November 2004 Kids and Families

[mia's mama]

yep, Annie. It's Aug 31 here in MA. So Mia will have 3 years of pre-school and then will be nearly 6 when she starts Kindergarten.

[annielynn]

A couple of pics of the kids

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/September%2007/LaborDay2007001.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/August%2007/TPCraigslist8_27_07010.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/September%2007/September82007006.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/September%2007/September82007004.jpg

[K&H's mommy]

Great pics Stacey, Annie & Kate!!!!

Stacey - Allison kisses just like Jackson. Good thing we aren't neighbors because they would be "making out" all day long. ;)

kindergarten - I think ours is December 1st or something like that. I remember trying to make the decision with Hanna since her b-day is December 8th. She is one of the oldest in her class but she is still so immature that I am so glad she is not in 7th grade right now! Kyle will be almost 6 when he enters kindergarten too. I don't want him to be too young, I'd rather wait. He will go to preschool 3 days a week next year and then the next year they have a kindergarten prep class. Just a glorified preschool class. :p

Kyle on the first day of preschool:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/P1050314.jpg

And for those of you without an LJ....Allison just turned 1!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/AllisonOne.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/AllisonOne2.jpg

[annielynn]

I am (kinda) glad that Jack will be almost 6 when he starts school. Paul was the same way growing up (his birthday is in October) so he started late. All that I can pull information from is that 2 of my nephews were held back in elementary school because they were just too immature to be moved on to the next grade. They both started just after they turned 5. Does that make any sense?

My other question is anyone not enrolling in preschool?? With 2 of us working full time it is hard to get him to school and then to daycare. NONE of the preschools are all day here even if they are free for 4yo. They are only half a day. I would have take him to preschool leave work to get him take him to daycare and then go back work. The only option that I have is to take him to preschool/daycare that is different than Claire's. Now I am paying about double what I am paying now and having to drive to 2 different locations in the morning/evening. That is just not really feasible.

So am I the only one that feels guilty that he will not have the school experience before entering Kindergarten?? I just don't know what else to do. Wow I feel like I am whining too. Another reason to be a SAHM. :( :(

[AJX]

Cute pics, everyone. :)

Well, this age issue is what I was talking about a couple of months ago on LJ when the NYTimes Sunday Magazine published a big cover story on the issue. Ontario has a Dec 31 cutoff, so it is all our choice. We're about to have a provinicial election, where the incumbent swears that there will be full-day kindergarten by...2010. But not 2009. And because the schools here do "jr. kindergarten" :rolleyes: I have to decide for next fall, 2008!
I was ready to let him wait, but he learned so much this summer that I feel like I'm holding him back intellectually, but I worry about him socially/emotionally, mainly with the sitting still and quiet demands.
Then while we were in Ottawa, the friends with a boy 54 weeks older but the same height as X insisted that he shouldn't wait because he is so big physically, and if he's already 5, almost 6, when starting kindegarten, he will hulk over his classmates and teachers will expect a ton out of him because he'll look so much older because of his size. :(
Don't get me started on the sports fans who think he should be in a sport already and delaying his entrance means he'll have that much better a chance of being a "star" athlete--because he'd be so much bigger and older.
I'm thinking of trying Jr. K next year and seeing how he does, with the idea he might have to repeat it. The big problem is trying to arrange half-day care and picking him up. I just hate this crap that is set up like everyone has a SAHParent.
No, X is not in "preschool," but his daycare was chosen for its many preschool/Montessori-like qualities. And the giant backyard where he runs and runs and runs, leaving him tired each and every night. I wish it were a bit more formal in some educational aspects, but I'm not really worried about it. I don't think he is at any disadvantage compared to what other kids are doing here. Except for th efancy Montessori and Waldorf schools, there is not really "preschool" here, just daycare settings for kids at 3. Everyone does the Jr. K at 4.

[duke's flygirl]

Stacey: thanks! I still can't bring myself to cut her hair!

Love all the pictures! I'm glad that the first days went well for you guys.

Annie, here they have just changed the date to Dec 31, it was Oct 1, but we now make the cut off. We aren't enrolling R into preschool, there is just no way with us both working FT too.

AJ, sorry about all the decisions you have to make so soon. NS was the last to convert to a Dec 31, and I felt that Ryleigh starting at 5 close to 6 would be boring for her,so I was contemplating starting her in the Halifax Grammar School (at a cost to me) for one year and then move her to the public schools, but now I don't have to.

[Abby'sMom]

School - Abby is in preschool two days a week. Never cried or got upset or anything when I dropped her off, which is nice, but still - doncha miss me a little? ;) Kindergarten cut-off is December 4th here, so we'll have a decision to make in a few years. Abby is TALL - people assume she's 4 all the time and are shocked when I say she's not even 3 yet. But I don't buy into the size-argument for sending a child who isn't ready. Then again, she may well BE ready by then. We'll play it by ear and see what her preschool teachers think. :)

#3 - We're sort of officially-unofficially throwing our hats in the ring to TTC #3. It's crazy because that first 9 months with Logan were SO hard, but now I just love the spacing between A & L so much that I want the next one to come sooner than later after all. Wish us luck!

ETA: I'm pretty sure I mentioned it months ago, but we bought a new house in March. We never did sell our old one (@#$% mortgage industry and interest rates...) so we've become landlords! It's kinda crazy and not something we ever thought we'd do, but it seemed like the best choice. Wish us another dose of luck with selling the house next year when our tenants' lease expires!

ETA Again: Joelle, AJ - It surprises me to hear that Canada is pushing cut-offs later in the year. I think here, most school systems are moving them forward. I know the cut-off when I was young was December 31st, and its now September 1st there. It's funny how the two countries seem to have such different ideas as to when kids should be ready for formal education....

[Paula R]

School Our cutoff here is September 1st. My oldest son is 4. His birthday is September 26. This year he started kindergarted at a private school because their cutoff is October 31st. I felt like he was ready and so far he's doing great. Caden on the other hand is in the 3 year old class and I'm not sure if he needs to be with that class. When I have to help him with his homework, I don't feel he developmentally ready for it yet. He has to do things like write letter and number and he can't do it. I talk to the teacher and she does not expect him to be able to really complete his homework but then I'm like what the point of giving it to him.

I guess that was my long winded way of saying it really does depend on the child and where they are developmentally. My 4 year old is adapting great with a class full of 5 year olds while I think Caden is not ready to be with a class of 3 year olds.

Its been so long since I posted some picture of Caden so here goes:

He wants to be just like his big brother. DS#1 played t-ball this year and Caden was so angry that he could not be on the team. the only way we could get him ready for the games was to make him think he had on a t-ball uniform too. He insisted on wearing this crazy get-up to every game.
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/82/82142/pages/977327/tball.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/82/82142/pages/977327/fishing.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/82/82142/pages/977327/similing.jpg

ETA: sorry the pictures are huge. You would think I knew how to resize them by now but I don't.

[Paula R]

Popping in to wish Kyle a happy belated birthday!

[K&H's mommy]

And a 1-day belated birthday to Kyle's twin Caden!!!!!!

You better watch out Paula....there are going to be way too many girls hanging out in front of your house because of those gorgeous brothers!

[mia's mama]

Happy B-day Caden and Kyle! Oh, and Grady too, right?

Speaking of B-days....has AJX had her baby yet? I STILL am not on LJ, so I need an update! Thanks!

I love all of the new photos!

Here's a new one of M & J:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/1751999679_464431d746.jpg?v=0

[K&H's mommy]

AJ did have her baby! A little boy on October 19th named Felix! I'll let her come and give the details and the pictures! :)

[AJX]

Happy belated Birthday, Caden. Those boys are so cute, Paula!
Stacey, your kids look great. Yes, I had little Felix, 55cm, 8-12, at 1:25am Friday morning, so he's 8 days old now. He's a textbook newborn, very easy. He likes the vacuum cleaner, wants a binky, and wants to be held all the time, so we just bought a Moby Wrap last night. X and F look pretty alike, down to the dimple, but F has lighter hair.
http://jmcgarry.cs.uoguelph.ca/albums/Felix/PA240057.sized.jpg
http://jmcgarry.cs.uoguelph.ca/albums/Felix/PA190026.sized.jpg

[mia's mama]

Aw, what a sweetie AJ! CONGRATS! How's X liking his new role as Big Bro?

[Paula R]

AJCongratulations!! Felix is a cutie just like his big brother. I'm going to have to get over to LJ. I've registered but can never seem to find the time to log on. I know I'm going to have to because I want to keep up with what going on with all of the kids.

StaceyLove the picture of Mia and Jackson cheering on the Redsox!

[AJX]

He's doing pretty well. He seems to like the baby, even if F is too fragile and too boring. He keeps wanting F to join him: "Baby wants to eat applesauce. Baby wants to swing." etc. In a year, he'll be much happier, I'm sure. Even in six months, when F crawls, is in the Jumperoo, the baby swing at the park, etc. We've already had an "F is for Felix!"

