November & December 2005 Mommies: Our First Spring!

[sem426]

saving us from page 2....

hope everyone had a great father's day weekend.

[first-time mom]

Hey everyone sorry I have been MIA. I have been spending lots of time on LJ. For those of you who just created accounts my username is morrisonkm9. I am going to try to add you guys but I cant remember all the names sigh.

I am sooo behind. I will try to comment on what I can remember.

Bliss-Kaylin is the same way about CIO. It doesnt work for her at all. She will cry all day and all night and it got to the point where she cried when I walked in her room. I refuse to let her CIO now because its not right for her. It doesnt work. She can put herself to sleep but it seems to be only in my bed. I kinda created a monster when her heart was bad but who would have done it differently. I am just going to slowley poke away at the issue. ugh.

Solids-Kaylin is on stage 2. She loves prunes and oatmeal, spinach and potatoes, squash and corn, green beans and rice. SHe hates peas ha. But that is the only thing she doesnt like.


Weight-Kaylin is 7 mos and weighs 18lbs 9 oz which is 80% and is 27 1/4 which is 97%. SO she is very tall, she gets taht from dh. I am a shorty.

Rocking- I still rock Kaylin to sleep unless she is in my bed she puts herself to sleep. I dont mind rocking her b/c before I know it she'll be too big.

I will try to keep up over here..... hehe

[shirsty]

Another MIA mom here. I am home sick today so I actually have some time to be online :)

LJ I hope a few people will continue to hang out here, I just don't have the time/energy to migrate somewhere else, and I like the format here (but not the over-aggressive thread maintenance, at times).

solids DS is eating solids 2X/day now, once at daycare and once in the evening with us. He is starting to mash him gums a bit, but I think he will still be on purees for a least a little while yet. Which is OK because bigger pieces of food and the thought of him maybe choking freak me out!

teeth we have 2 teeth (bottom middle ones), and i was sad to see the gummy smile go away but I totally love them!

jengen if my DS would STTN I would gladly rock him to sleep EVERY night! I think a lot more people rock their babies to sleep than you might think. How is the partial weaning going BTW? I am still nursing in the evenings and on the weekends, and sending 1 or 2 bottles of EBM (out of 3 total) to daycare. I think this is the way to go for us, to verrrrrry slowly wean.

4-day rule the 4 day rule for introducing a new food has kind of turned into the 2- or 3-day rule around here :o DS has tried almost all the stage 1 stuff, I think we'll be venturing into stage 2 probably next week.

abby we have tried the gerber peaches, they do smell kind of weird. How did your homemade peaches turn out?

Father's Day we had a good first father's day for DH, he has been complaining about all the 'I love mommy' onesies, books, etc. (not that we have a ton but it is amazing how much stuff talks about mommies and not daddies) well I bought an I Love My Daddy onesie and 2 books about babies and daddies and a fun new toy for them both to play with, it was all a hit. And I don't have to hear anymore complaining about all the mommy stuff either ;)

[abbytfox]

We have been having a really hard time over here...Well, I guess I have been having a hard time. Today I actually told Elliott to "just stop crying...please." He has been so fussy and unlike his usual go with the flow self lately. I am pretty sure it is because of the teething (2 teeth in a span of a week or so, 1more to go) or maybe he is starting to have stranger anxiety or maybe he is just starting to change and like things the way he likes them (less flexible and more opinionated) but whatever it is...I want my little guy back! I can't put him down in the living room for more than a minute and walk into the kitchen (part of the same room, he can totally see me) or he starts crying. We went to the mall for 45 mins today because I HAVE to find something to wear to these weddings I have coming up and he sobbed in his stroller. I try to nurse him...crying. I try to give him his sippy...crying. Play with him, but he sits on his own instead of in my lap...crying. Seriously, I don't know what to do. I give him tylenol. Make sure he gets his naps and is in bed on time. I don't know what to do. Is anyone else dealing with this? I actually felt annoyed at him today and after I had that feeling I almost cried. I know that I can't like being with him all the time (even if I always love him) but honestly most of the time I do like being with him. I haven't really felt this way about him since he was teeny tiny and we were figuring each other out. I thought it was supposed to get easier as they got older, not more frustrating. ok...thanks for letting me vent. Any advice would be great!

shirsty The homemade peaches were way more delish than the gerber ones and they didn't really have that funky smell. Plus, I think he likes them better. I used 5 peaches and have enough for many, many weeks! Just made pears last night and we'll see if he likes them tonight.

[krbb]

abbytfox - So sorry to hear what you have been going through. The only suggestion I have is to try Motrin if you haven't already. My sisters told me to stick with that instead of the Tylenol for teething. Since it is an anti-inflamatory it will help with the gums if they are swollen. It also lasts longer. Hopefully it is just his teeth and once it comes through he will be back to himself!

[shirsty]

Abby E is right on track age-wise for all the things you are describing: teething, stranger anxiety, clinginess, emotions changing quickly from happy to sad or whatever. So you are doing everything right, and it's just a phase! Does that make you feel any better? ;) Sam is doing all those things except the stranger anxiety thing. I just can't seem to keep him happy much the past week or so, particularly when the teeth were poking through. Think of how much of a crab you are when you're not feeling well (maybe you're not, I don't know, but I am definitely not much fun to be around). To make it worse for me, he is totally preferring DH these days. He is crabby with me then DH walks in and his face lights up :rolleyes: which is great of course but also annoying.

[abbytfox]

Shirsty Thanks. It does make me feel better to know that he is doing all the "right" things. I guess my concern is that this is who he is going to be. If it is I need to just readjust who I thought he was (if that makes any sense) He was *such* an easy going and easy baby right from the start so I guess I had a certain expectation that he would always be that way. I know its dumb because I don't think I knew who I was until I was in college, but I guess my inherent personality traits have always been the same (or so my mom says.) It makes sense that if he feels a lot of pain that he wouldn't be a happy guy, so I am hoping that is the case.

Anyway, we actually had a good afternoon. Went to Gymboree and had tons of fun and now he is napping again. I wonder if something is going on with me...period maybe? It would be my first since getting pregnant. My supply seems lower, I am super moody (I cried because I was annoyed at him and then again this afternoon because he was so good at our class. HELP!) and feel really bloaty (but it could be all the crap I have been eating) Maybe there is another explanation entirely for all this stuff going on? Hmm...

krbb I am totally going to try the Motrin. Great suggestion! Sending DH to the store on his way home. Maybe that will help!

[shirsty]

Abby Sounds to me like hormones may be part of the reason you guys are in a bit of a funk! I keep waiting for AF to show up too but nothing so far. Glad you had a better afternoon.

[happygolucky]

Holy moly - so much going on! I hate it that I never get updates. Grrrr.

Anyway - we had a big night last night. Anna STTN!!! She went down at 7:45 and got up at 6:30 this morning! You'd think that means that I slept all night too, but no. Not me. I had to get up because I thought I heard her get up (midnight), because I had to make sure she was still alive (1:00 am), because of scary getting chased by bad guys dream (3:00 am), because I'm at my IL's house by myself and the house makes scary noises when the wind blows (3:30 am) and because I couldn't believe that somebody hadn't crept into the house, killed the dogs and stolen the baby (5:00 am). I was a train wreck when she woke up at 6:30, but she was in great form!

Of course, I'm sure she won't do it again until she's in high school, but it was nice to have it happen once!

Solids - we started last week. She's an animal for them - a downright oinker. Last night she had FOUR tablespoons of oatmeal with FOUR tablespoons of EBM followed by HALF a smashed banana. The whole time I was feeding her, she was yelling at me for more. Seriously. Every time I was going back into the cup for more food, she was yelling, "ARRRRRRGGGHHH! NYYYUUUHHHHHH!!! ARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!" and slapping her hand against my arm at the same time. I was like, "Okay! I get it! You can't tolerate slow service! So don't leave a tip!!!" She did the same thing for breakfast this morning (2TBS rice cereal, 2TBS oatmeal, half banana) and tonight it was 2TBS rice, 2TBS oatmeal and a cube of sweet potato. Which brings me to the most shocking thing I've done in a long time.

No, not that. Even though it was Father's Day. Get your minds out of the gutter.

I made baby food. Just sweet potato, but still. I made food. I, who haven't done more than put a Lean Cuisine into the oven since 1999, made food. I used that thing - the box in the wall that makes things hot - the oven. I put the potato in and when it came out, I used the other thing - the cup that makes things mushy - the blender. Then I put the mush into an icecube tray, put it into the freezer and - miracle! I had baby food.

I'll probably never get over the shock.

Neither will Anna.

Who, by the way, LOVES sweet potatoes.

Maybe I'll try to make squash next. But then again, that might be a little bit ambitious. I think I'll just rest on my laurels for a bit......

[first-time mom]

Abby-Hang in there Kaylin went through this a couple weeks ago and I kept going to the doc saying something is wrong with my baby. SHe is usually easing going and now she is crying all the time. Now she is better. I think part of Kaylins issue was her constipation and I had to switch her formula but who knows it sounds a lot like what you are dealing with. Maybe it wasnt her formula and it was a stage hmm...

Happy-I laughed out loud when I read your post. The other night Kaylin was sleeping in her room and I kept doing the same thing. I slept like crap just waiting for her to wake up. And when she did boy was I a wreck. What we go through haha....

SHirsty-U should try to migrate over. I thought it was going to be hard and time consuming but I like the setup better. NO pressure:D

[Hawaii2SJ]

abby glad the second half of the day got better. I swear E & Aiden are really going thru the same things with the teeth and the need for attention these days. Aiden has never been so grouchy before all this teething and post-rotovirus drama. To keep my sanity I keep telling myself "he's little-he can't communicate exactly what he want's" over and over. Add to the drama all the crawling he's doing, I am so exhusted by the end of the day. But...your not alone, I'm right there with ya:p


happy Is that what that hole in the wall/box does in the kitchen?? hehehehe, that made me laugh because I'm contemplating on the task of making some food too and when I mentioned it to DH he laughed at me cause I hardly even cook for us and now I want to start cooking for Aiden.

Diaper rash for those of you who have had a bout with this what cream/ointment have you used?? I'm not sure if its the weather but him butt is getting red and btwn his fat rolls are red too. Just curious what you all use. I'm using balmex right now and I realize I need to use it more religiously down there. He did have a bad rash when he was sick but it went away and now its back.

[abbytfox]

Hawaii We use A&D ointment. Elliott hasn't had a rash in a long time, so it must be working. Plus, I love the smell (crazy I know) it smells like baby to me. Thanks for the support about E and his phase. It helps to know that others are going through it too!

FTM Thanks to you too for your story about Kaylin. It really helps to know we're not alone.

so tired. must sleep. talk to you tomorrow!

[happygolucky]

Hawaii - I was using Balmex but since Anna's antibiotic / steroid woes, I've been using Triple Paste. It's the only thing that stopped the rash and the tears that came with it. Seriously. She had such a bad rash, she would cry every time I tried to take off her diaper. And every time she so much as peed. It was non-stop tears in the Happy household.

Re: cooking. I hate cooking and I'm bad at it to boot, so I've been a strictly microwave girl for quite some time. The fact that I turned on the regular oven and produced something edible is noteworthy enough that I marked it in my journal and in Anna's baby book. You know - first social smile, first time sitting unsupported, Mommy made food.....

On the sleep front, no repeat performance for my little girl. She woke up at 10:00 and stayed up and angry until 11:15, at which point I made sure she was fed, clean and dry and then I deposited her in her crib, turned off the monitor, said a prayer and went to sleep. I didn't hear her again until 6:00 this morning, which isn't indicative of anything because I was so tired after the night before, I would have slept through a drunk driver crashing an eighteen wheeler full of snare drums and cymbals in the living room.

