Vegan Rugrats

🐣Mother of two🐣 Raising a vegan and trying for more. My Journey Main blog Unmarked Words

[veganrugrats]

Update...

So it has been a while since I posted. This is going to be a very quick update.

So my absence is due to my being very much pregnant. Yay!

I am now halfway through but it has been a very different pregnancy to my first. I’ve been feeling unwell throughout and vomiting on and off, but just glad so far all is pointing to a healthy baby.

I am waiting for the birth before I know the gender. I like surprises.

[veganrugrats]

This is Ava, I’ve now used it for a full cycle and I must say it’s brilliant.

Firstly, it’s an investment at £200; but I was willing to pay the price for a more convenient was to monitor my body. I hated having to remember to take my temperature, especially with co-sleeping and having my wake call be my child.

My bracelet started falling apart after a few weeks which was disappointing, but this did not effect the function. Ava support team were very helpful and are sending me a new sensor without charge and a free return of my broken one.

I do think that the sensor in time could become much smarter with what it can track, but until I’m pregnant I can’t really say whether it will be effective for why I have it. I really wanted to have my first cycle to check my body’s natural rhythm and now the fun can begin.

This is not an advertisement or affiliated, just my opinion on new technology for women trying to conceive. Ava is not designed to prevent pregnancy, so use protection if you don’t want to get pregnant.

[veganrugrats]

The last post was being unwell, so I decided to finally write a post about a little contraption that I used to unblock my daughters nose when it got congested. This is a nasal aspirator, which you manually suck the mucus from the nose. It works surprisingly well. It can seem gross at first because of the slurping sound like when you get to the end of a soda drinking from a straw. My little one doesn’t seem to have any discomfort when I use this. If you are wondering if any snot can flow up the tube... no it can’t. The filter stops that happening. I have a less gross aspirator, which works by pumping to suck mucus out, but I didn’t feel that worked as well.

[veganrugrats]

So my hubby has been ill, he has low immune system due to the fact that he’s got a couple autoimmune disorders. Anyway, due to his sickness, baby girl & myself are now laid up with illness. I’m blogging this because something weird has happened... My daughter has been ill before, but this time my milk supply has increased. I’ve been leaking and heavy. My milk seemed to be slowing down the last couple months because my girl wasn’t feeding as much since she started solids. I’m wondering whether my body has increased in supply to help kill the sickness? It‘s been a while since I’ve woke up leaking, heavy and sore. I even had to force a night time feed to ease my suffering because I’ve not pumped in so long that I can’t for the life of me find my pumps. (If you are wondering I still do night time feeds but this particular night baby girl seemed to want to sleep all night.)

[veganrugrats]

So I am a little clearer on my low moods of late and I'm inclined to blame my obsession with social media mothers. I have been following so many women on social media (mainly Instagram) that look like they have it together. They have their babies and bam! Beautiful bodies are return weeks later and they look amazing. As I continue to watch their every move, I feel like a heifer as I've not seen my toes since having my daughter. I have put myself on a strict workout regime, but my efforts are so half-arsed. I'm still trying. Whenever I step onto my elliptical machine, my daughters arms are raised to be picked up, so I'm panting within five minutes as I struggle with her in my arms...( I have now resulted in wearing her on my back, no it doesn't make it any easier.) I was so gutted when all my breastfeeding efforts didn't result in a massive weight-loss as my mother and mother-in-law had informed would happen. (Also being vegan does not guarantee you will be skinny... Just saying.)

[veganrugrats]

Created this reading nook for my toddler. She cannot read or form proper words as yet, but she give a good go at reading. I used her old support seat on a box full of her old clothes. The bookshelf was bought to match a table and chair set that we had bought.

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I took a HPT and it was negative, I’ve not missed my period yet so it might be too soon.

But… I’m not sure whether I’m relieved or gutted. I’m feeling so overwhelmed with my daughter that I’ve been feeling that trying now is just too early.

But, I want another child and I’m scared my biological clock is ticking. I’m so conflicted.

