRU just to pass time away. I swear, the looks of horror on the parents of new babies faces were too funny! I had one guy said "Twins! I couldn't handle that!" I said "Well, I don't have a choice, can't exactly send one back!" I admit, I used to think that too. But, twins aren't all horrible that people make it out to seem.

Boys had therapy today. Ronin continues to do well. He's still on target for his chronological age. He still has some oral motor issues. One of his reflexes in his mouth isn't there. So, I have to chop up his food really tiny which I think I already do. Ryker is sitting up really well! The OT was thrilled!

Anyway, I hope to run tonight. Gotta figure out what we're going to do for dinner.

Today was a pretty good day!

Went to my cousin Micki's going away to college party. I can't believe she's going to college already. I remember Aunt Linda being pg with her. Crazy.

My niece and nephew were there. They have gotten SO big!! It was nice seeing everyone.

While we were there, Kalynn got some wonderful gifts! She got this Baby Alive and she LOVES that doll. She's so serious, it's funny. Just awhile ago she said "I gotta change her diaper!" Now she's feeding her. Haha! Kalynn just informed me that she is only going to take care of this baby, just like Aunt Allie. And she has named the baby Bianca.

OH, I have rejoined WW's again. I think this time I will stick with it..I joined before but since I was nursing all the time, I was SO hungry. Since the boys have slowed down some, I'm not as hungry anymore.

Anyway, I better get babies ready for bed

Good evening!!

So I bit the bullet and went shopping today. Except I went in the morning. I knew most people would be at work. It wasn't crowded at all! I got Kalynn some pants, skirts, shirts and shoes. So I think we're good to go.

Got home and I got my BumGenius 2.0 diapers! LOVE them. They are so awesome. The inside is a suede material (other pocket diapers are fleece). They fit the boys so well. Man, I should've gotten those instead of Fuzzi Bunz. OHH well..

I don't remember if I had mentioned but Ronin is now pulling up! He's also starting to cruise. He also signed "milk" today (our sign for nurse). Ryker is "commando crawling". He is getting on his hands and knees and rocks.

I have found one of my favorite things for the boys. The Pampered Chef Food Chopper. LOVE that thing!! I use to chop up food really small for the boys. I used it on chicken, fruit and steamed veggies. They're not really into babyfood, they'd rather just feed themselves. So this has worked out really well.

Anyway, that's it for today I guess!

So I think most of you know that I cloth diaper and I love it..

Found this and thought this was interesting:
http://diaperpin.com/calculator/calculator.asp

It shows you how much $$ is saved. FYI prefolds are about $21/dozen, covers are about $11, and pockets are about $17.

I did my calculations and for ONE baby, I will have saved about $1000 by a year.

Afternoon!

Last night was really tough. Boys kept waking through. One time was my fault, I was putting Ronin down and I accidentally bumped into Ryker's crib so he woke up. Uggh. So Bill let me sleep in. So I didn't get up in time to go run.. Maybe later tonight..

My diapers sold on diaperswapppers!! So, I purchased my BumGenius 2.0 diapers. Hopefully they'll be here by tomorrow or Friday. I had put my diapers up on one of my other boards and had been up there for 2 weeks. I put them on diaperswappers and they were gone within a day. I think from now on, I'll just post diapers there.

Last night was my bf'ing support group. It was good, the LC who runs it wasn't there so it was run by one of the older members. It was a good time. Ryker and Ronin were just all over the place, playing with all the other babies.

Today, Kalynn and I went grocery shopping and went to get her school supplies. I got most of them, but I couldn't find some of the items. We had to get 2 sizes of manila and construction paper, couldn't find the other size. Then, we had to get spiral notebooks that were NOT perforated, all of the ones I found were perforated. Couldn't find any plastic folders. So, I still need to go back and get a few things.

I also went ahead and got her backpack and her lunch box. She got a metal Dora one. I couldn't believe that they don't have the thermoses in them anymore!! I remember when I was a kid, that they would come with the thermos! How crazy is that! Anyway, Meet the Teacher night is next week, which is good. It'll be good for clueless parents like me.

I did call and found out a few things:
-No flip flops
-shorts under dresses and skirts
-no tank tops

I can't believe my baby is going to Kindergarten!!!! Just nervous how she's going to do. I think she'll do fine since she does better in structured enviroments.

Just thought I'd drop off the pics from the party..These were taken with my friend's camara.

Not much to report. Kalynn had her 5th birthday party at the Splash Factory. It was a lot of fun! I was a little disapointed that a few people didn't show up, but Kalynn didn't notice, fortunately. She had a blast playing with her friends that did show up. Everyone had a good time, even the adults! The boys loved it. They loved sitting in the water and splashing. It was nice and cool considering it was almost 100 degrees. Overall, it was great! I would've loved to stay longer but alas, we had to be gone by 8:30 or they would charge us extra..

