May 2006 Mommies - Our Mayflowers are Blooming!

[Standrea]

Bloomwood-I'm sorry you are having such a bad day and are at your wits end. I hope your pediatrician gives you some good advice and makes you feel better.

Besides, the few times he has gotten up with her, I lay in bed straining to hear what he's doing - in case it isn't the "right way" .
I have trained myself to say "he's been a parent just as long as me" because I was making myself nuts and so upset over the sillyiest things..

[shortcake]

Wow! All these babies rolling over! We are not close yet - just discovering how to bat things and doing lots of full-body kicking.

Sleep is overall decent. Naps are typically 1 hour, but occasionally he'll break the 1 hour barrier and do 2 or more. Night time is fussy between 7 and 9 and at some point during that time he'll fall asleep, then wake around 2 or 3, then sleep till around 6. Lately he seems to be able to go a bit longer during that second stretch - last night was heavenly: down around 8:30, up at 2, down until 7:30. I feel like a new woman! Usually he does one great night and then one bad one, so I'm expecting tonight to be worse. :rolleyes: Of course I'd love him to STTN but I don't expect it at the moment.

Bloomwood - I hope your ped has good advice for you! Ahhhh 8 hours of sleep. I hope we can all get some of that soon!

I have trained myself to say "he's been a parent just as long as me" because I was making myself nuts and so upset over the sillyiest things..
Good for you, Standrea! I will try that mantra too - I find myself second guessing him all the time (with both kids).

[Kim]

QOTD: How do I get DD to learn to roll over? When did your DC roll over? Was it from front to back or back to front? She is not a big fan of tummy time and I don't know whether or not that is contributing to her not rolling over yet...


I never really did anything to teach my kids how to roll over. They did it on their own. Ava was a later roller (around 5 months IIRC) and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that she was such a chubby baby. :p Morganna rolled over from front to back and back to front at 3 1/2 months. Lila at 3 1/2 months rolls from her back to her belly easily but doesn't show much of an interest in rolling from her belly to her back, though she's done it as a fluke before. Once she's on her belly all she wants to do is scoot forward by pushing off with her knees. :p

Honestly, I was pretty bad about laying my kids down for tummy time because they hated it so much and I don't think it delayed their rolling abilities at all. Morganna spent the better part of her infant days being held by me because she was so colicky that I was surprised that she rolled as early as she did. One day I decided she needed to spend some time on the floor so she wouldn't be delayed and there she went, rolling away. Literally. I think kids just do things at their own pace.

IIRC most babies don't roll form their tummies to their backs until they're 3-5 months and from their backs onto their tummies until they're 5-7 months. Lila just does things a little backwards. ;)

[Em7.31.04]

Rolling Over: Jack rolled from front to back at 9.5 weeks. He hasn't rolled back to front yet. He doesn't even seem to be close, but I'm not worried. He'll do it when he's ready! :-)

[Parrothead]

Does anyone else have a DC who doesn't really bat at toys? I keep hearing that this is common at this age (or younger). DD could care less. She loves to look at toys and she'll grasp/hug/bring to her mouth anything you put on her chest, but she doesn't really give a crap about reaching out for things. She's happy enough looking at things and eating her hands!

[shortcake]

Parrothead - That sounds like a personality thing to me, not a developmental issue. She has already found her hands, since she is grasping things you put on her chest (DS doesn't do this yet) so maybe she's just not into the swinging toys. (Maybe b/c they are harder to grab!)

[Bloomwood]

Thanks for all the thoughts, as usual! I re-read my post and realize I sounded a bit dramatic. It's really not that bad! I would like to get a full, uninterrupted night of sleep, but I'm not really at my wit's end today. (I stress "today"!)

ETA: I wrote down what he said wrong!!
I talked to my ped. He said that since she has gone 7 hours without waking in the past, we should try to stretch her out to that, but if she wakes up before then to send DH in to soothe her back down without the breast. If she goes back down then we know she wasn't hungry and is getting closer to STTN, if she doesn't go back down then we know she is hungry. DH said it must be a conspiracy to get him up in the middle of the night! :p

He also at first said she might be an early teether and I would know because she was crying like in discomfort, drooling a ton and putting everything in her mouth. She is doing the last two things, but not in discomfort, so I don't think she's teething.

I do have a new theory though. I think she is getting cold. She's been sleeping great at her naps - when it's warmer, in a sleep sack with a light holey blanket - and she was sleeping fine during our heat wave. So, I'm going to try bundling her a little more tonight too. I'm willing to try anything!

I'm off to take a nap while she's sleeping.

[MMHinCA]

Since posting about rolling over this morning DD has rolled from front to back 3x! I even got one of them on video! :)

[Kim]

MMHinCA-Heehee! It's amazing how that works, isn't it? ;) I remember being at Kindermusik with DD #1 and the teacher asked if she had started to roll yet and I said no...within minutes she was rolling before our very eyes. No joke. :p It was very funny.

[Standrea]

Congrats MMH!!

[Bloomwood]

awesome MMH. Can she come teach M how to do it??

Little M is sleeping AWESOME in the sleepsack - 2-2+hour naps today. so, I'm trying it for bedtime. I hope it works!!

[Guinness]

Congrats MMH! We are trying to learn to roll, but I have to position the under arm just right -- don't think it counts :p

Hope you have a restful night Bloomwood! I am also wondering if teething is starting in our house. Lots of fists in the mouth these days. . . hmmm

Mrs. U - David is a good looking growing boy!

Carseat - we are still in the Graco safeseat, but have the Britax Marathon in DHs car. So he has always riden in both. Once he outgrows the safeseat (I think it will last a while, not that we will be able to carry) we will by another convertible

Off to sleep. This back to work stuff is for the birds! My house is a complete disaster - I just have so little left after work, elliot, DH and pups. . . I so don't want to pick things up. So to sleep it is :rolleyes:

[Southlooper]

Quick fly by -

There's already a MAY 2007 Mommies thread! This time last year we were getting out BFP's. Weird...time flies...

[Bloomwood]

southlooper - totally crazy!! wowza!

sleeping update - maybe she was cold! I put her in the sleepsack with the light blanket over her and she slept 7-2:30 and 3-6. DH was happy b/c he didn't have to go in haha.

[nettreefrog]

Gabriel rolled over at 2.5 weeks from his front to his back. (Got it on video too...) He has still not managed to roll from his back to his front though...

He wants to stand as much as possible and can stand holding onto something (like the sofa) for a few seconds. He also tries to take steps holding onto my hands. It does not last long though because he would prefer to put his hands into his mouth...

[MMHinCA]

Bloomwood - How does the sleep sack work? Can you let me know where you get them? It may be something that A would like...

[smiles33]

MMGinCA: The Halo Sleepsack is a sleeveless gown that zips from the neck down (so the zipper pull doesn't scratch DD's chin). I tried to find a photo to link to, but a lot of them don't allow you to hotlink. If you google it you can see one.

Try this link from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B00009MOO2/ref=dp_image_0/102-7680722-3675348?ie=UTF8&n=165796011&s=baby-products[/IMG]

Oops, gotta run, MIL is here! Be back later w/updates!

[Parrothead]

We are in the process of transitioning DD to the Halo Sleepsacks. So far, so good. I was swaddling her completely up until about 3-4 weeks ago, then I swaddled her from the armpits down only. Over the last week, I have been moving her swaddle further down and making it looser and also having her in a sleepsack. Last night, after her middle of the night feeding, I put her down in just the sleepsack. She slept great. She is on nap #2 today in just the sleepsack and seems to be doing well :)

[MMHinCA]

Thanks smiles33!

Seems like this sack might be worth trying out. Maybe it will help with the transition from swaddling!

[Bloomwood]

definitely check them out, MMH.
Hope they continue to work for you too, Parrothead.

Anyone know when you're supposed to move to the bigger nipple size? We're still using size 1. She doesn't get a ton of bottles, so it probably isn't that big of a deal, but just wondering.

[Guinness]

Bloomwood - we just increased nipple size. I went to the store and saw that a 1 was only for newborns (avent) a 2 was 1-3 months and a 3 3-6 months. I bought 3s but that flooded DS and so I am going to do 2s for a while and then switch. He only gets one bottle a day, but I think it will make a difference.

I have a fussy boy on my hands. . . trying to problem solve what it could be. I wasn't doing dairy and have added it back in - I am wondering if that could be it. I have tried to be limited, but have had a couple of carmel machiatos :o Anyone else try to reintroduce dairy if you eliminated?


I have the sleepsacks -- hmm might have to try. Except we are soo hot here still.

[Em7.31.04]

DS has been on Avent #2 nipples for about a month now. We switched him over when we had thrush and had to replace all nipples.

I just joined LJ....I remember there being a question about this recently, but I'm too lazy to go back and re-read the postings. So, I'm emily_and_mike over there and would love you to friend me! :D

[kristin9903]

Bloomwood We're still on the size 1 nipples, and will continue to be until he complains about it. Right now, he only gets 1 bottle a day...but school starts on Monday for me so that will change.

nettreefrog Sheesh! That's one mobile kid you got!

Rolling over DS's done it maybe twice...and I think those were flukes. He does love to sit up and stand, though.
--

We had our 4 month WBV this week and Ethan's up to 15lbs and 24 in long. Not too bad! The ped said that she recommended delaying solids completely until 6 months unless the baby is really showing signs of being ready...so that's what we'll do.

Today is the one year anniversary of my BFP. I remember how freaked out I was that day. Now, well what can I say? One year ago, I got the best surprise of my life.

http://images1.snapfish.com/34795%3B24%3B%7Ffp353%3Enu%3D327%3A%3E64%3A%3E%3B% 3A%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D3233%3A9%3B3%3B78%3A4nu0mrj

[Standrea]

Kristen-That picture is the cutest thing ever!! 1 year ago today was the first day of my LMP!

Abbie decided to boycott naps today. I m hoping that she does well for bed tonight..:rolleyes:

We are still in size 1 avent nipples, but abbie gets bottles only 1ce a week (monday nights when I take a cake decorating class).

[Standrea]

Ok, i just had to come in and tell Kristen that Abbie has that same bear from build-a-bear. Her name is Daisy, because she has the 2 daisy pigtail things on her ears. Abbie was so excited when we went and made it. And she even picked out her own bear! We gave her 2 options, and she LOVED that one! I think its because it is so darn soft!

[Parrothead]

DD uses Level 2 nipples from Dr. Brown and has since she FINALLY took the bottle at about 2 months. Not sure when we'll move to Level 3, as she only gets a few bottles/week and seems fine w/ the Level 2s for now.

[nettreefrog]

nettreefrog Sheesh! That's one mobile kid you got!
--

We had our 4 month WBV this week and Ethan's up to 15lbs and 24 in long. Not too bad! The ped said that she recommended delaying solids completely until 6 months unless the baby is really showing signs of being ready...so that's what we'll do.


haha --Tell me about it!