[doubleR]

Hi there. I’m way behind, as usual. Brady went to his first wedding this past weekend. What an event. He was great, a big hit and met a lot of people for the first time. It was a very casual, family-style wedding. He went with the flow all weekend, way more than I expected. Several people commented that he was the happiest baby they’ve ever seen, said he’s all smiles all the time. Which is great, I love that he does so well in a crowd. And mostly it is true, he is a happy little baby, absolutely. However… after all was said and done and we got home late Monday afternoon, we had a hell of a time trying to get him to ‘settle down’… it seems he was so stimulated all weekend long, he had a hard time going from so much activity back to normal, everyday life. Going to sleep Monday night was a chore. And so was last night. I’m hoping by tonight, 2 days back into our normal routine of daycare, etc., he can get back into his own little groove. He fights naps like a world champion, but when it’s time to go down for the night, he’s usually good and ready and is the sweetest little thing!

Self-soothing. Can your babies do this yet? I’m wondering if this is something that comes a little later or if I need to start letting him CIO? I hate the thought of it, but if it’s for his own good in the long run, I might have to suck it up. I haven’t had to let him CIO up until now. Or maybe I just haven’t done it … but these last 2 nights, seeing him *so* worked up and just not being able to calm himself down at all and nothing I was doing seemed to help much, it was terrible. I let him cry in his crib for about 15 minutes b/c I needed a break from holding a screaming baby…. I just couldn’t take much more though, 15 minutes feels like 15 hours when your baby is crying like that :( usually I can just kind of rock him or even just hold him and he’ll doze back off or fall asleep but nothing was working. It could be that more teeth are close to coming in, but I think it was mainly that he was so overtired. The thing is though, we’ve got so much coming up these next several weeks that every weekend is full and I’m worried that it’s too much for him. People think I’m nuts too, they’re like ‘he’s fine, look at him, he’s having a great time’… yeah, he is, but I’m the one that has to deal with the after-effects and it’s just not fun. by any means :rolleyes:

rocking I’m guilty ;) I also see nothing wrong with it. I’m still of the mindset ‘whatever works’ when it comes to sleep though. We haven’t done any sleep training and as long as we stick to the same routine every night, we’ve been really lucky. I also think it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures to rock your baby to sleep and have him/her fall asleep in your arms. We’ll look back and miss these days, you know?

abby we’re going through a lot of what you posted about too, only I’m blaming it on an over-stimulating weekend right now since it’s only been 2 days. It could be coincidence or it could be all of what you’ve explained. I can hardly put him down. And I also felt annoyed for the first time in many months, exactly as you described. And then I, too, felt horrible about feeling annoyed. I put him in his crib and said ‘here, then, just cry if that’s what you want to do’ and I walked out of his room and started crying myself feeling like *such* a bad mom, I don’t *ever* want to feel like that again… I told my husband that I really don’t know how to deal with the crying. I had lost all patience and that is obviously not a good trait. But I thought we were past that. I know, silly, huh? Of course we’re not past anything really, but I just thought that the unexplained crying was a thing of the past, part of the first few months. I know, I know, I've still got *a lot* to learn ;)

happy congrats on Anna STTN :D your post had me cracking up about your night of sleep. Hopefully it does happen again (before highschool!) and you can get a better night of sleep yourself! Then I was cracking up about your experience with solids and you making baby food. Way to go!! I’ve mashed an avocado, but that’s it. and yes, it was incredibly easy, maybe you’ve inspired me to give it another whirl!! Brady was the same way at first, I thought if I fed him any faster, I’d be choking him. He’s kind of settled into it though and now just opens his mouth wide immediately after I take the spoon out.

LJ ok, I added everyone as friends and haven’t checked back since :rolleyes: I'm girl_reiss. I'll get back on there one of these days...

[doubleR]

missed a few...

hawaii we've only had 2 bouts of diaper rashes and they've been on the hottest 2 weekends so far, so I'm also wondering if it's more of a heat rash or actual diaper rash... but I use A&D and love it. I have a lot of different ointments that I got as shower gifts, so I've tried balmex, desitin, A&D, burt's baby bee's and aveeno. I thought the desitin worked really well, so did the burt's baby bee's, but I like A&D the best. I also don't really care for the smell of desitin. but it works, so I do use it on occassion. I'm now doing preventative care though and putting A&D on him every night and after every poo dipe (yes, I'm using diaper slang ;)) . the 2 rashes he had looked so uncomfortable, I'm trying to avoid any more.

happy I'm glad you found something that works so well, that diaper rash she had sounds so terribly painful. I've heard great things about triple paste, but have never actually seen it in the stores.

[fwgirl]

abbyfox I could have written your post about your frustrations. There have been times in the past week where I am literally begging Loren to stop crying and I start crying too. It really is like the very first days. I'm just at a loss and I don't know what to do. It's nice to know I'm not the only one. Just another reason I love this group. As for your low supply it could be AF. My supply tanks every month before I start my period. Lucky me got it at 8w pp even though I'm bf'ing. Not fun. (But the up side is that I know each month that DD won't be having a surprise brother or sister in 9 months.)

You seriously make me laugh happy! I was cracking up reading about your not sttn experience and then your description of making the sweet potatoes made my eyes water. I hope you wrote it down just like that in the baby book!

diaper rash. Luckily we haven't had to deal with this yet. DD has started to look a little red in the tush area once or twice and I'm used a little Balmex. I'm not crazy about the stuff though. I regularly use Aquaphor on her though. It says it's for babies, but I haven't figured out the difference between it and the regular stuff. Anyway, it's great stuff!

rocking. Not only am I guilty of rocking my sweet baby to sleep, but I nurse her too! I'm firmly in the camp of 'whatever works' and 'they won't be babies forever.' It doesn't bother me and I actually enjoy the time with her.

***

Last night was an exciting one for my little family. It was DD's 1st swim lesson at the Y! She looked so cute in her little red swimsuit and seemed to really enjoy herself. She was definitely the youngest in the class, but that doesn't really matter. She was fascinated by the other kids who ranged in age from 9-18 months. I participated in the class with her and her daddy watched from the side of the pool. I gave him the camera and asked him to take a few pictures (of her not me!) but he didn't. He said he felt weird and that people would think he was some stranger photographing their children. He's so silly sometimes. It was quite obvious that he only had eyes for DD and that he was a proud daddy. Oh well, we'll have plenty of other opportunities to get some pictures. We go again on Thursday night. I'm really glad we decided to sign her up for this. I think she's going to be our little fish...or shrimp since the class is called 'beginning shrimp.'

[ktdelsur]

Anyway - we had a big night last night. Anna STTN!!! She went down at 7:45 and got up at 6:30 this morning! You'd think that means that I slept all night too, but no. Not me. I had to get up because I thought I heard her get up (midnight), because I had to make sure she was still alive (1:00 am), because of scary getting chased by bad guys dream (3:00 am), because I'm at my IL's house by myself and the house makes scary noises when the wind blows (3:30 am) and because I couldn't believe that somebody hadn't crept into the house, killed the dogs and stolen the baby (5:00 am). I was a train wreck when she woke up at 6:30, but she was in great form!

happy- That was great. Very much a post I could have made. LOL! Granted, Andrew spoiled me with great sleep for a few months and now w/ the teething he's getting up at least twice a night crying. Last night he slept from 7-2 a.m. then woke up crying and wouldn't stop until I fed him. I don't want to get back into this middle-of-the-night feeding stuff so I only made 4 oz and he went right back to sleep until 6 a.m. So, technically it was an okay night if not for that feeding. I *really* didn't want to feed him but I didn't want to let him CIO if he really was hungry. (When he won't take the paci and no amount of soothing calms him down - he's hungry...*sigh*)

abby- I think our kids are growing up and being more aware of their environment now...big scary world! Andrew's had his bouts of fussiness - and bouts of whining/crying when I put him down to go do something else for a minute. He's usually pretty content to play by himself but yesterday he threw a fit every time I walked away from view...plus he's got a tooth and a half so far that are coming in. LOL

CIO - Last night he *did* wake up briefly twice about an hour after I put him to bed and cried out, but within five minutes he was back to sleep without us going in there. We found him sleeping on his belly - but with his knees/butt up in the air. Really funny. If he keeps up this night waking out of nowhere we'll do more CIO. It works most times with him unless he's actually hungry.

We rock to sleep too - although I try to put him down in the crib before he's really really really asleep. He'll open his eyes and stir around when I put him down, but he'll go to sleep on his own.

escape artists: Is my kid the only kid who wants to check out/feel/pat EVERYTHING? I couldn't hardly talk to the pediatrician last week, he was all over that table, eating the paper, rolling around and happily squealing. Yesterday I was trying to hold him and talk to the lady at daycare and he was twisting out of my arms and grabbing for something on the counter beside me. When he sees something he wants to check out, he's OFF!

solids: I've slacked on making his food - I bought carrots, peaches and green beans - although I'm going to try making my own green beans this weekend and see if he likes them any better than the regular (he's not a HUGE fan - although somehow the lady at daycare got him to finish them ALL)!

And yeah, those Gerber peaches DO have a weird smell!

Have any of you started your kids on juice? Andrew's still not crazy about the sippy cup. It's still a toy to him.

[helen22]

hey everyone, I am so behind! I will go back and catch up on SOs hopefully today :)

I have such a dilemma, I am really struggling. We finally, after much deliberating, hired a nanny. I really like her so far - she's really loving, Mel seems so happy to see her every day, she gets her out and about on walks and to neighborhood storytimes, etc. HOWEVER - we just found out yesterday that we got in off the waiting list into a daycare that is near my office and Adrian's office (our offices are across the street from one another, the daycare is maybe a ten-minute walk away). I don't know what to do! And we have to decide by Friday. Any of you have advice about how to make the decision? Any thoughts very welcome.

Mel had her six-month WBV on Friday. She is in the 80th percentile for weight, 60th for height (17 lbs 11 oz, 26.5"). The doctor said to be really vigilant about sunscreen, at least spf 45, paba-free. I've done more research on this and think I'm going to go with a new neutrogena sensitive skin one that has only one active ingredient - forget what it is, maybe titanium dioxide? - that is a physical and not a chemical sunscreen. Mel hasn't had exczema but her skin is really sensitive - she has a little rash on her chin that just doesn't disappear. The ped said to avoid citrus for at least a year when she saw the rash. The highlight (hah!) was when Melanie started crying while being weighed by the doctor, and the doctor handed Mel back to me without a diaper...AND SHE PEED ON ME. As she was handing her over, I was thinking, "this isn't a good idea...need diaper...need diaper..."
Oh well :p
Mel did fine with the shots in the office - the doctor had this GREAT trick, I highly recommend it - she had a little bell, like a musical toy that they use in music class, and as she soon as she gave the second shot she rang the bell - and Mel forgot all about crying! However, she was super grumpy for the next two days, and had really terrible sleep. I thought teething might be to blame - she had tons of drool, esp on Saturday - but there are still no teeth for our little one!