The next day, we decided to surprise Kalynn with Chuck E Cheese. Gawd, I hate that place. As Bill would say it's abysmal. I thought since it was on Sunday, it wouldn't be too bad. Boy, we were wrong. And of course there was some rude kids. Younger kids, I am tolerant of. But older kids, like 10, I think should know better not to cut in line. Kalynn wanted redeem her points so we got in line. There was a family in front of us with 3 boys who had at least 500 pts. So, we had to wait a LOOOONG time. Then, here comes this kid who just cuts in front of Kalynn. The lady at the counter was about to help him and everyone in the line said "NO!! She's next!!!" I guess his mom or whoever didn't speak English tried to argue with us, and tried to get him to be next. Everyone was saying "NO! She is next, the end of the line is right there!" So, yeah. Kalynn had a good time though..

I am planning on getting more diapers...I sold some of my smaller diapers (my other ones are still up for sale on diaperswappers--they're under MamaCeleste, they're Swaddlebees if anyone's interested!). I want to get some One size Bumgenius 2.0 pocket diapers. Since the boys are in different sizes in pocket diapers, I figured that getting one size will be easier since they both can wear them. These diapers go from 8 lbs to 30 lbs I believe so they will last hopefully until they are potty trained..

On to me, I have started running again. This is my 3rd week. I have been running about 2 miles. It's more of a combinations walk/run but at least I get out and do it! I have already lost 5 lbs. I am hoping to lose a total of 30-35 lbs. Maybe I can do it 3-4 months. It took me about 6 months or so to lose 60 lbs, so maybe it won't take as long to lose 30. I want to do WW's again, but I'm not sure how it's going to work with me nursing twins. It's got information about nursing a singleton, but not twins.

This weekend, I plan on getting school supplies for Kalynn. I'm also going to go clothes shopping for her too. I don't know if tax free weekend is really worth it. I mean, you only save $10 on $100. But, on the other hand, I'm sure stores will have really good sales. But, it might be really crowded and crowds piss me off. Decisions decisions..

Anywa, I better go..gotta make Kalynn lunch

I had my Dr's appt today with the breast surgeon. Turns out it was a galactocele. It's pretty much a cyst filled with milk. It was really strange. Th Dr. got a long needle and numbed my boob. Then she got another needle and sucked out the milk. She had to do it twice, the second time was weird because I could actually hear the suctioning. Now I have this huge bruise on the side of my boob.

Everything is fine. I have a follow up u/s in 3 months. I talked to Mellanie (the LC that runs the bf'ing group I go to) and she said it'll probably stay there until I stop bf'ing.. I felt TONS better.

On the weight loss front, I have started to take up running again. I ran 4x's last week, I ran about 1.5 to 2 miles. Of course, I'm a bit slower but that's to be expected. I am also starting to eat better. I gained a couple of pounds and I think it's because I am not nursing as often as I used to since the boys are eating more solids so they go longer. Hopefully, I'll start losing weight again.

Other than that, nothing else is going on. Kalynn's bday party is coming up on Saturday and then her actual bday on Sunday. In 2 weeks is her meet the teacher night and then that next Monday is her first day of school!! I can't believe that I'm going to have a kindergartener!!

I guess that's it! Night!

I went to the Dr yesterday for the lump in my breast. She did find something and immediately got set up for a sono for today. I went to the sonogram and they did find something. It's a large mass that's about 2" in diameter. It has chambers with fluid in it. The fluid has debris in it. So, the good news is that it's probably NOT cancer. Cancer would be a solid dark mass. The plan is to find a breast surgeon to have this cyst aspirated since there is debris in it. They'll send of the fluid to a pathologist. From there, we'll see if I need to have it surgically removed or if I can just wait it out. I immediately called the LC and she said that I can continue to breastfeed. So, I'm going to call the Dr tomorrow morning to see what she wants to do.

I got their results from their bloodwork. Unfortunately, their iron is really low. Normal is 10-12. Theirs is 8 something. I asked why and apparently, it's probably because they are premature. Usually, babies will get iron stores from their mother. Since they were premature, they didn't have a chance to get my iron stores.

Anyway, not much else is going on here. Bill is telling Kalynn a "daddy story". A "daddy story" is a story that Bill just makes up with whatever Kalynn wants it to be about LOL

Oh and speaking of Kalynn..She doesn't quite get the concept of jokes..She asked "What has wheels and flies? A mailbox!" LOL Goofy kid.