March Moms 2006 - It's Raining Babies!

[lovin'it]

Shannon - She is sooo cute...makes me wanna kiss those cheeks. Congrats in such a cutie!

[Bernie]

Shannon - she is so beautiful - I am go glad she came home!

[ellybella]

shannon she is gorgeous and check out that wardrobe!!! so cute!

[heidi0622]

shannon: beautiful pictures of Noa. I'm glad to hear you are home!

tgal: wow, 6 weeks - beautiful pictures!

jennz: sorry about the ILs unexpected visit - don't worry about the dust bunnies this time!!

too funny about all of the touchdown sleepers :)

phart and christy5599: thanks for the advice on side-lying and co-sleeping. I tried the side-lying, but he didn't seem to take to it at all this morning.

We're really struggling with the sleep issues here. We were up last night 12:30-3:30, granted I fell asleep holding/feeding him in the rocking chair for a little bit of that time. He is out in our arms, but as soon as I put him down in his pack 'n play next to our bed, he flails, kicks and whines. He was up again to feed at 4:30-5:30 (then I passed him off to DH to rock him back to sleep), then up again at 6:30. We tried staying in bed until 10am, he fed 3 or 4 times between 6:30 and 10am. He fell asleep once on my chest during that time and that was it.

I wouldn't mind feeding him every 2 hours, but he can take up to an hour to eat and then needs another 15-30 minutes to be rocked to sleep which leaves us about a 1/2 hour in between feedings at night and sometimes no time at all - the feedings run together.

I'm really trying to keep up with this feeding on demand thing, but he has been wanting to eat every 1-2 hours for almost a week now. Is that normal? I feed basically anytime he has his fists in his mouth or starts rooting.

Sorry for the long-winded vent...

[tunibell]

Shannon - She is absolutely gorgeous! Those lips! Those munchable arms and legs! And my does she take a lovely picture. Congratulations, sweetie!

[Pink_Converse]

Shannon-Noa is so cute!:D

[MichelleRenee]

OMG Shannon, she is gorgeous! What a beautiful little face! In those second two pics I would never guess she had had any problems with her heart! She looks so healthy! Congrats on taking her home (FINALLY!).

[losthoosier]

Love all the pics. Congrats Shannon on bringing her home. She looks beautiful.

Things are going good here Mackenzie had her 2 week appt today she is back up to her birth weight and has grew 2 inches. Breastfeeding is going better still having to supplement as she never seems to be full. My mom left today so its the first time I am alone with my husband and the baby.

[JennW]

Shannon - I am so happy Noa got to come home with you guys and that she is doing better! I love her outfit for coming home.:D

[Tracie]

Shannon So happy that Noa is home with you! She is so adorable!

My little guy slept from 9:30 - 3:00 am last night! That is by far the longest he has ever slept. I hope that wasn't a one time thing - we could all use more sleep around here!

[tgal]

Who said the emotions are gone! Shannon that pic of your dh kissing Noa brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy that she is home with you. My prayers continue to be with all of you. She is a gem, I want to pinch those cheeks! Simply adorable.

Heidi: If you have found that he wants to be held constantly, I would say it is more colic than a growth spurt. However, if you have luck like ours, they could happen at the same time.

Lost: Wow, two inches in two weeks! Grow little girl grow!

[tgal]

My little guy slept from 9:30 - 3:00 am last night!

Tracie: lucky you!

My question regarding this, if you are bfing, do you pump if your DC sleeps longer than your normal scheduled feedings?

[tray622]

shannon I am glad you are home! Noa is a beauty!

We are home as well and Jocelyn is doing okay. We are having rough moments but hanging in. The feedings are much easier than before though! I think we have colic hanging in here with the stomach issue too making things interesting.

[kdotp]

Shannon Noa is absolutely beautiful!! I'm so happy she's home with you now.

BFing continues to be a trial. I'm now battling thrush (I think) and a horrendous latch and suck (especially on the right side) which I think is due to nipple confusion and the difficulty of getting a good latch while using the lactation aid. I was in excruciating pain last night trying to feed, Grant wouldn't latch and wouldn't calm down and I eventually had to hand G off to DH for a bottle because I couldn't take it anymore.

[jen71]

Shannon-good news! Beautiful pictures.

Tray- glad things are going well.

Iam is up to 9lbs, I had to take him in for weight & blood draw yesterday. He gets his labs tuesdays & fridays. Poor little guy. He is eating every 2-3 hrs, but 2.5-3 oz. Wish he would take more & spread them out.

Oh, and AF has made her return arrival. Fun, fun.....

[Christy5599]

Wow Jen, that's soon for AF, isn't it? I'm hoping I can avoid her for as long as possible!

Borrowed my sister's breast pump (milk doesn't go through the tubes) last night. I sterilized everything today but I'm finding it difficult to come to terms with pumping. I LOVE feeding Patrick... it's something so special between him and I and the thought of milking myself leaves something to be desired! Anyone else have a hard time getting through this? Any advice?

[JennW]

...but I'm finding it difficult to come to terms with pumping. I LOVE feeding Patrick... it's something so special between him and I and the thought of milking myself leaves something to be desired! Anyone else have a hard time getting through this? Any advice?
Christy - No advice here but I just wanted to say I feel the same way! I am dreading pumping for the same reason.

[junkinmytrunk]

....and hoping it posts!


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da20b3127cce884019b4d16500000016108AZt2zRi0ZNA

dang......Shutterfly no longer works here??!!

[JennW]

Umbilical cord question - Owen's cord came off yesterday. Today a small piece was left and it came off (possibly prematurely). Ever since then it has been bleeding a bit. I keep cleaning it but it keeps having blood in it. He doesn't seem to mind when I clean it so it doesn't hurt I guess but is this normal??? I hope so. I figured I'd give it a day to dry out some more and if not I can call the doctor. Anyone have something similar happen?

TIA!:)

[tunibell]

Had a bit of a crappy afternoon. We took Piper to get weighed at this new parent center we belong to as sort of a preview to Monday's one-month appointment. The last time we weighed her (same scale) was on 3/16, and she clocked in at 6 lbs, 9 oz. Sixteen days later, she weighs 7 lbs, 2 oz...which means she's gaining at a rate of .5 ounces a day, half of the ounce-per-day gain the ped will be looking for on Monday. I was so upset I burst into tears on the spot. :(

I know she's not getting optimal flow with the shields, but I still can't get her to latch on properly without it. And for the last week, she comes away from most feedings pretty pissed off (arched back, crying) - even though I let her nurse whenever she wants and for as long as she wants. Add this to the occasional green stools, and the daily vomit session, and I'm one unhappy momma. I feel like I'm feeding the poor kid battery acid. And I hate not knowing if this is a stomach bug, or a GI problem, or a food sensitivity issue, or just a par-for-the-course newborn issue.

Fooey.

[maplekitty]

Congratulations to all you new mommies!! :D

I just love seeing pics of all your gorgeous little babies!!

*patiently waiting for the next 6 months to go by* :)

[JennW]

tuni - So sorry about the frustrations with BFing. Have you popped into the BF help thread? There are some great ladies in there to answer lots of questions.

Maple - The next six months will fly for you! My pregnancy went so fast. Enjoy it and good luck!

[aprilshowers]

I love all the pictures of the touchdown sleepers! We have a little fencer ourselves :) When she's really fussing she turns into an air guitar player. Funny how these kids are still adorable even when they're screaming their heads off, huh? :)

Shannon, those pictures are sooo sweet. I absolutely love that one in the pouch! Makes me want to run out and get one :) I am so glad you finally got to bring your little angel home. Good luck with all your appointments - I will be thinking of you. Keep us updated when you have the time.

tuni, our ped only wanted to see 1/2 - 1 oz per day so she is meeting that criteria. Is there a reason yours wanted to see a full oz? I wouldn't stress about the occasional green stool. We've got them too and even sometimes for a couple of days in a row. If you aren't getting them on a consistent basis it is most likely just something you've eaten and not something to be concerned about. The screaming and vomit could be a mild case of reflux. Have you tried holding her upright for a while after each feeding? That has cut down tons on our spit-up/vomit issues. NP said to do it for 30 minutes but I found 15 minutes usually works for us. It is a pain at night since it adds more time not sleeping for mom or dad but I would rather spend another 15 minutes holding her than an hour trying to sooth a crying baby back to sleep.

junk, glad to see you popping in! Yeah, Shutterfly doesn't work any more - I haven't figured out posting pictures yet so I can't help you but hopefully someone else here can - we could love to see Pierson's little face!

Amanda, yeah, I have the same feelings about pumping. I tried it once and it just felt so weird. We're going to try to introduce a bottle today for the first time which makes me a little sad. But I try to look at the bright side - I get to take a nap while DH is feeding her!

jen71, 2.5-3 oz actually sounds like quite a lot at one time! DD takes closer to 2 oz and feeds anywhere between 1 1/2 to 4 hours during the day, sometimes longer at night. So it sounds like your little guy is doing great!

kdotp, I feel for you on the thrush pain. It is not fun! We had it 3 weeks ago and while the pain is tons better I have no idea how to tell if it's gone or not. Are you being treated? You might try some ibuprofen to deal with the pain in the meantime - it helped me a lot.

tray, glad to hear things are mostly going well and you all are home. How old is Jocelyn now? I have been reading that things get much better in terms of fussiness/crying around 6 weeks so hopefully those colic symptoms will go away then.

heidi, so sorry to hear about the sleep/feeding issues. We had the same issue with her being fast asleep and then as soon as we put her in the PNP she'd be wide awake and very unhappy. Ped said it was reflux for us - hopefully it is something easily fixable for you too. Will he settle down if you offer him a finger to suck on? Ellie sucks on her hands a lot too but I think it is more of a comfort thing than a hunger thing at this point. Good luck, it must be so frustrating to be up that often. Does he sleep well during the day?

I'm hearing some squeaks from the other room so it sounds like someone is waking up. I am looking forward to a lazy Sunday after running around doing errands yesterday. We actually got some sleep last night which was a blessing! I've been reading "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" recently which has some interesting ideas that have already started making our lives easier. Hope you all have a nice rest of the weekend!

[tray622]

maplekitty Thanks! Your edd is dd #1's birthday :)

[kat]

LOL at all the touchdown sleepers!!! Alex sleeps like that (or did, when he slept flat in the PNP....now they both sleep in the Fisher Price Papasan chairs (Audrey loved hers so much we went back & got another one for Alex).

Audrey doesn't sleep in touchdown mode, but she does sleep with her arms stretched straight out sometimes. As in reaching out to us as if to say, "pick me up!"

Question: are any of your babies REALLY restless and noisy sleepers? I mean bad enough to keep *you* awake? Alex makes the normal baby noises during his sleep, but Audrey is so freakin' loud (whinnying like a horse, flailing her arms & kicking her legs....even crying....all in her sleep!!!). It's really bizarre - I've never seen anything like it. Anyone else's kid do that?

Alex has started "talking" (cooing) like crazy - it's so cute! I think it's funny that he's more "advanced" re: talking but Audrey is better coordinated (she's able to control her head & hands really well now -- even bends her neck down to get her pacifier back in her mouth when it falls out close by). So each of them has strengths that the other doesn't. I just think that's fun to watch.

Had my six week postpartum visit this week....still 14 lbs. over my pre-pregnancy weight (not too bad, considering I gained 62 lbs. total). However, that weight was about 20 lbs. over my "normal" weight, thanks to all the fertility drugs. So I have about 35 to lose. Eh, whatevah.

Oops - Alex's cooing has turned to crying......

[phart]

Question: are any of your babies REALLY restless and noisy sleepers? I mean bad enough to keep *you* awake? Alex makes the normal baby noises during his sleep, but Audrey is so freakin' loud (whinnying like a horse, flailing her arms & kicking her legs....even crying....all in her sleep!!!). It's really bizarre - I've never seen anything like it. Anyone else's kid do that?

This is Maura. Although last night she was very quiet. I had a few beers. I should have beer more often.*

[jen71]

Kat- Ian is so loud at night. He lays there making noises, sounds like a billy goat to me. I tell DH he inherited that from his side. It is awful, always keeps us up, we jump up to look at him, & he is asleep.

April-thanks, that makes me feel alot better!!!!

[dec27bride]

This is too funny about the loud sleepers, count us in. Last night, Arleigh was making noises that sounded like a turkey gobbling.

kat-Good going on the weight loss, that's great! I have about 15 to go to pre-pregnancy weight also, and it's all in my belly :mad: .

And speaking of bellies, I thought that line, the linea negra (?) was supposed to go away after delivery? Mine is still there, still quite dark, not so thrilled about that.

[losthoosier]

I too have a loud sleeper.. it sounds like a cat is whining while she sleeps.

I have a question for those who are formula feeding. What type of formula are you using and why. I am still having to supplement, but think the formula may be the cause of the gas issues. The hospital sent us home with good start, but not sure if its best.

Kat great job on the weight loss.

As far as weight loss I am down 35 lbs, so that makes me 25 lbs under pre-pregnancy wieght. I still have lots to do but am determined to lose the rest before her 1st birthday. I am not dieting, but just eating really healthy so not to ruin the little supply that I do have.

Dec27, I still have the line..............but I have also been told it goes away so hopefully it will.

[kat]

Well, I haven't exactly been trying to lose weight.....I've eaten more candy bars, pizza and chocolate cake in the last six weeks than I have in my life....I think it's pretty normal to be about 15-20 lbs. over pre-pregnancy weight by the six week checkup, right? Even without any dieting? I dunno - maybe for once in my life I have a faster than normal metabolism. Either that or I should market the "chocolate and pizza" diet. :D

I'm so glad to hear that other babies make similar noises! I thought maybe Audrey was a weirdo or something. :)

We're off to my mom's today, for the day. I've been taking these kids on either a car ride or stroller ride every day for the past five days -- it's my cure-all for The Crankies. So far, it works. Went for a really long stroller walk (from home) when it was gorgeous out, and the kids really loved the feel of the breeze. It was so cute to watch!

Then last Friday I took them up to Kenosha (about 40 minutes north of my home) to meet my mom for some kid clothes outlet shopping. Scored a few cute things, but more importanly got to spend time with grandma (and even more important, grandma got to help with feeding time!).

Saturday DH and I took them down to Navy Pier cuz DH had to pick up a race packet for an 8K he was running the next day.....Oh. My. Lord. SOOOOOOOO CROWDED (inexplicably, cuz the weather was really crappy). It took us forty minutes to get into the parking garage and parked, and another forty to get out. We were dangerously close to the twins' next feeding time (in fact, we ended up going way past it) and I was panicky. We had the stuff to feed them but didn't want to do so on the road if we didn't have to....so we took a chance and just drove home. They ended up eating an hour later than normal, and boy were they mad at us. :) Lesson learned. However, we also learned that in a pinch, a moving car trumps an empty tummy (neither one of them protested at all until we got home).

So today we're off again. My mom & sis are so excited to see them again, and I sure can use the extra four hands!

losthoosier: we use Enfamil Lipil (the "standard" Enfamil formula). That's what we had in the hospital, and they were fine on it until I decided they needed organic.....and then we tried Enfamil Gentlease and Enfamil Nutramigen (both supposedly easier on the tummy).....but those gave them even worse gas, so we switched back to the regular stuff and they've been fine since. I need to remember that if it ain't broke, I shouldn't fix!

dec27bride: I still have the linea negra, too (mine was always faint, and still is). Hope it goes away, but then again my tummy looks like such a war zone that I guess I have bigger fish to fry.

[amychris03]

So Sam wanted to eat ALL NIGHT last night and just about every
hour or so today- sometimes for up to an hour. I take it this is
the 3 week growth spurt I've heard so much about? I feel bad for
the little guy- He has reflux (though he doesn't spit up very often)
and you can tell it's bothering him more because he is eating more.
He gets this horrible look on his face and gags. He also has some
frustration issues when he has to poop. I think he has a hard
time relaxing to get it out. So with the increased feedings, poor
guy is having a tough day as far as poops go as well. How long
do the increased feeds with the growth spurts usually last?

aprilshowers
What did your dr recommend that you do for the reflux if you dont
mind me asking. Since Sam's is mild and he usually is able to
prevent it from coming up, I doubt the dr will do anything (she
isnt for now anyways) but I still feel bad for him, it looks like
it burns his throat or something when he gags.

kat and losthoosier Nice weight loss ladies!

dec27 I still have my linea negra too! It better fade!

loud sleepers: Totally. DH can sleep right through it, must be
nice!!! We usually get one hour or so of nice sound sleep and then
one hour of moving around/vocalizing before he gets up to eat.

Speaking of which... He's alseep in his bouncy chair so I should go
eat something while I have the chance!!

[brooke]

losthoosier We supplement BF/EBM with Similac Advance with Iron...seems to be happy. We switched to Soy version after I feared Declan had an milk allergy...but turned out to be a head cold...(strangely enough we had real gas issues with the Soy version..)

[red_canuck]

Hey guys!! Oh man, count me in with the noisey sleepers! DS is a squeaker...we are already plannign on dressing him up as a mouse for halloween! Squeak this, squeak that, he sound slike a rusty chair! it's so freaking cute :D

I know I don't really count for weight loss since I have special circumstances, but I am now 40 pounds under my pre-preggo weight, and 50 under my highest preggo weight. That may sound nice, but it's because my diet has been reduced to only fruits and veggies at this point because of my gallstones. I am DYING for some real food!! And I dont' even get to see the surgeon until May 8th!! It's hard to eat enough calories to keep up my milk supply. And to add icing to the cake, I had to cut out all diary because it seems Mr. Logan is sensitive to it (had green poops and lots of spit up, I cut out the diary on the advice of my midwives and his poops are yellow again and hardly any spitup. good for him, bad for mommy!) bah humbug I say :p It did feel good to put on the jeans I havne't worn since 1999 though (my mom unearthed them from the closet at him, bless her heart for being a packrat and keeping everything!)

[Tracie]

Tracie: lucky you!

My question regarding this, if you are bfing, do you pump if your DC sleeps longer than your normal scheduled feedings?