Hope everyone's having a great week...now let me go catch up on what you've all been up to :)

[helen22]

OK, here's my catch-up post - hope I didn't miss anyone! :)

Happy, congrats on the 15 pound mark! Car toys - if we were in the car more I would buy the mini version of the "symphony in motion" mobile - I've seen it at Target, it looks really fun. But I have limited car experience to share, on our one long road trip Mel slept a lot but seemed to get bored pretty quickly when she was awake :( And yay for Anna's great sleep!! That's so amazing. And your cooking, that sounds amazing too :D

Lindzee hope packing/moving is going well! Oh how jealous I am that Matthew will have his own room soon - although do you think you'll miss him? I wonder if we'll miss Mel if/when we ever manage to find a 2-BR apt...I'm so sick of looking at open houses... So funny about Matthew wanting the rug instead of the blanket when you put him down - Mel is the same way! She also loves my yoga mat - she always heads off to try and chew on it. We call strollers "carriages" in our house sometimes because of my English husband :)

LJ - I'm going to try and keep up with both. I've been posting over there a bit - my name is helen822 there, I think I "friended" most of you... Jaredsgirl thanks for posting the list, I will add everyone that I missed.

babyweight - I am three pounds away from my pp weight, but Abby like you that was a bit over where I should be. So, more dieting! Whoo hoo! And like others have said, my clothes just do not fit the same way. And still more frightening - we signed up for swimming lessons, so soon I'll be in a bathing suit! Oh boy, fun times. :rolleyes: fwgirl, can't wait to hear more about your swiming lessons! Our class is called "baby belugas" - the names are so cute :)

Bliss I looove that oioi diaper bag! so fabulous!

rotovirus - we haven't had this, but I think I've read there is now a vaccine for it - has anyone else heard this? If we switch Mel to daycare (huge dilemma in my last post) I will definitely worry about it....sounds like it's so insanely contageous. And no way would I bring Mel out if she was sick! Unfair to the other kids, and no fun for her! Well...actually...I did take her to mommy-baby yoga when she had a cold at maybe two months. But that was before she moved around at all, and our ped said babies that little can't really get one another sick because they don't interact. Also I stayed quarantined away in my own little corner of the room...anyway...wow that seems like such a long time ago....!!

ktdelsur, I hear you on the baby-clothing-sizes thing - I feel really guilty, because some clothes that I'd been saving are almost too small for Mel! V annoying.

Hawaii, can't believe your baby is standing!! Wow! I had a mom's group get-together last night, and there is one baby in the group who is totally advanced - she's one of the younger ones in the group, but has been crawling for weeks, stands, pulls up on everything. It's crazy to see, because she's such a wee little baby! And as for diaper rash - I agree with happy, I am totally obsessed with triple paste, it's awesome. It's v expensive though so we only used it when she definitely had a rash, to clear it up. Plus we did oatmeal baths at night, and as much naked time as possible. For regular changes we use any white paste (desitin, balmex, target/cvs knockoff) or a&d. Seems to work fine - she's only had the one rash.

krbb, I'm so confused about the percentiles - Oliver weighs two pounds more than Mel, but your doc said he was 75th percentile and Mel is 80th??? Is that a boy-girl difference? So weird. Hope his sleep keeps getting better!

jengen, sorry to hear about DH's grandmother. Hope everyone is doing ok.

abby, I can totally understand about being worn out by E's moodiness - plus, like you said, maybe some of it is your own hormones? - but it's really exhausting. Mel was v grumpy this weekend, probably a combination of some teething and bad reactions to her shots on Fri - and it was really stressful and tiring. People have recommended the "teething tablets" - I think they're homeopathic - but I forget the name. Maybe you could try them? I think they're at most drugstores.

[doubleR]

ok, who switched my baby? it has to be teething. please say it's teething. if it's not, I really don't know what I'm going to do. he has turned into a total fuss at night and fights me going down, fights his last feeding... I feel like he is constantly moaning at me. and then that just turns into all out crying once he's had enough of the moaning. It's all just in the last few days and I really thought it was b/c of our busy weekend at first, but... now not so much. even though it's just a matter of days, I feel like these are some really trying times.

strong baby? when he doesn't want something and/or is trying to get to something, he'll push me away, using his entire flexed body. he can also twist himself into a position where I can't move him, I'm afraid I'll snap something if I have him in say, a feeding position. I'm thinking pound for pound, Brady is already stronger than I am :eek:

fwgirl your swim lesson sounds great, glad you had so much fun and I think that is so cute that the 3 of you went!

ktdelsur oh yeah on the whole escape artist comment, we have one too ;) we were in a restaurant over the weekend and he was in his stroller at the end of the table for a while... as soon as we picked him up out of there, he practically dove for one of the plates on the table... it's constant though, he has to grab anything/everything he possibly can, and then, if it fits, it's right in his mouth! at his most recent WBV, he actually grabbed the little stick - tongue pusher thingy - right out of the doc's hand.

helen sorry you got peed on, now you kinda/sorta know what it's like to have a little boy :p I honestly don't know what I'd do in your situation with the daycare / nanny decision. Is this nanny someone who could be with you long term, for the next few years? I'm thinking that once you get into the daycare, as long as everything is fine, you'd keep her there for a few years and if you don't think you have that option with the nanny, maybe to switch now would be better? I don't know, I *really* like the idea of a nanny for right now, it's not as if our babies are interacting with other babies too much at this point... but they do interact some, so... I really don't know, I'm no help to you at all with this, but good luck and know that whatever decision you do make, it will be the best one for your family and it will all work out ;) hopefully I didn't just confuse you, make it worse!!

so where is everyone? must be LJ...

[sem426]

I'm still here at CC....trying to keep up w/both sites.

DD is 7 mos old today! i can't believe how fast time is flying!

we have tooth #2! she's so cute w/her little teeth!
monday DH and DD willstart their Little Gym class. I'm hoping that it will be fun for both of them. I'm taking off a few Mondays this summer so i'll be able to go w/her to some classes.

We're still doing solid 2x per day...anyone doing more than that? I'm not sure when to up it to 3x/day? she seems to be eating enough and she still gets plenty of formula a day too.
the weekend weather isn't looking too great here so i don't know if we'll be able to use DD's new pool again. we blew it up last weekend and she LOVED it. we got this pool w/the sunshade:
http://www.onestepahead.com/images//product/family/10506A-v.jpg

if it's not nice out I think we'll go to the mall. i have a bunch of things to return to bloomingdales for DD. my aunt got her a few things for the summer, but they are all the wrong size.

[first-time mom]

Cheerios question-Does anyone else's dc feed themselves cheerios or puffs? I have offered them to her several times but she wont feed herself. Is she too young or is she behind on this too. I am feeling so frustrated. I just feel like everything is a challenge and NOTHIng is coming easy.

[Hawaii2SJ]

thank you ladies for the diaper cream recc's. Aiden's red/rashy bum is looking much better these days even with the really hot weather. Sadly, we don't have A/C in our home, its pretty well insulated so downstairs stays pretty cool all day.

doubleR strong baby, non-self soothing and rocking to sleep ...our sons sound pretty much alike. We still have to cradle hold Aiden and rock a little bit in order for him to stop squirming and trying to fight his sleep. I've actually let him CIO for naps a few times and it worked...it lasted 10 mins, which felt like for.Ever.

helen hehehe I couldn't help but giggle a bit about the pee incident:p But loved the bell trick with the shots. As for the nanny situation, I like the thought of a nanny but thats just my opinon. Less germs and more one on one with the baby. BUT daycare definetly has more interaction with other kids and structured daily activities. Then again, what do I know I'm a SAHM. Hope things work out with that.

Sem LOVE the pool. I think we need one too it's super dooper hot at 98 degrees outside right now.:eek: I try to feed Aiden 3x a day but mostly he gets 2 depending on his napping. Lately he's been sleeping 1-2 hours, which is great since he's been a fussy little guy lately. As for formula I think he's only doing about 24 oz a day (4 -6oz formula bottles).....I don't know if that's enough:confused: He always stops taking the bottle by 6oz even though we make 8oz. It's such a waste.

ftm cherrios....we tried this and the gerber puffs a few times and Aiden only picked up one and sort of licked it. But we put half of one in his mouth and he played with it and it ended up getting stuck on his lip. It was pretty funny:p Plus he's been eating gerber stage 2 for a while and I also tried some fresh bananas but he wasn't interested in that either:rolleyes:

Before I forget: Do any of you still have your swings out?? I have the aquarium cradle swing and we were gonna break it down to put away since we haven't touched it in months, but I put Aiden in it and he LOVES it. He's sleeping in it right now and he just got up from a 1 hr nap 40 mins ago. It's funny cause he's soooo much bigger from the last time we put him in it. I think I should check the weight limit.

well this napping thing has been great which is why I've been online a little too much the past couple of days:p

[krbb]

first-time mom - She may be too young. Is she able to pick them up? They need to be able to use a pincher grip (thumb and pointer finger) to pick those up and if she is still using the mitten grip she wouldn't be able to. I wouldn't worry about it.

sem426 - We are doing 2x a day with solids. I will probably keep doing that until I feel he wants more or his 9 month appointment.

helen22 - Boys and girls have different growth charts. Boys tend to be larger than girls that is whey Mel weighs less then Oliver, but is in a higher percentage :). I also kind of like the idea of a nanny more for her age. The nanny can give her the one on one time and take her to differents groups so she gets some interaction. Though when she is toddler age she might get more out of a day care setting. Either way it is a tough decision!

ktdelsur - Oliver is the same way with trying to get everything. We went to a restaurant on Sunday and they had a single sheat paper menu and Oliver wanted it so bad! He started fussing when I wouldn't give it to him so I had to distract him with something else.

I also think it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures to rock your baby to sleep and have him/her fall asleep in your arms. We’ll look back and miss these days, you know?

ITA!! Nursing Oliver as he drifts off to sleep is my favorite part of the day. I sit there thinking about the day we had and wonder what he will be like in the future. Our babies are going to be pushing us away before we know it, then they will be teens and hate us :p . So I am enjoying this while I can.

[abbytfox]

FTMNope. We aren't doing any finger foods yet. So don't feel behind at all. I bought those puffs, but noticed that they had wheat in them, so I called my ped to make sure they were ok. I thought that I remembered wheat being a highly allergenic food. He recommended waiting a while on wheat products. A friend with an 8 month old recently gave her son Oatie-Os and said they were made from oats, not wheat, so we may start with those in a few weeks.

Also, I think that being a mom/parent is *really* hard and fortunately the good times make up for the hard ones (which we are having right now!) Don't feel alone. I know we are right there with you. I totally understand that your journey has been an especially challenging one and I can't sympathize, but I can totally empathize with you. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to watch Kaylin go through that. Think of how far she has come (which I am sure you are doing) She may just not be ready for finger foods. There are so many things that Elliott seems "behind" on, but I am trying to realize that each baby is unique and will reach milestones in their own time. One example is rolling over. I felt like EVERYBODY was rolling and Elliott was just hanging out. Then all of a sudden (a couple days ago) he just figured it out. He was 7 months yesterday and he JUST figured out the rolling thing. :rolleyes: They are all SO different. I hope that just knowing that others are totally right there with you helps.

sem I forgot that Hayley and Elliott are 1 day apart! It was his 7 month b-day yesterday. I almost didn't want to acknowledge it because it is going WAY too fast. Again...where is that darn pause button? 7 months have literally never gone so quickly! That pool is great. If we had a yard I would LOVE to play in that with E. Happy swimming!

doubleR I think it is invasion of the baby snatchers. My sweet easy going guy is on hiatus also. It is really hard. Today I noticed that his top 2 teeth are in and the one to the left of them is also almost through. Plus, he is working on the bottom left also. That is 4 teeth in a span of about 2 weeks. Talk about fussy. And all he wants is to suck on his paci! Hopefully this will pass soon!