I wanted to ask about solids... Gabriel's ped said that we'd try solid foods next month--but I wanted to hear what you meant about being ready. What are the signs that your pediatrician is looking for?

QOTD: Is anyone else trying solid foods? If yes, are they fruit, veggies, grains? Do you make the foods yourself?

[nettreefrog]

DS has been on Avent #2 nipples for about a month now. We switched him over when we had thrush and had to replace all nipples.

I just joined LJ....I remember there being a question about this recently, but I'm too lazy to go back and re-read the postings. So, I'm emily_and_mike over there and would love you to friend me! :D

Okay...Em, I am nettreefrog over there...I'll friend you now :D

[kristin9903]

nettreefrog She said that the primary thing to look for was if he was acting absolutely starved even though his feeding schedule hadn't changed. Also, she said to look for less drooling (a sign that the tongue thrust reflex is going away) and more "practice" chewing motions and interest in table food from the baby.

Standrea Thanks! I did have that picture all cutely staged until DS reached for his giraffe and kicked the paper across the bed. I kind of like it that way, though...it's very Ethan. By the way, we LOVE that bear (ours' name is Hamilton). Ethan loves grabbing his Build-a-Bears and smooshing their faces.

[Standrea]

Foods-I would like to hold out as long as possible before starting rice cereal, but abbie is starting to show the signs of being ready. We were told if they are following food that you are eating to your mouth. If they open their mouths when you do to eat, etc. I'm going to discuss these with the ped. at her 4 month appt to see what they say...

I am planning on making food for Abbie. My girlfriend did it for her DS; she pureed different fruits and vegitables, frozen them in icecube trays, and kept them in the freezer until she was ready to use them. Then she would defrost one or two icecubes at a time.


I'm still trying to figure out LJ, but im Standrea over there too. I'll try to friend you Nettreefrog and Emily!

[flyerwife]

I think the nipple size depends on the child. I know with my DS we never replaced the size 1 on the playtex, but then with Kyle we started with a size 2. Different bottles, but so far (knocking on wood) both have been (are) good eaters.

Kyle took a great morning nap, but hardly got to sleep the rest of the day. Not because he didn't want to, but he just didn't sleep in his stroller and we were out at Kings Island Amusement park the rest of the day. Hopefully he'll sleep really well tonight.

Live Journal...I'm hrmm97 over there, but I don't post much, however I friended you Em7.31.04 and nettreefrog.

Okay I'm exhausted and tomorrow is another long day. We are finally taking the boys to get pictures among other things :)

[MMHinCA]

We are still with size 1 nipple. I haven't really thought about moving up to the next size since she doesn't seem to have any problems with size 1.

Em7.31.04, nettreefrog, and Standrea... I am july26bride over on LJ... I will friend you guys!

[Standrea]

MMH-I never realized it but we have the same anniversary!! Were you on WC too?

[MMHinCA]

Yes I was on WC... were you? What was your screen name?

[Standrea]

I was Standrea over there...

I tell you, im so clever StanDrea...the day I came up with that, i thought I was a genius...now I just htink I was an over-tired college student!

[Em7.31.04]

Foods: I don't plan to start them at least until DS's 4-month appt in late September. When he does start, I plan to make most of his foods. e.g. boil the veggies, portion into an ice cube tray, freeze, and defrost a few cubes at a time for feeding.

Standrea: Maybe I missed a posting about this...but are you TTC #2? :-) You go girl!

[smiles33]

Hi ladies!

Been reading when I can, but I started working p/t from home last week because my boss needed me to take over a few projects my temp can't handle....but I still have DD right here with me and no babysitter! Imagine the chaos at times, when I'm trying to talk on the phone but she's crying for attention! Fortunately, she's mostly good and I can switch her from activity mat to swing to bouncer and get some work done.

New QOTD for WOHM moms: Those of you who have already sent your DC to daycare and those about to do so: how are you feeling? I was excited at first to go back to work and have DD start daycare and learn new social skills, but I'm starting to feel nervous about leaving her at daycare starting next Friday, Sept. 1. We had a transition visit, which I posted about in the WOHM moms thread....Suffice to say, I'm starting to worry about her more than I'm excited about going back to work. It's a bit surprising, but I'm hoping my 2nd transition visit makes me feel more confident about the daycare.

Anyhow, also wanted to pop in and report that DD has yet to roll over at all. She can do this funny scooting thing where she spins herself around clockwise on her activity mat (and only clockwise, as she apparently doesn't like going on her left side). Everytime I look up from the computer, she's got her legs swung up and has shifted to a new position on the mat! It's too cute! But she hasn't gone beyond a slight roll to her side (hence the scooting).

And she is still waking up 3+ times a night. If I put her down at 8, she's up at 11, 2, 5 and then 8 (but I don't count the 8 am as a night waking). She's no longer giving me the nice "long" 5 hour stretch....I will be a total zombie when I go back to work, as that 2 hour round-trip commute is going to be even more exhausting!

OK, back to work....Hope you're all hanging in there!

[shortcake]

smiles - DS does the funny scooting thing too (clockwise also)...and then today I went into his room to find out why he was awake when he should have been napping, and lo and behold he had rolled over! (He sleeps on his tummy, so he was now on his back). I wonder if he'll repeat it - I may have some long nights ahead of me! :) Anyway I don't think it's expected that they'll do it already - even though most of the babies on this thread seem to be rolling geniuses.

[missy329]

I am on LJ- missy329 on there also. I will friend all of you- but I must warn you that I am don't post often. But, I am trying to post more often.:rolleyes:

Rolling over- Maggie rolled over for the first time last Friday while I was at work. My DH was watching the girls and he told me he went in and found Maggie laying on her back (she is also a belly sleeper). She has yet to roll over when we are watching her though.

Smiles I can't help you with daycare. My DH watches our girls during the day while I work (he works nights). I do miss my girls but usually by the time I get to work- one hour drive each way- I tend to "get to work" and don't really miss them. That sounds bad doesn't it. I do think about them a lot but not in a sad, missing them kind of way. I hope everything goes well for you with the daycare transition.

[Standrea]

Smiles-One of the mommy's in our playgroup goes back to work next friday as well. She has been working from home for August, and is having the same feelings about daycare as you. Hugs go to both of you!:)

We just booked our trip for next memorial day. We are going camping! I'm so excited! This memorial day was so lowkey since I was 2 weeks PP, and memorial day is one of my favorite holidays!

[nettie]

WOHM This is my third week of working fulltime, hence the sharp drop in posting! Right now, DS is home with his dad. This transition wasn't super easy, but not too bad either. DH is great with DS, and I'm so glad they have so much one on one time. Starting in Oct, DS will be in daycare. Logically, I'm convinced this is what's best for my family. Emotionally, it's a bit more difficult. I just keep reminding myself that the woman who work there have tons of experience with babies. Plus, I spoken to parents of other kids who go there, and they've all had very positive experiences.

Smiles I think my concerns are a bit different than yours given that my baby is not quiet. I'm more worried about him sleeping at all while at daycare, LOL. Can you talk to other parent's to help ease your fears? That and talking to the caregivers about your DD's personality might also help. Not too mention the great resources here.

[nettreefrog]

Smiles33 - I went back to work three weeks ago (actually I am at work now). We are staying with my MIL during August because she is watching Gabriel during the day. He starts day care on September 5th. I work full-time as does my DH. Gabriel will be at the day care from 8 am until around 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. The first week, my DH will help him get used to the day care by ramping up to full-time. But, regardless, it is hard to be away from him... The time seems to pass by so quickly. If you ever want to chat about it, send me a PM :D

[Em7.31.04]

DS has been in daycare for two weeks now. I've started my internship and DH is back to work & coaching. I'm only WOH 3 days/week, and will be home w/DS 2 days/week. A nice balance, I think. It isn't easy to drop DS off at daycare, of course, but it is nice to have some alone & adult time. Plus, I really love picking him up. His smiles melt my heart. I went yesterday and he was in the exersaucer and I just about started crying. Guess that means we better take the Baby Einstein activity center out of our garage and put it together this weekend...We're quickly running out of room in our house, LOL.

Jack is three months old today!!! WOW is all I can say.

[Bloomwood]

Anyone out there doing any nap training, or for those moms I am jealous of (b/c of their good sleepers!), what kind of nap schedule are you on (if any)?

I have been working on 9 am and 1 pm naps. The 9 am is easy, but she doesn't always sleep 2 hours, which makes the 1 pm nap tough. Twice she's fallen asleep earlier - which is fine, I think she still needs to follow the 2-hour wakefulness rule. I am just torn on longer term. I think 9 am and 2 pm might make better sense, once she can stretch out her waking time because then her awake time will coincide better with her 6-7 pm bedtime.

In other good sleep news...I always nurse her before bed, usually she falls asleep or is more drowsy than awake. However, a few times she just hasn't gotten beyond drowsy and ends up just comfort sucking - In those cases, I've "encouraged" her off the boob and put her in her crib WIDE AWAKE and she's put herself to sleep. I am so thrilled. This baby is not inherently an "easy baby" or a "good sleeper" but I am working my tail off to make her one! So far I have:

Gotten her down to just 2 wakings a night (over a 12+ hour period)
Weaned from the swaddle completely in just 3 days
Consistently going down for a 9 am nap without fighting it
Closer to putting herself to sleep
Sleeps exclusively in her crib (unless she falls asleep on our walks)
No more addiction to swing sleeping

Of course, in less than two weeks I leave for the beach and will be bouncing between there and here which may make this all go out the window! :rolleyes:

While I am there I am going to begin weaning off the breast and start working on getting down to only one waking a night.

What are some of your baby accomplishments and goals??

[shortcake]

Bloomwood - Wow, great job on accomplishing those goals! Question for you: when you do the 9am and 1pm naps, what time do you feed her? We are not on a regular nap schedule, but part of my problem is timing the naps so that he is awake to eat every 3 hours or so.

[Bloomwood]

oh my gosh, my little girl has found her voice. She couldn't focus on nursing because she wanted to keep singing. When it hit 1 pm, I just put her in her crib and she took about 15 minutes to settle herself. I can't wait for DH to hear her singing tomorrow!

shortcake - Thanks! I'm quite pleased. :D I feed on demand and/or when I put her down. Sometimes, if it isn't time for her nap, I'll feed her from just one side and then "save" the other side for getting her to sleep. I think I read somewhere that they should be starting to space out their feedings now. I have noticed that she doesn't "demand" as often.

