collsbaby's profile

collsbaby
	Age: 31 Country: Private Province/region: Private City: Private Partner: My wonderful husband, Todd Children: Yes, 1 Pregnant: Not anymore Occupation: Pilates Instructor/Writer
	Online: 24 hours ago. Last updated: 7 days ago. Member since: 299 days
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I finally added my birth story!! I'm only 12 weeks late!! haha!

Mommy & Me Pilates Mat Class DVD

My mood while writing this blog:
Ok

Hi ladies, I'm trying to get back into doing/teaching pilates since Baby Summy is almost 3 mo old. (WHERE did that time go???) I have created a beginning level "Mommy and Me Pilates Mat Class" routine that I plan on recording to DVD (somewhat professionally done), within the next few months. (Even though I have post-preggo belly!! Oh well, it will be realistic, right??)

I'm trying to get a feel from other mama's if this is something you'd purchase to do at home with baby. depending on the cost of doing it and making copies I'm thinking around 20-bucks +shipping with a discount for my preggo mama friends of course!!! (Being a pilates instructor is my SAHMommy job, so I plan to sell these DVD's if I can.) I plan to have stuff on there that you can do with an infant as well as some stuff you can do with your toddler (and some stuff that they can do as well!) So it will be fun..

Anyway...I'm just trying to put some thoughts together and do it during my spare time, haha!

Message my page with your thoughts if you could. I'll put more info on my page in the next day or so about it too. Thanks!
-Colleen and Baby Summer

or you can e mail me for more info at: colleen@kauai-pilates.com

thanks!!

ALSO...I am putting together a pre-order list for DVD's. If you think you might be interested in purchasing one then please send me your name, e mail and address (to my e mail-not on here) and I'll add you to the pre-order list and keep you in the loop as opposed to clogging up the message board. For those on the list I will be offering a discount on the DVD as well as free shipping. There is no obligation and no payment needed to pre-order (I won't hunt you down via the preggo message board!) I just am trying to get an idea of how many to print up for the first run. I will make a little commercial/video for the DVD so you can see a little snip-it too.

May 30, 2008
Our journey from Hi to Ca~Baby Summer 2 months and 1 day old~

First of all if someone told me a few days after she was born that I would be making the journey to Ca in 2 months BY MYSELF, I would have NEVER believed it! But, I did and I’m extremely proud! Princess Buttercup was perfect on the plane! I was so shocked and pleased. She fussed a tiny bit a few hours into it, (I don’t blame her, I was getting fussy too, haha), but she never actually cried or screamed or anything.

I had planned an isle seat because I figured I’d be getting up to change her and walk around a fussy baby, etc. Well, when I got on they told me that another dad and his 3 year old daughter didn’t have seats together so could I switch and take the window seat in another row. At first I was a bit annoyed because I thought I’d be trapped back in there, but it turned out to be better. We could squish into the window side and sort of create our own little private corner. I found it worked out much better, especially since it was just me and the baby sitting next to 2 strangers. And of course I’m not gonna be the one who says a dad and his little girl can’t sit together. Even if it was his poor planning. I mean really…how the heck did that happen anyway?? Regardless, I go to take my seat and the poor people next to me looked like, “Oh great, a baby!!” And I had a lot of crap. I had the diaper bag full to the brim, I had another cloth shopping bag with my breastfeeding pillow in there, I had my backpack purse, and the baby was in the baby bjorn. So we had quite a load of stuff with me, but it was all necessary…so it seemed. The overhead was full because I was literally the LAST person to board! My diaper bag had to be searched. Hello??? For real? You’re gonna search the frazzled new mom with a newborn and a boat load of stuff. OK, whatever. Luckily I had my hubby accompany me to the gate on a “buddy pass”. Not sure exactly what it’s called, but it’s a pass for someone to go to the gate with you. But it’s for someone requiring assistance…and that was me! (You get it from the ticket person when you check in, and they might hassle you. My lady did and so we went through someone else.) So, we sit in the window and get all settled and I ended up never getting up the entire 5+ hour flight to San Fran for our layover. It was just too much hassle. And I upgraded to economy plus (on United) which is more leg room. And it was very helpful. But it was still too much hassle to get out of the seat. They also had NO changing tables in any of the bathrooms on the airplane. I heard that some do, this one didn’t. So I kind of panicked! But What I did was change the fastest diaper in the universe when the two people got up to go to the bathroom. They never suspected a thing! Haha! I breastfed her on the plane about 4 times. The guy sitting next to me probably didn’t have a clue either. I’ll tell you about that in a sec and I even had him hold her for a minute while I got stuff situated. He and his wife were about in their 50’s and he was very happy to hold her and said that he had not held a baby in about 10 years. But I needed the help, and it worked out great. We got off in San Fran, I had time to go pee, which was crucial since I didn’t get up the entire flight! The we got on the next plane for LAX. That was great because it was a red eye and it wasn’t full so I had the entire row to myself. I could even lay her down for a bit, which was nice. But we got in fine and everything worked out great. The second I saw Grammy I took off the baby bjorn and passed off the princess. She still has her in fact. Haha, just kidding.

