Question for all you mothers

I realize that Gabbie has only been alive since Tuesday, but I daresay, breastfeeding is the hardest thing to do! I went to classes before she was born and met with a lactation specialist in the hospital and Gabbie and I still can't get it down. She latches on fine, and the milk factory is producing but it's almost like she hates breastfeeding. She fights with me and will turn her head away when I try to feed her. In a worried and desperate attempt to make sure her belly is full, I have pumped and then fed her a bottle. I know lactation specialists and some pediatrician's would say that is a no no, but what am I supposed to do? She takes a bottle soooo much better and sleeps like an angel when I pump as opposed to breast feeding an hour later she is cranky and still won't feed. What do I do? I wanted so badly to breast feed but everytime I try, Gabbie is mad and I am exhausted. Suggestions anyone?

On a lighter note, everything else is GREAT! When she sleeps, she sleeps and she is so beautiful and observant of everything around her. I love staring into her eyes when she is awake and I am glad to have her. I feel great and I have been up and about cleaning and moving around fine without any pain. Hopefully I will be able to go back to kick boxing in a matter of time when I am fully healed!

Please, suggestions, comfort, reassurance from anyone! I am sad this isn't working out and I am physically tired after trying so hard to get this down.

She's Here!

Gabriella Ray Crane made her entrance into the world on Tuesday, 4/14/2009. She weighed 6 lbs, 4 oz, and was 19 inches long. She has her mommy's fair skin and blonde hair and her daddy's facial features. She has 10 fingers and 10 toes and we are so in love with her!

At 10:30 on Monday night, I started having irregular contractions and by 12:30 am, they were then regular, intense, and 5 minutes a part. Todd was so excited the entire time everything was progressing that he got up, showered, put our suit case in the car, and watched me as I was lying on the floor, withering in pain. Since my contractions were regular and not too long a part, we headed up to Alta View Hospital. I was dilated to a 4 1/2 and was immediately admitted and everything went underway.

I had to wait about 1 1/2 hours for my epidural and I tell you, I have a new appreciation and respect for those women who do natural birth. What troopers! During my contractions, I wanted to die and there is no way a big whimp like me could handle the process of natural birth. Holy crap! Once I got the epidural, the process was smooth. My doctor had to break my water because I wasn't dilating very quickly and once he did, I dilated to a 10 in an hour and after pushing for 45 minutes, Gabbie came into this world. Todd and I were both crying and we are so thankful for this opportunity to be a mom and a dad.

I'm healing well and I don't have any pain. Gabbie is eating well and she is such a mellow, sweet baby. She scored an 8 on her Apgar test and she passed her hearing test. We get to come home tomorrow and I am excited to be in the comforts of our home, with our little one.

Here are some pictures of her big arrival, ENJOY!