Come to LJ, you two!

[mia's mama]

Can I ask, What's going on with all of your kids and naps these days?

Mia is trying hard to drop hers altogether, but then is exhausted if she goes more than 2 days in a row w/o one. Most days I make her at least have some downtime in her room. Some days she spends 2 hours playing/looking at books and some days she sleeps for 3 hours, but then is up until 9:30pm b/c she has slept too long/late during the day.

[AJX]

Same thing here. He naps at daycare about every other day. When he doesn't, I know it within 60 seconds of picking him up because he looks grouchy. When he naps there, it is only 60-90 minutes, which seems to be perfect for a good mood and a normal bedtime.
At home on the weekend, he almost never naps, but we always give him "quiet time" in his room. He's playing in his room as I type this. But at home, he often sleeps too long/late, as he plays for an hour and then settles down to sleep for two, making it dinner time when he awakens. I fear that by this summer, when I hope to go on official Canuck Maternity Leave in stead of doing classes, he won't nap at all just as F has a real nap schedule in place and will wake the baby up.

[Abby'sMom]

Abby has been napless for over a year now. Sigh. And on the rare occasion when she does nap, she goes to bed really late and then gets up early. So I don't push it. Logan is down to an afternoon nap, but fortunately it's usually 2.5 to 3 hours long, so not too bad.

Happy belated b-days to Caden and Kyle... can you believe these 'babies' are already turning 3? Just six more days til Abby gets there and I can hardly believe it myself.

Great pics, Stacey and AJ! (And I won't hold the BoSox garb against you, Stacey.)

[K&H's mommy]

Kyle LOVES his nap and definitely needs one. He usually goes down at about 2:30pm and I have to wake up him up at 5pm. He doesn't fight it at all and sometimes asks for it. Hanna didn't drop her nap until she was 4 or 4 1/2.

[CMW02]

Same here.
Simone loves her nap and on occasion she even asks for it also. LOVE That!! :D
Especially since pre-school and now that day care re-started, she does nap somewhat regularly, but before that, it was sporatic, to say the least.

Right now, she naps most days anywhere between 1 and 3pm, usually for an hour or two.

Although, like AJ mentioned, weekends change things like yesterday she didnt nap and then conked out at 7p, but woke up at 9p. Oy vei. Not a fun evening trying to get her back down for the night.

Mia: Super cute kiddos! Jackson is a doll!! (just like big sis.)

AJ: Congrats again on little F. He is so cute, although a little young for applesauce, eh? LOL!! X is too funny.

e.t.a: Sherry! My heart aches for you. Napless for a year? Ah. I live for the kids naps. ;p

[Kates]

Happy (belated) Birthday's to Caden and Kyle!

Stacey, yup Grady had the first 'November' birthday on Sept.21. Love the Red Sox pics, Mia and Jackson must be HAPPY today :)

Naps, Grady naps like a star at daycare but fights us tooth and nail at home. I have to admit sometimes DH has to take G for a 'car ride' to get him to nap. DH is usually back in like under 10 minutes, so we know he's tired! I think Grady just likes the Daddy-and-Grady-car time ;) He usually sleeps for two hours when we're at home, and an hour at daycare.

eta, AJ, love the new pictures of the kids. F looks SO much like X, it's crazy.

-----------------------------------------
I'm just a little over 21 weeks now and finally feeling a bit better. We found out that we're having another boy. Grady is excited to have a brother, but wants to name him 'little sister'. Ha.

[Paula R]

Caden loves his naps too. If he's not in the bed by noon he will tell me he's sleepy. My five year old still takes a nap every day! Caden ususally naps from 1.5 to 2 hours and my older son naps from 1 to 1.5 hours.

Happy Belated Birthday Grady!!

[annielynn]

Jack isn't a napper. He will lay down at daycare for about 30min if that. He is usually getting in trouble for waking up the other kids! The weekends are zero nap days. We cannot even get him to lay still for 10 mins. I have pretty much given up. If it isn't his idea to lay down it isn't going to happen. :(

Thank goodness Claire naps during the day. That gives me a little bit of sanity.

OK, my "Ugh, I have a 3 year old" story for the day. I know that you ladies feel my pain. Jack went to sleep late last night but still had to get out of bed at 6:30 this morning to get ready to leave the house. He moved from his bed to mine and promptly fell asleep. I wasn't able to get him out of the bed to pee until 7:10 this morning. We got him up, dressed and ready to walk out the door at 7:20. I got Claire in her car seat, both cars were started, Paul's lunch and coffee were transported to the cars this is when I realized that I hadn't seen Jack in about 5 mins. During this time my son (LOVE HIM DEARLY) decided that he was going to go back to bed. So he stripped off all his clothes, took off his shoes and socks and climbed back into bed. UGH!!! Thank goodness Daddy was still home, he got him dressed AGAIN and we got into the car. 15 mins late! I was not a happy momma.

[mia's mama]

What are you ladies getting your 3 year-olds for B-day and holiday presents? We are getting Mia a play kitchen for x-mas and I have picked up a few small things, but I'm always on the lookout for fun new things...with 3 sets of grandparents, I never have enough suggestions for them. Any ideas? Also looking for good boy toys for J.

[Abby'sMom]

I think we're going to get Abby a kid-camera - either the FP one or another one... if there IS another one. She LOVES pretending to take pictures so we figure she'd be thrilled if she actually COULD take some. Otherwise, I'm not sure what else to get for her. I mean, we have Oct/Nov babies here, so they've already been loaded up on gifts. ;) (As a January baby myself, that's precisely the kind of talk that pissed me off when I was young, ha.)

For Logan... not a clue. He'd be just as happy with a big 'ol box as with anything else.

Here's a new topic... suddenly, ours '04 kids are three! Does anyone have college savings plans in place? We need to get moving on that stuff, but I'm just not sure what the best move would be. Thoughts?

[CMW02]

Just wanted to sneak in here and give a big ol

Congrats to SHERRY (Abby's mom) who is now ....expecting NUMBER THREE!!!!!


And yes..Sherry..we havent yet done so, but we're going to enroll both kids in the GET program, probably sometime in '08.

[babyjinks]

Happy Birthday to all our Nov. babies!!!!

I just wanted to say Evan has the crayola camera for kids and I am not all that impressed it was like 50.00 and I wish I would have gotten the FP one!

Ugh yes college is coming faster and faster! I was just thinking about what to do with his birthday money....

[mia's mama]

WOW! CONGRATS SHERRY!!!!!!:) I hope you are feeling better this time around than you did with A and L!

college savings- we've been contributing to 529 plans for both kids out of each of DH's paychecks since they were born. We also put all baptism/b-day/christmas $ into the accounts. There may be something that yeilds a better return these days, but 529s seemed to be one of the more popular ways to save when we researched it a few years ago.

Man, I was SUPER emotional this week with Mia turning 3. I told her the story of the day she was born (while looking at all of the photos in her baby book) about 15 times and she's still asking every day to hear it again. I guess she's a sap like her mama. ;)

[annielynn]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOVEMBER KIDDOS!! :) :)

Florida PrePaid College Fund It is a really great program. Jack is currently signed up. We did this when he was 6 months old. We send the state $74 a month until he gradusates from High School. By doing so now it locks in that current years tution (2005) instead of what it would cost when he would enroll as a freshman in college in the year 2023! Claire is not yet, but will be soon. We have to find the extra money to put in there first.

Jack is going to be spoiled this Christmas. He is getting a Power Wheels from mommy and daddy! He is going to be so excited. For his birthday we got him the Fisher Price Easy Link which he loves and a new movie. He also is getting a board game or two which will hopefully teach him to a better loser. ;) He is a horrible sport!

Congrat again to Sherry!! :) #3.... wow that is amazing.

[Abby'sMom]

Thanks! :) I thought we had an oops back in September, and was so disappointed when AF showed up that we decided to go for it again. We were the tiniest bit surprised that it happened first try again... Logan was a first try guy, but Abby took 7 months, so we were assuming it would be a little longer since I'm a little older and all. But we're really excited! (And I'm very quietly hoping for another girl so Abby can have a sister. She said she'd be ok with another little brother, but she also talks constantly about teaching a little sister to play with dolls and have tea parties.) So anyway that's my long-winded explanation. We saw G3's h/b last week and s/he measured a day ahead of what I'd guessed, so things look good so far. I'll be 9 weeks tomorrow, and have felt decent, though nauseated, most of the time. Yesterday sucked and today has sucked so far, but I'm hoping that I'm just ebbing in the 'ick' direction for a few days and that it won't last long. I'm back with my good buddy Zofran and am crossing my fingers that I won't need it the whole 40 weeks again.

Annie, wow, that program sounds awesome. Is it only for state schools?