[first-time mom]

hawaii-Yeah this is the same thing Kaylin did. Maybe she just isnt interested. I also have the same swing and we still use it, it has a 20lbs weight limit so I am going to use it for the next 1 1/2lb:) She loves hers too. Its sad to put things away!

krbb-She can do the pincer grib occasionally so it may be to early. She ends up slamming her hand on the tray so they all jump off. Paxton my miniture dachsund loves this game:)

abby-Yeah I think I may be early but my ped said it was ok to start it so I did. I think I may try again later. She does like the taste of them though

[Bliss]

My little one is 7 months old today. This time seven months ago he was exactly an hour old. I cannot believe how big he is, I take a pic in the same spot on the couch every month "bday" and he looks so big in the ones that I took today *sniff*. I still remember the first time that they brought him to me to feed him in the hospital, he was so little, all I could see was his tiny face and big eyes in the swaddled blanket. He looked so small, I wondered how I would ever do it, and now 7 months later, I cannot believe he is growing into this little person. Its amazing *sniff*.

SO glad to read that others are wondering where their little happy ones went. Dylan is going through teething and who knows what, but he now refuses to nap in the afternoon and is my little grump. Getting him to bed at night is now at least an hour episode. I really hope that this is just a phase, but it really made me feel so much better to read that others are dealing w. it too. I am also guilty of the cranky mommy syndrome, have told Dylan he is cranky because he refuses to take a nap, then I see those big tears and feel horrible. I got away for a few hours yesterday and it made such a difference, I felt rested and relieved from being away from crying. Hopefully our happy ones will return soon :)

[happygolucky]

I so feel for all of you who are having sleep issues and cranky baby issues. I have to imagine it's just teething, which means I'm sure I'll adding my woes to the list shortly. Why do "experts" say that teething doesn't wake babies in the night? What a crock. I swear - they wake because they have gas and it hurts them. Why wouldn't they wake up when they cut a tooth? <shakes head> It's moronic.

So in other news, it's 5:55 am here and I'm up because I had to pump because Anna STTN again! DH got here last night (and got to hear the scary noises the house makes. He agreed. Scaaaaary noises.) and I think he was a little bit disappointed that she didn't got up because it meant that he didn't get to see her. Poor guy.

FTM - technically, according to the hoardes of specialists who are constantly trying to get their mitts on my little one, she's behind in all sorts of ways. Gross motor skills. Fine motor skills. You name it - she's either doing it wrong or not doing it at all. I've sort of had it with all the worrying. She's doing all that she can and I'm taking her back to the pediatrician to have her looked at on the motor skill front. If the ped says not to worry, I'm not going to worry. I'll keep doing her skills exercises, but I'm going to cut back on the therapy and I'm going to give up on the Milestone-mania. She'll hit them when she hits them and if I keep obsessing it, I'll drive both of us batty.

Bliss - I can remember (vaguely) that first glimpse of her and the overwhelming fear that I was in WAY over my head. Where has the time gone? How did she get so big? And so independent? She's another kid who grabs for everything and launches herself over my shoulder without a moment's hesitation and I find myself thinking, "weren't you just a lifeless little blob, crying on the carpet during tummy-time?" I sort of miss the old, tiny baby days. I'd say I need to have another baby, but I understand that babies, not unlike puppies and kittens, grow up way too fast, so what's the point.

Abby - I bought the Gerber Puffs, saw wheat in the ingredient list and decided to wait also. Besides, according to the package, Anna won't be ready for them until she's crawling / eating stage 2 foods / mashing her jaws together / working on her masters thesis. I think she mashes her jaws, but I don't really know for certain.

Okay - she's STILL sleeping (since 7:45 last night!) so I'm going to crawl back into bed. At which point she's GUARANTEED to wake up. :rolleyes:

[abbytfox]

Happy This Besides, according to the package, Anna won't be ready for them until she's crawling / eating stage 2 foods / mashing her jaws together / working on her masters thesis. gave me a good giggle first thing in the morning. Thanks! It does kind of put things in perspective to think of it that way, doesn't it? I used to teach kindergarten and I remember thinking that with all the skills they want kids to have when they leave K they may as well be asked to write a thesis. I definitely feel like that sometimes with our babes. Then I think...let's just let them grow at their own pace. It goes way too fast anyway!

Edited because it is too early and I responded to the wrong person! Help! I have total baby brain.

[sem426]

puffs i bought the banana puffs and broke them up into pieces....DD had no interest in picking them up. when i put a piece in her mouth she kind of played around w/it for a while. i don't think she's quite ready. we'll try again in a few weeks.

swing we still have ours out. DD still enjoys being in it.

thanks for the responses re: solids per day. we are still doing 2x...but will maybe try to up it to 3 if we can. DD usually takes 8 oz per bottle. and she gets 4 bottles a day usually..so i think she's getting enough right now.

[happygolucky]

Abby - I have baby brain all the time. It's a banner day when I remember to feed and walk the dogs, bathe and feed the baby and take a shower for myself!

Sem - sorry I forgot to answer the solids question earlier. After the fact, yes, we are feeding Anna solids two times each day (morning and night). She takes 4 tbs cereal + 4 - 5 tbs EBM + 1 cube veggie or 1 oz mashed fruit. Then she starts to oink like a little piggy. ;)

[doubleR]

I can't believe we're hitting the 7 month mark. I feel the same as many of you have posted, I just cannot believe 7 months have gone by already. My baby boy is so big all of a sudden! I'm really having so much fun with him these days (ok, so, the last week has been hell, but you know what I mean ;)) but I do find myself missing the days of him being just a little tiny baby. I still get so emotional thinking about my whole birth experience and all the firsts that we've accomplished so far... becoming a mom has turned me into a puddle :o

happy you have me laughing every time I come in here :D this ~Then she starts to oink like a little piggy ~ had me cracking up!

abby wow, that's a lot of teeth in such a short amount of time. Your poor little guy, I'd be a total grump too ;) how cute does he look now though? just this morning I was telling Brady (yes, I'm crazy, I talk to my 7 month old non-stop!) how at first I was sad I'd miss his gummy little smile, but I really love his little 2-teeth smile... and I know we're due for some more really soon, like any day now. congrats to Elliott!

FTM oh yes, challenging times in our house right now too. and nope, we're not doing finger foods yet either. I tried the puffs and had a bad experience b/c Brady was strapped into his high chair, with the tray on and started choking. he was sucking on it making his usual first-bite-strange- face like 'what is this?' and I think he inhaled it... anyway, talk about freaking out. I was terrified - he ended up kind of throwing it all up and had this horrible scared look on his face. It will be a while before I try anything like that again, at least a few more weeks, and I'll definitely make sure DH is home for the 2nd attempt. don't feel behind, it's tough to remember sometimes, but all babies really are so different. I try to remind myself that there will come a day when I won't want my child doing what everyone else his/her age is doing ;)

hawaii thanks :D it is so nice to know we're not alone, isn't it? and for whatever reason, CIO at nap time is so much easier for me. I think it's b/c he usually goes down so easily for bedtime, I just got used to it. right, rule number 1, don't get used to anything your baby does b/c as soon as you do, they go and change it all up on ya! and yes, we do still have our swing out, but he's in it less and less these days. We have the same one, FP Aquarium and I'm pretty sure the weight limit is 25 pounds... will have to check on that though!

bliss you might have already posted this, but how do you like your new bag?

sem we're also doing solids 2x a day right now. I'm going to introduce yogurt this weekend though and may start doing a snack soon - not sure. I'm having issues getting him to drink all his ounces in this heat wave we're having right now. we only have A/C units in our bedrooms, not central air, so... it's hot! and Brady's not liking it, he won't eat. when I talked to our ped this morning, he said, well, do you feel like eating when it's that hot out? he basically said not to worry about it if it's once in a while, as long as it's not every day... he's pretty laid back. and Brady is quite big at 20 pounds so he's obviously not too worried! anyway, he suggested yogurt as a nutritious snack and said most babies love it. wow, that was long winded!

and that pool looks great, I'm sure you're having lots of fun with it!


have a great weekend everyone! it is *so* hot here right now. I think we'll be going down to my parents at some point, like we will be most weekends this summer, and enjoying the pool. although I'm really not looking forward to putting on a bathing suit, but it's that hot, I have to suck it up and just get over my fear. the first time will be the worst, right?

[happygolucky]

DoubleR - you have me laughing every time I come in here

Laughter is good! :D

[Bliss]

Hi all, I have a second to post (I am really behind and need to catch up) :) but I know a lot of you had posted about the oioi hobo diaper bag I bought from ebay. Well, it came in the mail and it is too small for me (booooo!) I carry a ton of crap for Dylan and cannot seem to downsize to the hobo. I am selling it if anyone is interested, its new w. tags since I didnt even open it, knowing it was too small. Here is a pic:

http://i14.ebayimg.com/03/i/07/62/a6/56_1.JPG

Description: Brand New Oi Oi diaper bag. It is the Circle Print Hobo style in azure Blue. It measures 12"h, 15"w, 6"d. It has a 2 inch wide adjustable strap. The outside material is microfibre, it has inside pockets, a changing mat, an insulated bottle holder, 2 outer pockets, and is a zip top closure.

I am selling it for $85 shipping included, I think it retails for $100. Let me know if anyone is interested. Off to get some sleep, hopefully I can catch up tomorrow :)

[Lindzee82]

Hi girls!

I am sooooo far behind. Things here are very crazy. Last Monday we discovered that we had a serious black mold problem in my bedroom closet in our apartment. Black mold is toxic so Matthew and I moved into my parent's house that day. Eric left that night for a six day straight work week up north. Every chance I get someone available to watch Matthew I run up the road to the apartment to try and pack what I can. Our duplex should be ready within the next week. Sleep training has gone right out the window because Matthew is in a strange place. We are not having much fun right now and stress level is on red alert!

I will try to get in here as much as I can to read but I don't think I will get a lot of time until after we move and get internet hooked up which could be in another month.

I miss you girls!

[jengen]

I am so behind, as usual. I have an LJ account, but can barely keep up with the few friends I have there and this thread, so hopefully some of you guys will stick around here. ;)

DH's Grandma passed away last week, so things have been pretty crazy.:( weaning haven't even gotten to it with all that's been going on. Now I keep saying to myself, I might as well wait til 9 months to start...:rolleyes:
Cole was such a blessing for the family during this difficult time for the family. Despite my nervousness, we listened to MIL and brought him to both the wake and funeral. He was a perfect angel the whole time and we ended up being really glad we did it because he made everyone so happy.

He is great in the personality department - so happy!, but he is starting to fuss whenever one of us leaves the room...he likes constant attention. Also, we have stopped rocking him so much to sleep, not b/c of what the books say, but b/c we need some down time to ourselves after working all day! We let him CIO 15 mins the first night and now it's taking him under 10 to get to sleep. I hate hearing him cry, but rocking him for up to a half hour really was getting a little old, too.

Cole had his 6 month appt and he is 19 lbs, 10 ozs (90%) and 28 1/4 inches (95%). DH are both just below average height, yet taller than most of our family members, so don't ask me where he gets it from! Actually, my Dad's 6 ft tall, so probably him.

On Father's Day, he went in my FIL's pool for the first time and LOVED it! He couldn't stop splashing around! Here is a pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/jsjewel/100_2576.jpg

I can't wait to take him to the beach! Does anyone know where to get those tent things that you can put the baby in? I went to Target last night and they didn't sell them.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

[Lindzee82]

jengen - I am very sorry about the loss of your DH's grandma. I am glad that you were able to bring Cole to the services. Isn't it amazing how a baby can brighten everyone's spirits in a time of loss? I experienced this last year when I went to the services for our best friend who was killed in Iraq. His name was Matthew. His family knew that we were naming our son Matthew and they thought that was the greatest thing ever. All during the wake and funeral the family kept rubbing my belly and talking to "baby Matthew." It was amazing. I am so glad that Cole got to make your family smile during such a difficult and trying time. That is great that sleep training is working so well in your house. It was working well for us, too, until we moved. It is getting better though. Cole putting himself to sleep in under 10 minutes is awesome! Good for you! What a great picture of cole in the pool. He looks like he is really enjoying it. Is that you holding him? If it is, you look amazing in that suit!

