Upcoming Six Month Baby Appointment

Hi!

Welcome back to the Millennial+Married blog

Today’s post is about our baby’s upcoming six-month Peds appointment.

Our questions and concerns include: solid foods introduction, teething expectations, vaccine schedule, and his physical/mental development.

Solid Foods

During Zay’s last check up, we learned the signs that indicate he is ready for solids. Neck strength is one definite sign. The Pediatrician assessed Zay by laying him down, placing his hands together, and pulled him up. At the time, his head did flop back a little which indicated that he wasn’t quite ready so his Pediatrician recommended we just feed him based on cue because he was not ready for solids.

It has been two months since Zay’s last Peds visit. Now, he is able to keep his neck straight and head up when pulled forward. So, I gave him a little rice cereal in his bottle and he drank it down with no issues. Now, I’m curious about when Zay can start eating from a bowl. We so excited to buy a cute high chair 😄.

Teething

Zay has been teething for two months now. He drools alot and sometimes his gums bother him, but his teeth have yet to erupt. He was born five weeks early so teeth eruption could be delayed. I want to ask about maintenance of his teeth when they do erupt.

Vaccine Schedule

He is due a few vaccines, including his first flu shot.

Physical/Mental Development

We do our parts as parents to ensure Zay is coming along in his development, especially since his was born early. We understand that premature babies, on average, catch up by the age of two. Still, we strive for our son to be the best that he can be and meet or come close to meeting his milestones.

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Hostility Over Mask Mandates?

We were on lock down for a few months and states are now re-opening; however, it doesn’t mean COVID19 is gone. It means we have to use caution. The standard regulation is to just wear a mask as a precaution, for the protection of you and those around you, when in public. Otherwise, you can do whatever you want in the privacy of your home.

Masks have been proven to lower the transmission rates by keeping the droplets from the mouth within the mask.

No Mask vs Masked
The mask catches the aerosolized droplets.
Credit: Dr. Richard David. Providence Sacred Heart Center.

As a healthcare professional, I support our local officials’ decision to make masks mandatory in an effort to mitigate the spread. Someone has to pull the reigns on reckless behavior or the virus will spin out of control.

The last few months have been understandably uncomfortable, but will be behind us with togetherness and cooperation.

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Happy Juneteenth!

Welcome back to the Millennial+Married blog

Happy Juneteenth everyone!


The Juneteenth Flag was created by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation and illustrator, Lisa Graf.

The White Star represents Texas, the Lone Star State. Along with the freedom of Americans across all 50 states.

The Burst Outline represents a nova, the name astronomers use for “new star.” So a new beginning for black Americans of Texas and the rest of America.

The Curved Horizon represents new opportunities and promise that lay ahead for Black Americans.

The Red, White, Blue represents the American Flag. Also, to remind those that former slaves and their descendants were and are American people.

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Going Back To School

Welcome back to the Millennial+Married blog.

Recently, I received good news; one of the best in a while.

I got accepted into a local college which brings me closer to obtaining my RN. This fall, I will be entering as a nontraditional, post bacc student.

Acceptance Email

Goals

*To document my nursing school here

*Perform to the best of my ability, which will reflect in my grades

*Balance family/work/school

*Try not to stress out too much lol

*Graduate (With Honors)

*Pass the NCLEX

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How to Maintain Your Milk Supply After Returning to Work

Welcome Back to the Millennial+Married blog

Today’s post is about how I have been able to maintain my milk supply since returning to work.

Milk Stash
Milk Stash

It has been two months since my return back to work. Baby Zay is primarily breastfed so it is important that I meet his nutritional needs. Here’s a short list of how I have been keeping my supply up:

Lactation Consultant

Our son’s Pediatric Office has a LC on staff that I receive support from. The office bills us to ensure our insurance will cover it (cool little loop hole) without us having to pay out of pocket.

Breast Pump

Breast pumps are great because you are able to release once your breast become engorged. I pump eight times per day because any less, in my experience, will make your supply decline.

Hydration

It’s important to stay hydrated or else your body will not produce much milk.

Converse With Other Moms

I embrace the advice given to me from other moms. It’s great to have a support system that you can share valuable information with.

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Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor was an EMT and aspiring nurse serving as the first point of care for many COVID19 victims. Today would have been her 27th birthday and I celebrate her life for being a positive force within her community. Her friends and family said she was attracted to healthcare because she cared about others. She once wrote: “Working in healthcare is so rewarding. It makes me feel happy when I know I’ve made a difference in someone else’s life”.

In a time where healthcare workers are accepting the risks and are becoming apart of the growing number of Covid19 victims, Breonna Taylor deserved much better.

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Baby’s Developmental Assessment

Welcome back to the Millennial+Married blog!

Our son was referred to Babies Can’t Wait because he was born early and spent time in the NICU. BCW’s role is to perform developmental assessments to check for any delays in meeting milestones and provide interventions if necessary. I’m excited and relieved that he passed his assessment with flying colors! That means all of our daily activities are working very well on him and he does not need any interventions.

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Our Engagement Story

Welcome back to the Millennial+Married Blog.

Two years ago this week, my husband proposed to me at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I was under the impression that we were taking couple photos for a friend’s photography business as we have done once before. During our last photoshoot two months prior, I thought he was going to propose and was a little disappointed when he didn’t.

The proposal took place in one of the most beautiful areas of the garden with a large fountain in the background. I started crying when he bent down on one knee because we talked about our future before and now it was here; a reality.

There were a few people around that gave us our congratulations. Later, we drove to a low country restaurant, which is my all time favorite food. My mom is from the low country of SC so I know it well. When I walked in, to my surprise, our family and friends were there! They were there to congratulate and celebrate our new engagement. We talked, ate, took pictures, and had a good time. Afterwards, it started raining and we ran to the car. There we kissed like they do in the movies; corny and in the rain lol.

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Life Update + Mother’s Day Weekend

Welcome back to the Millennial+Married blog.

It’s been a while since my last post. With everything going on, I needed to take a break and focus on other things.

Life Update

I got accepted into an HR certification program at Syracuse University. The program is virtual and is available at no cost to Active Duty Members, Reservists, Veterans, and their Dependents. The program offers several certification options, but HR was the only program that could benefit my career (I work in the healthcare industry). For further information visit http://ivmf.syracuse.edu/.

I’ve been working on my sewing skills and started an Etsy called Med Life Creations, where I provide low cost face masks for people to wear. I got tired of seeing people walking around not protecting themselves or the people around them so I created a solution. I don’t charge anywhere near the amount as others because I’m not looking to cash out during a Pandemic.

Mother’s Day Weekend

My first Mother’s Day weekend was wonderful! I received a lot of calls, texts, and gifts; it was like an early Christmas. My weekend started with a virtual meetup with other moms and it was fun. We laughed, cried, and encouraged each other. It was one of the most positive events I ever attended.

Moreover, I’m filled with much gratitude to be here to celebrate Mother’s Day due to the complications I endured during my third trimester; an opportunity many mothers do not have. In the United States, the maternal mortality rate is the highest of the developed world and the numbers are significantly greater amongst Black Women. Black women, regardless of education and financial status are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications. Women sacrifice so much to bring life to this world; our bodies, emotional wellbeing, time, etc.

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