Stacey, I was crying when Abby turned 3. I mean - 3 years have flown by! It seems crazy to think she'll be in college in only 15 (or 14 - K cut-off here is 12/4 and we don't know what we'll do yet) years. Gosh, here come the waterworks again.

Heather, Thanks for the warning on the camera! I've heard awful reviews of the FP one lately, too - mostly that the camera takes terrible pics. I'm not sure what we're going to do now. I know Joelle got one for Ryleigh... maybe she'll weigh in. Also, I saw the line in your sig, and wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. :( Words feel really inadquate, but I wish you much luck and many stickies when/if you TTC again.

Cindy, thanks for outing me. ;) Totally forgot to come by and do it myself so you eliminated a step. :)

****************

Both of my goofballs had their check-ups a few weeks ago. Abby is still a big girl, riding the 90th % in height and weight - she was 39.25" (though she was slouching so I think she's a little taller than that) and 36lbs 6oz. Logan is around 65th % in height and a whopping 15th % in weight at 22 lbs 2 oz - he's my skinny boy. He's very, very, very active so it's not a surprise. Abby started her meteoric growth at about 18 months, so we'll see how he measures up in January.

Miss y'all! Stacey, join LJ!

[Kates]

Happy Birthday to all the November babies!

Sherry -congratulations again! :)
I was going to add that we have the FP camera too. Grady loves it so far, it takes about 75 pictures, but he goes through that quickly. We've only tested it inside, and the pictures are ok, but the flash is terrible if you are too close to the subject.
Here's an example of G's handy work - the flash is a little bright
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2049257336_04685cc842_m.jpg
and another picture that turned out relatively ok
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2049257254_dd93b71637_m.jpg

College/University savings, we are going to start an RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) when I go back to work after my mat leave. We can backtrack our payments, so we're not too worried right now.

Christmas presents, G has way too many toys, so I think we're going to concentrate on books, puzzles and games. I think my parents are going to buy him a play kitchen (fingers crossed he'll get some use out of it!) and DH's parents are buying him skates and a helmet.

ETA
Heather, oh dear, I just saw your sig too. I'm so very sorry for your loss, I had no idea.

[annielynn]

Annie, wow, that program sounds awesome. Is it only for state schools?

It is designed for State Schools, but once your child graduates from school they can withdraw the money to go to an out of state school. You of course will have to put the extra tuition but it will be a great help instead of having nothing. When we signed Jack up the tuition per year was around $12k, when he is 18 the tiution for a state school per year will most likely be around $100k a year!! That is a huge difference. Totally worth the $75 a month right now.

[mia's mama]

Heather, I'm so sorry for you loss. And also sorry that we are just now sending our condolences- I had no idea :(. Best of luck when/if you decide to TTC again.

Sherry- When/if we decide to have a 3rd child, I too am not so secretly hoping for another girl :p. I will of course love any son or daughter who comes our way but would really love a sister for Mia. I have such a different bond with M than I do with J (both great, just different) and I want to experience it again. Plus Mia is so nurturing and into dolls that I know she would love a little sister. We won't be trying for another year or so if at all though. I love being home with my kids but holy cow they wear me out!
Funny that A is so high in the percentiles now- I remember when we were both freaking out over our little peanuts a few years ago. Mia is still relatively little (as is J). She's about 26 lbs and 37" I think. J is REALLY skinny at not quite 20 lbs.

It doesn't help that both kids are currently on their 4th stomach bug in the last year and the 2nd bug in 5 weeks! yuck- I've seen enough puke to last me a lifetime.:rolleyes:

FP camera: we just gave this to M for her B-day and she loves it, but I agree the picture quality is pretty hit or miss depending on how far you are away from the subject & the lighting.

Mia is finally totally adjusted to school with no crying. I spent the day there on her B-day helping out, reading her favorite book to class and serving cupcakes. It was so fun - I think I'm going to volunteer once/month in her class so I can see what she does all day (well, for the 4 hours/day that she's there).

I'll be back in a second with some pics...

[mia's mama]

Mia on her new Big Girl Bed:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2049439029_7718da1d9e.jpg?v=0
Mia at school on her B-day:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2050238706_9c2ead15a9.jpg?v=0

[Kates]

When we signed Jack up the tuition per year was around $12k, when he is 18 the tiution for a state school per year will most likely be around $100k a year!!
Oh my Lord! Are you serious? Is that just for tuition, or for books and living expenses as well? I always knew US College was a lot more expensive, but holy cow!
I just had a quick look at the tuition for the University I went to, and it's $4,882 - $6,615 for an undergrad. Considering I paid $2500 for my last year of University just over 10 years ago, that's not much of an increase. We're really lucky to have two Universities and one College in Ottawa that are excellent, so I'm thinking our kids won't have to go far from home for their post-secondary education ;)

Stacey, Mia is such a little sweetie. I'm glad she's adjusting a little better, it must have been hard with a new city, a new home and school! Grady still has a hard time some days at daycare, I think all the kids do.

[annielynn]

Kate that is just tuition. A full load all year long. No books and no living expenses. I am really hoping that I can keep my kiddos close to home for school. That way they will not have to spend a lot on living. We shall see what happens in the next 15 years!

Stacey Mia is such a gorgeous little girl! It looks like she loves her new big girl bed!

[babyjinks]

Thanks for all the well wishes. We are trying again now for #2..it has taken me a little while to cope..

I have just been lurking and of course running after Evan! I just love him to pieces. BUT! I dont know if any of you are having this problem...he is all potty trained with #1 has been for months but he keeps crawling under his bed to go #2 ! He told me to leave his room the other day to do it so I know he has control it just seems like he is being stubborn!

Grady's pictures are really good the crayola ones are really blurry...Evan takes really good pictures on my camera (of course i am petrified he will drop it every time he has it) so i am pretty sure it is just the crayola one.

We got Evan a bunk bed so his stuffed animals could be on top and immediatly had to remove the ladder because he climbed it and said "mama, I am gonna JUMP" my monkey!

Congrats Sherry on #3!

[babyjinks]

Oh I just saw that Grady is getting a play kitchen..Evan really wants one cause he helps his dad in the kitchen alot...I like that they have ones now that are not pink and cream :) Although since Evan just had his birthday (like all of you) he really just needs BATTERIES! LOL

[annielynn]

Heather, Jack needs batteries too!! He has already exhausted the ones in his new remote control truck. I am going to be spending a fortune on those suckers. I should go buy stock in Duracell! :)

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. :( I hope that you soon get blessed with a healthy and happy new bundle.

I hope that everyone who celebrated had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Ours was busy as usual but a great time none the less. We had some great food and a lot of quality family time which was needed by all. To top off our long weekend we went to get our Christmas Tree! I had won a 7' tree from a local tree lot in a raffle at work so I was really excited to go and pick it up. It is gorgeous! We are going to decorate it tonight. I cannot wait to get some pictures.

Ok so I have to ask, am I the only one with a smart mouth attitudinal little kid? O M Goodness, he has been a handfull lately. That kid has a comeback for everything. I will tell him something as simple as "put your sock in your laundry hamper" and he will come back with "No mom. I won't!" This just floors me. I sware that he is a teenager with the way that he talks back to me.

[K&H's mommy]

Heather - We had a heck of a time getting Kyle potty trained with #2. He would go under the bed also. He would also go and take off his pants/pull up and poop on the floor in his sister's room, in the family room, or anywhere else he pleased. For a while his favorite place was at the TOP of the play structures at McDonalds and those kind of places. NICE! What I finally realized with him is that he just needs privacy. The next time I saw him heading for some privacy I followed him and grabbed him and brought him to the bathroom and bribed him. Told him if he would go in the potty, mommy would close the door and he could do it "by himself" and if he did he would get a toy. I had the toy already upstairs as it was something he wanted. I told him what the toy was and told him it was in my room. He went!!! And never had a problem after that.

He totally needs privacy though. He will tell me "don't watch me" so as long as I'm turning my head the other way I can be there with him when he goes (like if we go at a restaurant or the mall or something). But I realize with him it was all about having some privacy and not "being watched". Maybe it will work for you.

So sorry about your angel baby.

[CMW02]

LOL!
Yep, I outed ya Sherry. I thought it was okay, since you had it in your siggy line already. ;p

[babyjinks]

K&h mommy Thanks for the advice I am gonna try that. Anything has to be better than nothing. Grrrr...

Annie. My child is not only a smarty pants but the worlds shortest Dictator! If any countries are looking for one he is the one they are looking for.

It is hard cause I love that he is independent and smart but boy it can be trying sometimes!

