We are Amber and Cody Johnson.
Our daughter, Stella Eleanor Johnson, was born at 3:26 a.m. on August 17, 2008, a day ahead of schedule and after 32 hours of unmedicated labor. Notice how we don’t necessarily call it a “natural” birth. How could any baby’s birth be called “unnatural”? Besides, that much pain doesn’t feel “natural.”
We were totally unprepared for what would follow her arrival. We’re told this is normal.
Stella was breastfed for three months. The plan was to do so for a full year. This dream crashed and burned, thanks to a lovely case of reflux and probable cow’s milk protein intolerance, which caused Stella pain and led her to refuse to eat. As a result, she was switched to hypoallergenic formula and had an NG tube for two months. (Want the details, lactose and all? Get the full story on how Stella went from the boob to the tube.)
Here, we have documented our journey toward a tube-free, bottle-friendly Stella, and we continue to post updates on how Stella is doing and the general craziness of new parenthood. The highs and lows. Screw-ups and blow-ups. Triumphs and tears. The big. The small. The ridiculous. As much as we can make time to share.
5 Comments
September 13, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Hi Amber,
I’m Julie, the editor of “Mamapedia Voices”, and we feature guest bloggers on Mamapedia, a site for Moms all across the country. I’ve just found your blog, and would like to invite you write a piece which could be featured on our site.
Though Mamapedia Voices has just started out, it is already receiving a lot of attention, both on our site, on our guest bloggers’ sites, and beyond. We promote our featured guest bloggers through emails, Twitter, Facebook and more. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow your audience!
If you would like to participate, please take a look at Mamapedia Voices. Next, sign up here http://bit.ly/UTCGU to be on the blogger roster, and then you will be able to see the complete (and easy) instructions for submitting a piece for consideration.
Also, because we like your blog, please download a recognition badge from us- there are many fun designs to choose from here: http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/blogger_badge
Thank you, and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Best wishes,
Julie D’Agostino
Editor, Mamapedia Voices
September 17, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Hi Julie, thanks for the invitation. I checked out Mamapedia–pretty cool! I will certainly submit something soon. I’m so glad you like the blog!
October 30, 2009 at 1:45 am
Hi Amber
I found your blog really helpful and motivating. Our little girls is 10 weeks old and her original need to be on the NG tube is now gone however a dependency has been built. It would be great to connect with you as she also had reflux (on losec and zantac now) and has bottle aversion. Guess what, she was born on the same day as Stella! I am hoping we can nail the weaning in the next few months but she is in the 10th perecentile of her weight so may need to wait a while. I have found that our practitioners don’t have a plan. I would really appreciated discussing the value of the Graz program with you.
Claire, Sydney
November 4, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Claire, how are things going? Did you get my email? I hope she is improving! Let’s talk soon.
November 18, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi Amber
No, I did not get your email. Would love to hear from you. I have not started the weaning yet but a very close to getting a plan set up as she has gone from drinking (half) to not doing anything and rejecting bottle. She is also on a hypo formula now but not sure she actually needs it. Would like to make it taste better but have been told not to mix it with anything. Did you find you had enough of a turnaroudn with MDS and support to go through the weaning? I am not sure whether to go with the Graz thing or not but do need a workable plan am a bit lost really!