[ktdelsur]

jengen: sorry to hear about your DH's grandmother...

Fussy baby...

Andrew woke up last night at 11:30 and 4:15 (after going to bed at 8 p.m.)...both times screaming like he was hungry. The 4:15 was not *too* out of the ordinary - lately he's been getting up around 5 to eat, then I get him up about 6:30 when its time to get ready for work/daycare. I don't know. He hasn't eaten in the middle of the night in MONTHS - why is he starting this now...?

[Lindzee82]

ktdelsur - Sorry that Andrew has been fussy. Very strange that he woke up an extra time to eat last night. Could he maybe getting ready to reach another developmental milestone like teething or crawling? That would be the only thing I could think of. Or, maybe he is hitting his 6-month growth spurt a few weeks late? Maybe it was just a fluke! Hoping tonight goes better for you. Matthew still wakes up 3 times a night now that we are at my mom's, so I feel your pain. Good luck!

[ktdelsur]

Thanks Lindzee.

Who knows about the teething....he's already got two teeth (well, one and a half...:) ) and he's already been army crawling for weeks. He IS rocking back and forth on his hands and knees but hasn't CRAWLED on hands and knees yet.

I don't know. I miss sleep. He spoiled us there for awhile - didn't think we'd have to resort to CIO since when he was really young he just surprised us and slept through his nighttime feeding at 8 weeks. Bah!

Hope Matthew gets back on schedule soon for you!

[helen22]

dropping in with a quick question - so rude, sorry! - I am thinking about buying a pump, because I've been renting this whole time and finally realized I'm throwing away a lot of money on the renting - so silly! :o Anyway, I seem to remember that one of you had a great website rec for buying the PISA, with a really amazing price - I searched this thread and couldn't find it (although - I am so technically challenged - I couldn't find our Jan-March thread - wasn't there one? where is it hiding?? maybe the PISA info was in that one). Anyway, any recommendations on where to buy either a PISA, PIS, or Ameda PY would be very welcome - and anyone who has strong recommendations or criticisms of any of those three pumps also welcome. Thanks everyone!! Hopefully back later today or tonight to catch up. Happy Monday :D

[sem426]

jengen I saw the tent at BRU this weekend. They call it a sundome.

[jengen]

semthanks for the info!

lindzee I wish I looked that good in a suit right now!! :) Sadly, it is my SIL. :p
so sorry about your friend! :( I can't imagine how difficult that must have been.

[abbytfox]

We have had some tough times over here. Elliott went on strike! Yes. He was on a nursing strike and it was SO hard. Basically, Elliott started freaking out whenever I tried to nurse him. He was hungry and when I offered him my breast he would arch his back, turn away and sometimes even push me away with his hand. All this was accompanied by horrific screaming. My supply went way down (remember that post a while back, that was the beginning of this whole thing) and I was a wreck. I would eventually give him a bottle which he eagerly took, making me feel even more inadequate/rejected/sad. I know that eventually I will wean him but I guess I never expected him to make that decision for us. So emotionally that was really hard. Plus, we are about to go on a 3 week vacation and I will be sharing him with so many family members and friends. Sometimes I feel like nursing is just our little thing when I can have him all to myself. I was especially looking forward to that alone time when we are staying with my ILs and grandparents. I know a lot of moms would welcome the daily help of being with family for 2 weeks, but I am just feeling like I will miss all our time together. I am a SAHM so we are together pretty much every second of the day and now I will have to share him with eveyone else. I know it's dumb, but it is what I am feeling right now. Hopefully the reality of the situation will be great! Anyway, I called a LLL person in my area and she said babies his age rarely wean themselves and that it might be a nursing strike. We had all the classic reasons a baby goes on strike...teething (3 teeth in about a week!), a stuffy nose making it hard to breath while nursing, and he had recently bitten me. I reacted strongly (pulled away and said "Ouch! No biting!" in a pretty loud voice (compared to my normal tone with him) and he had started crying so he was upset and didn't want to nurse anymore. I was determined to give BFing one more chance and so I have been pumping 3 times a day, nursing as much as he would let us (he usually BFed first thing in the morning and maybe 1 more time), upped my fluid intake, stopped caffine, and started Mother's Milk tea. My supply is starting to come back and yesterday he nursed all feedings and only needed to be supplemented (a 4 oz bottle) at his 4 o'clock feeding. YAY! I hope that he returns to nursing fully and we can have a couple more months. If this was it, I would of course need to come to terms with that, but I was really hoping to go to 1 year. Also, please know that I understand that we made it to 7 months and I am really proud of that. I also know that giving him formula/bottles is fine and don't have anything against it, I just have realized through this ordeal that I love my time nursing him and I am not ready to give it up yet!

On another note, we had some photographs taken of Elliott on Saturday and they turned out really well. He was a grump in the beginning but started being a happy guy towards the end. I can't believe how big he has gotten! I will try to share a few of the photos if I can figure it out!
***************************************
helen I got my Ameda PY at BabyAge.com. It was super cheap compared to the other similar pumps (luke the PIS) I have found it to be totally fine for what I use it for.

jengen So sorry to hear about Dh's grandmother. It is so hard when someone passes away. I know exactly what you mean about the baby making everyone feel so happy at a hard time like that. When we got pregnant with Elliott everyone was so thrilled, not only because it was really exciting, but because our grandfather had been diagnosed with recurring cancer and it was such a gift to know that even in a time of hardship for our family there was something wonderful. Our grandfather was literally sobbing on the phone when we told him our news because he was *so* happy. Cole looks so happy swimming! Too cute!

lindz That is terrible about the black mold. You must be so thankful that neither of you got sick. How scary. Good luck with your packing and move. I can't imagine how hard it is to move/pack with a baby. We did it when I was a few months preg and it was hard enough!

ktdelsur Right there with you on the fussy baby. I have posted about this before, but something is definitely going on. Last night he cried for an hour and 15 mins before finally going to sleep. Thank goodness he didn't wake during the night, but this crying incessently is really getting old. I agree with Lindzee that probably they are almost to another milestone. Actually, Elliott was teething like crazy for about a week and SO fussy. I couldn't even put him down without tons of tears. Then yesterday he was back to his "normal" self. It was great to see him pretty happy for a little bit. I think that rocking on hands and knees means crawling is right around the corner. Andrew probably has a lot going on in his little brain making it hard to settle and stay asleep. I have read that can happen. I hope that it changes for you soon!

[Lindzee82]

helen22 - I got my PISA from hackleyhme.com It was an amazing price, free shipping, and their customer service was awesome. I also received it very quickly and have not had a single problem. I would definitely recommend them and the PISA!

abbytfox - Oh sweetie, I am so very sorry for all you are going through. I am going through a similar situation over here. I really hope that you are able to get your supply back up and are able to maintain your breastfeeding relationship with Elliott. Hugs.

jengen - I am sure you still look great!

[helen22]

thanks all for the recommendations! lindzee that hackleyhme site is amazing - wow! great prices. thanks!!! :) :) :) :)
back soon hopefully...

[JRPAGV]

QUESTION: Is your baby still using his/her bouncer?? Nathan has been trying to sit up in his for a while now, but just a few minutes ago, I turned around to find him hanging over the side upside down with his hands touching the floor! :eek: He's strapped in pretty tight too. What do you do with a baby who can't be trusted to sit in his bouncer? We're having the same problem with his Aquarium Swing. He sits up in it and either grabs the fish above him or hangs his arms to the side trying to swipe things around him.

Crawling: Nathan started crawling last Friday!! So exciting! He's getting faster each day. Now I can't leave him on the floor alone in a room. He heads straight for potentially dangerous objects! I think it's time for a trip to the baby-proofing aisle in BRU! Here's some videos I took yesterday and today of Nathan crawling: http://www.dropshots.com/jannav

abbytfox: I'm sorry about the breastfeeding strike. I'm glad it's going better now, and I hope you're able to make it to one year! :) Can't wait to see the pictures of Elliott.

jengen: I'm sorry about your DH's grandma. :( That's an adorable picture! Looks liek he loves the water!

[Bliss]

Jengen, so sorry to hear of your loss, you and your family have my condolences.

JRPAGV Your little Nathan is amazing! I cannot believe how he is crawling, it is too cute. Dylan has zero interest in any of that, he is so adorable in his laziness. He rolls, but that is about it. That all the excitement he is up for :) We still use our bouncy seat, but only on the floor, since Dylan loves to twist all around and try and touch the floor. I dont know how much longer we can use it, plus the straps just get around him now.

Abby Sorry to hear about the BFding strike! It sounds like things are getting better. I know what you mean about weaning, I thought I was ready to cut down our remaining 2x a day BFding but I now realize that I am not :) I do really love the early morning nursing, it is such a sweet time and I am not ready to give that up either. My milk supply is going down since I started introducing formula so I know eventually I will have to wean, I really hope its when we are both ready. I know either way it will be hard on me :)

Baby growing up *sigh* I cannot believe how big Dylan is, and how fast time goes. Am I the only one who has little heartbreaks realizing how fast these babies are growing? I feel like I am going to blink and he will be a year old! I really treasure every single moment that Dylan is a "little baby" & I feel like I just spend too much time thinking about how big he is getting. DH keeps telling me I should be happy he is growing & developing, and I am, but I keep finding myself getting sad over time passing. Maybe its b/c I dreamed of holding/meeting him for 9 mos and it seemed like I was PG forever, and now time just seems to fly by.

I have got to stop going on the master diaper bag thread, its bad for my bank account LOL. I just need one big practical bag that I can use to lug all of Dylans and my stuff. What does everyone here use?

We are going to an outing of my local moms club tomorrow. I am hoping that we can meet some new people, and keeping my fingers crossed that everyone there is friendly! You know sometimes all women get togethers can be so clique-y. At least I will have my cutie pie Dylan there as a buffer, if no one is friendly I will just talk to him! :D

[Hawaii2SJ]

jengen- cute pix. Sorry to hear about your DH's grandmother.

abby- (((hugs))) to you. I hope things are better these days. I'm sure you'll make the 1 year of BFing. We've got only a few more months till the 1 yr marker, time is flying by. It's true that it is a bonding/private time for you and E, especially when your out with relatives and having a busy day. Alone time with just mommy is great!

JRPAGV- :p If Aiden & Nathan hung out together they would do some damage by all there movement. Aiden does those exact things in the swing. Too funny:D

Bliss- How did your moms meet-up go? Just curious because I'm headed to a moms group meet up today and the last time I went I didn't really feel a "connection." Plus all the kids are older than him by 5 months or more. I'm having trouble finding moms with kids the same age in my area. I think I'm just being picky and over protective :rolleyes:

Have an awesome day!

Have any of you been to Kansas City, Missouri?? The Plaza area in particular?? I may be headed out there with DH for a business trip but I'm not sure what I can do with Aiden. Any suggestions?? TIA

[ktdelsur]

Janna:

Andrew did that with his bouncy seat about 2 weeks ago and has only done it 2-3 times since then (we use that thing daily). We retired the swing a few weeks back just because we hardly ever used it since he wouldn't sit in it unless he was really sleepy. Like Nathan, he would rather pull on the fish and whack nearby things than sleep in the swing.

We are still going to use the bouncy seat for awhile because he still calmly sits in it in the mornings while I'm getting ready, as well as when we *sometimes* feed him in it. Now that he can hold his own bottles its nice to sometimes give it to him and have the freedom to (quickly) run and get something in another room if need be, or something.