I'm only pumping because DS won't take the breast, so I can't really say. I have supply issues so I never feel engorged or full so I can (and usually do) go all night without pumping without being uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, he has not slept that long since, and was up with DH from 1:00 on last night! :(

JennW/Umbilical Cord My DS's belly button bled after his umbilical cord came off. I read that a little blood was normal but when it was still bleeding a little over a week later at his 2 week appointment, I asked the doctor about it. She peeked in his belly button and found that there was still a piece left in there. She said it was no big deal and that it would fall out. I guess it has, because it's stopped bleeding.

[dec27bride]

Ahhh, saving us from the second page :D ! I hope you all aren't posting, b/c you're sleeping, (b/c I sure wish I was ;) ).
We didn't have a great night last night. Arleigh wanted to eat every 2 hours, and when she was not eating, she was having a restless, noisy (as previously discussed) sleep. Hopefully tonight will be better.

[yby1]

So Sam wanted to eat ALL NIGHT last night and just about every
hour or so today- sometimes for up to an hour. I take it this is
the 3 week growth spurt I've heard so much about? I feel bad for
the little guy- He has reflux (though he doesn't spit up very often)
and you can tell it's bothering him more because he is eating more.
He gets this horrible look on his face and gags. He also has some
frustration issues when he has to poop. I think he has a hard
time relaxing to get it out. So with the increased feedings, poor
guy is having a tough day as far as poops go as well. How long
do the increased feeds with the growth spurts usually last?



I'm going through this with Mattias. He's been on a feeding frenzy for 4 days now. He's slowed down today. I was just walking around without a shirt at home for the last two days. :p I notice that he's bigger every morning. He's finally starting to fit into his newborn size clothes. :) He has bad gas too. I try to burp him and give him tummy time as much as possible.

[ellybella]

amy james seems to have the same frustrations tyring to poop, he's such a grunter and turns red. i feel so bad!

tgal i'm pumping when i get really full. if not it gets very painful for me and i leak like crazy! i have about 15 oz frozen so far, this is for dh to take over a night time feeding. my lc recommended waiting until 3 weeks to introduce the bottle so i'm counting the days.

we had our first pedi appt. 2 days after discharge from the hospital, ds was down to 7lbs 2oz. and he weighed in back to his birth weight of 7lbs 11oz. dr. was in disbelief that he'd gained 9 oz in 2 days and made us weigh him on another scale to be sure. we had our second weigh in yesterday, at 11 days, and he's up to 8lbs 9oz. they didn't measure his lenght again though, i'm very curious.

kat your weight loss is great considering all you gained. i was wondering what your results were for audrey's pilonital (sp?) cyst? james has the same thing and we had our u/s yesterday. the radiologist said he didn't see anything, but if our dr. wanted to see more it would mean an mri. i was worried since audrey's experience was so traumatic, but james slept the entire time, with the expection of a couple toots for the technician :o it was pretty funny.

i was at the lower end of my pre-preg weight, but i have lost 23 lbs thus far, not too bad for 11 days. i think most of the weight loss is due to lack of appetite for that first week home.

linea negra mine was pretty light too, but post preg it's a lot darker and around my belly button is darker too. will the sun keep it from lightening?

bleeding bb james lost his a few days ago and his was bleeding yesterday since there are still some crusties in it. is anyone saving theirs?

[Bernie]

More noisy and restless sleepers here - not only are they loud at night (especially Amelia) - they seem to move a lot. She always winds up on her side, with her feet in her brother's stomach. Last night, she pulled her arms out of her sleeper, managed to turn it around, and put her arms back in. Pretty amazing.

tgal - I haven't been pumping if their feedings are a bit off schedule, but if I give them a bottle, I then have to pump (or deal with soreness and leaking) - which kind of cuts down on the efficiencies of bottle feeding them.
linea negra - still have mine too. And it is still dark. I'm definitely not planning on being in a bikini this summer, but I still would like it to go away before then.

[JennZ]

Hi Girls!
Everyone must be nuzzled up with their little ones today! How fun!! :)
We have a noisy sleeper, too. Graham just grunts and groans and makes the cutest noises- but they are loud! It cracks me up! I have to keep checking to see if he is awake or asleep.
We had our one month check-up yesterday.
At two weeks, Graham was up to 8 pounds 5 ounces. Yesterday he weighed in at a whopping 11 pounds 1 ounce!! Can you believe it? So that explains the non-stop eating frenzy last week! I am in shock that I am actually making him grow so much all by myself!
What a feeling!
I didn't get to BF exclusively with first DS and DD, so I am just in shock that I have been able to do this so far!
It does help a little with the sore bb's and total lack of sleep to see how well he is growing!
But don't get me wrong, I'm still EXHAUSTED and I dream about maybe just letting DH give him ONE bottle in the middle of the night so I can sleep longer than an hour at a time! :D So far I'm staying strong.............

[phart]

JennZ~~Way to go! It's a great feeling, huh? I used to call myself "The Sustainer of Life" (instead of just Giver of Life) when Aiden would ignore me for his Dada. We have our one month appt tomorrow and I'm *excited* to see what Maura weighs:)

[Elenitsa]

HI girls! Hope all our moms are doing well and getting at least enough sleep to function.

My thoughts and prayers all with all of you who are experiencing any kind of adversity. I just well up with tears thinking about your tiny little ones and I just remind myself to count each and every blessing from above. My heart goes out to each of you who have had surgeries in the last several weeks or those whose surgeries are upcoming.

Things are mostly ok in my camp. Still trying to BF and supplementing. My supply is lame, but I'm trying. BM seems to be like liquid gold.

one question to the girls who have gotten slings, and I seem to remember that Phart I think makes them. I have a bjorn, but I think I wanted something for a cradle position. I know there is a sling thread, but find myself lost in the types out there. Can anyone cut through all the info and give me the readers digest version?

[heidi0622]

Wow, Jenn - what a growth spurt!!

I took Ben in for a weight check today - 8lb 5oz - up from 7lb 2oz 2 weeks ago. Glad to see my milk doing its job.

Our big accomplishment was a 2 3-hour stretches of sleep last night. The last stretch was a NOISY one. I would have thought something was wrong if I didn't hear from all of you as to how normal it is. Ben is a big time grunter!

QuestionHowever after the past few days of non-stop eating, today he is non-stop sleeping. I've had to wake him twice after going 3 hours between feedings today. He eats well after I wake him which makes me think this non-stop sleeping is okay - he doesn't seem sick at all? He has basically been awake to eat today and that is it. Maybe after a great night last night, we're in for no sleep tonight...who knows?

I feel like such a freak at times - I beg for him to sleep for longer stretches and as soon as he does, I think something is wrong.

[tunibell]

My mo does not seem to be growing as well as her contemporaries here - at her 1 mo. appt yesterday, she was only up 11 oz in 17 days (10th percentile). I was wondering how often everyone's little people poop? This kid has a BM with practically every feeding, and I'm curious if that is partially responsible for her slow growth.

I pretty much have to renew my commitment to BFing every hour now.

[red_canuck]

Heidi, don't worry, a sleepy day after a growth spurt or the constant feedings is perfectly normal, and it's great if Ben will have a 4-5 hour stretch of sleep a day! My midwives were specific in saying not to worry about waking him up until after the 5 hour window once in 24 hours. It's all good. Congratulations on the 2 3 hour stretches!! How are you feeling today? Probably don't know what to do with yourself being a bit more rested, eh? lol. So happy for you :D I will keep everyhting crossed Ben does it again tonight :D Logan does the same 2 3hour stretches at night, it's very nice :D Too bad it still takes an hour to feed and change him between the stretches :p

[Elenitsa]

Tuni our little person poops like 2-3 times a day and we can always hear it. She sends out little explosions. A few days it has only been like 1 a day. I think I have read that BF babies poop more often then formula fed babies, sometimes the added iron in Formula makes them more constipated. But, don't be too worried about her growth unless your ped is. All kids grow at different rates. I think the LC had send that after 6 days olds babies should have at least 6 wet dipes a day and 2-3 poops (if they are being BF, less if not). I know all this b/c I was counting like mad and tracking it like mad for the first two weeks b/c we had almost started dehydrated our little girl all while still in the hospital b/c my milk didn't come in and frankly it really hasn't, but I give her as much as I'm producing and trying like crazy to bring it up.

[dec27bride]

tuni-Just yesterday I read that it is normal for breastfed babies to poop after every feeding, as breastmilk is a natural laxative. Arleigh poops all day long too, so that made me feel better :p

[phart]

Elenitsa~~A pouch or a ring sling will allow you to put your baby in the cradle position. I have both and like both. I'm currently using a Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Cotton Pouch (or fleece...I have both) a ton. I love it. The great thing about a pouch is that you don't have to adjust it. You do need to adjust a ring sling.

Heidi~~Generally speaking, sleep begets sleep in newborns/small children. If they have a great day of sleep then they generally sleep well at night. Overly tired does not mean they sleep better at night. Might work for adults but not for children.

tuni~~Yes. BF babies generally have a BM with every feeding right now. It's totally normal.

[red_canuck]

tuni, I completely agree with shannon. I think I have changed a non-poopy diaper only a handful of times in three weeks. Logan is ALWAYS pooping! Probably at least 11-12 times a day


edited because sleep deprivation has made me bad typing even worst!

[losthoosier]

Now I am nervous as my little girl has a bm everyother day. The dr told me it was normal for a breastfeed baby. When she does have a bm it is a big one, that goes on for a long time. Does anyone else have this???

[tgal]

DD had BM's after every feeding initially and now close to 7 weeks she is down to anywhere from 2-5 a day. I only count those that are the size of a quarter or larger according to her doctor. You can definitely hear it when she goes. I used to call them Fluffs, but now they are definitely man farts!

[aprilshowers]

aprilshowers
What did your dr recommend that you do for the reflux if you dont
mind me asking. amy, she just told us to hold her upright (or at least partially elevated) for 30 minutes after each feeding. In our case, DD does spit up a lot (and it could be anywhere from during the feeding to hours afterwards) but holding her upright seems to have helped.

red, my DH, who keeps tabs on us March Mamas almost as closely as I do, cracked up at this: edited because sleep deprivation has made me bad typing even worst! :p

lost, I think that is normal too. It seems like there is a very wide range of what is "normal" in terms of pooping!

linea negra, mine's hanging around as well.

weight loss, still got 10 lbs to go and it is all in my belly. Anyone else still wearing their maternity clothes or am I the only one? :( I did get my "fat jeans" buttoned the other day but they were not comfortable enough to wear for any extended period of time.

[mom2amelia]

Now I am nervous as my little girl has a bm everyother day. The dr told me it was normal for a breastfeed baby. When she does have a bm it is a big one, that goes on for a long time. Does anyone else have this???

Phoebe went 4 days without pooping and then had an explosion. She has only ever had breastmilk. Amelia pooped with every feed and was supplemented with formula. Go figure.

[Christy5599]

APril, I'm 4 weeks PP and still in maternity stuff... well, low rise old navy jeans and I bought some large shirts to replace my empire waist stuff. I also still have 10lbs to go and it's all in my butt, hips and tummy. I'm hoping the weather will change very quickly so we can get out and walk in the sunshine so I can loose some of the junk in the trunk! :D :D :D

[dec27bride]

april-On the days that I actually make it out of my bathrobe and yoga pants ;) , I still wear my maternity clothes, aside from one pair of jeans with a very low waist. All my leftover weight is in my belly too, and as I discovered last night, none of my work pants fit...Thats going to be a problem!
lost-If your Dr. says thats okay, I wouldn't worry. Heck, count your blessings! :D

We're going to look at daycares today. Can't believe how fast my time off has gone by (especially considering I've been awake for most of it ;) )! I have to go back to work the last week in April, which leaves me with only 2.5 more weeks.

[red_canuck]

arg, so frustrated! Our pediatrician has decided to retire! Why the hell did he accept us as new clients if he's going to retire next month? It's nearly timpossible to find a pediatrician or family dr. around here, I am pulling out my hair worried about where to get Logan's 2 month appt.

We're also going through the much publicized 3 week growth spurt, this is the first time Logan hasn't been attached to my boob since 4 am this morning. ouveiy. It's a good thing nipples don't pucker up like my hands do after a long bath :p I'd have granny nipples by now!!

counting down the days till my gallbladder surgery, May 8th. Until then I am on a strict veggies and fruit diet, since they are the only things that won't trigger a gallstone attack. Sucks big time, I am DYING for some real food!!

oh geez, boob man calls, gotta run!

[Tracie]

linea nigra Mine's still hanging around as well. It's pretty light though. I would still wear a bikini, at least if my belly gets in some decent shape, that is.

maternity clothes - I have not worn any maternity clothes since I had the baby, except for one pair of sweats that I knew I'd wear long after I needed maternity - they don't really look like maternity and they fit great either way. However, I am still up 13 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight, and up about 5 pounds from my highest non-pregnant weight. I usually wear my pants loose, which is the only reason they fit.

I took a blood test to check my glucose levels this morning. Keep your fingers crossed that they were low!

[jen71]

Eleni- I have a kangaroo pouch & a hotsling. Hotsling has a website, & the KP is a site too, but honestly I do not know it, I got them a year ago. I like both.

April- I finally went out & bought a few pairs of shorts, & a pair of pants & jeans. The pants & jeans I got at walmart, they were only $18! I like them, low waisted. They are 3 sizes bigger than my PP size!! But, I never really got a whole lot of maternity stuff, so I don't have alot to wear.

The only thing I hate about the low waist pants is is seems to "squish" out my belly even more, over the top of them!!

I go back to work monday!! UGH!!! Back to 12 hour shifts, with a nonsleeping baby. Yuck.....

Ian is up to 9lbs, 4 oz, went yesterday to clinic, he was 8lbs, 8oz last friday. Growing like a trooper. He is finally starting to nap during the day too.

He only poops once daily, but that is normal for FF babies.

[kat]

ellybella:

i was wondering what your results were for audrey's pilonital (sp?) cyst?

Hmmm...I don't think that's what she had (or is it?). She has a little dimple at the base of her spine (sacral), but nobody ever said anything about a cyst. Maybe you know something I don't? FIll me in! FIll me in! :D

******
maternity clothes: I packed away most of my non-maternity clothes before having the twins (we're planning to move in a couple of months). I've been wearing maternity clothes (well, they're basically just tee shirts and these yoga-like pants -- I have four pairs!:

http://a940.g.akamai.net/7/940/449/0003/www.estyle.com/images/product/19046_MID_r.jpg


Not only do they fit my babyweight-sized body, but the one thing I absolutely LOVE is that because I'm not planning on ever being pregnant again, I can treat these clothes like crap and not care. Kids can spit up on them and if the stain doesn't come out, who cares? I can wash them and throw them in the dryer and not care if they shrink or fade. I can wash un-like colors together and not care if anything bleeds. It's so liberating!! :D

[tunibell]

kat - HA! Those pants you posted? I'm wearing the slate ones as I type. I also have the brown and black ones, and they are literally the only things I wear (other than a nursing bra!) around the clock.

So it looks like Piper has reflux. We got a prescription for baby Zantac yesterday night, and she hasn't booted once yet (knock on wood). Last night was terrrrrible though - she refused to sleep for more than 40 minutes at a time without being held. Mommy sleepy.

[amychris03]

tuni
So does Pipers dr think the not wanting to be put down has to do
with the reflux? Sam hasn't slept laying down for more than an
hour the past few days, but will sitting up in his bouncy. I can
tell that when he gags from the reflux that it burns his little
esophagus or something because he gets this horrible look on his
face. He also acts like he is clearing his throat all the time. Im
wondering if I should call the Ped and ask her if the two are
related. I assumed the restlessness had to do with his growth
spurt.

[ShannonGH]

Hi girls! Things have finally started to calm down a little around here and I wanted to come in and visit. :)

Tomorrow (Thurs), Noa will be 2 weeks old. Tomorrow also marks her being home for one week. It has been so wonderful having her home. We had her first ped visit on Monday morning and she was up to 8lb 5 oz (from her birth weight of 7lb 15 oz).

I think the most challenging part so far has been everyone that wants to come visit! Our home has been a revolving door of visitors and it is so exhausting...not that they expect me to entertain them or anything...but just visiting itself is tiring on little sleep.

On a good note, Noa had a fabulous night's sleep last night and, therefore, so did I. I haven't felt this well-rested during the day since she's been home. Granted, she still woke every 2-3 hrs to feed but between feedings, she slept very soundly.

Question for bfing moms: I remember reading or hearing somewhere that we should stay away from eating peanuts to reduce the likelihood of peanut allergies....is that true or did I dream that up?

tuni, so glad you got a diagnosis and I hope the Zantac continues to do the trick.

[kdotp]

Maternity clothes I've been living in my maternity jeans and yoga pants. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to go back to work in 2 weeks. I suppose I'll have to buy some new pants, although I'm loathe to do so. I'm down about 20 lbs, but still have about 25 to go. Hopefully since it's getting nicer out, we'll be able to go on walks and start exercising more.

poop G usually only poops once a day, sometimes once every other day. I think it's mostly due to the supplementation.
-------------------
It's hard to believe Grant was 4 weeks old yesterday!

BFing is still an issue here. I've figured out a system where we nurse on one side with the lactation aid and pump on the other so both sides get stimulated, but I'm lucky if I get even one ounce per 30min pumping session; usually it's more like half an ounce. It's disappointing and frustrating and I probably won't be able to continue after I go back to work only because my body does not respond well at all to the pump. I'm doing everything I can -- eating oatmeal, taking fenugreek, drinking water -- I just have a sucky supply. And now G has issues with latching and nipple confusion from going between bottle and breast. Out of anything, BFing has been the hardest to deal with.

Grant seems to be doing well, though. He got weighed at Mommy & Me on Monday and is up to 9lb 8oz, but I'm sure that's more due to the supplementing he's getting rather than just me.

He got to meet two of his cousins on Sunday -- B/SIL came over with their 14mo girl and my oldest sister came over with her 7-yo boy. He pretty much slept entirely through all the excitement.

One of his nicknames is Noodle Boy, and this best illustrates why:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/noodleboy.jpg

[phart]

I remember reading or hearing somewhere that we should stay away from eating peanuts to reduce the likelihood of peanut allergies....is that true or did I dream that up?