[Guinness]

WOHM and Daycare I started back Aug 1 on really a part time schedule. Daycare is an in home day care and she is my neighbor, so it is a great situation. However, it has been ULTRA hard on me. I just want to stay home with him, but reality is it doesn't make sense. I have a very flexible schedule as a professor so I am only committed to about 5 hours a week. The rest is just produce. Smiles I think it is just hard. I tried to think - well he will sleep a good portion of the time (I drop him off at 9 and pick up about 3:30 so there is only 1 feeding there). . . but he tends to sleep when I get home for the afternoon nap time. I am trying to tell myself that it just takes time to get used to it. He is safe and so happy. I hope it gets easier for you - {{HUGS}}

Nap schedule Well this could be easy, but I am not sure we (daycare and I) are consistent enough yet. He usually sleeps from 10 or 10:30 until 12 or 12:30, and then could go down again about 2 or so. However, daycare goes on a car run every day at 2=3 so DS sleeps in the car, but then I come pick him up -- so he takes another short nap around 6 and goes down for the night at 8:30. I will say he isn't on a great schedule nap wise, but it usually is a couple hours after he eats.

Rolling We are slow in this area too. He just started rolling from tummy to back and he is 4+ months. I asked our ped and she said with the sleep on the back campaign this milestone has really been delayed in most babies. They used to want to see it by 4 months, but she says it is happening more around 4-6 months.

Now standing - that is a different story. DS just wants to stand stand stand. If there was anyway possible he would walk. He gets fussy and the reason why usually is he wants to stand and show off.

Belly laughs - these just started. DS has laughed for a while, but now he just cracks himself up. It is adorable!! He thinks daddy is the funniest thing alive. So heart warming.

Solids - we started rice cereal and DS is taking to it pretty well. He has been STTN really well until the last week or two. He wakes up hungry - so I figured I would try a little cereal and see if that helps. So far it seems to, but we will see over the next few days. Not sure I will start other solids until 6 months - haven't decided

Bloomwood you are a rockstar meeting all those goals! Good for you.

Good luck to all of you starting the back to work transition. It isn't easy that is for sure. Just so hard to find the right balance and not feel guilty. I am working so hard on that these days. If anyone has tips pass them on!!

[Jen1098]

Long time no see. I've been trying to follow along but like most of you all we're also having some sleep issues here.
I'm so jealous of those of you who have time to really work on getting your babies to sleep.It's so much harder this time around when you have a 2 year old who thinks if I bring Kyle upstairs w/o him that we're having fun w/o him.

Kyle has a tooth trying to pop through. I can't believe it, Josh's didn't come through until about 5 1/2 months.

No rolling over here yet but he's working on it. He's such a happy baby, loves it when people talk to him and he really loves his brother. Although I think right now that's still pretty 1 sided.:D

I'm also on LJ-I'm jen1098. I seem to be on there now more often than here. I'd love some new friends.:)

Here's a quick picture-someone is up from their 20 minute nap.

http://images1.snapfish.com/34798%3C335%7Ffp353%3Enu%3D323%3A%3E693%3E5%3A9%3E WSNRCG%3D3233%3A69842467nu0mrj

[kristin9903]

Guinness How's that cereal working out? DS used to be a champion sleeper (10 hour stretches) and now he's waking up every 3 hours again, like when he was a newborn. I know it's out of hunger because he eats and conks out again.

Bloomwood Great job with the training!

Goals and accomplishments I still have the goal to transition to the crib...but with this waking up nonsense, I don't know how easy that's going to be. We've decided not to wean him from his miracle blanket. He's starting to break his swaddle on his own, so he might wind up weaning himself. Since he's going to my MIL's 3 days a week, we'll just conveniently not pack the miracle blanket and see how he does. Also, we've started signing to him on a semi-regular basis. It's a little early for that, but I'm way excited to sign!!

[Bloomwood]

kristin - I hope weaning from the swaddle goes well. I was SHOCKED at how easily it was for Macey. I hope it goes as smoothly over there!

Mon dieu! Macey has been a crank pot the last couple of days. I am wondering if she is teething. She is drooling and everything goes in her mouth. She probably isn't teething, but I'm just looking for a REASON for her crankiness. She's been such a happy baby recently, I don't know what it could be and I'm not willing to admit she could just be fussy.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

[Guinness]

Kristin I think it is working . . . last night he slept for 11 hours for the first time in 2 weeks. I really don't give him much, a couple tablespoons at his 4pm feeding and maybe again at his 8pm feeding depending on if he acts like I don't give him enough. He is starting to eat some now vs. it all just dripping out :p Give it a try. Also I am going to switch to oatmeal instead of rice. A friend said her babies got constipated on Rice and since DS already goes days in between I thought I better not give him something that might make it worse.

[smiles33]

Just popping in to say hello...I've spent all weekend (other than a party yesterday in DD's honor thrown by ILs) reading the entire thread about WOHM, since DD starts daycare Friday! :eek:

I'm nervous but surprisingly calm about it, after reading about how so many WOHM cried and cried....but who knows how I'll be Friday morning.

Hope you're all doing well!

[Em7.31.04]

For those of you whose DC takes a Soothie paci...Have you heard of Wubbanubs? Looks like this:
http://www.wubbanub.com/images/dogmed.jpg

I just ordered one for Jack because he's having increasing trouble keeping his paci in his mouth. He tries putting all other toys in his mouth, but they aren't small enough for him. I'm hoping this decreases/eliminates his frustration!

We took Jack to my parents' house to swim in their pool. It was his first time swimming, and he really seemed to have a good time.

We also put together his Baby Einstein activity center.

For some reason my Snapfish links aren't working.....Aargh.

[jarm]

Em - We had one for Arlyn when she was little. It didn't work because she moved around too much. They're cute, though! We ended up cutting off the paci from it. Oh well...it was worth a try though.

[kristin9903]

Em7.31.04 Where did you get that? That might be worth a shot for DS..who puts everything in his mouth and then promptly gags himself on it.

BTW, Snapfish won't allow picture posting anymore. Only Flickr and Photobucket work here now. It sucks, because I switched from shutterfly to snapfish and now I have to switch again.

[Standrea]

Guiness-I'm so confused...I just looked at your chart...are you TTC too?? I saw PG test with a +, that's why I'm confused...did I miss something? Sorry if it's being nosey...im just super tired, and need to do SOMETHING to keep myself awake while i try to get Abbie to go to bed...


STTN-This has abruptly stopped. As of Wed. Abbie stopped taking naps. And she decided that she really didn't want to go to bed at bedtime either. It's been like MIDNIGHT before she goes down everynight, opposed to the normal 9pm. I'm not sure if it's teething, or if she's just really hungry. She seems to be eating alot more. Today however, she did go down for a nap and slept for 3 hours, so that was really nice. I just put her in her crib now, and she seems to be whining, but not crying...i decided that i have to try to let her CIO, if only for 10 minutes. It's so frusterating. I am seriously suffering some sleep deprivation.

I'm sorry to come in here and be debbie downer:rolleyes: .

Anyway-I'm going for a day at the spa tommorrow, so that will be fabulous. I've been looking forward to this since my baby shower (it was a gift from my girlfriends!)!!!


Goals-
-I would like to sleep train again. I know she can do it, it's just a matter of me figuring out what she needs.

-We are talking about potty training very early. We may be starting within the next few weeks to see what happens. DH and I have been doing alot of research on early potty training.



Abbie loves to stand. She has since birth. She loves when we hold her by her hands, and she walks across our legs. She's been holding onto the edge of the couch and holding herself up (With some MASSIVE supervision)...It blows my mind how fast my little baby is growing up. One of hte moms in our mommy group said the most true statement about mommyhood I've heard so far - The days are long, but the weeks are fast.

I hope everyone has a good start to their week!

[Standrea]

I am losing my hair like crazy. It's really gross. I noticed it in the shower, and it gets caught in my fingers, and I have to clean the drain like 3 times during my shower. But yesterday my little sister was using the flatiron to straighten my hair for me, and when i went to sweep today, i realized that there was more hair on the floor from her straighting it, then there is on DH's and Abbie's head total. How long does it take, or how do i stop it??

[Guinness]

Standrea - That is from last year - sorry to confuse you. I guess it is impossible to tell now that we are again in Aug. :eek: Not trying to conceive maybe next year. I was going to continue to chart to avoid, but I instead am taking the minipill since my schedule is all over the place. Good luck to you as you try. You are a brave woman!! I don't have pregnancy amnesia yet :p

[Standrea]

haha Guiness! Pregnancy amnesia...its more like L&D amnesia...My parent's were over tonight and we were looking at pictures from the day after Abbie was born, I had such a gross feeling in my stomach remembering how bad the Magnesium Drip. I looked back at your chart again before i saw your post, because i was so baffled (I am DeFINATELY sleep deprived) and realized that the chart goes into August.... DUH!!

[Em7.31.04]

Ugh, I am so annoyed with Snapfish...Where did you hear/read they aren't allowing posting anymore? Double ugh.

jarm: Sorry to hear the Wubbanub didn't work for you...It may not for us either, but I figured it was worth a try!!

kristin9903: I ordered it from www.babycenter.com. They're back-ordered on the other sites I looked at. Oh, but you can bid on one from ebay - but it's not new in package. Ewww! :eek:

[Bloomwood]

Em/Kristin -we have the blue horse one. We ordered from here http://www.soothie-pacifier.com/ but it looks like they are sold out too. The horse upside down does double duty by holding her Avent bottle in place when she's in the stroller ;) She is just now to the point that she can hold the horse in place - not sure she is meaning to, but she can!

[jarm]

I just added a bunch of you to my LJ friends list.

I've been reading along...just really busy. I start work tomorrow...and I spent my last day of freedom with my family setting up my classroom. Bummer! Must do something fun tonight.

[Standrea]

Jarm-good luck on your first day at work!

The soothie holder's are adorable! I've never seen anything like that before!


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

DH took a halfday yesterday, and I went and had a halfday at the spa. It was amazing. I had a hydrotherapy bath, an hour sweedish massage, and a champagne pedicure. It was the most relaxing 4 hours I have had in a very long time!

Abbie decided that she really DOES like to sleep, she took 2 naps for daddy yesterday, and he told me to go to bed at 9:30, and he got her down at 10. She slept until 1, then till 4, then till 7, and she's back down now. Not STTN like she was, but its better...

[Bloomwood]

woohoo!!! Macey STTN!! 6:30-6:30. Of course, I was so engorged that she just ate like it was Thanksgiving. I hope hope hope this wasn't a fluke. She is 16 weeks today.

Standrea - that sounds wonderful! I have a massage today as well. Enjoy!

[Jen1098]

Bloomwood Wow. So jealous. That's wonderful. And here I am all excited that Kyle slept from 8:45 until 2:00.:D LOL

I hope she keeps it up.

We're slowly getting better with sleeping. He's taking short half hour naps but Josh did that too when he was this age so I do realize in time it will get better. I have to let him protest cry but it only lasts 15 to 20 minutes.
I'm kinda happy we've had such bad weather the last few days b/c I've been able to stay inside and watch Kyle and make sure he's in his crib when he shows signs of being tired.

[shortcake]

Hooray Bloomwood!