[annielynn]

Evan and Jack sound a lot alike! He told me in no uncertain terms this morning that he wasn't going to daycare, he was going to get in Daddy's bed and sleep, he was tired. Um excuse me?! You are 3 and I am your mother. I sware it is like having a short teenager in the house. I just cannot wait until Claire can talk back. :rolleyes:

[babyjinks]

Yep you could have said those words came from Evan's mouth and it would be totally believable! I just blame all the less than angelic stuff on Kris's side LOL

[Abby'sMom]

I call Abby The Sassmaster, so I know what you're talking about. ;)

It's been a really fun few days. One of my wisdom teeth erupted and made chewing impossible (literally) so I had to have it and the one above it removed yesterday under just local. It was so much fun - trying not to panic while I could hear the tooth cracking. And dude - puking up vicodin? Foul. That is probably the most foul-tasting puke EVER.

Sorry, just felt compelled to share. :)

[babyjinks]

Oh sassmaster....that is one i hadnt thought of.!

So sorry for your tooth..ugh! Sounds painful! Vicodin and i have never gotten along or so should i say vicodin and my stomach have never gotten along..so I hear ya on getting sick on it! Hope you feel better soon.

[duke's flygirl]

It has been so long since I have been on here. I'm not even going to attempt to do shout outs! I think this is the only group I visit on CC anymore! LOL!

I just wanted to drop off the pictures of the kids we had done about a month ago.

This is R's 3 Year picture,
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/dukes_flygirl/Ryleigh3Years.jpg

And one with her Brother, probably my favourite at the moment:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/dukes_flygirl/CopyofRandL2.jpg

I can't believe that our kids are THREE! Where has the time gone! Ryleigh has developed SUCH the attitude, and I don't know where it came from! She is still a napper, but it varies in length, at daycare, she naps about 1.5 hours, but at home on the weekends she will nap 3 hours if we let her! She is still getting up in the middle of the night, last night she got up at 1230 and came into our room and said "Daddy, I had a good sleep", I told her that it was still time for sleeping and sent her back to her room. She went and actually went back to sleep without one of us(me since DH can't at the moment due to a hernia repair he had 1 week ago) going in and lying down with her! I was happy about that! ESPECIALLY since I had to come to work today!

As far as the college savings, we have RESP's for both kids that we set up when they were itty-bitty.

FP camera: R loves it! I have yet to actually download any of the pictures though, so I can't comment on the quality of them! An R funny though, she was lying on her belly doing a "photo shoot" with her princesses (the ones that came off her b-day cake), and Liam TACKLED her! Instead of rescuing her, I did this:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/dukes_flygirl/November%202007/BodySlam.jpg
What a bad mommy I am! LOL!

I can't see all the pictures here at work, so I will get on at home and check them out.

Take care all! I hope to get back sooner the next time! LOL!

[Abby'sMom]

Joelle, I usually grab the camera first, too. :)

CRAP! I just lost a HUGE post.

I guess I'll bulletpoint instead. I'm so bummed.

- Had wisdom teeth removed two weeks ago after not being able to chew food for days. Had just a few shots of local. Totally gross to be awake for that. Do not recommend! But it's so wonderful to chew again.

- Still puking daily. Still taking Zofran's generic friend to help with that. Hoping it stops soon.

- Had a massive scare last Friday when I started gushing blood out of nowhere. I was lying in bed resting while DS was napping and DD was watching TV with me when I sneezed and felt like I peed myself (unfortunately, this happens to me. Often). Same thing happened, so I figured I should use the restroom. Got in there and there was blood everywhere. Freaked, called DH (not at his desk), called my mom and told her to pray and call DH until he answered), got neighbor to watch kids, and drove to ER alone. Blood was running down my legs and my clothes were totally soaked through. Took me back immediately - I guess I probably would have scared other ER patients. Admitting nurse found a heartbeat via doppler and was very optimistic. ER doc came in and checked my cervix, which was closed. (I was terrified while he was checking... I squeezed the nurse's hand so hard that she asked me if the doc was being too rough and hurting me.) DH arrived just as they wheeled me into the u/s room. Saw baby rolling around and waving his/her little arms like crazy. I would have cried, but I was so emotionally exhausted that I couldn't. (MUCH crying ensued on Saturday, though, as what had happened - and what HADn't happened - sunk in.) ER doc gave his report: No known cause for the bleeding. Surmised that a blood vessel had burst. Apparently it happens to 1 in 200 women during pregnancy. Did almost nothing over the weekend.

- Had an OB check yesterday. OB bypassed the doppler in favor of another u/s. Baby looked fine, waving little arms again. OB pointed out a HUGE blood clot next to the sac and said it was where the bleed had been. Cautioned me to take it VERY easy (no heavy lifting, no mall trips, etc.) until the bleeding and spotting completely stop over the next few weeks. If I don't, the clot could come dislodged and I could wind up with the same experience all over again. NO THANKS.

- Had the NT u/s today. Baby again looked fine (though this time s/he was sleeping and didn't want to move), and the sonographer remarked on the hugeness of my clot. I said yes, it was a huge bleed. His/her measurement was great, and we'll hear back on the blood part of the test next week sometime.

So that's what's been going on with us. I'm hoping for no more excitement for a long, long time.

[babyjinks]

Wow..Sherry I hope everything from now on is totally uneventful!
It is amazing that the kids are three now! It has gone so fast....
It is so fun for me to see the updated pictures. They look so much like the baby picts (newborn) but so different at the same time!
Evan is finally saying merry christmas ...he kept insistanting on saying happy halloween to everybody...

[duke's flygirl]

I guess I should out myself here too....

I'm going to be a 3-peater! We found out on Tues that we are expecting again. Of course D was at sea, and I couldn't tell him through an email.

My due date right now is somewhere between the 10-15 October, I hope to get a more concrete one soon. I see the NP on the 21 of Feb, and we will take it from there!

To say this was a shock would be an understatement. I guess I shouldn't really be surprised since we were playing with fire, and not avoiding all that well when we should have been obviously! LOL!

Hope everyone is doing well and that you all had a great Christmas, since it has been THAT long since anyone posted in here!

[mia's mama]

Wow! Congrats Joelle!

[babyjinks]

Congrats Joelle!!!! Happy Healthy 9 months!!!!

[duke's flygirl]

Thank you Stacey and Heather!

I'm slowly adjusting to the idea that I am going to have another baby. There are so many things that are going through my mind right now and it is VERY overwhelming.

D came back from sea on Thurs, but will be going back out on Mon for 2-3 weeks. So if I can get through the next little while it will be a good thing!

[Paula R]

Congratulations!!

[duke's flygirl]

Thank you Paula!

[Kates]

I finally made my way over here :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2261841078_64eb945408.jpg?v=0
Brennan Bruce Joseph
February 8, 2008 8:40am
8lbs 6oz, 21.75 inches

Sorry it took me so long to post here, but it's hard doing anything with two kids!!! Grady is adjusting great, he's been really gentle with Brennan and a great little helper.

I had a pretty good pregnancy considering all that happened at the end of my pregnancy. My Dad passed away about 3 weeks before Brennan was born. Although it wasn't unexpected, it was a really, really hard time for my family. My blood sugars stayed really good over that time, but the doctor still wanted me to go for a c-section at 36weeks. I was a little disappointed because I felt I could have gone longer with my blood sugar so good and no complications to that point.

Brennan apparently had other ideas, I went into labour the night before my scheduled c-section and we ended up having the c-section at 8am instead of 12pm that day. I think the fact that the Dr. did an amnio the day before (to determine if B's lungs were mature) had something to do with me going into labour. Nevertheless, Brennan was perfectly fine and didn't end up having to spend much time in the Special Care Nursery at the hospital, just a few hours as a precaution. I was pretty happy to be able to have Brennan room-in with me and come home with me when I was discharged from the hospital....I didn't get to do any of that with Grady.

I think Brennan is finally waking up a little, so I should take advantage of that and feed him.
I hope everyone is doing well :)

[Abby'sMom]

Since most of you (STACEY!) are on LJ and have seen this already, it's mainly just gratuitous posting, but here's me and my November 'baby' a few days ago:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b83/pinkbunny11/s41019ca110361_26.jpg

[mia's mama]

Kate-
Brennan is SO cute (once again, LOVE the name)! Hope everything is going well!

Sherry-
I mentioned it in the June 08 thread, but you look so great. And A looks so tall! Adorable picture!

[K&H's mommy]

Uh...June 2008 Stacey? Are you not sharing some information?!!!!

[mia's mama]

Uh...June 2008 Stacey? Are you not sharing some information?!!!!

NO!!!! :eek: I just lurk in various threads and saw Sherry's picture there. I am NOT pregnant! We are discussing the possibility for #3 sometime in 2009 though. DH and and I are leaving the kids with the in-laws and going to Cabo San Lucas for 5 nights at the end of the month and I did NOT want to be preggo for that...the margaritas are calling! :p

[annielynn]

I was thinking the same thing Sara!! ;)

Stacey, have a great time in Cabo. That sounds heavenly.