I don't think you dreamt it up but I do think that unless your family has a strong history of peanut/food in general allergies then I wouldn't worry about it.

[dec27bride]

We need more baby pics ladies, so I'll start...

Here is Arleigh and me supporting our CC habit...
http://images.snapfish.com/34674%3A9%3B%3B%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B97% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233637663%3B96nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/34674%3A9%3B%3B%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B9 7%3EWSNRCG%3D3233637663%3B9%3Cnu0mrj

And one with her Daddy...
http://images.snapfish.com/34674%3A9%3B%3B%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B97% 3EWSNRCG%3D323362687%3A5%3A%3Bnu0mrj
We found her a daycare today, so that's one less thing to worry about. And it's close to my work, which is very helpful, especially for that first week or so when I'm going to want to go see her on my lunchbreak every day :) .

tuni- I saw your post in the "worst mommy" thread in parenting, and I'm still laughing about the vet comment!

[ce_Kathleen]

hey ladies!

NAK so bear with me...

So
Nathan is now 4wk and up to 11lbs 1oz! nursing is going well now that we have a good latch. I have to say that dealing with a 19 month old and a newborn is tough, but we have managed thus far. I fear when I go back to work and DH is home by himself all day with both kids! I have been home with both kids for a few hours at a time when DH works (he only works a few evenings a week, no more than 15hr/wk) and it can beeasy or hard!

Alex has adjusted well to Nathan and he has been napping in his big boy bed for almost 2 weeks with no issues.

maternity clothes - I am stll wearing my pants but I can almost button my fat pants its just this darn belly! I am almost down to my pre-pg weight (3 more lbs) but I stll have baby weight to loose frm Alex (like 35lbs!) so I am hoping to continue on this losing spurt!

sounds like everone is adjusting well to their new lttle ones! Time has flown by & I can't believe Nathan is almost a month old already! I am sure once I go bak to work that I will get on heremore in the mornings but for now I am just trying to savor my last few weeks home with my babies and DH!

[JennW]

Hi girls! Hope all is well. I am loving the new pics. Arleigh is beautiful and you all look so happy! Tuni - Hope the Zantac helps. Sorry it's still an issue!

Maternity clothes: I haven't worn any maternity tops since Owen's birth but I'm still wearing the pants. I can get most of my non-maternity pants on, but I can't breathe in them. LOL! I actually weighed myself last weekend at the two-week post-birth date. I had lost a decent amount but still have far to go, including the weight I put on before getting PG.

Another QOTD: Owen is still sleeping a lot. During these naps he has lots of REM sleep. His eyelids are sometimes half-open and his eyes roll around while he dreams. He also makes lots of faces as if he is having smily good dreams or sad-face bad dreams. Is this normal? Any other babes doing this? I didn't think much of it until I made the mistake of Googling it and got horror stories online. Any advice, anyone?

Glad to hear everyone is doing so well! We need more baby pics! Everyone start posting! I need to get to uploading my pics soon!

[red_canuck]

it's not a baby picture, but a little video of my guy while he watches his mobile. So cute! Although it got cut off.

Logan movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6LB3A8-dXE)

and here's a baby picture :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/red_canuck/logan/2006-04-032008.jpg

[dec27bride]

Well, I jumped out of bed this morning for someone else's screaming baby! Arleigh has been sleeping in her crib in the nursery the last few nights, so we have the monitors on in our room and the living room. Early this morning I woke up and could hear noise on the living room monitor, but not the one in our room. I was cursing the stupid thing for not working right, b/c the baby was screaming it seemed, but I went in her room and she was sound asleep! I walked out to the l/r, and the monitor kept going back and forth between a crying child, and some weird 40's -like saxaphone music. It was totally creepy, and if DH hadn't heard it too, I would have thought I'd imagined it in my sleep deprived state. I don't know our neighbors very well, but it doesn't seem like any of them have small children, how far away do you think it picks up signals? It has one other channel, so I'll be trying that I guess...

[ce_Kathleen]

JennW Alex used to do that when he was a newborn and it freaked me out too! Nathan does it to so at this point I think it is just normal sleep behaviour even if it does look strange at times! With Alex there were times where I seriously wondered if he was like having a seizure or something b/c it was so strange looking with his eyes rolling around and his breathing would get more rapid at times.

red_canuck cute pic! I would love to look at the video but here at home we don't have high speed so I can only imagine how long it would take me to view it with the dial-up service. I can check it out when I go back to work though!

dec27bride OOh that would freak me out too! I always wondered about hearing others on the baby monitor but we never have yet and have used our same monitor for almost 2 years now. Our neighbors are not too far away but none have babies.

phart did you mention having a YES bra that you were considering selling?

Well ladies, I finally got caught up and read the whole thread! Everyone has such beautiful babies and we are all so blessed! Thanks for the gas remedies! Nathan has had some major gas and with Alex we never had any issues so I have been unsure what to do to help. I am planning on ordering the gripe water to see if that will help us. For some reason the gas seems to get worse at night and it keeps Nathan up but during the day its not much of an issue.

Have to run, hungry baby!

[Elenitsa]

ce-Kathleen - I have two Yes I would consider selling. In size 3A one biege, one black. It seems with my supply issues I will never be fitting into those. They have never been worn and still in the package. FM me if interested.

[ShannonGH]

Maternity clothes-only wore maternity tops for first week after Noa's birth, along with comfy cotton pants. After that first week though, I've been shocked that I can fit back into all my old clothes (except the bb area is a little more snug). I'm currently 2lb under my pre-pg weight and eating ice cream every night! *LOVE* bfing!!!

Got out without the babe for the first time this morning. Went to get a badly needed haircut and then went to Target. It felt so weird to drive again. I kept feeling like I was doing something wrong.

JennW, Noa does exactly that same thing when she sleeps so I'm guessing it's very normal.

Kathleen, I am totally impressed that you caught up on all the reading of this thread. I'm embarrased to say that I have not. :o I'm just starting anew from this point on. ;)

red, great video and pic! Also, I wanted to ask you....what is the first thing you're going to eat after you sugery????? I would already have my first weeks worth of meals planned out if I were you! :)

Here's a pic of Noa from yesterday...it's so hard to get one with her looking at the camera.
http://images.snapfish.com/346758498%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3236%3E237%3E8%3C8%3EWSNR CG%3D3233637%3A%3B4736nu0mrj

[JennZ]

LOVE all the baby pics!!! :)

Here is my first attempt to post a few.....(hope this works)

maternity clothes- I haven't worn any since I got home, but I am living in comfy pants like pj's and sweats.
I only gained 14 pounds, and I've lost 15 so far. The only problem is, my waist is still 2 inches bigger than pre-preg, and my bb's are definitely bigger than before. So I feel like I am bigger, not smaller than pre-preg-KWIM? I'm not really happy with how I look in clothes yet.

The whole gang....( Charlotte, Bennett and Graham)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f122/kylejenn/IMG_6639.jpg

[JennW]

OK. I'm glad everyone else has "eye rolling" sleepers too. I was getting pretty worried about it but I guess it's normal!:)

Today was Owen's most awake day yet. He woke up around 5:30 and did not fall asleep ALL DAY. I think he finally took a nap around 2:00 or so. This is quite different from his sleep all day schedule we've been following up until now. He was Mr. Alert today. I wonder if he's going through the 3 week growth spurt everyone talks about.

Paul surprised me today with a gift. It is a white gold and aquamarine ring (Owen's birthstone). I couldn't get a good pic, but I'll try and get Paul to take one later (he's better with close-ups than I am!)

Everyone's pics are great. JennZ - I love the one of your whole gang! How cute with them kissing the baby!:)

Owen's first bath (FINALLY after losing the rest of the cord):
http://images.snapfish.com/3467595%3C6%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3238%3E876%3E2%3A4%3EWS NRCG%3D3233637%3B989%3B%3Cnu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/3467595%3C6%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3238%3E876%3E2%3A4%3EWS NRCG%3D3233637%3B98%3A23nu0mrj
This one I call "drama:"
http://images.snapfish.com/3467595%3C6%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3238%3E876%3E2%3A4%3EWS NRCG%3D3233637%3B724%3A%3Bnu0mrj

[ajb524]

Beautiful babies everyone!! JennW- Wow, he has a lot of hair :D

Mr. Sean is doing great. He goes for his 2 month check up Monday. I can't believe he is two months old already. How is that possible???

I have just 2 weeks left before I go back to work. I'm so *not* looking forward to it. I am enjoying being lazy and being able to get back into bed when he gets up around 6:00 to eat.

I'm also taking Sean to see the Easter Bunny at the mall tomorrow. A friend just called and she's taking her 5 month old and asked if I would like to come along and have lunch so I'm taking her up on it. My MIL found Sean a really cute Peter rabbit outfit for Easter so I'm going to have his picture made in it tomorrow.

[lovin'it]

Well, I jumped out of bed this morning for someone else's screaming baby! Arleigh has been sleeping in her crib in the nursery the last few nights, so we have the monitors on in our room and the living room. Early this morning I woke up and could hear noise on the living room monitor, but not the one in our room. I was cursing the stupid thing for not working right, b/c the baby was screaming it seemed, but I went in her room and she was sound asleep! I walked out to the l/r, and the monitor kept going back and forth between a crying child, and some weird 40's -like saxaphone music. It was totally creepy, and if DH hadn't heard it too, I would have thought I'd imagined it in my sleep deprived state. I don't know our neighbors very well, but it doesn't seem like any of them have small children, how far away do you think it picks up signals? It has one other channel, so I'll be trying that I guess...


What kind of monitor do you have? We had the fisher price one and I went and exchanged for the Sony Baby Call for that very reason. Now I have more channels to play with and there isn't really any interference.

It's great!

[dec27bride]

lovin it-

We had the fisher price one

Yes, we have the very same! I'm trying it on Channel B tonight, and if that doesn't work, I will probably be switching it out for another too! I don't know what I think is creepier, that I can hear them, or that they can probably hear me too?

eta-I probably should have read the reviews before buying this, b/c they were all bad. One guy said, "a great monitor if you want to listen to AM radio while you sleep". LOL

[lovin'it]

dec27bride -

I would invest on the Sony one. It costs a lot more...but it works wonders! I have my monitor ON literally ALL DAY...and thanks to the rechargeable batteries that come with it...and the many channels...I can say that it's the best!

There are two types...I have the one with 27 channels:

Sony NTM-900 900 MHz BabyCall Sound-Sensor Nursery Monitor

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/650x650/NTM910.jpg


:D

[red_canuck]

Wish me luck ladies - Logan and I are going into the hospital today for his kidney ultrasound. The silly receptionist requested he be calm for the half hour scan :rolleyes: Ya right, because i have that much control over my 3 week old son lady :p He will hopefully be asleep, I will do my best to get him like that, with a clean diaper, a full belly and driving around town a bit before getting there. I am very worried about dealing with this all by myself though, it's our first time out just the two of us. I miss having daddy backup!

beeeeutiful baby pictures ladies! I still canno tbelieve these ar eour little pumpkin seeds that we celebrated back in July! holy cow :D

shannon, lol, you are a girl after my own heart, I have like a month's worth of meals planned for after my surgery! Top of my list are my mom's home made lasagna, a pepperoni pizza and a big fat juicy steak :D I torture myself watching the food network all day long!

[dec27bride]

red-Good luck today. What is wrong with that receptionist? Is it just an ultrasound? Arleigh had one done on her kidneys the week before her surgery, and she slept right through it. It didn't take near 30 minutes though. If he takes a pacifier, be sure to bring it. Anyway, I hope all goes well, we'll be thinking of you!

lovin it-Thanks for the rec, I'll definitely be looking into that!

[JennZ]

Good Luck today, Red and Logan!!

[red_canuck]

thanks dec and jenn!

The excellent news:

Logan was a super champ at the ultrasound!! He slept through most of it, even me taking off his sleeper! He curled right up into the fetal position and just snoozed away. He woke up while she did his bladder since he was on his back, but didn't cry until we were walking back to the car! YEY Logan!! It didn't take very long either, maybe 20 minutes?

The bad news:

I am obviously not educated to read ultrasounds, but I could see the screen...and his left kidney looked so messed up in comparison to his right. The left had multiple large black spots (holes?) in it, which I am assuming is the dialation. MANY. Like 7+. The kidney also looked like it was shaped differently. His right looked exactly like I would expect a kidney to look. Now, like I said, this is only from what I could see, and I could be dead wrong. But I am so super worried. I called Rob to let him know, and he made me promise not to look it up online. Damn him :p So it looks like we're waiting until the appt next week to find out. I'm going to go crazy. C-R-A-Z-Y I tell ya.


It's pooring rain, so we didn't stop and get cat food or paper. Logan was getting antsy for the boob too, so here we are back at home. I need to go grab some lunch (hmm, what should it be today? Grilled peppers, bowl of cereal or perhaps an apple and salad? blah to all :()

I hope everyone is having a great friday!!

shannon, noa is so beautiful! that's an excellent picture :D

Jenn, Owen is so freaking cute, I LOVE his "drama" pose!

jennz, the group picture is to die for :D


Alright, any other baby pictures? I could look at them all day long!

[amychris03]

Good Luck today Red and Logan!

Maternity Clothes: I'd still have to wear my maternity
jeans, if I ever got out of my yoga pants- or buy some new
ones... I swear I gained all my weight in my hips/thighs and
it SUCKS! Shirts are surprisingly ok if they are baggy enough
to fit the new larger chest size :)

[kdotp]

Red Well, hopefully the appointment next week will be okay. The waiting is the hardest part. And I totally know how looking up things online can freak you out!

Shannon Noa is so beautiful! Look at her laying so peacefully! :)

JennW Love the pics of Owen--especially Drama!

Monitor We have the Sony 27 channel monitor, too, and really like it.

Grant is one month old today! So we had a little photo session:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/one-monthsmall.jpg

It's overcast and icky out today, but I think we're going to attempt some errands. I didn't get out of the house at all yesterday, so it would be nice to be at least somewhat social today. I realized on Wednesday, I need to find something for ME to wear for Easter.

[Bernie]

Red - Sounds like Logan did a great job today! I can't believe you have to wait until next week to get the results - I'm hoping that everything is okay!

clothes - I'm fitting into my larger, non-maternity pants that I bought back in the first trimester, although like many of you, I seem to spend many days in yoga pants. Tops are another story - I can't believe how big my boobs are now. I bought some new t-shirts and stuff, which should hold me over for awhile. I have about 14 pounds to go until I hit my pre-pregnancy weight, and I think at least 5 of those pounds are in the boobs. :rolleyes:

Another vote for the Sony monitor - we've had no issues with it so far.

[dec27bride]

red- Glad Logan was such a good boy today! Now, I also, am by no means an expert, however, after going through all this with Arleigh, I know much more about kidneys than I ever imagined ;) . My understanding is that the black spots are usually areas that are filled with urine. Arleigh had one big ureterocele at the entrance to the kidney that they had to drain. That stinks that you have to wait until next week to talk to someone about it. It's great though if the right kidney looks normal. All throughout my pregnancy, and now too, they keep telling me how anyone can live a perfectly normal life with one kidney (in the rare instance they couldn't fix the other one). I know it's not much consolation, b/c you really just want your child to have 2, you want them to be perfect...Anyway, I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope everything works out okay.

Thanks for all the baby pics, love them! Here are a few I took today, showing off her belly :) , and then I was trying to get a good picture of the back of her pants, but I didn't really succeed (they have a bunny on the tush, it's very cute)...

http://images.snapfish.com/346766884%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B97%3EWSNR CG%3D3233638557%3B2%3Anu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346766884%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B97%3EWSNR CG%3D3233638557%3B2%3Bnu0mrj

[Pink_Converse]

Red-My cousin who is 21 recently found out she just had one kidney. I can't believe it took this long to find out! I think the other was so shriveled it wasn't functioning or anything but don't know the details. I think she has sort of frequent UTI's or something but other than that she is fine. I'm by no means an expert but I agree with what the PP said about how he should be fine with one if it comes to that, tho of course you want your child to have two! I just wanted to tell you so maybe it will help you worry less until next week. I am sure little Logan will just fine and what a little champ that he did so good at the U/S! He is a doll!

[klm2klh]

Just dropping off some photos:

http://images.snapfish.com/346766%3A73%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D327%3A%3E%3B99%3E6%3B8% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233639%3A56694nu0mrj

Nicholas:
http://images.snapfish.com/346766%3A73%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D327%3A%3E%3B99%3E6%3B8% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233639%3A58694nu0mrj

Campbell:
http://images.snapfish.com/346766%3A73%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D327%3A%3E%3B99%3E6%3B8% 3EWSNRCG%3D3233639%3A56696nu0mrj

[Pink_Converse]

Your twins are so sweet. I especially love that last picture. I can't wait to meet my baby boy!

[ce_Kathleen]

Elenitsa thanks for the offer but I need size 4 YES bras.

ShannonGH, JennZ, JennW, kdotp, dec27bride, klm2klh - LOVE the pics! I swear that we all have the cutest babbies!

red_canuck good to hear your babe was good for the u/s!

Have to run!

[ajb524]

We went to see the Easter Bunny today :D
http://images.snapfish.com/3467672%3B%3A%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3238%3E49%3A%3E794%3E WSNRCG%3D323363859332%3Bnu0mrj

I was gone out for about 4 hours and he did really well. Of course now he's tired and fussy.

[kat]

Oh, how I am loving all the baby pictures!! I need to get DH to upload ours so I can post some current ones. My kids are so huge!!!

klm2klh: I am so jealous that your twins sleep next to each other like that!! How cute!!!

BFing is still an issue here. I've figured out a system where we nurse on one side with the lactation aid and pump on the other so both sides get stimulated, but I'm lucky if I get even one ounce per 30min pumping session; usually it's more like half an ounce. It's disappointing and frustrating and I probably won't be able to continue after I go back to work only because my body does not respond well at all to the pump. I'm doing everything I can -- eating oatmeal, taking fenugreek, drinking water -- I just have a sucky supply. And now G has issues with latching and nipple confusion from going between bottle and breast. Out of anything, BFing has been the hardest to deal with.