Sleep stunk for us last night. Josh had been doing so well, giving us at least 6 hour chunks most nights, but last night was nearly like newborn sleep again. Well there was a chunk from 10:30-2:30 but that was the best one. The others were all LESS than 3 hours. Finally this morning he kind of cried and fussed but I ignored him (actually was just too tired to get up and get him) and apparentnly he fell back to sleep so now it's been nearly 3 hours for this last sleep stretch also.

[Bloomwood]

Good luck to all the moms heading back to work. I'm sure your little ones will be well-cared for and excited to see mommy at the end of the day.

I just posted a thread about how much Macey hates the carseat and stroller. If you all have any advice, would love to hear your input.

We had a photo shoot yesterday. I took 120+ photos and made a couple of collages with "baby parts." I used Kodak Gallery for it so I'll let you know what I think. Each 8x10 order was only $5, so we'll see if you get what you pay for!
Here are a couple of gems:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/bloomwood/IMG_0900.jpg

love the drool:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/bloomwood/IMG_0991.jpg

[Standrea]

Bloomwood-those pictures are too sweet!!

I'm so glad that we aren't the only ones having sleep issues (actually, that looks REALLY awful that I said that!!). Maybe it's the age? I was thinking it was teething, then I was thinking she was just getting really hungry. Now I'm thinking its just a phase?

[flyerwife]

Bloomwood -- Kyle doesn't like the carseat and will sometimes tolerate the stroller, but not often enough to really help. So I need help there too.

Fortunately, Kyle is sleeping pretty well, but has no schedule at all. Yesterday he slept lots in the morning, today hardly at all. Guess it's good that he is open to different schedule since the running around with my older one starts next week. Poor Kyle won't be able to have any kind of schedule!

The pictures of all the kids are adorable!

[MMHinCA]

Great pictures Bloomwood!

Carseat / stroller - DD doesn't lover either! She used to hate both but now I think she just dislikes them! We don't use the infant seat in her stroller anymore and then helps. I bought a few toys for her to play with while in the car and that seems to help too.

Sleeping - DD is an ok sleeper. She is a cat napper (which I am not liking)... she takes 3-4 45 minutes naps a day. At night she has been going down at 7pm and getting up between 6:30am and 7:30am with 1-3 wakings per night (usually 2). I would really like to cut these night wakings down to 1 per night and then eventually have her STTN.

I am WOHM this week :( Luckily it is only for 4 days since I took Friday off to enjoy the long holiday weekend!

[nettreefrog]

Oh my goodness... Gabriel just had a crying fit. I was showing him a photo of a baby and he started to scream. I think it was his gums. I fed him --and now he is smiling again. Oy poor teething baby...

In quick other news... (brief post of what I wrote in my journal): we started oatmeal yesterday, he is sucking his thumb (hello orthodontists), the craddle c[r]ap is going away, and he is just constantly amazing us with his strength, laughter, and noises.

Hugs to all the babies and mommies :D

(From a few weeks ago... it is Gabriel in his guayabera)

http://moogit.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=924&g2_serialNumber=1

[Standrea]

It amazes me how big the babies are getting!! I have pictures of Abbie, but they are on snapfish, and I dont know how to move them to another site.

Abbie slept a little better last night. She slept from 9:30 till 1:30, then 4:30, then 7:30.

My new favorite thing that Abbie does is laugh. It cracks me up when she giggles loud, and you can see her belly move up and down!!

We are taking Abbie on her first camping trip next weekend, and I'm a little nervous. I know someone went camping a few weeks ago (Emily, I think?) so if you have any advice for me, that would be wonderful!

We have BF support group today, and a picnic with all of the mommies to follow to celebrate BF awareness Month...we are such dorks.

[shortcake]

carseat/stroller - DS seems to do ok, or as well as I expect him to anyway (DD was awful in the stroller as an infant).

Sleep - It seems like a bad nap day, with a cranky evening, results in a good sleep night. Hm. 9:3-4:30 last night. But I'd rather have a decent nap day and a happy baby and an earlier night waking! Oh well, I should take what I can get! :)

[Em7.31.04]

Standrea: It was me who went camping. Over all it was a really good experience. I don't know if I have any specific tips...but just bring a lot of layers to bundle up DC in. Bring a pad or something to put down to change DC on - our campsite had a picnic table so we just used that. Keep diapers and wipes in your tent for overnight changes. I found that DC and I both slept better when we were both in my sleeping bag, than when DC was alone on his pnp pad next to me. And we don't normally co-sleep but it was really nice. Most of all, have fun!!

[Parrothead]

Carseat / stroller - DD is not a huge fan of her carseat, but is getting better. She seems ok in just the stroller, but it's hard to use that alone to go out on walks, as she gets blinded by the sun, even w/ the sunshade fully extended. Any suggestions?

Sleeping - We are still working on this. DD has always had her longest stretch at night (thankfully!). Lately, her daytime sleep has SUCKED though. Yesterday, she slept a grand total of 2hr 15min between 9am and 5:30pm, spread between 4 naps. Lovely. But, she made it up to me w/ an 8hr 15min stretch last night (beginning at 7:30pm). She's been on 1 night waking for about a month, but occasionally regresses. Typically, she goes to be between 7:30pm and 8:30pm, wakes between 2am and 4am (up for about 30 min) and is back down until sometime between 6am and 8am. Not bad. Today has been nice -- 45 min nap this AM and she's now 2hr 40min into her 2nd nap. The bottomline -- she's all over the board, but generally very good.

Right now, I am struggling w/ the fact that she's becoming mobile. She began rolling back to front last week and now I can't keep her on her back EVER. She flops over immediately. Over the last 2 days, she has learned to inch around by pulling herself w/ her elbows, wiggling her belly, and digging her toes in....uh-oh!

[MMHinCA]

DD just started rolling from back to front! She too is starting to become more mobile.

I can't believe she is going to be 4 months on Tuesday... where does the time go?

[Bloomwood]

ACK! I swear if it isn't one thing it is another. We went to the city (SF) today to visit a friend and her new baby. Macey was great in the car there and back - fell asleep both ways. She was decent in the stroller, took a nap at lunch, and didn't really make a peep in the stroller after lunch. Miraculous, right? Well, I should've known there'd be hell to pay! She slept about 1/2 hour in the car on the drive home, so she just woke up at the time we'd normally start her bedtime routine. I decided to keep her up and play quietly for 30 mins. so she'd get tired again. She was in a great mood. Bath was no problem. Then I started nursing her and the sh*t hit the fan. She didn't want the boob and became inconsolable. I had no idea what was wrong. I took her temp and it was normal. I ended up calling our dr's nurse line and while waiting for them to call back, calmed her down and put her in her crib. She went out. Like a light. I guess she was overtired and pushing her past her normal bedtime was too much. These kiddos are amazing.

[Mrs U]

Hi all! Glad to hear that some of ya'lls darlings are sleeping a bit better. David has been on a streak the last few days- between 9 and 10 hours at night! (knocks on wood) Napping is another thing- maybe 2 hours total during the day. Oh well I can at least put him under the kick and play to get some chores done or sit him in his bouncy seat.;)

Speaking about strollers- I have a pram(looks like a little bed) that David is almost outgrown. Are most of ya'lls kiddos sitting up in the normal stroller part yet? I just have a feeling he would rather see what's going on around him instead of seeing sky, trees, ect.

Gotta run- David lost his hand in his sleeve again so he cant get to his figners.:rolleyes:

Hope everyone has a good day and good luck to those going back to work.

[smiles33]

Insomnia, possibly caused by guilt or anxiety, which is why I'm up at 3:38 am when DD went to bed by 2 after her 1:30 am waking....

Today I brought DD to work for the 4th time as we had another event I had to be there for, even though my maternity leave doesn't end until Sept. 1. It went well for the most part (minor fussiness that nursing or a binky could quickly cure) and I got a lot of work done for the 4 hours we were there, but DD had a MAJOR meltdown tonight when DH was trying to feed her a bottle (a new kind, the Playtex Nurser, as daycare won't allow glass).

I think I figured out the problem (30 minutes too late!) as these are drop-in "bags" so the air has to be squeezed out COMPLETELY, otherwise she is sucking up air instead of milk. I thought I had squeezed it pretty well, but afterwards (when I finished nursing her as it was the only thing to calm her down), I was able to squeeze out even more air so the bag was almost completely compressed (so as she sucks in milk, the bag will eventually be totally compressed). I also think heating it made the bag puff up a bit more so I needed to squeeze again after removing it from the warm water. Has anyone noticed that? Anyhow, she took the bottle at the next feeding without a problem, so I feel much better about using these now.

But I felt really horrible about this because just as DH was starting the bottle, I slipped out to go pick up dinner and didn't hear him say "Why don't you wait a sec?" as she was already starting to fuss. It took me 30 minutes to get home, during which time she screamed herself hoarse....I hate when she cries, let alone screams. This is probably why I'm still awake....

ETA: I forgot to mention that *knock on wood* DD has been GREAT in the carseat and stroller. I have a 40 minute commute one-way so it would be torture for both of us if she didn't. I did have to stop in a random parking lot once to nurse her before heading back, as she started crying, but she usually is very calm so I've been lucky in this area! And I do take her out of her carseat now and put her in the stroller sitting up with a slight recline, but she also hates the sun in her eyes so I find myself walking backward sometimes to try and block the sun for her. I, too, hope someone has a suggestion for dealing with this!

[MMHinCA]

My DD refuses to STTN or even attempt to STTN... Last night she went down at 7:45pm (with no problems) then she was up at 11:15pm, 3:15am and 6am and then got up at 7:35am. I tried to let her CIO each time but all times turned into a full on cry (not just a squawk)... How do I get her to STTN or at least cut her wakings to once a night?

[shortcake]

MMH -A few thoughts...I think at this age if the gap is longer than 3 hours, you are doing the right thing by feeding them. That is what I have been doing too. I don't have any of the books anymore (got rid of them after #1, dumb me!) so does anyone have the "right" info on that? So what your DD is doing sounds pretty normal. Not to say it doesn't suck! I think our message board is full of very lucky moms whose kids are sleeping remarkably well!! I have a friend with a 6 month old who still is up every 3 hours at night. Now what to do...You could try doing a "dream feed" before you go to bed. That might eliminate the 11:15 feeding. Oh also if your DD is really hungry at night, can you try tanking her up in the evening? Offer lots of feedings and see if that helps. Oh and one last thing - are you nursing her to sleep each time? It's possible she wakes up not super hungry but needing the boob to fall asleep. If that's the case, you might try getting her to fall asleep initially without it. Feed her first, but don't let her fall asleep on you. (If you wanted, that could involve some CIO b/c then even if she cried full on you would know she was fed, changed, etc and you could let her cry a bit. Only if you want though!)

Last night it was odd - DS slept great - from 9 till 4:30 - but then was up and hungry again an hour later! Then he played in his crib for about 1/2 hour and then fell asleep again. Weird!