I'd say retire it if he does it really often and you're worried about him bonking his head - but if its once in a blue moon, I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm getting my hair trimmed today - luckily early enough to where I can go right after work and be done with it - THEN get Andrew from daycare. Otherwise he gets bored in his carseat sitting on the floor watching me get a haircut.

What do I do when I won't have the "totable" car seat anymore? I doubt he can sit in my lap while I get a haircut. LOL ... I guess just schedule it for a day when DH can watch him!

[krbb]

jengen - So sorry to heat about your DH's grandmother. :(

Bliss - How was the mom's club? I am so lucky I found a group that I was able to click with. I am actually filling in with another mom while the regular moderators are on maternity leave. As far as a diaper bag, I use the Land's End one, it is the smallest one they have. I use for day to day use and I have a bigger one for all day outings.

JRPAGV - We still use the bouncer. That is the one place I can get Oliver to nap. He will not nap in his crib for some reason, the little stinker :rolleyes: . We have retired the swing since he kept sitting forward in it and it looked like he was going to flip it.

abbytfox - Glad you got through the nursing strike. I am so nervous Oliver will go on one for whatever reason and he hates bottles. Though I guess if he got really hungry he would take it.

[Bliss]

Hi all, well the moms club went OK. There were a lot of moms there, and most already knew each other. It was kind of overwhelming meeting everyone, and trying to remember the names of the moms and their kids. The cute thing is that among the babies, Dylan is the only boy :) The girls are around his age, although he is just as big as some of the older ones (gotta love my big boy :)) He seemed to like playing w. the other babies, which was good. The funniest part of the day for me was when all the babies were playing on the grass, on a sheet-the "mommy-in-charge" type coordinator wanted to take a picture of them. As soon as she broke out the camera, Dylan literally looked up, posed and put on his "camera" big smile :D :D It was hilarious, he is so well trained already for pictures. The other moms could not get over it, it was so cute, I had to admit to constantly taking his photograph LOL. I am definitely going to try again, its hard getting to know people in big groups, DH could not even believe I would go to something like that knowing no one. It helped a lot to have Dylan there w. me, hes like my partner in crime :) Thanks for asking how our big social outing went, too bad we are not all in the same place-I would have been much more excited for a Nov/Dec moms outing :)

[fwgirl]

jengen I'm so very sorry to hear about your DH's grandma. On another note...what a cute picture!

bliss your mom's club sounds fun. That cracks me up about Dylan striking a pose for the picture! And I agree, it would be so cool if we could have a Nov/Dec get together. If only. :) As for your diaper bag question I have 3. A Kate Spade, a Skip Hop Duo and a Fleurville Sling Tote. I love all 3, but for different reasons. The Kate is a more structured bag and great for if we're going to someone's house for a visit. The Skip Hop was my everyday bag for months and I adore it. It's cute and holds a ton! I like to wear it messenger style to keep my hands free for other things. My newest is the Fleurville and I'm completely smitten with it. It's super cute, holds a ton and easy to clean. I tend to carry WAY too much stuff and each has plenty of room. I'm sorry the OiOi didn't work out for you. It was really cute, but I understand needing lots of room.

Janna we're still using the bouncer too. I put DD in there as I'm getting reading in the morning. She usually just chews on a toy or board book, but the other day she did the same thing that Nathan did. She was trying to grab something that she dropped. I'm going to keep it out a little while longer, but I won't be leaving her unattended for a moment!

abbyfox I hope the nursing strike in your house is long gone. I've read that it can be pretty normal at this age. I completely understand what you mean about not being ready to wean and wanting to make it to one year. I know it's not for everybody, but it's definitely something I hope to do. I'm sending you lots of positive nursing thoughts!

ktdelsur I'm so jealous that you got your hair trimmed! Mine is a wreck and I need to go get it cut so badly. One of the many things on my 'to do' list. And I also fear the day I won't be able to tote DD around in her carseat. Not only will it not be nearly as convenient but I'll need to find a new strength training exercise! ;)

hawaii I've never been there so I don't have any advice. Hopefully one of the other mamas will have some tips for you.

If any of you are considering starting swim lessons with your babies I highly recommend it! We're in our 2nd week and it's so much fun! We go on Tues/Thurs and I'm already looking forward to tonight.

So what is everyone doing for the holiday weekend? Any fun plans?

[ktdelsur]

Hope everybody has a great 4th of July holiday....! We need to see lots of pics of the weekend when its over! LOL

[Lindzee82]

Hi girls! We are all moved in. Our new place is fantastic!!!! I absolutely love it. I love everything about it. It is huge and beautiful and Matthew finally has his own room. I am so happy here.

Matthew has hit a few milestones since moving. He is now crawling and he has a third tooth! My boy is getting to be so big. Although, the combination of getting a new tooth learning to crawl all on the same day made for quite a rough week. Of course, as always happens with us, we took him to the doctor yesterday because we were convinced that something was wrong. Sure enough, the pediatrician couldn't find a darn thing and wouldn't you know it, he starts to crawl and gets a tooth the very next day. Oh well, I would much rather pay a $15 copay to find out that nothing is wrong than to not go to the doctor and have something bad happen.

***

helen22 - The Hackley website did have really great prices. Did you end up getting a pump from them?

JRPAGV - We packed up Matthew's bouncer and swing a long time ago. The swing before the bouncer because he got too long for it and would do just like Nathan does and sit up. I was afraid he would tip it over. He would do the same thing in his bouncer - hang over the side and try to grab things on the walls and floor. It has been very hard not to have these two toys. I used the Bumbo for a while in order to get a shower in, but Matthew has learned how to get out of that, too. So, now I usually only get a shower if Eric is home or if Matthew is sleeping. It makes for very long days, too. He does like his exersaucer and jumperoo, but not for long periods of time like he would tolerate the bouncer and swing. Yay for Nathan crawling. That video is great! We need to start the babyproofing process now, too. Matthew just started crawling today and already he is a big trouble maker!

Bliss - I am glad you had a good time at your mom's group outing. I would definitely give it another try. The first time I went to our playgroup I felt very overwhelmend and thought that I didn't fit in. But, I went again because Matthew seemed to really like it. I ended up becoming friends with a group of moms and we even scheduled our own playdates two-three times a week. Of course this all happened right before we moved and now we miss them like crazy. I am going to try a group at the library on Friday and see what that is like. It is definitely true that things are easier with the baby along to be your friend.

fwgirl - I am planning on starting Matthew on swimming lessons in September. The YMCA here starts at 9 months and he wont be 9 months early enough for the July group, so hopefully we will get in the September one. I am more nervous about me having to put on a bathing suit than I am to put Matthew in the pool!

4th of July - No big plans. Eric has the week off (except for a detail he has to work on the 4th for 4 hours) so we should be able to get a lot done around the house. Matthew and I are going to a parade on Tuesday and then the three of us will go to the fireworks at night.

Take care everyone!

[doubleR]

hi girls :) It's been a while since I've had a free minute to go online, it's nice to come in and catch up. It's also nice just to have a free minute ;)

Lindzee congrats on being all moved in, you sound so happy with your new place ~ that's awesome! and what a huge week for Matthew, wow! good luck with the crawling, I'm sure he'll just get faster and faster every day :D

ktdelsur I definitely need to post some pictures, it's been so long... I need to look back and see what sites I can use now since I've pretty much always done shutterfly. I have a photobucket account that I've used for LJ, hopefully I can use that over here too. happy 4th!

fwgirl I bet the swim lessons are so much fun. We took Brady for his first dip in a pool this past weekend and he *loved* it. he was splashing and kicking around the whole time. oh, and laughing :) it was so cute!

Bliss so glad you had a good time at the mom's club! I would love to find something in our area - last time I looked into it, it was pretty much just for SAHM's since they met on Tuesday mornings. I work PT and have friday's off, so I'll have to look into it again and maybe there's even something at our local library - since Brady is in daycare and does get to interact with other babies, it's kinda more for me, I would really love to find some mom friends in our area. we moved here just before getting pg and besides people we work with, we pretty much have no friends close by, which can be tough, you know? and I agree, it would be so fun if we could all get together somehow. I love how Dylan posed for the camera and hammed it up among all the little ladies. that is adorable, I'm sure your heart just melted at that!

********************************
since there has been talk of nursing strikes in here lately, I just want to say CONGRATS to everyone who is still nursing... I think it is amazing and it's not easy, so really, congrats to all you moms :) and I think it was Abby who mentioned that she was struggling with the thought of it being over and felt silly b/c she had been able to BF for so long - it's totally not silly, I imagine that the longer you're able to BF, the harder it will be emotionally, when it is over. It was all really emotional for me and we only made it to 4 months. Looking back, I'm happy that we had that, but at the time, it was really hard.

plans for the 4th my parents always have a big party on the saturday of the holiday weekend, so we had that over the weekend and it was great. lots of fun and Brady was quite the little crowd pleaser. as tough as it was for me to put him in daycare, it has done him a world of good. he is so friendly and did so well with everyone wanting to hold him. he is such a happy little baby - so many people came up to me telling me that they just loved our baby boy :)

meanwhile, we're in deep teething mode over here. He's done so well with it this time. his nose is running like a faucet and I'm just praying that the teeth pop through before it turns into anything - like an ear infection. I am constantly wiping his nose, suctioning him out, etc. His top 2 teeth are SO CLOSE, I feel like if I just rub his gums hard enough, they'll be in. I know that all the books and some doctors say that there is no relation to the runny nose, ear infection, fever, etc. with teething, but why is it that every mom you talk to can relate?

alright, Brady is starting to stir and I need to get a shower in before he wakes up from his little nap. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July and is hopefully enjoying a nice long weekend. I've been off since friday, it's gonna be a killer to go in on Wednesday. ah.

[Lindzee82]

doubler - Thanks! I am very happy with our new place. It is perfect! Thanks for the good luck wishes on the crawling. I need it! He is already into everything! He is getting faster each time he practices. He isn't very fluent in crawling yet, but I think he will be very soon. Sorry about the teething. Hope they pop through nice and quick. I know exactly what you are going through. And, you cannot tell me that runny noses and fevers are NOT related to teething! That is outrageous. Poor Matthew has had to be doped up on Tylenol all week to battle his teething fever. Our poor little guys. Enjoy your next day off!

[abbytfox]

Hi Guys, No time for a major post, but I wanted to pop in and let you know that I am going to be on vacation for the next 3 weeks. I guess I am using the term "vacation" loosely...we'll see how much of a vacation it really is. In order to pack for our 3 week travels I have numerous lists including one just for Elliott that is an entire typewritten page long! We have a lot of stuff!

Elliott is still kind of on strike. He will nurse 1st thing in the morning all the time and sometimes the 2nd and 3rd feedings, but usually by the afternoon he isn't wanting to deal with it anymore. We have always given him a bottle before bed, so that is nothing new (5th feeding). Plus, he won't eat anywhere but his room while cozy on his boppy, rocking slightly in his glider. Needless to say , it is kind of a production! I am going to stick it out throughout the trip and see where we are when we return. He will be 8 months at that point and even though my heart was set on making it to 1 year, I may be ready to give it up if it continues like this. Even now, I can feed him for 20 minutes and still he will take a 6 oz bottle of formula. I don't get it. Milk is literally dripping out of me while he is BFing so I am pretty sure it isn't a supply problem. I think that at this point BFing is getting to be more trouble than the reward I get from the closeness with E.

He's up! Can't wait to catch up when I get back!

[sem426]

abby have a great trip!! i hope you enjoy your time out here in my neck of the woods! it's been HOT and humid here...so pack accordingly!!