I just wanted to chime in and offer my support, kdotp, as I'm also lucky to get an ounce at a pumping session (and even less now that I have less free time to pump since DH is back at work). I know how frustrating it is when you do everything you can to try to increase supply and nothing works. Have you had the same experience I have, where every doctor basically says "Yeah, that happens" and acts like it's no big deal/there's nothing they can do? It drove me crazy for a while but now I've finally accepted (almost :D) that my kids will be FF babies (and that I'll probably dry up soon).

I really commend you for continuing to do whatever you can to give Grant breastmilk. You're doing so much -- everything you can -- and you should be very proud of that!!

JennW: re: the REM sleep -- Audrey does that, too, and I also thought she was having a seizure or something the first couple of times she did that. I've read that unlike adults, babies *start* with REM sleep and then move through other sleep cycles (light to deep). Weird, huh?



Whoops - Alex is stirring for the gazillionth time today. Cannot. Get. These. Kids. To. Nap. Decently. During. The. Day. Even the 5 "s"s only work while i'm holding them, and obviously I cannot hold both babies at once....we need a new set of "s" 's for twins! :D

[red_canuck]

kat - what are the 5 "s's"? I've never heard of them! Logan will only nap in his swing during the day, which is so strange because he's a champion sleeper in his co-sleeper at night, but hates it during the day. Go figure.

[dec27bride]

red- I know you asked Kat, but I think I know the answer. :) It's from The Happiest Baby on the Block. 1) Swaddle, 2) Side/Stomach, 3) Shhhhhh 4). Swinging, and 5). Sucking. Obviously, the book goes into more detail, but you get the idea...

[JennW]

red - Glad to hear Logan was good for the u/s. When do you get the results?

klm - Are your boys identical or no? They look a lot alike! Lots of hair like my guy.

Andrea - I love the Easter Bunny pic. How did Sean do with the bunny?

And just wanted to drop off one more pic...
Owen-Mommy time. I love when he looks up at me like this...
http://images.snapfish.com/346768263%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3233%3E547%3E5%3B7%3E23 245476%3A8777ot1lsi

[miaclear]

Lurker here....I love seeing all the new babies, they are so beautiful. JennW that is a priceless picture :D

[junkinmytrunk]

Hoping since I switched to SNAPFISH I can finally post some pics of Pierson. Here he is at 3 weeks *I HOPE*.....
http://images.snapfish.com/346768%3B6%3B%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D327%3A%3E%3B%3B8%3E%3 A5%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D323363%3B96%3A%3A9%3Bnu0mrj

Hope everyone is well...have to get out and feed the little guy so I'll check back later....
xo xo xo
to EVERYONE and....yes, I'm in the majority of my pre-preg clothes. Not all but most.

~Lisa

[dec27bride]

Oh my gosh Lisa, he's adorable! I love the hair!

[kdotp]

I know how frustrating it is when you do everything you can to try to increase supply and nothing works. Have you had the same experience I have, where every doctor basically says "Yeah, that happens" and acts like it's no big deal/there's nothing they can do?
Yes. The different LC's I've seen have said the same thing: "some women just don't produce milk like they should" and all the other difficulties we had with latch and Grant being sleepy those first two weeks just compounded the issue. I've since found out that both my mother and my grandmother were unsuccessfull at BFing and my middle sister had difficulties with her first (I don't think she had quite the same issues, though.) BUT the LC also said that even if with issues BFing with the first child, any subsequent children I have should be easier to nurse because my body already knows what to do and should even produce more milk. It's just so frustrating because I see and read and hear all these other women who can BF just fine and it makes me wonder why my body has to be so stupid. It's nice to know other people who have the same issues, though.

Lisa He's so adorable, and lookit all that hair!!

JennW Cute!
------
I broke down and bought some new clothes yesterday. Granted, I cheated and only bought things that were stretchy because I'm completely in denial that if I want to buy real clothes, I have to go up two sizes.

It's sunny and fairly warm today, so I think we might take a road trip and visit my Grandparents who live about 40 minutes away. DH is gone all day at a track meet and I really don't feel like staying at home (mostly because I don't want to fold laundry or clean, like I should!)

[JennW]

Lisa - He is BEAUTIFUL! I love that hair!:)

[JennZ]

BUT the LC also said that even if with issues BFing with the first child, any subsequent children I have should be easier to nurse because my body already knows what to do and should even produce more milk.

Kdotp,
This is exactly what happened to me! It might not make you feel better now, but it is really true.
I had supply issues with DD, then for my first DS, I had TONS more milk, but major latch problems. So I pumped and fed him EBM for 4 months- (talk about a pain!) Finally, it all came together with baby Graham! Supply is finally good, and he is able to latch.
So, don't give up hope! :)

Lisa, Love the pic!
JennW, So sweet!!

[red_canuck]

Question: For those of you breastfeeding, have you introduced a pacifier yet? If so, how old was DC? If not, do you plan to?
I am having major conflicting issues and concerns about pacifiers, but I think I might just be being silly :p

[kat]

Kdotp,
This is exactly what happened to me! It might not make you feel better now, but it is really true.
I had supply issues with DD, then for my first DS, I had TONS more milk, but major latch problems. So I pumped and fed him EBM for 4 months- (talk about a pain!) Finally, it all came together with baby Graham! Supply is finally good, and he is able to latch.
So, don't give up hope! :)


...and the same thing happened to my mother (couldn't produce anything to nurse my oldest brother, but with her second child she was overflowing with milk, even *after* they gave her the shots to dry her up!!).

Unfortunately, these will be my only two kids -- I think that's why it hurts so much not to be able to BF -- but I need to focus on the fact that my kids are healthy and thriving and not on the negatives.

Oh, Jenn and Lisa, those pictures are priceless!! What little cuties!!

[ce_Kathleen]

red_canuck with DS #1 had started taking a paci at 2 days old & took it every night to go to sleep (he gave it up on his own at 9 months). With #2 he still won't take a paci for very long (maybe a few minutes to tide him over if I am in the grocery store). We never had issues with nipple confusion but #2 won't take a bottle yet either!

[JennW]

red - Owen took the pacifier at 2 days old. So far, no confusion.:) Oh yeah, and it's a lifesaver in many situations.;)

[JennW]

Question for those who pump/plan to pump/know anything about pumping - I want to pump and start DS taking a bottle once or twice a day. How many ounces is appropriate? I obviously have no idea what amount he is getting from me so I have no idea what to give him? Is there some benchmark number or resource for this sort of thing? Does it go by age/specific child, etc?

[Christy5599]

Jenn, I believe the Medela book says 2-5 ounces for this age... I'll try to remember to double check it for you though.

[JennW]

Thanks Christy!

The girls on the BF thread also suggested this site for anyone's who is interested. It has a milk calculator...
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

[tgal]

All your little ones look so cute! Keep the pictures coming. I can't remember who, but the video was way cool too!

JennW: In case you are still interested in personal responses, I started pumping at 5 weeks. When we feed from a bottle Eva seems to only take 3 oz per feeding. She normally feeds every two hours, if I am lucky sometimes every three hours, but that is a rare occassion. Good luck!

Pacifier: We waited until 4 weeks to at least try, but she won't have nothing to do with it.

-------------

My family has finally made their appearances from the Mid West to see dd this past week. One group leaves tomorrow and another group arrives on Thursday. It has been one whirlwind of a week and I am completely drained. I am hoping after two nights without sleep that I can get rested before the next group of visitors arrive.

[Elenitsa]

JennW - How much milk? I think the Sears books says 2 to 2.5 oz per lb per day. I don't think it makes the distinction b/w BF and FF fed though.


Supply issues - I'm in the same camp with the supply issues girls. As I have spoken to friends about this, many have offered their support and advice and had similar issues. My SIL told me yesterday about a friend who had little milk till the 6 wk and then the supply issues were gone -- she just kept at it. I'm giving her both right now, although I honestly don't know how much milk I am giving her. I think she is doing well though. I hope.

[losthoosier]

Support for Supply issues: I am with all of you ladies on the supply issues there are times when I just want to cry as I feel like I am letting her down. I know how good breastmilk is for my baby and I am not giving her enough. (I know that some is better then none) but seeing all the ladies who are able to make thier babies grow with their milk has me jealous. It also doesn't help when DH doesn't know the benefits of breastmilk and just thinks I should formula feed......

I am going to keep trying to increase my supply I feed then 30 minutes later I pump I get about 20 cc each session so I am hoping this fools my body into thinking the baby is getting the additional. I save the milk and she gets a bottle of breastmilk for one of the feedings instead of formula. I am doing a lot better after the initial let down.

All the pictures of the babies are adorable. We went yesterday and had her pictures taken for her announcements... I get to see them all but what I did see I am super excited.

oh well we are off to get pictures taken with the easter bunny !!!

[heidi0622]

Christy and Jenn: yikes, I am glad you asked about how much milk to give him. We've started giving Ben a bottle 2 or 3 times a week. DH gave him 8 oz one night - we had 2 3 oz bottles and he still seemed hungry, then he took another 2 oz. We may be overfeeding him...

Tgal: Ben eats every 2 hours pretty much as well. The past 2 nights, we've had one or two 3-4 hour stretches.

[MrsCantDecide]

Hi Girls! Love seeing the pictures of all the babies. :D

Lucas is 5 weeks old today, and we're already dealing with our first sickness. :( I've been sick (flu I think) since Thursday, with no end in sight, and Lucas has an eye infection. So I've been SUPER worried whether I'm giving my sickness to Lucas either through my BM or by my close contact with him. Can they get sick through BM? Should I be throwing away the BM I've pumped since Thursday? I don't want for him to get sick in a few months because I'm giving him BM from when I'm sick.

Maternity Clothes ~ I've worn a couple of maternity pants since coming home from the hospital, but they are so big on me that it wasn't comfortable.

Baby's sleeping habits... ~
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/stef842/footballlucas.jpg
Lucas always sleeps with at least one arm over his head.

Pacifiers ~ Lucas got his in the hospital. We use it to hold him over from his next feeding usually. Or like today, he's super needy and I've been giving it to him all day since he was just using my boob as a pacifier anyway!

Expressed Milk ~ I give BM to Lucas in 1.5 oz increments, but the last time he took 3 ounces (that was last Monday).

[red_canuck]

stef, giving Lucas BM right now is the best thing for him!! He can't get sick through the milk, it will do the exact opposite - if he gets sick at all (from being near you, like your husband or a friend), it won't be nearly as bad because he's getting the antibodies from your milk. So please, keep giving him the boob!
Love that picture of him!!

Thanks for all the comments on the pacifier. I'm trying to follow my gut on this one, but it's so hard, I am scared i"m going to ruin him forever :p

heidi, from everything I've read, you cannot overfeed a baby. Their tummies won't expand like an adults, so anything that doesn't fit will get brough back up. BM is so easily digested though that by the time he was done a few ounces, he might have been ready for more :)

tgal, the video was me ;)

This week we're introducing a bottle to Logan for hte first time...wish us luck!

[Quartercentury]

Question for bfing moms: I remember reading or hearing somewhere that we should stay away from eating peanuts to reduce the likelihood of peanut allergies....is that true or did I dream that up?

I so don't belong in this thread, but I can't help browsing the baby pictures...

They say if your family has a history of peanut allergies, then definitely stay away from peanuts, but also if there's a history of eczema, asthma, or hayfever, it may be wise to avoid peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

[phart]

Stef~~Yes, keep nursing him through the sickness. If he doesn't get sick his body will still think he got whatever virus you have so he'll never get it in the future or it'll be much less severe. I believe it works the opposite way as well...if he's sick and nursing then he gives you antibodies as well.

paci~~We gave one at 3 weeks or so. She'll take it for a few minutes then be done, generally.

[amychris03]

cross posted from LJ because the little man is stirring...

Sam has had a stuffy nose practically since we brought him home.
I'm fairly certain its the stupid dry heat in this house, it does
the exact same thing to me, and its especially bad at night.
Well, poor guy has been really stuffy the past two days- we've
been sucking out the boogies we can find and using a saline
spray. We've also been sleeping with a humidifier. Is there
anything else I can do for him? He's not sick- no fever, no
acting different... Just trouble breathing from his nose, which
definitely wakes him up pretty frequently from his naps. He
does best sleeping in his bouncy chair at an angle. I havent
called the Ped- figured Id bring it up at his 1 mth appointment
on Monday the 17th...

[ellybella]

jennw i've been pumping since i got home from the hospital since i seem to be producing quite a bit and my bbs get really full then leak. my pedi said he'd take about two oz, but we're younger than your guy. i pump 3 oz each sitting. we'll be introducing the bottle on thursday. my fingers are so crossed, i need some sleep!

red we introduced the paci at 2 days, but he wouldn't take it. he's now able to keep it in for longer stretches now, thank goodness. helps to push off feedings. my lc told me that the nipple confusion usually comes when you have bf issues.

kat the pedi called it a dimple at the base of his spine, but the pilonital cyst was the medical term. we found out that there is no connection to the spine which was a huge relief.

maternity clothes i am wearing early pg clothes that i bought in a size up. still can't fit into my jeans. i have 8lbs to go, but it's in my hips & thighs, so i don't see my jeans fitting for a while. i think i'll be breaking down and buying 1 size up.

amy james gets snuffly at night, but no snots, it's much higher.

we've had a 4 hour stretch the last 3 nights! followed by a 3 hour. i hope it continues. i was pretty emotional last week, i think the lack of sleep was finally catching up to me. my mom is here now which is a huge help. he's also not sleeping on his back as well as he was the first week, so we've been putting him on his side on the couch for some naps. he's also been in our bed at night. he seems to get a lot of painful gas and all of his grunting wakes him up when he's in the co-sleeper. when he's with me i can soothe him and rub his back. i'm terrified i'm sarting a bad habit, but right now it's whatever works. once the attic is done and the nursery finished he's going in his crib. it'll help that i won't hear every little grunt.

love all of the baby pics!

[Christy5599]

Elly I LOVE the pic in your avatar!!!! SO sweet! Glad to see they are getting along well. ;)

[Bernie]

jennw - when we first introduced the bottle, these guys took 2-2.5 oz - but now they take around 3-4 oz.

And we introduced them to the paci in the hospital. No problems with nipple confusion - and it helps them stay calm when the other one is eating! We've been using the soothies brand - the big green ones with the hole in the middle.


Some pictures of my little guys at 6 weeks --

Enjoying their pacifiers-
http://images.snapfish.com/346793%3A53%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3278%3E595%3E9%3C6%3EWS NRCG%3D3233644%3B%3B%3A9%3A3nu0mrj
Max-
http://images.snapfish.com/346793%3A53%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3278%3E595%3E9%3C6%3E WSNRCG%3D3233644%3B%3B%3A9%3A9nu0mrj
Amelia-
http://images.snapfish.com/346793%3A53%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3278%3E595%3E9%3C6%3E WSNRCG%3D3233644%3B%3B4637nu0mrj
And it's feeding time again!

[Christy5599]

They are so cute Bernie!!!! :D :D

[red_canuck]

Just got back from Logan's appt, and my big boy weighted in at 10 pounds 5 ounces!!! Holy crazy boob juice batman! Everything else is wonderful, the midwife took out a few of the knots from my stiches, and oked further nookie ;) Also got the ok for the green poop he has, since he's gaining weight so well and is alert and sleeping well. Go Logan!

Last night was amazing, we put him to bed in his crib at 10pm after a feed and a diaper change, and the little guy didn't wake up again till 4am!!! How crazy is that? I got 5 hours of sleep. FIVE!! I feel wonderful and...in extra amazing news, Logan is napping in his crib!! HOORAH!! Now I don't feel like a horrible mom for letting him nap in the swing all day

edited to add a picture -

One of our cats, Rowan, has decided he likes Logan enough to cuddle with us :p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/red_canuck/logan/2006-04-11013.jpg

[ce_Kathleen]

amychris03 we have had problems with the stuffy nose also due to our dry electric heat! We just used the saline drops and kept him propped up and we used 2 humidifiers, one downstairs and one upstairs. He seems to have gotten over it now that the weather is warming up and we had some rain!

WOW just love everyones pics! I need to upload some new ones to post...but here is our baby announcement. Can you tell we graduated from Ohio State?:p

http://images.snapfish.com/34679%3B283%7Ffp344%3Enu%3D3242%3E7%3C7%3E933%3EWS NRCG%3D3233649884%3A38nu0mrj

[JennZ]

Red- Great pic! Logan is so cute! Sounds like you had a great appointment!
5 hours of sleep?!?!?!? What I would do for 5 hours of sleep!!! Lucky you!! :D
DH is eagerly awaiting my 6-week appointment this week for the green light on DTD.
Ha ha! Maybe when he takes over BFing for a few nights so I can get some sleep I'll consider it......

Kathleen- Adorable announcement!!

[ajb524]

Sean had his 2 month appointment this morning and had to get shots. No fun for either of us :(. The only good thing about his shots is that he is sleeping sound right now.

The good news is that he is up to 9lbs. 15oz (almost 10 ;)) and is now 21 inches long. That means he has gained 4 1/2 pounds since he was born. I'm so proud of him. He's still a little behind for a 2 month old, but right on track for what he would be if he weren't a preemie.

I also talked to the doctor and we are changing his formula that he is being supplemented with. I was just using regular Similac Advanced, but it hurts his tummy and is causing gas so now we are trying Enfamil Nutramigen. I've got a few Similac coupons if anyone wants to trade.

[jen71]

Elly- I sleep alot with Ian in bed with us too, he is so much quieter. It usually is after his 2am bottle, wehen we are so tired of him keeping us up.

Cute pictures.

My ob/gyn group wants me to go back to school & get my NP in womens health now, & join their practice!!

Ian is doing good, he is eating alittle more, & napping better.

DD is sick though, teething & has a horrible stuffy & runny nose.

[Christy5599]

Anyone have an approved list of meds for breastfeeding? I'm feeling a cold coming on! UGH!

[JennW]

Adorable pics, everyone!:D

[amychris03]

I'm loving the pictures!! Darn DH doesn't want me to post any
so I guess I'll cooperate:rolleyes: .