[Kates]

Ha, ha, ha! I was just thinking the same thing as Sara and Annie :) Thanks for the congratulations Stacey, everything is going well!

Sherry, I just love that picture Abby looks SO excited to be a big sister again.

[AJX]

Oooh, Stacey, have fun in Cabo. I can't recall my last margarita. I think I'll have one with my mom in a couple of weeks. She's always up for it. ;)
The #3s are going to crop up before we know it.

This is last night at our 5th anniversary dinner at a sushi place. F loves that toy.
http://jmcgarry.cs.uoguelph.ca/albums/Felix/IMG_2442a.sized.jpg

[mia's mama]

How's everyone doing?
Sherry- I can't wait to hear about baby #3...will you come in and post since I STILL havn't gotten around to the whole LJ thing?

Things are good here. Mia's last day of school is tomorrow. She's really into gymnastics these days and is a total monkey. Jackson is in an "anything she can do I can do better phase" and is a climber too. I found him yesterday climbing up the OUTSIDE of the banister to our stairs. Ugh. Hard to believe he'll be 2 next month!

[annielynn]

Stacey it is so great to here from you!! :) The kiddos look so grown up. How in the world is Jackson already 2?! Where does the time go.

Things are great here. Jack had a big weekend. He had been asking us to take his training wheels off his bike, so we did on Sunday. After 20 minutes that little booger was riding his big boy bike on two wheels. :) We are so proud.

Claire is walking too. It took her about a week. She went from taking one step one day to walking across the living room 3 days later, to cruising the house by the end of a week. :) Guess she was tired of crawling.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/June%202008/June7_82008026.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/alynn0903/June%202008/June7_82008035.jpg

[AJX]

Hello!
That's great about the bike, Annie.
Stacey, X goes to the Little Gym's class, and he likes it a lot, too. He's a mix of brave (bars) and scared (beam). Both kids look really cute.

AJ

[duke's flygirl]

Stacey: Great to see you, you really do need to get onto LJ! ;) I'll have to check out the pictures later, I can't see them at work!

Liam sounds a lot like Jackson...he is my monkey for sure!

If Sherry doesn't post one of us will be sure to do it for her. Should her WI-FI not work from the hospital she will be giving me a call so I will post for her. I can't wait to see if G3 is a boy or girl too!

Annie: I still can't believe that Jack can ride a two-wheeler!

Me: I'm doing well, 22 weeks PG now, and still have a hard time believing that in just under 17 weeks I will have #3! EEK! So much going on with us, D still has a cast on his wrist going on 9 weeks now, he is getting a new job which means we REALLY need to replace the truck SOON, talks are still on-going about the house situation, the kids are doing well though, so that is a very good thing, other than R's asthma attack over the weekend that meant 4.5 hours in the ER, and Liam's constant bruises from his daredevil-ness!

I had my U/S over 2 weeks ago, and we kept it a surprise, so that was good, but I still can't help but keep wondering about WHO this one is!

Hope everyone is doing well! Take care and hope to see some of you posting again soon!

[Abby'sMom]

I'm still here! It's funny because I went searching for this thread the other day and COULD NOT find it. I guess it was hiding. :)

38w 3d now. I've SO had it! Everyone due around me in the June thread is going into labor! I'm used to going near the front of the pack darn it. It feels like G3's head keeps engaging and then disengaging over and over and over again, which is driving me completely nuts. Last night s/he was pounding on my cervix and the hiccups were really low and all, but now it feels like s/he's moved back up under my ribs again. Ugh. I think things would get started if s/he would just stick his/her little head down in there and leave it be. S/he still has a shocking amount of mobility in there - constantly flopping around, sending the butt from one side to the other and stretching and stuff. They aren't kidding when they say that things really loosen up in there by the time you've had two or three! Anyway, yes, either I or Joelle will post here.

Abby - We don't have any summer activities on the horizon (oops), but she's very interested in learning to write and spell, so we're casually 'working' on that.

Logan - 2 at the end of next month! Shocking. We've entered the terrible 2s and he's gotten really willful, but he's still a sweet boy much of the time.

Love the pics! I'll have to upload some soon.

[duke's flygirl]

Just read in Sherry's LJ, she had her baby this morning just after Midnight CA time.

I'll let her give the details, but I think she will be okay with me telling you that G3 was: ISAAC CHRISTIAN, he weighed in at 7lbs 10oz, but Adam (who posted for her) wasn't sure of his length!

[mia's mama]

AWW...a father's day baby! CONGRATS SHERRY!!!!

[Abby'sMom]

Thanks J! :)

Isaac was 20 1/2 inches, and was born at 1:46 AM. Adam forgets funny little details sometimes, ha.

Just got home. I'm sure things will be interesting!

[babyjinks]

Heya all hope your all doing well! Evan is getting really really excited to be starting school in the fall...preschool of course because of the whole birthdate thing...we are starting to play team sports too..he played t-ball in may and will be playing soccer this fall...He didnt really care for t-ball i think there was just to much standing around but he really keen on soccer and the whole family plays that so hopefully that will go better. Anyways hope all our babies are doing well!!!

[Abby'sMom]

Hmm, Heather, is there someone you aren't sharing with us? ;)

[babyjinks]

LOL yepper I guess I am already having PREGNANCY brain :) I am so excited yet so nervous. We are due March 08, 2009 but we all know how EDD's go :)
They have me on progesterone supplements this time so hopefully everything will proceed right on track.
I had my first ultrasound on 7/15 and baby measured perfectly and has a heartbeat of 122bpm. Keep us in your prayers please!!

How are your little November chillin's doing at being siblings?
Evan has been alone so long I worry how he will do with a baby.....

Heya Sherry I hear ya on the little details being forgotten my DH does that everytime I send him to appointments LOL I make him write it all down now...and of course CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Welc ome Baby ISAAC
I started my live journal but it is really just a little sprout of a journal. I love seeing how big our kiddos are getting on here and now that some of you have had siblings how cute they are together :)

[K&H's mommy]

Well look at all the chit-chat over here! I never come over here anymore. But glad to see some faces from the past! Things are going well! Allison will turn two on Sept 2. We're planning a butterfly themed party for her. The girl is off the hook. She's a massive mini-me and that's not all good. She's opinionated, bossy, loud, stubborn.....all me. But she's also charming and funny and sweet - so that's me too ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/DSC_0063-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/DSC_0065.jpg
Kyle is crazy as ever. Can't wait to get back into preschool. Loves to ride his bike - anything with wheels. LOVES Allison...wants to protect her from anything!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/photo%20album%202/P1090991.jpg
Me and Hanna - and we went to the Jonas Brothers concert a couple nights ago. She was in heaven. And I was pretty empressed!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/NICU_nurse/DSC_0102-2.jpg

[babyjinks]

Holy Moly look at how big Kyle and Hannah are getting let alone your little one It is hard to believe she is already two! You do have some cuties on your hands though :)

So are most of you planning on three or stopping at two?? Or having even more like the dugger family???

[K&H's mommy]

I know we are DONE! DONE DONE DONE! Mirena IUD, please work, LOL!

I forgot to post CONGRATS to you Heather in my earlier post! Was on the phone with the advice nurse at the same time as posting that post because Kyle gave Allison his pink eye - UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AJX]

Congrats on the pregnancy, Heather!
We love babies around here, so pregnancy announcements are always welcome.
[waits patiently]
...ahem, are ALWAYS WELCOME. (Psst, that's your cue, You Know Who Are!)

We'll start thinking about #3 when F is older, like 18 months, i.e. into the toddler realm of daycare, not the wholly unavailable, $60/day infant realm.

K&H, glad the Jonas Bros concert went well. So you went ot the actual concert, or was there a parents' room at the venue?

[mia's mama]

sara- great pics! Look how big (and cute!!!) your kids are getting!
Congrats Heather!

So are most of you planning on three or stopping at two?? Or having even more like the dugger family???

We'd like a 3rd, but no luck yet (which is fine, I'm not in too much of a rush, but I don't want them too spaced out either). Now that Jackson is 2, it's getting SO much easier around here. M and J play together really well, and I can conceive of adding one more- my DH is still pusing for 4, but I'm pretty sure we'll close up shop after #3 ;).

We love babies around here, so pregnancy announcements are always welcome.
[waits patiently]
...ahem, are ALWAYS WELCOME. (Psst, that's your cue, You Know Who Are!)


hmmmm....inquiring minds want to know!

[K&H's mommy]

AJ - oh there was a bar at the concert I suppose I could have hung out in, ha ha ha. But I was rocking out with the rest of the girls. Anytime the Jonas Brothers did anything - like opened their eyes- EAR piercing screams!

Stacey - good luck with #3, hope it happens soon. K&A play sooo good together too, it's so fun to see. Then again he can make her scream the loudest when he takes away her stuff (which is a lot!)

[CMW02]

Damn you AJ!

You did this to me last time, I think...well one of you did! LOL!