I hope everyone is having a great 4th of july! i love long weekends! but hate going back to work after them. oh well...it's only a 3 day week now!

we had a great long weekend....spent time w/family and friends, BBQ'd of course! took DD in the pool...she loved it! yesterday was class at the LIttle Gym, so i was happy to be able to go w/her since DH usually takes her when i'm at work.
last night DH and i had a "date". my parents watched DD and we went to see a movie and out for dinner. it was the first movie we've seen in the theater since DD was born. we saw "the devil wears prada" and really liked it. it was nice to be out, just the 2 of us. although we both said we "missed" DD! and we were only out for a few hours....

DH is out playing golf now, DD is napping...and i'm going to jump in the shower....

happy 4th!

[happygolucky]

Hey all - Hope everybody had a wonderful 4th! We didn't do much - it was just a sort of standard day because we hate to mess with Anna's schedule. She's been cranky lately. I'm not sure if it's teething or growth spurt or teen-age angst or what but it's miserable. The really stinky part of it is that by the time DH gets home, I'm just as miserable as the baby, which means he's coming home to a crabby baby and a crabby mommy. Not surprisingly, I got the "you're always in a bad mood and it makes me not want to come home from the office" talk tonight. :( I know I'm crabby. I don't want to be - it just happens.

There are nights, like tonight, when feeding Anna is an hour and a half long chore and my feet are killing me from standing in front of her trying to shovel the food in and my head hurts from all the crying and the kid won't roll and she won't babble and she won't crawl and all the other babies in my mommy's group are hitting milestone after milestone and my baby is falling farther and farther and farther behind and I feel totally miserable and not able to put on a June Cleaver smile and I find myself wondering if that makes me a bad wife and mother? What am I supposed to do when I'm tired of saying, "Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ma-ma-ma-ma-ma, da-da-da-da-da" and getting "NYYAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUGGGHHHHHH" in return? What am I supposed to do when I'm tired of putting her on her tummy and listening to her scream like she did when she was an infant? What am I supposed to do when the baby spits the food all over herself and me and the entire kitchen and I want nothing more than to say, "you don't want it? Fine. You can't have it. You're done." Even if she's only had six bites of dinner. But then she'll be starving later. And I can't complain about it to DH because then I get dubbed "Crabby Happy," which I don't want to be.

I dunno. She's healed, which is good. She's off the drugs (for the most part), which is good. But she sure as heck isn't easy. I guess she never will be. :rolleyes:

[Lindzee82]

abbytfox - Enjoy your vacation! We will miss you around here. But, look forward to hearing your recap when you return. I am so sorry that you are still having trouble with Elliott nursing. I hope that things can get resolved for you. I hate seeing you so torn.

sem426 - Glad you had a nice long weekend! Yay for the date night. Eric and I are going to a wedding Saturday night. Matthew was invited last minute, but I told Eric that I wanted to leave him home because we need a night out by ourselves. I sound like such a bad mom for saying that, but I do need a little time out!

happygolucky - I am sorry you have been crabby. I know how that is. Hopefully things will get better soon. Fussiness and crankiness are the worst! I am so sorry that you are going through so much. I definitely don't think that Anna is behind. Babies do things at their own pace. Matthew has hardly ever rolled from his tummy to his back. He absolutely hated tummy time until very recently. Matthew also doesn't like solid food. He only eats a few bites at every meal. I have stopped fighting. He gets what he will eat and then I throw away what he wont. It is very frustrating. He will then get just breastmilk if he gets hungry for the rest of the night or morning or whatever meal we are on. Hugs to you. I can't imagine all you have been through. That is great that Anna is healed and off medicine for now. Babies are never easy. I think they just get more tolerable with time! ha! Take care!

[sem426]

this thread is dying!!

bumping us from the bottom of page 2!

hope everyone has a great weekend:D

[Lindzee82]

Wow, it is really quiet in here....

[krbb]

I want to wish DoubleR a Happy Birthday!

Is this happenning to anyone else? The past few times I have been to a restaurant with DS or to a grocery store people have been offering him food. Last week it was some lady offerring him tapioca pudding. Today it was cold banana cream soup. Yesterday I met DH for lunch and the waitress asked if he would like crackers. DH replied you mean the kind with salt on them. Now Ollie is big for his age, but I don't think he looks old for tapioca pudding. I find it somewhat amusing.

happygolucky - Great to hear that Anna is of the drugs and recovered! Hopefully her crabiness ends soon. You sound like a wonderful mother, try not to worry too much about her not meeting milestones (easier said than done), but they are just averages.

abbytfox - Hope your vacation is going well!

[Lindzee82]

krbb - That has never happened to us. Is it waitresses offering the food or other guests of the restaurant? That is strange.

[happygolucky]

krbb - we haven't had that happen either - at least not in public places. Grandma's house is a totally different matter. My mother is dying to offer Anna a bagel or a piece of pizza. I sound like a broken record - "not-yet-not-yet-not-yet" and on and on. As I said before, Anna doesn't really like eating solids anyway, so it's not like she's gunning for the lox and cream cheese to go with that bagel Grandma is offering. I found "not yet" works better than "she doesn't like it" because if I say "she doesn't like it", the classic response is "she'll like it if she gets it from ME." Okey-dokey. Whatever.

Lindzee - thanks so much for the support. I really hate being a crabby mom, but that's what I am. At least for now.

Question: Is anybody here using pacifiers? Anna uses one at night and it's starting to become a problem. She loses it and then cries until someone comes and puts it back in. If it was once or twice, I probably wouldn't care, but it's not once or twice. It's six, seven, TEN times in a night. So I'm thinking it's time to ditch the paci, but I don't know how to do it without basically TORTURING her. She uses it to fall asleep and lots of times it's the only thing that settles her down. I feel like Mean Mommy for taking it away, but she needs to learn to sleep without it or she'll never learn to sleep. Thoughts?

[Lindzee82]

happygolucky - You are welcome! You are not a crabby mom. You are just having a hard time and it is tough to stay chipper when your baby is not happy all the time. Don't sweat it. You are a great mom! Matthew is a pacifier junky! He has his pacifier all.the.time! He uses it mostly to chew on. He wont take a teether so we keep his pacifiers in the freezer and give him those to combat his chewing on other things. He will only fall asleep with the pacifier. It really calms him down and makes him feel good. Luckily, if he looses while asleep he will continue sleeping. If he wakes up in the middle of the night, he usually cant' put himself back down to sleep without it. So that is when he will cry and I will get up and replace it, sometimes nurse. Probably a bad habit, but it doesn't bother me so much to get up a few times at night. I hate to tell you not to take it away from her because I know how hard it must be for you to get up so many times at night, but I don't think she is old enough to really understand you taking it away and I think it is going to be very hard on both of you. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[ktdelsur]

Howdy. I think since so many of us have moved to LJ hardly anybody comes here and crossposts if everybody's gonna read it on LJ, I guess!

PACIFIERS:
Yup. Still have one. He really doesn't use one at all unless we're putting him to sleep/its bedtime. He's gotten to where he can usually fish around for a paci and shove it into his mouth by himself at night. There were a few weeks off and on that I really worried we were going to have to break him of the nighttime paci thing. Once recently I went in there and he was fussing, breathing hard like he was trying to get somewhere - I looked in the crib and he had his eyes closed, half asleep, hands shaking, trying desperately to get the paci in the right way. He finally did it by himself even though it was so hard for me not to do it for him!

OFFERING FOOD:
Parents and ILs have been good about not trying to give him anything I
haven't ok'd yet. I went to Whole Foods yesterday and the lady behind the counter asked what his name was - I said Andrew, she said, "Hey Mister Andrew, you're so cute, will your Mama let you try some Gelato today?" I laughed and said thanks, but not yet. They didn't push...granted he did manage to stick his fist in my Gelato when I wasn't looking. He didn't shove it in his mouth, strangely enough...just stuck his hand all over everything else and made it sticky. hehehe

[Bliss]

I cannot keep up with any of the LJ or CC threads anymore LOL.
Happy-I am sorry to hear that you and Anna have been going through a cranky stage. Dylan went through one recently when he was teething, the days were almost as hard as when he was a newborn. It was so tough, and I was definitely cranky mommy also. Dylan shows no signs of crawling, when he is on his tummy he rolls almost immediately to his back, does not like it on his stomach at all. I figure he will get there when he is ready, and plus once they start rolling they will be going all over the place. I am sure its harder b.c Anna had all those health issues. I hope it gets better for you both soon, you are not a bad mommy- we all have those "I am going to pull my hair out if you start wailing again for no reason" days.

Paci- Dylan also sleeps w. his pacifier, and gets up in the middle of the night to have it put back in. I have started to put a bunch in the crib, and I know he can put it in himself since he does in the morning. I am hoping he can figure out how to do it at night. I dont plan on weaning them anytime soon, since that is how he soothes himself, and I want him to be able to use them to do that. We do use them a lot, but I am trying not to just stick one in his mouth whenever he cries :)

Cleaning ears- Dylan has a lot of wax in his ears, I try and clean it w. a qtip but they still seem icky to me. He also pulls on them a lot, I am afraid he has an ear infection but my ped thinks he is OK since he doesnt really have a fever (at least that is what the nurse told me). What do you use to clean out their ears? And has anyone dealt w. an ear infection? I think I am going to push for an appt w. the ped just to have him checked, since I had ear problems as a kid myself.

[ktdelsur]

bliss: We just use regular ol' QTips to clean DS's ears. The doc said there's not much more we can do besides clean what we see because their ear passages are so little and narrow right now. DS has had three ear infections and we had no idea about any of them - we went to the doc because he was congested and sounding wheezy in his chest, and lo and behold he had fluid on his ears. Yucko. We're actually going back on Wednesday to check to make sure he doesn't have fluid on his ears - if he does, we have to go to an ENT (ear nose and throat) doc to get possibly evaluated for ear tubes. :( He never tugged on his ears or anything. The doc said that his wheezing and chest congestion directly correlated to his ear infection so we needed to watch it - he gets a nebulizer treatment once a day as a preventative measure until doc tells us otherwise on Wednesday.

[happygolucky]

Hey girls -

Paci - Anna doesn't find her own paci, even when it's clipped to her sleeper. She just lays there, eyes screwed shut, limbs flailing, wailing away. Although, as I say that, I think she managed to find it one time last night because she was crying and then, all of a sudden, she stopped and didn't get back up for a few hours. Could we be seeing progress? Dunno.

Bliss - we use regular Q-tips on Anna's ears also. We're really careful to lay her down and hold her head very still when we clean the edge of her ear canal, so I'm pretty comfortable that we aren't going to have a Q-tip accident. I know lots of people who use the giant, baby Q-tips, but they didn't really work for us. Anna is a wax factory, so I have to be pretty vigilant about cleaning her ears every day. There was one day when I thought she had sweet potato in her ear but it was actually a chunk of wax. Gross!

Therapy - Anna is getting ready to start state-provided therapy. I got her evalutions this morning and wow, did she bomb. Looks like there will be lots of very structured play going on in this house. She also will most likely need speech therapy because she still isn't making hard consonant sounds. No ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ma-ma-ma-da-da-da. It's all still ARRRRGGGHHHHHHH. I was on the phone with the therapy coordinator this morning and Anna was bellowing in the background and the coordinator said, "uh-oh. We're going to have to have her evaluated for a speech delay." I'm not even surprised anymore. More therapy? Fine. Whatever.

LJ - I'm sad so many people have left this board. I just don't feel like I have the time to keep up with two boards, especially since everybody keeps a separate journal on LJ so you have to pop in and out of journals in order to keep up, rather than just keeping one discussion going like we do here. I have a feeling it will keep getting quieter and quieter in here until I am the only person left. Talking to myself. Sort of like I do at home. <chuckle>

Okay - whiney baby. gotta go.

Happy Monday everybody!