Sam officially has a cold. We took him into the dr because he
continues to have a stuffy nose and is really having a hard time
sleeping at night because of it. The good news is that it is
just a cold, its not in his chest or anything. The bad news
is that obviously there isnt really anything else we can do
for him. We've been using the saline drops, a humidifier,
and we are going to prop the matress in his crib. He pretty
much has been sleeping in his bouncy chair or our arms today.
Poor guy... I have no idea how the heck he got the cold,
we've been hand washing freaks!

[dec27bride]

christy- Sorry you're sick! Here is a link to a list of approved meds on KellyMom...

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html#Pain

[ellybella]

christy thanks! it's been fun to watch, although i think bella is counting the days until he can throw her a ball :rolleyes: . is it you who goes to the elliott for mothers group? it would be about a 45 min to 1 hour drive for us. i haven't ventured that long on my own yet. too bad because i would love to go.

bernie adorable pictures. have you tried other pacifiers? i've been curious as to how those might work for our guy.

red i'm so jealous of your 5 hour stretch, but make sense since his weight can support that length of time between feedings. i long for getting to 11 lbs. i hope we'll see a big difference.

amy glad it's just a cold. it'll be so nice once we start getting some nice weather around here.

jen71 that is so exciting about your ob, do you think you'll do it? if not it's flattering just to be asked.

kathleen cute announcements!

[phart]

i long for getting to 11 lbs. i hope we'll see a big difference.

I hate to say this but it might not happen so don't get too upset if it doesn't. Aiden nursed every 3-4 hours for a long time and even still every 2 hours in there too. I had heard that 12lbs was the magic mark and was about heartbroken when his nursings didn't space out more at that point. Some kids just don't follow all the damn rules;)

Not being an advocate or anything but we put Maura to sleep on her belly now and she's really only nursed twice after 10pm for the last two nights. Aiden was a belly sleeper until pretty recently (2.5 now). She sleeps with us for now so I can check on her whenever I need to. It's even quieted down our noisy sleeper.

Other than that all is well in the land of two kids over here. Aiden has taken to *being two* lately but we're working through it. It's hard when he was always so easy going and now, well, he's not so easy going:p

Maura is wonderful. She was up 2 lbs at her one month appointment and at 50% for all measurements. She seems to be growing at about the same rate as Aiden but she seems chunkier (because she's a girl???). She fusses when she's hungry and I haven't gotten her to the breast fast enough or when she needs to belch.

Sounds like we're all doing fairly well in our newborn escapades:-)

[kdotp]

Grant gets weighed Mondays at Mommy & Me and this last Monday he was up to 10lb 9oz, an entire pound increase from the week before. I think we may have been overfeeding him, though, so now we're trying to make sure he's still really hungry before we give him additional bottles. We can usually get a good 4-5 hour stretch from him at night. My chubby butt boy is already outgrowing some of his 0-3m clothes!

[Tracie]

Hi, girls! Love seeing all the pics - all the babies are so cute!

I had my 6 week post partum appointment today. Things are healing but because my tear was so bad, I am still in pain and the doctor has said that I can't go back to work until the 26th. Which is good, because I get more time at home with my son, but potentially bad because I am out of vacation time. I've called HR to see about getting ST disability extended.

DS slept for 5 hours straight last night! That's incredibly rare for him, and unfortunately I slept horribly. :mad:

[Christy5599]

Thank you dec!!!

Elly, too bad it's such a long drive for you! If you ever change your mind let me know. I've gone three different weeks (just not today because of being sick) and have enjoyed myself each time. Just a bunch of mom's sitting around but it's nice to hear other people's ideas, trials, and sucess stories.

We got a smile today!!!!!! Just melted my heart!!

[red_canuck]

The good, I really like the dr. He reminds me of my family dr from my childhood. He's a bit hard to understand (asian + south african accent, eek!) but a really nice gentle man. I think he's a keeper.

The bad and the ugly are kinda together. We got the ultrasound results back and it's not good. His left kidney is hugely inlarged and there is a blockage that is preventing his urine from completely draining from his kidney (hense the enlargment). This now means we are going to see the pediatric Urologist in Hamilton. Our ped is making the appt, so I'm not sure yet when it is. The main concerns from what our ped says is that a)he develops a kidney infection (which is the bad news - he's now on Amoxicillin twice a day, poor boy!) b)the urine continues to accumulate in the kidney causing it to get mucho bigger c)the blockage is in fact something bad, like a tumor.
So the ped. uruologist will perform a test where they dye his urine, and then monitor how it's flowing to determine how much is going back into the kidney, or if any is escaping at all. This then helps decide what needs to be done. Best case scenario is that there is barely any backflow, and we take a monitor and see stance. Middle case scenario is that they use a catheter of some sort and try to remove the blockage. Worst case scenario is they operate to remove the blockage and drain the kidney, and depending on what the blockage is, do a biopsy and run further test.

So yeah...I'm trying to keep thinking positive, but it's so damn hard. I'm so upset for my little guy, so worried it could be the worst case scenario and I'm also so upset that he's already needing medicine and he's only a month old :( The ped. also mentioned it was important for robbie to give the meds, not me, since the bad tasting meds could lead him to associate the person with the bad, and that could mean he might refuse the boob. daaaaaamn. I almost broke down bawling in the pharmacy, but luckily the tears didn't overflow my eyes. That would have been quite a scene as Logan was already bawling since he was so hungry!

So instead of running my errands like I wanted to, I came home and am self-medicating with gummi bears and sprite :(

[dec27bride]

red-Sorry about the u/s results, hoping that your pediatric urologist can put your mind at ease a little. Did the ped give you any indication of what he thought it may be, UPJ, UVJ, ureterocele, anything like that? Arleigh has had that dye test, and a surgery, so if you want any info once you find out what's going on, just let me know. We'll be thinking of you guys!

I can't believe I have to go back to work in less than 2 weeks :eek: , time has just been flying! I have my 8 week pp appt next week. My short term disability co doesn't pay 8 weeks for c-sections, only 6 like a regular delivery, so as much as I'm enjoying being home, getting a regular paycheck again will be nice.

Arleigh slept in the room with me last night, b/c DH was "fixing" the lightswitch in her room (fixed it so well that it didn't work at all :rolleyes: ). She was so loud, grunting etc, that I am exhausted even though she did sleep for a few hours at a time...Hoping tonight is a little better.

[phart]

Oh Red! I'm definitely thinking the best case scenario!

[MrsCantDecide]

Dec27 ~ I've got to go back NEXT week! I thought we got 8 weeks paid for c-sections too, but unfortunately that doesn't appear to be the case. :( I'm going to be so sad to leave my little boy so soon! Waah! ;)

[jen71]

Red- I so hope it is the best case scenario. My thought s are with you guys!

Elly- I honestly had been thinking about going back for it- I have my adult NP now, & when I got pg, thought.."hmmmm, I might like this..." I saw a NP alot pregnant. But, it would take me 2 semesters, next fall & spring, 10 credits. So, one day of class, & 2-3 days of clinicals. I have been in school almost the whole time DH & I have been married! 5 years now, just off this past year. He is not too thrilled about this.

[JennW]

Red - So sorry to hear about it. I'm hoping for best case scenerio. The upside is finding a doctor you like and trust. I hope he finds the best solution for your family.:)

[Pink_Converse]

Red-I'll be thinking about you and little Logan and your DH and hoping for the best case scenario.

[ajb524]

Not being an advocate or anything but we put Maura to sleep on her belly now and she's really only nursed twice after 10pm for the last two nights. Aiden was a belly sleeper until pretty recently (2.5 now). She sleeps with us for now so I can check on her whenever I need to. It's even quieted down our noisy sleeper.



Glad to know I'm not the only one. I won't put him on his tummy at night in the bed with us, but a few times during the day I've put him in his pnp on his tummy. He sleeps so much better that way. Of course I check him every couple of minutes to make sure he hasn't moved his head.

Red- I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

[ellybella]

tummy sleeping he sleeps so much better on his tummy, although it's usually on us when napping. we haven't tried it for a nap or nighttime in the pnp or co-sleeper, but i'm very tempted to give it a try soon. he usually doesn't make a peep either unlike when he's on his back.

my guy went for a 5 hour 15 minute stretch last night. THANK YOU JAMES! mommy so needed that. now if i could just get the rascal to take both bbs at subsequent feedings, but he falls asleep after one then only lasts 2 1/2 hours.

we had our first poop out of the diaper this morning! :rolleyes:

red we'll be thinking of you and hoping it's not too serious.

[aprilshowers]

red, I'll be thinking of you and little Logan. Please keep us updated.

We also had less-than-perfect news yesterday. Ellie had an u/s for her hip since she was breech. Two peds had assured us that her hips looked fine and that it was just standard procedure and probably nothing would come of it. Well, one of her hip joints is "immature" whatever that means. We're waiting to hear what our next steps are. I know it isn't the end of the world but I couldn't help being upset about it. I felt so guilty - there I was at one of the best children's hospitals in the country where thousands of kids with far worse problems were being treated and I was crying over this little thing. But it's really hard coming to terms with the fact that your child's health isn't perfect. I know some of you are going through far worse issues as well and my heart really goes out to all of you.

Other than that things are going really well. I think we finally have this bfing thing down or at least mostly down. I've been reading "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" and picking up some pointers which have already helped us out in that department. We are getting more and more smiles every day which makes mom and dad soooo happy :D And I can now fit into 3 pairs of pre-pregnancy pants (say that 3 times fast ;) )!

[Bernie]

elly - We started using those pacis because that is what they gave them in the hospital (and they sent me home with a huge stash - although I think most of them might be under the couch now!) I tried switching to the more standard paci, but neither one would take it. So we're staying with these for now. In one of the baby care books I have, they recommended this brand (soothies, I think) because, according to them, the nipple is like mom's. Not sure if that is true though.

And I'm very jealous about your 5 hour stretch! These guys both slept for a 4 hour stretch last Friday night, but since then, they haven't slept more than 3 hours.


red - I'm hoping for the best case scenario for you and Logan!
april - I hope everything is okay with Ellie!

I had my 6 week pp appointment on Tuesday. The doctor said everything was back to normal, and then gave me some "pointers" on how to jump back into bed with DH. I definitely wasn't expecting that (from my male OB)!

[kdotp]

red Thinking of you and Logan and hoping that it's the best-case scenario.

April I hope everything is okay with Ellie.

-----
Since my chunky boy is already outgrowing some of his 0-3m clothes, I went through and put away everything that was too small or too warm for him to wear now. It made me kind of sad to see all those little onesies and socks and know he won't ever be that small again!

[tunibell]

Red - All crossables are crossed. (And I'm no M.D., but that looks like one very healthy little man to me!)

April - MWAH!

QOTD - How often are y'all bathing these little folks? I was doing twice a week, but my lady really digs her bath (and subsequent massage), so I was wondering if every other day was okay? I don't want to tax her skin too much.

QOTD #2 - How long does neonatal acne usually last? Poor Piper looks like a thirteen year-old boy right now.

[losthoosier]

Red: Sorry that Logan is going through this. I will be thinking about you.

April: I will be thinking of you. It is sad to think of such a little girl having any health issues

I bathe Mackenzie everyother day, but on her off day if she gets really upset at night I will give her another bath to help her relax

I think Mackenzie is sick she screamed for almost 2 hours last night but then she went to sleep at 12:30 and slept till 6:00 then I changed her diaper and she wouldn't eat and fell back to bed till 9:00 then got up and only ate 2 oz of formula. Is this normal?

[amychris03]

Red and April Thinking of both of you!

Tuni Maybe Piper and Sam could date? He looks like
a teenager as well. I HATE the baby acne and hope it goes
away quickly as well.

Bathing: Couple times a week. He isn't too fond of it.
But now that we can FINALLY do a real bath since his
cord is completely gone, Im hoping he will enjoy it more!

--
Big step tonight! We are going to try and go to a restaurant for
DH's birthday. Hopefully Sam the man cooperates! I also
pumped for the first time today and we are going to try out
a bottle in a bit! Hopefully he enjoys daddy feeding him
because I'd love to get a little more sleep!

[aprilshowers]

Thanks everyone! I'm sure she will be fine - it is just tough to get any bad news about your kid, no matter how minor.

baby acne - we've got a bad case over here as well. She was born with millia (those little white dots) and it seems like one by one they're turning into pimples.

bath - we struggled to get in two a week. She just hated it so much so it was stressful for mom and dad. She just kept slipping and sliding back and forth in the baby tub. I thought I'd try putting the bath pillow that I use in it and that keeps her in one place. Finally she seems to be enjoying it a little more.

Have fun tonight amy! We've been out twice with her - best advice is to try to go some place that has boothes so that the car seat can sit right next to you. A little noise doesn't hurt either ;)

[JennW]

Hey all. Glad to hear everyone is doing so well. April - Thinking of your family and hoping all is well.:)

As for baths, we've only been doing once a week as Owen's skin gets SO dry after a bath. He also gets teeny tiny bumps with almost any lotion although the new kind I tried (Mustara) seems to be working better and not irritating him. Ya'll are making me feel bad though with how many baths your kids are getting. I hope my boy's skin cooperates and we can do more soon. He really does seem to like it.

Baby acne is the worst! Owen's seems to be fading a bit though.

Hope all is well and all babies are thriving!:D

[tgal]

Red: Yes, I loved that video! I need to go back and check out that site again to see how it all works. Thanks for posting your link! Also, I hope everything goes well with the testing.

Elly: I was also going to mention that Eva had her first blow out this week and to warn people not to put those types of diapers in the diaper champ. Dh was smart enough to do this and needless to say he had more fun than I did changing the diaper :D !

April: I am so sorry to hear about Ellie's hip. My thoughts are with little Ellie as well.

Bathing: I really wish we could stick with one bath a week, but for some reason Eva loves peeing on the changing table and I can never catch it before it runs up her back and into her hair. So, baths are at least an every other day event.

Amy: Have fun at dinner! I ditto the booth.

-------------

Another question: We tend not to spend much time in the house. Dh and I love to do things, especially spur of the moment. Anyway, I am having a hard time with breastfeeding in public. I am getting better, but am curious if anyone else has this inhabition and how you are handling it. I was so happy last week, at the new air and space museum they had mommy rooms that had chairs in them. Today, I found a new appreciation for Nordstroms, they have a lovely sitting area in their bathroom that was quite private. If such options aren't available, I either stand up in a handicap stall or make my way to my car parked in a remote section of the parking lot, hoping no one parks next to me. Any helpful advice/suggestions to help would be fantastic!

[JennW]

tgal - I was wondering how others are dealing with BFing in public, too. Great question!:)

[tunibell]

Here's something that might help you feel more comfy BFing in public: http://www.bebeaulait.com/. I bought one ages ago and used it when my parents were here. (I don't mind BFing in front of strangers, but my dad is another story!)

[red_canuck]

Thank you for all the wellwishes ladies. Means the world to me to know that Logan has tonnes of good vibes his way.

BF in public:
I have a cover similar to what tuni posted, but mine's just plain boring black. My issue is that my boobies are so incredibly huge that it is difficult to find a hold that will work without a pillow! I'd need four hands if I have no pillow since I have to hold Logan's head, shape my boob so I don't suffocate him (and yup, he's got a wonderful latch, my LC confirmed as doe shis weight gain). My boobs are just so huge that he sinks into them :( So it's difficult. At home I have to use a body pillow/boppy around my waist to support him. Then I usually end up doing the football hold. Nursing in bed is just as difficult. I keep hoping as he gets older and has better head control it will become a bit more handsfree, but nope. So I gues smy answer is I keep the thought in my mind that boobs were "meant" to fee dmy baby, so if the person ahs a problem with it, then tough. The actual physical process of feeding him is what stops me. It's too difficult :( I'v eonly managed a few time,s mostly at the midwives office and the car. It's very disapointing.

bathing:
We're every other day bathers, but it's good ot know I could go longer! I felt like a negligent mom! Logna spit sup so much that he starts smelling like spoike dmilk if we go longer than every other day. Plus i love the freash baby smell :D

pimples:
yup, count us in that club too! Poor guy. Not quite the chick magne trigh tnow ;) He was born with Millia too, so he hasn't caught a break yet

[losthoosier]

I too have been having issues BF in public, I have gone out to my car and the restroom.

Saw on someone elses post to try the changing room in clothing stores as most of them will have a seat and you a curtain.

Hope this helps

[Tracie]

bathing He gets a bath every 2-3 days. He absolutely hates it, and screams the whole time!

newborn acne My little guy had a bad case, but it seems to be clearing up now. He still gets a little from time to time though. I say we have matching pimples. :p

I had to give him his first haircut. He was actually born needing a haircut, but I couldn't bear to do it for awhile. Finally he looked like he was getting a mullet, and as I told DH, I don't care if he dyes his hair blue or purple or anything when he gets older, but no son of mine will be sporting a mullet! So I gave him a little trim around the ears and in back. MIL held him, I trimmed it and DH took pictures. Quite an event!

[phart]

baths~~I don't bathe my kids often:o Aiden was born in November and it got cold fast and he was so dry. We bathed him maybe once a week but would clean out his neck area if it was gross. Maura is 5 weeks and has had 2 actual baths, one being at the hospital. I have washed her hair a few times with lavender soap (Dr. Bronner's). I used that soap on Aiden's hair for at least a year and his hair is beautiful. But, then again, I didn't wash my hair with shampoo for 6 months and don't wash it often now...

Anyway, babies don't sweat and are usually pretty dry so I don't see much point in bathing them that often.

NIP~~I do it wherever:) But this is the second time around for me. With Aiden I would try to do it in less crowded areas and use a blanket or sling. Now I don't use either. I did make my own version of a bellyhugger (can be found at wearsthebaby.com) so that hides the belly skin. I wear a nursing bra but regualr shirts and don't expose myself at all. It takes time...keep doing it and it will get easier. And might help another reluctant mama try it too:-)

[jen71]

Slipping around the bathtub- try using a cloth diaper or a hand/dish towel in the tub for baby to sit on. This helps us keep him from slipping.

[kat]

red andangel: I'm sending positive vibes your way for Logan and Ellie!! And to the two of you, that you'll manage not to worry too much. Easier said than done, I know.