So here are my must haves to fly. Well, this is what worked for me anyway.

*up-grade if you can to a seat with more room. From Hi to Ca it was only $59. Well worth it to have a bit of extra room since I have an extra person in the space. Tiny baby or not. It's nice to be able to breathe...ya know?

*Baby Bjorn. Makes it easy for hands free travel.

*My Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow. Absolutely could not live without that and it was a complete life savor. No other substitution breastfeeding pillow will do. (i.e., the Boppy) the Brest Friend stays firm and it goes around your body completely, so it stays in place while baby is sleeping and standing and trying to crawl all over you. You don’t have to hold the baby the entire time making the both of you worn out. Summer could totally sprawl out and I could read a magazine. It worked wonders for us both. I can’t say enough about this thing. Yes it’s very big and bulky, yes you feel a tad bit silly putting it on in the plane because everyone is looking at you like…wha….? But YES it is totally worth it! Especially if you are alone and don’t have anyone to take over baby holding duties for an hour here and there. OK, you get the point…get this pillow! It's like 40 bucks-ish and worth a million on a long flight.

*Hooter Hider. (Nursing cover-up.) Another must have for travel. I had planned to breastfeed her on the plane and I didn’t want to flash anyone the cheech. This was awesome because I swear the guy next to me had no idea I had my boob hanging out in public a mere inches away from him several times throughout our flight.

*I wore all black. I should’ve been a New Yorker, I swear. I usually wear all black to travel. I wore a black nursing bra and black v-neck top that I would just pull down and to the side to nurse. So I didn’t have my back or side exposed ever. The black on black made it easy to hide my bra when my shirt got all gapped out. Also hid any leakage and stuff.

*Bathing suit cover-up/sarong (full size one). Living in Hawaii, I have a million of these things and I use them al the time for the baby. They can double as a light blanket and are long enough to even cover you, baby and up around baby’s face. She looked like a little baby burrito. Plus it can be tucked away and smashed into the smallest space. Something a blanket usually can’t do. But it’s just not very warm. So I suggest you also have a blanket.

*I dressed baby in a sleeper with the feet. I thought about putting her in a cute little outfit. However, I didn’t want to have to deal with socks falling off into the airplane abyss. I always seem to get stuff lost under the seat. And I didn’t want her pant legs hiking up her leg in the bjorn making her cold. So a sleeper worked wonders. She was comfortable and warm and it was easy to deal with.

…that’s all I can think of for now. If I think of anything else, I’ll be sure to post it.

Thrush, thrush, thrush...story of my life. Blah! I posted this on another girls thing because she was asking me about it so I thought I'd post it here too. I'll probably rewrite it someday since it's pretty scatterbrained, but you get the idea. Hope it helps.