[Jen1098]

MMHShortcake was pretty much right on. To be honest I don't think most babies sttn at this age. But once we hear of other babies doing it we think ours should also.
My oldest didn't start sttn until he was about 9 months old. Well from about 6-9 he was only getting up once.
I don't think it will be much longer before your dd starts sleeping better.
Do you follow Weisbulth-I have his book which is pretty good.
The dream feed is also a good idea.

Good luck-right now I'm considering myself lucky if I get 4 hours straight.

[Bloomwood]

Forgot to update that Macey's STTN the other night was a FLUKE. She's been up twice a night the last two nights :( .

MMH - I agree with shortcake and Jen about the STTN. I am WAY envious of those with babes that do it, but even my ped has told me the night wakings are pretty common right now. I can imagine how frustrating her frequent wakings are for you! Two is still pretty tough for us (me). Is she still swaddled? If so, are you leaving one arm out? I really really think Macey has been sleeping better since we started using the sleep sacks. And, regarding the arm out, Macey always falls asleep sucking her two fingers. I'll be joining nettreefrog with the orthodontia, for sure! How long does she go between feedings during the day? If you can start spacing those out, that may carry over into night. Also, I believe Weissbluth would agree with you trying to let her re-settle herself before going in; if nothing else, she is learning to stretch out between feedings at night. And, finally, if you are still nursing her to sleep, try to get her closer to the awake than drowsy state when you put her down so that she learns to fall asleep on her own. You might want to start with naps for that one since it is a fine line that if you mis-gauge can lead to some tears. This one took some time for me. I thought I was doing it, but in reality, she was asleep. Then, I figured out the timing and she wasn't really a fan, but she'd only fuss for a couple of minutes. Now she squawks (literally, says "wah") when I put her down, finds her fingers and passes out. Or, sometimes, if she's still pretty awake, she'll lie in bed staring at her mobile and then eventually drift off. Sorry for the cliche, but all babies are different. I've given you some ideas that worked for us, but you really just have to experiment to find the right solution for Miss A. And, also keep in mind that she is getting older and will start spacing out on her own too. Good luck!

[Parrothead]

MMH - I agree w/ everyone here. First of all, our little ones are so tiny that STTN is hard for them b/c their tummies are small. Plus, breast milk is digested much faster than formula so breastfed babies will wake more.

I am a fan of the Weissbluth book and I think that he says 2-3 wakings/night are common now and that it's not until 9 months that they don't need to eat overnight.

DD has never STTN, but she has been on 1 waking/night for 5-6 weeks now (thank goodness) and has done 7-8 hour stretches. Typically, I put her down between 7pm and 8:30pm, she wakes for about 1/2 hour to eat & get changed between 2am and 4am, and then she's back down until somewhere between 6am and 8am.

Here is what worked well for us -- BTW, I am not trying to preach, just letting you know what works for us :)

1) Keep feedings 3 hours apart during the day (or more, if she sleeps through a feeding). Our ped had us waking her to eat eveyr 3 hours when she was little and she still likes to eat every 3 hours all day. I try not to let her eat more frequently, as her meals are smaller and that seems to lead to shorter nighttime naps!

2) Make nighttime feedings BORING and all business. Don't talk to her, don't play with her, don't even make eye contact. Just eat, change, eat, and back to bed.

3) Don't let her sleep more than 3 hours straight during the day (VERY rare, but it can happen); if she does, wake her to feed.

4) Any feeding after 6pm is her last feeding before going on-demand. So, if I feed her at 6:30pm and put her down, I let her go as long as she wants before feeding. Any feedings after this one are "nighttime" (i.e., boring) feedings.

5) Any feeding after 6am is a daytime feeding so that's when we get to talk, play, etc.

So far, this has worked well. DD has 3-4 naps a day, ranging in length from 50 min to 2hr 45min (usually closer to 50 min!) and puts together about 12 hours of nighttime sleep w/ one waking. Quite tolerable.

Hope this helps :) Good luck!

[MMHinCA]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advise! I think it is hard to see / read about so many babies that are STTN that I feel that DD should be too. I know I am lucky in that she goes down easily and goes back down easily after waking. I am going to try a few of your suggestions and see how things go. We do have our 4 month WBV next week so I will also be talking to the doctor about it.

I am a WAHM for the afternoon and then off for 4 days! :)

Hope everyone is having a nice week and looking forward to a fun 3 day weekend!

[Em7.31.04]

Stroller/Sun: The shade on my stroller (Zooper Waltz) unzips and pulls completely forward so that DS is fully covered by the shade. The part where the shade normally is, is mesh so that he can get some air while fully covered. My friend, whose stroller does not do this, makes do with a receiving blanket and diaper pin or binder clip. She will pin or clip the blanket to the shade and then tuck it down around DC. Maybe that would work for you?

Jack got his first "cranky" report from daycare on Tuesday. :rolleyes: He's hardly napping during the day, and has started waking once during the night. This isn't a big deal for most babies, but he has been STTN since 6 weeks! He's really chewing on anything he can get into his mouth, and is eating less at each feeding. He'd prefer to chew on the bottle nipple instead! Looks like we might be getting ready for some teeth...:eek:

Jack has his 3-month pictures tomorrow morning. I'll share the proofs when I get them!

Have a great long weekend, everyone! DH is going out of state with his football team tomorrow morning through Saturday night. This will be my first time alone with Jack overnight.

[smiles33]

Just coming in for some hugs....DD has started a bottle strike 2 days before starting daycare. Found some threads, but the consensus seems to be that you just patiently wade through the period until she once again accepts them. She was so good from 3 weeks old until Wed. night. We tried twice tonight and she just won't take a bottle, arching her back and screaming inconsolably until I offer her my BBs. Not sure what we'll do, since she will be spending 2 days/week at home with DH and MIL, 45 minutes away from me at my office! Tomorrow is our first day....

[Parrothead]

(((hugs))) to you, smiles!

[Jen1098]

Good Luck Smiles

[Standrea]

Smiles-One of the mommies in our playgroup had the same issue. Her DC was able to take a bottle when mommy was away from her (Out of the house is what worked for them). So you may want to try that?

HUGS!!

[Bloomwood]

Just coming in for some hugs....

{{{hugs}}} I hope the strike ends soon.

[MMHinCA]

((Hugs)) smiles33!

[smiles33]

Thanks, ladies! Just come back from lunch w/DD, DH and my parents and brother. Everyone wanted to see her, and I'm sure my ILs would have come, too, if they weren't an hour's drive away. She nursed a bit, but as DH pointed out, she's been sleeping a lot more than usual lately so she may be going through a growth spurt (after having eaten every 2 hours for the past week). So I'm feeling much better now, not as anxious or weepy. What would I do w/o CC? :)

[MMHinCA]

Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend! DD went swimming for the first time this weekend and had a blast! We were down in OC at my MIL's house and had a nice relaxing weekend with DH's family. Back to a WAHM this week... luckily it is only a 4 day week!

We have our 4 month WBV on Thursday! Anxious to ask some questions regarding night time sleeping!

I also can't believe that DD is 4 months old today! Where does the time go?

[flyerwife]

We had a relaxing weekend, so that was nice. Kyle also has his 4 month WBV on Thursday. I'm curious as to his height and weight. I also swore I wouldn't be a mom that analyzes poop, but he hasn't gone since Friday. He seems fine and is still eating and peeing, so I'm assuming it's a change in his system.

Still doesn't really care for his stroller or carseat, but it seems better than it was, hopefully he'll learn to tolerate them both quickly. we head to North Carolina next month and that will be a really long trip if he still doesn't like the carseat!

Hope everyone is doing well and having a good week.

[Em7.31.04]

I just got the online proofs from Jack's three month professional pictures, taken last week.

Here are a few of my favorites:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/emilyvonrueden/10.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/emilyvonrueden/9.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/emilyvonrueden/3MonthProfessional.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l229/emilyvonrueden/2.jpg

[Mrs U]

Hi All! We just got back from David's 4 month check up. He's now 15.25 lbs and 24.8 inches long! Sad that they dont stay little for longer.:(

David's new thing besides flirting with my BF's daughter (10 days younger) is giggling. He was cracking up at the dr today when he was getting his heart/lungs checked. Guess the boy is a bit ticklish.

Em cute pictures!

Smiles How's the bottle strike coming along? Was it only a short phase?

Hope ya'll have a good day!

[Standrea]

Hey Everyone!

Abbie had another sleep over with her cousin's last night. A last horrah before they go back to school tommorrow. Everyone slept well, but Abbie was up every 2 hours.

She is sleeping better (Back on every 4 hours between the night, with the exception on last night). I've started to take Fenugeek, and think it's really starting to work. She's eating for a shorter amount of time, and going for longer spirts. Yesterday she ate every 4 hours!!

Abbie's hernia is noticiebly going away! If you press in her belly button, you can feel that it is almost fully closed, which is very exciting because we were told it would take about 2 years. Also, her belly isn't as extended as it was, so that is healing as well!!


Quick Question for the mama's with little girls-Have/Are you getting their ears pierced? I really want to get Abbie's done, but dh says not until she tells us she wants them. My gf got her daughters done after her 2 month shots, and said she was fine! I'd rather her have them done now, when she can't pull on them...

[Southlooper]

Smiles: My started her bottle strike last week. I've found that if I'm around she will refuse the bottle. Lastnight she took the bottle from DH because I was dead asleep. I feel your pain. It doesn't give you much of a break.

Standrea: Ear piercing was a semi-controversial subject when DD was born. In the Filipino culture most girl babies typically have their ear pierced within days of their birth. I chose not to pierce her ears. I'm leaving the decision to her (disappointing all the relatives who came bearing jewlery.) :rolleyes:

[smiles33]

Quick drive-by post, as things are super hectic at work (just finished pumping so I have a second). Bottle strike is over! DD took 1.5 oz from the daycare folks the first day. We are guessing she just wasn't hungry, which is why she was refusing the bottle. She used to eat almost every 2.5 hours on the dot and her daily bottle each night before bed was 4 oz. Now, she isn't hungry until 3 hours or more have passed, and she only takes 1.5 oz during the day. I guess she only tanks up at night?

I have to work late tonight so DD will be asleep before I even get home. At least I know I will have the nightime nursing sessions to hold her then...but it will be hard to resist picking her up when I first get home!

[MMHinCA]

We just got back from DD's 4 month WBV. Besides the 4 shots she had a good visit!

Height: 25 inches
Weight: 13 lbs 9 oz
Head: 41.6 cm

We are going to introduce her to cereal and then slowly introduce yellow vegetables around 5 months. We'll see how she likes it!

Also she should be sleeping through the night with one waking. So... we need to work on the occasional 10/11pm wakings and her 3 am wakings. I am going to try to feed her more during the day and see if that helps. With nursing I never really know how much she is getting. For a couple days I am going to try and pump and feed her with a bottle so I can see how much she is eating. We'll see if that helps. He did say not to worry about her not sleeping through the night until we get to 6 months.