[doubleR]

hi :) I haven't been able to keep up either. and I haven't even logged on to LJ since... well, since adding everyone to my friends list. so if I ever do get back on, noone will even know who I am anyway, lol!

krbb thanks for the happy birthday :) I loved my first b-day as a mom!

happy this is in response to your post from last week - I'm so sorry sweetie :( I agree that no baby is *easy* but you've certainly had more than your share of difficulties. I'm sure that Anna will reach all the milestones when she's good and ready. It's so hard not to compare what she's doing/not doing to what others her age are doing... but really, and I know this is so much easier said than done, but what's the rush, she is so young right now and she's been through so much... I'm sure she will "catch up" and some day you'll be amazed that you ever even thought she was "behind" ;) you have a beautiful little girl and as hard as it can be at times, she is probably the love of your life, right? hang in there and know that you can come in here and vent anytime. we're all routing for you and Anna :) oh, and if it makes you feel any better, I've gotten the 'you're so crabby lately, you need to do something about it' talk too. as far as therapy, I think that is great, hopefully you will see some wonderful progress. I don't think Brady is making hard consonant sounds yet either - definitely not da-da-da or ma-ma-ma...

offering food not so much. and not from strangers at all. DH and I actually tried to give Brady his first taste of vanilla icecream this past weekend (in all fairness, it was my birthday and it was ridiculously hot out ;)) and he wasn't interested. he was more interested in the empty plastic cup. of course I couldn't believe it and was wondering if this really was *my* baby. not like icecream? that is some shocking news.

pacifier nope, he never took to one and I'm really glad b/c my brother and SIL have gone through the same thing at night with my nephew. they cannot believe that Brady is only up once a night, if at all, and he's 4 months younger. My SIL is up at least 5 times a night, putting the paci back in... I imagine it's a super hard habit to break and probably shouldn't be rushed since it's a soothing thing. we do have our own issues going on, without a pacifier, with not being able to self-soothe, at.all.

ears we have a lot of wax here too. I make sure I clean his ears really well in every bath, with just a wet washcloth and sometimes I'll use a Q-tip in the mornings - he gets his bath at night before bed. our ped said that the washcloth cleaning is really all he needs and a lot of wax isn't a sign of anything other than his ears working properly????? we have had 1 ear infection and I'm almost positive that you'd be taking your baby to the doctor at that point - Brady was not himself when he had one, he wouldn't stop crying unless I was holding him, but even then, he was a sad little baby just clinging to me. he did have a fever. and he also pulls on his ears a lot - when he's tired, so for us, that won't/can't be used as an indication that something is wrong really. hopefully it's not an ear infection Bliss, but I'd probably push for an appointment too, you'd rather hear from the doctor that everything is alright than wonder. unfortunately, there isn't anything they can really do for the inbetween stage, which is just ridiculous IMO. I also had issues when I was younger and both my older bro and I had tubes in our ears - I know noone wants to do this and I'll be upset if we have to do this for Brady, but it really wasn't that big of a deal and I guess it helped tremendously.

alright, gotta get to work. we've been having discussions of me coming back FT since $$ is so tight right now. we've also had 3 weddings in the last 6 weeks, another one in september... we have had something every single weekend since memorial day and we've been spending way more than we normally would be. but a year ago, it wouldn't really have mattered w/ me working FT. and of course we didn't have the added expense of a baby. so now that I'm bringing in less and we need even more, it's just tough. I know many people do it, work FT, but I can't even think about it w/o crying. I've really started to like our schedule and love having the extra day with him and getting home early. With DH traveling, I don't know how I'll do everything on a FT work schedule anyway... I'm hoping to get through the summer and we'll re-evaluate in September. In a nutshell though, money sucks! DH has been home in a black out period for the last 3 weeks. well, home at night anyway, he's been working locally. It has been *so nice* and I'm going to miss him terribly when we get home today and he's not there and we won't see him til Friday. Brady is also reaching the age where he now misses him too. he's crazy for his father and I don't know how this is all going to work out - it's hard on DH not seeing him, us, not being home, it's hard on me... and now it's going to be hard on Brady. Is it really worth it? Something's gotta give, but what? DH said he's about 3 months away from selling everything we have, packing it all up and moving to Mexico, ha!

[JRPAGV]

I'm so sorry I've fallen behind in this thread. Now that Nathan is crawling and pulling up on everything constantly, I don't have as much time for the computer. I do try to read along, but never have enough time to post. I'll try to be better about it, though.

happygolucky: We're not going to desert you for LJ! Although, I really wish you'd start a journal over there because I love reading your posts (they crack me up)! :D I have no plans to stop posting in this thread, but I do post much more often in my LJ. It's actually fairly easy to keep up with everyone over there. You just click on your "friends page" and it shows you recent posts from all of your friends... rather than visiting each of their journals separately. Yay for some possible progress with the paci! I hope therapy goes well.

Paci: Nathan has never taken a paci. We tried a couple of times in the beginning, but he didn't know what to do with it, and I got tired of having to hold it in his mouth.

Cleaning Ears: Our ped said that baby's ears are self-cleaning. Nathan has wax in his ears everyday, though, so I'm not so sure about that. Is it bad that I gently use the tip of my finger to clean the outside sometimes? I don't stick my finger down in there or anything.

Nathan is stirring around in his bed... got to go for now!

[Hawaii2SJ]

BLiss- I usually clean Aidens ear after his bath really carefully. I mainly do it to absorb the water thats sitting outside is ear canal. I don't stick it in there, I really can't anyway since we use the baby qtips that have a weird shape. I am concerned that he may have an ear infection too. He doesn't have a fever either but he;s been a grouch and has a runny nose for a week now plus sounds congested. Then last night he would not settle down for bed and when we held him he would grab his ears, then out of the blue started whacking his ear and head:eek: That was weird. Grabbing his ears were pretty normal to us but the hitting makes me a little concerned.

ktdelsur your post alone made me call the advice nurse for Aiden regarding a possible ear infection. We see the pedi tomorrow morning. To me he just seems too grouchy these days. Plus the cold that has been lingering for a while now.

happy LJ really isn't that bad. It's pretty easy to keep up, plus...private. But I check in here every so often but I agree that this place has slowed down a bit. Probably due to the fact that our babes are starting to get into everything these days.

doubleRHope things work out with the FT decision. Brady wasn't interested in ice cream?? He doesn't know what he's missing:p DH's aunt tried to give Aiden some cake with frosting and I just about flipped. All I need is a sugar wanting infant:rolleyes:

Well I've been struggling with naps today. Aiden just refuses to be put down in his crib when he's sleeping. I don't know whats going on today:confused: This kid needs a nap and I need to get some stuff done around my house. I refuse to sit on the couch like the good old days (1 month old) and enjoy the little man in my arms. He is too big and heavy now days and mommy needs a break too:p

[Lindzee82]

ktdelsur - My dad is always trying to offer Matthew food. It drives me crazy. He will say things like "you were eating eggs at 2 months" or "you were eating ice cream sundaes at Matthew's age." I say that I don't care, he isn't eating food like that! It is so annyoing! Glad your in-laws have been good about not giving him anything. I can't believe the clerk offered Andrew Gelato. I am not sure what that is, but I wouldn't offer anything to anyone's baby!

Bliss - Matthew has a ton of wax, too! It is sooo gross! I just use the Johnson's Baby Shaped Swabs when I remember. I am really, really bad about it. I have to get better. I really hope that Dylan doesn't have an ear infection. Keep us posted.

happygolucky - Good luck with the therapy. I really hope that it can help Anna and help you to feel better about her development. I am not planning on leaving CC anytime soon. I like LiveJournal a whole lot better, but I like the group threads over here.

doubleR - Sorry about the finances situation. Things are pretty tight on this end, too. I really hope that you can find a way to make it work without you having to go back to work fulltime. Weddings definitely sure are a killer. We have only had two this year, but we dropped $50 on gifts each. Eric's birthday is on Thursday and he wanted a scanner (the police kind) and since he never asks for things and since he is the only income I bought him one. After this, though, we really need to buckle down. I found this website to be very helpful to us in helping with our finances and our budget: http://dinkytown.net/java/HomeBudget.html. We have also found that we save soooo much money by planning our meals for the week and only buying what is on the list. We have gone from having $70-$100/week for groceries down to $30-50/week. Good luck!

Hawaii2SJ - Sorry about Aiden not wanting to nap. I know how hard that can be. Hopefully he doesn't have an ear infection. Keep us updated!

***

Matthew's new milestones
- Can go from crawling to sitting and sitting to crawling
- Is starting to pull himself up onto things

Things right now are very hard. Matthew is teething and mommy is going crazy. I can't get anything done. He cries all.the.time. I am just so sad to have such an upset child all the time. I don't know what I am doing wrong or what I can do to make things better. I actually had Eric take Matthew out of the house for a while this morning because I just couldn't take it anymore. He got up 5 times last night! I am so tired. When he is awake I have to constantly watch him because he is mobile now. Although, that is when he lets me put him down. He hates to be by himself. He is not an independent child. But, sometimes I really need him to be. I feel awful for complaining, but he is just really miserable right now. I feel so bad for him. But, I can't find anything to do for him other than Tylenol and pacifiers. Ugh!

[first-time mom]

Hello everyone!!! Its been a while since I have been here. Lets see if I can reply to what I remember. Kaylin has hit some milestones since I have been here. She is now barrel rolling all over the place and also getting up on her knees and rocking. No crawling but I am sure that if not far off, she went from none rolling to rolling and up on knees in three days. She also feeds herself cheerios and crackers.


Happy-hang in there hun,I know what you are going through. I also get bummed when I get on the comp and see everyone's children hitting milestones. Kaylin is still behind the other children on here too but I just tell myself that she has been through a lot and how could she be right on track. The good news is that you are aware of what she can and cant do and you are going to get therapy which docs will tell you if things are worked on early then they can be fixed with no long term effects. I know its hard not worrying and it makes you feel like you are doing something wrong but your not. God deals us only what we can handle and he must think you are strong enough for this. Besides I wouldnt even consider her behind babies do everything at there own rate. Can she sit up unassisted? If she can I really wouldnt worry b/c before Kaylin was rolling the doc said she does have the muscles to do it but just chooses not to. Hang in there I know your going to worry but hey what else to mothers do? If you want to talk more you can find me on lj morrisonkm9. I post a lot over there, I find it easier than this site.


Lindz-Glad to hear you like ur new place. Give me a call sometime when things settle down and we can get together. Yippee for matthew hitting milestones! Kaylin is getting there. As far as matthew's sleeping they say that when they hit milestones there sleep will be interupted and of course teething can affect it too. I have been following you on LJ:) I saw all your pics and videos, looks like a really nice place.

Cleaning ears-Kaylin too has lots of wax. I use the baby q-tips everyday and still get a ton out!

Here is a recent bath pic, notice how you can barely see her scar!

http://images1.snapfish.com/3475949%3A9%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D327%3B%3E745%3E586%3EWS NRCG%3D3233936%3A88677nu0mrj

[Lindzee82]

first-time mom - Yay! Glad to see you around! I will definitely give you a call someday soon. Things are still really crazy. You little stalker! How come you don't post and say hi to me in Live Journal? Silly! Yay for Kaylin hitting those milestones. That is great! She is so freaking cute. What a great picture! I can't believe that scar is just about all gone. It was huge!

[doubleR]

i really hope this thread isn't dying a slow and painful death ;) i really love coming in here when i can to see what's going on with everyone. i finally logged on to LJ again the other night and i felt like it took me way too long to catch up and i didn't even post a comment to everyone! now, it could be b/c it had been quite a while since logging on, but... i don't know, i have such little time as it i