I have been practically obsessed with this thrush thing. I used the Nystatin (sp) for 2 weeks ending today and it didn't work. It's sticky on yur nipples, and makes a mess with baby, but doesn't stain. That is probably what they gave you. After a week I called the doc and told her it wasn't clearing up and she gave us the next step up-fluconazole. (Pills for me, liquid to drink for baby, and still use the nystatin.) I had my mom send me a bottle of Gentian Violet (stains everythng purple) because they don't sell it here. I hear it works miracles with pain and getting rid of it, I haven't gotten it in the mail yet. I also started using Grapefruit Seed Extract tonight and taking acidophilus. I cut out sugar and dairy, I boil everything that goes into her mouth daily for 5 minutes, including the breast pump stuff, I rinse my nipples with a vinegar solution with each shower, I change my breast pads constantly, I only use a burpie cloth once per feeding, then get a clean one for next time, and wash everything on very hot water cycle to kill the yeast. It's hard to get rid of and you need to be very persistant. It can grow back after an hour and a half! Google thrush and check out breastfeeding online dot com, as well as the la leche league website under thrush. there is also a woman named Pat Gima (google her name with "yeast treatment plan") and it should come up. I'm trying to stick to it as much as I can. It' s been frustrating and hard to get all the treatments in, I've cried my eyes out plenty from the pain as well as frustration, but my motivation is to get rid of the pain so I can breastfeed, so I'm trying everything possible! Most important thing is to feed the baby though. It doesn't matter how. I swore on my life that my baby would never have formula or a bottle before a month, and I was in so much pain after the first few days after she was born I thought i was going to melt down. I needed a break from breastfeeding, if for only one feeding, becuse I too was tense and in extreme pain and it's not good for me or baby. (Thrush pain is worse at night.) I was rushing he off too. I started pumping and I gave her a bottle of formula so that i could heal and so that she can get fed. That was the first and second week. (A bottle was crucial for the 3 week growth spurt! I couldn't have done it by breast alone.) We now, 4 weeks old, just nurse except for a bottle at night that dad gives her so I can take a break. (The pain isn't gone but it no longer makes my toes curl as much and no more crying...just a lot of deep breathing though.) There wasn't any nipple confusion and I don't feel guilty at all. The most important thing is that the baby needs to get fed. Also you can pump then use a little medicine syringe to give her extra while she is on the breast. Just have dad shoot it directly into her mouth while she is on the breast and she'll be getting an extra dose. (You can use formula for that too. Get one that is digested or partially digested. Easier on stomach. Yeast produces gas and bely pain.) But make sure you find a lactation consultant and talk to them, and I highly recommend using other remedies as well as what the doc gives. Sorry this is so scattered and quick. I'm trying to give yu all the info I have gotten over the last 2 weeks, and I gotta make it quick since my baby is gonna wake up soon. Let me know how it goes. We'll be fine, but it is a b!tch! ;-) Plus I think I just have a bad case of it since I didn't catch it right away. You might be a diff story! Good luck!
***More on thrush***
week 10
My lactation consultant told me that the amount of gentian violet you use to treat thrush is so very small that you'd have to drink bottles and bottles of the stuff to be worried about anything. (And you don't drink it anyway, or even use a dropper.) You are dipping a q-tip into the bottle, shaking off any drips and this is enough (on one q-tip) to paint the baby's mouth as well as both nipples. Use if only if you have pain with the thrush. If it is deep breast pain (like in a duct and it's shooting, burning, going up into your armpit, across your back, etc.) then you'll absolutely need to take an oral medication yourself like fluconazole (sp?) because it won't go away by topical treatment alone. The gentian violet is used in addition to the oral medication for the surface nipple pain, or if the baby seems to have pain in the mouth. You can paint your nipple with it then put the baby to the breast if you don't want to put the medication in the baby's mouth. Be sure to do a vinegar/water wash on your nipples after each feeding too. Yeast can grow back after an hour and a half!! So you need to be persistant. Sorry if i sound like a born-again freak about this topic, haha. I've been dealing with this thrush crap steady since Summy was born, she's 10 weeks and 2 days. But now the pain is gone, so I'm a happy girl!! Check out my page to see some funny pics of baby with a purple mouth from the gentian violet. (I feel that the GV is what saved my sanity from this thing because NOTHING else was doing it...) but you HAVE to do what you feel in your gut when it comes to YOUR baby. Good luck.

I should also point out that my lactation consultant (while I'm here in Ca) is my parents neighbor. She's known me since before I was born, been an RN for about 25 yrs and a lactation cons. for about 15. She's extremely intelligent and really does her research. So I trust her opinion completely and know that she wouldn't tell me anything that would harm the baby since she's invested, ya know? She's like my second mom. So, not that I'm trying to "sell it" to you, but I know how hard it is to deal with thrush and I know how PAINFUL it can be as well, so I'm hoping that the info will help.

*** I heard that using grapefruit seed extract is sort of like an anti-biotic...and those can cause yeast. So I stopped the GSE, and just used the vinegar/water solution.
...I'll post more about thrush when I get a chance and i'll edit the above as well.

I just added a couple of photos on here. I love the new feature that makes it easy to add photos! I'll add more later...

4-24-08 Hey Ladies! I'm gonna make this quick (well, quick for ME that is) because I came on yesterday to update and catch up and I started to write some stuff, had to walk away to a crying baby after her nap and I wasn't ever able to come back. So, I'm not sure what happened to what I wrote, so I'll start again.

it's been a WHILE!!! My little girl will be a month old in 2 days on the 26th, i can't even believe it!! the time has gone by soooo fast! I think of all my buddies on here often and I keep thinking, "I REALLY need to go and catch up with everyone and update my thing...", then the baby has other plans. So she's sleeping for a bit so I thought I'd come on to catch up.