[MMHinCA]

So DD went down at 6:50pm last night and slept til 1:30am! She then went back down around 2am, woke around 3am but squawked herself back to sleep until 6:55am! Maybe she heard what the doctor said yesterday! :)

We are also weaning her from the swaddle and white noise. She has been sleeping unswaddled for a week or so and we are now using the sleeping sack. Last night we play Baby Einstein Lullaby Classic for bedtime instead of the white noise and she had no problems!

We also set up her Baby Einstein activity center yesterday and she loves it!
Edited to remove picture.

[Parrothead]

DD had her WBV on Wed. She is 15lbs., 6oz. and 25 1/4" long.

I am confused on her sleep right now. She was doing so well for the last month -- down between 7 and 8:30, asleep until between 2am and 4am, up for 1/2 hour to eat, back down until between 6:30 and 8:30.

We were in San Diego for Labor Day weekend and since coming back she's picked up a 2nd night feeding around 10pm or 11pm :( I am hoping that the combo of her being out of town and off schedule and her 4 month shots are causing this. It's frustrating b/c she's gone as long as 10 hours w/o eating and now she wakes up screaming and the only thing to quiet her is food.

At our WBV, the ped mentioned letting her CIO when she wakes up at night. We haven't started yet b/c I want to get her used to sleeping in her crib before I let her CIO. I don't want her crib to be scary (she's still in her PnP in our room, but we are moving her out next week). We'll see how it goes!

[flyerwife]

Quick post -- Kyle is stirring!

He had his 4 month WBV yesterday and is doing fine. He is 15 lbs. 10 oz and 25".

we can start on solids now, but he's currently having constipation issues which she said we could give some really diluted juice for. She also suggested starting with Oatmeal rather than rice cereal saying that the rice causes kids to get stopped up more. Just a heads up since most will be starting solids soon.

He's also sneezing like crazy and the poor kid can't take anything, but she did at least admit that it probably is allergies like the rest of us in this house :( At least she admitted it, several of my friends have kids that have allergies and the doctors keep saying that kids under 2 don't get them.

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

[flyerwife]

Meant to ask too, those using exersaucers -- how are the kids reaching things. Maybe Kyle's is just taller, but when we tried he was interested but was stuck with his arms out since that's where it hit him. I was thinking maybe a pillow under his feet for a boost?

[Pink_Converse]

Please do not repost. Thanks!

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6%3DzqH%3AxxqUD7qRUrKxzX7BHpUUKx gXPoQ%3F87KR6xqpxQQQJxGPJxlalxv8uOc5xQQQolllJoaGnG qpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPoQ%7CRup6Gna%7C/of=50,590,441

http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6%3DzqH%3AxxqUD7qRUrKxzX7BHpUUKx gXPoQ%3F87KR6xqpxQQQJxGPJxlalxv8uOc5xQQQolllJoaGne qpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPoQ%7CRup6Gna%7C/of=50,590,441

not working right now, I will fix it later. I dont' have time now...

[MeTheGirlie]

Hello all!

2nd time mom here who has forgotten what I "should" be doing with DD no. 2, born on 5/7/06.

I'm totally off with the feeding schedule here, can someone help?

DD sleeps 12 hours at night. She has her next appt. in 2 weeks, but my husband got on the scale (because I still refuse!) and then I handed her to him and it "appears" she's between 15 & 17lbs! Big babe but DD# 1 was like that as well until she started thinning out.

Currently, here is our schedule:

7:00 AM wake up, eat EIGHT oz goodstart play,
nap at 9 - about 12 or so.
12:00 - wake up, eat ANOTHER 8 oz play
2:00 NAP
5:00 WAKE UP - play
6:00 PM, Bathtime/play/cuddle
6:45 - last bottle, 8oz
7 - 7:15 - Bedtime - STTN until 7 - 7:30 AM.

OK, first of all, am I FEEDING THIS KID ENOUGH? She's obviously gaining a ton of weight and anything beyond the 8 oz she spits up so I know that's her limit, anything below and she's just wayyy still hungry. Secondly, her nap schedule is a bit off because DD #1 needs to be transported to pre-school during her normal "nap time" in the AM and that screws her up ALL DAY.

Any help would be appreciated! :) It's amazing how much you forget in just three short years.

[shortcake]

I don't know about the quantities - I think most kids her age eat 4+ times a day still - but she seems to be gaining fine so I'm sure she's fine, and you can check with her ped in a couple weeks. As for nap schedule being off...um...that is the nicest nap schedule I've ever heard of! I woudn't even be telling anyone, for fear of jinxing it!

[Parrothead]

I am going bonkers.

DD has completely regressed. This started after our weekend away for Labor Day where her schedule got all messed up. Then, she got her shots on Wed.

Here's the latest:

Last night she went down at 8:10pm and was up at 10:45pm, 2:15am, 5am, and 6:30am.

At 10:45, I tried to soothe her w/ just a paci (she'd eaten at 6:45pm) and she freaked out, screaming so hard that we were worried. We of course assume teething, but she was calmed by eating and went to sleep.

At 2:15am, I fed her and put her back down.

At 5am, I began to feed her and she fell asleep after 4 min so I gave her a paci and she went down until 6:30am.

Ack. I am so bummed. She was consistenly doing 1 night waking for about a month (going down between 7:30 and 8:30, up between 2 and 4, and then back down until between 6:30 and 8:00).
FYI, she is drooling tons, gnawing on my knuckles, pulling her ear, and she also screams in a way that I have never heard lately. Maybe teething?

This is brutal! Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks!

[MMHinCA]

Parrothead I feel your pain! :( Based on her symptoms (drooling, gnawing, ears, screaming)... it sounds like teething to me.

I feel like my DD is regressing too, but in the napping department. She is a cat napper to begin with (3-4 45 minute naps a day) but now I can barely get 2 30 minute naps in and it takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get down for those. I used to be able to put her down awake and she would squawk for a couple of minutes and then fall asleep. Now she is squawking/crying for 45 minutes before falling asleep and then once she falls asleep she is going down for 30-45 minutes.

Our nights are ok... she has been going down around 7pm (sometimes easy sometimes fights it) and then wakes between 1-2am (again sometimes goes back down easily sometimes fights it) and then wakes again between 6-7am. Every few nights we get a waking between 10-11pm. I have been trying not to feed her during this waking (per doctors orders) but last night she woke at 10:30pm and didn't fall back to sleep until 11:30pm. It was a very long hour for mommy. I tried patting her back and sshhing her and it would soothe her but as soon as I stopped and left the room she would start crying again. I feel like as soon as I get one step forward on her sleeping we take two steps back! :(

Another problem we are having is now that she can roll from her back to front she will roll over and moves herself into a corner of the crib or against the side and then gets mad because she gets stuck... this causes a lot of screaming so even though I am letting her CIO at times I still have to go in and check on her to make sure she is not stuck somewhere. It is so hard now that she is getting so mobile!

Another question for those who let their babies CIO... What is the longest period of time you have gone letting them CIO?

[Jen1098]

parrotheadIf she's pulling on her ear and screaming like that maybe it could be her ear. Does she have a temp? You might want to place a call into the Dr. if she's still acting that way.

MeTheGirlieUm just a little jealous of your dd's sleep.:D I'd say if she's sleeping through the night and seems happy w/ the amount of food in her bottle I'd say she's eating plenty.

flyerwifeI'm sorry Kyle is having constipation and allergies issue. Joshua did and still has constipation probs and it's so hard on him.

Right now Kyle is sleeping in his swing and Josh is napping. I love naptime. LOL. Kyle's doing great. Such a happy baby-he "talks" all the time and it's the sweetest sound. His night time sleep is slowly getting better but we aren't close to sttn yet.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I'm off to eat while I have the chance.

[MMHinCA]

DD must have known I was talking about her... today she took 2 - 2 hours naps! It was so nice to have the period of time to get things done around the house!

[Parrothead]

MMH - Thanks for the support. We'll see how tonight goes. It's just so hard to have had her go for 9+ hours w/o a feeding and suddenly flip her s&*t after less than three hours.

jen - Nope, no temp and no odors/discharge from the ear. I thought ear infection, too, but it doesn't look like it. I'll keep an eye out though!

[flyerwife]

Jen1098 - What have you tried for Joshua's constipation? I hate to hear that others have to suffer, I'm hoping that Kyles is temporary.

Parrotthead - Hope that last night was better!

Kyle is doing pretty well, still sneezing and stuffy, but we got an air purifier for his room and it seems like it might be helping. I'm hoping that at least it will help him sleep. We live in allergy valley and we all have them so I'm not surprised that he might have them, but I was really hoping he wouldn't. His sleep schedule is off though and I don't know if it's a combination of everything going on of if he's ready for cereal. He was up at 4 am this morning and sucked 8 oz down. We'll start oatmeal towards the end of the week, hopefully that will help.

[shortcake]

not...enough...sleep

I have seen some mention online of a 4 month sleep regression. Could that be what some of us are experiencing? DS was sleeping pretty consistantly till 3 or 4, eating, then going back down for another 2-3 hours. But that hasn't happened in over a week. Lately it's been all 3 hours, basically with some slightly more and some (oh the horror) quite a bit less. Last night I let him CIO when he woke up after eating a mere 1.5 hours earlier. I was happy when he fell asleep after 1/2 hour of crying...but then he woke again in an hour and I figured I'd better feed him. Can't wait to ask the doc her recommendation at his WBV on Wed! We are even considering a bottle of formula at night to help get longer sleep, but I would rather not (nothing against FF, it's just more of a pain & expense! Did it with DD#1).

Parrothead -I hope last night was better! It does sound like an ear infection could be a cause...as could teething. I know with kids this young it's very hard to detect ear infections so the general wisdom is when in doubt, bring them in.

[Parrothead]

Sounds like I am not alone in my sleep struggles. DD woke 2x last night -- 10:45pm and 3:15am (went to bed at 7:45pm). I tried at the 10:45pm waking to soothe her w/ a paci, but no luck. She just screamed harder and harder. So, I fer her and she went back to sleep happily at 11:15pm. I know that I should let her CIO, but I need to get DH on board.

Her crazy screaming seems to have gotten better -- maybe the 'teething' is getting better? Less ear pulling, too. I still am thinking no ear infection, but am keeping a very close eye on it. It's been 6 nights since our retrun from our trip. The dr. said it may take a week or two for her to get back on schedule. So, maybe one more week until once a night wakings. Lovely that we head out of town in 2 weeks for another trip...

[nettie]

4 month WBV
14 lbs
26 1/2 inches long
43 1/2 head circumference

I'm not sure why DS is such a long skinny guy, neither DH or I are tall, but I hope he stays that way! I'm thinking basketball scholarship. ;)

The ped recommended starting solids early, both because DS is long and skinny and because he's taking 7 oz bottles while I'm at work. I've seen all these studies that recommend waiting till 6 months, but given that DS isn't all that big, we're thinking of giving it a try. Anyone else starting solids early?