OKAY! ITS ME!!!!

no official EDD yet, I just found out, like two weeks ago. I'm probably like MAYBE 7 weeks, if you count from LMP right? Damn, that seems impossible, but whatever I guess its true cuz I know conception date was mid June (13-15th)ish.

So, according to the EDD goddess AJ, I'm due on March 5th, ish...or around there..earlier probably cuz I'll be having my 3rd and LAST c-sec usually the week prior.

ok, so there you have it.

As you can most likely tell, I'm happy but still in shock. I was just adjusting to the "we'll be a 4 person family" idea, and them bam. God changed his/her mind. :p

[mia's mama]

wow! Congrats Cindy!

[babyjinks]

oh oh Cindy!!! We might be due the same day!!!! I am 7wks 2days today :) My LMP was 6/1 so it was right around the 14th of the month...I never did get charting down so it is all guesswork but that would be awesome!! My EDD is 3/8 but we all know how due dates work..hehehe

Jonas Brothers: Sara that is hilarious..I am sure your daughter was thrilled to go. She will remember that FOREVER! and i am sure your ears are still ringing...

COME ON pregnancy announcers!!! We need More!!!

I am back at school (as a student) at the end of august so i think this is pretty good timing I will be 11wks when I go back and still have 3 months before babie is due once school ends..I think I can take winter and summer semester off without affecting loans but I will have to double check on that..I am sooooooo excited though..

Please say prayers though for my baby to grow grow grow..i am a nervous nelly now!

[babyjinks]

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj256/babyjinks30/100_3468.jpg
I hope this works it is a picture of Evan at T-Ball

[AJX]

COME ON pregnancy announcers!!! We need More!!!


Heather, quit the rushing. We want some space between the announcements. Over on LJ, which the rest of you are welcome to join--
HINT
HINT--
I have a meticulously constructed plot of Nov 2004 Mama World Domination, and a key element is the Continuous Pregnancy, where our fecundity is yoked to our ability to rule. The chain has remained unbroken for years now, so we want another announcement in the coming months so that after that first week of March we still have some time before the Spirit Stick falls on the ground. ("Spirit Sticks" are also a vital piece to our neverending group pregnancy. ;) )

All of the babies, present, impending, and wished-for, are in my prayers.

[babyjinks]

Okay so I bowed to peer pressure and have joined up with the Live Journal but how do i find people on there?

[Abby'sMom]

Heather, what's your ID over there? I'm pinkbunny11, Cindy is cmw02, Joelle is dukes_flygirl, Sara is nicu_nurse, AJ is babezilla1, Marlene is mtysheera... I know I'm forgetting someone or two here....

Anyhow, nobody better be looking in my direction to take the baton next.

[mia's mama]

Sherry, will there be a next?!

AJX- you are awesome. Somebody throw that Spirit Stick to me! I'm on to another cycle, which is fine, but I'm going to see a new OB next week b/c I'm pretty sure I'm running into progesterone/short LP issues again (I had them before & during Mia's conception). A 9-10 day LP is no good, right? My last few cycles have only been about 26 days with no O until day 17...lame.

[Abby'sMom]

Stacey - eh, could be. I'd still like 4, but Isaac's pg was NO FUN at all. Adam is scared of the prospect of trying again because of the bleed I had and all of the time I spent out of commission as a result. Plus it's getting progressively more difficult to manage kids while being debilitatingly ill. I'm not closing the door til I'm 35, though, and since I'm only 30 now, we still have a lot of time to think on it. I'm also open to the prospect of adoption in 5-10 years if we decide against trying for a biological #4. Or, it's possible that the magical 'my family is complete' sense will come over me at some point.

On the LP issue... my LPs before Logan (? or maybe it was Isaac?) were only 10 days or so, and I managed to get/stay pg. Still, I remember when you were TTC Mia so definitely a great idea to see a new OB who will be proactive for you.

Oh, and get a LJ account! Don't you want to be cool?!

[babyjinks]

Live Journal: babyjinx30 i had to go search for it since I forgot it already LOL AJX i kinda like the baton Idea that will keep somebody pregnant forever...!!! mwwwwaaa haaaa haaa

But not me...Sorry girls but I am not gonna be a plus 18 children family this morning sickness stuff kills me. I am telling you! 3/3 if enough sickness for me! Providing of couse that all goes well with this baby....

[Abby'sMom]

Heather, I added you on LJ. :) It's amazing that our kids are old enough for t-ball! Evan is especially interesting to me since he and Abby share a birthday. :)

[duke's flygirl]

Cindy: CONGRATS again!

Heather: I added you on LJ! Welcome to the crazy world! Another one is April, she is april1234. Most of us kept pretty similar names there so as not to confuse others!

Evan is a cutie! Love the fact that he is playin T-ball already! WOW! !

LOL AJ! As I said to you on LJ, this uterus will be closed for business when #3 arrives!

Stacey: I'm hoping that you get some really good advice/treatment from your new OB. You are being proactive, and that is a great thing! I hope that there is an announcement of your upcoming #3 soon! Baby DUST to you!

Sherry: HA! I had just come to that magical place/feeling of "Our family is complete" when POOF! Somebody had different ideas for me! LOL! Oh, that and I was copying you! LOL! ;)

Hope you are all doing well! I'm 28 weeks now and only have 11 to go until my C-section is scheduled. This pregnancy has been SO different from the other 2 it is insane!

Ryleigh is going through some emotion stuff, but hopefully we will be out the other side soon!

Liam is ALL boy!

I'm very excited to see what this little one is like!

Take care!

[Abby'sMom]

Y'know, even though I've been in two mom groups since this one, it remains my favorite of all. :) Just thought I'd share that fuzzy thought.

Oh, and lest I look horrid, congrats again to Ms. Cindy on #3. ;)

[Kates]

Congratulations Heather and Cindy! Heather, I'm Kates_72 over on LJ.

How are your little November chillin's doing at being siblings?

Grady is an AWESOME big brother. He is so gentle with Brennan, it's really heartwarming to see. I'm sure this will change once B is into G's toys, but for right now things are good :)

Joelle, I can't believe you have 11 weeks left!

Sherry , I know what you mean about other Mommy groups, I just couldn't get into the March '08 Mommies group. Nice girls, but VERY chatty, I just couldn't keep up.

No more pregnancy announcements from me...we are done. It's honestly just the pregnancy part I couldn't do again, it's just too hard on my body. I was really lucky that I came out of both pregnancies without any complications (from Diabetes or other) and I wouldn't want to chance that again.


---------
Here are some recent pictures of G & B
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2693881223_41fbef6ab1.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2693891521_835d27294a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2622732873_79864e6e28.jpg?v=0

[babyjinks]

Thanks for the intro to Live Journal everybody. I am part of the cool club now hanging with the cool kids ;)

Kates: Grady and Brennan are so CUTE! I cant believe how big they have gotten. I am glad to hear Grady is a good big bro so far I worry about how Evan will do since he has been a only for so long. Although he did tell me the other day "that he is saving a chocolate coin for his sister" I said oh okay that is good then he said "But mom I really need a coin first" LOL
Do you think Brennans eyes will stay blue?? Both the boys have beautiful eyes.

Evan really hates me being so sick. I hate him seeing me so sick. I think his patience might be wearing thin though cause he told me that I could be sick after i get him his sandwich because he really needs his sandwich now please..I was like umm okay i will try...


TBall: LOL he had a lot of fun with his team. He liked playing with the other kids and hitting the ball and running..he HATED the fielding..not that i can blame him. I am signing him up for soccer for this fall which i think he will like more.

Joelle: WOOOHOO to only 11wks you are in count down mode now :)

Sherry: this is the best group!!! HANDS DOWN!

I am a chatty kathy hehehe I will be back in school at the end of august so i have to get all my chatting in NOW!

[Abby'sMom]

Aw, Kate, they're such little lookers. :) It's so cool that they have different colored eyes. :)

Heather, hope you're enjoying LJ.

Joelle, crazy... how did you get THAT far along already?!

Here are mine this afternoon. I have one that features Isaac smiling over on LJ, but Abby looks so funky in that one that I can't make myself post it in public, ha.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b83/pinkbunny11/IMG_9431-1.jpg

[mia's mama]

Heather- great T-ball picture- that really makes it hit home how old our kids are getting! I'm sure E will love being a big brother! Friends of ours just had their 2nd after a 5 year gap and their oldest can't keep his hands off the baby (in a good way).

I love seeing the updated pictures! Grady and Brennen are so cute! G looks like such a little boy- where did our toddlers go?!

Sherry- okay- does everyone tell you that Abby looks JUST like you? I can't tell if I looks more like A or L? What a cute bunch of kids!

Joelle- does time seem to be flying by for you this pregnancy? It seems like you JUST announced you were pg! Do you have any feelings as to what gender you might be having this time around?