I have had a super rough time with breastfeeding, that is why I haven't been on here, or on my myspace account lately. I haven't even been talking to anyone other than my mom right now either, I'm just too drained with all the pain and stuff. I found out my baby has Thrush, which is a yeast infection in her mouth. I'm not sure if I gave it to her or if she gave it to me, but we both have it and since her birth it has been extremely painful to nurse her. Everyone just thought it was the "normal" nipple soreness that comes along with breastfeeding a newborn, or poor latch-on problems, etc., but I found out pretty late in the game that it is in fact Thrush. And it has been very painful for me. I have been so stressed out from it trying to figure out what the heck is wrong, and why can't I just breastfeed without it making my toes curl from the severe pain. Well, 2 Monday's ago I got us on the medication, it didn't work, so this past Monday I got a stronger perscription and hopefully that is working. I also talked to a girl who is a La Leche League Leader and she gave me some extremely good info on how to get rid of it, that of course my doc or the baby doc did not tell me. I'm finding out that the docs really have no training in breastfeeding whatsoever and if you need help, go see a lactation specialist or a La Leche League person. And check out "breastfeeding online dot com" for some really good info too.

So, that has been why I haven't been on here in forever. I still need to update my birth story.

Once I get into a good groove with the breastfeeding and get rid of this yeast infection (which is a TOTAL nightmare, let me tell you!!), then I'll be back to normal.

Until then, thanks for all of your messages and love! I hope everyone is doing great with their little babies!

I can't believe how SLOW the last few weeks of the pregnancy went and how FAST this month has gone by. Even with all the pain I've been dealing with, I still feel so blessed and I am so in love with my little Summy Bear (who is 10 lbs today!!!) and she was born with a full head of reddish brown hair. I was shocked!

P.S. Everything they say about loosing the baby weight with breastfeeding is sooo true! I've already lost 30 lbs and I owe it all to breastfeeding! Plus I have been eating lots of veggies and stuff and about week 2 1/2 we started going for walks before dinner.

...perfect timing...I hear a squeeking baby.

xo

3-28-08~ She's here! She's here! Summer Rainbow was born March 26th! (5 days over due) 8.9 lbs~21 inches long (big baby!!) Head was 14 cm (YIKES!!) Oh, and a very long labor. I'll post my birth story very soon. Just got back from the hosp after a 2 day stay and baby Summer has been sleeping allllllll day long! Thanks to all my friends on this site who have been a really good support group this whole pregnancy! I'll get back to you all soon! ;-)

**********************************
Hi Ladies!! I haven't been avoiding everyone on this site!! After a few days of being overdue, I had to put my head into a different place and start focusing on what was happening as opposed to what wasn't happening. So I needed to take some time away from the boards...but I absolutely appreciate your support and friendship! This site has been great for that and I truly hope to keep in contact with all my "preggo pals" on here (as my hubby says). My birth story will be up soon...you know me, I'll definitely be writing about all of that!!

My birth was very different from what I thought it was going to be, yet it was just how I imagined it was going to be.

Baby Summy is doing fantastic and she's been sleeping all day long!

I'll write more soon. For now I'm gonna just sit and hold my baby girl.

xo
~*Colleen

I have a weight loss goal that is less than my pre-pregnancy weight. To get to my original pre-pregnancy weight I have about 5 more lbs to go. But then around week 7 of the pregnancy I got really sick and lost 15 lbs while I was in the hosp for a week. And then my new weight goal is about 15 lbs less than that even, which is the goal weight in this ticker. It might be too much, but I'll see. I just want my pilates body back...the fit, firm one I had at my wedding 2 years ago...*sigh* So I made this ticker to get to my ultra weight loss goal. It has been helping a lot to breastfeed too!

Comments on collsbaby`s Profile
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Comments 26-50 to collsbaby
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janelr2104 - Thursday, 26 June
I have to say ur pilates idea is a very good one. In the last few weeks i have got 2 pilates dvd's so i can work on my mummy tummy, but we have builders in and i cant do it infront of them, lol. But one to include my baby would be a fantastic idea. All the best XX

flgrl - Thursday, 26 June
I'd buy it

karenc - Thursday, 26 June
yes! lol i would buy a dvd of that type. i recently bought a mommy & baby workout dvd that i hope to use this weekend and ANY way to work out and stimulate baby is desirable.

k-kaye - Wednesday, 25 June
Thanks. I have been just waiting it out. Hopefully it goes away soon.

jenlove - Wednesday, 25 June
Thanks, I'm not breastfeeding so it would be just for me. But it seems like a good idea, even just for me to stay healthy and strong for him.