Sleep has never been good for us, but for the most part is getting better over time. He's only up an average of twice a night, once for the binky and once to eat. He will not be put down at night though. He sleeps the first hour either on me or DH, and then he's fine in his crib. It's become such a habit, that I'm almost used to it. Every night I first try to put him down drowsy but awake. He's fine at first and then fussy, so I get him to sleep in my arms and put him down. That lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, then he's up again. I keep hoping he'll figure it out on his own, but if we have to resort to ferber at some point, again, I'm willing to try that too. Naps we lay him down awake and he falls asleep fine. Of course, he may be up 45 minutes later. Sleep has never been his strong suit.

One advantage of having a baby that doesn't like to go to sleep at night is that we don't feel bad keeping him out till 9:00, so we went to two "parties" this weekend. These are not wild and crazy parties by any means, but I like being able to socialize with DS in tow. I'm away from him 40 hours a week as it is, on weekends I like to keep him close by.

[flyerwife]

Solids - Our ped. has told us to start on solids now too, starting with cereal and then moving on. She also had us start on them at 4 months with our older son too. I think it just depends on the doctor and if the child is showing signs of being ready. I think Kyle is ready since he stares at our food and is getting up at 4 am again when he used to sleep until almost 7. He is also almost 16 lbs and can sit up with assistance.

[MMHinCA]

Our doctor said to start cereal now so DD would be ready to start solids at between 5-6 months.

For those EBF how many times a day do you breast feed? How long is each nursing session?

[Parrothead]

solids - Our dr. said start solids at 6 months. So, we have a couple months of EBFing to go. I am a bit worried, as my supply seems to be dwindling and I am unable to pump more than 1oz. DH and I have a couple of long periods away from the baby coming up in the next 2 months...

QOTD: Number of times per day DC breastfeeds (if EBFing) - Used to be 6. Now that she's decided she wants to wake up 2x/night and I can't soothe her w/ a paci, it's 7 or 8. Each feeding ranged from 10 - 20 minutes total, usually around 14-16 minutes.

DD is still doing the 11pm and 3am wakeups, used to be just 3am. I try to soothe her w/ just the paci, but no luck. She freaks out. I know that I should try a CIO, but she's still in her PnP in our room. We are moving her to her crib this weekend and I want to give her a little time to get used to it before CIO. We are out of town next weekend, so I am thinking a CIO in early Oct...I am such a procrastinator!!!

[karlatta]

DS had his 4 month WBV today. He is currently:

13 lb., 10 oz.
24 inches long
16 inch head circumference (don't know why they didn't do it in cm)

Solids - We're going to start rice cereal this week (Thursday). I want to start it sooner (today), but I want someone around to take pictures, and DH won't be home until then.

[Em7.31.04]

I took Jack in to the ped today because his daycare teachers thought he was getting a cold. Nope, he's fine. Just a bit of eye goop that a few days of ointment should clear up. We're going back in next week for his 4-month WBV but he got weighed & measured today. He was 17lbs, 10oz and 26" long. Big boy. :-)

[Bloomwood]

Sign me up for the sleep regression too! We are spending the majority of our time at a vacation house this month and I think that has something to do with it. Part of that is me trying to make myself feel better because I know full well she was doing this before we even went down to the beach!! I think I got 2 hours or so of sleep on Saturday. Ugh. We have her WBV tomorrow and sleep is No. 1 on the agenda. I even have DH going with me so I don't forget what the dr says.

MMH - she is also rolling onto her tummy and getting stuck/frustrated. I rolled her over last night - stealth, in and out move - and she cried for 45 min. after. I don't know if that is the right approach or not. I am going to ask the ped tomorrow.

[smiles33]

Hi ladies! DH took DD to her 4 month WBV yesterday:

17 lb 2 oz
24.5" long
16.73" head circumference

She is a BIG girl! :) Still EBFing, so her growth should taper off and fall from 95+% to something more average. And, to answer an older QOTD about how many times she nurses/gets a bottle of EBM, DD eats 8 times a day, which means that yes, she gets up 3 times after we put her down at 7! Sometimes she gets up even more frequently, but a good night is just 3 times. I'm surprisingly still lucid/articulate at work, but it has been tough at times since I can't have caffeine. Thank goodness for the stress-induced adrenaline from a busy workday!

Oh yes, the other QOTD: we're going to wait until 6 months to start her on solids.

Hope you're all doing well!

[Em7.31.04]

I have $3.50 worth of Pampers coupons if anyone wants them...PM me if you're interested!! :D

[Standrea]

Hey Everyone!

Sorry its been a while. We had our camping trip, and it was fantastic. I couldn't find any sleep sacks (the stores all said that they were on order because of the change of the seasons, but they weren't in YET:mad: ), so I used thermal underware under blanket sleeper jammies. I put socks on her feet, and a hat on her head and she was warm and toasty. WIth that said (Beside it getting down to 41 degrees in the night), we have decided to buy a pop up camper. It just makes sense for us to have one, especially with a family. We normally camp 5 times during the summer, and would like to go in spring and fall as well. With the camper, We could do that (Love that they have heat in them!).

Tommorrow is Abbie's 4 month Well Baby Visit. I'm still having a really hard time believing that she is 4 months old. She is going through sleep regression as much as everyone else. It's usually every 2 hours. I feel awful for her, and wish I knew what was triggering it (Hunger, teething??:confused: ). I took her into bed with me at 4 am, and she slept until 8 this morning, so I'm really confused.

I got DH to agree to let me get Abbie's ears pierced. We are going to have them done when she turns 6 months old.

Rolling-DD is rolling like a champ from Belly to back, and is so close from back to belly-but she gets stuck on her arm.

And lastly-her halloween costume:

http://s7ondemand1.scene7.com/is/image/Gymboree/140013911?$240x305$
Baby Girl Bumble Bee Costume
Item #140013911
She'll bee adorable. Our sweet as honey costume is designed with a stripe velveteen body, satin trimmed tulle skirt and puff sleeves. Glittery tulle wings are sewn securely in back.

* • Color: Yellow
* • Bodice: 100% polyester with cotton poplin lining
* • Tulle skirt: Nylon with satin trim
* • Up to 3T
* • Spot clean
* • Imported
* • Collection: Mix n' Match

[Bloomwood]

Abbie will be so cute Standrea!!

So get this...Macey slept 6:30-5:30 then went back down until 7. It was her first night back in her crib in 6 nights so I guess that has something to do with it. Of course it happens the night before her WBV! I'm not really complaining, just think it's funny. We go back to the beach Thursday and will likely be there 10 days straight so I hope she can get used to her pnp!!

[Bloomwood]

whoa! Quiet thread!
We're back from the WBV. I have quite the little nugget on my hands. She is an itty bitty.

Weight: 12lbs. 12 oz (7lbs. 5 oz at birth)
Height: 24.25 in. (19.5 in. at birth)
Don't know/care about head circ. it's written somewhere

She is 25% for both, same as she has always been so he is pleased. He doesn't recommend starting solids until 6 mos. and we are fine with that.

He said that as long as she is put down to sleep on her back, it doesn't matter what position she puts herself in. Also, said that if she wakes herself up because she is stuck on her tummy, then respond to her and do a shortened version of our bedtime routine to calm her down and get her back to sleep. Introducing a lovey is fine and I need to not give her a bottle as a way of calming her when she's fussing in the stroller; rather let her find her hands. That's about it.

[Pink_Converse]

Hayden had his WBV today:

Weight 12lbs 6 oz
Height 24 3/4"

He's long and lean and looking good according to the Dr. She said to start Rice Cereal and see how he does and then go ahead and move onto baby food. I'm very excited about this although I know it comes with a whole 'nother set of troubles. It's going to be so cute tho!

[shortcake]

Josh had his WBV today - I don't know where this big kid came from!

Weight 17 lbs 10 oz
Height 25.75 inches

I don't know how he is so much bigger than his sister was! The dr didn't say anything about solids so we'll just do it when we think he is ready I guess. I can't believe we're almost at that point already!

[kristin9903]

I was one of the people who was having trouble with the board being really s.l.o.w., so I feel like I've missed a ton!

We've been having a sleep regression, too. We just transitioned to the crib (finally!) and now he's starting to get back to STTN again. He must have been tired of staying with mommy and daddy.

DS will be 5 months old on Sunday. :eek: We still haven't started solids, and probably won't until he really shows me he's ready. I have cereal on hand, waiting for that moment.

I'm back in school now, and having a hard time adjusting. I actually miss being a SAHM, something that I never thought would happen.

Standrea Love the bee girl costume!

[crazycaro]

Hi ladies and babies

Hope everyone is well.

I've not been here for so long, sorry. Life is just busy busy busy.

Chloe is doing well, she will be 6 months old on the 29th. Half a year old!!!

She's such a sweetie. She's a really good baby. Sleeps well (goes down awake, usually sleeps through the night, or until at least 5am, naps well, 3 naps a day), she's just a joy. I love her to bits. :)

I'll probably introduce solids later next month, closer to 7 months.

Some recent pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/jasbella/PICT0180-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/jasbella/PICT0004-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/jasbella/PICT0012-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/jasbella/PICT0015-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/jasbella/PICT0022-2.jpg

I'm off to catch up a bit.

[Pink_Converse]

You girls with your 17 lbs babies make he feel like Hayden is too small! The Dr. said he wasn't and he is a preemie so I'm sure he's fine. I just feel like fattening him up now ;) :D

[shortcake]

Pink -Nope, Hayden is perfect! Of course, I think DS is perfect too - but he seems so big to me!

[Standrea]

Just got back from Abbie's 4 month WBV.

Height-27 inches (Off the Charts!!)
Weight-16lbs 12 oz. (100%)
Head - (25 %)


Everything looks great. Her hernia is healing nicely, and her tummy isn't as distended as it was.

We are going to hold off on cereal. The dr. said she would idealy like us to wait for 6 months, but we know her best, so if we feel that she NEEDS it, then by all means go for it.

We did a new sleep schedual last night, and IT WORKED!!:D (saying this with fingers crossed, in hopes that it works again tonight!).

Fed around 7:30
Bath with nightime bath products
massage with nightime oil
diaper and jammies
story
put down in crib WIDE AWAKE

Stan went in 15 minutes later and she was asleep. She woke up an hour after that (9:30), and I think because that was her bedtime and she was hungry. After a quick feed, she slept until 3 am, then went back down until 5:30! We got up for the day at 7:45. It made me very happy!!

[Standrea]

I forgot to drop off a picture from her first camping trip!!

http://attach.mud.mail.yahoo.com/us.f338.mail.yahoo.com/ym/us/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&MsgId=3914_1750595_67691_1296_1663671_0_220756_216 3370_1361014917&bodyPart=1.4&YY=30864&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&Idx=8

[MMHinCA]

We are off to Lake Tahoe for a wedding this weekend! Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

PS. Can you update my info.. I am now 29 (today's my b-day)! :)

[Standrea]

Happy Birthday MMH!!