[duke's flygirl]

I have to agree with Sherry about this group being the best! I guess what they say about your first group being special is true!

Kate: Your boys are absolutely adorable! 10 weeks now! LOL!

Heather: I never commented on how R is with being an older sibling, she has good days and bad days, but most are good! Definitely in countdown mode, but also in "OMG I am going to have THREE kids in just 10 weeks" freak out mode too! Where are we going to PUT this baby! Right now our Walk-In Closet seems to be the place for when he/she first comes home!

Sherry: I LOVE that picture of the kids! I have no idea how it happened either! I keep thinking that I JUST found out!

Stacey: On some days, yes, it seems like the time is FLYING, and then others it seems to be DRAGGING too! As far as the gender of D3, some days I am CONVINCED that it is a girl, and others I'm convinced it is a boy! So not too much longer and we will find out! 10 weeks will go by so quickly!

Here are 2 recent pictures of R and L, I got a new camera for our anniversary and I have been having fun with it!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/dukes_flygirl/July%202008/SprayerFun5.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/dukes_flygirl/July%202008/SprayerFun7.jpg
Hope you are all having a good week!

[CMW02]

wow..its busy over here!

Heather: Congrats on your lil bun in the oven. I think we are baking at the same time and will be done w/in days of one another!! How fun!
I'll add you over on lj in a moment. :) (cmw02= me) haha

Sherry: Kiddos are GREAT looking and omg..did I really read you want four?

Kates: some darn handsome looking boys you have there!!!!

Stacey: Sending you lots of pg dust. I WISH I could share the fertility wealth. I have so many friends who struggle and it seems with me, DH and I cant even have LUNCH together w/o getting knocked up. DRAT! haha

Joelle: cant wait to meet the newest D baby.... boy or girl...I cant decide!


not much new with me, still adjusting to the 3 baby household idea. Where do I put this baby in our 3 bedroom house? Aaaaaaaaaagh..all the details that were not issues w/number 1 and 2.

FIRST ob appointment tomorrow morning. I'm sorta excited, I think they do the internal *icky* sonogram, right? I hope..I am curious for them to date it plus make sure its all good an all.

But not looking forward to this pg. I'm eeek--35yrs old this time---and I've heard there are a lot more tests/u.s./required things/ when you get to be my age and still trying to be a mom.
lol

[babyjinks]

Dang see with all the morning sickness I missed all this excitement bah! I was just coming over here to see if you made your announcement Cindy and you made it 2 weeks ago!!! JEEZ!! Yes our buns our baking away! Evan's due date was so messed up I felt like he came early but really I think he might have been like a week or so late..hmmm I hope this one come just a little early...although I am usually late for everything :p

Loving LJ although with the sickness not as up to date as i would like it to be. Oh well I still get to surf ya all :)

[duke's flygirl]

Ryleigh and Liam really are the best of friends and they enjoy bugging each other as much as any siblings do, but they do both LOVE each other SO much! I am sure that he is going to miss her TONS when she starts school next September! I'm starting to worry about how #3 will fit in, and if one will feel left out. SIGH! I guess you NEVER stop worrying!

Cindy: Me neither! I can't wait to find out!

Heather: I hope that your m/s eases for you soon!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

[mia's mama]

well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this sticks, but I'm following right behind you, Cindy! According to my LMP, #3's EDD is 4/27/09! I had by betas and progesterone drawn (I started prometrium this month immediately after O) and everything looks good so far. AT 12dpo (might have been 11dpo since I'm not 100% sure of my O date) hcg was 229 and 2 days later it jumped to 661! Progesterone was 36.5, which is great. :)

[Abby'sMom]

Yay, congrats Stacey!!!!

[CMW02]

Stacey- that is SO EXCITING!! Congrats. April is a great month..DS's bday is Apr 30th. :)

You gave me goosebumps when I read your post!! Sticky vibes to you!!!
how fun. :)

[K&H's mommy]

Congratulations Stacey!!!!:D

[mia's mama]

thanks ladies! We are cautiously very excited...Dh has his fingers crossed for twins...ha! (There is no way...).:rolleyes:

[Abby'sMom]

Man alive, if you have twins, I'm going to cry! I wanted twins SOOOOO badly this last time. Mainly because I have sh!tty pregnancies (and boy, I had no idea how sh!tty 'sh!tty' could be until this last one) and I really really want four kids.

[mia's mama]

I'm going to cry too...and not out of joy!;)
I have no reason to believe there might be twins in there except that it runs in my father's family- my grandfather has 2 sets of identical twin siblings. The thought of caring for 4 kids under 5 scares the crap out of me though.

[duke's flygirl]

Congratulations Stacey! I can't tell you how happy and excited I am for you!

I was TERRIFIED that this one was a twin pregnancy too! I would have been crying like you if it had been! There are twins on both sides of my parent's families!

Now you REALLY have to get your butt over to LJ so that we are all there!

[mia's mama]

lots of us with #3 on the way, huh?
I know she doesn't post on here any more, but I still hang out with MAK and she too is expecting #3, next month. She's waiting for a delivery surprise (she has 2 girls) and I'm dying to know!
We'll be going the surprise route this time, like we did with Mia.

[AJX]

Huzzah! Mazel tov! Awesome news, Stacey!
Tell Mak to get her butt over here, too.
I still think about our long-lost Scottish member, the photographer who once pumped 11.5 ounces in one sitting.

AJ

[Abby'sMom]

Man... AJ, who was that? She sounds so vaguely familiar....

So are you taking the spirit stick back after Stacey? Although there may indeed be a #4 for us, I'm not taking that thing back again until 2010 at the earliest. :)

And yah, Stacey, tell MAK to get her bum back over here. AND JOIN LJ!

[AJX]

Her name was Nikki, I believe, and she disappeared during a bout of PPD. So, she's on the brain every now and again. She did the great kid photography, including that adorable shot of her baby with all the babies from her play group.

Now late April is really pushing it. It is technically possible for me to take the spirit stick at that time, but that would be the absolute earliest. Look to April for help. Soy her up. Otherwise, we're looking a little Team USA in the 4x100m relay. :p (Yeah, I watched too much Olympics. I kinda didn't know what to do with myself last night, since grading is done, classes don't start for 9 days, I'm too fried for research, and I'm an O-junkie. Then I remembered what to do at 11:30pm: SLEEP.)

AJ

[CMW02]

Wow..thats so neat about Mak! Definitely tell her congrats from all of us and I cant believe how many of you are going for "Surprise" babies again and this time around now. Is its just me that has this intense MUST KNOW?? I'm dying for my next u/s to tell me baby 3's gender!!

I need to know if S is gonna be sharing her room or if G will, or if I put S and G together and give BABY their own room for a while. I'm presently leaning this way since being at Ikea last night and seeing the CUTEST boy/girl bedroom and darling little beds that reminded me of a Dr Seus book. I want it..need to have it for my kiddos! :)

Oh, and chatted w/my big boss today, told her the news and how I cried when I found out. She has now given me the green light to work as much as possible to get extra $ and so I qualify for more FMLA since I'm on PT right now. Ah, such a great boss I have.

Other than that, had my 12w appt yesterday. All good. HB 169...does that mean girl? I dont remember G's being so high ever...but OB says totally normal either way. hmmm.....

[Paula R]

Congrats to all the new mommies to be again. You all are much braver than I. I stopped at number 2. My boys love each other to death by they fight over every thing. Never a dull moment. Not much new with us, Caden started Pre-K this year and seems to be loving it. He has come up with an alter ego, Pooka. He is Caden most of the time except when he has to do something that he does not want to do. The other night at bedtime he told me that Pooka does not have to go to sleep because he is a ninja and ninjas don't sleep.

Anyway, here is a picture of Caden/Pooka just being a boy.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/82/82142/pages/996219/tree.jpg

[AJX]

Cindy, cool with the boss and some more hours! One of my fantasies is to get a FT job just long enough before giving birth to qualify for Parental Leave, unlike this time around (TA-ships to not generate enough hours), and get to sit at home and collect EI checks. No school, no work, nada but Mama Time.

Paula, so cute! I won't tell X, though, so he doesn't get ideas for an alt-persona who doesn't have to eat healthy food before getting dessert. ;)

AJ

[MtySheera]

Congratulations to all of you expecting babies!! I forget that this thread is here since I usually stick with LJ now. It is so good to see updates from you gals, especially those who aren't on LJ!

I never posted this here, but in March I had twin boys, Zachary and Tyler. So we got babies #2 & #3 in one shot :) Frankie starts preschool this Friday, which he is very excited about! Life is great, busy, but great. We talk about going for #4, but only if we can guarantee having a girl, so I guess that means we are done :)

Here is a pic of all 3 of my boys (taken in June).

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/MtySheera/Copyof6-14-083boys.jpg

[duke's flygirl]

Marlene, that is an awesome picture of the boys!