***********
My little munchkins are 8 weeks old already!!

We celebrated by giving them their last bit of breastmilk. :( I did some crying about it yesterday and today, but have been slowly accepting that it'd happen soon, so it's not quite so bad. I am running around all day with them and just don't have the time to pump (I don't have time to comb my hair or eat sometimes). And because of that, my already meager supply has plumetted even more -- so for the past week or so the best I've been able to do is to give them a couple of ounces each every few days (or about 1% of their total intake of food). At this point, it's just not worth the effort anymore, or -- more importantly -- the stress on me of worrying about it all the time (having the "I have to pump" voice in my head all the time).

I have to focus on the positive -- I gave these kids every ounce I could for eight weeks, and they got the colostrum with all its antibodies. Until my DH went back to work full-time (around 5-6 weeks), I was religiously pumping every 3-4 hours, even overnight. I did the best I could. I'm still very, very sad that things didn't work out the way I'd hoped, but I'm getting better about letting it go.

My DH made me feel a lot better when he said that I could probably help the twins more by holding them for the time I would have spent pumping. Considering both of them absolutely love to be held, I believe that's true. I feel guilty that I'm not able to spend as much time with each of them as I would if they were singletons, so every additional minute is precious to me. Plus, there have been times when I've gotten frustrated at the twins because they wouldn't settle down when I wanted to pump.....and I think the lifting that stress will be really helpful.


ANYWAY....I am so lucky that these are both relatively easy babies.....cuz I am nevertheless COMPLETELY FREAKIN' EXHAUSTED by the time DH comes home from work. They've developed the habit of sleeping really beautifully at night, but fussing in the morning. When I'm alone. And they do it one at a time, so I'm constantly running from one to the other. Sometimes I'm convinced they're playing a game: "Let's see how close to the edge we can push mommy." :) Today I had Alex upstairs in the nursery (I'm trying to transition them to their cribs....they're still sleeping downstairs (as are we) in their Papasan chairs). ANYWAY, I had Alex upstairs and Audrey downstairs, and I got an amazing workout running back & forth between them. Who needs the gym? :)

I'll post pics soon. They are so big! Their two month appointment isn't until next week (not sure how that happened). I'm so excited to see how much they weigh!

Went up to my mom's yesterday and both twins were charming the heck out of my mother & sister -- tons of smiles and cooing. So cute!

baths: I bathe them about every five days or so. They're slowly learning to like the baths, but still I'm completely worn out on bath day. I wash their faces daily, and of course the diaper area gets cleaned all the time. If Alex's hair didn't get dirty I'd probably go even longer between baths.


tummy sleepers: I try to let them sleep on their tummies for as long as I can each day (usually on me or on someone else; otherwise on the couch sitting next to me). And Audrey has been a side sleeper since the day she was born. That's fairly easy in the Papasan chair; I have no idea what we're going to do when she transitions to her crib.

[tunibell]

Another QOTD - How often do you "play" with your DC at this point? And what do you do? I feel perhaps that I could be entertaining Piper more somehow. I talk to her all the time, and I make faces, but that's pretty much it at this point.

[tray622]

Playing All we do is talk, sing, or make faces at Jocelyn. When I read to Zoey, I have Jocelyn with us too. I have to admit she spends a bit of time in her bouncer or gymini just smiling and cooing at the toys. Thats about it :)

We are doing so much better here!! Jocelyn gained over 2lbs in the two weeks after her surgery!! She is almost 9 weeks old and loves to smile and coo. Feedings are rough. She has so much pain when she is done. She eats a ton though and there are more good than bad times. That was definitely not the case a month ago. Zoey is acting out big time though. She has always been so easy-going and happy. Now, she is throwing tantrums and crying all day. It is breaking my heart.

I only have a minute...

aprilshowers Thinking of you and your little one. I know it is hard to have anything possibly wrong with your baby.

red I am praying that you get the best case scenario results for little Logan!

[phart]

Kat~~Can you get Audrey a sleep positioner for when she goes to her crib to keep her on her side? I'm sorry BFing/pumping didn't work out. Sounds like it was very, very stressful for you (I mean, I knew it was before but...). you gave them all you could and tried your best. Be happy knowing that:) They'll still love you, promise!

[Christy5599]

Ok, so I think this goes to show the benefit of early tummy time... Patrick rolled from front to back this morning! We were on the floor having some tummy time and he got his head high enough in the air and was a little crooked and he rolled right over! I already wrote it in his baby book (5weeks 1day) along with his first smiles on Wednesday for both me and Matt. Ugh, I REALLY don't want to have to go back to work! Hopefully we can work something out so I won't have to be full time.

As for playing, we do a bit of floor time every day and we play patty cake and such. I'll sing songs to him and make faces and then we try for as much tummy time as he'll be awake and stand for. Usually 2 or 3 times a day for anywhere from 1-5 minutes.

It's a beautiful day in New England, hopefully everyone is having the same!

Amanda

[tgal]

Red: I completely understand the big boob issue here. Not to mention the fact that both of us get a milk bath with every feeding!


Tuni: Thanks for that link, I am going to order one of those pronto!

Slipping around the bath tub: I axed the bath tub that we bought, the one that baby bargains recommended, and started giving her baths in the sink and I use a big beach towel folded up for her to lounge on.

Playing with dd: Same as tray. I read to her often whether she is awake or sleeping. Dh sings to her all the time when he is home. For the most part she loves just looking around whatever room she is in at the time.

[kat]

phart: do they make sleep positioners to allow side-sleeping? I would LOVE to get one for Audrey, but I guess I always assumed those things were for keeping a baby on her back.....but since I've never really looked into it, I'm curious. If they're also made for side-sleepers, that would be perfect!!

And thanks so much for your kind words re: the loss of BF-ing. It means a lot to hear that from someone who's so pro-BFing.....I always fear that I'm being judged for giving up, you know? I know that I'm not, and that it's all in my hormone-filled head, but it helps to hear you say that nevertheless. I have to stop beating myself up for quitting -- after all, I'm not exaggerating when I say that I was down to about 5-10ccs per pumping session, total.

QOTD re: play: the twins are FINALLY starting to get interested in things like the Gymini playmat and the Symphony-in-Motion mobile. I try to do one "activity" every morning (today, for example, it was some tummy time and some time on the Gymini playmat; yesterday it was time in the crib with the mobile....other days I have what i call "art and music appreciation hour," where they look at the Tiny Love Double-Sided Picture Book pictures (black and white images on one side, colorful ones on the other) while I play music. In fact, I usually play music all morning long.....mostly "soft" stuff (I discovered the hard way that they aren't quite ready for Iggy Pop :D) -- everything from classical to Barry Manilow to Wilco and the Jayhawks....and yes, I own Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits. :D ).

Sometimes I just put them in their Papasan chairs and sing to them both at the same time. I feel a bit like I'm in a karaoke bar, but they both LOVE being sung to. It's a shame I don't get a chance to do it on a one-on-one basis more often, but such is the case with twins.

ANYWAY, the morning play time lasts about an hour, tops. If it's something like the play mat or mobile, they're usually done with that in about fifteen minutes and then we move on to something else.

In the afternoon, either they sleep or I take them somewhere in the car or stroller....or, two days per week, my ILs come over and hold them. Whenever I'm holding the babies, I talk to them (actually, whenever they're awake I talk to them -- they must be so sick of hearing my voice by now! :) ). I'll sing to them, sing along with music that's playing (while tapping out the beat on their bodies). I seem to have forgotten the words to Patty Cake, but I've made up my own and they don't seem to care. :) Actually, they're not much interested in Patty Cake anyway. Maybe they're too little for that? I dunno.

Sometimes I read to them, too. Yes, I feel silly b/c neither is paying much attention to the book when I do, but they seem to like hearing my voice so I do it anyway. It gives me something else to say .... otherwise I'm just babbling to the twins all day long and it's starting to make me a little cuckoo. LOL.

So that's my long-winded response to the QOTD. I'm just in heaven b/c the twins are napping at the same time, during the day....so what do I do? I spend fifteen minutes babbling on CC. :)

[phart]

Kat~~http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000058CC4.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

There's little pictures that have a baby on it's back and it says "preffered" then on it's side and "alternative". You can adjust the distance between the ends to fit baby.

Awesome that your babies decided to nap at the same time!

[amychris03]

NIP: Haven't done it yet... Im sure it must get easier the
more you do it huh? I think DH would be supportive of me,
which will help.

Playing: We play on the gymini each day, with some tummy
time as well... We also play with some light/sound toys, sing, and
do a lot of talking to the "baby in the mirror." That's about it!

New Question:
I have my 1 month WBV on Monday and want to go prepared
with questions to ask for my 2 month appointment when little
man is scheduled to get Vax'd. My Ped uses the Pediarix
Vax for Hep, DTaP, and IPV, and he would get the Hib and
PCV7 that same day. Any thoughts? I am doing my own
research, I just like to hear other opinions. Im wondering
if he needs the Hep now or the PCV7 since he wont be in
a daycare situation.

[phart]

Amy~~We are delaying the Hep B, PCV, and chicken pox until further notice:p Still not sure on the MMR but we'll probably get it at 3. We got the others pretty much on schedule with Aiden but I got them one at a time at first. For the 1 month you should only be getting the Hep B...the DTap, Hib and Polio start at 2 months.

[tray622]

We do about the same as phart in regards to delaying and everything else has been on schedule but one at a time. I found the book. what your doctor may not tell you, very informative.

[ce_Kathleen]

For those with the baby acne just wanted to share...breastmlilk on the skin helps clear it up quicker (so I have been told and it has worked for Alex and Nathan). I usually just squirt some on Nathan's face and smear it around or if I have pumped some I will pour a little on a cotton ball and wipe his face.

QOTD - nip - I don't have too much problems doing it when necessary but I prefer to do it in the car if I can b/c then I can keep Alex occupied in his car seat while I feed Nathan. But when I do it in public and not the car, I just feed and don't use any blankets or such. Phart this tummy hider thing is something I am going to look into!! I think I would feel better if I weren't showing off my belly.

[jen71]

Kat- we got a positioner for DD I think at Target. One side stays stationary, the other side is velcroe, & you can adjust it as to how wide apart to make the 2 sides, & also it is curved so you can flip it to wedge them in on their back, or curve it to put behind them on there side. Hope that made sense as I feel really tired right now.

Tray- sorry about DD acting out. I totally understand it, as DD has had her moments also. It is so heartbreaking. Wish we lived nearby to help each other out. My one neighbor that we would go to the park with daily moved out of state this week, which also broke my heart. Hope it gets better soon for you. Do you have family nearby? I take the kids to my parents almost daily to just get her out of the house.

[kat]

Thanks phart andjen for the sleep positioner info. I want to make a trip to BRU next week, so I'll definitely check out their selection. Audrey thanks you, too! :D

Speaking of whom...guess who rolled over today, from tummy to back? :) This was the first time either one of them rolled over on a flat surface (they've almost accidentally "rolled over" before from a higher spot on the couch to a lower spot, but that doesn't exactly count). So Audrey wins that race. Alex beat her in "first to coo," however. And now that they're *both* cooing and smiling up a storm, they're breaking hearts on a daily basis. :)

[jordan]

http://www.falconefamily.com/images/nathan/easter.jpg

[kdotp]

Grant got a visit from the Easter Bunny this morning (notice how I picked out things I liked for his candy because I knew I would be the one eating it! :p)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v56/kdotp/GrantEaster2.jpg

[dec27bride]

kdotp and Jordan-Love the Easter pics! :D We took a "mall Easter bunny" photo too, but it didn't turn out that great. They really should have had someone who wanted to be the Easter Bunny a little bit more doing it. While I'm sure that people aren't tripping over themselves for that job, this person in the bunny suit had no idea how to hold a baby, or maybe he/she didn't like babies, but when the helper would put them on their lap, he would never move, wouldn't even put his other hand on them to keep them up :rolleyes: . So here is one we took this morning...
http://images.snapfish.com/34684574%3A%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B97%3E WSNRCG%3D3233658552%3A%3B6nu0mrj

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekends!

[ajb524]

Here are a few pics from today with Sean

http://images.snapfish.com/34684557%3B%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3233%3E567%3E468%3E2324 567559%3B%3B3ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/34684557%3B%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3238%3E49%3A%3E794%3EWS NRCG%3D32336584%3C3%3A43nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/34684557%3B%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3238%3E49%3A%3E794%3EWS NRCG%3D32336584%3C3%3A63nu0mrj

[ShannonGH]

Hi March moms!! Wanted to drop off Noa's birth annoucement...nothing too special (since it's "homemade") but I thought it turned out pretty cute.
http://images.snapfish.com/34684%3C294%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3236%3E237%3E8%3C8%3E WSNRCG%3D323365%3C2%3A7%3C6%3Bnu0mrj

And here's a pic of her in her Easter bucket. ;)
http://images.snapfish.com/34684%3C294%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3236%3E237%3E8%3C8%3EWS NRCG%3D323365%3C2%3A4946nu0mrj

Okay, one more...here's is drying off after her first bath...sucking on her hand cuz she's ready for mama's milk
http://images.snapfish.com/34684%3C342%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3236%3E237%3E8%3C8%3EWS NRCG%3D323365%3C2%3B%3B8%3B8nu0mrj

Brag alert: Noa rolled over from tummy to back at 2.5 weeks!!! We have *such* a wiggler on our hands. When she's awake, she's constantly in motion. I know it was pure accident but I'm still counting it. :) A big characteristic of kiddos with DS is that their muscles are very flaccid and they don't have much strength...but I'm such a proud mommy to say that Noa is proving that so wrong! We started with an occupational therapist last week and even she was very impressed. I was telling Dh this morning that I wonder what Special Olympics event Noa will be interested in because I think she'll be very good at whatever she tries. :D

I have a second job interview for a part-time position this Weds. The position is for next school year. I *so* hope it goes well...I think this would be my ideal job.

I'm loving all the pics of the babies!!! Keep them coming!

[JennW]

Everyone's pictures are so beautiful! Shannon - I think Noa's announcements came out so beautiful!!! Great job. I'm so impressed with the annoucements everyone made themselves!

I can't believe how big all the babies are getting. Time sure is flying. My boy will be 1 month tomorrow. A few pics...

At the park:
http://images.snapfish.com/3468549%3B5%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3233%3E573%3E766%3E2324 573857438ot1lsi

Easter:
http://images.snapfish.com/3468549%3B5%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3233%3E573%3E766%3E2324 573857444ot1lsi

On his activity mat:
http://images.snapfish.com/3468549%3B5%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3238%3E876%3E2%3A4%3E WSNRCG%3D323366478%3B62%3Bnu0mrj

[Christy5599]

LOVE that last pic Jenn!

[yby1]

JennW - Mattias has that Baby Einstein play gym too. :)

[Kellymb75]

** TAKEN**
I have a $5 Enfamil coupon (good for any Enfamil formula) that is going to expire April 30, 2006 and I really would love to get it to someone that might be able to use it. It's free to whoever responds to this post first. I'll try and get it in the mail before our mail person comes today.

[Tracie]

Well, here I was, all about to brag about my boy rolling from stomach to back at six 1/2 weeks today, but I see that Shannon's Noa has him beat by a long shot! :D

[trm98]

Hi Ladies! Sorry I have been MIA so long. Whoever said newborns sleep 16-18 hours/ day never met Kaden! He seriously hardly ever sleeps more than 10-25 minutes at a time during the day. Anyway, he is sleeping now, so I am here.

We are doing well. He has some issues with acid reflux and colic. But, they are getting better. He was also putting on weight S-L-O-W-L-Y (only up 3 oz at one month appt). The Dr. wasn't worried though b/c he said that it can take c-section babies longer to gain weight. Between week 4 and 5 he put on 7 oz!! So, he is now 8lbs. 12 oz (up 10oz from his birth weight). He is a very happy baby when he isn't dealing with reflux or gas. He has also started to become insterested in his swing.

I haven't posted any pics yet, so here goes:
3 days old
http://images.snapfish.com/34685%3C876%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3233%3E574%3E553%3E2324 574644378ot1lsi

9 days old
http://images.snapfish.com/34685%3C876%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3239%3E345%3E452%3EWSNR CG%3D32336655%3A6347nu0mrj

4 weeks old
http://images.snapfish.com/34685%3C876%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3239%3E345%3E452%3EWSNR CG%3D32336655%3A634%3Cnu0mrj

5 weeks old
http://images.snapfish.com/34685%3C876%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3239%3E345%3E452%3EWSNR CG%3D3233665595673nu0mrj

Easter outfit (way too big)
http://images.snapfish.com/34685%3C876%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3239%3E345%3E452%3EWSNR CG%3D32336655%3A6354nu0mrj

red and aprilshowers- I'm thinking about y'all.

Great pictures everyone! Shannon-LOve the one with Noa in the bucket. I'm glad she is doing so well!

[kdotp]

Shannon Noa is a doll! And your announcements are great.

Love the photos, everyone!

Sheesh, my boy is a big, fat chunk. I think we still must be overfeeding him because he was 11lb 7oz yesterday at Mommy & Me, up almost a pound from the week before. He still sleeps a lot, too (probably from constantly having a full tummy!) We've been out for walks every nice day we've had. I'm trying to enjoy as much as I can now because I go back to work next week. :(

[tray622]

trm Even after our surgery we are dealing with reflux (and colic) too! Hang in there! Kaden is a doll :)

shannon Noa is gorgeous!

bbl... toddler is tantruming...

[red_canuck]

Quick update on the Logan man...

I talked with his pediatric Urologist today, and he goes in for the tests on May 3rd. He has a two hour (!) Renal scan first (how the heck am I gonna keep him content and still for two hours is beyond me) and then a one hour voiding systogram. I'm SO worried about that one, it involves a catheter, and he's just so darn little..ugh.
After the day of tests, we meet with the Doctor. I'm not sure if he'll have the results or not.
This whole thing is killing me. I am so worried about the little guy, and now I'm worried about all the stupid tests. He's already on amoxicillin twice a day to avoid a kidney infection, and now he has to put up with all this....it's sending my protective instincts into overdrive.
dec27bride I was hoping you might have some insights into these tests? The dr's haven't theorized with me what this all might be, and I'm afraid I've actually stuck to my promise form Rob not to look this up online. Would you mind if I pm'd you? I have so many questions, and fears for surgery...