I don’t have a desire for a specific age gap between my children. Just to be able to have more than one, but as I’m over 30, I feel that I’m unlikely to have the luxury of waiting too long.

[veganrugrats]

I am an emotional wreck!

Not sure why, but my emotions have been all over the place. My main emotion is anger and the slightest thing can trigger me. I’m starting to regret wanting to start trying for another child so soon. (It may not seem too soon for some, but this is just my personal feeling.) I’m getting so overwhelmed with my current child and how we will (I will) cope with a second while my first is still so young. I had a chat with hubby about postponing trying for another couple years and he seemed ok with it, but is also talking like we are still trying now. I don’t think he is hearing me... My mind and heart are so conflicted, but I also feel so out of control.

[veganrugrats]

I don’t expect that many people read my blog, but I am so curious as to the amount of stay-at-home mothers who send their toddlers to nursery? I have made the decision with my hubby to stay at home with our daughter. Everyone makes me question that decision because they all ask me if I send my daughter to nursery. I have no friends or family who are alternative like me. They all follow what is considered the norm. I look to social media for moral support, but sometimes having someone in real life can be nice. I never realized how much pressure I would feel by choosing the alternative to the normal. I’m not going to send my daughter away because of someone else’s opinion, but it’s such a lonely feeling not having any support from family. I guess what I want from this post is just info from other parents who have chosen to parent away from the norm. What experiences have you had? Also stay at home parents who kept their child at home, did you feel pressure to send them to nursery?

[veganrugrats]

I love seeing posts about mothers who are still breastfeeding past 12 months. I’m still breastfeeding my 14 month old and there is little sign of it stopping soon. I do get a little embarrassed because all the women that I am surrounded by who have had children stopped breastfeeding by 6 months.

The internet keeps me going because I’m so awkward around people and it can make me change my own views just to avoid uncomfortable situations. My daughter breastfeeds mainly around the times of sleeping (nap times and bedtime).

She eats very well during the day, so she never wants a breastmilk food top up. Sometimes when she is upset I offer my breast but she now just settles for a hug.

I’m not wanting to stop breastfeeding until my daughter wants to and I do not see the harm.

**just a disclaimer** This post is not to shame anyone who doesn’t breastfeed or who chooses to stop early. This is about me… very selfish I know.

[veganrugrats]

So we are trying for baby #2 and I truly thought that this was the month and that we were going to have a surprise this Christmas.

It was not meant to be...

My period started 4 days early, which meant I ovulated earlier than my apps predicted. I’ve spent the day so down, until my little one climbed into my arms and just hugged me.

I realize if this is the only child I’m meant to have, I’ll be ok. She is so affectionate and she alone fills my heart, but I just don’t want her to be an only child. I have siblings and so does my hubby, so it would be nice for her to have siblings. But if it’s not to be I must accept that.

[veganrugrats]

TTC #2

So my little girl is now 12 months old and I finally feel ready to begin trying to for baby number two.

I am extremely nervous about having a second child, but I feel my clock ticking so want to just get on with it. I think if I don’t try, it may never happen.

I used so many apps to monitor my body but when I did get pregnant the first time, I had given up on the app and the idea of having a child. This time I’m loosely using apps to monitor my monthly flow, but trying not to use to get pregnant.

I will try to update on my ttc and how things are changing with baby girl.

Also just a side note…

My hubby introduced me to a really good book about parenting called ’Calm Parents, Happy Kids’ by Dr Laura Markham. It’s especially good when you are struggling to deal with you child’s behavior. It is about you as an adult changing to change your child. I’m currently reading it and enjoying the new understanding that it’s giving me.

[veganrugrats]

Winter is coming... TMI (snot)

During this autumn season my little girl had the sniffles and was extremely blocked up. TMI ahead I bought a nasal aspirator and it’s like a hose you suck the snot out. It works really well and the design makes sure that no snot travel through the tube.

I did have a aspirator that you squeeze but I didn’t really like it. It took so much more effort to remove the snot and she was still struggling to breathe after using the squeezable aspirator.