Stacy, please pass on my congratulations and best wishes to Mak too! We are doing the surprise route this time too, and let me tell you it is HARD!!! LOL! But I know that it will totally be worth it in the end...well in 35 days at most! EEK!

Cindy Glad to hear that your boss is giving you more hours!

Paula Caden is a cutie! My DS is all about climbing and jumping!

Most of you know this already, but DH is on a course, luckily most of it is here, but of course he has to go 1.5 hours drive away 26 Sept-6 Oct (hopefully) with my C-section scheduled for 7 Oct at 730am! So this baby had BETTER stay put until then!

Hope you all had a great long weekend!

[babyjinks]

WOW MtySheera That is Great News!! I love happy news!!! Your boys are so darn handsome! I love exclamation points too I guess LOL. Anyways CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy: Glad your boss is cooperating so nicely and being so understanding. And no I am not going team green I am going team can you please tell me right this very second!

Stacey: YEAH!!! Congrats!!!!! And please tell MAK congrats too!

Paula: Your little guy is getting to be so big! That is too funny about Pooka at least pooka still does the stuff Caden doesnt want to even if it is grudgingly :)

AFM: I am burrowing through school but finding it harder to concentrate on it this semester as my brain seems to be missing, I blame it on the baby sucking it away. I have finally gotten over the M/S hump so I am feeling way better. I did however outgrow my clothes at the same time :o So now getting used to lovely maternity clothes again. Hope you all are feeling well and the kiddos are doing great!

[mia's mama]

Paula and Marlene- your boys are so cute!

[mia's mama]

Want to report in quickly that MAK had baby #3 today- a boy! Finn was born at 7.3 lbs and 19in. Mom and baby are happy and healthy! :)

[duke's flygirl]

Congratulations to Mak! and her family too of course!

She got her boy! Please pass on my congrats to her Stacy! Thanks!

I'm still around, less than 2 weeks now until my c-section.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[CMW02]

Congrats to MAK!! on her boy..Ah, how nice. :)
And I LOVE the name Finn..

it was on my short list until my cousin named her DOG Finn. Hey thanks. haaha..but such a cute name for a little boy. :D

[Abby'sMom]

Stacey, thanks for the news on MAK! I'm just seeing this now. And GO JOIN LJ! ;) :p

[CMW02]

Hey..I think tomorrow is THE day for Joelle...baby number 3's arrival...

cant wait as this one is a green baby..surprise! :)

good luck girlie!!!

[April1234]

Thinking major happy thoughts for Joelle and tomorrow is two for ONE because Ms. Cindy finds out what SHES having tomorrow too!!!! So we should be hearing double news.


I think most of you are with me on LJ but I am expecting #4..very much planned and we are very excited. Works out nicely because all four kids are 18 months apart so Lily and Sadie share a Nov. birthday and Nolan and the new baby will share May! Perfect!;):D

I am saying right now that this is our last. We are telling our families this is our last but *I* am most certainly not getting my tubes tied(4 pregnancies,4 c-sections..I have done my job) so its up to DH to take one for the team and if not then well..I guess I will be the first on CC with 5 kids. LOL Kidding..kidding...kind of.;)

Im waivering on finding out the sex...I am trying to relish every second of this pregnancy if it is indeed my last so waiting for a suprise sounds nice.

[mia's mama]

I can't wait to hear all the good news today! Congrats April on #4!!!

[babyjinks]

Congrats MAK!!!!!!

Congratulations April! That is great that your children will have so many siblings to have fun with and love. As a only child I am jealous :)

Joelle: Hope everybody is happy and healthy and well what did you have????? Congratulations!!!

[Abby'sMom]

I'm sure Joelle won't mind...

Payton Joelle arrived this morning in good health! :)

Congrats to the D family!

[mia's mama]

CONGRATS JOELLE!!!! Welcome Payton!

[mia's mama]

I peeked in the March thread...

CONGRATS CINDY!!!

[Abby'sMom]

Sheesh, I'm late to the party here. :) But I think I hit most of ya on LJ...

Congrats on your girl to Miss Cindy, welcome to Payton to Miss Joelle.

Also, I lurked and saw that Heather just found out the gender of Evan's little sibling. Congrats Heather!

[babyjinks]

Thanks guys!!!!
Okay trying out my hand at posting pics :)

The Goods:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj256/babyjinks30/100_3835.jpg

Alexander:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj256/babyjinks30/100_3841.jpg

Evan is super excited to have a little brother..he said he is going to teach him "how to use big boy toys because little babies dont know how" Love it!

A picture of my darling Evan:
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj256/babyjinks30/100_3807.jpg

I hope these work right!

[CMW02]

Congrats Heather!!

And thanks ladies..I sure HOPE #3 is a girl...cuz I just went to Gav's closet and donated and gave away ALL his baby clothes.

If she turns out to be a HE.. I'm toast! LOL!! :)

[babyjinks]

Cindy I have all Evan's little baby clothes and I am toast anyways..wrong season ya know...his bigger clothes I will probably recycle (he has some expensive outfits) because they dont switch sizes as much..clothes last more than a month or two but for the baby months I will have to get some new clothes for sure..(I cant see my baby wearing xmas sweater and wool pants in June LOL)

[mia's mama]

Happy Birthday to all of our sweet November (and October!) "Babies"!
I have been a total sentimental wreck over Mia turning 4...she's just SO grown up!
I feel like she has gone from this (Mia at 4 months):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/116158501_7eda5f7b34.jpg?v=0
to this overnight (Mia at 4 years):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/3038287622_14fe23017c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/3038287178_157b58df46.jpg?v=0

[Abby'sMom]

Happy belated birthday to Mia! You must join us on the LJ darkside.

[CMW02]

Oh Stacey!! she is adorable!! and ITA.. where did the time go!
She has changed so much I'm not sure I would have recognized Mia if you had not said who it was. Boo hoo!

Happy belated 4th Birthday MIA!!!!

she is still, as beautiful, as always..... :)

[CMW02]

ps...you gotta post a pic of Jackson now!!

I'm dying to see how much HE has changed!!!!! you sure do make some GORGEOUS children!!!

[mia's mama]

thanks guys :) Mia looks a bit different with her hair pulled back. ...I'm far too lazy to figure out LJ. Will you temporarily post a few pics of your "babies" as well? Pretty please?

J a few weeks ago:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/3038702845_ab40189bd9.jpg?v=0
and one more of M on her first day of school this year:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3039540026_dab5cc8e5d.jpg?v=0

[AJX]

Stacey,
1) LJ: I can set up an account for you, no problem, and give you a brief tutorial. I did the same for my mom and my BFF's mom. I just need to know what name you want. Stick with Mia's Mama so all your CC peeps instantly know it's you? Something new?
Once you log in, you post there pretty much the same way you do here. I can set up your security settings so only your Friends can read your posts, and I'll even start a Friends list with the ladies here, if you like.

2) Here is a Before & After birthday shot of Xavier my DH put together with Photoshop:
http://jmcgarry.cs.uoguelph.ca/albums/baby/Scan10547a.sized.jpg

Oh, wait, that's actually Xavier and Felix together. ;) :p :D Because, of course, X had about three times the hair that F does at this age (13 months), and...and that would be about the sum of the looks differences.
Here's X at that age:
http://jmcgarry.cs.uoguelph.ca/albums/XDec2005/PC190063b.jpg

[duke's flygirl]

Stacey! The kids are adorable! I will try to post a picture soon for you of my 3! Happy Belated! I can't believe how much Ryleigh has changed either!

You do need to get over to LJ! It is really easy once you figure it out and I'm sure that AJ will give you all the instructions in an easy to follow way!

How are you feeling with your Third PG?

Happy Belated to all Little ones!

[AJX]

Oh, yes: Happy Birthday to all our Nov babies!
If eyes are the window to the soul, then Mia's soul has not changed a bit. Her eyes make her look just like her baby photo. Jackson is so cute!

[mia's mama]

AJ- Are you sure you mind helping me with LJ? I don't know why it seems like such a daunting task...pure laziness on my part. I can't get over how much your boys look alike! It's true that the hair is the only distinguishing factor! What handsome little devils!

Would love to see some updates from other Nov babies! :-)

Joelle- the pregnancy is going really well, thanks (other than the fact that I gained 6 lbs in the last 4 weeks!). I'm 17 weeks and starting to feel really good...I never really get sick, but the exhaustion this time nearly killed me!

[April1234]

YES Stacey! You must get over to LJ, we would all LOVE to hear from you daily. :)

I will have to get some pictures together of all the kids for you. Lily will be 4 on Thursday and I am trying to hold myself together. Her party is on Sunday so I am busy busy busy. Hopefully I will have time tonight to post pics if AJ didnt get you on LJ yet!:D

[AJX]

Stacey, you have a PM.
Everyone else, please look for mymiasmama on LJ. :)