Other than all that...things are going well. He loves his boob juice, and is growing well to show it. He has the cutest smile, it totally melts my heart. Not rolling or doing fun stuff like that yet, but I'm horribly negligent about tummy time - he screams his head off it you even contemplate putting him on his belly, so I've been holding him at my shoulder and he gets his neck excrcises that way (i hope). I can't help but baby him, everytime he cries my heart stops thinking this time it's because he's in some kind of pain with his kidney. And considering all my new mom fears as well...sometimes i over react a bit i think ;)



I LOVE seeing all the baby pictures ladies, we have quite the crop of cutties :D:D

[jen71]

Red- if it is any consolation, Cassidy had to be catheterized when she was less than 24 hours old. I know, it is hard to imagine the same things adults go thru happening to little ones. I just kept thinking that she was in good hands & they did it all the time.....I am sorry you guys are going thru this.

Ian is up to 10lbs 6 oz at clinic yesterday. He goes for his 2 month vaccinations today. Poor baby. The state is not getting his labs back in a timely manner, the doctor has filed complaints. I may call him to see if I can right a letter or something. This is all so importnat to his growth & development, & is a state run program. How can they do this? He is doing well, & we really don't need the results so quickly right now, but it is the meaning behind the whole thing that pisses me off.

[ShannonGH]

Update from Noa's cardiologist appointment this morning:
She is gaining weight appropriately and is now up to 9lbs! Her cardiologist called her Ventricular Septal Defect (which is the hole between her left and right ventricle) "moderate size." He said that if her VSD does not close on its own, that it will need to be closed surgically within the year. They try to avoid surgeries during the winter months because of the cold/flu season so he would like to have a plan in place by the end of this summer. Whether that means the surgery will take place late summer or early next spring, we will just have to wait and see how Noa is doing. The two things we are to watch for that would indicate her heart is struggling to perform would be inability to gain appropriate weight, as well as increased respiratory rate. We go back for another visit in 6 weeks.

red, I totally feel your overprotective mommy pain! Noa was not a happy camper today during her echo cardiogram and I was so on edge trying to soothe her. The echo wasn't even painful at all but I just hate it when she gets so upset.

[dec27bride]

red-I'm PM'ing you! Sorry you have to deal with this...
shannon-I continue to keep you all in my prayers, you have an incredible spirit and attitude about it all, Noa is very lucky to have a Mom like you!

We have my parents and sister visiting this week, so Arleigh is on visitor overload! Sometimes I think she gets overstimulated and I have to take her away (or maybe it's me wanting her to myself for a minute ;) ).

Here is my current favorite pic, the "ta-da" pose.

http://images.snapfish.com/34686%3C699%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3237%3E682%3E%3B97%3EWS NRCG%3D323364739%3A67%3Anu0mrj

[tunibell]

Just popping in for a sec to say that Piper also has that famed Baby Einstein play mat. Here she is attempting to extract milk from the star. (As you can see, her latch is improving! ;) )

http://static.flickr.com/56/131615484_eb8f6a74ac.jpg?v=0

[Christy5599]

LOL Tuni, that's hysterical!!!!

Patrick also has the same mat... great minds think alike ladies!

[JennW]

tuni - LOL! That is so funny I had to call DH in to see. We often laugh at all the stuff Owen tries to latch onto. Namely, people.;)

Dec - Great pic!

Shannon - Hope all goes well with her tests. She is lucky to have a mama like you.

[jordan]

I love all of the pics and wanted to add a few of my own, along with an update....

Well I cannot believe that Nathan is 6 1/2 weeks old!!! He's getting to be so much fun!!! (I'm sure it will only get better with time). This week has been full of shockers for me. On Tuesday he magically decided that tummy time wasn't such a horrible thing, still not a great thing but we can get around 5 minutes at a time a couple of times a day. He also decided his crib was kind of cool again and now he naps in it. (We're going to try sleeping in it tonight since there is no work tomorrow.) Now for the real shocker he slept for 7 and a half hours tuesday night and then 7 hours last night. Wednesday night was a little off b/c grandma and grandpa babysat and couldn't find his good swaddling blanket (that I left out ready to go on the bed). Let's hope this continues!!!

Finally liking tummy time (6 weeks old)
http://www.falconefamily.com/images/nathan/1mth/nate16.jpg

[JennZ]

Hi Girls!
Just checking in...
Everyone here is doing great. I'm really hoping for some additional sleep this weekend. I'm hoping Graham decides this is the right time for him to start sleeping more than 2 1/2-3 hours at a time!
I'm thinking 4 hours would be great and 5 would be HEAVEN!!!

Question for BFing Moms....
If you have supplemented with a bottle of formula or EBM at night, have been able to actually skip that feeding and let DH give the bottle while you sleep, or did you also get up and pump at the same time?
I don't want to compromise my supply by skipping feedings, but I'm really, really, really tired! :)

By the way, I also got some Enfamil checks in the mail if anyone wants them.... Just let me know and I will mail them out to you.

All the baby pics are just precious! I guess I need to get one of those Baby Einstein playmats!

jordan, 7 hours of sleep?!?!? Ahhhh, a girl can dream, right? You are so lucky!!

I have found myself very teary-eyed this week thinking about how big Graham already is. Some of his little 0-3 month clothes are too small, and it just makes me want to hold onto him so tightly and never let him grow up!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! :D

[ajb524]

JennZ- I will take the enfamil coupons. I'll PM you my address. Thank you!!

[JennZ]

Andrea,
I'll send them out this afternoon! Glad you could use them!

[ajb524]

Sean latched on to DH's nose not too long after we brought him home from the hospital :).

We're going to Sears in a bit to have some pictures made. I'm crossing my fingers he is in a good mood when we get there. He seems to get cranky when I take him to the mall. Typical male I guess ;)

[losthoosier]

AJB524 I have like 4-5 coupons also. If you want I can send them to you just PM me with your address

Things here are going good. Mackenzie will not sleep laying down. She has to be held our in her chair. I am trying each day to have her lay in her crib, on the couch, in the cosleeper but she just will not sleep.

Question How late is to late to send out announcements I am waiting for her pictures to come back and she will be 6 weeks old is it to late?

[kdotp]

How long are your babies awake and/or quietly alert? I feel like Grant sleeps a ton (18+ hours/day still at 6.5 weeks) and when he's awake is either fussing or eating. We have very little awake and quietly alert time.

[ajb524]

losthoosier- Thank you so much! As far as the announcement I don't think 6 weeks is too late at all. I didn't send mine out until around then. Even though a lot of people already knew he was born they didn't have a picture of him so a lot of people were excited to get the announcements.

[tunibell]

kdotp - I had the same concerns regarding Piper's sleep time. My ped said it's totally normal, and to consider myself lucky. :)

[heidi0622]

How long are your babies awake and/or quietly alert? I feel like Grant sleeps a ton (18+ hours/day still at 6.5 weeks) and when he's awake is either fussing or eating. We have very little awake and quietly alert time.

I was just about the post the exact same thing myself - except I don't think we're getting quite that much sleep time. He is napping lots during the day and anytime we go out anywhere, he is sound asleep. However, anytime he is awake, he is eating or fussing. I am frustrated that I have basically gotten no good quiet alert time for the past week or so. I haven't been able to read a story, chat with him, interact, etc. My conversations consist of shushing and soothing him when he is fussy.

DH is also frustrated because his worst time of day is from 6-10pm - the entire time he is home with him. I tell him that I'm not getting much happy time either, so he shouldn't feel too badly.

[mom2amelia]

I was just about the post the exact same thing myself - except I don't think we're getting quite that much sleep time. He is napping lots during the day and anytime we go out anywhere, he is sound asleep. However, anytime he is awake, he is eating or fussing. I am frustrated that I have basically gotten no good quiet alert time for the past week or so. I haven't been able to read a story, chat with him, interact, etc. My conversations consist of shushing and soothing him when he is fussy.

DH is also frustrated because his worst time of day is from 6-10pm - the entire time he is home with him. I tell him that I'm not getting much happy time either, so he shouldn't feel too badly.


I have no real time to post, but I wanted to respond to this. Heidi0622, that sounds JUST like Amelia as an infant. For the first 3 months of her life, if she was awake, she was pissed. She was the most unhappy baby ever. And then, around 12 weeks (right when I went back to work, grrrrr) she became a different baby. She had quiet alert time, she interacted more, she was just happier. The best way to soothe her as a small infant was to sling her. I got a lot more done that way and she was much more content. She also HATED tummy time and gymini time. Nonetheless, she is a happy, cheerful, bright almost 3 year old now. No one can believe she was such an unhappy baby because she is so smiley and social now. So, don't worry too much - sounds like your DS is just going though the "4th trimester," I'll bet you see a huge difference right around 12 weeks.

[JennW]

JennZ - I actuallly pump when DH gives the bottle. It sucks cause I'd rather be sleeping but if I don't pump then and he sleeps 5-6 hours it will be 8hours or more without giving out milk. But, I agree, I'd SO rather be sleeping.:rolleyes:

kdotp - Owen is only 5 weeks but still has tons of sleep time, too. He has some days with a lot of alert time but mostly he sleeps a lot. His evenings are pretty awake, which is fun for DH.:D

lost - Not too late at all - send them out!!!:)

[kdotp]

lost
I'm just getting around to sending G's out and he'll be 7w next Tues. I couldn't find A7 (to fit 5x7) evnelopes anywhere in town and ended up buying them off eBay.

[Christy5599]

Ok, so I just read...

People magazine reports Katie left the hospital within 24 hours of giving birth, during which, she opted for an epidural.

I thought they were doing it au natural and silent to be all scientological and all... guess not? DH read that Tom got her an adult size pacifier to encourage her to not talk during labor. Ummm, yeah. What a wing nut!:p

[dec27bride]

DH read that Tom got her an adult size pacifier to encourage her to not talk during labor.

I hope at some point during labor, Katie told Tom what he could do with that pacifier ;) ...

[heidi0622]

Quick fly-by post...

I have the following formula checks - please PM me if you'd like any of them -

Similac $5 (5 of them)
Nestle Supreme DHA and ARA formulas $11 (2) *TAKEN*
Nestle Good Start $1 *TAKEN*
Enfamil $5 *TAKEN*
Enfamil A.R. Lipil Instant Formula $6.50
Enfamil Gentlease Lipil $6

Dec27bride and Christy5599: what a freak Tom C is!!!

Mom: thanks so much for the words of encouragement. Glad to hear this super-cranky phase most likely won't have a lasting impact!

[JennW]

That is crazy about Tom C.! What a weirdo.:rolleyes: Is it also true that Brooke Shields had her baby on the same day in the same hospital? I heard that somewhere?

[losthoosier]

Heidi

I PM you but I am interested in the Nestle coupons..

Thanks
Candace

[dec27bride]

JennW-I heard that too, that they were in the same hospital, same day, same floor even, which is so ironic considering their history...

[Christy5599]

HA! Too funny that they were both there at the same time, I wonder if they realized it at the time.

[JennW]

All this talk of TomKat is making me laugh.:)

Hope everyone is having a good weekend with their little ones. It's rainy and grey here and sucks.:(

For those that are pumping are you finding supply issues when DC eats otherwise? DH has been a bit fussy on days when I pump more and I'm wondering if I'm not replenishing fast enough. I have no idea how long it takes to "fill up" again.

A few pics...

http://images.snapfish.com/346894242%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3233%3E584%3E677%3E232458 4768%3A%3A6ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/346894242%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3238%3E876%3E2%3A4%3EWSNR CG%3D3233675763%3C43nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/346894242%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3238%3E876%3E2%3A4%3EWSNR CG%3D323367575556%3Anu0mrj

[heidi0622]

Jenn: you get the cutest darn pictures of Owen!!!

I have been horrible about posting, but trying to read along. I do have to say we have some of the cutest darn March babies!!!

We had our 1 month ped visit this past week (he was actually about 5.5 weeks old). Here are his stats:

Weight: 9lb 9oz (up from 7lb 1oz at birth)
Height: 22in (up from 20 in)
Head circ: 38cm (up from 33cm)

Ben actually had a few periods of "quiet alert" time last night, so that was fun...especially since I had a few friends over visiting.

Hope all the mommies are doing well.

[ShannonGH]

Questions about nursing bras: When is it that we can wear underwire without the fear of doing damage?
Also, I'm tired of being limited on what shirts I can wear because I don't want to show off my bra straps (since they're so close to my neck)...can anyone recommend a good bra where the straps are further out on your shoulders like a normal bra? Or do nursing bras like that even exist?

Maybe I'll go post this in the Breastfeeding thread too. Thanks Ladies!

[JennW]

Shannon: My favorite is the sleep bra from mothrhood (only 11 bucks!). Here is a link. It's not great looking, but oh well.;) It is also super comfy!!!
http://www.motherhoodnursing.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=97092008&Category_Id=2008
I also have a few from target that have regular straps. I can't find them online but the in-store selection was pretty decent.

To piggyback on Shannon's question: What type of nursing pads does everyone use? I feel like you can always see them through clothes!

[ajb524]

I also have that sleep bra and it is super comfy!! I ordered some Medela Bra's from Breakoutbras.com and really like them.

JennW- I'm not having to wear them anymore since my leaky days are gone, but I liked the lanisoh brand the best. You can find them in Target and most other drugstore type places. I tried the medela brand when I was in the hospital and didn't feel like I had as much coverage with them, but then again I'm very blessed in that area ;).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I go back to work tomorrow. These past 10 weeks have flown by. Sean also starts daycare tomorrow :(. I know he'll be fine, but it's going to be hard to leave my baby. Actually he is gone right now. DH took him to see his parents and they are going to watch him for the afternoon so I can get some stuff done around here and get ready for tomorrow. Let me just say that it feels *so* weird to be home without him. I keep feeling like I need to go check on him.

I've got a few new pictures of Mr. Sean. He has learned how to splash in the bathtub so bath time is much better now.

http://images.snapfish.com/3468%3A4992%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3238%3E49%3A%3E794%3E WSNRCG%3D323366%3A%3A72777nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3468%3A4992%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3238%3E49%3A%3E794%3E WSNRCG%3D323366%3A%3A72783nu0mrj

[Christy5599]

Very cute Andrea!!!!

Good luck with work tomorrow, I hope the first day goes by very quickly for you!

[ShannonGH]

Thanks for the bra recs girls!

I second the Lansinoh disposable pads rec. They're more form-fitting so not noticeable under clothes, IMO. I made the mistake of trying the washable pads made by Gerber. Leaked right through them. :rolleyes:

[JennW]

Andrea - Good luck tomorrow! The weeks are flying by for me too. I am dreading going back.:( Sean is so super cute. I can't believe how big he is getting. I love the smile.

Thanks all for the pad rec. I'll have the try the Lansinoh one. Unfortunately, I am not so well-endowed so almost any brand gives me enough coverage.:D It's just I hate seeing them through clothes. I am enjoying the fact that my BBS are twice as big as usual but the paper-filled bra look is so not working for me! LOL;)

[JennZ]

Jenn and Shannon,
I have been using the Gerber Ultra Thin nursing pads and I don't think they show very much. I am using the Yes! nursing bras which are pretty heavy material, so maybe that helps.
The only issue with the ultra-thin pads is that at night, when I finish nursing, sometimes it is hard to tell which side is the front and which is the back. So I have accidentally put them in backwards before and woken up with a wet shirt from leakage. Lovely, right? :o
Oh well! Live and learn!
And Shannon, I'm totally with you on the washable Gerber pads- totally useless!!

Well, we took all three kiddos to the zoo today. It was actually a terrific time! I was so worried about so many things- nursing, crying, the heat, etc.., but it couldn't have gone any better! So it was a lot of fun! We strapped Graham into the Baby Bjorn, and he slept most of the day.
It was good to get out as a family! :)

[dec27bride]

Nursing pads- I also rec. the Lansinoh brand!

Andrea-Sorry you have to go back to work tomorrow! :( I'm going back on Tuesday. DH took the week off to stay home with Arleigh, and she'll go to daycare next week. I'm glad that it's working out that way, so I don't have to deal with work and daycare starting the same day, but since DH hasn't been alone with her for more than 2-3 hours at a time, I'm also a little nervous about that ;) .

JennZ-What a great day for the zoo, did you go to Dallas or Fort Worth?

We had Arleigh's 2 month appt on Friday. She is up to 11lbs 7oz, and 23 1/2 inches (from 8lb 5oz and 21 1/2 in at birth). She got her shots, which was awful! She was doing the kind of cry where no sound comes out at first b/c she's so upset, and her face was so sad, I started to cry a little with her :( . I told her ped. about her fussiness, and after he said "I can see that" :rolleyes: (this was before the shots, and she was crying and fussing away), he said that it sounds like colic, and that it will eventually go away. I told him I was giving her gripe water, and he didn't know what that was?? I found that a little odd, don't you think ped's know about gripe water? Anyway, hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekends!

[JennZ]

dec27bride,

We went to the Dallas Zoo only because we have a zoo membership there. We prefer Ft. Worth- it's a much better zoo!
Are you here in TX, too?
That silent cry face breaks my heart!!!

Andrea, good luck tomorrow! Sorry you have to go back already!

[dec27bride]

JennZ-Yes, I'm in Carrollton. I love the Ft. Worth Zoo, I haven't been to the Dallas one yet!

[Bernie]

andrea and jenn - your little guys are so cute!
I've been walking around with the camera trying to catch a picture of my guys smiling, but I never seem to be fast enough!
And I seem to have little shrimps on my hand. At their 2 month appointment last week, Amelia was up to 8 pounds 4 ounces, and Max was up to 8 pounds 8 ounces. The ped seemed happy with their weight gain so I'm not too concerned, but it seems strange that as we move into their third month, they are just starting to wear their 0-3 month sized clothes.

dec27 - My guys did that same type of soundless cry when they got their shots - it was so awful! And they just looked at me like they couldn't believe we could let something like this happen to them. Heartbreaking!

Good luck Andrea and Dec27!! Sorry you have to go back to work already!

I have a job interview for tomorrow for what potentially could be my dream job. I wasn't looking to change jobs, but the interview kind of fell into my lap. The hours would be better, and my commute would be less than 10 minutes, and they have daycare on site. But - I wasn't planning on going back to work until July, and I think this place will want me to start in June, or possibly in May. So - even though I don't have the job yet - I've been stressing out about going back to work. My heart breaks when I think about not being with my babies all day.