mom2boy - Wednesday, 25 June
Awe thanks. I have insurance with my work I just can't get it privately, which means being a SAHM may not work out. I guess things happen for a reason so I will just hang tight and wait all this out. The good thing is that I have my baby and he is happy and healthy.

lmomma - Tuesday, 24 June

What a beautiful family xo

lmomma - Tuesday, 24 June

She looks like a little doll <3

lmomma - Tuesday, 24 June

She's absolutely beautiful!

lmomma - Tuesday, 24 June

Oh I love it!

lmomma - Tuesday, 24 June
Wow! I was JUST thinking about you! hahaha I logged onto myspace and saw that you hadn't been on in forever and I haven't logged on HERE in forever...how random!! Annnyways...me and Kylan are doing great!!! I cannot believe how fast he is growing! It makes me kinda sad at times....lol I never thought I would say it, but I actually MISS being preggo sometimes! LOL Every day is just sooooo rewarding, he's completely changed my perspective on life =) He's such a happy baby, sleeps through the night (has done since he was 3 weeks old!!) and just loves everyone! I got super lucky for sure. I'm doing well, took me about a month to FULLY recover from my c-section....but I was up walking around the very next day, I was determined not to let it slow me down...lol

I wanna hear alllll about you and your bubby!! Hows things going??? I hope you are having as much fun as I am, I'm sure you are!!

Talk soon xoxo

mayasmom - Monday, 23 June

Cutie!!! Love the onesie....

mizzsnazzy - Monday, 23 June
I had to change his formula around a bit, that could've been it. But honestly sometimes I think babies are just constipated for no reason because they are still developing, and I think it works itself out later, which it has now. But he is also on solids now, so that could be helping. I also used to give him glycerin suppositories.

mizzsnazzy - Monday, 23 June
Actually I think it is the opposite. Breastfed babies should be going more often to poop, formula fed babies can go up to 8 days or so not pooping. That is at least what 2 of the doctors I went to said. Nathan was just so constipated @ 2 months, he wouldn't poop for up to 3-4 days.

angelyle - Saturday, 21 June
thanks for the encouragement.. when i had my pregnancy test at my ob gyne, she said i am sooo pale, im so anemic...im so worried, i dont think my body could handle another pregnancy this soon.im sick at the moment, no morning sickness though.. i have colds and fever.and i couldnt take care of my 4 month old son so well..but yeah, it would be fine.babies are blessing, not problems, ayt? take care..

desbra98 - Thursday, 19 June

This picture is so adorable:)

vixplusone - Monday, 16 June
Hi! It's great to hear from you. We're doing great, thanks. The jaundice was scary, but it's behind him now, thankfully. He just passed the 3-month mark and is smiley and chubby. We're taking him all over the city, riding the subways and people-watching. He loves it! How are you three doing? The thrush is all gone, right?

1blessedmomma - Monday, 16 June
Sweet Cheeks is made with distilled water, essential oils, aloe, and can include witch hazel for its healing properties but can also be done without. Mommy can use it too as a refreshing, natural body spray. Im also selling DEET FREE bug spray!! Made with essential oils that repell bugs!

erins1121 - Monday, 16 June
wow thats so awesome for you guys!!!!!!!!!! everyday for you must be a vacation!!!!!! so cal is amazing too. i live in yucko land!! philly...so trashy and ugly!!:( everything is going so great w us thanks!!

crabscanfly - Sunday, 15 June
im getting over it slowly, but i just have to deal with it.

nmck - Sunday, 15 June
Thanks! My baby is 10 weeks old today, but was born at 30 weeks so he still acts like a newborn. I figure it will be a natural transition to not holding him so much like you experienced. My guess is by the end of summer he will be a more active and interactive baby. My hubs worries b/c he has an aunt who held her son constantly for over a year and the kid was a weird baby b/c of that. But my baby is still a newborn due to his gestational age. Thanks for your support!!!

levismom - Sunday, 15 June
Yes, you would think it would be easy. I am not sure how is worked during primitive times. I mean..we have lactataion specialist and modern medicine. What happened before fomula was invented...starvation or latch on and eat...i guess.

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Photos

Summy and Maggie getting ready for a walk (2008, 06, 20)

Baby`s First Beach Day-6 weeks old (2008, 05, 24)

My Little Island Princess (2008, 05, 24)

Summer sleeping on Grammy. (2008, 04, 25)

I love her little feet here! (2008, 06, 04)

My family at Poipu Beach~2 days overdue!!! (2008, 07, 02)

Mama & Daddy at Poipu Beach~2 days overdue!! (2008, 07, 02)

Click here to see all collsbaby`s photos

Children

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26-6-2008 - Mommy & Me Pilates Mat Class DVD

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