Sorry my picture is so big, I'll remove it if you want...

[Em7.31.04]

Happy Birthday MMHinCA!

Standrea - I can't see your pic...? Maybe it's just my computer acting up again!

Pampers coupons are taken...

[smiles33]

Happy Birthday MMHinCA! Another Virgo, huh? My birthday is coming up 9/21--the big 3-0. YIKES!

Anyhow, I just wanted to say that I don't know how DD got to be 17 pounds at 4 months old, as she barely eats! She takes two 2 oz bottles at daycare (roughly fed every 3 hours) and then I usually nurse her at lunch. Today, I was too busy to go nurse her, so she had three 2 oz bottles. 6 oz over 9 hours?!?!? Other CC moms have mentioned their kids at 4 months drinking at least 3-4 oz PER BOTTLE!

I know when I was still at home full-time and we gave her 1 bottle a day, she would drink 3-4 oz out of the bottle (which was the last one right before bed), so I find it so weird that she now drinks so little.

But she's still on track at 95+% for her measurements compared to 2 month WBV so she hasn't fallen down the charts, so I know I'm not supposed to worry....

[Standrea]

Ok, I have a question. Mommies with BIG babies...did you have gestational diabetes? I'm still baffled at how big abbie is. I think I may have had GD, and i was tested too early maybe??

Abbie STTN last night!! She woke up at 6:30am for a quick snack, but went right back down and is sleeping fabulously! I'm very excited, but not getting my hopes up!

Smiles-does DH give DD a bottle? If so, does she eat 4 oz from him? It may be that she doesn't eat as much when it's not coming from you!

[nettie]

Smiles, sounds like it's nothing to worry about, given that your DD is growing so well.

Bottles, It's so weird though, my shrimpy 14 lb DS drinks two 7 oz bottles when I'm at work. I'm beginning to suspect that he loads up on the bottles because its so easy to get milk from them. Otherwise, he eats 6-8 times a day, that would be over 40 oz if he took the same from me as from the bottle. I wish it were the other way around though. I'm struggling to keep up with him with pumping.

[Jen1098]

smiles I agree as long as she's gaining I wouldn't worry to much-although I know it's our job to worry.

standrea Kyle doesn't have his appt. until the end of the month but I know he'll be over 16lbs since at his two month appt. he was 14lbs can't remember the ozs.
I didn't have GD just big babies! My oldest was huge also but now he's in the 50th for weight at 2 years.

MMHHappy Birthday. Enjoy your trip.

flyerwife Well Josh has been on a rx called miralax(sp) since he was about 15 months maybe. I hope your Kyle doesn't end up having problems b/c it's so hard to watch them in pain. So far it doesn't seem as my Kyle is having any problems.
I hope Kyle is feeling better.

# times of nursingI bf on command but I'm trying to space it so he goes at least 3 hours in between nursing. I have to admit sometimes I will nurse him when I know he's not really hungry so I can get him to nap with me.;)

My dh has been away all week, he comes home today. Yay. I don't know how single moms/dads do it. If I were a single mom I'd have to be alot more organzied that's for sure.

Have a great weekend.

[Bloomwood]

I'm having some conflicting emotions right now. I decided to wean Macey thinking I could do it over the course of a month. Well, I don't think my supply has ever been great and I've been supplementing for the last 6 weeks. My supply is pretty much dried up now. I really wanted to nurse her in bed one last time. Cuddled up with her in bed, sleeping next to each other while she nurses has always been my favorite thing about BFing. I was hoping to do it one last time. I was hoping today would be that time since DH isn't at the beach house with us until tonight. That is where the conflicting emotions come in. She STTN last night and is STILL sleeping. She went down at 6:15 and now it's 7:30 and she's out! So, I missed out on the cuddle time, but I have a DD that might just STTN all the time now. I'm sure as I get more sleep, I'll be less mournful about ending BFing.

Will someone tell me I don't need to worry please?? Since we started sleep training Macey, I have had a little soft chenille blanket (http://www.littlegiraffe.com/product/3)in her crib for her to put her head on. It is 14x14. Now she is attached to the blanket and loves to cuddle it. Since she is so mobile now, she rolls it around with her. I'm so paranoid that she is going to suffocate with it that even though she STTN, I still wake up to rearrange the blanket. :rolleyes: Please tell me to stop!! I mean, she obviously has tons of neck control and can move if it is positioned in the wrong place, right??

[shortcake]

bloomwood - stop worrying! :) she'll be fine. It's small and light and she is super strong and mobile. Sorry about that cuddle time but hooray for STTN.

Jen1098 - DD is on Mirilax too, since about age 2 ish. I hate having to medicate her to get her to poop. I don't think that's used on babies though!

smiles - sounds like she is gaining fine, so not to worry!

standrea - nope, no GD. But DS wasn't big at birth - 6lb 10oz - so I wouldn't have suspected GD anyway.

MMH - Happy Birthday! Have fun in Tahoe, I love it there. I miss it.

We had such a rough couple of nights - for the past 2 night DS has been up nearly every hour, literally! Last night he slept for 4 hours (8-12) and then was up every single hour after that!! He had shots 2 days ago so maybe that's it? I'm not feeding him every time, but I feel bad letting him cry since his legs may hurt. Not sure what else to do though! Now he's trying to sleep in his crib and having a hard time falling asleep now, too. I hope tonight is better!!!!

[flyerwife]

It's been a rough couple days around here. Kyle woke up Wed. night and cried off and on most of the night. We finally called the doctor on call (which we have never done, not even with my 4 yr old) and he was less than helpful. We thought it might be constipation, so he told us we could take him to the ER if we wanted. Anyway, long story short, we took him in the next morning and he has an ear infection, not in 1 ear but both! He never pulled at his ears or ran a fever. I feel bad for him, but he seems to be doin better today.

Given the rest of the stuff going on with his system we haven't started solids yet.

On the weight of babies, don't worry about the weight unless the % starts to drop from month to month. All babies are different!!!

[Pink_Converse]

Hayden slept in his PNP last night. I'm trying to wean him from my bed because I feel like I'm "supposed" to but I missed him. He woke up more to eat and I had to get up instead of just rolling over feeding him so I really didn't sleep that well, he also thrashes around in there for some reason. Plus I love cuddling with him and I feel safer with him right next to me for some reason, although I'm sure the PNP right next to me was actually safer. I did however put him in the bed with me when DH got up for work. I'm not missing out on my morning cuddles! I love sleeping with him but I don't want him in the bed at a year+ so I think I am probably doing the right thing. It's just hard. After seeing my BF w/ her 5 YEAR OLD son still in her bed until recently I got scared. I don't want him in there with me THAT long.

[nettreefrog]

I just returned from Gabriel's 4 months WBV:


Here are the stats: 26 inches long; 16 lbs. 11 oz.
The doctor was very impressed that he was sitting up on his own (which he demonstrated on the table for the nurse).
I told her that yesterday, he started inching along (like a worm)--when I placed him on his belly on the bed (to snap his shirt).
She said that we could increase solids from 1 to 2-3 times a day. She also said that he could have fruits and stage 2 foods because he loves to eat so much (remember this kid is already scarfing down stage 1 jars and asking for more in addition to his bottles).
The nurse was prepared with all 4 shots and gave them in what seemed to be around 20 seconds. I could have blinked and missed most of it. He yelled and then cried.

[smiles33]

Good morning! Wow, nettreefrog, Gabriel is really advanced! DD just started rolling to her side and still can't sit very well. I just tried to put her in her Baby Einstein exersaucer but she still can't hold herself up very well.

And thanks to you all for the reassurances. I know I'm not supposed to worry, but it is weird. And DH gives her bottles at night now but she still only eats about 2 oz. I stopped offering 4 oz bottles because I hated having to come downstairs to heat up the leftover bottle, feed her, and then pump in the middle of the night

Anyhow, also came in to update my avatar. We got photos back from our baby photo shoot and this was one of my favorite "artsy" ones!

[nettreefrog]

smiles33 - It is funny --kids are all unique. Gabriel does not roll from his back to his tummy whatsoever. I have tried to encourage him --but he just does not seem to get it.

Right now, he is scooting all around the apartment in his walker though... When we first got it, he only went backwards...but now he is going forwards and backwards with real gusto. Can anyone say babyproofing ASAP? LOL!

[Standrea]

Right now, he is scooting all around the apartment in his walker though... When we first got it, he only went backwards...but now he is going forwards and backwards with real gusto. Can anyone say babyproofing ASAP? LOL!

This is Abbie! When we first got it (about a month or so ago) her feet didn't even hit the floor. Now she's scooting around everywhere! We are havign the baby proofing talk tonight, figuring out what we want to do.

Thanks for all the responses about GD!

Bloomwood-I think Macey will be fine!

Pink Converse-Moving abbie from our room to her crib was the hardest thing that we have had to do. So I feel your pain. It does get easier!

Smiles-Cute avatar!

[Bloomwood]

you gals were right. macey survived with the blankie. :) the whole STTN hasn't really kept up even though the BFing is finished. Although, it is getting better. Last night, she had a bottle at midnight and then slept until 6:45! Night before was terrible, but we think it is because her room was SO cold. I bought her a blanket sleeper last night and she did much better. (no sleep sack)

Her napping is great though. She takes 2-3 naps. One is usually an hour plus and the second is a solid 2 hours. The third is optional depending on what time her 2nd nap ends; I won't let her sleep past 5 pm.

For those of you bottle feeding, how many ounces does your dc take at one feeding and how much does s/he eat in total during the day?

[Standrea]

Bloomwood-I'm so glad things worked out for you and Macey. I absolutely love Abbie's blanket sleepers. They make me feel much more secure!!

[Parrothead]

Hi there-

DD's night sleep is driving me nuts.

Around 3 months, she began waking once at night to eat. So, down between 7 and 8, up around 2-3 for a quick feed (consistent 6-7 hour stretches), back down for another 3-4 hours. It was great.

Labor Day weekend, she turned 4 months and we were on a quick trip to my parents' house. She did fine for the 1st 2 nights, maintaining her beautiful 1 waking/night with 7 hour 1st naps.

On the Sunday of labor Day was her baptism. We seriously messed w/ her schedule that day to try to get her on schedule to be in a good mood for the event (backfired!). I also bottlefed her, but didn't pump. That night, she woke for a feeding around 10:30pm, then around 2:30am, and then was down until the morning. I figured it was a fluke b/c of messing w/ her all day.

Right after this weekend, I got a plugged duct and she seemed fussy about that (not enough to eat?). Also, she got her 4 month shots. I knew it might take a few days for her to get back to normal.

It's been 2 weeks. She still has that 10-11 feeding, the 2-3 feeding, and the last 2 nights has also woken at about 5am also!

I usually try at the 10-11 feeding to soothe her w/ the paci and not feed her. That's only worked a couple of