[kdotp]

I had to go back to work today, too. :( DH is the one taking DS to daycare, so at least I was spared that (and we woke up late and I was running around trying to get ready and get everything I needed, so that helped take my mind off them leaving).

Twice now I've been attempting to clip DS's nails and he'll move his hand and I'll catch the tip of his finger instead, so I know all about the noiseless cry. I feel like the worst mom ever when that happens!

[ajb524]

Well, I'm back at work. It feels really weird to be back ;).

Sean did great this morning. The only problem I had was he got up at 2:45 this morning. FOr about a week now he's been only getting up once (around 4:00 or 5:00). I didn't go to sleep until after midnight and I was up with him about 30 minutes and then I got up at 5:45. I am tired! We left home about 7:00 and got to the daycare about 7:15 and I stayed about 15 or 20 minutes. I called and checked on him around 9:00 and he was doing fine. My daycare has a webcam and I've been watching this morning. It's kind of fuzzy though so it's hard to make out Sean.

I also had my first pumping session here at work. I'm not getting much milk now, but enough to give him one or two bottles a day. I just started taking fenugreek so I'm hoping that will help me get up to giving him 1/2 BM & 1/2 formula during the day.

Is anyone interested in Similac coupons? I've got several $5.00 one's that I'm not going to use. PM me with your address and I'll send them right out.

[trm98]

Hi ladies!

Sorry to those of you who have had to go back to work. I can't even imagine that right now! I hope that it goes smoothly for everyone.

Wake time: My little guy has very little asleep time! I swear, I can hardly get anything done or catch up on sleep b/c he hardly ever sleeps in the day. After his evening feeding (6ish) he'll sleep until his before bed feeding, but during the daytime...forget it. He is actually sleeping right now though! Usually if he does go down, it is just for about 10-20 minutes.

Pumping: I have just started pumping. I get very little during the session. Maybe 2 oz total. I have tried to do it when I am relaxed and looking at him, but it still is only that much. Any pointers?

Kaden is making up for his slow weight gain. At his appt this past Thursday, he was 9lbs 4oz! Up from 8lb 12 oz the THursday before.

Bassinet and crib When should we switch him over to the crib? I get up regardless and leave the room to feed him as it is. I'm just wondering what y'all have done.

6 week postpardon appt: What did yours include? My dr basically did nothing! He didn't weigh me, no pap test, nothing. The only thing he did is go though a few tests for my back and sent me for an X-Ray. It has been bothering me at the epidural site ever since the birth. He thinks that they may have nicked a vertebrare or a nerve with the needle. But, either way there is not much they can do. So, that was it and then he released me to work out again. Is that normal?

We are moving this weekend! DH and I bought a house. Only down side is that we will no longer have DSL:( . We are too far out in the country. So,
I will have dial up, which could mean I will be on here even less. How is that possible?;)

In other news, I have been put on the surplus teacher list at my job. Meaning as of right now, I have no job to go back to in September. If things don't change between now and then, I will take my full year mat leave and just substitute teach. Kinda scary since we just bought a house, but also nice to think that I might be with Kaden a full year. We'll see. If I don't have a position it kinda disrupts our plans to start trying for DC#2 as soon as we wanted to. Oh well, I trust that everything happens for a reason.

Well, I had better run and take advantage of Kaden's sleep. Need to finish packing!!

[dec27bride]

andrea and kdotp-Ughh, sorry you're back at work, I'm dreading tomorrow :( . Kdotp-I've done that to Arleigh too, I felt so bad, I decided they could wait another week before I tried again!

eta-trm-I had my 8 week checkup, but we did the annual at the same time, so I'm not sure what it would have consisted of if we didn't. Sorry, not much help at all!

[Christy5599]

trm, I had a weight, breast and bp check and then a pap and we talked about birth control. Basically it was an annual. Now I don't have to go back for a year which is so strange to me because I was going so often for so long since we were infertility patients!

Re: Pumping... I was having a hard time with this too but I don't think I was letting my supply increase enough between feedings. Patrick eats anywere between every two hours or four hours depending on the time of day. I try to pump halfway between if I can. I realized I was doing it too soon after he ate initially so I was scaring myself thinking that I wasn't going to ever get enough pumping. I also found it easier to not have him in the room with me and I just thought about his sweet face and the milk started flowing! I get about 4 oz per session now and am trying to build up a freezer stash for when/if I do go back to work.

HTH!

Patrick is getting his shots tomorrow... yowch! Then I have a dentist appt which I have to take him too... I really hope he is a good boy! :o

[nicknack]

Andrea--Has anyone taken you up on the Similac coupons yet? If not, I'd love them!

I haven't been in here in forever, but I hope everyone is doing well!

[MrsCantDecide]

Going back to work isn't all that bad... I went back last Monday. I felt like I really never left! 6 weeks goes by very quickly! I'm also doing the pumping at work thing, and I honestly expected to get more from pumping, but I must be getting enough, because we're still having enough left over after the day to add to my freezer stash. I'm probably up to about 80 oz frozen now. :D

I definitely don't have one of the kids that is sleeping through the night (or even close)... Lucas gets up around 1 or 2 and again at 4 or 5 to feed. Between that, going back to work and staying up too late to get stuff done, that makes for one very tired momma!

My 6-week post partum checkup just was a weight check and they looked at my incision, and we talked about birth control. I've opted out of the birth control, since I don't know what it does to milk supplies.

Moving him to his crib ... we moved Lucas at 5 weeks to his crib, he's done great there. He was also a noisy sleeper, causing me to wake up before he was even awake, and I've found that moving him has helped tremendously with the waking me up part. I have the monitor slightly quieter than he was in the pack 'n play next to me, and I don't get up until he's really crying now.

Here's my little cutie just last Friday.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/stef842/rszcutelucas2.jpg

Have a great week girls!

[Christy5599]

OMG Steph, he's so cute!!!! I'm jealous of your freezer stash too! Glad to hear pumping is going well at work, how much are you able to pump at a session? I feel like 4 oz is probably what Patrick is eating but I'm afraid that pumping just twice a day if I go back FT won't produce enough milk for him for his day at daycare.

[losthoosier]

Steph your son is adorable. I love his eyes......

I have another question For those of you who have slings what brands do you have. Mackenzie refuses to sleep unless she is touching me. I have been unable to get anything done. As soon as I put her down she wakes up and screams...... I am ready to try anything at this point..... HELP!!!

[JennZ]

Love the pic, Steph! Very, very cute!! :)

lost,
I have a Bjorn that Graham is just now starting to enjoy. I tried a sling from Kangaroo Korner, but it was too big so I had to send it back. Sorry I'm not much help!

I have a question for BFing mommies....
Do you pump after each feeding and freeze that milk? I'm so afraid to pump in between feedings because I'm afraid DS will wake up as soon as I'm finished pumping and I won't have any milk left!
So I'm trying to figure out how to accumulate a freezer stash to be able to make some bottles at night for DH. I'm sure he's just dying to help me feed Graham in the wee hours of the night, right?? :rolleyes:

Or I guess the other question is...How long does it take to replenish breast milk? Is it more like one hour or two-three? I have no idea!! TIA! :D

ETA:
dec27bride, I'm in Coppell! And my sis and BIL live in North Carrollton! How funny! What hospital did you deliver at? Trinity? We delivered at Presby Plano. I don't know if you have family around, but if you ever need anything, I'm not that far from you! :)

[tray622]

losthoosier I have a hotsling I use all the time. I use the Kangeroo Pouch a lot too but love my hotsling a bit more! HTH :)

[dec27bride]

JennZ-How funny, small world! I wondered what hospital you delivered at, b/c as I recall, we were scheduled at exactly the same time right, noon on 2/28? I did deliver at Trinity, but my perinatologist was at Presby Plano, and one of the girls in my Bradley class is a nursery nurse there, maybe she took care of Graham! I should have said something sooner, before going back to work, we could have had a playdate with our little ones!

MCD-Great picture!
Christy-Good luck with the shots and dentist appt tomorrow!

[ajb524]

nicknack- Send me a private message with your address and I'll send them out to you.

[JennW]

MCD - Great pic! He is so cute!:)

[amychris03]

How the heck do you give an infant medicine through a
syringe without them spitting it out? I gave Sam his
Zantac this morning and I think half of it came back out.
Last night we got most of it in and he had such a good
night! This morning half came out and he's already
spit up once...

[kmm0305]

Coming out of lurkdom . . .

amychris03 does your baby take a pacifier? When I give my baby medicine I try and give a little, then put the pacifier in to get her to suck it down, then more medicine, then suck--you get the picture. Try to aim it far back in their cheek, too. Someone once told me blowing lightly on their face causes them to swallow, but that trick never worked for me. She is actually the queen of medicine and now at 9 months takes it readily and willingly!

To all the moms with babies going through ANY type of medical issue--babies are resiliant and it is much harder on you than them. ;) Being a mom of a baby with health issues, I know what it is like to worry about procedures and meds and all that good stuff.

Congrats to all the March moms and their beautiful babies!

Hi Kari, how is work going? ;) Was going to call last night to see how much of a wreck you were--ha ha. See you on Sunday! :D

Kristyn

[ellybella]

keep sharing photos ladies, all of the babies are so cute!

Moving him to his crib ... we moved Lucas at 5 weeks to his crib, he's done great there. He was also a noisy sleeper, causing me to wake up before he was even awake, and I've found that moving him has helped tremendously with the waking me up part. I have the monitor slightly quieter than he was in the pack 'n play next to me, and I don't get up until he's really crying now.


mcd i'm counting the days until our attic renovation is finished so we can finally set up the crib. james is also super noisy so i don't get much sleep when he's in our room. i'll be staying at home, but i've got 80oz frozen as well. never want to run out of those bottles for dh to give him at night. i started pumping right when we got home from the hospital.

christy too funny, dh and i have dentist appts. today too. ours are in boston and back to back, yikes! we're hoping james will sleep the entire time or at least be his quiet alert self.

one month appt. james is up to 11lbs 1oz, from 7lbs 11oz at birth and he's grown and inch and a half. we also got a 6 hour stretch of sleep out of him the other night!! sucks that i get so full that i still need to get up and pump :( .

shots i want to delay the hep b vax, but our pedi only offers the shot pediarix w/ the three combined, dtap, ipv and hep b. she said if i don't want the hep b i need to have the other 2 sent to them individually, since the state doesn't supply them with it. does anyone know how i go about that?

breastpads i need to try the lansinoh, i've used the medela washable, gerber washable and gerber disposable light and i've leaked through all of them and my clothes. not fun having to wash everything everynight to avoid smelling like sour milk. nice. :o

nursing bras/tops i also need to invest in some button up shirts and cardigans. i ordered two glamourmom nursing bra tanks w/ the lace and love them. i will be ordering a couple more, they're just very easy.

lost i also have a hotsling. i carried ds in it in his first few weeks. i tried putting him in it the other day and he cried. i almost felt like it was too tight for him, i have no idea. it would really be a drag because i only used it a few times. i'm going to wait to try it when he has head control now and can try the carries other than cradle.

http://images.snapfish.com/3468%3B%3B695%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3235%3E8%3A5%3E989%3E WSNRCG%3D3233675%3A4%3B%3B84nu0mrj

he loves to stare at dh when he talks.
http://images.snapfish.com/3468%3B%3B695%7Ffp344%3Enu%3D3235%3E8%3A5%3E989%3E WSNRCG%3D3233675%3A4%3A%3C43nu0mrj

[kat]

I have about two minutes before both twins explode (I hear stirring...), and I haven't yet caught up on this thread, but I wanted to drop off updated pics. They were a whopping 13 lbs., 12 oz (Alex) and 12 lbs. 8 oz. (Audrey) at their two-month checkup last week. 90-95th percentile on height and 90th percentile on weight.

Oh, and as for giving medicine: I put it far back and into her lower cheek, and I wait to give it to her until she's hungry. I have no idea whether Mylicon tastes good or not, but she always gobbles it down if she's ready to eat. I've tried the pacifier trick, too -- works great!

[pics removed]

[ajb524]

Such cute babies!!!

As far as medicine goes I usually mix it will a half ounce of milk (not gas drops though). This is what they did when he was in the NICU. It worked especially well for tylenol when he had his shots 2 weeks ago. When I tried just putting it in his mouth he spit it out and started gagging. I also do the same for his vitamins.

[kdotp]

I think we all just have the most adorable babies, ever!

[tgal]

Hi ladies,

I've been lurking on an off for the past few weeks, but things have been so crazy around here. All these pictures are so adorable and these babies are growing far too fast! How can we slow them down just a peep???

Well, I survived the parent visits. My dad who is re-married with 3 kids came out first and that was the most hectic week and a half I have had in a long time. Extremely exhausting! Then my mom visited and that was a little more relaxing and her spending time with the baby gave me some time to get a few things done around here, including getting invitations out for our Annual Party! Eva was the center of the invitation this year, here are a couple of pics taken at 2 months.

http://static.flickr.com/46/134948851_c1cde8970f_m.jpghttp://static.flickr.com/52/134948850_7ddb2d4823_m.jpg

Her two month check-up was yesterday and she weighed in at 11lbs 4oz and 22.5 inches long. A long jump from the 10% at her 1 month visit to 50% at the 2 month visit. :eek:

Kat: Love that onsie, where did you get it! I need one, especially since dd looks so much like dh. I get "he looks just like his daddy" all the time, even if she is in pink!

Shots: Did anyone have to sign a waiver to delay? If you are delaying, are you being extra careful about taking dc into public places? We haven't been, but our ped cautioned us about it and I was curious what others have done? Also, anyone know if the DTaP is offered individually like the MMR?

Breast Pads: Tried everything and the only thing that works for me are Lansinoh. I leak so much that I fill about 2-3 pads (sometimes more) a day. :confused:

Pumping: I found the pumping thread in parenting quite helpful. The first page has great info. I have following most of the suggestions and have built up a nice supply. I always pump after feedings even if I only get .5 oz and if dd has slept too long or I have used a bottle I always pump before the next feeding because I am usually engorged. From what I have read, even if you pump and the milk stops coming out, you can put the baby on and their suction will get more milk out of you, so I have never really worried about not having enough milk if I pump myself flat. I have even wanted to have a bottle ready to go out and not wanted to take from my freezer stash, so I've put dd back on the breast to get the milk flowing again to pump more out. Not sure if this works for everyone, but I thought I would mention it.

Work: Urggg! I don't even want to think about it and I totally feel for you ladies who have already returned. I am supposed to return May 15th, but need to talk to my boss and see if he will be willing to let me return June 19th.

Shannon: I had to use the underwire target bras that I bought from the start because my back started hurting from the lack of support from those without. Knock on wood, but I haven't had any issues using the underwire bras.

[phart]

Catching up as much as I can before both kids wake up...

Really, our kids are so cute!

slings~~I have a non-stretchy wrap, a MT, a Bjorn (not yet used), a ring sling, a KKACP and a KKAFP. I use the cotton pouch and the ring sling the most. Love carriers!

Did anyone have to sign a waiver to delay? If you are delaying, are you being extra careful about taking dc into public places? We haven't been, but our ped cautioned us about it and I was curious what others have done? Also, anyone know if the DTaP is offered individually like the MMR?


i think you will always have to sign a waiver. not at all cautious about public places. don't know about the DTaP.

pumping~~i pump between feedings with no worries about having enough milk for Maura. her suck is better than th PIS:) i usually get 3-4 ounces from pumping one side (and i just pump one side). i drink mother's milk tea when i can to help get my supply up for the pumpings. i have a *thing* about having extra milk in the freezer.

crib~~Maura is still in our bed so no advice there. I think I started putting Aiden in his around 6 weeks and then would bring him to our bed at some point during the night. Maura is generally waking twice, sometimes 3 times, over night to nurse. She naps in many places so I know she can sleep somewhere other than our bed but I like her there:)

Sorry I can't reply more!

[MrsCantDecide]

Christy5599 ~ Thanks! I think I'll keep him! ;)

I generally pump about 5 oz per session while at work and I pump twice at work, once before I go to work and 2 times after work, and I get 3 - 5 ounces when not at work. I do have to admit, I worry every day that I'm not pumping enough, but after a few days, I usually end up with a couple of bottles I can throw in the freezer for my freezer stash.

lost ~ Thanks! He's my cutie!

JennZ ~ Thanks! I think he's cute too! When I was nursing and pumping, I would pump about an hour after he ate. Some people say to pump right after nursing, but I liked seeing more milk, and he didn't seem to be going hungry. I think it takes me 2 hours to replenish my supply enough so that he wouldn't be screaming, but now we just give him bottles anyway. I only nurse him 2 - 3 times ... before he goes to bed and the 2 feedings during the night.

Dec27bride ~ Thanks! I took that right before I jumped in the shower. He was just hanging out on the boppy!

JennW ~ Thanks! I thought so too! ;)

Ellybella ~ I hope for your sake you get that attic done soon! I started pumping while still in the hospital, but I'm with you... I want DH to be able to take some night feedings! Of course, I wake up with Lucas and he doesn't!

Love the pictures! Especially of James staring at your DH while he talks!

kat ~ They are growing great! What big cuties!

tgal ~ I love the outfit! What a cutie! Glad to hear you survived all of hte family visiting!

medicine ~ Lucas usually sucks it down too if he's hungry. I've learned not to give it to him half asleep, he WILL spit it back out then! I honestly think he likes the taste of mylicon!

breast pads ~ Guess I got lucky with the first try... I tried the lansinoh ones first and they worked well so I stuck with them. I have been living dangerously though, I haven't been wearing them, because I have enough bulk in that area!

[JennW]

I really need to get on the ball with pumping more. I am totally slacking in this area! I have an electric that I have not used yet and have just been using a plain old hand one.:rolleyes:

kat - BEAUTIFUL babies! They are so cute!:D

tgal - She looks so pretty in her outfit! Holy cow I can't believe she is that old already? Where is the time going?:)

Re: Medicine - I haven't tried them, but our drugstore sells pacifiers that hold the medicine in them and babies suck it out.