Sorry for the gross imagery, but these are the times ahead as winter dawns on us and with winter comes…

Christmas!

I hope all your plans are coming along, until next time. Happy parenting

[veganrugrats]

When I finally returned home from the hospital, I wanted to keep my little girl from visitors, until I felt she was strong enough or had her first set of immunisations. Here is the story of how this can go wrong:

My brother came around to help move some stuff with my hubby. He then wanted to hold the baby. I politely asked him to wash his hands and he refused, grabbing my baby from my arms. So I decided I was going to be strict and refuse any more visits as my daughter was not even 2 weeks old (it was her first week out of the hospital). I had spoken to my (at the time 9yo) nephew as his mother is manipulative and thought I would say yes to a visit from my nephew. I politely said no and informed him that his cousin was still a little poorly. I thought that was the end of that and I could go to them or ask them to visit when my hubby had finished his paternity leave as I wanted him to have uninterrupted time with his daughter.

I was wrong…

My brother then returned a day later with his girlfriend and children. When I refused them, they threatened me with calling social services because they felt they had a right to see my daughter and I should not be denying them. I lost the plot as my hormones were still raging from all the drama of the terrifying birth. I told them to stay out my and my new family’s life. I have not spoken to my brother since and I realize that even when people are parents they don’t always have empathy for others who almost lost their only child. (My brother has 3 sons.)

That whole situation has taught me a valuable lesson in my approach to people and assessing how people could react.

I would advise all who want to avoid visits and drama, to probably inform everyone of your wishes before the baby is born. In hindsight I wish when I had announced the birth that I had said to all that I was going to disappear for a while for parent and baby time. (I will avoid using the term family because that was misconstrued by my brother when said that.)

[glittersbabies]

Things you need to know about breastfeeding master post::

All links will be at the bottom too. I put this under a read more because it got really long! If anyone has things to add, please do! 

Keep reading

[glittersbabies]

@comradelemon  “ *You never need to pump and dump, except for comfort if engorged - just wait until you’re safe to drive and then you’re safe to nurse again. Alcohol will leave your milk the same way it leaves your blood. “ You put it better than I did. I italicized a drink, because one drink (shouldn’t) be enough to boost your BAC to a high enough level that the baby is at risk. But yes, if you plan to drink more than one singular drink, you still don’t need to pump and dump unless it’s for your boobs’ comfort. :)

[veganrugrats]

Gentle Discipline?

My last post was very depressing but honesty is what I'm trying to bring to this blog. I'm having a much more body positive day, but while I'm breastfeeding I'm going to try not to worry so much about my weight. My little one is growing up so fast and I'm still trying to figure out my parenting style. I am keen to follow gentle parenting but I'm finding it so hard. I'm realizing that most parents who write blogs and even books seem to give examples when their child is old enough to be talking. I have a child that acts two years old but is not. Trying to use gentle parenting while she can not talk back or express an understanding. So an example: Little one kept pulling on a lighting cable, which ran along the wall. The cable is attached to a light fitting that is not secure to the wall yet. So little one decides to pull on the cable. It a meaningless story, but trying to say "no" with not reaction or sign of stopping is very frustrating. Shouting becomes so easy, but taking her away from the situation and holding her lovingly in my arms worked. I felt weak doing so but even though she cried, it didn't take long before her cries stopped. There have yet to be any situations that are not an innocent, inquisitive child trying to understand her world.

[veganrugrats]

10 months postpartum

So I'm extremely self conscious to the point of hibernation. I have not lost but gained weight since giving birth. I still have a belly like I'm 6 months pregnant. I'm hungry all the time but I'm hating my body. Even after only a few months postpartum whenever I met family they would comment on my weight gain. So I would avoid family functions to hide myself. I hate that I feel like this because my hubby loves me the way I am. I have got a beautiful daughter, who made my body this way. My body is a roadmap of the amazing things that has happened to me. I'm trying to not to feel this way because I'm being ungrateful for my blessings. I'm just so frustrated by people (surprisingly mainly women), who feel the need to point out your physical flaws.